Dream Chaser Prototype Spacecraft Suffers Landing Gear “Anomaly” after Free Flight Test

One of the three private space companies that NASA has invested significant money in to develop private spacecraft is Sierra Nevada Corporation. The company has a lifting-body spacecraft called Dream Chaser that reminds me a bit of the retired Space Shuttle. Sierra Nevada conducted the first free flying test of the Dream Chaser this weekend.

While the spacecraft separated from the helicopter that carried it to launch altitude without issue and was able to assume it’s automated glidepath. The spacecraft suffered from what Sierra Nevada calls an “anomaly” during landing. By anomaly, the company means the left landing gear did not deploy correctly, resulting in Dream Chaser skidding off the runway.

The aircraft was damaged in the accident but reports indicate that it should be repairable. While Sierra Nevada is only conducting its first free flight tests, other companies NASA invested money in for private travel to the ISS, such as SpaceX with its Dragon capsule, have already made successful trips into orbit.

[via NBC News]

via Technabob http://technabob.com/blog/2013/10/31/dream-chaser-prototype-spacecraft-landing-gear-anomaly/

Bloc’d Sofa Turns into Whatever Furniture You Need It To Be

Living spaces are getting smaller and smaller unless you can afford to pay the premium for a larger apartment. It makes sense to only have essential furniture at home, since they’re bulky and will give your flat a cramped feeling if you’ve got too much of them.

Cue the Bloc’d Sofa, which turns into a whole host of furniture options, depending on what you need at the moment.

First and foremost, it’s a sofa with cube cushions. If you want a flatter sofa or a bed of sorts for a quick nap, then all you need to do is rearrange the cushions this way and that to form the final arrangement of your choice.

Bloc’d Sofa was designed by Scott Jones, who explains that his goal behind the piece was “to try to understand why we hold on to some objects, while we discard others.”

Scott adds that Bloc’d started out as “a pile of discarded furniture I [Jones] walked past on an NYC sidewalk.” He is currently looking for a manufacturer for Bloc’d but is currently accepting individual orders on his site.

[via Gizmag]

via Technabob http://technabob.com/blog/2013/10/31/blocd-sofa-transforming-furniture/

Portable NES Inspired by NES Controller: Game Boy Macro

A couple of years ago we featured the HandyNES, the portable NES console by Sharon Smith aka lovablechevy. Earlier this year she got her first commission, and it was for another HandyNES. But her client had a great idea: to make the handheld look like the NES controller. Behold!

This unit is very similar to the original HandyNES. It’s also based on an actual NES motherboard, has a top-loading cartridge slot, a 3.5″ LCD screen, a 1500mAh battery that should last about 3 hours and is one of the smallest portable NES mods around. This time though the buttons and d-pad are from a NES controller, and it doesn’t have a USB port for a second NES controller.

Sharon shows off the new HandyNES in the video below, demonstrating features such as its A/V-out and low battery indicator.

If you’re interested in asking Sharon to make you a HandyNES, just contact her on her YouTube channel or on her Facebook page. She says she charges $550 (USD) for the basic unit. Check out Sharon’s thread on the Made by Bacteria forum for more on her mod.

via Technabob http://technabob.com/blog/2013/10/31/portable-nes-looks-like-nes-controller/

Tech Deals of the Day: Thursday, 10/31/2013

Our friends at TechBargains.com compile a list of daily deals to help you save money. Keep in mind that as with any good deal, products are limited in quantity and can sell out quickly – so don’t hesitate to check them out now.

If you’re looking to buy a product from a specific store, save money with updated and verified coupon codes here.

Computers & Peripherals:

• Acer Aspire E1-572-6870 Intel Core i5-4200U ULV Dual-Core HASWELL 15.6″ Notebook Computer $399.99 plus $10 shipping (normally $599 – use this form)


• Malwarebyte Anti-Malware 2013 + Total Defense Premium Internet Security Bundle FREE plus $4.81 shipping (normally $69 – use this form)


• Western Digital My Passport 2TB USB 3.0 Portable External Hard Drive $99.99 plus free shipping (normally $139)


• Canon imageCLASS MF4770n Multifunction Laser Printer/Copier/Scanner/Fax $99.99 plus free store pickup (normally $219)


• ZyXEL PLA4205KIT Powerline Kit Gigabit Ethernet Adapter $49.99 plus free shipping (normally $109)

Home Entertainment:

• Q-SEE QC588-4E4-1 Premium Series 8CH 960H 1TB Video Surveillance System $299.99 plus free shipping (normally $499)


• Kguard 4 Weatherproof Cameras w/ 12-LED IR + 4-Channel Surveillance System w/ 500GB DVR $149.99 plus free shipping (normally $249 – use code: EMCWXTW72)

Personal Electronics:

• 2nd Gen Asus Google Nexus 7 FHD 7″ 16GB Tablet $199.99 plus free shipping (normally $229)


• 4th Generation Apple iPad 16GB WiFi Tablet $399.99 plus free shipping (normally $499)


• OtterBox Commuter Series Case for Apple iPhone 5 $14.99 plus free shipping (normally $39)


• Macally Honeysleeve Neoprene Carrying Case (BLACK)$89.99 plus free shipping (normally $15 – use this form)


• IOGEAR GearPower GMP10K 11000mAh Portable Battery Pack for Smartphones and Tablet $24.99 plus free shipping (normally $59 – use this form)


• Nokia Lumia 521 4in T-Mobile PrePaid Smartphone $79.95 plus $7.95 shipping (normally $109)

via Technabob http://technabob.com/blog/2013/10/31/tech-deals-of-the-day-thursday/

PS4 Has No MP3 Playback and DLNA Streaming: Backlash Awaits

When Microsoft outlined the restrictive lending and always online requirement for the Xbox One earlier this year, it was hit with a wave of hatred so hard that the company was forced to eat its words. Now it’s Sony’s turn to be on the wrong end of publicity, albeit for less offensive reasons. In its recently posted Ultimate FAQ for the PlayStation 4, Sony explicitly states that the console won’t support MP3 playback and streaming via DLNA.

As with the shelved always-online requirement on the Xbox One, part of the reason why gamers are so upset about the loss of two supplementary features is because the previous console had them. I myself used my PS3 to stream videos from my iMac using the excellent PS3 Media Server app. Others used Plex. Bottomline, it’s a downgrade. So why would Sony subtract those features? A possible answer would be to push its streaming services for both music and video, which are both accessible on the PS4 out of the box. Assuming you have an Internet connection. And that the streaming service is available in your country.

In an attempt to quell disappointed customers, Sony Computer Entertainment President Shuhei Yoshida stated on Twitter that he will discuss it with the console’s development team “for future consideration.” Hopefully that means a patch and not the PS5.

[via PlayStation Blog & Shuhei Yoshida via Polygon & N4G]

via Technabob http://technabob.com/blog/2013/10/31/ps4-no-mp3-playback-or-dlna-streaming/

Xenomorph Folding Brass Knuckles: Faceburster

Etsy seller Kilroy’s Attic makes folding brass knuckles designed to look like the Xenomorph from the Alien movies. I wouldn’t want to face a terrifying space creature that thinks I’m an incubator with just a melee weapon, much less one that only works at point blank range. It’s really beautiful though.

It starts out as a ring, but unfold it and you get full-length knuckles.

One drawback to its design is that you can’t switch it between its two sizes in a single motion. You need to remove the alien’s head to lock the unfolded knuckles into place. Also, it’s not actually made from brass – it’s constructed from pressure-cast dyed resin, with sturdy strands of test line to keep the hinges working.

You can order the knuckles from Kilroy’s Attic for $55 (USD).

[via This Is Why I'm Broke]

via Technabob http://technabob.com/blog/2013/10/31/xenomorph-folding-brass-knuckles/

Halloween Pumpkin Defines 21st Century Horror

Most Halloween pumpkin carvings nowadays don’t even try to spook people anymore, instead presenting geeky or pop culture references. Then again, it’s not like the default jack-o’-lantern’s face is scary anyway.

Comedienne Megan MacKay knows how to spook today’s trick or treaters:

Nooooooooooooo

[via Megan MacKay via Foodbeast via Incredible Things]

via Technabob http://technabob.com/blog/2013/10/31/wi-fi-halloween-pumpkin/

Ouija Board Rug and Coffee Table: Spirited Living Room Decor

Are you looking for a rug and coffee table that can channel spirits from the great beyond? If so, check out this conceptual Ouija board rug and coffee table from the mind of Dave Delisle of Dave’s Geek Ideas. I bet if you put your feet on that planchet, it will just tell you to vacuum, or complain about rings from your drink glasses because you didn’t use a coaster.

It’s some pretty cool and spooky decor. Just be careful about what kinds of ghosts you talk to. You might make your home the next Amityville Horror house. They wish they had a rug and coffee table this cool in that house. Maybe that’s why it was so pissed. Those homeowners were just slobs.

Anyway, maybe one day you can buy this. Sadly, right now it is just a concept.

[via Geekologie]

via Technabob http://technabob.com/blog/2013/10/30/ouija-board-rug-coffee-table/

Zombie Head Kettle Bells: Undead for the Unfit

If you are looking to get in shape and have a constant reminder of why you are bothering (the impending zombie apocalypse) try these awesome zombie head kettle bells.

They come in 18, 36, 54 and 72-lb weights and each has a different zombie head. If you are going to workout and get those muscles ready for swinging an axe or hammer at the undead, you might as well look at their faces while you are getting buff.

Bonus: If you don’t get entirely ripped from your workout with these kettle bells, or have just been too lazy to use them as they sit on your floor, you can use them as weapons. I’m sure that with enough force these will crack through the side of a zombie head like Gallagher smashing through a watermelon.

They will cost you $42.95 to $169.95(USD) each, or $406.41 for the complete set.

via Technabob http://technabob.com/blog/2013/10/30/zombie-head-kettle-bells/

Dalek Costume Done Right

Over the years we have seen plenty of Dalek costumes. All different kinds. And while most are great, they are far from complete. Sure, they have the eyestalk, those bumps all over the body, a bumper at the base and the required plunger arm, but they are missing something very important – the actual mutant lifeform on the inside.

Well, this one is complete. Costume Works reader Michelle has made the ultimate Dalek costume for her daughter and she is all about the finer details. It not only has a Dalek body inside, but that body is all gross and shriveled, complete with a door to show it off.

The girl inside is also wearing a red dress. Is that you Clara Oswald? Everyone just send her your candy now and turn your lights off this Halloween. It’s all over. It doesn’t get better than this.

[via Neatorama]

via Technabob http://technabob.com/blog/2013/10/30/dalek-costume/

NASA Celebrates Halloween by Unveiling Three Spooky Images from Space

NASA has offered up three amazing images captured by the Spitzer Space Telescope. The three images are somewhat eerie, yet incredibly beautiful to look at. All three of the images are 100% real and are actually planetary nebulas. They are created by material ejected from dying stars.

These three nebulas all have official names – starting with the Exposed Cranium Nebula. This one clearly looks like a brain and is situated about 5000 light years away from Earth in the Vela constellation.

The next image is called the Ghost of Jupiter nebula and is about 1400 light years away from Earth in the Hydra constellation.

The final image is called the Little Dumbbell Nebula because it vaguely resembles a squat dumbbell. It’s located about 2500 light years from Earth in the Perseus constellation.

NASA says that all stars about the same mass as our Sun will eventually die and wind up as similar structures. As the stars die, they become red giants and throw their outer layers into the cosmos. Ultraviolet light from the core the dying star then energizes the injected layers causing them to glow.

via Technabob http://technabob.com/blog/2013/10/30/nasa-ghostly-space-images/

Star Trek: The Next Generation Uniform Hoodies: Starfleece

Declare your allegiance to the Starfleet without wearing Spandex with ThinkGeek’s officially-licensed Star Trek: The Next Generation uniform hoodies. They have all three colors: red for command, gold for operations and blue for sciences. I guess the Enterprise had no need for plumbers and cooks. Or technologies.

The hood on each sweater has piping that matches the sweater’s color coding. When the hood is down, the piping makes it look like the sweater has a shallow v-neck, similar to the actual uniforms worn by Captain Picard and his crew.

You can order the hoodies from ThinkGeek for $60 (USD). Comm badge and pips sold separately.

via Technabob http://technabob.com/blog/2013/10/30/star-trek-tng-uniform-hoodies/