On Gear Live: Circuit Breaker: The Tech Newsletter that Elevates Your Gadget Game

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My pal Nate True has been hard at work on improving his iPhone game, tap Tap Revolution. He made the game in his spare time after jailbreaking his phone early on, and then it got bought up by a new iPhone App company called Tapulous. They went into sweatshop mode, and it turns out that the game (which they are hoping makes it into the at launch) has come a long way from the version you will find in Installer.app.

First of all, it has received a name change. Tap Tap Revolution has become Tap Tap Revenge, and it features improved graphics, the addition of shakes (where you shake the phone to do certain actions), and a hot-looking two player mode. Check the video above for proof. The game will ship with a a few songs, and you can download add-ons (a la Rock Band and Guitar Hero) for free. Down the road, there should be tracks available for purchase as well. The reason for having to download tracks is because has stupidly put more silly restrictions on iPhone developers, and Apps don’t get access to the iTunes library. Sigh.

If you like rhythm games, this is gonna be one to download. It will be available for free, and you can download it from the App Store on July 11th.

Read More | cre.ations.net

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T.photo FrameTranscend has unveiled their T.photo 720 Digital Frame. The device features a 800 x 480 hi-res 7-inch widescreen TFT display, internal speakers, and can hold up to 2GB internal memory. The T.photo supports JPGs and BMPs and can create video playback. Make custom slideshows with its MyShow function and utilize NaturaTone to enhance color for a more “lifelike” appearance. The AOS (Automatic Orientation Sensor) is the part that we like best. It automatically detects whether to display the image horizontally or vertically. The frame also functions as an alarm clock, MP3 player, and FM tuner with 20 presets.

Read More | Transcend

Firefox logoThe word is out that Mozilla has officially set a record for the most downloads in a 24 hour period. The official number is 8,002,530 copies of Firefox 3 downloads.

“As the arbiter and recorder of the world’s amazing facts, Guinness World Records is pleased to add Mozilla’s achievement to our archives,” Gareth Deaves, Guinness’ records manager, said.

Microsoft has about 74% of the world market share for browsers while Firefox accounts for about 18%. We realize that this was conceived as a publicity stunt, but now that XP is retired, we expect that number will go up.

Read More | c/net

Latest Gear Live Videos

Asparagus on MarsNow that the Phoenix Lander has found possible evidence of ice, scientists are even more optimistic now that they have taken soil samples that shows a high alkaline level. Sam Kounaves, lead investigator for the wet chemistry laboratory, claims “It is the type of soil you would probably have in your back yard, you know, alkaline. You might be able to grow asparagus in it really well ... it is very exciting.”

The soil also showed traces of sodium, potassium, and magnesium, among other elements. We are not so sure it is all that exciting. How many people do you know that want to grow asparagus?

Read More | Couriermail

Speed BumpsThe National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is testing a fake speed bump to see if drivers will slow down. The optical illusion looks like a 3-D pyramid when seen from a distance. The first experiment in Phoenix seemed to work until drivers realized that there were no barriers. This time the NHTSA will run a larger test in a Philadelphia residential area, hoping that they will reduce pedestrian accidents. The markers only cost $60.00 to $80.00 apiece as opposed to real speed bumps which can run $1,000.00 to $1,500.00. At least they are acting reasonably about the devices that they realize will probably have only the same effect as flashing lights.

Read More | CNN

Galaxy WatchTokyoflash has another new and confusing timepiece. The Galaxy works by one touch, which starts animation and then displays the time on digital tube LEDs. The 12 yellow bars are the hours, the 11 red bars are groups of 5 minutes, and the 4 green bars represent each minute. Press the lower button and forgo the animation. Available in silver, the Galaxy carries a price of ¥13,900 (~$132.85.) We have been telling you about Tokyoflash’s watches for so long that we think we almost have the hang of it.

Read More | Tokyoflash

Worldcard UltraWe are forever getting business cards that somehow get lost in the shuffle. Penpower’s Worldcard Ultra helps organize them in this palm-sized scanner. Practically dust-free, you simply scan the cards and it will save the information. If you have a Mac, the device will input directly into your Address Book. At a size of 4.13 × 1.2 × 3.66-inches and a weight of 5.4 oz, the scanner recognizes multiple languages and can link to map directions. Equipped with software and a USB cable, the WorldCard Ultra retails for $199.95.

Read More | Penpower

Panasonic PT-DZ12000Panasonic’s PT-DZ12000 is curiously cooled with a water system. Its four built-in lamps deliver 12,000 lumens that can cast a 600-inch projection from a minimum of 12.4 meters. The projector has curve screen support and recently made its debut at Infocomm 08 in Las Vegas. Panasonic is counting on the device for exhibitions, amusement facilities, and major events. Due out in August, the PT-DZ12000 will carry a whopping price of $69,000.00. At that price, it seems you could simply correct the curved walls.

Read More | Tech-On via Crave


At HP’s conference in Berlin, Germany, Rahul Sood of PC announced the Voodoo Omen, a new top-of-the-line water-cooled PC using an as-yet-unannounced new set of SLI GPU’s and a new CPU as well. It also features a fully functional LCD monitor on the front of the case.

The construction on this PC is amazing, but with its $7000 price tag we’re not sure we’re ready to upgrade just yet. The Omen is currently only available to former Voodoo customers on an invite-only basis, so if you are looking to get your hands on one, you might just be out of luck.

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Subaru Plug-in Stella

Those of us that live around the Motor City hear reports almost every day of American car companies losing workers and factories. Sad to say that they are being replaced by such energy efficient vehicles as the Toyota Prius Hybrid. Now Fuji is celebrating their successful Subaru Plug-in Stella, a combination of the EV system in the R1 and the mini-car. The prototype electric vehicle is set to go into development and test marketing. This is not the first time Fuji has gone green. They also released a horizontally-opposed diesel engine in Europe this past March.

 

Read More | Far East Giizmos

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