USB Turntable (More Vinyl to CD Goodness) December 6, 2005
READ MORE Digital Audio
You kind of liked the idea of that TEAC turntable that could rip vinyl right into a CD (though many of you seemed to wonder why it took so long for the combo to be marketed together), so you may also want to take a looksie at ION’s ITTUSB. This USB turntable is being touted as the first ever of its kind to let you instantly convert your vinyl to CD or MP3 with included recording software (no special drivers required). Basically, the ITTUSB is compatible with any software that supports USB audio input sound cards, but comes with Audacity software for Mac or PC. On the hardware side, the turntable supports 33 1/3 and 45rpm, has an adjustable anti-skating control for increased stereo balancing, supports high-speed vinyl recording, has adjustable pitch control (+/- 8 per cent) and comes with line level output that lets you connect to your home stereo with CD or auxiliary inputs. Just $139.
Ion USB Turntable [Bios Magazine]
Pricing for Ion USB Turntable [Amazon]
|
|
Xbox Lawsuit, a Tad Premature? December 6, 2005
READ MORE Games
Robert Byers probably didn’t play through one whole game before bringing a class action lawsuit against Microsoft’s Xbox 360. This Chicago man’s proposed class action claims:
The company was so intent on releasing the Xbox 360 before competing next-generation machines from Sony Corp. and Nintendo Co Ltd. that it sold a “defectively designed” product.
Basically, Bob says that the power supply and CPU overheat, messing up the heat-sensitive chips and then locking up the whole console. Which we hear does happen, although not with everyone’s box. But when Bob’s Xbox 360 doesn’t work, then the whole production line needs to be recalled. Oh, and Bob, if you didn’t already know, the only folks who get a big payout on class action lawsuits are the attorneys. So don’t start counting your cash just yet. Unless you are an attorney. In which case, call me—my watch is broken and I think it’s a production line defect.
Microsoft sued over alleged Xbox 360 glitch [Reuters]
The Voice of Knight Industry 2000’s Micro Processor Is Now Scanning Your iPod December 6, 2005
READ MORE Portable Media
The iTunes Music Store keeps coming with the hits lately. NBC has added a ton of old shows to the catalog including Knight Rider, Adam-12, Dragnet, and Alfred Hitchcock Presents. Looks like NBC is offering a show from each decade from the 1950s on, just to make sure Dad gets his Dragnet, and your older brother gets his Knight Rider. Hopefully people will realize that they need Hasslehoff on their iPod video shouting at KITT about some problem. Ahh NBC, you treat us well. The episodes are $1.99 apiece, which is a great deal for a 45-minute-long commercial-free episode of a show.
Drug Dispenser Annoys You Into Medicating December 6, 2005
READ MORE Gadgets
Do you have trouble remembering to pop your pills? Unitech has created a drug dispenser that sends a warning signal saying: “Here is your medicine. Don’t forget to take it.” And it keeps saying it until you take the correct dosage out of the tray. Obviously this is a handy device for elderly folks who are forgetful or suffering something worse. Let’s just hope it never falls prey to some kind of bug that sends it into a “here is your medicine” loop until the person overdoses. That’s grim—I must have forgotten to take my happy pills this morning. The price is 19,740 yen (£95).
Product Page
Korean Xbox 360s Look Better Than Yours December 6, 2005
READ MORE Consoles , Home Entertainment
This is a photo from the Xbox 360 launch event in Korea. Where did those badass case covers come from? See the one with the astroturf and soccer ball on top of the power button? Scoooorrrreee!
[Thanks Jimmy!]
Bendy LCDs get bigger December 6, 2005
READ MORE Gadgets
Ah yes, bendy electronic paper. We’ve heard the hype, seen the tiny samples but now Plastic Logic seem to be claiming one of those “world first” thingies. As you can see from the generous image, the company is claiming to have developed the largest active matrix flexible display ever and who am I to argue? It definitely looks the business. Here’s the blurb:
“The displays are 10in diagonal SVGA (800 x 600) with 100ppi resolution and 4 levels of greyscale. The thickness of the display when laminated with E Ink Imaging Film is less than 0.4mm. The backplane substrate is made from low temperature PET supplied by DuPont Teijin Films which is more flexible and easier to handle than alternatives such as thin glass or steel foil. E Ink Imaging Film is an electrophoretic display material that looks like printed ink-on-paper and has been designed for use in paper-like electronic displays. Like paper, the material can be flexed and rolled. The film only consumes battery power while the image is updated.”
OK, 800 x 600 might be low but how much resolution do you need for books and newspapers? No date on an actual launch in the real world, so back to work you layabouts, there's trees to be chopped!
Sticky December 6, 2005
READ MORE Gadgets
Sometimes there are really bizarre things out there for sale, things that claim they are amazing, and special, and this is no exception. Before you get too excited, calm down, it's only magnets. But very amazing and special magnets. Apparently, they're extremely powerful, and will always move towards each other no matter how far apart they are. And they make whirring noises. What more could you want!
It sounds a bit boring, but there is something about magnets that is curiously fascinating. How many times have you stood in front of your refrigerator flipping the magnets around, trying to get them to stick together, but they never do. And it's really another way to amuse yourself at work, which is always a bonus. Just try not to play with them if you sit next to someone that has a lot of fillings, or is fond of wearing metallic things. That could get a little sticky. Or really funny, depending on your sense of humour.
They're £9.99 and you can get them here.
Samsung shrinks projector December 6, 2005
READ MORE Gadgets , Home Entertainment
I like projectors. I like them more than overpriced flat-panel TVs and Ben & Jerrys. I like them even more because their prices keeping falling. And now, thanks to Samsung, I am being nudged ever closer to a full-blown, unhealthy, possibly illegal obsession. Meet the dinky little SP-P300MK Pocket Imager. It’s not the first tiny projector previewed – hey, Mitsubishi, get your finger out and launch what you previewed earlier this year - but, it looks like the first to be based on market-leading DLP projection technology. This means it’s mainstream technology, just shrunken into really tight pants. The SP-P300MK measures 12.7 x 9.4cms and can project a 63in image with a 1000:1 contrast. No mention of picture resolution or brightness and while it will in no way equal a larger product, this is a very lovable portable party machine. Due to wow the crowds next month's CES.
movies projector gadgets home entertainment
Japanese Segway Scariness December 6, 2005
READ MORE Gadgets
Japan decided they needed to one-up the Americans yet again by unveiling a Segway that is minus the handles and steering mechanism. Safety and “riding-while-drunk” issues are my immediate concerns with this…? Hell, look at this guy: his eyes are closed so tight because he’s probably crapping himself. Expect Segway PMP-2 lawsuit news coming in the near future.
The Japanese Segway PMP-2 [Akihabara]
The Vertu Porsche Boxster Test December 6, 2005
READ MORE Mobile phones
KrisDec05Vertu.jpg
Vertu, maker of expensive phones, recently got some credibility handed to them it seems. The company is marketing their Ascent Motorsport Edition, which is an ultra-luxurious phone made with petroleum-resistant automotive leather inlaid with carbon fiber and Liquidmetal—you know, the stuff the future Terminator was made of. In short, it’s strong. So Vertu claimed the phone could be run over by the very car it was based on: an F1 Porsche. So the New York Times called bull and got one of these phones and ran over that thing five times with a Porsche Boxster. Oh, no! What horrible things happened to the expensive Vertu phone, you ask?! Nothing. Nada. Not a scratch. Score one for Vertu.
Vertu AScent Motorsport, Run Over Five Times, Survives [Oh Gizmo!]
Robotic Boogaloo December 6, 2005
READ MORE Robots
At IREX over in Japan, the focus of today’s leading technology was defined with one word: breakdancing. You best grab your Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five LP and get ready to bust a move, because this robot is one hand-plant ahead of you. With a hot red paint job, the little guy will pop, lock, and do headstands. He’ll also break out in a windmill as well. Then he will bust out a rocket launcher and kill Sarah Connor. It’s all part of Breakin’ 3: Robotic Boogaloo.
Robot Breakdancer [Akihabara]
Nissan's "self-healing" paint December 6, 2005
READ MORE Press
Boffins at Nissan have come up with a self-healing paint for cars. First off, scratch–resistant which, like water resistant on watches, does not mean invulnerable (as I have found out three times at the sea). 'Scratch Guard Coat' is also self-healing, like the T-2000. The coat is composed of a special resin that makes minor scratches disappear within a day to a week - allegedly. However, it will not protect against the gouges left by society’s poor, misunderstood teenagers or, creative reversing in the supermarket car park. Sadly, it will debut on a Nissan car which means most of us will not get to enjoy it. That said, let’s pull on our Douglas Adams hats and think laterally. After all, there has to be at least one portable consumer electronics device out there that could use some scratch resistant paint. Let me think….
Apple to iOPS: “Stop it or I’m telling!” December 6, 2005
READ MORE Portable Media
South Korea is a pretty fierce place for the MP3 player market. Apple only holds a measly eight percent of the market share there, compared to the 280 percent that they seem to hold over here in the states. In a fit of rage, Apple has decided to file a complaint against iOPS regarding two of their MP3 players, the Z5 and the Z3. Apple is claiming that these two models are ripoffs of the iPod Mini because they share similar layouts, have a screen (??), use round controls and are available in similar trendy unique colors. iOPS is currently the fifth most popular MP3 player manufacturer in South Korea and holds around five percent of the market share. Nice one, Apple—if you can’t beat ‘em, sue ‘em!
iPod Not Selling Well… [Digital Media Thoughts]
Airport Express Wi-Fi Range Hacks December 6, 2005
READ MORE Gadgets
Looking for that extra boost out of your Airport Express or possibly other Wi-Fi router/access point? Give this a shot. Simply stick that thing inside of a steel wire basket ladle. In a way this creates a passive Wi-Fi antenna enhancer. Proper positioning at the focal point of the parabola-shaped kitchenware can enhance the signal even more. We are not responsible for damage if you decide to strain your pasta while your Airport Express is still in the bowl.
Parabolic Kitchenware as Wi-Fi Extender [Cult of Mac]
Aopen Viiv SFFs December 6, 2005
READ MORE PC
More CES news from Aopen, which claims that we’ll get a peek at the first Intel Viiv small form factor PCs at the big show in Januray. The miniPC runs both Windows and Linux and Viiv machines will probably use both Intel’s Pentium and its Yonah notebook processors. Of course, I’m sure there’ll be about a kabillion other Viiv products lolling around CES, but I do have a soft spot for these little Aopen PCs.
Aopen to launch Viiv machine soon [The Inquirer]
iPods For $4.99? Target Didn’t Think So Either December 6, 2005
READ MORE Portable Media
Every once in a while somebody comes around wanting to scam someone else. Usually it’s something stupid that gets them caught and thrown in jail. In this case, we have a 19-year-old gentleman who decided to use the program BarCode Magic to create custom iPod barcodes that made them drop in price…a lot. So it should come as no suprise that when the $4.99 iPod and other insanely low-priced electronics came up, Target caught on and busted the teenager on the spot. Next time try moving that decimal point over one and you might have a better shot, buddy.
Barcode Scam Redux - Target’s $4.99 iPod [Slashdot]
Plextor Dual-Layer USB DVD Recorder December 6, 2005
Plextor’s PX-608U is a lightweight portable DVD recorder drive that comes with double layer DVD+/- writing, multi-format DVD-RAM capability and high-speed USB 2.0 data transfer. And if you get a writing failure because of a slow or stopped buffer (it’s got 2MB), the drive will actually pause for you and start burning again as soon as the buffer is cleared. Also look for Plextor’s 16x DVD+R media to go along with the just-announced drive.
Plextor Dual-Layer USB DVD Recorder [Bios Magazine]
Genuine Portable Media Player Graffiti December 6, 2005
READ MORE Portable Media
Sony’s PSP graf-admen have it all wrong. Convince the world that your product is superior and it will appear in graffiti without having to pay shills.
iPod Graf [Cult of Mac]
- Blogroll
Editor and Contributor | Martin Lynch
RSS Feed
