Sorry folks, it looks like Green House's USB table fan is strictly Japanese for the time being, so you'll have to settle for something a little smaller. Not that we're terribly confident a 500mA current is really all that capable of moving a lot of air in a table fan anyway.

While solid-state hard drives are still only just beginning to catch on, if a group of researchers from Thorrn Micro Technologies have their way, there could soon be another solid-state laptop component headed your way. That component in question is a microchip-sized fan, which boasts no moving parts but is apparently capable of keeping a laptop or other electronic devices cool. To do that, the fan reportedly makes use of the same technology found in household air purifiers, which results in a flow rate three times greater than typical small mechanical fan, not to mention lower power consumption and completely silent operation. Of course, the fan is still in the early testing stages, but the researchers see virtually no end to its potential, with them boasting that it's "one of the most significant advancements in electronics cooling since heat pipes," and adding that it could "change the cooling paradigm for mobile electronics."

We've seen some pretty questionable case mods involving additional fans, but this one will likely hold top honors until something even more extravagant comes around. The "Super Cooler" straps a grand total of 66 fans around the tower, which probably doesn't do a whole lot of good when all's said and done. Truth be told, we've all ideas that this thing was created more so for people to gawk at than to actually enable users to run uber-overclocked CPUs and graphics cards without the use of water, but whatever the case, it's an interesting (if not cacophonic) take on cooling. Hit the read link for lots more images, and keep those fingers a safe distance away, k?

[Via Uber-Review]

Sony's full-version firmware bump to 2.00 is now out and available for your downloading fix. So go ahead and get to downloading and feel that underwhelming surge of decorative features overwhelm your console. As to the remote start feature, once enabled, prepare to have the PS3's cooling fan spinning 24 x 7 in preparation for remote access even when the console is turned off. Fortunately, it's nearly silent so no worries -- just as long you're not concerned with the wails of the baby Gore. That, according to Engadget Japan's translation and confirmed by their testing. Wha?

[Via Engadget Japan, thanks to everyone who sent this in]]

Read -- Firmware 2.0
Read -- Remote Wake

This past Monday, an old electric fan (circa 1970) that was produced by Sanyo reportedly "caused a fire" which led to the death of two people in Tokyo. Apparently, a fire broke out "due to decay in the motor and other parts" of the fan, but the firm has denied that there were design flaws "or any other defects" to blame. Interestingly, the company has purportedly received "23 similar reports since 2000, including two involving people who suffered burns," but recalling a device made nearly four decades ago isn't exactly high up on the feasibility list.

Ain't nothing classier than a clip-on tie...except one with a built-in USB-powered fan in the knot. We're not certain how this thing keep you cool, or why you wouldn't just use any of the million other USB-powered fans that don't increase your dork factor by 1000, but the people in the photos look so blissfully content we're actually a little curious.

[Via The Raw Feed]

For anyone who has neglected their introverted tendencies lately and stepped foot outside, you'd realize that much of the US is unbearably warm, and while we haven't seen any outbreaks of overheating Wiis, this here fan is aiming to ensure it stays that way. Of course, it won't go down as the first of its kind, but this USB-powered wind pusher provides two extra USB ports for the ones it covers, should match your Wii in color fairly well, and is reportedly ultra quiet when squashing heat. No word just yet on pricing or availability, but if you've got a wonderful invention known as "air conditioning," you needn't worry anyway.

Those looking for a little more interaction at Safeco Field this season need only bring their DS Lite and a few extra bucks. This season, Nintendo is trialing the Nintendo Fan Network at the home of the Seattle Mariners, which enables onlookers to "order food and drinks, watch the live television feed of the game, access stats and scores, and play trivia from the comfort of their seat." The quietly introduced pilot program has brought several kiosks to the park, which uploads a program to the DS Lite and enables the WiFi-equipped handheld to take part in the bonus festivities. Eventually, the Big N hopes to expand the system into other stadiums, but for now, Mariners fans can get in on the action for $5 per game, or $30 for ten games.

[Image courtesy of Flickr]

Just over a year ago, Nyko busted out a lucrative solution to the world of overheating problems that hordes of Xbox 360 users were experiencing, and even after being lambasted for causing consoles to draw an unsafe amount of electricity, the company hasn't learned a thing. Unlike Pelican's attempt at a snap-on cooling solution for the PS3, Nyko's two-piece Intercooler (larger picture after the break) holds tight to the problematic power pass-through design which could presumably put undue stress on your machine's power supply when running things in high gear. Nevertheless, IGN's review saw no scorching problems during the time it was used, and while it did manage to cool the unit down during hardcore gaming sessions, it came at a cost. The noise level experienced a noticeable increase, but they were impressed by the user-controllable fan speed knob that allowed them to ratchet things down whilst watching a Blu-ray movie. In a brief comparison between the two current options, there didn't seem to be a decisive winner, but judging by Nyko's previous mishap and its refusal to update the design, the choice should be fairly clear.

While the message of living a greener life seems to be pounded into our ears on a regular basis, it's never too early to get your offspring in on the energy-conserving fun. The Blow Light toy from Nigel's Eco Store features a simplistic, kid-friendly design that's sure to require a lot of attention, as the miniature pinwheel doesn't light up and excite without a little effort on your youngster's behalf. The internal blue and green LED lights remain dormant until a gust of wind (or hot air) starts the spinning, subsequently lighting up the device and eliciting smiles all around. Of course, with no batteries required, the price on this uber-green toy tends to be a bit higher than the mass market alternatives, but at least your £9.99 ($20) won't be fueling the proverbial fire.

[Via Inhabitat]

The overheating syndrome has struck just about every area of consumer electronics possible, and while spinning that UMD might get your fingertips ever-so-toasty, we haven't heard any mass outcries of PSPs getting hot enough to cook breakfast on, but apparently none of that matters. In a rare case of besting an already questionable mod just days ago, this DIY installation is a real head scratcher, as Acidmods details how to install an actual cooling fan onto the rear of your Sony handheld. Your guess is as good as ours as to why this hack-job is actually beneifical, but if your only alternative is obliterating your PSP with a sword, we guess we'll have to recommend you hop on over and get your hot gluing on -- but only after you've mastered the art of stuffing three AAA cells into its battery pack, cool?

[Via Joystiq]

While it's easy to assume that most laptop stands will inevitably increase the airflow surrounding the case, therefore cooling your machine off somewhat, that's apparently just not enough for some of the lap burners on the market today. For those who just can't part with their searing machines, Belkin has unveiled a new Cooling Stand that purportedly prevents your laptop from overheating. Of course, if it literally takes a fan to curb an overheating problem, you might have something a bit more serious on your hands, but alas, this trendy white / silver riser sports a modern, slightly curved design with a fan located in the center of the unit. Its self-proclaimed "high-capacity blower" moves air out from under your lappie and is powered entirely by your USB port (the one not powering that USB seat cooler), so you can drain your already weak battery even more when trying to keep cool on the go. You can snag one of these wind machines late next month for $29.99.

[Via TechDigest]

This wasn't exactly the kind of peripheral we've been searching for to upgrade our Xbox 360s here around the office, but hey, if your box is overheating and you don't want to send it back to Redmond (or can't because of, um, certain "modifications"), check out Nyko's Intercooler. Yup, basically it's just a fan system for better ventilating your Xbox, but the $20 you spend here might might well extend the life of your early console. Then again it might not, and it could be another effective way to create some more fan noise in your livingroom. Win-win if you ask us.

[Via I4U]