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Is There Ice on Mars?
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Editorial, Rumors, Science, Transportation,
NASA believes that material found on Mars recently may really be ice. When images from the trench dubbed “Snow White 2” were received from the Phoenix Mars lander, scientists believed the white surface shown was either salt or ice clumps. Because many of them were gone the next day, the researchers ruled out the presence of salt, although the soil sample didn’t yield evidence of water.
Because the Phoenix is undergoing adjustment to its software, it has been a bit lax in its duties. We suspect that when it gets going it will get right on it, unless those pesky Martians try to sabotage the project again before the 90 day time frame is complete.
Read More 
| CNN
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Poll: iPhone 3G - black or white?
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Design, Features, Handhelds, Portable Audio / Video,
So, now that we’ve cleared up the iPhone 3G price confusion (we think), we are curious what you guys will be picking up once the device is unleashed. Apple has moved away from the aluminum-looking backing, instead opting for a glossy black finish on the 8GB iPhone 3G. However, if you opt for the 16GB model, you get a choice between glossy black and glossy white. What say you?
Bleeding Edge TV 272: Computex 2008 - AMD Live! Home Theatre hardware
Posted by Nate True Categories: Gizmatic, HDTV, Home Entertainment, Household, PC / Laptop, Videocasts, Videos,
AMD shows us how the home theatre PC arena is getting exciting again. Thanks to AMD Live!, manufacturers are finally creating affordable high-quality and high-performance components for the home theatre PC. Inexpensive platforms supporting full-resolution 1080p HD and 7.1 channel surround sound are being manufactured and will be out for sale real soon.
We love the intiative AMD has taken on this one! We talk with Jay Taylor of AMD Live! and have a look at the new components.
Here's how to get the show:[Download] - iPod-formatted H.264
[Download] - 720p HD
[Download] - 1080p MP4
Latest Gear Live Videos
iPhone 3G pricing: Who qualifies?
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Handhelds, Rumors,
It seems that there is a bunch of confusion surrounding the price of the newly announced iPhone 3G. I spent a while on the phone the other day chatting with my pal Chris Aarons over at Buzz Corps, and we debated how pricing would work. At the end of the conversation, I realized how silly it was that, despite a price being announce on stage at WWDC 2008, that people still weren’t sure if they would be able to get the phone for the $199-299 that was quoted.
So, where does the confusion lie? Well, when dealing with cell phone companies in terms of subsidized phones (and the new iPhone 3G is a subsidized phone,) it all comes down to qualification. Don’t believe us? Head on over to AT&T’s iPhone 3G splash page. Next to the price of the phone, you will see a neat little asterisk. Scroll down to the fine print, and what do you find? The following:
*Qualified customers only. 2 year contract required. Based on 3G and EDGE testing. Actual speeds vary by site conditions. Based on iPhone 3G (8GB) and first-generation iPhone (8GB) purchases. Requires new 2-year AT&T rate plan, sold separately.
Did you get that? Qualified customers only. And yet, there is no mention of who qualifies. There lies the conundrum. When Steve Jobs announced the price of the iPhone 3G, he made no mention of any sort of qualification that had to be met, and many believed that $199 was the price anyone should expect to pay for the new iPhone. Luckily, InformationWeek was able to get some information out of AT&T’s Mark Siegel, which should help in clearing all this up. Looking at what Siegel had to say, here is what we know to be true:
Click to continue reading iPhone 3G pricing: Who qualifies?
TelePhone Car Goes on Tour
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Smartphones, Design, Transportation,
Would you buy a phone from this man? Howard Davis wanted a way to promote Datel Communications, his telephone company. Built on a 1975 Volkswagen Beetle chassis, his Telephone Phone car has an aluminum body and tinted windshield. The horn is a telephone ringer, of course. Davis is currently in the midst of a world tour that will include such locations as Texas, Arkansas, San Francisco, and the Burning Man Festival in Nevada in August. Check his site if you want to catch one of his appearances.
Read More | the phone car
So you think you have the smartest dog on the block? Find out for sure with the Doggy IQ Test. Created by Dr. Stanley Coren, pooch expert, there are 12 tests to determine the CIQ (Canine Intelligence Quotient.) Five of them are problem solving, and the others have to do with memory and ability. The kit includes a book, score and result guide, and stopwatch. Get yours for £4.99 (~$10.00) or, if your dog is really smart, have him/her borrow a copy from the local library.
Read More | i want one of those
Somebody finally decided to create a USB 2.0 Cube Hub that not only allows you to connect 4 devices, 2 of them can be turned off and on. What a great idea for people like us that only have two ports and one of them is solely dedicated to our mouse. At a size of 60 x 60 x 45mm and a weight of 127g, the hub works with Windows XP/Vista/200 and has a data transfer rate of up to 480Mbps. Available in 5 colors, pick one up for $12.00.
Read More | Brando
Speck PixelSkins iPhone 3G Case
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Handhelds, Misc. Tech,
Specks are back, this time in lots of colors for your iPhone 3G. Available in 6 colors, their PixelSkins are lightweight, rubberized cases with textured matte finishes for gripping and offer port, control, and sensors access. “The introduction of the elegant iPhone 3G has caused an explosion of creativity from our design team,” said Irene Baran, Speck Products’ CEO.
We just thought that maybe the idea came from wanting to share the iPhone 3G love and bucks. Look for the $24.95 PixelSkins to make their debut this July.
(Thanks, Jen)
Read More | Speck Product
Takara Tomy Hi-Kara Portable Karaoke Machine
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Music, Portable Audio / Video,
Takara Tomy is releasing a portable karaoke system designed for musically inclined kidlets, although we suspect older crooners will want one, too. The Hi-kara features a 2.4-inch LCD screen with a video and song lyrics. Available in pink or white, the 7cm cube allows the songsters to hear/sing through a headphones/microphone combination. Although preloaded cartridges will be available, blank ones will also be offered. Out October 18, the Hi-kara runs on 4 AA batteries for about 4 1/2 hours of use and will carry a price of ¥10,500 ($97.00.)
Read More | Akihabara News
Samsung’s Corny Cell Phones W510 and F268
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Smartphones, Corporate News, Science,
Samsung has further entered the green market with two new cellies made with corn turned into plastic. While the technology has been around since the 90’s, the idea seems to have been reconsidered because of high oil prices.The W510 does not contain any heavy metals like lead, mercury or cadmium in the handset and will be launched in Korea this month. The F268 has an alarm that sounds off when the battery hits full charge and will be released in China this month as well. Accessories for the phone do not contain PVC or BFR to further help the environment.
Read More | InfoWorld
