Feb 18 2009 Universal Cell Phone Charger Here By 2012
The major cell phone manufacturers (Apple excluded) have agreed to adopt a universal microUSB charger for cell phones by 2012. And I think I speak for all of us when I say I say, "it's about freaking time!" And also, "can you hear me now?" *slamming balls in dictionary* Jla`#@82[wa;g@!h.!! I deserved that.
As a result of the universal standard, smartphone makers may well end up incorporating both a micro USB adaptor, and a proprietary one for specialist data transfers to their devices. That'll require at least an extra lead or two in the box, losing some of the environmental benefit, and placing a constraint on product designs. Maybe that's why those cellphone makers who agreed to the standard have only promised "the majority" of cellphones will use the connector by 2012, and avoided a binding agreement.
Wow, that seems kind of ridiculous. I hate to break it to you, folks, but I can charge cellphones with my mind. Don't believe me? Take your cell phone out of your pocket and look at it. Does it have a charge? I did that. Now call me, I've got rollover minutes about to expire.
Cellphone Makers Agree on Universal Charger, But is it a Good Idea? [fastcompany]
Thanks to mike and Klye, who charge their phones the way God intended, like a bull.
Jan 14 2009 26 Years Later, Man Solves Rubik's Cube
It took Graham Parker 26 years to finally solve the Rubik's Cube he bought back in 1983. If you can't tell by the picture, he's really proud of himself. Kind of reminds me of the first time I ate a 72-oz steak and got my picture on the wall.
'I cannot tell you what a relief it was to finally solve it,' the 45-year-old from Portchester, Hampshire, said. 'It has driven me mad over the years - it felt like it had taken over my life.
'I have missed important events to stay in and solve it and I would lie awake at night thinking about it.'I have had wrist and back problems from spending hours on it but it was all worth it. When I clicked that last bit into place and each face was a solid colour, I wept.'
Wow, Graham, so you're a little crybaby, huh? Now I'm not saying there's ever a time when a person should just accept their own mental inadequacies and bail on a project, but damnit Graham, that time was 25½ years ago.
Man takes 26 years to solve Rubik's Cube [metro]
Thanks to Praveen, who can solve a Rubik's in under a minute using either the "hammer" or "new stickers" methods.
Nov 19 2008 Keep Your Money Secure With A LEGO Safe
This LEGO safe is made out of modular plastic blocks called LEGO bricks. And it has a Mindstorm NXT unit attached to handle its secret combination.
Five double digit codes protect your valuables, and the dial goes both ways, so there's a left and right entry for each number -- hence, over 305 billion possible combinations. Moving the safe will trip motion sensors and set off an alarm, and bars inside strengthen the structure.
Not bad -- as long as you're only locking up old Halloween candy or your little sister. But what if you need to protect something a little more valuable? That's right -- always cover your nuts with a free hand.
Video after the jump.
Continue Reading " Keep Your Money Secure With A LEGO Safe "
Nov 5 2008 An A Capella Tribute To John Williams
This is Youtube user ApprenticeA's a capella tribute to composer John Williams (who scored such perennial favorites as E.T., Jaws, Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Jurassic Park, and pretty much every other movie in the past 50 years that's had good music). At first I had trouble figuring out what I was watching, but after about a minute, I realized I had absolutely no freaking clue.
Youtube
Thanks to Jeff, who can hum better than anyone I know.
Oct 3 2008 The Peri Peri: Get That 'Tearing Open A Fed-Ex Envelope' Feeling Whenever You Want
Made by Bandi, the same company that brought us the electronic bubblewrap popper, comes the Peri Peri ($10), a noisemaker that "recreates the sound and feel of tearing open the paper 'zipper' on a FedEx/UPS/DHL envelope". Because, Jesus, that shit is so fun. Too bad I've got a plethora of the real thing. Take this one for instance *riiiiiiiip* a separation agreement, freaking awesome!
BANDAI Peri Peri Keychain Recreates The Sounds And Thrills Of Tearing Open A FedEx Envelope [ohgizmo]
Jun 13 2008 Smera Electric Car Concept Is Mad Skinny
The Lumeneo Smera is an electric car concept that's 8 feet long but only 31 inches wide (insert something about your penis here). It can reach 80 MPH and gets about 93 miles to a charge. Not too shabby.
Both of the front wheels on the Smera have their own 20hp electric motor which have a life expectancy of around 200,000 km. Those electric motors, as well as the rest of the vehicle, are all powered by a 144 volt lithium ion battery which weighs in at 180lbs.
The company is hoping to garner enough interest in the project to have models available for sale by the Paris Motor Show in October. Unfortunately, they'll be going for $30,000 - $46,000 and disintegrate if you get sideswiped, leaving you Smera'd (!) all over the road. HAHA! Okay, one nut punch, I deserve it.
Jun 6 2008 Star Trek Rap Is Not Suitable For Work, Home
First, there were the Star Wars raps, and now, Star Trek. This is song called The U.S.S. Enterprise (is getting *insert slang term for a woman's nether-region here* tonight) by some group called Those Aren't Muskets. It's very NSFW because it's all about doing it and they say a bunch of dirty words. I didn't like it at first, but it got okay towards the end. Don't get me wrong -- I still got fired for watching it, but at least now I've got catchy lyrics about the captian's "log" stuck in my head.
Youtube (all the lyrics and a link to a downloadable mp3 here as well)
Thanks Shawn, I'll never view Star Trek: The Next Generation the same again
May 23 2008 Flame - Allegedly The World's Most Advanced Walking Robot With A Blue Flame For A Head
"Flame" is the name of a walking robot designed and built by TU Delft PhD student Daan Hobbelen.
By mimicking the way that humans actually fall forward when walking, this robot comes insanely close to the real thing. Usually, walking robots are energy-hungry propositions, but this is the first that's both efficient and stable. Inside Flame are seven motors and a balance "organ" loaded with stability algorithms. By measuring each step, the robot adjusts stance width, speed, and gait on the go.
There's a video of Flame going for a stroll after the jump, and I've got to admit -- he's definitely better at walking than the guy beside him.
Hit it for the very short video.
