Category — Gadgets

This is one nice looking robot! No idea if it’s smooth lines and subtle tones are like the real person, but its modeled after 10th century noblewoman Lady Murasaki Shikibu.

She reads you her famous novel Tale of Genji via an internal MP3 player while making relevant gestures from her era to emphasise dramatic moments.

Via TokyoMango

Technorati Tags: gadgets, Japan, Lady Murasaki Shikibu, Tale of Genji

A novel looking concept camera phone has cropped in on the shape of the yin and yang symbol.

The camera can be separated into 2 parts, the yin and the yang, which can be the camera and storage device respectively.

This camera is still at a concept stage, so don’t expect to see it at your local camera store any day soon.

Via Ubergizmo

Technorati Tags: concept camera phone, gadgets, yin and yang

If you have an iPhone, you have a plethora of case designs to choose from.

Here’s an oriental option - the iTabi - so named after traditional Japanese socks, which is made of kimono cloth and comes in ten different designs.

The designs range from Asaba, hemp flowers on a cream background, to Taisho Retro, a 1920s-style floral design.

Each case comes with two straps — one is short, the other shoulder length and adjustable. They permit use of the headphone jack, and protect the screen from damage using nylon padding. A front pouch lets you store headphones, lipstick or mascara.

Via Macworld

Technorati Tags: design, iPhone, iPhone case designs, iTabi, Japanese, kimono cloth, traditional Japanese socks

Lenovo have created Olympic-themed flash drives. As noted by Core77, these information storage devices are ironically endorsed by a Communist regime that likes to censor information.

Via Core77

Technorati Tags: 2008 Beijing Oympics, Flash drives, gadgets, Lenovo

Swiss watch manufacturer Ernst Benz have created high end 2008 Beijing Olympics merchandise with their Beijing 2008 Limited Edition ChronoScope.

The dials feature a traditional Chinese pattern for fire as well as incorporating traditional Chinese characters for the numerals; with the 8th hour marker done in a contrasting color.

The 47mm watch is being offered in two shades - Noir and Vermilion. Exclusively handcrafted, 88 of each of these stainless steel watches will be out for $5,800. (Not $8,88?)

The watch maker also has exclusive special limited editions where only eight pieces per dial will be available in Black PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) coated brushed steel for  $6,800.

Boasting of a Chinese-themed packaging, you can opt for a black with red stitching or vice versa combination in the hand-stitched alligator straps.

Via BornRich

Technorati Tags: 2008 Beijing Oympics, design, Ernst Benz, gadgets, ChronoScope, watches

This is the remarkably lifelike lady-robot, Actroid DER-2 made by Japanese company Kokoro (a subsidiary of the Sanrio Group - will we get scary, realistic Hello Kitty’s too?).

How real do you think she is? Here’s she’s in an advert touting a combination sunscreen/insect repellent. No one seems to know why.

Via Men.Style.com

Technorati Tags: Actroid DER-2, gadgets, Japan, Kokoro, lady robot, Sanrio Group, robot woman

Check out this nice and compact looking Nintendo DS Cake featuring Super Mario Bros, as posted by the blog soyandpepper.

Its not as impressive (I think) as potentially the most impressive Mario 3D cake, but it can still hold its own against the retro Nintendo cake, although it might be overshadowed by what seems to be the tallest Nintendo (wedding) cake!

The Nintendo DS cake might be better if the top screen were also cake, and they included a stylus knife..

From soyandpepper via Tastespotting

Technorati Tags: cuisine, gadgets, Nintendo, Nintendo DS Cake, Super Mario Bros, toys

There’s quite a range of specialist seats to accompany your video game playing experience (well, not if you need to stand for Wii Fit).

Well, here’s the limited edition Takuma Sato Play Seat to make your video gaming experience even more passionate. If you don’t know Takuma, he races Formula 1 cars for the team Super Aguri.

This is a set-up that can be comfortably placed in your drawing room in front of a plasma screen or your TV set, as it doesn’t take up too much of space.

Via BornRich

Technorati Tags: gadgets, games console, gaming, gaming seat, Takuma Sato, Takuma Sato Play Seat