MAVROMATIC » Fun & Games

Google Changing Name To Googe?

Danny Mavromatis — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 23:06:43 +0000

Is the stem of the strawberry suppose to be the missing “l”? Happy Valentines Day.

DXG-506V – Tapeless Camcorder / Digital Camera / MP3 Player

Danny Mavromatis — Thu, 10 Nov 2005 20:11:34 +0000

I usually try to avoid posting about ~~garbage~~ these types of gadgets (this one is being filed under “Fun & Games”), but I’m making an exception. I have a couple buddies that swear by their Casio Exilim EXZ50 digital camera, which they also claim is a good digital camcorder — I cringe everytime I hear that, I come from the camp that a camcorder is a high-quality 3CCD device. But I know technology is getting better and most people want convenience rather than quality, so for them, here is a very plasticy, inexpensive device that you can use to capture those special moments with, or, at the very least, you can give to your kids/teens to thrash. The DXG-305V, sold over 160,000 units since February and that version was a 3.3 megapixel camera… so people are buying these things. The new DXG-506 uses MPEG-4 video compression technology for the “camcorder” part and offers high-resolution 5.1-megapixel digital still photos. The best part is that is the DXG-506 will be in the $170 range… or you can get the 3.3 megapixel DXG-305 on sale at Amazon for around $99 — good stocking stuffer.

P.S. And no… it won’t work with Final Cut Pro or iMovie.

20Q: Knows What You Are Thinking!

Danny Mavromatis — Thu, 03 Nov 2005 19:38:06 +0000

So I take it the 20 Questions algorithm isn’t that complicated since Robin Burgener, the inventor of computerized version of 20Q began working on 20Q in 1988, with the game running on a 5 1/4 inch floppy disk. Now, it’s available in a pocket version by Radica ($15) and online (FREE). So you wanna know how it works, eh? Well, a human brain has about one hundred trillion (100,000,000,000,000) synaptic connections. The 20Q.net online version has about ten million (10,000,000), and the pocket version has about two hundred and fifty thousand (250,000). The game uses the neural-network to choose the next question as well as deciding what to guess. The best part about the online version is that it learns! It successfully figured out a Baby Stroller in 30 questions and a Mirror in 18! If you have some spare time, grab your colleagues and play the Q20 online — it’s almost as cool as the Shocking Roulette.

X-Arcade Trackball

Danny Mavromatis — Fri, 30 Sep 2005 20:06:38 +0000

Tired of modifying your mouse or trackball for use as the controller for Marble Madness? Now you can enjoy the game (or Golden Tee Golf, Tiger Woods PGA Tour, Centipede, Space Invaders) the way it was meant to be played. The folks over at X-Arcade have released the X-Arcade Trackball. It’s built with the same industrial-grade arcade materials as arcade machines you spent hundreds of dollars on at the local bowling alley back in the 80’s. The bundle includes an authentic arcade trackball mouse that works on a PC or Mac with any existing mouse-based game and includes 12 classic arcade games.

The X-Arcade Trackball, will be available sometime in November for $99.95.

- X-Arcade Trackball

Holy Shakespeare Bust, Batman!

Danny Mavromatis — Mon, 22 Aug 2005 02:28:00 +0000

Lets face it, every guy has wanted to be Batman some point in his life. Now you can get one step closer to living your childhood fantasy with your very own life-size replica of the Shakespeare bust Bruce Wayne used to get access to the Batcave. This replica isn’t some half-ass garbage… nope! It is fully functional. The head flips back revealing a switch that can be used to power up any small appliance — I’ll even bet some cash that a diehard Batman nut will rig that switch to open a door to a lab or theater room. As for the specifics, the bust is made out of roto-cast resin and is finished in a metalic antique bronze paint. It stands 21-inches tall, exactly like the original one from the Batman series. Here are a few fun facts about this bust:

— It was duplicated from the original by master sculptor Scott Fensterer.
— One of these busts was even purchased and used as a prop in the made for TV movie Return to the Batcave.

This working Batman Shakespeare Bust can be yours for about $300, now if only I could get my hands on an official Batman issued utilitybelt!

- Available for order from Entertainment Earth

Seattle Summer Is Here — Balloon Bazooka Time!

Danny Mavromatis — Fri, 29 Jul 2005 01:38:59 +0000

Yup, that’s right, for the last week and a half the weather here in Seattle, WA has been beautiful. Clear blue skys and in the upper 80’s, so with that, it’s officially summertime here in Seattle and what better way to ring in the good weather than loading up an 8′ long Balloon Bazooka (pictured, it’s the biggest one on the right) and start pegging the neighbor kids from afar.

Available in 3 sizes, the 6′ Entry Model ($99.95) can launch water ballons over 300ft, while the 7′ Standard Model ($149.95) shoots up to 400ft. For those that want to have a water balloon fight with the folks in space, the 8′ Magnum Model ($199.95) can launch a water balloon, get this, over 500 feet! You provide the air compressor and the endless supply of balloons.

- Balloon Bazooka

Full Motion Race Simulator

Danny Mavromatis — Wed, 09 Mar 2005 23:15:09 +0000

I’ve been looking long and hard for something that beats the experience of the D-Box Obyssee and even the lesser expensive option by Crowson Tech. I think I’ve found it! The Netherlands based, FCS company is known internationally for their military, aerospace and automotive simulators, and now with their Hexatech technology, they will be known for their Racing Simulator.

How does it all work? The Hexatech consists of a race car cockpit with force feedback steering, a driver seat and visual system mounted on a 6 Degrees of freedom Electric Motion platform. The Hexatech moves freely across all axes: up, down, left, right, back and forth and all rotations. Generating forces as felt in an actual race car. Once drivers are securely seated, the ride lifts 40 centimeters and the vehicle is released for the race. The ride height is three meters and uses 16 square meters to be operated safely. Crazy stuff!

This isn’t really targeted for your home theater or house environment… but I bet if you have the budget of Six Flags Holland (where is publically launched) you could get one installed in your very own home. I love the concept and bet the experience is truly amazing! For now, I guess we’ll need to stick to the more cost effective options.

- Check out the VIDEO on their site!

[ Thanks CHZ! ]

VIDEONOW COLOR Named ‘Best Toy of 2004′

Danny Mavromatis — Fri, 10 Dec 2004 20:23:58 +0000

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Yes, the VIDEONOW COLOR was named ‘Best Toy of 2004′ and ‘Ultimate Electronic Entertainment Toy of 2004′ this past weekend during the first annual Ultimate Toy Awards Show. The toys were voted on by consumers and the American toy press.

I find it odd, that a very simple (or as I like to call things, GARBAGE) “portable media player” won as the best toy. Maybe Microsoft, Archos, and all the other companies in this space should have just built a media player that is made out of cheap plastic, slapped a tiny 1.85 x 1.45 inch backlit display, used a codec that doesn’t play back on anything other than that device, limit format to only 25 minutes and sell it for $70.

The Nixie Tube Wristwatch

Danny Mavromatis — Wed, 01 Dec 2004 03:40:21 +0000

I’m getting into old Nixie Vacuum Tube Digital Clocks and came across this wristwatch version. Luckily, it’s out of stock and costs $495, otherwise, you’d be able to spot me a few hundred yards away at night.

The wristwatch was designed using surface mount components, and miniature NOS (1968 vintage) Nixie Tubes. They managed to squeeze all this into a 2.75″L x 1.5″W x 1.2″H case.

FUN FACT:
The Nixie Wristwatch does not have a microprocessor, or programmed components. Standardized low-power CMOS logic drive the nixies in DC mode.
A number of different circuits were considered when designing the watch. I eventually settled on the simplified logic approach, similar to the circuits used
when LED digital wristwatches were entering the consumer market around 1970. Of course, I couldn’t place the circuitry on one IC chip as they had done.

- More Photos

“PrintOn” Recordable DVDs

Danny Mavromatis — Fri, 27 Aug 2004 19:09:12 +0000

<% rating = 4 %>This isn’t new technology, but well worth mentioning… TDK has released a new line of printable recordable DVDs (DVD-R, DVD+R). What makes the “PrintOn” line different from the rest is that they come in four different print surfaces; PrintOn DVD Photo Quality, PrintOn DVD White Matte, and PrintOn DVD Color Matte.

All you need to print on these discs in an Epson Stylus R200 (MSRP $99) and you’ll have one professional looking DVD collection…

TDK PrintOn recordable DVD media will be available in fall 2004. Estimated street prices are as follows: PrintOn DVD Photo Quality, $19.99 5-pack; PrintOn DVD White Matte, $9.99 5-pack; and PrintOn DVD Color Matte, $9.99 5-pack.