The USB powered shortwave radio is not really all that crazy as a gadget itself, but what is crazy about it is the fact that it plugs into a computer- the very thing that could conceivably wipe out shortwave radio. Shortwave radio operates on certain bands and frequencies that enable anyone- even amateurs, to broadcast anything with a worldwide reach for no cost beyond the initial cost of equipment. Which, if you think about it, is pretty much exactly what the internet can be used for- broadcasting worldwide (of note is that shortwave is still MUCH cheaper and requires no infrastructure, so it’s future in lesser developed and accessible areas is brighter).

This radio will play both shortwave and AM/FM radio and you can even record anything you hear to .mp3 or .wav via software to your computer. The shortwave radio picks up signals in the 3,000 – 20,000KHz frequencies. It costs $79 and is made by Thanko.

USB Shortwave Radio

A radio can be a simple device as far as controls go- it’s basically just two knobs and with some creative engineering using control rings and such it could be made with just a single knob. Yet designers of internet radios are still trying to simplify it even further to get that clean look of no knobs or buttons. So Cambridge Consultants has come up with the Q2 Cube, an internet radio that is controlled by tilting it in different directions or flipping it onto another side. The whole idea seems like it would make controlling the radio an exercise in complication purely to achieve aesthetic desires. Pretty annoying. The Q2 should be in stores later this year in the UK, no pricing yet.

core77 via wired

Here’s an interesting concept for electronic devices called “Used as Read”. The devices are in the shapes of the words that they are (yeah that was an awkward sentence but I’d rather just write this little blurb than go back and try to figure out a more eloquent way of saying that). So the radio spells out the word radio, the speakers spell out speakers, etc.

Obviously there might be some logistic issues in creating these, particularly with the speakers and subwoofers as their sound is particularly shape dependent. I could see these being a favorite of high end designers that favor decorating in all white- something I don’t understand- color is awesome, use it guys!

via yanko

Michael Jackson passed away today. The King of Pop was a music legend with a long list of enduring hits. That said, there’s no denying that MJ had some very bizarre things going on his life, so it’s only fitting that we pay tribute with a list of 10 weirdest Michael Jackson items we could find:

The King of Pop has gone purple. It’s the Michael Jackson California Raisin. Michael Jackson as a singing gloved raisin? It doesn’t matter if you’re black or white, but what about if you’re purple?
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Here are 20 of the most unique and unusual Beatles “Yellow Submarine” items ever made. I’m sure you’re all familiar with the 1968 animated feature film from a unknown band from England called The Beatles. All together now: “we all live in a yellow submarine, a yellow submarine, a yellow submarine….”

It’s the Beatles Yellow Submarine Silicone Ice Cube Tray. Just add a little yellow food coloring to your water and you’d actually be making yellow submarine ice cubes. Hot stuff..err cold I mean!

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