These retro cameras from Superheadz, called “Blackbird, Fly” are reminiscent of the twin lens reflex Rolleiflex cameras from the olden days, only these cameras take 35mm film rather than the traditional medium format film used in the originals. But, in honor of the originals, these new cameras produce square images (just smaller) so you retain that full retro feeling when you’re looking at the results. Trends in Japan tells us this camera will sell for under $100. Maybe they’ll be out in time for the holidays.

More on retro cameras:
LOMO retro cameras
Fisheye camera #Two

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As an initial step towards developing the biotechnology for bringing back extinct species, scientists in the U.S. and Australia have already demonstrated the viability of certain DNA from Tasmanian tiger cubs preserved for 100 years.

Researchers are now conducting studies in “somatic cell nucleus transfer” which might hold great promise in resurrecting species that have long been extinct. Professor Akira Iritani of Kinki University in Japan is working with a university in Thailand to use an elephant as a surrogate to give birth to a mammoth. The cloning method involves taking a denucleated egg from am elephant and replacing it with the nucleus of a cell from a frozen mammoth. Though scientists have previously failed in such attempts due to damage in the preserved genetic material, advances made in repairing damaged DNA brings them much closer to achieving a live birth. This cloning method also holds promise for replenishing endangered species once their population drops below 1,000.

Via The Nikkei Weekly (subscription).

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If no one has ever accused your closet of being monochromatic, dark, or too dull, then this Mega Combo Pack of 10 silicone cases designed for the subtle curves of the iPhone 3G would probably fit right into your wardrobe. The $70 pack includes “100% pure silicone” textured skins in yellow, golden yellow, blue, orange, pink, green, white, black, gray, and dark gray

I’ve never heard of most of the colors before (they must be new), but my hangers say they know the last three all too well. Mommie Dearest, be damned. I’m switching to wire hangers this instant. I hear they’re not as judgmental.

Via technabob.

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Everyone’s experienced the unpleasant sensation of eating something very sweet, say syrup-soaked pancakes, and then taken a bite or sip of something just slightly less sweet, like orange juice, and found that the juice suddenly tastes sour and bitter. How much nicer would it be if you could eat something sweet and make everything else you eat even sweeter? Miracle fruit tablets, or “miracle berries” accomplish just that by causing a protein reaction in your mouth which makes even the sourest, bitterest things, like a sharp lemon, taste sweet.

The geeks at ThinkGeek have tried the miracle fruit, and claim that it makes straight limes taste like the sweetest, most ambrosial limeade. Even superior? Something already sweet, like ripe oranges, tasted like “they were plucked straight from the Garden of Eden.”

While it’s a bit strange, it’s also quite appealing because unless you live near a farmer’s market, you’re unlikely to ever encounter truly ripe, fresh, naturally sweet fruit. Supermarket fruits are often gorgeous, with shiny luscious skins, but their beauty is superficial - take a bite and there’s barely a hint of fruit taste at all. I am always longing for the sweet plums and cherries from my childhood, but except for peaches and strawberries, which my Mom grows in her yard, most fruits I eat are sub-par and need a sprinkling of sugar or Splenda. Perhaps the solution is to eat a Miracle fruit tablet before eating any other kind of fruit. One tablet’s effects last up to an hour, and just a half-tablet is enough to sweeten most tart, acidic foods. There’s nothing artificial in the tablets, just the fruit powder and corn starch.

A box of 10 tablets (which is really 20 servings) is $20 from ThinkGeek.

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This news has excited both the chocoholic and the egomaniac in me: you can now personalize M&Ms! You can both choose the colors of your choice and choose the letter you’d like instead of an M. As Shiny Shiny reports, you can have your very own message printed onto each piece of candy, too (but keep it short or it might take Ia magnifying glass to read it).

However, the best news of all as far as I’m concerned is that you can add a photo to each individual M&M — a great way to celebrate a special occasion, and let’s face it, just plain fun to make!

I can see these being used as wedding favors instead of fatigued old almonds, as a very special way to wish someone a happy birthday, or just a fun experiment. Find out more via the M&Ms custom print store.

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What’s the next ideal thing to watching the Olympics live from inside the Beijing National Stadium? Why, carrying up to 4GB of music on the “Bird Nest” MP3 Player everywhere we go, of course! Modeled after the famous stadium, the player features an LCD screen, FM tuner, voice recorder, and anti-theft security in the form of disguising itself to look like a misshapen lump of melted quarters, which thieves find utterly useless.

Available now in 1GB ($19), 2GB ($24), and 4GB ($33) capacities.

Via Chip Chick.

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I’ve had a fondness for Merino sheep since my Aussie holiday earlier this year, when I was lucky enough to see a couple of newly-born Merino lambs. When they grow up, their thick coat produces excellent wool that is often used to make fleeces.

Now outdoor apparel company Icebreaker has made it simple for customers to find out where their fleecy products came from with the help of a system they’re calling Baacode (get it?) which launched last week.

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You know we’re a little obsessed with Twitter round these parts: the micro-blogging/social networking service is endlessly useful for finding information, keeping up with friends and family and sharing opinions. It’s also been proved that catching up with your friends’ Twitterings is the best way to start the day (according to, er, me).

12seconds doesn’t have quite the same appeal, as I’ve no desire to show anyone my morning hair, the contents of my bedroom or what I’m having for lunch. But I do like the idea of the site in principle: you’ve (as you might have guessed) exactly 12 seconds to show the world what you’re up to (and you can set the site to automatically tell Twitter when you’ve posted a new video if you wish).

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You’ve doubtless seen solar powered chargers before (including a certain solar-powered bra charger) but as of last week, the mack daddy of solar chargers is available to buy: the Suntable is both a piece of furniture, and a one-stop gadget charging shop.

It’s made of teak and stainless steel and is a good-looking piece of furniture in its own right, subtle enough to sit in any garden… as long as the garden’s owners can afford the $2,200 asking price, that is.

Via Gizmodo.

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This is kinda cute:

It’s a knitted power cord which, naturally, you can’t actually use, but which you can wear as a skinny scarf or a belt (you know it would be the perfect accessory when you sit on that SXSW panel), or as Geeksugar suggests, you could use it as a geekalicious curtain tieback (in your tech-filled office, perhaps?).

It comes in white, beige or black for $25 from KnitKnit on Etsy and could also be the perfect gift for the geek in your life…

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