Spam Flood Blog: Interesting Stuff

Thursday, June 14, 2007

Interesting Stuff

6/14/2007 3:54:00 PM

Filed under: Gaming

Even though Microsoft seems to be dragging its feet when it comes to addressing the EU's anti-trust concerns, the software-giant-cum-console-maker was quick to respond to European Commissioner for Consumer Affairs Meglena Kuneva's inquiry regarding accusations of faulty 360 hardware. Specifically, the commissioner wanted to know the scope of the disc scratching problem brought to light by Dutch program Kassa -- and unsurprisingly, Redmond seemed to allude to 1UP that it was toeing the same party line in Europe as we heard back in April. The bottom line here is that Team Xbox is clearly adamant that there is no widespread problem, and while they seem to be a little more reticent to blame the end user now, your only recourse remains contacting the company and crossing your fingers.

[Via Joystiq]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

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

http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/14/microsoft-responds-to-european-inquiry-on-scratched-360-discs/#comments

6/14/2007 3:24:00 PM

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

In addition to the 605 WiFi announced today, Archos is pulling out the rest of their new lineup, including the 105 (2GB flash), 405 (2GB SD), and 705 with 80 and 160GB drive sizes. Not a lot else on these right now, we'll let you know when more details surface.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

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

http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/14/archos-also-announces-105-405-705/#comments

6/14/2007 3:07:00 PM

Filed under: Home Entertainment

Not really a surprise that Archos is finally really tying to break into the set-top box business, given its propensity for DVR-recording functionality in its portables line and partial ownership by Echostar, but it looks like the Apple TV has a new device to worry about: the Archos TV. We're still getting details in, but it looks like the 80 - 250GB box will pull content off your home network via WiFi or Ethernet, as well as grab from external storage, in addition to recording DVR-style with component in (and HDMI out). More on this new media streamer we get it.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

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

http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/14/archos-tv-announced/#comments

6/14/2007 3:04:00 PM

Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds

Yeah, the new batch of watches is pretty cool, but let's be honest -- at the end of the day, the handsets themselves are the real deal, and Sony Ericsson didn't disappoint with today's reveals. The Gracenote slip-up outed the three hottest of the bunch, the K850, W910, and W960. The K850 is the follow-on to the lauded K790 / K800 with a 5 megapixel cam, NetFront browser, and tri-band HSDPA (North American bands mercifully included) and quadband GSM plus EDGE. The W910 and W960 are beasts of Walkman phones, offering 3G data, 2 megapixel and 3.2 megapixel cams respectively, and -- in the case of the W960 -- UIQ 3.1 and a full 8GB of onboard storage. Also-rans in today's lineup include the not-for-US-consumption K530, a 14mm 3G candybar, and the low-end Z250 and Z320 flips. Look for 'em all in the second half of the year. Check Engadget Mobile for a plethora of eye candy!

Read - Z320 and K850
Read - W910 and W960
Read - K530
Read - Z250

Permalink | Email this | Comments

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

http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/14/sony-ericsson-makes-k850-w910-w960-others-official/#comments

6/14/2007 2:27:00 PM

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

We're obviously sooo surprised that the device pictured above turns out to be the 605 WiFi -- we're not sure if it's the fact that it was a 5th-gen player being launched that looks like the 604, or that the player has "605 WiFi" emblazoned on the front that tipped us off.

605 users can expect a far higher res 800 x 480 4.3-inch touchscreen display (that's 200ppi, take that 160ppi iPhone), WiFi to connect with Archos's new digital content portal and the interweb (including video centric sites), and will be available in 4GB with an SD slot, and 30GB, 80GB, and 160GB drive sizes.

[Via ArchosLounge]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

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

http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/14/archos-announces-605-wifi/#comments

6/14/2007 1:46:00 PM

Filed under: Cellphones, Wearables, Wireless

Bluetooth wristwatches are all the rage lately -- or at least Sony Ericsson hopes so, because it has a vested interest in most of them -- and just like we suspected, the JV has announced its latest model, the MBW-150, complete with AVRCP support for wireless control of your music phone. This followup to the MBW-100 comes in three styles (Classic, Music, and Executive, pictured left to right) that all perform the standard caller ID / SMS notification thing, while tossing in the highly-desirable ability to change tracks and adjust volume as well as view track info on the face. No pricing or release details were immediately released, so we'll keep ya updated.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

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

http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/14/sony-ericssons-new-mbw-150-bluetooth-watch-rocks-avrcp/#comments

6/14/2007 1:38:00 PM

Filed under: Cellphones, Digital Cameras

Oh my. Looks like Gracenote has unintentionally stolen Sony Ericsson's thunder by outing their phones before SE's "next big thing" later today. According to their press release, Gracenote's mobile music service will be embedded on the "new Walkman models W910, W960 and the K850 Cyber-shot." Of course, there's still some mystery as we don't yet know which internal codename -- Sofia, Maria/Mooi, Shinobu, or possibly others -- matches up with those new product numbers. As to Gracenote, well they'll provide search and discovery, song ID and playlisting, and allow users to transfer music between home libraries, on-line music stores, and their new SE phones. But really, it's only the phones you're interested in right?

Update: Well, well now BegiqueMobile seems to have the leaked pics and specs: 5 megapixel cybershot K850i with HSDPA/EDGE; W910 HSDPA Walkman 3.0 slider with 2 megapixel camera; W960 Walkman Touch player with UIQ 3.1, WiFi, and 3.2 megapixel camera. There's more, but not more if you knowwhutamean?

[Thanks, Thomas B. and CedricG]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

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

http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/14/gracenote-trumps-sony-ericsson-announces-w910-w960-and-k850/#comments

6/14/2007 1:37:00 PM

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

Looks like Apple's issued a new version of the public beta of Safari for Windows today -- highest on the list of fixes were patches for thee three separate security vulnerabilities that cropped up mere hours after launch. There's never any software that's 100% secure, but at least now it's that much safer for Windows users to go hunting wild internet on Safari. (Details on the fixes after the break.)

Continue reading Apple releases Windows Safari 3.0.1, squishes security bugs

Permalink | Email this | Comments

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

http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/14/apple-releases-windows-safari-3-0-1-squishes-security-bugs/#comments

6/14/2007 1:19:00 PM

Filed under: GPS, Handhelds

The iriver-lovin' folks at iriverfans.com have gotten their hands on what they claim to be pics of a pair of forthcoming devices from the company, which are supposedly set to be unveiled at the SEK exhibition in Korea later this month. First up is the iriver M10 (seen above), a GPS device that also packs the usual array of PMP funtions, including a DMB tuner for some added distraction. Unfortunately, that's about all that's known about it at the moment, other than that it'll also sport a spiffy new interface. Even less clear are any details on the company's D5 "electronic dictionary," although you can get a good look at it after the break.

[Via dapreview.net]

Continue reading iriver M10, D5 devices surface online

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

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

http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/14/iriver-m10-d5-devices-surface-online/#comments

6/14/2007 1:04:00 PM

Filed under: Cellphones

Could this be the first true and proper iPhone sighting in public? Like, for really reals this time? The pic was snapped by Engadget pal Mark Trammell on the CalTrain -- which we know many an Apple employee uses to commute from SF to Cupertino. But with the hype this device has, we almost wouldn't put it past some San Francisco supergeek to cruise around with a faux iPhone just to raise some eyebrows boost his geek cred.

[Via BGR]

Update: We talked to Mark further -- it was definitely an iPhone, no chance of being a fake. He said its user was flipping through songs and playing back music on the device. Note to iPhone obsessives: ride the CalTrain more often.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

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

http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/14/iphone-spotted-in-public/#comments

6/14/2007 12:46:00 PM

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

We knew they were coming, and now Archos really wants you to know that they're coming, with the company's website now replaced with a teaser page counting down to the imminent launch of its new fifth generation PMPs. Don't get too entranced by those decreasing digits though, we'll have complete coverage of whatever it is the company has in store before you know it.

[Thanks, Mike]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

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

http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/14/archos-gets-set-to-unveil-gen-5-products/#comments

6/14/2007 12:30:00 PM

Filed under: Gaming, Peripherals

Why Logitech decided to eschew a "next-gen" feature for a "last-gen" one in its newest PS3 controller we'll never know, but the esteemed peripherals manufacturer is nonetheless poised to loose its rumble-tastic, accelerometer-free Cordless Precision for PlayStation 3 on the gaming world. IGN got a first look at the SIXAXIS competitor, and while they appreciate the build quality, battery life, and solid wireless connection, the lack of motion sensing, crappy D-pad, and absence of Bluetooth-related functionality (the Precision requires a USB dongle to communicate with the console) aren't worth the ten dollar discount you're getting when compared to a first-party offering. Plus, now that Sony and Immersion have finally made nice, you're bound to see some Bluetooth gamepads incorporating both force feedback and tilty goodness in the very near future.

[Via Joystiq]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

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

http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/14/logitech-cordless-precision-for-playstation-3-brings-the-rumble/#comments

6/14/2007 12:02:00 PM

Filed under: Handhelds

Those c;Those curious to see just how much E Ink Corp.'s new and improved Vizplex display enhances the e-reading experience now have an actual e-book reader they can get their hands on, although they'll have to find a way to get one out of South Korea. Apart from that new 6-inch, 600 x 800 display (which promises twice the refresh speed and 20% better brightness than previous models), NUUT's NP-601 e-book reader is a fairly standard affair, with 512MB of internal memory, an SD card slot for expansion, and a headphone jack to take advantage of some of its (unspecified) non-reading functions. Look for this one to set you back about $300.

[Via MobileRead]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

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

http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/14/nuut-intros-np-601-e-book-reader-with-vizplex-display/#comments

6/14/2007 11:43:00 AM

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

So it looks like we're not the only ones who are sick and tired of filling out forms and sending them in to Uncle Sam, as Singapore-based Creative has announced plans to delist its publicly traded shares from the NASDAQ Global Exchange, citing administrative costs associated with meeting "increasingly burdensome U.S. reporting obligations." The manufacturer of such diverse products as X-Fi sound cards and Live! webcams expects to withdraw its ordinary shares by August 1st and move trading entirely over to the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited, which already sees 90% of the company's average worldwide daily trading volume anyway. As expected, Creative's US shares have already started to tank as investors contemplate the complications of trading in a foreign market, but Creative diehards can probably anticipate a rebound once the integration has been completed. Or so our boiler room broker tells us...

[Via epiZENter]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

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

http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/14/creative-delisting-from-nasdaq-cites-burdensome-regulations/#comments

6/14/2007 11:22:00 AM

Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment

Bang & Olufsen is continuing to give a whole new meaning to the term "home theater in a box". The latest in the BeoVision 7 line is coming to the US this summer, and includes everything; a 40-inch HDTV, 7.1 surround sound speakers, amplifier and a DVD player. As if that wasn't enough to draw you in, it's perched on a motorized floor stand that will adjust the display to keep the viewers in the sweet spot. And like many B&O designs, it includes an electronic curtain glide -- because pressing a button to eject a DVD is just too much work. The BeoVision 7 will retail for $13,500 and will be available in an assortment of colors -- we're leaning towards the red.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

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

http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/14/the-beovision-7-the-ultimate-htib-from-bang-and-olufsen/#comments

6/14/2007 10:56:00 AM

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

An array of busted computers that control the International Space Station's orientation and oxygen and water supplies could force the orbiting hotel's three current residents to either extend their stay or make an emergency departure. The Russian-made computers are critical for sustaining life aboard the station, and while astronauts have a 56-day supply of oxygen remaining and the ability to manually fire the control thrusters, we've seen 2001 enough times to know that space and computer malfunctions don't mix. So far the cause of the failure is a real head-scratcher for Russian engineers tasked with troubleshooting the problem (where's Cosmonaut Gates when you need him?), though current suspicions lie with power issues related to the new solar array delivered by Atlantis on this most recent shuttle mission. For real-time updates on this crisis, just grab a telescope and follow along for yourself...

[Thanks, Eli R]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

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

http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/14/critical-space-station-computers-fail/#comments

6/14/2007 10:35:00 AM

Filed under: Desktops, Peripherals

These days, it's not difficult to find a cutting-edge hardware component with a liquid-cooled option, but streaming water through a power supply is a new one on us. Aside from the potential fire hazard implications, we're a bit stumped as to why a vanilla 450-watt power supply would actually need such superfluous cooling measures in place, but we can assume that this bad boy is whisper quiet until it springs a leak. Nevertheless, JSP Tech's interesting new PSU was spotted at Computex with a CPU cooling extension tackily attached to it, but we've no idea if or when this admittedly questionable device will ever hit the market.

Read | &lgt; | Permalink | Email this | Comments

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

http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/14/jsp-techs-450-watt-liquid-cooled-power-supply/#comments

6/14/2007 10:15:00 AM

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

We've seen pigeons that monitor pollution and cement that eats pollution, but for eye-catchiness and do-goodedness, it's tough to beat Soo-in Yang and David Benjamin's River Glow project, which provides a light show as it keeps an eye on water quality. Built with a budget of $1,000, the current bathtub-bound prototype system consists of an LED connected to uncoated fiber optic strands, which gets triggered when the pH sensor detects changes in water quality. What's more, the whole thing's apparently powered by a single AA battery, which is recharged using floating strips of thin film photovoltaics. Presumably, that'd be scaled up before it gets let loose in some larger waterways (as seen above), although it's not clear when or if that'll happen.

[Via Inhabitat]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

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

http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/14/river-glow-project-detects-pollution-with-style/#comments

6/14/2007 9:49:00 AM

Filed under: Cellphones, Portable Audio, Portable Video

After some initial confusion following WWDC, an AT&T memo has pegged the iPhone availability at 6pm in your respective US time zone. We imagine this comes down to Apple's meticulous level of control over any monkey business. As such, the magic 6pm launch is likely the result of a next-day, 6pm delivery cutoff by AT&T's distribution agent -- FedEx. You don't think these babies are just going to be sitting around in the stock room do you? So if you happen to see a FedEx guy hovering near an AT&T or Apple store on June 29th... well, be nice, mkay?

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

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

http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/14/iphone-on-sale-6pm-local-time/#comments

6/14/2007 9:35:00 AM

Filed under: Household

We've seen magnetics used in everything from closet improvements to insomnia treatments, but researchers at the University of Alberta and the United States Naval Research Laboratory have found that "by manipulating electron spin using magnetic fields, they can turn off and on light that's being guided through metals." By looking deeper into the fields of plasmonics and spintronics, the gurus have discovered that this on-off light switch could be used for tasks such as routing infrared light in optical communications or processing radio signals in cell phones. Additionally, this system could potentially decrease power requirements for the devices it invades, and while a finalized product isn't quite ready, the team is already anxious to "build devices that can act as switches in a chip."

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

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

http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/14/researchers-use-magnetic-fields-to-manipulate-light/#comments

6/14/2007 9:05:00 AM

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

Newman's had a thing for kicking out low-cost, fairly well-spec'd portable media players over in China, and the M669 looks to uphold that reputation quite nicely. This pocket-friendly PMP reportedly includes a 3.6-inch LCD, 20GB internal hard drive, support for MP3, WMA, OGG, and MPEG1/2/4, video out, FM tuning abilities, e-book support, a photo viewer, voice recording, and USB 2.0 connectivity. Of course, the aesthetics leave something to be desired and the specifications are just barely above ho hum, but word on the street is that this here PMP is going for around $131 over in its homeland, which changes the complexion around real quick like.

[Via DAPreview]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

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

http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/14/newman-m669-20gb-portable-media-player/#comments

6/14/2007 8:05:00 AM

Filed under: Displays

Nearly a year after Toshiba introduced its TLP-XC2500U, the firm is finally giving the document camera-equipped projector a refresh and dubbing it the TLP-XC2500AU. Hailed as a low-cost way to get a doc cam integrated into a projector, this device is aimed squarely at educators and businesses, features the firm's Natural Color Enhancer3, and includes a 1,024 x 768 resolution, 400:1 contrast ratio, 2,500 ANSI lumens, and a bulb that purportedly lasts around 3,000 hours when used in Eco-Mode. Additionally, the one-touch setup and automatic vertical keystone correction should prevent any long waits in the conference room, and the digital zoom function on the wireless remote can help presenters focus in without resorting to an all-too-fun laser pointer. Tosh's TLP-XC2500AU looks to be shipping in one to two weeks for $1,439.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

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

http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/14/toshibas-tlp-xc2500au-projector-includes-document-camera/#comments

6/14/2007 7:25:00 AM

Filed under: Desktops, Laptops, Media PCs

Although a number of household name computer vendors have already inked their name on some sort of green agenda, now it looks like things are getting a bit more aspiring as Intel and Google have joined the likes of Dell, EDS, EPA, HP, IBM, Lenovo, Microsoft, PG&E, and the World Wildlife Fund (among others) to launch the Climate Savers Computing Initiative. The lofty goal is to"save $5.5 billion in energy costs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 54 million tons per year," which translates into an amount equal to removing "more than 11 million cars from the road" by 2010. Supposedly, vendors in agreement with the initiative will abide by the new 90-percent efficie efficiency target for power supplies, which looks to be the main player in garnering such massive reductions. Feeling guilty about pulling the trigger on that 2,000-watt PSU yet?

[Via ArsTechnica]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

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

http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/14/big-timers-join-up-to-launch-climate-savers-computing-initiative/#comments

6/14/2007 6:55:00 AM

Filed under: GPS

As if your choices weren't endless enough in the 3.5-inch GPS arena, GlobalSat is offering up yet another forgettable alternative in the GV-366. Aside from the obligatory touchscreen display, you'll find a SiRF Star III receiver, multilingual navigation interface, and software that was co-developed by Navigon. Additionally, a built-in media player looks to be included as is RDS-TMC real-time traffic support. No word just yet on price nor availability, but simply judging by the specifications, it ought to be a bargain whenever it lands.

[Via NaviGadget]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

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

http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/14/globalsat-further-clogs-the-3-5-inch-gps-market-with-gv-366/#comments

6/14/2007 5:44:00 AM

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

What's better than the beloved iAudio 6? Why, the iAudio 7 of course... it's 1 better. Meet Cowon's latest DAP with that "simply brilliant" 1.3-inch LCD. Only now, we're looking at 8GB of flash memory instead of that dawdling 0.85-inch disk drive of its predecessor. The iAudio 7 is one of just a few to support FLAC and OGG audio in addition to the usual suspects and XviD video. Hell, it even squeezes up to 60 hours from a Lithium Polymer battery which can be charged via USB. Priced at just â©169,000 (about $182) for the 4GB on up to â©229,000 (about $246) for the full 8GB, what's not to love?

Gallery: Cowon's iAudio 7 packs 8GB of FLAC on flash

[Via AVING]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

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

http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/14/cowons-iaudio-7-packs-8gb-of-flac-on-flash/#comments

6/14/2007 4:11:00 AM

Filed under: HDTV

Samsung's gettin' busy this morning in Korea with the launch of their 70-inch Full HD LCD television. Not only is it the world's largest commercially available LCD, this 1080p pup also brings a 120Hz refresh along with Samsung's local dimming LED backlighting solution for a reported 500,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio... for whatever that measurement's worth. The LN70F91BD is another ACAP packer featuring 3x HDMI 1.3 terminals and a USB 2.0 jack for purposes unknown. Available in S.Korea only at the moment with worldwide sales starting in the second half of the year. Only â©59,000,000 for the privilege which translates to about $63k or €48k -- chump-change for culturally ambiguous superstars.

[Via AVING]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

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

http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/14/samsungs-70-inch-led-backlit-lcd-television-now-on-sale/#comments

6/14/2007 3:22:00 AM

Filed under: GPS, Peripherals

Here's a likely candidate for most unnecessary, albeit entirely geeky device of the day. TimeTools' T1000 Precision Time Server links up to your Windows, Linux, or Unix workstation in order to obtain "highly accurate time" from GPS satellites. Interfacing via a RS-232 serial port or USB (depending on model), the T1000 connects with GPS systems via the included patch antenna to retrieve the current time within 100 nanoseconds. Furthermore, the 30-gram box is said to be fully weatherproof for survival out in the wild, and while we're not quite sure what the price on this oh-so-precise piece of equipment will be, it's probably only worth it for the bragging rights.

[Via NaviGadget]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

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

http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/14/timetools-t1000-syncs-your-pcs-clock-with-gps/#comments

6/14/2007 2:11:00 AM

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

Granted, it's been a tick since we've considered Mattel's Juice Box for any off the wall hack jobs, but a clever fellow with nothing but spare time and a worthless rotary dial telephone figured out a way to rejuvenate it. The "Retro Phone Picture Frame Hack" required an obsolete phone, Juice Box and MP3 / Picture kit, spare SD card, and a basic understanding of wiring. After removing the dial face and getting his hands dirty with the variety of connections within, his picture-packed SD card was situated in while the face of the Juice Box was fixated in the leftover gap. A few silent prayers later, everything was up and running, providing the least costly and most unique digiframe we've seen to date. So if you're considering putting that old phone to rest, be sure to visit the read link and give this mod a hand before ditching such a useful appliance.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

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

http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/14/juice-box-pmp-used-in-retro-phone-digiframe-mod/#comments

6/14/2007 2:08:00 AM

Filed under: Transportation

Here's one that's sure to make Toad weep, even if he's toting a golden mushroom or two. In a bid to make every Mario Kart (or speed demon) freak's dream come true, a bloke in Inverness has concocted a jet engine-equipped go-kart that actually sports a functioning afterburner. Similar to a number of other jet-powered vehicles we've seen, this one is fitted with a military spec JFS-100 jet engine and a push button afterburner that emits "extra thrust, noise, and spectacular fire / smoke effects." Moreover, you'll find an EGT gauge, MOMO steering wheel, and digital RPM meter crammed inside the wee vehicle, and if you just so happen to reside in the UK, you can get the bidding starting for a mere £5,000 ($9,864). More drool-worthy snapshots after the break.

[Via El Reg]

Continue reading Jet engine-powered go-kart roars onto eBay

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

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

http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/14/jet-engine-powered-go-kart-roars-onto-ebay/#comments

6/14/2007 1:12:00 AM

Filed under: Laptops

It looks like Anynote is hopping on the DirectX 10 bandwagon as well, as the company's 15.4-inch AL5600G stuffs a potent 256MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600M under the hood alongside a few other respectable components. Beyond the widescreen WXGA display and GPU, users will find Intel's 965PM chipset, a 2GHz T7300 processor, up to 2GB of DDR2 RAM, 120GB of SATA hard drive space, a DVD burner, Ethernet, WiFi, and a six-cell battery to boot. Furthermore, the port assortment includes DVI output, four USB connectors, S-Video, a four-in-one multicard reader, ExpressCard slot, S/PDIF output, and a built-in subwoofer for hints of bass here and there. Anynote's above-average AL5600G should hit South Koreans outlets anytime at a price of â©1,199,500 ($1,289).

[Via AVing]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

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

http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/14/anynotes-15-4-inch-al5600g-packs-nvidias-geforce-8600m/#comments

6/14/2007 12:53:00 AM

Filed under: Robots, Wireless

DARPA's proposed LANdroids won't be the first installation to offer up expendable data gathering pawns on the battlefield, but these "intelligent, autonomous radio relay nodes" could be used to "establish and manage mesh networks in urban settings." Essentially, these critters would be cheaply produced and handed out en masse for warfighters to drop at random in order to create temporary and continually evolving network infrastructures that could lead to better communication over various occupied regions. It even sounds like these creatures will sport self-healing design cues, and while we're not sure if they'll be immune to imminent EMP blasts, we can already envision bored soldiers futilely hooking these things up to their PSPs and searching for an open game room. [Warning: PDF read link]

[Via El Reg]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

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

http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/13/landroids-offer-autonomous-radio-relay-on-the-battlefield/#comments

6/14/2007 12:21:00 AM

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

Sure, you may have already been suckered into buying one of those cutesy USB air purifiers before, but Pure Air is hoping to fill up yet another one of your connectors as its DESK EOS fends off evil electromagnetic waves. Of course, this is bound to spark up another one of those "dangerous / not dangerous" debates, but this looks to be the device for you if you're not keen on taking chances. The debatably stylish unit can be had in red, silver, or blue color schemes (shown after the break), and the blue LEDs that glow once plugged in are an admittedly nice touch. Still, you'd probably be better off just holding onto that â©60,900 ($65) and donning a tin foil cap instead.

[Via AVing]

Continue reading DESK EOS rids your workspace of evil electromagnetic waves

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

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

http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/13/desk-eos-rids-your-workspace-of-evil-electromagnetic-waves/#comments

6/13/2007 11:51:00 PM

Filed under: Digital Cameras

While we'd already seen a couple of noticeable offerings from Sony that mysteriously touted larger than usual internal hard drives, it now seems that a bevy of Sony's Handycams are eligible for an upgrade. According to the SonyStyle website, the DCR-SR42 and DCR-SR62 can grab an "A" on the end of its title and double the HDD capacity from 30GB to 60GB for $100. The DCR-SR82 can morph into the DCR-SR82C and go from 60GB to 100GB for just a Benjamin, while the DCR-SR200 and DCR-SR300 can make the same leap in size for $200. So there you have it, nothing revolutionary, but a whole lot more capture time can be yours if you've been holding out on picking one of the smaller models up.

[Via CamcorderNews]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

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

http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/13/sony-offers-up-hard-drive-upgrades-in-camcorder-line/#comments

6/13/2007 11:21:00 PM

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Peripherals, Portable Audio, Portable Video, Wireless

While Philips' latest universal remote lacks the genius design seen in the prototype book iteration, it's tough to deny the utility here. This universal remote may not sport the most luxurious button layout, but it does manage to control up to six devices and play nice with your iPod; moreover, the SJM3151's built-in LCD screen touts the ability to mimic your player's screen, so you can sneak a peek at what's on deck without squinting to see the faraway dock. Interestingly, this remote not only packs the infrared abilities we've come to expect, but it also speaks ZigBee in order to transmit signals "up to 300 feet." Of course, this multifaceted device won't run you cheap, as interested buyers will be asked to cough up $180 to procure one when it lands this fall.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

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

http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/13/philips-sjm3151-univeral-remote-mirrors-your-ipod-screen/#comments

6/13/2007 10:51:00 PM

Filed under: Displays, HDTV, Home Entertainment

For those who picked up Sanyo's LP-XL40 wide-angle projector for its sensational short-range capabilities, we hope your wallet's prepared for an upgrade. The firm's newest LP-XL50 steps it way up by touting the ability to shoot an 80-inch image onto a screen with just 8-centimeters of space between the lens and the wall. Moreover, you can still squeeze out marginally smaller images from even closer ranges thanks to its newfangled optical engine. Specs wise, you'll find a 1,024 x 768 native resolution, 275-watt UHP1 lamp, 2,000 lumens, "blackboard mode" for mounting just above a classroom board, theft deterrent system to foul up those mischievous kids, a pair of VGA inputs, component, S-Video, and composite connectors, and a built-in two-watt speaker to boot. Unfortunately, it seems that you'll be waiting 'til late December to throw down your ¥600,000 ($4,931), but click on through for a few more looks for the time being.

[Via AkihabaraNews, images courtesy of Impress]

Continue reading Sanyo LP-XL50 projector touts uber-short throw

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

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

http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/13/sanyo-lp-xl50-projector-touts-uber-short-throw/#comments

6/13/2007 10:21:00 PM

Filed under: Peripherals

Early adopters who hitched their wagon to Razer early on are likely to remember the elusive "First Edition" Boomslang mice, and if you've been clamoring for a practically identical replacement, Razer's got you covered. The Boomslang Collector's Edition 2007 will make its debut at this summer's DreamHack, will be limited to 10,000 units worldwide, and will be encased in a sleek titanium housing. Moreover, the mouse will glow green from underneath to add that final dash of 1337-ness at a dark LAN party, but there's no word yet on DPI nor price.

[Via Electronista]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

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

http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/13/razer-teases-boomslang-collectors-edition-2007-mouse/#comments

6/13/2007 9:51:00 PM

Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment

In an age where companies are scrambling to combat the sinking prices of LCD HDTVs, Uniden decided to make no bones about where it was trimming the fat, as it introduced a pair of 1080p sets that are devoid of an internal digital TV tuner. While they both keep the same iMac-esque appearance with that semi-transparent, glossy white bezel, the 42-inch TL42AZ1 and 37-inch TL37AZ1 both include a pair of HDMI and component inputs as well as a soon-to-be-useless analog tuner. The sets are apparently targeting consumers who use their TV primarily for gaming or multimedia activities, or to customers who prefer to use a set-top-box to receive digital and HD content. Of note, the firm also released a 19-inch TL19TX1 (pictured after the jump) that rings up around $382, but it does manage to include a digital tuner at the expense of an analog flavor. Pricing for the 42-incher looks to be around $1,469, while the 37-inch iteration will demand just $1,142, and all three sets should begin shipping in late July.

Continue reading Uniden intros digital tuner-less 1080p LCD TVs

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

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

http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/13/uniden-intros-digital-tuner-less-1080p-lcd-tvs/#comments

6/13/2007 9:21:00 PM

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Portable Video

Sony's been known to toss out some fairly glitzy portable DVD players in the past, and it's keeping the tradition alive by cranking out the relatively sexy DVP-FX850. The clamshell player sports a "high-resolution" eight-inch widescreen LCD and 180-degree swivel, claims up to six hours of battery life, and plays nice with just about every flavor of DVD (yes, that includes the eight-centimeter variety) you can think of. Moreover, users will be happy to see DivX support tacked on, an AV input / output, twin headphone jacks, digital audio output, a 12-bit / 108MHz DAC, and a worldwide power supply. Notably, Sony also tossed in a USB port for loading up music and photos whilst on the go, and even includes a slim wireless remote for handling the controls from afar. Look for this kid-pleasing gizmo to land sometime next month (and hopefully in America).

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

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

http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/13/sonys-eight-inch-dvp-fx850-portable-dvd-player/#comments

6/13/2007 8:51:00 PM

Filed under: Transportation

Richard Branson's already used one to break little known world records, and it looks those in the US will soon finally be get a Gibbs Aquada amphibious vehicle of their very own, and for a comparative bargain no less. According to Popular Mechanics, a new version of the vehicle is set to go into production late next year with the intention of it being released in the US in the first half of 2009 for less than $100,000, as opposed to the $200,000+ it currently demands oversees. The new vehicle will also supposedly meet all US safety and emission regulations although, as Popular Mechanics points out, you will still likely need a boat license in order to (legally) get the most out of it.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

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

http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/13/gibbs-aquada-amphibious-vehicle-to-come-ashore-in-the-us/#comments

Copyright 2007 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only.

Blogged by Hack41
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

0 Comments: