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IFA 2010 Video: Yes, That’s Spotify Running On A Sonos

Posted: 03 Sep 2010 03:00 AM PDT

Spotify, the European streaming music service (that’s awesome), recently inked a deal with Sonos to allow the service to work on Sonos’ home devices. Here we have a brief demo of the magic in action.

While having Spotify available on your home audio system is neat and all (and I suppose you could always plug your iPhone or computer into your home audio system), the very fact that us Americans are still a country mile away from having the service available, well, stinks.

Stare and hope, I suppose.

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IFA 2010 Video: Where Are All The 2TB SDXC Cards?

Posted: 03 Sep 2010 02:02 AM PDT

Probably the most striking thing I’ve seen so far here in Berlin was this: an array of SDXC Cards, from 64GB all the way up to 2TB. Now, I know SDXC cards aren’t exactly new—they were first shown off publicly more than a year ago—but actually seeing them in the flesh, so to speak, prompts the question: what’s the hold up?

The cards, displayed at a ShowStoppers event (an event held in conjunction with IFA) last night, are probably bigger than most consumer needs right now. At least that’s what the SD Association folks told me. The specs are there, ready and waiting to be used by the likes of SanDisk, Toshiba, and Panasonic. But, if there’s no real need for a 2TB card, why bother releasing it?

On Newegg right now, the largest capacity SanDisk card (I single out SanDisk only because it’s probably the most familiar brand name when it comes to SD cards) you can find is 64GB—and that’s not even available yet!Plenty big for most "normal" uses, but what if you exclusively shoot in HD? (I don’t shoot higher than 720p, and that’s because, well, let’s face it, you really don’t need a 1080p version of a spinning television.) What if you’re a professional, or a pretend professional? The more storage, the better, right?

So the next time you’re walking through a Best Buy or Wal-Mart, and pass by the digital imaging aisle, peer through the glass and look at all the puny SD Cards. "Pfft, 16GB… I saw a 2TB one on CrunchGear the other day…"

Never mind that 2TB is larger than my Windows PC’s main hard drive!

Daily Crunch: Pastime Edition

Posted: 03 Sep 2010 12:00 AM PDT

Clever: Calendar Scarf

Posted: 02 Sep 2010 07:00 PM PDT


What a great idea. Pull the thread and, as the year goes on, the dates of the Calendar Scarf disappear in a pile of yarn on your floor. Or you could hook up the other end to an automatic knitting machine and keep things tidy.

[via Swiss Miss]

Apple Puts Up iPad 4.2 Update Page For You To Gaze Wistfully At

Posted: 02 Sep 2010 06:56 PM PDT

The big Apple event on Wednesday came with not one, but two updates to iOS, but unfortunately only 4.1 is actually imminent. 4.2, which will bring several new features to the iPad in particular, will be arriving in November.

The news got kind of buried in the rush, but if you’re looking for official information, Apple’s 4.2 update page should do it.

Ford Going With Active Cooling For Its Focus Electric

Posted: 02 Sep 2010 06:22 PM PDT

One of the big conflicts in battery tech right now is how to keep the things at the right temperature. Nissan and Mitsubishi are going with air cooling, while Tesla, Chevy, and as of today Ford are all opting for liquid temperature regulation. Since few electrics are really on the road, it seems there isn’t sufficient data to go with one over the other.

When batteries get really cold, they can’t hold a charge, as BMW noticed with its Mini E fleet. On the other hand, if they get too hot, cracks can develop from the swelling material and cause electrodes to fail. And of course, until you get a few thousand of your vehicle out to consumers, it’s going to be hard to get the kind of large-scale testing that’s needed.

Anyway, Ford has decided to take the safe (but more expensive) route of using a liquid temperature management system in which a circulating fluid can be heated or cooled in order to keep the batteries at optimum temperature.

Maybe this will be something hashed out in the first generation of popular electric cars, or maybe it’ll just be one of those things you see on some models but not others.


New Toshiba Pistol-Grip Camcorders Get Touchscreens

Posted: 02 Sep 2010 06:00 PM PDT


Toshiba has dropped a pair of new camcorders at IFA, both of the genus Pistolgrippus. The P20 is the chubbier of the two, though that’s not saying much, since the S30 is only 19mm thick. Once you’re past the point where these things slip into your jacket pocket, though, a millimeter here or there doesn’t really signify much. Good for them, though.

The P20 is the lower-end of the two, not being as thin and only shooting 5-megapixel photos, as opposed to the S30′s 8. Both, however, have 10x optical zooms packed into those tiny lenses. I believe they are also both 1080p like the more traditionally shaped H30. And they also both have nice 3-inch touchscreens.

Those differences don’t seem so important to me, and the fact is they’re not priced very far apart. It comes down to whether you like the form factor of the S30 more and are willing to pay a small premium for it. Right now only British pricing is available; the P20 will be £119 when it arrives in October, the S30 will be £139. That corresponds to ~$180 and ~$210, but US pricing may differ.

[via Engadget]

Is Roku Making A Client/Server Home Media Streaming Device?

Posted: 02 Sep 2010 05:01 PM PDT

So this popped up on the FCC website today, and it’s all very mysterious, but it looks like Netgear and Roku may have teamed up to make a streaming media box for the home, not unlike the HP product that was released the other day. The FCC filing shows that the device has HDMI, composite, 802.11 b/g/n, and ethernet connectivity. Of course, this could be something else entirely. Whatever it is, Roku seems to be up to something. This kind of makes me wonder who HP licensed their streaming media boxes from.

[via Wireless Goodness]

Thou Shalt Not Surge

Posted: 02 Sep 2010 05:00 PM PDT


This is still just a concept, but the cruciform Power/Strip surge protector does more than keep your gadgets pious. Oversized adapters and bricks are welcome on its spreading crossbars, and a full 12 outlets means no more arguments among your disciples over who gets to charge first.

[via CNET]

PSA: Toshiba Recalls 41,000 Laptops For Overheating

Posted: 02 Sep 2010 05:00 PM PDT

Bad news if you own a Toshiba Satellite T130 notebook. It’s got a flaw. In fact, the CPSC (Consumer Protection Safety Comission) just issued a recall for about 41,000 notebook computers, siting a flaw in the plastic casing around the AC adapter plug. Apparently there’s a problem with the DC-in harness that can cause the plastic to melt, causing minor burns. Apparently Toshiba has worked out a way to solve this via a BIOS update, which you can download from Toshiba’s website. The recall only effects certain models, and you can view the full list at the CPSC site, as well as find instructions on how to fix the problem yourself, or have Toshiba fix it for you.

[via Circuit Breaker]

Using An NES Controller With Android

Posted: 02 Sep 2010 04:30 PM PDT

So you’ve got an emulator installed on your Android device, along with a few ROM, and you think you’re pretty cool. Well, I can pretty much bet you that [Sk3tch]‘s geek-fu is better then yours. He took an NES controller, connected it to a Bluetooth module, and plays his NES on a controller, while you fumble around with your SEND and Home buttons.

[Sk3tch] took an Arduino, added a Bluetooth module, and wired an old NES controller in. He then programmed the Arduino to send the input from the controller through the bluetooth to his Android phone. [Sk3tch] calls this a work in progress, and I look forward to seeing it once it’s done and all in one neat case.

[via Hackaday]

I Want A Complete Set Of These Excellent Puma Cargo Bikes

Posted: 02 Sep 2010 04:00 PM PDT


These stylish Puma Mopion bikes, designed by Biomega, are focused on on carrying capacity and lightness. The frames are aluminum and as you can see, differ from traditional and hardtail designs. Personally I like to keep my stuff in a rolltop like the Soyuz or Vandal, but to be honest, when I need to pick up a few things from the store, I’d rather pop ‘em in a basket than put them in with my laptop and books.

[via BoingBoing]

Avatar 3D Blu-ray Launch To Be Exclusive To Panasonic TV Buyers

Posted: 02 Sep 2010 03:30 PM PDT


Big Avatar fan? Bought a 3D-capable TV just so you could watch it again in all its glory? Well, you might want to sit down. Panasonic and 20th Century Fox have arrived at a deal whereby the upcoming 3D Blu-ray version of the film will only be sold to people buying new Panasonic displays. It’d be for a limited time, of course, but no dates were mentioned.

A spokesman for Panasonic said they were also trying to “do the right thing” and let people who had recently bought Panasonic sets to get the disc. He wouldn’t say whether the disc would be included in Blu-ray player bundles, either.

Sounds like they didn’t really think this through. Why not just say “Avatar is getting its Blu-ray release on such and such a date, but if you buy a new Panasonic TV or Blu-ray player, you get it a month early!”

LaCie’s MosKeyto Is About As Small As USB Keys Can Get

Posted: 02 Sep 2010 03:00 PM PDT

Looking for a very, very small USB drive? Well, LaCie has got you covered. The new MosKeyto is about as small as I can picture these things getting. It comes with a little cap and a way to attach it to a keyring, but other than that it’s just your standard tiny USB 2.0 drive.

It comes in 4GB ($18), 8GB ($28), and (soon) 16GB ($38 maybe?) flavors and also includes online storage at Wuala, in case you couldn’t find a way to store things online at the five billion free storage sites out there.

Comcast Teams Up With Novatel, Sells High-Speed 2go

Posted: 02 Sep 2010 02:30 PM PDT

Good news if you’re a Comcast subscriber and you’ve been looking into their High-Speed 2go product. Comcast just announced that they’ve picked Novatel as the provider for the USB modems used in their mobile broadband service.

Comcast will offer both the MiFi 2200 mobile hotspot, and the Ovation MC760 USB model for individual use. Novatel claims that the Ovation is the world’s smallest EV-DO broadband modem, ideal if you prefer not to have a giant USB device hanging out the side of your laptop. The MiFi device acts as a wireless hotspot, allowing multiple users to connect to the device wirelessly. The MiFi has about 40 hours of standby time, and goes for about 4 hours of active use before you’ll have to recharge it. Pricing varies depending on location, so you’ll have to hit up Comcast’s website for the details.

[via Into Mobile]

Could Duke Nukem Forever Be Making A Surprise Debut At PAX?

Posted: 02 Sep 2010 02:00 PM PDT


This is pure rumor and speculation, but it’s too awesome to pass up. A number of small coincidences are suggesting that Duke Nukem Forever might be showing its face at PAX. Duke’s voice actor, Jon St. John, is doing a Q&A there, and 3D Realms and Take Two executives are behaving suspiciously. We’ll find out soon.

Galaxy Tab Rumored To Be Priced At €699/€799 (Update: Perhaps Not)

Posted: 02 Sep 2010 01:45 PM PDT


These prices are in no way substantiated, but in case they’re correct, we’ll have wanted to have posted them as soon as they appeared. Several sites are reporting that the highly-anticipated Galaxy Tab, with which we’ve just recently posted a hands-on, is going to be sold for a mind-blowing €699 for 16GB, and €799 for 32GB – or more. That’s around $900 and $1000 respectively. If this is true… well, nice knowing you, Galaxy Tab.

It’s also possible that this is just a random price someone thought they heard, and is now racing around the internet like wildfire. We’ll know as soon as Samsung clarifies things.

Update:According to a Samsung executive who allegedly spoke to the Daily Mail, the Galaxy Tab is in fact supposed to cost between $200 and $300.

Harman Combines Forces With Quincy Jones For New AKG Headphone Line

Posted: 02 Sep 2010 01:30 PM PDT


It’s not clear to me exactly what exactly people like Quincy Jones and Dr Dre do to make their particular brands of audio gear better. I mean, they put their name on them, probably because they are satisfied with how they sound, but is that the extent of their involvement? Well, whatever the case, Quincy Jones (a Garfield High School alumni like myself) has seen fit to put his stamp on a new set of AKG headphones.


The new line is definitely premium: the Q350 in-ears are $150, the Q701 reference headphones are $480, and the more compact Q460 is somewhere in between. They left the price out of the press release and it’s not at AKG’s site. I’m going to say $250.

The new headphones should be available in October.

Here’s the full press release:

Music Legend Quincy Jones Partners with HARMAN, Unveils New Signature Line of AKG Headphones

Three New Styles of Headphones Celebrate Unparalleled Sound Quality in Distinct Style

For more information: http://www.akg.com/Quincy

NORTHRIDGE, Calif. – HARMAN International Industries Incorporated (NYSE: HAR), today announced the arrival of the Quincy Jones Signature Line by AKG. The premium headphone collection represents a momentous partnership between AKG and one of the most accomplished musicians of the 20th century – Quincy Jones.

Musician, artist, humanitarian – Quincy Jones is an American icon. His productions, which include the best-selling album (Thriller) and single ("We Are the World") of all time, have garnered him an unprecedented 79 GRAMMY® nominations and 27 GRAMMY awards, more than any other living artist. His list of notable achievements is unrivaled in the music industry. The list of legendary and contemporary artists with whom he has worked includes Aretha Franklin, Mary J. Blige, Ray Charles, Duke Ellington, Michael Jackson, Ludacris, Paul McCartney, Frank Sinatra and Usher, among many others.

"Music is so much more than notes on a sheet of paper," Jones said. "When it's created with passion, with soul, we get something that is greater than ourselves – and it can move us deeply. Throughout my entire career, I have trusted only AKG to deliver the highest standard of sound – the same standard I hold myself to when I make my music."

The Quincy Jones Signature Line includes three models: the Q701 reference-class premium over-ears, the Q460 high-performance portable on-ear mini headphones and the Q350 in-ear headphones that will boast distinctive AKG®-built quality and unrivaled audio engineering in an elegant, portable design, so music lovers everywhere can experience sound the way every artist intended for their music to be heard.

"Quincy Jones and AKG have shared a long-running passion for quality sound and the infinite power music has to connect people and touch lives," said Dinesh C. Paliwal, chairman, president and CEO, HARMAN International. "We have partnered to introduce products into the marketplace that shine a light on how important sound quality is when you're experiencing music in all aspects of your life."

A share of the proceeds from every set of headphones sold in the Quincy Jones Signature Line by AKG will go toward the Quincy Jones Musiq Consortium, a foundation dedicated to making music education an ongoing part of the lives of American children.

Pricing and Availability

The Q701, Q460 and Q350 headphones will be available in October 2010, in time for the holiday season, at prices ranging from $149.99 to $479.99. To experience the Quincy Jones Signature Line by AKG yourself or for more specific product information, please visit http://www.akg.com/Quincy. An additional backgrounder with product specifications will also be available upon request.

The First Samsung Galaxy Tab Commercial Shows Off Swype, Augmented Reality & Video Calling

Posted: 02 Sep 2010 01:09 PM PDT

Prepare to get hit by a ton of Sammy marketing. The commercial embedded here is likely just the first wave of Samsung’s assault on the iPad. And it seems that they’re going about it the right way, too.

The commercial simply shows off the Galaxy Tab‘s capabilities in an Apple-ish sort of way. We’ve said all along that if any Android tablet has a chance to steal marketshare away from the iPad, it’s the Samsung Galaxy Tab and this commercial, along with our extensive hands-on, seems to confirm our thought. Now all we need is to know is its price tag and when it will hit stores.

Take Your Gaming Outside: The Arcade Lounge Chair

Posted: 02 Sep 2010 01:00 PM PDT

We got an email today from Zachary at Stupid Inventor. He’s come up with a.. unique idea for taking your gaming experience outside. Apparently Zach took an old lawn chair that his mom had lying around, and attached a computer and monitor to it. He then sits in the chair, and leans back and plays Pac-Man while working on his tan. I like it, but it seems like the glare might be a little much for that monitor.

Zach, I think the next thing you need to invent is a way to get the grass stains out of those socks. Or just ask your mom.
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