Microsoft has just inked a deal with Peter Safran, the producer of amazing cinema masterpieces like Jiminy Glick in Lalawood, Meet the Spartans, and the all-time-classic RocketMan, to produce “original” shows for distribution via Xbox 360′s Live service. Like his movies, the 10-minute-max shows will “initially” be scripted (or something like that,) and they will focus on the “horror” and “comedy” genres, “appealing to the Xbox 360 demographic.” Apparently, Microsoft and Safran think that Xbox Live video users are retards with short attention span problems. [NYT]
In the future we’ll probably play music with our minds, but for now the Beamz Laser Music System uses a series of six lasers which you can break with your hands to play instruments like guitars, violin and (YES!) even a cowbell. There are also 30 preloaded songs and musical genres that can play alongside your flapping arms as background tracks. Add some speakers and you’ll be ready to rock like Jean Michel Jarre when Beamz goes on sale on April 15. [The Sharper Image via Geek Alerts]
When a British soldier on patrol in Afghanistan set a rigged grenade off by mistake, his first thought was for the safety of his comrades. So, in order to protect them, Lance-Corporal David Croucher dived on the grenade and turned on his side, with only a backpack—containing a first-aid kit, 66-millimeter rocket and radio equipment—and his body armour to protect him. Seconds later, the booby-trap exploded.
NASA’s Lunar Chariot, which costs a reported US$2 million to build, has just been tested by the NYT. The top speed of 24 kph may not set tarmac on fire, but it sure as hell can burn a truckload of astro stuff, all with it’s six-wheeled wackiness trailing closely behind. The front driving “turret” houses the primary control; a joystick for steering, as well as various cameras and sensors, the feedback of which is relayed to the onboard screen. John Schwartz, the NYT reporter sent out to run the test, didn’t get to drive the buggy itself, but he was offered the passenger’s seat / stand, and here’s what he made of it.
After three weeks of both incredible stress (getting married) and extreme relaxation (the Fijian Honeymoon), I’m now back on board at Giz AU, ready to take it to the next level.
But before I do, I really want to stand up, and begin clapping my hands for the guys from BRAN who looked after the site while I was away. I’m sure all you regular Gizmodians will agree with me that they did an awesome job at the helm.
So, if you haven’t already, make sure you subscribe to their podcast – you can get it through iTunes or their website – It’s a fantastic roundup of the week’s biggest tech stories, and one of my personal favourites.
So, to Nathan, Angus and Roulla: Thankyou! As it says in the headline, you guys rock!
[BRAN]
I’m back! And I miss Fiji. Who wouldn’t with a view like that? Here’s the best of the weekend:
Warner Music Pushes for Mandatory Music Tax on Your Internet BillGreedy f*&king bastards
Pube Grooming Kit makes Your Muff Best in ShowWho comes up with this stuff? Or worse… who actually buys it?
Man Uses Gun to Blow Hole in Wall for Satellite Dish, Kills Wife by AccidentOnly in America
Aquaclimb Poolside Climbing Walls: The next best thing to EverestActually better, because there’s no chance of frostbite
Darth Vader Kicks Jedi Master’s Arse with a crutchHe obviously underestimated the power of the dark side
A new report from Solutions Research Group hints that the male-dominated era of technology and gadgets may be coming to an end. Some activities, such as using a DVR to record a TV show, or streaming movies or games, are more popular amongst women than men. Gents, has this happened to you? Take the poll, and see just how our favourite British girl geek handles tech stuff in the video after the jump.
Jon Penn isn’t your average 11-year-old school kid. No, Sir. In his spare time, mostly between classes, he manages the entire computing network for his school in Alabama. The network consists of sixty computers and Jon took up the role when the previous administrator upped and left, completely unannounced.
A group of hackers has captured the fingerprints of the German Interior Minister as a protest against plans to use biometric data in e-passports. The latest edition of their magazine, Die Datenschleuder, contains a plastic foil that reproduces the whorls and swirls of Wolfgang Schauble’s digit, meaning there are 4,000 copies of the politician’s prints just waiting to be attached to someone’s finger. More below.
An SMS-savvy Finnish Foreign Minister has joined former New York governor Eliot Spitzer in the “thinks with the wrong head” club this week. The 60-year-old Ilkka Kanerva was discovered to have sent more than 200 text messages to an exotic dancer named Johanna Tukiainen, 29. And her sister! Despite the fact that Kanerva’s longtime parter said she’s not bothered by her man’s wandering eyes (or should that be fingers?), people are still calling for a resignation. More below.
