Tories Want To Kill Off 'Stand-By' Buttons September 17, 2007
READ MORE Gadgets , Gizmodo UK , HDTV , Home Entertainment , Peripherals , TV , Technology
This week's green pledges being made by politicians comes from the Tories, which are planning to get rid of the evil, energy-sucking ‘stand-by’ buttons on many of your favourite consumer electronics toys like DVD players, TVs, consoles etc, etc.
In it’s 500-page ‘Quality of Life’ report, the Tories said that stand-by power must be shut down to help prevent global warming. And forget relying on us humans to do it too. According to the report:
“All new electrical items will require a functionality that switches them off after a specified period, rather than remaining on standby.”
Dixons already tried something similar back in June by calling on its manufacturers to get greener by getting rid of stand-by mode. It got the cold shoulder from many for its trouble.
Does this latest call spell the end for the stand-by button and is it practical? -Martin Lynch
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Zeno Robot Boy Is Freaky September 17, 2007
READ MORE Gadgets , Gizmodo UK , Robots , Technology
Meet the latest in home robot technology: boy robot, Zeno. Based on the Astro Boy Japanese anime character, this little weirdo can walk, talk, and get emotional.
Hell, it remembers faces, will greet you by name and will even look you right in the eye. For anyone who has ever seen a Chucky movie, that last bit happens just before you get an ice pick in the forehead.
Built by Hanson Robotics, Zeno is 17in tall and weigh 6lbs. It will also boost it’s learning via a Wi-Fi connection to your Windows PC – just make sure you move those Jenna Jameson files you’ve downloaded for, um, research. . Still, is he as scary at the giant baby robot.
Despite the advanced nature of this little possessed bag of wires, it is expected to cost just £150 when it launches – probably next year. One word: ‘Chucky’ – you have been warned.-Martin Lynch
[Zeno]
Sony’s Rolly Or Sony’s Folly? September 17, 2007
READ MORE Digital Audio , Gadgets , Gizmodo UK , MP3 , Music
Rumours and sightings of Sony’s odd, dancing egg, Rolly, but now it’s official. Launching first in Japan at the end of the month, the Sony Rolly, is a dancing MP3 player – believe it or not.
Shaped like an egg – a big old egg at that – this is still only a 1GB MP3 player whose party tricks include flapping robotic wings, flashing its strip lighting and whizzing, spinning and whirling rapidly around the floor in time to the music being played.
Rolly can supposedly come up with its own different dances to sync with the tune being played and users can programme their own routines. Battery life is rated at five hours.
Check out the geek-dancing ad above and decide for yourself whether this Sony gadget is worth the £175 asking price.-Martin Lynch
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