With Nokia's dedication to Maemo and the recent Trolltech acquisition, it's no secret that Espoo has its eyes firmly locked on the Linux prize -- but outside the whole Internet Tablet phenomenon, there hasn't been a lot of product to show for it. Looks like that's all about to change, with CFO Rick Simonson commenting this week that the company will "definitely" be releasing some Linux-based cellphones in the future, marking a pretty big move for a company with strong tradition in its long-lived Series 40 dumbphone and S60 smartphone platforms. Simonson refused to get into the nitty gritty details about what flavor of mobile Linux would be used; borrowing from its tablets might make sense, but the Android and LiMo juggernauts seem like they're going to be pretty hard to ignore as well -- not to mention that Google is said to have chatted briefly about Android with Nokia in the not-too-distant past. So what does this all mean? Is S60 Touch in danger here?

[Via Thumb Report]

For those with identity crises, great senses of humor, or serious cases of Vista Fever, Spec-Works' VistaPerfection theme for the iPhone brings all the splendors of Windows Vista -- well, the important visual aspects, anyway -- to your pocket in a way that we can safely say Microsoft never intended. If the wow hadn't already started, ladies and gentlemen, it certainly has now.

[Via IntoMobile]

After slipping past their original spring release date, Panasonic's PZ850 series of plasmas are no longer the only ones with YouTube support, but those desiring internet features, high contrast ratios and easy-access calibration settings can expect them on shelves this summer. The 46-, 50- and 58-inch versions should all be available in mid-June, with the 65-incher rolling out in August. Other than the IP features (Picasa access is also part of the package) the THX-certified PZ850s support h.264 playback from the SD card slot, RS-232C, 24p native playback, and a variety of display modes and settings to get the picture just the way the director intended, the way you like it, or anywhere in between. Check after the break for a list of prices, and our video hands on from CES 2008.

So it turns out the product page for the Eee PC 900 includes this unusual line: "8.9-inch screen does not affect the overall weight of the Eee PC 900, which remains below 1kg -- allowing children and women to carry it with ease." Hey now, even putting aside the fact that calling women weak went out of vogue decades ago, let's also not harsh on the really muscular kids. For example, Richard Sandrak (above), the world's strongest boy. That little dude could probably lift his weight in Eee PCs, so don't mess, ASUS.

[Thanks, Lost Melodies]

The Wii Wireless Adapter for Wii Nunchuk controller, as it's so eloquently called, connects to your current nunchuk, untethering you from that not-always-necessary Wii Remote (or simply preventing the cable waggle). It's powered by two AA batteries and is available from Brando for $20. It's not the first wireless nunchuk we've seen, but from the looks of this one, it could help direct your finger to that hard-to-find Z button.

Just when it looked like OLPC was finally getting at least one foot firmly grounded in reality with the upcoming Windows XP version of its low-priced XO, Nick Neg takes things back into the stratosphere with the unveiling of the XO 2.0. Due in 2010, the new laptop will employ dual sunlight-readable touchscreen displays in a smaller, folding e-book form factor. Sure, it looks totally amazing, but we'll believe it when we see it. As if that weren't ambitious enough, Nick calls a $20 pricepoint per display not out of the question, thanks to the ubiquity of LCD screens for DVD players, with a final laptop price of $75. Sure Nick, but 2010? Let's work on getting the XO down to $100 first, shall we? Oh, and speaking of the XO, the Give 1 Get 1 program will be started back up in August or September of this year. There's just never a dull moment with these folks.

We've seen plenty of attempts to use game console hardware as MIDI controllers, but they've usually involved complicated hacks and strange software kludges, so we're pretty curious to see if Curious Inventor's Midiator actually works as promised. The nondescript black box is supposed to map virtually any PS2 controller -- including wireless models and partial support for Guitar Hero axes -- to various standard MIDI controls, including use of the analog sticks as pitch bends and modulators. Not only that, but if you don't feel like buying the assembled kit for $79, you can get the schematics for free, and if you're handy with a soldering iron, you can even earn some cash by adding requested features like pressure-sensitivity and direct USB support to the unit. Check it all out at the read link, and make sure to cruise past the break for the sweet demo video.

[Via MAKE]

It looks like wind power in the United States is getting a boost from a somewhat unexpected source, with billionaire oilman T. Boone Pickens recently announcing that he's spending $2 billion to build a 667 wind turbine-strong wind farm in Texas. That would translate to roughly 1,000 megawatts of electricity, or enough to power about 300,000 homes, but Pickens says that is only the start of what he has in mind. As he tells CNN, Pickens says he plans to expand the wind farm to a full 4,000 megawatts by 2015, which would likely make it the biggest wind farm in the world. What's more, in addition to pumping out electricity, the wind turbines would give a boost to the pocketbooks of anyone willing to put 'em on their property, with Pickens estimating that each turbine will generate about $20,000 a year in royalty income, although they apparently won't get electricity straight from the turbine in their backyard.

Read - CNN, "Billionaire oilman backs wind power"
Read - Reuters, "T. Boone Pickens orders 667 GE wind turbines"

Just an update on the broadcast flag controversy: NBC has copped to an "inadvertent mistake" in flagging the broadcast of American Gladiators as content prohibited from recording, while Microsoft stated it is only following the FCC's rules, and "fully adheres to flags used by broadcasters". This conveniently ignores the fact that there is no legal requirement for Windows Vista Media Center to recognize the broadcast flag and disable recording, but it does. Errant metadata can and does happen, but for such a "feature" to be buried within one's software unknowingly is troubling. Expect to hear more from the EFF and others questioning why Media Center unnecessarily turns parts of itself off at a broadcaster's command, and rightly so. What's most disturbing, and likely to go sadly without protest is that someone out there is actually watching, and trying to record for later, American Gladiators. The more you know indeed.

[Via Techdirt]

There's no dearth of Bluetooth-based wireless speakers out there, but Logitech put a nice bit of polish to this new Pure-Fi Mobile set, which is always appreciated. The A2DP stereo manages 12 hours of battery off of rechargeable batteries, and can work as a speakerphone with its built-in noise canceling mic. You can charge it up via USB or a wall jack, and there's of course an aux-in jack when you're not feeling in the wireless mood. Expect this one to hit Europe and the States in June for $150.

[Via Electronista]

Heads up, MP3 lovers, because Naptser launched its DRM-free music store today. As promised to throngs of fans, the historical pirate network has converted its entire music catalog of an impressive six million songs into MP3s to be sold at $.99 each or $9.95 for albums. Subscribers will remain in DRM land, however, so don't go getting any crazy ideas.

If you're somehow able to gaze upon the Digital Photo Urn without emotion, you'll find a fairly useful product. Still, we can't help but be a little creeped out by the notion. Nevertheless, those with differing views can certainly procure one of their own, which was meant specifically to hold the remains (or at least some of them) of your lost pet and continually show pictures of its life on the built-in 7-inch display. In case you're still not freaked out, the unit even supports audio, so you can "hear the precious barks, whines and purrs anytime." At this point, we highly doubt you care about the 256MB of integrated storage space, USB connectivity or Oak / Walnut motifs, but those not shaken can secure one now for around $250.

[Via picturesnob, thanks Jay]

Nothing fits the hand quite like the old school, blockish NES controller, all square and squeaky -- and now the subject of loving merger with an Apple Remote. The NesRemote, not surprisingly, makes use of the D-pad for navigation, A and B play and pause, and Select for the back button. No, it won't make exploring your iTunes collection as fun as collecting Metroid energy tanks, but we might guarantee that watching the video after the break will bring a smile to your jaded, geeky face.