Category: Weirdness
OPINION: Embrace the spam
So after yesterday’s rubbish McAfee scare-mongering attempt to get us all to sign up for one of its products, us lot here at Tech Digest thought it might be good to take a look at a sample of genuine spam.
You never know, one of those lottery emails just might be the real deal. And what if, one fortunate evening, you find yourself in the company of a willing lady and could actually really do with some herbal Viagra and a winky that’s five times its original size?
Spam could be a life saver. And if nothing else, it’s always very entertaining…
The "Heart Robot" that just wants to be cuddled
It looks like a Teletubby that’s had all its skin burned off in an industrial accident, but don’t let that put you off – the Heart Robot is very friendly on the inside.
Designed by The University of the West of England’s David McGoran, the robot likes a good cuddle. Its heart starts pounding when it’s particularly excited, plus its eyes flutter when you touch it – and its puny limbs tense themselves for a smack round the head or a shove down the stairs when it hears raised voices…
Aussie man sells life on eBay for £200,000
An Australian man has successfully sold his entire life on ebay, including his house, his car, his motorbike, his sofa, his good china, his nectar points, his job, his friends: everything. His unique auction won him a little short of £200,000.
"Michael, turn left in 50 metres" – Knight Rider KITT-themed satnav on the way
GPS company Mio is producing a Knight Rider-themed in-car GPS device that looks – and sounds – like good old KITT. It will be on the Christmas present list of every man over 30 this year.
The pulsing flashing red lights up both sides of the unit are a nice touch, but there’s one extra magical feature inside. Maker Mio is believed to be getting William Daniels – the original voice of KITT – onboard to provide the spoken driving instructions…
Mr Tan's incredible child-sized home made mobile phone
That’s Mr Tan. Say hello to Mr Tan – but don’t get too close to him because he’s INSANE.
Mr Tan has, for some odd reason, decided to build a much bigger replica of his mobile phone. You can just about see the phone there to the left of Mr Tan. It’s the orange thing. Got it? Good.
The monster mobile works properly, takes photos…
Thanko Lazy Geek's Cushion – browse and nap
Doing the early shift here at Tech Digest, I’m inevitably drawn to anything that mixes work and sleep – like the Thanko Lazy Geek’s Cushion…
Woman found dead in front of her TV – after 42 years
Sit comfortably one and all while I tell you a tale so spine chilling it will, er, chill your spine. Croatian police have discovered the body of a woman who died in front of her television set in Zagreb. She had been missing for 42 years…
Facebook "dipping" craze afflicting the wealthy – pool owners should be "extra vigilant"
Dipping is, apparently, the HOT NEW TREND among spoilt rich kids who live in the sort of areas where the neighbours all have swimming pools.
The Telegraph reports that youths – no doubt off their heads on alcopops and Skittles – have taken to tracking down nearby swimming pools on Google Earth, then organising midnight swim-meets in them with friends through crime-enabler Facebook…
64 "bloggers" arrested since 2003 – China, Iran and Egypt the worst culprits
And we think we have it tough. The worst thing that’s ever happened here at Tech Digest HQ is the occasional aggressive email from PR people pointing out the press release said eight megabits not megabytes, plus the odd Viagra spam comment to delete once in a while. We’ve never been banged up for saying iPhone’s better than the N95.
But if you’re blogging in China or Iran, about human rights issues or government corruption, it’s a tougher gig. According to the University of Washington’s latest report on the matter, half of the 64 bloggers…
Can't find a taxi? Get a Smart Car out of a vending machine instead
Photographed in Tokyo’s Shibuya Station is this awesome oddity – a vending machine for the virtually disposable little Smart Car. You may select a convertible or hard-topped model, depending on how flash you’re feeling.
Then you can drive off looking very silly indeed.
Obviously it’s not real. You won’t get a car out of it – just some promotional…
