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November 4, 2009 6:00 AM PST

Spy cam in a Coke can

by Leonard Goh
  • 1 comment
Coke spy cam (Credit: ChinaGrabber)

Somehow, I just cannot take the Spy Coke Can DVR seriously. No, it's not the misspelled "Classic" on the red can. Rather, I'm trying to imagine how people will react when they pick up the drink and try to pop it open.

The gizmo comes with 4GB of onboard memory, which is more than enough for the 640x480-pixel videos it can record. The bottom of the tin opens up to reveal a power switch, USB port, and record/save button. For $17 more, you get a remote control that toggles start and stop for movie capture. Too bad it doesn't come in matching Coke can design.

Among all the spy cameras we've featured on Crave, this one probably won't generate as much fizz, and yes, the pun's intended.

(Source: Crave Asia via Gizmodo)

October 30, 2009 5:51 PM PDT

Man fakes moon landing in own garage for $800

by Matt Hickey
  • 9 comments
(Credit: Jonathan Worth/PopSci)

I know most of you out there think we landed two Americans on the moon in 1969. Well, let me tell you that you're wrong. It's all a hoax! It was done on a sound stage and George Clooney and Dan Aykroyd were involved!

I mean, look at this real-life version of the Atari classic Lunar Lander vector game!

It took British engineer Iain Sharp less than $800 and a year to build this replica in his garage to honor the 40th anniversary of the moon landing, and it works almost like the real thing. It's powered by a pair of old PCs he wrote custom software for. In addition, the movements are controlled by things like old inkjet printer motors, and fishing line. But what's important is it works just like a real lunar lander would--if one existed.

If Sharp can make a device like this in his garage in his spare time then it's not a leap to assume the U.S. government could have made a full-size mock-up with the years and millions it took to make the so-called "moon shot" happen. This awesome toy might be all the evidence I need. Myth busted.

(Via PopSci)

August 3, 2009 2:30 PM PDT

Inside CNET Labs 54: You can never feel clean, ever.

by Eric Franklin
  • 3 comments

Whether from Walgreens or Purell, this little item will not save you.

(Credit: Eric Franklin/CNET)

I'm getting married next week, so Dong takes this opportunity to get an idea of my mood and anticipation level. I think he may actually be a little sad. You know, missed opportunities and all.

Then, Dong tells us all about jailbreaking and unlocking iPhones and why he's a stinkin' terrorist for doing so. With how-to instructions even!

Also, we announce our contest winner. Thanks to everyone who entered.

To subscribe to this podcast, visit us at our main page and click the podcast link on the right. Don't forget to leave us voice mail at 1-800-947-6399 or e-mail us at insidecnetlabs@cnet.com.

Listen now: Download today's podcast

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Originally posted at Inside CNET Labs Podcast
June 26, 2009 9:00 AM PDT

Gadgettes 143: The 'sit on it' episode

by Jason Howell
  • Post a comment

This week's episode is inspired by Natali's incredibly appropriate (if not unintended) comment from last week's episode. Really, if you haven't heard it, check it out. Then listen to today's show where we discuss a wide array of chairs on which to sit. That's right, chairs are the "it". Why, what were you thinking?

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Episode 143

Divided Salli saddle chair

Street Sign Chair

MUR-01 speaker chair

Patio furniture for eating in the pool

Spray can caps make for unique chairs

Chair Socks: The 1970s flatter your furniture

Acoustical resonance massage chair

F-4 Phantom Ejection Seat office chair is the perfect way to dramatically exit a meeting

Hot Asian gadgets
Barista Bot

It’s about time
Cool, infuriating watch

Gender gap
Go plate (Thanks Tyson!)

Pretty
Terranium – Interactive installation

Tool time
Sleeve Tattoos – Slip On Tattoo Sleeves

Kill me
A prop for your boobs

... Read the full post at CNET's CES 2010 blog
Originally posted at Gadgettes, the blog
March 20, 2009 10:42 AM PDT

The 404 303: Where even we know not to get a bacon tattoo

by Wilson Tang
  • 3 comments

Jeff, Wilson, and Justin recover from their hangovers with ace reporter Caroline McCarthy. We chat about Wilson's drunken debauchery and Caroline's bacon tattoo.

Some days on The 404, there isn't much news to report, so we do something we like to call "milking," and boy are we good at it! It's not for lacking of trying. We spend as much as 10 minutes every day looking for stuff on the Interwebs to riff on, and while we could talk about hackers taking apart Safari in seconds, it's really not that funny. And it's not 404-esque material. See how much text I've written, and really I haven't said anything!

In actual stories today, Caroline McCarthy tells us that there are bacon tattoos at SXSW. We think someone spammed our poll. President Obama makes a terrible, terrible 404-style joke about bowling and the Special Olympics. (We wish he would come on our show.) Google gives you an "Undo Send" feature in Gmail. We think it would be more effective if it had a five-hour, post-hangover undo-send feature. And we're really, really tired of Jason Seigel & Co. movies like "I Love You, Man." But it does bring up fond memories of Jennifer Love Hewitt in that teen classic "Can't Hardly Wait."


EPISODE 303



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... Read the full post at CNET's CES 2010 blog
Originally posted at The 404
March 17, 2009 5:24 PM PDT

I Can Has Interview?

by Peter Gavin
  • 1 comment

Ben Huh - founder of I Can Has Cheezburger?

I've been in Austin for less than 24 hours and I'm already exhausted but Ben Huh the founder of I Can Has Cheezburger woke me up--I meet up with him for my first interview at SXSW. He was a speaker on a SXSW Interactive panel called "UR Blog Sux and Print is Dead." The panelists discussed the pros and cons of being Internet famous and gave advice on how to be an successful blogger. Speakers included Christian Lander from Stuff White People Like, Kerry Miller from Passiveaggressivenotes.com, Heather Armstrong from Blurbodoocery Inc, and Ana Marie Cox from Air America.

Watch: Interview with the I Can Has Cheezburger guy

Follow me on Twitter: petergavin

Stay tuned to Last.fm at SXSW for updates and interviews. Coming up, interviews with The Decemberists, Meiko, The Avett Brothers, Vetiver, Drew Andrews, The Golden Filter and more.

November 13, 2008 12:37 PM PST

LOL! You now can has cheezburger on the iPhone

by Dong Ngo
  • 2 comments

Nuff said.

(Credit: Dong Ngo/CNET Networks)

If you are a fan of the Fail Blog (and I think you should be), be in the know that you now can view the site conveniently with an iPhone app.

The app, developed by MC Development, is called "I Can Has Cheezburger?", which is also the name of the Web site that gathers, organizes, tags, and captions funny, cute, and entertaining pictures submitted by people around the world. These pictures cover topics ranging from animals and random daily life to bad English, celebrities, and politicians.

The app lets you pick and view any of ICHC's eight popular and hilarious blogs, including I Can Has Cheezburger?, Fail Blog, I Has a Hotdog, Pundit Kitchen, GraphJam, Totally Looks Like, Engrish Funny, and ROFLrazzi.

It also lets you save pictures to your iPhone for other uses, such as turning them into a wallpaper or sending to a friend. However it doesn't allow for reading or leaving comments, which is another big part of the sites.

Of course, without the app, you can always view these blogs using the iPhone's Web browser, but the app makes it so much more convenient and, for now, doesn't display ads. According to ICHC, future versions will add more features including allowing you to upload pictures right from the iPhone.

I tried it on my iPhone 3G and immediately got addicted. It helps if you have a fast data connection, though. One complaint: the app doesn't allow for bookmarking the picture you are looking at. Each time you go to one of the sites, you will have to view all the photos from the very beginning, which is not LOL-worthy at all when you are on a sluggish GPRS connection.

The app is available at App Store for free. Go get it and have some good laughs!

July 17, 2008 5:04 PM PDT

The sporty commuter

by Wayne Cunningham
  • 3 comments

Can-Am Spyder

The Spyder turns like a car but drives like a motorcycle.

(Credit: CNET)

What gets 35 miles per gallon and goes from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 4.5 seconds? You might suggest a motorcycle, but you would only be 66 percent right.

BRP's Can-Am Spyder uses three wheels, two in front and one in back. The Spyder isn't exactly a motorcycle, a trike, or a three-wheeled car. BRP suggests calling it a roadster, but that designation is a stretch as well.

We got our first chance to ride the Spyder this week, when BRP brought a few of them to our offices.

Can-Am Spyder

A BRP representative gives me instructions on driving the Spyder.

(Credit: CNET Networks)

The learning curve was fairly quick--the BRP representative explained the controls, then we shot off down the street. Actually, we were only going about 20 mph, but it felt fast, as we're used to looking at the world through a wide expanse of safety glass.

Within the hour, though, we were speeding along at 45 mph with no fear. The Spyder uses a traditional motorcycle-style gear shift, down by your left foot, and a clutch lever over the left hand grip. Similarly, the throttle is on the right hand grip. But you activate the brakes on all three wheels with a pedal at your right foot. And unlike most motorcycles, the Spyder has a reverse gear.

The fact that it has three wheels makes parking particularly easy, as there is no kickstand to worry about. But you can't lane-split, like you can with a motorcycle.

The steering dynamics are also more car-like, as you have to turn the handlebars instead of leaning, as you would on a motorcycle.

Can-Am Spyder handlebars

The Spyder has handlebars similar to a motorcycle.

(Credit: CNET Networks)

The Spyder offers a variety of car-like safety gear, as well. It uses an anti-lock braking system, along with traction and stability control. Sensors detect when either the rear drive wheel is slipping, or when one of the front wheels leaves the ground. In the former case, the Spyder retards the engine spark, slowing down the big belt that transmits power to the rear wheel.

For stability control, the Spyder retards the engine spark, but also applies light braking to the front wheel that's still on the ground.

This safety tech makes the Spyder practical for every day driving. During our relatively short drive time, we tried out the brakes and found them well-tuned. They weren't grabby and we could stop the Spyder quickly, with no loss of control.

Steering felt a little awkward, as we had to stretch our arms far out for tight turns. The Spyder accelerates quickly, in keeping with BRP's claim of 4.5 seconds to 60 mph. With a 990cc Rotax V-twin engine, the Spyder is legal on all roads. And in a number of states, including California, you don't need a motorcycle license to drive the Spyder. But you do need a helmet, and gloves; and a good motorcycle jacket is a good idea, too.

The Spyder offers some storage space under the front hood, suitable for a laptop, suit jacket, and any other work necessities. BRP claims 35 mpg with the Spyder under normal driving conditions. With its 6.6 gallons, it should have a range of about 230 miles.

Brian Cooley on a Can-Am Spyder

CNET Editor Brian Cooley comes buzzing up the alley.

(Credit: CNET Networks)

One thing we noticed while driving the Spyder was that it attracts a lot of attention. The unique styling had people coming over to where we parked, wanting to ask questions about it. Cars would match our speed so they could look over the Spyder as we rode along.

The Can-Am Spyder is available through outlets selling recreational vehicles, such as Sea-Doos and ATVs. The base price is $15,500.

Check out our photos of the BRP Can-Am Spyder.

Originally posted at The Car Tech blog
June 12, 2008 3:05 PM PDT

Australian study on hearing implicates iPods and other portable players

by Justin Yu
  • 5 comments
(Credit: CNET Networks)

"Justin...Justin...JUSTIN!!!"

This happens at least once a day...I'm at my desk, typing up a review or blog post on my computer, when all of a sudden someone sneaks up behind me and unintentionally make me jump 10 feet in the air with a simple tap on the back. How do I allow this to happen? Am I deaf? Well, not right now, but it's quite possible that I might be if I continue to constantly blast music out of my Princess Leia headphones.


A recent report out of Australia titled "Is Australia Listening?" reported 70 percent of people between the ages of 18 and 34 experience a constant ringing in their ears, which can be a symptom of permanent damage to the ear canal. The report goes on to claim that 76 percent of young adults in Australia listen to music through headphones on portable MP3 players, and I wouldn't be surprised to see a higher number in relation to the United States.

At 24, I represent the first generation to see the rise of portable music players. I remember when the headphones to my first Sony Walkman cassette player might as well have been glued to my ears. Since then, I've been addicted to personal, portable audio and I fear that I, along with the rest of my generation, will soon experience severe hearing loss due to years and years of listening to loud music through headphones. Professor Harvey Dillon of the Hearing Australia program says his general rule of thumb is if "people have to raise their voice or actually shout at you to make themselves understood while you are listening to music in your ears, then that is loud enough to be potentially damaging." As a self-professed audiophile, I take every opportunity to listen to my music. It moves along a boring work day, drowns out crazies on the subway, and helps put me to sleep at night. Some days, I feel like I spend more time with my headphones in than out. I also listen to a lot of different kinds of music, from hip-hop to metal to classical to Disney, but no matter what the genre, I must admit that I crank up the volume to the highest possible level to experience the bliss of surround sound. It sounds like my days of listening to music might be numbered...

But what about these new noise-cancelling and inner ear-canal headphones that are starting to pervade the industry? I wonder if those particular types of monitor earphones pose a greater danger than the over the ear style? Either way, my future doesn't look very bright. Are there any Millennials out there who have already started to experience hearing loss? I'd love to hear other opinions on how these listening trends will affect our health down the line.

May 14, 2008 12:14 PM PDT

'World's smallest' MP3 player for swimmers

by Mike Yamamoto
  • 1 comment
(Credit: uCan)

As any music-loving swimmer will tell you, the last thing you need while doing laps is something cumbersome strapped to your head. And while there have been a number of waterproof MP3 players on the market, this latest wearable version makes that oft-repeated claim of being "the world's smallest."

Based on its appearance, Ubana's "uCan" does look less bulky than other models we've seen--and more important, it appears less likely to slip or fall off. The player has 1GB of built-in memory, claims 15 hours of playback time, and can be submerged up to 10 feet, according to Pocket-lint. And just in case it does slip off, it floats for "easy retrieval."

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