USB Eye Massager Will Probably Blind You

By Andrew Liszewski

Since USB ports can supply power to whatever’s connected they’ve somehow spawned an entire industry devoted to useless USB-powered gadgets. Every now and then though you’ll come across one of these USB devices that pretends to be actually useful like this USB Eye Massager designed to give relief to people who spend all day in front of a computer.

It’s shaped like a small hand with two fingers sticking up that vibrate at either a high or low speed and are supposed to be used to massage and relax the areas around your eyes. Now I don’t know about you but I’ve become particularly fond of my eyes and I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t place this device anywhere near them. In fact I would rate it just higher than a Red Rider BB Gun when it comes to eye safety, but that’s only because the Red Rider doesn’t come in your choice of green, yellow, red or purple colors.

The USB Eye Massager is available from SunDayo.com but I have no idea about pricing. I assume though you’ll get quite a discount if you buy 10,000 of them.

[ USB Eye Massager ] VIA [ ThisNext ]

Sanyo Launches Backup Camera System for Vehicles

By Shane McGlaun

Sanyo announced a new rear view backup camera system today that drivers of large vans and SUVs will find appealing. I drive a large vehicle and it is impossible to see what is below the glass and close to the bumper. Anyone that lives in a neighborhood with lots of kids or has kids themselves knows that many little ones are not tall enough to see from inside a big vehicle if they are close to the bumper.

Sanyo’s new CCA-BC200 Rear View Backup Camera System with AirCam technology uses digital processing to deliver accurate and natural looking images of what is behind you. That means you don’t have to look at strangely distorted fish-eye type images.

The only bad part about this system is that a monitor for viewing the video feed isn’t included, nor is a monitor an option. The Sanyo system relies completely on the fact that many vehicles have onboard displays for DVDs and GPS navigation. If your vehicle lacks a display of some sort you will need to add one for the Sanyo system to work. Pricing for the camera system is $299.99 and it is available now.

[ Press Release (registration required) ] VIA [ Sanyo ]

Star Wars Flash Drives

Who better to protect your docs than Star Wars characters like Chewbacca, R2-D2 and Darth Vader? Colette has a collection of Star Wars themed USB flash drives (there’s a Stormtropper edition too if that’s more your style). The creators are presumably trying to join the other companies that have jumped on the film’s 30th Anniversary bandwagon by creating Star Wars stamps, mailboxes, cakes and other paraphernalia. What do you think of these drives? Are they fun or non-functional?

Works for both mac and Windows.

Sony ES Series Receivers

Sony’s bringing the heat with their ‘elevated standard’ series of receivers. Seemingly forgotten for the past few years, the ES receivers will be bringing some capabilities little expected from the electronics giant, especially not at this price point. We don’t have space to list all the specs on the new Sony ES line of receivers […]

Do You Practice High-Tech Manners?

I can’t deny the fact that I’m constantly on my BlackBerry- whether I’m returning a missed call, listening to my voicemail or sending a text message, I am always connected in some way, shape or form. Although I’m guilty of being glued to my phone 24/7, I can recognize that there is a time and place for cell phone use and know when to turn my phone off. According to CNN, Pew Research conducted a poll last year, which found that 81 percent of people were irritated by loud and annoying cell phones in public places. The poll also revealed that a quarter of respondents would answer their phone even if it interrupted a meal or meeting. And it was no surprise that a 2006 ABC News poll indicated that three-quarters of those surveyed had observed someone using a phone or e-mailing and text messaging in mid-conversation. Time to fess up! Where do you fall in these statistics? Do you practice tech manners when out in public?

Martha Shows Up On Wired With Wii Cake

• Homemaking expert Martha Stewart may not have stripped down like Jenna Fischer for her cover of Wired, but she does get her geek on with a baked-to-perfection Wii cake and by revealing her inner techieness.
• For all the iPhone hype the device may be falling behind the too-hot-to-trot Prada phone. Word is, the Prada phone by LG has sold over 300,000 units since its launch in March, while earlier this week AT&T announced it has only activated 146,000 iPhones. Which Do You Prefer: iPhone or Prada Phone?
• Designed by Cherif Morsi, the TimeCap hopes to become a burial ritual for the 21st century. The idea is that instead of putting someone’s ashes in an urn, the small USB device holds photos, sound bytes, videos, and any other type of digital media. Love It Or Leave It: TimeCap Digital Urn
• Black and white desk top items might be the most obvious and subtle choice, but if you are trying to add some sweet, lovable feeling to your workspace consider a colorful pad. Mouse Pad Love: Pads With A Romantic Flair
• While hanging out in Hollywood for the TCA press tour my gal BuzzSugar got a chance to get up close and personal with Microsoft’s newly-announced ‘Surface’ table, which is a multi-touch table that aims to change the way we interact with digital content. Microsoft’s ‘Surface’ Table Explored
• In search of your afternoon distraction? Check out Statetris, a free Tetris game based on a map of the United States. Statetris: It’s Tetris On A Map Of The US
• MSN recently featured an interesting story on the debate of whether or not parents should buy mobile devices for their preteens. The piece lead with a description of Robert, a typical 10-year-old who came home from summer camp and asked his parents for a BlackBerry because one of his counselors had one. Should a 10-Year-Old Own A BlackBerry?

The 1894-S dime worth $1.9 million and a secret journey

Coin collectors are, in no case, going to miss this news. A rare coins dealer named John Feigenbaum traveled across country to deliver one coin to an investor. He said that he didn?t sleep and eat all the way. If I was at his place, I would have done the same, the reason being the person was carrying a dime worth $1.9 million in his pocket. It?s the most expensive dime in the history of dimes ever to pass through San Jose. It?s an 1894-S dime, which is one of only nine known to survive, and one of only 24 known to be minted that year in San Francisco. The seller of the historical dime is Oakland businessman Daniel Rosenthal while the buyer of the unique thing doesn?t want to disclose his identity. Anyway, the buyer did say that he bought the dime simply as an investment and will not spend it, as there is nothing to buy in New York for 10 cents. Interestingly, Feigenbaum doesn?t know how the dime looks like. All he could say was ?It’s the Holy Grail of coins. But Liberty, how can I say it, she’s not the prettiest. Actually, it’s considered an ugly coin. Sometimes, ugliness can be attractive.?

via Sfgate

Six buildings shortlisted for the £20,000 Stirling Prize

Six buildings have been shortlisted for the 2007 Royal Institute of British Architects (Riba) Stirling Prize for architecture and the winner will receive a cheque for £20,000. All the buildings are unique on their own and show different approaches to contemporary design. The one pictured above is the Casa da Musica concert hall in Porto. Let?s take a look at the other five.

The America’s Cup Building and park in the Spanish port of Valencia.

The Museum of Modern Literature in Marbach am Neckar.

Dresden railway station.

The Savill Building visitor centre in Windsor Great Park.

The Young Vic Theatre in London.

The winner will be selected by a five-person Riba Stirling Prize jury and will be announced on 6 October.

via BBC

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