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Click to viewAnother year, another DefCon, another litany of epic security fails. Like this here Biolock Model 333, a high-tech and high-priced bit of protection that surely requires expert tools and technique to override. Here’s how it does against a paperclip: The problem, as you can readily see, is that while the biometrics all seem…
After figuring out how to use the iPhone 4’s FaceTime feature over 3G, the obvious question was how much data does it use? According to a brief test by 9to5Mac, about three megabytes a minute. https://gizmodo.com/how-to-get-iphone-4-facetime-working-over-3g-5602361 9to5Mac conducted a 5 minute FaceTime call “with lots of movement” on a jailbroken iPhone 4, and in total…
I’ve seen plenty of nerdy wedding cakes here in el Giz del Modo—some of them totally disgusting. And every time I can’t help to admire the courage of the groom and the patience of the bride. [Thanks Karl!] https://gizmodo.com/just-say-i-boo-lean-for-these-coders-wedding-cake-5546951
As expected, August has brought no reprieve from hot gadget deals. But with a new Core i7 laptop and a free Blockbuster Express rental, you can be the coolest kid on the block—or at least your Mother’s basement. Top Deals: • 15.6″ HP dv6t Select Core i7 Touchscreen Laptop for $1,049.99 plus free shipping (normally…
The Cray-1 was the fastest supercomputer in 1976. Today, even the iPad dwarfs its humble 133 megaflops and a fast PC can easily surpass 100 gigaflops. This Cray-1 replica houses two PCs, but it looks as good as the original: It’s a lot smaller, however: 77 inches tall compared to the 25.6 inches of the…
Well this is something pretty incredible. SLAP widgets—peripherals that bring physical controls to multitouch surfaces—have evolved to the point where they can move themselves. What’s that? Oh, just watch the madgets in action. It’s something special. https://gizmodo.com/slap-widgets-bring-physical-controls-to-multitouch-5204080 The project, by researchers from the Media Computing Group, builds on the idea of SLAP widgets by adding…
These are the stairs of the new Salvador Dalí museum in St. Petersburg, Florida. Encased in 18-inch thick concrete walls, it can resist a 165mph Category 5 hurricane without blinking. The director of the museum says that the architecture “combines elements of the classical and the fantastical,” like Dalí’s own work. I will believe it…
Whether it’s nervous jitters or a bumpy road, it’s easy to inadvertently ruin a snapshot with blur. But a team at Microsoft Research is using the same motion detecting tech found in your iPhone to lend an artificially steady hand. Utilizing only “inexpensive gyroscopes and accelerometers,” the Microsoft algorithm precisely measures the small levels of…
A team of MIT researchers has discovered a new silicon compound that—get this—melts as it gets cooler, some 500 degrees Celsius lower than silicon’s natural melting point. The researchers think it could eventually yield less expensive electronics. While most materials transform from a solid to a liquid as they heat up, in some special cases…
For anyone looking to dive into the world of 3D gaming head first, Digital Storm’s 3D Vision Surround BlackOPS package is a fine place to start. For $2800, you get the BlackOPS Assassin and three 3D-ready, 1080p Asus displays. https://gizmodo.com/digital-storm-blackops-assassin-a-cool-ride-in-a-fast-5537199 If you’re going for immersive gaming, it’s probably better to just take the plunge instead…
The Power Pad is a contraption that you stand on while you shower, recycling hot water to lower the energy usage of your water heater. Clever! By running the hot water over cold water that’s pumped through the pad, it pre-heats water your heater has yet to warm up. With a warmer starting temperature, that…
When the World Trade Center collapsed, it took out a critical AT&T switch, crippling service. It was restored in 52 hours—including the time to drive a caravan of eighteen-wheelers from Atlanta to a lot in Jersey City. *** It’s hot, and muggy, like it usually is in Georgia at the end of July. There’s no…
Basically, a giant battery. AT&T’s command center thermometer. Really. A trailer being born. This is the flag from AT&T’s WTC command center
As much fun as it will be unleashing your motion-detected fists of fury via PlayStation Move, nothing will ruin the illusion faster than hurling your controller through your TV screen. CTA Digital’s glove peripheral will help keep the peace. Even though stronger television screens are on their way, the safety-minded fighting game enthusiast doesn’t want…
Oops! Turns out the negatives found at a garage sale that were purported to be lost Ansel Adams snaps worth $200 million were actually taken by somebody’s Uncle Earle. Still, nice eye, Uncle Earle. [Petapixel via Animal via Daily What] https://gizmodo.com/45-yard-sale-find-turns-out-to-be-200-million-worth-o-5597729
Oregon Scientific‘s new ATC9k sports camera has a double Mctwist’s worth of tricks, starting with 1080p at 60 frames per second, GPS, accelerometer and water resistance to 60 feet. It also has the LCD, visual effects (like negative and vivid picture modes) and 5mp cameras. There are mounts for handlebars and helmets, and a slightly…
Amazon’s new thinner, lighter, grayer, and most importantly cheaper Kindles are all sold out on Amazon.com. This goes for both the $139 Wi-FI-only model and the $189 3G-equipped one. Ebook reader pricing sweet spot: achieved! [Amazon] https://gizmodo.com/thinner-and-lighter-kindle-comes-with-wi-fi-and-starts-5598900
If you’ve ever wondered where all those Nigerian princes and male performance enhancement professionals live, you’re going to want to take a closer look at this: an interactive map that shows where spam originates in real time. The map is part of Google’s Postini Threat Identification Network, which identifies “malicious IPs” in real-time to head…
After four years, thousands of posts and countless phallic puns, I’m leaving one of the world’s greatest jobs in attempt to pioneer new projects. And I’d love it if I could coax a few of you to come along. If you enjoy Shooting Challenges, then I think my first new site may be in and/or…
Apple artificially limits the use of Facetime—their videoconference software for the iPhone 4—to Wi-Fi use. Good thing we have independent developers to make it work under 3G too. This is how to do it: https://gizmodo.com/what-is-iphone-4s-facetime-video-chat-5557484 1. First you need to jailbreak your iPhone 4. This is a very easy procedure: Just go to this page…
