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Porsche Design working hard for the money, brings back P'9522 in black
More than a year after releasing the P'9522, you'd think that Porsche Design would have something a little more... well, Porsche up its sleeve than just another color, but make no mistake: this latest incarnation of the pricey candybar is nothing more than a repainted version of the original. As a refresher, it's got a 5 megapixel camera, GPS, WiFi, microSD expansion, a 2.8-inch display (they make it look bigger than that in the press shot, don't they?) and a fingerprint scanner up front to make sure the baddies don't get all up in your business should the phone get stolen. For a company so steeped in the tradition of speed, you'd think they'd at least have taken the opportunity to add in 3G, but alas, this handset's fast in name only. Anyhow, you should be able to pick up this remixed version now in overpriced boutiques around the globe.
PAL PSA: Black Wii bundle now available for pre-order, discounted in UK
We've got some welcome news for European readers who somehow don't already own a Wii -- or for those of you who already have one, but just can't resist the temptation of the new black model. Amazon.uk has opened pre-orders for the new Wii Sports Resort bundle, which includes a Wiimote, a Nunchuk and a MotionPlus all dressed in black, along with both Wii Sports games. The bundle will ship on November 6 and is available on additional Amazon branches, as well; though the release dates for other European territories is November 20.The UK pre-order price is even discounted a bit to £164.99 (roughly $270) -- the same bundle in boring old white normally retails for £179.99. (The black and white bundles are priced the same, at €209.99, elsewhere in Europe.) The white bundle, however, includes your choice of two additional games -- a small sacrifice for that spooky black coating, we say.As for you importers, we suppose this could be the ideal time to pursue a PAL model, if you simply can't wait for the black system to be announced for North America. Then again, in doing so, you'll also have to import all of your games. Patience.[Via Engadget]
Black Nintendo Wii bundle listed on Amazon UK for £164.99
That black Nintendo Wii bundle Nintendo is gifting to Europe on November 6th has found itself home amongst the Amazon UK listings. Recommended price is £179.99 but the online retailer is knocking off eight percent to make it an event £164.99 -- that's about $269 to the US gamers who still don't have a shot at getting this. What makes it interesting is that the identical bundle in white doesn't have that £15 discount, but Amazon is sweetening the pot with the choice of two free titles, including FIFA10. Of course there's still the £142.99 white, non-bundled Wii for a lot less. Our money's still on the black bundle -- or it would be, at least, if Nintendo would give the US writers on staff, and the country at large, a stab at the new console color. [Thanks, Ian] Read - Black Wii bundle with Wii Sports Resort Read - White Wii bundle with Wii Sports Resort and two free games
Nintendo shipping black Wii to Europe in limited edition bundle
Why, Nintendo -- why? Americans have been buying your underpowered, kid-centric console faster than you can ship 'em here for years now, and yet you ignore our innermost desires to see a Wii in some color other than white. Have we not made ourselves clear? Are our voices going unheard? Clearly, you've an ear for those in Europe, as folks in the UK and Ireland will be able to procure a dark Wii starting on November 6th as part of a limited edition bundle that includes Wii Sports Resort and a Wii MotionPlus dongle. The rest of mainland Europe will see the same bundle on November 20th, and as if that wasn't enough, a black Classic Controller Pro and a slew of black Wii accessories will also accompany the package for those looking to stock up. Naturally, there's no mention of a price, but considering that you'll pay anything to join the still-limited black Wii party, it (likely) matters not.[Via Engadget Spanish]
First electromagnetic 'black hole' built on earth, nobody raps about it
An electromagnetic black hole -- which sucks in the light surrounding it -- has been built at Southeast University in Nanjing, China for the first time. The device works like cosmological black holes in that it has gravity which is intense enough to bend the surrounding space-time, causing any matter in the neighborhood to spiral inward and create the hole itself. The earth-built 'black hole' for microwave frequencies is constructed of 60 annular strips of meta-materials (yes, that's the stuff of invisibility cloaks). Each strip is an intricately etched circuit board which seamlessly and smoothly connects to the strips next to it, creating both a shell and absorber section to the device. When an electromagnetic wave hits the device, it is trapped and guided through the shell region toward the core, where it is absorbed. The device, which was created by Tie Jun Cui and Qiang Cheng, converts that absorbed light into heat, meaning that future possible applications could include new ways of harvesting solar energy. Hit the read link for a fuller description of this truly bad dude.
Black Wii Remote, MotionPlus add-on and Nunchuck arrive on November 16th
We knew they were coming for the holidays, and now Nintendo's black Wii gear has some prices and a November 16th release date. The black Wii Remote comes bundled with a MotionPlus add-on -- obviously Nintendo doesn't want to risk too many more people picking up a controller without one -- and retails for $50, while the black Nunchuck (shown after the break) is all by its lonesome for $20. Unfortunately, still no word of a black Wii in the US to hang out with these finely tinted accessories.
Achtung, T-Mobile: if Project Dark is $50 unlimited, you're in trouble
Put yourself in T-Mobile USA's shoes for a moment: rumor has it that the guys who pay the bills aren't happy. History, happenstance, and the realities of electromagnetics have left you with an oddball 3G frequency that literally no other carrier in the world uses (at least, not for HSPA). Larger competitors don't take you as seriously as you'd like, and you don't have smaller ones -- they're all regionals who don't play in the same space you do. So what's your next move?
Xbox 360 Elite Holiday 2009 Bundle shipping today
Rumored, pictured, and now shipping to retail, the 2009 edition of the Xbox 360 Elite Holiday Bundle ($300) includes a pair of family-friendly titles from last year in Lego Batman and Pure. But, well, you knew that. (Protip: Grab and stash this before October 5 to be eligible for the $50 rebate.)Also announced today, the Xbox 360 Wireless Controller Game Pack will go on sale in November for $60. The black gamepad and bundle of XBLA titles is so close to perfect with Geometry Wars 2, Lumines Live, Bomberman Live and ... a code for Ms. Pac-Man? Make that a Pac-Man: Championship Edition token and we'd be looking at one of the best gifts you could have given this holiday -- 'cause let's face it, you (should) already own those games.Oh, and still no official word on that popcorn box o' peripherals.%Gallery-74224%
Black Wii remote bundle coming to North America, no matching console in sight
Oh Nintendo, you tease. You still won't give us that jet black Wii console bound for Japan, but you've got no problem giving us in North America a taste of the dark side with a black Wiimote and Motion Plus bundle, coming this holiday along with a black nunchuk sold separately. With any luck this is just the sign of things to come, and should the Wii's sales momentum drop, we're sure quite a few new colors will start shipping their way over here (light blue, anyone?). On the more portable side of things, the DSi will be adding pink and white to its repertoire on September 13th. Unless the House that Mario Built is feeling particularly nasty, prices should be the same as their pre-existing color counterparts -- you wouldn't put a premium on a palette swap, right Nintendo? [Via Joystiq]
The Daze of Darkfall epilogue: The Siege of Andruk
So I thought I was done with my whole "month long investigation of Darkfall." Best way to end out the series was to include some PvP being lead by Wardragon Drow (*gasp*, a last name, and I'll get to that in a second) and then close it off there.Well, sadly, Darkfall had one more surprise left for me. Or, should I say, the Blackrock Clan had one more surprise for me. A siege.A complete accident lead me to logging on during the first contestation of our city, the orc themed Andruk. A siege stone had finally been dropped, sides were quickly formed, and our first war was on. No more drills, no more pathetic defense attempts -- this one was for real. We liked our city and we were not interested in losing it.But with the siege came a conundrum. If I report the siege, it will be pretty obvious who I've joined up with. It doesn't take a genius to look at all of the sieges and come up with, "Which one was at an orc city?" So, as this is truly the last article in the Daze of Darkfall series -- the one where I get to participate in what many say is the capstone of the Darkfall experience -- I think it's time to drop the worries and be specific. This is my view of the Battle of Andruk that took place between the Blackrock Clan and the Brotherhood of the Spider.
Black Wii now available from importers for $333
Yeah, we were pretty bummed that Nintendo's super-hot black Wii wasn't coming to the US, but fear not, fanboys -- it looks like the stealth console has hit the gray-market import scene. Sure, you'll have to pay a bit of a premium at $333, but surely that's a reasonable price for exclusivity, no?[Via DCEmu UK; thanks Craig]
ASUS' Eee PC 1101HA netbook gets unboxed on video, shown in black
Unlike ASUS' Eee PC 1005HA, which seemed to ship just days after debuting, the company's 1101HA is taking its sweet time in going from "real" to "really available" here in America. This next member in the expanding Seashell range boasts a larger-than-usual 11.6-inch display and can be ordered with optional 3G (eventually, anyway), and the good folks over at NewGadgets managed to get ahold of one and unbox it for the cameras. Better still, they undressed a glossy black unit, which is noticeably different than the shiny white version we've seen thus far. Care to have a look? It's all there just after the break.
Colorware offers up $6,000 Stealth MacBook Pro: it's really dark
Colorware's well known for offering up all sorts of consumer electronics in all sorts of hues, but the outfit has definitely stepped up its game with the Stealth MacBook Pro. This limited edition piece is an all-black 15-inch MacBook Pro with a matte display, 3.06GHz CPU, 8GB of DDR3 RAM, 256GB SSD, an 8x SuperDrive, zero gloss finish and a SofTouch coating that'll make it downright impossible for your fingers to stop stroking it. Reportedly, these will be limited to just ten units, and each one will cost a not-at-all affordable $5,999. See Apple, this is what you get when you voluntarily axe the BlackBook. Opportunity, lost.[Via Engadget Polska]
Another look at Nintendo's kuro Wii, jet black Classic Controller Pro
We know, it's just another angle -- and one that we're not quite sure the origin of -- but considering just how many years we've been waiting for the Wii to be anything other than glossy white, we'll take every opportunity we can to relish this moment. Hop on past the break for a more official look at the jet black controllers. Hey Nintendo, you do realize that North Americans love new hues too, right? Cool, just checking.[Thanks, Craig]Read - Kuro WiiRead - Black controllers
Black Nintendo Wii, red DSi this summer
It's not Colorware, the black Wii and red DSi are coming straight out of Nintendo Japan. The black Wii (or "KURO Wii" to be precise) is particularly interesting as it's been rumored for over two years now. Ok, it's not that interesting but it sure is edgy... right? Oh nevermind. Expect the ¥25,000 black Wii with like-colored Wiimote, nunchuck, and classic controller to hit Japan on August 1st and the ¥18,900 red DSi on July 11th. Red DSi after the break.[Via Joystiq]
Nokia E63 getting goth makeover
The E63's always going to play second fiddle to its older, sexier brother, the E71 -- but it certainly doesn't help anyone take the phone seriously when it's only available in playful, non-neutral colors. Don't get us wrong, blue and red both suit this phone well -- but if you're going to take it into a board meeting, you might want something that's not going to turn heads and distract the suits from that fabulously interesting PowerPoint presentation on third-quarter financial projections. To that end, it seems that Nokia Europe is prepping a blacked-out version of the low-cost business device, though it's not clear when or where you might be able to pick it up. Speaking of blacked-out Nokias, you feeling any heat over there, E71x? [Via Symbian-Guru]
T-Mobile UK nabbing LG Arena KM900 in black
Just ten days after the LG Arena (or KM900, if you're the proper type) launched officially in Europe, T-Mobile UK has already moved in to snag some thunder with an exclusive color: black. Not like black handsets are hard to find or anything (in fact, we already knew this phone was shipping to someone in black), but we all know how giddy the world gets when something gets labeled as rare. Reportedly, the formal color name will be Titan Black, and outside of the new hue, everything else will remain the same. Check it later this month for free on Flext 40 and Combi 40 plans.
North American Nokia N85 gets remixed in black
Yes, the business end of the current N85 is black -- but for most North American buyers, flipping the thing around reveals a copper back. Stylish, yes -- nice, sure -- but it's not necessarily everyone's cup of tea. For you stealthier types, it seems that an all-black version is starting to circulate with retailers, featuring a light gray pattern on the back to complement the 5 megapixel cam. Seems that vendors are taking advantage of the situation and jacking the price of the new version just a tad, but just look at that beaut -- can you blame 'em?
Black Nokia N79 would be invisible, awesome in the dark
We'd previously seen all-black N79s make cameos on regional Nokia sites around the world, but now, we've got some in-the-wild shots to gander. In short, it's awesome -- the front is a refreshing, stealthy change from the white we're used to. Like its paler counterpart, this one includes three battery covers that presumably automatically change the phone's theme when attached, but this time around you've got a patterned silver, patterned black, and plain black cover to choose from. From the keypad, this appears to be a Taiwanese localized version of the phone, and we'd definitely stop short of saying this version's going to be available through European or American channels -- but on behalf of the world's spies, ninjas, secret operatives, and anyone else who needs camouflage in the cover of night, we're hoping it does. [Via Daily Mobile]
What every superhero needs: Watchmen black SE/30
Even though reviewers and early attendees have pointed out a slew of Apple references (including a snippet of the 1984 ad) in the Watchmen film, the one we've been waiting for most eagerly is the appearance of Adrian (Ozymandias) Veidt's sleek black SE/30. In the film version of 1985, it's what every 'world's smartest man' is using as his desktop computer. Never mind that in our universe, Apple didn't introduce the 68030-based compact Mac until 1989. Looks like Gizmodo has the first photos of the all-in-one running System 6 (naturally). Hey, it's the consensus best Mac ever -- what else would you choose? Also, pay no attention to the fact that while that's a consistent ADB mouse, the keyboard appears to be for a PC. If you can't get enough Watchmen, Giz also has a spoilerific discussion of whether one of the characters resembles a certain iCEO, and the iTunes store is chock-full of smiley-face content for your enjoyment. If the idea of a black SE/30 makes you all tingly inside, check out geektechnique's slick mod on his machine.Update: Word is that there was, in fact, a security-hardened 'Tempest' model of the SE/30 that matches this description, except for the color. Commenter defor writes: IT actually IS a Tempest SE/30, model CSI-1891T (the proper model which is a SE/30 that's been tempest-ized) by Candes Systems http://web.archive.org/web/20011127001651/members.aol.com/tempestcsi/ I can't say I've seen one in black before, but it looks fully legitimate, and i've heard of them existing. The old manuals i had seen only showed the platinum variant. Those of you buying tickets to Watchmen via movietickets.com may have discovered, as I did, that there's an iTunes bonus in effect through 3/15: a chapter of the Watchmen motion comic + a "sneak peak [sic]" of the Tales of the Black Freighter animated minifeature. Be sure to scroll down on your ticket confirmation page to see the gift code, as it will not be emailed to you (at least, it wasn't in my case).Thanks to Laurie & everyone who sent this in.
