Sizemodo: Zune vs. iPod November 06, 2006

Read more Portable Media

Now that we know what the Zune can do, let's take a look at how big the Zune actually is compared to the iPod. You may have seen the size comparison before, but not everybody has a latest generation iPod, so here's how the 30GB Zune stacks up to the 5G, 4G, and 3G 30GB iPods. Plus an iPod Nano thrown in for fun.

Some additional thoughts after the jump.

iPod Shuffle Travel Case November 06, 2006

Read more Portable Media

Although only applicable to a select few people—2nd Gen iPod Shuffle users who also have the in-ear headphones—this mod is pretty cool. Basically, you stick your iPod Shuffle into the case that comes with the headphones after you cut out the two little pins. That's all. So it's not really a mod so much as an organizational technique.

Now to find a way to make this a bit more Altoid-y. – Jason Chen

iPod Shuffle Gen 2 (New One) Travel Case [Instructables via MAKE]

Japanese School Girl Cellphone Strap November 06, 2006

Read more Mobile phones

I can't even begin to tell you how many times I've asked my guy friends, "Do you want anything from Tokyo?" And they've said, "Yeah, bring me back a school girl."

Well, you're in luck, boys. Some weirdos at Strap-ya did some research on the Top 20 most trendy, popular school girl uniforms in Japan and made them into cell phone straps. You can let your imagination run wild as to what lies beneath these rubber outfits--and since they're only 300 yen each, I guarantee I can bring you one back next time I go home.

More top oufits that get school boys hot, through the link. –Lisa Katayama

Japanese School Girl Uniform Cellphone Strap [Tokyo Mango]

Sony Releases Doofy Looking VGP-BMS30 Bluetooth Mouse November 06, 2006

Read more Peripherals

Innovative and extremely contemporary designs for mice just don't work. And it is a bit too late to tell that to Sony, given that they have already designed and released the VGP-BMS30 Wireless Bluetooth Mouse. It does have a special Polytetrafluoroethylene (aka Teflon) bottomside that allows for easier sliding. This mouse has two buttons, a scrolly wheel and odd shape. It retails for $85. Hell, at least they are taking a correct step forward by making it Bluetooth-enabled, too bad it is shaped like a futuristic potato. – Travis Hudson

Product Page [Via OhGizmo!]

Octavio Makes Your Zune Sing with Style November 06, 2006

Read more Digital Audio

It's only been a few days since we brought you the first Zune review and a look at its accessories and now we bring you the Zune's first hi-fi dock. VAF's Octavio 1 is a 100-watt system with a Zune cradle nestled up top. Looks-wise, it's what the Apple Hi-Fi should have been and more complimenting your Zune in an elegant manner. The dock comes with 3 different skins that let you change the look of the system and in addition to playing music, it can be hooked up to your Xbox or TV and play videos stored on your Zune. It'll be out this month for $499. Click through for another pic.

$100 off Toshiba HD-A1 HD DVD Player Plus 3 Free HD DVDs November 06, 2006

Read more DVRs

Amazon is offering up this HD DVD player for $400 shipped. The player was originally announced with a $500 price tag, Amazon has since knocked off $100 directly. No rebates, no BS. Also, buy 3 HD DVD movies with the purchase of the HD-A1 player and receive them for free, after mail-in-rebate.

You may want to do a bit of research before a purchase like this, some reviewers like the player and some others completely despise of it. – Travis Hudson

Product Page [Via Dealhack]

TiVo Jacks Our Wallets with Increased Rates November 06, 2006

Read more Home Entertainment

Effective this month, TiVo has increased their standard monthly fees and screwed around with the discounted rates for multi-unit purchases.

1. At the time of activation of a TiVo Service Only Payment Plan, you will be required to commit to the TiVo service for a minimum of one (1) year.

2. You may choose to either: (a) pay for your TiVo service on a monthly basis for three (3) years at $12.95 per month; two (2) years at $14.95 per month; or one (1) year at $19.95 per month; or (b) prepay for your TiVo service.

The MULTI-SERVICE DISCOUNT reduces the Monthly TiVo service or TiVo Plus service subscription fee by $6 per month to $6.95 per month for (3) years; $8.95 per month for (2) years; or $13.95 per month for (1) year while in compliance with all applicable Initial Qualification and General Eligibility requirements.

TiVo Raises Rates (In Time For The Holidays) [ZNF]

Altec Lansing Pumps 5.1 on the Cheap November 06, 2006

Read more Digital Audio

It's not often you see a 5.1 speaker system for $79 bucks, yet that's the price Altec Lansing is asking for its new VS3251. The system delivers 70 watts RMS of power and does fairly well for a budget speaker system with features like an auxiliary jack, wireless remote, and wall-mountable satellites. Considering you don't see that many 5.1 systems for under $100 bucks, this deal should save you some cash, but for serious sound we recommend splurging a bit on a more powerful system. – Louis Ramirez

Altec Lansing VS3251 [via New Launches]

SynCh Dual-Charger Dual ... Charges November 06, 2006

Read more Mobile phones

This is the latest "revolutionary" charger called the SynCh. SynCh is a small, lightweight charger that can charge mobile phones, mp3 players, BlackBerrys, Bluetooth headsets, portable gaming devices and PDAs. One of the better features about this charger is that it already includes all of the adapters you will need—as long as your devices are supported.

Travelodge (the hotel chain) is launching this product. It will be available for free rental or purchase at 10 piloted hotels. Apparently, over one-third of travelers regularly forget their chargers, so good job Travelodge for being prepared. The SynCh will retail for $38 or so. – Travis Hudson

Product Page [Via BIOS]

Geek-Out the Kiddos Early with Snap Circuits November 06, 2006

Read more Gadgets

Want to ensure your children will never become a booze-chugging floozy-banging meathead jock? Start them out early on the path to geekdom with the Snap Circuits. Snap Circuits teaches kids all of the ins and outs of circuits without the need of a soldering iron. Some of the basic projects include radios, digital voice recorders and more.

Snap Circuits are available in a range of sizes with prices beginning $30. A small price to pay for the innocence of your first-born. – Travis Hudson

Here they are, folks. The November 06, 2006

Read more Digital cameras

Here they are, folks. The images you have all been waiting for. Yes, the same images you have been losing sleep over. The leaked images of the Nikon D40 are here! Yea! The D40 is being considered a "budget DSLR" (I was unaware those existed), and will have a 6.1-megapixel sensor, 2.5-inch LCD and other goods. Not much else is known.

Jump to see another sexy picture (hint: it is of the ass).

Walrus of Love Helps Spread the Peace November 06, 2006

Read more Gadgets

Originally developed by the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the Walrus is a massive blimp designed to deliver up to 1,000 tons of cargo to land-locked countries with little to no trade. The 140-foot-long airship would vertically lift off and be capable of landing on ground or sea. Due to it slow speed it'd be a sitting duck if deployed during wars, but commercially it'd be able to out perform sea vessels by traveling at a faster pace and for a cheaper price, which sounds good to us. – Louis Ramirez

Aeros to Develop Peacetime Walrus [via GizMag]

V191 PSP Look-alike Phone November 06, 2006

Read more Mobile phones

A Chinese electronics manufacturer has done the stupid, and designed a phone that looks very similar to the PSP. I'm not sure why anybody would want to do this given that the PSP is a huge pile of steaming dog poo less popular product. As a phone, it is pretty average—1.3-megapixel camera, MP3 player, some included emulators, SD expandability, etc. Sorry, PSP fanboys. This phone is only available overseas—sorry to break your fragile little hearts. – Travis Hudson

The Chinese PSP phone! [Akihabara]

Remote Control Moon: Werewolves Stay Warm, Quit Bothering Neighbors November 06, 2006

Read more Gadgets

Now you can howl at the moon in the convenience of your own home, with the $29.95 Discovery Remote Control Moon. This 10-inch model moon cycles through 12 lunar phases, illuminating its accurate moonscape. Plus, you can control its phases and turn it on and off with a remote control.

Too bad it requires four AA batteries to light the thing up and two AAAs for the remote, preventing it from being used as a nightlight. In spite of that, now your kid can truthfully say that you hung the moon. Of course, that will all be null and void by the time the little monster gets to be a teenage werewolf. – Charlie White

Product Page [Discovery Channel store, via Gizmodiva]

Beat expensive call charges: Snare Skype on ANY mobile with IPDrum November 06, 2006

Read more Mobile phones , Online , PC , Portable Media , Smartphones

Yep you read it right, any mobile! But how you ask? And what sort of elastic trickery must you gather to gain such powers?

Well according to IPDrum’s chief executive Oystein Kvarme, all you need is £100 (excluding VAT/local tax) for the shiny IPDrum Voicelink box, launched today in Berlin at IP Communications love-fest VON and a few extra quid for an extra sim card (to forward/receive your Skype calls.)

So no need for special phones, headsets or a mate at a phone company that can help you out for no questions asked.

But won’t the extra sim card add to the cost of the calls, I hear you shout? Not really, is the official answer as you can make savings or free calls to predefined “friends and family” type packages and international calls for the price of a local call. In the UK, you can also use pay-as-you go schemes.

However, in the interests of both truth and justice, we will examine this theory in more depth after we have tested the little box. We have a shiny early beta production model and software in our sweaty mits and we will be posting our review asap.

Here’s the science part on how it works: “The IPdrum Voicelink connects to the USB port of a computer. When the software is installed on the PC, it acts as a gateway/bridge for the Skype application, allowing users to forward calls to their mobile phone. Similarly, a user can place a call using Skype from any mobile phone, simply by selecting a Skype user from his contact list.”

Wi-Fi Bunny Keeps You In Touch November 06, 2006

Read more Gadgets , Home Entertainment , Laptops , Online , PC , Peripherals , Wireless

This is Nabaztag – which apparently is Armenian for ‘rabbit’ but Nabaztag sounds so much more sinister. The purpose of this little cutey is to alert you whenever you get mail and other things, thanks to in-built Wi-Fi.

As soon as a new email arrives on your PC, this tyke will start humping your coffee mug. Well, not really. He wiggles his ears and flashes when some info arrives. Not only do you get email alerts, but he will read out the time on the hour, tell you what the weather is like outside, keeps tabs on the stock market and even read out news headlines via RSS feeds. He can even blush different colours depending on the message source. Did I mention he can sing songs to your loved one and apologise for you, too?

All you need is £80. Yes, [choke] £80. Maybe I’ll just stick with the Outlook Express ‘ping’.-Martin Lynch

[More]

news technology geek gadgets wi-fi fun

Flip Flap Plant Is Flipping Ridiculous November 06, 2006

Read more Gadgets

Can’t afford a real plant? Can’t be arsed watering one even if you could? Then here’s something to go along with all the other odd gadgets in your life.

The Flip Flap from Tomy is not exactly new but it’s making a comeback and is now a helluva lot cheaper than it was when it first launched. So what the hell is it?

It’s a solar-powered plant that sways in a gentle manner to soothe away the everyday work stresses of surfing for porn and keeping up with the sports results.

And it doesn’t look in the least bit fake, barr the rubbery sheen, that is. Yours for £11.-Martin Lynch

news gadgets toys tech technology shopping

Fast Food Tech: Prototype Intercom? November 06, 2006

Read more Gadgets

While "driving thru" to procure her powerful blogger husband a breakfast sandwich, hot tipster Elizabeth came across a newly-upgraded intercom system at her favorite guilt-ridden fast food establishment.

Could this be an advanced communications prototype only implemented in the famous Midwestern test market? What types of technologies could be in use here? Bluetooth? Infrared? Yellow extension cord? Hit the jump for a bonus picture and the sad identity of the business that made me even fatter this morning.

continue reading »

Samsung SGH-X830: More Details, Less Korean Models November 06, 2006

Read more Mobile phones

During our previous look at the Samsung SGH-X830, we were charmed by its soon-to-be-sued scroll wheel and swing design. Now we know more.

The phone features a 1GB of storage, 1.3 megapixel camera, 128x200 pixel screen with 262k colors, Bluetooth and comes in 6 different colors (black, pure white, oasis blue, candy pink, orange and lemon green). Why do orange and black get the shaft when it comes to obnoxious color names? Apparently, when the Mini is closed, it solely functions as an MP3/MP4 player. It will be nice to have a media phone that doesn't always feel like a phone, but I hope Samsung hasn't made answering any trickier than just swinging the front open. Look for the phone in Europe by the end of the month, and hopefully the US eventually.

Samsung Launches Mini MP3 Phone [mobiledia]

Type A Microphone: Swappable Sound November 06, 2006

Read more Digital Audio

Red Microphones Type A is at its heart, an old-school vacuum tube mic. It has a classic design that will make you want to say phrases like, "End prohibition now!" and "That guy's right, bathtub gin is full of pubes."

As a bonus, the heads are interchangeable, meaning you can swap from cardioid mic to omnidirectional in seconds. The 9 interchangeable "red heads" offer incredible versatility in one basic microphone body. How much does it cost? We have no idea - but they claim to be far more affordable than other vacuum tube mics. And companies never lie. – Mark Wilson

Product Page

The Eggulator - Who Doesn't Like Eggs...In Calculators? November 06, 2006

Read more Gadgets

One day I will write my own coffee table book featuring obnoxious calculators from around the world, but until then, we have the Eggulator. The name "Eggulator" is actually the clever amalgamation of the words "egg" and "calculator". The keys resemble eggs.

You know that whatever sweatshop produces these calculators makes the same thing in green and markets them as a "Golfulators", leaving the chick in the bottom corner as a "birdie". And to think, they're only charging £10 for this eggciting gift. – Mark Wilson

Product Page [via popgadget]

PS3: FiveYearOld Reviews SIXAXIS November 06, 2006

Read more Consoles

Kiddo first hates the SIXAXIS, then settles in to liking it. In the end, he still loves thumbsticks more. Give it time, kiddo, give it time.

"Mommy, does daddy love the PS3 more than me?"

"Of course he does honey, of course he does." – Mark Wilson



My Son Master the SIXAXIS [kotaku]

PS3 Buttons: Touch, Don't Grope November 06, 2006

Read more Consoles

We don't care that the buttons are touch-sensitive. Our TV has touch-sensitivity, too. Granted, our TV isn't considered the most powerful gaming console of all time.

We don't care. – Mark Wilson

PS3 Touch-Sensitive [kotaku]

First Archos 604 Review November 06, 2006

Read more PDA , Portable Media

Still, the PMP looks pretty sweet and has a decent price for the quality £170. Check out the video for a tour through the menu and keep your eyes peeled for Gizmodo's review, coming soon.– Mark Wilson

Archos 604 Review [mobilemag]

P!NK - Treckstor i.Beat November 06, 2006

Read more Announcements

Please don't buy this.

Thank-you,

– Mark Wilson

[techiediva]

Electronic Music - Don't Use Pencil November 06, 2006

Read more Gadgets

Yesterday I ripped on the Hammacher Schlemmer for their lame bike MP3 player. Today I am rummaging through my postal box to pull out my cease and desist selling crappy stuff order.

The electronic music stand allows paperless performances by either scanning your music or downloading it from an 85,000 score library. The image is displayed on a low-glare 12" 1024x768 LCD. Flipping pages is easy with the foot pedal and the stand allows you to make notes via keyboard, stylus or touchscreen. Plus, the unit stores MP3s, setlists and fingering charts, while featuring small bonuses like pitch pipe, midi support and metronome. Apparently the display even has some level of wireless connectivity with PCs and Macs. Sure, £750 is a bit of money, but what is the price of never having music soak in a lake of your own spit again ? – Mark Wilson

Product Page [via therawfeed]

Brando MP4 Watch - Video Killed the MP3 Star November 06, 2006

Read more Portable Media , TV

The Brando MP4 watch is a chunky, geeky fashion statement that's actually packing some impressive features. Syncing with via USB, the watch can store MP3s, WMAs and MP4 video on its 1GB of built-in memory. Playback occurs on a small 128x128 pixel screen, but appears in a potential 65k colors. Plus, you can even record audio on the fly - for up to 8 hours.

We like the orange version quite a bit, as well as the gorgeous £50 pricetag. I hereby name this watch the perfect stocking stuffer for the upcoming holiday season. And you'll need to buy a few of them, because I celebrate Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa/The Chinese New Year/MarkDay. I'm very spiritual. Hit the jump for the complete gallery. – Mark Wilson

Product Page [via fareastgizmos]

continue reading »

Fruit Powered Clock - It's Alive! November 06, 2006

Read more Gadgets

The fruit clock is a digital clock/calendar powered by fruit. While emulating the original battery invented by Alessandro Volta over 200 years ago that utilized lemon juice, the creation of whole fruit in the mid-1900s has allowed the experiment to be perfected with artistic flare.

The kit includes jumper wires, time display, rubber stop and frame for its £10 pricetag. And don't feel bad while people are starving in the world as you destroy the food supply for a "conversation piece". You read Gizmodo, and are therefore a decent person (though you probably smell a little funny, honestly). – Mark Wilson

Product Page [via newlaunches]

Nintendo Wii Hands-On November 06, 2006

Read more Consoles

Some of you may already know this, but I spent 2 days this week at Nintendo of America headquarters playing The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess for the Nintendo Wii.

I'd tried the system out at E3, but was only testing demos for a few minutes at a time. About 9 hours of actual playing taught me a lot more about the controls. I was surprised by details like the Wiimote not sensing the "thrust" of a sword, but impressed by the possibly perfect ergonomics of the controller.

If you haven't yet, I urge you to check out my post over on Kotaku. It specifically only covers my experience with one game, but should give you a better idea of what the Wii gameplay is really like. If you have any questions about the hardware after the read, that's what comments are for. – Mark Wilson

Hands-On, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess [kotaku]

Bicycle MP3 Player With Speaker - £75 Can Do Better November 06, 2006

Read more Digital Audio , Portable Media

Because riding while wearing headphones can be dangerous, Hammacher Schlemmer is offering an MP3 boombox for your bike. It snaps on to any 1" frame and plays back 1GB worth of music (an SD slot allows for expansion). The casing is weather resistance and charging is handled through USB...since you can always charge USB on the trail.

Technically, the MP3 player can be completely removed from its docking station to be used without the bike, but that sort of ruins the point of not just purchasing a better MP3 player for less money. I think this thing is hideous - eerily reminding me of those huge radio headphones that for some reason only come in fluorescent yellow. It can sync with PCs and Macs, but only if you want to put your computer through the humiliation. – Mark Wilson

Product Page (please don't use it) [therawfeed]

Oxycyte: Superblood, Nothing To Do With Pimples November 06, 2006

Read more Gadgets

In our quest to replace all useless organic parts of our body with upgraded synthetics, we have come across a key ingredient: Oxycyte. Oxycyte is a new artificial blood that can absorb 50 times the oxygen of normal blood. Sure, synthetics still aren't good for organs in the long term, but we'll be getting those pesky space holders removed soon enough. We need more room for the laser canon.

Actually, Oxycyte is a derivative of non-hemoglobin synthetics that have been around for some time. It's currently being tested as a substitute for donated blood during emergency surgeries where brain injury from a lack of oxygen is common. – Mark Wilson

Better than Blood? [via randomgoodstuff]

iVue: Clear iPod Case November 06, 2006

Read more Peripherals

The iVue from iPodMods is not a traditional case that wraps around your iPod, protecting its skin from the evils of keys in your pocket. Instead, the iVue is a complete front panel replacement, displaying the iNatomy for the world to see. Then tell your friends it's a prototype or something.

"Hey man, is that an iPod?"
"No, it's way better than an iPod."
"No way. Nothing's better than an iPod."

"It reads your mind, and plays a song from your collection to compliment your mood."

"Oh my goodness! What's it playing right now?"

"It's not a song per se, just a looping voice calling you an idiot."

"Wow! It does work!"

Pricing is not set, but will be somewhere between £10-20 with free installation.– Mark Wilson

Product Page [via tuaw]

Street Muttz: Badass Toy Dogs (Many From Street) November 06, 2006

Read more Gadgets

A Street Mutt is like any other toy stray dog "hoping that you'll give him a warm home and rescue him from the mean streets." How is one rewarded for such toy philanthropy (other than a sure seat in toy K9 heaven)? Featuring motion sensing, the dogs will make sounds of panting/whimpering/growling as you approach.

Finally, a stuffed animal that will disrespect my authority in a way that a real dog would never dare. Now if they could only get those 'pee all over my couch' and 'chew up my shoes' functions working, we could force all those actually real, happy stray dogs to rot in the pound. About £15. – Mark Wilson

Product Page [via ubergizmo]

PS3 Debug: First Unboxing November 06, 2006

Read more Consoles

Our friends over at Kotaku just landed their now sticky hands on a PS3 test unit and took photos. After promising to keep the pictures within the relationship "for those times when you're away", they immediately posted the photos with blatant disregard for PS3's feelings.

Well played. Hit the jump for a few stolen pics, and hit the link if you are completely obsessed with Styrofoam peanuts, the carpeting at Kotaku HQ and every angle of this beast we call a gaming console.

continue reading »

Cannondale Jacknife: Hydraulic Fold-Up Bike November 06, 2006

Read more Gadgets

We have seen the fold-up bikes before, and lusted after their ease of portability while traveling (in a method other than biking). But then we remember, eventually the bike will be unpacked and we will have to ride it...in public.

The Cannondale Jacknife is a concept meant to appeal to urban-dwellers from ages 20-35. Apparently the center bar can twist 180-degree, which has us both confused and intrigued. Most of all we appreciate the hydraulic pedaling system, preventing our clothes getting covered in chain oil when we try to shove this into our carryon. Now all we need is for everyone to comment that this is the best bike ever so Cannondale will actually put it into production. – Mark Wilson

Another Take on Folding Bikes [treehugger]

Is 1080p Right for You? Help Needed Bonus! November 06, 2006

Read more TV

A best friend of mine is purchasing a TV. He wants the best, and I want what's best for him. I am not a huge fan of 1080p. I appreciate the added pixels, but hate the lack of a broadcast standard and the fact that it costs a lot more for theatre buffs on a budget.

And then I came across an excellent article on 1080p that made me think of TVs in the way I've normally reserved for projectors.

Hit the jump for the excerpt and my advice to a friend.

continue reading »

Treeline Bike Lamps: Xtreme November 06, 2006

Read more Consoles , Gadgets

The Treeline calls their bike lamps "functional art". Built from chunks of the bike like the front suspension fork, these lamps will add a soft glow to your room while screaming guests, "I could kick your ass, and I'm just a lamp" - the tacit screams are the "functional" part.

Good for those who lust to be a crazy X-gamers, flipping through the air on a BMX while folding origami swans or whatever. Prices start at £80. – Mark Wilson

Product Page [via treehugger]

Xbox 360 HD DVD Available for Preorder November 06, 2006

Read more Consoles , Peripherals

The 360 HD DVD player may not be available just yet, but you can get some breathing room on everyone else this Xmas by pre-ordering yours today. Amazon has it only $199 (£110) with a release date of November 7. Goes great with the recent 360 update that enabled 1080p, but broke 360s, then was re-released. – Jason Chen

Product Page [Amazon]

DIY iPod Solar Charger—Easier than You Think November 06, 2006

Read more Gadgets

I thought I was going to need a masters in EE to figure this one out, but surprisingly no. The avid backpackers at Yosemiteoutside needed a better solution to their short iPod battery life. In comes this simple and easy solar charger. A handful of parts and seven steps later they had an easy solution to a problem plaguing a lot of us. Follow the linkage to see the steps and figure out how to do it yourself. – Travis Hudson

Instruction Page [Via Lifehacker]

Can-Crushing Green Machine November 06, 2006

Read more Gadgets

The BMW Designworks USA-designed Ecopod E1 Home Recycling Center is a tricked-out trash compactor for greenies: Plastic bottles and aluminum cans go into separate slots and get crushed and dropped into a removable container, making them that much easier to get out of the house and back into the circle of non-biodegradable life. Each "pod" can hold about 50 crushed containers, and there's a compartment on top for glass bottles, newspapers and other recyclable junk. £180 gets you a gleaming new white one. –Matt Schneiderman

Product Page [via UberGizmo]

Parking With Frickin' Lasers November 06, 2006

Read more Gadgets

Always putting dents in your garage walls because you park too far forward? Sure, you can use a tennis ball on a string, but that solution has a distinct lack of lasers. This Dual Laser Park works on an AC adapter and 3AA batteries, which shines down onto your hood when you're deep enough inside your garage.

Both useful and not too expensive (£25). Hit the jump to see a family with a £25,000 car that wishes they had this system.

continue reading »

Optimus Keyboard Quickie November 06, 2006

Read more PC , Peripherals

The Optimus 113 has been named the Optimus 103—they lose 10 keys or what?.

• The Optimus 103 will be recognized by computers as a mass storage device.

• The above picture of an ugly, lit key, showed up a week ago.

I'm not really sure why they keyboard will be recognized as a mass storage device, their blog states that they won't have to create or include drivers, but they will still have to include configuration software if you want to customize the keys. Everyday I'm getting more and more skeptical about this keyboard actually happening. – Travis Hudson

Optimus Keyboard Blog [Livejournal]

Tennis Ball Robot Hits With a Racket November 06, 2006

Read more Robots

Unlike traditional tennis ball launchers, this tennis robot hits with an actual racket. This makes judging when the ball is hit and where it will land a whole lot easier.

The balls are launched between 20kph (12.4mph) and 70kph (43mph), which isn't that fast, but is good enough for practice. Seriously, as a guy who's been hit in the nuts more than once by a tennis ball machine (ball me once, shame on you, b..ba....I'm not gonna get balled again), I can say this is a good invention. – Jason Chen

Product Page [Astro-r via Seihin World via BNCRanking (japanese)]

SEMA 2006: Autoloc Car Flamethrower November 06, 2006

Read more Gadgets

This flamethrower mounts in the exhaust pipes, and shoots out flames up to 20 feet back. The activation solenoid has a safety switch, and it comes in a single tip model for £70, and a dual tip for £110. For "offroad use only." Did you know that one of my pet peeves is tailgating? This could be far more persuasive than those "Back Off" mud flaps. I just wouldn't be able to resist scorching the paint on some jerk's hood.

Video of the flamethrower in action, after the jump.

continue reading »

TrackStick Pro: Hide This In The Trunk, Spy On Your Kids November 06, 2006

Read more Gadgets

Here's one of those GPS devices like the Vulocity Mileage Logger that can be used for good or evil, the £160 TrackStick Pro. Its 4GB flash memory dwarfs that of its 1GB TrackStick predecessor, and stores readings of date, time, location, speed, direction, altitude, signal strength, and temperature at intervals you select between five seconds and 60 minutes. For power, it uses either the car's accessory outlet or it can be hardwired, and its data can be downloaded into a PC or Mac via USB.

If you're looking for real-time GPS tracking data, you'll need a device such as the Worldtracker SMS, which shows your location on Google Earth, but that's a £300 unit plus the cost of a subscription. This one just records data, useful info for tax-saving travel expense reporting or perpetrator incrimination. Good or evil, it's your choice. – Charlie White

Product Page [TrackStick, via NaviGadget]

Vacuum Tube Radio: Relive The Good Ol' Days November 06, 2006

Read more Digital Audio , Home Entertainment

You're old and hate societal change, the cold weather and those good-for-nothing fat cats in Washington. That's why you prefer your technology the way it was meant to be enjoyed: powered by steam and mechanical cranks. If that's you, you'll probably get a kick out of this vacuum tube-powered radio. The vacuum tubes are 30-years-old and the antenna is hand-made, so you know it's quality. Even older (read: better) is the circuit: it clocks in at 60-years-young.

What's weird, though, is that it's only available in Japan (about £50). Kind of ironic considering most old people who'd appreciate the tube-based radio probably still have images of Pearl Harbor burned in their heads. It does look really fun, though. – Nicholas Deleon

Product Page (in Japanese) [Raktuen via Fareastgizmos.com]

Monster Gaming PC For Just.....£5,400 November 06, 2006

Read more Gadgets , Games , Home Entertainment , PC , Peripherals , Software

PCs like this one from Vadim Computers really test your love of games, not to mention your wallet. Are you ready to spend £5,400 on this colourful rocket-powered system?

What you get for your cash is this: a fine Lian-Li case housing an Intel Core 2 Quad QX6700 Extreme Retail chip, 2GB of Ram – although you can boost it to a ridiculous 8GB, and dual, top-end nVidia 8800 GTX – water-cooled – graphics cards. There are three hard disk drives and a few DVD burners thrown in for good measure. You may also be reassured to know that there’s a 2-year return-to-base warranty and lifetime support. Phew, that’s alright then.

Read the full specs after the jump. –Martin Lynch

Zune: First Full Review November 06, 2006

Read more Digital Audio , Peripherals , Portable Media

Microsoft was kind enough to get us some hands-on time with the Zune, not batting an eye as we eagerly slided the player down our pants, enjoying the material it was made out of. Our thoughts first, then a gallery later.

The outside is made out of a rubberized plastic, which goes through an interesting process where they paint the inside a different color than the case—this gives the Zune a two-toned look which both looks and feels great. The corners (meticulously selected down from hundreds of minutely different corners) look like they glow, which is called the "doubleshot effect". This comes from the inside radius being different from the outside radius.

So the big news: The Zune will be upgradeable. How? Let us explain...

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