In this comic by Roz Chast really sums it up nicely, for grandmas, parents and, let’s be honest, sometimes even ourselves during our darkest moments of troubleshooting.

It reminds me of a funny story that happened to my wife’s grandma a few years back. Her television was hit by a power surge and began speaking Spanish (picking up some AM radio station probably)…even when unplugged. She later joked that the voices, temporarily muffled under a blanket, were laughing at her. We convinced her that she’d just hit the wrong button. OK, OK, we didn’t. We’re not that cruel. [bookofjoe]

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Macenstein managed to grab a screenshot of the Tiny Code website before it went down showing they are “targeting 1.1.4 Alpha2″. [Macenstein]

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Lichtenberg figures are fantastic; they perfectly display branching electric charges that occur within, or on the surface of, certain insulating materials. Sure, that may sound like a whole load of boring, but check the image above to see why you are wrong—they look amazing. Popsci is hosting a video that shows you how to make your very own with some office supplies, a metal point and some shag carpeting.

Our wallets are far too bruised after Valentine’s Day to actually buy a Lichtenberg figure, but as they look so cool, we’ll give this a try. We totally understand that this sounds like a project your third grade science teacher may have tried to get you to pull off, but it’s cool if you aren’t forced to do it for homework—hurrah! Hit the link for the video, and be sure to let us know how you get on. [Popsci]

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While the rumor that Dell’s working on an Android phone isn’t new—it was sorta smashed, even—this is a slightly different (and maybe more promising) spin on it. An Alienware-designed Android phone. I’m not sure it makes a whole lot of sense, or hell, even looks that good, but it’s definitely more striking than anything Dell would probably come up with. Would you carry this thing, especially with the much-improved look of the new Android SDK? [Dialaphone via /.]

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Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds

There’s a reason phones don’t remotely resemble PC cases, and we think this mockup does a fabulous job demonstrating why that is. Okay, look, we’re totally cool with Dell and Alienware producing an Alienware-branded handset — especially if it runs Android, a platform Dell has been rumored to be very, very interested in — we just really don’t want this (or anything like this) to be it. The morphing keypad and user interface look awesome, but we have a very simple rule when we purchase a new phone: under no circumstances should the slider have physically painful ridges digging into your hands during use. Is that too much to ask?

[Thanks, Julian]

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I’ve wanted to be Batman since I was a little kid, but I’ve never had the billions required to hire Morgan Freeman to construct swollass para-military gear for me to wield an overwhelming advantage over ill-financed and poorly equipped common criminals. So, I’m going to have to settle for projecting my dreams onto my future offspring. Step one: Strap Mattel’s Wayne Tech Mega Cape on him from the day he can walk. The wings spring out with a single touch, instantly readying him to fly down a staircase and into the ER. $40, June. Health insurance sold separately.

Damn, I wish they made an adult size. Here’s another shot, to get a sense of scale.

[Toy Fair 2008 @ Giz]

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Filed under: Cellphones

Right around a month ago, we heard that Angstrom Power had managed to stuff some of its sophisticated hydrogen fuel cells into a MOTOSLVR L7. That prototype, friends, is what you see about. Unfortunately, we’re no closer to realizing when this stuff will actually escape the proverbial beta stage, and for whatever it’s worth, we’re also no closer to feeling absolutely safe with one of these next to our melon (though existing alternatives don’t have the greatest track record either).

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Check out this Kaneda-esque motorcycle. Sure, you’re thinking it is great mod, but apparently it is a fully licensed machine that is completely road legal, (in Japan at least.) Due to the Japanese text of the home site, we aren’t too sure of the exact details of the underlying motorbike, but just take a look at it. Not being allowed Choosing to not ride a motorcycle stings more each day. For an undisclosed sum, you could be the envy of the Gizmodo staff by purchasing the pictured vehicle from Neo Fukuoka, and we certainly would be immature if we made a joke based on the phonetics of the name Fukuoka. We shall refrain, but just so you know; syllable number one is a blast. Jump for another picture of the beast we wished we had between our legs.

ason Chen would like to add that the beast he has between his legs is far mightier, and permanently attached, whatever that means. [Neo Fukuoka via Hell For Leather]

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Both Japan’s NHK and Reuters are reporting that Toshiba is going to finally pull the trigger on HD DVD, ending the format war after being punted by Wal-Mart (the country’s biggest retailer), Best Buy and Netflix. The official announcement will come next week, though Reuters’ source confirmed that “We have entered the final stage of planning to make our exit from the next generation DVD business.” RIP HD DVD, you will always have a place on our mantle. At least until we buy a Blu-ray player. But really. [Reuters]

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Dark-AleX has just released a hack for the PSP that boots from the Memory Stick, and will allow you to select any firmware version you so choose. The app, dubbed Time Machine, will also boot-up PSPs with destroyed firmware, a second life for you not-so-great hackers out there. It functions via Pandora, and looks a bit tricky to get to grips with at the moment.

Nevertheless, the nifty bit of software will work on both the original PSP and the skinny, prettier version too. We just tried to grab the app from the link over at DCEmu, but it appears the servers are down from all those individuals trying to resurrect their PSPs like a phoenix from the flames. It’s a waiting game for now, but as ever, proceed with caution. [DCEmu]

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