Archive for July 16th, 2009

Cleaning Lady Scalped By Giant Meat Blending Machine [Man Vs Machine]

Did you ever read Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle? Yeah, things haven’t changed as much as we would like to think.

Mrs Trebilcock was inspecting a blender used to mix four tonnes of meat when she crouched beneath the machine to inspect a flap, where the load is discharged, to ensure it was clean.

But the flap closed suddenly with substantial force acting like a pair of ’scissors’ cutting off the top of her head above the eyebrows.

Grim. Naturally DeliCo Ltd, the UK-based meat processing plant where the incident occurred, was found to be in breach of health and safety codes—a charge to which they have pleaded guilty. What’s even more disturbing is that makes three machine murders in four days. Don’t trust your gadgets people—especially your toaster (the most evil of all home appliances). [Daily Mail via Fark]




Doug Anson, Dell’s operating system Renaissance man, digs Chrome OS, Moblin

Dell's Doug Anson, the operating system Renaissance man, digs Chrome OS, Moblin

When it came to Android, Technology Strategist Doug Anson wasn’t exactly coy in indicating that Dell was evaluating the OS for inclusion on its netbooks. He calls this time of OS intrigue, with Linux, Android, and WebOS gaining favor, a sort of “renaissance,” saying: “These alternative operating environments are truly ‘different’ from the traditional Windows platform - they don’t attempt to simply ‘mimic’ Windows” — forgetting, perhaps, that the foundation of all of those alternatives was itself an attempt at mimicking various flavors of Unix. Anson says that while Dell is not ready to sign on to Chrome OS just yet, it is evaluating it for future inclusion in its little mobile products, and goes on to say that the company is “very interested” in Intel’s Moblin, another lightweight Linux flavor and possible Chrome OS competitor. Confused by all these disparate OS choices with similar goals? You’re not alone, which is perhaps another reason why the big two continue to dominate.

Filed under: Laptops, Software

Doug Anson, Dell’s operating system Renaissance man, digs Chrome OS, Moblin originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Jul 2009 08:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gadget Deals Of The Day [Dealzmodo]

We have a glut of 15-16″ laptops, be sure to check-out those deals if you’re shopping for one. There are a bunch of free magazine subscriptions, ESPN looks great— whoever did the marketing for them must’ve been pretty awesome.



Computing and Peripherals:
16″ Acer Aspire AS6920-6898 Core2Duo NoteBook for $599.99 plus free shipping (normally $700).
15.6″ Dell Inspiron 15 Core2Duo 2.1GHz Laptop for $449 plus free shipping (normally $599.00).
15.4″ Lenovo IdeaPad G530 Dual Core 2GHz Laptop for $400 with free shippig (normally $551.00 - use coupon code PAYPALBTS88).
Dell Inspiron 530 Core2Quad 2.33GHz Desktop for $499.00 (normally $624 - use coupon code $HPLCZCM7RH0DK).
24″ Dell Ultrasharp 2408WFP Widescreen LCD for $395.10 plus free shipping (normally $549 - use coupon code XTHR0RQRXJHQ12).
24″ Samsung SyncMaster T240 Widescreen LCD for $282.99 plus free shipping (normally $309.00).
23″ Dell S2309W Widescreen LCD for $159.00 plus free shipping (normally $239.00).
19″ Hanns-G HW-191DPB Widescreen LCD for $99.99 plus free shipping (normally $123.00).
500GB Portable External Hard Drive HP HD5000s for $74.99 plus free shipping (normally $99.99).
500GB Seagate FreeAgent Go Portable External Hard Drive for $95.99 plus free shipping) (normally $115 - use coupon code FR1NXFVM$J9D3B).
Microsoft Mobility Pack: Lifecam NX-6000 and Wireless Laser Mouse 6000 for $32.99 plus free shipping (normally $44.99).

Gaming:
Microsoft Xbox 360 Pro 60GB Gaming Console for $249.99 plus free shipping (normally $299.00).
Halo 3 Legendary Edition (Xbox 360) for $64 plus free shipping (normally $80).
Free $10 Credit with puchase of Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 (Xbox 360, PS3, PC) plus free shipping
$3 off plus free $10 gift card with purchase of Madden NFL 10 plus free shipping.
Phineas and Ferb (DS) for $18.97 (normally $29.99).
Warriors Orochi 2 for $23.60 (normally $38.61).

Home Entertainment:
52″ Sharp Aquos LC52SE94U 1080p 120Hz LCD TV for $1,478.18) (normally $1649.00 - use coupon code TECHDEALDIGR).
42″ LG 42LH30 1080p LCD TV for $764.99 plus free shipping (normally $821 - use coupon code HVD15).
Dell M109S DLP Mini Projector (G101H) LED for $269.10 plus free shipping (normally $449.00 - use coupon code XTHR0RQRXJHQ12).
Sharp BDHP21U 1080p Blu-Ray Disc Player for $125.99 plus free shipping (normally $182 - use coupon code XTHR0RQRXJHQ12).
Polk Audio Monitor 60 Floorstanding Speaker for $114.99 plus free shipping (normally $150).
Sharp BD-HP21U Blu-Ray Player for $119.99 plus free shipping (normally $174.99).
Slingbox SOLO SB260-100 Digital Multimedia Broadcaster for $135 plus free shipping (normally $180 - use coupon code L7C$N3BX8R?4BP).
Logitech Harmony 659 Universal Infrared Remote Control for $50 plus free shipping (normally $102 - use coupon code EMCLVMR26).
Rosewill RMS-DA8300 Amplified Directional Indoor HDTV Antenna for $15 plus free shipping (normally $25 - use coupon code EMCLVMT22).
Dirty Harry Ultimate Collector’s Edition: 5 Movies (Blu-Ray) for $56.99 (normally $129.95).
Close Encounters of the Third Kind (Blu-Ray) for $28.89 plus free shipping (normally $34.34 - use coupon code STAYCATIONBLU).
Men In Black (Blu-Ray) for $14.87 plus free shipping (normally $18.70 - use coupon code STAYCATIONBLU).

Personal Portables and Peripherals:
Canon EOS Rebel T1i 15.1MP Digital SLR with 18-55mm Lens and Canon Pixma PRO9000MkII Printer for $808.99 plus free shipping (normally $1135.00).
Magellan Maestro 4200 GPS for $100 plus free shipping (normally $150).
7″ Axion AXN-9705 Digital Picture Frame and Multimedia Player for $35 plus free shipping (normally $50).
Able Planet NC200 Noise Cancelling Headphones for $59.99 plus free shipping (normally $82.78).

Miscellaneous
10% off Electronics and Accessories at Dell Small Business (stackable) (use coupon code XTHR0RQRXJHQ12).

Hobomodo:
iWrath (iPhone) for $0 (normally $1.99).
Vaseline Aloe Fresh Sample for $0 (use this form ).
Subscriptions to Bassmaster (2 Years), Weight Watchers, Muscle & Fitness, Field & Stream, Latina, and ESPN magazine for $0 (use this form).
Lasagne at The Spaghetti Warehouse for $0 (Valid on 07/29 - use this form).
Full size Axe coupon inside Maxim Magazine’s August 09′ issue for $0.
4 Peta Kids Comic Books for $0 (use this form - make sure the kids are enjoying some locally sourced, sustainably raised, steaks while they read).
“Robots” (MP3) by Exercise for $0.
One year subscription to Golf Digest for $0 (use this form).

If a deal looks too good to be true, investigate the store and see if it’s a good, reputable place to buy. Safe shopping!

[Thanks TechDealDigger, Fat Wallet, GamerHotline, Cheap College Gamers, CheapStingyBargains and TechBargains.]




Gizmodo ‘79 Mixtape: What’s On Yours? [Mixtapes]

I’m listening to “Boys Don’t Cry,” released by The Cure in June 1979. Next is “Comfortably Numb.” Before playlists, we had mixtapes, thanks to the Walkman. What’s on your 1979 mixtape? Remember, you’ve got 45 minutes per side.

Gizmodo ‘79 is a week-long celebration of gadgets and geekdom 30 years ago, as the analog age gave way to the digital, and most of our favorite toys were just being born. [Giz ‘79]




Polaroid SX-70: The Joy of Instant Photography Before Digital [Cameras]

The Polaroid SX-70 was not the first instant camera. Released in 1972, it was the first instant SLR, and the first to use Polaroid’s iconic integral print film that developed automatically. It folded up so it fit in your pocket.

Multiple models followed the original SX-70, adding features like a rangefinder autofocus system. In the 1980s, the original SX-70 film was replaced by the “Time Zero” variant, which developed much faster. Time Zero film for the SX-70 went out of production in 2005.

The sentimentality for analog photographs (or anything, really) rooted in fetishisms of authenticity and physicality, is perversely self-destructive: Analog media age and degrade, they die, like our bodies. The idea of the “original” is somewhat warped as well, since in the process of aging, the photo itself changes. In a way, the original photo ceases to exist a second after it’s created. The long set time for the SX-70’s film was particularly interesting in this regard—there was a 2-3 day window where you could manipulate it with temperature.

The bits that make up a digital photograph don’t age. They will be the same 30 years from year now that they are today. And unlike a scan or reprint of an analog photograph, copies are of digital photos are literal clones—the bits are the exact same. The “original” is preserved forever, even as digital wholly obliterates the concept of the original.

Bits can lie, though. That’s why people don’t trust them. Plastic and paper are real. You can touch them. They bare scars when you change them. A faded photo has been places, seen things. It’s lived. Maybe longer than you have. Material inscription guarantees authenticity. Which is important when so much else is not genuine.

These are some photos taken with the SX-70 I found poking around on Flickr. There are a lot more in this Flickr pool.

Is it just me, or does it always seems like summer in old Polaroid photos?

Images: sandys2, Angus柒, asalexander, clspeace, clspeace, kwanz, dejvicka, antiparticle, kaidominato, @Maco, justephens, justephens, Davide Rascone

Polaroid SX-70 Photos: The Artster, TimmyToucan















Gizmodo ‘79 is a week-long celebration of gadgets and geekdom 30 years ago, as the analog age gave way to the digital, and most of our favorite toys were just being born.




Sony’s Entire 1976 Lineup in One Photo [Image Cache]

In 1976, Sony went to the National Stadium in Tokyo and lined up every single gadget they offered to photograph them. All were analog, mostly in radio, audio and TV. This is a photo of that.

This was pre walkman and at the dawn of the age of the Betamax. Today, this would be impossible, says Sony. There’s a lesson here: A gadget company should be able to fit all their SKUs in a stadium, or risk confusing their customers. [Sony.net]

Gizmodo ‘79 is a week-long celebration of gadgets and geekdom 30 years ago, as the analog age gave way to the digital, and most of our favorite toys were just being born.




World’s Most Perfect Pair of Balls—Yes! [Image Cache]

This is one of the two most perfect spheres ever. Exactly one kilogram—Imperial units be damned forever—smooth to the nearest 0.0000000003 meter (1.18110236 × 10-8 inches), and round to within 0.00000005 meters (1.96850394 × 10-6 inches).

They were made using silicon by metrologists from the by Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization. [Makezine]




Keepin’ it real fake, part CCXXV: Fashion A10 netbook strikes a pose, Acer-style


Sadly, plenty of folks just can’t seem to shake the notion that “netbooks” and “high fashion” go hand in hand — and clearly the KIRFmeisters of Shenzhen and environs are no exception. As if that couldn’t be any clearer, the kids at Shanzai.com have clued us in on the JingWah Digital Fashion A10, a note-by-note replica of the Aspire One. Aside from the 1.6GHz VIA C7-M CPU, the similarities are striking, including: an 8.9-inch TFT display with a 1024 x 600 resolution, 160GB hard drive, and 1GB of RAM. Sure, it’s no powerhouse, but if the price is right it’ll make a pretty decent accessory. In fact, throw on your Momenta necklace and slap on a pair of 4GB Calvin Kleins and you’ll be able to strut past any velvet rope your encounter (provided the line at the door leads to a LAN party or the BiMonSciFiCon). Theme music after the break.

[Via Shanzai.com]

Continue reading Keepin’ it real fake, part CCXXV: Fashion A10 netbook strikes a pose, Acer-style

Filed under: Laptops

Keepin’ it real fake, part CCXXV: Fashion A10 netbook strikes a pose, Acer-style originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Jul 2009 13:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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