Back in the late 80’s/early 90’s I was totally psyched for virtual reality. Virtual sex with Sandra Bullock [Demolition Man ] ? Count me in. It seemed like it was just around the corner, then it kind of fizzled out without much fanfare. What the hell happened to all that hype?

Thanks to a team of British academics from York and Warwick universities, it’s back with more potential than ever. The team has set to work building a VR headset that will encompass all five senses. From what we’ve read so far, the device will be used largely to simulate the sounds, sights, smells, feelings and even tastes of far off destinations that you won’t be visiting in real life any time soon, including ancient civilizations.  No brain manipulation here, the helmet uses tangible sense manipulators such as built-in smell and taste sprayers. The high-def viewing screen produces images 10 x darker or 30 x brighter than a TV and information is supplied via computer connection. Those working on it say it’s so convincing that it’s “Real Virtuality”. Clever academics.

Estimates indicate that this could be ready for production in 5 years time with an estimated price of 1500 pounds (who knows how many dollars that will equate to then). [Daily Mail]

With Michael Marcovici’s Turntable Pilot, DJs need not lay a hand on the decks. The Italian inventor, author, entrepreneur and once-programmer has created a wireless turntable system that uses a standard R/C controller to activate a pair motors connected to the deck. One servo controls the pitch of the tonearm, raising and lowering it to the spinning platter below, while a stepmotor drives the motor back and forth. A blue LED illuminates the record’s grooves, which is then captured real-time by a small USB camera, allowing the DJ/pilot to “fly” over the track and touchdown on cue. [via artmarcovici]

What’s with Star Wars-themed boomboxes that appear on the Internet with very little accompanying information? Don’t these people realize they’ve got EBay gold on their hands? Like the AT-AT Walker boombox that came before, we know little about the R2-D2 ghetto blaster, except that it was designed by artist Bill McMullen for his “Hype, Hustle, Rip-Off” gallery opening. In other words, it may not be a real thing, but we’d love if it only played chiptunes, as BB Gadgets jokes. Boba Fett wireless speakers next, please. [Mishka Bloglin via BB Gadgets]

Mufin has released a new standalone music player designed to compete with Apple’s new iTunes Genius feature. The Mufin player imports all the music off your hard drive onto it and then provides your standard music player, except with Mufin you can also check out related tracks. Mufin currently doesn’t have an integrated way to purchase music, so if you find a track you want to buy you’ll have to hit up iTunes or Amazon to purchase it, which brings up the question of why you weren’t using iTunes in the first place. Regardless it’s nice to see some competition out there, even if it’s a little sub-par at the moment. What features would you like to see in a music player? [via ArsTechnica]

Got to love the detail on this collection of felt synths from Austrailian artist Pul(sew)idth. Korgs, Rolands and even the MiniMoog are duplicated with impressive accuracy, considering the plush trinkets measure just 3.5 inches long. Six of them are selling for $65 each on Pul(sew)idth’s Etsy store, but the artist seems willing to aoccomodate special requests, including keyboards, guitars, pedals and amps (keytars, anyone?). There’s a Flickr page with some more examples if you need inspiration. I’m a big fan of the tiny felt Arp, myself. [Etsy via BB Gadgets]

There are no specs, design notes or observations to suggest that this AT-AT Walker boombox is even real, but it so tickles our Star Wars fetish that it was hard not to share. It’d be nice to know if this thing is big enough to hook over shoulders, allowing for strolls through the ‘hood while blasting “The Imperial March.” I like how there appears to be little functionality other than a tape deck and radio tuner. After all, a dangling iPod, tethered via auxiliary input, could totally get wrapped around the AT-AT’s legs, toppling it… [Zen77990 via Technabob]

Don’t be fooled by the angled extension next to the lisse T10’s LCD screen; the latest portable media player from MyRacer is pretty similar in design to the iRiver Spinn. The main “borrowed” attribute is the spinning navigation cylinder, but both players have a touchscreen as well. The display is 2.8 inches in 320 x 240 resolution. Models come in 2 GB or 4 GB and support a wide variety of audio and video files. There’s also an FM tuner, a text reader and game support. As for that bent part at the end? It holds speakers. Price and release date are uncertain, and it’s not clear whether the T10 will leave South Korea and surrounding area. [DAP Review via Engadget]

Sick of your horrid, crackling voice obliterating your favorite tunes in the shower? You need a Juke Tower waterproof MP3 player (more of a dock, really) for all your music-infused showering needs. This Tokyoflash contraption is completely waterproof, designed specifically for use in the shower or bath. At first glance the tall, oblong shape may seem a bit odd for a shower accessory not named shampoo, but the Juke Tower features a downfiring speaker on the bottom, making a little extra height mandatory. Insert your MP3 player into the port underneath the plastic exterior, work the controls on the top of the unit and you’re ready to listen till the water runs cold. The tower also features an LED clock. Priced just under $143. [Tokyoflash]

There are speakers, and then there are Speakers. The mlb 101 X-treme speaker system may very well be the sexiest set of speakers we’ve ever seen. The speaker has three pulsating spheres (for bass, midrange, and high frequencies) and is crafted out of carbon fiber, aluminum, steel, arcrylic, and wood. You’re going to need some help carrying this one, the entire speaker system weighs in at an astounding 3600 pounds. Each system also takes 3 months to build, and is tested “rigorously” before it is released to a buyer. If you’re interesting in buying a set you better have a ton of cash on hand, the whole set costs $25,000! [via BoingBoing]