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The portable pop-up gaming room is here
Privacy. Sometimes we all crave a little. "Bocchi tent" is a 1.3 x 1.3-meter, soft-cornered cube that maker Bibi Lab reckons offers the "ultimate gaming space." With a slender gossamer wall between you and the rest of humanity, there's a degree of sensorial blockage, but we could, obviously, still hear the din of the Tokyo Game Show floors -- headphones will be necessary if you're looking to block out Other People. (The computer inside didn't even have any games! What a waste.) With all the space-age science of a pop-up tent, open up the storage pouch and the temporary gaming den makes itself -- you'll just have to add the furniture (and well, gaming hardware), yourself. The tent is set to retail for 5,000 yen in Japan -- and if you're particularly taken with the idea of your own flatpack Internet Cafe, at least it should fit in your suitcase.
Blake Patterson's Byte Cellar: the ultimate man cave for aspiring geeks
Apple IIGS? Of course. Commodore 64C? You betcha. NeXTstation Turbo Color? Booyah! These three classics are just part of Blake Patterson's tricked-out technology den that's known as the Byte Cellar -- and yes, we're seething with jealousy. Take notes, folks, because this is how it's done. In all, the Byte Cellar currently plays home to 69 computers, video game consoles, PDA's and other noteworthy gadgets. Need to switch between the Atari and the Amiga? Not a problem, as each system is thoughtfully laid out on a workbench that allows one to easily scoot between rigs. Even the walls bleed vintage cred with a Space Invaders motif, rare posters and hardware components from bygone eras. Be sure to take it all in with a panorama photo that's been linked up below, along with a complete list of the equipment currently in Blake's collection. Regardless of whether you agree with his taste in hardware, one thing is for certain: the man must go through a lot of compressed air.
LG HX906TX home theater system promises 3D sound, enviable Super Bowl acoustics
Looking to enhance the audio in your man (or lady) cave? Then you may want to check out LG's new HX906TX 9.1 cinema sound system -- a ten-speaker package claiming to deliver "truly 360-degree sound." It's designed to make you feel like you're at the center of the audio (even if you're really at the far end of the room smooshed between two people on the couch) -- the way you might hear in a concert hall or really large bathroom with great acoustics. LG says it uses a DSP algorithm to pump audio vertically and horizontally using 3D reflectors, extending sound upwards and filling in the gaps. You'll also get added features like Blu-ray playback, WiFi Direct and Smart TV connectivity to smartphones and tablets using an app, although there's no word yet on pricing or availability. PR after the break.
International Space Station gets 'Man Cave,' Robonaut 2
In the narrow confines of the International Space Station, every cubic inch counts, but that won't necessarily keep NASA from building a rec room. When the Leonardo Pressurized Multipurpose Module (PMM) launches in September 2010, NASA is considering turning it into a internet-connected "man cave" isolated and quiet enough for astronauts to tweet in privacy. The connection's nothing special -- science officer T.J. Creamer compared it to that of a 14.4K modem capable of only tweets, text articles and basic browsing -- but Universe Today reports that they will also have a robotic servant, the Robonaut 2, to play with. Imagine a cramped world without fresh water or YouTube, but where you can program a state-of-the-art robot to perform monotonous tasks... We think that's a fair tradeoff, don't you? [Thanks, Robert P.]
