Category Archives: Technology

Apple tablet rumors aflutter

According to the latest round of rumors the reveal and shipping date of the Apple tablet device will be delayed until the second half of 2010 due to component switches.

The source says Apple will ship two versions of the tablet; one with a 9.7 inch LG OLED display that may cost around $2,000 and one with a larger 10.6 inch TFT LCD display costing between $800-$1,000.

…gotta love rumors.

[Via Gizmodo; Digitimes]

AT&T brings Verizon to court, loses

It has been reported that a federal judge has ruled against AT&T’s request to pull the Verizon “There’s a Map for That” advertisements from the airwaves.  No surprise here.

What’s interesting, though, is that the judge has deemed it necessary for the two celluar carriers to meet again in court to discuss the matter further.  Apparently the judge called the ads “sneaky” and said that it is possible that viewers may mistunderstand the ads intent becuase “most people who are watching TV are semi-catatonic.”  Ha!  The court meets again on December 16.

For now, Verizon has all the freedom in the world to continue pumping out these advertisements for the holiday season without any scruff from AT&T.  Unless you count this sad, terrible ad featuring one of the Wilson brothers:

[Via Engadget, here & here]

David Pogue sings “Apps!…I Did it Again”

New York Times tech columnist David Pogue is known for showing off his show-tunes background in funny tech-based gags.  Check out his latest titled “Apps!…I Did it Again,” a song about the iPhone’s ability to run a myriad of (pointless) apps to the tune of Britney Spears’ hit song.

[Via Gizmodo]

Facebook comes to PS3 (and Xbox 360) today

Seems like Facebook is infiltrating all of our favorite gadgets these days: computers, cell phones, iPods, and now video game consoles.

Facebook capabilities are now available on the Playstation 3 today via the (free) 3.10 firmware update.  Sony is pressing that this is the first of many Facebook features coming to the PS3.  For now, FB on PS3 will enable users to share their Trophy and Playstation Store activity in their Facebook News Feeds.  Also, publishers are given the option to send game-specific information from the console to users’ News Feeds.  Other Facebook features, basics such as status updates and photo sharing, are not included with this update.  Hopefully future updates will bring these features to life.  For now, Sony advises its users to make use of the PS3’s browser to log-in and fully utilize Facebook that way for the time being.  Other new updates with 3.10 include a new way to orgainze and view your photos in a gallery and customization options in your PSN Friends List (you can color your PSN ID).

And don’t forget: also available today (via a free download) is the Xbox 360 dashboard update that includes full-blown Facebook integration, Twitter, last.fm, and Zune (video) marketplace additions with HD (1080p) instant-on streaming.  What are you waiting for?  Get social network’d.

[Via Engadget; Playstation EU Blog]

Toshiba sends an arm chair into space

In a strange attempt to advertise its new 2010 REGZA SV LCD TV series, Toshiba sent “an ordinary living room chair” into outerspace.  Check it out!

Facts about the shoot:

• The shots were taken at a staggering 98,268 feet above the earth using Toshiba’s own cameras
• To reach the altitude required and to conform with Federal Aviation Administration regulations, the weight of the rig had to be carefully managed to a weight of no more than four pounds
• Tied to the rig was a specially created full-sized model chair made of biodegradable balsa wood – the chair was made by a company called Artem and cost about £2,500
• Launch coordinates of the rig were – 119 degrees, 14 minutes by 40 degrees, 48 minute (12 miles North-East of the town of Gerlach, Nevada)
• The quality of the footage from the Toshiba IK-HR1S cameras was: 1920×1080 pixel count; 1080i @ 50hz; 100 Mbps
• The temperature dropped to minus 90 degrees when the chair reached 52,037 feet
• The chair took 83 minutes to reach an altitude of 98,268 feet where it broke and took just 24 minutes to fall back down to earth with the rig.

[Via Engadget; Gizmodo; Toshiba.uk]

Verizon to AT&T: “the truth hurts” BIATCH!

So we all know the story thus far: AT&T has sued Verizon for their “There’s a Map for That” ad campaign.  AT&T claims that Verizon’s beautiful 3G map compared to their dismal 3G map is misleading in more ways than one.  Without going into further detail (because I have already done so here), let’s take a look at VZ’s long-awaited rebuttal:

AT&T did not file this lawsuit because Verizon’s “There’s A Map For That” advertisements are untrue; AT&T sued because Verizon’s ads are true and the truth hurts.

DAAAAAMN!  But there’s more:

In the final analysis, AT&T seeks emergency relief because Verizon’s side-by-side, apples-to-apples comparison of its own 3G coverage with AT&T’s confirms what the marketplace has been saying for months: AT&T failed to invest adequately in the necessary infrastructure to expand its 3G coverage to support its growth in smartphone business, and the usefulness of its service to smartphone users has suffered accordingly.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again.  AT&T, stop with the unneccesary lawsuits and start making your cell service better.  If you had created a superior 3G coverage zone in the first place, this discussion would not be taking place.

[Via Engadget]

The Lung Flute, a fun and easy way to remove built up phlegm!

All you have to do is press the opening of the lung flute to your mouth and blow into it about ten times (short breaths, like blowing out birthday candles), and viola!  The enclosed reed that “flaps back and forth” when you blow into the tube manages to send vibrations into your chest which in turn dislodge excess mucus.  Neat-o!

Today, doctors in Japan use the $40 Lung Flute as a tool to collect sputum from patients suspected of carrying tuberculosis, and in Europe and Canada it’s used to help test phlegm for lung cancer. Clinical trials in the U.S. have shown that it is at least as effective as current COPD treatments. At press time, Hawkins expected the device to receive FDA approval any day, and says the reusable device could also provide home relief for patients with cystic fibrosis, influenza and asthma.

[Via Gizmodo; PopSci]

Address label finds fault with Esquire’s ‘magic’ issue

Yeah so remember when I posted about Esquire’s attempt to re-energize the zine industry with the inclusion of augmented reality tricks hidden within its latest issue?  Well look what we have here.  In order to augment your reality (ie. see Downey Jr. jump around on the page) you need to point a special-coded marker to your computer’s webcam.  It looks like customers are receiving the issue with the address label covering the marker on the cover page!  WTF, indeed.

Esquire has commented on the matter.  And that can be read after the break if you so choose to do so.

[Via Gawker] Continue reading Address label finds fault with Esquire’s ‘magic’ issue

‘Dancepants Kinetic Music Player’

Designed by Inesa Malafej and Arunas Sukarevicius (from Lithuania).

The “Dancepants” convert kinetic energy from your rapid movement into electricity to run your MP3 player.  In layman’s terms: you run and the music plays; you stop running and the music stops playing.  The designers say the leggings are a “100 percent interactive way to feel the value of energy on your own.”

Pretty neat way to keep you going at a fast pace when exercising or making a quick dash to your next class.  If you want your beats to keep playing you gotta shake your groove thang, shake your groove thang.

[Via Engadget; Ecouterre]

Concept: ‘Milky Way’ alarm clock

Conceptualized by Henrik Amberla.

The creator of the Milky Way chose the shape in order to “reflect on the duality and unity of the sleep/wake cycle.”  To engage the snooze function you simply turn the device.  Setting the clock and the alarm is also done through another turning motion.

Ah, to wake up to such a smooth, chocolatey nougat-filled–oh wait, that’s Three Musketeers.  Anyway, cool idea.

[Via Gizmodo; unplggd]