Saturday, October 31, 2009

Geek Out

Next Year, I’m Time Travel Trick-Or-Treating

5:00PM October 31, 2009 | Rosa Golijan

Actually, why wait until next year? I think I’m just gonna trick out a DeLorean and spend a couple of weeks trick or treating my way through the last few decades. I just need a costume first. [xkcd]

Science

Scientifically “Haunted” Room Shows Ghosts Are Only In Your Head

4:00PM October 31, 2009 | Rosa Golijan

Researchers wanted to prove that those who believe in paranormal experience are completely nuts, so they scientifically haunted a room using ultrasound waves and stuck people in there. Results? A lot of dizzy, tingly, aroused and gullible individuals. More »

Geek Out

Apple Ad God Lee Clow: “I’m Not Going Anywhere”

3:04PM October 31, 2009 | Rosa Golijan

We discussed how Lee Clow, the man behind Apple’s most popular advertisements, is stepping down from his position as chief creative officer of TBWA/Media Arts Lab. Turns out that Lee’s not really leaving, he’s just getting annoyed at the blogosphere. More »

Science

New Apollo 17 Landing Photo Clearly Shows Lander, Flag

3:00PM October 31, 2009 | Rosa Golijan

It’s blurrier than old MySpace snapshots, but it’s there as expected. The Apollo Lunar Modules and the US flag left behind at the Apollo 17 landing site has been caught in a close-up image by the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. More »

Gadgets

Stuff We Didn’t Post Today (And Why)

1:16PM October 31, 2009 | Rosa Golijan

Job Postings Reveal That Microsoft’s Not Stopping At Seven, Windows 8 In Works…Carpool Designating LED Signs Pretend That We All Get Along…Biodegradable Plastics To Be Made Out Of Green Gunk…I Don’t Have Enough Fingers And Toes For Ideum’s New Multitouch Table. More »

Science

Sharkskin Inspired Material Repels Bacteria

1:00PM October 31, 2009 | Rosa Golijan

Sharks are scary. So scary that the texture of their skin alone prevents parasitic bacteria from sticking. Good, because by modelling a plastic sheet-like surface after that scary skin, we can actually prevent drug-resistant superbacteria like MRSA from building up. More »

Google Navigator For Android Review: Far From Perfect

11:16AM October 31, 2009 | Wilson Rothman

As you know, Google’s freebie turn-by-turn navigation app for Android 2.0 surfaced this week. After driving around our patented testing track for a few days, I can tell you what’s great—and what’s surprisingly bad—about it. More »

A Chair Made From 10,000 Drinking Straws

11:00AM October 31, 2009 | Sean Fallon

Finally, a piece of furniture that goes with your drinking straw lamp. Perhaps next time designer Scott Jarve could create a bendy straw couch so that I could mould the seat to my arse better. [Jarvie via Make]

Cameras

The RED Digital Film Cameras: Big Spec Lists, Big Prices

10:45AM October 31, 2009 | Rosa Golijan

We’ve drooled over accessories for RED’s line of digital still and motion cameras, but now we’ve got some specs for the actual DSMCs. No release dates yet, but looks like the EPIC-X with its $US28,000 price will come first. More »

Regen Reverb: The (Tall) Solar-Powered iPod Dock

10:20AM October 31, 2009 | Sean Fallon

If you thought Regen’s Renu solar-powered iPod dock was unbelievable, get a load of its big brother, the Reverb. It’s 1m tall and capable of cranking out 60 watts of power off of the sun’s rays. More »