Dec 22

Octopus iPhone Charger Has Suction Cups on the Back

Posted in: iPhone, ipod touch, Miscellaneous Tech, Today's Chili

Octopus Charger

Most iPhone battery packs slide on to your phone, or serve double-duty as a case and a battery pack, but the Octopus Battery Charger takes a different approach: one that’s definitely more interesting, but is debatable if it’s better. 
The Octopus has a 30-pin dock connector on a flexible arm at the bottom of the charger. Plug in the charger to your iPhone or iPod Touch for some extra juice, and while you’re using it, attach the battery pack to the back of your device using the eight suction cups on the back of the battery pack. 
According to the manufacturers, your phone will be get about a half-charge from the Octopus in about 3 hours, less if you opt to use your phone while it’s charging. On the bright side, it’s clear the Octopus is designed for use when you need your phone and your battery is about to die, not as a permanent fixture on the back of your device. One can be yours now for $29.85 retail price.
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Dec 22

You can remix Bob Dylan’s ‘Subterranean Homesick Blues’

Posted in: Today's Chili

Sony Music is having a contest where you can remix a classic Dylan tune.

Originally posted at The Audiophiliac

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Dec 22

Secret Soviet-era laser tank pops up in the Ivanovo Oblast

Posted in: laser, military, Today's Chili, wargadget
If we’ve learned anything from the former Soviet Union, it’s that collapsed empires have lots of awesome tech just layin’ around. We’ve recently heard tale of someone who found the remnants of the USSR’s lunar program under a tarp somewhere, and now a Russian website has uncovered some pretty bad-ass pics of the 1K17 Self-Propelled Laser Complex. First deployed in 1992, the vehicle features a laser system that could be used, as the machine translated document says, to “provide anti-opto-electronic surveillance systems” in even “the harshest climatic and operating conditions imposed on the armor.” (In other words, the lasers would disrupt the enemy’s electronics and optics, even in the bleak Russian winter.) It seems that the program was discontinued pretty quickly due to expense, with the hardware eventually being consigned to the Military Technical Museum in the Ivanovo Oblast.

Secret Soviet-era laser tank pops up in the Ivanovo Oblast originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Dec 2010 14:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dec 22

Sony expects to sell 15 million PS3s in a year

Posted in: Today's Chili

Sony Computer Entertainment chief Kazuo Hirai thinks Sony will sell 15 million PlayStation 3 units around the world by the end of its fiscal year in March.

Originally posted at The Digital Home

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Dec 22

Sharp Mobiflip channels Sidekick LX’s vibes for Mobilicity

Posted in: canada, Microsoft, qwerty, Today's Chili

Thought the launch of the Kin ONEm and TWOm was strange? Here’s another oddity with a Microsoft tie-in: Canadian startup Mobilicity has just announced the “Mobiflip,” a phone that the carrier’s own press release calls out as being “similar to the Sidekick LX.” It’s unclear whether what’s left of Danger will be supporting the device — the Sidekick line basically pioneered mobile cloud computing, after all — but what we see of the interface certainly rings true to the Sidekicks of days gone by. It runs CAD $99.99 ($98) contract-free, which is a whole heck of a lot cheaper than its American doppelganger launched for — $250 on contract, if you recall. Yowza! Follow the break for the press release.

Continue reading Sharp Mobiflip channels Sidekick LX’s vibes for Mobilicity

Sharp Mobiflip channels Sidekick LX’s vibes for Mobilicity originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Dec 2010 13:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dec 22

Skype outage causing a global disconnect? (update)

Posted in: skype, Today's Chili

We’ve heard your cries, we’ve read your tips, and we’ve even suffered a similar fate ourselves… Skype downtime. According to the official Twitter feed, its engineers are working non-stop. Estimated time of recovery? Nein. Let us know if you’re having (Skype-related) issues of your own!

Update: Looks like things are starting to return to normal, and Skype’s got a new blog post providing some background for today’s mishap.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Skype outage causing a global disconnect? (update) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Dec 2010 13:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dec 22

Panasonic’s Lumix GH2 now shipping in America

Posted in: camera, digicam, digital camera, DigitalCamera, lumix, micro four thirds, MicroFourThirds, now available, now shipping, NowAvailable, NowShipping, on sale, OnSale, Panasonic, ship, shipping, ships, Today's Chili

It’s not exactly November, but those who pre-ordered early may still end up with a Lumix GH2 beneath their tree. The highly-anticipated GH1 followup — which was introduced back at Photokina — has officially begun to ship to end users in the US of A. The official order page shows a one to two week wait, but we’ve confirmed with Panny itself (as well as tipster Nate, the proud owner of the one above) that units are indeed trickling out as we speak. For those in need of a refresher, this Micro Four Thirds shooter packs a 16 megapixel sensor, 1080p movie mode, SDXC support and an ISO range from 160 to 12,800. Feel free to take a peek back at our hands-on from Germany, and make sure you cancel those holiday plans STAT — wouldn’t want this sitting on your doorstep for a solid week, now would you?

[Thanks, Nate]

Panasonic’s Lumix GH2 now shipping in America originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Dec 2010 13:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dec 22

In 2011 TVs Will Have Energy Efficiency Labels

Posted in: Television, Today's Chili

TV Label.jpg

When you buy an appliance like a fridge or a washing machine, it comes with a handy yellow EnergyGuide sticker that shows just how much energy they use. And starting in 2011 you’ll find these stickers on TVs as well.

The Federal Trade Commission has announced that starting next year all TVs sold will require the EnergyGuide sticker. The stickers will feature both the TV’s estimated annual energy cost, as well as the estimated annual energy cost of similarly sized TVs. Additionally, starting July 11 of next year, websites will also need to display the EnergyGuide label when selling television sets.

“Unlike many years ago, before flat screens and plasma, today’s televisions vary widely in the amount of energy they use,” FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz said. “By comparing information on the EnergyGuide labels, consumers will be able to make better-informed decisions about which model they choose to buy, based on how much it costs to operate per year.”

Via GOOD

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Dec 22

Westone 4 earphones boast four drivers, on sale soon for $449

Posted in: audio, earbuds, earphones, headphones, Today's Chili

We’ve always had pleasant aural experiences with Westone earphones, and it’s not hard to hazard a guess that the outfit’s latest will also impress. The W4 is being hailed as the planet’s first four-driver universal fit earphone, boasting a foursome of balanced armature drivers, a three-way crossover and a self-proclaimed EPIC cable, which is supposedly able to “guard against microphones.” Further details are expected to be spilled at CES in just a couple of weeks, and they’ll be loosed on the public in early Q1 2011 for $449. Yeah, not exactly cheap, but nothing fit for an audiophile ever is.

Continue reading Westone 4 earphones boast four drivers, on sale soon for $449

Westone 4 earphones boast four drivers, on sale soon for $449 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Dec 2010 13:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dec 22

eReaders Go Solar In Japan

Posted in: Today's Chili

Biblio Leaf.jpg

eReaders like the Kindle are a great way to reduce clutter and paper usage. And now, thanks to a new device from Toshiba and Japanese telecommunications company KDDI, they can also utilize solar energy for charging..

The new gadget is called the Biblio Leaf, and it features a solar panel mounted on the front so that the device can be charged even when you’re away from an electrical outlet. It also features both Wi-Fi and 3G connectivity, a six inch black-and-white e-ink screen, and two gigabytes of memory. It even comes with a stylus for note taking.

Unfortunately, at least as of right now, it doesn’t look like the Biblio Leaf will be making its way outside of Japan.

Via DVICE

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