Even nerds love poker, as evident from these videos showing how you can turn your Rock Band/Guitar Hero guitar or drum kit into online poker controllers you can use to play while on the couch, instead of right in front of your computer. (Leave it to the geeks to figure out a cool way to be lazy...)

The instruments are basically wireless controllers, programmed so specific button presses or drum hits trigger certain responses. Reprogram your online poker game to understand and react to those signals (along with the help of a free software program to recognize the keystrokes), and boom, you've got a wireless poker controller. A very large wireless poker controller, but a wireless poker controller nonetheless...

(And if you can't figure out how to do this after watching the videos, I recommend asking a buddy's 12 year old kid, and pay him a few chips to do it for you.)

ROCK BAND/GUITAR HERO GUITAR
(For the full printed instructions, and keystroke chart, click here.)


ROCK BAND DRUM KIT


[Via PokerListings.com]

[This is a guest post from D Salmons over at TestFreaks. If you are looking for other car gadgets reviews, such as GPS devices, give them a try]

If there are two things that we guys really like, it's cars and gadgets. And when you combine the two and give us gadgets for our cars, well, that's Heaven on four wheels.

With that in mind, we thought we'd take a look at some of our favorite car gadgets.

PLX Kiwi Car Computer

If you've bought gas in the past three years, then you know how expensive the stuff is getting. But have you given much thought to how much you can save by only altering your own driving habits? Well, the savings can add up quickly, and all you need is a good coach to show you how to do it. Enter the PLX Kiwi.

The Kiwi plugs into your vehicle's power socket, and gives you a colorful instant scorecard on how you're driving. The device will take into account your acceleration, braking, and overall vehicle operation, to give you a score. With a little practice and interaction with the PLX you will soon be a smooth (car) operator.

Car Microwave

What's better than to be able to cook on the road? The WaveBox Microwave Oven will plug into a 12v car outlet and fire up your burritos without you even slowing down. The 660 watt oven has a 6x10 inch internal cooking area, allowing you to fix a variety of fine foods while traveling.

And of course, cooking on the go is great, but only if you have someone else in the car with you. It should go without saying, you really shouldn't cook and drive. So save it for your next tailgating stop, and you will be dining before your buddies even get the charcoals lit.

Car Fridge

If you've got the microwave, you're gonna need something to keep your burritos cold until it's time to eat. The Mini Fridge from Think Geek is perfect, with its ...There's more

During a party you can easily lose track of the bottle opener... but you never lose track of your dog.

Which is why the Bark4Beer Bottle Opener/Dog Collar is pure party gear genius.

Picture this: You're hosting a backyard barbecue. You and the hottie from across the street are chatting over the cooler as you grab a couple of cold ones. Since you're grabbing imported, and some chucklehead has walked off with the opener, you have a choice... look like an idiot as you fumble and struggle to get the top off, or whistle for Sparky who faithfully heeds your call and runs over wearing the Bark4Beer. You simply grab the retractable bottle opener attached to the collar, pop the tops, and send Sparky on his way.

You're now the proud owner of a cold beer, and one impressed hottie. Looks like Sparky's thrown you a bone for a change.

$19.95
www.themanregistry.com

If you're a true gadget-head, you've heard the rumors circulating for months about the development of an Apple tablet... which would basically be something of the love child of an iPhone and a MacBook.

Speculation as to whether it was just pure hype, or if it would actually be brought to market, was put to rest today when Steve Jobs donned his trademark black turtleneck, and took the stage to announce the new Apple iPad.

According to reports from the guys over at Gizmodo, the new tablet will have a screen measuring almost 10-inchess from corner to corner, and, like the iPhone, it will allow you to turn it from portrait mode for most apps, to landscape mode for movies and videos. (Even though the screen is closer to 4:3 than 16:9, and not a true widescreen.)

The iPad will come with bluetooth and Wi-Fi, but for you 3G users... sorry, not available. [UPDATE: Some models will have 3G.] And we iPhone users will be able to use our old apps on the new device, although there will be new ones expected developed specifically for the iPad.

There's a popup on-screen keyboard, just like the iPhone, but I'm going to assume this one will be easier to type on, since it is claimed to be almost the same size as a laptop keyboard.

Engadget is reporting the iPad will run on the custom 1GHz Apple "A4" chip, be powered by a 10-hour battery (with a month of standby time), and will come in 16, 32 and 64GB sizes. [UPDATE: Prices just announced to start at $499.]

No word on when it will actually hit stores, but I spoke to a buddy of mine who works in an Apple Store in the northeast, and he told me that their sales projections are in through June, with no expected spikes in sales, which they typically get when new gadgets hit the stores. So expect to drool until at least mid summer.

For more pictures, info and continual, up-to-the-minute, reporting, head over to Gizmodo and Engadget.

Want something different to anchor the table at your holiday party? How about an ice cold bottle of vodka... sealed in a dome of solid ice?

The Ice Jacket (original post here), makes it easy to seal your spirits in ice, and is the perfect gift for the guy who has just about everything. (And I'm not just saying that because I'm selling them in my store...)

Place any standard liquor bottle in the base, slide on the top sleeve, lock it up, fill with water, and freeze. In a few hours you'll have a conversation starter centerpiece, that's also functional.

And since the jacket of ice melts at a global-warming-like one ounce of ice per hour, there's no need to worry about the bottle breaking free before the party ends, either.

Just remember to pour while holding the ice-free neck and drip-catching base... you don't want any guests' hands freezing to the bottle. Although it wouldn't be a holiday party unless you did "A Christmas Story" reenactment and dared someone to stick their tongue on it.

$29.99 at the BG Store

Wrapping isn't just for gifts. When you drop a few Benjamins on the latest gadget, you want it in something that'll protect it from the usual wear and tear.

And while most of the protective wraps on the market give you the choice of either clear or frosted, you can ratchet up the personalization factor with the Customizer from Music Skins.

Jump on the site, enter in whatever device you're looking to wrap - they can handle iPods, iPhones, MP3 players, cell phones, PDAs, e-readers, computers, hard drives, laptops and gaming accessories - and choose one of their hundreds of designs. Or upload your own image, photo, logo, or whatever else you think deserves a spot on your handheld.

You can size, position, and generally manipulate the image, until you get what you're looking for, then add background colors and even text if you're feeling it. Hit add to cart, pay the $15-$30 the skins typically run, and they'll ship your masterpiece in premium quality vinyl, right to your door.

The Skins’ patented 3M air release adhesive technology ensures that they apply easily, evenly and bubble-free. And should you find you're no longer as enamored of having that pic of Keyboard Cat on your iPhone, they're easily removable, without leaving any residue or goo. Which is more than you can say for your last girlfriend.

$15-$30
www.music-skins.com

Back when I was a kid, we used to build model rockets with my dad in the basement. And by "we used to build" I mean my brother and I would stand around "not touching anything" until Dad got it all assembled and the glue dried.

You remember those rockets: cardboard tube body, balsa wood nose cone and fins, lead paint job, and all held together with that glue that caused headaches. Add in the fact that we shoved a gunpowder-filled "engine" into the ass end, lit it and stood around, and you had a Child Protective Service's wet dream.

These days kids have much safer (and greener), ways to launch stuff into the air. For example, the Aquapod lets you use a plastic bottle as a rocket, and water and air pressure as "fuel."

The rep sent me one to try, and the pitch said you could "launch a 2-liter plastic bottle up to 100 feet in the air." Excellent. I'm in. So I did what I do whenever I get a kid's toy to test: I called my buddy Clark and recruited his three boys as testers. They're perfect. They'll try anything. And if something goes wrong, he's still got a couple of spares. (Calm down. That was a joke. But it does pay to have back up.)

So we took the boys, strapped them into his soccer-mom mini van, and drove over to the park. The Aquapod is easy to set up: fill the bottle 2/3 of the way up, place it on the launcher, use a bike pump to "fuel" the rocket, then just pull the trigger line to release the bottle.

And it does fly. Not sure how high it actually went, but I'll say it had to be close to 100 feet most times we shot it off. Not counting the one launch that went sideways and almost took out a couple of kids ...There's more

The problem with most portable chargers is they can only juice one of your devices at a time. Or only carry enough power to recharge one device period. And since most of us carry more than one important gadget at all times, we're forced into a Sophie's Choice situation: which one of them is most important to us and gets to live, and which do we let die? (Until we can get to an outlet for a few hours.)

The Fueltank DUO from Callpod solves your dilemma.

A compact and light portable lithium ion battery pack, the DUO has two charger ports that accept thousands of adapters for cell phones, Bluetooth headsets, GPS nav units, digital cameras, gaming systems, mp3 players and more - so you can plug in whatever's running down. The built in LED indicator lets you know how much power is still stored, so you don't get caught powerless. And with a storage capacity of 7 times the standard mobile phone, you can rejuice multiple times before having to refuel the tank. Making it ideal for road warriors. Or guys who constantly forget to plug in.

$69.95
$9.95 each adapter
www.callpod.com

I'm a do-it-yourself guy. And that means I am usually by myself when I'm working on something around my place. Which means no one to hold the ladder, hand me a wrench, or shine a light where I need it.

The Clamplight ingeniously solves the light problem. In its normal position it looks like any other flashlight. But squeeze the body, and you'll see that it's actually a high-tension clamp, with two rubber guards to keep from marring whatever surface you clamp it to.

The head also swivels on two axis points to aim the beam from the super-bright XR-C LED bulb wherever you need it. Lock the clamp in the open position, and it becomes a stand up light. (Check out the demo video below.)

Made of high-impact ABS plastic with stainless fittings, it's also got day-glo green accents so you can find it easily in your tool kit. Now that I can clamp it to the pipes under my sink and fix the garbage disposal, all I need if for them to invent a ladder holder so I can get to the project on the roof.

$29.99
www.blackfire-usa.com

Ever pop open a beer or soda and think, "Jeez, I don't know how I'm going to finish all 12 ounces of this delicious beverage"?

Me either.

But in case you're on your 4th or 5th and you just can't down those last few oz's... or you're tired of having your girlfriend ask for a beer, only to drink half and waste the other half... you're gonna love this new innovation in pop-top can design: the re-sealable can.

A quick turn of the pop-top slides a metal cover into place over the opening. Not sure how tight the seal could possibly be, but it's probably enough to keep at least a few of the bubbles in. (And no surprise, the manufacturer sees it as an ideal place for advertising messages. Is nothing sacred anymore?)



[Via PerezSolomon]