Gizmodo: gold

Remainders - Stuff We Didn't Post (and Why)

Dan Nosowitz — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 23:00:00 EST

Google Cuts Price of Online Storage by 800%...Apple Updates Genius Bar Reservation System...Gold-Dipped PS3 Slim: The Hot Holiday Gift (in Donald Trump's House)...Sanyo's "Stick Booster" Looks and Sounds Far Dirtier Than It Is...

Google Cuts Price of Online Storage by 800%

You know how sometimes the new version of a product will offer 50% more, for the same price? And how you think that's such a great deal? Well, Google just stomped all over your puny 50% upgrade by bumping their online storage to a ridiculous extent. Now you get twice the amount of storage for a quarter of the old price. That's right, that's eight times more for the same amount of money. For those that are having trouble with math, that means the storage now costs $5 a year for 20GB of space, and you can buy up to 16TB at that rate. If you're looking to store stuff in the cloud, this is a pretty killer deal. [Google]

Apple Updates Genius Bar Reservation System

Apple's Genius Bar is a pretty good system, although the first time I went they told me to arrive 15 minutes before my appointment, like the fact that their 6-week-old, $1500 product spontaneously broke was somehow my fault and not something for which they should accommodate my schedule. They're tech support guys, not doctors, right? ANYWAY, they've redesigned their online reservation system, and while I have screenshots of the new version, I never cared enough about the system to be able to notice what's different. It's in Remainders for pretty obvious reasons, I think. [Thanks, Grant!]

Gold-Dipped PS3 Slim: The Hot Holiday Gift (in Donald Trump's House)

The dudes at Computer Choppers have dipped a PS3 Slim in 24kt gold (along with two controllers) and will be selling them for an undisclosed price in a limited run of 5. To the only person reading this: Hey, Mr. Trump! More photos and price will be coming soon, so if you just toss me your email I'll be sure to let you know when you can finally get the current-gen gaming console to match your skyscraper. [Geeky Gadgets]

Sanyo's "Stick Booster" Looks and Sounds Far Dirtier Than It Is

Sanyo's "Stick Booster" name sounds like the kind of product you hear about in spam emails, and it looks mostly like a vibrator. But it's actually a pretty nice-looking gadget charger, once you realize what it's for, taking two AA batteries (rechargeables, of course; it's in Sanyo's green initiative line) and offering a USB port to charge your phone, camera, or whatever for about 90 minutes. It's available now for about $35. It winds up here in Remainders because it's definitely not the first AA-USB charger we've seen, although it might be the prettiest. [CrunchGear]

Who On Earth Can Order a $47,000 Solid Gold Penis Enlarger?

Jesus Diaz — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 17:40:00 EDT

A Saudi businessman with a small penis, that's who. According to X4 Labs—a Canadian company that creates this kind of devices—their customer has ordered what may be the most expensive adult sex aid ever, made of pure gold.

The company will use solid gold to create the device, with 40 diamonds and rubies encrusted all across its surface. Hopefully, not in contact with the skin. The order will arrive in October in an armored car, despite it being prohibited to own sexual devices in Saudi Arabia. Happily, this is classified as a "medically certified device" in the US. Sadly, having it made of gold and precious stones won't help his peepee grow any longer. [Digital Journal]

Vending Machine Dispenses Gold Bars To Go

Sean Fallon — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 13:40:00 EDT

The image associated with this post is best viewed using a browser.Looking to capitalize on the popularity of gold investments in these tough economic times, TG-Gold-Super-Markt is installing vending machines that dispense 1g, 5g and 10g bars / gold coins at 500 locations in Germany.

A prototype "Gold-to-Go" machine in the Frankfurt Airport initially charged customers around $42 for a 1g wafer of gold and $341 for a 10g bar. The prices update every two minutes and average about 30% higher than market value for the cheapest product. So, given the premium price and extremely small quantity sizes, this really isn't much of an investment at all—more like a novelty or a unique gift idea. On the other hand, it does seem like a great target for thieves, although the company does monitor the devices with cameras and claims that the casing can withstand a dynamite blast. Still, a poor economy also means that thieves will go to greater lengths to pull off a job. [TG-Gold via Telegraph and Fox News]

Found 18-Karat Atari Computer Chip Bangle, Geek Vitality +10

John Mahoney — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 10:00:00 EDT

Lil' Scrappy can have his diamond pinkie ring—you? You want this exact 18-karat cast of an original Atari processor. Conceptual and without price, but awesome to the max. [Sakurako Shimizu via BBG]

World's Stupidest, Most Expensive iPhone Mod Yet Costs 2.5 Million Dollars

Jesus Diaz — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 23:40:00 EST

$2.5 million. Two. Point. Five. Million. Dollars. That's what some idiot is going to pay for what could be the most expensive iPhone mod ever, the iPhone 3G "Kings Button".

Why oh why people would like to pay for this horror, this pinnacle of bad taste deep fried in 18-carat yellow gold and 160 diamonds, with a huge 6.6-carat diamond as a home button? And why is it called "Kings Button"?

Whoever buys it, please call us, fly us to your palace, and let us slap your face. Then, please invite us to a two year vacation in your yacht and we will forgive you. Maybe. [All Techno Blog]

Anti-Static Shoes Will Make Sure Rich Bachelors Cling to You

Elaine Chow — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 00:20:00 EST

All you entrepreneurial gold-digging nurses out there, listen up. Your efforts to marry that rich, sick dude are for naught if you don't have this handy object in your repertoire: anti-static shoes. [Japan Probe]

Pure Gold PC May Be Golden, But It's Not Really Gold

Mark Wilson — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 18:30:00 EDT

The Pure Gold Pc is a bigger liar than that "Rolex" you got from "Dad." It's not gold at all; it's either ceramic or glass. That means when somebody bites your PC to double check its authenticity, shards will break off, slicing their mouth and tongue in a grotesque "told you so." But if you're willing to take that risk, the Core 2 Duo system packs 4GB of RAM, 100GB hard drive, nVidia 8600GT 512MB graphics card and a runs almost silently. (You know, except for that guy who's crying about his bloody lip in the background.) We don't have a price, but it should cost less than a real gold PC...we'd hope. [plush department via ubergizmo]

Stephen Colbert Replaces His $310,000 Vertu with Something Better

Mark Wilson — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 09:40:00 EDT

Times are tough, friends. And even wealthy conservative mouthpiece Stephen Colbert has to cut back on his gadget spending habits. Needless to say, the guy is still doing alright; he continues to dial numbers that most of us haven't even dreamed about. We also hear that he smells of peppermint and lilacs at distances closer than four feet. [via geeksugar]

24-Karat Gold iPod Nano is a Violent Mugging Waiting to Happen

Jack Loftus — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 13:00:00 EDT

Quick question: How do you make one of the world's most stolen gadgets, well, more enticing? If we're talking about iPods, which we are, then you slap 24 and 18 karat white gold all over the newest models, and then send them out into the subways inside the pockets of the today's filthy rich. Of course, for a mere $644 for the Nano and $823 for the Touch, you too can slap this cutpurse bling beacon to your side and hope for the best. Good luck, and we hope the pickpockets of your community enjoy the playlist you've selected for them. [Goldstriker via Born Rich]

Gold and Jewels Yalos LCD TV Costs Too Much, Looks Like It has The Pox

Kit Eaton — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 10:45:00 EDT

This Yalos LCD HDTV from Keymats is studded (I can't make myself use the word "encrusted") with 160 diamonds (plus rubys?) totaling at least 20 carats, is plated with white gold, has an ornate decorated rear face, and is clearly aimed at a niche market of punters with too much money and no sense of style. Because at first glance it looks like the set is suffering from a horrid skin disease, and you'd feel ever so dumb saying "No—look closely... They're jewels. Jewels!" over and over again. Check out the gallery to see more horrific be-jewelment, and then be prepared to fall off your chair when you find out its price.

The TV was shown at IFA recently, where it garnered a good chunk of interest.

And its price? Allegedly $130,000. One hundred and thirty thousand smackeroos. That's almost as much as the 150-inch Panasonic plasma TV, and this one is, what, 37-inches? And that's absolutely stark, raving bonkers. [Aving via Luxury Launches]

Urban Miners in Japan Find Precious Metals in Discarded Gadgets

Jason Chen — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 19:00:00 EDT

China isn't the only nation dismantling used electronics to get at the gold, copper and silver inside. This trend, called "urban mining", is even more profitable in the current market where precious metals are trading close to their all-time high. For example, a ton of ore from a gold mine gives about 5 grams of gold, but a ton of cellphones gives 150 grams of gold. Why would Japan be into this trend? Because their country has few natural resources outside of perverted old dudes, but if they stack up all the cellphones owned by their citizens, they could probably make a pile as big as Mt. Fuji. [Yahoo News]

Vertu Gets Own Cheap Chinese Knock-Off: Veptu

Kit Eaton — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 08:15:10 EDT

Those Chinese cloners have fired up their photocopiers again, this time hunting after big, expensive game: the luxury Vertu phones from Nokia. The Veptu clone phones actually look like the real deal, some even coming with 24k gold-plated cases, leather backs and up to 3.3 carats of embedded diamonds—are these real? Who knows. Each comes with a 176 x 220 TFT display, either a 1.3 or 2.0 megapixel camera and some have Bluetooth. They also have GPRS and play MP3s and MP4s, and come in a variety of dual-band and tri-band GSM setups. However similar they may look, they can't pack the same build quality: they're available for between $219 and $650. [Veptu via Bornrich via Chipchick]

Gold MacBook Air Has Bejeweled Rainbow Apple

Jesus Diaz — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 06:10:00 EDT

Behold the 24 karat gold MacBook Air with a bejeweled version of the classic rainbow Apple. Why anyone would want a heavier, fingerprint-magnet version of a MacBook Air except a rich oil tycoon from the United Arab Emirates, I don't know. But even while all the shiny gold and colored sapphires may look tacky at first, I have to admit that it actually looks kind of cool when you see the whole thing. See it, along with all the info about the bling job and price, after the jump.

OK, so maybe it only looks cool if a) you just woke up from a 1977s cocaine-induced coma after a night in Studio 54, b) you can't resist the allure of the rainbow Apple and wear gold underpants, c) you were Snoop Dogg's stylist in Sensual Seduction or d) all of the above. Either way, I wonder how many pounds all that gold adds to the Air, and how many dollars it would subtract from my wallet.

Update: We talked with Alex Wiley from Computer Choppers, who gave us all the answers: "The weight hasn't noticeably changed since its plating. The jewelry may add an ounce or two, if that." According to Alex, the Air is a standard 1.6ghz/2gb/80GB, with a 24-karat gold plating, polished exterior, and flat/crystallite interior. The price: $5000 USD (including the new MBA). "Diamonds and jewelry depend on what the customer asks for," Alex points out, "the rainbow is 14-karat gold with 3.8ctw sapphires and adds another $3000 USD." The coolest thing: "You should see it light up when the screen turns on." [Computer Choppers]

Casio Futurist Watch Would Get Goldfinger All Excited

Kit Eaton — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 09:20:25 EDT

The Futurist golden watch certainly seems to be going along with the retro design trend Casio's been exploring recently. The LA-2002G wouldn't look out of place on the wrist of any Bond villain of yesteryear, we think. Inside that matte gold case it's not exactly brimming with features, but it does have a stopwatch, timer, 29 time-zone clock and up to five independent daily alarms. Originally only available in Japan, TokyoFlash is making it available here for $149. Cackling and saying "At last we meet, Meester Bond!" as you strap it on is up to you. [TokyoFlash via Technabob]

David Beckham Gets a Gold iPod Touch

Jason Chen — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 14:20:00 EDT

We thought Beckham had been officially exiled from his home country, but apparently he's back ~~and captaining their squad~~. His teammates were sooooo thrilled at his return that they all chipped in and purchased a gold iPod Touch (probably from these people) and engraved his name on the back. Not only that, they engraved what it was for—his 100th cap—so Becks wouldn't think that it was for being the most handsome guy on the squad. In comparison, I expect something along these lines when I reach my 10,000th blog post. Maybe a solid gold keyboard. Or some money. [Telegraph]

World's Most Expensive iPod Shuffle Goes Under Hammer for Charity

Kit Eaton — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 09:38:15 EDT

Well, it seems there's unnecessary Swarovski bling, and then there's a $40,000 solid 18 karat white and pink gold iPod shuffle. With 430 diamonds, no less. Personally, I can't stand blinged-up gadgets, diamonds or no, but at least this one might do some good: the iDiamond is really going under the hammer at a charity auction in London. That's just the estimated price for this one-off we alerted you to before, by the way; it might go higher. [Yahoo news]

iRiver Gold-Plates Mplayer For Chinese New Year

Jason Chen — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 17:00:11 EST

In honor of the year of the rat and Chinese New Year (Feb. 7), iRiver's coating their rat/mouse-shaped Mplayer in gold. This seems like it's real gold, seeing as each one is individually numbered and comes in a limited edition box. However, it's only available in China, which means you're going to have to get your Disney-inspired rat MP3 player imported if you want in on the rat action. [iRiver Fans via the mp3 players]

Pimp My Dell Mod Burns Our Eyes, Plates Our Teeth

Mark Wilson — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 08:32:53 EST

We'll give it an A for effort. But man, this "Pimp My Dell" case mod is...well let's just say that it has "Dell" written in rhinestones. And it's covered in what we believe to be 35% of the world's supply of gold spray paint. The "pimp inside" logo, however, is admittedly fantastic.

For those who love Cadillacs and what is sure to be a few years worth of paint-high, today is your day. For those who to know what's actually under the hood, hit the jump.

Cpu: Intel Celeron 1.4 ghz Powerleap 370->Slot1 Adapter
Motherboard: Dell GX1
Memory: 512MB PC133
Video: ATI Radeon 7000 32 megs PCI
Hard drives: 80GB (Ubuntu 7.04 installed)
Optical drives: 16x LG DVD/RW + Spare CDROM
Network: Onboard 10/100 Ethernet
Ports: Serial, Parallel Printer, 5 USB v2.0 (1 internal)
Audio: Diamond XtremeSound 5.1
Power Supply: ATX 200W Power Supply

Software:
Operating System: Ubuntu 7.04 with most recent patches applied.
Office Software: OpenOffice 2.2
DVD Playback: VLC

Yeah, it's kind of a clunker. There's basically a gerbil running around, powering Ubuntu in between frantic sips of his water bottle. [bestcasescenario via gizmowatch]

iPod nano Becomes Gold-Plated Zune with Gilty Couture

Wilson Rothman — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 10:59:09 EST

There's a new Swarovski-encrusting, gold-plating organization on the rise, going by the name of Gilty Couture. It's got a wide range of precious metal hard-cases from $55 to $200, with crystals "evoking the Gilded Age of the late 1800s." However, one enclosure in particular evokes something else: it gives the newest "fat" iPod nano a Swarovski trim that makes look an awful lot like a first-gen Zune. My guess is that this was unintentional, but hey, if you're one of those fence-ridin' types, this might be your ideal stocking stuffer, in gold or silver. [Gilty Couture]

iPhone Goes Platinum...No, Not in THAT Way

Mark Wilson — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 10:30:04 EST

The iPhone just went platinum, literally. From the precious metal enthusiasts at Goldstriker International, you can now buy a platinum-coated iPhone for about $2,230. And while most of us aren't interested in purchasing or carrying around a platinum iPhone (that will probably scratch to hell, btw), it's still the best way to shut up that a'hole talking on his gold iPhone. Well, that, or watching him get mugged while your friends hold him down.