Mar 17

iPad Scalpers Buy Out Apple Flagship Store

Posted in: Apple, ipad 2, Today's Chili
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With sell outs, long lines, and repeatedly pushed-back shipping times, it’s perhaps not surprising that the scalpers are getting into the iPad 2 business in a big way. The tablets are currently selling for exorbitant amounts online, through sites like eBay. Resellers also have plans to sell the things in China.

The New York Post has a piece about the lengths scalpers are going to clean out Apple locations, namely the company’s flagship glass storefront on 59th street. The paper illustrated a scene in which five men walked down a line of roughly 200 people, handing out $100 dollar bills to pick up the devices (and keep with Apple’s strict per-person limit).
“The ones we bought today are already on their way to China,” the “ringleader” told the paper. “It’s been pretty crazy.” The iPad 2 can apparently resell for as much as $2,000 a piece–well over double the asking price of the most expensive model. 
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Mar 16

Game on the iPad with an NES Controller and RoboTouch

Posted in: diy, gaming, ipad, Robots Robotics, Today's Chili, video games, Weird News

RoboTouch

RoboTouch isn’t so much a commercial product as it is a pet project of some folks at ProtoDojo who were looking for a way to combine their favorite console controller (the NES controller,) with their favorite touch-screen gaming platform (the iPad.) 
The gadget is actually a series of small robot arms that accept controls from an Arduino board that the NES controller is plugged into. Press the A or B buttons and different arms tap different parts of the screen. Use the directional pad and different arms on the other side of the iPad tap the screen there corresponding to your character’s movement controls. The video behind the jump shows one of the inventors using RoboTouch to play a game of Reckless Racing. 
Admittedly, the arms would have to be repositioned around the screen and re-tested depending on the game you’re playing. If you have a virtual on-screen joystick that requires you move your finger in a circle or requires constant contact to work, it might be tricky to use. Still, RoboTouch isn’t the kind of project you should expect to see on store shelves anytime soon: but if you love DIY projects and would get a thrill out of playing iPad games with an NES controller, this is the project for you. 
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Mar 16

Samsung Galxy 4 & 5 Are Coming This Spring

Posted in: samsung, Today's Chili

 

Thumbnail image for samsung-galaxy-s.jpgThe Samsung Galaxy Player 4 and 5 will be released this Spring. The mini tablets will be much like the Samsung Galaxy S, minus the calling features. Some have compared the devices to the iPod Touch, or now defunct Zune player.

The specs for the Player 4 are Android Froyo 2.2 (can be upgraded to Gingerbread 2.3), mobile VoIP via SKPYE, front VGA camera, GPS, rear 2.3 MP camera, and, 4 in LCD touchscreen. The Player 5 has most of the same except for video call via QiK, a back camera with flash, and 5-inch touchscreen.

Both models use Wi-Fi and can use microSD up to 32GB. No official release date or retail information has been announced.

Via Engadget

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Mar 16

Nintendo Launches First US 3DS Commercial

Posted in: 3ds, gaming, nintendo, Today's Chili, video games

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Until the 3DS launches on March 27th, most of us have no idea what the 3D graphics will actually be like. To help assure consumers that it’s well worth their time–and money–Nintendo launched its first North American 3DS commercial, showing off a representation of the 3D gaming experience.

Thus far, 3D, other than in the theater, has had on a rather rocky road. People haven’t exactly been falling all over themselves to buy 3DTVs, especially with all of the price and compatibility issues for glasses. But Nintendo is emphasizing that the 3DS will feature “3D games, photos, entertainment, and more, no glasses required.” As goes the gaming industry, goes the rest of the tech industry? Did the commercial help convince you?

Also to help get the public on-board the 3DS bandwagon, Nintendo set up Demo Pods in four cities (Chicago, New York, San Fransisco, and LA), so consumers can test out the 3DS for themselves. But, if you’re already sold, you can pre-order a 3DS for $249.99.

Check out the video after the jump.

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Mar 16

Xoom Wi-Fi Coming This Month for $599

Posted in: motorola, Today's Chili, xoom
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Motorola’s finally offering up word on the Wi-Fi-only version of its Honeycomb tablet. The less pricey Xoom will be hitting stores on March 27. The tablet will run $599 for the 32GB model (versus $799 and $599 subsidized for its 3G counterpart) and will be available through a  number of major retailers, including Amazon, Best Buy, Costco, Radioshack, Sam’s Club, Staples, and Walmart.

The 3G version of the Xoom hit stores on February 24th. Despite earning raves at this year’s CES and receiving generally positive reviews from the press, the Xoom has had a pretty lukewarm reception, thus far, thanks to some technical limitations (including the lack of promised Flash compatibility at launch) and the announcement of the iPad 2, which was unveiled by Apple on March 2nd.
The pricing puts the Xoom on par with the iPad 2, which runs $599 for a 32GB Wi-Fi version (the 16GB version is $100 cheaper) and $729 for 32GB with Wi-Fi + 3G.
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Mar 15

iPad 2 Release Date Pushed Back In Japan

Posted in: Apple, ipad 2, Today's Chili

 

Thumbnail image for ipad 2 announce b and w.jpgApple has delayed the release of the iPad 2 in Japan, pushing the launch back until further notice. According to Apple, the date being pushed back to allow the country to focus on recovery.

No new release date for the iPad 2 has been announced yet. However, other countries set to receive the tablet on March 25th (the original date for Japan) will still get it in that time frame.

Via Apple Insider

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Mar 15

Apple, Microsoft, Facebook, Comcast, More Nominated for “Worst Company”

Posted in: Apple, att, Microsoft, Miscellaneous Tech, Today's Chili, verizon
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Watchdog blog Consumerist this week announced the nominations for its sixth annual Worst Company in America competition. The list, which is is broken down in full March Madness bracket-style, features a number of high profile tech companies. 
In the first round, Apple will be competing with Microsoft, Facebook will be duking it out with Time Warner, DirecTV and Dish Network will be going head-to-head, and Sony and Dell will be doing battle. Also on the list: Tickemaster v. Paypal, Verizon v. AT&T, Radioshack v. Best Buy, Comcast v. Charter, and GameStop v. Wal-Mart.
BP makes a notable debut on the list this year, after an oil spill that proved one of the biggest man-made disasters in U.S. history. The oil company will be facing stiff competition in this round from Toyota–the car maker recalled millions of vehicles in 2010, over pedal-related problems.
Not surprisingly, in light of continued economic woes, banks and credit card companies had a big showing on this year’s list, with Chase, Wells Fargo, American Express, Capital One, Bank of America, and Citibank all making the cut. Interestingly (also in light of the year’s events), the number of airlines dropped to two, with only Delta an United making the final list.
The 32 companies will begin squaring off tomorrow. 
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Mar 15

iPad Ship Time Pushed to 4 to 5 Weeks

Posted in: Apple, ipad 2, Today's Chili

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Overwhelming demand for the Apple’s second generation tablet has forced the company to push back ship times for online orders yet again. The company’s site now lists ship time for all models as four to five weeks–up from the three to four weeks the site was listing over the weekend. On launch day last week, Apple listed the ship time as a few days, quickly upgrading it to two to three weeks.

The device has also reportedly sold out in all of Apple’s retail locations and other partner stores. The company addressed the shortages in a recent statement, “Demand for the next generation iPad 2 has been amazing. We are working hard to get iPad 2 into the hands of every customer who wants one as quickly as possible.”

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Mar 14

Verizon Axes Xoom, Galaxy Tab “Activation Fee”

Posted in: Today's Chili, xoom

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After receiving some flack that the Verizon iPad 2 doesn’t have a tablet activation fee, the mobile provider has decided to get rid of the $35 charge for people who sign up for a data plan on the Xoom or Galaxy Tab. Assumedly, future Android tablets will receive the same accommodation.

The fee is waived for customers who buy a Xoom or Galaxy Tab and sign up for a monthly data plan. Data plans begin at $20/month.

And if you just bought a tablet and paid the fee, there’s good news. Verizon will issue a $35 credit on March’s bill to anyone who paid the fee between March 1 and now.

Via Android Community

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Mar 14

Green Lantern Power Battery Replica Won’t Give You Super Powers

Posted in: Movies, Tech Toys, Today's Chili, Toys

Green Lantern

The upcoming Green Lantern movie is shaping up to be a blockbuster. Trailers appear on the Web to much fanfare, and the first set of merch has started to appear. 
Ironically though, this item isn’t aimed at everyday fans of the movie or the comic book and not destined for store shelves or toy stores: this Green Lantern Movie Power Battery Replica is aimed only at the most hardcore movie fans. Only 2500 of the replicas will be produced, and when they’re all sold out, they’re gone forever. 
The replica Power Battery will ship with a size 14 Green Lantern Ring, and when you bring the ring close to the lantern, the two will glow a bright green. 
The closer you bring them, the brighter they get. The lantern is 15-inches tall, and the whole package will retail for $289.99 at retail. If you’re willing to drop the cash, you’ll be able to get your hands on one in July. 
[via ChipChick]
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