Google Might Build Super-Green Power Plants

Google's been investing in solar, wind and geothermal companies for a while, so it's not particularly surprising that the company is thinking about going a step further and directly financing some green power plants. This could be a move that could push other companies to delve deeper into greener energy tech, so all the more power to Google. Good God, did I just make a pun out of that? [Wired]

Apple Tablet to Be "Shockingly" Cheap

On the latest episode of Diggnation, Internet and television personality Alex Albrecht remarked that he was shocked about 'how cheap the price point" of the Apple tablet would be. No word on how exactly he got his information or just how cheap it needs to be to shock him. [Apple Insider]

Computers Don't Really Save Hospitals Any Money

Harvard did a study to see if using computers saves hospitals money or increases administrative efficiency. The answer to both questions was a resounding "no," but I don't think that should be a surprise. Using computers in an environment like that requires maintenance and training, which naturally cost both money and time. What surprised me about the study is that it didn't look at what effect the use of computers had on actual patient services. Does it make a difference there? [All Things D]

Photo by tahitianlime

TweetBookz Made My Inner Bookworm Crawl Into a Hole

Alright, I confess: I like books and I'm a bit of a dorky geek which means that nearly any new combination of geek and lit tends to appeal to me. Except when it goes oh-so-very-wrong like these TweetBookz.

The idea behind TweetBookz is that you pay about $30 to have a bunch of your tweets made into a nicely bound book. Initially I thought that this could be neat, but then I looked at my own tweets. I somehow don't think I or anyone else would want a book full of messages to creepy people or days of the week.

But maybe I'm just a bit of a lazy, boring Twitter user. [TweetBookz via Wired]

Guy Wins Beard Contest With a Hairy Bird Cage

Jason was particularly excited about this old clip of a beard contest of some sort. I was just plain terrified.

Samurai Mario Battles Bowser and a Dinosaur

I'm not entirely certain what possessed someone to make this illustration of Mario attempting to battle a dinosaur and Bowser while dressed as an ancient samurai, but I like it. [Geekologie]

Ikea Makes an iPhone App

Good news for those who want to deck out their rooms with Ikea items, but need to see the entire catalog on their iPhone before shopping: There's an app for that. [Fresh Home]

I'll Tell You About The Audi E-Tron as Soon as I Stop Drooling

Ok, I don't think I can stop drooling long enough to type, so I'll keep it brief: Wowza. This is the Audi E-Tron which was shown off as a concept at prior car show. She's still got the 3,320 lb-ft of torque we were teased about, but now she's been photographed some more and she looks oh-so-very-nice. Check out the bright-pumpkin-orange car-shaped eyecandy over at Jalopnik. [Jalopnik]

The Sokkomb guillotine is a "new low-cost product designed specifically for all those citizens who are so interested in Do-It-Yourself Justice." Yeah, it's just a mock up, but the video itself is pretty much a DIY guide without the measurements. (Does anyone have thoughts on how thick of a blade that appears to be?)

[Cokkomb via rebel:Art]

Constructed using a pair of Ikea Billy bookcases, a piece of fiberboard and some hinges. Sure, it would be easier to just clean the office rather than hide it away. And yes, you'll be worrying about knocking stuff off of your bookshelf every time you open and close the door. And light leaks from around it when the light is on in the office. But guys, it's a secret passage! A secret passage is always worth it. [Flickr via Lifehacker]

This doesn't look like the easiest project we've seen; it calls for laser cutting and a significant amount of audio tech know-how. But the results are pretty much exactly what you'd want, and it's definitely a sweet-looking end result. This thing even features audio-in so you can plug in instruments, pre-recorded sounds, or anything else you want, and the pitch-shifting and vibrato buttons let you adjust the robot sounds on the fly. Check out the instructions for more info on how to sound like a robot. [Instructables via MAKE]

Anyone who speaks un-English is welcome to pillage Ikea's Swedish forum for more details than we could excavate with the assistance of Google Translate, but from what we can tell, this bar desk is a quasi-custom job that could turn your shameful WoW addiction into a mature, metropolitan hobby that's fully capable of wooing the most reserved of Banana Republic lady's section employees. Just stash any snacks that end in a Z when company comes around. [IKEA via Unplggd]

The Jesper chair is an ingenious seat offering neither back support nor acknowledgment of male anatomy. Presumably, the sitter's weight is pushed forward, meaning that the illusion of resting one's arms will soon be overcome with the reality of a persistent half push-up, and young Jesper-seated gamers may or may not grow up to spawn offspring.

But hey, just $70! [Ian Bogost via Kotaku]

Both the stick and dome lights work on the same principle—they're LEDs and store solar power in replaceable/rechargeable batteries. No external wiring is required, just place them on the ground and let them soak up the energy.

They're listed on the Ikea site quite cheaply (5 for $15, 5 for $20) as you'd expect from Ikea, but you can't buy them just yet. [Ikea via Inhabitat]

This belongs to a series called Urban Camouflage, and the stunt aims to solve the mystery of disguising oneself in an urban space. I can certainly respect the high-mindedness behind the idea, but I refuse to believe the artist didn't do it part just to screw around and be a jackass (0:45 into the video is especially great). Be sure to check out more photos and video over at [Urban Camouflage via Boing Boing via Prefix]

[Kiyomaro via Pink Tentacle]

By doing so you also opt-in to get access to coupons and specials for the week, as well as "regular updates via text message for deals and discounts." Cool while you're in the store, but somewhat annoying if you're getting pinged by Ikea about Poang chairs every week. [Unpluggd via New Launches via Oh Gizmo]

Although the system will play all sorts of games, Eric only plays Ms. Pacman. "It hasn't yet translated into a better score," he says plaintively. [Flickr via MAKE]

The Oslo Ikea is also offering a bridal suite with chandelier and a luxury suite with breakfast in bed—both for an undisclosed charge. Given the often sporadic quality of Ikea furniture, honeymooners might want to take it easy during their stay. [guardian via boingboing]

Using only a piece of wood, a strap and a glass shelf. That way you coffee table-less gamers can still join in on the steering wheel goodness.

Now readers how much would you pay for such an amazing piece of equipment like this? $50, $100, $150? Those offers just insult the LapDeck, it's creators are asking for £175 ($350 US) and then there's a six week waiting list.

Here's a suggestion, take $50, walk over to IKEA and buy a coffee table right now. That way you can use your wheel immediately, save $300 and you get an actual table.– Ben Longo

Product Page [LapDeck via Coolest Gadets]

Step 1: Buy Cheap LED Light strips from IKEA.

Step 2: Attach it to the back of your LCD/Plasma.

Step 3: No more headaches. – Jason Chen

Give your HDTV the Philips Ambilight effect on the cheap [Instructables via Consumerist]

Product Page [Via BoingBoing]

Um, iPod dock, please. –Brian Lam

VAF Research[VAF]