Japanese quake will likely affect the global supply of gadgets

Devastating. There are no words to effectively convey the human catastrophe suffered in Japan. Engadget would like to express our sincere condolences to those readers personally affected by recent events.

As a tech publication, we’re obviously focused on the impact recent events will have on Japan’s vast consumer electronics industry — an industry that has responded with millions of dollars in cash, equipment and services to help with the relief effort. Thus far, Canon, Panasonic, and Sony have each pledged ¥300 million ($3.67 million) in donations. Sony is also matching employee contributions as will Mitsubishi who’s donating a whopping ¥500 million ($6.1 million) in aid. On the equipment side, Sony is donating some 30,000 radios to relief efforts while Panasonic is providing 10,000 radios, 10,000 flashlights, and 500,000 batteries. NEC, Kyocera, and Epson are each donating ¥100 million in funds, computers, and telecoms and IT equipment.

While it’s still too early to quantify the exact impact the earthquake, tsunami, and ongoing nuclear troubles will have on the global tech industry, the scope of the issues is becoming clearer now that the initial chaos has passed. Click through to see how everything from laptop batteries to iPads are at risk.

Continue reading Japanese quake will likely affect the global supply of gadgets

Japanese quake will likely affect the global supply of gadgets originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 Mar 2011 09:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple Sells as Many as 500,000 iPad 2s

ipad 2 white flat game.jpg

If those kooky analysts are to be believed, Apple has a bonafide hit on its hand with the second generation iPad. According to numbers from Piper Jaffray’s Gene Munster, the company moved somewhere between 400,000 and 500,000 tablets in the iPad 2’s first weekend–that’s up over the 300,000 for the device’s predecessor. The majority of the sales apparently hit on Friday–if the numbers are to be believed, Apple actually sold out the majority of its stock after that.

Also interesting in these analytics: 70 Percent of buyers were picking up their first iPad, according to Munster. That number comes from a small survey of 236 buyers, conducted by the analyst. Two-thirds of those surveyed owned an iPhone 4, and the numbers were fairly even between Mac and PC users. Almost half of the folks were opting for the pricier iPad 2 3G.

Life Continues in Tokyo

**Read Part II: Life in Chiba, Japan Goes On**

In the midst of the tragic disaster up North, we’ve been barraged with calls and emails from all over the world wondering how we are. We, like basically everyone in Japan, are doing well (all things considered).

Life is certainly different with restrictions on power and limited trains, but if you watch international news you’d think that ALL of Japan is underwater and suffering. Miyagi and Iwate are the center of it all, while we are basically experiencing minor inconveniences. This is important to remember.

With the foreign press blowing everything up beyond reality, and the Japanese press allowing the government to keep us in the dark, the truth is somewhere in between. Regardless, we all still have to live and keep going.

So, we went out today to take some photos of people doing their best to live normally, and not staying at home watching television. This is the best we can do as human beings, especially being in a helpless situation as far as the North is concerned. If you have any more images of the positive side of Japanese life at this time, in any part of the country, and would like them added to the roster, please contact us.

All of these photos were taken today in Tokyo. Somehow, life goes on.

japan-earthquake-tsunami-convenience-store A stocked convenience store and ATM stand ready to serve.

japan-tsunami-beer-packages Beer and package deliveries go on as normal.

japan-tsunami-yoyogi-parkA family picnics and plays in Yoyogi Park.

japan-tsunami-tokyo-restaurantRestaurants serve. People eat.

japan-tsunami-shibuya-screensShibuya Crossing’s famous screens have gone dark to save power, but there’s still life below them.

japan-tsunami-ramen-shopRamen shop staff greet customers.

japan-tsunami-tokyo-convenience-storeWhile there’s a noticeable decrease in prepared food, there’s still enough in stock, and this guy has a seemingly infinite choice of beverages to wash it down.

japan-tsunami-park-performerA performer captivates his small, but mesmerized audience.

japan-tsunami-menu-choicesIn Soviet Russia, menu chooses YOU!

japan-tsunami-kids-jump-ropeOblivious to the possibility of causing another quake, these kids jump rope in Yoyogi Park.

japan-tsunami-harajuku-takeshitaTakeshita Street in Harajuku is generally open, with even a bit of bustle.

japan-tsunami-happy-kidThe situation is never so bad you can’t tease your brother.

japan-tsunami-happy-coupleLove blossoms.

japan-tsunami-buying-crepesA couple buys crêpes and enjoys the day.

We’ll keep you all updated as necessary. Japan will be back in no time.

**Read Part II: Life in Chiba, Japan Goes On**

Switchable Dynamo Hub Powers-Off to Save Your Legs

Velo Orange’s dynamo hub can be switched off to cut internal drag

Dynamo hubs are fantastically convenient. They power your lights whenever you ride, meaning you never have to change batteries. And because they are sat inside the wheel hub, they’re safe from the bumps and whacks that can damage external bottle-dynamos.

But they are also a drain on your leg power, dragging at your every stroke with their magnetic generators. Velo Orange’s Switchable Dynamo Hub fixes this with a switch that disengages the dynamo, letting you cycle drag-free by day, only engaging the lights at night. This is done by twisting the big disk on the side.

The aluminum hub comes in quick-release or regular fixings (weighing 750g and 685g respectively), is sized for 100mm frame spacing and can be had drilled for 32 or 36 hole rims. The output is six volts, three Watts.

Couple this with an internally geared hub at the rear and you’ll have a bike that packs a lot of function, while maintaining a very clean look. The Velo Orange Switchable hub costs $130, and is available now.

VO Switchable Dynamo Hub [Velo Orange via Eco Velo]

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GE kicks off EV Experience Tour, promises WattStations for all

Last week, GE kicked off its EV Experience Tour in San Francisco, to “bring GE experts together with local businesses, industry leaders, and public sector stakeholders for educational workshops, test drives, and dialogue on the business case for EV ecosystems.” The Yves Behar-designed GE WattStation EV charger was on display at the event in both mock-up and ice sculpture form. We spent some time chatting with Luis Ramirez, CEO of GE Energy Industrial Solutions, and Clarence Nunn, President and CEO of GE Capital Fleet Services about the future of EV charging. We discussed efforts like PlugShare and the recent addition to EV charging stations to Google Maps, concepts like smart parking spots with embedded inductive charging, as well as ways to accommodate folks without garages who park their vehicles on city streets. They both assured us that GE is committed to providing an EV charging infrastructure for all, starting with the installation of a bunch of WattStations in San Francisco soon — though they didn’t say exactly how “soon”. In the meantime, remember that EV charging is always just an outlet away. Take a look at our gallery below and jump past the break for the press release.


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GE kicks off EV Experience Tour, promises WattStations for all originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 Mar 2011 08:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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How to enable multitasking gestures in iOS 4.3

Unfortunately we knew that iOS 4.3 wouldn’t end up shipping with those nifty four- and five-finger gestures, but what we didn’t know was how easy it’d be to enable them. That’s right, getting even more touchy-feely with your brand new iPad 2 is just a few clicks and a 4.5GB download (to your Mac) away — if you’ve got $5 for Xcode of course. Sound intriguing? Click past the break for the info.

Continue reading How to enable multitasking gestures in iOS 4.3

How to enable multitasking gestures in iOS 4.3 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 Mar 2011 08:35:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Phil Schiller: “White iPhone Will Be Available This Spring”

Apple marketing boss Phil Schiller tweets about the elusive white iPhone

“Tweeting Phil Schiller” is the new “emailing Steve Jobs.” When 16-year-old from Albuquerque, New Mexico wanted to know if the mythical white iPhone would ever emerge into the world, he Tweeted Apple’s product marketing boss: “@pschiller how do i get a white iphone?”

The reply? “@airickanderson Hi Eric. The white iPhone will be available this spring (and it is a beauty!).” Given that most people in the U.S consider that spring begins on March 21st, then Apple has until has until June 21st to deliver. Further, June is the month when Apple traditionally releases new a iPhone.

Could it be that there will be no white iPhone 4, but instead a white iPhone 5? After all, neither tweet mentions model number. On the other hand, Apple does like to dominate the news, and manages to come up with some buzz-worthy announcement every few weeks. Any problems with white hardware have clearly been fixes, as proven by the white iPad, so maybe we’ll get one in the next few weeks.

Yes, the amount of ink (or pixels) spilled writing about the white iPhone is ridiculous. But then, so is the almost year-long wait for a product promised — and demoed — at launch last summer.

White iPhone Tweet [Phil Schiller / Twitter]

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CyberNotes: 15 Uses for Duct Tape

This article was written on September 14, 2007 by CyberNet.

CyberNotes
Fun Friday

The list of uses for duct tape could probably be endless and I’m sure most of you would agree. I think it’s safe to say that the list of things you can do with duct tape is much larger than the list of things you can’t do!

Here’s CyberNet’s 15 uses for duct tape!

  1. Duct tape the remote control to you hand so you never lose it or get it taken away by a friend, spouse, child, etc.
  2. Wrap gifts in duct tape, and then duct tape a note to the top of the gift that says "Open me… eventually."
  3. Formal wear – use duct tape to construct your tux or dress. It’ll be cheaper, and you’ll get noticed (and yes, both the dress and the tux were made of duct tape).
    duct tape dress
  4. Pants too long? "Hem" them with duct tape.
  5. Need to reduce that electric bill? Duct tape over the light switches so that you’ll think twice before you flip them on.
  6. Use it as an instant mute for annoying friends, siblings, etc.
  7. Create a cover for your iPod so it doesn’t get scratched up (learn how)
  8. Duct tape your roommate to the wall.
    duct tape to wall
  9. No need for a fly swatter – just use duct tape!
  10. Keep the cold air out – use duct tape as a window sealant
  11. Valentines day – "One rose traditionally means "I Love you." A dozen roses made entirely out of duct tape means "I’ll Love you forever!"
    ducttape roses
  12. Tape the toilet seat up or down…
    toiletseatup
  13. Use a piece of duct tape to cover the optical sensor or the mouse ball on your co-workers mouse so that it won’t work.
  14. To remove warts… yep, it’s true.
  15. Need a cell phone holder or a tool belt? Just construct your own… out of duct tape of course!

Source: www.ducttapeguys.com

Copyright © 2011 CyberNetNews.com

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Artega SE electric sports car lines up to challenge Tesla Roadster

The Tesla Roadster may not have many competitors that you can actually buy at the moment, but it looks like it can count on a bit of a challenge from German automaker Artega. It debuted its new Artega SE (short for Sport Electric) at the Geneva Motor Show recently, and it says it plans to produce 500 of them a year starting in 2012 at a cost of €150,000 apiece, or just over $200,000. In addition to some good looks, that will buy you a pair of rear-mounted electric motors that combine for 375 horsepower and a top speed “well over” 155MPH, along with a 37 kW lithium polymer battery that promises to let you “comfortably achieve” 124 miles under normal driving conditions. Of particular note, Artega says that the battery can be fully recharged in just 90 minutes using a commercial charging station, although it can of course also be charged at a slower rate at home. Still no word on availability outside of Europe, although if you’re dropping two hundred grand on a car we’re guessing the import costs won’t pose too much of a problem.

Artega SE electric sports car lines up to challenge Tesla Roadster originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 Mar 2011 07:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lego Minifig USB Thumb Drive Is Humanity’s Highest Achievement

The Lego minifig thumb drive is the ultimate evolution of the form

All USB thumb drive makers should stop what they’re doing right now. Go home, update you resumé and start looking for a different line of work. The perfect USB stick has finally been made. The zenith of novelty storage technology has been reached. Behold: the Lego® Minifigure 2GB USB Flash Drive.

The genius of this drive is that it us a regular Lego minifig, with detachable hands, head and legs. The only difference comes when you pull down the little chap’s pants and find that he, for once, is wearing underwear. Not boxer shorts, either, but a pair of briefs in the shape of a USB plug, ready to be slotted into a computer port up to his waist, like a horror-movie victim sinking into quicksand.

Actually, there is one other difference in this industry-shaking figure: his normally bald head now sprouts a pair of thick dreadlocks with a keyring at the end.

The Lego minifig thumb drive will cost an expensive but oh-so-worth-it $25. Available now.

Lego Minifigure 2GB USB Flash Drive [Lego store via Oh Gizmo!]

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