Gadgets Base

by Thomas Ricker, posted May 14th 2008 at 1:38AM var Stand down oh gentle readers and defenders of the flesh, we’re getting reports from Detroit that the baton wielding ASIMO did not direct the human race to its doom. Instead, Yo-Yo Ma is safe and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra concert went off without a hitch while netting the DSO a cool million for the musical education of Grosse Pointe’s children. Of course, the Honda-built robot wasn’t so lucky as he got “keyed” on his walk back through the parking lot. We kid, we kid.

Update: Video added after the break.

[Thanks, Funke]

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by Thomas Ricker, posted May 14th 2008 at 3:16AM
So there was a little rumor bouncing about yesterday which claimed that Swisscom would land the iphone. Today, Swisscom confirmed the deal while saying little else. What’s interesting then is what the rest of the rumor, started by the leading Swiss newspaper, Le Matin, had to say. Namely, the 3G iPhone will be on sale in Switzerland this summer (on sale in the US by June) offering 2-way video chats, mobile TV and GPS navigation all powered by an even beefier processor. That certainly sounds like the same 3G iPhone we’re expecting to pop at WWDC now doesn’t it?

[Via MacPrime, thanks Stefan R.]

Read — Le Matin rumor
Read — Swisscom teaser

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As most of us know from experience, it is very expensive to put high-quality stereo speakers on your television. Of course, we all want movie theater-quality sound from our High Definition television sets, and companies like Orb Audio are ready to give us that at a cheaper rate compared to other companies.

Orb Audio is able to save the customer money by using internet-only, direct-to-consumer business models. They also use made-in-America products with no outsourcing of labor.

As you can see from the photo, the Orb Audio speakers have a distinct look to them. These ball-shaped speakers are about four inches in diameter, and have five distinct finishes available for a unique look that blends in with any room. These speakers can be made from one, two, or four individual Orbs (the Mod1, Mod2, and Mod4, respectively).

Combined with a subwoofer, Orb Audio systems can produce some seriously great sound in a little package. For example, the Mod1 Plus, the company’s most popular model, includes six speakers and a subwoofer for the price of $999.

Keep your eyes peeled for the Super Eight and Uber Ten, two new models that will be available soon for about the same price. In fact, both may be available at cheaper rates, depending on what deals Orb Audio will be offering.

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Yet another ultra-portable to be coming to the market, the MSI Wind is expected to become available here in the US on June 3, 2008 and similar to other notebooks in its class it will be offered with a choice of either Linux Novell or Windows XP Home as the operating system.

Aside from the difference in OS, there are only a few other small details that vary between models. Both will offer a 10-inch display with a 1024 x 600 resolution, an Intel 945 GMS chipset, a 2.5-inch 80GB SATA hard drive, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, a 4-in-1 card reader, 3 USB ports and a built-in 1.3-megapixel webcam.

The Linux version will ship with a 3-cell battery and come with 512MB of RAM, while the Windows version will offer a larger 6-cell battery and have 1GB of RAM installed, it will also be Bluetooth equipped.

The dimensions are also just about the same with both models measuring in at 10.23 x 7.08 x 0.75-inches, and thanks to the smaller battery the Linux version will weigh in at a slightly lower 2.3-pounds as compared to the 2.6-pounds of the Windows version.

The price, at least according to MSI will be at “an affordable sub $500 price point.”

Product [MSI Mobile]

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In 2006, Dell acquired the high-end gaming PC brand Alienware to complement its own premium-gaming line of XPS computers. With a market worth around $12 billion, Dell’s investment in the gaming PC market by purchasing Alienware was a logical move. The company allowed Alienware to operate independently, but by doing so it created a problem in that they now had two competing gaming PC lines. Dell has admitted its XPS line has eaten into Alienware’s market share. As a result, the company plans to phase out four gaming XPS models from its lineup, streamlining their offerings and relieving their Alienware subsidiary of competition. Their plan is to essentially create two complementing brands, rather than two competing brands.

The reason why Dell took two years to realize the change was because the company originally thought the Alienware brand was hardcore enough that it would differentiate itself from their “family sedan” XPS line. Apparently, that wasn’t the case. Over time, Dell began to market the XPS as a high-end gaming machine, inadvertently creating competition within itself. In fact, some XPS systems in the past contained the same features and components offered in Alienware rigs.

It should be noted that not all XPS systems will be scraped. In June, Dell will be pushing all gaming-centric PCs to Alienware, while the XPS will morph into a more mainstream brand.

[Update] Dell has since released a statement on their Direct2Dell Blog in response to the phasing out of the XPS line. It turns out that the phasing out of the XPS lineup was a bit of an exaggeration. The XPS line will be continued, however Dell plans to expand their focus on Alienware.

“Dell XPS and Alienware are both great brands…and both will live on,” spokeswoman Anne Camden said in a blog. “But we are going to expand our focus on Alienware. We are going to invest like crazy in product development, design, and engineering to propel Alienware as the premier gaming brand in the future.”

Read [Tech News World] Update Via [CNET]

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Dell announced that they’re discontinuing a bunch of XPS models so that they can instead push high performance gaming machines via their Alienware brand/subsidiary. So if you’re an XPS fan or have been considering one, get on the ball, b/c you may not be able to get one as of next month. Get a Dell XPS.

via Engadget.

Posted in Computers, Gizmo of the Day

Canon has added two new compact photo printers to its Selphy product line - the CP770 and CP760. Touting a fresh and unique design, both printers aim to give users an easier time when printing their precious photos even without using a computer.

Although both printers sport a small design, both are nonetheless rich in individual features. The CP770 is an ultra compact photo printer that answers your need for printing photos as quickly and as easy as possible, whether you’re at home or on the move. Touting an unusual new design, the CP770 comes with a basket-like storage bucket which can also accommodate several printer accessories such as paper, ink cartridge and power cord. The CP770 is also equipped with a 2.5-inch high definition lcd monitor. Retailing for $79.99, the CP770 will be available in apricot and crisp white color.

The Canon SELPHY CP760 on the other hand seems to be a toned down version of the CP770. Users can print 4 x 6-inch photos and use its easy-to-view screen for navigating through menus and previewing images before printing. It also has a memory card slot where users can plug in a memory for printing photos, or users can also print straight from the camera using a Canon supplied USB cord. Other features of this compact photo printer include; Portrait Image Optimize Technology, red-eye reduction before printing, and the use of overcoat technology to help reduce, if not eliminate camera blurring and fingerprint smudges.The CP760 will retail for $99.99.

Product [Canon] Read [Business Wire]

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We recently published a story about the US town that switched over to run exclusively on wind power. Now we’re pleased to see this story of a Korean village that runs 100% on solar power. All of the homes and the school have solar panels on the rooftops. The island that the village is on also has a wind farm that will soon account for 20% of electricity needs. Looking forward to seeing more of these success stories!

via Meta Efficient.

Posted in Miscellaneous

by Donald Melanson, posted May 13th 2008 at 1:11PM It looks like Dell’s not the only one that thinks boxy is in, with the folks at the NonObject design firm now also taking a decidedly hard-edged approach with their new motorcycle concept. Dubbed the nUCLEUS, the vehicle is described as a “zero emission, zero impact speed machine,” albeit one that would seem to have a bit of trouble making sharp turns. That possible shortcoming aside, the concept is certainly unique enough, with it boasting an “animal-like behavior system” that allows it to get up on its “hind legs” when its in action and rest down flat when its at rest, as well as some interchangeable (but equally boxy) side panels. Of course, there’s not much in the way of technical details, but you can at least get a look at it from every angle by checking out the video after the break.

[Via Autoblog Green]

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Filed under: Transportation

by Joshua Fruhlinger, posted May 13th 2008 at 2:55PM
Why is this child so happy? It’s because he’s taking RINGBO the riding robot by the horns! See his glee as he cruises around for an entire hour at a blazing 2MPH? Hey, it only took six hours to charge up. RINGBO is controlled by those horn-like joysticks, and we can only hope that front panel contains an IR receiver — one that might give parents hours of pleasure as they override their kids’ intended direction. RINGBO will be shown by Airrobot at this week’s Koreannovation Trade Show in NYC, so we’ll be sure to bring our offspring, as it’s meant for children aged 2-3 and up to 66lbs. We just want to know two things: how much, and can we cheat the 66lb weight limit? Maybe just a little? C’mon. Want to have your mind totally blown? Please watch the video after the break. Please.

[Via OhGizmo!]

And for those of you as into the song as we are, we took the time to transcribe the lyrics:

We are down we’re crazy fools
Every day at school
Teachers here, teachers there
Books and books they’re everywhere!
Come on boys we need to dance
We have got a good chance
Lay your problems on the floor
Clap your hands and sing once more!

Everybody let’s go to the game
We can dance there
Dance and eat ice cream!
Everybody dancing all night long
Try to do it
Sing a happy song!

Music dancing in the night
We can get so high
For no reason, no don’t stop
Now’s the time to take it to the top
It’s a sweet and happy song
Sing all night long
Lay your problems on the floor
Clap your hands and sing once more

Everybody let’s go to the game
We can dance there
Dance and eat ice cream!
Everybody dancing all night long
Try to do it
Sing a happy song!

Time to dance it’s time to sing
Sing a happy song (laugh)
A happy song!
Yo yo yo!

Let’s go!
Let’s go boys!
Come with me and sing!
(A happy song)

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