Gizmodo: miniature

Back in the Day, Patents Actually Meant Something

Dan Nosowitz — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 21:30:00 EDT

From 1790 until 1870, patent applications had to also include a miniature model, less than 12 square inches in size, along with the idea. We wish the policy were still around, at least to weed out the more ridiculous ideas.

Today, tech companies are some of the worst offenders in patent application, filing crazy patents for any half-baked idea they can think up, without the slightest regard for whether an object can actually be made. That's not even going into patents for basic ideas like Page Up/Page Down keys. Questionable patents aside, the strict miniaturization policy might have finally given us an iPhone Nano.

The days of physical patents are over, but some are still collecting the rare miniature versions, including the roller skate and paper clip. They're pretty cool, especially if you're as big a paper clip fanatic as I am. [Wired]

Pfft, This Nikon SLR Is Way Too Small to Use!

Mark Wilson — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 14:40:00 EDT

In Japan, Gilco candy is sort of like our Cracker Jack, including a small toy in each box. But unlike Crack Jack, Gilco's toys don't totally blow.

Discovered in Gilco boxes back in 2002, this Nikon F is a somewhat remarkable mini SLR replica, going so far as to acknowledge the two different body finishes and truly interchangeable lenses. Even though this Nikon F is completely non-functional, I like to imagine squinting through its minuscule viewfinder while delicately tweaking the focus ring. Then I like to imagine dropping the camera, accidentally stepping on it and chastising myself for investing in impractical photography equipment, again. [Glico Nikon F Miniature via Neatorama]

Miniature Shopping Carts Let You Play Bag Lady Barbie

Jason Chen — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 16:10:48 EDT

Have you ever wanted to know what it was like to be a shopping cart-type homeless person? If you did, the Korean store IdeaTopic offeres miniature shopping carts that not only roll around, but fit into each other just like real carts. In fact, if you buy enough, you can even make-believe you're going on a cart run at your local Safeway. Don't know what we mean? Catch the video after the jump. It's pretty much the worst video ever—believe us.

[IdeaTopic via Nexus404]

Halo 3 Scarab Toy is the Best Stroller Ever

Jason Chen — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 18:20:48 EDT

If playing with Halo replica guns is quite beneath you, then check out this battle-damaged Halo 3 scarab. It measures 24 x 24 x 20 inches (large enough to put a small baby on), is covered in Covenant-purple paint, and is the biggest miniature that WizKids has ever made. In the game, it's "highly resistant to human and Covenant weapons", so don't go trying to use that replica gun on it. One lucky Comic-Con attendee got to walk away with this $250 replica. We could recommend using this as an actual stroller, but if some stroller company made one just like this, it'd make baby-having that much more enticing. [WizKids]

Original Gameboy PC

Travis Hudson — Wed, 09 May 2007 13:30:41 EDT

I'm normally a stickler for craftsmanship and would traditionally crap all over this mod for looking pretty assy, but I'll hold back because it is an entire PC fitted into an original Gameboy. Using the ultra-compact EPIA PX10000G motherboard, this classic gaming device can now tackle quite a bit more than monochrome Tetris. Ethernet, two USB ports and VGA output are even included. Now work on a getting a screen in there, ASAP. –Travis Hudson

The Gameboy's second youth [Akihabara]

CES 2007: Microvision to Debut Miniature Projector

Travis Hudson — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 16:12:54 EST

From the department of redundancy department, Microvision has announced today that they will be unveiling (announcing) a prototype miniature digital projector at CES next week. This projector is small (see picture above) and is designed to fit in handheld electronic device such as cellphones, PDAs or other multimedia gadgets. It is nowhere close to being ready for the market, but at least the prototype is done. We'll have more on this live from the show floor next week. – Travis Hudson

Microvision Unveils Tiny Digital Projector [uberreview]

RCA EZ105 Small Wonder Tiny Ass Camcorder

Travis Hudson — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 15:04:58 EST

The EZ105 is RCA's latest attempt at miniaturizing consumer electronics. This "Small Wonder" is a camcorder that can record up to 60 minutes of video or 30 minutes of "high quality" video on its integrated memory. Don't expect HD level quality, but good enough quality to pull off that voyeur movie that you have always wanted. The palm sized camcorder also includes a 1.5-inch LCD screen on the back for viewing.

The EZ105 Small Wonder is for the simple types who just want to record video without any big fancy tape-loading camcorder and it retails for a very nice $129. The domain name for the camcorder (mysmallwonder.com) could use some work, though. – Travis Hudson

Product Page [Via Gearlog]

Miniature Projector Developed for Miniature Home Theatre

Travis Hudson — Tue, 19 Sep 2006 10:35:22 EDT

A team at the Fraunhofer Institute in Germany has developed this sugar-cube sized digital video projector capable of displaying video/images at traditional sizes. This projector uses a single mirror to display the footage. There is a limited color range because it can only work with red and blue lasers—green lasers are too freakin' big. This laser-based projector could have some useful by allowing more mobile applications and maybe someday be integrated into PDAs or smartphones. Thanks, David – Travis Hudson

Projector size of sugar cube made [BBC]

MicroNav 360: World's Tiniest Mouse

Charlie White — Mon, 01 May 2006 10:56:18 EDT

With electronics manufacturers constantly striving to make everything smaller, here's the latest shrinkage, a pointing device destined for handheld devices, cellphones and such, called MicroNav 360. This OEM pointing device is 10mm square and scarcely thicker than 1mm, which makes it about the size of your pinky fingertip.

We were just wondering, what's the problem with directional controls, or one of those little miniature joysticks? Perhaps this OEM device is destined to be a strap-on fingertip mouse, giving you the ultimate in road-warrior portability. Or something.

Product page [Steadlands, via RealTechNews]