Gadget Freaks

We here at Gadget Freaks were shocked and appalled this week when we heard of the vicious and wanton destruction of an innocent and defenseless Pleo at Maker Faire 2008.  

Makers of Pleo, Ugobe have distanced themselves from the stunt and have stated they had absolutely nothing to do with this despicable act. Ugobe reps at the fair said they were, “shocked and appalled” at this act which was perpetrated by a so-called ComBot known as Vicious Verdict.

                                                        How Could Anyone Harm This?????

We here at Gadget Freaks had a sinking feeling when we heard this news and and were truly sickened when we viewed actual video footage of the incident. Funny how human nature works. We know it’s a robot but because Pleo is cute and a baby but somehow our protective instincts kick in as if it were a living animal. More as news comes to hand!

After the excitement and drama of the Shanghai Moto GP last weekend we here at Gadget Freaks are looking forward to a bit of humdrum on Sunday with the F1 Grand Prix of Turkey. After a brilliant start to the season, Mc Laren seem to have dropped off the pace. Either that or Ferrari has lifted its game to lofty levels that the other teams cannot reach.

After early practise sessions at the Istanbul Park Circuit it seems Ferrari with Kimi Raikkonen are having an easy time at the top of the time sheets. Lewis Hamilton has struggled into second with Massa the Crasha in third after a few customary excursions onto the Turkish grass. Great early news for David Coulthard as the veteran Scottish driver clocked the fourth fastest time. The BMWs of Nick Hiedfeld and Robert Kubica were down in 10th and 6th respectively with some work to do to get up the grid.

The Istanbul Park Circuit is a great racetrack so let’s hope that we will see the 3 top teams all at their best on Sunday. With the banning of traction control and some electronic driver aids this year we are seeing the cars sliding around more which has made for some spectacular action. We here at Gadget Freaks are hoping this will bring the cars much closer for the duration of the race and maybe one day we might see 3 cars fighting for the lead on the last lap with tension and drama and………well we can always dream!

Ever been to an F1 or Moto GP race and been a bit frustrated at how much you can actually see? There are trees, heads, safety barriers and all sorts of obstacles that you almost wish you had x-ray vision. Portable televisions have been around for years but getting decent reception at race events has been a bit of a sticking point.

Kangaroo TV is going to be renting out portable tv gadgets at F1 races this year. For 50 pounds you can hire a small handheld tv with a 3″ screen that receives a direct telecast. You can switch between ‘in car’ cameras and get all the commentary via headphones. Read more…….

If your event doesn’t offer Kangaroo TV you might want to take along your own portable device. This neat portable TV has a cool 10.2″ screen and has an analog TV tuner and DVB TV. It also plays DVDs,CDs and basically is an all purpose Multi-Media Centre. It also has a car power adaptor and comes with a great range of accessories.

If you are not into TV but relish the excitement of motorsport you might want to throw a leg over this! This is the latest in exotica from Ducati, the 2008 1098R. This is the production model that Troy Bayliss is leading the World Superbike Championship with. It features a 1098cc twin engine with a 6 speed gearbox producing 186 hp. Traction control is an awesome feature on this model which the Moto GP team uses to great success with Casey Stoner. Weighing in at 165kg and looking sexy as hell, this is about as much fun as you can have with your clothes on! However, every rose has its thorns and with this baby it’s the pricetag, a cool 60K (approx)

After all the action and drama of practise and qualifying the stage was set for a great race. The morning warm-up was run in full wet conditions and it was uncertain what the weather would do. As the field sat on the grid during the pre-race build up there weren’t many happy faces among the riders. Track conditions were less than ideal with wet sections and a fairly distinctive dry line around most of the circuit. Despite the race being officially declared ’wet’ all riders had chosen slick tyres. 

More pain for Jorge Lorenzo as his bike stalled on the grid as the riders took off for the warm-up lap. It looked as though Lorenzo had forgotten his injured ankles as he instinctively jumped off the bike and began to push it in an attempt to get it started…..ouch! Very cruel indeed. Finally his crew were able to run on to the grid and get him started.

Off the start it was veteran Colin Edwards with the lead into the first corner but Casey Stoner just squeezed past. The pace was fast and furious as the lead pack began to settle in and start to think about where to now. Pedrosa was the first to break away with Rossi in hot pusuit. Casey Stoner settled into third and was looking like he may join the battle at the front. Rossi got past Pedrosa for the lead and the two put on a display that saw them lapping at near record pace. Rossi was at his best and as hard as Pedrosa tried he could not find a way past ‘The Doctor’. Stoner had dropped of the pace somewhat and looked settled in third. Pedrosa also eventually relinquished and thoughts of catching Rossi and settled for second. Meanwhile, Jorge Lorenzo who had earlier dropped to ninth had carved his way through the field to finish fourth in what must be said was a brilliant and brave ride considering his injuries.

So that would seem to be  the last Chinese Moto GP we are likely to see for some time as the race will go elsewhere in 2009. Judging by the lack of spectators it appears that Moto GP is going to take some time to gain in popularity in China. Or maybe it is just that everyone is too Olympic focused to pay any attention to anything else. Not to mention the problems associated with the race namely the trouble many riders and teams faced with visa uncertainty and dramas with flights due to red tape and delays getting paperwork in order.

World Championship Positions ( after 4 rounds )

1- Dani Pedrosa ( Spain ) Honda  81

2- Jorge Lorenzo ( Spain ) Yamaha 74

3- Valentino Rossi ( Italy ) Yamaha 72

4- Casey Stoner ( Australia ) Ducati 56

5- Loris Capirossi ( Italy ) Suzuki 33

6- James Toseland ( Britain ) Yamaha 33

7- Colin Edwards ( USA ) Yamaha 31

8- Nicky Hayden ( USA ) Honda 29

9- Andrea Dovizioso ( Italy ) Honda 26

10- John Hopkins ( USA ) Kawasaki 26

Next Race : Le Mans, France May 18th.

Well fans they’re back! It’s Moto GP time again as the championship heads to China and the magnificent Shanghai circuit. A true test of man and machine, the track features a range of different corners and of course that long long back straight into a full hairpin. This is the fourth year that the Chinese Grand Prix has been run with Valentino Rossi, Dani Pedrosa and Casey Stoner all having tasted victory. Sadly, it looks as though the race will be dropped from the calendar in 2009 with the race reportedly going to Hungary or Turkey.

FP1 this morning saw a real battle between Rossi and Stoner as both riders seemed determined to see the session out on top of the time sheets. It was Rossi though who triumphed while Fiat Yamaha team mate Jorge Lorenzo seemed to struggle during the first half of the session. Unfortunately for the young rookie he suffered a vicious high-side ( see below ) in the latter part of practise and was taken to hospital with a suspected fractured right ankle, cut heel to that foot, damage to the left knee and ankle. Not the start to the weekend he would have been hoping for to say the least. However, signs are good he will be relatively fit to ride in Sundays race.

FP2 was all Stoner with the Australian all but dominating the session. Valentino Rossi challenged the young Australian throughout the session and finished second fastest while title rival Pedrosa claimed third spot.

1- Casey Stoner ( Australia ) 2′00″163

2- Valentino Rossi ( Italy ) 2′00″215

3- Dani Pedrosa ( Spain ) 2′00″361

The injuries to Jorge Lorenzo were confirmed as a chipped left ankle and general bruising and other minor injuries to the lower body. Yamaha in a statement said that he will take part in FP3 and qualifying tomorrow.

Isn’t it really annoying when you sit down for your favourite sitcom and it’s as if they’ve run out of ideas and you get a  regurgative ‘ walk down memory lane’ type show. You know like on Seinfeld when they sit around and Jerry says,” Hey remember the time Elaine and Peterman……….” And 30 minutes of cliche ridden segways follows to hightlights from past episodes!  I think you get the idea. Almost as bad as the retro nostalgic trend to remake movies of the classic 60’s TV shows like Get Smart and The Thunderbirds!

Anyway despair not! Today here at Gadget Freaks we thought we’d take a look at some of the more interesting gadgets we’ve reviewed to celebrate our 3 month anniversary here on WordPress.

Retro and nosltalgic in itself, this USB powered mini-fridge is just the ticket now that summer is well on its way. Styled on a 1950’s refrigerator, it has hot and cold controls and is just perfect for cooling a can on a hot day whilst watching Moto GP or something just as cool.

Staying on a retro theme, we really loved this MP 3 cassette player. Shaped like and old tape it is in fact an MP 3 gadget you can actually use in and old cassette player. Roll out all those 70’s hits and impress your younger friends who may have never seen such a thing!

Ah and who could forget our post and review on the 2008 Ducati Desmosedici GP 8 Moto GP bike. With its V4 Fourstroke 799cc motor pumping out 200+ horsepower weighing 148(dry) kg and hitting a top speed in excess of 310 kmh it surely is the ultimate gadget.

Anyway that’s it for our walk down memory lane. If you missed any of our past posts take your own retro read of our gizmo & gadgets reviews and race previews. Stay tuned for new any interesting gadgets and news right here on WordPress!

Well it would seem we got some incorrect information here at Gadget Freaks. We posted on April 28th that the composer of the Doctor Who theme, Tristram Cary, had died. While it is true that Mr. Cary sadly passed away it is not true that he was the actual composer of the theme. Cary was a composer on the show but wrote the underscore not, as  wrongly reported in the media, the theme track.

                              Delia Derbyshire created the electronic realisation of the theme.

As Seba kindly commented, it was actually an Australian born composer  Ron Grainer that indeed composed the original theme track. However, the actual electronic version which has become legendary, was actually adapted from an original composition of Grainer’s by Delia Derbyshire. It is said that upon hearing the electronic version Grainer exclaimed, ” Did I really write that.” The tune was to remain as the theme to the series for a 18 years.

           Ron Grainer ( August 11, 1922 - February 21, 1981 )

Gadget Freaks apologizes for any inconvenience caused.

Sad news indeed here at Gadget Freaks. Tristram Cary, the composer of the Doctor Who theme and electronic music pioneer has died in Adelaide, Australia. Of course the long running sci-fi series has a special place in the hearts of all gadgeteers so it’s only fitting to remember the creator of what is one of the most memorable and unique TV themes of all time.

Cary came upon the idea of tape and electronic music whilst serving in the British Navy as a radar officer during the Second World War. He later went on to become one of the principal pioneers of electronic music founding an electronic music studio at London’s Royal College of Music in 1967. Moving to Australia in the 1970’s, he established a similar studio at the world renowned University of Adelaide’s Elder Conservatorium of Music.

The son of Irish born Novelist, Joyce Cary, he was said to have had a unique childhood. Family friends, T.S. Elliot and James Joyce would often call at the family home for tea.

Many regard Cary as the father of modern electronic music. His theme to the long running BBC series is said to have inspired the likes of Pink Floyd, Brian Eno, Portishead and many others. Not only a composer, he co-designed a synthesiser used by such legends of music as Roxy Music, The Who and the previously mentioned Pink Floyd.

In 1991 he was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia ( OAM ) for services to Australian music. During his distinguished if not seminal career he also composed music for Hollywood feature films, television theatre and concerts.

He died in The Royal Adelaide Hospital ( Australia ) aged 82.

Where would we be without the computer mouse. That little disposable piece of modern technology that is used by hundreds of millions each day. Here at GadgetFreaks we took a bit of a peek about the net to see what’s new and wierd as we bring you ‘Five Nice Mice’.

1- The Origins Of The Species.

According to Wikipedia, the mouse was invented in 1963 by Douglas Englebart. It was a rather ungainly device ( see below ) which used a large wheel and was constructed of wood. The builder of his design, Bill English, later went on to invent the ball mouse whilst working for Xerox in 1972. Now 83 years old, Mr. Englebart must look at what he started with his invention and have a quiet chuckle to himself as the computer mouse becomes increasingly high-tech and/or bizarre.

2 - USB Vacuum Mouse

From Japan, here’s a rather unique and quirky spin on the mouse. It’s a mouse and it’s a USB vacuum cleaner. Yes folks you heard right, this 800 dpi laser mouse incorporates a tiny vacuum cleaner with removable dust reservior, a scroll wheel and an on/off switch for the cleaner. Keeping your workspace clean just got a whole lot more gadgety !

3 - USB Hand Warming Mouse.

Yet another mad mad mouse from The Land of the Rising Sun. This rather neat and relatively normal looking mouse actually keeps your hands warm. Reaching a maximum temperature of 45 degrees celsius, it has an 800 dpi resolution. Looks like Mac users may be out in the cold though as it only supports Windows NT/ME/2000/XP. However, as it is plug and play and therefore needs no driver we may see Mac users warming to it! 

4 - Fingerprint Reader Mouse.

For those security conscious gadgeteers, fringerprint recognition technology is now available in a mouse. With it’s cool gadget grey and black design this mouse has an 800 dpi sensor sensitivity, a 508 dpi finger sensor and a 256 bit encryption algorithm. It boasts a 1 in 1000 false rejection rate and a 1 in 1,000,000 false recognition rate. It can also be used as a decryption tool for files and drives, a protection layer for website log-ins and it can be set up with 10 fingerprint samples to allow multiple users. That is one smart mouse!

 5 - The Body Mouse.

This would have to take the cake for the most grotesque, bizarre, repulsive, creepy and just downright wrong gadget we’ve seen in a while. Looking like something from a Frankenstein movie, The Body Mouse was designed in 2002 by Chris Lomaka and seems to have just seen the light of day. There are no technical details available for it and I am not sure I want to know too much anyway ! The realism of the hair, skin and nails is positively creepy….I so want one ! Great for keeping the faint of heart away from your computer ! A definite chick magnet for geeks or the perfect mouse for crazed eccentric med students or morticians with a sense of humour?

When Nintendo launched its Wii game console in 2006 I’m sure that even they could not have imagined its universal popularity. As of December 31, 2007 20.13 million units have been sold and demand continues to outstrip supply making the Wii a much sought after gadget. Not surprisingly a significant after market accessories industry has sprung up manufacturing all manner of gizmos to pimp your Wii. With its remote controllers the game has become so popular that it is said that even Queen Elizabeth plays on a Wii ! So we here at Gadget Freaks took a Wii peek into the wierd and wonderful world of Wii and here’s some of what we found.

If you are into ’shoot ‘em up’ gaming then this is for you. This Wii Shotgun is just the ticket if the Wii Zapper is not macho enough for you. Basically it’s a shotgun shaped holder for your Wiimote and Nunchuck so you can blast virtual zombies with ease and gusto. I can just imagine Queen Lizzy mowing ‘em down with this baby!

To further enhance the ‘rumble’ feature of Wii controllers one company has developed this Wii game chair. Dubbed ‘The Hot Seat’ , the Pyramat Sound rocker S2000 looks somewhat like an old car seat but packs twin 8 watt speakers in the headrest with a 5.5 inch Powersub 30 watt subwoofer under the seat. Great for feeling your music and living your movies but we think it would really come into its own with car racing games. Hmmm……I hope they make a mini-moto gp rumble bike!!!!!!

Do you like to Wii on the road ? If so then check this out. This LCD Wii Monitor attaches to the base of the Wii unit and features a ball socket to allow the screen to be placed in many ways and it folds down when not in use. With its built in stereo speakers and 7 inch LCD display it is like having your own Wii laptop. A car cigarette lighter adaptor is included so you can even Wii in the car ! I can just imagine Queen Liz playing Mario Brothers in the back of the Royal Roller whilst taking the corgis out for a spin!

You gotta love the folk from The Land of the Rising Sun. This Wii gadget must take the cake as the craziest after market Wii product out there. The Super Pi Pi Brothers is …… well click the link to see! Somehow I can not and do not want to picture Her Majesty indulging in this ! ( Note - This was an April Fools gadget on Thinkgeek)