Engadget logo now a thrilla in Manila
by Thomas Ricker 
posted Nov 9th 2009 at 4:52AM
[Thanks, Jeffrey S.]
[Thanks, Jeffrey S.]
Entelligence: Heads I win, tails so do you
by Michael Gartenberg posted Nov 8th 2009 at 7:30PM
Entelligence is a column by technology strategist and author Michael Gartenberg, a man whose desire for a delicious cup of coffee and a quality New York bagel is dwarfed only by his passion for tech. In these articles, he'll explore where our industry is and where it's going -- on both micro and macro levels -- with the unique wit and insight only he can provide.
That's a pretty sappy title. It almost sounds like I'm talking about summer camp. You know, where everyone who goes to camp gets to have a part and everyone gets an award for something.
I think competition is good. I think healthy competition forces people and companies to push themselves further, innovate greater and drive products to the next level. Competition gave us Windows 7, the iPhone, and a host of other technologies and products as vendors looked to up their game and compete. While I don't consider myself a fanboy of anything except perhaps Aaron Sorkin or NYC bagels, I also think fanboys (and fangirls) are good. I like people who are really passionate about the technology they buy and stand behind their passion. It's good for people to be excited about tech. So if you're a Windows 7, Snow Leopard or Ubuntu lover, I say. "Excellent!" Heck, if you're a Newton, Amiga or Vectrex aficionado and hate anything created past 1995, that's cool too. I'm talking about something else. I'm talking about a philosophy that says, If I win, then you must lose.
I think competition is good. I think healthy competition forces people and companies to push themselves further, innovate greater and drive products to the next level. Competition gave us Windows 7, the iPhone, and a host of other technologies and products as vendors looked to up their game and compete. While I don't consider myself a fanboy of anything except perhaps Aaron Sorkin or NYC bagels, I also think fanboys (and fangirls) are good. I like people who are really passionate about the technology they buy and stand behind their passion. It's good for people to be excited about tech. So if you're a Windows 7, Snow Leopard or Ubuntu lover, I say. "Excellent!" Heck, if you're a Newton, Amiga or Vectrex aficionado and hate anything created past 1995, that's cool too. I'm talking about something else. I'm talking about a philosophy that says, If I win, then you must lose.
DocuPen X hits earth for all your pen scanner needs
by Laura June posted Nov 8th 2009 at 8:02AM
Thinking maybe you can't live another day without finally breaking down and purchasing a pen scanner? We can sympathize. There are plenty on the market, but the newly hatched DocuPen X Series is mildly more interesting than most out there. They've managed to cram 64MB of memory, Bluetooth, a tiny OLED screen and a lithium ion battery all in that tiny package, and if you're the sunflower seed-eating, alien-hunting type, you probably want one of these for scanning your files at up to 600 dots per inch. DocuPen's teensy X Series scanners start at $370.Crapgadget: 'All hope just might be lost' edition
by Darren Murph posted Nov 8th 2009 at 1:18AM
Read - iPhone chocolate case
Read - Crab earphones
Read - 4-port USB Aeroplane hub
Read - Hamburger USB warmer pad
Read - Monkey USB warmer pad
Read - Metallic car USB flash drive
Read - Fine-toothed comb USB drive
Fluidic Energy promises better, cheaper metal-air batteries, wins DoE grant
by Donald Melanson posted Nov 5th 2009 at 6:05PM
It's not the only company working on metal-air batteries, but Scottsdale, Arizona-based Fluidic Energy may be in a better position to deliver on its promises than most, as it's just managed to snag a $5.13 million research grant from the US Department of Energy to further develop the "breakthrough" technology. While that word's thrown around quite a bit these, in the case, it may actually live up to the hype, considering that breakthrough in question would be a battery that's able to deliver eleven times the energy density of the best lithium-ion batteries for less than one-third of the cost. The key to that, it seems, is the battery's use of an ionic liquid as its electrolyte, which is described as a "wonder fluid" since it's able to last significantly longer than other fluids because drying out isn't a problem, and because it brings with it a significant boost in energy density. Of course, the company still apparently doesn't have an actual battery to back up its claims just yet, and it's not making any promises about when it might deliver one either.Send your 'Hiro P' BUGbase back, get a BUGbase WiFi for $99
by Darren Murph posted Nov 5th 2009 at 4:32PM
If you classify yourself as a hardcore DIYer, you probably sprung for Bug Labs' 'Hiro P' BUGbase way back in the day. You've also likely been weeping since the entirely more awesome BUGbase WiFi was announced last month. Thankfully, you can now empty your current bucket of tears and stash it away for good, as a wicked good deal has just arrived to turn that frown upside-down. Bug Labs is offering the $449 BUGbase WiFi for just $99 if you send your original BUGbase back to the company before November ends. If you'd like to take advantage, feel free to hit up Bug and mention the offer being emailed out to existing users after the break.Bandai unleashes beauty tool to detect the condition, mood of your skin
by Laura June posted Nov 4th 2009 at 9:02PM
[Via Hobby Blog]
'Secret Knock' Door Lock defends home from rhythmically-impaired perps (video)
by Joseph L. Flatley posted Nov 4th 2009 at 8:14PM
The Arduino board has been the engine of many wild and wacky projects over the years, from bakery tweeting to various musical instruments. For its next trick, our man Steve Hoefer has taken his microcontroller and, along with a piezoelectric speaker, a gear reduction motor, and some PVC pipe, programmed it to listen for a preset sequence of knocks -- a secret knock, if you will -- and unlock the deadbolt upon hearing the right combination. Although this might not be the security system you want to put in place for your home, this definitely looks like a fun weekend project. Check out the read link for instructions and schematics, but not before you see the video of the thing in action. It's after the break.
[Via Hacked Gadgets]
[Via Hacked Gadgets]
New York attorney general files antitrust lawsuit against Intel
by Nilay Patel posted Nov 4th 2009 at 12:09PM
No matter how it tries, Intel just can't shake those pesky antitrust monkeys off its back: the attorney general of New York today filed a federal antitrust lawsuit against the chipmaker, saying it unfairly prevented AMD from competing under state and federal law. That's pretty much what the EU just fined Intel $1.45b for in May and exactly what AMD itself is suing Intel for in Delaware, so we're guessing things are a little busy for Chipzilla's lawyers right now -- and it's just going to get worse, as the smart money says this is all just a precursor to the Federal Trade Commission dropping the hammer sometime soon. Hey, maybe this would be a good time to for Intel to distract everyone with some USB 3.0 chipsets?Josh is on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon tonight!
by Nilay Patel posted Nov 2nd 2009 at 3:59PM
P.S.- In case you missed Josh and Jimmy goofing around with the iPhone 3GS in June or the Pre back in March, we've got videos after the break.
Showtimes:
12:37AM Eastern
11:37PM Central
11:37PM Mountain
12:37AM Pacific
Ex-AMD CEO Hector Ruiz steps down as Globalfoundries chairman amid insider trading scandal
by Donald Melanson posted Nov 2nd 2009 at 11:59AM
We won't dive back into all the backstory that led to former AMD CEO Hector Ruiz's current troubles as the chairman of AMD spin-off Globalfoundaries, but let's just say that when your name is in the same sentence as "insider trading scandal" and "hedge fund probe," you're probably in a pretty bad way. While this story is obviously still far from over, it looks like Ruiz has at least realized the gravity of his predicament, and announced today that he's taking a "voluntary leave of absence" before formally resigning from the company on January 4th, 2010. He'll be replaced immediately by former Broadcom CEO Alan "Lanny" Ross, who will serve as interim chairman until the company's board appoints a permanent chairman.[Via GigaOM]
Print your own circuit boards with an Inkjet (and a modicum of skill)
by Joseph L. Flatley posted Oct 30th 2009 at 5:39PM
Remember yesterday, when one illustrious modder whipped up a head-mounted computer that featured a printed circuit board of his own design? The fabrication method he used was called direct-to-PCB Inkjet printing. An economical (if laborious) alternative to professional production, the process includes: designing your circuit, printing it out on a transparency, flickin' on some lightbulbs, washing things out in abrasive chemicals, and waving a magic wand. While it's not for the timid (nor simple enough to go through in great detail here) the kids over at Instructables have been kind enough to put together and post one of their award-winning step-by-step guides on this very subject. So, what are you waiting for? Hit the read link and get to work.
Apple's main ad man thinks different, steps down as Macs battle PCs like it's 1984
by Donald Melanson posted Oct 30th 2009 at 1:56PM
Apple's certainly seen plenty of shakeups in its ranks over the years and, while this one may not exactly come as a shock, it's still tough to overstate the influence of Lee Clow, who has announced that he's stepping down as chief creative officer of Apple's main ad agency, TBWA/Media Arts Lab. While he also made his mark with a range of other clients (including the Energizer Bunny and the Taco Bell Chihuahua), Clow was most closely identified with Apple, and founded the Media Arts Lab as part of TBWA in 2006 specifically to serve the company. Clow has been the man behind virtually every major Apple advertising campaign even before that, however, including the famous 1984 Superbowl ad, the "Think Different" series, the dancing iPod silhouettes and, of course, the Mac vs. PC ads. Not surprisingly, another Apple ad man, Duncan Milner, has been tapped to take his place, and Clow will be staying on as Chairman if he ever needs a little advice. Let's head on past the break for a brief trip down memory lane, shall we?
[Via Macworld]
[Via Macworld]
Sears Black Friday ad revealed, we'll be sleeping off our tryptophan hangovers
by Tim Stevens posted Oct 30th 2009 at 8:36AM
Read - PDF scan of Sears 2009 Black Friday ad
Read - Listing of Sears 2009 Black Friday deals
Rechargeable zinc-air batteries promise a lot, we'll see if they deliver in 2010
by Vladislav Savov posted Oct 30th 2009 at 6:58AM
[Via PhysOrg]
