Dr. Augustine Fou's Online Scrapbook

Wednesday, October 08, 2008

Dell Mini 9 gets snug little GPS hack

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/413925613/

Filed under: GPS, Laptops

Word is that Dell's Mini 9 is a modder's paradise, rife with precious little alcoves in which to squeeze teeny-tiny new stuff. The confirmation: MyDellMini forum user Tom Beauchamp bought a USB GPS receiver (not much larger than a quarter) and snugly fit it inside his Mini's case. He's provided images and instructions so you, too, can illegally navigate with your notebook computer in the passenger's seat of your car. We can't recommend that sort of irresponsibility, but if you want to mod it just because you can, hit the read link for the instructions and images. Beware, of course, that a minimum amount of technical savvy is required to avoid breaking a perfectly good little laptop. Like that was ever going to stop you.

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HTC not bringing Touch HD to the States

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/413955697/

Filed under: Cellphones

This shouldn't be surprising at all to anyone even remotely familiar with HTC's tendencies, but the Touch HD is officially not ever shipping to America (unless you import, obviously). The news was dropped via a Tweet (of all things), but evidently, the outcry over what we figured was common knowledge has caused some windows to be rattled in the penthouse offices. Another official Tweet followed to thank everyone for "expressing their desire for the HD," with the author noting that "US management now knows there's a grassroots demand for high-end HTCs here." Really, HTC? You needed a flood of angry Twitter comments to understand that Americans would give their second born for a phone like the Touch HD?

[Via WMExperts, thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Update: We've received official word from HTC that they've been really overwhelmed by the "strong" demand for the HD in the States and other markets where no launch has been planned (with that insane display, it seemed like a no-brainer to us!). Sadly, due to the engineering time required to get a North American 3G version in the pipeline, they say they're better off just waiting until the next round of products launches -- hopefully with some extra bands in the radio this time, eh?

Read - Touch HD not coming to the US
Read - Thanks for the concern

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Press shots and first review of ASUS' sexy Eee PC S101

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/414106392/

Filed under: Laptops

You've already seen just how sexy ASUS' Eee PC S101 is in person (save for that heinous brown motif), but now you can take a peek at just how luscious this slim slab of computing prowess looks in the eyes of a press photographer. And if you're worried about real-world use, an early review puts those fears completely to bed. Critics found the machine to be absolutely stunning (a real shock, we know), and on the performance end, they were generally pleased. Of note, it did long for integrated WWAN and a tinier price tag, but we suppose you can't have everything. Speaking of which, we're seeing a probable €599 ($816) price tag for the European model, which clearly includes a premium for the aforementioned overall hotness.

Read - Press shots
Read - Review

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NeuroSky and Square Enix set to demo mind-controlled gaming

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/414177696/

Filed under: Gaming

The last time we saw NeuroSky's MindSet brainwave-controlled gaming headset, the company was partnering with Sega -- now the peripheral-maker has teamed with Square Enix to produce what we hope will be a "mind-blowing" (groan) demo at this year's Tokyo Game Show. If you'll recall, NeuroSky has been pushing its unique brand of mind-controlled gaming since way back in 2005, but it appears the technology has become increasingly attractive to notable game-makers as of late. On Thursday, the two companies plan a demonstration of the in-game powers of relaxation at TGS in what appears to be a perfect example of Neo-like godliness. The whole thing goes down October 9th, so be there or be Square. Enix.

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Oyster Card RFID hack gets detailed

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/414284584/

Filed under: Wireless

The vulnerability of cards based on the Mifare Classic RFID chip (like the Oyster Card used for the London Underground) has been known for some time now but, unsurprisingly, some pesky legal business has prevented the complete details from being published. That has now finally been cleared up, however, and Professor Bart Jacobs and his colleagues from Radboud University have promptly published their complete paper online. What's more, NXP Semiconductors, makers of the Mifare chip, are also now commenting on the matter, and saying that it never intended to completely stop publication of the research, but rather that it simply wanted to give customers time to update their systems. NXP's Steve Owen also adds that the company now doesn't "recommend the use of Mifare Classic for new installations," and that it's "working with customers to review their security." Those looking to dig in can find the paper at the link below and, in case you missed it the first time around, there's a video explaining the basics after the break.

[Via BBC Click]

Continue reading Oyster Card RFID hack gets detailed

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CinematographHD case mod conceals monster video editing rig

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/414422700/

Filed under: Desktops

Oh sure, Stealth could've just phoned up NextComputing or ACME in order to acquire a beastly (albeit portable) LCD-infused desktop, but seriously, where's the joviality in that? Instead, this clearly skilled individual decided to concoct a custom rig of his own, complete with two 22-inch LCDs, lots (and lots) of diamond plate and "zero compromises." Dubbed the CinematographHD after a Lumière Brothers device from the 1980s, this massively potent video editing system also packs a Blu-ray drive, inbuilt speakers and a storage compartment for mice, keyboards and copious amounts of BAWLS. Check out the construction video just after the break.

[Thanks, Justin]

Continue reading CinematographHD case mod conceals monster video editing rig

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Vodafone's BlackBerry Storm art department all soon to be fired

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/414536313/

Filed under: Cellphones

We can't put our finger on it, but there's something vaguely familiar about this new Storm 9500.

In case you're reading this after these images get taken down -- which they inevitably will be -- this was the official marketing material posted tonight by RIM's Storm launch partner, Vodafone.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Continue reading Vodafone's BlackBerry Storm art department all soon to be fired

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BlackBerry Storm 9500 hands-on

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/414460789/

Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds

RIM's a little late to the touchscreen party, but comes bearing goodies. The BlackBerry Storm is a beast of a phone in more ways than one. Fronted by a meaty, high-resolution touchscreen with an innovative clicking mechanism, the phone is easily the prettiest by RIM to date. There's a brushed metal back, a beautiful new OS interface, and enough radios to give your grandkids cancer (EV-DO Rev. A, quad-band GSM, Europe-friendly HSPA, GPS, Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP, though sadly no WiFi). But the real test of a phone is usability, not flash. Check out our impressions after the break.

Gallery: BlackBerry Storm hands-on

Continue reading BlackBerry Storm 9500 hands-on

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Tuesday, October 07, 2008

Palin Biden debate spoof

T-Mobile Cameo: Now Even Your Digital Picture Frame Needs a Cellphone Plan [Imaging]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/413036150/t+mobile-cameo-now-even-your-digital-picture-frame-needs-a-cellphone-plan

The Cameo is T-Mobile's $100 digital picture frame that's loaded with a GSM cellphone tech. Users, who are willing to fork over $10 a month for a subscription, will be able to snap shots on their phones and have the pictures automagically beamed to their Cameo. For those who ditch out on the subscription, the Cameo is still a standard digital picture frame, running at 720 x 480 and supporting various flash cards and mini USB storage. So is it practical? We'll let you decide. [CellPhone Signal]