What's new on SlashGear.com |
- Why my next HDTV will be a Vizio
- How Microsoft Got 1,000 Plus Apps Developed for the Launch of Windows Phone 7
- Conceptual Hybrid Display Phone Works with Both AMOLED and EInk
- KDDI Powered Slate Delivered in Japan by Onkyo
- White Verizon iPhone 4 Image Leaked?
- Good-Game-Media eBay Auction for Replica Emile Helmet from Halo: Reach Ends Tonight
- Sony PSP2 Supposedly Breaks Cover, Shows Off Twin Thumbsticks
- Day Shade Night Light Solar Powered Patio Umbrella Conceptualized
- Mercedes-Benz Biome Concept Car is Grown Inside a Nursery
- Bose Bluetooth Headset unboxing & hands-on
- Google Docs Now Let You Edit Documents on the Go
- Buffalo DriveStation Axis LED & MiniStation Stealth Launched
- AT&T Novatel Wireless MiFi 2372 Landing November 21st
- Intel Sandy Bridge Processors Confirmed for January Debut
- The Social Tide Receding
- Matrox Graphics Unveils the Matrox Mura Controller Board
- Assistant Professor Wants to Install a Camera Into the Back of His Head
- Plextor PX-NAS4: up to 8TB of power-frugal NAS
- SlashGear Morning Wrap-up: November 17 2010
- IE9 SunSpider oddness prompts Microsoft benchmark-gaming rumors
- Low-temp ceramic micro fuel-cells promise affordable methane power
- Jolicloud Jolibook netbook hits UK on Friday tips WSJ
- Fluid Dress is incredible labor of fluid-filled love [Video]
- Color e-paper drawing tablet gets Berlin outing
- White iPhone 4 conversion kit seller gets legal threat after $130k sales
- Motorola MOTOPAD Honeycomb tablet due Feb/Mar 2011 with Tegra 2 tip insiders
- SageTV v7 HTPC app outed with HD Theater 300 streamer
- Geeky Lego Minifig Alarm Clock is awesome
- Elecom wireless headphones for iPad shuffle break cover
- Cool new Android app helps the hearing impaired use a mobile phone
| Why my next HDTV will be a Vizio Posted: 17 Nov 2010 03:01 PM PST Whenever I talk about HDTVs with other tech lovers, they typically point to Samsung LED-LCDs or Panasonic plasmas as the go-to televisions for the person looking for the best picture. And as an owner of a Panasonic plasma, I never protest. My 50-inch HDTV has been a treat to have in the house. But when I get my hands on my next HDTV, I won't be buying a Samsung LED or even a plasma to replace my beloved Panasonic. No, when I finally head to the store to get my hands on a new HDTV, I'm going to buy a Vizio set.
Now, I know what you're thinking. Yes, Vizio is supposedly a "budget" HDTV company that shouldn't be able to compete against products from competitors like Samsung and Panasonic. But if you've been following Vizio's improvements over the years, you've probably noticed that visual quality is quite impressive. And all the extras available in its HDTVs make it an ideal choice. Oh yeah, and there is also that fact that they're more readily affordable than alternatives. For the sake of this discussion, allow me to point to the Vizio XVT3D554SV. The LED set features a 55-inch display and 3D technology. Plus, it's nice and thin at about 3 inches thick. It also has ample inputs for set-top box lovers, thanks to its 5 HDMI ports. Now, those specs might not seem like much. But consider the fact that the 55-inch set also comes with 120 zones for local dimming; a full selection of Vizio's "Internet Apps," including Netflix, Pandora, and Amazon Video On Demand; and the kicker, Wi-Fi, built-in. So, instead of worrying about running a cable from your router to your HDTV, all you need to do is connect it to your Wi-Fi network and you're all set. The best part is, its MSRP is just $2,400. Some might say that competitors have similar offerings. And that's certainly true. For example, Samsung's 55-inch LED 3D TV UN55C7000WF, comes with Netflix, Hulu, and other entertainment apps, and features a one-inch thickness. But it only comes with 4 HDMI ports. And the only way to access your Wi-Fi network with the device is with the LinkStick adapter. Oh, and then there's the issue of price: its MSRP is $3,299. That's not to say that Samsung's HDTV won't beat Vizio in picture quality — I haven't tested either product myself, so I can't say for sure — but on paper, when one compares the competition to Vizio, the HDTV maker holds up quite well. In fact, I think it delivers the most value for your hard-earned dollars than any other company on the market. And that's precisely why I'll be buying a Vizio set next time around. It's not that I have an issue with other fine options from major vendors, but I like knowing that I'm getting a lot for my money. And time and again, Vizio delivers products that prove it's trying to capitalize on that kind of customer.
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| How Microsoft Got 1,000 Plus Apps Developed for the Launch of Windows Phone 7 Posted: 17 Nov 2010 02:40 PM PST According to a source “familiar with Microsoft’s developer outreach” speaking with GigaOM says that as the company got ready to attack the whole Windows Phone 7 situation, the split off into two teams: a depth team made to reach approximately 50 of the top app makers in the world, and a breadth team made to access the rest of the developer community and offer them support. What did that depth team do? Dish out the cash! Sources speaking with Ryan Kim note that in many cases, Microsoft offered either revenue guarantees or developers to work with companies to develop their particular WP7 app. Amongst those built or payed by Microsoft are: IMDb, Twitter, Facebook, Yelp, and Amazion, plus more.
"It's not that we're funding a team of developers to build apps," said Kim’s source, "It was that without the apps the phone is incomplete; consumers will be handicapped if they don't have a good Foursquare or Twitter app." Foursquare had originally planned on only creating an app when WP7 reached 10 million devices sold – after getting payed to develop though, Foursquare was available for the initial launch. Some groups didn’t take a cash bonus, for some weirdo reason – for example PopCap – offered $100,000 for a game (it’s unclear which game, precisely), but turned it down and created a game anyway (again, unclear if this is the game they would have been payed for): Bejeweled Live. The director of PopCap’s mobile business development did note that the group didn’t want to be tied to a game creation agreement while their developers were only just getting used to the tools needed to create, but did find value in being on par with the WP7 launch. Stein noted: "Whenever you talk subsidy or royalty guarantees, there are strings attached … We weren't sure we could meet the commitment but we already identified we wanted to be on there. If the platform succeeds, the dollars we were kicking around the table will be peanuts." In the end, (in the beginning, that is,) Microsoft ended up promising initial Windows Phone 7 customers “over one thousand apps” – a number that’s since grown past 2,000 – still no massive number compared to Apple’s 300,000 or Android’s 121,000, but hey, seems like they did their jobs, yes? Cash rules every app around me. [Via HotHardWare]
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| Conceptual Hybrid Display Phone Works with Both AMOLED and EInk Posted: 17 Nov 2010 01:58 PM PST Oh conceptual design, how awesome thou art. This is the “Second Life Mobile Phone Concept” by Cho Sinhyung & Jeon Jungjae, a phone that employs both a lovely AMOLED screen in glorious full color when it’s active, and an E-Ink display when it sits in standby mode. Juice saver deluxe! Furthermore, the degree of transparency in the screen shows the percentage of battery remaining. Fade away like you’re Marty McFly. Futuristic.
Forever running out of power? Everyone is, even if you plug your phone in every chance you get. While this concept is based around the life of the battery, take a peek at the excellence in the aesthetics as well. Seems like it’d have more than a couple fingerprints on it on the daily, and maybe it’s breakable, but heck if it doesn’t look spectacular.    [Via Yanko Design]
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| KDDI Powered Slate Delivered in Japan by Onkyo Posted: 17 Nov 2010 01:45 PM PST Onkyo blasts out its latest Windows 7 Tablet, the TW317A7, powered by an ATOM CPU. This model is actually a TW317A5 loaded with KDDI 3G module letting you access the internet wherever you may roam, and includes a 11.6″ screen with 1366×768 resolution, Atom N450, 32GB of SSD, and 1GB of RAM. It also has a magically tiny 0.3 megapixel web camera. Fun!
Inside you’ll find new software by the name of ExTouch, this dedicated to helping improve Windows 7 touch input by giving you a dedicated App launcher. Feel free to visit Onkyo for additional information if you read Japanese. Looks kinda sassy! [Via AkihabaraNews]
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| White Verizon iPhone 4 Image Leaked? Posted: 17 Nov 2010 01:33 PM PST Possibly, possibly not. The image you’re about to set your eyes upon was leaked to Ahmed Omar of Covering Web today. In the image you’ll see several things: first of all, it appears to be a white iPhone 4. No surprise. Then, it appears to show an improved iPhone 4 antenna design fixing the “Antennagate” problem. This is almost certainly going to be a feature whether this phone is real or not. Next, there’s a lack of of a SIM card slot looking right at us (Verizon doesn’t use SIM cards.) Then, what’s that? Oh yes, there’s a Verizon brand marking in the upper left hand corner of the screen.
Real deal leak, or elaborate hoax? If it’s a hoax, what do they have to gain? Lots and lots of money? Not like there’s ever been a fake iPhone before, right? If it’s not a hoax, can we hope for a white iPhone 4 popping out of the Verizon hole before the holidays are upon us? Only the king of all Apples knows for sure. [Via CoveringWeb]
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| Good-Game-Media eBay Auction for Replica Emile Helmet from Halo: Reach Ends Tonight Posted: 17 Nov 2010 12:40 PM PST Bidding on things from eBay is a daily occurrence for some people out there. The thrill of winning, or losing, and sometimes even getting something pretty cool out of it, too, is all reason enough to keep trying your luck in the global auction. In this case, you could start bidding on a replica helmet from Halo: Reach, worn by the knife-wielding character Emile.
The proceeds will go to Child’s Play, as well as the Brian Wood Memorial Trust, so you can safely say that the winning sum will be used for a good purpose. The helmet itself was sculpted by Daniel Yuan of the 405th Infantry Division, but it’s probably not one helmet that you’ll want to wear if you want to actually see what you’re doing. The replica is also signed by over 20 Bungie employees, so it’s obviously a collector’s item. If you’re interested, you’ll need to hurry up and start bidding. As of the time of this writing, the eBay auction was at $475, and is scheduled to run its cource by 9:30PM Eastern time. So, get to bidding! [via Joystiq]
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| Sony PSP2 Supposedly Breaks Cover, Shows Off Twin Thumbsticks Posted: 17 Nov 2010 12:10 PM PST While, traditionally, leaks of major cell phones, or smartphones, are marred by images taken by one “Mr. Blurrycam,” it looks like that individual may have finally stumbled into another market. Here, supposedly, are the first images of what VG247 is calling the PSP2. And, as we can see from the images, there aren’t a lot of details to be really seen, but we definitely can’t deny those pair of thumbsticks there.
From what we can tell in the images, one of the front (above) and one of the rear (below), the PSP2 will indeed be a slider device, and it will obviously still feature the same PlayStation-famous layout of buttons. But, what’s different, is the addition of another thumbstick, right there on the right side of the device. This is what most users of the original PSP models wanted: a second thumbstick. We can also see the trackpad on the back of the device, a front-facing camera, and a microphone.
But, there’s supposedly already been a few changes made. A few, but big ones. According to an update, it looks like Sony has already scrapped this idea, model design for the PSP2, and decided to go with something other than a sliding form factor, to better help with overheating issues. What’s odd, though, is that this “development kit” doesn’t feature the same segmented D-pad that the PlayStation has been so famous for using over the years. It could be just that it was an early model, and that part didn’t get added yet, but it seems suspicious to us. Either way, it looks like Sony has already moved on to something else, so let’s start getting ready for the next leak, shall we? [via VG247]
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| Day Shade Night Light Solar Powered Patio Umbrella Conceptualized Posted: 17 Nov 2010 12:01 PM PST It used to be that people didn’t mind having all sorts of items lying around them, whether it was on their desk, or their table. But, in today’s world, bringing together multiple pieces of technology, and creating one ultimate gadget is the focus, and that’s why this patio umbrella just makes sense. After all, why wouldn’t you want to combine your umbrella with a light?
The Day Shade Night Light, which probably really is the best name for something like this, is designed to be just your every day umbrella during the day, providing you shade while you enjoy the nice weather outside. But, while it’s doing that, it’s also absorbing plenty of energy from the sun, thanks to the flexible solar panels sitting atop it. So, when night inexorably arrives, you’ll be able to keep the umbrella up, this time as a source of light. On the under side of the umbrella, there would be flexible LEDs, which would provide the light. The people under the umbrella would be able to control how bright the lights are, with an external switch. As of right now, the Day Shade Night Light solar powered patio umbrella is just one more great concept, but there’s always a chance it gets picked up by someone. [via GearLog]
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| Mercedes-Benz Biome Concept Car is Grown Inside a Nursery Posted: 17 Nov 2010 11:37 AM PST Concept cars are meant to look fantastic. They’re a shining image, or model, of what car company’s have planned for the years to come. It’s unfortunate that most of those concepts are never brought to life, especially when they look as unique, and as awesome as this Mercedes-Benz Biome concept car does. Just one look, and this is a vehicle that you’d want to drive. But, it’s when you get into the details of the vehicle, that things great really interesting.
According to Mercedes-Benz, this is the first car that’s actually “grown.” They mean that it’s grown in a nursery, and that it is molded to fit a particular driver’s needs and wants. Basically, the shape, elements of the vehicle, and anything else Mercedes-Benz feels should be customized, will be made to fit what the driver wants. This way, no Biome vehicle will be completely like another. The wheels are apparently grown from four different seeds, which provide them with their rounded, “puffy” look. The car is also a solar collector. It’s designed to work like a leaf, and absorb solar energy while you’re out and driving about. The result? That’s what would power the vehicle, mostly. Other details about the vehicle are still anyone’s guess, but with what’s already known, we are already starting to count down the days until the Biome becomes the real deal. [via DVICE]
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| Bose Bluetooth Headset unboxing & hands-on Posted: 17 Nov 2010 11:13 AM PST When we first spotted the Bose Bluetooth Headset last month, we said it would have to do a lot in order to live up to both the $150 price tag and the PR hyperbole. It seems Bose took that as a challenge, since as of today the headset is fresh to the SlashGear test bench. Check out our first-impressions after the cut.
In the box there’s the headset itself – a lightweight 12g unit – together with three different sizes of “StayHear” ear buds, a soft carry case, USB charging cable and a USB AC adapter. There’s no ear-hook; instead, the ear buds have a truncated hook section which presses against the curves of the ear and holds the headset in place. It’s more discrete, certainly, and comfortable to wear with glasses, but it does mean the Bose is only suitable for the right ear.
Setup is as straightforward as any recent Bluetooth headset, and the Bose supports Multipoint so you can have connections with two devices simultaneously; useful if you want to pair your phone but also have a VoIP conversation on your computer. Interestingly, what you don’t get is any sort of complex active noise reduction; instead there’s a mixture of “adaptive audio adjustment” to tweak earpiece volume according to ambient noise, and a “noise rejecting microphone” that relies on the housing design rather than electronics to cut down on hiss.
We’ll be putting that system though its paces and checking to see whether it can live up to polished DSP tech from rivals like Aliph and Plantronics in time for the full SlashGear review. Until then, enjoy the unboxing video!           
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| Google Docs Now Let You Edit Documents on the Go Posted: 17 Nov 2010 11:01 AM PST For Google, their Docs endeavor was meant to make creating documents of all sorts, from text to spreadsheets, easier, and more accessible. No longer did you need to pay extra money for extra software. Just load up the web application, and you’re able to create a document right there and then. But, for the mobile world, doing that wasn’t all that possible. Until now. Google has just announced that they’ve made the mobile version of Google Docs now easier, and now you can even edit documents while on the go.
Google’s New Document Editor now supports editing in your mobile Browser. Of course, there are a few limitations. Google is rolling out the new document editor for mobile over the next few days, and it will be only available for English-language users at first. It will also only be supported for Android devices that are running Android 2.2 (FroYo), or iOS devices with version 3.0 or later, which includes the iPad. Of course, Google will be adding more support for more languages later. Check out the video below to see it in action. [via AndroidCommunity; via Google Docs Blog]
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| Buffalo DriveStation Axis LED & MiniStation Stealth Launched Posted: 17 Nov 2010 10:53 AM PST Earlier today, Buffalo officially announced the upcoming availability of two brand new storage devices. The DriveStation Axis LED and MiniStation Stealth bring more storage options to the Buffalo-manufactured line-up, offering plenty of space in an affordable package. If you’re looking for a small black box to sit on your desk, then the MiniStation Stealth is probably a safe bet, considering its small profile. But, if you’re looking for some bright lights to blink on and off, making sure you stay awake, then the DriveStation Axis LED may be your next purchase for the holiday season.
The Buffalo DriveStation Axis LED features a small range of LED lights on the front of the storage device. Based on the lights, you’ll be able to tell how well you’re doing on the space front, and find out with just a glance if you’ll be able to download the full Beatles discography. Luckily enough, the DriveStation starts at 1TB of space, for only $99. If you’re looking at 2TB, though, that will cost you $159. The DriveStation is unveiled, but it won’t be made available until January of 2011. And then there’s the small MiniStation Stealth. A little black box, designed specifically just to sit on your desk and store your digital belongings, without drawing too much attention to itself. You’ll find just a single USB cable that acts as the power cable, as well as for data transfers. Price starts at $74.99 for 320GB, and ratchet up to $104 for 640GB. The MiniStation Stealth should be available any day now. Check out the full press release below for more information. Press Release
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| AT&T Novatel Wireless MiFi 2372 Landing November 21st Posted: 17 Nov 2010 10:35 AM PST AT&T has just broken some ground in the Novatel Wireless MiFi market, and have officially unveiled their brand new MiFi 2372 mobile hotspot device. The AT&T branded versions isn’t just a rehashed version you’d find on other networks, as the GSM-based MiFi adds a few extra features in there to sweeten the deal.
AT&T has just revealed that their new MiFi 2372 will be available come this Sunday, November 21st. Feature wise, you’ll find an integrated microSD slot, which will let you share the data therein with connected devices. You’ll also find browser-based widgets, which will provide weather, localized search results, and anything else that can take advantage of the AGPS. Speed wise, AT&T says the device will reach download speeds of 7.2Mbps. Data plans start at $35 per month, which will get you 200MB per month, and the $60 per month plan which rakes you in 5GB per month, on a two-year contract. The device will cost $49.99 after you send in for your $100 mail-in rebate. Head on through the source link to put your name on a list, and find out more details about the device. [via AT&T] Press Release
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| Intel Sandy Bridge Processors Confirmed for January Debut Posted: 17 Nov 2010 10:08 AM PST Despite the fact that November is quickly coming to a close, and there’s plenty of celebration to be had between now and the beginning of the new year, there are a few people out there who are already looking forward to January for an entirely different reason: CES 2011. And with that giant event, companies from all over the globe are going to be showing off new designs, and new ideas. Intel, one of the companies to watch at the event, has confirmed that they will be showing off their brand new Sandy Bridge processors at the event.
It’s not a surprise to hear that Intel will be officially announcing, and showing off, the new processors at the Consumer Electronics Show, as it had already been known that Sandy Bridge would be making an appearance in the market some time in the first half of 2011. Showing it off at CES is the perfect place to get enough press about it, as well as to make any other announcements Intel may have in store. Mooly Eden of Intel will be present at the announcement, and it’s scheduled to take place on January 5th. But, there are also surprise guests in store for the announcement as well. We’l have to wait for CES to see what Intel has in store for the next year, so stay tuned. [via Tom's Hardware]
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| Posted: 17 Nov 2010 10:00 AM PST There were a few instances that made me realize my social networking habits had gone too far, for too long. One of them went something like this. I would say to my wife something like: “Hey, my friend Gina is pregnant.” “Who’s Gina?” My wife would ask.
[Image credit: Surat Lozowick] “She’s my friend from middle school. You remember, she was having trouble conceiving, so they went to a fertility doctor and now she’s finally pregnant. She’s due in February.” “I still don’t remember Gina.” My wife would say. “Have I ever met her?” “I don’t think so. She wasn’t at our ten year high school reunion, and we didn’t fly back to Maryland for my twenty year middle school reunion. So you might not have met her.” “You had a twenty year middle school reunion?” She would ask. “Yeah, so did you. But since you’re not on Facebook, your friends told me about it to tell you. Remember? You said we should skip it, so we did. That was last summer.” “So, you haven’t seen this woman since high school. She didn’t come to the reunion, and there’s probably no chance you’re going to see her again in person. So why do you know so much about her reproductive life?” I had no good answer for that. Why did I know so much? More importantly, how much time am I investing in people who may be kind and interesting, but with whom I’ve had no relationship for more than a decade and a half, and probably never would again, except for our connection on Facebook. When I first joined Facebook, it was exciting. At first it was just filling out my social circle. But then it became something different. Facebook became a way to connect with my past. People with whom I wouldn’t have lost touch if it were so easy to remain in contact, I was finding again and making a tenuous connection across the Internet. I felt like my circle of friends was growing exponentially. Even though I work from home and hardly have time to socialize beyond the time I spend with my small family, I felt like I was continuing long lost friendships, and reestablishing old relationships. That might have been good enough, but after a while, Facebook changed again for me. I remember when it happened, when I probably ruined my Facebook experience. I was looking at my best friend’s page, the friend I would eventually drop from my Facebook friend list. I noticed that we had a terrific number of friends in common, perhaps 70 or more. But he had more overall friends than I did. And many of those people had been my friends, too, I just hadn’t gotten around to adding them to my list. I went on a friend adding spree. I added every friend from his lists that I recognized. I added his sister, his mother and father. I looked up former students I taught when I was a high school teacher. Not the ones who gave me a hard time and threw things at my head. The ones who did their homework and had interesting things to say. My friend list shot up in number. I added perhaps a hundred new friends within a couple weeks. My list felt complete. It was almost everyone I knew, or at least everyone who had a Facebook page. I started to feel differently about people who were not on Facebook. I was sad for them, I felt like they had fallen off the map, and they were missing something vital and important. Then, Facebook started to make me feel sick. It wasn’t because I spent too much time on the site. My Facebook time is very judicious and efficient. I get every status update delivered to my RSS feed. I don’t miss any updates, and I can breeze through them in no time at all. I don’t play any games, or take any quizzes, or recommend any musicians. I occasionally share links on Facebook to generate conversation, but I probably spend less than 10 minutes on the site every day. Still, I was getting nauseous every time I breezed through my RSS feed of updates. I realized that I was skipping over about ninety percent of the list. A lot of it was updates from those same former students, who are now college students in their twenties, posting updates I cannot relate to in the slightest. Those would be easy to cut, and I realized that it was time to pare down. But I realized something else about my Facebook list. Some of those people, I really did not like. Not because they had changed significantly since I knew them. Rather, they were people I was forced to get along with either because we were in the same small classes, or we worked for the same company or school. But many of them I never really liked, and I only added them out of a sort of hoarding habit. I was hoarding old relationships, and like any hoarder, a lot of what I was holding onto was actually garbage. And it was starting to stink. I was bullied in school growing up, not by one particular person, but rather picked on and harassed by a small group of people. I looked at my list and realized that some of those people had somehow made the cut. In truth, I had added them because I was hoping that they were miserable now, or I wanted to see if they had changed at all. But I learned almost nothing from their Facebook updates. Instead, seeing the mundane details of their lives just brought back bad memories every time I saw their names pop up. Even worse, they were friends with people I truly hated. People who were evil to me and others around them. I had avoided a few of those folks, but every once in a while Facebook would recommend I become friends with one of them. It wasn’t Facebook’s fault. How could Facebook know that I hated Stephen Bargeron with a passion, and wished upon him a variety of uncomfortable harassments. I was friends with his friends, and the connection seemed obvious to the social site. Last Friday night I made the cuts I needed to make. I find with this sort of procedure that once you have resigned yourself to making the necessary excisions, it becomes easy to eliminate a very large group of people. It’s like planning a wedding. My wife and I had a very small wedding, only about 50 people. We could have invited 300, but for a variety of reasons, we decided to go small. At first, it seemed we could never decide on which 250 people we would not invite, but once we made some very large, sweeping decisions, like inviting only people we see at least once a year, the guest list practically wrote itself. I started the night with 370 friends. Now, I’m approaching 200 from the other direction. I’ll probably pare down about 20 more. I’ll know as I see the updates appear in my RSS feed who needs to stay, and who can go. I have no regrets about cutting these people. At first, I added them to make a connection, but I didn’t really want to maintain an ongoing relationship with most of them. I didn’t want to hear about every Friday night. I didn’t want to hear their religious admonitions. I don’t want to hear about what’s leaking from their children today. I just wanted to reach out and say: “Hey, over here. Remember me?” And we would remember each other and be happy that we’re all still alive and well, and the connection would be made. Now I’ve realized I can do that without actually becoming their Facbook friend. I have cut more than a hundred people from my list, but I still know where to find them. So, if I ever need to get in touch with them, I can just look them up on Facebook and send them a message. Assuming they aren’t pissed about me dropping them as a friend, I might get a response. But I think it might be a relief for some of them. I imagine there are an equal number of friends looking at my status updates and saying to themselves: I don’t care about the silly things his kid just said, and I don’t care what he thinks about that stupid 3D movie. I’ve reached out. I’ve made the connection on Facebook, and planted my flag in the ground so that people can find me if they are looking for me. Now it’s time to move on with the rest of my life.
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| Matrox Graphics Unveils the Matrox Mura Controller Board Posted: 17 Nov 2010 09:52 AM PST Today, Matrox Graphics Inc. officially announced, and unveiled, their brand new Matrox Mura controller board, which the company believes will be a new benchmark for collaborative video walls. The company is already busy showing off their new creation at the InfoComm Asia 2010 event, which is taking place in the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Center. And, with the device’s ability to provide downstream and upstream on a single board at four times the performance of its closest competitor, we imagine that it’s getting plenty of attention over there.
The new Matrox Mura controller board offers full support for 1080p HD inputs, and it has the full ability to simultaneously drive four monitors at up to 2048 x 1080. The best part, though, is that the controller board is able to do that, while still maintaining the full RGB 888 image quality, making sure that the images aren’t degraded at all. The entire board is based around second generation PCI Express technology, and utilizes a x16 bus interface that provides 64 Gb/s of bandwidth. But, if you were to choose the customized 10-slot Matrox Mura switch fabric, you’ll get 512 Gb/s upstream and downstream, which means a total throughput of 1Tb/sec. The board is capable of displaying a wide range of video sources, including RGB, component, composite, DVI/HDMI, and S-Video. The new controller board is designed for Microsoft’s Windows 7 64-bit based systems, and it’s available in developer kit fashion right now. If you’re interested in finding how much you’ll have to spend on one of your own, or where to get one, check out the full press release below for the contact information. Press Release
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| Assistant Professor Wants to Install a Camera Into the Back of His Head Posted: 17 Nov 2010 09:33 AM PST It may sound like the plot of some kind of indie, small-time Science-Fiction movie being filmed in someone’s garage, but it’s not. No, an assistant professor from the University of New York actually wants to install a camera into the back of his head, which would provide live streaming images that would be sent to a museum in Qatar. It’s part of an art piece, called “The 3rd I.”
Wafaa Bilal is an assistant professor of photography at the University of New York, and he is planning on doing something that many have never even dreamed of. As part of artwork called “The 3rd I,” Bilal is planning on installing a camera into the back of his skull. The camera, which would be installed for one year, would provide live streaming images to a museum in Qatar as part of the artwork. The idea behind the installation of the camera, and the resulting streamed images, is to “comment on the inaccessibility of time and the inability to capture memory and experience.” Of course, there’s already concerns about privacy being aroused. Officials, and others at the University of New York, are suggesting that Bilal be forced to cover the camera with a lens cap, or turn it off altogether, while on New York University property. Luckily for the students and faculty at the University, Bilal has already agreed to cover the camera while on school property, thanks to a lens cap. [via The Wall Street Journal]
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| Plextor PX-NAS4: up to 8TB of power-frugal NAS Posted: 17 Nov 2010 08:13 AM PST Plextor has outed its latest NAS, the four-bay PX-NAS4. Capable of putting up to 8TB on – or under – your desk, the PX-NAS4 supports iSCSI together with RAID JBOD/0/1/5/10 (with a hot spare bay for RAID 1/5 setups) and both eSATA and USB ports for adding external drives.
There’s also optional 256-bit encryption and a “Snapshot Backup Utility” which can apparently grab an image of the current data setup for restoring should the active copy subsequently melt. Plextor is also talking up the PX-NAS4′s eco-credentials, saying it uses 60-percent of the power of a typical NAS (58W in full access mode; 25W in standby). It will go on sale at the end of the month, priced at $399.99 drive-free.    Press Release:
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| SlashGear Morning Wrap-up: November 17 2010 Posted: 17 Nov 2010 07:37 AM PST Today we talk about, believe it or not, methane powered computers! Better hope you don’t get too close to a heat source. Uh oh. Then there’s a Berlin showing of some fantastic looking color e-paper, sponsored by Bridgestone, Epson, and Samsung, but made by an unknown producer. Then PALM throws down the gauntlet saying they’ll reclaim their smartphone “birthright” soon, and BYD Alice Tegra 2 Froyo tablet wants a chomp of the tablet market too. All this and MORE on todays SlashGear Morning Wrap-up!
R3 Media Network SlashPhone Android Community SlashGear To see more wrap-up posts, follow the following tags: [The Daily Slash] or [SlashGear Morning Wrap-up]
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| IE9 SunSpider oddness prompts Microsoft benchmark-gaming rumors Posted: 17 Nov 2010 07:30 AM PST
In fact, where IE9 managed the standard math-cordic test in an impressive 1.0ms, when the tweaked versions were introduced it delivered scores around 20x slower. Similar tweaks to Chrome and Opera produced consistent results, as was expected. Digitizor suggests that Microsoft has either optimized IE9 to return strong SunSpider results – which they say is “cheating” – or that the company’s engineers have been focusing too greatly on the benchmarking test and have over-optimized the JavaScript engine to suit its requirements. Alternatively, it could be a legitimate bug, and indeed Sayre has filed a bug form on Microsoft Connect. [via Slashdot]
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| Low-temp ceramic micro fuel-cells promise affordable methane power Posted: 17 Nov 2010 07:09 AM PST
Meanwhile, further research showed it was possible to significantly reduce the operating temperatures of the SOFCs, from the more typical 800–1000°C down to just 300–500°C. “If you can realize high-performance solid-oxide fuel cells that operate in the 300–500°C range,” Ramanathan says, “you can use them in transportation vehicles and portable electronics, and with different types of fuels.” Finally, by switching from pure hydrogen to methane – a switch enabled by the more accommodating temperatures – the fuel side of the equation becomes cheaper, since methane requires less refining. It’s too early to talk runtimes and pricing, but micro-SOFC commercial viability is definitely one step closer. [via Physorg]
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| Jolicloud Jolibook netbook hits UK on Friday tips WSJ Posted: 17 Nov 2010 06:56 AM PST Jolicloud’s Jolibook netbook is set to go on sale this coming Friday in the UK, according to the WSJ‘s sources, ahead of broader availability soon after. Pricing for the netbook is yet to be confirmed, but is said to be “very competitively priced” and “ under most rival netbooks yet delivering a pretty powerful package.”
The Jolibook is based on Intel’s dual-core 1.5GHz Atom N550 processor and has a 250GB hard-drive. The free Jolicloud 1.1 OS is preloaded, as is the Chromium browser, a Facebook app, Spotify, VLC and Skype, with other software available for download. Jolicloud has apparently been in talks with European education suppliers regarding getting the Jolibook into schools. [Thanks Jean!]
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| Fluid Dress is incredible labor of fluid-filled love [Video] Posted: 17 Nov 2010 06:47 AM PST You don’t have to wear a dress regularly to be mightily impressed by Minneapolis artist Charlie Bucket‘s incredible fluid-filled knitted wearable art. The handiwork of several years experimentation, the dress is made from huge lengths of rubber tubing knitted into a dress; various computer-controlled pumps adjust the flow of dyed liquid through out, creating patterns and shapes across its length.
Video demo after the cut
Technical details are sparse, but Charlie does say that it uses 600 feet of tubing and the pump can be carried in a backpack. The tubes themselves, meanwhile, are filled with a mixture of dyed water and air, while “the patterns are partially controlled by the onboard valves, and partially random.” Unfortunately it sounds like while the dress is finished, so is Charlie’s enthusiasm:
Click here to view the embedded video. [via BoingBoing]
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| Color e-paper drawing tablet gets Berlin outing Posted: 17 Nov 2010 06:26 AM PST A mysterious color e-paper drawing tablet has gone on show in Germany this week, apparently part of the ongoing BnF Lab project in Paris. The slate allows for color sketching on an A4-sized e-paper panel; it’s unclear exactly who is responsible for producing the panel, though Bridgestone, Epson and Samsung – which have each developed color e-paper products – are listed as sponsors [pdf link].
Bridgestone has most recently seen its large-scale color e-paper display used in an upcoming ereader, set to go on sale in China next month. Previous prototypes of the display have supported pen-input, so we’ve a feeling Bridgestone’s screen is at the core of this particular demo unit. There’s no word on whether we can expect an e-paper drawing table on the market, unfortunately. It seems the installation is more about showing library visitors what new technologies they can expect to shape information exchange in the future.
[via The Digital Reader]
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| White iPhone 4 conversion kit seller gets legal threat after $130k sales Posted: 17 Nov 2010 06:03 AM PST Apple’s official white iPhone 4 is still MIA, which has left room for aftermarket replacement casing companies to step in; now, it seems, Apple – or investigators potentially connected with them – is unleashing its legal team to pick them off. According to The New York Observer, 17-year-old high-school senior Fei Lam had sold more than $130,000 worth of white iPhone 4 parts that he apparently sourced directly from Foxconn, when a threatening email from an anti-counterfeit/trademark firm accused him of selling stolen goods.
According to Lam, the business relationship with the Apple supplier came from a previous acquaintance with connections. “I knew a guy from a few years back that had somewhat of a relationship with folks in Foxconn” he told the Observer, while denying that the parts were stolen. A direct connection with Apple is yet to be confirmed, and the company itself has not officially commented on Lam or other sites selling white iPhone 4 conversion kits. For his part, Lam intends to consult a lawyer and continue selling via his site. [via Neowin]
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| Motorola MOTOPAD Honeycomb tablet due Feb/Mar 2011 with Tegra 2 tip insiders Posted: 17 Nov 2010 05:40 AM PST It’s taking a while to build up a picture of Google’s Android Honeycomb tablet plans, but we’re gradually getting there. After rumors earlier this week that Google had picked Motorola’s 7-inch MOTOPAD to launch the new OS next year, DigiTimes is claiming to have heard industry tittle-tattle pointing to a February or March 2011 debut.
Meanwhile they’re also saying that NVIDIA’s Tegra 2 chipset is a lock-in as the underlying hardware for the MOTOPAD, with CES 2011 expected to see multiple tablet designs using the second-gen CPU. The MOTOPAD should get quick competition, however, from LG’s Optimus Pad tablet which will also run Honeycomb.
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| SageTV v7 HTPC app outed with HD Theater 300 streamer Posted: 17 Nov 2010 05:29 AM PST SageTV’s HD Theater 300 media streamer has graduated from pre-order to finally shipping, and it’s arrived alongside the new version of the company’s HTPC software. SageTV Version 7 gets a new UI and PlayOn support, together with Blu-Ray and ISO playback (in the Windows version), Picasa integration and media streaming to iPhones and iPads.
There’s also commercial detection and skipping, the Sage MyMovies Wall with trailers and showtimes, automatic conversion of Favorite recordings to suit your mobile devices, and enhanced photo slideshows with various effects. Sage has also added integration with HomeSee and InControl home automation systems, for those users who have hooked their HTPC up to a more complex control system. The SageTV HD Theater 300, meanwhile, is a compact STB with all the usual online and local streaming options – including YouTube and DolbyTrueHD/DTS-HD/MA support – but as you’d expect integrates closely with the SageTV app itself. It’s available on its own for $149.95 today, or in a bundle with SageTV Version 7 for $199.95. Upgrades to v7 are $39.95, while the full app is $79.95. No word on when the Mac version will be updated from 6.6, though it’ll still work with the HD Theater 300.         
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| Geeky Lego Minifig Alarm Clock is awesome Posted: 17 Nov 2010 05:15 AM PST This clock may be aimed at the little geeks out there, but I totally want one. If you are really into Lego and particularly like Star Wars Lego, the gang at ThinkGeek has a sweet clock this will go right to the top of your holiday wish list.
The clock is called the Lego Minifig Alarm Clock and the clock looks like a giant Lego minifig character. You can get the cool clock in Darth Vader or Storm Trooper styles and they look really cool. The characters have posable arms and legs so you can stand them up or sit them down. The characters are 8-inches tall and have the alarm clock in the chest. The clocks are aimed at kids 6 and up. They are appropriate for 30 something geeks too. The clocks are in stock right now for $29.99.
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| Elecom wireless headphones for iPad shuffle break cover Posted: 17 Nov 2010 05:06 AM PST When I hear wireless headphones and iPod, I automatically think Bluetooth. Elecom has unveiled a new set of wireless headphones for the iPod shuffle that are in fact wireless, but are not at all what you probably expect.
The headphones aren't Bluetooth enabled and don't use any other wireless tech. The shuffle itself connects to the earpiece of the headphones making them more like a speaker dock for your head than typical headphones. The side of the headphones have a 3.5mm headphone plug that you connect to the shuffle and then you wear the thing on the side of your head. I will say that the look of the headphones with the iPod hanging on your ear is very weird. The real name of the headphones is Actrail and they are behind the neck headphones. These are good for folks that don’t want to mess up their hair. The Actrail headphones sell for about $50 per pair and come in pink and white over in Japan.
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| Cool new Android app helps the hearing impaired use a mobile phone Posted: 17 Nov 2010 04:48 AM PST Just about all TV shows are offered with captions that allow those that can't hear or have hearing problems read what is being said in addition to hearing the words. This is a great thing for Android users that have a hard time hearing and the app is called Hamilton Mobile CapTel.
The app is now offered on the iPhone, Android, and Blackberry devices. On all the devices the app lets the user wear a compatible headset so they can hear and read the conversation they are having. The new app works on Android devices including phones in the Droid series and others. I’m not sure if the app has to have carrier support or if it just runs on the smartphone. The maker says that there are lots of other compatible Android handsets on various carriers. Think of this app as closed captioning for mobile calls.
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Unusual testing results have led to speculation that Microsoft’s Internet Explorer 9 engineers are building the browser to return unusually high benchmark results, unwarranted by overall performance. Mozilla coder 
Chips, memory and software have all come on in leaps and bounds over the past decade; however, we’re still waiting for mobile power solutions to catch up. Now, a new platinum-free micro-SOFC (solid oxide fuel cells) could change all that; the handiwork of researchers led by Shriram Ramanathan at the 
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