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Daily Crunch: Beuys Zone Edition

Posted: 07 May 2011 12:00 AM PDT

Ringbow Adds A Clickable D-Pad To Your Tablet, But Is That Something We Want?

Posted: 06 May 2011 04:57 PM PDT


I wrote a while back about the limitations of a direct-interaction interface, and of course the lack of buttons and such makes for a different UI from the start. But would you say your tablet needs this Ringbow thing?

My concern is that instead of a UI that focuses on native usability (i.e. natural gestures, working within the limits of direct interaction), we’ll get one that mimics PCs. I’m not saying we shouldn’t have complex interfaces on our tablets, but I don’t think an accessory like this is the way to go about it.

For The High-Tech Naturalist: LeafSnap Identifies Leaves Using Your iPhone’s Camera

Posted: 06 May 2011 04:06 PM PDT


This is just plain fantastic. The LeafSnap app for iPhone identifies any leaf you take a picture of, as long as it’s in their library. Right now it’s limited to trees native to the Northeastern US, but they’re working on expanding that. The best part is it’s free! Hopefully this will get me to finally learn the names of the trees around here. All I know is “pine” if it has pine cones and “not pine” if it doesn’t.

The app is a collaboration between Columbia, the University of Maryland, and the Smithsonian Institute. Thanks, guys.

Man, this is the best reason I’ve heard of yet to get an iPhone. Luckily it’s coming out for Android and iPad this summer. Check it out at the App Store. It’s free!

[via Hacker News]

Report Has Conde Nast Following Hearst’s Example On iPad Starting Next Week

Posted: 06 May 2011 03:43 PM PDT

We posted on Wednesday about how publishing giant Hearst has agreed to Apple’s iTunes-delivery terms for its magazines, and will set a standard price of $2 per month or $20 per year. It seems Conde Nast will be following its example, if the NY Post’s tipster is correct. Odd, since it recently said it’s slowing down its tablet stuff.

Strangely, The New Yorker is said to be their first offering. I’m guessing that’s because it’s not graphics-heavy and requires little in the way of layout work. The real question is: without a print edition, how will I be able to make clear to people around me that I’m reading The New Yorker?

[via Gizmodo]

iPad 2 Gets A Big Launch In Beijing

Posted: 06 May 2011 03:29 PM PDT


MIC Gadgets has taken some great pictures of the iPad 2 launch at the Beijing Apple store. My favorite part? The official scalping area, where people who bought up all the stock can sit and wait for disappointed buyers to come out and buy for a markup.

I have to say, though, for a city as big and dense as Beijing, I kind of expected even more people than this. Regardless, Apple’s hot little tablet sold out in a few hours. Maybe because they let scalpers buy like 20 each?!

[via SlashGear]

Sleek Audio And 50 Cent Part Ways

Posted: 06 May 2011 02:13 PM PDT

You might remember that Sleek Audio, purveyors of fine headphone goods, were teaming up with 50 cent to produce a new pair of wireless over-ears. Why not, right? All the other audio guys are teaming up with rappers, so they had to just to stay competitive. But the honeymoon’s over. Sleek Audio and G-Unit productions (Fitty’s licensing company) are quits.

And the headphones? “We will be re-evaluating our Wireless Hybrid over-the-ear headphones at a later date.”

Inventables: For Your Weekend Fun

Posted: 06 May 2011 02:11 PM PDT

I remember poring over Uncle Milton Catalogs as a wee lad but I doubt old Milt has rubber glass, oil-absorbing polymers, or conductive foam sensors in his bag of tricks. That’s where Inventables comes in. These guys are a one-stop shop for wild materials and scientific tools and I’m kind of salivating just going through the lists of items.

For example, who doesn’t need a tension indicating bolt or a friction damping pouch? The stuff ranges from a few dollars to a few dozen dollars so you and the kids can churn through a few of these a month and have a blast learning about science and her many splendors.

Product Page via BB


Source Claims Next-Generation Xbox Incognito In EA Offices

Posted: 06 May 2011 01:40 PM PDT


Update: EA comments, calling this story a “total fabrication.” Makes sense. Of course, it would also make sense if they were trying to keep a secret.

With Nintendo officially announcing their next console in June, there’s a little pressure being put on Microsoft and Sony. Sony, of course, has other things to worry about right now, but some think that Microsoft will use this lead time to put together something relating to its next console. In fact, one source claims that the next Xbox is already out there, just in disguise. They know because they saw one at the EA offices.

Now, two things strike me as unlikely about this. First, who’s to say this isn’t just a new dev box with integrated updates like Kinect support and so on? It’s packaged like a normal PC, so might it not just be that as well? I mean, I don’t think the tipster is an idiot or anything. I’m just saying a little mistaken information goes a long way towards creating rumors. There are a number of things it could be, and to characterize it as a next-gen system might be taking it too far.

More importantly, though, I don’t think Microsoft would rush the announcement just to take the wind out of Nintendo’s sails, especially since their main competitor is really Sony (the “real gamer” market). Even if the system is to launch in 2012 (unlikely), E3 2011 would be too early to give the game away. They’ve emphasized that the Kinect is adding a year or two of life to the system, and I doubt they’d hamstring themselves by making a premature successor announcement just to hassle Nintendo.

But do I believe there’s next-gen stuff at EA? Sure. I bet Microsoft has finalized some ecosystem-level stuff and has sent it to the majors in order to give them plenty of time to develop for launch. But I’m guessing the actual silicon won’t be settled for another year at least.

[via TG Daily]

Readius Foldable E-Reader To Be Resurrected

Posted: 06 May 2011 12:40 PM PDT


Remember the Readius, an e-reader with a foldable screen? Vaguely? The last we heard of this device was back in 2008, so we were pretty sure it was kaput, but apparently the company has been bought and the project funded. The device may actually live to see daylight!

The focus of Polymer Vision has always been flexible displays, and they were certainly among the first to show off such a thing when we heard about the Readius in 2007. Since then, many companies have started looking into it &mdsah; just a couple days ago we posted about E Ink’s latest attempts.

The new device is… well, actually, there isn’t a new device. Not yet. What you see at the top of this post is just a concept. For the life of me, though, I can’t figure it out. First, I don’t know why you would want it to fold up into a candybar phone. And what’s with the two screen sizes? It can’t be both. Folding is one thing — stretching is another (though it may also depict a couple different devices). It’s also full color, while the first was a passive monochrome display.

The final design will probably be nothing like this, but now that they’re out of stealth mode, we may see a real device later this year or at CES. Folding is definitely one of the more interesting features e-readers could add, so I’m looking forward to see if they can pull it off.

Hallelujah! The AT&T Infuse 4G Can Install Non-Market Apps!

Posted: 06 May 2011 11:17 AM PDT


Hey, whatdy’a know: Mr. FedEx-Guy (or “Tom”, as we’ve come to know him) just dropped by with a shiny new Samsung Infuse 4G in tow. As we do with any Android-powered AT&T device, the very first thing we did was check to see if AT&T screwed up again. Surprise! They’ve finally done Android right!

Read the rest…

Thanks For The Dead Scorpion, Acura (Plus A Pulse Smartpen Giveaway!)

Posted: 06 May 2011 10:47 AM PDT

Press kits are always good fun and Acura sent out a massive display for Thor. It’s supposed to be some sort of hero aptitude test but it’s really just a cardboard box containing random crap. The highlight is test #3 in which you’re suppose to reanimate a scorpion with an included sugar cube and then battle it until one of us dies. Well, the scorpion came with a broken tail and after nervously waiting a few minutes for the little guy to wake up with just the sugar cube, I added a bit of water. That didn’t work. I think I won.

Anyway, the kit also came with an Acura-branded Pulse Smartpen. Why? I don’t know. But it can be yours! For free! I just need your help with something. It’s easy. Here, follow me.

I need your help deciding what movie to go see this weekend. The choices are Thor or Fast Five. Leave a comment below with your opinion and I’ll pick a winner at random, which will also decide the movie I’m going to waste $40 bucks on.

Official rules:

  • One entry per person
  • Must have a US shipping address
  • Use your real email address so I can contact you
  • Contest ends at midnight tonight
  • The winner only gets the Pulse Smartpen and accessories. I already threw away the press kit.

Armor Games Releases Sequel To Crush The Castle, Siege Hero

Posted: 06 May 2011 10:44 AM PDT

Remember Crush the Castle? Although the upstart Angry Birds has overshadowed their glory, Crush the Castle was one of the best “throwing stuff at stuff” games on the iPhone and iPad. To that end, the company has decided to create Siege Hero, a more cartoonish sequel to the more realistically violent CTC. I haven’t played it yet but I hear it’s fabu!

The game will be available on the iTunes store next Tuesday but I can get you a copy right now. All you have to do is Tweet me at @johnbiggs or email me at john at crunchgear.com with the subject like “SEIGE ME.” Mention what version you’d like, iPad or iPhone, and I’ll give five to the twooters and five to the emailers, first come first served.

UPDATE – Just gave them all away. Thanks for playing!

Airship! This Bulbous Craft Could Launch In 2013

Posted: 06 May 2011 09:26 AM PDT

Good morrow! Welcome to the world of the future! We present to the public a Miraculous and Orotund Airship for the conveyance of people, cattle, and cargo from All Points On the Earth To All Others! How does this Majestic Airboat Fly? Through the Miracle Of Helium, a Safe Gas that will bear aloft almost any Great Mass.

The Original Problem of many Airships was the maintenance of Bouyancy. As said ships burned Fuel, the ship would fall or rise in accordance to the Laws Of Gravity. Using a System called Control Of Static Heaviness, this Aircow can Fly and Rise Without Issue, coming to rest at any point on the Earth for passengers to disembark.

Created by a man of Slavik descent, one Igor Pasternak, the system pushes bouyant Helium into tubes when not necessary, thereby reducing the Weight that is pushed up into the Air. Using a Condesnor and some Tubes, the COSH Airhorse will allow Helium to increase and decrease as is Necessary to the Flight of the Craft.

Does this mean that You, Dear Reader, will ride on such a Craft before the year is Through? Don’t Bet On It, Friend, but instead thank the heavens that such a monstrosity does not scare your cattle and children as it Rises Over Your Hovel.

via Register


The Felt Mouse

Posted: 06 May 2011 07:55 AM PDT

This mouse is made of felt. Designer Joey Roth, he of the ceramic speakers, made it and he’s turning the cold, hard experience of mousing into a soft and sassy experience akin to rubbing a tame squirrel. He should be making the mice available over the next few month or, barring that, you could just tame a squirrel.

via BB


Fly Or Die: The BlackBerry Playbook Vs. The Color Nook

Posted: 06 May 2011 07:45 AM PDT

Tablets and electronic book readers are on a collision course. In this episode of Fly or Die , ChrunchGear editor John Biggs and I discuss the pros and cons of the new BlackBerry Playbook and the Color Nook from Barnes & Noble. The PlayBook is fast and a solid effort from our much-beleaguered Canadian friends. But is it too little, too late?

If you are a BackBerry user and want a tablet that syncs to your phone, this could be for you. (In the video, Biggs keeps saying Android, but he means BlackBerry—too many Four Lokos before the taping). I actually like the PlayBook better than most Android tablets. But if it’s incredible apps that you want, the PlayBook’s choices are still pretty limited.

The Color Nook is a different story.

Read More

CrunchDeals: 64GB Zune HD For $219

Posted: 06 May 2011 07:43 AM PDT


This is a rock solid deal for a rock solid media player. I can’t recommend the Zune enough for music listeners. It’s a gorgeous device with a great UI and no dependency on iTunes. This Buy.com deal nets you a 64GB Zune HD for only $219. That’s nearly half the price of a 64GB iPod touch. Once again, the Zune HD is for those looking to listen to music or watch the occasional video; it can’t compete with the iPod touch with apps. The Zune HD doesn’t have cameras or a high-powered graphics chip. It can’t play Words With Friends or Angry Birds but that’s probably just fine for those that just want to listen to some tunes on the train to work.

Jailbreak Ye iPads While Ye May: Untethered Jailbreak Hits For 4.3.3

Posted: 06 May 2011 07:29 AM PDT


That didn’t take long. iPhone Dev Team just released a 4.3.3 jailbreak for the following devices:

iPhone3GS
iPhone4 (GSM)
iPod touch 3G
iPod touch 4G
iPad1
AppleTV2G (v4.3 8F202)

In other words, just about everything except the iPad 2. Redmond Pie has links to all of the ipsw files you need to get the deed done. iOS 4.3.3, if you’ll recall, is the update that fixed the location tracking problem. Otherwise, not much has changed since 4.3.2 so you could either sit still on this one or, like all others with iPads 2, curse the jailbreaking gods for not supplying you with a product that will crack your firmware.

The RIM BlackBerry PlayBook Keyboard Is On Its Way

Posted: 06 May 2011 07:25 AM PDT


Settle down, PlayBook owners. You’re chance to buy high profit accessories is almost here. According to Pocket-Lint a Qwerty keypad is in the works and should be released in the coming months. Chances are it will look a lot like the the prototype keyboards previously leaked and picked up by both BlackBerryRocks and IntoMobile. [via NetbookNews]

Click Here If You’ve Never Seen A Robot Play Angry Birds Before (Videos)

Posted: 06 May 2011 06:43 AM PDT

Ah, robots. When they’re not busy planning world domination, they apparently play Angry Birds just like the rest of us. OptoFidelity, a Finnish company that specializes in machine vision and optical measurement technology, in addition to other things I don’t understand, recently produced a physical robot that knows how to kill nasty green pigs.

It most certainly beats the crap out of this (OptoFidelity 1 – Stanford University 0).

Read More

Asus Comments On Transformer Shortage, Confirms Manufacturing Will Increase In June

Posted: 06 May 2011 06:42 AM PDT

It’s nearly impossible to get an Asus Transformer right now and it’s not because the tablet saw an iPad-ish firesale. No, the shortage was reportedly caused by low supply levels. Asus simply didn’t expect docking tablet to be in high demand.

ASUSTek Spokesperson David Chang told NetbookNews that the company is on track to make 100k units in May and then 200k in June. In all the company expects to sell 300k Transformers in Q2 alone. The previously rumored component shortage might still be part of the issue as many times parts are pre-ordered in bulk and it’s sort of hard to simply produce a 100k touchscreens (or whatever component Asus is lacking) overnight hence the expected manufacturing spin-up next month.
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