The maker of the evil, wonky voting machines in Ohio that are going to be used for the election despite the fact they’re broken has admitted that the machines do in fact lose votes (before, Premier, aka Diebold, said it was “user error”). It gets better! They can’t be fixed before election day. Hey, it’s not like anyone asked for your opinion anyway. Okay maybe they did, but that’s beside the point, I think. [Columbus Dispatch via Slashdot]
I’ve never really understood music subscription services. Despite the conveniences, to date I have never, ever felt the need to lease something that can get imprinted on your heart like only music really can. It needs to be mine. But this week rumours kicked up again regarding an iTunes all-you-can-eat subscription-based model coming as early as September–the same rumours we’ve heard time and time again. While this time around the whispers are shaky at best, this rumour just won’t die, and it’s not a complete impossibility that it someday may actually happen. A lifetime iTunes subscription may be the one thing that could change my subscription-hatin’ ways (maybe). Is there anyone else with me? Who else doesn’t really buy the whole subscription model, and if not, would an all-you-can-eat iTunes change your mind?
If you have been toying with the idea of setting up a home theatre with a projector, the guys over at Home Entertainment Mag have put together a handy guide for beginners that can help you maximise performance. They say the key is to match your projector with the right screen–and that means knowing what kinds of screens are out there, what size and shape you need, what to look for in terms of screen gain, whether a perforated screen is the way to go and what the deal is with rear projection. The basics of these issues are covered, and they offer up plenty of suggestions for you to investigate. Hit the link to check out all the details along with some pretty pictures. [Home Entertainment Mag]
This week in the App Store, we’ve got some great freebie apps. That’s a good thing. Especially when you’re a beleaguered Gulfstream GIV pilot getting hit hard by the soaring price of jet fuel. This week was also great for pilots in several other ways, but there’s some stuff for the rest of us, too. Come along as we see what’s been hitting millions of Springboards over the past seven days.
Knowing that the government can keep us safe against evil dildos and penis pumpers, I don’t really give much importance to the fact that a guy got into the U.S. Homeland Security Department phone system to make more than 400 calls to his buddies in friendly countries like Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen. According to security consultant John Jackson, the hacking was very low-tech and old school, which probably would make Steve “Blue Box” Wozniak proud, but it was an embarrassment for the agency:
Last May Pioneer told us that autumn would bring a “super duper” Blu-ray player—the most powerful Blu-ray player ever built. It makes up for the current crop, which are lower in price but are missing key features like BD-Live for internet-based content. Well, not a leaf has fallen off a tree, yet here it is already, the US$2,200 Elite BDP-09FD. Feature-wise, the best Blu-ray player on the market has been the PS3—turns out, an extra US$1,700 will buy you something that kills Sony’s game console as far as Blu-ray and other media are concerned.
Soulja Boy claims that he has the only Xbox 360 Sidekick LX in the world, something that we believe him on, seeing as Danger is a huge fan of doing limited runs of designer Sidekicks for special people. Does it mean that Soulja Boy will have the only Xbox 360 Sidekick LX forever? Tough to say, but we’re hoping there’s some kind of tie-in seeing as Microsoft and Danger are more than just BFF. In the meantime, head over to Gamertagradio to see him fiddle around with it on video while mumbling incoherently. [Gamertagradio via Engadgetmobile]
Everyone loves a good panic button, and what bigger emergency is there than being condomless when you find a woman that actually wants to have sex with you? Relax, this condom dispensing “Don’t Panic” button has your back. Well, it would if it actually existed. Unfortunately, it is currently in the concept phase. [Designspotter]
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It has been quite an Olympics hasn’t it? From the spectacular opening ceremonies, to the amazing performances by Michael Phelps and Usain Bolt (not to mention all of the controversy stirred up by the Chinese government). In years past I can’t say that I was all that excited about the Olympics–but I will be kind of sad to see this one go. The good news is that just because the games are over doesn’t mean you can’t carry the torch…literally. So, check out the following ten gadgets to learn how to play like an Olympian.
It’s a rumour, but it sure is a juicy one. According to an Xbox360Fanboy source close to Microsoft PR, the US$200 Xbox 360 Arcade (the SKU with no hard drive) will be sold in a bundle with a motion controller and a few motiony games during the coming holiday season. The possibility is certainly not all that crazy, as we’ve seen plenty of evidence supporting the Xbox 360 “Newton” motion controller, and everyone wants a piece of the Wii’s big, hungry fanbase. Our guess is that if this rumour pans out we’ll hear more around the Tokyo Game Show in October. [Xbox360Fanboy]
