Dr. Augustine Fou's Online Scrapbook

Thursday, September 11, 2008

How to Get the Real Magnetosphere Visualizer in iTunes [Itunes Visualizer]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/389175717/how-to-get-the-real-magnetosphere-visualizer-in-itunes

Apple may have absorbed the super-neato Magnetosphere visualizer into iTunes, but they did make some tweaks in their Borging process. Just like those Picard-obsessed skinjobs, the iTunes version is obsessed with planets and launching millions of photon torpedoes into them. The original, seen here, has more sparklies and lines, which is quite a bit of a different feel than the one you already have. Unfortunately Magnetosphere download links have been taken down everywhere, but we managed to find one linked to on the official site. If those go down, we've got a Mac Mirror and Windows Mirror too. Enjoy.

Instructions: To install it on Mac, put it in /Users/username/Library/iTunes/iTunes Plug-ins

Sony Shows Off Completely Wireless OLED TV [OLED TV]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/389331909/sony-shows-off-completely-wireless-oled-tv

Now not only can you get Sony's OLED TV for the bargain bin price of $1,748, you'll also soon be able to make that 11-inch hunk of visual sexiness completely wireless. Sony recently revealed a completely cordless version of the XEL-1 with an integrated HDTV tuner, a battery, and a wall mount. No specific information about the timing and price of the "I've got no strings" version, but Sony promises it'll be out "soon." [AV Watch via Engadget]

WiFi-enabled BlackBerry Curve Coming to AT&T on Sept. 23 [BlackBerry]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/389340604/wifi+enabled-blackberry-curve-coming-to-att-on-sept-23

In case you don't feel like waiting an extra month for a WiFi-enabled BlackBerry, AT&T will release the titanium variant of the BlackBerry Curve 8320 on Tuesday, September 23. According to the people at BlackBerry News, the new Curve will run OS 4.5 and cost $200 on a 2-year contract, with a $100 mail-in rebate if you subscribe to a data plan. Sure, the Bold, which has GPS and 3G along with WiFi, is coming in October, but its' also a good $200 more. [BlackBerry News]

Tesla readies new transmission, ramping production

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/388538496/

Filed under: Transportation

To date, since production began in March, 27 Tesla Motors Roadsters have been delivered. Now the production rate is expected to ramp considerably thanks to a deal with BorgWarner to build the enhanced "Powertrain 1.5." The Telsa designed, single-speed gearbox is expected to help provide 30% more power allowing the Roadster to once again accelerate from 0 to 60 in 3.9 seconds as it did with the original, flawed, two-speed transmission. It's also more efficient resulting in an extended, 244-mile range (221 miles currently) from a single charge. All Roadsters equipped with the interim transmission will be upgraded free of charge. Tesla says that it will now ramp production to 10 Roadsters per week, hitting 20 per week within a few months, and 40 per week by early 2009. Most of which we expect to find riding the PCH in total, luxurious, battery-powered silence.

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Sprint shows fall dumbphone lineup, new "One Click" user interface

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/388753784/

Filed under: Cellphones

Sure enough, there wasn't anything squished about the image we saw of the LG LX600 a while back -- it was just loosening the belt a couple notches to make room for a full QWERTY keyboard running across its naughty bits. Oh, and it's no longer the LX600; turns out Sprint is releasing it as the Lotus, one of four all-new dumbphones for the autumn months to complement today's announcement of the Touch Diamond and Touch Pro. It'll be available next month for $149.99 on contract. Others in the mix include the Samsung Highnote -- a music-focused dual slider that dedicates one slide direction to a hefty little loudspeaker -- and the curiously-named Rant, which apes the LG Rumor's form factor to give text addicts another affordable option. Like the Lotus, the Highnote and Rant will both hit in October for $99.99 and $49.99, respectively. Meanwhile, iDEN freaks (and we use that term in the most loving way possible) will be happy to see that they're getting their grubby, calloused hands on another rugged option, the Motorola i576 flip. It'll start getting beaten senseless at retail come October 19 for $69.99.

Sprint's also using those three new consumer sets (sorry, i576) to premiere "One Click," a new UI paradigm for its non-smartphone devices that allows folks to drop all sorts of commonly-used features with information-rich icons right on the home screen for... well, one-click access, hence the name. New Katana Eclipse colors coming later this fall will feature the new software, too. Check out Engadget Mobile ! for a fu ll gallery of all the wares!

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HP shows off Vivienne Tam-designed Digital Clutch -- the 10-inch Mini-Note?

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/388753783/

Filed under: Laptops

HP's 8.9-inch 2133 Mini-Note is apparently a raging success, so it makes sense that the company would want to expand the line, and it looks like we might be getting a preview of what's in store with the Digital Clutch, a bright red 10-inch netbook that debuted last night during designer Vivienne Tam's fashion week show in NYC. Not much is known about the internals, but the case sports an Asian-inspired peony flower design, and the screen fills the entire lid with very little bezel. If we had to guess, we'd say that it's more likely that there's a VIA Isaiah chip in there instead of an Atom, given the C7M found in the current Mini-Note, but we'll see -- and hopefully soon, since at least one HP rep apparently confirmed that the machine is the next generation Mini-Note. Hit the read links for tons more pics.

Read - First set of Laptop pics
Read - Second set of Laptop pics

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ATI Radeon HD 4670 and 4650 released, tested

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/388840322/

Filed under: Desktops

ATI just announced its new mainstream graphics cards, the Radeon HD 4670 and 4650. At the heart of both cards is a 55nm 320-core TeraScale GPU, which is a modified version of the RV770 chip found in the Radeon HD 4800 series -- it's a lower spec chip, but it has essentially the exact same feature set. The $80 HD 4670 has 512MB of GDDR3 RAM, while the $60 HD 4650 uses 512MB of GDDR2 memory; both are relatively power-sipping with 60 watt and 50 watt draws respectively under full load. Should be out soon -- HotHardware just tested an HD 4670 and found it to be quite a performer, check it all out at the read links.

Read - ATI Radeon HD 4600 series PR
Read - HotHardware test

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More details on RED's DSMC (Digital Still & Motion Camera)

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/388885361/

Filed under: Digital Cameras

You heard that Nikon busted out a DSLR with a 720p movie mode, right? Even that is going to pale in comparison to RED's alternative, or at least that's what RED would have you to believe. In a recent post over at the REDuser forums, Jannard points out that its DSLR "replacement" should be ready to rock by late 2009, and while an official name has yet to arrive, it's going by DSMC (Digital Still & Motion Camera) for the time being. Also of note, Jannard casually mentioned that this piece would be more advanced than Nikon's D90 and an undisclosed 1080p DSLR from Canon; that's the first we've heard of such a beast, but given the natural progression of technology, we suppose it fits. C'mon guys, 3K 4K 5K shooting in a DSLR, we know you can do it.

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Sling Media's Slingbox PRO-HD / SlingCatcher up for pre-order

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/388917229/

Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment

Check it, placeshifters -- two new must-have boxes have just popped up for pre-order on Sling's website and Amazon's online marketplace. Sling Media's awfully exciting SlingCatcher and the sleek Slingbox PRO-HD are now ready to be loved for $299.99 apiece, though neither site gives any indication of ship dates. Still, with the holiday season just around the bend, we'd expect to see 'em both out before too long.

[Via ZatzNotFunny]
Read - SlingCatcher pre-order
Read - Slingbox PRO-HD

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AMD slashes prices on triple-core Phenom X3 processors

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/388939050/

Filed under: Desktops

AMD may have some new dual-core Phenom processors around the corner, but it looks like those wanting to build an AMD rig on the cheap don't have to wait until then, as the company has just slashed the price on its triple-core Phenom X3 processors, a move that follows some similar price cuts just a few weeks ago. As of now, you can get an X3 8450 for $104 (down from $125 in July), an X3 8650 for $119 (down from $145), an X3 8750 for $129 (down from $175), or even an X3 8750 Black Edition with overclocking support for just $134. As TG Daily points out, that pits the processors up against the low-end of Intel's Core 2 Duo offerings, which certainly makes 'em an attractive option for those looking to get the most bang for the buck.

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