Friday, June 13, 2008
Phones
BlackBerry Kickstart Flip Phone In the Flesh (Looks Chunky)
11:50PM Matt Buchanan | The dudes at Crackberry have scored some serious camera time with BlackBerry’s first clamshell, the Kickstart, shooting it from every possible angle. I think I’m back in the “it’s, um, ugly” camp–it’s definitely not a svelte or sexy number, and I don’t really see it appealing to teens or other youngins if that’s who the new flippiness is aimed at. But I failed art classes and Jesus cries whenever I open Photoshop, so maybe I just don’t have any taste. [Crackberry. Thanks Kevin!] More »
Design
Ku-b Design Is Glowing, Transforming Kitchen of the Future
11:30PM Gizmodo US Edition | We’ve shown you both modular and futuristic kitchen gizmos before, but now there’s this new design that somehow combines the two. Dubbed Ku-b, it’s a kind of sculptural, transforming cooking station with flat cooking plates, illuminated surfaces and built-in computer and screen. In closed position, it’s a kitchen-island, but it swings open to reveal concealed drawers and storage. From designers Innova, it’s part of the Atipic House project, which is all about mixing reality and experimentation. And I’m sad it’s just a concept: I’d love this in my home. [Design Spotter via Born Rich] More »
Entertainment
Woz Hacks an iPhone With His Mind
11:10PM Mark Wilson | Most people need the proper software and equipment to jailbreak their iPhone. Not Woz. On his way to a black tie event, he casually mentions to Kathy Griffin, “Some people would criticize you for not having hacked your iPhone.” And then he proceeds to hack it. With just his hands/mind/Woz powers. (UPDATE: and yes, probably the .tif exploit you party poopers.) More »
Phones
Nokia 6205 Dark Knight Batphone is for Bruce Wayne Wannabes
11:00PM Benny Goldman | As if you needed any more reason to get excited for the new Batman movie, the Nokia 6205 Dark Knight edition is coming soon. The black flip phone with the movie’s logo on the back comes loaded with the trailer, as well as themed wallpapers, ringtones and screensavers. It also comes in white, if you hate Batman as much as Harvey Dent. The 6205s have 1.3MP cameras with flash, microSD slots expandable to 4GB, and external music controls. It’s US$120 before rebate with a two-year Verizon contract, press release below. [Verizon] More »
Peripherals
Denon’s Ultra Premium Ethernet Cable Costs US$8.47 For Every Inch
10:45PM Gizmodo US Edition | Denon is selling the AK-DL1 cable to link up your Denon-link audio components, and apparently it’s able to “bring out all the nuances in digital audio reproduction.” How does it achieve this magic? By having “high purity copper wire and high performance connection parts” plus a woven jacket to “reduce vibration.” Vibration? M’kay… Best of all, if you’re a complete and utter sucker audio enthusiast, this 59-inch Ethernet cable will cost you just US$500. [Denon via Crunchgear via Oh Gizmo] More »
Computers
Asus Prices the Eee PC Out Of Its Own Market
10:35PM Mark Wilson | Asus singlehandedly created the budget mini-laptop market. And now, sadly, it would seem that they’ve priced themselves out of it. Laptop Mag finally got Asus to announce a prices of their new 8.9″ Asus Eee (901) and their 10.2″ Asus Eee (1000). And confirming long-standing rumours, the US$399 pricepoint is a distant dream. More »
Gadgets
JORDY Headset Magnifier: Not Quite as Advanced as Star Trek Version
9:55PM Gizmodo US Edition | As well as its promisingly sci-fi-sounding name, the Joint Optical Reflective Display is actually designed to help people with vision problems. It’s a head-worn magnifier with autofocus that can provide up to 30x zoom, and is designed to help people with vision loss caused by macular degeneration, glaucoma or other conditions. Plus, its docking station lets you use it as a desktop 50x zoom, illuminated magnifier with digital output—so, it’s not quite up there with Geordi LaForge’s visor, but it’s pretty powerful. No info on pricing, but demonstration models are available from manufacturer Enhanced Vision. [Gizmag via UberGizmo] More »
Science
Sonic Crystals to Make Homes, Cars Completely Soundproof
9:25PM Gizmodo US Edition | A new technology presented in the New Journal of Physics may lead to completely soundproof homes, cars, or any other space using a meta-material called sonic crystals. One of the developers, who is not Reed Richards but Dr José Sánchez-Dehesa of the Polytechnic University of Valencia, Spain, says that this “acoustic cloaking will deviate sound waves around the object that has to be cloaked.” More »
Gadgets
Moleskine Sketchbook Turned into iPod touch Case/Reader
9:15PM Gizmodo US Edition | Wired’s Man in Barcelona, Charlie Sorrel, has made a rather wonderful e-book reader using his iPod Touch and a Moleskine sketchbook. The version you see here is Mark One, and he’s already working on Mark Two, as the flap he created after the touch kept falling out of the notebook isn’t really practical enough. Sorrel claims he did this to look cool and hip in Barna’s bars and cafes and thus get the girls, so I’m looking forward to the follow-up post detailing his successes and failures. How-to video is below. More »
Phones
