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Japan To Get Disney-Themed Android Phone

Posted: 17 Jan 2011 04:52 AM PST

Disney may have pulled the plug on their cell phone business in the US in 2007, but in Japan (where the company's characters have a huge fan base), its MVNO is apparently doing pretty well. And now it comes to light [JP] that next month, Disney enthusiasts living in that country will be able to lay their hands on a special Android phone. Read the rest on MobileCrunch.


Hublot Masterpiece MP-01 Watch

Posted: 17 Jan 2011 04:15 AM PST

Hublot goes tonneau. Fans of the brands have been asking for a non Big Bang or King Power inspired watch for a long time. Something is finally here, and this is just the first of more to come. This is the first Hublot Masterpiece collection (Ref. MP-01), and will be a range of higher-end Hublot timepieces with in-house movements that will be positioned between standard Hublot watches and the ultra high-end Confrerie Hublot timepieces. The Masterpiece MP-01 will be limited to just 100 pieces.


3D, Built-In Projectors, New Bloggies: Sony’s Next 4 Camcorders (Video Gallery)

Posted: 17 Jan 2011 02:41 AM PST


Sony has been blowing out quite a few camcorders lately (during the CES, for example), which is why our friends over at Tokoy-based Diginfonews went out and captured the next four models big S has in its pipeline on video (all clips are in English).

Full HD 3D Handycam
This camcorder is probably the most spectacular model: as the name suggests, it shoots 3D video in full HD resolution, and it boasts a naked-eye 3.5-inch 3D LCD screen so you can check your footage right on the spot.

Handycam with built-in projector
The HDR-PJ40V will be released in Japan next month and comes with a projector built into its LCD panel. It produces 60-inch images at a distance of 3m and also has stereo speakers.

Bloggie Touch and Bloggie 3D
Sony’s easy-to-use camcorder Bloggie gets a touchscreen update and another model that lets you shoot video in 3D through two Exmor 5.1MP CMOS sensors.

Video: Kinect-Controlled Mini Humanoid

Posted: 17 Jan 2011 02:03 AM PST


Seems like we will be getting Kinect-controlled robots on a monthly basis from now on. This time, it’s Japan-based Asura Engineering (known for its real-time robot control system V-Sido), which made a pretty cool video of a Kinect-controlled mini humanoid.

The robot you can see in the clip embedded below is the GR-001 [JP], which stands 255mm and weighs 900g. The little guy is sold in Japan for $2,400 by the way (including a regular remote control).

Here’s the clip:

Via Robot Dreams

CrunchGear Week in Review: Hop To It Edition

Posted: 17 Jan 2011 12:00 AM PST

Fujifilm X100 Gets Priced, But Not Dated

Posted: 16 Jan 2011 01:01 PM PST


My pick for best of CES just showed up on Adorama for pre-order, and although the price is certainly high ($1199), it must be acknowledged that the X100 is a unique camera, and very possibly an excellent one. Fujifilm is known for powerful sensors, the whole device was engineered as a whole, the lens is fast, the viewfinder magical, and so on.

Yeah, you could buy a great DSLR or M4/3 for less, and you should if those fit your needs better. But it might be that the X100 is worth every dollar. We’ll find out when we review it.

[via 4/3 Rumors]

Review: Surge 2G Waterproof Sport Headphones From h2o Audio

Posted: 16 Jan 2011 12:21 PM PST


Short version: Here we have a pair of earbuds that lets you go under water and still listen to Waters of Nazareth by Justice. The sweat-proof and waterproof design make for a great pair of buds to take to the beach, wear during swim practice, or take anywhere you think may get a little wet.


Features:

  • 100% waterproof up to 12 ft.
  • 5 sets of Elastomer earplugs (XS-XL)
  • Low fluidic drag
  • 8mm neodymium drivers
  • MSRP: $49.99 (buds), $69.99 (headset w/inline mic)

Pros:

  • Solid feel and sturdy construction
  • Sounds pretty neat underwater; actually are waterproof
  • Fits well in-ear and surprisingly stays in when running

Cons:

  • May not fit everyones ears
  • No case
  • Comes in one color

Full review:

I tend to consider myself among the more active types, and also a tech-type. So it fits that with that combination, you’d probably see me at the gym using an iPhone to log workouts and check proper form with the latest iFitness. For the longest time, it was hard to find a good pair of headphones to take along to the gym; mainly, ones that can make it out of a guaranteed hardcore sweat-filled workout ending with another realm of harsh conditions (steam room and sauna), all while remaining in-ear. Of course, that goes without saying that you wouldn’t dare take any normal pair of headphones into the pool.

When I got sent these headphones to check out, I decided to take them for a swim. And because I’m an iPhone user, I also got ahold of the Amphibx waterproof armband to take into the pool. At first, I was a bit apprehensive to take the sacred iPhone into the water, but since h2o audio has a pretty good reputation for waterproofing gadgets, I went ahead.

I have to say, swimming while listen to any music (especially Boards of Canada) is a real trip. The clarity was very good. A few times though, I ripped the headphones out by overreaching in my stroke, but YMMV with that. Either way, just put them back in and you’re good to go. No clogged sound. Just shake the water out.

The Surge headphones passed, IMO, the most rigorous test; underwater listening and activity.

Next, I wanted to see how well the headphones could stay in during running. Let’s be honest, many headphones have a difficult time staying in when running, but again YMMV depending on your earholes. But, again, I was impressed with how well I barely noticed the headphones. A perfect companion to long-distance runners.

I have used other headphones in the past where I’ve sweated into them, and there wasn’t an issue. And with the Surge headphones, it just means they can take much more abuse. Which is fine.

Conclusion:

I like these guys. I wish that I got the headphones with the mic for only $20 more. But, I enjoy using these everyday during exercise. They aren’t what I use when listening to music at home, but for on the go they work quite well. The Surge 2G headphones offer great bass and sound clarity and are pretty much what you’d expect from a pair of $50 headphones, but with all that water-phobic pretension.

Product Page

Notion Ink Adam Finally Receives FCC Clearance

Posted: 16 Jan 2011 10:15 AM PST

I know you’ve heard this before, but it’s finally getting close, the Notion Ink Adam is on its way to the market. After finally getting flight clearance from the FCC, the only thing left to do it takeoff. Just when exactly?

Around Wednesday, is what we hear. I guess I’ll take that. We’ll know more when we get ours and can perform a full review.

New iPad 2 Rumors Could Suggest Price Difference For Retina Display

Posted: 16 Jan 2011 09:55 AM PST

Here's yet another piece of proof that the next iPad may be coming soon. As Devin pointed out yesterday, there is support for large (perhaps Retina Display) resolution graphics, all tied up in the latest release of Apple's iBooks app. Now, some new leakage by way of Best Buy, that tells us the new iPad 2 may be right around the corner.

As more Apple stuff is sold in other retailers, it has been easier to keep up on future Apple products by way of the loose lips, more particularly, the lips at Best Buy. What we have here are three new offerings that appeared earlier on Best Buy's site – though they are magically gone now, probably along with the web producers job.

Three new iPads are titled as coming soon, with different SKUs that aren't recognized. Interestingly enough, two of the iPads are priced the same at $599 (both Wifi), with one at $699. Could there be a Retina Display option for $100? One thing saddens me about these prices: no price drops? Or, could this just be those three Verizon iPads? We'll have to wait and see.
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