Gizmodo Australia » optimus prime

Optimus Prime Speakers Feature Pretty Half-Assed Transforming

Dan Nosowitz — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 03:00:00 +0000

Come on, this isn’t much of a transformation. This powered USB gadget is in the shape of Optimus Prime’s severed head, and the ears (or whatever) swing out to reveal the speakers within.

There should also be a version in the shape of something called “Ultra Magnus,” which we’re going to assume is another Transformer, and is available for pre-order now. It’ll sell for $US50 when it arrives sometime later this month. [BigBadToyStore via Chip Chick]

You Too Can Wear The Head Of Optimus Prime (in Augmented Reality, Of Course)

Adrian Covert — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 01:00:00 +0000

If you forgot to live out all your Optimus Prime role-playing fantasies when the first Transformers movie came out, fear not. Thanks to the awesome Satan powers of augmented reality, you can wear the face of Optimus Prime anywhere.

So here’s how this works: the Active X applet hijacks your webcam and uses face/eye detection to figure out where to plaster Prime’s face. Once it figures that out, it renders a 3D head around your own mug, allowing you live vicariously through the leader of the Autobots. But if you get too zealous in trying to save the world, the helmet will disappear—vigorous head movement angers the Autobot gods, and they will steal the head of Prime from you (along with the Matrix of Leadership).

The best part about this taking place in augmented reality is that you don’t have to figure out a way to behead a 30-foot robot. Plus, you won’t get motor oil (not to mention any other fluids and lubricants he has running through his system) all over your shirt. [We Are Autobots]

How Obama Really Became President

Matt Buchanan — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 13:50:00 +0000

How does a one-term US Senator become President of the United States and enter office with crazy approval ratings? Previously unseen footage (click to embiggen) reveals Obama’s secret: the Autobot Matrix of Leadership. [Buzzfeed]

Demo: Optimus Prime as a Newborn Babe

Mark Wilson — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 19:30:00 +0000

We’d feel embarrassed to say that all we knew about this transformer is that it’s “from Japan,” but even in 2008, we both know that’s more than enough explanation. [iambordedr via NewLaunches]

Your Very Own Optimus Prime Can Dance to JT Too

Gizmodo US Edition — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 22:45:52 +0000

I’ve seen quite a few R/C cars in my day, but I’ve never seen one that actually transforms the way Optimus Prime can. The RCRC (or Remote Controlled Robotic Car) offers four modes for your entertainment: robot, truck, sports car, and “hip-hop dance.” Yes, you just read that correctly. And I definitely hope I don’t meet whoever was controlling that RCRC out on the road someday. The RCRC also comes with a rechargeable battery, but unfortunately (or is that fortunately?) not Megan Fox. [Technabob]

When Political Cross-Branding Goes Horribly Wrong

Mark Wilson — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 15:45:00 +0000

There’s a good reason why Washington has generally veered away from 80s robot cartoons. And now we know that reason. [brewcityonline]

Optimus Prime T-Shirt Transforms into Arrest Threat at Airport

Gizmodo US Edition — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 14:40:00 +0000

We love Transformers here at Giz, but it looks like the UK’s already slightly-crazed authorities don’t. A guy called Brad Jayakody was recently barred from boarding a flight at Heathrow Airport’s new Terminal 5 because his T-shirt had a picture of Optimus Prime brandishing a gun.

Yup, you got it: a cartoon robot with a stylised cartoon laser gun pissed off an airport guard so much that Jake had to swap it before flying. He even asked to speak to a security supervisor, who supported the guard and warned Brad not to put the shirt back on or he could be arrested.

A spokesman for the British Airports Authority said “If a T-shirt had a rude word or a bomb on it for example, a passenger may be asked to remove it,” and that sounds pretty fair. But this was a cartoon giant gun-toting robot… on a T-shirt, not a detailed photo recreation of a Glock that might be mistaken for the real deal at a quick glance.

Looks like Britain’s safe from cartoon robot gun attacks, at least. [The Sun]

2.2-Metre Optimus Prime Constructed From Old Car Parts

Mark Wilson — Mon, 19 May 2008 12:55:00 +0000

When cars die, they don’t go to some magical car heaven (except for hybrids, maybe). But the best, luckiest ones just might become Transformer replicas. Standing at 2.2 metres tall and weighing a respectable 220 kilos, this Optimus Prime statue is a probably the most compelling argument for recycling we’ve ever seen. And its leg detail is as incredible as the torso:

At US$4,838.71 (plus shipping, of course), we’d say that this hand-crafted Transformer has a downright reasonable price. But that’s not going to help one bit as we pitch the spouse on another car…that can’t actually run. [Robot Models via GeekAlerts]

Optimus Prime USB Hub Speaks but Won’t Stomp Across Your Desk

Gizmodo US Edition — Mon, 05 May 2008 11:57:31 +0000

“I laugh in the face of your so-called transforming USB hub!” says the four-way Optimus Prime USB Hub, “because I, Optimus Prime, am a Transformers USB hub that… um… doesn’t transform. Oh.” What the 22 cm Autobot bust actually does do is flash its eye lights and shout out when you connect something to it. And in case that gets boring, you can turn the sound function off. Available August for US$34.99. [BigBadToystore via Everything USB]

The Evolution of Dance Featuring Optimus Prime

Mark Wilson — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 20:51:07 +0000

Since you are currently on the internet, it’s impossible for you to have missed Judson Laipply’s Evolution of Dance video. Here’s the Autobots’ version of the famous routine, featuring Mr. Prime himself. Something tells us that if Optimus Prime ~~wasn’t real~~ wasn’t currently in another galaxy, he would destroy this video’s creator. To see the original version, hit the jump.

I wonder if Optimus would crush the animator’s skull brutally in his palm or opt for a more classy energy sword decapitation. [collegehumor via crunchgear]