Gadgets and New Technologies

A topic of conversation was brought up a couple times while I was “on tour” with the T-Mobile/Grammy Concerts. What would you like to see on the Sidekick the most?/How could it be improved? I conveyed some of my own thoughts and wishful thinking (GPS and Google Maps). But I want to open it up to you guys. I can’t guarantee this will have any impact on the future of the Sidekick obviously, but I’m curious to see what everyone out there thinks the Sidekick (LX or Slide) needs. Drop your thoughts in the comments! (Read the full post about ‘Wish List for the Sidekick’…)

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Demonstration driven by Steve Repetty (Chairman and CTO) [Web 2.0] Zude.com is a social networking service that let one create content a little like MySpace, except that its more recent architecture allows it to be more flexible and receive more “modules”. Zude announced today that it will feature shopping, ringtones and widgets, thanks to a partnership with Shopit, Myxer and Widgetbox. The strong point of Zude is that users can build their pages by simple drag & drops. The application that interested us is SocialMix. It than can pull data from Facebook, Bebo and other high-profile social networks into Zude.com. (Read the full post about ‘Zude.com to Become the Social Networking Portal?’…)

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Dell has added a new color to its XPS M1530 laptop, and this time it will appeal to those who love bright, garish colors. Flamingo Pink is the new addition, and it will add a $25 premium over the regular M1530’s price. Mother’s Day is coming up, just in case you’re not sure what to get for mom. After all, she needs a new machine to continue her online poker sessions, right? (Read the full post about ‘Flamingo Pink from Dell’…)

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Folks residing in the US will be able to get their hands on the Mickey mp3 player without paying an exorbitant amount to an importer - but it does have one major drawback. Apparently, this MP3 player “contains a chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer, or birth defects or other reproductive harm.” Are you willing to risk growing a third limb for 1GB of storage by forking out $70? Folks in Japan seem to be doing pretty well…so far. (Read the full post about ‘Mickey MP3 player heads for US’…)

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Normally, tables don’t do much, they just sit there and let you work on it or put stuff on it. However, this new table from SOLo, by Intelligent Forms is not just your average table, it is solar powered which means you can run or charge your gadgets while using them on the table. This really is a great idea and if the price can stay relatively inexpensive, it is sure to be very popular, especially since people are trying to become more energy efficient. Reportedly, if you leave it for a year in a “typical outdoor setting,” it has enough juice to charge your typical cellphone about 6,800 times, or a laptop 168 times. (Read the full post about ‘New SOLo table does more than just a normal table’…)

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The Dutch have decided to lift their ban on the Segway. Ever since its launch in 2001, the self-balancing nerd-mobile has been outlawed in Holland due to concerns of safety. Now, though, Woz-wannabees can cruise on roads and cycle-paths at up to 25 kph (16mph) and disabled users can roll down sidewalks at a maximum of 6kph (4mph). Users will need to be over sixteen and carrying vehicle insurance, and there may also be a requirement for license plates. It’s odd that the normally permissive Dutch took such exception to the harmless Segway. It’s easy to drive and almost impossible to fall off: Perfect for a trip home from the local coffee shop. (Read the full post about ‘Dutch Woo Wozniak By Lifting Segway Ban’…)

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New research therapy being carried out at the Moorfields Eye Hospital in London, England, has seen two blind patients receive artificial eyes.

The eye is called Argus II and consists of a camera and processor mounted on glasses that can transmit data via a wireless signal to the wearer. An operation places an implant in the patient’s eye, connected directly to the retina, that consists of an electronic receiver and electrode panel. Any retinal nerves the patient has working are then stimulated by the panel and transmit information from the camera to hopefully form an image.

The best results the patients can hope for at this stage are outlines of objects, and there is no guarantee the process will work.

(Read the full post about ‘New therapy gives blind artificial eyes’…)

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Rupert Murdoch has already made it clear he doesn’t have the money to buy Yahoo Inc. all by himself in light of Microsoft’s bid, but a joint venture may be on the cards. More specifically, he isn’t adverse to having a chat with Microsoft about going after the search company together.

When asked about a possible deal with Microsoft, Mr Murdoch said, “Depends on the deal“. He went on to say during an international affairs group talk at the Atlanta Council that:

I certainly can’t afford to bid against Microsoft (for Yahoo) … Is Google really going to get control of the advertising world, and should Microsoft be supported in their attempt to try and stop that?

(Read the full post about ‘Murdoch open to Yahoo joint bid with Microsoft’…)

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Electronic Arts quietly announced last week that it had sold 100 million copies of The Sims. The franchise has since spiraled off with add-on packs and Online versions, but that first edition, released in 2000 is now the highest selling game in history.

The concept of these life simulating games is exceedingly strange to me, especially the ones that aren’t even multiplayer. Nevertheless, I guess if it keeps kids off the streets playing inside, instead of outside in a gang, then it can’t be all bad.

Nevertheless, I feel as though there is something inherently wrong with games like this and Second Life.

(Read the full post about ‘The Sims sells 100 million copies’…)

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Okay, so Netflix’s first quarter conference call is finally over. The good news? The Los Gatos-based DVD-by-mail company is still schooling Blockbuster. The interesting news? CEO Reed Hastings says the company is planning on even more partnerships with A-list consumer electronics companies. "We have LG plus three additional partners actively working on integrating our technology into their products," said Hastings during the call. "Three of the four partners are major companies, which each sell millions of devices per year and will enable the Netflix functionality in some of those devices likely in the fourth quarter of this year," Hastings hinted. (Read the full post about ‘Netflix Hints at New Partnerships for Set-Top Boxes’…)

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