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Apple, here, this is the iPad we wanted

Posted: 29 Jan 2010 06:22 PM PST

It seems so elementary to all of us around CrunchGear’s HQ that the iPad should have had three simple features: a camera, SD card slot, and external battery indicator. I mean, the iPad missed the mark by a lot in many areas, but it’s just silly that Apple didn’t included those items. I won’t bother with another rant about the iPad because we already vented our frustration here.

Reader Martin heard our cries all the way over in Germany and made this mock up that meets our approval. See, Apple, how hard is that? Just a front facing camera, SD card slot and battery meter would make the iPad so much more useful while not taking away from the device’s aesthetics  at all.

Thanks, Martin. Wonderful job.

Firefox Mobile For Maemo Officially Launches

Posted: 29 Jan 2010 05:36 PM PST

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Good news, everyone! Firefox is officially available for Maemo devices, like the Nokia N900!

What’s that you say? Firefox has been available for Maemo for a while now? Sure, but now it’s official.

Read the rest at MobileCrunch >>

Stealth Jets. Now in Russian!

Posted: 29 Jan 2010 04:30 PM PST

Air superiority hasn’t been top news in a while. But Russia’s got a nifty new stealth fighter jet they’re showing off. Video after the jump.

The Sukhoi T-50 was created jointly between Russia and India, and seems to be aimed at rivaling the United States’ F-22 Raptor. The proposed feature list looks pretty impressive:

  • All-weather flight
  • Ability to use a take-off strip of just 300-400 meters
  • In-flight refueling capable
  • Advanced avionics
  • Simultaneous attacks on air and ground targets.
  • Minimal radar cross-section

But not everyone is raving over it. Military analyst Pavel Felgenhauer only said, “It’s just a prototype lacking new engines and a new radar.” No specifications out yet, and we’ll have to wait on a few more flights to see how it really handles.

[BBC]

iPad makes Apple ~$200-300 per unit

Posted: 29 Jan 2010 04:00 PM PST


No small margins here. It seems that the iPad, while certainly not a cheap device to make, will end up lining Apple’s pockets considerably — if they sell any. A bill of materials analysis puts the cheapest iPad’s manufacturing cost at just over $270, which of course sends $230 in Apple’s direction. The 3G radio runs for around $36, and of course they sell it for $130.

Now, I know we were all pleasantly surprised by the price, but we were all unpleasantly surprised by the limited capabilities of the device, so I think the surprises kind of cancel each other out. A real tablet computer by Apple would have a higher price point and better parts, and would have a smaller margin since Apple would stand to make money on software and OS sales for it. I mean, the iPad really uses no crazy parts — not a lot of innovation on the actual hardware except for the high-density capacitive screen.

It also leaves a lot of room for taking a bite out of the price if necessary. I doubt Apple will lower it any time soon, as that would be an admission of failure, but I foresee holiday sales and such. Right before they release iPad 2.0, of course.

This is only an estimate, however — iSuppli is going to put their opinion in the pile soon as well, we’ll keep you guys informed on that.

Goodnight Moon Mission: Obama redefines NASA goals

Posted: 29 Jan 2010 03:30 PM PST


Well, son, I know you wanted to go to the moon and all, but it looks like that’s just not going to happen. In the meantime, I guess you’ll just have to be satisfied with a sojourn on the International Space Station. It seems that Bush’s moon initiative kind of fell through, and Obama and his advisors have decided not to throw good money after bad. Instead, they’re putting $6bn into extending the life of the ISS and encouraging private spaceflight. Still sounds good to me.

The original plan was to return to the moon by 2020; unfortunately, it seems the project was underfunded to the point where it might not have happened by 2030. And what’s more, there wasn’t enough money to do both the moon and keep the ISS project going. It had to be one or the other, and let’s face it: the ISS is already out there in space, working like a charm, and the moon R&D is still working on a rocket to replace the one we used in the 60s.

It’s a little sad — we like the moon — but at least we’re just changing priorities and not abandoning space altogether.

We never named a mountain after Avatar. What are you talking about?

Posted: 29 Jan 2010 03:00 PM PST

Monday could have marked one of the greatest acts of trolling of the decade. An official ceremony was held to change the name of a mountain in the Hunan province to commemorate James Cameron’s Avatar. Seems that now they’re realizing naming national monuments after movies isn’t the best idea.

The peak traditionally called the “Southern Sky Column” and located in the city of Zhangjiajie, is supposedly the inspiration for the floating mountains of Pandora. Well that certainly seems like enough reason for the tourism to rename it as “Avatar Hallelujah Mountain”. Guess the public didn’t quite have the same response. An online poll of 60,000 citizens resulted in 90% being against the change. Oh yeah, and now the officials are denying it ever happened.

[ABC News] via [Gadling]

The iPad: a revolution in Apple mockery

Posted: 29 Jan 2010 02:30 PM PST

“And these jokes come so naturally that you don’t even have to think about it. You just… mock.”

Steam steams ahead to 25 million users, 205 percent increase in sales

Posted: 29 Jan 2010 02:00 PM PST

Steam, Valve’s digital distribution for video games (as well as a kind of “social network” for gamers, though the phrase “social network” makes me nauseous), is really quite successful. In 2009, its fifth year of operation, sales were up 205 percent over the previous year. The service has more than 25 million users, of which 10 million have full profiles. (I’m one of them, by the way.) That means you’re looking at a core user group, or “hardcore” in the gamer lexicon, of 10 million people. That’s a lot of people.

Steam, for the unawares, is an application that runs on Windows PCs. Users use it to download video games directly to their computer, as well as create a profile, join groups, and other social network trivialities. The main focus, though, is the downloading: rather than go to the local Best Buy or Wal-Mart, and deal with all of that, you download the game right then and there. Prices are reasonable—Steam typically has pretty fantastic sales at different points during the year—and, well, who wants to deal with dirty, dirty discs?

Oh, and you can play these games from wherever you have an Internet connection.

It’s pretty cool that the founder of Good Old Games hates Steam. Good Old Games is a similar service, but one that deals exclusively with old video games. You probably guessed that. All of its games are DRM-free, too, which is pretty nifty. (Nobody likes DRM on PC games, and the sooner it’s gone, the better.) Anyhow, the founder, Marcin Iwiński, describedto a Polish video game Web site the nightmare he had trying to uninstall the application.

Steam isn’t universally loved, that is to say.

Universally successful? Yeah, sure.


Developers, not Apple, will make or break the iPad

Posted: 29 Jan 2010 01:30 PM PST

The iPad’s fate isn’t in the hands of Apple. Jobs & Co. has done their part and made the device. The iPad’s success lies solely in the hands of developers. Because unlike the iPhone or iPod touch, the iPad doesn’t really have a core function. The iPhone is nothing more than a glorified telephone and the iPod touch is just another PMP. But what’s the iPad? A big iPod touch?

None of the iPad’s functions seem to define it. Ebook reading? That may turn out to be just a novelty feature for many buyers. Web browsing? Maybe, but the Internet is formatted for a mouse and keyboard, a tablet simply doesn’t offer much, if any, advantage over a netbook or computer running a full OS. Early reports are even suggesting that the iPad isn’t even a solid media player because of its 4:3 aspect ratio.

Then there are the millions upon millions of apps Apple has accumulated over the last two years. They, and new iPad-specific ones, are the key to success for the iPad. Without them, the iPad would just be another concept-of-function device, targeted at a small crowd with its limited capabilities of web browsing, task management, ebook reading, and media playback. The apps will likely prove to be the justification many people will need to purchase the iPad.

Developers have had the last two years to prepare for the iPad. Of course Apple didn’t tell them that eventually they will be able to make apps on a 9.7-inch screen instead of a 3.5-inch one, but most have probably dreamed of a larger platform. Apple better treat these folks better than it did with the iPhone App store. The iPad’s future is riding on them.

Just think of how spectacular some of the iPad’s native apps might look. Almost every iPad hands-on article so far states that the screen is fantastic. Plus, the iPad is apparently speedy, too, although its processor is far from the mystery silicon we all thought. All this, combined with a robust SDK, should give developers everything they need.

Just a few key video streaming apps might push some potential buyers over the edge: Hulu, Netflix, Comcast’s Xfinity. Combine those with the 3G connection, and the iPad finally has a good reason to exist. Then there is the education angle with Wikipedia (it’d make a nice app), classroom screen sharing, and e-textbooks among other things.

But it’s up to the developers now. The iPad launches in 58 days, which should be enough time for coders to pound out a bunch of iPad apps using the just-released SDK. Hopefully Apple has retooled its app review process and is prepared for the onslaught. If not, Jobs might as well step down, and hide in a small cave like Bin Laden because he’s going to have a lot of shareholders and fanboys alike out for his blood.

Review: Video Pal is the looping fireplace for a new generation

Posted: 29 Jan 2010 01:00 PM PST

Short Version: If you've seen the looping fireplace video (made famous by New York's WPIX and commonly aired on TV around the holidays) or used it yourself, there's a new video in town. Except instead of a burning yule log, there's a girl sitting in a chair.

Review:

Nobody knows her name and she rarely speaks during the 1 hour, 39 minute-long Video Pal DVD, but fire up the disc during your next party and watch what happens. I had Video Pal going all night long during the 1st Annual Aamoth Family New Year's Eve Party and got the following reactions from our guests.

  • What the hell is that?
  • Oh my God! She's actually moving! I thought it was a photo!
  • This is creepy.
  • I like the fireplace better.
  • Here's what's intriguing about this. You have a relatively regular girl – she's pretty but not overly pretty – sitting in a room for hours. So you start to notice things and ask different questions. Like, what's up with that horse picture? And the picture frame on the table has no picture in it. And what's with the giraffe? Man, she's got long hair. And one of her eyebrows is higher than the other one.
  • She looks bored.

I had the yule log video going on an adjacent screen and there were mixed reactions between the two. Most older guests liked the yule Log, most younger guests liked Video Pal. Hipsters, especially, liked Video Pal. It's so weird that it's enjoyable.

The back of the DVD makes promises such as "I play well at parties when nothing else is on TV" and "I play well when you're feeling alone" – even crazy shit like "I play well when your boyfriend/girlfriend just broke up with you and you just need someone to be there for you."

It's all tongue-in-cheek, of course, but I can assure you that it's definitely something that people will talk about at a party. As for the part about keeping you company, the girl seems pretty bored most of the time, which made me feel embarrassed that I didn't have anything fun for her to do. But I can't talk to you, lady! Cut me some slack! It's a one-way street!

The disc is available for $13. All in all, not a bad purchase for your next party. Here's a list of things she does and here's a short demo video.

Product Page: Video Pal

QWERTY FTW! T-Mobile myTouch Slide caught in the flesh

Posted: 29 Jan 2010 12:30 PM PST

Take the T-Mobile myTouch, and strap on a physical QWERTY keyboard. Give it a light tap with an ugly stick, and then convert the trackball into an optical trackpad. What do you get? The myTouch Slide.


EA to re-launch FIFA Online in the West, bumps up the engine to FIFA 10’s

Posted: 29 Jan 2010 12:00 PM PST

So EA is bringing FIFA Online to Western countries. It’s been available in Asia for a couple years now, and players from other parts of the world will get to join in on the fun. Oh, the game: it’s a free, online version of FIFA that you play on your PC.

The game, currently based on the FIFA 07 engine, but will be bumped up to FIFA 10, goes into open beta in June, just in time for the World Cup in South Africa, which Spain will win.

It’s kinda like an entry-level version of EA’s popular football game. So entry-level, in fact, that there’s a mouse-control scheme that eliminates the need for a proper controller. (I can’t even imagine playing the game with a keyboard.)

I’m a Pro Evolution Soccer man myself, so excuse my lack of enthusiasm. And even then, you can only play so many matches in a row before you’re like, “Eh, sandwich time.”

Steam Games Sales: You know, to let you know when Steam games are on sale

Posted: 29 Jan 2010 11:30 AM PST

So this is pretty handy. An Internet wizard has put together Steam Games Sales, a Web site that aggregates all of Steam’s current sales and puts them in one easy-to-read list.

For example, you can see here that Psychonauts is now only $2.00, a savings of only 80 percent.

BioShock 2—you know, the game with the DRM—is now available for 10 percent off, at $44.99.

The site even has a bunch of Twitter feeds (here’s the general U.S. one), so there you go.


CrunchDeals: 1 year of Wired for $4

Posted: 29 Jan 2010 11:00 AM PST

Yes, we know. Magizines are dying, but that doesn’t mean they are suddenly void of great content. Like Wired. Great mag. I often pick one up on impulse during a bookstore trip. But I don’t have to anymore. DiscountMags.com has the hook-up, offering an entire year of Wired for less than the cost of one issue.

Nice, eh? All you need to do is meander over to DiscountMag.com and enter in the discount code, “9797″. That’s it. Then sit back, watch some Dexter, read some CrunchGear and the magazines will be there before you know it. [via dealnews]

Man faces 20 years in prison for selling hacked Comcast cable modems

Posted: 29 Jan 2010 10:30 AM PST

It’s one thing to hack your cable modem for your own personal edification, but it’s another matter to turn around and sell hacked cable modems to people. I mean, that’s just common sense, right? Smoke all the dope you want, just don’t sell it to kids on the street. (You’ll note I used the word “dope” like a 70-year-old man.) Some guy in Massachusetts found out the hard way, and he now faces up to 20 years in prison and fines up to $250,000.

OK, so the sentence is 100 percent over-the-top, but that’s what a single count of conspiracy and a single count of wire fraud can get you in the Federal courts.

The guy, 26-year-old Matthew Delorey, was selling hacked Comcast cable modems that enabled users to obtain free Internet access. The hack wasn’t sophisticated: all he did was modify the modems’ MAC address so that it appeared to be another modem, one whose owner was paying for Internet access. But that’s a crime, they say, so off with his head.

What finally did him in was selling two of the modified modems to undercover FBI agents.

Let this be a lesson for you: if you want to hack your own cable modem for whatever reason, cool. But don’t be dumb enough to think you can make money off your little scheme. It’s bound to get you thrown into the clink.

Armatix handgun can only be fired by someone wearing the correct watch

Posted: 29 Jan 2010 10:00 AM PST

This seems like a really good idea. A German company called Armatix has developed a handgun that can only be fired by someone wearing a biometrically unlocked wrist watch. An LED light on the gun glows green if it's set to be fired or red if it's locked.

According to the product page:

"To activate the wrist watch, the authorized person’s fingerprint must first be read by the wrist watch. An internal database compares the current fingerprint against stored prints and responds accordingly. The wrist watch is then activated for a definable period – e.g. an officer’s work shift or until manually deactivated."

So probably not great for cases when you need to fire as quickly as possible (unless whatever's going down happens within the unlocked time frame) but ultimately very safe for plenty of other scenarios.

The .22 caliber handgun will apparently be available sometime next month with a price of 7,000 Euro (almost $10,000) — definitely a niche item at first but perhaps the technology will become more widespread in the future, causing prices to decrease.

Armatix GmbH [Armatrix.com via DVICE/Wired]

Video: Eight musicians from around the world get together for Jam Session 2.0

Posted: 29 Jan 2010 09:30 AM PST

Whoa, whoa, whoa, look what you can do with the internet!

According to the video's description:

"Brian at CAIN MOSNI thought of a cool concept and coordinated a virtual “jam session” with musicians from all over the world!"

Very, very cool.

[YouTube via Gizmodo]

Nintendo Prez: iPad brings “no surprises”

Posted: 29 Jan 2010 09:00 AM PST

Nintendo president Satoru Iwata is totally not impressed by the iPad, 3D, or HD. In fact, he’s happy running the company in the same conservative way and thinks 3D and HD are fads.

“I have doubts whether people will be wearing glasses to play games at home. How is that going to look to other people?” he said in an AP report.

I’ve been running a 3D PC rig for the past week and I’m glad to say that I’m favorably impressed. Burnout Paradise is gorgeous and Batman looks amazing. However, Nintendo doesn’t do what Nintendo doesn’t want to do, so you’re SOL if you want to see Mario beat up Link in 3D.

Nintendo, keep doing what you’re doing. Prop up the company on the strength of a franchise that appeals to man-children and keep selling low-cost hardware in a manner that creates artificial shortages. I’m totally willing to spend hundreds more on Super Paper Mario 2: The Quest for Fire, Super Mario Paper Galaxy, Super Mario Bash Brother Olympics and whatever else you’re flogging this season. Also I need more Zelda titles, this time involving goat herding and the dirigibles. Then, when kids are good and tired of your pablum, go out of business.

Oh. And Nintendo’s profits are down due to slow Wii sales.

Nintendo Co. reported Thursday a 192.6 billion yen ($2.1 billion) profit for the nine months through Dec. 31, down from 212.5 billion yen a year earlier.

Episodes from Liberty City: The Grand Theft Auto IV DLC heads to PS3, PC on March 30

Posted: 29 Jan 2010 08:30 AM PST


Next stop, PlayStation Network, followed by Games for Windows Live and several threads complaining about Games for Windows Live

Whoa. Rockstar just announced that the two DLCs for Grand Theft Auto IV, The Lost and Damned and The Ballad of Gay Tony, will be released for the PS3 and PC on March 30. That’s March 30 world-wide, mind you. The games will be sold separately (as downloads on PSN and Games for Windows Live) as well as in the familiar Episodes from Liberty City double pack.

This marks the first time that either of the DLCs will be available for anything other than the Xbox 360. (The rumor was that Microsoft gave Rockstar several sacks of money for a timed exclusivity deal.)

As far as extras go, the PS3 version looks to be pretty much a straight port of the Xbox 360 version(s). PC gamers can look forward to expanded multi-player options (such as a 32-person limit) and “an advanced video editor,” to quote the masterfully worded press release.

PC gamers are invited to complain about needing Games for Windows Live (near universally hated) and the Rockstar Social Club.

No word on price. Sorry.


CrunchDeals: Dented box Logitech MX 1100 cordless mouse for $37

Posted: 29 Jan 2010 08:15 AM PST

Logitech's popular MX 1100 cordless mouse costs $80 new, but you can get a "dented box" version for just $37 after using coupon code logi_mx1100_12910 on Logitech's website.

Even though it's a dented box, the mouse is new and carries a full warranty. Logitech seems to have these dented box sales on a fairly regular basis, which would raises the question: Howsabout either covering all the floors in the Logitech warehouse in memory foam, covering the product boxes in a light coating of adhesive, or hiring non-clumsy workers. Amirite?!

The coupon code will work until February 4th.

MX 1100 Cordless Laser Mouse – Dented Box [Logitech via dealnews]
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