Gizmodo

Wheelie Robot Is Great At Being Adorable While Performing Useless Task [Robots]

Mark Wilson — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:20:00 EST

I should be in awe of this autonomous, two-wheeled prototype robot by Toyota, dreaming of The Jetsons and Wall-E. But instead, all I can think is, "Who needs a robot that just balances crap on its head?" [PlasticPals via CrunchGear]

Gadget Deals of the Day [Dealzmodo]

Kevin Lee — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:00:00 EST

It all about the full packaged bundles in today's deals. Pickup an Xbox bundle with two major tiles at a discount, those wanting to dive into DSLRs have the great deal from Nikon, and nab some free prints too.

Top Deals:
• Nikon D5000 Digital SLR Camera Kit 2 (18-55mm and 55-200mm VR Lens) + Nikon Gadget Bag $779 + free shipping (normally $849)
• Xbox 360 Elite 120GB + Forza 3 & Halo 3 ODST for $299.99 plus free shipping (normally $400).
• FujiFilm SeeHere 50 4x6 photo prints for $0 (use coupon code prints-6)

Gaming:
• Buy select games, get $10-15 credit for your next order (over 15 titles to choose from).
• GoGamer 48 Hour Madness Sale Complete List (All Consoles) (Up To 67% Off).
• Xbox 360 Elite 120GB + Forza 3 & Halo 3 ODST for $299.99 plus free shipping (normally $400).
• XBox 360 Arcade Console $160 Shipped (normally $200).
• Plantronics GameCom X20 Xbox Headset for $9.99 plus free shipping (normally $17).
• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Prestige Edition (360) for $99.99 (normally $141).
• Assassins Creed II (PS3/360) for $34.90 (normally $54).
• The Beatles: Rock Band Game Only (PS3/Wii) for $29.99 plus free shipping (normally $37).
• Brutal Legend Game (PS3/360) Two for $26 (normally $60)
• Battlefield: Bad Company (360) for $8.54 (normally $17).
• FIFA Soccer 10 (PS3) for $49.99 plus free shipping (normally $60).
• Active Life: Extreme Challenge Bundle with Mat (Wii) for $31.99 (normally $52.90).
• Red Steel 2 (Wii) for $39.90 (normally $50).
• Mass Effect 2 (PC) for $29.90 (normally $36).
• Star Trek Online Standard Edition (PC) for $29.98 plus free shipping (normally $47).
• Lumines II (PSP) for $13.04 (normally $20).
• Nintendo DSi Bundle (console,2 games,case,accessory Kit) for $189 (normally $200).
• TrackMania (DS) for $17.17 (normally $29.94).
• ZUBO (DS) for $10 (normally $20).

Personal Portables and Peripherals:
• Apple iPod Touch 8GB (3rd Generation MC086LL/A) NEWEST MODELfor $174.99 plus free shipping (normally $183 - use coupon code JAM0815).
• Griffin Technology: 15% off Coupon on iPod, iPhone, iPad cases & accessories (use coupon code CJ101)
• Nikon D5000 Digital SLR Camera Kit 2 (18-55mm and 55-200mm VR Lens) + Nikon Gadget Bag $779 + free shipping (normally $849)
• Sigma 50-200mm OS For Canon $169.10 + $10 Gift Card + free shipping (normally $219)
• Canon PowerShot SD960 IS 12.1MP Digital Camera for $199.99 (normally $228 - use coupon code EMCYPZN59).
• 12.2MP Kodak M341 Digital Camera $100 Shipped (normally $150).
• Sanyo Xacti VPC-S1285W 12MP 3X Digital Camera + Rechargeable Eneloop Batteries & Charger for $64.88 (normally $99).
• Creative ZEN MX 16GB MP3 Player for $79.99 plus free shipping (normally $129).

Hobomodo:
• FREE Motorola BACKFLIP With MOTOBLUR w/ 2 Year Activation for $0 with free shipping (normally $100).
• Mini Mango Pinkberry at Pinkberry Friday 5 pm-9pm(Mar.12) for $0 (use this form).
• Spartacus: Blood and Sand (iPhone/iPod Touch) for $0 (normally $4.99).
• FileApp Pro (iPhone/iPod touch) for $0
• Free Redbox Rental on March 17th when you become a Facebook fan for $0 (use this form).
• Solitary Gun by Rogue Wave (MP3) for $0 (download here).
• FujiFilm SeeHere 50 4x6 photo prints for $0 (use coupon code prints-6)

If a deal looks too good to be true, investigate the store and see if it's a good, reputable place to buy. Safe shopping!

[Thanks TechDealDigger, Dealzon, Logic Buy, GamerHotline, Cheap College Gamers, CheapStingyBargains and TechBargains.]

First Reviews of the Panasonic TC-P50VT20 3DTV [Reviews]

Mark Wilson — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 14:34:23 EST

After seeing it at CES, there was little doubt. The 50-inch Panasonic TC-P50VT20 wouldn't just be among the first 3DTVs on the market, it would be among the best. The first two reviews are in, and they are glowing.

Just a little background—the TC-P50VT20 runs $2500 and comes with one pair of active shutter glasses. (Additional pairs cost $150.) You can get it bundled with a 3D Blu-ray player for an extra $250.

In 2D mode, it's a solid TV (which should be expected since Panasonic's plasmas are traditionally quite excellent...if controversial). In 3D mode? Because of a lack of current 3D content, keep in mind that the impressions here are based upon a demo disc only. But here's what was said:

TelevisionInfo

... we found that the P50VT20 produced smooth, clean motion that looked as good in 3D as it did in 2D. Because of the lack of 3D source material at the moment, we were not able to run our full suite of motion tests, but we did not see any significant difference between 2D and 3D, so it looks like the new 3D feature does not adversely affect the smooth motion that this display produces. That's not a surprise, as the 3D Blu-ray standard allows the display to show a full 60 frames a second to each eye, so the eyes get to see 60 frames a second if you are watching 2D or 3D video.

HDGuru3D

As much as I tried to see the issues witnessed with the Sony FHD3D TV (the only production 3D models publicly demoed in 3D link) I did not see them. They simply are not present. These include crosstalk seen as ghost images, motion artifacts best described as a motion breakup, sort of like a strobe effect and flickering....The mode memory choices such as "Custom" have offsets built-in to compensate for the brightness reduction of the 3D glasses and any other image picture parameter shifts. They proved quite effective, although until Panasonic or someone else makes 3D test signals available on Blu-ray, there is no way to calibrate the user controls in the 3D mode.

Overall, I find the 3D image outstanding with considerably more brightness and pop than the motion picture theater 3D movie experience.

Those are pretty positive words, though we're guessing professional TV reviewers are the most excited cohort for 3D. But for those of you in the market for a new TV—are you considering the 3D PLUNGE??

(And if you still can't answer that question, I recommend this (my) piece on what it feels like to watch 3DTV.)

The Void Between Protons and Electrons Makes Us All Phantoms [Science]

Jesus Diaz — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 14:00:00 EST

Are you real? You may seem real and solid, but you are mostly made of empty space. To demonstrate it, someone enlarged an electron to the size of one pixel, proportionally showing its distance from a equally scaled proton.

Click image above to zoom in

This is all basic stuff to anyone who's taken a physics class, but a lot of you have not, so I've made this graphic to show the distance between the two elements. You can click to zoom, but the electron is still invisible. To see it in all its scary glory, go to the page and scroll all the way to the left. Like the page says: "We are all phantoms."

It's a good thing various fields take care of the whole empty space bit, or else we'd just pass through each other. [Phrenopolis]

Take the Consumer Broadband Test, Help the FCC Keep ISPs In Check [Broadband]

Brian Barrett — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 13:50:48 EST

Feel like your broadband's not living up to how they're advertised? Here's your chance to prove it: the FCC's introduced a Consumer Broadband Test that'll let you know exactly how good a connection you've got.

The test is in beta, but can be used for both fixed and mobile broadband, and there are already iPhone and Android apps available for download. You can already figure out your broadband speed with YouTube, but the info the FCC collects will be used by the agency to determine the state of broadband in the US. Hopefully it'll also be ammo to help reconcile the difference between hyperspeed ISP claims and your pokey broadband reality. [Broadband Task Force via Boing Boing]

Mosspuppet Discovers Chatroulette And We All Throw Up a Little [Mosspuppet]

Brian Barrett — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 13:20:00 EST

I've got to hand it to Mosspuppet: he's always on top of the latest trends. This time out: Chatroulette! And while it ends with Mosspuppet's most cherished dream fulfilled, it's also. Totally. Gross. NSFW. [Mosspuppet]

PlayStation Move Requires a Scant 1-2MB of RAM [PS3]

Mark Wilson — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:56:29 EST

Sony's XMB may be a bit of a RAM hog, and Microsoft's Project Natal will require about 15% of the Xbox 360's resources. But the new PlayStation Move controller? Its footprint looks light.

While Sony has not come forward with complete CPU footprint information, they've stated that PlayStation Move requires an "insignificant" 1-2MB of RAM. That's basically nothing, which should mean that processing resources aren't the reason PlayStation Move would or wouldn't be supported by a given game, which should mean that we'll see Move supported in more titles.

But like we said, CPU processing has plenty to do with Move's digital footprint, too. And just because the Move's output can be processed in "under a frame" doesn't mean the graphics, physics and overall experience of said frame aren't diminished. [Joystiq]

Insert the PlayStation Move Wand Into the Situations It'll Let You Simulate [PhotoshopContest]

Adam Frucci — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:40:00 EST

For this week's Photoshop Contest, I want you to take Sony's new PlayStation Move and put it in some real contexts. It's supposed to let you pretend to play with guns, swords and other objects, right? Let's see it.

Send your best entries to me at contests@gizmodo.com with PS Move in the subject line. Save your files as JPGs or GIFs under 800k in size, and use a FirstnameLastname.jpg naming convention using whatever name you want to be credited with. Send your work to me by next Tuesday morning, and I'll pick three top winners and show off the rest of the best in our Gallery of Champions. Get to it!

The Litany of iPad Submission [Apple]

Brian Barrett — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:00:00 EST

You're considering an iPad. You're giving it serious thought. But the doubts are mounting, and you can't quite pull the trigger. You know what? Time to man up. You want the iPad. You need the iPad. Do what's right.

Honestly, there are a lot of good and bad reasons to buy or not buy an iPad. This is for those who just need that extra little push.

• They're a Bargain, I Should Buy: Okay, maybe not at the upper price points. But come on. For $500 you can get an eBook reader, a web browser, a media player, and a gaming system all in one. It's a steal.

• A New Apps Frontier, I Should Buy: Do you like your iPhone apps? Of course you do. That's why you put up with AT&T. Those apps—especially the games and the content, but really everything—are going to be amazing on the iPad. And not just because they're biggie-sized! It's also a more mature SDK and a more powerful device, one that developers are scrambling to showcase their best stuff on.

• Forget About Flash, I Should Buy: I know, I know. All the grumblings between Adobe and Apple have got you nervous about a Flash-less tablet. But remember: most of the sites you use today don't use Flash, and the one that does—Hulu—is going to find its way onto the iPad sooner rather than later. The future is HTML5. Time to embrace it.

• They Got It Right, I Should Buy: Apple's got a history of sub-par first-gen products, and the iPod and iPhone launches still leave a bad taste in people's mouths. But Steve Jobs has already staked his reputation on the iPad, and you'd better believe he's not going to let his baby be more fodder to the critics who say Apple can't get it right on the first try. Besides, the OS was already basically in place thanks to the iPhone, and the hardware has looked great so far.

• The Data Plan, I Should Buy One: The 3G contract is an unprecedented bargain, and even more importantly it's no-commitment. It really is impossible to find another data plan this cheap with this much flexibility.

• I Can Always Sell, I Should Buy: Apple products are known for retaining their resale value, so there's really not much financial risk if you decide you don't like it after all. Besides, consider that it's not even on sale internationally yet, and there are rumors of a production shortage. That means you could actually make money off of this thing.

• It's History, I Should Buy: Simple as that. This is the only product of its caliber on the market right now. There's absolutely never been a touchscreen experience like this before. And while there will be other tablets down the road, this is the one that will be remembered for marking a huge evolutionary step in personal computing. Don't you want to be a part of that?

• And More: The screen is brilliant. The people who've actually touched the thing were overwhelmingly impressed by it. It's going to save magazines. It's fast. It's from a company at the top of its game. It's the best, shiniest new toy that's come around in a long, long time.

There. If you read all that and still don't want to buy one, there's no hope for you. You should go read this article on why you shouldn't buy one at all.

And to be honest: I didn't buy one either.

The Litany of iPad Resistance [Apple]

Brian Lam — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:00:00 EST

Look. The hype has gotten to all of us. You're up at some ungodly hour. You said you wouldn't buy one til the third generation, but now look at your apple.com cart. Let me talk you down; Do what's right.

Honestly, there are a lot of good and bad reasons to buy or not buy an iPad, but I figure you're reading this article because you want to be convinced to resist preordering one right now.

So, let's start: Seriously, are you dumb enough to buy a first generation iPad?*

•The Price Will Drop, I Should Not Buy: Remember the iPhone cost more than this at launch. And two months later, the price plummeted. Apple said they'd be open to the same price flexibility but only if fewer people than expected buy them. If we can resist, as a team, we can get them to lower the price. Don't ruin this for the rest of us with self control.

•First Gen is Always Beta, I Should Not Buy: This is crazy. You know all first generation Apple products are just the beta for the concept. You know that 1/3rd of those problems can be fixed by firmware, but the other third just can't. And the last third? Hardware defects and bugs!

•It's No Laptop But Costs as Much, I Should Not Buy: This thing costs more than a cheap laptop. And it doesn't have a keyboard unless you spend an extra 70 bucks for one. It also can't play flash and it can't run programs unless Apple says you can run them.

•The Competition Isn't Out, I Should Not Buy: The competition hasn't shown up for this thing yet. One word: Courier.

•The Size is All Weird, I Should Not Buy: Situated right between a phone and a notebook, the iPad is too big to pocket and too small to do any work on.

•You Shouldn't Be Using It Now, I Should Not Buy: All the places you've dreamed of using an iPad—the subway, waiting in meatspace lines, on the couch, in bed—are arguably the kinds of places where using technology would cause some to label you "a freak". Do you really need to fill in all the times you're not using a phone or a computer with a third device?

•Typing On Screen is Gonna Be Weird, I Should Not Buy: The iPhone's keyboard works, specifically because it's so small of a device and you can span the layout with one hand or two, very easily. Actually, you can't argue it works perfectly because the error rate is still pretty high with those small buttons. But, the iPad improves on that by having a bigger screen, right? Maybe, in terms of errant clicks, but actually, reaching across the layout is somewhat awkward.

•Reviews, I Should Not Buy: You should wait til reviews hit to buy this.

•It's a Big iPhone, I Should Not Buy: If you have an iPhone, you already have 80% of an iPad—apps, multitouch—and more, like, a camera. And at $200 vs. over $500.

•Data Plan, I Should Not Buy: Seriously, the iPad data plan is a deal: $15 for a few MB a month or $30 for unlimited. The problem is, if you already have an iPhone, how are they going to charge you another $30 for a second device? It's not like you can use both at once, man.

•And More: The bezel is huge, the screen is 4:3, the name is dumb, etc, etc. There's a reason why the article 8 Things That Suck About the iPad was one of our most popular stories ever: because many of you feel the same way.

There. If you read all that and still want to buy one, there's no hope for you. You should go read this article on why you should buy one right now.

*I am a scumbag and a hypocrite. I woke up at 5:30 AM in California to buy an iPad for myself, and Lisa. 3G, 32GB.

What Is This? [Image Cache]

Brian Barrett — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 11:47:54 EST

What could this be? A futuristic mood ring? An artist's rendering of a wormhole? Nah. Those are too abstract. This is based on something all too real, and totally inescapable.

What you're looking at is a project from Fernanda Viégas and Martin Wattenberg called Flickr Flow. It's a look at how the colors in Flickr images of the Boston Common change with every season:

Our software calculated the relative proportions of different colors seen in photos taken in each month of the year, and plotted them on a wheel... Summer is at the top, with time proceeding clockwise.

The ebb and flow of time, the passage of seasons, in a neverending circle. Poetry through technology, and all that. Here's how the seasons break down:
Is it summer yet? I need more greens and blues in my life. [Hint.fm via Make]

How iPad 3G Service Works (Or: Why You Should Buy the 3G iPad) [Ipad]

matt buchanan — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 11:47:03 EST

This is exactly why the 3G model is the iPad to buy, unless you're positive it's never leaving your Wi-Fi-covered house. You can buy data and cancel at any time, right from the iPad.

Look at it this way: That $100 up front for the 3G model? It's insurance. Because if you need 3G and don't have it, you're just screwed. But if you have it and never use data, it's no bigs, 'cause you're not on a contract. [Apple via MacRumors]

Plastic Logic QUE proReader Delayed Until Summer [Delays]

Mark Wilson — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 11:28:23 EST

The Plastic Logic QUE, also known as the promising but $650 Nook alternative, has been delayed until summer. By then, will you still actually want an oversized eBook reader? For $650, upcoming Apple and/or Android tablets are looking pretty good.

From: Richard Archuleta
Subject: QUE proReader Shipping Update
Thank you for being one of the first customers to order a QUE proReader from Plastic Logic. We appreciate your business.

Today, I wanted to personally inform you that we are postponing the first QUE proReader shipments until this Summer in order to fine-tune the features and enhance the overall product experience. Within the next month we will send you an email with more details about your order. If you also ordered accessories for your QUE proReader, we plan to ship them at the same time as your QUE proReader. I can imagine that you want to get your QUE proReader as soon as possible. We are sorry for the delay. For your inconvenience, the shipping charges will be on us. Please note that we will not charge your credit card until your order is ready to ship. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email us at QUEhelp@PlasticLogic.com. Once again, thank you for being one of our first QUE proReader customers.
Best regards,

Richard Archuleta
CEO
Plastic Logic

Laser-Powered Carbon Nanotube Speakers [Science]

Brian Lam — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 11:01:45 EST

Laser-powered carbon nanotube speakers! They'll fit in walls and windows, and can noise-cancel ambient rackets. Or blast some music.

"Speakers made with carbon nanotube sheets are extremely thin, light and almost transparent," Kozlov said. "They have no moving parts and can be attached to any surface, which makes the surface acoustically active. They can be concealed in television and computer screens, apartment walls, or in the windows of buildings and cars. The almost invisible strands form films that can ‘talk.'"

The research, published in the Journal of Applied Physics, expands on previous work that noted carbon nanotubes can make noise when AC power used; this new paper is all about the specific tones that "black velvet" forests of nanotubes can make when tuned lasers heat the tubes to create thermo-acoustic effects. [UTDallas]

Reminder: The iPad Will Read DRM-Free Ebooks From Your Nook or Sony Reader [Ipad]

matt buchanan — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 10:47:17 EST

In case you missed Giz Explains the other day—which lays out the entire ebook format and DRM landscape—the iPad will support DRM-free ePub books, in case you've got some on your Sony Reader or B&N Nook. If you've got a Kindle on the other hand, you're SOL, since it uses its very own ebook format. [Apple]

PadNotes Offers Something Closer to Our Ideal iPad [IPad Apps]

Mark Wilson — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 10:43:04 EST

PadNotes, an upcoming iPad app, offers a very simple, very useful function that the iPad seems to lack: You can type and draw on any PDF. Watch the video and you'll understand, the possibilities are quite impressive. [9to5Mac]

The iPad's Surprise Button: Screen Orientation Lock [Ipad]

matt buchanan — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 10:15:34 EST

~~It's not a front-facing camera, but Apple has added something to the iPad since announcing it:~~ A button on the side that locks the screen orientation. Update: Okay, not new, we just figured it was the silent switch in January.

That's right, you can lie on your side and hold the iPad in any awkward position you want—there is no correct way of holding it, after all, according to Jony Ive—and the screen won't seizure back and forth between portrait and landscape orientation. I really hope they add this to the next iPhone too. [Apple via Loop Insight]

City Lights Globe Shows Earth's Dark Side [Gadgets]

Mark Wilson — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 10:10:48 EST

While only 6-inches in diameter, the $50 City Lights Globe reminds us what Earth looks like at night, when the great oceans give way to the sparkle of cities. [xUmp via RedFerret]

Are You Getting an iPad on the First Day? [Ipad]

matt buchanan — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 09:28:20 EST

There's nothing quite like an Apple product launch: The lines, the sights, the smells. Are you pre-ordering and getting an iPad on the very first day? Here's what everybody from Gizmodo's doing:

Brian Lam: I feel like I have to live with one for the sake of knowing what the shit I am talking about. maybe i'll just keep on using my iphone, though. it's mini-ipad.

What he actually did: Bought two, one for him and one for his girlfriend. "I finally realize the 2 units per person limit. It's to protect us from ourselves."

Joel Johnson: I will get a 3G one at some point. I wish the Wi-Fi one had a proper GPS chipset. I'd probably forgo the 3G if it did.

Jason Chen: Cheapest Wi-Fi one, and will tether to a phone that's Wi-Fi tetherable.

Wilson Rothman: I am going to get 3G, with the $15/month data plan. I figure it's mostly Wi-Fi, but I want security of wide area wireless.

Don Nguyen: Not interested. Waiting for the HP Slate or second gen.

Jack Loftus: In any event, At&t told me to go with wi-fi, so I'm going to get a 3G.

David Chaid: Not the first day, but if I'm impressed enough I might pick one up reasonably close to launch.

Jesus Diaz: I'm too. 3G model.

John Herrman: I am.

Kyle VanHemert: i think i'm gonna get the cheapest wifi one. don't really care about 3g.

Mark Wilson: I'm waiting on gen 2 as well.

What he actually did: Bought 2.

Chris Mascari: My GF will probably buy a 3G at launch, and if it wins me over I'll get one of my own...

Brian Barrett: Waiting on more magazines getting their act together so there's actual content I care about, and for the price drop.

Kat Hannaford: Like the iPhone, I plan on never buying one. Just have no interest in using the iPad.

Adam Frucci: I'm waiting for generation 2.

Matt Buchanan:

Just kidding! I'm totally getting a 3G on the first day. I can always give it to my mom when the next one comes out.

What about you?

Watch NASA Assemble a Space Telescope Live [Space]

Mark Wilson — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 09:20:07 EST

NASA employees take 10 to 15 minutes to decontaminate before entering this clean room. But you can get a look inside from your couch, pre-shower.

At NASA Goddard, a crew is working to assemble components of the James Webb Space Telescope, set to launch in 2014. Their "webbcam" (embedded within 9,000 square feet of HEPA filters) will be feeding a photo a minute to anyone who'd like to watch.

You should be able to see activity 8:00am to 4:30pm Eastern, Monday - Friday. But wait wait wait...those NASA employees are ditching out half an hour early? No wonder we're not playing golf on Mars right now! [Webbcam via NASA via MAKE]

You Can Pre-Order the iPad Now [Ipad]

Mark Wilson — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 08:29:32 EST

You can place your iPad pre-order at the Apple Store now. And if you're still between a few models, it's not too late to read our iPad Buyer's Guide. [Apple]

Watch With Real Dinosaur Bone Fragments [Dinosaurs]

Kat Hannaford — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 08:00:11 EST

Some watch manufacturers think adding a sapphire crystal face, compass or having a diving depth of 1,000m is enough. Me? I won't consider strapping something to my wrist unless prehistoric animals have been set in the dial.

Louis Moinet's Jurassic Tourbillon watch has fragments of fossilized dino bones set in the dial, and is encased in 18K white gold with 56 diamonds equating to 3.46 carats. A watch sparkling with diamonds—however ugly it may be—would attract a pretty penny alone, but the addition of dinosaur bones? Well, the one thing I'm certain of is that you won't be able to barter a cave drawing for one of them. [Swiss Time via Gizmag via Oh! Gizmo]

Google May Stop Censoring Search Results In China This Month [Google]

Kat Hannaford — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 07:42:33 EST

Google and China's dirty laundry has been airing in public since mid-January when Google refused to continue censoring search results in the country. A resolution could be nearing though, with Google rumored to be pulling censorship this month.

Their clash of values has been well-publicized, with Google halting the release of certain Android phones and even canceling a developer event over there. Eric Schmidt from Google warned that "something will happen soon," with the Wall Street Journal claiming sources have tipped them off that they may stop censoring search results this month.

Li Yizhong, a Minister of Industry and Information Technology in China, responded with "if you don't respect Chinese laws, you are unfriendly and irresponsible, and the consequences will be on you" when asked about how China will retaliate if Google stayed true to its word.

However, the rather boring (for spectators, at least) conclusion might just be for Google to work with individual agencies and sectors within China, censoring and un-censoring as they see fit. [WSJ via Reuters]

Great Software Meets Great, Great Hardware: Android Running Smoothly on HTC Touch Pro2 [Android]

Kat Hannaford — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 06:49:04 EST

Below, a video demonstrates Android running successfully on the HTC Touch Pro2, which is normally seen sporting the not-quite-as-fashionable Windows Mobile coat. It looks very smooth, and with that slide-out keypad and 3.6-inch screen, could be what you've been after.

A HTC Diamond2 port for Android didn't work nearly as well, but judging by the video Touch Pro2 owners sick of Windows Mobile 6.1 are in for a treat. Of course, the usual caveats of breaking the warranty, risking blowing up your phone, blah blah blah, all still apply—but we trust you. [PocketNow via Android Community via SlashGear]

Apple Store Down for iPad Pre-Orders [Apple]

Kat Hannaford — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 06:30:31 EST

Get ready, the iPad craze starts in just two hours. [Apple]

It's A Bike Jim, But Not As We Know It [Concepts]

Kat Hannaford — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 05:40:09 EST

Designed for 10 - 15 year olds (kids get all the fun, grumble grumble), this Big Eye Cruiser bike can be adapted whenever the teen has a growth spurt, with the frame stretching horizontally.

The frame, with the comfortable-looking seat, can be angled to suit the user's height, and even sex. It's a concept by Claudia Baer, Anna Wiesinger, and Marlene Klausner, but actually very practical—unlike a lot of other concepts we feature on here. [Yanko Design]

Chatroulette! iPhone! App! [IPhone Apps]

Kat Hannaford — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 04:51:23 EST

Err...you may be disappointed though. Particularly if you were on the look-out for some manbits.

Considering the iPhone doesn't have a front-facing camera, video-chatting on Chatroulette with your iPhone just wouldn't work. So it's no surprise the Chatroulette! (exclamation mark their own) app is a fakey. Developers xhumans describes the app as allowing you to connect "to a random user to chat with." Text chat, needless to say.

Sooo, you may as well go back to leaving your AIM details on bathroom walls, or just firing up your old ICQ username, if typing weird come-ons to strangers is what you seek. It'll save you 99 cents, anyway. [Chatroulette! via Mobile-Ent]

It's Late And You're Bored? Come Chat In #whitenoise! [Community]

Rosa Golijan — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 01:20:00 EST

You've learned all you need to know about commenting and our tagpages, so it's time to have some fun. Come join the conversations in #whitenoise.

If you're lost about where to start, give the debate about whether Jean-Claude Van Damme or Jackie Chan would win in a fight a try. (My money's on Jackie C.)

Infographic: The Power of the Death Star vs. Power of the Force [Infographics]

Jesus Diaz — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 01:00:00 EST

Matt Buchanan wanted to know the exact meaning of Darth Vader's famous words: "The ability to destroy a planet is insignificant next to the power of the Force." That's why I made this chart. Updated: Added high resolution desktop wallpaper.

Click to zoom in.

As you can see, it is truly insignificant.

Click and open link in new window to grab the 1920x1200 image.

One Day, Robots Will Build Sturdy Skyscrapers For Us [Architecture]

Rosa Golijan — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:20:00 EST

Dubbed a "nested skyscraper," this building is a concept design which is intended to be particularly good at resisting the effects of earthquakes and other natural disasters. What really gets my attention though is that robots are required for construction.

Yes, it looks flimsy, but the elaborate design by architects Ryohei Koike and Jarod Poenisch is one heck of a solid structure:

Building this structure involves a series of robots that stretch over a network of
carbon sleeves sprayed with fiber-laced concrete. A second set of robots wraps
the structure with a steel mesh to allow for lateral movements and can increase
or decrease its density according to structural and programmatic needs.

It would be great to live in one of these and forget about climate and natural disaster worries, but I doubt I could after imagining the freaky robot-spider hybrids that might build it. [DesignBoom]

The Hifiman HM-801 Music Player Will Satisfy The Pickiest Audiophiles [Audio]

Rosa Golijan — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 23:40:00 EST

The Hifiman HM-801 looks like an old portable cassette player, but apparently it might just beat out most music players in sound quality. At least that's what CNET though when they had a listen. They even found it worth $790.

The Hifiman was designed with audiophiles in mind, so it comes with features such as user removable headphone amplifier circuitboard/module, a Burr-Brown PCM1704U digital-to-analog converter, and Burr-Brown OPA627 Op-Amp. Instead of a hard drive or flash memory, the player uses 32GB SDHC—meaning that capacity is only as limited as your tolerance for carrying around spare SD cards.

Many of us might not care about some of the finer details of the Hifiman, but what we should care about is this: It sounds amazing. According to CNET, this particular player is one of the very few which will actually take full advantage of everything your high-end headphones are capable of. [CNET]

Even Dr. Dre Is In HP's $40 Million "Let's Do Amazing" Ad Campaign [Hp]

Rosa Golijan — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 23:20:00 EST

HP spent $40 million on their new "Let's Do Amazing" ad campaign. For those big bucks they managed to get Rhys Darby of Flight of the Conchords and Dr. Dre. And an odd sense of humor.

A really odd sense of humor. [Engadget]

Mario's Still Fun, Even Ultra-Simplified, Extra-Pixilated 8x8 Form [DIY]

Rosa Golijan — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 22:40:00 EST

Before listening to the explanation for this project, I couldn't figure out what was going on, but once I realized that the 64 flashing squares on the Arduino-powered display would let me play Mario, it was time to get supplies.

Designed by a student from Carnegie Mellon University, this has got to be one of the simplest versions of Super Mario Bros I've ever seen—heck, it's simpler than the game I played on my TI-89—but it's absolutely awesome looking and comes complete with the theme music. [Make via CrunchGear via PopSci]

iPad Buyer's Guide: Super Simplified Edition (Some Jest Implied) [Ipad]

Rosa Golijan and Wilson Rothman — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 22:20:00 EST

There are six iPad configurations to choose from and some helpful guides explaining which you should get. We thought we'd keep it simple and explain our feelings in nearly decent haiku.

Form 2 Sex Toy vs. Millennium Falcon [Nsfw]

Jesus Diaz — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 22:00:00 EST

When it was announced, I said that the Form 2 sex toy looks like a Millennium Falcon. Manufacturer JimmyJane wrote saying that they agree, which is why they created this side-to-side comparison between the Form 2 and Han Solo's ship.

Click image to zoom in

In fact, if you click on this link, you can get one for free in a giveaway. Just click and follow the instructions. [JimmyJane Giveaway]

Sony's Ultra Compact DSLR Camera Concept May Have Powerful Touchscreen Menus [Sony]

Rosa Golijan — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 21:20:00 EST

Sony's been pretty tight-lipped about its ultra compact DSLR camera concept, but someone did share screenshots of what appears to be a rather nice menu system designed for a touchscreen. It looks like it'll gives almost complete control to fingers.

Based on those screenshots, it looks like you can control just about everything—from depth of field to color balance—on the LCD display itself. Oh, not to mention that the menus look neatly arranged and pretty. [GeekyGadgets via CrunchGear]

The Wii Balance Board Push Up Bar [Wii]

Kyle VanHemert — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 21:00:00 EST

If you partake in Wii fitness regularly, you probably know that there is only one thing keeping you from having a full-fledged, muscle-building, vein-popping work-out experience: limited range of push-up motion. Thankfully, this push-up bar attachment lets you dig deep.

CTA Digital's plastic push up bar pops onto the top of your balance board, giving you adjustable grips that let you "go deeper than you would if the floor stopped you." I don't know if the grammar there is slightly off or if I'm just a pervin' Mervin, but that description seems weird.

The handles supposedly give you a better work-out, and they're compatible with Wii Fit and Wii Fit Plus as well as New U Fitness and Jillian Fitness Ultimatum. You can preorder the push up bar from Amazon for $25. Or, you know, you can just do real push ups. [CTA Digital]

The iDongle Makes iPhone Jailbreaking Child's Play [Hacking]

Brian Barrett — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 20:40:00 EST

It used to be that jailbreaking your iPhone was a long, involved process, but worth it for the freedom. We've reached a new age, though, where emancipating your phone is as simple as plugging in an iDongle. Liberty!

The iDongle won't unlock your iPhone directly, but it does allow you to jailbreak a fresh factory unit or, just as importantly, reboot a jailbroken phone on the go. The good news: as you can see in the video below, it's an incredibly easy hack. The bad news: it's currently only for 3.1.2 iPhone 3GS and iPod Touch 2G/3G. There also are only a few dozen of them at the moment, but the developer is in the process of raising money to build up production.

I don't know about you guys, but I'm suddenly feeling miiiiiighty charitable.

[iDongle via Engadget]

When iPhone Games Approach Art, and When They Don't [IPhone Apps]

John Herrman — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 20:20:04 EST

There are a lot of iPhone games. Most of them are crap. A significant fraction are good. Few are great. Even fewer are great and original. Like this one might be!

The video you're seeing above is the opening stage of Sword & Sworcery EP, an iPhone aventure game due out H2 this year. It's got fantastically atmospheric music, a novel aesthetic, a rare control scheme, and most importantly, some kind of vision. A couple minutes of relatively eventless meandering are enough to hook me, which is rare for iPhone games that, in conceptual terms, tend to aim low.

Like this one! Gameloft's Zombie Infection looks fine, until you realize that it's a direct rip-off of Resident Evil 5. The control scheme is the same we've seen used in a lot of the company's other games—some of which are fantastic, by the way—and beyond the promise of a RE5-like gaming experience, and zombies, obviously, I'm seeing the same thing here as I saw with NOVA, or with Gangstar—a commodity game of questionable provenance. It may turn out to be fun, but that's the most it can really hope for.

Almost invariably, the iPhone games I love are the true originals, like Zen Bound or Noby Noby Boy or Spider. It's impossible to say if Sword & Sworcery will be one of those games, but it's clear that the developers' hearts are in the right place, which counts for a lot. [Touch Arcade]

United Airlines Claims In-Flight Videochat to Be Illegal [Travel]

Adam Frucci — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:20:00 EST

John Battelle was on a Wi-Fi-enabled fight with United Airlines last night, and he decided to use videochat to say goodnight to his kids. Unfortunately, a flight attendant told him it was illegal.

The reasoning? Videochat could be used to coordinate terrorist attacks. Good thing he didn't have email or IM access!

So what's a curious guy to do? To the Internet! Which is exactly what I did. Responses starting pouring in. Including one from a pal at the State Department, who echoed my basic goal: To use video chat to tuck my kids into bed isn't a crime. Or at least, shouldn't be.

The flight attendant just showed me the United policy manual which prohibits "two way devices" from communicating with the ground. However, the PLANE HAS WIFI. To combat this, not unlike China, United and other airlines have blocked Skype and other known video chat offenders. Apparently, they missed Apple iChat. Oops.

The reason that in-flight videochat is frowned about is because it's annoying to fellow passengers, not because of terrorists. But who needs to know that when you can just claim something is against the law? [Battelle Media via Boing Boing]