Gizmodo
iPhone 3G Reviews: Hardware, Software and Apps
Here's our Gizmodo iPhone 3G Review, iPhone Firmware 2.0 Review and our still updating iPhone App Review Marathon (89 apps total).
iPhone 3G
Here's our Gizmodo iPhone 3G Review, iPhone Firmware 2.0 Review and our still updating iPhone App Review Marathon (89 apps total).
Here's our Gizmodo iPhone 3G Review, iPhone Firmware 2.0 Review and our still updating iPhone App Review Marathon (89 apps total).
Scary Ass Weapons
WASP Knife Will Freeze and Blow Up Your Organs
Add this to my “Things to hyperventilate over” list: British police are on the lookout for something called a WASP Knife, a weapon that injects a ball of compressed gas into its victim that then expands to the size of a basketball, instantly freezing and exploding their internal organs. The blade, which was designed to help hunters and divers bring down large wild animals quickly, could possibly be bought on the internet by serial killing-minded crooks. Look at what it does to a watermelon! More »
Patriotism
Over the past three years, according to the Washington Post, the Air Force has asked to pull $16.2 million from counter-terrorism funds to build "comfort capsules," sealed rooms installed in large military planes decked out with beds, a couch, 37-inch flat-screen monitor, and other amenities "to reflect the rank of the senior leaders using the capsule." The Project on Government Oversight says that these capsules actually have "no special communications or work capabilities beyond those already available for top officials." And yes, they already have two high-end add-ons for top brass, as well 100 special VIP planes. But they don't have swiveling leather chairs custom-designed by top generals.
More »
Air Force Wants to Use Millions in Anti-Terrorism Funds to Build Luxury "Comfort Capsules"
Over the past three years, according to the Washington Post, the Air Force has asked to pull $16.2 million from counter-terrorism funds to build "comfort capsules," sealed rooms installed in large military planes decked out with beds, a couch, 37-inch flat-screen monitor, and other amenities "to reflect the rank of the senior leaders using the capsule." The Project on Government Oversight says that these capsules actually have "no special communications or work capabilities beyond those already available for top officials." And yes, they already have two high-end add-ons for top brass, as well 100 special VIP planes. But they don't have swiveling leather chairs custom-designed by top generals.
More »
Web tools
HealthMap Gives Lowdown on Disease Outbreaks, Could Save Lives
Scientists are using the power of the web to track and find real disease outbreaks. Every hour, HealthMap, an infectious disease-tracking website, feeds off of news, public health list serves, and the World Health Organization's online pages to survey the spread of infections. With help from Google, the program has identified 95 percent of all disease outbreaks, sometimes days before the WHO or international disease control agencies can announce them. More »
iphone unlock
The iPhone 2.0 Pwnage Tool is now available, weighing in at 19.7MB. It came slightly earlier than expected, but I'm sure nobody's complaining that they can now unlock their iPhones and iPod touches a day early. Grab it on the iPhone Dev Site. It only jailbreaks, not unlocks the iPhone 3G, so you'll have to wait a little longer for that one. [iPhone Dev Blog]
iPhone Pwnage Tool 2.0 Now Available (Jailbreak and Unlock)
The iPhone 2.0 Pwnage Tool is now available, weighing in at 19.7MB. It came slightly earlier than expected, but I'm sure nobody's complaining that they can now unlock their iPhones and iPod touches a day early. Grab it on the iPhone Dev Site. It only jailbreaks, not unlocks the iPhone 3G, so you'll have to wait a little longer for that one. [iPhone Dev Blog]
Asus eee pc 1000h
Eee PC 1000H Price Drops, Now $549
Looks like Asus listened to us when we complained about the price of their biggest and best Eee PC yet, the Eee PC 1000H. It's been on sale for less than a week, but Newegg's already dropped the price by $100. In case that was the only thing preventing you from taking a bite out of Eee, go pick it up now for $549. [Mobile Stylus]
Batman
One of the many exciting aspects of The Dark Knight is how the movie incorporated IMAX shots. Friends who watched the film have called the shots absolutely stunning and incredibly immersive; another reason why this is the Best. Movie. Ever. Having yet to see it, I can only sigh wistfully and aggregate information on how it was done. Popular Mechanics has a great write-up of the challenges in shooting with an IMAX camera, including a behind-the-scenes video on how the action came together.
More »
Behind the IMAX in The Dark Knight
One of the many exciting aspects of The Dark Knight is how the movie incorporated IMAX shots. Friends who watched the film have called the shots absolutely stunning and incredibly immersive; another reason why this is the Best. Movie. Ever. Having yet to see it, I can only sigh wistfully and aggregate information on how it was done. Popular Mechanics has a great write-up of the challenges in shooting with an IMAX camera, including a behind-the-scenes video on how the action came together.
More »
DIY
Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle for $3000
For DIYers with a lot more technical know-how than cash, an Instructables user has put up a really interesting tutorial on building an electric motorcycle using just $3000. The vehicle has a 70mph top speed, but can only go about 10 miles before it needs to be recharged. It's great for a quick trip to the store, if you don't make any unexpected stops along the way. With gas prices being what they are, you should probably try to make it so everything you would normally need to get to is less than 10 miles away anyhow. [Instructables via Uberreview]
Fcc
FCC Asked to Get Carriers to Hurry Up Local Number Portability Already
With all the advances in technology we've had over the last couple of decades, you'd think that something as simple as changing your land line number into a cellular one would take hours at most. At least Congress does, and its now urging the FCC to put rules in place that will speed up local number portability processing. More »
5:30 PM on Sat Jul 19 2008
By Elaine Chow
1,291 views,
12 comments
iPhone
First iPhone 2.0 Pwnage Tool Out Tomorrow
The iPhone Dev hints rather strongly on their official blog that the much anticipated Pwnage tool that'll jailbreak phones running the 2.0 software so you can install unofficial apps alongside those from the App store will be released tomorrow. Usually I hate Sundays, but apparently not tomorrow. UPDATE: Nevermind, it's out.[iPhone Dev Team Blog]
Windows 95
After he left Microsoft, Satoshi Nakajima, the lead architect of Windows 95 and a "defining force" in the creation of Internet Explorer 3.0, wanted to understand why people were so into Apple. He picked up a Mac two years ago and decided he'd never use a PC again. Now his company, Big Canvas, develops apps for the iPhone. Their first app for the iPhone, PhotoShare, isn't bad, but it's another photo service to sign up for, and we just wanna use Flickr, damn it.
More »
Windows 95 Lead Architect Is a Mac Convert, Launches First iPhone App
After he left Microsoft, Satoshi Nakajima, the lead architect of Windows 95 and a "defining force" in the creation of Internet Explorer 3.0, wanted to understand why people were so into Apple. He picked up a Mac two years ago and decided he'd never use a PC again. Now his company, Big Canvas, develops apps for the iPhone. Their first app for the iPhone, PhotoShare, isn't bad, but it's another photo service to sign up for, and we just wanna use Flickr, damn it.
More »
Concept
Cryptex Phone Concept Makes Calls a Puzzling Experience
Sometimes I pick up my phone and say to myself “Gee, this communication device just isn't cryptic enough. It's too user friendly and not enough like a puzzle out of the Da Vinci Code.” Apparently designer Marc Schömann was listening in, because he's now created a baton style mobile that forces you to twist sections of it to make calls. More »
Robots
Robots of the Future Will Show Empathy, Be Good Listeners
European researchers are developing a software that will give robots the power to learn when a person is sad, happy or angry. The Feelix Growing project is putting together simple robots that can detect different parameters—facial expressions, voice and proximity—to determine emotional states. The aim of the project is to develop a robot that can serve humans with special needs, such as the ill and the elderly. Using adaptable neural networks, the robot can learn the correct way to respond to people's emotions from experience. More »
psystar
Psystar HQ Up for Sale, Buy It Now for $4.6 Million
Not looking so good on the Psystar front. Following Apple's inevitable lawsuit and demand that every Mac clone be recalled, apparently their HQ is on the market and "priced for quick sale" by owners Constructora Canahuati. "Find new headquarters" is a hell of an addition to an already busy to-do list. [Yahoo!, Thanks Sean!]
PSA
If you Google "iPhone apps," the first thing that comes up is iPhoneApps.org, a site selling a bundle of "top 10" iPhone applications for $25 using "safe PayPal." Friends, there's nothing safe about this site. It's a scam. The iTunes App Store is the exclusive distributor of official iPhone apps, period. Don't get your apps anywhere else. Tell your friends and family. If you're savvy enough to use Installer.app, this PSA is not for you, obviously (I mean, you know you can get all this stuff for free, right?). [Thanks Blake!]
Beware iPhone App Scams
If you Google "iPhone apps," the first thing that comes up is iPhoneApps.org, a site selling a bundle of "top 10" iPhone applications for $25 using "safe PayPal." Friends, there's nothing safe about this site. It's a scam. The iTunes App Store is the exclusive distributor of official iPhone apps, period. Don't get your apps anywhere else. Tell your friends and family. If you're savvy enough to use Installer.app, this PSA is not for you, obviously (I mean, you know you can get all this stuff for free, right?). [Thanks Blake!]
iPhone Apps
Tip: iPhone Remote Is a Wi-Fi Keyboard for Apple TV, Prevents Aneurysms
Apple TV's onscreen keyboard is an exercise in stress management, especially with its morsel of a remote. Not pimped by Apple is that the iPhone's Remote app solves this by presenting the iPhone's keyboard anytime you need to type and would otherwise pop a blood vessel, like when you're searching for "Jay and Seth Vs. the Apocalypse" on YouTube or plumbing through iTunes. Handy for the weekend, no? [Daring Fireball via Mac Rumors]
Toys
Bandai Smart Berry to Train Next Generation of Female Executives
Little girls in Japan will get their chance today to act out their fantasies of being American corporate tools, thanks to Bandai's new mobile communicator “Smart Berry” toy, which kind of looks like a Mylo done up in pastel colors. The Smart Berry includes a touchscreen LCD panel measuring roughly 2 inches by 1.4 inches, a slide- out keyboard, and Wi-Fi capabilities for email, chat and online games. More »
crash landings
These photos, taken from a Flickr set, show what appears to be some sort of crashed spacecraft in London's Potters Field. They offer no explanation as to what's going on over there across the pond. Do any of you know what this is? Movie shoot? Publicity stunt? Photoshoppery? Actual alien invasion? Let's hear your guesses, both educated and uneducated, in the comments. Update: It's an ad for a new car. Boo.
[Flickr via NotCot]
What the Hell is Going On in Potters Field?
These photos, taken from a Flickr set, show what appears to be some sort of crashed spacecraft in London's Potters Field. They offer no explanation as to what's going on over there across the pond. Do any of you know what this is? Movie shoot? Publicity stunt? Photoshoppery? Actual alien invasion? Let's hear your guesses, both educated and uneducated, in the comments. Update: It's an ad for a new car. Boo. [Flickr via NotCot]
