Food -- Engadget

mypressi TWIST gives espresso addicts an easier way to indulge

by Darren Murph, posted Apr 27th 2009 at 8:53AM

You know the story -- your daily craving for a shot of espresso hits right around 7:30AM local time, and if you don't have it in your grasp by 0800 hours, you're likely visiting the slammer for at least a day or two for barista battery. In a beautiful effort to keep addicts far away from prisons and ever closer to their productivity machines, Espressi has unveiled the mypressi TWIST, which is described as a truly portable espresso maker that delivers top-notch goods without the wait. The secret to the one-pound device is the pneumatic engine that provides constant pressure throughout the extraction cycle, and we're told that a single CO2 cartridge can provide around eight shots. It'll hit American shores this fall for $129 -- 'til then, it's on you to keep a local shop on retainer.

[Via Single Serve Expresso]

BrewTroller simplifies homebrewing, makes it doable while inebriated

by Darren Murph, posted Apr 11th 2009 at 2:06AM

It's been a mystery for ages, but at long last, it seems a simple DIYer has found a solution. We all know that the best beers are the ones brewed at home, but after a given amount of "test sips," things can easily get a little out of control. In order to simplify the homebrewing process, the brilliant BrewTroller was concocted during a short stint with sobriety. In essence, the system utilizes a Sanguino microcontroller platform which was inspired by the tried-and-true Arduino in order to give brewers complete control over temperature and the like. When connected to a simple menu-driven display, it removes the need to bang out a paragraph of code while tipsy in order to tweak the flavor ever so slightly. Hit up the read link to have a look at the progress, but make sure you strap on those Beer Goggles first.

[Via HackedGadgets]

Kitchen-safe Demy recipe reader could revolutionize your cooking

by Darren Murph, posted Mar 30th 2009 at 9:22AM

While we can only assume that "kitchen-safe" means that it won't melt when tossed accidentally in the oven nor be fazed by splattering hot grease, we'd still exercise a good deal of caution when reading off of the Demy digital recipe reader. Crafted by Key Ingredient, this here device packs a sealed 7-inch display, storage for up to 2,500 recipes and USB connectivity for syncing with your PC. Furthermore, it provides three kitchen timers, a measurement conversion calculator and an ingredient substitution dictionary to get cooks out of a pinch if they are one special ingredient short. Currently, the device is listed as "shipping soon" from Amazon, though we'd probably start scrounging up those three Benjamins if you hope to own one free and clear whenever "soon" turns to "now."

[Via PopGadget]

Gallery: Kitchen-safe Demy recipe reader could revolutionize your cooking

Sudo robot begrudgingly makes sandwiches on command

by Darren Murph, posted Feb 28th 2009 at 8:21PM

Not that we haven't seen cooking robots before, but there's just something distinctly awesome about one that whips up a sandwich. Particularly one that kvetches first, and then gives in and makes a sandwich. Bre Pettis' Sudo robot isn't exactly sophisticated -- anything more than a simple grilled cheese is asking a bit much -- but even that should be plenty for the average college student. Check the read link to see it in action, and don't be surprised to see Subway pick this up and tweak it for use with multiple toppings and condiments.

[Via Digg]

Gingerbread Macintosh for serious gingerbread fanboys only

by Laura June, posted Dec 27th 2008 at 4:15AM

Tech confections are nothing new: we've seen laptops, Kindles... heck, Martha Stewart even got in on the geek-baking action once upon a time. So maybe we shouldn't be impressed with this edible Mac, but the truth is, we love to eat, and the phrase "chocolate icons" really hooked us. So then... custard-filled pico projector in 2009? Yes. Hit the read link to check out more photos of this delectable desktop.

US TiVo users pick up Domino's Pizza ordering / tracking abilities

by Darren Murph, posted Nov 17th 2008 at 11:02AM

Clearly catering towards the wants, nay, needs of the average American couch potato is TiVo and Domino's Pizza, which have collaborated in order to bring on-sofa pizza ordering to broadband-connected TiVo subscribers. If you'll recall, this service was actually announced for Australia earlier this month, but users in the US of A get the first chance to indulge. 'Course, this is far from the first unorthodox method of ordering pizza, and the lack of a scheduled delivery option is certainly a weak point, but this widget does reveal that all sorts of differentiating applications could eventually find their way to a TiVo box near you. Feel free to give it a spin tonight, but don't blame us if that backlit remote gets dimmed from grease seeping into the crevices.

[Via ZatzNotFunny]

Kami Kami bite counter keeps your kid masticating

by Darren Murph, posted Nov 17th 2008 at 8:26AM

We've no clue what kind of sick, demented parent would ever put their child through this, but for those with offspring who like to, say, swallow their hamburgers whole, we suppose it may come in handy. From the wide, wacky and utterly bizarre world that is Japanese gadgetry comes this: a bite counter from Nitto Kagaku. As you'd expect, the headgear keeps track of how many bites your kid takes, and it even plays a little jingle every 1,000 chews in order to celebrate the occasion. 'Course, there is the proven side effect of obesity, but at least they'll be making mincemeat out of everything they can get their hands on while gradually growing to 385 pounds.

[Via Engadget German]

Is this Philips' next-generation Senseo?

by Darren Murph, posted Aug 7th 2008 at 7:23AM

Going out for coffee is so pre-recession, right? Either way, what you see above is a purported rendering of Philips' next-generation Senseo coffee system, which actually looks to be taking a step backwards in the design department. Not that we have anything against non-futuristic styling -- just an observation, is all. We know, at least a handful of you are already champing at the bit to yell "FAKE1one!," but really, who spends time creating a mockup of a java machine? And besides, aren't all the good designers working up those derisory iPhone nano images?

[Thanks, GPFransen]

Spanish scientists develop "electronic tongue" that can taste wine for quality, drifter appeal

by Nilay Patel, posted Aug 5th 2008 at 7:34PM

Look, we know the appeal of the occasional Franzia stand or one-armed Rossi pull, but at some point you've got to put the 20/20 down and stop drinking like a hobo -- and it sounds like a new device being developed in Spain might help you learn to appreciate some classy wine for once. The "electronic tongue," as it's called, features six sensors that can measure factors like acidity, sugar, and alcohol levels, and use them to determine the age and variety of the wine, just like NEC's adorable little drink-bot. The tongue is supposed to be used to help wine industry officials assess wine quality in the field and detect frauds, but we've got a feeling it's going to be a hit around snooty wine bars worldwide.

[Thanks, Yossi]

Battlestar Galactica Cylon Toaster produces fanboy-approved bread

by Darren Murph, posted Jul 16th 2008 at 11:05AM

Think you're the nerdiest BSG nerd on the face of this particular planet? Oh, yeah? Then bust out your Mr. Wizard plastic wallet and head on down to the read link, because any true fan simply will not be able to eat breakfast again without the Battlestar Galactica Cylon Toaster. Supposedly the device is limited in quantity, as only one batch is being created specifically for Comic-Con. Those who'd rather get in line now instead of paying 4x more on eBay in a month can plunk down $65 and wait for shipments to begin on July 29th. Mmm, Cylon toast.

[Via Register Hardware]

Palm-sized lab could detect food-borne diseases

by Darren Murph, posted Jul 2nd 2008 at 10:23AM

There are literally entire stores devoted to devices that detect drink spiking (okay, maybe not stores), but what about those of us concerned over food-borne pathogens? A crew of European researchers are addressing said worries by "creating one of only two prototype systems in the world that prepare samples and perform DNA tests on bacteria in a portable, easy-to-use and cost-effective chip." Essentially, the EU-funded OptoLabCard project is aiming to concoct a small, disposable laboratory that humans could carry around and use to detect diseases such as campylobacter and salmonella before ingesting contaminated grub. Team members are suggesting that a commercial product could be ready to roll within three years, with prices for each "lab" reaching as low as $0.50. 'Til then, always make your buddy have the first bite.

[Via Physorg]

PC Keyboard Salt and Pepper Shakers don't support SureType

by Darren Murph, posted Jun 11th 2008 at 8:01AM

Just what you needed, right? After a hard day's night pounding away on keys for The Man, do you really want to season your grub with a little QWERTY? Amazingly, we bet the answer is still yes. Get your set now for $10.95.

[Via technabob]

Japanese scientists craft planet's smallest ramen bowl

by Darren Murph, posted Jun 1st 2008 at 2:01AM

Now that just looks extra scrumptious, doesn't it? What you're peering at above is believed to be the world's tiniest ramen bowl, created by a clever bunch of scientists from the University of Tokyo. Reportedly, Masayuki Nakao and his students "used a carbon-based material to produce a noodle bowl with a diameter 1 / 25,000 of an inch in a project aimed at developing nanotube-processing technology." In other words, they carved a bowl out of nanotubes, which can now only be viewed through a microscope. Best of all, they didn't stop with just the dinnerware, as they managed to insert a number of inedible noodles to round things off -- each of which measured "one-12,500th of an inch in length with a thickness of one-1.25 millionth of an inch." Don't get any bright ideas here, McDonald's, ditching SuperSize was bad enough.

Humanoid learns to cook breakfast, fend for himself

by Darren Murph, posted May 7th 2008 at 1:38PM

Never mind getting tesla coils to fix your supper, just hit the on switch on your own personal humanoid. Reportedly, the creature you see above has been loaded with learning algorithms that enable it to repeat actions that it learns. Wonder if anyone realized that this totally demented critter just learned to slice more than ham? Stay sharp, kids -- the video's after the break.

[Via Hacked Gadgets]

Continue reading Humanoid learns to cook breakfast, fend for himself

Tesla coils seen wowing onlookers, cooking hot dogs

by Darren Murph, posted May 7th 2008 at 2:23AM

Believe it or not, tesla coils are good for more than just creating lighting, protecting one's laptop or cranking out a sweet tune -- and the folks watching a dazzling demonstration at Maker Faire 2008 can attest to that. Apparently a group of prototype (1 / 12 scale, no less) coils were seen sparking up the evening in San Mateo, California, but it wasn't the visual energy or unmistakable hum that caused all that saliva to form in the mouths of onlookers. Oh no, it was the fact that a dozen hot dogs were simultaneously roasted and made ready for safe consumption. Check out a video of the action right after the break.

Continue reading Tesla coils seen wowing onlookers, cooking hot dogs