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The Marc Ecko Case for A Cause by Monster is a protective iPod case which helps those in need with every purchase. The Ralph Lauren designed case is quite stylish, and for each $30 case sold, the net proceeds go to charity- the Fashion Targets Breast Cancer non profit organization to be specific. The light blue all-leather case features a wrist strap with a bullseye style tussle, and a metal belt clip. It’s available in mini, small (20GB) and large (iPod color), so you can protect any size iPod your heart desires. It will be available for purchase soon at Monster Cable, or at an Apple store and other fine retailers.
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| Marc Ecko Case For A Cause
Google Maps Powers Nintendo DS GPS Hack
Posted by Alex Grahmann Categories: Mods/Hacks, Portable/Mobile,
A devoted Nintendo DS hacker, Alexei Karpenko, has managed to rig up a Lassen iQ module to the handheld system, transforming the top screen into a GPS system. Downloading information from Google Maps, the FrankenDS also requires use of the Game Boy Movie Player and a Compact Flash card to hold the necessary data. While portability issues may keep my colleague Edwin from using this in court anytime soon, the GPS interface is just one of Karpenko’s innovative uses for his homemade DS serial connector, the PassMe.
Read More | natrium42
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Copy-Protected and iPod-Incompatible CDs Still Selling Nicely
Posted by Alex Grahmann Categories: Corporate News, Music, Portable Audio / Video,
Reuters is reporting via the Washington Post that despite being incompatible with the 30 million iPods in the US, copy-protected CDs by the Foo Fighters and Dave Matthews band are continuing to sell extremely well. The CDs, put out by Sony BMG, are designed to restrict owners to burning only 3 exact copies of the albums, and then only into Microsoft’s Windows Media format. The copy-protection also prohibits the music files from being transferred to an iPod, due to licensing clashes with Apple’s Fairplay software and Windows. While both the albums, and others like it, are available in iPod-compatible digital forms on Apple’s iTunes service, this hasn’t appeased fans who like to own a physical disc from which to rip the songs.
The best part of the Reuters’ article comes at the end where Sony BMG advises disgruntled users to rip the songs from the CD, burn them back to a blank CD, and then rip them again in an iPod-friendly format. I always like to see big companies encouraging us to work around security and copyright-protection.
Read More | Washington Post
Latest Gear Live Videos
We know, the Segway is so passe nowadays. Instead of gyroscopic transportation, we want to summon the power of the centrifuge to get us where we want to go. That is exactly what the Wheelsurf aims to provide to those lucky enough to get one in Europe. At about 4,500 Euros, or $5,500 USD, the Wheelsurf requires about a 3 month wait between the time of order and delivery. The Wheelsurf consists of an inner and an outer frame. The inner frame has three small wheels that make contact with the outer frame. The outer frame is the actual rotating wheel and has a solid rubber tire. The rider sits inside the inner frame that also contains the engine, clutch, propulsion mechanism and gas tank. The paradox here is that it’s recommended that you drive it on paved roads, yet it is not yet legal to drive it on public streets. Still, it would be cool to run this thing at its 50 kph in your backyard, no?
Read More | Wheelsurf
Although I’m pretty sure this will never hit production - much less the shores of the US, Zev Perlmutter’s funky Little Fat Fridge design is easy to fall in love with. The Little Fat Fridge is made from PVC and Styrofoam and runs on a small electric cooling system. Designed with energy efficiency and cost effectiveness in mind this organic looking fridge makes me want to chuckle just looking at it. Check out the promisedesign exhibition area for more cool and funky ideas.
Read More | PromiseDesign via Cool Hunting
Gear Live has recently written about a couple of iPod Shuffle knock-offs but the Samsung YU-U1 seems like more - perhaps an iPod Shuffle killer! The YP-U1 features a retractable USB plug, a small screen with 128x64 resolution to let users select tracks, and functions as a mass storage device. The YP-U1 seems aimed squarely at the on the go user market who wants to carry both their files and their music with them at all times. It’s coming soon in both a 512MB and 1GB version for $100 and $150 respectively.
Read More | engadget
Of course, if spending $7,000 on the NUVO Robot doesn’t seem outlandish enough for you, you can always spring for the lacquered and gold-plated NUVO Japanism. It will still watch your stuff for you and send you the occasional SMS alert, plus, gold rules.
Read More | Product Page
Very nice way to blow some cash right here. If you house is full of gadget love, check out the NUVO robot. Straight out of Japan, it’s about 15 inches tall, and about $5,500. However, it will keep a watchful digital eye on all your stuff while you are off gallivanting. It will even snap images and send them to your cell phone so that you know that it isn’t slacking off.
Read More | ZMP Inc.
We have always been fond of Vaja due to their high quality product offerings, which are basically leather cases for common gadgets. They have now launched a customization service which will allow a purchaser to have text, an image, or a combination of the two printed right on the leather. You can also customize the colors of your new leather case as well. Finally, you can choose whether or not to have a clip added to the case. Each option has a cost associated with it, but it is certainly a great way to get a unique product. We will see if we can get our hands on one.
Read More | Vaja Choice
The biggest surprise out of this lineup is a Ridge Racer game straight for launch. This game was scheduled for a much later 2006 release. I wonder if the game is ahead of schedule or if this is a rush job on Namco’s part. For a full list of 2005 Namco games on all platforms, click below.
Read More | Pro-G
