Cool Tech Gadgets: Sep 20, 2007

Thursday, September 20, 2007

Robot "dog" crosses obstacles, lacks head

Filed under: Robots

To be honest, we're not sure if Boston Dynamics decision to not include a head on its so-called "LittleDog" makes the bot more or less creepy, but it sure is pretty darn impressive either way. It's claim to fame, and the result of $1.5 million in funding from DARPA, is its ability to cross harsh terrain with relative ease, relying on an array of sensors that measure joint angles, body orientation, and foot/ground contact. As you can see in the video after the break, the whole system appears to work remarkably well, with the bot only encountering a few minor hiccups during its rock-climbing adventure. No word on any future plans for the bot just yet, but with DARPA behind it, we're guessing it'll be attracting some slightly different owners than its robot canine companions.

[Via SlashGear]

Continue reading Robot "dog" crosses obstacles, lacks head

Belkin starts shipping the Network USB Hub

Filed under: Peripherals

It was supposed to ship in June, but it looks like Belkin is finally shipping the Network USB Hub this week. The five-port USB hub "simulates a direct USB connection" that allows you to use all your USB devices over the network -- and special caching software even lets you use USB 2.0 devices at full speed. Looks like Windows users can nab one of these now for $129 -- Mac users are still waiting on driver support.

[Via PC World]

Xbox 360 to get a new HD DVD drive in 2008

Filed under: Gaming, HDTV, Home Entertainment

Details are beyond sketchy at this point, but Personal Computer World is reporting that Mark Bennett, Microsoft's European HD DVD business director, announced that Microsoft would be shipping a revised 360 HD DVD drive in 2008 -- presumably one with support for HD DVD's HDi interactive features, which Microsoft is touting as being "nine months" ahead of Blu-ray. That's all the info we have for now, but you can bet we haven't heard the last of this one.

[Thanks, ChronoZaga]

Headplay's Personal Cinema System finally available

Filed under: Displays, Portable Video

Nearing on a year from its first unveiling, it's nice to finally see the Headplay Personal Cinema System head mounted display "out and about." That Visor headset is stilling rocking support for up to XGA resolutions with a pair of single LCoS micro-displays that are supposed to reduce eye strain, while the Liberator "brains" of the operation accepts composite, component and S-video inputs, while also playing media off of its built-in CompactFlash slot and USB ports. Finally, the Navigator remote acts as the hook-up for the included earbuds, and allows you to control the system and settings. In addition to plain old flat content, you can view stereoscopic 3D games and movies if you've got the right hardware to plug into. The Headplay is available now online, and goes for $499, or $549 with an internal rechargeable battery. Unfortunately, all we've got for pictures is those same old renders we saw at the start of the year, but hopefully Headplay will hit the true wild soon enough.

Canon EOS 40D's early review roundup

Filed under: Digital Cameras

It takes a while to put a camera like Canon's EOS 40D fully through its paces, but a few brave souls have blazed through the feature set, menus, ISOs and megapixels afforded to them by the new camera in time to get reviews up mere weeks after launch. Of course, the flashiest feature here is Live View, but the 40D is no one trick pony: unlike the minimal 20D to 30D upgrade, the 40D is all-new and packed with enhancements. Who knows if this'll be enough for Canon to get Nikon of its turf, but we'll let you read the mountains of text, peep the comparison shots and draw your own conclusions.

Blaupunkt rolls out SD card-based car stereo

Filed under: Portable Audio, Transportation

It's not the first such unit we've' seen, but car stereos with SD card slots instead of CD players are still rare enough to get our attention, which is exactly what Blaupunkt has managed to do with its new Melbourne SD27 system. If that's a bit too limiting for you, you can also make use of Blaupunkt's optional iPod and USB/Bluetooth adapters, which will let you grab music off any suitably equipped MP3 player or cellphone. You'll also, of course, get an AM/FM radio with 25 preset station options, and a plain old 3.5 mm auxiliary input to plug in the audio device of your choice. If that's not too much change for you to handle, you should be able to pick up a Melbourne SD27 now for a suggest retail price of $160.

SwissGear readies media-controlling, wireless mouse

Filed under: Peripherals

Wenger -- makers of the famous Swiss Army line of knives, watches, and accessories -- appear to be readying a sort-of-serious-looking new media controller / presentation / wireless mouse combo. As you can see by the above photo, we caught the multi-faceted model out on display chumming it up with its less stylish and expensive mouse-companions. The slick finish looks nice, but honestly, it doesn't seem like a great combo for sweaty, gaming hands. Maybe PowerPointers or media fans will have more luck. No word on price or availability, but we'll keep you posted.

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Apple fesses up to faulty iPod touch screens

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

It looks like those complaining of problems with the iPod touch's screen weren't seeing things, as Apple has now reportedly confirmed that at least some early units did indeed ship with defective screens. That bit of news comes at the tail end of a review of the player by none other than Walt Mossberg, who reports that Apple says the problem affected a "small number of units" and that it is "being remedied." Exactly what that remedy entails, however, is unclear, as is the exact number of units affected. In related news, there's also been a few unconfirmed reports cropping up of similarly dim screens on newer iPhones, with the problem seemingly traced to units released after the now infamous price cut. No word from Apple on that, but if your new iPhone's display looks a little off, feel free to let us know.

Read - Walt Mossberg's review

Pinnacle intros PCTV HD Ultimate USB tuner

Filed under: HDTV, Peripherals

It looks like those that weren't satisfied with Pinnacle's previous USB HDTV tuners for one reason or another now have yet another option to consider, with the company recently introducing its new and improved PCTV HD Ultimate USB stick. As before, this one packs an antenna to pick up ATSC digital TV signals, and it'll of course pick up plain old NTSC analog TV if you so choose. Unlike previous devices from the company, however, you apparently won't have to install any software to use it, and you'll even get some built-in flash storage to record up to two hours worth of content. If that's enough to push you over the edge, you'll be able to grab one of 'em next month for for $130, with a desktop version also available for $80.

GE readies its InfoLink phones for November

Filed under: Household

GE is about to be bringing more good things to life with the launch of its DECT 6.0 phone / phone service called InfoLink. The premise of the technology is simple: instead of switching on your PC or looking at your PDA or mobile phone for basic info (such as weather, stocks, news, etc.) you'd simply pick up your color-LCD-equipped InfoLink phone (the "fourth screen" as they call it) and scroll through the information. The hybrid phones will deliver the goods over your DSL or cable modem, and will carry RSS feeds from places like MSNBC, the NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), and Homeland Security (for all your terror-alert needs). The InfoLink device will also do more boring things as well, like call-waiting and caller ID, HD-sound intercom, speaker phone, and melody ring tones. The sweet package can be yours in November for $179.99, with additional handsets available for $79.99.

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MacBook WiFi hack to be published, sound of snoring overpowers announcement

Filed under: Laptops, Wireless

You may remember good-old David Maynor, the infamous hacker who caused a stir in the Mac community by "exploiting" a "loophole" in a MacBook's WiFi that allowed an outside user to gain control of the system. Of course, the hack was then promptly disputed by all sorts of people, said to be a hoax, and generally made fun of. A little bit later on, Maynor and co. turned up in a nerd-tastic war of words on the internet over an OS X "worm," trading barbs, assuming fake names, creating counterfeit blogs, and eventually being reduced to death-threats and public "outings" of their online personalities. Now, according to reports, Maynor is "officially" publishing the details of his original exploit, freed from legal shackles (i.e., NDAs) which he claim prevented him from revealing the truth about his hack. The hot-blooded work is to be published in the September issue of Uninformed.org (an online hacking journal). Says Maynor, "Let them tear me apart all they want but at the end of the day the technical merit of the paper will stand on its own." To which we respond: your 15 minutes are up.

Meizu M7 doesn't look familiar at all

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

Well, that didn't take long. Hot on the heels of the iPod touch starting to ship, spunky Chinese upstart Meizu has announce the M7, a curiously-familiar PMP featuring a 3-inch touchscreen. Meizu CEO Jack Wong announced the player on the company's forums, so details are a little sketchy, but it looks like the unit will feature a 16:9 480 x 288 screen and support H.264 playback. The picture is apparently a mockup, but we're hearing that the M7 will go on sale in late 2008 in 1GB, 2GB and 8GB versions for $100, $110, and $150. Of course, given how long it's taken the M8 to hit, that's all up in the air, but something tells us we'll be hearing a lot about this thing in the future.

[Via PMP Today]

Bose introduces Computer MusicMonitor desktop speakers

Filed under: Desktops, Home Entertainment

Bose, everyone's favorite quasi-audiophile audio-goods manufacturer is lowering themselves down into the seedy world of PC audio and introducing a new set of speakers designed for your desktop. The new Computer MusicMonitors -- 5-inch by 2-inch, 25-watt speakers with "dual internal opposing passover radiators" -- are Bose's first foray into a busy market already crowded by scores of other models, though the Boston-based company thinks they've got something new to bring to the game. "I think the demand for smaller and better sound will never stop," said a Bose business manager who introduced the new system, adding, "this is our best effort to deliver lifelike sound from something smaller than we've ever done before." For those willing to drop $399 on your computer speakers, these beauties can be yours on October 4th.

NYC taxi drivers take GPS fight to court

Filed under: GPS, Transportation

The Dynasty-esque drama of the New York City taxi / GPS saga doesn't seem to be petering out. Two weeks ago, thousands of New York City cabbies went on strike (albeit not very successfully) to protest the city's insistence on adding elaborate GPS / entertainment systems to driver's cars which are capable of tracking pick-up and drop-off points. Now it appears that a group of cabbies are taking the fight to court, filing a lawsuit against the city claiming that the mandate to include the GPS units was unconstitutional, and that the devices will give away "trade secrets" by revealing their driving patterns. "Each taxi driver regards his or her own pattern as proprietary," the suit states. The New York Taxi Workers Alliance -- the group that organized the strike -- is also behind this latest move, though not all drivers are united against the GPS units, which will also add credit card services, text messaging, and television to the cars.

Sony's DualShock 3 is finally official: PS3 gets rumble

Filed under: Gaming

Kaz Hirai has come to the Tokyo Game Show bearing good news indeed: Sony's finally putting out a SIXAXIS with rumble, the DualShock 3. The controller will look exactly like the SIXAXIS, and is going to be hitting Japan this November, and North America and Europe in spring 2008. A few games in development have the function already, including Metal Gear Solid 4, and existing games can be updated with rumble over the PlayStation Network. Of course, the beans were spilled by EA earlier today, and Kaz says Sony let developers know about the controller as soon as it was decided upon, which would explain all the other leaks over the year. What Sony has constantly described as a technical difficulty stemming from the motion sensitivity of the controller has apparently been overcome, but it's still hard not to pin it all on that Immersion lawsuit no matter how much spin Sony puts on things. There's no word on price for the DualShock 3; official list of games that will use the DualShock 3 or get a software update to use it follows after the break.

Continue reading Sony's DualShock 3 is finally official: PS3 gets rumble

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PlayStation Store heads to your PC -- Home delayed until 2008

Filed under: Desktops, Gaming, Laptops

We could get used to this new effort on Sony's part at "openness," and even if this one's just a new way to access Sony's closed ecosystem of PlayStation Store content, it's a start at least. You can now use your humdrum, maybe-not-even-Sony-built PC to purchase and download PlayStation Store content -- including PSOne games -- and transfer it to your PSP, instead of relying on a 'spensive PS3 to do the trick. Sony has been promising this function for a few months now, but they've finally delivered, and apparently you can get in on the action today, at least in Japan. Also announced at TGS07 is future PSP Remote Play functionality (pictured) that allows you to turn on and off your PS3, and the ability to use your PS3 as a hub while PSPs act as a second screen, extra controllers and offer other networked functionality. No word on when these fanboy dreams will see light as a true-life firmware update. Oh, and before you get to thinking that the PSP is getting all the love here, Sony also announced a new function for Home called "dress," with "everybody's fashion entertainment" for a tag line. Whatever that means, Sony's going to be delaying the launch of Home into 2008, so we can't say we're exactly stoked about the new feature.

NBC to offer free "NBC Direct" download service, iTunes competitor

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Portable Video

Apparently a move to Amazon Unbox isn't all that's in the cards for NBC's lineup of television programming, newly free of those iTunes shackles. The company is going to start testing a new NBC Direct service in October with full, free downloadable episodes which can be stored up to seven days on Windows PCs. The shows will be on offer for a week as soon as they've aired, and will include imbedded, un-skippable ads. But that's just for starters, apparently NBC wants to eventually transform the service into an iTunes-competitor, with pay-to-download episodes. "We did this to eliminate the middleman," says NBC's Jeff Gaspin. That they did, and we suppose we finally know what NBC was talking about when it comes to "packaging options."

[Thanks, Webon]

DualShock 3 PS3 controller hands-on

Filed under: Features, Gaming

Sony just put out the DualShock 3 SIXAXIS controllers to test on the floor here at Tokyo Game Show. We'd pretend we're all stunned to see this atrocious "last-gen" feature somehow made it into Sony's super futuristic next-gen hardware that until today has had absolutely no need to enable games with haptic feedback, but it's not like there wasn't a clear path between Sony's settlement with Immersion straight up to the controller's launch today.

No word on the "touch sense" end of business, or exactly how much heavier it is than the regular old SIXAXIS, but it's certainly got a bit more heft. IT also put out a decent amount of rumble, but the thing was pretty straight forward and convention so far as we could tell, so unfortunately there just aren't any surprises for us to report back with.

Gallery: Dualshock 3 hands-on

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Bluetooth Mini Phone provides alternative to ear-worn headsets

Filed under: Cellphones, Wearables

Let's be honest, Bluetooth headsets can garner awkward stares when used in public, but it's understandable if you're not keen on flashing that new iPhone whilst creeping home in the wee hours of the morning. Blazing to the rescue is the Bluetooth Mini Phone, which pairs up to your handset and goes nicely around your neck. Essentially, you can answer your phone calls with this wee, retro-influenced gizmo rather than whipping your mobile out, and while the utility here is certainly debatable, those sold on the idea can snap one up (when it returns to stock) for £24.99 ($50).

[Via Textually]

iriver W10 WiFi media player with Skyhook positioning ready in November?

Filed under: GPS, Handhelds, Portable Audio, Portable Video

Man, we've been painstakingly following iriver's development of the W10 media player since it was first rumored back in July of 2006. Well before touchscreen DAPs were all the rage. One hands-on and several postings later, iRiver seems prepped to push their baby out in November to what will assuredly be an adoring public, in S.Korea anyway. What's the fuss? 3-inch, 480 x 272 TFT touchscreen interface; WiFi with Skyhook's GPS-like positioning and NAVTEQ maps; VoIP; FM tuner; AOL XM radio streaming; 2/4/8GB capacities with miniSD expansion; and support for MP3, WMA, OGG audio and MPEG-4, WMV9 video all riding atop an iriver tuned WinCE 5.0 OS. Thing is, those NAVTEQ maps and POIs are "only suitable for US" -- a hopeful sign that we'll see these Stateside in time for the holidays.

[Thanks, Al]

New GPS satellites to ditch Selective Availability

Filed under: GPS

With the almost-ubiquitous nature of GPS, it's hard to imagine that US government still maintains the ability to degrade the system's resolution or even just turn it off for national security reasons, but every GPS satellite launched to date features what the military calls Selective Availability -- an option that hasn't been used since 2000, but has still been implemented throughout the GPS system. That's about to change, however, as the Pentagon announced yesterday that new GPS satellites will no longer feature SA. No official reason was given other than a "strong commitment to users by reinforcing that this global utility can be counted on to support peaceful civil applications around the globe," but hey -- we'll take what we can get.

[Via The Register]

Video Ezy to work with Apple on kiosk-style movie downloads?

Filed under: Portable Video

It's not clear how much of this is optimistic name-dropping and how much is real, but Australian video retailer Video Ezy (they just bought Blockbuster Australia) has announced that it's in talks with Apple, as well as several other supppliers, on a kiosk-style movie delivery system that would allow customers to download up to 40 movies onto an iPod and then pay as they watch. The system, called eBox, would still require you to actually visit a retail location, a compromise Video Ezy says is required because broadband speeds still aren't high enough to support a pure download model. We can see why Apple would be an attractive partner -- download on your iPod, watch on your Apple TV certainly seems feasible -- but true to form, Apple Australia refused to comment. Looks like we won't know the truth until eBox launches in the second quarter of next year.

Acer's next Aspire desktops to sport Blu-ray and HD DVD players

Filed under: Desktops

You didn't think Acer's recent deal with the Blu-ray camp was an exclusive arrangement did you? No sir-e, not if this product sheet is to be believed. Though the details are hard to make out, those Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD logos make it pretty clear that the Aspire line-up of multimedia desktops are about to go both ways. The desktop will feature what Acer calls "Blu-ray Universal" which reads Blu-ray and HD DVD discs while burning DVDs and CDs. Sounds like an LG Super Multi Blue player to us. It's all said to be going down on October 1st, in Australia anyway. Do your best to make out the full specs in the images below.

Gallery: Acer's next Aspire desktops to sport Blu-ray and HD DVD players

[Thanks, Adam P.]

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Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Researchers develop nanotech HIV-fighting drug delivery system

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

Developments in nanotechnology aren't all hard drive and bionic-hornet related -- researchers at the University of Missouri have developed a "dual-use" nanotech drug delivery device that they say can be used to target HIV and cancer. The device, which has a total volume of just a cubic inch, fires off supersonic shockwaves to make nearby tissues permeable to the proper drugs. The tech is still three years from being made available to pharmaceutical companies, but we're definitely counting the days until we can treat our colds with nanotech shockwaves.

[Via Physorg]

Cowon's 30GB iAudio X5 gets right with God

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

That purported iAudio X5 picture above comes courtesy of the Chinese language site Reesun. Authentic? Sure, why not. The only real difference we see is a thinning of the overall device along with a uniform flattening of the front panel which allows the joystick to move front-and-center just the way the good lord intended it. You know, like the way the earth is a perfect circle at the center of the known universe, eh Copernicus? But 30GB... you'll be tempting her wrath with that pitiful tithe Cowon.

[Thanks, Javi0084]

Keepin' it real fake, part LXXX: ONDA Honey VX878

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

What's made in China, costs just $55, and looks like your favorite [insert touchscreen device here] full-screen media player? The ONDA Honey VX878, that's what. The followup to the Honey VX855, overhauls the GUI while squishing the touchscreen down to 2.4-inches and just 260k colors with up to 15 hours of audio power and support for AVI, MP3, WAV, WMA, FLAC, APE, TXT, LRC, JPG, and BMP media formats stored on microSD. What, you didn't expect them to include a card in the box for that price did you?

[Via The Gadget Site, thanks Carl P.]

40GB PS3 rumors continue to swirl -- Foxconn tipped as manufacturer

Filed under: Gaming

Pocket-link UK is confidently reporting that those 40GB PS3 rumors are true. In fact, they've gone so far as to claim that Sony has turned away from ASUS and in the direction of Foxconn to manufacture their new entry-level console. Pricing is still unknown but formerly pegged at $400 for the US. If there's any truth to this then we should expect a Sony announcement to come during the Tokyo Game show, underway as we speak, or early next week in order to "spoil" Microsoft's Halo 3 launch.

Catalina Spas integrates 61-inch LCD TV into jacuzzi

Filed under: Displays, Household

It's one thing to have an outdoor viewable, waterproof LCD TV, but you can seriously up the bragging if that set is integrated right into your jacuzzi. For those that settle for only the best, Catalina Spas is offering up a "61-inch Theater Spa," which not only seats four very comfortably, but it also includes a 61-inch LCD HDTV that "automatically stores along the side wall of the spa and raises and lowers for viewing." Of course, considering that it's "priced upon request," you should probably bring the bank if eying this one with any level of seriousness.

[Via Pocket-Lint]

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