Much like Stanza identifies songs, Cry Translator identifies cries.
In the classic Simpsons episode "Brother, Can You Spare Two Dimes?", Homer's long-lost brother Herb invents a baby translator. The baby cries, the machine announces its meaning (in Danny DeVito's inimitable voice) in plain English.
Seventeen years later, there's an app for that. Cry Translator promises to identify the "five distinct cries" made by infants.
In other words, you no longer have to wonder if your ankle-biter is tired, hungry, mad, stressed, or just bored. It's like Stanza for crybabies.
My first reaction: That's cheating! My second reaction: Why wasn't this around nine years ago when I needed it? And finally: No way does this actually work.
Unfortunately, I'm fresh out of babies on which to test it. So I'll throw this out to anyone willing to invest $9.99 on the promise of easier parenting. Put the app to the test, then report your findings here.
For what it's worth, the app not only translates Junior's cries, but also offers suggestions on how to calm him. You can also enter emergency contacts, like your pediatrician, for quick and easy access.
Again, I have my doubts about whether this really works--but wouldn't it be awesome if it did? The developer cites a study--conducted in Spain--that reported a 96-percent success rate in calming crying babies when following the supplied suggestions.
If nothing else, it might be $10 well-spent just to calm fretful parents. Once upon a time, I was one of them.
Wilson and I both saw that new movie "Paranormal Activity" over the weekend, and although it's being touted as the new Exorcist, we both think it's more like an uncreative, boring version of The Blair Witch Project. Lots of build-up and suspense for a pretty vanilla ending, but I'm not sure what we expected out of a $10K movie. Maybe we've all just been completely spoiled by blockbusters like Roland Emmerch's upcoming disaster movie, 2012. Jeff's not a huge fan, per usual, but watch this insane clip and TRY NOT TO PANIC.
We've seen and played with our fair share of ridiculous iPhone apps before, but the new Puff! app is the latest Japanese game that might raise some flags...amongst other things. Dancing the line between SFW and not, the program allows you to literally blow up the skirts of women, a la Marilyn Monroe. The app uses the iPhone's microphone to sense the virtual gust of wind that "gives the onscreen character a brief moment of embarrassment."
Speaking of inappropriate things, Marge Simpson just scored the cover of Playboy Magazine. In what seems like the worst business plan ever, the November version of the popular men's magazine will feature a 3-page pictorial with "implied nudity..." we're not even sure what that means, but we can't imagine hordes of teenagers flocking to the nearest liquor store to pick up this issue. Besides, we would rather see Lois Griffin on the cover...no offense, Margie.
EPISODE 43
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Drop an extra $12.95 and this TomTom GPS will tell you where to go--as Homer Simpson.
(Credit: TomTom)Update: Sorry, folks, looks like Newegg sold out. That happens with many of the deals I post, so as always, if you see something you like, hurry before it's gone!
The best GPS deals these days fall in the $50-60 range, but sometimes it's worth paying a little extra. Case in point: Newegg has the refurbished TomTom One XL-S wide-screen GPS for $89.99 shipped.
So why is this model worth a few extra bucks? Two words: Homer Simpson. Like many TomTom nav systems, the XL-S lets you install (for a nominal charge) various celebrity voices.
The latest addition is "Simpsons" cast member Dan Castellaneta, who tells you where to go--as Homer.
Need I say more? Well, OK, I'll say more: The XL-S also offers a 4.3-inch touch screen, text-to-speech capabilities, Bluetooth, and an optional traffic-data receiver.
However, it's important to note that text-to-speech isn't available with the celebrity voices--only the built-in computer voice. Thus, Homer says things like, "At the end of the road, turn left," not, "Turn left on Evergreen Terrace."
Also, the Bluetooth capability doesn't afford hands-free calling like on some models. It does, however, allow you to download traffic data via your cell phone, without the need for the aforementioned receiver. (You still need a TomTom PLUS subscription, though.)
I particularly like TomTom's Map Share feature, which lets you make map changes and import changes made by other users. Also, the easy-to-use TomTom Home desktop software helps you update the device, install new voices, plan routes in advance, and so on.
The Homer voice costs $12.95, which I think is quite reasonable. It's optional, of course, and I'll admit the novelty does wear off--in about three years! Seriously, I so dig this that I'm selling the Sony GPS I bought a few months back and moving to the TomTom. You?
This week was FILLED with conceptual ideas that were sometimes pure genius, and sometimes pure WTH. Seriously, Pornisonic, we are talking to you! Natali Del Conte and Gknee join the party to make this extra-long episode 80 percent female, 20 percent male. Has this ever happened at CNET before?!
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EPISODE 142 |
Programmable doorbell blends soothing chimes with real wood craftsmanship
Panasonic’s limp remote concept is both cool and unsettling
Tennis star Maria Sharapova dons geeky light-up phone dress
B-Touch cell phone with Braille touch screen is an iPhone for the blind
Nested cellphones track techno-evolution
Power outlet wall solves your electrical needs
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This will go great with my "Simpsons Sing the Blues" cassette.
(Credit: TomTom)Homer Simpson joins the ranks of Mr. T and John Cleese as a downloadable custom voice for TomTom portable navigation devices. Fans of the longest-running American prime time entertainment series can now listen to Homer "woohoo" and "d'oh!" his way through your turn-by-turn directions. Along the way, Homer adds his own commentary such as, "Take the third right. We might find an ice cream truck! Mmm... ice cream."
The official Homer Simpson voice was recorded by Dan Castellaneta, the same voice actor from the television show, and is available for download using the TomTom Home software suite for $12.95 (or 9.95 euro if you're in the European Union).
I'm still holding my breath for a "Family Guy" Peter Griffin custom voice, but click the link to hear samples of Homer on a TomTom.
(Credit:
Drinkstuff.com)
Those on a diet who can't resist the temptations lurking in the refrigerator will appreciate the Homer Simpson Talking Fridge Guard. Meant to sit on one of your fridge shelves, Homer will recite one of his six canned phrases ("Uh oh. Someone's gonna have a tummy ache!" "Mmmm...fattening") every time you open the door.
Aside from giving guests a good laugh, this battery-operated gadget will shame you when trying to reach for that soda or cheesecake while trying to lose weight. There's nothing quite like the world's most famous slob to remind you to stay disciplined.
Quite a few gadget sites based in the U.K. list the product as being out of stock, but with a bit of searching we're sure you will be able find an online store with a ready unit for sale. It retails for about $29.
(Source: Crave Asia via bookofjoe)
"The Simpsons Game" for 8 bucks? Woo-hoo!
(Credit: Electronic Arts)It's Friday, so let's forget our economic woes and have a little cheap fun. (No, not that kind.) Newegg has some solid deals on Xbox 360 games, including The Simpsons Game for $7.99 with free shipping.
Although it's not the world's greatest action platformer, it's pretty hilarious, with lots of original dialogue and some challenging levels. I'm definitely a fan, and my kids absolutely love it.
And for 8 bucks? Shoot, that's a no-brainer for any "Simpsons" fan and/or Xbox 360 owner. Here's a rundown of the other games currently on sale at Newegg, each of them $9.99 shipped:
Some good stuff here! For not much more than the price of a rental at Blockbuster, you can add some high-quality titles to your game library. (If you've played any of these, hit the comments, and let your fellow gamers know which ones are winners.)
Lisa scores a MyPod--wackiness ensues.
(Credit: Fox Television)Apple's new in-ear headphones are out, and Donald and Jasmine can't help but poke a little fun with the help of a recent Simpsons episode.
Also this week, the MP3 Insiders discuss Donald's favorite gadgets from 2008, as well as which portable audio gadgets make good gifts (and which don't).
Plus, things get a little heated when copyrights and the RIAA enter a conversation on digitizing audio.
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Excccccellent.
(Credit: CNET Networks / Jerry Lerma and Terry Hogan)Here's an oldie but a goodie if you're a Simpsons fan. It's an interactive map of Springfield, the fictional home of The Simpsons that has been painstakingly recreated based on various appearances throughout the show's 19 seasons.
The map was drawn using locations that were featured on the show, as long as they appeared more than once. Some of the spacing was determined using recent aerial shots (there's a listing here).
The map was started in 2001 by Jerry Lema and Terry Hogan. The current version is about four years old (so there are no marks from the dome featured in the recent film). In addition to a quadrant view, designer Adrian Noterdaem has put together a slick Flash-based version that lets you zoom in and out. There's also a PDF and printed version of the map residing in Harvard's map collection.
I'm still waiting for the Google Earth layer.
Related: 'The Simpsons' avatar creator: A marketing site done right.
Now in its 19th season, The Simpsons is definitely past its prime. But every once in a while, the show will send me into hysterics. Last night, after Homer's sisters-in-law (and nemeses) Patty and Selma pushed him from a bridge, the past 39 years of Homer's life flash before his eyes. I recognized it right away as a very sharp parody of a popular YouTube video posted last year where Noah Kalima took a picture of himself every day for six years.
As Homer ages, gains weight, and loses his hair you'll see the various events of his life. His anarchist mother Mona leaves him and his father, he racks up bad grades in school, he goes through puberty (complete with loads of pimples), and he joins the Kiss Army. And this all happens while the same Philip Glass-style minimalist piano music that was in Kalima's video plays in the background. It even ends with a simulated YouTube screen. Sheer brilliance, and a nod to Kalima. You know you've arrived when The Simpsons takes a shot at you.
