For some reason, we’re seeing a lot of spy gear making the rounds these days, and here’s yet another, an eavesdropping device you can make yourself for less than $25. This guy has replaced the earpieces on a $10 stethoscope with condenser mics from a couple of cheap-ass multimedia microphones. Then it’s no big deal to hook those up to the recorder of your choice, so you can have the proof you need. Take a look at the how-to video, after the jump. More »
There’s something about those initials HDMI that send some manufacturers into fits of greed, but not Oppo. The company that makes up-rezzing DVD players, two of which we’ve favourably reviewed, now announces an HDMI switch that turns three 1080p sources into one, electronically switching them with a remote control and sending those crispy clean signals to the HDTV display of your choice in glorious HDMI 1.3. The best news is that this Oppo HM-31 costs less than many of those strangely overpriced HDMI cables themselves, $99. Doesn’t look half bad, either. [Oppo] More »
A neat idea to back up your contacts from both your SIM card and cell phone memory in one fell swoop, the Back-Up Pal keeps safe all your contact info, whilst ignoring ringtones and SMS messages (although future Back-Up Pal models will probably be able to do this.) It costs $39.99 for cell phones with serial ports, and $49.99 for cell phones with USB. [Aving via Red Ferret]
The inventor of the HomePub, a fridge freezer with built-in draught beer system, is, it goes without saying, a genius. Designed with special people in mind, the kind who like to pour beer on their cornflakes or drink their coffee with beer and two sugars, there’s designated space for two five-liter kegs.
Yours for just $11,700, Sony’s new HD projector boasts 1920 x 1080 resolution and claims to give you less blur and more movie-ness. Full specs after the jump. More »
Just released, ready in your iTunes. This update includes the iTunes Wireless Store, but if you have an unlocked iPhone, be aware that this firmware may make your iPhone unusable. After several hours of testing in house and with the iPhone Dev team, here is the summary of what it does:
• The update will work ok in iPhones with no modification. • The update will work ok in iPhones with Installer.app (although it gets wiped out; the apps seem to remain in the iPhone, but they won’t appear in your screen). • The update will work ok in unlocked iPhones, but it will return your iPhone to the activation screen. From there, no activation is possible. The iPhone doesn’t get bricked but —as expected— so if you want to keep using it, don’t update your iPhone. • This has been confirmed with both anySIM and iPhone Sim Free. • “Third-party applications won’t work after the update” (confirmed by Dev Team.) • “Firmware 1.1.1. relocks iPhone properly” (confirmed by Dev Team.) • Unlocked iPhones updated to 1.1.1 will work with legit AT&T cards (confirmed by Natetrue) (read after the jump for an explanation of why this is wrong) • iPhoneSimFree Jason documented here, claims that their paid SIM unlocking solution doesn’t hang your iPhone at the activation stage: they say you can activate using an valid contract, AT&T SIM and iTunes, but it will still be locked afterwards anyway.
We are still updating and working with Dev Team to see what could be done. [Last update 11:05PM. Video of the firmware update process added. All updates, new feature list, security bugs and Apple Security note added.] newVideoPlayer("iphone-update_gawker.flv", 475, 376); More »
The MI5 says this chocolate bar is really a grenade. Made of steel and covered in chocolate, the Nazis designed this during WWII to kill British Royals, who were thought to be chocoholic and stupid. The Royals only had to open these and seven seconds later they will be dead. No bomb ever arrived to Britain, so the Royals remained as chocoholic and stupid as they ever where. [MI5 and Wikidpedia via Spluch] More »
Nothing quite impresses a girl like an underwater cruise for two in the CQ-2 submarine. Debuted by C-Quester at Monte Carlo, the CQ-2 is a fully electric 2-seater submarine that runs on 36V electric motors and that can last roughly two and a half hours per 14-hour charge. Able to travel 15 feet below the surface while maintaining cabin pressure at one atmosphere, the CQ-2 makes underwater travelling surprisingly easy.
Still, the company requires a mandatory four to six day course that teaches the buyer everything from navigation to weather systems to how to avoid killing a sea turtle. Priced at a quarter million dollars, the sub is aimed more at the Richard Branson types, rather than, sadly, your average Gizmodo writer. [Gizmag] More »
