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Hitler’s take on the iPad

Posted: 28 Jan 2010 05:10 AM PST


Yes, yes, it’s an overdone Internet meme, but it also precisely sums up nearly everyone’s reaction yesterday to the iPad. Enjoy.

More LED-backlit LCD TVs: Sharp announces another four models

Posted: 28 Jan 2010 03:45 AM PST

LED-backlit panels are becoming more and more mainstream, with nearly every 16:9 laptop coming out lately boasting that feature. Apple said as early as 2008 they would start using LED backlights for every one of their notebooks (and the iPad has those, too).

LED-backlit LCD TVs are catching on, too, providing greater dynamic contrast compared with CCFL-backlit LCDs and making it possible to design slimmer bodies. Today, Sharp in Japan announced [JP] another four models (LC-52SE1/pictured, LC-46SE1, LC-40SE1 and LC-32SC1) from their LED AQUOS series, and all have (white) LED backlights.

Three of the new Sharp TVs are full HD (the 40/46/52-inch models), while the smallest model (32 inches) features 1,366×768 resolution only. All models boast a great contrast ratio of 2,000,000:1, web connectivity (Japanese users can access the “Yahoo! JAPAN for AQUOS” channel, for example), three HDMI ports, and 2×10W speakers.

There’s also a “move sensor” (see picture above) that can be programmed so the TV turns itself off automatically when you leave the room and turns itself on again when you re-enter (range: 3m). The idea is to help save energy, and Sharp says they managed to cut general power consumption in these models by 30%.

In Japan, all of the TVs will go on sale on February 25 (no international sales plans have been announced yet by Sharp). Prices: $1,200 for the smallest TV, $2,000 for the 40-incher, $3,100 for the 46-incher and $3,900 for the biggest model.

Via AV Watch [JP]

Daily Crunch: More Screens Edition

Posted: 28 Jan 2010 12:00 AM PST

Zero Punctuation: Bayonetta

Posted: 27 Jan 2010 06:01 PM PST

“More combos than a roadside cafe.”

Did Nintendo pass on Natal?

Posted: 27 Jan 2010 05:07 PM PST


It’s too early to say whether Natal will be a hit — too early to really even say if it works or not, really — but we know it’s captured the imaginations of gamers and developers alike. But apparently it didn’t impress Nintendo when they were (allegedly) pitched with an early version of the tech back in 2007. To be fair, it was in a rougher state than we have seen it, and of course Nintendo already had a working motion control technology and another in the works. Still, it’s interesting to think what might have happened if the big N had snapped it up instead of the big M.

The source is a “very high-placed insider,” but could also be the author’s dog. He says that Satoru Iwata saw the technology and was impressed, but didn’t think they could make it happen for a Wii-like price point. That has some truth to it, since apparently Microsoft has been struggling to get the thing’s cost under $100.

[via Electronista]

Tom Bihn announces two bags for the iPad

Posted: 27 Jan 2010 04:36 PM PST

So it begins; bag designer Tom Bihn announced today the release of two new iPad specific products, a messenger bag and a dedicated sleeve style case.

Apple’s third party products attract companies like a moth to a flame. The first company to make their appearance is Tom Bihn. Based out of Seattle, the bag maker has announced to products specificly for the iPad; a messenger bag style and a sleeve style. Both bags are shipping 10 days after the release of the iPad (expected in March), and are available for pre-order now.

From the press release:

Seattle, WA – TOM BIHN, a designer, manufacturer, and retailer of laptop bags and travel bags today introduced the Cache sleeve and Ristretto vertical messenger bag for the Apple iPad.

The Cache is available in Size iPad – designed specifically for the Apple iPad. The Cache is designed to protect the Apple iPad against scrapes and scratches from all sides. Its 1/4″ (6mm) thick foam padding laminated with an exterior of four-ply Taslan and an interior of brushed tricot cradles your iPad. The Cache for Apple iPad fits the iPad on its own or encased in its Apple iPad Case. Available in Charcoal grey. Made in Seattle. Lifetime Guarantee.

Available for pre-order:
* Ships within 10 days of the release of the Apple iPad. $30 (USD).

The Ristretto for Apple iPad is a vertical messenger bag with a built-in interior padded compartment that protects the iPad inside of the bag. The padded compartment is made with .25″ (6mm) open-cell foam laminated with durable 4 Ply Taslan(R) on the outside, and features an interior of super-soft brushed nylon. The back side of the Ristretto is padded with 1/4″ closed cell foam.

The Ristretto for Apple iPad fits the iPad on its own or encased in its Apple iPad Case. Available in colors Black/Steel, Black/Wasabi, Cocoa/Olive, Olive/Cayenne, and Plum/Wasabi. Made in Seattle of U.S. 1000 and 500 denier Cordura. YKK zippers. Lifetime Guarantee.

Available for order:
* Ships within one business day. $110 (USD).

The Cache and the Ristretto are available exclusively through the TOM BIHN website or Seattle Factory Showroom.

The Woot Off is still in progress

Posted: 27 Jan 2010 04:00 PM PST


This Woot Off is going on day three and I still haven’t been able to buy a LeakFrog. The thing is legendary on Woot and always makes an appearance during its firesales. Who knows, maybe it was shown sometime today between 11 am and 4 pm EST. I was a little distracted. But anyway, Woot Off!

How did we do?

Posted: 27 Jan 2010 03:53 PM PST

I’m actually very curious what you guys thought of our live stream. It wasn’t perfect but I thought it went well. Do you want to see more of that? Less? Thoughts?

The iPad vs the Kindle spec for spec

Posted: 27 Jan 2010 03:26 PM PST


Apple spent a good deal of time today selling the world on the iPad’s ebook skills. It has a nice 9.7-inch screen, 10 hour battery life, and ebook store. But how does it stack up against the current reigning ebook king, the Kindle? It’s time to call in a massive chart.

Of course it’s not all specs and stats. There are a lot more to what will likely be a bloody battle. Click through to TechCrunch where Joff Redfern, co-founder of FlattenMe.com, explores the subject even more.

Congratulations to Andrew S. and his office, for winning our contest

Posted: 27 Jan 2010 03:00 PM PST


Lucky reader Andrew S. was picked by our sophisticated random number generator as the winner of our show us your office contest! Andrew tells us that “the only work that gets done is usually fueled by caffiene and any random snacks I have on hand.” That pretty well describes my own work ethic, so good on yer, Andrew!

Most of the photos sent in to us were traditional office environments. Jung Hoon K. was the only person to submit a photo of an airport lounge (Incheon Airport), and Stephen W. sent us a lovely photo of his daughter riding her bike. Matt H. had the least computer-related photo submission:

Matt O. had the busiest “office” of all the submissions:

And finally, Jeremy C. had the most entertaining submission:

“Kohler makes the best seat,” observes Jeremy. So true.

Thanks to everyone who submitted. We love seeing where you all “work”. Stay tuned for more contests!

The iPad may not have a camera, but it sure thinks it does

Posted: 27 Jan 2010 02:24 PM PST

Surprised that the iPad doesn’t have a camera? Yeah, so are we – and if these screenshots of the just-released iPad emulator are any indication, so is someone on Apple’s software development team.

Tucked away within the iPad’s contacts application is an “Add Photo” button, purposed with.. well, adding photos. Everyone likes having photos assigned to their contacts, and there’s more than enough space on this thing to sync photos of all your friends – so nothing too strange there. What is odd, however, is the prompt that pops up: do you want to “Choose Existing Photo”, or do you want to “Take Photo”?

So what’s going on here? Did the iPad once have a camera, and it was pulled on such short notice that they didn’t have time to strip it out of the software? Does Apple planning on stealthily adding a camera to the features list some time in the next 60 days, as some sort of super-late “One more thing..”? Or did Apple just port much of the iPad contacts app from the iPhone version, and forget to lop out one of functions? The last possibility seems most likely – but if it ends up being that second one, we’d be just fine with that.

Mvix announces Ultio Pro media center

Posted: 27 Jan 2010 02:15 PM PST

Mvix’s Ultio Pro looks suspiciously like a commercial version of an HTPC. Designed with 1080p decoding, network media playback from a NAS or PC, and the option to add a PVR, I might have to get one of these to replace my old Xbox Media Center.

The Ultio Pro supports pretty much every media file format I can think of, including WMA, MKV, and ISO files. In addition to reading your media files off your NAS, the device will support PlayOn (allowing Netflix and Hulu) and UPnP (so if you have another DVR it’ll support that too). The Ultio Pro has an embedded bittorrent client as well, for those completely legal downloads. You can chose to buy a barebones version (that doesn’t have it’s own PVR), or you can buy the 2tb version that does include a PVR, which will allow you to record video from your cable, satellite receiver, or even a camcorder. The Ultio Pro is currently available for pre-order, with the basic (non-pvr) version selling for $169, and the 2tb version priced at $348.

Click here for the press release.

Video: The iPad In Action

Posted: 27 Jan 2010 01:56 PM PST

By now you've probably seen the videos on Apple's site showing the iPad. But those aren't always indicative of the way it actually works in real life. Luckily, Apple had plenty of iPads in a demo pit area after the event today and we captured some footage of a few applications actually being used. In the video below see Apple's new Keynote app (built specifically for the iPad), as well as the new iBooks app, in action. As you can see, the device is very fast. Also note the Apple employee talking about using the iPad to make calls.


What is this mysterious Motorola Android device?

Posted: 27 Jan 2010 01:38 PM PST

Hello, gorgeous. Big ups to whoever convinced Mr. Blurrycam to take a leave of absence so the gadget loving world could get a decent spy shot of this unannounced Motorola Android device.

EA to broadcast Strikeforce fight on EA Sports MMA Web site on Saturday

Posted: 27 Jan 2010 01:30 PM PST

Strikeforce will air, for free, an MMA fight on the EA Sports MMA Web site this Saturday. It’s Jay Hieron vs. Joe Riggs, which is just one fight that’s part of a much larger card, one headlined by Nick Diaz vs. Marius Žaromskis. Presumably Mr. Diaz has put down his pipe long enough to pass the required tests.

The move is being done, as if I even need to mention this, to promote the upcoming video game, scheduled for release sometime this year.

The show, Strikeforce: Miami, also features former WWE pro wrestler (and current TNA pro wrestler, but he’s barely there anymore) Bobby Lashely. It airs on live on the cable channel Showtime.

Hey, it’s not Apple news, right?

via Wrestling Observer

Get Nicholas’s take on the iPad’s over on CNN.com — seriously, CNN

Posted: 27 Jan 2010 01:10 PM PST

New York (CNN) — We were right all along. It’s called the Apple iPad, and it’s a smallish, $499 computer (for the entry-level model, that is) that can best be described as a big iPhone or iPod touch.

It will be available in 60 days. Apple Inc.’s Steve Jobs made the announcement today in San Francisco, California, an event that had provoked the usual, but always startling, over-the-top anticipation and speculation.

Years from now, maybe people will be asking, “Where were you on January 27, 2010?” in the same way they ask, “Where were you on July 20, 1969, when Apollo 11 first kissed the surface of the moon?

I present to you a Panerai Radiomir Tourbillon GMT Ceramica Lo Scientziato Watch

Posted: 27 Jan 2010 01:00 PM PST

Ariel “Sass-master 2000″ Adams has some great shots of the new Panerai monster. This watch, just for reference, costs more than ten of my cars.

The watch is made of black ceramic and it uses Panerai’s tourbillon calibre behind a skeletonized face. You’ll notice a second’s hand, an AM/PM indicator, and a GMT hand front and center. It is 48mm wide and limited to 30 pieces.

I’m not amazed by this thing but I’m amazed by the price: 109,000 euros. Clearly we’re all in the wrong business.

The iPad: our take

Posted: 27 Jan 2010 12:51 PM PST


Okay, so it exists. What do your favorite tech personalities, the CrunchGear team, have to say about Apple’s latest opus? Join us as we pass judgment on the device sight unseen — though of course more in-depth analysis is forthcoming.

Devin: It’s a big iPod. That much is clear — it’s not really a tablet computer. Of course, the benefits of a giant iPod are manifest: you can check email easily, movies and shows will look nice (though not full HD), and the e-books looked great. But the fact is you’re limited by Apple in every way they can limit you. It’s got all the same fetters as an iPhone and has no expandable storage or USB port. Until you hack it to run Chrome OS, you’re going to be using this thing exactly the way Apple tells you to. It’ll be nice if that’s what you want, but it’s not the universal tablet I was hoping for. Nevertheless, I see every secretary and PA carrying one of these in a month.

Matt: Sorry, Apple. I was going to buy it until I found that the iPad doesn’t have an SD card slot. You’ve failed me again.

John: It will be definitely be something I’m getting but I’m worried that it will be just “one more thing” to carry around. That I definitely DON’T need.

Doug: It looks really cool, aesthetically, but the battery life and screen can’t replace my Kindle, the lack of USB ports and expandable storage can’t replace my netbook, and I already have an iPhone 3GS. So it’d basically be $500+ for a bigger screen, a slightly faster CPU, and an external keyboard that I’d never carry around with me. I might buy one in a year or two once they’ve gone through a couple revisions.

Dave: I see the iPad as a great little device. Not as a music player, but as a portable movie player and web browser. I also use my iPod Touch to tether my DLSR when I’m taking pictures – the iPad would be ideal for this use.

Greg: I refused to let myself get hyped up about the slate, simply because we’ve seen time and time again that the rumor mill sets expectations impossibly high. Even with my expectations set rather low, however, I walked away disappointed.

I’m guessing some of the other guys will tear into Apple for not including an SD slot, so I’ll leave that topic alone; the absence of a camera, however, I can’t avoid touching on. Now, I don’t care about the camera for taking pictures, as there isn’t a single situation I can think of where I won’t have my dedicated camera or iPhone but I WILL have this big ol’ 10″ beast. The sole reason I’m disappointed: it means no augmented reality. The iPhone has proven that AR is a concept worth playing with, but it falls a bit short on that device due to screen size. The iPad could have ushered in a whole new type of gameplay, but not without a camera.

As a developer, I’m excited about it. As a consumer, not so much.

Nicholas: I mean, I already did a whole spiel on CNN (what?!) why the iPad is sorta “meh” in my eyes, but to recap: I simply don’t get it. It’s not an iPhone replacement because it’s not a phone (duh); it’s not an iPod touch replacement because it’s not portable; and I already have enough “real” computers that I don’t need a tablet. I understand I’m not Mr. Average Consumer, but the iPad seems to fill a void that I simply don’t need filled. Maybe as an e-reader, but that entirely depends upon the book selection, which isn’t clear right now. For now, though: meh.

There you have it. We’ll have hands-on video soon and of course a review once we’ve gotten our hands on one and put it through its paces. In the meantime, what are your thoughts? Apple phoning it in? True on-lap computing? Expectations too high? Sound off.

iWork 2010 announced, will support iPad’s multi-touch controls (and your regular Mac, too)

Posted: 27 Jan 2010 12:30 PM PST

Another year, another release of iLife. This time, though, with full iPadsupport. Yes, Apple showed off iLife 2010 at its big press conference today, and the updates are about what you’d expect from the application suite: incremental and filled with one or two things that make you say, “Wow, neat.” That being the multi-touch support.

The three applications that make up iWork—Numbers, Pages, and Keynote—will be sold separately for $10 a pop on the iTunes Store. So, if you only want Keynote, if for no other reason than to makes a slide-show presentation using your fingers, then you’ll only be out $10.

Of the three, Pages seems to benefit the least from the multi-touch. Plain old text entry does just fine with a keyboard.

And yes, all three applications will be available for non-iPad Macs.

We’re guessing the new iWork will be released alongside the iPad, but hard info is a little hard to come by right now. Let the dust settle for a little bit.


The iPad Video Demo

Posted: 27 Jan 2010 12:25 PM PST

This eight minute video should answer any remaining questions you have about the iPad. Watch it in high-res at Apple.
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