Gizmodo: national

Microsoft Surface Predicts the Election with McCain and Obama Bobbleheads

Dan Nosowitz — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 17:40:00 EDT

MSNBC had an impromptu demonstration of its new Microsoft Surface table this morning, and gave political analyst Chuck Todd a chance to play with his dollies. At first, the goateed Todd moved states around, zooming, coloring and highlighting with his finger. Though he didn't really have a full handle on all the features himself, the demo was pretty much Surface as usual, until he brought out his bobbleheads.

When Todd placed McCain and Obama bobblehead dolls on the Surface, the national map would change colors to show each candidate's specific chances. Put on the Obama bobblehead, and the map turns varying shades of blue. Use McCain, and it turns red. Then he turned Dark Helmet and made the bobbleheads fight each other, revealing the true reason he ordered them up in the first place. The off-screen newswoman didn't seem too impressed, quipping, "Now the five-year-olds are glued to the television," but I'm 22, so the joke's on her! [MSNBC]

Ladies' Facial Shaver Makes me Say "Whoaaa"

AddyDugdale — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 04:52:46 EDT

This, my friends, is National's Ferie facial shaver for ladies, available on Amazon Japan for around $30 bucks. It's got two interchangeable blades, one for trimming your eyebrows, the other for "downy hair" (as opposed to "uppy hair," I guess.) I don't see anything wrong with a quick pluck, so this is not one for me &mdash although I can think of some alternative uses for it:

1. Tagging TFSU on Jesus's chest while he sleeps.
2. Getting mediaeval on jumper fluff.
3. Trimming my bonsai lawn.
4. Intern Benny!
5. Creating a hair-don't for the dog.
6 @%*& &mdash no, that's just rude. [Impress through Google Translate]

Energy Bill Got You Down? You Need Penguin Power!

Wilson Rothman — Fri, 18 May 2007 11:53:55 EDT

In the universe of gadgets meant to monitor or conserve energy usage, this is the first we've seen that takes an anime approach. The Lifinity ECO is either a thermostat or a energy monitor (or both), using helpful cartoon penguins that keep tabs on your heating and AC settings, as well as the stuff plugged in around the house.

Currently only available in Japan, naturally, under Matsushita's National brand, we hope Panasonic considers bringing it to the US, where energy awareness is getting super serial. My only problem with the Lifinity ECO is this: The penguins I know like the AC cranked to the max. How's that gonna help shrink a guy's carbon footprint? – Wilson Rothman

Penguins at home [Akihabaranews]

Invisible Japanese Refrigerator

www.gizmodo.com — Thu, 23 Nov 2006 17:04:46 EST

Japan Gadgets

This refrigerator is one of many new home electronics displayed at National Electronics' Invention Station in Tokyo, a new campaign hosted by three pretty Japanese anchorwomen. It not only displays all your gastronomical delights for everyone to see, but also has a super-low bottom shelf for easy in-and-out of heavy items, and fits more stuff than your fat uncle's belly.

Transparent washing machine and air conditioner pics after the jump.

–Lisa Katayama

New Transparent Household Electronics [Tokyo Mango]