Archive for the ‘Funny Gadgets’ Category
Sunday, June 15th, 2008 |
I first started to play with LEGO bricks back in 1987. How nostalgic of me…. Well, I still have some sets although they are hidden somewhere. I remember that LEGO made specific sets for age categories. The most advanced sets were found under the LEGO Technic sub-brand. Cool times, I almost miss playing with all that stuff. LEGO actually added another advanced set, called Mindstorm, which concentrates on electronic stuff embedded in plastic bricks. Involving a bit of creativity, you can actually build some useful stuff out of these sets, like computer peripherals.
Using the Mindstorm bricks, Anders Søborg has built and programmed his own NXT scanner. Some of you might not know what NXT scanners are. These are simpler versions of the flatbed scanner that can scan and save images as BMP-files. The images scanned can be saved in either 24-bit true color, 8-bit color or gray scale.
The LEGO scanner isn’t faster than any other scanner on the market. In fact, it’s sort of slower than the average flatbed scanners. But keep in mind that you only pay a fraction on the LEGO brick toys. Anders was also kind enough to include DIY instructions on making your own, complete with programming instructions and all, on his website.
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Saturday, June 14th, 2008 |
In case you want to turn one of your rooms in a VIP salon or something similar, you might want to try the Celebrity Lamp. This unconventional-looking lamp is composed entirely of 40 pairs of aviator sunglasses, making it a weird combination of retro and futuristic elements. The shades wrap around the bulb, with the tint of the sunglasses making a sort of mirror ball effect on the light, creating unique patterns of shadows on the walls around it. You could even try to tweak it a bit, turning it into a disco ball, or even better, a chandelier with candles as light sources.
It might seem a little odd at first, but if aviator glasses can make your face look that much cooler why not use them to pimp up your décor, right? One thing against this item could prove to be the $1,600 price-tag. But the design idea remains and you could go ahead and buy 40 pairs of Ray Bans from e-bay for a fraction of that unlikely price. Building such lamp on your own could prove a bit challenging, however. Better not use it for the living room. Just build some sort of disco room, place one of these in the middle of the ceiling and see what your friends say.
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Thursday, May 15th, 2008 |
In case you have bladder problems and the toilet has become an indispensable friend, you sure need to get one of the latest models coming straight from the future. Looks like the Japanese have been visited by some crazy time travelers that brought with them a remote controlled toilet seat.
<-250x250 Square - right->The Japanese have had built-in bidets for quite a few decades now, but how many people expressed their need for a remote controlled toilet? Are these guys getting more and more spoiled, or this is just the way things get down in Japan?
The latest in wacky toilet designs is called Blooming Bidet. It comes with a handy remote to activate all the functions, even adjust the intensity of water spray or hot air aimed at your posterior. Notice the big STOP button? That is specifically placed on the remote so you can terminate any process in case things get out of hand. The images provided don’t really allow you to see this, but there is no flush button; flushing happens automatically as the toilet uses a proximity sensor that triggers when you step away from the bowl, having done all the usual.
Other features include a gentle LED underwater nightlight, a pressure sensor that keeps you from accidentally spraying your eye, plus built-in controls at your right thigh in case your remote’s battery die in the worst possible moments. The most interesting thing included with the R/C toilet is some sort of analyzer that checks your urine and dumps for signs of sickness.
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Friday, May 9th, 2008 |
Running out of ideas for wacky presents? Try buying a fake atomic missile to go along with the USB Doomsday Device.
Unleashing Armageddon has never been simpler. With the USB Doomsday Device all you have to do is activate all three levels of failsafe protection in the right sequence: two switches and then turn the key switch. While the first two switches can be accidentally activated by anyone, the third switch is only to be activated with the aid of a special key. Once all three switches are turned on (in the right order) the Main light will glow red and this means the Device is armed and very dangerous.
Now, the fate of this world is in your hands and in case you consider yourself some God-sent obliterator, flip back the plastic shield and press the red button for an explosive sound effect. But what really happens when you press the button? No one can be told what de Device is really triggering. You might as well create another Universe, or you could unleash an atomic winter on some remote planet. You might be in for a nasty surprise, anyway.
Whatever you do with the red button, keep in mind that the USB Doomsday Device is also a 4 port USB hub. As long as people see you’re holding the switch key, no one will dare approach your office desk from now on. Get the USB Doomsday Device from ThinkGeek for only $39.99.
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Thursday, March 13th, 2008 |
Beam me up, Scotty! Scotty? Scotty!!! What do you mean Scotty does not have a communicator? Are there any more Trekkies that walk around without that darn communicator? Now, now, Scotty. You lost it back in the original Star Trek series? C’mon! OK, no problem. I’mma get you a nifty remake of the original 23rd-century Starfleet communicator from the 1960s TV classic.
The modern-day replica is sort of a pimped-up version of the original sci-fi prop. It has everything from blinking lights to sound effects just like the original Starfleet-issued communications gadget. Not to mention the cool moving moire effect, making it even more retro-fabulous. New to this improved version is the “Hailing” feature, which lets you press a button on the face, flip the metal grill closed, and receive a call back from the Enterprise starship a few seconds later. Aye aye, captain!
In addition, it comes complete with over 20 phrases and sound effects from the classic Trek universe, including original sound samples from the TV show. Sadly, the gizmo isn’t actually functional for two-way communications. Wait a second, how about squeezing my 3G terminal inside one of these gimmicks? Now we’ve got ourselves a tuned retro tricorder. Take that, Scotty!
The Star Trek Classic Communicator is available now from ThinkGeek for $29.99.
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