Check out this Wall-E robot clone built of Lego! Though this robot is made of Lego and won’t look or sound as genuine as the one you’ve seen in the movie, it’s always incredible (I think) to see people bring Lego to life simply by putting abit of brain power and engineering skill into the good old plastic blocks…

Youtube user Bazmarc, a 41-year old from Canada who works in IT is a serious Lego fan who enjoys Lego Robotics building and programming. Just very recently he posted a series of videos showing his totally cool implementation of the WALL-E robot constructed completely from stock Lego NXT Mindstorms robot system parts. Not only is the robot realistic, it also features some very emotional and touching eye movements.

Bazmarc’s robot creation does use some third party components, like Mindsensors and HiTechnic - both Lego certified though!

According to some comments on his videos, the robot uses…

“1 NXT with rechargable pack, 3 Servo Motors, 4 PF motors, 2 IR receiver, 1 UltraSonic sensor, 1 sound sensor, 1 IRlink, 1 NXTservo module and 1 mini RC servo, 10 AA batteries and Lego from the Bulldozer #8275 and other parts from various technic sets.”

Here’s a video explaining just how his robot Wall-E’s eyes work…

And here is a demo video of the robot itself…

Bazmarc has done a number of revisions to his robot since it was first completed, you can check out these videos over at his YouTube channel here…

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Video: Lego built Wall-E robot clone with eye movements!!!

All of the Slobots made by crafter Slobot are handmade and one-of-a-kind, with no molds used. This particular Slobot is made of polymer clay with aluminum arms, and his eye glows in the dark. He’s just under 3 inches tall.

If you’re thinking this is a toy, think again. Slobot admonishes you that this guy is not suitable for kids or pets and you’re not even allowed to play with him. Hmm. That makes him seem a little less fun, but still cool.

This mini masterpiece will only set you back $25. You can also email for a custom ‘bot. Get it from Etsy.

I’ll be honest. The i300 passed me by on release, and when Matt asked me to check out a WM2003 device, I wasn’t exactly excited by the prospect. However, the i300 does have a few unique selling points, and you could say was ahead of its time, meaning it could be worth a look even today.

The Samsung i300

What's in the box?

As usual for Samsung, there's a box full of goodies, two batteries and even a dock included.

• Samsung i300
• AC Charger
• Docking cradle
• Standard battery
• Extended battery
• Direct USB connection
• Headset

Samsung i300 Specification:

• Dimensions : 113 x 48 x 20 (mm)
• Weight : 121 g
• Talk time: up to 7 hours
• Standby time: up to 200 hours
• Display type: TFT, 256K colors at 240 x 320 pixels
• Camera: 2 Megapixel, 1280x1024 pixels, video captue/playback, with flash
• Bluetooth, v1.2
• MP3/WMA/AAC/MPEG4 player
• Operating system: Microsoft Windows Mobile 2003 SE
• Memory: 3 GB microdrive, 64 MB internal memory, expandable via TransFlash memory cards
• Tri band: GSM 900 / GSM 1800 / GSM 1900

General

There isn't much to see on the top of the Samsung i300, just the black iRDA 'window'.

Samsung i300 top view

On the bottom you'll find plastic cover over the proprietary Sync/Charge connector.

Samsung i300 bottom view

On the left hand side you can find another plastic cover over the proprietary headphone connector. Below there a buttons for voice recorder, keylock and volume control.

Samsung i300 left side

Looking to the right side there's yet another cover, this time it covers the MicroSD/Transflash card slot. There' also a dedicated camera button and two additional soft keys.

Samsung i300 right side

The Samsung i300 has a decent looking keypad with regular numeric pad and standard smartphone shortcut keys. In the middle is a rotating jog dial that works to scroll through the phone's menus as stored media files.

Samsung i300 keypad

Unusually, the Samsung i300 package includes a neat docking station that allows you to charge the device and the spare battery at the same time.

The Samsung i300 in its dock

Review

So why are we reviewing an older smartphone? A few reasons really. For a start eXpansys want you to buy one, but I was also interested in the retro looks of the device, and of course the 3gb “microdrive”.

3gb isn’t a great deal now with the iPhone, but then this isn’t anywhere near the cost of one. It’s was, until the Diamond, the only WM based device to have built in storage. It’s an interesting phone and is as quick as any of the devices being launched today.

The retro look comes from a mix of black and silver plastic, but feels very well built. The sides are filled with various shortcut hardware buttons, and although these make it look a bit business orientated, most are of some use.

Throughout it’s life, it has, perhaps oddly, been pushed as a consumer device (and in the marketing, you’d be forgiven for thinking the hard disk only accepts music files!). This seems a little strange to me, as its crying out to be used in enterprise. Its a true USB Stick/phone combo, and 3gb of storage, plus a decent well spec'ed phone for £70 seems good.

The i300 of course does beat the likes of Sony Walkman phones in terms of storage, but the teenage girl crowd are not going to want to carry around i300! Style wise then, it is in a niche market, but I do firmly believe it retains its use even now – especially with now stupidly low pricing - it even comes with a decent set of headphones and a headphone adapter for those wishing to use their own headphones.

i300 headphone adapter

As you might expect, music (and anything else) is easily synced to the device with a combination of Windows Media Player and ActiveSync, but unfortunately the built in speakers are pretty awful. As usual, and as most people do, using earphones improves the quality no end.

As well as the full scale hard disk, the i300 still supports external micro-sd cards, which can be hot swapped without removing the battery.

There's is sadly no way of upgrading the device from its rather old WM2003 Second Edition despite the fact that later builds of the i300 did include WM5.

The usual array of software is available on the device immediately – and Samsung have also added “Picsel viewer” which opens most Office documents.

The built in camera at 1.3meg is acceptable, but does struggle to perform at the levels expected these days. The camera button is on the right hand side of the phone, next to a button dedicated to the standard profile selection screen. This doubles up with a long press to activate flight mode. A third button applies the keylock.

On the right hand side, there is the volume rocker switch, the headphones port, and a voice control/voice recorder button.

The front of the phone is typical retro candybar looks. Screen at the top, buttons at the bottom, and the standard WM softkeys. The navigation ring is really useful though. First off its the usual 5-way direction pad, but the ring itself also spins, with a ridge to make it even easier to navigate through websites and other documents. It is also the method used to digitally zoom the camera.

I really do want to love this phone, and considering its age, its still amazingly useful and easy to use. It is big, and perhaps a bit too heavy. It just about gets away with it, because you do get something for the hassle – the hard disk. I do hope it can withstand a few heavy falls though!

The battery life is acceptable, although you will lose access to the hard disk when the battery drops to a certain level. This will at least in theory give you a little bit of extra time to get home and recharge! The package does include an extra battery that you can carry for the emergency situations.

Samsung i300 battery packs

Highlights

• Nice retro look
• 3gb memory
• High quality screen
• Decent battery life

Lowlights

• A little too heavy
• WM2003 and seemingly no WM5 upgrade available

Conclusion

For all its minor niggles, I can’t help liking the i300, despite its age, and the older OS. The 3gb storage is a really nice addon, and its what separates this from other devices of its time – and makes it a worthwhile purchase for some even now.

Review by: Mark

In the ninth episode of the Gadget Lab Videoblog, Dylan Tweney and Jose Fermoso review the 2GB robot Sony Rolly player, which includes a bizarre control system, funny dance moves that interpret music intelligently, and oddly evokes the dancing wall fish sold at the supermarket.

In addition, Daniel Dumas and Steven Leckart review the stylish new smart phone from Palm, the Treo Pro. They go over the one valid reason why it's embedded with extra buttons, and why it ultimately disappoints as a breakthrough phone but is still good enough for a recommendation.

If the video above is not working, please click here to view it: Reviews of the Sony Rolly and Palm Treo Pro.

You can also check out all of our previous videos at Wired's channel on YouTube. (Or you can click on the Gadget Lab Video category in the right corner of this post.)

This episode of the Gadget Lab Video was created by Annaliza Savage (producer), Niall McKay (camera), and Michael Lennon (editor).

Check this detail before you buy:

• Band: CDMA 850/1900MHz
• Data: 1xRTT
• Size: 91.4mm x 48.3mm x 17.8mm (3.6″ x 1.9″ x .7″)
• Weight: 76.5g (2.7oz)
• Battery Life: Unknown standby time Estimated 4.4 hours talk time
• Main Display: 2″ color TFT, 128×160 pixel resolution
• External Display: Monochrome cSTN, 96×96 pixel resolution
• Camera: No
• Video: No
• Messaging: SMS/MMS/IM
• Email: Web-based
• Bluetooth: Yes
• Memory: unknown
• Availability: Now Available
• Other: Speakerphone

[mobileburn]

Remember we made a new blog to cover tips and hacks for the Google Chrome?

Here’s a re-cap of interesting hacks and tips this week:

Resize your textbox - Google Chrome lets you resize any textbox of any website

Video of Story behind Chrome by development team - Listen to what Google Developers have to say on the Chrome browser.

Getting started with Chrome development - If you are thinking about making a new application for the Google Chrome, this is where to start.

Chrome Keyboard Shortcuts - Of course, you need to know keyboard shortcuts to browser fast on the Chrome.

How to run Chrome on Linux or Ubuntu - Here’s a simply DIY on how to run your Chrome browser in Linux/Ubuntu using Wine.

Over 50% of visitors on Chrome-hacks.net consist of Chrome users! - Wow, it’s really funny that Chrome fanatics are the main readers of this new blog.

How to use Chrome on USB Flash Drive - Here’s a simple download for having Chrome on your USB Flash drive for on-the-go.

Chrome might be ported to Android - Well, when Android cellphones hit the streets, there might be mobile Chrome on it.

For more tips, hacks, and news about the Google Chrome, please check out our new blog, Google Chrome Hacks Blog.

via Zedomax Blog Network

Brought to you by: Zedomax.com

Recap of Google Chrome Hacks Blog This Week!

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Google made headlines by launching Chrome, its shiny new browser. We dig it, though we're wondering if Google really does. The company-turned-verb isn't the only one confused, either: check out Microsoft's bewildering push for Vista using shoes and churros. We also saw two contenders to the iThrone: one a solid phone by Nokia, the other, a plain ol' scooter. Yeah, think Vespas.

Check out more goodies from this week:

Post-game report: Live NFL football on the Web
The NFL finally manages to make first down on the net.

Dell Studio Hybrid hands-on: the perfect home theater PC?
The PC-savvy and the uninitiated should definitely give the Studio Hybrid a look.

Orator Briefcase PA System
Anyone can make speeches anytime, anywhere. Oh, great…

Japanese homes from the future: 'Un Sui'
Does your house look like a sci-fi movie set? This one does.

Most powerful magnet ever being built in Florida
Your fridge magnets suck.

Neuton CE 6.2 electric mower
It mows, munches and mulches through your lawn — and your carbon footprint.

Government Facility or Secret Lair? Tokyo's Tower of Wind
A high tech, secret tunnel in the middle of the water? Suspicious.

The designer, Sherwood Forlee, puts it like this: “glasses that are separable from their stems for more compact storage, and a metal stem for enhanced strength. A rubber gasket safely and snugly links the glass that fits your drink choice with the stem. Stems are available in a variety of colors and finishes.”

Simple and beautiful. I’d like a set with red/yellow/green color combo stems made of steel. Extra heavy metal would be extra awesome.

Also be sure to check out Forlee’s webpage: he’s a real dude with a barely completed mathematics schooling who “calls himself a designer because it sounds hip and no one likes hanging around a nerd at a party.”

My kind of fellow.

Designer: Sherwood Forlee