Valentine’s Day for us nerds can be a little confusing because of it’s emotion-based themes of love, romanticism, and all that gushy that stuff computers and science can’t explain. Have no fear fellow nerds and geeks because ThinkGeek is here to make it easy for you to express those feelings that can be so tricky to say.

Sonic Boom Alarm Clock
Sure to get anyone’s attention, even from miles away, is the Sonic Boom Love Clock Not only can it wake the dead with it’s 113 decibel alarm (louder than a jackhammer), but it can shake your bed to wake you up. This heart shaped alarm clock features a rainbow colored display and bed shaker attachment. The bed shaker is placed under your mattress and will send vibrations throughout the bed when the alarm goes off. Yes, you can disable the audio and just use the bed shaker. $39.99

DIY Blood Type Test Kit
Bleeding for a loved one can be a very endearing gesture, and using science to determine your blood type makes it an activity you’ll both be gushing over. Find out what your blood type of you and your Valentine is with the DIY Blood Type Test Kit and truly see if you are a match. Added bonus; this kit comes with a laminating sheet so you can carry the card with you once it dries. $8.99

Valentine’s Day Talking Tapes
They’ve been called “the audio equivalent of a flipbook“. They made action figures talk in the ’90s (remember Talkin’ Turtles?) and now they are here to tell your 5 Valentine messages. This Valentine’s Day package of Talking Tapes say “Be My Valentine,” “I Love You,” “Hello Sweetheart,” and “You Turn Me On” and to show off that lovely sense of humor “I’m a Jackass.” For those Polygamist and others interested; amplify your message for more than one person to hear by using an ordinary drinking cup (see video). $5.99

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Posted by Sean in Nerd, Unique
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Over the years iRobot has brought us the ever useful Roomba vacuum, a robot that vacuums our floors, and more recently Scooba, a floor washing robot. Now iRobot has given every one the chance to make the next amazingly helpful robot with the iRobot Create. In their own words; “The iRobot Create is an affordable programmable robot, pre-assembled to facilitate the development of new robots.” Unfortunately this isn’t for the everyday person just yet as some computer programming skills are required.

In nerd speak the iRobot Create is a fully assembled programmable robot with out-of-the-box operation. 10 built-in demos and 32 built-in sensors allow you to control Create and experiment with robotics. An open cargo bay and 25-pin expansion port allow you to add your own sensors, grippers, wireless connections, computers or other hardware. Learn more about the details at the iRobot Create Crib.

Starts at $129.99

While I don’t have all the skills and experience required to make my own awesome robot with the new iRobot Create, I did come up with some ideas that would make my life better and hopefully some others. So if you use these to create the next gem in iRobots arsenal and become famous, just don’t forget to mention where you got the idea!

Idea #1:
I enjoy playing with my cats, and I feel guilty when I don’t have the time to play with them everyday to stimulate their little minds and break up the monotony of domesticated life. That is why an automated robotic cat would make an amazing invention. I’m envisioning an iRobot Create with a fishing pole type arm with cat toy on the end that can continuously and randomly fling the toy. Then continue to reel in slowly or quickly to entice a cat to pounce on the toy. Then possibly move to a new spot and try again. Bonus points goes to a robot that can make the cat toy move slowly around a corner because my cats love attacking their prey at the very last second.

Idea #2:
Everyone could use a little confidence booster now and then, so how about a complimenting robot? It could tell you how well dressed you look today, or compliment you on how well you did the dishes or made dinner. Perhaps with some kind of face recognition software it could compliment your well groomed moustache or new hair color. With a robot like that everyone would be walking a little taller when they leave the house.

Check out some iRobot Create Projects already done and brainstorm for your own ideas.
Have some ideas of your own? Leave them in the comments below and maybe someday we can all benefit from your genius.

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Posted by Sean in Nerd, Unique, Gadgets
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Threadless just announced 7 new designs from their loyal artists and 2 reprints of once out of stock designs. Check out their front page for all the latest designs.

We’ve always held a special place in our dreams about sailing away on a big galleon ship and I believe The Captain’s Dream captures this perfectly. I don’t think there is much else to say, other than I’ve got to have this shirt. This shirt would also make a great gift for the pirate ship fan in your life.

Mable’s is well versed in the plight of the nerds and when Nerds Unite we’ve got to represent. I don’t remember seeing this shirt on Threadless before, but here it is again in all its reprinted glory. Nerds unite in the strangest ways, but forming a giant Voltron like beast is more than enough to scare the jocks and get mad nerd points.

Don’t forget that since these are made available via Threadless these shirts aren’t available forever. In fact the more popular they are the quicker they sell out, so act fast. On occasion, as seen here, they will reprint the more popular shirts, but don’t count on it unless enough people vote for a reprint. You can also earn credit towards more shirts if you take a picture of yourself wearing a Threadless shirt and send it in.

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Posted by Sean in Nerd, Unique, Clothing and Accessories
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Here is a nice green stocking stuffer for the computer nerd who’s always traveling. A set of 3 recycled circuit board luggage tags complete with blank card in cardholder. These would also make unique, reusable gift tags to place atop technology or eco-friendly gifts.

$12.97

You can complete the theme with these recycled circuit board stocking stuffers as well: Circuit Board Business Card Case ($19.99) and “Circuit Board Coasters In Tin, Set Of 6″ ($17.99).

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Posted by Sean in Holiday, Holiday Green Gift Guide, Nerd
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Are your USB ports working for you? Usually we connect a boring printer, web cam, or mouse to these ports, but chances are you have a few ports not being utilized. Manufactures have taken advantage of the fact that USB can deliver power from your PC to a small device by creating fun toys that plug into our computers that don’t even involve the rest of the computer.

You can get a USB powered beverage cooler, a beverage warmer, or an Air Purifier and Clock. Add some fun into your work day with a USB powered missile launcher. If you like the missile launcher make sure to check out this Circus Canon Launcher as well.

For the ultimate in computer desk decor try a mini lava lamp or a 6 color cycling mini Christmas tree. A more useful USB powered item might be a personal fan, or a reading light with just enough light to brighten up your keyboard for all your midnight surfing. For added decor try a mini lamp complete with retro orange lamp shade.

If you don’t have any spare USB ports you can always plug in a USB hub that turns 1 port into more. How many more? It’s up to you, add 3, 4, or up to 7 more ports. 7 free USB ports would allow for quite the arsenal of missile launchers.

Bring these toys along for the ride in your car with a FirePod that converts your any 12V automotive DC power source (lighter) into a USB and Firewire port.

Taged as: electronics, fun, gadgets, gift idea, lighting, nerd, Think Geek, unique

Posted by Sean in Nerd, Unique, Fun, Gadgets
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Looking for the best way to carry your iPod and keep it handy? Well here it is: the BeatBuckle. The BeatBuckle is just a belt buckle made of nearly indestructible crystal clear plastic while still leaving your iPod fully usable. You can still use the scroll wheel, the headphone jack, etc. while holding up your pants with your favorite belt. The BeatBuckle has a dual lock enclosure to keep your iPod secure and will fit any belt that allows for interchangeable belt buckles. They currently sell them in iPod Nano and iPod Video sizes.

If you are into retro video games like me check out the NESBuckle. It’s an old school NES controller as your belt buckle. Like the BeatBuckle this will fit on any belt that allows for an interchangeable buckle. If you’d rather make a project out of it, try making your own NES controller buckle. Get this nerdy NES cartridge shirt to complete the outfit.

Taged as: DIY, ipod, MP3, nerd, retro, unique

Posted by Sean in Nerd, Clothing and Accessories
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I’m reminded of the time, during a lecture on IP addressing, a professor of mine was telling the class about how he taught his son to count using the binary system before he taught him to count using the decimal system. He said his son picked it up very easily and has remembered it ever since. These clocks and watches are made for people like that professor. I have to admit that although I wasn’t taught binary at a young age, I do know enough to be able to figure out the time on these clocks. I believe that if you don’t know how to read or write binary you can figure these clocks and watches out with some practice. If you need to brush up on your binary counting or just want some history, check out the Wiki on the binary numeral system.

The clock shown to the left is a simple binary clock that comes in a blue LED with silver front (shown at left), or a red LED with translucent/black front. There is also a dim button that allows you to adjust the brightness of the LED light output. Check out the product page for detailed instructions on how to read this clock. Once you feel comfortable enough with your binary reading skills you can take it outdoors with this handsome binary watch available in blue or red LEDs. Get ready to snicker in amusement at people’s faces when they ask what time it is and you brandish your watch to let them figure it out. If you are looking for a more sleek and stylish version of the binary watch I’d suggest this square shaped watch.

For those of you that want the cool look of the binary clock, but just can’t bring yourself to be a total nerd and learn to read binary there is the Tix LED Clock. It looks more like a piece of home decor rather than a clock because of it’s soft LED glow and no numbers. To tell the time you just have to add up the number of lit squares in each field (it’s easier than it sounds).

Taged as: electronics, gadgets, gift idea, nerd, Think Geek, unique

Posted by Sean in Nerd, Gadgets
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“Going somewhere, Solo?” Those are Greedo’s first words to his last conversation. I’m generally not a bookends kind of guy, but when they are Star Wars themed, clever, and well made with good detail then I get interested. This is definitely a gift for the Star Wars fan or collector in your life. Use them to prominatly display your massive Star Wars book collection, or just all the various DVD versions you’ve purchased over the years (first release, special edition, limited edition, box set with extra features, and I’m sure there is more to come).

WickedCoolStuff’s product descriptions says it best; These bookends dipict one of the most famous, and controversial (Han Shot First! or option 2) scenes from all of the Star Wars films: the infamous Han Solo and Greedo Showdown at the Mos Eisley Cantina! These bookends stand 6″ tall by 10″ wide when together, and are made of hand painted polyresin. These also come with a certificate of authenticity since it is an officially lincensed Star Wars collectible.

This product isn’t available until November 2006, but you can pre-order yours from WickedCoolStuff or Entertainment Earth.

Taged as: books, Entertainment Earth, gift idea, Star Wars, Wicked Cool Stuff

Posted by Sean in Nerd, Household
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This is something I’ve been wanting to do for a good while now. Computers and gadgets out date themselves so quickly these days that we are left with a lot of old parts that are pretty much useless. Having the slogan “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” ingrained into my head as a child helps foster the desire to be creative when it comes to old computer parts and broken gadgets. Maybe it was the fact that I’d take stuff apart as a kid to find out what’s inside and how it worked. Usually I’d only find a circuit board and some buttons, but I was always intrigued by the way circuit boards looked. There are so many little paths and different shapes that have secrets inside and I could just stare at them for a while to try and figure out how it all worked together. Later down the line I started building computers and learned how they all worked together. I think I liked it better when there was more of a mystery about them though. I’ve managed to store away some cool looking parts and motherboards from PCs for making stuff with later, but so far I’ve only made a simple bracelet made of capacitors and wire.

I get inspired every once and a while when I visit sites like Acorn Studios and Fractal Spin. They both carry various forms of recycled technology parts utilizing old floppy disks, circuit boards, capacitors, IDE cables, Cat5 cables, fan guards, keyboard keys, hex standoffs, resistors, transistors, and more. With these parts they create and sell necklaces, bracelets, magnets, notebooks, card holders, money clips, coasters, clocks, and a bunch more stuff. Check out Fractal Spin’s Blog for viewing their stuff in person at special events. Also check out Acorn Studios for information on when to see them at an upcoming craft show.

Just writing this makes me want to bust out my Dremel, techno scraps, and glue to start crafting right now.

You can find some other places that sell similar items like these circuit board accessories. These are just simple business card holders and money clips made from recycled circuit boards, but when equipped by the right person, they can make a big impression.

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Posted by Sean in Indie, Nerd, Unique, Clothing and Accessories
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I don’t think a day goes by when I don’t wish I had the power to manipulate television. Blaring commercials, laugh tracks, reality TV… it’s enough to make you want to call your cable company and ask for a refund. In your own home you are able to change the channel or switch it off completely, but what about social settings? For example, at the bar when you’d rather be watching the Daily Show instead of the rebroadcast football game, or at the doctors office or laundromat where all they seem to play are soap operas and talk shows. These are situations where the teeny little Ninja Remote key chain comes in handy.

“Simply point the Ninja Remote at the intended target (a television set) and press the mute button for a few seconds - once the TV mutes the remote is now ready to assume full control of its victim. Innocent bystanders will be frozen with fear (or very animated with anger) as the volume and channel change magically in front of their eyes, seemingly controlled by some mysterious force.” Oh, the possibilities!

Unlike the earlier versions of this type of gadget, it comes on a key chain and is so darn small that you can have it between your thumb and forefingers, busy turning off every TV you see and freaking people out, while it’s nearly invisible inside your hand. I used to want the watch version of this universal remote, but at $9.99 and the size of 2 quarters, I’m going to have to get a Ninja instead.

Taged as: funny, gadgets, nerd, Think Geek

Posted by Lauren in Nerd, Gadgets
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