See those guys arc welding there? I have it on good authority those are Imperial forces behind all those flying sparks.

For some reason, though, I can’t imagine Stormtroopers using port-a-potties, or driving a Prius. But I have been known to be wrong from time to time.

Now that I’ve got you all worked up, I hate to burst your bubble. What they’re building isn’t a Death Star at all. These guys are actually building this giant steel orb as part for the new Nature Research Center at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. While the structure won’t be painted to look like the Death Star, it will eventually be finished to look like the Earth:

No Stormtroopers either, but it’s still pretty cool, eh?

[Photo Credits: Brian D. Crawford and The Raleigh Connossieur]

The Play Ball PC comes with three spherical pods, one which contains the main computer, and the other two which house matching speakers. The main pod’s computer runs on the Intel Atom chipset, has a built-in 64GB SSD storage device and 2GB RAM. In addition to built-in 802.11n networking, it also connects wirelessly to the battery-powered speakers. According to it’s manufacturer, the whole thing will be completely wireless, so I’m wondering if the computer itself will have a rechargeable battery too. It probably does, since both the computer and speakers snap into that white monolithic docking station.

The computer also features a 6-axis gyroscopic sensor, which lets you use the computer itself in place of a mouse, and allows you to interact with the media playback interfaces without a keyboard. Of course, they call this thing an HTPC, but any real home theater guru would never live with just a pair of wireless 15-watt speakers for their sound system.  While it probably won’t win any awards for sound output, it certainly will be a cool conversation piece sitting in your living room.

There’s no word on when you’ll be able to get your hands on one of these oddities. As a matter of fact, I can’t find it up on Moneaul’s website yet. That said, I know it’s at least been turned into a prototype, because I took the photos above myself during CES last week.

That’s exactly the value proposition you’ll get if you pick up artist Jordi Canudas’ Less Lamp. You see, this pendant lighting fixture looks like a solid black hanging egg when you first receive it, letting exactly none of the light out into your room. But thanks to the included pick, you can chip your way through the delicate exterior eggshell and let the light shine out to your own liking.

As a matter of fact, you can start small, cracking out a few tiny pinholes to let the light out. But when you get bored with that, get the pick out again, and really get to work. A tap here and a pick there, et voila – a bright wash of light emerges from the bottom of your once perfect – now cracked – egg.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

If you’re into breaking some eggs to make omelets, you can head on over to the MoMA Store and order yours now.

Named after the recently discovered dwarf planet, the Pierre Junod Eris watch tells time using a pair of rotating hands that float through the equator of the globe. The orange top pointer indicates minutes, while the hours are shown on the white lower pointer.

Each timepiece is constructed from a dramatic anthracite anodized aluminum case with a curved mineral glass crystal to protect the hands. Time is kept by an accurate battery-powered Swiss movement.

Now I think you’d have a pretty tough time trying to wear this watch on your wrist, but it’s actually designed to hang from the included rubber neck strap, or can be used as a pocket watch or desk clock too. You can grab the Eris watch over at Watchismo for $450 (USD).

Created by Mexico City industrial designer Alberico J. Camacho, the ROCK dons a tiny Nissan logo, and looks something like an oversize bowling ball on wheels. Or maybe the Dark Helmet that Rick Moranis wore in Spaceballs.

Yanko thinks ROCK might be some kind of interactive music player, something like the Sony Rolly. I’d rather dream big. I say it’s the first generation of vehicles for felines. I bet there are electrodes in there that plug directly into your cat’s tiny brain, which let your orange tabby become a yellow cabbie (see what I did there?). Go, Toonces!

Of course, my all my hopes and dreams of kitty traffic jams were shattered when I stumbled onto Alberico’s portfolio over on Coroflot. Turns out the ROCK isn’t a miniature car at all, but a scale model prototype for a concept car that Camacho worked up for Nissan.

Apparently, the car is designed for the Guitar Hero/Rock Band crowd, and comes complete with a trunk that appears to hold nothing but a guitar.

It’s still a pretty cool design, and I like it much better than those squared off “Cube” cars that are rolling off the assembly lines these days. But damn, what will my cat do to get around now?

While the Tornader robot from Elekit can drive slowly around the floor like most remote-controlled vehicles, the real fun starts when you set the Tornader into one of its insane spin modes.

Once the ‘bot builds up sufficient speed, it’ll fly around in a wild orbit that’s reminiscent of an out-of-control breakdancer who drank a few too many Red Bulls before hitting the dance mat. Check out this video clip of the Tornader in action and you’ll see what I’m talking about:

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

The 5-inch diameter robot kit takes about an hour to put together, but from the looks of the video, is well worth the effort. Each Tornader ships with a multi-channel infrared remote, which lets you operate up to four of them in the same room at the same time for complete robotic chaos. And each robot has a customizeable space on the side where you can place one of a variety of colorful printed patterns that’ll have your head spinning when the Tornader hits maximum speed.

While the Tornader is officially only available in Japan, the guys at Japan Trend Shop have started to sell them worldwide for $121 (USD). Of course, if you happen to live in Japan, you can get yourself a much better deal, since the Tornader retails there for just ¥3990 (appx. $44 USD).

Product designer Maarten DeCeulaer’s Nomad Light Molecules can be interconnected to create completely new organic shapes on demand.

Each individual sphere of light can operate independently for up to 4 hours on a single charge.

But as each light fades from white to red, it means that it’s hungry for a recharge. To juice it back up, simply connect the separated orb back to its central molecular mothership, and it’ll light up and start charging again.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

At this point Maarten says the Nomad is still “under development”, which means it could be a while before you can buy one of these for yourself. In the mean time, I suppose you could tape a bunch of LED juggling balls together for a similar effect.

[via pan-dan]

They come in white, blue, green, or pink, and come packaged in a cute stainless steel can. The screen size is 1.5 inches and they’ve got a 2 MB memory.

The frames will set you back ¥3,900 (about $36.) If you’re in Tokyo you can pick one up from Tokyu Hands (one of the aweseomest stores on earth,) or online, from Rinkya Stores.

All of the requisite electronics are crammed into a sphere that’s just a hair smaller than a ping pong ball.

The Camball can record 320×240 or 640×480 resolution video using MPEG-4 encoding. Since it stores everything on a tiny SD memory card, you can save up to 8GB of video with the appropriate card.

Alas and alack, this nifty little gadget is only available in Korea at this time, and there aren’t any plans to offer them stateside at this point. For the time being, you’ll just have to admire them from afar over at Korea’s Funshop.

Prices for the Camball range from 189,000 to 229,000 Korean Won (appx. $185 to $225 USD), depending on if you want the optional MP3 player capability.

ZumReed’s Sound Ball speaker hangs on your key chain or a book bag, and plugs into the audio jack on your iPod or other media player when your ready to play your tunes.

The little plastic ball comes in pink, lime green and purple, and has a built-in rechargeable battery (charges via USB). Personally, I’d paint mine white and draw in a bloodshot eyeball on the speaker grill.

No word on availability outside of Japan, but if you want to deal with an overseas transaction, head on over to Dreams6 and plunk down your ¥2,480 (appx. $24 USD).

Moonlight’s light globes conceal speakers which can handle from 120 to 200 watts of amplification — more than enough to pack some serious punch. The speakers project sound in a 360-degree dispersion pattern, providing sound in every direction, no matter where you might be standing.

In addition to fluorescent light sources (behind colored filters), they’re also available with a wireless LED bulb, so they can change colors too. Plus, the globes are made from a durable weatherproof polyethelene shell, so they can be used outdoors — even in extreme temperatures. They’re available in several different sizes, and can be made in either a floor or hanging pendant style.

Designed for use at nightclubs, parties and special events, Moonlight doesn’t list prices on their website, so you’ll need to contact them if you’re interested in pricing.

(Unless you want to blast your eardrums some really annoying background music, you’ll want to turn your volume down when you visit their website. You have been warned).

[via freshome]

Each spherical puzzle has a set of movable bands, covered with hieroglyphic images. You’ll need to decipher a set of 10 encrypted clues in order to figure out the correct sequence for the glyphs. Since each puzzle is unique, you’ll need to register online to reveal the specific set of clues for your ISIS. If you manage to crack the puzzle, you’ll get access to the maker’s “Award Zone”, which gives you a chance to win some actual cash prizes and gifts. But finishing the puzzle is probably reward enough.

The ISIS comes in both a monochromatic silver/black finish and purple/gold version that reminds me more of New Orleans at Mardi Gras than ancient Egypt. They measure about 2.75″ in diameter, and weigh in at about a pound, so they’re definitely substantial. At $199 each, they’re not inexpensive. But if you have a serious puzzle fanatic on your holiday shopping list, this really is something special.

The rubber balls can cycle between 7 different shades in three modes: constant color, slow cycle and quick cycle.

Originally designed for jugglers, the multi-colored spheres are also fun just sitting on a desk or in a bowl when you grab a bunch. They’re especially cool in a darkened room. They’re also good as a stress-relief ball if you need to chill out. But really, who could resist bouncing them around the place.

They’re available from the MoMA Store for $10 each ($9 for museum members).

By joining a number of individual speaker cones to a single central spider-like structure, the orb can project sound in every direction. Unfortunately, this is only a conceptual design at this point, and Maes hasn’t announced plans to produce these.

I guess for now, I’ll need to cut some corners and go with the 12-Sided Subwoofer.

While the illuminated globes are absolutely stunning by night, they’re equally as interesting when turned off during the daylight hours.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

The installation, entitled Massimo Silenzio (Maximum Silence) is currently in place at the Circo Massimo in Rome, Italy, and will continue to be on exhibition through September 11th. If you happen to be in Rome for any reason, you should definitely check it out.

I’m hoping the Google Maps satellites manage to snap a shot of these before the exhibition ends.

[via NOTCOT]

The Antibac2k Magic Ball kills unpleasant odors, as well as removes allergens and contaminants from the air around you. The spherical gadget filters, humidifies, and disinfects stale air, and can even add a pleasant fragrance to fill your nostrils with glee. It does this all while putting on a relaxing light show with a ring of 30 green, blue and white LEDs.

Just pour a tiny drop of Antibac2k’s special purifying solution into water, fill it up, and it does the rest. Your nasty, stank air will be pulled in, scrubbed, cleaned and spewed back out smelling like a rose (or one of numerous other scents.) The makers of the device claim it can effectively remove dust, smoke, odors, bacteria, fungi and viruses from your airspace. A single Magic Ball can clean the air in rooms up to about 350-square feet.

So if you need to clean up your act, you can pick one up online from b-eshop for HKD 1,680 (about $216 USD.) The manufacturer claims to distribute these all over the globe, but I couldn’t find any for sale outside of Asia.

As each hour passes, the globe gradually rotates around the North Pole, making a full revolution every 24 hours. A tiny indicator on the edge of the globe tells you what hour it is, and a little dot rotates around the globe to indicate minutes.

Think The Earth’s WN-1 Earth Watch is made from a titanium body with a tough Hardlex crystal dome to protect the earth’s fragile ecosystem. The watch features a black band made from Sophista, a lightweight, durable synthetic material designed to wick the sweat away from your wrist.

Keep in mind that the globe is really made from a dome, and only shows the Northern hemisphere. So if you live South of the equator, maybe this isn’t for you.

The limited-edition watch retails for about $800, but the guys over at Wrist Dreams managed to find some on sale over on Amazon for $594.