This just in! Malfunctioning technology causes anger! That’s according to a new British survey, which finds that 73% of people have hurled a gadget in a fit or gage, while 75% admit to swearing or losing their temper. A really desperate 10% admits to turning to booze when their gadget isn’t working. Only 10%?
newVideoPlayer("/koernercolbert_giz.flv", 475, 376,""); Friend of Giz and contributing editor Brendan I. Koerner was on the Colbert Report last night to school Stephen on ways to save the environment. Koerner discussed the paper/plastic debate, using air conditioning vs. windows, and whether it’s cheaper to buy CFLs or regular bulbs. Colbert let the green-concious Koerner off pretty easy, but he did manage to raise a fascinating point: If CFLs weren’t meant to be licked, why do they look so damn delicious? [The Colbert Report, Brendan Koerner]
When the Feds are at the door and it’s time to rip and run, what better way for the style- and safety-conscious hacker to make a protected getaway than with this all-leather handmade iMac Transport Bag (or apfeltaschen, as Reinda says) Then again, if you’re that hardcore, why are you using an iMac? Guess this is for the regular folks who need to move their all-in-one, all the time. It’s €90 ($150) for the 20″ and €96 ($160) for the 24.” [Product Page via Cool Hunting]
The Thank Giz It’s Friday roundup is all about fun, leisure and tools that you can use to make your life easier. And what would be better than having all of your questions and tough decisions answered for you? The key is to take your brain out of the equation and turn over the process to a combination of supernatural forces, chance and technology. It’s liberating, it’s fair and most importantly you don’t have to accept the blame if things should go to hell. Here’s how you can do it.
Nike’s limited edition 2015 variant of the Hyperdunk Supremes just got here. The sneakers aren’t just pretty — they’re incredibly light for a high top at 370 grams. The translucent rubberised upper has threads running through it at a crosspattern. Nike calls it Flywire tech, but I also recognise the idea from professional sailboat race sails, which run kevlar through the material to give it resistance to stretching and tearing, as well as more tensile strength. The sole has a sliver of carbon fibre running through it, too. Then the super nerdy and awesome Back to the Future references begin.
Japanese manufacturer Kotobukiya unveiled these awesome Lightsaber chopsticks at last week’s Celebration Japan–a huge event that marked the 30th anniversary of the Japanese Star Wars premiere. Unfortunately, there is no word on a pricing or release date for the chopsticks, but if they ever make it on sale in the States I will never use a fork again. [Rebelscum via Topless Robot via Likecool]
While the iPhone 3G definitely feels warmer than the original, it shouldn’t get hot enough to cook human flesh. Or melt. But a MacRumors forum member says he fell asleep with his iPhone 3G in his pocket and woke up when he felt a burning sensation in his pants (not the good kind either). He says he pulled out the phone, which was incredibly hot. Like, plastic-meltingly hot. Check out the damage to the dock connector (and his leg), where you can really see the bubbly, heat-warped plastic:
Remember that LivingColors Lamp that everyone made such a fuss about last year? Well, Philips is looking to capitalise on the success of the original by releasing a mini version that features 256 different colour modes and an updated look. They also ditched the remote this time around for an integrated colour wheel on the device itself, which may or may not be a negative depending on whether or not you have a tendency to lose things. The LivingColors lamp mini will be available starting in December for around US$168.
The Xbox 360 “price cut” in July wasn’t so much a price cut as it was a swapping of parts, but Ars says there’s an actual price cut coming in September. According to their source—who also told them about the impending 60GB switch-out prior to E3—the Arcade is dropping to US$199, the 60GB Pro to US$299, and the 120GB Elite to US$399. So say we all. [Ars Technica]
If you asked us what two things on our desk that we’d want to combine into one thing, we’d probably pick these two things, the USB drive and the highlighter. When has it not occurred to you to put these obviously similar things in one package? We mean really, a USB drive fits in your hand and a USB highlighter fits in your hand. What more connection do you need? Thanks, High Dexx USB Flash Drive. You know exactly what we’re thinking. [Gadgtes2Order via Oh Gizmo]
