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STAVI: Japan Gets New Mobility Robot

Posted: 23 Nov 2010 05:21 AM PST

We’ve covered quite a few mobility robots from Japan in the past months, and now Sanwa Hitech [JP] is presenting yet another model. Their so-called Stavi (short for “Standing Vehicle”) is a successor to the RODEM, a robot that we covered in June this year. The Stavi can be used while standing, and it can also be accessed easily by persons sitting in wheel chairs (see the graphic below).

The joystick-controlled robot is mainly designed for use by older people or those who have trouble walking by themselves.

It has the following specs:

  • 24V/6.7Ah battery (charging time: 3 hours)
  • 240W motor
  • travel range: about 10km
  • tire size: 16 inches
  • top speed: 4.5km/h
  • size: 800mmx1,250×1,200mm

Sanwa plans to start mass-production of the Stavi in summer next year and wants to market it to medical institutions and nursing homes. The company expects the final price to be around $6,000.

Black Friday Week: What Delightful Deals Will Apple Have In Store?

Posted: 23 Nov 2010 05:03 AM PST

Well grow me from a chick in a massive pen full of other turkeys, feed me antibiotics, cut off my head and boil my skin briefly then shake and blow off my feathers with an industrial fan, and then stuff me full of bread and sausage, cook me for most of the day, and call me dinner! Apple is announcing a super secret sale dedicated to those who want to offer only the very best to their loved ones. No details yet, but given that iPod Touches are hovering at about $240 at Wal-Mart, I can’t imagine the deals are very massive.


Sadly, this deal is only happening on Black Friday proper, thereby preventing us from perusing the opportunity before the in-laws come over.
Deal Page


Sakadachi Nyachi: Sega’s New Robot Cat

Posted: 23 Nov 2010 03:24 AM PST

In 2006, Sega Toys in Japan started selling a whole series of robotic animals: dogs, hamsters, and puppies, for example. One of the most impressive toy robots was the so-called Dream Cat Venus released last year, and Sega Toys now has a new robo cat in its line-up, the Sakadachi Nyachi [JP]. It’s not as realistic as Venus, but it’s much cuter.

Sega says that just like Venus, Nyachi can act realistically when you touch or speak to it. Say "Hello" (in Japanese) and it will greet you back, for example. Nyachi can even sing when you ask it to – this one is for the kids, you know. The cat boasts a total of 13 different patterns of behavior.

Nyachi is sized at 160x250x350mm and weighs 600g. Sega Toys is already selling it in Japan but if you’re interested and live outside this country, you can order the cat over at Geek Stuff 4 U, too (special Christmas price: $174).

Daily Crunch: Downstream Edition

Posted: 23 Nov 2010 12:00 AM PST

ThermalTake’s Dokker PC Case Has A HDD Dock Built Right In

Posted: 22 Nov 2010 08:00 PM PST


This is a great idea — I’m trying to think if anyone’s done something similar. Probably not, since it drives up the cost of the case somewhat. Still, it’s a really handy thing to have if you’re the kind of person who has lots of loose drives around. What, they exist! Not all of us can afford nice enclosures for our storage, Mr. Q. Moneybags Reader the Third!

The Dokker only costs $65, which pretty much makes it my next hard drive case, and it’s a mid-tower, meaning it won’t dominate my apartment the way this beast of a Whisper does. It’ll support up to 12.5″ cards, so your footlong GPU will definitely fit.

This is kind of like a budget version of that old Corsair case with its hot-swappable drives. I’d probably go with the Corsair if I had the money, but for $65, this Dokker looks like a hell of a deal.

[via Tom's Hardware]

Study May Lead To Actual Paper E-Paper

Posted: 22 Nov 2010 07:30 PM PST


Let’s not get too excited just yet, but a study performed by Dr. Andrew Steckl at the University of Cincinatti’s Nanolab has shown that electrowetting (the process by which current e-ink displays work) works just as well with a paper substrate as a glass one. The implications are… far off at the moment. But still cool.

Despite being paper, the screens still wouldn’t be disposable, exactly, since the expensive part of an e-ink screen isn’t the substrate, it’s everything else. So while you could conceivably crumple this one up and throw it in the trash — certainly something you can’t do with a Kindle, unless you’re very strong — it doesn’t mean you should.

It also doesn’t mean that the display would be flexible or foldable, though to be sure paper is a good deal more so than glass. It will depend on whether the mechanisms, fluids, and circuits can handle the deformation you apply to it, something unconnected with this study. Science is about baby steps, people, and this was one of those — important, yes, like all steps.

You can read the whole paper here if you subscribe to Nature, and if you do, I have to ask, why are you reading this site? Shouldn’t you be doing science?!

[via TG Daily and SlashGear]

Koostik Wood iPod “Dock” Amplifies Sound The Old Fashioned Way

Posted: 22 Nov 2010 06:36 PM PST


This probably isn’t up your alley if you’re into listening to really awesome, fairly loud music all the time, but if you rely on your iPod or iPhone and don’t need a lot of volume, the Koostik might be your style.

It’s based on similar principles as acoustic guitars and other wood instruments: sound is channeled from where it is emitted from the phone to those big holes there, where it comes out slightly more… woody. I don’t know what else to call it.

Look, if you really want to know how it works, go to the Koostik site. It sounds legit to me.

They cost $85-90 depending on the wood you choose (I like “walherry,” above), which sounds like a lot for a chunk of wood, but no, you’re wrong, it’s totally not. These things are handmade pieces of old-school awesomeness and everyone should have one. I don’t have an iPod or iPhone so I’m left out, which is why I’m so insistent that you get one.

[via NotCot]

TSA-Proof Fig Briefs Protect Your Undercarriage From Radiation, Pawing Agents

Posted: 22 Nov 2010 06:20 PM PST

Stocking stuffer alert! I never thought I’d be recommending underwear to combat an overreaching government, but this is just one of life’s little surprises. These briefs (and boxers and such) have a fig leaf in the front that supposedly blocks the radiation from those horrible machines… which means it’s probably just woven with some kind of wire-infused thread, or has some tin foil in it.

Sure, you could make your own by just pinning some foil to your pants, but foil-pants don’t make good gifts; this does. Maybe. Also, it’s not clear whether you’ll get secondary or tertiary screening for wearing these things. It’ll only be so long before someone makes a leaf-shaped bomb, I guess.

You can also get a 3-pack of boxer-briefs in patriotic red, white, and blue. Dissent is sexy!

[via CNET]

Visiting Sports Authority On Black Friday? Don’t forget Your FourSquare

Posted: 22 Nov 2010 06:00 PM PST

More and more advertisers are using social media and other technology to push their advertising these days, including twitter and foursquare. Take a for example Sports Authority; this coming black friday they are going to be tracking who checks in to their locations, and giving away 20 $500 gift cards to Foursquare users that check into their location.

To win, customers will have to be checked in to their local Sports Authority between 10:00am and 3:00pm, and listen for their name to be announced over the in-store speakers system, and then present their photo ID to claim their prize. Sports Authority is also doing a YouTube home page promotion, a FaceBook promotion, and some special twitter promotions as well. For more details check out the Sports Authority website and circulars.

Microvision Updates Its Laser-Powered ShowWX Pico Projector

Posted: 22 Nov 2010 04:55 PM PST


One of my favorites gadgets from CES this year was Microvision’s ShowWX pico projector, which they’d grafted onto a motion-sensing gun controller and plugged into an FPS. The laser-based image source means no focus is necessary, and there’s no display lag. Well, they’re updating the line with a new one that looks sleeker and certainly is brighter.

The ShowWX+ uses the same laser illumination, but they’ve upped the lumens to 15. Other, traditionally lit pico projectors are hitting 20, even 30 lumens, but they don’t have lasers. The resolution is comparable, at 848×800.

The price has also dropped a bit; while the original debuted at a wallet-punching $550, the new one costs only $450 (still a chunk of change) and the original will drop to $400. Affordable in a relative sense. It also will plug right into an iOS device with its little adapter. Very handy for impromptu YouTube viewings (though the sound on these things is pretty weak).

I’ll have one of these soon to review, so hold tight and I’ll let you know if you should pick one up before the holidays come around.

[via Pico Projector Info]

Nissan Leaf’s Window Sticker Boasts 99MPGe

Posted: 22 Nov 2010 03:01 PM PST


While I’m sure the guys at Nissan were crossing their fingers, hoping for a 100MPGe rating, the EPA either had other ideas, or didn’t plan for three-digit numbers on their window stickers. Maybe the new ones will change that, but for now the poor Leaf is stuck with a paltry 99MPGe rating. Wait, that’s pretty good.

The 99MPGe actually makes it the best in its class (mid-size vehicles) for fuel economy and environmental concerns. Not that it’s really a big surprise… its competition isn’t exactly, you know, electric. It’ll have more to contend with once Toyota, Honda, Tesla, Mitsubishi, all the other guys get their mid-size vehicles out.

I’m looking forward to 2012, and not just because of the armageddon thing!

Swiss Army Victorinox Dive Master 500 Mechanical Watch Review

Posted: 22 Nov 2010 02:25 PM PST

Swiss Army Victorinox watches are very important to the watch industry in my opinion. For many people not familiar with the greater breadth of offerings from the watch industry, these Swiss timepieces are a creamy options when wanting a piece that combines good design, sporty styling, and solid value. As a kid I grew up knowing about Swiss Army watches, and not so secretly wanted one. I recall in college an friend of mine who had received one as a gift wearing it around (as I admired it). He wasn't at all a watch person, but liked its chunky substantial feel, and dead-easy to read dial. Swiss Army for many people represent a good choice for a nice watch, and the brands hold's this reputation well.


Black Friday Week: Circuit City Sales

Posted: 22 Nov 2010 01:13 PM PST

CircuitCity.com just posted a big page of deals including a Samsung TV and a Flip camera. They’ve also got a refurb 3rd Gen iPod Touch for $249.

They also have a crazy outdoor cooker for those who want to risk a grease fire this holiday.

Product Page


9 Great Gifts For The Media Pirate In Your Life

Posted: 22 Nov 2010 12:30 PM PST

More and more households are cutting the cord and opting for legally or otherwise obtained content. This opens up a whole new world of potential holiday gifts! You could get your significant other any number of available media streamers to fancy HTPC remotes to even a subscription to various media services. But there’s no need to aimlessly wander the aisles of Amazon in search of the perfect gift. We’re rounded up the best in this category for you. Consider it one of your stocking stuffers from us.

Boxee Box

The Boxee Box is without a doubt the best, family-friendly media streamer on the market. There’s a few bugs as of writing, but it neatly displays and organizes local network content and Internet content in a beautiful interface. Best of all, it fetches movie and TV show info for network-stored content without user intervention. It’s idiot-proof on both the user experience and downloading sides. At $200, it’s a tad pricey for a secret Santa gift, but just about right for your significant other.

WD TV

Maybe the Boxee Box is a tad out of your price range. That’s fine the Western Digital TV, or WD TV, is a fine alternative. It’s a favorite among media pirates because of it’s sub-$100 price and ability to play just about every file. More expensive models add in local storage, wireless networking support and Internet streaming app support for Netflix, Pandora, and Blockbuster.

Dell Zino HD

HTPCs can be a pain, but if your spouse is constantly complaining about the PS3 not supporting all the media formats or that the Boxee Box just isn’t the same as Boxee desktop, it’s probably time for a bonafide computer. Dell Zino HD’s are a good bet too. They’re small, powerful, and can even be configured with a Blu-ray drive.

Lenovo Multimedia Remote

Wanna round out the HTPC gift? Or perhaps there’s already a HTPC in your living room but you’re forced to use a mouse and keyboard. Check out this Lenovo Remote. It’s a fine product and is about the best way to control a HTCP from a couch. There’s a full QWERTY keypad and a trackball, which works great for everything from Boxee to Internet browsing. Don’t pay full retail, though. This remote can often be found under $50.

Boxee Remote

The Lenovo Remote mentioned above is about to get a bit of competition. The little dual-side Boxee remote is going on sale and for only $50 retail, will probably make a splash with the HTPC crowd. It’s small, full-featured and about the best way to control Boxee. However, there’s no trackpad so it’s not that great for general browsing. Still, if Boxee is your HTPC software of choice, put this on your holiday wish list.

Apple TV

The Apple TV is cheap and a great compliment to iOS devices. It’s by far the easiest way to get media stored on an iPhone to the living room TV. As a media streamer, it’s kind of a joke compared to others and nothing more than a Netflix box. But it works well and coders are furiously attacking the device with the hope of freeing it from its Apple jail. Once that happens, expect wild and crazy apps. So buy now for the iOS integration but expect to use it later to run all sorts of apps.

Hard drives

You can never have enough storage and with 2TB hard drives around the $100 mark, make this a stocking stuffer. Pro tip: Don’t buy 3TB hard drives right now; 2TB is better for the money.

A usenet account

The first rule of usenet is not to talk about usernet. So I won’t, but instead direct you towards Giganews and Google.

Netflix Gift Card

If all the illegal downloading makes you a bit nervous, how about giving the gift of Netflix. For only $7.99 a month, you and yours could stream a ton of content legally through literally dozens of devices. Netflix works through the Wii, PS3, Xbox, iPhone, Apple TV, Roku, many HDTVs, new and old TiVos, and so much more. It’s a fantastic service for a fair price.

Call Of Duty: Black Ops Sees 85 Percent Drop In Sales After First Week

Posted: 22 Nov 2010 12:00 PM PST

Yeah, Call of Duty: Black Ops may have sold a number of copies during its first few days of availability, but like any summer blockbuster it seems to have quickly fizzled out. It’s the video game equivalent of a popcorn flick: giant opening weekend followed by a pirouette off a cliff.

Of course, not that Activision cares: they’ve already made at least $650 million.

But the numbers, at least from the UK, suggest that Black Ops has seen an 85 percent drop in sales, comparing the second week of availability to the first. That’s probably what a gigantic marketing budget will get you: huge first week sales, everyone who wants the game gets it, then it falls back to Earth.

You’ll recall that fancy-pants analysts doubted whether or not Black Ops would reach the same kind of penetration that its predecessor, Modern Warfare 2, did.

But again: $650 million will sooth all wounds.

The 2011 Audi A8 Does In-Vehicle Technology Right, Actually, Nearly Perfectly [Video]

Posted: 22 Nov 2010 11:25 AM PST

The Audi A8′s in-vehicle system is a case study in restraint. The systems are robust as the video above shows, but they’re not overdone. Perfect? Nah. But really damn close. I mean, you can’t hate on a system that puts trackpad on the dash for easier input.

The Audi A8 caught the attention of tech news when its NVIDIA-powered MMI display was announced at the CES 2010. Generally, in-vehicle infotainment systems are an after-thought, something developed as a “me too” feature. But not in the Audi A8. This will be the system that other manufacturers will attempt to copy for years to come.

Concealable For Your Pleasure

Audi put the 8-inch MMI display smack dab in the middle of the beautiful dash. It’s surrounded by wood veneers and real brushed stainless steel (no plastic lookalikes here). But with a touch of a button, the display retreats into the dash, leaving the driver with just the road. It’s wonderful. The Audi A8 is a driver’s car and this single feature of hiding the infotainment screen eliminates a host of distractions.

But with a touch of any number of the buttons, the display will pop out, ready for action. A center-mounted large dial surrounded by four soft buttons control most of the action. Nearly everything can be adjusted with these controls, but they don’t have to be. There are separate control pads for both climate control and media playback to relieve some of the stress associated with new interfaces.

Everything about the Audi A8 screams attention to detail, even these buttons. They feel solid and springy. Almost if there’s a mechanical switch behind each one. Clearly Audi is not ready to go button-less and that’s fantastic. There’s not an over abundance of buttons or switches, but the ones are present just feel right.

Audi put a trackpad right in front of the gear selector on the center stack. This clever little pad pulls double duty with it serving as the radio favorite button, but also an input pad. Say you want to enter a destination in the navigational computer. Instead of pecking at on-screen keyboard, you simply rest your wrist on the flat gear selector and write out each letter on the pad. It could be argued that since it’s letter-by-letter, it’s not necessarily faster than the on-screen keyboard input method, but it sure is more satisfying.

Form, Not Functions

Ford’s MyFord Touch system is pretty amazing and the systems inside the Audi A8 does not eclipse the Ford system in terms of sheer features, but it works better and that’s what matters. Just like the MyFord Touch, there’s an LCD screen in the dash cluster as well as the dash. Both systems give the driver access to most of the systems found in the main infotainment system in these secondary displays, but in a location that’s a bit less distracting. The Ford system is nearly endless in screens and customizable options, but Audi designers choose to take a more minimalistic approach.

The screen sits in the middle of two large, analog gauges and is controlled by scroll wheels on the steering wheel. Four main screens are available: drive information that includes a trip computer, digital speedo, and MPG info. Then there’s one for media controls, a phonebook for the connected cell phone and a digital compass. Another screen comes into play when using the adaptive cruise control to virtually display the highway and vehicles.

It’s not feature-laden, but instead brings just the right amount of information to the driver.

Audi, Don’t Change Anything

In-vehicle systems are generally something that you get used to over time. Rarely are they so well done that they just feel right instantly. The Audi A8′s system is the exception here. It just feels amazing. The system responds without lag and the interface flys through all the controls. The screens are beautiful and must employ some sort of magic for the deep black levels. Watch the video. It’s impressive.

DealVista’s Black Friday Excel Spreadsheet To The Rescue!

Posted: 22 Nov 2010 11:00 AM PST

This could be eminently useful. It’s an Excel spreadsheet for Black Friday deals put together by DealsVista. On the left you’ve got the store, then it’s category, then item. MAGIC.

For example: Best Buy will have Halo: Reach for $39.99, down from the usual $59.99. BJs has $50 off any Xbox 360, PS3, or Wii system. And look at that: Dicks Sporting Goods has Adidas socks 50 percent off~!

Hopefully the spreadsheet is of some help to y’all.

Worldwide Launch Events Herald Arrival Of World Of Warcraft: Cataclysm

Posted: 22 Nov 2010 10:30 AM PST

We are three weeks away from the release of World of Warcraft: Cataclysm, and Blizzard has let it be known that there will be several worldwide launch events that may be worth investigating. For those of you in the US, get thee to the Fry’s Electronics in Fountain Valley, Calif. where you can partake in the launch festivities. There’s going to be a dance contest! If East Side Dave McDonald attends, he’ll win that contest, guaranteed. Simple as.

The Fry’s shindig begins at 9pm PST. Both the standard and collector’s edition of the game will be available right there.

And since this is a truly worldwide game, there will be events all over the place, from Russia to Sweden, from Spain to the UK. Even Canada gets in on the action!

Blizzard has the details of all the worldwide events.

My plans for launch? Meh, I’ll probably be asleep. I can wait a few hours till I wake up to log in and zoom around Azeroth for the zillionth time.

Video: Sony Bloke Shows Off Gran Turismo 5 Signature Edition

Posted: 22 Nov 2010 10:00 AM PST

"Unboxing" videos are often useless tripe. Oh, look, someone’s opening a box! Up next, watching paint dry! But I will make an exception for the Signature Edition of Gran Turismo 5, which is exclusively available in Europe. Once again, Europe shows America how to enjoy the finer things in life.

This is €180 worth of Gran Turismo 5. The artwork book is my favorite bit.

And as if you need any reminder: the game comes out on Wednesday, which means you might as well just skip Thanksgiving.

Black Friday Week: Lots Of Samsung Gear Discounted

Posted: 22 Nov 2010 09:50 AM PST

Samsung is offering a nice package for nascent 3D lovers including a Blu-Ray player, two pairs of glasses, and a copy of My Dinner With Andre in vivid 3D (actually it’s all the Shrek movies in 3D). The kit, which comes with TVs priced $3,000 and up, looks to be a great way to break into the 3D thang without spending a massive amount on upgrades.

You can also pick up one of these hot bottom freezer fridges. I personally love the bottom freezer fridges simply because you so rarely really dig into the freezer but, if you’re like me, you’re always keeping body parts and live rats in the fridge part.

Product Page


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