Top 10 Strangest USB Devices

I’ve seen my share of strange tech devices, but these take the prize. Those Japanese sure do love their sushi and saki!

Holy Hi-Tech Mobile Batman

CNET put together their Top 10 List Hot Vehicles for Techies. I expected a few of these like the Acura and Audi, but just because the Scion is customizable, that makes it high-tech? And I’m sorry, but that Murano is just too ugly to consider. For my money, I like Acura TSX. I’m addicted to Japanese reliability, but that A6 sure is pretty. Hmm…

Monitor Envy

The other day I was over at my folks house. They were kind enough to watch our boys while my wife and I were out celebrating our wedding anniversary.

Anyway, before we left I remember hearing my brother say that Dad got a new Apple monitor. I was completely unprepared for what I was about to encounter.

Oh… my… gosh. It was gorgeous. I rarely say anything so complimentary about anything other than cars or women, and that only when my wife’s not present (just kidding honey!) but when I saw this sweet delicious thing of pure beauty, I was speechless. (I was this close to passing out.)

Just look at it. Mind you, this picture doesn’t do it justice.

Immediately I became Gollum. “Must have… pretty pretty… my precious…”

Since returning home the image of that glorious face still haunts me. But I’m thinking, surely I could find something a little less expensive that’s still nice, right?

My first stop for technology research is always CNET. Today however, I’ve discovered a nasty little surprise. CNET only reviews “select” manufacturers. Now, I didn’t necessarily expect them to review Apple stuff, but where’s the LG and Princeton stuff? I think I smell a rat.

This only comes up because my gaming mag gave this LG Flatron L1980Q 4.5 stars. And, it’s more than $200 less than the Apple. But when I check the stats it’s not a far fight. The Apple is a 20″ and wide-screen, has a higher resolution and knock-dead, smokin’ hot.

But what about the Samsung 21.3″ LCD? It’s a bit larger, better res, looks decent and it’s even cheaper. Plus I’ve been hearing great things about Samsung. Then again, it doesn’t have the style of the Apple. That dreamy aluminum enclosure… those smooth, rounded curves… the advanced hinge technology… oh my gosh I must have one!

Just look at the Samsung monitor. Yes, the Apple is a “display” while the rest are mere monitors.

Having this thing would be like dating your cousin when you could be out Miss Teen USA!

So bear with me while I struggle with my inner lust. Damn those designers at Apple. Why do they ahve to make everything so darn beautiful? *sob* *sob*

.Net Explains Itself

Did you hear Microsoft’s lastest marketing campaign?

.net
It might not work, but it sure is friendly.

Androids Among Us

Don’t know how many of you saw Japan’s newest technology marvel, the Repliee Q1. Here’s what the BBC has to say about “her.” Someone really need to post a video because I hear it’s very lifelike, but it’s going to be years before she’s anywhere near affordable. Plus, what normal person would actually need one of these? Am I wrong? It’s not like this thing is an Amazing Amanda.

Gadgets With Style

“Mommy, can I pleeeeeaassseee??”

Google Earth Brings It Home

Last night my brother sent me a link to Google Earth. Now, I’ve seen Google Maps and was impressed. That Ajax engine is pretty slick. But Google Earth takes it a step further. It’s truly amazing.

For now, the biggest issue is the quality and date of the satalite photos. But how can I complain… I’m getting this for free? Do you think they’ll offer a subscription version where the photos are updated weekly? Can’t you just see terrorists and criminals thanking their lucky stars for this wonderful intel that’s only costing them $19.95/month?

If you don’t want to download and install the program (requires broadband) here’s a quick taste of it’s power. We start out in space. Imagine a low orbit passing over France.

All we have to do, is zoom in a bit.

A bit more.

And voila! Les Eiffel Tower.

Let There Be Silence

It seems almost more science-fiction than reality, but it’s an incredible concept that is going to be available for consumers in the near future. No more barking dogs? Crying babies? Where do I sign up?

Solar Sail’s First Flight

In space, friction is practically nonexistent. In space, even light can power a craft. With the launch today, what we learn is that one-time novel daydreams can sometimes become reality.

Is Dell Flanking Microsoft?

Dell has far surpassed what many analysts thought possible. Could recent comments show further ambitions?

“If Apple decides to open the Mac OS to others, we would be happy to offer it to our customers,” Dell wrote in an e-mail.

A secret alliance could do wonders for both as customers have been looking for a simple way to get Apple’s easy-to-use software onto their computers. This could be big, really big.

Technology Yields New Sound Weapon

Saw today that Israel has come up with a new sound weapon:

…a device that emits penetrating bursts of sound that leaves targets reeling with dizziness and nausea.

Wow. That’s intense. Since the weapon has not been utilized in the field, experts warn that “the effects of prolonged exposure are unknown.”

Unfortunately the AP story didn’t dig deep enough. That’s where the 21st Century Paladin comes in. I’ve got a search engine and I’m not afraid to use it.

So, after a bit of research, a coffee/doughnut break, some more fervent hunting, a doughnut/coffee break, followed by a bit more searching and viola! The secret ingredient in this new top-secret weapon.

I didn’t know this breed thrived in the arid Middle East?

I See You

Just on the small chance that you haven’t heard about TerraServer, you need to go see it. It’s Oh-So cool. (Or, oSo in l33tsp34k)

Now that I think about it, it’s probably the best thing Microsoft has ever done.

Flat Panel Getting Flatter

Samsung is really coming on lately. (Sidebar: You know your search engine sucks when you need to leave Wired’s web site, go to Google, type in “samsung wired magazine” to find the article that’s been in Wired’s site all the while. One would expect better from Wired after all.)

Back in January, Samsung was proud to announce a 21″ version of their OLED flat-panel monitor. Now we hear they’re working on a 40″ version and it’s only 1″ thick! Pricing hasn’t been announced but you know it’s not going to be cheap.

iPod Shuffle

The iPod Shuffle… have you seen one of these things? I mean, it’s small, really small. When they decided to shrink this puppy down they meant everything. The Serial Number is so small that I almost couldn’t read it. And I’m not joking, it’s like Helvetica 0.5 point size.

So far so good with the whole iTunes thing. I do wish they could have included a feature to merely point at a directory instead of needing to add each individual song or groups of songs from a single directory. But I’ll have a better evaluation after I play with it some more.

Big thanks go out to Dad who knows what his boys like—gadgets. He raised us right.

Dojo Info 4/29/05

1. XXX, on a small screen near you
   If you thought it was hard to keep pr0n from your kids now, just wait until Playboy and the rest start sending it to their cell phones.
2. Place the State
   I love these things! Score: 94%, Average Error: 12miles, Time: 316 seconds. Would have been darn-near perfect if it weren’t for Iowa. [via Not Exactly Rocket Science]
3. Place the State (Advanced)
   Much tougher but I didn’t do too shabby. Score: 80%, Average Error: 23miles, Time: 322 seconds. [via NERS]
4. Pub chef bitten by deadly spider
   See honey? Yet another reason to by a camara-phone.
5. Saddam is My B*tch
   Apparently one of the U.S. translators got a little out of hand when got to meet Saddam coming out of his hole.
6. Miller leads Indy’s 17-3 run in the fourth
   One day after The Sports Guy says Reggie Miller is “no superstar”, Miller rolls the Celts almost single-handedly.