tentacle
Latest
ThinkGeek's latest USB gadget makes every day a day of the tentacle
It's harder than ever for a USB gadget to stand out these days, what with nearly everything seeming old hat, but ThinkGeek has cooked up something new that's sure to get noticed. While it unfortunately doesn't double as a memory stick as you might expect, the retailer's new USB Squirming Tentacle is very much a tentacle, and a squirming one. See for yourself after the break, and be prepared to shell out $25 if you feel the need to answer this particular call of Cthulhu.
Scientists develop robotic tentacle that can pick flowers, make us thumb our collars
Okay, it's a little too late for Johnny 5's grass hopper, but thanks to new "gentle" robotic tentacles developed at Harvard University, future generations of insects could escape a similar demise. Researchers have created a new soft appendage made from flexible plastic, that uses three compartmentalized air channels to achieve a snake-like range of movement. The touch of the tentacle is so light, that it is able to pick flowers without damage. While suggested applications include working with fragile objects, or in hard to reach locations, the team also experimented by adding cameras, suction cups and -- most terrifyingly -- syringes to the tip. The only limitation, apparently, is that the air channels prevent it from being scaled down. So while our insect friends are safe from strangle-bot, we might not be so lucky.
Fan-made Cuddle me Yoggy
Greyseer of Lorecrafted posted this cute little version (that site there is slow, but don't worry, we've mirrored all the pictures for you to browse through below, so don't take bandwidth from there if you don't have to) of the Old God of Death the other day, and he's just about as adorable as an ancient, malevolent deity can get. For some reason, Blizzard's new big bad has captured the fascination of their fans, and Greyseer has chosen a cloth-based representation of the fearsome creature.He says he only had the patience to make about five maw/eyes, and the fabric he used for Yoggy's belly has hearts on it, but we think that just adds to the charm. His little flipper/tentacle hands are great, too, and Greyseer calls the plush a "prototype," so maybe more are on the way. We're constantly amazed at what you players can do with some fabric and thread -- keep these plushy bad guys coming!%Gallery-63313%
Peripheral adds tentacles to PSP for body-clinging fun
Who needs a game case when you can wear a PSP? That's the idea behind the aptly named "Multi-shape Cobra Stand Bundle Kit." The "Multi-shape Cobra Stand" measures 92cm long and will connect a PSP to almost any part of your body. Maybe you can make a make-shift PSP utility belt, or wear it as a (very gaudy) necklace. With this peripheral, you can take comfort in knowing your PSP will never let go of its cold, firm grip on your body. Yay?[Via Engadget]
The 7 best trinkets in the World of Warcraft
You know, if there's one thing I have noticed digging through my bags, it's that I have a whole mess of trinkets. Of all the gear slots, it seems like trinkets are some of the most versatile and swappable. Depending on whether you need a bit more hit rating, a bit more critical strike rating, a bit more mana regeneration, a bit more health, a bit more armor, or you plan to go PvPing for a bit, you can fill up bags upon bags alone with a whole bunch of trinkets, waiting for the right moment to spring them. Then there's the really bad ass trinkets. I'm not talking trinkets that are traditionally defined as "useful," I'm talking about the trinkets that make you into the life of the party. The ones that make other people notice you, make them stand up and say, "Woah, that guy is using some CRAZY trinkets." You know what I mean. Stop trying to get yourself that Ashtongue Talisman, these are the REAL deal.
OCTOR robot tentacle slithering your way
In the grand annals of military-funded robotics experiments, OCTOR may not have quite the same level of cred as, say, Crusher, but that doesn't mean the bot isn't useful. The current version consists of one long tentacle that, like an elephant's trunk, can be used to pick up and manipulate objects. The tentacle is powered by compressed air, and uses a range of sensors and cameras to move in three dimensions and relay info back to base. Potential applications being touted by the bot's developers include reconnaissance and bomb disposal, but they can't fool us. We've seen "Spiderman 2," and we know what those tentacles are really for.
