--VIRAL INFECTIONS: iPod in a blender (YouTube)

--SECOND LIFE: The AvaStar: Second Life gets a tabloid (PSFK)

--APPLE: iPod Death Watch (CrunchGear)

--GAMING: CNN staffer nearly assualted over Wii (Game|Life)

--SOCIAL NETWORKING: MySpace's print foray: Marmalade (PaidContent)

--WEB 2.0: GeoBeats: YouTube meets the Travel Channel (Webware)

--GAMING: New Year's flOw: Evolutionary title delayed to January 2007 (IGN)

--ONLY IN DUBAI: Hydropolis: The world's first underwater luxury hotel (Gadgetell)

--ADVERTISING: Double Fusion draws $26 million funding round (CNET News.com)

--MICROSOFT: Zune 1.2 Firmware Update: Faster? (Gizmodo)

--GAMING: More LocoRoco games, confirms Sony (Joystiq)

These days, if you're not rocking some mobile broadband on your laptop, you might as well not even leave the house. The latest notebooks to jump on the EV-DO Rev. A bandwagon (for those speedy 800KBps downloads) are the Panasonic Toughbook W5 and the T5, originally released in September. The provider of choice in this case is Sprint.

Our enthusiasm is only somewhat dampened by the fact that those two models are what Panasonic calls "business-rugged." That means these laptops have a magnesium-alloy case designed to withstand a 1-foot drop, and shock-mounted hard drives rated for a … Read more

If you were waiting on the runway and were told that the wings on your plane would twist in high winds, you'd probably bolt out of your seat for the nearest exit. Then again, you wouldn't be riding in an "X-53"--a modified A-18 fighter jet with wings that are supposed to bend for improved maneuverability at transonic speeds, according to Defense Tech.

The Air Force, NASA and Boeing are joining forces to build the plane, which has wings that twist as much as 5 degrees to reduce structural weight by up to 20 percent and … Read more

If you have any doctor or nurse friends who doubt the importance of digitizing medical records, show them this.

The "CAREt System," which Medgadget says is being called the "medical iPod," is one more device that could help save lives thanks to digital databases and other updated technologies. IntelliDot, its manfacturer, describes it this way: "By simply scanning a patient wristband, the CAREt handheld device guides the nurse through all required medication administration and documentation tasks that have accumulated for a patient. Information is clear, organized and delivered right into the caregiver's hand, right … Read more

This falls under our definition of a feel-good item, but probably not in the way you might think. It has nothing to do with tugging heartstrings; it just makes us feel good because it's evidence that we're not the only clueless people in the world.

You'd think that tripods would be among the easier photographic accessories to use, yet some of us are still confounded by them. Finally, there's something that even we can handle: the "Camera Stabilising Bag" (that's "stabilising" with an "s," not a "z," … Read more

Being firmly ensconced in earthquake country, Crave has always taken a keen interest in anything that claims to provide early warning--or any warning--before The Big One hits.

And just our luck, Tokyomango gives us a two-fer that addresses our twin obsessions of quakes and technology with an item titled "Super Multifunctional Earthquake Detecting Device." We're not exactly sure how it's supposed to detect earthquakes, but it apparently has plenty to help keep you occupied while you wait for one, including a radio, an LED flashlight and a charger for multiple devices.

But if you're … Read more

We still don't understand the overwhelming popularity of remote-controlled mini-choppers, mosquitos and other annoying flying objects. But if you absolutely must have one, we say go all the way.

The "Four-Motor Remote Control UFO" by Hammacher Schlemmer has a lightweight carbon fiber frame and a "gyro-stabilization system" that allows "precise control through hairpin turns, rolls, pitches, and hovering, in addition to yaw and throttle." And with a 300-foot range and nearly 2 feet in diameter, this UFO will squash those flying insects like, well, bugs.

That is, until the "Flytech Dragonfly" … Read more

Some Cravers took umbrage with a recent item on a cell phone case that resembled a gun holster, saying it might not be the wisest thing to wear in an airport. Point taken.

A safer alternative for wearable cases is probably Urban Tool's "sportHolster." (Must all compound names begin with a lowercase letter just to copy the iPod?) Uber-Review says the latest product from the Austrian company, which is dedicated to technology apparel, is designed for jogging, bicycling and other athletic activities with pockets on the sides and a secret compartment inside.

And to all you Seinfeld … Read more

A digital music application that forces Apple, Sony and Microsoft to play nice? It's a Christmas miracle. Or something.

Recently released SimpleCenter 4.1 from Universal Electronics is a PC-only software application that organizes and plays any music, movie and photo format. It's an equal-opportunity program, able to sync media files with a diverse group of devices--an iPod, PSP, Xbox 360, Nokia N80, N93, USB sticks and other PlaysForSure players.

On the plus side, posessors of the Nokia N80 can wirelessly update their media content from their home PC using SimpleCenter, which is cool. However, though SimpleCenter allows … Read more