AT&T WiFi hotspots free to iPhone owners, anyone with a brain

Filed under: Cellphones, Networking

Now that AT&T has full control of wireless hotspots like Starbucks and Barnes and Nobles, it looks like they’re doling out freebies to their favorite customers: iPhone users. Apparently, if you’ve got one of Apple’s devices, you can hop on the WiFi networks for exactly zero dollars provided you enter your phone number at a login screen. Great for iPhone owners, but a raw deal for everyone else, right? Not so fast, apparently a dumb hack gets you the service on the house too — just switch your browser’s user agent to Mobile Safari, and presto! Free internet. We can’t imagine this is a hole that won’t get plugged real fast, so get it while the gettin’s good.

[Via TUAW]

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Japan’s Most Advanced Massage Chair [Japan]

This aired a few nights ago on Kinchan no Kasoh Taisho in Japan, a show apparently dedicated to the advancement of science, technology and the arts. We’d love to have one of these massage chairs in our own homes, because it looks super comfortable and not at all awkward. The only request we have? We want a female version. That’d be slightly softer and have more back support. [Japan Probe]

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Dell boils “hip” down to $699 Mike Ming Inspiron 1525 laptops

Filed under: Laptops

You know you’re in for a treat any time your favorite gargantuan Texas-based computer company claims to have captured the “downtown art scene” and “youth culture” on a laptop lid, but we’ve gotta give Dell credit for these new designs courtesy of Mike Ming. Unfortunately, the new “Bunch O Surfers” and “Sea Sky” (pictured) looks have been tacked onto Dell’s boring-as-could-be Inspiron 1525 budget laptop. But hey, not bad at all for $699, especially considering the 3GB of RAM that comes standard. Another shot after the break.

Continue reading Dell boils “hip” down to $699 Mike Ming Inspiron 1525 laptops

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Filed under: Robots

Alright, so maybe the recently announced Ultimate WALL-E robot doesn’t actually get down and dirty on video, but he does maintain a pretty positive attitude after being poked, prodded and generally invaded for a full five minutes. The latest collaborative effort from Disney and Thinkway Toys was spotted recently at Maker Faire, and if you’re interested to see what exactly $190 will net you later this summer, head on past the break and click play.

Continue reading Disney / Thinkway Toys’ Ultimate WALL-E robot cleans up on camera

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Via [Engadget]

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Kensington unveils Battery Pack and Charger for iPhone / iPod

Filed under: Cellphones, Peripherals

Sure, there are already a handful of options out there for extending the life of your iPhone / iPod battery, but since when have we been ones to gripe about a little competition? Kensington has just introduced a standard and miniature version of its Battery Pack and Charger for iPhone / iPod, which unsurprisingly provides juice to your device’s internal battery and can be recharged simultaneously. As you could likely guess, the only differences between the two contraptions are the size, price and battery life; the 0.22-pound standard model extends play time to up to 100 hours (music) / 6 hours (talk), while the even tinier mini version livens things up for another 30 hours (music) / 3 hours (talk). Each is available now for $69.99 / $49.99.

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Microsoft Making Ford Sync-like Music, Info System for Hyundai in 2010 [Microsoft]

Hyundai and Microsoft have just agreed for the latter to develop software for the former’s cars, shoving in a “music and information system” by the year 2010. No details yet, but from the sound of things it seems like Microsoft’s taking advantage of their experience with the Ford Sync system and making voice-control systems to manage stereos and cellphones. The new system is also interesting because it’s software-updatable, allowing nerds to bring up that old joke about what would happen if Microsoft built cars. The whole thing is aimed at bringing more young people into Hyundais, something Ford Sync was surprisingly good at doing. [Reuters]

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Zune 2.5 Update Screenshot Tour [Zune Update]

If you haven’t yet gotten the chance to update to Zune 2.5, here’s a screenshot tour that takes you through the new and notable changes. A lot of the stuff is the same—it’s only a point update and not one to change the fundamental features—but there are great updates in the social portion of the software. Hit the jump for the full tour.

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Filed under: Robots

Alright, so maybe the recently announced Ultimate WALL-E robot doesn’t actually get down and dirty on video, but he does maintain a pretty positive attitude after being poked, prodded and generally invaded for a full five minutes. The latest collaborative effort from Disney and Thinkway Toys was spotted recently at Maker Faire, and if you’re interested to see what exactly $190 will net you later this summer, head on past the break and click play.

Continue reading Disney / Thinkway Toys’ Ultimate WALL-E robot cleans up on camera

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Via [Engadget]

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HTC Census Device Revealed in New FCC Filing [Cellphones]

HTC’s Census device first hit the FCC over a year ago, but it’s just appeared there for approval again. The data-only device, complete with touchscreen and fingerprint reader, but lacking voice-calling capabilities and a camera, was going to be used in the 2010 census before technical issues led to it being ditched. But here it is again, with a prominent Harris branding and what looks like a hand strap across the back. What’s going on? Is it back on the cards to aid Census Bureau staff, or is it getting a new lease on life targeted at other industrial users? Pretty confusing, especially since there’s no info on the release date yet. [FCC and Reghardware]

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How To Repair Your Xbox 360 In 4 Easy Steps [Red Ring]

1. Call 1-800-4-MY-XBOX
2. Demand your reference number ASAP.
3. Call escalated support at 866-506-3826.
4. Speak to someone who can actually help.

Make sure to write this down. You’re gonna need it. [consumerist]

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