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2009-11-11T21:57:28Z

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Tom's Planner Is an Impressive, Intuitive Project Scheduling Tool [Project Scheduling]

2009-11-10T19:30:00Z

If your work life's all laid out in Gantt charts but you're not happy with the tool you're using, check out Tom's Planner, a web-based project scheduling and collaboration tool.

(Click the image above for a closer look.)

If you use Microsoft Project or various other project scheduling tools, Tom's Planner covers the same basic territory: You can use it to schedule out how your team will tackle a project over any given period using Gantt charts. Tom's Planner is an easy-to-use, intuitive tool for handling your project scheduling, sharing your schedule with your team, and more. The app's been built to look and feel just like a desktop application, so you can right-click, Shift+Click, drag and drop, and do pretty much everything you'd expect to get from a desktop application. You can also export it to Microsoft Project, export to an image, or publish the schedule online for your team.

Tom's Planner is free during its beta period; after the beta, the application may go premium, but according to their signup page, anyone who joined during the app's beta will get at least a full year of free service, so it seems worth a try.

Tom's Planner [via TechCrunch]

Zoomquilt II: a collaborative flash animation and downloadable screensaver

2009-11-10T09:31:00Z

"Zoomquilt II" is a collaborative flash animation created in 2007. It consists of image contributions from 20 artists connected in a continuous zooming motion. A free screensaver is also available for download.

I am always on the lookout for interesting animations to feature on this blog (click this link for a list). I was just sent this by reader and sometimes contributor Elioz Heffer who described it as follows (with some edits on my part):

"Zoomquilt II is just like a quilt blanket was made from about 20 artists contributions. The beauty of it is that the drawings are put into a never ending zoom motion (inwards or outwards) [as] you enter the microscopic world …

When opening the picture, it will take few moments to upload and then will present the pictures (interrelated) in a zoom motion. You can choose the direction (Zoom in or Zoom out) and the speed … If you look [closely] enough you’ll notice that it finally returns to the same starting point like a perpetuum mobile, but you are tricked to believe it is a fluid part of the Hellish world presented there.

The pictures remind [me of] some ideas of Hieronymus Bosch the famous painter, and there is also a [downloadable] screen saver".

The only thing I will add is that the screensaver is awesome and highly recommended. Check it out for yourself!

Go to the Zoomquilt II page, where you can download the screensaver (approx 5.66 megs).

Classic WTF: Don't Worry, We'll Fix It!

2009-11-10T14:00:00Z

I'm at the Business of Software conference in San Francisco this week and thought it'd be the perfect opportuntunity to revisit a classic. Don't Worry, We'll Fix It! was originally published on November 28, 2006.

We're in a bit of a jam, an email to the support desk read, we accidentally ran an entire day's worth of transactions for 11 Oct 2009 instead of 11 Oct 2006. Can you fix this?

In the world of retail, it's not an uncommon practice to "open" for a business date that is not the current date. Think of 24-hour stores that want to "close" the day at 11:00 PM instead of midnight, or the cases when the registers are out of commission. Whatever the reason, it's a feature that customers want and a feature that T. Ferguson's company provides in their point-of-sale systems.

Obviously, there's no way for the software to know if a different date is purposeful or accidental; all it can do is default the "open" date to the current date and hope that someone would notice a mistake on the registers, receipts, etc. before the day was "closed" out. The support email was the first "problem" that T.'s company had with this feature since first offering fifteen years ago.

Despite having a nation-wide chain of stores, with each bringing in nearly $500,000/day in sales, this company decided not to go for the extended-hours support contract. With no one to call at 9:30 PM for support, the shift manager ignored the incorrect date and "closed out" the store's point-of-sale system. He left a note for the general manager, who promptly emailed support the next morning.

The general manager also called the support line at 9:01 AM -- just after it opened -- to make sure they got the email. He was very concerned that the error would gravely impact their October reports, forecasting reports, inventory, and just about anything else that relied on that day's transactional data. The support rep assured the general manager that the development team was working on a way to fix the issue.

From a programming perspective, this was actually an easy thing to fix. All of the daily transactions are stored in a single database table, so a simple UPDATE script and a "re-close" should do the trick. They reproduced the "problem" on a test machine, ran the fix script, and watched it worked like a charm. T. called up the store to let the manager know how they planned to resolve the issue.

"But," the manager asked, "what about when someone makes a return? Their printed receipt will have a different transaction date. Won't the register refuse the return?"

"Nope," T. replied, "we only use the store number, register number, and transaction number when we validate the receipts for returns."

"Sounds great," the manager said in a much less stressful tone, "what a relief! I was really worried about how bad this would be."

The fix was sent to a technician to fix the problem on site. Before running the script, he noticed one thing that the development team missed: not only was there only one day of faulty data in the database, there was only one day. Period. All the transactional history was gone!

That, of course, would present a problem when trying to process a return. Or receiving merchandise that was ordered in the past. Or verifying an employee's time clock punches. Or tracking special-ordered items. Or knowing whether the store is on pace to meet its weekly sales goal. Or just about any activity of any consequence in retail that ISN'T selling merchandise.

The technician reported this back to the development team. After a bit of digging, they figured out why only the one day of data was left: part of the register closing code purges data that's over three years old. And how does one find three-year old data when the system clock is not a reliable indicator? Why, by taking the business date of the newest transaction and subtracting three years, of course!

The manager's day was about to get much, much worse.

Mods: 26 Sexy Steampunk Gadgets & Hi-Tech Hacks

2009-11-04T18:00:08Z

Steampunk is the mating of technology and romance, breeding some of the most wickedly cool gadget’s and art you’ve ever seen. It’s cool and brass-clad sexy. With a post apocalyptic type of rebellion, Steampunk enthusiast mod almost everything you can imagine and then some. This amazing urban art movement was birthed on the Internet, so it’s no wonder hi-tech hardware hackers are romancing technology with a Victorian passion, yearning for the aesthetic realm of The Time That Never Happened; Steampunk – where the future meets the past. Here are some of the slickest mods, 26 sexy Steampunk art and hi-tech hacks.

Mouse, USB, RSS Feed

(image credits:ilovecandid,forum modding,geeky gadgets,Steampunk Workshop)

The top two are fully functional modded mice, each is a one of a kind shiny handcrafted brass wonder. The USB drive holds 2GB of storage, but if you take this slick stick to work and someone tries to walk off with it, the vintage look with copper and brass gears, pipes, and bolts will make whoever uses it stand out in a crowd. RSS feeds, are you addicted to them? At one historic time, people were addicted to news coming hot off the telegraph. The shiny yet vintage telegraph machine is reborn as an RSS feed gadget.

Monitor & Keyboard

(image credit:DataMancer)

The Datamancer is an expert in steampunk-style technology. He is a Master of Mod. The 22″ widescreen LCD frame is solid 1/4-inch brass that was sanded and polished to a high shine. The base is a modernized remake of brass and black marble. The keyboard is a mixture of Neo-Victorianism and brass hi-tech.

Steampunk Flat Panel

(image credits:Steampunk Workshop)

Jake von Slatt is another computer mod icon on the steampunk stage. This Steampunk Desktop has a base made to look like marble. His hardware hacks to this flat panel LCD include knobs, gold painted pieces and plenty of brass. For more retro-tech goodness, he added a brass keyboard and kerosene lamp. Jake von Slatt operates the Steampunk Workshop where you can find step-by-step directions to turn your computer into Victorian style and the Age of Scientific Wonders.

Victorian All-in-One PC

(image credits:steampunk workshop)

In this mod, Jake von Slatt researched Victorian era stages and discovered they were approximately 4:3 aspect ratio – the 16:9 wide-screen ratio from the cinema. He coated the 24″ wide screen monitor base with black spray lacquer and topped the supports off with some pieces of a brass chandelier. Then he fashioned monitor curtains for the stage on the frame. Finally, he completed the Victorian All-in-One PC which has Kubuntu 7.10 (Gutsy Gibbon) installed and is fit for the office of Queen Victoria.

DataMancer’s Steampunk Laptop

The Datamancer reached out to millions over the Internet with this Victorian laptop mod. With this hack, he converted unknown masses to the aesthetic realm of Steampunk. This mod is so cool, yet it’s steamy hot. Who knows? The Datamancer’s next mod might be so hot that the heat wave will hit and crack your hard drive.

More Steampunk Computers

(image credits:portal23,Boston Globe,DataMancer)

More and more people crank out fabulous Steampunk fabrications. At top left, that computer was named Windows Vista 1907. Yet the top right computer is a blend of science fiction and industry in a piece called The ElectriClerk, fashioned from a 1988 Macintosh SE computer, a c.1923 Underwood typewriter, and a fresnel lens by Andrew H. Leman. The Victorian looking jewelry box is another laptop mod by Datamancer.

Cell Phone

(image credits:Slash Gear,Slash Gear,don pezzano,savas place)

Even cell phones have not escaped the aesthetic realm of Steampunk. These are made from recycled materials, vintage gears, old iron and other metals. The top two cells phones are from Russia with love. The workmanship on all four mobile phones make these modded gadgets a hot item. The bottom right phone was created from a Nokia, back when it was boring and not yet a symbol of grandiose invention.

Masks

(image credits:Tom Banwell)

The incredibly talented Tom Banwell dabbled in a variety of media, before his one of kind talents and interests combined the arts of history, costuming, mechanics, and fantasy. He admits to being wildly creative with his leatherwork. On the top left is Banwell’s Pachydermos mask, followed by Sentinel, Underground Explorer on the bottom left, and the Fire Master mask.

Electric Skull

(image credit:Donovan Design 2009)

Known for many Steampunk designs, Art Donovon created The Electric Skull for The Museum of Oxford Steampunk Art Exhibition. Donovan made this 27″ tall, comprised of solid brass, light, glass, and acrylic. The fact he is also handy with the craft of electric skills no doubt helped make this glowing skull gadget an extremely slick mod.

Gadgets & Robots

(image credits:brute force leather,Stephanie Halleux,Molly Friedrich)

The trio above were fashioned for The Museum of Oxford Steampunk Art Exhibition. The large leather robot was created by Stephanie Halleux, only one of her leather robot masterpieces. If you visit the exhibition, going on now at Oxford University, you can view Amanda Scrivener’s Lord Featherstone’s Clockwork Arm up close and personal. The bottom right is a creation from Molly “Porkshanks” Friedrich. She states, “I also lavish attention to detail and try to imbue each item with a narrative of some sort so that it feels more like an artifact from another place and time.”

Steampunk Art

(image credit: Kris Kuksi)

Kris Kuksi’s art speaks of a timelessness, of potentiality and motion attempting to reach on forever, and “yet pessimistically delayed; forced into the stillness of death and eternal sleep.” He themes his art to teach us “that although death may pursue us arbitrarily, we should never neglect to mourn the tremendous loss of individual potential.” This art is entitled, Caravan Assault Appearatus.

Steampunk Motorcycle

This is Tom Sepe’s Steampunk Motorcycle on BRINK TV. This electric motorcycle gives off steam like a piece of the past mixing with a moment of time from the future.

1896 Steam Motorcycle

Pete’s Garage presents “1896 Steam Motorcycle.”

If all this retro-futurism has left you yearning for more from the realm of Steampunk, check back next week for sexy as sin Steampunk artistic designs.

25 Hardware Hacks: Old Tech Turned into New Gadgets

Repurposed gadgets let your inner eco-geek blossom. Here are 25 hardware hacks and magnificent manipulations of e-waste repurposed to functional geeky gadgets.

Comodo EasyVPN Creates a Virtual Private Network in a Few Clicks [Downloads]

2009-11-10T17:00:00Z

Windows only: Free application Comodo EasyVPN creates a virtual private network between your computers for a hassle-free, secure private network. That means you can access, for example, anything on your home computer from work as though you're on the same local network.

Comodo EasyVPN, like previously mentioned VPN app Hamachi, is simple to set up. Just install the application, register for an account, and then log in. Once you've got the app running on a couple of computers, you can easily (and securely) access one computer from the other as though you're on the same local network.

As we mentioned in our guide to Hamachi, a VPN comes in handy when:

You're on the road with your laptop and want secure access to your PC's files.

Your office or dorm room computer is behind a restrictive firewall that doesn't let you reach it from the internet.

You want to add encryption to insecure network protocols like VNC.

You want to set up a shared folder of files for friends and family to access.

We showed you how to set up secure VNC with Hamachi, and the same basic steps would apply with Comodo EasyVPN. So is EasyVPN better than Hamachi? Not necessarily, but since LogMeIn bought Hamachi, it's only free for non-commercial use. ~~If you want or need to use a VPN for work purposes and don't have the extra budget, Comodo EasyVPN will do the job nicely.~~ Update: Apparently EasyVPN is also only available for non-commercial use. This information was not on the main page, but I missed it on their download page. Apologies for the confusion. Apart from the basics, EasyVPN also comes with a built-in, secure chat tool.

Comodo EasyVPN is a free download, works with Windows XP and above with support for 32- and 64-bit systems.

Comodo EasyVPN [Comodo via Download Squad]

Photoshop.com Mobile Fixes Photos on Smartphones [Downloads]

2009-11-09T15:00:00Z

iPhone/Android/Windows Mobile: Photoshop.com, the online home of Adobe's market-leading image editor, has released a native photo editor and photo uploader for Android phones, and it's a fairly versatile solution for fixing or offloading images while you're out and about.

On Android phones, photos can be cropped, rotated, resized, and adjusted for saturation, exposure, and tint, as well as have a soft focus or black & white effect applied. Multiple effects can be undone and re-done, and if you're concerned about making a bad choice, you can upload any pic to a Photoshop.com account first. The iPhone version has a few effects and pre-set color changes—along with multi-touch functionality, of course—and the Android version features a non-multi-touch straightening tool, but the two are basically the same app in different shells. All versions are fairly robust for mobile editing apps, and do a good job of correcting the most notable failings of mobile lenses.

Photoshop.com Mobile is a free download for iPhones, Android, or Windows Mobile devices.

Photoshop.com Mobile [via Download Squad]

GetDeb.net Repository Makes Newer Ubuntu Apps Easily Available [Linux]

2009-11-09T12:30:00Z

GetDeb's web site has long been the go-to spot for Ubuntu (and Debian, and Mint) users to grab the latest copies of software not yet released by their official repositories. Now GetDeb makes it even easier with a repository.

By adding GetDeb's repository to your Linux system, you'll get access to pre-compiled .deb packages as soon as they're available on GetDeb's site. That means apps like the GIMP graphics editor, Songbird, and other software that hits a major release between Ubuntu's six-month release cycle are available to you just as soon as someone's nice enough to compile the newest code.

GetDeb's repository is free to use and install. Hit the link for instructions on adding it to your 9.04 or 9.10 Ubuntu system; users of older Ubuntu systems can still grab packages at GetDeb's legacy web site.

GetDeb.net V2 Beta [via I'm Just an Avatar]

Google Acquires Gizmo5 VoIP Service; VoIP Coming to Google Voice? [VoIP]

2009-11-09T18:00:00Z

Google has bought VoIP service Gizmo5, according to tech news weblog TechCrunch. If that's true, we're thinking it could mean some seriously cool things for Google Voice.

We detailed a few months back how to make free VoIP calls from Google Voice with Gizmo5, so connecting Google Voice with Gizmo5 seems like a no-brainer. Right now when you sign up for a Google Voice account, the service can only ring phones you've already got. As TechCrunch points out, Gizmo5 integration could give your Voice number its own endpoint.

That said, none of this is confirmed at this point. Let's hear your thoughts and pie-in-the-sky predictions for Gizmo5 and Google integration in the comments.

Exclusive: Google Has Acquired Gizmo5 [TechCrunch]

Google Offers Free Wi-Fi at Airports During the Holidays [Free Wi-Fi]

2009-11-10T12:30:00Z

Delayed flights and hold-overs won't tempt you with $10-a-day Wi-Fi this holiday season. That's because Google has bought out web service at 47 airports through Jan. 15, 2010, and offers it free, assuming you don't mind a little soft advertising.

As with Google's free Wi-Fi offering on Virgin America flights, those who log in through Google's Wi-Fi largess will likely get a few prompts to change their home page to Google or try out Google Chrome. There will also be chances to donate to Engineers Without Borders, the One Economy Corporation, or the Climate Savers Computing Initiative. Other than that, it's free Wi-Fi for laptops and mobile devices, offered through providers like Boingo, Advanced Wireless, and the other usual suspects.

Hit the link to see if your city's on the list. If it's not, there's a good chance your Wi-Fi could be picked up by Microsoft's Bing search engine, which foots the bill if you perform one search on Bing.

Free WiFi - A 2009-2010 Holiday Gift from Google [via Gizmodo]

[Sponsored]

National Geographic Channel - Expedition Week

Search for the Amazon Headshrinkers
Sunday 9P e/p

They say that shrinking heads is no longer practiced. We’re going to ask the experts. Premieres Sunday at 9P e/p on Nat Geo. Learn more at
www.natgeotv.com/expeditionweek

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PSA: Sears charging $50 less for new DROID activations than Verizon

2009-11-06T16:14:00Z

If you walk into a Verizon store today and pick up a DROID, you'll be out $300 (before tax) out of pocket, then you'll twiddle your thumbs for a few weeks while you wait for some mysterious PO box in Texas to send you your $100 rebate on a debit card. Wouldn't you rather just pay $200 upfront? Or better yet, $150? Sears -- which, we have to admit, we didn't know sold phones -- is charging just $150 without a rebate for the DROID today, a full $50 less than Big Red proper with rebate. We don't know how good these guys are with customer service (Simplexity is running the store on Sears' behalf, it seems), but truth be told, we can deal with a little incompetency for $50.

[Via I4U]

Filed under: Cellphones

PSA: Sears charging $50 less for new DROID activations than Verizon originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Slacker Radio Brings Streaming, Customizable Tunes to Android [Downloads]

2009-11-06T12:30:00Z

Android: Slacker Radio, the customizable internet radio service that's previously landed on iPhones, offers an Android app that offers the same on-the-go streaming tunes, but with the big bonus of background music playing.

The app apparently arrives customized on the new Droid and Droid Eris phones taking their bow today, but works the same on any Android device. The "Lite" free version intersperses visual and audio ads into your stream, and allows you a limited number of "Skips" per stream. There's a whole host of categories to listen to your music in, with a good variety across years and genres. We don't see an option to customize your stream and determine how many favorite artists get mixed into it, or ban certain artists, as with the iPhone/iPod app, but it seems you can do that from Slacker's web radio site. The audio streaming seemed consistent and of good audio quality, on Wi-Fi and 3G.

Slacker Radio is a free download for Android, as well as iPhones and BlackBerry devices.

Slacker Personal Radio [via Gizmodo]

Hoki-Dokie Oven “Fried” Fish Filets

2009-11-03T23:00:35Z

As promised, I have some delicious recipes for using the cereal in my U.S. Mills Organic Breakfast Giveaway (see that post to enter to win now).

This particular recipe was a huge hit after a series of fish fillet bombs. For some reason (whether it be frost-bitten fish or questionable recipe), every piece of mahi or salmon I made was coming out too dry, too chewy, or too bland.

But the combination of this popular New Zealand fish (that I stumbled upon at my local grocer) and this easy cooking method left us with wonderfully flavorful and flaky fish. Even my husband, who only likes his fish raw, proclaimed it was “Excellent!”

Of course, cod, halibut, or other firm white fish will work beautifully in this recipe should hoki not be available to you.

Hoki-Dokie Oven “Fried” Fish Fillets

This recipe is Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Soy-Free, Sugar-Free, Low Fat, and optionally Gluten-Free. Did I mention it is positively delicious too?

10 Ounces Fish Fillets (I used Hoki, but any thin white fish filet should work well)
1 Tablespon Dairy-Free Margarine (I used Earth Balance Soy-Free)
1/4 to 1/3 Cup All-Purpose, Whole Wheat, Spelt, Chickpea, or other Gluten-Free Flour (I actually used oat flour – oats ground in my spice grinder to a powder)
1 Egg
1 Cup Cornflakes, crushed or whizzed into crumbs (I used Erewhon Organic Corn Flakes)
1/2 Teaspoon Salt
1/2 Teaspoon Paprika
1/4 Teaspoon Onion Powder
1/4 Teaspoon Pepper (black or white)
1/8 Teaspoon Garlic Powder

Preheat your oven to 400ºF.

Baste both sides of your fish fillets with the margarine, and sprinkle them with the flour until lightly coated.

Beat the egg in a shallow dish, and briefly set it aside.

Combine the corn flakes and all of the remaining ingredients (I actually combined the flakes and spices / salt in my spice grinder and gave them a few good pulses to turn the corn flakes into crumbs and combine everything), and place them in a large zip-top baggie.

Dredge one of the fish fillets through the egg (both sides), place it in the zip-top baggie and give it a good shake to coat, remove and place it on a baking sheet. Repeat with remaining fillets.

Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, depending on the thickness of the filets. You may opt to flip them midway, but mine worked well without the flip.

Yields 2 healthy “fried” entrees

Turn a Shadow Box into a Key Holder [Home Organization]

2009-10-31T15:00:00Z

You want somewhere to hang your various sets of keys, but the generic plastic and metal monsters at the hardware store make you cringe. Time to build your own!

This DIY key holder is quick and simple to make. Take a shadow box picture frame, line it with a sturdy paper like wallpaper, screw in the hooks for the keys, and you're in business. You can modify it to your heart's content—in fact, a little fabric and batting would make the whole affair fit for the key to the city. The DIY Ideas has the how-to details on building a suitable stash for your keys.

Have a favorite DIY project for your home landing zone? Let's hear about it in the comments.

DIY Key Garage [DIY Ideas via TipNut]

HDI's laser-driven 3D HDTV hits production, should ship next year

2009-10-30T21:28:00Z

When we first caught wind of HDI's "world's first laser-based 3D HDTV," we were cautiously hopeful that it'd be ready to go (at least as a prototype) at CES 2010. Looks like we may actually get our wish, as the company has today announced that its magical set has reached the manufacturing stage. What's it all mean? It means that the set is being fast-tracked for release in 2010, meaning that you're just months away from having stereoscopic 1,920 x 1,080 content in your living room... provided there's actually any programming to view, that is. Of course, it'll handle the 2D stuff too, and the twin RGP LCoS micro-display imagers in there ought to provide plenty of crisp imagery regardless of the source. We're still not sure if the Woz-approved 100-inch version that's being shown to curious onlookers is the size that'll be pumped out to the mainstream, but we're hoping for at least a few smaller siblings for those of us with last names other than Kennedy, Gates, Buffet and Ellison.

Gallery: HDI's laser-driven 3D HDTV hits production, should ship next year

Continue reading HDI's laser-driven 3D HDTV hits production, should ship next year

Filed under: Displays

HDI's laser-driven 3D HDTV hits production, should ship next year originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft Opening Outlook's PST Format

2009-10-26T22:33:00Z

protosage writes to tell us that Microsoft Interoperability is working towards opening up Outlook's .pst format under their Open Specification Promise. This should "allow anyone to implement the .pst file format on any platform and in any tool, without concerns about patents, and without the need to contact Microsoft in any way." "In order to facilitate interoperability and enable customers and vendors to access the data in .pst files on a variety of platforms, we will be releasing documentation for the .pst file format. This will allow developers to read, create, and interoperate with the data in .pst files in server and client scenarios using the programming language and platform of their choice. The technical documentation will detail how the data is stored, along with guidance for accessing that data from other software applications. It also will highlight the structure of the .pst file, provide details like how to navigate the folder hierarchy, and explain how to access the individual data objects and properties."

Motorola DROID review

2009-10-30T18:10:00Z

It's hard to look at the DROID without looking at the company which brought the device to life. Motorola: for years the name has been synonymous with... well, disappointment. While the industry-stalwart made cellphones sexy with the RAZR, the days which followed have not been especially fruitful or compelling. Over the past year or so, we've seen Motorola beating its way back into the mainstream through a series of smart plays: first embracing Android as a platform, then shucking off the weight of Windows Mobile and finally bringing some desirable (and high profile) devices to market.

With the DROID, the company has perhaps created its most attractive and intriguing piece of technology yet. Forging an alliance with both Verizon and Google, Motorola has come up with a second compelling reason to count the phonemaker down, but certainly not out, while the other two giants have finally found a seemingly worthy device to position against the iPhone. So we must pose these questions: is this the phone which will catapult Android into the mainstream? Is it the device that will pull Motorola back from the brink? And -- most importantly -- is it the lynchpin Google and Verizon have needed to challenge the leader in mindshare in the smartphone market? After putting the device through its paces, we think we can give you the answers you seek -- so read on to find out!

Gallery: Motorola DROID review hands-on

Continue reading Motorola DROID review

Filed under: Cellphones

Motorola DROID review originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sleek Audio's SA1 earbuds bring Kleer wireless, custom tuning for $80

2009-10-30T18:06:00Z

Sleek Audio earbuds have always had a certain allure, but for most, the sticker shock alone was enough to turn 'em away. Now, however, the boutique audio shop has punched out its very first set that's tailor made for the budget-minded, and at $79.99, the SA1 offers an awful lot of value (on paper, anyway). Much like the pricier SA6 and CT6 models, the SA1 also ships with Kleer wireless technology, enabling it to go from wired to wireless and back again. It also boasts a modified VQ Tuning system that allows the user to acoustically alter the sound signature of their music, a siam rosewood body, detachable cable and single / dual-flange ear tips. The real kicker? The $79.99 price point, which is darn near unheard of for something with these kind of specs. It's up for pre-order right now in the read link, with initial shipments expected to head out in November.

Filed under: Portable Audio, Wearables, Wireless

Sleek Audio's SA1 earbuds bring Kleer wireless, custom tuning for $80 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The best tweets in Virtualization

2009-10-09T00:18:22Z

A special thanks to Eric Siebert who nominated me for the top 20 bloggers and the top 100 VMware & virtualization people to follow on twitter. If you use twitter, you’ll definitely want to check out these lists.

ok, now I’ll have to write more to keep my status! New post coming tonight or tomorrow.

Thanks Eric.

Honda's U3-X taken for an awkward squat (video)

2009-10-22T22:14:00Z

The granola girls over at Autoblog Green had the rare opportunity to test out the quirky little U3-X on a visit to the Honda R&D center in Japan. You remember: the self-balancing unicycle that fits in a car door and relies on an inclinometer (not gyroscope) to know which way is up. In essence it balances the rider like a broomstick held on-end in the palm of the end. Autoblog calls it "far more intriguing than a Segway" due largely to the Honda Omni Traction (HOT) drive system that allows the personal transporter to move forward, back, and left and right on a series of small wheels. Unfortunately, Honda wouldn't let anyone peek underneath to see the magic. When turned on the U3-X stands upright making small motions to maintain balance. And as awkward as it looks, riding the U3-X "couldn't be easier" -- like a Segway you just lean ever so subtly in the direction you want to go. It will tip over if the rider leans too far or too fast but it's apparently very simple and intuitive to keep upright. The 20-pound model tested was designed for indoor use only and booked along at an overdue-toilet-break pace of 4MPH. Check it out in the video after the break.

Continue reading Honda's U3-X taken for an awkward squat (video)

Filed under: Transportation

Honda's U3-X taken for an awkward squat (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Oct 2009 17:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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