CrunchGear

---

• The Google Phone: This changes everything (mostly)
• ZOMG The Google Phone Is “Like An iPhone On Beautifying Steroids”
• Teaser Trailer For Transformers: War For Cybertron Looks Promising
• MIT creates technology that lets you use the Force
• “Christmas Light Hero” suggests too much free time on Dad’s part
• Photo Booth and Canons with cheap lenses dominate Tumblr
• Sony getting closer to seeing a profit on PS3 sales
• Get a peek inside Toshiba’s Dynario fuel cell
• Western Digital’s HDDs go to 11… percent more storage thanks to new technique
• Review: Buckshot Controller for Wii
• Stupid teens still text and drive because they’re stupid
• TomTom wises up, releases $49.99 USA-only GPS app
• Look, the jelfin is a ball-shaped mouse that’s covered with gel!
• CrunchGear in China: Shanzhai Market
• Banhammer hits loads of Chinese piracy sites
• Motorola Milestone sells out in the UK in three hours
• Real world shots of the xpPhone trickle out, video coming “soon”
• CrunchGear meet-up: Seattle edition
• ‘Javelin exploit’ finally patched for Xbox 360 Modern Warfare 2
• The Final Commenting Day: The last step to winning a SMART Board

The Google Phone: This changes everything (mostly) Posted: 12 Dec 2009 03:55 AM PST We don’t have much information on the Google Phone just yet. In fact, it sounds more like a party favor than anything else. However, if and when Google starts selling this thing, prepare for some of the strangest – and coolest – times in mobile we’ve ever experienced. What do we know? It’s an HTC phone – probably the Passion, a distant cousin to the beautiful HD2 – with large touchscreen. It’s GSM unlocked and everyone at Google has one so whatever the super secret specs are, they won’t stay super secret for long. But what if Google starts to sell this thing? This is “a big deal” on the level of Neo learning Kung Fu in The Matrix. This means Google is making hardware. For nigh on three decades computer manufacturers have been secure in their positions of power. Dell and HP, for example, ruled the roost while upstarts from Asia like Sony positioned themselves in the consumer electronics market. This stasis has held back innovation for years. But suddenly service providers are doing hardware. Amazon has the Kindle, Barnes&Noble has a lumpen Nook, and now Google has a phone. What’s next? The Credit Suisse Fondue Set? When service providers make hardware, they have a different set of priorities. They have a lower number of SKUs so their products have to be great. They control a lot of the software so the UI is great. They control the distribution so there’s a bit of the “rarity” and “early adopter” factor to consider. This sort of stuff is what CE and PC manufacturers would kill for – after all, when’s the last time you drooled over a desktop? PC makers are working in commodities. Service providers traffic in rarity. In this neophilic age it’s the first few months of a product’s existence that is most important. When Dell launches a phone, it’s news. When Google launches a phone it’s a Moon Shot. We don’t know enough right now to say how interesting this be, but it’s definitely intriguing.

ZOMG The Google Phone Is “Like An iPhone On Beautifying Steroids” Posted: 11 Dec 2009 11:43 PM PST We told you the Google phone was confirmed. And now some Googler's seem to be confirming it, too. There is a lot of chatter on Twitter about Google employees with HTC-built unlocked Google Phones running Android 2.1. And the devices look to be coming out in January. We noticed a Twitter message from a Google Program Manager, who writes "Stuck in mass of traffic leaving work post last all hands of 2009. ZOMG we had fireworks and we all got the new Google phone. It's beautiful." Another guy, Jason Howell, says he had his hands on the device, which he says is made by HTC and is running Android 2.1: "The new Google Phone runs on HTC hardware. I saw it w/ Android 2.1. Homescreen has new visual enhancements like animated desktop wallpaper." "Supposedly, Google employees were given tons of these phones today. unlocked," he adds.

Teaser Trailer For Transformers: War For Cybertron Looks Promising Posted: 11 Dec 2009 06:00 PM PST I’m trying to remember the last good thing to come from the Transformers franchise and am sadly unable to do so. Well, that’s not entirely true, the awful Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen did have the magnificent Shia LeBeouf. Some girl named Megan Fox was also in the film, but no one really pays attention to her. Luckily for Transformers fans out there, Activision is coming out with Transformers: War For Cybertron, developed by High Moon Studios, and the teaser trailer (embedded below) while short, may bring hope to the die-hards desperately in need of something good from the franchise to latch on to. The Trailer shows clips from a war-torn Cybertron and ends with an image of what looks to be Omega Supreme. Awesome, we know. We’ll keep you posted on any updates we receive regarding the game. Until then, enjoy the trailer.

MIT creates technology that lets you use the Force Posted: 11 Dec 2009 06:00 PM PST This might be the display you are looking for. The MIT media lab just published a demonstration of a new display technology that will read your hand gestures in order to manipulate images on the screen. While it’s not *technically* the Force, it’s still pretty cool. The new display uses something called a BiDi (short for bi-directional display interface) that reads your gestures to allow you to control objects displayed on the screen. The display has optical sensors which track the location of your hand, and can tell when you move or flick your fingers or whatever. There’s a real description in the video. Better to watch that than try to make sense of my confused scribblings. [via Gizmodo]

“Christmas Light Hero” suggests too much free time on Dad’s part Posted: 11 Dec 2009 05:13 PM PST I’m not saying this isn’t awesome. I’m just saying are you kidding me? [via Neatorama]

Photo Booth and Canons with cheap lenses dominate Tumblr Posted: 11 Dec 2009 04:50 PM PST The Tumblr staff has done an interesting little breakdown of the metadata on Tumblr blog photos. I’m sure you guys have seen Flickr’s equally-interesting Camera Finder page, which is used as a sort of talking point by Apple fans due to the iPhone dominance; this was a similar examination, though with seriously different results. Tumblr’s analysis also takes a look at the lenses being used by the Canon users, a metric more interesting to gearheads than tech buffs. This kind of information is a dream come true for people who like to transmute raw data into conclusions. They call themselves analysts, but it’s more alchemical than analytical, isn’t it? At any rate, the data are interesting to anyone interested in photography or blogging, so take a look. If I had to draw conclusions from this, I would say that first of all, Apple really got their foot in the door with Photo Booth and iSight. Built-in webcams are still associated with Apple products although even the lowliest netbooks sport bezel-mounted cams of similar (that is to saw, low) quality. They’ve also done very well with the easy sharing of photos from your iPhone, which likely puts them on Flickr for most people but clearly has trickled down to Tumblr as well. I see Android overtaking them soon, however: once you have Android phones with simple picture-sharing apps being offered free with a contract and ~$50 monthly fee, there will be a lot more Android photos being pushed straight to web services. Apple should enjoy its time in the sun and not be discouraged if it loses its crown. The other thing I notice is that the Canon users (Tumblr didn’t analyze Nikon or others) are overwhelmingly using the kit lens to take their photos. That’s understandable since most retail stores push that kit box instead of body-only, but the tactic is a one-time sell, apparently. These people aren’t going on to buy more lenses, because they don’t know what a good lens is. You sell them a garbage wide-angle zoom (the new IS version is supposed to be better, but still) and they think that’s all there is to it. Again, you can’t blame the users; not having shot an SLR before (as is the case with many consumer DSLR buyers), they don’t see the benefit of better glass — though they can see the cockamamie prices. Now, I’m no glass fiend (though things might be different if I could afford it), but I think every DSLR user should get a chance to try a decent prime. The kit lens goes for around $100; the 50mm F/1.8 II is cheaper than that, and would be an excellent first lens. I traveled around the world with just that lens, and I think I’m a better photographer for it — plus I’ve invested in a few other lenses, having seen what this one is capable, and incapable, of doing. So Canon ought to offer two kits versions, one with that 18-55mm and one with a prime, 50mm or otherwise. It’ll drive glass and accessory sales and make a bunch of new photographers better.

Sony getting closer to seeing a profit on PS3 sales Posted: 11 Dec 2009 04:30 PM PST When the PS3 was first launched, Sony was losing about $200 for every console sold. As time has passed, Sony has worked out cheaper ways to manufacturer the console, but they are still losing money on every sale. Now, with the release of the PS3 Slim, the amount lost has dipped down to an estimated $31.27 with each console sold. Not a huge amount, and definitely an improvement over the $200 they started at. Still a loss, sure, but assuming they sell a few games and accessories, it’s becoming a much more realistic loss leader. [via Gizmodo]

Get a peek inside Toshiba’s Dynario fuel cell Posted: 11 Dec 2009 04:00 PM PST The Toshiba Dynario fuel cell was made official in late October and surely some people jumped on them right away. But this is the first teardown of the next-gen recharging device I’ve seen. Check it: mysterious electronic parts none of us understand. [Tech-on via SlashGear]

Western Digital’s HDDs go to 11… percent more storage thanks to new technique Posted: 11 Dec 2009 03:27 PM PST There’s always a moment of letdown when you get that brand new 1TB drive formatted and find it’s only got 930GB available. What the hell, right? But that’s just the way it is. That data is reserved for all kinds of secret hard drive needs, the kind of thing we don’t talk about on family blogs like this one. But Western Digital appears to be taking steps to minimize that reserved space by restructuring how that meta-data is stored. The diagram above should give you a general idea of how it’s done (essentially the meta-data is bunched together to reduce wasted bits), but if you want the whole technical explanation, head over to PC Perspective. Unfortunately, while most systems can handle the new drives just fine, XP can have some trouble. All you really need to do is use this utility or connect a jumper before you use the drive.

Review: Buckshot Controller for Wii Posted: 11 Dec 2009 03:00 PM PST Short Version: Looking for a solidly-built gun accessory for the Wii? This is it right here. Looking for a gun controller accessory that grants you easy access to the D-pad, 1, 2, +, –, and Home buttons on the Wii remote? Keep on moving. Review: I opened up the Innex Buckshot Controller for Wii and was instantly impressed by its heft. This thing's built to last, with an included Nunchuck fused right into the product itself, a satisfying pump-action barrel, and nice rubber grips all around. The Buckshot maps itself to the Wii remote by using the trigger as the A button and the pump action on the barrel on the B button. The Nunchuck controls are the same, so the built-in Nunchuck corresponds to the control stick, Z, and C buttons. Sensing an opportunity to buy a new Wii game in the name of work but not wanting to spend too much money, I rushed out to Micro Center and picked up the highly-rated, yet deeply-discounted Resident Evil 4. After all, the gun's packaging said it was compatible with Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles, so I figured I'd keep it all in the family. I got home, fired up the game, and, whoops, I have no way to access the Wii remote's control pad, 1, 2, +, or – buttons since the Wii remote snaps all the way inside the Buckshot at which point a metal flap folds down to seal the Buckshot up nice and tight. No worries, though, as maybe I can re-map some of the buttons from within the game, right? Strike two – it can't be done. So in the game, you press and hold B to aim and A to fire which corresponds to half-cocking the barrel of the gun and then pulling the trigger. Reloading is done by holding the B button and shaking the Wii remote up and down – kind of tough to do when using the pump-action barrel seems much more straightforward. Also, the 1 and 2 buttons are used for the map and options screen, respectively. You see where I'm going with this. I had a lot more fun with Wii Ware title "Wild West Guns" – a simple shooter that features an actual setting for a gun controller (or Wii Crossbow accessory). Trigger shoots, pumping the barrel reloads. Done and done. So the Buckshot is an excellently-built accessory in a sea of cheap and dumb Wii accessories, but you'll really want to make sure the games you want to play can be completed without using the secondary buttons on the Wii Remote or feature settings to customize your control setup. The box says the gun is "ideal" for games in the Call of Duty series, for instance, but any of the missions that make use of motion controls, and simple things like throwing grenades and steering jeeps and whatnot will present a challenge. Product Page: Innex Buckshot Controller for Wii

Stupid teens still text and drive because they’re stupid Posted: 11 Dec 2009 02:30 PM PST Despite the fact that you'd have to be a stupid idiot to still text and drive, plenty of teens in the U.S. still text and drive. "By the time [the police] pull you over, the chances are you are going to be done with your text anyway so they can't exactly prove that you were texting." Good thinking there, sport.

TomTom wises up, releases $49.99 USA-only GPS app Posted: 11 Dec 2009 02:00 PM PST Most agree that the original TomTom iPhone app is a tad overpriced at $99 for just the app. That doesn't include the $119 windshield mount. Esspecially now that Google has made its mark on the GPS market with the free Google Maps Navigation app. And so that brings us to the latest TomTom GPS app. This one is US-only, but only costs $50.

Look, the jelfin is a ball-shaped mouse that’s covered with gel! Posted: 11 Dec 2009 01:30 PM PST Would you buy a gel-covered mouse? Well now you have the chance~! It’s the jelfin, a ball-shaped, gel-covered mouse that comes in enough colors to match your socks. How do the two main, well, innovations, affect your mousing? Supposedly the shape is more comfortable then your average mouse (but then you wonder why someone like Microsoft or Logitech hasn’t made one yet). So if you’ve had issues with mice since forever, there’s hope for you yet. As for the gel, that’s pretty easy to understand: who would want a squishy mouse? Maybe snipers in Team Fortress 2 wouldn’t want that, feeling that it may cramp their style, but who knows? The 1,000 DPI jelfin isn’t too expensive, either, coming in at $35. via SlashGear

CrunchGear in China: Shanzhai Market Posted: 11 Dec 2009 01:00 PM PST The cellphone market in Shenzhen is like a flea market where everyone is selling the same thing. If it looks like an iPhone, it’s here. There are hundreds of models, hundreds of odd names, and hundreds of people arrayed along the inside of a huge room. There are four or five floors of this mess. This is the Shanzhai market. Shanzhai is a strange amalgam of counterfeiting, national pride, and Robin Hoodism. The word itself means “mountain fortress” and suggests a romantic image of brigands working together to outwit the rich and powerful. It’s been called a reaction to the cellphone monopoly but in reality it’s a sort of personal test, more akin to the piracy “scene.” Shanzhai products are, in their early stages, more like graffiti tags than products. Every fake iPhone is someone’s way of saying “I’m here, I did this, and I beat the big guys.” We wander through the hall. Everything here is the same. It’s all the same processor, all the same mainboard. Each phone has two SIM card slots, runs quad-band, and has a touchscreen. The UIs range from poor to horrible and the prices are as fluid as the market itself. Design cues come from almost every source, although Apple is number one. Recently the N900 is a popular model on which to base counterfeits because it looks like an iPhone with a keyboard. Even older phones like the G1 are inexplicably getting copied, proving there’s no accounting for taste. Shanzhai manufacturers can’t sell in China or developed nations. They can barely even export out of their own countries and resort to shipping many of their devices on trucks over the border and into southern Asia where they slowly dissipate into India and Africa. Many phones are caught up by customs because of the software on board. Shanzhai manufacturers like to put all kinds of junk onto their phones. TV tuners are popular, as are emulated arcade games. Tetris, for example, will get your phone trapped in customs immediately. Huge deals have been torpedoed because someone stuck Super Mario Brothers on a phone. Sure, the phone looks just like a fake iPhone but the real problem is a silly block game. I found one phone with a game called Super Shrek Brothers, which was essentially SMB with all of the tiles changed. Mario looks like a little green alien. It’s all very strange. Shanzhai is hard for us to understand. Why manufacture these things at all? The real draw is the “brand.” Buyers like to think they’re getting a modern, popular phone. Shanzhai manufacturers maintain that ruse with a passion. The secondary draw is the sense of accomplishment. This is akin to model rocketry or model railroading – the real value is in the details and when your peer group sees what you’ve done you get a boost in street cred. That these phones are later mass produced is a different matter entirely. The initial effort is focused on the creation of the object and not mass production. In the end, Shanzhai cannot hold. China will soon be leading the world in designed objects. HTC is a major player and soon Foxconn will be opening retail stores. China is changing. Tomorrow: The Price Problem This is part of a week-long series on China. Read more articles here.

Banhammer hits loads of Chinese piracy sites Posted: 11 Dec 2009 12:40 PM PST Hey, something’s happening in China vis-à-vis piracy! The country’s State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT) has been fiddling with downloads there for the past few days, and people are complaining that they’re not about to access the content they were once able to. The new action affects BitTorrent download and has all but taken down VeryCD, which is supposedly the country’s biggest download site. (As if I know anything about China download habits.) Someone told China Daily, and English language newspaper there, that he’ll "never be able to download Hollywood movies or classical records again." SARFT has shut down some 530 BitTorrent sites in the past few days. And if you’re looking to kill a few minutes, you may want to read this list of films that are for whatever reason banned in China. I see that Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End was banned. Lucky China.

Motorola Milestone sells out in the UK in three hours Posted: 11 Dec 2009 12:37 PM PST After more than a month of listening to their U.S brethren blab about how great the Droid is, folks in the UK finally got the chance to nab its European-doppelganger, the Milestone. Well, for about 3 hours anyway.

Real world shots of the xpPhone trickle out, video coming “soon” Posted: 11 Dec 2009 12:37 PM PST Outside of hardware renders and a few prototype appearances at trade shows, there aren't a whole lot of photos of the nearly mythical xpPhone -- the phone that runs Windows XP or, according to the manufacturer, Windows 7 -- floating around. In fact, after hearing next to nothing beyond talks of pre-orders in almost six months, I'd begun to wonder if this thing actually existed. Today, the manufacturer ITG released real world shots of their latest product sample, color-customized in white/green.

CrunchGear meet-up: Seattle edition Posted: 11 Dec 2009 12:20 PM PST Hey, fellow Seattleites — want to grab a beer? Thought so. A nice little Seattle meet-up has been a long time coming. We had that one McLeod Residence, but man, that was like a year ago. It’s time to get together again, and next Wednesday is looking good. And this time, we’re bringing friends. I’m the only CG guy coming, but a few of those other bloggers from Gizmodo, Crave, and TechFlash will be there, and there might even be a few giveaways. We’ll be at Cyclops in Belltown on Wednesday, probably in the later evening but I’ll update next week with specifics. Note that this is an over-21 gathering! Sorry kids, next time I promise we’ll just do 40s in the park. No need to RSVP, but check back on Tuesday to be sure of the timing and venue. Looking forward to seeing you guys.

‘Javelin exploit’ finally patched for Xbox 360 Modern Warfare 2 Posted: 11 Dec 2009 12:00 PM PST Good news, people who play Modern Warfare 2 online multi-player. It seems Infinity Ward has fixed the dreaded "javelin exploit" that has plagued multi-player matches since the game’s launch. This patch is for the Xbox 360 version (the PC and PS3 versions have already been patched), and brings the game up to version 1.06. As a refresher, here’s the javelin exploit, complete with Benny Hill music. Can we let that song die already?

The Final Commenting Day: The last step to winning a SMART Board Posted: 11 Dec 2009 11:30 AM PST Finally. We’re done. All you have to do is comment on this post and, presumably, all the other posts in this series, and then you’ll be eligible to win a SMART Board for your home, office, or school. Sorry for making you guys jump through so many hoops but I thought this would be a good idea to make it a little harder to win a nice, classy prize like this. Here’s some info: Experience interactivity like never before with the SMART Board 685ix interactive whiteboard system. As the world's first ultra-short throw interactive whiteboard system, the 685ix combines an ultra-short-throw projector with a widescreen interactive whiteboard. The 685ix offers you unparalleled image quality, a precise touch experience and a large interactive surface for teaching and learning. The system's ultra-short-throw projector, the UX60, virtually eliminates shadows, glare and distracting projector light. It is positioned directly above the interactive whiteboard, projecting crisp, bright images from only 12″ (30.5 cm) away. And because the 685ix's interactive whiteboard is widescreen, it has 20% more working space than a standard board. Good luck. I’ll pick a winner this weekend.

You are subscribed to email updates from CrunchGear To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610