Sunday, September 14, 2008

Sunday, September 14, 2008
Gadgets

Review: Nike + iPod Touch Workout App

11:00PM Jason Chen | Despite looking forward to the iPod Touch/iPhone integration of the Nike+ running dongle for over a year now, we can’t help but feel slightly disappointed at the way this app is executed on the latest iPod Touch. The Nike + iPod software itself looks great—the red and white UI design matches up perfectly with nike’s own workout site—but there’s just something missing. First, where’s the grandfathered support for iPhone, iPhone 3G and first-gen iPod Touch? More importantly, where are the expanded features that makes great use of the Touch’s accelerometer, touch screen or internet connection? Nowhere. More »
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Games

Rock Band 2 Wireless Guitar and Drums Hardware Review

2:00PM Jason Chen | Just like the actual Rock Band 2 game, the new Rock Band 2 peripherals work more at refining the experience than redefining it. The wireless guitar and wireless drum kit add a bit of freedom from tripping and crashing into coffee tables, as well as minor design decisions that only improve your fake rocking out. The improvements aren’t different or better enough for Rock Band 1 owners to throw out their current gear and buy these versions, but they are a great bonus for people who are buying the Rock Band 2 set. More »
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Gadgets

The Grinch: Human Slingshot For Snow and Surfboarding

11:00AM Brian Lam | A friend told me about the Grinch today, a machine you hammer into the ground with a towrope attached to a 7HP engine, meant to rocket snowboarders and surfers into ramps and waves. [The Grinch] More »
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Cameras

Nikon D300 DSLR Lightning Review

10:30AM Brian Lam | The Gadget: Nikon’s D300 is a 12.3MP camera with 200-6400 (hi mode) ISO, a 3-inch LCD, 51 autofocus points and a prosumer magnesium body on the fence, but teetering more towards pro than consumer. Inside is a DX-sensor, not quite the FX sensor found in the better D3 and D700 cams. It’s not directly competitive with either the cheaper 50D or the more expensive 5D from Canon. galleryPost('nikond300review', 3, ''); More »
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Random Stuff

Steve Jobs Does Not Have a Licence Plate From the Future

10:00AM Mark Wilson | It’s well known that Steve’s Merc does not have a licence plate, but a barcode. Many thought that this sticker was some sort of replacement, an agreement with the state of California to display his information. But some car saavy folks tell us that Jobs’ bar code is just be the VIN number to his car and, according to the state of California, no one is exempt from having a licence plate. The fine for driving without one is US$250 per occurrence—coincidentally (or not-so-coincidentally?), the price of an iPod classic. [iPhone Savior] More »
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Toys

LEGO Dr. Manhattan Reminds Us To Be Excited About Watchmen

9:00AM Jason Chen | Have you lost your excitement about the upcoming Watchmen movie? This Dr. Manhattan poster constructed out of LEGO pieces should remind you that you need to turn up that giddiness dial a bit. Great job, artpoly! All that’s missing is Manhattan’s LEGO junk. Maybe you can CGI that in, like in the trailer. [Thanks Ryan!] More »
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Peripherals

Lightning Review: Olinari Dog Tags Hold, Secure Your Flash Memory

8:00AM Jason Chen | The Gadget: Olinari USB Dog Tags, which hold various USB drives inside the magnetic-clasp locking necklace charm. These are the follow up of the undoubtedly overpriced original version, which somehow managed to both look better, feel better and have a lower price. More »
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Software

iPhone Modem App Promises 10 Second iPhone Tethering

7:00AM Jason Chen | Just released yesterday, iPhone Modem for the Cydia jailbreak application repository promises tethering your laptop to your iPhone in just ten seconds. We haven’t gotten around to jailbreaking our own yet, but this one is supposedly even easier than the official NetShare tethering app in the official App Store. ModMyiPhone forum says it works just fine on both MacBook and MacBook Pro. Careful using this on AT&T, since too much tethering data usage you’re not actively “paying” for will get you neutered. [modmyiphone] More »
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Online

Computer Weather Error Shows Why Houston Is in Extra Trouble

6:00AM Jason Chen | Hath Hell frozen over, or hath an internth presseth the wrong buttoneth? [Thanks Dustin!] More »
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Entertainment

The Amazing Tech, Lasers and Lights Behind a Nine Inch Nails Concert

5:00AM Jack Loftus | Trent Reznor, front man for Nine Inch Nails, is no stranger to cool tech, incredibly in-depth viral and ARG marketing campaigns, and new ways to entertain his fans live in concert. During their current Lights in the Sky tour, they let Wired writer Brian Gardiner and photographer Jon Snyder record and catalog basically everything that goes on behind the scenes to make things tick. That includes a system run entirely by Linux; hundreds of LED lights, lasers; intentional BSoD’s, and “Stealth Screens”—huge, interactive marvels of tech and engineering that Reznor and his band mates can pass through and control in real time as the concert unfolds. “I’m not really a purist,” Reznor told Wired. “If I’m in the studio working on an album, I try to only please myself. But when it’s a tour, it feels a bit more like I have a responsibility to some degree to entertain people.” No shit. [Wired] More »
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