Monday, March 31, 2008
Gadgets
Azimuth Mr.Roboto Watch
11:51PM Mark Wilson | If you’re looking to drop a few Gs on a watch, may we recommend an alternative to Rolex or Tag Heuer? How about the Mr. Roboto Watch by Azimuth? While not plated in gold, it does capture the gloriously retro style of 1950s tin robot toys. Constructed from steel (otherwise known as “fuck you, gold”), the timepiece features automatic winding and up to 50M of waterproof fun. For a shot of its inspiration robot, hit the jump. More »
Science
Fingernail-Watching Cam Makes Everything A Touchpad
10:55PM Gizmodo US Edition | Scientists in the UK have thought differently about touchpad designs: their system peeks at your fingertips to see what you’re touching. It can sense when you’re pushing on something and how hard, so everything —even a 3D uneven surface— could be made into a touchpad. Quite why they chose to demo this with a purring rock we’re not sure. But we like it. More »
Design
Metrolla Strolla: Baby Stroller Gets Some Height Added
10:31PM Gizmodo US Edition | The stroller has undergone a radical redesign with this concept by designers Dan Levin and Evan Garrett, which places the baby passenger at almost normal eye-height. The design has sprung legs for ride comfort, and the seat unplugs so you can mount it easily on your bike too. Seems like a great idea, and frees the kid from having to look at endless sets of legs or ceilings rolling by, like in many normal strollers. But I can’t help but worry that it looks very top-heavy, and a topple from that height would be terrifying. Might just need bigger, badder wheels. It’s a concept, so don’t expect to rush off and buy one. [Coroflot via Born Rich] More »
Phones
Another Motorola Insider Points Fingers to Incompetent Execs
10:05PM Jesus Diaz | Here’s a follow-up to Numair Faraz’s “Damn You All” letter to Meteorola’s Greg Brown, with the perspective of one of Moto’s ex-European Product Line Managers. Reading the alleged account of the whole Dilbertian mess is quite dramatic and sad: More »
Design
1,600-Metre Tower Will Make Burj Dubai Look Like Pencil
9:52PM Gizmodo US Edition | Sure, the Burj Dubai tower looks amazingly tall, but it’s final height— currently projected to be 700 metres— is less than half that of a new building planned for Saudi Arabia. It’s going to be 1,600 metres high. Yup, that’s 1.6 kilometres tall: taller than anything under construction anywhere, and making it easily the world’s tallest building. Think they should stick a TV antenna on the top and go for that little bit extra? I sure do.
Phones
Meizu Adding Live Messenger to iPhone Vapourware Clone
7:47PM Jesus Diaz | The apparently incombustible Meizu CEO, Jack Wong, has just announced that they are going to add Live Messenger to their M8 mobile phone, the rather pathetic and sad motherboard that wants to be an iPhone clone when it grows up (if it ever gets released). In other words: new vapourware announced for vapourware. The usual cynics are probably asking themselves “why should I care about this crap?” Which is exactly what we are asking ourselves right now. [Meizume—thanks Heartwork] More »
Gadgets
Sony Rolly Soon Rolling Out in Black Shell, Coloured Arms
6:33PM Gizmodo US Edition | Seems like Sony’s Rolly really is due out soon, and it’ll be available in a black body version with a matching black cradle. If black’s too boring for you, then you’ll also be able to trick your Rolly out with blue, red or silver replacement “arms”. Maybe they’re “wings”? Whichever: the little rolling, MP3-playing guy will be out in black from April 19th in Japan for around $430, while a coloured arm set will cost around $20. Presumably Rolly will be rolling up on US shores sometimes soon after. [AV Watch] More »
Gadgets
Lightning Review: Electric Socks
2:53PM Brian Lam | In honour of the upcoming Tahoe reader meetup on April 5th at Alpine Meadows, I’m going to be doing end of season reviews of some outdoor gadgetry that’s been floating around the cabin. First up, these electric socks originally designed to keep North Atlantic fishermen warm. The idea: Wool/Poly blend Socks with wiring and thin resistors that run from the D cells mounted in the top of the sock liner to under the ball of the foot. Sweaty feeling, and any activity causes sock droop as the batteries overpower the elastic. Yet, warmish. And US$22. More »
Gadgets
Streamlined Speedo Swim Suit Is Too Slippery When Wet
12:30PM Gizmodo US Edition | Officials from the International Swimming Federation (aka FINA) want to speak with Speedo next week about their high-tech swimsuit. Seems the athletes who use the swimsuit are breaking all sorts of records and, with the Olympics coming up, the FINA doesn’t want anyone getting an unfair advantage. Unfortunately for FINA, the only real resolutions appear to be a general ban, which Speedo would protest, or to allow every country to wear it in violation of their existing equipment contracts. The last option is probably the most appealing: FINA brings back the old suits and those swim team shaving parties of yesteryear. [MSNBC]
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