May 12 2009 No Surprises Here: How That Viral Samsung HD Camera Phone Commercial Was Created

Remember that viral Samsung ad with the mysterious disappearing phone? Me neither! *rewatches video* Oh right, that looked vaguely familiar. Well, this video explains how they made it just in case you care. And, not to ring our own collective bike bell or anything, but it's exactly how we all thought. Well, except for you -- you're slow. Like a turtle. ONE WHO CAN'T EVEN BEAT A RABBIT IN A FOOTRACE. But still, I like you. I like turtles.

Samsung's puzzling camera trick: here's how they did it [dvice]

Apr 16 2009 Viral Samsung Ads: Now With Trickery

This is a viral ad for Samsung's new I8910 camera phone. I found the guy in the video annoying but I would do his girlfriend. Twice. Once with the lights on.

OUR CHALLENGE: GUESS HOW WE DID THIS. This clip was shot on an I8910 HD phone, a new camera phone just released by Samsung with an 8 megapixel camera that can actually record and output video in HD format. It was shot in one take, with no post production or special effects of any kind. Everything you see here was done "in-camera". Our challenge to you is to figure out how we did it. Hint: it's worth watching in HD...

I went ahead and took the time to embed the video in high definition for you. You know, since I'm your little bitch. And now I'll go ahead and ruin it for you. SPOILER ALERT: Not a mirror. Just a hole. A big, gaping hole. Which, SPOILER ALERT: my ex-wife.

Samsung camera trick: How did they do it? [dvice]

Feb 26 2009 Oooh, Shiny: A Non-Reversing Mirror

Finally, I can sleep peacefully at night.

Hicks, a mathematician at Drexel University, Philadelphia, used computer algorithms to generate the mirror's bizarre surface, which curves and bends in different directions. The curves direct rays from an object across the mirror's face before sending them back to the viewer, flipping the conventional mirror image.

Awesome. I want them installed on the ceiling above my bed. Because then, wait -- it would still look me making love to myself, wouldn't it? Damn.

Reflecting on a new generation of mirrors [newscientist]
and a cool gallery of
Anamorphic Art [newscientist]

Thanks to twellve, who doesn't need a non-reversing mirror because she stopped wearing eyeliner when he found out it was tested on bunnies.

Feb 11 2009 'Invisible' Treehouse Hotel Is Hard To Find

Let's face it, we all want to live in treehouses. Unfortunately, I purchased all the remaining trees on earth, so it looks like you suckers are out of luck. Hey, there's always telephone poles. Also, I will be selling acorns for $1,000 a pop. Anyway, this is a treehouse hotel constructed of mirrored glass by Swedish architectural firm Tham & Videgard Hansson Arkitekter.

It is an old architectural trick used since the invention of mirrored glass: covering buildings with the reflective material and declaring that they blend in with the surroundings. Most architects use it to convince wary citizens that it is OK if their building is tall because it will reflect the sky and nature. The rendering always makes the building disappear, and the reality is always a big clunky mirrored box.

I like it. And not just because I was conceived in a treehouse. Because I wasn't -- I was conceived in the trunk of an Oldsmobile after a drug deal gone horribly wrong. Oh, I'm sorry -- was that too romantic to tell this close to Valentine's?

Hit the jump for schematics of what the inside looks like.

Continue Reading " 'Invisible' Treehouse Hotel Is Hard To Find "

Feb 3 2009 Blinkity Blink Blink: Tokyoflash's Heko

Well folks, Valentine's Day is rapidly approaching, and we all know what that means: sitting home alone, sobbing into the bra you stole from your last girlfriend. Alternatively, going out to the bar with the intention of scoring a lonely lady but getting far too drunk and making out with the touchscreen game. God, has it really been a year? Anyway, Tokyoflash's latest: the Heko. Get one for your girlfriend. Then take it back from her when she doesn't wear it. Ah, love.

Hours are presented on the upper screen. The hours three, six, nine and twelve in the same positions as on a clock face. Hours one and two are in between, a combination of lit LEDs show the hour.

Minutes are presented on the center and lower screens. The lower screen shows zero, fifteen, thirty and forty-five minutes in the same position as on a clock face, the LEDs in between show five minutes each. The central screen presents four single minutes, a combination of lit LEDs show the minutes.

Hekos are available now for $109 and come in blue, white, or multi-colored LEDs. Personally, I like the multi, because I'm funky fresh. Okay, funky ripe. I should shower but I want to build up my natural pheromones to attract the ladies. Ladies? RAWR! Haha, pet panther -- sorry about your face.

Hit the jump for several more shots and a link to the product page.

Continue Reading " Blinkity Blink Blink: Tokyoflash's Heko "

Nov 24 2008 That's What I Call Shiny: A Chrome Bugatti

We've seen chromed cars in the past, but quite frankly (can I call you Frankly?), those just weren't as shiny as this Bugatti Veyron. Maybe they went for the economy chrome job, but whatever the case, they lacked the mirror-like sheen of this summabitch. I mean, you could snort drugs off the hood of this thing. You know, or a CD case. But if you are doing your drugs off the back of a cracked CD case, chances are you probably don't have the money to be doing drugs. And your connection probably sucks. I guess what I'm getting at is this: you're snorting laxatives.

Hit the jump for four more of the shiny-shiny.

Continue Reading " That's What I Call Shiny: A Chrome Bugatti "

Nov 18 2008 Old Vampire-Killing Kit Sells For Small Fortune

An authentic vampire-killing kit from the 1800's recently sold at auction for nearly $15,000 to a pale man in a black cape. "This is a complete kit that comes fully equipped - stakes, mirrors, a gun with silver bullets (because where there are Vampires there might be Werewolves), crosses, a Bible, holy water, candles and garlic." The whole kit is housed in a beautifully decorated American walnut carrying-case. You know, because vampires hate nut trees, and nuts in general. Isn't that right, Dracula? Haha, biggest pair you've ever seen!

1800s Vampire Killing Kit Sold For $14,850 [youbentmywookie]

Thanks to Dave and REW, both of whom are trained in the art of beating the shit out of vampires.

Nov 10 2008 Not Just A Pretty (Reflected) Face: An Interactive, Touch-Sensitive Mirror

It's a mirror. It's interactive. It's an interactive mirror. You can touch it to paint pictures and manipulate text. "Conceptualized by Alpay Kasal of Lit Studios and Sam Ewen of Interference Inc. This is a patent pending touch capable mirror." Now I'm not sure about the practical applications of such a reflectionary device, but hey, who said anything about practicality? If I wanna do my hair and browse recipes at the same time, that's my God-given right. Kidding ladies, that one's yours.

JOKING!

Youtube

Thanks to Brooke, who probably wishes she hadn't sent this and now thinks I'm a racist.

Jul 7 2008 Mirror Tic Tac Toe Uses Only Half The Pieces

Mirror Tic Tac Toe was made by Peleg Design (not to be confused with Pegleg Design). And since it's mirrored you only use half the X's and O's (which we will now refer to as V's and rainbows)! Pretty clever. Too bad adults don't play Tic Tac Toe and children would just eat or break the pieces. Otherwise I'd make one and then start manufacturing and selling them since I couldn't find a price online from Peleg. Hrrm....Anybody interested in purchasing an iMirror Tic Tac Toe board can contact me directly. Wholesale orders welcome, but not gladly, so don't except me to kiss your ass over the phone or anything.

Hit the jump for a couple more pictures.

Continue Reading " Mirror Tic Tac Toe Uses Only Half The Pieces "

Jun 23 2008 MIT Students Make Solar Dish, Melt Steel

Students at MIT have developed a parabolic solar dish capable of melting steel. It consists of an array of 10 inch by 12 foot curved mirrors, and is a crucial step in the race to provide cleaner, cheaper energy.

The MIT team believes that their lightweight, inexpensive device holds the promise of revolutionizing the power industry and providing solar power to even remote regions.

The completed mirror focuses enough solar energy at its focal point to melt solid steel. The energy of typical sunlight is concentrated by a factor of 1,000. This was showcased during a demonstration, in which a team member held up a board, which instantly and violently combusted, when brought within range of the focal point.

By directing the dish at a more practical target -- water piped through black tubing -- steam can be flash created, offering instant means of producing energy or providing heating.

Awesome. I just built one myself, and I've got to say, it's pretty damn powerful. I just put a chair in front of it alongside a giant "FREE MAKEUP" sign, and now I'm waiting for my girlfriend to get home.

UPDATE: Success -- single again!

Hit the jump for a picture of the completed dish and a wooden beam catching fire.

Continue Reading " MIT Students Make Solar Dish, Melt Steel "

May 9 2008 Ghost Mirror Makes You Look Ghostly

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

Mar 28 2008 International Dance Party Box Has Radar, Rewards Your Dancing With Lights, Smoke

International Dance Party is a dance party in a box.

The machine comes as a large, non-suspicious looking flightcase. Internally, it is equipped with cutting edge radar sensing technology, an ear blasting state of the art 600W sound system, tons of psychedelic light and laser effects, and even a professional grade fog machine.

Through its dance activity radar, the International Dance Party detects and evaluates motion input from surrounding people in realtime. Several sophisticated transforming mechanisms let the flightcase turn into a powerful and boosting party machine, once the visitors start to dance within the machine's range of perception.

The audience controls the complexity of the generated music and the intensity of the light effects directly by the energy of its dance action. When there is no audience, or when the audience is not active enough, the machine stops its performance and transforms back into a transport crate.

Sweet, a fully functional dance party in a box! This is just what we need to take our apartment dance parties to the next level. That next level being anything better than our last dance party. Which, incidentally, was just my roommate grinding my ass after I passed out on the couch.

P.S.: Josh -- that shit was wrong. I want you to move out.

Worthwhile (but long) explanation and demo of the device after the jump.

Continue Reading " International Dance Party Box Has Radar, Rewards Your Dancing With Lights, Smoke "

Mar 27 2008 For Geekologie Ladies: A 360 Degree Mirror

This mirror is made so you can see all angles of your head at one time. "The 360 Degree Mirror saves you from constantly twisting your neck while you style your hair by featuring a seven panel 360 view that makes all angles visible simultaneously." It costs $40 and the middle mirror is illuminated using three AAA's. I don't need one though. I know what the back of my head looks like. It's bald(ing) and looks like shit. I'd prefer to go right on thinking that it doesn't exist. I'm sure the wife would go apenuts for one of these though. She's always doing her hair up like that chick in the picture. How she can control a blowdryer and brush at the same time is a mystery to me. Must be a woman thing. Like complaining and buying shoes. Ooooh, burn!

UPDATE: Just kidding ladies, that was a joke. Like your driving. HAHA, gotcha again!

UPDATE: Wife...Has...Balls...In...Vice...Is...Searching...For...Hammer...SOS

360 Degree Mirror [trendhunter]

Thanks to Sebastian, which I would name my son if I was still able to procreate, for the tip

Mar 20 2008 Tetris Mirror Is Reflective, Many Pieces

The Tetris mirror is the brainchild of UK product designer Soner Ozenc. It's a mirror made of 13 separate interlocking pieces. They come in gold and silver surfaces and totally suck because there's no such thing as single square tetrads in Tetris. Come on Soner, get with the program. No word on price or availability, but I don't care anyways, because this thing would be a danger to have around. With so many separate little mirrors, one is bound to fall off the wall and break. And you know what that means don't you? That's right -- you'll step on the broken pieces one night on the way to the bathroom to drain your snake. Your need to frequently urinate will be due to a bladder weakened from holding it too long too many times . You'll cut your foot open and leave a blood trail down the hallway. Then your wife will wake up and freak out because you're not in bed and there's a blood trail leading out of the room. She'll call the cops and say you've been murdered even though in reality you're safely asleep on the john. Then you'll hear a pound on the door, wake up, and forget to put your pants back on before answering it. It'll be the cops, and they'll all laugh at your penis.

tetris mirror reflects your puzzled expression [technabob]

Mar 19 2008 Infinity LED Bricks Really Take Me Back

LED Glass Bricks are a recent winner of one of the coveted "Red Dot" awards for good design. It's basically an infinity mirror with integrated LEDs so you get an awesome light show that stretches on into, well, a really far distance. The color shifting blocks can even be computer-controlled, for a really crazy lightshow. Damn these take me back. Back to my days on the dance floor of Studio 54, where, depending on who you ask*, I may or may not have made out with Eva Gabor while doing zooters off Elton John's ass.

* If you ask me, it happened. If you ask anybody else I wasn't born yet.

LED Glass Brick wins Red Dot Design Award [dvice]

Feb 13 2008 WTF!?: Pimped Out Powder Room Contest By Roto Rooter Is, Hell If I Know -- Awesome?

Unbeknownst to me, Roto-Rooter (the toilet unclogging company) gave away a pimped out man-bathroom last year. It had a beer tap and 42" flatscreen and all this other stuff that is mandatory for a room that you shower and shit in. Well, to keep up with the hip 20-something crowd they're doing it again, this time for the ladies. Drumroll please: The Pimp My Powder Room Contest by Roto-Rooter! You can enter everyday online at their website for a chance to win. It includes all the must haves for a bathroom like a coffee maker, laptop, iPod touch, Nintendo Wii, flatscreen/mirror combo, new shitter, foot bath, virtual window and more. OMG, this thing is totally mine. I came into this ready to make fun of it, but I actually need all these things in my bathroom. I'm even digging the pretty princess pink color scheme. Hey I'm just saying...oh my god I sprouted a vagina!

That being said, I've tried to play Wii from the john before, and it isn't easy. I was getting into a pretty intense tennis battle on Wii sports when a particularly strong backhand sent me reeling off the commode and onto the floor, where, yeah, #2.

Roto-Rooter's "Pimped out Powder Room" sports a Wii, needs a bigger TV [engadget]

Feb 7 2008 Rear-View Mirror Features Video Recorder

Sure police have had dash mounted cameras forever, so what makes the Rear-view Mirror Digital Video Recorder so special? Um, you see, it's, uh, inside the rear-view mirror and records traffic in case of an accident. Okay, you got me, I don't really care about it. I posted this because those two chicks in the backseat are totally about to make out. Who needs a traffic camera when you've got that kind of action in your own backseat? Not this guy. If I was there I would have ripped the mirror-cam off and jumped in the backseat quicker than you could say "who's driving the car?"

A MUST SEE video of an accident recorded with the camera after the jump. Call me crazy, but the person driving the car seems like they were trying to get in an accident. First they cut off the car in the intersection, then sped like a bat out of hell.

Continue Reading " Rear-View Mirror Features Video Recorder "

Dec 14 2007 Reflection Watch Features Mirror, The Time

The Reflection watch costs $159. For that money you get a mirror you wear on your wrist that transforms into a watch with bright red LEDs when you push a button. To me it looks a lot like a men's watch, which seems to be the wrong demographic for such a device. I mean, I don't need a damn mirror -- I know I'm fugly. My girlfriend always carries a compact with her and uses it frequently, because she feels she needs to look good all the time. Me? I always look like I got drunk and passed out in a ditch the night before -- which I usually have. But you don't see me checking the mirror. I look like I got hit by a bus and I know it. Just like I know I smell like shit. But you know what, f*** deodorant, it's unnatural.

Reflection watch looks cool [ubergizmo]

Oct 23 2007 Disco Ball Chandelier Is Shiny As Hell

Generally I don't like chandeliers because they're tacky as hell and just don't look right hanging in the trailer. But I might make an exception for the Confetti Light, from Swedish design house FRONT. Just look at all that glitter! It's like a million fairies dancing on your walls. It reminds me of when I was a kid and we used to jump through the campfire, trying to catch all the fairies that were given off. I later found out they were just burning particulate and all the smoke was probably giving me cancer. Growing up is a bitch.

Official Site [thanks to Richard, a man who appreciates shiny things, for the tip]

Oct 12 2007 Windshield Wiper Mirror, So You Can Shave

I hate getting out of the shower and ready to shave only to realize I can't see a damn thing in the bathroom mirror. If I leave the bathroom door open while I shower it helps, but then I get a cold breeze in there that makes my penis shrivel up inside me. And wiping the mirror with a towel just doesn't cut it. Enter the Bathroom Mirror Wiper. It's a windshield wiper for your bathroom mirror. I'm pretty sure you have to move it manually, which sucks. I don't like looking at myself in the mirror anyways. I'm ugly folks. Almost as ugly as my girlfriend. I'm way out of her league.

Espejo con Limpiaparabrisas (mirror with wipers) [core77]