Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Peripherals
Brando ANEO Clip-on Webcam Lets You Play Kung Fu
11:51PM Gizmodo US Edition | Brando’s new ANEO GX-10 USB webcam comes bundled with three PC video games that put your moves on screen. Play “Kung fu,” “Super Knight” or “Funny Stair” and you appear interactively in the action, which might brighten up a glum afternoon at the PC. The webcam is pretty standard, with 1280 x 1024 pixels at 30 frames per second, but it does have that combined clip/stand with adjustable neck for easy attachment. Available now for US$33.[Brando]
Random Stuff
Globus Mobile Is Office in a Bubble
11:19PM Gizmodo US Edition | The Globus Mobile is a complete office workstation and chair hidden in a large ball. The concept by designer Michiel van der Kley can be moved to any place using its hidden wheels. When you want to work, you just swivel it open and bingo: you can slot in a laptop, perch on the padded chair and think up as many chicken-and-egg or ping-pong ball jokes as you like. [Michiel van der Kley via Yanko design] More »
Random Stuff
BFG BBQ Shoots the Crap Out of Your Meatfest
10:34PM Haroon Malik | We are not strangers to a crazy BBQ design or two, but this BFG BBQ—think Doom weapon, not friendly giant—takes the proverbial biscuit. Spotted on Flickr, and the work of an unknown Texan, the grill stands 19-feet long, has a 36″ x 60″ primary grill and a 12″ x 36″ secondary grill. The handle houses a fire box, while the front sight and range star logo enclose dampers. Check out the gallery for some more awesome shots. More »
Phones
Nokia’s 7900 Cellphone Shows its Fugly Face
9:35PM Haroon Malik | Nokia’s 7900 mobile, which we told you about previously, just got set for release this quarter. The 3G handset will have a 2-inch OLED display, 2MP camera, 1GB internal memory and a customizable keypad, where users will be able to select the backlight colour from 49 different possibilities. The 7900 will retail for €375 ($630.) [Nokia] More »
Games
Skype for PSP Postponed
8:19PM Haroon Malik | We brought you the fantastic news that Skype would be coming to a PSP carrying pocket near you soon, but it seems the plans have been disrupted. Sony Japan has just released information detailing an indefinite delay, as they screwed up on the headsets that were required—Sony’s microphone/speaker units failed to meet Skype certification standards. Don’t be surprised when this announcement is replicated the world over. We aren’t happy bunnies. Update: Kotaku’s people are saying all is well for everyone else, it’s only Japan that are having their Skype PSP service delayed-phew! (Sorry Japan.) [Kotaku] [Sony Japan] More »
Peripherals
Voz Sports Multy LYNK Communications Helmet for Extreme Sports
8:03PM Gizmodo US Edition | The Voz Sports Multy LYNK is a multiple-impact proof helmet packed with radio and Bluetooth communications gear. It’s also submersion-proof, so it’s suitable for a whole bunch of action sports where you need to protect your head while keeping in touch with pals at all times. In fact, this thing is more loaded with tricks than Batman’s belt. More »
Gadgets
Mini Speaker Add-On Recycles Your iPod Shuffle Box
7:00PM Gizmodo US Edition | Plug this tiny stereo speaker system into your iPod shuffle’s plastic box, and you get a mini boom box plus the satisfaction of using something that you’d normally have thrown away. This (slightly) eco-friendly system also fits inside a first- or second-gen iPod nano box and costs just US$40. [Geek Alerts] More »
Software
iPhone Already Set for SDK-Baked Apps
2:49PM Brian Lam | iPhone dev Nate True took a looksy inside the iPhone’s most recent firmware, and found that version 1.1.3 is already ready for SDK-developed applications, including widget support. Makes sense, but it’s good to know, too. [Cre.ations.net] More »
Entertainment
2:02PM Nick Broughall | I just received the official press release about Hitachi’s decision to close up shop in Australia. The consumer business side of things will close on the 31st March 2008, while they will stop selling their products to retailers on 29th February.
In total, 40 people will be heading to Centrelink made redundant from the decision, although a new department will be opened in April to provide spare parts, technical and warranty support to Hitachi’s current customers.
More »
Update: Hitachi Closing Up Shop In Oz — Great Savings to Come?
2:02PM Nick Broughall | I just received the official press release about Hitachi’s decision to close up shop in Australia. The consumer business side of things will close on the 31st March 2008, while they will stop selling their products to retailers on 29th February.
In total, 40 people will be heading to Centrelink made redundant from the decision, although a new department will be opened in April to provide spare parts, technical and warranty support to Hitachi’s current customers.
More »
Vehicles
1:37PM Nick Broughall | Finally, the fear is over. After years of Dr. Karl Kruszelnicki taunting us with the idea that we could be destined to die while driving, without even knowing it, Toyota has developed a pre-crash safety system that will warn you if your eyes aren’t completely open.
The pre-crash safety system consists of a camera staring at you incessantly while you drive. It’s connected to an image-processing computer, which analyses your eyelids to see if you’ve inadvertently decided to take a nap, or if you happen to be looking at the miniskirt walking past you anything other than the road in front of you. If the pre-crash system senses that a crash is imminent and your eyes are closed / not on the road, it will let you know by giving you an electric shock sounding an alarm or — in extreme cases — applying the brake.
More »
Say Goodbye to Microsleeps — Toyota Will Keep You Awake
1:37PM Nick Broughall | Finally, the fear is over. After years of Dr. Karl Kruszelnicki taunting us with the idea that we could be destined to die while driving, without even knowing it, Toyota has developed a pre-crash safety system that will warn you if your eyes aren’t completely open.
The pre-crash safety system consists of a camera staring at you incessantly while you drive. It’s connected to an image-processing computer, which analyses your eyelids to see if you’ve inadvertently decided to take a nap, or if you happen to be looking at the miniskirt walking past you anything other than the road in front of you. If the pre-crash system senses that a crash is imminent and your eyes are closed / not on the road, it will let you know by giving you an electric shock sounding an alarm or — in extreme cases — applying the brake.
More » 
