Written by Naveen on Friday, December 5th, 2008 in News.
If your current phone just can’t handle the extreme conditions such as dust, shock, vibration, temperature extremes, low pressure and solar radiation, all you need is a rugged phone. Are you on the hunt for a phone that could take a beating? Here we present the 10 best rugged mobile phones of all time. Check the out after the jump…
Written by Vincent Nguyen on Thursday, December 4th, 2008 in News.
We’re live in Milan today, covering Sony’s latest announcement. In fact, Sony showed off a brand new marketing campaign today that’s intended to demonstrate their latest technology behind their BRAVIA televisions. The tech is called Motionflow 240Hz and in order to show off what the latest in motion picture technology is capable of, Sony resorted to the oldest method of creating motion pictures: the zoetrope.
A zoetrope is a device that uses static images but when spun at high speeds, create the illusion of movement. The Sony BRAVIA-drome feeds off of this 19th century technology to make for a device that is 10 meters across and spins at over 40 kph.
The subject of BRAVIA-drome is soccer, and this acts as the perfect way to show off how Motionflow works. In actually gets rid of jerkiness and shows the ball traveling in the air smoothly. This reproduces the feeling of being there live at the game. The new ‘drome is the subject of a commercial that will be used worldwide. Filmed in Venaria, which is near Turin, Italy, it shows a soccer star within the images in the BRAVIA-drome.
The commercial itself shows the faces of those in the audience standing in awe of this massive device. And it’s no wonder people were impressed. The BRAVIA-drome is capable of reaching speeds of over 50kph, requires two 40-foot trucks to transport it and weighs in at ten tons. It’s believed to be the largest zoetrope ever built!
The Motionflow 240Hz technology helps smooth out the jumpiness experienced on a normal television set. This works by significantly boosting the number of images, thus the frame rate. A “transitional picture” is placed between images in fast-moving parts of video, providing for smooth picture that is more pleasing to the eye.
This transitional picture is actually created by this Motionflow tech. It works by examining the images that precede and follow a particular image–especially during fast moving parts of a sports event or during an action sequence in a movie. All of the quick cuts and fast movements can cause a problem with how the sequence is subsequently viewed. By examining the prior and following image, Motionflow then adds an image in between that can make that car chase–or the movement of a soccer ball, in the case of the new ad campaign–look natural without any noticeable gaps in movement.
It’s really rather impressive and the whole BRAVIA-drome effort shows Sony is serious about promoting their newest technology. Check out our video from the press event below:
Click here to view the embedded video.
Relevant Entries on SlashGear
Written by Becky Stern on Thursday, December 4th, 2008 in News.
Check out this silicon iPhone case for the sight-impaired, via Core77:
Read more | Permalink | Comments | Read more articles in iPhone | Digg this!Portugal-based designer Bruno Fosi has developed a prototype iPhone case that would enable the sight-impaired to use the device. The silicon case has debossed, tactile logos, icons and characters, yet is still thin enough for the screen to register touches. Used in conjunction with text-to-speech features, it opens up a world of possibilities for those without sight. Not to mention the blind could eke out some extra battery life by turning down the backlight.
Written by Conner Flynn on Thursday, December 4th, 2008 in News.
I know that many of you get sick of your iPhone-using friends giving you a hard time because your iPod can’t make any calls. That just sucks. Well, Truphone may be the answer to your problems. It’s a software solution that can turn the iPod touch into an iPhone. Sort of.
It does require a microphone adapter first. Then, you’ll be able to make free calls to users of Truphone’s Internet telephony service, as well as other iPod touch owners and even Google Talk users. This new app is free at the App Store, and will see many new features in the near future. Features like making and receiving low-cost calls to and from landlines, calling and instant messaging to Skype and MSN, check and set facilities for Facebook and check and set facilities for Twitter.
It won’t replace your iPhone just yet, but it is a start.
Written by Patti Schiendelman on Thursday, December 4th, 2008 in News.
Josh Kopel made this determined little critter at the Dorkbot Seattle evil toy workshop. Check out his flickr set for more weird mashups. (Alas, my Furby expired on the operating table.)
Written by Luke Iseman on Thursday, December 4th, 2008 in News.
Michael Mandiberg's created a beautiful and beautifully simple way to be seen biking at night:
I wrapped up my bike in retroreflective vinyl. Retroreflective vinyl is like a big scotchlite sticker; scotchlite is that super-reflective stuff that is on running shoes, jackets, and night safety equipment.
Here's a video of the process and result:
And, an opportunity to make your own:
Everyone I show it to wants to wrap theirs SO on December 13 at the Eyebeam Holiday Hackshop we are wrapping Bright Bikes.Read more | Permalink | Comments | Read more articles in Bicycles | Digg this!
Check it out: http://theredproject.com/brightbike/We have materials and space for 30 bikes. Bring your washed bike (and chain), and turn it into a Bright Bike. We will have black, white, red, blue and yellow, and maybe a surprise color. You can wrap the whole bike, or put stripes/bands on it, or just cover your most visible parts (the seat stays in the back, and the fork in the front.)
Signup is at the Eyebeam Bookstore, the day of the hackshop, and or you could stop by before. First come first served. We will have slots and material for 30 bikes. Running in two shifts, from 1-230 and 230-4. At 4pm we will go for a dusk ride to document our critically-reflective-mass.
And if you are not NYC based, DIY. I will be in LA the last week of Feb and first week of March, and I can run workshops then. I will be in SFO the last week of April. Or you could just order the materials and do it yourself! http://www.beacongraphics.com/supplies/3M/3m-580.html
The cost will be $30 for 6 feet of vinyl (that is at cost). If you are going for a partial wrapping, you can get 2 feet for $10. What a deal!
Wheelin' and Dealin' for bicycle safety.
DONT FORGET TO WASH YOUR BIKE and chain!!!
Written by Jonah Brucker-Cohen on Thursday, December 4th, 2008 in News.
"Drawing Machine" is a robotic device that uses the physicality of sound vibrations to influence a pen rotating on a robotic arm. Check out the video to see this thing in action.
via AITDW
Read more | Permalink | Comments | Read more articles in Arts | Digg this!
Written by Kunal Gangar on Thursday, December 4th, 2008 in News.
The Norwegian company has released the Alpha version of Opera 10 browser for PC carrying a new rendering engine, Presto 2.2. Presto 2.2 will be the base for all Opera 10 browsers and is 30 percent faster compared to Presto 2.1 that is used in Opera 9.5+ versions.
The new version concentrates more on web standards, thus making Opera 10 to achieve a full 100 in the Acid3 test and also include features like on-the-go spell checking, auto-updating to latest versions and better HTML renditions in Opera Mail.
Advertisement: Samsung Hub - Everything Samsung!
Written by Marc de Vinck on Thursday, December 4th, 2008 in News.
Nick Lally made this simple noise box using an Arduino and just a few other parts. The website doesn't have the schematics, but the source code is well documented and it's easy to figure out what he used and where. Make sure to check out the audio clip on the site, it sounds really cool.
More about Arduino powered noise box
In the Maker Shed:
Bare Bones Arduino Board Kit (Unassembled)
Written by flung on Wednesday, December 3rd, 2008 in News.
We’re starting up a new feature here at Krunker (something I used to do on WhiningDog.net). Since we get so many review emails every day, I thought it would be good to simply list them out in a single blog posting for all of you to check out – a lot like how BluesNews does it.
BTW – if you have a new review that you’d like us to post up here at Krunker.com, please send it to news at krunker.com.
So without further ado, here goes nothing!
Hardware Secrets reviews the BFG MX-550 Power Supply Unit(above) and has this to say:
“The new MX series of power supplies from BFG features a modular cabling system, one 120-mm fan and one 80-mm fan that only kicks in when the temperature on the secondary heatsink is above 50º C. Let’s see if the 550 W model (MX-550 or BFGI550WMXPSU) is a good product.”
TechwareLabs reviews the NZXT TEMPEST Enthusiast Steel Mid-Tower case (right). Here’s their snippet:
“With a professional look that can fit anywhere, you’re sure to intimidate others with the very presence of this case”
TechwareLabs also has a review of the Altec Lansing SoundBar (above). Been looking for a soundbar myself for the bedroom. I wonder how these will do. Here’s a snippet:
“Looking for a set of computer speakers that are compact, but still loud enough to blow you away? Are you a audiophile that really wants to hear your music while at the office? Look no further. Today JasonD takes a look at the Altec Lansing SoundBar. Featuring XdB bass technology, the SoundBar is definitely something to check out”
ThinkComputers has a review of Xilence RAM Cooler HP Duo memory cooler. Here’s a snippet:
“The RAM Cooler HP Duo has a pair of copper heatpipes with lots of pretty copper fins, so besides providing extra cooling for those hot memory chips, you also get an excuse to add more shiny copper to the inside of your rig.”
OverclockersOnline has a review posted of the E-Power Thunder 650W 3 in 1 power supply. Here’s what they say:
“Topower manages to do an excellent job balancing price and performance. While there are cheaper power supplies available, and at the same time better performing power supplies available, Topower has managed to reach an equilibrium”
TrustedReviews has a review of the ASUS Maximus Extreme Mobo here on their website. Here’s their summary:
“You pay plenty for the Maximus Extreme, but that’s true of any X38 motherboard. We’re not convinced about the merits of three graphics slots but neither can we see any harm in the set-up that Asus has chosen and the cooling system and Fusion block are simply superb.”
The freaks at Test Freaks has a review of the HTC AT&T Fuze handset. Here’s what they think of it:
“The HTC Fuze is not a bad phone overall, it will take most users quite a bit to get accustomed to the new interface and the lack of buttons, the Fuze is meant to be navigated with the fingers primarily, and for those of us that like buttons and navigation pads, we’re out of luck”
Need a new pair of headphones for the holidays? Check out TechLounge’s review of the Sennheiser HD 595 headphones on their website.
“… the Sennheiser HD 595s are a great choice if you like listening to music alone at home. They won’t fly on a commute or in any public situation due to invading outside noise, and you might get in trouble for inadvertently broadcasting your music selections to those around you.”
Is your notebook running a tad bit hot? Check out TechPowerUp’s review of the Vizo mini Ninja II Notebook Cooler.. (I couldn’t help but laugh when I read the Ninja naming…). Here’s what they had to say:
“The mini Ninja II does the job quite well, just like the other versions from Vizo”
Digital Trends reviews the HTC Touch Diamond on their website here. Like many other earlier reviews, Digital Trends didn’t have high regards for the software. Here’s a snippet:
“..we have very few complaints about the outside of the Diamond Touch, and wish the software inside could live up to its promise.”
And finally, TweakNews has a review of a new HTPC case – the Antec Veris Fusion Remote Max Premium HTPC case that is (that’s a long name!). Here’s what they thought of the case:
“If you’re in the market for an HTPC chassis, and don’t want to spend a small fortune for it, I can easily recommend the Antec Fusion Remote Max. The combination of quality, functionality, quiet cooling performance and value is going to be difficult to beat. I like the Max a lot, and I think you will too.”
