Monday, May 5, 2008
Entertainment
Never Return Your Video Camera While Still Stoned
11:57PM Mark Wilson | When two amateur Cheech and Chongs returned a PureDigital Flip camera to Best Buy, apparently they forgot to erase the memory. Because when one shopper purchased the open box item, it came free with three videos labelled “Smoking.” Here’s a shot of the two auteurs in action. For those who’d like to see the whole video, hop on over TechCrunch. Then hit up White Castle for a ten sack. Then listen to some music—you know, really listen to it. [CrunchGear] More »
Entertainment
Nine Inch Nails Releases Free Album In High Definition Audio
11:50PM Jesus Diaz | Trent Reznor is not only breaking the old distribution model, he’s even breaking the newest, like Radiohead’s pay-what-you-want: Nine Inch Nails’ latest album—The Slip—is 100% free, no payment required in any case, not even when you download the whooping 1.2GB version—which includes high definition WAVE 24/96 files (better-than-CD-quality 24bit 96kHz audio.) You can also choose from high-quality MP3s, FLAC lossless and M4A lossless. Note to record labels: drop dead. [NIN]
Gadgets
Olinda Radio Lets You Hear What Your Friends Are Listening to
11:37PM Gizmodo US Edition | Ever wondered what stations your friends are listening to just at the same moment as you spin the dial on your own radio? Well, that’s where Olinda comes in: a working prototype commissioned by the BBC, it’s got a plug-in module that lights up when your friends are online. A simple push of the corresponding button, and via Wi-Fi and the BBC’s “playing now” service you get to listen along with your pal. There’re other innovations too, including a double-tuning dial that lets you switch to stations alphabetically or just choose among your favourites. And because the design is modular it allows for expansion with other widget-like plug-in units. More »
Robots
Video: A Robot Drawing Beautiful Stars In The Sand
11:32PM Brian Lam | Here’s a video of Sisyphus V drawing shapes in the sand using a magnetic arm on a 2-axis plotter. [Maker Faire] More »
Phones
BlackBerry 9000 To Offer 3G-Less “Niagara”
11:15PM Mark Wilson | While most of us are addicted to high speed data, The Boy Genius Report is saying that the awaited AT&T exclusive BlackBerry 9000 will come in a version without 3G called the “Niagara.” So what’s the point, beyond watching geeks grab their testicles in sympathy pain? The Niagara will probably drive down the price of the 9000 for BlackBerry enthusiasts who are just looking for a newer phone to push their email. Also, we’re wondering if the completely different back case may be a bit thinner in the pocket (or holster…sigh). [TheBoyGeniusReport] More »
Gadgets
Automated Whiteboard Shuns Projectors, Mystical Beings
10:52PM Mark Wilson | A shameless celebration of all things mechanical and most things lazy, the automated whiteboard is powered by two belted motors from an old scanner/printer while an electromagnet is employed to stick the marker to the board at only the correct times. We’ve always wondered how the local coffee shop writes their menu so neatly. Now we know…though we retain our suspicions of gnome activity (who, incidentally, plan to take over the world after they obliterate man through 1,200 calorie coffee drinks). [Sprites Mods via Newlaunches] More »
Networks
Rumour: T-Mobile Lusting To Buy Sprint
10:43PM Wilson Rothman | T-Mobile may be smallish in the US, but it’s owned by German giant Deutsche Telekom, a company plenty powerful enough to buy up Sprint if it wanted to…and the rumour mill says it may want to. The Inquirer points out the obvious network issues that might arise. After all, what do you get when you cross a GSM network barely on HSDPA but harboring LTE aspirations with a CDMA/EV-DO franchise who’s experimenting with WiMax while lugging a legacy iDEN network around for God-knows-what-reason? [Inquirer] More »
Cameras
Pet’s Eye View Camera…But You Don’t Want To Know
10:12PM Mark Wilson | Have you ever gotten the strange feeling that your dog is trying on your wife’s dresses when you are out? Then it’s time to score proof with the Pet’s Eye View Camera. A 640 x 480 resolution camera that hooks easily to a pet’s collar, the US$48 USB-compatible Pet’s Eye View will snap shots at 1, 5 or 15 minute intervals for your perusal when you return. Chances are, your dog is just drinking copious amounts of liquid from the toilet and barking at the door all day. As for who left the weird hairs in your wife’s clothing—we definitely wouldn’t know a thing about that. [Product via ShinyShiny]
Peripherals
Optimus Prime USB Hub Speaks but Won’t Stomp Across Your Desk
9:57PM Gizmodo US Edition | “I laugh in the face of your so-called transforming USB hub!” says the four-way Optimus Prime USB Hub, “because I, Optimus Prime, am a Transformers USB hub that… um… doesn’t transform. Oh.” What the 22 cm Autobot bust actually does do is flash its eye lights and shout out when you connect something to it. And in case that gets boring, you can turn the sound function off. Available August for US$34.99. [BigBadToystore via Everything USB] More »
Gadgets
