Monday, May 19, 2008
Cameras
Canon Patents Fuel Cells (For Cameras, Of Course)
11:45PM Mark Wilson | A new patent application by Canon reveals that the company is interested in fuel cell technology for their cameras—or at least feel that they’ve developed an idea that no one else should use. Wired aptly compares the technology to inkjet printer cartridges, actually using multiple fuel cells to provide varying levels of current depending on camera function. These fuel cells can work alone or combine to tackle the especially power-hungry functions. But as you can see in diagram A, this news leaves the traditional Canon battery grip seething with anger. [Patent via Gadget Lab] More »
Entertainment
Apple Cutting Deals For More Ringtones
11:17PM Mark Wilson | According to the New York Times, multiple label executives have confirmed that Apple is looking to expand its iTunes ringtone collection by June—far more than they have in the past. Their interests include both downloadable song snippets and ringback tones (new ringers). But apparently, the labels feel that these ringtones should cost more over a hypothetical 3G iTunes Store than the current Wi-Fi option. Why do music labels feel that way? Oh, because they are a bunch of greedy dinosaurs who hate you, that’s why. [NYTimes] More »
Gadgets
2.2-Metre Optimus Prime Constructed From Old Car Parts
10:55PM Mark Wilson | When cars die, they don’t go to some magical car heaven (except for hybrids, maybe). But the best, luckiest ones just might become Transformer replicas. Standing at 2.2 metres tall and weighing a respectable 220 kilos, this Optimus Prime statue is a probably the most compelling argument for recycling we’ve ever seen. And its leg detail is as incredible as the torso: More »
Vehicles
The 120 KPH Bicycle That’s Powered by a Jet Engine
10:40PM Gizmodo US Edition | Robert Maddox is a builder and seller of real pulse jet engines with powers up to 1000 pounds… and if that’s not a cool enough hobby, he’s also bolted one to a bicycle. The 50-ish pounds of thrust developed by the engine could push the bike up to 120 KPH, which would be a real bone-shaker of a ride. And a deafening one too: the pulse jet engine makes a frightening racket, and its humming sound earned the Second World War cruise-missile V1s that used similar engines the nicknames buzzbomb and doodlebug. You can hear and see the results of this DIY craziness in the video. More »
Gadgets
Builds LEGO Model Inside Bag Without Using Telekinesis
10:20PM Gizmodo US Edition | OK, last LEGO post of the day unless someone builds a crazy ten million-piece model of the Death Star with a working planet-obliterating laser. Tom Williamson—Giz reader and winner of our gadget PSA contest—is one of the 15 finalists of the Lipton YouTube talent contest. His entry: build a LEGO model inside the bag, without opening it. If he wins, he will get US$25,000, which we can only hope he will spend organising a LEGO toga and LEGO bikini party for all Gizmodo readers who vote for him. Or we will go to his house and beat him until he does. Tom, I got your address. More »
Peripherals
Seagate Showcase 1TB DVR Extender Records 12 HD Streams at Once (Now You Just Need 12 CableCards)
9:59PM Benny Goldman | Seagate is taking their first crack at external DVR storage with the Showcase line of HDDs. The Showcase drives range in size from 250GB to 1TB, work with both eSATA and USB connections, and can record a whopping 12 HD streams simultaneously. For now, Motorola cable boxes are the only ones compatible with the Showcase, so TiVo owners and others should hold off until we hear more. They’ll be on sale this fall, full release after the jump. [Seagate] More »
Robots
Bipedal Lawn Mowing Robot Shows Tech Not Quite Mature Yet
9:50PM Gizmodo US Edition | One Mega-Dynamizer robot, one lawnmower, one lawn. Result: “nice try: bring on Version 2.0″ The video is from Sugiura-san, creator of the Mega Dynamizer and ROBO-ONE champion roboticist. And while the robot doesn’t whizz about confidently like a Roomba for grass, probably doing a pretty patchy mow and taking that unfortunate tumble, it’s pretty impressive for a first attempt. I can see the potential: I hate mowing the lawn, and any robotic assistance would be welcome. As long as it can also do some weeding, perhaps some leaf-raking, and that dangerous trailing cable goes in future versions. Notice the dog being calm?… probably the robot’s slow progress makes it less exciting than Mario. [Robots Dreams via Bot Junkie] More »
Announcements
Notes: In Brazil
9:42PM Brian Lam | Hi there. I’m in Brazil, so you won’t see a lot of me this week. Not at the normal hours, that is. You know what’s annoying? There’s no way to turn on iPhone international data plans from the iPhone, once you’re in the foreign country. Also, the rules for international dialing need to be standardised. I’m useless trying to call anyone outside of the US. See you guys a bit later. More »
Design
Light-Up LED Furniture is Sticky, Disco, But You Can Call It Stardust
9:30PM Gizmodo US Edition | This lightweight furniture by Meritalia is so light you can pick it up with one hand, and so light that you can probably read by it. Designed by Mario Bellini, and made of plastic “ravioli,” the stuff often found in packaging, LEDs and inox wire, Stardust furniture can be used by the pool, in the pool (well, it says that on the fact sheet) as well as in the house. And I love the name—Stardust makes me think of all sorts of lovely things, such as Bowie, as well as one of the best french house tunes ever, Music Sounds Better With You. More »
Toys
