Posts by Evan Shamoon at Switched

Ultimate 'VideoMan' Suit Lets You Project Movies Anywhere

by Evan Shamoon, posted Dec 5th 2008 at 9:08AM

Not content to simply be in movies, the VideoMan suit is designed to allow you to actually be the movies.

Actually, the real goal of its creators is to put together the ultimate power suit for protesting and rabble-rousing. The rig consists of a video camera, projector, portable battery pack (a big one), power inverters, amplifiers and other noise generators. And makes you look like a ridiculous Ghostbuster.

In theory, we kinda like it. But in the wrong hands -- like someone very annoying with something very annoying to say -- it could be unspeakably dangerous. In other words: Keep this thing away from the Verizon guy. (Yes, we can already hear you now.) [From: Techeblog]

Obama Doesn't Quite Top Yahoo! Searches of 2008

by Evan Shamoon, posted Dec 3rd 2008 at 1:48PM

The polls are in, and it turns out the winner should actually be dancing from one: the term "Britney Spears" was officially more searched for than "Barack Obama" in 2008. While Obama's presidential victory got more attention than any other story on yahoo.com this year, the more toxic of the two had more total hits.

In fact, Obama came in third in overall searches, behind World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) as well. Others on Yahoo's top 10 list included American Idol, Japanese manga cartoon series 'Naruto,' online game 'Runescape,' actresses and a grip of actresses including Miley Cyrus, Jessica Alba, Lindsay Lohan and Angelina Jolie. Sounds like Yahoo's users are all Us Weekly readers and teenage manga fans.

Oh, and the most searched news stories included "pregnant man." Sigh. For a slightly different profile, check out Google's Marisa Mayer revealing some of Google's top searches of the year on TV. [From: Yahoo!]

SLICER Lets You Go Sledding in Winter or Summer

by Evan Shamoon, posted Dec 3rd 2008 at 8:53AM

Sledding is an activity usually relegated to the winter months. For the tirelessly persistent among you, however, the SLICER sled is trying to make it a year-round pursuit. On the bottom of the sled sits a set of removable 'ICERs', as well as the accompanying molds; you place the ICERs in the molds, fill them with water, and then put them in the freezer for one to two days. The result is essentially a set of ice blocks with the ICERs inside, which you can easily attach to the underside of the sled.

And so yes, this means that for $69.99 you can actually sled down a grassy hill in the dead of summer. Fighting mother nature has never been this fun! Or dangerous! [From OhGizmo]

Guitarist Makes Use of 'Bionic Hand' to Regain Abilities

by Evan Shamoon, posted Dec 2nd 2008 at 11:25AM

After suffering a stroke in a hotel room following a US tour with his band, the Long Blondes, guitarist Dorian Cox was left paralyzed down the right side of his body. Even simple movements were made impossible, let alone the ability to play his guitar.

Now he's undergoing neurological physiotherapy, which includes training sessions with a mechanical glove called SaeboFlex, which benefits patients by supporting their wrists and helping them grasp and release objects. Like, you know, a guitar. While there are no promises that he'll be able to play guitar again, he's on the road to recovery, and rocking.

"It's a fantastic service," Cox told the Telegraph. "It's helping tremendously and I think it can work wonders for me and others -- it's almost like a gym for my hand." We've had that thought about other things. Like, you know, beer cans.

Okay, now we really feel lazy. [From: The Telegraph]

Six Geek Movies for Your Nerdy Loved Ones

by Evan Shamoon, posted Dec 1st 2008 at 6:12PM

It's not like geeks really need another reason to stay home and watch movies in their pajamas while surfing the Web on their laptop and eating snickerdoodles on the sofa, but here are six more anyway.

The folks at Download Squad have compiled a list of six DVDs to make your favorite tech nerd happy this holiday season, ranging from the story of a robot who finds love in 'WALL-E,' to a computer hacker that finds love in 'WarGames,' to yet another young computer hacker that finds love (and Angelina Jolie) in the cult-classic 'Hackers.' They all somehow manage to save the world in the process. And they are all apparently the same movie, come to think of it.

Still, good flicks all. [From: Download Squad]

Celebrities Play 'World of Warcraft,' Too

by Evan Shamoon, posted Dec 1st 2008 at 11:18AM

Playing too much 'World of Warcraft' got you feeling alone, unhappy, perhaps even a slight touch depressed? Well worry no longer! There are people with plenty of better things to do who share your addiction. You know -- celebrities.

The list is pretty diverse, ranging from A-list (Dave Chappelle) to B-list (Jay Mohr) to no known list whatsoever (does Macaulay Culkin actually do anything else?). There are some assumptions being made -- that Mr. T and William Shatner play because they were in the WoW television commercials, for example, or that Matt Stone and Trey Parker (pictured) play because they did a 'WoW'-themed episode of 'South Park' – but we're willing to believe them. If only to make ourselves feel better. [From: Times Online]

New Bags for Getting Around With Your Gaming Setup

by Evan Shamoon, posted Dec 1st 2008 at 8:38AM

If you've ever tried to lug your gaming setup with you on vacation, you know what a pain it is; finding compartments for all of the associated wires, power adapters, and controllers is an exercise in futility.

Now a company called ASTRO Gaming believes it has the answer. Its new Transport Series of gaming bags is meant for the road-hardened gamer. For a hundred bucks, the Roadie dual guitar controller case holds two Guitar Hero or Rock Band guitars, along with a PlayStation 2 Slim. Perhaps more practical is the Mission complete system gear bag, which fits moves an Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, or Nintendo Wii, along with power supply, controllers, and games.

Both bags will be available for purchase on December 15, just in give yourself a way to bring your gaming setup to the in-laws for the holidays. [From: AstroGaming]

What Kids Look Like When They Play Video Games

by Evan Shamoon, posted Nov 30th 2008 at 3:04PM

A few years back, photojournalist Robbie Cooper put together the fantastic book Alter Ego: Avatars and Their Creators, in which real-life gamers were photographed and juxtaposed with their virtual world counterparts.

His newest work, "Immersions," also looks at a group of younger gamers deeply involved in gameplay: the intense, often ridiculous expressions on our faces as they play are a sight to see (we heard GTA IV and Call of Duty 4 in the montage, among others).

Head over to the New York Times Magazine and check it out -- it's a great watch. [From UberReview]

New Nanotech Fabric Is Completely Unwettable

by Evan Shamoon, posted Nov 30th 2008 at 1:15PM

There are some things that technology hasn't been able to fix, and the wetness of water is certainly one of them. But now, there seems to be a solution: a new waterproof material developed by Swiss chemists is 100% water-repellent. So much so that after leaving it soaking in a bucket of water for two months, it emerges completely dry to the touch.

The trick is a layer of silicone nanofilaments inside the fabric, which are highly "chemically hydrophobic" (feel free to apply this term to other, more human situations as well). It's actually similar to how nature does it: the combination of substances and nanostructures is much like that found in the surface of Lotus leaves.

"The combination of the hydrophobic surface chemistry and the nanostructure of the coating results in the super-hydrophobic effect," lead researcher Stefan Seeger told New Scientist. "The water comes to rest on the top of the nanofilaments like a fakir sitting on a bed of nails." Not our first point of reference, but the metaphor works.

Rain is in big trouble. [From: Slashdot]

Gift Guide: Sumo Omni

by Evan Shamoon, posted Nov 29th 2008 at 3:05PM

Two Sumo Omni Bean Bags (Gamer, Under $500)

There's just something about playing games right in front of the TV. Games are meant to be immersive, and being up in the grill of your 50-inch widescreen display certainly helps matters, but you need something to keep you there in comfort. Enter the glorious beanbag: Sumo makes the best we've found, available in an array of different sizes and colors, and more importantly made of comfortable, extremely durable nylon and Sumo beads. They can be shaped to fit any variety of slouch, and are impressively child-resistant. Give one of these chairs, and your gamer will be ready to go, but a gift of two of these babies ($179 each) completes the ultimate gaming setup.

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