Monday, November 3, 2008
Entertainment
Sony/Universal’s ‘PoP’ Machine Sells Blu-rays and PS3 Games, Not Delicious Grape Soda
11:45PM Mark Wilson | You know what sounds really good right now? An artificially flavoured fruit soda. But since we don’t have one, we’ll settle for the Sony and Universal joint venture called PoP. It’s an “entertainment vending machine” that uses a touchscreen interface to sell and dispense Blu-rays, PS3 Games, DVDs, CDs, and movie/music downloads for the various PMPs. Arriving in your favourite public spaces soon, the systems promise to launch with 150 movie titles and even run occasional sales. So who knows, they could actually be worth using. Hit up the link for a video of the interface. [Stuff Clip and Story via Kotaku] More »
Gadgets
Amazon Promises Frustration-Free Packaging: Dentists, Scissor-Makers Dismayed
11:30PM Kit Eaton | I’m 100% certain I’m not alone when I say I hate gadget packaging—specifically the armoured transparent stuff that they clamshell-wrap electronic gizmos in nowadays. But an unexpected guardian angel has arrived to ease our packing woes: Amazon has just launched its “Frustration-Free Packaging” initiative. I think they should call it the “don’t rip out your teeth/stab your fingers with scissors as you struggle with plastic” initiative, but I get the point. More »
Phones
Verizon Forces $US30 Minimum Data Plans on New Smartphones
11:15PM Matt Buchanan | Verizon’s data plans are about to get a lot more…aggressive. According to a leaked memo, starting Nov. 14, all new smartphones will require at least a $US30 a month data plan—no more pay as you go, 1X block or 10MB/$US25 data plans. People with those plans won’t be forced into the new scheme, but if you swap out your phone or re-up your contract, you know the drill. It’s actually comparable pricewise to AT&T, so it’s not so horrible. But the other half of the new data pricing scheme is. More »
Hardware
Asus Vento PC Cases Stack Thin and Fold Out
11:00PM Mark Wilson | Asus has a pretty good idea with their new Vento line of PC cases. The F11 (black) and F12 (silver) simply fold out for assembly without any tools. While some may say that a preassembled chassis is still more convenient, the Vento design cuts down on shipping costs by 30%. That’s great for the environment, but it’s even better for squeezing boxed PC components into your backseat. Plus, we love the insta-PC aspect of design, even if it’s hollow when assembled. Read on for bay specs. More »
Business
Panasonic Buys Up Sanyo, Makes Japan’s Biggest Electronics Co
10:40PM Kit Eaton | It’s been tentative for a while, but the Nikkei is reporting that Panasonic and Sanyo have come to an agreement, and Pansonic’s buying up Sanyo. The actual act should be completed by April next year, and will result in one mega-corporation with revenues over ¥11.2 trillion (around $US110 billion)—sounds like enough money to build quite a few mega-robots, or at least several mega-TVs. As part of what will be Japan’s biggest electronics company, Sanyo won’t be disappearing as a brand though, and Panasonic apparently intends to retain most of Sanyo’s employees. [Bloomberg] More »
Gadgets
Victor Mouse Trap Is Really an Electrocution Dungeon
10:20PM Mark Wilson | Just listen to this announcer. Have you ever heard someone so happy, nay, spiritually fulfilled over rodent control? We’re pretty sure he was paid to do this voice over for the Victor Multi-Kill Electronic Mouse Trap, a $US100 mini chamber that electrocutes 150 mice per set of batteries, but we’re also pretty sure that the announcer turned around with his paycheck from the spot and picked up a unit for himself. Maybe he was just sick and tired of eating his mice sandwiches cold, which is fair. [Victor] More »
GPS
Navigon’s New 5100 Max, 2090S GPS Units Get 2 Years of Free Map Updates
10:00PM Kit Eaton | Navigon’s just popped out a pair of new GPS units: the 5100 max and 2090S. Both these navigation aids are coming with a FreshMaps package in the purchase price—that means eight free map updates over a two-year period, and no excuse for getting lost because the roads have been re-designed since you last updated your GPS maps (like I never do, since it costs me). The big 5100 max has a 4.3-inch widescreen and has free real-time Traffic Updates for life, while the smaller 2090s has a conventional 3.5-inch display and more basic functionality. Both however use Navigon’s Lane Assistant Pro and Reality View technology for better lane awareness at junctions, and the units are exclusively on sale at Radioshack for $US200 and $US300. Press release below. More »
Cameras
RED Teases Nov 13th Announcement With Cryptic Renders, More Hyperbole
9:24PM John Herrman | RED CEO Jim Jannard is either an incredible visionary or prone to serial exaggeration. Just yesterday, he deigned to visit the RED forums, promising that “[RED is] doing things we never thought possible… When we do post, it will be very obvious why we needed a bit more time to ’spill the beans’.” As a teaser, he decided to spill two of those beans early, in the form of vague, zoomed-in renders of RED’s new HIV-curing, hunger-ending, climate-stabilising übercamera. More »
Phones
Motorola Zine ZN5 5-Megapixel Cameraphone Hits T-Mobile for $US99
9:13PM Kit Eaton | Motorola’s ZN5 cameraphone’s just hit T-mobile today, and we’re impressed: the 5-megapixel cam phone is going for as little as $US99. That’s on a 2-year contract, but it’s still pretty impressive given that the phone’s quad-band, with Wi-Fi, stereo Bluetooth, FM radio and a “proper” xenon flash unit built in. Is this another hint that Motorola may be able to claw its way out of the miry pit? Only time will tell. [BGR] More »
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