Softcraze gadgets's Blog

Speaker made for girls

softcrazegadgets — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 13:23:23 +0000

Sometimes you might feel that it’s hard to decide which item it’s essential for your gear, but when a set of speakers is called the “Must-Have Mini Speakers”, it’s certainly crying out loud for attention. Available in various colors and designs, there portable mini speakers should make a good travelling companion for your MP3 player, don’t you think? It’ll set you back $19, in case you were wondering about its price.

Source

Q2 Cube Radio changes volume when tilted

softcrazegadgets — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 13:08:53 +0000

Many radios go for the obvious dials that you’re used to twisting and turning. Some go as far as to use buttons and things along those lines. Well this Q2 Cube Radio goes for a slightly different angle. Instead of being covered in useful knobs, it allows for you to control it by how you move the cube itself. If you like having things to toy with, this radio might be enough to keep you entertained.

In order to change the volume or radio stations, you just tilt or rotate the small cube. It works by utilizing a gravity switch, which isn’t exactly surprising. It seems to be that it’s still in the earlier stages of development. Right now they’re just showing off the gadget to the general public, but they’re not quite to the pricing stage of things. They were recently at an event in Massachusetts to show off their new cube.

Source: Newlaunches

Victoria Beckham to launch range of shoes and handbags

softcrazegadgets — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 12:57:43 +0000

The style icon of many, Victoria Beckham is all set to expand her fashion empire by launching her line of shoes and handbags. Posh Spice who has already found success with her VB designer clothing collection is said to have made the decision because she is fed up with being a “walking advert” for other designers’ clothes. Apparently, hubby David completely supports his wife’s new plans and has reportedly offered to build her a huge design workshop in Beckingham Palace, Herts, when they return to the UK. A Friend of Mrs. Beckham told The Sun, ‘It is feasible that after David retires she could become the main breadwinner in the Beckham house.”

[Telegraph]

Yas Hotel in Abu Dhabi sits within Formula 1 circuit

softcrazegadgets — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 12:43:23 +0000

You might be surprised to learn that Abu Dhabi is fast catching up with its more famous cousin, Dubai in terms of architecture. Though a smaller town, the city is gaining prominence because of the fact that the Abu Dhabi leg of the Grand Prix will take place soon. With that in mind, Asymptote Architecture has designed the Yas Hotel which is inspired by the Formula 1 and sits in the heart of the new Formula 1 circuit. The complex consists of 500 rooms and its bridge allows an unhindered view of the Grand Prix event.

The most unique quality of the hotel is the veil-like structure which creates a sort of crystalline aura, and the diamond-shaped glass panels make the whole structure look totally outlandish. The hotel complements the sky, sea and the desert in the background. Elegantly designed, Yas Hotel is key to placing Abu Dhabi on the International architectural map.

Via: World Architecture News

ArmorLite EcoSafety Coating protects you from mercury

softcrazegadgets — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 07:44:07 +0000

CFLs have quickly started to show up in just about everyone’s homes. Yes, they are more expensive, but it’s just so nice not to have to change bulbs out quite so often. Plus there is the benefit of reducing your energy bill and that whole eco-friendly thing. However, there is one major downside to them, they contain a small amount of mercury. Well luckily someone has now created a safety shell to keep that mercury from escaping.

It’d be a serious perk for anyone that is worried about their kids coming in contact with the mercury. The skin for the bulb will remain on it, even if the bulb inside of the skin manages to shatter. That’s a lot better than dealing with having to keep kids and pets away from the area where the bulb was broken. The skins will be out in December and January. At that time they’ll cost $7.99, but it is questionable how many people will bother paying the extra cash for the cover.

Source

Apple TV 3.0 software announced

softcrazegadgets — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 07:34:32 +0000

CUPERTINO, Calif., Oct. 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Apple® today introduced new Apple TV® 3.0 software featuring a redesigned main menu that makes navigating your favorite content simpler and faster, and makes enjoying the largest selection of on-demand HD movie rentals and purchases, HD TV shows, music and podcasts from the iTunes® Store even better on your TV. You can now enjoy iTunes Extras and iTunes LP in stunning fullscreen with your Apple TV, as well as listen to Genius Mixes and Internet radio through your home theater system. The new Apple TV software is available immediately free of charge to existing Apple TV owners, and Apple TV with 160GB capacity is available for just $229.

“The new software for Apple TV features a simpler and faster interface that gives you instant access to your favorite content,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s vice president of Internet Services. “HD movies and HD TV shows from iTunes have been a huge hit with Apple TV customers, and with Apple TV 3.0 they get great new features including iTunes Extras, Genius Mixes and Internet radio.”

The redesigned main menu on Apple TV gives you instant access to your favorite content. Recently rented or purchased movies, as well as other content including TV shows, music, podcasts, photos and YouTube, are accessible directly from the new main menu. The new software also allows Apple TV users to enjoy stunning fullscreen iTunes Extras and iTunes LP, including great new movie titles such as “Star Trek” or classics like “The Wizard of Oz” and albums such as Taylor Swift’s “Fearless (Platinum Edition)” and Jack Johnson’s “En Concert.” iTunes Extras gives movie fans great additional content such as deleted scenes, interviews and interactive galleries. iTunes LP is the next evolution of the music album, delivering a rich, immersive experience for select albums on the iTunes Store by combining beautiful design with expanded visual features like live performance videos, lyrics, artwork, liner notes, interviews, photos, album credits and more.

Now Apple TV users can enjoy Genius Mixes through their home theater system and listen to up to 12 endless mixes of songs that go great together, automatically generated from their iTunes library. Customers can also enjoy Internet radio, allowing them to browse and listen to thousands of Internet radio stations, as well as tag favorite stations to listen to later. Apple TV’s support of HD photos is enhanced with iPhoto Events, which simplifies finding your favorite photos on Apple TV, as well as iPhoto® Faces, which gives access to photos organized by people identified in iPhoto.

Apple TV users have direct access to a catalog of over 8,000 Hollywood films on iTunes including over 2,000 in stunning HD video available for rent or purchase. Users can also choose from a selection of 11 million songs, 10,000 music videos and over 50,000 TV episodes to purchase directly from their Apple TV or browse and enjoy the iTunes Store podcast directory of over 175,000 free video and audio podcasts. Purchases downloaded to Apple TV are automatically synced back to iTunes on the user’s computer for enjoyment on their Mac® or PC or all current generation iPods or iPhones.* iPod touch® or iPhone® users can download the free Remote app from the App Store to control their Apple TV with a simple tap or flick of the finger.

Pricing & Availability

The new Apple TV software is available as a free automatic download to all Apple TV customers. The 160GB Apple TV is available from the Apple Store® (www.apple.com), Apple’s retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers for a suggested retail price of $229 (US). Apple TV requires an 802.11b/g/n wireless network or 10/100 Base-T Ethernet networking, a broadband Internet connection and a high definition widescreen TV. Video availability varies by country.

Apple TV easily connects to a broad range of widescreen TVs and home theater systems and comes standard with HDMI, component video, analog and optical audio ports. Using high-speed Wi-Fi, Apple TV automatically plays your iTunes content without setup or management.

*Movie rentals work on iPod classic®, iPod nano® with video, iPod touch, iPhone, iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS.

Apple ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple II and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh. Today, Apple continues to lead the industry in innovation with its award-winning computers, OS X operating system and iLife and professional applications. Apple is also spearheading the digital media revolution with its iPod portable music and video players and iTunes online store, and has entered the mobile phone market with its revolutionary iPhone.

© 2009 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. Apple, the Apple logo, Mac, Mac OS, Macintosh, Apple TV, iTunes, iPhoto, iPod touch, iPhone, Apple Store, iPod classic and iPod nano are trademarks of Apple. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

SOURCE Apple

Press Release

AlterG M300 anti-gravity treadmill

softcrazegadgets — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 06:50:29 +0000

Are you the type who loves running, and must clock your miles regardless of the weather? If you have answered in the affirmative, chances are you would have a treadmill sitting prominently in your living room or basement as you rack up those frequent runner miles whenever it rains or snows heavily outside, trying to outdo your best time. Unfortunately for runners and avid joggers, experiencing injury and stress at your joints could throw your running plan literally off track as you take time to rehabilitate. AlterG has other ideas though with their new anti-gravity treadmill known as the M300, where this model is much cheaper than the original anti-gravity treadmill developed at NASA, boasting a sleek new design which will totally go down well in any home as your guests “ooh” and “aah” over the exercise equipment that is your pride and joy.

Optimized in form, function and price for physical therapy clinics, athletic training and leading fitness facilities, the AlterG M300 is able to bear the weight of pro football players, move in tandem with the speed of Olympic runners, while accommodating the specific requirements of world-class teams and athletes, which means for the ordinary fit Joe, this ought to be not a problem to use at all. In addition, it will remove most impact on the body and the pain and difficulty of recovery that will definitely go a long way in helping people achieve their training and rehab goals. The AlterG M300 will enable people to run and walk at a fraction of their body weight (up to 80% according to tests) thanks to the use of AlterG’s Differential Air Pressure technology that applies a precise and comfortable lifting force to the body for pain-free movement.

Shipping of the AlterG M300 commences this November, where prices start from $24,500 onwards. Hmm, at that price point, we’re guessing most people would opt for a regular treadmill and take an extended holiday off their fitness regime when injured.

Press Release

Soyea Z5 MID has Intel Atom, 3G access, high price

softcrazegadgets — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 06:05:03 +0000

China’s Soyea has recently released a new Mobile Internet Device (MID), the Z5, which sports a 5-inch touchscreen with 800×480 resolution. Processing power comes courtesy of a 1.2GHz Intel Atom processor, and there is 1GB of RAM onboard. Internet access comes from either a Wi-Fi connection or 3G module with access from China Telecom. Bluetooth 2.0 with EDR is also present. Storage space consists of an 8GB solid state drive, which contains both Windows XP and a Linux operating system. A microSD memory card slot allows for expanding memory. Stereo speakers and a webcam are built-in, while connections include mini USB and a VGA port. Available in white or black, the Z5 costs the equivalent of about $880 in China. [via Pocketables]

MIT’s Affective Intelligent Driving Agent Is A Backseat Driver

softcrazegadgets — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 05:52:01 +0000

MIT is at it again, this time with a cutesy dashboard-mounted AI system that collects environmental data, such as local events, traffic and gas stations, and combines it with analysis of your driving habits and style to make helpful suggestions and note points of interest.

MIT must have some hubris stuck in its ears, as its labs are back at it with what looks like Clippy gone 3D, with an extra dash of Knight Rider-inspired personality. What we’re talking about here is a dashboard-mounted AI system that collects environmental data, such as local events, traffic and gas stations, and combines it with a careful analysis of your driving habits and style to make helpful suggestions and note points of interest.

[Engadget]

Internet turns 40 years old

softcrazegadgets — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 05:36:22 +0000

The Internet has turned 40 years old this week, with its beginnings occurring at 9pm on October 29th, 1969. On that day, engineers at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) and Stanford Research Institute (SRI) nearly 400 miles away sent data over the first two nodes. Back then, the Internet was known as Arpanet, after the US Department of Defense’s Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA), which commissioned its creation. Charlie Kline at UCLA tested the network by logging into a Scientific Data Systems computer at SRI, where Bill Duvall was receiving it. The system crashed on the first attempt, but was restored an hour and a half later. Dr. Larry Roberts oversaw this exchange from Washington, and the MIT scientist is credited for designing the fundamental technical specification of the Arpanet. All subsequent hardware for the Arpanet was based on his work. The head of ARPA’s Information Processing Techniques Office, Bob Taylor, wanted Arpanet to help save money by eliminating the need for duplicate computers by each institution he funded for storing the same databases and research for easy access. The institutions jumped onboard when they realized how much computing power they could free up by accessing Arpanet. In December of 1969, Arpanet had four nodes and by 1972, 37. This is when the networks were connected to each other, and the network of networks that is the Internet was created. The Arpanet changed its name to the Internet in the 1970s, though the concept remained the same. Dr. Roberts is now heading a DARPA research project to prepare the Internet for the future. Him and others are working on security improvements, fair use and high quality for such uses as remote surgeries. [via BBC]