<![CDATA[Gizmodo: Fun]]> http://cache.gawker.com/assets/base/img/thumbs140x140/gizmodo.com.png <![CDATA[Gizmodo: Fun]]> http://gizmodo.com/tag/fun http://gizmodo.com/tag/fun <![CDATA[ Giant Phallic Inflatable Bungee Ride is the Most Fun Way to Break Your Neck Ever ]]> If you're ever driving and you see a county fair with what appears to be three towering penises with clown makeup on them, pull over. You've just found the holy grail of dangerous rides.

Essentially, you're strapped in to a few bungee cords, pulled down really low and then released, flinging you flailing 25 feet into the air. Hopefully, you land on your feet.

Made by a few different Chinese manufacturers, this bad boy hasn't really caught on in the states for whatever reason. They may not be legal due to how obviously dangerous they are, or perhaps all of our county fairs are run by hand-wringing wussocrats. In either case, it's disappointing. If I want to die in a spectacular carnival accident, that's my prerogative, dammit. Let's bring these things Stateside. [BallerHouse via Oh Gizmo!]

]]>
Thu, 24 Jul 2008 10:30:00 EDT Adam Frucci http://gizmodo.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5028594&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Bandai Smart Berry to Train Next Generation of Female Executives ]]> Little girls in Japan will get their chance today to act out their fantasies of being American corporate tools, thanks to Bandai's new mobile communicator “Smart Berry” toy, which kind of looks like a Mylo done up in pastel colors. The Smart Berry includes a touchscreen LCD panel measuring roughly 2 inches by 1.4 inches, a slide- out keyboard, and Wi-Fi capabilities for email, chat and online games.

The device registers user profiles so that Smart Berry owners can only send and receive mail from friends. Up to four units can communicate with each other at the same time if they're all within a 10-meter diameter. Additionally, it also has a virtual Tamagotchi-like pet you can play with. The toy costs $97 and is targeted at girls from ages 6 to 9. Boys who want to send emails on a faux-mobile device while raising their own virtual pet are SOL this time around, I guess. [Tech On]

]]>
Sat, 19 Jul 2008 14:30:00 EDT Elaine Chow http://gizmodo.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5026967&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Liber Toit Connects Building Roofs via Wall Climbs, Tubes and Slides ]]> OK, now this looks fun. The "Liber Toit" is a design for what's essentially a gigantic jungle gym for adults that spans across the roofs of multiple buildings in a city. You can get from building to building via wall climbs, slides, tubes and any number of other insanely-fun looking methods. It's a way to get places while also getting exercise! For the love of everything holy can we please make this happen somewhere? Preferably starting on top of my building? Please?

liber_toit3.jpg[Yanko Design]

]]>
Fri, 18 Jul 2008 16:20:00 EDT Adam Frucci http://gizmodo.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5026802&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ The Stadium of the FUTURE...Future...future ]]> Where will we be going to enjoy our sporting events in the future? What kind of amenities and features will the stadiums have to cater to our needs as fans? PopSci has investigated some of the up-and-coming technologies that we can expect to find in the stadium of tomorrow and compiled all of these innovations into a composite that includes the best design and technology features from a dozen cutting-edge stadium plans.

The Frankenstein stadium of the future is composed of some technology that we have already heard about—like new Cowboys stadium and its gigantic video screen. However, you may not have come across plans for a single-piece steel roof that makes taunts more audible to opposing players in Liverpool F.C.’s new stadium, or the wireless screens set to be built in Oakland's new Cisco field. The interactive screens will allow visitors to order food, pull up stats, and even find the shortest bathroom lines from the comfort of their seat. There are also plans that make stadiums greener, cooler, and more flexible when it comes to configurations. Check out PopSci for more info. [PopSci]

]]>
Wed, 16 Jul 2008 19:00:00 EDT Sean Fallon http://gizmodo.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5026028&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ AquaRain Bath Fountain Puts on a Show Using Your Bathwater ]]> I've never found bath time boring enough to need a water fountain and a light show, but in case you hate not being reminded of the Bellagio every time you step into the tub, the AquaRain is here to allay your washroom ADD. The AquaRain floats in your bathtub and pumps bathwater through its jets to create a fountain effect. Four LED lights—red, purple, blue and white—can be remixed to turn your shower into a rave. On sale at Japan Trend Shop for $49, hilarious Engrish included. [Japan Trend Shop via Gizmo Diva]

]]>
Sat, 12 Jul 2008 17:00:00 EDT Elaine Chow http://gizmodo.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5024606&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Water Balloon Slingshot Brings the Wet into Hot American Summers ]]> Now that we're headed deep into the middle of summer, it's time to bring out water balloons and figure out ingenious ways to fling them at your enemies. Here's a great tutorial at Instructables for making a wicked water balloon catapult using surgical tubing, a rag and other random doohickies from around the house. According to the dude responsible for this weapon of watery destruction, this shooter will never explode the water balloon prematurely, unlike some of the types you get in stores. [Instructables]

]]>
Sat, 05 Jul 2008 14:30:00 EDT Elaine Chow http://gizmodo.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5022284&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Zune Listener Badges Show Your Dedication To That Band You Like ]]> The recent Zune Update a month or so ago added the ability to track your listening habits and reward you for them. Think of achievements on the Xbox 360, except not pedantic ones like listen to every artist that released a single in 2003. These badges are actually quite nice, and display on your Zune Card if you do whatever it is enough times in the previous month. A thousand plays isn't all that hard if you're sitting at your desk all day like us. No cheating, cause we know you'd just leave your player on repeat and turn your speakers off. [Zune via Zune Insider]

]]>
Tue, 17 Jun 2008 19:00:00 EDT Jason Chen http://gizmodo.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5017366&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ DIY Lightsaber Makes Attacking Whiny Jedi Nerds More Authentic ]]> For those of us that saw footage of the drunken Darth Vader attack and found ourselves slightly disappointed by the... well... un-Star Wars-like nature of the Sith Lord's weapon, Instructables has a DIY kit to ensure that our next drunken rampage is truly worthy of the Dark Side.

The project, from Instructables user Ricardoaraujo, uses a normal toy lightsaber hilt, some AA batteries, a rubber hose and a couple of LEDs to build a weapon you'd be proud to kick Jedi ass with. Now all you need to do is knock back a couple too many Guinnesses and find some Obi Wan Kenobi-worshipping dork to smack around. Death by pretend lightsaber it shall be!
[ Instructables via Technabob]

]]>
Sat, 14 Jun 2008 10:00:00 EDT Elaine Chow http://gizmodo.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5016458&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Insane Water Slide Drops You Straight Down Through a Trap Door, Flings You Through a Loop ]]> This German water slide is the definition of terror. Rather than starting out sitting down and sliding into the steep part, you start standing up on a trap door that they pull out from underneath you. It drops you straight down, you know, so you can gather enough speed for the complete loop that it throws you through. I don't understand German, so I'm not sure exactly what they're saying in this, but I assume it has something to do with the dangerous amount of chlorine in the water to help balance out the pee that every single rider leaves behind. [Random Good Stuff]

]]>
Wed, 04 Jun 2008 18:00:00 EDT Adam Frucci http://gizmodo.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5013190&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Oh Joy! Stitch CD Player Rocks My Tiny, Childlike Brain ]]> Fans of kitsch plastic gewgaws might find this Stitch radio and CD player from Runat so far up their street it's parked in their garage. Modelled on the Disney alien from the 2002 movie Lilo and Stitch, and most probably a tie-in for the upcoming anime series Stitch! it looks awesome with its mouth open—as you can see below.

disney_cdplayer_A-thumb-450x360.jpgOut on June 1 in Japan, the Stitch CD player, which runs either off the mains or on eight AA batteries, will cost around $90. [Far East Gizmos]

]]>
Thu, 24 Apr 2008 05:55:00 EDT AddyDugdale http://gizmodo.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=383468&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ How to Solve the Rubik Cube in Six-Seconds Flat ]]> We are very big fans of Rubik's Magic Cube, even while none most of us have not solved it yet. Not even trying this one, really. Until today. Why I didn't think about this before, I don't know, but that felt oh-so-good. [Rubik in Gizmodo—thanks Carlitos]

]]>
Fri, 18 Apr 2008 07:30:00 EDT Jesus Diaz http://gizmodo.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=381338&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Indian Firefox Bus Probably Doesn't Have Wi-Fi ]]> In what appears to be the endless spread of Firefox, a new addition to the unofficial Firefox catalog has been spotted—in India. On the back of a bus. We're guessing the bus doesn't have on board Wi-Fi to make use of its web browser of choice, but we admire the support. Also, if that text in yellow above the artwork doesn't read "Safari and IE blow", well, then we'll eat our cats...I'm seriously mixing up my modern proverbs this weekend. Dammit. [Neatorama]

]]>
Sun, 13 Apr 2008 18:30:00 EDT Haroon Malik http://gizmodo.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=379210&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Who's Up for a NYC Gizmodo Meetup at Coney Island This Summer? ]]> Since the Tahoe snowboarding meetup was such a success, we're gonna do something similar over on the east coast. Specifically, in NYC. Right now, I'm thinking it would be a blast to go to a Brooklyn Cyclones game at Coney Island, either preceded or followed by some good beer drinking/hot dog eating/roller coaster riding. Anyone interested? Have better ideas for a NYC meetup?

The Cyclones' season doesn't start until 6/17, but we can get group rates on the already-cheap tickets if we get more than 20 people together. We'll also be near the original Nathan's if anyone wants to have an impromptu eating contest. Also, it's Coney Island! There are rides and sideshows and the ocean! How can you go wrong?

So what do you guys think? Let's talk it over and figure this thing out.

Update: Right now I'm looking at a home game at 6pm on Saturday, June 28th, so pencil that in to your calendars. Tickets will be a mere $12 each, because minor league baseball is awesome. We'll probably meet earlier in the afternoon to hang out before the game and then head over when we're good and full of beer and hot dogs and close to dying of sun stroke.

]]>
Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:20:00 EDT Adam Frucci http://gizmodo.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=377299&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Google's Zurich HQ: Office Fun For Everyone... Who Works There, Anyway ]]> Ever looked around your office and thought "surely there's a better way than this soulless cubicle hell?" Well, there probably isn't. Unless you happen to work for Google in their Swiss HQ, that is. Because, frankly, their new office is awe-inspiringly amazing: it's an exercise in lateral-thinking, creativity-run-wild interior design. Slides to the canteen, cable-car meeting rooms, beanbags, fake snow, a multitude of colors. Check it out... you'll be as filled with envy as an envious person with a degree in enviousness.

See what I mean? Presumably it makes for a happy, fun-filled workforce. How they ever get time to do any work I don't know. Still, I work from my couch, so I could always put a slide in somewhere, and stick a bunch of beanbags about the place. It wouldn't quite have the same effect, though. [Swissmiss]

]]>
Sun, 06 Apr 2008 18:15:44 EDT Kit Eaton http://gizmodo.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=376603&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Happy Pi Day Everyone! ]]> Yes, this is Warrant and they're gonna be on Giz today. You wanna know why? Cause it's Pi Day. So we're just showin' some love for our number 3.14

15926535897932384626433832795028841971693993751058209 7494459230781640628620899862803482534211706798214808651 3282306647093844609550582231725359408128481117450284102 7019385211055596446229489549303819644288109756659334461 2847564823378678316527120190914564856692346034861045432 6648213393607260249141273724587006606315588174881520920 9628292540917153643678925903600113305305488204665213841 4695194151160943305727036575959195309218611738193261179 3105118548074462379962749567351885752724891227938183011 9491298336733624406566430860213949463952247371907021798 6094370277053921717629317675238467481846766940513200056 8127145263560827785771342757789609173637178721468440901 2249534301465495853710507922796892589235420199561121290 2196086403441815981362977477130996051870721134999999837 2978049951059731732816096318595024459455346908302642522 3082533446850352619311881710100031378387528865875332083 8142061717766914730359825349042875546873115956286388235 3787593751957781857780532171226806613001927876611195909 2164201989380952572010654858632788659361533818279682303 0195203530185296899577362259941389124972177528347913151 5574857242454150695950829533116861727855889075098381754 6374649393192550604009277016711390098488240128583616035 6370766010471018194295559619894676783744944825537977472 6847104047534646208046684259069491293313677028989152104 7521620569660240580381501935112533824300355876402474964 7326391419927260426992279678235478163600934172164121992 4586315030286182974555706749838505494588586926995690927 2107975093029553211653449872027559602364806654991198818 3479775356636980742654252786255181841757467289097777279 3800081647060016145249192173217214772350141441973568548 1613611573525521334757418494684385233239073941433345477 6241686251898356948556209921922218427255025425688767179 0494601653466804988627232791786085784383827967976681454 1009538837863609506800642251252051173929848960841284886 2694560424196528502221066118630674427862203919494504712 3713786960956364371917287467764657573962413890865832645 9958133904780275900994657640789512694683983525957098258 2262052248940772671947826848260147699090264013639443745 5305068203496252451749399651431429809190659250937221696 4615157098583874105978859597729754989301617539284681382 6868386894277415599185592524595395943104997252468084598 7273644695848653836736222626099124608051243884390451244 1365497627807977156914359977001296160894416948685558484 0635342207222582848864815845602850601684273945226746767 8895252138522549954666727823986456596116354886230577456 4980355936345681743241125150760694794510965960940252288 7971089314566913686722874894056010150330861792868092087 4760917824938589009714909675985261365549781893129784821 6829989487226588048575640142704775551323796414515237462 3436454285844479526586782105114135473573952311342716610 2135969536231442952484937187110145765403590279934403742 0073105785390621983874478084784896833214457138687519435 0643021845319104848100537061468067491927819119793995206 1419663428754440643745123718192179998391015919561814675 1426912397489409071864942319615679452080951465502252316 0388193014209376213785595663893778708303906979207734672 2182562599661501421503068038447734549202605414665925201 4974428507325186660021324340881907104863317346496514539 0579626856100550810665879699816357473638405257145910289 7064140110971206280439039759515677157700420337869936007 2305587631763594218731251471205329281918261861258673215 7919841484882916447060957527069572209175671167229109816 9091528017350671274858322287183520935396572512108357915 1369882091444210067510334671103141267111369908658516398 3150197016515116851714376576183515565088490998985998238 7345528331635507647918535893226185489632132933089857064 2046752590709154814165498594616371802709819943099244889 5757128289059232332609729971208443357326548938239119325 9746366730583604142813883032038249037589852437441702913 2765618093773444030707469211201913020330380197621101100 4492932151608424448596376698389522868478312355265821314 4957685726243344189303968642624341077322697802807318915 4411010446823252716201052652272111660396665573092547110 5578537634668206531098965269186205647693125705863566201 8558100729360659876486117910453348850346113657686753249 4416680396265797877185560845529654126654085306143444318 5867697514566140680070023787765913440171274947042056223 0538994561314071127000407854733269939081454664645880797 2708266830634328587856983052358089330657574067954571637 7525420211495576158140025012622859413021647155097925923 0990796547376125517656751357517829666454779174501129961 4890304639947132962107340437518957359614589019389713111 7904297828564750320319869151402870808599048010941214722 1317947647772622414254854540332157185306142288137585043 0633217518297986622371721591607716692547487389866549494 5011465406284336639379003976926567214638530673609657120 9180763832716641627488880078692560290228472104031721186 0820419000422966171196377921337575114959501566049631862 9472654736425230817703675159067350235072835405670403867 4351362222477158915049530984448933309634087807693259939 7805419341447377441842631298608099888687413260472156951 6239658645730216315981931951673538129741677294786724229 2465436680098067692823828068996400482435403701416314965 8979409243237896907069779422362508221688957383798623001 5937764716512289357860158816175578297352334460428151262 7203734314653197777416031990665541876397929334419521541 3418994854447345673831624993419131814809277771038638773 4317720754565453220777092120190516609628049092636019759 8828161332316663652861932668633606273567630354477628035 0450777235547105859548702790814356240145171806246436267 9456127531813407833033625423278394497538243720583531147 7119926063813346776879695970309833913077109870408591337 4641442822772634659470474587847787201927715280731767907 7071572134447306057007334924369311383504931631284042512 1925651798069411352801314701304781643788518529092854520 1165839341965621349143415956258658655705526904965209858 0338507224264829397285847831630577775606888764462482468 5792603953527734803048029005876075825104747091643961362 6760449256274204208320856611906254543372131535958450687 7246029016187667952406163425225771954291629919306455377 9914037340432875262888963995879475729174642635745525407 9091451357111369410911939325191076020825202618798531887 7058429725916778131496990090192116971737278476847268608 4900337702424291651300500516832336435038951702989392233 4517220138128069650117844087451960121228599371623130171 1444846409038906449544400619869075485160263275052983491 8740786680881833851022833450850486082503930213321971551 8430635455007668282949304137765527939751754613953984683 3936383047461199665385815384205685338621867252334028308 7112328278921250771262946322956398989893582116745627010 2183564622013496715188190973038119800497340723961036854 0664319395097901906996395524530054505806855019567302292 1913933918568034490398205955100226353536192041994745538 5938102343955449597783779023742161727111723643435439478 2218185286240851400666044332588856986705431547069657474 5855033232334210730154594051655379068662733379958511562 5784322988273723198987571415957811196358330059408730681 2160287649628674460477464915995054973742562690104903778 1986835938146574126804925648798556145372347867330390468 8383436346553794986419270563872931748723320837601123029 9113679386270894387993620162951541337142489283072201269 0147546684765357616477379467520049075715552781965362132 3926406160136358155907422020203187277605277219005561484 2555187925303435139844253223415762336106425063904975008 6562710953591946589751413103482276930624743536325691607 8154781811528436679570611086153315044521274739245449454 2368288606134084148637767009612071512491404302725386076 4823634143346235189757664521641376796903149501910857598 4423919862916421939949072362346468441173940326591840443 7805133389452574239950829659122850855582157250310712570

]]>
Fri, 14 Mar 2008 18:40:23 EDT Christopher Mascari http://gizmodo.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=368233&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Anti-Bacterial, Superheated Steam Cleaner Resembles Bird, Cleans to OCD Standard ]]> This 1200-watt anti-bacterial steam cleaner cleans anything, apparently. Toilets, engine parts of 50-year-old Ferraris, tile grouting—even dirty minds come away purer than a nun's chuff* after a blast from this. Plug it in, fill the reservoir with water and anti-bacterial solution, wait three minutes and then spray away. The handheld model comes with 10 accessories (there's also another model for giving floors and carpets the once-over) and costs $100. [Herrington Catalog via Red Ferret]
*I made that up.

]]>
Tue, 04 Mar 2008 05:52:38 EST AddyDugdale http://gizmodo.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=363434&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Visit the Apple Store, Get Laid ]]> Cupid%20Apple%20GI.jpgHoly crap! Cosmopolitan Magazine—never mind why I was reading it—has just published an article saying the Apple Store is the hottest haunt to pick up dashing young chaps. That means hordes of the Cosmopolitan Magazine reading public are off to their local Apple Store to search for trendy geeks like you. It makes no sense to us either, but don't look a gift horse in the mouth, lad. This may well blow your mind, but here's the situation; you may get to talk to a hot girl. Shocking, we know. Checkout Cosmopolitan's reasoning about the Apple Store after the jump.

"The draw: Most guys are natural gadget lovers, and with sales of iPods and MacBooks skyrocketing, more men than ever are stopping by Apple boutiques. The vibe at the stores is conducive to man meeting too: You can check your email among cuties, take a free workshop on anything from Photoshop to podcasting (a great opportunity to strike up a conversation), or just survey the, ahem, good-looking merchandise."
Now, put your OS loyalty aside and skip on down to your local Apple Store, take a few good jokes with you, and you might just get a chance to show off your real Penryn processor...you know what I'm saying. (N.B. Avoid jokes like that.) [Cosmopolitan via androidapps; image via insanely great tees] ]]>
Sat, 01 Mar 2008 22:55:00 EST Haroon Malik http://gizmodo.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=362731&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Marbelous Table Provides Fun and Distraction in Marble Form ]]> Oh man, do I like this table. Sure, it provides a flat surface for eating or working on like most tables, but it also has marble tracks carved into it. That means that when you get bored of your meal/job, you can put marbles in the top and watch them follow an elaborate path around the legs and down to the ground. Call me a simpleton, but this thing would keep me entertained for an embarrassing amount of time. [Product Page via NotCot]

]]>
Wed, 27 Feb 2008 10:56:19 EST Adam Frucci http://gizmodo.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=361344&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Give WiFi Leechers Computer Rage With Executable Command Fun ]]> WiFi leechers can be a real pain in the ass; they'd happily eat up your bandwidth even if you told them your life depended on it, which given our social existence, it pretty much does. The guys over at Ex Parrot have come up with a great plan to serve up some ice cold revenge to the culprits, which will have their browser displaying characters back-to-front, upside down or in an annoyingly blurred out fashion. You'll have to run some commands to get your pay back, but the how to makes it a cinch. Let us know if you hear any sounds of outrage from the sponging neighbors. Heh, serves them right. [Ex Parrot via Hack n Mod]

]]>
Sun, 17 Feb 2008 01:30:00 EST Haroon Malik http://gizmodo.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=357376&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Oral Sex Light Illuminates Your Dongle ]]> The product is called the Oral Sex Light. We're not too sure much of an explanation is needed, but if you still don't get it, there's a completely NSFW explanation image after the jump.


For all those who were gagging to see a giant illuminated phallus, I apologise; it was a very mean trick. Graphic image aside, the Oral Sex Light will set you back $13.99, and mounts (ha) via a clip-on ear piece. The torch attached is completely flexible, meaning you can totally scope out those hard to find regions. Unfortunately, if you ever did try to wow a date with your I-come-prepared attitude, she'll likely be out of the door quicker than she could say, "What the hell was I doing there in the first place?" At that point, you'll have to make use of the Oral Sex Light on your own, which will be an even sadder and more twisted state of affairs than normal. You suck. [Nerd Approved]

]]>
Sat, 16 Feb 2008 23:30:00 EST Haroon Malik http://gizmodo.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=357378&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Pocket-Sized Guitar Hero from Basic Fun Lets You Rawk Out on the Subway ]]> Basic Fun had a little bit of help from their friends at Activision and Red Octane for their miniature version of Guitar Hero. Measuring just 3 x 7.5 inches, the guitar neck folds down so you really can whip it out of your shirt pocket and thrill commuters with your ax licks. Of course, it's got a pared-down version of the whammy bar, as well as an LCD screen so you know what you should be playing. It's out at the beginning of March, but I'm still waiting for Keytar Hero to hit in the hope that Basic Fun will develop a mini version of that. [Technabob]

]]>
Fri, 15 Feb 2008 10:39:21 EST AddyDugdale http://gizmodo.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=356987&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Bath-O-Matic Fills Your Tub for $8000 ]]> BathomaticControl.jpgFine, it's a little more complex than that. The Bath-O-Matic from Unique Automation is an automated bathtub filler that draws a bath just the way you like it. Through a touch screen interface, bathers can choose the temperature and height of the water, as well as any combination of oils, bubbles and fragrances.


The Bath-O-Matic is equipped to run on home automation equipment from AMX and Crestron if you want to fill your tub from the comfort of your couch, and can fit on tubs both old and new. It also includes a motorized plug so no water is wasted, and adjusts to pressure and outside temperature so you won't have to worry about getting burned. Just slap a toaster and an iPod on this baby, and I think we have a real winner. It sells for 4000 (about $8000) so you better get one before supplies run out. [Bath-O-Matic via CE Pro]

]]>
Wed, 30 Jan 2008 18:00:00 EST Benny Goldman http://gizmodo.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=350844&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Bloggers Get Special Privileges, Their Own Exclusive Lounge at CES ]]> We've done a bit more investigation into this Press vs. Blogger war that CES has started, and it turns out that the Bloggers actually have more privileges than the Press! What the hell is that about?! There's a press room for people to come and write up their stories, as shown above. Both Press and Bloggers are allowed in. It's a big, desolate space with a bunch of round tables with Ethernet cables. Pretty boring, right? Then there's the Bloggers Lounge, which is open only to Bloggers; Press is turned away at the door. Get a load of this shot we snapped inside there.

toga2.jpgI am no longer proud of my Press badge.

]]>
Sat, 05 Jan 2008 20:51:46 EST Adam Frucci http://gizmodo.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=341118&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Giant Slip-n-Slides Turn Into Huge Jumps, Make Me Miss the Summer ]]>
It being Christmas Eve, it's pretty cold and even snowy in many parts of the country. That's why I'd like to present to you a video that'll make you pine for the warm sun of summer. A bunch of people created giant slip-and-slides that ended with big jumps pointed towards a lake. What resulted looks like so much fun I can't adequately put it into words. Sure, a few people in this video undoubtedly ended up with seriously red bellies after their jumps, but it looks so worth it. As to the folks who organized it, according to the video it was some equity group. The website doesn't even mention any crazy events like this. I'm confused. [YouTube]

]]>
Mon, 24 Dec 2007 17:15:00 EST Adam Frucci http://gizmodo.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=337345&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Haiti's Amazing Zipline Shoots You Out Over the Ocean ]]>
Few things look more fun than ziplines. And while we've seen some pretty insane ones, this one, which is located in Labadee, Haiti, looks particularly awesome as it zooms you out over the ocean. I'm not big on tropical vacations, but if I was I would make this place a definite stop on my next jaunt. [LiveLeak via Spulch]

]]>
Fri, 21 Dec 2007 10:00:07 EST Adam Frucci http://gizmodo.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=336670&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Deluxe Laser Challenge Pro Set Lets You Pew Pew Pew Till You Can Pew No More ]]> If you're going to wage war on your fellow cubicle jockeys, then there are worse ways to do it than using the Deluxe Laser Challenge Pro Set—take it from me, stapling my boss's ear to the office notice board didn't win me any influential new friends when I worked the phones at the Acme Sex Chat Co. One pack consists of two blasters, to each of which you can add on a barrel extender and a scope. You can play it as a lone wolf in Deathmatch mode, and Team Play allows for two lots of gladiators to blast hell out each other. There's a how-to (zap your colleagues) video after the jump, plus price and a bit more info.


The LCD screen shows you how much ammo you've got left, as well as keeping score of how many times you've been hit. You can set the blaster to either single-shot or automatic mode and it runs on three AA batteries. Price for a pair of blasters is $49.99. [ThinkGeek]

]]>
Tue, 11 Dec 2007 08:58:08 EST AddyDugdale http://gizmodo.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=332354&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Alu Sled Shock-Absorbs Your Butt on Bumpy Downhill Slopes ]]> In the world of snow fun, there are sleds, there are tea-trays and there are even plastic bin bags (if you are a suicidal sledger, as I was in my teenage years). And then there is this, the Alu sled. Built from aluminum, the shock-absorbent silver slider has plastic runners, a handbrake, and packs up into a sexy little carry case when you're done tobogganing (see below).


546_p500637e.jpgThe lightweight Alu will carry up to 220 pounds, but will really lighten your wallet, as it will set you back a steep $636. [Sci-Fi Tech]

]]>
Tue, 27 Nov 2007 07:45:18 EST AddyDugdale http://gizmodo.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=326786&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Nerf Sniper Rifle is Three Feet of Fun ]]> The Nerf N-Strike Longshot CS-6, to give it its full name, is the kind of blaster gun that your kid would kill for. It's also the kind of thing that would be a gift in name only, because, any child will have problems prying it out of a parent's hands once unwrapped. And it works just as well at close range as it does on long targets:

61983313118a_a400.jpgJust remove the stand and the barrel extension. It comes with a couple of quick-reload clips and 12 streamline darts and costs $29.99. I think it's the perfect starter kit for kids who have been eyeing up the lube-free auto shotgun. [Hasbro via UberGizmo]

]]>
Tue, 20 Nov 2007 04:54:30 EST AddyDugdale http://gizmodo.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=324753&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Robotic Arm Turned Into Legitimate Amusement Park Ride ]]> We've seen amateur idiots turn industrial robot arms into their own personal amusement park ride before, but now a real amusment park is using a robot arm by German industrial giant Kuka to power a ride. Apparently, it's the most powerful robotic arm in the world. It looks like fun, but perhaps a little less fun than the half-assed dangerous version. Although the music on this video is awesome, so I guess it's a tossup. [New Launches]

]]>
Thu, 15 Nov 2007 14:48:12 EST Adam Frucci http://gizmodo.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=323309&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Bored Construction Workers Turn a Digger Into a Dangerous Carnival Ride ]]> This is what happens when you mix boredom with heavy machinery: the digger swing. Sure, it's terribly dangerous, but it does look fun. At least it looks safer than the industrial robot arm ride. [Spulch]

]]>
Tue, 13 Nov 2007 09:56:03 EST Adam Frucci http://gizmodo.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=322017&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Water Pistol Umbrella Makes the Rain a Hell of a Lot More Fun ]]> Holy crap, this is the coolest umbrella I've ever seen. It's got a little funnel at the top that sends rain water down the handle into the water pistol grip at the bottom. It'll keep you dry and give you the opportunity to get others wet at the same time. It appears to be just a concept at the moment, but someone needs to make some phone calls and get it into production right now. I'm not kidding, go. Now. Check a picture of it in action after the jump.

gunumbrella2.jpg[Product Page via NotCot.org]

]]>
Thu, 08 Nov 2007 18:40:04 EST Adam Frucci http://gizmodo.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=320674&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Hands-On with the EyeClops and some Kooky Controllers ]]>
Here's a vid of some of the weirder stuff from Show Stoppers. We wrote about the Eyeclops earlier this year, but here's a hands-on of it, as well as a bunch of 20-buck-themed game controllers (Millennium Falcon, Deal Or No Deal, Pirates Of The Caribbean and Pac Man.) Check out that 200x magnification on the PR lady's skin. Creepy! Video: Nick McGlynn

]]>
Thu, 27 Sep 2007 07:32:23 EDT AddyDugdale http://gizmodo.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=304253&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ PortOPong Makes Swimming Drunk Even More Fun ]]> Summer might be pretty much over, but that's not going to stop me from writing about a really sweet summertime item. This PortOPong combines two of summer's greatest outdoor activities: swimming and beer pong. Simply blow it up, insert your Solo cups, and experience the most drowning-risk-filled game of beer pong you've ever played. Look how much fun the responsible parents above seem to be having! It's not too late; there are still some warm days left this season. Don't let them pass you by! [Update: photo changed at the request of people in it] [Product Page via SlashFood]

]]>
Thu, 13 Sep 2007 19:00:02 EDT Adam Frucci http://gizmodo.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=299709&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ The digital picture frame market is projectedto ... ]]> The digital picture frame market is projectedto surpass $42 million by 2011. [tgdaily]

]]>
Wed, 12 Sep 2007 09:58:59 EDT Mark Wilson http://gizmodo.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=299041&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Silly String Rifle Makes War Games… Sillier ]]> silly-string-rifle.jpgSilly string seems to have lost some of its popularity in the past few years, but that might be just from my perspective. It's kind of a kid-centric toy, as getting covered in stinky foam isn't the most fun thing in the world when you're a responsible adult such as myself. But if you're still into it, you might as well take your Silly Stringing to the next level with this Silly String Rifle. I doubt it'll improve your distance or accuracy, but it'll make you feel like more of a badass, which has got to count for something. [Product Page via Nerd Approved]

]]>
Wed, 29 Aug 2007 12:20:00 EDT Adam Frucci http://gizmodo.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=294660&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Loopwing Wind Power Generator Set Generates Fun, Looks Like A Weapon ]]> There is so much wind knocking around on our planet it would be a shame not to use any of it. Tamiya & Loopwing's wind power generator supplies enough energy to drive a small toy car, for some serious, environmentally friendly fun.

The kit supplied is flat packed, so you will have to get your DIY skills on. The pack of fun consists of two gears, a capacitor that will not take you back to 1985, a small steering module for your diminutive vehicle and a wind powered charging station. Exposing the assembled kit to 5miles/s winds for 5minutes will give you, a massive, 3.5hours of drive time. We are not sure if $30 could be spent any wiser.

A word of warning: Make sure your partner is not present for this assembly process or you may start arguing about where part 3B goes; a fight shall develop and before you know it, your Essential X-Men comic, edition number one, shall be no more. (That hurt so bad—damn Ikea bed frame). [TOKYOMANGO].

]]>
Sun, 26 Aug 2007 10:00:00 EDT Haroon Malik http://gizmodo.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=293508&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ How to Mod your Parents' House into a 60-Foot Slip 'n' Slide ]]>
First up, you have to wait for them to go on holiday. The rest is easy. It's not quite as long as this one, but it looks a lot scarier. [YouTube via Spluch]

]]>
Fri, 24 Aug 2007 12:15:00 EDT AddyDugdale http://gizmodo.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=293159&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Towering Luckey Climbers Playgrounds Make Me Wish I Was a Kid Again ]]> Luckey and Luckey make some of the sweetest "playgrounds" I've ever seen, multi-story contraptions with tons of netting and platforms that jut out, allowing the tykes to climb up and around all over the place. They look like some fancy architecture or a sculpture as much as they look like objects for kids to climb on, which is probably why so many of them are built in children's museums. They should make some adult-sized versions; I'm not too old to enjoy a good climb.

[Product Page via NotCot]

]]>
Wed, 22 Aug 2007 12:05:00 EDT Adam Frucci http://gizmodo.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=292215&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Drunk American Heroes Create Homemade 535-foot Slip 'n Slide ]]> A dude who goes by the name of "Bruiser" decided he wanted a Slip 'n Slide for an upcoming party. Like any logical person, he decided to make one using a bulldozer. What he ended up with is a 535-foot death slide into a fecally-tinted pool at the end. Despite the high probability of breaking a limb or catching some waterborne disease, I'd still ride it.

[Something Awful Forums via CrunchGear]

]]>
Fri, 17 Aug 2007 10:15:00 EDT Adam Frucci http://gizmodo.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=290606&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Retirement Home Wii Home Run Derby ]]> The image associated with this post is best viewed using a browser.These photos from a retirement home Wii home run derby are pretty amazing. Just look at that ump! Doesn't he realize that there's already an ump in the game, and that he has no real say? He really looks like he means business, though, so I still wouldn't argue with him. Boy, with that kind of fun I sure hope I end up in a home someday!
[Kotaku]

]]>
Wed, 15 Aug 2007 14:30:00 EDT Adam Frucci http://gizmodo.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=289829&view=rss&microfeed=true