Lightsaber

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On this week's Crave vodcast, we attempt to answer the pressing question of which is creepier: a Barbie cleavage cam or a machine-gun-wielding security cam. Either way, a camera's gonna getcha. Also on tap are a wide array of robotic walking aids, from an even lazier version of the roller shoe to sweet bionic legs for the disabled and the military. Plus, Jasmine thinks a killer drone is cute, Donald geeks out on a Super Mario star tattoo, and Eric is just...Eric.

What's not to crave about a pole-dancing bike? We can think of a few things, actually, but it's still pretty cool. Donald, Eric, and Jasmine also have a go at a supersimple phone for Luddites and get very serious about George Lucas's neck fat. Plus, Jasmine wants to take a ride in GUSS, Donald has a massive crush on a limbless robot, and Eric wants to take a date to Burger King. Finally, a little bit of ear candy for the MP3 Insider holdovers with some knobtastic speaker furniture.

Eric Franklin once again invades the Crave podcast and is more than happy to provide his opinion on how unrealistic our latest Lego obsession is. Jasmine, on the other hand, is utterly unimpressed with the DIY power laces that aim to mimic the sweet Nikes from "Back to the Future II." But the tone turns hopeful when we get to Donald's army of beer-o-matic robots, and we're all a little taken with two sweet keyboards that take two totally different tacks.

Despite the fact that everyone else is talking about it, Donald and Jasmine can't help but be a little repetitive and froth at the mouths over Hulu Plus, a new app and premium service from the popular video-streaming provider. And of course, no Crave podcast would be complete without a little robotic action, and we're particularly fond of Emily. Also on deck: a tiny hypercolor man and a DIY Hello Kitty gadget that's sure to send Japanese teeny boppers screaming for the hills.

This week, Donald and Eric debate the dangers of robots, geodesic playgrounds, and real-life lightsabers. Plus, we take a look at some invisible cables, giant air multipliers, Catan for Microsoft Surface, and the e-reader's race to the bottom.

Sometimes the word "why?" is just an exclamation. We don't really expect an answer. We just wish something hadn't happened. Yet, perhaps you might be able to answer the "why" part of this question: Why has a laser manufacturer produced a Star Wars-ish laser that it proudly describes as being "the most dangerous ever created"?

I am indebted to Canada's National Post, which came across a product that really makes one wonder. It is called the Spyder III Pro Arctic.

Its manufacturer, Wicked Lasers of Shanghai, is rather excited about its potential.

May I quote its Web site? "Don't let the Arctic name fool you, this laser possesses the most burning capabilities of any portable laser in existence. That's why it's also the most dangerous laser ever created."

Personally, I didn't let the name fool me. You see, just below this claim to success, Wicked Lasers offers a very bright yellow warning: "Extremely dangerous is an understatement to 1W of laser power. At close range, this Class 4 beam will cause immediate and irreversible retinal damage."

Oh, and "it will blind permanently and instantly and set fire quickly to skin and other body parts."… Read more

Command your own fleet of nerds with this replica of the original Star Trek communicator, and guess what? It also happens to double as a VOIP phone, meaning you can use it to actually talk to another human being using Skype, AOL Instant Messenger, iChat, etc...

Bad news, though: unfortunately, the device does not have built-in Wi-Fi, so you must use USB for connectivity...worst. communicator. ever. Good news, though! Whoever designed this replica had the foresight (and the fear of vengeful Trekkies everywhere) to include buttons that play sound effects from the original series and a real mesh flip … Read more