The new one-inch thick TV are not experimental as we first imagined: they will release them in two to three years, with a flagship 131-inch version illuminated by some “secret technology we can’t talk about.” We’ve just seen them in Berlin and they really are skinny. Sharp’s Corporate Communications PR-Manager, Martin Beckmann told us all about it.
newVideoPlayer("Hitachi3Display_gawker.flv", 475, 376); I’m not a fan of 3D TVs. Maybe in the future they will be perfect or we all will have holodecks at home, but for now it all seems like a gimmick. However, the Hitachi 7.7 x 4.6-inches we just saw at IFA demonstrates that 3D displays could be perfect for small applications like GPS or portable gaming, clearly separating different layers of information than any simulated shadow or transparency can do.
Can there ever be too many R2D2 inspired gadgets? No, it is impossible, as proven by this orgasm worthy R2D2 webcam, by Hammacher Schlemmer.
The camera might not scream great picture quality at 628×528 resolution, but there are so many reasons why this R2D2 rendition kicks geek gadget butt. The obligatory beeping sounds are all preset, along with the Star Wars soundtrack. Digital photos and voice recorder functions are also included. Further, the device is wireless meaning it will not need to be on a leash connected to your laptop. The supplied remote control, which is kick-ass because it is shaped as a light saber, allows you to control R2D2′s movements. Yes it moves, in four glorious planes! If that kind of control is not remote enough for you, there is also an option to manage the righteous robot via the web. Worried it may take a tumble from the great heights off your desk? Don’t; Hammacher Schlemmer has managed to incorporate a sensor to protect your $349.95 investments from such tumbling travesties. The light saber remote can also be packed with you on your journeys away from R2D2, as it doubles up as a sweet Skype handset.
If you are a little wet in the pants from reading all this you are probably not too fussed about the $349.95 price tag, but we think it is a little steep. Unless, of course, you intend on marrying and having some kids with R/C R2D2. Lets face it, no one this side of the human species is going to consider you as a potential procreation partner, certainly not for a measly $349.95, anyway. Set for a release date of 21/09/07, pre-orders are being taken now. [Product Page via Oh Gizmo!] .
newVideoPlayer("Aurea_gawker.flv", 475, 376);
We were surprised at just how well Philips new Aurea (Europe only for now though probably US next year) looks in video. One part beautiful, one part hideous, it’s an innovative product that will be perfect for a specific chunk of the market with the decor to support it (seriously, picture it next to a cement goose and twig wreath). But I think that the glowing itself works quite well. And if the frame is turned off, you quickly panic, wondering what evil force has cursed your viewing experience.
In this video, Philips Marketing Director Marc Harmsen walks us through their new product while we show plenty of action.
Today we got our hands on Sanyo’s Xacti HD. The world’s first 1080p camcorder is more than cute—seemed like just the right weight to me, and its two-button design is simple to use. It felt cool and fast, but the experience was not perfect.
According to Ian Callum, Jaguar’s design director, the revised XF shall boast a reworked control interface—reworked by Apple, no less. In an interview with CAR magazine, Mr Callum said, “We have been working with Apple on control interfaces.” Assuming Mr. Callum did not forget to add “an” before “Apple” in that statement, it is safe to say there is little room for doubt.
At present not much is known about the system, dubbed JaguarDrive, besides two main features:
First, when the driver enters the car the start button will begin to pulsate, in true Apple style. Once the car is started, a selector will rise out of the main console. From the photo, it seems the selector will be involved in transmission control. Whether there will be a UI on the main console designed by Apple is not clear, but we are guessing they did not jump into bed with Jaguar only to be allowed to mess with the gears, (even if messing with gears in bed is dope). These murmurings in the automobile world are certainly giving precedence to earlier Apple/Volkswagen and Apple/Mercedes collaborations that have been speculated upon. All this is very exciting; just imagine what the new drive-through Mac Genius Bars will look like! [Autoblog] .
If you were thinking, “Those guys at Google are going to pack in a secret flight simulator into the new edition of Google Earth,” pat yourself on the back, as that is exactly what they have done.
Users have the choice of commanding either an F-16 jet fighter or a Cirrus SR22 prop plane. At present those are the only two options to allow you to fly around the globe, but we are hoping for a UFO add-on that will allow us to traverse the galaxies in Google Sky too. We are confident the amount of time spent wasting our lives away, flying from city to city, will have a detrimental effect on some of our niggling responsibilities like relationships and personal hygiene, but are there any real surmountable consequences of such time wastage? We think not. I wonder how long it takes to fly to Gizmodo HQ from London… [Google OS]
newVideoPlayer("Xacti_gawker.flv", 475, 376);
Here’s a video of Ad’s painted hands on the new Sanyo Xacti. My unpainted hands found the ergonomics to be excellent, though the buttons felt a little cheap.
Unfortunately, like acne on a pubescent teenager’s face, wired headphones are still ubiquitous. Also, unless you are a silhouette in an iPod commercial, they look like crap too. Audio-Technica has released a primitive solution called the Cable Wrap. The Cable Wrap consists of a double clip design; one to attach to your lapel or penis and another to get that wired mess in order. Available in five non-offensive colors, the $7.72 asking price is a steal. Given the cool, simple design, we certainly would not mind having it adorn our flabby man-breasts. As soon as we have saved up our wages, we shall be queuing. [Random Good Stuff] .
