Friday, October 30, 2009 - Page 2

Some Germans Build This Outdoor Library Out Of Beer Crates

This particular architectural gem could only come from Deutschland. It’s an outdoor library partially constructed out of beer crates. Not surprising that they’ve been working on it since 2005 though, takes time to empty out the crates after all.


Gadgets

Stuff We Didn’t Post Today (and Why)

Esquire Sells the Space Beneath Downey’s Nuts…No Joy for TomTom’s $US120 iPhone Car Dock…Amtrak Gets “Free” Wi-Fi, But You Still Have to Pay for the Subsidy, Er Ticket…Voulez Vouz QOOQez Avec Moi?


This Autofetch Motion Pet Ball Is One Twisted Toy

At first I thought the Autofetch Motion Pet Ball is a neat way for lazy dog owners to give their pets some exercise and treats, but then I looked at the product FAQs. What’s this about using it with kids?


Entertainment

The WD TV Live HD Media Player Apparently Plays Pandora In AU

Gizmodo AU

The thing that struck me about the press release for the WD TV Live HD Media Player wasn’t the ability to stream your HD content over your network to your TV (my PS3 does that for me), but more the fact that it apparently allows you to stream Pandora internet radio here in Australia.


Geek Out

Where Are Those Damn Droids?

If I were these Imperial stormtroopers, I would trust the Force and click on “I’m Feeling Lucky”. [Flickr and Flickr via Ellephanta]


Online

Happy Birthday, Internet! Let’s Celebrate Your History, You Old Gal

We’ve had many cake-themed posts lately, but it’s not that we’re fat-asses. We’re just celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Internet. And there’s a lot to celebrate, because, as the Guardian shows, she’s seen a lot of action.


Science

Allergy Warning: The ITER Fusion Facility Contains Coconuts

It’ll be a while before the first commercially viable fusion facility, ITER in France, is powered up. But before that can even ever happen, there’s a need for a massive amount of coconut-shell charcoal which’ll absorb byproducts of thermonuclear reactions.


Entertainment

Sony Promise PlayTV Coming This Year… In Writing

Gizmodo AU

Sony have been telling us that the PlayTV is coming to Australia this year ever since it didn’t arrive for their deadline last year. But their PlayStation 3 website has a brochure that promises the digital TV tuner for your PS3 will arrive late 2009.


MIT’s AIDA Robot Will Be The Ultimate Backseat Driver

Actually, the Affective Intelligent Driving Agent (AIDA) won’t be riding in the backseat, it’s mounted right on the dashboard — but it will make comments on how you drive. It also reacts to your emotional state and helps you navigate.


Phase-Changing Memory Is Closer To Market And Might Just Kill Flash

Phase-changing memory looks great. It’s supposed to combine the non-volatile nature of flash-based memory with the fantastic speed of DRAM. Now Intel and Numonyx are teasing with advancements in stacking memory layers, news that brings denser PCM closer to markets.