Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment

Not that you haven't seen ZeeVee's ZvBox in the flesh before, but Dave Zatz got some hands-on time with the finalized unit. According to him, the box showed an impressive build quality though it ran "quite hot" -- likely a result of foregoing a built-in fan for a giant heatsink. He also noted that image quality was "good," though he did mention that he longed to see the ability to "selectively isolate a video window and present that content fullscreen." Anywho, feel free to read up on his initial impressions and peep the hands-on pics in the read link below.

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Last year the dressing room was one of the first in the world to use fitting room technology that allowde you to digitally “try on” different items and allow the your image appear (in the outfit) outside the room for your friends to see. This is cool for express shoppers, but only trying something on will let you know how it lays…

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

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Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

There was a time when the world was more innocent and Lincoln Logs in elementary classrooms were a given, but now that teachers are looking to squash every ounce of fun between 8AM and 3PM (okay, so maybe we just had a rough experience or two), LEGO's taking the back door in. The WeDo robotics kit is marketed toward elementary schools and the younger kids within them, with each package containing 158 blocks, gears, levers, etc., a USB hub for connecting to your Mac / PC, OLPC XO or Intel Classmate, a motor, one motion sensor, one tilt sensor and a CD with a smattering of sure-to-be-riveting activities. Mum's the word on pricing for now, but considering your tax dollars will be paying for 'em, it's not like you'll really benefit from knowing.

[Via BoingBoing]

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Filed under: Peripherals

[Via Wired]

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Filed under: Robots

All work and no play makes Robosapien a dull bot. All work and no play makes Robosapien a dull bot. All work and n0 play makes R0b0sapien a dull bot. All w0rk and no play makes R0101ap1en a dull b0t. A11 w0rk a1d n0 play m01es R0101ap1en a dull b0t. A11 101k 11d n0 p10y m01es R010101e0 a d011 b0t. 011 1011 11d n0 p10y m011s 0010101e0 a d011 b0t. 011 1011 110 10 p10y 1011s 0010101e0 1 d011 b0t. 011 1011 110 10 1100 10110 001010110 1 1011 001.

Continue reading 'The Shining' gets remade with WowWee bots, cybernetically invades your soul

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Filed under: Gaming, Portable Audio, Portable Video

Okay, so we're trying not to judge this book by its cover, but Taijia's PSP-860S just reeks of chintzy. The handheld gaming PMP not only plays back the elusive MP4 file format, but it also snaps presumably lackluster still shots with its 2-megapixel camera. You'll also find 1GB / 2GB of built-in RAM, a USB port, AV in / out, miniSD expansion slot and some form of emulation application. If you're not dozing by now, you may actually care that it'll only run you 399 yuan ($59) / 499 yuan ($73).

[Via PMP Today]

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Kim Kardashian addressed the rumors that she'll appear on the next season of ABC's Dancing with the Stars. Hopefully, the stage is being reinforced using NASA technology, or a bunch of "celebrities" that time forgot will meet an untimely doom. People reports:

“I don’t know where that’s coming from, I can’t really comment on that,” the Keeping Up with the Kardashians star told Ryan Seacrest during a call-in Thursday to his KIIS-FM show. Still, Kardashian admitted she “would be honored if they asked me.”
While Kardashian confessed she doesn’t know her way around a ballroom dancefloor, she joked, “I can get down in a club.”

Anyone get the feeling Kim Kardashian is about to dump Reggie Bush for Gumby? Don't worry, it'll come to you. In the meantime, Kim can definitely get down in a club alright. A club sandwich! HA CHA CHA CH- I'm going to pour steaming hot coffee on my face.

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

Not that mad scientists haven't figured out a way to convert waste heat into energy, but a team from Ohio State University has developed a new material that does the same sort of thing... just way, way better. The new material goes by the name thallium-doped lead telluride, and at least in theory, it could actually convert exhaust heat from vehicles into electricity. According to a new report about to hit the journal Science, the material packs "twice the efficiency of anything currently on the market," though it still seems as if it's a good ways out from being ready for commercial applications. Nanotechnology geeks -- you've got a real treat waiting in the read link.

[Via CNET]

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Filed under: Gaming

Let's face it: you don't have nearly enough game controllers and accessories adding to the spaghetti that is your entertainment center. This USB M.A.D. Game Pad gives you the option to remove a little steering wheel for those moments when you're not driving about. Compatible with Windows Vista, XP, and 2000, this Brando product is available for $20. So, why? Apparently this thing is meant for the gamer on the move -- it's small and light, measuring only 4 x 2.5-inches and weighing in at a dainty 3-ounces. As for the size of the steering wheel? It's tiny. Really tiny. For tiny people with tiny fingers. Can you feel the love?

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