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crazy calculator constantly crashes

filed under: cool toys | strange and wonderful

Takumi Crash Calculator

I can’t decide what I like best about this “unique” calculator from Japan. I’m torn between the keyboard that’s arranged into a completely non-standard configuration that’s sure to trip up even the speediest touch-typists, or the calculator’s oh-so-special random crash mode…

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December 5th, 2008 post a comment stumble it! digg it! author: technabob

dissidia potions restore life points, look cool

filed under: technology | video games

suntory final fantasy potion dissidia rpg square enix

Japanese brewer Suntory has long been making (reportedly disgusting) potions for Square Enix’s Final Fantasy games, but until now they’ve actually resembled the in-game items. The latest round of beverages, however, breaks that tradition — Suntory’s going with the good ol’ fashioned can. Fitting, since the latest limited edition drinks are sodas…

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December 5th, 2008 1 comment stumble it! digg it! author: alisha k.

co-robot offers (drunken) humanoid moves on the cheap

filed under: robotics | technology

Co-Robot Cheap Robot Kit

While it certainly isn’t the most sophisticated robot out there, this kit from Japan is possibly the least expensive bipedal robot I’ve seen.

The Co-Robot keeps it on the cheap by using just a single motor and a wobbly gear-drive system to help it amble along. Now don’t expect the type of smooth walking moves of Honda’s ASIMO here…

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November 24th, 2008 1 comment stumble it! digg it! author: technabob

sega hitokara karaoke disco ball: just add off-key vocals

filed under: audio | cool toys | just plain fun | mobile tech

Segatoys Hitokara Home Karaoke

You’ve gotta hand it to the Japanese. They managed to take the strains of howling, tone deaf, drunken business executives and turn them into a multi-billion dollar yen industry. Now you can bring the Karaoke experience to your living room, complete with a cheezy disco light show. (Minus the drunk business executives)…

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November 22nd, 2008 2 comments stumble it! digg it! author: technabob

flash beat speaker offers sound-sensitive light show

filed under: audio | home entertainment | strange and wonderful

Flash Beat Speaker Light

Nope, this wild glowy sphere isn’t some sort of newfangled plasma weapon. Actually, what you’re looking at is a combination speaker/light show that’s perfect for your next big dance party.

Inside the transparent red plastic orb of the Zumreed Flash Beat is a downward-firing speaker, surrounded by a rapidly spinning pink light…

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November 17th, 2008 post a comment stumble it! digg it! author: technabob

tuned bear ipod speaker: louder than the average bear

filed under: audio | strange and wonderful

tuned bear ipod speaker

Stuffed animal lovers, here’s a new portable audio setup that’s perfect for you - assuming that your animal of choice happens to be a faceless shiny bear, that is.

Made by Hirokawa Japan, Tuned Bear is a complete sound system for your media player, stuffed inside a teddy bear…

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November 17th, 2008 post a comment stumble it! digg it! author: technabob

flower rock 2.0: dancing flowers get a makeover

filed under: audio | gadgets | strange and wonderful

flower rock 2.0

Back in the late 1980s, a sensation swept the streets of Asia called the “Flower Rock”. The desktop gadget did one thing, and one thing only — it danced to any music that you played near it. Flower Rock 2.0 commemorates the 20th anniversary of the original Flower Rock, giving it a thoroughly modern makeover…

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November 11th, 2008 4 comments stumble it! digg it! author: technabob

wii remocon pocket keeps your wii-mote and nunchuk cozy

filed under: video games

Do you constantly leave your Wii-mote lying around? Do you find it stuck under the couch cushions between some moldy Fritos and loose pocket change? Maybe it’s time you found a place to keep your controller so it doesn’t keep getting lost.

The Wii Remocon storage accessory from Hori Japan couldn’t be simpler…

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November 11th, 2008 post a comment stumble it! digg it! author: technabob

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