Sunday, April 22, 2007
Australia, start your gizmos …
5:13PM Seamus Byrne | Well, it’s been an ‘entertaining’ (read: insane) week here at the Australian Giz HQ. We’ve run the gauntlet of launch issues, and we’d like to think we’re all the more prepared having faced them. But then, we would say that, wouldn’t we?
We’ll be hitting full stride on the local news front from tomorrow.
‘Til then… - Seamus Byrne
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Low-Tech Solutions: Hands-Free Cell Phone Kit
7:45AM Seamus Byrne | Why look like a total douche bag with a blinking Bluetooth headset clipped to your ear when you can take advantage of this super simple hands-free kit? I think it speaks for itself. – Matt Buchanan HandsFree Cell Phone Kit [Product Page via Nerd Approved] More »
Fabled Sigma SD14 Camera: “First” Review
7:27AM Seamus Byrne | We first talked about the Sigma SD14 SLR last year, reporting that it would be released in Sept 2006. Evidently things were pushed back a bit. But the camera retained its promise nonetheless. Using a multi-layered Foveon X3 image chip, the SD14 promised superb color capture by allocating a separate analog chip to each of the 3 primary colors, allowing 3 color properties per each pixel of the image instead of the normal 1. While Sigma had debuted the chip in the past, their last camera was released back in 2004. And things have changed a bit since then. Pop Photo got their hands on one of the first Sigma SD14 models and posted a quick review. So what did they think? More »
Apple Set to Steamroll the Big Four at the iTunes Bargaining Table
6:45AM Seamus Byrne | According to Reuters, it’s Apple that’s going to be pressuring the Big Four for concessions as contract renewals take place over the next month, not the other way around. While they might be begging for an iTunes subscription service, Apple will be shoving them in EMI’s footsteps, toward selling more music without DRM. One unnamed record exec actually admits that “EMI struck a deal that puts all of us at a disadvantage.” More interesting is the exec’s subsequent nugget that “If Universal goes, then everyone has to follow.” Reuters hints that Universal is in fact contemplating a DRM-free partnership with…Amazon. The labels are clearly wary of the monster 100 million-selling iPod/iTunes machine. Given that Apple has the upper hand here—one that seems to be getting stronger—and will probably be taking from the labels at the negotiating table rather than giving, why has “there has even been talk of [the labels] getting a cut of sales of iPods themselves”? It’s never going to happen. Ever. If “privately, executives accept that following EMI’s move it is only a matter of time” why not go ahead and make the move and start chalking up more sales online now, rather than later? It would be in their best interest to take the initiative while they still wield a fair amount of bargaining power—Steve smells weakness, and if they crawl back later, he’s going to take them for the ride of their lives. – Matt Buchanan Apple seen having upper hand in music negotiations [Reuters via Mac Rumors] More »
Banpresto Moon Projector: Bring Out the Wolf
6:00AM Seamus Byrne | Don’t you hate it when the Big Dance is coming up, but the phase of the moon isn’t right for you to surf on ice cream trucks and steal the show? Fret not, since Banpresto has a solution with their new Moon Projector. Emanating a moon that’s 2 feet in diameter from a distance of 6 feet, the Moon Projector cycles through all lunar phases in an hour. It’s the perfect addition to your HomeStar projector, and only runs a reasonable $31…if you can actually find one anywhere. – Mark Wilson projector lets you moon yourself [via gizmowatch] More »
Fake LG Shine: the Diamond KG70 Shine
5:30AM Seamus Byrne | LG isn’t very happy about the Shine knock-offs that have been floating around, issuing cease and desist letters to manufacturers. But that isn’t stopping the sale of the Diamond KG70 Shine (yet). Priced around $100, the Diamond is a spitting image of the Shine. Everything from the QVGA screen to the silver finish will fool your friends into thinking you spent too much on your phone. Plus, late/cheap adopters will score a MicroSD slot for additional storage. You can hit the link and order your own online, but I prefer to buy my knock-offs the old fashioned way: from a shady dealer on the street who stores inventory in a garbage bag. As a bonus, you might get mugged! Jumbo picture after the jump. More »
World’s Shortest Phone: Oddly Reminds Me of a Tootsie Roll
4:45AM Seamus Byrne | While having this in your pocket will probably make you the victim of some “Are you just happy to see me?” jokes, this roll-up phone seems like a neat idea—we’re all for smaller, rather than larger, gadgets (unless it’s a screen of some sort). The keypad “roll” might get a little annoying when you’re trying to quickly dial a number, but the flexible screen and tight design make me want to look past that. It’s better than a touchscreen with no tactile feedback at all, anyway. Was that an iPhone knock? Oh snap! – Matt Buchanan The shortest roll-phone [Concept page via SlashPhone] More »
Apple Running Top 500 Supercomputer at NAB?
4:00AM Seamus Byrne | Apple Insider got an “inside” look at Apple’s NAB setup. They reported that Apple’s server included 3/4 Petabytes of storage space, 3 miles of fiber optic cable, 4 M2 Gb networks, 90 Xserves and 40 Xserve RAIDs. Pardon me while I change my pants. An interesting point was brought up on MacSlash: There are systems on the list of the Top 500 Supercomputers with fewer and/or slower processors and slower network connections. Who knows? With a little reconfiguration and optimization for the LINPACK benchmark, maybe, just maybe… Just a little something for you to ruminate on while you marvel at the report’s pretty pictures. Hit the jump for more pictures of Apple’s ubersetup. More »
