The Modern Materialist : video

Number One Unicorn Fan

Steph Auteri — Tue, 05 May 2009 20:32:00 GMT

You may think that, just because you own Unicorn Wishes, you're unicorns' number one fan.

After all, the entire package includes a mini unicorn figurine with display stand and various nature backdrops, plus a 48-page illustrated book.

But I'd like to posit the idea that perhaps...just perhaps...this person is the number one fan of unicorns:

The VCR is Toast

Alex Zalben — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 18:02:00 GMT

There's some tech nostalgia I can understand. Records have a scratchy charm to them that you just can't reproduce on a CD or Mp3. I miss Rabbit Ears, even if they mean a lesser signal on your TV. But I totally, in no shape or form miss the VCR. It can die in hell for all I care.

Though, if you're going to use it for something, I guess toast is fine:

[Via Gizmodo]

This Flashlight Has a Secret

Alex Zalben — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 18:01:00 GMT

This flashlight has a pretty cool secret... And no, it's not that, "it's not a flashlight." It has a little something extra in it that makes it one of the coolest gadgets we've seen in a while. Can you guess what it is?

It's also a video recorder! The flashlight has 128MB of internal memory, and space for an up to 2GB memory card, so you can record what you're shining your flashlight on. Pretty cool, no?

[$400, Hammacher Schlemmer]

[Via Gizmo Watch]

Take Pictures and Video Underwater

Diana Vilibert — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 21:34:00 GMT

Go all out this summer with the VideoMask 310, new from Liquid Image. Not only does it take photos and videos underwater, but...

...it also comes euipped with an underwater microphone for sound and a flashlight mount, just in case you need one. When you're done splashing around, just plug the mask into your computer with the USB cable and download the pictures and video to your hard drive. Is it summer yet?

[$159, Liquid Image via Inventor Spot]

Quick Tip Of The Day: Get Minimal

Alex Zalben — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 13:32:00 GMT

I really like the idea of podcasts, but I haven't been able to get into them. I don't know if it's the time commitment, or the amount of concentration I can put in; but it just hasn't been working for me... Except for The Minimalist video podcast. Reasons I like it:

- The Minimalist is easily the best cooking column for New Yorkers. Very few ingredients, quick recipes, and everything is always delicious.

- Mark Bitman is dryly hilarious. Most of his recipes are presented as if he hardly cares what you put in them... Which is true. A recent recipe had him saying, "I'm using cream. You can use milk. Or water. Or nothing, I don't care."

- It's short! Most episodes are less than five minutes. Take that, Rachael Ray.

- It's free! That's pretty self explanatory.

It's also impossible to find, as it's listed in iTunes under Video: Style/Dining & Wine, rather than "The Minimalist," so here's the link. Enjoy!

Test Drive: Flip Mino HD vs. Flip Mino + Video!

Alex Zalben — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 19:32:00 GMT

The good folks at Flip were nice enough to send me the just released Flip Mino HD, so naturally I ran it head to head with the previously released Flip Mino. You can check out the shaky comparison video above, and price and linkage below:

[$230, TheFlip.com]

Follow Up: Flip Mino HD

Alex Zalben — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 17:32:00 GMT

A little while ago, I reviewed the Flip Mino, a teeny, tiny video camera that I gave a pretty much rave review to, with one or two quibbles. Specifically, though I was surprised by the sound quality, the video was low quality, YouTube level, "you get what you pay for." Well, Flip, you've solved my problem:

As of this morning, Flip has the new Flip Mino HD which tapes up to an hour of 720p HD footage. Which is to say, the lowest end, but still very high end footage. Also, reportedly, they've redesigned the import software, which was my other slight qualm with the unit. I'll try to snag one and do a hands on for you guys, but in the meantime, for $50 more than the Mino, you could do no worse than the world's tiniest camera.

[$230, TheFlip.com]

Hero Says | Val Verde Ep. 1

Alex Zalben — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 15:01:00 GMT

Okay, first off, check out the video above. It's the first episode of a web series my sketch comedy group created, that we just released the other day. I directed it, edited it, co-wrote it, acted in it, catered it, blah blah blah. There's three more episodes, but this one is nice and short, and somewhat stand-alone.

Now, here's how I get off posting this on a product blog:

The series is basically like Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead meets Predator. Which sounds high falutin', or really weird, but it's neither of those things.

However, if you want to do a little research, I one hundred percent recommend both those films, and here's how to grab 'em:

R n' G r Ded: [$11, Amazon]

Prdtr: [$12, Amazon]

Hey, I never said I had a GOOD reason for posting this on Modern Materialist. I'm nothing if not a shameless plug whore.

Free Stuff: New 30 Rock!

Alex Zalben — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 20:03:00 GMT

Hey, want to watch the first new episode of 30 Rock in a good long time, for free, and a week early? Here you go:

[30 Rock]

Early Christmas: Yule A Go-Go [NSFWish]

Alex Zalben — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 22:00:00 GMT

In the immortal words of James Bond, in the classic film The World Is Not Enough: I thought Christmas only comes once a year. Turns out, we were both wrong:

[$20, YuleaGoGo]

[Via Nerd Approved]

I Can See (TV) Clearly Now

Steph Auteri — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 18:27:00 GMT

My grandma always told me I shouldn't sit too close to the TV, or I'd go blind.

This sexy woman from the future doesn't care what my grandma said. That's why she's wearing Myvu shades, a personal media viewer that allows you to plug your shades into your portable media device and watch videos on the insides of your glasses!!!

To be fair, the video supposedly displays as if you're watching a large-screen TV from six feet away, so perhaps your eyeballs aren't actually shrieking in pain as you use these. But I wouldn't mind getting a sample pair and seeing for myself.

Myvu Crystal and Myvu Shades will soon be available through Airport Wireless at 35 stores in 18 airports nationwide.

[$199.92-$299.95, Myvu]

Related: Multitasking: Spywear

Flip Mino Review + Video!

Alex Zalben — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 20:30:00 GMT

I got a chance to do a hands on review for the new Flip Mino, a teeny tiny camcorder that won't break your budget. Check out the exclusive video review, and info on where to buy it, below:

[$180, Amazon]

Pop Chips: The Video

Alex Zalben — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 19:00:00 GMT

This video may well be the dorkiest thing of all time. It's three girls from LA, rap/singing about their favorite chips. Which is silly, when we all know the best chips in the world are these (or these, I guess).

Anyway, video below, and if you want to buy some dorky potato chips, here you go.

Make a Woman Do What You Want In Bed

Alex Zalben — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 13:00:00 GMT

Want to make a woman do exactly what you want in bed? Want to control her every move? Then watch this video, and find out how:

Super creepy and weird, right? The LG Secret is actually not available in America, but you can get one for about $550 on eBay... You perv.

[Via TrendHunter]

Update: The Most Amazing Table Ever

Alex Zalben — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 15:00:00 GMT

Yesterday, I showed you a video featuring the most amazing table ever, though I had no details about what it was, or where to get it. Well, thank you amayzes for coming through in a crunch by identifying what the table was, and where to get it:

Above is the Fletcher Capstan Table, by DB Fletcher Design. There's actually a whole line of these suckers over at their website, including several other pieces of expanding furniture and tables. Pricing is available on request, as each piece is indvidually made.

[DB Fletcher Design]

Found Footage: The Most Amazing Table Ever

Alex Zalben — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 21:30:00 GMT

No, not the one pictured above, the one in this video:

Does anybody know where this from, or what it is? I did a bunch of internet searchin', but came up empty handed. All I could find was the cryptic phrase "Masa Tasrimi," which is either tha name of the table, or the designer, or both.

The Bathroom of the Future

Alex Zalben — Fri, 23 May 2008 15:00:00 GMT

This is a pretty fabulous all-in-one bathroom design… And the best news is, it’s not a concept! It’s real! You can get it! So what is it???

The Vertebrae is an all-in-one bathroom, so each section of the unit rotates 360 degrees, on a center axis. There are seven units total, including two showers, two storage cabinets, a sink, a toilet, and space to store toilet paper rolls, and a toilet brush. The whole thing is completely customizable as well, so you can add luxury items like a TV, or simply change the color. Granted, it’s a little pricey, with the base unit retailing for about $20,000. But really, how much is having a rotating bathroom worth to you?

Clearly, this would need a drainage basin below it, but it’s certainly an interesting solution for smaller bathrooms, and perhaps something that wouldn’t seem out of place in, say, a hotel?

Check out a video of the Vertebrae in action, followed by pricing and linkage:

[$20000, Design Odyssey]

[Via Tech Fresh]

Press Play: Video Distraction of the Day

Steph Auteri — Fri, 16 May 2008 15:00:00 GMT

After the jump, the video that made me squeal in traumatized horror:

The best part is someone, in the background, shouting "Go Pleo!" As if he even stands a chance.

The worst part is Pleo's sweet, trusting, downturned face, probably assuming that the approaching Object of Death only wants to be his friend.

God, how is it that a robot-dinosaur is so endearing?