Jul 22 2009 Sadness: Lost iPhone Prototype Drives Chinese Factory Worker To Suicide
And in a bit of sad news, a Chinese factory worker jumped to his death after losing track of an iPhone prototype he was responsible for shipping to Apple.
The dead worker, Sun Danyong, 25, worked in product communications at Foxconn Technology Group, a Taiwanese firm that makes many Apple products at a massive factory in the southern city of Shenzhen, near Hong Kong.
Sun was responsible for sending iPhone prototypes to Apple, and on July 13 he reported that he was missing one of the 16 fourth-generation units in his possession, the newspaper reported. His friends said company security guards searched his apartment, detained him and beat him, the paper reported.Apple Inc. responded Wednesday by saying its suppliers are required to treat workers with dignity and respect.
Blood phones, just sayin'.
Chinese Worker Kills Self Over Missing iPhone [foxnews]
Thanks to Gino, who would have just burned the factory to the ground to cover up the loss. Smart thinking.
Feb 18 2009 Sure, Why Not?: Rechargeable Solar Batteries
You know what I hate? Rhubarb. Never liked it. Also, when batteries die. Or a beloved family pet. *sniff* Focus, GW, focus. BAAAAAATTERIES!
Designed by Knut Karlsen, the SunCats are basically a set of old NiMH rechargeable batteries wrapped in a flexible Photo Voltaic cell created by the Institute for Energy Technology. When the batteries are drained, you simply leave them sitting in a windowsill or anywhere with ample sunlight and they'll recharge themselves.
Unfortunately, the batteries are slow as hell to recharge. I'm talking like light-years here. Psyche -- light-years are a measure of distance, not time! But the batteries do take forever to charge. I wasn't lying about that. But I was lying when I said I love you. I just wanted to see what color underwear you were wearing.
SunCat Solar Batteries [ohgizmo]
Dec 31 2008 Google Streets: Porsches & People Pissing
This is a Google Maps Street View of what is allegedly a Porsche prototype being tested in Colorado. Hit the jump for another picture of several different cars, all being covered as the Google Street View van rolls by soliciting children with the promise of free Chupa Chups. And, as a special added bonus, there's a Street View image of some woman pissing behind a car in Madrid, Spain. Because, just like the country song, "sangria makes you piss behind subcompacts".
Hit it.
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Sep 16 2008 Awesomest Game Ever Is Coming Soon!
Jetpack Brontosaurus is a video game being developed by Flashbang Studios. It combines two of the sexiest things alive, jetpacks and dinosaurs, to create the awesomest game ever. My loins tingle at the thought of a Hot Coffee mod.
Thanks to Michael, who knows a good video game when he sees one.
Aug 19 2008 Man Designs IFO, Seeks Funding
Kevin Brown is a man. A man who designed an IFO and is now seeking funding to start production. Introducing the VTOHLJATT: A Vertical Takeoff Hover Landing Jet Aerial Terrestrial Transport (you've gotta admit, it's got a ring to it).
The vehicle has four models starting with the single seat version, capable of lifting the pilot and one passengers. The 2 seater version is capable of lifting the pilot, co.-pilot and 2 passengers and the 4 seater version is capable of lifting the pilot, the co.-pilot, engineer, navigator and 3 passengers. Each version configuration is maintained by an equal weight to thrust and lift ratios.
All vehicles will enable the occupants to take off and land vertically, by use of 4, jet vectored thrust engines. counter rotation turbo fan-jets; appox: 17" Dia. by 37.8 in Length, 300 pounds in dry weight. Capable of thrusts of up to 1200 Static 4 time that, well 4800, you see my point.The purpose of the vehicle is to enable this vehicle to maneuver in very tight, confined, spaces. Models depending on size of Occupancy range from 4 square meters to 10 square meters. The overall size of the vehicle will be no larger than an ordinary, domestic compact import car for the single seater version.
So, who's investing? Somebody better be, because I want one of these things. Think about it: owning your very own IFO! Finally, a chance to turn the table on those wonk-eyed aliens. Nobody probes this this ass and get away with it! Well, except a very special cellmate of mine. Miss you, call me when you're out.
Hit the jump for a bunch of different models of the craft, and email Kevin at kevbro007[at]hotmail[dot]com if you want Kevin to contact you with more info.
Jul 18 2008 eBay: Back To The Future II Shoe Prototype
This is a working prototype of the futuristic Nike's Marty McFly wore in Back to the Future II. This is not the shoe worn in the movie, it's the prototype from which the others were made. Oh, and it isn't a pair, it's just a single shoe.
They were originally called "Slamball Shoes," and that's what most people called them around Nike. There was supposed to have been a scene in the movie in which Marty plays Slamball, a game like 3D racquetball where the participants wear magnetic shoes which allow them to climb up the walls. That scene was never shot because the cost of building a huge room on gimbals to create the effect was too great.
The REAL name of the shoes in Marty McFly's world of 2015 was the "Nike Mag" because of their magnetic properties, and that's what is molded in the back of the heel.
The shoe is in "good" condition for what it is, but since the polyurethane midsole and fabric body of the shoe were simply spray-painted in the suggested color, some of the paint has flaked off over time. The LEDs, the electro-luminescent panel on the ankle strap, and one of the two electro-luminescent panels on the midsole still work. The other midsole panel comes on if you flex the shoe slightly.
Current bidding is at $2,550 with two days left. I'd bid on it, but I have two feet. Oh, and I try to stay clear of footwear that requires you have a battery pack strapped to your junk. That's just me though. Somebody call me when the hoverboard from the movie is for sale. And it better still hover.
Hit the jump for a couple more pictures of just how poorly things age when brought back in time.
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Jun 30 2008 Buzzball Could Be Fun, Could Be Pukey
Evento's Buzzball is is a giant ball with a seat in it that's being hailed as a one-person roller coaster.
At the heart of the Buzzball is a dual motor configuration, enabling the pilot to control the motion and direction of travel via left and right control triggers, which provides power to the driving wheels.The amount of power applied to each wheel will determine the direction the Buzzball moves.
Once the Buzzball is in motion the pod maintains an upright position until the pilot turns, causing the pod to rotate inside the ball against the direction of travel, which applies a braking force and the pod to lock with the ball. This causes the pod to rotate with the ball until the weight of the pilot and pod overcomes the inertia forces and causes the Buzzball to change direction.
This is when the fun starts, as the speed will affect the degree of rotation of the pilot and pod from a partial barrel roll to complete and multiple rotations!
Okay, so let me give it to you in layman's terms: You get in this giant freaking ball, pull some levers and shit, and the next thing you know you're puking, and, oh God, drowning in a creek. Now that's what I call a good time.
Hit the jump for a video of the ball in action.
Jun 24 2008 Phone Charger Powered By Dance, Ecstasy
The Dance Charge is a prototype phone charger that powers your phone by harnessing the kinetic energy of your dance moves. You just strap the thing to your arm, drop some ecstasy, and then let your eyes roll up in the back of your head while you flail around like an epileptic.
The device - which weighs 180grams and measures about the same size as a pack of cards - will be strapped to peoples arms and tested at Glastonbury Festival this week.As the dancers moves their arms along to the music - a specially designed system of weights and magnets creates an electrical current which provides a top-up charge to a connected mobile phone.
The charger was developed by Orange UK and 'GotWind', a renewable energy company, and is being tested at the Glastonbury festival this week. But the device isn't just limited to harnessing dance energy. It also works if you swing your arms while you run or masturbate like a crazy person.
Dance powered phone charger for Glastonbury Festival [newslite]
Thanks to Charles and Damn Luddites, now lets go to a rave and make out with some chicks in the moonbounce
Jun 18 2008 Gaming Station Looks Like Torture Device
The Ergonomic Workstation from Ergo Motions looks freaking ridiculous and may or may not come with some of those little toothpick-y things to keep your eyes pried open. I mean this thing is even wacker than most of the other ridiculous workstations we've seen here. It was designed to "help gamers...avoid the repetitive stress injuries and posture issues that often result" from sitting in a dark room surrounded by empty Pringles and Mountain Dew cans. Not totally sure why it needs to lean back like that, but if I had to guess it's for a more realistic flight and/or looking up a woman's dress simulators. The mutant dental chair is currently in prototype phase, so we'll have to wait to find out if it'll ever see the light of day. And, if it's anything like my World of Warcraft addicted roommate, it won't.
Hit the jump for a full list of specs if you're really curious.
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Jun 11 2008 Washer Works With A Single Cup Of Water
Well we've seen water conserving washing machines before, but in this age of waste, there can never be enough conceptual green washers. And now inventors at Leeds University claim to have invented a washer than can efficiently clean clothes using only (two girls) one cup of water and a bunch of plastic chips.
The process is based on the use of plastic granules (or chips) which are tumbled with the clothes to remove stains. A range of tests, carried out according to worldwide industry protocols to prove the technology performs to the high standards expected in the cleaning industry, show the process can remove virtually all types of everyday stains as effectively as existing processes whilst leaving clothes as fresh as normal washing. In addition, the clothes emerge from the process almost dry, reducing the need for tumble-driers. Xeros' technology uses as little as a cup of water in each wash cycle and could also bring benefits to other industrial processes such as wastewater treatment and metal degreasing.
Interesting. There is speculation as to whether the energy (and oil) involved in manufacturing the plastic chips necessary to wash clothes outweighs the water saved. So we'll see how that plays out. Regardless though, those stupid inventors have it all wrong. Screw using plastic chips, they need to build a washer that cleans with Doritos. Now that's a freaking washer.
Washing Machine Drinks Just One Cup of Water Per Wash [uk.gizmodo]
Thanks to Andrea, who washes clothes the old fashioned way, by buying new ones
Jun 10 2008 Hood Airbags To Help Save Pedestrians?
Let's face it, getting hit by a car sucks unless the person driving is filthy rich and you don't get hurt but can fake a good neck or back injury. Well now Toyoda Gosei has begun the testing of hood and grill airbags to help protect people on foot. They're activated via some combination of camera and radar sensors and may or may not launch pedestrians even further than you would have been without them. Whether they make it to actual production awaits to be seen, but if you're regularly running over people I recommend rigging a mattress to your hood during the interim. Or you could, I don't know, STOP DRIVING ON THE FREAKING SIDEWALK.
One more picture of the car after the jump.
Mar 18 2008 Ben Heck's Updated One-Handed Controller
Remember Ben Heck? He's the one responsible for the Portable XBox 360 Elite Laptop and One-Handed Controller. Well now he's developed another one-hander that looks even crazier than the first. You use it by moving the bottom analog stick on your leg. I've been looking for a convenient way to free up a hand while playing video games, and this just might be the ticket. Great job Ben, I applaud your efforts to help bring gaming to those who may otherwise be unable to play. Now make a left-handed version.
Ben Heck refines his one-handed Xbox 360 controller [engadget]
Mar 13 2008 Backpack Has Speakers, Stormtrooper Styling
The Reppo II Backpack is a product design by Joonas Saaranen. As you may be able to tell being the astute observer that I know you are, it's a hardshell backpack with speakers. It was designed with those people in mind that want to subject you to their music no matter how much it sucks. Like Captain Deaf of the USS Busted Eardrums I had to sit next to on the bus yesterday. He was wearing headphones, but he had the volume up so loud the whole bus could probably hear. I mean WTF? I was going to grab his iPod and smash it, but I knew that things would work themselves out. And you know what? I was right. He got mugged after getting off at his stop. Poor bastard, no more music for him. Say, speaking of music -- I've got a nice iPod for sale. Great condition, comes with a pair of really loud headphones.
Reppo II Boombox Backpack Could Have Some Niche Appeal [uberreview]
Mar 5 2008 Wooden Head Knife-Block Is Pretty Disturbing
Here at Geekologie we've seen weird and disturbing knife-blocks in the past. Well to top them all is this prototype by Maarteen Baas. As you can see it's a man's head -- but with a bunch of damn knives sticking out of it. When my wife sees this she'll probably think it's funny and will want one painted to look like me. And that, my friends, is why I'm packing my bags and getting the f*** out of here. That crazyass is going to kill me.
Head Knife-Block [notcot]
Feb 19 2008 Cleopatra Would Have Dug The Pyramid Car
The "Dream Car" is an electric vehicle built by a father and son team. It's shaped like a pyramid. The name of the father responsible for the car is Greg Zanis, his two sons are Chris and Greg. A pyramid is defined as "A solid figure with a polygonal base and triangular faces that meet at a common point." This vehicles weighs over 8,000 pounds and has 80 batteries that power its 4 engines. It can go 45 mph, has a range of 80 miles, and recharges in about 4 hours. It cost $60,000 to build and doesn't have airbags. What is does have is awesome neon lighting (see picture after jump) and sweet pyramidal styling.
Did I mention it looks like a UFO? And obviously when I say UFO I mean UDO because it isn't flying. I bet Chris and Greg can't wait until they get to take their dates to prom in this thing. They're never getting laid! EVER EVER EVER! If a dove flies by a diamond the size of a bowling ball and brushes it with its wing ever so slightly once every 1,000 years then when the diamond is finally worn down to nothing they'll still be 40 trillion year old virgins. Just kidding, I commend the boys and their father on an awesome project.
Check out the sweet neon and a video after the jump.
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Jan 7 2008 2880 x 900 Curved Monitor: OMGWTFBBQ!?!
Well I should be at the Consumer Electronics Show in Vegas right now checking out the latest in gadgets, gambling my life savings away (~$16), and totally getting with hookers. But am I? No. Because my wife wouldn't buy me a damn ticket for Christmas. I hate her so much right now. If she wanted to make it up to me (pay attention honey) she could buy me this nasty-ass Alienware monitor. While just a prototype for now, they expect to have them on the market by the end of 2008.
The 2880 x 900 monitor is "a doublewide curved DLP display with OLED illumination." It mimics peripheral vision, which is awesome, because I was thinking just the other day that my periphs were really missing out on something during the gaming experience. No word on what the price will be, but count on expensive. And you know what else you can count on? Your fingers. It's easy and it makes you look like a kindergartener.
Another picture and a video from engadget's coverage of the CES after the jump.
Continue Reading " 2880 x 900 Curved Monitor: OMGWTFBBQ!?! "
Nov 30 2007 'Bar Of Soap' Predicts Your Use For It
The 'Bar Of Soap' comes to us from MIT Media Lab's Brandon Taylor and Michael Bove. The idea behind the device is that it determines its functionality based on the way you hold it. If you hold it like a TV remote then its little accelerometers tell the device to display the appropriate controls like volume and channel. If you hold it like a phone it will act like a phone. Granted the device made doesn't actually have TV remote and phone functionality, just the capability of determining if you're holding it like one. And right now only 60-70% of the time. Making it far less effective than a Wii-mote.
"Bar of Soap" Prototype Detects Intent from Your Touch (You Scoundrel) [boingboing]
