Oh! Gizmo

By Luke Anderson

Are you looking for a simple way to spruce up your desk, or perhaps you want to make your table at Starbucks feel a little like home. Either way, you could pick up one of these cool neon signs.

They need only be plugged into your computer to get all of the power they require. You can choose from three different styles; “@”, “Smiley” and “Bar” can be yours for around $20 each.

[ Gadgets ] VIA [ GeekAlerts ]

By Luke Anderson

There are times where I miss being a kid. Back in those days you got to play with toys all the time without a care in the world. Then I realize that while I have more responsibilities now, I actually make money to buy myself such toys. Take this R/C Rapid Assault truck, this certainly looks like it would be a blast.

Imagine that you’re walking down the hall, when you suddenly spot a remote controlled car down the way. While that may seem a bit strange, I’m sure you’d be a bit freaked out when it started barraging you with missiles from a good 20 feet away. While it will probably work only once before you’re figured out, it will likely make a great diversion while you sneak away from your desk before the boss has a chance to ask you to work late. At least it makes for a cheap diversion at only $21.

[ Amazon ] VIA [ UberGizmo ]

By Luke Anderson

Remember back when the Billy Bass was popular back in 2000 or so? Since then there have been a number of similar items on the market that are equally as annoying as the singing fish. However, these robot trophies have to be the coolest ones I have seen.

Since I’m fully expecting a robot uprising within the next decade or so, I would love to put one of these on my wall. That way when a robot breaks into my house to kill me, it knows that I’m someone that’s not to be messed with. There are 11 different robotic animals which have sensors that will make the robots come to life and become aggressive towards anyone who comes near. Unfortunately there’s no word on pricing or availability.

[ France Cadet ] VIA [ GearFuse ]

By Evan Ackerman

This, right here, is the solution to all violent conflicts everywhere. When real weapons eventually, inevitably, are replaced by glitter guns, peace will reign and 70s pop icons will once again roam the earth. Each cartridge contains 6 shots of glitter; $8 gets you the gun and 3 cartridges. So far all that seems to be available is this small revolver version… I’m going to hold out for a glitter sniper rifle, myself.

[ Glitter Gun ] VIA [ Nerd Approved ]

By Evan Ackerman

Don’t get me wrong, I love useless USB accessories just as much as the next guy, assuming the next guy absolutely hates useless USB accessories, and this USB Whack-It is one of the more useless I’ve seen. I’m not saying that I can’t appreciate a good, violent game of Whac-A-Mole. Quite the contrary: this is a terrible, pointless whack game precisely because you don’t get to whack anything with a giant hammer, which is the whole point of the game… Sheer mindless satisfying violence against things that are smaller and weaker than you. In this USB version of the game, all you do is bop your finger against the hairless multicolored plastic “moles” when they light up, and where’s the fun in that? Bring on the huge black squishy mallet and maybe, just maybe, I’d consider paying $20 and a USB port for one of these.

[ USB Whack-It ] VIA [ Shiny Shiny ]

By Andrew Liszewski

A few weeks ago I wrote about a couch that was modeled after the back-end of an Aston Martin DB6. Unfortunately the price was a bit on the high side ($7,300) and that didn’t even include the shipping costs from the UK where they’re built. So here’s a ‘made in America’ alternative that combines the back-end of a Corvette with a large BBQ. Like with the DB6 couch, no actual Corvettes were harmed in the making of these grills, but the 2000 degree fiberglass resin reproductions look exactly like the real thing.

The firebox itself is insulated to prevent damaging the paint job and other accessories while the grill is hot, and it comes in either a propane or charcoal version depending if you want to taste the heat or the meat. As an added effect the taillights even work but you’ll need someplace to plug in the retractable 20 foot power cord. The grill even comes with a UV protected black cover embroidered with the customer’s name and the date of manufacturing.

The charcoal version of the BBQ Vette runs $1,795 while the propane version is $2,195. They come in 4 standard colors including yellow, black, white and red but custom VIN color matching is also available.

[ BBQ Vette ] VIA [ Born Rich ]

By Andrew Liszewski

You can never have too many devices designed to bother and annoy friends, roommates or co-workers. So joining the ranks of the Annoy-A-Tron and the Wrong Number Generator are these Light Sensitive Sound Boxes. As long as some amount of light reaches the built-in light sensor, they won’t make a sound. But stick them in a drawer, or shut the lights off in a room and they’ll produce a barking dog or dripping tap sound effect.

I’d wager that the dripping tap version is probably the more realistic option if you’re actually trying to fool someone, since hearing a tinny reproduction of a dog bark coming from drawer or under a table is probably not going to fool anyone. And even then, the person would have to be particularly gullible to fall for the dripping tap prank version. But, it’s always worth a shot if there’s the chance of making someone extremely angry.

They’re both available from Crazy About Gadgets for about $10 each.

[ Light Sensitive Sound Boxes ] VIA [ The Red Ferret Journal ]

By Luke Anderson

Looking for something that’s going to really set your desk apart from everyone else’s in the office? Surely with all of the strange gadgets out there you’d be able to find something that displayed your individuality. If you really want to make an impression on everyone, might I suggest the 25-inch field cannon?

This scaled replica doesn’t just look cool, it also actually fires. It runs on calcium carbide ammunition which will give it one hell of a boom. It’s going to set you back $150, but you can bet that it’ll leave an impression on everyone in the office.

[ LighterSide ] VIA [ NerdApproved ]

By Evan Ackerman

I have a soft spot for sheep. I blame it on Poe, who was (I think) one of the first desktop screenmates, and who still keeps me company from time to time. Seamour the sheep is as Scottish as Poe is Japanese (for whatever that’s worth). He stars alongside Marty the mole in a 3D-rendered Dutch comic strip called (oddly enough) Seamour Sheep, and has been incarnated in this vinyl USB lamp. Just plug a USB cable into his fluffy little vinyl butt, and he’ll start glowing for ya. It’s a limited edition, and can be all yours for $60. After the jump, have a look at one of the Seamour Sheep webcomics, featuring the first ever 3D sheep in a ninja suit, as far as I know. Read the rest of this entry »

By Luke Anderson

I’ve always had poor handwriting, especially with cursive. Nowadays I can blame it on the fact that I type everything, but when I was a kid there was really no excuse, except that I was usually in a hurry when writing. Needless to say, I can type much faster than I write, and it looks better too. However, for those of you that enjoy writing everything, here’s an interesting concept design.

The D:Scribe is a pen that recognizes your handwriting, and sends SMS messages that you scribble down. It communicates with your phone via Bluetooth to send the messages. It can also store your doodles, which can be retrieved on your computer at a later time.

VIA [ Yanko Design ]