Sony Recalls Some VGN VAIOs

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Corporate News, PC / Laptop,

One step forward, two steps back. As soon as we start to complement Sony on their creativity, we read something like this that kills the mood. The company is recalling about 438,000 VAIOs (over 72,000 in the U.S.) as potential fire hazards. The problem seems to be occurring in their VGN-TZ100, VGN-TZ200, VGN-TZ300 and VGN-TZ2000 series. They say the problem is “irregularly positioned wires near the computer’s hinge and/or dislodged screw inside the hinge.”

Pretty scary, eh? Especially when you notice that the word “battery” isn’t mentioned.

Read More | Reuters

Rock Band Disc Export Title Update Goes LIve

Posted by Alex Lifschitz Categories: Downloadable Content, Electronic Arts, Music, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360,

Rejoice, ye fans of backwards compatibility! Harmonix has just released the title update for Rock Band that will allow players to export the first game’s song list into Rock Band 2 at their leisure. 55 of the songs are slated to have the ability to transfer over (“Run To The Hills”, “Paranoid”, and “Enter Sandman” are exempt) - you just pay 5 semolians, follow the instructions, and the songs are then burned to your HDD as any other DLC song would. Plus, you can also delete individual songs, if there are some you didn’t particularly care for. Personally, after being forced to play “In Bloom” into eternity during the first game, I’ll take that as a very welcome addition.

Rock Band is slated to have over 500 songs available for download and play by the year’s end, which is relatively unprecedented. Where they’re going from Rock Band 2 is anybody’s guess, but there have been some rumblings about a music creation system in the works (though Guitar Hero: World 2 seems to have that base covered already).

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Posted by Andru Edwards Categories:

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Unboxing Live 041: Metal Gear Solid 4 Limited Edition PS3 bundle

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Features, Home Entertainment, Video Games, Videocasts,

Metal Gear Solid 4 was, arguably, the biggest release in the PS3‘s life cycle thus far. To commemorate the release, Konami worked with Sony on a special Limited Edition version of the Playstation 3 console. We were lucky enough to get our hands on one of the very, very rare Metal Gear Solid 4 Gun Metal Limited Edition PS3 units, and we have it here for your unboxing pleasure. As you will see, both the PS3 console and the included DualShock 3 controller are given the gunmetal treatment. We also have a bunch of special items packed in, which we go over as well.

All in all, we think this is a fantastic collectable for fans of the Metal Gear Solid franchise, the Playstation 3, or both. Unfortunately, we aren’t seeing them on sale anymore, so you may have to hit your favorite auction site if you want to grab one of these.

Midnight Club: Los Angeles Delayed

Posted by Alex Lifschitz Categories: Driving, PlayStation 3, PSP, Release Dates, Take2, Xbox 360,

Unfortunately for those of you who were looking to take to the streets of Los Angeles in a bout of reckless glee, Take Two has revealed that Midnight Club: Los Angeles for the PS3, Xbox 360, and PSP will be delayed to allow the game to be released during a more potentially lucrative time window, likely close to the post-Black Friday shopping blitz.The game was originally slated to be released on October 21st. No word has yet been given on the actual release date, but it’ll probably end up as one of the few hundred thousand games you’re going to want to buy during the Christmas season, if release trends are as predictable as they were in years past.

Read More |

Destructoid

Earthday Network Footprint Calculator

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Internet, Science,

Want to find out what effect your life is having on the planet? Take the Earthday Network’s Footprint Calculator Quiz. The short test asks questions about your energy usage in and outside your home, then suggests ways you can cut back. We were told that it would take 4 planet Earths to provide enough resources for us. Excuse us while we put up our tepee and begin to grow our own in the back yard.

Read More | Earthday Network

R/C My Pet Lawyer

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Misc. Tech, Toys,

Who needs a high-paid r/t attorney when you can have your own My Pet Lawyer? The 10-inch tall dude has light-up mouth and eyes, and his arms are bendable. He comes with nine pre-recorded phrases or you can record your own. He can also laugh or growl. Stand him on his Scale of Justice briefcase that doubles as a remote with his magnetic feet. Your new pet comes with a spiked collar, crushed victim, and needs 5 AAA batteries (not included) at a mini-price of $4.95.

Read More | Speak to Me

Watch Anywhere Monitoring Camera

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Cameras, Smartphones, Portable Audio / Video,

The Watch Anywhere Monitoring Camera can catch your mate or kids in the act of doing something that they would rather you not know. About the size of a webcam, it installs in a room or car. When the motion sensor detects something, it sends a 3 second video to the owner’s cell phone. Users can also dial to receive images, listen with its built-in mic, or set it up at night with infrared mode. Launched last week at the Melbourne at Home Exhibition, it comes with a price of $495.00. We are thinking this is a bit too much Big Brother for us.

Read More | The Inquirer

Napbook Laptop Case Doubles as Pillow

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Apple, Design, Misc. Tech, PC / Laptop,

Hafsteinn Juliusson designed the Napbook, a laptop case that can double as a pillow. It was created for students, business folk between sessions, or anyone who has the need to catch a few winks. Because the Napbook is only available at the Apple store in Reykjavik, Iceland, it wouldn’t be that much of a stretch to pick up an inexpensive pillow, cut out some of its innards, and make your own.

Check out Hafsteinn’s other ideas, including his Slim Chips, flavored paper with no calories and Growing Jewelry, made with live Icelandic moss.

Read More | Hafsteinn Juliusson

Wireless Backup Camera

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Cameras, Transportation, Wireless / WiFi,

Jealous of those who have gadgets to help them park and/or avoid things in the driveway? The Wireless Backup Camera can be mounted on your license plate and plugged into your reverse light socket. The 3 1/2-inch LCD goes on your visor, air vent, dashboard, or other convenient spot. The cam comes with all the hardware needed at a price of $129.99. Think of it as saving your kid’s bike, your lawnmower, the neighbors dog…

Read More | Sky Mall