The definition of a good friend is someone who, if you say to them "Gee, I'd really like a foot pedal to advance my overflowing Google Reader feeds," turns around and builds you one. From scratch. In this way we know that modder Matt Richardson is a good friend, as that's what he crafted out of a little electric pedal and a disused keyboard (of the Dell variety). It's not the most complex hack we've ever seen, but it is a good one, and he's happy to show you exactly how to do it in the video below. Oh, and the friend's response? You can see it for yourself at the end of the embed. Monday, 25 October 2010
Matt Richardson MacGuyvers a Google Reader pedal out of just these items, zero duct tape (video)
The definition of a good friend is someone who, if you say to them "Gee, I'd really like a foot pedal to advance my overflowing Google Reader feeds," turns around and builds you one. From scratch. In this way we know that modder Matt Richardson is a good friend, as that's what he crafted out of a little electric pedal and a disused keyboard (of the Dell variety). It's not the most complex hack we've ever seen, but it is a good one, and he's happy to show you exactly how to do it in the video below. Oh, and the friend's response? You can see it for yourself at the end of the embed. 
NVIDIA lists unannounced GTX 580 graphics card on its page, quickly puts it back in hiding
By Tim Stevens 
posted Oct 23rd 2010 4:44PM 
What's this, a bit of intrigue from NVIDIA? The company is due for a refresh on its DirectX 11 line and, with AMD's Cayman series floating its way to availability on crystal-clear waters, the competition appears to be teasing its response. NVIDIA briefly listed a card called the GTX 580 on its System Requirements page and, while we don't know how long it was there, it was quickly pulled after news of its presence started making the rounds. Accidental addition or the intentional planting of a seed of doubt in the minds of AMD fans? We'll never know, and we don't know the details of the card either, but expectations are that it contains 40nm construction with 512 CUDA cores, 2GB of GDDR5 memory, and a due date before the end of the year. That should give you plenty of time to upgrade your power supply... again. 
posted Oct 23rd 2010 4:44PM What's this, a bit of intrigue from NVIDIA? The company is due for a refresh on its DirectX 11 line and, with AMD's Cayman series floating its way to availability on crystal-clear waters, the competition appears to be teasing its response. NVIDIA briefly listed a card called the GTX 580 on its System Requirements page and, while we don't know how long it was there, it was quickly pulled after news of its presence started making the rounds. Accidental addition or the intentional planting of a seed of doubt in the minds of AMD fans? We'll never know, and we don't know the details of the card either, but expectations are that it contains 40nm construction with 512 CUDA cores, 2GB of GDDR5 memory, and a due date before the end of the year. That should give you plenty of time to upgrade your power supply... again. [Thanks, Musouka]
Netflix testing $7.99 and $8.99 streaming-only plans in US right now, one is not a discount (update)
By Sean Hollister posted Oct 23rd 2010 3:36PM 
When CEO Reed Hastings called Netflix "primarily a streaming company that also offers DVD-by-mail," he wasn't messing around, as the company's quietly made streaming-only plans a reality on US shores. Strangely enough, however, it seems the firm hasn't quite decided how much the new plan should cost, as depending on which computer and web browser you use to navigate Netflix's website you'll see a different result. Our Windows desktop running Chrome was invited to sign up for the same $7.99 disc-less plan as our Canadian counterparts, while Firefox asked us to pay $8.99 for the same privilege, and in either case it'd cost us $9.99 in total if we wanted physical discs as well -- while a MacBook Pro on the other side of the country was given the choice between $8.99 for streaming-only or Netflix's previous plan of $8.99 for both. In short, there's a chance you might get a $1 discount if you only use the company's online service now, but if you like DVDs delivered to your door you may find yourself subsidizing those who don't. See a picture illustrating the discrepancy right after the break. 
posted Oct 23rd 2010 3:36PM When CEO Reed Hastings called Netflix "primarily a streaming company that also offers DVD-by-mail," he wasn't messing around, as the company's quietly made streaming-only plans a reality on US shores. Strangely enough, however, it seems the firm hasn't quite decided how much the new plan should cost, as depending on which computer and web browser you use to navigate Netflix's website you'll see a different result. Our Windows desktop running Chrome was invited to sign up for the same $7.99 disc-less plan as our Canadian counterparts, while Firefox asked us to pay $8.99 for the same privilege, and in either case it'd cost us $9.99 in total if we wanted physical discs as well -- while a MacBook Pro on the other side of the country was given the choice between $8.99 for streaming-only or Netflix's previous plan of $8.99 for both. In short, there's a chance you might get a $1 discount if you only use the company's online service now, but if you like DVDs delivered to your door you may find yourself subsidizing those who don't. See a picture illustrating the discrepancy right after the break. Update: We've got Netflix's entire pricing breakdown for DVD-mailer plans after the break, and unless we're mistaken, the three cheapest tiers all cost an extra dollar now, while the more expensive plans stay the same.
[Thanks, Michael S.]
Pantone's CAPSURE tells you what color anything is, easily separates salmon from rose
Pantone Introduces CAPSURE; Lets Design Professionals and Contractors Capture Color Inspiration Anywhere
Accurately Capture and Match the Color of any Surface, Including Hard-to-measure Patterns, Textures and Open-weave Textiles
CARLSTADT, N.J., Oct 18, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) --
Pantone LLC, an X-Rite company (NASDAQ: XRIT) and the global authority on color and provider of professional color standards for the design industries, today announces CAPSURETM, a compact, handheld device that lets design professionals, contractors, paint retailers and do-it-yourselfers confidently measure and match color inspiration instantly - from small, patterned, multi-colored textures and textiles to walls and carpeting.
Created for professionals in fashion, home furnishings, interior, industrial and graphic design, as well as contractors, paint retailers and do-it-yourselfers, CAPSURE allows users to accurately identify color inspiration from any surface, material or fabric and match it to a PANTONE(R) Color for easy communication. With unsurpassed accuracy, CAPSURE significantly reduces the time it takes to measure or choose a color from a sample or any other form of color inspiration.
"CAPSURE's advanced image capture technology sets a new standard for accuracy and versatility in a portable device," said Giovanni Marra, director of corporate marketing at Pantone. "The real power of CAPSURE is its ability to measure the color of any surface, including small, patterned and multi-colored textures and textiles, which can confound other instruments because of their textural complexity, and quickly match them to more than 8,000 PANTONE Colors."
The device uses powerful tri-directional image capture technology that eliminates the shadows and interference inherent to patterned and textured materials and surfaces. By illuminating the surface being measured from three different directions while simultaneously recording 27 color-accurate images in 1.6 seconds, CAPSURE can extract up to four dominant colors from an intricate pattern so the viewer can clearly identify the desired color.
"I am constantly inspired and, believe it or not, have actually started carrying CAPSURE in my bag to capture color inspiration wherever I am - it's as easy to use as an iPhoneTM," said Peter Som, American women's wear designer. "Pantone has managed to marry the design process with cutting-edge technology in this one tool - my design team and I are obsessed!"
"In the business of color matching tricky fabrics, patterns and plastics on-site, it's tough to trust my own eyes and harder still to be weighed down with multiple fan decks," said Jeff Miller, owner of Jeff Miller Design. "Pantone's portable CAPSURE device takes me right to the PANTONE Color number with one click, then provides dozens of additional PANTONE Color options and complementary colors which are all stored for easy use and reference in CAPSURE."
CAPSURE's image capture technology lets professionals preview what they are measuring on its 1.75-inch color screen, in real time, to affirm image accuracy. Those images are then stored on the device for later reference. CAPSURE has the ability to record the last 100 colors measured for later reference. Users can also annotate colors with a voice recording as well as a time and date stamp. Additionally, the device provides harmonious shades and identifies related colors that are lighter, darker or similar in tone to the identified color.
CAPSURE comes pre-loaded with all PANTONE Color Libraries allowing users to match more than 8,000 colors with a single device. Users can also toggle across multiple PANTONE Libraries and cross-match any material or surface. CAPSURE includes:
The PANTONE FASHION + HOME Color System Library (paper and cotton) for fashion and home;
The PANTONE PAINT + INTERIORS Library (paper and cotton) for architecture and interiors;
The PANTONE PLUS SERIES Formula Guide (coated and uncoated), the PANTONE PLUS SERIES CMYK (coated and uncoated) and the PANTONE GoeTM System (coated and uncoated) for graphic design, printing and publishing; providing sRGB, Adobe RGB, HTML, Lab and XYZ values for multimedia design.
Users can also upload fan decks from popular paint manufacturers, at an additional cost, to match the color of an inspirational item in paint.
For convenient remote use, the device is powered by a rechargeable lithium battery that lasts for thousands of measurements on a single charge.
CAPSURE Palette Application Software
The CAPSURE Palette Application Software provides convenient access to saved color measurements, details and tags, and allows users to view measured color samples with selectable lighting conditions on their computer screen. Users can also create palettes with their favorite shades or custom palettes for a specific project. All palettes can be synchronized with popular design applications including Adobe(R) Creative Suite(R), QuarkXPress(R) and CorelDRAW(R).
CAPSURE Sync
CAPSURE Sync ensures that CAPSURE is always updated with the most current color selections, new color ranges and specialty collections.
Pricing and Availability
CAPSURE is available immediately for U.S. $649 at www.pantone.com. Paint libraries can be purchased for an additional cost at www.xrite.com or through the CAPSURE Sync function. CAPSURE Sync is available for both PC and Mac users and is included, free-of-charge, with each CAPSURE device. The Palette Application Software is available for download, free-of-charge, upon product registration. The Palette Application Software is PC-compatible; Macintosh support is expected in January 2011.
About Pantone
Pantone LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of X-Rite, Incorporated, has been the world's color authority for almost 50 years, providing design professionals with products and services for the colorful exploration and expression of creativity. Always a source for color inspiration, Pantone also offers designer-inspired products and services for consumers. More information is available at www.pantone.com.
About X-Rite
X-Rite, Incorporated, is the global leader in color science and technology. The company, which now includes color industry leader Pantone, develops, manufactures, markets and supports innovative color solutions through measurement systems, software, color standards and services. X-Rite's expertise in inspiring, selecting, measuring, formulating, communicating and matching color helps users get color right the first time and every time, which translates to better quality and reduced costs. X-Rite serves a range of industries, including printing, packaging, photography, graphic design, video, automotive, paints, plastics, textiles, dental and medical. For further information, please visit www.xrite.com.
PANTONE(R)...The color of ideasSM.
PANTONE(R) and other Pantone trademarks are the property of Pantone LLC. © Pantone LLC, 2010. All rights reserved. Adobe, Creative Suite is a trademark of Adobe Systems Incorporated. iPhone is a trademark of Apple. QuarkXPress is a trademark of Quark, Inc. and its affiliates in the U.S. and/or other countries. CorelDRAW is a trademark of Corel Corporation.
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6470606<=en
SOURCE: Pantone LLC
How would you change Amazon's Kindle DX Graphite?
By Darren Murph posted Oct 22nd 2010 10:30PM 
We both know you didn't need a Kindle with a 9.7-inch display, but you went and did the deed anyway. Now that you're a proud owner of Amazon's Kindle DX Graphite, you're obligated to tell the world what exactly you'd change about it if given the ability to do so. We noted back in our review that the revised display was indeed a lovely extra, but is it enough to justify the lofty premium over the standard 6-inch model? Would you have changed up the keyboard? What about the enclosure? Thrown in a kickstand? Added a helmet mount? Go on and tell us how you'd make the Kindle DX Graphite an ideal device down in comments below. We're all ears, you know.
posted Oct 22nd 2010 10:30PM We both know you didn't need a Kindle with a 9.7-inch display, but you went and did the deed anyway. Now that you're a proud owner of Amazon's Kindle DX Graphite, you're obligated to tell the world what exactly you'd change about it if given the ability to do so. We noted back in our review that the revised display was indeed a lovely extra, but is it enough to justify the lofty premium over the standard 6-inch model? Would you have changed up the keyboard? What about the enclosure? Thrown in a kickstand? Added a helmet mount? Go on and tell us how you'd make the Kindle DX Graphite an ideal device down in comments below. We're all ears, you know. Power Gig's full-size, handmade guitar / controller now on sale for $250
By Darren Murph posted Oct 23rd 2010 3:11PM 
Ah, ha! There it is! Way back in March, we had a sit-down with folks from Seven45 Studios about their plans for Power Gig: Rise of the SixString (for PS3 and Xbox 360), focusing mainly on how they intended to rival the Rock Band and Guitar Hero franchises from a peripheral standpoint. The six string guitar accessory that ships with the game bundle today is already leaps and bounds better than what RB3 is packin', but an instrument we were keenly interested in at GDC was also one we couldn't photograph at the time. The company made clear that it was looking at releasing a real-deal, bona fide guitar in the future -- a full-size First Act axe that could be used with the game or with a legitimate amplifier. Now, that limited edition piece is on sale for both of the aforesaid consoles, boasting a single cutaway basswood body, humbucking pickup, and a maple neck with a rosewood fretboard. Each one is available for $249.99, but there's no telling how many will be produced. We'd also prefer to see these in larger music shops in order to give consumers an idea of the fit, finish, feel and sound, but those into taking chances can get one headed their way as we speak.
posted Oct 23rd 2010 3:11PM Ah, ha! There it is! Way back in March, we had a sit-down with folks from Seven45 Studios about their plans for Power Gig: Rise of the SixString (for PS3 and Xbox 360), focusing mainly on how they intended to rival the Rock Band and Guitar Hero franchises from a peripheral standpoint. The six string guitar accessory that ships with the game bundle today is already leaps and bounds better than what RB3 is packin', but an instrument we were keenly interested in at GDC was also one we couldn't photograph at the time. The company made clear that it was looking at releasing a real-deal, bona fide guitar in the future -- a full-size First Act axe that could be used with the game or with a legitimate amplifier. Now, that limited edition piece is on sale for both of the aforesaid consoles, boasting a single cutaway basswood body, humbucking pickup, and a maple neck with a rosewood fretboard. Each one is available for $249.99, but there's no telling how many will be produced. We'd also prefer to see these in larger music shops in order to give consumers an idea of the fit, finish, feel and sound, but those into taking chances can get one headed their way as we speak. LIMITED EDITION HANDMADE FULL-SIZE GUITAR AVAILABLE NOW FOR POWER GIG: RISE OF THE SIXSTRINGSeven45 Studios Provides More Guitar Options on PowerGig.com as First Music Video Game Using Real Guitar as Controller Ships to Retail
Boston - October 21, 2010 - Seven45 Studios, the new video game publisher, developer and hardware manufacturer that is a sister company to musical instrument manufacturing giant First Act, has made a limited edition full-size guitar controller for Power Gig: Rise of the SixString available for purchase at PowerGig.com. Power Gig: Rise of the SixString is the first band videogame for which the guitar controller is a fully functioning six-string electric guitar. The game is now available at retail bundled with a real electric guitar, and gamers can now purchase additional full-size guitars for the game on PowerGig.com. The limited edition guitars available on the site are handmade at First Act's custom shop, and feature a single cutaway basswood body, humbucking pickup, and a maple neck with a rosewood fretboard, all for only $249.99. Power Gig: Rise of the SixString is now available for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and Xbox 360® videogame and entertainment system.
"Power Gig: Rise of the SixString allows everyone to elevate their band video game playing to a true rock 'n' roll experience," said Seven45 Studios Chairman and CEO, Bernard Chiu. "We wanted to give our players even more options to rock it real in the style most suited to them, so we have made available a new selection of handmade full-size guitars that anyone can pick up and play."
Power Gig: Rise of the SixString is the true evolution of the band videogame experience. Its genuine six string guitar functions as a wireless game controller, and features Seven45's proprietary technology that can distinguish and recognize gamers' input all along the guitar, making the guitars as easy to pick up and play as any other band game button controllers. The unique dual-functionality of the SixString allows for use in-game as well as with any standard guitar amplifier. In addition to traditional beat-matching that will be familiar to fans of the band game genre, Power Gig also introduces the option to switch on chording, which presents the added challenge of playing the game using chords that require specific finger placement on the neck. As players progress through the game, becoming more comfortable with a genuine guitar and challenging themselves to play real power chords, they will find the byproduct of playing the game is coming away from it with real-life guitar skills.
Eric Clapton, Dave Matthews Band and Kid Rock have each entered into exclusive agreements with Seven45 Studios to provide songs for Power Gig: Rise of the SixString. These deals mark the first time ever that songs from each of the three artists will appear as part of a music videogame. Additional songs were secured by multi-platinum artists John Mayer, No Doubt, Smashing Pumpkins, Jane's Addiction, Stone Temple Pilots, Rage Against the Machine, and many others. Seven45 Studios also plans to continue building Power Gig's track list with continued downloadable content (DLC) after the game's release.
For more information, please visit http://www.powergig.com.
Man with bionic arms dies after car crash
By Sean Hollister posted Oct 23rd 2010 2:09PM 
Otto Bock's mind-controlled bionic arms let Austria's Christian Kandlbauer work, play and even drive, but it seems the latter passion may have lead to the 22-year-old's untimely demise. Two days after a road accident where the young man's specially-modified Subaru crashed into a tree, Kandlbauer was pronounced brain-dead and taken off life support late last week. It's not known whether the prosthetic arms themselves had anything to do with the crash -- one was found ripped from his body at the scene -- but both he and his vehicle were cleared to drive by local authorities after passing a number of tests. Honestly, it's a tragedy for science and humanity either way.
posted Oct 23rd 2010 2:09PM Otto Bock's mind-controlled bionic arms let Austria's Christian Kandlbauer work, play and even drive, but it seems the latter passion may have lead to the 22-year-old's untimely demise. Two days after a road accident where the young man's specially-modified Subaru crashed into a tree, Kandlbauer was pronounced brain-dead and taken off life support late last week. It's not known whether the prosthetic arms themselves had anything to do with the crash -- one was found ripped from his body at the scene -- but both he and his vehicle were cleared to drive by local authorities after passing a number of tests. Honestly, it's a tragedy for science and humanity either way. Nissan Leaf goes 116.1 miles in first anecdotal test, with the air conditioning on
By Sean Hollister posted Oct 23rd 2010 8:41PM 
If there's one thing we've learned from years of toying with technology, it's never to believe a manufacturer's estimate regarding battery life, but it seems like the estimates Nissan provided for its Leaf electric car may not be too far off the mark. Though the vehicle obviously isn't getting 367 miles to its non-existent gallon, PluginCars did manage to eke out a solid 116.1 miles in the car's first anecdotal test, and all they had to do to go the distance was drive casually and slightly below the speed limit. "It wasn't like I was driving like an obsessed hypermiler," said the driver, who spent most of the trip with the A/C blasting. Nissan recently revised their range estimates for the Leaf to anywhere from 62 to 138 miles depending on speed and weather conditions, so 116.1 is a pretty solid run, but until those charging stations permeate the countryside, we're still going to take the ol' gas-guzzler on our road trips.
posted Oct 23rd 2010 8:41PM If there's one thing we've learned from years of toying with technology, it's never to believe a manufacturer's estimate regarding battery life, but it seems like the estimates Nissan provided for its Leaf electric car may not be too far off the mark. Though the vehicle obviously isn't getting 367 miles to its non-existent gallon, PluginCars did manage to eke out a solid 116.1 miles in the car's first anecdotal test, and all they had to do to go the distance was drive casually and slightly below the speed limit. "It wasn't like I was driving like an obsessed hypermiler," said the driver, who spent most of the trip with the A/C blasting. Nissan recently revised their range estimates for the Leaf to anywhere from 62 to 138 miles depending on speed and weather conditions, so 116.1 is a pretty solid run, but until those charging stations permeate the countryside, we're still going to take the ol' gas-guzzler on our road trips. Viewsonic VX2258wm 22-inch multitouch display hits stores in Europe
ViewSonic launches new multi-touch 22" monitor
London, UK, 22 October 2010 – ViewSonic has announced the launch of its first touch screen monitor, the VX2258wm. With a large 22" screen, the VX2258wm makes it easy to enjoy all your digital content, and effortlessly sort through it using the Windows-certified touch screen capability via a simple USB connection. The monitor uses Infrared Optical Imaging technology providing it with accurate multi-touch capability, no matter what stylus is being used.
The VX2258wm features full HD resolution at 1080p, as well as compatibility with any device supporting the High Bandwidth Digital Protection (HBDP) copy protection system. This makes the VX2258wm a great choice for watching films on Blu-Ray or playing on the latest HD-ready console systems. Picture quality is further enhanced by the 5ms response time provided by the built in ClearMotiv II Technology and dynamic contrast ratio of 100,000:1.
"As content becomes increasingly more rich and interactive, users want to be able to take full advantage of it. People are starting to expect the same levels of interactivity on their desktop systems as they get with their smartphones," says James Coulson, European marketing manager, ViewSonic. "The ViewSonic VX2258wm makes it easy to bring the full touch screen experience to the Windows 7 desktop."
The touch screen functionality can be used in conjunction with a traditional keyboard and mouse, so users can choose what to use when it suits them.
The VX2258wm features 4:3 aspect ratio adjustment technology, meaning that widescreen and standard content can be displayed without any loss of picture quality, as well as two built-in SRS two watt speakers.
-ENDS-
Nikon Coolpix S80 gets reviewed: loads of style, short on substance
By Darren Murph posted Oct 23rd 2010 4:07AM 
Nikon's Coolpix S80 sure seemed like a worthy successor to the S70 on paper, but Photography Blog's latest review sheds light on a couple of underlying issues that hinder it from being a runaway hit. The critics pretty much adored the sexy styling, but they noted that the all-touchscreen operations were a love-it-or-hate-it affair. Furthermore, the large OLED on the rear tended to inaccurately show how images were turning out, making it exceedingly difficult to know whether a shot was truly under or overexposed. The extra megapixels didn't really help either, with reviewers calling the image quality "so-so" and pointing out that low-light shooting was far from being in this unit's wheelhouse. That said, the camera was still recommended with a laundry list of caveats, so we'd give the source link a peek before aimlessly pulling the trigger.
posted Oct 23rd 2010 4:07AM Nikon's Coolpix S80 sure seemed like a worthy successor to the S70 on paper, but Photography Blog's latest review sheds light on a couple of underlying issues that hinder it from being a runaway hit. The critics pretty much adored the sexy styling, but they noted that the all-touchscreen operations were a love-it-or-hate-it affair. Furthermore, the large OLED on the rear tended to inaccurately show how images were turning out, making it exceedingly difficult to know whether a shot was truly under or overexposed. The extra megapixels didn't really help either, with reviewers calling the image quality "so-so" and pointing out that low-light shooting was far from being in this unit's wheelhouse. That said, the camera was still recommended with a laundry list of caveats, so we'd give the source link a peek before aimlessly pulling the trigger. MSI brings Core i5, GeForce GT 425M to 15.6-inch GE603 laptop
By Darren Murph posted Oct 23rd 2010 1:05PM 
It looks about like every other MSI 15.6-incher out there, but for those who prefer classy over vivacious, he GE603 might just be right down your alley. Designed primary as a multimedia laptop with the ability to handle a modest amount of demanding games, this here rig will be available with a Core i5-460M, i5-450M or i5-430M processor, NVIDIA's GeForce GT 425M (1GB), HDMI and VGA outputs, a 320/500/640GB hard drive, a DVD burner, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR and a foursome of USB 2.0 sockets. You'll also find 802.11b/g/n WiFi, an ExpressCard reader, 5-in-1 card reader, gigabit Ethernet and up to 8GB of DDR3 memory. As you'd expect, Windows 7 is running the show, and the nine-cell Li-ion should keep it humming for at least a couple of hours. Per usual, MSI's not serving up details regarding a price or release date, but we both know it's aiming to have it on store shelves pre-Christmas.
posted Oct 23rd 2010 1:05PM It looks about like every other MSI 15.6-incher out there, but for those who prefer classy over vivacious, he GE603 might just be right down your alley. Designed primary as a multimedia laptop with the ability to handle a modest amount of demanding games, this here rig will be available with a Core i5-460M, i5-450M or i5-430M processor, NVIDIA's GeForce GT 425M (1GB), HDMI and VGA outputs, a 320/500/640GB hard drive, a DVD burner, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR and a foursome of USB 2.0 sockets. You'll also find 802.11b/g/n WiFi, an ExpressCard reader, 5-in-1 card reader, gigabit Ethernet and up to 8GB of DDR3 memory. As you'd expect, Windows 7 is running the show, and the nine-cell Li-ion should keep it humming for at least a couple of hours. Per usual, MSI's not serving up details regarding a price or release date, but we both know it's aiming to have it on store shelves pre-Christmas. EFO's iPazzPort grows a touchpad and laser pointer, tickles our fancy
What exactly is a fancy, anyway? As we ponder that, and other far-fetched meanings of life, we're forced to take a look a yet another mystery of our planet: EFO. Who are these guys? Where do they spend quality time? Did they ever consider that the iPazzPort would become a worldwide phenomenon? Merely months after rolling out a minuscule Bluetooth keyboard for controlling HTPCs and other doodads, the company is now outing a slightly larger version -- one with a multitouch trackpad on top of the keys. Oddly enough, it also saw fit to throw a laser pointer into the mix, though this version will rely on those tried-and-true RF frequencies for wireless communication. Check out a downright exhilarating video of it in action past the break, and tap that source link if you're eager to drop $55 (including shipping) on one. Maingear slides out Clutch-13 and Clutch-15 laptops
If we didn't know any better, we'd easily mistake Maingear's newest duo as the sexiest portable duo we've seen today. And maybe it is. The up-and-coming pre-fab PC builder has just unleashed a new pair of laptops, the Clutch-13 and Clutch-15. Predictably, the former is a 13.3-incher while the latter clocks in at a more usual 15.6-inches, and both feature Intel's newest Core 2010 CPUs and looks that (almost) kill. The smaller guys is equipped with a WXGA (1366 x 768) resolution panel, 1.2GHz Core 330UM, integrated Intel graphics, up to 8GB of DDR3 memory, a 750GB HDD (or 512GB SSD if you're feeling whimsical), 802.11g/n WiFi, Bluetooth, gigabit Ethernet, an HDMI output, eSATA, ExpressCard slot and compatibility with an optional docking station that adds an ODD among other useful niceties. The Clutch-15 sticks with the same WXGA resolution (disappointingly, might we add), but offers up a choice of Core i3/i5/i7 CPU, NVIDIA's GeForce GT 330M GPU (1GB), WiDi support and a full-size keyboard with number pad. They're available as we speak starting at $1,099 and $899 in order of mention, so feel free to gloss over the next hour of work while configuring your own. The Engadget Show returns today! With Windows Phone 7, Aaron Woodman, Google TV devices, and our first Halloween costume contest! (update: no livestream)
By Sean Hollister posted Oct 23rd 2010 12:00PM 
Attention all humans and empathetic robots: The Engadget Show is back in a big way today, October 23rd at 6:30pm! To get things started, Josh and the gang will be taking a first-hand look at a plethora of Windows Phone 7 devices with Microsoft's Aaron Woodman, then we'll be demoing Google TV, and Engadget's own Darren Murph will be joining Josh, Nilay, and Paul on stage, Guinness World Record in hand. What's more, we're hosting our first ever Halloween costume contest! There will be giveaways at the show for the best costumes (as voted on by you, the audience), so get to work on your winning masterpiece now! We'll also have the usual random giveaways, but why leave it to chance when you could win stuff with a little creativity and a black turtleneck? There will also be music from Kris Keyser and visuals from noteNdo and plenty of other giveaways at the live show only, so make the trek and join us at The Times Center in person. We have a new ticketing policy, so if you're coming to the live show, be sure to read about it below. If you're geographically incapable of joining us in New York City laster this evening just tune into the stream right here on Engadget.
posted Oct 23rd 2010 12:00PM Attention all humans and empathetic robots: The Engadget Show is back in a big way today, October 23rd at 6:30pm! To get things started, Josh and the gang will be taking a first-hand look at a plethora of Windows Phone 7 devices with Microsoft's Aaron Woodman, then we'll be demoing Google TV, and Engadget's own Darren Murph will be joining Josh, Nilay, and Paul on stage, Guinness World Record in hand. What's more, we're hosting our first ever Halloween costume contest! There will be giveaways at the show for the best costumes (as voted on by you, the audience), so get to work on your winning masterpiece now! We'll also have the usual random giveaways, but why leave it to chance when you could win stuff with a little creativity and a black turtleneck? There will also be music from Kris Keyser and visuals from noteNdo and plenty of other giveaways at the live show only, so make the trek and join us at The Times Center in person. We have a new ticketing policy, so if you're coming to the live show, be sure to read about it below. If you're geographically incapable of joining us in New York City laster this evening just tune into the stream right here on Engadget. Update: Due to a technical issue, we won't be livestreaming the show tonight.
Update 2: Or maybe we will! We appear to have worked out some of the issues, so head on down!
The Engadget Show is sponsored by Sprint, and will take place at the Times Center, part of The New York Times Building in the heart of New York City at 41st St. between 7th and 8th Avenues (see map after the break). Tickets are -- as always -- free to anyone who would like to attend, but seating is limited, and tickets will be first come, first served... so get there early! Here's the updated info on our new ticketing policy that you need to know:
There is no admission fee -- tickets are completely freeThe event is all agesTicketing will begin at the Times Center at 2:00PM today, Saturday October 23rd, doors will open for seating at 5:45PM, and the show begins at 6:30PMWe now have assigned seating, so the first people to get their tickets -- and the Sprint text-to-win winners (see below) -- will get priority seating. This also means that once you get a ticket, your seat is guaranteed -- you won't have to get back in line to get a good seat.We still had plenty of tickets left over at the last taping, so just because it's 5:00pm and you finally finished Halo: Reach doesn't mean you won't get a seat at the show -- so get your butt up to the Times Center this evening!Ticketing will continue until all tickets are given awayYou cannot collect tickets for friends or family -- anyone who would like to come must be present to get a ticketSeating capacity in the Times Center is about 340, and once we're full, we're fullThe venue is located at 41st St. between 7th and 8th Avenues in New York City (map after the break)The show length is around an hourIf you're a member of the media who wishes to attend, please contact us at: engadgetshowmedia [at] engadget [dot] com, and we'll try to accommodate you. All other non-media questions can be sent to: engadgetshow [at] engadget [dot] com.
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OTECH F1 handset holds four SIM cards, enables you to live a quadruple life
By Darren Murph posted Oct 23rd 2010 7:36PM 
So look, you feel pretty special toting around that dual-SIM phone, right? Being able to switch numbers and carriers as you hop back and forth between Germany and Amsterdam is fairly nifty, but you've been considering a daily route around the Benelux. Of course, tri-SIM phones aren't impossible to find either, but should you ever wander into France, Switzerland or any other nation, you'll be forced to pop one of those out and insert another the old fashioned way. Well, unless you can score an OTECH F1. This here handset -- which can only be found in the wilds of Asia right now -- actually has room for four SIM cards, and it's also packing a full QWERTY keyboard, 2.4-inch touchscreen, support for mobile TV, an FM radio tuner, Bluetooth module and what appears to be a 12.1 megapixel camera. Unsurprisingly, a price on this bad boy is eluding us, but if you're an industrious jetsetter, we're confident you won't have any issues running one down. Whether or not you want to, however, is another matter entirely...
posted Oct 23rd 2010 7:36PM So look, you feel pretty special toting around that dual-SIM phone, right? Being able to switch numbers and carriers as you hop back and forth between Germany and Amsterdam is fairly nifty, but you've been considering a daily route around the Benelux. Of course, tri-SIM phones aren't impossible to find either, but should you ever wander into France, Switzerland or any other nation, you'll be forced to pop one of those out and insert another the old fashioned way. Well, unless you can score an OTECH F1. This here handset -- which can only be found in the wilds of Asia right now -- actually has room for four SIM cards, and it's also packing a full QWERTY keyboard, 2.4-inch touchscreen, support for mobile TV, an FM radio tuner, Bluetooth module and what appears to be a 12.1 megapixel camera. Unsurprisingly, a price on this bad boy is eluding us, but if you're an industrious jetsetter, we're confident you won't have any issues running one down. Whether or not you want to, however, is another matter entirely... XpanD universal 3D glasses now available for pre-order
The lack of inter-brand compatibility is a major annoyance with current 3D glasses -- not to mention stands in direct opposition to our fashionable couch potato aesthetic. Luckily, XpanD's universal 3D glasses are finally available for pre-order on Amazon, even though there's no word on ship dates. They are however currently priced at $108, which is slightly less than the $125-$150 range quoted by XpanD's Chief Strategy Officer Ami Dror last spring. That said, no surprise drop in price could justify their PR platitude as "the most anticipated product in the history of 3D." October 22, 2010 – For Immediate ReleaseXPAND Universal 3D Glasses Now On Pre-Sale Through Amazon.com
XPAND Universal 3D Glasses, designed to work seamlessly with the broadest range of 3D-ready television displays and XPAND 3D cinemas, redefine entertainment style, quality and sophistication from the cinema to the home.
LOS ANGELES, California – In a product introduction that transcends the compatibility issues of glasses for 3D televisions, the XPAND Universal 3D Glasses are now available on pre-order through Amazon.com.
While retailers have struggled with selling 3D glasses that are only compatible with a single brand of 3D-ready television, the XPAND Universal 3D Glasses are compatible with any 3D-ready display, regardless of brand. This technology is a tremendous benefit to retailers, as the Universal 3D Glasses will help drive sales of 3D-ready displays.
"The most anticipated product in the history of 3D is now a reality," says Maria Costeira, CEO of XPAND. "The introduction of the XPAND Universal 3D Glasses represents a watershed moment in consumer electronics, as I am confident the glasses will serve as catalysts in the worldwide adoption of 3D systems for the home."
The Universal 3D Glasses can be pre-ordered on Amazon.com at:
http://www.amazon.com/XPAND-Universal-X103-3D-Glasses/dp/B00462RMS6/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1286471752&sr=8-9
About XPAND:The global leader in the 3D market, XPAND Universal 3D Glasses are the only 3D glasses that work with all the 3DTV brands and models, 3D computers, 3D gaming consoles and cinema. Its 3D glasses are affordable for cinema owners and home users while providing 3D quality that was originally available only at a professional cost. XPAND has the extraordinary combination of experienced and visionary leadership, state-of-the-art technology, and economies of scale that will provide a backbone for the cinema and consumer electronics industries as they further transition into the 3D future. X6D Limited is a global company whose products and services are marketed under the XPAND brand name. XPAND was created by industry veterans in theatrical exhibition, entertainment, film production and distribution, and specialty film and digital technologies and is funded by a European investment fund. XPAND technology is used by over 3,000 3D cinemas in more than 50 countries and is the 3D solution of choice for post-production houses, educational and professional 3D applications. XPAND designs, manufactures and OEMs a range of consumer electronics 3D solutions that are driving the 3D revolution.
# # #
For additional information, contact:
Travis McGeeDefinition Branding And Marketing
(212) 660-2555 ext. 24
Travis.mcgee@definitionbam.com
HTC Knight surfaces for Sprint with Android and a sliding hinge of some sort?
By Sean Hollister posted Oct 23rd 2010 11:59PM 
What do we know about the picture above? Not much more than meets the eye -- this alleged HTC Knight is for Sprint and navigates Android using capacitive touchscreen keys. We do get a little more detail from the source of the image, who gave XDA-developers an XML file that mentions users should not "slide screen in/out" during activation. That certainly suggests that we're looking at a slider, but not necessarily a physical QWERTY keyboard -- after all, a very similar-looking HTC device recently appeared sporting a slide-out speaker bar.
posted Oct 23rd 2010 11:59PM What do we know about the picture above? Not much more than meets the eye -- this alleged HTC Knight is for Sprint and navigates Android using capacitive touchscreen keys. We do get a little more detail from the source of the image, who gave XDA-developers an XML file that mentions users should not "slide screen in/out" during activation. That certainly suggests that we're looking at a slider, but not necessarily a physical QWERTY keyboard -- after all, a very similar-looking HTC device recently appeared sporting a slide-out speaker bar. [Thanks, Delon H.]
Alaska Airlines fires up in-flight WiFi between Anchorage and Fairbanks, promises more in 2011
It's hard to say if Alaska Airlines' relationship with Row44 has fizzled, but unlike that WiFi'd route between San Jose and Seattle, the aforesaid airline is relying on Aircell to provide in-flight WiFi on flights between Anchorage and Fairbanks. Reportedly, Gogo service is live today for customers flying between those two locales, with it being completely gratis until the remainder of Aircell's network in the state of Alaska goes live over the next few months. Best of all, Aircell has promised to "expand its network to include Southeast Alaska by the end of the year," ensuring that it's not The Last Frontier in absolutely every possible way. Alaska Airlines Launches Inflight Wi-Fi in the State of AlaskaGogo® Inflight Internet service complimentary between Anchorage and Fairbanks and coming soon to Southeast Alaska
SEATTLE, Oct. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Alaska Airlines launched Aircell's Gogo® Inflight Internet service today on flights between Anchorage and Fairbanks, Alaska. The service will be complimentary to passengers traveling between the two cities until the remainder of Aircell's network in the state of Alaska goes live later this year.Using Gogo, Alaska Airlines passengers with Wi-Fi-enabled devices can browse the Web; access online music, games, podcasts and webcasts; send and receive e-mail; and connect to virtual private networks while flying. The easy-to-use service provides passengers with full Internet access on any Wi-Fi-equipped laptop or personal electronic device at speeds similar to wireless mobile broadband services on the ground. Customers can visit alaskaair.com/wifi for more information about Alaska Airlines' inflight Wi-Fi.
"We are delighted to be making this first step in introducing inflight Wi-Fi in the state of Alaska," said Joe Sprague, Alaska Airlines' vice president of marketing. "We look forward to adding service on other routes in the state by the end of the year."
The Gogo system, currently available in the Lower 48 states, is offered to customers traveling across the continental United States for $4.95 and up, based on length of flight and device used. To ensure the service is available in the airline's namesake state, Aircell will expand its network to include Southeast Alaska by the end of the year. A detailed coverage map is available for download from Alaska Airlines' image gallery at alaskaair.com/newsroom.
"We're pleased to expand the Gogo network to include the nation's largest state and are on schedule to complete the remainder of network deployment in Alaska by year's end," said John Happ, Aircell's executive vice president of airlines.
Since May, Alaska Airlines has outfitted more than 70 percent of its Boeing 737 aircraft with the Gogo service and expects to complete fleet-wide installation in early 2011.
Aircraft equipped with inflight Wi-Fi have a Wi-Fi symbol located outside the aircraft's boarding door and information about the service in seatback pockets. Gogo is available above 10,000 feet, following an announcement approving the use of portable electronic devices.
Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air, subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group (NYSE: ALK), together serve more than 90 cities through an expansive network in Alaska, the Lower 48, Hawaii, Canada and Mexico. Alaska Airlines ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among Traditional Network Carriers" in the J.D. Power and Associates 2008, 2009 and 2010 North America Airline Satisfaction Studies(SM). For reservations, visit alaskaair.com. For more news and information, visit the Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air Newsroom at alaskaair.com/newsroom.
Droid Pro appears at Verizon for $299?
By Sean Hollister posted Oct 24th 2010 3:27PM 
If you're looking to get some BlackBerry up in your Droid, brace yourself for a premium price. Motorola's Droid Pro worldphone was just spotted at a Verizon test website for $299 on-contract and as much as $700 unsubsidized. Should the 1GHz unit arrive as shown without a chunky rebate of some sort, it would be the most expensive Android handset on offer -- a solid $50 more than Samsung's $250 Epic 4G -- a heck of a thing for an 320 x 480 resolution phone without a huge Super AMOLED screen. Perhaps this pricing is preliminary, however, or perhaps dual-mode CDMA / GSM chipsets don't come cheap. We suppose we'll find out the answer to the latter question when the HTC Merge finally appears.
posted Oct 24th 2010 3:27PM If you're looking to get some BlackBerry up in your Droid, brace yourself for a premium price. Motorola's Droid Pro worldphone was just spotted at a Verizon test website for $299 on-contract and as much as $700 unsubsidized. Should the 1GHz unit arrive as shown without a chunky rebate of some sort, it would be the most expensive Android handset on offer -- a solid $50 more than Samsung's $250 Epic 4G -- a heck of a thing for an 320 x 480 resolution phone without a huge Super AMOLED screen. Perhaps this pricing is preliminary, however, or perhaps dual-mode CDMA / GSM chipsets don't come cheap. We suppose we'll find out the answer to the latter question when the HTC Merge finally appears. [Thanks, JP]
The Engadget Show: live with Microsoft's Aaron Woodman, Windows Phone 7, Google TV, and costume contest!
Good news, we worked out our streaming issue! So keep your eyes tuned to this post -- because at 6:30 PM ET, we'll be starting The Engadget Show live, with Microsoft's Aaron Woodman, Windows Phone 7 devices, Google TV, and more! Josh and Nilay on hand, plus we'll have music from Kris Keyser with visuals from noteNdo and much, much, more. You seriously don't want to miss it. Check out the live stream after the break! Fauxhawk robot exterminates wasps, is something of a fashion victim
By Joseph L. Flatley posted Oct 24th 2010 8:08AM 
When Professor Sekine of Utsunomiya, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan, heard that his friend had been stung upwards of 90 times exterminating wasps, he was inspired to act. Why not build a robot to do the job instead? Presumably he threw some old parts together that he had laying around anyways -- why else would he build a humanoid robot with a mohawk, when an AR.Drone -- or a spray bottle with an extra long hose -- could just as easily do the trick? Called Mohican (in honor of its awesome wig), this device is intended to be controlled via remote and voice ("climb the ladder," for instance), and seems way over-qualified for its intended task. But who knows? Maybe Sekine is a visionary! After all, he has big plans for his automaton: After it's released "sometime next summer," he wants to devote his time to an updated model that will work in other hazardous environments, such as nuclear power plants.
posted Oct 24th 2010 8:08AM When Professor Sekine of Utsunomiya, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan, heard that his friend had been stung upwards of 90 times exterminating wasps, he was inspired to act. Why not build a robot to do the job instead? Presumably he threw some old parts together that he had laying around anyways -- why else would he build a humanoid robot with a mohawk, when an AR.Drone -- or a spray bottle with an extra long hose -- could just as easily do the trick? Called Mohican (in honor of its awesome wig), this device is intended to be controlled via remote and voice ("climb the ladder," for instance), and seems way over-qualified for its intended task. But who knows? Maybe Sekine is a visionary! After all, he has big plans for his automaton: After it's released "sometime next summer," he wants to devote his time to an updated model that will work in other hazardous environments, such as nuclear power plants.Ballmer: next release of Windows will be Microsoft's 'riskiest product bet' (video)
By Vlad Savov posted Oct 23rd 2010 11:01AM 
Windows 7 might be a massive commercial success and an undeniably rock solid piece of software, but Microsoft is apparently unwilling to rest on those soft and cozy laurels. Asked about the riskiest product bet the Redmond crew is currently developing, its fearless leader Steve Ballmer took no time in answering "the next release of Windows." His interviewers sadly failed to probe any deeper on the subject, but it might be notable that Steve calls it the next release rather than simply Windows 8, while the idea of it being risky also ties in with previous indications that Microsoft is aiming for a revolutionary leap between iterations. We'll have to just be patient and wait for more on that, though if you'd like a peek at Steve dodging question on tablets and the potential for Windows Phone 7 appearing on them, you need only jump past the break for the video.
posted Oct 23rd 2010 11:01AM Windows 7 might be a massive commercial success and an undeniably rock solid piece of software, but Microsoft is apparently unwilling to rest on those soft and cozy laurels. Asked about the riskiest product bet the Redmond crew is currently developing, its fearless leader Steve Ballmer took no time in answering "the next release of Windows." His interviewers sadly failed to probe any deeper on the subject, but it might be notable that Steve calls it the next release rather than simply Windows 8, while the idea of it being risky also ties in with previous indications that Microsoft is aiming for a revolutionary leap between iterations. We'll have to just be patient and wait for more on that, though if you'd like a peek at Steve dodging question on tablets and the potential for Windows Phone 7 appearing on them, you need only jump past the break for the video. Update: It's also worth noting that Ballmer may not have been talking about revolutionary leaps as much as he's referencing the past issues the company has had when it's issued a major OS update (hello, Vista). The idea that making any big change to the operating system most of the world runs would invite a certain amount of high risk makes sense to us.
Father-son team build Samus Aran arm cannon for Halloween
Looking for a little inspiration for your Halloween costume? Then you might not want to read any further, as you'll likely only find yourself struggling to match the Samus Aran costume that 11-year old Joseph DeRose and his father are building. That costume apparently only consists of an arm cannon at the moment, but it's certainly an impressive arm cannon -- it packs an array of LED lights with various settings (controlled by an Arduino, naturally), not to mention an assortment of sound effects from the Metroid games. Those not concerned about being upstaged can check out a video of the build process after the break.ASUS Eee PC 1015PW peeks out of hiding with dual-core Atom, royal purple shell
By Sean Hollister posted Oct 24th 2010 2:02PM 
Can you keep track of all the different variants of ASUS' Eee PC netbook? It's not easy when the Taiwanese computer company pumps out new ones nearly every month, but we doubt we'll easily forget the Eee PC 1015PW's distinctive shade of purple. Otherwise, TechinStyle reports it's much the same as the 1015PEM, which isn't a terrible thing -- it's got a dual-core 1.5GHz Intel Atom N550 CPU, 802.11n WiFi, Bluetooth 3.0 and a 250GB or 320GB hard drive under that chiclet keyboard, plus the usual 10.1-inch, 1024 x 600 LED-backlit screen. No word on pricing or availability, but the way these things usually go, you'll find it in Europe well before the States.
posted Oct 24th 2010 2:02PM Can you keep track of all the different variants of ASUS' Eee PC netbook? It's not easy when the Taiwanese computer company pumps out new ones nearly every month, but we doubt we'll easily forget the Eee PC 1015PW's distinctive shade of purple. Otherwise, TechinStyle reports it's much the same as the 1015PEM, which isn't a terrible thing -- it's got a dual-core 1.5GHz Intel Atom N550 CPU, 802.11n WiFi, Bluetooth 3.0 and a 250GB or 320GB hard drive under that chiclet keyboard, plus the usual 10.1-inch, 1024 x 600 LED-backlit screen. No word on pricing or availability, but the way these things usually go, you'll find it in Europe well before the States. [Thanks, Sal]
Reckless Racing review (iPhone)
Developed by Swedish firm Pixelbite and released just a few days ago by EA and Polarbit, Reckless Racing is a game we've been following since it was known as "Deliverace" early this year -- and honestly, there was a spell where we'd gone so long without having heard anything about it that we'd kind of assumed the awesome-looking project had been canceled. Fortunately, that wasn't the case -- it's now available on iPhone, iPad, and Android -- so we decided to take it for a quick spin. After all, top-down racers haven't really made much noise since the heady days of R.C. Pro-Am and perennial arcade favorite Ivan "Ironman" Stewart's Super Off Road... and after playing Reckless Racing for just a few minutes, we're not sure why that is.Put simply, these guys have put together a stellar game that immediately puts a smile on your face from the moment you fire it up. The tongue-in-cheek hillbilly theme (complete with bluegrass background music) is a good start, but more importantly, the control and gameplay are simple and immediately engaging with very little ramp-up time. To suit individual tastes, Reckless Racing lets you choose between some five different control styles: Standard (turning buttons on the left, gas and brake on the right), Tank (gas is applied automatically, turning buttons are in either corner), Tilt, and both Half and Whole Wheel (drag the wheel to turn). We found we were quickest and most agile in Tank mode, but your mileage may vary. You'll probably spend most of your time playing the single-player Dirt Rally mode where you compete against five CPU-controlled cars in three levels of difficulty (along with two levels of steering difficulty), but you also have Hot Lap and Delivery modes. Hot Lap is a straightforward solo mode where you're just trying to set the best time, but Delivery is pretty interesting: the idea is to pick up packages around the course and deliver them to various destinations as rapidly as possible. It's pretty entertaining, and the special Delivery course is complex enough to keep you on your toes.
The graphics are pristine -- they seriously look amazing on the iPhone's display -- and it runs smooth as silk without a hiccup to be found, but we did have a few complaints. First off, there's no Game Center support; that's probably partly due to the fact that it's a cross-platform game and development started before Game Center was even announced, but Reckless Racing's format really lends itself to Game Center's multiplayer matchmaking capabilities and achievement tracking (as it stands, the game has no achievements of any kind). Secondly, there's no vehicle damage; if you get into a wreck or you get stuck, you simply respawn on the course (and there's a dedicated button in the upper right to respawn manually if you like). Considering the on-course obstacles and the ever-present danger of coming into contact with the competing cars, damage would be a fun complication. Also, there aren't any power-ups or upgrades -- we kept looking for Super Off Road-style nitro bottles, but no dice. All that said, Reckless has proven that the top-down format is brilliant on a touchscreen phone's display. We'd love to see more than five rally courses (ten, if you count the unlockable reverse courses) -- but we guess that's a good problem to have, because it just drives home the point that it's already a gas to play. And at $2.99, it's a steal.
Note: The game's been temporarily pulled from the Android Market thanks to multiplayer servers that have been stressed beyond their capacity, but Polarbit expects it to be available again soon.
Samsung Galaxy Beam projector smartphone helped to light up the lives of the Chilean miners
By Tim Stevens posted Oct 25th 2010 5:37AM 
Did you hear the one about the trapped Chilean miners? Turns out they were a little bit under the weather. But, seriously folks, living in a cave for a couple of months is no fun, and thankfully those guys had a crew of support people sending down all sorts of toys. One of those toys, we're now learning, was a Samsung Galaxy Beam Android projector phone, loaded with a "message of encouragement" from Chile's Mining Minister along with a recording of an exhibition soccer match between Chile and Ukraine (which we were previously told was beamed down via fiber optics ). We have to admit feeling the smallest pang of jealousy, as down there is one of the few places where a six lumen pico projector is more than bright enough.
posted Oct 25th 2010 5:37AM Did you hear the one about the trapped Chilean miners? Turns out they were a little bit under the weather. But, seriously folks, living in a cave for a couple of months is no fun, and thankfully those guys had a crew of support people sending down all sorts of toys. One of those toys, we're now learning, was a Samsung Galaxy Beam Android projector phone, loaded with a "message of encouragement" from Chile's Mining Minister along with a recording of an exhibition soccer match between Chile and Ukraine (which we were previously told was beamed down via fiber optics ). We have to admit feeling the smallest pang of jealousy, as down there is one of the few places where a six lumen pico projector is more than bright enough. Recycle old gadgets (and make a buck or two) with eBay Instant Sale
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Notion Ink founder claims Adam tablet will go 15+ hours on a charge
By Sean Hollister posted Oct 24th 2010 6:01PM 
The Pixel Qi and Tegra 2-packing Notion Ink Adam has long been one of our favorite pieces of perfectly plausible vaporware, but founder Rohan Shravan's just made a pretty fantastic claim -- he says he's getting a minimum of 15 hours of battery life from his personal tablet and calculates you'll get up to twenty with the 24Wh, potentially user-replaceable battery nestled in its frame. While those are the figures for the $498 transflective version of the tablet and not the $399 juice-gulping LCD, they're still so stellar that they could easily make or break the Adam's sales depending on their veracity. Oh Rohan, please don't let us down.
posted Oct 24th 2010 6:01PM The Pixel Qi and Tegra 2-packing Notion Ink Adam has long been one of our favorite pieces of perfectly plausible vaporware, but founder Rohan Shravan's just made a pretty fantastic claim -- he says he's getting a minimum of 15 hours of battery life from his personal tablet and calculates you'll get up to twenty with the 24Wh, potentially user-replaceable battery nestled in its frame. While those are the figures for the $498 transflective version of the tablet and not the $399 juice-gulping LCD, they're still so stellar that they could easily make or break the Adam's sales depending on their veracity. Oh Rohan, please don't let us down.
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