Coinstar has teamed up with Threadless to sell t-shirts via automated kiosks – just in time for the holiday season. The pilot program offers shirts currently available on the Threadless website, as well as hoodies, totes, water bottles, and onesies sold via credit, debit, and prepaid cards from Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover.
Currently, only four kiosks are in operation in Chicago, and future expansion plans have not yet been announced. However, if you have a regular old computer you can score Threadless tees the traditional way for 50% off during their holiday promotion. Just use the code “FUZZY 2011″ at checkout.
(Chicagoist via Make)
Here’s great news for slobs: Ross Nanotechnology has created a silicon-based superhydrophobic spray called “NeverWet” that can make liquids and heavy oils “shoot off” anything it’s applied to. In addition, the spray also prevents corrosion and keeps surfaces free of bacteria, making “ovens, toilet plungers and bed pans a cinch to clean”. Project leader Andy Jones stated that the product could also work to protect electronics:
“I sprayed my iPhone with NeverWet, submerged it in a foot of water for 30 minutes, took it out and it was good to go. Jones said.”
Although a release date hasn’t been revealed, Jones said he expects to see some significant product launches in early 2012, which would include the first retail version of NeverWet for use by consumers.
Hit the jump to see NeverWet in action.
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There’s more bad news for the Seattle-based “real-life superhero” known as Phoenix Jones. After being arrested for assault when a group of clubgoers claimed they were pepper sprayed, Phoenix (real name Ben Fodor) was fired from his job working with autistic children and young adults and is no longer allowed to work with children.
“[I now have] a history of interjecting myself into situations that are dangerous.” But, he added, “I would say I have a history of fighting crime. The whole point of what I do is to keep people safe.”
Although Fodor is now without a day job, he indicates that he will continue to operate as Phoenix Jones regardless of his arrest and unmasking.
(PubliCola via CA)
Trevor Prideaux was born without a left arm, and could only use his smartphone when balancing it on his prosthetic arm or putting it on a flat surface. This led him to contact medical experts and communications chiefs at Nokia about creating a special limb that could accommodate his phone. What resulted was a fibreglass and laminate prosthesis which has a special cradle for Trevor’s Nokia C7, allowing him to take calls and text with only one hand.
“The phone slots smoothly and securely within my limb and is easily removable, when required. I think this would help a lot of people with prosthethic arms – especially those who were not born with the disability. People who have had motorbike crashes and soldiers who have lost limbs – they could all benefit from this.”
The prototype limb, which was created in a mere five weeks, is considered groundbreaking. Trevor says: “I think this is the first time this has ever been done in the world – and it is brilliant.” We agree.
(via Telegraph)
Remember this guy… Yeah, well his hanging from a Michigan building with a collapsible baton, pepper spray and weighted gloves stunt recently earned him six months of probation, during which he is not allowed to wear any costumes.
Mark Williams reported that he took refuge on the roof while attempting to evade a group of people who were chasing him. He considers himself a costumed activist and has been involved with a group of like-minded people called The Michigan Protectors, saying that the costumes are intended to draw attention to the cause.
(via i09)
In an effort to provide a broader experience for girls while encouraging them to try new things and learn skills that will enrich their lives, The Girl Scout organization has updated their merit badge system for the first time in 25 years. The move will allow Girl Scouts to earn badges for such modern day skills as Computer Expert, Digital Movie Maker and Locavore as well as a Product Designer badge which encourages them to explore the functionality of design incorporated into objects they use every day. In addition, the Fashion, Fitness and Makeup badge has been renamed “Science of Style”, and focuses on the scientific properties behind things like perfume and sunscreen.
Now all they need to do is update their uber-1970s logo.
(All Things Considered via Yahoo! News via Engadget)
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Minnesota company St. Croix, who produced the mock black turtlenecks worn by Steve Jobs, is having a tough time keeping up with demand for the item in the wake of his death. Sales more than doubled the day after Jobs’ death, resulting in stores and the company’s own website selling out of the $175 garment. A variety of other colors are available, and the company has offered to donate $20 to the American Cancer Society for each one sold.
Perhaps they can market this under Jobs’ “I don’t give a sh*t what I look like” quote.
Product Page: ($175 via Gawker)
Germs are a fact of life, but if you ever felt like the 3D glasses you got at the theater were dirty, it wasn’t just your hypochondria talking. A recent study by ABC tested glasses from seven theaters in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, and not a single pair were sterile.
“3D glasses given out at cinemas were found to be contaminated with bacteria that can cause conjunctivitis, skin infections, food poisoning, or even sepsis or pneumonia, but docs say that the germs found are no more threatening than what you find on the arm rest, box of popcorn, or movie seats.”
Cue the sounds of disgust.
(via Cinematical)
The insane craze surrounding the three (insert anything) moon shirts have finally caught the attention of state officials in New Hampshire, who smelled money and instantly claimed the original three wolf moon design and the sweet green it produces by making it the official t-shirt of state economic development:
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If you use a laptop, chances are you won’t be reading a newspaper to get your news, you’ll read it off the net while you sit in a coffee shop with free Wi-Fi nursing a latte for four hours. During that time, you can also enjoy gauging reactions from people as they look at this laptop bag designed to look like a folded newspaper. In this case, if someone looks at it and all the color drains from their face while they mumble a slow “motherf*cker”, that person is probably an egg farmer. If they look and yell “Hallelujah!” chances are they’ve been trying to unload expensive property in the UK. Newsprint is unique to each bag and they are fully lined in black satin.
Product Page: (£ 87, or about $143.82)
