A Cool Gadget

Sure, this portable gaming system might LOOK just a little bit like the Sony PSP, but don’t expect it to play any games made in the last 15 years.

Another in a long line of cheap Chinese knock-off systems, the 2PG TC8281 handheld plays a mish-mash of questionable 8-bit and 16-bit retro games that come only on special multi-game cartridges.

The 2PG console comes with five built-in games, as well as an additional “112 in 1″ game cartridge, for a total of 117 games for under $50. Hundreds of additional games can be played if you know where to look for the proper cartridges. The system also has an AV out and comes with a cheezy-looking Playstation clone controller so you can play games on your TV.

If you’re willing to take a gamble on one of these somewhat suspect systems, you can get your hands on one over at DealExtreme for $48.80 USD.

With the holidays bearing down upon us, it’s only a matter of time before your great aunt Mildred shows up wearing one of her infamous sequined reindeer sweaters. Why should she have all the fun dressing up for the holidays? Now your iPhone can join in the festivities too.

These shiny new Noel cases from More give your iPhone (3G only) the shiny, metallic look of Christmas ornaments. Available in blue and ruby jeweltones as well as gold and shiny aluminum, these form-fitting cases are sure to draw attention the next time you go to answer your phone.

The unibody shell design has precise cutouts that allow you to use all controls and inputs without removing the case. And so the face of your iPhone doesn’t feel left out, each case comes with a bonus mirrored screen protector which makes the front of your iPhone just as shiny as the back.

Keep in mind that these cases are super smooth, so if you’re looking for an extra grip on your iPhone, this isn’t the case for you. They’re available now from More Thing for $29.90 USD each.

Want to build your own games, but don’t have the artistic talent to build complex game graphics? This new kit lets you create games using a simple LED dot-matrix display.

With a colorful 8×8 RGB LED display, the Meggy Jr RGB handheld platform gives you everything you need to create your own mini-games or pixel art displays.

Each colored dot actually contains three tiny LEDs, for a total of 192 uniquely addressable positions. The kit includes 6 clicky button switches, an audio transducer and additional LEDs for keeping track of things like your score or number of lives left in your custom games.

Meggy Jr even offers customizable handles so you can pimp out your handheld with your own design.

The Arduino-based Meggy Jr RGB kit comes with a pre-installed game called “Attack of the Cherry Tomatoes”, a little side-scrolling shooter, but the real fun comes from writing your own games. All you need is a USB-TTL cable, and the open-source Meggy Arduino developer library.

You can get your hands on Meggy Jr. over at Evil Mad Science with prices ranging from $65 to $95 USD.

[Meggy Jr. RGB Details]

Want to share your music when you’re out and about? Sure, you could ask your friends to try on your crusty headphones, or you could reach into your pocket and pull out a pair of these tiny speakers.

XPod Active Sound speakers could be the smallest portable speakers I’ve seen yet. Measuring in at just 3.07″ wide x 1.34″ high x 0.33″ thick (78mm x 34mm x 8.4mm), they’re about the same size as the latest iPod Nano.

The miniature speakers offer stereo sound using a pair of tiny piezoelectric speakers powered by a 2-channel 770mW amplifier.

The Xpod has a built-in rechargeable power pack, which can be juiced up via any USB port, so you don’t have to worry about carrying batteries. A tiny slot in the back lets you stand up the speaker using your pocket change, and each Xpod comes with a matching cord so you can hang it around your neck.

The pocket-size XPod speakers are currently available only in Korea. There’s no word on if or when they’ll hit other countries.

When not telling time, these clever clocks look like a triangular hunk of wood. But switch them on, and a bright red LED display hidden behind the thin wood veneer reveals the time.

These aren’t the first clocks I’ve seen that pull off this illusion, but what makes these ones unique is their stylish angular face design, which makes them easy to read whether standing up or sitting down. As an added bonus, the clocks display not just the time, but also the date and temperature.

The clocks measure in at 8.25″ x 3.5″ x 3.5″ (21 x 9 x 9 cm) and come with an 110v - 240v A/C adapter, so they should work worldwide. LED Wood Triangle Clocks are available in either a dark and light wood veneer finish and can be found over at HOMELOO for $39 USD.

UK lighting maker Mathmos’ latest creation combines modern technology with eco-conscious wind power to create light without need for batteries or plug-in power.

These Wind Lights measure in at just under 8″ tall, but they work just like their bigger windmill cousins, generating electricity through the power of air. Each tiny light uses a 2.4″ propeller to power a pair of bright red or blue LEDs.

And if you happen to live in London, you can check out a massive installation featuring 1200 of these Wind Lights which illuminate as the winds blow in over the River Thames. The 45-foot tall “Aeolian Tower” was created by Jason Bruges Studio part of the onedotzero: adventures in motion show. The tower will be on display in front of BFI Southbank at the Waterloo Bridge from November 13th through 16th.

Individual Wind Lights should be available for purchase from Mathmos for £12 (appx. $18 USD) just in time for Christmas.

I’ve got this boring black bag that my laptop came with, and now I think I’ve finally found a replacement. Maybe I’m stuck in the 80s, but I still think that Pac-Man and his ghostly pals are in fashion.

Created by Rockza, the PacManiac series of briefcases is the perfect way to carry around a small notebook computer, papers and books, or as a lightweight carry-on for your next trip.

The bags are available in several styles, including one that’s covered with hundreds of colorful, pixelated denizens of Pac-World, and another with a slightly more subtle grey-on-black design. It looks like Rockza also makes a white version and a blue version, but they’re harder to find (and don’t look as good, IMHO). Each bag measures appx. 14″ x 10.25″ x 6″, which should hold a 14″ or smaller laptop.

Now the bad news. I can’t find anyone outside of Korea who’s selling these yet. If you’re willing to dive in and do a little translation, you might be able to get your hands on them over at HIPHOPER for 54,000 KRW (appx. $39 USD).

Back in the late 1980s, a sensation swept the streets of Asia called the “Flower Rock”. The desktop gadget did one thing, and one thing only — it danced to any music that you played near it. Flower Rock 2.0 commemorates the 20th anniversary of the original Flower Rock, giving it a thoroughly modern makeover.

Takara Tomy and Sanyo put their heads together to create the Flower Rock 2.0, which takes the original concept and infuses it with a new look. Sure, the 2.0 version will dance to your tunes, but it also puts on a light show, thanks to colored LEDs in each of its leaves and petals.

Just plug the Flower Rock 2.0 into your iPod or other music source, and it’ll get to dancing and grooving. There’s also a built-in 1-watt amp and speaker, so you can listen to your tunes as it gets its funk on.

Initially available only in Japan, the guys over at Japan Trend Shop are now shipping them worldwide for $77 US each. Sure, that’s a whole lot to pay for a dancing flower that you’ll probably find annoying after a couple of hours, but I know you still want one.

[Flower Rock 2.0]

Do you constantly leave your Wii-mote lying around? Do you find it stuck under the couch cushions between some moldy Fritos and loose pocket change? Maybe it’s time you found a place to keep your controller so it doesn’t keep getting lost.

The Wii Remocon storage accessory from Hori Japan couldn’t be simpler. This soft-sided Wii-mote cozy gives you a handy place to keep your Wii controller.

Each one is roomy enough for a Wii-mote and Nunchuk controller pair. A handy snap on the front of each one lets you conjoin multiples to store more than one controller.

They’re available in black, aqua and white nylon and emblazoned with the officially licensed Wii logo. You can find all three over at Play-Asia for $7.99 a piece.

Call me a sucker for old school gaming, but the Super Nintendo (SNES) has always been one of my favorite consoles. This custom-built handheld brings back those classic gaming memories.

Perfect for the occasional on-the-road game of Super Mario World or Star Fox, this portable SNES was put together by retro modder Kotomi, who’s earlier work includes the great NES in a cartridge mod.

It’s a really clean build job, echoing the design of the original Super Nintendo console and gamepad, only with a nice big LCD screen smack dab in the middle. The cartridge slips nicely into the back of the portable, making it about the most streamlined SNES portable I’ve seen.

Great job, Kotomi!