Brunton Echo 7×18 Pocket Scope

I’m a sucker for 24, to the point that I value the gear choices made by the (fictional!) Jack Bauer enough to guide my purchasing decisions. Well, this was the first time, and I’d say it worked out pretty well - the Brunton Scope Jack favors turns out to be quite impressive for the price.

Continue reading TV Made Me Do It: The Brunton Echo 7×18 Pocket Scope

Filed under: Gadgets | TechnologyMax @ 9:14 am
 
Maxell MXSP-4000.TD Time Domain Speaker

While its profile reminds me of something I might see in a hair salon back in the 70s, this zeppelin shaped desk ornament is actually a speaker designed specifically for iPod use. I know football shapes are cool and all, but I’m not sure I’m onboard with this shape and it’s popularity with iPod speakers (B&W Zeppelin). It’s hard to tell from the pictures if this new unit has a nice classy glossy feel, or a cheap plasticy glossy feel. At $349.99, one would hope that it’s the former. One would also hope that this speaker can give out some decent sound. With two 44mm drivers and 5W per channel, I bet this baby can get pretty loud. However, the speaker shape and orientation is something I’ve never encountered before. I’m assuming from the price (dangerous–I know not the most reliable source), that it is capable of at least tolerable sound reproduction, but I’d really love to hear one for myself to confirm this.

If you’ve got the cash, and want something that most guests will likely confuse for a desk lamp, you can swing by Audio Cubes to pick up the Maxell MXSP-4000.TD Time Domain Speaker for $349.99.

 
bigger, stronger, faster

No more waiting: Bigger, Stronger, Faster* from Christopher Bell is being released in two days.

I can’t think of a better weekend to present this brilliant documentary than the weekend which is bringing us what may be the biggest chick flick ever. That particular movie is really femininity on steroids. Balance that with this movie actually about steroids and your weekend becomes pretty interesting.


Continue reading Bigger, Stronger, Faster* is here

Filed under: Media | Entertainment, MoviesPilar @ 12:49 pm
 
Herbie Hancock New Standard

Some of you may know the name Herbie Hancock, some may not. Some might know him for his 80’s fusion funk hit Rockit, while others might know him for his song Maiden Voyage. Regardless as to your prior knowledge of Herbie Hancock, know this: He is a jazz legend.

You may be wondering why I’m reviewing an album that is over a decade old. Well I just rediscovered this album in my collection, and I was reminded of just how good it is. More importantly, listening to this album again made me think just how great this album is for budding jazz fans.

Continue reading Herbie Hancock - New Standard… for those new to jazz

Filed under: Media | Entertainment, MusicSanti @ 8:21 am
 
Suzuki Crosscage

I love motorcycles. I love how they look, I love to ride them, I love how passionate people get about them, and I love Suzuki’s new concept: The fuel cell driven Crosscage. This concept trades in the traditional small displacement gasoline motor for a fuel cell and electric motor. As a consequence, it has no gears, no engine noise, no tailpipe, and no pollution. While the sound of a bike holds a large amount of appeal, this high-brow technology in a motorcycle holds a whole different appeal. To add to its already stunning technology, its styling is simply phenomenal. The name obviously comes from its unique structure covering the “engine” area. The single sided swing-arm, and single sided front fork (never seen that one on a motorcycle before) make this bike quite asymmetric looking. But Suzuki manages to pull off a brute, punk, mean, street-fighter look with the bike, that I think is to die for. No word on the release, but as you can see from the picture, they have at least one made for testing :)

More pictures below.

Continue reading Fuel cells gone wild: The Suzuki Crosscage Motorcycle

 
Precipice!

I’m not sure how many of our readers follow the webcomic Penny Arcade, but I certainly do. Religiously, in fact. Anyway, the guys behind Penny Arcade teamed up with Hothead Games to create an adventure game in the tradition of Monkey Island and Full Throttle, a genre which has suffered much neglect in recent years. My pet theory is that since adventure games tend to focus on good writing rather than lush visuals, their golden age must have been when computing power was still relatively scarce - but that doesn’t mean the market for adventure games is gone! Far from it - personally, I miss the wit and humor, two qualities that On The Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness has in spades. If you enjoy the comic, you’ll likely enjoy the game. If you like the comic AND fancy yourself a bit of a steampunk, you’ll absolutely adore it.

Continue reading On The Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness

Filed under: Toys | Games, Video GamesMax @ 6:05 am
 
Cinder Block Speaker Stands bottom

Okay, I know what you’re saying. Cinder blocks as furniture are for starving students and heavy beer-drinking guys that never grew up. Well, I’m not going to argue with that. But with a little extra preparation, I think that you can make some pretty nifty, and very functional items for home: Let me present my cinder block speaker stands.

Continue reading DIY: cinder block speaker stands

Filed under: Gadgets | Technology, Home Audio, Reviews | GuidesSanti @ 1:39 am
 
Expensive Gas

I really wish my car ran on disappointment. I was on my way to the Beverly Center in LA with the intention of spending my graduation cash as irresponsibly as the good people at Banana Republic would allow when I passed the above gas station. At this point, I’m starting to welcome a Mad Max-esque scenario where I can become the road warrior.

Source prolonged war + poor leadership + global warming

Filed under: Cars | TransportationRoy @ 1:14 am
 

AT&TThey get a lot of shit, but AT&T isn’t so bad in my book! For one thing, I’m happy they agreed to Steve’s terms and let him have control over the iPhone - something Verizon wouldn’t do (Steve went to them first!). For another, they’re now unlocking phones for free, all you need to do is ask. I have a Samsung Blackjack that my iPhone replaced; I just unlocked it with a bit of help from AT&T and it was super-easy.

Continue reading AT&T Unlocks Blackjacks for Free!

Filed under: Gadgets | Technology, Phones, Reviews | GuidesMax @ 8:49 pm
 
GC

The Golden Compass, a movie based on the first book of the His Dark Materials Trilogy by Philip Pullman, is directly marketed to you LOTR and Chronicles of Narnia fans. While those two series have years to build their fan base, His Dark Materials Trilogy has only had a few years and competition from one Mr. Harry Potter. But, in the face of these hardships, consider this the little movie that couldn’t…do much wrong.


Continue reading Did You Miss the Golden Compass the First Time?

Filed under: Books, Media | Entertainment, MoviesPilar @ 8:47 pm