Attaboy, ASUS. Not even 24-hours after reports starting flooding in over end users receiving less capacious Eee PC batteries in Hong Kong than expected, the firm is stepping up and doing the right thing. According to an admittedly rough translation of a statement on its website, ASUS is openly thanking its supporters for their business, and while it seems as though it's still chalking the whole mishap up as a simple mistake, every single Hong Kong-based customer will be receiving a free (5800mAh) replacement. 'Tis a shame we'll likely still be griping over the battery life.

[Via jkkmobile]

This isn't going to end well for Asus. Early adopters of the Eee PC 900 in Hong Kong are in a spat with Asus over batteries. Seems the Eee PC 900 ships with a standard 4-cell, 4400mAh battery whereas the battery shipped to the Hong Kong media (and presumably others) was a 4-cell, 5800mAh; the latter Asus is calling a mistake. That would certainly account for the wide ranging Eee PC 900's battery life reviews which have varied from a very disappointing 1.5 hours to a decent 2.5-hours. Of course testing methods will also contribute to lifespan. Regardless, ASUS is now considering giving 900 buyers a free upgrade. Our suggestion? Just do it Asus, and pronto. Else the Eee PC brand you've become so dependent upon is going to take a serious beating.

When the time came and your battery died, you were probably thinking you'd have to send your iPhone off to Apple as part of their expensive and complicated battery replacement program -- but now you've got a sketchy DIY option instead. Once again, a mysterious Chinese company has stepped in and "created" a "solution" to your problem with its iPhone battery replacement kit. For just $20, which is cheap enough to elicit genuine concern, you get a 1400mAh, 3.7V iPhone battery, some type of screwdriver-like tool, a strange plastic shiv, and an instruction manual (presumably in English, but you never know). All you have to do is crack open your $600 phone, de-solder your old battery and solder in the new one... and probably some other, more complicated stuff too. At this price, it seems unlikely that this battery won't explode, so buy at your own risk, and definitely try at your own risk.

[Via I4U, thanks Luigi]

Have you been searching for a device which will unify all of your complicated technological needs into one hideously ugly, totally generic package? Well, your search is over, because some completely unknown team working for an anonymous company which is definitely located in the heart of China has created the "Portable Media Player". While you're gestating on that name, get a load of what this "system" can do: NES, SNES, Sega MD and SMC support, AVI, MPEG-4, DivX, XviD, MP3, WMA, and FLAC playback, built-in 1.3 megapixel MPEG-4 video camera, MP3 voice recorder, E-Book reader, SD card support up to 4GB, and holographic multi-phasic projection mode (okay, we made that one up). Sure, you could carry around 12 or 13 separate devices to do all of the above, but why go to the trouble when one of these confused little puppies can be yours for just $109.68?

[Thanks, Craig]

The race to create bigger smaller and better flexible displays now has yet another participant, but Weijia Wen and colleagues at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology are putting a toasty twist on their iteration. The team has reportedly developed a "flexible, thermally-activated electronic display made from a mixture of metal nanoparticles and plastic," which costs far less than most similar alternatives to create and measures just 150-microns in thickness. Moreover, these units are able to change hues based on the surrounding temperatures, and while only fixed patterns are available for viewing at the moment, the crew hopes to implement an array of "thermal pixels" in the future for more dynamic opportunities. A display that warns you of an overheating machine / battery / toy -- who woulda thunk it?

[Thanks, Alan]

Believe us, we've seen "surround sound" get put in places it was never meant to be, and while the likes of headphones, laptops, and even PDAs have yet to be spared as companies try anything to attract attention to their presumably lackluster offerings, the mobile phone doesn't typically see such desperate measures -- until now, of course. While minor gimmicks are fairly commonplace on humdrum overseas handsets, a mysterious Hong Kong-derived smartphone (another snap after the jump) purports to rock 7.1 audio right on the device itself, and by the looks of things, it's not lying. Of course, there will be absolutely no separation of channels with this thing, and we've got to believe that there's a few wires crossed within giving off a more matrixed wall of sound in reality. The rest of the specs (if they're to be trusted) include a 3.5-inch QVGA touchscreen, Bluetooth, two-megapixel camera, a microSD slot, and a transparent protective lid, and please, shut off that little voice that's urging you to ponder about where to find and purchase this hunk, alright?

[Via JustAMP, thanks Wigald]

We've seen automakers galore slap their logos and color schemes onto modern day handsets, but what would the world of exotic mobiles be without a Porsche in the mix? Apparently, a Hong Kong manufacturer has taken the duty upon itself, as the presumably unlicensed Porsche Cayenne cellphone is now showing up on overseas streets with a full automotive makeover. Externally, you'll find smooth lines and Porsche-brandings, while a two-megapixel camera graces the hood and a color screen (shown after the jump) sits atop the guages. Although actual specs can't be confirmed, we're hearing that it purs along on dualband GSM, supports microSD flash cards, and plays nice with MP3 / MP4 files. Of course, we aren't expecting the quality of this sub-$200 handset to even come close to that found on your average Porsche, but we'd suggest snapping one up on the double before impending legal action dries up the supply.

[Via Textually]

While there's a myriad of all-in-one devices out there that can manage a turn or two of directional guidance, Group Sense PDA's forthcoming navigator makes routing its number one priority, but dons something that most standalone GPS units lack: a camera. The Hatchback GD06, as shown off in an elusive set of FCC documents, will boast a touchscreen LCD, RDS-TMS support, headphone output, a calculator function, an integrated digital camera (pictured after the break), and utilize TurboDog navigational software. Additionally, users will find MP3 playback and photo viewing functions built-in, and the SD card slot will allow your excess files to come on board. The camera can purportedly be used to "take photos and save them as a geographical location," which should perk the ears of the geo-tagging faithful at least. No word just yet on future pricing or availability, but it shouldn't be too long before this passes right on through the FCC and onto overseas shelves.

[Via NaviGadget]

[Via Akihabara News]

Here's another one from the Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair 2007, and as was the case on Marsilli's cellphone-controlled car, ZELOX's Skate-Botz are entirely more novel than useful, but we've got no gripes with that. Rather than strapping on the blades and hitting the pavement yourself, ZELOX figures you'll have a lot more fun (and conserve a lot more calories energy) dictating your own skate-equipped bot around the kitchen floor. The remote-controlled Skate-Botz seem to feature a bit more than inline fun, however, as each device is equipped with a flash-based MP3 player strapped on its leg, which can kick out tunes from the chest-mounted speaker or be detached for your own personal usage. Per usual, there's no word on future pricing or availability, but we wouldn't count on seeing these fellows on American soil for awhile anyway.

[Via SlashGear]

There's iPod knockoffs, and then there's the SOAP MP4 Player. This little gem unsurprisingly comes in black and glossy white flavors, boasts an unmistakable scroll wheel and stark white earbuds, and throws a few curves around the edges in a futile attempt to disclose its true inspiration. Furthermore, this device even rips a chunk of its name from another knockoff, providing two times the unoriginal fun, but sadly, we can't find a direct link to Samuel L. Jackson. Nevertheless, this 2GB PMP plays nice with MP3, MP4, WMA, WMV, ASF, and WAV, and features a built-in FM tuner / voice recorder, seven pre-set equalizer modes, USB 2.0 connectivity, 1.8-inch OLED display, rechargeable Li-ion battery, and support for a plethora of languages. So if you're looking to impress your clueless friends, or you just want a curvaceous 1G nano with a fancy screen a few extra niceties, you can pick this unit up now for $99.

While we actually gave away a shaver not too far back to help the, um, hygienically challenged out there, leave it to Brando to deliver the first shaver geeks will actually use. Joining the gazillion other oddities that sufficiently eliminate the "lonely USB port" syndrome, this bathroom necessity features a floating double-head system, "ultra thin outer foil," low power consumption, snazzy blue LEDs, a revolving USB plug, and an on / off switch. Completely rechargeable via your trusty USB port, this gives a new meaning to "portable shaving system," and gives you one more reason to just spend the night in your office versus fighting that awful rush hour traffic. So if you're looking to drop a not-so-subtle hint to that beastly friend of yours, you can wrap this sucka up for just $22.

You know, it's not everyday that you can knock $100 off of the US retail price on one of the hottest gaming systems in the world. But if you find yourself in Hong Kong on November 17th, you'll be able to legally acquire a PS3 (60GB) for HK$3,780 ($486), or if you prefer to wait until December, you can get a 20GB model for HK$3,180 ($408). Now if you're keeping score at home, our US MSRPs will be in the neighborhood of $600 and $500, respectively -- so Hong Kong's getting a substantial savings, for sure. So if you're going to be in the neighborhood and are planning on buying one, don't forget about your pals over at Engadget; we'll, like, totally be your bestest friend forever!

[Thanks, LM Chong]

Hello Kitty is slowly, cutely, and cunningly infiltrating nearly every aspect of the technological realm, and yet we just keep succumbing to its overwhelming (albeit deceiving) innocent looks. While Hello Kitty phones certainly aren't new, the cuteness has seemingly made the jump to Skype, and while little is known aside from the manufacturer (Parfectel), hardcore Kitty fans probably won't care anyway. Sporting the token pink packaging and a typically untrustworthy "Plug and Play" label, the adorable handheld is accompanied a Skype software disc and feel good quotes. Curiously enough, the phone is slated to hit 7-Eleven stores throughout Hong Kong and Japan this week, and will run you just HK$128 ($17) -- if you outrun the fanboys (and girls), that is.