The first HUBO robot innocently rode a Segway. The HUBO 2 looks like he’s ready to turn into a killer ninja-bot as he practices tai chi, hones his swordsmanship has a drink when he’s finished.

We are so screwed. [Crunchgear]

The very cool Ask a Ninja iPhone game called “I am Ninja” is out now, and you can grab it here.

We don’t have an explanation for this, but the new version of the Google Mobile App for iPhone/iPod Touch lists some pretty wacky improvements, notably “Longer Version Number” and “Ninja.” Rimshot!

This screen can be seen in the “Update Details” section of the app. We hope some fun-loving Google employee didn’t just get fired for his ninja-humor-based initiative. [Thanks, everyone who sent this in!]

This is the Ask a Ninja iPhone game that we were talking about.

There are lots of play modes, but the main one is you, as a ninja, shooting blow darts at incoming jerks before they get to you. Like a ninja Galaga, essentially. Inbetween levels there are mini-games to earn money, which then lets you buy weapons inside the weapon store, which improves your blow gun to something that’s not from the 9th century.

The Ask a Ninja guys—hilarious dudes whose book you should buy—say that the game should be approved by next week. Cannot wait. [Ask a Ninja]

I have ignored computer ergonomic professionals my entire computing life, but this winter, a pain in my lower back would not go away. Instead of listening to “experts” I followed the advice of ancient swordsmen.

Samurai guards used to sit in a kneeling position, with one knee up and one knee on the ground. The instability of the position, which required an active rebalancing, along with the slight tinge of pain on the lowered knee cap on the ground, made it ideal for long uneventful shifts. The position kept people awake, which kept them sharp and engaged so they’d be ready when the sonofabitch ninjas finally showed their facemasks. It’s like a single replacement for a chair, and coffee.

I find that physiologically it also makes a great alternative to the sitting position, where one’s back and gluts and neck are constantly stretched while the hip flexors and abs are constantly compressed but unused. This way, I stretch one leg at a time. The kneeling also keeps my eyes level with the screen of a laptop, and the desk too relatively high to lean on (which causes me to slouch). I don’t get too tired, as I can rest my chest against the desk when I need to.

Through the day, I sit on an exercise ball, too, but I never feel better than when I am in the sitting stance. Swordsmen were also able to draw swords from this stance, to address attackers in front and behind them. I just change knees every few emails. Just in case the ninjas show. [Iaido, image from]

*This stance works for me, but I am not an ergonomic expert. Obviously.

Buy your child the Pirates vs. Ninjas Mobile and give them the advantage that you didn’t have. A leg up on life…so to speak. Actually, it appears that the mobiles are sold out at the moment, so I suggest you start exposing your child to Pirates of the Caribbean and Kung Fu films at an early age. Some experts go so far as to say it is a good idea to let them listen to the dialogue in the womb. You can never start too early. [Etsy via Neatorama via Crunchgear]

Closed this weapon is 12cm, and the blade is stainless steel. The kit comes complete with three darts and a handy nylon pouch for ninjas on-the-go. [Swords, Knives and Daggers via Nerd Approved]

These Shuriken Magnets are perfect for the refrigerator or any other place you’d like to send a message. Just place a shuriken (magnet) in your hand, flick the wrist and…WHUTING! Pick up Billy at practice. WHUTING! Don’t eat those mashed potatoes because they’re old but I was afraid to open the container to throw them away because it probably smells but your sense of smell isn’t as good as mine so you might eat them and get sick.

Get a box of two Shuriken Magnets for $US19. [epaulet via Core77]