Japanese Beer Mug Counts Calories While You're Swillin' December 05, 2007

Read more Gadgets

For the waistline-conscious teetotaller drunk bastard, we present this calorie-counting beer mug. Sure you could just keep track in your head, but this way at least honey knows you're trying. -Daniel Godfrey

[Product Page (Japanese) via Tokyomango]

Solar-Powered Ski Suits Have LED Lighting in Them December 05, 2007

Read more Gadgets

LEDs are becoming pretty commonplace in clothes these days, but Willy Bogner has come up with an idea that is actually useful rather than decorative. He has come up with solar-powered ski suits with LED trim on them to keep you visible on the slopes. The thin film technology lights were designed by Osram, and Bogner unveiled them at an event in Munich last month. There's another pic after the jump.

Buffalo's Kid-Friendly USB Memory Sticks Stop Your Little Treasures Getting their Hands on your Porn Files December 05, 2007

Read more Peripherals

This is a smart idea from Buffalo: USB memory sticks that your kids can stick in your computer without causing wanton destruction to the files inside — or your reputation when they inadvertently download your skinflicks onto a memory stick and present Belladonna's tattoos to their nonplussed classmates. More info after the jump.

Google Talk Says Hello to AIM December 05, 2007

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Google Talk is convenient, but it has failed to win the popular vote. Google is hoping things are set to change, thanks to added support for AOL's AIM network. The new functionality will allow users to log in to AIM from within Gmail, eliminating the need for a dedicated app to handle your instant messaging needs.

Google Talk is great in theory, but we prefer having a stand-alone client to unite all our chatting buddies efficiently. Plus, we use Adium for our IM requirements, and given the fact the Adium icon is so cute, we could not bear to think what our docks would look like in his absence. Hey, don't let the green fluffy bird stop you; log in to Gmail and give it a whirl. -Haroon Malik

[Google Blog via tech.co.uk]

Western Digital Puts 320GB In Your Pocket December 05, 2007

Read more Gizmodo UK , Laptops , PC , Peripherals , Storage

Just last week Buffalo rolled outs its tiny, 320GB MiniStation TurboUSB portable hard drive and now Western Digital is doing the same.

The WD Passport Portable Drive 320GB is priced a little cheaper than the Buffalo drive at £140, which is a damn fine price for a huge drive, contained in a tiny body. The Passport measures 13 x 8 x 1.5cm and weighs just 104g. That means it’ll sit in snugly in most pockets and won’t you be smug knowing that your carrying around almost one-third of a terabyte of storage.

"The need for travel-friendly storage devices continues to be an area that is growing immensely with the advent of rich media content generated by consumers," said Jim Welsh, vice president and general manager of WD's branded products group. "It's not only music that's consuming space on desktops. Higher resolution pictures and HD videos eat up storage very quickly so we're excited to make a portable 320 GB solution available for consumers on the move."

The drive comes with the WD Sync software for simple back-up of PC files and the drive is protected by 128-bit encryption. I want one for Christmas.-Martin Lynch

[Western Digital]

storage hdd gadgets portable

Get A Tour Guide For Your Sat-Nav December 05, 2007

Read more Cars , Entertainment , Gadgets , Gizmodo UK , Motoring , Software

Considering that 1 in 10 18-24-year olds think that the A1 was built by the Romans, maybe they need some cultural help in a format they can understand.

British inventor and history buff, Daniel Taylor, has created the RoadTour tour guide software for use with Garmin Sat-Nav systems. The software – described jokingly as "1066 And All That-Nav" - is triggered by satellite prompts at certain locations, providing short audio commentary and photos of 600 key historical attractions, like castles, stately homes and battlefields. Taylor explains:

"Restoring our knowledge and understanding of the history of this amazing country is what this product is about," said Daniel, managing director of RoadTour. "A friendly reminder, which tempts us into exploring our heritage as we're driving up the M40 or wherever, seems to me to be altogether a good thing."

"We hope our guide will tempt people to pull off the motorway or A-road and visit some of the wonderful sites which have helped shape Britain's history. But even if they don't, their journeys will be enlivened and filled with interesting stories and snippets about the country through which they're travelling."

I think it’s a great idea and at £20, it could make a nice little stocking filler for someone. Especially the 38% of people surveyed by YouGov who think Hadrian's Wall is in Scotland.-Martin Lynch

[RoadTour]

SATA Hard Drive Cradle For Hot Swapping Hard Drives December 05, 2007

Read more Gadgets , Gizmodo UK , Laptops , PC , Peripherals , Portable Media , Storage

Here’s a novel idea: instead of having to install a bigger internal drive or even various removable storage drives and the software that comes with them, why not just get yourself a SATA Hard Drive Cradle?

You simply hook it up to your USB slot and then drop in any SATA 2.5in or 3.5in hard disk drive for instant access to the data on it, or for backing up stuff from your internal HDD. It's not what you'd call a 'pretty' peripheral but it's damn useful. Even better, it’s just £22.50. The company says:

The cradle is so easy to use. Simply connect it to the USB port of your computer, and then 'drop' in a SATA hard drive. You can then access the data on the hard drive quickly and easily. This is a fabulous product for users who need to access and check the contents of numerous hard drives. Far easier than installing the hard drive internally or in a caddy, the USB SATA Cradle is easy to use, convenient and practical. The caddy comes with a 12V/2A power adaptor. The hard drive cradle has a power LED with an access LED which lights up when you access your hard drive.

Cute product. Find it here.-Martin Lynch

[Red Ferret]

storage HDD PC gadget

The Gamerator: Drinking & Gaming Combined December 05, 2007

Read more Consoles , Entertainment , Gadgets , Games , Gizmodo UK , PC , PS3 , Wii , Xbox

While we’d be very much against drinking and driving, we’re all for drinking and gaming, especially since it’s in the company of The Gamerator. At least here, no one dies except on the screen and, depending on much booze you guzzle, maybe the morning after.

This well-named arcade-styled machine is fronted with a 26in HDTV, is powered by a Windows XP PC on the inside and comes pre-loaded with 150 arcade classics. What sets it apart from other arcade systems is that this one gives you beer.

Inside the front there is a refrigerated space for a keg of beer and there’s even a handy a tap at the front to keep you topped up. In addition to the pre-loaded games, you can load up your favourite PC games and even hook up your PS2, Xbox 360, Wii or PS3, using various adapters [not included]. And did I mention the beer thing?

Yours to pre-order here for around £2,000.

[Uncrate]

games beer arcade console