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Digital Storm announces Special|Ops gaming computers

Posted: 18 Jun 2010 04:00 PM PDT

Digital Storm just announced their latest PC, the Special|Ops. Intended mainly for the gaming fanatic, the Special|Ops runs the latest is CPU/GPU technology, and comes boxed in a quite attractive and well ventilated case. Of course they’ve already brought us the Black|Ops and the Black|Ops Assassin, so I think we’re starting to see a trend here.

The Special|Ops is an overclocked Core i7, Core i5, or AMD Phenom II powered machine, featuring Digital Storm’s latest “TwisterBoost” overclocking technology and testing. Pricing starts at $987, and with add on’s can run you up to $2,429.

From the press release:

Digital Storm, the predominant name in computer system integration and engineering, proudly debuts a new line of high-performance yet affordable gaming PCs – SPECIAL|OPS.

Digital Storm's SPECIAL|OPS gaming systems offer gamers overclocked machines, with quality components from vendors like Intel, NVIDIA, AMD and others, at a fraction of the price of other gaming PCs. During the launch of the SPECIAL|OPS line, Digital Storm is offering complimentary overclocking between 3.3GHz to 3.9GHz.

Each TwisterBoost overclocked SPECIAL|OPS system undergoes a rigorous 72-Hour Stress-Test to ensure all components are completely stable prior to shipping. SPECIAL|OPS also offers a number of chassis options, including both the HailStorm and Assassin chassis that are featured in Digital Storm's flagship line of Black|OPS gaming PCs.

"Our SPECIAL|OPS systems receive the same level of attention, with respect to the quality build and stringent testing procedures, as our Black|OPS systems; they truly represent a phenomenal value for the price," commented Rajeev Kuruppu, Digital Storm's Director of Product Development. "To be the predominant name in system integration means that we not only lead the industry with bleeding-edge rigs, but that we also offer systems for gamers of every budget. Our new SPECIAL|OPS line is the ultimate solution for gamers who want incredible performance and the most bang for their buck."

Digital Storm's SPECIAL|OPS gaming PCs are available for purchase at http://www.digitalstormonline.com/compspecialdeals.asp and configurations range from $987 – $2,429

For images or additional information, please contact Digital Storm Media Representative Brian Metcalf at brianmetcalf@maxborgesagency.com or 305-576-1171 x11.

To learn more about Digital Storm's complete product offerings, please visit www.DigitalStormOnline.com.

Select SPECIAL|OPS Technical Specifications

Pogoplug updates Android app: Control your drives from your EVO 4G

Posted: 18 Jun 2010 03:04 PM PDT

PogoPlug just released its upgraded Android app. The app allows you to browse media and music on connected drives, share files publicly from drives, and search for files. You can also manage the folders on your connected drives.

It is available in the app store now. As you recall, the Pogoplug is essentially a NAS adapter that plugs right into the wall and then pop in the Ethernet cable. Any USB drives connected to it are automatically shared on the Internet (password-protected, of course) and you can manage the entire drive from anywhere in the world. The device itself is available for $129.

Click through for full details.

Quickly search and view music by Artist, Song, Album, or genre – Now find and stream music more easily from USB hard drives connected to your home Pogoplug to your Android phone, so all your music can be streamed to your Android phone.
Share files directly from their Android phone – Pictures, videos, and other content created on your Android phone can be saved on your Pogoplug connected drive and shared online. Record your child's first steps using your Android phone and within seconds upload it to your Pogoplug connected drives and share the video with grandparents, aunts, uncles, and friends.
Search for a file across all your Pogoplug drives – A search will look through files on any drive connected to your Pogoplug, save time by searching all your drives at once.
Create folders on your drives – Use your Android phone to create brand new folders on your Pogoplug connected drives so everything stays organized.


iPhone 4: Get in line now, we’ve got campers already [Updated w/vid]

Posted: 18 Jun 2010 01:48 PM PDT

Waiting a week in line for the iPhone means one of two things. Either you messed up and didn’t get a pre-order or you’re as insane as me (I stood in line so long for Lady Gaga tickets I actually started to grow another..nevermind).

There is this Apple fan by the name of Justin, and right now he is waiting in the hot Texas sun (right now it is morning and the temp is already 86 IT IS 100). It’s okay though, he said he hasn’t had a vacation in over ten years. What better time then now?

He wrote on the Macrumors forum:

Some would say I am crazy, but I say I’m a very determined fan. In fact I just might be one the biggest Apple fans you will actually meet. I have been the first costumer for this store since 2008 when the iPhone 3G was released.Normally I only camp out over night, but since I do not work due to the fact I am disabled with a seizure disorder and I am not in school at the point, I figure I just make it a fun experience and do it for a week.

Yes I did reserve a phone, but again, I’m doing it for a fun experience. I haven’t had a trip or vacation in past 10 years so I figured I make it a full week camping trip.

My setup and location has everything I could need to live for a week, even in the Texas heat. Tent is packed with a sleeping gear, a chair, full ice chest of drinks and food, and the Apple staff have been very nice to me treating me like a king. LOL I also brought a extension power cord for phone charging and things that need power. There is even a portable toilet around the back of the store if needed.

That been said, I’m actually doing really well out here. If anyone gets a chance, come join the fun!

Justin

I am being slightly hypocritical because, yes, I, in fact, missed the pre-order and plan on arriving early to wait in line (I’ll even provide coverage to those who are lucky enough to stay home). But, how early do I need to get in line? I’m going to make some calls and get back to you on that. How many of you are planning on waiting in line, and if so, can you share your secret place to wait?

Find out what evil lurks inside the Xbox 360 Slim

Posted: 18 Jun 2010 01:30 PM PDT

Wondering what’s in the new Xbox Slim? No? Well tough, it’s a slow news day, and I’m writing about it, so you’re just going to have to read it. Microsoft has been hard at work on the the 360 Slim for a while and it’s only fair that you pay attention and see what’s they’ve done to improve the original hardware and make the new system run cooler, quieter, and more efficiently.

AnandTech took theirs apart (you didn’t think I was going to crack mine open did you?) and found out that Microsoft hasn’t just improved the appearance, they’ve updated the CGPU (to a 45nm), changed the cooling so it won’t sound like a jet airplane taking off, and even reduced the power consumption by 50%. Sounds like a much better console to me. Even the connectivity in the back has been improved. Microsoft hooked the slim up with optical audio out, HDMI output, three USB ports, an ethernet port, the obligatory Microsoft AV connection, and the input port for the Kinect due this coming November.

AnandTech spent quite a bit of time taking apart and carefully examining the slim, and do recommend that you give their full article a read. It’s quite impressive exactly how much Microsoft has put in to making the Slim a better machine then the original Xbox 360.

Oh, and one other thing. If your Xbox 360 Slim dies, don’t expect the ring to flash red any more. Marketing had that little “feature” removed.

ShirtsMyWay: design your own dress shirt

Posted: 18 Jun 2010 12:30 PM PDT


Are you struggling to find just the right shirt for your wardrobe? Something blue, with a white collar, and maybe red buttons? Good luck finding that at the upscale clothing retailers near you! But thanks to the marvels of The Internet you can design your own dress shirt at ShirtsMyWay.com and have it delivered right to your door. With seven trillion combinations, you’re sure to be able to create just the shirt you need!

ShirtsMyWay is an innovative technology platform that lets users design over 7 trillion different men’s dress shirts in a way that’s unique and intuitive. It breaks down the dress shirt into components, which users can customize in both shape and fabric. Furthermore, it also guides users in specifying measurements for a custom tailored fit. It is becoming an entirely new way of looking at customization.

The previous shirt designs and measurement profiles are automatically saved and can be reloaded in the future for each individual user. The easy-to-use design panel interface that customers interact with is supported by a complex web system working to let people all over the world comfortably design and securely shop. ShirtsMyWay enables people with complete product designability.

The site itself is extremely easy to use. You pick the color and fabric of your shirt, and optionally customize everything: short or long sleeves, inner and outer collar, yoke, placket, each cuff both inside and out, and pocket. You can add an optional monogram. You choose the cuff type (one button, two button, cocktail, etc), buttons, botton holes, and optional epaulets. And finally you select your sizing options: you can use your body measurements, you can measure an existing fitted shirt (detailed instructions are provided for how to do this properly), or you can select a standard size (XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL).

Standard shipping is free worldwide (mostly: see details), which means you can expect your shirt in about 15 days. Expedited shipping is available for a small fee if you need your shirt in nine days.

ShirtsMyWay also has a blog to help you improve your fashion sense.

Combine ShirtsMyWay with your Blacksocks.com “sockscription” to ensure your wardrobe is a success.

Nintendo offers (standard) warning regarding children playing games in 3D

Posted: 18 Jun 2010 12:00 PM PDT


Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime mentioned during a recent interview that people should be wary of their children playing 3D games for too long (or for any time at all). I suppose it’s a good idea to be on the record with this since the DS audience skews pretty low, but really, there’s no difference between Nintendo’s warning and Samsung’s.

3D in general has the potential to mess up your vision (studies are being conducted), simply because it tricks your brain into seeing depth where there isn’t. Eye fatigue can result from trying to focus on the “distant” objects, but being unable to, since obviously they are on the same plane as the “near” objects.

Rest assured, it’s not going to make your toddler cross-eyed just to encounter a 3DS, it’s just a safety warning that you should probably heed as well.

Hmm. I need to write a bigger post about this. Look for it this weekend.

The TARDIS is up for auction

Posted: 18 Jun 2010 10:45 AM PDT

Apparently the Doctor has fallen on hard times, because Bonhams (who else would he trust) is auctioning off the TARDIS used by the 9th Doctor, Christopher Eccleston. Unfortunately, the chameleon circuit on this TARDIS is stuck so it still looks like a police box, but it is larger on the inside, of course.

This is the hero prop used during the 2005, and is constructed of painted wood, and glass, with hinged doors and a signage on the front. This is the real deal folks, right down to the interior lighting and the roof with the lamp. Current estimates suggest that it’ll sell for between $12,000 to $18,000. Seems like a small price to pay for your own spaceship and time machine, plus you could just park it somewhere and live inside. Apparently it even has a pool.

For more information on the auction, and details about the condition, you can check out the auction here.


Freaking Hello Kitty 5W-30 oil

Posted: 18 Jun 2010 08:30 AM PDT


One more fun Japanese treat for to think about before your pre-lunch bathroom break: Hello Kitty 5W-30 oil. Freaking Hello Kitty 5W-30 oil. For cars. It costs $33 a can and has Hello Kitty on it.

Freaking Hello Kitty motor oil. What crazy marketing team came up with that idea?

Maybe BP can release a Finding Nemo version?

via Newlaunches

TOPIO Dio: Meet Vietnam’s first service robot

Posted: 18 Jun 2010 08:21 AM PDT

Tosy (warning: the site takes a long time to load), Vietnam’s first – and only – robot venture, has been flying under the radar since the debut of TOPIO, their table tennis-playing humanoid, in 2007. The company was established as early as 2002 and has been mainly manufacturing toy robots since. But it seems as if their first “life-sized” service robot, dubbed TOPIO Dio, is a pretty cool humanoid.

Vietnam’s flagship robot stands 125cm tall, weighs 45kg, and moves on three wheels. TOPIO Dio is equipped with a total of 28 joints, a built-in camera, a sensor that helps him avoid obstacles, and Wi-Fi for remote control over the web.

Tosy says the humanoid is mainly aimed at the “hospitality and restaurant” industries. Apparently, TOPIO Dio is 75% cheaper than similar robots that have been developed so far (the picture you see below shows him at an exhibition held in Munich last week).

I searched around for a video, but it seems there is not even one clip showing TOPIO Dio in action at this point.

Via Plastic Pals

New Mirror app coming to an iPhone 4 near you.

Posted: 18 Jun 2010 07:29 AM PDT

Now it will be easier than ever to keep a kempt appearance while on the go. Ladies, leave that compact at home and guys, stop sqinting at your sleeping iPhone screen as you peer for post-lunch crumbs in your beard.

DLP Mobile, is preparing to release an app for iPhone 4 that capitalizes on the new device’s front facing camera, adding mirror functionality.

[ via NY Times ]

OnLive now running on Macs

Posted: 18 Jun 2010 07:28 AM PDT


Take that, PC hegemony!

Get thee to the downloadery for OnLive now works on Macs. You can download a small file to bring up the OnLive client and play Assassisn’s Creed and other exciting games.

As you recall, OnLive is essentially a game streaming engine for Macs and PCs. All of the heavy lifting happens in the cloud and the company simply streams audio and video to your desktop. Think of it as video-on-demand on crack.

I couldn’t find a way to sign up, but perhaps you’ll be luckier. Incidentally, while I’m intrigued I think this service will be a flop. Just my hunch.

Friday morning treat: Japanese beatboxer totally nails SMB

Posted: 18 Jun 2010 06:58 AM PDT

As one commenter on YouTube notes, “japan is slowly becoming the best at everything.”

via Nowhereelse

Ball Engineer Hydrocarbon Spacemaster Orbital Watch: Some Watch!

Posted: 18 Jun 2010 06:40 AM PDT


ABlogtoRead posted a little bit on the Ball Engineer Hydrocarbon Spacemaster, a mouthful of a watch with some of the most striking styling I’ve seen in a while.

I got to see this piece back at JCK and was extremely impressed. Ball is famous for their gas tube lume and they cover their watches with the stuff. The expected life of the lume is about 25 years, at which point you can have a watchmaker replace it.

This watch, however, has another trick up its sleeve. There is a small rotor on the bottom that you can turn to lock the internal automatic counterweight? Why? Well, maybe you’re chopping wood, punching a wall, or pummeling a side of beef with your fists. Regardless, you can simply turn the rotor to lock the internal mechanism so it doesn’t spin out of control and destroy the movement.

The rest is pretty standard – GMT, date, chrono – but trust me: this thing shines like a National guitar at night. It will be about $4,000 and they’re making 999 of them.

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