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500MB/s Transfer Speed, 2TB Storage: Sony, Nikon, SanDisk Propose New Memory Card Standard

Posted: 30 Nov 2010 04:49 AM PST

It’s time for a new standard for memory cards – according to Sony, Nikon and chip maker SanDisk. The three companies jointly developed a set of specifications for a next-generation memory card for digital cameras and digital video cameras and proposed the specs to the CompactFlash Association.

While existing solutions achieve data transfer speeds of up to 167MB per second, the next-generation memory card has been enhanced about three times, achieving speeds of up to 500MB a second.

The new card apparently allows for “continuous burst shooting of massive RAW images”, enables much faster transfer (obviously) of HD video data and lowers power consumption, essentially extending battery life.

Theoretically, this new type of compact flash can store slightly more than 2TB worth of data.

Japan’s SoftBank Offers Free 16GB iPad With 2-Year Contract

Posted: 30 Nov 2010 03:29 AM PST

A free iPad, how does that sound to you? You can get one, but you need to live in Japan and sign a two-year contract with SoftBank, the exclusive iPad provider in this country. The telecom behemoth announced a new pricing plan [JP] under which they fully subsidize a 16GB iPad (the Wi-Fi+3G model).

Dubbed “iPad for Everybody”, the plan requires you to sign up to a 24-month contract and pay $56 per month for a 3G data flat fee. Pay $5 or $10 per month more, and you’ll get the 32GB and the 64GB, respectively. Free usage of all SoftBank Wi-Fi spots in Japan is included in the pricing, too.

The promotion starts this Friday and runs though February 28, 2011.

There are some points to note here.

First, the iPad is said to be very successful in Japan – but sales have apparently been going south recently. According to a recent report in The Nikkei (Japan’s biggest business daily), Tokyo-based research company BCN [JP] found out the amount of iPads sold in October was roughly half that of June (right after the iPad launched). In October, the same newspaper reported that 400,000 iPads were sold in Japan, again citing BCN.

Second, SoftBank is ready to widen the number of its mobile stores that offer the iPad in Japan. The Nikkei recently wrote the company plans to quickly increase the number of  stores stocking the iPad from over 100 to about 2,000 by year’s end.

Third, SoftBank has a history of offering Apple products at a discount once the initial buzz has worn off. In fact, with their “iPad for Everybody” program, they are basically replicating a promotion they ran in February 2009 for the iPhone.

In any case, they are offering a great deal.

Daily Crunch: Deal Hunting Edition

Posted: 30 Nov 2010 12:00 AM PST

Peter Sunde Seconds The Idea Of An Alternative Root DNS

Posted: 29 Nov 2010 05:42 PM PST


In October, after the COICA bill was postponed (until now, essentially), I suggested that as long as the internet was bound by a DNS system centralized enough to be gripped at will by the United States government, it was in fact too centralized. An alternative to traditional DNS, currently presided over by ICANN, seems the only option if the current level of freedom of information on the internet is to be maintained.

I was (and am) speaking as a layman; I know virtually nothing about the technical details of DNS, and the dangers and difficulties accompanying a departure from that system are numerous. But the benefits would be considerable, and it’s beginning to look like it has to happen sooner or later. Now Peter Sunde, a man somewhat more acquainted with the way things work on the internet, seems to be of a similar opinion.

Continue reading…

Nooka’s Zub Zayu, Another Tasteful Abstact Wristwatch

Posted: 29 Nov 2010 04:24 PM PST

Although I’m partial to old-school watches, these newer, hard-to-read-yet-stylish devices are tempting. The new Zub Zayu from Nooka features an interesting asymmetric design that may or may not feel right on your wrist.

The fill-er-up second and minute hands and “time capsule” hours make for a nice straightforward read, unlike some newer watches I’ve seen, though you’ll have to estimate the minutes somewhat. $175 is what it’ll run you; more information over at Nooka.

The Ocosmos OCS7, A Sacrifice To The MID Gods

Posted: 29 Nov 2010 03:30 PM PST


The MID, mostly lately personified by devices from Archos and OQO, is very close to being an extinct category of device. I don’t see that as sad, exactly — we’ve just moved on to better devices. But I do feel a pang of pity for the final generation of this once-loved form factor. The OCS7 looks like a slick little device — or would have a year or two ago, when devices like this were still considered practical.

I mean, look at it. It’s like a hyper-powered PSP that runs Windows 7, or a custom flavor of it anyway. To some people that’s a dream gadget, but to most, it’s an overcomplicated device with the worst of both worlds.

It’s got some nice specs and probably runs Windows 7 pretty well, and the case looks pretty sweet, but at this point, it’s like they’re tricking out a horse-drawn buggy. I’m guessing they’ll actually sell quite a few to enthusiasts over in Korea and other areas where MIDs are still a viable category (I doubt this one would even have come to the US anyway), but it’s probably one of the last of its kind.

Update: looks like there’s an OCS1 and an OCS7. The translations are pretty unclear, and they appear to be gaming-oriented devices… but at any rate, they’re still an endangered species.

[via UMPC Portal and GigaOm]

Irvin Kershner, Director Of The Empire Strikes Back, Dies At 87

Posted: 29 Nov 2010 03:08 PM PST

Today, people around the world are learning that the best Star Wars movie of them all — Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back — was not directed by George Lucas. Unfortunately, they’re learning it for the worst of reasons; its actual director, Irvin Kershner, has passed away at 87.

Kershner was one hell of a director; beyond Empire, he was best known for directing RoboCop 2 and one of the best Bond flicks of all time. I know it has become a bit cliche to say “May The Force Be With You” when anyone in the Star Wars Crew-niverse passes on — but if there’s anyone that the Force is with, it’s Kershner. Raise a glass of Bantha milk tonight, folks.

Hacknooks Part Deux: Nook Color Rooted

Posted: 29 Nov 2010 02:54 PM PST


Not long after the original Nook came out, it was hacked, and progress on that front has been consistently documented over at NookDevs. The latest update to the Nook Color page indicates that yes, the new device has been rooted in part, a new UI installed (LauncherPro), and apps side-loaded to the “extras” section of the native UI.

The process of rooting is still in the “experts only” phase, so don’t get all freaked out just yet. That said, the Nook may provide a more solid value as a general purpose tablet, since it costs so much less than some of its competitors. I like the form factor, but there’s no guarantee it’s got the horsepower to really make Android hum.

The latest news can be found here at Fine Oils, where developer chats and postings are summarized — a very useful service, thanks to the admin there for doing it.

Watch The Dynamic Cover Of Virgin’s “Project” iPad Magazine

Posted: 29 Nov 2010 01:20 PM PST


Yeah, that’s pretty damn cool. Project magazine, which we detailed last week, will go live tomorrow. We’ll check it out and give you the whole story then.

Interestingly, it’s not about “entertainment, travel, business, design, and international culture.” as we heard, but instead, “design, entertainment, technology, entrepreneurs.” Fine by me.

Asus Eee Note E-Reader Gets Updated Pricing And Availability

Posted: 29 Nov 2010 01:00 PM PST


Asus’s Eee Note, formerly known as the Eee Tablet, got its official official debut this morning. We heard a couple months back that the device (in the middle of a name change operation) would be available in October, but as usual, the real date turned out to be a little later. Actually, a lot later for Americans.

While the Eee Note EA-800 is going to be available this week in Taiwan and very soon in Hong Kong, it won’t be coming to Europe until early next year, and finally reaches both the US and China in 1Q2011, which says to me March launch. By that time, we’ll have a new iPad, Gingerbread and Honeycomb devices, and possibly even the Palmpad.

I was impressed by the demo at first, but after finding out it’s an ordinary 1024×768 monochrome LCD, I became slightly less enthused, despite the handy writing capability. On the other hand, it’s selling for the equivalent of around $230, which is pretty cheap compared to others on the market. Of course, if it doesn’t do much, the price is no consolation. But we’ll find out how it performs once it hits the mean streets of Taiwan.

[via Computerworld]

The 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe: First Look At Motown’s High-tech Rocket

Posted: 29 Nov 2010 12:57 PM PST


This is the car Batman drives just for kicks. Forget the Tumbler, the Cadillac CTS-V Coupe is where the real fun can be had. 556HP and 551 lb-ft of torque from a supercharged V8 and a robust navigation, hard drive-based media system complete with a pounding Bose system? Yessir, Mr. Wayne. Your ride is ready.

This not-so-modest coupe is in our very capable and awaiting hands for the next week. Winter might be setting in here in mid-Michigan and the CTS-V might have performance rubber wrapping the V-spoke 19-inch wheels, but that’s going to do little to settle my teenage boyish tendencies that might include burnouts. It’s not everyday that a car touted as a BMW M-series killer rests mere feet from my front door.

Now, a coupe might not be your thing. It certainly doesn’t fit my lifestyle as a father of two young kids. No, the CTS-V wagon is more my thing, but the wagon, sedan, and coupe all come with the same electronic and mechanical equipment for the same starting price of $63,495. Either way, there’s still a 6.2 liter LSA V8 based on the powerplant from the Nürburgring-killing Corvette ZR1 powerplant at the heart of them all.


Our tester is fitted (regrettable) with a wet 6-speed automatic gearbox that includes “steering wheel-mounted shift controls” that aren’t quite paddle shifters. Think more along the lines of large buttons mounted on the backside of the steering wheel. A traditional three-pedal six-speed manual is actually the standard build equipment, but chances are most buyers will opt for the family-friendly slushbox that’s available for no additional charge — besides the cost of extra weight of course.

I’ve only been around town a few times so far and the CTS-V coupe feels confident, tame and almost pedestrian, besides the low rumble from the massive engine. But, the one time I mashed the pedal to the floor while exiting a parking lot, the CTS-V quickly warned that such actions will result in losing control of the rear wheels and cause enough tire spin to warrant a noise violation ticket if heard by a passing policeman. So yeah, save any intervention by the ol’ bitter hag Mother Winter herself, this should be a good week for myself and the local gas station.

Expect a video look at the interior electronic systems shortly followed by a comprehensive review after a few days.

Base package — $62,195

  • Supercharged 6.2L V8 556 HP
  • Performance Brembo Brakes
  • 19-inch wheels
  • Bose 5.1 Surround System
  • 40GB Hard Drive Media Jukebox
  • XM Radio

Options

  • Automatic Transmission
  • Recaro High Performance Seats — $3,400
  • Gas Guzzler Tax — $2,600
  • Midnight Sapele Wood Trim Pkg — $600
  • Suede Steering Wheel & Shifter — $300

Price as tested — $69,890

Microsoft TV: A Bold Move That May Blow Up Broadcast

Posted: 29 Nov 2010 12:31 PM PST

From what we can tell from a brief Reuters report, Microsoft is in talks with HBO and Showtime to broadcast and sell a la carte video through the XBox. Microsoft already offers ESPN through XBox Live. For years pundits have been blathering on about the "Trojan horse" that is console gaming. The Playstation 2, arguably, was the first DVD player many of us ever had while the PS3 is probably the first Blu-Ray player many of us ever used. These devices were also some of the first to stream Netflix and, with this new deal, they'll start replacing the cable box entirely. Imagine - a full complement of content available 24/7 from a box you already own. That is amazingly compelling and, dare I say it, kind of exciting. Presumably you're not going to sit and watch HBO's regular programming through this service. Instead, you'll watch a la carte versions of their original shows and exclusive movies, which is definitely compelling to some. The issue, obviously, is the cost associated with this service versus the cost tacked onto your cable bill for the actual channels.


HTC Merge Accessories Start Trickling Into Stores

Posted: 29 Nov 2010 11:45 AM PST

At this point, there’s not much we don’t know about Verizon’s upcoming Android piece, the HTC Merge. We know what it looks like from just about every angle, have seen it both rendered and real, and we’ve even got a pretty good idea of what the specs will be. If you want one, you probably know it by now — and you’re probably waiting on the edge of your seat.

Unfortunately, this update isn’t going to make the edge of your seat any less painful.

Read the rest at MobileCrunch, because work is lame and your cubicle smells funny and your boss isn’t paying attention anyway >>


Android Honeycomb Gets Caught Tinkering With Performance Tests (Just Kidding, Fake)

Posted: 29 Nov 2010 11:24 AM PST

Good news, everyone! Google’s going to keep working on Android after the upcoming Gingerbread (v2.3) release! Oh, we knew that?

Oh, well they’re probably going to codename the next build Honeycomb! Oh, we knew that too?

Here’s one you probably didn’t know: an early build (or two) of Honeycomb just got spotted in some logs whilst someone (presumably a Google engineer) was testing its Adobe AIR performance.

Update: Yeah, so… fake.

Read the rest at MobileCrunch. We’ve got punch and pie!


Sprint 4G Goes Live In SF Next Month, LA, Miami, D.C., Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Columbus Today

Posted: 29 Nov 2010 11:22 AM PST

Just last week, we were watching as Sprint rather suggestively compared the size of their “pipe” to the size of their competitors “pipe” as part of their prep work for 4G in LA. Today, all that pipe-laying comes to fruition; Sprint 4G has just launched in Los Angeles — and they went ahead and flipped things on in Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus, Washington D.C, and Miami as well, just for good measure.

Tucked into the announcement was some good news for San Franciscan’s, as well — hop behind the jump for that bit.

Read the rest at MobileCrunch, where fun goes to have fun. >>

Seven Gifts For The Blue Collar, Outdoorsy Dad Or Husband

Posted: 29 Nov 2010 10:30 AM PST

Guys are easy to shop for. We’re pretty much content with anything — even socks. But don’t buy an outdoorsy guy a tie for Christmas. Sure, they might need one church and/or court appearances, but the seven gifts after the break are guaranteed to be on the top of their Santa wish list. There’s something at nearly every price point so, please, don’t drop the ball and give your guy some camo slippers. No one wants those.

Garage TV

Does your Dad hide out in the garage? Yeah, then he needs a TV out there. It’s about the best thing ever really. It doesn’t have to be big and it doesn’t have to be fancy. Even a tube TV will work, but as long as it gets the network stations for football and racing, it’s probably good enough — although most Dads wouldn’t mind being hooked up to cable either.

Flash-Based Video Camera

Listen, guys like to tape their adventures just as much as everyone else. Hunting, fishing, going to the race — all activities that should be recorded. But the outdoor type will probably be a bit more tough on his camera than the average soccer Mom so look for a camera that’s at least weatherproof and records onto removable — and durable — flash media. The Kodak Playsport Zx3 or Oregon Scientific ATC 9K are both good bets.

Trail Camera

Hunters know that you simply cannot have too many trail cameras. These rugged night vision-equipped cameras are meant to be strapped to a tree with the goal of catching the pattern of the hunter’s prey. They can be pricey and the more expensive ones are often worth it over their cheaper counterparts, so do your Dad a favor and skip this gift if you can’t get a good one. Check out Cabelas for a good selection of quality models.

Under Armor (or any other long underwear)

Long underwear wear out quickly but because they are often hidden by other layer of clothes, guys tend to hold on to them longer than they should. Be warned, though. Long underwear isn’t a crowd-pleasing gift come Christmas morning, but is something that’s great appreciated when warn.

Sony AM/FM Radio

Some dads just want to listen to the radio and this Sony AM/FM/Weather Band radio performs admirably. There’s nothing fancy about it besides a digital tuner. At $28.49, there should still be room in your budget to get him a pair of comfy earbuds, too.

Portable XM/Sirus Radio

Sure, Dad might say that all he wants is an AM/FM radio, but if he’s big into, say, country music or classic rock, you may want to get him an XM radio setup. The portable Belkin boombox is a safe bet. It’s battery or AC-powered and a little cover protects the tuner. Plus, it sounds great.

Zippo Hand Warmer

It’s reusable, durable, gets mighty hot, and has all the charm of a Zippo lighter. The perfect inexpensive gift for any Dad into winter outdoor activities. $30 @ Amazon.

Winner Wonderland: Search Search Hurry Up And Search Your Way To Twitter Prizes This Holiday Season

Posted: 29 Nov 2010 10:00 AM PST

It’s the Internet contest that anyone can play! Yes, Ron and Fez‘s Search Search Hurry Up And Search returns, now with plenty of prizes just in time for your holiday shopping. Why leave the house? Why spend all day browsing Web sites looking for deals when you can Search Search Hurry Up And Search your way to success?

The game is easy to play. You follow @202friends on Twitter, then wait for the account to tweet out a question. It’s then up to you, and the rest of the Internet, to Search Search Hurry Up And Search for the answer. The questions usually cover a pretty wide variety of topics, but it’s nothing more than a little Google action can’t figure out.

Today’s prize is a copy of the film Crazy Heart on DVD signed by the great Ryan Bingham. You know, the guy who wrote and performed the main song from the movie!

The contest runs through December, so be sure train your eye to @202friends for the next few weeks.

It’s a Winner Wonderland~!

Why Thin Is In: Portable Has Never Been Portable, Until Now

Posted: 29 Nov 2010 09:39 AM PST

According to Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster, Apple is selling a whole mess of MacBook Airs and iPads this year. Sadly, his assessment is based on seven hours spent in Apple stores across the country, but the limited data his efforts have provided does point to some clear trends that we've been following over the past few months. As we discussed this morning, PC growth is slow but constant. Desktop towers are, however, the last thing on most folks minds these days. Devices like the iPad capture the imagination and, more important, they are the first devices to be truly portable. For most of the past decade, we've suffered under a the yoke of slow progress. Laptops ranged from about 4 pounds on the very low end all the way up to twenty pounds on a very bad day. Generally, however, the average fleet laptop - think the ThinkPad or a nice Dell Inspiron - weighed in at about 10 pounds, all told, with extra battery and power adaptor. That was quite a bit to carry around, especially with all of the accoutrements.


Whoa: Nintendo Sells 1.5 Million Consoles During Black Friday Week

Posted: 29 Nov 2010 09:30 AM PST

Black Friday is behind us, but we’re currently in the midst of its pale imitation of a sibling, Cyber Monday. (Not to say that the Cyber Monday deals aren’t worth your time, but the name grates on my soul.) Great, great… but not as great as Nintendo’s sales! Yup, the company has revealed just how well it did during the week. Spoiler: 1.5 million consoles in total were sold. Not too shabby, no.

This breaks down to 600,000 (!) Wii consoles sold, with 900,000 Nintendo DSs making up the remainder. That counts all the various models of the DS, by the way.

Reggie Fils-Aime does the maths for us, and that breaks down to 9,000 Nintendo consoles sold every hour of every day of the week.

Remember that Nintendo has limited edition Mario 25th anniversary hardware out there, including a red Wii bundle that includes New Super Mario Bros. Wii and Wii Sports (plus red Wii everything) for $199. There’s also a red DSi XL that includes Mario Kart DS.

So, plenty of Nintendo stuff out there for your perusal this holiday season. But you don’t need me to tell you that because you’re already buying it in droves. Droves!

And no, I don’t have a better picture of the red DSi XL—ripped straight from the Nintendo site. Classy, to be sure.

TSA Opt-Out Day A Hilarious Non-Issue (But Were The Machines Turned Off To Prevent A Scene?)

Posted: 29 Nov 2010 09:00 AM PST

Now that Wikileaks has everyone in the US angrily jumping up and down, there’s one story that’s bound to die a death: the TSA. It’s pretty clear that the so-called Opt Out Day was a failure of XFL proportions, but the reason it was a failure may actually because the TSA simply wanted to avoid a scene. Twitter was full of reports saying that those silly machines were turned off just to expedite holiday travel.

It wasn’t just Twitter. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution said that were was "limited, if any, use of the controversial full-body scanners" at the big airport down there.

Same deal at Newark International Airport in New Jersey: scanners were largely turned off, meaning that people never even had the chance to opt-out of anything.

So we’ll look back on last week, and the week before, as the few days when we as a nation paid any attention at all to what’s going on with the TSA. This week’s boogeyman is Wikileaks, so I wouldn’t expect much on the TSA for at least the next few days.

I suggest we use our newfound free time playing all those games we bought from that Steam sale.
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