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Where does iMac designer Jonathan Ive get his ideas? Growing up in '70s Britain, his brain must have collected a giganormous amount of wonderful and eclectic design influences. Like this Telefunken PALcolor 614, which looks like a CRT version of the new iMac. More ties after the jump.
Sascha Segan at PC Mag just worked his way through testing the AT&T, Sprint, Verizon Wireless and Alltel RAZR2 models. Though all RAZR2s have similar specs—"luxurious metal-and-glass design," 240-MHz processor, roughly 100 MB of memory, a 2-megapixel camera and "the biggest, most beautiful external screen you've ever seen on a flip phone"—each carrier treated this differently. We gave you a nice run-down of feature differences, but here's how the actual user experience differs from carrier to carrier:
Boy, I hope that Courtney Love is making a lot of money off this one. The Kurt Cobain action figure immortalizes the poster boy of grunge rock in 18 inches of dyed plastic (was the dyed part distasteful?) Sorry.
Apparently the figure is electronic, but we're not exactly sure if that alludes to potential karate chop action or maybe a sung verse of "Smells Like Teen Spirit". Look for MiniKurt sometime this month for $45. And remember, not only are you buying a timeless collectible; you're giving hope to a starving woman with no career, talent or shame. [product via uberreview]
This monocycle replica from 1873 is an stunning engineering and mechanical feat. Created by a spaniard using 19th Century documentation and old-style handcrafting techniques, it uses a 6.16-foot wheel, with a 238-teeth inner segment.
Holy crap. The Helio Fin is the company's first clamshell, and is built on Samsung Ultra phone DNA. As such, it's only 11.4mm thick, and hot damn, it's the only one made of magnesium. It's also the only Helio handset... Read More »
We (ok, I) always thought that sending broadband over powerlines was one of those empty threats used to gain leverage on cable and DSL providers. But DirecTV has just announced a partnership with Current Group to provide their Dallas/Fort Worth market with high speed Internet through their wall sockets.
The resulting BPL (Broadband Over Powerline) should be a lot faster than DSL, with theoretical transmission rates hitting between 256k/s and 2.7 MB/s. 1.8 million subscribers will get to find out starting late 2007 and into 2008. Now let's get the gas lines going, too. Maybe the power companies will stop bill-raping us if they're making a bit more on their lines...nah! [cnnmoney]
Boy Genius published this leaked T-Mobile document with details of the Blackberry Curve 8320 launch pegged to September 24th—the Curve with Wi-Fi. That makes sense, given TMO's gung ho attitude toward Wi-Fi, with all those hotspots. And oh yeah—how convenient—that... Read More »
These bullet-proof backpacks are claimed to offer as much protection from a shooting as police armor, but at one tenth of the weight. They're aimed at kids, to protect them from all the dangers that 21st-century schooling entails. One immediate problem I see is that it will only protect you if you're shot in the back, at just the right height. Check out a video after the jump.
This unusual-looking gadget is worn behind the ear, and wakes you up if you start to catch some Z's on the highway. It constantly measures the angle your head is resting at, and vibrates if you tip forward. Of course, if you fall asleep and lean back into your headrest, then it will happily let you careen off the road to your fiery, but restful, death.
Phil Torrone went to a NYC event for Bug Labs where they unveiled the first of their component, open-source hardware for DIY gadgets. More photos over at Make. [Make]
Samsung has come up with a sexy landline phone with all sorts of net capabilities. The SMT-i8080 can give you two-way video calls via Ethernet thanks to its flip-up LCD and embedded video cam, as well as allowing users to buy stuff, reserve movie tickets, stream audio and watch internet TV, using the phone's navigation buttons below the screen.
Sonos announced today that their Digital Music System, which wirelessly streams music across a house, has updated to System Software 2.3 and features Sirius Satellite Radio in addition to the Pandora and Zune services. Any Sonos system connected to the... Read More »
Why do I find this funny? Because I'm sophisticated, that's why. Pull the finger on the keychain and it drops a loud one. Drop $6.98 and it's all yours. [The Lighter Side]
A team of researchers from Purdue University has invented a way to cool down computer chips using a breeze made up of charged particles. They say it will increase the cooling rate by 250%; we say it could be the end of "penis burn," that uncomfortable sensation you get when your notebook is parked atop your crotch.
If you don't want to have your computer constantly powered-up just to listen to online radio then this could be a great option for you. The Tangent Quattro is a WiFi radio that can access over 5,500 Internet radio stations, as well as DAB and FM radio. It comes in white, red walnut veneer, and black, and costs $349. [Uber Gizmo]
Engadget got a poster and a tipster claiming that Sprint could unveil their WiMax service tomorrow, with deployment by the end of 2007. The service will be called XOHM and it will allow you to use devices like the future... Read More »
[Cue Fairytale music...]Once upon a time, a geek found that he had way too many gadgets, and too few AC outlets to use them all at once. A simple powerstrip would have been a easy fix, but because he considered himself a serious gearhead, he wanted *special* powerstrip.
With safe operation features, Thermador's line of all-induction cooktops can detect changes in surface temperature and will automatically shut off for spills or prolonged use. Along with a cool-to-the-touch surface, quicker heat up times, and much easier cleaning, this cooktop is making us despise our current gas burners.
The cooktop is available in either black or a silver mirrored finish with sizes ranging from 15-inch to 36-inch. The 30-inch black model is available now starting at $2029. [Thermador via Popular Science]
Skybus is a new value airline that focuses itself around cheap flights costing as little as $10 dollars one way (before additional fees and taxes). A round trip ticket can cost as low as $40 out the door. While the... Read More »
Today in New York City, at Rockefeller Center's Top of the Rock, Sharp unveiled the D64U line of Aquos LCD TVs, 25% thinner than previous models at a slim 3 1/4 inches thickness. They also have trimmer fronts, thanks to bezels that have been reduced by 30%. The claim Sharp made was that its new 42-inch model could fit in a tighter space than other brands' 40-inch models. In other words, more picture, less box. There will be a 42-incher for $2099, a 46-incher for $2699 and a 52-incher for $3799, all available this month. (Those prices are MSRP.) Sharp also showed off a nice 65" model, but didn't announce price or shipping details.
Korean electronics company Dahan T&S has unveiled 42-inch touchscreen LCD that features multi-touch input recognition. One use of the multi-touch technology, or what they call "multi dot recognition", is for the monitor to recognize one finger as a left click and two fingers as a right click. While standing inches away from a wall-mounted LCD doesn't sound too appealing, working this into a coffee table (ala the Microsoft Surface) would be cool. [AVING]
Posted by Seamus Byrne at 9:47 AM on August 15, 2007
We heard about Nokia's battery recall from the overnight feed, and here are the details on how to follow up on the issue here in Australia. It is the BL-5C made in the period Dec '05 to Nov '06. If you have this battery, you can call 1300 366 733 to find out if your battery is one of the troublesome models (or check the ID number on the web). Do your trousers a favour and get those batteries replaced.
Hey, chubster. Do you have trouble keeping a healthy diet? Would having a friendly, diet-focused robot in your kitchen help? No? Well, don't tell the guys at the MIT Media Lab that, because that's exactly what they've been cooking up. It's an in-home robot that'll make eye contact with you while it tracks your eating habits and shuns you for constantly nibbling on Doritos rather than carrot sticks. It's like a nagging spouse, but it doesn't have the personal investment of having to see you naked. I'm not sure if that's a plus or a minus in its favor. [MIT Media Lab via Crave]
Posted by Seamus Byrne at 9:23 AM on August 15, 2007
Just to spite me and my predictions from last week, Microsoft has dropped the price of the Xbox 360 here in Australia further than guessed. The Premium edition console has been cut by $70, down to $579.95, while the Core edition has been but by $100 to $399. That puts the Core up against the Wii for price. That adjustment officially makes buying both a Wii and an Xbox 360 less expensive than buying one PS3 here. Hmmm...
Oh yeah, and I was around about where the red circle is on that Coogee beach Xbox 360 photo.
Posted by Anna King at 9:15 AM on August 15, 2007
If giant armoured beetles scuttling around at 20km/hr sounds a bit nightmarish, you'll be glad to know that the above isn't reality - yet. German researchers from the University of Magdeburg-Stendal are developing the OLE, an off-road, fire-fighting robot that will halt blazes before they become infernos.
OLE is supposed to monitor large areas of forest with the help of infrared and biosensors, discover fire sources and immediately report and fight them...Two mechanical feelers help it to move safely across uneven, difficult terrain and reach the danger zone quickly.
[Land of Ideas via Street Tech]
With the Mac Mini-styled exterior, the miniStack NAS from Newertech lets you share up to 750GB of your junk over the network with other computers. It's got a USB 2.0 port, a 10/100 Ethernet port and the ability to service up to 20 simultaneous PC or Mac users. All this for a low price of $79 for an empty add-your-own hard drive model. If you want it pre-configured, prices start at $119 for an 80GB model and go all the way up to $329 for a 750GB unit. [Newertech]
Going on a trip? Forget those standard plastic coolers. This Thermo MP3 cooler can keep 16 cans at 40 degrees F, but that's not the best part. The best part is the two speakers on the front that can take in any MP3 player and pump out your tunes while you're out camping. All this by just plugging the Thermo into your car's cigarette adapter. Makes us all but forget the time we had to pee into a cooler because our dad wouldn't stop to let us go. [Skymall via Crave]
Seen at this year's Comic-Con, these Metal Gear Solid Kubrick figures are probably the best things we've seen yet in LEGO-ish form. The Kubrick block figures will have Snake and Grey Fox from #1, Naked Snake from #3, and Old Snake and Robot Ninja Raiden from #4. La Li Lu Le Lo. [Figures via Toys R Evil via HypeBeast]
If you missed out on last year's Dead Serious hoodie that made every Karate Kid fanboy lose their shit, LRG is getting ready to drop another movie-inspired sweatshirt. The Friday The 47th hoodie flaunts Jason Voorhees as its muse, complete with dual chainsaws across the chest and a pullover hockey mask that's sewn into the hood. The sweatshirt is expected to come out in mid-September for $110 dollars. You better believe we're getting our hands on one of these. [Hype Beast]
According to Oxford philosopher Nick Bostrom, the chances are pretty good that we're currently existing not in the "real world," but instead are a vast computer simulation created by a future, further advanced version of ourselves. Yeah, crazy, I know. Basically, he argues that because computing power will advance to the point where a system could be built that could simulate every brain on earth, future "posthumans" could set up an "ancestor simulator" that would be indistinguishable from real life for the inhabitants.
Remember those old Bluetooth laser keyboards from a few years back that projected a laser image on the desk that you could type on? Celluon's releasing a new version of that old device, but this time it's connected over USB instead of Bluetooth. Still compatible with Windows Mobiles, Palm OS, BlackBerry, Symbian and Windows 2000/XP/Vista though. Of course, you're still typing onto a desk without any kind of "give," which means painful fingers just like the old version. [AVING via Gearlog]
Those bullshit ionic air purifiers from Sharper Image may not help relieve your allergies, but ionic wind may help keep your computer cool. Purdue researchers demonstrated that by ionizing air and passing it over the chip, it increased airflow on the surface and cooled them down as much as 250%. The mock chip went down from 140 degrees to 95 degrees. Now they just have to reduce component sizes and make them more consumable before they can actually be installed in laptops and computers. [Extremetech]
Recycling electronics is crucial, so why should recycling your old vibrators be any different? Love Honey has a new program where you send in your old, worn out, used one-too-many-times vibrator to them, and they'll send you a brand new rabbit vibrator for half price. Half price! That's a fantastic deal. Don't take our word for it, let this talking rabbit explain. Just don't confuse him with one of the other kind of rabbits. [Love Honey]
Robot webcams are all the rage nowadays, and this USB Robot doesn't look to stir up the waters with "innovation." It's got a a low-quality VGA-ish camera (350k pixels) along with lights for eyes. The same eyes that look in disapproving horror at what you're doing at your desk right now. You should be ashamed of yourself. [Akihabara]
This week on the 99th episode of Coolness Roundup, Gizmodo's Charlie White and Sci Fi Tech's Stephen Schleicher talk about iMacs, iLife, iWork, and take a look at high-definition combo DVD players. They wrap things up with the Rapid-Fire Roundup of Cool Products, all on Coolness Roundup, a free netcast on iTunes, or you can download it directly from the show's official website. [Coolness Roundup]
Japanese boffins are now making animations by creating small plasma balls in mid-air. The technology doesn't use vapor or strange gases, just lasers to heat up oxygen and nitrogen molecules: up to 1,000 brilliant dots per second, which makes smooth motion possible. They could be used as street signs, advertising or to create giant plasma monsters to destroy entire cities. Maybe.
Meizu Me reports that Meizu will release a speaker dock slightly reminiscent of iPod speaker docks for their M6 player. The M6, if you recall, is a small nano-ish player that's actually quite good, despite taking much of its design influence straight from Apple. This dock will be 88 grams and measure 208x87x86mm. That's 0.2 pounds and 8.1x3.4x3.3 inches. That weight seems a bit off, but the mDock will have replaceable docks to fit the the M3 Music Card as well. [MeizuMe]
Since we first saw the "advanced amateur" Sony Alpha DSLR earlier this year, it's been shrouded in mystery and its spec list has been rife with guesswork and conjecture. Now we're seeing the next round of soothsaying by a flimsy Franco-rumor site, telling us that the higher-end amateur model will have a 14.4-megapixel sensor, a 2.5-inch LCD viewscreen (no word about whether it will have live view or not), CompactFlash card support and wireless flash from the camera. There were even more rumors flying around, too.
The HTC Iris, a Motorola Q-like Windows Mobile smartphone with a front face keyboard, has just been approved by the FCC. The phone has CDMA850/CDMA1900/1x-EVDO connectivity, 802.11b/g, Bluetooth, a 2.4-inch screen with QVGA resolution, 2-megapixel camera, GPS and runs Windows Mobile 6. It doesn't look like it's the high end of the HTC phones, but it does look like a nice alternative to the Moto Q/Treos. [Unwired View via Mobility Site]
Sony's Bravia ads are generally pretty entertaining affairs, what with the grand scale they usually inhabit. It looks like they're working on a new one, if the Technicolor Play Doh bunnies that have been invading NYC are any indication. It's not all that clear what exactly these bunnies will be doing in the ad, but I guess we'll see in due time. What do you guys think? Will they be able to top the bouncing balls and exploding paint of ads past?
[NotCot]
Who knew a camcorder could be so cheap, but here it is, the DXG-572V that records MPEG-4 video at "near DVD-quality" for $149. It looks to be about the same kind of recording mechanism that you'll get on most still cameras these days, laying down 640x480 video at 30 frames per second onto an SD or MMC memory card. It can also take 5.13-megapixel stills and function as a voice recorder, too.
If you don't mind looking like you're smoking on some kind of high-tech water pipe, the iStraw can filter all kinds of creepy crawlies out of whatever that is you're drinking. This little magic wand can keep away even the tiniest microbes, including that dreaded cryptosporidium bug. Its maker says it "reduces up to 99.99999% of all waterborne bacteria," but what about that other millionth of a percent? Anyway, the thing lasts a long time, filtering 500 liters of water before you need to replace its cartridge. Best of all, you can easily take it with you wherever you may roam.
Now Makayama Pocket Wi-Fi Radar software is available for the Pocket PC platform, showing you exactly where those free Wi-Fi networks are. Formerly available just for Windows XP, this $14.95 software download shows you an animated radar screen that not only indicates exactly where the hotspots are, but it automates your connection to that network with almost no effort at all. In fact, you can walk around with it running, and as soon as it finds a spot it will link up automatically. Cool.
The software works with a long list of Wi-Fi-capable devices, as well as any Pocket PC model with a wireless add-in card, or if you want to use it on Windows XP, that version is free. Looks like it could be useful, not only for legitimate users looking for a Wi-Fi hookup, but for those who drive around suburban neighborhoods looking for a wide-open Wi-Fi network so they might "borrow" a bit of bandwidth—or worse. Keep that in mind if you're one who's currently comfortable with leaving your Wi-Fi router wide open. [Makayama Software]
This "male management and boyfriend training unit" is an add-on to that CB-3000 male chastity belt that attaches to a submissive male's member, keeping it, and him, out of harm's way or out of anybody else's pants. This Dream Lover 2000 add-on takes it a step further, letting the poor sap's mistress remotely administer shocks, keeping him in line and punishing him as much as he so richly deserves.
What's a good way to make a Super Nintendo decidedly less fun? Modify it to run Windows Vista, of course. While this beautiful machine used to be able to play classic games like Chrono Trigger and Super Mario World, the barebones PC crammed inside it now can probably barely run ZSNES. What a tragedy. [Akihabara News]
The Piece of Wood Watch by Angular Momentum looks to be the handiwork of Robinson Crusoe. But unless Crusoe had an abundance of sterling silver and diamonds, we doubt he crafted this watch. Self-winding based upon user movement and water resistant, the Piece of Wood Watch might not be rummaged from a pile of rotting driftwood, but who really wants to wear driftwood, anyway? We're not sure about the price, but we're guessing it's gonna cost you more than coconuts. [product via gearfuse]
Numark's iDJ2, a mixing table that allows you to mix up tracks from the same iPod is to be launched next month. We touched on the prototype earlier this year, which got a thumbs-up-with-reservations from DJ Scott Paradis, but this is the final version. Key features, and price, below.
Stop licking that blunt, getting your spit all over it and everything, and start using these self-stick VPapers from Sustainable Trading Limited. Apparently creating and the patenting self-sticking rolling papers is not quite as simple as you might think.
These guys did extensive market research, probably involving smoking lots and lots of, uh, vegetable material, just to make sure the finished product was up to snuff. The researchers discovered that "more than half the people we spoke to said whilst they love the ritual of rolling, they would rather not have to lick their cigarette to seal it shut." Now they've patented the process, somehow making the ends self-sticking while still making the papers easy to package and dispense.
Stamps are increasingly self-sticking, why not rolling papers? Great idea. Vpapers are available in a couple of different weights, and also in regular and king-size, giving you a nice long 100mm smoke. Fire 'em up. [VPapers]
We know what you're thinking, "didn't Mark mean DVR television?" Nope. This Shinco 32" LCD accepts USB drives along with a 2.5" bay enclosure. The drive is meant to then be taken with you to watch your shows on the road.
While we have no specifics on encoding bitrates, we do know that the Shinco uses MPEG4 hardware that can not only record
So this is why the Novint Falcon force feedback controller was delayed so long? So they could work out the Fleshlight integration? All is understood and forgiven, Novint. [