Our editors have compiled a list of the “Top 5 Strangest (or Coolest) Linux-Powered Gadgets and Projects” for your enjoyment. Which ones are your favorites?

Municator – The $146 Linux Computer

The Municator is a $146 Linux powered computer that’s ideal for users who only need basic functionality. It features a 400mhz/800mhz Godson 2C processor, 256MB of memory, 40GB hard drive, four USB 2.0 ports, and TV-out. Weighing less than a pound, the Municator is light enough to be carried anywhere.

…does all the basic things most people need, like browsing (firefox), emailing (thunderbird), instant messaging (gaim), skype, word processing (Red Office), audio/video playback (mplayer), e-learning, all through a very user-friendly very basic interface and is software upgradable

[Source]

5. Wrist-Worn Linux PC

This 7-ounce watch from EuroTech boasts a 2.8-inch touchscreen LCD display, SD card slot, Bluetooth, GPS receiver, WiFi, USB and supports the Linux operating system. [ Source]

4. Ultimate Quake 3 Setup

How about playing Quake 3 on a 24 monitor wall? Yes, that’s exactly what the guys over at plastk did by running the game on a 12-node Linux cluster with two monitors per server.

3. Moobella

The Moobella doesn’t impress with its looks, but it’s a robotic ice cream vending machine that delivers “right on the spot” ice cream when you want. Choose from twelve different ice cream flavors and throw in three mix-ins, which include M&M’s, chocolate chips, peanut butter cups, and more. This machine is Linux-powered and has “distributed management”.[Source]

2. Playstation 2 Computational Cluster

This Playstation 2 Linux cluster consists of 65 compute nodes, 1 prototype node (software installation tests), and 4 user login/development nodes. Based on an earlier version of Red Hat Linux, this distrubution uses Linux 2.2.1 ported over to the PS2’s Emotion Engine CPU. Full-size image here.

“All the nodes run the Sony Linux distribution for PlayStation 2. The compute nodes fill a 24-inch rack; 5 shelves at 13 per shelf;”

[Source]

1. World’s Second Largest Tetris Game

This giant Tetris game was created using “eleven custom-built circuit boards, a twelve-story data network, a personal computer running Linux, a radio-frequency video game controller, and over 10,000 Christmas lights”. It took over five months of planning and can be seen off Interstate 95 in Rhode Island. [Source]

Author

A technology, gadget and video game enthusiast that loves covering the latest industry news. Favorite trade show? Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.