The Woz is a true badass.
via Engadget
1 comment June 13th, 2008
Posts filed under 'gadgets'
I’m losing my battle against owning a PS3
I hate Sony. For too long has their proprietary shit machines have bummed me out. Everything, that is, except their consoles.
When the Wii and PS3 launched, I bought a Wii - because that was the sensible thing to do. I don’t need a $600 video game console with $50 games. Especially not when I just built a $1200 smoking fast desktop PC.
And yet, hooker killing in a game that might make me feel bad about it beckons mightily…
And if rt would just tell how the media streaming is, I could finally make a choice to abstain, or to plunge headlong into a fiery chasm of vicarious violence that offers an appalling look at myself in a world with slightly fewer consequences.
Update
Okay, so the PS3 doesn’t actually function as a network media streamer. Very disappointing.
If you want to stream media to the PS3, it looks like you have to run some app on *another* computer on your network to stream media that’s been selected in the app to the PS3.
Weak sauce, Sony - royal weak sauce.
Looks like a Mac mini is in my future.
(Well, either a mac mini or another soft-modded original xbox, which functions pretty damn well as a media streamer, with the exception of easy non-xbox remote setup…)
4 comments May 2nd, 2008
Some people might think I’m too old for toy guns…
But they’d be very, very wrong.
I feel like I’m eight. I *need* these toy guns. It might take me a while to rationalize spending $80 for them, but I will get a pair at some point.
Check them out here!
via OhGizmo!
2 comments September 10th, 2007
My browser went to a Woot-Off,
and all I got was this breathalyzer game.
I wonder how long I’ll have to play before I beat the high score…
Of course, these days I barely drink. I think I’ve been tipsy about once or twice in the few months, which may be par for some people, but is a significant shift for me. Nonetheless, I still cannot understand why a alcohol-detecting ignition interlock isn’t required on all new vehicles.
Seems so simple and logical, doesn’t it? Really, it’s just like a seat belt - but for other people. Why can’t we pass a law that makes sense for once?
Add comment June 4th, 2007
OMFG! Txt msgs out of ctrl!
So, uh… If I’ve sent you a text message in the last 24 hours, you’ve probably received it about 30 times today. Sorry.
Every time I turn my old and busted RAZR phone on, it starts resending everything in my outbox. Luclily, I cleared my outbox yesterday afternoon, but still - sorry. I’ll try to keep my phone off until I figure out how to prevent the text message hemorrhages.
[Update : 2:05 PM] Well, I fixed my phone - I think. Removing and reseating the SIM card several times while the phone was on (and charging) was probably not a good idea, but that course of action seems to have fixed things. Of course, I also made clear threats of replacing the RAZR with a Samsung, so that might have helped too. Anyways, I also realized that I’ve had this phone for almost two years to the day. In honor of that feat (which is none too small for a mobile, especially one that takes the abuse that I dish out), I will share it’s noble record of service with you. Since I’ve had the phone, I’ve made 12,621 minutes worth of phone calls and have spent a whopping 29,160 minutes of data time (no, I’m not a nerd AT ALL - what would give you that idea?). Thanks to that unlimited data plan, I’ve also transferred just over two gigs of data, which is pretty significant for a GPRS data connection. Oh yeah, I’m *that* hardcore.
Add comment December 5th, 2006
Will it Blend?
Because Joh3n refuses to blog (instead of having a life and family), I have no choice but to post this fabulous proof of why the Internet is awesome.
Behold the Will it Blend series.
Quite the awesome set of demonstration videos. I rarely use my blender, but now I feel inspired and want one of Blendtec’s super cool blenders My first order of business would be to blend my junkmail. Then my old checks. Then? Maybe some frozen chicken. I’d love an easy way to shred chicken - especially if it’s still frozen.
3 comments November 17th, 2006
Recalling the Recall
In the middle of summer, I woke up smelling something plasticky burning. I had my cellphone plugged into my latop to charge, and my laptop pluggd into AC power. The computer was exceedingly hot and had shut down, but it was making a sort of half-beeping half-squawking sound. My cellphone was super hot and smelled like burning battery. In fact, it still does. The USB cable conencting it to my laptop was also very hot.
I unplugged everything, removed the batteries and went back to sleep. The next day, I discovered that the notebook battery didn’t work anymore. I tossed it into a “deal with alter” box and replaced it with my spare.
A few months later, Dell announces a battery recall. I checked the numbers on both of my batteries and *neither* was included in the recall. Oh well, I figured my battery had just died. After all, I use the heck out of it. On a whim this morning I ran the numbers form both of my batteries through the Dell website and found out that they’ve both been included in the updates to the recall list. Oh boy. I setup an excahnge for one battery, and when that’s taken care of, I’ll do the other.
Note to self: You bought five smoke detectors. Take them out of the freaking boxes and install them already.
[Update: 10/31/2006 3:00 PM ] Click Here
[Update: 11/1/2006 6:00 PM ] The battery arrived today.
Continue Reading Add comment October 30th, 2006
I know this almost makes me an Apple fanboy…
But I can’t freaking wait for the iPhone.
After all, it’s been nearly two years since I overpaid 500+% for a cellphone. My RAZR is still going stong, but has very crappy reception at my house, a tiny amount of memory for text messges and pictures, and it is *not* an ipod. The battery life is pretty weak these days, but I don’t fault the phone - the battery is limited in size and I’ve used the hell out of it.
Add comment October 19th, 2006
Ooooga Ooooga!!
Check out the fans on this one!
(Also, this is a warning sign. A warning sign of something bad. I’m not sure what, but it can’t be good. If you spend too much time taking pictures of electronics in a small room, take heed.)
2 comments September 28th, 2006
Batteries
Hybrio batteries bridge gap between disposables and rechargables - Engadget
Batteries. I use fewer disposable batteries than I ever have. My laptops, cellphone, ipod and cameras all use rechargeable LiIon batteries.
But… I use disposable batteries for wireless game controllers, a portable radio, flashlights, remote controls, miscellaneous handheld games/toys and other sundry stuffs.
I find that I need replacements often enough to justify buying them at costco in giant packs. The big packs of batteries will sit in the “battery drawer” and take up space until a few months pass and it’s time to buy more batteries.
Continue Reading 6 comments September 8th, 2006
No shit!
Apple’s mean-spirited ad campaign. By Seth Stevenson
Smug superiority and lies are not a beguiling ad concept.
2 comments June 19th, 2006
Saving money!
Gearlog : Real World Golf: Hello, Ball!
Instead of paying $7 for a bucket of balls at a driving range, I could just buy the game, connect it to my Xbox and pratice! In only ten uses, it would pay for itself. Plus, nobody would laugh if I miss the ball… (except the cats, of course).
Add comment April 6th, 2006
Borrowing wi-fi
Hey Neighbor, Stop Piggybacking on My Wireless - New York Times
Almost everyone reading this little blog has bprrowed/stolen/received/used someone else’s wi-fi. Admit it.
Continue Reading Add comment March 6th, 2006
I post this for your consideration.
Puzzle Alarm Clock Presents Mild Challenge, Wakes You Up - Gizmodo
Read the article, then read the first comment. Now chuckle, and wonder why the hell I posted this and how many cups of coffee I’ve had today.
2 comments March 2nd, 2006
What happens when you Stun Gun yourself?
What happens when you Stun Gun yourself? at directionzero
I’d like to call this guy a moron, but I’ve done it myself, with shockingly similar results. I won’t tell you not to try it, (unless you’r underage or have health issues), but if you do want to experience a “mild” burst from a stun gun, have a friend zap. It will hurt a lot less, and they’ll have a hell of a good time. Of course, make sure that the friend you recruit isn’t the type to have such a good time that he’ll continue to zap you while you’re down.
The stuff that guys do for no reason… It’s a wonder the human race has lasted this long.
Add comment March 2nd, 2006
Fun product + fun marketing copy
I’ll just cut and paste the copy straight from the Brando Toys page (emphasis and color will remain unchanged):
“It may be the BEST GIFT of the Year & BEST GIFT for Your Love, SEGA TOYS iFish
- With the great success of Sega Toys iDog series, Sega Toys is coming to release another new i-Pets in 2006: iFish. You don’t have to feed your “fish” in the fish bowl, 2 wheels make iFish “SWIMMING” on your desk or the floor. With Sensors in the iFish Head, the iFish will response to your movement interactively. The iFish can move its body like a “Real fish” with deep sea sound and 50 built-in healing music . Colorful Light Effect will glow up on the fish head & fish body. It is extremely great fun for placing iFish in your office or home. Also, you can hook i-Fish with music player, like IPOD, MP3 Player, or your PC through audio input jack, i-Fish will become a loudspeaker and move in fishy ways according to the rhythm of music. Come on, try to experience the joy that i-Fish can bring to your live.”
Whoa. I want.
Add comment January 28th, 2006
Katzenfelder Fucks Shit Up
I mean, sort of. Mostly it’s Nokia’s fault. I mean, who sends a piece of technology to Mark Fraunfelder (aka: Katzenfelder) to review? Right now he’s got a double post at the top of boingboing. And I don’t mean that once again he’s posted something that’s very old news *again*, but two identical posts. Oi.
I would feel fine sending sandwiches over for Mark to review, and maybe even Mexican food. I would probably also trust him to critique children’s movies.
But technology? You have got to be kidding Nokia. Sure, the N90 lacks a vibrate function and has dutifully been lambasted because of this all over the Internets for nearly eight months. But since when can you trust a Mac loving near-luddite to reviewing you tech products? Since never! Of course, Nokia did it anyways. This was a bad decision. Now Katzenfelder has spewed his vitriol. Thusly, I am forced to look for something good that Nokia has done recently. Not much out there… Oooh! Wait, this is so funny it’s good! Nokia has created a “Nokia Nseries N90 Blogger Relations Blog site” It is at this site that “you will find blogger and media information that you can repurpose and utilize in your blog postings about the N90.” ROFL. Cute, Nokia. Seriously. I like.
And in case you’re actually curious, cnet does a better job reviewing this phone.
Add comment January 12th, 2006
I have a new RAZR charger!
Well, I don’t have it yet - but I’m going to order one right away - talk about simple design! I love kits like this. Should be a fun project to spend an hour on over my holiday vacation, not to mention useful as hell.
Now, if only my camera accepted a charge via USB.
As far as I’m concerned, every battery powered device with a USB or firewire connector should be able to cahrge *and* transfer data over a single cable. This goes double for devices that die quickly when connected via USB, like digital cameras.
Add comment December 2nd, 2005
Thumb Drive - Get it?
Ha! Dynamism, distributing purveyors of weird shit that I want, is selling a USB “thumb” drive that’s shaped like a thumb. Pretty fun. But if that’s a bit too thumb-in-cheek for you, check out the pictures of the other stuff that their methed-out Japanese designers have come up with.
Just to make sure you don’t miss it, do yourself a favor and scope out their awesome ghost-detecting usb stick. This bad boy is for entertainment only, but sports a wicked feature set including: “a bio-clock is built-in with criterion for time elements for repetitive paranormal activity such as the witching hour, new moon and full moon. When a ghost is detected, sounds will play plus patterns from a 16 light LED display will flash. There’s also an attachable protective amulet when for the magnetic field
sensor.”
For when that magnetic field sensor DOES WHAT? Jesus fuck, you can’t just leave people on the edge like that! I am almost absolutely convinced that a ghost snuck up on the copy editor over at Dynamism while he was writing the product profile instead of using the ghost detector to save his ass from some bad pipe-swingin’ ghosts.
–Update:
It just occurred to me that perhaps the ghost detector part is for real, and the *protective amulet* function is the “for entertainment only” bit - which explains the untimely demise of whoever was writing copy for the product. Always read the fine print, boys and girls. Always.
3 comments November 16th, 2005
mmmmm… delicious!
Wow. I’m in love with a shelf that doesn’t happen to be an industrial wire shelf (metro shelving). This thing is beautiful, *and* the slide out chair and table is incredibly hot functionality. What an excellent way to make use of a funky (I hate saying that, but it’s true) shelving design. I could easily imagine having two of these lovely shelving units on the back wall of my living room, especially with the ability to slide two extras chairs out at a moment’s notice. A different way to store books adds a lot of character to a room that would likely instead be populated with traditional flat and linear shelving.
Unfortunately, most design like this is far too expensive for anyone of average means to acquire. Not to mention that production/pricing information seems to be perenially unavailable for these types of things. Too bad, because I’d really love a pair.
4 comments October 10th, 2005
Beautiful Bread Bastion
Armadillo Breadbin with Free Delivery from Wheredidyoubuythat.com
Okay, so I’m not so concerned about the free delivery - but this is a sexy design. Of course, I love bread and never was one of those dirty Atkins carb traitors, but $110 for a bread box? I guess if I was paid like the yuppie my design tastes lean towards, it wouldn’t be a big deal. Being a bachelor though, it might be nice to have a place to store the moldy bread I can’t seem to throw out.
Add comment October 7th, 2005
There goes the neighborhood…
PaidContent.org: October 05, 2005 Archives
One of my favorite blog networks…. sold out. Yeah, I know it’s cheesy to think of a business like Weblogs Inc. as a sellout. But seriously, has any good ever come of an AOL acquistion? Netscape? Winamp? etc. etc.
If engadget starts to suck, I’ll probably cry.
2 comments October 6th, 2005
Best. Knifeblock. Evar.
I just bought this online - though it wasn’t an impulse buy. I placed a preorder about six months ago and had all but forgotten about it unitl I just received a notification email from CSB.
If you read any of the consumer or product design blogs out there, or boingboing, you’ve almost definitely seen it already. But for those of you that don’t compulsively reload design/gadget blogs instead of working - now you know about it too.
Add comment October 3rd, 2005