Tech Blog

iDoor: The Hydraulic-Powered iPhone Door

2009-07-10T13:00:00Z

MIT student Chris Varenhorst thought his iPhone was good for more than just apps. So, he built a "hydraulic-powered door that can be opened with the tap of an iPhone app or the rap of a secret knock sequence." Video after the break.

So he took an old Pentium III computer running Ubuntu, a Phidget control board, plus a handful of servos, solenoids, pistons and actuators, hacking them all together into this elaborate, iPhone-controlled door system.

[via Newlaunches - Popsci]

Jay Leno Visits Top Gear

2009-07-10T12:30:00Z

Jay Leno has confirmed that he'll be appearing on a future "Star in a Reasonably Priced Car" Top Gear segment. He even gives us a look at the Top Gear production office in a video you'll see after the break.

From the sound of things, Leno had lots of fun in the U.K. and he specifically calls Top Gear his favorite show on television.

[via Autoblog]

Olympus Uses 60,000 Pictures to Create Stop-Motion Commercial

2009-07-10T12:00:00Z

That's right, Olympus shot 60,000 pictures, developed 9,600 prints and shot over 1,800 pictures again (no post production) to create their stop-motion Pen Story commercial. Video after the break.

The Olympus Pen E-P1 is a beautiful Micro Four Thirds tribute the famous Pen half-frame SLR of the 1960s, so it's only appropriate that the most distinctive part of their advertising campaign is inspired by a previous work.

[via Gizmodo]

Masterfully Planned Rube Goldberg Contraption Starts Camp Fire

2009-07-10T02:00:00Z

Sure, it may not be the most practical way to start a camp fire, but this incredible homemade Rube Goldberg contraption accomplishes just that, and in style. Continue reading to see it in-action -- *credit added*.

[via YouTube]

Crazy Choppers iPhone Game Lets You Tilt to Fly

2009-07-10T01:59:00Z

Bootant's Crazy Choppers for the iPhone / iPod Touch crams five locales, tilt controls, and a weapons upgrade system, into a soon to be released $0.99 App Store game. Plus, the controls "can be calibrated at any time during by pausing the game." Video after the break.

While flying around, you need to carefully keep an eye on both your health and fuel gauges. After the first few levels, enemies start firing back, forcing you to take evasive maneuvers and multiple attack runs to avoid enemy fire.

[via TouchArcade]

Seabreacher: The Dolphin-Inspired Personal Submarine

2009-07-10T00:07:00Z

Called the Seabreacher, this $48,000 (base model) dolphin-inspired personal submarine cruises at 35-40mph on the surface, and up to 20mph underwater. Unfortunately, it's only capable of diving 5-feet into the water, due to the snorkel. Video after the break. Click here for first picture in gallery.

[via Toxel]

Time-Lapse Shows How the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet is Constructed

2009-07-10T00:06:00Z

Boeings F/A-18E/F Super Hornet is basically a carrier-based strike fighter jet, complete with air-to-surface / air-to-air weapons as well as an internal 20mm gun. Continue reading for a time-lapse video of the construction process.

eBay Watch: $600,000 Boeing 737 Plane

2009-07-10T00:05:00Z

For those who have always wanted their own personal Boeing 737 and have $600,000 to spare, this eBay auction is just for you. More specifically, it's a 1975 Dodson Boeing 737-542 with 56,825.65 airframe hours and 51,228 airframe cycles. Auction page. Click here for first picture in gallery.

[via eBay]

Fifth Gear: Honda NSX

2009-07-10T00:04:00Z

Fifth Gear's Vicki Butler-Henderson takes the discontinued Honda NSX out for a road test in this segment. This mid-engine RWD supercar features a transversely mounted 3.2L V6 (second generation) that produces 290bhp and 224 lb-ft of torque. Video after the break.

District 9 Trailer

2009-07-10T00:03:00Z

Similar to the upcoming 2012 movie, Peter Jackson's District 9 is also a sci-fi thriller with lots of CG aliens, space ships, and more. It's set to hit theaters on August 9th, 2009. Continue reading for the trailer.