Tech Gadgets Reviews

If you can’t fight the man, then join him.

That is, if you’re an iPhone hacker, at least. Our friends at Ars Technica point out that an Apple job opening has popped up for an "iPhone Security Engineer." The engineer’s duties include overseeing iPhone’s security architecture and developing "proof of concept" attacks on iphone’s security.

Pretty cool: It’s like the dork equivalent of the FBI hiring an inmate to infiltrate a gang of criminals. Of course, if Apple finds someone truly "exceptional," he could kill a lot of fun for those who have happily hacked their handsets.

Apple says, "Want to hack iPhones for a living?" [Ars Technica]

(Photo credit: stuckincustoms/Flickr)

Scary alien pig alert! Scary alien pig alert!

I mean, seriously. How freaky looking are these pink and white pig loudspeakers? They’re already equipped with speakers beneath their volume-controlling ears, as well as where their bellies should be. Did the sadistic manufacturer really have to gouge out their eyes and stuff two more speakers into the sockets?

There’s a possibility that I could be coaxed into appreciating the bass control located on the pig’s behind, but there’s no way I’ll ever think that nuclear glow coming from its mouth is okay. I can’t get on board with the whopping $105 asking price either.

Via Geek Alerts.

by Darren Murph, posted Jul 25th 2008 at 1:38PM

Okay, so we’re trying not to judge this book by its cover, but Taijia’s PSP-860S just reeks of chintzy. The handheld gaming PMP not only plays back the elusive MP4 file format, but it also snaps presumably lackluster still shots with its 2-megapixel camera. You’ll also find 1GB / 2GB of built-in RAM, a USB port, AV in / out, miniSD expansion slot and some form of emulation application. If you’re not dozing by now, you may actually care that it’ll only run you 399 yuan ($59) / 499 yuan ($73).

[Via PMP Today]

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Filed under: Gaming, Portable Audio, Portable Video

by Joshua Topolsky, posted Jul 25th 2008 at 2:16PM

All work and no play makes Robosapien a dull bot. All work and no play makes Robosapien a dull bot. All work and n0 play makes R0b0sapien a dull bot. All w0rk and no play makes R0101ap1en a dull b0t. A11 w0rk a1d n0 play m01es R0101ap1en a dull b0t. A11 101k 11d n0 p10y m01es R010101e0 a d011 b0t. 011 1011 11d n0 p10y m011s 0010101e0 a d011 b0t. 011 1011 110 10 p10y 1011s 0010101e0 1 d011 b0t. 011 1011 110 10 1100 10110 001010110 1 1011 001.

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Filed under: Robots

by Joshua Fruhlinger, posted Jul 25th 2008 at 12:23PM

Let’s face it: you don’t have nearly enough game controllers and accessories adding to the spaghetti that is your entertainment center. This USB M.A.D. Game Pad gives you the option to remove a little steering wheel for those moments when you’re not driving about. Compatible with Windows Vista, XP, and 2000, this Brando product is available for $20. So, why? Apparently this thing is meant for the gamer on the move — it’s small and light, measuring only 4 x 2.5-inches and weighing in at a dainty 3-ounces. As for the size of the steering wheel? It’s tiny. Really tiny. For tiny people with tiny fingers. Can you feel the love?

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Filed under: Gaming

Google has officially opened Knol and with it started a potential challenger to Wikipedia.

Knols, like wikis, are articles written on a specific subject. In the case of a Knol though, the author takes ownership of the work with their name displayed prominently on a page and editing and content decisions placed in their hands.

A Knol can have a single author or group of authors and Knols covering the same subject by different experts are also being encouraged. Readers may also make suggestions for edits or additions to the content of a Knol, but the author has control and decides whether to implement the suggested changes.

Google has engineered the Knol system in such a way that good content is rewarded. Readers can not only suggest updates, but also comment on the content, write a review of specific Knols and rate them. If a Knol writer decides to use the AdSense program to make some money from their work, good comments and reviews should aid their revenue stream.

A partnership with The New Yorker will also allow Knol authors to use cartoons in their Knols to help get a message across, or just provide readers with a chuckle.

Read more at The Official Google Blog, found via ZDNet UK

Matthew’s Opinion
Knol has clearly been created to solve a lot of the problems associated with Wikipedia. Here content AND authorship seem to be as important as each other. The author’s reputation rides on the quality of the content contained in their Knol and readers will soon decide through the ratings system whether a Knol is worth reading or not.

It will be interesting to see how wide in scope some Knols go. For example, one Knol might cover caffeine, where as a another will cover coffee with caffeine as a subcategory within the Knol. There seems to be no limit of scope, just quality of information.

Google are also looking to have Knol references put in Wikipedia. If that happens, which is likely if the quality of Knols is high, then it will migrate people away from Wikipedia and towards Knol use. If the information is more reliable then this can’t be viewed as a bad migration. Hopefully though, there is room for both systems to provide us with information.

I’ve certainly used Wikipedia many times to find out information and hope it remains a useful resource. I will be looking to Knol for information as well now though.

In you are into Star Wars or like collecting creature shaped flash drives in general, then you should give Mimoco a looksee. They have unleashed their new Series 3 of their Star Wars Mimobot collection bringing, “The Force” a little closer to our CPUs. This new line features the likenesses of the ominous Darth Sidious, the scarlet draped Imperial Guard, golden droid companion C-3PO or the fuzzy, loveable Wicket the Ewok. Also each of the Star Wars flash drive can be made to play Star Wars sounds when they are plugged-in to the USB port.

Each one can be found on the Mimoco website and range from a 1GB to a large 8GB flash drive model. Cuteness doesn’t come cheap, however, as the Star Wars flash drives start at $39.95 for the 1GB model and a whopping $109.95 for the 8GB one. Other Star Wars flash drive Mimobots currently available are; Princess Leia, Han Solo, Boba Fett (Boba Fett?!?!), and Luke Skywalker.

Read more at Mimoco via Gizmodo.

If you do not have the luxury of setting up an actual band, why not settle for Rock Band instead? It is far from the real thing, but at least a bunch of your mates will be able to get together and exercise that wild imagination. Of course, the “instruments” used aren’t real, but here’s a way to up the realism ante - by adding a trio of actual cymbals into an existing Rock Band setup. Too bad there aren’t any Rock Band-compatible drum kits at this point in time, leaving you with plastic sets. Sounds like this DIY project will place you in a clashing good time when done!

Blockbuster is finally utilizing their purchase of the video-download service, Movielink. It’s been almost a year, but they are finally beta testing video downloading among 500 of their Total Access customers. The move is aimed at a core group of customers who Blockbuster hopes will give them quality feedback on the service. Along with kiosks available in-store that will also offer direct downloads, Blockbuster is making some bold new steps to stay competitive.

There’s a huge hurdle to the success of such a service from Blockbuster, and that’s Netflix. While Netflix offers their video-on-demand service for free with any Netflix membership, Blockbuster is planning on charging their customers per movie. Initially, a rental is US$2 and a purchase is US$8 (and up). While those aren’t horrible figures, they’re not the most rewarding numbers on the planet, either.

Blockbuster’s main asset, though, is their library. While Netflix offers videos online, the list is short and filled with junk. Blockbuster’s list is sure to be more robust, with new movies coming ASAP; rentals begin as soon as a movie hits all of the other Video on Demand services and purchases begin as soon as the DVD goes on sale.

In theory, this plan has merit. Blockbuster’s prominent collection of movies and large customer base could spell success; but with Netflix offering competitive plans (not to mention Amazon, PSN, Xbox Live, and iTunes), this could be the death knoll for Blockbuster and the brick and mortar model of video rental altogether.

Read more at Dallas News, found via Gizmodo

Frankly, I’ve never heard of Journey before until this day, but I’m sure that there are some hardcore Journey fans who will be more than willing to part with their cash for this Journey MP3 player. It comes with 1GB of internal memory and boasts 11 of Journey’s new songs in addition to 11 re-recorded classics. Walmart is currently carrying this limited edition $39.88 mp3 player, but I would rather settle for something more mainstream instead.