The thought is the scammers purchased the iPads and replaced the tablets with a block of clay weighing the same as the iPad. Then they rewrapped the iPad in retail-grade cellophane and returned them to the store. Then the retailers returned the units to the shelves. Most stores log the customer’s ID on large returns, so they would have had to be clever about that to not get caught. Best Buy, Apple and Future Shop are investigating the situation. Hopefully this won’t happen to you. Maybe someday they’ll have to start x-raying high-priced items when they get returned to prevent this.

This wouldn’t be the first (or last) fake iPad scam – a while back, a woman was sold a wooden iPad for the low, low price of $180. However, that bait-and-switch didn’t happen at a legitimate retailer.

[via TechCrunch]

They are just $10(USD) plus shipping each. Outfit one hand in PS3 controllers and one hand in XBox controllers if you can’t decide. They would make cute little gifts for your geek friends this Christmas too if you don’t want one for yourself.

[via Geek Crafts via Slashgear]

The sculpture tells the story of the birth of Christ through three robotic wisemen, Mary, Joseph and sweet little Baby Robot Jesus. Instead of gold, frankincense and myrrh, the Magi are bearing a vacuum tube, a gear, and a set of LEGOs, which seems like a much better set of gifts to me. Except for the gold part. Maybe the gear is made of gold, though.

This adorable and humorous sculpture was made by Day of the Robot. It measures about 10.5″(w) x 5.5″(d), and the robots are crafted from Ultracal (high-strength plaster), wire, and polymer clay. The whole thing is set onto a metal base, which has LEDs underneath to illuminate the auspicious occasion.

If you’re a robot geek and have a sense of humor about the holidays, you can grab this unique Robot Nativity scene over at Etsy for $200 (USD).

Ray created these detailed figurative Sculpey clay busts of several of the main characters from Matt Groening and David X. Cohen’s 31st Century sci-fi comedy, with the first one being of the doddering Professor Hubert J. Farnsworth.

With those goggles on his head, he sort of reminds me of the “I just do eyes” guy from Blade Runner. And woop, woop, woop, Ray also did up a nice version of Zoidberg, but he actually looks a little too dignified for my tastes. Maybe it’s that his mouth-tentacles aren’t dripping with some trash he just ate. He looks more like he belongs in a Mass Effect game or something.

His Turanga Leela is probably the creepiest looking, thanks to her single eyeball and overly symmetrical facial features. For some reason, she doesn’t freak me out so much on the show. Maybe it’s Katey Sagal’s soothing voice that keeps the whole cyclops thing in check. I’m thinking this Leela would fit in quite well in God of War IV, though, if they’re still casting.

Last, but not least is Leela’s faithful companion, Nibbler, who appears to have been inspired by a combination of a baby, chimpazees, meerkats, and a tulip. Yep, that’s what the artist himself says – at least that what I got out of this picture.

Ray says he sculpted these busts in 1/3rd scale, but I’m not sure how you can figure out how tall cartoon characters are in the first place. It’s hard to get any sense of scale from these images, but I’m betting they’re bigger than you think.

Absent from series are Fry, Bender and Hermes, and Amy Wong, but I’m betting that Ray will eventually add them to his menagerie. Personally, I’d like to see Flexo instead of Bender. I always preferred his goatee.

[via Behance]

Since we already know way too much about the main characters in Star Wars, Elliott Quince wanted to shed some light on some of the B, C, and D-list cast members. They are probably bitter about not making a big splash, and they probably were treated badly on set and of course he figured their lives were never the same since the movies.

Well, now you can find out for yourself how these cast members fared, since it is all in Elliot’s book, called Plasticine Tatooine. The book is clever all by itself, but the coolest part of this project is that for the pictures in the book he actually made all of the characters out of plasticine (clay).

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

These guys all look adorable in clay form and it makes the book worth buying at £4.95 (~$8 USD) from Plasticine Tatooine.

But for accessories totally geared to gamers, there’s the Super Mario Bros. Piranha Earrings for you.

Even those who don’t really play Super Mario Bros. will be able to recognize this distinct potted and dotted plant, who’s actually a pretty bad guy in the game.

Who knew such a ferociously named villain (the “Piranha Plant”) could make such an adorable-looking earring? Just look at it taking a bite out of her ear lobe.

Unfortunately, the earrings are sold out for now and will be made available again around September 1. They’re available from Lizglizz’s Shop on Etsy, so you might want to bookmark the page for easy reference later on.

[via TechEBlog]

Each pair is lovingly hand-sculpted from polymer clay by Patricia of Charlie Carter Creations. They feature the slightly bulbous, cartoony heads of your favorite little plumber brothers, each attached to a silver-tone adjustable ring. For some reason, their googly eyeballs remind me of Marty Feldman more than Mario or Luigi, though.

The pair is available over at the artist’s Etsy shop for $20 (USD), and they take about a week since each one is made to order. And if you don’t have a best friend, you could always buy the set and hog them both for yourself.

Some example uses for Sugru pulled from their gallery shows it being used to fix the heel of an old pair of shoes, make a bike handle better or just make a new handle all together! Fix a wobbly chair. The uses are endless with Sugru! Its meant to repair and make stuff work better for you. This product could replace duct tape in your toolbox.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

You can order some packs of Sugru at their website. It goes for £7 GBP (appx. $11.18 USD) a pack. There are options for large, medium or small lumps of Sugru if you don’t want to deal with one big blob of the stuff. I’m picking up a pack just to keep in my tool box.

Maciel spent months building his MORPHIUS (yeah, I know it’s supposed to be spelled “m-o-r-p-h-e-u-s”) robot computer case, and from the looks of these pics it was well worth the wait.

Each detail of the body was hand-carved in clay to produce a silicone mold. He then created the final shell from fiberglass and resin and finished it with automotive paints.

You can check out Maciel’s complete build log over at the Cooler Master Forum.

[via AOA Forums]

Korean design firm Studio Lim created these unique speakers called Sound Pots. The speakers feature an unusual control scheme: turn the knob on the back to turn on the MP3 player, then roll the speaker from side-to-side to control the volume.

The guys over at Moco Loco also offer up these slightly more obvious control suggestions: “set it on its side so the sound can flow out towards the listener”, and “set it face down to turn it off by blocking the sound.” Duh.

I have no idea if Studio Lim plans on ever selling Sound Pots, but if they do, I sure hope they pack them in plenty of bubble wrap and foam peanuts when they start shipping them.

[via unplggd]

Nice work in clay here, with a lot of great detail there on Big Daddy’s head. But, really, I have to ask… where my Little Sisters at? Why is it always Big Daddy in the spotlight? Ol’ Mr. Bubbles always gets all the credit.

This lovely sculpture was given as a gift. I’m not sure what sort of message a Big Daddy conveys. Does it indicate you’re protective? Possibly volatile and deadly? Thick-skinned? Psychologists could have a field day.

Aww! I don’t even want to shoot them! But I could, you know. Or stick ‘em.

These clay cuties come courtesy of one Evan K., known hereafter as The Clay Master (Chief), especially since these aren’t his first specimens. All cuteness aside (and it’s tough to disregard), these little figures are pretty detailed. I do especially like the work he did on the Spartans.

[via Hawty McBloggy]

The set comes in a neat tin container, so it also makes for a great gift.

You can get the magnets at bearduck’s Etsy shop for $38 (USD). Cut & paste not included.

[via Geeky Gadgets]

Gotta love the blood splatters, as well as those amazing eyes and the signature hair. Is it just me, though, or does this look like Blanka’s face has a hint of something like a Hannya mask? It’s a good look for him, certainly.

I wonder if a bloody Blanky sitting center stage by the computer might frighten away co-workers. Perhaps if you could match that facial expression….

[via PS3Maven]

These ceramic pigs from Japan’s I.D.E.A. feature a full-range speaker in their bellies. The only thing tastier than pork bellies is amplified pork bellies! Mmmm.

They’re available in black, white, and shiny gold, but you really want the pearlescent pink one, don’t you? Of course you do. My favorite thing about the piggy speaker is the skinny little tail that doubles as the connector for your media player. Oink!

Currently, I.D.E.A. Pig Speakers are only available in Japan, where they sell for ¥4,725 (appx. $50 USD).

I just want to put that Spider-Pig song on my iPod, hook it up, crank it to 11, and put it on infinite repeat.

These amazingly detailed figures show off the softer side of some of the most ferocious fighters you’ll find in a Halo game, including the Flood.

I hate the Flood. And yet, here? I want to touch it.

[Halo figures via Hawty McBloggy]

That last piece of Guitar Hero gear is only seven bucks at Leilabean’s Etsy shopfront, and there are other games available, too… just in case your version of “that guy” happens to be into, say, Call of Duty.

If “that guy” happens to be you, it’s okay. We’re not judging. And that t-shirt looks mighty good on you.

The detail is spectacular, especially when you look at the whole thing, for the grand effect:

Amazing, what can be achieved with a little polymer clay and cardboard. Looks good enough to play.

[Tsurera's gallery via GayGamer]

These fully customizable wine charms (wine charms! I feel so sheltered suddenly!) are available from Etsy seller TheClayCollection, and they represent infinite possibilities. Just think: you could use the charms as subtle ways of communicating your feelings for your guests. Act like a jerk? You get Deadly Towers, buddy. Suck it up.

[via http://technabob.com/blog/?p=8605 Whether you’re an iPhone addict or hooked on your CrackBerry, you have to be a real gadget nut to wear these miniature smartphone earrings.

You can find these and other fun miniature Fimo items over at Barb’s Etsy shop. Just one question for Barb – where’s my Palm Pre?