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DIY Robolamps are part lamp, part robot, all awesome
While we're mostly concerned with covering the latest in gadgets and technology, there's occasionally some humble creations that spend months building up enough stream to finally break into the public's consciousness, and we'd be remiss if we didn't take notice. One such piece of magic is the Robolamp series of, well, robot lamps that Robert Matysiak has been working on for the past two years, and looks to have recently gone all out with in the last few months. As you can see for yourself in the gallery below, those consist of everything from some fairly recognizable lamp-shaped devices to more elaborate "robots" that can apparently be repositioned and accessorized. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like Matysiak is quite ready to part with them just yet, but he is looking for a place to exhibit the designs if there happens to be any adventuresome gallery owners out there.
Blinged out Michael Jackson phone is fashionably late
Michael Jackson may never take the stage again, but that doesn't mean you can't commemorate him in your pocket, right? This special, "limited edition" mobile phone appears to have been dipped in gold and diamonds, and, if we're not mistaken... it's basically a Vertu KIRF that's dressed like a headless MJ? We're pretty light on specs and pricing information here, but rest assured that unless you live in China, you'll probably never be able to get your be-gloved hand on one of these. Nothing like cashing in on the dead. [Via Shanzhai]
Bandai unleashes beauty tool to detect the condition, mood of your skin
This is the kind of gadget we'd assume was a joke -- if we didn't know that it wasn't. Bandai -- makers of such useful time wasters as the Tamagotchi and the little doohickey that helps women "understand" men -- has just unveiled a new device which should make you feel even less comfortable inside your own skin. Partnering up with Japanese cosmetics company FANCL, Bandai's Skin Expert is a tiny device which you apparently hold up to your face to receive detailed information on its 'quality' and health. Now, all of the information we can find about this little guy is in Japanese, so excuse us for our mystification on how the doodad works, but we'll tell you this: we're definitely buying it if it shows up on Sephora. The Bandai Skin Expert will be unleashed in Japan on November 30th for ¥3,750 (about $40). There's one more super informative shot after the break. [Via Hobby Blog]
Bang & Olufsen BeoCom 5 landline: all the cool kids have one
We know what you're thinking: what could be more impressive to your "friends" than an incredibly super sweet landline telephone about 9 years after most people stopped having them? That's right, a landline. Bang & Olufsen's BeoCom 5 is destined to take things to the next level with hot functions like "hold" and the ability to store up to 400 contacts. The BeoCom 5 also boasts a rad looking speaker phone if you want to get a whole group convo going like we did back in junior high. Other good news here is that this baby can handle two separate lines -- in case one is simply not enough. No word on when the newest BeoCom will be unleashed, or how much it will cost, but we're going to guess it won't be cheap. [Via Acquire Mag]
Deathwing sculpture in progress
Ever since Blizzard first revealed Deathwing to us back at BlizzCon, that image of the dragon and that jaw has stuck in my head -- dragons are always dangerous (you know what happens when you meddle in their affairs), but Deathwing is a dragon in his own class. And apparently that picture also stuck in artist Kymba's head, too, because she's been working on (and documenting on Livejournal) an awesome sculpture of the beast himself.Obviously it's a work in progress, but Kymba has been doing a really thorough job covering just what she's doing with Sculpey (a brand of polymer clay). You can follow her own accounts on her Livejournal page (start over here), or check out the gallery below, in which we've compiled all of the pictures of the process so far. The jaw was made separately, and from what I can tell (I've never sculpted in my life), she used aluminum foil baked into the clay wrapped around a sturdier core. The whole thing looks great so far -- we can't wait to see what the finished product looks like. Stay tuned -- you'll probably see it all done in a future World of Warcrafts post.%Gallery-75365%
Conan O'Brien talks to the co-creator of USB on The Tonight Show
Now this is kind of amazing. Remember those Intel "rock star" ads -- featuring the co-creator of USB, Ajay Bhatt? Of course you do. What you might not know is that the Ajay Bhatt in those commercials is actually an actor. Apparently, Conan O'Brien made this discovery and felt compelled to sit down with the actual Ajay and pick his brain about technology... and, er, other things. Just watch the video after the break -- you'll thank us later. [Thanks, Carter]
DS, Korg DS-10's formant synthesis used to create Daft Punk vocals, general awesomeness
You know, sometimes at Engadget, we feel compelled to cover a story not because it's particularly new, or newsy, or relevant to the topics of the day. Sometimes, you just have to cover something because it's amazingly cool. Enter this completely awesome video from the musician Denkitribe, wherein the DS, Korg DS-10 software, the software's formant synthesis, and the natural talents of said musician are used to replicate the vocals from Daft Punk's hit "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger." There's not much we can put in text which this doesn't lay out in song. Check the whole thing after the break... you'll thank us later.[Via Technabob]
Harmonix auctions off custom Beatles Xbox for charity, free publicity
We're sure you've already heard about the kerfuffle surrounding the use of Kurt Cobain's likeness in a Guitar Hero avatar. Maybe it's a generational thing (or maybe it speaks to the difference between the temperaments of Ms. Ono and Ms. Love) but while the former members of Nirvana are not amused by their treatment at the hands of videogame consoles 'round the world, it's nearly unanimous in the Beatles camp: Beatles Rock Band is awesome. If you're looking to indulge your Fab Four fixation -- and if money's no object -- you might want to head on over to eBay and peep the first of fifty Xbox 360s being auctioned off for by Harmonix. Bidding started off at $780, but as of Sunday afternoon it's over $17,000 -- with over four days left to go! Designed by Passion Pictures (the kids responsible for animating Gorillaz), proceeds go to Doctors without Borders. Please insert your own Courtney Love joke here. [Via T3]
The MacBook Micro is here, also might have a camera
Guys, the MacBook Micro has been announced. You're going to love it. It's three things: a Powebook from 1998, a student's art project, and a really short email. We hear it may boast a camera, too. Check out the gallery below to see this wonder of modern technology doing its thing... you will not be disappointed. Update: Grace K. sent in a Flickr link, complete with video of the Micro. Check it out after the break. It doesn't make this thing feel any more "real," but what else were you planning on doing today outside of looking at Apple rumors? Mow the lawn? Pshaw. [Thanks, James]
BackPack shelf for your iMac proves there are always more places to store clutter
Call us crazy (our parents sure have), but we think this thing is awesome in a "this can't be a real item for sale" kind of way. TwelveSouth's "Mac exclusive" BackPack shelf attaches to the back of iMac and Apple Cinema Displays, providing a place for your Mac mini, hard drive -- or your Dr. Beverly Crusher figurine. They run $29.99, or you can get a six-pack for $150. Yes, a six-pack.[Via Gizmodo]
Neo Geo mini-arcade consoles fit on a bookshelf, set our hearts a-flutter
We've variously lusted after a number of homebrew stand-up arcade consoles recently, but what about those of us whose free space is better measured in inches than in feet? A gentleman in Spain who calls himself Pocket Lucho has been building Neo Geo mini-consoles for a while now, and has recently demonstrated his latest creation on "the YouTubes" for our viewing pleasure. With the sort of attention to detail that makes these things as attractive as they are playable (including a coin slot and light-up marquee) the devices feature a video out and a second controller input for bringing a friend in on the action. Hit that read link for the detailed step-by-step, but not before peeping those videos after the break. [Via Hack A Day]
Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines is 'the only game' that connects AC1 to AC2
Click to see more portable Altair. Ubisoft has finally revealed the first official trailer for the upcoming Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines, and it continues the trend of stunning omg-is-that-possible quality we've seen from PSP games as of late. According to Frederic Lefroncois, producer of Bloodlines, the game takes place "right after the events of Assassin's Creed as he hunts down the ascending Templars in Cyprus." He then emphasizes that "it's the only game that explains the link between Assassin's Creed and Assassin's Creed 2. If you want to understand how Ezio is born and where the Codex comes from, you need this game."Unlike other handheld iterations of Assassin's Creed, Bloodlines will recreate the "core gameplay" of the original console game, including free-running and combat. Once again, Altair will have to do missions before completing an assassination -- however, expect a bit more variety this time around. "There are 8 new mission types," Lefroncois explains, "and we wanted each mission to feel as fresh and exciting as the final Assassination moment."Bloodlines will be available later this year, and can be purchased as part of a bundle, which includes a white PSP-3000 system, the game, and a Memory Stick for $200. See the trailer after the break.%Gallery-68095%
Video: Life-sized Gundam's back, looking deadlier than ever
Man, remember that wicked awesome 59 foot tall Gundam they erected in Tokyo? Well, those pictures we saw a month ago were cool, but they're nothing compared to the splendor of the thing lit-up like a futuristic, killer Christmas tree. So hit the read link for some more kick-ass pics of the thing, but not before you peep the video after the break.
Video: Trace of Time clock erases tasks as deadlines pass
Pictured above is one of the most genius adaptations of the so-called "clock" that we've ever seen, and while the concept has been around for a tick, Il-Gu Cha's masterpiece is just now making its way around the expo circuit and showing itself off in a new video. Dubbed Trace of Time, this eraser-equipped timepiece is constructed primarily from glass and wipes away Dry Erase tasks as those deadlines slip away. Sure, the inability to hit the snooze on certain items could prove aggravating, but it's safe to say this is a bona fide procrastination killer at the very least. Peek the video just past the break.
Behold: the illuminated calculator / mouse pad / USB hub
Sure, you may have seen plenty of calculators / mousepads / USB hubs in your day. But how about a calculator / mousepad / USB hub that lights up? Didn't think so. Head on past the break for a glimpse of that magic, and hit up the link below to get one of your own for just $17.99.[Via Engadget Chinese]
Life-sized Gundam complete and no, you can't borrow it
In the Universal Century, we suppose this sort of thing will be rather blasé. But until then, there's really no better way to get our geek hearts a-flutter than some up close and personal pics of this 1:1 scale model of the classic RX-78-2 Gundam mecha, built to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the franchise. We've been watching the construction of this thing rather closely and we're proud to announce that the finished product is every bit as badass as we'd hoped. If you're not planning on making the trip to Tokyo any time soon, feel free to take a gander at the thing in the gallery below. And our thanks to blogger Punynari for the awesome pics![Via Examiner]
Miffy MP3 player is so cute, it breaks our evil, black hearts
In general, we prefer horrifying to adorable -- terrifying to sweet. But, every once in awhile, something so incredibly darling comes along that we simply must draw our fangs back into our mouths and say, "damn, that's cute." mobiBLU's Miffy MP3 player is quite possibly that item for this fiscal quarter. The PMP itself -- that's "Miffy," is a darling rabbit sans mouth but with plenty of 'tude, and the docking station with built-in speaker... well, you can see for yourselves how insane it is. No word on availability outside of Korea, but believe us, we'll be on the lookout for it. Two more shots after the break, hit the read link for a soul-crushing demo video.[Via Trusted Reviews]
This is the Star Wars: The Old Republic trailer you're looking for
Bioware released the first cinematic trailer for their Star Wars: The Old Republic MMO, and it's so awesome you might just forget that Jar-Jar Binks ever existed. Bounty hunters, Jedis, lightsabers, blasters, dramatic orchestral soundtracks, and gravelly Sith voices making threatening statements -- if it's from a long time ago and a galaxy far away (and incredibly awesome), you'll find it in this trailer.The trailer itself is called "Deceived," and apparently it's about the Sith Empire's sacking of Coruscant. And that's how it begins -- Sith baddies are invading a Jedi temple, and dispatching the meager forces they find there. But a Jedi temple has some strong defense of its own... and that's where the video gets really good. Bioware has also released information about something called The HoloNet, an ingame database of gameworld history, classes, planets and factions, and they've told us that the game is "fully voiced" -- every character you meet will have audio to share. Head on over to our sister site Massively for more.
Gundam turns 30, celebrates with the most awesome statue ever
Statue of Liberty? Striking, but a bit demure. Trenchcoat-clad Stalin statue in Gori, Georgia? Iconic, but disheartening. Giant RX-78-2 Gundam statue at Shiokaze Park in Tokyo, Japan? Unquestionably badass. The massive biped is currently under construction, part of a celebration for the 30 year anniversary of the original Mobile Suit Gundam series. When completed it will be full-scale, standing 59-feet tall, weighing 35 tons, and even shooting "light or mist" from 50 different points along its structure. All systems should be fully operational by July 11 -- hopefully soon enough to stop the forthcoming Zeon armada. [Via technabob]
Insane Russian casemod shamelessly puts good taste to bed once and for all
We see plenty of wild casemods around here -- staying on the pulse of what's new with the cool kids is part of our jobs. We've never really seen anything like this one, however. We don't know a terrible lot about the case -- just that it's made of what appears to be solid evil dipped in bronze, and lit by the blood of a terrifying hellbeast. Regardless: it's going to look great in your living room... once you convince Satan to sell it to you for a reasonable price, that is. One more terrifically horrendous photo after the break.
