Geekologie - Gadgets, Gizmos, and Awesome

Ghost Mirror Makes You Look Ghostly

2008-05-09T15:00:00Z

The Ghost Mirror is not what I thought it was. At first I thought it was going to be like one of those mirrors in the Haunted Mansion ride at Disney World where it looks like a holographic ghost is sitting next to you. This is not the case. Instead it makes you look ghostly.

In this mirror, the observer can see the reflection of his surroundings and yet he is never able to see himself.

Now I'm not totally sure how that works, but I've got the feeling that if that bookshelf shows up, you should too if you stand by it (so maybe you only disappear if you're really close). But there is, of course, the chance that an evil sorcerer lives inside the mirror and steals your image whenever you look at it. Yeah, that's probably it. You know, just from looking at her, you'd swear my girlfriend applies her makeup in a mirror like this. Seriously -- she looks like she got beat in the face with a paint can. Ghost Mirror [pipeline] Thanks David, now don't go and disappear on us

Is Steampunk Fashion The Next Big Trend?

2008-05-09T14:00:25Z

Probably not. I would definitely throw myself in front of a train before I was caught dressed like one of those wanksteaks in the top pictures. The guys on the bottom are looking pretty sharp though. I could do that. Maybe. Well there was recently an article in the New York Times Fashion and Style section about the steampunk fashion trend. I tried to read the whole thing but mostly just looked through the pictures and ate three oatmeal chocolate chip cookies for breakfast.

Quaint to some eyes, or outright bizarre, steampunk fashion is compelling all the same. It is that rarity, a phenomenon with the potential to capture a wider audience, offering a genteel and disciplined alternative to both the slack look of hip-hop and the menacing spirit of goth. "As a subculture, we are not the spawn of Satan," Ms. Kriete said. "People smile when they see us. They want to take our picture." Steampunk style is also an expression of a desire to return to ritual and formality. "Steampunk has its tea parties and its time-travelers balls."

Stop the presses. I was this close to going out and buying a monocle and tophat until I read that. As a time traveler, I'm gonna have to take a stand on Steampunk taking my balls. I mean, that's just wrong. I need those for when I travel back to the Jurassic period to have dino-style sex with velocirapators. A link to the NY Times article and several more pictures after the jump. And since it's Friday and I love you all, I included one of some smoking-hot steampunky chicks. ]]> Steampunk Moves Between 2 Worlds [nytimes] Thanks to Ross and Daniel, both of whom know how to get the ladies steamy without wearing a ridiculous topcoat

A Stripper Pole Wii Game In The Works?

2008-05-08T22:07:24Z

Is there a stripper pole Wii game in the works? Possibly.

While details are sketchy, the thought is likely that such a game would take advantage of the Wii Fit balance board, which arrives next month. You can imagine how such a "game" might work, with players tasked with balancing on the pole for certain lengths of time or in certain positions.

The company behind the possible game is Peekaboo Pole Dancing, which specializes in pole dancing kits and videos (including the Carmen Electra one). There has been no word on how Nintendo feels about the idea, but my guess is not ecstatic. But who knows? I do. They're not ecstatic. Ha, this reminds me of a funny story. When my siblings and I were in college my sister was moonlighting as a stripper. I went to the club once with a bunch of my friends for some steaks and entertainment, completely unaware of her secret profession. Lo and behold -- my sister dancing naked! Oh man, the hilarity that ensued. Seriously, you should have seen me trying to gouge my eyes out with the end of a T-bone. Hilarious. Game company plans stripper pole for Nintendo Wii [yahoo] Thanks to Heather, the best dancer you'll never get to see

What The Apocalypse May Look Like (That Is, If It Happened Naturally And Not At The Hands Of Giant Robots And/Or Zombies)

2008-05-08T21:00:24Z

These are pictures of the Chaitén volcano erupting in Chile (the country, not the delicious mixture of beans, meat and spices) and creating a "dirty thunderstorm". Dirty thunderstorms are caused by the incredible amount of static electricity generated in a volcano's ash plume and are not to be confused with "dirty thunderwearstorms" which are created when a coworker (i.e. The Superficial Writer -- thanks a lot dude) is taking his afternoon nap on the only commode in the building and there's nowhere else to relieve yourself. Several more pictures of the apocalypse after the jump.]]> Eye Candy: Chilean Volcanic Thunderstorm [ohgizmo]

Mouse Coat Created, Raises Ethical Questions

2008-05-08T20:00:23Z

The Museum of Modern Art in New York recently had this installation, "Victimless Leather", on display. It's a coat made out of mouse embryonic stem cells. However, after just a month the coat was too large to continue growing in its flask and had to be killed. Now the creator of the exhibit doesn't know know how to feel about it.

I've always been pro-choice and all of a sudden I'm here not sleeping at night about killing a coat...That thing was never alive before it was grown.

This is almost certainly going to open a whole new can of ~~whoop-ass~~ worms on the ethics and moral dilemmas associated with experiments and art of this nature. Perhaps the most important of which is, "It is okay to use a shrinking ray on your own children so they can fit into little mouse coats, right?" Mouse Jacket Grown, Euthanized In Museum Lab [gizmodo]

Original NES Gets Redesigned, Sleekified

2008-05-08T19:00:00Z

ReNESED is Javier Segovia's name for his redesigned Nintendo Entertainment System. As you can see it's a little sleeker, has some added color (namely red), and wireless controllers. Plus there's a funny looking placemat. I'd demand Javier make me one, but I don't need another Nintendo because I had a doctor install one in my brain. Well he isn't really a doctor in the traditional "medical" sense, but he has stabbed a lot of people in prison. Which I think is at least deserving of an honorary Ph. D in Stabbyology from the University of State Corrections. Another picture of the redesign after the jump. ]]> NES Redesign Is All Kinds Of Hot Shit [kotaku] Thanks James -- say, you mind blowing in my ear? The game won't load unless you blow on it.

Hood.e Hoodie Features Integrated Speakers

2008-05-08T18:00:09Z

The hood.e is the brainchild of Tim Dubitsky. It is currently being prototyped, as Tim continues to work out the kinks (like if you should wash speakers on the hot/cold or warm/warm setting). Tim has this to say about music and how it should be listened to:

There is a soundtrack to life, and now it's not just in your head. Throw on your hood.e, plug in your favorite mp3 player, and you're ready to roll (and rock). The embedded speakers make it possible for you to share your latest favorite track without the awkward ties of a tethered earbud. After all, music should enhance your life, not shut it out.

There's a soundtrack to life, huh? If that's the case mine would be filled with tracks about being in a dead-end relationship with yourself, having an ex-wife and two kids that hate you, and trying to kill yourself in the oven but failing because you can't afford to pay the gas bill. I'm sure people would love listening to that soundtrack. Another picture of the hoodie after the jump.]]> "hood.e" puts mp3 speakers in your hoodie hood! [core77] Thanks Shawn, you think I could borrow $80 to get my gas cut back on?

Sweet (!) Companion Cube Birthday Cake

2008-05-08T17:00:51Z

A guy who goes by N III sent me a little tip about this delicious Weighted Companion Cube cake. He writes, "My girlfriend decided to be awesome, and collaborate with a friend to make a pretty fantastic rendition of the Portal companion cube in the form of a birthday cake for me." Now that is so sweet. I wish I had a girlfriend that gave me something besides a mysterious rash for my birthday. Listen, I know what you readers are thinking -- "fondant tastes like plaster", but that's not what this is about -- this is about a girlfriend who lovingly made a companion cube cake for her boyfriend. If fondant is the key to wicked cake artistry, so be it. So just save your "I once fondanted my gonads and the dog wouldn't even lick it off" comment for somewhere else. Two more pictures of the cake (including one with it cut so you can see the red-velvety deliciousness inside) along with a link to a bigger gallery, after the jump.]]> Weighted Companion Cube Cake [photobucket] Thanks N III, you've got a good woman, so hold on tight

Google Maps Reveals Sweet Squadron Art

2008-05-08T16:00:09Z

Remember the crack deal caught on Google maps? That was pretty awesome wasn't it? Yeah, awesome and wack. Because crack is wack. Well now a reader of Geekologie has sent in some sweet squadron art via Google maps. According to my informant, Wes:

I just came back from Kadena Ab. in Okinawa Jp. and I just found your site. I think you might like these links from Google map. The first one is from my old office -- we were the 44th Fighter Squadron and we were the vampire bats so guess what was on top of our building? The second link is from our sister squadron the 67th -- they were the fighting cocks. Seriously, let the cock jokes fly but here is what the tops of each office looks like.

Man, that is freaking awesome. Inspired by this information, I Google mapped my own house to see what was up there. Unfortunately the zoom wasn't good enough, so I'm getting out the trusty ladder to take a first-hand peek. UPDATE: Damnit, no roof art here. I did find a dead bird in one of the gutters though, so the the kids aren't allowed to drink out of the downspouts for at least a week. Hit the jump for a picture of the cock, along with the links to the two maps.]]> Batman Map Cock Map Thanks Wes, let me know if you want me to help paint something on your roof sometime

The Tetris Theme Played On Empty Bottles

2008-05-08T15:00:30Z

First the RC car Mario theme, and now this. It's a video of the Tetris theme "as arranged in the Dr. Mario & Tetris SNES video game". It's played by three people and a bunch of empty bottles. It seems like they originally recorded it at half speed and then sped the video up (it sounds like there's a metronome clicking in the background too). But I could be wrong (I've been wrong before). All I know is that these kids have some serious talent and I want to support them. By, uh, drinking all the booze out of the bottles they need. I'm what's considered a "generous patron of the arts". I bet you didn't know that about me did you? What about the nipple on my back? Youtube Thanks Shawn, how about you and I split a bottle of bourbon? I'm buying.

I Know What I Want For Mother's Day!

2008-05-07T21:00:17Z

It's this -- Craftsman's 1,470 piece tool set. Actually 10 other different tool sets combined, it includes such hits as the: 300 pc. Professional Tool Set 198 pc. Advanced Essentials Professional Tool Set 189 pc. Specialized Essentials Professional Tool Set 204 pc. Advanced Access Professional Tool Set 106 pc. Advanced Professional Tool Set 89 pc. Specialized Access Professional Tool Set 83 pc. Fully Polished Ratcheting Tool Set 77 pc. Heavy-Duty Mechanics Tool Set 94 pc. Auto Specialty Tool Set 130 pc. Professional Impact Tool Set Now if you're a woman you're probably thinking to yourself, "You know, I should probably be in the kitchen cooking something". And I wouldn't argue . Kidding ladies! That only applies to my wife. But if you're a guy you're probably thinking, "Is my firstborn son worth the $8,600 pricetag?" And the answer, sadly, is no. You're gonna have to sell the second one too. Product Page (check it out for more pictures of the individual sets and whatnot) via $8,600 Craftsman 1470 piece tool set: your house is doomed [dvice]

Website Lets You Graffiti Any Other Website

2008-05-07T20:00:23Z

Paintthatshitgold.com not only stole the domain name I wanted, but it actually made pretty cool use out of it (not the website I was gonna make about people with gold privates). Basically you enter any URL you want, and then the site it provides you with graffiti tools (markers, spray cans, stencils) so you can graffiti the hell out of it. I did one for the best website on the interwebs (Geekologie), and you can see the results above. Now I know what you're thinking, "Damn, The Geekologie Writer has mad graffiti skeelz." And you're right, I do. I swear, you put a spraypaint can in my hands, and I'll huff the hell out of it. PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: Kids, huffing is bad. Don't do it. Not even a spot of delectable model airplane glue. It really does destroy your brain, and not in a good way like alcohol. Just look at me, I'm priving loof. Oh, and if you make anything good, attach the link in the comments Paintthatshitgold Website Thanks Jason, now lets go tag the shit out of the neighbor's house

Brightdoor Makes Its Locked Status Obvious

2008-05-07T19:00:45Z

The Brightdoor is green when unlocked, red when locked. Pretty simple, but it's making that girl in the picture glow like the devil. Apparently Lervik Design (the company responsible) first made just handles that lit up. But after realizing you could waste a lot more energy if the whole door glowed, they created this monstrosity. But as ridiculous as it is, I kind of like it. But instead of indicating locked or unlocked, I think it should be enter/do not enter (serving a similar function to the "do not disturb" signs in hotels and the sock you used to hang on your dormroom door in college). And here's why: One time a girlfriend of mine in college was studying for an exam all night, so I decided to go out and get drunk and mack on all the soon-to-graduate chicks at the bars. So I had a good time with the ladies and eventually ended up back at home. And what should happen? My girlfriend, who promised she would be studying all night, decided she was already prepared for the exam and came over to sleep in my bed. I was completely unaware of this. So, lo and behold, she comes over and busts open my bedroom door. And there I was, having sex. With myself. To anime. She screamed and broke up with me right there. And what I learned from the situation is this: I can't believe I just told you all that story. Brightdoor: Well, the Door is Securely Locked, But I Haven't Slept in Days [gizmodo] Thanks to Shawn, who once forgot to hang a sock on the door and his roommate walked in on him with four chicks in the bed

The Naturmobil Is A One-Horsepower Vehicle

2008-05-07T18:00:30Z

The Naturmobil is the brainchild of Dubai (you know, the United Arab Emirate that's always building crazy stuff) resident Abdolhadi Mirhejazi. It's a one-horsepower vehicle. Literally! Can you see the horse in there? He walks on that treadmill, which both powers the vehicle and charges a battery. I don't know if they have to dangle a carrot over his head or not.

Mirhejazi also discovered the horse can power two LCD advertising screens mounted on the sides of the Naturmobil. "Bearing in mind the originality and uniqueness of the idea, Naturmobil was designed and built to achieve the maximum level of attention from its audiences," said his marketing manager, F. Minooeifar.

Wait a minute. This Mirhenjazi character has a marketing manager? I don't have a damn marketing manager. Of course, I don't have a one-horsepower eco-vehicle either. What I do have is a wicked magic act that features two mind-blowing card tricks. I'm seeking representation. Anybody interested? Come on, I can even work a pigeon into the act. Several more pictures, including one of the device that catches the horse's crap while he's walking (I know I was curious), after the jump.]]> Naturmobil [neatorama] Thanks Shawn, you tie the horses to the hitching post and I'll meet you in the saloon.

Designer Guns Great For Gaudy Tramps

2008-05-07T17:00:59Z

Couple one of these guns with a designer gas mask, and you're guaranteed to be the tackiest thing trying to run in stilettos during the coming robot/zombie/candied yam/werewolf/douchebag/vampire/lobster apocalypse. Created by Peter Gronquist for his art exhibit "The Revolution will be Fabulous", each weapon looks god-awful. That said, I'm sure they'll sell like hot cakes. Oh wait, they have.

Gronquist's show opened last night at Gallery 1988 in Los Angeles. The pieces ranged from anywhere from a few hundred bucks to several thousand and several, such as the Louis Vuitton chainsaw, have sold.

This is just crazy. Anybody who actually bought one of these things should be locked up for having absolutely no theology or geometry. Well, except for the guy that bought the golden Louis Vuitton chainsaw -- he sounds cool as shit and writes this blog. Hit the link for a TON more name-brand weapon ridiculousness. ]]> Screw perfume, buy her a Chanel rocket launcher [dvice]