So, like, maybe you haven’t heard. The iPhone from Apple is being released. Uh, yeah… breaking news is my game, and Cutting Edge is my name. But, anyway, what are rival phone manufacturers, and cellular service providers to do in the face of the oncoming train (Apple says that there are some 19 million folks willing to pay for the device, sight unseen. We’ll see, given the high price and untested features and interface.)

From Crunchgear.com comes word that Sprint and LG are set to release the MUZIQ. Not perfect competition for the iPhone given the traditional interface, but there are some interesting features:

LG and Sprint are rolling out the MUZIQ today and it’s gunning for the top of the Mobile Music heap. Not only does it store up to 4,000 songs, but it also incorporates a built-in FM transmitter that feeds your music to any FM radio within 10 feet. A lot of mobile music phones lack the capacity to support any SD cards larger than 2GB, but the MUZIQ is not run-of-the-mill and supports up to 4GB.

Industry analysts and those with much more time on their hands than I have are opining as to whether people will make the switch from their current carrier of choice just so they can get their hands on the iPhone. Personally, I won’t, but then that’s just me. At least phone manufacturers are going to try to put up a fight.

Via Crunchgear.com

Our sister site, Crunchgear.com, has just posted an interesting little article about a new gizmo for your interesting little article. I must admit, I have never heard of Trojan Vibrating Rings (maybe because you can’t buy them in my state… darn Republicans), and maybe you haven’t either.

Follow this LINK for pictures, instructions and guidance on this “safe, consumer-friendly way to introduce extra pleasure into your leisure-time activities in ways only achievable through battery-operated devices.”

P.S. I put a “Marriage” and “Dating” classification on this post. My guess is it will be much more useful for you dating types. Bastards!

My cleverly crafted title aside, this blog post will be dedicated to the laptop computer that you, well, have to get. And I mean HAVE TO. I’m going to let Business Week do the talking here:

The result, code-named Intel mobile Metro notebook, is less than 0.7 inches thick—about one-quarter of an inch thicker than Motorola’s iconic cell phone [the Razr], making it the world’s thinnest notebook. And at 2.25 pounds, it’s also one of the lightest small-sized portable computers. Other features include always-on Internet connectivity via various wireless technologies.

You read that right: a quarter of an inch thicker than a Razr. It’ll have always-on connectivity, using all Intel chips, of course, to connect via Wi-Fi, EV-DO and WiMax. It’ll also have a flash memory hard drive, with an expected battery life of 14 hours.

This thing is going to be available soon, perhaps as soon as the end of 2007, though no prices have yet been released or announced.

The last thing I’ll say about this is that I’m not buying the idea that this product appeals to women. I think this is a definite whizz-bang kinda gadget, which is within man’s purview.

Business Week via Gizmodo.com

When I was a kid, my older cousin had this kick-ass remote control car. Not one of those Radio Shack jobbies, but one from a local hobby shop that specialized in such items. That sonufabitch had upgraded wheels and what seemed like a 300 horsepower engine. From that moment, I thought that remote controlled cars were the coolest thing ever, but I never had one.

Maybe now I, and others like me, can get our collective fix on. How about a remote controlled lawnmower? That’s right: the LawnBott is in full effect. From Gizmodo:

Charge it up on its docking station and it will go for 4 hours - or 33,000 square feet - on one single charge. It’s apparently so quiet that you can let it run all night without bugging the neighbors, it doesn’t mind a bit of light rain, and a heavier shower will send it toddling back to its base station like the obedient little robot it is.

Two words: Awe Some. Coolness don’t come cheap, though. This puppy will set you back about $1800, which is about the price of a riding lawnmower. It may be worth it just to see the look on your know-it-all neighbor’s face.

Check the full Press Release (via Gizmodo)

At this point, it’s beyond cliche to note that we are an iPod culture. These little things are big, big business. You might be interested to know that iPod accessories alone are worth almost One Billeeyon Dollars per year. Then again you might not be interested in that. But that’s a whole lotta cheese, for sure.

Roth Audio dives into this fray with its Music Cocoon MC4, the little beauty that you see pictured above. I’m not sure whether those are bottles of fairy dust or molasses, but this thing looks the business.

The Music Cocoon has been designed for use with the lovely Apple iPod (hence the fairly obvious dock on the top of the amplifier), any portable audio device (that’s why there is a 3.5mm socket on the back of the amplifier), any device which outputs audio to a 3.5mm jack (e.g. a laptop), or a CD player (that’ll be why there is a pair of RCA sockets on the back as well).

When using uncompressed files, this amplifier has the ability to allow you to hear things in the music which you have not heard before. It will bring back the excitement of listening for the first time to that new album from your favourite artist, the same anticipation, but, with a curiously smooth and refined playback which you will not have experienced before. Yes. It is that good.

For those of you that simply must have the latest gear, this one’s an eye-catcher. The US distributor for Roth Audio systems such as this one is American Music & Sound. Pretty affordable actually, at $780.

I don’t know whether or not to thank Brickhouse Mobile, but they are clearly providing a service for which a demand exists. Brickhouse is the self-styled “preeminent mobile solution provider for the adult entertainment industry,” and their recent negotiations with Sandee Westgate (ain’t no way I’m linking to her page) have climaxed into their most recent product offering — Sandee branded mobile content.

Sandee has been a busy girl, apparently:

With more than 10,000 erotic images, and a video library 250 titles strong, Sandee Westgate fans will soon be able to enjoy the Smoking Hot Sandee’s Girls and her famous girl-on-girl products on their mobile phones. Original and catalog selections, including ringtones, wallpapers, and videos will be available through applications on authorized carrier decks throughout the U.S. and international markets as well as a Sandee Westgate branded WAP site this Spring.

Should I color you interested?

I just have to wonder how all this is going to work. Let’s say you’re standing in line at the bank and your phone rings. But rather than hearing the Bon Jovi ringtone you usually have, some chick starts banging on about “give it to me, stud,” or “Oh, God, Oh, God.” I don’t know. I’m definitely skeptical. But I just report the facts, people. I’m not going to pass judgment.

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If the posters, the billboards, the TV commercials, common sense or the legacies of dead friends-of-friends are still not enough to stop you from driving home drunk, the State of New Mexico is going to speak to you in a language you can understand – urinal cakes.

Using motion-sensor technology, the Wizmark Interactive Urinal Communicator (we’re not kidding) detects the approaching, uh, client, and delivers a short, calm, sweet message encouraging well-lubricated patrons to consider getting home by means other than their own.

Although the really drunk will probably run away screaming the second they hear a talking urinal cake, perhaps the less-drunk-but-still-too-drunk-to-drive, having so far ignored everyone else’s advice, will heed the warning of their small, drenched friend.

We’ll leave the last word to the Wizmark itself: “Remember, your future is in your hand.”

DWI message finds home in urinal [Free New Mexican via Crunch Gear]

A Dutchman demonstrates his storm-resistant umbrella.

For those who speak Dutch, this will be a super treat for you. For the rest, it’s Dutchness probably makes it even more amusing.

Sure, you could go to their website to find out what exactly is so special about these umbrellas (it does, thankfully, include the phrase “Plays with the wind, never goes inside out”), but this video should really tell you all you need to know.

Senz Umbrellas [via Crunch Gear]

Traditionally, we’ve been obsessed by the style choices of James Bond, but there’s something about the understated, utilitarian accessorizing of 24’s Jack Bauer.

After all, while Bond has the regular luxury of fopping around a hotel room while having his tuxedo pressed and his chrono recalibrated with gadget after gadget, Bauer never stops until some ‘crisis’ is averted (although who knows what he does for the other 364 days of the year), and his gear needs the same kind of tenacity.

A few weapons, flak jackets, monoculars, cuffs, shades and more, all slung in a nondescript canvas messenger over his special ops watch-clad arm – there’s some great, gritty gear there.

Whether it all wears out after more than a day of use is anyone’s guess, however.

Jack Bauer Gear [Uncrate]

Perhaps paranoid of leaving anything unsaid, Motorola’s latest unveiling is the RAZRmaxx V6 Ferrari Challenge Mobile Phone Limited Edition. We can’t really describe it any better than the product name does already…

Sporting the famous cavallino rampante on the outside of the clamshell, genuine Ferrari V8 sound effects, red backlighting, themed wallpapers and car photos complete the branding, while the $635 price also gives it that desired Ferrari exclusivity.

As for the phone itself, 3.6 Mbps HSDPA broadband brings the phone up to speed, and the now-standard 2MP camera and second, outward-facing VGA screen are joined by external media controls.

Not that Ferrari fans could care less. That logo could be stickered onto the side of an empty beans can attached to a piece of string and they’d buy it.

Motorola preps Ferrari edition RAZRmaxx [Electronista via Crunch Gear]