Geek culture

Universal Studios in Orlando, Fla., has expanded its The Simpsons ride to include a real-life version of Springfield, where you can visit with your favorite eateries.

Pop by Moe's Tavern for a quick pre-lunch Duff, perambulate on over to Krusty Burger for a big ol' ribwich -- or, if you're feeling fancy, hit Luigi's for a slice of pizza, then swing by the Kwik-E-Mart for a few supplies. Visitors are now able to take their repast in truly cromulent style.

The theme park has recently added a sort of miniaturized Springfield to its "Simpsons"-themed motion simulator ride, … Read more

I've seen street-legal bumper cars made out of vehicles from vintage amusement park rides, but this is the first time I've seen a real full-size car transformed into a giant bumper car. The well-named seller, bumpercarguy, is parting with his sweet wheels on eBay. There are only a handful of hours left for you to get your bid in.

The base of the unusual vehicle is a 1984 Dodge Colt 1.6-liter turbo. Yep, a turbo bumper car. What could possibly go wrong? The exterior has been customized from fiberglass to make it look like the outside of a big red bumper car. It even has the pole sticking out the back that would make the electrical connection in a real bumper car.… Read more

It's only a matter of time, really. Google Glass, Epson's Movierio, the Oculus Rift, and similar technologies are at the cutting edge of wearable technologies. Sci-fi has certainly given us a glimpse at the potential future: internal links to the Internet, augmented eyesight and hearing, perhaps even full cybernetic bodies to house our minds.

We'll have the technology, we will build it. The question is, presuming it's safe, would you embed yourself with technology?… Read more

On returning home from seeing "Star Trek Into Darkness" on Sunday, I couldn't help but wish my laptop had a more USS Enterprise-y feel. Thankfully, Acer has anticipated such consumer fancies, announcing Wednesday that it's partnered with Paramount to offer a limited-edition Trek-themed Aspire R7.

As is generally the case with such blockbuster-related gadgets, the tie-in here is entirely promotional. The touch-enabled laptop comes engraved with a stainless steel "Star Trek" logo, and includes a logo-festooned sleeve, a film poster signed by the film's cast, and "Star Trek" content such as wallpapers, a soundtrack, and a video game.

The ambitiously designed Aspire R7, however, does feature a flexible design that allows users to move and position the hinged 15.6-inch 1,920x1,080 touch screen as needed, including into a configuration that does sort of resemble the Enterprise. … Read more

While most of the X-Men have shiny superpowers, it seemed like Wolverine couldn't quite match up to some of the science-fiction abilities found among his peers -- until now.

Engineer James Hobson, who calls himself the "hacksmith," created a homemade upgrade for the comic book slasher by electrifying a pair of claws he created himself. The experiment, inspired by a similarly electrifying Thor's Hammer post on Hackaday, looks radically unsafe (and is definitely not recommended for all you at-home DIYers), as Hobson utilizes a transformer from an old oil furnace and feeds the electrical current into the claws.… Read more

Leaked from today's 404 episode:

- Apple banned from selling some iPhones and iPads after Samsung patent win.

- Aunt Jill on LinkedIn: What I Learned in Italy (or, Economies in Perspective).

- Venice floods put more than half of city underwater.

- GameStop to recall 8GB Wii U Basic -- but why?

- Forget what you know, next-gen consoles change everything.

- The Last of Us is now the best reason to own a PS3.

- Game over for used games: How Xbox One and PS4 could gut gamers' wallets.… Read more

While the next generation of gaming comes later this year, you don't need to spend hundreds of dollars on a new system to see great graphics, as plenty of gorgeous games are coming for existing platforms.

"Into the Pixel" -- a juried video game art exhibition that shows off some of the greatest concept and production art around -- makes a return to the E3 2013 gaming expo in Los Angeles from June 11 to 13. We've gathered high-resolution images from all the winners, ranging from popular titles such as League of Legends to up-and-comers like Destiny. … Read more

If you are the company you keep, perhaps it could also be said that you are the furniture you sit on. At least when it comes to this stool that looks like a giant dSLR lens.

The handmade chair, by Spanish design studio Monoculo, would give just about any space that touch of geeky je ne sais quoi, though given its attention to detail, I'm guessing it's most likely to seat a serious photophile. It includes focal length and aperture and even has an autofocus/manual focus switch on the side. … Read more

1. Bubble Butt - Major Lazer feat. Bruno Mars, 2 Chainz, Tyga & Mystic

2. Blurred Lines - Robin Thicke

3. Royals - Lorde

4. Take Me - Tiesto

5. We Own It (Fast & Furious) - 2 Chainz, Wiz Khalifa… Read more