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There’s no clever functionality, no swish design—just reams and reams of vintage Japanese robots for salivating over. It’s like a flipbook of otaku porn—only won’t attract too many stares on public transport. It’s based on a Japanese book from 1988, cataloging the robot of collector Teruhisa Kitahara, who is “internationally known as the top ladder…
One of the simplest gadgets ever is also one of my favorites. I’m talking about Griffin’s original AirCurve, the acoustically-shaped amplifier that docks and increases the iPod/iPhone’s volume. It’s now been updated for iPhone 4s, increasing music 10dB louder. https://gizmodo.com/griffin-aircurve-dock-amplifies-your-iphone-speakers-wi-5053109 Working specifically with iPhone 4s, it no longer sits the iPhone in the docked position,…
Pleasures, a sex toy store in Huntsville, Alabama (where sex toys are technically illegal), just opened the country’s first sex-toy drive-through service. I know what you’re thinking! “It’ll get so crowded!” Don’t worry—there are three lanes.
Cramming 500GB of storage into that molten silver casing, LaCie’s design partnership with Philippe Starck has gone USB 3.0 for faster data transfers—though of course it also works with USB 2.0 ports, too. While the internal hard drive looks ever so fragile, it’s actually encased in a 2mm aluminum outer shell, so with any luck…
It’ll be fighting for shoulder-room with the second-gen iPad when it goes on sale in early 2011 in the US, as RIM’s said their BlackBerry PlayBook tablet will cost “under” $500. It’ll hit other countries from March. [Bloomberg] https://gizmodo.com/the-blackberry-playbook-tablet-10-things-you-need-to-k-5649238
Reports of the original, TFT-LCD Galaxy Tab soon being superseded are correct—Samsung has released the first image of the Super AMOLED-sporting tablet. It’s the same size, at 7-inches, and has a slightly-increased 1200×600 resolution. [OLED-Display] https://gizmodo.com/samsungs-galaxy-tab-runs-froyo-has-flash-and-measures-5627498
Since 2004, Roger Davidson’s basically been living in a twisted Dan Brown novel. It all started when a computer repair guy informed him that a virus on his computer was linked to Opus Dei, Polish priests, and death threats. In August of 2004, Davidson, a wealthy composer, took his computer to Datalink Computer Products, a…
Kites? Kites aren’t that cool. You know what’s cool? Kites with freaking LED lights and fireworks attached to them—that’s cool! And that’s what’s in this video: a bunch of cool kites with cool lights and fireworks galore. Enjoy. Here’s more information, courtesy the video’s YouTube description: These amazing kites are flying over the Caspian Sea…
No piece of electronics lasts forever, craftsmanship aside. But it might be the case that some devices we buy are meant for an early grave—so we can upgrade. And who pays the price? Maybe, the entire planet does. The Story of Stuff Project wants you to think harder about what you buy, why it dies,…
Smule, the maker of the popular Magic Piano iPad app, has just shared its new Magic Fiddle app with us. It’s cleverly designed, produces lovely sounds, and will only briefly frustrate the hell out of those with non-existant musical talent. Despite being initially frustrating for a beginner, the app will actually leave you fiddling a…
The theory that technology and pets aren’t the best mix is supported by a recent incident in Port Townsend, Washington. In that town, a sleepy kitten caused a kitchen fire by napping on top of a toaster oven. Apparently the feline was merely trying to find a spot where it wouldn’t be bothered by the…
NASA is now evaluating the external fuel tank crack that caused the cancellation of the Space Shuttle Discovery launch last week. These are the first pictures of the 20-inch fissure, which was the origin of the fuel leak. There’s no more information at this point. NASA is planning a November 30 launch for STS-133. The…
Carl Sagan. Astronomer. Astrophysicist. Cosmologist. Writer. Great guy. Personal hero. He was born November 9, 1934. Happy Birthday, Dr. Sagan—we miss you. We need more people like you on the planet. Learn more about him here.
The Boob Ninja is a tricky character who sneaks around and grabs girly body parts while dodging kitchen utensils—and you should aspire to master his art. Or at least that’s the message this iPhone game is sending. Boob Ninja is a fairly basic game which might feel repetitive after a while, but it’s amusing enough…
Flying in coach—not that comfortable. Flying in coach and using a laptop—even less comfortable. Ben Heck’s hacked laptop, with a screen that swings around on stilts—more comfortable, and a hell of a good idea. The screen fully detaches from the body of the laptop—though it can be used normall if you’d like—and can be swung…
Graphic chef and artist Jude Buffum has prepared these images showing the meat cuts of 8-bit video game beasts. I’m dying for a Bowser porterhouse steak. Rare, please, with a side of fries. But before that, I want some sushi appetizers: This food seems more real and appetizing than the Eternal Happy Meals. So hungry…
Kik Messenger’s a no-frills app, but it could easily become your favorite way of keeping in touch. It’s a simple cross-platform instant messenger which’ll work for you and your friends—no matter which mobile platform or country you favor. Think of the app as being like BlackBerry Messenger without the mobile operating system limitations. You’ll get…
If you’re not watching the new series The Trip on BBC2—say, because you’re anywhere else on the planet—then you’re missing out. Here’s star Steve Coogan, talking to co-star Rob Brydon in the voice of our favorite astrophysicist. [BBC] Seriously, do yourself a favor and watch this. Here’s a clip from Episode 1.
It’s very annoying that manufacturers design their wares to be simply replaced, instead of repaired. Pitched, instead of patched. Forgotten, instead of fixed. No more. iFixit has a manifesto describing that you, Mr. or Ms. purchaser of things, have the power to modify and maintain your possessions, no matter what companies say about voiding the…
This ain’t a photochop, we promise. This past September, a quake rocked Canterbury, New Zealand. But rather than scenes of destruction and rubble, the tremors left behind some bizarre scenes—like these warped tracks atop pristine countryside. Dave Petley, blogging at the American Geophysical Union, isn’t exactly sure what caused the strange deformations, but speculates that…
