It’s not uncommon for firmware updates to go wonky, and apparently Sony’s 2.4 PS3 update is no exception. The PlayStation forums are scattered with various reports of bricked PS3s–users report that upon booting their system, the SIXAXIS controller will not sync and the video signal is blank with no sound. Unfortunately, you can never tell how widespread these issues are when the sampling is just one messageboard. And I’ve updated my 60GB launch unit without issue. Suckers.
The OpenMoko Neo Freerunner we caught back in January will be available to order on July 4th. That makes the Linux-based cellphone a perfect birthday.gift for Uncle Sam, assuming he’s into shell commands. It’ll run US$400, press release after the jump. [OpenMoko]
newVideoPlayer("/iphone2_gizmodo.flv", 520, 410,""); I have tried the iTunes 7.7 confidential pre-release–which will be required to install the new iPhone OS–and the latest iPhone OS 2.0 release: 5A345. After a few days of heavy use, I can tell you that both versions are rock-solid. As you can see in the video, the App Store is there–although it’s not active yet–along with the new Push data feature, the content restrictions, and the BCC field in Mail, among the rest of the new features. iTunes doesn’t change much, but there are a couple of interesting additions, like the “iPhone and iPod touch remotes” option.
Rolando isn’t the name of some Chinese OEM iPhone knockoff, it’s an iPhone game in development that looks a lot like Sony’s LocoRoco. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Players simply gesture with their finger for easy controls in gameplay that doesn’t require d-pads or all that crazy, this-will-never-fly-on-the-subway tilting. And the video looks fantastic…with a song that will get stuck in your head for the rest of the day:
See that robot there? It’s burned by a laser-etch machine. On genyoowine human skin. Ohoho yes: that sent an icky feeling up your spine didn’t it? If it didn’t, then it should have. Try looking through the gallery, and then watch the video of a skin-etch in action, and that should do the trick…
Behold the Waspinator 2! It has an intelligent optical and ultra-sound directional microphone tracking system which identifies wasps flying near your house by their flight pattern and buzz. Then, the Waspinator 2 uses up to six retractable low-power laser mini-cannons to individually target and kill the wasps, virtually vaporising them in mid-air. Or at least, that’s what, with a name like Waspinator 2 should be. Instead, it’s just a thing that simulates a wasp nest, so real wasps wouldn’t get near, fearing a possible enemy attack.
Previously it was double slots and eSATA, now the cartridge-style HDD dock gets a one-touch backup button. Makes it ideal for backing up your main drive to an old HDD you’ve got spare, and then bunging the backup in a cupboard until you need it. It’s got eSATA and USB 2 connectivity and even comes with an internal SATA to external eSATA conversion bracket for your desktop PC. Takes both 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch drives, but though it plays nicely with PCs and Macs, the one-touch button only works with PCs. Available now for US$53. [Brando]
“Oh!” you may say, thinking the Cargo scooter/moped concept by designer Elliot Ortiz is craziness exemplified. But listen: mopeds are a good solution in many places across the world, taking up less road space than cars and being cheap to run. One thing they lack is load-bearing abilities, and that’s what Elliot’s design is supposed to fix. Taking a few design cues from the classic Vespa, it’s got that huge hole in the chassis which allows you to sling narrow loads inside. There’s even a DHL scooter concept in the gallery. I can’t help but wonder about stability of the thing, but it’s a neat bit of lateral thinking. Should it remain a concept? What do you think, guys? [Tuvie via Techeblog]
Mixing water and electricity is never a good thing, unless it’s in the style of the new “CMB Antimicrobial Wound Dressing with PROSIT” bandage. When you wet it, it generates a small voltage which prevents pesky microbes, fungus, mold and yeast from getting through its treated polyester fibres. Good news if you’ve got an open wound, and good news if you’re a fan of the old electric-shocker handshake joke. Just kidding: This is pretty clever stuff, particularly as it’s also been shown to reduce pain. Currently you can leave it in place for three days, but maker Silverleaf Medical Products is working on extending that, and bringing PROSIT to saleability with FDA approval. [Medgadget]
Motion-controller fans who don’t want to get into Wiimote modding now have a way of playing interactive internet games on their PCs with the Stix. No, not the ’70s band…it’s a new and very Wiimote-esque controller from GoLive2, touch sensitive and launched with a companion website that has hundreds of “free Web-based games,” whatever they may be like. The Stix 200 works with these games, while the 400 version looks like it also works with normal PC games. Available in August, press release below.
