The Top Blogs Of The Internet: 7/22 Gizmodo

Fujifilm Busts Out Five New Cameras, Including a Prosumer Faux-DSLR [Digital Cameras]
July 22, 2009 at 1:00 am

Fujifilm today announced five new cameras at an array of prices, ranging from the $90, 10MP A170 to the "prosumer" DSLR-lite FinePix S200EXR (pictured) at $600. It's a pretty solid lineup of low- to mid-end shooters.

From the bottom: The A170 and its 12MP brother, the A220, are the base models at only $90 and $100, respectively. Next is the 12.2MP FinePix J38 at $130, rounding out the low end of the lineup. The mid-range have a new focus on style, all being very thin and quite good-looking, with the FinePix F70EXR at $280 and the FinePix Z37 at $150. They're probably all decent; Fuji has a fairly good track record with point-and-shoots, having been awarded a best buy by JD Power last year. But none of them are very interesting.

The FinePix S200EXR, on the other hand, is a bit of an odd bird. At $600, it's at the same price as some very low-end DSLRs, but it's not actually one itself, described instead as an "SLR-type" camera. Nevertheless, the 12MP camera has tons of features and a 14.3x lens and will shoot in RAW, and Fuji gloats that the lens and body are "perfectly aligned" instead of rammed in by your clumsy, Dorito's-stained hands. Check out the full, exhaustive press release below. [Fujifilm]

FUJIFILM'S UNVEILS ITS FIRST LONG-ZOOM DIGITAL COMPACT CAMERA:
THE FINEPIX F70EXR

Powerful New Addition to Fujifilm's Award-Winning F-Series Offers DSLR-like Capabilities in an Affordable, Stylish Package

Valhalla, NY, July 22, 2009 – FUJIFILM U.S.A., Inc. today announced the FinePix F70EXR, a sleek, compact digital camera that combines intuitive use with the most advanced features and technology available in a point-and-shoot digital camera. The announcement of the FinePix F70EXR also marks Fujifilm's first model in the growing long-zoom compact segment with an impressive Fujinon 10x wide angle optical zoom.

Encased in a beautifully sculpted metal shell with a double coated lacquer finish and measuring only 22.7mm thick, the FinePix F70EXR offers several enhancements over its predecessor, the FinePix F60 and boasts marked improvements over competing long-zoom digital cameras, particularly in the areas of design, image quality and capture technology.

"The FinePix F70EXR, which has been designed specifically for taking demanding shots in challenging conditions, requires a sophisticated sensor and control algorithms to ensure every shot looks the very best," said David Troy, marketing manager, Consumer Digital Cameras, Electronic Imaging Division, FUJIFILM U.S.A., Inc. "By adding our EXR technology to the FinePix F70EXR, users will achieve outstanding images in virtually any lighting condition, and have the advantages of a 10x zoom that fits in your shirt pocket."

Super CCD EXR
Long zoom compact cameras, as opposed to standard compact digital cameras, typically use a smaller sensor that is vulnerable to difficult lighting conditions since light has a harder time reaching the CCD sensor. To mitigate this vulnerability, Fujifilm has introduced its award-winning EXR technology into the FinePix F70EXR, allowing for significant improvement in image quality against the competition.
Introduced earlier this year with the FinePix F200EXR, Fujifilm's EXR technology uses the human eye as the basis for the perfect camera sensor, creating a Super CCD sensor capable of registering excellent levels of detail when switched to its HR (High Resolution) mode. The FinePix F70EXR is also capable of offering excellent quality in low light and superb highlight detail in contrast light when switched to its SN (High Sensitivity and Low Noise) mode and DR (Wide Dynamic Range) modes respectively.

EXR Modes
An advanced feature on the FinePix F70EXR, 'EXR Auto' helps take the guesswork out of setting the camera by doing it for you. EXR Auto is a sophisticated set of program modes that can automatically detect six different types of scenes - Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Backlit Portrait, Night, and Night Portrait. The camera will recognize the scene and optimize focus, color balance, exposure, flash and sensitivity and will automatically switch the sensor to HR, SN or DR mode depending on the lighting conditions of the scene. By using EXR Auto, users can let the camera do all the hard work and concentrate more on getting the best shot possible.

Multi Frame Technology: Pro Focus Mode / Pro Low-light Mode
New Fujifilm EXR digital cameras, including the FinePix F70EXR will offer several new shooting modes that combine the power of Super CCD EXR with Multi Frame Technology to enable users to capture exceptional images that rival the most expensive professional D-SLR cameras.

Typically, one of the ways to distinguish 'D-SLR' photography from 'compact' photography has been the use of 'wide aperture' to create mood and depth in a picture. These 'professional' shots are now possible on the FinePix F70EXR, which uses Pro Focus Mode to combine two or three burst shots together. Through complex digital imaging technology, a crisp shot of the subject is synthesized against a defocused background and foreground. Ideal for portraiture, nature photography or any subject that needs 'lifting' from its background, the FinePix F70EXR Pro Focus Mode provides satisfying professional results at the touch of a button.

Meanwhile, Pro Low-light Mode is applied to solving the problems of noisy low light shots. With current cameras, it is possible to achieve relatively blur-free low light shots using high ISO and CCD shift mechanical image stabilization. However, high ISO settings typically come at a cost, as the ISO 1600 setting will invariably produce distracting and ugly noise. In Pro Low-light Mode, the camera will take bursts of four high sensitivity images using Pixel Fusion Technology[*1] in quick succession. With Multi Frame Technology, the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th images are overlapped to create one image with extremely low noise.

Super Slim 10x Zoom Lens
In conjunction with the Super CCD EXR sensor, the FinePix F70EXR features a Fujinon 10x optical zoom lens that produces crisp high resolution results throughout the focal range, from 27mm wide-angle to 270mm telephoto. The lens of the FinePix F70EXR features Super EBC Coating that keeps ghosting and flare to minimum to allow for optimal picture quality.

Film Simulation Modes
Similar to other high-end FinePix models, the FinePix F70EXR offers five different film 'modes' to allow the photographer full creative expression to explore a variety of pre-set color and contrast modes designed around Fujifilm's most famous film emulsions. The modes are:

• Velvia/Vivid mode for rich and luscious landscapes
• PROVIA/Standard mode for excellent, sharp, standard photography
• ASTIA/Soft mode for soft, fine, smooth tonality
• Black & White mode captures the dramatic honesty of your image in black and white
• Sepia mode creates a sense of nostalgia with the warm brown "antique" tones of Sepia

In the Provia, Velvia and Astia modes, the dynamic range can now be set to 800% to improve and highlight details further.

New 'Super Intelligent' Flash
The FinePix F70EXR offers a radically improved flash control system which efficiently controls the level of flash for a given exposure to produce beautifully balanced flash illumination across the foreground and background. Gone are the ugly washout shots where the subject is blasted with light and the background dark and unexposed. Super Intelligent Flash is most useful in macro photography where the contrast between subject and background can be especially challenging, but is also effective for night and backlit photography.

New High Contrast LCD
The FinePix F70EXR is fitted with an improved high contrast 230K-pixel 2.7" LCD. The high contrast LCD is a considerable benefit in bright light, and means that the camera can be pitched
at various shooting angles to enable framing of awkward shots. Viewable at 160 degrees both vertically and horizontally, the LCD is bright and clear for beautiful rendition of shots in playback.

Dual Stabilization
Long zoom cameras need stabilization more than any other compact, with handshake and subject movement a particular problem in low light at telephoto range. The FinePix F70EXR reduces blur to a minimum by deploying Picture Stabilization to automatically increase shutter speeds to freeze action, and CCD Image Stabilization to counteract the problems of handshake. By cleverly combining these two, blur is reduced to an absolute minimum.

Face Detection 3.0 and Automatic Red-eye Removal
To provide perfectly exposed and focused portrait shots, the FinePix F70EXR is fitted with Fujifilm's latest Face Detection technology which is able to track up to 10 faces simultaneously, at almost any angle to the camera. The system instantly corrects red-eye and then saves both the original and the corrected image file automatically.

The FinePix F70EXR will be available August 2009 at a retail price of $279.95.

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FUJIFILM BLENDS FASHION AND FLAIR WITH THE FINEPIX Z37

SR Auto Mode Keeps Users Snapping and Blog Mode Keeps Users Sharing

Valhalla, N.Y., July 22, 2009 – FUJIFILM U.S.A., Inc. today announced the launch of FinePix Z37, their latest addition to their top-selling range of Z-series digital cameras targeted at the tech-savvy, fashionista consumer. With a new, cutting edge design, the FinePix Z37 not only looks good, but it also offers all the features necessary to take great pictures and share them easily, bringing out the social butterfly in everyone.

"Meeting the demands of today's tech savvy youths, Fujifilm is offering its young consumers an affordable camera with social networking tools and features making it easier to take and share the best pictures possible." said David Troy, marketing manager, Consumer Digital Cameras, Electronic Imaging Division, FUJIFILM U.S.A., Inc. "And like the previous Z-series cameras, the FinePix Z37 maintains the visual appeal that this demographic likes."

Style & Substance
Thinner, sexier and bolder than previous Z-series models, the FinePix Z37 is a party camera that loves to be the center of attention. The FinePix Z37 combines a 10-MegaPixel CCD sensor, a sharp 3x optical zoom lens and a 2.7" LCD screen in its incredibly thin 19.1 mm metal front body, making it easy to be stashed in the tightest of jean pockets. Available in a choice of blue, green or violet, the FinePix Z37 is able to match anyone's style and personality.

The FinePix Z37 has many great features to highlight – the 'Blog Mode' is a social networker's staple, allowing users to automatically resize images and movies making them ready for web use. In addition, Fujifilm's 'Scene Recognition Auto' (SR AUTO) Mode' cleverly detects the correct scene setting without the need to pre-select the mode on the camera, making it even easier to take the best pictures possible.

The FinePix Z37 is also packed with the following noteworthy features:

• Maximum ISO sensitivity up to 1600: With the high ISO of up to 1600, the FinePix Z37 can capture quality shots in low light situations.
• Scene Recognition AUTO (SR AUTO): Enables the camera to intelligently recognize six types of scenes automatically - Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Backlit Portrait, Night and Night Portrait modes.
• Face Detection with Automatic Red-Eye Removal: The FinePix Z37 identifies up to 10 human faces in a scene and sets the correct focus and exposure, regardless of where subjects are located within the frame. After a shot is captured, the camera automatically checks for red eye and self-corrects it in each and every person in the photo, saving time on post-editing.
• Picture Stabilization Mode: Picture Stabilization uses the heightened sensitivity of the FinePix Z37 to reduce blur caused by hand-shake or subject movement. It allows the camera to automatically choose the correct light sensitivity and optimal shutter speed to produce clear, blur-free images.
• One Touch Movie: With a separate one touch movie shutter, it's easy to capture movies at VGA quality 30 frames per second with sound.
• Micro Thumbnail: The FinePix Z37 displays up to 100 thumbnail images on its 2.7" LCD screen.
• SD/SDHC Compatible slot: A single media slot that accepts SD/SD-HC media cards.
• Battery Life: Long-life rechargeable Li-ion battery.

The FinePix Z37 will debut in August 2009 at a retail price of $149.95.

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FUJIFILM UNVEILS ITS MOST ADVANCED CONSUMER MODEL TO DATE:
THE FINEPIX S200EXR DIGITAL CAMERA

SUPER CCD EXR Sensor and Fujinon Lens Combination Pushes Picture Quality to New Levels

Valhalla, NY, July 22, 2009 – FUJIFILM U.S.A., Inc. today unveiled the FinePix S200EXR digital camera, its most advanced SLR-styled camera to date. Combining the pin-sharp 14.3x Fujinon optical zoom lens (30.5mm-436mm equivalent) so popular in its predecessor, the award-winning FinePix S100FS, with Fujifilm's latest 12-MegaPixel Super CCD EXR sensor, the FinePix S200EXR is aimed at top-end camera enthusiasts looking for excellent picture quality without the hassle, bulk and expense of a D-SLR system.

Compact, lightweight 'bridge' cameras offering long zoom and high image quality have proved a big hit with those looking for an alternative to bulky interchangeable lens systems. Users of the FinePix S200EXR will find their results equal or superior to D-SLRs, principally due to the revolutionary design of Fujifilm's EXR CCD sensor technology. The key improvements of the FinePix S200EXR over the FinePix S100FS are:

• 1/1.6" 12 megapixel Super CCD EXR sensor
• EXR Priority modes and EXR Auto
• Pro Focus Mode and Pro Lowlight Mode
• 5 Film Simulation Modes (Black & White mode and Sepia mode is added)
• A new 2.7" high contrast 230k-pixel LCD
• New 'Super Intelligent Flash'
• Improved battery life – almost a 50% increase on the FinePix S100FS
• Combined CCD-RAW (EXR)/JPEG shooting

"This camera benefits from the culmination of Fujifilm's Super CCD EXR technology and EXR Processor development," said David Troy, marketing manager, Consumer Digital Cameras, Electronic Imaging Division, FUJIFILM U.S.A., Inc. "This powerful combination allows the FinePix S200EXR, with its wide dynamic range, to capture the subtleties in color, tone and detail to deliver perfect shot conditions every time."

Super CCD EXR
The EXR sensor on the FinePix S200EXR was built to perfectly match the optical qualities of its 14.3x Fujinon optical zoom lens. The goal was to produce a sensor/lens combination that works as close to that of the human eye as possible. The EXR sensor is essentially a switchable sensor; changing its complex electronic behavior to suit the subject, changing its characteristics as the photographer demands, and producing the very best picture without making compromises.

This sensor has already won great acclaim with the FinePix F200EXR. Combined with the much bigger, more powerful 14.3x lens, it delivers quite astounding results. The FinePix S200EXR offers 3 switchable modes in one sensor:

High Resolution (HR) Mode: Deploys all 12 million pixels and is designed to offer the finest detail of intricate subjects when light is full and even.

Wide Dynamic Range (DR) Mode: Captures different exposures with two sets of 6 million pixels, which, when combined, gives an excellent level of detail in highlights that would otherwise be lost.

High Sensitivity and Low Noise (SN) Mode: Caps two adjacent pixels together to produce 6 million large photodiodes, which are big enough to absorb light in the darkest of conditions, to produce low-light shots of extraordinary quality with minimal noise and grain.

Advanced Intelligence
The FinePix S200EXR also offers EXR Priority Mode, which is the most efficient mechanism yet invented to quickly optimize the camera's settings to allow the photographer to concentrate on capturing the perfect shot. The photographer can decide which sensor setting is preferable by choosing High Resolution Priority (HR) to maximize resolution, High ISO and Low Noise Priority (SN) for high quality low-light work or D-Range Priority (DR) for the best detail with contrasting subjects.

In addition, the FinePix S200EXR features the EXR Auto Mode, which offers 6 different modes depending on the setting: Portrait, Night, Macro, Landscape, Night Portrait and Backlit Portrait. The camera will automatically recognize the scene and not only optimize focus, color balance, exposure, flash and sensitivity, but will also automatically switch the sensor to HR, SN or DR mode depending on the lighting conditions of the scene.

Super Sharp Lens
The massive 14.3x Fujinon manual zoom lens is truly a delight to use in such a compact, lightweight design. The ultra-high precision Fujinon lens achieves maximum resolution at all focal lengths of 30.5mm-436mm equivalent with maximum aperture of a bright F2.8 (wide angle) to F5.3 (telephoto). Because of the composite body and lens structure, there is no need to worry about dirt or dust on the Super CCD EXR sensor and they are perfectly aligned for the very best results. The manual zoom offers faster image framing with fingertip precision as well as offering a user experience that closely matches the use of a high-end DSLR.

Pro Focus Mode / Pro Low-light Mode
The FinePix S200EXR also sports a Pro Focus Mode which is created by using Fujifilm's new Multi-Frame Technology. A burst of two or three frames is taken and by taking the distance information off, the main subject is crisply matted against a defocused foreground and background. This mode is perfect for portrait or nature photography, where professional results are needed quickly with minimal adjustment to the camera and without the need to use a PC.

Meanwhile, Pro Low-light Mode can be applied to help solve the problems of noisy low light shots. With current digital cameras, it is possible to achieve relatively blur-free low light shots using high ISO and CCD shift (or optical image) stabilization, but this comes at a cost, as the ISO 1600 setting will invariably produce distracting and ugly noise.

Once switched to Pro Low-light Mode, the FinePix F200EXR will take a burst of four high sensitivity images using Pixel Fusion Technology [*1] in quick succession. By using the camera's Multi Frame Technology, the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th images are overlapped to create one image with extremely low noise.

Film Simulation Modes
One of the more popular features on the FinePix S100FS is reproduced and extended on the FinePix S200EXR. The FinePix S200EXR offers five modes as follows:

• Velvia/Vivid mode for rich and luscious landscapes
• PROVIA/Standard mode for excellent, sharp, standard photography
• ASTIA/Soft mode for soft, fine, smooth tonality
• Black & White mode captures the dramatic honesty of your image in black and white
• Sepia mode creates a sense of nostalgia with the warm brown "antique" tones of Sepia

In Provia, Velvia and Astia modes, the dynamic range can be now be set to 800% to improve and highlight details further.

New High Contrast 2.7" LCD
The FinePix S200EXR is fitted with an improved high contrast 230k-pixel 2.7" LCD. The high contrast LCD is a considerable benefit in bright light and the camera can be pitched at various shooting angles to enable framing of awkward shots. Viewable at 160-degrees both vertically and horizontally, the LCD is bright and clear for beautiful rendition of shots in playback.

Super Intelligent Flash
Fujifilm's Super Intelligent Flash system is a flash control technology that lets you take flash-assisted shots without the danger of flash wash-out. Integrated into the AUTO mode, this next-generation flash system makes it easy to capture both subjects and background in bright, clear and natural detail over the full flash range. This allows for much better flash control when shooting in macro and makes sure that the subject is brightly lit and the background clearly defined when shooting in night mode.

Dual Image Stabilization
The FinePix S200EXR features Fujifilm's Optical Image Stabilization technology to ensure clean, sharp and blur-free images, even in low-light conditions. This combines image stabilization by Optical Image Stabilization to reduce blur from the photographer's hand-shake, with Fujifilm High ISO, to reduce blur caused by subject movement (by automatically increasing ISO), for the ultimate in stabilization technology.

Manual Settings
The FinePix S200EXR also allows you full manual control with the ability to set shutter speeds of between 1/4,000 second and 30 seconds. It is possible to take photos with combinations of ISO sensitivity, which has a broad range of setting choices, and multiple apertures of between F2.8 - F11 at 1/3EV steps. Using the manual exposure setting, bulb exposure of up to 30 seconds is possible. The color, noise reduction control, tone and the sharpness can all be individually set as well.

Multi Bracketing
The FinePix S200EXR has 3 bracketing functions useful for high level photography: Film Simulation Bracketing (which automatically sets Film Simulation to PROVIA, Velvia and ASTIA for simultaneous capture of 3 frames), Dynamic Range Bracketing (which automatically sets dynamic range to 100%, 200% and 400% for simultaneous capture of 3 frames) and AE Bracketing (which automatically sets exposure range to even, under and over for simultaneous capture of 3 frames).

Other noteworthy features in the FinePix S200EXR:
• Combined CCD RAW (EXR)/JPEG shooting: New to the FinePix S200EXR is the ability to shoot both a RAW and JPEG shot simultaneously [*2], like the award-winning S5Pro digital camera. RAW is for ultimate quality shots via post processing, JPEG is for great quality with no need for further work.
• Battery life extended: With improved power management, the FinePix S200EXR can now provide 370 shots per charge of the included NP-140 Lithium Ion battery, so there is no need to worry about power running out half way through a photo shoot.
• Movie Mode: The FinePix S200EXR can record movies in 640 x 480 at 30 frames per second. The optical zoom can be used during movie recording.
• Electronic View Finder: The camera is fitted with a 0.2" 200K-pixel EVF, for sharp and clear images.

The FinePix S200EXR will debut in August 2009 at a retail price of $599.95.

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FUJIFILM EXPANDS J-SERIES DIGITAL CAMERA LINE
FOR BUDGET CONCIOUS CONSUMERS

New FinePix J38 Continues J-Series Momentum
by Merging Style with the Latest Technologies at Value Price Point

Valhalla, NY, July 22, 2009 – FUJIFILM U.S.A., Inc. today announced the newest addition to its popular J-series line-up with the FinePix J38 digital camera. With its sleek design and powerful features, the FinePix J38 is a great digital camera option for the consumer on a budget who doesn't want to sacrifice great quality or style for a lower price.

At only 20 mm thick, the FinePix J38 is the perfect on-the-go camera fitting easily into a shirt pocket or hand bag. Despite its size, the FinePix J38 black metal front body houses a 12-MegaPixel CCD, a 3x Fujinon optical zoom lens and a brilliant 2.7" high resolution LCD which displays images with sharpness and clarity. The J38 also has new SR Auto, Face Detection with Auto Red Eye Correction and Panoramic Shooting Modes.

Automatic Scene Recognition
The FinePix J38 features Fujifilm's new SR Auto mode (Automatic Scene Recognition), which enables the cameras to intelligently recognize six types of scenes automatically. For each picture taken in this mode, the camera will optimize the ideal exposure, focus, white balance and ISO, and engage Face Detection and Picture Stabilization as needed, for the scene to ensure the best quality picture is captured with ease.

Fujifilm's FinePix J38 also offers the following value-adding features:

• Face Detection Technology: Fujifilm's renowned Face Detection Technology with Automatic Red Eye correction also comes standard on the FinePix J38.
• Panoramic Shooting Mode: Let's you capture and combine up to three consecutive shots, creating one large panoramic shot.
• Picture Stabilization: The FinePix J38 has Fujifilm's Picture Stabilization which ensures clear blur-free photos.
• Scene modes: Pre-programmed scene modes provide top-quality photos in a wide-range of shooting conditions.
• Low Light Shooting: Utilizes ISO settings of up to 3200 at 3MP, to capture stunning images even in low light.
• Battery Life: Long-life rechargeable Li-ion battery for extended shot life.

"It's important to offer an affordable digital camera without compromising performance or style," said David Troy, marketing manager, Consumer Digital Cameras, Electronic Imaging Division, FUJIFILM U.S.A., Inc. "With an overwhelming consumer response to the initial J-series cameras, we wanted to give our customers even better features for the same low prices."

The FinePix J38 will debut in late August 2009 with a retail price of $129.95.

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FUJIFILM OFFERS ADVANCED FEATURES ON ENTRY-LEVEL
A170 AND A220 DIGITAL CAMERAS

Slim (21.9 mm), AA Battery Powered Digital Still Cameras
Shine with 10-MP and 12-MP, 3x Optical Zoom and SR AUTO

Valhalla, N.Y., July 22, 2009 – FUJIFILM U.S.A. Inc. today announced the launch of two new entry-level digital cameras – the A170 and A220. Designed specifically for consumers seeking an affordable, user-friendly upgrade to their current digital camera, the A170 and A220 encompass all the necessary features essential to today's users. These include the SR Auto Mode (Automatic Scene Recognition), Panoramic Shooting Mode, Face Detection technology and come in at a slim 21.9 mm for quick, convenient, photography on the go.

The 10-MegaPixel A170 and 12-MegaPixel A220 both feature a 3.0x optical zoom lens that was developed specifically for the A-series by Fujinon and large, 2.7", 230k-pixel resolution LCD They also offer Fujifilm's Picture Stabilization with ISO levels of up to 1600 that automatically chooses the correct light sensitivity and compatible shutter speed, producing the highest quality digital pictures without blur and noise.

Automatic Scene Recognition
Both the A170 and A220 feature Fujifilm's new SR Auto Mode (Automatic Scene Recognition), which enables the cameras to intelligently recognize six types of scenes automatically. For each picture taken in this mode, the cameras will optimize the ideal exposure, focus, white balance and ISO for the scene to ensure the best quality picture is captured with ease.

Other noteworthy features found on the A170 and A220 include:
• Face Detection Technology: Fujifilm's renowned Face Detection Technology comes standard in both models.
• Panoramic Shooting Mode: Captures and combines up to three consecutive shots, creating one large panoramic shot.
• Movie Mode: Captures movies with zoom and sound at 30 frames per second with sound.
• Internal Memory: When the SD memory card (sold separately) is filled with images, users have extra internal storage space approx. 20MB on each camera to capture additional pictures.
• AA Battery: Using AA batteries is often most convenient for on-the-go digital camera users as it eliminates the need to charge battery packs, allowing for lots of picture-taking and the ease of battery replacement.

"We wanted to provide consumers with an affordable, easy to use digital camera that still offered a competitive feature set," said David Troy, marketing manager, Consumer Digital Cameras, Electronic Imaging Division, FUJIFILM U.S.A., Inc. "The new A170 and A220 combine this in a highly portable form factor making it easier than ever to ensure that you never miss a shot and the convenience of AA battery power."

The A170 will debut in late July 2009 with a retail price of $89.95, and the A220 will be available in mid-August 2009 at the retail price of $99.95.

Clearwire Opens 4G Wireless in Three New Cities, Only 77 to Go [4G]
July 22, 2009 at 12:30 am

Remember when Clearwire promised they'd bring WiMax to 80 cities within 18 months? Well, they've started with Las Vegas, Portland and Atlanta (the latter being right in AT&T's backyard), and Sprint is set to take advantage.

Sprint, which owns a 51% stake in Clearwire, says it will offer 10Mbps download and 3-6Mbps upload speeds in those three cities, which is a pretty sweet deal for Sprint customers. Now come on, Clearwire: make good on your promise and blanket the country with sweet 4G action. [mocoNews]

Plastic Logic Makes Same Mistake as Apple, Ties Their Touchscreen Ebook Reader to AT&T 3G [Ereader]
July 22, 2009 at 12:01 am

Plastic Logic's giant touchscreen ebook reader makes Amazon's Kindle look like ancient Egyptian technology, and the Barnes & Noble digital bookstore closes its serious content gap. Too bad though they're using AT&T's 3G network for over-the-air downloads.

The most obvious and logical explanation is that Verizon's terms for data were too onerous and expensive, and AT&T is likely offering them cut rates as a part of their agenda to put AT&T mobile internet in everything. True, snagging the occasional ebook or newspaper is way different than trying to pull down a crapload of email while watching YouTube, reading Gizmodo and Twittering about how bad AT&T sucks, but still.

Or maybe no one at Plastic Logic is an AT&T customer.

Update: Or since Plastic Logic's based in the UK, making a special CDMA version would be kinda wasteful.

Still, good thing it's got Wi-Fi!

PLASTIC LOGIC EREADER WILL WIRELESSLY CONNECT
USING AT&T 3G NETWORK

eReader Built for Mobile Business Professionals to Debut in 2010

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA, JULY 22, 2009
–
Plastic Logic announced today that AT&T's*
3G network will provide the mobile broadband connection for the Plastic Logic Reader,
the eReader created for mobile business professionals, when it launches in 2010.

The Plastic Logic Reader, which is also Wi-Fi enabled, is the ideal companion for busy,
on-the-go business professionals who want to keep up to date on key information and
who need to read and review multiple documents throughout the day. The Plastic Logic
device is about the size of an 8.5 x 11 inch pad of paper, less than a ¼ inch thick and
weighs less than many print magazines. The innovative eReader features the largest
screen in the industry and an intuitive touch screen user interface.

"We're extremely proud to be able to offer the Plastic Logic Reader with the nation's
fastest 3G network through AT&T. This alliance is a pillar in our strategy to provide
mobile business professionals with a device that delivers a great reading experience,
and is fully connected through 3G and Wi-Fi to deliver easy access to digital content,"
said Richard Archuleta, CEO of Plastic Logic.

The Plastic Logic Reader is unique among its competitors due to its plastic display,
which is based on the company's revolutionary plastic electronics technology. The
eReader features the first ever commercial high-quality plastic display and an
outstanding E Ink reading experience. Its battery lasts days, instead of hours. Designed
specifically with mobile business users in mind, the Plastic Logic Reader will connect its
users with their desired business and professional newspapers, books, periodicals and
magazine content and will support the document formats business users need, including
PDF, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel documents.

"The Plastic Logic Reader is an impressive device and we look forward to providing the
wireless connectivity that will keep business professionals connected to the news,
information and entertainment they desire while on the go," said Glenn Lurie, president-
Emerging Devices and Resale, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. "There is
tremendous market potential for electronic reading devices and we look forward to
powering this revolutionary device with the nation's fastest 3G network."

Users will be able to connect to content and download it wirelessly through AT&T's 3G
network, which offers the best wireless coverage worldwide. Built on the GSM family of
technologies, the de facto wireless world standard, AT&T's 3G wireless network brings
enormous economies of scale to electronic manufacturers who are eager to cost-
effectively incorporate wireless technology in specialty devices. AT&T devices work in
more than 200 countries and regions. AT&T is also the nation's largest Wi-Fi provider,
with more than 20,000 hotspots in the United States and more than 90,000 hotspots
globally in 89 countries through roaming agreements.

Financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed.

Pricing and availability of the Plastic Logic Reader will be announced when the product
begins shipping in early 2010.

To stay current with information on the Plastic Logic Reader, please visit
http://www.plasticlogic.com.

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc.
under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

About Plastic Logic

Plastic Logic's mission is to lead a revolution in the way people acquire, organize and consume
information. We are using our proprietary technology leadership in plastic electronics to create a
range of innovative products. Our first product, an eReader for mobile business professionals, will
enter the marketplace in 2010. Founded in 2000 by researchers out of the Cambridge University
Cavendish Laboratory, Plastic Logic has research and development in Cambridge, England; high-
volume, state-of-the-art manufacturing in Dresden, Germany; and executive management,
product engineering, sales and marketing headquartered in Mountain View, California. For more
information please go to http://www.plasticlogic.com.

[Plastic Logic]

Sauron's Eye Finally Being Installed in Hawaii [Architecture]
July 22, 2009 at 12:00 am

The Thirty-Meter Telescope will finally end in Hawaii, not Chile. When it's finished in 2018, it will be nine times larger than any telescope today.

The 30-meter (98.4-foot) mirror will be composed of 492 segments and, according to the experts, it is destined to dwarf Hubble in many regards. When it's finalized nine years from now, it will be the largest telescope in the world. At least until the 42-meter European Extremely Large Telescope comes online.

Oh, those astronomers and their toys. [TMT via Wired]

Skype 2.8 Integrates Screen Sharing for Better Procrastination Across Platforms [Skype]
July 21, 2009 at 11:30 pm

Skype 2.8 for Mac, which integrates iChat-style, cross platform/OS screen sharing, Wi-Fi access through Boingo, and improved audio/video quality is out. Seems perfect for sharing amusing pictures while accidentally flashing someone. [Skype 2.8 via ReadWriteWeb via Lifehacker]

Beware: Naked Erin Andrews Video May Be Trojan Horse for Mac and PC [Virus]
July 21, 2009 at 11:00 pm

If you are hunting down Erin Andrews' naked peephole video and you are a dummy, beware: It may be a trick to get you to install a trojan horse, disguised as a video player.

The bad guys have released a file that requires you to install a custom video player, which is in fact a Mal/EncPk-IF malware—for PCs—or a OSX/Jahlav-C trojan horse—for Macs. Then again, if you believe that any video file requires a custom video player, you probably should get this and many other viruses. And some nasty bacteria too.

In case you are not a sports follower—like me—or don't know who the hell Erin Andrews is—like me—or don't find her sexy at all—like me—here's a CBS program talking about it:

[PC World]

Pluggage Luggage Charges Your Gadgets As It Rolls [Concepts]
July 21, 2009 at 10:30 pm

Pluggage, the brainchild of ITP student Ohad Folman, is a piece of carry-on luggage with a built-in battery/inverter and a solar panel that's capable of charging mobile devices as the bag is rolled or exposed to direct sunlight.

The luggage is not your everyday pie-in-the-sky concept; Folman has already created a proof-of-concept prototype using a Burton bag with a Duracell PowerSource Mobile 100 battery back, a stepper motor and a Burton SolarRolls panel. Folman claims that the battery charges in about two hours with an average walking pace, and should be able to power a laptop for about an hour and a half. There are a few obvious downsides to the concept: I don't know many people who are willing to walk around for two hours, hauling a suitcase behind them. Using Pluggage would also force a user to avoid those moving walkways at the airport, one of life's simple joys.

So far, Pulman hasn't had much luck getting the big luggage makers to incorporate his idea so he's currently looking to get started with a smaller bag maker. [Boing Boing Gadgets]

How to Build a Snorricam, So You Can Film Your Face [DIY]
July 21, 2009 at 9:45 pm

Hey, narcissists and/or filmmakers! Instructables has a guide to making your own Snorricam, that chest-mounted camera holder that points the lens directly at your own face.

The final product looks like a term project for wood shop class, requiring mostly traditional materials as the Snorricam mount is primarily made of plywood. Not an incredibly difficult construction, for sure, but one that could be really useful for aspiring filmmakers without friends, or those who want to get that crazy angle used in so many movies (Requiem for a Dream comes to mind). [Instructables via MAKE]

Who Gets Windows 7 RTM, and When? [Windows 7]
July 21, 2009 at 8:30 pm

Microsoft released a more detailed timeline of exactly who will get Windows 7 RTM and when, and we're sure you're dying to know. But you better hope you're a bigshot if you want to be the first to grab it.

Independent software and hardware vendor partners will be able to snag a copy on August 6th, followed by Microsoft Partner Program Gold/Certified Members on August 16th. Microsoft Action Pack Subscribers will get it August 23rd, and OEMs will get it two days after Microsoft officially releases it to manufacturing. Business customers, IT pros, and devs will get it in late September and early October.

Here's what you guys care about: Beta testers and "enthusiasts." If you're a member of TechNet, you get it August 6th. If not, you'll have to wait until it hits retail on October 22nd. Microsoft reminds you that the RC will continue to function until March 1st, 2010. More details available on the Windows Team Blog. [Microsoft]

Why Amazon's Power to Delete Books Is Absolutely Horrifying [Kindle]
July 21, 2009 at 8:00 pm

Editors from Columbia's Science and Technology Law Review explained to us a year ago the pitfalls of not owning your Kindle books, a fact that Amazon revealed to be more horrifying than we thought. Guess what? It's worse.

Slate's Farhad Manjoo points out more reasons (bothered from Harvard law professor Jonathan Zittrain) why we should be absolutely terrified of "tethered" devices like the Kindle, especially if we're headed toward a truly paperless and discless future, where books, movies and music are all downloaded. Imagine if there were no paper copies of 1984, and Amazon—or whatever company wins the ereader war—deleted it. Or any other book or film that's been banned at one point. It's much easier, after all, to delete them off of a million devices than to actually pull one thousand paper copies out of people's houses. A possibility that's more, uh, possible with breakthroughs like self-destructing data. (One more reason we'll always need something like BitTorent, more than ever in the future, not less.)

If hypotheticals aren't your thing, take the 2004 TiVo vs. Echostar patent infringement case. When TiVo won, the judge ruled that Dish didn't just have to stop selling infringing DVR boxes, they had to actually remotely kill the boxes they'd already sold. Boxes they had installed in people's houses.

Granted, Jonathan Zittrain is the same crazy guy who says that the iPhone is killing the internet, but you know, this time he actually seems kinda right! I hope he's still just crazy though. [Slate]

Sunrise From The International Space Station [Image Cache]
July 21, 2009 at 7:30 pm

It's easy to get overwhelmed by all the news surrounding the anniversary of the first lunar landing, but it's images like this that remind us why space still commands our collective imaginations forty years after Neil Armstrong took his first steps on the moon. [Reuters]

SIMbook Holds Phone Numbers, Addresses on Old-School Paper Format [Notebooks]
July 21, 2009 at 7:00 pm

While SIM cards hold all the stuff address books used to, some people just can't part from that old ink-and-paper. The SIMbook lets people know that you're aware of modern technology, yet you choose to go retro.

Pretty simply, it's a small pocket notebook in the shape of a SIM card, both in unformatted (notebook) and formatted (address book) styles. Each SIMbook costs about $6. [Address Book, Notebook via Nerd Approved]

LCD Market Turns Around, Jumps 41% In Second Quarter [LCD]
July 21, 2009 at 6:52 pm

iSuppli just reported that the LCD panel market (any LCD of 10-inches or larger, which includes TVs as well as computers) jumped 41% from 91.7 million to 129.7 million.

This follows sequential declines of 2.3 percent in the third quarter, of 18.6 percent in the fourth quarter of 2008 and 2 percent in the first quarter of 2008.

That's quite a big jump for a supposedly lousy market. [iSuppli]

V-Screen Adds Faux 3D To The PSP [PSP]
July 21, 2009 at 6:40 pm

RealView Innovations' mysterious V-Screen certainly looks interesting, but does it really deliver a portable 3D experience?

"The innovation uses special optical components in unconventional ways," states Eamonn Ansbro, an Optical Engineer who is co-Executive Director of RVI. "No software, electronics or headgear is required. Nonetheless, the optical results are astonishing." Continued Ansbro: "The video game industry is a perfect fit for our technology. The V-Screen offers consumers a tremendous leap forward in optical enhancement."

Yes, it's a gadget, and it does things...special things. Don't question it's power! Just trust in the knowledge that the V-Screen is a special, earth shattering innovation that will take portable gaming, and your life, to highs that can scarcely be imagined with your puny human minds. Unfortunately, we will have to wait until September to find out if this thing actually does something interesting, or if it is just a glorified magnifying glass. [Ars Technica]

BlackBerry Storm 2 In Action, SurePress Click Screen and All [Blackberry Storm 2]
July 21, 2009 at 6:26 pm

It's pretty early hardware and earlier software, but the guys at CrackBerry somehow got themselves a Storm 2 to play with. First question: Yes, it still has a clickable screen, but it's allegedly much better than its predecessor.

There aren't any big changes on the software side (it's still running BlackBerry OS 5.1), although remember, this is a very early pre-release model. The OS looks pretty much exactly the same as the original Storm, at least at this point. That means it's still laggy (especially the accelerometer), a dealbreaker of a problem on the first Storm that hopefully will get ironed out before the Storm 2's release. Verizon has promised WiFi in its future smartphones, so with any luck that'll include the Storm 2.

In terms of hardware, the four classic BlackBerry buttons (call, end, back, and menu) are no longer separate buttons but part of the clickable screen's display. The screen itself has a lot less give to it than the original Storm, which the guy demonstrating it seems to appreciate, saying it's a much better typing experience (though probably not as good as a physical keyboard). The handset is slightly thinner and features darker metal, seeming classier overall.

What are we really hoping for in the new Storm? No more lagginess, a real browser based on WebKit, and a better app store would be a huge help in making the Storm 2 a step up. That stuff is all software stuff, so we'll hold off making any base judgments about the Storm 2 just yet. But we're keeping our fingers crossed that RIM has been listening to its customers. [CrackBerry]

Don't Expect a Huge Increase in Complexity Of iPhone Apps Any Time Soon [App Store]
July 21, 2009 at 6:20 pm

The iPhone App Store just turned one, and developers are getting the hang of the device. Game companies like EA and Namco are starting specialized divisions just to target the iPhone. Apps are about to get good, right? Not exactly.

Here's the major reason: the price of apps. AppCubby maker of apps like GasCubby, just put up an analysis of the app store that says the new price ceiling is $5. It used to be $10. But according to him and other developers, the $10 price point is no longer sustainable, seeing as many previously $10-priced apps are now $3-$5.

There probably are two major co-existing reasons for the drop. One, older apps get price drops to lure in cheapskates. People who wanted them already bought them, and people who are holdouts will only jump on when the price is lowered. Two, older apps just get dropped because older titles (see Best Buy) get price drops.

But back to the main point. If $5 is the new standard price ceiling, developers aren't going to be willing to devote time to their projects. It's as Craig Hockenberry of Twitterific argued: bigger projects need a bigger payoff, but if those developers price their apps too high, there won't be enough income to make those projects worthwhile.

There's no easy solution to this, which means that iPhone users shouldn't expect much more complicated games than what's already on there now. All the talk of the iPhone competing with the DS or the PSP in terms of quality may be moot if there's nobody there to spend the effort developing that level of games. [AppCubby]

Microsoft Plotting Stores With Former Apple Retail Genius [Microsoft Store]
July 21, 2009 at 6:00 pm

The guy who engineered the Apple Store's primo real estate strategy is now helping Microsoft plan their retail assault on Apple Store as a consultant. So opening next door with 8x Genius power is just the beginning. [Techflash via TUAW]

A Real Astronaut Reflects on America's Moon Landings, Past and Future [Space]
July 21, 2009 at 5:20 pm

Our friend and astronaut blogger Leroy Chiao was an invited guest at the Apollo 11 40th Anniversary gala last night. Here he shares a few shots, his memories of the Eagle touchdown, and his thoughts on the next moon mission.

A Spam and peanut butter (chunky) sandwich: That was what I had for lunch, forty years ago, just before watching along with the rest of the world as Eagle touched down on the surface of the Moon.

It was a hot summer day in Danville, California. My family lived in a nice house, in a nice neighborhood. Nevertheless our home, like many built in that era, didn't have air conditioning. So, my father moved the family TV set (19" black and white, rabbit ear antennae) out onto the partially shaded back patio. He sprayed water onto the concrete, which helped make it surprisingly cooler.

My friends, two brothers Mike and Russ, were visiting. We had been friends for a long time (two years was long time to an eight year old). So, they had become accustomed to being served odd concoctions at my house, invented by my Dad. Spam and peanut butter sandwiches was one of those. It was surprisingly, not too bad. I had experimented once with a plain Spam sandwich. I quickly went back to including the chunky peanut butter.

I can remember like it was yesterday, watching that grainy black and white TV and listening in as Eagle approached the surface of the Moon and landed. Even as a young boy, I knew that the world had just changed. I also knew that I wanted to be like those guys on the Moon. I wanted to be an astronaut!

Twenty years later, I found myself in Houston, interviewing at NASA to be a member of the thirteenth astronaut group. What a heady time—President Bush (41) had just announced the Space Exploration Initiative (SEI), calling for a return to the Moon to stay, followed by a crewed mission to Mars. And, we had astronauts in key NASA management positions, including the Administrator himself.

SEI fell flat, soon after the President failed to win reelection. The $400 billion price tag quoted by NASA might also have had something to do with it. Fifteen years after the SEI announcement, I found myself standing with a small group of fellow astronauts at NASA Headquarters, as President Bush (43) announced the Vision for Space Exploration (VSE) in the wake of the Space Shuttle Columbia accident. The Vision called for, among other things, a crewed return to the Moon by 2020, and a crewed mission to Mars, on an indefinite schedule.

The Constellation program, which grew out of the VSE, was described by then-NASA Administrator Mike Griffin as "Apollo on Steroids." Indeed, it called for the creation of a capsule spacecraft (albeit, much larger). Five years into Constellation, the nation stands at a crossroads. The program has had its share of challenges and controversy and the budget is universally agreed to be inadequate. Newly inaugurated President Obama has ordered a review and a report, outlining a set of options for NASA and the agency's new Administrator. (I am a member of the Review of U.S. Human Space Flight Committee.)

Today, on the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon landing, our return to the Moon is tenuous, at best. Who, in 1969, could have imagined that we would not have regular travel to and from Moon bases by the 20th anniversary of Apollo 11? The announcement of the SEI in 1989 gave us hope that we would be back on the Moon to stay, within another twenty years. Those twenty years have now passed.

Tonight, I was an invited guest at the 40th Apollo anniversary celebration at the National Air and Space Museum. Everything was perfect: The Apollo 11 crew—Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins were elegant and stately against the backdrop of historic air and spacecraft. Other Apollo-era astronauts, like my friend Walt Cunningham, were also shining honorees. They were all a part of it!

It was a reminder of old times, of the past grandeur and wonder of the Apollo era. The time when we, as a nation, felt like nothing was impossible! A time, when Spam and peanut butter (chunky), tasted better than almost anything.

Should we look back at the last forty years and be disappointed? I believe that would be a mistake. Skylab was a resounding success. Despite the challenges, the Space Shuttle and ISS are marvelous flying machines. We started down the road of international cooperation with the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project, and led the formation and maturation of the current, highly successful international partnership. We have not had the big home run since Apollo, but we have made steady progress.

Where will the next twenty years take us? Against all odds, Spam is still going strong. Let's keep moving forward too.

Leroy Chiao, Ph.D. served as a NASA astronaut from 1990-2005. During his 15-year career, he flew four missions into space, three times on Space Shuttles and once as the copilot of a Russian Soyuz spacecraft to the International Space Station. On that flight, he served as the commander of Expedition 10, a six and a half month mission. Dr. Chiao has performed six spacewalks, in both US and Russian spacesuits, and has logged nearly 230 days in space.

Dr. Chiao is Gizmodo's official astronaut (and "astroblogger"). On occasion, he still eats Spam and peanut butter (chunky) sandwiches.

Clip art from Clip Art Guide

Apple on Their Relationship With AT&T [Blockquote]
July 21, 2009 at 5:18 pm

Apple COO Tim Cook on their relationship with AT&T during Apple's earnings call: "I think it's an excellent relationship and we're very happy with it." So I guess the jabs Apple threw at WWDC 2009 were friendly ones.

Answering another question about the iPhone being constrained by carriers with limited capacity (read: AT&T) Tim Cook replies "without talking about specific ones, I see them making more investments to have faster networks and see them being very happy about" making more money. Mmmmhmmmmm.

Sports Illustrated Swimsuit App Is as Close As You'll Get to an Official iPhone Porn App [Boobs]
July 21, 2009 at 5:00 pm

Who likes ladies in tiny bathing suits? Many dudes do, that's who. And now they can get them on their iPhone via the official Sports Illustrated Swimsuit app.

Sure, you have access to millions of pictures of scantily clad ladies via Safari, not to mention unclad ladies, but this is an app. An app, people! For $3 you get photos of 20 models and some bodypainting videos. I'm going to go ahead and guess that a Google search will bring up most of this content for free.

Here's the sad part: this is going to sell like hotcakes. [App Store Link via TechCrunch]

Is Your Cellphone Busted Up? Show Us Your Worst [Question Of The Day]
July 21, 2009 at 4:40 pm

To be honest, our cellphones are pretty pristine—except for Herrman's here. It looks like he was chewing on it or something. But I'll bet you guys can do better. Show us your worst in the comments.

Apple Made a Lot of Money as "Traditional" iPods March to Extinction [Apple]
July 21, 2009 at 4:33 pm

Surprise, Apple made a boatload of money the past three months. What's interesting is that iPhone sales are up a massive 626 percent vs. the same quarter last year, but iPod sales dropped. iPhone ascends, iPod falls. Updated live.

To fill in some numbers behind the percentages, that's 10.2 million iPods and 5.2 iPhones. Mac sales were up slightly—2.6 percent—indicating it wasn't the economy wasn't entirely the culprit behind flattening iPod sales. Also, these numbers are from before the iPhone 3GS launch—so maybe they indicate certain winds a-shifting (even considering we're comparing iPhone 3G sales this past quarter to the sales of original iPhone at $399). TechCrunch also notes that that's twice as many iPhones as Macs—pointing at another kind of paradigm shift at Apple.

The live call starts shortly. Will we hear from Steve? Probably not, but you never know.

The Call
Details on the iPod decline: The drop in iPod sales was entirely limited to the "traditional MP3 players," the Classic, nano and shuffle. Apple says they expected this, saying it's "one of the reasons we developed the iPhone and iPod touch. We expect traditional MP3 players to decline over time as we cannibalize ourselves" with the iPhone and touch. Translation: Apple basically just said the traditional iPods are walking dinosaurs. To that point, the iPod touch actually grew 130 percent, making the sales decline of the other iPods that much more severe, since the 7 percent drop includes the touch.

Interestingly, 50 percent of traditional iPods sold are to people who've never owned one before. They've still got over 70 percent of the MP3 player market.

They're unable to make enough iPhone 3GSes to meet demand, since they've sold a million in the first three days.

Apple Reports Third Quarter Results

Best Non-Holiday Quarter Revenue and Earnings in Apple History

CUPERTINO, Calif., July 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Apple® today announced financial results for its fiscal 2009 third quarter ended June 27, 2009. The Company posted revenue of $8.34 billion and a net quarterly profit of $1.23 billion, or $1.35 per diluted share. These results compare to revenue of $7.46 billion and net quarterly profit of $1.07 billion, or $1.19 per diluted share, in the year-ago quarter. Gross margin was 36.3 percent, up from 34.8 percent in the year-ago quarter. International sales accounted for 44 percent of the quarter's revenue.

In accordance with the subscription accounting treatment required by GAAP, the Company recognizes revenue and cost of goods sold for iPhone(TM) and Apple TV® over their estimated economic lives. Adjusting GAAP sales and product costs to eliminate the impact of subscription accounting, the corresponding non-GAAP measures* for the quarter are $9.74 billion of "Adjusted Sales" and $1.94 billion of "Adjusted Net Income."

Apple sold 2.6 million Macintosh® computers during the quarter, representing a four percent unit increase over the year-ago quarter. The Company sold 10.2 million iPods during the quarter, representing a seven percent unit decline from the year-ago quarter. Quarterly iPhones sold were 5.2 million, representing 626 percent unit growth over the year-ago quarter.

"We're making our most innovative products ever and our customers are responding," said Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO. "We're thrilled to have sold over 5.2 million iPhones during the quarter and users have downloaded more than 1.5 billion applications from our App Store in its first year."

"We're extremely pleased to report record non-holiday quarter revenue and earnings and quarterly cash flow from operations of $2.3 billion," said Peter Oppenheimer, Apple's CFO. "Looking ahead to the fourth fiscal quarter of 2009, we expect revenue in the range of about $8.7 billion to $8.9 billion and we expect diluted earnings per share in the range of about $1.18 to $1.23."

Apple will provide live streaming of its Q3 2009 financial results conference call utilizing QuickTime®, Apple's standards-based technology for live and on-demand audio and video streaming. The live webcast will begin at 2:00 p.m. PDT on July 21, 2009 at http://www.apple.com/quicktime/qtv/earningsq309/ and will also be available for replay for approximately two weeks thereafter.

[Apple, Image via Macblogz]

Dell Drops Adamo Price to Compete with MacBook Air [Dell]
July 21, 2009 at 4:20 pm

Dell has dropped the prices of their Adamo ultraportables, matching the low-end MacBook Air. The higher-end Adamo, however, is still more expensive than Apple's top of the line model. Apocalypse is, no doubt, very near.

The entry-level Dell Adamo—with 1.2GHz Core 2 Duo, 2GB of RAM and a 128GB solid-state drive—now costs the same $1,500 as its 1.86GHz Core 2 Duo MacBook Air counterpart—which has no 128GB SSD. The top of the line, however, has only been reduced to $2,230, with a 1.4GHz Core 2 Duo processor, 128GB SSD, 4GB RAM, and built-in 3G connectivity. That's still more expensive than Apple's $1,800 higher end, although the latter only has 2GB RAM and no 3G built-in.

Next: The Moon turning to blood, dogs cohabiting with cats, trumpets playing, hell freezing over, the dead walking among us, and George Lucas writing and directing the next Star Trek. [Dell via Electronista]

When Lampshades Are Turned Inside Out [Lighting]
July 21, 2009 at 4:00 pm

Designer Christopher Moulder has taken a new approach to the lampshade by integrating both shade and lamp into a single unit. Plus, the shade conducts electricity, so there is no need for wires.

SHADE brings new life to an iconic form with a formal, tuxedo-like appearance with its terminations to the bulbs referencing bow ties and the stainless steel button head cap screws alluding to silver studs and cuff links.
SHADE is a low voltage fixture using its aircraft aluminum body to conduct electricity to 28, 12V/10W high efficiency, long life and high color rendering Xenon Festoon bulbs. Finished meticulously with catalyzed acrylic enamel, SHADE is available in three colors: torch red, white and silver metallic.

Okaaaaay, I'm not feeling "tuxedo" here, but it does look damn good in whatever it's wearing. [Christopher Moulder via MocoLoco]

August 11 Xbox 360 Dashboard Update Bringing Full Game Downloads, Other Features [Xbox 360]
July 21, 2009 at 3:34 pm

The previously announced Xbox 360 dashboard update is coming on August 11, bringing with it Games on Demand, Netflix party support and the new Avatar marketplace. Twitter, Facebook and Last.FM integration are coming this fall, along with 1080p streaming. [Kotaku]

Steve Jobs' Colorful Past, Rendered in Salvaged Logos [Image Cache]
July 21, 2009 at 3:20 pm

I think computer makers should pull a Starbucks and bring back their classic logos, at least for one year. It would remind everybody of happier, more vibrant times. [univac/Flickr via Gadget Lab]

Gadget Deals Of The Day [Dealzmodo]
July 21, 2009 at 3:00 pm

Props to Chris for helping with the deals today, especially the awesome Hobomodo he put together. Be sure to check out the deal on the 25" monitor from I-Inc, it's from a relative unknown—but the specs look great.

Gaming:
• Nintendo DSi Portable Gaming System $152.99 plus free shipping (normally $169.99 - use coupon code 65G7RQ11J?M2LH).
• Madworld (Wii) for $19.99 (normally $27.99 - valid today only).
• Rayman Raving Rabids TV Party (Wii) for $19.97 (normally $27.99).
• Spectrobes: Beyond the Portals (DS) for $9.99 (normally $16.99).
• Blue Dragon (360) for $9.99 (normally $15.07).
• Halo 3: ODST (360) Pre-Order for $49.90 (normally $54.99).
• Nerf N-Strike Switch Shot Blaster (Wii) for $10.00 (normally $15.99).
• Wii Sports Resort (includes Motion Plus) with $10 Walmart eGift Card for $49.96 (normally $49.99).
• iBattleships Navy Storm (iPhone/iPod Touch) for $0.99 (normally $3.99).
• Razer Lycosa (HP Branded) Gaming Backlit Keyboard for $31.99 (normally $63.23).

Home Entertainment:
• 55" Samsung LN55B650 1080p 120 Hz LCD TV plus $200 Dell Gift Card for $1,999 plus free shipping (normally $2194).
• 42" LG 42LH30 1080p LCD TV for $679.50 plus free shipping (normally $821).
• 40" Samsung LN40B650 1080p 120Hz LCD TV for $989.31 plus free shipping (normally $1159).
• 40" Samsung LN40B550 Widescreen 1080p LCD TV with $200 Gift Card and HDMI Cable for $894.49 plus free shipping (normally $1099.99 - use coupon code 65G7RQ11J?M2LH).
• Pioneer Elite X-Z9 Network Audio System for $699.99 (normally $1,499).
• Slingbox Pro HD with Slinglink Turbo for $298 (normally $450).
• The Mask (Blu-ray) for $11.49 (normally $22.99).
• Ghostbusters Blu-ray for $8.99 (normally $15 - use coupon code GHOSTBLU).

Personal Portables and Peripherals:
• Sony Alpha A330 10.2MP dSLR with 3 Lenses and Spare Battery for $779.97 plus free shipping (normally $945).
• Magellan Maestro 4210 GPS for $99.99 (normally $158).
• 7" DIGIX Portable DVD Player for $49.99 (normally $65.05).

Hobomodo:
• Gretsch Guitar 125th Anviersary Poseter for $0 (use this form).
• Sample of JGO Vitamin Drink Powder for $0 (use this form).
• 6-Month Suscription to PC World Magazine for $0 (use this form).
• Subscription to Food Arts Magazine for $0 (use this form).
• Subscription to Maxim Magazine (Digital Edition) for $0 (use this form).
• Kindle Edition of Star Wars: Lost Tribe of the Sith #1 for $0 (pdf version here).
• "Heroic Measures" by Jill Clement Book Doenload for $0 (download here).
• List of Amazon Kindle Books for $0.
• WordFlipper Game (iPhone/iPod Touch) for $0.
• Final Fantasy Remix Album for $0.
• "On Vacation" by Aimee Allen MP3 for $0.
• "People Say" by Portugal. The Man for $0.

If a deal looks too good to be true, investigate the store and see if it's a good, reputable place to buy. Safe shopping!

[Thanks TechDealDigger, Fat Wallet, GamerHotline, Cheap College Gamers, CheapStingyBargains and TechBargains.]

Is This Yet Another HTC Android Phone? [Rumor]
July 21, 2009 at 2:37 pm

Since we're just working with couple of photos here, it's hard to say for sure, but the buttons match HTC's design style as of late, and the shape is clearly reminiscent of the company's older handsets. So, what is this?

French website PointGPhone, who first got the pics, says it's the HTC Click, an entry-level Android phone not unlike what the Motorola Morrison is rumored to be. It doesn't appear to have a keyboard, and it's shed the trackball—a consistent feature in HTC's Google-d phones up until now. HTC branding is absent, but something is obscured above the control area—most likely a sensitive carrier name. So who knows! UPDATE: Measured against the ruling standard notebook paper, the phone features a 2.8-inch screen. So hey, there's one spec for you.

I said it before and it bears repeating: Android needs some budget handsets; or maybe more accurately, budget handsets need Android. It's a free OS, and not nearly as scarily ~~shitty~~ "businesslike" as Windows Mobile 6.1—basically, it deserves to fill the low-end smartphone niche, and it's running late in doing so. Should Android go downmarket, HTC wouldn't be a bad chaperon. [PointGPhone]

65 Poorly Designed and Totally Impractical Gadgets [Photoshop Contest]
July 21, 2009 at 2:20 pm

For this week's Photoshop Contest, I asked you to make some real-world gadgets a lot less practical. And you know what? I'd try my hand at a five-screened DSi with a five-pronged stylus.

David Bowie Space Oddity iPhone App Lets You Remix the Thin White Duke Anywhere [David Bowie]
July 21, 2009 at 2:00 pm

Since it's been 40 years (!!) since Bowie's classic Space Oddity was released, there's a fancy new anniversary EP coming out. And with it is an iPhone App that features the original multi-track stems of the song and remix capabilities.

The app, by iKlax, lets you make your own Bowie mix right on your phone. You might have better luck doing a real remix on your computer by just downloading the files on their own, which you can do, but hey, remixing Bowie on your iPhone! You can't say that isn't pretty neat. It'll set you back $2.

DAVID BOWIE AND VIRGIN/EMI CELEBRATE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF "SPACE ODDITY" WITH COMMEMORATIVE DIGITAL EP & APP WITH REMIX FEATURES
"Space Oddity" Digital EP and iPhone/iPod touch App Available Now for Download Purchase; Both Offer Unique Opportunity For Fans To Create Their Own Mixes of Song

Hollywood, California – July 21, 2009 – David Bowie and Virgin/EMI are celebrating the 40th anniversary of Bowie's "Space Oddity" with the release of a commemorative digital EP and a new app for the iPhone and iPod touch. The digital EP, available now for download purchase from all major digital service providers, features four versions of "Space Oddity" plus its original eight multi-track stems, enabling fans to remix the song as they please using their own software or with iKlax software. iKlax's "Remix David Bowie – Space Oddity" app, available now on the iTunes App Store, also allows fans to become 'Ground Control' to remix the track their way.

Originally released on July 11, 1969 to coincide with the Apollo 11 moon landings, "Space Oddity" was featured by the BBC in its television coverage of the lunar event, and the song later won an Ivor Novello award. The song's enigmatic protagonist, Major Tom, has become a recurrent theme throughout Bowie's work and career, and was revisited in the song "Ashes To Ashes."

www.davidbowie.ultimatefanpage.com / www.davidbowie.com

DAVID BOWIE: "Space Oddity (40th Anniversary EP)" (digital)

1. Space Oddity (original U.K. mono single edit)

2. Space Oddity (U.S. mono single edit)

3. Space Oddity (U.S. stereo single edit)

4. Space Oddity (1979 re-record)

Apple Responds, Confirms Foxconn Employee Suicide [Apple]
July 21, 2009 at 1:57 pm

The fact that a Foxconn employee committed suicide or that mistreatment by Foxconn security didn't seem like it was in question, but Apple's official response to the matter just confirms that events did occur at the very least, somewhat along the lines of what was impled.

"We are saddened by the tragic loss of this young employee and we are awaiting results of the investigations into his death," Apple spokeswoman Kristin Huguet told CNET on Tuesday. "We require our suppliers to treat all workers with dignity and respect."

If the allegations of mistreatment do turn up to be true, let's hope Apple drops Foxconn as a supplier, even if it means customers have to pay more for their products. One death is one death too many, and it's not as if Foxconn's mistreatment of workers was a secret before. [CNET]

Toshiba TG01 Passes Through FCC Immigration Gates, Suitcase Full of Snapdragon [Toshiba]
July 21, 2009 at 1:44 pm

Windows Mobile's Great Hardware Hope, the Snapdragon-powered Toshiba TG01, has earned the coveted blessing of the FCC, meaning that it's probably on its way to a US carrier. A CDMA carrier, evidently, so either Sprint or Verizon.

Engadget notes the the approved device is listed as a "production" unit, rather than the typical prototype fare that passes in front of weary bureaucrats' eyes, and takes that to mean that the TG01 is fairly close to launch. Maybe, but definitely not, well, definitely. It's a fair bet that it'll show up somewhere, though, so for now feel free to fantasize (maybe a strong word) about which carrier's product line will absorb this slim beauty. My take: I'd say Sprint could use a healthy WinMo phone, but Verizon needs it more. Now you go. [Engadget]

Mini RC Helicopter is Fueled By USB [USB]
July 21, 2009 at 1:40 pm

As if there weren't enough USB distractions out there already, Brando is now offering a mini RC helicopter than can be refueled from your laptop or desktop.

Beyond that, it appears to be a fairly standard 3-channel helicopter. The way I see it, a USB device should involve the computer in more ways than just a power source. It certainly wouldn't be the first RC device to do so. Still, if you are looking to do something other than work at work, Brando's helicopter isn't going to break the bank at $40. Then again, you could forgo the USB functionality and LEDs, saving yourself a few bucks in the process. [Brando]

Intel Updates SSD Line: A Little Bit Faster, A Little Bit Cheaper [Storage]
July 21, 2009 at 1:15 pm

It's been about a year since Intel's quick-but-pricey Intel's X-series SSDs started the market, so it's about time for refresh. And hey, look: It's a fresh pair of 34nm X25-M drives! (Spoiler: They're almost exactly like the last ones.)

Intel's got a lengthy spiel about how performance has been improved, albeit slightly, by the new fabrication process (they claim a 25% decrease in latency and slightly higher read/write performance), but the core of this upgrade, and the main benefit of switching to 34nm, is a lower price.

Looking again to Intel's claims, there's been a 60% decrease in price for the 80GB and 160GB models compared to original launch prices, which is strictly speaking correct. Thing is, neither of the drives have sold for anything near their initial prices for some time now, so although the new versions, priced at around $225 for the 80GB and $440 for the 160GB, will be more affordable than their predecessors, they won't be budget drives by any means.

It's been a year, so a capacity hike would've been nice. Without that, this feels like a transitional product—a necessary manifestation of solid-state storage's slow crawl toward affordability, if not something many people will be ready to buy. Accordingly, I expect the second generation of 34nm drives to be awesome, so please, be awesome. [Intel]

Samsung BD3252 Blu-ray Home-Theater-in-a-Box Actually Kind of a Deal for $800 [Home Entertainment]
July 21, 2009 at 1:15 pm

A year ago, a thousand bucks got you a Blu-ray home-theater-in-a-box that's downright primitive today. For $800, Samsung's HT-BD3252, packs in a Blu-ray player with Netflix and Pandora streaming, 5.1 surround (1000 watts), an iPod dock and a Wi-Fi dongle.

SAMSUNG UNVEILS ENHANCED HOME THEATER SYSTEM WITH BLU-RAY CREATING POWERFUL HD EXPERIENCE FOR CONSUMERS

New HT-BD3252 delivers cutting-edge video playback, HD Sound, and diverse networking

RIDGEFIELD PARK, N.J. – July 21, 2009 – Samsung Electronics America, Inc., a market leader and award-winning innovator in consumer electronics, today announced the introduction of its new HT-BD3252 home theater system to deliver an enhanced Blu-ray integrated home theater experience for consumers. The new HT-BD3252 combines a high quality viewing experience, with powerful audio and an array of advanced networking options in a boldly designed player that can help convert almost any living space into a premium HD showroom.

Samsung HT-BD3252 Home Theater System Product Pricing and Availability

- Price: $799

- Availability: August 2009

"Samsung has been offering Blu-ray video and HD audio as an integrated and powerful home entertainment package for the last two years, and our continuing drive to bring premium and extraordinarily designed products into consumers' homes is underscored by the HT-BD3252," said Reid Sullivan, senior vice president of audio/video and digital imaging marketing, Samsung Electronics America. "The HT-BD3252 builds on the success of the HT-BD1250 and adds several performance and ease of use enhancements including rear wireless speakers and built-in wireless access to the latest streaming and PC-based multimedia content."

The Samsung HT-BD3252 provides a theater-like sound at home, with an expanded center channel ensuring clear dialogue reproduction and the inclusion of front tallboy and wireless rear speakers delivering notable audio presence and décor-friendly sophisticated style. The system's 1,000W of total power paired together with Samsung's crystal amplifier and unique, bio kelp speaker cones allows consumers to enjoy improved audio detail and dynamics. Samsung's Auto Sound Calibration (ASC) automatically adjusts the speakers to optimum levels and output depending upon their seating position at the touch of a button. Additionally, the system supports decoding of the latest HD audio formats, including Dolby TrueHD™ and DTS-HD Master Audio®.

The Samsung HT-BD3252 touts exceptional video playback with its integrated Blu-ray player, which supports BD-Live™ interactive content (available on select Blu-ray discs) using either the wired Ethernet port, or wirelessly with the included Wi-Fi USB dongle. Consumers can instantly stream the latest SD and HD content from Netflix and access Pandora's library of online music right on their TV (subscriptions required). Starting in the Fall of 2009, BLOCKBUSTER OnDemand service will become available via a future firmware upgrade. For added entertainment options, the HT-BD3252 plays a variety of audio and photo files from a networked PC, a connected USB device, such as a digital camera, or even a portable drive for big-screen sharing with family and friends. Two HDMI-CEC inputs allow for simple, high quality connections to other home entertainment components, while an included iPod®/iPhone® cradle and onscreen display support make it easy to navigate favorite video and audio using the HT-BD3252's remote control.

Samsung Electronics America's press releases, video content and product images are available at www.samsung.com/newsroom.

Specifications

HT-BD3252 Blu-ray Home Theater System

Power

· 1000 Watts total output power

Audio

· 5.1-Channel

· Smart Volume

· Dolby Digital®, Dolby Pro-Logic II®, Dolby Digital Plus™, Dolby Digital True HD™, DTS-HD Master Audio®

· Rear Wireless Included

Connectivity

· Wi-Fi capable with included USB dongle (802.11b/g/n)

· 1 USB 2.0 port with USB HOST functionality

· Made for iPod®/iPhone® with included cradle, onscreen display support, and remote control navigation

· 1 HDMI-CEC output

· 1 Composite output

· 2 HDMI-CEC inputs

· 1 Optical input

· 1 Ethernet port

O Other Features

· Crystal Amplifier

· Bio Kelp Speaker Cones

· Energy Star® compliant

· BD Wise

· BD Profile 2.0-compliant (BD-Live™)

· Plays Netflix SD/HD streaming content (subscription required)

· Plays Pandora streaming audio (subscription required)

· Plays BLOCKBUSTER OnDemand streaming content (via firmware upgrade available in Fall 2009)

· Auto Sound Calibration (ASC) with included microphone

· Wired / wireless PC Streaming of select audio and photo files

Estimated Selling Price

· $799

Availability

· August 2009

[Samsung

Klipsch S4i In-Ear Headset Features Apple's Mic and Remote System [Headphones]
July 21, 2009 at 1:00 pm

If you are looking for an alternative to Apple in-ear headphones, Klipsch is happy to oblige with their new S4i model. Like Apple's version, it includes an integrated microphone and three button remote.

The key to the S4i's dynamic music performance is a moving coil micro-speaker with controlled damping, a feature that allows it to deliver smooth, full-bodied sound similar to a more expensive design. A dual neodymium magnet motor structure, in each of the 8.5 mm drivers, establishes the S4i's damping characteristics. It's a quality that allows kick drums to "attack" and Intermodulation distortion, or IMD, to be significantly reduced.

If you are a real audiophile that trusts Klipsch products, these may be worth picking up. As you might expect, loyalty will cost you—the S4i will run you $100 this August while Apple's headset can be had right now for $80.

New Breakthrough Product: Klipsch® Image S4i In-Ear Headset
One of the first third party headphones with integrated microphone and remote

INDIANAPOLIS, IN (July 21, 2009) - Klipsch plans to re-define the music listening experience with its new Image S4i, an in-ear headset that combines the company's acclaimed sound performance and amazing comfort value with a unique in-line microphone and remote.

"Designed for iPhone and iPod users, the Image S4i is a breakthrough product that simplifies on-the-go lifestyles-you can take calls while commuting or exercising, as well as control your music library," said Don Inmon, Klipsch director of marketing and product development for personal audio.

The Image S4i works seamlessly with the iPhone 3GS, third generation iPod shuffle, second generation iPod touch, fourth generation iPod nano and the iPod classic 120GB. The headset features Apple's advanced three-button microphone and remote system that easily handles the voice and/or music control of these Apple products.

Furthermore, the S4i remote is among the first to be fully compatible with the Apple VoiceOver feature on the third generation iPod shuffle, which allows you to hear the name of the playlist, song or artist with just the press of a button.

According to Paul Jacobs, president and COO of Klipsch Group, Inc., when you combine Apple's incredible products with our 63 years of experience in high-performance audio, you can expect one of the coolest, most advanced headset designs out there. "It's definitely a platform that will dynamically change the music experience for our customers."

Unlike most headsets, the S4i positions its in-line microphone and remote at the yoke-where the two cables meet at chest level-to create a more natural feel when answering calls and controlling music. Because the microphone is a highly intelligible 360-degree design, you don't have to talk down into it; you can speak as if you're having a face-to-face conversation. Additionally, the microphone features echo cancellation, which keeps it from picking up the external noise around you.

Because durability is a major concern when it comes to headphone and headset cables, Klipsch has gone to great lengths to ensure the S4i cables are a well-balanced combination of being robust as well as discreet. The company has added appropriate strain relief at every cable connection point to help prevent wire damage, while also putting them through extensive "real world" testing.

The Image S4i utilizes the company's exclusive oval ear tips that provide comfortable long-term wear. Unlike circular-shaped designs that put stress on the pressure points inside the ear, Klipsch's oval ear tips naturally fit the contours of the ear canals. These ear tips also offer superior passive noise-cancellation, blocking out almost all ambient noise and providing excellent bass.

"Once you have the right fit and seal, these headsets are virtually impossible to feel," said Mark Blanchard, senior acoustic design engineer for Klipsch and inventor of the company's oval ear tips. "When we began studying three-dimensional ear impressions, it was discovered that nearly everyone has an oval-shaped ear canal. We couldn't believe that no one else had yet considered the anatomical shape of the ear canal when designing in-ear headphones."

Blanchard also mentioned that when you wear Klipsch headphones or headsets, you don't need to turn up the volume as loud because a good seal dramatically reduces background noise-a feature that could definitely help preserve your hearing.

The key to the S4i's dynamic music performance is a moving coil micro-speaker with controlled damping, a feature that allows it to deliver smooth, full-bodied sound similar to a more expensive design. A dual neodymium magnet motor structure, in each of the 8.5 mm drivers, establishes the S4i's damping characteristics. It's a quality that allows kick drums to "attack" and Intermodulation distortion, or IMD, to be significantly reduced.

Available in a piano black finish with chrome accents, the Image S4i comes with a two-year warranty and includes a premium carrying pouch; small, medium and large ear tips; small/medium dual flange ear tips; an ear tip cleaning tool; and a clothing clip. Priced at $99.99 (U.S. MSRP), the S4i will be available for purchase at klipsch.com, Apple, InMotion and Amazon in August.

[Klipsch]

How to Build the 1MHz Apollo Guidance Computer For Just $3000 [DIY]
July 21, 2009 at 12:40 pm

$3000. That's how much it costs to build now the $150,000 Apollo Guidance Computer—the first computer to use integrated circuits, with a 1MHz clock, four 16-bits registers, 4K RAM, and 32K ROM—using 1960s-like components.

Designed by the MIT Instrumentation Laboratory and built by Raytheon, the Apollo Guiding Computer was the most advanced computer of its time. It ran a multitasking operating system called EXEC, capable of executing eight jobs simultaneously. What you are seeing above is just the visible part of it, the Dsky user interface, which was mounted in both the Command Module and the Lunar Module. The astronauts had to enter commands and data for the AGC to process using that keyboard, which also gave them feedback beyond the other million lights and indicators in the cockpits.

Back 40 years ago yesterday, the AGC ran into some unexpected problems: Executive overflows alarms fired up, caused by too many interrupts from the rendezvous radar. This radar was intentionally turned on by the astronauts in case there was a need to abort the mission fast. However, this data—coupled with the landing radar's stream—overloaded the AGC causing some commands to be delayed.

As we know Armstrong and Aldrin saved the day, helped by ground control and the programmers. The Eagle landed safely and they all lived happily ever after. If it were 1969, they would still be up there now.

You can try to build your own Apollo Guidance Computer following John Pultorak's full, and exhaustive and huge and dizzying, step-by-step instructions here. [Galaxiki via Universe Today—Image via ibiblio]

Check our complete Apollo 11 coverage here

Did You Know 802.11n Isn't a Final Spec? [Wi-Fi]
July 21, 2009 at 12:30 pm

Given that wireless N routers have been around for two years now, you'd be forgiven for thinking the 802.11n standard was set in stone a longass time ago. Not true! It'll be finalized by September, according to the chairman of the IEEE 802.15 working group on Personal Area Networks. Which doesn't mean a whole lot except a warm fuzzy feeling, since your wireless N routers will keep working like always.

Interesting tidbit, they've run out of letters to stick onto 802.11 for new wireless standards, so they'll be confusingly called things like 802.11ac. [PC Mag]

Motorola Morrison Spied Again, This Time With Android [Motorola]
July 21, 2009 at 12:19 pm

Until this fine morn, rumors that Motorola's hazily-leaked Morrison handset would run Android were just that: Rumors. A second set of shots now gives us a clearer view of the kid-colored piece, including a clear confirmation of its alleged Google-ness.

Aside from Android and a new black faceplate (instead of the toylike white one we saw before), there's really nothing surprising here, and we're left with the same question: Where is Motorola aiming with this? Based on the bright colors, plastic body and apparently small size the going theory is that this'll not only be Motorola's first Android handset, but the T-Mobile's first cheapo Android handset, for texting tweenz and the like—something that's definitely overdue for the free OS, and which should be easily possible with current hardware.

Alternately, this is Motorola's direct competitor for flagship handsets like the Hero, in which case it could quite easily get murdered, to death. [Phandroid]

Android-Based Sony Ericsson Xperia X3 Full Specs and Large Images [Android]
July 21, 2009 at 12:16 pm

Electronics shop Expansys has all the specs on the Android-based Sony Ericsson Xperia X3, large photos included. It looks amazing: 4-inch 800 x 400-pixel touchscreen, 8MP camera with LED flash, VGA video recording, and the yummylicious Rachael user interface. Want.

• Display:
- 800 x 400 pixels/4"
- Touch Sensitive
• Network:
- 2G 850/900/1800/1900 (Quad-Band)
- 3G: 900/2100 (Dual-Band)
- HSDPA (10Mbps)
- HSUPA (2Mbps)
• Camera:
- 8 mega-pixels (auto-focus)
- 8 x Digital Zoom
- LED Flash
- Image Stabilization
- Smile Shutter
- Face Detection
• Video:
- VGA Video Recording
• Music:
- Supported formats: MP3, AAC, eAAC+
• Ringtones:
- Monophonic
- Polyphonic (64)
- MP3
- AAC
• Messaging:
- SMS
- MMS (with video)
- E-mail (POP3, SMTP, IMAP4, MS Exchange)
• Memory:
- Phone Book
- Dialled Calls
- Missed Calls
- Received Calls
- microSDHC (external)
• Call Features:
- Hands Free
- Caller ID
- Voice Dialling
• Connectivity:
- miniUSB
- 3.5mm AV connector
- Bluetooth (2.1)
- Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11g)
• Navigation:
- AGPS

If this is true, I really want one. [Expansys via Phandroid]

Sony Ericsson Xperia X2 Poses Coyly For More Glamor Shots [Sony Ericsson]
July 21, 2009 at 12:00 pm

Maybe hinting at an impending announcement, or possibly in a fit of Rachael-inspired jealousy, the Xperia X2 has exposed itself again, this time from all angles, giving us closer looks at its new body, curious keyboard and bulky profile.

The X2 is expected to get a hefty, if not groundshaking, guts upgrade from the X1, with a 3.5-inch WVGA screen, 512MB of RAM, a faster processor, an 8.1-megapixel camera and, for god's sake, finally, Windows Mobile 6.5. Spec updates like this are always welcome, but I'm not so sure about the new styling: Sleek lines and a deceptively thin-looking angular design were strong points for the X1, so it's disconcerting to see a blobbier, altogether fatter-looking X2. Of course, none of these things will matter if Sony Ericsson continues to blindly price this line into oblivion. No word on that front, unfortunately.

UPDATE: Oh, wow: Here are some shots of the alleged Android Xperia X3. If these are real, the X2 could well be obsolete, at least in consumers' eyes, before it even comes out. Sad. Also: dumb. [XDA via BGR]

Terrifying Alpine Roller Coaster Is Just One Faulty Screw Away From Death [Summermodo]
July 21, 2009 at 11:40 am

Ah, the Alps. I always enjoyed my vacations there. Fresh air, sun, good food, breathtaking scenery... a perfect place for relaxation, yodeling, and massive jacuzzi ~~orgies~~parties. And—looking at the world's highest roller coaster video—a perfect place to die.

It's called Alpine Coaster and is located at the Glacier 3000 ski area, with views to the Montblanc, the Matterhorn and the Jungfrau mountains. One kilometer long, the roller coaster races down the slopes with ten curves, six waves, three jumps and two bridges. And plenty of empty space below for you to fall down. There, only $56 stand and a faulty screw between you and sure death. [Techeblog—Thanks Noah !]

The Broomba Self-Propelled Broom For Harry Potter Fans [Robots]
July 21, 2009 at 11:20 am

Unfortunately, the Broomba doesn't clean up after you like a Roomba might, but it does travel autonomously around the room cackling and playing scary music.

As menacing as that sounds, this evil can be stopped in it's tracks by carpet, stairs and / or a gentle push. It can also be humiliated by children attempting to play Quidditch. [Grandinroad via TGH via OhGizmo via Likecool]

Samsung's New 'Viral' Video Doesn't Even Try to Look Real [Viral Videos]
July 21, 2009 at 11:00 am

Maybe I'm a cynic, but this seems like the laziest stab at making a "viral" video yet. Samsung wants to promote their new Jet phone, so they pretended they pulled a crazy stunt in London.

The video shows a very fake-looking UFO coming in over Piccadilly Circus and elephants bungee jump out of it. OK. Then they interview people who are so amazed by the thing they didn't just see.

If you're going to do something crazy in public to promote your phone, actually do it. Then again, I'm posting it, so what do I know? [Brainstorm 9 via NotCot]

HTC Hero Review: Ambitious, But Tragically Flawed [Review]
July 21, 2009 at 10:20 am

It's the Android phone we've been waiting for. Almost.

The HTC Hero is as much a champion for HTC as it is for Android: It's the first genuinely gorgeous piece of hardware running Android, and the Sense UI is the most ambitious, polished software HTC has developed yet. It doesn't have a carrier in the US yet, but as Android's headline phone, it makes the just-launched myTouch 3G on T-Mobile a lame duck. It's the most important Android phone to date, since it's the first one to really give us at peek at just what Android is capable of.

The Hero is flawed, though, in ways that are truly depressing in light of its potential and how much it does get truly right: It's often sluggish, which absolutely destroys the user experience. It's a particularly unfortunate affliction as the iPhone 3GS and Palm Pre emphasize speed, making the Hero feel that much slower.

Design and Build
It's daring. While phone design lately has been all about shedding hard lines and angles to form slick, nearly shapeless blobs, the Hero is strikingly angular, like a retrofuturistic sci-fi communicator. You almost expect to see Kirk's mug when you turn it on. Its chin juts out with more force than the Dream (aka G1) and Magic (aka Ion, myTouch 3G) combined. Which is appropriate, since the entire phone feels rugged, durable and manly, like an action star that breaks concrete and bad guys and Hot Pockets with his jaw.

The angles don't just give it a sense of Star Trek machismo—they're what make it so comfortable to hold. While the basic silhouette of the phone resembles the Dream and Magic, the left and right edges taper from the display's bezel at about a 45-degree angle, giving your hand a serendipitously positioned surface to grasp.

Compared to the Hero, the Dream feels bulky and clumsy, while the Magic feels like a cheap plastic toy (this is partly because the Hero weighs more, about as much as the iPhone). The back on the darker phones is rubberized, more so than the Dream, so rubbing it a lot makes your hand feel weird, sweaty and dried out at the same time. (The magical Teflon coating is reserved for the white phones.)

On the face, there are six buttons—the same set as the Magic, though back and search are now part of the same rocker button, set to the right of the more-pronounced trackball. I would've preferred the back and search buttons split apart, both for functional (it's easy to press search when you mean back) and aesthetic (read: symmetry) reasons.

Despite its more aggressive shape, Hero is noticeably thinner than the Dream, and ever-so-slightly thicker than the iPhone, though it's a bit shorter and narrower. The Hero feels more secure and natural in your hand than both, though less comfortable in your pocket, because its fat jaw makes people think you're happy to see them, or that you've shrunk Jay Leno and shoved him in your pocket just to give Conan a break.

HARDWARE
Display
If you've used the Dream or Magic, the 480x320 screen will seem like an old friend. It's still really good. Next to the Dream, while the brightness is the same, it's very obviously warmer, however—like on the same order of magnitude as the jump from the original iPhone to the iPhone 3G. The color temperature seems fairly close to the iPhone 3G, actually, maybe even warmer, though it's hard to tell precisely since the iPhone 3G's screen is a tiny bit brighter.

It is a multitouch display, as the other Android phones, but this time it's actually enabled. The first time you pinch to zoom out in the browser, the feeling is both shock and matter-of-factness: "Holy crap, multitouch, this is so much better than those stupid plus and minus buttons," followed by "of course this is better, where the hell was it before?" While the touch accuracy is very good, I would rate it slightly behind the iPhone and Pre, and equal to or slightly better than the Dream. However, I suspect this is at least partially a software issue. It is good enough to type confidently, at any rate.

Camera and Photos
Is there a way to disable autofocus? It's the Achilles' Heel of the Hero's biggest spec upgrade over the Dream and Magic: the 5-megapixel camera. It's maddeningly slow, even with brightly lit subjects. I mean like, up to four seconds after I push the trackball to take the shot kind of slow. Which, by the way, when you're holding the sideways like a point-and-shoot is about as a dumb an input method for snapping a photo as the iPhone's touch button, since the natural inclination to use your thumb is met by the scary reality of the phone slipping from your hand if you're trying to naturally shoot one-handed, unless you've got it in a awkward death grip between your thumb fat and index finger. Just add a dedicated camera button to the side that's natural easy to click and that instantly activates the camera app, like if I were shooting with a real camera, 'kay? Thanks.

Back to the actual photos. They're a mixed bag. While some of the low light shots are somewhat impressive for how much you can actually see, and certainly better than what the Dream takes—at night in the rain, and of the delicious pizza at Keste—the daylight shots range from thoroughly mediocre to shockingly bad. Check out the blacks in that street sign. Mosey on over to some samples from the N97's 5MP shooter and the iPhone 3GS's camera to see why these are so disappointing. Also, um, where the hell is some flash? Not even asking for crazy Xenon strobe lights, some LED action would be just fine.

Video isn't a much happier story—the max resolution is 352x288, though the default is 340x280, which we shot sample video below in. Motion looks pixels running through time warp blender.

All in all, the camera, which should've been one of the biggest points over the previous Android phones, falls flat, like if someone had a tummy tuck, and instead of coming out all skinny, they had a bunch of loose skin hanging around. But the software is fair enough—you can adjust settings like white balance and exposure, and it takes just two clicks to upload a photo to Twitter, Facebook, Picasa, Flickr, or send via email or MMS. The photo album app is slick enough, and features another guest appearance by multitouch, whose zoom gestures suspiciously match the iPhone's.

Guts and Miscellany
Powering Hero is 528MHz processor virtually identical to one inside the Dream and Magic, and it has the same 288MB of RAM as the latter. Frankly, it's not enough. At least not with HTC's custom user interface, more than a couple of widgets and an application running. Killing all of the widgets—especially the Twitter one—does help. But moments where the phone does nothing for a second or three after you've tapped, flicked or swiped happens far too often. Which is to say, a lot, especially after it's been on for more than an hour. Fast, totally smooth transition animations are infrequent enough I'm pleasantly surprised when a desktop screen immediately and gracefully slides to the left or right without a hiccup. It's frustrating.

But holy mother of god, there's a 3.5mm jack. And it's not even a cruel joke where you need a special dongle to make your headphones fit, even—they just work. You have to pop off the back cover to get to the microSDHC card slot, but you don't pull out the 1350mAh battery to get to it, at least. There's no futile plastic cover hiding the mini USB port, which retains HTC's typical funky shape. Speaking of the battery, HTC claims it will net you 420 minutes of talk time over 3G, though we never got the chance to test its 3G capabilities (or deficiencies)—this phone is a final product for the UK, but it doesn't run on the 3G bands used by AT&T or T-Mobile.

To roll all of that up into a pair of bullet points: It's fantastically designed and sculpted, amending many of HTC's past sins, but it needs more processing powah and a better camera.

SOFTWARE
This is not a Google phone. Android is the hidden golem running stuff behind the scenes, but the Hero is HTC's show. The scope of Sense UI is remarkable—it goes way, way beyond a skin, and shows just how radically Android can be transformed.

The stock Android user interface isn't ugly, but it is wildly inconsistent—text messaging looks completely different from mail, which is nothing like Google Talk, and settings and the Android Marketplace have another look entirely. HTC's user interface has a (mostly) consistent look across the phone. Most of the oh-so-glossy interface looks like it was molded out of plastic, with nots of black and the occasional shock of neon green, plenty of gradients ,and no corner that isn't rounded. Universally, text is white on black in menus, and black on white within apps. It looks polished, if philosophically somewhat less sophisticated than the webOS's user interface.

As long the phone's not bogged down by more than a couple widgets, it surprisingly does move slightly faster than the standard Android interface on the Dream. The main apps list pops up quicker, apps launch a smidge sooner, desktop spaces slide from one to the other with just as much snap. Unfortunately, the limit's pretty thin—if you run one of the widget-heavy scenes (more below) and have an app in the background, the performance benefit dies with a whimper. But otherwise, what HTC's done here borders on incredible, especially when you consider the garbage they were crapping out just over a year ago.

Desktop and Widgets
The way you unlock the phone is weirdly emblematic of the Hero's UI, and how it at times makes expected behaviors an unpleasant surprise: If simply you stare at the screen, it's not immediately obvious how'd you go about unlocking it. Fumbling around the screen for a few seconds with your fingers, you'd probably wind up tapping the curved steel bar that cuts across the screen 2/3 of the way down. It'll tell you to drag the screen down. But if you slide your finger down from the top of the screen, nothing will happen. Not until you reach the bar, at which point the lock screen will slide away like a window shade in reverse.

Or you could've just pressed the menu button, which the standard Android would helpfully tell you. Oops.

Like Android, HTC's interface has multiple desktop spaces—but like, seven of them. On the bottom is a persistent HUD with one-touch access to the phone app and main app list, which works pretty damn well as an interface convention. There are widgets, oh what widgets. Besides the stock Android ones, HTC supplies 15 categories of their own. They're pretty, and useful, for the most part. There's the familiar HTC flip clock with local weather, naturally.

But the interesting widgets are ones like the Twitter widget, so you can read recent tweets or update your status without opening up the Peep Twitter app (more on that in a bit); messaging preview, with a rotating carousel of recent text messages; a favorite contacts list; and a handful of settings widgets that give you instant access to Wi-Fi and other settings toggles. Some of them are unexpectedly limited, as an example of the bad surprises mentioned above: You can't actually send a text message from the preview widget, though you can tweet from the Twitter one.

More than that, the Hero has multiple desktop themes, with different backgrounds, widgets and shortcuts, called Scenes. It comes with ~~nine~~ six, like this "work" scene packed with a pair of clocks and a calendar, and over to the side, email and stock widgets (since everybody who works looks at stocks right?). You can save custom configurations as well. It takes a couple seconds to switch from one scene to another, but being able to completely rearrange your entire desktop almost instantly around whatever you're doing at the time is incredibly awesome, especially if you're trying to maintain some kind of work/life balance. The problem is that if you load up a scene with a ton of widgets, it kicks the phone's performance in the nuts, so you're better off running lean.

Smartly, HTC left Android's brilliant dropdown window shade alone for background notifications, so it still does its thing, same as always. But with all of the other work HTC did, it actually makes us want the universal search coming in Donut that much more.

Contacts and Social Networking
The Hero pulls one hell of a Palm Pre Synergy turn with the way it handles your contacts and social networking. When you turn on the phone for the first time, it asks for your Facebook, Twitter and Flickr logins—after your Google one, natch. But rather than dump all 900 of your Facebook friends into your contacts like the Pre, it keeps the friends list in the background for when you need it. Instead, you have to link up Facebook and Flickr profiles to your contacts manually. This is a pain, for sure, but the Facebook connection here is deeper and more useful than what the Palm Pre makes of it.

As you scroll down your contacts list—which has the familiar iPhone whiplash when you hit the bottom—if you've linked someone to a Facebook profile, under their name it'll show their most recent status update from Facebook. A contact's page is divided into six tabs: The main contact tab, with their numbers, email address, photo and birthday (the latter two are pulled down via Facebook); text messages, with all of your SMS conversations; email history (from HTC's app only); their recent Facebook updates and events; albums, with their Facebook and Flickr photo albums, and at the end, call history (which shows you what's really important here). It's not the single flowing stream of conversation across multiple networks that the Pre offers—it's more like an organized collection that manages to be in some ways, both more functional and oddly less fulfilling than the Pre's Synergy. What's utterly bizarre is that it doesn't just fail to integrate any kind of IM—even Google Talk—or Twitter status into the profiles, it's completely blind to anything going on with actual Google apps, even Gmail. Maybe HTC's software isn't allowed to access that data on the phone, but it's a pretty stunning gap in what's otherwise the best attempt since the Pre to pool the vast amount of social data and connections you likely have into a single place.

Also somewhat strange is that while you can access your Facebook friends list to assign them to contacts and update your status from your own contact page, there's not an actual Facebook app to do any real Facebooking. Same deal with Flickr, though it's easy enough to upload photos and see your friends albums. It's made more mystifying by the fact that HTC includes its own Twitter app, called Peep, which is built on top of Twidroid. HTC's app is more stripped down, but it's also prettier and easier to use, even if it still isn't quite as nice as some of the better iPhone apps. The Twitter widget for the desktop is slick, if a bit slow, both to refresh and react. But hey, at least you don't have to fire up Peep every time you wanna kill 30 seconds checking out Twitter.

Browser
The other major upgrade HTC made to Android is the browser: They've tacked on not just Flash support, but multitouch. Now that Palm's whipped its balls out, I guess nobody's afraid of Apple anymore, since the gestures are identical to the iPhone's: Pinch to zoom out, spread to zoom in. The implementation is jankier—zooming sometimes happens really really fast, so you're nowhere near the zoom level you wanted, and sometimes it drags. But it still beats clicking stupid little plus and minus buttons. Flash support is more miss than hit—don't expect to play Hulu videos (crash), or YouTube videos (they just won't play, no matter how many times you mash the giant play button). Looks like we'll have to wait for that more official implementation this fall, for a real solution. But, uh, at least something is there? Regardless, the core WebKit browser is still one of the best mobile browsers around.

Keyboard and Text Input
While HTC only puffed up the keys a tiny bit, the keyboard is noticeably more comfortable and accurate than the standard Android soft keyboard on the Dream and Magic, and while it's closer than ever, it's still not quite as good the iPhone's. (But it's still pretty damn good.) They managed to carve out some extra room by shrinking the number/symbol key, which was made feasible by giving you an alternate way to type numbers and symbols. Long pressing a key acts like shift—the floating pop-up from the key will turn into its alternate symbol or number. I've gotten fast enough with the iPhone's method of alternate key input that I felt slowed down every time I stopped to punch in a number, but this actually seems more logical for beginning touchscreen typists.

My biggest gripe about text input is the autocomplete bar that hovers above what you're typing, constantly offering suggestions, ready to leap into action at a tap of the space bar. As far as word prediction and correction goes, it's pretty decent—neither as sentient or aggressive as the iPhone—but the bar is totally obnoxious. I can't help but think "get the hell out of my way" most of the time I'm typing, even as it's helping me type better, faster. Isn't there a way to make it more subtle?

For the uninitiated, copy and paste works like this—put your finger down on the text until a context menu pops up. Tap "select text" and then using the trackball to highlight whatever text you wanna copy. Push the trackball, and it'll let you copy it. Long-press the screen or hold down the trackball, and you can paste. Not quite as fast as the iPhone's implementation, but more elegant than the Pre's finger gymnastics.

Music and Video
Sweet christ, Android needs a media syncing application. Dragging and dropping just doesn't cut it now that the Hero has a real live 3.5mm headphone jack, especially given the awkward way you have to mount and unmount the SD card when you plug into your computer. Fix that crap, seriously. Otherwise, the music player listicle interface cribs a bit more liberally from the iPhone's than the stock Android UI, but otherwise it's pretty standard, and all of our MP3s and album art imported and played just dandy.

Video is another issue. HTC boasts that Hero natively supports MPEG-4, H.263, H.264 and Windows Media Video 9. We couldn't get WMV files to play it all, and the playback quality of the MPEG-4 and H.264 videos we dropped onto it were asstastic—choppy and full of artifacts. Maybe we just done did it wrong, but that just shows why it needs a media syncing application. Also, it's not immediately apparent that to play videos, you have to go into the albums app, where it stores your photos. A dedicated video app would be nice (yes, we know there are ones available in the Android Market, but if HTC's gonna go all out, they should go all out).

Messaging and Mail
Speaking of typing on the toilet (or just typing), HTC replaces the default email client—not Gmail, that's still there and the same as always—with their own, which supports IMAP4, POP3 and, oh yeah, Exchange out of the box. It's a pretty decent email app—full HTML support and the like—but it also has a threaded conversation view and lets you separate attachments. Messaging is also skinned, though the changes are more subtle—it uses HTC's universal scheme with rounded corners and black text on white, but the threaded conversation view also uses contacts' photos as icons, so it looks more like an IM conversation.

Phone
I find the standard Android dialer interface to be less confusing, honestly, since it's immediately obvious how to get to your call log, favorites, and contacts, though the Hero does have sleeker dial buttons. (With the Hero's you have to type menu.) When you start dialing a number manually, it starts pulling up contacts that match the number, which is a neat touch. Call quality is better than average—not knock-you-on-your-ass loud and clear, but it's good.

Google Apps and Android Marketplace
The Google apps, as far as we can tell are the exact same as they are on the other Android phones: Maps is Maps, Gmail's Gmail, Google Talk is the same, you get the idea. They're all still great. The Marketplace has gotten way more mature over the last 8 months—enough what we run a monthly roundup of Android apps that's increasingly packed with bigger names in software. In short, 9 months after launch, the Marketplace is very nearly ready for the masses.

Conclusion
The Hero is a really good phone. It might even be a great phone. HTC's done a fairly remarkable job transforming Android's rough surface into something slick and glossy and palatable while integrating social networking features that go beyond any phone but the Pre. And the Android Marketplace has come into its own, so that as a platform, Android easily stands up there with the other major smartphone OSes.

The biggest drag on the phone is that it, well, drags way too often, smooshing the other solid user experience into a goopy ooze of the awesome sauce that you hoped the Hero would be. It's like finding out that Arnold is actually a 110-pound French guy in an inflatable suit. The performance issues are persistent enough to tarnish what HTC has done, especially considering that Android already feels slower than the iPhone 3GS. Which adds to the feeling that in the end, as much spitshine as HTC has rubbed all over Android, it's still not quite as polished or elegant as the iPhone or Palm Pre. With two companies compromising on the interface, perhaps it never can be.

That said, the Hero is still the best Android phone yet. The phone's design, revamped interface and features like totally integrated profiles carry it over the rest of the (admittedly small) Android pack, and make it a real alternative to the iPhone and Pre, even if it doesn't quite rise to meet the occasion. It sets a new standard for the overall Android package by showing the potential for future phones with beautiful, powerful hardware and awesome custom interfaces, even if it falls somewhat short of brilliance itself.

iPhone Push May Be Sending AIM Messages to Random People [IPhone]
July 21, 2009 at 9:57 am

According to developer Till Schadde, random people may be receiving your AIM messages if you have a jailbroken or unlocked iPhone. In fact, anyone with a jailbroken iPhone may be getting them, according to his testing:

Just found a HUGE #security #hole w/ push & AIM. Someone got my sent messages and wrote back. DO NOT send confidential AIM msg to #iPhone

#iPhone #push #security #hole:my msg was received by an hacked iPhone w/ push service hack; msg seems to be broadcasted to all hacked phones

Take extreme caution when sending AIM msg to people w/ hacked iPhones. Push service broadcasts your msg to strangers. Pls RT

@martinhering there seems to be a brand new hack that reactivates push with the effect that received msg are broadcasted to strangers

Here's a screenshot the random receiver of my msgs sent me back http://twitpic.com/b3bct I used iChat on a Mac #iPhone #push #security #hole

The problem seems a result from a hack to avoid Apple's jailbroken/unlocked iPhone push blockade, so if you haven't used any of this, keep sending your kinky messages to your mistress or master as usual. Otherwise, zip it. [Twitter via CrunchGear]

Devotec Portable Solar Speaker Enjoys Long Walks On the Beach, Bluetooth [Speakers]
July 21, 2009 at 9:46 am

Battery constraints are the biggest hindrance to portable speakers, especially when they use power-sucking Bluetooth streaming. Devotec's Solar Sound Bluetooth Speakers should help oceanside podcast listeners, backyard music aficionados and tailgate dance partiers relax a little but harder.

Devotec says their speaker, which features dual 2W drivers, Bluetooth A2DP and AVRCP support, 3.5mm hard input, and an impressive, smartphone-sized 1500mAh battery, will last about 8 hours on a single charge—which takes four hours to attain by USB, and anywhere from 12-24 hours by sunlight—and could last longer if the battery is concurrently fed with the inbuilt solar panel.

$96 is fairly steep for this minuscule speaker, but it doesn't skimp on extras: it's controlled by means of a touch-sensitive button panel, and a built-in microphone lets the little brick act as an amplified speakerphone. Available now. [Geeky Gadgets]

Rumor: iPod Touch with Camera and Microphone Coming [Apple]
July 21, 2009 at 9:28 am

According to a "well-connected Wired's source," Apple's Chinese contractors are already churning out iPod touch units with integrated cameras and microphones. A classic rumor that may transform the smart media player into almost-an-iPhone, thanks Wi-Fi hotspots and 3G-to-Wi-Fi hubs.

According to Wired's source, they will go on sale in "two to three months." If I were AT&T, I would be very nervous about the prospect of Apple eventually gaining carrier independence with a 100% VoIP solution. The plot, boys and girls, is thickening. [Wired]

14-yo Boy Drinks Gasoline to be like Optimus Prime [Transformers]
July 21, 2009 at 8:50 am

I remember the boys jumping off roofs and windows when Superman came out back in 1978 (girls, being a lot smarter than boys, don't do these stupid things). Looks like Transformers has had a similar effect in one boy:

Since my son started to drink gas, his IQ has dropped sharply and now he can't figure out simple addition and subtraction. Before that, he was a very smart boy, and he could even repair the television. But now he does not know the answer of 7 plus 17.

No kidding. The worrying thing is that it took a long time for the parents to realize that his son's habits could be bad for him. How long?

He began to drink gasoline five years ago, when we found he liked smelling lighter fuel.

Five years? FIVE FRAKING YEARS? According to the doctors at the Shanghai hospital where he's being treated "the gasoline contains a lot of lead, which can do harm to people's brains. To make thing even worse, the boy is in the physical development stage, and the lead has caused serious damage to his body." Apparently, the parents have been drinking kerosene for the longest time too.

Poor kid, seriously. I hope the parents get their ass in jail for incompetence. The only positive thing in this story: At least he wasn't tased. [Shangai Daily via slashfilm—Thanks Gitemsteve!]

Public Radio iPhone App Adds On-Demand Content, Accidentally Kills FM Radio [IPhone Apps]
July 21, 2009 at 8:31 am

A few weeks ago, LA's KCRW set the gold standard for radio station apps: a streaming client with access to a huge back catalog of on-demand station content. Public Radio Player 2.0 does the same thing—for everyone.

Since the start, Public Radio Player has listed a sizable number of NPR stations across the country, all of which are listenable via live streaming. Given the countless other radio app available for the iPhone, the only real advantage to using version 1.0 was that, if you spent the time to look, you could find just about any NPR or PRI show you wanted playing somewhere.

Version 2.0 provides comprehensive station schedules to make program-hunting easier, but more importantly, provides access to the often generous back catalogs from various stations, meaning that you can get any public radio programming you want on demand, for free. It's a fairly incredible deal for NPR addicts, who'll now be able to fine-tune their daily feed of dulcet, strangely androgynous news and lifestyle coverage to perfection. [Ars]

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