Hasta La Gadget!

A slip-up from Apple has revealed a not-too-surprising update to the Xserve line. The server Macs showed up on Apple’s Hong Kong site with an option to pre-order a new Nehalem based model. We’re expecting newer, more efficient Xserves of course — the recent Mac Pro update shows that Apple is putting the newer chips in its machines. What we didn’t know was that they would be arriving so soon.

The site has been fixed now, but not before the quick folks at Apple Insider grabbed the screenshot above. If you’re in the market for a new OS X server, you might just want to put the credit card back in your wallet for a short while. These could be popping up officially any day now.

Product page [Apple]

Apple blunder confirms imminent Nehalem Xserve launch [Apple Insider]

Apple Hints at Launch of Nehalem-based Xserve [PC World]

A ring flash can be a very useful piece of kit. The light is flat and even, and beloved of fashion and portrait photographers alike. The problem is that, like all photographic equipment, they cost a fortune. Even an adapter, essentially a light-bending tube with no electronics, will cost around $300.

So, why not make your own? That’s what Manzin of the Digital Photography School forums did, and the result is above. Essentially free (if you raid the kitchen), the adapter is made of two plastic bowls, one big and one small. The gap between them is filled with aluminum foil and the flash is fired in from the side. You won’t get the efficiency of a dedicated adapter — that foil will eat some of the light — but for a quick and dirty projects it’s perfect. Just make sure you don’t use mom’s favorite Tupperware.

How to Make a DIY Ring Flash [Digital Photography School]

See Also:

• Ray Flash Ring Flash Adapter
• How To: DIY Ring Flash Made From a Styrofoam Cup
• Lomo Ring Flash: Cheap and Fun
• Twelve Strobe Rig Blots Out the Sun

We’ve been tracking MIT professor Angela Belcher’s attempt to build batteries and nano-electronics from viruses since 2006. Scientifically speaking, the so-called “virus” is actually a bacteriophage, a virus that preys only on bacteria while leaving humans of diminishing scientific knowledge alone to doubt that claim. Now, in a new report co-authored by Belcher, MIT research documents the construction of a lithium-ion battery (pictured after the break) with the help of a biological virus dubbed M13. M13 acts as a “biological scaffold” that allows carbon nanotubes and bits of iron phosphate to attach and form a network for conducting electricity. Specifically, MIT used the genetically engineered material to create the battery’s negatively charged anode and positively charged cathode. Best of all, MIT’s technique can be performed at, or below room temperature which is important from a manufacturing perspective — a process that MIT claims will be “cheap and environmentally benign.” Already MIT has constructed a virus-battery about the size of that found in a watch to turn on small lights in an MIT lab. Belcher claims that just a third of an ounce (about 10 grams) of the viral battery material could power an iPod for 40 hours. In time and with enough effort MIT expects to scale the technology to power electronic vehicles. Remember, when the time comes choose the red pill.

[Via Scientific American, Thanks James]

Continue reading MIT builds battery from bacterial virus, humans to power machines by 2012

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

MIT builds battery from bacterial virus, humans to power machines by 2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 03 Apr 2009 04:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aw, how cute. 50 years ago, Olympus set the 35mm film camera market on its head with the remarkably small “Pen” line. These half-frame cameras were thought to be as portable as ink pens back in the day, thus earning them the name. Production ceased sometime in the 80s (that whole decade is really just a haze), but that’s not stopping the prideful historians at the company from throwing a 50 year anniversary bash over in Tokyo. Starting on April 6th and running through June 30th, the golden gala will feature numerous old Pen models as well as mysterious “prototypes” that we can only hope will hit the market in the near future. So, after you wipe the tears from your eyes, care to tell us if you’re going?

[Via Impress]

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Olympus plans 50 year anniversary party for diminutive Pen camera originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 03 Apr 2009 04:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Day Two of CTIA Wireless 2009 was marked with little news — most of the big stuff hit yesterday — but that doesn’t mean there wasn’t plenty to see. We wrote a bit about Motorola’s surprisingly awesome Evoke, LG’s and Samsung’s latest contributions to AT&T, and a couple of watch phones that you may (or may not) want on your wrist — so if you haven’t had a chance to catch up on the day’s festivities, read on, won’t you?

	NVIDIA’s Franken-Mini is half HP, half Tegra, no Intel And now, a little visit to the “Why not?” department.		Motorola Evoke QA4 hands-on with video When you look at the Motorola Evoke QA4, the last thought that springs to mind is RAZR, and that’s such a good thing.
	Sony Ericsson’s T707 hands-on with video Sony Ericsson’s presence at CTIA this year is a rather quiet thing, but we did catch up with them at Ericsson’s booth as we were hell bent on seeing its newest, the T707.		Samsung Propel Pro video hands-on, now with more keyboard A number of folks wanted video of AT&T’s Samsung Propel Pro and a better view of the keyboard.
	Neutrano’s Nutec WristFone watch phones at CTIA If this guy looks serious, it’s because he is — serious about bringing you some awesome watch phones	Also check out: Sanyo SCP-2700 hands-on LG Neon and Xenon hands-on

CTIA Roundup, Day Two originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 03 Apr 2009 02:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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