In the year 2025, a scant 17 years from now, all cars will be electric. But according to Mitsubishi's entry into the LA Auto Show's latest design challenge, some will even tear up the Salt Flats, looking like bionic insects with the cruelest of intentions. Each wheel of the proposed MMR25 Rally Racer gets eight little wheels for omnidirectional movement, and there's no such thing as windshields in the future, replaced—naturally—by Star Trek tech. Here's the run down, plus the sickest rendering of a non-existent product I have ever seen:

Read More »

There are plenty of dual-hard-drive outboard storage systems on the market, but SimpleTech's Duo Pro struck me as particularly brimming with awesomeness. It's not a NAS—it's totally local—but you have a choice of USB 2.0, FireWire 400 and 800, and eSATA, which clocks a max transfer speed of 3Gb per second. (That's gigabits, not gigabytes.) You can naturally do RAID 0 or 1, and though the current options are a 1TB total for $US280, a 1.5TB total for $US420 and a 2TB version for $US550, you will be able to choose a 3TB config when the winter winds start to blow. Have a look at the back of this in the photo below the jump. [SimpleTech]

Read More »

You've probably wondered what it takes to become a Genius at an Apple Store. I mean, they're called Geniuses, and it's Apple, and they only deal with Apple products, so they know them to the core, right? Well, in at least one Apple Store, not so much. MacBlogz's Aviv went through the whole process of applying, which he has helpfully documented for us. After answering 17 out of 20 ridiculously easy technical questions correctly, he was offered the job for $US17 an hour (which you can see in the letter below). Because that made him not just a Genius, but a superstar.

Read More »

Here's the first look at the final version of the deadly XM25. We learnt this morning about the weapon's destructive power, but now we have all the details, starting with the key for its destruction power, a built-in fire-control system that can program each of the weapon's 25 millimeter rounds wirelessly, in real time, so soldiers can take down enemies around obstacles:

Read More »

Not long after releasing their super-cheap 3-channel Black Stealth chopper, ThinkGeek is delivering a Micro 4-channel flying saucer with a built-in solid state accelerometer for control. Even if you have poor eyesight and fat, clumsy hands you can always switch on the "EZ button" backup that prevents maneuvers that may send the saucer out of control. A 20 minute charge will get you about 5-7 minutes of flight time, so the whole package seems pretty decent for $US100. [ThinkGeek via DVICE]

Read More »

Tonight at 9pm ET the first debate between John McCain and Barack Obama takes place. In the interest of keeping political discussion alive in America, here's a link to CBS, where we know the debate will be streamed live, at least within the US. Here's a link to NBC, which hosts much debate-related video, but doesn't quite say outright that it'll be streaming live. ABC also has a link to election coverage, but they don't seem to say much about this streaming video thing at all. Watch, discuss, get excited or pissed off. If the network's commentary is too vanilla-bean for your uppity self—or if your sorry arse is out of the country and blackballed from US video service—hit up Gawker's liveblog of the debates. When you've had enough of democracy in action, come back here for your fill of Lego Millennium Falcons, boob-related iPhone apps and other timeless objets du awesome. [Gawker]

Read More »

Do you want to learn how to be a ninja? Find a time machine and transport yourself back to 8th century Japan. Alternatively, if you want to learn how to be a "ninja", as in the type of ninja described in Ask a Ninja's hilarious net video series, all you have to do is pick up the Ninja Handbook. It won't teach you how to be a the type of ninja that can actually win a fight with a schoolgirl, but after reading at least a combined five pages of this book, we can safely say that it teaches you how to make ninja jokes for 326 pages. That's even more impressive, in our minds. [The Ninja Handbook]

Read More »

An exploit has been uncovered in Adobe software that could be used to download free copies of movies and shows from Amazon's Video on Demand service (and other similar services). Apparently, Adobe sacrificed a "a stringent security feature" that protects the connection between Adobe software and its players in order in increase download speeds.

Read More »

CNet earlier today broke a story about how the National Association of Broadcasters—traditional broadcasting conglomerates and others who think HD Radio is more vital than the internet—is trying to kill a brand new bill that could save Pandora and other web radio services. We've done some reporting of our own, and the situation does indeed seem dire. If you love your Pandora, here's what's going on, and how you can help save its very existence:

Read More »

This week marked the start of more interesting times for mobile apps. You may have heard, even, that Android is here--on T-Mobile's G1. Perhaps it wasn't a coincidence that it was a relatively quiet week in the App Store, as devs watch a new challenger take the stage (and power on their iPhone lightsabers). But as always, gems abound.

Read More »

We hate crapware, you hate crapware, and Steve Ballmer hates crapware. Here's what Ballmer said last night about it.

Read More »

Just a few days after the new series premiere, RadioShack has announced that it scored exclusive rights to sell Mio's Knight Rider GPS in the US. I already have a GPS unit, but the geek in me wants to buy this thing just to hear William Daniels tell me where the nearest McDonald's is. The KITT GPS is available now for $US270. [RadioShack via CNET]

Read More »

Some of you are thrilled that the age of video on DSLRs is here; some of you are surprisingly pissed off about it. Truth is, the 720p video coming from the Nikon D90 can look amazing, but in some ways it can't replace even the cheapest cams when it comes to chasing kids and pets around. The good news is that you can use sweet DSLR lenses—in this case, a trio of Nikkors—for a cinematic look and feel. The bad news is, there's no autofocus in video mode. It's a bitch, but it forces you to think more like a filmmaker and less like a hockey mum. Check out the video above, then drop down for some issues and tips we've sorted out so far. Update: Still framegrabs from the actual video below.

Read More »

The always fascinating Dark Roasted Blend has an article on alternative uses for books. Sculptures, lamps, structures, furniture... everything made with books. It's an eerie view on book heaven or book hell, depending on your mood. Mine is a bit gloomy, so looking at the beautifully spooky gallery and knowing about the rennaissance of electronic books, I can't help but wonder: Do these images represent the beginning of the end for books as we know them?

Read More »

Good news! Those who pre-order Gears of War 2 Limited Edition at Best Buy will score an R/C Centaur tank free. Bad news! We don't know if the tank is a real, living R/C tank or just some sort of downloadable, in-game content. And this spy shot from a recent Best Buy pre-holiday meeting in Dallas really doesn't confirm things either way. Still, free R/C tank! Never look a free R/C tank in the mouth, etc. [Kotaku]

Read More »

Tomorrow I embark on a week-long vacation that will have me hiking up mountains, enjoying art and music and dining in fancy restaurants. Needless to say, I am looking forward to it. The only thing I am not 100% about is the hotel room. I've never stayed in this particular chain before and I got it at a great price—which has me a little concerned. What's wrong with it? Is it nasty inside? Is that where all of the local hookers and drug dealers go to conduct their "business?" Fortunately, there are plenty of gadgets out there that can help give budget-minded travelers peace of mind in scenarios like this one.

Read More »

After the Goatee Saver, I thought that I had seen it all. But no...there is more where that came from. Check out this Slim Trim razor from designer James McAdam. The caliper mechanism promises a mathematically proportional shave every time. Sure, that makes sense with sideburns and Hitler mustaches, but you have to think bigger—more artistic. How about carving some intricate geometric designs into your stubble? Yeah...your face would be like a blank canvas every couple of days. Maybe even twice a day if you are one seriously hairy dude. [James McAdam via Trends Now via The Design Blog]

Read More »

Every yup on the block has a fancy TV on their wall, but not too many folks can claim they have six PCs clustered in a render farm, glowing with eye-searing blue LEDs through a wall-mounted, oversized metal and acrylic frame. Installed at the Fredrik Perman design studio, the wall behind the system houses the firm's entire server room which can be accessed from the terminal beside the monster PC. Construction shot:

Read More »

The Gadget: The Squeezebox Boom from Logitech streams music from your PC or the internet via an 802.11b/g or Ethernet connection. Unlike previous Squeezeboxes, the Boom also throws in a pair of 30-watt speakers.

Read More »

The Apple part of the iPhone battery class-action lawsuit has been dismissed by U.S. District Judge Matthew F. Kennelly, who looked at the claims brought by Jose Trujillo and deemed them as dumbtastically stoopeed. Not exactly in those words, but I know that's exactly what he meant with his words:

Read More »

Microsoft's Steve Ballmer spoke at the annual Churchill Club dinner last night and said some very interesting things about the way Apple, Microsoft and Google make devices. No surprise, but he thinks Apple's method of creating end-to-end computers and a mobile phone experience is the wrong way to do things. He did, however, have nice things to say about Google and their Android philosophy, if only because it's the same as Microsoft's Windows Mobile plan.

Read More »

Information in a leaked Blockbuster memo has revealed that the discontinued 40GB Playstation 3 is set for a $US40 price drop on Sunday, bringing it down to $US360. The memo also notes that a 40GB bundle with an HDMI cable, Spiderman the movie and Transformers the game will see a drop as well. It's not what I would call a huge discount for a system pulled by Sony, but if you don't mind having only 40GB of storage it could make for a decent Christmas present. [Kotaku]

Read More »

Over at NextFest, we came across an entire tree's worth of Xerox's cartridge-less solid ink, a technology we'd heard about but never seen in person. They feel more like a hard, textured plastic than a waxy crayon (which is its most touted analogy), and the ink doesn't rub off in your hand at all. And yes, Xerox, we'll be happy to buy your product that reduces ink waste by 90% if you'd kindly release it to the market.

Read More »

This is Jeff. He's losing to me at Brainball, which is on display at Wired's NextFest. It's sort of like soccer if numbing your mind could score a goal. I asked the creator, why not reward the player who can think the hardest? He responded, "because the best games are the ones that you don't think to play." And it actually works. As Jeff contemplated actuarial probability, I crushed him with Zen-like concentration on nothing. Also, I think he may have hemorrhoids or something.

Read More »

We've complained (maybe carped is a better word) about the lack of design unity in Android, but the truth is, there is one design element that's consistent across the entire OS: the Droid font, the result of an intense, two-year collaboration between digital typeface company Ascender and Google.

Read More »

If you're running a Windows Mobile phone (more specifically the MOTO Q Music 9m, MOTO Q 9h, Palm Treo 750w, Samsung Blackjack I or Blackjack II), you might want to check out Adobe's new mobile beta site. Hit the link to register. [Adobe via intomobile]

Read More »

"Grrrr.... ahhh" is roughly the sound you'll make as you use this crowbar bottle opener to muscle-off the cap on a bottle of lovely beer. And you'll get to whack the opener menacingly into your palm if you're in the mood to look like a heavy. Just don't be too energetic opening the bottle, else it'll swing back and you'll smack yourself inna teef. Yours for $US25. [NerdApproved]

Read More »

A friendly tipster sent us this training to-do list for Verizon employees, which yields a couple of tidbits. First, training on the BlackBerry Storm has to be finished by Nov. 2, which our tipster says "guarantees" it'll be launched by early November, as we've heard. Verizon's Touch Diamond can be expected by late December, based on its training dates.

Read More »