At the front and center of Hyundai’s portable boombox is an oversized 12.1-inch LCD monitor. The spec sheet says the screen is 1280 x 800, but from the pictures I’ve seen, I’m not sure that’s really the case. It’s not like you’re going to be watching Hi-Def video on this thing anyhow. Unlike the classic ghetto blaster, these new compact stereos are all about the image, and not the sound. As a matter of fact, the speakers on this boombox have taken a serious backseat to the screen.

The Hyundai HY-1210 is all about watching movies and TV – not listening to your jamz. The portable has a built-in DVD player, and can play content in VCD, DVD, CD, CD-R, JPEG, MP3, MPEG-4, AVI formats. There’s even a Karaoke feature built-in so you can sing along. And if you don’t have any DVDs lying around, there are USB and SD/MMC/MS slots for watching media stored on digital memory devices. And there’s a VGA connector on the back for some reason too. I can officially say this is the first boombox EVER with a VGA port.

Unfortunately, the TV tuner is analog, so you won’t be able to tune in stations in many parts of the world. At least you can listen to the FM radio when you’re not watching those Harajuku girls on screen. And with a 10-watt per channel stereo amp under the hood, audio actually isn’t that bad. One other technological advancement – this boombox only needs 8 “C”-Cell batteries – so we have made progress in the last 25 years or so. Maybe by 2035, we’ll have OLED boomboxes that run on 8 “AAA” batteries.

The Hyundai HY-1210 boombox can be yours over at ChinaGrabber for $219.99 (USD).

While it is sort of a cool analog hack, I can’t imagine you’d get much brightness from your mobile phone’s screen. That said, the makers of the HypnosEye claim you can project an image from 17″ to 45″ diagonal from a projection distance of 0.5 to 2 meters away. And of course, you’ll want to turn the lights down – way down – to see your images.

You can check out the HypnosEye in action in the video clips below:

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

The HypnosEye kit comes with both the projection lens unit and a portable 17″ diagonal projection surface that’s optimized for projection. If you’d like to try one, they’re available over at the Japan Trend Shop for $80 (USD).

While I’d much prefer an actual pocket projector, I suppose you might want to look at this wacky device if you’re a real cheapskate.

The camera is motion activated and takes CCD color footage by day and black and white at night. It’s max resolution is 720×480, while it’s maximum framerate is 30 fps. Like most other hidden cameras, the SleuthGear Recluse records the time and date of any footage, and can also be scheduled to activate on a particular time. The camera supports SD cards for up to 16GB worth of damning evidence, and its rechargeable battery lasts up to 6 hours in between charges.

The KJB SleuthGear Recluse. A sophisticated camera crammed into a box so ordinary and plain that you won’t know how to explain to your spouse why you just paid $600 (USD) for a tissue box at Amazon.

[via 7Gadgets]

While Apple zealots will no doubt deem the classic gray PC as too ugly even for the old iMac, it’s actually Windows & PC fans who will be more insulted in the video. Watch it and look at Mic’s (that’s the PC) third wooing gimmick to see what I mean.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

I bet that last kid’s name is Psystar.

[via BB-Blog]

Created by Japan’s PROTOTYPE design team, iPod Cluster Media is an early proof-of-concept that stitches multiple independent iPod Touches into a hive-mind display wall. Each iPod Touch knows what the other one is up to, letting touch signals on one display influence all of the others. There’s even a remote-control iPod that can be used to send information to the display wall. Check out the video below to see some of the cool multi-multi-touch action:

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

The system can even send control information to an external interface (notice the synchronized LED base in the video). PROTOTYPE envisions that their creation will one day be used for interactive digital signage for tradeshows and other exhibitions. While the first version of the iPod Cluster display is formed from a grid of 20 individual iPod Touches, but from the looks of this image, these guys have much, much bigger plans up their sleeves:

I really hope there’s an App for that some day real soon.

[via Mongoose Studios]

The FaceID system can store digital profiles for up to 500 unique faces, and use those to validate the identity of those who stare into its camera lenses. A pair of digitial cameras allows the FaceID system to recreate a 3-dimensional image of the individual’s face, and runs it through a face detection algorithm to match their face to its internal database. The 3-D images also prevent people from hacking in by just holding up a photo. It’s even smart enough to cope with irregularities in lighting conditions, and can even work in the dark.

Designed as both a replacement for timecard systems and a door security system, the FaceID claims a less than 0.0001% margin for error in its recognition algorithm. Not too shabby. With one of these in place, you won’t be able to hand your timecard to another employee to punch in for you ever again. Unless you cut their head off and carry it around with you, I suppose.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

Keep in mind that the FaceID system doesn’t actually come with an electronic door lock, but provides a standard Wiegand interface for controlling security systems. You can find the FaceID system over at ChinaVasion for $447 (USD).

I wonder if thing can detect if you’re a Replicant or not?

These Coke can spy cams each have a tiny little video camera and DVR built inside. And while the Coke Zero can looks just like The Real Thing, I’m not quite as convinced by this can of “Caco-Cola Clossic”:

Each camera conceals a pinhole camera that can capture VGA (640×480) resolution video images in AVI format. Data is stored in the can’s internal 4GB memory, so it’s completely self-contained. Just pop off the hidden panel to reveal a USB connector, and jack the can into your computer’s USB port to pull down any captured video. While plugged in, the can’s internal rechargeable battery will juice up at the same time.

Both the Coke Zero and Caco-Cola Clossic spy cams are available over at ChinaGrabber, and will set you back between $53 and $62 bucks a can. Have a Coke and a smile and say “cheese”!

For his work titled 905, artist maybites suspended 67 strings of ping pong balls in a cylindrical formation, with each ball acting as a sort of pixel for projecting digital images. As an individual enters the cylinder of balls, a webcam tracks the person’s movements which in turn impact the images displayed on the ping pong balls.

By setting up a special mirror in the ceiling, the projector beams are reflected onto the surfaces of the white balls, creating an ethereal glow that almost looks like the light is emanating from the balls themselves.

Here’s a short video clip showing off the ping pong ball light curtain in action:

From the looks of it, maybites created the installation in late 2007, but there’s no information on when or where you can see 905 in person. For now, I guess you’ll just have to settle for the pictures and video above. Or you could always try and make your own ping pong projection screen.

Each DreamScreen features a bright, high-resolution LCD color screen, and has built in speakers so it’s a completely self-contained media playback device. And if you don’t want to bother streaming media from your PC, the DreamScreen has a built in 6-in-2 media card reader and a pair of USB ports too. Video formats supported include MPEG 1, 2, 4 and H.264, while you can listen to audio in MP3, AAC, WMA and WAV formats.

In addition to media playback, you can access Facebook and view updates without getting up from your chair. There’s also a slideshow integration with Snapfish, so you can upload photos to their site and view them on the DreamScreen. HP has also been kind enough to provide access to streaming digital music via Pandora, and HP’s own “SmartRadio” which aggregates Internet radio from around the globe. There’s also a built in calendar and alarm clock, so you might want one of these on your bedside table instead of a traditional alarm. There’s no word on future plans to roll out additional Internet services, but I’m hopeful HP will release more integrations in future.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

The only major downside I can see to the DreamScreen is that it’s crying out for a touchscreen surface. For now, you have to navigate using the buttons along the sides of the screen, or using the included wireless remote. Hopefully, HP will make a touch-enabled version in the future. I also wish there were an open standard for widgets like there is with the Chumby.

The DreamScreen 100 features a 13.3″ display, while the DreamScreen 130 has a 10.2″ screen. Both devices have 800×480 screen resolution, so the smaller display just has smaller pixels. The DreamScreen 100 lists for $249.99 (USD) and the DreamScreen 130 is $299.99, but you can find both models over at Amazon for a few dollars less.

This cheery pink digital camcorder is perfect for girls (and very confident men) who want to shoot video and are sick of the same old, same old. Just like the big boys, the pink HD cam can shoot 720p high-definition video at up to 30 fps in H.264 format. See, these girls are definitely stoked about those stats…

Girl on right: “Hey, did you know my HD digi-cam can shoot digital video at 1280×720 resolution with a frame rate of 30 frames-per-second and encodes its data using a Quicktime H.264 codec?” Girl on left: “Shut up and take my picture already! Can’t you see I was busy listening to some tunes in Ogg Vorbis format!”

The pink cam has even got a pair of SD slots, each of which can hold 16GB of memory, so you can store up to 32GB of digital video if you load up both slots. In addition to shooting video, the pink cam will take still photos at up to 5-megapixel resolution. Video is displayed on the camera’s large 3-inch touchscreen display. And it’s pink – with ruby-colored sparklies!

Pricing hasn’t been announced yet, but you can check back over on Chinavasion for more information. Think pink!

Here’s a party that millions of pirates will surely be having: a Windows 7 torrenting party! As if giving out tips on how to download illegal stuff wasn’t enough, there’s some (unnecessary) f-bombs at the end of the clip, so watch out mom & dad.

Seriously though, have you or anyone you know actually set up a Windows 7 party? Was the food any good?

[via TechCrunch]

That’s right, this ordinary looking Casio LCD desktop calculator has been retrofitted to conceal a tiny little video camera, perfect for snooping on your unsuspecting office buddies in between math equations.

From the product description, it sounds like its got a built in digital video and audio recorder, and runs on a 9-volt battery, so it’s completely self-contained. Although I am confused by the part where it says that it’s also a wireless camera with a built in transmitter and a remote video receiver. Maybe it can send an analog feed in real-time, and then store video on the internal memory. Each one comes with 8GB of storage and can record videos at up to 628×582 pixels (what a strange resolution). Plus it doesn’t need much light to operate – just 3 Lux. Plus, it’s still a fully-functional calculator, which should make it look even less suspicious to casual observers.

The calculator spy cam is available over at ChinaGrabber for $78.99 (USD). But there’s also a guy over on eBay with what appear to be exactly the same calcucameras for a few bucks less. But in this case, the resolutions listed seem to make more sense, they mention no wireless connectivity and a built-in rechargeable battery instead of a 9-volt. Who knows which product listing is more accurate? I’m laying odds on the eBay option. That said, as is always the case with these odd little gadgets from China, caveat emptor, YMMV and all that jazz.

The display is called Diamond Vision, and it’s actually made of smaller displays that combine to form Voltron a super display of sorts. Aside from minimizing costs, the modular design also makes it possible to build a curved display.

The display’s isn’t pure win however because as stated in the video below, Mitsubishi estimates that the OLED will last approximately 20,000 hours – about 2 years and 100 days – which is a fairly short amount of time.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

Nevertheless, I don’t think us normal folks have any right to be disappointed – or excited – about Mitsubishi’s breakthrough because the display is meant to be installed in public areas for ads and such. Besides, what the hell would we do with an infinitely expandable display? I’d rather have a 19-inch TV that lasts 5 years than this thing.

[via Newlaunches]

The setting for Andreas Illiger’s Microsia is inside of a virtual “plant cell” of a leaf. As you move your cursor around, you touch “cellular particles” which will be used as triggers for the ambient sounds.

Microsia may look a bit like Flow, but it’s not about gameplay this time – it’s all about making music. Sounds are created by manipulating the position of  the particles, then turning them on to initiate sequences of sounds. Some of the particles set tone, while others modulate sounds or tempo. It’s really pretty cool once you actually read the instructions.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

If you’re intrigued by what you saw in the video clip, you can download the demo version of Microsia here. The full version normally retails for 19.95 (appx. $29 USD), but is currently on sale for 9.95 (appx. $15).

The cool thing about the XCM Blue Blood is that it’s actually a kit that you can use to mod your boring white Xbox 360 controller into a thing of true beauty.

Not only does the Blue Blood controller shell have the perfect electric blue finish, it’s super shiny, and comes with an improved D-pad design that’s larger and easier to move than the stock 360 controller. The controller also comes with a set of LED-illuminated replacement ABXY buttons, along with dramatic blue backlighting for the dashboard, select and start buttons. Sweet, indeed.

You can grab the XCM Blue Blood controller mod kit over at TotalConsole for $29.99 (USD).

Hein was inspired the “block” housing he lived in on the streets of Berlin – as well as his childhood block home in Latvia, and decided that the rigid construction style was the perfect subject for a Tetris tribute.

Insert your quarters now, and enjoy…

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

Sergej created this amusing short animated film through the magic of Adobe After Effects.

[via PSFK]

Created by Hi Tech Systems, the Comptometer is a fully-functional broadcast controller for video mixing and editing software.

The intricately crafted controller was built using wood, brass, Bakelite, Nixie tubes, and other tschotchkes and even has some working mechanical components.

Not being a broadcast video expert, I’m not really sure how one would use this controller in the industry, maybe this video will give you some clue. Something about Grass Valley, Sony, Odetics and a gas turbine interchange – you figure it out.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

[via The Steampunk Workshop]

I won’t tell you how far to jump in because you really should watch the whole thing. Wait for it. Wait for it…

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

[via UFunk]

Here’s some sexy specs for audiophiles: the microphone is a condenser with a wide frequency response, from 35 Hz to 20 kHz, and a 16-bit audio sample rate of 44.1 kHz. Yeah. Awesome. I don’t know what we’re talking about.

Non-techie users should also consider the Eyeball because it’s easy to install – it works out of the box with both Mac and Windows systems, no drivers needed. The Eyeball’s stand also doubles as its compartment, so it’s quite portable as well. Here’s Mark from Coolest Gadgets‘ review of the Eyeball, taken using the Eyeball itself.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

Convinced yet? You can get the Eyeball for $140 (USD) (or less; I could have bought it for $70 as of this writing, just click “add to cart” to see the discount) at Amazon.

Of course, the 16GB Latte Espresso PMP can play music and video files, but it’s also got a touchscreen with tactile feedback, so you can actually feel a pronounced “click” when you interact with buttons and controls on the screen. The media player also features a “G-sensor” which automatically rotates the apps and display to match the angle of the player’s 3-inch (420×240 resolution) display.

Audio formats supported include MP3, WMA, FLAC, APE, OGG, and AAC (without DRM). Video can be played back in AVI, WMV, RM, RMVB, 3GP, MPG, MP4 or FLV formats. There’s also a built-in FM radio, but it doesn’t receive HD radio or RDS information like other the new Zune HD does. But what do you want for $99 bucks? On the other hand, it can actually broadcast its audio signal to a nearby FM radio without any extra hardware.

As is often the case with these jack-of-all-trades media players, it also includes other miscellaneous apps like voice recording, a text reader, a stopwatch and a photo browser, but none of them sound like anything special.

Released earlier this year with a list price of $199 (USD), you can now get your hands on a Latte Espresso over on Amazon for just $99.99. If you’re wondering if you should take the plunge, 4dthinker has a detailed review of the Latte Espresso, along with all its pros and cons.