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Colorware now accepting iPads

Posted: 09 Apr 2010 05:16 AM PDT


Colorware has been customizing gadgets nearly as long as the iPod has been available. But do you trust them with your precious and mythical iPad? Are you willing to give up the iPad for three whole weeks after waiting three whole years to own it? Do you have $400 — yes, $400?

Maybe the stock look to the iPad isn’t flashy enough for you. Or maybe you have a thing for pink and purple. Whatever the case, Colorware is now doing its thing on iPads. You can either send yours in for $400 or purchase a base WiFi model directly from them for $900. Both options take about three weeks to ship.

[thanks for the tip, Nate]

SOUND MUG: Sony’s tumbler-shaped speaker for your car or home (video)

Posted: 09 Apr 2010 02:52 AM PDT

You can’t use this device as a tumbler and I’m not even sure it makes sense functionality-wise, but Sony Japan announced [JP] the SOUND MUG yesterday, a speaker that’s shaped like a tumbler. To be more exact, the portable device is being marketed by Sony as a dock speaker specifically designed for their Walkmans.

Buyers also get a cigarette lighter socket (12V) so they can use the SOUND MUG in the car as well (see picture above). The 16W speaker can also be controlled with a mini remote Sony will throw into the package. The dock weighs 540g and stands 216mm tall.

The SOUND MUG will be available in orange or black when it hits Japanese stores on April 24 (price: $220). No word from Sony yet regarding a release outside Japan.

Here’s Sony Japan’s promo video:

Via AV Watch [JP]

Daily Crunch: Caravan Edition

Posted: 09 Apr 2010 12:00 AM PDT

A very special iPad fail

Posted: 08 Apr 2010 10:16 PM PDT


Even former CrunchGear writers don’t get a pass for something like this. I give you Matt Hickey, iDouche. I thought we raised you up better than that, my friend.

Black market iPads going for a fortune in China and UK

Posted: 08 Apr 2010 08:05 PM PDT


When iPads are scarce in their home country, you better believe they’re going to command a premium out there in non-America-land. Jobs today said they’re making iPads as fast as they can make them, but supply isn’t near great enough to start pushing it to the rest of the world just yet. Consider yourselves lucky, fellow Yanks — you could be spending nearly a grand (or, in one silly Briton’s case, far more than that) for the entry-level model.

The ironic part is, of course, that these things are costing a mint in China, where they are made.

This interesting CNN story follows the exploits of a group of Hong Kong “entrepreneurs” who flew to the US, bought up all the iPads they could (about 200), and flew back to sell them on the streets of that great city. Sure, why not, as long as the TSA says it’s cool? They sell them for upwards of $800 each, making for quite a profit. And some people were buying them for re-resale in China, where, owing to the fact that these things had to be smuggled twice, they go for even more. It’s not exactly illegal, but somehow I doubt Apple would approve. Fortunately, I don’t care whether they approve or not, and neither do the Hong Kongians. Kongfolk?

If I can stand being around all my “friends” with iPads for long enough, I plan to buy one off Craigslist when the new version comes out. After all, at that point it’ll have a ton more stuff available and with luck I can get one that was treated gently.

New LED lightbulb will last 17 years

Posted: 08 Apr 2010 08:00 PM PDT

CFL bulbs are great, but the mercury they use can be harmful. LEDs don’t use mercury, but the technology is still pretty rough, and it’s tough to get something that resembles a normal lightbulb from them. There’s been a couple of examples of how LED light can be used as a replacement for normal lighting, but nothing that’s really practical.

GE just announced a new lightbulb that’s going to change all that. The new technology combines the omnidirectional light of a incandescent bulb, and the power savings of and LED. The new bulb is expected to last 17 years before it needs replaced, which is about 25 times longer then a 40w incandescent. There’s a down side to the new bulb though, it’s going to cost between $40 to $50. The new bulb produces 450 lumens, which is the equivalent of a 40w incandescent, or 10w CFL, but the LED will only consume 9w of power. Expect to see the new LED bulb sometime in 2011.

[via inhabit]

CrunchRumor: Alienware M11x to get updated Nvidia chipset?

Posted: 08 Apr 2010 07:00 PM PDT

One question that has come up ever since the M11x was released was why didn’t Alienware use the Nvidia Optimus chipset. The chipset that Alienware did use makes switching between the integrated and discreet graphics rather awkward and jarring, and a less then ideal user experience. Well, the rumor rattling around the pipes today is that the M11x may be getting a refresh this summer, and that new chipset may be coming our way.

While it’s a little earlier in the M11x’s life cycle then most, a refresh would be a good thing. In our review of the M11x, one of the few complaints that Devin had was the interruption whenever switching modes. The Optimus chipset would solve this problem of course, and you kind of have to ask yourself why Alienware didn’t use the Optimus from the beginning. There’s also rumors that the new Intuit processor will be added to the product line as well, but again nothing definite. Dell has yet to comment on these rumors, but I think it would be a good move for the manufacturer.

[via Gizmodo]

3D TVs more popular than expected, analysts surprised

Posted: 08 Apr 2010 05:00 PM PDT

Turns out that initial estimates on the number of 3D TVs to be sold this year were a little conservative. Revised estimates put the numbers as high as 2.5 million units this year, despite a lack of content and other channel issues.

Not surprisingly, half of these orders are expected to come from the US. It’s also interesting to note that 3D television will predominately come in sizes 40 inches and larger. Manufacturers are still having problems getting the televisions to the marketplace, as the technology needed to build the new products is still quite expensive. Analysts also expect that the majority of new televisions 40-inches or larger will be 3D ready.

[via TWICE]

Apple’s iPhone OS 4.0 Keynote video is now live

Posted: 08 Apr 2010 04:09 PM PDT


Even though you probably followed along with our liveblog, you’re probably going to wanna see Steve-O do his thing. Luck for you, Apple just posted the special event video for your viewing pleasure.


Review: Mionix Naos 5000 gaming mouse

Posted: 08 Apr 2010 03:16 PM PDT


Short version: There’s lots to like, but not much unique, about this mouse from relative newcomer Mionix. And if it can’t beat the others on price…

Features:

  • Ergonomic right-handed design
  • 5040 DPI laser sensor
  • 7 buttons
  • On-board profiles and macro settings
  • MSRP: ~$90

Pros:

  • Comfortable shape
  • Excellent configuration software
  • Tracking is solid

Cons:

  • Trackwheel seems a little stiff
  • Doesn’t really offer anything other mice don’t

Full review:

It’s not hard to find a good gaming mouse these days. Microsoft, Razer, Logitech, and quite a few smaller companies all have compelling products, and it’s difficult to recommend one over the other since what fits your hand is very much a matter of personal preference. It’s amazing what tiny differences can do for usability. For example, when I was contacted about reviewing this Naos 5000, I immediately thought, “Wow, that looks exactly like the Cyber Snipa.” I mean, not exactly, but the layout and shape is very similar. But despite the close similarity, I found the Naos 5000 far more comfortable, and it’s hard to say exactly why.

The shape is aggressively molded for a right-handed person, and there are separate shelves or ripples in the mold for your thumb, ring finger, and pinky. I have medium-sized hands and I found that the Naos 5000 fit almost exactly, though of course your mileage may vary. The placement of the thumb buttons is good; your thumb rests on the shelf immediately below, but has quick access to the buttons with only a slight movement. The main buttons are very sensitive and clicky — almost too much so, since I found myself often right clicking on accident because of the way my hand’s weight rested. The DPI up and down buttons are easily reached as well, and can of course be reprogrammed to something else if you’re not a sensitivity tweaker like me.

My only issue was really with the scroll wheel, which has a stiff, notched feel to its rotation that feels like coarse vibration when you’re scrolling up and down any distance. I actually started having to scroll with my middle finger instead of my index because it felt like it was going to vibrate my fingernail right off if I kept on the way I was going. Loosen up, guys.

The configuration software, while technically “optional,” was a joy to use. It’s attractive and effective, though it takes forever to apply changes. You can create several profiles, something I never have had a use for, but some no doubt like it, and it keeps the information on the on-board memory. This is handy when you have multiple gaming systems or switch between multiple mice, as I do.


Tracking was good, though it depended a lot on the surface. My cloth mousepad gave the Naos trouble with small movements, but my steel desk and hard mousepad had no problems at all. The drivers include a surface analysis tool that tells you how reliable the mouse’s signal is. I got by with “acceptable” but you don’t have to.

Conclusion

Well, what we have here is a perfectly nice mouse with a great feature set, but which nonetheless doesn’t really offer anything new. To compound the problem, it costs $90 at the moment. I simply can’t recommend it at that price, since you can get a Death Adder, G500, or Sidewinder for far less, which all perform as well. If Mionix can get the price down, I think they have a good chance at making some serious sales against the big guys, but right now it’s just too expensive.

Product page: Mionix Naos 5000

MIMOBOT series 5 Star Wars flash drives are coming

Posted: 08 Apr 2010 02:30 PM PDT

As you know, we here at CrunchGear pride ourselves on bringing you the latest and hottest information on novelty USB drives. Nicholas is particularly a fan. But more to the point, we know you are too. Which is why I’m here to tell you that MIMIBOT just announced their latest, the series 5 Star Wars line. There’s even a Stormtrooper that just might be a little shorter then normal.

MIMOBOT’s series 4 brought us the unmasked versions of Darth Vader, along with several other models, and series 5 looks to be just as exciting. There’s the aforementioned Stormtrooper, which randomly comes as Han or Luke, the Jawa, R2-D2, and Obi-Wan Kenobi. Each model is available in 2GB to 16GB capacity, and will cost you between $30 to $90.

[via Gadget Review]

Finally, Bluetooth keyboard support for the iPhone

Posted: 08 Apr 2010 02:00 PM PDT


Back when the iPad came out and the SDK was being explored, Greg singled out a few iPad features that we felt would be useful on the iPhone. Unfortunately only one of them seems to have made it in OS 4.0, but it’s a handy one: Bluetooth keyboard support. You can get some quite nice keyboards for a decent price, and they’ll make long emails or blog posts much, much more comfortable.

Continue reading..

Review: HTC HD2 on T-Mobile

Posted: 08 Apr 2010 01:57 PM PDT

Pity the poor HD2. It's one of the most amazing phones I've seen all year but like some ultra-evolved dinosaur at the end of the Cretaceous period, it was born just as a cataclysmic asteroid (Windows Phone 7) was about to change the entire ecosystem. Still, for someone looking for a great media phone and one of the best Windows Mobile Phones I've ever seen, you could do worse.


RED releases modular storage unit with many interfaces

Posted: 08 Apr 2010 01:20 PM PDT


If you’re shooting in 4K (or higher), you chew through a lot of storage. The cheapest way to store stuff is on naked drives bought in bulk, but you can’t always trust the $30 eSATA stations you can get on Brando or whatever. RED is putting out their own version, which of course is all black, evil-looking ridged metal. It’s also got a unique modular setup and a ton of interfaces.

The base station provides the power for the units on top, via those SATA power cables. The stackable units will support either CF cards or bare 2.5″ hard drives. No support for 3.5″, unfortunately, owing to the fact that these things need to support SSDs, which come in 2.5″ form factors only at the moment. Why is that? Anyway. There are also a ton of interfaces: eSATA, dual FireWire 800, and USB (2.0, I assume). Take your pick.

Looks sweet, but like all RED gear, you’ll be paying quite a bit. Each base station and every drive unit costs $250 — not a fortune, but a significant amount. They’re also shipping mighty soon: April 14th if all goes well. Discussion at Red User.

If you’re selling pirated games over the Internet you deserve to be locked up for being a fool

Posted: 08 Apr 2010 01:00 PM PDT

Don’t mess with Canada, I suppose. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police arrested someone last month for selling pirated games over the Internet. Of all the dumb things I’ve read, that’s right up there with the best of them. Like, selling pirated video games on the Internet should be featured in “World’s Dumbest Criminals” on some trash-television channel.

That in and of itself is worth mentioning, but perhaps more troubling is the police press release, which says that “modifying a console and computer is considered an illegal act under Section 342.1 of the Criminal Code and is punishable by imprisonment for up to ten years.” What?

That may be too broad a characterization, because the letter of the law actually says there needs to be an “intent” to commit a crime in order for modifying a console or computer to be considered illegal.

I asked an Electronic Frontier Foundation lawyer at CES last January what would be considered legal under the DMCA. (Yes, I know the DMCA has nothing to do with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.) Would painting an Xbox 360 be illegal? No. Would adding RAM be considered illegal? Maybe. The law, generally speaking, is woeful when it comes to matters of technology. That’s not breaking news, no, but it’s worth repeating.

The MB&F Thunderbolt watch movement: WTF on toast

Posted: 08 Apr 2010 01:00 PM PDT


So this is just the inner heart of a new watch movement by makers of the Horological Machine series of watches. That’s right: this thing that looks like an Interceptor Drone is actually part of a watch.

No specs or description on here but it looks like the watch uses a sliding scale dial to display the hours and minutes. I can’t tell if there’s a tourbillon in there but I suspect they’re doing something odd with the balance wheel regardless. Crazy stuff. We’ll find out more in July.

Release

iPhone OS 4.0 multi-tasking in action

Posted: 08 Apr 2010 12:58 PM PDT

We’ve covered this to heck and back, but here is what the iPhone looks like in multi-tasking mode. Pretty darn interesting.

Everything you need to know about iPhone OS 4.0

Posted: 08 Apr 2010 11:35 AM PDT

The iPhone OS 4.0 event just wrapped up and the faithful are filing out of the Apple venue with a slightly shell-shocked look. What happened? Oh nothing, just multi-tasking, iAd, a huge Mail update and a bunch of other stuff. Yes, the long-awaited OS update for the iPhone has just been run down and we've got all the details. Here, in handy bullet point form, are all the things you need to know about iPhone OS 4.0...


Digidesign transformation into Avid complete

Posted: 08 Apr 2010 11:30 AM PDT

Avid Video has quite an ambitious plan in the works. They currently own multiple, industry-leading companies covering all things audio and video. Digidesign, maker of the Pro Tools audio editing platform, is included under this umbrella. We’ve got word that their assimilation into the Avid name will be complete in just four more days.

Tech-wise, nothing’s gonna change. Pro Tools and the VENUE and ICON line of consoles will continue to remain in production, just under the Avid name. You’ll see a new website on April 12th.

via [Front of House]

GameCenter: Apple looks to emulate Microsoft’s success with Xbox Live-like video game community for iPhone

Posted: 08 Apr 2010 11:05 AM PDT

I guess Apple is serious about gaming now. It just announced, as one of its many iPhone “pillars,” the development of GameCenter, which our man on the scene, Greg Kumparak, described as “Xbox Live for the iPhone.” Match-making, leaderboards, achievement points, the works.

Developers will be able to mess around with GameCenter as soon as the iPhone OS 4.0 developer preview goes live later today, but won’t be available to the general public till the operating system’s release later this year.

The idea is to leverage the many, many games currently available on the App Store—more than 50,000 by Apple’s count—and build a veritable gaming community, just like what Microsoft has done with its Xbox Live service (even though Microsoft has been focusing on non-gaming enhancement to Xbox Live for some time now).

Given that this was just announced seconds ago, it would probably be wise to slow down before championing the idea that Apple is ready to push Nintendo and Sony, makers of the DS and PSP, respectively, out of the market.

Presumably better photos are forthcoming.
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