Question?

I do like posting these new items and I want to know if anyone is reading this drop me a line a let me know if you want me to keep writing this blog?

Email me at: simonmiriam@gmail.com

Oz News: Philips Pulls Out Of Australian TV Market

Philips today announced that they're pulling out of the Australian TV market on December 31 this year.

Current managed to have a chat with Matt Moran, Philips' Lifestyle GM, and he told them that the decision was based upon "global direction".

via [gizmodo.com.au]

Jenga Apartment Tower in NYC

Swiss architects Herzog and de Meuron have set their sights on NYC with this incredible 57-story residential tower, unveiled today.

It consists of 145 unique apartments that are stacked into the sky like a Jenga tower that's already been well-poked by a party of well-lubricated players.

Especially when you get up to the penthouse level--if you're motion sick, you might want to think twice about dropping US$33 mil for such a beautiful place when you'll wake up every morning feeling like you're dangling off a cliff.


via [Gothamist]

PureCart Shopping Trolley Cleaner

Instead of providing shoppers with disinfectant wipes that are really only ever used to clean the handle and maybe the child seat, the PureCart System uses an FDA and EPS approved quick-drying sanitizing solution to quickly clean the entire cart.

Sanitizing a cart is as easy as pushing it through the cleaning station where the solution is automatically sprayed on, and for non-wheeled items like a basket or a child seat a wand is also provided to make purifying them just as easy.

The system supposedly only costs the store about 1 to 2 cents per cart once installed, and would no doubt help them lure that lucrative obsessive-compulsive crowd.

[ PureCart Systems ] VIA [ Retail Design Diva ]

Electrolux Flatshare Fridge

The Flatshare Fridge was created by Stefan Buchberger from the University of Applied Arts in Vienna for the annual Electrolux Design Lab competition, and it features a modular design that’s segmented into separate compartments allowing each ‘flatmate’ to have their own mini fridge.

The modular design also allows additional compartments to be stacked on top to accommodate new roommates, and the only feature I can really see missing is a locking mechanism on each door to protect your food.

[ Electrolux Design Lab 2008 ] VIA [ Electricpig ]

Lost Me Find Me Child Proximity Alarms

These Lost Me Find Me Alarms seem like a good idea if junior manages to escape your watchful eye.

The transmitter worn by the kid is hidden in a plush tiger or rabbit wristband, while the receiver carried by the parent is small enough to serve as a keychain.

The sensitivity can be set between about 3 feet to about 65 feet, and when your child wanders out of that proximity an alarm on the parent’s receiver will sound.

But instead of just panicking about the missing child when the alarm goes off, the receiver can be switched into a ‘Locate’ mode that will instead cause the alarm to sound as soon as it gets close to the transmitter.

[ Lost Me Find Me Child Alarms ] VIA [ Coolest Gadgets ]

Microsofts 2nd Jerry Seinfeld Add

Remember that first Seinfeld-and-Gates adventure into Shoe Circus, which alluded to something about Windows being "soft and chewy and delicious?"

The incredibly rich duo try to connect on a "normal people" level and kind of fail utterly.
Like Windows Vista. IMHO

The ad aired on September 11 on CBS' "Big Brother" reality show.

via [gizmodo.com.au]

Pixar Short - Presto

This is the Pixar Short shown at the wall-e movie.

Disney's Ultimate Wall-E Robot in Action

Wall-E the latest collaborative effort from Disney and Thinkway Toys will be on sale laster in the US summer for $190.

Movie News: Wall-E

WALL-E, a robot, spends every day doing what he was made for. But soon, he will discover what he was meant for.

This is a great movie go and see it.

"Scotch On The Rocks" with Real Rocks?

Yes, these are actual rocks that you put in your drink.

It may sound a bit strange, but these Swedish rocks have the uncanny ability to hold their temperature for longer than your average stone.

Just store them in the freezer and plop a couple in your drink to keep it cool and water-free.

They’re just a little expensive at $30 for a set of 10 cubes

[ Mocha ] VIA [ GearFuse ]

mmm the Slim Chip

Made of edible paper, Slim Chips are basically "a zero calorie alternative to regular chips that offers a dining experience akin to 'eating tasty air.'

[via Gizmodo]

Seth McFarlane's Take On Super Mario Bros

When he's not making squillions with Family Guy, creator Seth McFarlane is making short web cartoons for Burger King.

I'm just surprised that Mario waited so long to call back the dragon. - LOL

via [gizmodo.com.au]

eBay: US $820.00 old Nintendo Game

That's right, a copy of Stadium Events for the NES is sold for $820 on eBay.

The seller said, "here is your chance to pick up an extremely rare game for probably half the price that a good condition one sells for."

via [ebay.com]

Wii News: Star Wars: The Force Unleashed

The Force Unleashed for the Wii "adds an exclusive duel mode in which players can compete head-to-head with their friends to determine the ultimate Jedi Master."

via [techeblog.com]

Google - To upload Old News Papers Online

Google is making searchable, digital copies of old newspapers available online through partnerships with their publishers, the company said Monday.

Under the ad-supported effort, Google will digitize millions of pages of news archives, including photos, articles, headlines, and advertisements, Google said.

via [news.cnet.com]

Esquire the first "digital" E-Ink cover in paper magazine history

In case you hadn't heard already, this morning Esquire officially unveiled the first "digital" E-Ink cover in paper magazine history at an event in a Borders store in Manhattan.

The special cover, which helps promote/commemorate Esquire's 75th anniversary edition, is only incorporated into 100,000 copies, all of which are available only at newsstands for $5.99 a pop--that's $2 more than the usual price.

Neither Esquire, Ford, nor E-Ink would say how much it cost to produce the special cover, but we imagine it wasn't cheap. As for the built in battery that powers the 2.0 by 4.75-inch electronic paper display (EPD), Esquire Editor in Chief David Granger said they initially expected it to last 90 days but it appears it will last significantly longer--upwards of 250 days. Once the battery dies (it's not replaceable) a static image will be left on the EPD. In other words, part of the display will remain "on" with the ghosted remnants of the E-Ink.

via [news.cnet.com] [techeblog.com]

The Nose Shower Gel Dispenser

The Nose Shower Gel Dispenser sells for $17.95 and dispenses green shower gel(included) out of its nostril.

Of course with the nose and the mucus-like gel you might not feel clean even after showering.

I’m not sure if anyone would actually want this but it could make a good gag gift.

[Nose Shower Gel Dispenser ] VIA [ medGadget ]

e-newspaper comming in 2009

Plastic Logic has announced that their flexible e-newspaper gadget will "go on sale during the first half of 2009 with more details, including which news organizations will feed information to the reader, promised for CES in January."

The end of paper news papers is neigh!!

via [techeblog.com]

Book Scanner

This automatic book scanner, called the ScanRobot, "is able to scan 25 pages per minute by scanning and turning two pages at once."

via [techeblog.com]

Concept - Business Card Scanner

With this innovative business card scanner concept "you sort and thumb through each card via a jog dial, with everything showing up on a beautifully OLED screen."

via [techeblog.com]

Google Logo Now in SPACE!!

A rocket bearing the Google logo was the result of a joint venture between a commercial satellite imaging provider and the department of defense. In return for undisclosed terms, Google got two considerations: its logo on the side of the launch vehicle, and exclusive use of the mapping images that the satellite produces.

It's not at all clear what the imaging hardware's extra resolution gets Google, other than sharper pictures and the possibility of filling a few specialized, niche needs. A half-meter resolution isn't really sufficient to substitute for the street view cameras, but perhaps the company's founders are simply satisfied by the fact that they have them, and Yahoo and Microsoft don't.

via [arstechnica.com]

Nerd Doorbell Speaks For Itself

Are you a hardcore geek that wants to let everyone know of your love for gadgetry even before they set foot in your house? Sure, you could put down a doormat with the word “welcome” written in binary, but some people might miss it.

Why not change out your doorbell with one made to look like the enter key from a keyboard.

This is one of those designs that just makes you laugh when you see it.

This is only a concept idea, but I’m sure if you had an old keyboard, a Dremel and some glue you could make a pretty decent one for yourself.

[ LabExp ] VIA [ UberGizmo ]

Calculator Spycam

If you have a problem with office theft, or would like to covertly record a business meeting, then the Calculator Spycam has got you covered.

It uses a 1/3 inch CMOS color sensor that provides a usable resolution of 320×240, and it will broadcast the video image up to 15 meters away allowing it be monitored with the included 2.4 inch LCD display. The 128Mb of storage is upgradeable via SD cards (though there’s a 2GB limit) and it also features a basic microphone with a usable range of about 4 meters. Oh, and the calculator really works, if any one actually tries to use it for calculating.

The whole spy kit pictured above is available from Chinavasion for about $200.

[ Calculator Videocamera ] VIA [ Geeky Gadgets ]

StellarWindow Software And Dongle Makes Stargazing A Whole Lot Easier

Look at this nifty software/hardware combo called StellarWindow and stargaze from the comfort of your own backyard.

It was developed by a group of Waseda University students in Japan, and it relies on a special USB dongle that features tilt sensors and an electronic compass.

You just install the software on your laptop or tablet PC and attach the dongle, and once your position is calibrated, the StellarWindow program will provide a detailed explanation of the night sky you see before you.

It even features voice recognition so all you have to do is ask it to find a particular heavenly body and the software will tell you what direction to look. The student’s startup company, Fairy Devices Inc., is expected to release StellarWindow before 2009 for about $244.

[ Fairy Devices StellarWindow ] VIA [ HobbyMedia.it ]

Make Your Own Peanut Butter At Home

With the Peanut Butter Machine, there’s really no reason to buy jars of peanut butter from the store again. Just pour in two cups of peanuts, select whether you want crunchy or smooth, and you’re all set. The best part of all is that the result is an all-natural product which doesn’t contain any additives. If you’re big on all-natural foods, or are just picky about your peanut butter, you can get one of these gadgets for $50 starting at the end of the month.

Given how cheap the stuff is to buy by the jar, I think I’ll just stick to that.

[ LighterSide ] VIA [ RGS ]

eBay: Tiny 3Kg SEGA Grand Piano, World's Smallest

That's right, a seller if offering this tiny 3killo SEGA grand piano on eBay, which is touted as the world's smallest. Costs $500US.

via [techeblog.com] and [ebay.com]

eBay: $310 Limited Edition Google Chrome Comic Book

Yes, bidding for this limited edition Google Chrome comic book has already reached $310 on eBay.

For those wondering what kind of comic this is, click here.

Auction page on Ebay.

via [techeblog.com] and [ebay.com]

CG Animation Shows What Happens When Large Meteor Hits Earth

What would it look like if a large meteor hit earth, some may wonder what if it really does happen.

Well, this CG animation shows just that and more.

via [techeblog.com]

The First Bill Gates + Jerry Seinfeld Microsoft Ad Makes No Sense

Ok here is the 1st add in which Microsoft paid Jerry Seinfeld a cool $10mill.

Jerry Seinfeld look like the more awkward of the pair, there's not a whole lot of special effects in this clip. In fact, there's not really a whole lot of anything, including laughs, information or pimping of Vista.

Here's what we took away from it: Bill Gates's jiggling ass is moist and tasty. Don't ask us now, watch the clip and you'll see.

via [gizmodo.com]

Ghostbusters on a USB Stick

This is odd PNY teamed up with Sony Pictures Home Entertainment to bring us this 2GB flash drive which happens to contain a digital copy of the original Ghostbusters movie. Of course the movie is DRM-protected and won’t play unless the flash drive is connected to your computer.

The high price of around $53 is a bit much for a measly 2GB flash drive, even if it does have a movie on it.

[ Argos ] VIA [ Gearlog ]

Where the Hell is Matt? (2008) - Simon’s Best of YouTube

Matt is a 31-year-old deadbeat from Connecticut who used to think that all he ever wanted to do in life was make and play videogames.

In February of 2003, he quit his job in Brisbane, Australia and used the money he'd saved to wander around Asia until it ran out.

A few months into his trip, a travel buddy gave Matt an idea. They were standing around taking pictures in Hanoi, and his friend said "Hey, why don't you stand over there and do that dance. I'll record it." He was referring to a particular dance Matt does.

Now Matt is quasi-famous as "That guy who dances on the internet. "

The response to the first video brought Matt to the attention of the nice people at Stride gum. They asked Matt if he'd be interested in taking another trip around the world to make a new video. Matt asked if they'd be paying for it. They said yes. Matt thought this sounded like another very good idea.

So here is the latest clip 14 months in the making, 42 countries, and a cast of thousands.

via [wherethehellismatt.com]

Hyena Laugh - Simon’s Best of YouTube

This is funny Nik started laughing like a hyena on Australia's The Price Is Right back in 1994.

[via youtube]

Gun O’Clock - Japanese Gadgets

Gun O’clock, lets people shoot their clock with a special gun when the alarm goes off. There are two modes, time mode and attack mode.

In time mode the alarm goes off like a regular alarm with the extremely annoying beeping but also raises up a shooting range target. Then the alarm starts mocking you with a voice message saying “Come on!” The beeping and taunting will continue until you take the infared gun and shoot the target. Then I suppose you can go back to sleep again.

In attack mode you must shoot the target in a certain amount of time and must try to hit the bulls-eye. If you succeed you will get some praise from the clock (It says “Excellent”). The price for the clock is $34 but for now it is only available in Japan for kids over 15.

It does look neat but I wonder if it’s good to have millions of people waking up with the instinct to shoot stuff.

VIA [ Crunch Gear ]

Rotate your Trees – England

Yep, they’re revolving. it’s an installation by diller, scofidio and renfro, to be found in a roadside park in Liverpool, the installation consists of 17 trees, the middle 3 of which slowly rotate throughout the day, confusing the unsuspecting public in the process.

via [techeblog.com]

78-year-old heads down baggage chute in Airport!!

A 78-year-old woman in at Sweden's main airport was whisked down a baggage chute as she belived that she was following check-in instructions and was quickly swept off to the baggage handling centre, where staff members helped get her back on her feet.

The woman suffered no serious injury and caught her flight as planned.

via [news.com.au] and [cache.daylife.com]

World's Most Powerful Magnet Under Construction in Florida

The $10 million magnet currently under construction at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory in Florida is expected to reach a 100 teslas when finished—about 67 times more powerful than a typical MRI machine.

That is just the kind of power needed to test the properties of high-temperature superconductors like iron oxyarsenide, which may result in better, cheaper MRI machines and high-voltage power lines.

It could also be used for certain zero-gravity experiments and magnetic propulsion systems that could eliminate the need for traditional rockets down the line.

The magnet will have to resist Lorentz forces “equivalent to the explosive force of 200 sticks of dynamite packed into a volume of space the size of a marble.”



[IEEE Spectrum Online via gizmodo.com]

Mythbusters - Adam Savage Speaks

It appears that ‘Discovery’ censors, approves and pulls footage from being aired. I think it is sad because it takes away from the purity from the experiments since larger companies can bully the Show creators and hence some things in the show may not be entirely creditable, which is sad as my wife and I really enjoy the show. IMHO

Note: Check out videos on YouTube regarding Mythbusters and Hydrogen Fuel Cells (Truth or Censorship you be the judge)

via [gizmodo.com]

The Smart Ed - London News

Across the ocean in London, England, Smart is testing its new Smart Ed, an all-electric version of the tiny Smart ForTwo.

The new Smart ED is a small, fuel efficient vehicle, that has had the engine and gas tank yanked out, and pop in an electric motor and a heap of batteries.

The ED is electronically limited to 100kph (60mph) and can travel up to 115km (72miles) between 8 hour charges. Smart says that with a midday top-up charge at any three-pin electric socket the range can be extended to 160Km (100 miles) for an equivalent of 127Kpl (300 mpg).

via [news.cnet.com]

Star Trek: The Experience - CLOSED

This made me say "Oh No" today, the Star Trek: The Experience at the Las Vegas Hilton has closed.

When I won my trip last year to LA last year my wife and I did not have time to visit Las Vegas and I always want to see this.

What made it worse when I was in LA I always wanted to see the Back to the Future ride and that close 2 days before we went to the theme park arrhhh!!

[CNN - Star Trek: The Experience closing down]

Sony’s Waterproof Mini Bravia

This is cool gadget for the bath, when i was younger i used to drag my little tv into the bathroom and watch tv and avoiding killing myself.

Never fear any more with Sony's new Mini Bravia will allow you to splash about in your bathroom.

It features a 4 inch LCD panel that will run for 23 hours on its internal batteries (and a set of AA’s) and can safely operate three feet under water for up to half an hour.


[ohgizmo.com] via [Sony XDV-W600]

Ultra-Sound Device, feel shapes in Mid Air

This is cool, researchers at the University of Tokyo have demonstrated a device that can create touchable, creepily invisible floating "objects" using focused ultrasound waves.

Imagine feeling your baby while still inside your womb, well this is the first step in creating such technollogy.

For now, the team has only been able to simulate resistance in one direction, but say that forming complex shapes and textures is plausible.

Sadly at this point there's a major catch, though: the virtual objects won't provide much resistance or seem very "hard," because at high enough levels the aurally imperceptible ultrasound will destroy your eardrums.


[gizmodo.com] [BBC]

Like Music in You Car?

For many people, pumping out car sound systems is a time-honored tradition.

However, Dutch artist Olaf Mooij may have taken this pastime to extreme new levels with his DJ Mobile.

If you want you can rent out the system for your next party.



[Born Rich via Dvice]

Commodore joins Netbook crowd

Remember the Commodore 64?

Well they fell off the planet in back in April 1994 when the company filed for bankruptcy.




Well in early in 2005 a Dutch company Yeahronimo Media Ventures bought the rights to the Commodore name, assets and patents, with the express goal of selling gadgets and trading on "not only the brand name but also the heritage of Commodore."


And they just announced at the IFA consumer show in Berlin the Commodore UMMD 8010/F, will sport a 1.6GHz Via C7-M processor and will have an 80GB hard drive, 1GB of RAM, 802.11b/g Wi-Fi, and optional Bluetooth. The machine will have 10-inch display and a 1.3-megapixel camera.

Prices are expected to start at $610.



via [commodorecorp.com] [ews.cnet.com] [wikipedia.org]

Teddy Bear - Mobile Phone

The Bear features a SIM card slot (I’m not exactly sure where) and functions like a regular cellphone. It was shown off by Willcom at the 2008 Good Design Expo and was apparently ‘adored’ by the crowds.

The Kuma Phone allows you to store up to four speed dial numbers which are activated by pinching sensors in each of the bear’s paws, and incoming calls are answered or ended by pressing its tail. The suggested price tag of $500 seems a bit excessive.

via [kilian-nakamura.com]

Pet Sensing Doorbell

Have no pet door and need to rely on you dog to start backing at the door to let him outside?

You never have to again with the Pet Sensing Doorbell from Hammacher Schlemmer for only $79.95 you will get a Pet Sensing Doorbell that mounts to the wall near a door in your house and relies on a smart key attached to your pet’s collar to know when the animal is in the vicinity of the door, and presumably wants to go outside.

The range can be adjusted from 6 inches to 3 feet, and when your pet does approach the doorbell it will ring a tone for about 7 seconds, every 5-10 seconds, until you get up and let them out. The volume can also be adjusted with 4 different settings that go as loud as 101 decibels.

It can actually be used with up to 5 different pets at once and additional smart tags are $29.95 each.

[Pet Sensing Doorbell]

People over 30 hate cell phones

A research firm has found that people over 30 use just 12 percent of the features on their cell phones and feel frustrated and overwhelmed by cell phone complexity.

Here are a few quotes from the study published in a Bowen press release:

• "I never quite know what I'm doing after a year and a half."
• "If it's too complicated, it just really isn't worth it."
• "Not intuitive at all."
• "To this day, I don't know how to check voicemail."
  

via [blogs.computerworld.com]

eBay: $173,000 Microsoft Sunglasses

If you have $173,000 USD around and have nothing good to do with it you can buy Microsoft sunglasses on eBay.

They are reported to be employee-exclusives from the 80's with nearly "every pair being broken or lost...except for these."

And I just had a look at the eBay page and it has already got 2 bids "believe it or not" if I had that sort of cash and told my wife I am buying this she would kill me.

[via ebay]

Food Court Musical

From the ImprovEverywhere group 16 agents create a spontaneous musical in a food court in a Los Angeles mall. Using wireless microphones and the mall's PA system.

Classic!

via [ImprovEverywhere]

** Sick **

Last night a was up all night... you know, do not want to go into any details but I wont be posting anything tonight, I may put up one You-Tube video I found funny today but that’s all, hopefully I will be ok for work tomorrow.