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I Made a Coitus Reference to FoxNews.com, and They Quoted Me [Media]

Posted: January 29th, 2010, 11:57am EST by Wilson Rothman

FoxNew.com tech editor Jeremy Kaplan asked me if I think Apple's lost its mojo. I responded using a metaphor pertaining to intercourse, particularly that moment after the fact, and he went with it. Hey, it was a good metaphor! [FoxNews.com]

Which iPad 3G Data Plan Should You Buy? [Apple]

Posted: January 29th, 2010, 11:53am EST by The Business Insider

When Apple's iPad 3G ships in April, U.S. wireless partner AT&T will offer two data plans for the gadget, with different costs and monthly download allotments.

Specifically, AT&T will offer a $14.99 monthly plan that allows for 250 MB of data consumed, and a $29.99 monthly plan that allows for unlimited Internet consumption.

Which should you buy? That depends on how you'll be using the device on a 3G network, of course. (We think most people will buy the cheaper iPad without 3G service, but many will buy the 3G model, too.)

For an idea of what the cheaper plan offers, here's what 250 MB translates to:

* About 35 minutes of YouTube video at standard-definition
* OR about 8-10 minutes of YouTube or iTunes video at 720p hi-definition
* OR about 70 songs from iTunes
* OR a few thousand Web pages and typical email usage
* OR more than 4,000 Facebook photos

So, if you think a month's worth of 3G access looks like this, then you should be fine with the 250 MB plan:

* Browsing a few dozen Web pages a day and typical email usage (without downloading big attachments)
* Looking at a few dozen Facebook photos a day
* Watching a few minutes of YouTube video a week
* Downloading a few songs and podcasts from iTunes per month
* Downloading a few small iPhone or iPad apps per month, light app usage

If you think you'll be using more bandwidth than that over 3G, you may consider the $29.99 plan. Remember that you can cancel anytime, change plans on a monthly basis, or turn service off and on, because there is no contract. (And no "activation fee" was disclosed during Steve Jobs' presentation.)

Remember, using the iPad in a wi-fi zone doesn't count toward this limit. So if you're going to be using the iPad primarily at home—the best use case—or at the office, or anywhere there's wi-fi, you won't need to worry about hitting the 250 MB cap. AT&T is also including free access to its wi-fi networks in its 3G plans, which includes Starbucks locations.

What happens if you go over 250 MB? Will AT&T stick you with unreasonable overage charges?

The company won't say.

But our hunch, because this is prepaid service — no contract or credit check required — is that once your 250 MB are up, AT&T's network meter will simply require you to upgrade to the $29.99 plan to continue using the Internet.

This seems the more consumer-friendly, responsible thing to do, and eliminates AT&T's risk of offering you credit. But AT&T refuses to immediately give more information than what Jobs said in his presentation. So we can't be sure.

Monopoly Boards Are Circular Now. Circular! [Board Games]

Posted: January 29th, 2010, 11:40am EST by John Herrman

For its 75th anniversary, Monopoly's getting a massive update, pitting brazen and new against proven and old: Circular board or quadrilateral? Cash currency or fake credit cards? This is the stuff of ruined relationships.

In the monopoly wars, I'm imagining there will be two camps, not four. there will be people who are OK with the circular board and the switch to digital currency, and people who are fine with neither—the purists and the pragmatists. There will be a middle ground in this fight, but it will be drenched in blood.

I think I might be one of the purists. I get that the new design makes a bit more sense, and that giving players credit cards is less trouble than managing a bank full of cash. But you know what would be even less trouble? A video game.

Monopoly Revolution will be out in Fall, for $35. And don't worry—you'll still be able to find old-style boards, too.

The Faulty iMac Saga, Chapter 3: We Have Your Internal Memo, Apple [Broken]

Posted: January 29th, 2010, 11:00am EST by Mark Wilson

While Apple released the iPad this week, we scored their internal work order admitting the iMac's yellow screen problem, and one of our readers may have figured out how to fix it.

Can You Safely Buy a New iMac Yet?

Nope.

Why?

In the last week, ten readers have reported receiving yellow screened iMacs—the majority of whom are on their third system. Both the yellow/flickering screens have yet to be fixed.

What's Being Done?

We've seen two very interesting developments since the last iMac update. First, Apple delayed shipments on new 27-inch iMacs (but not 21-inch models) for three weeks in what we can only assume is an attempt to fix any manufacturing/shipping issues. Meanwhile, they're addressing the flickering problem, again, with a second patch that's coincidentally arriving in "roughly three weeks" itself.

The Leak!

Here's Apple's internal guide on the jaundiced screen problem. Obviously, they've noticed customer complaints, no matter what customer service might tell you.
(click to enlarge)

The main points you should take away from this memo are that Apple knows about the problem but wants you to ignore it, they're choosing to replace screen components rather than complete iMacs (bad news for those of you who rightly desire a purely new product off the line), and again, Apple seems to be arranging a fix in 3 weeks time that I'm guessing correlates with the main 27-inch iMac delay. Oddly enough, Apple makes no mention of 21-inch systems having yellow screens, even though problems have been reported (albeit not as often).

What Could Be Wrong?

The same reader who tested the color temperatures of his yellow iMac display last week—and coincidentally fixed his jaundiced iMac without knowing how he did it—thinks he may have figured out the issue:

I now am fairly certain that the yellowing of the display is a manufacturing defect involving the distance between a layer of material used to diffuse the LED backlight and the LCD panel. To show a perfectly even color, this light scattering panel has to be absolutely flat and free of any warping, kinking, or thickness defects. It is this layer that I believe is at fault, and causes the color to drift and give the perception of yellow stripes, fields, and corners.

This would be absolutely consistent with the reports of horizontal and vertical stripes (a vertical or horizontal kink) or corners (a bad tuck). I believe these defects may not appear in the factory. Rather, with the rough handling the monitors receive when shipped this layer gets knocked out of alignment.

I don't know what Apple could do to solve this problem, other than a wholesale change of manufacturer for the panels, or a complete redesign of the panels themselves to better pin the diffusion layer.

It also explains why my careful assembly and dis-assembly resulted in the yellowing disappearing. By being cautious, I basically returned the monitors to the original factory state of perfect alignment.

If anyone wants to test this theory on their own machine, let us know how it went at submissions@gizmodo.com. Just use caution, as I've heard cracking your case this deep may void your warranty.

Quote of the Week, Apple Apologist Edition

"Running a business is difficult."

How Can you Test Your Machine?

A flickering screen will be immediately obvious. As for issues where the bottom half of the screen looks a bit yellow, you can confirm those suspicions here.

Keep those updates coming to submissions@gizmodo.com. I urge you all to tweet this story to get the word out. The louder everyone complains, the less iMacs Apple will sell and the more likely this saga will have a happy reasonable ending.

And maybe, just maybe, Apple will choose to test their new products on someone other than their customers next time.

Nokia/Apple Lawsuit Turns Ugly With Nokia Sniping At Apple's "Largest Mobile Devices Company" Claim [Lawsuits]

Posted: January 29th, 2010, 10:57am EST by Kat Hannaford

Any chance the UN has a spare helicopter on a day Stephen Fry is free? Someone needs to fly him into this Nokia/Apple WARZONE and provide both sides with a box of tissues, cup of tea and a comforting hug.

Still, I can definitely see why Nokia's got their panties in a twist after Steve Jobs smugly boasted they were the world's "largest mobile devices company" on Wednesday, following their patent infringement lawsuit which has both companies countersuing each other.

Mark Squires, the head of social media for Nokia, wrote on the company blog that:

"sometimes there are articles floating around on the sphere that get my blood pressure rising to what my doctor is prone to call an ‘unreasonable level for a man of your years/weight/physical condition'. Reading coverage of one of our competitor's much hyped web pad event this week, I was surprised to see that, by revenue, they were claiming in their leader's keynote to be "the largest mobile devices company in the world."

Promising a true "apples-to-apples comparison", Squires snarked:

"The difference between the two companies is even larger if you use the more common measure: the number of devices sold. By that comparison, Nokia has been the largest mobile devices company in the world for a dozen consecutive years."

Before I get too schoolmarm-ish on the two companies, I do hope Apple at least responds to that. [Nokia Conversations via Mobile-Ent]

200-Meter-Long Superyacht Makes All Billionaires' Existing Yachts Look Merely Clitoral [Emocean]

Posted: January 29th, 2010, 10:40am EST by AddyDugdale

Ain't it always the way? Just when you think you're the owner of the world's biggest yacht, an even larger one appears out of nowhere? (Well, I say nowhere, I really mean Belgium, where boat designers Emocean hail from.)

At 656 ft - 99 ft longer than Roman Abramovich's dinghy - the uberyacht will have a drive-in garage, a pair of 98-ft day boats, a helipad, a hanger, a 30-meter swimming pool, nightclub, casino, games room, a two-level cinema, three beach clubs and a health spa. There are 10 VIP rooms, 22 guest suites and a private deck for the owner.

The floating turd - just look at the color of that thing - houses 45 passengers and 70 crew and bobs along at an impressive 28 knots. Range is 6,500 nautical miles. And is it just me, or do those long gunslits/porthole-y things spell out Ha Ha Ha? Ha. [James Spotting]

A Message About the Apple iPad, From the iPhone [Humor]

Posted: January 29th, 2010, 10:00am EST by Adam Frucci

Our friend the iPhone is back, and he's got some opinions about the iPad and the various complains people have about it. Look out, kids! He's got a pretty foul mouth.

Retro Thing's Transparent USB Joystick Is Hackable and Cheap [Gaming]

Posted: January 29th, 2010, 9:59am EST by Kat Hannaford

This isn't just the Atari joystick equivalent of the transparent Gameboy, which had no added features except for special see-throughness. This joystick is actually hackable, and can connect up to eight other controllers through the labeled solder points.

Retro Thing's joystick lights up blue when plugged into a USB port, and is compatible with Atari, Amiga and Commodore emulators. Bundled with the joystick is a CD with over 80 suitably-retro games, and the Stella Atari 2600 emulator. It's only $29.95 too—or $44.95 with a retro t-shirt thrown in for good measure. [Reflex Audio via Retro Thing via Make]

Yeah, AT&T Is Requiring Messaging Plans With Feature Phones [At&t]

Posted: January 29th, 2010, 9:56am EST by Boy Genius Report

After we whispered that AT&T might be requiring messaging plans when you purchase select feature phones, we were hit up by a flood of connects. Long story short, it's true, and here's the break down:

• Phones that require a messaging plan at time of purchase include: Pantech Reveal, Pantech Impact, Motorola Karma, Samsung Flight, Samsung Impression, Samsung Magnet, Samsung Solstice, Samsung Mythic, Samsung Propel, LG Xenon, LG Neon, and the LG Vu.
• It looks like the minimum monthly cost when buying a "Quick Messaging" phone is around $20. That's a $5 200 SMS/MMS plan and a $15/month unlimited data plan. It doesn't look like you can walk out of the door without paying less than $20/mo in features in addition to your voice plan.
• There are slightly different requirements if you have a family plan, so check those out in detail with your AT&T liaison.
• If you have an existing "Quick Messaging" device, you don't have to do a thing. But, if you want to ever upgrade to a new device, you'd then be hit with the messaging feature requirement.

Not exactly the best news for those looking to keep their wireless bill pretty low (and straight forward). Catherine Zeta Jones, where you at?

Thanks, to all our connects that broke this down for us!

BGR features the latest tech news, mobile-related content and of course, exclusive scoops.

Nexus Ones Plagued By Strange, Nationwide Data Outage [Nexus One]

Posted: January 29th, 2010, 9:36am EST by John Herrman

Tips are streaming in about the Nexus One's data problems. No, not those data problems! This is new, and it's leaving virtually all Nexus Ones without any data coverage at all. What gives?

It's hard to say. Tipster Roberto says he's been in touch with T-Mobile, and got a reassuring, if not particularly explanatory, response:

I just got off the phone with T-Mobile who transferred me over to HTC Technical Support because I was not receiving data on my phone, opening the Android Browser indicated I needed to contact T-Mobile and add a DataConnect Plan in order to receive data on my phone.

T-Mobile check everything on my account & appeared ok then transferred me to HTC Technical Support who indicated there currently is a problem with most Nexus One devices connecting to Data Services on the T-Mobile Network and they hope to have it fixed sometime this morning.

Frustrating to say the least!

This seems to be the common experience: The prompt to buy a new data plan, the call to T-Mobile, the transfer to HTC support, then the claim that everything will be fixed soon. Some users are reporting HTC reps saying all HTC devices are having issues on T-Mobile, but the evidence—the growing thread of reports from users—doesn't seem to bear that out. This looks like a Nexus One problem, and a strange one: Without a carrier fault or software update, why would a phone just stop working?

I'll let you know when the dust settles—throw your theories in the comments. —Thanks, tipsters!

First Render of Richard Branson's Underwater Plane [Richard Branson]

Posted: January 29th, 2010, 9:15am EST by AddyDugdale

A few days before Crimbo last year, Blam posted on the news that Virgin boss Richard Branson was getting into deep water. Well, we've now got a render of the hydrobatic Necker Nymph, as it's been named.

The billionaire is taking delivery of the carbon-fiber underwater plane on February 20, and it will be available to guests at his luxury Necker Island resort. Sub, underwater plane, call it what you will, the Nymph uses fighter jet technology (pew pew) and is piloted with a joystick.

Although Branson has said that the carbon-fiber underwater plane would be able to go down to 35,000 feet, the $670,000 submersible can, for now, only dive to 130 feet. Yeah, well so can I, Richard - the only difference being, as far as I can see, is that I'm not a virgin. [Daily Mail]

Steve Jobs Gets Candid on iPad, Kindle, and Love Battery Life [Apple]

Posted: January 29th, 2010, 8:44am EST by Brian Barrett

Walt Mossberg was able to get a moment with Steve Jobs immediately after Wednesday's iPad event, and scored some great unscripted commentary from the Apple honcho on the iPad and its competition.

The interview portion starts at 1:55. Most impressive to me is how dismissive jobs is of the only clear advantages Kindle has right now. 10 hours of battery life versus a week on Kindle? Ptttthhhhppptt. "You're not going to read for 10 hours." And yes, he is talking to you, specifically. Kindle books currently priced five dollars less than iBooks? HA! "The prices will be the same," although what that price will be and how that gap will be closed remain a mystery. But it's been decreed, so there you go.

My other favorite part is Jobs encouraging Mossberg to write his review on a tablet, which is something we knew would happen, and which would also likely take months to accomplish. [All Things D]

Slate Showdown: iPad vs. HP Slate vs. JooJoo vs. the Android Tablets [Tablet Fight]

Posted: January 29th, 2010, 8:00am EST by Dan Nosowitz

Everybody's talking about tablets, especially those single-pane capacitive touchscreen ones more specifically known as "slates." The iPad is the biggest newsmaker, but there are lots headed our way (most with built-in webcams). Here's how they measure up, spec-wise:

Click on the image to view it larger

As you can see, they have different strengths and weaknesses, some of which will become more clear in the coming months as we learn more about each tablet. (That Dell Mini 5 is especially inscrutable right now.)

The iPad has the most storage, cheap 3G, the time-tested iPhone OS and its mountain of apps, and a serious amount of Apple marketing juice behind it. But it's also famously lacking features common to the other tablets, such as webcam and multitasking. The Notion Ink Adam is perhaps the most interesting of the bunch, with its dual-function transflective screen from Pixel Qi: It can be either a normal LCD or, with the flick of a switch, an easy-on-the-eyes reflective LCD that resembles e-ink. Its hardware is also surprisingly impressive—but it remains to be seen if Android is really the right OS for a 10-inch tablet.

The Dell Mini 5 and forthcoming Android edition of the Archos 7 tablet are two of a kind, almost oversized smartphones in their feature sets. Is an extra two or three inches of screen real estate worth the consequent decrease in pocketability? Perhaps not. And finally, there's the maligned JooJoo, formerly the CrunchPad, a bit of an oddball as the only web-only device in the bunch. It doesn't really have apps, can't multitask, and pretty much confines you to an albeit fancy browser, sort of like Chrome OS will. The JooJoo is also the only tablet here to have no demonstrated way to read ebooks.

Data Sources:
Apple iPad: [Gizmodo]
HP Slate: [Gizmodo, GDGT; Tipster]
Fusion Garage JooJoo: [Gizmodo]
Notion Ink Adam: [Slashgear]
Dell Mini 5: [Gizmodo, Gizmodo]
Archos 7 Android: [DanceWithShadows, Gizmodo]

A quick word about "slates" vs. "tablets": These are tablets, and it's a word we prefer. The sad fact is, it's overused. There's no way to say "tablet" without including every godawful stylus-based convertible laptop built since 2002. (Thank you, Bill Gates!) And even the new touchscreen tablets come in single-pane and keyboard-equipped laptop styles. So "slate," good or bad, is the more apt term.

Intel and AMD Six-Core Processor Roadmaps Leaked [Rumor]

Posted: January 29th, 2010, 7:43am EST by Brian Barrett

According to DigiTimes, we'll be seeing both AMD Thuban and Intel Gulftown six-core desktop processors hitting in just a few short months.

It's all from anonymous sources, but at least on the Intel side the information matches up with what we've seen previously. Gulftown (aka the Core i7-980X) will apparently be available as early as this March, although at a hefty $1,000 or more per chip. Gulftown is also rumored to be the processor for the next Mac Pro, so it's encouraging to see it nearly ready to debut.

On the AMD side, you'll have to wait a little longer. According to DigiTimes, the Phenom II X6 1075T, 1055T and 1035T, all 45nm process chips, will be available in May. [DigiTimes]

Wall Of iPads Could Be Used In Libraries To Display iBooks, Just Like This Concept Rendering [Apple]

Posted: January 29th, 2010, 7:40am EST by Kat Hannaford

If only Apple had recreated its app wall from WWDC last year, but with iPads! The 300 iPads used in this concept wall from Austraian architects would cost $149,700 if it was real. Apple could've afforded it, I'm sure.

ClarkeHopkinsClarke, the Aussie architects who mocked up the above concept wall, believe it'd be the perfect installation for a library, with hundreds of different ebooks displayed. But that's not the end of this story—due to the size and weight of the iPad, we could be seeing a lot of innovative uses for them, as interactive wallpaper in clubs, teaching aides in schools, and so on. There's the small hurdle of cost, of course. [ClarkeHopkinsClarke via TUAW]

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Nokia Demos Mobile Radar Concept [Radar]

Posted: January 29th, 2010, 7:18am EST by AddyDugdale

This is what you do when your company is losing consumer confidence - come up with really spanky little ideas like this one. Nokia is researching a concept that it calls Mobile Radar. So, let's call it Mobile Radar.

As well as measuring an object's distance, speed and direction, you can adjust the volume on the cellphone's music player - even when it's in your pocket, or covered by an object. The researchers, from Aalto University, wanted to really ramp up the speed, testing it out on a bike, but apparently there was too much snow in Finland to do it. Astonishing, that. [Just Another Mobile Phone Blog]

Portable Freezer Concept is Fisher-Price Nice [Ruben Iglesias]

Posted: January 29th, 2010, 6:40am EST by AddyDugdale

This is not a kid's toy to build spatial awareness and Tengu knowledge. Rather, it's a cute idea for a portable freezer by a dude called Ruben Iglesias* that's powered by photocells in two LED lamps, working via magnetic induction.

See those two yellow things in the lid? That's you, that is. Well, maybe it's some of our readers. They contain the photocells that power the freezer, dispensing the current via magnetic induction, and double up as lamps. You can set the lights to three modes: On; Flicker; and SOS, I've eaten all the pies and am so fat I can't get off the picnic rug. Muuuuuuuum!

If you've really stuffed the freezer box (this is not a euphemism) then you'll need both of the yellow thingies to keep your scran cool. If you're a Zoe-bot and it's only half full, then you only need one of the batteries. I likey. [Yanko]

*I'm really hoping he's Julio Iglesias' nephew and this is actually a container to transport the fresh blood of virgins that his uncle needs to stay looking "young" (I mean that in the loosest possible terms, of course.)

gawkerGallery(5459473,4,'fp freezer');

The Most Heart-Wrenching Explanation Of The Mars Spirit Rover's Life Yet [Mars Spirit Rover]

Posted: January 29th, 2010, 6:40am EST by Kat Hannaford

Addy and I are both weeping dusty red-colored tears in honor of the Spirit Rover's new permanent surroundings after reading this xkcd chronicle of his poor little life. [xkcd]

Toshiba TG02 Phone Could Solve All The TG01's Problems...Or Maybe Not [Phones]

Posted: January 29th, 2010, 6:18am EST by Kat Hannaford

Toshiba's TG01 could've been such a great phone. On paper, the specs were great—it was the first phone to use a Snapdragon 1GHz processor, and the 4.1-inch screen was perfect for media playback. Yet it disappointed.

So it's with great trepidation that I write about an FCC document showing up, detailing a few rough 'n ready specs for the TG02. As you'd expect from a phone, the quad-band GSM mode will have GPS, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, though there seems to be one small omission: no 3G for the US? Things could change, but with the year's biggest phone scrum Mobile World Congress just 'round the corner, expect to see more leaks or even an actual product launch soon. [FCC via Engadget]

Nintendo President States the Obvious, Forgets About The DSi LL [Blockquote]

Posted: January 29th, 2010, 5:57am EST by Kat Hannaford

Nintendo's often-outspoken President, Satoru Iwata, speaking about the iPad. [Yahoo News]

This is So Much More Than Just a Black Box [The IT Crowd]

Posted: January 29th, 2010, 5:53am EST by AddyDugdale

It seems that The Elders Of The Internet have decided to mass-produce the Intartubez. Hurrah! [instructables via BoingBoing]

Earth's Twin is on the Cusp of Being Discovered, Says Dome-Headed Clever Guy [Kepler Spacecraft]

Posted: January 29th, 2010, 5:21am EST by AddyDugdale

Long, long ago, in a galaxy far, far away, I was a sucker for Battlestar Galactica (while these days I merely mix my sci-fi metaphors. Boldly.) Anyway, Earth's twin is due to be discovered this year - says Michael Mayor.

The exciting deed will not be done by a behemoth of a spaceship, helmed by a man with bad skin, bad glasses but still unutterably sexy, but by the Kepler spacecraft. Professor Mayor, an astronomer at Geneva University, was speaking at the Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence anniversary, at London's Royal Society. Whether there'll be a spin-off miniseries after the planet is discovered, however, remains to be seen. [Newser]

Mobiado Sticks With Rivet-Like Buttons For Classic 712ZAF Phone [Phones]

Posted: January 29th, 2010, 5:04am EST by Kat Hannaford

At least Vertu can point at its concierge service as one of the reasons its phones are so damn pricey. Mobiado can't even claim its phones are stylish.

Still, the Classic 712ZAF candybar handset is made from aluminum, stainless steel, sapphire crystal and a ceramic coating, so at least it can withstand being dropped when you're pummeled for being such an expensive jerk.

Don't expect much more than a 2.2-inch QVGA screen, A-GPS, 5.0-megapixel camera with LED flash and noise cancellation via the two microphones. It comes in six different colors—namely, black, black satin, silver, grey, blue and red, with the price not yet known. [Mobiado release pdf]

Bad, Lazy Architects Rejoice! Heat-Resistant Glue Makes Buildings a Craft Project [Architects]

Posted: January 29th, 2010, 4:38am EST by AddyDugdale

So, una buncha de architectos have inventados a heat-resistant glue for erecciones, have they? (My real Spanish is pretty damn good, I'm just playing to the gallery, you understand.) Well, why am I not surprised it's a Spanish invention?

Summers down in the Andalusian city of Seville are hot (but let me tell you this, it's bleeding brass monkeys at night between November and March) and so it's not uncommon for plazas in the center to have some form of shelter from the sun. This one above is one of the largest architectural timber structures ever built. Measuring 150 x 70 meters, Parasols, in Plaza de la Encarnación, is made of Kerto-Q (nope, me neither) polyurethane-coated timber beams. The structure is deemed unsuitable for "conventional mechanical joining methods", whatever they may be. Ergo, glue that can withstand up to 70 degrees C of heat. The august body of cleverclogs that was charged with coming up with the sticky stuff was the Fraunhofer Institute for Wood Research WKI, in Germany. Phew.

Now then, what I'm about to say is by no means revenge on this little post from earlier in the month (my ex- and I are still on good terms) but architects' glue that doesn't melt could only have been invented in Spain. I remember going to Valencia for a long weekend about five years ago and staring, open-mouthed at the exposed brickwork in the bedroom of my (admittedly cheap and nasty) holiday villa. Every third brick had a dollop of mortar on top of it, making the wall looked like it had been mapped out using silly string and a Tim Burton-designed spirit level. I stayed out all night and slept on the beach the next day. [gizmag]

BlackBerry Pearl and Curve Trackballs Being Replaced For Free At T-Mobile [BlackBerry]

Posted: January 29th, 2010, 4:19am EST by Kat Hannaford

T-Mobile is replacing the antiquated trackballs on BlackBerry's Pearl 8100 and 8120, and the Curve 8320 smartphones for free from the 15th of February, to any customers who are having problems with them. It's one of the reasons RIM moved from trackballs to optical trackpads, so if you aren't having problems yet, mark my words: you will. [TMO News via Electronista]

149 Inches of Goodness makes Mitsubishi Size Queen of OLED [Oled]

Posted: January 29th, 2010, 3:56am EST by AddyDugdale

It may be lagging three inches behind Panasonic's big telleh, but Mitsubishi's whopping great screen is OLED. Or should that be ZOLED? It was unveiled at ISE 2010, with Number 6 and Boomer dressy-likeys lending a hand.

The screen is actually made up of ten-centimeter-square panels, with a resolution of 1088 x 640p. Light output is 1500cd/m2 - that's loads brighter than your common-or-garden LCD display, meaning that it will work in brightly-lit areas indoors - CES 2011, I guess that means you. Time someone updated Chandler: "She was cute enough to make a gadget hack kick a hole in an OLED display screen." [Oled-Display.net]

Don't Even Start Considering You Have A Need For This 80-Port USB Board [USB]

Posted: January 29th, 2010, 3:40am EST by Kat Hannaford

Let's pause for a moment and consider how many gadgets we insert into the couple USB ports on our computers each week. Around five? The mind boggles as to just what Thanko was thinking when they created the 80-port board.

The worst thing is, you can't even transfer data through the 80 ports—they merely charge whatever you stick in. This could potentially work in an office, with everyone sticking their phones in, but if you've just pulled out a tape measure and are trying to see if there's enough room in your lounge for one, don't even bother. Let me spell it out for you: T-H-I-S I-S O-N-E G-A-D-G-E-T Y-O-U D-O-N'T N-E-E-D.

But you know, if I really can't convince you to step away from the "add to cart" button, it's $208.68 at Geek Stuff 4 U. [Thanko via Geek Stuff 4 U via CrunchGear]

A Virtual Jam Session [Music]

Posted: January 29th, 2010, 11:57pm EST by Rosa Golijan

We've heard songs which were gradually put together by people around the world before, but this particular one is the result of a "virtual jam session." And it's simply beautiful.

Tobacco Plants Used to Grow Cheap Solar Cells [Solar Energy]

Posted: January 29th, 2010, 11:39pm EST by Rosa Golijan

Scientists have discovered that they can coax a tobacco plant into growing temporary solar cells by injecting it with a genetically engineered virus. Freaky, but the process may provide us with cheaper synthetic photovoltaic cells once quirks are sorted out.

At a quick glance, "hacking" tobacco plants to grow these solar cells sounds like it's full of benefits:

Using live organisms to create synthetic solar cells has several advantages over traditionally made solar panels. No environmentally toxic chemicals are required to make biologically derived solar cells, unlike traditional solar cells. Growing solar cells in tobacco plants could put farmers back to work harvesting an annual crop of solar cells.

There's just one rather big catch:

[S]cientists haven't even demonstrated that the cells can turn light into electrical or chemical energy yet. But they hope to do soon.

They can grow the cells, but they can't do too much with them yet. Geez. Let's hope they get around to sorting that part out, because until that happens this will be yet another way-too-good-to-be-used-in-real-life concept. While waiting around for that to happen though, you can read more about the details of the process over at Discovery and Treehugger. [Discovery via Treehugger]

Fring iPhone App Allows Skype Calls over 3G [VoIP]

Posted: January 28th, 2010, 8:32pm EST by Rosa Golijan

Yesterday a change to the iPhone SDK allowed for VoIP over 3G and we heard about the first app which'll offer the functionality. Today another iPhone app, Fring, has begun allowing video and voice calls using Skype over 3G.

You don't need to update your version of the Fring app as it was simply a matter of Apple lifting some restrictions on its end. You can now freely make Skype calls without being connected through Wi-Fi—assuming you've got decent reception.

Still no word on when we'll get an official app from Skype though. [Fring via Pocket Lint via Engadget]

Pitch a Perfect Game on Your Console and Get $1,000,000 [Gaming]

Posted: January 28th, 2010, 8:08pm EST by Rosa Golijan

It's tough to pitch a perfect baseball game. It's supposedly even tougher to pitch a perfect videogame. Or at least so we're told by 2KSports who's offering $1 million to the first person to do it.

Apparently all you need to do aside from mastering Major League Baseball 2K10 on either an XBox 360 or PS3 is to submit recorded proof of your perfect game to 2K Sports. Their folks will then somehow verify the authenticity of your achievement and send you a check for a million if you're the first success story. It's a nice marketing gimmick, but part of me suspects that there'll be quite a few individuals who'll spend weeks attempting to perfect their virtual baseball skills. [2KSports via Neowin]

$10,000 Gun Won't Shoot Unless Near an Ugly Watch [Guns]

Posted: January 28th, 2010, 7:22pm EST by Rosa Golijan

The watch this guy's wearing was made by Armatix, the same company who designed his high-tech gun. Poor fellow can't ditch the ugly accessory though, because the $10,000 weapon won't fire without it.

Basically the gun is disarmed and a red LED lights up unless the corresponding watch is close enough to send a wireless signal. While I really don't see a high demand for it, Armatix's .22cal weapon will be shipping next month for 7,000 euro, which is just under 10k in Washingtons. The watch is probably included. [Wired]

Oh Yes, the First iPad Kickstand [Ipad]

Posted: January 28th, 2010, 6:19pm EST by matt buchanan

This is the iPad accessory I've been waiting for. The first iPad kickstand. The Scosche kickBack is made out of polycarbonate and rubber and works in portrait and landscape mode, blah blah blah. iPad. Kick. Stand. All our problems, solved.

gawkerGallery(5459191,3,'');

Oxnard, CA, – January 28, 2010 – Scosche Industries, an award-winning innovator of iPod and iPhone accessories, is proud to announce its first iPad accessory the new kickBACK. The shatterproof polycarbonate and rubber hybrid provides superior protection for the Apple's new iPad tablet. The case's patent pending locking kickstand enables both vertical and horizontal viewing and has a low angle setting for an optimal typing position. Scosche also included molded grips on the back of the kickBACK for more secure handling.

"We pride ourselves at consistently being one of the first accessories manufacturers to market with leading edge products following an iPhone, iPod, or now iPad announcement," said Kas Alves, executive vice president of Scosche Industries. "It's that ability to react quickly without sacrificing quality that has helped us develop necessary accessories like the new kickBACK."

Like all of Scosche's kickBACK cases the kickBACK ships with a screen protector and cleaning cloth. The kickBACK will ship in early-mid Spring 2010 and is the first of an entire line of accessories Scosche has planned.

[Scosche]

192 Laser Beams Combined to Form One Megajoule Laser Shot [Lasers]

Posted: January 28th, 2010, 6:00pm EST by Rosa Golijan

The folks at the national Ignition Facility decided to demonstrate fusion by focusing the energy of 192 super powerful lasers onto a tiny target. They certainly proved their concept by producing a one megajoule laser shot. Yeah, that's pretty powerful.

This demonstration is being proclaimed as a "key step towards nuclear fusion" by the National Nuclear Security Administration. After all, this is apparently the first time such a level of laser energy was reached. More experiments will occur in the summer of this year, but you can start with the pewpew jokes now. [Physorg]

Laser beam pictured is not the 1 megajoule beam, instead it's a picture by Daily Galaxy

Dell Adamo Drops Under $1000 [Dell]

Posted: January 28th, 2010, 5:20pm EST by Rosa Golijan

Dell's Adamo is a beautiful, slender machine with girly guts. But now it's coaxing you to ignore the sissy insides with its distracting new $999 base price tag.

If you prefer your Adamo more beefed up, there's always the more powerful Desire model, but that one will run you about $1800. Yikes, at least the basemodel, Admire, is now a reasonably cheap catch. [Dell via Engadget]

Remainders - The Things We Didn't Post: Eurotrip Edition [Remainders]

Posted: January 28th, 2010, 5:20pm EST by Kyle VanHemert

In today's Remainders: The Old World. We visit Michael Dell in Switzerland, showing off the Dell Mini 5. We swing by Germany, to see one baaaaad reaction to the iPad and 10,000 watts of homemade light-porn. Last stop: Russia!

It'll Be Out In a Couple Months
TechCrunch caught up with Michael Dell at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland, where Dell was sporting fingerless gloves (as well as the forthcoming Dell Mini 5). We've already seen the Android-powered Mini 5 and got to play with it a bit, so there's not too much to get excited about in this clip. But it does present us with some small pleasures. One of them being Dell's suggestion that the Mini 5 will be coming to the States in a matter of months. The other is how awkward things get when the interviewer asks what processor is inside the Mini 5. The video cuts off pretty abruptly at the end, so further awkwardness is left to the viewer's imagination. I'm cringing just thinking about it. [CrunchGear]

iMeme
If you thought Adam Frucci was hard on the iPad, wait until you see how Hitler responded to Apple's newest creation. As usual, the Fuhrer's expectations were exceedingly high and his disappointment proved inevitable. Okay, okay, there have been hundreds of these—the director of the original film himself, who finds them "hilarious," estimates he's seen 145 of them—but there is something about seeing one of modern history's greatest villains reacting to one of history's most anticipated gadgets in one of the internet's greatest meme's that just feels so right. [YouTube]

Sight For Sore Eyes
If you've ever wondered what a homemade array of nearly 200 florescent tubes totalling over 10,000 watts looks like, here's your answer: terribly, blindingly bright. Its German creators claim this Arduino-running monstrosity is part of a giant scrolling text installation that is going up in Berlin tomorrow, but I fear there's some more nefarious purpose for this awful creation. [Hack A Day]

Back In The U.S.S.R.
The richest man in all of Russia, Mikhail Prokhorov, has big plans. For one thing, he's trying to buy the New Jersey Nets. For another, he's developing a new high-tech city car, a venture detailed by the image you see to the left. The automobile will be built by Yarovit Motors, looks like a giant loaf of bread, involves iPhones, and will apparently be driven by the creepy robots from iRobot. Prokhorov hopes to sell the car for just $12,500, but something about the weird Tomorrowland aesthetic of that picture makes it hard for me to believe that this project will get off the ground. Or on the ground, as the case may be. [Luxist]

Alienware's M11x Gaming "Netbook" Will Cost $800 [Laptops]

Posted: January 28th, 2010, 5:19pm EST by John Herrman

What do you get when you mix a dedicated GPU, 50FPS Crysis gaming, A Core2Duo, an 11-inch screen, and a $800 price tag? An absurd(ly powerful) little laptop, which nobody—and apparently Alienware—is comfortable calling a netbook.

We first saw the M11x back at CES—impressions here—where we were told it'd hit the market in about a month, for under $1000 dollars. Well, a tipster sent Engadget a little bit of info scraped from the HTML of the notnetbook's official product page, which is currently holding some kind of "Guess the Price" sweepstakes:

The Alienware M11x, with over 6.5 hours of battery life and weighing under 4.5 lbs. will start at an amazing $799! Leave it to the folks at Alienware to enable truly mobile performance gaming at an affordable price.

Er, contest's still open, folks!

[Engadget]

Floppy Disk Paintings Redefine Renaissance Art [Art]

Posted: January 28th, 2010, 5:00pm EST by Kyle VanHemert

British artist Nick Gentry's paintings give long-forgotten floppy disks a new lease on life. They're still storage media, just in a much more literal sense.

At some point recently, you've probably uncovered an old box of videos, cassettes, and floppies in the basement and thought to yourself, "what am I supposed to do with these?" It turns out you just weren't thinking hard enough.

Painting on canvases comprised of 3.5" floppy disks and VHS tapes, Nick Gentry puts these bygone forms of storage to use in his art.

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To see more of his incredible work, check out the artist's website. [Nick Gentry]

Company-Wide Apple Town Hall Today to Chat About the iPad [Unconfirmed]

Posted: January 28th, 2010, 4:44pm EST by matt buchanan

Ars hears there's a company-wide internal meeting today at Apple to talk about the iPad, just like Apple had shortly after the launch of the iPhone. While you're possibly more interested in the serious chance everybody who's been at Apple for a while will walk out with their own iPad—like with the iPhone—the likely employee Q&A session will probably peel back in more detail how Apple's thinking about the iPad. Oh to be an Apple employee velcro'd to that wall. [Ars]

State of the iPad Address [Ipad]

Posted: January 28th, 2010, 4:34pm EST by Rosa Golijan

Finally! Someone took those "Slate of the Union" jokes seriously and made a ridiculous yet kinda hilarious mash-up of President Obama's State of the Union address and the iPad presentation. [Barely Political via Get Whirled]

Next Stab Proof Vests Could Be Inspired By Ocean Snails' Shells [Nature]

Posted: January 19th, 2010, 1:40pm EST by Kat Hannaford

This bad-boy-in-a-shell could be used as inspiration for body armor, according to scientists. Meet the Crysomallon Squamiferum, or 'scaly-foot gastropod.' He could end up saving your life.

Hailing from the Central Indian Ridge, the snails can ward off attacks from crabs and other menaces thanks to what its hard shell is composed of. Inside hydrothermal vents iron sulphide particles are found, and combined with a spongy middle layer it means that when something strikes it—like a mean crab's claw—it absorbs energy by allowing the shell to crack, or "microcrack" as the scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology are calling it.

The shells also offer a form of attack, as well as defense. In a small way, at least. The iron sulphide will apparently make any attacking claws blunt, by grinding them down.

Whether we'll see it on the next stab-proof vests is anyone's guess, but at least we now know to avoid these scaly-foot gastropods. I'm certainly not going to eat any when I'm next in France, anyway. [New Scientist]

The Late Night Battle Goes Sci-Fi in 48 Hilarious Ways [Photoshop Contest]

Posted: January 19th, 2010, 1:00pm EST by Adam Frucci

For this week's Photoshop Contest, I asked you to re-imagine the current Late Night battle through the lens of your favorite sci-fi movies. And wow, some of these are absolutely epic. One of our best contests yet, to be sure.

First Place—Greg Reese

Second Place—Jelani Memory

Third Place—Bobo the Teddy

gawkerGallery(5451888,45,'');

Behold! The Terrible, DVR-Proof TV Ad [TV]

Posted: January 19th, 2010, 12:53pm EST by John Herrman

Watching this ad for Grasshopper phone systems, you might not notice anything amiss. Watching this ad for Grasshopper phone system while fast forwarding, you still probably won't notice anything amiss. And that's the whole point.

The ad foils commercial-skipping DVR users by planting a brand icon—that grasshopper there—in the middle of the screen throughout the ad, and ending with a simple information panel. It looks more or less the same whether viewed at regular speed or high speed, so even if ad-skippers don't have to sit through the audio pitch, they still end up absorbing some of the ad's information, in theory. Another neat trick: By using this gimmick, Grasshopper has fooled numerous bloggers into posting about their ad. Planning on spending your commercial break browsing Giz? Ha. Grasshopper'd.

If they have the choice, people don't watch ads, and increasingly, people do have a choice. I imagine we'll see more than a handful of awkward stunts like this over the next few years, at least until traditional TV advertising falls by the wayside, replaced by something more akin to the unskippable ads we're starting to see in online video. [Adrants via Gawker]

New Candidate For Apple Tablet Name: The iPad [AppleTablet]

Posted: January 19th, 2010, 12:35pm EST by Brian Barrett

Here's what we know, from MacRumors: last July, Apple dummy corporation Slate Computing, LLC applied for a trademark for an "iPad." Similar applications have since been filed in England, Australia and Hong Kong. Also: what a terrible name.

We'd heard rumors of the iPad starting way back in August, when it appeared on a mysterious Border's survey. Since then, though, iSlate has been the frontrunner. But with some of the iPad applications being filed just this week, we may be looking at an awkwardly named tablet device indeed.

The first reactions here at Gizmodo HQ were that it sounded like anything from a feminine hygiene product to a terrible way to nickname your apartment, but it turns out MADtv beat us to the punch:

With all the lawsuits Apple's already facing, can they really stand another from a defunct late-night sketch comedy show? Guess we'll find out soon enough! [MacRumors]

Sound Generator Could Kill Humans at Ten Meters [Weapons]

Posted: January 19th, 2010, 12:30pm EST by Jesus Diaz

This seems like a harmless tube. In fact, it was harmless: Jewish farmers used the first version to scare birds from crop fields. Then, somebody converted it into a crowd dispersion mechanism. And then, they discovered it could kill.

The Thunder Generator uses mixture of liquefied petroleum, cooking gas, and air to create explosions, which in return generate shock waves capable of stunning people from 30 to 100 meters away. At that range, the weapon is absolutely harmless, making people run in panic when they feel the sonic blast hitting their bodies. However, at less than ten meters, the Thunder Generator could either cause permanent damage or kill any person.

It comes in a single-barrel configuration, but according to the manufacturer—ArmyTec—you can mount it everywhere, and combine it with other barrels to create even more powerful design. You can even mount several cannons on different places, and synchronize them so you can create a sound barrier perimeter capable of dissuading your enemies. In fact, you can even make the sonic wave to turn 90 degrees to fire around corners, all by using a curved barrel design.

I can wait these people to install a sightly-lower power version of these things in raving clubs everywhere. My bones and ears are not crushed enough. [Thunder Generator via Defense News]

MacGruber Movie Will Change Action Movies Forever [Movies]

Posted: January 19th, 2010, 12:07pm EST by Adam Frucci

I'll be honest: I'd watch Will Forte in a mullet wig for 90 minutes whether or not the trailer looked good. Luckily, it looks amazing. Screw the A-Team movie, this is the upcoming action movie I'm most excited about. [Rogue]

No iTunes Subscriptions from the Ashes of LaLa, Just Streaming Your Library from the Cloud [Rumor]

Posted: January 19th, 2010, 12:05pm EST by matt buchanan

Apple isn't going to use LaLa to launch a subscription service, a "variety of insider sources" have told the founder of MP3.com. It's exactly what we speculated: Storing your iTunes library in the cloud and access it from anywhere.

It's a bit hard to tell where his insider sources stop and his own thoughts begin, but Robertson says that the next version of iTunes will integrate one of LaLa's premiere features: scanning you entire music library, and letting you access the whole thing from the internet (it uploads any songs it doesn't already have on the service), via a "personal URL using a browser-based iTunes experience," not to mention from your iPhone.

The reason Apple didn't just build it themselves, he says, is speed. We'll probably see in September, like always with Apple and music events. [TechCrunch]

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FreeAppADay Site Promises—You Guessed It—A Free iPhone App a Day [Dealzmodo]

Posted: January 19th, 2010, 11:43am EST by John Herrman

The giveaway today is some kind of gross Zombie Pizza game, which is fine. But stick around: last month, I made off with MiniSquadron, iBlast Moki and a few more gems, for free. [FreeAppADay]

Avantgarde Lives Up To Their Name With The G2 Speakers [Speakers]

Posted: January 19th, 2010, 11:40am EST by Sean Fallon

Teac and German manufacturer Avantgarde Acoustics have teamed up to produce a line of speakers that I can only hope sound as good as they look. I'm sure they do—after all, you know the Germans always make good stuff.

The G2 line consists of three models: the Duo, Duo Omega and Uno. All three models feature a frequency range of around 170-20,000Hz for speakers and 20-350Hz for the subwoofer, but the Duo Omega is the most expensive at the equivalent of $41,592. Even if you could afford it, there is no word on whether or not the speakers will be available outside of Japan. [Avantgarde via Le Journal du Geek via Newlaunches]

The Complete iPhone v.4 Rumor Roundup [Apple]

Posted: January 19th, 2010, 11:00am EST by Adam Frucci

Yes, the Apple Tablet is coming next week! But do you know what gets me even more excited? A new version of the iPhone. But how will it be different? Let's look at the rumors.

Will it be announced on January 27th?

While the original iPhone was announced in January 2007, a full six months before it was released, the 3G was announced two months before its release and most recent version, the 3GS, was announced a mere month before its release. There's no real reason for Apple to announce a new version of the iPhone months before its release at this point, and if they really are announcing the tablet on the 27th, there's no reason to overdo it by announcing both. The only way they'd announce it next week is if it was being released much sooner than anticipated. Probability: 20%

When is it coming out?

Yes, a new iPhone will be released this year. Foxconn, Apple's main manufacturer, is rumored to have already received the order. But when, exactly, should we expect to see it?

If Apple continues along the schedule they've stuck to for the past three iterations, look for the iPhone 4 to drop this summer. The original iPhone dropped on June 29, 2007, the 3G came on July 11, 2008 and the 3GS arrived on June 19, 2009. While there have been rumors about a new iPhone showing up in April, those are sketchy at best. The good money is on late June/Early July. Probability: 95%

Will it run on a 4G wireless network?

The 3G and 3GS both run on AT&T's 3G network, with the 3GS supporting the speedier 7.2 Mbps HSDPA network. AT&T is also working on its 4G LTE network, and some people think the next-gen iPhone could run on that.

It's unlikely. 3G networks were technically available when the first iPhone was released, but Apple held off until the network was robust enough to handle a good number of people before releasing the 3G. And LTE phones are probably a good six months off still, so expect the new iPhone to continue running on the 7.2 Mbps HSDPA network.

The good news is that the network is far from running at full capacity, so as AT&T beefs it up we should see speeds increase until the v5 LTE iPhone shows up in 2011. Probability: 10%

OMG is it coming to Verizon?!

One analyst seems to think so, and he also claims Apple and Verizon are disagreeing on pricing. Unfortunately, these claims are just his assumptions and aren't based on any solid information, as is analyst's wont.

The real motivation for Apple to bring the phone to Verizon is that AT&T's serious network limitations in NYC and SF have given the iPhone's once-sterling reputation a black eye. Add to that the fact that Android is starting to encroach on Apple's hype train, and you've got the makings of a good time to expand to other networks.

However, the fact that Apple would need to make a totally new iPhone to run on Verizon's (and Sprint's, for that matter) CDMA network is a big roadblock here. It's not insurmountable, however. Verizon would have to be willing to play ball (although they've given hints of that lately), and a lot would have to be worked out.

Our guess is that this is still another year away. After all, both Verizon and AT&T are turning to LTE for their 4G networks, which would make it easier to release one LTE iPhone for both networks. And we all know how Apple likes to keep its product lines simple. Probability: 30% that it happens this year, 60% next year

What processor will it have?

The sketchy source that claimed the new iPhone would be out in April also claimed that it will feature a multi-core ARM Cortex-A9, capable of speeds over 2GHz. While the source isn't great, this part of the rumor isn't out of the realm of possibility.

Another option is Apple using chips designed by PA Semi, their in-house chip foundry. There are rumors of PA Semi chips running the forthcoming tablet, and it would make sense that Apple would go a similar route for the next iPhone. Specs are unclear, but it's safe to say that it would be a bump up from the 3GS.

How much storage will it have?

64GB, probably. Both Samsung and Toshiba have some new 64GB NAND chips that are exactly what Apple would put in an updated iPhone. And the 3GS already has 32GB, so doubling that number is a pretty obvious upgrade. Probability: 95%

What about the graphics chip?

Imagination Technologies, the company behind the iPhone 3GS's PowerVR SGX535 GPU, recently announced the next version in that line, the SGX545. It has OpenGL 3.2 and Open CL 1.0 support, runs at 200MHz, supports DirectX 10.1 and can do HD output. It seems like a natural next step for the guts of the iPhone, unless Apple wanted to keep the product line simpler by continuing to use the 3GS GPU for another year. Another GPU upgrade would allow for more visually impressive games, just not on older models. Probability: 85%

Will it have video chat?

This was strongly rumored for the 3GS, but didn't happen: a second camera on the front of the phone, allowing for mobile video chat. Jesus wants it very badly.

The main argument against this happening is that AT&T's network just couldn't handle it, which is probably true. But it could be done with a Wi-Fi-only implementation. Then again, maybe it's just one of those features that just sounds better than it actually is; the idea of holding your phone up in front of your face at arm's length seems pretty stupid to me. Probability: 30%

Potential New Features

A High-Res AMOLED Screen:

The iPhone's screen is starting to look a little dated when compared to the beauties found on the Motorola Droid and the Nexus One. The Droid's screen is 3.7 inches with a 480x854 resolution, while the Nexus One sports a particularly lovely 3.7-inch AMOLED screen with a 480x800 resolution. Compare these numbers to the iPhone, which sports a 3.5-inch LCD screen with a resolution of 320x480, and it becomes clear that a screen upgrade is inevitable.

Furthermore, Apple filed a patent for a slimmer, lighter dual-function touchscreen back in 2008. The new touchscreens feature capacitors included in the pixels of the screen, able to operate individually, eliminating the need for a touch sensor panel overlaid on the display. This would allow the screens to be manufactured more cheaply and easily while also allowing for a thinner profile.

Whether or not the new screens are AMOLEDs or Apple's new LCD technology, the chances are good that the resolution will get a bump. The trouble is that all of the apps in the App Store have been coded for a native resolution of 320x480, so a lot of work will have to be done to get those upscaled for a higher-resolution screen. That's no reason to keep a last-gen screen on a new product, however, so we think a resolution upgrade is highly likely. Probability: 90%

A Stylus:

A recently-unearthed Apple patent shows an iPhone being used with a stylus with a conductive tip. The patent was filed back in July of 2008, however, so this seems like more of an ass-covering patent than a product-defining patent. After all, Steve famously said "yuck" to styluses at the first iPhone keynote. So the chances of the new iPhone coming with a stylus are slim to none. Probability: 5%

Removable Battery:

The same flimsy source that claimed that the new iPhone will be released in April also said we should expect a removable battery. This is highly doubtful. Apple has just revamped all of its laptops to have non-user-removable batteries, why would it suddenly do an about-face with the new iPhone? Don't count on it. Probability: 5%

Touch-Sensitive Casing:

This is an interesting one. A Goldman Sachs analyst seems to think that the back of the new iPhone will be touch-sensitive, like the Magic Mouse. This would allow for gesture-based control, like scrolling, without your fat fingers blocking the screen. This one's purely speculative, but makes a certain amount of sense. Probability: 35%

Wireless N Support:

This one is pretty obvious. The newest iPod Touch already has a Broadcom BCM4329 chip inside that supports 802.11n and FM transmission, so it's natural that the next iPhone would get the same thing. A recent job posting by Apple for a Wi-Fi software engineer just adds credence to the rumor. Probability: 95%

5 Megapixel Camera:

Digitimes claims that OmniVision Technologies, the company behind the iPhone 3GS's 3.2-megapixel CMOS image sensor, has won a new contract with Apple to produce millions of 5-megapixel sensors this year. This one makes sense, as the MP count (as well as storage size) is one of the most basic ways to show that the phone's been upgraded. Probability: 95%

LED Flash:

On the one hand, the iPhone's camera could be better, especially in low light, and a flash could help with that. On the other hand, cellphone flashes are almost universally terrible and useless. Nevertheless, there's a rumor out there that Apple has ordered "tens of millions" of Philips' LumiLEDs. Probability: 60%

Push-Button Antenna:

Apple filed a patent for an antenna that pops out like a button. This looks to pretty clearly them covering their asses rather than leaking new product designs, so don't count on seeing a big, ugly antenna button popping out of the top of the new iPhone. Probability: 5%

Spongey Dock:

This is another weirdo patent, one that in all likelihood will never actually be made. Probability: 5%

A Bumpy Screen:

Yet another patent that could be for a tablet or a phone, this shows a touchscreen device with a screen that "create[s] physical bumps or dots for the user to feel when it is in keyboard mode." Interesting! But also, merely a patent, and a left-field patent at that. Probability: 5%

Zune Phone Expected in 2 Months? [Rumors]

Posted: January 19th, 2010, 10:50am EST by Mark Wilson

All of that Project Pink/Zune Phone rumor madness is back with one statement by Jefferies analyst Katherine Egbert:

"Our recent industry checks indicate Microsoft will be debuting its own phone sometime in the next two months...We expect the new phone to debut soon, at either the Feb 15-18 Mobile World Congress conference in Barcelona Spain, or possibly at CTIA in Las Vegas one month later."

Egbert believes that the Zune Phone will be birthed from a Microsoft/OEM partnership similar to what we've seen between Google and HTC with the Nexus One. She also believes the phone will feature a 5MP camera and 720P video support—neither of which are huge stretches of the imagination. [AllThingsD]

Rumor: Apple iPhone OS 4.0 Features Detailed [Iphone4.0]

Posted: January 19th, 2010, 10:27am EST by Boy Genius Report

That's right, y'all. We're back at it, and this time we've received some exclusive iPhone OS 4.0 details from one of our trusty Apple connects.

Here are some iPhone OS 4.0 features, according to our guy:

• There will be multi-touch gestures OS-wide. (Would make sense for that as the rumored OS for the iTablet is close if not the same as the iPhone)
• "A few new ways" to run applications in the background - multitasking.
• Many graphical and UI changes to make navigating through the OS easier and more efficient. We haven't had this broken down, but we can only hope for improved notifications, a refreshed homescreen, etc.
• The update will supposedly be available for only the iPhone 3G and 3GS, but will "put them ahead in the smartphone market because it will make them more like full-fledged computers" more than any other phone to date. Everyone is "really excited."
• The last piece of information is the most vague, but apparently there will be some brand new syncing ability for the contacts and calendar applications.

That's all we have for now! Who can't wait for next Wednesday?

Thanks, Lindsey!

BGR features the latest tech news, mobile-related content and of course, exclusive scoops.

Morphy Richards Intellisteam Is Steamy Hot [Kitchen]

Posted: January 19th, 2010, 10:20am EST by Mark Wilson

Amidst my personal quest for a simple steam basket, I came across a serious steamer fit for any Giz reader, the Morphy Richards Intellisteam.

Yes, that's a backlit blue LCD you see, allowing you to control three separate steaming pods, each with their own steam controls (loaded with plenty of presets that make steaming various different foods simple).

Aside from all that practicality, the Intellisteam sounds like it performs dutifully, with instant steam, a visible water gauge, auto-off when water runs out and up to 40 minutes of food warming.

Making a meal for up to 4 people, the Morphy Richards Intellisteam is available now for about $160. Oh kitchen gadgets, how I neither need nor resist you. [Morphy Richards via Appliancist]

DisplayPort 1.2 Standard Makes HDMI Look Positively Analog [Guts]

Posted: January 19th, 2010, 10:19am EST by John Herrman

The Video Electronics Standards Association has codified the standard for the next version of DisplayPort, and the small, Apple-loving HDMI competitor, and it just got a lot more interesting. Like, multiple-monitors-on-one-plug interesting.

The concept of daisy-chaining multiple monitors on one DisplayPort connection has been part of the vision all along, but version 1.2 will be the first to actually support the technology—at this stage, up to four at a time, at a resolution of 1920 x 1200. On top of that, it'll bring full HD, 120fps-per-channel 3D support, a 21.6Gbps data rate, and bi-directional USB data, meaning that anything connected to a DisplayPort 1.2 cable could serve as a high-bandwidth USB hub.

And of course, VESA's already accepted Apple's miniaturized version of the port into the DisplayPort family and audio support is still present—albeit not in Apple's variant. In other words, no, the battle isn't settled, and HDMI hasn't won—even forthcoming HDMI 1.4 hardware can't hang with the next generation of DisplayPort hardware, if anyone decides to actually make it. [PC Authority]

Milpitas, Calif., Jan. 18, 2010 — The Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) today formally unveiled the industry's most innovative and flexible digital communication interface standard for transporting display, audio and other data.

VESA's DisplayPort Version 1.2 is a comprehensive extension to the original DisplayPort standard offering many new benefits to the end user. Benefits include: double the data rate of the previous DisplayPort v1.1a standard (enabling higher performance 3D stereo displays, higher resolutions and color depths, and fastest refresh rates); multiple monitor support from a desktop or notebook computer using only one DisplayPort connector; the ability to transport USB data between a PC and Display, supporting Display USB functions such as a webcam and USB hub. DisplayPort v1.2 is backward compatible with existing DisplayPort v1.1a systems, including existing cables and the Mini DisplayPort connector.

DisplayPort v1.2 increases performance by doubling the maximum data transfer rate from 10.8 Gbps (Giga-bits-per-second) to 21.6 Gbps, greatly increasing display resolution, color depths, refresh rates, and multiple display capabilities.

DisplayPort v1.2 supports "multi-streaming" — the ability to transport multiple independent uncompressed display and audio streams over a single cable, supporting protected content and high performance applications such as 3D gaming. This enables the use of multiple monitors connected by cable in a daisy chain or hub configuration. Whereas the current Display v1.1a standard can support one 2560 x 1600 monitor at 60Hz, DisplayPort v1.2 can support two such monitors with one cable, or four 1920 x 1200 monitors. Many other combinations are possible, including multiple video sources, multiple displays (even at different resolutions) and multiple audio speakers.

Another new feature is the ability to support high-speed, bi-directional data transfer, allowing USB 2.0 or Ethernet data to be carried within a standard DisplayPort cable. For DisplayPort v1.2, the maximum data rate of this "AUX" channel has been increased from 1 Mbps (Mega-bit-per-second) to 720 Mbps, providing suitable bandwidth for USB 2.0. The DisplayPort cable can therefore support USB data to/from the display to support Display USB functions, in addition to sending the video and audio information. Standard Ethernet can also be transported in the DisplayPort cable.

DisplayPort v1.2 was designed to be compatible with existing DisplayPort systems and cables. To take advantage of the new capabilities, a PC will need to be DisplayPort v1.2 enabled, however existing standard cables can still be used, including those with the new Mini-DisplayPort connector. To achieve the 21.6 Gbps rate, the per-lane data rate is doubled from 2.7 Gbps to 5.4 Gbps, over the four lanes that exist in the standard cable. For a single display, this enables up to 3840 x 2400 resolution at 60Hz, or a 3D display (120Hz) at 2560 x 1600.

DisplayPort v1.2 also adds new audio enhancements including the following:
— Audio Copy Protection and category codes
— High definition audio formats such as Dolby MAT, DTS HD, all Blu-Ray
formats, and the DRA standard from China
— Synchronization assist between audio and video, multiple audio channels, and
multiple audio sink devices using Global Time Code (GTC)

DisplayPort v1.2 also includes improved support for Full HD 3D Stereoscopic displays:
— Life-like motion using up to 240 frames-per-second in full HD, providing 120
frames-per-second for each eye
— 3D Stereo transmission format support
Field sequential, side by side, pixel interleaved, dual interface, and stacked
— 3D Stereo display capability declaration
Mono, Stereo, 3D Glasses

"DisplayPort is a truly open, flexible, extensible multimedia interconnect standard that is ubiquitous in the PC, notebook and display markets and is rapidly gaining traction in consumer electronics applications," said Bill Lempesis, VESA's executive director. "DisplayPort Version v1.2 offers a complete set of benefits and capabilities that no other standard can provide. It is completely backward compatible with DisplayPort v1.1a and requires no new cables or other equipment, making it the standard of choice across the industry.

Music Labels Briefed On Apple Tablet Only As a "Courtesy" [AppleTablet]

Posted: January 19th, 2010, 10:14am EST by Brian Barrett

According to All Things D, we shouldn't expect the music industry to play a major—or minor—part in Apple's presumed tablet announcement next week. That's not as surprising as it may sound.

No one expects the tablet to replace your iPhone or iPod Touch, much less the Nano or Shuffle. It's not, primarily, a music player. The iSlate (or whatever it'll be called) is going to useful for the content that takes advantage of its larger screen. So think e-books, newspapers, and of course video. The iTunes LP format might find a happy home on a tablet, but it's hard to see how that would become tablet-specific.

I'm sure eventually the music industry will find a way to make more money off of tablet devices, and that Apple will happily dictate the terms and take a big chunk of whatever that turns out to be. But for now, it's a safe bet that you won't see any Sony BMG execs lurking around at the Yerba Buena Center next week. [All Things D]

Dry Yourself Out With The Complete Collection of Apple's 'Get A Mac' Adverts [Apple]

Posted: January 19th, 2010, 10:10am EST by Kat Hannaford

If you've got nothing better to do between now and the 27th of January, head over to AdWeek where all 66 TV adverts starring John Hodgman and Justin Long have been saved for posterity's sake. [AdWeek]

Rumor: Sony to Call its Motion Controller Arc? [Playstation3]

Posted: January 19th, 2010, 10:04am EST by Adam Frucci

Sony's hard at work on its new motion controller for the PS3, and a new report claims that it'll be called Arc. Arc vs Natal! Get excited! [VG247 via Electronista]

Rethink Hangers Drape Clothing From Water Bottles [Design]

Posted: January 19th, 2010, 9:40am EST by Mark Wilson

Why are so many lovely ideas absolutely destroyed by greed?

Take Rethink's extremely clever clothing hangers. They save manufacturing plastic by allowing you to beef up their structure by screwing in always-plentiful used water bottles—plus, these small hangers are portable to boot.

Simple, right? Kinda awkward in practice, sure, but A for eco-Utopian effort.

Each Rethink hanger costs $7.99.

10% goes to some sort of charity, but really, that donation is pretty much blood money. $7.99. For more plastic. Even from a small manufacturer, that pricing is ludicrous. [Rethink via stilsucht via OhGizmo!]

Guess The Apple Tablet Features, Win One For Yourself [Apple]

Posted: January 19th, 2010, 9:00am EST by Jesus Diaz

Everyone is trying to guess what the features are of the tablet that Apple may announce on Wednesday 27. What's its name? What's the OS? How big? Tell us what you think and win an Apple tablet.

Rules

Apart from the usual Gawker legalese, here's it how it works:

• You fill out the survey linked below before the Apple event, and whoever gets closest to having all the answers right is eligible to win a free Apple tablet—whatever it ends up being called—courtesy of us.

• If the final feature is not exactly like one of the answers we provided, we will pick the closest answer. If the feature is not in the answers, that question will be void, but the rest of the questions will still be valid towards winning.

• There is a reasonable chance that many people will get the correct answers. In the event that there are, all of those who made the cut will go into a drawing, from which we'll pick a winner at random.

Click here to complete the survey of features. The winner gets an Apple tablet.

Your name and email will only be used to contact you in case you win the tablet.

Here are my guesses:

Name
I think they will call it iBook, just because it's a good brand, a short name that sounds great, and ties in with the whole tablet format.

OS
The tablet will run a variant of iPhone OS, with additional software classes to address its special features. Fundamentally, it will be like the iPhone OS—it should be able to run apps straight away (although developers will tailor them to the new screen size, selling them in the app store as fatter apps that support both the iPhone OS and the Tablet OS).

Screen
The screen won't be OLED, but I would like to think that—given Apple's push towards LED backlighting, with its energy savings and better image quality—they will use a 10.1-inch LCD-LED display.

Connectivity
The connectivity is a tricky one. Since I believe the Apple Tablet is a complete new paradigm in computing, one goes away from desktop metaphors, and is always connected—it makes sense that it supports 3G. But would Apple tie this thing to a carrier, like some rumors say? And if they do, and it's AT&T, would I be able to have two SIMs under the same AT&T number?

Camera
Another tricky one. Some people say no webcam at all, other say no cameras at all, others say both. I want to believe that this thing will, at last, support videoconferencing.

Storage
The top model will have 64GB.

Material
I like the idea of the back being chrome, so I can touch up my makeup.

Keyboard
Another tricky one. I want to believe that Apple is including a stylus and that their handwriting technology—already present in Mac OS X, coming from Newton OS—is good enough. However, this will require multiple-language support, something that doesn't seem to be implemented right now. So I want handwriting, but I'm leaning to a screen-based keyboard.

User interface
The iPhone has been a huge hit because it's simple. No complicated desktop metaphors, no confusing windows, just a modal device that morphs into different devices. Normal people, regular consumers who hate normal computers—the majority—get it. It will be like the iPhone, modal, hopefully with aggressive multitasking, and a clever way to navigate through running applications.

Extras
Another wild guess. USB 3.0 support would be nice, or even Lightpeak, but I really want this thing to support a stylus.

Battery life
This could have 10 hours of battery life. If its guts are not much different than an iPhone, there will be a lot of empty space in there, enough to fit some extra battery cells.

Price
People are guesstimating a wild range. Mine: $600, and they will still make money out of it. My gut feeling is that Steve Jobs and Co. believe this will be their biggest contribution to computing since the original Apple Macintosh. And they will want it to be cheap, so it can spread quick, like wildfire.

Main functions
Like the iPhone was a phone, an iPod, a web browser and a mail machine, this device will also have three or four main functions (apart from the thousands that it can take thanks to the applications). My wild guess is that movies will be a good one, as will web, ebooks, and videochat/communication.

Main role
While many computer fans will see this device as a secondary device or a peripheral, I believe Apple will position it as a full computer. Like I said before, most people don't need a computer. Most people don't spend hours writing emails or documents outside of the office. Most people don't spend hours doing spreadsheets or painting photos outside of work mode. Most people just browse, send the occasional image, do some chat, access Facebook, tweet a bit, read, browse, watch movies, listen to music... that's why the iPhone has become such a driving force in the industry, with many regular consumers adopting it as their main computing device. My guess is that this computer will be the main computer of most of the people who buy it. Not for the office, but their personal computer.

Now it is your turn to give us your guesses, and get a chance to win an Apple tablet.

Click here to complete the survey of features. The winner gets an Apple tablet.

Your name and email will only be used to contact you in case you win the tablet.

The Easiest, Cleverest Way to Download Any YouTube Video [Btw]

Posted: January 19th, 2010, 8:59am EST by John Herrman

Want to have your mind blown, slightly? Try this:

• Open any YouTube video
• In the video's URL, switch out the "Y" in "Youtube" for a 3
• Ask yourself why you didn't think of this first.

KickYouTube handles video downloads in an equally clever way, and with even more options. [Lifehacker]

EcoModo - The Best of TreeHugger [Roundups]

Posted: January 19th, 2010, 8:59am EST by Jaymi Heimbuch

This week on TreeHugger, the newest electric cars, solar powered dogs, cardboard computers, self-assembling solar cells, and how Apple will control your energy in the near future.

LG Unveils New Flexible e-Ink Newspaper, No One Gets Excited
LG, for reasons no one has been able to really guess yet, decided to wait until after CES to announce their newest digital contraption intended to take the place of newspapers - a 19" flexible digital display.

Hi-Tech, Satellite-Controlled Robot 'Gliders' to Scour Ocean Depths Up to 3,280 Ft
Sure, they look like torpedoes. But they're so much more useful. They cruise the ocean, exploring depths of over 1000 meters (3,280 ft)—and they use only as much energy as bike light in the process. A fleet of these robot gliders, which move across the ocean's surface like a sailplane, is being massed for their first 'swarm' mission in the tropical Atlantic.

Acer Unveils New Aspires As Their Greenest Laptops
Acer has launched two new notebooks, Acer Aspire 3811TZ and Aspire 3811TZG. They're part of the Timeline series, which touts a 40% energy efficiency improvement over traditional laptops, and these two notebooks are free of two toxic materials that many companies either have, or are working to eliminate from their laptop lineups as well.

Advocates for Electronics Producer Responsibility Speak Out Against NYC e-Waste Lawsuit
The e-waste collection battle heats up in New York City. Get the latest information from those who are backing the city's plan to have gadget producers pick up the tab - and the devices - from city residents who want to recycle.

Apple May Help Slice Home Energy Use With Smart Grid Project
Apple is going after the low-hanging fruit, and mulling a move into the energy management market. The company is developing a system to help you regulate and decrease the amount of power you use in your home.

2010 Detroit Auto Show: BMW ActiveE Electric Car
Most of you probably know about the MINI-E, an electric version of the MINI made by BMW to do real-world EV testing (and exploit a CARB loophole, some say). BMW says that it will repeat the experiment, but this time with the ActiveE, a converted BMW series 1 coupe. Get the latest on this, and many other electronic and hybrid car information from the Detroit Auto Show

Cardboard PC Concept Case Becomes Reality, Goes Into Mass Production
Remember a year ago when we showed you the ReCompute cardboard PC case dreamed up by designer Brenden Macaluso? We didn't think it was too hot of an idea but it looks like it got the support from elsewhere because the ReCompute has gone into mass production.

The Causeworld Mobile App: Go Shopping, Earn Karma, Save the Planet
It's called Causeworld and here's how it works: download the app for your iPhone or Android device, walk into a store and "check in" on your phone (geotagging helps determine where you're at), as you earn Karmas you spend them on causes like carbon offsets and tree planting. You don't actually have to buy anything, just divulge that you've set foot in that particular department store, grocery, hardware store, Abercrombie, etc. Corporate sponsors pony up the dough, you just decide how it's divvied up.

Self-Assembling Solar Cells Take Cue From Salad Dressing
The principle behind these self-assembling solar cells is one which I imagine every person who reads this is familiar with: Until you mix it together salad dressing stays neatly separated. Now take that idea—the hydrophobic and hydrophilic qualities of two liquids—apply it to manufacture of solar cells and you get a glimpse of the genius of this. Heiko Jacobs and Robert Knuesel, writing in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, demonstrate that it can be done.

Solar Powered Dog Sweater Gathers Power From Your Pooch (Video)
How can you make your dog earn it's keep? Tape a solar cell to its sweater and add a battery pack to its collar, then send it outside. That's what Erik Schiegg has done with his Solar Dog prototype invention. Check out how your dog could be the solution to your charging woes.

TreeHugger's EcoModo column appears every Tuesday on Gizmodo.

Microsoft Improves Consumer Search Privacy; Google and Yahoo Stay Terrible [Privacy]

Posted: January 19th, 2010, 8:46am EST by Brian Barrett

Microsoft has agreed only to hold your personal information (read: darkest secrets] for six months, while Google and Yahoo will continue to keep them much longer to "improve search quality." By which, of course, they mean "ad revenue."

Granted, the Bing move comes after pressure from the European Union, who's fined Microsoft so many billions of dollars in the past that the latter is understandably twitchy. It's still a policy that should be applauded, though, to the same extent that Yahoo and Google's lack of improvement should be roundly booed. Google stores cookies for a year and a half, far longer than they should need it for any purpose other than sending you the perfectly targeted Bowflex ad.

If Google and Yahoo continue not to comply with the EU's wishes, the outcome could be fun to watch: more comically large fines for them, a less invasive search experience for you. Here's hoping. [WSJ]

Apple Ruins Nerf Basketball for PC Fanboys Everywhere [Apple]

Posted: January 19th, 2010, 8:24am EST by Mark Wilson

Is nothing sacred? Could fanboys just leave some small section of Earth unexposed to their partisan antics? Apparently not, as even this innocent Nerf basketball hoop has been reconfigured with a PowerMac G5 case backboard. [Cult of Mac via TUAW]

Sony Memory Sticks Upgraded With Wireless, TransferJet Tech [Peripherals]

Posted: January 19th, 2010, 7:45am EST by Mark Wilson

"TransferJet Technology"—does marketing speak get any more pseudo-tech-epic than that?

Sony's latest 8GB Memory Stick, now debuting in Japan, works just like any old overpriced Memory Stick. But, from 3cm away from a supported device, RF-based TransferJet can transfer the stored data at speeds of 560 Mbps (or, as Wikipedia reports, 375 Mbps in real world use).

Technically, TransferJet has been around since 2008, but it's just finally making its way to Sony products.

As for that Memory Stick's price, we have no clue. Sorry. [Sony via Akihabara News]

Apple Dominated With Nearly 100% of Mobile App Sales in 2009 [Apple]

Posted: January 19th, 2010, 7:27am EST by Mark Wilson

Say what you will about platforms, but in 2009, Apple's App Store absolutely pwnd the paid mobile app space—selling 99.4% of the $4.2 billion market single-handedly, according to ars technica.

All this data is based upon research by Gartner, who claims that, should sale trends continue, Apple could retain 2/3 of the paid mobile app market into 2010 (amidst growing competition from Android, Palm, RIM, etc). Of course, if Apple releases an app-wielding tablet, market share could error greatly in their favor again.

(Note: there's some discrepancy in these numbers, as Engadget counters ars' 99.4% number crunching with a 97.5%. Whatever, either way, it's enough of the market to mean every other retailer was moot in 2009.)[Ars and Gartner]

Thermo-Sensitive 'Love Handles' Sofa Shows Your Thigh Imprints in Beautiful Oily Colors [Furniture]

Posted: January 19th, 2010, 6:40am EST by Kat Hannaford

Remember those Thermochromatic t-shirts from the early '90s? Unsurprisingly, American Apparel started selling them last year. Now there's a sofa version from NunoErin, which is coated in a thermo-sensitive finish that changes color where your body touches it.

It's the "Love Handles" chair, and for obvious reasons—each oversized thigh will be imprinted on the chair for minutes later. If ever there was a chair that encouraged you to diet, it's this. [NunoErin via DesignBoom]

Google Delaying Launch of Two Android Phones in China Due To Censorship Row [Google]

Posted: January 19th, 2010, 6:11am EST by Kat Hannaford

Whoa, the dispute between China and Google just got even more messy, with Google being forced to delay the launch of two Android phones from Motorola and Samsung on the China Unicom carrier.

The launch was initially slated for tomorrow, but with Google announcing last week they'd no longer be censoring search results in China—and then being attacked by Chinese hackers—it's not at all surprising. There's no word on what exactly will make Google go ahead with the launch as planned, but I'm willing to bet my last dollar that the main stipulation is for China to allow Google to continue with its plight against censorship. [AFP]

Suck Up Your Desk Debris With The Zamboni Vacuum [Vacuum]

Posted: January 19th, 2010, 6:00am EST by Kat Hannaford

It's been so snowy in both the UK and US in recent weeks, making this Zamboni ice resurfacer truck vacuum the perfect desk accompaniment for sucking up all the crisp crumbs. On sale soon. [UrbanTrendHK]

Sony's VAIO Z Laptops On Sale in March, Will Bring Quad SSDs To The Table [Laptops]

Posted: January 19th, 2010, 5:21am EST by Kat Hannaford

We've got some more details on Sony's beefed-up VAIO Z series of laptops which were announced at CES, namely the addition of Quad SSD drives, Intel Core i7-620M processors and NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M chips.

We already knew the two models would have a 13.1-inch LED backlit screen, an optical Blu-ray drive and HDMI-out, but new information is always appreciated. Made from carbon fibre and aluminum, the laptops weigh less than 1.45kg.

Going back to those Quad SSD drives, you'll be capable of writing data in parallel on up to four SSDs at 6.2 times faster speeds than usual.

Two models are available for pre-ordering now, the VAIO VPCZ11Z9E and VAIO VPCZ11X9E. The main differences between the two are that the Z9E has a 2.66GHz chip but can handle an upgrade to 3.33GHz, has 6GB of DDR3 SDRAM and the Quad SSD has 256GB of storage. The 13.1-inch display is 1920 x 1080 and it weighs 1.43kg.

The X9E has a 2.4GHz chip with upgrades to 2.93GHz, and 4GB DDR3 SDRAM with 128GB Quad SSD. The 13.1-inch screen isn't quite full HD, at 1600 x 900. It weighs a shade less than the Z9E, at 1.41kg.

Both VAIO Z models will be on sale at the end of March, with prices starting at around $1,000.

Lumpy Motorola MOTOROI Will Be Released Worldwide In March [Phones]

Posted: January 19th, 2010, 4:56am EST by Kat Hannaford

That lumpy Android MOTOROI phone from Motorola that was only supposed to launch in Korea WILL actually be released worldwide, according to executives. And very soon too, we hear, with March being the proposed month. [Korea Herald - Thanks Cliff_Dangers!]

VIA EPIA-T700 Is Smallest Computer-On-Module Money Can Buy [Motherboards]

Posted: January 19th, 2010, 4:32am EST by Kat Hannaford

Measuring 6cm x 6cm, VIA's EPIA-T700 is the first chip launched in the new Mobile-ITX series which is actually the smallest computer-on-module available, even 50 per cent smaller than VIA's small-sounding Pico-ITX. That sounds, err, small.

VP of VIA Embedded Platform Division, Daniel Wu, claims:

"The VIA EPIA-T700 takes advantage of the modular design principles inherent in our Mobile-ITX form factor specification, making it easier than ever before to create astonishingly compact x86 devices that don't compromise on features"

The EPIA-T700 will primarily be used in medical, miltary and in-vehicle devices. Carrier boards are joined up with 3mm connectors, and is powwered by a 1GHz VIA Eden ULV processor and VIA VX820 MSP. There's 512MB of DDR2 RAM, a Chrome9 DX9 graphics core, Chromotion video engine that supports MPEG-2, MPEG-4, WMV9 and VC1video format. It also supports eight HD audio channels with the VIA Vinyl HD Audio technology. It can be connected to TTL LCD and CRT monitors thanks to the multi-configuration transmitter, and also compatible with PCI Express and Ultra DMA.

Brits Show Their Love of Booze With iPint Being Most-Downloaded iPhone App in UK [IPhone Apps]

Posted: January 19th, 2010, 4:19am EST by Kat Hannaford

Over in Europe, the most downloaded iPhone app is the music-detecting Shazam. In the US, it's the Facebook app. And those soggy Brits...?

In the UK, the Carling branded iPint has snagged the crown of most downloaded app, according to ComScore's Alistair Hill's presentation at the Mobile Games Forum in London. Hic! [Mobile-Ent]

Image Credit: Robinbyles

Samsung HZ35W Slim Camera: 15x Zoom in a Slimmer Cam and GeoTagging [Cameras]

Posted: January 19th, 2010, 3:55am EST by Kat Hannaford

The HZ35W is a rare compact camera with 15x optical zoom. The wide-angle 24mm Schneider lenses are coupled with 12mp sensors, and the HZ35W has a 3-inch AMOLED screen along with GPS for geo-tagging.

The HZ30W on the other hand has a 3.0-inch TFT LCD, so won't offer a battery life quite as long as its bigger brother. Video recording is done at 720p and 30fps. These two go on sale in March also.
gawkerGallery(5451620,5,'');

TIE Fighter Helmet Will Reduce Your Enemies to Smithereens on Mere Sight [Star Wars]

Posted: January 19th, 2010, 1:20am EST by Jesus Diaz

I'm about to depart to my wedding in a place far far away, and I'm considering my costume for the occasion. I wonder if my vows would sound to menacing if I'm wearing this. [StarWarsBlog via Great White Snark]

11-Year-Old's Science Project Causes Bomb Scare, School Evacuation, Hilarity [Wtf]

Posted: January 19th, 2010, 1:00am EST by Dan Nosowitz

Proving once again that there are no qualifications needed to be a middle-school vice-principal besides being kind of a dick, a San Diego veepee called the bomb squad to investigate an 11-year-old's Gatorade-bottle-based science experiment. Stay classy, San Diego.

Apparently the kid, who sounds like a bit of a prodigy, really, brought in a homemade motion detector made of empty Gatorade bottles and "some electronics." Cool, right? Shows initiative, and it even recycles old bottles! This kid should be rewarded with a blue ribbon, or allowed to star in a remake of Real Genius! But no.

Instead, this alarmist puritan called the bomb squad to investigate and x-ray the kid's science project, evacuate the entire school, and search the kid's home. When the project was found to not, in fact, be a Gatorade-bottle-based explosive, the a-hole vice-principal didn't apologize, or resign, or laugh it off. No! He recommended that the student and his parents seek counseling. For making a project that would totally stump me! And I'm twice his age! Outrageous, I say. Out. Rage. Ous. [SignOn San Diego via Boing Boing]

The Best Hamster Wheel Sand Printer I've Ever Seen [Summer]

Posted: January 19th, 2010, 12:20am EST by Dan Nosowitz

This is a tough category, but I'm very proud to announce that the award for Best Hamster Wheel Sand Printer goes to...this one!

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The wheel was created by Barcelona designer Tomás Silva Alonso, for his Zanadesign firm, and going by some of the expression on these kids' faces, it's the most fun anyone's ever had at a beach. Check out the gallery. [Yatzer and MAKE]

A Little $18,000 Espresso Machine Called Slayer [Coffee]

Posted: January 19th, 2010, 11:54pm EST by matt buchanan

The hand-built Slayer espresso machine is not brandspankinew, but it is still exceedingly uncommon—fewer than 20 exist in coffee shops—and this one, residing at freshly opened RBC NYC, is the first east of Michigan. It costs $18,000.

The reason coffee nerds are hyped about the Slayer isn't just because it's obscenely expensive, or because of the way wood meshes with contoured metal to create a hulking, beautiful gadget, but mostly because of the way it allows a barista to easily play with pressure to do some interesting things—like start with a low pressure extraction, ramp up to full pressure, then back it down to get different textures or flavors—using the wooden paddles on top of the groupheads that adjust the mechanical valves which control water flow, which is what's unique about the machine. (More on the Slayer and pressure here, and more of our own espresso coverage and explainers here and here.)

gawkerGallery(5451424,12,''); It's somewhat finicky, and different from other espresso machines that RBC's director of coffee (yes, that's her title) said it took her two months to really master the machine. Interestingly, they're testing out using the Slayer to do brewed coffee, to create something really different, but they're not sure when they're gonna offer it up. For now though, they're pulling some of the best espresso shots in New York, at least judging by the two drinks I've had. [Slayer, RBC NYC, Full-Size Photos]

DIY Lady Gaga Glasses Make You Look as Ridiculous (and Blind) as She [Hacks]

Posted: January 19th, 2010, 11:40pm EST by Dan Nosowitz

At least with those Kanye West Venetian blind glasses, you could kinda see. These things are just two screens on your face, blocking your entire field of vision. Get ready to run into walls, just like Lady Gaga probably does.

DIY Lady GaGa Video Glasses from Angela M. Sheehan on Vimeo.

So this hack is pretty much just two small digital picture frames (like those ones you find on a keychain at your local CVS) stuck into the eye-holes of a pair of big sunglasses. You put the word "POP" or whatever on each screen, take off your pants, and presto! You're Lady Gaga. Now you just have to hope that people remember who she is by the time Halloween 2010 rolls around. [Instructables via Engadget]

Super-Budget Lens-Mounted Ring Flash for DSLRs [Dealzmodo]

Posted: January 19th, 2010, 11:00pm EST by Dan Nosowitz

Lens-mounted LED flash rings are a great resource for properly lit macro shots, but they're usually pretty expensive (think $150). Enter Brando's budget version.

It's almost certainly crappier than the full-priced models, as is Brando's wont, but hey, at $58 I'm perfectly willing to accept a few deficiencies. It can light up in either the full circle or a semicircle on either side, and is powered by 2 AA batteries. Pretty solid deal for something that usually seems unnecessarily pricey. [Brando via Crunchgear]

AT&T Fixes Mobile Facebook Problems [Facebook]

Posted: January 18th, 2010, 10:30pm EST by CNET

AT&T has fixed several problems that caused some AT&T customers to log into the wrong Facebook account when using their mobile phones, an AT&T spokesman said on Monday: "In a limited number of instances, a server software connectivity error resulted in some AT&T wireless customers being logged in to the wrong Facebook account when they accessed Facebook through their mobile phones."

AT&T added new security measures to prevent the problem from happening again and worked with Facebook to disable subscriber identification information as an option for automatic log-on, Coe said. The subscriber identification is the session identification number that gets added to the URL, he said.

AT&T also fixed a separate problem in which a customer in Atlanta was able to log into the wrong Facebook account on a mobile phone. In that "isolated" case, the problem was due to a misdirected cookie on the customer's phone, Coe said.

"We worked with the customer to resolve the issue," he said. "It is unclear how this cookie was set on the phone."

Asked for comment, a Facebook spokesman said: "We don't have anything more than what AT&T is saying."

The Associated press first reported on the problems this weekend.

This story originally appeared on CNET

Flying With Wi-Fi This Week? Don't Forget to Report Back to Us [Inflight Wifi]

Posted: January 4th, 2010, 8:38pm EST by Rosa Golijan

We jokingly call it joining the Mile High Club, but the idea is that we're inviting people to test out in-flight Wi-Fi speeds while taking silly pictures of themselves.

The rules of the Mile High Club are simple: A goofy picture isn't mandatory to gain membership, but you do need to run a Speed Test while using in-flight Wi-Fi and send us the results. So either take a screenshot or copy the data and email it to me (along with any in-flight webcam pictures) under the subject line "Mile High Club." Please make sure that you also include the name of the airline you're flying (and, if possible, the cities you're flying to and from). Oh, and don't forget to grab coupon code for free inflight Wi-Fi before you go (some of those codes might still work).

In exchange for your email, you'll get no membership cards, no tshirts, no cookies, and no invitations to member-only events, but you will receive a "thank you" from me and be able to count yourself as part of our little club.

Specs and Pictures of Panasonic's Newest Cameras Leak [Cameras]

Posted: January 4th, 2010, 8:10pm EST by Rosa Golijan

Ooh hello! Photo Rumors has come across what appear to be the specs of Panasonic's six newest cameras along with their pictures. And they're as lovely as can be.

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The line up includes the Lumix FP1, FP3, F3, FH3, and FH20—a bunch of ugly names for some pretty decent cameras—several of which boast that they're ultra-compact and include an "advanced Venus Engine IV image processor." Check Photo Rumors for more on the specs and check back here for more once we check these babies out at CES. [Photo Rumors]

Samsung IceTouch PMP Has a Transparent AMOLED Screen. Why? Who Knows. [PMPs]

Posted: January 4th, 2010, 8:00pm EST by Dan Nosowitz

I don't know what's going on over at Samsung, but as PMPs die, you've got to come up with some way to differentiate your product—and I guess a see-through screen is as good a way as any.

Samsung's PMPs are among the best out there—I love the P3—but their design has been only slightly quirky in the past. All the crumbly gingerbread cookie widgets in the world wouldn't compare to the utter Korean weirdness going on in the IceTouch (which recalls the SE Pureness) and the MyFit.

The IceTouch is a 16GB player with a 2-inch AMOLED touchscreen, but what a freaking weird touchscreen it is. First, it looks like it has a sliding blue sheath of some kind that covers the touchscreen. Why? Who knwos? But Samsung didn't stop there—the screen is transparent. The player itself isn't made of plastic or metal, but tempered glass, and features Samsung's usual sound enhancements and top-of-its-class video compatibility. It also has (eep) a brand of Samsung's TouchWiz UI called Sweep. You might remember TouchWiz from when it thoughtlessly murdered any hope the Omnia II had. Samsung's PMPs have mostly escaped TouchWiz's sinister, all-reaching grasp, and hopefully the IceTouch survives as well.

Pricing and availability haven't been announced yet. [Samsung]

IceTouch 16GB Transparent AMOLED Touch-Screen MP3 Player

In addition to the full-color transparent AMOLED touch screen, the IceTouch features a high-performance CPU and Samsung's own "TouchWiz Sweep" interface, which is designed to provide a comfortable grip and give users new options for interacting with their player.

Audio purists will appreciate the device's new 5.1-channel sound enhancement technology and support for the MP3, WMA, OGG, FLAC, AAC, M4A, WAV and MP3HD audio codecs, and video hounds will love being able to playback MPEG4, WMV, H.264, Xvid and Divx files. The player also continually analyzes and adjusts audio levels to reflect the producer's intended sound.

The AMOLED screen casing is constructed using a dual-injection molding process and tempered glass and results in a smooth, durable and scratch-proof surface that is aesthetically pleasing and enjoyable to the touch. The IceTouch, which comes in white, can also be individually customized through separately sold color skins in pink, blue, purple and gray.

Samsung MyFit PMP Tells You to Drink Water and Stop Smoking, Idiot [PMPs]

Posted: January 4th, 2010, 8:00pm EST by Dan Nosowitz

The MyFit is a pretty good idea taken unexpectedly to the extreme. A workout player, sure, that's a good idea. But wait, this doesn't just count calories, it measures your fat and forcibly tells you to drink water.

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The MyFit is an 8GB workout player, and while it likely won't be cheap or durable enough to displace the Sansa Clip+ as my workout player of choice, it's definitely more feature-packed. It has fat and stress sensors, a customizable exercise management program that selects music based on workout, calorie counter and jogging control—all great. But it also has a water intake manager to tell you when to take a water break, and something about "smoking cessation," presumably to yell at you for smoking. How does it know if you smoke? Who knows? As a PMP, it's got the usual attributes, including an FM radio and decent codec support. It'll be available sometime in the first half of 2010, and no price has yet been announced. [Samsung]

MyFit Wellness Promoting MP3 Player

As the world's first portable media player to integrate wellness management tools, such as stress and body fat levels and customized workout guides, MyFit helps users achieve wellness while enjoying their favorite music tracks. MyFit transcends basic playback of music and videos and enters the realm of wellness information and monitoring. Its unique features reflect the functional and stylistic nature of music enthusiasts while incorporating important applications and information for a fully-customizable device that encourages a healthy lifestyle. Music can be collected into a jogging playlist and a simple Tapping Control Jogging mode makes it easy to change to the next song without interrupting a workout.

Breaking ground with the world's first fat and stress sensors located on the top of the player, MyFit measures a user's wellness indicators and contains an exercise management program to keep people on target with their fitness goals. A built-in accelerometer automatically tracks calories burned while jogging, and users can record their caloric consumption per meal with the included food calorie database. Additional wellness applications built into the MyFit include a water intake manager and smoking cessation utility.

But more than helping to make consumers healthier, MyFit is a full-featured portable music player that features an FM radio tuner and Samsung's DNSe 3.0 sound enhancement technology, which helps to overcome the inefficiencies and limitations of compressed audio files and generate a more realistic stereo sound. Media playback includes high quality compressed and lossless audio formats, such as MP3, WMA, OGG, and AAC, as well as MPEG4 and WMV video formats.

How Will Writers Autograph Ebooks? [Ebooks]

Posted: January 4th, 2010, 8:00pm EST by Rosa Golijan

My favorite books have something very special between their pages: Inscriptions and autographs. Unfortunately, that special quality can't be replicated with ebooks or readers. Not exactly, at least, but Danie Ware has an idea that might almost work.

Danie Ware, a PR gal for comic book store Forbidden Planet, describes her plan to capture the collectible nature of old-fashioned books with readers as follows:

Removable, collectable vinyl covers – plain, a selection of colours, maybe they can be stylised by your favourite art toy designer – but ultimately, they're there to collect signatures. Take one to a Convention, keep it on you, it protects your Kindle, it looks cool – and you get to show off all the autographs/sketches you've collected.

Clever idea, but then you're left with a shelf full of book covers and at that point you might consider collecting regular books again. It's a workable solution, but still not perfect. How will autograph collectors cope in the age of ebooks? Or will they just never make the jump from paper to e-ink? [Danie Ware via Futurismic]

Photo by UggBoy

Four Years in This Flight School and You'll Never Leave the Ground [Education]

Posted: January 4th, 2010, 7:20pm EST by Rosa Golijan

Apparently the University of North Dakota thinks that you should spend four years in flight school and then never actually get off the ground. That's because they're offering a new degree in flying UAVs, unmanned aerial vehicles.

The four-year undergraduate program already enrolled its first 12 students and there's even talk of a graduate program being started up. Whatever happened to plain ol' regular pilot school? [Discovery via Pop Sci]

Lenovo's IdeaPad U1 Is One Smart Dual-Processor Laptop/Tablet Hybrid [Lenovo]

Posted: January 4th, 2010, 6:54pm EST by Rosa Golijan

Lenovo's IdeaPad U1 is quite the clever combination of multi-touch tablet and laptop. When you ditch everything but the screen for the slate-like tablet section, the device is to switch processors and operating systems. Oh, and it's gorgeous, too.

When both halves of the U1 are together, it runs on Windows 7 on a Intel Core 2 Duo SU processor, but when you split them up, the tablet will use a custom version of Linux and a Qualcomm ARM Snapdragon processor. This means that you'd be getting the best combination of power and battery life for each scenario. Other than that neat setup, the U1 brings 4GB of RAM (512MB in slate/tablet mode), two USB 2.0 ports, eSATA, VGA, HDMI, 4-in-1 memory card reader, and a 1.3-Megapixel camera.

Not too bad for about a thousand bucks. Lenovo will start selling the hybrid in June, but in the meantime I'll be left wondering if it is really the best of both worlds wrapped in a pretty package or yet another half-hearted combination device.

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Hot Girlfriend Motivates Guy to Trade iPhone for $30 Camera [Image Cache]

Posted: January 4th, 2010, 6:40pm EST by Rosa Golijan

Reddit commenter icallthebigspoon posted an ad on Craig's List trying to swap his camera for a usable AT&T phone. I sincerely doubt that he expected this offer, but he'd be one cruel man if he didn't take it.

Click on the image for a bigger version.

According to icallthebigspoon, he posted this simple, unremarkable Craig's List ad:

I have a pink Casio Elixim 7.2 Megapixel digital camera that needs a new battery and maybe a new charger as well. I am selling it for $30 OR I am willing to trade it for a useable cell phone that works on the ATT network. Email me if interested.

and received this response:

Hello,
I am very interested in trading with you. I have a barely used att i-phone that my ex-wife gave me. I don't like to use it because it reminds me of her ugly face. I also have a camera just like yours except that the screen is cracked (I have the battery and charger). I need a camera bad because I have a new girlfriend and she is hot and is willing to let me take pictures of her!!!!! Lets make a deal straight up?

There's no word on whether he made the trade yet, but how could he not when it would make the other man's life oh-so-much more fun? [Reddit]

This Bottle Will Heat Up Your Milk Without Elecrticity [Design]

Posted: January 4th, 2010, 6:00pm EST by Rosa Golijan

Designer Karim Rashid has a knack for off-the-wall designs, so I wasn't surprised to see his name attached to the Iamo Go baby bottle concept. This somewhat phallic-shaped bottle is supposed to heat milk to body temperature without using electricity.

The idea behind the Iamo Go is that it uses "a disposable capsule containing water and salt" instead of power cords to heat up fluids. The heat is generated as the salt in the organic cartridges is rehydrated, so it's a safe reaction. Clever idea, and Karim even seems to emphasize the safe, child-friendly nature of the design with his lovely matching outfit:

Oh, that look on his face says "Bet you thought this thing was something entirely else when you first saw it." And yes, Karim, yes I did. [Dezeen]

ioSafe Solo External SSD Is Apocalypse-Safe [Storage]

Posted: January 4th, 2010, 5:30pm EST by Dan Nosowitz

Traumas the ioSafe Solo solid-state external drive can survive: Building collapse, 1550-degree fire, 30-foot submersion in salt water, and a 5,000-pound "crush force." So you might say it's durable.

It's pretty much the most disaster-proof external drive I've ever seen. It also has eSATA in addition to USB and a "no questions asked" policy with regards to data recovery (which is good—what kind of horrors are you subjecting this thing to if you need data recovery?). It'll be available in February in 64GB, 128GB and 256GB capacities for, as expected, the very high prices of $500, $750 and $1250, respectively. [ioSafe]

Android Taking Wind Out Of iPhone's Sails [Data]

Posted: January 4th, 2010, 5:20pm EST by The Business Insider

Just in time for Google to unveil its own Nexus One smartphone, ChangeWave Research reports the public is more excited than ever to buy an Android based handset — at the expense of Apple, Microsoft, and Palm.

ChangeWave surveyed 4,068 consumers in the first weeks of December and found that 21% of people looking to buy a smartphone in the next 90 days want to buy one running on Android. That's up from 6% when ChangeWave asked people in September.

Considering Verizon is spending tens of millions marketing the Droid, this shouldn't come as a shock. Google is a popular brand unto itself, so it makes sense that people are excited about its smartphones.

Apple remains the smartphone of choice for now, with 28% of the people saying they will buy an iPhone. The BlackBerry falls to third place with 18% — but interest in BlackBerry devices actually perked up. Meanwhile, Palm needs big help.

Your Next Cellphone Might Have a 14.6MP Sensor and Shoot 1080p Video [Cameras]

Posted: January 4th, 2010, 5:07pm EST by Rosa Golijan

OmniVision has made a new 14.6MB image sensor specifically for cellphones which will give them the ability to shoot 1080p video at a breezy 60 frames-per-second. Considering that we're talking about cellphones here, that's quite a nice upgrade.

The OV14825 image sensor is designed to go easy on power consumption and will hopefully enter mass production in the second quarter of this year. There's no word on when we'll start seeing it in cellphones, but I'm hoping it's before I buy my next one, even if it's uncertain whether phones hitting the market in the near future will be able to process all that data from the sensor.

Ah well, there's at least always the novelty of saying that it's a 14.6MP phone. [Mobile Burn]

House Completely Made Out of Glass Is Perfect for Exhibitionists [Architecture]

Posted: January 4th, 2010, 5:00pm EST by Jesus Diaz

I would like to live in this glass house, a place in the middle of the woods that even has glass-based furniture. Why? I just want to walk around naked all day. Like I do now, but better.

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Sadly, it's just a concept based on a furniture line by Santambrogiomilano. The furniture is real, however. Thinking twice, it would be too much like living under the glass stair of an Apple Store. I still prefer Cameron's house from Ferris Bueller. [Santambrogiomilano via Apartment Therapy]

I Love This Bluetooth Ericophone Hack [Hacks]

Posted: January 4th, 2010, 4:40pm EST by Dan Nosowitz

I've never seen this Ericofon design before, because I was -30 when it was released in 1956, but it's so stylish and cool that I'm glad someone decided to hack it into a Bluetooth receiver.

The project brings a lot of the Ericofon's charm into this century, with the ringtone replicated and even a dialtone, for anyone who remembers what that is. Instructions and documentation of the process are available on the creator's site, but you'll have to find your own Ericofon to do it. [BTEricofon via Engadget]

Spracht's Aura EQ Headset Looks Like an Alien Symbiote [Bluetooth]

Posted: January 4th, 2010, 4:20pm EST by Rosa Golijan

Dual microphones, capacitive volume control, a built-in six-band equalizer, and the ability to pair with eight phones make the Spracht Aura EQ bluetooth headset sound as insanely futuristic as it looks. Heck, it might make bluetooth headsets appealing again. Maybe.

I'm not—and suspect that I never will be—crazy about any sort of headset, but the robotic alien symbiotic look of the Aura puts it among the more appealing headsets I've seen in a while and it doesn't hurt that it's got more features than it can handle phones. Considering that the gadget will go for about $80 when it hits shelves in March, I'd say it might be a hit. [Engadget]

Rumor: Apple Tablet Ships in March For $1000? [Apple Tablet]

Posted: January 4th, 2010, 4:09pm EST by Jason Chen

Now the WSJ is quoting people "briefed by the company" as stating that the 10 or 11-inch Apple Tablet will be shipping in March for $1000, but will be announced at the January 27 event this month.

To familiarize yourself with the rumors so far, not including this one, head to our giant rumor page.

According to the WSJ, the tablet will be pretty much what we expected: movies, TV shows, games, browsing, books, textbooks and newspapers. WSJ also mentions two different material finishes for the tablet, and if we know Apple, they'll only have one; the two are just final prototypes so that Jobs can decide which one he likes more.

So it's good to hear that at least some of the rumored features might be delivered, but that $1000 price seems a bit high. Not high as in we think it's wrong, high as in cost-prohibitive-MacBook-Air-style high. [WSJ]

Control and Customize iLuv's App Station Alarm Clock Dock With an App [Docks]

Posted: January 4th, 2010, 4:00pm EST by Rosa Golijan

iLuv, iPhone and iPod accessory maker extraordinaire, has a clever alarm clock dock which uses your Apple gadget and a customizable app as its interface. I doubt it'll get me out of bed any faster, but it certainly looks great.

The App Station's corresponding (and free) iLuv app drives the clock, allowing you to adjust settings and appearances. The entire thing also rotates so that you can have your screen set to your preferred orientation. We'll see this $130 dock at CES, but you'll be able to purchase it in February 2010. [iLuv]

Camera Goggles Let You Relive Your Black Diamond Wipe Outs [Goggles]

Posted: January 4th, 2010, 4:00pm EST by Kyle VanHemert

Liquid Image, known for attaching obtrusive cameras to adventure sport eyewear, has unveiled its surprisingly streamlined 335 Snow Camera Goggles. Using the goggles' built-in camera, you can now have certifiable video proof that you are a lousy skier.

The 335 Snow Camera Goggles, to be officially announced this week at CES, pack a 5 megapixel camera, capable of shooting 720 x 480 video. They only come with 16 MB of memory on board, but you can expand that with a Micro SD card to capture your entire snow plow down the mountain. The camera is activated by built-in controls on the side of the goggles, designed with big buttons for your chunky, gloved fingers.

More important than filming your skiing or snowboarding, however, might be the ability to film what you come across while you're skiing or snowboarding. A preliminary test of the goggles on the Ski Free mountain captured this rare shot of the Abominable Snowman:

You'll be able to record your turn on the slopes (and confirm the existence of cryptozoological creatures) by picking up the 335 Snow Camera Goggles for $149 sometime in July. [CNET]

AirStash Is a Pocket-Sized Wireless Media Server For Your iPhone [Storage]

Posted: January 4th, 2010, 3:26pm EST by Sean Fallon

It looks like a thumb drive at first glance, but AirStash is actually a pocket-sized media server that can wirelessy expand the memory of your iPhone or iPod touch.

Apparently, the files are stored on an SD card that you insert into the device—giving you the ability to expand capacity when needed. I assume AirStash will be compatible with more devices that the iPhone and iPod touch, but we won't know the exact details until it is officially unveiled at CES. Personally, I wouldn't be all that thrilled about having to keep track of another device because I went with an 8GB iPhone, but I am all for technologies that reduce the need for a set amount of internal storage. [AirStash via Engadget]

Bono, You Got It All Wrong [Blockquote]

Posted: January 4th, 2010, 3:20pm EST by Jesus Diaz

Bonooooooorrrrlllllllll! I know you are a rock star and a defender of the planet and I really like Joshua Tree and Rattle & Hum and even Zooropa, but come on, "reverse Robin Hood"? So wrong. And it gets worse:

"But we know from America's noble effort to stop child pornography, not to mention China's ignoble effort to suppress online dissent, that it's perfectly possible to track content."

Amazing. Is he putting the fight to protect children from sexual depredators at the same level of pirates copying music? Or does he wish that we all had an Internet control system comparable to communist China? And this guy fights for human rights and freedom?

At the end, Bono, this is not about reverse Robin Hooding. This is not about the providers stealing from you. This is about two groups of fat cats fighting for money. First, you're rich and your pals at the music industry are rich. Second, those are rich service providers. In the middle, getting sandwiched between your throbbing shameless practices and thick hypocrisy, is the people. I can't speak for the rest of us, but I'm sick of you both.

And while we are talking about Robin Hood, and giving gold schillings from the rich to the poor, let's talk about your tax evasion practices to avoid redistributing your wealth in Ireland. [BBC]

25 Shots of a Happy New Year [Shooting Challenge]

Posted: January 4th, 2010, 2:40pm EST by Mark Wilson

Maybe it's better that most of us don't remember every part of New Year's Eve (basically, from 5PM on). If you're suffering from alcohol-induced amnesia, here are 25 happier Shooting Challenge shots to fill the void.

The placements...

Second Runner Up

Nikon D40x on tripod. AF-S Nikkor 18-55mm stock DX lens; F6.3; 8 seconds; Color corrected in camera raw. Motive: Stockholm cityscape with city hall in center.
-Andreas Hellqvist

First Runner Up

The morning after. The image here is a stereographically projected panorama consisting of 90 separate exposures. As you see it's not complete, I had intended it to be 360° by 180°, however by the time I got to just over the houses, I lost all feeling in one of my fingers and decided to go have a pizza instead. This is also why my bag and parts of the tripod is visible on the ground; I couldn't grip the camera to shoot a straight-down shot. (Temperature at the time was somewhere around -20°C) Gear used: Canon EOS 450D camera, Canon EF 28mm f/1.8 USM lens at f/7.1 (I shot in apperture priority mode, so shutter times vary), Manfrotto 190xprob tripod with a 804RC2 three-way head. (For you who want to get started in shooting so called planet panoramas, this head is not a particularily good choice because it doesn't give you 180° freedom up and down, but you can flip the camera mount plate to put the entire camera "backwards" and so shoot straight up.) The images were converted from raw to 900x600 size jpegs and then stitched in Hugin. Incidentally, if you do the math you'll find that quite a few of the images are not overlapping by a whole lot which caused the autopano sift-c routine to misalign quite a lot of it. Total time to find control points to fit it all together was around four or five hours. To be fair, this is a failed picture, but it looks rather nice, so perhaps you'll enjoy it too. Next time I wait til it's a little warmer :-)
-Staffan Thomen

Winner

Photo taken on new year's eve. It's apparently underexposed (said my camera) with 1/2000s with my 5DmkII at ISO6400 with my trusted 50 mm lens at f/1.4. This is a handheld shot taken for fun with no clue what might turn out. I kinda like the sparks of iron flying. I increased the contrast and black levels in lightroom 3b to get rid of some of the noise.
-Øystein Alsaker

Thanks to everyone for entering. New Shooting Challenges are announced every Wednesday, and we need/appreciate your participation!

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Gadget Deals of the Day [Dealzmodo]

Posted: January 4th, 2010, 2:00pm EST by David Chaid

If your family neglected to pick up on your gift wishes then be sure to scope out today's New Year's deals. Check out the HP laptop for $450, Insignia's behemoth HDTV for $990, or snag a delicious smoothie from Keva.

Hobomodo:
• 24 oz. Smoothie at Keva Juice for $0 (use this form).
• Nigel North "Eternal Baroque" MP3 Album for $0 (use this form).
• I Love the 80s, Vol. 1 MP3 Download for $0 (use this form).
• Hidden Wonders Of The Depth (PC/Mac) for $0 (use code freedepthsemailpc for PC, freedepthsemailmac for Mac - download here).
• Let's Golf (iPhone) for $0 (normally $1.99).
• FujiFilm SeeHere 100 4x6 photo prints for $0 (use coupon code prints).

If a deal looks too good to be true, investigate the store and see if it's a good, reputable place to buy. Safe shopping!

[Thanks TechDealDigger, Dealzon, Logic Buy, GamerHotline, Cheap College Gamers, CheapStingyBargains and TechBargains.]

I'm a Sucker For a Good Ejector Seat Prank [Japan]

Posted: January 4th, 2010, 1:30pm EST by Mark Wilson

Once you're done watching innocent people fall through an artificial floor, hit this clip two minutes in to bask in one of life's simple pleasures—a guy is ejected from a van into a small tub of water. [Geekologie]

New Cool-er Line Includes One of the Smallest Ebook Readers in the Land [Readers]

Posted: January 4th, 2010, 1:00pm EST by Rosa Golijan

Cool-er's lineup of readers is getting new models such as the super-small Compact, the Wi-Fi-enabled Connect, and the appropriately named 3G. Based on previous models, it's quite possible that these will find a place in the hearts of bargain shoppers.

We've seen 3G, Wi-Fi capabilities, touchscreens, and the like in plenty of readers on the market. What Cool-er focuses on is putting those features into lighter, thinner, and cheaper gadgets. I suppose that explains why they saw the need to make the Compact and announce that it's got the smallest footprint of any reader out, even if Sony might disagree with that claim. Either way, the Compact is still among the smaller devices and still sounds rather good given Cool-er's budget-friendly price tags.

Thes new readers will be shown off at CES, but they'll be hitting the shelves Spring to mid-2010.

Interead Announces New COOL-ER Ereader Models

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 4 /PRNewswire/ — Interead, makers of the COOL-ER line of ereaders, today announced new models that will be introduced at the 2010 International CES® in Las Vegas.

* At only 6.7" x 4.6" x 0.41" (170 mm x 117 mm x 10 mm), the amazingly affordable and portable COOL-ER Compact has the smallest footprint of any ereader while still maximising the reader experience with a 6" E Ink® screen. With 2GB onboard memory (expandable via SD card to 6GB total), it easily holds thousands of ebooks.

* COOL-ER Classic, the lightest and most elegant ereader currently available, has quickly become a favourite of readers around the world, and will be offered in exciting new colours.

* Weighing in at only 5.8 ounces (164 grams), COOL-ER Connect adds the convenience of WiFi and ease of a touch screen, ideal for readers on the move.

* Available in mid-2010, COOL-ER 3G adds robust 3G connectivity to the ereader experience to download 1,400+ periodicals and 2 million + books wherever they are.

All COOL-ER ereaders come in numerous vibrant colours, which now include Midnight Blue and Orange Crush, bright new additions to the colour line-up. Working in every country on the planet, COOL-ER ereaders support ebooks in every language and have menus in English, Spanish, Portuguese, German, French, Russian, Japanese and Chinese, and also support multiple zoom levels to create a customized and comfortable reading experience.

COOL-ER Classic is currently available from premier global retailers and www.COOLREADERS.com. COOL-ER Compact and COOL-ER Connect will be available in Spring 2010, and COOL-ER 3G will be available in mid-2010.

Any of the more than 2 million books from COOL-ER's companion online bookstore, COOLER-EBOOKS.com, can be shared with up to five other readers to let friends and families share the works they love. COOL-ER works with ebooks in all commonly used ebook formats, including EPUB and PDF.

Neil Jones, Interead's CEO, commented: "As we have seen the ereader market evolve over the last year, it has become clear that the ereader is now a lifestyle device—not just a niche gadget. As such, it's important that we offer a range of ereaders to accommodate a variety of preferences and reading habits, and this product range does just this."

[COOL-ER]

Curious Man Buys $3 Billion CD-ROM For Windows 98 On Amazon, Shipping Was An Extra $4 [Amazon]

Posted: January 4th, 2010, 12:50pm EST by Sean Fallon

Brian T Klug has balls, I'll give him that. Why else would he have bought a Discovery Channel CD-ROM (Windows 98) incorrectly priced on Amazon to the tune of $2,904,980,000 just to see what would happen?

As you can see from the image above, the result was that...well, he spent $3 billon on an ancient CD. However, It wasn't long before Amazon noticed the record payday and cancelled the order. Despite the fact that the payment was impossible to process, I wouldn't have been surprised if Klug's little fiscal adventure backfired in a big way—either with destroyed credit or crippling debt.

The seller behind the CD has a good rating, and it is obvious that this was a typo. What I don't understand is why a new seller jumped in to sell the CD at a comparably inexpensive $250,000. Looks like Orbit Inc is trying to pull a major scam. [reddit via Consumerist]

AllThingsD Says Apple Making 'Major' Announcement on January 27th [Apple]

Posted: January 4th, 2010, 12:30pm EST by Mark Wilson

Everyone has said that Apple's next event will occur on Tuesday, January 26th. Now AllThingsD has gone on record correcting the world, saying the "major new product" will be announced on January 27th, at the Yerba Buena Center. [AllThingsD]

New Touchless Mobile Interface Could Eliminate Fingerprint Smudging Forever [Displays]

Posted: January 4th, 2010, 12:10pm EST by Sean Fallon

Tokyo University had developed a touchless interface that can register 3D motion of a human finger using a single camera. Think of it like Project Natal, only with cellphones.

The camera requires video capture at 154 fps—so the handful of cellphones out there with forward-facing cameras will not be able to handle the technology. However, it is certainly plausible down the line. The question is, will anyone want it? I mean, fingerprint smudging is a pain in the ass and everything, but I don't want to be the guy walking down the street wildly flailing my fingers in the air like some sort of lunatic. Plus, it seems like it would be difficult to use in general. [Gigazine via Intomobile via Geek]

Skiff Reader: The Largest Yet Thinnest eBook Reader to Date [Skiff]

Posted: January 4th, 2010, 11:32am EST by Mark Wilson

It's bigger than any Kindle or device from B&N. Optimized for magazines and newspapers, the Skiff Reader offers a durable 11.5-inch (1600 x 1200) "Metal Foil" touchscreen display, but it's still just a quarter of an inch thick.

Connecting to the upcoming Skiff digital store via Wi-Fi and Sprint's 3G network, the Skiff Reader will support yet unannounced content partnerships including books, specially focusing on large format print like above-mentioned magazines and newspapers—including "visually appealing layouts, high-resolution graphics, rich typography and dynamic updates." And with a screen that's nearly two inches larger and significantly sharper than even a Kindle DX, the Skiff Reader certainly seems well-positioned for this role—even though it's still just black and white.

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There's no word on price or availability (more specific than 2010) just yet, but when the Skiff Reader is available, you'll be picking one up from Sprint.

NEW YORK, January 4th, 2010 - Skiff, LLC and Sprint (NYSE: S) today announced that they will preview the Skiff Reader, the first e-reader optimized for newspaper and magazine content, at the 2010 International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas later this week.

The Skiff Reader, the initial dedicated device to integrate the upcoming Skiff e-reading service, is remarkably sleek and easy to use. At just over a quarter-inch in overall height, the device is the thinnest e-reader announced to date. It features the largest and highest-resolution electronic-paper display yet unveiled in a consumer device, at 11.5" in size (measured diagonally) and a resolution of 1600 x 1200 pixels (UXGA). A full touchscreen enables users to intuitively navigate and engage with the newspapers, magazines, books and other digital content they purchase through the Skiff Store, as well as personal and work documents. The device weighs just over one pound and lasts over a week of average use between charges.

"The Skiff Reader's big screen will showcase print media in compelling new ways," said Gilbert Fuchsberg, president of Skiff, LLC. "This is consistent with Skiff's focus on delivering enhanced reading experiences that engage consumers, publishers and advertisers."

The Skiff Reader is designed not just for sleekness but also for durability. It is the first consumer product to feature the next-generation of e-paper display – one based on a thin, flexible sheet of stainless-steel foil. This contrasts with the fragile glass that is the foundation of almost every electronic screen – and a primary source of vulnerability and breakage risk in the devices that incorporate them. Skiff has worked closely with LG Display (NYSE: LPL), one of the world's leading display manufacturers and the innovator of the foil-display technology, to optimize and implement this first-of-its-kind non-glass display uniquely for the Skiff Reader.

Skiff has signed a multi-year agreement with Sprint (NYSE:S) to provide 3G connectivity for Skiff's dedicated e-reading devices in the United States. Plans are underway to have the Skiff Reader available for purchase later this year in more than 1,000 Sprint retail locations across the U.S., as well as online at www.sprint.com. Availability, pricing, additional distribution channels and other details will be disclosed at a later date.

"The forthcoming launch of the Skiff Reader is an exciting development for consumers who are looking for more and more choice in the arena of embedded devices," said Dan Dooley, president wholesale solutions, Sprint. "We have witnessed a strong demand for e-readers in recent years and now Sprint is showing its commitment to Skiff by making this new device available on the 3G network and for sale in Sprint retail stores."

In October 2009, Sprint announced the formation of its Emerging Solutions Business that focuses exclusively on the rapid delivery of machine-to-machine and mobile computing solutions to businesses and consumers. Sprint's partnership with Skiff builds on more than 10 years of experience in working with vendors to provision non-Sprint-branded devices to operate on its networks, as well as extensive expertise in operating multiple platforms and assets.

In addition to 3G, the Skiff Reader will also support wireless connectivity via WiFi.

The Skiff Reader will feature the Skiff service and digital store, allowing consumers to wirelessly purchase and access a wide variety of newspapers, magazines, books, blogs and other content from multiple publishers. Newspaper and magazine content delivered by Skiff will feature visually appealing layouts, high-resolution graphics, rich typography and dynamic updates, supporting key design qualities that help publications differentiate themselves and attract subscribers and advertisers.

Besides the Skiff Reader, Skiff is working with major consumer electronics manufacturers to integrate Skiff's service, digital store and client software into a range of innovative devices. By supporting a variety of devices from multiple manufacturers, and through complementary applications for major smart phone platforms, Skiff will make it easier for publishers to distribute content and advertising across a range of devices and form factors, an increasingly important goal as the e-reading market continues to grow.

WebOS Getting Doom, Quake, OpenGL, and Native SDK [Palm]

Posted: January 4th, 2010, 11:31am EST by Rosa Golijan

With some elbow grease, we've been able to play Doom on our WebOS devices for a while, but now we can do so without any messy terminal commands. Oh, and there's a playable version of Quake, too.

The folks of the webOS Internals global team have been throwing new things at us each day lately. At first Quake was only an unplayable demo, but now it plays just as well as the previously released version of Doom. These won't be the last games we'll see on the Pre though, because the same team has discovered demoed an OpenGL application and a "method for installing and running native Linux applications without the need for add-on services like webOSInternals' own Upstart Manager Service."

All of this is great news for homebrewers, Pre owners, and smartphone gamers, but tell me, what are you most eager to see next? [PreCentral Thanks, "Yinzers Are People Too!"]

Do You Really Need a Microwave or a Washer-Dryer Running Android? [Kitchen]

Posted: January 4th, 2010, 11:30am EST by Jesus Diaz

Phones, GPS, computers... Do we really want to give Android the power to control our washer-dryers and ovens and printers too? Would someone hack them to microwave your underpants, wash your soup, and dry your pizza?

It probably doesn't matter. I do it all the time. But better get used to it, because this is what we are getting soon:

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This is the NIM1000, an capacitive touch-sensitive Android-based module that is designed to control all kinds of appliances. It has the necessary connections to plug into anything, from kitchen appliances, to printers, and enterprise desktop phones. You can't buy it, however: It's designed for manufacturers of these products.

Made by Touch Revolution, the NIM1000 module will be demonstrated at CES in these appliances and gadgets, showing what features they can get. The washer dryer has slide touch-screen controls, stain guides, and a way to interpret the extraterrestrial symbols that come printed in clothe's labels. The microwave, according to Touch Revolution, "doubles a kitchen control center," with widgets to play Pandora, show a photo of your dog, read the news, a web browser, and timers for both the oven and the burners.

Do you need your microwave to be a kitchen command center while I play music and watch pictures of my dog in it all day, while posting for Gizmodo through the web browser? I don't know about you, but I'll be there like shareware.

Wouldn't you? Yes, this reminds me a bit of the old dot.com era, when everyone and their dogs put Java or Windows CE in every single thing out there. And we all know how that ended.

Can Microwave Technology be Used to Make Food Cold? [Microwaves]

Posted: January 4th, 2010, 11:02am EST by Popular Science

Microwaves can transform a frozen pizza into hot, melted goodness in four minutes flat, but they can't rescue your melted ice-cream sundae. Or can they?

To cook food, a microwave oven converts voltage into high-frequency electromagnetic microwaves. The molecules in food-especially water and fat-absorb this energy and wiggle at high speeds, causing them to heat rapidly and warm the surrounding food. Although quickly turning leftovers cold would be handy, this is a one-way operation, explains David Pozar, a professor and microwave expert at the University of Massachusetts. Microwaves can only speed up atoms, not slow them down.

Scientists do have a high-tech method for slowing atoms, however: lasers. Shoot a moving atom with a laser, and it will absorb the laser's photons and re-emit them every which way, causing the atom to hold nearly still. Placing an atom at the junction of multiple beams can slow its momentum in all directions, decreasing its energy and cooling it.

This drops an atom's temperature a couple hundred degrees Fahrenheit-much colder than anything you'd want to put in your mouth-in less than a second. But because it works most efficiently on low-density gases of atoms of a single element, physicist Mark Raizen of the University of Texas doesn't think it will be useful for cooling food anytime soon: "Not unless you can subsist on a thousand sodium atoms."

Popular Science is your wormhole to the future. Reporting on what's new and what's next in science and technology, we deliver the future now.

The Lightsaber MP3 Player Is Missing One Critical Component [Mp3]

Posted: January 4th, 2010, 11:00am EST by Mark Wilson

PSA: Until the Lightsaber MP3 Player actually emits a highly contained tube of deadly light, $24 can only buy you a Lightsaber Hilt MP3 Player. [NCSX via anythingbutipod]

Change the Channel WIth Your iPhone and the L5 Remote IR Adapter [IPhone]

Posted: January 4th, 2010, 10:27am EST by Mark Wilson

For every million or so pointless, sacrificial iPhone accessories, we get one good one. And the L5 Remote infrared adapter may just be that one accessory.

The idea couldn't be simpler: You plug the L5 Remote adapter into your iPhone's dock connector, it draws from the iPhone's battery to blast IR, and with the addition of bundled universal remote app, your iPhone can suddenly change the channel on pretty much any TV, cable/sat box or Front Row compatible device up to 30 feet away.

We've seen iPhone remote solutions before, but nothing has been nearly this elegant. Priced at $50 whenever it's actually available, the L5 remote could finally give us one remote to control them all. [L5 Tech via The Loop via Silicon Alley Insider via DVICE]

Cable and Satellite Rates Are Going Up, Up, Up [Cable]

Posted: January 4th, 2010, 10:20am EST by Adam Frucci

Both Time Warner Cable and DirecTV are jacking their prices up, passing along higher channel rates to the customer. My, what a nice reminder this is that you really don't need to be paying for cable!

Yes, a late deal was struck between Fox and Time Warner Cable, but that deal involves Time Warner paying Fox more for the right to carry its stations. And guess who's paying for those rates? You are, sucker.

Meanwhile, the Food Network and HGTV are currently being blacked out for Cablevision customers while a similar dispute is going on. It will probably be resolved the same way: with higher costs for consumers.

Oh, and did I mention that DirecTV is increasing both its costs for basic service as well as for DVRs?

Yes, it's getting ugly out there, folks. Or more ugly, I should say. Networks are threatened by cable, so they want more money to run on cable. Meanwhile, cable networks are getting more and more viewers and clout, so they want more money too. And in the middle are cable and satellite companies, who have no plans of giving up any of their profits to these bitchy networks. So that leaves you, the customer, holding the bill.

Luckily, it's never been easier to cut these guys loose, save yourself $100/month and never look back. Why not send them all a message? These guys just aren't as essential as they think they are. [NY Times; Consumerist]

MSI Prepping Dual Screen, Nvidia-Powered eReader and a 3D Laptop [EReaders]

Posted: January 4th, 2010, 10:10am EST by Sean Fallon

Rumor has it that the eReader MSI plans to unveil at this year's CES will not only have Nvidia Tegra graphics, but dual screens as well. A 3D laptop may also be in the works.

Of course, as you can see from the Asus dual screen eReader pictured here, the concept of a dual screen eReader is nothing new. But I have to wonder how devices like this will compete or blend with more functional tablet computers. As for the 3D laptop, there isn't any further detail. Hopefully we will learn more when CES kicks off. [Digitimes]

Pocket Heat App Turns Your iPhone Into a Hand Radiator [IPhone]

Posted: January 4th, 2010, 9:40am EST by Jesus Diaz

iPhone app developers never cease to amaze me, re-inventing not only the software, but also the hardware itself, like the iPhone air blower app. Or Pocket Heat, which can turn your iPhone into a hand heater. Here's how it works:

Easy: The app puts your iPhone on overdrive, using 100% of its processing power. That, as you probably have noticed with some applications, makes the components overheat, which in turn can warm up your hands. There's another application like this, called iHandWarmer, but Pocket Heater wins because of its really beautiful retro design.

Both apps will kill your battery pretty quickly, though, but I'd choose having a dead iPhone over having my finger fall of because of frostbite. [iTunes Apple Store via Krapps]

iPhone Controlled by Magic (Mouse) [IPhone]

Posted: January 4th, 2010, 9:34am EST by Mark Wilson

The iPhone does not need a mouse. Having said that, the BTstack developers have gotten the iPhone working with a Magic Mouse and laser keyboard (drivers not yet public), and it's worth checking out for novelty alone. [BTStack via Engadget]

War Machine Costume...Errr, We THINK It's a Costume [Iron Man]

Posted: January 4th, 2010, 9:25am EST by Mark Wilson

Either one guy has spent hundreds of hours meticulously handcrafting his own War Machine armor, or some boom mic operator has busted off the Paramount set and he's terrorizing the club scene with style.

While the suit is still a work in progress, it's currently constructed out of high impact urethane covered in a brushed metal finish (plus, over 600 rivets have been implemented so far). And you'll be pleased to know, the thing shoots bottle rockets...if we're not misreading a joke.
gawkerGallery(5437927,13,'');
I know what you're thinking: finally, we know how Iron Man got that beer gut. [SuperHeroHype via technabob]

Best Buy's 'Optimization' Is Officially a Huge, Evil Scam [Scams]

Posted: January 4th, 2010, 9:00am EST by Adam Frucci

Best Buy's computer optimization service costs $40 and promises to double the speed of your computer. They push it hard, so hard that you're often forced to get it against your wishes. The trouble? It makes computers slower.

If you've ever bought a computer from Best Buy, you've doubtlessly been pitched an optimization. And you may have even been forced to buy a model already "optimized" against your wishes, as they have a practice of opening up a sizable percentage of laptops, performing the service, then sealing them back up. Want to buy this advertised laptop? Oops, only pre-optimized models are left! That'll be $40 over the advertised price, please.

That would be a slimy enough practice if the service was actually beneficial, but a new Consumerist investigation shows that the "service" is actually damaging, slowing down new computers by an average of 32%.

What exactly are they doing to these computers to warrant a $40, then?

Upon comparing the optimized changes, the first noticeable change was a cleaner desktop. Most of the removed shortcuts were for trials, promotions and software added by the manufacture. The programs themselves were still installed and available for later access. Updates had been downloaded on all three models, but differences in the factory default setup can affect how the system is optimized. On one laptop, for example, because Windows Defender was deactivated by default, its definitions had not been updated.

Some optimization changes seemed intended to make the laptop easier to use, such as adding the status bar to the file explorer, or displaying the file menu bar in Internet Explorer. Including a link to the Downloads folder in the Start menu, for example, can save you a few clicks. Security settings were adjusted to allow for automatic Windows updates, and in Internet Explorer, privacy settings were eased up to allow websites you visit to save info you provide on your PC.

Yes, Best Buy is charging $40 to delete shortcuts from your desktop. They don't delete the actual bloatware, just the shortcuts that let you know what bloatware is there. And they download updates for you. Good lord.

Oh, and did I mention that after one of the optimizations, the Geek Squad forgot to put the power cable back in the box? Oops!

Why is Best Buy being so crazy aggressive about rip-off services like optimization? Well, it's no secret that they make almost all of their money off of accessories like HDMI cables, extended warranties and services like this. Most of the products they sell have razor-thin margins, meaning they'll make three times as much profit selling you a Monster Cable than an LED LCD TV. And services like optimizations? Almost pure profit.

But that doesn't make such anti-consumer behavior acceptable. Pre-optimizing new laptops is a downright scummy behavior, and completely contradicts their claims that it's a mere choice and not something customers are forced into. If Best Buy is going to continue to push these expensive services, they need to make sure that it's always a choice for customers. They also need to make clear that it, you know, actually does something useful. [Consumerist]

HDBT-990 Wristband Communicator Apologizes to No One [Cellphones]

Posted: January 4th, 2010, 8:20am EST by Mark Wilson

I know I speak for absolutely everyone here when I say, wtf happened to our watch phones?

Other than that one model by LG, the industry has passed the formfactor by.

Sure, the technology is a lot more convincing in comic books than at your desk, as you awkwardly crunch your neck and shoulders to speak into your upper arm, immediately aware that the free cologne sample was a mistake. And Bluetooth headsets (which is exactly what the $85 HDBT-990 Wristband Communicator actually is, just strapped to your wrist) already make far more sense in terms of practicality and ergonomics.

But I just want it on record, the future I've been getting is NOT the future I signed up for. Mine includes a boombox that zaps my bare feet to make high tops appear. More and more every day, I can feel this future slipping away. [Helium Digital]

So, the Future Is Here. Now What? [Cartoon]

Posted: January 1st, 2010, 10:20pm EST by Jesus Diaz

The 2000s are gone. They didn't bring the future, those Aughts. Doesn't matter. 2010 is rolling. Watch out for those flying cars when you go to pick the laundry in your jetpack. [Nedroid Comics via The Daily What via m0ddie]

All You Need for the New Year Is Love and This Uplifting Video [Music]

Posted: January 1st, 2010, 8:30pm EST by Jesus Diaz

Remember the extremely popular and heart-touching Stand By Me video? That was recorded in a virtual studio around the world during different days. Here's the not-less-heart-touching All You Need in Love, recorded in 156 countries at exactly the same time:

newVideoPlayer("/156-countries_gizmodo.flv", 500, 375,"");

The video was recorded on December 7, 2009 at 1:30pm Greenwich Meridian Time. All the different musicians in 156 locations started to sing the song at that time, with the same tempo. They obviously were good, because when the results were assembled in a single track, everything matched.

The event was organized by Starbucks to help raise awareness of AIDS in Africa for the (RED) foundation. Like the Stand By Me video, the result will touch even the more-coldester-hearted bastards among you. And if it doesn't, you need a punch in the bracket.

Another happy way to start 2010. Pass the link along. [Starbucks Love Project]

Raise Your Hand If You Spent New Years Eve on Top of the Tallest Structure in the World [Architecture]

Posted: January 1st, 2010, 7:52pm EST by Jesus Diaz

Yes, me neither. But these guys almost did, filming this crystal clear video—much better and vertigo-inducing than the previous one, thanks to a better camera and wider lens angle—on December 31, from the tip of the Burj Dubai.

Man Blowing a Bubble: An ASCII Short Film [Retromodo]

Posted: January 1st, 2010, 6:44pm EST by Jesus Diaz

Before the internet, there were movies. And before movies, there were typewriters. And before typewriters, there was chewing gum. And before chewing gum, there were only cavemen. Is this dude a caveman chewing gum in a typewriter movie? Maaaybe. [Obsolete]

An Image to Start 2010 With a Big Smile [Image Cache]

Posted: January 1st, 2010, 5:34pm EST by Jesus Diaz

Dear 2010, you'll bring the iSlate, Android 3, Natal, iPhone 4, and whatever other cool things we can't foresee now. But now you're too young, geeky, and cute. Don't worry, you'll get there. Happy New Year, everyone. [Thanks David Keyes]

Finally, a Way to Hold Coffee, Cellphone and Wallet at the Same Time [DIY]

Posted: January 1st, 2010, 5:30pm EST by Dan Nosowitz

This is a solution to a problem I definitely have—I often find myself wrestling with coffee and a few gadgets, without enough hands to hold it all. This DIY sleeve takes at least the coffee off your hands.

It's basically one of those coffee sleeves you get to keep from burning your hands, but with a few strong magnets embedded inside. So if you need an extra hand to tie your shoes, fiddle with a smartphone or PMP, you can just stick your coffee to the nearest streetlamp. And it looks like it might be even more protective for our delicate nerd hands than those wimpy cardboard ones. [Lifehacker]

I Bet This Catamaran Can Also Jump Into Hyperspace [Concept]

Posted: January 1st, 2010, 4:50pm EST by Jesus Diaz

I have seen really amazing ship designs, like the impressive kind-of-Nautlish Ghost ramming yacht, the weird transforming Ikkar, the luxurious perfect dream-aparment-that-is-really-a-boat, and the classic schooner America. The Enso, however, is the first that looks from another planet:

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I someone told me that the Enso Catamaran is really a secret version of Burt Rutan's Spaceshiptwo I wouldn't be suprised. The 140-foot Wingsailed Enso Catamaran, whoever, was designed by student Zack Stephanchick. Zack's real name is Grørrrkzyngy Aarkaantar, from the Vega 4 system. You are not tricking me Zack. I mean Grørrrkzyngy, you weird tentacle-nosed alien you. [Coroflot Born Rich]

Speaker Bot: The Iron Giant Reimagined as an Artsy iPod Dock [Art]

Posted: January 1st, 2010, 4:00pm EST by Dan Nosowitz

This Speaker Bot is a handmade, Etsy-fied robot seemingly designed around one of those little pocket guitar amps. It's maybe not the most technologically advanced iPod dock around, but it's about as cute as robots ever get.

It's a fair-sized sculpture, the only one of its kind, about a foot and a half tall. It seems to be constructed from recycled materials, which gives it a nice weathered look. It also costs $500, which is okay for a unique sculpture but as much as a pretty decent full-sized stereo, so it's probably more for the art crowd than the omg cool robot! crowd. [Etsy via Coolest Gadgets]

The Digital Cameras of 2000 Look Awfully Good For Their Age [Decades]

Posted: January 1st, 2010, 2:30pm EST by John Herrman

This Canon PowerShot G1, released in 2000 and listed at Best Buy for $800 in 2001, has held up well. Sure, 3.34 megapixels isn't much, but spec for spec, this codger can almost hang with the kids.

Seriously, you could just post this spec sheet next to a Canon in a retail store now, and most people wouldn't bat an eye. They sure as hell wouldn't buy it, but they probably wouldn't say anything, either: In ten years, what have we gained? More megapixels, higher-quality video, some more ports, better low-light performance, smaller memory cards, better battery life, and a little compactness. Canon's cheapest P&S, the 10-megapixel Powershot A480, handily outspecs the $800 G1 for just $110 (though it doesn't have video). Today, if you hand Canon $800, they'll hand you back a DSLR that shoots HD video:

What's amazing, though, is that if you did spend $800 on this camera back in 2000, you could still use it today. It'd be beaten to hell, the zoom motor would sound like it had gained sentience and learned to experience real, mammalian pain, and the 16MB CF card would have been replaced with something a little roomier, but damnit, it would work—and your Facebook friends wouldn't know the difference. You can't say that about many gadgets from 10 years ago, so here's to you, Powershot: You were great, or your category moves slow. Whichever makes you feel better.

7 Gadgets That Will Ruin 2010 [Tgif]

Posted: January 1st, 2010, 1:00pm EST by Sean Fallon

Do you make new year's resolutions? If so, you should avoid the following products. Your chance for success in 2010 would be over before it began.

Losing Weight: Sorry, but your diet is blown sky high when you carry around a briefcase full of sausage—as is your resolution about not having heart attacks in 2010. [Link]
Get More Enjoyment Out of Life: Unfortunately, if you purchase any one of the gadgets on our list of the 50 (+10) worst gadgets of the decade, the chances of leading a more joyful life are significantly reduced.
Get On a Budget and Save Money: If you want to save more money in the upcoming year, you should probably steer clear of impulse Back to the Future Delorean replica purchases on eBay—no matter how insanely detailed they might be. [Jalopnik]
Get a Promotion: Forget a promotion, you will be completely unemployable if you decide to bust out the office babe score cards. [Smutty Gifts]
Stop Drinking So Much: After New Year's Eve, I'm going to cut down on the alcohol—and this time, I mean it. Unfortunately, that goal is going to be a lot harder to achieve with a booze-loading shotgun lying around. [Giftlab]

And if you plan on going out tonight and getting completely hammered, make sure to check out our PSA on the dangers of mixing alcohol and gadgets. You've been warned.

Meet a Nice Woman: If you go around wearing a shredder hoodie everywhere, 2010 probably isn't going to be the year you get lucky in love. ['80s Tees via Link]
Stop Smoking So Much: Cigarette smoking is one thing, but using the Volcano Vaporizer for the purpose in which it was intended is quite another. Instead of smoke, you inhale vapor, which eliminates many of the toxins but retains all of the flavors and mind numbing effects. Sounds great, but this little guy simultaneously puts four new year's resolutions in jeopardy: get organized, learn something new, get promoted or find a new job, and establish a budget (it costs $500). [Volcano Vaporizer via Link]

Cube-Based Chess Set Adds Modern Confusion To Timeless Difficulty [Chess]

Posted: January 1st, 2010, 11:30am EST by Kyle VanHemert

My chess strategy doesn't extend too far beyond pulling my knights out first, because that's what the computer games always do against me. But with this cube-based set, I'd probably need a strategy just to remember which piece is which.

Chess has been reimagined more times than anyone cares to count. But Scott Cruz's chess set, designed around a cubic pawn, makes the game even more difficult to master, rendering all the pieces as rectangular towers of different heights.

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Thankfully, Cruz has included a built-in cheat sheet for the easily confused; each piece is indented with tiny squares showing its possible moves.

Still, my go-to set-up mnemonic—"the Queen always starts on her own color"—won't work too well on the gray scale board. [The Design Blog]

Bathrobe Jumpsuit is the Final Word in Snuggie Technology [Snuggie]

Posted: January 1st, 2010, 10:00am EST by Brian Barrett

You can keep your neck snuggie and baby snuggie and space snuggie. Real ballers know that the Snuggle Suit is the be all and end all.

Not only is this actual product currently for sale, it's also 66% off at JC Penny. If you don't wish you had one of these to lounge away your New Year's hangover in right now, you're doing something wrong. Available in four colors and infinity style points. [Consumerist]

Microsoft's Lost Decade in Mobile [Decades]

Posted: January 1st, 2010, 8:30am EST by John Herrman

10 years ago, you could buy the HP Jornada 548 with a color screen, which let you listen to MP3s, surf the web, check your email, and keep a calendar. It had a touchscreen. It ran Windows. It was awesome.

Today, you can buy a smartphone with a color screen, which lets you listen to MP3s, surf the web, check your email and keep a calendar. It has a touchscreen. It runs Windows. It does everything—everything—better than its ancestor did, in a much sexier hardware package. Plus it makes calls! It will cost you less than the $450 Jornada 548, though you'll probably have to sign a two-year cellphone contract. Amazingly, though, its software looks and feels almost exactly the same as its ten-year-old brother.

I don't just want to beat up on Microsoft here, because disregarding aesthetics and UX, Windows Mobile has evolved a lot since it was just a twinkle in Windows CE's eye. But not as much as the competitors around it, and not fast enough to stay relevant. So instead of looking back, let's look forward: Microsoft, Windows Mobile 7, whatever it is, is your chance to win us back. The mobile space moves faster than it did back at the turn of the millenium, back when you had some of the best mobile software on the market, but it also has a shorter memory. Show us what you've got; we're eager to see it.

Shine On, You Crazy Gadgets [Gadgets]

Posted: January 1st, 2009, 11:00pm EST by Brian Lam

I spent this decade hunting for the perfect gadget. I never thought I would end up with tech as good as this. But it's not the tech that interests me the most anymore.

In 2000, I was just another kid out of college in Boston escaping to the Golden State's climate and opportunity. The perfect job didn't present itself for six long months; four months later, it burst with the bubble.

It's not important what the job was. I was fired not just because the company was eating shit but also because I spent extraordinary amounts of company time online, obsessively reading about games and gadgets. That was fate, it seems.

My toys were nothing fancy; a leftover Dell Inspiron laptop with a 266 MHz processor, maybe 256MB of RAM, and no 3D graphics; a Motorola Startac variant on T-Mobile (300 minutes, no data plan—can you imagine!—or even text messages).

I don't think I even had a portable media player, playing Napster MP3s only at home on Winamp. For video games I had a first generation PlayStation, games rented from Kosmo and copied with a CD burner, played on an Aiwa 24-inch TV that was built around a Sony Trinitron CRT tube. At the time, these were important brands.

Since then the companies that made the gadgets I loved started looking old-fashioned, following that simple-minded formula of chasing more MHz, more pixels.

Then: iPod.

And I ignored it. It was pretty but I couldn't afford one. It almost seemed stupid, since lots of other MP3 players advertised more features for less cash. I didn't own a Mac, nor did I plan to. It was white—and who wanted a white gadget? Silver was my kind of cool. Fake plastic silver, even. Anything with a metallic flake in its finish. I didn't get it, conceptually or literally.

Remember Creative? They made better stuff than Apple for less money, and I wanted one of their players. Today, I don't know if Creative even makes MP3 players. I use iTunes and Amazon.com for music buying. I bet you do, too. It took more than a few failed experiments, but a lot of us are actually buying music again.

Digital changed cameras, too.

My first digital camera was a Kodak, because Kodak was the brand for imaging even through the late '90s, before the Canon and Nikon train barreled past Rochester, leaving Kodak a ghost town. Kodak was invested in the past.

This was the decade I got into PC gaming hardware—then got out. I wasn't even that into the games, but loved slapping cheap components into tall steel Taiwanese cases, looping wires through sharp-edged bays for fans, lights, optical and hard drives.

A year into this habit, I realized I was in an pointless upgrade loop. I'd get a few more frames per second out of a new video card, but the games weren't more fun at higher frames-rates or resolutions, especially when everyone got stuck playing Counterstrike for two years straight. (I was still playing consoles, but my fervor was waning; I waited in line for a PS2 and only to collapse onto my bed with the box, too tired to open it.)

One sweltering day my PC suffered a fatal crash and lost a lot of data. That was that. I gave in to Mactardedness—and not because I loved Apple, but because I hated inconvenience. Maybe using a Mac would provoke less cursing. I even got an iPod. Slowly, my brain released its desire to tinker, and I used my rebuilt PC less and less.

I noticed Friendster. Joined. It got slow.

Joined MySpace. It got filled with junk.

Joined that Facebook thing because Nick Denton made me. Man is it ugly. I didn't log back in for a few years.

Signed up for Twitter. No one I know in real life uses this thing. Didn't sign in for a few years. I didn't get the social web, at first. Google—not other people—was my door to the internet.

Got a PS3. Turned it on for Metal Gear. Squinted at menus. It asked me to log in for its store, but there was nothing in there. Beat Metal Gear twice, turned it off. Dust looks like a matte finish on a PS3.

Got an Xbox 360. Added my friends. Liked knowing where my friends were and what they were doing. Liked killing my friends on Xbox, even though PS3 has faster, quieter, nicer hardware. I guess I am not as anti-social as I thought—as long as being social involves assassination. (Twitter would be better if you could use it to murder your friends.)

Bought HD-DVD. Blu-ray won the battle the last physical media format ever. Now I just subscribe to 15 different movie services. (Wait, is that better?)

Ten years ago, Dell was shaking things up because it sold through the internet for cheap. Now they're shrinking. You can't tell the difference between an Inspiron or Latitude or XPS with a 15-inch screen. People who shop for computers now often look to Apple simply because it's easier to pick a size—small, medium, or large—and then pick the expensive or the cheaper version. (Do you want fries with that?) Dell's branding and model line up is an American heartland clusterfuck.

Sony stopped cooking up so many proprietary—often imaginary—formats, but only because they'd lost. The company that made the Walkman now makes iPod docks. Sony's hardware continues to be fantastic, but does it matter? They're the only gadget company with a music label and movie studio. Can anyone name the Sony iTunes alternative? Does anyone talk to their friends about their love for the TX-1234xZR? Or its cousin without Bluetooth, the TX-1234xZRnbt? Or the TX-1234xZRnbt2xz with an extra 2X zoom? Sony's branding and model line up is a Japanese megacorp clusterfuck.

For an all-too-brief moment, T-mobile was hip because they were cheap, had a phone called the Hiptop, and Catherine Zeta Jones was hotter than Ma Bell. You could get your problems taken care of in one call. Also: pink logo. Then we all got phones capable of doing real things that needed real pipes. AT&T was convinced by Apple to do some cheap flat rate thing on that iPhone. Sorry TMO.

Apple came back. It was Steve, a man who lost the first round 20 years ago and came back to fight the mobile war with all the old lessons from the PC war in pocket. Design, manufacturing, sourcing of components, marketing and maybe most importantly, software. He had almost everything under control. They went Intel, declaring that hardware wasn't the thing that defined a better computer.

And, this little thing called iPhone. We had an email debate at Gizmodo about calling this decade the "iDecade". Naming a decade after a gadget, no matter how great it is, makes me want to vomit. So does calling the iPhone the gadget of the year. It just seems too easy, too cliche.

But it was the one. It has been the culmination of decades of development across countless industries, all coming together into a single little slab of near-perfection. After a decade filled with so many aborted, ill-conceived clones and ideas tuned more for profit than progress, the iPhone was a rare gem. Just because it's obvious doesn't make it less true.

For years, the received wisdom was that specialized devices would always continue to progress at a rate that made all-in-one devices poor solutions.

Here are the things replaced by my iPhone: Mapping and GPS; point-and-shoot camera; Flip camcorder; Game Boy; calculator (okay, I didn't carry this around ever); calendar; organizer; any book-of-the-moment; phone; Playboy; newspaper; notebook; voice recorder; iPod; video player (can you believe this was a whole gadget category just three years ago?); weatherman; TV; wrist watch; radio; alarm clock; compass; pedometer; musical instrument; Bible, medical journals, dictionary, any reference book. Sometimes, even my laptop. Put together enough "good enough" solutions, it turns out, and they begin to outweigh even the specialized devices.

Thank goodness it's looking like it's not going to just be the iPhone. (Although credit where it's due; Apple pushed the whole industry forward by five years, easily, if judged by the rate the rest of the industry was moving.) Whether Android, Palm, maybe even Windows Mobile if Microsoft really buckles down, little portable internet computers with an ever-expanding array of senses we have (save taste/smell, but just wait) and little applications that make them more and more useful, are finally pushing gadgetry forward in ways we never fully expected.

None of this happened randomly. Those who ended up on top had luck and timing and resources. But why they came out ahead was predicated by several things, naturally highlighted in hindsight.

The four rings of gadgetdom in the 2000s were design, the social internet, powerful but inexpensive hardware, and a real software ecosystem.

Only five companies have a shot at nailing the home, mobile and work hat trick, from software and hardware to internet: Apple, Microsoft, Google, Sony and Samsung. They're all failing in some way. Apple's cloud services are a joke. Sony can still make great hardware but have no idea how people want to use it. Samsung can't write code. With Android, Google can't figure out if they want to be Microsoft or Apple. Counterintuitive as it may seem, I think Microsoft has a real shot at winning the next decade, if they listen to their entertainment group who have figured out how to do a platform right.

Little companies don't really have a shot at this level of unified, do-all gadget greatness. The age of the garage hardware start-up belongs to the web generation, not the next generation of gadget makers. Smartphones have become analogous to PCs of the '90s. There's little room for a new PC platform to come online, but a vast potential space for start-ups to use the big platforms as a springboard with new accessories and software.

Gizmodo has undergone fundamental changes in the last few years. It's really hard to get excited about copy cat hardware made from the same underlying chips and parts, often in the same factory. Any blog that covers press release after press release indiscriminately is doing readers a serious disservice instead of focusing on what makes a real difference to gadgetry: content, social context and applications. What gets us excited are evolving operating systems that pump the hardware full of new life and devices that continuously inhale new movies, music, and messages from friends through the internet.

Right now, I'm in Japan. It's already 2010. When I look ahead at this year, it's easy to see why the anticipation for tablets is boiling over, even though the idea of tablets, like smartphones five years ago, is perhaps old hat. Now that we've seen what happens when companies really nail a unified smartphone, we're projecting our hopes on the generation of tablets to come.

The best tech, as it approaches a zenith of purpose and polish, becomes invisible. It gets out of the way of the user, becomes just a portal to...stuff. One does not give much thought to a faucet as long as it provides water. Finally, at the end of this decade, we've had a taste of what it's like when network capability, slick software, sensors and—most importantly—content and communication come together in such tiny, shrinking hardware.

It's not shiny things that captivate me anymore; it's what they shine.

Damn Big News » Gizmodo » January 2010

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