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 The thin ASUS Eee PC X101 is scheduled to hit the shelves next month. In July, you’ll be able to buy the Meego units at $199, while the Windows version will be priced at $310 and $350.

The Asus Eee PC X101 is equipped with a 1.33 Ghz Intel Atom N435 single-core processor, a chiclet keyboard and a webcam. It has a 10-inch LCD display with a 1024×600 resolution. It will be available in white, gold and red colors.

The Eee PC X101 is just 17.66 mm thick and weighs just 950 g.

Will this new notebook from ASUS give the MacBook Air a run for its money?

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Sony VAIO Z takes on MacBook Air

Sony unveiled the new Sony VAIO Z series ultra-mobile laptops to battle the Apple MacBook Air. The New 13.1-inch VIAO Z Series weighs only 1.15kg and is 16.65mm thin. This is even a bit thinner than the MacBook Air on its thickest point.
Other features of the Sony VAIO Z include 1,600x900px resolution screen, 256GB HDD, 14 hour battery life, USB 3.0, HD web cam, Core i7 and Core i5 CPU options and up to 8GB RAM.

Sony also offers an external Power Media Dock that gies the VAIO Z extra graphics power.

The VAIO Z series starts in the UK for 1,434 Pounds (~$2,300). There has not been an announcement of the VAIO Z in the US yet. It might still come today.

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Google Plus explained: What's it all about?

Google set to take on Facebook with new Google+ social networking project. Here's how it works

Look out Facebook, Google is ready to give this social networking thing another go (Google Buzz anyone?) after revealing its Google+ social network service.

Aiming to offer deeper, more subtle approach to online relationships than key rival Facebook, access to the service is currently by invite only. To help you get to grips with Google+ and how it will differ from your usual social networking haunts, check out the series of videos below taking you through the key Google+ features.

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Sony Vaio Z: The thinner, lighter, Thunderbolt friendly Apple MacBook Air alternative

Sony has announced the launch of a new 13-inch Sony Vaio laptop, the Sony Vaio Z, that is thinner and lighter than the current Apple Macbook Air, but will cost almost twice the price; £2,699.

Well and truly taking the fight to Apple, the new Sony model will weigh just 1.18 kg (compared to 1.32 kg for the same sized MacBook Air) and be just 16.65mm thin (compared to 17mm). The complete dimensions are Approx. 210 x 16.65 x 330mm.

Sony has also managed to fit the Vaio Z with a backlit keyboard, something that the MacBook Air doesn’t currently offer (it’s rumoured a new model is due any day now).

“On-the-go usability is enhanced further by the backlit keyboard with extra-wide palm rest and ergonomic new ‘button-less’ touchpad,” says Sony, adding: “With a resolution of 1600x900, the 13.1-inch VAIO Display Premium features an anti-reflective coating that cuts glare from direct light sources and ensures crisp colour reproduction.”

Those happy to splash the cash will get an Intel Core i7-2620M 2.70GHz (with Turbo Boost up to 3.40GHz), 8GB of DDR3 SDRAM, and up to 256GB SSD RAID storage tucked away in it’s ultra thin casing.

As with previous Sony laptops, the model will feature Quick Boot that promises to saves precious time when you’re in a hurry, loading Windows 7 Professional up to 50 per cent quicker than conventional notebooks.

Embedded VAIO 'everywair' 3G WWAN on selected models connects via your mobile broadband operator. It will also have a biometric sensor to log in and unlock.

Those worried that the new thin size means they lose battery life, or a DVD drive and other input and connectivity options shouldn’t. Sony is one step ahead of your concerns and has created the “Power Media Dock” and “Sheet Battery” ready to be snapped up as optional extras.

The Power Media Dock is described by Sony as a “monolithic expansion module” an brings with it Thunderbolt connectivity (labelled by its original name Light Peak), HDMI and VGA connectivity to connect up to four displays, and 1GB of RAM extra graphics courtesy of AMD to boost overall graphics performance. It also comes with a DVD or Blu-ray drive.

The Sheet Battery, as the name suggests, is a battery that you can place under the main chassis of the laptop giving you a further 7 hours in addition to the Sony Vaio Z’s already impressive 7 hour battery giving you 14 hours in total.

There’s a HD web camera powered by Exmor technology for video chat and those that really want to push the boat out can opt for the optional Full HD (1920 x 1080) LCD screen.

The new 2011 VAIO Z Series of ultra-portable performance notebook PCs is available from the end of July 2011 and cost over £1300 more than Apple's top of the line MacBook Air model.

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Next Big Thing – free Xbox games

Microsoft’s finally scrapping Live subscriptions?
Unfortunately not. The ‘free’ in free-to-play is referring to the games themselves, not the Live subscription which you’ll still need to frag it out with your fellow gamers.

Free games? Sign me up!
Indeed, but before you spill your energy drink over your controller in excitement, we have two words for you – micro transactions.

Micro whats?
Micro transactions. Think of all those lovely free smartphone apps which hook you in with their irresistible non-existent prices, only to slowly chip away at your cash with upgrades and extra weapons. That’s pretty much the deal here.

What’s the point?
Well, we’ll get to try out games for free while developers hope to rake in the cash with a low-cost, bulk-purchase approach. We’re all for it as long as it doesn’t cripple the poorer gamers who can’t afford the Ubercat Rocket Launcher 3000, or any other expensive virtual weapons of mass destruction.

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iCADE iPad Arcade Cabinet

The iCADE iPad Arcade Cabinet which was first spotted on ThinkGeek as part of their April Fools’ prank, has finally been turned into flesh thanks to the demand from users who think that it isn’t such a zany idea after all. Being of sturdy built (it needs to be, otherwise who else is it supposed to be able to stand up to the rigors and abuse that arcade cabinets go through out of a player’s frustration at losing?), the iCADE gaming cabinet was specially designed in a retro manner so that it can hold an Apple iPad or its successor, the iPad 2, bringing users back to the good old days when quarters were being fed to the ever hungry machines at a dingy looking local arcade, as you attempted to best the locality’s high score.

According to Ty Liotta, head of ThinkGeek’s GeekLabs, “We partnered with ION Audio to make our vision of the iCADE a reality. After it was announced as an April Fool’s Day joke back in 2010, thousands of our customers wanted it and we’re excited to make it a reality through this partnership.”

The iCADE will come across as a desktop-sized arcade game cabinet, where it will boast a fully-functional gamepad that is complete with retro arcade joystick and buttons. Gameplay is a no brainer on this puppy – all you need to do is slide an iPad into the built-in cradle, hook it up to the iCADE via a Bluetooth connection and you’re good to go. The iCADE itself will be powered by a couple of AA batteries, so we would suggest you get rechargeables such as Sanyo Eneloops if you’re going to do a whole lot of gaming on it.

Not only that, the ThinkGeek iCADE will also sport the original April Fool’s Day retro style graphics that made folks all over the world fall in love with it. With this $99.99 release, expect more downloads and purchases of classic Atari games from the Apple App Store. Atari is also hyped up by this release, having rolled out 100 of its Classic games that are compatible with the iCADE. Atari managed to configure the games for compatibility with the iCADE, where among them include beloved titles such as Pong, Asteroids and Centipede amongst others.

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Researchers cut waste and lower cost of 'CIGS' solar cells using inkjet printing technology

Traditional solar cell production techniques are usually time consuming and require expensive vacuum systems or toxic chemicals. Depositing chemical compounds such as CIGS on a substrate using vapor phase deposition also wastes most of the expensive material in the process. For the first time, engineers at Oregon State University (OSU) have now developed a process to create "CIGS" solar cells with inkjet printing technology that allows for precise patterning to reduce raw material waste by 90 percent and significantly lower the cost of producing solar cells with promising, yet expensive compounds.

The researchers focused on chalcopyrite, or "CIGS" - so named for the copper, indium, gallium and selenium elements of which it's composed - due to its high solar efficiency. A layer of chalcopyrite one or two microns thick has the ability to capture the energy from photons about as efficiently as a 50-micron-thick layer made of silicon.

The researchers were able to create an ink that could print chalcopyrite onto substrates with an inkjet approach, with a power conversion efficiency of about five percent. While this isn't yet high enough to create a commercially viable solar cell, the researchers say they expect to be able to achieve an efficiency of about 12 percent with continued research.

"This is very promising and could be an important new technology to add to the solar energy field," said Chih-hung Chang, an OSU professor in the School of Chemical, Biological and Environmental Engineering. "Until now no one had been able to create working CIGS solar devices with inkjet technology."

One of the major advantages of the new approach is the dramatic reduction in wasted material, which makes it feasible to rapidly produce ultra-low cost, thin film solar cells with promising yet expensive compounds.

"Some of the materials we want to work with for the most advanced solar cells, such as indium, are relatively expensive," Chang said. "If that's what you're using you can't really afford to waste it, and the inkjet approach almost eliminates the waste."

The engineers are also studying other compounds that could be used with the inkjet technology that could cost even less. If they are able to reduce costs enough, the researchers say it also offers the prospect of creating solar cells that could be built directly into roofing materials.

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Nokia's N950 splayed by FCC, 12-megapixel camera lurking within

Our friends over at the FCC have somehow both scored and already torn asunder Nokia's new flagship MeeGo development phone. Slicing and dicing Espoo's latest confirms the watered-down N9 specs we'd previously heard about, except for one: a 12-megapixel camera. An intriguing addition, as the N950's official specs list an 8-megapixel shooter, which the Finnish firm touted as "different" than the unit in its brother. Perhaps different means the additional 4-megapixels we spotted earlier this year? Sure, last minute component changes aren't unheard of, but if you ever manage to convince the Finns to throw one your way, do us a favor and let us know what it's packing. Ok?

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The greatest

Is it worth buying a Nintendo 3DS to experience the greatest game ever made all over again? Probably not. But if you do own a 3DS, you simply must have Ocarina of Time.

For those that somehow missed this mesmerising Legend of Zelda game when it was originally released on the Nintendo 64, re-released on GameCube as a bonus for Wind Waker pre-orders, or uploaded to the Wii's Virtual Console service, you are in for an extraordinary treat. In fact, I'm really jealous if you've never played it before.

Ocarina of Time offers a spellbinding mix of exploration, puzzle solving and combat, with an engaging fairytale plot and an engaging world.
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It's an epic to be savoured right from the first moment you witness Link galloping across the screen on his trusty stead.

Controls can occasionally be a little fiddly, particularly with the lack of direct camera control, but the game is thoughtfully and elegantly designed and a pleasure to play. Like all Zelda games, players are gradually presented with new toys and clever new puzzles in which to utilise them.

Gadgets include slingshots, bombs and bows, and Link is also naturally handy with his sword and shield.

The story is set in two time zones. First Link is a mere boy, and then he later matures, with the challenge for the player increasing and the environments changing.

The large, convincing gameworld is populated by a raft of colourful characters and foes: some friendly, many frightening, and others extremely weird. The boss enemies are massive and memorable, albeit usually not terribly difficult to fell.

There are a huge variety of tasks to undertake. One minute you'll be collecting chickens, the next you'll be making your way through a dungeon, sneaking into a palace, riding a horse, or exploring inside a giant fish.

Some of the puzzles are particularly ingenious, and the use of the Ocarina is a delight. Link learns a variety of different tunes to play at key points in the game using buttons for different notes.

Even just wandering around the gameworld is wonderful: the genuine sense of place is still impressive over a decade later.

When the game was first released for the N64 back in 1998 the presentation seemed startling, but it looks pretty dated these days. Fortunately, this update has had a bit of a spruce up with the likes of new animations and textures, although I suspect most players will do without the 3D effect if only to preserve their console's battery life (so they can keep playing...)

Other welcome additions include better maps, improved inventory management thanks to the touch-screen, and more accurate aiming via motion control for items like the bow, catapult and boomerang.

It's a game that is accessible to a wide variety of players, and offers a reasonably lengthy quest to enjoy, with plenty of fun diversions along the way.

I particularly like the way the game's puzzle solutions are never obviously signposted, that the design assumes players are smart, creative and curious. But there is some concession to modern hand-holding, with Shiekah Stones offering you a glimpse of what to do if you are stuck.

It's a re-release that has been given the love and respect that it deserved, and absolutely deserves to be played and loved all over again.

What have you been playing lately?

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/digital-life/games/blogs/screenplay/the-greatest-20110627-1gm7s.html#ixzz1QQF5ailb

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AutoWed wedding machine eliminates the need for a priest

If you’d like to get married in the future, we might not need a priest anymore. The folks over at Concept Shed recently came up with a very interesting machine called the AutoWed: a novelty contraption that performs the role of a priest in a marriage. Users input their particulars, press the appropriate buttons on the machine to make their decisions, and get wed by the machines. It even gives the couple the rings they need just in case they haven’t got any yet! It’s that simple.

No long recitations of vows or listening to all the superfluous talk – just getting straight to the point. Now it won’t be putting any priests out of business anytime soon, but it’s interesting to see what other jobs can be replaced by machines in the future. Check out a demonstration video of AutoWed in action (make sure you keep your ears peeled for a hilarious gag towards the end):

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Lulzsec hacking groups disbands

"It's time to say bon voyage" says Lulzsec.

The hacking group Lulzsec has announced via a press release that it is disbanding. The ceasefire comes at the end of what Lulzsec members claim to have been a pre-planned, 50 day spate of attacks against companies including Sony, Nintendo, Fox and PBS.
"Our planned 50 day cruise has expired." the group announced in a press release. "For the past 50 days we've been disrupting and exposing corporations, governments, often the general population itself, and quite possibly everything in between, just because we could."


The group made headlines throughout the 50 day period with its high profile attacks, which it carried out either as benign demonstrations of holes in companies' digital security (as with Nintendo) or as revenge for perceived oppression (as with Sony and its lawsuit against George "Geohotz" Hotz, the man responsible for jailbreaking Sony's PlayStation 3). US news sites were also targeted, allegedly as a show of support for Wikileaks and imprisoned US soldier Bradley Manning.


The press release also calls for others to pick up the online activism torch in the future: "Behind the insanity and the mayhem, we truly believe in the [Anti-security] movement" reads the statement. "We hope, wish, even beg, that the movement manifests itself into a revoution that can continue on without us... Please don't stop. Together we can stomp down our common oppressors."

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Gingerbread coming soon for HTC Thunderbolt

If you bought a HTC Thunderbolt phone and were hoping for a Gingerbread update – well you’re in luck. The folks over at Droid-Life got their hands on a letter by a HTC representative that was issued to one of their readers, with some interesting tidbits. Not only will the next update fix the rebooting issues (that has plagued the phone for quite awhile now), it will bring the phone’s operating system up to speed with Android 2.3 Gingerbread! Hopefully it will solve battery life issues with the phone as well, which is one of our major concerns about the HTC ThunderBolt.

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Panasonic sees Toughbook C1, and raises the ante with updates

Panasonic is one brand name that you can definitely trust when it comes to using a tough-as-nails notebook, thanks to their Toughbook series. Well, the latest machine from them that will fly the Toughbook flag is not new – we’re talking about the Toughbook C1, although Panasonic decided to take the vanilla model and throw in some updates to help it keep up with the times.

The new Toughbook C1 will hold the self-proclaimed record of being the world’s lightest 12.1” convertible tablet PC, where it will sport a 320GB hard drive at the very least, alongside up to 12 hours of battery life, 2GB RAM right out of the box that can be updated to 8GB and a faster Intel Core i5-2520M vPro processor which runs at 2.50GHz with Turbo Boost up to 3.2GHz. Apart from that, Panasonic knows how valuable your time is to you, which is why the Toughbook C1 has a start-up time that is around 30% faster compared to its predecessor.

The upgraded Toughbook C1 won’t skimp on its built-in wireless connectivity options that comprise of Bluetooth v2.1 and the optional Gobi 2000 3G mobile broadband technology from Qualcomm. Having been certified on the AT&T, Sprint and Verizon Wireless 3G networks, this more or less confirms the fact that you will be able to remain connected virtually all of the time. Apart from that, with Intel’s Centrino Advanced-N 6205 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi chipset, you shouldn’t be able to have issues with Wi-Fi networks anywhere.

Weighing just 3.28 lbs, this lightweight Toughbook C1 will sport a triple-hinge design that was specially developed for a highly mobile workforce. The laptop is tough enough to withstand drops from around 30” without blinking, and it has a hot-swappable twin battery design so that you need not worry about losing your work simply because there isn’t enough juice left. With a ‘hand-free’ ergonomic “strap and dome” cradle, you know that working for long hours on the C1 is going to be smooth sailing – although it isn’t cut out for gaming.

Expect to see the upgraded Toughbook C1 arrive Stateside from next month onwards from $2,599.

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Gadgetell Review: PolarPillow keeps it cool

What: PolarPillow cooling pillow
How much: $99
Verdict: 4/5.  If you run hot, this is your pillow.  Folks who sleep with arms under the pillow need not apply.

What to get for the guy or gal that has everything?  Answer: the technologically advanced, endothermic gel stuffed PolarPillow.  This pillow is engineered to provide heat dissipation while providing the user a restful night sleep.  Skeptical?  So was I.

There’s nothing like tossing a pillow around trying to find the coolest part.  If you ever tried that, than you’ll want to check out this pillow.  Here’s my experience.

The UPS guy asked if I wanted him to spot me as he handed me the box.  This pillow is hefty; hefty as in you’ll win every pillow fight you encounter swinging this thing around.  The gel is not light apparently.

No worries, I figured and stuffed the pillow into my pillow case.  In as few as 7 seconds (I counted), I began to feel the cooling action.  Hey!  This thing was really working.

And it kept working.  Night after night, I found I was awaking less in the middle of the night to flop the pillow around.  The late spring heat and humidity were doing their best to challenge the gel but to no avail.

I did run into a problem though.  It seems I sleep with an arm under my pillow occasionally.  The resulted in a numb arm in the morning as my circulation was no match for the hefty pillow.  It’s an odd complaint that I suspect wouldn’t give most folks pause.

The pillow itself is slightly undersized, but given the weight of the gel and no longer needing to find the cool spot, a smaller pillow works and the size never bothered me.

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Aquaskipper Hydrofoil Human Powered Watercraft

Ever wondered how it will feel like when you walk on water? Of course, you might not be able to live it up as with Peter, but with the Aquaskipper Hydrofoil Human Powered Watercraft, it might give you a semblance of such a feeling. This $495 purchase is not going to be made on a whim and fancy, but at least you can use it constantly without having to worry about ever rising fuel prices – simply because it is human-powered.

Made out of lightweight aircraft aluminum, it weighs a mere 26 pounds when fully assembled. Good thing you don’t need a rocket science degree to get this assembled, and if you’re smart enough to work out your own constructions using LEGO, surely the Aquaskipper Hydrofoil Human Powered Watercraft should not be a problem for you to put together. Capable of flying up to 17mph, you can basically fly across water by hopping up and down.

Just make sure you are not heavier than 250 pounds, and pass the 70 pounds mark if you ever want the Aquaskipper Hydrofoil Human Powered Watercraft to “take off”

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Apple unlocking AT&T iPhone 4 handsets to sell contract-free

Apple retail stores are repurposing locked AT&T iPhone 4 handsets to sell as unlocked, with the news that the checkout systems are able to redefine units as “Device Only.” According to 9to5Mac‘s source, staff at Apple stores are being advised that they can swap in AT&T phones for unlocked iPhone 4 units if they’re running low on stock levels.
The AT&T handsets are obviously locked to the carrier, and intended to be sold subsidized and with a new, two-year agreement. However, if marked “Device Only” on the checkout system, when activated they will apparently also be unlocked for use on any GSM carrier. Apple began selling unlocked iPhone 4 handsets in the US on June 14, with the 16GB model priced at $649 and the 32GB model at $749.

It’s not clear whether this is an indication that stock levels of the unlocked versions – which come in both black and white – are running low, or if it’s simply a useful tip for Apple retail employees. Once unlocked, the iPhone 4 can be used with T-Mobile USA SIM cards after they have been cut down to suit the microSIM slot; however, they’ll also be limited to EDGE data speeds, since T-Mobile USA’s 3G network uses different frequencies to AT&T’s. Nonetheless, it’s apparently still a compelling option: T-Mobile USA announced last week that it had 1m iPhones operating on its network.

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OnLive Viewer hits HTC Flyer, ripped and posted for other Android gaming voyeurs

Those of you toting around an HTC Flyer probably just got an update that loaded OnLive Viewer on your 7-inch tablet. Don't get too excited though, the name of the app says it all -- this is a viewer not a player. So, if you've got a voyeuristic streak, you can watch others shoot their way through F.E.A.R. 3, but you won't slowing down time yourself. If that sounds like a blast but you don't have a Flyer, fear not, the folks at the XDA forums were kind enough to rip the APK and post it for all the world to enjoy. We successfully tested it on a Droid X, and reports are that it's up and running on the EVO 4G, Desire HD, and even a hacked Nook Color. Once installed you'll just need a WiFi connection (the app kicks you back to the homescreen on 3G) and low expectations -- the video quality was less than impressive. Hit up the source link to download it for yourself, and check out the video our tipster sent us after the break.

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Magellan RoadMate 5175T-LM GPS Navigation Device with WiFi

Magellan launches the new RoadMate 5175T-LM (model RM5175SGLUC) GPS navigation device with built-in WiFi connectivity. The device has a 5-inch touchscreen with Wide VGA resolution. With WiFi, the 5175T-LM, at stops or between meetings, can connect to hotspots to search for user-rated dining and other destinations. WiFi connectivity also keeps the device up-to-date with the latest software updates delivered automatically.

Magellan RoadMate 5175T-LM GPS Navigation Device with WiFi portrait
The RoadMate 5175T-LM comes with subscription-free lifetime traffic alerts, highway lane assist, 6 Million Points of Interest (POI), spoken street names, and Magellan’s customizable OneTouch menu for favorite places and searches. It features the TourDirector, a personal guide designed specifically for travellers to help them plan tours to nearby attractions and restaurants. The GPS device is loaded with maps of United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico with free lifetime map updates and offers built-in AAA TourBook to provide ratings and descriptions of AAA approved places to stay, play, dine, and more.

Magellan’s RoadMate 5175T-LM is boosted by 533MHz processor and has a microSD/SDHC card slot for expansion. The price is $299.99 or just $249.99 at Amazon.com.

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Solar Sinter solar-powered 3D printer turns sand into glass, renews our faith in higher education (video)

Where would we be without the world's graduate art projects? In the case of Markus Kayser's Solar Sinter, we might never have seen the day when a solar-powered 3D printer would turn Saharan sand into a perfectly suitable glass bowl. Well, lucky for us (we suppose) we live in a world overflowing with MA students, and awash in their often confusing, sometimes inspiring projects. Solar Sinter, now on display at the Royal College of Art, falls into the latter category, taking the Earth's natural elements, and turning them into functioning pieces of a burgeoning technology. Solar Sinter uses the sun's rays in place of a laser and sand in place of resin, in a process that is perhaps more visually stunning than the results. See for yourself in the video after the break.

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Icon – M55 Terminus hybrid bike

Let’s get price out of the way. That thing looks expensive

Straight to the point, eh? Okay – €25,555 for the cheapest model and not a penny less.

…
Speechless, I take it? Before you ask why it’s so special, just look at it. M55 has taken the humble two-wheeled pedal bike and transformed it to resemble the result of a testosterone-fuelled collaboration between Tony Stark and Bruce Wayne.

Bugatti Veyrons cost a bomb too, but at least they can back up the price tag
So can the Terminus. Its hybrid drive, coupled with ingenious sensors, result in the electric motor giving a much needed boost to your weak, flabby legs. The 90 percent efficient, 250-1500W motor can churn out 540rpm, producing a top speed of 67kph.

Colour me impressed. If I win the lottery, where can I buy one?
Straight from M55 online. Each 55th piece will be a special edition with a custom paintjob and each purchase comes with a golden plate dedicated to you, the proud, lucky (and filthy rich) owner.

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Apple product managers respond to Final Cut Pro X criticism

During our call to discuss Final Cut Pro X earlier this week, an Apple product manager boasted about the product's low price, media management, and ground-up redesign. Unfortunately, when starting from scratch, developers seem to have overlooked a few features that professional users have come to depend on, prompting widespread backlash -- both on internet forums and even on Apple's own App Store, where the $300 download-only app currently has a rating of just 2.5 stars (out of five), including nearly 500 one-star ratings. (Note: you must purchase the app before submitting a rating or review.) The New York Times spoke to product managers about these issues, which include an inability to import old FCP files, no multicamera editing, no support for RED cameras, and no ability to specify QuickTime export settings, among many others. Apple says there are (pricey) workarounds available, or fixes on the way for all but the first issue, but head over to the source link for the full rundown at NYT.

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Duke University physicists test first air-based acoustic invisibility cloak

Firmly departing from the Stuff Of Dreams category, Duke University physicists have successfully tested an acoustic cloaking device that fools sound waves while looking nowhere near as scifi as you'd think. Layering nothing more than a bunch of hole-punched plastic sheets -- known as meta-materials, for those curious -- atop a ten centimeter long block of wood, highly-directed sound in the 1 - 4kHz range bounced right back into the ether none the wiser. The cloaking tech owes some of its origin to the math behind transformation optics -- and maybe to the Duke team, too. Besides allowing defense department bunkers to erupt into silent applause, the research should prove useful in the construction of future concert halls. DIY hobbyists, let us know what you can rig up with some trash bags.

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AndyPad photographed, two models confirmed

The mysterious AndyPad is getting less mysterious by the day, as specs and prices of the UK-built Android tablet start to appear ahead of its launch in a couple of months time. And now we have our first photo of the device itself.

It’s white. Which we already knew. It looks exactly like you would imagine a white 7″ Android tablet to look. You can’t really tell much else, but here it is:


The photo appeared on Twitter and seems to have been snapped at a business presentation, where attendees were also told there would be two models – the standard 8GB option for £129 plus one with 16GB of memory for £169.

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Making the Case for $20 Console Video Games

Over the last week, I’ve been thinking about the console market and how games are priced nowadays.

Currently, new games on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 cost $60. Those who want the latest and greatest titles on the Nintendo Wii will be set back $50.

Over the years, that has been the going rate for console games, and judging by the growth of the industry, it’s a price that people around the globe are more than willing to pay. But I’m starting to wonder if it’s too much now. More importantly, I’m starting to wonder if $20 might be the new sweet spot for console game pricing.

Now, I’m sure that if the industry decided to change game pricing to $20 per new title, it would take an initial hit. After all, pricing games for one-third their original price isn’t always a good idea for companies that have a responsibility to investors to grow revenue. But when one considers where the market is headed — namely, towards a reliance upon digital downloads — it might not be so outlandish to price games so cheaply.

Rather than spending years working on a game and investing millions before a title is released, why can’t a game company offer up a portion of a game for $20, and then allow for players to either buy expansion packs as they become available, or offer a monthly service where gamers would pay a set fee to get more content over time? Such a move could help developers make more in the long-run — a key component in making this plan happen — and as long as the value is right, help gamers get more out of titles.

I’ll freely admit that my $20-per-game fee is an arbitrary figure, and we would need to rely upon developers to find the right price point for what they’re offering, but I think that price point adequately illustrates what I’m trying to say: as digital content becomes more popular and gamers warm to the idea of paying cash over time to get more game maps, storylines, and characters, developers can afford to make less now, and generate more revenue over the long-term.

Pricing games at a substantially reduced rate and offering more content in the future also helps developers limit the impact of the used-game market.

When companies like GameStop sell used games, the developers don’t get a cut of the revenue. And unfortunately for developers, the used-game space is a huge (and growing) market. It’s why EA only allows those who buy its sports games new to access its online features, and charges used-game buyers for access.

At $20 for a new game, developers could go a long way in limiting the amount of revenue they lose to used game sales.

Call me crazy, but I think the game industry is ready for a new way of pricing console video games. With more and more people accessing online services and warming to the idea of digital downloads after games are released, it seems like the perfect time to ditch old ideas and drastically reduce game prices.

In the long run, such a move could benefit both consumers and game developers.

More about → Making the Case for $20 Console Video Games

Is this the next Sony VAIO Z?

We haven't heard much about Sony's ultra slim VAIO Z in months, but when we have, we've always been left with more questions than answers. We've seen its specs (but not handsome face) splashed on various European websites, while Sony, for its part, has only made the coy promise that its newly redesigned S series thin-and-lights are not meant to replace the more premium Z line. Lo and behold, we're now seeing photos of what purports to be the next-gen Z series and, as always, we're left wanting more. In these pics, you've supposedly got the Z -- sometimes with a black lid, sometimes gold -- sitting next to an external dock housing what appears to be an optical drive. If you drop in on the gossip circles in NotebookReview's forum, you'll read some speculation that there's an external GPU baked in there, too -- a compelling idea, though even "Eddie," the guy who leaked these photos, doesn't seem completely confident as to what that peripheral actually does. Given that the Z series has been MIA from Sony's site for months now, we hope the company gets a move on and outs this thing -- if this is, indeed, what it is. Until then, amuse yourselves with photos and crowd-sourced specs at the source links.

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Amazon Slashes Prices On Atrix, Infuse, And Revolution

Amazon has done it again. They’ve slashed prices generously as only they have been known to do, and this time it’s for the Motorola Atrix 4G, the Samsung Infuse 4G, and the LG Revolution. If you’ve been pining for one of these powerful 4G LTE smartphones, now’s the time take action. Amazon is dropping prices to as low as $0.01!

Amazon has dropped pricing to $89.99 for the Samsung Infuse 4G, which currently retails from the AT&T website for $199.99 with a two-year contract. The Infuse is a 4G HSPA+ device introduced for the AT&T network back in May. It’s the largest yet thinnest device on the network sporting a whopping 4.5-inch Super AMOLED Plus display, 1.3-megapixel front camera, 8-megapixel back camera, and a 1.2GHz Hummingbird processor. Make sure to check out our hands-on with the device as well as the full review before you head over to Amazon to scoop it up.

Pricing is now $99.99 on Amazon for the LG Revolution, which currently goes for $249.99 with a two-year contract on Verizon’s website. The LG Revolution was the first device capable of running on Verizon’s 4G LTE network. It features a 4.3-inch display with a 1GHz Snapdragon processor, 1.3-megapixel front camera, and 5-megapixel back camera. Check out our full review of the device before you head over to it’s Amazon page.

Most drastic of all, however, is Amazon dropping the Motorola Atrix 4G to just $0.01 while it still costs $99.99 from the AT&T website. The Atrix is the oldest of the bunch, launching back in February. It features a 4-inch qHD display, NVIDIA Tegra 2 processsor, VGA front camera, and 5-megapixel back camera. Also, be sure to check out our full review before heading to its Amazon page.

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BioBolt brain implant could help the paralyzed walk again

Controlling a cursor with your brain? Yawn. Restoring movement to paralyzed mice? Color us unimpressed. Help a wheelchair-bound man walk again using only his thoughts? Now we're talking. That's the goal of researchers at the University of Michigan who have developed BioBolt, a (comparatively) noninvasive implant that rests on top of the cortex rather than penetrate it. The device is inserted through an easily-covered, dime-sized hole in the skull and feeds patterns from firing neurons to a computer using your epidermis (which is showing, by the way) as a conductor. The ultimate goal of helping the paralyzed walk again is still years away but, in the meantime, it could be used to suppress seizures or diagnose diseases like Parkinson's. Everyday this mind over matter thing sounds a little less like a load of bullpuckey.

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Apple AirPlay And Thunderbolt Priced Too High For Widespread Support

It seems like Apple may be pricing itself into a corner, at least with its proprietary AirPlay and Thunderbolt technologies. Reports today revealed that Apple’s licensing fees for the two technologies are prohibitively expensive. The prices are said to be too high for either technology to see mainstream adoption in the near future.

AirPlay is a proprietary Apple wireless streaming technology that can stream audio as well as video content wirelessly between Apple devices. Currently, Apple is only licensing out the audio streaming portion of the technology, which can add as much as $100 to the price of an audio system.

The Thunderbolt technology developed in partnership with Intel allows for high-speed bi-directional data transfer rates of up to 10Gbps. It’s said to be 12 times faster than FireWire 800 and 20 times faster than USB 2.0. The price for the required hardware for licensees is said to cost as much as a low-end hard drive. An upcoming Thunderbolt-enabled third-party device is the LaCie Little Big Disk, which we got our hands-on, but have not yet confirmed pricing.

Apple may see exclusivity as a competitive advantage, but it creates frustration for customers by forcing them to use only a specific ecosystem of products. This could also give rivals such as Google an opportunity to take an open approach that would make their alternative a better option and eventually the more widespread standard.

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Apple's legal battle with rival Samsung takes a new twist

ELECTRONIC gadget maker Apple yesterday opened up a new front in its on-going patent battle with rival Samsung by suing the South Korean company in its home patch.
Apple, led by chief executive Steve Jobs, filed a lawsuit in the United States in April, claiming that Samsung's Galaxy range of devices "slavishly" copied its own iPhone mobile phones and iPad tablet computers.

Samsung retaliated by suing Apple i
n Germany, Japan and South Korea.

A spokesman for Apple's Korean unit declined to comment on the lawsuit and reiterated the company's previous stance.

He said: "It is no coincidence that Samsung's latest products look a lot like the iPhone and iPad from the shape of the hardware to the user interface and even the packaging."

In the previous filing against Apple, Samsung said it was seeking compensation for patent infringements.

Global technology companies are locked in a web of litigation as they try to defend their shares of the booming tablet and smartphone market.

Last week, a lawyer for Apple said in a US court that executives "at the highest levels" of both companies are in talks about patent litigation.

Apple, which was Samsung's second-biggest client after Japan's Sony last year, became the South Korean firm's biggest customer during the first quarter of this year, mainly by purchasing components.

Samsung is one of the fastest-growing smartphone makers on the back of a boom in demand for the Android operating system and has emerged as Apple's strongest competitor in the tablet market.

News of the latest twist comes as the US International Trade Commission, which oversees industrial disputes, said it will take an extra week to review camera maker Kodak's patent claim against Apple and Canadian firm Research in Motion, which makes the Blackberry.

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Google 'retires' Health and PowerMeter, lets you save your vitals through 2012

Remember that Withings blood pressure monitor for iOS that we went hands-on with last week? It integrated with Google Health. The search giant's health management portal also paired with dozens of other services (a heaping handful can be seen in the image above) to aggregate and track all of your data, and share it with family members, friends, and doctors. The service didn't have the widespread impact that Google expected, however, so it's taking Health offline after the clock strikes midnight on January 1, 2012. You'll have another year to download your info, or send it directly to competing services.

Also on the chopping block is PowerMeter, a free energy monitoring tool that pairs with smart power meters and other energy monitoring devices to help users better understand consumption habits and ultimately reduce costs. That project will get the boot from Mountain View on September 16th, but you'll be able to log in to your account to download a CSV file. We imagine Health and PowerMeter are already plotting their trip down south, to get in a few thousand rounds of golf with Video Store at Pebble Beach. Perhaps to be joined by Buzz and Wave, in the not-so-distant future?

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Pioneer DJ and VH1 celebrity designed turntables are funky

At the VH1 Save the Music Foundation event last night, Pioneer DJ showed of some specially designed turntables that were created by celebrities as part of the Art Mix program. Artists, DJs and designers were each given a Pioneer CDJ-2000 digital music player to come up with their own creations. The turntables will then be exhibited at events nationwide this summer, and then they will be eventually auctioned off online. All the proceeds will go to the VH1 Save the Music Foundation.

Interested in forking out a lot of money for these limited edition turntables? Head over to Chip Chick to check out the full gallery of the customized turntables part of the 2011 Art Mix project. And keep an eye peeled for announcement of the auction in the future.

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NEW APP: Optimistic Weather

A bit of a joke this. But a good one. Optimistic Weather lies to you about what the weather’s going to be tomorrow. That’s it. It’s not really of any particular use, but looks sweet and amused us for a few seconds just then. Here’s the maker’s description:

    You can’t control the weather but you can control your optimism. Optimistic Weather is not a conventional weather forecast, it blows away those swirling charts for nothing but next day sunshine. Accurate weather forecasting is just depressing… let’s look forward to tomorrow!


    Please Note, this app requires Android Firmware 2.2 (Froyo) and Adobe Air, so if you don’t have it on your device it will prompt you to install it first.

It’s a Flash-based app, hence the onerous tech demands.

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NXP launches NFC-enabled car keys

NXP Semiconductors NV has just announced the availability of its production-ready single-chip solution for multifunction car keys. The NCF2970 (KEyLink Lite) can do more than just open your car doors – it packs NFC (Near Field Communications) technology that allows it to connect to NFC-compliant devices such as smartphones, tablets and laptops. If you’re wondering how useful NFC-enabled keys can be, here’s a couple of examples:

As a car finder: when you park your car, the key can record the GPS coordinates of your car. Later when you’re having trouble locating your car, you can just connect it to your phone which can then pull the coordinates from the key and locate your car on a map for you.

Route planner: load up your destination in the comfort of your own home, and store it in the key. When you go into the car, you can just transfer the destination via NFC to the GPS unit in the car – no more tapping in locations manually, saving you the hassle of searching and looking for a place.

Car Self-Diagnosis – transfer diagnostic data from your car to a computer via the car key. No more dealing with connecting funky cables to the car to get special readings. Just tap your keys.

No word on when we’ll start seeing these keys being used, but they sure make your car keys more valuable than they already are. What do you think of NFC-enabled keys – a necessity or something you can do without?

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Invisible ping-pong game lets you give yourself a paddlin

The guy in this picture is playing ping-pong. Invisible ping-pong. All by himself. Go With The Rythm! Hyper Ping-Pong (that's what it's called) is exactly like the real game, except without the need for a second paddle, a table, a ball, hand-eye coordination, self-respect, or friends. Awesome!

Go With The Rythm! Hyper Ping-Pong is a sort of virtual reality pin- pong game that you play with yourself (or with an "invisible opponent" if that makes you feel less like a dork). Just swing the paddle and it'll make a noise like you just hit an invisible ping-pong ball, followed by noises for the ball hitting the invisible table and your invisible opponent hitting it back at you. Time your next swing correctly, and you can keep the invisible rally going. Push a special button on the paddle, and if you can get the timing just right, you'll be able to do an invisible smash, winning the invisible game and sending you invisible opponent off in invisible tears.

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Toyota premiers smart charging G-Stations in Japan, world instantly jealous

Recharging tired EVs and plug-in hybrids in Japan just got a little more exciting thanks to Toyota's upcoming G-Station charger, which relies on contact-less smart-cards to identify vehicles and owners. Toyota's Windows Azure-powered Smart Center drives the machines, which allows users to connect to the internet and use smartphone apps to find chargers, receive notifications, and check usage history. The G-Station will be coming this July in two flavors, creatively named Type A for the standard and Type B for the more advanced model. Pricing for the aforementioned units will be 280,000 yen ($3,469 USD) and 448,000 yen ($5,549 USD) respectively. Toyota is expecting to sell around 3,000 units by the end of 2012, making these stations available to its retail car dealers, shopping malls and restaurants. Soon the outside of pachinko parlors will be just as electric as the inside.

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Samsung Series 5 Chromebook shows off sweet looks, quirky Chrome OS

The Samsung Series 5 Chromebook is the first laptop in the UK to use Google's cloud-based Chrome operating system. Since we first got our hands on Chrome OS last month, we've been furiously debating whether or not we could live with its stripped-down, browser-based user interface. We're still not convinced, but the Samsung Series 5 just may be gorgeous enough to persuade us to take the plunge.

Chrome OS is not your standard operating system. It's easiest to think of it as having the Chrome browser as the only piece of software on a laptop. Because that's pretty much all it is.

Instead of having a capacious hard disk drive for installing programmes and saving files, it operates almost entirely over an Internet connection, making use of Web-based apps and extensions such as Google Docs, Spotify and even the frighteningly ubiquitous Angry Birds. This severely restricts the number of functions it can perform, but has the great advantage of superfast bootup time and none of the security problems inherent in Windows.

Windows users, however, will certainly feel out of place to begin with, as Chrome OS has no start menu, no folders to organise and no desktop. It's an unusual way of doing things and one that definitely won't be to everyone's tastes.

The Samsung Series 5 Chromebook itself is a dashing slice of tech. The 12.1-inch screen and 20mm thickness makes this a great ultra-portable machine that can easily be thrown into a backpack without a second thought. From our initial hands-on it seems very well built too, so you needn't worry too much if you're constantly lugging it between meetings.

Under the hood, the Chromebook is packing a 1.66GHz dual-core Intel Atom processor paired with 2GB of RAM, which should make most tasks a breezy joy. There's no dedicated graphics card, but with no way to install pixel-hungry HD shooters, we can't hold that against it. It should be more than capable of handling the aforementioned irritated avians though.

The skimpy Chrome OS results in a whippet-fast startup time of around 10 seconds, helped by the 12GB SSD drive, which has a much faster read/write speed than standard hard disks. Wireless n Wi-Fi and optional 3G connectivity will keep the Chromebook connected to the Web -- crucial to actually use the thing.

Samsung claims the Chromebook will squeeze out over 8 hours of battery life with normal usage, and up to 5 hours of video playback. We'll see how those figures really stack up once we get our hands deeply into it.

The Series 5 Chromebook will be on sale from 2 July for £349 for the Wi-Fi only model or £399 for one with 3G. It's a real wildcard of a laptop and we're going to have to spend some time getting used to it before we decide whether Chrome OS is worth the investment.

In the meantime, check out the photos from the launch event and use the comments below and our official Facebook page to tell us what you think of Chrome OS and the Samsung Chromebook.

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Romain Jerome Does Space Invaders

We’ve got a soft spot for the truly original designs of Romain Jerome’s luxury watches. In the past they’ve incorporated everything from moondust, spacesuit fibers, pieces of Apollo XI, dinosaur bones, coal and steel from the Titanic and even volcano ash into their designs. It kind of makes their latest timepiece seem downright boring, though ironically, far more enticing to any of us who appreciate old-school gaming.

Teaming up with the TAITO Corporation, Romain Jerome’s latest creation pays tribute to Space Invaders, with two unique designs that are limited to just 78 pieces each. As a tribute to the game being released waaaaay back in 1978. But as usual the watch’s appeal isn’t just limited to its pixelated tribute graphics.

    Inheriting the highly distinctive case of the Moon Invader series (a round shape within a cambered 46 mm square, with a round front and an almost rectangular back), the SPACE INVADERS have also kept the same steel coalesced with fragments from the Apollo 11 capsule. It is no coincidence that this case is designed like a strongbox, or even like a space vessel capable of travelling great distances, since that kind of vehicle is exactly what is needed to facilitate the SPACE INVADERS colonisation of our daily lives.

    The four functional ball-and-socket joints of this rounded squares are cut like the pivoting « feet » of the lunar landing modules of the American lunar missions. These extremely sophisticated components mounted on axles anchored in the case hold the lugs of the rubber straps and enable the watch to adjust to all kinds of wrist sizes.

    Embodying another tangible token of the space age symbolised by this new SPACE INVADERS collection, a dedicated plate made of Moon SilverRJ– a silver alloy with an extremely low oxidisation rate incorporating moon rocks – appears on the stellar-patterned back of the watch. This engraved plate reproduces the lunar surface, of which the mineral particles interact on an infra-molecular level with the wearer of the watch.

Available in two versions, the full color model pictured above and a black and white version with the characters covered in Superluminova causing them to glow at night, the watches are expected to sell for between $10,000 to $15,000. Which is sadly pretty affordable when compared to previous Romain Jerome models.

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tt-i EagleEye records your achievements in HD

Everybody loves achievements. But what’s the point of accomplishing something if you’ve got nobody to share it with? That’s why we have trophies in video games and replay cameras – everybody loves to share their accomplishments. But in real life it’s a bit different – you don’t have anyone but yourself to keep track of your progress in everything you do. And nothing is recorded for you unless you have somebody with a video cam standing on the sidelines.

Well, tt-i has decided that achievements are important things in real life and has just launched the new “Buddy” EagleEye. This high definition video camera is lightweight and comes with a mounting bracket so that it can be easily mounted to a helmet or headband. The next time you’re out doing kick flips over cliffs and cycling down a rocky mountain pit – you can be sure that you’ve got footage of yourself doing it.

The EagleEye records video in 180p HD with H.264 compression, and stores it on an SD card for easy playback via a computer or HDTV. It has a battery life of 2.5 hours which should be enough for most purposes, and has a rain-proof LCD display that lets you preview your video clips while out in the field. It is built with a streamline design, which makes it ideal for skiers, skaters, racing drivers, bikers, and basically anybody who wants to record themselves doing something (nobody’s going to stop you from recording yourself scoring maximum points in Guitar Hero). The tt-i EagleEye is available now for $269

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Logitech Revue to Get Google TV 2.0 This Summer

nnounced at the beginning of Octomber 2012, the Logitech Revue Google TV set-top box failed to capture the markets attention in all the time that it was available for sale, but all this could change soon as the unit is set to receive the second generation of the Google TV platform this summer.

The Google TV 2.0 software is based on the same Honeycomb 3.1 Android operating system that was designed to be used in tablets, but it features a series of modifications meant to make it better suited for larger screens.

While still in development, the platform is expected to bring an import series of new features and optimizations to its users, so this upgrade is expected by a wide series of Google TV customers.

Some of the most fortunate seem to be the owners of Logitech's Revue STB as the company has recently confirmed, to the AnandTech publication, that “is testing the new software on Revue units on their campus and working with in-house developers to prepare a suite of apps for its users.”

A firm release schedule isn't available at this time, but the software is expected to arrive late this summer. Current Revue owners will be able to upgrade the firmware free of charge.

Logitech has however declined to comment if the release of Google TV 2.0 will be accompanied by some sort of new hardware, but is hard to believe that such an upgrade in software won't see the arrival of a new set-top box unit.

Logitech's Revue retails for $249.99 and it includes both the Google TV device and a special wireless keyboard with a built-in trackpad.

The set-top box itself sports one HDMI out and HDMI in connector, a pair of USB 2.0 ports, Wi-Fi and Gigabit LAN connectivity, a pair of built-in IR blasters, and a digital S/PDIF output.

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Leaked: Nokia’s First Windows Phone Looks Just Like N9

Coming from Hungarian blog Technet via BlurryCam™ are these leaked shots of Nokia’s first Windows Phone 7 phone. If it looks like the just-announced MeeGo-based N9, that’s because it pretty much is. It has the same slim, iPod Nano like body, the same Gorilla Glass screen and the same 8MP camera with Carl Zeiss lens.That’s Nokia CEO Stephen Elop asking press attendees to shut off their cameras, before naively pulling out the new handset, codenamed Sea Ray. Obviously not everyone complied, and we have the images to prove it. (It could also be that Elop played the audience to get the images leaked deliberately).

There are a few hardware differences — the flash and the button arrangements are slightly changed — and this is a prototype likely subject to change, but if this runs Windows Phone 7 as well as other handsets, and looks as good as the N9, then Nokia might just have a hit on its hands. In fact, the only thing hampering its success is that fact that the OS is called Windows, which can really only confuse people.

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Android Firefox updated to v5.0 – tracking opt-out and faster loading

Mozilla’s development of mobile Firefox continues at a rapid pace, with the company releasing the latest version 5.0 update of its browser on the Android Market for your installation.

The headline addition to the latest code as far as Mozilla is concerned is its “Do Not Track privacy feature” which lets users opt out of behavioral tracking. It also includes “improved page load speed” (don’t they always?) plus “improved compatibility” with the SwiftKey alternate keyboard.

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Sony Ericsson announces Xperia active

In addition to the Xperia ray, Sony Ericsson introduced yet another phone to its Xperia line up. This time it’s the Xperia active – an Android phone with a rugged design to match consumers’ active lifestyles. With a small form factor that is reminiscent of some old school feature phones from the company, it features a rugged-looking body that’s more than just about looks.

The compact smartphone has a 3″ Reality Display that is scratch resistant and supports wet finger tracking (yeah, we all know how annoying it can be to use a touchscreen when we have wet fingers) so the phone is still usable in your sweaty palms. It is also dust proof and water resistant, which makes it a great companion to bring along with you on your runs/hikes/trips to the gym.

It packs a 1GHz processor, Android 2.3, Mobile BRAVIA Engine, a 5-megapixel camera with 720p HD video recording, a GPS, barometer, and compass. It also supports ANT+ wireless networking technology to let you monitor your heart rate and pulse on screen in real time. Heavy Facebook integration also lets you easily share your progress reports on your fitness with all your Facebook friends. The phone also comes with a free armband for you to keep it close to you during your workouts.

No word on pricing but expect the phone to go on sale globally (in select markets) in Q3 2011.

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NetSecure Kudos Credit card solution hits Canada and works for BlackBerry devices

Generally when we are talking about a credit card processing system for mobile phones we are looking at a system for the iPhone. A new mobile processing solution has turned up specifically for Canadians that are using a BlackBerry smartphone. The system comes from NetSecure and is called Kudos. The company also makes systems that will work for the iPhone and Android devices as well.
Once the card reader is connected to the smartphone the payment processing can be done for credit cards and debit cards at lower fees. Small businesses in Canada have had few services to choose from so an extra choice is a good thing for business owners. The Kudos kit is a point of sale kit in a box. It includes a swipe terminal, POS software, and a merchant account.

The software is offered for laptops and for mobile phones. The rate per transaction is 2.9% with no monthly of ongoing fees. The Kudos kit is available for Canadians for $49.99 normally and is available at no charge right now while supplies last.

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iPhone 5 and iPad 3 releases remain off limits to Samsung

A US judge has refused Samsung access to Apple's unreleased iPhone 5 and iPad 3 devices as part of an ongoing court battle
Samsung has been refused access to unreleased iPhone 5 and iPad 3 prototypes after a US judge ruled the Korean company had no legal right to see Apple’s upcoming products.
Having ‘demanded’ access to Apple’s unreleased tech after the Cupertino firm was granted access by a US court to view unleashed Samsung devices as part of an ongoing legal patent row, Samsung has been refused a viewing with the mooted devices in order to check if Apple has infringed on its patents.
Despite refusing Samsung access to the Apple devices, Judge Lucy Koh has announced the Galaxy S II and Galaxy Tab 10.1 maker will still be able to use the iPhone 5 and iPad 3 in its legal dispute once the device are released to the public.
"Samsung is free to argue, for instance, that there is little likelihood of confusion because consumers will not encounter its products side-by-side with the iPhone 4 or iPad 2, but rather with Apple's next generation iPhone and iPad,” Koh announced.
"Similarly, as to proximity, Samsung is free to argue that because the iPhone 4 and iPhone 2 will soon be outmoded and reduced in price, they are not being sold (or very soon will not be sold) to the same class of purchasers who are likely to buy new Samsung products.

"By choosing to allege infringement only of its current products, Apple opens itself up to these arguments."

Whilst confirmed release dates for the iPhone 5 and iPad 3 are being kept the industry’s most well kept secrets, last reports suggest the iPhone 5 will be officially unveiled and released this August sporting an 8-megapixel camera with 1080p Full HD video recording capabilities, a 1GHz dual-core processor and a radically redesigned form factor.

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Who Will Want New Domain Name Suffixes?

Maybe you haven’t heard of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) before but you will probably see them mentioned a bit more in the near future. ICANN is an internet non profit organisation which controls the web’s domain names among other things.

Do you know how many domain name endings are available right now?  There are currently around 250 country specific ones such as .uk and .es. However, when it comes to what are known as generic top level domain names there are only 22 possible endings. As well as .com, .org and .gov there are some lesser seen ones such as .mil and .aero too.

The reason why ICANN is in the news right now is that they have decided to open up the domain names endings list and let people apply for any type of ending they want in any language, including the likes of Chinese and Arabic.

It is expected that big international companies and governments organisations will be among the first people to make their move. So what kind of site names could we see now? www.apple.iphone? www.sony.playstation? www.gadgets.gizmos? There are clearly lots of possibilities for making much more memorable site addresses than at the present time.

Applications can be made to ICANN from the start of 2012 but it is worth thinking things over before asking for a new domain name suffix, as it will cost an eye watering $185,000 to start with. After that the annual fee will be $25,000. The money will be used for the work to be carried out by the ICANN boffins and also to cover legal action brought by anyone unhappy at being denied the suffix they want.

The first of the new sites should be up and running by the end of next year and there will no doubt be a bit of competition to see who gets their hands on the first one. The huge multinationals are probably already planning their applications.

Peter Thrush is the chairman of the board of directors at ICANN and he has stated that this change will “usher in a new internet age” and that “innovation should be allowed to run free”. The president and CEO is called Rod Beckstrom and he went even further, saying that the change has opened the internet domain system to the “limitless possibilities of the human imagination”.

Anyone looking to get a new domain name suffix- and who is happy to pay for it – will also need to justify their need to be given one. It is expected that a thorough questionnaire will be given to every new applicant. We will need to wait and see when news leaks out about the first applications.

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Nokia launches N9 smartphone

Nokia yesterday mounted its latest assault on the smartphone market with the launch of the N9 handset.

The beleaguered company has struggled to compete with high-end rivals such as the iPhone and phones running Google's Android operating system. Chief executive Stephen Elop unveiled the N9 in Singapore yesterday.
Questions were raised over the device – despite the high specifications of the hardware – as it is the first and also the last to run the company's now obsolete operating system Meego.

Nokia signed a smartphone partnership with Microsoft earlier this year, and Mr Elop said a device should launch before the end of the year.

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Apple releases 3 TB Time Capsule, slashes price on new 2 TB model

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Aside from today's release of Final Cut Pro X, Apple has also finally upgraded their Time Capsule backup routers. New Time Capsules have been expected for a couple of weeks now, as supplies in stores started to dwindle. There is now a new 3 TB model, which Apple is selling for $499, which is the price that the 2 TB model was selling for. The updated 2 TB Time Capsule now sells for $299, which is a great deal to have the kind of peace of mind that a device like this can offer. You can get them now at the Apple Store online.

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iTunes Festival 2011 Gets Free HD Streaming App

Apple is getting ready for iTunes Festival 2011, which is its fifth annual music event in London. The month-long music celebration will bring together more than 60 bands including several heavy-weights. But before you attempt to find the next cheapest flight to London, Apple want’s to let you know that they are offering a free iTunes Festival London 2011 App that will let you stream live performances from the event in HD.

The festival starts on July 1 and ends July 31. Major bands and artists to play at the festival from London’s Roundhouse include Adele, Coldplay, Linkin Park, Foo Fighters, Paul Simon, My Chemical Romance, Duran Duran, and many others. All the performances can be streamed live in HD from Live Nation Studios to your iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch.

The iTunes Festival London 2011 app is available worldwide and can be downloaded for free starting today. It also supports AirPlay, which means that you can use the app with Apple TV to stream the HD content to your television set. Music fans also have the option to purchase live EPs of their favorite artists from the event through iTunes.

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Toshiba's 21.5-inch DX1215 all-in-one can accommodate even the largest fingers

Clearly sick and tired of watching all of the fun other companies have been having with their all-in-ones, Toshiba this week announced the DX1215, the company's first entry in the space for the US market. The 21.5-inch touchscreen desktop has two USB 3.0 ports (and four of the boring old 2.0 variety), an HDMI port, 1TB of storage, and built-in Onkyo speakers. The system ships with a wireless mouse and keyboard, and will be hitting Best Buy's stores and website exclusively on July 3rd, starting at $930 -- just in time for your Independence Day ketchup-covered fingerprints.

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$100,000 Razor Has Just Two Blades

I’m having a hard time working out just who would buy this $100,000 Zafirro Iridium razor. It would have to be someone very rich, and very, very hairy. I’m thinking Robin Williams, but he’s way too smart to drop the price of a cheap apartment on a bathroom accessory.

What could possibly justify this price? Well, nothing, but that doesn’t stop Zafirro from trying. The two blades are made from white sapphire and “launch a new era of shaving” (the era of shaving whilst broke, I guess). These blades are sharpened using “high-energy, ionized particles”. Included in the price is ten years worth of cleaning, servicing and sharpening.

Then we get on to some more convincing reasons for the jacked-up price. Zafirro uses some very expensive metals for the construction. The handle, for instance, is made from iridium, a metal “from meteorites” which is “10 times more rare than platinum.”

If you thought that buying objects made from ivory or woolly mammoth tusks was non-PC, then you’ll be happy with Zafirro’s environmental policy: “Due to the limited global supply of iridium and the expense associated with manufacturing, only 99 of the Iridium line will be made.” Why make any at all?

It gets worse. The screws that hold the razor together are machined from platinum, and Zafirro calls the “leap” from regular razors to sapphire-bladed razors a “quantum leap” like that “from vacuum tubes to transistors, CB radios to the iPhone.”

It’s all so depressing. If Zafirro sells a single one of these, the world will be a worse place. And if you do buy one and manage to cut yourself on the 100-atom thick edge of the blade, I have something to help. Maybe I can interest you in a tiny square of toilet paper, made from the wood pulp of the Bois Dentelle. This is a tree so rare that only a few remain, up in the high cloud forests of Mauritius. I’ll sell you a sheet for just $10,000.

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Life360 Turns Your Smartphone Into A Lifeline

If you’re a parent chances are you probably worry about your children’s whereabouts when they’re out with friends, worried that they may be in bad neighbourhoods or doing things in places where they’re not meant to, or even to check whether your child made it to school that day and did not play truant. Enter the app Life360 which is basically a tracking service that used to be exclusive to Android and iOS devices, but can now be used by any phone.

For smartphones, the location of the person they’re tracking makes use of a mixture of GPS, WiFi data and cell triangulation, while regular phones get their locations from the carriers themselves. Both parties are required to have the app installed for smartphone users while those using regular phones will be sent a text message asking for permission to be tracked. Alternatively GPS locators can be bought from Life360 which can be attached to an object and track it, so instead of asking permission from your kid if you can track them (chances are your kid won’t be too thrilled about saying yes) you can just slip the GPS locator in their school bag and you’re good to go, unless of course they ditch their bags.

In the grander scheme of things this can be great for emergency situations say you slipped and fell and twisted your ankle while hiking in the woods, by hitting the panic button it will send out notifications to your emergency contact numbers via text messages, voice and e-mail. For more information regarding this service and their offerings just head on down to Life360′s website.

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Tokyoflash Rogue SR2 wristwatch has alarm and is hard to read

Even if we don’t all wear watches around here, we can all appreciate the geeky and difficult to read watches from Tokyoflash that proclaim in strange lights just how geeky you are. The latest watch to come from the maker of weird is the Rogue SR2. The watch comes with only a black band with red, green, orange, or blue faces. The watch also has a light for viewing in the dark.

Tokyoflash says that the watch is slim and has a curved design with a solid stainless steel strap. The inner ring of lights shows the hour by removing the bar at the number position for the hour. The larger ring of blocks in the outside is the approximate minutes with the missing block showing the five-minute increment.

The much smaller outer ring of dots shows the exact minute. The watch looks cool, but this would certainly be one of the watches I had to stare out for a while until the person asking me what time it was though I was an idiot. You can order up the watch right now for $179 in any of the four colors. Check out the video below to see the watch in action.

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Apple Final Cut Pro X released

Apple has released Final Cut Pro X, the latest version of the company’s professional video editing app. Available for download immediately from the Mac App Store, where it’s priced at $299.99, Final Cut Pro X introduces a new Magnetic Timeline which allows for easier placement and rearrangement of clips, rather than the strict timeline in previous versions of the app. There’s also two new companion apps, Motion 5 for professional motion graphics and Compressor 4 for advanced media encoding, which are available as individual downloads priced at $49.99 each.
Apple has also introduced Content Auto-Analysis, which scans imported media and tags it automatically; Final Cut Pro X uses those tags to sort clips into Smart Collections, with close-ups, medium and wide shots separated out as well as common characters grouped together. It’s also possible to group clips in the Magnetic Timeline, using the new Clip Connections feature, so that titles and sound effects are kept in-sync even if the footage is shuffled around. Related story elements can be grouped into a Compound Clip and global edits made.

Using Auditions, collections of clips can be flipped between so as to make deciding the best take more straightforward. Processing is meant to be faster and less intrusive, too, with Final Cut Pro X built for 64-bit systems, taking advantage of multi-threaded processors and whatever GPU is available, and background rendering so that you can continue to use your Mac even as footage is being processed. Apple has also thrown in a ColorSync-managed color pipeline to make sure that they’re consistent all the way through.

Various audio editing tools and color correction functionality is baked in, and of course there’s Motion 5 and Compressor 4 available too.

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Nokia Play 360° Makes Connecting To A Wireless Speaker Easier With NFC

 Today Nokia announced a new smartphone, the N9, which quite frankly is probably not going to make much of a dent in the marketplace, as sleek and svelte as it looks. But they also announced a few new accessories for the phone, like the Nokia Play 360° wireless speaker, which is a bit more exciting. It’s yet another Bluetooth equipped speaker that lets you wirelessly stream music from your smartphone, but manages to stand out in a crowded market with a few notable features.

Unlike the way Microsoft uses it, ’360′ here refers to the speakers omnidirectional sound that is better suited to filling an entire room in all directions. And thanks to a built-in NFC (near field communication) chip all you have to do is tap an NFC-equipped phone with it to automatically initiate Bluetooth pairing. If you’ve got a second Nokia Play 360° on hand, the two will even work together to play stereo sound. Like all wireless speakers there’s a 3.5mm line-in port for connecting any audio source, but unlike most it has an impressive 20 hours of battery life. And it’s expected to ship sometime in the 3rd quarter for ~$214 (€149).

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Top 100 apps - the definitive guide

GOOD WEEKEND'S EXPERT PANEL PICKS THE DIGITAL HELPERS YOU JUST CAN'T DO WITHOUT

Searching for a happening wine bar, or a cafe with Wi-Fi? Want to read a good book or learn how to cook? Need to check your pulse or balance your budget? Look no further than your smartphone ... and our selection of 100 apps you soon won't be able to do without.
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Oh, what a brave new world we live in. Who knew that one day we'd be using our mobile phones to do everything from scanning barcodes to checking our heart rates?

Apple currently has more than 350,000 applications available, with more than 10 billion downloads to date. Then there are the apps compatible with Android, Blackberry, Windows and Nokia devices.

To help you sort the gold from the dross, we have created a list of the best 100 apps to enhance the life of the modern phone, iPod touch or tablet user. We brought together a panel of five experts from around the country - researchers, developers, editors and commentators - all of whom are not only in the business, but use apps every day. They've each listed their five personal favourites, and helped select the remaining 75.

Because we wanted to focus on utility - apps that make life easier, not just more fun - the panel omitted most games, apart from the juggernauts Words With Friends and Angry Birds. As for sport, most of the major sporting associations (such as the AFL, English Premier League and Cricket Australia) have good official apps, so, for the sake of space, we've omitted those but pointed you to some others that also do it well.

We've also made no mention of the many excellent magazine and newspaper apps out there (such as The Age and Sydney Morning Herald's new iPad apps) as they're relatively self-explanatory and easily found through the various app platforms.

We'd love to hear of any apps we've ignored that you think should be in the best 100. Email us at goodweekend@fairfaxmedia.com.au and we'll include the most interesting in a subsequent issue.

- Caitlin Chang and Nina Karnikowski
OUR PANELLISTS
CHRISTINE SATCHELL

A research fellow with the Interaction Design Group at the University of Melbourne and the Urban Informatics lab at the Queensland University of Technology, Satchell has been working on the development of social-networking app The Swarm, to be released later this year.
STEPHEN HUTCHEON

The Sydney Morning Herald's tablet editor, Hutcheon has developed and launched the Herald's new iPad app.
KATIE CINCOTTA

A freelance writer and copywriter for the past eight years, Cinotta specialises in technology and lifestyle, and is a self-confessed iPhone and iPad addict. She says, "Apps have changed the way I work, eat, travel, shop, exercise and party. It's hard to remember how we ever functioned without the entertainment vortex at hand!"
CHARLIE BROWN

A commenttor on lifestyle technology, Brown is technology editor of ninemsn's Today show and runs consumer technology website cybershack.com.
ANDREW FERGUSSON

A senior creative at independent advertising agency Droga5, Fergusson has experience across all things digital, and has won awards for his work both locally and internationally.

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New PS3 console unveiled

Speculation had been mounting in recent months that the company was set to introduce a revamped version of its flagship console after a FCC filed pointed to two new PS3 models. Those expecting a radically new look console are likely to be left disappointed though.
The CECH-3000B PS3 model will boast a lower power consumption compared to the current Slim going from 230 watts to a more efficient 200 watts. Weighing in at a lighter 2.6kg, there will also be a 320GB hard disc, while on the external front it will have changes made to power and eject buttons with LED lamps said to have also been removed.
Available in Charcoal Black, accessories bundled alongside it will include the customary Dual Shock 3 controller, power cable, AV cable and USB cable.
There's no news on a release date, but pricing for the new PS3 Slim is expected to come in at around ¥34,980 which is roughly the same amount you'd need prise the current model away from the shelves in Japan. A 160GB model bundled with Tales of Xillia is expected to launch on September 8th priced in at ¥37,980.
We've had no details of a UK launch, but will let you know as soon as we know more.

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