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Brando 3-Way USB Hub Doesn't Need Power Brick
Posted by Gizmodo US Edition at 11:50 PM on April 24, 2008
See those two USB plugs on this hub gizmo from Brando? They're what makes this thing a little bit neat, even if its looks aren't anything special. Most USB hubs need to draw energy from a power brick if you're going to load them up with much more than a memory stick and charge up a gadget. But this one plugs into two USB ports on your PC for more juice, so you can connect up to three different devices and charge or sync your phone or camera at the same time via the mini-USB connector. It's available now for US$12. [Brando]
According to some intel gathered by our brothers from another alien mother at Kotaku, rumour has it that Nintendo is ramping up Wii production to 2.4 million units/month (compared to the 1.8 million units/month currently produced). It's a number that should allow Nintendo to sell more of their popular console while balancing the big Re-shhhhhh that's going on in America at the moment. We'll continue this conversation when, uhhh, things are going even better. [
Here's one of 
Asus just gave a new look and hardware upgrade to its 
Sure, it's only a model of a dual-saw-wielding giant robot, but we can't help but to admire one man's vision of an autonomous future of fighting forest fires. The Forest Fire "Clear Cut" Robot (model) has 600 parts and took its creator 6 months to complete. What it represents is a tool prepared to slice and dice trees as necessary to stop the spread of flames in fictional, wilderness settings. Because remember, only you (and gigantic, badass robots with blades bigger than your body) can prevent forest fires. But it's mostly on the robots at this point, honestly. Here's a bonus pic:
Remember that 
According to Steve yesterday, that $44.6 billion offer to buy Yahoo is "a lot of money," which comes as no surprise to anyone. But he followed it up by saying Microsoft is "prepared to move forward alone without Yahoo." Is he threatening to walk away? One suggestion to explain this is that employees inside Microsoft are uncomfortable: online services staff are wary about job futures, and others are worried the take-over will divert manager's attention off the key Microsoft business itself. What do you think guys? Is this it for the deal? Or is it just another tactic in the game? [
Eighteen years ago today, the Hubble Telescope was launched into space by the Space Shuttle Discovery. To celebrate its coming of age, NASA has released 59 high-definition breathtaking pictures of galaxies colliding across the universe. Above is ESO 99-4, a weird-shaped galaxy (probably the result of another collision) situated in the Triangulum Australe, around 400-million light years away from earth. [
This spoon, which looks like a prop from CSI, has built-in scales so you can scoop and check the amount all in one. Made of ABS plastic and stainless steel, it has an LCD screen, and an accuracy of 0.14 grams. It also measures in metric or imperial and can keep track of added weights. Just make sure you use it for cooking ingredients, and not for measuring stuff that might get you a visit from CSI for real. Available for about US$37. [
Doctor Who fans can now get their hands on the Master's laser screwdriver. Darth Vader to the Time Lord's Luke (father-son relationship aside), the Master's laser screwdriver is more powerful than Doctor Who's—well, that's what you'd think, wouldn't you? Although you can get a simultaneous blast from all three laser barrels, not to mention the Pew Pew Pew, it's not multi-talented like the Doctor's version. Can you write 
Fans of kitsch plastic gewgaws might find this Stitch radio and CD player from Runat so far up their street it's parked in their garage. Modelled on the Disney alien from the 2002 movie Lilo and Stitch, and most probably a tie-in for the upcoming anime series Stitch! it looks awesome with its mouth open—as you can see below.
From Wired's Randy Alfred:
The glo Pillow is an alarm clock (alarm pillow?) that wakes you up by shining a gradually intensifying light in your face for 40 minutes, until it reaches a blazing, blinding crescendo. If that sounds uncomfortable, your significant other smacking the crap out of you for smashing the snooze button every five minutes is probably worse (unless you're into that kind of thing). [
The latest iPhone SDK is now available, and unlike 
Our friend Datamancer, 
I don't know if you follow Starbucks news, but as much as I prefer local coffeehouses, I've been intently watching their recent efforts to get back the soul they've commoditised away. Here's their new espresso machine, the Mastrena, which they call a "high-performance Italian sports car," set to roll out this year. It's shorter than the ones now, so baristas can look you in the eye while they press buttons to auto-mechanically spit out your espresso.
Here's a simple concept: An umbrella stand that directs wet umbrella run off to a plant-filled tray. I one day hope to live in a modern house with modern furniture surrounded by geometrically symmetric patches of indoor lawn, so I enjoy the idea of this immensely. [
Microsoft's Mesh seems full of promise, even if you can't find a jargon free definition of it anywhere, 
Those of you who are familiar with 
The 
Autoliv's new Pedestrian Protection System combines a hood that opens to cushion impact and a pair of hood mounted airbags to reduce the risk of serious injury when a car comes into contact with an unfortunate pedestrian, cyclist or motorcyclist. The tech's safety specs are impressive: "From almost certain death to less than a 15% risk of life-threatening injuries in a car-to-pedestrian impact at 40 km/h." [
Cloud computing is supposed to be the next big tech revolution. One of the basic ideas, for the uninitiated, is that all of your apps and files (docs, pictures, music) are stored online in a digital locker, and you can access them from anywhere, no matter what computer you're using, thus heralding the 
Festo, the same company that brought us the 
This LEGO mousetrap by Jason Allemann is pure, classic simplicity made of bricks. Created with 
Leigh over at Kotaku did some digging around about the rumoured