CrunchGear

Why is this gorgeous backpack Japan-only?
Video: The $113.5 million F-35B Lightning II can float in the air for a little bit
Weekend Giveaway: A Kindle from @bravotv
Palm now worth nothing
Before and after

Why is this gorgeous backpack Japan-only?

Posted: 20 Mar 2010 05:37 PM PDT

Hello, my name is Devin, and I’m a bagaholic. I can’t get enough. Despite getting my hands on such awesome and varied backpacks as the Mamba Shift, the Soyuz, and the Vandal, not to mention those sweet things from Acme Made back in the day, I can’t help but lust after the latest book-and-laptop receptacle. This time, unfortunately, the rascals have made it only available in Japan. Curses!

I think what attracts me about this thing is those twin steel buckles. As practical as Velcro is, buckles are awesomer, especially when they’re metallic. I must have some magpie in me, because anything shiny like that just entrances me.

In addition to being limited to Japan, this sucker costs a mind-blowing ¥48,825 — over $500, over at Beauty & Youth.. This is why my handlers don’t let me loose in Tokyo with a credit card. I have to be kept on a leash and given quarters, which I save up to spend on gyudon at Yoshinoya. Shameful, I know — but savory.

[via High Snobiety and Doobybrain]

Video: The $113.5 million F-35B Lightning II can float in the air for a little bit

Posted: 20 Mar 2010 11:30 AM PDT

There’s a certain amount of pride in seeing a country pump out something like the new F-35B Lightning II fighter jet. At $113.5 million per aircraft, it’s about as far away from the meaning of the word “inexpensive” as possible. It makes you think, well, if we can afford things like that, why can’t we afford things like this? But, whatever. The entire purpose of this post is to watch a legitimately exciting video. So, let’s!

The very first test flight of the aircraft happened yesterday, and lasted 14 minutes long. (Yes, there’s a certain irony in finding out about the latest American military technology in the British press.) That works out to $8.1 million per minute in the air. Granted, that’s a horrible way of looking at the aircraft, but it’s a fun stat nonetheless.

The F-35B Lightning II has been in development since 2001, and it was originally promoted as an affordable option to keeping old birds like the F-16 and F-10A in the air.

The marines will start using the jet, if all goes according to plan, in December, 2012.

And now I’m off to play Battlefield: Bad Company 2, using more terribly expensive weapons to beat up Kirilenko.

Weekend Giveaway: A Kindle from @bravotv

Posted: 20 Mar 2010 09:38 AM PDT

Do you like Bravo? Sure you do. Well Bravo sure likes you and they want to give you a standard Kindle (Kindle 2, not the DX) to one lucky commenter. How do you win? Well heck, I’m glad you asked.

All you have to do is comment or retweet this post to the world. Either/or. It’s a random thing, baby.

Why are they giving you a kindle? Here:

Bravo achieved major success in the digital sphere last year, and they broke new ground in social media by creating the first ever virtual viewing party, a multiplatform, live viewing experience. It allowed viewers to interact on social media outlets during their favorite show like "Real Housewives of New York City" and "Top Chef.” The success of these viewing parties attracted over 1 million page views, saw double-digit growth in audience engagement, and created sponsorship opportunities for the network.

Now, Bravo plans on expanding on its success by creating weekly live viewing parties called the Bravo Talk Bubble. The site, BravoTalkBubble.com, launched on 3/18, and they will start the first viewing party on March 25 during a new episode of "The Real Housewives of New York City”. They will also deploy an innovative, new Twitter integration.

To help promote this Talk Bubble, we’re giving away ONE Kindle to your readers.

Fair enough, right? Who doesn’t want a Kindle? We’ll pick a winner on Monday at noon New York Time.

Palm now worth nothing

Posted: 20 Mar 2010 06:21 AM PDT

Woof. Analysts have placed a sell rating on Palm and are now valuing their stock, at least in hyperbolic terms, at $0. Quoth CNN:

Shares of Palm (PALM) plunged 19% to $4.59 a share early Friday, a new 52-week low. Investors are becoming increasingly pessimistic about the company's future and several analysts downgraded their positions on the stock to "sell." Two analysts even lowered their price targets to $0.