Richard Garriott Re-Enters Earth

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Science, Transportation,

Richard Garriott landed in a Soyuz capsule in Kazastan Friday with 2 cosmonauts after a fun 10 day trip to the ISS. Garriott, who followed in his father Owen’s footsteps, deemed the trip a success. “What a great ride that was,” said Garriott “This is obviously a pinnacle experience.”

The space tourist earned part of the $30 million ticket by testing a watch in microgravity (we wonder if it was a Timex) and conducting an experiment for a biotech company.

Read More | CNN

Sanyo ALBO LCD Frame

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Smartphones, Internet, Misc. Tech, Wireless / WiFi,

Sanyo has released the ALBO, a new 7-inch LCD frame that will receive photos from your cell phone via IR and pick up RSS feeds with WiFi. The device has 256MB of memory and can be programmed for slide shows or with special effects. Working both vertically and horizontally, the ALBO will be out in Japan November 14 for 40,000 yen ($422.00.) We like the rounded shape that is either futuristic or retro, depending on your age.

Read More | Sanyo (Japanese) via DVICE

Thanko Keyboard Gives Warm Hands While Typing

Posted by Aaron Zollo Categories: Accessories, USB, Peripherals,

Thanko has previously released a keyboard to keep our arms and hands cool while typing.  They now have a new keyboard which can warm our extremities via USB.  The new keyboard is prepared for warm and cool weather in that it incorporates three fans which can cool, but also can provide some toasty heat as well.  The keyboard is currently in Japan and if you need to have this keyboard for yourself, you’ll need to find a decent importer as there is no mention of it going on sale in the U.S. any time soon.

Read More | Thanko via Akihabara News

Dark Knight Deluxe Limited Edition Blu-ray set

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: HDTV, Home Entertainment, Hot Deals, Movies,

The Dark Knight will be released Dec. 9 in both a standard and Limited Edition box. Both versions are in widescreen 2.4:1 1080p video with 5.1 Dolby TrueHD audio. The deluxe set includes 2 discs, a Bat-Pod display case, art galleries and movie extras such as behind the scenes. You can pre-order at Amazon now for $47.95, temporarily marked down from $64.99.

Read More | Amazon

First Look: New Xbox Experience setup gallery

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Features, Microsoft, Software, Video Games,

So, you know that nifty New Xbox Experience you’ve been hearing about all over the place? Well, our pals up in Redmond gave us the opportunity to grab the dashboard a few weeks before it becomes publicly available on November 19th. We have a bunch of info coming your way in the coming days (and, please, feel free to leave any questions on the forum and we will answer them all - seriously, ask away!). In the meantime, though, we thought we would take you through the setup process. After downloading the update (which takes a good, I dunno, 10 seconds), your Xbox 360 will reboot, load the new firmware, and hit you with a high impact video before dumping you into the new dashboard. It really is all sorts of fancy. We’ve created a New Xbox Experience setup gallery with a bunch of pictures showing you the process of installing, setting up, creating your avatar, and browsing around the new interface. Go ahead and take a look, and don’t forget, leave your questions here.

Read More | New Xbox Experience Gallery

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New Xbox Live Hard Drive Pack Shipping on Nov. 4th

Posted by Ponzi Black Categories: Accessories, Microsoft, Storage, Video Games,

A new Xbox Live pack is coming to the US next week on November 4th.  The pack is mainly for those who don’t yet have a hard drive on their Xbox 360, but is a decent upgrade if you have the original 20GB hard drive, and are in need of more space.  The $99 bundle includes a 60GB hard drive, Xbox Live headset, and 3-months of Xbox Live Gold.  The upgrade comes just weeks before the new Xbox Live Experience dashboard upgrade on November 19th.  The hard drive should allow much more storage if you plan to use the Netflix subscription service on your 360 and want to store all of your media which also debut’s on the 19th.  There is also a $30 upgrade option for the 20GB hard drive being offered due to the New Xbox Experience requirements which will not work if you lack a hard drive. 

Read More | Gamestop

Sanyo Canada Launches New R227 Tabletop Internet Radio

Posted by Patrick Phelps Categories: Home Entertainment, Internet, Music, Wireless / WiFi,

If your favorite radio station streams on the web and you’re tired of listening through your computer, you’re in luck! SANYO has just introduced a WiFi-enabled internet audio interface that plays stations and podcasts from around the world without a subscription fee, enabling users to search by country or genre. The R227 features clock radio functionality, one button on/off, dual stereo speakers with external audio output, an Ethernet jack, a bundled remote and the ability to play standard FM stations if that’s your thing. It seems the unit will be marketed exclusively in Canada, featuring a black wood gloss finish and retailing for $219.99

Read More | Marketwire

Garmin nüvi 785T With Lane Assist

Posted by Patrick Phelps Categories: GPS, Handhelds, Transportation,

It may not have speech recognition like the nüvi 880 GPS, but the new Garmin nüvi 785T does tell you which lane you should be in (and includes a mute button) so you don’t have to take along that annoying third cousin. Garmin’s lane assist technology guides you to the correct lane for an approaching turn or exit, making unfamiliar intersections and exits easy to navigate; realistically displaying road signs and junctions on your route. For hands-free calling, the unit also includes A2DP Bluetooth wireless technology, with a built in microphone and touchscreen keypad.

The 785T also offers real-time traffic info, news, stocks, current events and more via MSN Direct with the first three months provided for free, after which you’ll have to subscribe for about $50/year if you want to continue using the service.

Read More | Garmin Shop

Man Proposes on Chrono Trigger

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Nintendo, Nintendo DS, Role Playing Games, Square Enix,

We were in such disbelief about the jilted online wife who murdered her ex’s avatar on Maple Story that we thought we would share a more pleasant side of online dating. A guy known as “TheRealPfhreak” hacked into his girlfriend’s Chrono Trigger ROM, filled it with memories in a new area named Koma Kulshan, then proposed. We know that some of our best friends were met in chat rooms, so we hope this will remind others to make virtual love, not war.

Read More | TheRealPfhreak

Logitech Premiere Edition Wireless Guitar Controller

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Activision, Music, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Special Editions, Wireless,

Logitech has announced their Wireless Guitar Controller, Premiere Edition for the Playstation 2 and 3 Guitar Hero. The neck and quiet fingerboard are made of wood and the frets and tuning peg handles are metal. The device has a 2.4GHz wireless USB receiver and a battery life of “hundreds of hours.” The controller has a range of up to 30 ft. and a bonus gig bag with pockets for accessories is included. Pre-order the nifty device for $249.99 for a December delivery.

Read More | Logitech