Monday, May 4, 2009
Phones
The Real Reason Text Messages Are 160 Characters
11:50PM Matt Buchanan | I always thought text messages were limited to 160 measly characters because of some archaic pre-1970s technical standard. But apparently, it’s because some German dude thought 160 was “perfectly sufficient.” More »
Science
Get Me Off This Rock
11:30PM Jesus Diaz | This week we are going where only a handful of humans have gone before. Then we are blasting off further out, to infinity and beyond. This week Gizmodo is going to space. More »
Cameras
The USB Borescope Is an Essential Tool in Any Self-Surgery Kit
11:13PM Mark Wilson | Borescopes are extremely handy devices. These flexible video tubes are perfect for exploring the tight confines of your PC motherboard or that pesky, always-stuffed left nasal passage*. More »
Games
I Would Wear an Xbox 360 Dress, So What?
10:40PM Mark Wilson | If you’re in Japan and trying to decide between the Xbox 360 and PS3, maybe you should take a look at these reading materials first…including an anime girl wearing a desperately revealing Xbox 360 dress. More »
Gadgets
Envirobank Reverse Vending Machines Quench Guilt, Not Thirst
10:20PM John Herrman | I’ve always been comfortable with humans’ relationship with vending machines: we feed them money, they feed us high-fructose corn syrup, everyone’s happy. Envirobank wants to upset this age-old ritual with their “reverse vending machines“. More »
Software
Trent Reznor On App Store Hypocrisy, Mobile OSes
9:24PM John Herrman | The technologically-inclined NIN frontman is notoriously vocal about tech, media and censorship issues, but Apple’s recent rejection of his iPhone app really sent Trent Reznor over the edge, and onto his forums. More »
Gadgets
Confirmed: Jumbo Kindle Announcement Scheduled for May 6th
9:02PM John Herrman | The NYT’s report about a new, big-screened Kindle has just been given a huge cred injection: Amazon has sent around invites for an event on this coming Wednesday. More »
Random Stuff
A Tour of McDonald’s Horrifying Mechanized Meat Factories
7:36PM John Herrman | If you’re curious about large-scale meat-processing machinery and sanitation procedures, definitely watch this video. If you ever, ever want to eat at McDonald’s (or for that matter, beef) again, don’t.
Gadgets
NYT: Amazon Debuting Jumbo Kindle ‘As Early as This Week’ (Updated)
6:15PM John Herrman | The Kindle 2 may only be a few months old, but the New York Times reports that Amazon is set to unveil a big-screen E ink reader, designed for newspapers, magazines and textbooks. Soon! UPDATED
Entertainment
4:03PM Nick Broughall | Last week, Sony held a big media event in Sydney to showcase their latest lineup of Bravia TVs. During the presentation, a clip of Jack Ford, executive Vice President and MD of Sony Pictures Television was shown. And he hinted at the most wonderful things… More »
Australian Playstation Network Getting Movies And TV Shows Within 18 Months?
4:03PM Nick Broughall | Last week, Sony held a big media event in Sydney to showcase their latest lineup of Bravia TVs. During the presentation, a clip of Jack Ford, executive Vice President and MD of Sony Pictures Television was shown. And he hinted at the most wonderful things… More » 