Thursday, September 20, 2007
Western Digital Releases New, Slimmer 1TB My Books
11:41PM Jesus Diaz | Western Digital has released three new versions of their My Books external 1TB hard drives: the Essential 2.0, Office and Home Editions. The Essential 2.0 is the most basic, with just USB 2.0 and no extra features, but with a shiny sexy look for $350. The Office and Home Editions both come at $380 and add a frontal capacity gauge and automatic backups. The USB 2.0-only Office model comes with built-in remote access while the Home unit has FireWire 400 and eSATA ports. [WD] More »
Steve Jobs just got subpoenaed by the SEC …
11:33PM Wilson Rothman | Steve Jobs just got subpoenaed by the SEC on the subject of stock backdating, but it’s not what you might think: according to reports, he’s only there to testify against Apple former general counsel Nancy Heinen, and is not part of an SEC investigation. [Reuters] More »
Nokia MD-6 Looks Like Lipstick, Feels Like Lighter, Reminds Us of Johnny 5
11:20PM Wilson Rothman | Nokia recently unveiled the MD-6, the latest in a line of designy low-volume speaker systems, which will cost $80 when it soon hits US soil. It’s a fun design, based on the need to conceal 4 AAA batteries plus the two tiny drivers. I liked the look, but even more, I liked the addictive flip-open case action. Symbian-Guru.com did a video review. Verdict? Tracks at low volume sound okay, but if you like Chemical Bros., stay the hell away. [Symbian-Guru.com] More »iPod touch Passes Gentle Scratch Test
11:15PM Charlie White | Look out, iPod touch! There comes a scratch test with a safety pin, a car key and then even a razor blade. But this tester doesn’t seem too hell-bent on damaging his precious touch. Would a jackhammer scratch it? How about a blowtorch? We could run over it for you, guy—that might help. But still, this touch is a lot tougher than that first iPod nano we got, looking like a skating rink after about six hours. [YouTube] More »
Floating Solar Island Will Produce Energy While Annoying Plankton and Fish
11:06PM Jesus Diaz | Ras al-Khaimah &mdash one of the United Arab Emirates, not a relative of Batman’s nemesis &mdash is going to install this floating solar island, which will be 0.62 miles in diameter when completed. Due to the lack of space in land, the micro-state contracted the Neuchâtel’s Swiss Center for Electronics and Microtechnology to design it, paying $5 million toward the construction of the project. The island will produce electricity by heating up water to produce vapor and will be able to propel itself in case bad weather strikes. [GoodCleanTech] More »
iPod classic Diagnostic Start Up Reveals Very Little
10:50PM Wilson Rothman | I unbox the iPod classic, power it up, and voila, I get the strange diagnostic startup screens you see before you. It wasn’t nearly as cool looking as the touch’s factory test mode, and it’s probably out of order in the gallery, but I thought maybe sharing it would fuel some conspiracies, or lay others to rest. To quote Jesus, “What’s with Apple products and test screens lately?” [Apple] More »
Nokia 6301 Allows Seamless Wi-Fi and GSM Calls
9:48PM Addy Dugdale | Nokia’s latest cell phone, the 6301, has Unlimited Mobile Access (UMA) technology, which means you can make calls over the Internet via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, and revert to GSM when out of range. It’s slim, lightweight, has a two-megapixel camera, MP3 player, FM radio, two-inch screen and a desk stand that makes you look important charges your phone while you’re connected via WLAN. Stats, price and press release are all below. More »
Broom Game Controller for Harry Potter Wannabes
9:43PM Jesus Diaz | I am not sure how you use this broom joystick or what arcade “from Taiwan game manufacturer MEGA NET&TECH” our japanese Giz colleagues are talking about, but I’m sure of one thing: the audience will be very limited. To play with this thing, either you have to be a hot witch or you will look like a potterrific doofus. [Gizmodo Japan and Kotaku] More »
Apple Doubling iPhone Production, Sources Say
6:40PM Jesus Diaz | Apple could almost double its iPhone production for the fourth quarter, taking it from 1.54 million to 2.7 million. At least according to TheStreet.com, who claims that this year’s production target will be 4.8 million. With one million already sold, this may be related to the recent price drop and the new European launches. It’s either that or the JesusPhone’s abilities to multiply fish, bread and assorted electronic components. [Thestreet.com] More »
