Jul 28 2006 Another Dell explodes
Not sure what's going on with Dell lately, but not only has their customer service and support gone to hell, but now their computers are exploding on a regular basis.
Jul 27 2006 Kotarou robot responds to touch
“Kotarou” — developed at the University of Tokyo — stands 133cm tall and weighs approx. 44-pounds. What sets this robot apart from others is that it actually responds to human touch — grasping of the hand, etc. It features multiple processors and an external power source.
I dunno man. Judging by the video the scientists didn't put enough effort into this thing. It barely moves and if I hadn't been told it was a functioning robot I would've just assumed it was a really fancy looking doll. One more video after the jump.
Jul 25 2006 Logos redone Web 2.0 style
What do you get when you mix the biggest logos in the world with some Web 2.0 designers? A bunch of rainbow colored gradients, that's what. I tried doing the same thing with my house but the home owner's association sent me an angry worded letter. Those stupid bastards just don't know how to appreciate rainbow colored walls when they see it.
Jul 25 2006 Morph pad is the most amazing note pad ever
Sick of your boring old note pad? Then order some of these Morph pads, which are custom built depending on the number of sheets you want. Although I don't see how you could bring yourself to actually use one. It'd be like using the back of a Picasso to take down some notes. Only afterwards you wouldn't kill yourself because you just wrote on the back of something worth a gazillion dollars.
Jul 24 2006 License plate blurring device
Some people who enjoy driving fast have developed a device to blur license plates at the flick of a switch. It was originally produced for participants of the cross country race Bullrun, but is perfect for anybody who just really hates obeying the law. Like bank robbers. And pirates.
Jul 24 2006 Device writes on water
Researchers at Akishima Laboratories (Mitsui Zosen), working in conjunction with professor Shigeru Naito of Osaka University, have developed a device that uses waves to draw text and pictures on the surface of water. The device consists of 50 water wave generators encircling a cylindrical tank 1.6 meters in diameter and 30 cm deep (about the size of a backyard kiddie pool). The wave generators move up and down in controlled motions to simultaneously produce a number of cylindrical waves that act as pixels. The pixels, which measure 10 cm in diameter and 4 cm in height, are combined to form lines and shapes. The device is capable of spelling out the entire roman alphabet, as well as some simple kanji characters. Each letter or picture remains on the water surface only for a moment, but they can be produced in succession on the surface every 3 seconds.
I don't see a use for this but at least it looks cool. And once we perfect writing on water we can work on more important things. Like writing on the moon. With a giant laser. To carve my name.
Jul 24 2006 Monopoly replaces cash with Visa debit card
Monopoly board game players can now pay for properties with debit cards. Game makers Parker have phased out the standard multi-coloured cash in a new version. Players will instead use a Visa mock debit card to keep track of how much they win or lose. It is inserted into an electronic machine where the banker taps in cardholders' earnings and payments. Parker said replacing of cash with plastic showed the game was moving with the times. Spokesman Chris Weatherhead said: "The new electronic Monopoly reflects the changing nature of society and the advancement of technology."
It's about time they got rid of the cash system. Not only is it horribly annoying, but it's tough to use when you can't count. Or read. Or eat without spilling half the food on your lap.
