Gizmodo: 2

Asus Eee PC 1008P Netbook: Next-Gen Atom N450 Processor, Garishly Pink

Danny Allen — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 10:30:00 EST

HardwareZone got the scoop on this upcoming Seashell 2 netbook designed by Karim Rashid. It has a 1.8GHz Pineview Atom N450 CPU, Windows 7, and a new slide-out battery…but its other specs are boringly normal—no Nvidia Ion graphics.

Actually, the slide-out battery isn't the only change compared to the original Seashell 1008HA (which had a non-removable battery). The keyboard on this 10-inch screen revision has gone chiclet, and there's a new VGA adapter that connects via mini-USB, and hides away in a recess underneath the netbook.

Those other standard specs I mentioned look to include 1GB of RAM, 160GB hard disk, 802.11n Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. And if pink isn't your thing, Fudzilla also has pics of the faux crocodile skin finish in brown.

It's extremely likely this will be one of several Asus netbooks we'll see at CES in January, and also one of many using Intel's Pine Trail-M platform. We already know MSI will have a Pine Trail-based 10-inch touchscreen U150 netbook at the show. Good times. [Hardware Zone (Update: Story removed) via Netbooked]

NZXT Sentry 2 Touchscreen Fan Belongs In KITT's Dashboard

Jesus Diaz — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 11:50:00 EDT

This is the NZXT Sentry 2 fan controller. It installs into any 5.25-inch bay, and you can use its touch screen interface to set the speed of up to five fans. Note: Leather pants are not included. [NZXT via BBG]

Lego Mindstorms NXT 2.0 'Bots Can Spot Their Favorite Color

John Mahoney — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 16:50:00 EST

We got a look at the new Mindstorms NXT robotics kits from Lego. And a new sensor for the 2.0 version can, amazingly, detect the difference between colors. Cool.

Robotics nuts can do amazing things with the NXT 'bots, so I'm excited to see what kind of projects evolve from the new kits' color-sensing eyes. Also new in 2.0 is the ability to load images and sounds into your robots memory, for displaying on the LCD screen or, more importantly, allowing it to speak with the sound sample of your choice.

I'm counting down the minutes until the first Christian Bale Mindstorms (he likes black) hits YouTube. [Toy Fair 2009]

iPhone Firmware 2.2 Beta 2 Goes Out to Developers: Still No Copy/Paste

Dan Nosowitz — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 12:40:00 EDT

So here's the deal. You don't get copy/paste. You don't get image or videos over MMS. And you still can't type your emails or text messages in landscape mode. BUT! If you've been dreaming about Google Street View, or, uh, walking directions... well, you're in luck, because Apple is listening to you and nobody else. One neat little tidbit, though: looks like the SDK is now supporting line-in audio devices, which could lead to some fun later on. Still, not a thrilling update. [Boy Genius Report]

Helio Ocean 2 Hits FCC, First Impression is Same-Old Same-Old

Haroon Malik — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 18:30:00 EDT

The FCC has just leaked this image of Helio's Ocean 2. How do we know that? Well, it's carrying an OZ2 model and OZ was the alternative moniker of the original Helio Ocean. We can't tell much else from the drawing, such as whether the Mark 2 Ocean will have the dual slider of its older brother, but we can see the body design will remain true to the original. However, having been overly impressed by the original, we're sure this baby is going to kick ass whenever it does land. [FCC via Crunch Gear]

Launch of Hitachi's EMIEW 2 Robot Goes a Bit Awry

AddyDugdale — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 16:00:48 EST

Its full name is Excellent Mobility and Interactive Existence as Workmate, and this second-gen version of Hitachi's EMIEW office worker robot is a lot better looking than the original. At its launch today, however, things didn't quite go to plan, and what was meant to be a showcase in up-to-the-minute robot fabulousness turned into a ZOMG-I-think-it's-drunk moment.

Due to the unprecedented number of hits on the Hitachi website (everyone wanting a piece of the 31-inch high, 29-pound robot, I suppose), EMIEW 2's wireless communications took a beating, and the little android crashed into its desk, meaning he had to be put through his paces later on in the day.

The Mk 2 version sports Transformer-style legs and a weird face that looks like it's begging to have a Hello Kitty bow and whiskers drawn on it. It can get on its knees — something I always look for when I'm on the hunt for a new slave — as well as lift its feet over obstacles that are an inch off the ground. There's also a built-in radar system that, when it is working properly, stops it from bumping into objects in the room. [Pink Tentacle]

Zune Flash Player in the Urban Jungle

Haroon Malik — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 10:00:00 EST

Zunerama community member, ed, claims to have already purchased a new Zune flash player, days before the expected official release. Apparently, the player was acquired from an Office Depot in St. Louis. (Again, if any of you could somehow manage to get one to us before the launch, we'll cough up for them). Ed has not had much fun time with his new player, as the device will not function without an impending firmware release! Check out the blurry gallery below:

Our man with the spanking flash player had the cheek to call Microsoft and demand what the deal was. They told him the firmware will be released on Tuesday, until then he was told to be patient, as for now he's holding "a bit of the future." Holding a bit of the future could well be dangerous, as we all know from Marty's shenanigans when he purchased that book in the future and brought it back to the present, thus enabling him to make a killing on sports bets—but it went pear shaped, didn't it Marty? Yes, yes it did. Respect the future, people. [Zunerama]

Dealzmodo: TiVo Series 2 Free After Rebate

Jason Chen — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 14:00:29 EDT

TiVo must be wanting to clear out its back stock of Series 2 machines, because we haven't see many of these free after rebate deals for a while. From now until September 8 (when the rebate expires), you can your own 80-hour Series 2 for $0 after mail-in rebate. Your service has to be activated by October 8, or else everything gets thrown out the window. [Bargainist]

Apple ]['s 30th Birthday

Brian Lam — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 14:51:25 EDT

The Apple ][ was the first ~~Mac~~Apple [Update: Thx for the fact-check, fanboys] I'd ever used. I spent Summers in Hong Kong with the grandparents, and one year I got computer "lessons" on it. When I say lessons, I mean playing Ghostbusters. That game came out in 1984, which is seven years after the Apple ][ launched, and actually even a few years after the Apple III (1980, turd). Pretty amazing little machine, with its 1MHz Processor and 4K of RAM. (Although I think mine was a more powerful Apple ][e.)

[Wiki, RetroThing and TUAW. Image of the Apple I adopted for use from The Joy of Tech]

Motorola RAZR 2, A Huge Gallery Covering Every Angle

Charlie White — Tue, 15 May 2007 15:45:06 EDT

The Motorola RAZR 2 is slimmer and sexier than before, so what better way to show you its pulchritude than a gallery spread of cool shots? Feast your eyes, cellphone mavens and even those of you who can't stand the sight of the things. Even you may like this one. Feast 'em good. – Charlie White

Want more? Join us on our video tour!

Bang & Olufsen Bluetooth EarSet 2

Jason Chen — Tue, 12 Dec 2006 20:00:01 EST

If you're a fan of overpriced handsets and headsets from B&O, you'll definitely enjoy the Bluetooth EarSet 2, which retails for about $413 in Korea. Yes, that's a bluetooth headset that costs more than most people's phones. Unless this EarSet 2 continuously makes our ears orgasm—or eargasm—we think it's a no go on this device. – Jason Chen

Bang & Olufsen to launch 'Bluetooth EarSet 2' in Korea [AVING via Mobile Mag]

B&O Discovers Bluetooth

Louis Ramirez — Thu, 09 Nov 2006 13:05:59 EST

If you still have some dough left over after splurging on the Serene, B&O will soon be offering an update to the Earset 1, the aptly named Earset 2. It's their first Bluetooth headset (welcome to 2006, guys) and it uses two omnidirectional mics to transmit better quality sound than your run-of-the-mill wireless headset. One thing we do like about the unit, it doesn't appear to have that flashing blue "mug-me" light that most Bluetooth headsets have. But light or no light, at $200 dollars, this is one headset we'll skip. – Louis Ramirez

Bang & Olufsen [via SlashGear]

Silver PlayStation 2 Officially Announced

Jason Chen — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 16:30:26 EST

Despite the PS3 and Wii consoles being oh-so-close to launching for our greedy little faces, there are actually pretty decent PS2 games due out in the next year. That's why Sony's announcing the release of a limited edition Silver PS2, which will retail for $130 and come with one DualShock controller.

If your PS2 is about to break, or if you really want to torment your kid who wanted a PS3 but was a spoiled little brat this year, grab one of these and play through Final Fantasy XII, God of War 2, and whatever else is coming this season. Oh, and maybe you can save up these PS2 controllers for use on your PS3. – Jason Chen

Silver PS2 Announced [Kotaku]

MobiBLU Cube 2 Now Available - Ditches Walmart?

Mark Wilson — Sat, 14 Oct 2006 12:30:27 EDT

The MobiBLU Cube 2 is officially out in the US. The MP3 playback is improved with WOW HD sound enhancement technology from SRS Labs (for whatever that's worth). Also, the Cube 2 features a 65k color OLED screen that can playback WMA movies at a massive .5-inches and supports PlaysforSure.

The Cube 2 comes in 4 colors (collect them all). Sizes range from 1-2gb ($100-$120), while the battery life is still only rated for 10 hours audio playback (5 for video). Even with a better screen, we would like to see a longer lasting battery.

But the big surprise? The new version is available on the manufacturer's site, Amazon, and NOT Walmart. The original MobiBLU was Walmart exclusive, so this is shocking news. Guess we have absolutely no reason to visit that store again. – Mark Wilson

Product Page [via anythingbutipod]

Bang & Olufsen Intros HDR 2 Hard Disk Recorder, Records in Living Color

Charlie White — Wed, 11 Oct 2006 09:59:21 EDT

Bang & Olufsen, the dumb blonde of the consumer electronics industry, rolled out the HDR 2, a hard disk video recorder that amounts to a PVR that stores 60 hours of standard definition video. It makes a half-hearted attempt at competing with TiVo, sorting episodes and deleting the oldest ones, but not much else. It also hooks up to the company's overpriced BeoLink system, letting you stream its recordings to any TV in the house.

Another great feature of this recorder is its ability to record television programs in color. Hello, Bang & Olufsen? Consider high-definition—maybe you've heard of it. It just might catch on. Good luck with this 980 ($1830) brick. It's just laughable. – Charlie White

Bang and Olufsen unveil the HDR 2 hard disk recorder [Pocket Lint]

Who Needs a PSP When You Have A PalmPS2?

Jason Chen — Mon, 11 Sep 2006 17:46:03 EDT

From the maker of the PalmPSOne comes the PalmPS2, a hand-held version of Sony's last, greatest console. The PPS2 takes all the innards of a regular PS2 and mounts it into a "slim" case with a DVD drive an an LCD. Taking many, many man-hours to build—including a full day of sanding—this PPS2 can play every PS2 game you can play on your regular console. Best yet, the maker used as many PS2 parts as possible, truly making it a portable PS2.

Before you ask, it's one of a kind and unless you commission the guy, he probably won't make another one for you. – Jason Chen

Project Page [PalmPS2]

Intel Core 2 Duos In, Puts Intel Back On Top

Jason Chen — Fri, 14 Jul 2006 15:34:05 EDT

This year we've been hearing lots of the Core Duo, especially when it comes to the media and their loads of Apple laptop news. But now the reviews of the Core 2 Duos are in, and they've supplanted the Athlon 64 FX as the top pocessor out now.

The results also show a significant advantage for Intel over AMD by pretty much every metric that counts to power users: price, performance, power consumption, and all the combinations of those three.

We'll spare you the extreme details that you need a degree in EE to understand—we have one and we still don't—but suffice it to say that the Core 2's performance on everything was excellent. The $316 Core 2 Duo E6600 is a great deal for the power it's got, and if you're after the most amount of power, there's the Core 2 Extreme X6800 at $999.

If you're into the nitty gritty like charts and performance comparisons, check out the links below. – Jason Chen

Intel's Core 2 Duo and Core 2 Extreme processors
Conroe at last [Tech Report via Ars Technica]

Last Chance: Windows Vista Beta 2 Download

Charlie White — Fri, 30 Jun 2006 10:48:18 EDT

If you're thinking of downloading Beta 2 of Windows Vista, you might want to get on it right away, because the last day for either downloading the software or ordering the DVD is today, June 30. According to Microsoft blogger Ian Moulster,

"In case you weren't aware, we are only providing a limited number of copies of Windows Vista Beta 2—either download or physical copies—and we're fast approaching the cutoff point. What this means is—if you want to get a copy, get it now (and I mean now)."

We've been toying with this Beta 2 of Windows Vista, and although we had a few installation woes—it wouldn't install on our first attempt—it's a smooth-running Beta with no crashes so far, and the new Aero interface looks positively swank. We wanted to try out the Beta version of Office 2007 along with Vista, but that didn't work out at all. It simply wouldn't install. We've heard the two don't like each other for some reason. Perhaps that's why the release of Office 2007 has been delayed again. Guess that's why they call it "Beta." – Charlie White

Get Vista beta 2 before we stop downloads/orders [Ian Moulster's Blog, via Lifehacker]