CrunchGear |  |
- Sony Apparently Stops Producing The NEX-3 Camera
- Mini Fuel Cell Specifically Designed For Smartphones
- Video: Buying A Cell Phone In Portlandia
- Contest: Element Case Debuts New Vapor Pro Case For iPhone 4, Drop A Comment To Enter
- Someone At Apple A Product Placement Genius, Appearance In 30% Of Top Movies In 2010
- Research: Conducting Plastics Make Way For Many New Technology Advances
- Study: Cell Phone Radiation May Cause Brain Activity, Whatever That Means
- PSA: SSDs Are Difficult To Securely Erase
- Intel To Debut Light Peak Alongside Apple’s New MacBook Pros?
- DARPA’s Hummingbot UAV Now Looks Like A Hummingbird, Flies For 10 Minutes
- Video: NOOKcolor Modded For Use In An In-Dash System
- OnOne Remote DSLR Controller Comes To The iPad
- Thodio iBox Is A Cute And Customizable iPod Dock
- Review: Keyport Slide
- Jolicloud Update Brings Support For Decade-Old Legacy Hardware
- Razer’s Chimaera Gaming Headset Shipping In April For $200
- iBike Dash Cycling Computer Turns iPhone Into Personal Fitness Trainer
- Contest: Want This Incredibly Awesome Android Pin? Drop A Comment To Enter.
- Video: Metaio Shows How New Mobile Hardware Benefits AR Performance
- Spring Design Alex (Remember?) Officially Discontinued
| Sony Apparently Stops Producing The NEX-3 Camera Posted: 23 Feb 2011 12:21 AM PST
If this isn’t a mistake, this would be a quite surprising move as the NEX-3 was released just a few months ago and was last updated in October with a new color. The NEX-5 site was left unchanged. There is no press release on Sony Japan’s official website yet, but in the company’s Japanese online store, Sony says the 3D model isn’t available anymore (this could have been the case earlier than today though). The other two models are still available. Sony Global and Sony Europe haven’t released any information yet either, and all three NEX-3 models are still listed as available in the US store. We’ll keep you posted.
|
| Mini Fuel Cell Specifically Designed For Smartphones Posted: 22 Feb 2011 11:24 PM PST
Fuel cells are still on their way into the mainstream, but we’re getting there, slowly. Case in point: the AF-M3000 [JP], a mini fuel cell that just requires users to add water to get it to work. What’s interesting is that Kyoto-based Aquafairy has developed the device specifically for use with smartphones. According to the maker, the cell generates 3W and needs 90 minutes to charge an iPhone (which is enough to use the handset for about three hours). To make the device small and light (128g), Aquafairy used calcium hydrate. Users add water to the hydrate to generate hydrogen gas, which then reacts with oxygen to generate electricity.
Aquafairy plans to showcase the fuel cell during the FC Expo next month in Japan. It will be then sold for $320 starting in April.
|
| Video: Buying A Cell Phone In Portlandia Posted: 22 Feb 2011 08:44 PM PST I’ve been looking for an excuse to post a clip from the new sketch comedy show Portlandia, a dead-on parody of the Northwest and modern online life. I just found it. This is from episode four. The context is that the mayor has disappeared, not that it’s really necessary to get the mobile-related jokes. “It’s just a one time fee that you pay annually.” It’s funny because it’s true. Yeah, it’s on Hulu – sorry to our international readers. If you haven’t seen Portlandia yet, check it out — it’s on IFC. Call them up. Tell the man you want it.
|
| Contest: Element Case Debuts New Vapor Pro Case For iPhone 4, Drop A Comment To Enter Posted: 22 Feb 2011 08:21 PM PST
Here’s a neat treat for those of you still up. Element Case is going to giveaway their new Vapor Pro case for iPhone. It doesn’t even come out until tomorrow (don’t you feel special). You can enter here by dropping a comment or retweeting this post (@crunchgear) before Thursday at 9am. Tell us why you want the case. The Vapor Pro brings a lot of changes to the older Vapor case:
We always liked the Vapor case; even for its price we thought it was the coolest iPhone case. After all the improvements, it looks like it’s going to be even better. Price is $149.99 for the collector’s edition (limited first run). The Vapor Pro includes a zippered carrying case and a keyring installation tool. Subsequent models for Verizon iPhone, more colors and other back plates will be released in the coming weeks. If you want a chance at winning it, just retweet this post (@crunchgear) or leave a comment below with a valid email (otherwise we can’t contact you).       Press Release Element Case Debuts Vapor Pro Case for iPhone 4 – The Next Generation of Protection and Style Vapor Pro Brings a Fresh New Style, Bold Design and Ultra-Compact Protection to iPhone 4 in Solid Aircraft-grade Aluminum February 23, 2010 – San Carlos, CA – Element Case (http://elementcase.com), the leading independent manufacturer of ma- chined aluminum mobile accessories, today announced the Vapor Pro (link to product page) available for sale. The high performance addition to the legendary Vapor line, the Vapor Pro offers a bold new look, added protection and new fea- tures that make it the flagship case for iPhone. The ultra-light weight Vapor Pro weights just 20 grams and offers wider access ports on all sides of the iPhone 4 for compatibility with a full range of third party and after-market accessories, headphones, and charging cables. The case attaches to the iPhone 4 on two opposite corners in a unique diagonal configuration. A proprietary aerospace polymer section of the Vapor Pro's frame has been incorporated at the lower left of the case to prevent "detuning" of the iPhone 4 antenna, thus preventing the common "death grip," known to lower iPhone 4's signal strength. The first offering of the Vapor Pro will be designated with an "FE" symbol for First Edition, and the bundled kit includes a machined installation tool, removable carbon fiber back plate and a molded EVA zipper case. The Vapor Pro FE will also include a special two tone electrolytic hard coated finish to resist abrasion many times that of traditional anodizing. A version of the Vapor Pro for the Verizon iPhone is in production and is scheduled to be released soon. "This new addition to the Vapor line offers the ultimate blend of style, functionality, and protection to the discerning iPhone 4 user." said Jeff Sasaki, Founder and CEO of Element Case. This limited edition first run of Vapor Pro is available now for $149.99. The case will soon be offered with optional back plates in an array of finishes and colors at prices to be announced.
|
| Someone At Apple A Product Placement Genius, Appearance In 30% Of Top Movies In 2010 Posted: 22 Feb 2011 08:07 PM PST
You’ve all seen it before: Apple products in movies. They’re everywhere, from the Mac that save the day in Independence Day to Sex and the City. According to the wiki on product placement, Apple does not pay for this, but also doesn’t say how they get in there. Last year, Apple products showed up in 30% of top movies; but the trend is decreasing — 2009 was 46%, 2008 at 50%. Many companies have learned this — go figure — from Apple and are now paying to get their products in there. Clearly, it was a good move from the beginning. Many people watch a celebrity use a product and immediately go buy it. Just wait until someone famous tries out the Vibram Five Fingers. Still congrats to Apple for figuring out the world.
Apple’s Greatest Cinematic Achievements from The Awl on Vimeo.
|
| Research: Conducting Plastics Make Way For Many New Technology Advances Posted: 22 Feb 2011 07:34 PM PST
We futurists are still waiting for our roll-up TVs and cellphones. The concepts have looked pretty spectacular – who wouldn't want to fold his laptop up like a napkin or roll her TV into a pen for their pocket protector? So… why don't we have this ability yet? What advances in technology need to happen to make it happen? And, even so, will it happen within our lifetime? A recent study from a group of researchers in Australia sets out to make the dream a reality. The research published in the journal ChemPhysChem says that flexible plastic-like electronics can now be produced much more easily by the process of impregnating plastic with metal via ion beam. Since the 1980s, the success producing flexible electronics has been exiguous, if not costly and hard to produce on a large-scale. “What the team has been able to do here is use an ion beam to tune the properties of a plastic film so that it conducts electricity like the metals used in the electrical wires themselves, and even to act as a superconductor and pass electric current without resistance if cooled to low enough temperature,” says Professor Meredith. In the research, they used an "ion beam" on metal-coated plastic to produce the supposedly holy grail electrically-conducting plastic. Shocking as it may seem, truly conducting plastics have existed for a long while. Organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) are in many devices. These OLEDs are based primarily on conducting polymers, true plastics capable of conducting electricity. All-polymer electronics (without the need for precious metal resources) are on the near horizon – so near that you might find them in your body before you find them in your home. Start-up companies, such as Biotectix, are commercializing conducting polymer-based electrodes for biomedical application: cochlear implants, pacemakers, neuromodulators, neural probes, and deep-brain stimulators. Metal-free electrodes are capable of complete integration into the human body, allowing cyborg-like modifications in the near future. Even more mind-blowing is the fact that they have shown it to be possible to grow conducting polymer networks (or plastic electronics) in brain tissue – literally laying the groundwork for an interface like those shown in "the Matrix". It is possible that this technology could be used to fully repair damaged neurons, a feat thought of as impossible by modern medicine. It is possible that the metal-plastic composite research may never be used in the world of end-user technology, but more than likely will contribute to furthering superconductivity research. In other words, it seems as though the metal-plastic research is purely academic — don't expect Sony or Apple using the tech any time soon. However, this does not mean that electrically conductive plastics are not in our future. By virtue of fully plastic conducting polymers, it is probable that thin, roll-able screens and foldable e-paper are likely in the near-term future. While the metal-plastic stuff is pretty neat, I think it might be better suited for superconductivity research. The real winner in-home (and in-body) is conducting polymers; no metals required.
|
| Study: Cell Phone Radiation May Cause Brain Activity, Whatever That Means Posted: 22 Feb 2011 07:18 PM PST
A new study has shown that, at the very least, phones seem to have an effect on the brain. That’s not an insignificant finding; we’re all saturated by radio waves all day long, and it doesn’t appear to affect us, so it would be reasonable to think that mobiles would be the same. But the study found that mobiles raised brain activity near the antenna by about 7% on average. What does this mean? They don’t know. That’s not how science works. They’ve gotten results from an experiment, and now it’s up to more scientists and more experiments to add to that data and give it meaning. Personally, I find that when I hold my phone to my head, it stimulates the part of my brain that makes me walk around my apartment for no good reason. I can’t be the only one experiencing this phenomenon.
|
| PSA: SSDs Are Difficult To Securely Erase Posted: 22 Feb 2011 06:45 PM PST
SSDs are a different beast, though, and right now it looks like most SSDs aren’t really equipped to fully delete data. The issue lies in the fact that the system driver that lives on your computer sends data to the SSD to be written, and the SSD’s onboard controller writes it… but where your system thinks it is and where the SSD controller actually writes it don’t really match up. Think of it like a coat check. You go and drop off your coat and a few of your friends’ coats as well. As far as you’re concerned, your coats are “at the coat check.” But in reality the coat is at position X, indicated by whatever’s on the ticket, and the coat check people really know where your data is. In a similar way, your computer knows where your data is, but doesn’t actually know (and can’t know, since these on-SSD systems aren’t standardized yet) where exactly it is on the SSD. And for some reason when it tries to erase things securely, it doesn’t erase where that data is, only where it thinks it is. Something like that, anyway. The end result is that it’s very difficult to erase SSDs by the old method. The solution? Encrypt your drive from the start and then lose the key when you need to erase. They may fix this in the future, but for now that’s your best bet. The full study can be found here (PDF). [via TechWorld and Lifehacker]
|
| Intel To Debut Light Peak Alongside Apple’s New MacBook Pros? Posted: 22 Feb 2011 06:00 PM PST
Apple was rumored to have a hand in creating it, but that doesn’t seem to have been true, although the source of the rumor may have been (I’m speculating) talks between Apple and Intel about developing and adopting the tech. It’s true that Apple didn’t come up with it, but they might have wanted to get in early, seeing it as something that would further differentiate their products. Could Light Peak be implemented in the new MacBook lineup? And could that be the mystery port on the iPad 2? I don’t know. Anyway, this isn’t really about Apple, and they don’t have a monopoly on the tech. Light Peak, which may be revealed under a different commercial name, and would be far faster than USB 3.0, bidirectional, and able to be used for stuff like video out instead of HDMI or DisplayPort. It really would be a massively useful thing for us all to switch to, but adoption will be a problem since USB is so dominant. I’m interested to see how things will turn out.
|
| DARPA’s Hummingbot UAV Now Looks Like A Hummingbird, Flies For 10 Minutes Posted: 22 Feb 2011 05:23 PM PST
This new one? Looks just like a hummingbird, has an onboard camera, and flies for ten minutes. Watch the video. The device, designed by Aerovironment, has a wingspan of 16cm, or 6.5 inches, and weighs only 19 grams — less than an ounce. Yet it still has its own battery and motor, and can send a live video signal to a palmtop controller/monitoring station.
Welcome to the future, people. And, of course, welcome to the Robocalypse. [via Hack A Day]
|
| Video: NOOKcolor Modded For Use In An In-Dash System Posted: 22 Feb 2011 05:07 PM PST
With all the dashboard modding for the integrations of tablets going on, the future of in-car begins to look brighter. Most automakers force you to use their silly infotainment systems, but the company to first allow a smartphone or tablet to run the system will win in the long run. Take for example this video of a rooted NOOKcolor installed into a dashboard. It may not look fancy or do much now, but I believe in the modders out there, something cool is coming. Keep pressing.
|
| OnOne Remote DSLR Controller Comes To The iPad Posted: 22 Feb 2011 04:20 PM PST
It’s not cheap: $50 for the iPad version and $20 for the iPhone version, but it looks like it might be worth the scratch. Check it out.
|
| Thodio iBox Is A Cute And Customizable iPod Dock Posted: 22 Feb 2011 04:15 PM PST
These cute little robot looking speakers are actually the Thodio iBox iPod speaker docks. The obscure looking docks offer several customizable features for your ideal setup. Customizable options include:
If you don’t need to use the iPod dock or want to connect something different, the iBox also has a 3.5mm input jack. Finally, and our favorite, the iBox has a rechargeable battery that’s good for up to 15 hours of playback. Prices start at $490 and you can order them here.    [via digitaltrends]
|
| Posted: 22 Feb 2011 03:00 PM PST
Features:
Pros:
Cons
      Full review: The Keyport has fascinated me since it first busted into the gadget scene back in 2007. I hate keychains. Or rather, I hate carrying lots of keys. The Keyport Slide counters that by stuffing all your keys into one compact package. Sounds perfect to me but then I got my tester and discovered a nasty secret: it’s not for me. Oh, the device works perfectly. I adore it. I even took it over to friends’ houses just to show it off. Everyone agrees the design is stunning. The Keyport Slide is a case study on industrial design with the amazing functional and compact design. The little key blades fit perfectly in their respective channels, just waiting for someone to depress the spring-loaded nubs and slide them forward. The main compartment’s aluminum skin hides the plastic skeleton. Even the little plastic caps seem durable enough. The Keyport isn’t going to fall apart. It’s a sturdy little device without a hint of body movement or chintziness. It’s a stretch to say it will last a lifetime, but it feels solid enough that you’ll likely lose it before it breaks down. Previous versions of the Keyport required you to send in your physical keys so they could be cut to size. That’s no longer the case and Keyport makes it easy enough. When you order your Keyport, the company asks you to photograph your keys on a special form and then they’ll send you the appropriate blades. You then take these blanks down to a local hardware store or locksmith to be cut. It’s less hassle than it sounds. Keyport also sells these blades separately for $6.99 apiece so you can order more as you go. Here’s the sticking point for me, though. My Dodge Magnum’s key has an integrated key fob on the top of the key. It’s a massive beast and Chrysler used this design for years. Keyport has RF chip blades to counter one hurdle associated with car keys, but then most cars also have a key fob that needs to accompany the Keyport. So all of a sudden, your sexy Keyport Slide has an ugly conjoined twin attached by a short (and thin) cable. I also carry a small Beretta knife on my keychain. My wife finds the little blade comforting as if she’d stab someone in self defense. Whatever. However, I did carry it last week with just the key fob for the Infiniti I’m reviewing. The Keyport Slide worked as advertised. The additional bulk wasn’t that substantial but still not that much less than a traditional key ring thanks to the key fob. Look at your key chain. If it has a few keys, maybe a small key fob for your car or house, then the Keyport Slide would likely take your life from boring to fan-freaking-tastic. But if your key chain holds more than just keys, it might not be for you. I mean, it’s still without a doubt in my mind one of the most satisfying gadgets I’ve ever used, but at $60-$100, you may wanna analyze your situation before dropping the cash on what’s, if I’m honest, just a fancy alternative to a ten cent keyring.
|
| Jolicloud Update Brings Support For Decade-Old Legacy Hardware Posted: 22 Feb 2011 02:30 PM PST
Yes, of course you can, and that’s part of what Jolicloud is about. And just a couple days ago they put out an update making Jolicloud install easily on hardware going back ten years. If you’re like me, you’ve got a few motherboards and other random components, along with an old laptop or two, clogging up some storage space, never to be used again. You could pop Jolicloud on there and make it functional (or Ubuntu or something, obviously, but this post isn’t about that). Why, you ask? Why not? It’s there, it works, so make it your – music player, or torrent box, or just a spare display to put your inbox on. Check out the update here. It’ll run on a TNT2! I know I’ve got one of those sitting around somewhere. Riva, now that’s a name I haven’t heard in a while.
|
| Razer’s Chimaera Gaming Headset Shipping In April For $200 Posted: 22 Feb 2011 02:00 PM PST
At $200 (or, insanely, €200), they’re pretty expensive, though. I’d shop around a bit, but if you have the cash to spare, these are probably quite decent. If surround-sound isn’t your bag (they’re “virtual” surround, but that generally sounds pretty good), you can get the stereo version for much cheaper: $129. Pick your poison over at Razer’s site. The headset ships in April.
|
| iBike Dash Cycling Computer Turns iPhone Into Personal Fitness Trainer Posted: 22 Feb 2011 01:49 PM PST
It’s hard to hate on bikes — they’re one of the most efficient ways to travel. Whether you use your bike for travel, recreation, or exercise, the new iBike Dash iPhone kit can help make your ride more elucidative. The iBike Dash is easy-to-install; it comes with the iPhone mount and bike speed sensor and you download the app from the iTunes Store. The iBike Dash records all sorts of data including speed, power, heart rate, wind speed, time, trip, elevation, and calories. The app also keeps you in an aerobic range so that you don’t overwork yourself within the first 5 minutes of a 30 minute workout, therefore burning more calories. A sort of Nike+ for cycling. Looks pretty neat. iBike Dash CC Features:
The iDash CC is available at the Apple Store or Velocomp. Price is $199 for the basic version and $329 for the advanced version (includes cadence, HR, calorie measurement, and rechargeable battery with charger).    
|
| Contest: Want This Incredibly Awesome Android Pin? Drop A Comment To Enter. Posted: 22 Feb 2011 01:18 PM PST
From the Desire S to the HTC Flyer, last week’s Mobile World Congress in Barcelona served as the launching pad for a ton of new stuff. But do you know what the real stars of the show were? These… friggin’… Android pins. Want to win one? It’s really, really easy. Check after the jump for the details. Read the rest at MobileCrunch, because I totally carried this all the way back to the US for you >>
|
| Video: Metaio Shows How New Mobile Hardware Benefits AR Performance Posted: 22 Feb 2011 01:12 PM PST
At the event itself, the team took a moment to show me a different demo illustrating how new hardware and chipsets provided by their partnership with ST Ericsson, will greatly improve the reliability and performance of AR rendering on mobile devices. If you’ve ever messed around with AR software you will recognize the tracking speed improvement on the moving target in this video. Video below.
|
| Spring Design Alex (Remember?) Officially Discontinued Posted: 22 Feb 2011 01:00 PM PST
It’s possible that this heralds the announcement of the new device, but it also might just be that they’re in the process of liquidating the company. Of course, if they get the settlement from Barnes & Noble they think they’re going to get, that might just keep them going into the next phase. And I do think there’s going to be a next phase — some people think e-ink readers won’t survive the tablet onslaught, but I think there will be a place for them as the e-ink tech improves and makes for bigger, lighter, and more flexible designs.
|
Do cell phones cause cancer? Some say 
Intel has released a statement 
Looking for a new headset for your 360 audio pleasures? You might have heard of the Chimaera when it was 
Shortly before the Mobile World Congress 2011, German Augmented Reality (AR) company 
We haven’t heard anything regarding the Alex | You are subscribed to email updates from CrunchGear To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 | |
No comments:
Post a Comment