Since I don’t have either a microwave or a desktop computer, I don’t know why this PC-microwave hybrid with an LCD bolted to the door speaks to me, but it just does. It could possibly be something to do with the fact that I still haven’t had breakfast and it’s way past breakfast time here in Yurp. [Hacked Gadgets via Boing Boing Gadgets]
We spoke about Canonical’s rejigged version of Ubuntu last week, and the Netbook “Remix” as they call it, is on show at this year’s Computex. Although it won’t be available until later on in the year, the company is already working with OEMs to include the new software on portable devices. Full press release is below.
Just yesterday we brought you the cheap Eee 701 touchscreen hack, and now it looks like the same guy who did that mod has been ferreting around inside an Eee 901, with some unexpected results. In fact, it looks like the 901 is even more moddable than the earlier models, with some extra functions inside the case waiting to be adapted.
Softbank is to bring the iPhone to the Japanese market later this year. With no release date, no price, and certainly no word on whether the deal is an exclusive one, or whether Japan’s other carriers can get on the act, this is going to be a short post. [Impress]
HTC’s going back to what they do best–Windows Mobile phones with slide-out QWERTY keyboards–by way of the HTC Touch Pro, also known as the HTC Raphael. It’s got a very Touch-Diamond-like back, and has 7.2 Mbps HSDPA, 512MB internal storage, 288MB RAM, microSD slot, a 2.8-inch VGA screen, 3.2-megapixel camera, GPS, video calling and a 1350 mAh battery that gives 8 hours of talk time.
Are you one of those people who creates unsightly bulges in your pants every time you leave the house? You know, loading up your pockets with mobile phones, iPods, cameras, business cards, keys, or any other junk you can possibly squeeze into that extra flap of fabric?
You are? Well, if you don’t like looking like your thunder is more elephant man than elephant size, you can ditch the one item in your pockets that bulges at all angles and occasionally stabs you like a knife: your keys.
Designed in New Zealand and launching in Australia for $275 plus installation, the EC Key effectively turns your Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone into your house keys, car keys, garage door keys or any other key you want.
It doesn’t require any extra software on your phone – once it’s installed, you just pair it with your mobile phone, and presto… when you get within a set distance of the lock, it will automagically unlock the door in question.
When I was studying at Uni, the Internet was just starting to gain traction. As a result, my favourite lectures were the ones that I didn’t have to attend because all the notes and transcripts were online.
Today, students from a heap of Unis around Australia and NZ get an even sweeter gig, with lectures, guest speeches and videos from The Australian National University, Griffith University, Swinburne University, University of Melbourne, University of NSW, University of WA and Otago University all hitting iTunes U.
So now a whole new breed of students get to enjoy their university bar rather than the boredom of their lectures. Maybe I should think about getting my Masters…
[Apple]
Nvidia talks a big game about how awesome its mobile Tegra processors are, but paper muscles tear when wet. They’ve got some videos showing that there is at least some meat behind the pulp. Above the fold is Quake III running at 35fps with anti-aliasing turned on, while below is HD video output at 720p via HDMI out, and their 3D UI, which has a coverflow clone, and some nice 3D navigation stuff. These are undoubtedly optimised, but still some impressive voodoo.
The ability to sync your Address Book contacts with Gmail – one of 10.5.3‘s most useful new features – could have used a bit more real world testing. Rather than just syncing your beautiful, groomed, deliberately added contacts like any reasonable person would expect, Address Book downloads all of your Gmail account’s automatically collected addresses as well, which is to say pretty much everyone you’ve ever emailed, ever.
The guys at MIT’s gaming lab just unveiled AudiOdyssey, a game for the Wii that doesn’t require sight to play. The game is sort of a musical composition tool, in which players create layered beats for an imaginary crowd of dancers. The game does have a minimal visual component but for the most part just relies on your ears and your beat droppin’ (or for the less whimsical, Wiimote swinging) skills.
