Friday, March 28, 2008
Random Stuff
Secret Stasi Files Reveal East German Army Had Porno Unit in ’80s
11:54PM Addy Dugdale | A secret stash of porno movies made by the East German army during the Cold War has been discovered. During the ’80s, an amateur film circle was set up in a barracks in Biesdorf, East Berlin, in order to provide blau movies for the army top brass as well as visiting dignitaries. Despite the politburo’s anti-pornography stance, over 100 people were involved in the films—in front of, as well as behind the camera.
Toys
Plastic Cup Gramophone Kit: Edison’s Invention Reproduced
11:51PM Gizmodo US Edition | Those of you amused by the Edison recording outrage will love this: a toy gramophone kit that lets you record and play back your voice from a plastic cup. Made by Gekken, a Japanese company that produces educational toys, it uses exactly the same principle as Edison’s, with the neat use of a plastic cup as the audio horn. Apparently the kit’s available in limited quanities, since MAKE magazine brought some back from Japan and Gekken no longer make it. But once you’ve seen the video of a Japanese guy singing Hey Jude into one and playing it back, you’ll be wanting one. More »
Online
Software
Apple Aperture 2.1: Now With Plug-In Architecture
11:39PM Gizmodo US Edition | Today Apple have tweaked Aperture up to version 2.1. The biggest change is an open architecture allowing third-party plugins, hopefully adding some of the picture-editing tools Aperture had been lacking. Apple are even starting you off for free with a new “Dodge and burn” plug-in, and more are due soon. Version 2.1 is a free download.[Apple] More »
Vehicles
F-22 Raptor Airframes Falling Apart Due to Bad Glue
11:30PM Jesus Diaz | According to a just-released Air Combat Command report, 30 of the F-22A Raptors delivered by Lockheed Martin use “inadequate adhesive” in their airframes. That means two things in plain language: bad glue; and big trouble. More »
Gadgets
Vestax Guber CM-02 USB Turntable Really Something
10:16PM Addy Dugdale | Despite having crates and crates of vinyl, I am too lazy (and too strapped for space) to shell out for a USB turntable. Another reason is that most of them look like shite. But this one, the Vestax Guber CM-02, is gorgeous. Delishy-wishy. It totally poops on last week’s non-usb, acrylic home-made versions (sorry Mike) and, oh, I’ve got a warm feeling this Friday morning and am going to think about that weekend I’ll spend converting all my old 12″ into files when I buy this. DJ Deals has it for IS$499, but our buds over the pond at Gizmodo Japan say it’s on for US$233. [Gizmodo Japan through Google Translate] More »
Gadgets
Solar Powered Music, Fake Detection and Flashlight in One
10:09PM Gizmodo US Edition | I love this weird combo, multi-tool gadget: it’s a mashup between the Solar Phone Charger and the great 5-in-1 Pen. It’s got a solar cell to top up your gadgets with juice (USB connector, or mobile phone adaptors), a UV note-checker, LED flashlight and, best of all, an FM radio. Why not an MP3 player? Where’s the tool for getting stones out of a horse’s hoof? Nope, just an FM radio. At least we have this reassurance “Security guarantee: There is not any danger to use.” Yours for US$45.99. [GizFever via RedFerret] galleryPost('Solartool1', 3, ''); More »
Toys
Brick Correction Tape Lets You LEGO Your Mistakes
9:32PM Addy Dugdale | Understanding the frenzy that LEGO can bring out in grown men, Brando has come up with some correction tape in the shape of everyone’s favourite Danish brick. Measuring 6.5 x 3.2 x 2.8 cm, the corrector-thingies come in a pack of four (red, green, yellow and blue) and cost US$7. The perfect present for the obsessive LEGO-ist in your household. [Brando] galleryPost('legolikecorrectiontape', 3, 'brick correction tape'); More »
Science
New Silicon Circuits Invented: Bendy, Stretchy, Rubbery
9:19PM Gizmodo US Edition | Scientists have made a discovery that makes silicon cool again: it can now be made into bendy chips. Stiff silicon devices are powerful, of course, but not the best fit for some situations such as advanced medical sensors. Now a team University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has worked out a way to stick 1.5 micron-thick layers of silicon onto rubbery plastic in a way that actually makes it stretchable. Check out the video to see elastic integrated circuits in action. More »
Toys
Although not the most tuneful of instruments, this plastic finger piano was a freebie with a kids/2.jpg" alt="" />
Although not the most tuneful of instruments, this plastic finger piano was a freebie with a kids/2.jpg" alt="" />
