Snorkel Mask with built in Digital Camera
The company Liquid Image is set to release a rather interesting device apparatus that not only protects your eyes in semi-deep (or shallow) waters, but gives you the option of taking a snap as well. Starting at roughly $100, the “digital camera mask” comes in two tech flavors, 3.1 megapixels or 5. Embedded LEDs that alert you when the camera’s ready to snap and incredibly difficult-to-see crosshairs framing the picture may touch off a unique sporty photog niche.
Too bad the operational levels of use cap at roughly 15 feet which make the device futile if you’d like to capture something other than goldfish or shark gnawing your leg. Although, a MicroSD slot sounds promising.
100 things we didn’t know last year
The blokes at the BBC News Service grouped 100 tidbits of icebreaker-esque factoids into a list of things learned this year, my favorite:
65. The Italian Mafia have commandments
Unfortunately, the article has an alterior motive…each factoid is linked to an article, weak.
Aptera, an expensive car of the future
Name a vehicle that costs roughly $27,000 and gets 300 miles per gallon? Popular Mechanics looks over the highly anticipated Aptera with it’s unconventional design and technologically impressive innards. Watch the video after the jump
When the gas light turns on…
Here’s a rather interesting (and albeit incredibly stupid) idea that poses the question, “How far can you go after the gas light in your car comes on?” Find stats for particular cars and compare with other users to see if you can push 40,50, or even 60 miles in that sorry excuse for a cardboard on wheels that you call a “car.”
iRobo, a Bangledeshi Scrapbot
Engadget posted a very interesting story on a rather enterprising Bangledeshi Grad Student that has seemingly created a bot that will perform menial tasks and labor such as mopping and picking up trash. The bot is user-driven responding to simple voice commands and surprisingly was made from scrap parts found at electronic and auto shops. The inventor, Feroz Ahmed Siddique added, “I hope people will be able to buy it for less than $1,000.”
Reuters has a video of the bot in action, watch after the jump…
MyCrimeSpace, a place for Criminals
No no, this isn’t another networking site for criminals and convicted felons but a site that tends to keep tabs on users legal shortcomings.
Related:
Mmmm, Tasty Couture
Joy Kampia, a fashion designer, tantalizes both sex appeal and taste buds with this rather kitschy hamburger dress compete with tomatoes, lettuce, and cheese. No word yet if the dress can be super sized for plus sized individuals (I couldn’t help myself).
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Rent-a-tank
Entrepreneurs are always looking for the next money making scheme and suffice it to say it was only inevitable when military equipment would hit the rental market. Northants, UK’s Tanks-A-Lot offers military tank rentals for all sorts of special occasions. Bar mitzvahs, Weddings, Celebrating Israeli Occupation (too soon?).
Quite an exhaustive list of customers too, no doubt private and corporate spendsters. Sweet 16 anyone?
The most extensive collection of Cut Paper Art you’ll ever see
Peter Callesen’s skills as an artist is only surpassed by the artistic brilliance of cutting exquisite objects out of common sheets of paper. I tried to cut an object with the help of a stencil and ended up in three bandages. He has a gift.
Related:
Robert J. Lang’s Crease Patterns
iPod Nano Dopplegager doubles as a digicam
That’s right, not even the most lucrative of consumer tech devices can escape the onslaught of Korean/Taiwanese/Chinese knockoffs. Engadget continues their Keepin’ it real fake series with the UE-Technology UE-M4088, a scrappy upstart that provides the functionality of an iPod Nano 3rd Gen with a practical 1.3 megapixel digital camera.
Related:
What about a fake iPod Nano (previous generation)?
10 of the Narrowest Houses in the World
The site Web Urbanist posted a rather not-so-exhaustive list of the top 10 narrowest houses known to man. Below is an especially cramped London flat. And here I thought I wanted to retire to England…
This London, England house (left above) is just 5 feet at its narrowest, and 10 feet at its widest, and was sold for nearly a million dollars. Likewise extreme expensive, 72 1/2 Bedford Street in Greenwich Village, New York City, USA (right above), which has been everything from a cobbler’s shop to a candy factory, dates back to 1873. However, the actual narrowest house in the United States is located in Long Beach, California.
Ms. Dewey
Ms. Dewey is the result of a collaborative project between Microsoft and Adobe Flash showcasing an interactive search engine with a terribly annoying searching host named Ms. Dewey utilizing Microsoft’s Live Search service. Sure, she’s hauntingly attractive, but when I type in the search query “are you wearing underwear?” only to be given links to where I can purchase a pair of ladies unmentionables, a sick taste enters my mouth.What’s that you say, “It was released in October 06 and you’re just now posting it?” Shhh…
.Related:
Wiki has an entry on Ms. Dewey
35 Interesting Concepts
Saw this a few weeks ago on a plethora of general interest weblogs and couldn’t help but feel inspired. Here’s 35 conceptual designs ranging from anatomically-savvy hose socks to these delightful (pictured above) pac-man-esque hats. Kitschy? You bet your ass…
Nokia’s iPhone Doppleganger: NokNok?
Oy Vey, Engadget reports on Nokia’s new iPhone Killer which oddly enough…looks like Apple’s all-in-one behemoth.
Foamy Shirt absorbs sweat
For those who’ve come in contact with the Company Crocs
you’ll realize that those terrible eye sores are not only comfortable but practical (who am I kidding?). Boing Boing Gadgets had a post on this Daily Mail Article that reported on Crocs new product that tends to shy away from the company’s main line of shoe wear by promoting a self-absorbing shirt. While the shoes may feel like rubber (as well as the market damning shirt), it isn’t. The material used is made of a manufactured soft foam resin called Crosslite. 
Shirts, shorts, trousers and skirts are among garments that will be included in the range - which at first will be aimed at men and children, but is later expected to expand to include women’s fashion.
The resin will be blended with natural fibres such as cotton to create a breathable, sweat-resistant substance for outdoor activity.
A Crocs spokeswoman said: “We’ve been able to take the same material and spin it into a yarn so it has all the properties of the shoes - light, durable and breathable.”
HOWTO: Create your own Beer
I don’t drink, but I thought this was interesting nonetheless. Popular Science has an interesting how to on creating a brewing machine that boils, ferments, chills, and serves. Head on over to find out how complete with step-by-step guide and included video/pictures.
Cost: $4,315
Time Spent: 3 Months
Jimmy Justice
Perhaps you’ve heard of this renegade citizen patriot who trolls around New York Streets looking for gross infractions of the law. The twist is, it’s not those who live there, but those who protect and serve there. The NY Traffic Police. I’ve seen a few clips and a couple of interviews with this rogue vigilante and I must say, he certainly has quite the *ahem* courage…to take on the law. Basically, the videos are a compendium of foul mouthed accusations (which for the most part seem to be true). Personally, I’m just surprised an officer hasn’t used the ol’ “agitating an officer on the job” tactic. A Video and Link to an MSNBC interview after the jump.
Coffee Infographics
Lokesh Dhakar created a beautiful set of illustrated coffee infographics that may just be picked up by starbucks…or by an off brand franchisee strapped for cash. Nevertheless, I hadn’t realized the sheer complexity of ordering an espresso coffee and the various ways the caffeine staple can be prepared. The one on the left is Cafe Breve and the one on the right is a standard Cappuccino :
Related:
Coffee Varieties listed on Wiki
HOWTO: Encrypt & Hide a HDD
Adam Heckler posted a fantastic HOWTO guide on encrypting and hiding a hard drive installed on your computer. Good for those instances when porn isn’t the only type of data that needs to be incognito.
The basic advantage is the inherent separation of files. If one partition happens to be damaged, the files on the other partition will be saved. Also, one might need a secure place to keep those, ummm “personal” files.
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Back in a day or two…
It seems that I have a few matters to tend to, especially with semester already in full swing, so expect a batch of juicy finds around Friday or so. No news yet if Dannish will answer the call, and I sincerely hope he does.
-Vaqas