Archive for January 20th, 2008
Verizon Wireless has just announced the Venturi Mini, a device that makes it a snap to stream audio from your Bluetooth-compatible cell phone to your vehicle’s FM radio. It also allows one to turn virtually any vehicle’s stereo into a hands-free speakerphone system on the spot. All you need to do is plug the Venturi Mini into your vehicle’s 12V outlet, connect it to your phone via Bluetooth and you’re good to go, whereby the integrated FM transmitter gets to work immediately. Features include a built-in noise filtering microphone and the ability to pause music whenever there is an incoming call. Verizon Wireless has priced the Venturi Mini at $129.99.
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While cell phones went through the “smaller and smaller” craze a fair number of years ago, it looks as though basic computers are going through the same design process these days. Case in point - the Ripple-Mini from Ripple. Measuring just 120mm x 300mm x 220mm, the Ripple-Mini looks pretty sleek for a mini-ITX computer. I’m surprised it costs a mere 90 Euros in Korea - now that’s yet another sub-$200 computer to further confuse those looking for a budget machine.
- Intel Celeron M215 processor (1.3GHz, 512KB)
- D201 GLY Intel motherboard
- 1GB RAM
- SiS 662 North Bridge and SiS 964L South Bridge
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The Bubblegum Sequencer is one unique idea that uses a bunch of colorful candy-coated gumballs which are able to conjure up a beat which one can groove to. Using a similar interface concept as that of a ball bearing sequencer, the Bubblegum Sequencer uses a computer to generate sounds in order to match their placement. A camera located right under the table will garner information such as position and color of individual gumballs which are then mapped to the audio samples in the computer automatically. Looks like a delicious project to get involved in, as one can always clear up the mess after an audio presentation simply by chewing on it.
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Filed under: Game Patches
As of late, Sega hasn’t been very kind to PS3 owning fighting fans. First, Sega spurned online support for the PS3 version of Virtua Fighter 5, instead offering full online play for the game’s Xbox 360 version. More recently, however, Sega released a patch for the 360 title that improved several aspects of play, both online and offline.
Do you think Sega would finally throw us PS3 VF5 owners bone? No and probably not ever, according to Sega’s Jay Boor. He told PS3 Fanboy, “at this time SEGA has no plans to release a patch for the PS3 version of Virtua Fighter 5.”
Sure, a few of you may look at that and still hold onto the possibility, but we’re finally closing the door on any hope that the PS3 version will ever get any future improvements, let alone online play. Oh well, there’s always the inevitable sequel, right?
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Filed under: News
 What? Haze for $30? Smash Bros Brawl for $20? Really?
The internet went ablaze when it was discovered some suspiciously low prices for various pre-orders on Wal-Mart’s website. We predicted that the conglomerate would cancel the orders … and they did. We didn’t predict that they’d give a $10 gift card to all users affected by the ordeal. “We apologize for our recent video game pricing error and the incorrect information included in our follow up e-mail correspondence with you. As we are always striving to provide a positive customer experience, we will be sending you a $10 electronic Gift Card toward a future purchase as an apology for your recent experience.”
Well, well played Walmart. We knew we wouldn’t get the deal, but we appreciate your efforts to please the masses.
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Filed under: Videos and Screenshots
As many of you know, Gametrailers recently came under quite a bit of scrutiny when it was learned that the PS3 and Xbox 360 comparison videos they’ve been posting were used at the PS3’s default video settings and using component cables. To silence its critics, Gametrailers posted a video comparing Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune using standard component cables like they have in the past and what many PS3 owners have wanted - HDMI, full RGB and with adjusted ultra white levels.
After watching the video several times, we have to say, it’s kinda hard to tell a difference. In the end, this whole controversy might have been a bit overblown, but we think it’d probably be smart on Gametrailer’s part to just use the HDMI settings in any future comparison videos. It just might save you guys a lot of hate mail.
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Filed under: Videos and Screenshots
If we were fluent in Japanese, this new Valkyrie of the Battlefield video would probably make a lot more sense. As it stands, we’re left with looking at the game’s gorgeous visuals and making lame attempts at trying to understand what’s going on.
Going on just what we can see in the video, it appears that the East Europe Empire Union and the Atlantic Ocean Federal Organization are fighting over rights to mine a mineral called Ragnite. Caught in between is Gallian, a country to the west of the East European empire and possibly the source of Ragnite. It looks as if it will be up to you and your “rag tag” group of countrymen to overthrow the invaders and bring the land back to peace.
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Filed under: Audio/Video, Computers
 In this week’s issue of the New Yorker, there is a profile of the Director of National Intelligence, Mike McConnell (pictured), that reveals some interesting information about his desires to “listen in” on Internet communications in order to protect America’s cyberspace. According to McConnell, in order to properly protect the United State’s electronic interests the government needs to be able to read all information crossing the Internet.
The measures will be hard sell to both the Congress and the American people. Following the controversy surrounding the questionably legal NSA wiretaps, citizens and legislators have become far more aware of the government’s ability to pry and abuse domestic intelligence gathering, which has also made us more protective of our privacy.
Will McConnell get the broad reaching powers he wants to scan through your E-mails to Aunt Dolly asking for pictures of the new twins? Probably not, but the fact that he would even openly pursue such powers is a somewhat frightening prospect.
From Ars Technica
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Filed under: Cell Phones
There have been many claims and supposed findings about the impacts of electromagnetic radiation from cell phones and your health. So far, none of these studies have come up with hard proof that shows any real negative link. Now, a new study — which found that the amount of radiation given off by a cell phone can disrupt your sleep — is adding a little more gas to the fire,
The study, which was conducted at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), showed that exposure to electromagnetic radiation resulted in disturbed sleep patterns, potentially affecting your body’s ability to recover from a day of stress. This news is an eye-opening finding for gadget fans who have trouble nodding off at night, especially those who use the alarm clock function on their phones.
The study only involved 71 men and women, so we’d like to see some further testing performed with a somewhat larger pool of participants. Nevertheless, you can be sure we will be shutting off our phones before nodding off for the evening — or maybe just leave them in the other room.
From textually.org
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Filed under: Computers
…And the Storm Worm strikes again. Like a computerized Tet Offensive, the team behind the now infamous Storm Worm uses holidays as an excuse to launch attacks on unsuspecting e-mailers. Christmas, New Year’s, and now the computer criminals are prepping for an electronic Valentine’s Day massacre.
The nature of Valentine’s Day may make the attack much less effective. New Year’s and Christmas are holidays in which people often reach out to family and friends they don’t speak to on a regular basis, where as Valentine’s tends to be celebrated privately by couples.
The attack is also not very sophisticated and can be easily thwarted by even the least computer savvy of users. The worm presents itself in the form of an e-mail with a Valentine’s Day subject and a body consisting of a simple IP address. Clicking on the IP address takes you to a page that displays a heart and the message “your download should begin shortly.” If your download doesn’t automatically start it instructs you to click a download link and run the file.
The attack probably won’t be as successful or as widespread as past outbreaks, but some sad lovers are sure to be infected.
From Ars Technica
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