Bicycle for Two Seats Riders Next to Each Other September 25, 2007

Bicycles built for two seem like they'd be romantic, but how do you decide who gets to sit in front? It's clearly the better position, as you get a view of the open road rather than of your bikemate's sweaty back. That's why this strange mutant two-person bike makes sense… sort of. I mean, it seems like just riding separate bikes would be easiest, but what do I know? -Adam Frucci [eBay via Spulch]

Mygo Cane Guides the Blind, Turns Them Into Potential Superheroes September 25, 2007

Sebastian Ritzler, a design student in Germany, has created a feature-laden rolling white cane called the Mygo that will make the blind scoff at us eyesies. The Mygo uses a sensor-camera combo to measure the ground below it and give the user real time feedback via a wireless headset. The cane also ends in a small wheel that uses a steering engine that helps the user steer by providing feedback through the grip.

Gigashot A100 Series is Small, Full HD Camcorder from Toshiba September 25, 2007

Here's a full-frontal of one of Toshiba's Gigashot A100 Full HD camcorders. The A100F has a 1.8-inch HDD with capacity of 100GB, while her younger sister, the A40F has, yep, 40GB on hers. But they both give you 1920 × 1080 resolution in MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 format. They're out in Japan mid-November, a month after the less sexy Gigashot K hits the shops. More pics and specs after the jump.

How Halo Changes Our Future September 25, 2007

Read more Consoles , Gadgets , Games , PS3 , Wii , Xbox

There’s not a lot I can say about the above video except that it’s brilliant. I know all the news is about sales figures, gaming queues and reviews of Halo 3, which is why this social satire on the impact of Halo is a welcome addition.

Do yourself a favour and see how Halo takes over the world, changes it for the better and then, destroys it.

Essential viewing from the talented folk at Loading Ready Run.-Martin Lynch

games xbox console PS3 halo 3

Halo 3: Outstanding Reviews Greet Master Chief’s Finale September 25, 2007

Read more Consoles , Entertainment , Games , Gizmodo UK , Software , Xbox

We all know that Halo 3 is going to sell truckloads but is it any good?

After the all the hype surrounding the final chapter tin the Halo franchise, it’s actually a bit of a surprise to see that most of the key reviews for Halo 3 are not just positive, but pants-wettingly euphoric. Whatever else can be said about the Halo franchise, Halo 3 looks like it’s nailed it where it counts for gamers. Here’s what some of the top gaming sites said.

IGN.com: 9.5/10

The campaign, which is very good, is Halo 3's weakest point. It doesn't capture the cavalier spirit of the original Halo, but you'll still have fun playing through it. There's no first-person shooter on 360 that can equal Halo 3's blend of cinematic action, adrenaline-pumping shootouts, and male- (and female)-bonding gameplay. Look beyond the gameplay and you have a rich feature set unlike anything ever delivered in a videogame. The Forge and the replay functionality raise the bar for console shooters so high, it may never be surpassed this generation. There will be plenty of aspects for fans to nitpick, but it's hard to argue against Halo 3 as the most complete game available on any console.

[More]

GamePro.com: 5/5

Anyway you slice it, Halo 3 more than lives up to the high expectations set by gamers everywhere. It's solid gameplay, immense replayability, online functionality and incredible production values will ensure its place in video game history, and it is, without a doubt, a satisfying and fulfilling close to the beloved trilogy[?].

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Gamespot.com: 9.5/10

On the surface, Halo 3 is every bit the sequel you would expect it to be, in that it delivers meaningful upgrades to both the story-driven and competitive sides of the package. However, it's the addition of the Forge level editor and the saved films that give the game an even longer set of legs, legs that will probably keep you running at full speed until Bungie figures out where, exactly, to go from here.

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Eurogamer.net: 10/10

And yet, hype machine aside, cutting through the crap about console wars and the like, what we find in Halo 3 is quite simply this - the best game yet in one of the best FPS franchises of the era. Better than either of its predecessors, Halo 3 still can't quite escape the category of flawed masterpiece - but this time around, the flaws are so minor that even the most churlish of reviewers would be hard pressed to mark the game down.

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Computer And Videogames: 9.7/10

Halo knows what it does best and it's done it. If you're one of those that is physically sick when even the world Halo is mentioned, we feel a little sorry for you. Don't cut off your nose to spite your face, as ours mums would say. You're genuinely going to miss out on an incredible gaming experience that offers many different ways to play it, alone with your mates, or against the global community.

[More]

Oh, I'm sure the game will have it's detractors - after all no game is perfect. That said, it looks like Halo 3 is going to blast the competition out of the water.-Martin Lynch

games xbox console PS3 halo 3

Halo 3: 1.5 Million US Pre-orders In The Bag September 25, 2007

Read more Consoles , Games , Software , Xbox

The Halo 3 media machine is really cranking up now with the hours ticking away to the US launch – to be followed on Wednesday midnight here.

News just in is that pre-orders in the US for Halo 3 have topped 1.5 million, making it just about the biggest thing since gaming began - at least for Xbox folk. Without a doubt, it’s certainly looking like the game that will ensure some badly needed extra sales of the Xbox 360 abroad. Argos was so excited by the whole thing it inadvertently started flogging the game a week early.

10,000 US retailers will be opening at midnight to cater for the rabid horde looking for one of three versions: standard edition , limited edition and legendary edition. But is it any good?

I’ll have a list of the best early reviews so far so check back soon.-Martin Lynch

games xbox console PS3 halo 3

$100 Laptop Sells To Public September 25, 2007

Read more Gadgets , Gizmodo UK , Laptops , Mobile Devices

The ingenious XO $100 laptop invented by Nicholas Negroponte, which was due to sell in large numbers only to developing nations, is about to go on sale in the US.

In a drive to boost sales and combat the rising price of the laptop itself [now closer to $200], the One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) project has announced the “Give One, Get One” (G1G1) initiative whereby US consumers can buy two for $400 [around £198], keeping one while the other is sent to a child in the developing world. Negroponte said:

“Starting November 12, One Laptop Per Child will be offering a Give 1 Get 1 Program for a brief window of time. For $399, you will be purchasing two XO laptops—one that will be sent to empower a child to learn in a developing nation, and one that will be sent to your child at home.

Once again, thank you. We sincerely hope you'll join our growing community of people working to create a connected, educated, enlightened future for the world's most essential resource—its children.”

It’s a good idea and I wish them the best. It'd be good if they opened the offer to Europe too.-Martin Lynch

[XO Giving]

laptop OLPC notebook

Bendy Glow-In-the-Dark Keyboard: Groovy September 25, 2007

Read more Gadgets , Gizmodo UK , Laptops , PC , Peripherals

When your beige, solid plastic keyboard is just not cool enough anymore, you need one that not only bends but also glows in the dark.

This is the Flexible Illuminated Full Sized Keyboard made from durable silicone and, for those of you that just love working in the dark, it’s the perfect toy.

It can be rolled up and twisted, is waterproof and dust-proof, and weighs in at just 335 grams, which means transporting it about in your backpack shouldn't be a strain.

It comes in four colours [green, white, blue and pink] and connects to your machine of choice via USB. For £15, even if it’s rubbish to type on, it will still look cool glowing in the corner or the room. Jump for another photo. -Martin Lynch

[Brando]