Filed under: Gadget Head, Domestic God / Goddess, Man / Woman Who Has Everything, Gift News, Holiday Gift Guide

Even Santa gets cold feet sometimes, and we’re not talking about when he married Mrs. Claus. Japanese gadget trove Thanko has introduced a pair of USB Santa Boots, a gadgetized way to keep the feet warm during the frigid winter months. These slippers, which look suspiciously like footwear belonging to a certain white-bearded, rotund Christmas hero, are heated by a USB connection from the slipper to your computer.

We’re a little torn — as nice as toasty toes are when it’s cold no matter how many pairs of socks you’re wearing, there’s something just not right about slippers and USB connections in the same sentence. Are they dumb, funny, or cute? You be the judge.

From 7 Gadgets Via geeksugar

Related Links:

• 10 Dumbest And/Or Funniest USB Gadget Gifts
• Decorate Your Desk With USB Christmas Tree
• Christmas Tree Powered By Electric Eel

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Filed under: Recipes, On the Blogs

I know what you’re thinking: “toast? How many ways can there to make toast?”

Answer: a lot.

It’s still morning and you might want to make something to go along with your coffe or tea, so check out Dr. Toast’s Amazing World of Toast. It’s a blog filled with great recipes that use toast, including Cinnamon Toast, Beans and Toast, White House Apple Toast, Mushrooms Over Toast, and even something called Toast Espresso, which sounds…well, you make it and let us know how it tastes.

Really fun site. It even has a section on toasters, and you can ask Dr. Toast questions.

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Filed under: Game Patches

Evolution Studios are continuing their excellent support for the year old game Motorstorm by today patching the game to version 3.1. While not as substantial an update as version 3.0, the new patch does add a few handy features. The vehicle selection screen can now be viewed in a 2D grid as well as the old 3D view, which speeds up the selection a touch. Levels can also now be reversed, essentially doubling the number of levels available.

A proximity meter, similar to the one in Elimination Mode, has been added to Motorstorm Mode and two new audio tracks have also been included in the game. We’re happy to see games continuing to be supported by their developers, even after a year on the market, and hope we’ll be saying the same sort of thing this time next year. If Motorstorm 2 isn’t out by then.

[Via N4G]

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Filed under: Google (GOOG), Options

Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) will be participating in the 700 MHz spectrum auction that begins in January. Bank of America says: “We believe GOOG has largely applied for the auction as gesture of good faith in conjunction with its aggressive lobbying of the FCC for open access conditions.” BAMO goes on to say: “We are therefore skeptical GOOG is looking forward to outbidding VZ in a $5+ billion contest for the privilege of spending a $7+ billion to build out a network.” GOGG December straddle is at $44.40. December front month equity options expire on 12/21/07.

Daily Options Update is provided by Stock Specialist Paul Foster of theflyonthewall.com

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A company known as MPK claims that throwing some tritium inside a phosphor-coated microsphere will result in a substance that can glow continuously for over a dozen years without an iota of energy input. The technology is known as betavoltaics, using a radioactive gas as its power source. Interestingly enough, tritium radiation (beta particles) can be safely contained by the microspheres it lives inside so there is no need to purchase a radiation suit anytime soon. The materials are not affected by heat or cold, should be able to emit just any color - although I’ve seen only red and green tritium “stuff”.

Will this replace traditional lighting anytime soon? Probably not, as an expert in the matter claims that the intensity is not strong enough to match the light output or replace electric light bulbs. Add that to the fact that there is absolutely no way to turn this thing off, and you’ve got yourself quite a conundrum.

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Filed under: Gaming

We know tons of aging Dreamcast fans’ hearts skipped a beat today — us included — when Sega made a rustle with the brand name at the USPTO. But as it turns out, the recently filed trademark application is just a renewal on brand, and doesn’t express any intentions to do another Dreamcast console. In fact, Sega further explained to GameDaily, rather flatly we might add, that they have “no plans to get back into the console business.” We know, we’re already reaching for the Zoloft, too, but did anyone really think Sega wanted to make one last go of game consoles when even mega-players like Sony can’t keep it together?

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

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Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

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Filed under: Audio/Video, Video Games

From the ashes of the fallen AIBO comes…another AIBO?

The print edition of Stuff magazine is reporting a rumor item that a resuscitated version of Sony’s robotic dog companion, to go by the name of Sony AIBO PS, will be released by Sony’s PlayStation division in an attempt to “bolster the PS3’s arsenal.” The next incarnation of Sony’s robotic pet will be compatible with the PlayStation 3 and the PSP — you’ll have full control over the dog with your PSP, via Wi-Fi. The dog’s head is supposedly equipped with a camera, with which to send a real-time video feed to the PSP’s screen.

AIBO PS will allow for either voice control or remote control, and will be able to e-mail you at work when there’s something fishy going on. He’ll even appear with its own avatar within PlayStation Home, and react in the real world as he does in the PS3’s upcoming service.

Still a rumor, but a good one, right?

From Stuff (via Gamespot UK and Engadget).

Related Links:

• Sony Rolly!
• South Korea’s plans to curb robot uprising

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