Google Buys In (Or Sells Out?) to Chinese Government Censorship

Posted by Kristin Wenzel Categories: Corporate News, Internet, Rumors,

The People’s Republic of China.  It’s the world’s most populous country, run by a government bent on censorship.  Expected by many to emerge as what has been called an “Internet Goldmine” in the next decade, the country already has in excess of 100 million web surfers, a number expected to grow exponentially. Now, in a move that leaves a lot of people shaking their heads, Google has bought in, agreeing to censor results that the Chinese government finds “offensive” in order to obtain a foothold in the rapidly growing market.  Or, rather, it’d appear that Google decided to sell out - not only will results be censored, they’ll also provide “government sanctioned” news and media.

Way to go, Google - I guess money really is what matters in the end, rather than integrity or the free exchange of information.

Read More | KOMO News

Just When You Thought You’d Seen It All - iAttire iPod Costumes

Posted by Kristin Wenzel Categories: Apple, Wearables, Design, Misc. Tech, Portable Audio / Video, Toys,

We really thought we’d seen just about everything - we were wrong.  We came across iAttire, a company devoted to outfitting…your iPod.  Their selection ranges from the feminine to the masculine, from the cute to the absurd, and there’s a costume to fit any iPod - even the Shuffle and Nano.  These aren’t the silicone wetsuits you’re used to - these are actual, honest-to-goodness costumes for the iPod, including a whole line of “Valentines Day” themed outfits like a chiffon negligee, boxer shorts, or even a corset. 

The rest of the line covers just about every fashion you’d think to, er, dress your iPod in, from Pop Diva to Fairy Princess.  And for the boys (is your iPod a boy or a girl?) there are a variety of manly disguises, like the Pirate, Cowboy and even Santa Claus - and here we were, thinking the iPod madness couldn’t get any crazier.  We’ll give points for creativity and good fit, however, who’d have thought to make iPod costumes?!

The best part?  They’re planning on releasing a series of iPod Portraits painted on velvet.  Oh, the cheese of it! While my iPod is perfectly happy lounging about naked (that perverted iPod!), we’ve got to admit, iAttire has a great idea - it sure brought a smile to our faces.

Read More | iAttire

Sony 200-Disc Standalone VGX-XL1 CD/DVD Changer for MCE

Posted by John Goulden Categories: Home Entertainment, Movies, Music, Rumors,

Sony has a Media Center PC available called the VGX-XL1 Digital Living System - quite a mouthful for what is essentially a run-of-the-mill Media Center PC.  Sure, it has some additional bells and whistles, one of which is a 200-disc CD/DVD changer.  At first glance, a 200-disc changer is nothing terribly new, but this one has the ability to sequentially rip 200 CD’s without having to be “babysat” during the process.  Of course, when you’re not ripping CD’s you can use it to store your DVD’s for immediate access via your Media Center PC.

Right now the only way to get the changer is to buy the whole XL1 package which goes for a tidy $2,299.99 MSRP.  In the rumor department though, there’s this one guy who talked to his friend’s mother who knows this janitor who cleans the Marketing Dept. at Sony who overheard…okay, it’s not quite that bad.  However, rumor has it that Sony will be offering the changer as a standalone model when their new XL2 PC launches (no ETA on that yet).  The changer connects via Firewire, so as long as your MCE has that (and what self-respecting MCE doesn’t?), you’ll be good to go.

Read More | eHomeUpgrade

DIY: Salvage An Electronic Device After A Liquid Spill

Posted by Edwin Soto Categories: Mods / Hacks,

It seems that every day we become more comfortable around our electronics since they are a part of our everyday lives.  What happens when we spill something on our keyboard, or a leaky roof drips on you wireless router?  The latter really did happen to this guy’s friend, and he show us step-by-step how to attempt to fix the problem.  With just your household tools, you can begin to take apart your damaged device and begin to save it instead of shelling out extra money.

(thanks robotman!)

Read More | GRYNX

ID Pilot Wire Management Labels

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Accessories, Misc. Tech, Mods / Hacks, Peripherals,

Here in the Gear Live labs, you wouldn’t believe how many charger cables, power cords, and other random-yet-generic black plugs we have laying around. Even for the average technophile, attempting to unplug the correct component from the wall when you have eight black cords protruding from the wall can be risky. ID Pilot wire management labels look to be a great answer. Rather than relying on a color-coding scheme, you actually get little icons on small stickers that give you an idea as to what your different cords are for. There are three different sets of stickers available:

“Office” contains 22 office computer labels & 10 office equipment labels; “Electronics” has 16 home computer labels, 16 audio/video equipment labels & 8 charger labels for wireless devices; “Household” has 8 kitchen basics labels, 8 gourmet kitchen labels, 24 household labels & 8 workshop labels.

At a price of just $5.95 USD each, this one seems to be a no-brainer.

(Thanks, Babe!)

Read More | ID Pilot

X-Nine XN-F3 MP3 Player

Posted by John Goulden Categories: Portable Audio / Video,

What is it about companies with strange names (in this case “X-Nine”), that requires them to produce equally difficult to remember product names?  With that in mind, I present to you the X-Nine XN-F3 MP3 player.  If you’re tired of all the “me too!” iPod nano owners and are looking for something different, cast your eye this way.  The XN-F3 comes in 256MB, 512MB, and 1GB sizes, an assortment of colors (okay, three so far) and includes the ubiquitous USB port and FM radio.  Lest I forget, visuals come to you via a 65K Color OLED display, and it weighs a minuscule 20 grams.  There’s no word if the player will make it to the US, and if past experience with neat little Korean gadgets is any indication, one could die of old age waiting for it to arrive.

Read More | DAPreview

Aptera 330 MPG Hybrid Vehicle

Posted by John Goulden Categories: Design, Misc. Tech, Transportation,

It’s pure speculation as to what would cause three engineers to create a startup company whose current focus is creating a hybrid vehicle that they claim will get 330 MPG (miles per gallon).  Maybe they have a grand vision of the future as a place with little dependency on fossil fuels or possibly they just saw dollar signs.  Regardless, their goal is admirable even if it seems a bit hard to swallow.  Their company, Accelerated Composites, is hell-bent on mass-producing this lightweight (850 lbs), aerodynamic, two-seat vehicle that will combine incredible fuel efficiency with a high safety factor.  Oh, did I mention that all of this can be yours for under $20,000?  While I remain doubtful of the vehicle ever achieving large scale production numbers, I’m hoping they can achieve some success with their product.

Read More | Accelerated Composites via Gizmag

World’s Smallest GPS Receiver

Posted by Edwin Soto Categories: GPS,

Rakon, a New Zealand based company, has developed the smallest GPS receiver in the world.  This is in hopes that hardware developers will start thinking in the mindset of the public, and their demand for smaller GPS devices.  What is astounding is that the receiver outperforms their previous models which are, of course, larger in size.  This is good news for the consumer since the receiver is built out of low cost materials, which will hopefully mean no enormous rise in retail prices.  How small is it?  They claim it to be as small as a baby’s fingernail.

Read More | Rakon Press Release via OhGizmo

Jaht Technology Bluetooth and WiFi Antenna/Dongle Impressions

Posted by Kristin Wenzel Categories: Peripherals, Product Reviews, Wireless / WiFi,

I’d never heard of Jaht until recently.  But I found myself in need of a BlueTooth dongle and a better wireless antenna for my PC (my PowerBook has both built in) so I did some bargain shopping.  I found both on NewEgg for a grand total of $20 including shipping while they were running a damn good sale, and despite my misgivings about ordering things made by a company I’d never heard of, I decided to gamble that $20 was too good a deal to pass up.  I ended up being absolutely right.

Click to continue reading Jaht Technology Bluetooth and WiFi Antenna/Dongle Impressions

Running On Sunshine - Scientists Develop Tiny 4-stroke Solar “Nanomotor”

Posted by Kristin Wenzel Categories: Misc. Tech,

Meet the recently developed 4-stroke nanomotor.  It’s so tiny (five nanometers in length) that it takes nearly four million set side by side to equal the diameter of a penny, it’s shaped like a macaroni noodle, is fueled by solar energy…and they create absolutely no waste.

The process is quite similar to the operation of a standard automotive four-stroke combustion engine, on a infinitely smaller scale, and the exhaust is an electron, rather than pollutants.  It will also continue operating — individually or with others — as long as energy is available, and has been proven, under mild environmental conditions, to remain stable for at least 1000 cycles.  While it’s only 2-12% efficient, the advantage is that sunlight is free, and there’s no need to refuel.

Here’s how they work:

Energy, in the form of photons from sunlight, excites one end of the molecule, which sets off a four-step process. Electrons are transferred along the molecule until they reach the ring structure, causing it to slide 1.3 nanometers forward on the molecule. As the electron continues its path, it reaches a section that recycles it back to the beginning. This causes the molecule to “reset,” and the ring returns, piston-like, to its original position.

The whole process takes about 100 microseconds.

What is the future for these tiny motors?  It’s too early to put them to practical use, but as gas prices rise and the need for power soars as we collect more and more electric devices, alternative fuels always warrant a mention.

Read More | LiveScience