Best New Technology

I may love Twitter, the site where you have 140 short characters to tell the world what you’re up to, lovers may love Twitter, but I do understand that Twitter’s not for everyone. Some people don’t want to share the details of every thought, meal or bathroom break with the rest of the Internet and find the constantly updated details of other people’s every thought too much to keep up with.

If you’re one of these people, allow me to introduce you to the anti-Twitter: dawdlr. As the website puts it, “dawdlr is a global community of friends and strangers answering one simple question: what are you doing, you know, more generally?”

Instead of typing in what you’re up to, you send dawdlr a postcard detailing your activities, and some are chosen for the site. (Current postcards include “trying not to look back” and “enjoying living in London”). It’s basically a humdrum version of Postsecret, as well as a satire on our rush-obsessed society.

If you want to join in, you have plenty of time: the site’s updated around twice a year, with the next update due on May 21st.

Hop to it! Or y’know, don’t . . .

In keeping with today’s apparent theme of customizing, hp has just announced three customizable computers in their lineup.

The first is the m9200t, which is designed “for the ultimate entertainment experience”. This particular model features an HP Easy Backup button to back up all those files, plus many options including one terabyte (TB) of hard drive space and a Blu-ray DVD writer. There are also some extra storage options including two built-in drive bays for backing up photos, music, and videos. In other words, this model will live up to its tagline.

Another big-ticket item is the HP Pavilion a6400z, which has a very low configuration price as low as $299. The options for this is a 1.8 GHz AMD Dual-Core Processor, NVIDIA GeForce 6150 graphics cards, 1 GB worth of memory, a 250 GB hard drive, as well as some software tools for working with video clips and still photos.

There is also the HP Pavilion a6460t, which is an ENERGY STAR qualified device that features an 80 PLUS power supply which is not only cost-efficient, but energy-saving as well. The options on this model include an available Intel Core 2 Quad Processor, wireless LAN card, as well as a TV tuner for watching, recording, and pausing live TV.

All three of these models are available for you to custom at the HP Shopping site right now for varying prices.

Source

The Palm Centro was already highly affordable when released, but Best Buy is offering a killer deal this weekend for AT&T’s Palm Centro, going as low as $40 for new AT&T customers while existing ones can pick it up for a mere $80. If that isn’t low enough already for a device of the Centro’s calibre, I don’t know what is.

If you’re like me, you have no idea if you’re maintaining proper tire pressure in your car tires in between trips to the shop. This self-inflating tire, developed in the Czech Republic, takes this out of your hands by inflating automatically through a device called a peristaltic pump which inflates the tire as it turns, keeping it at a constant, safe pressure level. This technology, if adopted widely, will not only make the roads safer, but will have a positive environmental impact by way of savings on fuel (cars with under-inflated tires use more fuel), resulting in a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions, and an increase in the lifespan of tires. Read more here.

Via smart stuff and gizmag

Bored of the regular shaped MP3 players? Then it is time for you try the all new unique egg shaped, with a relatively unusual feature MP3 player - it comes with a wireless FM transmitter and a built-in speaker.
“Capacity wise its got 1GB of memory, which is just enough to scramble and add cheese too. As for controls or a display, there is none on the actual body, and in order to control tracks you have to use the matching remote control. The Egg shaped mp3 player retails for $46.87.”
[ Source ]

For those unknown, SlingMedia makes the SlingBox, a place-shifting video streaming box that allows you to stream video content wirelessly. Sling Media had been looking a way to get their coveted software on the iPhone since last April, and finally, they have to pulled it off. Apple’s topical release of the SDK allows developers to get the software onto the iPhone. So, TV fans will soon be watching their favourite shows live on Apple’s iPhone and ipod touch over an Internet connection.

Furthermore, due to its exclusive Wi-Fi connection, the iPod touch could provide a better platform for Slingplayer. The latter shows interest in iphone chiefly because running the app over the EDGE network normally results in below optimal show. With the 3G iPhone coming soon; it is the minimum required connection for the application. No sooner Apple officially releases the new firmware; we could see a new app from Sling Media in the list.
[ Source ]

Musicians will definitely love the CLEF system concept as it comes with a flexible LCD touch screen display, complete with a built-in stand and a foot pedal that operates wirelessly. All you need to do is step on the pedal or touch the screen in order to turn the digital music sheet. In addition, you will be able to perform on-the-fly scoring, note taking and collaborative writing should the bug strikes. A keyboard is hidden underneath the display should you need to do some typing with it, while the foot pedal also doubles up as a stereo when required. No idea when this concept will be materialized though.

The Beamz Music Performance System is one interesting USB device, enabling you to indulge in hundreds of musical instruments simply by breaking the laser beams with your digits. There is a total of six laser beans that take up two sections, where an intuitive computer interface makes it a snap to select from 30 pre-loaded songs in 19 musical genres. At 19″ tall, you will be able to pick up the Beamz Music Performance System for $599.95 in order to make your desktop all the more interesting for whoever drops by your home.

Thor, the deer has been “geo-hacked” and undergone an interesting experiment, all in the name of science. Valery Hronusov, a developer of numerous geo-hacks, actually thought up the blog posting deer scenario. Using his tips and ideas, ‘Siberian’, a Google Earth Community member, figured out how to track a deer by attaching a cell phone (to send emails) and a GPS device (to track the movements) of Thor (the deer) throughout a suburban area in Pennsylvania. During Thor’s travels the GPS device sent back tracking coordinates every five minutes. The ingenious automated system used all free services, some tech gadgets, and a spreadsheet to publicize nearly every move Thor makes.

I assume that the tech laden collar is worth saving and I hope that Thor is too. Aside from being a neat project, all of this makes me wonder why anyone would want to track a deer like this, except for the obvious, “because I could” mentality that you find among many geeks. Of course the more official reason why is because “they are studying deers living in suburban areas in Pennsylvania.”

Read [Wired] Via [Google Earth Blog]

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Following approval of the Department of Justice, legal counsel of both Sirius and XM met with the FCC on Wednesday to discuss the merger proposal of the two companies. The merger proposal was given the nod by DOJ, and so XM and Sirius seem to wasting little time in getting the FCC’s approval.

Based on record of filing at the FCC, the meeting was held last Wednesday before FCC Chairman Kevin Martin. Together with the legal counsel of Sirius and XM, others who were present during the meeting were Daniel Gonzales, Chairman of Martin’s Chief of Staff and Michelle Carey, Chairman Martin’s Senior Legal advisor.

The record of filing also indicated that the meeting discussed programming packages and proposed pricing which were previously announced by both Sirius and XM.

To backtrack, the merger proposal was announced February last year. After several months of getting various tirades and criticisms from other companies claiming that such merger could lead to the two companies monopolizing the radio satellite industry which will lead to increase in prices of delivering radio satellite services to the consumers. Both Sirius and XM denied this allegation and even announced various programming packages and their corresponding prices. Both versions of the programming prices show no sign of dramatic increase in the prices of services offered by Sirius and XM.

And this was probably what made the DOJ to approve the merger proposal. Thinking that the issue has been going for so long now, Sirius and XM took matters into their own hands and met up with the FCC. Pending outcome of the meeting, we have yet to see if the FCC would also approve the proposal, which to some analysts will most likely happen since the FCC most often than not just follow what the DOJ says.

Via [Orbit Cast]

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