Its Electronica

Posted Feb 29th 2008 1:24PM by Donald Melanson
Filed under: Gaming, Home Entertainment

As if seeing the Commodore logo slapped on a whole slew of thoroughly unremarkable devices wasn’t enough to make folks of a certain age feel a little wistful for their early computing days, legendary game developer Microprose is now getting in on the action as well, and seemingly outdoing Commodore to boot. As the Classic Gaming website reports, Microprose, once known as the name behind Civilization, Railroad Tycoon and other classic games, is now set to release a bundle of new products that likely wouldn’t garner a second glance if not for the brand. Those include the MPI-500 digitial TV receiver and MPI-100 HDMI switch pictured above, as well as a series of REDLINE cabling products aimed at gamers, a battery pack/stand for the PSP, and the Microprose Arcade Professional PC joystick (pictured after the break), which at least brings a little old school flavor with it (including a trackball). No word on a price for any of ‘em just, but at least the joystick will apparently be available in May.

[Via Classic Gaming, thanks Curt]

The proposed LINC phone is an intriguing concept to parse, as it makes claims to both technological and ecological superiority. Basic idea is that you lease your phone instead of owning it. After a year, you send your current handset back to LINC, which builds the phones for easy, automated disassembly to simplify component recycling. You get a sparkly new phone with the latest features and your account settings already transferred.

The anti-obsolescence insurance will no doubt be reassuring to geeks, and the built-for-recycling aspect is certainly laudable. But wouldn’t it be more environmentally responsible to just grit your teeth and keep using your old phone?

+ Linc - The Lifecycle Concept Phone [The Greener Grass]

Do you happen to own a HTC-based product? Well, there is now a 3-in-1 ExtUSB Headphone Adapter that enables you to use a standard 3.5mm stereo headphone with your HTC devices instead of HTC’s proprietary headphones which frankly, aren’t up to par when it comes to audio performance. Not only that, you will be able to hook up a microphone to it as well while the additional USB port offers an extra avenue for charging your HTC device. It retails for an affordable $15 a pop.

Clarion’s NAX973HD is one satellite navigation system that you can consider should you want to upgrade your car to cater for drivers who can’t seem to find their way around without help from an electronic apparatus of some sort. Features include the following :p

• 30GB hard drive
• 400MHz processor
• RDS-TMC tuner
• 12-channel GPS receiver
• On-board gyroscope
• Voice recognition and text-to-speech in 6 European languages

The Clarion NAX973HD won’t be easy on your pocket though as it retails for £795.

Posted Feb 29th 2008 8:29AM by Darren Murph
Filed under: Robots, Transportation

Truth be told, MIT Media Lab’s RoboScooter prototype would be a lot more intriguing if it had some sort of autopilot button, and while that could very well emerge in the future, it looks as if the first models will still require human intervention. Nevertheless, the ultra-compact vehicle is entirely electric, and aside from supporting swappable batteries, it can also fold up for easy transport. Furthermore, its creators boast that the entire rig is constructed from just 150 parts, which makes life on the assembly line that much easier. Granted, even engineers realize that scooters don’t stand much of a chance in America, but if all goes well, this bugger could start conquering Asian streets as early as next year.

[Via AutoblogGreen]

Okay, so being the winner of our “Pink Palm Centro Misery Giveaway” means you’ve been a big loser at love, at least once during Valentine’s Day, but now you’re getting the messaging phone extraordinaire and you can send hate messages to the one who wronged you. Only kidding….

The winner will be receiving the Pink Centro, valued at $399.99 (or $99 with a 2-year Sprint contract).

And the winning/losing story:
M & I had been dating for 7 years. Valentines Day was a huge day for us, as we had been set up on a blind date on V-day 2000. A mutual friend set us up & we hit it off immediately. We got close quickly, but were both happy with keeping our separate living arrangements as we were both professionals with busy work schedules. We had always talked of getting married at some point and having kids. We had similar ideas & ideals about marriage & families. Back to V-day. M always put a huge effort into making our V-day celebration special. I never knew from year to year what he would plan. One year, he whisked me away to NYC in a limo to an intimate dinner & then to a show that I had wanted to see. On the way, he took me to my favorite SoHo boutique to buy a new dress & beautiful shoes.

Don’t be too jealous, see the misery come in after the jump…

If you’re the type of computer geek who wants ultimate control over customizing your laptop, or if you’re a graphic design junkie who can’t stand the boring options of colors out there for your portable machine.

Sony have introduces the new VAIO Graphic Splash Notebooks that they’re calling their “Expression Collection”. From the website:

What is VAIO Graphic Splash?
VAIO Graphic Splash is a unique line of limited edition notebooks that break convention and let you express yourself in a whole new way. Using a process called dye-sublimation, stunning colors and eye-catching patterns are infused into a notebook’s exterior with brilliant results. And the possibilities are endless.

The Expression Collection
Express yourself. Take customization to new heights with this dazzling new addition to VAIO’s Graphic Splash family. Introducing The Expression Collection, a truly original offering with an exciting palette of vibrant colors and interesting patterns. Select the combination that fits you best, and take your pick among four keyboard fonts that add a subtle touch of elegance to a commonly-overlooked aspect of the computer.

Created by you.
Experience personalization, inside and out. When you choose a customizable VAIO Graphic Splash notebook, you decide what goes in the computer as well as what goes on it. Select the hard drive, processor and memory that’s right for you, and enclose it all in a bold and sophisticated shell. With three colors, three patterns and four keyboard fonts to choose from, The Expression Collection is always poised to make a statement.

I wish there were a few other options for custom font on the keyboard - Bradly Hand, really? Why not just add Comic Sans and make me want to punch clowns? Was there nothing else you could use?

Regardless of the poor font choices, you can pick one up starting at around $1,300.

[Sony via Techie Diva]

Don’t worry, you’re not losing it — yet, anyway. Corsair has indeed already launched a 16GB (and 32GB, for that matter) Voyager flash drive, but its forthcoming Voyager GT promises access speeds “up to four times faster” than standard USB 2.0 drives. Furthermore, this one comes housed in a water and shock resistant all-rubber casing, and could be entirely more appealing if that keyring slot were expanded to open bottles. Nevertheless, Corsair’s hoping that you’ll find enough to love to drop $169.99 after it debuts at CeBIT in just a few days.
[Source]

USB Shaver

An excellent gift for the man who never leaves the office! This sylish retro looking USB shaver is ideal to keep in your drawer in case you have an unexpected meeting or just to tidy up before going out after work. Also fantastic for the travelling business man with a laptop no need for another adaptor or trying to get those weird plugs that they have in bathrooms to work!Plugs neatly into any computer or laptop USB port, for shaves on the go. Lightweight and compact, easy to use, and convenient! Includes:USB shaver with LidUSB plug on spring-loaded wind up mechanismShaver cleaner Brush 

Check out this cool Nintendo DS Bento box from Alafista.

It always surprises me when strange food mixes with electronics. Who loves their Nintendo DS so much that they want to eat it in effigy?

Via: Craftzine.com blog: Nintendo DS Bento