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| Unique Visitors: 546 |
| Total Unique Visitors: 3885915 |
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| Total Visitors Out: 500 |
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| HTC Touch Diamond all gussied up and official |
| 2008-05-06 09:10:00 |
Filed under: Cellphones
We've got some hands-on shots and impressions with the newly announced HTC Touch Diamond that we'll be sharing with you shortly, but here are some official press shots to whet your appetite. Tell it to us one more time, HTC. VGA? You really do love us.Gallery: HTC Touch Diamond all gussied up and officialPermalink | Email this | Comments
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| Yahoo willing to reopen talks, was just kidding around about $37 |
| 2008-05-06 08:43:00 |
Filed under: Misc. Gadgets
After the beating the company is taking in the stock market, and with several prominent investors stepping forward to express disatisfaction with how things were handled, Yahoo CEO Jerry Yang says he was willing to discuss things further if Microsoft hadn't turned its back on the offer. "We did not say it was a take-it-or-leave-it number in the sense that we would never negotiate any more," he said, referring to the $37 figure. "We were totally willing to do a transaction, and they walked away." Deep down we know he's just miffed to be missing out on sleeping bag to sleeping bag discussions with Ballmer about adding an exclamation mark to Microsoft. Dream on, Yang.[Via Silicon Valley Insider]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| Verb For Shoe “smart shoe” finally goes on sale for $700 |
| 2008-05-06 08:18:00 |
Filed under: Wearables
We've been hearing about MIT spinoff VectraSense's Verb for Shoe "smart shoe" since 2004, but the company is finally taking preorders, and if you've got an extra $700, you can now blow it on some of the most ridiculous kicks ever designed. Four years and several hundred melodramatic product renders later, the basic idea is the same: an embedded computer automatically adjusts the shoe to your feet, syncs with your PC, and communicates with the shoes of others to exchange contact information. We're not sure why you'd want to drop seven Bens on this functionality (we'd rather carry a cell phone and laptop and wear non-ridiculous shoes, you know?) but hey, if you're going to be a fashion disaster, you might as well do it with wireless capabilities.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| Disney / Thinkway Toys’ Ultimate WALL-E robot cleans up on camera |
| 2008-05-06 07:50:00 |
Filed under: Robots
Alright, so maybe the recently announced Ultimate WALL-E robot doesn't actually get down and dirty on video, but he does maintain a pretty positive attitude after being poked, prodded and generally invaded for a full five minutes. The latest collaborative effort from Disney and Thinkway Toys was spotted recently at Maker Faire, and if you're interested to see what exactly $190 will net you later this summer, head on past the break and click play.Continue reading Disney / Thinkway Toys' Ultimate WALL-E robot cleans up on cameraRead | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| HTC unveils new HTC Touch Diamond, “not too big, not too small” |
| 2008-05-06 07:15:00 |
Filed under: Announcements, Cellphones
Here we are in London at the Soho Hotel with HTC, and we are among the first to see their new Diamond handset. While we thought we may see three new products in three different form factors, HTC Prez and CEO Peter Chou led-off the event by mentioning that they would be launching just one product today. He peppered his intro by talking about the Touch, so we were prepared to see an update on that product utilizing their TouchFLO tech. The device has some pretty nice interface tech that they're calling TouchFLO 3D that heavily emphasizes one-touch browsing and single-finger dialing. They emphasized web accessibility, zoom-in navigation with "just one hand" and not too many fingers. As expected, the device is loaded with Windows Mobile 6.1, a VGA screen and HSDPA 7.2, among other nice specs.Updates, specs, and pics after the break!Continue reading HTC unveils new HTC Touch Diamond, "not too big, not too small"Permalink | Email this...
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| Microsoft’s Sync tech to come to Hyundai, Kia, Ford asks “but what about us?” |
| 2008-05-06 06:25:00 |
Filed under: Portable Audio, Transportation
Once thought to be the exclusive domain of Ford, Sync-like technology looks to be coming to Hyundai and Kia cars by 2010. While Microsoft and Hyundai aren't calling the technology Sync officially, the new "music and information system" will be a voice-controlled interface that links mobile devices to car stereos, complete with remote firmware updates. Sounds a lot like Sync to us. Interestingly, only later versions will include multimedia and navigation-related features. This is a curious omission -- why would Hyundai need Microsoft's help just to plug in some iPods? The product will be made official at a ceremony in Seoul attended by Bill Gates and Hyundai Kia Automotive Group Chairman Chung Moon-koo. Cocktail hour and family photos to follow immediately.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| Xbox 360 HD DVD drives going for €9.99 in Ireland |
| 2008-05-06 05:04:00 |
And you thought $49.99 was cheap. Word on the street has it that Microsoft's Xbox 360 HD DVD add-on, which has been seen as slightly less valuable since Toshiba pulled the plug on the once mighty red format, has stooped to €9.99 across the pond. For those not savvy on the absurd devaluation of the US dollar, we're talking $15.47 -- and that's with a Media Center remote bundled in, too. We're totally straight-faced when we say that's actually not a half bad deal if you're a fan of the media already out there, but the parsimonious among us are definitely waiting for these to come bundled with our favorite cereals before pulling the trigger. [Thanks, Conor]Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| Hard drive recovered from shuttle Columbia used to complete experiment |
| 2008-05-06 02:51:00 |
Filed under: Storage
Although it's been several years since the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster, it looks like some of the data gathered during the orbiter's final mission will be put to good use. A hard drive salvaged from the wreckage contains the results of an experiment to study the way xenon gas flows in microgravity, and the results were published in the April edition of a journal called Physical Review E. The 400MB Seagate drive was originally thought to be destroyed, but workers and engineers reconstructing the orbiter from the remaining debris found it during the process and sent it off for recovery, where 99 percent of the data was extracted. It then took several years for lead researcher Robert Berg and his team to analyze the findings, but they're happy with the results -- we only wish they hadn't come at so dear a price.[Thanks, Laura]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| MIT reinvents the Post-It note… with Post-It notes |
| 2008-05-01 23:56:00 |
Filed under: Misc. Gadgets
We've seen countless attempts to re-invent the Post-It note, but no one's ever really managed to improve on the basic design -- which might be why MIT's "Quickies" concept doesn't even try. The electronic note system is instead based around a digital pen and special pad, which saves your notes as you jot them down on RFID-embedded Post-Its. Software on your PC then does some quick OCR and, according to the inventors, "uses its understanding of the user's intentions, content, and the context of the notes to provide the user with reminders, alerts, messages, and just-in-time information." Since the database can also store location information, sticking the note on a book or other object allows you to locate it later using the RFID tag, and you can even have notes SMS'd to their recipients. Pretty wild -- but we're more impressed someone finally found a good use for all those digital pens out there. Check a video of the system in action after the break.Continue ...
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| Qmotions bringing skate controllers to the 360 |
| 2008-05-01 22:04:00 |
Filed under: Gaming
Qmotions has been hawking various specialty sports controllers for a while now, but it looks like the company is about to take the next-gen plunge with an upcoming skateboard controller called the Qmotions Big Air for the Xbox 360 -- and best of all, Microsoft is going to let the company build official wireless peripherals. That's an honor Microsoft is pretty hesitant to dole out, but it seems like the ability to wirelessly rip up some Tony Hawk swayed J Allard and co. (We hear Ballmer is a monster in the pipe.) No word on price or game compatibility other than "skateboard games currently on the market," but look for this one to ollie into your heart sometime later this year. Amazing 1992-style animated GIF of Qmotions' PS2 XBoard controller, pictured above, after the break.[Via Engadget Spanish]Continue reading Qmotions bringing skate controllers to the 360Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| Apple quietly enables movie purchases from Apple TV |
| 2008-05-01 20:57:00 |
Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment
We can't say we're too terribly fond of purchasing movies on a proprietary set-top-box (à la VUDU), but for those with no real attachment to physical media, Apple's looking to hook you up. Aside from announcing that day-and-date DVD releases were coming to iTunes, Cupertino has also enabled its Apple TV to purchase full-length films; prior to today, users could only rent them for a window of time. Details are pretty scant at the moment, and we're not even sure if HD films can be purchased (or if a premium is added on), but feel free to fire up your box and let us know how it goes in comments below.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| Hitachi’s 1.5 UltraThin LCD HDTVs now available in US |
| 2008-05-01 18:54:00 |
Filed under: Displays, HDTV, Home Entertainment
You heard it right -- Hitachi's UltraThin 1.5 family that caused such a stir at CES is finally available for US consumers. Available in 32-, 37-, 42- and 47-inch sizes, the lot has been broken down into two distinct clans: the Director's Series (X) and Ultra Vision (V) models. Each member of the former comes with a 2-year warranty and a sticker ranging from $1,999 to $4,699, while the latter gets a 1-year warranty and price tags between $1,799 and $4,499. Curiously enough, it seems that several sets (the UT47X902, UT47V702, UT32A302/W, UT32V502/W, UT42V702 and UT37V702) may actually not yet be ready for shipping judging by their July to September availability dates, but we'll leave it to you to sort out the contradictions in Hitachi's press release with your dealer. Hit the read link for more details, and hop on over to Engadget HD for a gallery of press shots.Read | Permalink | Email this | C...
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| Ask Engadget: Which are the best full-size headphones? |
| 2008-05-01 17:51:00 |
Filed under: Ask EngadgetLate last year, you dear readers chimed in with your opinions for best earbuds in the land. Now, however, Ask Engadget is comin' atcha from a slightly different angle. Take it away, Jose: "I'm looking for some good headphones for around $150. I hate earbuds (so uncomfortable and the audio quality seems to depend on the angle that they're stuck in there,) so now I'm looking for full-on cans. I've been told both positive and negative things about Bose cans, but I'm looking for a few more opinions here. Help me and my ears!" Just as a note, we got the impression that Jose would be willing to stretch that budget a bit if a real winner was available just north of two bills, so feel free to pass out suggestions even if they're a touch pricier than what was mentioned. I...
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| Telnet “hack” allows for network remote control of TiVo |
| 2008-05-01 17:24:00 |
Filed under: Home Entertainment
It may not be very practical just yet but, as Zatz Not Funny's Dave Zatz points out, this recently discovered telnet "hack" for network remote control of a TiVo certainly offers no shortage of potential. Apparently, this one arose out of TiVo's deal with Creston to allow for integration with their home automation framework which, fortunately for those that like to dabble in such things, simply involved having TiVo HD and Series3 units listen to port 31339 for connections from a Crestron device. As Zatz notes, however, there's nothing to stop any device from telnetting to the TiVo's easily-findable IP address using the aforementioned port and inputting IR codes command line-style. Currently, that's made even less practical by the fact the codes need to be entered quickly to avoid being timed out, but we're sure it's only a matter of time before folks devise some slightly more useful means of exploiting this interesting find. Until then, you can head on pa...
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| Case manufacturers getting early 3G iPhone size specs? |
| 2008-05-01 16:52:00 |
Filed under: Cellphones
Next-gen iPhone rumors are swirling fast and furious, but the latest out of iLounge matches up with what we've heard: the 3G iPhone will be glossy black and slightly thicker than before. iLounge says that Apple has once again provided overseas case manufacturers with details of a new device, and they've mocked up the image above as an illustration, with the old model on the left and top for comparison. There's not much to go on, but we're curious as to what that additional front-mounted sensor is, and we know a few people that would kill for a red iPhone. iLounge says that developers and case manufacturers believe the specs to be correct and have already started work on accessories, but only Steve (and a couple hundred Apple employees) know for sure -- the rest of us will just have to wait.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| Second Galileo GPS satellite goes into orbit |
| 2008-04-27 15:14:00 |
Filed under: GPSFinally, the EU's Giove-B GPS satellite was shot into space by the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Strapped atop a Soyuz-FG rocket, the Giove-B reached orbit at 8:01am this morning, and is the second satellite launched for the nascent next-generation European Galileo satellite navigation system. This particular model is kitted out with dual redundant rubidium atomic clocks that the ESA says are "the most accurate in space". The next bird -- just three of thirty -- is slated to go up in 2010 with a full-system launch around 2013. Until then, it looks like they'll be stuck using the US's crappy, less-sensitive GPS network (boo hoo).[Via Physorg]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| RIM developing “Apple Killer” touchscreen BlackBerry? |
| 2008-04-27 12:35:00 |
Filed under: CellphonesThe times has a verbose 2,000 word piece about the high stakes world of high-end cellphone manufacturers (no way!), specifically centered around RIM's post-iPhone trials and tribulations. Besides a bit of vague lip service paid to the 9000 series, they're claiming that two 3rd party developers -- no sources cited -- leaked that RIM has a skunkworks product dubbed "AK" (which stands for "Apple Killer"), and that apparently it'll be touchscreen. And then comes the tub-thumping money shot from co-CEO Mike Lazaridis: "I couldn't type on [the iPhone] and I still can't type on it, and a lot of my friends can't type on it. It's hard to type on a piece of glass." Right, until you guys decide to do one of your own -- these executive types are so transparent they might as well just be up front.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| Suzuki offers up Garmin GPS on all 2009 SX4 vehicles |
| 2008-04-27 10:43:00 |
Filed under: GPS, Transportation
Back in the day, integrated GPS units were the stuff of luxury cars, gargantuan SUV cruisers, and lost old ladies. Suzuki is looking to change all of that by including the Garmin T.R.I.P. on all 2009 SX4 Sport and SX4 Crossover vehicles -- at no extra charge. As Suzuki gleefully points out, this marks the first time a sub-$16,000 car has included a GPS unit as standard equipment. The T.R.I.P. (Travel, Real-time traffic, Information and Play) sports a flip-up 4.3-inch screen and Bluetooth connectivity. As for software, it will include real-time traffic, weather forecasts, local event listings, community-based recommendations, and a gas station finder that can filter based on fuel prices. We're still fans of portable GPS units, but there is something elegant about those big-screened integrated monsters.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| InPhase to finally ship Tapestry 300r holographic storage solution in May |
| 2008-04-27 07:06:00 |
Filed under: Storage
Talk about escaping the label of vaporware by this much. We've been hearing that holographic storage was right around the bend from InPhase for well over three years now, but it has finally managed to get its ducks in a row and should start shipping the unicorn-like Tapestry 300r next month. The firm had a demonstrative version on display at NAB Show earlier this month, and apparently real live working units will be making their way out to archival junkies in just weeks. Granted, it will demand a whopping $18,000 to get a shipping label made with your address on it, and each piece of 300GB media is $180 -- but hey, that's the price you pay these days to know that you'll decompose before your data degrades.[Via The Register]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| Seiko Slimstick keeps tabs on your exercise routines |
| 2008-04-27 02:54:00 |
Filed under: Misc. Gadgets
While there's a plethora of products out there meant to log your running miles, Seiko's looking out for those who'd rather jump rope or do some heavy lifting rather than placing a beating on their knees. The adequately minuscule Slimstick (15-grams; 2- x 6.4- x 0.89-centimeters in size) is meant to reside in the pocket of a given exerciser and track calories burned along with an "overall workout value," which can be benchmarked against one's goal. To do so, it packs a dual-axis accelerometer and a decent amount of fairy dust, and yes, it promises to do all the things your paltry (or lazy, as it were) pedometer simply won't. Your next fitness buddy is available now for just ¥5,775 ($55), or ¥6,980 ($67) with a presumably supreme "strap set."[Via technabob]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| Sirius Starmate 5 stops by FCC, XM gets a mention |
| 2008-04-26 23:01:00 |
Filed under: Portable Audio
We'll cut straight to the chase: on the surface, there's nothing all that enthralling about the Sirius Starmate 5. In most every respect, it looks, smells and likely acts much like its predecessor. Granted, the color schemes have been updated a bit and you'll still find that delicious Sirius Replay support included, but the humdrum 5-line display, obligatory FM transmitter and bundled remote don't do much to get our saliva glands workin' overtime. As Orbitcast points out, however, there is one thing about the FCC filing that piques our interest more than anything else, and it's a simple phrase from a posted correspondence letter: "We used the satellite radio signal coming from either XM or Sirius." Whether or not this actually means anything is yet to be seen, but it makes for some decent fodder at the very least, yeah?[Via Orbitcast]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| Falcon Northwest’s portable FragBox 8500 gaming rig gets reviewed |
| 2008-04-26 20:14:00 |
Filed under: Desktops
Oh yeah, you've options oozing everywhere for a bona fide gaming desktop that takes up some serious square footage in your domicile, but what about those looking for a potent portable? And we're not talking laptops, either. Falcon Northwest's FragBox 8500 -- which sports a chassis that hasn't changed much in years -- was recently reviewed by the folks over at PC Magazine, and put simply, it was deemed a "game system without apologies." Checking in at $1,895, critics found the internals to be "neatly put together," the unit as a whole satisfactorily mobile and yes, they confirmed that "you will definitely be able to play the DX10-heavy versions of Crysis and World in Conflict at very decent frame rates." Did you hear that? They said Crysis. Head on down to the read link for the full review of the Editors' Choice-awarded machine.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| Epson, Sanrio team up for two more Hello Kitty laptop designs |
| 2008-04-26 17:16:00 |
Filed under: Laptops
Don't bother asking if the madness will ever end; you know good and well it won't. Now that we're clear, let's focus on the latest Hello Kitty-blasted laptop: the May-bound Endeavor NJ2100. Available in either a floral-inspired or airplane-dominated theme, the predominantly Pearl White machine touts rather exceptionally modest specs (shocked?) including a 15.4-inch WXGA display, 1.86GHz Intel Celeron processor, 1GB of DDR2 RAM, an 80GB hard drive, 3-in-1 multicard reader, gigabit Ethernet / WiFi and Windows Vista Home. You'll also find a FireWire socket, four USB 2.0 ports, a PC Card slot and around one measly hour of battery life from the standard cell. Totally not worth the ¥147,000 ($1,409) asking price, but then again, cuteness demands a serious, serious premium these days.[Via Slippery Brick, thanks David]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| California man builds his own solar-electric vehicle |
| 2008-04-26 14:37:00 |
Filed under: TransportationAlthough Brent Hatch's homegrown solar-electric whip looks eerily similar (read: just as ugly) to the SUNN solar car kit, this one was actually created without the help of any pre-packaged parts or sophisticated schematics. After his gas bill rose well over $700 a month (he and his wife have seven kids, after all), he decided to purchase a rather unsightly eight-seater bicycle and figure out a way to enable roof-mounted solar panels to power an electric motor. Nah, the top speed isn't very impressive, and you certainly wouldn't want to head out on I-5 with it, but it sure makes picking up the offspring from their nearby school a whole lot less painful on the wallet. Check out the video in the read link for more.[Thanks, Dave]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| Nintendo’s DS-accessible Fan Network now free at Safeco Field |
| 2008-04-23 07:57:00 |
Filed under: Gaming, Handhelds, Wireless
Nearly a year after the innovative (albeit not-entirely-practical) Nintendo Fan Network went live at Safeco Field in Seattle, the powers that be have decided to nix those pesky access fees and give every DS-toting guest access gratis. That's right, folks who show up to catch a Mariners game can now check out other MLB scores, dig deep within player stats, order up grossly overpriced grub and even watch a terribly pixelated version of the game they're currently at without handing over one red cent. The nosebleed section never had so much potential.[Via Joystiq]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| Video: VW’s Park Assist Vision helps bridge and tunnelers park in the big scary city |
| 2008-04-23 07:30:00 |
Filed under: Transportation
Volkswagen is showing off its new Park Assist Vision technology at the Hanover Fair in Germany. Unlike VW's previous attempts, this version of Park Assist is fully automatic. As such, the driver-turned-spectator can stand outside the car while the Passat maneuvers its way into cramped spots with the help of external cameras and proximity sensors. The driver selects his space on the monitor of the navigation system and ten sets the vehicle into "P" mode. It's just a trial for now so you'll still have to get by with the ol' bump-smile-n-flirt approach that's gotten you and your Aquanet hair into the city up until now. Video demonstration after the break.[Via Gizmag]Continue reading Video: VW's Park Assist Vision helps bridge and tunnelers park in the big scary cityRead | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| Microsoft turns the DRM screw on MSN Music owners |
| 2008-04-23 06:46:00 |
Filed under: Portable AudioEver wonder why we loath DRM around here as much as we do even when companies come along offering free, all you can eat deals? Well, if the Sony ATRAC debacle didn't serve as a warning there's always this: Microsoft just announced that it will no longer supply authorization keys for songs purchased from the defunct MSN Music service. That means that the PlaysForSure music you purchased will only play on your registered computers (up to 5) for as long as they shall live. As Microsoft puts it, "If you attempt to transfer your songs to additional computers after August 31, 2008, those songs will not successfully play." It's worth noting that the move also locks the registered PC into whatever OS i...
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| Remote controlled Aeryon Scout snaps stills from above |
| 2008-04-23 06:16:00 |
Filed under: RobotsThough certainly not the first gizmo designed with aerial photography in mind, the Aeryon Scout is a notch above most alternatives. The hovering platform enables users to capture still shots and log digital video from up above, and while it can be controlled remotely, we're also hearing that autonomous navigation isn't totally out of reach. Currently, the device is still looking to escape the prototype stage, but its creators are already eying police forces, security firms and surveying / engineering businesses in hopes of landing a few clients. Considering the stunningly high $30,000 to $50,000 price tag, we'd say they're looking in the right (read: only) direction.[Via Coolest-Gadgets, image courtesy of InventorSpot]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| Hello Kitty washing machine won’t make your garb any cuter |
| 2008-04-23 05:32:00 |
Filed under: Household
Scary how long it's been since we've seen any new gadgetry with Her Cuteness splashed all over it, huh? Or maybe the sight of an actual Hello Kitty washing machine is what's really terrifying. Regardless, Sanrio is now marketing a washer sure to be purchased by only the hardest of hardcore fanatics, and while we've nary a clue what kind of features the unit actually possesses, we won't kid ourselves and suggest that it even matters.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| Century’s SATA adapter supports 3 CF cards: cheap SSDs for all |
| 2008-04-23 04:24:00 |
Filed under: Storage
While we patiently wait 18 to 24 months for the CFast CompactFlash cards to arrive, there's always this: the DIY Century Compact Flash to SATA adatper. We've seen these adapters before of course, but this is the first we recall supporting 3x cards. That's a quickie 96GB SSD for about $450 (plus $192.57 for the adapter plus shipping) given current on-line prices. Not bad when you consider the $1,000+ price tag for a smaller 64GB SSD. Better yet, performance should be rock solid based on earlier reviews. In stock with RAID 0 / 5 support starting May 1st.[Via Akihabara News]
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| Sony Ericsson launches ho hum Z780 and G502 cellphones as profits plunge |
| 2008-04-23 03:43:00 |
Filed under: Cellphones
In a move meant to, uh, distract investors from its announced 48% profit downturn (compared to Q1 of the previous year), Sony Ericsson just announced a pair of mid-range handsets. The Z780 clamshell -- now official -- is the global sister to the announced Z770 for Europe. As such, she comes packing UMTS/HSDPA 850/1900/2100 and quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE radios. While it comes loaded with Google Maps for Mobile and aGPS navigation, you won't get much use from it on that itty bitty 128 x 160 pixel display of unknown dimensions. Hell, that bezel chews up an equivalent amount of real estate. The G502 candybar also features Maps but lacks aGPS. No worries for US Americans though as it's likely to stay put in Europe with UMTS/HSDPA 2100 and GSM/GPRS/EDGE 900/1800/1900 radios. Both will feature M2 memory expansion, Bluetooth, and 2 megapixel cameras when they launch in "selected markets" come Q2. Sorry Sony Ericsson, but we're not seeing a lot here to distract investors (...
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| Averatec reveals a pair of ruggedized Voya laptops |
| 2008-04-23 03:13:00 |
Filed under: LaptopsLook out, argonauts -- you've got more than Panasonic and Dell vying for your hard-earned dollars, as even Averatec is looking to make a play in the rugged laptop space. The firm's new Voya line of lappies gets going with a new duo of rough 'n tough rigs: the 14.1-inch 4473 and the 15.4-inch 6494. Both units pack a magnesium alloy outer case, corner bumpers and an anti-shock mounted hard drive. Internally, you'll find an Intel Core 2 Duo processor, up to 4GB of DDR2 RAM, a 250GB HDD, WiFi, X3100 graphics set, a dual-layer DVD writer, 4-in-1 multicard reader and Windows Vista running the show. We're told that each should be available to order real soon, and with the Voya family starting at just $1,299, it may be just the thing for the outdoorsman / outdoorswoman on a budget.[Via Blast]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| Yoggie’s Gatekeeper ExpressCard keeps your laptop secure |
| 2008-04-23 01:43:00 |
Filed under: Peripherals
Yoggie, the company that just loves to take those pesky security duties off of your computer's plate, is offering up yet another Linux-based mini-computer designed specifically to safeguard your laptop (and keep it focused on more important duties). Rather than utilizing USB, however, the Gatekeeper Card Pro slides right into that oft-neglected ExpressCard slot, giving laptop owners 13 security applications and the ability to rest easy. Of course, whether or not this convenience is really worth $199 is another question entirely.[Via PC World / Yahoo]
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| Urwerk’s UR-202 combines turbines and watches just how you always wanted |
| 2008-04-19 06:29:00 |
Filed under: Wearables
Like your Rolls-Royce, Louis Vuitton bags, and priceless, endangered animal collection, the Urwerk UR-202 turbine regulated watch is another expensive item you don't really need. Still... you want it, right? Who wouldn't want this beast, what with its self-winding kinetic motor, telescopic minute hands, orbiting and revolving hour satellites, and fancy, mechanical turbines that we understand almost nothing about. But hey, when your timepiece is more complicated than a jet plane -- and likely more expensive -- you've probably made it.[Via OhGizmo!]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| iPod sleeve takes fashion to its logical, meaty conclusion |
| 2008-04-19 03:19:00 |
Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video What's better than having a nice leather or cloth iPod sleeve to show off to your friends? If you're thinking one made of imitation meat -- you're dead right! Apparently, a company in Japan is under the impression that you want to wrap your music player in a grade A lookalike, undoubtedly to the thrill of your vegetarian friends and family. Of course, don't just get one for the shock value -- this thing oozes pure, sophisticated style. If you've got ¥6,800 (or about $66) and dignity to spare, it can be all yours.[Via DVICE]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| Samsung skips the touchscreen, patents gesture-based phone interface |
| 2008-04-19 00:17:00 |
Filed under: Cellphones
Samsung's been getting pretty creative with cell cameras lately -- the Instinct lets you pan around web pages by tracking movement with the camera, for example -- but the company's latest patent application, for a gesture-based phone interface, might be a little less practical. The idea is to use the phone's camera to track your hand movements, which, from the drawings, should have you looking insane on the subway in no time. Of course, we've all been guilty of waving at and even talking to our devices when they're acting up, so maybe a little feedback wouldn't be a bad thing -- there's one gesture we'd definitely like to see programmed in there.[Via Textually.org]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| AT&T’s job cuts to be offset with hires in Mobility unit |
| 2008-04-18 22:03:00 |
Filed under: CellphonesAT&T has announced plans to cut 1.5 percent of its workforce of 309,000. Sad times ahead for the company? Not quite. Apparently the 4600 jobs will be harvested from managerial spots in its flagging wired home phone business, so no worries, wireless types. Now here's where it gets interesting: word has it that AT&T also expects to hire back that same number of employees into the fold -- the wireless fold, that is -- keeping the total headcount nice and steady. We'd wager that we'll see more cuts like this in the coming months and years, so if you were pondering that job as a switchboard operator, time to retrain. So yeah, turns out it's business as usual for the number one carrier after all -- unless you happen to be in the 4600-strong group of obsoleted folks, that is.[Via mocoNews]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| Air France in-flight calling tests begin: not so great |
| 2008-04-18 19:54:00 |
Filed under: CellphonesThat France">Air France in-flight calling trial is now well underway, and it looks like there's still some kinks left to iron out. The New York Times hitched a ride on a recent flight featuring tests of the system, and found that things weren't quite working up to snuff: voice quality was said to be like "talking to a small robot," only six passengers could get a signal at a time, Blackberry email didn't work, and calls placed from the ground to cell phones in the air went straight to voicemail. That's a pretty long list for a system that's been talked about for a couple years now -- let's hope OnAir manages to clear up some of these glitches before angry passengers revolt over not only having to listen to other people's conversations, but also their screaming over bad connections.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| How would you change GamePark’s GP2X F-200 handheld? |
| 2008-04-18 18:30:00 |
Filed under: Gaming, Handhelds
Alright, so we know there aren't hordes of you out there currently possessing one of GamePark's GP2X F-200 handhelds, but we have absolutely no doubts that the owners that do exist are mighty vocal about their diminutive emulation powerhouse. When the unit was reviewed recently over at Ars Technica, critics found an awful lot to love, but it's not like the admittedly hefty, battery-eating, mildly unsightly unit was flawless or anything. Sure, we know the hardcore emulation geeks out there are likely turning their attention to the forthcoming Pandora, but that's not to say the F-200 can't handle a good talking-to from its loyal followers. Go on, put away that unconditional adoration for just a moment and tell the world how this thing actually could be improved upon -- we're sure there's something that grinds the gears.Permalink | Email this | Comments
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