Gadgets Base

Security flaws in Apple’s Safari web browser are nothing new. Apple has been very good at keeping quiet about security issues regarding Safari, but its giant rival, Microsoft, has been taking a different and more vocal approach. Last Friday, Microsoft released Security Advisory (953818) that warns users of a “blended threat” caused by the combination of a security hole in Safari and the way Windows XP and Vista handles executables located on the desktop.

The Safari bug being referred to is called a “carpet bomb” attack, which was disclosed on May 15 by Nitesh Dhanjani. Essentially, the Safari hole would allow an attacker to automatically download malware to a user’s desktop by tricking the victim into visiting a website specifically crafted to exploit the vulnerability. When combined with the flaw in Windows, which has been linked to Internet Explorer by security researcher Aviv Raff, the malware could be executed without any sort of prompt or user permission on all XP and Vista machines with Safari installed. Therefore, in its security advisory Microsoft suggests that users “restrict use of Safari as a web browser until an appropriate update is available from Microsoft and/or Apple.” In the meantime, Microsoft recommends that Windows Safari users change the default downloaded files location in Safari to a location other than ‘Desktop.’

This revelation wouldn’t be such a big deal considering Safari’s measly web browser market share, but with Apple “forcing” the install of Safari through its automatic update on Windows, attackers may find this worth while to exploit as the Safari install base slowly increases. Although Microsoft states that it is “unaware of any attacks attempting to exploit this blended threat,” that could only be a matter of time.

Read [Microsoft] Read [ComputerWorld]

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One of the newest releases from Imation is the “USB Nano flash drive”, which is essentially a tiny memory stick that is available in 1GB, 2GB, 4GB or 8GB storage sizes. It comes in 100% environmentally friendly packaging and is enhanced with Vista ReadyBoost. However that doesn’t explain the $20+ price tags, when you can get them for was less nearly everywhere, but by taking a ‘closer’ look it is fairly obvious.

The reason for the price is that this is the smallest flash drive you can get, and just 44mm x 15mm x 10mm you have to wonder if you can get any smaller. This size is quite practical as it not only means that you can carry it around on nearly everything (you could probably wear it as an earring) but it can also fit into the smallest of spaces behind your computer, meaning you can finally use all of your USB ports at the same time. However the smaller your gadgetry is, the easier it is lost, and it is really worth buying something you know your going to loose?

Read [Imation]

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This Dyson transparent toaster is every clean freak’s worst nightmare. Clear glass, messy crumbs pressed against it, I’m not even that dedicated to a spotless home and it makes me cringe a bit to think about. Every time I had friends over I’d be expecting to hear a horrified scream coming from the kitchen as they shockingly stammer “What is it?!!” and then they never come over again. I don’t have an overabundance of friends, I’m a blogger for God’s sake, we don’t always get out much. I can’t have a toaster chasing away friends. Besides, there really isn’t much lower you can go in life than having to admit your toaster scared away your friends.

Alright so there is the perk of being able to see exactly how done your toast is, that is until you burn so many crumbs onto the glass you can’t figure out if that was toast or your neighbor’s cat you slipped in there. Well the US designer David Chacon takes the toaster and places the heating functions directly into the glass. Making for an interesting new concept for toasters, even if after a few months it would likely begin to start growling at you.

Source: techdigest

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Apparently there are still places in the world where the brains of a product matter for less than the looks.  I prefer my gadgets to look nice just as much as any girl and this product is indeed cute.  However, it is a whopping 4GB, which has its uses of course.  You could always have it tossed in your purse for those very random emergency situations.  Beyond that, 4GB just seems like far too little to keep me happy.  I don’t know, maybe you only save one document at a time then erase it, if that’s the case then you might be interested in this little USB drive.

Nothing is really wrong with the drive, it has cute little flowers and a cute even smaller storage space, yet I’m not sure it’s worth paying more than $20 for.  Seriously, it’s a tiny USB drive that they slapped a pretty sticker on.  Engraved flowers, maybe, but a sticker, sorry it’s just not worth the $60 they have it priced at.  Not all women want just pretty gadgets, some of us prefer them to be cost effective and useful.  Weird I know.

Source: Gizmodiva

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During CES 2008, iriver announced many new and exciting PMP’s; one specifically was called the iriver Spinn. At that time, there was not that much known about it, but they have recently released some more details on it.

The Spinn will come in three different models, the 4GB, 8GB, and 16B. Additionally, it will come with a 3.2-inch AMOLED screen with a 480 x 272 pixel resolution, DAB radio in the UK, Bluetooth integration, support for Adobe Flash video, and a 3D acceleration chip. It supports a bunch of formats including MP3, OGG, WMA, MP4, and WMV. The battery life is pretty good too, you can listen to audio for 25 hours, 5 hours for video, and 4 hours for digital radio.

So far, the Spinn is expected to go on sale in the UK around August, no word on any pricing yet. Stay tuned for more details as they become available.

Via [Crave]

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by Darren Murph, posted Jun 1st 2008 at 2:27AM
Converting residual industrial heat into something usable (read: electricity) has proven to be more than a novel concept on more than one occasion, and ElectraTherm’s giving the process one more vote of confidence by installing its Green Machine at Southern Methodist University. Just this past week, the firm flipped on its first commercial waste heat generator at the Dallas-based institution, with hopes to generate “fuel-free, emissions-free electricity at three to four cents per kW/hr during payback period and under a penny/kW hour thereafter.” The 50kW rig has so far exceeded expectations, and the firm is now forecasting that its units will have a “subsidy-free payback period of three years or less.” Of course, we aren’t told exactly how many zeros reside on the right of the decimal or anything, but folks in the area can get a tour of the installation later this month.

[Image courtesy of Jetson Green]

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Filed under: Misc. gadgets

Ever get tired of just sitting in front of your computer late at night typing away at something pointless? Or even, just having to sit at the computer and wishing you could be in a more comfortable position? Even with a laptop, it’s not that easy, but now there is a solution to this problem and it is called the Surf Chair.

This chair allows you to sit back in a comfortable position and view a suspended screen and surf the internet. The suspended screen can be adjusted to fit your viewing needs, and the keyboard and mouse are located directly below the monitor. Overall it seems like a good idea for the common, lazy person. All it needs now is a toilet located under the seat, and it would be perfect.

Via [ubergizmo]

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It is bad enough that your porch isn’t lighted up at night, making it hard to open the lock on your door, but things get even worse when you’ve had a wee bit too much to drink, so even finding the right key can be quite the challenge. The Solar Keyhole Light could help alleviate some of your troubles by offering a green way of powering your door area so that you can get in soonest possible during the night.

An energy-saving white LED is powered via an integral solar panel that harnesses the suns rays to recharge the internal battery – great for you and the environment. The solar light stays on for 10 seconds, giving you plenty of time to unlock and open the door before the solar key light automatically switches off to conserve energy.

For folks who like choice, this one comes with a trio of interchangeable covers that provide a greater variety of mix-and-match combinations. The Solar Keyhole Light will retail for £12.

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by Paul Miller, posted Jun 1st 2008 at 10:30AM
Look, we’re just as down on crazy Japanese stereotypes as the next guy. We watched Lost in Translation. We’re with it. We know it’s not all cosplay and weird game shows (but seriously, that human Tetris one? Awesome) and people dressing up as vending machines (pictured). That said, this story isn’t doing Japan any favors. A homeless woman was recently arrested in Tokyo after living undetected in a man’s closet for a year and sneaking food out of his kitchen. It was the missing food that tipped him off, so he installed some security cameras in his home to transmit images to his phone. Some motion was detected, so he called the police, and soon enough they spotted her in the closet — where she had planted a mattress. Moral of the story? Move to Japan. Better cellphones and bigger closets. You can’t lose.

[Via ixplora]

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Filed under: Cellphones, Digital Cameras

Taking a shower is supposed to be something relaxing, but for many of us the routine has become something of a pressure cooker to-do item that we want to get it done and over with soonest possible. After all, the gravy train of life is going to take off whether we are ready or not, right? Take some time out with the LED Shower Light.

It installs to a standard shower pipe in mere minutes. When you turn the shower on, the water powers a turbine and the LED Shower Light…well, lights up! Blue let’s you know the water is chilly. When the water warms up to 89° F (32° C), the light changes to red. Now you can step in and not freeze your giblets off. And you don’t even need to turn on the light now, because your whole shower glows.

Best of all is, there is no need for any batteries since the entire thing is powered by an internal turbine. The LED Shower Light measures approximately 4″ in diameter and retails for $39.99 a pop.

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