Tech news, analysis, culture, business, security, and more
Hey there, mixed messaging! As Netflix makes the case to Wii owners that they really aren’t missing anything by not streaming HD, word from CNET is that Netflix instant streaming is making the jump to 1080p, with 5.1 audio. UPDATED https://gizmodo.com/why-netflix-doesnt-really-care-about-hd-5466753 CNET doesn’t have any info on which devices will support the upgrade, how much…
A curious tidbit from VentureBeat: The A4 chip that Apple’s pimping hardcore in iPad promos might not’ve been done by their PA Semi team (which Apple acquired for $278 million). Their source says it was designed by Apple’s existing VLSI team, who made custom chips like northbridges for the old G5 Macs. https://gizmodo.com/apple-buys-itself-a-little-chip-company-known-for-super-382929 Sounds possible,…
Android 2.1 for the Droid is making its way through the Verizon test gauntlet, and apparently inside is multitouch for the browser (like Maps 3.4), Google Goggles, and fancy news and weather widgets. Not coming over from the Nexus One? Live backgrounds—those swishy animated wallpapers—and that new 3D grid of app icons aren’t part of…
Who you gonna call? Steve Jobs, that’s who. [Nerdist]
How much do single mothers in Akron spend on electronics? What about married Chicagoans, without kids, on their phone service? Bachelors, on cable, in New York? If only there was an interactive web app to tell you this stuff! Bundle, a strange joint venture between Microsoft, Citi and Morningstar, scrapes data from government sources, Citi…
Is the new world’s tallest building going through some issues? While so far only the observation deck is open, it’s been temporarily shut down due to “unexpected high traffic” and “electrical problems.” Ruh roh! Residential and commercial tenants are due to start moving in this month, but it’s not clear just what the problems are…
We’ve stacked today’s dealz a mile high with a great Dell Inspiron and a roundup of some superb 360 games. Set your alarm and get up early tomorrow for a free Grand Slam at America’s top desperate singles locale, Denny’s. Top Deals: • 15.6″ Dell Inspiron 15 Laptop for $449 (normally $633). • Left 4…
Facebook might be the new Gmail, but now Gmail is the new Facebook, bitches: They’re rolling out an update that makes it “easier and faster to share media and status updates with friends,” in a new module that shows a stream of status updates. And it’ll integrate YouTube and Picasa, somehow. Say it with me…
If a printer doesn’t need toner, ink or copy paper, is it still a printer? Well, I guess if a bear still shits in a forest, then yes. Using plastic paper, it’s a very green (and pricey) way of printing. The PrePeat RP-3100 paper is actually made from PET plastic, which means it can be…
When I first saw this tiny arcade back in September, it was love at first byte. And now that there’s an instructional video, I can build one of my very own. It looks so easy in fast forward! https://gizmodo.com/cool-dad-builds-mini-arcade-machine-for-his-son-5359406 The ingredients are easy enough to come by: a plug and play system mounted to a…
The point has grown cliche by now, but it’s true. Every week your submissions to Shooting Challenges blow me away. And your polar panoramas just upped that ante on every challenge to come. https://gizmodo.com/shooting-challenge-polar-panoramas-5462612 Honorable Mention (non-original photography) Subject: Denali, Alaska Built from 9 photos Camera: Nikon D80 Lens: AF-S DX VR Zoom-Nikkor 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G…
An alleged leak of fourth-gen iPhone components claims to tell us two things about Apple’s next creation. One, it’s taller. Two, part of its surface is “reflective.” What iResQ claims to be the next iPhone case sits on the right in our lead shot, alongside the iPhone 3GS’ front assembly. It’s 1/4 of an inch…
Hey, that Nook reader thing? From Barnes & Noble? You can actually buy one now. At least, starting this week. Probably! You can check here starting Wed. to see if your local store’s got it. BTW, I do know for a fact they’ve shipped at least two, since that’s how many I’ve seen in the…
Remember all those clever iPhone peripherals that we were supposed to see with firmware 3.0? Well ZoomIt is among the first. It’s an SD card reader for the iPhone and iPod touch. Used in conjunction with the ZoomIt app, the dongle connects through the iPhone’s dock connector to load photos, music and miscellaneous files (like…
After buying that little multitouch company Touchco last week and merging it with Lab126—their Kindle division—Amazon’s now got job listings looking for a Hardware Display manager that knows LCDs, and a Wi-Fi specialist. You do the math. Okay! I’ll add some calculus of my own. Like Ammunition’s Robert Brunner, who helped Barnes & Noble create…
Well, well, well. According to a report in the Wall Street Journal today, Apple management is going to remain “nimble” in iPad pricing if sales start off slow. Hey, wait a minute—are you thinking what I’m thinking? https://gizmodo.com/apple-ipad-everything-you-need-to-know-5458292 The scoop originates from a Credit Suisse analyst, who apparently met with Apple executives recently to discuss…
Since not everyone has the space and pesos to build a full-size home theater, here’s an option that only requires an iPhone and the space of a shoe box. Which—in New York—means half of your apartment. [Thanks Gary!]
HTC’s had some faulty plumbing lately: first pics of the Incredible leak over the weekend, and now we’ve got our first look at the HTC Legend in the wild—complete with an ooo-shiny aluminum back. https://gizmodo.com/htc-incredible-photos-leaked-reveal-incredibly-brown-b-5466195 The design—particularly the aluminum casing and optical sensor trackpad—jives with what we’d heard recently, as does the apparent HTC Sense…
Way back in ’72, this Gesundheit Radio was created by an “experimental research group” at Texas Instruments. Or at least, that’s what student James Chambers will tell you, who created the back-story for added “color” to his sneezing radio. Yes, sneezing. As the questionable story goes, the radio is forced to sneeze every six months…
We love the idea of holographic storage. It’s just so Star Trekish. But at $18,000 per drive, and $180 per 300GB disc, it’s really not that exciting, which is probably why InPhase has folded. [The Register] https://gizmodo.com/holographic-storage-is-here-costs-a-lot-236722