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Daily Crunch: Balloon Edition

Posted: 27 May 2011 12:00 AM PDT

Polaroid’s New GL10 Instant Printer Is Available For Pre-Order, Ships In June

Posted: 26 May 2011 02:30 PM PDT

While there’s no sign yet of the GL30 Polaroid camera introduced by Lady Gaga at CES, the GL10 printer is actually nearing a shipping date. This little printer connects to your computer or smartphone and produces 3×4″ prints in about 45 seconds. The paper is probably going to be super expensive, but hey.

It costs $169 and the website says it should ship in June. We’ll see what we can do about getting it reviewed before then.

Windows 8 For Tablets To Debut Next Week?

Posted: 26 May 2011 02:09 PM PDT

Rumors have been flying around the web lately about when we'll get a chance to check out Microsoft's forthcoming tablet software, and according to Bloomberg sources and Business Insider, Windows chief Steve Sinofsky will unveil the latest Windows tablet OS at the AllThingsDigital D:9 conference next week.

Microsoft has yet to make a formal announcement about the highly anticipated preview, but Bloomberg confirmed the demo with three separate sources, so as far as rumors go, this one seems pretty true. According to the report, Sinofsky's exhibition will show Windows 8 tablets using an Nvidia Tegra chip, and Microsoft OEM chief Steve Guggenheimer will give a similar demo in Taiwan next week.

We've seen some leaked photos of Windows tablets and a potentially new touch interface, but this will be the first time we get an official glimpse of Microsoft's tablet plans. Hopefully these demos won't include any false information, like that given earlier this week when Steve Ballmer promised a Windows 8 arrival next year. Microsoft retracted the statement on his behalf shortly thereafter.

[Bloomberg via Business Insider]

Ebert Takes On The “Dim Movie Projection” Issue

Posted: 26 May 2011 01:22 PM PDT


You’ve probably read about how some theaters are neglecting to take off the lenses made for 3D films when showing other movies, and the result is a dim, muddy movie. There are a number of reasons for this, but the end is always the same, and Roger Ebert is fed up with it. He breaks down the issue and laments the state of theaters and projectors in this interesting blog post.

The take-away? If the movie looks bad, ask them to fix it or get your money back. Only the customers can keep theaters honest.

Alcatel OneTouch T60 Tablet Passes Through FCC

Posted: 26 May 2011 12:32 PM PDT

It seems that Alcatel, budget-friendly feature phone and smartphone maker, has decided to enter the tablet race using its OneTouch brand name. We spotted the (approximately) 7-inch slate as it received approval from the FCC earlier today, and as far as we can tell, the Alcatel OneTouch T60 is shaping up to be a smart-looking product for the first-time tablet maker.

In terms of specs, the OneTouch T60 runs Android 2.2 Froyo, and features Wi-Fi and 3G connectivity (850 / 1900 MHz). The tablet comes with GPS support, Google Maps, a 3.5mm headphone jack, 3-megapixel rear camera, and a VGA front-facing camera for video chat. And if storage becomes a problem, the Alcatel OneTouch T60 supports microSD cards.

Based on these specs, and Alcatel's long-standing habit of selling affordable phones, we expect its first slate to be wallet friendly, too. No word yet on pricing or availability, but once we know, you will, too.

[via Unwired View]

CrunchDeals: Free Shipping On Cable Orders

Posted: 26 May 2011 12:23 PM PDT

Do you need some freaking cable? Yeah you do, you know it! Where do you get it? Duh? Like the cable store! Like the cable store called CableSupply. So these dudes, in order to form a more perfect cable experience, are offering free shipping on orders of $99 or more. Bang. You’re like “Cables? Where do I go for cables?” and they’re like “Durrrrr… Here!”

No coupon codes, but they’re one of the first cable sellers to pull the shipping charges. Also note that this doesn’t apply to bulk cable so your perversions will have to remain checked.

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Google Unveils Wallet And Offers: An Open Platform For Mobile Payments

Posted: 26 May 2011 09:30 AM PDT

We’re here at Google’s massive HQ in New York City (they own an entire block) for what Google was calling a “partner event” but everyone knew was really an “NFC event”. Sure enough, Stephanie Tilenius, Google’s VP of Commerce, has taken the stage to announce Google Wallet and Google Offers.

Right off the bat, Tilenius wanted to make it clear that this would be an open platform. She invited “payment networks, carriers, banks, join us in creating tomorrow's shopping experience”. And some of those partners are already on board. Citi, Mastercard, FirstData, and Sprint are the initial partners.

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Fly Or Die: LiveScribe Connect And The T-Mobile G-Slate

Posted: 26 May 2011 09:04 AM PDT

Earlier this week we gave you a little sneak peek at the new Livescribe Connect service but we also looked a bit more closely at the T-Mobile G-Slate, Big Fuchsia’s wild 3D tablet. Erick was generally nonplussed with both products but this is the year of the Android tablet and this is one of the most unique devices we’ve seen this year.

We ran a review of the G-Slate a few weeks ago and talked about the Connect announcement on Monday.

Read more…


Breguet’s Sexy Vintage-Style Type XXI 3810 Watch In Titanium

Posted: 26 May 2011 08:44 AM PDT

Among many other things I like about this Breguet watch are the applied hour indicators. These are most certainly ranked among the best hour markers I have ever seen. They are done in a brushed metal (likely titanium to match the case) and are applied to the dial. The finish on them is very smooth and they appear luxurious as well as being very clear to the eye. What exactly makes them look so good? The trick is that the surface isn’t flat. Each numeral is rounded, just a bit. Trust me, they look better in person than in pictures. It also helps that they are designed in that typical, beautiful, Breguet Transatlantique style. I love this font.

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Video: Pioneer’s Amazing 3D Floating Vision Display

Posted: 26 May 2011 07:37 AM PDT

Pioneer has been working on “Floating Vision” displays for quite a while, and now the company has shown the technology used in embedded systems. The naked-eye 3D display Pioneer recently showed at an exhibition in Tokyo lets users view images or videos "floating" in space – embedded in a prototype car navigation system.

The display also lets you interact with images through gestures, for example by swiping your hand over them or “pushing” them with your fingers.

I have seen the retail version with my own eyes and can confirm the Pioneer representative in the video below isn’t exaggerating when he’s talking about the display’s picture quality. The company is now planning to commercialize the new embeddable version as well.

This video shows the 3D Floating Vision Display in action (shot by Diginfonews in Tokyo, in English):

Cadence 4-Bit Watch Goes Chrono

Posted: 26 May 2011 07:22 AM PDT

Candence, watches made famous for their unique “4-bit” numerals, has just announced a chrono version of their well-known 4-bit watch. The 42mm watch has a Miyota quartz movement, UTC display (basically a second time-zone), and a chronograph movement.

Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) display – the standard time by which the world regulates clocks, time and computer servers
42mm stainless steel case – striking appearance, perfect for the boardroom or on the go
Luminescent watch hands – against the black face of the watch adds to the sophisticated look
Genuine leather wristband – with subtle saddle stitched two part leather strap and stainless steel buckle
Miyota quartz watch movement – makes for an extremely reliable timekeeper that never requires winding
Water resistant to 5ATM – convenient for everyday wearing
Sapphire coated quartz glass – helps prevent watch face from becoming scratched

It’s $195 but you can pre-order it for 40% off. The original 3-handed version is $90.
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Strange Console Lets You Play Android Games On Your TV

Posted: 26 May 2011 05:52 AM PDT

Say you really like Angry Birds. Like really. And you want to play it at home on a big screen. How would you go about doing that? Putting your phone in a projector? Dropping your phone in a fish tank to refract the screen? Or getting one of these decidedly odd consoles that run Android natively and include full joysticks and A/V out?

The Evo 2 console has a Samsung processor, “Nvidia graphics,” Wi-Fi, and a joystick remote. Plans are in the works for motion controllers and the device supports optical audio and HDMI. It costs $149 for the dev-kit or you can pre-order this bit of vaporware for $15. Like many famous consoles of yore, however, I think this thing will end up being more a Phantom than an Android-Style XBox.

Product Page

New Android EVO 2 Console Offer Gamers Premium Android Games Free

It’s Your Social Connection, Your Media Storage Device, and Game App Console

Media Advisory

ANNISTON, Ala./May 25, 2011 — Today, the Envizions Computer Entertainment Corporation announced that its new Android-based game console EVO 2 will be available this fall in the U.S. with goals of an international release with availability in certain locations of Europe. EVO 2 earlier adopters can pre-order the system at http://store.envizionsinc.com from the Envizions online store.

The new EVO 2 console will retail for $249 and include an EVO TV remote, EVO game controller and HDMI cable. Specifications include a Samsung 1.2 GHZ processor, DDR2-512MB, and support modified Android 2.2 operating system. The EVO 2 dimensions are 170mm (L) 111mm (W) 30mm (T)

EVO 2 is the first Android gaming console that will offer users real time gaming playlist and social friend connections. Gamers will also have the opportunity to earn points to purchase premium Android games free with EVO tokens. The system will ship equip with game cloud storage and Envizions new Qquip SMS blogging reward service. To ensure that the EVO 2 system surpasses expectations, Envizions plans to add motion 3D sensor capabilities toward the end of fourth quarter in 2011 and developers can start testing the software via website download in two weeks. EVO 2 will incorporate the core software components of Envizions’ beta EVO Smart Console released in 2009.

EVO 2 is an open console and gamers can modify any part of the system. New updates and upgrades will be released periodically after the system launch.

Android developers can get the free EVO hardware SDK today from the Envizions store with a required annual $149 software support fee per unit. Developer fees and royalties are waived for the first 1000 developers.”Game development for EVO 2 is cheaper for developers so they have the opportunity to create games on a platform that will increase their return on investment. Developers can also submit pre-existing Android games”, stated Derrick Samuels the CEO and Founder of Envizions.

And last, the EVO 2 is the first crowd source and social participation console. Envizions will let customers participate in the design roadmap of the console by means of Twitter, FaceBook and the new EVO 2 website. The community can vote on the system’s first launch location and the appearance of the console in terms of color, package design, and product image.
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