Some might argue that the music video is dead thanks to mindless production and redundant shots.  Not according to OK Go and they’ve got plenty to say about it.

Their latest video (checkout their previous work) was shot in partnership with Chevy and features the band driving a two miles course.  But this ain’t your everyday off road challenge.  While the lead singer of OK Go sings, he piloted the Chevy vehicle through a 2-mile course that was littered with an array of instruments that were activated with a variety of arms and bumps in the road.  The result?  A bizzaro version of the band’s Needing/Getting.

The video apparently took 4 months of preparation and just 4 day of shooting to complete.  However, the results speak for themselves.

What?!  Turns out that the Red Bull Stratos mission has yet to transpire.  It was years ago, or so it seemed, that we first heard about the Stratos.  A pilot, named Felix Baumgartner will float to 120,000 feet and return to the Earth’s surface without any mechanical dohickeys, just a space suit and sh*t load of gumption.  During his descent to terra firma he”ll achieve the speed of sound and from what we understand no one really knows if he’ll survive.

But, if he does safely return, he’ll not only be the first man to accomplish the speed of sound without an aircraft, but set the record for the longest free fall in the record books (5 minutes and 30 seconds).  The record was previously set by  Joe Kittinger, who jumped from a height of 102, 800 feet in 1960.

Felix already boast a number of world records, which include highest parachute dive from a building when he jumped from the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; the first person to cross the English Channel in freefall using a specially made fibre wing and more.

A launch date has yet to be announced, but when it does, they’ll be launching the three hour ascent from Roswell, New Mexixo, where conditions are said to be favorable.

No doubt you’ve dropped your iPhone from a height that warrants a broken screen or cracked back.  But like many, you’ve gotten lucky despite being engrossed in a state of fear induced frenzy.  That’s why we recommend that all those with a penchant for buttery fingers invest in case that will extend the iPhone’s life, and yours, by more than a few inadvertent drops to the concrete.

G-Form, a company that’s products protect beyond any rational need (see the videos here and here), is back in the lime light with a new iPhone case that can shield Apple’s handset from even the hardest of slaps, literally.  What are we talking about?  Hit the above video to see, but to paraphrase, G-Form is so confident in their iPhone case that they launched Apple’s handset into a hockey net at 82mph off the back of a hockey stick.  If the company is to be believed, and we don’t see why not, the stick achieved over 30,000psi of force on the case, enough to shatter your face.  The result is a fully functional iPhone with a slight, snowy dusting.

It’s no secret that car manufactures road test their vehicles in the public domain.  To keep their worst kept secrets, well, slightly more secret they’ll generally finish the car in a vinyl covering or some sort of atrocious paint job.  Fortunately, that has never fooled anyone and good thing, because if it did we wouldn’t have this video of the BMW i8 prototype electric/gas hybrid vehicle being tested in inclement weather (i.e. snow).  Donuts aside, which is what you’ll see in the above clip, the i8 can supposedly achieve 87mpg, though that mileage will no doubt very with acceleration, traction and tomfoolery.

Safe to assume that we’ve seen just about every type of iPhone case that has managed to escape the confines of a Chinese sweat shop.  That is until we received an email today pointing to a case called the WipeCoin.   Honestly, we didn’t know what to expect, but what we found was actually surprising, despite the fact that their pitch is slight flawed relative to their product offering.

The WipeCoin, as we mentioned is a case for the iPhone.  Simple enough.  It protects the edges and back of the iPhone.  But what makes it unique is the circular coin shaped protrusion at the lower left corner.  Drag your finger over it and you’ll unhinge a thumb sized plastic dot that sports a microfiber cloth adhered to its underbelly.  This allows you to easily, or painstakingly, clean your iPhone’s screen without dirtying your shirt.

Now, the reason that WipeCoin’s pitch is a bit flawed, is that they emphasize, at least in their chosen videos, that handsets tend to attract bacteria like a moth to a flame.  Unfortunately, this microfiber cloth, while it will clean the fingerprints and grease from your screen will do nothing to remove the dirt that adheres to your iPhone.  Furthermore, most of that dirt resides on the rear of the device, a place their microfiber cloth isn’t necessarily designed to reach.

Nonetheless, we tip our hats to WipeCoin for a unique product and hope to them all the success.  You can grab the WipeCoin case for $20 in black or white.

The “Matrix” will forever have a place in our scifi hearts.  While we won’t go as far as to say it’s on par with Star Wars, it most certainly runs a second to Lucas’ movies.    And that might explain why we find the Matrix Decal Skin Covers so darn attractive.  The skin attaches using an adhesive and should protect your tablet from minor scratches and dings.  According to Etsy maker “stickitskins,” they’re compatible with most cases.  Unfortunately, they’re only available for the 7-inch and 10-inch Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.  So keep dreaming iPad loyalists.

You can grab one for $20.

The iCade was a smash hit as soon as the vaporware piece of kit hit the webosphere.  Such a big hit in fact, that the product became reality thanks to Thinkgeek and ION Audio.  Well, as they say, all good things come in pairs.  The iCade Jr. is a miniaturized version of the original iCade, yet it’s specifically designed to fit your iPod Touch or iPhone.

Much like the iCade, your pocket sized iOS device connects to this gaming cabinet over Bluetooth, though for charging you can add Apple’s 30-pin cord thanks to a pass through slot.  Aside from the retro stylings of an arcade game past, the iCard Jr. boasts not just a joystick and four forward facing buttons, but four rear trigger buttons.  Without a hands on it’s a bit tough to say, but we’re gonna go ahead and assume that the trigger buttons are designed for games that don’t require a joystick since it would be difficult to reach for both.

ION Audio hasn’t said how much or when, but if we had to wager, it will be $50-75 and release sometime in March.

Fashionistas and hipster would argue that their clothing is as valuable as a life.  Tumi seems to agree as their latest line of luggage, the TEGRA-LITE, utilizes body armor.

The material is called Tegris, a polypropylene thermoplastic composite material created by Milliken.  It’s long been used in body armor, NASCAR cars and protective equipment for NFL players.  At the end of the day, Tegris can takes a serious licking without all the added weight generally experience with hardside cases.

Tumi, who acquired the exclusive world wide rights to this material, sells the cases starting at $595.

Understandably a DSLR ain’t your bag.  While they offer a myriad of options, controls and features, they often prove too daunting for the average photo enthusiast to tolerate.  Olympus’ newest digital camera, the SZ-31MR iHS, eschews just that.

In the image capture department the SZ-31MR appears to be somewhat of a power  house, capable of capturing 16 megapixel photos and full HD video simultaneously (or separately).  Zooming in on far objects most certainly won’t be a hurdle, as it boasts a 24x optical zoom, that Olympus says “double zoom magnification without sacrificing image quality” thanks to the “the camera’s 16-megapixel backlit CMOS sensor and two separate TruePic V image processors,” which mind you were originally developed for DSLR cameras. Up to 10 frames per second can be captured, which should come out blur free thanks to not only the SZ-31MR’s fast response time but dual image stabilization and high-speed autofocus.  Olympus has also included something called Multi Motion Movie IS for shake free video capture.  All of the above options can be controlled with the camera’s 3-inch touchscreen with a 920k dot resolution.  Last, but not least there is a mini-HDMI port for piping home movies and photos in full HD to your big screen when you “return from your adventure.”

The Olympus SZ-31MR iHS digital camera will in Black of Silver this April for $399.99.

Apple has long set the bar when it comes to computer product design.  So it’s no huge surprise to see other companies follow suit.  What are we getting at? Today, Logitech announced a mouse very similar to Apple’s Magic Mouse, the Logitech Touch Mouse M600.

Effectively it’s the same mouse, at least as far as we can tell and at the same cost, $69.99.  That means the face of the mouse is touch sensitve allowing you to swip, scroll and sweep as if you’re using a touchpad or smartphone.  However, Logitech’s included software will let you assign a left or right handed profile.  They’re also included a mini-unifying receiver that fits inside the mouse during travel and means RF instead of Bluetooth, though they’re effectively the same.  While the Logitech M600 can use two AA batteries for 6 months of use, you can opt to use one.  It will cut your play time in half, but on the upside you’ll have a lighter, more portable mouse.

The Logitech Touch Mouse M600 is available for preorder and will ship any day now.

So there you are, in your hotel room, surfing the web on your iPad.  You’d like to crank up the tunes and get Will Smith jiggy with it, but that tiny speaker on Apple’s tablet just won’t suffice.  That wouldn’t be the case if you had got yourself the Sound Cover, a case that can boost the volume of your iPad by as much as 300%, or so the manufacture claims.

Unlike other all-in-one devices, which generally shine in one area and suffer in another, the Sound Cover looks legit when it comes to protection, style and audio quality. There are three colors to choose from (red, black and blue) and they’ll even have a Bluetooth wireless version for those that don’t want to resort to plugging in using a 3.5mm headphone cord.  All the ports will be left exposed allowing you to charge your iPad or increase the volume, and for those that are looking to catch a flick or watch a show on Hulu Plus, there is a aluminum kickstand to prop things up.  The NXT stereo speakers of the Sound Cover are powered by a built-in rechargeable battery, which means no pesky AAA batteries to fiddle with.

The Sound Cover is a Kickstarter project.  If you’d like one you’ll need to drop $100, which will net you a $29 discount over the retail version.

Well, would you look at that.  Just yesterday we were comparing the Xappr iPhone gun to that of Laser Tag.  And today, by chance nonetheless, Hasbro goes and announces a new Lazer Tag gun for 2012 complete with an iPhone/iPod Touch slot.

Unlike the Xappr, the Lazer Tag Blaster  can operate independently of the iPhone, though your experience will be significantly enhanced with one of Apple’s iOS devices mounted in the holder.  With the free Lazer Tag app downloaded you’ll be able to face off against both virtual enemies or up to 24 real human players.  The HUD as Hasbro calls it, will show you your upgrade options as you succeed in defeating your enemies from battle to battle, as well as the ability to view your remaining power (as in life), enemies in the area and ammo reserves.

The Lazer Tag iPhone guns are capable of firing a virtual shot up to 250 feet and run on 6 AA batteries.  One Blaster will cost you $39.99, while a set of two nets you a $10 discount making the final price $69.99.  They’ll go on sale August 1st.

Press release below

LAZER TAG 2012 PRODUCT DESCRIPTIONS

From the makers of the popular NERF blasters comes the revolutionary LAZER TAG system, combining the power, precision and excitement of live-action blaster battles with the high-action, strategic, augmented reality gameplay of traditional video games. To experience the LAZER TAG game, players download the free LAZER TAG app to their iPhone or iPod touch device, connect their device to their LAZER TAG blaster, and find themselves immersed in a world where video games and real life connect. Using either single or multi-player mode, players can engage in a LAZER TAG match featuring either real life worlds or virtual opponents. Each LAZER TAG blaster equipped with a device has a virtual firing range of over 250 feet and contains a ‘Heads Up Display’, or HUD, which allows players to keep track of their gear and remaining power, while also providing a view of the augmented reality targets and enemies in the area. A virtual leaderboard keeps track of each player’s profile and, with every successful mission, players will gain in-game access to upgradeable attacks, missions and gear. With LAZER TAG blasters, the stakes are high, the game is real. Don’t just play it, live it.

The 2012 LAZER TAG product line includes:

LAZER TAG 2 BLASTER Set
(HASBRO/Ages 8 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $69.99/Available: August 1, 2012)
Get into the game with the ultimate LAZER TAG 2 BLASTER set, brought to you by the makers of the NERF brand. Set includes two LAZER TAG blasters. For enhanced augmented reality gameplay, simply download the free LAZER TAG app to an iPhone or iPod touch device and then connect the device to the blaster to activate the immersive gaming experience. When in multi-player mode, blasters are equipped with a virtual firing range of over 250 feet and an on-screen ‘Heads Up Display’ which, for the first time with LAZER TAG, allows players to see the lazer and keep track of their gear and remaining power. In the solo campaign, the blasters provide a view of the augmented reality targets and enemies in the area. Performing well in combat and mastering levels will increase players’ stats on a virtual leaderboard, as well as unlock upgrades for attacks, missions, gear and firepower. Game may be played in single-player mode, or in multi-player mode with up to 24 people. Players can also play LAZER TAG without a device using the blaster’s classic multi-player mode. Each blaster requires 6 AA batteries, not included. Available at most major toy retailers nationwide and on HasbroToyShop.com.

LAZER TAG Blaster
(HASBRO/Ages 8 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $39.99/Available: August 1, 2012)
Live the mission and conquer opposing forces with the innovative LAZER TAG blaster, from the makers of NERF products. For solo campaigns, players begin the game by simply downloading the free LAZER TAG app to an iPhone or iPod touch device and then connecting the device to the blaster. Players are then immersed in a live-action virtual gaming experience like no other. The on-screen Heads Up Display reveals virtual foes and targets in single-player mode and real-life worlds in multi-player mode, all while keeping track of remaining power and hits. Playing the LAZER TAG game as a single player allows players to use skill and strategy to master levels of increased difficulty, earning points and rewards along the way. Multi-player mode pits players against enemies in an epic competition where ability, energy and instinct rule. LAZER TAG blasters boast a virtual firing range of over 250 feet! Game may be played in single-player mode, or in multi-player mode with up to 24 people. Players can also play LAZER TAG without a device using the blaster’s classic multi-player mode. Available in either white or yellow; each sold separately. Each blaster requires 6 AA batteries, not included. Available at most major toy retailers nationwide and on HasbroToyShop.com.

We’ll have to wait until summer time to get a look at The Dark Knight Rises.  But until then, we can try and quench your thirst for all things Batman with what appears to be the bulk of official merch that was unveiled at this year’s toy fair, Toy Fair 2012.  We have to take our hats off to Idle Hands, who captured all of the photos in the gallery.  We’re not the type to go out and collect these kind of things, but if we had to, it would probably be the Batman or Bane bobble head.

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It turns out that Amazon was totally B-S-ing us with the release date of December 31st, 2012 for the game Kinect Star Wars.  Today, we learned that it will release April 3rd, which if you recall is what we “half expected.”  On top of that, we’ve also learned that it will include five dynamic modes, allowing you to control a Speeder Bike, fight Count Dooku and Darth Vader and even boogie (yes dance) to your favorite Star Wars inspired tunes.

With five dynamic modes – Jedi Destiny: Dark Side Rising, Podracing, Rancor Rampage, Galactic Dance Off and Duels of Fate – “Kinect Star Wars” makes it possible for Star Wars fans of all ages to delve into immersive Star Wars experiences. In addition to the previously announced Jedi, Podracing and Rancor modes, Xbox 360 and LucasArts have today unveiled new additions to the game, including:

New experiences within Jedi Destiny Mode, including:

Space battles:As you travel the Galaxy to face an evil that threatens to undermine the fabric of the Republic, you’ll engage with forces of the Empire in intense space battles

Speeder Bikes and Landspeeders: Pilot iconic Speeder Bikes and Landspeeders on your epic journey

New duels:Battle opponents like Count Dooku and Darth Vader on your journey to become a Jedi

New Duels of Fate mode, a battle-by-battle experience to sharpen your Jedi skills against the Dark Side.

New Galactic Dance Off mode loaded with Star Wars-themed pop tunes where those still honing their Jedi skills can take a break to battle Darth Vader on the dance floor or bust a move “Solo style.”

Additionally, the Xbox 360 Limited Edition “Kinect Star Wars” console bundle will feature an exclusive C-3PO unlockable for Dance Mode. With these new reveals and the ability to play in 3D,

But that’s not the only good news we have for those of you holding out for the latest Star Wars game.  Major Nelson let it be known that the Star Wars Xbox 36o, the one we told you about last July, will ship on the same day, with the game, a C3PO inspired controller, Kinect camera, a 320GB hard drive and Star Wars noises for $449.  If you’re so inclined you can preorder one from Amazon right now, where upon it will show up at your door neatly wrapped in time for Easter.

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Cold fingers on the slopes may not only be dangerous from a Frostbrite standpoint, but can prove to be a significant distraction from enjoying that freshly packed powder.  Sure, you could opt for those reheatable pocket warmers, but those are only good while you have your hands stuffed inside your pocket and often require boiling water to reset them.  Forget that.

Warmthru Heated Gloves run off a set of included 7.4V rechargeable batteries that will keep your fingers and hands toasty warm.  Unfortunately, the battery pack is not integrated into the glove liner itself and instead wraps around your arm, just below and attaches to the glove using a small cord.  At 100% heat the heated glove liners will last up to 4 hour or 6 hours at 50%.

Included in the package are a set of waterproof ski gloves that have been outfitted with rubber dots for added grip, a charger compatible with the car that is able charge both batteries simultaneously and two rechargeable batteries.

All this will cost you, though.  Total price for one pair (available in S-L) is about $220.

Batman, much like Star Wars, is one of those brands that can be attached to just about any object and be sold at a premium.  What’s our point?   The Dark Knight Spud.  Yup, this is Mr. Potato Head in a Dark Knight outfit, replete with Batarang and Utility Belt.  You can grab one at the Big Bad Toy Store for $17.99.  However, we’re not sure if you can remove all of his pieces (pants, eyes, hat, belt), just like the original Mr. Potato Head.

To be candid, the TV remote hasn’t changed all that much in the last 20 years.  At the end of the day all you really need to be able to do is dial in a channel, increase the volume and occasionally mess with the set’s settings.  But as the TV becomes increasingly more complicated, such as being able to surf the Net and access a variety of content online, using a standard remote would be an infuriating experience.  LG attempted to address this quandry with their Magic Motion remote and Vizio is hip to the game by including a Bluetooth QWERTY remote.  Samsung ain’t feeling either of these designs and instead has opted for a new remote that blends the traditional remote control with a mouse pad.

The remote’s name is unknown, but it will be included with TVs released later this year.  The top portion incorporates a touchpad for navigating the TV’s menu system, while a set of dedicated buttons that sit adjacent to the touchpad allow users to change the volume and flip through channels.  For those seeking a less traditional approach, Samsung has added a microphone to their remote, letting viewers speak commands to their TV.  Samsung has used a combination of Bluetooth and IR, which means it will work with TVs and hopefully Blu-ray players such as the PS3.

Right now there is no word on a price or availability.

Comic fans will have another chance on July 3rd to enjoy yet another iteration of the Amazing Spiderman.  For you non nerds out there, or those who have been living under a rock for the last 10 years, the first Spiderman movie, while decent and a massive success at the box office, lacked the gusto and pizazz comic book fans came to expect from the series.  That, and it was too literal of a translation from book to screen, which often doesn’t hold up due to the bright colors and “high context” scenes.  Superman is another example of this failure, where as the recent Batman series from Chris Nolan is anything but.

Following the first movie, Sam Raimi, the series’ director pushed out 2 sequels and although the second one was a financial success, it fell short of fan expectations.  And the third Spiderman movie, well, that was just down right laughable and had us questioning if Raimi had directed the movie while under the influence of a narcotic.

But good news!  The series is getting a reboot and might actually satiate fans with what appears to be a somewhat engrossing story that doesn’t deviate too far from the familiar. Peter Parker must face of against the city police commissioner (Mary Jane’s father played by Dennis Leary) and all the while is challenged by the Croc, an original nemesis in the comic book series.  The stunts alone, at least so far, make the movie a far more compelling story than the previous iteration, though Parker will still be adorning the silly red and blue costume.  Nevertheless, we have high hopes for this iteration of one of the most popular comic book heroes to date.

Last week I took a look at Altec Lansing’s iMT630 Portable speaker.  And today, to complement that, I’m reviewing the inMotion Air.  And like it’s smaller brother, it too sports a 7 hour battery life, though instead of a 30-pin dock you’ll have the option of connecting to it via Bluetooth or using the included USB stick that plugs into your computer.

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On top of the device are a set of controls allow for pairing your Bluetooth device as well as controlling playback and volume.  Hidden in the back is a handle for carrying the speaker as well as a remote that stores away in a threaded slot.  The remote works well for performing standard iPod controls and changing volume, but keep in mind it won’t work from another room (there is Apple’s iOS Remote for that, provided your streaming music from your computer).

For those who prefer a wired experience there is an AUX input, though the included wireless options are surely enough to satiate even those without the latest smartphone or computer thanks to the included USB stick which provides a wireless range of up to 300 feet.  While I didn’t test the truth of that figure to the maximum, I had no problem streaming music throughout the house and Bluetooth worked very well despite it boasting a much shorter range.  That said, there is a headphone jack output on the USB dongle for adding a second set of speakers, though that hardly seems necessary since you can stream music to two of these at the same time. Unfortunately, I didn’t receive a second inMotion Air to test this and since Bluetooth doesn’t support dual streaming, it will have to be done using the included USB adapter for the computer.

For the most part the inMotion Air is just a plastic box.  So fair to say, it is underwhelming from an aesthetic standpoint.  But, it is simple enough that it will blend into just about any scenario, though I’d recommend the Black version since that might be a bit more innocuous than the gray.  Behind the grill are two 3-inch drivers that produce room filling sound.  In fact, I was pretty taken back by the sound quality of the inMotion Air despite being connected to the device over Bluetooth. So suffice to say, the look of the speaker manages expectations and far exceeded mine when it came to its sonic output.  However, it does lack bass kicking sound, but that is largely a reflection of the inMotion Air’s small size, which is just 13.2” (W) x 3.5” (D) x 4.1” (H).  So all together, I was pretty pleased with the sonic capabilities of the inMotion Air.

At the end of the day there are a variety of Bluetooth speakers on the market.  While there is no speaker phone option, as found in the Jambox, the inMotion Air is produces pretty kicking sound for a portable, rechargeable speaker.  Fold in the USB dongle for streaming tunes long distance (up to 300 feet) from your computer and there is hardly a wireless speaker on the market that can compete.  Just take note that it won’t kick out the same sound quality and range as some wired speakers of the same price ($199) and lacks an iOS dock.

Bottom Line: Convenience over sound quality makes this speaker a winner in my book, though it most certainly sonically stands tall despite its small size.

Editor’s Rating:

4 out of 5 stars

Great

Pros:

• Portable wirelessly speaker with a 7 hour rechargeable battery
• Built-in remote and USB dongle for wireless music from your computer
• Holds it own sonically despite small size and portability

The idea of a self chilling can isn’t exactly new.  In fact, word of an actual beverage manufacturer using such a piece of tech has been circulating for longer than we can remember.  Aside from the technological hurdles, price is a massive deterrent since it could very well increase the cost of a $1 soda three to four fold.  However, all these speed bumps haven’t stopped Joseph Company International (who?).

They’ve got plans to release the first self chilling can (no outside power source needed) to the commercial marketplace by the end of March.  The beverage will be called West Coast Chill.  Each can of West Coast Chill will cost $3 and with the push of a button can drop the temperature of the can’s contents by 30 degrees in just 3 minutes time.

Now, we know what you’re thinking: you’re worried about to the green house effects of such an apparatus.  Well don’t.  According to Gizmag they’ve used “activated carbon derived from organic renewable vegetable materials, and carbon dioxide reclaimed from the atmosphere.”  In other words they’re harmless to the Earth’s atmosphere and can apparently be easily recycled into future West Coast Chill cans.