CrunchGear

CrunchGear

Link to CrunchGear

Mafia II Boom Boom Boom Trailer

Posted: 05 Mar 2010 05:08 AM PST


By a raise of hands, who thinks Mafia is the best game ever made? Everyone, good. Here’s the latest trailer showing the same gangster action with 2010 graphics. “These guys ain’t cops. Kill ‘em.”

Japanese company offers anti-pollen allergy ringtone

Posted: 05 Mar 2010 03:40 AM PST

Do you remember the ringtone for dogs a Japanese company started offering two years ago? Now Japan gets to download another equally zany app for their cell phones, a ringtone [JP] that’s supposed to clean your nostrils in case you suffer from pollen allergy. The way it works is pretty simple.

All that you need to do is to download the ringtone (works in Japan only), stick your cell phone to your nose and let the Hana Sukkiri Mashinuu (“Cleared Up Nose Machine”) do the job.

The ringtone provider, mobile contents giant Index, is also responsible for the Bowlingual iPhone app for dogs. The company says there are a total of 27 ways to “personalize” the ringtone, with frequencies ranging from 420 to 1,070Hz.

Tell the app if you have S-, M- or L-sized cheekbones (I don’t know why), choose the frequency, and the nasty pollens supposedly fall out of your nose automatically. Right.

Index launched the first version of the ringtone back in 2004 with just 3 options to personalize the melody and has been working hard on improving the performance since. Just like Bowlingual, Hana Sukkiri Mashinuu was jointly developed with a real medical doctor [JP].

Via Asiajin

JakPak converts from jacket to emergency shelter

Posted: 05 Mar 2010 12:30 AM PST

Assuming this is durable, this is just the type of emergency shelter I could see using myself. The JakPak turns from an all-weather jacket into a portable shelter by unzipping into a basic bivy sack. It’s a given that it wouldn’t be terribly comfortable, but in a survival situation who cares about comfort.

Essentially all the bits zip out of the jacket. There’s a section for your feet, a cover for your torso, and then part of the collar of the jacket opens in the back to provide a cover for your head. It’s made from waterproof, breathable nylon, and when unfolded, has enough room to act as a sleeping bag cover as well. Retail price on the Jakpak is $249.99, but it’s not available until 2Q2010.

[via Red Ferret]

Daily Crunch: Electronic Break-In Edition

Posted: 05 Mar 2010 12:00 AM PST

Panasonic G2 and G10 specs are out early

Posted: 04 Mar 2010 11:30 PM PST

Guess someone talked, because the info on the new Panasonic G2 and G10’s are out early. While there is a whole long list of details on everything for AF lock to Color temperature, let’s just concentrate on the big news, shall we?

The G2 is a 12.1 megapixel camera. It’s a micro four thirds mount of course, with ISO from 100 – 6400. You will be able to shoot video with the G2, and it supports up to 30fps in HD resolution (1280×720). Of course no word on price of availability, but we should know that on the 7th when it’s officially released.

The G10 is also a micro four thirds camera, with a 12.1 megapixel sensor. Honestly, all the stats look the same as the G2, so it’s unclear at this time what the major difference is between the two cameras. This could be due to an error in the leak or some other related issue, we’ll definitely let you know more once the official release is available.

The blind camera shows you someone else’s pictures

Posted: 04 Mar 2010 11:00 PM PST

Here’s an interesting item, from artist Sascha Pohflepp. It’s called Blinks and Buttons, and it’s a “blind camera.” Possessing no lens and no viewfinder, the “camera” still takes a picture when you press the big red shutter button.

What it does is tracks the exact time that the button was pushed, and then goes out and searches for another image taken at that exact time. Once the camera finds one, it displays the image in the LCD on the back of the camera. Sascha’s “Buttons” are part of a larger art project called “Blinks and Buttons.”

[via Make]

Apple patents using USB ports for venting

Posted: 04 Mar 2010 10:30 PM PST

Word on the net is that Apple is working on some cooling related patents, specifically related to venting via the USB and firewire ports. In a way it makes sense, but there’s definitely a potential for disaster. What if all your USB ports are filled up with novelty devices?

Apple Insider actually found four different patents currently processing from Apple; one regarding cooling via the USB and Firewire ports, two regarding a laptop’s ability to sense airflow and make adjustments automatically, and then finally (and most interestingly) a plan to use heat conductive hinge assemblies. While to some this may not seem interesting, the concept of using the lid as a giant heat-pipe definitely shows potential.

[via Gizmodo]

DIY: Macro photography on your iPhone

Posted: 04 Mar 2010 08:00 PM PST

Here’s a way to get your iPhone (or any other mobile device) camera to zoom in a bit tighter. It’s a fairly simple process using a magnifier loupe and an aftermarket iPhone case, and will definitely make your close up images pop.

It’s easy. Step one: buy a loupe. Step two: place loupe over the lens on your iPhone. Step three: profit. If you were so inclined, a person could get fancy and modify the case of the loupe to attach to the external case, but there isn’t much point really. Also, this hack can be used with pretty much any cell phone, just make sure you use good lighting because the loupe will make your pictures pretty dark otherwise. For more detailed instructions and a glimpse at some example shots, click here.

A-Box bulletproof iPod amp – the “A” stands for “Awesome” (and “ammo”)

Posted: 04 Mar 2010 08:00 PM PST


Well, I have to say, this is by far the coolest iPod amp/speaker set I’ve ever seen. To be fair, it’s not actually new — it’s the same basic audio components as the iBox, by the same people — and of course the ammo box is vintage. But put them together and BAM, new product. So, so great. With the speaker grills and everything? Brilliant.

Lots more info and big pics at Thodio’s site, where you’ll also find that this sucker costs a hot €475, or around $650. Damn!

You could probably hack something like this together with some decent speakers, a T-amp, and an ammo box from Army/Navy Surplus, but unless you’re a real cool hand at it, it’s not going to be nearly as good as this one. I was thinking of emailing these guys and asking to review this thing, but who am I kidding? First, they’re in the Netherlands and it would cost them like $200 to ship the thing, and secondly the iBox has been around for a while, as I mentioned. Though I’m sure I’ve never seen one. Well, Thodio, if you feel like sending one my way, I think you have a general idea of what kind of review it’d get.

I know, that sounds unethical, but really, a sweet self-contained speaker set that’s actually bulletproof? How could it go wrong?

[via The Awesomer and Gizmodo]

Apple vs. HTC: A grudge match?

Posted: 04 Mar 2010 07:30 PM PST


With a list of allegedly infringed patents as long as my arm, Apple could be considered as filing this lawsuit with nothing but the idea of getting what’s rightfully theirs. I imagine that’s true as far as it goes, but there’s a little more to it and I think this conflict may expose even further the cracks that are appearing in our patent and trademark system.

I was going to write a big ol’ thing on this, but the fact is that I’d just be duplicating the analysis over at Brainstorm Tech and Daring Fireball. The situation is evolving, and we’ll see how the cookie crumbles — but either way, there are many intelligent things to be said about the patent system and how what was designed for the industrial age doesn’t work in the information age.

SSD Roundup: the drive to succeed

Posted: 04 Mar 2010 07:00 PM PST

I got up this morning and started thinking about the next thing I wanted to add to my PC. Like many of you, I’m into upgrading when I see fit to increase performance, and I think that putting Windows 7 on an SSD might be the way to go. So, like many of you, I decided to look at some of the most recent reviews and see what looked interesting from the price/performance standpoint.

So there’s a problem in general with buying an SSD, like any other component. You order it, the big brown truck arrives, you open the box and BAM! Press release announcing a newer, better, version of the drive you just bought. Not shocking, I know, but it makes doing this round-up thing a bit difficult.

Let’s take a look at the drives that got my attention:


Name: WD Silicon Edge Blue
Capacity: 256GB
Cost: $999 (Cost per GB: $3.90)
What looks good: I liked the fact that it was was made by Western Digital, I liked the large capacity, and the reasonable performance. It was incredibly expensive though, and the cost per GB was a bit out of line compared to other products.

Name: OCZ Vertex, with the SandForce
Capacity: 100GB
Cost: $438 (Cost per GB: $4.38)
What looks good: OCZ has been pushing these things out at an incredible pace. The Vertex is the latest, and the fact that they claim to have a maintenance algorithm and increased durability really appeals to me. One of the concerns I have about an SSD product is the reliability, so this helps. It’s also, like most high capacity SSD drives, very expensive. This is the review I looked at when I was researching this unit.

Name: Micron RealSSD C300
Capacity: 256GB
Cost: $799 (Cost per GB: $3.12)
What looks good: Crucial knows memory, no doubt there, and the review that I read on this product was very positive. It’s a good all around performer, supports SATA III, and has great performance. Unfortunately it’s still silly expensive and it’s not out yet.

Name: OCZ Agility
Capacity: 60GB
Cost: $199, (Cost per GB: $3.31 after rebates)
What looks good: The price made me really have to think about this drive. For my project, I don’t need a ridiculously large drive, I’m just going to put the OS on there to try and squeeze out a little more performance. The OCZ has adequate speed, adequate transfer rates, and some more of the lovely algorithm that’s supposed to keep the drive running smoothly. The reviewer liked it too, and described it as a great drive for exactly what I have in mind.

Name: Kingston SSDNow V
Capacity: 40GB
Cost: $159 (Cost per GB: $3.97)
What looks good: Reasonable size, decent performance, lower price. The SSDNow V seems to have it all. There’s a reason for that though, it’s actually a relabeled Intel X25-M. That’s actually a good thing, as Intel’s controller chipset does provide a serious performance boost.

So which one would I buy? Well, I’ve decided to go with the Kingston. I don’t have $500 to spend on a drive so it’s within reach, and the reviews were good. Now I just have to reorganize my system so I’m ready to upgrade when the drive gets here.

Let there be… nanophotonic avalanche photodetectors!

Posted: 04 Mar 2010 06:30 PM PST


File this one under “future toys.” We hear about a lot of these super-low-level advances in processing and storage (whenever I see the word “holographic,” I reach for the salt), and while they’re usually at best years away from practice and manufacture, they’re good to keep informed on, if nothing else than as cocktail chatter. “Did you hear about those new nanotube speakers?”

Well. The latest advancement is that IBM is thinking of replacing the conductive copper channels in today’s chips with light. But it’s more than a simple fiber-optic setup or something along those lines; the idea is that a single photon would set off an electron cascade, meaning that a significant charge could be effected on the far side of a gap, for the energy cost of sending out a single photon. The usual “this would enable computers a gazillion times faster” talk follows.

I see one major problem with this. We have systems like this in our bodies; IBM’s design is almost biomimetic. Our brains in particular can take a single “photon” (an action potential) and have it effect a huge change on a target neuron — if that neuron is all charged up and ready to receive. But a few action potentials too many and the charged molecules that allow for a rapid multiplication of electrical power will be exhausted, and it takes some time to recharge. You can actually see this for yourself, literally: stare at a light for a second and the little phosphenes that appear before your eyes are a result of certain cells in your eyes being unable to “recharge” fast enough to propagate the correct signal.

There would be less risk of that if your eyes were plugged into the wall, of course. But on a scale small enough, there may be issues of heat or charge fatigue that would get in the way as in the brain. Anyhow, there’s not much we can say at this point, since the research is at the “CG explanation on YouTube” stage, meaning we won’t hear from them for another couple years.

[via PC World]

Heartwarming: gamer helps blind gamer beat Ocarina of Time

Posted: 04 Mar 2010 06:00 PM PST


Last night, I spent a truly obscene amount of time reading through Action Button’s incredibly good reviews of games, old-school and new. The Super Metroid and Super Mario Bros 3 reviews in particular struck me in particular, because it was clear that the reviewers love these games even more than I do, which didn’t think was possible. These are deep waters indeed, I reflected — love of games can be far more intense and complex than I thought. And here I wake up this morning and find that two gamers have worked together to accomplish nothing short of a life-changing event for both of them.

Roy Williams, an enthusiastic gamer from Camden, South Carolina, put together a moment-by-moment guide to completing The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, so that a blind Zelda lover in Ontario could beat it on his own. Seriously, this is some made-for-TV movie stuff, but it really happened, and it really worked.

Jordan Verner, who is blind, had been playing little bits of the game (OoT to true fans) but of course was frustrated by the fact that it’s not exactly accessible to a blind person. I mean, hell, that game’s difficult enough for a sighted guy of moderate skill like me to beat. He asked for help online, little thinking that he’d get it. But over the next two years, Roy and a couple friends put together a literal move-by-move guide to beating the game, relying on audio cues and plain old dead reckoning. And Jordan freaking did it!

Well, you can see how it is in the video above. These human interest stories usually leave me cold, but the fact that something as misunderstood and reviled (in mainstream media at least) as gaming could be the unquestionable source of joy and improvement for a couple people like this really makes me happy.

Scosche releases the updated reviveLITE II iPhone charger/nightlight

Posted: 04 Mar 2010 05:30 PM PST


Scosche just announced the reviveLITE II. This is the second generation in this series, but the updates might not be clear. Scosche reduced the size of the iPod/iPhone charger while adding an USB charging port. But this model still features the night light just like the original.

We found the original to be a great solution but a tad pricey at $40. It seems this model retains all the goods, but comes in at $24.99. That’s a win for sure. The reviveLITE II is available right now on Scosche.com and should hit major retailers this Spring.

Goldmund home theater system will blow your socks off

Posted: 04 Mar 2010 05:15 PM PST

I have a list of things that I plan to do once I become absolutely ridiculously rich. Being a blogger armed with a liberal-arts degree puts me on the perfect path, I know. The item right after building a house with secret passageways everywhere is calling up the guys from Goldmund and having them come by and install their top-of-the-line sound system. They invited me up to their brand new showroom here in New York and I’ll say, I was damn impressed.

Now be forewarned, these are the kinds of systems that super secret, famous people put in their houses. Generational voice kind of people. So the mid-range hovers around $1,000,000.

Each system is custom configured to your space and budget, but the general highlights include:

  • Minimal amount of crossover (dedicated amplifiers)
  • True center channel
  • Left and right columns
  • Gold-plated circuitry

The subwoofers range from 5Hz – 15Hz. You won’t be able to hear them, but you will definitely be able to feel them.

A stand-alone processor controls the surround mix. As you can see below, the configuration isn’t in a traditional 5.1 or 7.1 array, but never fear! The system automatically translates the surround signal to work with any setup. The surround image is incredibly well-defined. When you hear bullets flying from every which way, and feel explosions better than you see them, you feel absolutely immersed in your theater experience.

A first? Muslim woman refuses to submit to airport body scan, not allowed to board flight

Posted: 04 Mar 2010 05:00 PM PST

It finally happened. A Muslim woman in Manchester refused to submit to a full-body airport body scanner and was thus barred from boarding her flight. She cited her Muslim faith, which might have been expected, as to why she refused to submit to the scan. I don’t trust the Internet to react to this news with any aplomb whatsoever.

The woman, who was to fly to Pakistan, was randomly selected at the Manchester airport to be scanned. Another woman, her travel buddy, also refused to submit to the body scan, but because of medical reasons.

In the UK, passengers who refuse to submit to body scans once they’ve been selected for one are barred from boarding said flight. There’s no Plan B—you can’t say, “I don’t want to be scanned, but I’ll let you pad me down or whatever.” Scan or go home.

What are you more comfortable with, people refusing to be scanned because of religious reasons or because of health reasons?

What’s also worth mentioning is that the two women were barred from boarding a flight two weeks ago over security concerns. That probably means that they’re being “randomly selected” for scans is total bunk.

The illusion of security continues, I suppose.


Playing the world’s saddest song on the world’s smallest violin thumb piano

Posted: 04 Mar 2010 04:40 PM PST

Contact microphones are all sorts of fun. You can get some crazy sounds by sticking them on non-assuming, everyday items. Or you can make a tiny thumb piano with a tube clamp and some pieces of guitar string like Ranjit Bhatnagar up there. Check it out.

[via MoonMilk and Make]

Interesting read: the potential of the iPad, from the perspective of a book designer

Posted: 04 Mar 2010 04:20 PM PST


The iPad is getting more than its fair share of press, I think — or to be precise, it’s getting its fair share, but a lot of it could have gone to any other quality tablet device, of which at the moment there are admittedly few (the Adam comes to mind). So these days, when I read an interesting article like this one, or write that someone is making an iPad tablet version of their magazine, I deliberately conflate the terms “iPad” and “tablet.”To their credit, Apple is making a very robust reader app that’s ripe for exploiting, as Craigmod says, as a canvas for rich media.

I’d never pretend that the iPad is the be-all and end-all of tablet devices. For one thing, it’s deliberately incomplete, and Apple’s plan for the iPad v2 is spelled out in the hardware for anyone to see. But it’s still going to be first to market with an attractive and functional device, which is more than others can say. It seems to me, though, that content created for an iPad is created not just with Apple’s hardware in mind, but with the whole tablet form factor in mind, and come Chrome OS and all it brings, I guarantee we’ll see a huge amount of what used to be exclusive iPad functionality duplicated — and for a lot cheaper.

But to return to the book discussion: I like the idea of content made just for tablets — the “infinite content plane” in particular, was something I hoped Apple would leverage as a “desktop” for the iPad. Not so much. But the ingenuity of designers can always be relied on when you have something like an entirely new form factor to play with — and you aren’t risking the future of a multi-billion dollar company on it.

Distinguishing between formless and definite content, as they are termed in the post, is also important. Well-designed web pages are the best template for laying out a book for a tablet — they’re definite, but still flexible enough to accommodate things like size and orientation. The potential for improvement of a format we’ve taken for granted for centuries is not to be passed up. I mean, we get a new entire way of consuming media and then we make people turn virtual pages? But I’ll leave that to the designers. Read the post, it’s good. I particularly agree about the point that the elimination of crappy paperbacks is progress.

[thanks for the tip, Aaron]

3M’s MPro150 pico-projector is now shipping from Amazon

Posted: 04 Mar 2010 04:00 PM PST


Pico-projectors are just so cute and cuddly. Amazon just so happens to be shipping the pico-sized MPro150 now for only $380. What do you get for that price, you ask? Great question, friend!

This is 3M’s third pico-projector so it’s a bit more polished than the early models, including the 120 model Devin reviewed last year. This model is a bit brighter at 15 lumens and has two tiny speakers built-in. The unit even supports basic file systems, allowing users to manage and display certain file types without the need of a dedicated computer. A 2GB SD card is included to supplement the 1GB internal memory. Of course external sources can be plugged into the device as well. [Amazon via PicoProjector-info]

LEGO synth has you build your sound

Posted: 04 Mar 2010 03:30 PM PST

Japanese artist / designer Yoshi Akai has quite the repertoire of zany instruments and synthesizers. Not only do they have a wicked steampunk aesthetic, but the control formats range from credit cards to wireless signals. Cool stuff all around. This particular one is a 3 channel, 8 step synth that uses different colored LEGO blocks as triggers. You can even create 3D shapes to get really crazy.

Video after the jump.

[Make: Online]
Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)