Hasta La Gadget!

There are a number of volcanically-formed islands in the oceans around the world. A new volcanic island has poked its peak above the surface of the ocean for the first time recently.

The exact location of the island is unknown, but it is said to be close to Japan. The island is actually the tip of an active volcano. It was discovered when coastguard services saw smoke and went to investigate. What they found was an active volcano spewing smoke and molten rock.

The island is tiny right now measuring only 200 meters wide. Since the island is so small it hasn’t even been named. Scientists say that since it is made from volcanic rock it may not live long as such rock erodes easily. If the island survives it may get a name in the future.

[via BBC]

We live in an era where many consumer electronics have silly names, often with lowercase i’s, an abundance of z’s or a lack of vowels. But not Tail Lights. Because that’s just what they are, a set of LED strips that strap onto horse tails, giving the animals and their riders improved visibility and enabling owners to pimp their living rides.

At first glance, the idea of Tail Lights might be as silly as its name is plain. But it may end up saving lives. Sami Gros was moved to invent Tail Lights when she and and a friend were hit by a car while they were on horseback, even though both of them were already wearing reflectors and were even in a town where horseback riding was commonplace.

Tail Lights have two main parts. Its CPU and battery are in a case small enough to be stowed in practically any saddle bag, while the LED strips themselves are connected by a cable to the battery. The strips are waterproof and will be available in different colors. Tail Lights has two brightness modes as well as a strobe mode.

Gallop to Kickstarter and pledge at least $160 (USD) to get a Tail Lights unit as a reward. Sami should make a unicorn horn light for frontal visibility. And also because that would be awesome.

[via CNET]

We definitely need more cute stuff in superhero movies. Like Thor. Remember when Darcy calls his hammer “Mew-Mew?” Well, Etsy seller TwinsGeekShop has taken the nickname and created some literal Mew-Mew hammers. And they are pretty darn cute.

Of course these fabric hammers look like kitties, kitties that can beat you senseless. That is what they are made for, beating each other up with cuteness. Then throwing them on your couch so you can cuddle with them later.

Unfortunately, if you want some Mew-Mew Mjölnirs you may have to wait a while. The seller is based in Russia, and they’re currently sold out. PLus, shipping to the U.S. takes around 21 days. But it is totally worth it. Beating people with cuteness. Is there anything better?

[via Tumblr and Crafting the Marvel Universe via Neatorama via Nerd Approved ]

Its impressive to hold a Coca-Cola bottle in your hand and think that about 30% of the bottle is actually made from renewable plant material. Coca-Cola and other soft drink companies have long been using a durable lightweight called PET. Ford uses PET in some of the materials in the interior of its vehicles including headliners, fabrics, and carpet among other things.

Coca-Cola’s PlantBottle technology makes for a greener version of PET and Ford has announced that it has teamed up with Coke to utilize the PlantBottle tech inside of its vehicles.

Ford will be showing off the Fusion energi plug-in hybrid vehicle in Los Angeles next week and inside the vehicle makes extensive use of PlantBottle technology.

Scientists and engineers from Coca-Cola and Ford worked together to develop a fiber using PlantBottle technology that can be woven into automotive grade PET fabric. Ford is using the technology to make fabric coverings for seat cushions, head restraints, and other components inside the car including headliners and door panels. Ford is currently evaluating using the material in other applications as well.

[via Coca-Cola]

It isn’t easy being a Roomba. It’s a tiring life of nothing but dust and filth. That’s why these household slaves have been known to kill themselves when they get the chance. Like this one did. You are looking at the remains of a Roomba from Austria that apparently turned itself on and ran onto a kitchen hotplate, where it burned to death.

Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, when you live the life of a Roomba, the sweet release of death is a must. Hats off gentlemen. Hold them to heart. Let us have a moment of silence and stare at the charred remains and ash tracks that is our fallen servant.

Then laugh at those ash tire tracks from where it was running around in circles on fire. Oops. Inappropriate? Too soon? Sorry.

[via Geekologie]