Filed under: Computers

Oregon Scientific managed to pique our interest with its proximity-sensing Weather In Motion clock, and it now looks like it’s got the solution for anyone that wishes they could take it with ‘em wherever they go, with the company set to release its new Meteo weather forecasting watch. While the need for a proximity sensor is obviously eliminated this time around, the watch apparently boasts the same weather information in icon-form as its desk-based companion, along with your usual time-telling, stop watch and alarm features. Look for this one to set you back £40 (or about $80) when it’s released next month.

[Source: Oregon Scientific via BIOS]

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The PS3 is still in its first iteration to date, but it already is packing in a third generation heat sink, courtesy of Furukawa Electric. This new version brings some improvements over the launch PS3s, featuring a smaller size, a lighter weight and at a price that is hard to resist. The first two generations of PS3s required a large heat sink to cool both the RSX and Cell chips, but this time round it uses two separate ones while doing away with copper heat pipes. This also drops power consumption down to 135W, a far cry from the launch PS3’s 200W. Not that the PS3 ever had any major heating issues before, it would be nice to see the Xbox 360 be as reliable as Sony’s offering.

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Filed under: Cellphones

In a move meant to, uh, distract investors from its announced 48% profit downturn (compared to Q1 of the previous year), Sony Ericsson just announced a pair of mid-range handsets. The Z780 clamshell — now official — is the global sister to the announced Z770 for Europe. As such, she comes packing UMTS/HSDPA 850/1900/2100 and quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE radios. While it comes loaded with Google Maps for Mobile and aGPS navigation, you won’t get much use from it on that itty bitty 128 x 160 pixel display of unknown dimensions. Hell, that bezel chews up an equivalent amount of real estate. The G502 candybar also features Maps but lacks aGPS. No worries for US Americans though as it’s likely to stay put in Europe with UMTS/HSDPA 2100 and GSM/GPRS/EDGE 900/1800/1900 radios. Both will feature M2 memory expansion, Bluetooth, and 2 megapixel cameras when they launch in “selected markets” come Q2. Sorry Sony Ericsson, but we’re not seeing a lot here to distract investors (or consumers) for very long. Xperia X1 please?

Update: Sony Ericsson has published conflicting information about the Z780’s resolution. It’s 2.2-inches and 320 x 240 pixels in the press release but 128 x 160 pixels on the product page.

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Filed under: Computers

The Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN) announced earlier this month that it is taking to the Web in an effort to broaden its reach to Web savvy teens who are more comfortable with chat-rooms than traditional hotlines.

RAINN, the largest anti-sexual-assault organization in the nation, has run its popular hotline for more than 14 years, but the concept of a phone-in hotline is alien to many of todays youth, who are more and more often turning to blogs and MySpace to connect with others and seek consolation or advice.

RAINN is hoping that its new in-browser instant messaging hotline will reach the younger generation and get them to seek the help they need, whether that means getting them to contact the authorities or just putting them in touch with a counselor. [Source: USA Today]

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Filed under: Gaming

Waiting for a price drop on the Nintendo Wii or DS? Don’t hold your breath. Nintendo’s Satoru Iwata told analysts on Friday that there are no price drop plans for the hot-selling units. Iwata insisted this is because Nintendo doesn’t want to annoy those who already paid full price, but it’s pretty clear that there’s also just no need to drop the price on something that’s already selling like mad.

[Via Joystiq]

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Electric bikes seem to be getting the popular vote these days, and the new Electric Motion Systems E+ bike is another addition to a growing list. While DOT requirements state that a road-going electric bike ought to have its speed limit capped at 20 mph, the E+ can hit 30 mph when traveling off the beaten path. Without turning the pedals even once, the E+ is able to manage 20 miles on a single charge, whereas if you throw in some pedaling as well you can double the range. It won’t be cheap though as you will need to fork out at least $3,495, and you can choose from a cruiser or mountainbike frame. And to think that bicycles were once meant to be exercise machines…

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Filed under: Cellphones, Misc. Gadgets, Handhelds, Portable Audio, Portable Video

Apple loves ‘em some Intel right? Sure, it was the Intel power-per-watt roadmap which Jobs cited as the reason to ditch IBM’s PowerPC platform. Analysts have since been tripping over themselves with speculation about future generation iPhones and iPod touches going Intel — especially since the arrival of Atom. So what will analysts make of Apple’s $278 million in cash purchase of the 150 person P.A. Semi microprocessor design company? The company was founded by Dan Dobberpuhl, lead designer of DEC’s doomed Alpha and StrongArm processors, and responsible for the introduction of a 2GHz, 64-bit dual-core microprocessor which in February 2007 was said to be 300% more efficient than comparable chips running at 5 to 13 watts. Forbes speculates that Apple will wrap its ARMs around the company’s boutique processor in a bid for exclusivity — a move meant to differentiate itself from competition using Intel and other off-the-shelf processors. Interestingly, after a long courtship with P.A. Semi, the acquisition discussions only began in the last few weeks. Say what you want about Jobs, but he’s nothing if not a man who knows what he wants and makes damn sure he gets it.

Update: Oh shazam! We just remembered that P.A. Semi and Apple had been this close to a deal just prior (as in minutes) to the announced Intel switch in 2006. Interesting, very interesting. Why now Apple?

Read — P.A. Semi PWRficient processor announcement
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Filed under: Computers

The hacking of Barack Obama’s Web site was embarrassing for the campaign, but more or less a harmless prank. An attack the Web sites for the United Nations and the United Kingdom on the other hand have resulted in the infection of computers all over the globe with malware.

The sites were specifically targeted because of their high traffic and reputation as secure places to go online. The exact number of computers infected is unknown, but due to the high volume of visitors, it could easily be in the millions.

The security hole has been closed and the malicious code removed from the site, but the attack underscores the importance of properly protecting yourself and your computer by keeping your operating system, firewall, and anti-virus software up-to-date. [Source: Channel Web]

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Filed under: Gaming

It’s taken a few years, but lightning’s struck twice for Microsoft’s Entertainment and Devices division (the portion of the company responsible for Zune, Windows Mobile, and Xbox). The operating profit of $89 million that E&D drew is just a drop in MSFT’s far, far larger fiscal bucket, but unless business turns sour, from here on out it looks like the group making all the fun stuff in Redmond is no longer in the business of losing cash hand over fist.

[Via Xbox 360 Fanboy]

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Plustek has rolled out its TVcam VD100 that not only functions as a standard USB webcam, it also works as a DVB-T TV tuner. This allows you to free up one USB port for other devices, since this takes up just a solitary one. Each purchase comes with the necessary software for PVR functionality, including scheduled recordings and an Electronic Programming Guide. The webcam itself touts a maximum resolution of 640 x 480, and is specially designed to clip right on top of a slim display (notebook or LCD, its your call). The Plustek TVcam VD100 measures 67.5mm x 26mm x x25.5mm and tips the scales at 86 grams. At £61, you get to kill two birds with one stone.

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