Thursday, April 24, 2008
Peripherals
Brando 3-Way USB Hub Doesn’t Need Power Brick
11:50PM Gizmodo US Edition | See those two USB plugs on this hub gizmo from Brando? They’re what makes this thing a little bit neat, even if its looks aren’t anything special. Most USB hubs need to draw energy from a power brick if you’re going to load them up with much more than a memory stick and charge up a gadget. But this one plugs into two USB ports on your PC for more juice, so you can connect up to three different devices and charge or sync your phone or camera at the same time via the mini-USB connector. It’s available now for US$12. [Brando] More »
Games
Nintendo to Produce 30% More Wiis
11:30PM Mark Wilson | According to some intel gathered by our brothers from another alien mother at Kotaku, rumour has it that Nintendo is ramping up Wii production to 2.4 million units/month (compared to the 1.8 million units/month currently produced). It’s a number that should allow Nintendo to sell more of their popular console while balancing the big Re-shhhhhh that’s going on in America at the moment. We’ll continue this conversation when, uhhh, things are going even better. [kotaku] More »
Vehicles
Dreamliner’s Secret Crew Quarters Should be Called Orgy Room
11:10PM Jesus Diaz | Here’s one of Boeing Dreamliner’s most closely guarded secrets: the Orgy Room. Boeing likes to call it “the Crew Quarters” but, come on, what images does this cozy compartment, hidden in the top of the composite fuselage bring to mind? Here’s a hint: it has six tightly packed beds for flight attendants, who use them to “have siestas” when the flights are too long. What. Ever. [Fortune] More »
Computers
Asus’ VX3 Lamborghini Laptop Arrives, Costs 2% of Real Lambo
11:09PM Wilson Rothman | Asus just gave a new look and hardware upgrade to its
Robots
Giant Robot Ready To Stop Giant Fires, Giantly
10:49PM Mark Wilson | Sure, it’s only a model of a dual-saw-wielding giant robot, but we can’t help but to admire one man’s vision of an autonomous future of fighting forest fires. The Forest Fire “Clear Cut” Robot (model) has 600 parts and took its creator 6 months to complete. What it represents is a tool prepared to slice and dice trees as necessary to stop the spread of flames in fictional, wilderness settings. Because remember, only you (and gigantic, badass robots with blades bigger than your body) can prevent forest fires. But it’s mostly on the robots at this point, honestly. Here’s a bonus pic: More »
Phones
LG KG750 Is Sleek of Line, High (Five) of Megapixels, Shoots DivX, Called Secret
10:15PM Addy Dugdale | Remember that sleek black mobile phone from LG we wrote about earlier this month? More details are emerging, most notably that it shoots DivX video at 120 frames per second, and sports face-recognition technology on that 5-megapixel camera, as well as having haptic feedback, mobile Google apps and Bluetooth. Oh, and one for Conan O’Brien—its name is *whispers* Secret. Full press release after the jump.
Press
Ballmer Says Microsoft Ready for Future Without Yahoo
9:57PM Gizmodo US Edition | According to Steve yesterday, that $44.6 billion offer to buy Yahoo is “a lot of money,” which comes as no surprise to anyone. But he followed it up by saying Microsoft is “prepared to move forward alone without Yahoo.” Is he threatening to walk away? One suggestion to explain this is that employees inside Microsoft are uncomfortable: online services staff are wary about job futures, and others are worried the take-over will divert manager’s attention off the key Microsoft business itself. What do you think guys? Is this it for the deal? Or is it just another tactic in the game? [WSJ] More »
Science
NASA Pics Celebrate Hubble’s 18th Birthday, Space Telescope Still Can’t Drink Beer
9:20PM Addy Dugdale | Eighteen years ago today, the Hubble Telescope was launched into space by the Space Shuttle Discovery. To celebrate its coming of age, NASA has released 59 high-definition breathtaking pictures of galaxies colliding across the universe. Above is ESO 99-4, a weird-shaped galaxy (probably the result of another collision) situated in the Triangulum Australe, around 400-million light years away from earth. [Wired] More »
Gadgets
Spoon With Built-In Scales, Perfect for Dieters and Dealers
9:05PM Gizmodo US Edition | This spoon, which looks like a prop from CSI, has built-in scales so you can scoop and check the amount all in one. Made of ABS plastic and stainless steel, it has an LCD screen, and an accuracy of 0.14 grams. It also measures in metric or imperial and can keep track of added weights. Just make sure you use it for cooking ingredients, and not for measuring stuff that might get you a visit from CSI for real. Available for about US$37. [ProIdee via OhGizmo, GeekAlerts] More »
Toys
