GeekSugar

Japanese Kitty Steals Your Money, Looks Cute Doing It

GeekSugar — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 09:00:13 PDT

My infatuation for all things Japan continues. A friend bought this Japanese Itazura Coin Bank ($22) a few weeks ago, claiming that it was the cutest thing he'd ever seen. Why anyone would spend over $20 on a coin bank was beyond me . . . until it finally arrived.

I got a first look at the bank when he ripped it open yesterday morning and had to share. Not only does this mechanical coin bank keep your money safe from your prying fingers, but it looks totally adorable while doing it. Now I get it.

Check out the video of the bank in action after the break.

9 Wild and Wacky Gadgets

GeekSugar — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 15:30:26 PST

Why so serious? Not all tech has to be the most helpful gadget ever invented - it can be funny, fun, or just plain weird. Sometimes, it can serve its purpose if it's just nice to look at. For some Friday fun, check out some of the gadgets I've found around the web that made me scratch my head and say "huh!?"

The Kiss-o-Meter Tells You If You Have Kissable Breath (or Not)

GeekSugar — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 07:30:38 PST

Who will you be smooching this Valentine's Day? Make your decision based on a very scientific measurement with the Kiss-o-Meter ($30).

Even though it sounds like it's judging your smooching prowess, it's actually a tiny bad breath detector. The lights tell you if you're good to go, or conversely, if the person you're about to lock lips with is. But the secret's out; if someone whips this out to use on you, try not to be too offended.

It's definitely better than someone whipping out the super-obvious Halitosis Detector.

Fake Security Camera: Love It or Leave It?

GeekSugar — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 15:45:41 PDT

Do you enjoy freaking out your friends? Do you have an affinity for conspiracy theories?

Feed your paranoid antics with this Fake Security Camera ($12)!

It's battery operated and has a motion detector sensor, so it'll follow folks around the room - of course, you could use it outside as a theft deterrent, but it's much more fun to see your buddies squirm, isn't it? I actually had a retail job where they plastered these all around the stores to spook potential stealers, so it's kinda funny that they are predominantly used as a scare tactic product.

Weigh in below!

Bubble Wrap Calendar Has My Fingers Itching to Pop

GeekSugar — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 14:45:13 PDT

Everyone knows I'm a big fan of bubble wrap (little Katie Sugar loves it too!). Whenever a package comes in, I pray for the bubbles instead of those lame peanuts that I can't do anything with (besides toss them up in the air and create my own personal snow globe).

The Bubble Wrap Key Chain has quelled my need for popping somewhat, but I need more! More bubble wrap, I say!

Enter the Bubble Wrap Calendar, which allows me to pop a new bubble every day of the week! The calendar even comes complete with holidays and important dates printed right on the bubbles. And bonus, it's handmade in Brooklyn! My only concern? What will keep me from popping all the bubbles today?!

A Power Bug Swatter Andy Roddick Could Love

GeekSugar — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 10:11:26 PST

Full disclosure: A huge reason I love living in a city is to avoid bugs (with the exception of electronic ladybugs). I love nature and the environment and blah blah blah but I have ALWAYS hated bugs and I'm not going to change. So when I see an actual bug in my apartment, flying or crawling and adamantly where it is not supposed to be, I freak the hell out.

I'm also ill-equipped - since there are very few bugs around, I don't have any stinky bug sprays or fly swatters. I usually end up giving just giving them a mild headache with an issue of Us Weekly, So I'm totally kickin' down for this Power Bug Swatter, or as I like to think of it, Tennis Racket Bug Zapper.

I cannot wait to take aim at flies with this thing, zap 'em, and perfect my tennis swing at the same time. My apology to PetSugar if this qualifies as animal cruelty.

The Wacky 360 Degree Camera

GeekSugar — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 10:00:27 PST

Testing- camera one, camera two, back to camera one. The person who made this 360 degree camera must have wanted eyes on the back of their head, or they had a few too many disposal cameras to play with.

With seven connected cameras in total, this girl can take quite the panoramic shot.

Not only is this a fashion no-no, how do you know if you are lining up the right shot from the right, or the left?! This is what I use my digital cam for, tons of useless shots that can easily be deleted!

25 Things to Do With Old Jeans

Wise Bread — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 16:00:46 PST

We're thrilled to present this smart Wise Bread story here on Savvy!

Recycling fabric is a powerful green living and cost saving strategy. Denim is one of the coolest fabrics to do it with. It's sturdy, gains character with age and can be acquired very inexpensively at yard sales or in your own "old clothes" closet. Some of the coolest ideas I've found?

Pot holders. In my opinion, these look far better out of used denim than the new stuff. And you can incorporate your own style via choice of trim or a patch stitched to the outside. Here's a link to some tips for making your own.
Cool quilts. You can do this in many forms. Different shades of denim patchwork options abound and are certainly sturdy and fun. Unfortunately, one of the coolest ideas I've ever seen I've been unable to find pictures of. It was done with pieced denim, but they had left on all the details like pockets, buttons, belt loops, etc. It made for a really fabulous unique quilt with a lot of attitude. If anyone has a link to a picture of one of these, please post below in the comments section.

For more ideas, read on.

5 Reasons to Love Breaking In

Kristy Korcz — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 03:15:03 PDT

Day three of WonderCon had me sitting down with the cast of Breaking In, the upcoming comedy from Fox premiering April 6 at 9:30 p.m. Airing after American Idol, the show is bound to do pretty well for itself, but I think it's the funny characters, hilarious situations, and total geek cred that will make the show a hit. Christian Slater (who needs no introduction), Odelle Annable (Cloverfield), Bret Harrison (V), and Alphonso McAuley (Pride) star, and after talking with them about working together, office comedies, and tech toys, I found five reasons geeks should tune in. Check it out below.

The writers - The writers of Breaking In are totally legit in their geek cred. Adam F. Goldberg wrote Fanboys and Revenge of the Nerds among others, while Seth Gordon directed such nerdy films as The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters, and lent his geeky touch to episodes of The Office and Modern Family. So you know all those geek culture references you find riddled inside the Breaking In trailer are coming from the right place.
Geek culture nuggets - Breaking In is about a high-tech security firm that uses all kinds of technology - from computer software to gadgets - to make clients more secure. Of course, they "test" a client's current security systems by hacking in first, which sets the stage for lots of gadget and tech references. But more than that, there's even an episode where the team has to deliver a copy of (fictional) "Goonies 2: The Legend of Sloth" to a ComicCon like event. Costumes are donned, hilarity ensues, it's sure to entertain.

See the rest of the list after the jump.

Watch Kevin Spacey Get His Beard On and His Life Back Together in the Father of Invention Trailer

Shannon Vestal — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 10:17:54 PDT

We're all guilty of staying up late and getting sucked into infomercials, but if you've ever wondered about the personal lives of the people shilling the goods (let's just forget about the ShamWow guy), Father of Invention might appeal to you. Kevin Spacey stars as Robert Axle, an inventor and infomercial star until his latest gadget, the Ab Clicker, injures people rather than making their lives better. He's sent to prison, and the film fast forwards to his release, when he's trying to pick up the pieces of his life. His wife (Virginia Madsen) has moved on with Craig Robinson, and his daughter (Camilla Belle) has nothing but contempt for him.

Luckily, a dead-end job leads to some hope, if he can get a co-worker to help him (a strait-laced Johnny Knoxville). Father of Invention has all the makings of a wacky comedy - it's especially funny to see Axle pitch new ideas (to John Stamos, no less) for things that already exist, like Rock Band's microphone or MP3 players. Check out the trailer when you

Photo courtesy of Anchor Bay Entertainment