technabob » thumb http://technabob.com/blog gadgets, gizmos, games, cool gadgets, geeky gadgets Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:53:35 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 en hourly 1 desktop arm wresting involves no actual arms or wrestling http://technabob.com/blog/2009/10/16/desktop-arm-wresting/ http://technabob.com/blog/2009/10/16/desktop-arm-wresting/#comments Fri, 16 Oct 2009 11:58:52 +0000 technabob http://technabob.com/blog/?p=21574 If you’re too much of a girly-man to actually arm wrestle your friends, then here’s something that should let you show off your physical prowess without flexing too much muscle.

electronic_arm_wrestling

I actually think they should have called this desktop game “Thumb WrestleMania”, since your arms aren’t going to be doing much more than keeping your hand from falling off while your thumb-mash your way to victory. Arm WrestleMania sets the stage for your big bout, backing each fight with crowd noises, dinging bells and an electronic announcer.

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It’s also perfect for settling office disputes, deciding the fate of employees you may have to lay off, or your next Sophie’s Choice. Now I must warn you, I was a Track and Field master back in the day, so I will take all comers and smash them into the ground with my lightning-quick manly thumb.

You can get your hands on Arm WrestleMania over at Firebox UK for £14.99 (appx. $25 USD).

]]> http://technabob.com/blog/2009/10/16/desktop-arm-wresting/feed/ 0 thummer: this synthesizer is all about expression http://technabob.com/blog/2007/09/25/thummer-this-synthesizer-is-all-about-expression/ http://technabob.com/blog/2007/09/25/thummer-this-synthesizer-is-all-about-expression/#comments Tue, 25 Sep 2007 19:11:24 +0000 technabob http://technabob.com/blog/2007/09/25/thummer-this-synthesizer-is-all-about-expression/ If that 312-key keyboard I told you about recently was a little too complex for you to wrap your head around, here’s another electronic musical instrument that I came across, and this one only has 114 buttons. It’s called the Thummer, and its a portable synthesizer that’s capable of creating some really dynamic sounds, thanks to its unique input scheme.

Thummer Keyboard

In addition to a set of keys set up on what looks like a modified variant of the Janko Keyboard, the Thummer offers thumb-controlled joysticks and buttons which are placed on the back of the device. The instrument can be played by placing it on a stand or tabletop, or can also be used as a handheld keyboard.

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It’s designed to provide greater range of expression than other musical instruments by providing 7 degrees of freedom while playing. The thumb-operated joysticks let you adjust a variety of sonic attributes such as pitch, brightness and modulation. At the same time, each key on the keyboard is fully pressure sensitive, and can track the velocity and after-touch of each button pressed. From what I can tell, at least one of the prototype designs also includes motion sensor which can be programmed to influence your sounds too.

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Thumtronics, the creator of the Thummer haven’t started selling a production model yet, and are looking for investors to make their dream a reality.

[via The Red Ferret Journal]

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