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The Nissan Kicks is a cheap crossover that's still high-tech
Inexpensive entry-level vehicles are typically drab affairs. Beige boxes with the minimum options and styling that can be described as sadness on four wheels. The Nissan Kicks (yeah, with an S) is different. It's fun, quirky and has just enough tech to keep smartphone-addicted new car buyers happy.
ICYMI: Mind-controlled prosthetics, architect ants and more
#fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-459334{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-459334, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-459334{width:570px;display:block;} try{document.getElementById("fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-459334").style.display="none";}catch(e){} Today on In Case You Missed It: Johns Hopkins University researchers surgically repositioned a patient's nerves and also implanted a prosthetic adapter to use mind control on his prosthetic arm. French researchers learned that common ants are able to communicate how something should be constructed by leaving pheromone-based instructions on whatever they're building. And the OneCook smart appliance works by having the fresh ingredients loaded into the cooker hybrid, then lets people control adjust the recipe and let it do the rest from an app. It just launched on Kickstarter.
ICYMI: Record-setting bot walk, holographic drones and more
#fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-309632{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-309632, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-309632{width:570px;display:block;} try{document.getElementById("fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-309632").style.display="none";}catch(e){}Today on In Case You Missed It: Researchers from Queens University built tiny quadcopters that can join to form a hologram display, hovering in mid-air. A Guinness World Record for furthest distance by a quadruped robot was set in China by a quirky cute robot we'd love to see more of. And we're into this Kickstarter project for a device that would turn any watch into a smartwatch with vibration for notifications, a heart rate monitor and control for music and photos.
Counterfeiters already have fake 'BTTF' Nikes with power laces
Nike won't have its Back to the Future 2 kicks on shelves until next year, but it looks like the folks who make their money selling knockoffs aren't waiting around. Since Nike announced the Mags with power laces will be a very limited edition available only via auction, we can expect a healthy market for fakes. Kicks On Fire points out this Instagram video by fake_education -- an account that generally points out ways to tell real shoes from their unauthorized twins -- showing a power lacing system already integrated with a pair of knockoff Mags. Of course we're sure you would never stoop so low as to intentionally buy fakes, but when Marty McFly's futuristic shoes start to surface in suspicious quantities and prices, remember this video.
Adidas outs sneaker reservation app as Yeezy season approaches
If you're into collecting limited-edition sneakers, Adidas has a new app that'll employ your phone to help nab new shoes. The Adidas Confirmed allows you to reserve new designs as they become available -- but It only works in New York City, for now. Push notifications will alert you when the reservation window is open, so you can nail down sizing and the pickup details. This only secures a pair of the rare kicks, and the actual exchange of funds takes place at the pre-determined retail location. The app's arrival comes before the highly-anticipated release of the next Yeezy shoe designed by Kanye West. Those familiar with the sneaker buzz know Nike's first two installments were snatched up in seconds, so best of luck grabbing some when the new version is finally revealed.
Nike PHOTOiD colors Air Max sneakers with the aid of Instagram snapshots
Sure, you can head over to Nike's online shoe repository and haphazardly toggle through color options for a custom pair of kicks. Or, you could let your Instagram library do the heavy lifting. With the new PHOTOiD HTML5 web app, the shoe maker combines those filtered smartphone snapshots with its custom ordering process. Once a photo has been selected, the software applies the color palette to a pair of Air Max 1, 90 or 95 sneakers -- based on the available color library for each footwear option, of course. From there, sharing is enabled through the usual social networks and creations can be purchased to hit your doorstep in about a month. Consult the source link below to color your pair of Air Max 90s based on yesterday's sandwich or iced coffee.
Nike teases Back to the Future shoes, creepily leaks the contents of Marty McFly's closet (video)
What's this? Nike is rounding up shoe-nerds (and Back to the Future fans) to taunt them with futuristic metal shield glasses, 1980s candy, and a personal messages from Doc Brown? Could this shoe-filled YouTube tease (uploaded by DocEmmettBrown88) mean that Nike is bringing nerdom's coolest kicks back from the future? Probably. After all, you don't patent power-laces just to make a normal shoe, do you? [Thanks, Rob]
Artist crafts Pentium Nikes but Mom buys us AMD Keds anyways
If there are two things we love here at Engadget, it's our PCs and our kicks -- that's why we were tickled when trash artist and bon vivant Gabriel Dishaw decided to memorialize the Nike Blazer with a sculpture rendered from an old circuit board. Titled "Nike Blazer Pentium 1.0," this is the first part of a series of classic sneakers -- and we must say, this one looks pretty good, if somewhat uncomfortable. Hit the read link to inquire about purchasing some art for yourself, but not before getting a closer look or two after the break. [Thanks, daklar]
Joystiq hands-on: EA Playground (Wii)
When announced, we were concerned that EA Playground would be another mini-game fiesta for the Wii. While it won't be a Rayman-like game with dozens of scenarios, it comes off like Wii Sports in a schoolyard.After about a half-hour of hands-on time with the game, I have high expectations that nearly all of the playground-based sports will be entertaining. Some will even be excellent, although the family-friendly simplicity occasionally makes them boring.%Gallery-3900%
NBA Street-branded Air Jordans
EA and Nike have teamed up to do the limited-edition Air Jordan thing. 100 pairs of these decidedly un-street, Street-branded kicks will be manufactured -- 60 pairs apparently set aside for an online contest next week.Part of the Jordan "B'Loyal" line, the shoes were designed by EA in black nubuck leather with blue stitching. Note the speckled mid-sole accent. Ooohhh... Awww...%Gallery-1604%
Transformers bust out of Nike Free shoes
Just a few days ago, Transformers aficionados were likely elated to see the Optimus Prime iPod speaker dock, and now we've got one more option for you to add to your collection. Not too long after learning a few secretive details about the Nike Speed+ watch, now it seems that Convoy and Megatron are busting out of a pair of Nike Free 7.0 kicks, ready to rock and lace up their enemie. As the first two members of the Transformers Sports Label series, these items are actually half scale renditions of life-sized footwear, measuring around 6-inches in length but reportedly featuring all the same qualities of an actual Nike shoe. Interestingly, the two bots even rock a diminutive pair of Nike Free shoes themselves, but there's no word on if wearing these things actually gives you similar powers. Nevertheless, the inseparable set should start shipping by May, and while the standard edition will set you back $58.99, you might as well spring for the "Collector's Grade" for an extra four bucks.[Thanks, Yu-Ming]
Nintendo kicks turn your feet into retro gaming showcase
Run Athletics is releasing a pair of Nintendo sneakers that are quite a bit more attractive than the shoes that let you literally step into a NES. These kicks are pretty swanky, and even feature Nintendo characters on the sole, inside and out, giving 'em some real soul. The inner pattern on the outside of the shoe has a ton of invincibility stars, and check out that big Mario "M" on the shoe's tongue. Finally, you can pimp your feet out in some gaming gear that you won't be completely embarrassed to be seen in. We just wouldn't recommend wearing them in church, or on a first date. Unless you're dating a gamer, then by all means.See also: Nike Playstation Air Force Ones[Thanks, fujizhouse & James]
Inventor crafts GPS-equipped shoes, includes a panic button
We've seen some fairly interesting means of keeping track of your mischievous kids (or pets), but Sayo Isaac Daniel's latest invention takes top honors as the ultimate paranoid parent's must-have gizmo. Aside from the obvious tracking uses, Daniel's GPS footwear is actually intended to beam out a distress signal to a pre-selected recipient if the wearer hits a certain panic button. The GPS-equipped kicks would present the location of the violated victim to whoever is deemed that person's hero, and would hopefully give the rescuer enough time to arrive and lay down the law. Also, the patent explains an "alarm toe switch" that would be inserted within the shoe in order to give customers the ability to sound their alarm (intentionally or otherwise) without making any sudden movements. Reportedly, a company dubbed Quantum Satellite Technology plans to start selling the shoes "in March for around $350 per pair," but the GPS signal emanating from your soles won't do you much good if your kidnapper ditches your footwear before tossing you in the trunk.[Via The Raw Feed]
Sony, Nintendo get official, unofficial sneakers
While neither can match the simple geek elegance of street artist Invader's Space Invader-themed kicks, Nintendo and Sony fanboys now have some sneakers of their own to covet, although both look to be harder to get your hands on than a Wii or PS3. Sony's the only one of the two to get official with its sneaks, partnering with Nike for some PlayStation 3-themed footwear (at least that's what they're sayin' -- from the looks of it, Nike may have just taken the opportunity to unload some rejected designs.) Only 24 pairs of the PS3 sneaks were made, with most no doubt spoken for by now. You won't fare any better with the Nintendo shoes, however; these stylish but apparently non-functional kicks being strictly one of a kind, created by an talented sneaker artist for a recent Sneakerpimps event in Baltimore.Read - Sole Collector, "First Look at PlayStation 3 Kicks" [Via Hypebeast]Read - Format Magazine, "Sneakerpimps Customs" [Via DS Fanboy]
GoW kicks: It's gotta be the shoes
Sneaker fan PinkSage posted her design for a Gears of War basketball shoe in the GamerTag Radio forums. Where are Nike and Epic on this, because these blood-encrusted kicks would make a sweet promotional item. Emergence Day: It's gotta be the shoes.
