June 7, 2008

Phones

iPhone 2 Leaked Pics (?) Show 3G Video Calling With Other Phones and iChat, Plus (RED) Version

Posted by Jason Chen at 3:34 PM on June 7, 2008

These leaked pics from what looks like some sort of Apple or AT&T marketing material give up lots more information on the phone, including (if it's real) what the final shape is going to look like. Both the standard black version and the project (RED) version have tapered edges, which match the "thinner" rumours, and a fatter middle, which match the "slightly thicker" rumours. Other than that, the general shape and button design seem the same. What's really cool is the front camera, which allows for video calls.


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Press

Intel Antitrust Investigation Officially Underway

Posted by Brian Lam at 12:18 PM on June 7, 2008

In my mind, AMD and VIA comments can be summed up as, "No shit." [NYTimes]


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Peripherals

Thermalright HSC-101 PC Case: One Giant Radiator

Posted by Brian Lam at 12:01 PM on June 7, 2008

That's a photo of one side of Thermalright's prototype HSC-101 case, with a heatblock for the CPU. The other side looks identical, but it's for the GPU, and both sides can dissipate "150 Watts of heat". [TG Daily]


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Software

iPhone 2.0 Firmware Leaked, 3G and GPS Confirmed (Again)

Posted by Adrian Covert at 11:55 AM on June 7, 2008

Engadget say they have analysed the leaked iPhone 2.0 firmware, and report 3G and GPS will be present. The HSDPA will be tri-band, meaning it will work pretty much anywhere. They also say components will include Sony antennas, 3G processors, transceivers and amplifiers, Arm 11 CPU and an UMTS on/off switch for power saving. Seems like there's less and less to doubt about iPhone 2.0. [Engadget]


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Gadgets

SanDisk Snuffs TakeTV, Leaves No Trace of Fanfare

Posted by Adrian Covert at 10:29 AM on June 7, 2008

Poor TakeTV. This past Fall, it launched just ahead of the flood of media extenders that bring PC content to the TV. And while many felt it worked decently, it couldn't keep up with the big dogs in the end as Sandisk confirmed today they killed the TakeTV line...in mid-May. Additionally, they shut down the Fanfare media portal attached to it. But with Slingcatcher supposedly around the corner, I have trouble getting too sentimental. [NewTeeVee]


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Online

WaltMossbergSays is the Best Tech Pundit Site EVER

Posted by Adrian Covert at 9:35 AM on June 7, 2008

It's no secret Walt Mossberg is a freakin' super-pundit in the tech world (it's rumoured he once liveblogged for 14 hours straight...while standing). And if you need some words from the man himself, all you have to do is head over to waltmossbergsays.com, jot down your statement/prediction/infallibility, and BOOM! — Walt speaks. Not only that, but people never question what Mossberg says, because he basically knows everything. I mean, did you see the D6 Conference? [WaltMossbergSays] (Thanks, Grant)


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Computers

Eee PC 901 Gets Unboxed, Touched and Probed

Posted by Sean Fallon at 8:20 AM on June 7, 2008

Personally, I don't get much of a thrill out of unboxings. Besides, we have already seen the Eee PC 901 topless, so the mystery is all but gone. Still, if you cant get enough of this strange gadget strip show, Laptop Magazine has the filthy images you so desperately crave. And if you are not interested in unboxings, they also came up with some initial impressions saying that they were generally pleased with what they saw so far--despite an initial problem with a bent keyboard. Hit the link for the full gallery of photos. [Laptopmag]

eee-pc-901-1eee-pc-901-2eee-pc-901-3


Screens

ASUSTeK and RealTek Collaborate on Wireless USB Monitors

Posted by Jason Chen at 8:00 AM on June 7, 2008

Wireless monitors are in their infancy now, but ASUS and Realtek are teaming up to make a new product series based on Wireless USB. The monitor has an integrated Wireless USB module from Realtek—a technology that's also just barely making it mainstream—and will be able to pair with a Wireless USB Host Wire Adaptor or Wireless Host Controller Interface that's plugged into your PC. Unless you really, really need a wireless monitor, hold out until reviews come in to see if it's worth your money. [Yahoo]


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Gadgets

Are You More Interested in a New Macbook, OS X 10.6 or a New iPhone at WWDC? Do You Even Give a Damn?

Posted by Sean Fallon at 7:50 AM on June 7, 2008

Anything can happen at this year's WWDC, but chances are most of the Apple faithful out there are interested in either a new Macbook, OS X 10.6 or the 3G iPhone. Again, we don't know for sure what will be unveiled, but given a choice, which one of these products do you want the most?


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Gadgets

Emotion Mask Brings Kekekekeke To Life

Posted by Jason Chen at 7:30 AM on June 7, 2008

This "Mask of Emotion" was made at the Hongik University in Korea, which explains why their emoticons are very Asian, as opposed to the more :'( style us westerners use. It's supposed to be hide your personal emotion while displaying whatever one you choose, which is limited to happy, kinda happy, very happy, sad, another kind of sad, and angry. Don't expect to see anyone wearing this on the street unless you're roaming the streets of Hongik University. [Mask of Emotion via Make]


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Regulars

Line Camping Tips and Gadgets For the 3G iPhone Launch

Posted by Sean Fallon at 6:40 AM on June 7, 2008

With the WWDC kickoff only days away and the launch of the 3G iPhone imminent, many hardcore geeks will brave the elements outside of their local Apple store in an attempt to be among the first to score a shiny new phone. If you happen to be one of those geeks, the following tips and gadgets will help you survive the crowds and emerge victorious.


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Furniture

Planet 3 Studios Crams an Entire Office Workstation Into a Box

Posted by Sean Fallon at 6:20 AM on June 7, 2008

It appears that the design team at Mubai-based Planet 3 Studios have done for the office what the Casulo did for small apartments. That is to say, they have found a way to cram a rooms worth of furniture into a box. At a glance, it appears that their "Out-of-Box" workstation incorporates 2 desks, a decent amount of desktop real estate and a ton of storage space into a fairly compact design that can easily be wheeled from one room to another. The design is still very much a work in progress, but the US$2350 build price suggests that they will become commercially available. A video of the workstation in action is available after the break.


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Home

VisionArt Hides Flat Panel TVs and Speakers Behind Fine Art For Classy Consumers

Posted by Sean Fallon at 6:00 AM on June 7, 2008

If you are planning to install a flat panel television into a tastefully decorated room, chances are you will want to conceal that sucker along with any speaker setups so as not to detract from all of your well-crafted classiness. VisionArt may have an ideal solution that conceals your equipment behind museum quality art prints when not in use.


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Entertainment

Japanese DVD Program Teaches Confidence By Staring At Women For 96 Minutes

Posted by Jason Chen at 5:45 AM on June 7, 2008

Continuing our weirdness from Japan theme, a company called Avex has just released a DVD that teaches men to be more confident by staring at 50 different women for an hour and a half. Most Japanese men do this already, but instead of the women being in various states of undress, these women are just plain staring back at you, right in the eye, in a sort of glowering manner.


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Phones

A Year of Tortured Patience: Holding Out for the Second-Gen iPhone

Posted by Adam Frucci at 5:00 AM on June 7, 2008

When the first iPhone was announced, I thought it looked cool. Very cool. But I just couldn't bring myself to plunk down a whopping US$600 on a phone that lacked some pretty important features: video recording, picture-messaging, tons of storage, and, most importantly, a 3G connection that would make the awesome mobile Safari browser worthwhile. I assumed that if I just held out for the next generation, I'd -- at the very least -- get the higher bandwidth, and probably pay less up front for it. Let me tell you, it's been a hell of a long wait.


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Phones

Hop-On Set To Release US$125 Smartphone, Super Cheap 3G, GSM and More

Posted by Sean Fallon at 4:50 AM on June 7, 2008

You may recognise Hop-On from their wide array of cheap-o disposable mobile phones and budget-friendly mobile devices. The company is looking to build on this reputation by unveiling six new phones including the US$125 HOP 1801 smartphone and the HOP1809 which they claim will be one of the cheapest 3G capable phones you can buy. It will also feature a camera, Bluetooth, and support for MPEG-4 media playback.


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Gadgets

Sweat Analysing Shirts Determine if You Need a Gatorade

Posted by Sean Fallon at 4:30 AM on June 7, 2008

A Swiss company named Biotex is planning to integrate wireless biosensors in garments that could help athletes and diabetics assess sodium, potassium and chloride levels in their sweat samples. Unlike existing technology, these sensors would collect data in real time and either store it or deliver it to wireless devices for immediate analysis.


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Phones

These Boxes May Hold a New Apple Product (Oohhh!)

Posted by Mark Wilson at 4:25 AM on June 7, 2008

Forbes spotted an interesting pile of unmarked brown boxes at Quanta Computer in Fremont, CA, the company that handles West Coast distribution of Apple's gear (along with that of plenty of other companies' stuff). But what's so interesting is that the boxes right were spotted right beside iMac freight (those white boxes), and they look to be about the same size and shape. So what could be inside? Take a look at more shots to decide for yourself:


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Software

Qik's Mobile Phone Video Broadcasting App Coming to Windows Mobile

Posted by Jason Chen at 4:10 AM on June 7, 2008

Qik's been doing live video streaming (think live YouTube) from Nokia S60 mobile phones for a few months now, but Mobilecrunch has the scoop that they're expanding to Windows Mobile phones shortly. The support and partnership will be officially announced next week at Tech-Ed, which will give WM users the ability to stream stuff like concerts and their wives giving birth (it's happened) direct from their handhelds. Qik's also thinking about the new iPhone, of course, but that's pending whatever features get announced next week. [Mobile Crunch via Crunchgear]


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Gadgets

Japanese Pekoppa Plant Listens To Your Problems Because Nobody Else Wants To

Posted by Jason Chen at 3:50 AM on June 7, 2008

Sega Toys knows what Japanese people want: something to complain to that couldn't possibly think badly of you. It's called Pekoppa, and it's got a chip inside that will bend, stretch, and lean the plant according to how you speak to it. According to Sega it's "a good listener," will have 200,000 units floating around Japan come September. Do they have dogs in Japan, or have all the North Koreans abducted them all? [Nikkei via Crunchinator]


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Peripherals

Metal Gear Solid 4 Bluetooth Headset Reviewed (Sounds Like Crap)

Posted by Matt Buchanan at 3:30 AM on June 7, 2008

No wonder Solid Snake is so grouchy in Metal Gear Solid 4. Sure, the MGS4 Bluetooth headset looks like the most badass one ever, but the sound quality is apparently horrible--like you've been kidnapped and gagged with Liquid Ocelot's underwear. How are you supposed to banter with Roy Campbell while ducking exclamation points if he can't understand you? I think this officially ruins our Friday. =( [Gadget Madness via PS3Fanboy via Kotaku]


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Phones

iPhone 2 Rumour Round-up. Verdict: Don't Believe Everything You Read

Posted by Gizmodo US Edition at 3:00 AM on June 7, 2008

So yesterday you saw our iPhone 2.0 wishlist, packed with things we'd love to see. But the new iPhone has really had the intertubes throbbing with rumours, as people desperate to get their hands on the new tech dig up info. Or at least, desperately look for info in the strangest places, and invent wishful stories. Check out the 10 rumours we think are most interesting. And remember, though you may want to believe, not all of this is going to be accurate.


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Phones

Gun Phone: A Haiku

Posted by Adam Frucci at 2:40 AM on June 7, 2008

Don't be too surprised
At airport security
When you miss your flight
[Custom Phones via SlipperyBrick]


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Gadgets

UroClub Lets Golfers Go Pee-Pee in Public

Posted by Benny Goldman at 2:20 AM on June 7, 2008

Ever been on the golf course, knocking back a few beers, when nature calls? It may be against club rules to duck into the rough for a leak—that's why the UroClub, developed by awesome urologist Floyd Seskin, is an answer to your prayers. Just place an inconspicuous towel over your junk, unscrew the cap of the club disguised to look like a 7-iron, and whiz away—up to half a liter. When you're done, stick the leak-proof club back in your bag and take your next shot. The UroClub costs US$50, a small price if you don't want to look like the guy below. [UroClub via Keith Olbermann]


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Gadgets

Slot Machine Drink Dispenser Wins Memory Loss

Posted by Mark Wilson at 2:00 AM on June 7, 2008

Man has long been attempting to combine the destructive vices of gambling and alcohol. Now, with the US$60 Slot Machine Drink Dispenser, our fuzzy dreams can become a reality. We can just pull the lever and watch as our favourite cocktail drops into a glass. Storing up to 1.5L of liquid at a time, it's a jackpot that could strike twice—hopefully not all over your shoes. [wossat via Nerd Approved]


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Vehicles

Air New Zealand to Power a 747 with Weed

Posted by Adam Frucci at 1:30 AM on June 7, 2008

OK, OK, so the weed in question is actually the jatropha plant, a weed indigenous to India and Africa. But still! Air New Zealand is planning to fill one of the four engines of a 747 with the weed and the remaining three engines with normal jet fuel to test the potential of using jatropha as a biofuel.


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Random Stuff

How To Launch an Apple Product in 5 Easy Steps

Posted by Mark Wilson at 12:55 AM on June 7, 2008

Ladies and gentlemen, after hours of studious dissection of Apple keynotes (requiring countless YouTube clips, a non-linear editing program and a pile of empty Hot Pockets boxes that reaches our ceiling), we've figured out just how Apple "does it" and presented "it" to you here. Launching a new iPod or iPhone isn't about the new-fangled technology; it's about the showmanship. And here are the five, snake-charming ways Steve Jobs lures you to buy a new version of what you already have. SPOILER ALERT: It may involve comparing things to pencils.


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Phones

HTC Touch Diamond Release Delayed in Europe Until June 23

Posted by Gizmodo US Edition at 12:15 AM on June 7, 2008

Anyone hoping to get their hands on the Touch Diamond this month in Europe will have to hold their horses. HTC looks to be delaying the launch of its touchy-touchy titchy phone until the end of the month.


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Vehicles

B-2 Bomber Crash Film Finally Released Publicly

Posted by Mark Wilson at 12:00 AM on June 7, 2008

Do you remember the US$1.2 billion B-2 Stealth Bomber that crashed during take-off? Well now a video has been released of the event. But let me warn you—it's really, really hard watching so much taxpayer cash wastefully go up in flames, especially when the travesty unfolds so slowly. Apparently the plane's sensors were fooled by the presence of water and convinced the vehicle to pitch up on take-off. Luckily both pilots ejected safely. [via Wired]


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