Oh! Gizmo

By Andrew Liszewski

You don’t have to be a smoker who grew up gobbling white dots and ghosts to appreciate these retro gaming themed Zippo lighters. You could also be a pyromaniac who really enjoyed Dig Dug as a kid, or someone who can never get enough Galaxian who also happens to prepare a lot of birthday cakes. The Zippos are available in four different versions including Pac-Man, Xevious and the aforementioned Dig Dug and Galaxian, and can be pre-ordered from NCSX for a mere $108.90.

[ Namco Classic Game Zippo Lighters ] VIA [ Kotaku ]

By Andrew Liszewski

If you’ve yet to make the move from analog cassette tapes to digital audio files, the Tape Express from ION Audio will make the transition a bit easier for you. First of all, the device looks like an old-school Walkman, and if you’re still listening to cassettes on a daily basis, there’s a good chance you’re a master of that technology. Converting your tapes to MP3s is as easy as connecting the device to your PC via USB and hitting play. The included EZ Tape Converter software will take care of the rest.

And if you’re having a difficult time transitioning to this futuristic circa-1995 digital MP3 technology, the Tape Express also works like a regular tape player, allowing you to listen to your music the old-fashioned way. IWOOT appears to have it for just over $80, though they’re sold out at the moment.

[ ION Audio Tape Express ] VIA [ Retro To Go ]

By Andrew Liszewski

Officially licensed by Sega, the GenMobile is essentially the same idea as the Nomad from years gone by, except smaller thanks to a few generations of technological miniaturization. It natively plays both Genesis and Japanese Mega-Drive carts thanks to a slot in the back, but it also comes with 20 titles built-in including Sonic Spinball, Kid Chameleon, Golden Axe and Ecco Jr. if your collection has already been given away. It’s got a 2.5-inch TFT screen for playing on the go, but an AV out connection as well for connecting it to a TV. And best of all, it’s just $54.99 from Stone Age Gamer, available sometime near the end of the month.

[ GenMobile ] VIA [ Nowhereelse ]

By Andrew Liszewski

I can’t remember the last time I actually used a screensaver, but that’s about to change now that I can spend my time starting at, and even playing, classic NES titles. The Nintendo Screen Saver, from the chaps who created the UberNES emulator, lets you fill your display with a wall of NES titles running in their ‘demo modes’ but at any point you can hit the space bar and take over playing any one of the games currently on screen.

Now since being able to play the games requires you to have the actual ROMs on your system, the legality of the Nintendo Screensaver is kind of a gray area, so if you’d prefer to stay legit, the screensaver can also stream pre-captured ‘movies’ of your favorite games from the UberNES gallery. Not as fun, but probably slightly safer if you intend to run it at work.

[ UberNES Nintendo Screen Saver ] VIA [ GameSetWatch ]

By Andrew Liszewski

LIFE has a pretty amusing photo gallery of 30 old-timey inventions that run the gamut from being just dumb, to downright dangerous. My personal favorites include the Baby Cage from 1937, which is essentially a wire cage/playpen for hanging your infant outside an apartment window. Goodyear’s Illuminated Tires from 1961 which were perfect for… um… well I guess that’s why they never caught on and the freaky Phone-Answering Robot from 1964 which I guess could be considered the inspiration for voicemail/the nightmares I’m sure to have tonight.

[ LIFE: 30 Dumb Inventions ] VIA [ BB-Blog ]

By Andrew Liszewski

A talking digital watch might have made headlines back in the 80’s and wowed shoppers at the local Radio Shack, but these days that technology is old hat. But what if that talking watch only told the time in Japanese? Well now you’re onto something!

Combining both retro digital chic and the opportunity to learn another language, these talking watches can be considered both a stylish accessory and an educational aide as you learn how to tell time in Japanese at the push of a button. Just $18.99 from FredFlare.com available in 6 rad colors including grey, purple, white, blue, green and black.

[ Talking Japanese Watches ]

By Andrew Liszewski

If you miss your old CRT TV this retro-looking alarm clock might help fill the massive void left in your entertainment center, and possibly your heart. It’s designed to look like an old-school ‘portable’ CRT set with its overly rounded display and carrying handle, but the only show you’ll be watching is the 12/24 hour clock that of course includes an alarm function. As you can see it even comes with a mock remote that is used to turn off the alarm tones or activate an LED backlight that doubles as a handy nightlight. ~$33 from Thumbs Up (UK) though it appears you’ll need to order at least 6 of them.

[ Television Alarm Clock ] VIA [ Coolest Gadgets ]

By Andrew Liszewski

What could be cooler than a cubicle filled with vintage G.I. Joe figures from the 80’s toy line? Why a cubicle filled with vintage G.I. Joe figures from the 80’s toy line playing amazingly detailed miniature arcade cabinets of course! Big J.W., as he’s known on Flickr, hand makes these minute marvels with a combination of plywood for the cabinets and balsa wood for detailing and each one comes complete with authentic graphics and even tiny controls.

And because each arcade machine is hand made to order, it takes about 3 or 4 days before they’re shipped out, so if you happen to order one using the contact info he’s provided on his Flickr pages try and be understanding, particularly since he sells them for just $20 to $25 a piece.

[ Flickr - Big J.W.'s Mini Arcade Cabinets ] VIA [ technabob ]

By Andrew Liszewski

While it might be the world’s first digital camera with a built-in projector, it turns out the Nikon S1000pj was actually trumped way back in 1957 when it comes to the convergence of cameras and projectors. The Wittnauer Cine-Twin was an 8mm film camera that could be converted into a projector with the addition of a special base and a few other add-ons like film reels and what-not. Unfortunately there were many factors that prevented the Cine-Twin from catching on back in the day including its 3 heavy D-cell batteries, the fact that the delicate and expensive projector bulb was always in the camera, even when you were out shooting, and it was only sold in jewelry stores (Wittnauer was apparently a famous jeweler.) So here’s to hoping that Nikon has a bit more success with their design.

[ Retro Thing - New Nikon S1000pj Not First Camera/Projector Convergence ]