Friday, December 14, 2007
Robots
Take-A-Seat Concept Has Your Library Chair Follow You Around Like a Dog After a Bitch on Heat
11:45PM Addy Dugdale | This idea, by Eindhoven graduate Jelte Van Geest, is for a smart chair. Wave your library card in front of the chair’s sensor and it will follow you around like a lovesick puppy, providing somewhere for you to park your butt while you flick through various tomes in the library. Now, is this where I write something about saluting our smart-chair overlords, or something? [Core77 via Fresh Creation] More »
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Sony Ericsson Patent Depicts the Auto-Cleaning Future
11:40PM Haroon Malik | Those fellows at Unwired View have spotted an interesting Sony Ericsson patent application, which seems to depict an auto-cleaning function for mobile phone screens. The concept is simple; a cleaning blade is coupled to the opening/closing mechanism of a clamshell or slider phone. When the phone is flipped/slid open, the cleaning blade runs across the length of the screen removing grubby prints.The same process repeats in reverse when the phone is closed, keeping your screen in good viewing condition at all times. It’s a good concept, much like communism is a good concept. Ultimately, it will end up making more problems than it solves. That fiddly cleaning utensil is sure to snap off, at which point the remnants of the device will end up scratching your sexy display. Even if it doesn’t break, the cleaning process will soon get really annoying, unless it is super speedy, (which it definitely won’t be). Either way, you’re better off just washing your filthy, chubby, clammy, blotchy, putrid paws. [Unwired View] More »
Gadgets
Bill Gates Reveals the Secret of his Success—and Where he Had His Zune Tattoo Inked
11:28PM Addy Dugdale | Bill Gates has scribbled a piece for the BBC News website on what he reckons you need to succeed in today’s world. As well as an ability to understand IT, surprise surprise, the Microsoftie talked about how a good knowledge of Math and Science was essential for people to get ahead in the 21st Century. Choice quotes, plus Bill’s body art shocker, are below. More »
Computers
Portable Home Theatre PC Concept Lets You Spill Buttered Popcorn on Your Keyboard
9:59PM Addy Dugdale | Jin Woo Han’s design for a Home Theatre PC concept is certainly innovative. Somehow reminiscent of R2-D2, it has a built-in projector flanked by speakers that you can detach for optimum positioning. The slimline unit has retractable cords and a collapsible keyboard. Gallery is after the jump. More »
Hardware
AMD Has Triplets; Three New GPUs Coming Soon
9:50PM Haroon Malik | AMD has just announced they shall be releasing three new graphics processors. The R680 is the new model grabbing all the attention, thanks to its dual 55nm processor core. AMD were clear in stating the 55nm processors are identical to those used in an earlier model, but the older RV670 GPU contained only one 55nm Phenom processor. The R680 will bring twice the fun with its dual core goodness and CrossFireX support.AMD are also set to revise two existing models, the RV610 and RV630, which will both be treated to new 55nm processors, but shall remain otherwise identical. We know that Phenom cores have had a tough time courting favour with the experts, and though the new AMD triplet seem great on paper, we’ll reserve judgment till they are unwrapped and put to the test. The products will all hit next month. Happy New Year, gamers. [Daily Tech] More »
Robots
Breakdancing Robots Bring Joy, Mirth, Wham! to Hong Kong Mall
9:15PM Addy Dugdale | This is how one Hong Kong mall welcomes in Christmas: getting a bunch of golden robots to bust a move for distinctly underwhelmed shoppers. Well, wouldn’t you be, if you had to listen to a 20-year old Wham! song, bleep versions of Jingle Bells and the like? [Raw Video via Spluch] More »
Computers
Apple Goes Claymation with PC and Mac for the Holidays
4:00PM Adam Frucci | Apple’s gone and turned good old PC/Mac representatives John Hodgman and Justin Long into claymation figures, just like the ones you remember from those sweet Rankin/Bass Christmas specials from back in the day. Sure, these ads are starting to wear a little thin, but this is pretty great. And I appreciate that Justin Long looks like even more of a dork in claymation form while John Hodgman just looks funnier and more likable. It just needs some Burl Ives and it would be perfect. [Apple] More »
Gadgets
Biokite: Is Flying a Kite Indoors Weird?
2:20PM Sean Fallon | There is something a little bizarre about the idea of flying a kite indoors —but in reality, that characteristic makes the BioKite is ideal for the disabled.Thanks to a super aerodynamic structure and extreme light weight of only 10 grams, the BioKite can fly in completely windless environments. It can also be accurately controlled using the fishing rod and reel attachment. Just don’t this sort of cutting-edge kite technology to come cheap. Available for 11,000 Yen or $110. [Product Page via Japundit via InventorSpot] More »
Games
Rockstar Wii Mod Starts Manhunt For Classy Consoles
2:00PM Jason Chen | Our good friend Ramon of Samus and Zelda Wii mod fame has outdone himself again. This time he’s created a Rockstar-themed mod especially for the guys at Rockstar, complete with a clear coating, laser-cut hand-polished Rockstar emblem, and LED lights. Hit the jump for a gigantic gallery of every single detail of this thing. And if we were going to buy a Wii this Christmas, we’d rather have one of his Wiis or no Wii at all. More »
Gadgets
