Gadgets Blog News

Posted Feb 29th 2008 3:32PM by Donald MelansonFiled under: Gaming We already knew it was coming, but if for some reason you’ve been holding out on buying a PSP until you could get a minty green model, you can now finally get your fix — in Japan, at least. As DCEmu points out, however, you can also go the importing route courtesy of SuccessHK, where the brightly-colored handheld demands the slight premium of $228 (plus shipping, of course). (Read the full post about ‘Mint green PSP now available, in Japan’…)

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Posted Feb 29th 2008 3:37PM by Nilay PatelFiled under: NetworkingSure, the researchers at Alcatel-Lucent have already sent data 50 miles at 25.6Tbps, but it looks like now they’re going for distance rather than speed: the company announced yesterday that it’s now pumped bits over a 1584-mile long link at 16.4Tbps. Sure, that’s slightly slower than the record, but being able to firehose bits at distances like that is even more impressive, if you ask us (you didn’t). The core tech is essentially the same as used in the earlier speed record: bundling several 100Gbps optical signals at different wavelengths into one multiplexed transmission, shooting it down fiber, and splitting it up at the end. (Read the full post about ‘Alcatel-Lucent sends data 1600 miles at 16.4Tbps’…)

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Posted Feb 29th 2008 1:24PM by Donald MelansonFiled under: Gaming, Home Entertainment As if seeing the Commodore logo slapped on a whole slew of thoroughly unremarkable devices wasn’t enough to make folks of a certain age feel a little wistful for their early computing days, legendary game developer Microprose is now getting in on the action as well, and seemingly outdoing Commodore to boot. As the Classic Gaming website reports, Microprose, once known as the name behind Civilization, Railroad Tycoon and other classic games, is now set to release a bundle of new products that likely wouldn’t garner a second glance if not for the brand. (Read the full post about ‘Microprose returns to show Commodore how to really tarnish a brand’…)

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If you’re the type of computer geek who wants ultimate control over customizing your laptop, or if you’re a graphic design junkie who can’t stand the boring options of colors out there for your portable machine. Sony have introduces the new VAIO Graphic Splash Notebooks that they’re calling their “Expression Collection”. From the website: What is VAIO Graphic Splash? VAIO Graphic Splash is a unique line of limited edition notebooks that break convention and let you express yourself in a whole new way. Using a process called dye-sublimation, stunning colors and eye-catching patterns are infused into a notebook’s exterior with brilliant results. (Read the full post about ‘VAIO Graphic Splash Notebooks Have Lots Of Options’…)

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This looks like something we might see in a movie about futuristic space travel (like the film Sunshine), but is actually a real present-day subterranean farm underneath a bank building in Tokyo. The project, with the cool sci-fi sounding name “Pasona O2,” covers an area of 1,000 square meters (about 10,764 square feet). Created as a facility for teaching urban kids about agriculture, the farm grows rice as well as tomatoes, lettuce, strawberries, and other fruits and vegetables. If I worked above ground in that building, I’d be tempted to take my lunch breaks below ground - to get fresh air. Take a look at some of the other beautiful photos at pruned. Also via Japundit, by way of Tokyo Mango. (Read the full post about ‘Subterranean farm underneath Tokyo highrise’…)

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Posted Feb 29th 2008 12:21PM by Donald MelansonFiled under: Desktops You don’t have to venture very far to dig up unofficial concepts for Apple products of all sorts, but this one from designer Nuno Teixeira is certainly more attention grabbing than most, even if it isn’t any more realistic. Dubbed the “iMac iView,” the main distinguishing feature here is obviously the curved screen, which isn’t actually all that far out there, but still a ways from becoming anywhere near commonplace. As if that wasn’t enough, the concept also boasts a second screen on the rear (pictured after the break), and webcams on both the front and back, which would finally let you have impersonal conversations with the person sitting right across from you. (Read the full post about ‘Curved iMac concept bends beyond the realm of plausibility’…)

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Posted Feb 29th 2008 11:23AM by Joshua TopolskyFiled under: cellphones It was only a matter of time till the serious iphone SDK rumors started flying, and with Apple’s Town Hall event next Thursday, it’s possible some of what we’re hearing is right on. If that’s the case, prepare to be letdown in a major way. According to iLounge, Apple will be severely restricting access on software for the iPhone and ipod touch, only allowing apps to be downloaded through iTunes, hand-picking which applications will make it to the store, and cutting off developer’s access to accessories which interface with the dock connector. Of course, this is just about what we expected from Steve, since he’s already lauded Nokia for its S60 verification scheme. (Read the full post about ‘iPhone software development to be locked down by Apple?’…)

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Do you happen to own a HTC-based product? Well, there is now a 3-in-1 ExtUSB Headphone Adapter that enables you to use a standard 3.5mm stereo headphone with your HTC devices instead of HTC’s proprietary headphones which frankly, aren’t up to par when it comes to audio performance. Not only that, you will be able to hook up a microphone to it as well while the additional USB port offers an extra avenue for charging your HTC device. It retails for an affordable $15 a pop. Tags: cool gear, video games, home theater, PDA (Read the full post about ‘3-in-1 ExtUSB Headphone Adapter’…)

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Shuttle, the gaming PC leviathans are releasing a new model in advance of next week’s Cebit extravaganza. The device in question is an absolute beast of computer muscle power. The XPC P2 3500G sports a 750GB hard drive with a 32MB cache and an Intel Core 2 Quad Core processor. It is all encapsulated within an Aluminum XPC case, and has enough cooling and ventilation systems to ensure it doesn’t sound like a raucous under your desk every time you load up a game. Other features include ATI Radeon HD3870 graphics, 2 Firewire and 7 USB ports, a 25-in-1 card reader and best of all a fingerprint scanner, for when you don’t want anyone to destroy your Gamerstats. (Read the full post about ‘Shuttle to add new gaming PC to the ranks’…)

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Posted Feb 29th 2008 6:27AM by Darren MurphFiled under: Misc. gadgetsSintex Industries’ aptly-dubbed biogas digester is most certainly not the first of its kind, but it is somewhat commendable that its maker is making no bones about this thing’s purpose. Destined to “solve India’s energy and sanitation problems in one stroke,” this concoction can convert “human [waste], cow dung, or kitchen garbage into fuel that can be used for cooking or generating electricity.” Reportedly, a one-cubic-meter digester would sell for around $425, but could pay for itself in energy savings in under 24 months. (Read the full post about ‘Sintex’s biogas digester ingests crap, emits energy’…)

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