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Fujitaka readies age-verifying cigarette machines for Japanese launch
Recall those age-verifying cigarette machines we mentioned last year? Even if not, Fujitaka is getting set to remind everyone in Japan under the age of 20 that they won't be getting their fix unless they've got the face (or ID) to prove it. Reportedly, the outfit is hoping to launch 10,000 or so units -- which range in price between ¥700,000 ($6,070) to ¥900,000 ($7,805) -- within the next year, and each one will feature a camera / face-recognition software in order to determine if the hopeful purchaser is indeed of age. After the "adult recognition" button is pressed, it snaps a photo of the customer-to-be and analyzes certain features to make its judgment, and if it just can't decide one way or another, it'll require a license to be inserted as proof of age. 'Course, one could always enlist the assistance of a nearby 20-something in order to satisfy their urge, but at least this is a step in the right direction to curb underage puffing. [Warning: Read link requires subscription][Via Textually]
Microsoft fixing Xbox 360 smoking wheels
In all seriousness, Microsoft needs to publicly flog their hardware people. Microsoft now reports that they'll be offering a service to retrofit their official Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel following reports that the thing overheats and releases smoke. Unlike their refusal to say what's really wrong with the Xbox 360, Microsoft admits that a component in the wheel overheats when the AC/DC power adapter is used to power the wheel. Microsoft says you should contact them for the retrofit and not use the power adapter, but it's fine to just use the battery. They have also notified the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, no word yet on Microsoft Europe's plan."There have been no reported incidences of fire, personal injury or property damage resulting from the component failure in the wheel," Microsoft said in a statement. That's great, but it's definitely looking like the next iteration of the Xbox is going to have to scream engineering perfection for the sake of consumer confidence. Not only are the consoles going RRoD left and right, but now official peripherals are smoking. The next generation of Xbox is going to have to sell reliability above all else.
Microsoft offers retrofit for Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel
Microsoft has announced plans to provide a free retrofit for its Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel which fixes a malfunction in the chassis that may cause the device to "smoke" when the AC/DC power supply is being used. According to Redmond, there haven't been any reports of fire, personal injury, or property damage -- though clearly the game-maker wants to address this problem before it's got a pile of lawsuits on its hands. Apparently, the wheel works just fine with battery power (which Microsoft suggests you use until the repair is made), though plugging it in could be a little dangerous. Unfortunate owners of the faulty product should get themselves over to the company's Xbox support page to get the ball rolling on their wheel surgery.[Thanks, Arneh]
It has a name, part II: "smexting"
It turns out that cleaner air and healthier people aren't the only side effects of a "No Smoking" sign. A wide-reaching ban on smoking in enclosed places just went into effect on July 1st in the UK, and in the two weeks following, carrier Orange reported that 7.5 million more messages were sent on its network than in the two-week period the month prior. Analysts (who apparently are responsible for researching these sorts of trends) suggest a couple explanations: first, smokers freshly ousted outdoors to get their smoke on need something to do to pass the time -- out comes the phone, and, well, you know the rest. Secondly, smokers that are working on quitting as a result of the ban are turning to texting to give their fidgety, nerve-wracked fingers something to do and to seek support from friends. The behavior, which arguably didn't need a name, is being called "smexting." Looks like the money saved on cancer sticks is going straight to the carriers -- but hey, at least it's a little safer (or not).[Via Techdirt]
Letterman's head writer faces sparking, smoking PowerBook adapter
Granted, we've seen our fair share of Apple products getting a bit hot under the collar, and while the PowerBook AC adapters never were truly regarded as top-notch pieces of equipment, it seems that this particular one chose the wrong guy to get all sparked up on. Justin Stangel, a head writer / producer for the Late Show with David Letterman, was presumably writing up the night's monologue when he was uncomfortably faced with a sparking AC adapter. As any true professional would do, he actually filmed the volatile device getting its spark (and smoke) on rather than evacuating the area, so be sure and click on through to see what the fuss is all about.
USB e-lighter concept could fire up your next carton
Those trying to kick the habit should seriously consider looking away. The e-lighter concept, designed by Tao Ma, looks to come in black or white motifs, and can apparently fire up your next cigarette with nothing more than the mere 5v current from your nearest USB port. As these things typically go, not much information beyond that is readily available, but Tao does mention that reservations could be fielded if this type of habit-supporting device suits your fancy. Click through for a darker shade.[Via EverythingUSB]
Smoking Jacket catches smoke, darkens symbolic lungs
We've seen jackets that alert you when approaching uncomfortable scenarios, light up on demand, and track the poor soul trapped within, but Fiona Carswell's iteration does a number on smokers who don't mind warning labels. Similar in craftiness to the Ruyan e-cigarette, the Smoking Jacket sports a stylish white exterior with a pair of symbolic lungs and a sophisticated internal tubing system. The aptly-dubbed "visceral, absurd information displays" morph from pristine air containers to dark, murky caverns as smokers blow excess smoke into a tube located in the collar. The one-way air valve traps smoke in the lungs, creating a relatively repulsive sight in the eyes of both onlookers and smokers alike. Of course, Fiona can't promise that such a dramatic effort will faze the hardcore puffers, but trying to continually ignore the disgusted faces looking your way as you walk by would be challenging indeed.[Via WMMNA]
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Inventor builds goliath smoke ring generator
While it's easy to appreciate an invention that makes all of our lives a touch easier, it takes something truly exceptional to be both impressive and completely useless simultaneously. Such is the case with the curious (and gigantic) smoke ring generator, which looks to crank out giant rings of slowly fading smoke while onlookers beg for "just one more." The hand-powered device starts by launching a ghostly orb, which hastily slows and forms the infamous circle that brings back all sorts of gangster flick-related memories. Now, where's the step-by-step instructions to build one of these bad boys? Oh, click on through for the must-see video.[Via MAKE]
Nokia 6280 overheats, erupts in smoke on video
We've seen dozens and dozens of aftermath photos from laptops and other random batteries suddenly possessing violently explosive tendencies, but we all know full motion video is more satisfying than simple stills. In this particular case, we're thrilled that the smoking, fizzing Nokia 6280 was filmed while in a location where humans couldn't be harmed, and initial reports are (unsurprisingly) tagging the battery or charger as the culprit. The 3 customer reported that his new handset "began fizzing white smoke" just hours after switching it on for the first time, and Nokia is reportedly investigating the issue. Of course, this isn't the first time a Nokia battery has been blamed for a fire, but unlike the previous case, we kind of doubt the firm will get off as easy here. So if you've actually hung around to read this far, we'll let you get to the fun stuff now, so go on and hit the read link for the final moments of the mobile's smoky death.[Via Inquirer]
Ubukata offers up compact smoke / earthquake detector
While we've seen detectors from nearly every angle imaginable, Ubukata Industries Co. is helping us all to consolidate just a bit by cramming two of the most important sensors into a single, compact device. The multi-tasking earthquake detector and alarm comes in a variety of colors and is compact enough to mount on a ceiling without drawing too much unwanted attention, and it also features built-in lighting to brighten your way in case you lose power. Furthermore, this gizmo sniffs out unpleasant drafts of smoke and feels the rumbles of earthquakes with magnitudes of five or higher, setting off a presumably piercing alarm to let you know something's going down. Of course, the price of a twofer doesn't run cheap, as this two-in-one emergency mainstay demands ¥14,700 ($124). [Warning: PDF link][Via I4U]
