Gearfuse

Apparently, some people are still getting scammed into buying converter boxes, even as they are buying brand new digitally-correct LCD TVs. Sure, it’s fun to take advantage of old people every once in a while, but usually only when they are your Grandma and there’s a $20 bill on the line. Here’s testimonial from one such customer’s son-in-law:

They were buying a TV for a new RV and bought a DTV converter box. I told them after they got it that they shouldn’t need a converter because the TV (an LCD) was new. I unhooked the converter box and the TV found the new digital stations fine. They are in a poor reception area where they only get a couple of channels, but the digital ones were very clear.

They still don’t quite believe they don’t need the converter. I wonder how many people were over-sold the converter boxes. I did a fair amount of searching and couldn’t really find much (although there was a glut of general information) about what happens when a converter box is hooked to a new TV. I’m guessing it won’t work too great, but I’d like to see a more in depth analysis.

Either these salesmen are really uninformed or they are simply scamming old people into buying shit they don’t need, in hopes of a higher commission. Either way, get with the fucking program.

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With classes starting for most students this week or next, it’s important that you’re properly geared up for school before trekking back. Cool Hunting has a nice roundup of both “analog” and digital notebooks that will suit nearly anyone’s taste, style or preference. Whether you’re heading to Columbia Law or the Clown College of Miami, this is a read you don’t want to miss. Especially on Labor Day. Nothing makes you feel better than knowing you have class in a few days.

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These days, watches aren’t confusing enough. We’ve got the Caterpillar watch, which rotates around your wrist while displaying the appropriate time. Weird, but not confusing. Then there are watches which display time in binary. Dorky, but not confusing. I’m looking for a watch that is as confusing as it is expensive. The kind of watch I wouldn’t trade any sports car in the world for the confusion it brings upon me whenever I refer to it for time.

Enter the Hysek “Colosso” wrist watch. This convoluted mess of small parts and pieces features a three dimensional globe at the top which is used as a visual display which can be set on either local or GMT time.  For $550,000, you can either put your kids through college or get a watch. Your choice.

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Nowadays, digital clocks need to be installed in public schools because the human race is evolving into a new, dumber mammal. I embrace this change, however, I still can read an analog clock. I say we make it even harder for our dumb-founded youth, by installing these 11.5-inch clocks in every public school across the nation. Sure, the twelve and the one hands are simple mathematics, but the seven hand might be too many variables for your average confused by a digital clock student.

So I ran through all of them with my trusty calculator, double checking to make sure they were right, only to be left in dismay over the fact that a few of the answers aren’t whole numbers. What the hell is 9.0047 o’ clock? Either way, it’s a thought-provoking design with an incalculable price tag.

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It’s no mystery that Homer Simpson is a portrait of manliness worldwide. That’s why Tony Sambuchi has taken it upon himself to turn this store-bought talking Homer Simpson clock into something more.  After stripping the clock of its innards, Sambuchi manages to get the clock to play Homer’s voice through his sound system every hour and he turns the clock into a light show as well. Bravo.

While not the coolest homage to the Simpsons, this DIY clock mod is sure to make every hardcore Simpsons fan’s mouth water.
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The TaskWatch is an glorified dry erase board with an analog clock. While the home-based TaskWatch has a complete round dial, the TaskWatch designed for office use is of the 9-to-6 variety. It’s a helpful tool for leaving coworkers messages like, “Where’d the last donut go?” or “Who shit in the water cooler?”

The combination of a clock and dry erase board brings a whole new element of time-management and communication in the work environment. One can only hope they aren’t actually charging $202.70 as the link suggests. Included are marker racks, marker, magnets, and cleaner, which couldn’t be more than $100 in materials. On a budget? Try going with the perpetual calender instead. It’s cheaper and looks way cooler.

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Vice Versa is a concept clock by Yiran Qian from China. If you like staring your gadgets right in the face, you might have a tough time with this gadget, seeing as Vice Versa has no face.

The clock uses a set of revolving displays with an analog time style, with digital numerals. Basically, you get both an analog style clock, with a cool technological twist of digital LED’s. If you’ve taken a liking to the Whatever Clock, you might not even care at all about your time device. — Andrew Dobrow

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The reason a lot of us have never really got into the whole “cellphone gaming” thing is because of the lack of a decent navigation control option. How can you truly control a game with one hand and no mouse. Which is why this concept of a Pop-Up Joystick is such an interesting idea.

Some people might think it’s just another part to be easily broken, resulting in more trips to the customer service department of your service provider. And that would be a good point. But for those who are interested in mixing their digital mobile life with their gaming alter ego, you would surely find a need for a joystick to enjoy a full gaming experience.

There are no details about releases or if this thing will EVER be released, since it is only a concept, but odds are that if it were to show its face, it would most likely appear in Japan or Korea. Of course, this is only personal speculation, but come on, where else could something like this possibly be available for the first time? — Andrew Dobrow

Compact Analog Thumbstick [IndustrialDesign, via Core77]