Thursday, July 26, 2007

China warns couples that CCTVs may call 911 on PDA

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Beijing couples trying to score a little public nookie should be worried about a little more than just disapproving looks from others: state news agency Xinhua reported yesterday that police CCTV monitoring computers tend to flag "intimate acts" as crimes like kidnapping and robbery, because they're "programmed to be sensitive to violations of safe distances." All this really means, of course, is that working for the Beijing 5-0 just got a little more interesting: officers will first "monitor" the suspected crime to make sure things are on the up-and-up before dropping in and killing the mood. You keep that city safe, boys.

 

[via] Engadget

Sony quietly launches VAIO TP1 Living Room PC

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If you can force your brain to remember back to January, you may recall Sony's curiously designed TP1 HTPC. Interestingly enough, it seems that Sony has indeed launched the device and didn't even bother to tell anyone, but that doesn't mean you can't be brought up to speed. Be warned, however, that Living Room PC does not equate to high-end AV center, as this modestly-spec'd machine lacks an HD optical drive and CableCARD option. Internally, you'll find a 1.83GHz Intel Core 2 Duo chip, 2GB of DDR2 RAM, a 300GB 7,200RPM SATA hard drive, dual-layer DVD writer, ATSC / NTSC TV tuner, GMA 950 integrated graphics set, and HDMI / DVI / VGA outputs. Moreover, Sony included a 4-pin FireWire connector, audio in / out, four USB 2.0 ports, Memory Stick / SD slots, 802.11b/g, and Vista Home Premium to run the show. So if you're still intrigued by this ho hum (albeit Viiv-certified!) PC, you can snag it right now starting at $1,599.99.

[Via CNET]

 

[via] Engadget

European Commission issues antitrust charges against Intel

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Well they've been sniffing around the chip giant for quite some time now, but the European Commission has finally issued "formal charges against Intel for allegedly using illegal tactics against smaller rival Advanced Micro Devices," and according to a spokesperson for the EC, "the statement of objections has been sent." Supposedly, the EU's top antitrust regulator "has spent years investigating Intel's tactics to determine whether it acted unfairly to preserve its dominance over AMD," and now the time has finally come for the hammer to drop. Sadly, further details about the grievances have yet to be divulged, but we doubt Intel, who declined to comment on the situation, will be brushing this off its shoulders anytime soon.

 

[via] Engadget

SK Telecom in talks to purchase Sprint Nextel?

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Well this should shake up the market a tad, Korea's monster provider is purportedly in talks to acquire Sprint Nextel. No details have been released yet -- nor any solid confirmation from either side -- but we're seeing it and hearing it all over this morning. It would indeed be interesting to see Korea's largest carrier get into the market over here -- well, aside from Helio -- if only so we can get at some of those slick, slick, Korean handsets. It seems that Telecom mergers are the new black, with Bell Canada and Telus' attempt eventually falling off the rails, we'll see how SK Telecom and Sprint get along.

 

[via] Engadget

NASA employee caught in act of sabotage on ISS bound computer

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According to breaking news from NASA, a space program worker is alleged to have deliberately damaged a computer that was meant to fly aboard the shuttle Endeavor in less than two weeks in an apparent act of sabotage. NASA says the unnamed individual, who works for one of the space agency's subcontractors, cut wires inside a computer that was headed to the International Space Station (ISS) on the shuttle. The alleged tampering occurred outside of NASA operations in Florida, but the agency isn't naming the subcontractor or where exactly the incident took place. NASA hopes to fix the damage, and launch the Endeavor August 7th, as planned. As this appears to be the first ever report of sabotage on the space program, you can expect to hear a lot more on this story in the very near future.

[Via TheWolfWeb]

 

[via] Engadget

Cybook Gen3 e-book reader enters production, coming in September

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We already had a pretty good idea of what Bookeen had in store with its new Cybook e-book reader, but the company has now gotten all official with it, letting out word that the device has entered production and is set to be available in September. Now dubbed the Cybook Gen3, the device makes use of E Ink's Vizplex e-paper technology to give you a 166 dpi resolution on its 6-inch screen, and promises to last for 8,000 page flips before needing a recharge. What's more, Bookeen's also announced that it's struck a deal with Mobipocket to license and distribute the Mobipocket e-book format, giving Cybook users access to some 50,000 titles. According to Bookeen, it'll be offering the Cybook in a variety of different "packs," the lowest cost of which will set you back $350.

[Thanks, David R]

 

[via] Engadget

Boost in earnings makes Nintendo Japan's fifth-biggest company

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It looks like the folks at Nintendo HQ have cause to bake a celebratory Wii cake, as Reuters reports that the company is now Japan's fifth-biggest in terms of market value after word of solid earnings performance pushed shares higher in trading today. According to Reuters, the company's market value now stands at ¥8.69 trillion (or about $72 billion), which places it ahead of both NTT and Honda Motor Co. The jump, of course, is largely due to demand for the Wii and Nintendo DS, which has also caused the company to up its operating profit forecast by a hefty 37 percent to ¥370 billion ($3.1 billion) for the year to March 2008. Unsurprisingly, Nintendo doesn't see that demand letting up anytime soon either, with it now saying it expects to sell 16.5 million Wiis in the current business year, along with 26 million DSs -- both numbers of which are 18 percent higher than previous forecasts by the company.

 

[via] Engadget

Denon delivers a pair of packed tabletop radios

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Denon S-52 tabletop music player
Denon has launched a pair of tabletop music players with plenty of features, including wireless streaming and the nearly-ubiquitous dock for your iPod. The $500 S-32 can decode MP3, AAC, WAV, FLAC, WMV, and Rhapsody subscriptions, while the $700 S-52 adds a CD player, HD radio tuner, satellite radio support (no mention of which service, although won't that be a moot point soon, anyway?) and a USB port for future expansion. Both players will start rocking your desk in October.

 

[via] Engadget

Sony profits soar despite PS3 losses -- PS2 hot as ever

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Sony is reporting that its overall net profits more than doubled during the past quarter, bolstered by the success of films such as Spider-Man 3, and snappy sales of its traditional electronics. Things in the company's PS3 camp, however, still looked a little bleaker than the Japanese giant had probably hoped for. Losses for the game system rose from 26.8 billion yen to 29.2 billion yen, with 710,000 units sold worldwide -- not real impressive when compared to competitor Nintendo's Wii sales of 3.43 million. In a somewhat ironic aside, Nielsen GamePlay Metrics, a division of Nielsen Co. which tracks video game activity, says that the most played game system last month was Sony's seven-year-old PS2. The report shows the aging system leading other consoles with 42 percent of use, followed by the original Xbox at 17 percent, and Xbox 360 at 8 percent. The Wii and PS3 fall at 4 and 1.5 percent, respectively. Should be food for thought for everyone at Sony who doesn't think backwards compatibility is a big deal.

[via] Engadget

Apple iPhone hitting Europe by September

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Just in case you missed it yesterday, Apple did indeed confirm that it'll ship the iPhone to a few major countries by Q4 2007, which ends September 30th. Most signs point to the UK, France and Germany as being those lucky "majors," and Apple also mentioned it'll announce carriers (plural) in the coming months. The rest of Europe will have to wait until 2008, presumably as retribution for recent seasons of Eurovision.

 

[via] Engadget

Toyota set to test new plug-in hybrid vehicle

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Apparently taking a cue from drivers that have already modded their Priuses for plug-in capabilities, Toyota's now gone and created a plug-in version of the Prius itself, and it's set to soon test the vehicle on public roads. Dubbed the Toyota Plug-in HV, the vehicle can be charged simply by plugging it into a standard electrical socket, although you won't get much farther than 8 miles on a single charge (the gasoline engine will kick in after the batts have been exhausted). While Toyota says that a commercialized version will "depend largely on advances in battery technology," the company is planning to test the vehicle in its current state in Japan shortly, with tests in the US and Europe apparently also in the works.

[Via PhysOrg, photo courtesy of Reuters]

 

[via] Engadget

HP Pavilion HDX entertainment laptop now available

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It's been a few months since it was first announced, but those itching to get their hands on HP's mammoth Pavilion HDX laptop need wait no longer, as the entertainment-focused monstrosity is now finally available to order. In case you missed it, this back-breaking system boasts a 20.1-inch display along with what HP seems keen to call "15.5 lb. of portable performance." That includes your choice of Core 2 Duo or Core 2 Extreme processors, ATI Mobility Radeon HD 2600 XT graphics, up to 4GB of RAM, and a range of hard drive and optical drive options, among other premium features. Just be sure you know what you're getting into, as the cost of entry for this one is a hefty $2,750.

[Thanks, Kevin]

Update: HP doesn't seem to be be playing it up much, but it turns out the HDX comes with SlingPlayer pre-installed, making it the first model to do so. What's more, HP's also worked a SlingPlayer client into their QuickPlay multimedia app, which'll let you access it without booting into the OS. Click on through for a couple of pics.

Continue reading HP Pavilion HDX entertainment laptop now available

 

[via] Engadget

Boeing developing truck-mounted laser cannons for US Army

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Boeing is certainly no stranger to lasers of various sorts, and it's now extending its expertise to the US Army, recently snagging a $7 million contract to begin developing a truck-mounted laser weapon system. From the sound of it, the system appears to be not unlike a mobile version of the still-in-development Skyguard laser defense system, with it designed to shoot down rockets, artillery shells and mortar rounds. According to Boeing, the laser cannon would be mounted on a Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck (not exactly as pictured above) and, if the Army approves, could end up costing a cool $50 million for a "significant component" of the system to be built and tested.

[Via Slashdot]

 

[via] Engadget

Razer updates Diamondback gaming mouse with "3G" sensor

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Ever the sticklers for mouse precision, the folks at Razer have now gone and updated their Diamondback gaming mouse with their third generation (3G) infrared sensor, which was first put to use in the company's unfortunately-named DeathAdder mouse. As with that mouse, the Diamondback will give you an impressive 1800 dpi resolution, along with on-the-fly sensitivity adjustment, seven independently programmable buttons, and a rubberized non-slip finish, not to mention a choice of colors to light up your desk. Look for it to be available at the beginning of next month for $60.

 

[via] Engadget

Apple sold 270,000 iPhones in the first 30 hours

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According to Apple's Q3 financial results call, Apple sold 270,000 iPhones during the first 30 hours of sales -- the quarter ended on June 30th. Apple admitted to and apologized for activation problems, which would account for that 146,000 activations figure that AT&T released yesterday. As for sales past June 30th, Apple isn't saying much, but they do plan to be able to announce at least one million in sales by September 30th, and 10 million by the end of 2008. Apple reiterated launch plans for the iPhone in Europe, stating that it'll have the phone in a few "major" countries (Most likely UK, France and Germany) by Q4 2007, and hit the rest of Europe with the phone in 2008. Apple did mention "we'll have details later in the quarter about which carriers we'll be working with" as in, plural, so take that for what you will. During the call, Apple also admitted to an impending cashflow from AT&T, which had been speculated, and is most likely based on contract renewals and new subscribers that the iPhone nabs for AT&T. Apple will start counting the revenue in the September quarter, but didn't say anything else on the subject while dodging questions about Yahoo!, YouTube and Google contracts.

[Thanks, Wildthing]

 

[via] Engadget

Palm looses Vista-compatible Desktop Beta

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We know, this whole Vista-friendly Palm Desktop software was supposed to be launched, you know, about the same time as Vista itself, but we suppose late is better than never in this scenario. Without further ado, users yearning for a Vista-compatible flavor of Palm Desktop can finally claim their prize -- if you're down with betas, that is. Thankfully, Palm has made sure you're well aware of the limitations found in the software's current state (at least the ones it knew of), so be sure and give those instructions a once over while the 59.2MB file transfers over to make sure you don't fudge anything up.

[Via The Official Palm Blog]

 

[via] Engadget

AllofMP3's Denis Kvasov facing jail time

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Here's a message for all the young ones out there: crime doesn't pay, not even for Russian semi-legal music semi-pirates. Or at least that's the way things are looking for Denis Kvasov, former owner of AllofMP3.com. Though the site was shut down earlier this month, Kvasov is still on the hook damages to EMI, Warner and Universal, to the tune of 15 million rubles ($590,715 US), and could face three years in jail as well. The amount seems a bit light, considering the RIAA's $750 to $30,000 per song demands here in the States, but legality of the AllofMP3 service is still in question, since under Russian law the site was ostensibly playing by the rules and paying "copyright fees" to all the right organizations. Of course, consumers don't have to look far to find Alltunes and MP3Sparks, virtual clones of AllofMP3, and Alltunes recently won a court case against a Russian agent of Visa that had cut off payments for the online store, so record labels have to be asking themselves how much progress they've really made in fighting this gray market hydra.

 

[via] Engadget

Intel's silicon laser modulator breaks 40Gbps speed barrier

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Intel announced today that it has fabricated the first silicon laser modulator to encode optical data at 40Gbps, making it 40 times faster than some of the most sophisticated data networks. The company has been working on silicon-based modulators -- key elements in using lasers as a means of fiber optic data transfer -- for years, creating a 1Gbps version in 2004, and then a 10Gbps iteration in 2006. Intel currently spends thousands producing the modulators now, but it hopes to drive down costs in the near future, allowing for integrated silicon photonic circuits to be built featuring upwards of 25 individual 40Gbps modules, enabling transmissions of terabits of data in seconds. So what does all this scientific doublespeak mean for the hard working computer users of the world? Well let's just say that "stuff" is going to be getting "fast" sooner than you think.

[Via WSJ]

 

[via] Engadget

Joost to launch with million users by year's end

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After several months of private beta-testing and some interesting rumors about hardware partners, it looks like Joost, the peer-to-peer IPTV service from the creators of Skype and Kazaa, will be ready to launch later this year. Co-founder Niklas Zennström told reporters at a press event in Romania that the online video service has signed up several content providers and "around 30 Tier One" advertisers, and that the million-user private beta is on track for general release "by the end of the year," although he didn't say exactly when. We've been hearing some interesting things about the Joost service model, it'll be interesting to see whether or not it takes hold with consumers the way the company thinks it will.

[Via TV Squad]

 

[via] Engadget

Toshiba expands TransMemory lineup, readies 32GB Limited Edition

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These days, it's growing mighty tough to differentiate flash drives, and while you'll be hard pressed to discover what's so "limited" about the 32GB Limited Edition device that Toshiba has up its sleeve, it's wearing the aforementioned label regardless. The capacious USB flash drive sports the same USB 2.0 connectivity,
[via] Engadget

CE-Oh no he didn't! Part XLI: Sun's James Eagleton says Microsoft guilty of "patent terrorism"

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In the most recent round of the Microsoft vs. Linux debate, Sun's systems product manager James Eagleton lobs the latest volley, stating that the Redmond-based software giant's business tactics amount to "patent terrorism," and that the current climate it's created is akin to a "cold war." Eagleton goes on to offer that Sun and even IBM have much fairer approaches to patent protection which don't go against "the spirit of innovation," in the way he claims Microsoft's policies do. If the dubious arrangements Microsoft has agreed upon with Novell and Linspire didn't convince you that something was rotten in the state of Washington, comments like sour-grapes-Eagleton's should at least make you take pause.

[Via The Inquirer]

 

[via] Engadget

Twitching frog server gets called "art"

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Similar to the previously seen Text-o-possum, someone's bad art project has spread, virus-like, to the internet, where we have to be subjected to its heavy-handed proclamations on the role of technology in modern society. This time it's "Experiments in Galvanism", a tiny server embedded in a dead frog, submerged in mineral oil, which is remotely made to twitch via Galvanism (the contraction of a muscle when stimulated by electric current). Of course, the piece's creator Garnet Hertz has a little more going for him than the Text-o-possum's architect. Firstly, besides the fact that the frog is dead, it actually does have a kind of server inside of it, and secondly, Garnet has managed to convince other people that he's put together something legitimately special -- which is half the trick of art, really. If you've been looking for something to wax philosophical over, hit the read link.

[Via Wired]

 

[via] Engadget

Target to only sell Blu-ray players in stores

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Everyone's favorite wasteful format war took another strange twist today, with the AP reporting that Target will only stock Blu-ray players in its retail stores -- specifically, Sony's $499 BDP-S300. The decision, which Target and Sony are due to announce tomorrow, doesn't include Target's website, Xbox 360 HD DVD drive, or HD DVD movies, so it's not a particularly huge win for Blu-ray, with even Target saying things like "We are not proclaiming one format vs. the other as the preferred consumer technology." Still, coupled with Blockbuster's decision to only stock Blu-ray discs, it looks like the format war might be fought and won at the retailer level, not by consumers.

[Thanks, Keith]

 

[via] Engadget

Ocean City, NJ geeks up the beach

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Visitors to the Jersey shore will soon have more to look forward to than just big hair and Bon Jovi -- Ocean City, in south Jersey, is currently accepting bids for a planned beach network that will encompass everything from tracking parking spots to monitoring garbage can levels. The $3M system, which will feature a mix of WiFi and RFID devices, is expected to cut the costs of running the beach dramatically -- trimming almost half of the $282,000 budget for access badge checkers, for example. Other planned features include the ability to link access wristbands together, so that parents can be alerted via SMS if one of their kids ventures beyond the boundaries of the boardwalk, and RFID payment services for food and souvenir shops. Now all they need is some of those Segway beach cops and the future will have finally arrived.

 

[via] Engadget

FujiFilm's FinePix F50fd 12 megapixel compact powerhouse with IrSimple

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Step aside Mary Lou Retton, there's a new pint-sized powerhouse loose in the US. Meet the $300 F50fd from FujiFilm which stuffs that ridiculous 12 megapixel, 1/1.6-inch CCD into this FinePix's slim chassis with 3x optical zoom and 2.7-inch LCD in tow. The cam sports a dual-shot mode (one with and one without flash taken in rapid succession), xD/SD/SDHC expansion, and FujiFilm's v2.0 Face Detection tech, a mechanically stabilized CCD sensor and the ability to shoot at ISO 1600 at full resolution. It will also be one of the first domestic shooters to support IrSimpleShot (IrSS) high speed data transfer when it enters the US market in September. And here you thought infrared was dead you silly, silly boy.

 

[via] Engadget

FujiFilm's trendy tot cam: the 7.2 megapixel FinePix Z10fd

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In an excruciatingly uncomfortable press release, FujiFilm promises to "hook up" generation Z's "fashion-conscious digital natives" with the launch of their new Z10fd digital camera. Besides sporting the five colors of Zebra Stripped gum, this 7.2 megapixel cam packs face recognition, auto-red eye correction, a dual-shot mode, xD/SD/SDHC support, and an over-inflated "blog mode" which quickly resizes any image into VGA or QVGA sizes. It also allows the kids to instantly share their snaps with any IrSimple capable infrared device -- a seriously short list outside of Japan. Perhaps the most troubling bit is FujiFilm's new "offzhook" website which will celebrate the "Z-lifestyle" when the camera launches in October. Thing is, generation Z is typically defined as being born after 2001. So why the hell is FujiFilm marketing a $200 camera to 6 year olds?

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

 

[via] Engadget

Hynix boldly plans to topple Intel, AMD within a decade

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In a fairly tame show of initiative, Hynix, a South Korean company you've probably never heard of, has announced its plan to become the world's leading chip producer over the next ten years. The company, currently the world's fifth largest memory chipmaker, claims it will boost sales from last year's $7.7 billion to $18 billion in 2010 (the year we make contact), and to $25 billion by 2012 (when the Mayan calendar ends and we're all supposed to eat it). Hynix plans to gain ground by eagerly developing new technologies, and with the introduction of a new type of memory chip called Phase-change Random Access Memory (PRAM, but not of Apple fame). Analysts say PRAM will become the industry's main memory source, replacing flash storage over the next decade. Meanwhile, architects in Korea are working feverishly to design a room in the new Hynix headquarters large enough for president Jong-Kap Kim's head.

 

[via] Engadget

FujiFilm's pair of 8 megapixelers: the Z100fd and S8000fd with 18x zoom

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In the continuing onslaught of FinePix cameras this morning, FujiFilm also announced a pair of 8 megapixel (1/2.5-inch CCD) shooters: the S8000fd and Z100fd (pictured). The fixed lens S8000fd features a Fujinon 18x optical zoom lens and a high-speed, mechanical CCD-shift stabilization, electric viewfinder or 2.5-inch LCD, VGA video at 30fps, and a continuous shot mode capable of 15 shots per second at a 2 megapixel resolution. The Z100fd is pretty much the Z10fd for grown-ups. It brings a 5x optical zoom, IrSimple infrared, and the CCD-shift mechanical image stabilization found in its bulkier cuz. The S8000fd is scheduled to hit The States in September for $400 while the Z100fd will hit Asia around the same time frame for ¥40,000 or about $332.

[Via Impress]

[via] Engadget

Researchers develop nanochip based on Babbage's difference engine

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In a tidbit of news which will get avid Neal Stephenson readers all hot and bothered, researches have outlined a blueprint for a mechanical nanochip similar in design to Charles Babbage's difference engine. Using the massive, steam-driven Victorian computer as a model, scientists have begun work on new type of computing architecture which would be solely based on nano-mechanical elements. The researchers say that while the devices won't compete with high-speed silicon, they could be utilized for "mundane applications" where the processors can be "slow and cheap" -- and so-very-steampunk, we might add. Of course, the original steam-computer consisted of 25,000 parts and weighed 13 tons, but the developers are hoping to knock at least a few pounds off of that design.

 

[via] Engadget

The Halluc II: a robotic flashback of your creepy cockroach hallucinations

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When the robots rise, they'll likely come in the form of giant, goose-stepping cockroaches. Don't believe us? Just check the 32-inch, 44-pound Halluc II which features the ability to walk or roll via a simple rotation of its jointed appendages. This 8-legged vermin is powered by the screams of children and the Linux-beast within. When things get out of hand, you'll want to aim your slingshot at its 800MHz AMD Geode central processing unit and hope for the best. Now go ahead and click through for some video of it bewildered by the flashing camera lights in some makeshift, Japanese LSD lab. It's always a good idea to study your enemy before the big fight.

Continue reading The Halluc II: a robotic flashback of your creepy cockroach hallucinations

 

[via] Engadget

Xbox 360 HD DVD player now just $179

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The already nicely priced Xbox 360 HD DVD player just got slashed to $179. The new US-only, retail pricing also includes 5 free HD DVD flicks when purchasing the player between August 1st and September 30th -- you know, the same time period 300 and Heroes goes on sale in HD DVD format. Unfortunately, the free titles must be made from a selection of just 15 pre-selected films which Toshiba considers "popular." Nevertheless, the $20 price cut makes the Xbox 360 HD DVD player all the more enticing as an easily hacked, USB-player for HD flicks on your PC.

[Thanks, Andrew and PacoDG]

 

[via] Engadget

MICRODIA's Fruity USB flash drives: now in four great scents

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While not nearly as lavish as Debreu's Scent Drive, MICRODIA is delivering its own set of scented flash drives for those who just can't keep their USB storage away from those nostrils. Reportedly, the USB 2.0 Fruity Flash Keys will arrive in four different flavors, so those who tend to prefer strawberry, grape, green apple, or (Engadget's personal favorite) orange should be thrilled by the selection. Each drive will supposedly be available in sizes ranging from a mere 128MB to 4GB, and while pricing and availability details aren't yet available, we'll keep our nose to the ground for any future information.

[Via Gearlog]

 

[via] Engadget

Plush Pac-Man headgear munches on ghosts

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We've seen some pretty off-kilter headwear in our day, but this plush Pac-Man helmet apparatus is begging for a top slot. This uber-retro head hides no secret in-ear headphones, Bluetooth chip, or whispering voice that alerts you of colored ghosts approaching from the rear, but you're sure to be the life of the party if you roll up with this on your noggin. Reportedly, this spectacular blast from the not-too-distant past is available in both child and adult sizes, but considering that quantities "are limited," we'd suggest coughing up that $29.99 real quick like if this just skyrocketed to the top of your must-have list.

[Via Core77]

 

[via] Engadget

Buffalo shows off mini 300GB external drives

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Not wanting to leave traditionalists in the cold after making its 56GB SSD offering, Buffalo has introduced a "shock-resistant" 300GB, external USB drive for neo-luddites. The skinny little number likely houses one of Fujitsu's new-ish 300GB 2.5-inchers, as the drive manufacturer is pretty much the only name in the game for that capacity. The portable drives come in black for your Cradle of Filth album collection, or white for your DC Talk FLACs. Available next month in Japan for ¥38,000, or around $315.

[Via Akihabara News]

 

[via] Engadget

Researchers show off robot hand neural interface

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It looks like robot hands have taken yet another step into human-like territory, with a team of researchers at John's Hopkins University recently demonstrating a new neural interface that allows an artificial hand to be used to play the piano. But that's not all! In true mad scientist fashion, to actually control the hand, the researchers relied on neural activity recorded from a monkey's brain. According to MIT's Technology Review, that resulted in the fingers on the hand performing their intended movement about 95 percent of the time. While the system doesn't currently work in real time, the researchers are reportedly planning a live demonstration with a monkey within the next six months. Apparently foreseeing a potential monkey-machine rampage, however, the researchers have wisely decided to only let the monkey control a virtual version of a prosthetic arm.

 

[via] Engadget