Dec 31 2007 2007 Almost As Bad As 2006, Bring On 2008!
For those of you out that checked in today expecting a good number of New Year's Eve posts, I apologize. You see my ISP, who will remain nameless but who’s name starts with Comc and ends with asstastic left me without a connection for the majority of the day.
But anyways, it's about that time. And to help usher in the new year I thought I'd post an appropriately titled "Time After Time" photograph by artist Ori Gersht. What he does is take bouquets, freeze them in liquid nitrogen, and then smashes the hell out them while taking pictures with a high speed camera. I'm pretty sure I saw Mr. Wizard do the same thing (minus the photography) when I was a kid, but that doesn't take away from this piece's awesomeness. Enjoy.
Now everyone get out there and make me proud tonight. Get too drunk, make out with someone that's too ugly, and wake up too hungover. Because that, my friends, is what New Years Eve is all about. Well that, and regretting every decision you made in 2007. So feel free to rant here with any 2007 misgivings or wild New Year's stories that involve serious debauchery. I’ll be back Wednesday if the world hasn’t exploded.
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE, LET IT ALL HANG OUT!
Dec 31 2007 8-Foot LEGO R2D2 Is Very Large And Plastic
Ever seen an 8-foot LEGO R2D2? Well if you hadn't before you have now. "Built by official LEGO Master Model Builder Dan Steinenger with the assistance of a bunch of visiting kids, the giant R2 unit was assembled as part of the recent Festival of the Masters event at the LEGO Store at Downtown Disney in Orlando, Florida." It looks pretty good, but they could have rounded him off a little better. Of course you're dealing with kids so it's probably best to just keep it real simple or they'll screw it all up and then get into drugs and what have you. The model does have some nice little LED accents but isn't capable of projecting Princess Leia. However it does play sound effects from the movie (see video). Things like "Beeple beep" and "Dootle dootle chirp chirp". And lets not forget the classic "Whistle whistle boople cheep cheep chirp beep".
Check out the video after the jump.
Continue Reading " 8-Foot LEGO R2D2 Is Very Large And Plastic "
Dec 31 2007 Grandma DIY: Super Mario 1-UP Scarf
You know what would make 2008 a really kickass year? A shit-ton of extra lives -- and this scarf provides them. The 1-UP Mushroom Scarf is handmade by the seller UrbanPrincess on Etsy and measures 5 1/2 inches wide and over 6 feet long. They run $150 but are made to order, so you can get them in any color combo you want. You know, this whole Super Mario scarf selling seems to be a pretty lucrative business to be in. So if you'll excuse me I'm gonna head down to the retirement home and see if I can't get a bunch of grannies to crank these out for me. I'm going to threaten to kill them if they don't. That may sound extreme but you gotta be tough with the geriatrics or they won't do shit for you.
Dec 28 2007 Shotgun Blasted Cell Phone Sells On eBay
Take a Nokia E90 cell phone, add one 12 gauge shotgun blast, throw that bitch up on eBay and what do you get? Apparently $20.50. The description of the "for parts ONLY" phone follows.
The unfortunate victim of a negligent discharge from a 12 Gauge Shotgun loaded with 00 Buckshot. Fortunately no one was hurt.My Loss and Stupidity is Your Gain!
Half of the phone is still intact. Neither screen survived, however the camera, Front Keypad, SIM and Mini SD reader and part of the plastics are still intact.
The phone is being sold AS IS. Obviously it Does NOT work or power on!
Battery and Battery Cover are NOT included.
As soon as I read this story I started shooting cellphones and selling them on eBay. I'm gonna be rich. Unfortunately I'm also going to be disabled, because I forgot to take a phone out of my pocket before shooting it. Can you sell human legs on eBay?
Two more pictures of the mutilated phone after the blast.
Continue Reading " Shotgun Blasted Cell Phone Sells On eBay "
Dec 28 2007 Robot Draws Portraits, Holds Pen Like I Do
Robotic researcher Sylvain Calinon developed a cute little robot that draws portraits. He sits there until he detects a face in his field of view, and then takes a picture and draws your face based on the photo. He uses a bad-ass feather pen and ink well and holds his pen like a kindergartener. Which is awesome, because so do I. He also draws like I do, which isn't very well. Unless the person in the picture/video just has two cavernous holes instead of eyes, in which case the robot is a great artist. And the dude should invest in some freaking eyepatches. And become a pirate. Yarr!
Cool video worth watching after the jump.
Continue Reading " Robot Draws Portraits, Holds Pen Like I Do "
Dec 28 2007 Password Undies Prevent Unwanted Entry
Password Panties are underwear that have a little password screen on the front of them. They were being sold on Etsy, but I'm pretty sure you could get creative with Photoshop and some iron-ons and make your own. Now I hate to brag about my skills in the realm of password hacking, but I am a pretty l337 hax0r. Which means I'll be in those panties in no time. And I don't mean wearing them, although I will sometimes. User Name: Geekologie Writer. Domain Name: Pretty woman at the bar. Password: Let me buy you drinks until you're wasted. Access Denied?! But I bought your drinks all night! What do you mean it takes more than just free drinks -- you prude. Thanks a lot, now i'm broke. I guess it'll be another computer pr0n night. :(
Dec 28 2007 DIY: Make A Star Trek Blu-Ray Laser Phaser!
Kipkay posts some awesome DIY videos on Metacafe, and here's another. His voice really convinces me I can do whatever he's talking about, even if I know I'll end up cutting off a finger or doing some other kind of harm to myself. In this installment he installs a Blu-Ray laser into a Star Trek phaser gun. It cost less than $100 to build because he got the Blu-Ray laser somewhere for $30. I gave it a go, and needless to say I burnt my damn eyes out with the laser. Now I can't see anything. Which is both good and bad. Good because I don't have to see my girlfriend's face anymore, bad because I think I may have uploaded a naked picture of myself instead of the video for this post.
Blu-Ray Laser Phaser [metacafe]
Thanks to Richard, who is cool as hell, for the tip
Dec 28 2007 German Poontang Juice Is Horrible Smelling
Some crazy German company makes a product called Vulva that smells like a woman's nether-regions. You take the glass vial, give it a shake, and then rub some on the back of your hand. They sent a free sample and I must say I'm actually getting sick while I write this. Currently the original scent is the only one available, but Eighteen and Exotic scents are coming soon. One vial runs about $29 and is disgusting. Yep, I'm puking in my mouth. Geez, I can't believe I even managed to type all this. Now if you'll excuse me I need to wash the back of my hand before I get any sicker. Wait, the dog is licking it. Oh the humanity.
Official Website - WARNING: VERY NSFW but features a must see video when you're in the comfort of your own home.
A big thanks (I think) to Miles for the very disturbing tip
Dec 28 2007 Vivid Audio G1 Giya Speakers Are Confused
Vivid Audio's new G1 Giya speakers were recently unveiled, and as you can see, they look ridiculous. They stand 5 1/2 feet tall, weigh 154 pounds each, and are capable of handling frequencies between 23Hz and 44kHz with 800-watts of power. They also come with automotive paint finishes and cost $54,000. Proving beyond a doubt the damn speakers think they're cars. They're both painted and priced like them, so it's no wonder the poor bastards are so confused. And as much as I would love to own them, I don't exactly live in a magic lamp and grant wishes. Okay fine, I do grant wishes. But only ones that have to do with me and hot chicks getting it on. And even those aren’t so much wishes as they are wet dreams I have.
Vivid Audio's G1 Giya speaker: suitable for a prince... or Prince [engadget]
Dec 28 2007 Draw Your Own (Uncomfortable) Furniture
FRONT is an interactive system that motion captures the strokes you make when drawing in 3D space. It takes the information, processes it through a computer, and allows you to watch a video of what you were drawing while you did it, as well as send the data to a 3D molding machine to actually produce what you sketched. Pretty freaking neat idea, but as is evident from the questionable furniture in the picture, you need to be able to draw worth a shit to make something worthwhile. And who wants furniture anyways, I'd draw myself a damn car, or better yet, a woman. One that doesn't yell at me all the time. And isn't flat-chested. Good burn to the current girlfriend! Uh oh, here she comes. "No I'm not typing anything bad. No you can't see my laptop. Hey, give that back! Well it's true isn't it? I don't give you a hard time when you tell all your friends about my little nubbin do I? I WAS JUST TESTING -- YOU ACTUALLY TOLD THEM THAT!? I freaking hate you!"
A MUST SEE VIDEO AFTER THE JUMP.
Continue Reading " Draw Your Own (Uncomfortable) Furniture "
Dec 28 2007 OLED "Star" Watch, Looks Good, I Want One
The OLED TIWE (like TIME, but with the M upside down!) watch by industrial designer Lv Zhogfang is a neat concept. It normally displays a bunch of little white balls ("stars") randomly floating around the face. But when you give it a shake or tap on the glass, PRESTO! -- the balls come together to show the time! While still in the early stages of development, it doesn't seem like it would be that difficult to manufacture. And if they're not too expensive I'd get one. It's definitely a step up from the "shake activated" watch I have now. When you shake mine the minute and hour hands come off and float around inside. It would be cool if that was supposed to happen, but it's not. Stupid Folex.
oled watch: my god, it's full of stars [technabob]
thanks to Jenny, who I'm sure is hot as hell, for the tip
Dec 27 2007 Duplicate CD/DVDs Without A Computer
The DVD Coach is a stand-alone CD/DVD duplicator that needs no computer in order to function. It burns at 8x for DVDs and 16x for CDs (half that for RW). Not bad for the budding little DVD pirate. It has Lightscribe functionality, but must be connected to a PC for the graphics work. The only catch is the price, which is between $340 and $460. Which isn't even the worst thing I've ever heard. No, the worst thing I've ever heard is the name of the product -- DVD Coach. I hate coaches, too many bad memories. Particularly of 'ol Shortshorts McGrabass, my high school basketball coach. Whenever he wasn't trying to grab your ass he was trying to get the whole team to shower together. "Damn you smell like a bunch of rotten turds, now get in the shower -- and none of that soap-on-a-rope bullshit, you'll all use regular bars like real men." Then he'd strip down and get in the shower with us. And that, my friends, is when I learned to shove a shampoo bottle up my rear for protection.
Dec 27 2007 Batcave Home Theater Looks Good, Dark
A retired naturalist who particularly loves bats had a batcave home theater installed in his cellar. DC Audio Video Systems in New Hampshire was responsible for the install.
The set-up includes prop bats which hang from above, a motorized 110 16:9 Stewart Electriscreen, Triad Silver THX Speakers, and a Sony G90, a $36,000 commercial 1080p 2500 x 2000 CRT projector. The room also features eight black, motorized leather recliners and a LiteTouch LC5000 System for Lighting Control.
When I first found the article I thought for sure it was going to be a Batman enthusiast's work, not an actual bat-lover's. And sure as hell not the dream of some naturalist. Shouldn't he be out playing naked volleyball or something? Why's he down in a cellar watching movies when he could be on the beach with his ding-dong waving, frolicking with naked old women with saggy cans. Because I've seen a lot of naturalist pictures, and that's what they all look like. What's that? I'm thinking of naturists? Whatever, I bet naturalists are freaks too.
A bunch more pictures of the setup after the jump.
Dec 27 2007 Suit Washes Clean In The Shower, Hot Damn!
The Konaka Shower Clean Suit is a business suit that washes clean in the shower. It then takes two hours to hang dry (no ironing) and it's ready to wear again. The incredible innovation behind the suit comes from Australian Wool Innovation Limited, a group who focuses their efforts on the application of new technology to wool products. The clothing line is dropping in February for both men and women, and suits will go for $260 - $492. Now I hate to divulge the secret behind the suit, but I'll give you a hint as to how it works -- it's a black garbage bag that looks like a suit. There, the cat's out of the bag. I went and did it didn't I? I sure did. I am such a naughty boy. Which kind of explains the lack of presents from Santa this year. Apparently he didn't read my last letter. I swear I'm starting to hate that fat bastard.
Japanese Salarymen Acquire new weapon: The Konaka Shower Clean Suit [dvice]
Dec 27 2007 SmartNav Controls Cursor With Your Head
The SmartNav is a system designed to control a mouse cursor with your head. You set the scary looking thing on top of your monitor, slap a reflective dot on your head, and you're good to go. Unfortunately you're not good to click on things, so you'll have to install a foot pedal or something to make that happen. The unit costs between $240 and $400 depending on the setup, and is guaranteed to make you look cool (see video). I just wish they would have made it so that you could click on things without the need for another device. Maybe if you just bob your head like a chicken twice really fast then that can count as a click. Or make like you're trying to bite your ear. I don't know, something.
A disturbing video of the system in action after the jump.
Continue Reading " SmartNav Controls Cursor With Your Head "
Dec 27 2007 LEGO Portal Scene Is Cute, Not Cuddly
Someone made a little scene from Portal with LEGO blocks. As you can see it's pretty basic. Maybe a falling scene in an MC Escher style would have been cooler. It doesn't matter though, the main reason I'm posting this is because it reminds me of the portal I opened in my bedroom. Sure I used explosives and a sledge hammer, but a hole is a hole. Now I don't have to walk down to hallway to pee in the middle of the night. I just use the portal to the backyard. It's a little drafty this time of year, but that's the price you pay for convenience.
Portal in LEGO [boingboing]
Dec 27 2007 Motorcycle Powered By 24 Chainsaw Engines
Some nutjob built a motorcycle powered by 24 chainsaw engines mated to a 5-speed Harley-Davidson gearbox. It goes pretty fast (see video after jump), makes a shit-ton of noise, and probably isn't real healthy for the environment. But eco-friendliness doesn't always come first when you've got your eyes on the douche prize. Which this guy wins for the week. He also wins the 'just because you can doesn't mean you should' award. Which I won last week for having sex with my girlfriend. I still can't get the image of that vast ocean of undulating flesh out of my brain. It's like I stared at the for sun too long but far, far worse.
Video under the cut.
Continue Reading " Motorcycle Powered By 24 Chainsaw Engines "
Dec 27 2007 Chair Provides Maximum Butticular Comfort
The Ayur chair costs a staggering $500 and looks funny. From the two-tone seat to the little hotdog of a backrest, it's 100% wack. However, as you can see from the picture it got an 8 out of 10 in some test or poll. Although that may be the date it came out or something, I don't really know because I'm an idiot and I can't read what it says. Anyways, the chair allegedly "provides perfect lumbar support while ergonomically lifting and separating your butt cheeks for optimum comfort." Well count me the f in! Just what I've always needed, lifted and separated butt cheeks! That way it'll be even easier for my perv of an office-mate to jam a pen up my ass when I'm busy playing Mine Sweeper. Which he does do. And which does suck. I think I'm going to have to kill him.
Note: Not totally sure what the woman is doing in that second pose, but I like it whatever it is.
Ayur Chair Protects The Bum [electroplankton]
Dec 27 2007 Picture And Frame Turn Into Table, Wow!
Designer Verena Lang must live in a broom closet like I do, because she's the one responsible for the space-saving PictureTable. It's a picture frame that hangs on the wall but folds out to become a table when you need a place to eat dinner. Unfortunately there are no chair fold-outs, so you may have to stand. Now not to toot my own trumpet or anything (toot-toodle-toot!), but I made one of these in college. It was a beerpong table that folded down from the wall, just like her design. Of course it didn't feature a nice piece of art or anything. No, it was mostly penis and vagina doodles done in crayon and magic marker. Although now that I think of it, that thing was a freaking masterpiece. I'm calling the Louvre.
A Table for your Pictures [yankodesign]
Dec 26 2007 I Will Sadly Never Own A Vulcania Watch
This is the Vulcania watch and it looks awesome. Designed by Fabrice Gonet and manufactured by HD3 Complication, it's got just the look I want in a watch. Which is a look that makes it a hassle to read the time and with some timebomb styling thrown in for good measure.
Each aspect of the time is viewed in its own unique way. The hours has a Price is Right style rotating wheel and the minutes are viewed on a circular dial. A small window will also display the current date. Sapphire glass panels on the front and back and side port holes allow for all of the steampunk-y innards to be viewed.
The watch will be unveiled this April and there will only be 11 made. Meaning they'll be ungodly expensive. I'd tell you how much they cost, but it doesn't matter because I purchased them all already. And I'm going to destroy all of them except one. What good is a badass watch if you know there are 10 other assholes out there with the exact same one?
A few more pictures after the winding.
Continue Reading " I Will Sadly Never Own A Vulcania Watch "
Dec 26 2007 Robotic Foosball Table Built For A Class
A team went and built a robotic foosball table for those times when nobody wants to play with you. It was done for a college course and takes up a lot of space. "The premise is simple: servos coupled with a micro-controller operate the arms of the table, while a camera above the action monitors the game, including the location of the ball and the opponents moves, then processes that information using a custom AI." Not bad work, but they should have used belts instead of gears to cut down on the thing's footprint. Still a good start though considering it was done for a class. God knows the only thing I did for college courses was get high as shit and wander into the wrong classroom.
A video of the table in action after the jump.
Continue Reading " Robotic Foosball Table Built For A Class "
Dec 26 2007 Man Buys Most Expensive Starbucks Drink
Recently a man, who will now be known as Shaky Hands Joe, went to Starbucks in an attempt to buy the most expensive drink he could imagine. It turned out to be a 13 shot venti soy hazelnut vanilla cinnamon white mocha with extra white mocha and caramel, which will now be known as the drink that tastes like ass. It would have cost $13.76 with tax (ignore receipt), but the bastard had a coupon and got it for free. This story reminds me of the time I went on a date and ordered the most expensive bottle of wine the restaurant had. Not only did it not come in a box, it cost $600! After we had finished our meal I excused myself to the restroom and tried to escape out the window. Unfortunately I was too drunk and ended up passing out in a stall and puking on myself. See, very similar story.
Most expensive Starbucks beverage [core77]
Dec 26 2007 Nissan Concept Van Rocks Microwave Oven
The Nissan Forum is a conceptual mobile office vehicle. It comes with all the extras like an intercom, cameras focused on the 2nd and 3rd rows so you can keep an eye on the kids, and a microwave oven. Hell yes, a microwave oven! It's about time Nissan get on the bandwagon, I've had a microwave oven in my vehicle forever. Because I drive an RV! Okay so I don't drive it. And not just because my license was revoked. Nope, somebody stole the damn wheels. Fine, fine, I sold them for a quart of Old Tennis Shoes whisky and then forgot. But that's all irrelevant, the point is I have a damn microwave in my vehicle. See it's right he-- nevermind, it's a fish tank.
Nissan mini-van with integrated micro-wave oven [ubergizmo]
Dec 26 2007 Black Hole Bag Holds Stuff, Looks Funny
The Black Hole is a bag from Nodesign Studio that holds all your stuff. You just start cramming it all in there and the bag expands to meet your needs. "The unique material is super strong, light, and flexible yet it’s thin enough to leave impressions of what you have inside." So it's basically a Glad ForceFlex trash bag that you're not supposed to throw away. Don’t get me wrong though, I’m still getting one. But mostly because it looks like a you-know-what. And you do know what I mean don't you? An orange of course! Well the one on the left anyways, the one on the right looks like a freaking testicle. A testicle with a teddy bear and a bunch of feathers popping out. Yikes.
A Black Hole For All Your Crap [yankodesign]
Dec 26 2007 3D Projector System Is Wicked, Scary
The Musion high definition projector system "uses unique HD video projection, producing three dimensional moving images within a stage setting." It looks like it involves some sort of strange glass pyramid. And magic. A lot of magic. And not the fake shit that ass-clown Criss Angel is into, oh no. I'm talking legitimate 'sell your soul to Slavin the evil warlock' magic here. The real deal. The videos are from Toyota promoting their Auris vehicle at a shopping center in Europe. So yeah. I'm not sure what the first video of the ghost woman has to do with selling cars, but I think it has something to do with harnessing the power of the dead. Wait a minute -- that's my great aunt Gertrude! She says she's going to kill me if I buy domestic. I knew it!
Another video showing the Auris after the jump.
Dec 24 2007 Man Plays 'Jingle Bells' On Graphics Card
Well tomorrow is Christmas folks. And that means different things to different people. For me it means drinking until my hands turn blue and I try to make out with my sister. Maybe it means something different to you. To get you all in the spirit I'm posting this video of Alessandro Bordin playing 'Jingle Bells' on the heat sink of his graphics card. Enjoy.
Everybody have a good Christmas and hopefully you'll be opening lots of gadgets, gizmos, and awesome tomorrow. If you don't get what you want just get drunk off the nog and start picking fights. After all, nothing says "Happy Birthday Jesus!" like taking a swing at your aunt for buying you something crappy.
Merry Christmas, see you all on Wednesday.
Guy Plays Jingle Bells with Graphics Card [techeblog]
Dec 24 2007 Popular Mechanics Digs Aptera Electric Car
We reported the Aptera and its 300mpg claims back in September, and now Popular Mechanics magazine has had the chance to drive one and they say the thing is legit. The all electric version is slated for release in 2008 and will cost around $30,000. The hybrid 300mpg model will be out by 2009. If all goes well the company plans on a four-wheeled model capable of sitting up to five people hitting the streets in the not-so-distant future. And you know what else is going to be hitting the streets soon? Me. I'm so poor I'm going to have to start selling myself again. Sad, I know. I'll be on the corner of 4th and Main. You can't miss me, I'll be the one with the assless chaps and chef's hat. Mention you're a loyal reader and receive a 2-for-1 special.
A couple more pictures and several videos, one of which is Popular Mechanics' review, after the jump.
Continue Reading " Popular Mechanics Digs Aptera Electric Car "
Dec 24 2007 Moose Mugs From Christmas Vacation
I've always wanted the Wallyworld moose mugs from National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, but didn't know they existed until now. Each one is mouth-blown and hand shaped, so they're expensive. $90 expensive to be exact, and you have to buy at least two ($180!). Upset with the price, I did a little investigative reporting and found plastic ones that run $40 for two. But those don't look as authentic as the glass ones. In fact they look like shit. So nevermind. Now if any of you want to come over and watch the movie with me tonight, you're more than welcome. As long as you're a woman. With boobs and everything. And by 'everything' I mean please don't have a penis like my last girlfriend. At least not one bigger than mine.
One of my favorite quotes from the movie below, to get you all excited.
Hey. If any of you are looking for any last-minute gift ideas for me, I have one. I'd like Frank Shirley, my boss, right here tonight. I want him brought from his happy holiday slumber over there on Melody Lane with all the other rich people and I want him brought right here, with a big ribbon on his head, and I want to look him straight in the eye and I want to tell him what a cheap, lying, no-good, rotten, four-flushing, low-life, snake-licking, dirt-eating, inbred, overstuffed, ignorant, blood-sucking, dog-kissing, brainless, dickless, hopeless, heartless, fat-ass, bug-eyed, stiff-legged, spotty-lipped, worm-headed sack of monkey shit he is! Hallelujah, holy shit! Where's the Tylenol?
Dec 24 2007 Luxury Airship Filled With Helium, Rich People
The 'Manned Cloud' airship is being produced, and could be operational by next year. The helium filled craft is going to have 60 hotel rooms, cruise at 173mph, and travel the globe on non-stop 3 day journeys. No word on how much a trip will be, but I imagine in the ‘expensive as hell’ range. Not that I'd ever get on that thing. Helium, while an inert gas, still scares the shit out of me. I mean think what it does to your voice. You want to ride an airship filled with the gas that makes you talk like you just got kicked in the nuts? I think not. If there's one thing I learned in high school chemistry it's this: eyebrows take forever to grow back.
'Manned Cloud' Airship, Around the World in Three Days [gizmodo]
Dec 21 2007 Oh Hell Yes: The Rinspeed sQuba Car
Well I was about to go apeshit on the Rinspeed sQuba car until I read they admitted to it being inspired by James Bond's Lotus in The Spy Who Loved Me. So after I calmed down a bit and drank my weight in cough syrup I passed out in the driveway on the way to the mailbox. When a passing street-sweeper finally woke me I pissed myself and fell back asleep.
Anyways, the sQuba car can drive on land and "at the push of a button will autonomously transform into an amphibious vehicle capable of diving to a depth of about 33 feet." Hell yes, now that is what I'm talking about. Well, that and passing out in the driveway.
An electric motor with powerful torque drives the rear wheels. The propulsion on the water is ensured by two propellers in the stern and two powerful jet drives in the bow propel the vehicle under water while diving. With zero emissions, zero pollution in the seven seas of this world. The light weight body with components made of futuristic Carbon Nano Tubes encloses in a streamlined manner the driver and passenger who are supplied with fresh breathing air by the self-contained on-board system.
While the pictures above are clearly not real, the car does (or will) exist, and is going to be on display at the Geneva Motor Show from March 6th to 16th. So check it out if you get the chance. And by "check it out" I mean "steal it for me". You see, I'm a professional treasure hunter, and this is just the thing I need to cruise the seafloor searching for treasure. It's been far too long since I've spotted any booty. Well, except my roommate's -- he's somewhat of an exhibitionist.
Rinspeed sQuba Diving Concept Car [ohgizmo]
Dec 21 2007 I'm In Love: Robot Opens And Pours Beer
The autonomous Bottlebot will pick up, open, and pour your beer into a glass. It was built by a college student for an engineering project, and it's pretty clear that this kid is the best and brightest in the class. That robot is A+ material. I would like to hire him on the spot. Sure I'm just hiring a night attendant at the gas station, but with his ingenuity and drive, he could make assistant manager in less than a year.
A must see video of the guy in action after the jump.
Continue Reading " I'm In Love: Robot Opens And Pours Beer "
Dec 21 2007 Mondo Spider Walking Robot Will Crush You
Inspired by Vancouver Junkyard wars, some guys got together and built the Mondo Spider, a 1,500 lb walking robotic spider. Apparently the thing has been around for a little while, as it was displayed at Burning Man (see video on next page). When asked why they built the unit the man in the video says "It was...art." He quickly realizes this is a stupid answer and throws in a "We did it because we could!" Ah yes, the old "because we could" . One of my favorite answers to any question. Why did I build I shoot my neighbor in the ass with a BB gun when he wasn’t looking? "Because I could." Why did I videotape the dog humping the cat? "Because I could." Why did I staple my balls to the carpet in the living room? "Wait, why did I staple my balls to the carpet in the living room?"
Another video of the Spider running along at Burning Man after the jump.
Continue Reading " Mondo Spider Walking Robot Will Crush You "
Dec 21 2007 Bikes Jealous Of Cars, Get Rearview Monitors
The Cerevellum Rearview Monitor is a rearview monitor you mount to the handlebars of your bike. It's headed to production soon and will sell for $200. It comes with a camera you can mount anywhere and features "a 3.5-inch screen and a 4-hour battery life, along with 32MB of storage for workout data and four USB ports for expansion modules." Sweet, expansion modules. I got a look at some of them and they're what you'd expect. A GPS module, a heart rate monitor, and one that calls 911 after you slam into a truck because you weren't paying attention to the road.
Cerevellum bike rearview monitor might be a little overkill [engadget]
Dec 21 2007 Corner Shot Weapon Shoots Around Corners
The Corner Shot is a gun that shoots around corners. Models start around $5,000.
The Corner Shot consists of a segmented, assault rifle-type folding stock, pistol-grip contraption, onto which is attached a pistol of choice and a compact, detachable color video camera. A lateral left and right swinging hinge mechanism and a remote trigger control allow the user to drop the hammer on targets from behind the safety and comfort of any right-angled structure.
They also make the unit in assault rifle and "personal" grenade launcher versions. Which is news to my ears, because I've been looking for an "around the corner" grenade launcher for sometime. Of course I'm going to have to modify the unit to shoot cheeseburgers. That way I can feed my wife from the hallway without fear of losing an arm.
UPDATE: A video of a "kitty corner shot" added after the jump, which is a stuffed cat on the end of a corner shot gun. Thanks to ck for the tip.
Video of the Israeli police force putting the thing to use after the friendly fire.
Continue Reading " Corner Shot Weapon Shoots Around Corners "
Dec 21 2007 Pac-Man Hoodie Is Gaudy, Still Totally Rad
The Pac-Man hoodie is a wearable Pac-Man maze. As you can see Pac-Man is in there, along with those bastard ghosts that are always getting in the way when he's trying to get his gobble-dot on. It costs $45 and is available at, get this, Hot Topic! Bet you weren't expecting that. Or maybe you were, what the hell do I know. Oh that's right, I know I don't shop there because it's for confused teens trying to get their parent-hating on. I have theology and geometry people, I can't be shopping there. That's why I bribed an 8th grader with two cartons of smokes and a case of beer to run in and get the sweatshirt for me while I hid around the corner at the Pretzel Palace.
pac-man maze hoodie is amazingly ugly [technabob]
Dec 21 2007 Artist Sells Nintendo Themed Collages
Chris Lange is a Washington DC artist and Nintendo lover. He makes made-to-order collages of your favorite characters out of old Nintendo Power magazines. A 30" x 20" collage will set you back $250. He'll do any character you want, and will also take custom orders in different sizes. Awesome. Now I hate to steal any of Chris's business, but I just recently started selling nearly identical Nintendo collages for only $150. My dedicated staff of illegal child laborers skilled artisans are ready to take orders, so call today.
Two more collages after the jump, a Yoshi and a Waluigi.
Dec 21 2007 See Through Walls: 'Lobster Vision' Camera
The LEXID (Lobster-Eye X-ray Inspection Device) is a new camera made by Physical Optics Corporation of Torrance, California. It works in the same way that a lobster's vision does -- "by beaming X-rays, then focusing on the reflection (rather than refraction) of objects." The device is capable of seeing through wood, concrete, steel, and many other materials. They're coming soon to a nosy government near you. I want to get my hands on one, for obvious reasons. You know what I'm going to use it for right? No, not for looking through the girl's locker room wall. Jesus you people are a bunch of pervs. I'm going to use it for good. By looking through specially marked boxes of Pop Tarts for a sweepstakes-winning ticket. I'm going to that Hannah Montana concert damnit, I'll just die if I don't.
Another picture after the jump showing the actual device.
Continue Reading " See Through Walls: 'Lobster Vision' Camera "
Dec 20 2007 Japan's 2007 Robot Of The Year Goes To...
Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI) named the year's best robots, and first place went to a two-armed robot made by Fanuc that's equipped with a visual tracking system and works in food and drug manufacturing lines. That video above is of the quick bastard in action. When accepting his "Robot of the Year" award the two armed robot stated "I just do my job, you know. I really wish I could fight, fly, and had a sweet freaking laser cannon on one arm, because that would be bad-ass. Hell, with that kind of equipment I'd be up to my visual tracking system in robotic puss. But nooo, I'm stuck sorting pills in a damn factory. This gig is lame. Now get out of here before I jam this trophy up your ass."
Click the link to the article if you want to see the runners up.
2007 Robot of the Year [pinktentacle]
Dec 20 2007 Eco-Boat Powered By Human Fat: Grody
The world's fastest eco-boat is going to make an attempt at breaking the round the world speed record using human fat based fuel with a zero carbon footprint. The boat is owned by Pete Bethune, who mortgaged his house and sold all he and his wife's belongings to make it happen. The lunatic even had liposuction to donate some of his own fuel for the project - about 100ml worth. Two other much larger patrons contributed 10 liters in total. This made about 7 liters of fuel and will get the boat about 15 km (~9 miles) out of their 44,000+ km (28,000+ mile) journey.
The current record for the journey is 75 days, and Bethune hopes to do it in around 65. The boat cost about $3 million to build, carries 3,000 gallons of fuel, and weighs 23 tons when full. No word if they intend on filling all 3,000 gallons with human-fat fuel, or a combo of that and other bio-fuel If they do plan on going all human fat, they need to get in contact with my wife. She could definitely fill that thing up. Or if they get low during the trip she could just float out and top them off. She's huge folks, it's gross.
Check out a bunch more pictures after the jump, included one of Bethune, and one of the route.
Dec 20 2007 Absinthe Lollipops Sadly Won't Do Much
Lit brand absinthe lollipops are lollipops made with real absinthe. They cost $10 for 4 or $25 for 12. The company says they're 100% legal because all the alcohol burns off during the production process. Which makes me wonder if they're really the good absinthe. You know, the stuff that makes you feel drunk, high, and tripping at the same time. From the company's website:
Will these lollipops get me wasted?- Our lollipops will make your tongue tingle and you'll get chattier, but that's pretty much it. However, absinthe lollipop experts have found they go really well with drinks!
First of all, what in the hell is an "absinthe lollipop expert"? And secondly, that's no way to sell an absinthe lollipop. The description should read as follows:
Will these lollipops get me wasted?- Hell freaking yes they will! You'll be sent on an intergalactic trip to Holyshitland as soon as you take a lick. The crackhead on the street corner tried one and said it was better than smoking rocks. Try one and you'll slice an ear off and give it to a hooker before you can say "Damn, I'm tyrannosaurus wrecked, what the hell happened to my ear?".
UPDATE: It appears the company has changed their FAQs section since our incredible review of their product. The statement above used to exist, but has since been removed. That's the power of Geekologie people. Pulitzer prize winning shit.
thanks to prick, who can be a real dick at times, for the tip
Dec 20 2007 Disappearing Car Doors: Sure, Why Not?
We posted the 1993 Lincoln Mark VIII Rolling Door Concept back in July, and now there's a company out there that's working on bringing the technology to new cars. If you're not familiar, it's a system in which the door slides under the car when opened. Based on their website I'm a little skeptical, but you never know. They show the Mark VIII and some old truck, but nothing new. They claim they'll have a fully operational concept vehicle available shortly. So I wouldn't place an order until after then. And even then I don't know if I'd place an order. The door is what keeps all my McDonalds wrappers and other trash in the car. If the door disappears then it will all fall out. I'll just be sitting there in a pair of my girlfriend's lacy panties and people will think I'm a litterbug.
Very questionable promotional video after the jump.
Dec 20 2007 Duke Nukem Forever Teaser Trailer
As an avid Duke Nukem fan, I've learned to not get my hopes up for the latest installment, Duke Nukem Forever, seeing how its development started in 1997 and has been a royal pooch-screw from the start. But now there's a new trailer, and it made me get all excited again. I especially like the end, when Duke says "I'm looking for some alien toilet to park my bricks, who's first?" That Duke, such a class act. Always smoking cigars and parking his bricks in alien toilets. Good thing he doesn't wear a monocle or I might confuse him for Mr. Monopoly.
Out of the Vapor? Duke Nukem Forever Trailer [uberreview]
Dec 20 2007 GumEase Numbs Gums For Dental Work
You toss this thing in the freezer for a half hour, jam it in your mouth, and in 2-3 minutes later you're good to go for (allegedly) pain free dental work. It works by freezing the nerves in your gums.
In patient tests the new gumEase diminished pain by 90% in 2 to 3 minutes for the average participant. Patients can apply them post-operatively as needed, and reuse without side effects by storing in a household freezer… Effective for fillings, extractions, crowns, root canals, cleaning, scraping, braces adjustment and other procedures.
Interesting, but I'll stick to the drugs. The last thing I need is for my gum-number to wear off when the dentist is drilling the hell out of a molar. Because I'd have to kill him. And I'd hate to do that, he's such a nice guy. He always gives me a sticker for being such a good patient. Although I question why he gassed me for my last routine checkup. And why I woke up with my pants unbuttoned. What the hell do I know though, I'm no dentist.
G100 GumEase - dental surgery without needles or pain? [redferret]
Dec 20 2007 It's About Time: Personal Nuclear Reactors
Similar to those used on nuclear submarines, the Toshiba-made Micro Nuclear Reactor is a personal power plant for your house/neighborhood. It's 20' x 6', about 100 times smaller than a typical reactor, making it a "fun-size" power generator -- like those little candy bars.
The 200 kilowatt Toshiba designed reactor is engineered to be fail-safe and totally automatic and will not overheat … The whole process is self sustaining and can last for up to 40 years, producing electricity for only 5 cents per kilowatt hour.
I dont' know if 5 cents per kilowatt hour is a good deal or not because I steal electricity from my elderly neighbors, but I imagine it is since they're bragging about it. The first unit is being installed in Japan in 2008 and if regulation allows (read: get freaking real) they'll be available in the U.S. in 2009. Just like the larger penis the drugs I take promise, I don't plan on seeing this in my lifetime.
Power your home with a mini nuclear reactor. No, really. [dvice]
Dec 20 2007 Jet Engine Toaster Heats Bread Quickly
I've never really had a problem with the average of 141 seconds it takes bread to toast. It's only two minutes and change, just long enough to mix a morning cocktail and get the jelly out of the fridge. But if you can't stand the wait, maybe the Speedy Slice toaster is for you. Designed by Oliver Newberry and being produced by Heinz, the thing toasts bread in only 50 seconds. It uses two ducted 10,000 RPM fans to blow hot air over the toast from both sides and features mysterious "nylon-based laser technology", which in layman's terms means the toaster is a laser guided missile jet engine. You ever had a piece of toast after your damn toaster sucked the cat into its engine? It's hairy and tastes like shit.
Note: I just noticed that the unit appears to only heat a single piece of bread at a time. So, while my toaster may take 141 seconds, it heats four pieces at once, whereas this unit would take 200. So, yeah, baked beans on toast, gross.
Heinz Speedy Slice Turbofan Toaster [ohgizmo]
Dec 19 2007 Shipping Container Transforms Into "House"
The Illy "Push Button House" is a shipping crate. It's a shipping crate that, with the push of a button, transforms into a "house". The whole process takes about 90 seconds. Designed by Adam Kalkin, the unfolded unit features a kitchen, dining area, bedroom, living room, and library. What it doesn't feature is a damn roof. Which is fine if you happen to be living in the mall where the thing is being showcased. But having no surrounding walls would make it kind of awkward. Particularly when you're on the couch masturbating to the mannequin in the Victoria's Secret window.
Several more pictures showing the transformation after the fold-out.
Continue Reading " Shipping Container Transforms Into "House" "
Dec 19 2007 Watch Detects Wi-Fi Signal Strength
They're already selling a Wi-Fi detecting shirt, and now Thinkgeek is bringing the technology from chest to wrist with a Wi-Fi detecting watch. The unit costs $30 and will give you a signal strength read-out from 0 to 8 with the push of a button. It also works as a watch, alarm, and calendar. And to prove it's watch functionality, just look at the two pictures there. Notice anything? They were taken 6 minutes and 36 seconds apart! Hmm, I guess that doesn't really prove the watch works, just that the time can change. I really need to work on my logic. It's like the time I told my girlfriend if my breath didn't smell like liquor there is absolutely no way I could be drunk. She totally bought it until she found the turkey baster I'd been using to shoot gin up my ass.
wi-fi detector watch finds free signals [technabob]
Dec 19 2007 Cell Phone Looks Like A Rotary Doughnut
The Circle Phone by designer Jin Le is a cell phone with rotary dial and only 3 buttons -- power, connect, and disconnect. I've got to say, there's something very satisfying about using a rotary phone, it's something about the sound they make when you dial. You just don't get that from today's new-fangled phones. You know what else you don't get from today's cell phones? The ability to dial with you genitals. Ah, phone sex. By the time I finally got the number right and was connected to my girlfriend I was ready to go. Sometimes her brother would answer, but it was okay -- he had a really high voice.
A few more pictures of the thing after the ring.
Continue Reading " Cell Phone Looks Like A Rotary Doughnut "
Dec 19 2007 Sno-Baller Makes Very Round Snowballs
Now I love a good snowball fight as much as the next 1st grader, but I don't know how I feel about the Sno-Baller. It's a molded piece of plastic that costs $9 and forms balls of snow so you don't have to use your hands. While using it may allow you to make more balls, I'll be making better balls. And it only takes one really good snowball to send you to the hospital. You know, one with a big freaking rock in the middle.
Sno-Baller For Perfect Snowballs [ohgizmo]
Dec 19 2007 Liquor Lock Protects Your Precious Booze
The Liquor Lock is a little $15 combination lock that's supposed to protect your stash of the good stuff from others. Unfortunately the thing works on the premise of an expanding stopper, which makes me wonder just how safe your booze really is. I do like the idea though, because many a party I've thrown only to find some dick has been sneaking into my hidden bourbon stash. That’s why now I lock all the good stuff in a safe and fill a couple of top-shelf bottles with bleach and hide them in a cabinet. Not only is my bourbon safe, but the jerks who snoop around for the good stuff end up drinking bleach. It's win-win. Me: 1 and very drunk, Thieving bastards: 0 and very dead.
Dec 19 2007 Crazy Guy Makes 8 Year Facial Change Video
I've seen videos like this before and not posted them, but that's because I didn't feel that the people that did those ones posed a threat to society. This is a video of "JK", who took a picture of himself every day for eight years. As you can tell by his choice of music and look at the end of the video, it's safe to say we've got a wacko on our hands here. That's not even taking into consideration the patience involved in taking a picture of yourself every day for 8 years. Some days I don't even get out of bed, but this guy lines himself up and takes a straight on picture every day. If you think he's not capable of sitting in a shack in the middle of nowhere and sending postal bombs to people, you're crazy. I, for one, am making my wife fetch the mail from now on.
Man Takes Pictures Of Himself Everday For 8 Years [neatorama]
Dec 19 2007 InstyMeds Machine Dispenses Your Drugs
The InstyMeds machine was created by Ken Rosenblum to address the U.S. pharmacist shortage (which I was unaware of). You still have to get a prescription from a doctor (damn!) with a special barcode and then you feed it into the machine. The unit then dispenses the correct number (damn!) of pills in a bottle with printed dosage, warnings, etc. You can then pay at the machine via credit card or have it bill your insurance provider. "While the current model of the InstyMeds only holds about 100 different drugs, apparently 45 of those drugs represent 80% of what is prescribed by doctors." So chances are it's got what you're looking for. Unfortunately for the woman in the picture it doesn't carry retro-active birth control medication. Nor does it carry any anti-vampire serum for that blood sucker attacking her neck.
Dec 19 2007 Reebok Voltron Inspired Shoes Are Colorful
Reebok has released a line of limited edition Voltron inspired shoes. If you don't know who Voltron is then I don't know if we can be friends anymore. The Voltron Lion Force Pack is a line of shoes "whose colorways correspond to one of the five Voltron robots." Three of them are Reebok Pumps, which I'm stoked are still being made, and the others are regular running shoes. They run between $80 and $135 based on which model you choose, and each pair comes with the robot lion toy their colors match. Damn these take me back -- I hadn't thought about Voltron in forever. Or at least not since last night when I was playing with all the toys before bed. They tried to recall them back in 1986 for containing unsafe amounts of lead paint, but I refused to return them. I'd licked most of the paint off by then anyways.
Voltron Reeboks Unite Like Robot, But Form Messy Pile [gizmodo]
Dec 18 2007 Virtual Cable Navagation Systems Is Neat
Making Virtual Solid is a New Jersey company working on a product called Virtual Cable. It's a car navigation system that uses "a laser, a set of lenses, and a moving mirror mounted in the dashboard to project a 3D route-guidance line above the road ahead, as though it's actually out in front of the driver." Pretty freaking neat. It's like your car is following a red line from heaven. And hopefully that line leads straight to a seedy strip-joint, because, well, that's where I want to go. The company says the system will "cost somewhere around $400 as a factory-installed option, and can be easily interfaced with existing GPS systems."
This is the technology of the future people. I'm tired of my old screen-based GPS navigation system. It's like playing a video game -- a very un-fun video game where the object is getting to your grandmother's house for Christmas. Despite my best efforts to liven up the gameplay by running over a few street vendors, it was still lame.
Three video mock-ups of what it'll be like after the speedbump. Note: This means they're not real, just what the system will look like.
Continue Reading " Virtual Cable Navagation Systems Is Neat "
Dec 18 2007 Eyball Mini-Televisions Are Scary Looking
This conceptual Sony television was designed to excite all the senses instead of just vision. The idea is that you can hold the creepy little thing in your hand and since it's covered with fabric that'll do something to titillate the sense of touch (which it won’t). The audio would work its traditional magic on your ears, but there's nothing for the nose. What the hell? You've got a lot of nerve leaving out olfactory stimulation, Sony. That’s one of my favorites. I expected some new technology that created scents based on what was on television and then wafting them to your nose with a little fan. But noooooo, Sony is not that clever. Good thing I am. And good thing I just came out with a conceptual TV that excites all your senses. It does everything the Sony one does but mine rumbles at appropriate action on TV and has a smell maker. You steal that idea Sony and I'll sue the hell out of you. And by "sue the hell out of you" I mean send me a coupon for two 7-11 taquitos and a Slurpee and we'll call it even.
Sony Little TV Concept [boingboing]
Dec 18 2007 Light Fingers: The New Glow Stick For Raves
Light Fingers are ridiculous.
A hypnotic light show at your fingertips; put on your favorite music, turn down the lights, and dazzle yourself with beams of pure color. You control more than 20 different pre-programmed light show patterns, plus a black light and strobe light add mind-blowing effects.
They cost $20 and will make you the stupidest looking person at whatever party you're at. Since when did a glow-stick on a string become insufficient entertainment when you're tripping? They always worked fine for me. Well, except for the one I chewed through. While having a glowing tongue is kind of cool for a minute, it isn't worth the taste of radioactive shit in your mouth.
Light Fingers, One Hand Light Show [uberreview]
Dec 18 2007 LEGO Iron Man Looks Good, Sad
The Arvo brothers made a pretty good looking Iron Man in anticipation of the upcoming film. As you can see by the picture it's, uh, Iron Man made out of LEGO blocks. He seemed to have gotten all the colors right and everything. Good job, but why does he have to be so sad looking? Shouldn't he be posed punching through a brick wall or humping a bulldozer? Instead he's sitting cross-legged with a look on his face like the builder forgot to build him a penis. And that breaks my LEGO heart.
Arvo brother's gallery with some pretty amazing stuff via neatorama
Dec 18 2007 Wine Loving Robot Scores World Record
The Tasting Robot, designed by NEC, has scored a 2008 Guinness World Record as the first robot sommelier (wine steward). The cute little bastard can "accurately assess a wine's type and ingredients by simply holding a sensor over the bottle". But he doesn't stop there, he can do the same thing for a lot of fruits and cheeses as well. Because let's face it, apples and bananas are often hard to differentiate. I was skeptical so I decided to really put the little guy to the test by tossing him in the cat's litterbox. Sadly the little bastard exploded. However his dying words did sound a lot like “oh shit”, which was correct.
R.I.P. Wine Loving Robot, you'll be missed homey. I'll pour out a little Cabernet Sauvignon in your memory as soon as I can afford a box.
NEC Robot Sommelier cracks open the Guinness records books [dvice]
Dec 18 2007 Wood Supercar Concept Makes Me Wonder
The Splinter supercar concept comes to us as a graduate project from some students at NC State (who undoubtedly failed). As you can see it's wooden (like this car). In theory the car would be a "600-hp, 2,500-pound goer with wood used for the chassis, body, and parts of the suspension and wheels" that's "powered by a twin-supercharged Northstar V8." It would allegedly be capable of doing 190 MPH. What a concept! Very clever students, but next time try to think outside the box -- wood is such an obvious choice for car materials. I've developed a conceptual supercar called the Candyvan. It's made out of candy. It's got a Butterfinger engine, Hershey Bar tires, Jolly Rancher windows and you steer with a giant lollipop. It's capable of doing 220 MPH on the streets of Candyland and handles turns like those found in the Marshmallow Mountains like a dream. Now that's a concept car. If it's make-believe, go all out.
A bunch more pictures after the jump, including one of the car shooting lasers out of its brake lights.
Dec 18 2007 Electric Eel Powers Christmas Tree
A Japanese aquarium has an electric eel powering a Christmas tree. The tank the eel is in has two electric panels that act as electrodes, picking up the eel's discharge. The eel itself has the capability of producing a shock of up to 500 volts and 1 ampere of current (500 watts), although the guy in the video says 800. Inventor Kazuhiko Minawa, who is responsible for the electricity harvesting system, stated "If we could gather all electric eels from all around the world, we would be able to light up an unimaginably giant Christmas tree." Wow Kazuhiko, wow. So apparently one drawback to electric eel power generation is that it's only good for lighting Christmas trees. F*** harvesting that electricity for practical uses, let's go for world's largest fish powered Christmas tree. I smell a Guinness World Record. No wait, that's Guinness beer. Ah, breakfast.
Japan eel wishes you an electric Christmas [reuters]
thanks to Lauren, who is both intelligent and drop-dead gorgeous, for the tip
Dec 18 2007 Chocolate Hard Drive Is Questionable
The Chocolate Portable Hard Drive was designed by Sang-Hoon Lee and was created to resemble a chocolate bar. This one just happens to be a white-chocolate bar that looks more like a keyboard-bar, but who cares, it doesn't even exist in the real world. Each piece of the unit is a modular flash drive and there's a touchscreen to organize your files onto the different drives. Why you'd need/want to be responsible for a bunch of tiny square flash drives is a mystery to me. I'd be losing those little guys left and right if I ever removed them from the base. That's why I had a flash drive installed in my penis, because I'll never lose it. Unfortunately I may have downloaded a virus last night from some floozy I met at the bar.
Chocolate Portable HDD [yankodesign]
Dec 17 2007 Ziptie Rings Are Rings That Look Like Zipties
Ziptie rings were designed by Natalie Gomensoro and look like zipties that were painted silver and then zipped on your finger. They're actual silver though and cost $85 for female models and $95 for the male one. Making it significantly cheaper to spraypaint a real ziptie. I actually know people who wear zipties as bracelets who would buy these. I remember one guy telling me he put the ziptie on his wrist when he and his girlfriend got together and was never going to take it off as long as they lasted. I was in total awe of how unromantic this guy was. So I tried to pull it real tight with the hope that it would cut off his circulation and make his hand fall off. But he punched me before I could. I'm over it though because I totally banged his girlfriend. In a dream, but it was real enough for me to count.
Zip Tie Rings [notcot]
Dec 17 2007 Handheld SNES Console Is Wooden
Some modder went and made a handheld wooden SNES out of, get this, wood. That's right folks, that's not a cheap wood print on a vinyl sticker, that is actual tree right there. Allegedly the modder yanked the display from a PSOne, which makes it a sort of video game console hybrid freak. Sort of like if Pac Man banged Princess Peach and they had kids. Which of course is impossible because he'd just gobble her up before they could do it.
super nintendo portable wood casemod [technabob]
Dec 17 2007 Orbiting Fan Is Wack Looking, Okay I Think
The Brisa 2000 ceiling fan is pretty funny looking. That's because the fan actually orbits around that big sphere in the center, allowing for all kinds of air mobility! You can rotate the fan itself from straight down to straight up, depending on the season, so it's also pretty functional. It's also pretty expensive -- $1000 a pop. But you can get them in all kinds of different finishes and the company accepts custom orders as well. I actually made one myself, and it turned out surprisingly alright. It makes getting in and out of the bunk-bed a little dangerous, but if you do get hit it isn't that painful. Definitely nothing compared to the scorch of the flame-throwing bidet I made for my wife.
Two different models after the jump if you're curious.
Continue Reading " Orbiting Fan Is Wack Looking, Okay I Think "
Dec 17 2007 Bolt/Screw S & P Shakers Are Clever
I see so many novelty salt and pepper shakers out there that look like ass and are expensive, but for once someone comes up with clever ones.
These Salt and Pepper shakers are definitely something different. Pick them up, turn them whatever way and shake them, and..... nothing.... Bend then shake them however, and the Salt or Pepper will be sprinkled from the gaps that will have appeared between the coils. Once you are finished the shaker will return to it's original form.
They come in stainless steel ($55) and black ($40), and are pretty neat. While I'm not really dying for oversized screw and bolt (!) salt and pepper shakers, the dispense mechanism is simple and brilliant. Until they make little robot ones I'm sticking to the shakers I stole from Burger King -- they have sentimental value. It all started when I ordered a Whopper with cheese and the stupid bastard gave me a fish sandwich. After I finished dipping the idiot's arm in a fryer I broke the milkshake machine and made off with the shakers and a handful of catsup packets. And that, my friends, is why you don't f*** up a customer's Whopper.
Note: To those of you that hate me now for breaking the milkshake machine, I apologize. I miss those shakes too. I was angry and I let my emotions get the best of me. I'm sorry.
thanks to Adam, who is rich and will cook you dinner if you're a beautiful woman, for the tip
Dec 17 2007 Bomb Piggy Bank Explodes If You Don't Save
Japanese toy maker TOMY released a piggy bank that explodes if you don't put coins in it on a daily basis. Once you put batteries in the annoying bastard it beeps on an hourly basis (read: not suitable for bedroom/anywhere indoors) to remind you to feed it. It costs about $27 and is a terrible idea unless you don't put batteries in it and really just want a bomb-shaped piggy bank. Then it's okay I guess. But let's be honest, who the hell saves money these days anyway? If for any reason I do have any unspent doubloons at the end of the week (rarely) I run straight to the strip club. Sure the dancers hate dimes and nickels, but they do pay attention to quarters -- but mostly just to make sure you're not winging them at their head anymore.
Big in Japan: Exploding piggy bank helps you save money [gadling]
thanks to Steven, who doesn't throw money at strippers, for the tip
Dec 17 2007 Women's Room: A Japanese Aquarium Toilet
The women's room at Mumin Papa Cafe in Akashi, Japan is pretty awesome. It's a monster aquarium that completely surrounds you. The owner of the cafe says it cost $270,000 to build, which is pretty damn expensive for a single bathroom stall. It's filled with all sorts of exotic fish and even a male sea turtle that stares at you when you're trying to pee. Which is just wrong on so many levels. I mean sure peeking is okay, but a full blown stare? What a perv.
Note: Whatever show that was on is awesome and I'm totally moving to Japan. Oh, and doesn't it seem the owner is scrubbing the toilet just a little too lovingly at 0:18 in the video?
Luxury toilet built into aquarium [pinktentacle]
Thanks to Eddy, who is cool in my book, for the tip
Dec 17 2007 It's About Freaking Time: Glowing Cats
For years now I've been asking myself "When the hell is someone going to get on the ball and clone some damn cats that glow when exposed to UV light?" Well some South Korean scientists at Gyeongsang National University must have read my mind, because they have! The cats are the result of a manipulated fluorescent protein gene that was implanted into the mother cat. Yep, glowing f'ing cats. You know I'm thinking they could use this to get a certain other cat to glow. *wink, wink* You catch my drift? You picking up what I'm putting out? Jesus, do I have to spell it out for you? I'm talking vaginas, people -- glowing vaginas. I know, I know, I'm a genius. Now is there a number I call to collect my Nobel Prize or do I have to buy specially marked boxes of cereal?
UPDATE: Video added after the jump.
Dec 17 2007 Canned Air - For Huffers And Other Deviates
I love huffing model airplane glue as much as the next guy, but this product is ridiculous. Big Ox is canned oxygen that comes in flavors like Citrus Blast, Mountain Mint, Polar Rush, and Tropical Breeze. Each 3.5 gram can of "power oxygen" costs $9.99 and will guarantee you a seat in the principal's office if you bring it to school. I remember when oxygen bars were all the rage, and I never thought they were cool. And neither is someone hunched over on the bus with a bottle of Big Ox in their face. What is cool you ask? Doing whipits at the grocery store with the whip cream cans. Fun, free, and classy.
Dec 14 2007 Playing Guitar Makes Lightsaber Thing Vibrate
Take a guitar, plug in a VOX AmPlug, and then attach an OhMiBod vibrator to that and what do you get? A vibrator that responds to what you play on the guitar! Cool. The Vox AmPlug is really just a little amp you can plug headphones into, it's the OhMiBod vibrator that makes all the magic happen (it will also plug into the headphone jack of an MP3 player, etc. and respond to that music as well). Talk about becoming a true Guitar Hero. Yeah buddy. Hook it all up, start jamming out on some Stairway To Heaven, and soon you're lucky lady will be in heaven. Or she'll break up with you and start dating a Stratocaster, which is what happened to me. Stupid vibrator-guitar combo, I hate you.
A funny video of the magic wand/lightsaber in action after the jump.
Continue Reading " Playing Guitar Makes Lightsaber Thing Vibrate "
Dec 14 2007 USB Batteries Are USB Rechargeable
We posted about the USBCELL batteries before, and now they're available for purchase. USBCELL is a product line by Moxia Energy that features USB rechargeable batteries. Right now the company only has AAs for sale, but 9Vs are coming soon, along with cell phone and device batteries. The AAs are $17.49 for a two pack, or $160 for twenty. Pretty expensive, but I like the idea. I want some, but I'm going to hold out until they're a bit cheaper. I just don't have $18 to spend on batteries right now -- I already owe my parents $60 in rent. Which is pretty f***ed up, charging your own son rent. So what if I'm 30, I'm still trying to find myself. Say, maybe I'm in this bong. *bubble, bubble, hack, cough* Nope, not there. "WHAT DO YOU WANT MOM? NO I'M NOT SMOKING IN THE HOUSE. SHUT UP! I RENT THIS DAMN ATTIC, I CAN DO WHAT I WANT! I KNOW I'M LATE ON RENT, IT'S COMING. LEAVE ME ALONE!"
thanks to Anexio, who needs no recharging to pleasure the ladies, for the tip
Dec 14 2007 Little Pig Toy Gets Squashed, Retains Shape
Lokulokus are little pig toys out of Japan that you can smush the hell out of but will regain their piglike shape in a few seconds. They're pretty damn amazing and only cost $2-$3 in Japan. Unfortunately I couldn't find any online, so somone either send me a link to a seller or some of the actual pigs, because they're awesome and I want some. No word on how toxic the stuff they're made of is, but I imagine it's pretty damn toxic. I mean that stuff has properties like nothing I've ever seen. I'm thinking these little bastards came from outerspace. I'm talking alien technology people. I'm just hoping they're friendly aliens, because if the rest of their technology is anything like this, they can destroy us whenever they want (or at least violate our you-know-whats).
UPDATE: Official website (in Japanese) kindly sent to me by Neema
A MUST, MUST, MUST SEE VIDEO AFTER THE SPLAT.
Continue Reading " Little Pig Toy Gets Squashed, Retains Shape "
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]
Dec 14 2007 Bike Has Infinite Number Of Gears, Cool!
'The Ride' is no ordinary bicycle. Nope, it's got a 'NuVinci' transmission that uses ball bearings and metal disks to create an infinite number of gears.
Twist a dial on the handlebar, and ball bearings in the bike’s NuVinci transmission tilt between two rotating metal discs. (Your pedaling turns one disc; the other transfers power to the rear wheel.) As the balls tilt, they touch the discs at varying angles. This changes how fast the wheel spins relative to your pedaling—slowly for low gear ratios, where pedaling is easy but the wheel doesn’t turn much, and quickly for high ratios. The balls can roll to almost any angle, giving you precise control over the bike’s torque (and your exertion).
It's called the NuVinci because da Vinci made a sketch of something similar back in the 1490's. The bikes are available now and cost $2,995 for a standard version and $3,995 for a Signature series. Note: the signature is not da Vinci's. I really want one of these bikes, and I dig their retro styling. I'm tired of my bike, it one has one gear. And only one tire too. Someone stole the other one when they took my seat. It hurts to sit on. :(
'The Ride' Bicycle Has An Infinite Number Of Gears (Thanks To da Vinci) [ohgizmo]
Dec 14 2007 Interactive Cooling Fan Art Exhibit Is Neat
Dutch artist Daan Roosegaarde has created a piece of art that would give the guy responsible for this thing a raging boner. The piece is entitled Flow 5.0.
Flow 5.0 is an interactive landscape made out of hundreds of fans which reacts to your sound and motion. By walking and interacting the visitor creates an illusive landscape of transparencies and artificial wind.
Basically the fans adjust their direction and speed based on your movements around them, making for a very cool experience (!). It's on display until January 3rd in Ljubljana, Slovenia at the Kapelica Gallery. If anyone goes or has seen it, feel free to let us know how it is. I won't be able to make it, so I'll just have to settle for my own fan art, which are pictures of me that my adoring fans have sent in. Like this one, from Shirley Stevenson, age 8, of Dayton, OH. It's a crayon picture of she and I hanging out on the playground. Very well done Shirley, but from the look of your drawing, you could afford to lose some weight. Get to the gym and draw me another picture in 10 years, when you're not such a little piglet.
Two more pictures and a cool (!, I did it again) video after the breeze.
Continue Reading " Interactive Cooling Fan Art Exhibit Is Neat "
Dec 14 2007 Gun Purse Scares Away Would-Be Attackers
The Pursuader (notice the clever name) from designer James Piatt is a leather purse made to look like a gun.
For the girl on the move the Pursuader features a handy cell phone compartment in the clip. Constructed by interlocking laser cut leather this handbag has no stitching. This is a combination of old-world craftsmanship and high technology. Create the look no one can refuse.
Interesting. They run $289 and are perfect for scaring away thieves, attackers, and terrorists. To complete the ensemble may I suggest an Army helmet and a real gun in one hand, which should be waved around constantly like you're a crazy person. Which you will be if you take my advice. What the hell do I know about personal safety in the real world, I live in the blogosphere. Not really, the blogosphere is make-believe and a stupid word that I can't believe I just used. I don't live there anyways, I live in my parent's atticsphere.
Two more pictures after the jump, including one of a woman in a bikini which I haven't formed an opinion about yet.
Continue Reading " Gun Purse Scares Away Would-Be Attackers "
Dec 14 2007 Make Huge Multi-Touch Screen With Wiimote
In the video above Johnny Chung Lee (from such videos as Spirit Fingers: Tracking Your Fingers With A Wiimote) shows you how to make a huge multi-touch display using a Wiimote and some infra-red LEDs. It's pretty impressive. And you know what else is impressive? The size of the pancakes I had for breakfast, those things were monsters! Just kidding, I didn't eat breakfast. Unless a cigar and a pint of gin counts. Oh and glue, I huffed some glue.
Johnny Lee's Wii Projects Page
thanks to Jab, a man who multi-touches hot chicks all the time, for the tip
Dec 13 2007 Mobile Notetaker Digitizes Your Analog Notes
The Mobile Notetaker attaches to the top of any pad of paper and digitizes your notes for download to a computer later (and translated to editable text). It can store up to 50 standard pages of notes or doodles, and costs $170. It's aimed at solving the same problem of analog vs. digital notes that the FLY Fusion Pentop Computer is attempting. I need one, because I take really good notes at meetings with my boss. Okay, they're more like drawings. My latest is called "Mr. Abelman gets an arrow in his head and squirts blood everywhere". It's a picture of my boss, Mr. Abelman, with an arrow in his head and blood going everywhere. It really got me into creating art around the office to brighten the place up. Unfortunately I got fired when I was caught working on another art project of mine. It was a rather brilliant performance piece I came up with entitled "Me boning the secretary on the boss's desk during his lunch break". Turns out he hadn't gone to lunch yet, just the bathroom.
Dec 13 2007 Kids Make NES Controller Computer Case
Some students in Sweden made a good looking NES controller computer case for a school project. They did it for $300 and put an old computer in it. It looks pretty alright, especially for a school project. I'm getting a little bitter that I never had any cool classes in school where I got to do something like that. Well, except for shop class with Mr. Pegfingers. That was a fun class. He taught me the only important lesson I ever learned in high school: how to make a bong.
Two more pictures of the case after the jump.
Dec 13 2007 Man Converts Cordless Drill To Tesla Coil
The picture above shows a cordless drill a man modded into a little handheld Tesla Coil. As is evident from the picture, the little coil is great for things like, um, making a light bulb glow like a plasma globe. Neat buddy, but can you mod a cordless drill to put holes in wood and other objects? Because that, my friend, would be frickin' sweeeeeet.
Video of the coil in action after the shock.
Continue Reading " Man Converts Cordless Drill To Tesla Coil "
Dec 13 2007 Power Cord Has Plugs All Along Its Length
This conceptual extension cord has plugs all over it, so you can plug things in at different lengths of the cord. It was designed by Wilson Song, and probably won't work. Feel free to chime in and explain why it won't work, or what it would take to make it plausible. Just because I have a lab coat on doesn't mean I work in an electrical lab and understand these things. No sir. Wearing this lab coat means I'm sneaking into the clinic to steal urine samples for a drug test I have to take this afternoon.
Extension Cord Extreme [yankodesign]
Dec 13 2007 Home Theater Features Terminator Theme
We've seen Star Wars and Star Trek themed home theaters in the past, and now comes a Terminator one. Darren Mortenson put this all together himself, and allegedly on "a reasonable budget". The picture there shows a television, but there's also a projector so he can watch movies at a cool 159" (see other pictures). Doing all the work himself even scored him CEDIA installer certification. Not too bad Darren, now come over and hook my basement up. I want a damn home theater down there, right now it's just empty. Well, except for my wife chained between a washing machine and a stove. But maybe we could incorporate her into the theater if we went for a Star Wars "chained up Princess Leia and Jabba the Hutt" theme. She'd make a great Jabba. Now I just need an attractive chick to play Leia. Any takers ladies? *wink*
Check out more pictures and a full list of specs after the jump.
Dec 13 2007 Contura: Diplay Your Profile In Ring Form
The Contura ring is a ring that displays your face in profile along the entirety of the band. You send the company a picture of your (or a loved one's) facial profile and it's custom cut into a ring. Prices start at $625 for stainless steel and go up to $5,730 for platinum. Neat, but I'm skeptical as to how accurate they are, and I suspect that they really just sell two rings - generic male and female ones. So I'm going to put them to the test. I'm sending them a picture with my tongue sticking out, a wicked goatee, and a unicorn horn affixed to my forehead. If it turns out to not be a hoax, at least I'll be getting my money's worth.
Dec 13 2007 Litroenergy Micro Particles Glow For 12 Years
MPK is a glow-in-the-dark paint company that has recently announced a new product -- Litroenergy. It's made of self-luminous micro-particles that are cheap, non-toxic, and will keep a glow for over 12 years. They never need to be exposed to the sun or recharged in any way, they just glow like hell. The material can be injection molded or added to paint and can glow in any color desired. "The light is said to be equivalent to a 20 watt incandescent bulb" and the cost of a glowing 8 x 12" object is about $0.35. Awesome! I love green technology and I love this stuff. It's going to be all over the place in no time. And by "all over the place" I mean "all over my genitals", because they're hard to find sometimes.
New Light Glows For 12 Years [treehugger]
Dec 13 2007 Gold Pills Are, Um, I Don't Even Know What
These $425 capsules are dipped in and filled with 24-karat gold and you're supposed to eat them to "increase your self-worth". Which isn't true, because if you do ingest them you'll just be increasing your "self-stupidity" and "self-flushing-money-down-the-toilet". I'll kill you if you buy them. Just down a jar of gold glitter if you're that hell-bent on having gold shit, it's a lot cheaper. My fiancé demanded I buy her a capsule, because she thinks she's all high-class and can just waste my money. Well she'll be getting the gold glitter treatment, because I sure as hell am not paying for these. She hasn't noticed the diamond in her engagement ring is just a piece of glass from a broken windshield, so I think I'll be fine.
Gold Pill makes you poop glitter for $425 [dvice]
thanks to Jacob and JohnyG30 for the tips
Dec 12 2007 Pencil Bench Is, Get This, Made Of Pencils
The Pencil Bench is a bench that has a seating surface made of 1,600 pencils. Which is a lot. All the pencils fit into holes in the bottom so you can remove and use them if you desire. It's made by Boex 3D Creative Solutions and will set you back $2,450 -- a ridiculous price for a few pieces of wood and a shit-ton of pencils. You could make this in an afternoon. I bet they didn't even use the pencils with good erasers. I bet those are the ones that smear your writing instead of erasing it. God I hate those things. And while it may support Mr. 28" x 32" in the picture, what about a full figured model like myself? What happens when I set all of my 42" x 28" down on that bitch? I'll tell you what happens -- a bunch of cheap pencils get rammed up my ass. And then I'd have to get my girlfriend to pull them out for me like she did after that time I begged her to stick a Coke bottle up there aliens left a bottle in my ass during an abduction.
Pull Up a Pencil and Have a Seat [yankodesign]
Dec 12 2007 World's Highest Tennis Court Is High As Hell
Yes the picture's real. Burj Al Arab in Dubai is home to the world's highest tennis court (at times). At 210 meters (about 690 feet), it's pretty far up there. Way higher than I'd feel comfortable running around hitting a ball. The court doubles as a landing pad when there aren't any matches being played, and as a place to shit your pants the rest of the time.
Video of Andre Agassi and some other guy playing tennis up there after the jump. I like how at the end they just start wailing balls off of the side trying to hit things. Because that's what I would do.
Continue Reading " World's Highest Tennis Court Is High As Hell "
Dec 12 2007 Smart Beer Coasters Aren't That Smart
A company called Sentilla came up with the idea for these "Smart Coasters". What makes them smart you ask?
The coasters know when a drink is placed on top of them and when it is removed.
The coasters can blink in different ways depending on the amount of beverage remaining.
The coasters notify each other when new things occur (a drink is placed on them, removed, etc).
The coasters provide "visual feedback" using lights embedded within them.
The coasters are wirelessly interconnected.
They're not for sale, but you can build them yourself using the little pervasive computer that Sentilla has available. No word on the cost, but they're probably more expensive than setting your drink on a magazine. Allegedly the coasters have been used to create a whole bunch of new drinking games. My favorite of which is Epileptic Seizure. Basic gameplay consists of falling off your barstool and convulsing on the floor like a fish out of water. Fun.
Video of a seizure waiting to happen after the jump.
Dec 12 2007 OMG, OMG! I Need A Freaking Jet Pack!
We've featured the rocket belt in the past, and even some cool footage from a jet pack convention, and now comes a new jet pack from Jet Pack International! "These turbine jet packs are supposed to have much greater flight time and be much safer than traditional jet pack technology. It is supposed to travel 16km without refueling." Not too shabby. The consumer model will come with all the training necessary to fly it safely and will run $226,000. Damnit! That's a quarter of a million dollars -- I don't have that kind of dough. Maybe if I tell them I don't want the training course I can get it for cheaper. I absolutely must have one though, I promised myself I wouldn't die until I've made love with a jetpack on.
A MUST SEE VIDEO OF ONE OF THEIR EARLIER PACKS IN ACTION AFTER THE JUMP. IT'S AWESOME!
Dec 12 2007 The Shotcaller Calls The Shots (Of Beer)
I remember the days in college when we'd play Power Hour. Except it's not so much a game as it is drinking a shot of beer every minute for an hour. Ah, fond memories. Well if you still play now you can buy the Shot Caller device, which flashes a light and makes an audible announcement every minute so you know when to drink. It's nice and big too so it'll be easy to read when things start to get blurry. It costs $15 and can be set to any length of time you want to play. Which is actually a lie, because when I tried to set it for "the rest of my life" the thing started smoking and then exploded.
Dec 12 2007 NES Controller Backpack Takes Me Back
The NES Controller Backpack is available from 80sTees for $40, which isn't too bad for a backpack. Especially one with sweet-ass NES controller styling. It's got one large compartment and three smaller ones, so there's plenty of room for all your stuff. This thing really takes me back to my youth. Just like seeing the elderly woman at the bar last night with a Hypercolor shirt did. Can you believe that -- a geriatric at the bar with a Hypercolor shirt on? I was blown away. I tried to slip her the tongue but her dentures fell out. It was still pretty romantic though.
Classic NES Controller Backpack [ohgizmo]
Dec 11 2007 Super Mario Energy Drink: Awesome!
Apparently there's a Super Mario energy drink out and I couldn't be happier about it. It's called Super Mario Bros Power Up! Energy Drink, which is a pretty awesome name, not to mention a great play on 'Power Ups'. It comes as an 8.4 oz can of blue-raspberry tasting deliciousness that's sure to have you bouncing off the walls and banging Princess Peach for hours. Unless it has some of that mushroom that Mario's holding in it. Which, based on his eyes, I'd say it does. In which case you've got to be careful with the stuff. The last time I ate a mushroom that looked like that I drove my girlfriend's car into a creek because a cow standing in the road told me to. It even knew my name, and I'd never met that cow before in my life. True story.
super mario power up! energy drink: just add vodka [technabob]
Dec 11 2007 Optimus Prime Costume Is Sadly Questionable
We've certainly seen our fair share of Optimus Prime here at Geekologie. We've seen cakes of him in truck form and Transformer form, a sick Optimus computer case, along with a whole bunch of other Transformer costumes. And here comes another. These are screenshots from a video of a guy who made a 10-foot tall Optimus Prime "costume". I put costume in quotations because, while he does stand inside the thing, his limited mobility makes it more of a "wearable statue". I do think it's great looking though. If "great looking" means Optimus Prime is out of proportion and standing immobile in a driveway while kids gawk at him. But still, I've got to hand it to the guy, I could never do anything like that. But it's because I've got better things to do and I don't wear freaking suspenders. Fine, it's because I don't have any friends to help me put the suit on.
A 3:00 video of the guy putting the suit on after the jump. You see him trying his best to 'roll out' at the end.
Continue Reading " Optimus Prime Costume Is Sadly Questionable "
Dec 11 2007 Bluetooth Bracelet Vibrates To Incoming Calls
The LM Technologies LM959 Bluetooth Vibrating Bracelet alerts you to incoming calls by discreetly vibrating. It also vibrates to warn you if you travel further than 5 meters away from your precious phone. It'll charge in 3 hours, last for 100 on a charge, and costs $48. The company sent me one to test out and I've got to say, it's not as good as having your cell phone vibrate in your pocket. Because it doesn't give you a boner, and I like boners. Just my own though, not the one on the guy standing behind me in line at McDonalds. His makes me nervous.
Bluetooth bracelet makes sure you feel incoming calls [dvice]
Dec 11 2007 Vacuum + Broom = Vacuum Broom, Wow!
The Vacuum Broom from designer Wilson Song is the lovechild of a vacuum and broom that were locked in the same closet overnight. I heard a mop insisted on a threesome but they wouldn't have it. Anyways, the hollow broom bristles have suction ducts inside that allow for the vacuuming of small particulate, while the unit also acts as a traditional broom, sweeping larger debris into the dustpan. Interesting concept, but I question how well it would work. Although I don't really care. I don't clean floors, that's the maid's (read: wife's) job. Ha, ha, just kidding honey. No but seriously make sure the house is clean and dinner is on the table when I get home.
Two more close-ups after the jump.
Dec 11 2007 Star Wars AT-AT Wins Modeling Contest
Dimitri Kaliviotis made a badass AT-AT model that recently won a "wreck" themed modeling contest. As you can see, the 1/32 scale AT-AT has certainly seen better days.
This entry is a heavily modified ATATRON kit. The ATATRON kit is a garage kit which is not commercially available but a few models have been made over the years. I managed to get hold of one because I was commissioned to put some finishing touches on the prototype model and to make the molds for it, so later I was given one of the castings as a “bonus gift”. However the ATATRON I got was one containing mostly reject cast pieces. So Instead of repairing the reject/miscasts I decided to use those imperfections in my favor.
I too use my imperfections in my favor. Instead of being bummed out about how ugly I am and crying about the face God gave me, I turned the situation around and got a great gig scaring kids in the "Haunted House of Disfigured Freaks" at the county fair. I get $5.50 an hour too. Here's to living the high life!
A TON more pictures after the jump, because I'm sure you've all been good girls and boys this year.
Dec 11 2007 USB Business Cards May Be Coming Soon
The M++CARD is no ordinary business card. No sir, this thing has memory storage on the back, allowing a potential employer to attach a USB adapter and peruse all the information (resume, portfolio, etc.) stored on the little bastard. They're definitely slicker than the portfolio DVDs I was handing out to companies last year. Of course it didn't help I was giving out the wrong disks the whole time. Portfolio and Pornfolio really look similar when you're reaching into your briefcase for a DVD. Luckily the puffy-paint I used to decorate the tops made a lot of them unreadable.
USB Business Card [newlaunches]
Dec 11 2007 Galaga Quilt Keeps You Warm, 8-Bit Style
Can you tell I'm cold this morning? I am. All I can think about is stretching out on a bearskin rug with a lovely lady and getting under this quilt. Because bearskin rugs and 8-bit video game quilts were practically made for each other. This Galaga quilt measures 60 x 60" and is 100% cotton. It was made by CarolinaPatchworks and is available for $475. It reminds me of this Pac Man rug featured awhile ago, because of all the old school awesomeness. I've been quilting for years and I've never made anything half as cool. Oh you didn't know I quilted? Hell yeah I do, and I'm all man. All man you hear! To prove it I'll drink this whole bottle of bleach. *Glug, glug, glug* HA! Nothing to it. Now watch this mule kick me in the nuts, I won't even flinch.
Staying Toasty Warm with Galaga and a Good Book [uberreview]
Dec 11 2007 Newspaper Brick Maker Starts Fires
If you have a fireplace and can't get a good blaze going (you're a little girl), maybe you should consider the Newspaper Brick Maker. It costs $30 and turns old newspapers into firestarting bricks of goodness. It might make you feel better than you would if you just threw old newspapers away without recycling them. I must say, I received one as an early Christmas gift from my girlfriend and it works great -- as a meatloaf mold. The idiot failed to notice the house we've lived in for two years doesn't have a fireplace.
Note: It's almost time to start accepting new girlfriend applications again. I'm just waiting to see the look on her face when she opens her Christmas present -- a set of keys to a sports car that doesn't exist. After that I'm dropping her.
Fireplace Brick Maker [ubergizmo]
Dec 10 2007 Available NOW: Cell Phone Watch For $200
You may recall the Hyundai Cameraphone Watch we reported on in October. Well this isn't it. But it is a cell phone watch. Available from ThinkGeek now for $200, it's an unlocked GSM cell phone and PDA all stuffed into a package you wear on your wrist. You'll need service with AT&T/Cingular or T-Mobile for the little guy to work (sorry for now Verizon and Sprint users) and it comes with a whopping 60MB of built in storage. I was considering one, but I had the guy that runs the clinic out the back of a Chinese restaurant install a cell phone in my brain. Unfortunately, I think some stray lo mien made its way in there as well. I'm thinking with noodles, man!
A picture of the included accessories and a huge list of specs and features after the cut.
Continue Reading " Available NOW: Cell Phone Watch For $200 "
Dec 10 2007 Toyota's Pod-Car Thingy With Fancy Lights
Toyota recently displayed a new concept vehicle they've been working on. This is what it looks like -- a lounge chair that will suck your brain out while you're cruising. With lots of neon-ish lighting thrown in for good measure. The thing stands upright at slow speeds and then reclines at higher ones. You can even adjust the color of the thing to whatever suits your fancy with the push of a button. Apparently it can drive itself on special highway lanes in Japan. No word if those 'special' highway lanes are kin to the 'special' bus I used to ride to school, but if they are you'll probably have to wear a helmet.
Two more pictures of the thing showing its colors, along with a video showing transformation, etc. after the jump.
Continue Reading " Toyota's Pod-Car Thingy With Fancy Lights "
Dec 10 2007 The Elderly Green Machine: Solar Wheelchair
A group at Southern Taiwan University of Technology have created the world's first solar-powered wheelchair (which may or may not be true). Allegedly the thing runs entirely off solar energy and needs no plugging in. It was designed to be gentler on the environment and prevent people from being stuck out in the rain because their traditional electric battery ran out. So apparently it runs on rain too and not just sun. Because most of the time it's raining out there isn't much sun. What can I say, I'm a keen observer. But you know what there is a lot of when it rains? Worms. That's because when rain mixes with dirt it makes worms. It's a chemical reaction or something.
Dec 10 2007 Gömböc, The Self-Righting Piece Of Plastic
The Gömböc is “a mono-monostatic object, a three-dimensional thing that has only one way to stand up." No matter how you set it down it will wobble around until it comes to rest at its single point of stability. Pretty neat. Allegedly it's the world's first self-righting object with consistent density (Weebles don't count because of their weighted bottoms). You can get your hands on a plastic one like in the picture, but it'll run you a staggering $1,300 and change. More if you want one with a collectible serial number. I guess you're paying for all the R&D that went into the thing. However I'll sell you a signed 4 x 5" color glossy photo of myself for only $100. I too only have a single stable position – passed out on the Lay-Z-Boy with no shirt on, a hand down my pants, and a beer resting on my belly. Which is what the picture is of. I still have a bunch left over after sending out Christmas cards.
Note: If someone finds a good video of the thing in action that I can embed give me a holler, there's a couple video links off their website showing it, but they were lacking.
UPDATE: Video added after the jump (thanks Chaz). You can kind of see the thing rolling around on a table from a distance, but that's about it.
Continue Reading " Gömböc, The Self-Righting Piece Of Plastic "
Dec 10 2007 Not A Good Idea: Tick Tock Timebomb Clock
The Tick Tock Timebomb Clock looks like a bunch of trinitrotoluene sticks wrapped together with a detonator (which is actually a little analog clock). It doesn't seem like a good idea. Especially not to ship to anyone or take on an airplane. Thankfully it's only a conceptual prototype from demented artist Mark A. Regelman II. Hopefully if it reaches market it'll undergo a design change and look less like a bomb and more like a Hello Kitty Clock.
this clock is dyn-o-mite! [technabob]
Dec 10 2007 eRazer Erases Your 'Naughty Files' For Good
The Drive eRazer is a stand alone device (so you don't need a functioning computer to use it) capable of erasing all the files on a drive by writing a data pattern over the entire disk. It costs $100 and can clean a 250GB drive in just short of two hours. For an extra $50 you can get one that makes multiple passes on the disk and writes random characters over the whole thing. You know, I'd consider one if I my current girlfriend was any smarter and I was worried about her discovering any of the "private pictures" I have on the computer. Fortunately for me she doesn't know what the hell a computer is. Just yesterday she mistook my laptop for a waffle maker. Luckily I caught her before she poured any batter.
WiebeTech Drive eRazer [ohgizmo]
Dec 10 2007 Batman Belt Lacks Batarangs, Everything Else
The Batman Belt Buckle is a device that keeps your pants at an appropriate height so you don't expose yourself to others. It costs $20. Unfortunately it lacks all the cool features that would make a Batman Belt cool. Like Batarangs or Bat-bolas. Good thing I read that before spending a hard earned Andrew Jackson, because I would have been pissed. The cheap bastards could have at least included a grappling hook. This whole affair is really making me question the legitimacy of the Wonder Woman Lasso of Truth I ordered from them. I think the crooked bastards may have just sent me a spray-painted bullwhip.
There's also an antique version available, in case you want more of a Steampunk Batman look. There's a picture of that one after the jump if you're having trouble imagining a brass version of the one above.
Continue Reading " Batman Belt Lacks Batarangs, Everything Else "
Dec 10 2007 New Wine Holder Necklace Lacks Class
The Wine Holder Necklace costs $25 for two and holds a regular sized stemmed glass with a stupid looking lanyard.
Keep your hands free at parties by keeping your wine close at heart! This clever little clip with adjustable strap holds a regular-size stemmed glass to your chest, giving you the freedom to snack and socialize as you sip!
They failed to mention that it helps you achieve the look of a total freaking idiot. I will admit though: when I get drunk I do tend to forget where I left my drink. At a holiday party over the weekend I ended up accusing the host of hiding it from me and punched him in the teeth. Turns out it was in my other hand the whole time! Silly me.
Wine Glass Holder Necklace, Keeping Your Wine Close At Heart [uberreview]
Dec 7 2007 Awesome Pizza Features Jedi Master Yoda
Some crazy Star Wars fan out there, one with way too many black olives, made a Yoda pizza. It looks pretty good. I'd eat it. I'd eat the hell out of it actually, because I'm starving. I was eating sauerkraut pierogies for lunch until I realized they taste like shit. Which they do. The dogs ate them though, but they like that taste. One is licking his ass even as I write this. Anways, Yoda pizza. Yeah, wish I had eaten that for lunch instead. As long as they didn't sneak any Yoda sausage in under the green peppers. The last thing I need right now is to bite into a shriveled Jedi Master's penis. I think I'd puke. Unless eating it gave me the force, in which case I would choke it down.
Look at me. Judge me by slice, do you? [neatorama]
Dec 7 2007 TwistTogether Lamps Look Pretty Okay
TwistTogether lamps twist together. Each brick has several twist-together points and can be attached to one another in a variety of different positions. You can connect as many sets together as you want. The company is releasing wall mounts, shelving modules, and a bunch of other exciting new accessories for the line soon. A set comes with four bricks and costs $109. Which is a little steep for a lamp. But what the hell, Christmas is coming. I'm going to get some for the kids' room. Wait, no, I remodeled that room. Now it's my porn palace and LEGO modeling area. Well, I'll still get some for the kids anyways. I reckon their shed out back needs some light.
Please note: The geekologie writer does not have any kids. And if he did they wouldn't live in a shed. That would be cruel to a child. That's why their mother would live there.
Video of lots of lamp twisting action after the jump.
Dec 7 2007 Impress Your Date With A Car Of The Future
Want to impress your friends and possibly score a girlfriend? How about purchasing this sweet-ass "Fastlane" car of the future? You can "Buy It Now" on eBay for a cool $15,000. But before you push the button: It's not really a car. It's a shell designed to fit on top of a Pontiac Fiero. Which is not included in the auction. So, yeah. It was designed for Universal Pictures by concept car maker Trans FX for use in a movie or something. I know it can't actually go anywhere, but I still think I want it. I'll just use a flatbed trailer to tote it to the bar and then slide it off into a parking spot. Then I'll proceed to get some lucky lady extremely drunk and ask if she wants to see my fancy sports car from the future. Hopefully she won't notice there's not a goddamn thing inside and will still make out with me while we're sitting on the pavement inside. What, where's my sense? I'll throw a tarp down. I may even add a boombox for some makeout tunage.
Five more pictures after the jump, including one of what you'd see during a makeout session.
Continue Reading " Impress Your Date With A Car Of The Future "
Dec 7 2007 Flux Capicitor Pre-Orders Being Accepted
Has 2007 been a bad year? Not excited about 2008? Get yourself a flux capacitor from Back to the Future and you can say goodbye to the annoyance of being stuck in current times. Take a vacation to the past, or even the future. For a paltry $220 you can get your hands on the 1.21 jigowatt time-travel enabling device (De Lorean not included). Pre-orders are being taken until January 1st, and the units will ship on April 30th. I ordered two just to be on the safe side. I don't want to be stuck in the past if one gets eaten by a dinosaur while I'm doing a cave-woman.
Dec 7 2007 Huge Tetris Game Played On Dorm Building
Large tetris games have been seen here before, but this one is actually real. The old one was a bunch of Russian students (probably drunk on potato vodka) running around their dorm flipping lights on and off. This one was actually programmed professionally and is being played by a person on a cell phone. It's called the Mikontalo Lights Project and was "created by the students of Tampere University of Technology in Finland to gain global visibility for the university and highlight its rich student culture." Now I'm not totally sure how this is displaying a "rich student culture". I could think of better ways of displaying a rich student culture. Like, oh, I don't know, a chili eating contest.
UPDATE: It turns out the video is so damn shaky because the crazy bastard filming has it attached to his head. There's another video of Space Invaders being played after the jump.
Continue Reading " Huge Tetris Game Played On Dorm Building "
Dec 7 2007 Solar Taxi To Drive Around The Whole World
Swiss teacher Louis Palmer has a dream. While it's not the same one I have about the threesome with two models, it's still a dream. He wants to drive his solar taxi around the world. He started the trip from his homeland in July and has already traveled through Europe, the Middle East, and India, for a total of about 9,000 miles. His three-wheeled taxi tows a solar panel trailer behind it, for a total of 65 square feet of sun guzzling goodness. It's considered a taxi because he'll pick you up and let you ride with him for awhile if you want. Although I can't guarantee he won't try to touch your leg or anything. I don't know the guy. He's allegedly going to be in the U.S. sometime in early 2008. But I have news for you Louis. You can't drive here from there. This ain't no damn Pangaea. There's this thing called water between us, and you can't drive on it. Someone better tell the poor bastard that before he drives his car into the ocean and drowns.
A five minute video after the sinking, if you're really not trying to work today.
Continue Reading " Solar Taxi To Drive Around The Whole World "
Dec 7 2007 Star Wars Plug And Play Video Game
A new plug and play video game is available this holiday season, for the Star Wars lover in your family. It costs $25 and features a Millinnium Falcon controller (like this thing).
The battles of the original Star Wars trilogy provide the backdrop for four fast-paced games in this all-in-one Plug & Play controller. The Lightsaber Duel game allows you to recreate some of the most memorable and intense fight scenes from the films. The Assault on Hoth game pits the Rebel Alliance against the unstoppable Imperial Army’s ground forces. Take control of an X-Wing fighter as the Imperial Fleet attacks in waves of laser-blasting action in the Red Leader game. And in Battle of Endor, help Chewbacca destroy the Death Star generator on Endor, then take control of the Millennium Falcon and blast the receptor core to blow up the Emperor’s ultimate weapon.
The games (and graphics) might be questionable, but the controller is sweet. Speaking of sweets, I just ate a Sour Patch Kid after the dog licked all the sour powder off. Delish!
The Force Is Strong With This Joystick [uberreview]
Dec 7 2007 56 Geeks Poster For Your Basement Wall
Scott Johnson, a geek, made a poster identifying 56 different types of geeks. I'm sure there are more, but it's a good start. They're available from myextralife and will run you $36 for a 20x30" or $10 for an 8x12". Kind of expensive, but maybe you're in love with it. I'm not in love with it, but it's okay. Like my wife. She's alright, but nothing I'd marry again if I could do it all over.
I posted pictures of the whole damn poster after the jump, split in two.
Dec 6 2007 'Robot Guitar' Doesn't Need You To Tune It
Gibson's Limited Edition First Run of their 'Robot Guitar' drops tomorrow at select locations (10 per store). The guitar tunes itself. That's what it does. It's a self tuning guitar. It's got a little CPU and can tune itself with its "Powerhead Locking Tuners". I couldn't find a price on the bastard, but I didn't try very hard. Someone be a good samaritan and inform everyone of that when you find out. I for one am not really digging the idea of a self tuning guitar. I feel like tuning the damn thing is all part of becoming one with your instrument and being a musician. Can you call yourself a guitarist and not tune your guitar? Can I call myself a sex machine and not know where my penis goes?
Another picture of the robot after the strum.
Continue Reading " 'Robot Guitar' Doesn't Need You To Tune It "
Dec 6 2007 World's Highest Commercial Bungee Jump
The world's highest commercial bungee jump is at the Macau Tower in China. You leap from 233 meters (764 feet, or about 61 floors). It looks pretty high up if you ask me. As much as I do love extreme sports (Counterstrike, eating contests, sex without protection) I don't think I could do it. But not because I'm scared of heights. Because I'm not. It's because I heard a guy jumped off and then bounced back into the stratosphere and got sucked into a jet engine. Yep, and I don't want that to happen to me. The height has nothing to do with it.
Video action after the jump (!)
Dec 6 2007 Home Audio Servers Feature Artistic Cases
Karim Rashid, an artist I've never heard of, was commissioned to add some flair to Olive's OPUS Nº5 Digital Audio Server '08 Edition. As you can see they're, uh, not the regular black. Well, except for the two black ones with just the top done up. Which won't be seen anyways because you'll have something stacked on it. They pack 750GB apiece and run $4,000. Obviously you could build a computer (complete with screen and remote) for way cheaper. Then you could take that computer and paint whatever the hell you wanted to on it. Like a scary zombie rising from the grave, chewing on someone's arm. Or maybe a unicorn climbing a rainbow over the moon with a rose in its mouth and shooting stars all around. You know, whatever. Different strokes for different folks.
Olive OPUS Nº5 Karim Rashid Editions [ohgizmo]
Dec 6 2007 Death Star Cake Looks Like Turd, Is Delicious
Some woman made a Death Star cake for her Star Wars loving husband. Which in and of itself is enough for me to hate my wife. It may look like doo doo, but it's actually a white cake with vanilla buttercream icing and marshmallow fondant Death Star parts. I bet he was real happy with it, I know I would be. What I was not happy with was the cake my wife made for my birthday. Because it wasn't actually a cake. It was genital crabs. She sort of rolled the "Happy Birthday" and "I slept with the UPS driver" celebrations into one.
Flickr Gallery
via
Death Star Cake [geekstir]
Dec 6 2007 A Screen In Your Tie? Sure, Why Not?
ETRI has been showing off their flexible little OLED displays lately sewn into a number of different pieces of clothing.
In the future, applications of flexible display will be expanded to our daily life ranging from a tie, a hat, a wallet and other small lifestyle products. According to ETRI, this flexible display can be available at affordable price by using ‘Roll-to-Roll’ production method. It is ultra thin and light and offers outstanding natural color reproduction. It is also claimed to consume less power.
Nice ETRI, but I've had an OLED tie for awhile now. I would download a funny clip to it every day before work and brighten my coworkers' days. It worked well -- until my roommate uploaded a video without my knowing. It turns out you can be fired for sexual harassment by wearing a porn video tie! Can you believe that? What the hell is the matter with this country? Next thing you know they'll tell me that calling your female coworkers "sugar" and playing grab-ass isn't considered a team building exercise.
OLED Tie - small flexible screens coming to a piece of clothing near you soon? [redferret]
Dec 6 2007 A-Team Limo Service Available (In England)
A company called A-Team Limo is offering rides in a replica of the A-Team van from that awesome show with the same name. You have to contact them for pricing information, and the service is only available in England (with franchise opportunities in surrounding countries) as far as I know. Someone in the U.S. has probably done something similar, but I didn't read an article about them, so they're not being featured. I guess the van looks good on the outside, but I question whether B. A. Baracus really rode around in something so uncool on the inside. I'm pretty sure the real A-Team van was packed with munitions and a few hookers to ease the tension before an assignment. This shit looks like a roller skating party on wheels.
A short video of the (questionable) interior after the prom.
Continue Reading " A-Team Limo Service Available (In England) "
Dec 6 2007 Eye Candy: Pac-Man Christmas Tree
The Pac-Man Christmas Tree is stunning. It's "a fully-animated version of the classic arcade game, rendered across thousands of colored LEDs." Granted "fully-animated" in this case means the characters barely move. Allegedly it's somewhere in downtown Madrid, so if anyone goes to see it, let me know. Just looking at it really makes me understand the true meaning of Christmas. Which is, of course, video games.
A video of Pac-Man doing his best to scarf grimace proportions (and failing) after the chomp.
Dec 6 2007 Expensively Dim Lighting: The Dandelight
The Dandelight is a very cleverly named product. By combining the words 'dandelion' and 'light' you get 'dandelight', which, at no additional cost to you, contains the word 'delight'. I bet it took someone several sleepless nights to come up with that one. Anyway, each light consists of a 9v battery, some wire, a few LEDs, and a real dandelion head. They go for $99 a blow, so you may want to make this a little DIY project. While they do look neat, I just can't see having them around my apartment. Although I'm sure the girlfriend can. I'm sure she's thinking they'd go great next to the potpourri basket in the bathroom, or with the rose walls and floral bedspread in the bedroom. Oh god help me, I've grown a vagina.
Dandelights (Hold Your Breath) [ohgizmo]
Dec 5 2007 Thought Screen Helmet: Stop Alien Abductions
Stopabductions.com has nothing to do with kids being snatched by men in unmarked white vans who wave candy around. No, we're talking alien abductions here. The site explains how to make a helmet out of 3M Velostat that prevents aliens from controlling your brain through the use of microwave signals. Apparently they work really well. The following testimonials are from the two people in the picture, girl first.
I have been abducted by aliens for years... the Thought Screen Helmet, invented by an expert, has stopped the unwelcome visitations and has raised me and my family`s quality of life. Therefore I highly recommend it.
Since trying Michael Menkin's Helmet, I have not been bothered by alien mind control. Now my thoughts are my own. I have achieved meaningful work and am contributing to society. My life is better than ever before. Thank you Michael for the work you are doing to save all humanity.
Well there you have it. But be warned, while highly effective, they're not foolproof.
The thought screen helmet has effectively stopped several types of aliens from abducting or controlling humans. Only two failures from standard thought screen helmets have been reported since 1998. A third failure in 2005 was from a cloth helmet with a smaller square area of Velostat and a Velcro strap which was easily removed by an alien hybrid.
Hey, it's better than nothing. I'm actually making one and typing this at the same time. I value my ass, and the last thing I need is some boogily eyed creep from outer space jamming things up it. Unless it's that hot purple one with three knockers that did it last time. She's fine. But not the ones with talons and shit, not them, they're not gentle.
Thanks always to Ben Hur, a man who can control aliens with his own brain and has no need for a stupid helmet
Dec 5 2007 Metroid Arcade Game Looks Reaaal Nice
Some guy built a Metroid inspired arcade cabinet complete with Mother Brain viewing box in the side and a bunch of real nice artwork. The thing is powered by "an AMD 64X2 4800 CPU, 2GB of memory, EVGA 7800GTX graphics, a Soundblaster eXremeMusic card, Logitech R-20 w/ subwoofer, and a 17-inch Samsung LCD display". Not too shabby, certainly a step up from the Nintendo NES mod's config from earlier today.
Mother Brain made of Super Sculpey clay. DVI-Out and Optical-Out on the back for external screen/sound system. One power cord (one still image shows a few cords but they aren't attached to the machine) out the back which is a Bits Limited Smartstrip. When PC turns on, everything (cathodes, controls, sound, LCD) powers on at once.
Watch the video to fully appreciate the quality of the system, which I think is looking pretty good. Almost as good looking as this chick I managed to bring home from the bar last night. She was smoking hot. Until I sobered up and saw her penis. Then she became very un-hot. I hit it again though, just for good measure. Hey, I'll try anything four times.
Nintendo Fan Builds Incredible Metroid-inspired Arcade Machine [techeblog]
Dec 5 2007 Billboard Identity Crisis: May Be A Power Plant
This is a current billboard advertisement being run by Pacific Gas and Electric. The board generates 3.4Kw of electricity per day under optimal conditions (allegedly the amount used daily by a family of four), and sends it back to the grid. However at night it draws from the grid to power those bright-ass lights so you can see it. I for one am all about solar energy. I love it. I love the sun and I love solar energy. And I love that billboard. What I don't love is people who waste energy. Like when my girlfriend eats the last of the Pop Tarts before I wake up. She's stealing my energy. I need the energy stored in those things so I can blog. God knows she doesn't need it, she could run on stored fat for a the rest of her life Which is going to be cut short if I catch her in my Eggo stash.
Power-Generating Billboard From PG&E [ubergizmo]
Dec 5 2007 Helicopter With Automatic 12-Gauge Shotgun
The AutoCopter Gunship is the toy I always wanted growing up. It's a helicopter with a freaking Auto Assault-12 Full-Auto Shotgun by Military Police Systems attached.
The AutoCopter uses patented "intelligent neural network-based flight control algorithms" for automated flight control, and "utilizes a system that reduces recoil by 90 percent, thus the helicopter doesn't go into an instant tailspin the second the gun is fired.
Hot dog! I need one in a bad, bad way. This thing is going to jack up my paintball matches several degrees. Yep, probably right up to the first degree. Murder. Because I forgot to replace the shotty with a paintball gun.
Cool video of the thing firing after the take-off.
Continue Reading " Helicopter With Automatic 12-Gauge Shotgun "
Dec 5 2007 Beer Mug Counts Your Calories, You Lady
A Japanese company is selling a beer mug that shows how many calories are in the amount of beer you're guzzling. According to the mug 300ml of beer equals about 150kcal. This will obviously vary depending on your beer of choice, but is allegedly a realistic number. I would research that but I don't care how many calories are in the beer I'm drinking, as long as it makes me forget how ugly my girlfriend is. And in case you can't tell by the picture, it's made by a company called Healthy Cat. And if there's one thing I've learned from pet ownership, it's that a healthy pet is a drunk one.
Beer Mug Tells You How Many Calories You're Consuming [tokyomango]
Dec 5 2007 Nintendo NES Actually A PC, Emulator
Some man in France stuffed a PC into an old NES console and packed the thing with emulators for NES, SNES, N64 and PS2. The computer has "a 1GHz CPU, 256MB of RAM and 40GB hard drive." The man claims he spent over $1,200 and 50 hours of labor on the unit. It's for sale on eBay France, and is currently at about $920 with 4 days remaining. Included in the auction are all the controllers for the various systems, along with the connectors necessary to hook them up to the PC. Pretty cool, but too rich for my blood. Although I do have a fondness for PC based emulators. They really helped pass the time in college classes, particularly Ocarina of Time. I remember a professor called on me to answer a question once when I was in the water temple and I had to scream at him for disturbing my concentration at such a critical moment. I think he failed me. What a dick.
Two more pictures and a video after the jump.
Dec 5 2007 Poor Man's Do It Yourself Security System
Some guy designed a system to take a picture with a cameraphone and send it back to you whenever you text it from another phone.
Utilizing a couple of cameraphones, a microcontroller, solenoid relays, a photoresistor, wires galore, a soldering iron and a robust picture messaging plan, this cameraphone activated cameraphone can be used to snap pictures of a pre-defined location whenever you get curious.
I'll admit the system is fun to watch in action, but come on. Video camera systems aren't that expensive. Plus they have the added benefit of, you know, not looking like a freaking bomb.
Video of the device in action after the explosion.
Continue Reading " Poor Man's Do It Yourself Security System "
Dec 5 2007 Emoticon Stamp For Analog Correspondence
I rarely send analog letters anymore because it's too damn time consuming and my handwriting looks the same as it did when I was three. :-( Which isn't legible at all. :-D But if I did need to send something handwritten, maybe like a "Dear Jane" letter :'-( I'd certainly need this Transforming Emoticon Stamp from ThinkGeek ($6). :-P You just squeeze the handsome little devil to make a number of different emotions. X-) Because let's face it, the written word doesn't mean shit anymore without a liberal application of emoticons. Just sayin', I <3 ( . Y . )
Emoticon Transforming Stamp [ohgizmo]
Dec 4 2007 Liquid Sculptures Are Amazing To Look At
Martin Waugh's Liquid Sculptures are actually "high-resolution photographs taken at high speeds." And damn are they mesmerizing to look at.
I orchestrate these sculptures by accurately aiming the drops and releasing them with precise timing. As nature takes its course, I photograph the unfolding forms using a digital camera and electronic flash. I instigate the myriad of shapes by varying the drops' trajectories and manipulating their physical properties. Color, viscosity, and surface tension are controlled with dye, glycerin, and soap.
Pretty cool stuff he's creating. I can't stop staring at them and I'm not even that high. Fine, I'm high as hell. Dude, did anybody else just hear that? Sounded like a rocket ship landing in the backyard. Holy hell, a rocket ship just landed in the backyard! Dude, now there's a woolly mammoth screwing it. Wow, he's destroying that thing. The bug-eyed spacemen inside are freaking out. Oh shit here comes a saber-tooth tiger. Damn this is some good shit, I'm getting hungry again. I hope that saber-tooth leaves some mammoth for me.
A ton more pictures after the jump, but make sure to check out his gallery linked at the bottom.
Continue Reading " Liquid Sculptures Are Amazing To Look At "
Dec 4 2007 Little Recordable CD Looks Like 3.5" Floppy
Designboom is selling floppy disk CDRs. They're really just little 80mm disks in the little cases, but whatever. Each has a 200 MB capacity and comes with blue, red, green and yellow labels for customization. You can get one for $14 or 4 for $32 (including shipping). They're out of my price range, but I do like the design. $14 is just a little ridiculous for 200 MB of storage. I mean what do they think, people are made of money? Everyone knows people are made of flesh colored Play-doh. Speaking of Play-doh, I'm getting hungry. If you'll excuse me I'm going to make myself a delicious Play-doh and paste on construction paper.
A picture of the thing in a disk-drive after the jump.
Continue Reading " Little Recordable CD Looks Like 3.5" Floppy "
Dec 4 2007 New Camera Powered By Fluorescent Light
NEC has developed wireless cameras that are powered by fluorescent tubes. You just put the ring-shaped component around a bulb and you're good to go. The device "uses electromagnetic induction in order to obtain power by using the magnetic field generated by the AC source in the fluorescent light." Pretty impressive as long as you keep the lights on all the time. Which I learned is key to shooting good video anyways. Let's just say the last sex tape I made was three minutes of complete darkness. You can still hear the action though. It sounds a lot like a woman making fun of my penis for three minutes while I cry into a pillow.
Fluorescent light powers camera [coolestgadgets]
Dec 4 2007 Old School Brick Phone Back In Miniature
The Mini-MOB Mobile Phone is a new take on the popular (read: only) models of yesteryear. The thing looks like a damn brick, but is tiny at only 11 cm by 3.5 cm. Unfortunately the thing is currently only available in Europe and costs freaking $350! I do like it though -- it really takes me back to the first cell phone I ever owned. That thing was sweet. It had all the latest in technology too, like the ability to make and receive calls. Shit, I think it even showed the number that was calling!
The Brick is Back, I Repeat the Brick is Back [uberreview]
Dec 4 2007 Christmas List: R/C Car Metal Detector
The London Science Museum added metal detecting technology to an R/C car so you can find treasure and have fun at the same time. The car beeps and lights up whenever it nears a metal object. It only costs $83, so I may actually end up getting one. Walking the beach with an old school metal detector is just far too boring for me. Sure I've found several expensive rings, but the women they're attached to usually start screaming before I can get them off.
Metal Detector R/C Car [geekalerts]
Dec 4 2007 Sled Has Shocks, Is Fast, Foldable, Costly
The Alu High-Tech Sledge is a pretty wicked sled. It has a 6 3/4" shock absorber to protect your ass from bumps when flying down hills at break-neck speeds. The absorber can even be adjusted for the different weights of riders and the terrain you'll be tackling. The runners can be waxed just like skis so you can go fast as shit, and the thing folds to only 6 1/3" tall when not in use. Awesome right? Well it better be for a staggering $640. Just slap a good coat of non-nutritive food varnish on the runners and you'll be breaking the Griswald Family Land Speed Record in no time.
Fold Away Sled With Shocks [notcot]
Dec 4 2007 Cigarette Lighter Flashlight For Your Car
The Spotlight Rechargeable LED Light ($15) is a little flashlight that charges in you car's 12 volt cigarette lighter. It's got a high output 0.5 watt LED, fully charges in 3 hours, and will last over an hour on a charge. Could be handy if you're hungry and remember there are probably some Wendy's fries under the seat. I'd get it for that purpose alone, because I'm tired of just randomly fishing around down there with my hand. Just yesterday I thought I had scored a fry but didn't realize it was a pencil until after I had swallowed it.
Note: The concept was apparently conceived on a piece of lined paper, which we all know is inferior to a bar napkin for ground breaking ideas, so purchase at your own risk.
Spotlight Rechargeable LED Light For Your Vehicle [coolestgadgets]
Dec 4 2007 Wii Mod: Looks Less Like A White Box
Kypes, a modder on Acidmods, pimped out his Wii with a "black face and stand, clear sides, painted Disk Drive and LEDs". It's also got an "additional SD slot in the back, a built in Game Cube memory card, and a new light for the load slot." Not too shabby Kypes. But does your Wii play burnt Pop Tarts? Because I modded mine to. Well I haven't actually gotten it to read one yet, but I've definitely jammed a couple in. The only downside is it seems to have stopped playing regular disks.
A video of the modded Wii after the jump.
Dec 3 2007 The Future Of Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots
The 12th Robo-One Grand Championship took place in Japan over the weekend, featuring the best two-legged robots duking it out in boxing-style matches. Needless to say it was awesome as hell and I wish I could have been there. Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots has never looked so lame after watching these little guys go at it. I'm already gathering supplies so I can build one for next year's competition. So far I have two empty cereal boxes and a pipe cleaner. It's a good start, but I think I'm going to need some tape.
A MUST SEE VIDEO AFTER THE PUNCH!
UPDATE: ADDED A COUPLE MORE VIDEOS OF OLDER COMPETITIONS.
Dec 3 2007 VRX Mach 4 Racing Simulator Seems Legit
Typically I question the merit of racing/flight simulators, but the VRX Mach 4 actually seems legitimate. Granted it probably costs more than my house, but that's beside the point. It's powered by 4 Xbox 360's -- one for each of the 3 Sharp Aquos LCDs, and one for the 7" LCD rear view mirror. It even has a "Virtual Wind System", consisting of 2 dual Honeywell fans, so you can feel the wind in your face when you're burning rubber. Yeah, it's pretty nasty. But if you've got the money to blow on this system, chances are you've got the money for a real damn sports car and the tickets associated with racing it. In which case you should stick to that -- because while driving simulators are cool, they only come with one seat. See what I'm getting at here? Sports cars get you laid, racing simulators get you bad grades in college and a string of failed relationships.
A full list of the system's features and a few more pictures after the burn-out.
Continue Reading " VRX Mach 4 Racing Simulator Seems Legit "
Dec 3 2007 Robot Seal Is Your Grandma's Best Friend
Palo the robotic seal was recently displayed at the International Robot Exhibition in Tokyo. The furry little bastard is capable of learning the name you give it, talking, and reacting to touch. Which isn't too impressive. But it was designed to "help elderly people avoid loneliness and develop connections with others by interacting and talking to the robot." Well if that isn't the saddest damn thing I've heard in a long time then I don't know what is. If I ever get so old that the only "connecting" I can do is with a robotic stuffed animal I hope somebody has the decency to transplant my brain into a new body.
Robot Seal Designed to Take Care of Old People [therawfeed]
Dec 3 2007 Recycled Computer Ornaments Are Geeky
These CD and Circuit Board Christmas Tree Decorations are just the thing to show your eco-friendly, geeky side this holiday season.
Decorate your Christmas tree with these funky and good looking hanging decorations made from recycled circuit boards and recycled CDs, that would otherwise have been thrown away. The shiny sides and metal bits will catch the light, and they’ll look great on your tree, under all your (low energy) lights.
The only thing is that prices start at $6, which is pretty steep for would-be garbage. And this explains why my wife decided to make some herself. Unfortunately she used the motherboard for my new gaming rig and all my backup CDs. Which is why I'm making a rug for the garage with her favorite clothes.
CD and Circuit Board Christmas Tree Decoration [geekalerts]
Dec 3 2007 Air Purifier Cleans With The Power Of Plants
The Bel-Air indoor air filtration systems sucks in dirty air and runs it through a plant's leaves, roots, and a "humid bath" before releasing it back into your room, purified.
This patented principal has two advantages: Bel-Air is to the American and Asiatic common filter appliances what Dyson is to regular vacuum cleaners. Here, the noxious particles are captured, and transformed inside the system. No more filters to change, and no more clogs.
I really like the concept, but question how effective the device is. I mean those are pretty small plants, and the tenement I live in is pretty freaking disgusting. That plant would be a goner in a matter of hours. I mean I can actually see the air in here. It's brown.
Dec 3 2007 Guitar Hero: Touchscreen & Magnetic Switch
Just last week I posted a guitar modded with an LCD screen, and now a modder that goes by Cyberpyrot has added a touchscreen and magnetic switch to a Guitar Hero III guitar. The touchscreen just shows whateve is on the TV, but since it takes up the space of the normal strum bar he added a magnetic switch under the body so that you play the bitch with a magnetic pick instead! You can also brush you fingers across the screen to control the whammy bar.
The mod took "about 3 days to make, and it wasn't really expensive: $108 for Guitar Hero III, $77 for the LCD, $44 for the touch panel and about $30 for miscellaneous items."
Next the dude wants to add optics to the system so it can play itself. And if there's one thing that's fun about video games it's watching them play themselves while you do jack-shit. Whee!
A couple more pictures after the jam session.
Continue Reading " Guitar Hero: Touchscreen & Magnetic Switch "
Dec 3 2007 Thor Helmet Is Plastic But Shoots Fire
What you see here is a replica Thor helmet ($550). It's made of plastic but has "copper flame tubes raised above the helmet so that there is no heat transfer from the tubes to the helmet." You hook that sucker up to a little propane tank tucked away in your pants and you're good to go. Use the adjustable valve to set flame height and burst action. Awesome. You can really tell this is a quality helmet. If quality is a function of the helmet's ability to burn your house down.
Several more pictures after the hammer.
Dec 3 2007 U.S. Patent 6,681,419: Urinal Headrest
U.S. Patent 6,681,419 describes a headrest to be installed above urinals so when you're pass-out drunk you can still piss without falling over. It's ridiculous. And judging from the picture it's just the thing for people with only one arm and no legs beneath their knees. Now if you can't even stand up straight long enough to take a piss I question why you're still at the bar. I guarantee you're only hitting on ugly women (and possibly dudes). It's best to just leave. That said, I want these installed at my local watering hole. Except above the deep-fryer, because that's where I tend to go when I'm plastered.
Great Invention Idea? Toilet Headrest Steadies You in Your Hour of Need [inventorspot]
thanks to Ben Hur, who can pee through walls, for the tip