LEGO Star Wars Minifig Alarm Clocks

These awesome Star Wars minigif alarm clocks feature posable arms and legs and come in two models: Stormtrooper on Darth Vader. [$29.99 @ Thinkgeek.com]

[LEGO Star Wars Minifig Alarm Clocks]



Holiday Gift Guide for the Geek Who Has Everything

In theory, shouldn’t geeks be easy to shop for? But when it comes to the latest gadget, not only can they get pricey, but what if you don’t know what someone already has, or needs? So here are a few quirky gift ideas that are probably not already on your favorite geek’s shelf.

Chillbots
If you know someone who, like a robot, is all wound up, maybe all they need to do is chill. Which they should clearly do with ice cubes in the shape of robots!

Unisex <3 Ring
Say “I <3 u” with a handmade, sterling silver ring. A nice romantic gift for your geeky significant other; they even have a wedding ring quality if you’re in the market for that sort of thing.

Cthulhu Pillow
When you’re feeling lonely there’s nothing like cuddling up with Cthulhu, right? Just be careful not to squeeze too hard or he might devour your soul.

Star Trek Pizza Cutter
Hey, presentation is everything! Cut your pizza with style. [insert “to boldly go” joke here]

MP3 Walkman
Are you sad about saying goodbye to the Sony Walkman? Well, never fear, you can at least keep the specter of it with you with this walkman-styled MP3 player.

Etch-a-Sketch iPad Case
And another entry in the “things that look like other things” category. If someone on your wish list has an iPad (or goodness, if you’re the awesome person to be gifting them with one), this makes a quirky accessory! Just remember not to shake too hard to erase.

Science Tarot
No need to choose between the natural and the supernatural – these tarot cards will tell your future with hard science. A great idea for both the science and the arcana geek.

Photoshop Layers Frame
Because after staring at Photoshop for long enough, you start to get really confused when pictures don’t look like this anymore. Easily fixed!

Ray Gun
And of course, the ultimate gift for the geek who has everything… a ray gun. ‘Nuff said.

Facebook wants facial protection

Facebook has come a step closer to trademarking the word “Face” online. But the context appears narrower than the company hoped and it’s far from certain how many competitors it can crack down on.

The US Patent and Trademark Office has issued a notice of allowance, which is effectively a ruling that the trademark is valid. The next step is largely a formality: Facebook has six months to file a statement confirming it intends to use the trademark, at which point it should officially be granted and take effect.

The application actually dates back to 2005, when it was made by British company Faceparty. In 2008 Facebook paid to take over the rights to the trademark if and when it was granted.

The trademark simply covers the word Face rather than a specific logo or image. However, it is restricted to use in:

Telecommunication services, namely, providing online chat rooms and electronic bulletin boards for transmission of messages among computer users in the field of general interest and concerning social and entertainment subject matter

It’s notable that the categorization is so specific that it only affects direct rivals to the site. Had the trademark simply applied to “online” communication, there could have been a clash of the titans over Apple’s Facetime service. Indeed, one report notes there are already 34 trademark applications mentioning the word “face” in the more general online communications category.

The approval notice also specifically excludes any services ” primarily featuring or relating to motoring or to cars.” That likely means that an online company of that nature using the word “face” objected to the application, though nobody’s yet been able to spot it in USPTO records.