Slashdot Mirror

You can bet these babys will have them. http://www.i4u.com/article1405.html Must stop drooling over that....

The Trilobite by Electrolux is a much smarter machine. The Roomba works by guesswork. It uses probability to make sure that it'll cover most of the floor at least once during its random turns. The Trilobite uses Sonar and mapping software, so it *knows* where it is. If it doesn't finish the whole floor, it'll return back to the base station, charge, and then finish the remainder of the floor, saving time and power. Here's a link to the product page http://www.electroluxusa.com/node142.asp and here's a nice article explaining how the Trilobite is so much more advanced http://www.i4u.com/article1634.html

That's not true, Toshiba recently said unification talks between BD and HD were "a waste of time" and that nothing has come from them yet.

http://www.i4u.com/article3416.html is a link that describes how no unification progress was made. The initial claim that there was a successful unification were exaggerated it seems.

http://i4u.com/article3233.html

http://www.digitimes.com/NewsShow/Article.asp?date Publish=2005/04/21&pages=A8&seq=42

A link to "Find a normal toaster" on the page, describing Nikkei news about this commerical product is especially cute :)
As for the infrared ray toasting... well... that's pretty much standard, unless someone actually makes toasts via Dumb Toaster Called Skillet :)

But this won't be cheap. From the link in TFA: The price is estimated at around 1.1 million yen (~$10,000) and goes on the market in April. Target market are hotels and restaurants.

It even suggests you find a normal toaster. :)

How the f$ck plasma screens made it when the picture quality is so lousy that companies like Sony Stops Making Plasma TVs, announced December 24th, 2004, just in time for those boxing day/clearout sales of obsolee tech.

Sure, but you can get that kind of thing much cheaper from a RoboSapien.

...battery life and practical viewable area on a phone.

Well, the obvious question to me is what is new about this?

Is it just because we're talking United States here? If you read through this thread, people are acting as if watching TV on a phone is some kind of new idea. (Your post being one example.) I mean the size of the screen and the battery life are not open questions, because TV-enabled phones have been on the market for over a year (if not more) around the world.

Am I missing something?

Or they should use the same system that we can now find in some flashlight. Shake and charge. Ideal when playing FPS games :)

They (or somebody) sold a cordless handset.

VPT1000

You still have to plug it into a computer, but you can make (and recieve) calls with the handset. There's more skype realted stuff on pcphoneline.com.

How about this?

JVC Everio with 4GB Microdrive. To be released any day now...
http://www.i4u.com/article2116.html

See this Coin-Sized MP3 Player

It also has been OEMed by Virgin Electronics and is available at Target. The only funky thing with this french OEM is that it has a Linux on it.

See this Coin-Sized MP3 Player

It also has been OEMed by Virgin Electronics and is available at Target. The only funky thing with this french OEM is that it has a Linux on it.

The new Sony CLIE PEG-VZ90 has a 480×320x16b OLED display. Available in Japan only, at present. A bigger picture and some news links here.

We could go on all day about how easy (for a few bucks extra initial) it would be to make our living structures more environmentally friendly. We are demanding the corporations who make our products to clean up so it is only fair that we do the same. Actually its imperative. For those who think an 800 sq ft home isnt large enough for a family of five or whatever, perhaps you need to realize that jus because you have the ability to build 10,000 sq ft homes and drive 5 metric ton cars (yes we all saw the Hummer replacement marketed on TV & the internet this week) doesnt mean we SHOULD!

There are endless techniques that we can integrate into new homes, many of which should be REQUIRED, including solar panels which are yes very expensive now and not very efficient in energy producing terms, but what about new designs for homes including bigger windows and skylights using low emissivity glass. There have been advancements in new heating technologies like using heat tapped from the Earth's Core, and using renewed and recylced building materials. We have the tech, lets put it to use!

I smell mass-internet conspiracy. Look, its not a bad thing, trying to show the environmentally friendly side to tech. I greatly welcome it but we have this story and the OLED following it above here on slashdot. This crap on i4u. Plus, The OLED PDA there too. FREAKING DEALNEWS has the SuperFlower P/S giveway deal, (hey dont enter i was jus showing, i wanna win!).

But yesterday it was all doom and gloom with the tech sector research going to China, IT jobs plummetting, Toshiba ditching the NA market.... Ok is it Bush or the Internet Illuminati Collective responsible for the maniacness going on out there?!?!!!

I smell mass-internet conspiracy. Look, its not a bad thing, trying to show the environmentally friendly side to tech. I greatly welcome it but we have this story and the OLED following it above here on slashdot. This crap on i4u. Plus, The OLED PDA there too. FREAKING DEALNEWS has the SuperFlower P/S giveway deal, (hey dont enter i was jus showing, i wanna win!).

But yesterday it was all doom and gloom with the tech sector research going to China, IT jobs plummetting, Toshiba ditching the NA market.... Ok is it Bush or the Internet Illuminati Collective responsible for the maniacness going on out there?!?!!!

there is an update to MobiTV together with the new Samsung MM-A700.
Was announced last week. http://www.i4u.com/article1930.html

The uniform from the waist down will have a robotic-powered system that is connected directly to the soldier.

Psssst! Wanna see my gun? ;-)

This just really does beg to be joked about. And as for the nano-technology; I see lots of problems. For instance - how does the nanobots know the difference between the person and the clothing? Will they accidentally convert the person's skin from one thing to another? Think about it - one of the reasons crimes get solved is because all things leave traces of themselves on other things - like bodies. So the clothing you are wearing is actually leaving small amounts of itself on you as you wear them. If the nanobots are keyed to convert all of X into Y won't they then, just maybe, convert skin into....what? Or even if they just collect around the point of impact to solidify the cloth-like substance into an Ironman outfit - won't the speed of the bullet mean that by the time the nanobots converted the cloth that the bullet would have already partially penetrated the person's body? I mean, after all, they may be fast, but a bullet is travelling at an extremely high rate of speed. Thus, for every 1/10 or 1/100th of a second they attempt to converge on and stop the bullet - the bullet will have traveled some distance. And that distance is not a millimeter but maybe as much as a centimeter or decimeter. So suddenly the nanobots are attempting to stop the bullet after it has penetrated the skin. Wouldn't that mean that they might just enter the blood stream? If they are keyed to react to heat they might suddenly decide that the blood stream needs to be stopped.

So in reality, the nanobots would have to recognize that something was moving towards the target at a high rate of speed which, when the calculations are done, would show that the item would hit the target. Then the nanobots would all have to be told to go to the potential impact area so they could build up against the impact (or convert the cloth in that area to whatever material is going to be used to resist the impact). This doesn't account for exposed areas such as the head, hands, or other areas exposed by the nanobots rushing to one particular area (and possibly leave something hanging out for everyone else to see).

Last, but not least is the fact that multiple shots being fired from multiple locations at the same target could also confuse the nanobots leaving the person to look like a zebra or maybe a cheetah as the nanobots try to protect the person within the suit.

My money would be on a more classical outfit with a PDA for a brain, greater memory so it can handle the increased needs, some kind of multitasking OS so it can handle all of the requirements, and a networking/cellphone interface so it can handle that as well. Probably less than ten pounds altogether. If they used current laser technologies on transmitting data they'd just need one fiber to do all of the i/o and visuals. PDAs are already used to do sensing in classrooms, to do fingerprinting, and will very soon probably be able to run another display.

As for power - I see fuel cells as the way of the future with PDAs. Today's bulky fuel cells are going to be replaced by slimmer, lighter fuel cells. Thus, the PDA suit could be powered for an entire day if necessary via a fuel cell which conforms to the soldier's body.

Other methods to generate electricity for the suit could include light weight, piston based, energy generators. These generators are situated on the outside of the arms and legs. They are not heavy, bulky metallic rods but are instead smaller light weight polycarbon rods. The rods are hollow and have wires running back up to the helmet/neck region. (Or down to the lower back.) As the rods are pulled

One of the links in the post (i4u.com) asked people to send in a description of their dream mp3 player. Here's the (admittedly long-winded) email I sent them If someone knows a player that meets this description, I'd love to here about it.

(To be fair, flash cards are not essential. If they designed a 2 GB fixed flash player, I'd probably be happy with that as well. But HD is still too heavy and not rugged enough for serious exercise).

----

Hi. I'm writing to answer the question posed in your June 24 article regarding what would be included in my "dream" portable music player. Here's my version.

I primarily use my mp3 player to work-out. So the popular hard drive-based players are either too bulky, too heavy, or, most importantly, just too skip- and damage-prone for rigorous fitness activities. Thus, I want to design the ideal flash-based player for active use. However, the flash-based players currently out there geared for fitness lack several key features.

The first problem is memory format. Most flash-based players (like the Nike PSA) have a fixed amount of flash memory. With flash card technology, that's just an unnecessary limitation. Why would I want fixed storage when virtually unlimited storage is possible with just the addition of a card port? However, even among card-based players there is an incredible paucity of those that support CompactFlash. Even though this is the flash format of choice for the immensely popular Canon camera line, and is the cheapest flash format per MB, very, very few players (with the exception of the hard-to-find Nex line) support it. This puzzles me quite a bit. I own a Canon camera, and I want a flash MP3 player. Why would I want to invest in two different flash card formats? It seems that a manufacturer that shrewdly marketed the lower cost and ubiquity of CF for existing cams could take advantage of this.

CF is larger than other card formats, but it's still so small and light that its form factor really does not add bulk. Plus, it is now available in higher capacities (like 1 GB) than any other flash format, rivaling some hard drive players.

The second feature I would want in my player is playlist support. Especially when I'm listening to music for exercise, the songs I pick hugely impact my level of motivation and performance. I want to be able to choose on the fly the subset of tunes that fit the mood of the moment. No flash-based player I know of support m3u or other playlist formats. This is a HUGE drawback. On my Nex II player, I have to create new folders with songs dropped in the order I want to hear them every time I go work out. It's a pain. Plus, with flash capacities growing, I want to maintain a set organizational strategy for my music (like folders by artist and album) and not reorganize music every time I listen. The built-in song-flagging pseudo-playlist feature some of these players have is not a substitute for a standard, reusable playlist. This is a must.

The third feature I want my player to have is a quality digital FM tuner. Most gyms have TVs set up in front of exercise equipment (like stationary bikes, treadmills, etc.), broadcasting the audio portion on local FM bands. I want to be able enjoy this feature of my gym, as well listen to local stations from time to time. Another must for any gymrat.

Finally, the player must be ergonomically designed for use by someone who is exercising while using the player. That is, it should, foremost, come with a comfortable, washable, neoprene *armband* case that holds the player snugly. Tunebelt makes some great generic versions of such a case, but they are not tailored for particular players (iPod being an exception). Second, the player itself must have *large* controls, clearly discriminable by touch, and inuitively positioned so one can reach them on their arm while working out. A tiny stick-like player is useless while working out, as is something bouncing around on a lanyard around your nec

(From the Article) Features
* built-in memory (up to 256MB) and MMC/SD card slot
* Multiformat support: MP3 and AAC
* FM tuner integrated, live capture from the radio function directly in AAC
* Bluetooth Hands-free feature*
* Backlit graphic LCD and easy navigation through menus and play lists
* Multilanguage menu
* Various playback modes
* 5 equalizer presets & one 10-band custom
* Sensitive mic, voice operation recording (VOR), file folder system
* Over 14h continuous play on the Li-Ion battery
* Embedded charger, charges via USB or DC
* USB Removable Drive when connected to PC or Mac
* Driver-free for Windows 2000/Me/XP

USB Drivers:
Win 98; Driver free for Win Me / 2000 / XP / Linux 2.4.19 / Mac OS 9.1 and above

This seems to be a nice and multi-featured unit. The expansion slot is something that I have been waiting on for a little while now and the fact that AAC is supported is nice but too bad no OGG though. Seeing that the USB Driver for "Linux 2.4.19" was included makes this my personal top choice now as to MP3 Players.

Dammit. Omitted the line that was the whole point of the post.

And a hacked one of these.

- Tony

Wrist TV Review

It was stylish, being one of the very first true portables, drew lots of looks (almost nobody had one) - isn't that what mobiles should do - look at all the whiz bang bells and whistles they have now. And it was hackable via they keypad and the access codes.

Turn it on and dial, none of this boot OS advertise Verizon, think for a minute read the phonebook crap with these new fangled phones.

You could even use it for self defense, sure it cost over $2000 for the phone and the car adapter kit, but so what, you could look like Gordon Gekko.

And try writing your phone number down for a girl on your PDA (yeah I know it's slashdot, but some of you may attempt it), give me my post-its and my brick anyday.

http://www.i4u.com/article1573.html

http://www.i4u.com/article1575.html

When will I be able to watch a movie on my sleeve?!

You mean like this? ;)
Check out some of these pictures! Awesome!
Theres also a mobile phone with support for receiving tv, here, cool huh?

http://www.i4u.com/article1489.html

http://www.i4u.com/article1266.html

320mbps on wireless UWB

Human Subdermal RFID Chip - VeriChip

the japanese developed a nice looking actroid:
Realistic Japanese Female Actroid Robot

http://www.i4u.com/article1225.html

http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/index.php?topi c_id=4675

Well if you want to stick to CompactFlash, and you've got a Game Boy Advance, you can get the $40 GBA Video Player.

Look here. It is not the same site as the slashdotted one, but at least you can see what it looks like.

Zvue supports DivX video standard

I've recently heard about the Microsoft video from Comdex parodying the Matrix pill scene. Gates presents Ballmer with a small red pill with a Windows logo, and an "IBM/LINUX" pill the size of a football (something about it being "hard to swallow").

Aggressive moves by IBM to opensource things as important as Java are no surprise to me (It would be a sort of poetic justice after MS tried to bastardize it). I can easily see the industry as a whole ganging up on Microsoft. For IE alone, Gates deserves to be glove-slapped, Bugs Bunny style.

What, I wonder, would(will?) Microsoft do when their backs are thoroughly against the wall? Would they realize the flaws in their reasoning and throw their resources into creating something that truly bestows FREEDOM? Would they rev up the FUD machine until it overheats and explodes? Would they sob like horrified toddlers and pull a SCO?

The near future looks messy indeed, but in the end, bright. I hope Sun decides that IBM's idea is in their best interest. I like Sun. They've been doing their best, and need something to rejuvinate them. Opensourcing Java would at least give them colossal mindshare.
--

Just a Google search for "DVD Jukebox", but here you go.

Spongebob Joystick

I've seen and used VKB technology. It's very compact and an elegant solution. Unlike Canesta, it doesn't need a stereoscopic view of the target area, which means it really could fit into a pen sitting in a charger or other holder.

http://www.i4u.com/article702.html

I have a co-worker who is directing/producing film and video and uses his iPod ... as a presentation external hard drive.

You know you could get brownie points by letting your co-worker know about Personal Video Players (PVPs), systems from Archos and RCA and Creative and others that not only store video, but also play it back, either on-screen on using video outputs. The iPod seems a little limited in this respect - it's just a storage medium, with a mnonochrome display that does not, in fact, display video. Even the old Archos Recorder can now display 30fps video (mono!). PVPs were super-hot at CES... Apple better get a move on releasing that video iPod.

The 80s Cult High Tech Wrist Watch

Where is the SplashPower SplashPad?

Several press articles have promised this for the past year. They're stuck on "looking for partnerships." I want one. Today.

related theme vehicle from japan: http://www.i4u.com/article596.html

http://www.i4u.com/article1001.html
http://www.i4u.com/article998.html

http://www.i4u.com/article1001.html
http://www.i4u.com/article998.html

At the TRON 2004 Show Japanese Personal Media Company shows off the T-Cube a pocket-size PC running T-Engine.

T-Engine is somekind of OS standardization project for networked computers in Japan that started in 2002. Seems they want to build something that does not require to license Windows. Don't know why they not just adopt Linux.

The T-Cube runs the current T-Engine OS and uses a CPU from NEC VR5701. The desktop is written for the chinese Market supporting Multi- and Super-Chinese Character sets.

The T-Cube (tentative name) is supposed to ship in Q1 2004. Press-Release (Raw Translation)

See also the Java Wrist Watches that were presented at the TRON 2004 show in Tokyo.

At the TRON 2004 Show Japanese Personal Media Company shows off the T-Cube a pocket-size PC running T-Engine.

T-Engine is somekind of OS standardization project for networked computers in Japan that started in 2002. Seems they want to build something that does not require to license Windows. Don't know why they not just adopt Linux.

The T-Cube runs the current T-Engine OS and uses a CPU from NEC VR5701. The desktop is written for the chinese Market supporting Multi- and Super-Chinese Character sets.

The T-Cube (tentative name) is supposed to ship in Q1 2004. Press-Release (Raw Translation)

See also the Java Wrist Watches that were presented at the TRON 2004 show in Tokyo.