Saturday, November 10, 2007
Random Stuff
First Video of the Japanese Vending Machine Dress Transforming
2:13PM Brian Lam | Here’s a video report from Reuters on the transforming dress that disguises a scared, vulnerable stalking target into a vending machine you’d find in any Tokyo side street. This is the first time I’ve seen this dress on video. And I like how the reporter calls it a modern day Ninja tactic, while other Japanese men in the segment say it’s probably a better idea to run from rapists and muggers than to lift up your dress and try to disguise yourself as a Soda machine. [Reuters, thanks Chad] More »
Random Stuff
80s Walkman Jewelry
1:56PM Brian Lam | A necklace with a pendant shaped like old Walkman of lore. Probably about the size of a shuffle. [Josh Spear via BBG] More »
Computers
Joel Video Reviews the Fujitsu U810 UMPC
1:45PM Brian Lam | The Fujitsu Lifebook U810 is the mini tablet UMPC, and although its launch moment has come and gone, this is the first video I’ve seen demoing the machine’s cool keyboard lamp. Which Joel here describes as the “F’ing Future” or something. I’m surprised he doesn’t love the keyboard, but maybe that’s because Joel is Viking sized and the midsized keys just don’t fit. Worth watching, just to see JJ on his first video review. [BBG More U810 at Giz] More »
Entertainment
Monsoon Hava Titanium HD (Verdict: Some Nice Features, But Not a Sling Killer)
1:22PM Adrian Covert | The Good: The Hava Titanum HD has component HD support and Wi-Fi via USB dongle out of the box (a must for my Home Theater Setup, where the router is in another room). As a point of comparison, the Sling Pro requires a $50 attachment for HD support and can only communicate wirelessly via power lines. The Hava also allows you to pause, rewind and fast forward, record to your hard disk and burn your recordings to DVD. Video playback is generally smooth and uninterrupted. It supports simultaneous viewing from local (unlimited viewers) and and remote (single viewer) connections. Future expansion possibilities include hard drives and digital tuners. More »
Software
Sony Planning to Drop $30 LocationFree License Fee
1:00PM Sean Fallon | According to Maximum PC, sometime between now and the end of the month Sony will formally announce the end of their obnoxious $30 LocationFree PC serial key licence fee (rhyming!). Currently, if you want to install the software on multiple PCs you would have to cough up the extra dough. The move is believed to be in response to the stiff competition Sony faces from companies like Sling Media, who have always offered software for their Slingbox free of charge. [Maximum PC] More »
Phones
Apple Store Employees Looking Forward to 1.1.2 Firmware
12:40PM Jason Chen | An Apple Store employee just tipped us off on why he’s looking forward to the iPhone 1.1.2 patch. He IMs: “Please post something telling people to stop fing jailbreaking in store iPhones and iTouches. We spend a good 2 hours every night overtime redoing the damn things because people are like ‘uhh look at me, I’m special. I can go to a URL.’ Our store has 70ish iTouch and iPhones, so you can imagine…”. After laughing our asses off, he replied, “is that Jason i hear volunteering to restore all the touches tomorrow night?” [Thanks tipster, you poor bastard!] More »
Phones
How to Deal With Obnoxious Bluetooth Headset Talkers
12:00PM Jason Chen | Larry David of cranky old man fame demonstrates the best way to deal with people with Bluetooth headsets that talk just a little bit too loud. LD’s spot on with this annoyance, which is weird because it’s probably the only time other than hiring a prostitute to drive in the carpool lane that we’d actually do emulate something he’s done in the show. [5min] More »
Design
VorteXX Chandelier Has More Curves than a Strip Joint
11:40AM Sean Fallon | The super futuristic look of the VorteXX Chandelier has been described as being “reminiscent of a double helix with the appearance of an endless flowing shape – weightless, pulsating and gleaming” — which is enough to turn on anyone with a taste for contemporary interior design. The lamp is made from 60 individual moldings and the latest LED modules intended to generate indirect light in various hues. Apparently, it can also be used with the designer’s lighting management system to create an endless variety of programmable light scenes. Each lamp is custom made, so don’t expect this one to come cheap (but you already knew that). [Zumtobel via Architonic via Design Milk] More »
Computers
For those of you waiting for our awesome …
11:29AM Wilson Rothman | For those of you waiting for our awesome HP MediaSmart Server video, some bad news: the pre-production unit we got was a lemon. Not sure whether to blame HP or Microsoft. Oh well, we can blame both, at least for this weekend. More »
Random Stuff
