Gizmodo: iotd

Get Rid of That Nickle Plated Sissy-Pistol and Get Yourself a Raygun

Odelia Lee — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 20:00:00 EDT

U.S. Marshals could've been made tolerable if they just tossed Tommy Lee Jones one of these Atomic Disrupter Rayguns. Actually, think of how much better every crappy shoot 'em up movie would be.

This pretty piece is was fashioned from old radio and camera parts, and submitted to the Make Magazine Flickr Pool. [Make on Flickr via Make]

The Mechanic Eye

Mark Wilson — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 14:40:00 EDT

If you think it's tough to decide on the make and model of your next laptop, imagine the internal debates to come when we can upgrade eyeballs as casually as RAM. [Bogen Freund/Flickr via bbGadgets]

The Internet Beautifully Visualized As High-Res Tokyo Subway Map, Again

John Mahoney — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 18:40:00 EDT

Subway maps make a great framework for organizing things other than subway stations: the unique colored lines, the distinct neighborhoods, the interesting intersections. Design firm Information Architects have just released their latest Web 2.0 map.

Oh hey, there we are, hanging out over on the Opinion line. Wait what, opinion? I thought Gizmodo only trafficked in pure, unadulterated fact? Oh well, we're honored.

There'a a high-res (6740 x 4768) image over on Flickr, and a cool zoomable flash viewer at Zoomorama.

[Information Architects - Thanks, MWang!]

The Las Vegas Strip, Before and During Earth Hour

Mark Wilson — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 12:40:00 EDT

As the world turned off its lights for one hour last Saturday in a fleeting concern for Earth, even the blindingly luminescent Las Vegas strip joined in. Here it is with the lights off:

Apparently, the sight wasn't enough to stop traffic. Here are the shots one more time in handy, animated gif form...like someone just flicked a switch and Vegas went black.
[Getty Images, inspired by The Big Picture]

Just One of the Guys!

Mark Wilson — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 11:30:00 EDT

A T-600 Terminator poses in this fantastic buddy shot, alongside T4 director McG and Professor/HAL exoskeleton creator Yoshiyuki Sankai. No remains were found. [Impress]

Smile! Somali Pirates Have Seized Your Container Ship!

John Mahoney — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 15:00:00 EDT

Judging by the smiles all around on both the MV Faina's Ukrainian crew and the pirates themselves, maybe getting your container ship hijacked in the Gulf of Aden isn't so horrible after all!

Things get a little less lighthearted when you realize that the Faina was filled with Soviet T-72 tanks that may have been bound for the shitstorm that is Southern Sudan. A ransom was parachuted down the Faina's decks in a cargo container (which is the ransom delivery method of choice), and the pirates escaped.

The Big Picture today has this and many, many more photos of Somali pirates, detailing what is one of the more fascinating stories around right now. Even more fascinating when you consider who all is making money from this old-world meets new-world banditry. [Big Picture, image: HO/AFP/Getty Images]

The Exoskeleton of the Sony A900

Mark Wilson — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 15:40:00 EDT

Like a Terminator edging toward you with half its face blown off, the Sony A900 dSLR only looks meaner without the candy plastic shell. [CNET photo by Stephen Shankland via Core77]

Hey, all you endoskeleton people—calm down. Take a deep breath. It's OK. John Mahoney and I actually had the same conversation, and he convinced me. In our books, it's an exo because it's really the outside of the camera, supporting and protecting the entire gadget, just coated a thin layer of paint (or in some parts, plastic). If you still aren't convinced, we can agree to disagree. Or you can go fuck yourselves. Either works.

Laser Engraving Fixes For That Blank Shuffle Face

Jason Chen — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 21:00:00 EDT

Deviantart user petercui comes up with this solution to the absolute blankness of the new iPod shuffle: lasering. [DeviantArt]

How You Like Them Apples, Apple?

Mark Wilson — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 13:00:00 EDT

Who woulda thunk that an apple company might actually use an apple in their logo...especially one that's about a bite away from trademark infringement? [Flickr via TUAW]

When Your Prescription Is Beyond Contacts

Mark Wilson — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 13:40:00 EDT

The best part of this photo is not the chunky plastic design or the model's subtly agape mouth. It's that fatty, curlicue phone cord hanging out the back. [Flickr via bbGadgets]

Image of the Day: AT&T's 1969 Phone Sex Ad

Jason Chen — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 18:00:00 EST

AT&T wasn't one to shy away from phone sex, even in the late 60s, where phone sex wasn't quite as accepted as it was now. Kudos, AT&T, on 40 years of phone sex. [Flickr]

iMac Air Hockey

Mark Wilson — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 15:00:00 EST

OK, it's not actually air hockey. Since the iMac's glass panel is held on by fourteen magnets, you can just use two industrial suction cups to pull it right off. [ifixit via CrunchGear]

Image of the Day: Gigantic Timekeeping

Jason Chen — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 19:40:00 EST

Flickr user cocoip captures this scene in Roppongi, Tokyo, Japan, as some lady walks past some gigantic digits. Is it a clock? A street address? A Godzilla countdown? [Flickr]

Just Another Day at the Office...Submarine

Mark Wilson — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 15:41:46 EST

From Terminator Salvation, John Connor leads The Resistance from his submarine—all while keeping bloody but cozy in his well-tailored aviator jacket (J. Crew, $550). But...what's that red glow all about?

Is John Connor relaxing inside his stylish aviator jacket/nuclear submarine only to be jumped by a T600 lurking behind one of his CRT monitors? Or did some camera guy just leave the red recording light on again?

I'm not sure the photo is conclusive either way, but the suspense is killing me. Photo Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures, check out another exclusive shot over at io9

Commuting To Work Via Zipline In Sichuan Province

John Mahoney — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 18:40:00 EST

It sounds like a dream, but the circumstances here are not quite so fantastical—those that must cross a collapsed bridge to get to work have been using a zip line since last year's earthquake.

[WSJ - photo: San Lang/European Pressphoto Agency]

Image of the Day: Why, Japan, Why?

Jason Chen — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 19:40:00 EST

We have no idea where in Japan this was taken, but somebody somewhere should be ashamed of themselves. [Buzzfeed]

Zipper Blitz

Mark Wilson — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 15:00:00 EST

A group of hands unintentionally wave hello from a zipper factory in China. See more amazing shots of people at work by hitting the link. UPDATED [The Big Picture and AP]

The Definition of Multitasking

Mark Wilson — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 17:00:00 EST

Alfie Patten and Chantelle Steadman play PS3 while caring for their new baby. Ironically, both teens are too young to have purchased the M-rated game that they're playing in this photo. [The Sun via Kotaku]

Image of the Day: Starbucks Is Not Your Office

Jason Chen — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 21:00:00 EST

Reader jessettrs sends in this ridiculous image taken at a Starbucks on 42nd and 9th. Yeah, it's a guy with a Mac Mini and a 15-inch LCD.

Our tipster also says that there's a T-Mobile G1 hanging off that contraption for some reason, and the guy looks like a homeless dude. Anyone who needs to bring the entire contents of their home office into a coffee shop is as good as, we say.

Send your image of the day suggestions to tips@gizmodo.com

Image Of The Day: What Glorious Machine Are These Frenchmen Driving?

John Mahoney — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 18:40:00 EST

Children's carnival ride in a blizzard? Final Fantasy III airship? It's not what you think...

Why, it's La Princesse, the giant spider mecha that took over Liverpool last year. I love that this insane giant mechanized spider bot is controlled via multiple consoles of old-timey forklift levers.

Both of these are by Peter Carr, and there are many, many more on Big Picture today, where Carr is answering questions in the comments. [Big Picture]