Gizmodo Australia

10 Terrible Tips For Longer Battery Life

Wilson Rothman — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 18:00:00 +1100

Nowadays, everything comes with a rechargeable battery, but who knew that getting long battery life could get soooo confusing? Here are 10 expert-backed tips to keep you from running low on the juice: (more…)

This Inflating Bra Ad Left Me Confused Yet Reaching For My Wallet

Rosa Golijan — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 16:03:21 +1100

Based on my non-existent Chinese skills, I managed to understand that this inflatable bra makes boobs big, BIG, BIG. And I guess there are odd sound effects and things looking firmer? Can someone please watch this commercial and translate for me? (more…)

Office Building Or Home To A Super Heroine?

Rosa Golijan — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 15:25:42 +1100

Switzerland gets all the cool offices. This particular one’s dubbed “Cocoon” and acts as headquarters for an architecture firm. I prefer to imagine it as home to a super heroine who zoom-zoom-zips down that spiral and saves the day. (more…)

New For iPhone: 2 Balls 1 Cup

Adam Frucci — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 14:00:00 +1100

Presented for your approval without comment. [iTunes Link via The Awl]

Pangolin Backpack

Brian Lam — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 13:20:43 +1100

The Pangolin is a spiny anteater covered in razor sharp scales, with razor sharp claws, that can shoot acid out of its anus. This backpack is inspired by the creature and made from old truck tyres. (more…)

Computers Are Scary, But Steve Allen Is Here To Help

Adam Frucci — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 13:00:00 +1100

Back in the early ’80s, computers were new and terrifying. Luckily, Steve Allen was available to chuckle you through all of that crazy jargon. [Everything Is Terrible]

5000 Volts Is More Than Enough Power To Crush A Soda Can

Sean Fallon — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 12:40:00 +1100

Bob Davis scored a complete power supply including a 5000V transformer, 100uF Capacitor and a contactor on eBay for $US100 and did what any sane person would do — he built a can crusher. (more…)

Nanoparticles Can Rip Your DNA Apart Without Ever Touching It

Rosa Golijan — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 11:40:00 +1100

If I could visualise nanoparticles, I’d think of them as crime bosses because apparently they can mess with DNA without ever having direct interaction. Like a true godfather, a nanoparticle commands obeying molecules to do the dirty work. (more…)

The G-Bound RC Car Drives On Water

Sean Fallon — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 11:20:00 +1100

It’s no miracle, the G-Bound remote-control car can drive over water thanks to a waterproof chassis and inflatable tyres. (more…)

Intel Promises To Stop Its Firmware Bricking SSDs

Rosa Golijan — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 11:00:40 +1100

A few weeks ago, Intel pulled a firmware update the day after it came out because many users running 64-bit Windows 7 found that it bricked their SSDs. Whoops. The good news though is that Intel has acknowledged and replicated the bug, and is working on a fix. The bad news? There’s no timeline for when the fix will come out. [Reg Hardware]

DIY Star Trek Bluetooth Communicator Makes For Stylish Headsets

Rosa Golijan — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 10:40:00 +1100

This DIY Star Trek Bluetooth Communicator, instantly reminded me of a my Star Trek fantasy. Bluetooth is the ruin of Star Trek. But this is a fun quick-n-dirty project. (more…)

This Week’s Best iPhone Apps

John Herrman — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 10:20:46 +1100

In this week’s never-gonna-switch-so-stop-asking app roundup: Free games, reinvented! Aeroplane anxiety, averted! Photos, wirelessly printed! Cool apps, discovered by other cool apps! Navigation cheapened! Black Friday rush, preempted! Google Wave, appified! Screens, pointlessly tapped! And more! (more…)

The Queen Of Google: “I Do Code All Night!”

Matt Buchanan — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 10:19:41 +1100

This is Marissa Mayer, the queen of Google. Every Google thing that you use goes through her. And she’s a nerd. So she says, sitting on her red ball in that red dress… (more…)

The Folding Titanium Spork Is The Ultimate Portable Eating Utensil

Sean Fallon — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 10:00:00 +1100

As the resident expert on the spork, I wholeheartedly endorse this super-rugged titanium folding combination bottle opener and spork design. (more…)

Steve Jobs And Sarah Jessica Parker Are Being Sued

Rosa Golijan — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 09:45:00 +1100

In 1989, Franz Wakefield invented the iPod, iPhone and iTunes. Then the FBI stole his trade secrets and he confided in Sarah Jessica Parker and now he’s suing her and Apple…and my head’s spinning. (more…)

Next Room’s Eavesdropping Device Is Better Than A Drinking Glass

Sean Fallon — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 09:20:00 +1100

Next Room is kind of like a mash-up between a stethoscope, MP3 player and an old-fashioned drinking glass. According to the product page, you can hear what is being said through wooden walls, doors, windows and even steel plates. (more…)

Wire Your House With Ethernet Cable For Better Home Networking

Rosa Golijan — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 09:00:00 +1100

I’ve finally started watching TV on my computer, but my big annoyance since then is that my — ahem — mostly legally downloaded episodes take ages to transfer wirelessly from laptop to media centre PC. Thankfully Lifehacker’s got a DIY wiring solution for my troubles. (more…)

9 Classic Analogue Games Defiled By Digital

Sean Fallon — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 08:20:00 +1100

So, I’m doing the Mindflex game review, and I start thinking about the evolution of classic board games. Personally, I like the fact that many of them got a 21st-century makeover. These 10 games may have purists thinking otherwise. (more…)

OpenOfficeMouse Is An 18-Button Freak, But I Want It

Rosa Golijan — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 08:19:00 +1100

It’s got 18 programmable buttons. E-I-G-H-T-E-E-N! Forget the 512k of flash memory, analogue Xbox 360-style joystick, basic scroll wheel and whatever else is in there. Yes, I’m a button lover. Yes, I just had an orgasm. And yes, I will waste $US75 on this. (more…)

The iPhone-to-Android Switch: What You Need To Know

Matt Buchanan — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 07:40:00 +1100

You’ve had it. Maybe with your mobile phone service provider. Maybe with Apple’s crushing, dictatorial grip strangling the App Store. Whatever the reason, you’re going to Android: Land of freedom and the great Google. Here’s what you need to know. (more…)

Microsoft Confirms Improved Xbox 360 Warranty Seal

Mark Wilson — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 07:39:00 +1100

Microsoft confirmed that Xbox 360s are receiving an updated tamper-resistant warranty sticker. And that’s pretty much all they’re willing to share on the matter. (more…)

Google Promotes Droid Day With Rare Homepage Ad

Rosa Golijan — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 07:22:59 +1100

Hey Google! I adore your celebration of Sesame Street’s 40th anniversary and such things, but what are you doing sticking an ad on your homepage? An ad for Verizon’s Droid of all things. (more…)

We’re Not So Different, Earth And Mars

Adam Frucci — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 07:20:00 +1100

Here are two galleries for you, both taken from space. One is of islands here on Earth, the other of landscapes on Mars. It’s amazing, the similarities between the two places when you look from a certain distance. (more…)

A Bunch Of Ridiculous New Peeks To Follow The TwitterPeek

Adam Frucci — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 07:09:05 +1100

The TwitterPeek is a crazy device. But hey, now that Peek has gone down this road, why stop now? Here are some free ideas for the next generation of Peek handheld devices. (more…)

A Gigantic Circular Skateboard Violates Riding Laws 9X Over

Sean Fallon — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 06:40:00 +1100

Skateboarding legend and artist Mark Gonzales has created a preposterous “Circle Board” for his exhibit, Round n’ Round, at the Franklin Parrasch Gallery in NYC. (more…)