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Microsoft’s last SideWinder keyboard had a neat parlor trick: It split in two. The X4 has a little less pow—its main feature is anti-ghosting for cheap, letting you press up to 26 keys at once for $60. [Microsoft] https://gizmodo.com/lightning-review-microsoft-sidewinder-x6-gaming-keyboa-5046029
Note: these are Hershey’s-Kiss-inspired CD/DVD stands—not actual Hershey’s Kisses—that are being used to prop up optical media. The latter might work, but the former will crack that coworker’s tooth who keeps stealing your desk candy. [HiddenArtShop via NerdApproved]
There’s been no love lost between Apple and Adobe for a while now, ever since Apple decided to not allow Flash on the iPhone. But since the iPad was announced with an equal lack of Flash, things have gotten ugly. First, Adobe posted a screed about how lame it was that Apple wasn’t including Flash…
What if your phone wasn’t a stagnant box with optional vibration, but a mechanism that responded to your touch like a living being? Well, designer Fabian Hemmert has created such a phone—albeit in early prototype form. During his presentation from TEDxBerlin, Hemmert demonstrates how simple mechanical functions could add a level of tangibility that’s completely…
I like the current wave of unusual stop motion animation. This clip is not as crazy and amazing as the heasploding Videogioco, but I like its simplicity. It was recorded using a webcam, with no post-production whatsoever. [Pink Tentacle] https://gizmodo.com/crazy-headsploding-animation-defies-any-classification-5380711
Netflix has just secured deals with a bunch of indie distributors—The Criterion Collection (expect even more goodness), Gravitas Ventures, Kino Lorber, Music Box Films, Oscilloscope Laboratories and Regent Releasing—to stream over 300 new flicks. https://gizmodo.com/criterion-adds-35-films-to-netflix-watch-instantly-5432141 Make no mistake, streaming is what Netflix cares about now, not shiny plastic discs. [PR Newswire]
Your “friend” who brought you those “special” ramen packets straight from Japan? He’s not your friend. That’s Soap Ramen and Sponge Cup Noodles Ramen by Takara Tomy—out this month overseas for an unknown price. [TakaraTomy via AkihabaraNews]
Spanish blog MuyComputer claims that Microsoft will present the “Zune Phone” this February, at the MWC in Barcelona. According to them, it’s 100% confirmed. Since the phone will use Tegra, Nvidia will team with Microsoft for the anti-JesusPhone debut. Talking to the blog editorial director Javier Pérez Cortijo, he told me that “the Zune Phone…
Fair enough, most Logitech products fall into the “so boring I fell asleep at first glance” category, but this PC/Mac-controlling iPhone app sounds simple to use—and is free. You’ll have to download the app to your iPhone or iPod Touch, as well as the Touch Mouse Server software on your computer. The app uses Wi-Fi…
Is this a lunchbox? A boombox? Actually, the Mu Space music player is a bed box. Its body carries a soft bed inside, doubling as an audio pillow thanks to its rotating speakers. This is how it works: You just have to open it, unfold the bed, turn the speakers inside, and get to sleep…
The fifth Wacom Intuos4 is named the “Intuos4 Wireless” as it teams up with Macs and PCs via Bluetooth. An 8 x 5-inch display used with a pressure-sensitive Grip Pen will have designers porting their creations to Adobe instantly. Autodesk and Corel are also compatible with the graphics tablet, which is the same size as…
Since I can’t wait to get the Apple iPad, I will build one with Lego bricks, using this one as the guideline. And then use it like I will use the real iPad itself: By licking it. Because, deep inside, I know the iPad is tongue-sensitive and dee-lee-ceeous. [Flickr – Thanks Tom!]
Here’s the story. Designer Jeremiah Whitaker spent nine months at Microsoft working on Windows Mobile 7 (according to his LinkedIn), and published an example of user experience on his site—which is believed to be from Microsoft. Accompanying the above images, he wrote: “NDA dictates I keep this vague. For a leading cell platform I created…
In the future, when everything is touchscreen, there’ll be a revolt. Companies like Mobience will be springing up, offering their mini-keyboard peripherals for using with tablets and smartphones. Eventually, we’ll remember how good we used to have it. [AVING]
Comedian Stephen Colbert is presenting at the Grammys, and to mark the occasion of “Song of the Year” (Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)), he pulled out his shiny new iPad. http://tv.gawker.com/5460925/stephen-colbert-pulls-out-ipad-at-the-grammys Notable because it’s one of the first out in the open (is he “the first?”). Also notable: No iPads in those obscene…
Portland, Oregon is so into the green movement that they’re going to cover their federal building from ground floor to rooftop with a 200-ft. wall made from living, breathing vegetation. The living wall is more than just a pretty facade, however, as city officials claim it will lead to savings of about $280,000 per year…
People of the year 2000, amazed at the sight of a horse. (French postcard circa 1910) At the turn of the 20th century we saw a lot of speculation that, thanks to the automobile, the horse could very well be extinct by the year 2000. The excerpt below comes from the October 19, 1890 Chillicothe…
In this case the burning sensation is “delicious,” not “first degree and could result in your death.” And apparently it really works too, although the advertised “time to awaken” period seems a bit too long for my taste. Effective over an area of 50 feet, the Wasabi alarm can typically wake people up within two-and-a-half…
Amazon has given in to Macmillan, and will switch to a pricing model that sees eBook versions of bestseller and new hardcover releases offered to customers at $12.99 to $14.99. The official statement is as follows: Dear Customers: Macmillan, one of the “big six” publishers, has clearly communicated to us that, regardless of our viewpoint,…
The Unclaimed Baggage Center, a real, live place where—wait for it—unclaimed airline baggage goes to market, is a smorgasbord of eclectic lost gadgets, guidance systems and diamonds, oh my: For those gadget lovers amongst us, there’s a $250,000 Navy guidance system. Maybe all the military transports were full that day? Also, there’s a camera designed…
