Just because you killed off your Heineken mini-keg all doesn’t mean the fun has to end there. Why not make use of it by turning the keg into a guitar amplifier? eBay seller k_hessler  puts these amplifiers together (whilst under the influence) so he can sell them on the Internet for $119.99.

There’s nothing specifically noteworthy about this 20W amp, I mean - it doesn’t even double as a bong. At least it’s made well, unlike many other DIY amplifiers out there which lack a power switch and volume control. For your own safety, keep the beer amp away from the beercuzi.  Water and amplifiers don’t mix. However, beer and amplifiers do.

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Not much is known about this video except that a guy built a Tesla coil and used it as a guitar amplifier. Each note he plays, lightning and electricity shoot out from a device sitting in his living room. Does it look incredibly unsafe? Absolutely. Is it rock and roll? You bet your ass it is.

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Not for those with severe scoliosis, the Reppo II Backpack Boombox from designer Joonas Saaranen packs in a pair of full-range speakers and an amplifier for jamming to tunes as you stroll around campus, as well as providing everyone around you with a bass-induced migraine. Needs more sub-woofer (and cowbell).

So far, Saaranen has gotten as far as creating a functional prototype for the Reppo II, yet has no comment on whether he plans on pursuing a mass-production of the backpack. Could it be the reestablishment of the boombox as we know it? — Andrew Dobrow

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Finally! What we’ve all been waiting for! A way to directly control your computer with only the use of the brain. German company g.tec is making this technology not only conceptually, but as a complete BCI kit available commercially for the masses. Amazingly, there is also one available for a Pocket PC. The “g.MOBIlab” is a super-low-weight biosignal recorder which measures EEG, data processing, analysis, and pattern recognition to create a fully functional Brain Computer Interface.

The first BCI system will allow the composition and sending of messages and also game play control. All of this is controlled through EEG electrodes mounted on the skull which is then transfered via a sophisticated biosignal amplifier which is made to predict actions at a very high accuracy. Talk about role playing! Still in the lab is an invasive BCI technique which would be much more effective, but would require an implant. The initial focus seems to be on use with paralysis victims, but its a sign that the ease of human communication is ever increasing with each days new discoveries. — Andrew Dobrow

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Everything is being produced and sold in such compact packages now. It’s truly the time of the mash-up, as the Evesham Sound Stage X1 proves. It’s hard to tell whether this TV stand / home theater hybrid was made as a cool gadget or a device for people to lazy to get off their asses. Possibly both reasons apply.

The Sound Stage X1 is a stand which packs in the complete home theater studio system into its design. Included in the X1 is a 50W subwoofer and 8 satellite speakers. A amplifier and sound processor are included for sound clarity. Does it make us popcorn too?

The X1 uses your walls to bounce sound around for a surround sound experience acheived by other high-end theater systems. We are skeptical to believe the quality is as good as others and if you happen to be very picky about your sound, you’re almost suer to notice a difference.

The stand is available for £299.98. TV not included of course. — Andrew Dobrow

Evesham Sound Stage X1 Product Page [Lowest On Web, via Coolest Gadgets]

We don’t know how the idea of turning toasters into guitar amps happened to spring to life, and we’re not sure if we want to know, but the result is one unique design for a rockers gear collection. Built on a simple foundation of a input/output jack, a 9 volt battery, and a small speaker, the Toaster Amp is a razzle-dazzle mini-amplifier fit for fans of They Might Be Giants and any band looking for that “new-wave” type of thing. For $149, you can enjoy some “warm and toasty” guitar tone while enjoying your breakfast cereal. Warning: We don’t suggest trying to use the toaster amp to toast anything other then the souls of your audience. — Andrew Dobrow

Toaster amp makes music, brings sexy back [Scifi.com]

With phones and other consumer electronics getting smaller and smaller as the days progress, the hardware inside must also keep up to date. Oki Electric Industry Co. recognized this trend and so set out to make a smaller stereo speaker amplifier; they succeeded with ML2611. This single chip contains stereo-playback capable DAC (Digital Audio Converter), 3D surround functionality, and a speaker amp. The ML2611 will greatly improve sound quality in devices we care so much about, like our precious phones that we can’t go 10 minutes without. At 3mm x 3.2mm, this miniscule chip will be of great help to developers trying to make consumer electronics even smaller than they are. The only problem for them is that the Oki Electric Industry Co. won’t be mass-producing the ML2611 until June of 2007. Oh well, guess that means we just have to stick with the Razr for another 6 months. — Nick Rice

World’s smallest stereo amplifier hits [The Raw Feed]