I remember seeing a concept model from Hitachi back in the ’90s (remember those?) that featured this type of craning display, but it took a decade for ECS to bring it to market. The Smart Neck laptops will be debuted at CEBIT, will run Windows XP or Vista, and include four different series, from desktop replacements to UMPCs. While this design scheme isn’t surprising, it’s odd that we haven’t seen more of it. It’s not expensive, and as PC makers vie to outdo one another with unique features, this is one we figured would have made its way around by now. That being said, we’re glad it’s here, we hope it starts a trend. Frequent laptop users will know exactly what we mean. ECS Showing ‘Smart Neck’ Laptops [Mobile Whack] → Read More
Oh boy. It was only a matter of time before every gadget on earth got blingified. The latest casualty is MediaReady’s new Blingplayer (normally spelled with all caps), a “fashion” music player that comes with a 1.8-inch display, video playback, MP3 and WAV playback, voice recording capabilities, and an FM tuner. But what about the bling? I’m glad you asked. Each device features studded crystals (probably not Swarovski) in a unique design and it hangs from your neck from a chain with “dogtags”. Needless to say, you’re either all for this player or it makes you want to gag on your own vomit. However you feel, a 2GB version will set you back $199 in April if you should desire to pick one up. Let us know how it works on the ladies, pimps. MediaREADY’s BLINGPLAYER brings swagger to music [Electronista] → Read More
According to Wayde at Gizmo Cafe it is and I’m inclined to agree at this point. Had the merger produced a more unified service, it would have been something of note, but since they’ve decided to still play it separate, the combination has no real effect at all. Anyway, you should check Gizmo Cafe for a pretty amusing video about the situation. Wayde wisecracks through his explanation and there are even tinfoil hats — and lets be honest, who doesn’t love tinfoil hats? Why an XM / Sirius Merger Doesn’t Even Matter [Gizmo Cafe Blog] → Read More
Samsung now makes guns and butter. The company will produce sentry robot guns that will be stationed along the Korean Demilitarized Zone. The SGR-A1, which was funded by the South Korean government, will make its debut along the most exciting border in the world sometime this year. The sentry gun uses a system of cameras and special software to differentiate between actual, evil North Koreans and harmless visitors and local fauna. It’s mainly going to be used as a first line of defense — a warning, if you will — rather than as a full-on death weapon. See, something like this would have made CES a little more exciting. Product Page [Samsung via The Register] → Read More
Fresh off the wire is the announcement of Newertech’s Nupower Video+ iPod battery pack. At the ridiculously low price of $49.99, it’s one of the cheapest iPod battery packs on the market today. But just because it’s cheap doesn’t mean it sucks. The Nupower Video+ can provide up to 80 frickin’ hours of extra music listening or an additional 16 hours of video viewing. Talk about a godsend for long flights! This is the perfect accessory for an iPod Video. It’s cheap, portable, rechargeable, and really gives your iPod a boost of energy. If you’re looking to pick one up, they’re available now online at Newertech.com. → Read More
The W660i has a new friend and I think it blows, big time. If you think your playlist is poppin’ or you just want to listen to Enya over the radio then slap the MPS-75 on the bottom of your phone and rock out. There’s also a hidden FM antenna to enhance, what I’m sure is great reception to begin with, the W660i’s internal FM radio. No need for batteries because the speakers are powered by your phone so you’d better keep that charger handy. It’s available in black and orange, no word on price or release date. Product Page [via Electronista] → Read More
link on the site. Russell Shaw is a Portland, Oregon-based author, journalist and blogger. Former author of the BBHub BlackBerry blog on AOL, his work also appears on ZDNet, TMCNet, AllBusiness.com and the Huffington Post. Russ is also author of seven books, on topics ranging from streaming media to wireless networking. His website is at RussellShaw.net → Read More
Watch out Japan, your healthy unhealthy addiction to porn is being curbed by NTT DoCoMo’s 3G FOMA F903iBSC(wtf) “business-use” mobile phone. The mobile is being launched in response to information leaks and non-work related use of corporate issued devices. NTT is really putting the squeeze on this one because the camera, external camera, USB/IR ports and e-wallet services are being nixed. The only working features are a limited phonebook that can only hold 101 contacts, e-mail, scheduler, data box (?), call log and memos, which are all retrievable if the handset is lost. Further security enhancements include a biometric swipe to unlock the phone once it’s been shut. Drops in Japan on March 19. Watch out Corporate America, we could be next. NTT DoCoMo Unveils Secure 3G FOMA F903iBSC Handset for Business Use [Press Release] → Read More
The CEO of Id Software says that rampant piracy threatens to kill the PC gaming industry. Todd Hollenshead, speaking at the Game Developers Conference, said that more and more PC game developers are turning to home consoles for additional revenue and to offset the losses that piracy creates for them. He even gave a few frightening statistics to back up his claims: in the U.S., up to 50 percent of games sales are lost to piracy and in Eastern Europe and Asia that number jumps to 90 percent. OK, I’ll not deny that it is incredibly easy to pirate PC games. It’s also not so much harder to pirate console games. Frankly, methinks the problem with the PC games industry has more to do with the fact that all that gets released is derivative shooter after shooter. How many times can you shoot a rail gun at an alien/wolf/henchman and still call it fun? Rampant piracy threatens PC games [BBC News] Image from Dina Anastasio’s Home Page → Read More
What if I told you Sony-Ericsson was poised to drop a dope 5-Megapixel Cybershot cameraphone in the next few months? You’d be all, “No way!” and I’d be all, “Yes, way!” And I’d be right, so STFU. The forthcoming (and here leaked) K850i is more camera than phone, with a red-eye reducing flash and anti-shake features, both things that will make this phone attractive to Britney. And since it’s set to hit at CEBIT, it’ll be available about the time she’s out of rehab. Zing! That’s not to say the phone side is lacking, as triband GSM with UMTS 3G data are supported, as well as a secondary videochat camera. We’re not sure if we’ll see it over here in the States, but wed really like to see an AT&T logo on this thing at some point, and a clean and sober starlet. No, really. SE K850i [Unwired Review] → Read More
Hello, kiddies… welcome to the Crypt of Laptop Horror Stories (TM). You have until next Monday, 12pm EST, to send me your worst laptop horror stories — how your laptop fell into a toilet, how your Gateway exploded on your granny’s lap — and you could win one of three beautiful prizes. Koss Cobalt Bluetooth Headphones One of two RhinoSkin 13″ MacBook Cases in Black or White Email your stories (200 words max) to contest @ crunchgear dot com with the subject line “HORROR.” We’ll post entries over the week and vote on the best three out of all the entries on Monday afternoon. Please note in your email which prize you’d prefer so I can ensure we get a good representation. Good luck. Thanks to Koss and Rhinoskin for hooking us up. → Read More
Symbian Series 60 users should take a look at MyStrands mobile, a compelling music sharing app that creates social playlists – you and your buds can share music – and discovery though tags and search. It even supports multiple languages so you and your friends in France can share your Serge Gainsbourg playlists. The service accesses a collection of six million songs, so hopefully there’s something out there for you, and connects directly to your MyStrands page. → Read More
So over at CNET’s UK version of Crave, a dude named Chris Stevens is declaring the PS3 the “great unwanted console”. That’s fantastic that he thinks he’s a mix of Jude Law and Paul McCartney, but guess what: he’s still wrong about the PS3. Chris goes on to spit out useless figures and data like a 1977 UNIX-command, saying that no one is lining up, the console is unwanted, and there’s no good launch titles. I’ll admit, the launch title lineup and the fact that the UK PS3 has no Emotion Engine built-in is sucky, but Motorstorm, Madden, and Resistance are all winners. → Read More
Hot on the tail of Slacker comes another social music service, MyStrands Mobile. This S60 application offers music discovery as well as music sharing and builds on a library of 6 million tracks. You and your friends can share your current playlists and collects your playback history on your own MyStrands page. It’s officially available now and the video above gives you a good idea of what to expect. Product Page → Read More
BenQ-Siemens is releasing a special edition pink Q-fi EF71. If you’re unfamiliar with Q-fi, it’s BenQ-Siemens line of music-focused devices. The EF71 clamshell has a 2.2-inch display, 2-megapixel camera with video recording with night mode. The pink wonder works as a webcam when connected to your PC/Mac via USB. This particular edition is only available in Taiwan and has a limited run of 500 units. BenQ Siemens Q-fi EF71 Comes in Pink Edition [Slashphone] → Read More
Gentle reader, I must now admit something that you might know already, but it is my duty as a journalist to shine light on the truth, even at the expense of my own reputation. Friend, know that I am a Nerd American. As such, I’m keen to many things that have to do with the Nerd lifestyle, including gadgets, video games, and Star Wars. Most especially Star Wars. Thus, when a creation comes across my path that mixes the three above mentioned loves, my heart beats faster, my hands feel clammier, and the world around me slows down just a little bit as I try to take it all in. → Read More
Sony’s XDV-100 portable TV might only interest those of you in Japan because it uses the 1Seg TV standard, something that’s only available over there. Shame, because the 2.8-inch QVGA screen looks pretty decent. (Then again, Sony’s no straggler when it comes to producing fine screens.) It does support AM/FM radio, but how many of you actually listen to the radio anymore other than to hear the traffic and weather on the way to work? There’s a higher res pic inside. → Read More
http://emuse.ebaumsworld.com/ml_player2.swf Stealer of all content and video archive eBaum’s World has scored a deal with a “major cellular network company”, which is most likely Sprint. eBaum’s World will offer a mobile channel full of funny and outlandish videos submitted by users whilst Eric Bauman profits like no other. There’s also supposed to be exclusive content set aside for mobile users only. However, if you’re big on refreshing mobile websites for new content every hour on the hour, you’re out of luck. The mobile version of eBaum’s World will only be updated three times a week. It’s up now and seems worth checking out during a lunch break at work. Official Site [via MobileWhack] → Read More
I hate the plug n’ play Wal*Mart style “video games”. But I really love the arcade game Golden Tee. It’s a little pricey, sure, but you get a lot of gameplay, and the way it approximates real golf is fairly true to the sport. (Yes, it’s a sport. Yes, I sweat while playing it. No, I’m not ashamed of that.) Because of my love for this game, I was thrilled — thrilled– to come across this home version, even though it’s in the form of one of those A/V cable-attached abortions. There have been console versions before, but they were pale copies. The feeling of letting the trackball go at just the right angle with just the right backspin is blissfully physical, allowing you to interact with the course and the ball and your clubs in a way that just feels better. Replicating that on my big screen at home is going to rule. The only thing that I might not like about this home version is I’m fairly certain that those two damned snarky commentators voices are included, with their bad observational puns intact. “Give him a shovel, he’s going to end up on the beach, Pat.” Up yours, pal, let’s see you get over here and do this. Golden Tee Television Golf Game [Hammacher Schlemmer, via Red Ferret] → Read More
Wired recently sat down with Broadband Instruments to talk about its new Slacker music service. In a nutshell, it sounds like a music-lover’s dream. Slacker is comprised of both a service and hardware device. The service will use either WiFi or satellite bandwidth to serve up music channels to owners of the Slacker player. Tons of music, lots to choose from, all that great stuff – think Pandora, except a bit more corporate. Now here’s the kicker: the service is free. Yup, totally free, but you can only skip six tracks per hour on the service. That means if you keep on shuffling and get stuck with Kenny Rogers, you’ll have to wait it out. There’s also ads on the Slacker player itself, which features USB, touch sensitive scrolling, and a massive 4-inch screen. Expect to shell out $150 to $350 for a player depending on the size of the memory inside it. So how does a company like Broadband Instruments make money out of all this? Well next month or so, they’ll be rolling out a $7.50 monthly fee which will allow you to skip tracks to your heart’s content and gets rid of banner ads on the player. This service sounds extremely promising and I’m curious as to how they’re going to market this. Either way, keep an eye out for Slacker if music is your thing and you like free service. Broadband Instruments Slacker Offers Satellite, Wi-Fi Connectivity [Wired] Is Slacker the Long-speculated iPod-Killer? [Laptop] New Music Service Slacker Has (very) Broad Ambitions [TechCrunch] → Read More
