May 17, 2008

Computers

HTC Advantage 7510 Not US-Bound

Posted by Mark Wilson at 11:36 PM on May 17, 2008

Sorry HTC fans, the HTC Advantage 7510—HTC's updated 3G (HSDPA) UMPC—is not coming to the US because its Qualcomm chipset is not permitted for sale here. Interested parties can still import the device for those fun extra costs and inconveniences associated with international third-party dealers. Meanwhile, we'll celebrate that since the UMPC market is exploding at the moment, we'll finally have plenty of other decent options among US-native tiny PCs. [jkOnTheRun]


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Toys

Soccer Fan Recreates His Team's Journey to FA Cup Final in LEGO

Posted by Addy Dugdale at 9:30 PM on May 17, 2008

Fans of the English soccer league will know that today is the F.A. Cup Final at Wembley Stadium, where Premier League mid-tablers Portsmouth F.C. take on relative minnows Cardiff City. To mark the day, Cardiff City fan Ashley Weaver has made a stop-motion LEGO video of his team's amazing journey to the finals, complete with BBC commentary and black-and-white replays. The two videos took Weaver, who will be cheering on the underdogs at Wembley today, around 40 hours to do, and he shot around 1,000 still photos—that's around five or six every second. Part two is after the jump.

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Design

Sync Desktop: A Workspace With Integrated PC and Fold-Away Monitor

Posted by Sean Fallon at 11:20 AM on May 17, 2008

Besides being absolutely beautiful, this Sync Desktop concept from designer Gareth Battensby features a fold-away widescreen monitor and keyboard, a built in USB hub, scanner, mouse, webcam, easy-to-access DVD unit, and plenty of storage space. And because it is all seamlessly integrated into the design, the Sync can be converted into a standard desk for other projects whenever necessary. The only problem is that I doubt that it could ever become a commercial product unless there was a way to upgrade the hardware. [Gareth Battensby via Born Rich]


Games

Eight Ways to Hurt Yourself Playing Video Games

Posted by Matt Buchanan at 11:00 AM on May 17, 2008

When I was talking with the SteelSeries guys about their gear, one thing they were serious about was that gaming is a sport. I scoffed. But, we've shown you how to work out with nothing but gaming gear and now PC Mag catalogs eight ways to hurt yourself gaming—like any other athletic activity. Besides sore limbs via Wiitis, there's Rock Band Hand from too much drumming/strumming, WASD wrist for hardcore PC gamers (and bloggers), Burning Bladder for WoWites, and um, something that vaguely resembles epilepsy for puzzle gamers. Not featured, however, is the most notorious of Wiinjuries:


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Random Stuff

Reader of the Month: Dr. Francisco Gómez Bravo

Posted by Jesus Diaz at 10:30 AM on May 17, 2008

We don't usually give Reader of the Month awards, only stars to top commenters who actually post useful or funny stuff. But this reader doesn't comment in Gizmodo, even while he confessed he's addicted to it. He doesn't send us stories or suggestions to tips@gizmodo.com either. Or corrections. Nothing. In fact, I met him today for the first time, after my dog Jones bit me on the mouth this morning, cutting a very deep and nasty 1-inch-long injury in the shape of a seven—just below my inferior lip. His name is Dr. Francisco Gómez Bravo, and he's one of the top plastic surgeons here, in the Old Continent.


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Entertainment

Undressing a Woman Using a Large Digging Machine: Crazy Construction Worker Foreplay

Posted by Sean Fallon at 10:00 AM on May 17, 2008

I'm not sure what show this video is from, but it is funny—and that dude's skills with a digging machine are impressive to say the least. It's not really NSFW because in the end she is no where near fully undressed, but you might want to take caution when viewing the video after the break just in case.


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Computers

EFF's Guide to Border Laptop Searches

Posted by Jason Chen at 9:20 AM on May 17, 2008

You already knew that customs officials can search your laptop if they feel like it, detaining you if you refuse, but what can you do to protect yourself from random dudes checking out your vacation pics? The EFF has some tips. There's having multiple encrypted partitions, having secure passwords, shutting off your machine before searches and destroying naughty stuff semi-permanently with shredding applications. Hit up the link for more privacy tips. [EFF]


Gadgets

Ground Effects Lighting From Snap-On Makes Your Toolbox Look Fast

Posted by Sean Fallon at 8:40 AM on May 17, 2008

Sure a toolbox is functional, but it lacks aesthetics. My suggestion: paint flames on the side and add some ground effects lighting from Snap-On. The AC-powered lights come in singles or dual packs in blue, red and green colours—and they can be attached to any number of surfaces using magnetic clamps. Unfortunately, the Snap-on site is a little wonky with regard to pricing on these things, but we do know that the dual packs will set you back about US$90 (which seems to be the same price for a single green). Way overpriced if you ask me, but that is what you get when you buy a big name brand. [Snap-On via Toolmonger]


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Software

Sony Quietly Introduces PlayStation 3 Youtube Uploading

Posted by Mark Wilson at 8:20 AM on May 17, 2008

Mainichi Issho, a Japan-only PlayStation Network game that's been out since 2006, has quietly brought a pretty killer function to the PlayStation 3. Players can now record gameplay and upload clips to YouTube from within the console. Better still, Sony has confirmed that the toolset will be distributed to developers to integrate into games at their discretion. With the popularity of fan videos and YouTube, it's great to see Sony embracing networks outside of their own. Good stuff, and forward-thinking on Sony's part. [Gamespot via PS3 Fanboy]


Computers

The Ugliest, Fattest MacBook Ever Is Only US$6800

Posted by Matt Buchanan at 8:00 AM on May 17, 2008

This overwrought leather and anodised aluminium slab is US$6800. It's a MacBook. Sure, the underside is European aniline leather, and it comes with Windows XP and Office pre-installed. But it's just a MacBook, fattened up with 2.5 extra pounds and a couple extra inches of aluminium and dead animal hide, and a generous slathering of shitty taste. But don't feel guilty! No, because you're also buying an XO Laptop for a struggling child in a developing country, like Alabama. And that is priceless. Plus six thousand, eight hundred US dollars.

macbook uglymacbook uglymacbook ugly
[Munk Bogballe via Ars Technica]


Science

A Baseball Hat That Can Read Your Mind

Posted by Adam Frucci at 7:40 AM on May 17, 2008

While this might look like an ordinary baseball hat, a closer look reveals that it has a bunch of electronics jammed into the back and a wire connecting it behind the ear of the wearer. That's your first tip-off that this hat will do more than shield your eyes from the sun and give you hat head. It's a hat that can actually read the EEG signals from your brain, able to tell when you're too sleepy to drive or, with a bit more work, allow you to do things like turn the TV on and off. It's much like other EEG readers that claim to allow you to control things with your brain, but this one is wireless and portable. [Pink Tentacle]


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Design

Darth Vader Is Less Intimidating In Typeface

Posted by Mark Wilson at 7:20 AM on May 17, 2008

Some use the Force. Others just need the delete key. Still, we're really enjoying this fontified Darth Vader—especially the subtle use of colour with his red equals sign lightsaber. To see the Death Star in fonts, hit the jump.


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Software

40 Hours Of Illustrator, Time-Lapsed

Posted by Mark Wilson at 7:00 AM on May 17, 2008

Over several months, one artist put roughly 40 hours of Illustrator drawing work into a piece called "Science Machine." And over that time, he had his computer screencap the project every five seconds. The result, along with some B-roll and a soundtrack, is what you see in this video. To read the artist's thoughts on the video and his Vista machine used to make it, hit the jump.


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Phones

HTC Touch Diamond Unboxed, Looks Diamondy

Posted by Jason Chen at 6:48 AM on May 17, 2008

We got hands-on time with the HTC Diamond when it was released, but nothing beats taking photos at home under optimal lighting conditions. EPrice in Taiwan got a unit for themselves (HTC is from Taiwan) and took loads of shots, some of which illustrate why this thing is called the Diamond. Go on, check the gallery to see what we mean. [Eprice]


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Hardware

Fujitsu's AMILO GraphicBooster External Graphics Card For Easy Laptop Upgrades

Posted by Sean Fallon at 6:30 AM on May 17, 2008

Fujitsu is set to launch an external graphics card solution dubbed the "AMILO GraphicBooster" sometime in the "next few weeks." Unfortunately, this information was leaked from a presentation, so there isn't a whole lot in the way of details—but we do know that the GraphicBooster is based on ATI XGP technology, it will allow users to connect up to three external displays to their notebook, DVI-D and HDMI connections are included, and it can reportedly deliver a 4.7X performance improvement over the graphics of a small form factor AMILO notebook.


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Regulars

Gadgets That Are Guaranteed Date Disasters

Posted by Sean Fallon at 6:00 AM on May 17, 2008

I say "guaranteed" date disasters, but that may be a little too strong a word. After all, it is possible to find a cool chick that can handle your geeky obsessions—but the likelihood of that happening is remote at best. So, if you have a date this weekend, it is probably in your best interest to hide gadgets that could be viewed negatively by women—gadgets like those found after the break.


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Phones

AT&T Flip Flops on One iPhone Policy

Posted by Matt Buchanan at 5:57 AM on May 17, 2008

I've come to the conclusion that AT&T just loves toying with us when it comes to the iPhone. Just days after limiting buyers to a single iPhone, it's back to the old threefer rule—apparently they found enough iPhones lying around in a closet somewhere to go back to biz as usual. [InfoWeek via Crave]


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Robots

Animatronic Wall-E Entertains Guests At Disneyland, Charges US$5 For a Popsicle

Posted by Jason Chen at 5:50 AM on May 17, 2008

What's even better than a Wall-E robot toy made by WowWee? A Wall-E robot toy made by the animatronic people at Disney. This Wall-E robot is supposed to roam around Disneyland/Disney World entertaining patrons, but got spotted on the streets of LA panhandling and glad-handing for cash. You know who else can say their name? Timmy from South Park. Wall-E! [Slashfilm]


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Software

US Nokia N95 Firmware Update in June

Posted by Matt Buchanan at 5:30 AM on May 17, 2008

Official word from Nokia is that the next (and maybe last) firmware update for the US N95 is due in just a few weeks. Exciting, because Symbian Guru speculates it'll come with support for Flash Lite 3, Demand Paging, Web Runtime and a bunch of other tweaky goodness. What are you hoping they add (or fix) in the update? [Nokia via Symbian Guru]


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Peripherals

USB Awesome Laptop Speaker Is Bendy, Looks Vintage-y

Posted by Matt Buchanan at 5:10 AM on May 17, 2008

If this self-declared Awesome Laptop Speaker is like most of the wares you buy at Urban Outfitters, you're probably paying a hefty markup for poorly made crap on the basis of its pseudo-vintage aesthetics (and it matches your MBP!). But supposedly this USB speaker (which is, admittedly, attractive) will pump out The Arcade Fire with more gusto than your tinny laptop speakers will, and it's only US$40. And hey, it's bendy! I have the feeling the bass leaves something to be desired, though. [Urban Outfitters via Shiny Shiny]


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Games

Motion Pro II Racing Simulator in Action, Still Cause for Divorce

Posted by Jesus Diaz at 4:50 AM on May 17, 2008

Remember yesterday's drooltastic Motion Pro II racing simulator? Here's how it works and how much it costs. We talked with Chris Considine—CXC Simulations head honcho—who tells us that yes, people actually buy these things even if they cost more than a car: the Motion Pro II starts at US$25,995, but he said that a client spent US$45,000 on one, after add-ons. See the complete shopping list—and high definition pictures from a real system—after the jump.


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Phones

Sidekick Slide Scarlet Available Now For $199

Posted by Jason Chen at 4:31 AM on May 17, 2008

The rumoured Sidekick Slide Scarlet (read: red edition) is available now from T-Mobile. It's just about the same as the regular Sidekick Slide, with myFaves support, QVGA display, microSD slot, 1.3-megapixel camera and all the Sidekick features that kids love. The phone's only major difference is the colour Scarlet, and unlike the similarly-named actress, can be yours for just US$199 with two-year contract. [T-Mobile]


Gadgets

Rotopault Kinetic Sculpture Is Mezmerising

Posted by Matt Buchanan at 4:30 AM on May 17, 2008

About 30 seconds after I clicked play on this video of Brad Litwin's latest kinetic sculpture, Rotopault, I said "cool" and flicked my mouse to close the window. And then I just kept watching. It does the same thing over and over again: Launches a ball as it rotates, then catches the ball as it swings back around, without ever missing. Incredibly simple, but for some reason incredibly hypnotic, I think because the sounds it makes as it goes through the motions are precisely rhythmic. [Brad Litwin via BBG]


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Games

Dreamcade Vision 29, Big Screen Arcade Cabinet

Posted by Mark Wilson at 4:10 AM on May 17, 2008

My arcade cabinet fever just can't be thwarted—a disease that sits in remission until a new model pops up in my RSS. The limited edition Dreamcade Vision 29 is particularly interesting because it features a large, 29-inch arcade monitor perfect for burning your eyes out during marathons of Missile Command. Though the unit falls well short of authentic with its PC-based emulation, the long games list may change your mind as practicality enters the equation:


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Peripherals

FastMac U-Charge is the First Universal External Apple Laptop Battery Charger

Posted by Jason Chen at 3:50 AM on May 17, 2008

We've reviewed MacBook and MacBook Pro battery chargers before, but the problem with that is that they aren't compatible between different laptop types. Not so with FastMac's U-Charge. Their external battery charger lets you juice up MacBook Pro (15 and 17-inch), MacBook, PowerBook G4, iBook and even PowerBook G3 batteries externally all from the same unit.


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Gadgets

Four More Casio G-Shocks Round Out 25th Anniversary Collection

Posted by Benny Goldman at 3:47 AM on May 17, 2008

Four new G-Shocks that weren't seen at this week's 25th anniversary party are now being shown off. On top is the GW225E-7, the cream of this crop. It's ISO 200 metre water resistant and built for divers. It has a timer that logs dives, and memory storage for vital stats like blood type, diver certification card and passport number. It also has a solar battery, but no Multi-Band, and it costs US$350. Check out the rest after the jump.


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Screens

125-Inch, 1-mm-Thick, 8-Pound Flexible Display Unveiled

Posted by Adam Frucci at 3:30 AM on May 17, 2008

Shinoda Plasma, a large-screen display manufacturer in Japan, has just unveiled a flexible, 1mm-thick, 125-inch prototype display that can be used as either a curved or wrap-around screen. The resolution isn't all that impressive at 960x360, but it could be used for advertising where the viewer will be suitably far away. As they improve the tech, however, it could be seen in homes as either a really fancy info display or even a piece of digital art. It weighs a mere 32 kilos, which is a good ten times less than a normal plasma display, and could easily be installed in the home. That is, if it was reasonably priced, which this most definitely isn't. But you can definitely see the potential there. Stay tuned. [Pink Tentacle]


Phones

Wall Street Journal: Touchscreen BlackBerry Thunder Due by September

Posted by Matt Buchanan at 3:10 AM on May 17, 2008

The Wall Street Journal confirms all of the details unearthed a few days ago about BlackBerry's touchscreen Apple killah: Dubbed Thunder, it's only got four physical keys and it'll be exclusive to Verizon Wireless in the US and Vodafone abroad. They also toss in a launch date—Q3 of this year, meaning September at the latest, practically right on the heels of the BlackBerry Bold. Looks like RIM is seriously stepping up its game—whether or not it's 'cause of the iPhone, we like it. [WSJ]


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Vehicles

Giz Test Drive: Student-Built Challenge X Fuel-Cell Car in NYC

Posted by Benny Goldman at 2:50 AM on May 17, 2008

GM lugged 17 environmentally friendly cars to New York—fittingly, to Tavern on the Green. The rain-soaked occasion was a display of Challenge X contenders, nearly identical 2005 Chevy Equinoxes modded by teams from schools across the US and Canada to be environmentally friendly, fuel efficient and/or low in emissions. University of Waterloo's hydrogen powered, zero-emissions, electric SUV earned the most awe from the crowd for its ambitious yet completely safe, student-built fuel-cell power plant.

RearFuel Cell StartDashboard