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Amsterdam Arena to bar troublemakers via fingerprint scans
It looks like those crazed individuals who somehow managed to escape from the nation's video game addict rehab center won't be sneaking into major football events to stir up trouble anymore, as Amsterdam Arena has launched a trial program to scan the fingerprints of football fans before letting them enter as they try to better "exclude known troublemakers" from making it to the stands. While European soccer football matches are known to elicit tremendous passion from both parties, oftentimes resulting in violent behavior, the biometric scanners will hopefully curb the conflicts as it better enforces bans to precious offenders. Reportedly, the system will initially be at home games of Ajax, Feyenoord and Vitesse, and if it seems to go over well (read: enraged fans chill out), it could be rolled out in a few more locales later this year.[Via BBC, thanks Stewart D.]
Segways banned in the Netherlands due to a "lack of brakes"
It looks like those serious about motoring around on their Segway might have to start crossing international boundaries in order to do so legally, as the Netherlands have now joined Japan and Britain in the growing list of countries which have outlawed the oft ridiculed (and potentially dangerous) personal vehicles. Dutch police have officially enjoined Segways "on all public roads, sidewalks, and bike paths," claiming that the lack of an onboard braking system prevents it from being categorized as a "vehicle" by the Royal Traffic Agency, which bars it from receiving a license plate and becoming a street-legal ride. Although a spokesman from the RTA actually commented that the Segway was "a nice vehicle," using the machines on public property is no longer permissible, but it was said that it could take some time before regulations are actually passed down and "enforced." Segway Netherlands director Piet Kruijt was (unsurprisingly) upset by the ruling, and claimed that he was "working on all fronts to get things resolved," and for nothing more than our sincere concern for the Amsterdam Segway Tours (saywha?) employees that are hoping to have work come March, we hope he's successful.[Via The Raw Feed]
Amsterdam has the sweetest PSP ride
One of our dedicated readers, Joseph Skar, recently went on a trip to the Netherlands, where he took a quick shot of this PSP-themed vehicle. Inspired by Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories, Joseph easily carjacked the vehicle (he pressed Triangle), and sped away... until he slammed into the PSP Vespa.Certainly, this vehicle is cool enough as-is, but Joseph speculated: "It would be very cool with a GPS attachment."Indeed.
Nokia unveils four new handsets: the 2626, 6086, 6290, and 6300
Since Motorola and RIM already dished out news about their forthcoming mobiles, you knew Nokia would be joining the release party soon. Sure enough, the company has unveiled four new phones today at its annual Capital Market Days in Amsterdam, with one being aimed at the entry-level market and the remaining trio headed to mid-range consumers. The low-end 2626 rocks a few different color motifs, pack an FM tuner, color LCD, and all the bare essentials to keep you connected for €75 ($99). The 6086 houses quad-band GSM connectivity, UMA, a built-in camera, and an oversized keypad while costing €200 ($264). Stepping it a notch is the 6300, which comes in at 13.1-millimeters thin, touts a stainless steel frame (not to mention the "organic curves"), and demands €250 ($329). Last up is the 6290 (€325; $428) smartphone, which "combines the power of the S60 and 3G" in a new, sexy package, and boasts an interactive world travel application as well as "Quick Cover" access keys. While initial spec information is all but nil, we're sure to get plenty of juicy details while we wait for the foursome to launch in "Q1 2007."
Heineken to track shipping containers via GPS
We're not exactly sure why Heineken needs GPS to monitor the location of its beer shipments, but they probably know more about global shipping logistics than we do. According to RFID Journal, starting this month, the Dutch beer giant will begin the first test of its "Living Beer Plan," tracking 10 shipping containers of beer from Heineken headquarters in The Netherlands to the United Kingdom and the United States. Customs data, such as whether or not the containers' doors have been opened, will be available online to British and American customs officials, (as well as the researchers monitoring the project at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam) even before the cargo ships reach UK and American ports. Heineken claims it will save on the 30-odd pages worth of printed customs forms and other documents by using GPS and online tracking instead. Surely with the money saved on not printing up documents, Heineken wouldn't mind sending its friends at Engadget a free case of brew? Pretty please?[Via Brandish]Read - VNUNetRead - RFID Journal
LyngBox, the ultimate satellite receiver box, to debut this Friday
Those Swedes are a crafty bunch -- what would come next in the progression of Volvo, IKEA, and a commercial darknet, Relakks? Logically this would have to be the LyngBox, the ultimate satellite reciever box. Set to debut at the IBC show in Amsterdam this Friday, the LyngBox will be any satellite geek's dream device. As the company's site explains, a conventional satellite receiver is static and it's often difficult to add new channels, but the LyngBox, using an internet connection, will update itself to install and subsequently update all available channels (including free-to-air channels) through the authoritative LyngSat website. It will receive DVB-S2 and well as terrestrial DVB-T signals, and supports HDTV (720p and 1080i), H.264/MPEG-4 AVC and MPEG-2, 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios. You can even hook up an external DVD player to the LyngBox, or perhaps throw on an additional pay-TV card to suit your fancies. Oh yeah, and the LyngBox's got a 160GB drive to turn this puppy into a PVR as well. No word on pricing or availability date as of yet, but perhaps you Euros can get some more details at IBC for us?[Via Really Rocket Science, thanks Tushko]
Sony reveals screens of PSP-PS3 connectivity
I know you've all been waiting to see some hot PSP-PS3 prawn. And Sony Europe has finally come through by unveiling images of the two systems finally doing the deed during the Games Convention 2006 in Leipzig.Does anyone else find the color choice of the systems interesting, too? It reminds me of a little PSP ad in Amsterdam that caused quite the stir not too long ago. Just look at the PSP's arm (see USB cable) clutching the throat of the cowering PS3. Yeah, you probably think I'm reaching, eh? Yeah well, I can almost feel the racial overtones emanating from the image like a hot pancake sitting on the frier.Oh Sony, will you ever learn?(Via Spong)
Rehab center for video game addicts opens in Amsterdam
If you're worried your World of Warcraft habit might be getting a little out of hand, you might think about checking yourself into the Wild Horses Center in Amsterdam. Their video game rehab program, which was started by addiction specialists Smith and Jones, is designed to help you replace the excitement of the fantasy world with real world experiences such as therapy sessions and group interaction. The 16th century town house, in which the patients reside, has no access to gaming of any kind, making it the perfect place to take in the non-polygonal sights the real world has to offer. Unlike the novelty cellphone addiction program being implemented at a Chicago Hotel, Wild Horses is staffed with certified psychologists and addiction specialists that can offer legitimate help to those unwilling to leave their games to have a social life or even use the bathroom. With impressive next-generation consoles like the Wii and the PS3 promising an even more engrossing gaming experience in the near future, we can't help but think this kind of facility might start popping up in other parts of the world as well. Since there probably isn't one in your area yet, we suggest you follow these instructions for making your own game addiction patch. First, tear off two pieces of duct tape. Second, place one piece of the duct tape over the A/V inputs on your TV and the other over the ASDW keys on your keyboard. Then go outside already, would you?
Engadget Reader Meetup in Amsterdam on July 20th?
So our European correspondent Thomas and I were chatting the other day about my upcoming trip to Amsterdam when we came to the conclusion that it was about time we held an Engadget Reader Meetup over there. I'm only there for a couple of days, but are there any Engadget readers in Amsterdam who'd be down for an event on July 20th? Let us know in the comments if there's any interest and we'll try and get something together. I read somewhere in my Lonely Planet guidebook that people in Amsterdam like to party, so please don't disappoint me. P.S. - We're on the hunt for both a venue and a sponsor, so if you can hook us up with either please drop us a line in the comments.
Philips declares civil war on TomTom
As if the kids over at TomTom weren't already smartin' a bit from that Garmin lawsuit, now cross-town rivals in The Dam, Philips, are getting back in the navigation game. Hey, why not? You can't swing a cat in Europe without dustin' some type of Philips consumer electronics device -- so why not personal navigation? Philips will introduce a line of three new products from September and October starting at about €400 ($500). Targetting Germany, France, and the Benelux countries initially, the devices will feature Navteq map data (a former Philips subsidiary), weigh 160-grams, and measure-in at only 20-millimeters thin. And with the European and US markets expected to double this year alone, this sandbox is big enough to play. See? Now pass 'round those left-handed cigarettes and make nice.[Via Mobile Analyst Watch]
8bit musicians announce world tour
Former cellmates Nullsleep and Bitshifter have announced plans to embark on a world tour, blasting their blend of bleeps, bloops, and blizzasts from Boston to Brussels and back again. If you're not an 8-bit believer yet, nothing will win you over except trying it out for yourself. To that end, here are links (1, 2, 3, 4) to some MP3s these torturers of Gameboys, Famicoms and other old-school video game consoles have kindly provided for downloading. If you like what you hear, check the tour page and maybe even drop a few dollars in the donation bucket to help make it happen.
