The Russian space program didn't die, it was redirected to USB flash drive making. The Titan USB flash drive is constructed from a graphite/aluminum composite metal matrix that has "traditionally been used by NASA and other space agencies". This matrix is then covered in titanium to avoid corrosion, and generally help with the entire badass geek motif.
The result is a waterproof, anti-shock, and anti-static drive that can withstand 2,000lbs of pressure. The 1GB model costs $197 and the 2GB runs $247, which is less expensive when you consider it's a (semi) handmade product that is limited to 100 units produced.
By creator Slava Tyukalov, who brought us this cool mouse. Hit the jump for a video of an SUV plowing the Titan.
Trackback: http://blogs.vnunet.com/app/trackback/98329
You might want your boss to spring for one these. This is the good-looking Nokia E90 Communicator which got its official launch today at 3GSM. And it’s as good looking an ‘all-in one’ business device as you’ll get.
Key features include Quad band, GSM, HSDPA and WiFi. It sports a 3.2MP camera with auto-focus and flash as well as a second VGA camera on the inside for video calls. The big display is also a plus by allowing you to view the full width of Web pages and the keypad looks like it can be used by people with fingers larger than a 4-year old.
There’s also an FM radio, video player and MP3 functionality, a handy mini-USB slot for easier hook-ups and don’t forget Nokia Maps for making sure corporate jet-setters can find their way safely from the hotel to the lap-dancing bar and back. Due out in Q2.
The unsubsidised price is around £500 but I can’t see too many people buying this without a contract. -Martin Lynch
Trackback: http://blogs.vnunet.com/app/trackback/98328
OVGuide.com is pretty much the best site on the Wide World interWebs, and a procrastinator's wet dream.
Within you will find comprehensive links to just about every TV show worth watching, all entirely streamable online. While this may not be morally all that, it certainly is effing addictive. In fact, this little plug took me about thirty hours to write, because I've been writing about three words inbetween each episode of The Wire.
Go indulge, procrastinators, college kids, office workers and internet geeks. You know you want to.
Plus it's a nice kick in the shins to all those TV execs, and you can't feel anything but the opposite of guilty about that now, can you? -Tamlin Magee
Trackback: http://blogs.vnunet.com/app/trackback/98327
With Vista just hitting shelves, Microsoft is already looking ahead to their next OS codenamed "Vienna", that is slated for a 2009 release. This from development VP Ben Fathi:
We're going to look at a fundamental piece of enabling technology. Maybe its hypervisors, I don't know what it is...Maybe it's a new user interface paradigm for consumers...It's too early for me to talk about it...But over the next few months I think you're going to start hearing more and more.
Hmmm...lots of tech speak going on there. Let's give the prototype Gizmodo Translator a whack at it:
The end user is fucked.
Ahhh, now it makes sense. – Mark Wilson
Microsoft: Vista Follow-up Likely in 2009 [pcworld]
Trackback: http://blogs.vnunet.com/app/trackback/98326
The NY Times, Businessweek, the AP, and others are crowing over the powerful new chips Intel demoed in an hotel room last week.
What's cool: Performing 1 Trillion calcs per second, the chip could do the same number crunching that 10 years ago took up 2,000 square feet of machinery to do. Instead of the half-megawatt of juice, it could take as little as 62 watts. The chips could have up to 80+ cores.
What sucks?: Five years, at least, til these are available. No x86 architecture version yet, even in prototype. And optimizing programs that to take advantage of eighty cores is still a very hard thing to do. Multiple core processing is still best for mass rote operations like those involving math and video.
The bottom line: Congrats on the teraflops on chip, Intel, but wake us up when this baby is for sale. The Verdict: Vaporous CPU, solid PR move by Intel.–Brian Lam
Intel's Teraflop Chips [NYTimes and Businessweek]
Trackback: http://blogs.vnunet.com/app/trackback/98325
This is the Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe. Does anyone else think a coupe Rolls Royce is somewhat of a contradiction? Anyway, this one just sold for $2m (a shade over £1m) in a US charity auction, making it the most expensive car ever sold in the US. Or so the auctioneers claim.
It is also the first one sold there. The 2007 run of these is already sold out, but those owners will be paying the far more reasonable price of $407,000. I still think just over £200,000 is too expensive.
It may look like a cruise liner but it does house a 6.75litre V12 engine which can propel this particular boat to 60mph in under 6 seconds. More pics after the jump.-Martin Lynch
Trackback: http://blogs.vnunet.com/app/trackback/98324
Most people spend years (decades) putting together a decent audio/video (AV) system around the home. The problem, apart from cost, is one of bits of equipment lying everywhere connected by a massive spaghetti junction of cables running around, and across, different rooms.
Sony [at least in the US] is putting forward its own high-end, full-home AV set up with five systems designed for different budgets.
There are five variations on offer: three offer music storage and management servers while two also offer a DVD management system with a 400-disc changer. The NHS-3030 (pictured) rack at the top end, incorporates the previously mentioned features, an ES A/V receiver and XM Radio. There is also space to add three additional sources, from consoles to HD players.
Each system includes a choice of 1080p HDTVs, such as Sony's Bravia LCDs, Grand Wega rear projection sets or, the VPL-VW50 SXRD front projector. There is a pre-programmed LCD touch-screen remote for the home theater and in-wall LCD keypads with a separate remote for controlling other rooms.
The Sony systems are built into sturdy Middle Atlantic racks and, for the money, you also get them installed. Prices range from around £8,000 to almost £40,000.-Martin Lynch
news technology gadgets movies music AV home entertainment
Trackback: http://blogs.vnunet.com/app/trackback/98323
Editor and Contributor | Martin Lynch
Contributor | Tamlin Magee
