The Tech Vampire's Lair

PSP Go - Slimmer, Smaller

noreply@blogger.com (Randy) — Sun, 31 May 2009 12:35:00 +0000

This new PSP will be available this fall.

Specs:
* 3.8-inch display (resolution is undisclosed)

* 43 percent lighter than the PSP-3000

* 16GB of Flash storage

* Bluetooth built-in; supports handset tethering and BT headsets

* No UMD drive

* Memory Stick Micro slot

* New Gran Turismo, Little Big Planet and new Metal Gear Solid (!) on the way

* Full PlayStation Network support

* Integration with PlayStation 3

Video:

Gigantic Nintendo DSi [Lego]

noreply@blogger.com (Randy) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 13:32:00 +0000

This is the biggest Nintendo DSI ever!!!

The sculpture above is the Nintendo DSi created to coincide with the release of the real Nintendo DSi on April 5, 2009. The sculpture is nearly 7 feet wide and contains 51,324 LEGO pieces. It took over 200 hours to create and weighs over 250 pounds.

Watch the video beleow:

Created by Sean Kenney

Acer Hornet: Nvidia Ion-based PC with Wii console

noreply@blogger.com (Randy) — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 14:48:00 +0000

This is the Acer Hornet. It's an Nvidia Ion-based Atom-powered small PC which can be mounted on displays.

According to Inquirer, the device will launch in the first week of April and that it's the first Ion design win for Nvidia.

"There are 3-4 SKUs," noted our source, adding it would be priced between $199 to $399 and be a "Full PC... with a Wii-like size".

[via Gizmodo | Inquirer]

LEGO minifig helmet

noreply@blogger.com (Randy) — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 14:40:00 +0000

This motorcycle helmet is so cool! It will bring back the child in you. This work is by Sebastian Errazuriz

Found it via BB Gadget but original source is here.

Video: Steve Jobs' first Macintosh Demo

noreply@blogger.com (Randy) — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 06:46:00 +0000

Watch Steve Jobs' first big demo: video below

Twenty five years ago today, on January 24, 1984, Steve Jobs gave the first on-stage demonstration of the Macintosh computer to a packed auditorium.

via TechCrunch

Nissan 370Z Coupe 2009 video on Need For Speed Undercover

noreply@blogger.com (Randy) — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 10:04:00 +0000

The Need for Speed "Undercover" is out and so is the Nissan 370Z Coupe 2009.

Watch the Nissan 370Z in action:

Need for Speed Undercover Trailer Video:

RemoteDroid: Make your G1 a wireless keyboard and mouse

noreply@blogger.com (Randy) — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 07:34:00 +0000

This RemoteDroid application will let you take advantage of the G1’s keypad by using it as a trackball or the touchscreen as a mouse.

Watch the RemoteDroid demo video below:

RemoteDroid demo from Joshua Sera on Vimeo.

Kinda cool huh?! I think plugging the mouse is still the best way to go.

2010 Ford Shelby GT500 Mustang

noreply@blogger.com (Randy) — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 07:22:00 +0000

The Mustang Shelby with 540-horsepower GT model. All the muscle you need in a car!

"This car looks different, sounds different than any other Mustang," Doug Gaffka, chief designer of the Ford Shelby GT500.

Type: Five passenger rear-wheel drive coupe.
Engine: Supercharged 5.4-liter V-8
Transmission: Six-speed manual
Horsepower: 540 (estimated)
Torque: 510 pound-feet (estimated)
What's new for 2010

Upgraded materials inside the cabin

Aluminum trim along the dash

Replaced vents on dash

More powerful engine

Sequential blinking tail lamps

New performance tires

Retuned suspension
Source: Ford Motor Co. [via DetNews]

iPhone Nano - Just the "case" though

noreply@blogger.com (Randy) — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 02:23:00 +0000

XSKN is selling their new product: The iPhone Nano Case!

The actual iPhone graphics shown within the case are simply existing iPhone promotional shots and do not necessarily represent what the iPhone Nano interface would look like. [via MacRumors]

This iPhone Nano case thing is a waste! I mean who would buy a cellphone case without having the product launched yet. I don't think Apple would come up with a nano version of an iPhone either. But if it do come out in the future, good for them!

Haz a Happi Krismuss!! Merry Christmas Techies!

noreply@blogger.com (Randy) — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 18:11:00 +0000

Merry Christmas Techies!

A Home made Guitar Hero 3 Drums video

noreply@blogger.com (Randy) — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 15:06:00 +0000

The guy from this video is playing the guitar part! Insane!

You can't do this stuff unless you are playing with Guitar Hero III. And you have a custom midi controller designed to play as it if you were drumming. This guy is insane, playing guitar hero using sticks!

[via collegehumor]

Linux hits the iPhone

noreply@blogger.com (Randy) — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 14:19:00 +0000

Linux is in the iPhone!

I'm pleased to announce that the Linux 2.6 kernel has been ported to Apple's iPhone platform, with support for the first and second generation iPhones as well as the first generation iPod touch. This is a rough first draft of the port, and many drivers are still missing, but it's enough that a real alternative operating system is running on the iPhone.

[source]

Linux has been ported to the iPhone and iPod touch. Dev Team member planetbeing is the mastermind in charge of bringing everyone's favorite open-source OS to Apple's handhelds, and while it's a little rough around the edges (read: no touchscreen drivers, sound, or WiFi / cell radio support), it's definitely the first step on the road to hacking nirvana.

[via engadget]

The Daily Contributor: Your Daily Contributor for News, Technology, Sports, and Entertainment

noreply@blogger.com (Randy) — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 18:19:00 +0000

I have a new blog! It's called The Daily Contributor.

My new blog was officailly launched on September 27.

The blog covers topics such as:

World News - Fresh news from around the globe

Technology - The latest technologies, gadgets, and things on the web

Sports - Updates on hoops, the boxing ring and other Sports

Entertainment - The Latest Buzz on Music, T.V., Movies and Hollywood

Fun - Funny and weird things, pictures, news on the web

The Daily Contributor is currently a 4 Man blog but if you are interested to be a contributor, just post a comment here and I'll get back to you.

You can subscribe to our feeds via a reader or by e-mail.

Thanks!

Adobe Photoshop Mobile (beta)

noreply@blogger.com (Randy) — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 18:07:00 +0000

Are you using a Windows Mobile phone? (see pictures above)

If yes, then you can easily upload, view and share photos from your phone. Just don't forget to register an account on Photoshop.com for a valid account ID.

Adobe Photoshop.com's Mobile Beta is now available for free download.

EOS 5D MARK II DSLR CAMERA FEATURING FULL-FRAME HD VIDEO CAPTURE

noreply@blogger.com (Randy) — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 14:55:00 +0000

Canon U.S.A., Inc., introduced the EOS 5D Mark II Digital SLR camera last wednesday, the long-awaited successor to Canon's highly popular EOS 5D, introduced in 2005.

The new 5D Mark II will retail for $2,600 for the body only and $3,499 with a 24-105mm lens according to pcmag.com

Photos from dppreview.com

Highest ISO Range to Date.
21.1 Megapixel Full-frame CMOS sensor, 14-bit A/D conversion (16,384 colors/each of 3 primary color), wide range ISO setting of 100-6400 (expandable L: 50, H1: 12800 and H2: 25600).

The EOS 5D Mark II features a huge, full-frame sensor. A 21.1-megapixel CMOS sensor delivers images of up to 5616 x 3744 pixels. And since it is full-frame, all lenses will deliver the angle of view they would on a 35mm camera without a conversion factor. This comes in handy especially when shooting with wide-angle lenses. For the flexibility to shoot in even the most dimly lit situations, the EOS 5D Mark II offers Canon's highest ISO sensitivity to date, ranging from 100-6400 (expandable to ISO L: 50, H1: 12800 and H2: 25600). Thanks to improved noise reduction technologies, images shot even at highest sensitivity will be remarkably smooth.

21.1 Megapixel Full-Frame CMOS Sensor

Key features / improvements

- 21 megapixel CMOS sensor (very similar to the sensor in the EOS-1Ds Mark III)
- Sensor dust reduction by vibration of filter
- ISO 100 - 6400 calibrated range, ISO 50 - 25600 expansion (1Ds Mark III & 5D max ISO 3200)
- Auto ISO (100 - 3200) in all modes except manual
- 3.9 frames per second continuous shooting
- DIGIC 4 processor, new menus / interface as per the EOS 50D
- Image processing features:
- Highlight tone priority
- Auto lighting optimizer (4 levels)
- High ISO noise reduction (4 levels)
- Lens peripheral illumination correction (vignetting correction)
- RAW and SRAW1 (10 MP) / SRAW2 (5 MP)
- RAW / JPEG selection made separately
- Permanent display of ISO on both top plate and viewfinder displays
- AF microadjustment (up to 20 lenses individually)
- Three custom modes on command dial, Creative Auto mode
- Image copyright metadata support
- 98% coverage viewfinder (0.71x magnification)
- 3.0" 920,000 dot LCD monitor with 'Clear View' cover / coatings, 170° viewing angle
- Automatic LCD brightness adjustment (ambient light sensor)
- Live view with three mode auto-focus (including face detection)
- No mirror-flip for exposures in Live View if contrast detect AF selected
- Movie recording in live view (1080p H.264 up to 12 minutes, VGA H.264 up to 24 mins per clip)
- Two mode silent shooting (in live view)
- New jump options in play mode
- HDMI and standard composite (AV) video out
- Full audio support: built-in mic and speaker, mic-in socket, audio-out over AV (although not HDMI)
- IrPort (supports IR remote shutter release using optional RC1 / RC5 controllers)
- UDMA CompactFlash support
- New 1800 mAh battery with improved battery information / logging
- New optional WFT-E4 WiFi / LAN / USB vertical grip
- Water resistance: 10 mm rain in 3 minutes

Live Preview

View Full Specs

Sarah Palin’s Private Yahoo E-Mail Acount hacked

noreply@blogger.com (Randy) — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 17:42:00 +0000

A group called "Anonymous" hacked the Alaskan govenor and republican Vice-Presidential candidate Sarah Palin's personal Yahoo email account.

Some members affiliated with the group gained access to governor Palin's email account "gov.palin@yahoo.com" and handed over the contents to Wikileaks.org.

The said files sent to Wikileaks contains screen shots of Palin's inbox, two example emails, address book and a couple of family photos.

Mail from Anonymous to Ivy Frye. Sarah Palin's assistant.

Dear Ivy, You don't know me, but I am part of an internet group.
We call ourselves anonymous.

This email was hacked by anonymous, but I took no part in that.
I simply got the password back, and changed it so no further damage could be done.
Please get in contact with Sarah Palin and inform her the new password on this account is

samsonite1

Thank you and best wishes,
-The good anonymous

This is serious because it's an invasion of privacy and unethical.

But what do you think of this? Barack Obama's Gmail account hacked!

LOL!

Click image to enlarge:

Android Phone for $199

noreply@blogger.com (Randy) — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 17:14:00 +0000

Google's Android phone will hit the market this October for $199.

Some leak pictures:

The price matches the iPhone for sure competition. Functionality wise, I'll bet that it is a good phone. But visually, I think iPhone is more appealing.

"Taiwan's HTC Corp. is the manufacturer of the said phone and will require a service contract with T-Mobile USA, a unit of Deutsche Telekom AG, which plans to announce the phone. " -wallstreetjournal

IBM Philippines Inc.’s new chief technologist

noreply@blogger.com (Randy) — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 16:55:00 +0000

Congrats to my UPLB COSS Brod!

Just sharing the news. Read the article from GMANews.TV

IBM names point persons to encourage worldwide innovation

VERONICA C. SILVA, GMANews.TV

09/16/2008 | 06:12 PM

MANILA, Philippines - IBM has named 28 new innovation point persons in subsidiaries worldwide to support its global advocacy to encourage innovations.

IBM Philippines Inc.’s new chief technologist is Lope Doromal Jr, a 12-year veteran in the 75-year-old local subsidiary and an 18-year veteran in the local information technology industry.

Doromal is expected to collaborate closely with the other newly appointed chief technologists worldwide and one of his main tasks is to ensure that IBM’s advocacy is pursued in the Philippines.

IBM is one of the private sector partners of the Philippine government in advocating more innovation initiatives to spur economic growth. Last year, IBM and the Philippine government organized the National Innovation Summit to bring into the fore the need to do innovation, which includes research and development.

“Working with a multi-disciplinary advisory team, Lope will help IBMers, clients, government agencies, universities, business partners and other key stakeholders, understand the full scope of IBM Research and Innovation initiatives in the Philippines and across the globe," said a statement announcing Doromal’s new appointment.

IBM said the Philippines is a key growth market which is why it is focusing on helping the country undertake innovation initiatives.

“No one country has a monopoly on innovation today—it’s open, multi-disciplinary and can arise just about anywhere," said Nick Donofrio, Executive Vice President, Innovation and Technology.

Donofrio participated in the National Innovation Summit last year where the national innovation strategy dubbed as Filipinnovation was launched.

As part of IBM’s contribution to further the strategy, it helped organize a recent conference to introduce a new approach to the curriculum that will ensure that a services industry-led country like the Philippines can get its much needed manpower requirements. IBM dubs the new approach to the curriculum as Service Science Management and Engineering (SSME).

IBM Philippines worked with the government’s Commission Information and Communication Technology (CICT) and with the Business Process Association of the Philippines (BPA/P) to organize the conference.

The three also recently forged a agreement to promote SSME to boost the competitiveness of the Philippines’ offshoring and outsourcing industry through this new academic and research discipline that will prepare the next generation of workforce.

Doromal said part of his tasks as chief technologist is to ensure “that the experience and expertise of our research, development and innovation technologists in local markets gets shared across all of IBM—in all countries." - GMANews.TV

Starwars Deathstar LEGO for Rich Lego Geeks!

noreply@blogger.com (Randy) — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 15:46:00 +0000

Presenting the Starwars Deathstar Lego: A must item for Lego and Starwars Geeks.

Meet the Deathstar crew:

Another Lego find! This is the Ultimate LEGO toy.

-Pictures and Specs from GIZMODO

SPECS

#10188 Death Star™

Ages 12+. 3,803 pieces.

$399.99

Recreate the action and adventure of the Star Wars™ movies with the ultimate Death Star™ playset! This detailed battle station features an incredible array of minifigure-scale scenes and accessories from Episodes IV and VI. Its different decks include the Death Star control room, moving turbolaser turrets, hangar bay with TIE Advanced starfighter, tractor beam controls, Emperor’s throne room, detention block, Imperial conference room, droid maintenance facility, and the powerful Death Star superlaser, plus much more! Swing across the chasm with Luke and Leia, face danger in the crushing trash compactor, and duel with Darth Vader for the fate of the galaxy. With over 3,800 pieces, the Death Star measures 16” tall and 16½” wide when completed. Includes 25 Star Wars minifigures and droids!

Death Star is a LEGO can be found in LEGO Brand Retail Stores now.

Includes the following 7 new and exclusive Star Wars minifigures and droids only found in this set!

Luke Skywalker™ (Stormtrooper outfit)

Han Solo™ (Stormtrooper outfit)

Death Star Trooper (x2)

Phlutdroid™

Interrogation Droid

Death Star Droid

Other minifigures and droids include:

Obi-Wan Kenobi™

R2-Q5™

Emperor Palpatine™

Darth Vader™

Grand Moff Tarken™

Emperor’s Royal Guard™ (x2)

Stormtrooper™ (x2)

R2-D2™

C-3PO™

Princess Leia™

Chewbacca™

Luke Skywalker™ (Jedi Knight)

Mouse Droid

Dianoga (Trash Monster)

Luke Skywalker™

Han Solo™

Product Features:

Death Star Control Room

Death Star Turbolasers

Hangar Bay Control Room

Superlaser Control Room

Death Star Superlaser & Weapons Bay

Manned Turbolaser

Emperor’s Throne Room

Hangar Bay

Detention Block

Tractor Beam Control

Trash Compactor Scene

Swing over the Gap

Meeting room

Droid maintenance

Video of the Death Star: Video from Nannan Zhang - annual convention for all things Lego

Want? :D

A LEGO Wall - E powered by NXT

noreply@blogger.com (Randy) — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 12:29:00 +0000

I know you know Wall-E, the Robot from Pixar's latest movie. But, have you seen a LEGO version of it? Cool!

Meet WAll-E LEGO!

A guy created a LEGO version of Wall-E, the Robot star from Pixar's latest animation movie. According to the creator, "He is entirely made of Lego parts and Lego NXT Mindstorms Robotic System for brains, he is fully automated and animated and programed using Labview’s NXT-G software. I have built many prototype before coming to this final revision (wall-e rev.3)".

Wall-E - In honor of Disney latest Pixar Movie.
SPECIFICATIONS:
1 NXT with rechargable pack, 3 Servo Motors, 4 PF motors, 2 IR receiver, 1 UltraSonic sensor, 1 sound sensor, 1 IRlink, 1 NXTservo module and 1 mini RC servo, 10 AA batteries and Lego from the Bulldozer #8275 and other parts from various technic sets, topped with over 100 hours of fun."
- From the creator Bazmarc

See it in action: Watch the video.

See More Wall-E Lego pictures.

I was very happy when I saw this because currently we are also working on a LEGO NXT Robot Competition, just a line tracker though, but it's still a fun challenge.

We call our Robot WALL-E too! haha!

I wonder if someone can make Evah at this time? :D

The Napbook

noreply@blogger.com (Randy) — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 05:46:00 +0000

The Napbook is a standard laptop case but with extra thick and fluffy cushion so that you can use it as a pillow.

Designed by Hafsteinn Juliusson from Iceland.

"This Napbook seems like the perfect case for on-the-go people that might need to catch a quick nap here or there. Essentially what you’ve got is a small pillow that also happens to serve as a laptop case. When you need a few minutes of shut-eye, just plop your head down and you’ll be snoozing in no time. These are currently only sold in a remote Apple Store in Iceland. The good news is that the designer is already working on getting his bags mass-produced so that the rest of us can purchase them."
- Oh Gizmo!
- CraziestGadgets

Google Chrome Beta

noreply@blogger.com (Randy) — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 01:47:00 +0000

Download Google Chrome here to give it a try.

What I like about this browser?

1. You can tear a tab. :D

2.The Sad Tab: Force the sad tab by ending a process to try it. :D

3. The Javascript console. Is it like the Firebug on Firefox?

4. One process for each tab.

5. And I crashed it! Yeah!

Google's New Browser: Google Chrome

noreply@blogger.com (Randy) — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 11:08:00 +0000

I just don't the need to blog about this because of thousands of blogs leaking on the net with just the first day of announcement of it's realease today. But for the sake of sharing, I'll post some links about this latest fuzz from google.

They've released an informational comics:

Read the COMICS to know more about the browser.

Some links of blogs about Google chrome: (but there is a list on the Google blog)
The Official Google Blog
crunchbase
Why Mozilla should be afraid of Google Chrome
Google Chrome Search: anti-competitive lock-in or inspired thinking?

I can't find a download link yet! It is September 2 now. Hopefully tomorrow.
This Google chrome must be good! My firefox 3.0 crashed about 5 times while I'm writing this blog. LOL!

The Android Phone

noreply@blogger.com (Randy) — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 14:26:00 +0000

So are you into the iPhone hype? Get ready for Google's Android phone. T-Mobile's is looking like the lucky carrier, and word is that the phone will be called the G One. We may see the Android as early as September.

Watch the first part of Morgan Webb's report on webbalert.com last Aug. 27.

Read More about android phone on electronista.com and androidguys.com

Winged Cat

noreply@blogger.com (Randy) — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 13:16:00 +0000

Birds, Beware! She might catch you in the air! :D

The cat on the picture is from China's Sichuan province. She developed a wing-like growth that started from just a bump. The harmless growths appeared during a recent spell of hot weather.

Reference:
The inquisitr
Daily Mail