Despite looking forward to the iPod Touch/iPhone integration of the Nike+ running dongle for over a year now, we can't help but feel slightly disappointed at the way this app is executed on the latest iPod Touch. The Nike + iPod software itself looks great—the red and white UI design matches up perfectly with nike's own workout site—but there's just something missing. First, where's the grandfathered support for iPhone, iPhone 3G and first-gen iPod Touch? More importantly, where are the expanded features that makes great use of the Touch's accelerometer, touch screen or internet connection? Nowhere.

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Just like the actual Rock Band 2 game, the new Rock Band 2 peripherals work more at refining the experience than redefining it. The wireless guitar and wireless drum kit add a bit of freedom from tripping and crashing into coffee tables, as well as minor design decisions that only improve your fake rocking out. The improvements aren't different or better enough for Rock Band 1 owners to throw out their current gear and buy these versions, but they are a great bonus for people who are buying the Rock Band 2 set.

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A friend told me about the Grinch today, a machine you hammer into the ground with a towrope attached to a 7HP engine, meant to rocket snowboarders and surfers into ramps and waves. [The Grinch]

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The Gadget: Nikon's D300 is a 12.3MP camera with 200-6400 (hi mode) ISO, a 3-inch LCD, 51 autofocus points and a prosumer magnesium body on the fence, but teetering more towards pro than consumer. Inside is a DX-sensor, not quite the FX sensor found in the better D3 and D700 cams. It's not directly competitive with either the cheaper 50D or the more expensive 5D from Canon.

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It's well known that Steve's Merc does not have a licence plate, but a barcode. Many thought that this sticker was some sort of replacement, an agreement with the state of California to display his information. But some car saavy folks tell us that Jobs' bar code is just be the VIN number to his car and, according to the state of California, no one is exempt from having a licence plate. The fine for driving without one is US$250 per occurrence—coincidentally (or not-so-coincidentally?), the price of an iPod classic. [iPhone Savior]

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Have you lost your excitement about the upcoming Watchmen movie? This Dr. Manhattan poster constructed out of LEGO pieces should remind you that you need to turn up that giddiness dial a bit. Great job, artpoly! All that's missing is Manhattan's LEGO junk. Maybe you can CGI that in, like in the trailer. [Thanks Ryan!]

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The Gadget: Olinari USB Dog Tags, which hold various USB drives inside the magnetic-clasp locking necklace charm. These are the follow up of the undoubtedly overpriced original version, which somehow managed to both look better, feel better and have a lower price.

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Just released yesterday, iPhone Modem for the Cydia jailbreak application repository promises tethering your laptop to your iPhone in just ten seconds. We haven't gotten around to jailbreaking our own yet, but this one is supposedly even easier than the official NetShare tethering app in the official App Store. ModMyiPhone forum says it works just fine on both MacBook and MacBook Pro. Careful using this on AT&T, since too much tethering data usage you're not actively "paying" for will get you neutered. [modmyiphone]

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Hath Hell frozen over, or hath an internth presseth the wrong buttoneth? [Thanks Dustin!]

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Trent Reznor, front man for Nine Inch Nails, is no stranger to cool tech, incredibly in-depth viral and ARG marketing campaigns, and new ways to entertain his fans live in concert. During their current Lights in the Sky tour, they let Wired writer Brian Gardiner and photographer Jon Snyder record and catalog basically everything that goes on behind the scenes to make things tick. That includes a system run entirely by Linux; hundreds of LED lights, lasers; intentional BSoD's, and "Stealth Screens"—huge, interactive marvels of tech and engineering that Reznor and his band mates can pass through and control in real time as the concert unfolds. "I'm not really a purist," Reznor told Wired. "If I'm in the studio working on an album, I try to only please myself. But when it's a tour, it feels a bit more like I have a responsibility to some degree to entertain people." No shit. [Wired]

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If Gundam mated with Will Smith's Audi in I, Robot, the offspring would resemble these futuristic concept cars from European brand Peugeot. The cars car-like vehicles were all entries in the 2008 Peugeot Design Contest. Designers were asked by organizers to create vehicles for that ambiguous but tantalising "city of the future." Areas of focus included environmental awareness, "social harmony," interactive mobility and efficiency. As you can see in the "Blade" vehicle above, efficiency is improved with the wind turbine that designer Ying Hui Choo added to charge an on-board electric battery.

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Here's an idea for new unofficial Gizmodo game. It doesn't have a name, but it's based on guessing what Bob Woodward was talking about when he said the U.S. military had some super secret new gadget, gizmo or technology at their disposal in Iraq. Woodward says the tech is used to "locate, target and kill key individuals in groups such as al-Qaeda in Iraq [and] the operations incorporated some of the most highly classified techniques and information in the US government." My guess as to what Woodward was talking about (with the help of Bruce Schneier readers): Hyperbole and book sales. You can do better!

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If you're an iPhone owner who wants the updates presented in the 2.1 firmware, and want to run jail-broken applications, the iPhone Dev Team today released PwnageTool and QuickPwn for 2.1 devices. According to the folks at the Unofficial Apple Weblog, this update does not work with iPod Touch 2g, and is "for iPhones or first generation Touch devices only." [TUAW]

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Flight attendants are the latest group looking to put the kibosh on in-flight porn, which they say is polluting the airways thanks to the new American Airlines in-flight wireless network. Taking a page from Focus on the Family, the 19,000-strong union is looking to filter the content web surfers can access in the air. But is the air really getting polluted with porn? As is the case most of the time, Association of Professional Flight Attendants reps couldn't produce specific examples of "alternative" in-flight entertainment, but did say "a lot of complaints" were raised by attendants and passengers alike.

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Imagine screaming down the freeway sometime in the near future and seeing this loop rushing forward to fill your windshield. Or, changing gears, what if commercial airlines flew their birds in a V formation, like birds? That's what Dutch design firm NL did recently using Photoshop, everyday architecture, and a little imagination that was perhaps inspired by a certain leaf available in special Dutch tea rooms. Google Tree? Energy-producing monuments? Sure thing!

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We've seen the immense Lego Star Wars Death Star diorama big reveal, the Brickworld 2008 coverage, and the massive minifig-packed set being built in beautiful time-lapse video—and now it's available for order! Just a quick recap: that's 3,803 pieces, 24 minifigs, US$400. Get saving or get ordering. Your inner Grand Moff Tarkin commands you! [Lego via Brothers Brick]

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