Archive for March 9th, 2008

java_iphone-thumb.gifApple gave Sun kind of the cold shoulder, not giving them the opportunity to put Java on the iPhone for Java apps. Now that the SDK is out, Sun’s decided to just take matters into their own hands and prep a Java Virtual Machine for the device that’ll allow Java applets to run on it. The JVM for iPhone will be based on Java Micro Edition, allowing apps like games and enterprise applications. You know, uh, all the stuff we’ve been clamoring for. I guess. Well, I’m sure at least a couple of interesting programs will come out of this, right? We’ll see how Apple handles Sun sneaking Java onto the iPhone this way. [Infoworld via Slashdot]


squid.jpgLying face down on the ground to tan or get a back massage invariably leads to awkward positioning and sore necks. Not so if you have the Squid Face Pillow! It keeps your face pointed straight down and your neck comfortable, allowing you to cook your skin to an appetizing golden brown without any side effects other than skin cancer. Sold! [Product Page via Nerd Approved]


mogul_download_screen%20GI.gifAccording to WMExperts, the Sprint Mogul is to get a ROM update that will enable GPS and EVDO Rev. A functionality. The update is expected to land on Monday (03/10/08), and will supposedly fix Bluetooth issues some users have been experiencing, too. We’ll keep you posted on any developments. [WMExperts via BGR]


securitycamera.jpgA British company called ThruVision has developed a camera that can detect items such as guns, drugs and explosives under people’s clothes without, for better or worse, being able to see their genitals. It holds a lot of promise for places like airport security checkpoint but stands to open up a huge can of privacy-hating worms elsewhere.

The camera is called the T5000, and it sees objects based on the Terahertz, or T-rays, that they emit. The camera works because all people and objects emit low-level electromagnetic radiation. Every material emits a different signature of Terahertz wave, which lies between infrared and microwaves on the electromagnetic spectrum. That means it can tell the difference between cocaine and flour but won’t show the distinct outline of your danglers.

It’s all well and good, but with the camera working from over 80 feet away you’ve got to wonder how long it’ll be before a city starts installing these cameras on the street and arresting anybody walking around with drugs in their pockets. Where is the privacy line drawn? Will that make people safer or just make it feel like we’re living in a totalitarian police state? It’s tricky. Boy, I can’t wait. The future is now, and it’s unsettling! [Reuters]


iphoneunlimited.jpgFollowing the trend of unlimited plans, AT&T just unveiled its new unlimited voice plan for the iPhone. For $120 a month you get unlimited voice, unlimited data and… still 200 text messages. What’s the deal with the stinginess on texts, AT&T? Does it really cost that much to send 50-character messages? Ah well, in any case, big talkers with iPhones now have the option to go unlimited. Have at it. [Apple via Boy Genius]


abbeyrdrich%20GI.jpgFinally! Paul McCartney has signed a $400 million deal, which will see the Beatles catalog make its way to iTunes, at long last.

Though McCartney will probably make off with the lion’s share of the cash sum, Ringo Starr and the families of the late John Lennon and George Harrison will also benefit. Micheal Jackson, EMI and Sony will also be paid, as they each own a share in the back catalog. McCartney may actually have to pay out a little more on his divorce settlement because of the deal. How that works is anyone’s guess, but you gotta feel sorry for him; having to share all those millions is just plain malicious. When the albums will actually hit iTunes is not yet confirmed, but we’ll keep you up to speed with any banging of Maxwell’s silver hammer. [United Press International]


Xbox360%20PC%20GI.jpgThe Financial Times Germany has published a story saying Microsoft will be knocking down the Xbox 360 price on Monday (03/10/08.) The price cuts are to take place across Europe and will supposedly see the Xbox 360 Arcade dropped from €280 ($432) to €199 ($307), while the Xbox 360 Pro will apparently be slashed to €299 ($461) from €349 ($538.)

This isn’t the first time we have heard such rumors raging through the tubes, but the Financial Times is, more often than not, a super reliable source. Why do you guys care? Well, if this happens to be true—and we won’t have to wait long to find out—surely the States will see some price cutting goodness shortly thereafter? [I4U]


horseradishalarm.jpgIn an innovative solution to the problem of deaf people not being able to hear fire alarms, Japanese researchers have developed one that sprays the strong smell of horseradish, ensuring that everybody with a functioning sense of smell wakes up. In tests, it successfully, silently woke up 13 out of 14 people, with deaf subjects much more receptive to the alarm. Combine this with an audible alarm and a small robot that goes around slapping people in the face and you’ve got yourself one foolproof fire alarm. [WCTV via Boing Boing]


m6%20Spinpoint%20Samsung%20GI.jpgSamsung’s Spinpoint M6 is the world’s first 2.5-inch, 500GB HDD. Standing in at 9.5mm tall, the M6 will easily fit most existing laptop hard drive bays. For those of you worried about sloth like performance, the Spinpoint M6 has a 5400rpm spindle speed, an 8MB cache, as well as a 3.0Gbps SATA interface. A Free-Fall Sensor can be added as an optional extra. Not content with breaking the world record for the HDD with the smallest size / biggest capacity, Samsung are also introducing the industry’s fastest DVD burner.

The WriteMaster SH-S223 will offer high speed DVD burning on low speed media; 16X and 8X media will be written to at 22X and 12X write speeds, respectively. The SH-S223 will be able to write at the following maximum speeds; 22X DVD±R recording, 12X DVD-RAM recording, 16X DVD+R Dual Layer recording, 12X DVD-R Dual Layer recording, 8X DVD+RW recording and 6X DVD-RW recording. Time wise, 4.7GB of data can be burnt to a DVD±R disc in approximately 4 minutes and 26 seconds. That kind of performance puts even Speedy Gonzalez to shame. All around, it looks like it has been a fantastic record breaking weekend for our chums at Samsung. Well done, chaps. [Gizmag]


To promote the US release of Smash Bros. Brawl today, GT gives us a look at “Snakes on a Plane” gameplay. Video after the break.

Following the style of its predecessors, the game uses a battle system different from that of typical fighting games. Choosing from a variety of characters, one to four players fight on various stages, trying to knock their opponents off the screen

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