Amazon Might Ditch Publishers That Don't Toe The Line
It seems that Amazon is dead serious about protecting its position in the eBook industry, and it’s willing to pull off some drastic maneuvers in order to do so. Word is going around that Apple is threatening to pull the digital plug, as it recently did, on publishers that refuse to agree to its terms. We’re talking about a three-year deal that doesn’t allow other distribution methods (such as iBooks) to get lower price points. Apparently Amazon might even ditch two major publishers if the deal doesn’t go through, though there wasn’t any mention of which two publishers. Considering that publishers seem to want to be able to price eBooks around $12.99-$14.99, Amazon’s desire to keep prices at $9.99 will certainly put them on collision course. Are you willing to pay a few dollars more for your eBooks, or do you think that they’re priced just right at $9.99?
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Former Employee Accused Of Remotely Disabling 100 Cars
If you suddenly found out that you couldn’t get your car started or its horn started blaring non-stop, what would you think the cause would be? Chances are that you wouldn’t think that it was a disgruntled employee from the auto dealership where you bought the car from having some mischief, would you? Police have arrested a 20-year old man, accused of activating a black box system called PayTeck, which was installed in the cars to be utilized in the event that the client couldn’t make the car payment. Apparently more than 100 vehicle owners reported incidents related to this. The dealership has since reset the passwords for all of its employee accounts, when it was found out that it was done by the accused using another employee’s account. Would you agree to the auto dealerships installing such devices in your car?
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USB Fingerprint Security Lock Flash Disk
Folks who are sensitive about private data would love the USB Fingerprint Security Lock Flash Disk. If the name didn’t give it away, it’s a flash drive that allows you to secure your data via biometric fingerprint security. It’s currently available at 8GB capacity, and is going for $48. Aside from securing your files, you can also use it to enable fingerprint login when you start your computer or get out of screen saver mode. Of course, you can still setup a password entry method, just in case something terrible happens to your fingers (you never know). Would you rely on one of these to protect your data from prying eyes?
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Concept Tablet Is Powered By Windows Phone 7 Series
Umang Dokey’s Windows Phone 7 Series tablet concept sure looks interesting, and is probably not possible with the current tech we have. We say so because it includes features we’d love to have in any device such as 3D video conference. This concept tablet features a fold-key stand, keyboard, two webcams that sit either side of the 8-inch touchscreen, which is probably related to the 3D video conferencing. The cool part is the concept uses Windows Phone 7 Series as its operating system of choice, something that Microsoft will certainly be happy to hear. How many years to you think we’ll have to wait till we get 3D video conferencing on mainstream devices?
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Sony Advert Scoffs At Project Natal
Sony has come up with a rather interesting advert on its recently announced PlayStation Move controller. The Advert also seems to take a dig at Microsoft’s Project Natal, while reminding viewers that the controller has buttons, so you don’t have to pretend that your hand is a gun. Sony VP, Kevin Butler, also has a little fun showing how boxing doesn’t seem realistic when users are limited by the controllers. Anyway, check out the video after the jump, and you’ll get to see what we’re talking about.
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Lawn Mower Scooter Concept
If you think that mowing the lawn is a boring chore, you’re right, but with the Lawn Mower Scooter concept, it might get a little more fun. Sure, you’re not going to ditch your Xbox 360 gaming session to mow the lawn with it, but at least you wouldn’t have an aching back or die or boredom. Now if only your neighbor were to get one of these too, you could invite him over, and race with him, and you’d get your lawn mowed in half the time.
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Verizon Wireless To Offer The HTC Incredible In Two Weeks?
Word is going around that Verizon could be offering the HTC Incredible in about two week’s time. Thanks to pictures leaked a week ago, we already know that the phone was destined for Verizon, but it does seem a tad out of the blue, not that we’re complaining, after all, getting the phone early is better than getting it later, right? Considering that Verizon doesn’t offer Google’s Nexus One just yet, the HTC Incredible would offer a good alternative for the moment, considering that it sports similar specifications, as well as a higher megapixel camera. Do you think that you’ll go for the HTC Incredible, or are you willing to wait for the Nexus One to be offered by Verizon? Unconfirmed specifications of the HTC Incredible include:
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SlingPlayer Mobile For Android Inching Closer To Reality
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It looks like SlingPlayer Mobile for Android might be inching closer to reality, as SlingMedia, the folks behind Slingbox and SlingPlayer, have put up a page on their website, allowing interested folks to sign up to be notified when updates are available (though you can always check Ubergizmo too!) Slingbox is currently available for the PC, Mac and iPhone users, but has yet to make it to Google’s Android platform, so this will certainly be welcome news. There isn’t any mention of pricing, but it’s probably safe to assume that it will cost about the same as the iPhone version, which is going for $30.
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iPhone SDK 3.2 Beta 5 Build 10M2148 Released
iPhone developers will want to take note that Apple has released the iPhone SDK 3.2 Beta 5 Build 10M2148. It’s still a beta version, so you’ll probably want to tread cautiously, just in case. And if you’re running an older version of Apple’s OS X, you’ll need to make sure you’re running at least OS X 10.6.2 or later.
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Amazing Bushmaster ACR Drawing In MSPaint
Do you think that MSPaint is just a doodling tool for small kids? Well, check out the video after the jump, and see if you don’t change your mind. It probably serves as a good reminder than we shouldn’t complain about the tool we’re using, when we can’t come up with something cool, eh? Have you drawn anything cool with MSPaint? Let us know via the comments section.
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Ergoroller to help with wrist support
Sitting in front of the computer for hours on end might not be kind to those who do not have the right equipment or posture, but the Ergoroller might help eliminate the former since it offers wrist support which is unconventional via two rows of steel bearings, providing a gentle massage to your tendons and ligaments whenever you move your hand. Thanks to Utah-based electrical designer Jason Perkins, his brainchild the Ergoroller can be used therapeutically as well for the relief of pain already present due to RSIs. The steel bearings can be removed for cleaning purposes, getting rid of all those pizza crumbs from burning the midnight oil. The Ergoroller retails for $24.95.
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DICE Electronics G2 Cradle for the iPod and iPhone
Another day, another dock for the iPod and iPhone family - this time round we have DICE Electronics to thank for their G2 Cradle. Meant to see action in a vehicle, the G2 will boast a pass-through Dock Connector port which hooks up the cradle to a car integration kit, charger, or rear-seat entertainment system. Coming in a black and brushed aluminum design, you get half a dozen interchangeable cradles for the iPod classic, first-, second-, and third-generation iPod touch, iPhone, iPhone 3G, and iPhone 3GS. Expect to pick this puppy up for $60.
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Win Android chassis
The Win Android chassis that you see here is definitely futuristic in terms of design, since it features up to half a dozen front/side/top 12cm fans as well as a solitary 22cm LED anti-vibration fan to keep things inside running nice and cool, especially with all the overclocking that you're set to do. Coupled with that would be five 5.25" and four 3.5" drive bays for storage purposes, while mesh filters on front, side, top and bottom help improve airflow. If you are in the market to pick up a brand new computer chassis, then the Win Android can be yours for $79.99.
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Kindle app for Mac available
The Kindle app for Mac OS X 10.5 and above is finally available without calling for a glitzy press conference, where this free application weighs in at 22MB. Most folks have been looking out for it since its announcement last October, when the iPad was but vaporware at that point in time. With this app, you can download Kindle books that are under your possession, reading them at your own pace on your Mac. Synchronization of progress is fully automatic, so you can switch between your Kindle and iPhone on-the-fly without missing a beat.
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Google Maps for mobile 4.1 now out
Google Maps for mobile 4.1 is finally available, where its improvements include sorting through search results in an easier manner, while seeing Maps info in a more simplified way. Tabs have been removed, letting you see all the info you require on a single page, while tapping new buttons enables you to view the place on the map, get directions, call it, or see it with Street View. Latitude appears as a widget now, while you get Maps live wallpaper to further enhance your mobile traveling experience. You can look for “Google Maps” in Android Market from Android 1.6+ phones, and this update is available in all countries and languages where Maps is currently available. For those who have given it a go, how do you find it?
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