Gadgets

apple

iPhone World Map Charts Jobs' Giant Game Of Risk

It's tough to keep track of the iPhone's slow global release, so one Apple fan assembled all the data into one easy to read map. If the country is red, then they either have the iPhone or will be getting it this summer. (Note: Switzerland, Spain and Poland are still just rumored, not official).

It's like one of those pandemic maps from the movies. You see the military general plotting two little red dots. Then four. Then eight. And then, all of the sudden, the dots have covered the general's body, spewing puss across the room in all directions. [Apple 2.0]

2:30 PM on Fri May 9 2008
By Mark Wilson
2,381 views, 17 comments

college

The Most Ridiculous Beer Pong Table Ever Automatically Washes Your Balls

A group of electrical engineering students at West Virginia University has built the most insane beer pong table ever. It's got lights all around that react to the music playing as well as a pair of built-in swirling ball washers. It's incredible. They're taking orders for them now if you want one of your own, but be warned: this first one cost them $1,000 and 400 hours of work to complete, so it won't be cheap. Hit the jump for a video of it in action, and be sure to skip to 2:30 unless you think still photos of electrical engineering majors and circuit boards are suddenly cool when set to Linkin Park. More »

2:30 PM on Fri May 9 2008
By Adam Frucci
3,454 views, 37 comments

Latest by vertigo: Automatically washes my balls? Doesn't that happen anyway when you drag one of the bitches back to your bed - you know the one that's passing out in her own puddle of vomit because her team sucked. more »

portable media

Narae Inter Recorder Mini, Tiny Mobile Mic

A laptop microphone can be pretty handy, but not all computers have them built in. Narae Inter's Recorder Mini is a tiny microphone that will fit in any standard mini jack microphone port and pick up sounds within a 30-foot radius. Released only in Korea at the moment, we're not certain about the price, but the magic of the internet could surely make the product part of your mobile arsenal. Like your USB hub. And your gun. [AVING via TechFresh]

12:00 PM on Fri May 9 2008
By Mark Wilson
1,536 views, 13 comments

Latest by kipmartin: [www.soundprofessionals.com] more »

robots

WowWee Chatterbot Looks Like Robot Hell-Hound, Does Friendly Banter

Move over iBuddy and Availbot, the masters of robo-companionship toys have arrived on scene. This is a WowWee Chatterbot, a USB-powered desktop companion that reacts with some motion and a bit of chattering to "trigger" words typed into emails, IM, calendar entries and the like. It's not as smart as Robosapien, of course: basically it just spouts out jokes and bits of commentary. Because we all like hellish dogs with eerie eyes responding to our typing, don't we? The video reveals the toy in action. More »

11:40 AM on Fri May 9 2008
By Kit Eaton
1,409 views, 12 comments

Latest by bosskev: @fusedinertia: "Did he use Danny Devito for the voice?!" No, just for the 1:1 scale modelling. more »

biometrics

New Biometric Face Scanner Can Tell the Difference Between Identical Twins

A new biometric face scanner from the Japanese company Sagawa Advance has taken the technology to the next level, able to differentiate between identical twins with no problems at all. It does this by using an infrared scanner to analyze a whopping 40,000 data points on your face. More »

11:20 AM on Fri May 9 2008
By Adam Frucci
1,437 views, 14 comments

mods

One-Handed Guitar Hero, So Pirates Can Rock Like Ninjas

Modder Ben Heckendorn is more than a little obsessed with playing games one-handed (giggle, chuckle, milk through the nose, etc.) and his latest creation takes aim at Guitar Hero. It's a pedal that plugs into a modded guitar and replaces the controller's strum and whammy bars, requiring hand use only for the chords. More »

11:00 AM on Fri May 9 2008
By Mark Wilson
2,920 views, 17 comments

cctv britain

UK Band Make Themselves Stars of Surveillance Cam TV

Though it's not such a familiar phenomenon in the US, the UK is now awash with closed-circuit TV cameras, one for every 14 or so people— hell, even the Lollipop Lady crossing guards are getting them. You could choose to see this as good for public safety, or as an Orwellian invasion of privacy...or even an opportunity to get your music video filmed for free. Which is exactly what unsigned Manchester-based band The Get Out Clause did, by performing their single in public in 80 locations in front of CCTV cameras. How did they get the footage, though? More »

10:20 AM on Fri May 9 2008
By Kit Eaton
3,895 views, 20 comments

Latest by Dunny0: Nice video, shame about the song. more »

furniture

Rocket Lamp Built From Jet Engine (Can We Get A "ZOMG")

This retro-styled rocket lamp is more than the absolutely most perfect accessory to complete any room, it's the absolutely most perfect accessory to complete any room that's built from the igniter can of a freakin' jet engine. One-of-a-kind and shamelessly worth its $2,100 sticker price, we want to push each and every one of its glowing jewels...even though we know that they don't actually do anything...and that they probably aren't even buttons in the first place. [Moto Art via Bornrich]

9:20 AM on Fri May 9 2008
By Mark Wilson
1,901 views, 20 comments

Latest by infmom: Meh. We have a lamp that started life as a beacon on top of a radio tower. Nothing like putting a 4' high R2D2 shaped red light on the porch at Halloween. Didn't cost us a thing, either. more »

traction

Pump-Action Relief... From Stiff Necks

Bless Skymall and its world of wonderful and strangely fascinating gizmos for bringing us this: the portable neck traction device, supposed to help relieve tight muscles and "joint and nerve pressure." Simply place around your neck (that's a worrying start, if you ask me) and "pump the inflation bulb until you feel a comfortable stretch." That'll be somewhere short of popping your head off like an unfortunate Legoman, I guess. Available now, for all you crick-necked blog readers who don't sit at your PC properly, in three neck sizes for $69.98. [Skymall via Random Good Stuff]

8:44 AM on Fri May 9 2008
By Kit Eaton
1,549 views, 31 comments

Latest by StarChaser Tyger: @Shutaro: Damn, beaten to it. :-p My father has a thing from the 50's that is basically a bag of water on a rope, a couple of pullies that hang on the top of a door, and a head strap. This more »

pcs

A Simple Graph Chooses Your Next Video Card

The Tech Report has assembled a very straightforward bang-for-your-buck video card graph. Plotting performance on Crysis' high quality setting, you can see the simple facts laid out very clearly—like that the GeForce 9600 GT is probably worth its $5 pricetag over the Radeon HD 3850. These metrics always vary by game, and Crysis' highest settings don't demonstrate these cards at their best (the top performer can't even break 40 frames per second). But it's a quick tool to tip the scales on your next purchase. [Tech Report]

8:40 AM on Fri May 9 2008
By Mark Wilson
9,048 views, 31 comments

Latest by matto: "the top performer can't even break 40 frames per second" jeeze guys, thats already almost twice the frame rate of theatrical release motion pictures. how much more do you need for a computer game?! more »

gps

QStarz eXtreme: "World's Most Powerful GPS Receiver"

QStarz has just announced the BT-Q818 eXtreme—the self-proclaimed world's most powerful Bluetooth GPS receiver. The 51-channel chipset and 32 hours of use time are impressive, but it's the adjustable update rate that's their claim to fame. The user can choose between 1 and 5Hz updates, with each Hz good for one update per second. In other words, the QStarz eXtreme can sync your position an impressive five times a second, which should be more than enough to placate the most dedicated of car racers and anvil droppers. No word on price or release date at this time. [product via Navigadget]

8:20 AM on Fri May 9 2008
By Mark Wilson
1,426 views, 15 comments

Latest by Cain: Is there any software that can do 5 Hz? I think all software is designed to do 1 Hz or has some kind of dead reckoning system. more »

modding

NES Controller Mod, May Just be Most Fun Coffee Table Ever

Forget touchscreen, solar powered or even self-destructing coffee tables... Kyle Downes has modded the coffee table into its best version ever: a retro-tastic NES controller. Just look at the sleek lines, the high quality finish and classy glass top. And then giggle at the fact that it actually works. Don't believe it? Check out the video after the gallery. More »

7:40 AM on Fri May 9 2008
By Kit Eaton
11,000 views, 40 comments

Latest by Hand_O_Death: He could have fit not only the console, but the projector and the storage for the screen in there. Had a power strip inside and only have one plug comming out (maybe even some other controllers for a little multiplayer) more »

usb

Smart Dog USB Hub Has Four Paws, Four Ports and a Radio

This Smart Dog USB hub is a bit of a three-in-one marvel. As well as the four USB ports, the bow-wow acts as a shonky computer speaker. Then, if you rip the head off this iridescent puppy, you've got yourself a portable radio with autoscan capability. Cost is $19.15. [Gearlog via UberGizmo]

5:55 AM on Fri May 9 2008
By Addy Dugdale
879 views, 3 comments

cases

BUILT Laptop Bag: Water-Resistant, But Not Bulletproof

When it comes to laptop bags and cases, there are traditional-style ones, modern ones and downright unusual ones... we can't decide which to put the new BUILT Laptop Backpack into. It's almost a traditional rucksack, made out of fancy water- and stain-resistant neoprene, but it's shaped to hug your back like a half a bulletproof vest. An image helped by the fact that it's available in Police black or Army green. It does look kinda comfy, and it's got three pockets: for 12-inch to 17-inch laptops, accessories, and whatever fits in the shoulder one. Available now, in two sizes, for $80. [BUILT via Be Sportier]

5:23 AM on Fri May 9 2008
By Kit Eaton
3,481 views, 25 comments

Latest by dantaylor08: don't know why no-one has mentioned this, but it's perfect for riding my motorcycle in to work. Wind on the freeway catches a backpack and blows you all over the place. problem solved. more »

recycling

CDs Get Into the Groove, Do Music the 45RPM Way

This is a story of a not so environmentally friendly, but rather groovy repurposing idea: reusing CDs as records (remember them?) At the UK's Futuresonic festival last week, a guy named Aleks Kolkowski had his vintage record-cutting machine ready to carve sound tracks into old CDs and DVDs. People simply had to turn up with an old disc and a sound file and he'd "overwrite" the CD with a track ready to be played on a turntable. Neat! I'd have been there asking Aleks for a copy of my first ever record (that'll be the theme to Watership Down— I know, I know) on a crappy old AOL CD I found recently. [Futuresonic via DIYDaily via ] More »

4:22 AM on Fri May 9 2008
By Kit Eaton
2,431 views, 24 comments

Latest by infmom: @ideaman2020: Yes! They had one on one of the upper floors of the Empire State Building in the mid-50s and I remember making a record for my mom in there. It'd probably be a laugh riot if it had survived into more »

question of the day

Question of the Day: How Much Was Your Electricity Bill Last Month?

A lot of factors come in to play when it comes to how much people spend on electricity each month, but given the movement towards towards eco-friendliness and the poor state of the economy, it seems like an interesting question. Plus, most of us are probably running a fair amount of gadgets around the house which can bring those bills up in a hurry. Electricity usage can fluctuate wildly throughout the year, so to keep things simple I have narrowed the question down to a single month. So, how much did you spend on electricity in April? More »

7:30 PM on Thu May 8 2008
By Sean Fallon
13,756 views, 73 comments

Latest by nickjoedotcom: Wow really. I use the same amount of stuff I did about two years ago, and my bill has literally doubled in that amount of time. I would strike and all, but there is something about the internet I like. more »

riaa

RIAA Tech Chief: DRM Not Dead, Will Become More Powerful than You Can Possibly Imagine

As CNET points out, when Sony BMG became the last major label to sell DRM-free tracks, we pretty much declared DRM deader than HD DVD or Tony Stark if he got in a fight with Batman (at least for the music industry; movies are another story). But RIAA tech chief David Hughes told a panel yesterday that DRM is tech's Obi-Wan Kenobi: It's coming back and will be powerful than we can possibly imagine, but it won't be giving sage advice to budding Jedi. More »

7:00 PM on Thu May 8 2008
By matt buchanan
5,356 views, 37 comments

Latest by Worf: Actually, it's just the RIAA revealing why they're allowing Amazon to have non-DRM'ed music. The big music labels *HATE* Apple. Apple got them into a huge bind - music labels say they need DRM, Apple complies. Now iTunes is big and more »

wireless

Cablevision Launching Wireless Broadband Network

I guess Cablevision was feeling a little left out after the WiMaxMegaZord became official with Comcast and Time on board, because they're planning to drop $350 million on a wireless broadband network for New York. It'll basically be a big Wi-Fi network initially (free for customers), though Cablevision says "ultimately it will be a mobile voice-capable network." Which is the real peg: a quadruple play option with bundled wireless (now just to compete w/ TWC and Comcast, let alone wireless companies). At least hopefully, since a $350 million glorified Wi-Fi network isn't gonna get 'em very far. [Yahoo!]

6:30 PM on Thu May 8 2008
By matt buchanan
931 views, 4 comments

Latest by uberfu: Dude_ We're just going to be bombarded with Wireless everywhere by the time this is all done_ Think about it - 15 Carriers deploying Wireless in every major city - it switch from trying to find a wireless signal to more »

Gizmodo

Lightning Review: Datto Network Storage With Offsite Backup

Gizmodo Team

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