Gizmodo: Silly

Asus F6 Comes With Webcam, 13-inch Screen, Eau de Asus

Elaine Chow — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 11:00:00 EDT

Looks like Asus is sniffing out the next big thing now that it's found heaps of success with its EeePC concept, and has decided that what the world really needs is a notebook that can function both as a mid-range computer and an Air Wick. The Asus F6 boasts a 13.3 inch screen, an integrated webcam, an Intel Core2 Duo processor, up to 4GB of DRAM support, up to 320GB of HD space and comes in four scents – Floral Blossom, Musky Black, Morning Dew and Aqua Ocean. Asus doesn't say how long the fragrance is supposed to last, or whether you can reapply it. But for a couple of days at least, when the patrons of your local coffee shop wrinkle up their noses and ask “What's that smell?” you can proudly say “Me.” [Asus via Far East Gizmos]

Make Your Broken NES Into a Lunchbox

Elaine Chow — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 16:00:00 EDT

If you're like me, you probably have an old, broken-down NES somewhere in your house, gathering dust while you try to decide whether you should keep it for nostalgia's sake. How about turning it into a lunchbox, which will allow you to bring those warm early gaming memories with you to work or school every day? Instructables contributor fluctifragus has posted a pretty easy do-it-yourself for making your console useful (and deliciously so!) again. All you need is your NES, a rotary tool, two small hinges, some glue and... a Canadian superhero? [Instructables via Lifehacker]

Twist Chair Will Corkscrew Giant Holes into Your Lawn

Elaine Chow — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 18:30:00 EDT

Here's a great product to ensure that you'll never be invited to somebody's backyard ever again—the “Easy Install Twist Chair.” Instead of having four legs like regular chairs, the Twist uses a corkscrew base that you plug into the ground and spin until it's solidly placed. Bring the chair along the next time you go to a garden party and see if your hosts appreciate you aerating their lawn. [Yanko Design]

DARPA Developing "Fracture Putty" to Heal and Support Shattered Bones

Sean Fallon — Wed, 28 May 2008 18:50:00 EDT

DARPA, the military's premier R&D team has been given the task of producing "a dynamic putty-like material" that can be packed in around shattered bone to help support a patient's body during the healing process. It would also be designed to bio-degrade when all is said and done. If DARPA is successful in developing this material, it would allow for increased mobility and a quicker recovery for patients suffering from major fractures.

Not surprisingly, there will be a number of obstacles standing in DARPA's way. The putty will have to not only be strong and flexible, but it will have to bond well with bone and feature a similar internal structure. Whether or not this goal can be achieved remains to be seen, but a meeting has been scheduled for July 1st in Virginia to begin the process. [FBO via Wired]

Apple Receives 188 Mysterious Cargo Containers: 3G iPhones, New MacBooks or the Finest Colombian Snow?

matt buchanan — Sat, 24 May 2008 12:00:00 EDT

I think that the obsessive drive to be omnisciently aware of everything Apple is plotting has officially gone from a little crazy to completely silly. People are tracking their ~~bowel movements~~ cargo shipments, and apparently the latest batch has 188 containers from Asian supplier Hon Hai and Quanta Computers, mysteriously marked "electric computers," a label that they've never used before. Ack! Combined with the fact that "desktop computer" labeled shipments haven't dropped, ImportGenius, the dudes who monitor this stuff, are therefore convinced it's the 3G iPhone.

Or new MacBooks. The first shipment came in on March 27, which seems a bit early, unless they're really, really stockpiling to meet demand. Or it could just be a whole bunch of blow and June 9 will be the biggest party ever. [ImportGenius via Fortune]

BodyBeat Metronome Keeps Beat Silently, Forgets Musicians Need Their Fingers

Elaine Chow — Sat, 03 May 2008 19:20:00 EDT

The Peterson BB-1 BodyBeat attaches to your finger/random appendage, sending tiny rhythmic pulses that you can feel on your skin. The non-aural stimulation will give you a silent way to count measures while playing the piano... and since you have to use your fingers to do that, you will have to clamp this to somewhere else. The question is where?

Available for $99.97. [Sweetwater via UberGizmo]

Purdue's 156-Step Burger Maker Wins Rube Goldberg Contest

Kit Eaton — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 10:45:26 EDT

We've brought you Rube Goldberg-style clocks and toys, but none of them are a match for the 156-step device that's just won the annual Rube Goldberg Machine Contest. This year's challenge was to assemble a burger with vegetables, condiments and two bun halves. The meat was pre-cooked... a sensible idea to avoid fires and explosions: you'll understand when you look at the great pics of the machines that MAKE took. Beneath the gallery you'll find a demo video of some of them in action. Sadly we don't have one of the complete 156-step run yet, so you'll just have to imagine its fantasticness.

The whole idea is to create a machine that combines creative thinking with complexity in design, and, most importantly, inefficiency— much in the vein of Goldberg's cartoons.

The winning team, the Purdue Society of Professional Engineers, have had plenty of practice at this— they've won two of the previous three contests. Their machine won them a regional prize earlier in the year, and for the Nationals they added another 55 steps. With somewhere around 5,000 man-hours of work in it, the victory seems well deserved, particularly when the rules stipulate that the task must be achieved in more than 20 steps.

Awesome, pointless, engineering fun. We love it. [MAKE and CNN]

Blu_ray, the Makeup

Jason Chen — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 14:15:28 EST

Making your face presentable for high definition is tough, which is why the makeup brand Cargo is carrying a "blu_ray" brand makeup—trademarked, no less—that's supposed to cover up any Cameron Diaz-level skin problems. It's unlikely that Sony will be pleased that someone's calling dibs on a brand they spent billions on building, but since this is in the makeup space, they might be SOL. We're sure Cargo's glad they don't have to make an "hd_dvd" branded makeup kit. [Sephora via Boing Boing Gadgets]

LINDO "Hip-office" Design Has Us Bent Double

Kit Eaton — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 08:45:18 EST

We love gadgets of all kinds here at Gizmodo, particularly the ones that look like this: meet the LINDO, an ergonomic solution for a "hiptop" office support for your new laptop computer. It sounds a little like an idea we've heard before, and is apparently a genuine attempt at avoiding those "serious damages to health" caused by monotonous desk-sitting that orthopedists warn us about. Designed by HK Ergonomics, it fits all by itself, without belts, and you can use it while sitting, standing, walking, leaning, kneeling and it's also apparently suitable for those who like to work in the lunge position. [HK via LikeCool]

Korean Guy Announces the Three Best Inventions EVER (or Just the Silliest Ones)

Jesus Diaz — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 09:25:29 EST

A genius and Ph.D. of Aerospace Engineering who goes by the name of Hoseong Han has popped in our tips line today with what could be The Best Three Inventions of the Year 2007: the "Waist Computer," which also converts your laptop into a hanging tray for cigarette girls; "Folding cloth," to fool everyone with your fake parachute, then hear them laugh while you put it on under the rain; and our new all-time-favorite "Back of the Hand Phone," which defies any description except that it's perfect as an excuse to perform your best "I'm so le tired" pose while you make a call. We can't wait to see your favorite in the poll after the jump. In the meantime, read the descriptions by Hoseong Han himself:

Back of Hand Phone
This phone/PMP/PDA/MP3 is mounted on back of hand and this phone is attached with wrist strap and finger ring for thumb and index finger. This phone is mounted on back of hand between wrist and thumb-index finger. With this phone, the main body of phone can be made larger than wrist phone so bigger screen and battery because this area is larger than wrist for most people. With phone with this position, viewing of screen is more pleasant and this is the best phone carrying method. With this invention, you will never lose phone and listing music, watching video with ease. I think this phone is perfect for 3G image phone because camera on phone can capture image of face with best angle.

Folding Cloth

A cloth (Jumper/Jacket) that can be folded and carried on back in indoor/car or during warm daytime and unfold and wear at cold outdoor or cold night. The key point of this invention is attaching locking mechanism (like zipper) on either side of trunk. Very easy to make and minor modification to jacket is needed. Many people said this invention the best and most practical of the three.

Waist Computer

Notebook computer with waist belt and body so can be hanged the notebook computer around waist. Simple and easy computer carrying method and can use your computer during walking or standing position or sit position. Keyboard can be seen slightly during walking or in stand position. Plenty room for auxilary battery and etc. On table use, simply unlock the belt and position the waist computer on table and use it.

These gadgets are absolutely real. They are patented in Korea and are in the process of getting patented internationally, according to Hoseong Han. [Hoseong Han]

Bird-Electron Kodak Speakers Produce Kicking Sounds For Ants

Haroon Malik — Sun, 02 Sep 2007 10:30:00 EDT

Bird-Electron is as crazy as their name, also proven by this diabolical excuse for a set of portable speakers.

The Kodak Speakers are constructed from recycled 35mm plastic film cases. The set does not require any power source other than the energy it draws from the connected MP3 player. The sounds are projected as "omni-directional sound waves." We are guessing that, basically means, they sound like crap. Still, if you have $55 burning a hole in your pocket and you want to buy some speakers that will win you some brownie points with the green crowd, by all means go for it. If wasting your cash in this manner is just not satisfying enough, equally pointless wastes of cash include; throwing your money in a bin, burning your cash or burying your Benjamins in a remote location you are unlikely to recall. [Product Page via Technabob].

Silly String Rifle Makes War Games… Sillier

Adam Frucci — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 12:20:00 EDT

Silly string seems to have lost some of its popularity in the past few years, but that might be just from my perspective. It's kind of a kid-centric toy, as getting covered in stinky foam isn't the most fun thing in the world when you're a responsible adult such as myself. But if you're still into it, you might as well take your Silly Stringing to the next level with this Silly String Rifle. I doubt it'll improve your distance or accuracy, but it'll make you feel like more of a badass, which has got to count for something. [Product Page via Nerd Approved]

Darth Vader Drinks Guinness, Wears a Bonnet

AddyDugdale — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 05:14:24 EDT

Right now it's a bit hot for one of these, but we salute Lady Linoleum, who made this Darth Vader helmet out of eight Guinness cans and some black wool.
[Monster Crochet via Craftzine]

Talking Geek Figurine Talks Geek While you Work

AddyDugdale — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 05:23:45 EDT

Bang one of these nerdy desk ornaments on the head and it whines "I'm thinking right now." Bang a real geek on the head, though, and he'll probably be able to tell you the pressure per square inch exerted by the palm of your hand. I can't decide which one would give me more fun. [Tokyo Mango]

Fake Steve Jobs' Photo With a Fake ThinkPad Reserve

Addy Dugdale — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 06:00:21 EDT

There's now a photo floating around that allegedly pictures Fake Steve Jobs holding a special edition, leather-bound Lenovo ThinkPad Reserve. Why this matters, I don't know. But the thing is that some people believe is real and we are going to say it's fake: It's fake. There. Fake fake fake. Fake. Come on, it's fake Steve Jobs. As a source?

It is fake—not for obvious reasons, like "Steven P. Jobs" being in focus while the surface onto which it has been stamped is not—but because we actually have the real picture. Which shows that the image above has been retouched—intensely— after the jump.

Looking at the photo posted by FSJ and other blogs, you don't have to be Gizmodo's local pixel pusher and expert barman to see the Photoshop job. Anyone with two eyes and even more margaritas in their bloodstream than me will be able to see that the name "Steven P. Jobs" is in focus while the rest of the picture, specifically the corner in which it is placed, is not. Somehow, Steve is moving but his name is staying in focus, frozen in space and time.

Maybe his RDF is so strong than one of his many powers is that His Name always stays perfectly visible and sharp. But then again, if that's true, we just can't imagine His Steveness holding something as naff as a leather Windows machine with his full name stamped on it. We just can't. Or can we?

Actually, the truth is that he may have a ThinkPad Reserve, but the photo shown by FSJ has been manipulated to hide the Real Truth!

This image proves beyond any doubt that the photo posted by FSJ was obviously doctored. It also proves that 1) Steve is a Monty Python fan (understandably), 2) Steve doesn't use iPods or iTunes, preferring vinyl LPs on his Technics turntable and 3) Steve's admiration for Johnny Cash is pure façade: he is a super-disco man all the way. This last bit is further confirmed by his obsession with shiny surfaces and mirrors. Now we can only hope that Steve gives us more boom, bass lines and some Dancing Queen in the next keynote.

So there you go. Another mystery solved by Gizmodo's CSI brigade so you can continue with your lives knowing that we are here, defending Truth and Justice. And tequila cocktails. And wet T-shirt contests. Especially wet T-shirt contests. Or something. Uhm. Carry on, Citizens. –Jesus Diaz

Yes this is me, holding a windows machine [FSJ via Engadget]

World's Fastest Toilet is Jet-Propelled, not Powered by Farts

Addy Dugdale — Fri, 04 May 2007 09:35:08 EDT

Well, Flame Grill my Whopper and call it Professor Caractacus Potts! Is there nothing sacred any more? Not even those precious moments when a man wants a little peace in the world so that he can go about his daily business without being disturbed? It seems not, but then the British always were a little strange. This is, apparently, the world's fastest toilet. Powered by a Boeing Jet engine, the $10,000 vehicle's top speed is in excess of 70mph, and it farts flames from its tailpipe - rather like, I would imagine, a man forced to eat ten vindaloos one after another.

There's a video, as well another pic of the flaming khazi in action and its inventor, Paul Stender, all after the jump.

On the day when we remember Walter Schirra, let us also salute mechanic Paul Stender, without whom we would not be able to use clichés such as "To Boldly Go" and have them mean something completely different. – Ad Dugdale

Hold onto your Trousers... It's the world's fastest Loo

Motion-sensitive Tablet PC To Help People With Disabilities

Addy Dugdale — Tue, 01 May 2007 07:03:42 EDT

The make-your-device-a-Wiimote craze continues. Now is British Telecom researchers at Ipswich who, putting on their Mario hats and completely ignoring the fact that this technology already exists in other notebooks, have developed a Tablet PC with motion detectors to make it easier to use.

They say they want to use their combination of hardware and software to simplify the control of the computer and allow people with disabilities to turn pages just by moving it. In other words, the same things you can do with a MacBook today, but with an add-on thingy. Well chaps, call us back when you pull the light saber trick. – Jesus Diaz

Motion-sensitive laptop developed [BBC News]

Lederhosen with Built-In Cellphone: Okay, so Where's the Mouthpiece?

www.gizmodo.com — Mon, 19 Mar 2007 10:02:07 EDT

Apparently it's in the suspender straps. How disappointing. – Ad Dugdale

German Lederhosen With A Built-In Cellphone At CeBit [Textually]

84" Giga Ball: Will be at Google HQ by the End of the Year

www.gizmodo.com — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 11:05:48 EDT

If this is for kids aged 4 and upwards, then I'm a banana with whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles. This 7-foot version of the Giga Ball is aimed at adults, no shit. I have seen the future and it is ball-shaped. YouTube will be full of mass Giga Ball rallies, people will take to the roads with them (are they car crash-proof? I don't know, but I bet the Jackass boys will be able to tell you that) and there will be Giga Ball races on Campus. It will set you back a shade under $200, but if you are the proud owner (driver?) of one of these, everyone will want to be your friend. – Ad Dugdale

Product Page [Target via Techie Diva]

PS3 Grey Marketwatch: PS1 + PS2 + Duct Tape = PS3

Travis Hudson — Wed, 22 Nov 2006 11:23:01 EST

This custom-built PS3 is constructed of a PS2, PS1 and high-performance duct tape (do the math). It can be yours today, if you win the bid on Ebay. Don't miss out on the fun that is the PS3! Thanks, Mike – Travis Hudson

Custom Built Sony Playstation 3. PS1 + PS2 = PS3 [Ebay Canada]

Roomba And The City

gizmodo.com — Fri, 28 Apr 2006 10:21:12 EDT

Had a bad morning commute today? Check out this cheery little video Amit Gupta sent in that he and Kara Canal put together, about how their Roomba spends the day while everyone else is out at work, it might make you feel a little better.

USB Cup Warmer

gizmodo.com — Mon, 03 Apr 2006 18:40:59 EDT

Your new USB heating gloves keeping your hands warm now, but your coffee's still getting cold in the mug? You could just get a thermal travel mug, but where's the fun in that? If you really love your gadgets, you know salvation lies with the Universal Serial Bus—this USB Cup Warmer will wrap around your mug and keep the temperature of the contents constant for a mere $15.

USB Cup Warmer [usb.brando.com.hk]

Dogone Dog Fart Neutralizing Thong

gizmodo.com — Wed, 29 Mar 2006 15:07:15 EST

You can stop squinting now, your eyes aren't deceiving you—we really did post a photo of a dog wearing a thong. But not just any dog thong! No, the Dogone thong is the "comfortable and least intrusive means for deodorizing gassy discharges", and you know you can trust it because it comes from the #1 name in flatulence odor control products.

You can get the Dogone in any of three sizes and they're each $19.99, but if you buy them you'll need very expensive headphones to keep from hearing the neighbors making fun of you and your poor pooch.

Dogone - Dog Gas Neutralizing Pad [Flat-D Innovations, via Strange New Products]

USB Heating Gloves

gizmodo.com — Wed, 29 Mar 2006 10:03:53 EST

Spring is supposedly here and it's allegedly not so cold during the day that one can go out in a fleece hoodie instead of a winter coat. We wouldn't know from experience, since Gawker Media recently had us fitted with house arrest anklets to keep us home typing up posts for your enjoyment. At any rate, if the weather is still so chilly as to keep you from comfortably typing on your keyboard or playing games, you might want to purchase a pair of USB heating gloves.

These wool gloves with heating elements inside have two heat settings and can rise ten degrees in five minutes, making sure your hands are toasty warm for optimal Katamari rolling. $22 for a pair, and they come with cables you can plug into any computer or game console with a USB port. These plus a Slanket and you're set for next winter!

USB G-Gloves [usb.brando.com.hk, via Gadget Candy]

Live at Macworld: Hoodman Cuts Screen Glare

Gizloco — Wed, 11 Jan 2006 14:50:07 EST

The nylon Hoodman sun shade shields your laptop from glare and prying eyes. Too bad it's the laptop fashion equivalent of the ballcap neck shades your dad wears to baseball games.

Even sillier is the Hoodman ThermalRest, a keyboard wrist rest with an adjustable heater. Because, you know, everyone tells themselves, "Hey! My computing experience would be more comfortable if my wrists were a specified amount warmer!"

Much more reasonable camera hoods are available at their site. As is a much less reasonable iPod hood.

Products [Hoodman]
Laptop sun shades [Hoodman]
ThermalRest [Hoodman]

Power User - The Best of Lifehacker

Gina Trapani — Wed, 09 Nov 2005 12:30:00 EST

This week at Lifehacker: Crack open your PC and install a PCI card. Resuscitate the backlight on your dying LCD monitor. Find bomb tripwire with Silly String. Keep snoopers from undeleting the data on your hard drive. Finally, have your say about assy software design.

Yeah, I know - you're a hardware badass who can assemble a server farm from spare parts in your sleep. In fact, you install hardware so often you don't even use a case for your PC. You've just got a rack with an exposed motherboard, fan and a spinning disk on your desk. But if you happen to have a friend who could use some help installing that TV tuner card? We've got a basic primer on how to install a PCI card you can, ahem, pass on.

Your LCD monitor looking a litte dim these days? Don't sell it and get a new one. Twenty bucks and some elbow grease'll replace the backlight and your face can sport that healthy monitor burn glow again.

There's a reason why God created Silly String - and it's not to cover your little brother in it while he naps. Some advice from U.S. Marines: next time you're tiptoeing into a dark room rigged with bomb tripwire, spray a bit of Silly String ahead of you to see where they're at. Silly String saves lives. Don't forget it.

Keep the 8-year-old who bought your old hard drive on Ebay from resurrecting your deleted pr0n collection. Wipe the data from your old drive clean with a delete program so secure the Department of Defense uses it. Try to undelete that, sucka.

Is it Microsoft Office's annoying little animated help guy, Clippy? Focus-stealing apps that demand your attention? Ineffective pop-up blockers? Word's auto-capitalize? Misery loves company: tell us your biggest computing pet peeves. It'll make you feel better.

Lifehacker’s Power User column appears every Wednesday on Gizmodo.