Electronic Toy World

Posted Feb 29th 2008 2:29PM by Donald Melanson
Filed under: Gaming There’s certainly been no shortage of sad stories involving Xboxes, but when it comes to attempts to get the console repaired, this latest tale from a gamer known only as Nathaniel might have to take the cake. As you can see above, his console (one of the first to hit the market) boasted a good deal of personalization, including signatures from folks at Bungie and the Xbox 360 team, and a spiffy illustration by Rooster Teeth Comics artist Luke McKay. As with many other Xbox users, however, Nathaniel’s console eventually packed it in, and he was forced to send it to Microsoft for repairs. Needless to say, that’s when things took a turn for the worse. Despite calling ahead of time and getting assurances that his prized console would be sent back intact, and including a letter reiterating how much the console meant to him, Microsoft apparently took it upon themselves to clean it as best they could before returning it, leaving only a few faint smudges of permanent marker to ensure that it was, in fact, the same Xbox. There’s no word as to what Nathaniel plans to do next (other than weep), but given that Microsoft gave the royal treatment to someone that did nothing more than get a Zune tattoo, you’d think they could at least give the guy a few free points or something.

I’m already bi-lingual, but in truth, one of my dreams is to become a polyglot. Until my dream comes true though, I’ll make sure to bring this device if I ever visit another country.

The Voyager 3 Digital Speaking Language Translator is a portable translator which is programmed with the Oxford dictionary is twenty different languages. It can also translate and speak over 40,000 words as well as 46,000 phrases. Of course, all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, so this baby is also equipped with an FM radio, calendar, calculator, and even, eight games. For 125, I say, not bad. Now if only it can translate alien language, I’d be a happy camper.

via

Is it just me or does anyone else think that this USB Hub with Clock and Mood Light look like the mac mini?

The design of the USB Hub with clock and mood light is a blend of functionality and simplicity. It is a multi-function USB hub featuring an integrated 7-color mood light. The 7 soft colors will start to illuminate by taking turns the moment the device is powered. It also doubles up as a desk-based alarm clock, waking you up from your afternoon nap and reminding you that there are just three more agonizing minutes to 5 before you can take off from the office. The time display is backlit as well for your convenience.

The USB Hub with Clock and Mood Light retails for $16 from Brando.

Meet the Micropod SE from Scandyna, a Danish speaker company (the country, not the pastry).  Scandyna has been at making speakers for 40 years and does so with a certain flair.  These kind of makes me want to crawl inside one of these and make some honey.

The full feature list is copied below but highlights include: a Kevlar bass/midrange unit, a soft dome tweeter and an
extra durable finish.  Hot.  At $199 a pair, performance and style don’t come cheap. 

The maker has some much larger versions that look quite Dr. Seuss-ish, which in my book, is what every designer should aspire too.

Product page: [podspeakers]

Colours White, Black, Silver, Blue, Yellow, Red.
Shape 2 way closed box, abs cabinet.
Applications Stereo arrangement, AV, 5.1, multimedia.
Frequency Minus 3db at 65hz and 20khz.
Sensitivity 86db spl (1w @ 1m) 4 ohm.
Sound Compatible with amplifiers from 10w - 100w output.
Drive units One 70mm (3”22) long throw bass/midrange feat. Kevlar piston and 19mm (3/4”) dia free-mounted
high frequency.
Weight 0.95 kg (2.3lbs) without spikes and packing.
Dimensions Width: 125mm.
Height: 160mm (195mm with spikes).
Depth: 114mm.

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Why should your ipod have all the cool cases? Griffin has now released two of their most popular cases for the iPhone. For the rugged individual, there’s the multi-purpose Courier which is made of compression-molded EVA outer jacket for abrasion-resistant durability and can either wrap around the strap of your backpack or bag (up to 4 inches wide), or be secured by a industrial-strength hook & loop closure (see photo above). The detachable case fits iPod classic/iPod with video and iPod touch, and your precious iPhone. With a hidden zipper pocket for key, money, ID, and a second flapped pocket for sync cable, earphones, or whatever you need, this utiilty case is all you need to carry. 34.99 at Griffin.; now $24.01 at Amazon.

My iPhone had been envious of my iPod’s stylish Reflect case, but is now sporting its own. Made of a durable polycarbonate shell that surrounds the face of your iphone with seamless, chrome-like protection, and a rubberized matte black back, it protects while still giving you access to all the controls of your iPhone. At $24.99 it’s a great way to dress up your iPhone.

Posted Feb 29th 2008 10:35AM by Darren Murph
Filed under: GPS
Though it’s hard to see where Clarion’s NAX973HD fits in between in-dash units installed at the factory and portable navigators, we suppose folks already drawn to a dedicated display or totally infatuated with this thing’s software may be in love. Marketed as a nav system that will churn out directions in Europe much quicker than those disc-based systems, this unit features a 30GB internal hard drive, 12-channel GPS receiver, built-in gyro sensor / RDS-TMC tuner for traffic information, pre-loaded NAVTEQ maps of 30 countries, voice recognition / text-to-speech capabilities, 2D / 3D map views and a VGA output to boot. Unfortunately, word on the street pegs this thing at £795 ($1,579) without a display, so we’d probably steer clear unless you’re crazy about automotive installations.

[Via Tech Digest]

Posted Feb 29th 2008 11:48AM by Darren Murph
Filed under: Storage
Yeah, companies have been trumpeting their ability to crank out discs that will last long after Martians come and evaporate our minds here on Earth for some time, but for archive junkies out there, more is always better. On deck today is Mitsubishi’s ARLEDIA DVD-Rs, which reportedly feature corrosion-resistant coatings made from gold and silver. ‘Course, you can only write to these at 8x, but they are expected to last about twice as long as traditional recordable discs. Not like you’ll be around to prove ‘em wrong, though.

[Via Impress]

Posted Feb 29th 2008 11:23AM by Joshua Topolsky
Filed under: cellphones
It was only a matter of time till the serious iphone SDK rumors started flying, and with Apple’s Town Hall event next Thursday, it’s possible some of what we’re hearing is right on. If that’s the case, prepare to be letdown in a major way. According to iLounge, Apple will be severely restricting access on software for the iPhone and ipod touch, only allowing apps to be downloaded through iTunes, hand-picking which applications will make it to the store, and cutting off developer’s access to accessories which interface with the dock connector. Of course, this is just about what we expected from Steve, since he’s already lauded Nokia for its S60 verification scheme. Additionally, the report claims that the SDK we see next week will be an incomplete beta, with the full version rolling out in June to coincide with the WWDC. Thinking of any good reasons to keep jailbreaking your phone? Yeah, us too.

[Thanks, Omega]

Posted Feb 29th 2008 8:05AM by Joshua Topolsky
Filed under: Robots
Artist France Cadet has created what was clearly meant to be a thought-provoking treatise on animal rights, the changing relationships of humans and animals, our ethical concerns on hunting, and an ever-morphing perception of what it means to be human… but it also comes off as looking really, really cool. Using the better half of the Aibo-wannabe I-Cybie robo-dog, Cadet reprograms the half-bots — called “Hunting Trophies” — to detect movement and react angrily when a viewer approaches. There are 11 different species in the collection, including a robot impala, lion, zebra, and warthog. Guess what? Despite those lofty philosophical goals, each one is more adorable than the next. Want.

[Via PROTEIN OS]

Ah, the Lexus - a sign to the world that you’ve arrived. Amerigon Incorporated has just announced that its proprietary Climate Control Seat (CCS) will be making its way as an optional feature in the front seats of the all new 2008 Lexus LX 570 premium luxury utility vehicle. According to Amerigon President and Chief Executive Officer Daniel R. Coker, the CCS prides itself in being the only actively heated and cooled seat system on the global automotive market. This allows the driver and front seat passenger to individually heat or cool their seat for comfort in any climate. Man, I could definitely make do with such a seat in my beat up vehicle, combating the colds of winter as well as the sweltering summer heat at the touch of the button.

Coker went on to say further, “This is a completely redesigned Lexus model, and we are proud to be included in such a high-profile vehicle. We believe the fact that Lexus has engineered our CCS system into one of its most advanced and innovative vehicles is a validation of the strength of our technology. We consider this another milestone in our long and fruitful relationship with Lexus and Toyota.”

The CCS system was developed around Amerigon’s highly-efficient, solid-state thermoelectric device and is completely independent of the automobile’s heating and air conditioning system. In addition, it does not reduce power available to the engine so you can continue with your mountain climbs and overtaking vehicles on the slow lane with ease without suffering from the lack of fresh horses. Not only that, CCS is environmentally friendly as there is no emission of CFCs or other gases for Greenpeace activists to trail your luxury vehicle. How does it work?

Air is forced through the heat pump in the CCS system and thermally conditioned in response to electronic switch input from the seat occupant. The conditioned air circulates by a specially designed fan through ducts in the seat cushion and seat back, so that the surface can be heated or cooled. Each seat has individual electronic controls to adjust the level of heating or cooling. CCS substantially improves comfort compared with conventional air conditioners by focusing the cooling directly on the passenger through the seat, rather than waiting until ambient air cools the seat surface behind the passenger.

Press Release