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Safari 3.1 is out now, and according to Apple is the first web browser to support the new video and audio tags in HTML 5, as well as CSS Web Fonts and CSS animations. Update: Testing the new features now (with video.) Impressions after the jump.
After three space walks, Dextre—the robot that will now service the International Space Station—has been completed today, and is now ready for activation. I was watching it live on NASA TV and grabbed these shots (yes, I am that sad) of this fully-assembled gigantastic space spider. To get a sense of how big it is, check the images after the jump.
As a rule, stuff that retails for US$499 should not be embellished with 17.75 carats of diamonds, set in 18k white gold and then priced at US$176,400. Nonetheless, Peter Aloisson has done exactly that to create the Aloisson designed iPhone. The treatment makes it the most expensive iPhone in the handset's relatively short history. That's great and all, but even if you do have more money than I have vacant aerial hair follicles, don't do it—save your dignity. Paris! Save your dig—hmm, that'd be a pointless plea. Catch another shot after the jump.
The lastest Mitsubishi Blu-ray recorders released in Japan are the first to offer recording of high definition video on plain DVD discs using the AVC codec, good for saving HD TV episodes, and your favourite loops. The DVR-BZ200 and DVR-BZ100 come with 500 and 250GB internal hard drives, digital and analogue TV tuners, a commercial-skipping feature and a touchscreen remote. Just because you are nobody without touchscreens these days. [Mitsubishi via Akihabara]
Good news for those who rely on their mobile phones for their photo- taking needs; Samsung has just unveiled the world's slimmest 8MP CMOS, which measures a diminutive, 28mm × 15.3mm × 8.5mm. The semiconductor was designed specifically for mobile phones, and it will push handsets beyond their current 5MP restraints. [Ed: 5MP as the limit in slimmer phones.] The new module, which is 10% more compact than current solutions, will have an ISO 1600 sensitivity, anti-shake capability, face detection technology, 1-cm macro and an automated shoot mode that is activated by silly, smiling faces.
Onkyo is releasing a couple of A/V receivers next month. The 80-watt-per-channel TX-SR576 will cost US$499 and the 75-watt-per-channel TX-SR506 (above) US$379, and both include a Dynamic EQ loudness correction technology from Audyssey. Full press release after the jump.
Posted by Nathan Taylor at 2:24 PM on March 18, 2008
It seems like a small thing to bring the CEO of Google out for, but nonetheless Google chief Eric Schmidt was on hand today to announce that Google Transit was coming to an Australian city near you. It's starting with Perth, with plans to add other Australian cities in the future.
Transit is a feature of Google Maps that helps you to plan a trip using public transport options. You enter your start address, end address and departure or arrival time, and Google will tell you how to make it happen with public transport. Of course, Google isn't the only company offering such a service. For example, Sydney's CityRail and State Transit Authority has a trip planner that can be found here. Melbourne has something similar here.
Tech Corner claims these are photos of the upcoming Intel Netbook (not to be confused with its stationary Nettop counterpart) that runs Windows XP Pro "like a champ." The small, low-cost device is said to be Intel's education-centric answer to products like the Asus Eee PC and OLPC. Judging by the photos and Tech Corner's writeup, the laptop is about 10-inches in size with a 9-inch screen, under 3 pounds, has 512 MB RAM, 40 GB HDD and standard internet connections. But there are a couple of info bits that don't quite line up with previous reports.
Posted by Nathan Taylor at 1:51 PM on March 18, 2008
After two years of unrelenting hype, the Tesla Roadster electric car has finally gone into regular production.
There are few more exciting developments in the world of automobiles than the Tesla Roadster. While the big car manufacturers have been dragging their feet on all-electric cars, US startup Tesla Motors has not only built a practical and functional electric car, but they made it cool as well. Unlike earlier electric cars, it has power, range and a Lotus-built body that makes it look more Ferrari, less Volvo.
It's capable of hitting 200kph and can go from 0 to 100kph in about four seconds with the latest transmission. The batteries can push it for about 355kms before a recharge is needed. It takes about 3.5 hours to fully recharge, and its lithium ion batteries are rated to last for 100,000 miles (161,000km).
Reading comprehension not your thing? Fear not because a Korean company named Unichal has developed a tiny scanner that can capture an image of troublesome words and then relay them back to the PC. Once there, the included software will automatically apply the term to Wikipedia, Google, or a dictionary of your choosing to aid in your understanding. A gadget like this could definitely be useful—especially for someone learning a second language. Plus, at around US$90, it's not going to break the bank. A video of the Dixau in action is available after the break.
Posted by Nathan Taylor at 1:25 PM on March 18, 2008
Nokia made a rather large deal last night of the launch of two new "fashion phones". The Nokia 8800 Arte ($1799) and Nokia 8800 Sapphire Arte ($2099) are the latest iterations of the 8800 line designed for people with too much money to spend on their mobile phones. They were launched in Europe in November, but have finally reached our shores. You can find more images and info below the fold.
Now, a beer launching fridge I can understand, but a tennis ball cannon? I find it amusing when someone spends a tremendous amount of time and effort building something that can automate basic functions—like throwing a tennis ball to a wiener dog. But the results speak for themselves. It is an inspiration for lazy people everywhere. [BoingBoing Gadgets]
You may not be able to get your hands on Android just yet, but if you could, it would be possible to run a web server on your mobile phone using iJetty. The Java application can run as either a standalone server or in combination with an HTTP server like Apache (which might be a good idea considering wireless data and processing limitations). It will even allow users to remotely access data on their handset via their laptop or desktop—which is pretty damn cool. So, if you just can't wait for Android to be released, a stable release of iJetty is already available for download. [ijetty via Linux Devices via PhoneMag via intomobile]
Posted by Nathan Taylor at 12:07 PM on March 18, 2008
There's a report in The Australian IT section today that has the managing director of BigPond saying that Telstra is the company best placed to implement the $4.7 billion FTTN network being financed by the federal govenment. Of course, he would say this, with BigPond being owned by Telstra and all.
"I can't see how anybody other than Telstra can build a big, scaled and reliable broadband service for Australia because it is such a hard thing to do. It's a huge project ... it relies on a whole bunch of existing infrastructure and clearly Telstra is the right firm to do that job," he told the Australian.
Actually, there's a certain logic to what he's saying -- Telstra is the certainly the company with most experience implementing a broadband network in Australia. What has struck me, however, is how strange it would be for Telstra to win the tender, given it's a large part of the problem the government is trying to fix.
Remember those glass blocks you would see in homes way back in the day? That crap was pretty tacky, but you still see designers utilising them from time to time even today. A new design for these bricks has emerged among the winners of the recent Red Dot Design Awards that uses LEDs to give the impression of changing light patterns stretching into an infinite space. Not much information exists beyond that, but I'm sure you can imagine how cool a room would look decked out in these. Then again, it could be tacker than the originals—just in a 21st century kind of way. [Red Dot Awards via DVICE]
TV2ART's Kabé cabinet combines Japanese-style furnishing with Japanese-style shame, but in this case, it's shame for the fact that you own a flat panel TV. The cabinet has two modes. The first mode makes it look like you've got a Rowboat scene going on next to a vase. The second mode, which is what you'll have it in most of the time, makes the rowboat slide to the right and reveals the TV. You'll be able to pick one of several styles, all of which illustrate that you aren't really proud of your purchase. Incidentally, does anyone know the name of the song that they use on their site? [TV2ART]
Posted by Nathan Taylor at 10:02 AM on March 18, 2008
Wired on Apple: "Pray" to "Evil Genius" in 11 Years
How things have changed.
Rumor: Windows Vista SP 1 Coming Tuesday?
It's about time.
Apple iPhone 2.0 Patent Shows Dual-Touchscreen Flipphone
A glimpse at what the next iPhone may look like.
Swarovski Crystal Engagement Ring (With USB)
Is there nothing you can't add USB capbilities to?
Citizen has taken the futristic route with the ITX21-5014 watch from their Independent line. Behind the machine-like watch hands is a green LCD, turned 90 degrees to the left, that displays the digital date, time, alarms, chronographs and timers. The watch is finished off by a checkered band and engraving along the sidewalls of the watch. While not quite the controlled chaos that best describes the average Tokyoflash watch, it's pretty cool and out there for Citizen, who typically make more boring timepieces. The ITX21-5014 is currently selling for ¥22,900 in Japan. [Tokyoflash via Geek Alerts]
Safretti's latest in their line of wall-mounted fireplaces for urban living spaces without proper wood burning ventilation looks a lot like a mouth. A mouth much like the mouths Seth MacFarlane likes to draw on inanimate objects on Family Guy, which is why we picture this thing spewing obscenities, as well as 7.1kW of heat from its alcohol-fueld fire hole. The bad news? That 7.1kW doesn't really measure up against a real fireplace, so this is more for a mouth motif decoration than practical heating. [Safretti via Tuvie via MocoLoco via DVice]
The guys at Maximum PC have put together a hack using Skype that will allow you to make all of the phones in your office ring simultaneously—and the best part is that you will be able to keep your job when all is said and done. All you need to do in order to pull off this prank is $10 sitting in your Skype account and the time necessary to gather up phone numbers and set up a conference call. Then just start the call and watch the chaos ensue.
What a pain in the arse it is to have to plug in headphones to your mobile phone in order to catch sappy dedications on FM radio. No more! This FM Aerial (antenna), which you can easily find on eBay, lets you bypass using a set of headphones as an antenna and lets you use an antenna as an antenna. Clever, yes, but it also makes it necessary to unplug it whenever you want to take a call, unless you're making a one way call—the antenna has no microphone built in. [eBay via Symbian Freak via Into Mobile]
In need of a measuring cup? How about one that ticks off the amount of red wine to put you over the limit, or enough plutonium to make a bomb? Useful, ne? [Harry White Design via About Colon Blank via BoingBoing]
Wired's April cover has Apple on it, and long time readers and Macheads will notice the similarities between this and the June 1997 issue's art. But while the earlier cover read "Pray" this one reads "Evil/Genius", an homage to the decisions The Steve has made in the face of conventional business school wisdom, and the personality driving it all. The time gap between the covers does a good job of putting Apple's ascension into perspective; this did not happen overnight.
Why this TV pocket pillow decided to use the remote of a crappy Comcast/Motorola DVR box as their illustration of a remote is beyond me, but the idea is actually quite useful. It's a pillow with a pocket designed for you to shove your remote into when you're not using it. There are quite a few problems with it, such as the fact that if you're not disciplined enough to put a remote on the coffee table when you're done using it, you probably won't put it into the pillow either. But hey, we won't tell you how to spend your US$116. [Uncommon Goods via Nerd Approved]
People who want big screen space without having to buy a wide desk to support it can take a look at this BenQ V2400W, which is the world's slimmest 24-inch widescreen monitor. It's apparently more than 21% slimmer than the next slimmest monitor at 2.44 inches, and has a 4000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio and 1080p HD support. Two and a half inches. Thinner than most of the stuff we've got dangling around. [Far East Gizmos]
There's no official confirmation from Microsoft, but many sources seem to claim that Windows Vista's Service Pack 1 will be officially available starting tomorrow, March 18 (US time). One of these sources is Amazon, which lists the SP1 as being released on March 18. Another is TechARP, which got the RTM date on SP1 correct a few months ago. We'll see what the real deal is tomorrow when you can download and install it on your current machine direct from Microsoft. [Amazon via Computerworld]
Apple's Time Capsule works fine as a wireless base station/router, since it is just an Airport Extreme with a hard drive thrown in, but what if you could make it even better? You know, with a MIMO TriBand antenna in order to reach every bathroom of your house. QuickerTek's TriBand antenna is just that, which allows you to pay US$129 for a self-installation kit, US$200 for an installation service, or US$500 for a pre-installed version (slightly higher prices for the 1TB model). The cost is a bit steep, but since the Time Capsule doesn't come with an external antenna that you can easily swap out for a better one, this seems like your best option. [QuickerTek]
This Eject Powerstrip is an even more refined version of this raise me up powerstrip, adding a larger, foot-usable eject base and wider plugs for wider AC adaptors. What's the point? One, so you can unplug stuff with your foot without having to bend down under your desk, and two, allowing you to unplug certain plugs that are slightly too tight for their own good. Would we get one if this were real? Yes, if it wasn't all that much more expensive than a standard powerstrip. [Core77]
It's rare that Apple's patents actually show the exact form factors of devices they have in development, but this "dual sided trackpad" patent for a phone seems to definitely show that they've got some flipphone version coming up. The patent itself outlines a phone that has two multitouch sensors, both on the "bottom" part of the phone. When it's closed, the phone acts like your current model iPhone. When it's open, only the bottom part of the phone is touch-sensitive, whereas the top part is just a display.
Though Vista's had its share of bugs, flaws, and faults,
a patch coming soon should bring some good results.
But at the end of the day, when all's said and done,
We'll still be wiping our asses with Service Pack 1. [Impress]
Worried about getting jumped by weirdoes? The 3.25" Runt might be the best stun gun for the money. At least, it sounds pretty cheap: US$40 will get you 350,000 volts of juice from this plug-in-the-wall pager lookalike; US$10 more gets you 650,000 volts, and US$20 extra gets you a 950,000- volt model. (For a vague idea of what the 950,000-volt model will do to you, have a look at the idiot kids in the video after the jump.)
Unless you have been bitten by a genetically modified radioactive spider lately, the Net-2000 will satisfy your most inner arachnid superhero desires, except the making out with Kirsten Dunst bit. However, I bet that if you have enough real Mary Jane and buy yourself red and blue pajamas, shooting this 15- square-foot net rod will actually make you believe you are the friendly neighbour himself. Check it in action after the jump.
Boston Dynamics keeps working on their BigDog quadruped robot, which will probably grow to be the future AT-AT of the Pentagon. Its evolution since the last time we saw it is nothing sort of mindblowing, and a bit spooky.
Ben Heck, maker of the most incredible video game hardware mods on the planet, has made another version of his one-handed controller for the Xbox 360. Looking a lot easier to hold, it requires the use of your leg to control the right analogue stick (and idea that sounds weirder than it probably actually feels). But the oddest design choice? A PlayStation d-pad was actually stuck in the unit, meaning that in time, the controller could cause a paradox destroying the entire Universe. [benheck]
Safari 3.1 is out now, and according to Apple is the first web browser to support the new video and audio tags in HTML 5, as well as CSS Web Fonts and CSS animations. Update: Testing the new features now (with video.) Impressions after the jump.