Part giant Segway, part car, part Tron light-cycle, part whirling glass-walled deathtrap…think of it as you will, the Ozone is actually a pretty interesting concept vehicle designed by Ozkan Koral. Accessed by rotating doors within the wheels, the passenger cabin is actually inside the wheelbase. It’s powered by fuel cells driving twin electric motors and steered by joystick. So it’s pretty eco-friendly, though I’m not sure how travel over rough terrain would feel when you’re inside. Plus, World War II gadget afficionados may remember the Great Panjandrum when they see this, and shudder. Just a concept. [OzkanKoral via Ecofriend]
The only thing better than a robot may be a papercraft robot, and computer security software company Symantec clearly totally realises this. Because to better educate the public on various malware bots that can infect their systems, Symantec has released free thematic papercraft robots. And kudos to their marketing department–they aren’t covered in logos for Norton Antivirus or something. Here’s a picture of their identity theft bot. Hit the link to collect all two! [Symantec via boingboing]
Sony Ericsson’s Paris, much coveted by S-E purists, has been canned, according to the Unofficial Sony Ericsson Blog. The Paris, aka the P5i, has been filed under T (for trash) alongside its sister smartphone, the BeiBei, or the G702. Apparently it’s to do with the less-than-enthusiastic reactions from some of the mobile phone bloggers, who weren’t exactly gagging for it. There’s also speculation that a lot of its features were already lagging behind those of its competitors–and this is before it had even hit the streets. I guess we’ll never have Paris. [Unofficial Sony Ericsson Blog via Mobile Mentalism]
Crytek, makers of the game/PC benchmarking software Crysis, have reported that they believe that the piracy rate on the game is somewhere between 15:1 and 20:1.
Following up on the promise made back in March, Apple and Nike have integrated Nike+ iPod technology into gym equipment. 24 Hour Fitness, the largest fitness chain in the US, will be the first to roll out the equipment to select locations across the country starting in July. [BusinessWire]
Darnit darnit–that’s what you’ll be saying if you’re an eager Nikon fan, waiting for the new mid-range D700 DSLR. Those shots we showed you in our previous rumour post? Yep: faked. Over on NikonD700.com they’ve got a link to the original pre-Photoshopped image on Flickr. It’s of a D300, and is clearly of a higher quality and resolution than the D700 fake. See below for the full pic.
Psst. Remember those face-recognition vending machines that sell cigarettes in Japan, but only if you’re old enough? Well, underage fag-fans of Japan, here’s how to get your hands on a packet of cancer sticks if you’re still young enough to remember the main working function of the breast.
A walking stick, with a catch. Well, potentially a catch anyway: with a reel and fishing line, this mashup gadget enables you to combined fishing with your countryside strolls. It’s 89cm high, with a rubber foot and metal/plastic reel, and is available now for US$39.95. On second thoughts, House wouldn’t so much use this for fishing for fish, as much as for views up nurse’s skirts. The advertising doesn’t suggest that though. [Product via Nerd Approved]
A four-way, USB 2.0 hub. A magnetic paperclip holder. A fake fish tank. A seven-colour LED illuminator. Mix them all together, and what have you got? Yes: possibly the worst USB gizmo ever. I mean, what’s next? A USB hub with built-in electric dog-polisher? I don’t know though: if you’re a collector of USB naffness then maybe you’d prize this thing… available now for US$20. [Gadget4All]
