Gizmodo Australia » awards

In An Emergency, Place A Brassiere Over Your Nose And Mouth

Jack Loftus — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 12:00:00 +0000

Yes, that’s Nobel Prize winning economist Paul Krugman there with half a brassiere clamped tightly over his nose and mouth. That said, this is not some scandalous spy shot that will bequeath Bill O’Reilly’s next wet dream. It’s actually this:

The brassiere is one of the award-winning bits of science and invention from this year’s quirky, eccentric and downright entertaining Ig Nobel Awards. These awards are, in the words of organiser Improbable Research, a celebration of achievements that “make people laugh and think”. A laundry list of past “winners” from The National reads like this:

In 2001, the physics award was given to Dr. David Schmidt for his research into why shower curtains often to blow inwards. In 2005, a team from Keio University won for “training pigeons to discriminate between the paintings of Picasso and Monet”.

Dr. Deborah Anderson, also a former winner, was on hand this year to remind everyone about the effectiveness of Coca-Cola as a spermicide. To conclude, she was allowed seven words to describe her area of expertise—contraception—in detail: “Male contraception. Sheath it or beat it.”

Cranking It to 11 — With Science! This year at Harvard’s Sanders theatre the awards show didn’t let up, with the aforementioned brassiere winning in the Public Health category. Why public health? Well, aside from providing support, the bra doubles as a life-saving gas mask; one that could be handy should a biological attack strike somewhere soon, like the unmentionables department at Macy’s.

I kid, but this brassiere seriously works. Those D cups are the brainchild of the voluptuous Dr. Elena Bodnar of Illinois (by way of the Ukraine, backside pictured, above); and Raphael Lee and Sandra Marijan, both of Chicago. Bodnar passed on giving a big speech, and instead gave the audience a live demo. Her “volunteers” were a handful of Nobel laureates assembled on the stage, including Krugman. By the end of the demo, she had removed multiple bra gas masks from under her shirt and no fewer than four Nobel laureates were protected from chemical attack thanks to a hot pink layer of satin.

Brilliant Insanity Ensues The rest of the night was, sadly, light on gadgets, but it did manage to get this cynical blogger to laugh pretty consistently.

There was a four act banker’s opera (left); there were impromptu science experiments; and there were two Mexicans who managed to create diamond film from tequila. There was a researcher from Kitasato University who reduced Japanese household waste by 90% thanks to bacteria found in panda shit.

Acceptance speeches were brief, and if they weren’t, an eight-year-old girl was on hand to interrupt the winners and move things along. Benoit Mandelbrot, the man who invented fractals, gave a 60-second keynote, was interrupted by the girl, and then sat down to play poker. Onstage.

All told, the event was a trip, and I encourage any of my Boston brethren to see it at Harvard next year for their 20th anniversary. If you do, then you too will know exactly what 1000 paper aeroplanes descending from the rafters to pelt the stage below looks like first hand.

Editors Note: The official Ig Nobel awards video goes live soon at Improbable TV. Check it out.

Nikon Setting Up 360-Degree Matrix Camera Array on MTV Movie Awards Red Carpet

Wilson Rothman — Thu, 28 May 2009 20:20:00 +0000

Take 50 Nikon D700s, arrange them in a circle, get them all to fire at once, then play them back in sequence, and you get a crazy 360 array—like the kind used in The Matrix—live on the red carpet of the MTV Movie Awards.

LIVE FROM THE RED CARPET…NIKON, THE OFFICIAL CAMERA SPONSOR OF 2009 MTV MOVIE AWARDS

PRE-SHOW SPECIAL AND INNOVATIVE FASHION 360, POWERED BY NIKON, GIVE VIEWERS EXCLUSIVE PERSPECTIVE FROM A-LIST EVENT

MELVILLE, N.Y. (May 27, 2009) – Nikon, the Official Camera Sponsor of the 2009 MTV Movie Awards, will reveal all the fun, stylish moments of this year’s award show from the red carpet. This includes a 30-minute televised special, “MTV Movie Awards Confidential presented by Nikon,” as well as the star-studded 2009 MTV Movie Awards red carpet pre-show and exclusive online content (http://movieawards.mtv.com). This year’s MTV Movie Awards also marks the first time viewers at home can see their favourite celebrities and their fashions in a matrix-like freeze frame, captured by MTV’s Fashion 360, Powered by Nikon. Through it all, MTV and Nikon’s joint talent, Megan Lappin, and Nikon cameras will capture those moments of fashion and fun as celebrities and award nominees walk the red carpet.

“As the official camera sponsor for the MTV Movie Awards, Nikon and MTV combine the coolest in entertainment, fashion and digital imaging to bring viewers the most exciting moments on the red carpet and first-time-ever behind-the-scenes of the 2009 MTV Movie Awards,” said Lisa Baxt, senior manager, Communications, Nikon Inc. “Being at the forefront of digital cameras, Nikon is excited to have its stylish line of Nikon COOLPIX cameras among today’s biggest style influencers and our D-SLRs in the Fashion 360, Powered by Nikon. Viewers at home will love their exclusive look at the red carpet, the biggest celebrities and entertainment moments of the last year.”

The excitement starts with “MTV Movie Awards Confidential presented by Nikon,” an exclusive pre-show special that highlights top movie award moments and gives a first ever behind-the-scenes look at the Fashion 360, Powered by Nikon. Whether reliving MTV’s Best Action Sequence or recalling fashion highs (and lows), viewers can tune in on Saturday, May 30 at 8:00 p.m. EDT (encore to appear on MTV2 at 8:30 p.m. EDT) to see these memorable moments, as well as witness the first celebrity photographed in the revolutionary Fashion 360, Powered by Nikon.

After the overwhelming success of Nikon’s presence at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards, Megan reprises her role, not only co-hosting “MTV Movie Awards Confidential presented by Nikon,” but also reporting live from the event both on camera and online, and capturing exclusive images with her stylish touch-screen Nikon COOLPIX S230. Megan will also kick off the Fashion 360, Powered by Nikon, serving as the first MTV celebrity to be photographed in the state-of-the-art 360-degree imaging device.

The Fashion 360, Powered by Nikon, will synch 50 Nikon D700 digital SLR cameras to capture celebrities in a visual “surround sound,” providing a stunning 360-degree perspective certain to leave fans at home star-struck. Many of the Fashion 360, Powered by Nikon images will appear throughout the broadcast and online in an exclusive photo gallery on http://movieawards.mtv.com, offering viewers at home an opportunity to check out the latest in Hollywood fashion trends up close.

“We’re thrilled to have Nikon involved in this year’s MTV Movie Awards, and we think Fashion 360, Powered by Nikon adds something truly innovative to our red carpet,” said Catherine Balsam-Schwaber, Vice President, MTV Integrated Marketing. “MTV is always looking to find new ways to work with our valued partners, and what viewers will see at this year’s Movie Awards will definitely be an eye-opener.”

For more information about Nikon and the 2009 MTV Movie Awards, please visit http://movieawards.mtv.com. For more information about Nikon and its line of imaging products, please visit http://press.nikonusa.com.

Don’t Forget To Vote For Giz AU In The 2008 Weblog Awards

Nick Broughall — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 23:24:21 +0000

Remember – even if you voted for us yesterday, you can vote once every 24 hours up until Jan 13. And currently we’re coming in third place, which doesn’t truly reflect what awesome readers you guys are. So don’t forget to vote for us again today!

[2008 Weblog Awards]

Vote For Giz AU In The 2008 Weblog Awards

Nick Broughall — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 22:50:19 +0000

Let’s face it – there are two things that make Gizmodo a great site: gadgets and you guys. We bring the news on the latest gadgets, you guys bring the (mostly) insightful commentary and intelligent discussion. That’s why voting for Giz AU in the 2008 Weblog Awards is like voting for your own awesomeness, which you should totally do.

Giz AU is a finalist in the Best Australian Blog category. And because we really want to win (not for our egos, you understand, but for your egos), we’re asking that you hit the link and vote for us today, tomorrow and every day up until the voting closes on January 13. Not only that, we want you to get your family and friends to vote for us too – remember this isn’t about us, it’s about you.

And while you’re voting, why not pop a vote in for our sister site Defamer AU, who’s a finalist in the Best Celeb Gossip Blog category, as well as one for the mothership Gizmodo US in the Best Technology Blog category.

Thanks guys.

[2008 Weblog Awards]

JD Power Announces the Best Cameras of 2008

Adam Frucci — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 21:30:00 +0000

JD Power and Associates just released the results of its latest camera survey, culling the responses of over 8,000 digital camera buyers between April of 2007 and March of 2008. They split the categories into DSLRs, Point and Shoots, Premium Point and Shoots, and Ultra Slims. Hit the jump to see the list of winners.

Dyson 2008 Award Winner Rake n Take: For Picking Up Leaves or Dirty Laundry

Matt Buchanan — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 00:14:45 +0000

You’d expect first place in the 2008 Dyson awards to go something totally insane, like a vacuum that cleans your carpet and your colon simultaneously. But it actually went to this deceptively simple gadget designed by Ryan Jansen, the Rake n Take, which takes a lot of the suck out of raking leaves. Pulling up on the handle clamps whatever you’re raking, so you you don’t have to stoop and scoop. It would also be great for clearing your disgusting roommate’s biohazardous socks out of your living room. Check it out in action after the jump.

Please Vote for Gizmodo in the 2008 Bloggies

Jason Chen — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 21:12:36 +0000

As Brian said yesterday, we’ve been nominated for the 2008 Bloggies in the categories of Best Tech Blog, Lifetime Achievement and Best Design. Really do feel like we do fantastic work around here, not just in the stuff he pointed out yesterday, but stuff like our Very Very NSFW Porn Convention Adventure and our other NSFW exploits. If you feel like Gizmodo helps you get through the work day any faster or makes you day any more enjoyable, please throw in a vote for us. It’ll give us a warm feeling inside, much like the feeling you’d get if you were the kitty in the picture. [Vote for Gizmodo]

Vote for Gizmodo in the 2008 Bloggies

Brian Lam — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 13:40:16 +0000

Hey there. We’ve been nominated in the 2008 bloggies for categories such as Best Tech Blog, Lifetime Achievement and Best Design. Design aside, I do feel like we’re to the point where we’re pretty happy with the work we do. Just remember the X-Wing fighter rocket soaring into the sky, the Lego 50th anniversary story, our Bill Gates video interview, the first live shots of the 150-inch plasma, or the purdiest Apple liveblog photos around. For voting, I can’t promise you the same Jet ride and Pony we did last year. Only the feeling of warm fuzziness you’d get and give from clicking on us in the 2008 Bloggies…well, I’d say it would probably feel somewhat like being tucked in that sweater with a kitty and the puppies. Thanks, and good night. [Vote for Giz, photo via Cute Overload]

Steve Jobs Inducted into California Hall of Fame, Dresses Up

Addy Dugdale — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 11:04:37 +0000

I know it wasn’t the Oscars, but couldn’t His Royal Steveness have made just a teensy bit more effort at California’s Hall of Fame last night? Sporting a ~~Ronald McDonald costume made entirely from tofuburgers~~ black poloneck and jeans, the co-founder of Apple eschewed the red carpet and snuck in through a side door at Sacramento’s California Museum for History, Women and the Arts.

Bounding on stage to the strains of Revolution by that popular beat combo The Beatles, Jobs managed to look bashful as Arnie and Maria hung a gold medallion round his neck. Although yesterday’s ceremony was the Golden State’s first ever HoF gathering, the Gubernator and his First Lady, Maria Shriver, managed to get all 75 inductees to show up—unless, of course, you count the dearly departed, such as John Wayne. There was, however, a last-minute no-show: Elizabeth Taylor. Perhaps she felt that Jobs’ interpretation of the dress code was a little too casual. [Reuters]

iPod Wins T3’s “Best Gadget of All Time” Award

Haroon Malik — Sat, 13 Oct 2007 22:00:00 +0000

You will call us fanboys, you will say we love Apple more than our own mothers, you will state we have had sexual relations with sheep and proclaim you have photographic proof. Despite all the evidence supporting your assertions, one thing is certain; Apple’s iPod has just scrolled home with T3’s “Best Gadget of All Time” award, and we weren’t even on the panel.

Apple also walked home with the “Most Anticipated Gadget of 2008″ award, for, you guessed it, the iPhone. Editor of T3, Michael Brook said:

Apple really does appear to be an unstoppable force right now. The iPhone and the iPod Touch may have received some mixed press at times, but consumers are salivating over the products and the company is still unshakeable.

Mark pointed out that perhaps the wheel should have won the “Best Gadget of All Time” award, however, the iPod plays media content and has a touch sensitive wheel. Thus, despite Mark having sexy arms, he’d clearly make a lousy T3 awards judge. What do you guys make as the best gadget ever? [The Sun via Digital Journal]