Crave: The way the particles land on a given credit card magnetic stripe are as unique as individual snow flakes or human fingerprints. So says a Magtek, a company that has developed a product, MagnePrint, for recording the unique magnetic media signature for all credit and debit cards scanned through its readers. The first scan by a MagnePrint reader creates […]
Secure ATM
No Poison Spray
Cool Tools: Most pesticides I’ve used are full of toxic chemicals, but this spray doesn’t have anything like that. The active ingredient is natural mint extract, which is a neuro-toxin. It works just as well or better than any spray I’ve tried, and smells very minty. I’ve been fighting roaches this spring, mainly in the kitchen, and my dog has […]
A New Way of Farming
Bigfork Eagle News: Julian Cunningham started Swallow Crest Farm in 1999, a few years after moving his family to this scenic area on LaBrant Road. He taught a preschool for three years before deciding his heart was in farming — and he wanted to grow the healthiest food possible. Local wildlife helps him control pests, for instance. He’s put up […]
Instant Rice
Popgadget: Instant noodles have been around long enough that we take their 2-minute preparation time for granted. Now Japan brings us Hotto! Raisu – specially packed rice that can be served up as a piping hot meal, just by pouring water over the packaging. No cooking required! The rice is packed by being subjected to 4,000 times the normal atmospheric […]
Grand Opening
The Cool Hunter: Call it the relentless march of capitalism, or the material manifestation of our fickle society, but the high street is in a constant state of flux. Shops change hands at the drop of a hat, and most of the time, it’s not for the better. It is precisely this commercial whimsy that inspired Canadian brothers Ben and […]
Bassline Needed
TrendCentral: A social networking site with a musical slant, Indaba Music gives users a place to not only share their own music, but also facilitates public and private sessions through which multiple artists can collaborate on recording projects. For example, someone who has a guitar part but needs a bassline may use the service to complete their vision. The objective […]
Toilet Advertising
Cool Hunting: Call it ingenious marketing or just plain bad taste, but a company promoting its laxatives on a bus stop billboard on busy Avenida Faria Lima in São Paulo has incorporated toilet lids attached to the seats where bus passengers sit and wait to further drive home its message. Those innocently taking a rest while waiting for their rides […]
Yoyo Phone
Iconoculture: They’re just concept phones for now, but we’re guessing the idea could be reused: ModeLabs has created a series of concept phones that run off sustainable energy sources. One concept phone looks like a yo-yo that hangs around the user’s neck and continuously harnesses both solar and kinetic energy using a pendulum and voltaic cells. Knowledge is nothing; power […]
Cheapest Network
Mobile Digest: Following on from Orange’s new pre-pay tariff yesterday, 3 has announced a new pricing structure for its Pay As You Go customers, with calls now from 5p per minute – the cheapest any network any time call rate available from any UK mobile network, according to the company. 3’s Pay As You Go Top-ups are also now available […]
CoolBusinessIdeas Newsletter Issue 43
New Business Ideas/Opportunities Featured In This Issue: FOOD & BEVERAGE Chilly Billy Bensons, a small family run business based in the English countryside, has produced an ice-pop that contains nothing but fruit. Chilly Billy consists of no added sugars, waters, preservatives, or artificial colours – just pure English pressed apples and a handful of raspberries. Food For Health From digestive […]