Gizmodo: Boston

MIT Student Hackers Revealing How to Get Free Subway Rides Is National Security Threat

matt buchanan — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 11:30:00 EDT

"Want free subway rides for life?" teased the description of the talk "Anatomy of a Subway Hack" by three MIT students at DefCon this past weekend, where they planned to explain security flaws in the payment system for Boston's T subway. Live! They were going to demo how they cracked the system's CharlieCard smartcards and the mag-stripe on its paper CharlieTickets and offer up open source tools they made while conducting their research, among other gaping holes. Apparently, however, that “constitutes a threat to public health or safety,” and “affects a computer system used by a government agency for national security purposes.”

At least, that's what the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority's lawsuit against the students, their professor and the university claims. They argue that the students actually ran afoul of the federal Computer Fraud and Abuse Act because one of the fare cards "constitutes a computer," and that because the MBTA works with the Department of Homeland Security, national security, yadda yadda. End result, the judge agreed and gagged the students for at least 10 days, so they couldn't give their talk (you can still check out the presentation here though). The students say that they believed the matter had been resolved before the restraining order was filed, and didn't realize that the MBTA wanted a full copy of the presentation.

The Electronic Frontier Foundation is currently repping the students, and says that the judge came to "a very, very wrong conclusion" and that the decision "has a tremendous chilling effect on sharing this sort of research. . . . And we intend to fight it with everything we've got." [Wired, WSJ, The Tech via Alley Insider]

First Tour: Huge Boston Apple Store

Jordan Golson — Wed, 14 May 2008 13:01:00 EDT

We're here at the Boylston Street Apple Store for Media Day. No line outside, but plenty of reporters playing with the toys. Ron Johnson, Apple's SVP of Retail, is here with hizonnah Mayor Thomas Menino to open the largest Apple Store in the country (confirmed!). The Mayah "loves" the store and made a joke at the expense of the Back Bay Architectural Commission, which was hesitant to approve the project. Menino said he wasn't a fan of the prior building and didn't know why anyone would want to save it for "historical" reasons. Get more details on the new location after the jump.

Head of Apple Retail Ron Johnson gave some insight into the planning behind the Boylston Street location. The spot was picked out in 2000, but took eight years of planning to get it built. Because of Apple's recent success, the store has grown significantly from what was originally planned. If the store were built back in 2000, when the retail initiative was just getting started, it would have been one floor. If it were built in 2005, when the iPod was just taking off, it would have been two floors. Now, with the success of the iPhone, iPod and Mac lines, the store has three floors.

The first floor is all Mac, the company's "most important product" according to Johnson. Floor two is dedicated to iPod, iPhone and all the third party accessories Apple offers. The third floor is dedicated to service, with a massive Genius Bar, sections for one-on-one, workshops and a second location for Apple's new "Pro Labs" initiative.

The Genius Bar, which boasts 17 black stools, can serve 1,000 people per day at full capacity, with the store open from 8AM to 11PM.

The store is also environmentally friendly, with vegetation on the roof and a rainwater recollection system which directs water from the roof directly into the Back Bay water table.

The store opens tomorrow, Thursday the 15th, at 6PM.(Roof photo by Joyce Hannon. All others by Jordan Golson)

First Look: Boston Apple Store Uncovered

Adrian Covert — Tue, 13 May 2008 21:10:44 EDT

Here's the first look at the new largest Apple Store in the U.S, courtesy of John Sheehy. Last time we saw the glass mammoth, it was covered up in an unsightly green sheet. Upon viewing this pic, you're expected to fall to your knees, shed an awe-inspired tear, and proceed to the nearest Apple Store — where you will buy large amounts of Apple gear. [Thanks, John]

New Boston Apple Store Largest In The United States (Updated Again)

Jordan Golson — Mon, 05 May 2008 13:41:08 EDT

Later this month, Apple is opening its latest flagship store on Boylston Street in Boston. The store's main claim to fame? It's huge. We're talking largest Apple Store in the ~~world~~ country, by square footage. The store, in the city's historic Back Bay district, looks like a four-story glass cube. It's the first store inside Boston proper and the first with (finally) easy subway access. According to a store employee, it's a good thing Boylston Street is so big: Apple estimates 1,500-2000 customers/hour will visit — more than 10 times the 160/hour that the average store gets. It's something else inferiority-complex ravaged Bostonians can hold over New York. UPDATE May 13 2008: An Apple spokesperson has confirmed this is the largest store in the United States, besting the Fifth Avenue store in New York, but still smaller than Regent Street in London.
(Photos by Jordan Golson)

Sorry, I'm not so sure this is even close to the biggest. I am stupid. Some other sites have questioned this claim. Apple has never been forthcoming with information on upcoming stores, so we have to work this one out on our own.

~~The Boston Globe claimed back in 2007 that the store would be 21,350 square feet. The current largest location, the Regent Street store in London, has somewhere around 28,000 square feet of space.~~

~~ifoAppleStore says "...the [Boylston Street] lot is only 6,384 square-feet, so the store would have to be at least five stories to be larger than Regent Street (London), at 28,000 s.f."~~

The store is at least four stories above ground, (if you include the half-length fourth story that is hidden from street view) and likely has a floor or two of basement for stock-keeping purposes. This easily puts the store in the 26-32,000 sq ft range needed to beat Regent Street. There also may be discrepancies here between "sales space" and "back-of-house" space and what the employee meant by "largest in the world."

~~Apple hasn't gotten back to repeated requests for confirmation. Tag this one "plausible."~~

Judge Rules Making Files 'Available' Doesn't Constitute Copyright Violation

Jason Chen — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 14:00:00 EDT

A Boston judge has just followed up on the previous NY judge ruling that just making files available isn't enough to constitute copyright infringement. According to the EFF, it's the most "extensive analysis yet of the recording industry's 'making available' argument", but doesn't actually make things better for people who are being sued by the RIAA. The same judge ruled that even though the "offer to distribute" won't be enough to decide a case, it is enough to permit a lawsuit to move forward. On the other hand, another NY judge has ruled in the opposite manner, that making an "offer to distribute" could violate copyright, even if nobody downloaded whatever you put up. [EFF via Boing Boing]

New Video of BigDog Quadruped Robot Is So Stunning It's Spooky

Jesus Diaz — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 10:47:49 EDT

Update: If you were amazed by this, don't miss the hilarious spoof. It's even better. Boston Dynamics keeps working on their BigDog quadruped robot, which will probably grow to be the future AT-AT of the Pentagon. Its evolution since the last time we saw it is nothing sort of mindblowing, and a bit spooky.

It looks like an actual biological quadruped. Seeing it climb through rubble, snow, jumping over obstacles like a wild goat, and saving a near-fall on iced ground at the last second (fast forward to the middle of the video) defies belief. It feels so "animal" that I almost feel bad when they hit it to demonstrate how it regains balance on its own.

The new version of the robot can now carry 340 pounds, which is almost triple the previous weight. It looks to me that that $10 million funding they got from Darpa has been put to good use. [IEEE]

Researchers Create Bionic Eye Prototype, Render Guide Dogs Obsolete

Adrian Covert — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 21:39:44 EDT

The Boston Retinal Implant Project recently developed a bionic eye implant that will restore vision to those affected by degenerative blindness. The device works by being implanted into the back of the eyeball and working as a light transmitter to the brain, where the two are connected by a nerve/wire thinner than a human hair.

Now, the technology has its limitations; it won't give sight to those born blind or who suffer glaucoma, nor will it offer perfect vision. Only for those who previously had sight, and a semi-functional optical nerve, is this possible. The idea is that it will give the blind a general sense of their surroundings so they can function on a basic level. But researchers do hope to improve the technology so that users can recognize things like facial detail and expressions in the future. [Boston Herald via Crunch Gear]

Boston Getting LED'ed On ATHF Mooninite Anniversary

Jason Chen — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 13:50:37 EST

Those of us not brain damaged enough to remember stuff from a year ago will recall the crazy response Boston had to the LED Mooninites plastered around their city to promote the Aqua Teen Hunger Force movie. This elite group of people lacking severe head trauma sure didn't forget, and they're definitely not letting the city of Boston forget it either as they're throwing up even more Mooninite LEDs today in celebration of the crapfest that happened last year. 1-31-07, a day that will live on in internet DIY nerd infamy. [MAKE]

HRex Robot Can Conquer Any Terrain with Manic Thrashing

Adam Frucci — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 14:15:00 EST

The adorable Boston Dynamics RHex robot uses a combo of legs, wheels and paddles to cover pretty much any terrain, water included. It looks like some sort of frantic animal as it thrashes around in the grass and the sand, but it manages to make it through every time. Lil' RHex is remote controllable from up to half a kilometer away using onboard front and rear cameras, and it's even available for sale now. The bad news is that you need to get in touch for a price quote, so you know what that means: you can't afford one. Pity. [Product Page via BotJunkie]

A 10-year-old boy locked himself in a gun ...

Adrian Covert — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 22:13:35 EDT

A 10-year-old boy locked himself in a gun safe at a Sam's Club store near Boston. It took 30 minutes to get him out. [WCVB TV via The Obscure Store]

The Field Guide to Faux-Surround Soundbars

Wilson Rothman — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 22:58:29 EDT

OK, we're calling it: this is the year of the sound bar, those long, slender speaker boxes that you see freakin' everywhere. (Today alone we mentioned three companies introducing a total of six new models!) When our very own Brian Lam was at CES this past January, he heard the editor-in-chief of a top home Audiophile/Videophile magazine tell one of his lead sound gear writers "audio is just dead." That kind of talk is not unexpected—it's about as shocking as a French wine critic calling Australian shiraz "the end of civilization." We all know sound bars have a place, but what have they done to 5.1? As you may have noticed, not all sound bars are surround bars. Here's the breakdown of most currently available models:

Active surround sound: Plug and play, no external amp needed
Philips Ambisound ($1,000) - You get a lot for your money with this one. Not only is it an active surround system, but it comes with an iPod dock and has a built-in DVD player.

Yamaha YSP series ($900 to $1,800) - Real deal audio projectors rely on reflection against back walls and a particular sweet spot, but often do very well to convey the 3D sound feel. The new flagship does video upscaling via HDMI and can handle iPods and XM radio.

Yamaha YAS-70 ($600) - This is very promising, for the money. It's meant specifically for smaller rooms, but promises the same surround as its siblings. And like the YSPs, it also requires a separate subwoofer.

SoundMatters SlimStage (Still "Under $1,000") - A powered sound-bar billed as slim yet so powerful and rich in frequency range, it doesn't even need a separate subwoofer. Too bad it hasn't shipped yet. When it does, it will succeed the $429 MainStage HD.

Denon DHT-FS3 Active Surround Sound System ($1,200) - 5-channel built-in amplifier for surround, plus a powered 50-watt subwoofer. (Three digital inputs, one analog one.)

Passive surround sound: Needs a little juice
Polk SurroundBar50 ($1,100) and SurroundBar ($950) - Delivers true five-channel sound, but does it the old fashioned way: It requires a 5.1 amplifier, like an A/V receiver or a home theater in a box. Also, you still need to supply a subwoofer.

Stereo sound bars: Not true surround, but you can fool some people some time
Boston Acoustics TVee Model Two ($400) - Today's Boston Acoustics entrant promises just 2.1, with a wireless "woofer" for middle to low-end fillout.

ZVOX ($200 to $600) - A bit chunky and stereo all the way, this all-in-one speakerbox has a cult following because of how much it eerily mimics surround sound with nothing more than stereo source. Great for people who just don't care about things creeping up from the rear.

A few of you audiophile folks might be wondering where some of your favorite sound bars are, like the Paradigm 3-in-1, the Mirage Uni-Theater or the Atlantic FS-5000 Flat Screen Speaker. These are all pretty awesome speaker bars, but they don't fulfill the specific goal of the others: they don't keep you from installing surround speakers behind your couch. Anyone who buys one of these and not use it as a complete surround system (in some cases, by buying a second to mount in the rear) is just dumb, or at least should have probably stuck with that tasty ZVOX.

Well, are they the end of the world? I don't think so. As you can see, there are just too many different types at work here, some are bound to be good, others not so much. The most important takeaway for all of us, including that stuffy editor, is that in the coming year there will only be more, not less, of these. So it's good to know what we're in for.

New Boston Acoustics Speakers Can Hide In Plain Sight

Wilson Rothman — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 13:48:51 EDT

There are generally two kinds of speakers, the extra-big-ass kind that cost trillions and are meant to be regarded like fine if butt-ugly sculptures, and then the speakers most people actually want, that cost a reasonable amount and blend in, camouflaged with their domestic surroundings. Boston Acoustics today launched several sets of speakers of the second order, sporting a brand new BA logo.

The new Horizon stereo and surround sound systems come in Midnight with Onyx grilles or Mist with Silver grilles, but can be tricked out with six other grille colors using the Boston Acoustic "Personal Options Plan": in addition to Onyx and Silver, you can get Glacier, Rosebud, Pearl Gray, Caramel, Chocolat and Chili Pepper. Prices range from a couple hundred for a pair to $800 for a full-on deluxe 5.1 setup.

Cooler still, the small indoor/outdoor SoundWare speakers ($100 a piece) can mount in all sorts of places, angling every which way. They come in seven colors, and can be painted whatever color you damn well please.

Great Sound Gets an Exciting New Shape With Launch of Boston Acoustics "SoundWare" Loudspeakers
— Indoor/Outdoor Speakers Feature Unique Shape and One-of-a-Kind Mounting Bracket for Unprecedented Placement Flexibility —

Peabody, MA, August 13, 2007 — Boston Acoustics, Inc., a world-renowned manufacturer of high performance loudspeakers, has taken a fresh look at great sound with the introduction of its innovative and space-saving new SoundWare loudspeaker. The all-purpose 2-way SoundWare indoor/outdoor speaker offers an unprecedented range of easy and flexible mounting options, and makes it possible to enjoy high-performance audio in new and exciting ways. Ideal for use in restaurants, retail stores, homes, smaller apartments and even by outdoor entertainers, SoundWare speakers are a unique combination of sonic performance, space efficiency and application flexibility.

Enjoy the Amazing Disappearing Loudspeaker...
SoundWare speakers are designed to literally disappear into a surrounding décor if desired. Thanks to its unique shape and one-of-a-kind internal mounting bracket, a SoundWare speaker can be placed virtually anywhere - flush in a corner, flat on a wall, flat on a table or angled up 30 or 45 degrees on a flat surface. The 2 included brackets mount the speaker just 1 cm from any flat surface or flush in a corner. When mounted flush on a wall, the speaker can be articulated down or sideways to provide the ideal sonic angle.

Or Make It Stand Out with "Paint-Ready" Surfaces and Multiple Color Options...
For consumers who want to customize the look of their SoundWare speakers to stand out or complement the décor of any environment, they feature paint-ready cabinet surfaces. Additionally, they're available in seven colors, including Black, White, Silver, Just Red, Bamboo, Natural and Espresso.

Each SoundWare loudspeaker features a 4 ½-inch driver and a powerful 3/4" tweeter built into the high-tech plastic cabinet. Built from durable weather resistant materials, SoundWare offers a new level of space efficiency and placement flexibility for either indoor or outdoor soundscaping. For commercial applications there is a "Safety bar" on one of the speaker surfaces allowing for secondary independent security mounting if desired.

Noted Eli Harary, Boston Acoustics Sr. Vice-President & General Manager: "To create SoundWare, our design engineers basically went back to the drawing board to rethink what a loudspeaker can or should look like, and how it can integrate into any location. SoundWare literally means, 'great sound anywhere,' and that's exactly what the speakers offer. Without compromising on performance or quality, we've created a new type of speaker that provides consumers with placement options and ways to enjoy great sound that they've never imagined before. They can be installed into a corner, on the middle of a wall, where the wall meets the ceiling, outdoors and under eaves minimizing their visibility, or even behind a couch facing straight up for total invisibility as a great surround speaker."

Boston Acoustics SoundWare loudspeakers will be available this month for a suggested retail price of only $ 99.99 each.

Ushering in a New Era of Form and Function with Extraordinary Performance, Boston Acoustics Introduces Horizon,
a New Range of Stereo and Home Theater Products

— Elegantly Designed High-Performance Speakers Range from Compact Bookshelf to Floorstanding Models, Powered Subwoofers and More —

Peabody, MA, August 13, 2007 — Boston Acoustics, Inc., a world-renowned manufacturer of high-performance loudspeakers and entertainment products, is combining loudspeaker form and function in an elegant new way with the upcoming introduction of its Boston "Horizon" Series loudspeakers. Created with keen attention to aesthetic detail and design, Boston's Horizon speakers offer consumers a way to enjoy no-compromise audio performance while complementing the décor of virtually any room in the home.

The Boston Acoustics Horizon Series includes a range of ten different speaker sizes and configurations, from compact bookshelf models to full-sized floor-standing units to home theater LCR models and powered subwoofers. The line includes the following models: HS 40 4.5" 2-way bookshelf (SRP: $99.99); HS 50 5.25" 2-way bookshelf (SRP: $129.99); HS 60 6.5" 2-way bookshelf (SRP: $149.99); HS 225 Dual 5.25" 2-way LCR (SRP: $249.99); HS 450 dual 5.25" 2-way floor standing (SRP $299.95); and HS 460 dual 6.5" 2-way floor-standing (SRP: $399.95), as well an 8-inch wireless powered subwoofer, HPS 8Wi (SRP: $399.95), and three powered subwoofers, the 10" HPS10 SE (SRP: $299.99), HPS 10HO (SRP: $399.99) and 12" HPS 12HO (SRP: $499.99), with 150-, 250- and 300-watt built-in amplifiers respectively.

Horizon Speakers Look Great and "Play Smart™"
Boston Acoustics' Horizon Series loudspeakers exemplify the company's new Play Smart™ attitude and design philosophy, combining an element of design fun with extraordinary performance and sonic accuracy. From their soft-touch painted finish (all speakers are available in either mist with silver grilles or midnight with Onyx grilles) and integrated color coordinated rubber trim to their leading-edge audio technologies, Horizon speakers are designed to literally sound as good as they look. With their elegantly slim profiles and the soft smooth radiuses of their back cabinets, Boston Horizon Series speakers complement the décor of any room and offer no-compromise audio excellence.

"Make It Your Own" with Boston's Personal Option Plan (P.O.P.)
To make it easy for customers to express their personal taste and style and individualize the look of their Boston Horizon loudspeakers, they all feature Boston Acoustics' new P.O.P.(Personal Option Plan) design concept. P.O.P. lets users customize the look of their product using easily removable cloth grilles that are available in a wide variety of colors, including Glacier, Rosebud, Onyx, Pearl Gray, Caramel, Chocolat, Silver, and Chili Pepper. To purchase a new grille, customers can simply visit the Boston Acoustics website www.bostonacoustics.com/POP) and select the color of their choice or contact those dealers that will be stocking the grille color options.

Leading-Edge Technologies for Sonic Performance
Horizon loudspeakers are designed to excel in a wide range of listening applications, including both powerful home theater and advanced stereo and multi-channel music reproduction. Advanced technologies ensure excellence in audio reproduction. For example, a barely noticeable phase plug pole piece extension in all Horizon drivers improves
performance and clarity, soft-dome tweeters in all models deliver crystalline sound, and 5-way gold-plated binding posts ensure purity of signal transfer in all speaker connections.

Total Convenience Placement Flexibility
The small footprint choices of the bookshelf and LCR models in the Horizon line are ideal for placement on bookshelves, side tables, and desktops, and the dual-woofer LCR speaker is specifically designed to complement flat-panel video displays. All feature design-integrated wall-mounting brackets and adjustable footing that affords maximum placement flexibility. In addition to their 1" soft-dome tweeters and dual woofers, they incorporate both dual passive radiators as well as rear ports for incredible bass extension and output. And for easy portability and placement, both the HS 450 and HS 460 speakers feature integrated footings and a convenient recessed carrying handle.

Boston's Horizon Series Powered Subwoofers
The four subwoofers in Boston's Horizon Series provide powerful deep bass response. All are front firing, rear-ported configurations that feature amplifier-mounted controls (level, phase, auto power, line level input, LFE input) for maximum flexibility and customizable sound. Boston's Deep Channel Design (DCD) technology ensures dramatic and powerful bass performance. Boston Acoustics Horizon Series loudspeakers and the optional P.O.P. cloth grilles are scheduled for shipment to retailers in October 2007.

Boston Acoustics Debuts Two High-Performance Horizon Series 5.1-Channel Surround Sound Loudspeaker Systems
— Uniquely Styled Compact Systems Make It Easy to Add Dynamic, Room-Filling Surround Sound to Any Room in the House -
Peabody, MA, August 13, 2007 — Boston Acoustics, Inc., a world-renowned manufacturer of high performance loudspeakers and entertainment products, is making great multi-channel music and home theater surround sound simpler and more stylish with the upcoming introduction of its two new Horizon Series 5.1-Channel Surround Sound Loudspeaker Systems, Models MCS 130 (SRP: $799.99) and MCS 100 (SRP: $499.99).

Both Boston Horizon Series systems are designed to give consumers an easy way to add the dynamics and excitement of room-filling multi-channel audio to their home entertainment. In addition to their leading-edge sound reproduction technologies, the new systems feature a variety of design enhancements and aesthetic touches, such as gently contoured speaker cabinets and color-coordinated rubber trim, providing a stylish alternative to traditional surround sound speaker systems.

"Play Smart™" with Boston P.O.P.
Both systems feature the Boston Personal Options Plan (P.O.P.) design concept, which makes it easy for customers to express their personal taste and style and individualize the look of their systems. With P.O.P., owners can customize the look of their product using easily removable cloth grilles that are available in a wide variety of colors, including Glacier, Rosebud, Onyx, Pearl Gray, Caramel, Chocolat, Silver, and Chili Pepper. To purchase a new grille, customers can simply visit the Boston Acoustics website www.bostonacoustics.com/POP) and select the color of their choice or contact those dealers who will be stocking the grille color options. Like all Boston Horizon loudspeakers, the new systems are available in a choice of two soft touch painted finishes, either Midnight with Onyx grilles or Mist with Silver grilles. All speakers feature integrated wall-mounting brackets and adjustable table-top footings for total installation flexibility.

Great Sound Never Looked So Good!
The Boston Horizon Series systems stand apart from all other products in the 5.1-channel speaker system category for their combination of high-performance and unique styling. Leading-edge Boston Acoustics sonic technologies, including soft dome tweeters, mid bass drivers and powerful subwoofers, ensure dynamic audio reproduction. The MC 130 features 3 LCR speakers with 1-inch tweeters and dual 3.5-inch mid bass drivers, 2 surround speakers with 1-inch tweeters and 3.5-inch mid bass drivers as well as a 10-inch down-firing, 200-watt powered subwoofer. The MCS 100 features 4 satellite speakers with ¾-inch tweeters and 3-inch drivers, one center channel speaker with ¾-inch tweeters and dual 3-inch mid bass drivers, and an 8-inch, 100-watt powered subwoofer. 5-way binding posts on the MCS130 system ensure pure signal transfer, and all system speakers feature rear ports and (Reduced Baffle Diffraction Design (RBDD) for wider, smoother dispersion. The subwoofers have Deep Channel™ Design for more bass from less amplifier power. The new Boston Horizon Series MCS systems and the accompanying P.O.P. cloth grills are scheduled for delivery in late September 2007.

Boston Acoustics TVee Model Two Soundbar and Wireless Subwoofer

Wilson Rothman — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 13:27:06 EDT

Today Boston Acoustics rolls out its TVee Model Two, a "soundbar" that connects directly to the line-output of your TV, plus a subwoofer. Unlike many products that look similar, it doesn't do surround sound, but there are other tricks that do make this 100-watt $400 system unique.

Yes, unlike surround bars from Yamaha, Denon, Philips and Polk, which provide either virtual, psychoacoustic or projected surround sound, the TVee Model Two is just stereo. It takes over the sound coursing through your TV set, supplanting your TV's crappy speakers. As low-tech as that sounds, the unit itself can learn the volume commands off of your TV's remote, for instant control. Also, the subwoofer is wireless, and can be placed anywhere in the room (near power, of course) thanks to a 2.4GHz RF connection. And in case you never heard of the Model One, don't feel bad: Boston Acoustics decided to skip straight to Model Two.

Boston Acoustics Introduces Groundbreaking Video Accessory to Dramatically Improve Television Sound: "TVee™" Model Two - A Television Entertainment Enhancement System"
— Innovative TV Accessory Enhances Enjoyment of Watching Everything from Sitcoms to Game Shows,
Sports, Movies and More! —

Peabody, MA, August 13, 2007 — Boston Acoustics, Inc., a world-renowned manufacturer of highperformance
loudspeakers and entertainment products, today announced the introduction of the TVee Model Two, A Television Entertainment Enhancement System (SRP: $399.99). This simple TV accessory is designed to enhance the enjoyment of TV watching. The innovative system consists of a slim single "soundbar" that can be placed above or below a television, or easily mounted on the wall, along with a matching wireless woofer that can be placed anywhere in the room to deliver added dynamic bass response. Once hooked up, viewers will enjoy an overall enhanced TV experience.

Convenient "One Wire" Hook-Up - and No Additional Remote Required!
Everything about the TVee Model Two is designed to make it quick and easy for anyone to add enhanced performance to their TV viewing. Users simply plug a single wire from the sound bar into their television's line-level output, and because the woofer is wireless, it can be placed virtually anywhere, even in a corner behind the couch, and still provide added bass response. Adding to user convenience, the TVee system features a special "Learning Function" which simply learns a user's existing TV remote to control TVee's volume and mute commands, eliminating the need for a separate remote control.

Eli Harary, Boston Acoustics Senior Vice President & General Manager noted, "TVee Model Two was
designed from the ground-up to improve the Television experience, especially in flat panel sets... simply! With TVee there's no tangle of wires, no extra remote, and no clutter of loudspeakers. It simply adds great sound to enhance your enjoyment of watching TV."

Like all Boston Acoustics products, TVee utilizes the highest quality loudspeaker components and build materials to achieve high quality and natural sound. TVee's soundbar features four 2.5-inch Mid Bass drivers and two 1/2-inch Dome Tweeters to deliver powerful room-filling audio, and the wireless woofer features a 6-inch Down Firing Bass Driver, and delivers a total system output of over 100 Watts RMS.

"Make It Your Own" with Boston Personal Option Plan (P.O.P.)
To make it easy for customers to individualize the look of their TVee Model Two and "make it their own," the system features the company's new P.O.P. (Personal Option Plan) design concept. P.O.P. lets users customize the look of their product using easily removable & replaceable cloth grilles that are available in a wide variety of colors, including Glacier, Rosebud, Onyx, Pearl Gray, Caramel, Chocolat, Silver, and Chili Pepper. To purchase a new grille, customers can simply visit the Boston Acoustics website (www.bostonacoustics.com/POP) and select the color of their choice or contact those dealers that will be stocking the grille color options. Boston Acoustics TVee Model Two and its optional P.O.P. cloth grilles are scheduled for shipment to retailers in September 2007.

Robotic Pack Mule is More Pantomime Horse than BigDog

AddyDugdale — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 07:47:31 EDT

The BigDog, from Boston Dynamics, a company specializing in human simulation, is just weird. A robotic pack mule that runs on petrol, travels at up to 3.3mph over all sorts of terrain, and can carry up to 120 lb, BigDog has received $10 million of funding from the Pentagon. Check how it moves in a 2006 video after the jump.

[YouTube via UberGizmo]

Boing Boing Banned By Boston...Giz Next?

Mark Wilson — Sat, 21 Apr 2007 12:30:07 EDT

Here at Gizmodo, we love the popular "wonderful things" blog Boing Boing. And that's why it breaks our heart that Boston's free Wi-Fi network will not allow the public to access their page.

Why? We can only assume that wonderful things are as threatening to the city as Adult Swim promotions. (Yes, they alluded to Mooninites first and I couldn't really come up with a better angle.)

The best part? The Mayor's seal is on the notification. Can anyone in Boston check if Gizmodo is up and running on their free network? Not to take anything away from Boing Boing's plight...we just want to double check if we're living in the US or China.

– Mark Wilson

Mayor of Boston bans Boing Boing [boingboing]

Live Images of Boston Apple Store Birth

Louis Ramirez — Tue, 20 Feb 2007 18:44:44 EST

It's still about a year away from being finished, but construction has started on Boston's Boylston Street Apple Store. And for all you Mac fans who can't wait, there will be a blog and live webcam bringing you pictures and posts of the construction as it happens. Let's just hope no one confuses those cams for another bomb. – Louis Ramirez

Watch Apple Store Boston's Construction Live [TUAW]

Jack Bauer vs. Boston's ATHF Scare

Jason Chen — Thu, 08 Feb 2007 17:20:39 EST

If there's one man that can take down the threat to national security that is the Aqua Teen Hunger Force Mooninites, it's Jack Bauer. – Jason Chen

Poll: Are Evil Aqua Teens or Retarded Cops to Blame?

Adam Frucci — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 16:20:47 EST

Is it just me, or is this Boston Aqua Teen business completely insane? How stupid are the police in Boston? And they're really going to sue Turner Broadcasting? They should sue themselves, as they're the ones that caused all of this panic. The media isn't helping anything by reporting this as a "hoax." It wasn't a hoax, it was an advertisement. They weren't trying to make it look like a bomb, which is why they make it covered in bright goddamned lights. Bombs would try to be discreet, not get people's attention and give them the finger. But it had batteries! Batteries, for the love of god! Oh, the humanity!

Am I way off base here? Is ATHF as bad as Bin Laden? Who is really to blame for the entire of city of Boston being shut down?

–Adam Frucci

Boston Power's Fat Batteries Pack in 15% More Charge

Brian Lam — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 15:24:54 EST

Another good find at DEMO 07 today. Check out the double format cells in that battery pack on the bottom. By filling in the otherwise lost space between the cleavage of two lithium ion cells, it gets another 15% more density and charge into a pack. HP is bringing these bad boys to market soon. Filling in the space is a similar theory to what makes the playdoh-like Lithium polymer so space efficient in iPods. Message to Apple: Please do this to my beloved Macbook lineup.–Brian Lam

Boston Power [Boston Power]