Hasta La Gadget!

It’s the first full day of Obama’s presidency, and things are already looking up. There are tons of bargains to take advantage today, so check out Gearlog’s deals for Wednesday:

1. Woot is offering a Polaroid DVC-00725F High Definition 720p Digital Camcorder for $129.99. The camera has a list price of $279.99, and the deal ends at the end of the day, or while supplies last.

2. Save up to 50 percent off of select video games at Dell.com. Get Rock Band 2 for Xbox 360 for just $29.99–50 percent off of the original price–with coupon code SHP47HTL88M9CC. The Disney Sing It with Logitech Mic is $19.99, down from $39.99 with coupon code ZHSFSX$LLVGJ40. And lastly, get Far Cry 2 for PS3 for 25 percent off of $59.99 with coupon code 7V3K15N2BP6RV9. The offers end on Jan. 29, so hurry. [Via Bargainist.com]

More deals after the jump.

This week’s Photoshop Contest called for redesigned Windows 7 BSODs, and we got a nice mix of legit redesigns and ludicrous inanity. I prefer the latter, but a classy redesign would also be appreciated.

First Place — Cobra Commander

Second Place — Flambino

Third Place — OMG! Ponies!

Maybe it’s just me, but it seems like most musicians I meet are more into making music than listening to it. They don’t care about how music sounds at home; many are satisfied with the sound they get from boom boxes or chintzy computer speakers. Some tell me they’re more focused on the way the players play than the sound.

Sure, I’ve met a few musicians with ears for sound. That happened just recently when I struck up a conversation with jazz drummer and audiophile Billy Drummond.

He readily conceded my point: “Getting a good hi-fi isn’t high on their list of priorities. Like everybody else, musicians listen to music while they’re on the computer or sending e-mails. That’s what music is now, a backdrop, so fidelity isn’t important anymore.”

Sad, but true, so what is music for? Drummond had a ready answer. “It’s for people to enjoy,” he said. “It can take you somewhere, you can dance to it, music conjures emotions. For musicians it’s an expression, a way to challenge ourselves, and it can be inspiring. If you’re a saxophone player and you’re listening to Sonny Rollins or John Coltrane, music can motivate you. It lets you see what’s possible.

“I really enjoy playing (live) for myself and for an audience, I want people to feel something when I play. When I listen to Tony Williams or Elvin Jones (two great jazz drummers) and what they’ve accomplished it’s mind boggling, that’s what music means to me.”

That’s all great, but how did he become an audiophile? Drummond explained that he was always an avid music collector, and when he first heard his favorite music played on a really great system he was blown away: “Wow, I never heard my music sound so real, so vibrant, so great.”

It turned you on, I asked. “Right, I was even more motivated because I could hear the nuances of Max Roach’s drum set or Tony Williams ride cymbal. It helped me become a better player because I can get in touch with the thing I’m chasing after. Which is, how can I sound as good as these guys.”

…

Originally posted at The Audiophiliac

Stream unlimited music to your iPhone or iPod Touch with the free Slacker Radio app.

(Credit: Slacker)

How do I love thee, iPhone (and iPod Touch)? Let me count the ways. Hmmm. Well, space doesn’t permit me to list all 12,503, so I’ll settle for six. As in, six free apps you absolutely positively gotta get. (Note: as with my previous batch of iPhone freebies, all links go straight to iTunes.)

• Mancala FS5 I love the Mancala board game, and this iPhone edition is even better. It teaches beginners the basics, automatically moves your beads, and supports Internet multiplayer! (You can even play against your AIM buddies.) Consider splurging on the $1.99 full version to enjoy ad-free play.
• NPR Mobile Though not an official NPR app, it lets you browse broadcasts by topic, series, and even commentator, then stream to your heart’s content. It can also do a location search, great for when you’re traveling and want to tune the car radio to the nearest NPR station.
• Slacker Radio Best. Streaming music app. Ever. I know some folks prefer Pandora, but I’ve always loved the Web-based Slacker and its robust custom-station building. The new iPhone app (pictured) is just plain fantastic. Read my full review here.
• Sportacular At the risk of ruining my geek cred, I do follow (and even play) some sports. Sportacular gives you scores, standings, schedules, stats, and more. It also lets you designate favorite teams so you can track them more easily.

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Originally posted at The Cheapskate

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Apparently, the Photosynth glitching and iPhone-like GPS blip on CNN weren’t the only high tech actions in play at President Obama’s inauguration yesterday. According to one of our favorite daily reads, Officer.com, the Prez was wearing “bullet-resistant clothing,” which experts (and sci-fi fanatics) are taking to mean a bullet-proof suit. The folks over at Slate speculate that he might have been adorned in an outfit manufactured by MIguel Caballero, a Colombian company that specializes in bullet-resistant gear like leather jackets, windbreakers, and yes… ruffled tuxedo shirts. We’d like to imagine that stuffed into the pocket of that handsome outfit he was sporting was a Kevlar handkerchief — but listen up Obama: Sasha and Malia are not going to be down with that bulletproof backpack.

Update: VBS.tv went down to Colombia and actually tested out Caballero’s wares — check out a video after the break.

[Via Wired]

Continue reading Obama sported bulletproof suit for inaugural proceedings?

Filed under: Wearables

Obama sported bulletproof suit for inaugural proceedings? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 Jan 2009 10:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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