Kat Hannaford, Author at Gizmodo

Control Lego Mindstorms Robots With a Free Android App

After watching several tantalizing videos of Mindstorms robots being powered by Android phones, it’ll bring you great delight to hear that you can create a similar set-up at home with the free Mindstorms NXT app. https://gizmodo.com/motorola-droid-lego-robot-solves-a-rubiks-cube-faster-t-5532302 You’ll need to own one of the robots of course (they cost around $250), and have an Android phone…

Tech News Kat Hannaford Oct 12

Amazon to Sell “Kindle Singles” (Longer Articles or Shorter Books)

Amazon today put a call-out to authors, publishers or anyone keen on scribing between 10,000 – 30,000 words for their new “Kindle Singles” area of the Kindle Store, which will sell texts “twice the length of a New Yorker feature,” or on the other hand “a few chapters of a typical book.” Self-publishers with think-pieces…

Commerce Kat Hannaford Oct 12

Olympus is Ditching Entry-Level SLRs for Micro Four Thirds Cameras

While an entry-level DSLR has its time and place, Olympus is focusing its attentions on its PEN series of micro four thirds camera instead, according to Toshiyuki Terada, the product manager at SLR Olympus Planning department. “We do not have concrete plans to replace the E-620 and other recent SLRs. The entry level SLR class…

Tech News Kat Hannaford Oct 12

What Do You Think of Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7 Ads?

We saw two videos a few weeks back when they leaked early, but a third (and better) ad has been released to hammer home the fact that WP7 owners will be using their phones less. It’s a strange message, yes. https://gizmodo.com/windows-phone-7-ads-show-errr-youll-be-using-their-ph-5648608 Strange, but kind of growing on me. Not that I agree with their reasoning,…

Tech News Kat Hannaford Oct 12

Foxconn Explains Away Claims of Abused Employees

Not only does Foxconn “categorically reject” last week’s shocking survey of 1,736 employees who told of overtime, lack of promised payrises and even violence, but they believe that their 937,000 employees work in a “safe and positive” environment. https://gizmodo.com/confidential-foxconn-report-leaked-with-stories-of-abus-5659144 The full statement is below for your parsing, but key points appear to be that yet…

Tech News Kat Hannaford Oct 12

Today’s Solar Power Is a Lot Like the Old Solar Power

We may’ve put a man on the moon since, but why has solar power technology remained virtually unchanged for decades now? Is it because there’s no better way to harness energy from the sun? Or are scientists just unimaginative? Life.com has explored how little solar tech has changed in the last century, with an 18-picture…

Tech News Kat Hannaford Oct 12

Forget Blind People—Google’s Blind Navigation Apps Will Appeal to Everyone

Until stem cells cure all blind people, we can count on Google to do a fine line in navigational aid apps, such as WalkyTalky and Intersection Explorer. The thing is, these apps will appeal to any city-roamers, blind or not. https://gizmodo.com/stem-cells-cure-blind-man-5433391 Perhaps it’s because I often forget my glasses when strolling through London, or maybe…

Tech News Kat Hannaford Oct 12

Mario’s Creator is Embarrassed by How Super Mario Bros. Looks In HD

I’m sure you’ll agree that half the charm of playing Super Mario Bros. nowadays is that it’s so completely different to realistic games like Fallout 3. To its creator, Shigeru Miyamoto however, it’s just plain ol’ embarrassing. Even though the Wii doesn’t output at full-HD, Miyamoto feels that the resolution of the original Mario game…

Tech News Kat Hannaford Oct 12

The Definitive Guide to Windows Phone 7 Handsets

Eager for a piece of WP7? Here are the top phones you should consider, broken down by US carrier. You’re welcome. T-Mobile HTC 7 Mozart Like many of HTC’s WP7 phones announced today, the 3.7-inch Mozart has a 8MP camera and Xenon flash, and also has Dolby Mobile and SRS Wow HD for “virtual surround…

Tech News Kat Hannaford Oct 11

HTC Announces a Flurry of New Phones With WP7

Just ahead of today’s Windows Phone 7 Launch, HTC has unwrapped the details of five new WP7 phones. Check out the HTC 7 Mozart, Trophy, Pro, Surround, and previously covered HD7. https://gizmodo.com/htc-hd7-hello-all-4-3-inches-of-windows-phone-7-5660613 HTC 7 Mozart At 3.7-inches, the Mozart is the smallest of the WP7 phones HTC is announcing today. Made from unibody aluminum (and…

Tech News Kat Hannaford Oct 11

Hyundai Slaps an Oversized iPhone 4 On a Table and Calls It a Day

You can see their inspiration for this table monitor, can’t you? I do prefer Hyundai’s stand to the box that Microsoft used on its Surface, though. And there’s no denying what they were thinking of when designing the touch-surface, either. Yep, it’s almost as if they blew up the iPhone 7 to 70-inches in size,…

Tech News Kat Hannaford Oct 11

Omnia 7 From Samsung Has WP7 Trapped In Its 4-Inch Super AMOLED Screen

The second Korean company to succumb to the early cat-unbagging today, Samsung’s leaked Omnia 7 has foregone the Hummingbird processor for one of Qualcomm’s 1Ghz Snapdragons, like we’ve seen in the Nexus One and countless other phones now. https://gizmodo.com/lg-slips-early-with-optimus-7-windows-phone-7-handset-5660713 Joining the QSD8250 is the usual array of specs—Bluetooth 2.1, Wi-Fi, A-GPS, and a 5MP camera.…

Tech News Kat Hannaford Oct 11

A Glasses-Less 3D Laptop From Toshiba With Selectable 3D Screen Areas?

It’s not like Toshiba doesn’t know how to make “normal” 3D laptops. They’ve already released several with active shutter glasses, but a glasses-less 3D laptop to match one of their hugely-pricey TVs? Sure. https://gizmodo.com/toshiba-dynabook-tx-98mbl-is-first-3d-blu-ray-playing-l-5557042 According to The Nikkei, Toshiba’s 3D laptops will be under their “Dynabook” series of laptops, and presumably will use the same…

Tech News Kat Hannaford Oct 11

LG Slips Early With Optimus 7 Windows Phone 7 Handset

Admittedly it’s not like we didn’t know LG was going to announce the Optimus 7, considering they’ve already shown it off several times themselves. However, their blog went live with the details today, showing off the panorama photo-shooting phone. The screen is a 3.8-inch WVGA display, with the overall phone measuring 125 x 59.8 x…

Tech News Kat Hannaford Oct 11

Older Versions of Android Are Receiving Updates for Froyo-Style Market

Over the weekend, older versions of Android started receiving automatic updates for Market, bringing it into line with the Froyo look and feel of it. If you haven’t already, fire up the Market and take a look, as chances are you haven’t spotted it yet. (There was no alert to this update due to its…

Tech News Kat Hannaford Oct 11

The Slanket Armchair, For Next-Level Warmth

When does a Slanket stop being a wearable-blanket, and start being a bed? I’d say right about now, when it’s attached to an armchair. Shame it’s not electric for added warmth. [Super-ette via The Design Blog] https://gizmodo.com/ultimate-battle-the-snuggie-vs-slanket-vs-freedom-bl-5190557 Update: This is not an actual Slanket product, so don’t go emailing Slanket in hopes of buying one.…

Tech News Kat Hannaford Oct 11

No Angry Birds for WP7 Yet, Even if Microsoft Thought So

They’ve now removed the Angry Birds icon and passed it off as a mistake, but for a while yesterday Microsoft must’ve been quaking at the thought of Rovio dispatching the Angry Birds flock their way. Tweeting yesterday, Rovio said that “We have NOT committed to doing a Windows Phone 7 version. Microsoft put the Angry…

Tech News Kat Hannaford Oct 11

Google Used Video in Their Logo For the First Time Today

Google is getting even more daring (and bandwidth-hogging) with their doodles, with today’s logo celebrating John Lennon’s 70th birthday being their first to feature video. It’s a clever embedded YouTube of Imagine, one of the greatest songs ever written. Hopefully the logo has appeared on all international Google search pages, with the message in Imagine…

Tech News Kat Hannaford Oct 8

Confidential Foxconn Report Leaked With Stories of Abused Employees

It comes as no surprise that someone would want to leak the independently-produced report on Foxconn’s treatment of its workers, but the contents are bloody appalling. Apparently 1,736 workers were surveyed, with stories of overtime and even violence. Workers from nine cities were questioned by over 60 volunteers from 20 universities in Hong Kong and…

Tech News Kat Hannaford Oct 8

Apple’s MagSafe Connectors Could Be Used on iPads and iPhones

Before worrying about your iPod dock’s future (and the whole of China’s accessory ecosystem being thrown into disarray), listen up: I don’t think we need to worry about the iPad and iPhone eschewing the humble 30-pin connector. Apparently back in June, Apple filed a patent for MagSafe power connectors being added to iPads and iPhones.…

Tech News Kat Hannaford Oct 8

Kat Hannaford

Control Lego Mindstorms Robots With a Free Android App

Amazon to Sell “Kindle Singles” (Longer Articles or Shorter Books)

Olympus is Ditching Entry-Level SLRs for Micro Four Thirds Cameras

What Do You Think of Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7 Ads?

Foxconn Explains Away Claims of Abused Employees

Today’s Solar Power Is a Lot Like the Old Solar Power

Forget Blind People—Google’s Blind Navigation Apps Will Appeal to Everyone

Mario’s Creator is Embarrassed by How Super Mario Bros. Looks In HD

The Definitive Guide to Windows Phone 7 Handsets

HTC Announces a Flurry of New Phones With WP7

Hyundai Slaps an Oversized iPhone 4 On a Table and Calls It a Day

Omnia 7 From Samsung Has WP7 Trapped In Its 4-Inch Super AMOLED Screen

A Glasses-Less 3D Laptop From Toshiba With Selectable 3D Screen Areas?

LG Slips Early With Optimus 7 Windows Phone 7 Handset

Older Versions of Android Are Receiving Updates for Froyo-Style Market

The Slanket Armchair, For Next-Level Warmth

No Angry Birds for WP7 Yet, Even if Microsoft Thought So

Google Used Video in Their Logo For the First Time Today

Confidential Foxconn Report Leaked With Stories of Abused Employees

Apple’s MagSafe Connectors Could Be Used on iPads and iPhones

Two Songs We Really Wish Were the Anime Outros for ‘Steel Ball Run’

AI Training Data Giant Mercor Is Reportedly Looking to Buy the Work You Did at Your Old Job

Utah Is Giving Dr. AI the Power to Renew Drug Prescriptions

Here’s the Perfect Excuse to See ‘Project Hail Mary’ Again

US Airlines Are Hiking Bag Fees Amid Iran War Oil Crisis

This Ridiculously Simple Trick Might Stop Gulls From Nabbing Your Lunch

‘Starfleet Academy’ Season 3 Could Have Done the ‘Voyager’ Sequel Episode of Robert Picardo’s Dreams

Judge Kills Lawsuit Against Infamous Study That Might Have Increased Teen Suicides

Artemis 2: Follow the Mission With Our Live Updates 🔴

Researchers Discover How to Add Psilocybin, DMT, and Other Psychedelics to Tobacco

AirPods Max 2 vs. Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen): Which ANC Headphones Win?

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AirPods Max 2 Review: Still Ridiculously Expensive and Ridiculously Nice

DJI Osmo 360 Review: The Best 360 Camera for the DJI-Pilled

Aqara Smart Lock U400 Review: Hands-free Unlocking at Its Best

MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI+ Review: A Solid 2-in-1 Laptop With Some Glaring Flaws

Sonos Play Review: Call It a Comeback

Sonos Era 100 SL Review: The Cheapest Way Into Wired Sonos Sound

Asus ROG’s Massive Swift OLED Gaming Monitor Epitomizes Excess in the Best Way

The Ikea Varmblixt Smart Lamp Fills a Donut Hole in My Life