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survival kit
to beat down terrorists bust out windows. And it comes in a rainbow of colors (fashion is life or death too, after all): pink, yellow, green and orange. It's only $28, a good deal for the gear, an even better one for your life.
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Posts Tagged “
Subway
”
gadgets
In 2005, a control room for the A and C subway lines in NYC caught fire. "No larger than a kitchen," the room held 600 relays, switches and circuits that keep track of trains and keep everything running. Officials originally thought it would take three to five years to get the lines back to normal capacity. (Thankfully it didn't.) The epic repair time was because the fixed-block signaling system dates back to 1904 and only two companies in the world were able to repair it, one in Pittsburgh and the other in Paris. This is technology's trailing edge, according to Peter Sandborn in IEEE Spectrum: the huge, crippling problem of obsolescence.
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The Massive, Expensive Problem of Obsolete Tech
In 2005, a control room for the A and C subway lines in NYC caught fire. "No larger than a kitchen," the room held 600 relays, switches and circuits that keep track of trains and keep everything running. Officials originally thought it would take three to five years to get the lines back to normal capacity. (Thankfully it didn't.) The epic repair time was because the fixed-block signaling system dates back to 1904 and only two companies in the world were able to repair it, one in Pittsburgh and the other in Paris. This is technology's trailing edge, according to Peter Sandborn in IEEE Spectrum: the huge, crippling problem of obsolescence.
More »
busy hands
Portable Subway Strap Prevents False Groping Accusations
I've never been to Tokyo, but I hear they have a bit of a problem with crowded subway trains —a fact brought up countless times as I traveled from Gizmodo HQ to the convention center during CES. Needless to say, I heard "It feels like Tokyo in here" more than once. Thankfully, these packed trains did not result in a shameful groping of my buttocks. In Tokyo however, this can be a serious problem. More »
cellphones
MTA; Cellphones Could be a Security Risk
Cellphone usability is coming to the subway, all thanks to the MTA. Though the threat of having to listen to people talk for the duration of your journey may be worrying, officials involved with the project are beginning to question the potential security risks of the new underground calling functionality. Detailing the concerns, Jeremy Soffin, a spokesperson for the MTA said: More »
peripherals
Ninja Star NYC Subway Map
This four-pointed stainless steel ninja star is useful for added sting to punches when held in your fist. But can also be thrown at adversaries inflicting 1-3 HP of damage, and causing the status effect of "demoralizing defeat at hands of American ninja" ( -2 penalty to move or attack). The ninja can also use the map to escape from labrinth underground tunnels found in the large human and troll settlement of New York City. Available with etchings of London Tubes, and will fit in your wallet.Useful for not looking like a tourist. Ninjas must stay to the shadows. More »
wireless
Undersound: A Music-based MySpace For the Subway
We don't get much subway entertainment (aside from that homeless guy who always plays the accordion for us) so our curiosity was piqued when we came across Undersound. Though it's yet to be rolled out, Undersound is an interface you can access from your Bluetooth handheld while riding the subway. From it, you can download and upload songs, anonymously browse through other commuters' music libraries (they'll be pinged if you decide to download from them), and access info about the subway station you're currently at (we're not sure why you'd wanna do that, but, ok). The idea behind the network sounds pretty cool and it'll finally give us something to do on the train other than fall asleep on our neighbor's shoulder. More »
gadgets
TranStrap Mini
Just when you thought a piece of nylon and some plastic couldn't get any cooler, the folks at TranStrap have released the TranStrap Mini, a smaller version of their famous TranStrap Maxi. This thing is designed to hitch over the bars in a subway car and keep you from having to touch the pee pee and poo poo on other people's filthy, filthy hands. It even has fancy colored "gripcoils" so you can further personalize your anti-feces handle. More »
gadgets
City Mitts Antimicrobial Gloves for the Subway
Are you so grossed out by the thought of touching anything in the subway that you just stand in the middle of the car with your legs spread out, hoping you don't fall over? If you're one of the people who does this regularly you should know that we hate you, because you always end up falling over anyway and worse, crashing into us or stepping on our toes. More »
gadgets
Subway Strap-On
The subway can be a sticky place in the summer, but the TranStrap might be the perfect way to combat other commuters for pole space. Simply attach the heavy duty nylon webbing, aircraft grade aluminum, and high-friction neoprene hook to the closest train pole and watch as other pedestrians give you dirty looks. Now you can avoid the nasty skin diseases left by other passengers and single-"handedly" revitalize the "straphanger" moniker once and for all. More »
gadgets
