Filed under: Cellphones

Well whaddya know? The iTreo 800p is finally selling on eBay! We thought the day would never come that we could actually get our hands on this totally sweet — and absolutely real — phone. Man were we wrong. Sure, the listing says you’re selling off a Treo 800W, but given the large amount of completely reassuring blue text, scrolling text, and large font text, we’ll happily accept that we will, in fact, receive the device pictured above via UPS Next Day Air. So, yes. Yes. We will “buy it now” for $349.99, safe in the knowledge that by this time tomorrow, we’ll be the only guy on our block busting out the iTreo 800p at parties, pool halls, and any place else where all the happenin’ stuff happens. Thanks “naseemajid” — you’re A+++++ in our book.

[Thanks, Spencer]

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Filed under: Robots

Oh Pleo, it’s been far too long since we’ve seen you out and about! Thankfully, we’ve stumbled upon a handful of Pleo news all at once, so we hope you’re ready to catch up with your favorite dinosaur. First up is a pair of useful hacks from GRIP: a spy cam hack — which transmits images from the pet to a PC sans wires — and an XBee hack, which allows users to monitor Pleo’s sensors and control its servos in real time. For those looking for less work and more laughs, you’ll definitely want to venture on past the break. Wondering what’s there? Pleo visits the day spa — need we say more?

Read - Pleo hacks
Read - Pleo’s day spa adventures

Continue reading Pleo roundup: spy cam / XBee hacks, dino visits the day spa

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Filed under: Cellphones

It’s hard to say if the pigeon you see above actually understood what he / she was doing, but apparently these birds can be taught to at least play iPhone 3G games in a very poor manner. The creature’s owner does note that Mr. Pigeon was pretty awful at racking up high scores on Tap Tap Revenge, but the important thing to realize here is that pigeon pecks do register as presses on the screen. Now that this is all out in the open, we fully expect a follow-up video next week of someone teaching their bird to dial a number on command. Vid’s after the break.

Continue reading Video: pigeon learns to “play” Tap Tap Revenge

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Filed under: Storage

Be honest with yourself: has there ever been a time when you felt like taking a hammer to a computer of yours? Yes, of course. Apparently some of the clever minds at plankton figured out a way to let people live out that fantasy without totally destroying their partially functional machine. The “nailed” USB flash drive features 2GB of internal storage, an unmistakable design and a rather huge head to ensure that even novice nailers don’t miss the target. Of course, it doesn’t take any responsibility for damage incurred by inserting said drive in the previously referenced manner, but a few light taps should suffice in most instances. Pick one up now in galvanized or blued (okay, not really) for €29.50 ($46).

[Via technabob]

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Filed under: Cellphones

Unless you hit the jackpot at an Apple Store, you aren’t apt to see this many iPhone 3Gs in one place without planning a meetup. As the story goes, one particular lady picked up one of Apple’s latest handsets, took it home and began checking things out. Curiously, a trio of images were already on the Camera Roll. Upon viewing them, she noticed two snaps overcome with blur and the one you see above — likely a rare look into an iPhone 3G factory. Not that we haven’t see Apple products give away their place of origin before, but still interesting nonetheless. Now, scurry along and check out your own roll to see if any hidden treasures are waiting.

[Via TUAW]

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Filed under: Storage

We’re not too sure how the advertising director that green lit Hitachi’s bizarro perpendicular recording video is still on staff, but sure enough, he / she has been cut loose again as evidenced by the latest spot. We knew the outfit was pushing this whole “Dawn of the Tera Era” slogan with the introduction of its Deskstar 7K1000.B, but this is just taking things entirely too far. Fair warning: the video hosted after the jump contains cartoon scenes that could easily be used by D.A.R.E. officials looking to keep kids from trying drugs, but somehow we get the impression its just a plug for having lots of (Hitachi-branded) storage space. Hmmph.

[Thanks, Frederick]

Continue reading Hitachi promotional video highlights Tera Era, effects of hallucinogens

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Filed under: Wearables

We’ve had our fair share of laughs from Zune Guy’s obsession with inking his body with permanent reminders of just how infatuated he is with Redmond’s PMP, but we must say, it’s a bit weirder to see someone coming ever closer to doing the same with our logo. Apparently one Egor Lavrov has established a tattoo contest in which he accepts donations as votes for logos, and after the polls close, he has agreed to give 25% of the money raised to charity and 25% to the person who submitted the winning tattoo idea. Oh, and he’s going to get the most highly ranked image inked on his arm. We’d be dubious about paying to cast a vote (read: we’d refrain entirely), but what’s up with our model being on steroids, anyway?

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Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

We can only hope that the makers of this beer bottle phone actually got Budweiser’s permission before slapping its logo on there, but regardless of all that, who can deny the awesomeness here? Okay, so you’ve got to be “that guy” for it to take your breath away, but we know you’re out there somewhere, that guy. Aside from looking like a cold one, it pretty much handles everything else a hamburger phone (or similar) would, but at least this one doesn’t require prior knowledge of Juno to be appreciated by your tipsy pals. Get your inebriated dialing on now for just $16.99 delivered.

[Via CrunchGear]

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Filed under: Peripherals

It’s time to take a long, hard look at where we’re headed as a society. No, really — we’ve got office chairs coming to kill comradeship, specially designed lapboards made to keep you sedentary for as long as humanly possible, and now we’re looking at the perfect device for keeping Earthlings in bed for days on end. The EasyChair WorkStation line of products essentially puts your laptop on wheels, and the adjustable boom arm ensures that you can reach the keys / trackpad regardless of which side you wake up on. We’re hearing a bedpan attachment is in the works as well, but we’re feeling entirely too lazy to actually check.

[Via TechDigest]

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Filed under: Networking

Shockingly enough, the image you see above isn’t as radical as you probably think. Just last year we saw a San Francisco couple profess their inexplicable love for TiVo with a his and her cake arrangement, while another treated guests to a flavorful version of their wedding day playlist. This perky pair, however, decided to create cakes that would visually describe just how they ended up together, complete with on-screen profiles and a crossover cable (or something) with a heart along the way. Gives a whole new meaning to the networking category, now doesn’t it?

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Filed under: Misc. Gadgets, Gaming

Or you could say it enables you to keep your fundament firmly planted for, oh, ever. Yes friends, LapWorks’ Gamers Desk essentially eliminates the need to get up and move over to the family PC where a mouse / keyboard combo can guide you to victory in yet another deathmatch. This lapboard (no, not that Lapboard) keeps a keyboard and mouse within reach of couch-based gamers, enabling them to fire up WoW on their HTPC and still maintain the edge afforded to them by using the aforementioned KB / critter tandem. The unit itself measures 11-inches wide by 26.75-inches across, is made from ABS plastic and includes non-skid rubber pads on the underside to keep it from slipping around in that pile of Doritos. It’s available now in gun-metal gray for $39.95, but a few more hues should be ready to roll later this year for those patient enough to wait around.

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Filed under: Household

We can’t say we’re terribly saddened that this riveting caper has finally ended — after all, the poor crew needs a reliable place to unload, right? Shortly after the space shuttle Discovery delivered a new pump for the jury-rigged commode, Oleg Kononenko — who we hear is now widely regarded as a galactic hero — spent around two hours installing the hardware and running a trio of tests. After everything was tightened up and functioning as advertised, the crew presumably relieved themselves just before carrying on with the installation of the recently acquired Kibo lab. Crisis averted.

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Filed under: Household

It’s amazing how quickly humans can remedy problems when really placed in a bind, and rather than waiting for supplies to come up with Discovery next week, crew members aboard the International Space Station were able to solve their little dilemma already. Reportedly, cosmonauts were able to cure whatever was ailing the temporarily non-functioning john, enabling those stuck in space to urinate freely. Thankfully, the seven-year old toilet is due to be replaced with a fresh new one this Fall, and we’d say the replacement couldn’t arrive soon enough.

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Filed under: Household

You think it’s bad when computers on the International Space Station get spazzed — just imagine the chaos when the primary commode decides to stop functioning correctly. As of now, crew members are being forced to urinate in a “jury-rigged system” that’s connected to the seven-year old (!!!) can, but thankfully, the solid waste collecting part has yet to act up. Still, we can imagine that folks on board are already fearing the worst. NASA officials have stated that they are currently mulling the idea of tossing a few parts on the Discovery just before it lifts off next week for a planned docking trip, which we can only hope pans out. Godspeed just took on a whole new meaning.

[Image courtesy of Nohoz, thanks System48]

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Filed under: Displays, Household

What else can we say? The concept here is pure genius, and it totally makes those pricey security systems seem way pointless (okay, slightly less critical). The FakeTV is a strobe that sets up in an occupied room at night and flashes up beams of light. From the inside, we can imagine it looks fairly curious, but from the outside, it gives prospective burglars the idea that someone is actually awake and watching a television program. It promises to produce the effects of “scene changes, fades, swells, flicks, on-screen motion and color changes,” just like they were generated by a bona fide set. We can’t speak for how well (or not) this thing actually works, but at just $49, we’d say it’s a solid buy if you’re the paranoid type.

[Via BoingBoing]

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Filed under: Gaming, Wearables

Okay, so maybe millions of Wii-costumed individuals running around wouldn’t be ideal, but the idea at least sparks up a modicum of hilariousness, yeah? The person you see above, dear readers, is WiiMan Superhero. Fully equipped and ever-ready to address any Wii-related issues and / or injuries that you may be enduring. Best of all, this suit (a GarageGeeks project) does way more than make a boy a man — it acts as a fully functional Wiimote, complete with built-in Bluetooth, accelerometers, and an IR cam. Check out a few more shots in the read link, and be sure to bow as you enter.

[Thanks, Rafael]

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Filed under: Cellphones

During the first episode of the new season of Criminal Minds, FBI agent and resident neat-freak David Rossi just couldn’t shake the unsolved double homicide that he never could close a score ago. Oddly enough, that wasn’t the only mystery involved, as we’re still scratching our heads trying to figure out what’s so important on the lid of Mr. Rossi’s RAZR2. Maybe a super-secret 4G icon? Tommy Tutone’s most favorite dame’s number? The infamous Sad Moto face? Whatever it was, we’re fairly certain a highly concealed RAZR2 is superior to the lowly RAZR Derek Morgan is still getting issued. What’s a man got to do to get a leg-up, anyway?

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Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

Oh sure, iPods have found their way outside of our atmosphere before, but there’s just something magical about spotting one front and (off) center on the Space Shuttle Endeavour. Dollars to donuts it’s perpetually repeating the discography of Air.

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Filed under: Desktops, Household

We’ve seen antiquated Macs given new life as fish tanks and living room decorations, but the iWipe takes repurposing to an entirely different level. As you can clearly see in the image above, one particular engineering soul figured a spare Macintosh SE case would look a whole lot better in his bathroom than in the trash, so he whipped out a screwdriver, removed some internal brackets and gave the unit a fresh coat of paint. $15 and a few hours later, out popped his new toilet paper dispenser. Check out the read link for a bunch more pics — oh, and stop second guessing yourself, you’re totally building one of these next weekend.

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Filed under: Laptops

The TSA has been known to take issue with products designed in Cupertino before, but for one particular traveler, it was Apple’s thinnest laptop ever that caused the latest holdup. Upon tossing his ultra-sleek slab of aluminum underneath the scanner, security managed to find enough peculiarities to remove it from the flow, pull it aside and wrangle up the owner for some questions. Apparently, the TSA employee manning the line was flabbergasted by the “lack of a drive” and the complete absence of “ports on the back,” and while hordes of co-workers swarmed to investigate, the user’s flight took off on schedule. Thankfully, said owner was finally allowed to pass through after some more in-the-know colleagues explained in painfully simple terms what an SSD was, but the poor jet-setter most definitely paid the price for trying to slip some of the latest and greatest under the sharp eyes of the TSA (and cutting it close on time, of course).

[Image courtesy of ABC]

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