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Craig Kornblau, president of Universal Studios Home Entertainment, is in a sticky situation. He needs to defend why his company exclusively backs HD DVD when the format is trailing Blu-ray by a long shot. Maybe glass-half-full talk day after day is what leads him to say things like this:
Oh man, Nintendo better pack up their portable gaming bags. Enter the compact, Nevover 7" TFT LCD for the PS3, set to revolutionise the mobile entertainment industry as we know it.
The screen docks on top of the PS3 and folds completely down for storage, whilst the resolution of 234 x 480 will ensure your eyes bleed out of their sockets after three minutes of playtime (like your sex life - you freaky devil, you). We know what you are thinking though; 'What about the sounds?' Nevover have got you covered; integrated 2 x 1W stereo speakers will have you jiggling your butt to some serious beats. Pricing info is not available as yet, though if they are expecting you to pay for it, it is certainly daylight robbery.
Why settle for a factory made Lasonic iPod boombox when you can make your own with a vintage 1985's Ghetto Blaster? Giz Reader Angelo Brisimitzakis posted his do-it-yourself guide so you can get the real ghetto look and sound yourself.
Remember when Gizmondo's CEO Stefan Eriksson completely obliterated his Ferrari Enzo on the PCH and blamed his make-believe German buddy "Dietrich" for the whole thing? It appears that even the friends of rich-and-infamous failed entrepreneurs can't outrun the law forever. After spending over a year on the lam, a man Los Angeles police are calling the Dietrich is sitting in a cell on $60,000 bail.
Apparently, every major carrier is getting a RAZR2. But that doesn't mean they're identical. Between the stores, network technology, and the custom UIs, each is different...and some better than others. Here's is a brief guide to which RAZR2 has what:
AU: This is actually pretty interesting even though it has bugger all to do with our local scene. Seeing that a phone set to be marketed as the same thing on different networks can have genuinely different features and hardware on board can be a big problem as a buyer. If you stick with your network whatever the case, you won't get a choice. But if you want the best handset of the bunch, it pays to know what's what.
While we poked and prodded our new iMac trying to answer all of you're questions, Ars Technicha went their traditional route and benchmarked the hell out of the poor iMac. How did it do? Gains all around, especially when compared to the aging Core Duo iMac. Informal tests, like seeing how long it takes to rip a DVD to Mpeg-4 using Handbrake, clocked in 20 minutes and 16 seconds (20-inch 2.4ghz 1Gb Memory). It even consistently beat out the 2.4ghz MacBook Pro on most tests, however this was most likely due to the MBP's slower 5400rpm hard drive. [Ars Technica]
Google announced on their blog that they're offering additional storage for their Gmail, Google Apps, and Picasa services. Storage sizes of 6, 25, 100, and 250 GB are available at prices ranging between 20 and 500 dollars a year. We hoped for more flexibility in how the storage could be used, but it's nice for those running low on space. [AP]
Say you're in Europe, standing in front of some medieval castle. You take a picture of it with your cameraphone and send it via MMS to Spellbinder. Soon you get a message back with your shot, only now there's a giant green fire-breathing dragon guarding the castle's gate. There are no elves in a sweatshop, magically overlaying images on top of your stuff. Rather there's a system that analyzes the shot, matches it to a huge database of other shots, then does what Spellbinder's programmers tell it to do. And it can do a whole lot more.
Apparently, you guys really like Sexy Stormtroopers. Fair enough. Far be it from me to judge your creepy and pathetic sexual fantasies. Whoops, I just did! My bad. In any case, apparently a couple of folks named Red and Johnny enjoy wearing Stormtrooper helmets in a variety of often-suggestive situations. Here's a gallery of some of the finer examples of their art; follow the Flickr link to see the motherload.
[Flickr via Boing Boing]
Carajo de boombox de los cojones, brothels! Check out those ghetto colors and speakers in that Lasonic dock-to-go for the iPod, mamasita! Or like they call it, the "high performance music system." Arriba! The 15-pound boombox comes with all kinds of flashy lights and 2 x 15W speakers. Not amazing power, but enough pa tocar el Chacarrón! After the jump.
TG Daily found this new Slingbox on the FCC. They call it a pro, but instead of the component pass through dongle, there are built-in inputs. (But no pass through) Om Malik and Joyce Kim interviewed the Slingbox CEO and got him to cough up something about a Slingbox HD coming out January.
[FCC via TG Daily & The Om and Joyce Happy Hour]
Streetlights aren't really necessary when there's a full moon out, what with it bouncing all that sunlight down at us and everything. But your average streetlight isn't smart enough to know when it isn't needed, so it sits there, dumbly shining away for no real reason. That's not the case with the Lunar-Resonant Street Lights, conceptual LED-based lamps that dim down and turn off completely as the moon waxes. When it's a new moon, it'll be fully lit up, showing you your path. What results is an energy savings of 90-95%. Not a bad idea.
AU: We covered this down here in AU back in May.
There are a variety of scratch removal devices for CDs and DVDs, but whoever thought of using such a readily available in prosaic device, that proof of creation itself, the everyday banana? Watch the video to see how to render your videos suddenly watchable, using banana goo and the banana's waxy peel to miraculously fix that Netflix disc that arrived at your house looking like a skating rink. [Neatorama]
You're probably sitting in a seat right now that's getting unbearably hot, struggling with the hot butt phenomenon and wishing you had a Self-Cooling Seat Cushion like this one. It does its cooling passively without any power requirements like that cool-or-heat temperature controlled seat we showed you last year. Although this one sounds like some sort of fanny fatigue-relieving miracle, its makers claim its secret has a scientific basis, using unnamed natural mineral crystals inside with a melting point that "produces a slow, soothing cooling."
We've seen some of these guns before, but the creatively named Metal Storm company keeps making videos about them that you won't want to miss. The sound of that million-rounds-per minute gun firing is something you won't soon forget. "Aaaaannnnk!" And it's done. Let's hope these monster weapons are only used by the good guys. [Danger Room]
Here are patents Nike filed that prove that they considering making the shoes from Back to the Future II. Michael Maloof of the McFly 2015 movement, dug them up yesterday.
[McFly2015, via NeatoRamaLamaDingDong]
Boy, China hasn't been getting the best PR lately when it comes to its exports, eh? You might recall that we showed you a Chinese sedan "earning" its 1-star crash test rating. Well, here's another one: the Chery Amulet. Sold mostly to unsuspecting Russians for about $9,000, this thing is about as safe as a homemade submarine. I'll stick to walking, thanks. [MobileMag]
This design concept for a juicer by Gibli Ortal is quite beautiful, but perhaps its creator didn't realize that it might end up in a rather precarious location. It certainly seems like a great place for a juicer, hugging the countertop right there within easy reach. But, uh, it could end up being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
It must have some sort of grippy backing underneath its lovely L-shaped form, holding it in place, and then when you're done with that it takes up very little space hanging on the wall and generally looking pretty:
It may sound a little Dr. Evil, or just plain far fetched, but as of now, the Galactic Suite space hotel is a go for 2012. Barcelona-based architect Xavier Claramunt is promising a three-night stay 300 miles in orbit to anyone with 3 million euros ($4.15 million). The package includes shuttle trips to and fro, an 18-week training program on a Caribbean island. Details surrounding certain creature comforts and necessities are still being ironed out.
Trevor Baylis, the Brit who invented the wind-up radio 16 years ago, has applied his not inconsiderable brain to doing the same thing for MP3s and videos and come up with a 2GB Eco Player that will give you 40 minutes of music on just one minute of winding. And that's not all it can do.
There's a full-color 1.8-inch LCD screen, as well as FM radio and voice recorder, an LED flashlight function and it can even charge your phone in an emergency. And if you don't fancy running around with a crank, there's also an internal battery that you can charge via USB and get 20 hours' worth of juice.
We've got exclusive word that the full list of carriers for the Motorola RAZR2 will be AT&T, Alltel, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon. Only Sprint and Verizon have announced it so far, but look for the others to follow suit shortly.... Read More »
Universal Music's decision to deliver DRM-free tracks to pretty much everybody but iTunes in its "test"—Amazon, Google, RealNetworks, Wal-Mart and other smaller stores—continues its wary, passive-aggressive stance toward Apple. Officially, a Universal rep told us in an email that it's "a scientifically designed research study over the next six months" that's using iTunes (their "Apple sales") "as a standard control group" to serve "as the baseline for comparison." But, what's really being tested is the viability of non-iTunes online sales.
While AT&T claimed to be just as outraged as we were over their censoring of Pearl Jam's anti-Bush lyrics during their Lollapallooza stream, they might not be being all that honest. They claim that it was a one-time mistake made by an outsourced company. Really? According to Wired's Listening Post, concerts streamed on the Blue Room by The Flaming Lips and the John Butler Trio have also been censored for political reasons. If true, this action coupled with past allegations aimed at AT&T suggests an unnerving pro-Bush political agenda from one of America's biggest telecoms.
After Verizon announced its launch of the RAZR 2, now Sprint jumps on board, saying it will also launch the new Motorola clamshell. Sprint's touting its RAZR2's ability to watch videos on its 2" external screen, even when the flip... Read More »
Victorinox, makers of those handy little MultiTools, have unveiled a couple of limited edition Swiss Army Knives, one gold, one platinum, both studded with diamonds. Just 120 of each model have been made, and you won't believe the price.
The problem with all the crappy "virtual reality" equipment that's been out there for so long is that you're always stuck standing in place as you "virtually" move around an environment. If you really want to feel immersed in something, you need to be able to walk around it as you walk around a real environment. Well, this omnidirectional treadmill will allow you to do just that. Created by Virtual Space Devices, Inc., which has one of the crappiest websites I've ever seen for a "high tech" company, it's been developed over the last 10 years for the US Army. Get this shit into arcades, stat! [Virtual Space Devices via New Launches]
After watching this video, I had visions of my next rave, ripe tomato pulp covering my body...but you know...this time it would be glowing. [neatorama]
Bang and Olufsen, that Danish designer that loves to charge way too much for oftentimes oddly-designed electronics, is really living up to their reputation with the new Beolab 3 speakers. These portable computer speakers pump out 250 watts of power in 180 degrees, which is impressive. The look is, well, OK, I guess, depending on your taste for "unique" design. The price, on the other hand, is tough to justify: $3,200. For computer speakers. These guys make Bose look like the cheap option. [New Launches]
Holidaying somewhere without a kitsch crazy golf course? Now you can bring your own with the MyMiniGolf set. Designed by Georg Pal and Hannes Weber, the pack, which contains 13 injection-moulded handicaps, a steel mini golf club, two balls and a scoring pad, comes in a holdall, and costs $231. [MyMiniGolf via Dezeen]
Today, Lego turns a ripe old age of 75. Founded in 1932 by carpenter Ole Kirk Christiansen from Billund, Denmark, the company made wooden toys. The trademark name didn't come until 1934, inspired from the Danish words "leg godt" (play well), and it wasn't until 1949 that Lego began producing their now-famous interlocking bricks.
The design finalized in 1958 and it took another five years to find proper materials to produce the blocks. So even though Legos are one of those "why didn't I think of that" ideas, creating the actual product was a painstaking process. Luckily that process will pay off for generations to come.
Ahh, Legos. I actually have none in my home at the moment, despite a plethora of other adult adolescent gear. Maybe it's a good day for a run to the store. [earthtimes via neatorama]
It may look, feel, shine and even taste like an iPhone. But believe it or not, what you are seeing is not an iPhone. As you can see in the gallery, a guy frustrated by the fact that the JesusPhone is not available in Japan built his own from scratch. Sure it doesn't work, but it's exactly like the real thing. In fact, it's even better.
Wired magazine just wrapped up its Greatest Gadget of All Time contest where readers voted for their favorite gadgets in a bracket-style elimination tournament, and the winner was the RCA CT-100 color television from 1954. Runner-up was the John Bird Sextant from 1757, a navigation device responsible for helping many of our ancestors find their way across the Atlantic Ocean. These two classic gadgets beat out the iPod, the iPhone, lots of different computers and everything else. But when you think about it, that RCA color TV was a truly revolutionary gadget.
