wars

R2-D2 gets revenge with 'Star Wars' pens

As witnessed by the unfortunate travails of R2-D2, Star Wars product merchandizing can go horribly awry. So sometimes it's safer to go with a simpler product for branding purposes, even if it means going analog (gasp).

Case in point: These Lego Star Wars Pens as seen on Uber-Review. The set pictured here includes Yoda, Darth Vader, and, yes, even the hapless, chirping R2-D2.

In addition to serving as perfectly serviceable writing instruments, these pens can be dispatched so you can mix and match their various parts while waiting for the next blockbuster arrives from the Lucas Empire. Because there … Read more

Purina launches Digg clone: It's for the dogs

Stories about animals are a staple for the nightly news and frequently make their way to the front page of news sites such as Digg and CNN. Not to be left out, Purina, purveyors of food for dogs and cats has its own social news site devoted to all things domestic pet with Pet Charts, a self-proclaimed "definitive guide to the best pet stuff online." It features news stories, videos, and photos for dogs and cats.

Users can swap between either species or view both at once. Content is ranked numerically and can be voted on by clicking … Read more

Buzz Out Loud 698: Beacon will kill you

Today, Buzz is on your side, with such gems of wisdom as "don't shop at Staples," "bacon will kill you," and "how to opt out of Beacon." I guess that last one is pretty helpful. In other news of the day, we refuse to talk about the Google App thing, unless you can prove to us why we should. Thanks in advance. Listen now: Download today's podcast EPISODE 698

Google App Engine Blog: Introducing Google App Engine + our new blog http://googleappengine.blogspot.com/2008/04/ introducing-google-app-engine-our-new.html

California Lawmaker Proposes Music … Read more

Where we've all got a little secret

EPISODE 67

The men of the 404 go the distance with Frank Warren, compiler of Post Secret, one of the coolest sites on the Internet. We talk about the project, how it started, most common secrets, and even infidelity. Yes, we said it.

Plus, if you still want to win an edition of Weird USA, send us your best animal-human hybrids of the 404 hosts, Randall, Jeff, and Wilson. Free invitations are available to A.viary, if you click on the link from the 404 page.

Listen now: Download today's podcast

Users turn Twitter into an MMO sporting event

While March Madness continues to unfold, there's a way geekier sporting event of sorts taking place on the Web. There's no money involved or athletic talent required. All that's needed is a Twitter account and an interest in taking part in some pure and unadulterated tomfoolery.

I'm speaking, of course, of the Twitter Color Wars, an online event/club/social network/mind control experiment created by Welebrity Ze Frank. It's a wonderfully overcomplicated way to take advantage of the hordes of people using Twitter to recreate a virtual color war using the service's following … Read more

Gadgettes 83: The Cool Concept Episode

Let us quit beating around the bush and accept that sometimes a cool concept is good enough. So expect these concepts to become reality sometime in the flying-car future. Listen now: Download today's podcast EPISODE 83

Good concept: Footlume runs lights up your steps http://dvice.com/archives/2008/03/footlume_run_li.php

Toilet-mounted washing machine for less water wastage http://www.shinyshiny.tv/2008/03/toiletmounted_w.html

ApriPoko: a robotic universal remote that has a question http://dvice.com/archives/2008/03/apripoko_a_robo.php

ASCII curtains let you get geeky with home decor http://www.popgadget.net/2008/03/get_geeky_with.php… Read more

HD DVD ceases to exist

Last one out, turn off the lights.

That was essentially the tone of the note that the HD DVD Promotional Group sent to its members Friday. The obituary for the format was short and to the point:

HD DVD Managing Members

March 28, 2008

The HD DVD Promotion Group was dissolved as of March 28, 2008, and the website was closed accordingly.

Please access to DVD Forum for HD DVD formats, and DVD Format/Logo Licensing Corporation for format books and its license. Regarding the HD DVD products, please contact each selling agency directly.

It was also a bit late. … Read more

Make an R2-D2 mailbox out of paper

When the U.S. Postal Service launched several hundred R2-D2-skinned postal drop boxes around the country last year, it also quietly released a printable paper craft version for Star Wars fans who don't live near one of the limited edition mail receptacles. Being that I don't have good enough quality paper or glue stick skills to accomplish such a feat myself, I let the pros do the work then post their shots to Flickr.

Ron over at PaperKraft.net has put together a wonderful paper rendition of the lovable droid. While not as intricate as his Howl's Moving Castle … Read more

'Star Wars' merchandise flops

What do Princess Leia headphones, a Darth Vader gumball machine, and a Jabba the Hutt beanbag chair have in common? They're all Star Wars promotional merchandise rejects you won't be finding on eBay anytime soon.

NPR's The Bryant Park Project caught up with Jason Geyer and Steve Ross, two product designers tapped to create merchandise for the Star Wars "prequels" back in the late 1990s.

Some of their products worked, and some, like the Han Solo refrigerator, bombed. Read the story and check out the audio slideshow at NPR: "Rejected: 'Star Wars' merchandise you'll never own&… Read more

Sony: $200 Blu-ray players next year

Patience, HD video fans. Those of you hoping that the defeat of HD DVD would usher in a new era of lower-priced Blu-ray players will have to wait at least until the next calendar year.

In comments made to reporters at a New York press gathering Wednesday morning, Sony Electronics President Stan Glasgow said, "I don't think $200 is going to happen this year. Next year $200 could happen. We'll be at a $300 rate this year; $299 will happen this year," according to Gizmodo.

There's been quite a bit of media discussion over whether or not Sony and other Blu-ray supporters … Read more