RSS Feeds
|
BR DE ES FR IT JP NL UK US
Babble
|
Defamer
|
Gizmodo
|
Kotaku
|
Lifehacker
Wired published an interesting look at the recent trend of Japanese videogame banks—essentially, a means for the thrifty gamer to save the quarters that could otherwise be lost forever to an arcade machine.
Adding to the already impressive pile of Vista-deflating features we're expecting to see in Windows 7 is WARP, a tech which will allow your PC's CPU to act as a graphics accelerator, possibly doing away with the need for integrated graphics hardware to render user interfaces and low-end games. Not-so-seductively described as a 'fully conformant software rasterizer', WARP requires nothing more than an 800MHz processor for complete—if comically slow—DX10 compliance.
Netflix streaming has been making waves with its wide, fast integration into just about anything that'll have it, and the reception has been generally positive. As has been the pattern for the last decade, Blockbuster is slightly but embarrassingly behind: according to company Chairman Jim Keyes, we'll be seeing Blockbuster's download-to-rent service in a Blu-ray player by Q1 of next year. It's not clear if this will come in the form of a firmware update for existing hardware or as part of a new player, but it'll need to be fairly ubiquitous (and probably lower its rental prices) to have a fighting chance against the 'Flix.
AU: Important to note that here in Oz where we don't get Netflix, BlockBuster is partnering with TiVo for their video on demand service which is already running in limited form and is set to expand in May next year.[RegHardware]
We've only just been getting excited about MSI's U120 3G-packing netbook, but now it looks like MSI has even more interesting machines just around the corner. Apparently due sometime in January, the U110 and U115 will run Atom Z530 chips, drawing less power than the "typical" N270 netbook processor. And they'll pack a hybrid drive system, with the OS on fast SSD and conventional HDD for user storage. Plus they'll run the Poulsbo US15W chipset instead of the usual Intel 9456G. If that's not interesting enough, there'll also be Draft-N Wi-Fi, and up to 250GB HDD for the U110. The price is unknown, though a guess around $US700 seems sensible, given the higher price of the Z520 Atom. [UMPCPortal]
The screen-based controls and rich visuals that make a device like the iPhone an attractive option for deaf users aren't of much use to the visually impaired. By employing a combination of an embossed "Moon Type" alphabet casing, a custom home screen and a screenreading app, the InVision solution could (awkardly) provide most of the core functions of the iPhone, including almost bearable browsing, text input and music navigation, to the blind.
Modding your laptop to add a touchscreen is certainly possible, though you'll need to be pretty competent with tools: with the Duo gizmo all you need to be able to do is clip it to your screen. The two-piece device has a sensor you pop on top of your monitor or laptop screen and a wireless pen sensor—in combination they can give you that tablet-PC-alike pen-control performance you may have been yearning for, though only if you're running a PC with XP or Vista. Still, it's just $US44, which isn't going to wound your wallet. [RedFerret]
Portable speakers for MP3 players are two a penny, but not many are not far off a penny in size: Landport's Cubes are though. They're just an inch cube, but fit in stereo speakers, 3.5-mm jack plug, rechargeable batteries and a mini-USB port. They'll run for 4-5 hours on a charge, too. Just don't go expecting bone-rattling volume as they pump out a similarly tiny 0.8-watts. Out soon in Japan for $US25. [Slashgear]
Even though The Simpsons has a history of satirising tech culture, and even Apple specifically, last night's episode felt like it was making up for a bit of lost time. It's not just iPods and iMacs getting reprefixed and animated: it's Apple Stores, the G4 Cube, past and present fanboys, vintage advertising and even Steve Jobs himself. Groening and co. aren't exactly breaking new ground here (though they seem to reserve most of their venom for Mr. Jobs), but there are more than a few great lines buried in the sketch. [Teencast—Thanks, Shivi]
The rumours pointed pretty firmly to it, and then some leaked specs detailed what it'd be like, but now Nikon's new pro-level D3X DSLR has arrived officially. Touting it as a 24-megapixel "Digital Masterpiece," with exceptionally low noise sensor, 5fps full-frame shooting speed and with file sizes of 138MB, Nikon's saying the camera's available now for an estimated selling price of $US8,000 for the body only. Full press release below.
Posted by Nick Broughall at 3:40 PM on December 1, 2008
With only 24 more sleeps until Christmas, I guess it makes a lot of sense for companies to start offering discounts. IceTV today joined the discount party, offering some pretty decent savings through their online store, including up to $200 off the top of the line Beyonwiz PVR with a bonus 12 month subscription to the IceTV EPG. You can also pick up a Media Center PC from $399, or save $50 on a HDTV tuner for your PC or Mac. Check out the IceTV store for all the available discounts and remember that if you order by December 15, you'll get everything delivered in time for Christmas.
[IceTV]
Posted by Nick Broughall at 1:00 PM on December 1, 2008
The "smart home" has been a part of technology folklore for nearly 30 years. Despite hundreds of companies offering a myriad of solutions to make your home completely automated and networked, all of them are too expensive to really become mainstream. But Nokia is hoping to change all that by making the central device, the central controller of your home something that you already carry around with you - your (Nokia) mobile phone.
Posted by Nick Broughall at 12:08 PM on December 1, 2008
Maybe Dell just wanted to jump on the excitement of Black Friday, or maybe they always planned on offering some pretty good deals. Either way, if you head on over to Dell's website today, you can pick up some pretty special savings, including up to $1400 off a Studio 17 desktop replacement. There are a few different laptops on offer, so if you're in the market for a Dell notebook, today's a good day to start looking.
[Dell]
Posted by Nick Broughall at 11:30 AM on December 1, 2008
Kids today have got it easy. Not only do they have mobile phones and the internet, they're now going to get a free netbook just for going to a public school. So long as they live in NSW that is, with The Australian today reporting that the NSW State government and the Federal government have kissed and made up over funding for the free laptop scheme.
Sadly, there's no mention on exactly which type of netbook years 9-12 students can expect to see come next year. They will have wireless though, and will connect to the Department of Education's network through each student's unique ID, which the Government claims will help prevent theft of the devices.
Students will also get to keep the netbook when they leave school, although you'd feel pretty bummed if you were in year 9 next year and you had to keep the same, 3-year-old netbook heading into uni... Those things aren't that powerful to begin with, let alone 3-years down the track...
Posted by Nick Broughall at 10:12 AM on December 1, 2008
Considering the massive success that Street View has had here in Australia (not to mention the controversy), the fact that Stuff.co.nz is reporting that Street View is likely to be launching for our Eastern neighbours across the pond tomorrow is great news. Not just because it means we can scope out our ski trips in advance, but because we like seeing any form of technology land over there in NZ.
Posted by Nick Broughall at 8:16 AM on December 1, 2008
Typical - First day of Summer and I'm sick as a dog. Hence the Vitamin C. Anyway, here's what went on over the weekend:
Inside NASA's 747 Flying Telescope
It's a plane!
How To Calibrate Your HDTV (and Not Lose Your Mind)
Wow. I'm about to search my DVD collection now.
Star Trek vs Star Wars: The Final Battle
I've never been a Star Trek fan, but this was fantastic.
Flying Aerocar Auction Shows the Future Comes From 1956
And there you have it: The world has had a "flying car" since the 1950s.
Linux for iPhone May Open the Door to Android iPhone
Go, Hackers, Go!
Calling All Wannabe Dr. Evil's: Super Secret London Tunnel Lair For Sale
If we all put in $100 bucks, we could buy it ourselves...
Crazy Guy Beats Guitar Hero 3 Using Drums
Almost certainly the best video you'll see today.
By allowing its snooty customers to manipulate the snooty Microsoft Surface interface with their snooty fingers, BMW has officially become the first car maker to offer the touchscreen tech to a worldwide car-buying audience. Impressed? Me neither, but that's just because I'm a low-paid writer who's insanely jealous of anyone driving a car that's hotter than my 2006 Mercury Milan. So, basically everyone.
Is this tire really the "Holy Grail of Eco-Transportation," as Treehugger believes? Maybe. Time will tell if the electric engine inside the Active Wheel from Michelin will catch on and further drive down the cost of electric vehicles. For now, let's delve deep into this tire-motor combo, and you can decide for yourself if it has what it takes to kill the gas-guzzling combustion engine for good.
The global recession has sparked riots at the Nerf factory in Dongguan, South China, but there are as-of-yet no reports of any Vulcan GF-25 cannon discharges. In fact, no foam weaponry of any kind was brandished during the tussle, which came to a head following layoffs and unpaid wages.
We figure this RC Black Widow Spider is good for maybe one, possibly two, good scares before a skittish family member offs it with a well-placed slipper to the head. But until then, you'll have seconds or minutes of fun making this hairy little abomination scurry around the family room on its eight little legs. Requires six AA batteries, one 9-volt battery, about $US36, and a forgiving family that doesn't instinctively squash something that resembles one of the deadliest spiders on the planet. [Play.com via Technabob]
I was overcome with nostalgic joy this fine afternoon when I first laid eyes on these M.U.S.C.L.E Men USB dongles (short for Millions of Unusual Small Creatures Lurking Everywhere). The memories! These fleshy pink rubber men, featuring unforgettable names like Muscle Man, Mr. Blocky and Mr. Tea (teacup for a head, duh!), were a staple of my youth. Too bad those fond memories were quickly sullied by the obscene humping end of these USB dongles. Why the Japanese took something as sacred as Kinniukman and turned him into something like this, I'll never know. All I can say is "only in Japan," and then order ten for my desktop. [Geek Stuff For You via Boing Boing Gadgets]
For some, the all-seeing CCTV camera is a bit off putting. Its uncaring eye records all, making even a simple trip to the ATM an adventure in privacy rights for our more conservative-minded citizens. In Japan, they understand this, and in typical Japanese fashion they've started hiding surveillance cameras in "friendly" Daruma wish dolls to lessen the blow.
While many people use the shopping bonanza Black Friday (now deadly, btw) to secure new clothes as gifts for loved ones, I use it as an excuse to buy new pants because my old ones don't fit after Thanksgiving dinner. Thankfully, I won't have to do that anymore, because the Waistband Stretcher removes that task and all other vestiges of personal accountability from the equation forever.
Last Sunday we were writing about amazing underground diving rigs in the heart of New York City. It seems only fair that we jump across the pond this Sunday and write about a mile-long super secret tunnel lair below London that's currently for sale, don't you think? Asking price: A cool $US7.4 million. It sounds a bit much for an empty stretch of nothingness deep below the British streets, but wait until you hear about the history. Oh, the history!
Not even wacky Chinese farmers are immune to the unstable economic climate, it seems, as our old friend Mr. Woo was recently forced to sell off some of his robot creations to make some extra scratch. This news is especially sad when we consider the fact that Woo, who has built 26 robots over the past 30 years, considers each of them his sons. "They are all my sons, so they must bear my surname," he said. There was no word on which of his sons went on the auction block, so we hope it is not Wu No. 25 (pictured), the son Wu loves best.
