by Techno Witch on October 31, 2008
Like many other hot blooded males out there, I too, have a penchant for fast cars – although my experience has been limited to solely the digital kind as I do not have the cash to pony up for an exotic four wheeler from the local luxury car showroom. Al, how about a hefty bonus this Christmas? 
Well, for those who are in the same boat as me and love driving fast cars but are rather more concerned with bread and butter issues at this point in time, there is always a compromise. Fanatec, a manufacturer of high end gaming peripherals, has just announced that it will be rolling out its new Porsche 911 Turbo S Racing Wheels specially for the Xbox 360. Hmm, at least you can brag to your friends that you have a Porsche at home – never mind that it is just a steering wheel. You can choose from a trio of versions – 911 Turbo S Edition, Clubsport Edition, and Pure Edition when you place your pre-order.
These steering wheels will be available in limited quantities (just like the cars themselves, although the steering wheels definitely number less that the vehicles on the market), with the 911 Turbo S Edition being limited to just 3,000, while the Clubsport Edition is numerically less at 2,000, with the Pure Edition being the most common at 5,000. All these steering wheels have been licensed by Porsche Lizenz- und Handelsgesellschaft mbH and will come with special pricing when you place a pre-order today – the 911 Turbo S Edition, Clubsport Edition and Pure Edition will retail for $250, $400 and $150, respectively.
These racing wheels will all feature a 900° steering angle and boast a 6+1 shifter. In addition, they can also be used on platforms other than the Xbox 360 including the PlayStation 3 and PC. You can use it in tandem with whatever existing Microsoft or Logitech pedals you own, but for a greater degree of realism, there is the Clubsport Edition, which features high-end pedals that are fully made of aluminum and feature a load cell pressure sensor for the brake. Time to burn some asphalt!
Press Release
by Techno Witch on October 31, 2008
It looks like Google Android is taking off, as the company most famous for its open Neo FreeRunner, OpenMoKo is reportedly almost ready to push out their own Android based mobile phone.
There were whispers of this happening with OpenMoko some time back in April, and by what is being touted about now its coming along quite nicely apparently. Word is a firm known as Koolu is looking to
OpenMoko for the design and we could be seeing an android device emerging as early as next month.
Word is the specs on this new android model will be 400MHz / 500MHz Samsung 2442B CPU, 802.11b/g WiFi, accelerometer, 2.84-inch 640 x 480 resolution touch-screen, Bluetooth, 2.5mm headphone jack and microSD.
by Techno Witch on October 31, 2008
Yep, seems like poor old Motorola is still slipping down that steep decline, as they announce their 3rd quarter earnings, and it?s not too pretty a sight. Motorola has lost a massive $397 million in the quarter.
Motorola have announced they intend to develop a full range of Android based mobile handsets next year, but none will come quick enough as the first is expected in the second half of 09 and taking in the usually delays we probably won?t see a Motorola android until 2010.
Then there?s the way Motorola is going to save cash $800 million in 09 to be precise which no doubt, and they intend doing that by shedding employees by the shed load, 3000 from the company, of which 2000 will be from its mobile phone division.
by Techno Witch on October 31, 2008
You may have thought that the HTC Touch HD packed in the pixels, but along comes the Aquos Fulltouch 931SH slider mobile phone from Softbank and Sharp with 1024 x 480 3.8 inch touch-screen, which is virtually the same resolution as a netbook!
Apart from the screen, the Aquos Fulltouch 931SH is a fairly solid feature phone from Softbank that features the likes of 3G, 5.2 megapixel camera with image stabiliser, 1seg TV tuner, browser, Bluetooth with A2DP, media player, accelerometer and a microSD expansion slot.
Basically all the regular stuff you?d fine in a feature phone, but the big pull has to be that high pixel screen. No word on availability or pricing though.
by Techno Witch on October 30, 2008
Sony?s eBook Reader is now available in cherry red. The interesting thing, however, is that with two circle wheel control knobs at the button, the reader looks like a portrait version of an Etch a Sketch. (memo to Hasbro, get on that, will ya?)
Aside from the cosmetic changes, the Sony eBook reader is exactly the same. Users can install and read novels using Sony?s patented eInk technology, play mp3s and view JPG pictures.
It?s built in memory can hold a library of up to 160 books and newspaper editions. The patented (and proprietary) e-Ink technology makes the electronic image look like traditional print on its six inch screen, and pressing the button shows an animated page turn to the next page ? kinda fun. And because it has no backlight, the image doesn?t flicker and as such, is easier on the eyes, but more difficult to read in darker, ambient light.
A handy bookmark feature helps keep the reader in place, and it?s magnification option helps vision challenged readers to enjoy reading as well. Battery life is judged, rather interestingly, at 7500 continuous page turns sincethe E Ink screen only uses battery power when you are changing pages.
The one problem Sony?s eBook reader has ? other than being mistaken for a child?s drawing toy ? is that PDF files are hit and miss compatibility wise since Sony?s obsession with proprietary technology can make anything outside of their sphere of influence questionable to use. Even if it says it will.
But can it give the Kindle a run for its money? Quality wise, it can, but it needs to drop it?s price more to compete on price point and so it?s doubtful it?ll hold ground in this economy. Cost is around $275 from Amazon.
Hat tip ? Shiny Shiny
by Techno Witch on October 30, 2008
Okay this is sweet. If you love listening and playing music, you can now connect your headphones, and your guitar to the First Act DK1000 Stereo Docking Station. Because it not only works as a docking station for your iTouch, but also as a guitar amplifier.
That?s right, real guitar heroes can connect their axe to the DK1000 and jam right along with the you iPod. It?ll work with either electric guitar or an acoustic with built in pickups. Meanwhile, the DK1000 will pop out 40 Watts of RMS power through it?s complete array of speakers and dynamic tweeters.
The dock also charges most iPods as well with a standard 30 pin connector, and its built-in V-Stack powered preamp will provide the necessary juice to turn any guitar up to eleven. The DK1000 is also rather stylish with classic rugged wooden cabinet construction and hand-wrapped vinyl covering that?s completed by the amp-style corners and handle.
And for about $100, it?s a pretty affordable addition to any bands growing collection of audio equipment. And with the ability to play tunes with the iPod, garage bands can lay down tracks of various instruments and then play along to make their band bigger and their sound fuller.
Add a mixer and you’re really be swingin’.
Available from Amazon.
Hat Tip ? Chip Chick
by Techno Witch on October 30, 2008
Research in Motion are not just bringing you the BlackBerry Pearl Flip in black, but now BlackBerry fans can from today purchase the BlackBerry Pearl 8220 in a gorgeous red.
The Pearl Flip 8220 has the clamshell design, and in-fact is the first BlackBerry to be designed as a clamshell, if you want to get your hands on one the Pearl will set you back $149.99 for either colour, with the phone you will get a two year contract.
Well the Pearl has to live up to the BlackBerry name with the BlackBerry Bold just released and the BlackBerry Storm coming in November, each phone has its own qualities that shine through, the clamshell design is clearly what makes this BlackBerry Pearl flip shine above the rest.
Although if I had to chose between the BlackBerry Storm and the BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8220 I would go for the Storm without a doubt, but for the colour conscious maybe now with the availability of the Pearl in the snazzy red this is the smartphone for you.
by Techno Witch on October 30, 2008
I?m sure you are probably looking at this picture and wondering: ?How is this speaker standing up?? That is a good question, and I believe the answer lies in a high-density ballast located at the base.
What you are looking at is the YO, an iPod speaker system designed by an American designer Victor Vetterlein. These speakers are both wireless and detachable, and they charge on the dock. I don?t know if it charges the iPod either, but it should.
In fact, the designer wants to charge the unit with renewable energy sources such as wind power, solar power, or even hydroelectricity. I suppose anything that uses renewable energy sources has to be good, right?
For now, the designer might need to settle for lithium-ion rechargeable batteries in the dock, and they are also in the speakers themselves. This is one of the reasons why the speaker can stand like a kid?s inflatable punching bag.
These speakers are specially shaped in order to maximize the acoustic properties, and they are also completely waterproof.
The YO is still another concept that needs to be birthed into reality, but if the features really are that good, then a lot of people will be in line for this one.
Source
by Techno Witch on October 30, 2008
I know that I don?t do nearly enough of it, but there is nothing that I like to do more than just lay back and relax. I would have to say that this device, the Sonic Lounger, makes me want to do anything but relax.
I mean, this Sonic Lounger looks like something out of an alien autopsy video. I?m not talking about the one from Roswell, but ones where the aliens are using to do surgery on us. However, if your idea of relaxation is letting little robot arms touch you all over, perhaps the Sonic Lounger is the product for you.
Yes, the Sonic Lounger can massage and resonate the entire body with ?crystal clear vibration, transferring high fidelity music into the skin, bones and tissue? which will allow ?the subtleties of depth of sound that cannot be heard with the ears to be viscerally experienced?.
In other words, don?t let the crude look of metal pipes and cushion fool you. In the end, does it really matter what your relaxation table looks like? No, it is all about what it can make you feel like.
It sounds like the Sonic Lounger can make you feel pretty good. Of course, you may argue that the price of $9,000 might be too much.
Source
by Techno Witch on October 30, 2008
Even though I have a pet, I don?t have one of those pet doors. Of course, I have a Chocolate Labrador, and a burglar could easily fit through a dog door that big.
What if there was a way to put a lock on a pet door, and somehow give your pet the only key? This is a basic concept of the Pet Porte Microchip Cat Flap.
This pet door works by identifying a cat by its microchip implant, which is a trend of identification amongst pet owners. In case you are not familiar with this emerging technology, it allows a pet catcher with a specialized scanner to scan an implanted chip in a pet. This allows for proper identification of a pet that is better than an easily removable tag.
Too bad they don?t make a Pet Porte Microchip Dog Flap, because I could keep out burglars and still have the revolving door for my dog. However, the Pet Porte Microchip Cat Flap can successfully keep other cats out. This is especially good for owners who can?t stand it when uninvited cats use their pet door. No more sharing the Meow Mix!
If you would like to get down on this little bit of cat tech, it will cost about £127.00. You should be able to purchase it from the company website.
Source
