If you were hoping you could save some cash on that $US169 Rock Band package by buying only what you need or want, we’ve got some bad news. The accessories won’t be sold separately until early 2008. Until then, even if you have two guitars from Guitar Hero, you’ll have to pony up for the full guitar + drums + mic package, meaning you’ll have an extra axe that you’ll have to eBay off. [TheBBPS]
Rob Beschizza, lead blogger at Wired’s Gadgetlab, has a popular article up glancing at the world of open source and unlocked phones like the Neo1973 from OpenMoko and Nokia’s N series tablets. It does feel good to read about the theoretical openness of these phones, some available now but not that open, some coming soon.
Against T-Mobile’s formal protests, the California Supreme Court cleared the way for a class-action lawsuit that seeks to stop the carrier from collecting early service termination fees of $US200. According to Wired: The plaintiffs also seek an order requiring T-Mobile to disclose the existence and effect of the software locks it places on the phones it sells, and to offer to unlock the handsets so consumers can switch to a different carrier without buying a new phone.
Finally, someone is making real headway in finding out whether these restrictions are legal or fair. We’ve lived with them for so long, they seem like a permanent reality, but this raises the prospect of free and unfettered mobile-phone choice—at least among four giant, greedy corporations. [Wired]
Earlier today the online Apple store had listed a ship date for Mac OS 10.4 Tiger as October 26th, which coincidentally is the rumoured release date for 10.5 Leopard. Could this be more evidence for Leopard’s release date or simply a mistake on Apple’s part…
There isn’t a whole lot of information available about this device, but it appears that Honda has developed a new type of robotic leg brace based on existing Asimo technology. Sensors on the brace pick up abnormalities in your walking stride and help correct them. Sounds great, right? Check out how well Asimo’s legs work in the video after the jump before you rush to judgment. [HCRJapan via GetRobo]
newVideoPlayer("virtualhumanoid.flv", 475, 376); U-Tsu-Shi-O-Mi is a system that lets you both see and touch a virtual humanoid. Developed by Michihiko Shoji, it works by combining a head mounted display with a creepy green sensor-laden robot. As you interact with the bot, not only will it react accordingly, but you’ll be able to see the virtual buddy via the HMD instead of just the weird green person in front of you. Oddly enough, Shoji believes that one of the best applications for this technology could be with arcade games. We don’t even want to think of what kind of creepy arcade game would require a tangible humanoid robot. [Robot Watch via Pink Tentacle]
newVideoPlayer("xwingtruth.flv", 475, 376);Do you think this is what really happened to the rocket-powered X-Wing? Think again. Poor Biggs/Wedge. [Crunchgear]
We heard about the remote possibility of water-powered mobile over a year ago, but now Samsung has actually developed one. The company announced a micro fuel cell and hydrogen generator that will be capable of powering small electronics such as mobile phones for 10 hours on nothing but good old water.
The level of detail on this is somewhere between nonexistent and make-it-up-yourself, but Skype and UK’s 3 are working together on a mobile that makes Skype calls. The phone is actually due this year (2007), but nobody knows whether it’s going to make calls over just Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi and the mobile data network, or some kinda psychic Harry Potter magic protocol—which is how we picture everyone in the UK communicates. That and longing, furtive glances. [ExtremeTech]
When the dog runs away, your girlfriend leaves you for your sister, and all of your other friends have ditched you, this Tachikoma robot of Ghost in the Shell fame will be there to keep you company. He can initiate games, dodge bullets, record voice messages, and play music. Just plug him in to your PC via USB and he will obey your every command. Available for 13,440 yen or $130 starting this February. [Impress Watch via Tokyomango]
