PlayStation 3 Greatest Hits Buyer’s Guide
July 29, 2008
Filed under: Sony PlayStation 3, Business
Today marks the launch of the PlayStation 3 Greatest Hits collection, with nine games given a (slightly) new jewel case and an attractive $30 price tag.
- Warhawk
- MotorStorm
- Resistance: Fall of Man
- Call of Duty 3
- Need for Speed Carbon
- The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
- Ninja Gaiden Sigma
- Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Vegas
- Assassin’s Creed
But which of these games are worth your time and money Our friends at PS3 Fanboy have done the research for you. Check out their Buyer’s Guide to see recommendations, and which on the internet retailers currently have these budget games in stock
AT&T Planning Speech Recognition For iPhone
July 29, 2008
iPhone users who are screaming for voice recognition on their phones might be happy to hear that AT&T are working on a speech-recognition service of sorts. They’re currently working on a new web service called Speech Mashups. Speech Mashups will send users’ speech to a remote server, which will translate the command to control the handset. This on the web service should be available to most browser-equipped AT&T handsets, though they’re currently focusing on the iPhone.
The bad news is that since it’s a web app, it won’t work with native applications on the iphone. Aside from that, it also needs a fast data connection, so users using an EDGE network will probably find the speeds too slow.
To Attract Guests, Hotels Splurge on Hi-Tech and Bling for Pools
July 29, 2008
Filed under: Audio/Video, Personal, iPod, Summer Fun
Hotels are spending large bucks on new pools, and we’re not talking about fluffier lounge towels and free slippers. Okay, we know, most nice hotels already give people free slippers, but we were trying to make a point. Anyway…
Basically, competition for the type of people who can still afford to travel is intense. Hotels know that having bells and whistles more massive and shinier than the competition’s bells and whistles can give them an edge. You want examples We got examples (which we got from a recent USA Today article).
For all things tech, visit Puerto Rico’s El San Juan Hotel and Casino where people can rent poolside cabanas with flat screen TVs and mini bars. The ideal part While on break from spinning, the resident DJ will come around and customize iPods with some of his/her favorite music. Nice touch eh
The Gaansevort South’s pool (pictured above) in South Beach is infused with underwater lights and music. Bar patrons can watch the aquatic debauchery unfold from a dry spot near the bar courtesy of a big window in the pool.
The new Thompson Beverly Hills boasts a pool lined with Swarovski Crystals. Jason Pomeranc, Thompson Hotels Chief, calls the pool “very Hollywood.” We call his description of the pool “very unoriginal.”
The Joule, a new hotel in Dallas has a pool on the 10th floor that has one end sticking out over the street. Not only is this cool, but it is open to the public, which makes us care about it a lot more, because we can’t actually afford to stay there.
Get the picture Now go have fun. If you can afford it. [Source: USA Today]
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AT&T Revenue Grows Steadily
July 29, 2008
AT&T must be enjoying the iPhone craze, especially since they posted a 52% increase in cash flow from data, which also includes messaging. They were definitely helped by the availability of 3G handsets in the market, and of course, the iPhone, as nearly every iPhone customer signed up for a data plan. Revenue from their wireless division increased by 15.8%, which was helped by a net subscriber gain of 1.3 million, and brings the headcount of AT&T users to 72.9 million.
Gadget Waterproofing Process Defies Water, Reality
July 29, 2008
Filed under: Audio/Video, Cell Phones, Cameras, Summer Fun
We’re usually pretty jaded when people tell us that we “won’t believe” what we’re seeing in a video sent to tips — right, right, a cellphone demon, nice one — but it sure seems like the Golden Shellback waterproof coating is the real deal.
Developed at the Northeast Maritime Institute and hopefully headed to production sometime soon, the process involves applying the coating to your precious toys inside a vacuum, after which they’re basically impervious to all liquids — in one test, a coated device spent over 450 hours powered on and functional underwater.
There are some downsides: you can’t remove the coating, so any repairs will involve “abrasive methods,” which sounds like quite a commitment. That said, we’ll take a little abrasion in our lives if it means we never have to worry about spilling on our keyboards ever again. Video after the break. [Source: Golden Shellback Via gCaptain]
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Scent-emitting advertising trial sniffs out suckers in Japan
July 29, 2008
Filed under: Displays, Misc. Gadgets
Apparently July is a hot month for ad trials in Japan, as just weeks after a number of 65-inch digital posters were installed in a Tokyo train station, in flies word that yet another consumer-luring installation is being tested. Recruit and NTT Communications are delivering Scent-emitting LCD Display Systems to an underground mall in the heart of Japan, each of which rely on a 42-inch LCD and a scent-sprayer that emits delightful odors to correspond with the on-screen imagery. The goal is to attract onlookers and get them to grab a nearby coupon book, but considering that the experiment shuts down on August 1st, you should probably get your nose down there in a hurry if you’re looking to score some savings.
FCC Approves Sirius and XM Satellite Radio Merger
July 29, 2008
Filed under: Audio/Video, Automobile Tech
In a somewhat unsurprising move, the FCC has approved the merger of Sirius and XM after protracted — and incredibly boring — multi-year negotiations. The Federal Communication Commission decided tonight to allow a deal that’ll bring the two satellite radio providers together, creating a combined subscriber base of roughly 18 million users.
The deal isn’t without catches, however, with the Commission stating that the companies must cap prices for three years following the merger, allow subscriber choice on content, and lower fees for channel packages. FCC head Kevin Martin seemed pleased with the final outcome, stating, “Consumers will get to like the ideal of the programming on both services.” You know who wasn’t so stoked Clear Channel. [Source: Washington Post]
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Worst Web Threats of 2008 (So Far)
July 29, 2008
Filed under: Cell Phones, Personal, Back to School Guide 2008
- 2008 has seen an explosion in malicious software, three times more than in 2007.
- Google-owned Blogger (which helps create those blogs with ‘blogspot’ in the address bar) is the most common host for malicious software.
- Hackers and spammers use social sites like Facebook and MySpace with increasing frequency to spread spyware and viruses.
- Attacks against Macs, iPhones and Linux machines have increased dramatically.
- SMS spam messages (text messages) are an emerging front and is of particular concern in China.
- Although still common, attacks via e-mail have decreased in the first half of 2008.
As usual, there are ways to defend yourself against such attacks. Getting yourself a firewall program is a good start, but don’t forget about anti-virus and anti-spyware tools as well. Still, the best defense is caution and diligence. Don’t follow suspicious links or open e-mails if you don’t know the sender.
It’s a dangerous world out there on the Web, but with a little smarts and the right tools you and your data will be safe. [Source: Business Wire]
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Reminder: Gamestop’s Gears of War 2 event tonight
July 29, 2008
Filed under: News
Gadget Waterproofing Process Defies Water, Reality
July 29, 2008
Filed under: Audio/Video, Cell Phones, Cameras, Summer Fun
We’re usually pretty jaded when people tell us that we “won’t believe” what we’re seeing in a video sent to tips — right, right, a cellphone demon, nice one — but it sure seems like the Golden Shellback waterproof coating is the real deal.
Developed at the Northeast Maritime Institute and hopefully headed to production sometime soon, the process involves applying the coating to your precious toys inside a vacuum, after which they’re basically impervious to all liquids — in one test, a coated device spent over 450 hours powered on and functional underwater.
There are some downsides: you can’t remove the coating, so any fixes will involve “abrasive methods,” which sounds like quite a commitment. That stated, we’ll take a little abrasion in our lives if it means we never have to worry about spilling on our keyboards ever again. Video after the break. [Source: Golden Shellback Via gCaptain]
Continue reading Gadget Waterproofing Process Defies Water, Reality
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