Gadgets Base

Now that the power of gaming graphics has risen to the point that games are blurring the lines of reality entertainment, one has to ask … could LucasArts “The Force Unleashed” be the greatest game ever? Designed with three different simulation technologies, The Force Unleashed is being designed to push the envelope in Xbox, Wii, and Playstation 3 consoles. And judging by the video below that talks about the tech behind the game, it just may be.

The game’s premise is a simple one. The gamer is Darth Vader’s secret apprentice and after much training, the Force has unleashed incredible powers in this padawan learner. Designed around three major simulation technologies, TFU is more than a game, it may actually be a Force simulation. Utilizing the Havok physics engine, designers are able to move an amazing amount of detail within the scenario. The result is the ability to move a great number of objects on screen at once. Great if you’re using the force to push back a hoard of destroyer droids. Euphoria, is the technology that gives animated characters their individuality. They reaction to what’s happening around them and insures that no two reactions are the same. Finally, Digital Molecular Matter (DMM) simulates the substance of an object in the scene and make it behave like it would in the real world. Glass shatters like glass, metal bends like metal, wood splinters as it should. Coupling this with Euphoria and the game environment reacts as it would if it were real life.

Add to this the hopeful promise of a Lightsaber Wii controller, and the result is that the Force Unleashed could be more simulation than game. And that begs the question … will The Force Unleashed be the greatest game ever? Well, at least until they make a better one.

Source, with video – Kotaku

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Some people might think that audio recorders are something of the past, but there are still groups of people that use it daily, like podcasters or journalists doing interviews. For those people, Yamaha presented the Pocketrak 2G.

The pocket recorder can be connected to a computer via USB to transfer data, and the internal memory has capacity for 2GB. On top of the microphone, the Yamha recorder has a built-in speaker and a (stereo) headphone jack.

The Yamaha Pocketrak USB Recorder is kind of expensive, it will cost $450 when it hits the shelves in April, but maybe the leather case is one of the reasons that makes the price go up.

Via EverythingUSB

Tesla Motors has announced they are officially able to move forward with sales, of course those who were willing to plunk down that $5,000 to get on the waiting list will still have a little while longer to wait. The first roadster, which was codenamed the “P1” will be going to company chairman Elon Musk, then production will begin on March 17, 2008.

Currently there is around 600 people on the waiting list, who should begin receiving their long awaited cars fairly quickly after production begins. Tesla Motors is estimating that they will be able to churn out about 40 per week once they go into full production later in 2008.

Part of the requirement before sales could begin here in the U.S. was to have the roadster safety tested, which although sad to see one being smashed is actually kind of cool. Keep reading for a few pictures of the safety testing in action.

Now if we could just find that extra $100,00 we had lying around.

Via [AutoBlog] Via [TG Daily]

Posted Jan 26th 2008 11:03AM by Darren Murph
Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video
Call it fate or call it luck, but regardless of what you deem it, the latest wave of Cowon price drops will certainly save you a few bucks. Judging by listings at JetMall, Cowon has slashed dollars off of price tags attached to a variety of its devices, including $50 off of the luscious Q5W, $20 from the A3 30GB and some $90 from the 16GB iAUDIO 7. What’s more, the entire Q5W lineup now comes with a free GPS cradle and a warm fuzzy feeling to boot. So if you’ve been holding off on treating yourself to a new Cowon, we’d say now would be a fairly decent time to pull the trigger and indulge.

[Via CNET]

Palm has confirmed the latest rumor regarding the closing of their retail locations. Initially the news of the store closings made it seem like Palm had finally hit the dark tunnel at the end of the line, however their statement regarding the closings gives us a little more hope for the future. According to Palm the store closings will allow them to “focus on its next-generation smartphone platform.” Still a little skeptical, but we would like to trust them.

As for the store closings, Palm will be closing all of their eight branded stores in California and all 26 airport locations. They will be keeping just one store open which is located at their headquarters in Sunnyvale, California. The closings will all take place over the next five weeks. Sad to see the closings, but hopefully this will allow Palm to deliver that magic device we are all waiting to see.

Via [RCR Wireless News]

According to sources following the development of the Playstation 3, Best Buy is discontinuing the sale of both the 80GB and 60GB models of the Playstation 3. Only the 40GB model, which sells for $399 and is not backwards compatible with earlier Playstation games will remain.

The rumor stems from a post by PS3Fanboy on his blog citing an anonymous Best Buy employee who apparently fed him this internal memo:

“The 80GB version of the PS3 is going closeout and won’t be replaced at this time,”… “It will come off the planogram on Jan. 28. The 60GB version should already be gone from stores. Only the 40GB version of PS3 will be sold in Best Buy stores at this time.”

The internal communiqué also goes on to confirm that the 40GB model is not backwards compatible and that Sony has no plans to add to the existing product line. If true, this would mark the return of initial criticisms of the PS3 that it wasn’t compatible with previous Playstation games and cited this as one reason, along with it’s ridiculously high price, not to invest in the latest game console in the first place. Lagging sales prompted Sony to lose nearly a billion dollars on the PS3 until they recently reduced the price of all Playstation 3 models, a move that has enjoyed brisk sales through the holiday season. But if this memo reflects a shift in Sony policy, the PS3’s return to glory may be short lived.

Source: UberGizmo

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The GPS market is a very competitive one, and it is hard for companies to make their name well-known when competing against giant companies like Garmin and TomTom. Today, Empower announced that they would be selling three new GPS units in the North American market.

In the PowerPlay lineup comes three GPS models, the first being the P2000. First thing you should know is that all 3 models feature 4.3-inch touch screen and Bluetooth connectivity for hands free calling. Now, the P2000 is a pretty basic model as it only comes with navigation, Bluetooth and traffic advisory data. Next up, we have the P2200 and basically the only extra thing that this comes with is a built-in camera. Furthermore, the last model, the P2800 adds a wireless backup camera as well as iPod connectivity.

Expect the P2000 available in March, and the other two are coming in the second quarter. Also, prices will probably be about $299 for the P2000, $399 for the P2200, and $499 for the P2800.

Via [NaviGadget]

Most speakers only have the single feature of providing sound, but the iTube speakers are different because they also offer a light show.

Also known as Aquallusion ITube Lights, the speakers give 360 degrees of acoustic sound, and all the visual effects are made thanks to the LED lights. Besides the color change, the design element is also always changing due to the bubbles effects.

The package includes a remote control so you can change the light effects easily, and to have this sound + visual experience, it will cost you $250.

Product Page

Via GeekAlerts

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If I ever do pack it all in and decide to work from home, then I am definitely getting me one of these. I would not go quite as far as setting it up over a bed; I would be setting up the ErgoQuest 500 over some sort of mega-expensive massage chair. Seriously, this is a cool concept for people that are bed ridden for whatever reason, not just the extremely lazy amongst us. The ErgoQuest 500 carries up to 400lbs of equipment, so you can fit whatever combination of monitors you want in there. It rocks some motorized legs that are operated via a keypad, so you never have to physically lift anything.

The price, is a bankroll punishing $4,000, not counting the bed or massage chair. You have to be very serious about your relaxing if you want to get one of these.

Office Organix, Baller House

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