Category Archives: Technology

Mom surprises kid with 98-inch TV in ceiling!

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Patti Deni, world’s coolest mom, decided she wanted to surprise her teenage son by installing a big-screen TV in the ceiling of her kid’s bedroom.  When their new home was being built, Deni contacted company Stereo Advantage with design they had never been asked to complete: instead of having a TV installed on a wall across from a bed, she asked to have the TV built flush against the ceiling of the room!  Stereo Advantage installed a 98-inch StarGlas60 display from Stewart Filmscreen into the ceiling without a hiccup.  According to ElectronicHouse, “In order to support the weight of the display, plus the NEC video projector and the specialty Draper projection mirrors positioned behind it (a total weight of more than 300 pounds), the ceiling had to be reframed and reinforced.”  They also wired the teen’s video games, computer, and cable box to the TV.  Mom, my birthday is coming up soon now, isn’t it?

[Via Gizmodo; ElectronicHouse]

Vortex cannon is explosive, dude!

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Check out this clip from BBC’s “Bang Goes the Theory.”  Host Jem Stansfield plays with a vortex cannon, and extremely powerful canon that is loaded with “one of the most dangerous gas mixes in the world.”  In the video he aims to knock down three types of huts made of straw, sticks, and eventually bricks.  Catch the ‘Three Little Pigs’ reference here anyone?  The action is filmed at 1300 frames per second; that is VERY slow.  You can actually see the ring of energy the vortex cannon emits when activated.  Stansfield’s infectious British accent and over-the-top reactions make it all the more enjoyable to watch.

[Via Gizmodo]

Leica S2: A $26,000 DLSR

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This is one expensive camera.  Some specs include: 37.5 megapixels and 30 x 45 mm sensor built into a 35mm-sized body.  At $26,000, this camera sits at the top of the digital camera food chain.  That price only covers the body of the camera, mind you; a lens costs extra!  And believe it or not, this is the “low-end” version of the camera.  There will be another edition that includes a sapphire-glass LCD screen and “Platinum Service.”  These upgrades add another $5,100 to the total price.  What does a spare battery charger cost, you ask?  You guessed it, $425!  All you fervent digital camera aficionados, start salivating.  The Leica S2 releases this October.  Check out additional images of the S2 below.

[Via Gizmodo; Wired; DPReview]

The Onion: Apple releases the iPhone 3GI

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Apple Claims Main

“I am proud today to introduce to those who really, truly deserve it, our most incredible iPhone yet,” announced Apple CEO Steve Jobs, extending his seemingly empty left palm toward the eagerly awaiting crowd. “Not only is this our lightest and slimmest model ever, but as any truly savvy Apple customer can clearly see, it’s also the most handsome product we’ve ever designed.” …

“Oh my God, I can’t believe how much faster you can get online with this,” said Delaney, who exited the store holding a cupped hand up to her ear and yelling into her wrist about how wonderful the new phone was. “The reception is so clear, and you can pretty much get a signal no matter where you go.”

The Onion at its finest.  Click here to read the full article.  It’s genius.

[Article and Images via The Onion]

First official look at the new LG Chocolate [Updated]

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lg-bl40-800-num-3

Here are the first official press shots of the new LG Chocolate cell phone (BL40).  This is no tease.  LG’s latest Black Label device and will soon find a home on a network (Verizon, please!).  Although there is no word on official price or release date yet, at least now we have some scrumptious images to glaze over.  From the looks of it, the new Chocolate will continue the path to success that its former brethren have reached.

[Via Engadget]

Update: LG has released the first advertisement of the BL40.  Granted, it is a commercial for the Japanese market, but it still shows off some of the phones features and the sleek user interface in action.  There’s dual screen UI, panoramic entertainment, and look, there’s even copy and paste.  Sweet.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvjBRLdyYo4

DJ Hero, ‘Awesome’ Edition [Updated]

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Today Activision announced a special version of its new DJ Hero video game.  Dubbed DJ Hero Renegade Edition, the bundle will include a deluxe turntable peripheral with premium metal controls and finish, a hardshell carrying case that transforms into a stand, and 2 CDs that contain some unreleased Eminem and Jay-Z tracks.  With the standard edition of DJ Hero priced at $120, expect to pay a premium on this upgraded version of the turntable and included extras.  Check out the gallery of images below.  DJ Hero is due out in late October.

Update: DJ Hero Renegade Edition will cost $199.99.  This is an $80 premuium over the standard edtion.  Make your choice when it ships on October 27.

[Via Engadget; Joystiq]

The pedal-powered monorail, exercise much?

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This is the Shweeb, the world’s first human-powered monorail racetrack.  Each capsule holds one rider who has to pedal his or her way to her destination.  Apparently it can get you from Point A to Point B much faster than a bike.  The seats adjust to your exact height and they level of comfort compares to that of a hammock.  For now, you can only find the Shweeb in an amusement park in New Zealand.  Who knows where this new means of transportation may find a home in the future.  Check out a video of this thing in action after the break.

According to the company website: “Our proposal to get you safely and quickly from one point in the city to another would be to elevate you onto a network of interconnected monorails where you never have to stop at traffic lights. The ideal vehicle for such a system already exists. Fully faired recumbent cycles, because of their low aerodynamic resistance, are breaking all bicycle speed records and currently reaching speeds of 90 kph (56 mph) in sprints. Suspending these comfortable and highly efficient machines from monorail tracks has the added advantage of taking away the rolling resistance of pneumatic tyres. Trains of Shweebs can further reduce the aero drag C ten people travelling at 40 kph will each have a lot less work to do than a single rider at the same speed. A single rider requires only a fraction of the energy to achieve the same speed as a normal cyclist C thanks to the significant reductions in both aero drag and tire friction. The vehicle is completely weatherproof, you can’t derail or fall out while on the cellphone or Blackberry.”

[Via KanyeBlog; Likecool]

Continue reading The pedal-powered monorail, exercise much? →

Acer & ASUS call for netbook production freeze

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The chip that powers almost all netbooks today is called the Intel Atom N270 (1.6GHz).  And boy is it getting boooo-ring.  This chip is tired and used.  Consumers demand an upgrade!  A new, more powerful and efficient Atom chip is on the way say Intel, and its code-named “Pine-Trail M.”  It will be released in the first quarter of 2010.  Ever since netbooks became oh-so popular not too long ago, companies like HP, Dell, Lenovo, Acer, and creator of the original Eee PC Asustek have been pumping out new netbook devices like it’s their job (wait, it istheir job!).  Anyway, the market has quickly become saturated with way too many clone netbooks (both in exterior looks and interior parts; re: the Atom N270).  As of late, it has been confusing to distinguish different netbooks from each other, especially when their names are differentiated only by a single letter or number.  According to industry sources, in a surprise statement Acer and ASUS have called for a freeze on netbook production for 2009; they plan on launching new netbooks in early 2010 when the Intel Pine-Trail chips are ready for use.  In the meantime, the companies will instead focus on their thin-and-light (or ultra-thin) laptops that run on Intel’s CULV (consumer ultra-low voltage) processors for the remainder of this year.  I am very much looking forward to future netbooks that contain Intel’s smaller batttery saving processor (Pine-Trail) and nVidia’s ION platform which allows for better graphics and 1080p HD support.

[Via Digitimes; Engadget]

Microsoft Store coming to a mall near you

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If you are not aware, Microsoft is planning to open its own retail stores, just like Apple has with their “Apple Store” nationwide.  Gizmodo recently picked up on leaked MS retail store plans that were included in what seems to be a legit powerpoint presentation by Lippicott, a “design and brand strategy” consultant firm.  From the looks of the images and details, a ‘Microsoft Store’ may give Apple a run for its money.  Back on July 15, this quote was picked up by Giz; Microsoft’s COO Kevin Turner: “And stay tuned, because we’re going to have some retail stores opened up that are opened up right next door to Apple stores this fall. Stay tuned, just stay tuned.”  Late last week, Giz found further information about MS’s plans about a retail chain.  “Essentially, Microsoft is taking the best elements from the Apple Store, Sony Style and other “flagship” stores. The main focuses are going to be Windows 7, Xbox, PCTV (Windows Media Center) Surface and Windows Mobile, revolving around this concept customer they call “Emily…”  One Frank Shaw left a comment on MS’s behalf, firmly stating that these plans are only concepts, and nothing more: “As a part of our process in briefing creative agencies, we shared some early prototypes and concepts of our retail store plans. No final decisions have been made. As we previously announced, we are on track to open retail stores this Fall.”  According to CNET, the first two locations of these stores will be in Scottsdale, Arizona and Mission Viejo, California.  Microsoft spokeswoman Kim Stocks: “Over a billion people use our products every day yet we don’t always have a way to directly connect with them.  We see the physical stores, as well as a consistent online experience, helping that.”  With the goal of “going global” MS will directly compete with Apple Retail stores in the near future.  There’s even a rumored “answers bar” in the works to go head-to-head with Apple’s Genius Bar.  Look after the break for Giz’s summary of the leaked powerpoint presentation and see the gallery below for the leaked in-store plans.

[Via Gizmodo here & here; CNET]

 

Continue reading Microsoft Store coming to a mall near you →

Don’t tase me bro, times 3!

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The Taser X3 has the capability to tase and stun three people simultaneously with no delay and no recharge.  It uses a “revolutionary Pulse Calibration System” that allows the user to monitor the electrical output being discharged.  Very cool tech!  Check out the video above for a demonstration the Taser X3 in actions.  The video description: “Three TASER employee volunteers were exposed to the new TASER X3 as the rest of the company watched on at TASER International Headquarters.  The X3 was fired sequentially at the 3 volunteers with no reloading, no delay, and instant neuromuscular incapacitation (NMI). Employees then shared some insights about their experiences and went back to work.”  Just another day at the office, I guess.  Peek after the break for product images.

[Via Gizmodo]

Continue reading Don’t tase me bro, times 3! →