A ClearTouch window allows the user to freely operate the device underwater and it is buoyant enough to float to the surface when a device is inside. The armband is retailing at $70 and $80 for medium and large sizes respectively, and a companion set of headphones dubbed "Surge" is also available for an additional $60. [H2O Audio via Coolest Gadgets]

The only real problem with today's portable electronics is battery life. The gear gets more powerful but sadly battery technology really hasn't kept up, that's why we write about things like solar power. But there are also nifty things called dynamos, devices you pump or crank to juice up your batteries. O2, a large mobile carrier in the UK, will be installing bicycle-powered dynamos around a festival it's sponsoring this coming weekend to charge up music fans' mobiles. Sure, they could have run power cables and created power stations, but where's the fun in that? And as anyone who's been to a large outdoor festival in the last few years knows, you're going to want to power up at least once a day or else you're cut off. And if you've got our luck, it'd be right before Winehouse takes the stage, so you'd have no bawdy SMS session to distract you. [Pocket Picks]

The DWP consists of 3,000 digitally controlled solenoid valves, several dozen pumps, 12 hydraulic stainless steel pistons, and a digital control system that uses open source software. The roof, 400-mm thick, is the only solid part of the building, and it moves up and down on pistons, depending on the weather conditions.
This is the opening ceremony. Very son et lumière, doncha think? Despite the cameraman's best efforts, you can see the time and effort put into the pavilion. I only wish I was still in Spain, then I could check it out for you all. [Building Design and YouTube]

To get the levels back on another DS, just play it back over your computer's speakers and hold up the DS mic to it—the mic will grab the sound and the game will change it back into level code. If only Nintendo didn't make their online system so horrible to use, the developers wouldn't have to resort to archaic methods that are pretty much on par with tin cans and strings. [Kotaku]

The total cost for the O2 18-month plan is $1,591, which every month gets you:

• 1,200 minutes of voice calls.
• 500 text messages.
• Unlimited data transfer in both 3G and Wi-Fi networks (at The Cloud and BT OpenZone Wi-Fi spots.)
• Reduced roaming rates.

Sure, having 24 months will get your total price to $2,121. But the fact is that, after 18 months, you are free to get elsewhere, and you are getting almost three times the voice call minutes, and 2.5 times the amount of text messages.

Compare that to the $1,975 iPhone 3G plan in AT&T:

• 450 minutes.
• 200 messages.
• Unlimited data transfer in 3G networks.

[O2 and Telefonica press release]

According to the designers it's 60% faster to load this sort of line up, versus conventional pegs, and 90% faster to take them down. You won't lose any pegs, and of course drying your clothes in the fresh air is so much the eco-friendly option. Seems neat to us, but there's no word on availability or pricing. [Cord-o-Clip via Treehugger]

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Furthermore, the difference between real and fake laughter is determined by monitoring the movement of the diaphragm. If the muscle vibrations are high, that would be an indicator of a genuine laugh. Interestingly enough, the researchers are looking to make a portable version for heath and entertainment devices—which means that Carrot Top's performing days are numbered. [Pink Tentacle]

Once the TV has that information, it adjusts its settings accordingly to make sure you have the best picture (that B&O engineers deem) possible. The 50-inch model will cost you $7500, and the 65-inch model will be $13500. Maybe you should just learn to calibrate your own TV? Even hiring some guy to do it for you would be less than this. [Reg Hardware]

The Bath-O-Matic is equipped to run on home automation equipment from AMX and Crestron if you want to fill your tub from the comfort of your couch, and can fit on tubs both old and new. It also includes a motorized plug so no water is wasted, and adjusts to pressure and outside temperature so you won't have to worry about getting burned. Just slap a toaster and an iPod on this baby, and I think we have a real winner. It sells for 4000 (about $8000) so you better get one before supplies run out. [Bath-O-Matic via CE Pro]

I could hear the tunes clearly underwater, and the case when closed correctly is absolutely watertight down to 10 feet, so I don't owe Wilson a new iPod classic. (Naturally, due to tub limitations, I couldn't go down the full 10 feet, but if you have a deeper tub than me, feel free to dive down.) The sound was good and the earbuds did not fall out of my ears while I was listening. However, I did have some trouble keeping the buds locked into the headband.

The case worked great and the controls were surprisingly responsive, especially given the fact that there's so much case between your thumb and the clickwheel. I did experience a couple of momentary hang-ups, but they could have been from the iPod classic itself. (The classic is known for the occasional lag.)

If you're looking to take an absurd amount of media with you in the water for swimming, snorkeling, surfing or just the weekly bath, I know no better hardware—and the same waterproof system is available for nanos too. Of course, this level of duck-ass watertightness doesn't come cheap: the case and headphones sell for $90 and $50, respectively. [H2O Audio]
—Special thanks to Sam Mindel for the video help!

Depending on the function that is required, certain LEDs will illuminate, whilst others are switched off. This only gives rise to basic patterns, so you would not be sending any MMS messages using this phone, but the styling certainly earns it plus points. The device would be powered by two AAA batteries, which could be recharged by the chic USB dock. The LED Cellphone reminds us of O2's Cocoon, and as that has already made it to the production line, we know this concept would not pose too many obstacles to a manufacturer. We can hear our slut Macbook making adulterous noises right now—it would trade its iPhone partner for a pretty bimbo without a second thought. Macbook, you should be ashamed. [Gizmo Watch]

He eats fries the whole way through, he tells about how he knew he was smart, he appears baffled by the concept of loose change and he completely owns the burger joint, (you just know that that is his regular seat.) I'm going to be brave and put it out there: Gates is cool. Damn cool. If you disagree, we think he'll have you shot. Don Gates, you have our friendship. Be sure to check out the entire series, with Larry Ellison, Steve-o and Jeff Bezos all making appearances, you'd be a dithering fool to miss it. Hit up the link for other encounters with technology's A-list. [Yahoo]

• You'll get navigational guidance along mountain ski trails with both visual and audio cues.
• Other realtime data like current speed, weather conditions, and route details will also be available.
• There is a friend-finder function, which lets you track down your buddies or just follow them along a path.
• This being a Europe-only product (for now), there's a Bluetooth component, too, which lets the jacket download data via phone.

While a winter-sports site called Boardsport Source is reporting that the NavJacket will be "available as part of the O'Neill Fall/Winter 2008/09 collection," we didn't see a mention of it on the O'Neill site, and the same article says, "The NavJacket will be tested the coming winter season on selected areas in the Alps." My guess is that it's still a bit of a ways off, but damn do I ever want one. [Boardsport Source via CrunchGear]

You know who else was an Octopussy? That Roger Moore. [product via shinyshiny]

OQO's O2 model, previously released Stateside, is compatible with EV-DO 3G networks. If you are desperate for a speed boost up to 3.6Mbps, why not try hacking your $1,300+ machine? Bear in mind, importing the new e2 will not serve you well, as the HSDPA module is not compatible with US HSDPA bands. So, what did we make of the new(ish) UMPC?

Having had our grubby paws all over the e2, we can say it is as sexy as ever. It has the same solid weighty feel we love, and the screen is 5.6" of utter glory. The 1.6Ghz VIA processor and 1GB RAM seemed to hold up Vista well enough; the automatic network configuration, with Wi-Fi support for 802.11 a/b/g and backward compatibility for GPRS, is a welcomed feature. Bluetooth 2.0 also makes an appearance on the spec sheet, but is all this enough? With a battery life of less than 2.5 hours, a cramped keyboard and a price point above £1099 ($2,240), the viability of such a device is still questionable. Asus Eee, anyone? [Product Page]

The Aeroform as he calls it, features a streamlined design for "optimal aerodynamic and climactic performance." Even the name is derived from the term "aerofoil" which refers to a structure that provides stability or a steering function in a flying object. The whole thing even looks like some sort of aircraft intake if you ask me.

No doubt that something like this would be really fantastic to live in — that is until you stumbled out of your house drunk at 4am and tumbled head first into the abyss. Probably a major reason why this concept may never see the light of day. [KRob via Treehugger]

From the fine testers at YumSugar:

Fast forward several hours and I was cutting into a succulent and juicy turkey. The skin was a little on the salty side, but the flavor was classic and not overpowering....I also found that gravy made from the drippings was too salty with a hint of artificial flavor to it. You also can't make any stuffing in it, and it does not come with the giblets/innards pack like most turkeys...know quite a few people who don't love cooking and just want to have a nice bird on Thanksgiving. If you're one of those folks, then I would recommend you give it a try.

For those who've never tried brining, it's super simple. All that means is you essentially marinate the turkey. And you'll add so much moisture to the meat that it's extremely difficult to screw up from there.

But if Jennie-O ever releases a true freeze-dried turkey, maybe we'll reassess the plan. [yumsugar via bbgadgets]

[Instructables via Kotaku]

A grad student at the International Islamic University in Chittagong, Bangladesh has been designing this goofy-looking best friend out of scraps he from auto shops, junkyards and electronics stores. He wants to sell his "IRobo" commercially for $1,000 a pop, to perform manual labor such as picking up objects and mopping floors. He even claims to be discussing production with an Australian software company.

My guess, though, is that it's just a matter of time before a person jumps out of the suit. Wanna know what tipped me off? The red helmet. Robots don't need helmets. Everyone knows a robot's brain is in his chest, in place of a heart. [Reuters]