Jul 14

EXOvault case wraps your iPhone in cold, hard steel

Posted in: Apple, case, iPhone, iphone 3g, Iphone3g, Today's Chili

Do none of the gazillion iPhone cases currently on the market suit your fancy? Are you still looking for a holster that’s really built to take abuse? Look no further, as the handcrafted EXOvault is an all-metal sheath that can be ordered in aluminum, brass or titanium. Beyond that, details are surprisingly scant, leaving us to assume “what you see is what you get.” Be sure to make clear what kind of iPhone you have when ordering, and be extra sure to have $95 / $95 / $300 (respectively) in liquidated funds available before pulling the trigger.

[Via Boing Boing]

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EXOvault case wraps your iPhone in cold, hard steel originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Jul 2009 13:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jul 14

Which OS would you want in a Netbook?

Posted in: Today's Chili



CNET News Poll

Netbook OS of choice
If given the option, would you pick Android or Windows for your Netbook operating system?

I’d go the Microsoft route.
Google’s Android is for me.
I wouldn’t get a Netbook in the first place.
Uh, where’s the Mac OS option?




View results


A report surfaced on Monday claiming that the new Acer Aspire One Netbook featuring Android will start shipping in August. The price of the Netbook is still unknown.

The computer reportedly will have the Google mobile operating system installed but will be configured as a dual-boot system, also shipping with Microsoft’s Windows XP.

In June, just a few days after Acer announced that an Android-based Netbook would hit store shelves, the company told Digitimes that deploying a dual-OS strategy was in its best interest.

“(Acer Chairman) Wang pointed out that the dual-OS strategy is much safer for Acer, since consumer acceptance of the Android platform is unclear for the time being,” DigiTimes reported. “Acer will be able to promote Android as a value-added feature, similar to Asustek Computer’s Express Gate, to account for any price premium.”

It’s an interesting decision. To hedge its bets, Acer has decided that consumers wouldn’t want an Android-only Netbook. So if you’re looking to buy one of these computers, you’ll have two operating systems from which to choose. Which OS would you pick?

…

Originally posted at The Digital Home

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Jul 14

Sony Europe announces E-Series Video Walkman

Posted in: europe, sony, Today's Chili, video

Sure, dog — after seeing that OLED Walkman do its thing, anything less from Sony is kind of a let down. But if you’re a music lover and not on an OLED budget, this new device might have to do the trick. Just announced for Europe, the Walkman E-Series Video MP3 players come in your choice of either Black or Red, and sport a five band EQ, support for rights-managed WMA and WMV files, and an FM radio tuner (with one-touch recording). This bad boy will be available overseas from the end July. No word yet on price or Stateside availability, but you’ll know as soon as we do. In the meantime, peep that gallery below. Tiffany Giardina won’t mind.

Gallery: WALKMAN E Series Video MP3 players

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Sony Europe announces E-Series Video Walkman originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Jul 2009 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jul 14

Lexmark, HP face off in Web-connected,br / touch-screen-printing battle

Posted in: Today's Chili

Lexmark's 4.3-inch touch-screen LCD.

(Credit: Lexmark)

Not to be outdone by HP’s recent touch-screen printer, the folks at Lexmark just debuted their line of Web-connected touch-screen all-in-ones.

The big difference between the two is that although they both have touch technology, the HP Photosmart Premium with …

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Jul 14

Garden Watch Cam keeps tabs on your green plot

Posted in: Today's Chili

Garden Watch Cam

Growing, growing, grown!

(Credit: Amazon)

If you watch nature documentaries, you’ll often see scenes of flowers blooming or plants growing in quick time. Of course, that footage was accelerated, but don’t you wish you could film your garden with the same results?

While the Brinno Garden Watch Cam …

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Jul 14

Samsung TVs, Blu-Ray Players to Include Blockbuster Content

Posted in: samsung, Today's Chili

blockbuster logo.jpg

Blockbuster and Samsung are teaming up to allow access to Blockbuster content via select Samsung HDTVs, home theater systems and Blu-ray players.

Blockbuster subscribers will be able to manage their queues and get ratings, trailers, and other information about each movie directly on the TV, Samsung said. Users can also rent or buy movies using the feature. Samsung will also sell Blu-ray players with the integrated Blockbuster OnDemand service at retails outlets and via blockbuster.com.

Both offerings will be available in the fall of 2009.

Customers with select 2009 Samsung Blu-ray players and home theater systems, Samsung LCD and Plasma HDTVs Series 650 and above, and Samsung LED HDTVs Series 7000 and above, will be able to access the Blockbuster OnDemand offering for free by conducting a firmware upgrade.

In March, Blockbuster partnered with TiVO to offer Blockbuster on-demand content via TiVo DVR boxes.

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Jul 14

Researchers create robo-moth, dream of a cyborg cricket-filled future

Posted in: robot, Today's Chili

Researchers have long turned to insects for a little inspiration when creating robots, but things have entered a terrifying new dimension this week, with two separate groups each finding new ways to meld bug and machine. The further along of the pair is a group of scientists from Tokyo University’s Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, who have not only used a live silkmoth to control a toy car, but severed the head of a moth and wired it into the vehicle pictured above (look closely). By directing stimuli to the moth’s still-functioning antennae, the researchers were able to record the motor commands issued by the brain’s nerve cells and, in turn, control the vehicle — which, in addition to totally freaking people out, allows them to study and record data on how neurons respond to stimulus.

Slightly less far along on the road to bug armageddon is Pentagon contractor OpCoast, which is working on some full on “cyborg crickets” that behave like the real thing but have the added benefit of being able to form a mobile communications network in an emergency situation. That network, the company says, could eventually consist of hundreds or thousands of the crickets which, like real crickets, would communicate with each other through wing beats, and even be able to vary their “call tone” when they detect the presence of chemical or biological agents, or potentially even the scent of a person trapped in rubble.

Read – AFP, “Japanese scientists aim to create robot-insects”
Read – PhysOrg, “Cyborg Crickets Could Form Mobile Communications Network, Save Human Lives”

[Via reddit]

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Researchers create robo-moth, dream of a cyborg cricket-filled future originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Jul 2009 13:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jul 14

64 Gadgets Dragged Back to 1979

Posted in: Today's Chili, top

For this week’s Photoshop Contest, I asked you to redesign some modern gadgets as if they were created 30 years ago. You did not disappoint. And I don’t know about you guys, but I kind of want that Wii VCR.


First Place — Sanford Gifford


Second Place — Warranty Voider


Third Place — Zune CRT




























































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Jul 14

Google to expand Android Market payment options

Posted in: Today's Chili

Google Checkout is the only payment option for Android users.

(Credit: Taylor Wimberly)

Google and T-Mobile held a joint news conference last week to discuss their upcoming promotion for the new Google Android-powered MyTouch 3G phone. While the code names of upcoming Android updates like Eclair and Flan were an obvious focus of the conference, I found the most important revelation to be the expansion of payment methods for Android Market.

Thanks to a coming update, Google Checkout will now support multiple billing systems and T-Mobile customers will be able to charge purchases directly to their monthly bill. Also, while the sign-up process for Google Checkout is not difficult, removing it is one less barrier to a potential purchase.

Google Checkout has been the only payment option since the Android Market first launched paid applications. Despite a few initial download glitches related to credit card authorization, the service has performed relatively well since. Purchases are easily completed in seconds and instant refunds are available during the first 24 hours.

…

Originally posted at Android Atlas

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Jul 14

Back-to-School Savings: NewEgg.com

Posted in: sale, Today's Chili

NewEgg Back to School PresaleIt’s only mid-July and already retailers are advertising back-to-school specials. While it’s hard to even think about heading back to class when you’re still enjoying the summer, now’s the best time to save on laptops, printers, hard drives, and more.

NewEgg.com is running an exclusive Back-to-School Presale where you can save up to 70 percent off on computer hardware, electronics, and peripherals. For example, you can get a Saitek keyboard for $36, a 23-inch Acer HDTV for $170, and a Jawbone Bluetooth headset for $60.

Discounted prices and/or promo codes are valid through July 20, 2009, so you’ll want to act quickly.

Find out what NewEgg is offering for the back-to-school season, after the jump.

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