Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Software
Microsoft Adding Its Own Instant-On Feature To Windows?
11:45PM John Mahoney | This survey, sent to a random sampling of Windows users, seems to indicated that MS is at least thinking of integrating an instant-on mode to Windows. Existing quick-start features like Splashtop, found on the Voodoo Envy, Eee Box and a number of other machines, are usually Linux-based systems that stick their finger into the BIOS. A Windows-native solution would be a similar setup–giving you access to a limited feature and application set after a few seconds boot. That is, unless the respondents to this survey overwhelmingly select “1-2 minutes” as their definition of “instant.” [Engadget] More »
Phones
T-Mobile G1 Now Shipping
11:32PM Jesus Diaz | According some Phandroid readers, T-Mobile is now shipping the G1 via UPS 3-day delivery. In case you just came from that five-year trip to Tierra del Fuego, the G1 is the first Google Android OS-based smartphone. This means that the phone will be in T-Mobile customer hands by, at the very latest, the 21st. [Phandroid] More »
Press
NY Times Reporter Warped Into Dell Shill
11:15PM Matt Buchanan | Here’s why you should never trust endorsements—besides the general principle of the matter. NY Times reporter Marc Santora did an interview for a startup site called Big Think, talking about how technology has changed covering stories like the Iraq War. Imagine his surprise when part of it was slipped into a DigitalNomads ad, a site that’s “powered by Dell,” magically turning his interview into an endorsement. More »
Online
Survey Hints at iTunes Gift Cards for Specific Shows and Movies
11:00PM Matt Buchanan | An iTunes customer survey suggests that Apple is looking at selling iTunes gift cards for specific music, shows and movies. A nice branding idea, but I could definitely see some tragedies coming out of this—your mum buys you a card for the this entire season of Heroes, but halfway through it, you give up because you just can’t take Hiro and Ando’s ineptitude anymore. Or, your girlfriend gets one for Sex in the City even though she’ll never watch it on iTunes, and then you can’t use it for something better, like watching George Lucas rape Indiana Jones on South Park. Like I said, tragedies. – Thanks Alaska! More »
Deals
Economy’s Failings Could Result In The Craziest Black Friday Yet
10:45PM John Mahoney | As you may have heard, economically speaking, things have been better both here and abroad. But, as you should always whistle in times of trouble, “always look on the brooight side of life.” But as the NYTimes reports today, the CE industry downturn that has already brought Circuit City to its knees could have a somewhat dark and depressing…upside–an extended Black Friday with discounts unlike any the world has yet seen. More »
Peripherals
Mophie iPhone 3G Battery Extender Available For Preorder, Shipping This Month
9:59PM John Herrman | Mophie’s wraparound battery extenders for the first iPhone provided some relief to incessant browsers and movie-watchers, and they’re looking to adapt their “Juice Pack” to the even more anemic iPhone 3G. What does this pack offer that the others don’t? A mini USB port for syncing and charging and Apple’s coveted “Works With iPhone” certification, which Mophie assures us will come through soon (their 1st gen packs had it, so they’re probably telling the truth). The extenders should ship by the 30th of October, pending Apple’s final decision on the certification, but are available for preorder now at $US100. Battery life claims are below. [Mophie]
Gadgets
SanDisk Releases $US20 slotMusic Player, Dozens of SD Card Albums
8:56PM John Herrman | SanDisk’s grand plan to revolutionise the music industry: selling individual albums preloaded onto SD cards, made by them, to be played on SD card players, made by them. The concept is definitely attractive in some ways. The tracks are 320Kbps, DRM-free MP3 files, the SD cards are reusable and the screenless slotMusic players costs next to nothing. Major label albums are priced at a competitive $US15, and can be played without the need for transfer from a computer, though you can load other SD cards with up to 16GB of music and play them, too. More »
Gadgets
Stable, Sane Young Man Installs DIY RFID Implant into His Hand
8:13PM John Herrman | Some people are sick of waiting for the RFID implant controversy to play out, and at least one of those people is taking action. YouTube user Quethe has posted a video demonstrating his own RFID implantation technique, involving a terrifying pencil-size needle and a chip designed for pets, which he is using for a predictably unnerving purpose. Also — and Quethe makes this quite clear — this implant does not mean that he is the Antichrist. Phew! Mildly NSFW video and generally unhinged Millenialist ruminations after the jump. More »
Computers
New MacBooks Will Totally Tell Mum If You Take Them Swimming
7:38PM John Herrman | The new MacBook and MacBook Pro don’t just want to impress you with their fancy new fabrication techniques, unibody designs and bolstered performance: they want to make you more honest, at least when it comes to reporting water damage. According to the service manuals, the new line of MacBooks include submersion sensors, designed to indicate if the laptops have been exposed to excessive levels of moisture and/or dropped in your toilet. More »
Gadgets
