hair

Dyson solves vacuum's greatest riddle: Hair

Every year, countless vacuums fall to the wayside after accumulated hair clogs the rapidly spinning brushes at the base of the appliance and tangles up within its attachments. My significant other and her copious amounts of long hair can spell out at least five minutes of tediously cutting away tangles from the brush after a floor sweep.

Dyson recently unveiled a new attachment -- labeled the "Tangle-free Turbine tool" -- for its expensive line of vacuums that promises to reduce hair entanglements that occur while cleaning. Instead of a horizontal spinning brush, Dyson's $69 accessory uses a vertical axis of movement. The device features two flexible counter-rotating heads with built-in brushes that actually send hair past the spinners and into the vacuum bin. … Read more

The 404 906: Where Qwikster delivers the booty (podcast)

Happy birthday to the emoticon, invented 29 years ago today on a computer-science bulletin board at Carnegie Mellon University. Thanks for making parents around the world feel tech-savvy. :)

Before we get into the important Netflix news of of the day, Jeff tells us about his weekend experience at "Sleep No More," an interactive theater experience in New York that's loosely based on the Macbeth story--with a creepy twist. The plot plays out in various acts throughout a three-story abandoned warehouse in Chelsea, so tune in to hear more spoiler-free details and reserve your tickets here!

Next we'll get into the Netflix mea culpa delivered by e-mail and blog post this morning that's giving current Netflix subscribers even more reasons to moan about the recent price hike.

CEO Reed Hastings announced that the company will soon split in two, with the name of the DVD mail rental service changing to Qwikster (not to be confused with Quixtar, QuickStar, Kwikster, Quickster, or Quik-Star), while the video-streaming arm will retain the Netflix name and Web address.

We'll also talk today about a satellite plunging from space, a group of scientists that are poaching PS3 gamers to help find a cure for AIDS, and the last single-space parking meter disappearing in Manhattan today.

The 404 Digest for Episode 906

The emoticon was invented 29 years ago today. Netflix CEO: " I slid into arrogance." PS3 users are helping to find a cure for AIDS. A satellite loosely based on "Donnie Darko" is coming to Earth. World's largest sperm bank refusing donations from redheads. Iguana Fart.

Episode 906 Subscribe in iTunes (audio) | Subscribe in iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video… Read more

The 404 764: Where evil has its winning ways (podcast)

Every Thursday is a treat for 404 Podcast listeners because Natali Morris is on the show, but today is extra special because it's Steve Jobs's birthday! To celebrate, Apple announced a flock of brand new Macbook Pro laptops with big changes under the hood.

The new 13, 15, and 17 inch sizes all have a high def web cam and Intel's new Sandy Bridge processors, but they're also the first to include Intel's new hardware connector called Thunderbolt, the official name for Intel's Light Peak I/O data transfer technology.

Thunderbolt is a big step for Apple and computers in general as it's a new cable system that unifies the way that devices like smartphones, hard drives, and other accesories interface with computers.

The technology boosts the speed and responsiveness of media files along a single wire, and Intel claims it can transfer a full HD movie in less than 30 seconds. It also uses the exact same shape as Apple's current Mini DisplayPort for backward compatibility with existing Apple displays.

How much would you pay for a lock of Justin Bieber's hair? The teen hearthrob recently got a haircut (to the soundtrack of a thousand crying tweens) and donated a lock of it for an eBay auction sponsored by Ellen DeGeneres. It's currently priced at almost $7000 with six days left to bid, so act soon if you want to add the final touches to your JB doll.

Read on...… Read more

Headphones promise musical laser hair growth

We can't help but compare Apira Science's new Revage670 headphones look with the infamous Tron Guy's helmet, but this thing promises a lot more utility. The iGrow is a hair rejuvenation device that relies on lasers and LED lights to extend your tresses. For $685, it sure as hell does more: you can also pump MP3s into the headphones while you grow--a twofer!

The press release name drops all kinds of terminology like "Harvard Medical School-documented," "scientifically proven," and "clinical studies," and also claims that "over 500 doctors in over … Read more

Relaxation has never been more stressful

Sally's Spa is a time- and resource-management arcade game that builds on the success (and similar gameplay) of Sally's Salon. In this follow-up, you once again play as Sally, this time around managing a spa--complete with stations for saunas, manicures, massages, and more--as you try to please a steady stream of customers with quick service and a soothing environment. The interface gives you a top-down view of the spa (as you progress through 10 different spas around the world, with five levels each), and you touch and drag to direct Sally and interact with customers, moving them from … Read more

Hair test reveals travel, lifestyle

The analysis of a single hair can reveal where a person is from and where they've been, which could allow government agencies to track the travels of international criminals and terror suspects, according to researchers.

Researchers measuring the longitudinal sulfur isotopic variations in a strand of human hair can detect slight changes in people's diets to show where and whether they've traveled, while shedding light on their lifestyle, according to a study published this month in the journal Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry.

The new method combines a laser ablation system and multicollector inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-MC-ICP-MS), … Read more

Unix admins: Meet the Beard Head

Some of you have beards. I know, I've seen them. Now, I know this isn't a gadget per se, but it's not fashion, either. It's got a function. You need to protect and care for your beards, lest you lose your Linux admin superpowers.

Meet Beard Head, the hat that gives you a warm layer of artsy hair to cover your face in the cold.

My editor mentioned these to me and I jumped at the chance to write about them as my friend Michael Karikas just got a Beard Head and wore it out a … Read more

Gadgettes 121: The Re-Episode

This show starts out as the Recycle, Reduce, Re-Use Episode. Shortly into the show, we realize how poorly thought out a theme that was. Wow, it's been a long break.

Listen now: Download today's podcast EPISODE 121

Pee-powered battery (that technically runs on water or juice too) (Thanks Cianna!)

Sega robo-cat will meow, won’t catch mice

Quit smoking or be forced to wear these clothes made from cigarette butts

Breathalyzer key chain lets you see if you’re drunk while on the highway

Recycled condoms used on hair bands??? Snopes confirms this as legit! ACK!

Facebook spoils the free Whopper fun

Microchip Cufflinks… Read more

HairTry lets you try on virtual toupees (in 3D)

Baldness is serious business--to the tune of millions of dollars every year spent on surgeries, special sprays, and hair pieces. Aderans, the Japanese equivalent of Hair Club for Men has a neat service called HairTry that lets you upload a picture of your head to try on various hairstyles without having to leave your couch.

It takes a 2D photo you've uploaded and processes it for 3D, adding facial gestures and eyeballs that follow your mouse around as you navigate the site. The 3D effect is far more believable than a still image, and even gives you a little … Read more

HairMax LaserComb: Comb your hair up, hopefully

NOTE: You can read the follow up blog about the result of Dong's experiment here.

I just recently got my hands on a product that could potentially restore my thinning beauty as well as my confidence: a comb.

It's no ordinary comb. Calling it HairMax LaserComb, Lexington International, the developer of the product, claims it will restore your hair and prevent hair loss by applying low-level laser therapy--an effect similar to photosynthesis or photo-bio stimulation--to your scalp.

The therapy supposedly energizes and improves blood circulation while stimulating the growth of individual hair follicles, and, as a result, produces … Read more