Category Archives: Technology

Google announces Chrome OS

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After hearing many rumors about Google concocting an operating system of its own, the company has officially given word that it is indeed creating a full-fledged operating system extending from its Chrome web browser.  According to the official developer blog, “Google Chrome OS is an open source, lightweight operating system that will initially be targeted at netbooks” and “most of the user experience takes place on the web.”  “That is, it’s “Google Chrome running within a new windowing system on top of a Linux kernel” with the web as the platform.”  It will be capable of running on Intel Atom chips and ARM processors.  Google responded to the current rumors about its mobile Android OS making a jump from cell phones (think T-Mobile G1) to netbook computers (think Eee PCs):  “…choice will drive innovation for the benefit of everyone, including Google.”  Google plans on releasing the new OS onto netbooks in the second half of 2010.  Until Google reveals more information and the overall plan for the Chrome OS, there is not much else to say on this matter.  One thing’s for sure, though–with Google plunging into the OS wars with Microsoft, Apple, and Linux, only good things can come from competition like this.  So exciting!

[Via Engadget; Gizmodo; GoogleBlog]

I smell new Chocolate, I can almost…

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LG is teasing the latest iteration of its Chocolate handset.  The LG Chocolate series of phones is LG’s most popular and best-selling handset to date.  Officially, LG has only unveiled shadowy images the “second generation LG Chocolate.”  More information will sprout between now and its supposed August release.  Engadget was told: “The new LG Chocolate will be a disruptive force in conventional mobile screens in an effort to maximize usability while inheriting the original minimalist-inspired style and iconic design of its predecessor.”  Sounds delicious to me.

Update:  Engadget has received word of some specifications from the usually reliable source Tweakers.net:  “[The LG Chocolate] will become the first of its kind with a 21:9 aspect ratio display.  We’re also told that the model number will be BL-40, the screen resolution will be pegged at 800 x 345, the display itself will be over 3-inches diagonally, the inbuilt camera will be 5 megapixels, and HSDPA will be included.”  Check out some additional (and official) images after the break. Continue reading I smell new Chocolate, I can almost… →

WiiHD…where are you?

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The Wii looks gorgeous in stunning high definition.  “Pumped through a Wii PC emulator, these images are just upscaled versions of the [game’s] existing graphics—in other words, you’re not even seeing what advanced hardware/graphics engines can do with additional texture or lighting.  But with a boost in sharpness alone (more pixels),” the Wii looks great in HD.  Check after the break (click “…more”) to see more Super Mario Galaxy images in HD.  Here’s to the rumors of a WiiHD console coming to fruition sooner than later.

[Quote via Gizmodo; Images via NeoGaf] Continue reading WiiHD…where are you? →

Colorware your gadgets

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Colorware allows you to send in your favorite gadgets and pay a premium to customize them to your heart’s content.  Seen above is the “Stealth Macbook Pro” ($5999) and a customized pair of Dre Beats headphones ($249).  You can customize phones, computers, MP3 players, TVs, video game consoles, and more.  All customization is done online.  You are given the option of sending in your own product or purchasing the product with Colorware and have them customize and ship it to you within 2-4 weeks.  Too cool, too pricey.

[Via Colorware; KanyeBlog; Gizmodo]

Facebook 3.0 for iPhone OS 3.0

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Facebook’s next big update for the iPhone looks to be just that–a massive UI overhaul that appears to make viewing and managing your account a much simpler and user-friendly task.  Facebook has officially announced the following 15 new features in 3.0:

1. The “new” News Feed
2. Like
3. Events (including the ability to RSVP)
4. Notes
5. Pages
6. Create new photo albums
7. Upload photos to any album
8. Zoom into photos
9. Easier photo tagging
10. Profile Pictures albums
11. A new home screen for easy access to all your stuff, search, and notifications
12. Add your favorite profiles and pages to the home screen
13. Better Notifications (they link to the comments so you can reply)
14. Quickly call or text people right from the Friends page
15. Messages you are typing will be restored if you quit or are interrupted by a phone call

According to Facebook, the new app is about “98% done.”  They also noted that push notifications will be included in future version 3.1 which will come out this summer to the App Store.

[Via InsideFacebook]

Conan, YouTwitFace is very real

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youtwitfacesmall

A few weeks ago, when Conan brought back his famous “In the Year 2000” segment (which he changed to “3000”), he ended the segment with this hilarious joke:  “In the year 3000…YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook will merge to form one super time-wasting website called…”YouTwitFace!”  (Followed by lots of laughter.)  Little did he know that this would actually become a real website!

While the three sites are indeed becoming interlaced with each other, one man has actually taken it upon himself to create an official domain where all three will meet:  www.YouTwitFace.com.  Brian Kay “intends to build out the site into a tribute to “social-media faux pas and the lighter side of technology” combining blog posts and funny videos.”  Kay calls it “YouTwitFace, the future of wasting time.”  The site is currently under development.  Look after the break (click “…more”) for the quick clip of Conan and Andy spilling the joke.

[Via Mashable] Continue reading Conan, YouTwitFace is very real →

Concept: Open Smoking Booth

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I will allow the source to speak for itself:

“Design to encourage a bad habit? Go figure! FRESH is an open smoking booth designed for airport terminals. This “bubble” of self contained smoke air is filtered and fresh air is released. It’s modern and sleek with a circular arm stand on the base embedded into the floor. A cylindrical glass ash bin with a metal top stands in the middle.  When this system starts, the smoke is filtered by the arm top  where low-pressure air is generated. The “air wall” (a transition between low air pressure and high air pressure) keeps the smoke within it. Then the purified fresh air is sent out to the center of the booth from the lower part of the arm. The smoking space is therefore created by this invisible spherical “air wall” through which the travelers can walk conveniently in and out of.”

Although this is only a concept idea, I can see something like this creation by D.K. Wei become a reality in the near future.  With all of the new smoking laws being heavily enforced (yes!), there needs to be a way for those who continue to smoke to do so in a manner that does not affect the people around them.  Check out more images of the design after the break (click “…more”).

[Via Yanko Design] Continue reading Concept: Open Smoking Booth →