By Andrew Liszewski

Even with the Virtual Console on the Wii, I still keep my Super Nintendo hooked up and running because a) I have no desire to pay for any of my SNES games again and b) I prefer playing classics like Super Mario Kart, F-Zero and Star Fox with the original SNES controllers. If you feel the same way, but also have an NES and a Sega Genesis console taking up space (and connections on your TV) you might want to consider this RetroN 3 from Hyperkin.

It’s basically an NES, an SNES and a Sega Genesis mashed up into a single, space-saving console. It doesn’t play ROMS or anything like that, so you’ll still need to hold onto your old game carts, and if you don’t like playing with the 2 included wireless controllers, you can plug in the controllers from your original consoles since it includes 2 ports for each of them. It’s also got composite and S-video AV hookups, and is available in your choice of red or black for just $69.99.

[ RetroN 3 ] VIA [ GadgetReview ]

By Andrew Liszewski

If you’re dead set against holding your iPhone, iPod Touch or really any video capable media player while watching movies, the Sniper Stand is one of the most minimal, though still somewhat versatile, stands I’ve seen. It’s really nothing more than a contoured plastic disc with criss-crossing grooves that adheres to the back of your device (hopefully using an easily removable adhesive) and props it up with the help of a credit card, a couple of business cards or even a well folded piece of paper. Since it stays stuck on the back of your device you’re never going to forget to bring it with you, and I’d say there’s a pretty good chance you’ll always have at least some type of card with you when you need to use it. It’s also just $9.95 and will be available in about 3 weeks when it goes into production.

[ Sniper Stand ] VIA [ Chip Chick ]

By Andrew Liszewski

If you’re a city dweller living in a small apartment or condo, this is one of those times when you’ll be happy that a compact appliance really sucks. Dyson’s City canister vacuum is a third smaller than its predecessor and has a footprint about the size of an A4 piece of paper. According to Dyson, all 275 parts of the DC26 were re-engineered in order to shrink the overall package while ensuring the sucking prowess of the vacuum didn’t suffer. And it seems like they succeeded. Unfortunately though like with all the vacuums offered by Dyson, the price tag wasn’t really affected by the miniaturization process, since the City model will set you back about $380. (£249.99)

[ PR - The new Dyson City Vacuum ] VIA [ The Red Ferret Journal ]

By Chris Scott Barr

It’s Friday, and it feels like a great day to give something away. This week we have a pair of Coloud Headphones up for grabs. These aren’t just any headphones though, they are decorated with your favorite Marvel characters. The winner gets their choice of The Hulk, Punisher, X-Men or Iron Man on their prize.

If you’re located here in the US, all you need to do is drop a comment below letting us know which pair you’d like to receive, and why that character (or in the case of the X-Men, team) is more awesome than the others. I’ll pick one winner next Friday. Good luck!

[ Coloud ]

By Chris Scott Barr

Since its inception, there have been rumors about Hulu moving to a subscription-based service. Back in April we told you about the proposed “Hulu Plus” service, which at the time was going to get you ad-free shows, the entire current season of various shows (instead of just the latest 5) as well as the entire back catalog from their shows. All of this would be yours for around $10 a month. Now the service has gone live, with some small changes.

The biggest, and most annoying change is that despite giving them your cold-hard cash every month, you’ll still be seeing ads on everything you watch. On the other side of the coin, you’ll be able to access Hulu on your iPhone, iPad and a number of other supported devices. You’ll also get the entire back catalog of current shows, instead of just the 5 latest episodes from the current season, and a smattering of episodes from earlier seasons.

If you’re content with the way they’ve been providing TV shows and have no need to watch them on your mobile device, then you’ll still be able to stick with the free Hulu that you know and love.

[ Hulu ] VIA [ GearFuse ]

By Chris Scott Barr

How many times have you gotten a new gadget and had to squint to decipher the little diagram that tells you which way to insert the batteries? Sure, sometimes it’s pretty obvious which end is negative thanks to a little spring coil, but not everything has one. While this is only the most minor of inconveniences, it could actually be a thing of the past next to Microsoft.

Microsoft isn’t the first company that comes to mind when I think about AA batteries. However, they have developed a new technology called InstaLoad that will allow you to insert these (and CR123, AAA, C and D) batteries in either direction.  You might not find this to be terribly important for yourself, but those with poor vision and fine motor skills will no doubt find this invaluable. Microsoft is currently working with a number of companies, including Durcell, to get this technology into various consumer electronic products.

[ Microsoft ] VIA [ Gizmag ]

By Andrew Liszewski

How many times have you gone to fetch a load of laundry from the dryer only to find it’s still damp? In the grand scheme of things it’s not exactly something to get upset over, but it’s still one of those small daily annoyances we could all do without. So hopefully Maytag has put an end to that inconvenience with the Intellidry Sensor technology built in to their Bravos Steam dryer. It can basically tell if the clothes tumbling around inside are dry or not, probably based on the amount of steam still being removed, and will try to give you an ETA estimate on when everything will actually be dry. It’s also got a steam refresh mode for removing wrinkles, an epic 150 minute wrinkle prevent drying mode and for those who are mesmerized by the site of tumbling, spinning laundry, an interior light to make it easier to enjoy the show. $1199 available in 4 different colors.

[ Maytag Bravos Dryer ] VIA [ Luxury Housing Trends ]

By Andrew Liszewski

I’m sure these new JS Wings 2.0 shoes, designed by Jeremy Scott for adidas Originals, were already on the drawing board well before Nintendo unveiled the return of Kid Icarus at E3 a couple of weeks ago, but I like to think they’re a subtle way to welcome back a long forgotten video game hero. And yes, I know the image of shoes with wings on them is more associated with Hermes than Icarus who crafted actual wings, but I don’t care. The JS Wings 2.0 will be available starting August 10 from wherever you’ve managed to find adidas Originals in the past, or on eBay a few hours after they’re released.

[ Hypebeast - adidas Originals by Originals Jeremy Scott JS Wings 2.0 Leather ] VIA [ ALBOTAS ]

By Andrew Liszewski

Here’s a nice low-tech solution to a problem that may have been keeping you from fulfilling your dreams of shaving in the shower. The REFLECT Showerhead is itself a mirror, and is heated from the inside by the hot water flowing through it, so water droplets won’t condense on its surface. Hence, no fogging. It’s won a handful of design and innovation awards, deservedly so, but when it becomes available mid-July it will sell for $295 which is pretty expensive for a showerhead that’s lacking a built-in waterproof radio.

[ REFLECT Showerhead ] VIA [ Cool Hunting ]