iTech4

Netflix Blu-ray movies showing up cracked and unplayable?

by Richard Lawler, posted Apr 18th 2009 at 10:42PM

That's the word, with a small but vocal group of subscribers claiming their discs are repeatedly arriving with small cracks on their outer edges. It's unclear what might be to blame, even with the extra coatingto prevent scratches on Blu-ray, they could still be susceptible to automated mail processing machines,manufacturing defects or perhaps a spontaneous game of mail Frisbee. The Mars Box blog experienced this issue back in '07 with the disc pictured above, but in the last few months reports seem to be picking up again. It's really too bad those extra costs can't buy tougher packaging like the cardboard slips GameFly uses, but Netflix told Wired the problem is "infinitesimally small" and changing shipping wouldn't be cost effective. We know plenty of you rent your discs, let us know, have you been afflicted?

[Via Hacking Netflix]

Read - The Mars Box
Read - Wired
Read - AVS Forum

Festo shows off robot penguins and other visions of the future

by Donald Melanson, posted Apr 18th 2009 at 8:14PM

The folks at Festo have already proven themselves to be more than adept some intoxicating, slightlyunnerving feats of robotics, but they look to have really outdone themselves with their latest group of creations, which all fall under the banner of the company's Bionic Learning Network. While they're all certainly impressive, the real star is undoubtedly the AquaPenguin which, in addition to being creepily realistic, is fully autonomous and even able to outperform its real-life counterpart in a few tasks, like swimming backwards. Of course, Festo apparently couldn't help themselves and also built a flying, blimp-like AirPenguin, and they applied some of the same basic technology to a number of other devices, including a robot arm that's precise enough to change a lightbulb, and a freestanding interactive wall that's sure to spruce up any lobby. Hit up the YouTube link below for a video that provides a brief overview of the whole lot, or head on over to Festo's site for the even better German version (plus some additional details on the projects themselves).

Read - YouTube, "Festo Bionic Learning Network 2009"
Read - Festo

[Thanks, Gunter]

Keepin' it real fake, part CXCIX: NokiPhone N3000i dual slider is one part N95, two parts iPhone, and six parts win

by Ross Miller, posted Apr 18th 2009 at 5:54PM

Combining two pretty great ideas in a way that is all kinds of illegal in the US, the China-produced NokiPhone N3000i looks to be a pretty straightforward iPhone ripoff with bonus N95-esque dual slider capabilities. The GSM smartphone's got 3.2-inch QVGA screen, WiFi, Bluetooth 2.0, dual SIM support, microSD slot, and video recording capabilities. Price of admission is $129 right now, which according tochinagrabber is a hefty discount from its $400 MSRP. Your move, NOKLA.

[Via PMP Today]

XO Generation 1.5 promises some beefed up internals while we wait for XO-2 to change everything

by Paul Miller, posted Apr 18th 2009 at 4:11PM

We're pretty stoked to see that upcoming dual-screen sequel to the XO, OLPC's promised XO-2. Until then, OLPC is sprucing up the insides of its current design with a new VIA C7-M processor that can be clocked between 400MHz and 1GHz depending on the task at hand. Alongside the new processor the "Generation 1.5" model will sport a hot new VX855 chipset that can handle 3D graphics, HD video, and general management duties, and should be able to do it with a smaller footprint and less power consumption. The screen will likely remain the same, but might be tweaked slightly to improve brightness and efficiency, and the whole package should be built with components that will be more likely to drop in price. Developers should get the main board by May, with prototypes for testing going out in August and we suppose wide availability sometime after that.

Windows 7 RC coming May 5 for public consumption, out now for MSDN / TechNet subscribers?

by Ross Miller, posted Apr 18th 2009 at 2:39PM

It's not as good as gold, but according to Microsoft's Partner Program website, Windows 7's release candidate is due out to the masses on May 5, a bit earlier than the BBC report had previously noted. MSDN and TechNet subscribers can apparently download the new build now, although Ars Technica is reporting it may not be up just yet. There's always the chance that this date was posted in error or will be pushed back, so in the meantime, perhaps marking your calendar with pencil or erasable pen isn't such a bad idea.

[Via Ars Technica; thanks, John]

Nikon's D5000 up for pre-order at Amazon

by Joshua Topolsky, posted Apr 18th 2009 at 1:35PM

If you can't possibly wait one more moment to spend some money on Nikon's latest DSLR -- the D5000-- you're in luck. The digicam is now up for pre-order at Amazon, so you can finally find a really good reason to max out your last credit card. Financial apocalypse? Please.

Engadget Podcast 142 - 04.18.2009: 5th birthday edition

by Trent Wolbe, posted Apr 18th 2009 at 1:24PM

We don't really get too reflective here at Engadget -- usually we're too busy getting news up to think much about ourselves. Still, when you hit your 5th birthday, you tend to want to look back and review how far you've come. We thought there'd be no better way to celebrate the milestone than by having the site's founder Peter Rojas, and instrumental architect Ryan Block on the show to discuss the early days of Engadget. So without further ado -- sit back and enjoy our 5th birthday podcast!

Hosts: Joshua Topolsky, Nilay Patel, Paul Miller
Guests: Peter Rojas, Ryan Block
Producer: Trent Wolbe
Song: Glomag - Pocket Calculator

00:18:45 - Phantom Controller Rebranded Saitek
01:03:12 - Engadget 1985
01:07:00 - Would you sell your kidney(s) for a Hush?
01:10:38 - PSP vs. DS
01:12:13 - The Engadget Interview: Bill Gates, Part 1

Subscribe to the podcast

[iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (enhanced AAC).
[RSS MP3] Add the Engadget Podcast feed (in MP3) to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically.
[RSS AAC] Add the Engadget Podcast feed (in enhanced AAC) to your RSS aggregator.
[Zune] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in the Zune Marketplace

Download the podcast

LISTEN (MP3)
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Contact the podcast

1-888-ENGADGET or podcast (at) engadget (dot) com.

Solar-powered 'guiltless green' home theater system makes your Wall-E Blu-ray very happy

by Ross Miller, posted Apr 18th 2009 at 11:42AM

When Home Theater Specialists of America (HTSA) executive director Richard Glikes wanted a home theater system, he didn't just max it out with the best high definition equipment. He also thought to run it entirely from solar energy from four roof-mounted panels that produce an aggregate of 700 watts per hour in sunlight. It'll reportedly run things for 19 hours straight without having to dip into your traditional power grid. Hardware-wise, we're talking about a 100-inch screen, Sharp projector, six SpeakerCraft in-wall speakers, Integra AV receiver, Lutron lighting, and a universal remote. See how it was made, with the help of time-lapse photography and 1980s infomercial-genre background music, in the video after the break.

Continue reading Solar-powered 'guiltless green' home theater system makes your Wall-E Blu-ray very happy

Kenwood SP0001 speakers sure to spice up your in-house raves

by Laura June, posted Apr 18th 2009 at 10:34AM

Kenwood's about to unleash some really crazy speakers upon the world... if you live in Japan anyway. The bad-looking dudes have 10-watt, 2 channel speakers with 6-centimeter woofers and 2.5-centimeter tweeters, which isn't exactly super powerful, granted -- but they are transparent. Oh, and they have some awesome LED effects, as well. We're not sure exactly when they'll be available, but they're going to run you ¥100,000 (about $1,000) when they are. Check another shot (with LEDs in full effect) after the break.

Continue reading Kenwood SP0001 speakers sure to spice up your in-house raves

Ora ilLegale clock tips to compensate for daylight savings time

by Darren Murph, posted Apr 18th 2009 at 9:12AM

Genius. Pure genius. In order to save us all from smashing buttons on our digital alarm clocks or stripping the gears in our analog ones, designer Denis Guidone has dreamed up this masterpiece. The Ora ilLegale clock boasts no numbers and is obviously missing a significant portion of its base; these two factoids enable it to become the easiest clock to adjust to changes in daylight savings... well, ever. The best part? We're told that it'll actually hit production soon, though there's no indiciation of just how pricey it'll be. Not like it matters -- you're totally buying one, and you know it.

[Via Coolest-Gadgets]

Prox Dynamics' Black Hornet nano-copter gets demoed on video

by Donald Melanson, posted Apr 18th 2009 at 7:28AM

Prox Dynamics' PD-100 "Black Hornet" nano-copter has already gone through a number of different prototypes and test flights, but it looks like things have really started to come together with the last few models, and the company has taken advantage of the opportunity to show off their progress in a couple of videos. One of those shows a "simulated" indoor mission, in which the 15 gram copter scouts out a nondescript office building whilst some suitably dramatic music plays in the background. The other, slightly more interesting video demonstrates how the two latest models are able to handle themselves in flight, and hold up against some obstacles, like the always problematic flapping clip board. Head on past the break to check 'em out for yourselves, and hit up the link below for some more information about the copter itself. Oh, and watch the skies, people. Very, very closely.

Continue reading Prox Dynamics' Black Hornet nano-copter gets demoed on video

AEE boasts that its new "Mini DV" camera is the "world's smallest"

by Donald Melanson, posted Apr 18th 2009 at 5:31AM

AEE Wireless' new "Mini DV" camera may or may not actually be the "world's smallest" video camera (alright, it's probably not), but it certainly has a strong claim to the title of least imaginatively-named, and it is, in fact, pretty darn small. What's more, unlike some other world's smallest cameras, this one is actually a full-fledged consumer device, including some controls, a built-in lithium-ion battery, a USB connection, and a microSD card slot, which handles all of the storage duties as the company has ditched any internal memory to keep the size down. You'll even get some full 640 x 480, 30 fps video out of the thing, plus some 2-megapixel JPEG images. Interestingly, while an official price is a bit hard to come by, a number of online retailers already seem to be offering the camera for between $85 and $159.

GameStop offers up silver DualShock 3 controller for North America

by Darren Murph, posted Apr 18th 2009 at 3:07AM

If that all-black DualShock 3 controller has just grown stale, and you're not about to drop any coinage to have Colorware liven things up, GameStop has a fantastic solution -- so long as you're a fan of silver, that is. As of today, the firm's website has a clear listing for a satin silver version of the wireless SIXAXIS, and anyone familiar with the silver PS2 controller will no doubt notice the striking similarities. Just so you know, this one's been available in the Japanese market for eight centuries now, but it looks like the North American crowd can finally yell "me too!" when parting with $54.99 on June 24th.

[Via Joystiq]

Video: Epson's multitouch X-Desk is your next coffee table

by Darren Murph, posted Apr 18th 2009 at 1:23AM

When you think about it, it makes perfect sense for Epson to get into the touch-surface game -- most of the larger versions are projector-based, and Epson's been making great little beamers for quite some time. Showcased earlier this year at ISE 2009 alongside a multitouch air hockey table, the Core 2 Duo-powered X-Desk boasts a 1,024 x 768 resolution panel and possesses the ability to recognize up to 16,000 objects using "Smart Tags." Also of note, gesture recognition software enables users to actually speak to the table and see results, though there's no word on whether raising your voice or blurting out obscenities improves efficiency. Like all of these things, we've nary a clue when they'll really be available for the layperson to purchase, but you can certainly live vicariously by hopping past the break.

[Via AboutProjectors]

Continue reading Video: Epson's multitouch X-Desk is your next coffee table

Leyio's UWB-touting personal sharing device unboxed, handled on video

by Ross Miller, posted Apr 17th 2009 at 11:59PM

We first caught a glimpse of Leyio's Ultra-wideband-pushing personal sharing device back in January, and while UWB is still teetering near mostly dead and slightly alive, Le Journal du Geek has acquired a pair for some fun unboxing action and video hands-on accompanied by lovely French narrative. The reviewer predicts most people will be discouraged by the 179 euro (US $233) price tag, and with wireless filesharing here limited pretty much to just other Leyios at the moment, we can't say we disagree. Check out the video for yourself after the break -- if you're not a native French speaker or your babel fish is on the fritz, you should still be able to figure out what's going on.

Continue reading Leyio's UWB-touting personal sharing device unboxed, handled on video

How would you change HP's Mini 1000 Mi?

by Darren Murph, posted Apr 17th 2009 at 10:47PM

Judging by recent PC shipment reports, HP's had a pretty good run in Q1, and we fully suspect that a good chunk of those sales are in the netbook category. The outfit's Mini 1000 Mi was highly anticipated and chock full of promise, though we're not totally convinced the whole Mi interface lived up to the mile-high hype. So, now's your chance to tell us -- did it? Are you pleased with the software? Do you feel the user interface attracts or detracts? Could the hardware use a retooling? Are you totally looking forward to the 2000 Mi (or 1000 Mii, whatever HP settles on)? Feel free to blast our your really real opinions in comments below -- we'll be listening.

The Daily Roundup: here's what you might've missed

by Ross Miller, posted Apr 17th 2009 at 10:02PM


	T-Mobile Sidekick LX officially announced all over again Sound familiar? Indeed, this isn't the first time T-Mobile has offered a Sidekick LX -- but much like last year's simply-named Sidekick, the carrier is once again carrying forward branding while totally revamping the hardware.		The Pirate Bay founders sentenced to prison, website soldiers on In what's being described as a landmark verdict, four men responsible for assisting throngs of dubious internet users to download all sorts of copyrighted material are being ushered off to prison cells for twelve whole months.
	Engadget endorses Monster Cable? Uh, hell no. You know, we were as surprised as anyone to see a totally out-of-context quote of ours used on a Monster Cable site (without permission, mind you) to sell the company's "Beats by Dre" headphones.	Other news of import Bridgestone's 13-inch color e-paper display handles pen input, has the future written all over it GM proposes standardized plug for electric vehicles Palm Pre finds a totally unofficial home in China

Philips' OLED Lumiblade showcased in variety of shapes, sizes, and colors this month in Milan

by Ross Miller, posted Apr 17th 2009 at 9:16PM

If you're planning to be in Milan later this month, and we know a good lot of you are, we suggest stopping by Superstudio Piú in Zona Tortona between April 22 and 27 to check out Philips' OLED Lumiblade exhibit. The company's promising lighting with dozens of different shapes, sizes and colors will be on display. Can't say we'd necessarily call OLED a "magic material," as the press release does multiple times, but with illuminated designs like this, they're putting up a good argument. Now how about bringing some of these fancy designs to the mass market?

[Via OLED-Display]

Pogoplug iPhone app makes its way into the world

by Joshua Topolsky, posted Apr 17th 2009 at 8:12PM

Just in case you've been trying to worm your way into your network-connected hard drive via your phone, the folks at Pogoplug have made their iPhone application available, free of charge. After you're doneSkype'ing, you can check out some family photos. C'mon -- you know you need those files.

HTC Magic up for pre-order from Vodafone: due out May 5th, free with monthly plan

by Ross Miller, posted Apr 17th 2009 at 7:17PM

While the jury's still out on its US name or release date, the HTC Magic is gearing up for its European debut by way of Vodafone. The pre-order page is now live with an irresistible price of zilch, provided you agree to a monthly plan of £30 or more. The company says it plans to ship out the Cupcake-powered phone by May 5th.

iTech4

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Velocity Micro's Atom N270-packing NoteMagix M10 coming this month for $380

New Pre Classic emulator video shows off 3D gaming prowess

Viliv S5 pre-order details firm up: $599 and it's yours May 8th

Saturday, April 18, 2009