Nerd Approved - Gadgets and Gizmos

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies and Postcards

2010-02-09T21:15:11Z

Yes, I was one of those people. The people that dared to defile a classic Jane Austin novel with zombie mayhem. But, the truth is, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies is a hell of a lot more readable than the original. And so your postcards shall be. Indeed, they too have been inflicted with the mysterious plague of the undead.

Product Page ($10 via The Awesomer)

Robo Coco: The Ginger Nightmare

2010-02-09T20:18:44Z

If you want to know what Conan O’ Brien’s face looked like when he learned he was getting a $45 million payday for doing nothing, here it is sculpted out of fine polymer clay and attached to the guts of a wind-up toy. “Robo Coco” joins the trio of freak machines being sold on Etsy which include the Bill Nighy “Billgoblin” and the Dennis Hopper “Hopper” pictured after the break, along with additional photos and videos of the horrifying atrocities in action.

And now the moment that will haunt your dreams…

Product Page: (Conan $65, Hopper $65 via Regretsy)

Mario Mech Gives “Control Yourself” a Whole New Meaning

2010-02-09T19:39:17Z

Donald Kennedy put his custom toy building talents to good use creating this concept Mario Mech which is made from a vinyl figure and a Mario keychain. He eventually plans to build Mechs for a variety of characters in Marioland so they can wreak havoc with giant versions of themselves. However, Mario’s not going to earn any intimidation points if these things are built to scale. At this rate, it looks like him and his Mech will only be the size of your average human.

Project Page: (via Gearfuse via Game Set Watch)

New Michael Jackson Figure Has Tip-Toes For Full Moonwalk Action

2010-02-09T16:26:58Z

I’ve seen a super-realistic Michael Jackson figure, but this new item from Japan’s Good Smile Company has something it doesn’t—bendable tip-toes. That means you can pull moves off like…

Tip toes? Sure, you bet.

Moonwalk? Definitely.

Eh…

The figure was recently displayed at the Wonder Festival in Japan, but there is no word on if or when it be released (especially in the States).

(Danny Choo via Albotas)

Screwed By Wall Street Corkscrew: I Guess It Could Be Worse

2010-02-09T16:06:24Z

I mean, you’re still drinking wine right? Oh wait, that’s a bottle of moonshine you made in a dumpster. My mistake!

Product Page ($15 via 7Gadgets)

It’s All Fun and Games Until Someone Get’s Knocked Out By a 10-Foot Beach Ball

2010-02-09T03:01:02Z

Remember that instant beach ball I posted the other day? Well, this 10-foot version is waaaaaaay on the other end of the spectrum. When deflated, it’s not going to fit in any portable can—unless you consider rolling an oil drum down the street “portable.” It’s also the kind of thing you are going to need an air compressor for. Hell, fill it up with helium and you might be able to get airborne.

Product Page ($149)

Most Bizarre USB Hub? We May Have a Winner!

2010-02-09T03:49:27Z

Recipe for a unique USB hub: 4 USB ports, 3 LEDs, 1 cup of gas station quality crystal art, 2 cups of arcade style claw game prizes, 1/2 cup of mail order Americana sculptures, sprinkled liberally with “…whatever” and voilà! The USB 4 Port Hub with Crystal Hawk LED Light.

Product Page: ($5.99)

Ralph McQuarrie Collectable Darth Vader Concept Helmet Is Breathtaking In More Ways Than One

2010-02-08T22:38:31Z

From Fashionably Geek: Just look at this Ralph McQuarrie Darth Vader concept helmet. So awesome it takes your breath away right? Now, how about that $900 price tag? I’ll let you catch your breath for a second—when you’re ready, there’s more after the break.

From the product page:

Pre-production designers are encouraged to let their minds soar and imagine the impossible. Film technicians are charged with translating the “impossible” into practical, working props and costumes, within time constraints, budgets and the laws of physics. The single biggest challenge facing any artist when asked to interpret the work of another is remaining faithful to the original intent of the concept while working within these all too real constraints.

Ralph McQuarrie designed many versions of Darth Vader’s sinister breathing mask during pre-production on Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope. The art on which this helmet is based remains one of his favorite pieces and we chose it to be the first in our Concept Series.

Digitally sculpted from an original concept sketch, chosed by Ralph McQuarrie
3 Piece construction: Face Mask, Dome and Back Collar
High quality fiberglass construction
Machined metal and injection molded details
Leather lined interior
eFX Custom Display Stand
Numbered Signature Plaque, hand signed by Ralph McQuarrie
Certificate of Authenticity
15″H X 12″W X 9″D

This collectable helmet is limited to only 250 pieces, so you had better come up with the cash quick. Pre-orders started today, and eFX is offering a layaway plan with a $250 down payment if you aren’t comfortable dropping all that cash at once.

Product Page ($900 via LuxuryLaunches via Wired)

How To Build a Really Tiny Arcade Cabinet

2010-02-08T21:47:19Z

If you have to ask why, you aren’t a big enough nerd. It’s a lot of work for something that’s relatively pointless, but I have to admit—having a really tiny arcade machine would be pretty cool. Check out the video above to learn how to make one yourself. If you can move at superhuman speeds, the entire build would take less than 2 minutes! If you’re lazy, you could always just bid on a finished product for sale on eBay.

(via Gizmodo)

BirdBox Houses The Cuckoo Alarm Clock On Your iPhone

2010-02-08T21:08:50Z

There’s now a free app (iTunes link) available for your iPhone which will allow you to wake up the same way Disney characters do, with the sounds of 2D chirping birds. For added illusion, you can stick your iPhone in this BirdBox and tap the screen in order to see your potential wake up call nesting inside. The BirdBox is made of high quality heavy card, is easy to assemble and is available in four different colors. The only problem is if you smash this alarm clock in the morning, you’ve killed a bird and ruined $100 phone. You don’t want to start your day that way.

Product Page: ($11.95-$12.75 via Boing Boing)