Software

iPhone Firmware 2.2 Jailbroken! QuickPwn 2.2 Released!

Posted by Gizmodo US Edition at 11:00 AM on November 23, 2008

Once again, anything Apple can make, the enterprising Dev Team can break: the brand-new firmware 2.2 has been jailbroken. QuickPwn should take care of everything, unless you're one of those unfortunate owners of the second-generation iPod touch, in which case you're out of luck at the moment. But everything else seems to be running fine—anybody here broken the new firmware yet? Let us know in the comments. [iPhone Dev, thanks Mehmet!]


Read More »

Online

Live in Air: 10 Things You Need To Know About In Flight Wi-Fi

Posted by Brian Lam at 10:30 AM on November 23, 2008

I'm live from Virgin America's Beta run of their Wi-Fi service, over San Francisco, and there are a few things you should know about how its going to work when most airlines go live in 2009. And yes, I am posting this live from 15k feet over the Pacific Ocean.


Read More »

Computers

Dell Studio XPS (Featuring Core i7) Reviewed: Kicks Arse, Saves Cash

Posted by Gizmodo US Edition at 10:00 AM on November 23, 2008

Most of the new desktops featuring Intel's impressive Core i7 processor are straight-up gaming powerhouses, with pricetags to match. That's why I'm so pleased to see a glowing review of Dell's Studio XPS, which starts at a very affordable $US950. DesktopReview took it for a spin and found that, despite one or two small problems, the Studio XPS is lightning fast and a great deal.


Read More »

Cameras

Video Game 'O Faces' Captured with RED Camera

Posted by Gizmodo US Edition at 9:00 AM on November 23, 2008

British photographer Robbie Cooper used stills from the video taken by his RED camera to show that look of total concentration achieved by kids as they play some particularly absorbing video games, including Grand Theft Auto IV and Call of Duty 4.


Read More »

Peripherals

The Pentagon Bans USB Flash Drives: Will There Be a Floppy Disk Comeback?

Posted by Gizmodo US Edition at 7:30 AM on November 23, 2008

AP reports that the Department of Defence has, at least for the time being, banned USB flash drives and is collecting all Pentagon-owned drives from the entire department. The Pentagon hasn't issued an official statement, but a spokesman did say that they are dealing with a "global virus" that affects such external storage. Apparently, Department of Defence lackeys are being told that they may not get their drives back, and no information has been given regarding the length of the ban. A list of items now banned from the Pentagon after the jump.


Read More »

Design

Art Lebedev Tackles the Traffic Light: Square is the New Circle

Posted by Gizmodo US Edition at 6:45 AM on November 23, 2008

Ol' Art Lebedev is a favourite around here. The guy is a brilliant designer, even if his ideas usually seem to get sidetracked or delayed somehow. His studio just introduced its Luxofor prototype, a traffic light replacement that uses very bright diodes for increased visibility. The new square design makes more efficient use of the available space, and can display more detailed signals. Just a concept for now, but the Luxofor is pretty, practical, and logical, so it has just as much of a chance as any of Art's designs to become real. [Electronista]


Read More »

Phones

BlackBerry Storm's Shipping Delay: Blame the Firmware

Posted by Gizmodo US Edition at 6:00 AM on November 23, 2008

Orders of the BlackBerry Storm online have been delayed, and according to some detective work from the Boy Genius Report, it's not due to intense demand. The Storm that BGR got to toy around with was loaded with the OS firmware 4.7.0.82, yet all the Storms being sold now are branded .65. What gives?


Read More »

Software

Google Chrome to Snag Default Browser Spot from IE?

Posted by Gizmodo US Edition at 5:15 AM on November 23, 2008

Google's vice president, Sundar Pichai, noted to The Times that after Chrome exits beta in January 2009, Google will begin an aggressive push to boost the browser's marketshare. More interestingly, he said that Google is exploring new ways to make Chrome more ubiquitous, and that they'll "probably do distribution deals" with OEMs, or original equipment manufacturers. This might mean that Internet Explorer finally has some competition out of the gate.


Read More »

Entertainment

The Story of the Great Philadelphia Hot Dog Launcher

Posted by Gizmodo US Edition at 4:30 AM on November 23, 2008

Hot dog maker Hatfield constructed a hot dog launcher with the help of the Philly Phanatic, famous weirdo mascot of the Philadelphia Phillies, for use during Phillies games. And now, in a fit of boredom and comedic inspiration, they've released a "documentary" detailing the making of the launcher. It's absolutely hilarious, and I'm not saying that just because I'm Gizmodo's token Pennsylvanian.


Read More »

Phones

Giz Tip: Don't Hire A Hit Man via Text Message

Posted by Gizmodo US Edition at 3:00 AM on November 23, 2008

Oklahoma native and rebellious speller Tonia Mullins, in a spectacular act of self-incrimination, used text messages to contact a hit man to "take care" of her lover's wife. Mullins conspired with her beau, Army soldier Michael Andrew Crawford, to have the poor Mrs. Crawford killed and her insurance money used to buy Mullins and her beau a nice house. Thankfully, Mullins was far too stupid to actually hurt anybody, and the text messages are absolutely priceless.


Read More »