Hasta La Gadget!

The reason for the white iPhone’s long delay turns out to be exactly what we guessed: the original version turns yellow after time. Nick Bilton of the New York Times’ Bits blog got his hands on a “first-gen” white iPhone and compared it side-by-side with a shiny new one.

Bilton got the phone from Rex Sorgatz of Kinda Sorta Media. Sorgatz paid $1,000 for the phone back when the iPhone 4 first launched, getting it from a guy with “connections to the factory that made the phone in China.”

Comparing the two, we see some design differences — a deeper-set proximity sensor in the new iPhone, and a flush-fitting camera lens in the old one — but the biggest difference is in the color. The new iPhone is pristine white, whilst the year-old model is dirty and yellowing. This is similar to the problem that plagued early white plastic MacBooks.

It could be said that the comparison isn’t fair, and that we should wait to see how these new version hold up with time. Then again, Apple has spent ten months trying to get this thing right, and has surely used rapid-aging tests to lick this problem once and for all.

The real question is why did this happen in the first place? It’s not like Apple doesn’t have any experience making white gadgets.

White iPhone Versus White iPhone [NYT]

See Also:

• White iPhone 4 Not Really Thicker Than Black Model … Or Is It …
• Thicknessgate: White iPhone 0.2 mm Fatter than Black iPhone …
• White iPhone Finally Available, Just 10 Months Late
• White iPhone Delay Explained by Lucky Owner

Clean-tech entrepreneurs aim to make modular solar-powered electronics projects fun and fast with palm-size squares that snap together via embedded magnets.

Originally posted at Webware

Like two knights jostling for the hand of a fair maiden, both Facebook and Google appear to be courting the graces of Skype. A source close to Facebook recently told Reuters that CEO Mark Zuckerberg is thinking about buying Skype outright, as part of a deal that could be worth $3 to $4 billion. A second source, meanwhile, claimed that both Facebook and Google are more interested in forming a joint venture with the teleconferencing company, which has yet to issue an IPO. With discussions still in a nascent stage, both suitors are playing their cards close to their chests, while Skype, rather coyly, has declined to comment on the speculation. At this point, details are still hazy and rumor-infused, though it’s certainly not shocking to hear these kinds of murmurs buzzing around. Skype’s been integrating Facebook more deeply into its software for a while now and has gradually branched out to Android, as well (albeit with mixed results). Both Facebook and Google would also stand to benefit from Skype’s millions of users and all the targeted advertising potential they’d offer. Until we receive more substantiated reports, however, all discussions of possible unions remain restricted to the realm of conjecture.

Facebook, Google rumored to be vying for Skype deal originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 May 2011 06:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  Reuters  | Email this | Comments

It has been said that the Japanese don’t always wear their hearts on their sleeves and it can be particularly hard to judge their emotions. Step in the team from “neurowear” who have developed a product called “necomimi” which takes brain signals from our emotions and turns them into visible actions rendering them in the form of wiggling cat ears.

Advertising it as a new communication tool that “augments the human body and ability”, the website introduces the product as a fashion item and gadget that uses brainwaves and other biosensors. Designed obviously for the cutesy Japanese market with its cat ear shape (neco and mimi being the words for cat and ear) the ears mimic a cat’s ears as they wiggle and rise with the wearers emotional state, for example rising in anticipation of eating a delicious cookie, or drop down when relaxed.

The product, although at present a bit of a commercial gimmick, could actually be used for a number of other functions. For example, to help allow mentally disabled people show their feelings and easing frustrations within those who are verbally challenged. This kind of technology that doesn’t require too many intrusive components could certainly help in treatment by non verbally demonstrating wearers emotions, particularly in children. The same technology could also be used within other applications. Embedded in a hard hat for example the same brain signal monitor could be worn for workers involved in particularly demanding tasks requiring constant concentration. This kind of new technology aimed at health and wellbeing is a particularly growing market in Japan with its increasing greying society.

The product was on display at Omotesando Hills in the “Smile Bazar” where customers could try it on for themselves.

This is the first product from the “neurowear” company but they have already stated their intention to release more products soon, and if you watch the youtube video it does hint at a follow up with a strange bluetooth like device the passing man is wearing on his ear.

Related Posts:

Float In Space With Ghost In The Shell
Animals in Aoyama: New Francfranc concept store
Tape measure toilet paper helps you diet

Hill-bomb like a fearless child on Jeff Tiedeken’s Gravity Bike. Photo Kyle / Flickr

If you have ever been a kid (and as you are alive and reading this, I’m assuming you have) then you probably risked your life more than once when you were small. You probably stood or sat on something with wheels and pushed yourself down a hill, only to wobble or panic or scream when a gentle roll turned into a careening charge.

And you probably walked right back up the hill and did it again.

The Gravity Bike will give you the same experience as an adult, with one big addition: because you are no longer indestructible, the Gravity Bike has brakes.

Built by Jeff Tiedeken, The bike isn’t just a scary way to get to the bottom of a hill. It also packs in a lot of neat engineering tricks. Most noticeable is the low profile. Because you don’t need to pedal, the seat is right down over the rear wheel. The position is more like that of a motorbike.

The brakes are Avid Elixr hydraulic disc brakes, because you’ll probably want to stop, and the wheels are 26-inch Crossmax Lefties, which mount to the frame on one side only.

Finally, the crank is fixed and has both sides together, at the back, again like a motorcycle.

The Gravity Bike has reached 50mph on a downhill, and could probably get to 70 mph. The only thing you need is a steep enough hill, and a brave enough rider.

MLS Gravity Bike [Cycle EXIF]

See Also:

• Breaking the Speed Record: 81 MPH on a Bike
• Bike Built Entirely of Wood Could Set Speed Record