Paro, the Japanese robotic therapy seal is now available in the US. Paro is a medical device developed by folks who have built therapy robots for years, and they state this robo-companionship can relieve some of the symptoms associated with long-term illness and even Alzheimer’s. Why a seal, and not a cat or dog? Because people don’t have stereotypes about seals and wouldn’t question how real it felt. We’re all for a gadget that helps a sick person feel superior, but we don’t know if you should let your demented aunt Fanny spend too much time with a robot seal.

The cost? Five thousand dollars. To put that insane price in robot pet perspective, you could buy 16 Pleos or even 2 ½ AIBOs.

But it’s only in limited quantities for now; that means if you aren’t a hospital you can anticipate to wait a while before getting your hands on one. [Paro, Paro research]

Via [Gizmodo]

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What’s small, opalescent, and runs Windows XP Home? It’s the ASUS eee Personal computer that just landed here at the Biggs home, breathtaking my mother with its tininess. It has 4 GB of solid state storage and a 900 MHz processor. Nothing to write home about but I think this beast deserves a second look. Look […]

What’s small, opalescent, and runs Windows XP Home? It’s the ASUS eee Computer that just landed here at the Biggs home, astounding my mother with its tininess. It has 4 GB of solid state storage and a 900 MHz processor. Nothing to write home about but I think this beast deserves a second look. Look for a full review next week.

Via [crunchgear]

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This week we learned that loving doesn’t have to be between two living things, it can be between a man and a machine. Or a woman and a machine. Or a man and a woman and a woman and a machine. Or a man and a man and a man and a woman and a machine. We can go on. But we won’t. Our sponsors know what we mean, and they know how much we love our gadgets. Thanks Absolut, AT&T, Chevy Fuel Solutions, Coors Light, Dash Express, LG Monitors, Mini, Netgear, NCTA, Nokia, Rubio’s, Toyota, Unscrew America, and VW.

Spend some quality time with us.

Via [Gizmodo]

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Before my World wide web connection decides to be a bitch again—you have no idea how annoyed I am right now—let me swiftly mention this AT&T rebate. The wireless carrier is handing out $50 rebates with the purchase of a BlackBerry 8110 (and a qualifying plan!), which is just the Pearl but with built-in GPS. If you […]

Before my Internet connection decides to be a bitch again—you have no idea how annoyed I am right now—let me quickly mention this AT&T rebate. The wireless carrier is handing out $50 rebates with the purchase of a BlackBerry 8110 (and a qualifying plan!), which is just the Pearl but with built-in GPS.

If you have access to the Hubble Telescope, you can examine the flyer, care of BGR, for yourself.

Via [crunchgear]

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