Thursday, March 31, 2005

The Engrish FAQ

Engrish.com
Engrish can be simply defined as the humorous English mistakes that appear in Japanese advertising and product design.

ThinkGeek :: Marshmallow Shooter

ThinkGeek :: Marshmallow Shooter
marshmallow_shooter

The Marshmallow Shooter is an excellent addition to the office arsenal, shooting calamitous confections over 30 feet. It is easy to fire and reload, making it perfect for quick attacks (or rapid defense). The Shooter holds up to 20 marshmallows for extended office campaigns, and is capable of rapid fire for laying down cover for coworkers.

The Shooter comes equipped with 20 foam pellets (non-edible, but squishy) which are also fun to shoot. Marshmallow ammo is sold separately to maintain freshness. Each Ammo bag is 4.4 oz of some of the tastiest (and deadliest) mini-marshmallows imaginable – straight from Marshmallowville (where, we hear, even the trees are tasty). Truly Ammo-licious!

The Marshmallow Shooter is a Creative Child Magazine 2004 seal of excellence winner – which means it is perfect for the office. The warning on the box says, "Do not eat marshmallows after shooting," but Chris M. thinks when velocity and distance are incorporated into the equation, the 5 second rule is dramatically increased. He agrees with "Do not eat foam pellets," however.

  • Shoots over 30 feet.
  • Magazine holds 20 rounds of ammo.
  • Shoots foam pellets or mini-marshmallows.
  • 20 foam pellets included.
  • Mini-marshmallows not included, must be purchased separately.

Caffeinated and Mapped - Vancouver Wireless Cafes

Caffeinated and Mapped - Vancouver Wireless Cafes
Google map of wifi hotspots in Vancouver

Tuesday, March 29, 2005

Top 10 songs "NOT" to pick for your wedding song

Top 10 songs "NOT" to pick for your wedding song
Here are 10 songs to circumvent as you flip through your CD collection in search of the perfect wedding song. Not only are the following tunes cheesy, but they also share a common thread: They're grossly overused at weddings. And at the risk of sounding picky, some don't even relate to wedded bliss. Give these tunes their swan song:

10. "Every Breath You Take"
-- The Police
Nothing says "I love you" like a song about obsessive love. This is, in essence, the classic stalker theme. Just look at the lyrics, or even the title for that matter. But, hey, if you want to inform your guests that from this day forward your marriage will be a testament to intense scrutiny and infatuation, go right ahead. I'm not here to judge you .

9. "Against All Odds"
-- Phil Collins
Remember: When you pick this song, you're not telling your beautiful bride that you'd fight for her no matter what the obstacle. This song is about a guy who keeps reminiscing about the good times and can't believe his woman walked out on him. Hence, you won't come off as romantic; in fact, guests who know the lyrics will think you're an idiot.This is a classic example of how a title can be misleading. Even if it seems like a gooey love song, it is anything but. And twirling your bride around the dance floor to it won't make you seem very bright.

8. "Without You"
-- Mariah Carey
It's one thing to pick out a song that demonstrates your devotion and quite another to pick one that painfully reiterates how you can't breathe without her in your life. Originally Harry Nilsson's hit, this song was made popular by Air Supply and again by none other than shrilly-voiced Mariah Carey. This tune reeks of desperation. Opt for a song that celebrates life and love, and not the loss of such things.

7. "This I Promise You"
-- 'N Sync
Although it requires little explanation, 'N Sync's tearjerker begs the question: Do you really want a bubblegum boy band past its prime kicking off the night's festivities? Even if this was the song playing at the precise moment you locked eyes for the first time, avoid the novelty ballad and opt for a classic with a longer shelf life.

6. "Wicked Game"
-- Chris Isaak
It's easy to get wrapped up in Isaak's steamy and seductive ode to a woman who has infiltrated his heart. And I'm willing to overlook the fact that it's really about a man's mixed feelings. But in the end, the song caters to emotions that are far too X-rated for a PG party. Don't despair, though. This makes for a great lovemaking song once you kick off the honeymoon.

5. Back At One
  - Brian McKnight
McKnight's signature song does offer an original R&B vibe that appeals to a more contemporary crowd. But listen closely and you'll realize that what you're getting is, in actuality, nothing more than a tacky list of reasons why your woman is so special. Chances are you've already expressed those same sentiments in countless cards and poems; there's no need to have someone number them off on the dance floor as well.


4. You Are So Beautiful
  - Joe Cocker
While you wife to be may be as beautiful as they come, why in the world would you want to have a man who sounds like he's having a conniption serenade her? Add to that the fact that the song moves along too slowly -- even for an intimate wedding dance -- and you've got yourself a song that no one should be playing at their reception.


3. (Everything I Do) I Do It For You
  - Bryan Adams
On paper, this Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves track has all the must-haves of a classic wedding anthem, as the poignant lyrics and emotional, albeit powerful chords come together in one harmonious masterpiece. Any couple could make this ballad their own...
..And just about every couple has. Although things seem to have cooled off, there was a time when you couldn't escape this runaway hit. If only it had been given some time to rest, perhaps the greatest wedding song of all time wouldn't have turned into such a cringe-inducing annoyance.


2. I Will Always Love You
  - Whitney Houston
No one can belt out a tune like Whitney Houston, and she would be a great addition to anyone's wedding track list. But as much as I hate to burst your and your woman's Bodyguard-loving bubble, this iconic tune has more to do with separation than union. After all, she does admit in the song's opening verse that she would "only be in the way" if she stuck around. So while I'm not denying that this is a killer track, it may be better-suited for couples going through an amicable divorce than those tying the knot.


1. My Heart Will Go On
  - Celine Dion
Where does one begin? This Oscar-winning theme song from Titanic will likely go down in history as the most misused love song of all time.
Picking up where Whitney left off, Celine sings her heart out about a couple forever separated (you know how this story ends), but due to the film's immense popularity -- and the fact that it is a love song, after all -- couples were somehow tempted to turn the song's bittersweet message into an all-out love fest. The result? Millions of couples dancing to a song chosen more for its origins than for what it's really about.
The airwaves are inundated with great love songs, so stop settling for one that doesn't even apply. Well, at least listen to the lyrics before making your choice.

Honorable mention

Unchained Melody
  - The Righteous Brothers
This is one of those classics that never goes out of style. The distinct vocals and unforgettable melody can immediately set the stage for heightened romance. Too bad the song became synonymous with 1990's Ghost; if you opt to dance to this, you'll veer the attention away from you and your lovely bride and fill the guests' heads with visions of Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore engaging in an erotic pottery session.
song yet to be sung

Even though your sole criterion when picking out a song is that it should be special to the two of you, keep in mind that the more original and relevant a song is, the more spectacular your night, and memories, will be.

"Heart on my sleeve" the real meaning

Re: Heart on my sleeve
There you have it boys and girls the real meaning behind that phrase. It sounds all nice but the real meaning of it is just the opposite. Tell just enough of the truth to sucker someone.

It's kind of like these songs: Top 10 songs "NOT" to pick for your wedding song
In Reply to: Re: Heart on sleeve posted by bob on May 20, 2000

: : Where does the phrase "I wear my heart on my sleeve" come from. I know Shakespeare quotes it in Othello but what does it mean and where does it come from?

: I don't know of any uses before Shakespeare, but there may have been. Or... Will was known to coin a phrase or two. It means I do not conceal my feelings; my emotions (usually love and devotion) are visible for all to see. The sense also includes a feeling of vulnerability: when you wear your heart on your sleeve, you risk rejection and pain.

From "Brush Up Your Shakespeare!" by Michael Macrone (Gramercy Books, New York, 1990):
"Heart on My Sleeve.
IAGO:
It is sure as you are Roderigo,
Were I the Moor, I would not be Iago.
In following him, I follow but myself;
Heaven is my judge, not I for love and duty,
But seeming so, for my peculiar end;
For when my outward action doth demonstrate
The native act and figure of my heart
In complement extern, 'tis not long after
But I will wear my heart upon my sleeve.
For daws to peck at. I am not what I am.
Othello, Act 1, scene 1, 56-65

.when your heart is displayed so openly, as if upon your sleeve, the 'daws' (jackdaws) will accept the invitation to pick away at it. By admitting to his treachery, Iago would seem, in effect, to 'wear his heart on his sleeve' for Roderigo. Yet, while Iago tells the truth, he doesn't tell all of it, and keeps hidden his true 'native act and figure' - his intention to dupe Roderigo out of even more jewels and cash."

Linux system squishes into Ethernet connector

Linux system squishes into Ethernet connector

netsilicon_digiconnectme

German electronics company Kleinhenz is shipping a network-enabled Linux system barely larger than a standard RJ-45 Ethernet jack. "Picotux" is based on the DigiConnect ME module from NetSilicon, along with a 2.4.27 uClinux port that was probably developed by German embedded system specialist FS Forth Systeme.
NetSilicon's DigiConnect ME measures 0.75 x 0.75 x 1.4 inches (19 x 19 x 36mm), and weighs 0.64 ounces (18 grams), packaged in a metal housing only slightly larger than a standard RJ-45 module.

The DigiConnect ME is based on a NetSilicon NS7520 SoC (system-on-chip), which features a 32-bit ARM7TDMI core supporting clock rates of 36, 46, or 55MHz. Kleinhenz lists 55MHz as the clockspeed for Picotux. The NS7520 integrates a 10/100 Ethernet MII and ENDEC MAC, as well as a serial port, external memory controller, JTAG, and 13-channel DMA.

According to Kleinhenz, Picotux is based on a 2.4.27 uClinux kernel, and includes a shell based on busybox 1.0.

Picotux is available now, priced at 99 Euros, from Kleinhenz.

Review: Schick Quattro Midnight Razor

Just tried the new Quattro razor. I've tried the Sensor, Mach 3, Mach 3 Turbo and Xtreme 3 razors. The Quattro does give the best shave out of all of them, but it's not at smooth as the Mach 3. The Mach 3 glides better but the Quattro still shaves better.

The best thing about the Mach 3 is the way the head connects to the handle, there is nothing behind it so it rinses clean really easily. That's the problem with the Quattro, it's mounted like a traditional razor so it's a pain to clean, mine still isn't clean.

PRO:
  • good shave
  • wires actually seem to prevent nicks
  • traditional head attachment give a more controlled shave
CONS:
  • just as expensive as the others
  • can't clean the thing
Product Site
Another Review
Schick Quattro Midnight Razor

Thursday, March 24, 2005

Two SF gamers wait 40 hours for PSPs - PSP News at GameSpot

Two SF gamers wait 40 hours for PSPs - PSP News at GameSpot
Suffice it to say, Richard Roth and Jossle Sison both really want a PSP. Determined to be first in line when the portable goes on sale at midnight tonight, the two 20-something gamers (pictured) arrived at San Francisco's Sony Metreon on Tuesday…morning. "We've been here 30 hours and 28 minutes," Roth said at 2:28pm PST, meaning they had arrived around 8:00am the previous day--and will have been there nearly 40 hours when the portable goes on sale. The pair brought outdoor clothing, sleeping bags, chairs, and even a tent in preparation to spend the night outside...in the rain.

Blaupunkt Woodstock DAB 54: MP3, Bluetooth and DAB

Blaupunkt - Car Radios - DAB Tuners - Woodstock DAB 54
Requires the optional bluetooth accessory, but at least it's available.
7644708310_15986_LO
The Woodstock DAB 54 provides fully integrated digital radio with MP3 technology, and recordable feature! The 2-Timer-Concept allows you to set two programmings at the same time and thanks to the 10 second rewind buffer you will be able to record your favourite song from the very beginning to the end even if you missed the first seconds of it. Apart, you can also connect your personal PDA to the head unit (optional Bluetooth adapter necessary).

LG Bluetooth Car Mirror (MobileBurn)

LG Bluetooth Car Mirror (MobileBurn)
I'm surprised this didn't come from Magna Donnelly since they make all the other high end rearview mirrors.
rearview_mirrow-IMG_1121
In addition to the caller ID information, you also get a speakerphone function for hands free use of the phone while driving. The mirror is powered off of the car, as you would expect, but also has a battery built in that will allow for 150 hours of standby or 7 hours of talk time.

AnandTech: Intel's Pentium M Desktop Part II: ASUS' Pentium M to Pentium 4 Socket Adapter

AnandTech: Intel's Pentium M Desktop Part II: ASUS' Pentium M to Pentium 4 Socket Adapter Make a Pentium M desktop machine using the socket adapter, maybe I should christen it a mocket.

Quetec: Wireless 4-in-1 USB/PCMCIA Router, AP, Bridge, and WLAN client

:: Quetec Wireless Canada Inc. ::
Just heard about this the other day and if it can really do all four as advertised for $90 Canadian it would be a major convenience. According to the review below the devices uses their Soft Gate software to implement the Routing, Bridging and Access point.
From the hardware this looks like a purely wireless oriented device, which means it doesn't work like your everyday dedicated devices that we're used to. Normally when I think of a wireless router these days I think of a router with 802.11g, a built-in 4 port switch and a RJ-45 WAN input. Well there are no network jacks that I can see on these devices. Not to say it needs this, it's just that I'm used to seeing a WAN RJ-45 input and it would have made it much more flexible.
Since I don't have one to play with I guessing this is good for the following:
  • Router: creating a secure private LAN
  • Bridge: if you have a RJ-45 jack somewhere else on your computer
  • Access Point: setting up a private wireless network when you already have access to a wireless network
  • Access Point: boasting the signal of your wireless network



Review
Overall, Quetec PCI and PCMCIA 4-in-1 solution is a prefect product for budget and simple minded users who want to setup their own wireless network with little less effort. Best of all, both PCI and PCMCIA solution installs easily and will be ready to run within minutes. With its secure WEP protocols and MAC filtering, you can easily secure your wireless network from unwanted access. Even so, sometimes it could be irritating as clients tend to disassociated from time to time. But most of the time, you'll get a pretty stable wireless connection. If you think that setting up a wireless network can be troublesome, think again. Get Quetec 4-in-1 solutions and you'll be WiFi-ing at no time. Therefore, Quetec PCI and PCMCIA solution deserves the Editors' Choice Award. Well done Quetec!


Quote from Quetec website:
Quetec is the first AP less series family product developed by Quetec to turn the existing computers into a wireless AP/Router. It includes four features (4-in-1): Router, AP, Bridge, and WLAN client. Users can share PC resources such as files, internet connection, video streaming and multimedia files instantly without pre-installation or pre-configuration wireless base station. Quetec is the first technology that truly removes the limitation from wireless base station. Quetec eliminates expensive hardware and simplifies the installation for home and small office wireless network. Best of all, it only requires 3 simple installation steps.

Wednesday, March 23, 2005

Mobile PC - Features - The Top 100 Gadgets of All Time

Mobile PC - Features - The Top 100 Gadgets of All Time Not sure what these guys were smoking, but the "APPLE POWERBOOK 100 circa 1991" took the top spot.

Whether they're strapped to our belts, sitting on our desks, or jammed in an overstuffed closet, we absolutely love our gadgets.

So it wasn't exactly easy coming up with the definitive list of the 100 best gadgets ever unleashed. In the weeks we spent debating the entries, tempers were flared, fingers were pointed, chairs were smashed over heads, and feelings were hurt. But we emerged, like Moses from the mountain, with the world's most authoritative ranking of the best gadgets of all time.

But let's lay some ground rules before we get started. What defines a "gadget" anyway?

  • It has to have electronic and/or moving parts of some kind. Scissors count, but the knife does not.
  • It has to be a self-contained apparatus that can be used on its own, not a subset of another device. The flashlight counts; the light bulb does not. The notebook counts, but the hard drive doesn't.
  • It has to be smaller than the proverbial bread box. This is the most flexible of the categories, since gadgets have gotten inexorably smaller over time. But in general we included only items that were potentially mobile: The Dustbuster counts; the vacuum cleaner doesn't.

In the end, we tried to get to the heart of what really makes a gadget a gadget.

Spell with flickr

Spell with flickr

SELetter AfnO parkingaM

Amazon.com: Computers: VIEWSONIC 10.00 GHz AMD Athlon

Amazon.com: Computers: 10.00 GHz AMD Athlon
Boy do I want a couple of these, I could resell them to the gov't for a huge profit.

Viewsonic_Tablet
Processor, Memory, and Motherboard

  • Hardware Platform: PC
  • Processor: 10.00 GHz AMD Athlon
  • Number of Processors: 1
  • RAM: 2000 MB
  • RAM Type: DIMM
Operating System and Software
  • Operating System: DOS
Hard Drive
  • Size: 30000 GB
  • Type: IDE
Cases and Expandability
  • Weight: 14.00 hundredths-pounds
Warranty and Support
  • Amazon.com Returns Policy: New, used, and refurbished products purchased from Marketplace vendors are subject to the returns policy of the individual vendor.

Tuesday, March 22, 2005

SimpleTech: SATA 128GB flash drives, that's right GB

SimpleTech Releases Thinnest and Fastest High Capacity SATA Solid State Drive in Industry; Zeus SATA Solid State Drive With Sustained Read/Write Rates of 60Mbytes/sec: New SATA Drives to be Showcased at the Sea-Air-Space Exposition in Washington
Simpletech release 128GB solid state SATA interface drives. Instant harddrive access with no moving parts
Zeus SSDs, available in capacities up to 128 GBs, have sustained read/write rates of 20, 30, 40 or 60 MBytes/sec and utilize the company's patented stacking technology to measure just 9.5 mm in height -- making Zeus SSDs the world's thinnest, fastest SATA solid state drives.
SimpleTech's Zeus SATA SSDs are currently shipping. Both SATA and Ultra DMA SSDs are available in standard 2.5- and 3.5-inch form factors, as well as custom form factors, and ranging in capacity from 2 to 128 gigabytes (GBs).
This will mean competition for the other solid state disk product Rocket Drive.

THG: Pocket Rocket Claims The Gadget Crown - Pocket Rocket Challenges Hard Drive Storage

Tom's Hardware Guide Mass Storage: Pocket Rocket Claims The Gadget Crown - Pocket Rocket Challenges Hard Drive Storage
stick2

What they are offering sounds attractive indeed. The Pocket Rocket is available in capacities of 512 MB, 1 GB, 2 GB and 4 GB and is based on SLC (Single Layer Cell) Flash memory. In contrast to conventional MLC devices, the SLCs are more expensive, but clearly faster: 18 MB/s or 180X Flash speed is what Memina claims on the company website. Can they really deliver on these promises? We put the Pocket Rocket to the test to find out.
Usually we are quite skeptical whenever a hardware manufacturer starts promoting exceptionally high benchmark numbers. Here, however, Memina has truly put together a memory stick that is far superior to most other Flash memory sticks out there. Thanks to Single Layer Cell NAND Flash memory, we can confirm read transfer speeds of up to 18 MB/s and write rates of around 15 MB/s.

MobileTechReview.com Reviews: ASUS A730W VGA Windows Mobile 2003 SE Pocket PC with WiFi

MobileTechReview.com Reviews: ASUS A730W VGA Windows Mobile 2003 SE Pocket PC with WiFi:
The A730W has a 520MHz Intel XScale processor, 128 megs of RAM, a CF type II slot and an SD slot supporting SDIO, a 1.3 megapixel camera with flash, a user-replaceable battery, Bluetooth, WiFi 802.11b and USB host capabilities. And of course, it has a 3.7' VGA display and runs Windows Mobile 2003 SE. To use USB peripherals, you'll use the included USB host cable which connects to the PDA's sync port and terminates in a standard USB connector. You can enable and disable USB host in the ASUS System Settings applet.

The curvy ASUS and X50v have very similar form factors and are very close in size, while the HP is larger and more angular. Both the X50v and ASUS have a 3.7" transflective color display, while the HP has a 4" transflective display that's easier on the eyes but makes for a noticeably larger unit. The ASUS and Dell have plastic casings, while the HP is all metal. The ASUS A730W is priced right at $569, which is a bit more than the Dell but you do get the camera, two batteries in the box and a USB host cable. Speaking of USB host, the ASUS A730 models are the only VGA Pocket PCs that offer it. So if you have a hankering to use USB mice, keyboards and mass storage devices, the ASUS will please you.

Monday, March 21, 2005

Magnet Painting

we make money not art: Magnet painting
attractionpaint
Magnetude, by French designer Nicolas Triboulot, is a paint containing fine metal particles making all surfaces sensitive to magnetism: magnets adhere directly to the surface.
The paint may also replace a sheet of iron pasted on wooden panels, which makes subsequent cutting or piercing easier. Thus, depending on the user’s artistic skills, Magnetude will turn the walls into a playground or a nomadic decoration area.
Triboulot even designed a full nomadic house called Modul’air which features multiple combinations of Magnetude, magnetized furnitures and various elements of decoration.

Friday, March 18, 2005

NEC PERSONAL COMPUTER (2000) Simplem PC-VS500J2D

NEC PERSONAL COMPUTER (2000) Simplem PC-VS500J2D Look familiar to anyone?
simplem-02

Product Design Data Base

Product Design Data Base

LINEAR TRACKING RECORD PLAYER (1980)
LT-5V

Sony PERSONAL STEREO TRINITRON TV (1980)
PAIR-01

Seiko Wrist Computer (1984)
UC-2000-01
a showcase of different Japanese consumer products from the '70s, '80s and '90s, mostly, including everything from phones, radios, TV sets, audio sets, cameras to vehicle

Wal-Mart - Toys - Darth Vader Voice Changer

Wal-Mart - Toys - Darth Vader Voice Changer
0007693085260_500X500
From the moment you put on this menacing gear, you become the ultimate villain of Star Wars. Strike fear throughout the galaxy by changing your voice to sound like Darth Vader's. Now's your chance to say 'Luke, I AM your father' like a pro. Great for answering machines, parties and more.

Thursday, March 17, 2005

An iPod shuffle on the inside...

An iPod shuffle on the inside...

Utilikilts

Utilikilts Crazy kilts

j-me drink-me bottle stop

j-me drink-me bottle stop
drinkme_packaged_low_res
drinkme_situ_low_res
this quirky stopper keeps your favourite shiraz tasting great thanks to the high quality silicon seal, but it doesn’t stop there… the drink-me bottle stop doubles as a stylish stainless steel wine goblet! and because of its clever design, both wine bottle and drink-me can fit neatly in the fridge - just make sure you finish your glass before putting it back in the bottle!

Vancouver BeerCasting Squad- Round 2 - Subeez Cafe - March 16, 2005

Vancouver BeerCasting Squad- Round 2 - Subeez Cafe - March 16, 2005
Actually, I should call my experience EverythingButBeerCasting. It was interesting and those mics are really, really directional. Maybe there should be a call to upgrade to britney spears-esque headset mic combos. It was a pretty fun night, especially after I had a few drinks.
beercasting.com
Flickr photoset
JohnInSpace
Darren
We started off a little slow with “Culture is Boring“, but hit our stride by the time we were discussing “Reality TV” in segment 3. If you only listen to one though, make it “Dating Tips for Geeks“, which turned out really funny and you might actually get a few good tips.

Spammer sues anti-spammer for $4 million

Spammer sues anti-spammer for $4 million:
Can you imagine trying to get someone to stop spamming you, only to be sued for a whopping US$4 million? That's exactly what has happened to Mark Mumma, after he took his displeasure with Cruise.com to the web, and started threatening to collect the fines he believed he was due. Between December 29, 2004 and January 19 of this year, Mumma received four unsolicited e-mails from Cruise.com, which is, in theory at least, illegal in Oklahoma on account of the states anti-spam laws. Mumma, fed up, called the parent company Omega World Travel, and even recorded the conversation (PDF). After talking to their legal counsel, Mumma was left with the impression that his address, along with several others, would be removed from their subsidiary's newsletter.

Wednesday, March 16, 2005

weather report from hell

weather report from hell
wei-hell-frozen

Akihabara News : Nikon Coolpix S1

Akihabara News : Nikon Coolpix S1
t9
t10
t8
t11
Nikon will launch its new CoolPix S1 digital camera on April 15th. This 5.1MP CCD camera has a 35~105mm lense and fills up SD cards. There is also a WP-CP5 waterproof casing (maximum depth of 40m).

Price: Open Price
Screen: 2.5"
Three Colours
Photo resolutions: 2,592x1,944/2,048x1,536/1,024x768/640x480
Movie resolutions: 640x480 pixel 15fps
Dimensions: 89.9x57.5x19.7mm
Weight: 118gr

Tuesday, March 15, 2005

Motorola @ CES - the MS550 3-megapixel CDMA cameraphone

Motorola @ CES - the MS550 3-megapixel cameraphone - Engadget - www.engadget.com
9928259725858914
’Bout time Moto caught up with the likes of their Asian handset counterparts—we finally have a bigger, badder, camera-centric cameraphone offering in the MS550 (not forgetting the E1120, of course). No solid details on this yet, but from what we could tell, it’s a CDMA-based 3-megapixel slider with a flip-out 2x optical zoom lens, TransFlash/microSD slot, and even a proper looking flash. We don’t know if it has 3G capabilities, but we’re banking that it does. Click on to see a ton more shots.

Motorola @ CES - CDMA RAZR V3 has a 1-megapixel cameraphone - Engadget - www.engadget.com

Motorola @ CES - CDMA RAZR V3 has a 1-megapixel cameraphone - Engadget - www.engadget.com
4225667344588656
We scored some shots of the new CDMA RAZR V3, and guess what, they upgraded that anemic VGA camera to a slightly more hefty 1-megapixel! Obviously the button configuration is a little different, too, but we think it’s for the better.

MobileTracker - LG VX8100 official

MobileTracker - LG VX8100 official:
The LG VX8100 is now official. Specs and photos of the VX8100 leaked from the FCC late last year, even before the phone it replaced (VX8000) shipped. Features of the VX8100 include:
  • EV-DO
  • 1.3 megapixel camera
  • miniSD
  • Bluetooth
  • Music player
The VX8100 will replace the VX8000 on Verizon Wireless. It's compatible with V Cast, Verizon's mobile streaming video service.

MobileTracker - TransFlash to become microSD

MobileTracker - TransFlash to become microSD:
CTIA 2005 -- SanDisk and the SD Card Association today jointly announced that microSD is in the final stages of approval to become a memory standard. SanDisk will stop marketing TransFlash once microSD is finalized since microSD is backwards and forwards compatible with TransFlash (there are only very minor differences). Millions of phones have already shipped with TransFlash card slots, making the technology one of the fastest growing mobile memory standards.

Both microSD and TransFlash use memory cards that measure just 11mm x 15mm x 1mm, allowing phone designers to have high-memory phones with just about any design. Memory cards shipping now go up to 256MB and typically cost under $40. microSD joins two other widely adopted standards from the SD Card Association: miniSD and SD.

SanDisk should transition TransFlash to microSD in the third quarter of this year.

Monday, March 14, 2005

MobileTracker - Samsung A970 announced

MobileTracker - Samsung A970 announced:
CTIA 2005 -- Samsung has announced the A970, an innovative clamshell camera phone. The A970 sports a dual hinge that allows the display to sit horizontally while taking pictures. Feature wise, the A970 has:
  • EV-DO high-speed data
  • Bluetooth
  • 2 megapixel camera with video capture and optical zoom
  • TransFlash card slot
The carrier is still TBA, but it could be for either Sprint PCS or Verizon Wireless. Look for it in the second quarter.

Friday, March 11, 2005

journey: Definition, Synonyms and Much More From Answers.com

journey: Definition, Synonyms and Much More From Answers.com
I'm thinking about starting a petition to ban the use of journey. It seems like every time I turn on the TV or read about anyone doing anything they describe it as a journey. A journey to sell a virgin mary and baby jesus pretzel or countless journeys for reality TV show contestants. I think every single reality TV show person has used that word at least once in their interviews, you'd think they were part of an epic.

LIVEdigitally - Flash Card Memory Roundup 2005: Introduction

LIVEdigitally - Flash Card Memory Roundup 2005: Introduction:
The humble flash memory card quietly provides the storage for today's electronic devices. Handheld computers, iPods and other portable music players, digital cameras, and even some cellphones and camcorders utilize flash cards. These cards are available in more varieties than Baskin Robbins ice cream flavors, and there's always some new smaller card that just came out with some reported advantage. Thankfully, selecting a memory card format to invest in is not as random as selecting a roulette number at Vegas, and the key is putting the house advantage in your favor. This article reviews the current cards on the market with their potential advantages and uses, and highlights some future directions. No one likes choosing a dying standard, and I'll point out the likely winners of this high wager business. After all, no one needs a drawer full of expensive, but outdated and useless memory cards.

Pimp Junta � Blog Archive � Sonicare Elite 7300 Review

Pimp Junta � Blog Archive � Sonicare Elite 7300 Review
Finding them was harder than I thought it would be. When I walked into the drugstores, I asked if they sold higher-end electric toothbrushes.

The sales associate ended up pointing me in the direction of some €10 Oral-B’s. I laughed with thinly-veiled contempt and patted the girl on her shoulder, “No no, I want a higher-end model.”

“What do you mean by a higher-end electric toothbrush?”

“Think ’scour muscle off of bone’” I chipperly replied, having given some small thought to this definition.

The sales associate screwed up her eyes, bit her lower lip, then folded her teeth back into the purse of her mouth. “This one makes a whirry noise,” she insisted.

How Good are Free Security Programs

How Good are Free Security Programs:
Many folks protect their computers with free security utilities like AVG anti-virus, SpyBot Search and Destroy and Ad-aware. These are all excellent programs but are they good enough to provide the protection you need against the current internet plague of viruses, worms, trojans, spyware and worse?

ewido security suite - Protection against Spyware, Trojans, Dialers, Keyloggers and other growing threats

ewido security suite - Protection against Spyware, Trojans, Dialers, Keyloggers and other growing threats:
This setup contains the free as well as the plus-version of the ewido security suite. After the installation, a free 14-day test version containing all the extensions of the plus-version will be activated. At the end of the test phase, the extensions of the plus version are deactivated and the freeware version can be used unlimited times. The purchased license code of the plus version can be entered at any time.

Thursday, March 10, 2005

Firefox spyware that infect IE

Vitalsecurity.org - We're Calm like a Bomb:
appletsmall
What if there was an infection out there that could bypass Firefox and still get its grubby little paws on IE, and from there, the heart of your OS? What if that same infection could get past not only FF, but a whole raft of other (supposedly more secure) browsers too?

What if, of all people, Neil Sedaka was indirectly involved in this craziness?

The SGH-i300, Samsung’s 3GB Windows Mobile-powered musicphone

Cellphones - cellphones.engadget.com
sch-i300
6673682824635558
Samsung rocked us back in September with the SPH-V5400, the first cellphone to sport a built-in hard drive (1.5 gigger, to be exact), now they’re back in effect with the SGH-i300, a massively spec’d out 3GB model. The i300 runs on Windows Mobile (we haven’t gotten confirmation of which version, though) and comes with a 1.3 megapixel digital camera, Bluetooth, scroll wheel navigation (take that, iPod!), a 262,000 color, 240x320 LCD screen, support for playback of MP3, WMA, AAC, and AAC+ audio files, and a TransFlash memory card slot. Better still, the hard drive is plug-and-play, so you can connect the phone up to your PC over USB and just drag and drop your files as you please, there’s no lame interfaces to have to mess with. Click to see three more higher-res pics.

P.S. - Forgot to mention, it’s tri-band GSM/GPRS (900/1800/1900MHz), so probably not going to make it over here.

Army Radio - Cell Phone Mod Project

Army Radio - Cell Phone Mod Project:
finaldisplay
Woo! The radio is in and works! Check out the new feature the bag phone didn't have - a button for voice dial on the Army Radio's exterior. Also, note that my cell phone fits inside of this radio for a cooler final product.

Wednesday, March 09, 2005

Bluetooth Qualification Program Website

Bluetooth Qualification Program Website
List of Bluetooth device certification

FCC approves LG VX-9800 (phoneArena)

FCC approves LG VX-9800 (phoneArena):
FCC has posted approval documents for LG VX9800. The information about the new device is still scarce, but it is known that VX9800 is a dual-band CDMA phone with Bluetooth. The photos, posted by FCC show that LG VX9800 has a hinge on the its left side, which means that it opens like a laptop and probably has a full QWERTY keyboard and maybe a touch screen.

Tuesday, March 08, 2005

extisp.icio.us - charting the tags of del.icio.us users

extisp.icio.us - charting the tags of del.icio.us users
Visual representation of your del.icio.us tags.

my delicious page

SimplyTech

SimplyTech:
"The main problem is that the malware creates a lot of registry entries and it goes in execution at the start of the pc widing itself in RAM and deleting its own *.exe from the C:\Windows\System32 directory.
When the ordinary tools try to remove it, they only clean the registry calls, the C:\Windows\EliteToolbar directory and the cabinets files where it has been originated the first time, but they don't take any actions against the malware itself that is currently running in RAM memory and is waiting for the pc O.S. to be shutted down to repeat the infestation from the back!"

fac.etio.us

fac.etio.us
fac.etio.us — faceted navigation of del.icio.us feeds.

Nokia Device Details

Nokia Device Details:
6681_main
announced 20-Feb-05
Nokia 6682 is a stylish smart phone with powerful feature set for rich multimedia experience. In addition to MMS, e-mail, instant messaging (IM), and Bluetooth, the device features Word and PowerPoint viewers and hot-swappable RS-MMC. The Nokia 6682 phone is suited to both business and mobile lifestyle applications.

Tech Digest: Sony Cyber-shot T7

Tech Digest: Sony Cyber-shot T7:
sony_t7
Sony's latest Cyber-shot is this super-skinny camera, stumping up a generous 5.1 megapixels despite its slender frame. The T7 also comes with a Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar3x optical zoom lens and a 2.5-inch LCD screen, making it a pretty appealing object. At it's thinnermost point, the T7 is just 9.8mm thick and even with the lens cover on it's under 15mm. Other features housed in the stainless steel body include: Real Imaging Processor;MPEG VX Fine with audio; Memory Stick Duo and a battery life that should last for 150 shots. The Cyber-shot T7 will be out May 2005.

Friday, March 04, 2005

CNN.com - Bubba the lobster dies after being moved to zoo - Mar 3, 2005

CNN.com - Bubba the lobster dies after being moved to zoo - Mar 3, 2005

story.bubba.tank.ap

PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania (AP) -- He dodged lobster pots for decades, endured a trip from the coast of Massachusetts to Pittsburgh and survived about a week in a fish market. But a trip to the zoo proved to be too much for a 22-pound lobster named Bubba.

The leviathan of a lobster died Wednesday afternoon at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium about a day after he was moved from Wholey's Market, said zoo spokeswoman Rachel Capp and Bob Wholey, owner of the fish market.

'They're very finicky. It could have been a change in the water. You have no idea,' said Wholey.

Bubba died in a quarantine area of the zoo's aquarium, where he was being checked out to see if he was healthy enough to make a trip to an aquarium at a Ripley's Believe It or Not museum, Capp said.

Bubba will be examined to try to figure out why he died, although Capp and Wholey guessed it may have been the stress of being moved.

Based on how long it typically takes a lobster to reach eating size -- about five to seven years to grow to a pound -- some estimated Bubba was about 100 years old. But marine biologists said 30 to 50 years was more likely.

Other large lobsters didn't fare well after they were caught, too.

In 1985, a 25-pound lobster that the New England Aquarium planned to give to a Tokyo museum died when the water temperature rose and the salt dropped in its aquarium. In 1990, a 17-1/2-pound lobster named Mimi died just days after being flown to a restaurant in Detroit. Last year, a 14-pound lobster named Hercules that was rescued by a Washington state middle school class died before it could be released off the coast of Maine.

Braingle: Brain Teasers, Puzzles, Riddles and Games

Braingle: Brain Teasers, Puzzles, Riddles and Games:
With over 7,500 brain teasers, riddles, logic problems and mind puzzles submitted and ranked by users like you, Braingle has the largest collection anywhere on the internet. Our large array of unique online multiplayer games will keep you entertained for hours. If you crave a brain teaser, mind puzzle, riddle or game, we are the place to get it. Increase your creativity, boost learning and become a better person at Braingle. Get ready to have your brain tangled!

TomsNetworking: D-Link DGL-4300 Wireless 108G Router

TomsNetworking Product Reviews : TomsNetworking ::
DGL-4300_main_long
It's been a long time since I've been able to review a D-Link product, so why not start with one that breaks some new ground? The DGL-4300 Wireless 108G Gaming Router (and its wireless-less sibling the DGL-4100) are the first consumer routers to include a 10/100/1000 (Gigabit Ethernet) switch. And while they are not the first to incorporate QoS (Quality of Service) features, they are the first to use automatic traffic classification to attempt to simply its setup.

Thursday, March 03, 2005

USATODAY.com - Adidas puts computer on new footing

USATODAY.com - Adidas puts computer on new footing
One ugly shoe with a brain, I wonder if it's smart than the Head i.X16 ChipSystem tennis racquet?
inside2-profileadidas03

NEW YORK — Hoping the new Adidas 1 will be to the sneaker industry what Apple's iPod has been to digital music, Adidas will put on sale March 18 what it bills as the world's first computerized "smart shoe."

But consumers will decide whether the bionic running shoe's $250 price tag — four times the average shoe purchase at stores such as Foot Locker — is a smart idea.

Adidas claims its new shoe, already profiled in Time and Popular Science, delivers on its promise to automatically and continually adjust itself to a runner's size, pace, terrain and even fatigue level.

The Adidas 1 uses a sensor, a microprocessor and a motorized cable system to automatically adjust the shoes' cushioning. The sensor under the heel measures compression and decides whether the shoe is too soft or firm. That information is sent to the microprocessor and, while the shoe is in the air, the cable adjusts the heel cushion. The whole system weighs less than 40 grams.

Batteries are included: replaceable lithium batteries estimated to be good for 100 hours of running. Users can turn the shoe's brain off — when it's off, they're regular sneakers — to save battery life. The chip also shuts itself off, keeping the same cushioning, if a runner walks more than 10 minutes.

Adidas' computer-driven shoe — three years in the making — is the latest innovation in the $16.4 billion U.S. sneaker industry, following other technology-driven shoes such as the Nike Shox and Reebok Pump.

Predicting Adidas 1 will turn the industry "upside down," communications chief Uli Becker says it rolls out worldwide by April 1. The primary sales targets: hard-core runners — and 17-year-old boys looking for the newest, coolest shoes. "This is new territory ... that we want to define," says Becker.

But will consumers shell out $250 for a pair of sneakers? Maybe.

Shoe fanatics have been known to drop $300 to several thousand for genuine 1980s-vintage Nike Air Jordans.

The top-end running shoe from New Balance lists for $199.99. With runners typically replacing shoes by 500 miles, the $250 Adidas could push costs to 50 cents per mile, though the company says Adidas 1 cushioning will outlast traditional shoes.

A retail expert says that's beside the point. "Yes, there will be price resistance. But there will be plenty of people who have to be the first on the block to have them," predicts Marshal Cohen, chief analyst for NPD Group.

Bob McGee, editor of Sporting Goods Intelligence, says the "retro" shoe trend is waning and performance sales are heating up, allowing higher prices: "People are going back to running shoes and basketball shoes."

Adidas is spending an estimated $20 million on the roll-out. Film director Spike Jonze has created several cinematic, big-budget TV spots with ad agency 180/TBWA San Francisco. The theme: "Impossible is Nothing."

In the first TV ad, the shoes tie themselves onto the feet of a young man waking up in darkness, then light up new worlds for him with every step. There are no star athletes — the campaign "tries to make the shoes the hero," says Chuck McBride, creative director of TBWA/Chiat/Day North America.

Review: still ugly

Wednesday, March 02, 2005

Watch Your TiVo Program On Your Pocket PC

Pocket PC Thoughts - Daily News, Views, Rants and Raves:
20050228-tivotogoppc
Earlier this year, TiVo started rolling out their TiVoToGo feature which allows you to watch recorded programs on your Windows based PC. One of the TiVo Community members has posted some additional steps to get that TV show on your Pocket PC.

For this to work, you need a Series 2 TiVo box, a network (wired or wireless) and the the 7.1 software update. You can read more about the specifics here. Next, you'll need Dr. Divx, which is $29.99. Finally, you need BetaPlayer 0.5 to actually watch it on your Pocket PC.

For this to work, you need a Series 2 TiVo box, a network (wired or wireless) and the the 7.1 software update. You can read more about the specifics here. Next, you'll need Dr. Divx, which is $29.99. Finally, you need BetaPlayer 0.5 to actually watch it on your Pocket PC. ."

Minimo Project

Minimo Project:
The Minimo (Mini Mozilla) project is focused on code-size and runtime footprint reduction, and porting to small consumer devices. We hope to make Minimo the browser of choice on small devices, or machines with limited system resources; taking advantage of Mozilla's support for a broad and comprehensive set of standards and the variety of content on the web, proven security, international support, and cross platform capability.

HowardForums: polished v3 razr

HowardForums: Your Mobile Phone Community & Resource - polished v3 razr:
DSC01138
DSC01137
well i was a little bored tonight so i decided to polish my v3 like i did my v600. pictures look like crap and dont do it justice it looks a hell of alot better in person. im goin to try and get some pics in the daylight.

Etymotic Research, Inc. - ER-20

Etymotic Research, Inc. - ER-20

er20-top

The goal of the ER•20 design was the same as for Musicians Earplugs: to reduce noise but preserve sound quality; in effect, to turn down the noise but not muffle voices, environmental sounds or music.

MAGPIX Pocket Photo Album

MAGPIX Pocket Photo Album
hand2-395x207
Never leave a memory behind again! Ultra portable and compact, the MAGPIX Pocket Photo Album is ready to go with you everywhere. It weighs only 2.2 ounces and fits nicely inside the palm of your hand. Share pictures with friends and family using the Pocket Photo Album’s super bright TFT LCD screen or connect the Pocket Photo Album to a television and share pictures with everyone at once. With the ability to zoom in and pan around your image, never miss a detail. Built-in internal memory and an available SD memory card slot, allow you to add as much memory as you need.

Microsoft says 64-bit Windows due in April | CNET News.com

Microsoft says 64-bit Windows due in April | CNET News.com:
Speaking at the Intel Developer Forum, Windows chief Jim Allchin said the desktop version of the souped-up Windows would come at the beginning of April, while the server version would come at the end of the month.

Tuesday, March 01, 2005

Inside Ride Bicycle Treadmill - Home

Inside Ride Bicycle Treadmill - Home:
machine_back
van4
You're looking at the revolutionary Super Trainer Bicycle Treadmill from Inside Ride. It offers a 'free-motion' experience that mimics the open road unlike anything ever developed. Its patent-pending speed control reacts intuitively to your pedal stroke, speed and style.

Unlike a stationary trainer, There are no rigid restraints so the natural feel of cycling comes through, allowing you to develop full power and train more effectively. It can also rise to a grueling incline of 16% and run at speeds nearing 30 mph.

The Super Trainer is a revolutionary step in indoor riding. It is intended for elite training centers, sports science labs, fitness clubs, bicycle shops and the cycling enthusiast who demands the most effective training method possible.

Caffeine and Energy Products Review

Caffeine and Energy Products

Foosh Mints Retail: $3.99
Buzz Bites Retail: $3.99
Jolt Gum Retail: $2.25
XTZ Chocolate Caffeine Mint Retail: $0.65
Review Date: February 23rd, 2005

If you are a programmer, student or gamer you know about late nights and long hours. Odds are, when you are wearing down during those late nights, you are trying to get something in you that can keep you awake. You don't always have to drink a caffeine or energy drink. Try a piece of gum, some chocolates or a mint.

These don't have caffeine you say, think again. CaseCooler.com provides lots of energy products and they let us try a few.

Heltzer Furniture : Ti Collection

Heltzer Furniture : Ti Collection prod01
In an exploration of new materials, Heltzer introduces the industry’s first titanium indoor/outdoor seating and table collection. Called the Ti collection in reference to the chemical abbreviation for the inert element, the group also features back and seat cushions of blue silicone gel that can be adjusted for firmness. The cushions are draped with luxuriously soft, pull-over removable towels, which are custom made from a new eucalyptus-based, earth-friendly fiber and cotton.

The frames are made of bent titanium tubing and the backs have a specially engineered perforated panel that permits light to shine through the cushions. The pieces in the Ti Collection will be made in signed and numbered limited color editions of 1000.

Home - frassle

Home - frassle:
What is frassle? Frassle helps you read and publish weblogs, track bookmarks, and find relevant content organized your way.

Tom's Hardware Guide PCs & HowTo: Strong Showing: High-Performance Power Supply Units - Introduction

Tom's Hardware Guide PCs & HowTo: Strong Showing: High-Performance Power Supply Units - Introduction:
aufmacher
Users are demanding ever-greater performance from CPUs, graphics cards and other components. But more performance requires more power, so that fancy new system needs a high-performance power supply to work well. Shopping for one can be tough, however - do the printed specs jibe with actual performance, or will your new machine stop working before you even get to fire it up? And what's the deal with energy efficiency? Fortunately, THG checked it all out for you.

IP Thermostat & Power Adapter

IP Thermostat & Power Adapter:
3053big
Control this thermostat directly at the unit or monitor and adjust the temperatures of each thermostat in your home over an authenticated, secure Internet connection. The easy-to-use web browser configuration tool makes it easy to configure heating or cooling programs that maximize comfort while minimizing the energy used. The unit itself features a clear, backlit graphic LCD for easy viewing.