Kat Hannaford, Author at Gizmodo

These Pumpkins Run on Fossil Fuel

Did anyone see any truly great pumpkins this year? Did you try carving your own pornkins, or maybe an R2D2-O’-Lantern? For me, nothing beat last year’s Sleepy Hollow Pumpkin Blaze dino display. [Flickr via Ecorazzi via Photojojo] https://gizmodo.com/pornkins-there-goes-the-neighborhood-5675052

Tech News Kat Hannaford Nov 1

DST Bug Means European iPhone Owners Are Waking Up One Hour Later Today

You’d think Apple would’ve fixed the daylight saving alarm clock failure after Australian and Kiwi iPhone owners overslept by an hour last month. Europeans are facing similar wrath from their employers today, with the bug occurring on existing alarm settings. https://gizmodo.com/if-you-have-an-iphone-you-may-oversleep-when-daylight-5659087 The way to get around the issue (until Apple fixes it, that is), is…

Tech News Kat Hannaford Nov 1

Logitech’s Solar-Powered Keyboard

There were cries of “impossible!” over Philips’ solar-powered remote last week, and I’m sure even more people will be scratching their heads over Logitech’s solar keyboard too—even though it can work for 3 months in total darkness. https://gizmodo.com/why-dont-more-tv-makers-sell-solar-powered-remotes-5676388 The K750 has integrated solar panels, and grabs whatever light it can get while indoors. A solar…

Tech News Kat Hannaford Nov 1

Every Day is a Fairground Ride for Wind Turbine Engineers

As you stagger into work and slump over your desktop like one of last night’s zombies, engineer Ross Kennedy is having an exhilarating ride atop a 100m-high wind turbine with the best views of Scotland. I’m not jealous…much. [Daily Mail]

Tech News Kat Hannaford Nov 1

All 900GB of GeoCities Will Soon be Downloadable

After killing off GeoCities last year, diehard Homesteaders will release a massive (and slightly unnecessary) 900GB torrent containing every single webpage ever hosted by the Yahoo-owned company. Just think of all those Gif-laden treats… [Archive Time via TechRadar] https://gizmodo.com/geocities-is-dead-long-live-geocities-5389976

Tech News Kat Hannaford Oct 29

How Thomas Edison Pranked the 1920s With His “Dead People” Phone

You can’t blame the people of 1920 for falling for Edison’s practical joke. After all, this was the man who invented the light bulb! When he told a magazine he’d invented a phone that communicates with spirits, hysteria understandably ensued. Over 600 letters were sent in to American Magazine, which published Thomas Edison’s quotes on…

Tech News Kat Hannaford Oct 29

This Bird’s Nest for Humans Sure Looks Comfier Than My Office Chair

Come Sunday, I’ll probably want to trade my right arm for one of these Nestrests (and a tree to swing from, obviously), such is the pain I’m expecting my post-Halloween hangover to bring me. [Contemporan via Notcot]

Tech News Kat Hannaford Oct 29

What Is This?

Squashed remains of a dinosaur? Flat-packed A flat-packed IKEA dining table? Epic Japanese origami shape folded from steel? You’re getting close… It’s actually a suitcase from Japanese designer Naoki Kawamoto, who used his country’s ancient origami tradition to fold the case down flat for storing under the bed. It’s not the most beautiful of suitcases…

Tech News Kat Hannaford Oct 29

Cellphone Battery Life to Improve 10x Thanks to Nanotechnology

Please let the Swiss’ research into battery life nanotechnology come true, please oh please. I sound like a kid wishing on a star, but if their Steeper project gets adopted, gadgets will become more efficient and our planet healthier. The École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne’s Adrian Ionescu spoke of their ambitious plan, which uses nanoscience…

Tech News Kat Hannaford Oct 29

BrickLink Founder (and Mega-Lego Fan) Dan Jezek Has Passed Away

BrickLink.com has been described as the “Craigslist for Lego” by MAKE in the past, and it’s not far from the truth. Lego enthusiasts (many members of Gizmodo, I’m sure) will be sad to heard that the founder of the site has passed away this week. The site has a touching obituary to the young Lego…

Tech News Kat Hannaford Oct 29

Why Don’t More TV Makers Sell Solar-Powered Remotes?

Fair enough, if your lounge is continually cloaked in darkness only heavy curtains and a thirst for home cinema can provide. But most lounges should have enough natural light to charge a solar TV remote, like this stylish Philips number. While it won’t be sold outside of Europe (it comes bundled with their Econova LED…

Tech News Kat Hannaford Oct 29

Um, How Do I Get From Japan to China Again?

Google Maps: solving all those tricky logistical location nightmares, one joke at a time. Do click on the image and check out direction number 43. And then start searching for your goggles. [@PokeHQ via @Rhodri] Update: You can also view it on Google Maps here.

Tech News Kat Hannaford Oct 29

A Manhattan Penthouse Made From a Shipping Container

When a Manhattan resident needed another bedroom, the only obvious option was to build up, using a recycled shipping container. Not only did he save money, but he gained a view of the Empire State Building in the process. Measuring 6 meters in length, the container was turned into the new master bedroom but also…

Tech News Kat Hannaford Oct 29

France’s Kilogram Standard is No Good For Americans

France holds the world’s standard for the kilogram weight. It’s a cylinder-shaped object that has dictated all other kilogram weights for 130 years now. As it’s made from platinum-iridium though, the US is concerned it’s no longer accurate. Whoops? Housed in France’s International Bureau of Weights and Measures, the weight is actually the yardstick the…

Tech News Kat Hannaford Oct 29

NASA is Building a ‘Solar Shield’ to Protect Power Grids from Space Weather

They’re out there, biding their time. Waiting patiently. And when you least expect it, they’re going to plunge you and everyone you care about into total darkness. Luckily, we can see solar storms coming from about 93 million miles away, and NASA is now in the process of creating a “Solar Shield” that should be…

Space & Spaceflight Kat Hannaford Oct 29

How the Japanese Protect Donuts From Bumps and Homer Simpson

Remember the banana case, a protective plastic capsule for storing a banana in? Some bright spark in Japan has come up with the fat man’s version: a donut case! Jelly-filled donuts need not apply. [Rakuten via Technabob] https://gizmodo.com/protect-your-banana-34012

Tech News Kat Hannaford Oct 29

Aw Man, Even Mount Everest Has Better 3G Reception Than We Do

Climbers of Mount Everest spent the past 24 hours updating Facebook statuses, after Nepal’s first-ever 3G connection was switched on yesterday at the base camp. The first use of the service? Making the world’s highest video call. [Reuters and Unitopia]

Tech News Kat Hannaford Oct 29

Become the Real Darth Vader For as Little as $250,000

Start scrabbling for dimes down the backs of your sofas—the costume David Prowse wore in The Empire Strikes Back is up for auction, where it’s expected to sell for anything between $250,000 – $365,000. [Pursuitist—Thanks, Christopher!]

Tech News Kat Hannaford Oct 28

A Stylish (Yet Pricey) Way to Use Apple Keyboards and Magic Trackpads

The idea behind this silver shelf is that it’s a more ergonomic keyboard and Magic Trackpad set-up. You simply plonk a wireless Bluetooth keyboard and Magic trackpad in the tray, and due to its shape your wrists feel happier. Simples. It’ll be a very pricey way to keep those hand-extenders happy, though. Not only will…

Tech News Kat Hannaford Oct 28

Firefox 4 Delayed Until 2011

Firefox’s director Mike Beltzner has confirmed that Firefox 4 (expected later this year, with HTML 5 and multitouch support amongst others) has actually been delayed until early next year, as it’s “taking longer than initial estimates indicated as we track down regressions and sources of instability. As part of our commitment to beta users, we…

Tech News Kat Hannaford Oct 28

Kat Hannaford

These Pumpkins Run on Fossil Fuel

DST Bug Means European iPhone Owners Are Waking Up One Hour Later Today

Logitech’s Solar-Powered Keyboard

Every Day is a Fairground Ride for Wind Turbine Engineers

All 900GB of GeoCities Will Soon be Downloadable

How Thomas Edison Pranked the 1920s With His “Dead People” Phone

This Bird’s Nest for Humans Sure Looks Comfier Than My Office Chair

What Is This?

Cellphone Battery Life to Improve 10x Thanks to Nanotechnology

BrickLink Founder (and Mega-Lego Fan) Dan Jezek Has Passed Away

Why Don’t More TV Makers Sell Solar-Powered Remotes?

Um, How Do I Get From Japan to China Again?

A Manhattan Penthouse Made From a Shipping Container

France’s Kilogram Standard is No Good For Americans

NASA is Building a ‘Solar Shield’ to Protect Power Grids from Space Weather

How the Japanese Protect Donuts From Bumps and Homer Simpson

Aw Man, Even Mount Everest Has Better 3G Reception Than We Do

Become the Real Darth Vader For as Little as $250,000

A Stylish (Yet Pricey) Way to Use Apple Keyboards and Magic Trackpads

Firefox 4 Delayed Until 2011

Two Songs We Really Wish Were the Anime Outros for ‘Steel Ball Run’

AI Training Data Giant Mercor Is Reportedly Looking to Buy the Work You Did at Your Old Job

Utah Is Giving Dr. AI the Power to Renew Drug Prescriptions

Here’s the Perfect Excuse to See ‘Project Hail Mary’ Again

US Airlines Are Hiking Bag Fees Amid Iran War Oil Crisis

This Ridiculously Simple Trick Might Stop Gulls From Nabbing Your Lunch

‘Starfleet Academy’ Season 3 Could Have Done the ‘Voyager’ Sequel Episode of Robert Picardo’s Dreams

Judge Kills Lawsuit Against Infamous Study That Might Have Increased Teen Suicides

Artemis 2: Follow the Mission With Our Live Updates 🔴

Researchers Discover How to Add Psilocybin, DMT, and Other Psychedelics to Tobacco

AirPods Max 2 vs. Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen): Which ANC Headphones Win?

The Best Gadgets of March 2026

AirPods Max 2 Review: Still Ridiculously Expensive and Ridiculously Nice

DJI Osmo 360 Review: The Best 360 Camera for the DJI-Pilled

Aqara Smart Lock U400 Review: Hands-free Unlocking at Its Best

MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI+ Review: A Solid 2-in-1 Laptop With Some Glaring Flaws

Sonos Play Review: Call It a Comeback

Sonos Era 100 SL Review: The Cheapest Way Into Wired Sonos Sound

Asus ROG’s Massive Swift OLED Gaming Monitor Epitomizes Excess in the Best Way

The Ikea Varmblixt Smart Lamp Fills a Donut Hole in My Life