Friday, March 14, 2008
First Video of Hacked iPhone 2.0 In Action
Here is our exclusive video of the iPhone with hacked 2.0 firmware, running on a T-Mobile network instead of AT&T. Despite what other reports have erroneously stated, this is not a jailbroken iPhone with firmware 2.0, but a completely hacked version of the firmware that allows you to run any app and use any compatible carrier you want in the world. As we explained yesterday, it's going to be very difficult for Apple to close this hole, almost impossible, according to iPhone Dev Team sources. Update: changes on first sight:
Netronix E-Book To Have Touchscreen and Wi-Fi
Taiwanese manufacturer Netronix is promising a new spin on an old idea: putting a touchscreen on an the EB-100, an E-Ink-based e-book reader. We've actually seen the basic design before, in the gen-3 Cybook by Bookeen. But there was never promise of touchscreen, nor anything said about 802.11g Wi-Fi, which Netronix is also offering. The rest of the specs are pretty straightforward: 6" screen, SD card slot, support for PDF, RTF, TXT, HTML, MP3, AAC, and some image files. But as much as I enjoy the Kindle, a touchscreen interface may really be what's needed to bring mass appeal to the e-book concept. You hear me, Jeff Bezos? [Product Page via Tecnogadgets]
AMD ships triple-core Phenom processors
Posted Mar 13th 2008 8:38AM by Darren Murph
While there have certainly been questions surrounding AMD's ability to deliver its Phenom 9700 / 9900 chips on time, it looks as if the chip maker is right on target with the launch of its triple-core lineup. Just as we expected it to, AMD has indeed began shipping its Phenom 8400 (2.1GHz) and 8600 (2.3GHz) to Dell -- for use in its OptiPlex 740 -- and HP (respectively), which has it mounted in the AL195AW desktop. Reportedly, the CPUs are only shipping in volume to PC manufacturers at the moment, and unfortunately, it failed to spill the beans on when they'd be available on a wider scale. Nevertheless, those parked across the pond can get their fix of tri-core sweetness by picking up one of two Mesh Computer rigs that are being made available as we speak.
[Via PC World]
Read - Dell OptiPlex 740 [PDF]
Read - HP AL195AW
Read - Mesh Computer Matrix xXx Plus
Read - Mesh Computer Matrix xXx Pro
While there have certainly been questions surrounding AMD's ability to deliver its Phenom 9700 / 9900 chips on time, it looks as if the chip maker is right on target with the launch of its triple-core lineup. Just as we expected it to, AMD has indeed began shipping its Phenom 8400 (2.1GHz) and 8600 (2.3GHz) to Dell -- for use in its OptiPlex 740 -- and HP (respectively), which has it mounted in the AL195AW desktop. Reportedly, the CPUs are only shipping in volume to PC manufacturers at the moment, and unfortunately, it failed to spill the beans on when they'd be available on a wider scale. Nevertheless, those parked across the pond can get their fix of tri-core sweetness by picking up one of two Mesh Computer rigs that are being made available as we speak.[Via PC World]
Read - Dell OptiPlex 740 [PDF]
Read - HP AL195AW
Read - Mesh Computer Matrix xXx Plus
Read - Mesh Computer Matrix xXx Pro
Asus expects Windows Eee PC to outsell Linux counterpart 6 to 4
Posted Mar 13th 2008 2:29PM by Donald Melanson
Asus has never been one to shy away from making from making bold predications about it's fast-selling Eee PC, and it's now come out with yet another feat of prognostication, saying that it expects it's forthcoming Windows-based Eee PC to outsell its Linux-based counterpart by a ratio of 6 to 4. As PC World points out, that's despite the fact that the Windows version will cost nearly twice as much as the cheapest Linux-based Eee PC. Asus chairman Jonney Shih seems undaunted by that fact, however, and assures us that "a lot of people have been waiting for the Windows version."
Fisker Karma hybrid sports car to generate motor noise through external speakers
[Via Autoblog]
Intel's quad-core QX9300 laptop CPU in Q3?
Posted Mar 14th 2008 1:59AM by Thomas Ricker
Check it high-enders. DigiTimes has been milking their Taiwanese motherboard sources for information about Intel's laptop-class, Core 2 Extreme QX9300 processor. They've come away with a Q3 ship date and price of $1,038 when purchasing the quad-core proc in bulk. Digitimes' own sources had originally pegged the QX9300 for a May release. But such is the life of the muckraker.
Check it high-enders. DigiTimes has been milking their Taiwanese motherboard sources for information about Intel's laptop-class, Core 2 Extreme QX9300 processor. They've come away with a Q3 ship date and price of $1,038 when purchasing the quad-core proc in bulk. Digitimes' own sources had originally pegged the QX9300 for a May release. But such is the life of the muckraker.Thursday, March 13, 2008
Nokia's N810 internet tablet gets a $90 price cut
Posted Mar 11th 2008 5:08PM by Joshua Topolsky
If you've been looking for some kind of incentive to dip into the savings account and splurge on a new gadget, this may be music to your ears. Nokia has just lowered the price on its jack-of-all-trades N810 internet tablet, shaving $90 off the MSRP to bring it down to a highly affordable $389.99. Of course, you can probably find the WiFi-sportin', QWERTY-havin', GPS-rockin' little guy slightly cheaper if you troll the internet (which we know you will). Before you lay down the cash, though, you might want to ask yourself this: does the price drop mean a new version is on the way, like, say... that WiMAX-equipped N830 we've been hearing about? It's a tough call, but we know you'll make the right decision.
[Thanks, Tony S.]
[Thanks, Tony S.]
Casio's EX-F1 camera with 60fps burst and 1200fps video -- March 28th
Posted Mar 12th 2008 4:37AM by Thomas Ricker
Oh great lorf of frames per second shooters. Casio's Exilim Pro EX-F1 just snagged a ship date. It'll cost you ¥130,000 (tax inclusive) when it hits on March 28th in Japan. Still, we expect many people will be swayed by this 6 megapixel novelty with the ability to burst at 60fps while shooting up to 1200fps video. Still no US or European release where it's expected to pop for $999 (pre tax), but it can't be long now.
[Via I4U]
Oh great lorf of frames per second shooters. Casio's Exilim Pro EX-F1 just snagged a ship date. It'll cost you ¥130,000 (tax inclusive) when it hits on March 28th in Japan. Still, we expect many people will be swayed by this 6 megapixel novelty with the ability to burst at 60fps while shooting up to 1200fps video. Still no US or European release where it's expected to pop for $999 (pre tax), but it can't be long now. [Via I4U]
GE researchers create printable, flexible OLEDs
Posted Mar 12th 2008 5:36AM by Joshua Topolsky
Researchers at GE have created the world's first roll-to-roll manufactured OLEDs -- a newspaper printing-like process that is the first step to plentiful, cheaply produced, flexible lighting. Production of the thin, organic materials in this manner could lead to a wide array of innovations in the use of lights, sensors, and displays, and could make a noticeable impact on the efficiency and environmental performance of lighting and electronics. The company envisions a new playing-field for businesses, architects, and lighting designers who need access to cheap, energy-conscious materials, and see this research as a first step to an emerging field of commercialized OLED lighting. Yes, a new vista of discovery, wealth, and prosperity awaits those who take this bold step into the wide, wonderous, and uncharted worlds of scientific research and prototyping -- let's just hope it doesn't end up all Bioshock-y and weird.
Intel plots $100 "NetTop" market with Diamondville
Posted Mar 12th 2008 1:10PM by Paul Miller
Intel hasn't convinced you yet that its upcoming Atom processors will be dirt cheap and pregnant with promise? Well the company has a new definition on the table to see if you'll reconsider. Intel is talking up a new "NetTop" concept of desktop PCs ranging in price from $100 to $299 -- the desktop counterpart to the Eee PC, if you will. Naturally, Intel plans for those desktops to be powered by its own Diamondville processor, but also has other plans like solid state storage, no system fans or CPU socket, optimized power supply unit and "cost optimized OS solutions." The machines will run on Linux or Windows, and Intel projects 60 million of 'em will be sold a year by 2011. Those crazy, cash-addled dreamers.
OCZ announces 32, 64GB SATA II SSDs
Posted Mar 13th 2008 12:13AM by Ryan Block
32 and 64GB capacities aren't all that impressive when it comes to SATA II 2.5-inch solid state drives, but OCZ's new devices do claim 120MBps read and 100MBps write speeds which would put it up there on the ranks. Unfortunately, OCZ neglected to clue anyone in on price or release date for these puppies.
One billion RFID cards vulnerable to hacks
Posted Mar 13th 2008 8:16AM by Nilay Patel
Even as RFID tech grows more and more ubiquitous, fears about its safety and security haven't dwindled -- which is why we're just disappointed, not surprised, to learn that over 1 billion RFID cards based on the Milfare Classic RFID chip are now at risk. Two different teams of security researchers managed to crack the encryption on the cards, which form the basis of a national payment system in the Netherlands and are used widely in other applications around the world. With the encryption broken, hackers can now make perfect clones of the cards, spoiling all that radio-frequency fun. There's no word on how easy that actually is yet, however -- one of the two hacks will be demonstrated later this week, and the other is being kept secret -- but still, it might be time to go back to cash and bump-proof locks, eh?
Even as RFID tech grows more and more ubiquitous, fears about its safety and security haven't dwindled -- which is why we're just disappointed, not surprised, to learn that over 1 billion RFID cards based on the Milfare Classic RFID chip are now at risk. Two different teams of security researchers managed to crack the encryption on the cards, which form the basis of a national payment system in the Netherlands and are used widely in other applications around the world. With the encryption broken, hackers can now make perfect clones of the cards, spoiling all that radio-frequency fun. There's no word on how easy that actually is yet, however -- one of the two hacks will be demonstrated later this week, and the other is being kept secret -- but still, it might be time to go back to cash and bump-proof locks, eh?Copy and Paste on Your iPhone With iCopy
N78 Comes Loaded with Wi-Fi, HSPDA, GPS, Touch Surfaces, Tricorder
$507 (350 euros) pianoblacktabulous N78 gets rid of real keys in favor of touch surfaces, with raised lines on the front to give you tactile feedback. Full details after the jump.
Color Changing Concert Hall May Be More Interesting Than the Performances
A concert hall has just been unveiled in Aurillac, France, that will be used for everything from sporting events to theater performances. However, the interesting thing about this building is not what is going on inside it, rather, it is what is taking place on the outside. Using a combination of glass bricks and fluorescent lights with color filters, the building displays a serene color spectrum across the entire length of the structure. All that aside, the building itself is beautiful—whether you are looking at in during the day or night. [Dezeen via io9]
Archos 606 is their First 3G-Equipped PMP
This seems to be a France-only deal, but Archos's upcoming 606 looks like their first 3G data-equipped player to be available anywhere in the world. The player looks around the same size as the already-released 605, but is completely black, has a 30GB hard drive, and certain pricing details that are only relevant for France. In any case, if Archos can get a deal like this going in France, it bodes well for PMP fans who are looking forward to a cell-connected player to download audio and video with elsewhere in the world as well. Especially if it has support for movie/music rentals. [Archos Lounge] Modular DNA PC Concept Lets You Build it Like LEGO
This modular DNA PC concept looks quite similar to the Bookshelf Microsoft ISDA design concept from a few years ago, but it's slightly different in that it's almost entirely made out of cubes. The core idea is the same: you've got a base "PC" that you add features and peripherals onto by attaching them together. Keyboard, storage, RAM, and other components are all interchangeable, which gives the final PC construction a bit of a kindergarden/LEGO look. Interesting, yes, but a bit too far-fetched to be really usable.
IMAX Theaters to Ditch Film, Use Digital DLP Projectors
IMAX and Texas Instruments announced they will be working together to transition IMAX from a film-based projection format to a DLP-based technology instead. Starting in the middle of 2008, all new IMAX projectors will include the digital DLP technology and eliminate the need for elaborate film-based projector setups currently found in IMAX Theaters. This raises the question: which billionaire will be the first to have a digital IMAX theater installed in his mega mansion? More » Microsoft's LucidTouch Transparent Touchscreen Device Gets All Mocked Up
Naturally, when we first laid our eyes on the LucidTouch prototype from Microsoft back in October, we were intrigued by the transparent multi-touch interface that allows users to control the device from behind the screen. Now, five months later, Microsoft has unveiled some artist mock-ups of what the device could look like as a final product. When compared to the prototype, it is readily apparent that they have a long way to go (especially with that bulky camera), but at least it is still an ongoing project. Whether users will prefer the UI to a traditional touchscreen remains to be seen. [LucidTouch via Pocket-Lint via DVICE]
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Using Mathematica to decorate Easter Eggs
Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/boingboing/iBag/~3/247955962/using-mathematica-to.html
Kathryn writes, "I spent a while last night and this morning decorating Easter eggs in Mathematica and this activity has proved wildly popular in this household: My children are going to run me out of toner in my color printer very shortly. My daughter has made a document entitled 'My Little Egg Book' out of egg printouts." Link, Link to equations for egg shapes