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Improve your big game planning with Tailgating
To many fans, the tailgating parties before and after the game are almost as important as the game itself. Now with Tailgating, you can make your game day parties easier to organize and make sure everyone has a good time. This free universal app require iOS 5.1. Tailgating offers users master check lists for food, gear, personal items, and a whole list of other things. Users create a trip with an identifying name and then go through the long list of items to check off the items they need to take with them to the game and necessary for a successful tailgating experience. The master lists are broken into separate categories for food and gear or one master list to cover both. Inside the master list users receive a breakout of just about everything you could possibly need for your party. Once you start your trip planner, go through all the lists and mark the items you plan to take with you, grill, tongs, napkins, plates,, cooler, charcoal, utensils, snacks, drinks, hamburgers, hot dogs, mustard, and dozens more. I went through the many breakouts and could not identify anything that was not covered. Tailgating even has a medical supplies list for bandages, burn ointment, etc. However if you do come up with items specific to your needs not on the master lists, you can easily create your own check list. Your lists work the same as the apps master lists. If you have multiple people involved in the planning and equipping of your tailgate, you can print the lists or share them with other devices through Bluetooth or email. Users can create a different list for each event they plan to attend. An outdoor summer concert would require different items than an early fall football game. You can also change the lists easily so your planning can adapt to changing weather conditions. While iced tea might be appropriate for a game in the Midwest in September, hot chocolate would be far more appropriate for games being played in late November or early December. Once you have your check list completed and it is time to pack, you call up the check list and as you pack each item check it off by touching the item on the screen. This makes it easy to see if any items were left unpacked. You will also find in Tailgating a button with Trip Info. In this area you can put in the location of the event and get maps showing your current location and where the event is being held. It also has a place for you to include your room reservation info if it is an overnight trip. With Tailgating your pre-game parties should be much easier to plan and execute. You have to do some work ahead of time but I think that effort pays off in making sure you have an enjoyable tailgating experience.
ShelfX's Vending Fridge nixes the cashier, uses QR codes, RFID to 'know what you took'
QR codes and RFID tags aren't uncommon when it comes to automated payment applications, and now Colorado-based ShelfX has purposed them for its new wireless-equipped Vending Fridges. Eliminating the need for a cashier -- or cash, for that matter -- each unit allows you to purchase any items packed inside by scanning a QR code with your phone (using the company's app) or an RFID badge. Upon presenting either method to the machine, it's able to tell who you are and unlocks its door. From there, you can grab whatever you'd like, while ShelfX automatically pulls funds your account for what's been removed. The system is also smart enough to know when goods are put back, so you won't have to worry about being charged while making up your mind. All of the money goes through ShelfX, allowing it to take "a small percentage" for itself before sending a monthly payment to owners. The Vending Fridge is currently on sale for $600, and a retrofitting kit for your own fridge is also available for half that amount -- no word on whether it has kid-blocking or crab-proofing options, though. You'll find more information in the press release just after the break.
Japan takes vending machines to their logical, 47-inch touchscreen extreme
Time for us to admit another entrant into the hall of unnecessary, but cool inventions. Installed at Tokyo's Shinagawa Station yesterday, this latest spin on the vending machine dispenses with those silly windows unto what you're buying and furnishes its user with a 47-inch touch panel from which to make his (or her) selection. An embedded camera will recognize your gender and age, allowing the machine to recommend a beverage suitable to whatever stereotype is attached to your particular circumstances. And don't worry, it'll store your purchasing history too, so you can be freaked out by tailored ads every time you use it. 500 more of these WiMAX-equipped units are planned to be installed in and around Tokyo over the next two years, with operating company JR East expecting them to tally up 30 percent more sales than their analog brethren. More bling equals higher revenue? Sounds about right. [Thanks, Kyle]%Gallery-99194%
Breakfast Topic: What drink is your class?
Over at Shadow Gaming, Dahis tackles a simple question: what alcoholic beverage corresponds to each class/spec? Here are some of my favorites that he came up with: MS Warriors are like Hamms, a dime a dozen. They're also like that 40oz of Old English in your fridge because it's probably better to leave it alone than to try and down it. Warlocks (any kind) are like NIGHT TRAIN, kicks your ass almost for free. Bear Druids are like Everclear, because you think you can take one but you regret it almost immediately. Holy Priests are like Andre Champaign [sic] since everyone's happier when you have one. Hunters are like Old Crow because your grandpa (early WoW) liked it but nobody your age does. I especially enjoy the last one for implying that early WoW players were two generations behind the current players (which certainly feels like the case sometimes). So how about it? If your class was liquid, what would it be? Personally, I'd say my holy priest is like a mint julep: far more trouble than it's worth if you're alone, but fun in a party.P.S. Don't drink if you're underage, etc. You can still play along in the comments though.
