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Aquafairy FC Stick: Efficient mini fuel cell for gadget fans (video)

Posted: 11 Mar 2010 05:02 AM PST

Fuel cells are on their way into the mainstream, even though the commercially available models are still pretty pricey. But there are companies like Kyoto-based Aquafairy [JP], for example, preparing affordable fuel cells, too. Their four new fuel cells are intended to make gadget fans in particular happy: the micro FC Stick (0.8W), the FC-Stick (2W), the FC-Cube (3W) and the FC-Cube Dual (6W).

The graphic above shows just a selection of gadgets that can be powered by these hydrogen/oxygen-based fuel cells (the video embedded below, for example, shows a robot that runs on two FC-Sticks). An FC-Stick can supply enough energy to charge a cell phone, while the FC-Cube is able to power a Nintendo DS. An FC-Cube Dual, connected to a lithium-ion battery, can power a standard notebook for about 3 hours.

Aquafairy is planning to sell their fuel cells, which consist of a power unit and a hydrogen cartridge, within this year (in Japan, at least). An FC-Stick, for example, will cost $22, with one cartridge setting buyers back $1.10 (the carts can be replaced).

Watch this video for more info (courtesy of DigInfoNews, Tokyo):

New technology heats up cell phones when callers get agitated

Posted: 11 Mar 2010 03:21 AM PST

I can’t think of too many use cases for this, but they did it: A team of researchers from the University of Tokyo (Japan’s MIT if you will) has developed a technology that makes it possible to “physically” convey emotions from cell phone to cell phone. The key elements of the technology are a sensor and a Peltier device that’s attached to the back of the phones.

When you start sweating and become emotionally agitated during a phone call, a sensor built into your cell phone detects changes in the electrical resistance of the skin of your hand (which holds the handset). This data is sent to the handset of the person you are currently talking with, along with the usual phone signal. Then, a Peltier device attached to the back of the handset of that person starts heating up, making him or her really understand you are angry, excited or surprised.

The researchers say there’s a time lag of just two seconds to convey the change in emotion. The Peltier device is able to heat up to 9C above room temperature, but it can also cool down to 3.6C below room temperature. In that case, you know the person you are talking with is either emotionally neutral or getting calmer again.

My apologies for the silly picture – there were no official pictures available.

Via The Nikkei [registration required, paid subscription]

Verizon officially launches the rugged, text-friendly Casio G’zOne Brigade

Posted: 11 Mar 2010 12:04 AM PST

Just yesterday we were saying that Casio’s built-to-be-beaten G’zOne Brigade would be launching today — and sure enough, it just went live on Verizon’s web site.

Read the rest at MobileCrunch >>

Daily Crunch: Pixeled Edition

Posted: 11 Mar 2010 12:00 AM PST

Dell stumbles, almost drops to #3 in the top PC manufacturers

Posted: 10 Mar 2010 10:00 PM PST

Bad news for Dell. Despite the fact that it’s looking like IT spending is increasing, Dell is still suffering from lackluster sales. iSuppli, the company that tracks worldwide PC shipping, reports that in the ongoing battle for dominance in the PC marketshare, Dell has staggered, and almost slipped down to number three.

The news isn’t all bad though, because as one company falls, another will rise. Surprisingly, the company that’s rising to the top happens to be Acer. In 4Q2009, Acer almost managed to top Dell in units shipped for the first time ever, with a impressive 11.86 million PCs sold. HP of course is still king of the hill, but for Acer to come that close could spell bad news for Dell in 1Q2010.

Razer announces drivers for the Mac

Posted: 10 Mar 2010 09:01 PM PST

Razer announced today that they are going to be releasing Mac drivers for all of their future products. This comes on the heels of the announcement that Steam is coming to the Macintosh as well.

Razer specifically mentioned the upcoming line of StarCraft II peripherals, which makes sense in light of the fact that Blizzard has always released a Mac version of their games at the same time as their PC versions. From the press release:

RAZER™ REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO SUPPORT MAC® USERS

Game Developers Conference, San Francisco, Calif. – March 10, 2010 – Today at the Game Developers Conference, Razer, the world's leading manufacturer of high-end precision gaming and lifestyle peripherals, announced an effort to increase support for Mac users by issuing driver support for all upcoming Razer products, including the Razer StarCraft® II peripheral suite.

"I'm very proud to say that at Razer, we are committed to supporting both Mac and PC gamers," said Robert "Razerguy" Krakoff, president, Razer USA. "We are constantly working to increase driver support for Mac with our existing Razer products and have plans to release all of our new products with dedicated Mac and PC drivers. This is a really exciting opportunity to expand the gaming industry and make it more inclusive for Mac users by providing the same level of support that we give to our PC users."

In April of 2008, the Razer DeathAdder™ for Mac was revealed, crafted specifically to provide Max OS X users with the same legendary ergonomic form factor and precision enjoyed by the PC gaming community. Complete with lunar white accents to accentuate the crisp, clean lines customary to Apple® products, the Razer DeathAdder for Mac is loaded with 1000Hz Ultrapolling™ technology and five independently programmable Razer Hyperesponse™ buttons.

Today, Razer is proud to offer several options for the Mac gaming community, providing full Mac support for the Razer Naga™, the world's best selling MMO gaming mouse, as well as the Razer DeathAdder, a cult favorite among the right-handed gaming community. Razer is completely committed to supporting Mac users and will be releasing drivers to equip existing products with Mac compatibility. Basic Mac support is already available for the Razer Orochi™, Razer Mamba™ and Razer Imperator™, with further updates scheduled for later this year.


The Pokemon return: HeartGold and SoulSilver

Posted: 10 Mar 2010 08:30 PM PST

So I got a random delivery today, and I was quite surprised to see it was from Nintendo. Even more surprising was when I opened the box and saw they had sent me the two latest Pokemon games, HeartGold and SoulSilver. What was even more interesting was when I started to read the enclosed literature that explained exactly what’s new about these two games.

One of the criticisms leveled at video games is that they encourage children to sit on the couch instead of going outside. Nintendo has of course bucked this trend with the Wii Fit and other games that have been coming out recently that encourage getting up and moving around. Imagine my surprise when I saw that HeartGold and SoulSilver include something called a “Pokewalker”.

What is a Pokewalker? Well, apparently you can download your favorite Pokemon into a small pedometer that you clip to your clothing, and then you take your Pokemon for a walk. Walking your Pokemon will increase it’s happiness, help it to gain experience points, and even help you to catch other species of Pokemon. Kids (and let’s be honest, adults too) can connect two Pokewalkers to gain special gifts. I love it!

Gameplay is the same as the other Pokemon games, but feels closest to the most recent release, Pokemon Diamond. This is actually a great thing, since Pokemon Diamond is considered to be one of the best games of the franchise. I haven’t had a chance to try the Pokewalker yet, but I’ll update this story after I reach the level where I can use it.

Bill Gates’ hurricane-busting tubeships are real, people

Posted: 10 Mar 2010 08:00 PM PST


Last year, I wrote that Bill had this (let’s be honest) evil-genius style plan to weaken hurricanes before they make landfall. Sounded a bit fantastical at the time, but as it turns out, there are real scientists ready to rock and roll with these things. They’re so serious they even put together a video.

The idea is really pretty simple: by pumping warm surface water to the cool depths of the ocean, the temperature at the surface can be reduced by a few degrees, which is apparently all it takes to weaken a hurricane.

[via Gizmodo]

Apple’s Magic Mouse: fixed at last

Posted: 10 Mar 2010 07:42 PM PST

I handle a lot of mice in this job (right now I’m using the Mionix Naos 5000) and I have to say that if a mouse were, like the Magic Mouse, shaped completely wrong for human hands, I would throw it away and never speak of it again. Others, while perhaps more crafty, are far less principled, and will go so far as to fabricate a silicone crutch to rest their hand on. There, I fixed it!

Now, if you can’t live without the few multi-touch gestures you can do on the Magic Mouse, this thing is probably a good idea, and it’ll set you back $10 plus $3 shipping. But if the idea of using a device that was clearly not designed with ergonomic principles seems silly to you, as it does to me, then pick up one of the many great mice that are supported or semi-supported on OS X. I understand the Logitech MX Revolution is excellent, and many of Razer’s mice are supported as well.

ARM guy: 50 tablet computers coming out in 2010

Posted: 10 Mar 2010 07:30 PM PST


Man oh man. This is going to be like the netbooksplosion that happened after the EeePC hit. Roy Chen, a big man at ARM, said at a press meeting that they expect perhaps 50 tablet computers to be made available worldwide in 2010. Of course, in the US, we’ll only see a fraction of them — maybe 15 or 20. Some of these will be knockoffs, some Android devices, some this or that or the other thing, and of course all of them are going up against the iPad and will likely measure their specs against it and not each other.

You’ll also see a lot of fragmentation at the size level before one size gets established as the “standard.” Five inches? Seven inches? Nine? Ten? How about dual screens?

It’ll be interesting to be sure, but I get the feeling that, like netbooks, the first year is going to be ugly, iPad included.

[via Wired]

http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9168418/ARM_sees_over_50_new_iPad_like_devices_out_this_year

Another Hourtime Episode for your pleasure

Posted: 10 Mar 2010 07:00 PM PST


In this episode the boys talk about the upcoming Basel show and offer some tips on collecting.

Download MP3

Subscribe in iTunes


This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Ring of Honor figures out the Internet, launches video download store to discourage BitTorrent piracy

Posted: 10 Mar 2010 06:30 PM PST

Credit to Ring of Honor, the professional wrestling promotion, for embracing the Internet era. The promotion has launched a new download store that makes its extensive video library only a $10 download away. A legal download, mind you. It’s all a fan could ever ask for.

The process is pretty easy. You visit the Web site, add the video of your choice—I selected Joe vs. Punk II, from October, 2004 (which received a 5-star rating from The Wrestling Observer newsletter)—then buy via PayPal. A link then appears in the Account area of the Web site. In there is a link to a plain ol’ ISO that you then download at your leisure. The servers don’t seem to be too beefy since the download is running only at around 300 KB/s right now (6:30pm). Still, it’s quite a bit faster than waiting for a plastic disc to arrive in the mail.

It should also be noted that Ring of Honor regularly hosts Internet pay-per-view events, including one on April 3. So, “figures out the Internet” may be a bit harsh.

Companies like Ring of Honor have been fighting piracy for quite some time. There’s a couple fairly high profile BitTorrent sites that specialize in professional wrestling, and their DVDs are often ripped and posted and as soon as they’re released. It’s one thing to download a WWE DVD rip, where the company makes millions of dollars every year, but smaller guys like Ring of Honor truly do get hurt every time you fire up uTorrent. (Not to justify downloading WWE DVDs, of course.) But giving people an easy-to-use, inexpensive, and legal method to access their video library is to be commend, and it probably should have happened sooner.

I’d much rather be given the option of paying $10 for an ISO than having to sift my way through this or that torrent site, worrying about whether or not there’s a seeder in the swarm.

OCZ drops SSDs to below $100

Posted: 10 Mar 2010 06:00 PM PST


In Dave’s SSD roundup the other day, the cheapest drive carried the day — naturally. Though the Kingston SSDNow V only has 40GB of space and you pay a pretty high price/GB, it’s really the easiest entry to SSD-land, and 40GB is plenty of space for a boot drive. In fact, you could even make do with 32GB. And lucky for you, OCZ just released a new Onyx model that gives you just that for under a bill!

Sure, 32GB is going to be barely enough for Windows 7, your programs, and a little scratch space for My Documents, and the 125/70MB/s read/write speeds are nothing to write home about, but it’s an SSD for a hundred bucks. The quickness will be apparent, even though this is the lowest grade stuff you can get. It’s still going to be faster than a spinning drive.

[via Hot Hardware]

So surveillance cameras are actually good for something

Posted: 10 Mar 2010 05:30 PM PST

Brickhouse Security in New York sells lots and lots of cameras. They even have one hidden in a teddy bear and they’ve got this crazy one inside a clock. Anyway, they were filming their office one evening when a frayed vacuum cord started to burn. Things would have been fine but management decided to move a file cabinet over the burn and then blame it on cigarette smoke. Boy were their faces red when they whipped out some footage from the scene, catching the nefarious manager in the act.

The company post itself looks like a dig at their cleaning/maintenance company, but it’s nice to know at least some justice has been served thanks to Panopticon-style surveillance.

Iwatani Corp has an electric motor-bike that will never be released

Posted: 10 Mar 2010 05:00 PM PST

Man alive, Twitter is blowing up right now at the expense of Real Madrid. That has nothing to do with the following story, but it had to be mentioned. The real story is: an electric motorbike! Is that any more exciting than Real Madrid being the laughingstock of Europe? I’d say no, but maybe six of you have any idea what I’m talking about. Back to the bike, then.

It’s created by Japan’s Iwatani Corp., and it’s powered by a lithium-ion battery+polymer electrolyte fuel cell combination. Hydrogen is stored in small cartridges, and if conditions are absolutely perfect, it can go about 45 km per charge.

It’s not really a proof of concept, per se, but the company doesn’t have any plans to commercialize the bike.

Again, for the zillionth time, I don’t know a damn thing about cars, so anytime I write about them or whatever, feel free to invest your time elsewhere, like Chatroulette or something.

via TreeHugger

Your smartphone: future air-quality data point

Posted: 10 Mar 2010 04:45 PM PST


You know the good feeling you get when you think about how your computer is running Folding@home all the time, or that you’ve been careful to clip six-pack rings all your life? Well, soon you might have one more warm fuzzy feeling, if this project underway at Intel Labs Berkeley comes through. They’re designing portable air-quality sensors that monitor and sample the air around you throughout the day and allow it to be shared and analyzed later.

Read the rest of this story at MobileCrunch…

GDC 2010: Sony’s motion controller is called Playstation Move

Posted: 10 Mar 2010 04:30 PM PST


The big Sony press conference is underway, and as expected, their motion controller is the star of the show. We can’t be there personally this time, but here comes the news anyway (I’m watching a few liveblogs; the pictures are from Kotaku’s). The motion controller will be called the Move, not the Gem or Arc as suspected, and you can use two of them (or one and a nunchuk-like non-ball-topped controller) simultaneously to, say, box or use a sword and shield.

Latency is “under one frame,” so probably around 30ms, which isn’t bad. They’re showing off how it works with a few launch games. 3rd person fighters, more casual stuff, and soon we’ll probably be seeing some FPS style games as well like Red Steel 2. Lots of third party support, which we knew already, but hey, good to hear.

There isn’t much else to say until you can see it in action or try it. Hopefully they’ll get demo units out to places like Sony Style and GameStop soon. I believe they’re aiming for a starter kit under $100, but I’ll believe that when I see it.

A hands-on with the fake Core i7s

Posted: 10 Mar 2010 04:00 PM PST


You might have seen a little story bouncing around the net yesterday that Newegg unintentionally sold some fake Intel Core i7 processors to a few upset customers. Can’t really blame Newegg, since the packaging is almost exactly the same as the real ones, and of course they shipped out replacements right away. You could probably just send back the fake processor, but hey, why not keep it and take some pictures?

Gearlog put up a little pictorial that honestly is only funny if you’ve ever ordered a retail box processor. The fact that the fan is just a sticker cracks me up. And it’s amazing that they can get the embossed hologram right, but spell “socket” and other things wrong.

Happy Hour timepiece: Because it’s always happy hour somewhere

Posted: 10 Mar 2010 03:30 PM PST

You say that alcohol is your only friend? And you need a nice watch to wear while drinking it? The Happy Hour Timepiece is for you. While the watch itself is pretty standard – a quartz analog movement next to a Chinese LCD movement in a rectangular case – the buckle of the strap holds an important secret.

Friends, it doubles as a bottle opener. No longer will you be the guy who gets drunk on too many beers! You will be the guy who gets drunk on too many beers with a bottle opener in your watch buckle. See the subtle difference?

You can buy it right here for $49.95

Aw, iPhone app fridge magnets

Posted: 10 Mar 2010 03:15 PM PST


Take a break from reading our hard-hitting news coverage and take a look at these cute little things. Perfect stocking stuffer (I know, a little early) for your favorite app developer and/or iPhone fanatic. What with these things, those Android pillows, and all the other tech knickknacks I’ve been seeing, it seems that pretty soon they’re going to need a whole online store just to hold all of them.

Read the rest of this post at MobileCrunch…
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