January 18, 2008

Gadgets

About Time Clock Rolls Around Your Desk and Tells You the Hour

Posted by Addy Dugdale at 11:18 PM on January 18, 2008

about_time1.jpgFor those of you who can't get their secretary to roll around their desk while telling you what time it is, SanderMulder's About Time clock might fit the bill. Despite the fact that it doesn't do other things that your PA might be able to do, such as make the tea, filter unwelcome calls, and %4*& your #@*/ and type up your letters, the anodised aluminum unit has got a fabulously quirky way of revealing the time of day.

Written around the edge of the face are vague approximations of the time: So, if it's four-ish, you might want to put the kettle on; and if it's around nine then it's definitely time you went home. Dutch designers SanderMulder haven't put a price on the About Time, but it's available now. [SanderMuldervia 7Gadgets


Computers

Touch-Enabled Asus Eee PC Coming Later this Year

Posted by Jesus Diaz at 11:00 PM on January 18, 2008

asus_eeepc_touch.jpgThe Asus Eee PC will get a touchscreen later this year, our favorite rumormongering Taiwanese paper says. "The second generation Eee PC will support 8-, 9- and 10-inch panels. The 9-inch panel versions will feature a touch panel," said Digitimes' sources, pointing at total added costs of under $15 per laptop. Looking at their sources lousy track record, we can't be sure of this, although it sounds good and it may make His Walterness happy. Hopefuly, their source is now a reliable one and not the same drunk dude guy with two teeth sleeping in that fridge box next to that alley noodles bar in Chittagong. [Digitimes via JKKmobile]


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Cameras

Pistol Camera Makes Scorsese, De Niro and Pesci Happy

Posted by Jesus Diaz at 10:00 PM on January 18, 2008

pistol_camera.jpgI don't know if it is the shape, the black and silver steel contrast or the total retro feeling, but this point-and-shoot handgun and camera is just absolutely amazing. Sure, it's not digital. And maybe not as useful as the Leica Gun. I don't care. I'm in love. Bang bang, this baby shot me down. [High Tech via Gizmodo Japan]


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Computers

Mossberg Doesn't Like the Asus Eee PC and I Can't Blame Him

Posted by Jesus Diaz at 9:20 PM on January 18, 2008

mossberg-eeepc.jpgWalter Mossberg has tested the Asus Eee PC, the small low cost computer that is the darling of some Linux lovers and assorted digital elves with EXP576. And while he says that it is a "valiant effort," he clearly doesn't like it for many reasons, even bringing the MacBook Air in his equation, and I totally agree with him:


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Gadgets

Bubblegum Drum Sequencer Goes One Better, Has Edible Parts

Posted by Gizmodo US Edition at 9:15 PM on January 18, 2008



If you liked the ball-bearing tangible drum sequencer the other day, you'll love this: some students at UC Berkeley's School of Information have created a similar device, this time combining computer imaging and bubblegum balls to create bangin' tunes. Using a similar sort of hole-matrix, this version uses nifty software which detects the colour and position of the gumballs, which we think must open up the device to a few more drum effects than you can hear in the video, but whatever—it's worth it to see the dancing.

[Bubblegum Sequencer via Technabob]


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Computers

Ripple-Mini PC Packs an Awful Lot of Computing into $150

Posted by Haroon Malik at 8:59 PM on January 18, 2008

Ripple%20Mini%20ITX%20GI.jpgThose Koreans sure do get spoiled on the technology front; check out Ripple's Ripple-Mini PC, for example. The device, which will retail for a shockingly low €90 ($150), will pack in an Intel Celeron M215 (1.33GHz), 1GB RAM, SiS 662 North Bridge and SiS 964L South Bridge, all in a dinky 20x300x220mm, Mac mini-esque case. Hit the gallery for some more shots.

Ripple_Mini_003.jpgRipple_Mini_002.jpgRipple_Mini_001.jpg


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Home

Gamer Tries to Build Nuclear Reactor at Home, FBI Came Around to Play

Posted by Gizmodo US Edition at 8:49 PM on January 18, 2008

Nuclear150_screen.jpgIt's one thing to promise personal nuclear power if you're a big company, but the FBI and Nuclear-related powers-that-be don't like it if you try to build your own reactor at home—as an anonymous chap from Texas found out recently. Apparently bored of his amateur game-building hobby, he decided to try to make a small-scale nuclear reaction in his room, blogging his antics on the web.


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Gadgets

Greenhouse FM Transmitter Brings Music Streaming to Your Obese iPod nano

Posted by Haroon Malik at 8:00 PM on January 18, 2008

Greenhouse%20iPod%20nano%20FM%20Transmitter%20GI.jpgThe fat, fun-loving iPod nano just got music streaming capabilities, all thanks to the Greenhouse FM transmitter. The streaming device looks rather swank, and is available in five complementing colors, including metallic black, silver, red, green and blue. It will allow you to chuck out your tunes to any free radio station, by tuning the transmitter into the free station using the plus and minus buttons either side of the display.


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Computers

Dell's Aluminum Laptops Causing Electric Shocks?

Posted by Sean Fallon at 1:00 PM on January 18, 2008

dell_shock.jpgThe folks at CNET were surprised to discover that using some Dell laptops can result in electric shocks that "vary in strength from a gentle tingle to a sudden jolt." They also noticed that the shocks occur when connecting peripherals to the laptops. It appears that the offending devices have been isolated to versions that feature a brushed-aluminium finish —namely the XPS M1330 and XPS M1530. Furthermore, they believe the shocks are the result of a power adapter that isn't grounded properly because its 2-prong connector lacks a third pin.


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Design

Electric Mini Shoe City Complete With Godzilla...What?

Posted by Sean Fallon at 12:24 PM on January 18, 2008

onitsuka_shoe.jpgJapanese footwear company Onitsuka Tiger is getting a major promotional boost thanks to this 1 metre long illuminated shoe developed by the folks at Freedom of Creation. The work is intended to "communicate Onitsuka Tiger's Japanese roots" in the form of a highly detailed city-shoe. It has everything from billboards to buildings —and if you will notice, the Onitsuka Tiger stripes represent streets and highways and a Godzilla-like monster looms over the city.

shoe2shoe3shoe4shoe_flash_drive2shoe_keychainshoe_5shoe_flash_drive


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Hardware

Domino Flash Drive Great For Storage, Gambiling and Toppling Not So Much

Posted by Sean Fallon at 11:40 AM on January 18, 2008

domino_drive.jpgUnlike many of the flash drive designs these days, the Domino concept by Marcos Breder adds adds a little extra fun and functionality into the mix. Each domino can be split into two separate drives, with the white dots indicating the remaining storage capacity. The problem is that playing an actual game of dominoes with these drives would be damn near impossible (so gambling is out) —and putting enough of them together to form a proper toppling pattern would require countless drives. Not that it matters all that much given the fact that this product doesn't actually exist. [Yanko Design via Oh Gizmo]


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Screens

Pioneer Killing Off 42-Inch Plasmas

Posted by Matt Buchanan at 11:20 AM on January 18, 2008

pioneer.jpgSound & Vision has word that Pioneer is going to stop making plasma sets that only size up to the lowly 42-inch mark. Specifically, the intel comes from one of Pioneer's dealer district sales managers, but Pioneer's total non-denial—that everything is still being considered—indicates there might be a bite of truth to this. Speculation is the 42-incher space will be filled by LCD, 'specially since Sharp now owns a decent-sized chunk of Pioneer. Besides, it makes good business sense: If you got the coin to toss at one of their Kuro plasma sets, would you even glance at anything under 50 inches? [Sound & Vision]


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Steve Jobs Smack Talks Zune, Brings Drunkenness Into It

Posted by Jason Chen at 11:01 AM on January 18, 2008

jobs-spaceballs.jpgCNBC's Jim Goldman thought he was engaging in a little harmless name-dropping to Steve Jobs when he mentioned that he and Microsoft's Robbie Bach spoke last week at CES, but Steve Jobs took it another way. When Goldman repeated Bach's statement about how the version 2 Zune was now a worthy alternative to the iPod, Jobs replied, "Was he inebriated? Do you even know anyone who owns a Zune?" Ouch. People excuse Apple's jabs toward Microsoft because they're underdogs in the OS market, but it just seems mean when they do the same in the iPod-dominated portable media player market. [CNBC via Mac Daily News]


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Gadgets

Hoverit Lounger: Relaxation Through Levitation

Posted by Sean Fallon at 10:52 AM on January 18, 2008

hoverit.jpgThe latest in relaxation technology comes to us from British company Hoverit in the form of a handmade acrylic lounger that can hover in mid air. As you might have guessed, the gravity defying aspects of the chair derive from repelling magnetic forces in both the bed and base. Hoverit also suggests that the magnetic forces can "help back, muscular problems and headaches" in addition to delivering a relaxing sensation akin to floating on air. More after the break.


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Gadgets

Greenpeace Responds to MacBook Air (Surprise! They're Still Not Happy)

Posted by Jason Chen at 9:35 AM on January 18, 2008

You're probably familiar with Greenpeace's complaints about Apple's "greenness" its computers, but you would think that the latest environmentally-minded decisions in the MacBook Air would have been enough to satiate the eco-group. Nope. Here's what they said about the new Air.


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Phones

Confirmed: Bricked iPhones Rise From the Grave With Firmware 1.1.3

Posted by Gizmodo US Edition at 9:28 AM on January 18, 2008

For all those unlocked iPhones out there that were bricked after attempting firmware upgrades, we have some great news. It appears that Apple's new 1.1.3 iPhone firmware rewrites either most or all of the phone's firmware, allowing for bricked iPhones to be brought back to life.


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Gadgets

Makeover Your Living Room, OSX Leopard Style

Posted by Sean Fallon at 9:05 AM on January 18, 2008

osx_pillow_dock.jpgLooking to add a unique personal touch to your living space? I see plenty of sports fans decking out a room with team colours and accessories —so why can't Apple fanboys do the same? First off you need to add a little flair to that boring old couch with the OSX dock pillow set pictured above. Unfortunately, the design is one-of-a-kind, so you had better find someone who is handy with sewing machine. No problem right? Now all you need is some storage. Fortunately, the perfect solution is available after the break.


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Games

Wii Fit Gets Launch Frame: Q2 2008

Posted by Jason Chen at 8:40 AM on January 18, 2008

The yoga-stretch-exercise add-on for the Wii finally gets a launch "frame" for the US: Q2 2008. Excuse us while we queue up stories about Wii Fits breaking under the massive weight of American fatties. Maybe that's what took Nintendo so long to localise it for the NA audience—trying to find enough structural engineers. [Kotaku]

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Gadgets

AU Dealzmodo: Look Away If You're Over Apple

Australian Post Posted by Anna King at 8:00 AM on January 18, 2008

ipod-touch.jpgThe Apple Store Australia has dropped their iPod Touch prices, albeit not by a whole lot. The 8GB model is now $399 (down from $419) and the 16GB is $499 (down from $549). Still hefty, no?

Thanks, Cameron!

[Apple Store Australia]

Software

iPhone 1.1.3's Lesser-Known Features

Posted by Jason Chen at 7:50 AM on January 18, 2008

You already know the main features of iPhone 1.1.3 from our hands-on and from the keynote, but there are a few interesting tweaks that got lost in all the other Apple coverage.


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Gadgets

Electronic Contact Lenses Give Future You Crazy Eyesight, Heads-up Display

Posted by Jason Chen at 7:18 AM on January 18, 2008

crazyeyes.jpgHaving the internet be constantly displayed no matter where we look is a dream we've had for years, but having to shove an electronic contact into our eyes makes us think twice. This prototype device, which has red LEDs and can be worn for up to 20 minutes (tested on rabbits) with no adverse effects. The contacts beam images directly into the eyes, which means you can have either superhuman vision by feeding a zoomed in image to the device, or even heads-up displays like Arnold had in T2 or RoboCop had in RoboCops 1, 2 and 3. [MedGadget]


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Regulars

Question of the Day: Leopard Causing Wi-Fi Dropouts?

Posted by Jason Chen at 6:21 AM on January 18, 2008

We've noticed this a bit ourselves, but reader ggperez points out that there's been some reports of Airport Wi-Fi dropouts on Mac laptops running Leopard. He describes the situation:


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Phones

HTC Pharos Spy Shot - Windows Mobile, GPS and Confusing Name

Posted by Jason Chen at 6:02 AM on January 18, 2008

htcpharos.jpgWe're not sure if this HTC Pharos 3470 Windows Mobile Smartphone will actually be called the Pharos when it launches—especially since it gets people confused with Pharos, who also make GPS Windows Mobile smartphones—but this spy shot looks interesting.



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Modem Berlin is an Art/Music Space in an Abandoned Cold War Power Plant

Posted by Adam Frucci at 5:05 AM on January 18, 2008

modemberlin.jpgThe Modem is a new art and music venue opening in Berlin that's being built in an abandoned power plant that used to supply juice and heat to East Berlin. It's a gigantic space, nearly 250,000 square feet in size, and it's full of cold-war-era contraptions, knobs, levers and other fun doodads that are sure to give it a completely unique atmosphere. If the art and music are any good I would say this will be come a must-visit spot for anybody visiting Berlin. Hey Blam, please send me to Berlin to cover the opening, OK? Thanks.

[Modem Berlin via Boing Boing Gadgets]


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Games

Surgeons Get Better Playing Nintendo Wii

Posted by Jesus Diaz at 4:45 AM on January 18, 2008

wii-Dr-Riviera.jpgAccording to the experiments by the Banner Good Samaritan Medical Centre team, playing some Wii games improve surgeons' performance. The study pitted a group of eight trainee surgeons, who spent one hour on the Wii, against normal trainees in a surgery virtual reality simulator. However, only a few games help this:


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Regulars

Hype Sheet: Apple Goes, Quite Gently, for the Jugular

Posted by Brendan I. Koerner at 4:15 AM on January 18, 2008

The Pitch Apple sticks with the "dance with the one that brung ya" philosophy for the start of '08, churning out yet another Mac-versus-PC chestnut. This time, though, the tone's a notch more acidic than in spots past—John Hodgman's PC comes off as more flummoxed than usual, readily admitting to Vista's many faults. (Sound like someone else we know?) Since this ad was designed in part as an intro to Steve Jobs' Macworld keynote, it also includes a brief laundry list of Apple's other recent accomplishments—notably last year's iPhone coup. Does this commercial from the tried-and-true school portend a banner year for Apple, or is the joke (as well as its pull on consumers) finally starting to wear thin?


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Online

All-You-Can-Eat Broadband Is Dead: Time Warner to Charge by the Byte

Posted by Matt Buchanan at 4:00 AM on January 18, 2008

timewarnerchoke.jpgReason number 149 I won't move to Texas: Time Warner confirmed it'll be testing a new pricing plan in Beaumont that's based on how much bandwidth you eat up. That's right, hard caps. Totally made-up example, since they haven't released details on the package tiers: Pay $US50 a month for 500 gigs, and if you consume more, get slapped with probably obscene overage fees.


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Robots

Scientists Invent Robots That Lie, Real Bender Closer Than Ever

Posted by Gizmodo US Edition at 3:36 AM on January 18, 2008

BenderLies.jpgHoly crap! The Age of The Machines is nigh: a bunch of scientists in Switzerland have created learning robots that can lie to each other. Okay, so they don't swill beer or put bends in girders—they just communicate to each other with benign flashing lights, thank goodness, instead of using lasers to destroy humans:


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Pizza Hut Starts Text Message Delivery In US

Posted by Mark Wilson at 2:52 AM on January 18, 2008

Picture%201.pngPizza Hut, ever expanding both waistlines and accessibility to their greasy goodness, has launched a new mobile ordering service allowing users to text message 4 pizza. Apparently online pizza orders have really taken off, accounting for 20 percent of total sales (that stat is either from Pizza Hut or Papa John's, we couldn't discern from the copy) and texting could account for another huge percentage as well.


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Entertainment

Confirmed: Change Your System Time, Watch Your iTunes Rentals Forever

Posted by Matt Buchanan at 2:30 AM on January 18, 2008

300.jpgUpdate: That was fast. It's busted—or fixed, depending on your POV. See the jump.

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Gadgets

Gloo Urinals Inspire Good Aim, Bad Taste

Posted by Mark Wilson at 1:43 AM on January 18, 2008

gloo.jpgYou don't have the ultimate bachelor pad unless you own a urinal. And as long as you're going all out with the theme, the urinal might as well glow like the slutty fluorescents of a cheap motel sign. The Gloo urinal is built from plastic and filled with LEDs, at last bringing the same style we see in the Aurea to your urea. Of course, the $US655 price tag may make you wet yourself anyway.

For those looking for more practical toilet lighting solutions, check out this little gadget. [philipwatts via techdigest]


Gadgets

Sandpendel, a Desktop Foucault Pendulum Toy For Stressed Physicists

Posted by Gizmodo US Edition at 1:42 AM on January 18, 2008

sandpen1.jpgStressed-out scientists can now relax with the Sandpendel, a mashup Zen sand-garden/physics-experiment desktop toy. Designed by Jürg Näf, the Sandpendel is based on Léon Foucault's famous 19th-century experiment that demonstrated the Earth's rotation. Details, plus another pic, are below.


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Gadgets