If your speaker system fails, why not make some new speakers out of a few spare hard drives? The linked tutorial shows you how to do just that, using modified hard drives to produce speaker-quality sounds. The sound is created from the rapid vibrations of the heads and platters in the hard drives, which are controlled by a simple audio amplifier. The tutorial even mentions that this type of modification isn't limited to hard drives, but rather anything with an electric motor. I suggest you make some speakers out of the motor in your neighbor's Prius. He might be angry at first, but when his car starts pumping some solid party jams, he's bound to cool down and start dancing.
Do you strive to add more consequences to the embarrassment and shame that accompany your constant arm wrestling losses? If so, you might be interested in picking up the Shocking Arm Wrestling Kit. To use the kit, you simply attach the included glove to your wrestling hand, place your elbow on the pad, and arm wrestle as usual. When the loser's hand and glove hit the table, they're hit with a lethal electric shock. No wait, not lethal. Small. A small electric shock. You might pass this off as a cheap novelty, but remember, the only way to reconnect with your son is to make it into that national arm wrestling competition in Las Vegas. You need as much practice as possible.
Tombstones are about to enter the digital age, my friend. Vidstone is offering the Serenity Panel, a solar-powered 7" LCD panel that can be placed on a gravestone, mausoleum, or columbarium. The Serenity Panel will display a five to eight minute photo slideshow detailing "the most precious memories of your loved one's life" and fully creeping out everyone who happens to pass by on the way to less haunting memorials. The product sounds suspicious, and judging from the picture, Vidstone is actually the ghost of a company that died four years ago. The only ghost companies I trust employ Peter Venkman.
CNN has an article about a new interface that transmits images directly to the brain through a device placed on the tongue. The interface, known as the "Brain Port," has the potential to transfer data from cameras, compasses, sonar, etc. through electrodes on the device and into images in the user's brain. It is currently being developed for military applications, with an intent to create soldiers with "superhuman senses similar to owls, snakes and fish." At its current stage, the device has helped scuba divers locate small objects in controlled conditions and produced some visual perception for blind testers. Although it would be great for soldiers to have 360° sonar, it's a lot harder to call for help during the next shark, bear, or bear shark attack with giant plastic pacifiers in their mouths.
Verify Location, a UK company that specializes in offering tracking services to the public, is now offering the Sazo GSM. About the size of a matchbox, the Sazo GSM broadcasts its geographic location to an internet site where it can be tracked and monitored. Unlike GPS tracking devices like the TrackStick, this Sazo model uses cellular phone frequencies to determine its location, making it feasible for use in enclosed areas. In addition to tracking, the Sazo GSM offers services similar to a cell phone, like receiving calls and sending emergency SMS messages. Unfortunately, the device and service are only offered in the UK, so you'll have to find another way to determine if your girlfriend really spends her nights volunteering at that homeless senior citizen blood drive she's always talking about.
Audi has unveiled a car accessory that could make your daily arguments with moody teenage barristas a thing of the past. The WMF espresso machine is a coffee machine that sits firmly between the driver and passenger seat in Audi's latest concept car. Although it appears in a concept form, Audi assured that it is fully functional, "provides fresh coffee at the touch of a button," and will only occasionally sprays the driver's crotch with a blistering stream of searing coffee. Combine this espresso machine with some of RoadPro's utensils, and you could rent out your kitchen to a family of nomadic herders.