Gizmodo: sf

Why The SF Bridge Broke

Brian Lam — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 17:23:37 EDT

SF's Bay Bridge is still closed after a quick repair job fell apart. Terrifying, since my hometown is known for, you know, earthquakes, and this bridge is just falling apart even without them. Here's a pretty good visual/text explanation of what is happening. [sci-experiments via TokyoMango]

Unsecure Electronic Parking Meters Can Be Hacked For Infinite Money

Jason Chen — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 12:02:00 EDT

Two presenters at Black Hat 2009 just demonstrated their ability to hack into parking meters in San Francisco (and theoretically anywhere with this kind of system) to give unlimited money on their parking payment cards.

The two figured out how to do this by intercepting the types of signals that get transmitted on a working card, then programming a fake card to reproduce those same signals.

They found that the card has a stored maximum value and only writes how many times the value has been decremented.

In essence, they found a way to give themselves free parking for as long as this system is in place. They declined to detail how exactly you can reproduce this, because they don't want people ripping off the city of SF, so their sole purpose is to get SF to fix their meters to that this can't happen. [Hackaday]

Japan's QR Codes Being Tested in SF

Jason Chen — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 19:30:00 EDT

You know those QR codes that Japan has? The ones that look like fancy bar codes that you take a picture of with your cellphone that brings up some bit of info or trivia on the display. Those are being tested in SF right now on 500+ restaurants/shops/businesses reviewed by Citysearch.

Once you snap a picture of the code, your phone will bring up the Citysearch's review page, letting you know whether you should go in. Also, a tourism company is shoving these onto some tourist locations, bringing up a 15 to 20-second audio snippet of what you're looking at. If they could stick this on things like busses, taxis, waitresses, drug dealers and prostitutes (all common in SF), we'd gladly use this service. [SFGate via New Launches]

Caltrain GPS Project Tracks, Locates Late Trains

Jason Chen — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 16:40:26 EDT

The Caltrain board is going to approve a multi-million-dollar project, finished by the end of 2008, that adds GPS and web-based tracking functionality for their trains. Caltrain, the SF Bay Area's commuter train, will then use the "Real Time Train Predictive Arrival GPS System" in nine train stops, allowing users to monitor the train's location/arrival via the website 511.org, and time their jog down to the train accordingly. [MercuryNews]

Apple iPhones Still Available in SF, NY

Jason Chen — Sat, 30 Jun 2007 00:24:21 EDT

All the people who camped out for over 24 hours—ahem Greg Packer—should feel really foolish right about now. As of 9:17 PM PDT (12:17 AM EDT), the San Francisco store has both 4GB and 8GB iPhones in stock. The New York 5th Avenue Store? The same. If you still want one, head on down and grab it.

The First Person in the AT&T iPhone Line Doesn't Know What the Hell She's Waiting For

Jason Chen — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 16:25:30 EDT

We're at the AT&T store in SF and quizzing line campers on the iPhone. People who got the questions right get a free limited edition Gizmodo iPhone shirt. Those who don't, get the whole internet laughing at him/her. It's like camping out for a Star Wars movie and not knowing what a Lightsaber is.

Video by Sarah Meyers and Richard Blakeley

A Video Tour Down the SF iPhone Line

Jason Chen — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 01:40:35 EDT

We went down the San Francisco Apple iPhone line (the circus of downtown) and asked people what they were going to do with their new iPhones. A couple good answers from the freaks and geeks, but you gotta watch for yourself.

And Lam's answer? Put it down his pants? Get your own ideas, Lam.

Much more coverage and video to come tomorrow.

Video by Richard Blakeley and Sarah Meyers

The Ultimate iPhone Camping Guide

Jason Chen — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 17:00:20 EDT

Camping for stuff is hard work. Standing in line for eight+ hours just so you have the chance to buy something is hard enough without worrying about where you're going to pee or how you're going to get your next meal. That's why we've partnered up with Gridskipper, Gawker's urban travel blog, to bring to you the most comprehensive guide on how to camp out for an iPhone. If you're planning on camping out next Thursday/Friday in the NYC Soho store, the SF Downtown store, or the LA Century City store, bookmark these pages so you can make your experience slightly less painful.

Among the amenities listed are local motels, free bathrooms, good eateries within a couple blocks, and of course, free Wi-Fi. We'll update the maps leading up to launch, so you'll want to check back often. If you want an iPhone, you're going to want to be prepared. – Jason Chen

NYC Campout [Gridskipper]

SF Campout [Gridskipper]

LA Campout [Gridskipper]

Zombies Mob SF Apple Store, Forget IDs at Home, Pay Cash Instead

Jason Chen — Sat, 26 May 2007 17:40:24 EDT

The Zombie flash mob group—yes, they're exactly how they sound—over at eatbrains.com organized and pulled off an SF Apple Store invasion yesterday. Brain- and flesh-eating Zombies filed into the Apple store and feasted on white plastic along with their usual blood and guts, which probably helped their digestion a little thanks to Apple's recent efforts to go green. Worst pun of the year? Probably.

In any case, if you're at all interested in seeing hippies and yuppies dressed up as zombies, you know where to look. – Jason Chen

Gallery [McCullagh via CNET]

PlayStation 3 Launch Events: NY and SF Party With the Stars

Jason Chen — Wed, 15 Nov 2006 20:12:03 EST

Darkness! Darkness is spreading! No, not the PS3—though that's spreading too—we're talking about Charlie Murphy and his appearance at the PS3 NY Launch Party on November 16. If you're one of the first 400 to show up at 550 Madison Ave., NYC, and you'll see host Ludacris and hear music by D-Nice, not to mention be able to purchase your own PS3. Party starts at 9:00PM.

If you're in SF, you're in luck as The Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President, and an Onlympic Gold Medalist show u...wait, is that right? NY gets Ludacris and Charlie Murphy, and SF gets the COO of Marketing? At least there's a "highly anticipated musical performance", which means "we don't know who's going to be there yet because he hasn't confirmed, so we're scrambling. Please come anyway!" Party starts at 8:30PM and lasts 'til 10:00PM on the barricaded 4th Street, and you can buy your PS3 at midnight.

Bonus points: send a picture of yourself with the newly bought PS3 in your pants. – Jason Chen