Gizmodo: Bears

Robot Teddy Bear Gives Directions and Bitches About Your Drinking and Driving

Sean Fallon — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 16:30:00 EDT

If you hate backseat drivers, fluffy animals, and people calling you out about your drinking problem, you will definitely want to steer clear of the teddy bear navigation system being cooked up by iX research corporation. The bear gives directions, but it will also critique your driving by saying phrases like "watch out!" when you slam on the brakes. It will even confront you when sensors embedded in its throat detect the presence of alcohol ("You haven't been drinking have you?").

If that wasn't bizarre enough, it actually gives directions with flair using the six joints in its arms and neck to make gestures—and it will provide information on nearby landmarks when you pet its head. iX plans on expanding their line to include a "variety of shapes, including other characters and a plain mechanical version” in the near future, and they expect to have a product on the shelves sometime next year. As for a reason why anyone would want a teddy bear car navigation system, I have only one thing to say...it's from Japan. [Pink Tentacle via psfk]

Bathe With the Bears Using Sea to Summit's Pocket Shower

Jack Loftus — Sun, 11 May 2008 20:00:00 EDT

Usually camping and showering are either/or activities, but for those of you who absolutely have to cart the body wash and loofah into the wild, the Pocket Shower from Sea to Summit could be for you.

The 2.6 gallon Pocket Shower sports a compact showerhead that operates with twisting on/off valve. Bathers can adjust the stream to produce a slow trickle, or open it up completely for a dousing 8-minute power shower. Want a warm shower for those cool, crisp camping mornings? Leave the black fabric out in the sun.

Alternatively, the Pocket Shower can also be used as a dry sack to transport clothes, a sleeping bag, or those aforementioned beauty products no self-respecting city slicker would be without on the open range. [Sea to Summit]

Gizmodo Animal Day (Just Because)

Brian Lam — Mon, 05 May 2008 14:21:26 EDT

I asked Wilson why we had two animal posts on the page, back to back. Seems like overload on critters. But then I kind of remembered I really LIKE animal + gadget stories. I mean, FuzzyWuzzyModo was my idea, and all. So, I think we'll do a few more posts like this, for the hell of it, on this slow news day. Look, a polar bear pretending to be on the phone! Leave a caption! [Photo via Dark Roasted]

The Most Disgusting and Gross Tech Gear Gallery Ever

Jesus Diaz — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 09:10:11 EST

Without a doubt, this has to be the most disgusting and gross tech gear photo gallery in the history of The Most Disgusting and Gross Tech Gear Photo Galleries. Ever. The vomit-inducing shot above, a pancake of beige, white and green mold with the Dell logo impressed on it, is just the aperitif. Honestly, I thought my hairy and gooey mouse was as grossirrific as it can get, but you people have proven me wrong. Full 26-photo gallery and the explanation of the crap above after the jump.

Dear Gizmodo,
A couple of years ago I helped my co-worker move her computer. After picking up her monitor, I was both repulsed and fascinated by what was growing underneath her Dell monitor. You can even see the logo "growth" (?). As you can see, this was no average dust bunny or coffee ring. Needless to say I had to take pictures to capture the moment before it got up and attacked us!

Enjoy!
From a long-time reader; first-time emailer
jam

We can only speculate what caused this. Probably a sugary coffee spill that got under the monitor base, with the Dell logo forming as the mold grew up.

You people are disgusting. Yet, somehow weirdly mesmerizing. I doubt anyone can best any of these, but what about cellphones, PDAs, laptops and other gadgets? Keep them coming to tips@gizmodo.com.

Microwaveable Teddy Bear Keeps Babies Toasty

Jason Chen — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 20:00:58 EDT

Why hand your kid a room temperature bear when you can hand them a microwaved bear and show them you love them as much as a kid that's not adopted? This bear, which costs $20, is specially made with microwavable components that keep it from going up in flames when nuked—something that's definitely not child-friendly. Plus, it's even coated with a "relaxing lavender" scent, all the better for keeping baby asleep so you can work on making a little brother or sister for him. [Gizoo via Shiny Shiny]

Let Your Infant Zone Out With Baby Bidou Teddy Bear MP3/OGG Players

Wilson Rothman — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 16:20:00 EDT

A Teddy Bear MP3 player is not exactly a new idea, but Baby Bidou's sleek junior version, in pink and blue, will allow France's tech-savviest toddlers to drool to 128MB of MP3s and OGG Vorbis files, with flickering lights reacting to the rhythm and an integrated mono speaker.

At their larger size, 6" in length and a 2.5" width, the bears should fit comfortably in a child's hand, but not in his or her mouth. Nevertheless, they do come with drool-proof caps on the USB and audio ports.

Each player is controlled by its eight buttons, is USB 2.0 compatible, has a stereo headphone jack and of course, parental controls. The site recommends the product for children under 36 months of age, so why exactly does it need a voice-record function? – Kevin Hall

Product Site [Baby Bidou via Pocket Lint]

Nokia NFC: Imagine the Possibilities of Near-Field Communication

Charlie White — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 09:15:19 EST

This video shot at CES last week is a bit shaky, but it shows you the potential of NFC—no, this doesn't involve the Bears or the Saints—this NFC is Near-Field Communication, a very short range two-way wireless connectivity protocol that can transmit small amounts of data from your cellphone to other wireless devices such as digital picture frames or credit card receivers.

Some might think this is dangerously unsecure, but we're stoked about it, ready to ditch that bulky, old-fashioned wallet full of credit cards and just use that cellphone to pay for everything via Bluetooth and harmless NFC. Are we ridin' for a fall? Hey, this technology is already being tested in New York City as you read this. – Charlie White

Video: Nokia NFC demo ... absolutley amazing [Ring Nokia]

Teddy Bear MP3 Player

johnb — Fri, 10 Feb 2006 09:35:45 EST

So cute. So small. So Tomy. This Teddy Bear MP3 player has aboue 128MB of storage—just enough for the latest Hilary Duff album—and may pose a choking hazard. It will cost about $78 in Japan when it's launched this March. One AA battery offers 8 hours of saccharine play time.

Teddy Bear MP3 Player [TecheBlog]