Three games I want to see on the iPhone now

Now that Apple has shown the world its plans for the future of the iPhone, I can't help but wonder what kind of games will be available on the device. And although EA showed off the wildly anticipated Spore, here's a quick list of some other titles that I hope will populate Apple's App store in June.

1. Sonic the Hedgehog

Who can forget that cuddly Sega character from years ago? Not only did the blue hedgehog enjoy moving quickly through levels, he offered a unique style of gameplay that made playing the title both fun and interesting. In a perfect world, the game would offer the kind of graphics we all loved from the Genesis days and use the iPhone's accelerometer to move the spiked one left and right, while the Home button would be used to jump. Reasonable price: £2.50

2. Super Mario Bros.

Call it cliche, but wouldn't it be great if you could jump through tubes and save Princess Peach on an iPhone? Of course, not every Mario title would be best. If you ask me, the only way to make the franchise popular on Apple's device is to bring back the old days of Mario ugliness and let me jump with the Home button while I move the plumber with the accelerometer. Reasonable price: £2.50

3. Pong

I know what you're thinking: "Pong? Are you crazy? Pong?" Yes. Pong. What if I said two-player Pong using the iPhone's accelerometer over a Wi-Fi connection? I'll bet that changes your tune. Here's my vision: you and a friend both own iPhones and decide Pong is the game for you (which it is). Upon downloading it, you establish a connection with each other via Wi-Fi and use the iPhone's accelerometer to move your paddles. Can you say, mega-hit? Reasonable price: £25 (come on, you know it would be great)

Source: http://www.tech.co.uk/home-entertainment/gaming/news/three-games-i-want-to-see-on-the-iphone?articleid=656725953

Lighting GT : First UK’s Electric Sportscar for 2008

Finally, lighting car company has released the first UK’s electric sportscar, the Ligtning GT. The focus point of this sportscar is not the top speed, but rather its electric power that will deliver 700+ HP from its wheel-mounted electric motors charged by just your home electric plugs. There is no price tag yet, hopefully we can see this car in a realistic version instead of just rendering. With virtually no polluting emissions, this energy-efficient car uses clean technology and will have the ultimate green rating.

Source: http://www.tuvie.com/lighting-gt-first-uks-electric-sportscar-for-2008

Novitec Rosso Ferrari F430 Race

Not content with its previous 656hp twin-supercharged F430, German tuner and Ferrari specialist Novitec Rosso has now upgraded the car to ‘Race’ spec. Power is up by an additional 51hp, giving it an Enzo-beating 707hp and decimating the standard F430 which makes do with just 490hp.

At the heart of the new tuning kit is a twin-supercharger engine with boost pressure increased to 0.48bar. Modifications to the previous kit include new turbine vanes and bigger water-cooled intercoolers. The V8 engine is further fitted with an entirely new heat-insulated intake manifold with larger ports and high-performance air filters, and a special air duct in the underfloor routes cooling air to the engine.

The injection system is fitted with larger injection nozzles. On the exhaust side, low-pressure sport catalysts work in conjunction with a stainless-steel high-performance exhaust system with electronically controlled flap ensure optimal gas evacuation. Weight saving mods include the addition of lightweight carbon-fiber piping and a new carbon hood.

The end result is a peak output of 707hp at 8,350rpm and 712Nm of torque at 6,300rpm. The sprint from rest to 100km/h is shortened by half a second to 3.5 seconds. After just 10.5 seconds the car reaches 200km/h. The 300km/h barrier is shattered after 29.9 seconds. In combination with longer gear ratios available upon request the top speed grows from 315 km/h to 348 km/h.

Complimenting the engine upgrade is a number of changes including modifications to the aerodynamics, tires, suspension and brakes. The body gets a new front spoiler, rocker panels and a custom rear diffuser. Upon customer request a rear wing can be added as well. Black-tinted taillights and lateral turn signals complete the tuned look. Pricing for the new kit starts at €51,260.

Source: http://www.motorauthority.com/news/supercars/novitec-rosso-ferrari-f430-race/

New Pagani ‘C9′ supercar due next year

Pagani may not have had anything new for this year’s Geneva Motor Show but that doesn’t mean the Italian supercar manufacturer isn’t planning anything new for the coming year. Latest reports claim a brand new model will be launched next year and a new factory will be opened to boost output necessary to build cars for a worldwide market.

Production of the current Zonda supercar is expected to end within the next 12 months because its AMG-prepped 7.3L V12 will no longer be available, reports AutoWeek. The new model, codenamed C9, will instead replace the Zonda next year and will feature a new V8 engine. According to the source, the new car will be unveiled at next year’s Geneva Motor Show.

Pagani is also expected to be moving to a new production facility, which reportedly will allow it to lift production to around 60 cars per year from the current 16. The new C9 model will also be homologated for new markets, which means it could also be sold in the U.S. and Japan.

Pictured above is a rendering for Pagani’s most recent model, the still yet to be launched race-track Zonda R. The car will feature a 750hp V12 and will be produced in a limited run of just ten cars.

Source: http://www.motorauthority.com/news/supercars/new-pagani-supercar-due-next-year/

Another Touchscreen Phone But Wait, This One Has A Surprise!

Check out this concept mobile phone called the Mooon+. One too many “o’s” in there but I appreciate the clean design. It’s got that big gorgeous touchscreen, sleek design, sexy metal accents, and a digital camera. So what’s the big deal right? The mouth piece detaches and turns into a bluetooth headset. Ooh snap, I love it!

Text from the designer: an innovative communication device which has separable bluetooth headset equipped, and also able to attach the headset to the phone when it’s not in use, simultaneously charging itself.


Source: http://www.yankodesign.com/index.php/2008/03/06/another-touchscreen-phone-but-wait-this-one-has-a-surprise/

HTC Shift UMPC Now Available in the US

It took damn near forever, but the HTC Shift—the UMPC that was supposed to change your mind about UMPCs has finally hit store shelves in the states. To refresh your memory, the features include an 800 Mhz processor, Vista Business, 1GB RAM, a 40GB HD, Quad-Band GSM/GPRS/EDGE, HSDPA/UMTS, WiFi and Bluetooth. Unfortunately, it will cost you more than many conventional laptops at $1629.99.


Source: http://gizmodo.com/364946/htc-shift-umpc-now-available-in-the-us

PosiMotion's G-Fi: another WiFi GPS accessory for the iPhone

Although we just saw the Nav N Go / Gomite prototype demonstrated yesterday, a company called PosiMotion claims that it has the "world's first wireless GPS" accessory for the iPhone. To prove it, they've launched a two-page website. Fishing for some of that iFund dough are we boys? Anyway, according to the site the G-Fi WiFi GPS receiver will support the iPhone and iPod touch and is expected to ship this summer. Really though, how much confidence will VCs have in an upstart still running on the ol' Cingular network?


Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/07/posimotions-g-fi-another-wifi-gps-accessory-for-the-iphone/

Tata boss backs Jaguar F-Type

There have been plenty of rumors circulating about Jaguar planning a new lightweight sports car to rival the likes of the Porsche 911 but until now we haven’t had any substantial evidence that officials were even contemplating the car. Speaking at this week’s Geneva Motor Show, Tata Group Chairman Ratan Tata said he would be “delighted” to have the new sports car in Jaguar’s future lineup.

When further questioned about the car, Tata said he had a “strong view about it,” which leaves little doubt as to whether the car will be given the green light. Ford, which is expected to announce Tata as the official new owner of Jaguar and Land Rover any week now, recently invited Tata management for a presentation concerning future models for both of the British marques. Tata said that he would back all of the future model programs, reports AutoWeek. “What we see, we like and the technologies are very impressive,” he said.

Some of the other rumored cars include coupe and cabrio versions of the new XF saloon, a reskinned XJ flagship and possibly an XK-based sports sedan.

Land Rover, meanwhile, is expected to introduce aluminum construction for its next-generation Range Rover and Range Rover Sport models as well as launch a production version of the LRX Concept.

Source: http://www.motorauthority.com/cars/jaguar/tata-boss-backs-jaguar-f-type/

Samsung Adds a Little Elegance With The PAVV 650 LCD TV

Panasonic has added more TVs to their PAVV line, this time three high-end LCDs at 40, 46 and 52 inches. Incorporating a new LCD panel, dubbed "crystal rose", the TVs have slim-bezel cases with touches of red which at least makes them a dash more elegant than the usual run-of-the-mill black boxes. Samsung have also upped the eco-friendliness by avoiding volatile organic compounds in the design. The screens are 120Hz, full HD and use the Digital Natural Engine technology. They'll be available in Korea at first, then worldwide by the end of April, for between $3,375 and $6,120.


Source: http://gizmodo.com/364495/samsung-adds-a-little-elegance-with-the-pavv-650-lcd-tv

Nav N Go's iGO My Way 8 GPS -- iPhone, iPod touch edition

Here we go, the first honest to goodness GPS solution for the iPhone. Having already brought the solution to the PSP, Nav N Go have now worked their iGo My Way 8 magic into Apple's touchscreen devices. The prototype on display at CeBIT supports turn by turn directions and location finding via a WiFi key or fob. The WiFi key receives the GPS data and retransmits over WiFi while the fob offers the option to directly attach the unit to the iPhone or iPod Touch's docking port. Expect to hear more about these official 3rd party apps during our coverage of Apple's SDK launch event later today.

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/06/video-nav-n-gos-igo-my-way-8-gps-iphone-ipod-touch-edition/

Logitech's Squeezebox Duet gets reviewed

You've had ample time to mull over the specs and even take a glance at Logitech's Squeezebox Duet on video, but if you've still been holding off until a legitimate review gave you the final thumbs-up, here goes. According to CNET, this network digital audio system has a remote worth swooning over, very satisfactory file support and a certain charm that's only truly experienced when tuning into internet radio stations (yeah, it does that too). 'Course, not everything was entirely rosy, as the scroll wheel was knocked for being unresponsive at times and of course, the inability to play nice with DRM-strapped files from the iTMS or Zune Marketplace (among others) was somewhat of a letdown. Still, for those dealing with tunes that are free and clear of restrictions, the Duet seems like a solid choice -- hit up the read link for more proof.


Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/06/logitechs-squeezebox-duet-gets-reviewed/

A shoe with built in CD player

Check out this cool design concept of CD Player Shoe (or what ever you want to call it). As you can see from the picture, this shoe has everything you need to play your favorite CDs, including a CD player, speaker and a knob for volume. But, I think you would have some real “skipping” problems with this one, if it really exists.

Source: http://www.iluvgadget.com/design-and-concept/a-shoe-with-built-in-cd-player

Warner Music goes DRM-free in Europe

Universal and Sony BMG soon to follow suit

Online music store 7digital today claimed to be the first major European download store to offer tracks from Warner in a DRM-free MP3 format, compatible with virtually any digital music device.

The online music store will make selected albums from Warner Music's repertoire available for a limited promotional period at the price of £5/€6.99. It also plans to offer 'value-added album bundles that contain additional content' in order to offer online consumers better value for money and a viable reason to NOT try to obtain their music freely via P2P file sharing.

7digital has been selling EMI's back catalogue in MP3 since April of last year and the company's marketing director, Peter Davis informed TechRadar earlier today that he expects the other two of 'the big four' major music labels, Sony BMG and Universal to follow suit by this summer.

"The only other store that carries DRM-free Warner tunes is Amazon in the US," said Davis, referring to the fact that Amazon's US store already sells DRM-free music from all the above-mentioned major music labels and it is expected that its UK and European stores will also follow suit sometime later this year.

Play.com announced its PlayDigital service last month in the UK, but EMI is the only big label involved, alongside independents.

Universal and Sony to follow

"We are also talking to Universal and Sony BMG about distributing their catalogues in a DRM-free format - we're talking to them quite a lot about switching over and there are lots of tests going on throughout the world with MP3," 7digital's Davis told us.

"We believe they will come on board around summertime this year," he added. "They are following the trend that the market is taking in the last 18 months... firstly EMI, then Warner, then the Amazon MP3 store in the US."

"Of course, they are cautious about the rampant P2P sharing that's going on," Davis informed us, but at the same time they are also coming to realise that, "stripping the DRM off the content allows users to experience music and also allows far greater interoperability - so you can use the MP3s on iPods , mobiles, PCs, Macs... it's an open format."

Universal Music Group International's VP of Communications, Adam White, remained fairly tight-lipped on the matter, when TechRadar spoke to him today, merely telling us: "We're still evaluating the tests we're doing in the US and internationally."

What of Apple?

"Digital consumers are very savvy and many take the stance that the AAC format is a better quality than the MP3 format," Davis claims.

"However, where Apple's standard encoding rate is 192 kbps, with 256 kpbs on iTunes Plus (currently limited to just EMI), we ensure that our MP3s are better than Apple's AACs and encoded at a higher bitrate," he added.

DRM-free movies

With all the major music labels finally shifting towards DRM-free online distribution, will the movie industry follow suit? The Electronic Frontier Foundation's Senior Intellectual Property Attorney, Fred von Lohmann is not so sure, telling us earlier today:

"I would be very surprised if a major movie studio were to give up DRM on any video format. They have managed to use DRM to control the next-generation video playback platforms, and I see no indication they are interested in giving that up."

Source: http://www.tech.co.uk/gadgets/portable-audio/news/warner-music-goes-drm-free-in-europe?articleid=144261548

Apple breaks iTunes movie promise

When Steve Jobs first announced iTunes movie rentals, he assured the gathered press that 1,000 movies would be available by the end of February. Some believed his claim; others weren't sure how Apple would pull it off - and, now that February has come and gone, it looks like the detractors were right all along.

According to a report from Macworld, the number of films currently available for download on Apple's iTunes movie rental service is just 399. And if all movies that can be purchased or rented are taken together, only 770 are displayed.

To make matters worse, the company's Apple TV device, which it promised as the hub for all rentals, currently offers only 351 movies.

High-definition video

"iTunes Movie Rentals launches today and will offer over 1,000 titles by the end of February, including over 100 titles in stunning high-definition video with 5.1 Dolby Digital surround sound which users can rent directly from their widescreen TV using Apple TV," Apple claimed in a January press release announcing the new service.

It looks like Apple has some work to do before it can achieve its lofty goals, and the iTunes rental service hasn't even hit European shores yet. Will there be a delay in that goal as well? Stay tuned.

Source: http://www.tech.co.uk/home-entertainment/video/film-and-tv/news/apple-breaks-itunes-movie-promise?articleid=1957408085

Artega GT now on sale

There’s been a definite resurgence in small and lightweight roadsters. Tiny road-going racers with punchy engines and the kind of handling owners of bigger and heavier sports cars can only dream of. Some of the cars that spring to mind include the KTM X-bow, MMI Avocet, and pretty much anything with a Lotus badge attached, but there’s one car that has all others licked when it comes to the style department and that’s the Fisker designed Artega GT.

The svelte coupe has now officially gone on sale, debuting at the Geneva Motor Show this week, and to mark the occasion Artega has launched a new special edition model limited to just 99 units. Dubbed the ‘Intro 2008’ models, the special edition cars receive a number of unique trim and interior options only available on this model. Some of the features include unique paintwork, diamond-turned Artega forged alloy wheels, individually numbered plaques on the side panels and gearshift console, as well as custom velour and leather trim. Pricing for the special edition models will start at €79,790. The standard model will set you back about €75,000 and roughly 500 cars will be built per year.

The car’s powertrain remains unchanged, which means you still get a direct-injection 300hp V6 displacing 3.6L and mated to a six-speed DSG transmission. Expect to see a 0-100km/h time of less than five seconds and a top speed of 270km/h.

Source: http://www.motorauthority.com/news/coupes/artega-launches-gt-with-special-edition-model/

Toyota boss confirms full hybrid lineup by 2020

Toyota was one of the first carmakers to announce plans to eventually launch hybrid versions of its entire lineup when in May last year powertrain chief Masatami Takimoto said hybrids will be the standard drivetrain and account for “100 percent” of Toyota’s cars. Those earlier comments have now been backed up by company president Katsuaki Watanabe, who said Toyota will offer petrol-hybrid cars throughout its lineup in the long term.

Speaking at a press event in Geneva, Watanabe said he hopes “to offer a hybrid version of each model in the 2020s.” The key reason to increase its hybrid offering, according to Watanabe, is part of the carmaker’s program to develop innovative technologies that minimize the negative impact of cars on the environment, reports Automotive News.

Toyota is not alone in its promise to deliver a full hybrid range. Mercedes-Benz has said that its entire lineup in the future will include a hybrid option and more recently Chrysler has said the same. GM, meanwhile, has confirmed that it would introduce 16 new hybrid vehicles over the next four years.

Source: http://www.motorauthority.com/cars/toyota/toyota-boss-confirms-full-hybrid-lineup-by-2020/

Gmail Soap - Gmail Does A Body Good

I’ve been using Gmail since the beta first started back in 2004 and I’ve never really turned back. I think that in the entire four years that I’ve used it, I’ve only had maybe a dozen pieces of spam make it to my inbox, and not a single legit email in my spam box. I’ve even set up another account which I’ll route mail from other places so it can essentially scrub out the spam. Naturally I’ve thought that if Gmail is so good at scrubbing my inbox clean, why not use it to scrub my body clean?

Okay, so I haven’t really thought that in the past, but it’s apparently something that’s possible. This strange bar of soap was apparently discovered in Russia. I can’t read Russian, but it translates to “the purest soap.” Somehow I doubt that this is a real product, probably something crafted by someone with a sense of humor. Either way, I wouldn’t mind having a bar of this sitting in my bathroom.

Source: http://www.ohgizmo.com/2008/03/05/gmail-does-a-body-good/

Mio springboards Moov GPS lineup at CeBIT

Thanks to a little digging at the FCC, we knew good and well Mio had a few Moovs on the way, and it's really no surprise that it chose CeBIT to make things official. Aside from looking incredibly sexy, the new Moovs all feature MioMore to unearth local gems and points of interests, SiRF GPS chipsets and InstantFixII for acquiring your location in a jiffy. Up first is the Moov 330 Regional (€180; $273) / 330 Europe (€230; $350), which each boast a 4.3-inch display and differ only in the expansiveness of their European maps. Next up is the €280 ($426) Moov 370 Europe, which ups the ante on the previous two by including Bluetooth and traffic information. Lastly, we've got the Moov 200 Regional (€150; $228) / Moov 200 Europe (€180; $273), which look to boast 3.5-inch displays and pack the same features as the 330 series. Mum's the word on availability, but folks situated across the pond aren't apt to miss a design like this.


Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/mio-springboards-moov-gps-lineup-at-cebit/

Joyrider, Possibly the Most Expensive LED Spoke Lights in the World

Moritz Waldemeyer, London-based shiny, spangly design person, has designed what must be the most expensive pair of spoke lights evah. Auctioned off at the ICA Gala Fundraiser in London last week, the Joyrider LEDs, which put a smile on the wheels of your bike, went for almost $4,000. Perhaps that's because they came attached to a couple of vintage-style bikes that Waldemeyer has designed.

The design evokes new rave couture, with its iconic smiley face and the strobe effect, bringing kitsch glamour to the cycling experience. The minimalist components are attached to the spokes of the wheel, emitting a fixed image of a smiley face using LED lights. This effect is achieved through inbuilt microchips that are able to calculate the speed of the wheel in such a way that the smiley face remains stationary while the wheel spins.

Source: http://gizmodo.com/363979/joyrider-possibly-the-most-expensive-led-spoke-lights-in-the-world

Air Force Buys 300 PlayStation 3 for Research

The Air Force has bought 300 PlayStation 3 for "research." Whether "research" means "let's play a massive Call of Duty 4 game" or "let's start building SkyNet with 300 PlayStation 3 nodes" or "let's create a giant black mecha with Blu-ray lasers" is yet to be seen. According to the Air Force, they need the Cell processors for "assessment:"

The Air Force Research Laboratory is conducting a technology assessment of certain cell processors. The processors in the Sony PlayStation 3 are the only brand on the market that utilizes the specific cell processor characteristics needed for this program at an acceptable cost.

So in case you have 300 PS3 that just fell from a truck, here is the order:

The contractor shall provide the following items on a firm fixed price basis:

Item 1: Sony PlayStation 3 Game Console - 40 GB Hard Drive

Qty: 300

Sony Part Number 98006

The estimated delivery date is 30 days after receipt of award. The place of delivery, acceptance, and FOB destination point is F4HBL1/Transportation Depot 2, 148 Electronic Parkway, Rome, NY 13441-4516.

Source: http://gizmodo.com/363985/air-force-buys-300-playstation-3-for-research

Renault Megane Coupe Concept rolls into Geneva

Renault has used this week’s Geneva Motor Show to take the wraps off its new Renault Megane Coupe Concept, which officials claim will eventually spawn a compact production coupe later this year. The concept is characterized by aluminium-finish air intakes, which sit under two rows of main and dipped beam lights that sit on a crystal-like strip of LEDs.

Under the hood lies a 200hp (147kW) 2.0L turbo petrol engine which delivers its peak torque of 280Nm from as low as 2,600rpm. Mated to a manual six-speed gearbox, the 2.0L turbocharged unit drives the new two-door from a standstill to 100km/h in just 7.2 seconds, yet it returns economical fuel consumption of just 6.5L per 100km (36mpg). This also equates to a correspondingly low emissions rating of 154g of CO2/km.

The new coupe also rides on a sportier chassis than its regular Megane sibling, and sits on 21in aluminum alloy shod with 245mm Michelin Pilot Sport tires.

Inside, there’s a touchscreen central multimedia system that controls everything from the navigation to audio and mobile phone connectivity. The car also has the ability to be locked and unlocked using a Samsung F700 mobile phone, which also serves as a hands-free card and connects to the centre console. Both rear passengers benefit from a portable Samsung P2 multimedia player with touch screen which they can use to swap files using the MP3 and video Bluetooth controls.

Source: http://www.motorauthority.com/news/concept-cars/renault-megane-coupe-concept-rolls-into-geneva/

Jaguar unveils lightweight XKR-S coupe

Jaguar has lifted the covers off a new limited edition version of its XK coupe that will go on sale in Europe by the middle of the year. The new car is called the XKR-S and it rates as the fastest production XK to date thanks to a series of weight saving modifications and engine upgrades over the standard XKR on which it’s based.

Engineers have added a revised suspension set-up with new springs, dampers, anti-roll bar and a recalibrated Computer Active Technology Suspension (CATS) system to improve handling. The supercharged 4.2L all-aluminum V8 gets a recalibrated engine management system that enables the XKR-S to reach a top speed of 174mph, 19mph faster than the (electronically limited) regular XKR. Peak output remains at 420hp and 560Nm of torque, which is enough to see the new model sprint from 0-62mph in just 5.2 seconds.

Visual enhancements include a new front air-splitter and side sill-extensions, a revised rear spoiler and new bumper with an integrated diffuser. Rolling stock consists of 20in Vortex alloy wheels housing Alcon R Performance brakes with red monobloc six-piston callipers and 400mm brake discs.

Despite the performance connotations, the XKR-S still features plenty of luxury items such as full soft grain leather trim, piano black dashboard elements, and a revised instrument cluster calibrated to accommodate the car’s higher top speed. Developers have also added Jaguar’s 525W Premium Audio system but customers can also opt for a Bowers & Wilkins tuned system with speakers made out of Kevlar and aluminum.

Source: http://www.motorauthority.com/news/coupes/jaguar-unveils-lightweight-xkr-s-coupe/

Asus M536 smartphone added to the ranks

Got the Eee PC? The accessories? Put your name down for the 9 inch version? Well then you may need the newly announced M536 smartphone. Recently shown at CeBIT, the M536 is a flashy device with a 2.4-inch screen that features Wi-Fi, GPS and HSDPA, so you can send data at an adequate speed (although if you live in Britain you may face some crippling phone bills).

Under the bonnet, it runs Windows Mobile 6.1 and has 256MB of internal memory. Alas, the large shape of the handheld may be a bit cumbersome for some. We’ll just have to wait and see. The M536 will most likely by staying over in Europe and not be landing in the US anytime soon, and as of now there has not been mention of pricing.

Source: http://www.gadgetell.com/tech/comment/asus-m536-smartphone-added-to-the-ranks/

Asus’s new gaming PC looks like something from Star-Trek

Another hot new gaming PC has turned up a CeBIT, this time its the Asus ARES CG6150, and while a current press release has been made, the stunning looking piece of machinery is sure to have hearts racing. It promises to bring a hardcore gaming experience from a case that looks like a cross between the Starship Enterprise and red lights like the car from Knightrider. Wow!

If you opened it up, you would find a Core 2 Extreme processor, up to 8GB of RAM and up to a massive 4TB of hard drive space. This thing has better air cooling than my car and will probably use more power than my house!

Source: http://www.gadgetell.com/tech/comment/asuss-new-gaming-pc-looks-like-something-from-star-trek/

Sony to add Skype service to PSP in March in Japan

Sony Corp said it would add a Skype Web phone function to its PlayStation Portable later this month in Japan in a bid to boost the appeal of the handheld machine, which is running behind Nintendo Co Ltd's DS in sales.

Skype is a unit of eBay Inc, the world's largest online auctioneer.

Sony's game unit had said in January it was delaying the introduction later that month of the Skype service for PSP users in Japan, as a microphone it planned to start selling for the new service did not meet Skype specifications.

But the same microphone has managed to pass the Skype requirements on condition that it is sold with the recommendation that it be used within 10 centimeters of the mouth of a user.

Sony Computer Entertainment now plans to start selling the microphone on March 19 in Japan for 2,500 yen ($24), enabling PSP users to make free Web-based phone calls to other PSP users and to users of PCs equipped with Skype software.

It started offering the Skype service on the PSP earlier this year in overseas markets.

Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUST23506520080304

Nokia to Support Microsoft Silverlight Web Video

Nokia said on Tuesday it would add support to Microsoft's Silverlight Web video technology to millions of its handsets, in the latest deal between the two technology giants.

The world's top cell phone maker Nokia said Silverlight would first be available for S60 software platform, used in more advanced phones, but later also for S40, which is used in many of Nokia's cheaper phones.

Nokia's S60 software, built on UK-based mobile phone software firm Symbian's operating system, is used extensively in Nokia's line-up, but also in advanced cell phones of LG Electronics and Samsung Electronics.

The S60 is used in every second smartphone sold globally, and is in more than 150 million phones sold so far.

Its closest rival is Microsoft's own Windows Mobile, with just over 10 percent of the market.

In 2005 the two companies signed their first co-operation agreement to put Windows Media player on to Nokia phones, raising eyebrows as the two had been fierce competitors in the mobile software industry.

As cell phone prices fall, handset vendors are looking for new revenue from potentially lucrative software operations, while Microsoft is looking for new revenue from the mobile space.

In 2007 Nokia also started to use Microsoft's copy protection software PlayReady and added access to Windows Live services to its cell phones.

Silverlight is a rival to Adobe System Inc's Flash technology.

"We continue to support Flash and several other technologies," Nokia spokesman Mark Durrant said.


Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSL0488272820080304?feedType=RSS&feedName=technologyNews

Multimedia Watch Makes Wrist Mounted Accessories Useful (Almost)

The day when the watch is once again a useful piece of technology is looming over us. For proof, checkout Chinavasion's Multimedia Watch, which packs in a 1.8-inch LCD (160 x 128), voice recorder, in-built loudspeaker, 8GB flash, as well as support for pretty much every media codec ever conceived. (AVI, MP4, WMV, MOV, MP3, WMA, JPEG and the list goes on.)

The E-book reader function will ensure you need to wear spectacles within a week's usage, whilst the ear-phone jack will save your eyes and let you rock out to your stored tunes. Video plays back at 20 fps, so you really couldn't get any good viewing done, but V3.0 of the Multimedia Watch is going to be mega for sure.




Source: http://gizmodo.com/363424/multimedia-watch-makes-wrist-mounted-accessories-useful-almost

ASUS' new touchscreen GUI prettifies Windows Mobile 6.1

Regardless of the cause, we certainly like the trend of these enhanced touch-screen UIs dominating the high-end cellphone market. Now meet ASUS' GUI slickness destined for their newest touchscreen devices including the ZX1. Starting with a Windows Mobile 6.1 core, ASUS slathers on a new customizable Multi-Home 3D interface meant to simplify access to your today screen, life and business applications. Think HTC's TouchFlo only sexier. ASUS even threw in some "album cover flow" to the media app and the ability to more easily manipulate all your digital media with enhanced figure gestures. You can even drop everything into a visual carousel if that's your preference. See for yourself in the video after the break.

Meizu M8 mini One vs. iPhone... fight!

So we finally had the chance to lay palms to Meizu's M8 prototype. Better yet, we set it up side by side with it's muse, the Apple iPhone. Let's be clear, the prototype is not functional by any stretch of the imagination. It simply turns on and then slaps up one of three images representing the home screen, dialer, or media player depending upon which of the three physical buttons you press along the bottom of the main display. The capacitive touch panel does not work at all. While the physical components may or may not be in place, this is clearly a very early engineering sample. Having said that, Meizu claims that the hardware is complete and final -- they are only working on their Meizu OS tweaks to the Windows CE 6.0 base. However, the GUI and icon designs are pretty much locked in at this point with only minor changes expected before this hits China this August for a to be determined price. Unfortunately, Meizu is still working on their international deployment strategy (duh, they're looking to sign up distributors at CeBIT) so they are not willing to commit to any dates or prices. Gotta say, for all our justifiable M8 bashing, the mini One felt good in the hand and the additional hard buttons, 720 x 480 pixel display, 3 megapixel camera and likely el cheapo price tag have once again perked our interests. Still, it's a long way from it's original 3G HSDPA and kitchen-sink roots and a bit too late (GSM/EDGE in 6 months, Puh-leeze) at this point to be anything more than a novelty outside of China. Nevertheless, the development lifecycle has been fun to watch. Click through for the main features and specifications expected at launch. Video in a jiffy.

So here are the final specs and features now expected at launch:

• quad-band GSM/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900
• Bluetooth 2.0+EDR
• 802.11b/g WiFi
• 3.4-inch 720 x 480 capacitive touch LTPS TFT-LCD
• 3 megapixel autofocus camera
• 667MHz ARM11 processor
• WinCE 6.0 based Meizu OS
  
• H/W encoder/decoder
• 107 x 59 x 11.9-mm
• 8GB of 16GB of flash NAND
• TV-out
• phone, music, video, camera, internet browser
• automatic backlight and display orientation adjustment

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/04/meizu-m8-mini-one-vs-iphone-fight/

Castagna reveals Fiat 500 and Mini Clubman ‘Woody’

Italian coachbuilder Castagna has revealed a pair of wood-panelled cars it has developed for this week’s Geneva Motor Show. Designers used the new Mini Clubman as well as a stretched Fiat 500 hatch dubbed the ‘WoodyWagon’. The modified 500 is in fact the first stretched version of the new mini-hatch and it includes a number of structural changes to transform the car into a genuine estate.

Developers have increased the rear overhang by around 50-60 mm to improve load space and the C-pillar has been moved back accordingly, and now features a longer rear side window. At the rear are a set of vertically stacked taillamps and a proper tailgate.

Performance upgrades include a supercharging kit for the 1.4L petrol engine. With boost wound up to 0.4bar, the tuned motor develops a peak output of 155hp, up from the stock car’s 100hp. Peak torque climbs to 170Nm and top speed now registers at 200km/h.

Also on show in Geneva will be a Mini Clubman with the same wood panels as the 500 WoodyWagon as well as a Rolls-Royce Coupé with carbon-fiber used for the bonnet, boot, roof, and A and C-pillars.

Source: http://www.motorauthority.com/cars/fiat/castagna-reveals-fiat-500-and-mini-clubman-woodywagon/

MMI Avocet ready for sale

While its unlikely anyone remembers the Reynard-designed ‘Strathcarron’ of 10 years ago, the doomed mid-engined sports car has been brought back to life thanks to the insistence of its principal backer, Martin Miles. Renamed the MMI Avocet after its most fervent supporter, the car weighs a tiny 650kg without fluids and will sport a 2.0L Ford Sigma engine outputting either 150 or 225bhp. The transmission is also a Ford unit, which comes as no surprise considering that Roush Engineering played a hand in its development.

Martin Miles was one of the Strathcarron’s original backers but when that business went under he bought the designs and prototypes and hired race-car builder Raqy Mallock to build on the ideas put forth in the original Strathcarron and thus the MMI Avocet was born. Mike Reeves, a car designer who worked on the original Strathcarron, gave the new car its current shape demonstrating just how much passion this project has brought out of the people that worked on it.

First-year production is expected to be around 50 cars per year, with a goal of producing 100 cars per year in the near future. The first 5 cars are being built by Roush and customers brave enough to purchase these will be asked to “be partners in something great”.

And as for performance, Martin Miles says that the 225bhp model will be almost supercar-quick thanks to its lightweight construction. Sounds like an interesting alternative to a Lotus Elise, although the initial buyers will likely be a brave bunch to fork out 25,000 pounds for an independently made car.

Source: http://www.motorauthority.com/news/news/mmi-avocet-ready-for-sale/

Nearly half the world’s Britten V1000s reunited in NZ

Peter Jackson, the New Zealand-born director famous for his stunning Lord of the Rings trilogy, made his first movie on a shoestring budget. Starring his mates, and featuring a broad array of home-made special effects, props and pyrotechnics, Bad Taste still stands up as a testament to what an ingenious all-rounder can achieve through perseverance.

The same Kiwi can-do spirit underpins one of the great underdog stories in motorcycle racing history. John Britten’s dyslexia made school a struggle for him, but he emerged at the other end as an amazingly talented mechanical engineer. After building his own house (right down to casting his own taps and fittings), Britten embarked on the work that was to be his legacy: the Britten v1000 racebike.

The project started out as an attempt to make custom bodywork for his bevel-drive Ducati racebike - but as would become a pattern, Britten found that the Ducati engine and frame weren’t up to his standards. Eventually he decided to design a bike to be effective from the ground up.

Weight saving being a crucial consideration, Britten used every opportunity to make components serve double duties; there was no frame to speak of, the swingarm bolted to the rear of the engine and the odd but effective girder-style front-end to the front of it. Everything that could be spun from carbon fibre was, and the engine was designed, cast and heat-treated in the garage using water from Britten’s swimming pool for cooling.

Free from legacy design constraints, Britten was able to conceive the whole project in a unified manner and eliminate compromises inherent in the designs of the major manufacturers. The bike’s racing career had a couple of disastrous false starts - one at Daytona’s Battle of the Twins, where the bike retired from the lead due to a faulty regulator. It was a Ducati part, one of the few bits of the bike Britten didn’t design and build himself.

But once the V1000 got a roll on, it proved extremely difficult to beat, taking out the International BEARS World Championship in 1995 against the big-budget international factories, stunning the world with its sped and agility. A string of successes was to follow, earning the bike a reputation as the fastest four-stroke motorcycle in the world.

The achievement of one man - a hobbyist, no less, taking on the major manufacturers and consistently beating them - was as unthinkable in the 1990s as it would be today. Who knows what Britten might have been able to achieve had his life not been cut short by skin cancer in 1995. The bike continued racing for several years, but the Britten Motorcycle Company eventually ran out of steam without its most valuable asset.

Only 12 Britten racebikes were ever built - which is what makes these photos so special. They were taken last weekend in Christchurch, New Zealand by my good friend Roger Lawrence. The 12 Britten bikes in existence have been highly sought after by collectors, as befits the incredible story behind them, their racing success and the ingenuity of their design. One was even displayed in the Guggenheim Museum’s “Art of the Motorcycle” exhibition. The others are spread out all across the globe - so to assemble 5 of them at one race meeting definately rates as a significant and historic moment.

These photos are from the Christchurch Sounds of Thunder race meeting, where one of the bikes was taken out for several parade laps before an adoring crowd who were well aware of the machine’s significance. They may never race again, but Britten’s masterworks serve not only to remind us of the great leaps the major manufacturers are yet to take in motorcycle design, but of what is possible given a brilliant mind and determined persistence.

This video shows the amazing backyard construction of the bike, as well as some great race footage and interviews that give a fantastic insight into the humble genius of its creator:

And this is from the BBC’s top 20 greatest motorcycles of all time - where the V1000 is ranked at #6:

Source: http://www.thebikergene.com/custom-bikes/nearly-half-the-worlds-britten-v1000s-reunited-in-nz/

Trent Reznor Releases Nine out of Thirty-Six Tracks on Free Download

Last year, Trent Reznor recorded 36 instrumental tracks. This year, he's releasing them on the internet, rather à la Radiohead, but without the open price. The collection, entitled Ghosts I-IV is now available in a variety of packages, from a most generous gratis to a nail-bitingly expensive 300 bucks. Find out what kinda nail job you get for your money below.

Free
Ghosts I: The first nine tracks from the Ghosts I-IV collection as DRM-free MP3s, plus 40-page PDF.

$5
Ghosts I-IV: All 36 tracks in a variety of digital formats, plus a 40-page PDF.

$10
A double-disc set, packaged in a Digipak with a 16-page booklet, and immediate download of album. Ships April 8.

$75
Deluxe edition of Ghosts I-IV in a "hardcover fabric slipcase containing two audio CDs, one data DVD with all tracks in multi-track format, immediate download of album, and a Blu-Ray disc of Ghosts I-IV. Ships May 1.

$300
The "ultra-deluxe limited edition package" is basically the deluxe edition with immediate download, plus a four-LP set on 180-gram vinyl, packaged in a fabric slipcase. Two limited-edition Giclee prints are included; package is numbered and signed by Trent Reznor. Limited to a run of 2500, and one piece per customer. Ships May 1.


Source: http://gizmodo.com/362908/trent-reznor-releases-nine-out-of-thirty+six-tracks-on-free-download

Future Assets With Rare Coins

Who don’t know a coin? Yes, it’s a money to trade and some century ago the coin is made from gold and silver. But now all valuable coin now really rare coin which is hunt by people because it’s really worth.

Monaco Rare Coin which is a part from Monex family companies help many investors to invest their valuable assets like rare coins made from silver, gold, platinum bullion and bullion coins. On their website you can check the rare coin gallery like gold dollar $1 from 1849-1889 which is the first type known as Liberty Head or small-sized type.

Also you can check the rare coin prices with pdf file version which is most of them made from gold. If you still doubt to invest at rare coin, there are some reason why to own the hard assets. The uncertainly in the markets about collapsing dollar and the runaway government deficit make public looking for alternative assets. The prospect of inflation which is invest in US dollar had been weak but the precious metal can offer inflation protection and profit opportunity. So investing in rare coin or precious metal is worthed to do if you want to build your assets from now.

Source: http://www.elitezoom.com/future-assets-with-rare-coins.html

Garmin enters into the mobile phone market with the all-in-one touchscreen device 'nüvifone'

Garmin announced its entrance into the mobile phone market with the ‘nüvifone’, an all-in-one touchscreen device that combines a premium phone, mobile web-browser, and cutting-edge personal navigator.

Adopting a 3.5-inch touch screen, the nüvifone comes with preloaded maps of North America or Eastern/Western Europe for all international readers and points of interest. In addition, it offers Google Local Search integration, turn-by-turn voice directions and nearby emergency services.

Other features included a 3M built-in camera/camcorder, a Web browser and email capabilities while allows access to Google’s panoramic picture sharing site.




Source: http://aving.net/usa/news/default.asp?mode=read&c_num=74602&C_Code=01&SP_Num=134

Motion Computing unveils "semi-rugged" F5 Slate PC

It's been a solid tick since we heard a peep from Motion Computing, but nearly a year after we first wrapped our paws around the firm's C5 medical tablet, the F5 has arrived. Granted, this bugger is more suited for service industries and field work than the ER, but its "semi-rugged" nature ensures that it'll get the job done almost anywhere. Packed within the IP54-compliant (read: dust, water, shock and temperature resistant) chassis is a 1.2GHz Intel Centrino U1400 processor, 10.4-inch XGA (1,024 x 768) View Anywhere display, 40GB HDD (optional 32GB SSD available), built-in 802.11a/b/g and Bluetooth, WWAN (EV-DO) support and a 2-megapixel camera for good measure. Additionally, you'll spot an optional barcode reader, integrated RFID reader / passive tag, a biometric scanner, three USB 2.0 ports, Ethernet, VGA output and a battery good for about 1.5 hours of usage. Unfortunately, such a well-spec'd Slate PC won't come cheap, as this creature will set you back a stiff $2,699 to $4,000 depending on configuration.


Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/03/motion-computing-unveils-semi-rugged-f5-slate-pc/

Meizu's M8 a CeBIT no show just like CES -- surprised?

So we hurried on over to the Meizu booth in sweaty-palmed anticipation of laying fleshy bits upon a working M8 MiniOne. It's gotta be here, right? After all, Meizu CEO Jack Wong promised it his damn self. Nope. Oh sure, they did bring that siliconless, plastic mockup already seen kicking around the Nets for awhile and they offered to show us a laptop-based demo of the UI if we come back tomorrow. Although even the demo is feature incomplete. Nevertheless, Meizu is confident that it will begin shipping the M8 in China in the next "half year" while remaining coy for a rest-of-world launch. Guess reverse engineering the iPhone isn't so easy, eh Jackson?


Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/03/meizus-m8-a-cebit-no-show-just-like-ces-surprised/

Future of robotics: The road ahead

In this article, we would be indulging in ascertaining some valuable information about robots, their functionality, past, present and future. There are many things in our minds as to what robots are . In this article we aim at providing a complete, clear and precise answer to that curiosity.

Let us start with robots and then move to robotics. Robots have always created a sense of curiosity and mystery in the minds of humans and this is the primary reason why they have managed to evoke a huge interest even after such a long time and is expected to sustain it in the near future.

The name given to the study of robots is robotics. Robotics is a complete and comprehensive study about the science and technology involved with robots. It involves designing and manufacturing process of robots and applications to come up with the predefined results. Anyone interested in robotics is required to possess an expert insight into mechanics, software and electronics. Now that we have studied something about robots and robotics, let us now move to the capabilities of a modern day robot.

A modern day robot is capable of being an active participant at military landmine detectors, lawn mowing exercises and home cleaning apart from imparting valuable medical and scientific services. All the functions are controlled by a series of complex operations and these robots are able to deliver high-end performance on a consistent basis without any fail.

Now that we have a base understanding of robots and the type of services offered by them, let us have a look at the past and present followed by their expected role in the near future.

Robots in Past

In the past, Robots were considered to be a costly affair but with continuing advancements in the field of science and technology, the costs involved is minimizing.

Robots in daily life

Robots are everywhere, from medical institutions to surgeries and from packaging of cookies to manufacturing of cars. They are also used in manufacture of mobile phones and pagers as well as in space explorations. Nowadays, all the critical and complex work is done with the help of robots, whether partly or in whole.

Future of robotics

As per the Robotic Industries Association, a whopping 90 percent of organisations with robotic manufacturing applications are yet to come out with the first robot installation. It is believed that material handling, space exploration, medical sector and assembly sector are the likely beneficiaries of robotics in the coming future which sure is quite bright.

Robotics can help to guide the blind people, facilitate easy driving, assist the elderly people. They can be used in cloning and in many other useful tasks which can benefit the mankind. They can perhaps be used to travel in the human body to detect and find solutions to the deadly diseases. They can also help in the creation of "intelligent" vehicles and can also be used to reveal truths of the solar system.

With both the government and non-government organizations showing an avid interest in the development of robotics, the future of robotics is bright and one fine day, all the questions behind robots and robotics will get an answer.