Yup, Google has returned once again with a nice set up, they introduced Gmail Motion, which is proudly sporting the BETA tag. Otherwise, Gmail Motion is described as being easy to learn and being able to improve your productivity and offer increased physical activity. According to Google, here is how it works;

“Gmail Motion uses your computer’s built-in webcam and Google’s patented spatial tracking technology to detect your movements and translate them into meaningful characters and commands. Movements are designed to be simple and intuitive for people of all skill levels.”

Or more specifically, how it would work should it have been real. That said, while just a practical joke, you do have to give Google some credit for being so thorough with the introduction. They not only have their standard blog post announcement but have also gone a few pages deep with realistic looking product pages and even offered up a “printable guide of sample gestures.”

Well played Google, well played. And if you have not already, hit the ‘source’ link at the bottom of the post and check out the full Gmail Motion setup as it really is worthy of a read (and watch). With that, I will leave you with this — its April Fools — beware what you read on the interwebs today. And to be the curmudgeon, I will go out on the limb and say how much I hate working online today. Well, with the exception of Google.

Mattel has announced that in August there will be a sequel to this incredible little contraption when the Mindflex Duel is released. The Duel will actually allow you to play tug of war with a little foam ball against one of your friends. Apparently using this little device you will actually be able to tell which of your friends actually has a greater force of will.

Of course you won’t be able to do that for several more months as the Mattel Mindflex Duel isn’t going to be released until late in the summer for some reason. You can however preorder the device on Amazon.com for $99.

I was amazed to find the game has such a following with various versions and an online community of followers!

Blokus is a game of strategy and throughout the world apparently more than three million households already own a game!! That’s staggering and no wonder it is now coming to an Apple device near you!

Blokus, owned by Mattel since 1979, was the brainchild of Bernard Tavitian who holds a Master’s degree in Mathematics from the University of Paris VI, an Engineering Degree from the prestigious Ecole Centrale in Paris, a Doctorate in Biophysics from the University of Paris VI and has held a post-doctoral position in the Department of Biochemistry at Yale University in the United States. So, I guess we could say he’s a pretty clever guy.

Pricing for download for iPhone and iPod Touch is US$4.99 and the iPad version should be out soon.

Of course you can expect some inconsistencies here. Placing the amount of radiation from cellular phones can hurt the marketability of mobile phones. However, expect witty marketing teams to try and work around and benefit from this as well by providing reserved declarations to avoid scaring consumers from purchasing their mobile phone products.

Notably a first in the United States, you also have to wonder if this would work. Brand imaging for devices such as the coming iPhone 4 is expected to override this said radiation law so in the end, it may not matter at all. Then again this would depend on how people would consider such an issue. Should it be backed by an negative publicity (a low blow tactic that could be done by competitors), then you can expect consumers to take notice.

The intent is good but don’t expect companies or consumers to take heed especially when you talk about actually stating the full detail of emitted radiation by mobile phones (which we all know by now is a given).

This extremely popular console game, played by ‘air guitarists’ the world over, is finally going to be available on the iPhone.

A unique feature of this game over and above all the other music games on the iPhone, is that it takes advantage of the multitouch screen so you can actually ‘strum’ your guitar! It’s obviously a limited imitation of the console game’s guitar controller but early reviews are that the game is pretty good.

The game is Facebook-connected and also allows you to customise your own ‘rockers’. You too can be the lead guitarist with Queen or the Rolling Stones!

The app comes with a pretty impressive soundtrack. Although limited to just six tracks to play along to initially, there is the availability of various 3-packs of songs that can be purchased through the app from such bands as Protest the Hero and Vampire Weekend.

The app itself is very reasonably priced at US$2.99 which pitches it well below its potential competitors (Rock Band for example). Activision are clearly keeping the cost down for the initial app on the basis that they’ll make it up on the in-app purchases of additional song packs.

There is some benefit to users here in that they are not lumbered with a whole load of songs they don’t want and can just pay for those they want.

Overall it seems like a credible version of the console game albeit rather later to market than some of its competitors. But then it is always best to get it right first time, and certainly the pricing and features seem to be good enough to ensure plenty of would-be guitarists will download it.

If you’ve already overloaded your iPhone’s memory then this may well be one worth making some space for even if you get some strange looks as you strum down the street!

Do you get painful headaches at the end of the day that just won’t go away? Perhaps you should try the hip, cool, new uCrown 2 Massage Helmet from Brookstone. The uCrown 2 is an expensive plastic helmet that ‘massages’ your head and plays soft music for you while you unwind.

Brookstone is the retailer selling this bizarre self-help gadget. Brookstone, a electronics retailer mostly in the Northeast United States, is more quirky like Sharper Image than high-end like Best Buy. The uCrown 2 Massage Helmet is one of their many massage offerings, as they also will sell you massage chairs, feet massagers, back massagers, etc.

As for the uCrown 2, it’s a large plastic helmet that straps onto the top of your head. It combines air pressure, vibration and magnetic technology to massage your head, and also provides some warm heat to go along with it. To add to your relaxation, speakers inside the headset can play pre-set ‘soothing’ music. Some way to get your own music into the uCrown would have bee nice, I guess we’ll have to wait for the uCrown 3. Head relaxation isn’t cheap, and the uCrown 2 will set you back $200. For those who are craving a good head rub down – the uCrown 2 is now shipping.

Back in the day I was one of those kids interested in getting all those tricks you see on TV out of my skateboard. While I didn’t become the next Tony Hawk, I certainly enjoyed riding it. I don’t know if I’d get on such a beast right now but if you offered me one of these electric skateboards that I’m about to show you, then I’m going to be back in the game.

I’d definitely want to be on top of one of those Hammacher Schlemmer’s electric-powered skateboards. The best thing about it is that you won’t have to move a muscle. Simply get your gear in order, mount the beast and go strolling on the streets. The winter is coming but for those of you that aren’t going to be harassed by snow and drizzle, you should really consider such a machine.

It’s fun, it’s fast, it’s electric and… it’s also dangerous. But we all have to “diem” that “carpe” once in a while, so get crazy! Get yourself a Hammacher Schlemmer electric skateboard. It can get you a top speed of 19 mph in around three seconds. The 36-volt battery powers a 600-watt engine which can be enough for driving a 240-pound person “over smooth terrain” and “even uphill.” The battery needs 4 hours to recharge and it will be good for 10 miles.

I covered the fun, I covered the fast and electric. Which brings me to the dangerous! Make no mistake, falling at 19 mph from a blazing fast skateboard is not an easy thing to do. Sure the skate comes with features like classic longboard with kick tail and 4-inch diameter solid urethane wheels, but that doesn’t mean you can’t fall off it. Make sure you have at least your helmet on when riding it.

The skateboard comes with a trigger remote that will let you accelerate and brake, and at this point I wouldn’t even be interested in anymore tricks. The skateboard costs $599.95 and it’s available for immediate shipping.

Whether you like it or not, everyone is on Facebook right now. Your college sweetheart, your mom and your grandma and even your dog might have a Facebook ID and their own pages. They poke you, browse through pictures, play games and update their status continuously. Well maybe the dog doesn’t care that much but everyone else is using Facebook more and more.

Facebook, like Twitter for that matter, is available to any computer with an active Internet connection. And with the introduction of smarter and smarter smartphones, Facebook is available on the go to anyone interested in checking it out. So, do we really need Facebook or does Facebook needs us?

Social networking is becoming more and more important in our lives but does it really help us communicate better with our friends and family? Or does it build a transparent wall between us and our loved ones. With new feature after new feature we get the impression that we interact better with our friends but we do so from a computer instead of doing it live.

So if I’m not about to actually chat with my friends in person every day, I might enjoy Facebook for what it is or what it could be. And it looks like Facebook wants a complete makeover. Although not official it looks like a redesign is coming soon and we’ve found the leaked shots (see below) to prove it.

It seems that the Facebook homepage will go through some small but important modifications. The menu at the bottom of the screen is apparently going to the sidebar. The new navbar will come with new icons that display invitations, inbox and notifications while the whole search bar has been significantly increased.

Don’t be alarmed by the changes as what we’ve seen so far might not even be the final design version of Facebook. The company is probably experimenting with various elements before it’s ready to go public with the changes.

What do you want to see changed in Facebook?

I love Halloween. It’s the one season of the year where freaks feel normal and people can find yet another excuse to decorate their homes with piles of useless novelty crap like plastic skeletons and witches that look like they’ve smashed into a tree. Every now and then I happen across a Halloween gadget that doesn’t look like a pile of Chinese-manufactured throwaway trash and the animated moving books from BuyCostumes.com certainly fit the bill.

So what are Animated Moving Books, anyway? Well, they’re exactly what they say they are. They are a set of four books that you stick into your bookshelf among the less creepy volumes and when someone walks by them a motion-activated sensor kicks them into action. According to the website, the books slide in and out and make eerie sounds. Sounds a bit like my love life, but I digress. While they do look a tad on the fake side up close, I bet the illusion is more convincing from afar.

The Animated Moving Books require four AA batteries (not included) and will run you a mere $24.95 at www.buycostumes.com. Isn’t that a small price to pay to ensure that your children will never read another book in their lives? I thought so.

It sure would be nice if you could annoy your fellow sports fans and scare the crap outta your best friend without having to worry about where you were going to get your next air horn refill, wouldn’t it? I thought that’d get your attention. Now you can have your audible mayhem device and remain environmentally conscious at the same time with the Ecoblaster Rechargeable Air Horn.

The Ecoblaster is the world’s only completely refillable air horn. According to the product website, you’ll never have to purchase air horn refills again. First off, if you purchase enough air horn refills that it really matters how much you spend on them you have a serious problem (and probably no friends) and second, I didn’t even know they sold air horn refills.� You learn something every day. You apparently refill the Ecoblaster with the included pump or with any standard bicycle pump, air compressor, or service station pump. And according to the specs, you get over 70 eardrum-bleeding, child-scaring, animal-chasing blasts per recharge and you can adjust volume up to a powerful 115 dB. Boaters and sports fans will love it and your friends will hate you for it.

You can purchase the Ecoblaster Rechargeable Air Horn at www.thingsyouneverknew.com for $29.98.

The grating sounds produced by most alarm clocks are enough to have you starting the day with a piercing headache. Whether it’s with an annoying electronic beep or old-fashioned brain-busting bell, being forced out of your restful REM is no fun for anyone. Maybe the sounds of a rushing waterfall or cheerful birds are more your thing. Getting the day started with the sounds of nature just might have you off on the right foot. At least that’s what the folks at Danna Bananas have in mind with their new Mosquito Sound Alarm Clock.

The Mosquito Sound alarm clock is part of the Animal Sound Alarm Clocks collection at Danna Bananas. I’m not sure how effective the droning sound of the pesky little bloodsucker will be for most people, but if it’s enough to get your arm-flailing instincts in order I bet it’ll be enough to get your butt motivated to get out of bed. And if you’re one of those people that incorporate your alarm into your dreams, it might have visions of bug nets, rainforests, and malaria dancing in your brain.

• Quartz Movement
• Chrome metal case
• Glass window
• 4 x 4-in (10.2 x 10.2-cm)
• 3-AA batteries not included

You can check out the Mosquito Sound alarm clock (along with the cow and rooster models for that rural feel) at www.dannabananas.com. For only $25.95 you too can have an entire barnyard symphony greet you at the crack of dawn.

We all remember the Rubik’s Cube. Six sides of multi-colored mayhem that drove many a would-be puzzle solver to the brink of insanity. How could something so simple turn out to be so mentally taxing? As a child of the 80s I can still remember the craze as it hit the market. Nerds and geeks everywhere flooded the stores to become the first to solve the riddle. I was one of them. It took me only about a week before I was exploring ways of dismantling the device to return it to its original state of order. In an effort to entice a new generation, one lost in video games and technology, the torturers responsible for the Rubik’s Cube have come up with a new creation, the Rubik’s 360.

The Rubik’s 360 is one mean-looking puzzle sphere. It actually contains three concentric spheres of varying diameter two of which have small holes cut into them. Inside the clear container, there are six small colored balls. The goal of the puzzle is to navigate the balls through the small openings in the inner spheres and place them into their corresponding color-coded compartments on the outer sphere. It’s just that simple. The challenge; prevent the already-placed balls from breaking loose while you work on the others.

While the original Rubik’s Cube (still the world’s fastest-selling toy) was genius you could still “solve” it by taking it apart or removing the stickers. The Rubik’s 360 has no stickers and from what I can see, no easy way to take it apart. So if you have tons of time on your hands and love driving yourself mad, you definitely need to get your hands on one. They are slated to hit the market sometime later this summer and will retail for $14.99.

There is just something warm and comforting about hearing a crowd erupt into thunderous applause. Whether at a football game or rock concert, the result is the same. Even though it might not be for you, you can still find solace in the act of being part of this communal adoration. It’s a team thing I suppose. But what if your life doesn’t leave much room for you to be appreciated? What if a brown-nosing colleague is always overshadowing you? What if you are simply a loser? Now you can have your own canned pat on the back anytime you need it with the Box of Applause.

There really isn’t much we can say about this particular product. It is basically a wooden box that, upon opening, emits a pre-recorded sound of applause. That’s it. There are no lights, no USB ports, nothing. It’s simply a box of applause. It might not quite fit in on a blog that’s dedicated to the latest and greatest technology has to offer, but we still found it fitting, nonetheless. Maybe it’s because of the depressing world we live in or the fact that a bit of levity goes a long way. Either way, it’s a good thing.

The Box of Applause is available at www.skymall.com for $24.95. That’s such a small price to pay for automatic appreciation. The unit takes 2 AAA batteries (included) and measures 4.5wx3.5hx4.5d-in (11.4×8.9×11.4-cm).

If you’ve ever thought about inventing a device that projects simulated fireworks on your walls and ceilings you probably work for Sega Toys. Because I’m pretty sure that no one ouside of the land of Hello Kitty would ever come up with such a lame idea. I won’t let the fact that I just don’t get this product stand in the way of the info. After all, that’s why I’m here.

Sega Toys announced recently that it would begin selling the Uchiage Hanabi fireworks projector. Supposedly, this thing uses 5 customizable projection lenses to beam moving fireworks onto the surface of your choice. It even has a nifty little feature that tracks the “firework” from launch to explosion so you can see the little dot of light trace up the wall before it “explodes”. It also claims that you …”can make a full fireworks show, complete with sounds, that is never rained out and can be shown year round.” I know I always get a craving for fireworks around February, so this would be perfect.

So how can you get your hands on the Uchiage Hanabi before they are sold out? Head over to www.japantrendshop.com where for a mere $168 (+$42 for shipping) you will be well on your way to experiencing the greatest simulated fireworks show you have ever seen. Rumor has it that Sega Toys is also hard at work on a personal cleansing simulator that is said to be able to project soap and water onto your body giving you a virtual “freshly showered” feeling.

I have always wished that I could have a small, multi-colored, visor-wearing autonomous robot penguin that would meander around my desk making noises and lighting up. Am I alone here? OK, this one almost defies description and it definitely defies usefulness. Let’s put this one in the WTF file. Introducing the mydeskfriend project from Arimaz.

I am not sure what kind of company makes this type of product, but I do know that one of them is named Arimaz. Their website states that they develop and market communicating mobile robots. After researching this particular gadget, I have come to the conclusion that Arimaz develops and markets scary little interactive noisemakers for those that have given up on developing any kind of relationship with other humans. The mydeskfriend project (sounds weird on its own) has produced a product that is sure to raise more than just my eyebrows.

The tiny robo-penguin is capable of roaming around on your desk while you are working, making loud, obnoxious noises, and reacting to various pre-programmed changes in its mood with color-changing eyes. The product website shares that it has five different moods and reacts to “…voice, poking, cherishing, shaking, and more…” I hesitate to ask what the “and more” would be in this case.

If that wasn’t enough to convince you to buy one, it also has been programmed to interact with your FaceBook account. Heart be still. Apparently, the co-dependent little bugger “needs” things like food and medication, which you and your fellow anthropophobic friends can provide via the social networking site’s applications.

I have written way more than I ever thought I could about this gizmo. The Arimaz website doesn’t exactly win any awards for usability so you might need to Google a bit for more info. The rumor is that it will be available worldwide sometime in September for a cost of about $100/61GBP. Charging dock is included. Sanity is not.

We all know how satisfying it can be to watch your cat or dog chase a light around on the floor. Feeding into their innate lower brain function provides us with hours of mindless entertainment. But having to wave that little flashlight or laser pointer around can really tire you out. What’s a lazy pet owner supposed to do? Well wait no more. Owners of pets and slow children, you now have an option to help things along. The latest in laser-powered pet and stupid human entertainment/torture devices is finally here.

The masters of mayhem at FroliCat have harnessed the power of the low-powered laser and found a way to put it to good use entertaining animals lower on the food chain than us humans. According to the FroliCat website, the “FroliCat^TM BOLT^TM is an interactive laser toy that provides hours of fun for you & your feline friend. Simply hold BOLT in your hand or place it on a flat surface, turn it on, & watch your cat pounce, chase, & bat at the exciting laser patterns.” After reading this, I can see how playing mind games with your cat could bring on hours of laughs. Could there be a market for the BOLT at daycares around the world? You be the judge. Here are the features:

Automatic Mode

• Press on/off button to turn on
• Set on safe, flat surface such as table or floor, or hold in hand
• BOLT will automatically turn off after 15 minutes
• Press on/off button to turn off before 15 minutes

Manual Mode

• Press on/off button to turn on
• Press on/off button and hold for 3 seconds
• Hold in your hand & aim BOLT wherever you like to create your own laser patterns
• BOLT will automatically turn off after 15 minutes
• Press on/off button to turn off before 15 minutes

If hands-on laser-powered entertainment is your thing, you can pick up a BOLT at www.frolicat.com for $19.95. For that price, I would think you could pick up two of them. That way both your pothead brother and your cat can keep entertained while you think of new ways to use your pet’s instincts for your amusement.

I had to smile at this online post, mainly because I tried to think of how everyone would react to this inventive take on the bikini. French designer John Nouanesing’s “Geekini” (a classic two-piece bikini featuring strategically placed A, B and directional buttons from the original Nintendo controller) is still in the conceptual stage and I think, if I have to be honest, I’m quite sad to hear that.

Yes … yes, I hear you all shout, “what is wrong with you? Can’t you see the exploitation of women in the making of this garment?” and well … yes, I can … but to be honest, I think it’s quite fun and apt! For one, if you’re brave enough to wear a bikini, in general, then you’re brave enough to give the impression that you’re just a game to men, right? Plus … we all know how much our partners LOVE games … so why not give them what they want? YOU wrapped up in a clever game disguise! In that way, you’re sure to get the right buttons pushed! Everybody wins!

However, that being said, in no way do I suggest that this garment was made merely for men’s enjoyment (though I can see the humour in this view point). For all that know me (and this includes my own man) I am considered an uber nerd, and although you may not say it if you see me, give me a few minutes of your time and you will realise just how much so! That being said, I would buy this baby in a jiffy (Which reminds me did you know a jiffy is the duration of one tick of the computer’s system clock.) Yes … yes … I would indeed buy this and wear it proudly. I happen to think it’s quite awesome and I love the connotations it invokes.

[source]

Whist a little on the close side as far as timing goes, we couldn’t help but call to your attention to the fact that Discovery HD are due to air the first ever high definition imagery to be broadcast from the Japanese Kaguya Space Mission in a show to be aired this evening, November 14th 07, on the channel.

The show, produced in partnership with the Japanese broadcaster NHK and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Association, will be a thirty minute special featuring not only HD imagery beamed back from the Kaguya mission but commentary from the likes of Alan Bean (former NASA astronaut) and Dr. Junichi Watanabe from the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan.

According to Paul Lewis, President and General Manager, Discovery Channel, ‘This remarkable broadcast is a brilliant showcase for High Definition television and the result of a very successful long-term partnership with NHK, the world leaders in HD technology.’

The show is due to be aired at 2000hrs ET/1700hrs PT this very evening (November 14 ’07).

[Source | DigitalHome]

If the very thought of taking a new BMW V8 M3 Coupé for a spin around the world famous Nürbergring Grand Prix race circuit results in spontaneous, uncontrolled salivation then you may be interested to learn that, thanks to BMW themselves, you can do exactly this in a free 3D race simulator presently being offered from the very company that makes the car.

Coming in the form of a reasonably hefty 345.9MB download from their official V8 M3 Coupé product page, the free driving simulator developed in association with 10Tacle Studios – developers of the highly acclaimed GTR series of racing games – is far removed from the simple flash coded affairs normally offered by companies in the name of product promotion. We’re talking commercial game standard here, with 3D graphics, accurate course representation, digitised M3 soundset and even wheel and force feedback compatibility (though it’ll also work with joysticks and keyboards).

In fact about the only thing missing from the simulation is the inclusion of indicators – but then again, it’s a BMW simulator so what would you expect?

We have to be honest here, this is well worth getting – take our word for it.

You can download the game (for Windows based PCs) via this direct link or you can gain it via the official BMW V8 M3 Coupé product page.

It’s a damned impressive give away. All we need now is a Mercedes driving simulator – speed restricted to 30mph and points awarded on the basis of every red light you run and every other road user you cut up whilst seemingly oblivious to everything.

Kudos to BMW.

How many times have you printed something on your nearest office printer – which just happens to be stationed at completely the other side of the office – only to find that, after navigating a maze of tables to get to it, your print just hasn’t shown up or, worse, that it has but it’s not at all what you expected.

In that respect I don’t doubt that any office workers amongst you can relate to the poor chap featured in this video who, having failed to get a simple screen print from his computer, resorts to a rather novel method of gaining the required hardcopy.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvWo-ng8pvg]

Milk is milk, or so I thought, but apparently this milk is worth shouting about. I say that because the customer feedback on Amazon concerning this Tuscan Whole Milk is like no other product feedback I’ve ever read and to say that it’s obviously going down well is somewhat of an understatement.

Even if you have no intention of purchasing your milk from Amazon, I certainly don’t, I would recommend that you take a minute out to read the customer feedback concerning this product as it certainly brought a smile to my face (apparently even the mighty Chuck Norris recommends it).

You can read the feedback via this link – it’s all rather tongue in cheek, but highly amusing nevertheless.

[Source]

Curiously, you somehow felt wholly connected with your music as you tried to real the crumpled tape back into the cassette and then hold your breath as you tried to play it again.

If you want to re-live such memories and then this is the site for you as, whilst it won’t crumple any tape for you, it will let you create your own cassette with custom titling which, though rather pointless in the scheme of things, struck me as being actually rather cool. Moreover, they offer you three types of cassette on which to place your own titles – from the standard white and black versions to the newer, technologically advanced clear variety.

If you want to create your very own compact cassette then you can do so via this direct page link.

The Concert Ticket Generator – whole minutes of fun.

Incidentally, the main site also allows you to create images of your own vinyl records and even has a rather cool Concert Ticket Generator.

You can access the Says-It.com main menu here.