Sony Recalls Some VGN VAIOs

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Corporate News, PC / Laptop

One step forward, two steps back. As soon as we start to complement Sony on their creativity, we read something like this that kills the mood. The company is recalling about 438,000 VAIOs (over 72,000 in the U.S.) as potential fire hazards. The problem seems to be occurring in their VGN-TZ100, VGN-TZ200, VGN-TZ300 and VGN-TZ2000 series. They say the problem is “irregularly positioned wires near the computer’s hinge and/or dislodged screw inside the hinge.”

Pretty scary, eh? Especially when you notice that the word “battery” isn’t mentioned.

Read More | Reuters

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Gas Torch Flames in Spirals

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Design, Household, Misc. Tech

If you really want to wow the neighbors, add a Tempest Gas Torch to your porch or patio. The effect is somewhat magical, for the flame inside the ceramic glass spirals around instead of simply flaring up. Recommended for mounting anywhere outside, Travis Industries is hoping that everyone will want their own Tempest. We dig the cleverness of the design and want to know what it will do with/to marshmallows. Contact them for price and availability.

Read More | Travis Industries

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PSP Burns a Hole in His Pocket

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Video Games

Harold Clay was burned at school today after his PSP caught fire in his pants pocket. Knowing what to do, the 12 year-old dropped and rolled when he felt it heating up. The middle school student from Metro Detroit’s Farmington Hills was treated at a nearby hospital for minor burns. The portable game system was confiscated by local police to investigate the cause of the blow-up. A local news station called Sony where a spokesperson claims it is the first occurrence of overheating. We are not sure if that is the case, we are just surprised that the PSP was allowed in school in the first place. By the way, Burn Out was the game inside the PSP at the time of the accident.

Read More | Click On Detroit

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Wicked Lasers Torch Spits Real Fire…Almost

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Household, Misc. Tech, Transportation, Videos

Wicked Lasers has put out some interesting products in the past (just check out our Blue Spyder II laser video,) but their Torch is way beyond utile. With 4100 lumens, it takes the Guinness cake as the most powerful flashlight in existence. Adjustable with a high-efficiency relector, it is encased in aerospace-grade aluminum. At a size of 57 x 230 mmm, the device does literally what it is called as you can see in the video. The light will work for up to 15 minutes on a battery charge. Frequent campers and pyromaniacs can find them for $299.99.

Read More | Wicked Lasers

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iYule TV, a Fireplace in Your Pocket

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Handhelds, Internet, Misc. Tech, Portable Audio / Video, Video Games

‘Tis the season for a holiday Yule Log and this year you can download 30 minutes worth of a crackling fire with accompanying music for handhelds, PMPs, and MP3 players. Created by GeekBrief TV during a nostalgic moment, a portion of the proceeds from the originators and score composer of the iYule TV go to charitable orginizations. Prices are $5.00 for iPods and $7.00 for Macs, PCs, Apple TVs, or Xbox 360s. Order all three for $7.00 without the music if you are into the natural sounds of fire.

Read More | iYule TV Product Page

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Apple Recalls 1.1 Million Batteries Due To Fire Hazard

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Corporate News, PC / Laptop

Now, we bet a few Apple fanboys are going to be feeling a bit sheepish over this one. A couple of weeks back, Dell issued a sweeping recall of laptop batteries, garnering a few point-and-laughs from the non-PC using side of the fence. Of course, Dell was just acting responsibly here, as it is actually Sony who manufactures the faulty batteries for Dell. The thing is, they also manufacture the batteries for Apple, and thusly, Apple has issued a recall of 1.1 million iBook and PowerBook batteries. If you would rather not have your G4-based Apple portable burst into flames, you may want to click on over to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission page, detailing the recall.

(Thanks Veronica!)

Read More | US Consumer Product Safety Commission

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