CrunchGear

CrunchGear

Link to CrunchGear

HP Slate priced, dated, and spec’d?

Posted: 19 Mar 2010 05:12 AM PDT

The HP Slate has been showing up in all sorts of places since it’s CES 2010 debut. But we really never knew much about it. We didn’t know what CPU or GPU it was running, along with if it had 3G, GPS, webcams. But a Spanish site seemingly has all the answers and we like what we hear.

The Slate will rock an unspecified Atom CPU chipset that will handle Flash just fine. A memory card reader, USB ports, and a rear-mounted webcam are also mentioned to be included.

A €400 ($546) price is thrown around but let’s not speculate on the $549 USD conversion price. Products like the Slate can range in price dramatically depending on its target market, and let’s just hope HP has enough smarts to price it lower than the competing iPad. After all, so far we still haven’t heard anything about a 3G modem residing within the Slate’s sexy frame.

“Camera-man”: This is what Pentax wants your camera to look like

Posted: 19 Mar 2010 03:21 AM PDT

In October last year, Pentax launched a “robotic” version of their K-x entry level digital camera, a colorful variation of the conventional black model. And today, the same company, presented another “creative” approach, the “Camera-man” [JP]. It’s not a new camera (or a special version of an existing device) but a set of accessories, namely a special 52mm lens cap (which shows a smiley) and a puppet body that needs to be fixed beneath the cap.

As a result, you get the Camera-man. Pentax says there are 100 different design variations for the Camera-man. The main selling points are that the accessories were created by a famous Japanese designer, 100% handmade and only available for a limited amount of time.

I don’t know who’d be interested in turning his or her camera into something like this, which is why in this case it’s not a tragedy the Camera-man is Japan-only. Each design costs $33.

Daily Crunch: PSA Edition

Posted: 19 Mar 2010 12:00 AM PDT

DIY: Turn your Guitar Hero controller into a Ukulele

Posted: 18 Mar 2010 08:30 PM PDT

Here’s an interesting modification for a Guitar Hero controller. An anonymous modder posted a project to Instructables showing how to convert a full size controller to a small size. The modder converted his to a smaller size for his two year old daughter, but whatever your reason is, it looks like a fairly easy thing to do.

Seems like a fairly rudimentary project, all you need is a Torx screwdriver, a small Phillips head screwdriver, a hacksaw, some glue, and some mending plates. You then take apart the donor guitar and perform the necessary surgery to make the neck smaller based on your particular needs. Of course it’s a bit more complicated then that, but feel free to read over the full instructions posted by the author.

New AMD processor details leak

Posted: 18 Mar 2010 07:30 PM PDT

Oops! Looks like someone accident let some information out early. AMDs “Thuban” processors will be out next month, and there wasn’t a whole lot of information out there until recently. Turns out that somebody talked. Well, at least someone’s BIOS talked.

Gigabyte released a couple of BIOS updates recently, and Tech Connect spotted the news: The X6 1035T will have 6 cores, and be running at 2.6 GHz, and the X6 1055T is going to run at 2.8GHz. There was some news about the new Phenom II X6 as well; the 1075T will be clocked at 3.0 GHz, which is about 333 MHz slower then Intel’s new i7 980x. Bummer for AMD, but we’ll see who the real winner is when the pricing comes out; Intel’s new chip sells for $999 right now.

The SayCool tablet mates a 7-inch multitouch display to Windows XP

Posted: 18 Mar 2010 07:00 PM PDT


There is a steady stream of tablet PCs flowing out of China recently. Most of them are just the same ol’ thing, but this SayCool tablet stood out from the rest with a 7-inch capacitive screen that’s apparently multitouch capable. Now, the tablet runs Windows XP, which isn’t nearly as touch friendly as Win7, but it certainly can be done with the right cocktail of software and hardware.

It remains to be seen, however, if the multitouch capabilities can be used within Windows itself or chained down to custom-built software. It’s entirely possible that pinch-to-zoom and the other gestured advertised will only work in a SayCool program and not in standard programs like Chrome, Firefox, or MS Word.

The rest of the tablet is pretty much standard: GPS, WiFi, Bluetooth, and 3G. Chances are an Atom is at the core as well. But there might not even be any reason to bother yourself with the multitouch question as it may never hit US retailers.

Comcast to begin 100 mbps residential broadband this year

Posted: 18 Mar 2010 06:30 PM PDT

Kudos to Comcast for embracing the year 2009. The nation’s largest—and quite possibly worst—ISP has finally committed itself to deploying 100 mbps broadband beginning this year. That will make the FCC happy, what with the loft goals it set with its National Broadband Plan. It’s also good news for people who know their way around things like Usenet—taps nose like a spy. Will it be affordable, though?

The big rollout will happen within the next 12 to 18 months. Most, if not all, of Comcast’s customers will be able to sign up for the super-fast service. You can thank DOCSIS 3.0 for that.

Price may be an issue. Right now, Comcast offers 100 mbps down/15 mbps up service to business customers in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area for $369 per month. There’s no way you’re going to convince residential customers in this economy to shell out nearly $400 a month for Internet access, no matter how fast—that’s the price of two car payments. Now you’d have to figure that not even Comcast would be that silly to charge that kind of money for residential Internet access. I don’t know what’s involved with business-level Internet access at Comcast, but presumably it comes with free ostrich egg omelets once a week.

For comparison’s sake, I already have 100 mbps Internet access from Cablevision, an ISP in the New York area. For $100 per month I get 101 (!) mbps down/15 mbps up. I am, in fact, able to max out my connection when using Usenet (I have Newsdemon). But a fair warning to people who think the Internet is magically going to fly once they hop aboard the 100 mbps train: it won’t. Sites like YouTube are still dog-slow, Gmail isn’t any faster than it is using your regular broadband connection. In a sense, you’re faster than what these sites can handle. That will change over time, of course, but don’t think getting 100 mbps is going to change your life if all you do is check your Facebook and watch the occasional YouTube clip.

It’s sorta weird: sites won’t upgrade their capacity until there’s enough people with super-fast connections to make it worth their while, and it may not be worth it to the average person to upgrade, and perhaps pay $100 per month, until it’s worth their while.

Scientists vibrate quantum drum to superpositional beat

Posted: 18 Mar 2010 05:56 PM PDT

You’ve probably heard about some quantum this-and-that where it was implied that certain particles can be here and there, or moving and not moving, simultaneously. “Splendid,” you said, disparagingly, as you adjusted your monocle, “that also explains my quantum state of simultaneously reading and not caring.” Oh, sir! How droll that was! You slay me. But you spoke the truth: on a practical level, who cares about a muon or something not being pin-downable on a scale so small that we have to build monstrous facilities just to observe?

Well, some scientists felt the same way, so they decided to implement quantum weirdness on a scale visible to the human eye: a “quantum drum” that they supercooled and then somehow both vibrated and did not vibrate. So…what did it look like? I don’t know, they don’t really say! What the hell, right?

It turns out that even at a (technically) visible level, in this case about 30 micrometers, an object in a state of quantum suspension can’t really be observed, per se. I think the amount of light it would take for us to see it would totally mess up the experiment. So the researchers had to trust their instruments. I know – these scientists and their instruments. I got your instrument right here, nerd.

[via Reddit]

Uh-ohs! Canon’s 5D update pulled from e-shelves

Posted: 18 Mar 2010 05:30 PM PDT

Well, looks like that Canon 5D mk II update that was released a couple days ago has itself a couple faults. Seems that if you set sound recording to manual while using a C* dial setting, then turn the camera off, it’ll render your camera unable to record audio at all. There are two solutions: don’t install the update until they fix it, or set sound recording to auto.

We hope you have found this information informative.

Party people, wave your wristbands in the air

Posted: 18 Mar 2010 05:07 PM PDT

This cool Instructable teaches you how to build your own persistance of vision wristband, one of those things that spell a word when you swing it in front of someone fast enough. The device uses a Lilypad Arduino board and about eight 8 LEDs.

You actually have to program the board to get things to show up, which requires a bit of patience. However, it’s quite a cute illusion and, with enough patience, you can make your wristband say anything, if you catch my meaning.

Apple set to release 27-inch LED display, 12-core Mac Pro

Posted: 18 Mar 2010 05:00 PM PDT


12 cores may sound impressive, but as rumored, it’s likely just two of the latest six-core i7s working in tandem. Actually, now that I think about it, that is pretty impressive. I can’t think of who would need such ridiculous power and multi-threading, but I know my friends in ultra-HD video and effects can’t get enough Hz. I don’t know if programs like After Effects and Final Cut are really using OpenCL much yet, but that could be a major boost as well. However, as Apple Insider notes, the 980X is not meant to be used in a dual configuration, which would necessitate two motherboards. But hey, who knows? Apple is loco. We know this.

And hey, as long as you’re spending six or seven grand on a desktop, why not buy an insanely expensive, LED-backlit monitor as well? Apple should be dropping the 27″ version of their acclaimed Cinema Display series. Personally I’m a fan of the nice Dells that turn 90 degrees for portrait viewing, but I’m not going to trash talk on a perfectly good display like the Cinema.

The 24″ LED-lit display is a whopping $900, so you can expect this one to be significantly more. If they’re revealed at an event or some such, however, we might see a price drop on the 24″ in order to make the 27″ a logical jump at $1000. We’ll find out soon.

[via Gizmodo]

CrunchDeals: A $118 netbook for you and yours

Posted: 18 Mar 2010 04:21 PM PDT

While I doubt you can run Freecell on this thing let alone view YouTube videos, if you’re looking for an uber-small laptop that you can mess around with Linux on, you might want to look at this red hot eCost deal.

This is called the Augen E-Go 533 Netbook and it has a 7-inch screen and runs Windows CE (??). Here are the specs:

7″ color LCD screen displays everything in vivid detail.
Windows CE 5.0 operating system.
2 GB data storage
Windows-compatible software for e-mail, and creating and editing spreadsheets and word-processing documents.
2 standard USB ports; 1 mini USB port let you connect devices like an MP3 player.
Ethernet port for home networking to another PC.
SD memory card slot for downloading photos or music to your netbook (card not included).
Headphone jack and microphone jack.
2 built-in speakers and 1 internal microphone.
Rechargeable battery life is 3 1/2 hours.
Includes 9-volt adapter and cord.
8.5″ L x 5.5″ W x 1.5″ H

DIY freestanding “Pogo” bookcase, AKA compression shelving

Posted: 18 Mar 2010 04:00 PM PDT


With a little careful measurement and either some good tools or a lack of concern for aesthetics, you can make a pretty cool freestanding bookcase out of Ikea parts. The idea is that it’s standing on the ground but the poles are telescoping, allowing you to ratchet it up against the ceiling. Boom: instant, stable freestanding bookcase!

It’s probably a lot less likely to be knocked down than regular bookcases, although I wouldn’t let my kids sleep in it. The creator of this particular item didn’t like the look of the feet, so he replaced them with others, accounting for a fair piece of the time spent. If you’re not as picky you can probably get this done in a couple afternoons, but the cost is still going to be $400-$500.

Humans seal Octopuses’ fate by introducing them to HDTV

Posted: 18 Mar 2010 03:30 PM PDT


Octopuses like HDTV as much as we do. Who knew?

Apparently a group researchers with too much grant money available tested a bunch of cephalopods a while back and found that while they appear intelligent, they didn’t responded to images on standard definition TVs. So they redid the test with HDTVs recently.

The octopuses bought it and responded “more vigorously” to the HDTV images of animals and inanimate objects. The hope is that now researchers can now use HDTVs as a tool to study behavioral traits, such as personality. Just wait until they get their first glimpse of HDTV golf. The octopuses will likely find a comfy sponge and waste away the rest of the day just like humans.

Meet the unannounced Acer Aspire 1825PT convertible tablet

Posted: 18 Mar 2010 03:00 PM PDT


This bad boy isn’t exactly official yet, but that’s never really mattered before, right? We hear the Acer Aspire 1825PT notebook will come with an 11.6-inch capacitive touchscreen with a 1.3GHz Intel Core 2 Duo SU7300 CPU, 4GB of RAM and a 250GB hard drive. We don’t know the price just yet, but in case the 1825PT is a bit too rich for you, there’s always the lower-end 1825PTZ.

Apparently this second model forgoes 1GB of RAM and rocks 3GB instead, and has a bit slower 1.3GHZ Intel SU4100 CPU. Of course these are just rumored specs and model numbers at this point. Acer will probably announce them along with their release dates and price whenever they feel like it. [SaveOnLaptops via Liliputing]

iBUYPOWER announces 4 systems using the i7 980X processors

Posted: 18 Mar 2010 02:30 PM PDT

iBUYPOWER announced today its latest, 4 new “Paladin” systems using the i7 980x processors. These new systems come with iBUYPOWER’s free liquid CPU cooling, and you can request that the CPU be overclocked and tested before being shipped out.

The new systems are available in whatever custom configuration you might like, including your choice of ATI Radeon or Nvidia GeForce video, up to 1TB of storage, and Blu-ray drives. The F970 and XLC V3 both come standard with an 80GB SSD drive, and Windows 7 Ultimate.

From the press release:

El Monte, CA – March 18, 2010 – iBUYPOWER, a leading innovator of gaming PCs, is excited to announce four new Paladin gaming systems all powered by the new Intel Core i7 980X Extreme Edition Processor. The new 6 core processors are extremely overclockable, deliver benchmark shattering performance and allow unmatched multitasking capability. Gamers need not be concerned with having multiple browsers open, team speak, or MP3s files playing while gaming due to the new processor's revolutionary hyper-threading technology.

The four new configurations all feature the finest components available, including the newest ATI Radeon and NVIDIA GeForce high-definition video cards, which all support DirectX 11 graphics. The Paladin F950, F970 and XLC V3 all pack 12GB of DDR3 Memory, provide at least a 1 TB of storage space and a Blu-ray drive. The fully loaded F970 and XLC V3 also come standard with an 80GB solid state drive and have been upgraded to Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate. Additionally, like all iBUYPOWER desktop systems, the newest Paladin model all feature free liquid CPU cooling.

Gamers looking to get the most out of their new six core systems can take advantage of the iBUYPOWER Labs' Power Drive Overclocking Service, which overclocks the CPU by as much as 30% and comes standard on the Paladin XLC V3. Other innovative iBUYPOWER exclusive products and services include the Harmony Sound Reduction System, the Internal USB Expansion System, and iBUYPOWER's Specialized Advanced Packaging System with expanding foam inserts to prevent damage during shipping.

The new Paladin systems start at $2,159 and are available now at www.iBUYPOWER.com.

Customers with more specific gaming needs can configure a fully customizable system at www.iBUYPOWER.com. All iBUYPOWER systems also come standard with 1 year limited warranty and lifetime technical support.

The Peek email device launches in India

Posted: 18 Mar 2010 02:00 PM PDT

Get ready, India. The email-only Peek device will soon be riding on Aircell’s airwaves within your boarders and available for purchase in 1,000 different retail spots. It’s actually quite affordable too with a retail cost of Rs.2999 for the handheld and Rs.299 for the monthly service charge. That works out to be $65 USD and $6 USD, respectively. Interested? There’s a spiffy new Indian peek website with all the details.

More 360 leaks: this time it’s USB mass storage

Posted: 18 Mar 2010 01:30 PM PDT


When leaks like this become what appears to be a controlled drip, you can be sure there is something interesting on the horizon. Just yesterday we saw evidence of a new, smaller Xbox 360 chassis, and now we’re hearing of a “2010 system update” that will allow you to use your own USB drives as storage for games, save files, DLC, and so on.

In true console style, though, your storage options will actually be, shall we say, severely limited. Only 16GB will be available no matter the size of the drive, and only two storage devices can be attached at once. The implication is that this ability is not a replacement for a hard drive (16GB, or 32GB even, is inadequate), but rather for memory units, which only hold up to 512MB these days. Pics of the process are over at Joystiq.

Well, that may be their intention, but buddy, once that system update rolls out, I give it a week before someone hacks the hell out of it. I mean, there are ways to mount your own hard drives now, but this would be much easier and probably wouldn’t run into any extra issues. I mean, how hard is it to make a little script that swaps partitions on the hard drive, changing the drive’s ID so it looks like a new drive has been plugged in? Probably kind of hard, but I know you guys are up to it. Figure A must stand!

[via Giz]

SXSWi 2010: Q&A with Loopt Co-Founder/CEO Sam Altman – Pt 1

Posted: 18 Mar 2010 01:09 PM PDT

The last of the four location based social networks I had a chance speak with at SXSW Interactive 2010 was actually one of the early services into the space. You may remember seeing Loopt on one of the many iPhone television commercials to dominate the airwaves in the last year or so. Loopt’s original broadcast model was a bit different than the more pervasive check in model we see trending nowadays, but the company’s soft-spoken and articulate Co-Founder/CEO Sam Altman was quick to note that Loopt actually offers both broadcast and check in methods for communication with friends. See Sam’s reactions to the same 5 or so questions I have asked each company and standby for part 2 of our conversation soon.

Also check out some more sweet shaky-cam moments and my awesome bit-o-redundancy in the differentiator question – (hey, it was Tuesday in the a.m. and fatigue was definitely setting by then).

Is this the greatest photo ever?

Posted: 18 Mar 2010 01:00 PM PDT

Is this the greatest photo in the world? Apparently so! It’s a 26-gigapixel (!), 220-degree panorama of Paris. If it’s not the greatest photo in the world, then, according to its photographers, then it’s certainly the largest. You have to visit the site to appreciate it, obviously.


Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)