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Video: Geek Builds Awesome 10 Feet Tall Gundam Statue Out Of Trash

Posted: 14 Sep 2010 05:43 AM PDT

What do you do when you’re a Gundam otaku and have 95 days (or more than 300 hours) of free time? Easy, you go and build a 3m (9.8 feet) tall Gundam figure [JP], all by yourself. That’s what a Japanese person called “Hirotyun” [JP] did, and the amazing thing is that he mainly used plastic runners in the process.

Plastic runners are the thin bindings you normally throw away after you’re done with a model kit. The statue isn’t actually that tall, reaching 3m only when measured from Gundam’s feet to the tip of his rifle. It’s still very cool.

According to reports, the ceiling in Hirotyun’s home wasn’t high enough, forcing him to build the statue in a convention center outside of Tokyo (where it was exhibited last month). The “real” Japanese Gundam statue we spent a number of posts on is 60 feet high.

Here’s a short video:

Via Plastic Pals

Just A Halo Spartan Flying Around London

Posted: 14 Sep 2010 05:28 AM PDT

Watch the video, but honestly, the whole jetpack thing is just a gimmick. Don’t expect the Halo: Reach Spartan to take off like the Rocketeer. Hopefully the in-game action is a bit more exciting.

MB&F Horological Machine 3 Watch Review

Posted: 14 Sep 2010 04:23 AM PDT

This watch won't stop looking at me! I am used to being the one looking at a watch. To many people the ability to tote around an MB&F is a dream. It represents the pinnacle in indulging a luxury lover's gadget fetish - to wear a highly complex, beautifully made creation which is a wearable statement of one's values and appreciation for the more avant garde fine things in life. It is a statement as much as it is a love of art. Max Busser has resolutely captured a niche section of the luxury wrist watch market, and offers no signs of letting go.


The Air Hopper Is A Grasshopper Robot

Posted: 14 Sep 2010 03:42 AM PDT

We showed you robotic fish, robotic dogs and robotic snakes in the past, and we know you were just waiting for robotic grasshoppers. But thanks to Tokyo Institute Of Technology, you can consider those animals now covered, too.

The so-called Air Hopper is a four-legged robot that can not only move around thanks to its four wheels but also jump, just like a real grasshopper does. While it’s able to cross slightly uneven ground by just walking over it, the robot can jump over bigger obstacles by using built in pneumatic cylinders.

In experiments, the Air Hopper was able to jump as far as 70cm forward and 40cm high. The robot’s body is made of reinforced plastic. It’s 129cm long, stands 52.2cm tall and weighs 32.4kg.

I am sorry to say there’s no video available at this point (I searched everywhere).

Via Robonable [JP]

An Interview With William Gibson

Posted: 14 Sep 2010 03:35 AM PDT

A Discussion with William Gibson from DANGEROUS MINDS on Vimeo.

I’m reading Zero History right now and liking it and now I get to see Mr. Gibson talk about Twitter on video. I’m the happiest boy in the world. Thank you, Dangerous Minds.

via BB/A>


Nokia sells 260,000 smartphones a day

Posted: 14 Sep 2010 02:37 AM PDT

For all the crap Nokia has been getting lately about falling behind, not innovating, or releasing products that don't really compare with the competition, you could be forgiven in thinking that they may be on death's door. So you'd probably be surprised to hear that Nokia still move more smartphones than the Big Two. How many you ask? Try about 260,000 a day. To put that into perspective, last I heard, Apple ship somewhere around 80,000 iPhones per day, and Android activate 200,000 devices per day.


CrunchGear Meet-up In Jerusalem, Thursday September 16

Posted: 14 Sep 2010 02:06 AM PDT


Once again I’m teaming up with Yael at the Tel Aviv Beer Tweetup to join you guys in some merriment on Thursday, September 16 from 7:30pm – 11:30pm at the Inbal Hotel in Jerusalem. You can RSVP here on Facebook or email rsvp at crunchgear dot com with the subject line “TWEETUP.”

Yael has been nice enough to move the whole event a few miles up the road and it seems that some folks are carpooling from Tel Aviv. Yael writes:

The Inbal Jerusalem Hotel (@InbalHotel) is going to be hosting this special Tweetup in the hotel pool bar.

Don’t miss the opportunity to come and speak to John Biggs, even if it means driving up from Tel Aviv…

If you would like to sponsor this event, please contact me: yael at beeri.com.
I would like to thank The Inbal Jerusalem Hotel for hosting our event.
Event hashtag will be #Jtweetup

That’s right! You can speak to the John Biggs. Sometimes my own mother can’t claim to have done that week. Anyway, I’m happy to talk about everything start-up so bring your pitches and your one-sheets. I look forward to seeing you there.

I’m also around for about two weeks if anyone wants to meet up outside of the event. Drop me a line at john @ crunchgear dot com or Tweet @johnbiggs

On Cue, Canon Releases Powershot G12

Posted: 14 Sep 2010 01:07 AM PDT


Arriving in October for $499.99, the Canon Powershot G12 AKA the G12 that leaked all over the place is a nice replacement to the G11 and includes a 2.8-inch LCD with a number of settings including HDR photography.

Canon also dropped a less interesting Powershot SX30 with 14-megapixel sensor for $439.99. Stick with the G12.

PowerShot G12 Digital Camera
As the feature set of the PowerShot G-series has evolved, the one mainstay has been the camera's ability to provide complete creative control to the photographer. Keeping with tradition, the PowerShot G12 offers a full range of shooting and recording modes with new, exciting features such as High Dynamic Range (HDR) scene mode. Offering added flexibility to photographers, this scene mode allows for multiple shots to be combined into one image helping to capture the full magnitude of a scene that consists of very dark tones and bright highlights producing greater image details. With the use of a tripod, one push of the shutter button yields three sequential images with various exposures, and then combines them into a single optimized image. A feature such as this typically requires outside software, however, this process can be completed within the camera thus helping to eliminate one critical step in the creation and editing process. Another valuable addition to this new model is Canon's Hybrid IS technology that compensates for angular and shift camera shake, helping to create a near perfect image.

The Canon PowerShot G12 has a large, bright 2.8-inch vari-angle LCD with 461,000 dots of resolution providing photographers with additional creative control whether holding the camera overhead or low to the ground. A new control dial has been added to the front of the camera as well for easy adjusting of camera settings similar to how users operate a Canon Digital SLR camera. Further adding to the overall appeal of the new Canon PowerShot G12 is a 5X-Optical Zoom lens with Optical Image Stabilization and its wide-angle capabilities starting at 28mm, which will help when trying to get a sweeping landscape into one image. When using compatible optional accessories such as Speedlite flashes, an underwater housing and a tele-converter lens the photographic possibilities for users of this new camera are almost endless.

The estimated selling price of the PowerShot G12 is $499.99 and will be available in early October.*

PowerShot SX30 IS Digital Camera
The Canon PowerShot SX30 IS Digital camera is the perfect companion for photo enthusiasts capturing memorable images or videos at sporting events or special occasions. The addition of the new super telephoto lens, which ranges from an ultra-wide 24mm to a maximum length of 840mm, will offer unrivaled results while opening up a whole new realm of possibilities for users along the photographic journey. Helping to make this journey that much easier is a new Zoom Framing Assist button to aid in the tracking and capturing of subjects from a great distance away while keeping the lens in focus. At extreme telephoto settings, holding a camera unsteady can cause the user to lose track of the subject and make it difficult to find the subject. The Zoom Framing Assist button allows the user to zoom out, find the subject and then zoom back in.

The PowerShot SX30 IS has a 14.1-Megapixel sensor, DIGIC 4 image processor and a large, 2.7-inch wide vari-angle LCD for easy viewing of images along with added flexibility when trying to compose overhead or low to the ground images. In addition, the PowerShot SX30 IS for the first time will use a Lithium ion rechargeable battery rather than the standard AA batteries found on previous models, making powering up the camera much easier.

The estimated selling price of the PowerShot SX30 IS is $429.99 and will be available in late September.*

Sony’s Move Men Are Kind of Jerks

Posted: 14 Sep 2010 01:01 AM PDT

So you’re chilling at your friends house who has a kid and you and all your buds have turned on some LCD Soundsystem and are not drinking at all. And then two dudes come up to the house – two dudes you do not know – wearing bowls on their heads and dressed in Spandex and you’re like “Kyle? Faye?” and they say not one word and then you realize Kyle is in Patagonia and Faye is working tonight at Borders and it turns out these two dudes are the Move Men from Sony and you’re like “Dudes, this is like a private party” and the Move Men slap a Wand in your hand and your mysophobia kicks in and you go and get Dylan, your group’s “big” friend and he comes to the door and the Move Men are motioning something, pointing at you, and Dylan is like “What?” and you still have the Wand but you put it somewhere in the house and you’re so freaked that you forgot where so the Move Men try to go through the door and Dylan says “Stay on the lawn. Who are you people?” and then two of Sony’s PR come up and try to the lead the Move Men away while apologizing and the Move Men, being robots made of fun, are like “These kids stole a Wand. They stole a Wand!” and you’re like “I don’t have a Playstation. I don’t play games. I’m a photographer and I work at a coffee store” and the Move Men are all saying “This sucks. This absolutely sucks. Why did you make us do this?” and most of the people at the party didn’t even notice but you’re so upset all night that you keep washing your hands, over and over, thinking of where the Move Men have been and who handled that Wand before you.

Daily Crunch: Dropped From The Sky Edition

Posted: 14 Sep 2010 12:00 AM PDT

Samsung’s EVIL NX-100 Puts DSLR Power In Compact Body

Posted: 13 Sep 2010 11:29 PM PDT


Samsung’s new EVIL (electronic viewfinder, interchangeable lens) camera follows about a year after the NX-10 became more than a rumor, though it was only announced in January. That more SLR-looking device seemed solid, but I never heard much of it. This brand new NX-100, though, looks like a winner. The styling, specs, and features are tempting, but can it survive in the face of high-powered point-and-shoots and versatile DSLRs?

By the way, this is definitely the one spied in that video. Here are the vital statistics:

  • 14.6 megapixels (APS-C sensor)
  • 3″ AMOLED LCD at 640×480
  • ISO 100-3200
  • 720p movie recording

Optional are an EVF, flash, and GPS module. And of course lenses come separately.

Speaking of lenses, the ones launching with the NX-100 are special — they call them i-Function. Yeah, original, right? But it’s a good idea for this kind of camera, and something we’ve seen in high-end camcorders for a while now. Basically, the ring on the lens adjusts whichever aspect of the exposure you select using a button on the lens. It could be focus, or shutter speed, or aperture, or whatever. Select the mode, make the adjustment, then move on to the next.

DSLRs let you do this with the wheels and dials, but this is a really accessible way to let someone fiddle with serious settings. At launch, there will be a 20-50mm F/3.5-5.6 zoom that looks positively enormous next to this thing’s little body, and a 20mm F/2.8 pancake lens should come out shortly after. I’d go with the pancake and just crop in, you’ve got enough megapixels to do that. In 2011 you’ll see 60mm macro, 18-200mm super zoom, 16mm wide angle, 85mm, and 16-80mm lenses coming as well.

Anyway. Looks like a pretty sweet little camera. Too bad there’s no pricing or availability info, which kind of dampens my enthusiasm. What if it’s, like, a thousand bucks? And not available for six months? I will have moved on by then. Likely to a T2i. I’ll update this if they get back to me. Here’s the full press release:

Olympus Releases Weather-Proof E-5 DSLR

Posted: 13 Sep 2010 11:00 PM PDT


Olympus has updated its DSLR line with a successor to the E-3. It’s got a micro four-thirds sensor but it’s still an SLR, so M4/3 fans had better look elsewhere. This is a full-size camera. It’s aimed at the prosumer crowd, and like the upcoming Pentax K-5 and Canon’s 7D, it’s weather-proof (they say “splashproof and dustproof) and capable of HD video.

In specs, the E-5 doesn’t quite stand up to the competition, though it’s close:

  • 12.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100-6400 (not bad, of course)
  • 3″ swivel LCD at 640×480 (like the new 60D)
  • 5FPS burst speed
  • 11-point autofocus (they claim it’s extremely fast)
  • 720p video (only at 30FPS)

As you can see, it’s certainly a competent camera, but I couldn’t pick anything out that would set it above the other cameras in the field, whereas the 7D has excellent video options and Pentax is famous for its lenses. It seems to have inherited some in-camera functionality from the PEN series, but it’s up to you to decide whether new filter modes are really that compelling.

Don’t forget, if you’re counting on the splash proofing, get a lens that’s also splash-proof! They aren’t all like that.

59 14_1 11 07b 02a 01

And here’s the full press release:

NEW OLYMPUS E-5 DSLR FOR PROFESSIONAL SHOOTERS EXPANDS LEGACY OF INNOVATION

Dustproof, Splashproof DSLR with Dual Axis Swiveling LCD Monitor Offers Sharp Image Quality, High Definition Video and In-Camera Creative Features—Even in the Most Extreme Environments

CENTER VALLEY, Pa., September 14, 2010 – Today Olympus announces the E-5, a new digital single lens reflex (DSLR) camera that builds on the company's tradition of innovation to meet the rigorous demands of professional photographers and experienced amateurs. In recent years, Olympus has changed the DSLR marketplace by pioneering groundbreaking features, including the first 100 percent digital-specific lenses, the award-winning Supersonic Wave Filter Dust Reduction System, the first Full -Time Live View system and a completely splashproof and dustproof magnesium alloy DSLR body. Olympus continues this legacy by pairing these technologies with several new breakthrough features developed for the E-5 camera, providing further proof that Olympus lets you capture it all.

➢ Superior Image Quality: The E-5 camera achieves the highest image quality of any Olympus camera by pairing a 12.3 megapixel High-Speed Live MOS Sensor with a TruePic V+ image processing engine that boasts new "Fine Detail Processing" technology for greater detail in the photograph. Optimized to maximize the performance of the Zuiko® Digital Lenses, Fine Detail Processing takes digital photography to the next level.

➢ 270 Degree Swivel LCD: A 3.0-inch dual axis swivel HyperCrystal® LCD with 920,000 dots makes it easy to frame High Definition (HD) videos and still images at any angle from low to high and side to side to ensure accurate composition.

➢ Limitless Creativity: Ten in-camera Art Filters including new Dramatic Tone round out this DSLR's impressive feature set. For the first time, photographers can use Art Filters in all shooting modes, program auto, shutter priority, aperture priority and manual modes and movies with expanded control. Both still and movie capable, the E-5 camera offers HD video in an E-System DSLR for the first time.

"The E-5 camera combines the E-System's legendary durability, reliability and professional image quality with HD video, multi-exposure and creative art features of the PEN® series," said John Knaur, senior marketing manager, Digital SLR, Olympus Imaging America Inc. "Wherever you're shooting, the rugged splashproof design of this camera will capture excellent images and video and withstand any rough conditions you might encounter."

Superior Image Quality
The E-5 camera utilizes a unique combination of cutting-edge technologies to deliver the highest image quality in the Olympus family. Together with its 12.3 megapixel High-Speed Live MOS image sensor, the Olympus TruePic V+ Image Processor produces clear and colorful photos using all the pixel information at an individual pixel level to provide the best digital images possible. The increased detail is due to the new Fine Detail Processing technology, utilizing a sophisticated algorithm to deliver all the information from each pixel for greater detail than shots taken on other cameras with the same number of pixels. The image processor is noted for accurate natural color, true-to-life flesh tones, brilliant blue skies and precise tonal expression; it also lowers image noise in photos shot at higher ISO settings (ISO 100 to ISO 6400), enabling great results in low-light situations.

To prevent image blur caused by camera shake, the E-5 camera employs in-body Mechanical Image Stabilization to compensate for camera movement up to 5 steps EV and delivers blur-free images taken with any of the ZUIKO® DIGITAL lenses available for the camera. Moreover, built-in Image Stabilization works with not only long focal length lenses, but with wide, ultra-wide and even fisheye lenses, permitting long exposures during low-light and night scene settings with sharp, stabilized results.

Head-Turning High Definition Video
Shooting video is as easy as ever with the new Olympus E-5 camera. The camera captures all the action in crisp 720p HD video at 30 frames per second. With more than 20 Four Thirds® lenses, people can shoot video with a selection of lenses ranging from an extreme wide-angle fisheye lens to a super telephoto lens for a variety of expressive options. Photographers can capture great stereo sound quality by plugging any microphone with a standard 3.5mm jack into the camera's stereo microphone terminal. A built-in microphone also records clear monaural audio.

3.0-inch dual axis swivel HyperCrystal® LCD
Whether composing still images or HD video, photographers will appreciate the E-5 camera's 270 degree dual axis swivel 3.0-inch Live View LCD because it covers all the viewing angles from low to high and side to side, ensuring accurate composition and providing opportunities for creativity. Real-time image monitoring of white balance and exposure enables greater creative control of settings. The LCD displays 920,000 dots in vivid color and includes HyperCrystal® technology, which offers many times the contrast of conventional LCD monitors for easier viewing in both preview and playback modes. It also provides a wide viewing angle ensuring that images can be composed from even the most obscure angles.

Tremendous Durability and Reliability
The E-5 camera's sealed lightweight "thixomold" magnesium alloy chassis is completely splashproof and dustproof for optimal performance with pro lenses on expeditions to the most extreme environments on the planet. A durable shutter mechanism with the lifespan of 150,000 exposures meets the demands of serious photographers. The E-5 camera's large optical viewfinder provides a 100 percent accurate view to ensure photographers do not miss a shot.

The E-5 camera also features an award-winning built-in Dust Reduction System that eliminates spots from photos with the exclusive Supersonic Wave Filter. This year, the system won the prestigious Asahi Shimbun Invention Prize in the 2010 Japan National Invention Awards. The patented ultrasonic technology physically vibrates to remove dust and other particles from the front of the image sensor, and captures the debris on a special adhesive membrane every time you turn on the camera. It can even remove dust attached by intermolecular force that cannot be removed by physical vibration or by discharging static electricity. These spot-free photos liberate users from hours spent retouching photographs at the computer or sending their cameras back to the manufacturer to remove dust trapped inside.

Unlimited Creativity
Olympus pioneered easy-to-use in-camera art filters for still images captured inside its E-System DSLRs. It was the first company to offer the ability to apply art filters to HD video recordings captured with the PEN® E-P1 camera. Now, the E-5 camera continues this tradition of innovation with 10 user controllable in-camera art filters, including one new filter: Dramatic Tone.

The Dramatic Tone art filter represents real space in a more imaginary way by applying unrealistic tones of light and darkness based on local changes in contrast. This new filter is a welcome addition to the Pop Art, Soft Focus, Pale & Light Color, Light Tone, Grainy Film, Pin Hole, Diorama, Cross Process and Gentle Sepia filters previously available on the E-30, E-620 and PEN® series cameras.

For the first time, photographers can use Art Filters in all shooting modes: shutter priority, aperture priority, manual and program auto modes for expanded control. The filters can all be applied to both still shots and Standard Definition or HD movies. Whether you're a videographer, documentarian or established director – or just want to shoot like one – Art Filters set your images and videos apart from the pack. Since they're built into the camera, you can achieve dramatic results on the go without the need for computer or editing software.

With the E-5 camera's Multiple Exposure function for still image capture, you are free to tell a visual story your way, whether in portrait or landscape orientation, or a combination of both. The image capture options allow you to combine four shots. Shoot one shot, then another and combine them in real time, or capture two to four shots separately and combine them in the camera later.

The E-5 camera is also equipped with an internal Digital Level Sensor that detects the camera's pitch and roll with indicators in the optical viewfinder, on the control panel and during Live View operation. This Digital Leveler is a tremendous benefit for architectural photographers who must ensure that images they take of buildings are as centered and true as the walls of the buildings themselves. Rather than spend time rotating an image in computer software, you can use the camera's Digital Leveler to make sure your subjects are where they should be in the frame.

Whatever you create, it will be easy to display on the big screen. When you're ready to share your work, just plug the E-5 camera into any HD television using the camera's HDMI output with an HDMI cable and show it off.

Great Performance
Intuitive controls and fast performance are essential for capturing the moment without missing a shot. Besides its direct access buttons for quick access to camera menus, the E-5 camera offers the fastest AF speed in the world when coupled with the ZUIKO® DIGITAL ED 12-60mm f2.8-4.0 (24-120mm equivalent) Supersonic Wave Drive Lens to ensure fast focus for clear, sharp photos. The E-5 camera has a Twin cross type (fully biaxial) 11-point AF sensor, based on proprietary Olympus micro-sensing technologies that achieve equally effective performance on both the vertical and horizontal axis. With most biaxial sensors, performance on the vertical and horizontal axes is not equal, and there is often a perceived difference in response time when using different lenses. However, unlike systems that respond at nominally lower f-stop values simply by boosting sensitivity, the E-5 camera's AF sensor features a houndstooth pattern phase detection sensor layout that uses micro-lamination technologies to achieve superior real-world performance. The 11 AF target points on the E-5 can be selected to work individually or dynamically in combination with adjacent target points.

The E-5 camera also features five frames-per-second continuous shooting and a 1/8000 second top shutter speed required for shooting situations when you are capturing fast-moving subjects.

Wireless Flash Control
The E-5 camera is compatible with a range of optional external flashes, including the Olympus FL-36R and FL-50R. The E-5 camera can control both of these flashes wirelessly so you can dynamically control lighting as your photography skills grow. The E-5 camera features a commander function incorporated in its built-in flash, making wireless multi-flash photography possible without using an outside commander. The E-5 camera can control up to three wireless flash groups independently, and control of multiple flashes is possible even in an environment in which both the FL-50R and FL-36R are used simultaneously. In addition, the E-5 camera's Super Control Panel display makes it possible to enter and check all of the selected items on the LCD. This ensures excellent operability and mobility.

Memory
Accepting both CompactFlash Type I UDMA and SD cards (SDHC/SDXC compatible), the camera provides a choice of data storage options for enhanced flexibility, and it is possible to transfer image files from one card to the other right inside the camera. Class 6 or higher SD cards are recommended for optimal movie shooting.

Availability
The Olympus E-5 camera will be available in October 2010. It includes the E-5 Body, USB Cable, Video Cable, Li-Ion Battery Pack (BLM-5), Li-Ion Battery Charger (BCM-5), Shoulder Strap, OLYMPUS software CD-ROM, Manuals and Registration card.

U.S. Pricing / Product Configurations
E-5 Camera Body Estimated Street Price: $1,699.99


AT&T Will Be Offering The Galaxy Tab

Posted: 13 Sep 2010 09:01 PM PDT

Well, we finally have confirmation, AT&T will be carrying the Galaxy Tab this coming holiday season. There was a leak today, but we should see official confirmation on the 16th. There's other mobile news for Samsung as well, including the future of the Cetus and the Focus.


Intel Details Future Processors At IDF Keynote

Posted: 13 Sep 2010 08:42 PM PDT

The Intel Developer Forum is starting off, and the keynote by CEO Paul Otellini and others has just finished up. If you’re interested in what PC hardware is going to be moving towards over the next year, head over to Hot Hardware’s coverage of the festivities.

Spoiler alert: nothing really revolutionary. Lots of media optimization with on-die GPU and dedicated hardware, so viewing and encoding video should be quicker, and with luck your system could operate as a dual-GPU system with one of those new fancy-pants multi-GPU drivers. Also, today I learned: Intel forms the guts of the Logitech Revue for Google TV.

Tiny Projectors Being Developed, Coming To Market

Posted: 13 Sep 2010 08:11 PM PDT

Look out, there’s a new projector technology coming. Lemoptix has been developing a projector technology that will fit into any portable computer or mobile telephone. The new device will allow you to put a projector in almost anything really, given the small size.

The minimum distance on the projector is 50cm, which gives you the equivalent 15 inch display. You can adjust the size of the display being projected by simply moving the projector farther away from the screen. A device this small will have a limited resolution of course, the tiny projector will only display at 640×480.

This isn’t something that you’re going to see at a retail store unfortunately, but you may start seeing it in various personal electronics.


Apple’s 27″ Cinema Display May Go Live Tomorrow

Posted: 13 Sep 2010 07:37 PM PDT


Remember that sweet $1000 27″ Cinema Display Apple teased about a month and a half ago? They said it would be available in September, and now it’s September, and they’ve updated a bit of the site to recommend the 27″ display, suggesting the new screens will be available soon — perhaps tomorrow.

If you’ve been waiting, just… keep waiting. Tomorrow will bring new news, as usual.

Ben Heck Show Airs, Is Geek-tastic

Posted: 13 Sep 2010 07:29 PM PDT

The king of all modders, Ben Heckendorn has his own online tv show. You might remember Ben from his Xbox 360 mods, or when we interviewed him last summer. Ben’s show features tips and tricks for doing your own mods, as well as a long term project that he presents each show. Viewers can even submit requests, which presumably Ben will answer or address in some way on the show. You can check out the show here, it’s produced bi-weekly and has quite the active forum. I wonder if Yoshi drops by?

[via Make]

Pandora Handheld Sold Out, Back On Pre-Order

Posted: 13 Sep 2010 05:30 PM PDT

Remember the Pandora handheld gaming console? The one that runs Linux, is open source, and designed by committee? Well, they did finally get the first 1,000 pre-orders shipped, and they are expecting to send out another 3,000 before the holidays.

The Pandora is basically a miniature computer device running Linux. It runs all 8-Bit and 16-bit gaming emulators, as well and a few of the 64-bit ones as well. It’s been a long road for the Pandora, particularly since it’s been designed and built by a bunch of hobbyists instead of a major corporation. You can still pre-order units, they sell for $350. The Register reports that the next batch of units are in production, and pre-order units should start shipping sometime in December.

While the Pandora is primarily a gaming handheld, due to it’s open source nature you can pretty much run anything on it. Apparently some users have set them up as file servers, you can use them as a portable internet device, the options are endless.

[via The Technologizer]

Top Gear USA To Have A Stig

Posted: 13 Sep 2010 04:48 PM PDT

An Accurate depiction of the American Stig?

The much anticipated Top Gear USA debuts this fall on the History Channel, and until now, has lacked one important item: The Stig. That is until a new rumor has mention that there will be a Stig and the Stig will drive.

For those who haven’t heard of the Stig, he is an anonymous track driver for the super popular Top Gear on BBC in the UK. He doesn’t say much, and he doesn’t have to, he lets his driving say it all. The USA Stig will most likely be used in the same fashion as the UK show. The Stig will test vehicles on the Top Gear track and grab a lap time for each car, as to assure consistency in the testing.

No names have been clued as to whom the Stig will be, but that’s the point. Hopefully Jalopnik’s sources are correct and a USA Stig is born, it wouldn’t be Top Gear without him.

Own A Bugatti Veyron? Then You Can Probably Afford A Bugatti Watch Winder

Posted: 13 Sep 2010 03:19 PM PDT

So you've got a few manual wind watches, and you're looking for a very distinctive watch winder to put them in. Well, Bugatti and Origin Times has the solution for you. Fair warning though, it's going to cost you.


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