messages
Software
Automatic Translate Feature Launched in Gmail Labs
6:26AM Gizmodo US Edition | Good news, worldly Giz readers: Google’s translation technology has been integrated directly into Gmail. By enabling “Message Translation” from the Labs tab under Settings, Gmail will translate emails between 41 languages. More »
QOTD
Why Do I Have Negative One Text Messages?
7:00AM John Mahoney | Error in the space-time continuum of SMS? Less than no friends? IS SOMEONE TRYING TO TELL ME SOMETHING? More »
Gadgets
15 Pneumatic Tube Messaging Systems
10:20AM Sean Fallon | Before the internet, an actual series of tubes really was the best way to transport messages quickly. OObject has complied an amazing list of these systems—some dating as far back as the 19th century. [OObject] More »
Software
12:23PM Nick Broughall | Hand-writing letters to Santa is so 20th Century. These days, Santa has a Gmail account and an iPhone running the Santa Mail App. If you’ve got the app too, you can send the bearded.gift-giver messages that he will respond to individually. While that may not hold too much appeal for you as an adult, it will give you a certain level of street cred with your kids, especially when they get individualised responses. More »
Santa Mail App Lets You Email Santa From Your iPhone
12:23PM Nick Broughall | Hand-writing letters to Santa is so 20th Century. These days, Santa has a Gmail account and an iPhone running the Santa Mail App. If you’ve got the app too, you can send the bearded.gift-giver messages that he will respond to individually. While that may not hold too much appeal for you as an adult, it will give you a certain level of street cred with your kids, especially when they get individualised responses. More »
Random Stuff
Road Sign Translation Snafu Proves Machines Are Less Lazy Than Humans
6:00AM Gizmodo US Edition | What happens when you ask a guy to translate something for you into a language you don’t understand? This. The top part of the sign is in English, but when they emailed someone to translate that English into Welsh, the response actually said “I am not in the office at the moment. Please send any work to be translated.” That’s right, it’s an out of office message, which subsequently made it onto the road sign undetected. We hope those residents are getting used to Welsh truck drivers carrying heavy goods. [BBC - Thanks Christopher!] More »
Peripherals
Mouse With Cooling Fan, LED Message Scroller is Wonderful, Actually
6:36PM Kit Eaton | My first thoughts on seeing this USB mouse with in-built fan-powered palm cooler and rotary LED message scroller: “Holy moly that’s one craptaculous bit of gadgetry!” But then I reconsidered. First, who wouldn’t like a less sweaty palm when mousing for protracted periods? And second, that message scroller (which even has its own remote control) could carry some incredibly useful phrases. “Mum…Don’t Turn on The Monitor. AT ALL”…life-saving stuff like that. Wonderful, and yours in green or red for $US35. [Gadget4All] More »
Peripherals
Brando’s USB LED Message Board Displays Obscene Messages To Your Workmates
9:00AM Jason Chen | Are your coworkers always giving you a hard time about being away from your desk and not knowing where you are? Grab this US$27 LED Message Board from Brando and always have a sign showing where you are. Sure, a Post-it or a mini-whiteboard would accomplish the same thing, but are they USB? Do they light up with red dotted letters? Are they that much more hilarious when the words “Fuck off Phil” scroll across their body? We think not. [Brando] More »
Networks
Rumour: T-Mobile Will Allow Blocking of Text Messages, Maybe Calls
4:30AM Jason Chen | There’s no official confirmation yet, but TMONews says that T-Mobile is working on a system to let its users block SMS, MMS, email and IMs from other users one at a time through a call to customer care or a visit to a retail store. It’s unclear whether you can block calls, which would be even better thanks to annoying automated calling systems that somehow call you for days on end but don’t say anything. Is T-Mobile the first provider to activate call and message blocking? Why don’t more providers do this? [TMONews] More »
Gadgets
LED Message Pen: Cross-Classroom Messaging, 21st Century Style?
8:50PM Gizmodo US Edition | Remember the LED message wand? Brando’s now got a miniaturised version that fits in the top of a ballpoint pen, and can display messages up to 20 characters in length. Perfect for covert cross-classroom messaging? As long as the teacher doesn’t spot the flash of a red LED across the room. Available now for US$15. [Brando via Geek Alerts] More »
Phones
