Shake Well Before Use

Nerdcore 2009: Phasers and femme fatales

Ariel Waldman — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 01:00:36 -0800

Sci-fi and sexy, the latest Nerdcore calendar has got everyone impatient for 2009 to start. Fleshbot reports:

"...those Nerdcore kids have gone and upped the ante with this gorgeous pic of Justine Joli, bare naked and in the arms of a robot."

This is definitely on my Xmas list - what better than to find a dozen femme fatales under the fur tree?

Cuddle bags and acupuncture apparel

Ariel Waldman — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 00:00:25 -0800

More in the wearable technology category, a couple of projects out of the Hybrid Wearables Workshop:

Cuddle Bag works like a mobile cat - pet it and it will keep you warm. Add LED eyes and a purring sensation and dare we say, the cat is in the bag.

e-Pressed is a shirt that claims to sense your emotions and accordingly light up which acupuncture pressure points should be touched to help you relax.

[via Pasta&Vinegar]

Traffic sensors tap into mobile technology

Ariel Waldman — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 01:41:15 -0800

image by svanes

Nokia yesterday started implementing a mobile experiment that turns your device into a community traffic sensor. By downloading software, GPS-enabled devices can receive real-time traffic info as well as output their own location-based data to contribute to the Nokia community of drivers.

"Nokia says the user-generated data is completely anonymous. Researchers are protecting personal data by stripping individual device identifiers from the transmitted traffic data, by using strong encryption and by drawing data only from targeted roadways where traffic information is needed."

Just an experiment for now, but Nokia is planning on expanding it with time.

Wireless gadgets for girls still weak

Ariel Waldman — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 00:04:02 -0800

Wired reviews the LG LX600 Lotus, the latest "female-friendly" phone offered by Sprint. While the compact-shapped cellphone isn't annoyingly pink, it does value femininity over functionality, making it still a fail for understanding what women want out of a wireless device.

"Try touch-typing on that keypad -- just try it -- your text messages will look like Borat composed them. Fun Frames is the Jessica Simpson of photo editing tools."

Safen your sex via SMS

Ariel Waldman — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 00:01:51 -0800

To lessen the blow of embarrassment and cost that comes to those fairly new to buying condoms, Marie Stopes International has created a campaign that taps into the texting habits of teens. By texting 19 SEXTXT, Australian students can receive 2 free condoms.

Boners caught at the border

Ariel Waldman — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 16:19:40 -0800

Due to "inadequate" labels and directions, penis enlargement devices are at risk for being taken away at the U.S. border. So, before you pump your penis, be prepared to hand it over to police. The FDA is has gone flaccid from their disappointment:
"Basically, the labeling of these devices falsely states or implies they will treat impotence, prolong erection, and increase the dimensions of the penis," the FDA said in the new notice."

Levi's lies to get into your 501's

Ariel Waldman — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 00:30:00 -0800

The 501 brand has a history of horniness behind it from lyrics (not surprisingly the same from which Shake Well Before Use got its name) to Levi's commercials. This latest spot is no exception. As Adrants explains: "Levi's celebrates this moment of pre-sex honesty in Secrets and Lies, a commercial from BBH London that reminds us all, it's never too late to set things straight...before things actually get straight and it's too late."

Scientists develop wine-tasting electronic tongue

Ariel Waldman — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 00:10:00 -0800

Developed as a "handheld device", a new electronic tongue can taste-test a variety of wines for acidity, sugar and alcohol by using six sensors. Invented by Cecilia Jiménez-Jorquera and others from the Barcelona Institute of Microelectronics, no images can be found yet on the ergonomics of this gadget.

Previously: Artificial mouth could be robotic taste-tester

Porn for New Moms book promotes birth control

Ariel Waldman — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 22:18:54 -0800

Just as cringe-worthy as the last edition we wrote about, Porn for New Moms makes us want to stay on the pill. The book features father's and kids with lines like "Damn, you look hot in those sweatpants!", and "Now, remember, it's my turn to do the midnight feeding, so don't get up." While meant to be a cute gift, we're still irked by the stereotype of what women want when it comes to porn.

Take weekly with water

Ariel Waldman — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 20:26:12 -0800

So, it's no secret to those of you subscribed to Shake Well Before Use that the frequency of posting is not what it used to be. Due to recent exciting announcements, I've been quite busy and it's been difficult to lock into a regular schedule for blogging. Just wanted to make a quick post that I have NO intention of letting this blog die. The frequency may just be lower than the once 2-6 posts a day for a while - so don't turn that dial!

[image via]

Sight for the week's end

Ariel Waldman — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 22:00:00 -0800

PETA's latest ad.

Bedpost offers insight into your sex life

Ariel Waldman — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Screenshot by Chris Messina

Bedpost, a web 2.0 application that remains in alpha, aims to give you insights about your sex life. By entering in partners, time durations and tags to describe your "doing the horizontal" data, the app appears to build a calendar of stats and averages. Other multimedia functionality includes uploading photos of partners, in case you'd like to brag to yourself about your previous conquests. The creator states:

"I built it for myself about 4 years ago, and this is the culmination of years and years of thinking about how to make it available to the world. ... Before long, you'll have a rolling history of your sex life on which to reflect."

That is, if you really find it useful to reflect on the spirit of sexual past. We can only hope this service doesn't include a "people you might know" feature.

[Thx, Tantek!]

Using your tongue for tech

Ariel Waldman — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 22:14:07 -0800

Georgia Tech Photo: Gary Meek

A new UI allows a user to navigate through it via use of their tongue. Developed for those with disabilities, the system leverages the strength and movement of the tongue to operate various activities. The Tongue Drive System was developed at Georgia Tech by a group of students. The device uses small embedded magnets and is said to be a better alternative to standard puff input methods.

Photovoltaic-powered LED wall lights up China

Ariel Waldman — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:36:23 -0800

Called the Zero Energy Media Wall, this glass structure has embedded photovoltaic cells that operate off of solar energy.

"Rather than placing them uniformly, the cells are arranged in changing densities which allows for more natural light to reach the interior, as well as converting excessive solar radiation into energy thus increasing the building's performance."

The wall claims to be one of the largest LED displays in the world and officially launched to the public in June 2008.

Axe ad features technosexual body scrubbers

Ariel Waldman — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 16:15:19 -0800

This would most likely get covered on the Engadget Adgadget column, but we decided to share it here. Axe's latest ad campaign features a team of technosexual females scrubbing down a dirty male in sexy-space-age-like suits. The commercial is for the Axe Detailer Shower Tool, made for those who like it a little rough in the morning.