November 8, 2007

Phones

iPhone Firmware Drops Tomorrow, Apple Confirms

Posted by Charlie White at 11:50 PM on November 8, 2007

iphone_sideshot22.jpgIf you been scampering about with all kinds of jailbroken applications on your iPhone, the party will be over tomorrow when Apple releases its 1.1.2 iPhone firmware update. At first we heard it was going to be included on the new European iPhone, but now word has it that Apple has confirmed that the 1.1.2 firmware will be released internationally via iTunes tomorrow (November 9th).

Although Apple wasn't confirming that compatibility with unauthorized applications and unlocked iPhones will be broken, it looks like the situation will be similar to what happened last time the company released a firmware update with version 1.1.1. This new update won't bring much new stuff, except support for more languages and access to The Cloud Wi-Fi hotspots for UK users. And so another round of hacking on the iPhone begins, all on the sly until the eagerly awaited SDK hits in February. [Pocket Lint]

Entertainment

TiVo Offers Cheaper Service Plans, Brings Back Lifetime Service

Posted by Wilson Rothman at 11:30 PM on November 8, 2007

TiVo_Price_Plan.jpgBilled as "promotional pricing" for the holiday season, TiVo is now offering pay-as-you-go service for $12.95 to everybody, not just people planning to keep it for three years. That's a savings of $4 per month. Also 1-year prepay is now $129, down from $179, and 2-year prepay is $249, down from $279. Three years up front is still $299. The new multi-service deal is $9.95/month or $99/year.

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Press

Video: The AT&T Wiretapping Dealio Explained in Two Minutes

Posted by Matt Buchanan at 8:00 PM on November 8, 2007

This clip, featuring AT&T whisteblower Mark Klein, was thrown together by Senator Chris Dodd's staff and neatly wraps up the basics of the snooping allegations the EFF's pursuing against AT&T. He's apparently rubbing elbows in DC this week to explain the issue to Congressional types. If his spiel gets at all technical, God help him. [EFF via BoingBoing]

Hardware

AMD Launches FireStream 9170, First Stream Processor With Double-Precision Floating Point Technology

Posted by Matt Buchanan at 7:00 PM on November 8, 2007

lava.jpgAMD's launching "the world's first Stream GPU with double-precision floating point technology," the FireStream 9170, and the AMD FireStream SDK for Stream processors. Running a cool $2000, the 55nm chip pulls less than 150 watts of juice while pumping out 500 GFLOPS of computing power.

Also packed onboard is 2GB of GDDR3 memory, which, combo'd with asynchronous direct memory access, "ensures data can flow freely without interrupting the stream processor or CPU." This parallel-processing piece of badassness will hit the market in the Q1 2008.

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Entertainment

Tivo PowerWatch Program Sells Detailed User Info to Advertisers

Posted by Matt Buchanan at 6:15 PM on November 8, 2007

DVRs_Nielsen.jpgTivo's been selling data about people's viewing habits—what shows and commercials they watch (or skip), when they pause, fast-forward, rewind and so on—to advertisers for around a year. Now they're adding personal info to the Chex Mix of ratings data they sell: age, income, marital status and ethnicity.

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Games

PS3 Firmware 2.00 Is Live (Right Now)

Posted by Matt Buchanan at 5:00 PM on November 8, 2007

ps3firmware20.jpgThe sort-of awaited 2.00 firmware update for the PS3, featuring remote start, customizable themes and other fancy newness is now live. If you'd like a video demo (for whatever reason) before clicking update, click here. Or you could just go ahead and download it. [Destructoid]

Cameras

HP to Outsource Digital Camera Business

Posted by Matt Buchanan at 4:30 PM on November 8, 2007

hp.gifHewlett-Packard's shifting the focus of its digital photo business from cameras to home printing and online photo services. Future cameras will still bear the HP branding, but they'll be designed and manufactured by a licensed third party. The HP-but-not camera deal should be set with the ghost producer halfway into 2008—HP will keep selling their own through the end of this year. [NYT, HP Press Release]

Announcements

Gizmodo AU is hiring!

Posted by Chris Janz at 1:32 PM on November 8, 2007

Know cutting-edge technology? Crave to break news first?

Gizmodo Australia's on the hunt for a new editor. If you think you fit the bill, get in touch now.  This is a full-time Sydney-based role.

(PS - SB's off sick today, but the regular US feed is streaming through.)

Gadgets

Netrunner Allows You to Use Your Laptop While Jogging

Posted by Sean Fallon at 1:00 PM on November 8, 2007

TheNetRunner.jpgThe Netrunner is a device that allows you to affix your laptop to a treadmill — and I don't think I need to tell you why this idea falls short of genius (although I will anyway). I'll admit, they had me with the ability to play DVDs. I can see how that could be useful in certain situations. But if you can surf the web using this thing, you are not working hard enough my friend. Plus, if you are interested in this, you might as well go all out with the treadmill desk from Steelcase. Available for $US99. [Product Page via BookofJoe]

Vehicles

Solar Ships May Carry Passengers in San Francisco as Early as 2009

Posted by Sean Fallon at 12:40 PM on November 8, 2007

solar_ship.jpgThe concept of solar ships is nothing new, but it appears that Australia's Solarsailor may be on the brink of bringing the technology to the mainstream. Hornblower Yachts in San Francisco is in the midst of negotiations with the Coast Guard to install a Solarsailor sail on one of their commercial ferryboats. If all goes well, the boat will be operational in 2009. Solarsailor has also won contracts in Shanghai and Hong Kong for similar vessels.

In its current form, solar sails are an ideal solution for boats designed for short trips. Tests in Sydney have illustrated that ships equipped with the sail can go around 6 knots on wind power alone or 6 knots on solar power. When combined, speeds of 10 knots are achievable. [Crave]

Gadgets

Bright Idea: Pop-up Lightbulb Light

Posted by Sean Fallon at 12:00 PM on November 8, 2007

light_bulb_light.jpgThis lightbulb-shaped lamp can be affixed to a wall or placed on a desk whenever you need some extra light. Plus it has a touch activated dimmer to help you navigate treacherous terrain on a late-night trip to the bathroom. May also be amusing when placed overhead to indicate that you have a bright idea. Available for $US9.50. [Product Page via GeekAlerts]

Gadgets

Solio H1000 Solar Gadget Charger (Verdict: Needs More Sun)

Posted by Brian Lam at 11:41 AM on November 8, 2007

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The Skinny: The solio has a solar panel or USB input for charging up its internal battery, and on the other end, charging tips for USB, mini USB, nokia devices. One load has enough juice per load to bring a dead iPhone to 50%. The clear/orange plastic case looks really nice, and there's a latch for hooking this onto a bag. This is the best looking Solar/Battery charger I've ever seen.

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Gadgets

StealthSurfer Keeps Your Web Activity Safe From Prying Eyes

Posted by Adrian Covert at 10:58 AM on November 8, 2007

stealthsurfer_by_hushmail.jpgSo you're furiously reading all the news you can on the latest Hannah Montana game, but don't want to be found out...what do you do? If you want to protect your precious core gamer cred, my advice is the new, improved StealthSurfer, which has all the network security tools to make sure nobody finds out what you're getting into.

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Computers

2 Pound Mini PC Powered by Debian Linux

Posted by Sean Fallon at 10:40 AM on November 8, 2007

83369_04.jpgManufactum, a German web retailer, has released a portable PC that is sure to delight Linux users. Weighing in around 900g, with dimensions of 180 x 112 x 48 mm, the "Manuscriptum" comes equipped with a 500MHz AMD Geode LX800 processor, 80GB hard drive, 1920 x 1400 graphics capability and 512MB DDR 400 RAM expandable to 1024MB. The device also comes pre-loaded with Debian Linux with a KDE desktop environment, and other essential software like Firefox, Open Office and the Foxit PDF reader. Despite its diminutive size, the price is anything but. Available for around $US650. [Manufactum via Linux Devices]

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Games

DreamGear Soft Sports Kit May Reduce Wii-Remote-Induced Facial Bruising

Posted by Wilson Rothman at 10:20 AM on November 8, 2007

DreamGear_Soft_Sports_Kit_Package.jpgWe've all been known to smack a fellow Wii Tennis player in the head, especially when down 40-Love, two games to zilch. DreamGear's new Soft Sports Kit has playful Nerf-like attachments that help avoid the subsequent stitches. You put your Wiimote right into a little casing, then snap on the tip of your choice, Tennis, Golf or Baseball. (What, no Boxing Gloves?) It looks a little hokey, but it might just give Adam the edge he needs to finally beat me, cuz clearly nothing else works. Look for these soon for $US25—per Wii remote. [DreamGear.net]

Announcements

Roundup: Bronze iPhones, Butterfly-Inspired Displays and the Moon

Posted by Gizmodo US Edition at 9:50 AM on November 8, 2007

moon_2.jpg• Rumours before UK iPhone release: British users to get bronze trim instead of silver? [Gadget Lab]

• Qualcomm's low-powered IMOD display replicates the light-bending qualities of butterfly wings. [Extreme Tech]

• Moon filmed in HD for the first time, embarrassed to find age lines and stretch marks. [Pink Tentacle]

Gadgets

Philips Clock Radio / Digital Photo Frame: The Joy of Family Pictures at 6 AM

Posted by Sean Fallon at 9:38 AM on November 8, 2007

Philips_frame_radio.JPGIf you fancy waking up to the sight of your loved ones, you may be interested in this Philips AJL308 7-Inch Digital Picture Frame, Alarm Clock, Radio and MP3 player combo. This do-it-all device can even be loaded with pictures, video and music from a PC USB connection, memory stick or SD card. No doubt it would make for a sweet holiday gift for people with friends and/or a family that doesn't suck. Available for $US129.99 [Amazon via Crave]

Entertainment

Da-Lite Unveils Home Theater Screen With Enormous 184-Inch Diagonal

Posted by Sean Fallon at 9:10 AM on November 8, 2007

da-lite.jpgDa-Lite is taking home entertainment to ridiculous new places with a video projection screen that boasts a 184-inch diagonal (almost 4.7m). For those of you doing the math, that equates to a viewing area covering a 407cm(w) x 229cm(h) or a total viewing area of 9.3 sq m. No pricing details have been made available, but my guess is that if you are looking to pick one of these up you had best find a good financial adviser—and a decent builder that can knock down a few walls. [Da-Lite via Electronic House]

Games

Keyboard Dice Brings Geek to the Streets

Posted by Chris Mascari at 8:45 AM on November 8, 2007

keyboard_dice.jpgJaehyung Hong, the the same designer that developed the Bluetooth lanyard we showed you earlier, has a slightly simpler design for us. This time it's a set of keyboard dice assembled from the keys of an old keyboard. Each side of the die has a specific key that would correlate to any set of game rules. But don't expect to be taken seriously if you try to drop these in a heated alley dice game. Check the close-up image for more dicey detail. [Yanko Design]

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Entertainment

Paramount and WB Offer $3 DVDs In China to Combat Piracy

Posted by Sean Fallon at 8:30 AM on November 8, 2007

pirates2.jpgIn an effort to combat rampant piracy in China, Paramount and Warner Brothers have begun selling legitimate DVDs there for only $3. And these titles are not some bargain-bin Steven Segal DVDs either, rather new releases that are only two months out from their theatre debut in the US. The $3 price tag is still over twice as high as a pirated copy, but the studios hope that customers will learn the value of the legal versions. Perhaps previous trial runs proved successful. Hey, we have piracy too! When are we going to get a slice of this? [ars technica]

Phones

Doro Mobile Phone Described as "World's Easiest"

Posted by Sean Fallon at 8:05 AM on November 8, 2007

doro.jpgSwedish manufacturer Doro has launched the HandlePlus 324gsm, a mobile phone they are describing as the "world's easiest" thanks to an interface that features only seven buttons. Of those seven, there are five programmable buttons, a talk button and an end-call button. That, combined with an easy to read layout, makes it a fantastic choice for the elderly, the extremely young and the severely technologically impaired. Plus, the phone is unlocked so it can be used with any GSM service provider. Available for £85.10. [Product Page via PocketLint]

Computers

Everex $200 Linux gPC Gets Tested, Verdict: Great Deal

Posted by Sean Fallon at 7:30 AM on November 8, 2007

Everex_gPC2.jpgWhen Everex's gPC hit store shelves at Wal-Mart recently, the hope was that it could bring Linux to the masses while providing all of the value that a $US200 price tag would entail. The folks at Wired put the gPC through its paces and determined that it does represent a fantastic deal for computer users with basic needs.

They found that the gOS based on Ubuntu Linux 7.01 and the Enlightenment E17 interface was stable and ran smoothly on the hardware—it was also fast enough to handle multiple active applications. There are some drawbacks of course (gPC doesn't work with dial-up internet service for starters), but all in all it seems that the gPC would be a great basic computer for anyone on a budget, or any Linux guru looking for a fun project. [Wired Gadget Lab]

Entertainment

Waterproof Headset For Tub Time Tunes

Posted by Jennifer Hooker at 7:10 AM on November 8, 2007

euphonia-headset_48%20new.jpgBainultra is set to roll out its Euphonia waterproof headset on December 1, so you can do your best Julia Roberts impersonation by belting out the lyrics to "Kiss" in the bathtub like the red-headed actress did in "Pretty Woman." Unlike the waterproof earbuds we reported on yesterday, these sleek cans wirelessly connect to a wall-mounted MP3 player, where you can listen to preset playlists or import your own music collection. Bainultra claims the headphones are completely waterproof and safe, but the design doesn't make it easy to wash your hair. Pricing information has yet to be seen but we're guessing it will be a bit more than Julia's Sports Walkman. [Bornrich]

Gadgets

Digital Wall Calendar Combines Everyone's Calendars In One Gadget

Posted by Gizmodo US Edition at 7:00 AM on November 8, 2007

The Digital Wall Calendar combines calendars for every member of a family, no matter what program or website they are on, into one gadget. Still a concept, the brainstorming map shows that it will use an LCD screen, SD card, have music/movie playing abilities, and an internet connection for synchronisation. The development of this device is interesting, too.

The idea is the first finalist picked by the members of CrowdSpirit, a new gadget-by-committee project. The community has made some changes to the original idea, such as leaving out an expensive touchscreen, but overall they are very enthusiastic about its potential. All that's left now for this concept is the software, hardware, and design experts, as well as investors, to turn it into something more than words and drawings on a page. [Digital Wall Calendar on CrowdSpirit]

Mobile web · Opera Mini 4 has officially dropped. Get it while it's hot. [Opera]

Cameras

10 Things to Know When Buying an HD Camcorder

Posted by Charlie White at 6:05 AM on November 8, 2007

camcorders_pleading.jpgLooking for an HD camcorder? They're proliferating like bunnies, but is it a good time to buy one yet? Not only are there lots more HDTV camcorders on the market now than there were last year at this time, the variety of HD camcorder recording methods has expanded as well. Sure, you can record on tape, but wouldn't you really rather record to a hard drive, or better yet, a flash memory card? What about recording to DVDs, or even to Blu-ray discs? All these choices are available at prices that are oftentimes south of $US1000. Here are 10 things you need to know before you plunk down your cash.

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Gadgets

Snowboard Binding Flask to Make the Slopes Sloppier

Posted by Adam Frucci at 5:31 AM on November 8, 2007

bakoda_flask_pack.jpgNothing makes zooming down a hill at 50km/h more fun like some recreational drinking on the chairlift on the way back up. The Flask Pack is a little neoprene case that'll hold your flask and keep it snug up against the back of your snowboard's bindings, allowing you to have a little nip in between increasingly erratic carves. Just look out for trees, bro. [Product Page via Boing Boing Gadgets]

Games

PS3 Firmware 2.00 Details Unveiled, Coming in a Few Days

Posted by Adam Frucci at 5:10 AM on November 8, 2007

ps3firmware2.jpgGet excited! There's a new firmware update heading to the PS3 in the coming days, version 2.00, and it's, well, not that mind-blowing. What can you expect? Well, you'll be able to turn on your PS3 remotely using your PSP, for one. You'll also be able to customise the theme of your XMB home screen, create music and photo playlists, and an info board that'll give you PS3-related news. There's also Trend Micro Web Security to protect from the hackers out there. Yeah, that's about it. Hit the jump for the full press release.

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Computers

How to Pronounce Eee PC

Posted by Jason Chen at 4:40 AM on November 8, 2007


With props to Stephen Totilo at MTV, we present to you this pronunciation guide for the Eee PC, Asus's two pound ultraportable Linux machine for midgets and the weak-armed. We even tell you how to pronounce Asus, which is probably totally not what you were pronouncing it as before.

Entertainment

90,000 HD DVD Players Sold Last Weekend

Posted by Charlie White at 4:05 AM on November 8, 2007

toshiba_hd-a2_hd_dvd_player.jpgReducing the price of those HD DVD players to a rock-bottom $US99 must be catching on, with 90,000 of its HD DVD sold last weekend. Most of them were those Toshiba HD-A2 players (pictured here) sold by Wal-Mart and Best Buy, locking horns in a price war, and resulting in a welcome reduction in inventory of those older models. The source "close to retailers" refused to be named so this might as well be a player count of 900k. Who knows?

Toshiba didn't really have anything to do with those price reductions. It figures. If the company is losing hundreds of dollars on each player, selling 90,000 of them is probably nothing to brag about. Just think, if the company loses $US500 per player, we're talking $US45 million over one weekend. Apparently, somebody really wants the HD DVD format to emerge victorious. Or just wants a bigger piece of the retail pie and to get old tech off their shelves pronto. [Video Business]

Networks

Nokia Successfully Tests 100Mbps Wireless Data Network

Posted by Wilson Rothman at 3:53 AM on November 8, 2007

Nokia_Aeon_with_Antenna.jpgToday Nokia said that in technical trials, the target of 100Mbps download speed and 50Mbps upload speed for its next-gen cellular data network "can be met", and promised initial deployment by 2010. Americans probably won't see it until later, since the 3GPP LTE (don't ask) initiative has more momentum across the Atlantic. The founding members are all Euros, though some Asian companies just joined in, including LG Electronics, NTT DoCoMo and Samsung. Still, it's grounds for excitement, since those superfast wireless data rates will get here sooner or later. (FYI: The phone pictured is Nokia's concept Aeon, and no, that's not a real 100Mbps antenna.) [Gadget Lab]

Robots

Robo-Moth Hooks Up Insect's Brain to a Robot

Posted by Charlie White at 3:50 AM on November 8, 2007

robo_moth.jpgReminding us of a tiny paper airplane with flies superglued to its wings, here's another melding of insect and machine, the Robo-Moth. This six-inch robot uses a moth's brain and eyes to get around, and wherever the moth's eyes look, that's where the robot goes. Sure, moths are plenty stupid, with brains scarcely larger than a couple of commas like this, but they can still detect motion better than anything scientists can build.

Researchers hope to use the technology to help paralysis victims to regain the ability to move. Team this buggy robot up with that thought-controlled wheelchair, and now we're getting somewhere. But we're thinking some precautions might need to be taken if they're using moths—don't turn on any bright lights, or the robot will go nuts. [LA Times]

Games

Microsoft Unveils Xbox 360 Family Timer, Starts Parents vs. Kids War

Posted by Adam Frucci at 3:20 AM on November 8, 2007

spanking.jpgSorry kids, but Microsoft knows that your parents are the members of the family holding the wallets. That's why they've gone and given them a big, red, NO FUN button that they can hit whenever they want in the form of the Xbox 360 Family Timer.

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Games

Wii Fishing Rod Attachment is Less Than Useful

Posted by Adam Frucci at 3:07 AM on November 8, 2007

wii_rod.jpgSomething about the Wii has really lit a fire of creativity in cheap Chinese game accessory manufacturers. They just love releasing add-ons for the controller that makes it feel like the object you're supposedly using in the game, such as this nifty sword-and-shield setup. But this… this is too much. I mean, will this really make playing the fishing minigame in Twilight Princess that much better? And is the plastic fish necessary? Even at $US9.95 this thing is a rip-off. [Product Page, via Oh Gizmo!]

Gadgets

180s Tec Touch Gloves

Posted by Mark Wilson at 2:54 AM on November 8, 2007

13077.jpgWe know, you didn't show up to Gizmodo today to see a pair of gloves. But sometime this winter, you are going to try to make a phone call or use your iPod with some fat-fingered glove and wish you'd paid attention. The $US30 Tec Touch gloves are meant for using your gadgets while staying warm. Composed of water-resistant nylon and warm stretch fleece, they'll work well enough to avoid blue fingers. But their claim to fame is a tiny silicon nub on the index finger that's perfect for a button press, along with a suede-like palm that'll keep your "slick" electronics out of the snow. If they can also make a vicious ice ball and pick a frosty nose, we're game. [product via bookofjoe]