Tribler is a new BitTorrent client developed by researchers in the Netherlands, which provides a completely decentralised search and file retrieval layer on top of the existing technology. Yep, we’re talking true Peer2Peer here, no need for PirateBay, Mininova and the rest, just download the client and off you go. The secret lies in a ‘zero server’ technology called BuddyCast which cuts out spam and interestingly introduces more of a social aspect to file sharing, with tags and ratings….
Read MoreMonthly Archives: October 2008
LEDs may reduce wrinkles – household light bulbs gather in dejected huddles
German boffins have come up with a theory that ‘high intensity’ light from LED lamps could be as effective as Botox therapy in removing facial wrinkles. Apparently the light does this by removing the moisture on sub-surface tissue thereby restoring its elasticity. Here’s the actual report for those who’re interested. That sound you hear? Aging ladies from around the world rustling around in attics for their old discarded sun-lamps. [Via] In the study, Andrei P. Sommer and Dan Zhu point…
Read MoreMega murals – Eric Grohe’s awesome trompe l’oeil murals give life to drabness
Eric Grohe paints walls. And how. He can transform a dull, lifeless slab of concrete or brick into something amazing (check out the incredible Projects page). Apparently the German paint he uses is super tough and long lasting, which is probably a very good idea. I have a friend, Jeff Raum, who does similar stuff in LA, and I’m always amazed by the capacity of artists of this type to create fine detail on such a large canvas. Well worth a browse if…
Read More27 Mile Two Way Radio – hello, hello…?
A 27 Mile Two Way Radio is more than just a walkie talkie with a very large range. It’s a full on life adventure, with Lassie, lost kittens and a happy reunion down a mine shaft. It’s also the kind of product, pug ugly as it is, that could render mobile phones redundant in the right circumstances. $89.50. Use our 27-mile Two Way Radios to help you get the most out of your next grand outdoor adventure. Long-range, long battery-life radios are perfect…
Read MoreGreen Beetle RealBug Mouse – the ultimate yeeeuw computer peripheral
Green Beetle RealBug Mouse. Er…can I be the first to say that the idea of using an implement containing a real dead critter doesn’t really do it for me? No matter that it’s a bug, a spider a cricket’s eyeball or whatever, it’s just not a great concept to my way of thinking. Call me sensitive or stoopid, just don’t call me a vivisectionist. What next, the dead mouse mouse? From $19.95. This acrylic USB computer mouse features a green beetle embedded in…
Read MoreEar Pressure Equalizer – at last an end to the swallowing, sucking and yawning…?
The Ear Pressure Equalizer gadget sucks air out of the outer ear canal and thereby removes the annoying blocked ear feeling you get in descending aircraft as the cabin pressure goes haywire. It’s been developed by a real live Australian Prof of Tinnitus research so it should work, shouldn’t it? £38.95. You experience it during flight landings – increased cabin pressure presses the eardrum inwards and the ears become “blocked” – an irritating and painful sensation…The Ear Pressure Equalizer sucks…
Read MoreSend to Toys – simple utility to make moving stuff easier on your PC
Send To Toys is a simple, single function freeware utility that adds glitter to your right mouse Send To command. It’s great for setting up regular folder destinations, or even regular email recipients of files and suchlike. No frills, no spills. Send To Toys is an enhancement of the Send To system menu. – Send To Toys Control Panel Applet allows you to manage the Send To system menu content, and configure the various Send To Toys settings. – “Add…
Read MoreCodeweavers Crossover for free – 24 hr giveaway of virtual machine software to all-comers
As part of the company’s Lame Duck Presidential Challenge Codeweavers will be giving away free copies of their CrossOver virtual machine software for download for 24 hours today (28th Oct). Just head over to their site and get the code. Each copy (worth around $50.00 or so) comes with full support. Mac and Linux heads will now be able to run Windows games or applications on their computers while watching the financial meltdown unfolding through the slatted blinds on their basement gratings….
Read MoreMixwit – the media playground
Think of Mixwit as an online mixtape on steroids and you’ll probably be close. Not only can you create an online playlist to share with your friends using some super simple drag and drop stuff, but you’ll also get the chance to show off your artistic tendencies by uploading artwork too. Neat. But do we need any more of these applications after this…? Prolly not. It’s your mix, so make something unique. Add pictures, photos, artwork, drawings… Anything you want….
Read MoreMotor Show 2008 – short electric car round-up, and not a green one in sight
Went to the Motor Show 2008 a couple of months back and grabbed some shots of some electric cars on the stands. Here’s a quick round up for you to look at. The Quiet Car Company promises to deliver a full 4 seater electric car with 60 mile range, 35mph top speed for £9,995.00 on the road. The thing looks great in the brochure, but in reality it’s just a boring looking converted Chinese model based around a Lotus chassis…
Read MoreEmporia Clarity Amplified Mobile Phone – large buttons and 20dB amplification makes this a phone for the young at heart
The Emporia Clarity Amplified Mobile Phone features 20dB amplified audio along with super easy 4 button operation and large on-screen text. You even get an LED flashing light to indicate an incoming call. Well thought out, engineered and perfect for anyone ‘of a certain age’ who’s fed up with fighting with their cell phone day to day. $269.00. Our Clarity Amplified Mobile Phone brings listener- and user-friendly features to a mobile phone. Large 4-button operation makes it easy to place and receive calls, while 20…
Read MoreMr Personality Advanced Bot – give your robot a new personality at the touch of a download
The Mr Personality Advanced Bot comes with an animated full colour LCD ‘face’ and the ability to run different personalities which you can download as required. Comedian, fortune teller, rampant psycho surf squirrel, you get the picture. Apparently you can store these personalities in the 64MB of memory or on an SD card. Sounds a bit dodgy to us. $299.00. Interactive and interesting, Mr. Personality reveals an animated face on a full color, head mounted LCD. Loads of different personalities, including…
Read MorePet Porte Microchip Cat Flap – let your cat’s identity chip open the door
The new Pet Porte Microchip Cat Flap is a standard cat flap device which opens up when it recognises your cat’s identity microchip implant. This is a clever idea – especially since many more cats are getting these chip implants at an early age now – which should prevent nasty stray, feral, smelly felines from gaining access to your palace. Priced at £127.00. The door unlocks by itself for your cats ONLY. # Program it to lock automatically at night to…
Read MoreThe Hand – got the message?
The Hand is a remote controlled window sign which graphically explains how you feel to anyone watching. The suction cups give you flexibility of position in cars, apartment windows or on your tractor, and to give your reaction you simply press one of the relevant buttons on the remote. It probably won’t earn you the UN prize for diplomatic communications though. $39.99. Place The Hand on your car, home or apartment window (suction cups included) and let the world know…
Read MoreJoikuSpot Light – turn your Symbian mobile phone into a WiFi hotspot
JoikuSpot Light is a rather awesome freeware package that installs to your Symbian mobile phone and converts it into a WiFi hotspot. So instead of using that USB dongle on your laptop, you just have to fire up the software on your phone and the laptop will see your phone as a normal WiFi access point. Select it and log on (if you’ve got security set) and off you go, surfing away on the computer (or your iPod Touch!). I…
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