A teen has filed a class-action lawsuit against Amazon for remotely deleting a copy of George Orwell’s ‘1984′ off his Kindle without his knowledge or the right to do so. Justin D. Gawronski, 17, “now needs to recreate all of his studies,” alleges the complaint filed Thursday in Seattle by the law firm KamberEdelson, LLC. Gawronski took copious notes using the Kindle that were linked to particular passages in the book, the court document says, and while those notes are still accessible, they are useless without the passages they reference. Amazon has apologized for remotely deleting copies of 1984 and another Orwell novel, Animal Farm, in mid-July without informing customers. Jay Edelson, the lead attorney in the lawsuit, said in a statement that the plaintiffs “appreciate Amazon.com’s new-found contrition, but words are not enough. Amazon.com had no more right to hack into people’s Kindles than its customers have the right to hack into Amazon’s bank account to recover a mistaken overpayment.” Now I’m not saying Amazon should have done that, but I am saying that Justin is pretty lazy for not just going back through the book and finding the passages again. Not that it matters anyways because I’m pretty sure this is just a sorry excuse for not having your homework ready on time. But seriously, one time my dog really did eat my homework. And by homework I mean weed. Amazon sued for wrecking teen’s Kindle work [msn] Thanks to Laura and Joemo, who would have just sent their teacher a corrupted file like a normal person.

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Teen Suing Amazon For Deleting Book From Kindle, Or, Why I Don’t Have My Homework

Vast vacuum tube networks certainly never took off, and it’s not like robots are flying around and delivering our packages for us. Maybe that’s because both ideas rely on extensive changes to come about — maybe we need something a little more grounded. Or should I say a little more… under grounded? Designer Phillip Hermes’ “Urban Mole” would crawl through a city’s already existing subterranean network of pipes and sewers. Ideally, electric rails would power the units as well as guide them along toward their pickup and drop-off points, where folks like you and me can receive our packages. Hermes envisions his moles as being the size of a shoebox and being able to make cross-town deliveries in as little as ten minutes (depending on how big your town is, I suppose). A shoebox, huh? Sounds pretty small, but maybe by the time we have these buggers crawling underground our society will be relying on component construction. Here’s another click-to-enlarge shot of the Urban Mole: Wired , via Geekologie

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Urban Mole delivers packages through a city’s sewers

It’s about time a touch-controlled faucet was mass-produced. If you have an extra $434 lying around, Delta helps you bring your plumbing into the 21st century with the touch-sensitive Pilar collection. It works using capacitance, the same technology that makes touchscreens work. A low-voltage electrical current flows across the spout and handle, and as soon as that circuit is interrupted by your skin, the water begins to flow. This Delta 980T sure beats those infrared-controlled faucets in public bathrooms, which more often than not don’t even notice when your hands are directly underneath. Just bring the price down, Delta, and you’ll surely be met with an enthusiastic reception from those of us who aren’t wary of the juxtaposition of electricity and water. Don’t miss the whimsical video of the touch faucet in action:

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Delta touch faucet, infinitely better than a pump handle

This is a video of a bunch of different robotic hands showing how dexterous they are at bouncing balls , gripping things, throwing things, catching things and a bunch of other fun stuff robots shouldn’t be allowed to do. I mean, what is this, robot gym class? Next thing you know they’re gonna be whipping your ass with a wet towel in the locker room. WHICH IS ONLY FUN WHEN TWO GROWN MEN DO IT. Am I right guys? Love that game. Youtube Thanks to Chris and Aroinak, who once shot a bot in Reno and didn’t even stick around. Way to go guys, there could have been more.

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Robotic Arms Have Come A Long Way. A Long, Much More Deadly Way (Hold Me)

LG announced its Design the Future competition winners, and among them was this Hi-Fi cellphone that doubles as a pair of headphones. Folded up, it’s said to fit into a slot in a laptop, or maybe even your pocket. Unfolded, and it gives you a pair of stereo headphones. We’re wondering where the mic is on those headphones — but we’re sure that pesky detail ( and a few others) can be worked out if this design concept ever finds its way to the real world. In the meantime, LG might want to consider manufacturing kooky designs like this, rather than brand-spamming us with numerous attempts at killing the iPhone . Via Gizmo Watch

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HiFi cellphone transforms from handset to headphones

If the Antilles Seaplanes G-21 Super Goose came equipped with a harpoon and cable, it could live up to its first name. It doesn’t, but luckily it has an altogether seperate pedigree to fall back on: the venerable Grumman G-21 Goose. Grumman first designed the Goose to be an amphibious, small capacity aircraft to serve business and private clients, and since then it’s been almost everything including a commercial, rescue and combat aircraft. Antilles Seaplanes is now giving the aircraft another chance to take flight, using the old blueprints for the design while updating the craft’s technology. No word on pricing yet, but if you aren’t already in the business of collecting private planes then it’s probably too much for you and me. We’ll just have to wait for flying cars . Check out more of the Super Goose down below.

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Antilles Seaplanes ‘Super Goose’ revives an amphibious legend

Last week, Amazon went all Big Brother on Kindle owners, and the resulting outrage was totally appropriate. Now, one person is turning that outrage into revenge. 17-year-old student Justin Gawronski decided to take action when his Kindle ate his homework assignment after Amazon deleted the unauthorized copies of 1984 that he innocently purchased. He lost his electronic notes and annotations stored along with his digital copy of George Orwell’s classic. He’s suing Amazon in a class action suit, asking to prevent Amazon from improperly accessing users’ Kindles and he’s also seeking punitive damages. How much is a high school book report worth? Seems like the kid might get a more interesting story if he writes about this situation instead. Via Engadget

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Kicking back at Kindle

So there’s this alleged ‘Geek Test’ on Facebook that I took and I scored a 2 out of 10. A FREAKING TWO! Do you know who I am , you stupid Facebook piece of test? Who wrote you? TELL ME WHO WROTE YOU!! Because I am going to beat them within a micron of their life with a science book and then cut them with a laser. Also, as an added Friday bonus, I left my picture up. So in case you were wondering, that’s me. TOO BAD I ALREADY CHANGED IT AGAIN, SUCKERS! And if you haven’t already, join the Geekologie fanpage on Facebook OR I WILL DRINK THIS CAT. Link to Geek Test From Geekologie Page

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Idiot Moron Facebook Geek Test Is Flawed

There’s no shortage of Star Trek paraphernalia, but this Star Trek Hero Type-I Phaser Kit gives you exactly the same prop that was used on the original Star Trek series. You can be sure this replica will have the same look and feel of the original, because it was “molded off an original prop for perfect accuracy.” You must be handy to possess such a museum-quality object, though, because it’s only available in the form of a $200 kit that you must assemble yourself. For extra authenticity, we’d say add a few extra parts to make it a full-fledged TASER , so you can set it on stun for real. Here’s a pic of the various phaser parts, ready for assembly:

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Own a real Star Trek phaser

Wow, just typing snicker makes me want a Snickers bar. Does it do that to you too? Please circle yes or no and pass this note back to me in between classes . So anyway, a seemingly ordinary bikini that dissolves when it gets wet. That’s something . Sellers in Germany bill the dissolving Get Naked costume as a chance for men to get their own back after a break-up. But women’s rights campaigner Rosmarie Zapfl stormed: “It is an absolute insult to women that this has been invented.” It really is though. Which is exactly why I just bought every last one of them so no woman will have to experience that humiliation. Also, ladies — pool party at my house! No need to bring anything, I’ve got a ton of suits *snicker*. Damnit I did it again. Dissolving Bikini is the Ultimate Revenge Gift [spike] and Teeny weeny dissolvable bikini [thesun] Thanks to Steven, william and slammer, who only wear thong-backed bathing suits because they’re cheeky.

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Wear This *snicker*: Bikini Dissolves In Water