Sprint and Samsung today announced that its joint-venture wireless infrastructure, better known as WiMAX, is ready for service. This comes after years of scrutiny against Sprint for basically fucking everything up along the way. Still, mistakes aside, WiMAX looks to bring a new generation of high-bandwidth web surfing to our laptops.

Have you missed out on WiMAX news in the past? Not sure what it is? This little bit from Wikipedia explains it wisely:

WiMAX, the Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access, is a telecommunications technology aimed at providing wireless data over long distances in a variety of ways, from point-to-point links to full mobile cellular type access. It is based on the IEEE 802.16 standard, which is also called WirelessMAN. The name “WiMAX” was created by the WiMAX Forum, which was formed in June 2001 to promote conformance and interoperability of the standard. The forum describes WiMAX as “a standards-based technology enabling the delivery of last mile wireless broadband access as an alternative to cable and DSL” (and also to HSPA).

With speeds up to 70 Mbps and Siemens announcing the SE680 WiMAX Modem, 2008 and 2009 are gearing up to be the year for broadband access across multiple devices. It’s only a matter of time before someone starts sniffing out WiMAX networks and breaking their encryption.

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Toasters aren’t merely an appliance to be used as your own discretion for the sole purpose of toasting your bread. Toasters are more like an introverted roommate who not only makes your breakfast but also has a sleek sense of style.

PC Magazine has written a 10 Tantalizing Toaster Concepts list that features a variety of toasters with bizarre looks; even some with multi-functional use. They even have a wall mounted toaster which looks like a hamburger phone. Click on to scope out some of the other designs and a link to the 10 toasters.

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Larry Ludlow might not be completely bald, but if he ever wanted to sport Moe’s haircut, this robot is his ticket. Restoration Robotics of Mountain View, a California-based company, has created a robot that has the ability to perform hair transplant surgery quicker and less painfully than doctors.

Once it’s plucked enough hair from your head using a hollow needle that just plain sucks, the robot begins to “plant” the follicles in the patient’s head. And to add the cherry on top: the robot has the ability to design the perfect hairline for a patient in which doctors scratch their heads and say, “What the hell would this ‘baldie’ look like with hair?”

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There’s nothing I love more than making good electronic music from classic video game consoles. This video is a great example of someone using circuit bending techniques to generate sounds from an old Atari 2600. Using Paul Siocum’s Synthcart, the user is able to create original pieces using the 2600’s built-in sound chips.

Nothing beats the DIY instrument movement. If you have an 2600 collecting dust in your home, you should seriously consider getting yourself a Synthcart. At $25, it’s a dirt-cheap investment that will allow you to get started at creating your own chiptunes. The author even offers a downloadable ROM for free in case you want to try before your buy.

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What does an ex-fighter pilot do for thrills and kicks when he’s done shooting down krauts? He builds a unique rocket-powered flying machine, takes some opium and calls himself Fusion Man. Such is the life of 48-year-old Yves Rossy, the man behind the wings of his real-life Iron Man suit. Rossy is able to achieve speeds of 186 mph and altitudes of about 8200 ft.

It’s interesting how Fusion Man gets going on his wings. First, he jumps out of an airplane, after that, he coasts for awhile before igniting the four rockets on his wings. The entire time he is able to maintain complete control and even perform maneuvers like a 360 and barrel roll. All I want to know is how I can get my hands on one of these amazing suits. Who needs a FPV RC kit when you can become the airplane itself!

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Victor Vetterlein has designed a vision of what conceptual homes of the future will look like. I am easily reminded of the bizarre looking “arcologies” you could build in SimCity 2000. Dubbed “Reboot,” the futuristic living-space is supposed to be a self-sufficient and environment friendly take on everyday living.

Everything about its interior is digitally controlled and designed to be operated by voice activated sensors, touch pad and remote controls a la mobile phone or computer. Anyone old enough to read this will probably never live to see a house like this in which they could afford, but one can dream.

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I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gone out and bought fresh fruit, only to have it mold by sitting in my refrigerator’s crisper drawer. It’s both a waste of food and money and can be quite frustrating at times. This is where BLUE enters the picture.

BLUE will cleanse your fruits through emitting a special light that kills bacteria on the skin of your pears, peaches and other delicious delicacies (a process known as Action Fresh Blue technology.) A beautiful blue ambient light glows when the device is on and cleansing your food. BLUE comes with a charger and a removable bowl that you can easily clean. After the jump, a collage showing how BLUE works:
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The Japanese underwear company known as Triumph (Triumph International Japan Ltd. to be exact) will never out-do themselves on this one. This astroturf-like bikini may be marketed for the Autumn-Winter collection of Triumph, but who else would be more willing to keep score of a beach volleyball game in the summer?

Well, if you happen to see someone wearing this (which isn’t likely) then no one would be more qualified to keep score. The underwear is equipped with solar panels that power the digital scoreboard on the abdomen. It also has a beverage dispensing pouch which can hold any form of liquid, complete with a straw. You may look ridiculous wearing it ladies, but hey, you’re keeping score!

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I seriously doubt we’ll get attacked by aliens anytime soon but in case we are, we’ll be prepared to bluff their assault with these quirky ceramic ray guns from Muddy Mountain Pottery. The Raku Ray Gun series of creations feature classic sci-fi names such as “Van Vogt Defractor” and “Nemo Squidulator.” The median price of the guns you’ll find is about $275 a sculpture, a small price to pay for such unique art.

Interested in how these guns came about being crafted? From the website:

Raku Ray Guns are one-of-a-kind ceramic sculptures made by West Magoon. They are inspired by alien technology unearthed at a secret UFO crash site, known only to a tribe of Wyoming Hill People. These photos depict all of the individual Ray Guns currently available. Each is named after a classic science fiction author or character. The moon crater wall plaques that support the guns each measure 12″ wide by 9″ high.

In the end, they still don’t have shit on Ripley’s Pulse Rifle from Aliens.

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I really don’t see what the big deal is about saving energy. At home, we just ignore our electric bill until the company sends us a letter crying about paying them money. We send them some cash, they’re happy and the virtuous cycle repeats. Of course, not every tree-hugging citizen would agree and that’s why technologies like wind-based power plants and solar energy panels exist; solely to please the masses.

Case in point: Lumeta’s Power-Ply 380. What sounds like a next-gen gaming console is actually a new type of solar panel that can be stuck onto rooftops like a giant sticker. It allows faster installation without sacrificing quality and can be tailored for most buildings. Though they lose about 5-percent of the energy they generate, each panel can produce up to 380 watts of power. That means big savings for those who can afford solar panel installation on their domicile.

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