Bush Administration Puts Brakes On .XXX Domain

Posted by Devin Categories: Corporate News, Internet,

I’m sure by now most of you are aware that the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) had approved a .xxx suffix back in June.  Now the Bush Administration wants to delay registration on domain names until its impact on the internet can be studied.  ICANN was expected to give final approval on the domain name Tuesday, but says it would agree to a one month delay allowing some of the concerns that have recently been raised to be explored.  While this creation was supposed to “help protect children from exposure to online pornography and also have a positive impact on online adult entertainment through voluntary efforts of the industry” it seems some are concerned that it will encourage more pornography on the internet.  Many net privacy campaigners also believe that it could cause many censorship problems for years to come.  What do you make of the situation?  Do you see a potential problem arising out of the .xxx suffix, or is this just a bump in the road for the creation of a virtual red light district?

Read More | BBC News

xipkey Releases Zippo Form Factor Flash Device

Posted by Sparky Categories: Accessories, Peripherals,

xipkey has released quite possibly the strangest/coolest USB hard drive to date. The xipkey features an ultra-fast flash memory chip that can be used to quickly boot an entire operating system, along with a biometric fingerprint scanner for portable security. The xipkey is designed to take full advantage of the 480MB/sec offered by USB 2.0 while using a new technology to reduce wear on the flash memory chips. The xipkey has a unique Zippo-like form factor that seems practical to both slip into a pocket and to protect the USB 2.0 plug.

Read More | xipkey

A Power Users Dialer for OS X: Jon’s Phone Tool

Posted by Sparky Categories: Software,

Jon’s Phone Tool (or JPT) is the first highly evolved voice communications dialer that I’ve seen for the Mac yet. JPT supports Bluetooth phones, Vonage, Skype, SIP phones, the Asterisk PBX and a slew of other protocols - not to mention support for QuickSliver, AppleScript, the OS X Address Book, Palm Desktop and just about any other PIM/Automation tool you can throw at it. With a powerful tool like JPT it’s possible to automate calling friends and family, set up bulk faxing, or even set up your very own high call volume sales center. I’ve used it for a day now and I’m very impressed with its flexibility and power for both my personal and work needs.

Read More | Jon’s Phone Tool

Google Earth A National Security Risk?

Posted by Devin Categories: Internet, Misc. Tech,

While most of us online enjoy using Google Earth to view our beautiful planet, it seems that quite a few countries are concerned that some of the satallite images provided could potentially be a security risk.  Holland is the latest country to jump in on this claim, joining Australia and the United States in their theory that providing images of military bases, government buildings and airports, among other things, could possibly aid terrorist attacks.  While Google already blurs images of certain high profile places like the US Capitol, Australia would also like to see images of nuclear reactors and other high risk areas also being blurred.  The Australian Attorney Generals’ Office however, seems to see things in the same light I do…all the images are public already and if a terrorist really wanted to get their hands on this information they would no matter what.  Shutting down Google Maps would not only be a waste of time, but it would rob the general public of the usefulness of such great technology.

Read More | TechDirt

Xcute-DV2: No 6-Megapixel Love for the US?

Posted by Sparky Categories: Smartphones,

Yet another high megapixel cameraphone has hit the streets in Korea with the Xcute-DV2. The DV2 features a 6 megapixel camera that can record video at 30 frames per second. The DV2’s only surprising feature is the measly 20MB of internal memory - I would have assumed they would need more with a monster camera like that. Now I realize that no camera with a small CCD and fixed lens will rival the quality of a solid dedicated camera for now, but with 6 and 7 megapixel monsters like this overseas, it is a bit embarrassing that the US can only pony up with a 1.3 MP camera - and be proud of it.

Read More | Livingroom.org via Gizmodo

Nintendo Slashes DS Price, Delays Zelda, Updates On Gameboy Micro

Posted by Edwin Soto Categories: Video Games,

Nintendo has had a busy day with lots of information regarding the future of their most anticipated game, as well as their handhelds.  First, they have announced that they have delayed the release of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. This is definitely a huge disappointment for those looking forward to what was to be the biggest holiday title for the dying Gamecube.  The delay is mainly due to the fact that the development team would like more time to spend on the game making it deeper and longer.  This certainly addresses the two main complaints with the last Zelda title, The Wind Waker. Expect the title to finally drop sometime in 2006. My guess? It will be right on time for Revolution launch.

On the handheld front, Nintendo has slashed the price of the DS.  As of this Sunday, the Nintendo DS will retail for $20 less which brings it to $129.999 USD - half the cost of a Sony PSP.  Finally, the company has also announced that the Gameboy Micro, their mini GBA system, will launch on September 19 and will retail at $99.

Read More | Zelda: Twilight Princess Delayed Past March 2006
Read More | Nintendo Drops Price of DS
Read More | Game Boy Micro gets official price and date

Gameboy Micro Gets Official Price and Date

Posted by Edwin Soto Categories: Corporate News, Portable/Mobile,

Nintendo continues to be at the forefront of gaming news today, as they have made known the release date of the upcoming Gameboy Micro - the cute, adorable, minuscule version of the Gameboy Advance. Check for it on September 19th, at a price of about $99 - just $30 less than the new price point of the Nintendo DS. This seems to be the last generation of the GBA. Are people really willing to shell out a hundred beans for another GBA?

Read More | Gamespot via Joystiq

New Internet Explorer 7 Icon and Logo

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Internet, Software,

Some of us have gotten the opportunity to play around with the new Internet Explorer 7. While it is set to be a major release in the eyes of Microsoft, after using it myself it really does feel like Microsoft is trying to play catch up with this one. Well, new features aren’t all that IE7 has in store - check out the new Internet Explorer icon and logo! You go, Microsoft! Hey, wait - aren’t those Firefox colors in the new icon?

Read More | MSDN

Crowd Stampedes at $50 iBook Sale

Posted by Alex Grahmann Categories: PC / Laptop,

As gates opened early this morning on the Richmond, Virginia, $50 iBook sale, the crowd of thousands of shoppers stampeded, causing several injuries.  While none of the injuries appeared to have been serious, the crowd was described as “surly” and required some police intervention.  The sale, put on by the local school system, was intended to liquidate around 1,000 Apple laptops from the high school in order to make room for new systems from Dell.  The 4-year-old iBooks came with no warranty, but most were expected to function decently, despite reports of some student abuse.

EDIT: Just found out that one woman actually wet herself rather than giving up her spot in line. That’s just not right.

(Thanks Veronica!)

Read More | TimesDispatch

Logitech Cordless Desktop S 510 Media Remote

Posted by Rob Stevens Categories: Accessories, Home Entertainment, Peripherals,

OK, now this is just fricking ridiculous.  I’m going to give you this one last product update, and then I’m going on strike, because seriously, enough is enough. The S 510 has styling liberally stolen from their diNovo line, with an impossibly flat keyboard (which they’re calling “zero degree tilt”), programmable function keys, media controls on the keyboard (including a useless “shuffle” button…thanks Apple), and battery life indicators on the keyboard to tell you when your six months are up and you need to make another sacrifice to the gods of Energizer. A remote control is included so you can kick back in your high back and…well, I’m not going to get into the disgusting details of what you might use a remote for with your computer.  A wireless mouse rounds out the package. It’s $100, which is what happens when you drop stuff like Bluetooth and go with your own proprietary wireless technology.  Gotta save something for the big spenders, donchaknow?

Read More | Logitech