Rovio Rovio, where for art thou Rovio?

Wowwee Mr Wowwee, this is the coolest thing you've done so far.. I never did like your silly robosapien - but this looks truely neat-o !

Rovio is a WiFi enabled robotic webcam that moves in any direction and can be controlled remotely, anywhere in the world, via the Internet ! Watch your house while you're away (you'd be suprised how exciting an empty house is).. if you spot an intruder you can.. um.. get it to run in front of them and try and trip them up? (maybe it needs some weapons guys?)

It uses Northstar navigation software, you can setup waypoints and it will navigate to them with a click of a button.. and he'll go back to a charging station (just like the iRobot vacuums).

Features:- Easy to install & easy to use software- Keep an eye on your home from anywhere in the world- NorthStar Navigation System- Built-in rechargeable battery- 3 omni-directional wheels- 1 VGA cmos sensor- LED for night time illumination- 1 speaker- Built in microphone- USB connectivity- Wi-Fi connectivity

Not sure when it's coming to Australia but it will for Suuuuure.. and at a guess, will be around $500AUD oooh-ouchey

Bladestar from Wowwee - flying bots I like it a lot

This is neat-o, wowwee, makers of that stupid robosapien toy have released the next product in their 'flytech' range (the first being that flapping insect.. icky)
The Bladestar is a helecopter like indoor flyer with some neat twists - apart from its cool design, its not just a remote control mini heli, it has an autopilot mode which enables it to avoid the ceiling and fly away from obstacles - you can put the remote control down and use your hands to guide it.. neat! And you can face-off two of them for an air battle (the remote has a dogfight accessory so you can shoot down your opponent when it's in range)

Features
* Rechargeable helicopter-style flying action
* Unique hovering action
* Choose from RC or Autopilot Mode
* Using AI, guide FlyTech Bladestar with your hands!
* Face-off two FLYTECH BLADESTAR flyers in a mid-air battle
* An indoor only flyer, perfect for all seasons.
* Comes with 2 x spare blades, 2 x spare propellers, a Dogfight accessory, and a protective carrying case.

Hi tech bowling ball shaver

Remington, makers of things that shave have released what we've all been waiting for - a bowling ball shaver! Check out the pic, have you ever seen a bowling ball with less stubble?
It's also handy for shaving your own head so you too can look like a bowling ball ! You'll be a hit at the alley once the Remington Shortcut gets to work on your skull. You can't mess this up, use it like a brush and go ape shit on your head - also features a pop out trimmer so you can erase your sideburns.
Check out the demo, Johnny is a crack up -> [SHAVEMYHEAD]

Alarm Clock that escapes your snooze finger

As winter cometh and the mornings are cold as ice I'm finding it harder to get out of my cozy warm bed.. the alarm clock's snooze button is too easy to press.

This new alarm clock will fix that, you can hit snooze once, but don't try a second time, he'll jump off your bedside table and start racing around the room beeping like a crazed R2-D2 .. neat!

Features;

• a drop height of up to 3 feet (90 cm)mobility on wood and carpet

• an early low battery warning

• a variable snooze time (0-9 minutes) (snooze once before Clocky runs away, or choose 0 and Clocky runs right away)

• a flashing screen when beeping / running

• a random alarm beep pattern

• an ability to disable its wheels

Get one now for $89.95 from LatestBuy here -> [RUNANDGETME]

AA USB Rechargeable Batteries - no bits to loose

I love a good USB gadget, and this one really caught my eye - I think the picture speaks for itself, this is a AA USB rechargeable battery and it's all self contained. No bloody bits to loose, you don't have to hunt for a cable to plug it in, just pop the lid, stick it in your computer hole and off you go.
I go through batteries like shit through a goose so this looks like a little god-send. These are no piss weak batteries either, with 1450mAh of juice from Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH) cells to power your fleet of gadgetry (very comparable to the standard 1500mAh mob)
Not too expensive either, 2 piece pack from dealone.com.au will set you back about $15AUD - just follow the [ZAPLINK]

Pink Rhinestone Mouse - one for the Ladies

The ladies love their fashion, and they'll happily suffer to be just that little bit more desireable... and what self respecting geek wouldn't fall head over heals for a chick with a pink rhinestone mouse?

On the practical side, it's not going to go slipping around in your mits with that sort of grip surface.. in fact.. the gaming community could take a closer look at this one.. it is optical (do they make ball mice any more?).. I'd say excessive use may wear away your epidemis though.
It's a bargain for $19.95 after the [BLING-JUMP]

GTA IV Censored in Australia

Anyone familiar with the Grand Theft Auto series won't be too suprised to learn that content has been cut from the latest game, before it hits the shelves, to meet Australia's strict content control laws.
In the past I recall GTA III was pulled from the shelves after it was discovered you could go down a particular alley and get a HJ from a prostitute. The game was re-released some time later with that content removed (and I recall copies of the game that were purchased before the ban hit, sold on ebay for a premium). Then there was the more recent 'hot coffee' scandal in GTA San Andreas.

GTA IV will be sold in AU as suitable for 15+, which is apparently the maximum for video games in Australia - something that is in the process of being corrected & pulled into line with movies .. so we can have R rated games.
Mind you, I've read the content that's been cut are along the line of someone being buggered with a baseball bat.. so nothing worth missing anyway.

I personally went out at the start of the Easter break to get a new game, saw all the posters for GTA IV in the EB-Games shop and shelled out the $.. I was in such a hurry I didn't notice it wasnt actually out yet and I'd have to wait about 6 weeks to get it so I have it on pre-order.. oh well, I'm a silly sausage. I got Mass Effect at the same time & that kept me entertained over Easter.. top RPG game by the way.

X-Box to take the blue-pill

With the high def format war being won by the Blue Ray camp, rumor is the X-Box will be dumping HD DVD and go the way of the blue ray.

If they make it internal the cost of the machine may rise or Microsoft may have to sell the X-Box 360 at a loss, but I expect they'll release it as an external drive first following how they handled the HD DVD drive.

I'm just happy Blue Ray won because Blue is way cooler than Blue-Green, and Ruby Red is so lame & low frequency. mmm so what would beat a Blue laser?
How about a Krypton ion laser in the ultra violet spectrum ? Surely they could pack the pits even tighter? Are you following this ? (throws duster at Johnnies head)

WiFi Rabbit - I kid you not

The world really is an amazing place and it keeps getting cooler by the minute... its good to be alive.

ok I'm getting carried away, but the idea of a WiFi - internet enabled rabbit is cheezy maybe but still just too cool for school in my humble opinion.

So what does it do? It connects to your WiFi router (and obviously then to the internet) - to download content and relay it to you in the cutest japanezy sort of way. Its ears move around, lights flash & change colour (eg red to let you know your lover has sent you a saucy email) - he'll read content out (like messages sent from emails or phones, webpages etc) - play music.. everything you can think of and more - check it out on the official website here [BUNNYHOP] or buy it online in Australia here -> [BUYIT] for $259.95AUD

R2-D2 Mobile Entertainment Robot

Wow, I thought my Hasbro R2-D2 was cool, and it is.. but this.. this is something special.. while this has just come out and isn't available in Australia yet (or anywhere?).. it HAS to come out here goddamnit or I'll really cry.
R2 is packed full of entertainment goodness, the center panel pops out to revel an ipod dock! The right hand panel reveals memory card and usb slots. There's a built in DVD/CD player and control panel.. a built in projector !!! (yes, a very cool 800x600 projector pops out and will put your favourite dvd on the wall or ceiling).
The Millennium Falcon remote control is nerdy coolness.
R2 is fully motorized and remote controlled, has built in safety sensors and light and sound effects.

My only wish is that they build an R2 with this level of technology but with more automation - if it could actually perform a cleaning or intelligent function i'd give it 10 points - this is more of a home entertainment system in a cool R2 case.. still.. I want one so badly it hurts.

No mention of price.. I'd be guessing around the $1K mark plus ?!

Now my little prayer.. "dear retail lords.. please bring this R2-D2 robot to our sun-burnt country and I shall find the money.. you do your part and I'll do mine.. amen"

More information on the manufacturers site -> [JUMP] <-

iRobot Create

iRobot has unveiled what its fanbase has long awaited - a fully programmable robot for aspiring roboticists. The iRobot "Create" is basically a trimmed down version of the third generation Roomba.
Where the cleaning system of a Roomba normally sits is a cargo bay - this is where you can use the "command module" and add your own hardware.. I picture a big metal claw with some red eyes.. cooool
The iRobot Create supports all the functions of the Roomba, virtual walls, remote, charging station etc but its up to the young Frankenstein's out there to take it from there.
Hey.. here's an idea, lets start a robot wars sport, based on the iRobot Create?! it gives everyone a level playing field as a starting point.. contestents add their armament.. make a tv show.. a million bucks.. aah.. pfft

A variety of methods and programming languages can be used to program the robot, custom scripts in C or C++ can be downloaded with a terminal program or developed using Microsoft Robotics Studio, a Windows based development toolkit.

I've spotted a price of $130USD, so if it ever makes it out here it'll be around the $200AUD mark. Not bad!

I'm still waiting for the Scooba to come out if anyone is listening? Our floors need you!

Neodymium Super Magnets

These are the worlds strongest permanent magnets - and they're relatively cheap and easy to find. They're great fridge magnets, a small one is easily able to securely nail the big calendar you'll get in your Christmas stocking to your fridge. I recently bought 100 x 3mm x 5mm Neodymium magnets from ebay for $17 - they're so much fun and they dont need batteries !
1 word of warning - the larger ones can give you a nasty pinch & blood blister when they snap together so be careful ! (they're also quite brittle).

This ebay store sells all kinds of neodymium magnets in Australia;
http://stores.ebay.com.au/Frenergy-Magnets

Pet Dish with gadget appeal

Scare the crap out of your kitty with this pet dish with automatic open sensor.
The lid automatically opens as your pet gets within 30cms of the sensor and closes when they walk away. Neat! Kitties food stays bug free and anything that moves automatically gets bonus gadget points from me.
The inside stainless steel dish can be removed for cleaning.
The dish comes in two sizes, available from [dstore]

Yoda Backpack

Check this coool Star Wars backpack! Anyone who knows me knows I'm a total Star Wars geek - checkout my star wars action figure webcam [JUMP]

Just like the real Yoda, well no not really - its just a plush backpack...with a zip concealed under his hood, to store all your gear. Very Cool!!
Get it from dstore.com.au for AUD$69.95
and get me one too :-)

PSP Redesign Rumour

Sony Computer Entertainment is working on an imminent redesign of the PSP -  The gossip mill points to Sony releasing a clamshell PSP with a seamless folding screen surrounded by a smaller outer case and more enery efficient guts and a higher capacity battery.
This news springs from a patent filed by Sony.
Read more here http://news.spong.com/article/10227?cb=751

This seat has BALLS!

Is this is a picture of a soccer fan's brain cells during the world cup? Or some weird Escher style illustration?
It's actually a cool inflatable Bubble Chair!
Made from five small and five large inflatable balls moulded together. It's made of tough vinyl, but light enough to kick around.. that's 10 goals at once! Instant victory!

Available from dstore.com.au and latestbuy.com.au for around AUD$80

PSP Firmware Update 2.71

PSP Firmware Updated To 2.71, LocationFree Player Support Added

Sony Computer Entertainment has released another PSP firmware update, updating the Sony handheld to version 2.71, and adding several notable pieces of new functionality.

The upgraded system version now includes the ability to save PSP demos directly to the system's memory stick for permanent storage, as well as the ability for users in regions with LocationFree TV to download video content for the PSP using the system's LocationFree player.

Currently, two Japanese game demos are available for download to the PSP. These include the 2D action platform game LocoRoco and Kazuo, the Japanese version of Go! Sudoku.

The update also extends the functionality of the PSP as a LocationFree player, allowing for video output to now be correctly displayed when an external tuner is selected using the PSP.

In addition, the player allows users to access both free and paid video content from Sony Computer Entertainment Japan's So-net download service, though obviously the content is only available in Japanese.
source [
http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=9550]

USB Toilet

This is great - a mini USB Toilet! Your defications magically dissapear into the transparent void.

oh wait.. i've got this horribly wrong.. now I actually read the description it's a "Mini USB Magnifier Light with Stand" .. well i guess that can be handy too but the magic usb toilet must surely be in development? no?

OK here's what it's really all about:
This miniature magnifier lamp is powered by your PC's USB port and is ideal for use with a PC or notebook. The magnifier can be unplugged and used on its own or connected to the 1.6m curly cable to give you desk-wide coverage with the built-in light. The 50mm glass lens gives clear magnification making the mini-lamp ideal for all manner of small inspection tasks on or around your desktop. Supplied with a multi-position arm & mounting clip, hinged lens cover and desk stand.
* Bright 50mm glass lens
* 1.6m curly cord
* USB powered
* Included dust cover & light switch

Get one online from Aussie Gadgets for $19.95 -> ]JUUMP[

Superman Returns to the PSP .. I didn't know he left?

Wow .. I do love to get hyped up about the latest Superhero movie. Superman returns is hitting the cinemas soon and the movie-tie in game is about to be released for the PSP. Check out the awsome video at http://www.ea.com/superman_returns/home.jsp and get your orders in at A03 for the game here -> http://www.ao3.com.au/product.asp?ManufPartNo=15181 for just $56!! Tell them Batman sent yah.

USB Missile Launching Madness

Bring the cold war back to your cubicle - this USB missile launcher is sure to provide minutes of quality entertainment.

The idea is you plug this into your PC, load up the included software that lets you aim your missiles using your keyboard (left right up down) and fire!
They'll now who's boss when they get struck in the face by a little soft foam missle.
Hmm.. i still want one.. for security reasons you know.. but if i get one.. the guy next door will just get a bigger one.. or more of them.. and i'll have to get more.. and put up some spy satellites.. where does it end?

These are due in a few weeks - pre-order now from tesora.com.au or latestbuy.com.au for about AUD$60