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Swarovski-encrusted iPhone screams 'I have bad taste!'

There's obnoxiousness, and then there's this. We've known for ages that the best way to show off your innate tech-tackiness is to drown your gadgets in Swarovski crystals. But we thought that Apple's new iPhone--with its Zen-like simplicity (No keyboard! Who would've guessed?) and the company's affinity for stripped down design in everything from its laptops to its marketing campaigns--might be immune somehow from this epidemic.

But, apparently not, thanks to a Web site called Crystal Icing, which in the past has showcased its ability to pimp out everything from Sidekicks to sneakers … Read more

Possible cataclysm due to melting ice

We have 10 years, folks. And then it's man the lifeboats, or head for the hills. That's the conclusion of James Hansen and five other scientists. They've just published a paper with the Royal Society in England. It says melting ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctic could soon reach a point of no return. The team even says the recent reports from the United Nations' global warming conferences are too conservative in their projections of what could happen.

The paper urges quick and decisive action, including attempts to scrub greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. Hansen is outspoken … Read more

Getting warmer and faster: Antarctic glaciers

Time to re-write one little section in my Webster's Dictionary. That's an old-time thing, ink on paper, you remember? It gives the fifth definition of "glacial" as "as slow as the movement of a glacier." Need to change that to read "fast" in the future.

British researchers have found the movement of Antarctic's glaciers is speeding up. During the decade ending in 2003, these southern glaciers speed up by 12 percent. That means these huge rivers of ice are speeding toward the ocean. There three things can happen: the ice melts, … Read more

Greenland's ice sheet: The annual checkup

Beginning in 1991, every summer NASA has measured the ice sheets of Greenland. Past data indicates significant thinning of ice along the coast. Meanwhile some ice sheets have thickened in Greenland's interior. Overall, there's much less ice on Greenland's surface than there was 100 years ago.

This summer's NASA expedition to Greenland has returned with fresh data. Now the analysis begins. One piece of equipment used is an ice-penetrating radar that can find bedrock up to 2 miles below the ice surface. NASA estimates an average drop of 9 inches in the height of Greenland's … Read more

Sledding in Florida? No problem

You may want to skip this item if you live anywhere near Denver, but those of you in warmer climes who need a frost fix might want to check out the "SG5-LED Snowmaker."

Uncrate says this machine is the "highest-volume snowmaker available" (presumably referring to home use). If it's hooked up to a "6GPM Snowmaking Pump," for example, the system can churn out 180 cubic feet per hour. That's enough to put on a mini-version of some Winter X Games events in your backyard, though the neighbors might not be too thrilled. … Read more

Freezing ice at 47 degrees

How can you make ice at 15 degrees higher than freezing? You're looking at it.

This tub pictured here, made by Transphase Phoenix, is designed to hold water permeated with various salts so that it will freeze at 47 degrees rather than the standard 32. That means ice can be made at night without as much electricity when power is cheaper. The idea is to reduce peak demand in the afternoon, when electricity is most expensive, and obviate the need for "peaker" plants.

The ice melts throughout the day, providing air conditioning in as many tubs as … Read more

An ice cream truck on [insert name of raver drug here]

Move over, Mr. Softee. There's a new ice cream truck in the 'hood, and it probably doesn't play that annoying jingle, either. According to Popgadget, a UK-based company called Scoop is unleashing these flashy little vehicles, which look like the Scooby-Doo Mystery Machine with a new-rave makeover, throughout London. They feature "hot lights, funky beats, and high end ice cream served in slick Chinese take out boxes." The blinged-out vans sure do look cool, and I bet they serve some pretty neat flavors (You think they'd have Stephen Colbert's Americone Dream?) On the other … Read more

Is Stephen Colbert getting his own ice cream flavor?

I know. I know. It's too cold for ice cream. (My weather widget currently reads 12 degrees.) And this is a gadget blog. But I really couldn't resist this one. Apparently, the rumors might be somewhat true (truthy?) that famed ice cream manufacturer Ben & Jerry's is releasing a Stephen Colbert-inspired flavor. Why is this at all relevant? Recall that Mr. Colbert is one of the Internet's foremost renegades, eager to transform Wii Boxing into a political statement, hack Wikipedia for his own benefit, and master the art of YouTube self-promotion.

So that's why I … Read more

A camcorder for the Atlantis market

With so many products going under water these days, the only thing we can surmise is that people are really taking this whole global warming thing seriously. That would be at least one explanation for the proliferation of gadgets like this waterproof digital movie camera.

Gizmag says the Sanyo VPC-CA6 has a resolution of 6 megapixels and a 5x optical zoom, retailing for around $250. It does take stills as well, but if you're not satisfied with the quality you can try any number of waterproof point-and-shoot cameras. Either way, you can transfer your shots with your waterproof USB device … Read more