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Colorware douses iPhone 4 in double rainbow, might just solve your reception issues
Given just how much that white iPhone 4 bumper is about to cost you on eBay, it seems as if a Colorware'd alternative has never been a better bargain. The master of gadget coloration is back once more, this time promising to dress Apple's latest problem child up with just about any combination of hues that you choose. Consumers can splash paint on the frame, back, button, SIM card tray and earbuds, with the minimum price set at $250 for a sent-in device. There's no guarantee that a coat of Colorware will serve to remedy those awfully annoying reception issues, but at least you can pocket a beautiful reminder of just how happy a pair of colorful bands can make the average vacationer. And that, friends, is priceless. %Gallery-97438%
Sony thinks E Color is the new black, gives you a whole site's worth to choose from
If your gear isn't pushing the performance envelope, you typically have to resort to alternative means for attracting those precious customers. Sony's newish VAIO E series is an exponent of just such a philosophy, with its lurid colorings and replaceable keyboard skins. The company's decided to take things up a notch, however, by now offering a Color Combo site where we can combine the gnarliest hue mismatches this side of Colorware. The chromatic choices include the laptop's case and keyboard as well as the additions of a wireless mouse and a reversible sleeve. Everything that isn't bolted down to the computer will of course cost you extra, but will you really let a little bit of cash stand between you and that magenta dream machine?
White HTC EVO 4G lands early in Best Buy stores (update: unboxing!)
Good news, EVO 4G lovers! The striking white version of Sprint's most gargantuan (by diagonal screen size, anyway) smartphone has started to splash down into Best Buy stores across the nation a full five days early. If you'll recall, the white EVO 4G wasn't supposed to land in the hands of those who pre-ordered until July 11th, but we've received two independent confirmations that they are indeed arriving early in select locales. Stay close to your current phone -- you may be getting a pick-up call in the not-too-distant future. Update: A tipster has just sent in a gallery's worth of unboxing shots -- looks like these are indeed being handed out early! Huzzah! [Thanks, Anonymous and Justin] %Gallery-97000% %Gallery-97004%
Colorware jazzes up your new Xbox 360
No need for a fanciful new HDTV? Not even a new Segway? There's some colorful home entertainment gear for you yet. The famed gadget painting company just announced that Microsoft's shiny new Xbox 360 is the next to go under the gun, with near limitless color options waiting to be splashed onto each and every panel. If you managed to already pick one up, Colorware's charging $175 for the send-in option; if you're looking to buy new, that'll cost you at least five Benjamins. But hey, that's nothing for the satisfaction of owning a game console that's part orange, part lime green and part purple, right?%Gallery-96800%
Segway i2 suffers ultimate indignity at the hands of Colorware (video)
How does a niche repainting outfit like Colorware grow? By literally growing the size of things it deals with, apparently. As of today, Colorware will adjust the hues of your Segway i2 any which way you like for an entirely unaffordable $1,500. If you didn't have the foresight to buy one of these personal transporters before, you can have a brand new one, replete with your personalized paintjob, for $7,500. And good news for non-Americans: the latter option is available internationally too! See this beautiful freak moving and grooving in scarlet red just after the break.
Colorware slings paint onto next logical object: your HDTV
Bet you never thought people would line up to pay absurd amounts of money to have their otherwise vanilla gizmos coated in some of the swankest paints known to man. Turns out, Colorware has made a living from doing just that for those with vivid imaginations, and the company is finally breaking away from handheld gadgets and heading straight for your den. Starting this week, fat-walleted consumers can ping the company with a custom television request, namely the TV model and desired hue. The outfit's not publishing any sample prices due to the sheer quantity of available HDTVs out there, and sadly, the "send in" option ain't available here -- you buy new or paint yourself, bub. Anyone care to take a poke as to what that fire-engine red masterpiece up above would cost? Nah, we thought not.
TUAW's Daily App: Battle for Wesnoth
Just the other day I mentioned Battle for Wesnoth in this very space, and then right after that, the game releases its 5th major update. If you like turn-based strategy games, this one is a must-have. It was originally an open source title, and fans have added so much to the game that there are now tons of various units, six factions to play as, and campaign after fan-made campaign to play through -- over 300 hours of playtime in total. The latest update adds yet another campaign, a bonus tower defense game, OpenFeint integration and a whole slew of other features. The iPhone version isn't bad, but I'd say the iPad version is better, as the bigger screen makes controlling the game a little easier. The game is US$5 on both platforms, and there's no free version, but the original title is still open source (which is why there are so many fan-made features), and available for a free download on the Mac. So go try out the game there, and if it's something you're interested in, consider supporting the iPhone developers. Personally, I love Battle for Wesnoth -- while the graphics aren't exactly cutting edge, the strategy is fine-tuned by a whole legion of coders, and the fantasy setting and storytelling are great for a game of this kind. If you haven't given it a look yet, now's your chance.
TUAW's Daily App: BeSpeak
Our friends at luxury blog Luxist have discovered an app that's perfect for my lack of fashion sense. Given some basic information about how you look (eye/hair color, height, and body shape), it will give tips for men's fashion. It doesn't just tell you what colors to wear, though; it tells you what patterns in your wardrobe match and what shades complement each other. I have an extreme blind spot when it comes to looking good, so outsourcing this kind of decision-making is perfect for me. The next time I go suit shopping, BeSpeak will be on my iPhone for sure. Unfortunately, it's only for more formal clothing (suits, dress shirts, and ties), so if you want to try matching T-shirts with your favorite khakis or figure out which button-down you should wear with your jeans, you're still on your own. However, casual tips are on the way. The app is basically free advice for men, so if you're at all confused about whether that tie goes with that suit, it's probably worth a download.
Sony hangs ten with Billabong, pops out gnarly special edition VAIO W netbook
Sony's never been one to craft a "low-cost laptop," and even the company's minuscule VAIO W netbook remains one of the most expensive in the sector. But this, friends, might just be one worth the premium. Announced over in Australia, the limited edition VAIO W you're peering at above has been designed in partnership with Billabong, and the Imperial Lime lid is certainly the primary selling point. Expected to ship Down Under next month, the 10.1-inch machine will be outfitted with a 1.83GHz Intel Atom N470 CPU, 2GB of RAM, a 1,366 x 768 resolution panel, Windows 7 Starter and a GPU that's incapable of handling 1080p material. You'll also find an Ethernet jack, a pair of USB 2.0 sockets, built-in webcam and a 250GB hard drive, but none of those ho hum specs help to justify the AU$749 ($619) price tag. The lid, on the other hand...
Microsoft throws a helping of vivacious onto Wireless Mobile Mouse 3500 line
What good is a BlueTrack mouse in only pink and gray? Not nearly as good as one splashed in every pastel you can think of, and especially not as good as a new trio of varied ones. Microsoft's Wireless Mobile Mose 3500 family -- announced earlier this year as some of the most portable BlueTrack mice this planet has ever seen -- just gained three new vivid members, and each of 'em are on sale now at Best Buy for a penny under $30. If we had to guess, we'd say these are perfect for the KIN demographic. Hey, stereotypes don't just form from thin air, you know...
HTC Wildfire hands-on (update: video!)
Some eager beavers went ahead and busted through the embargo dam this morning, so you should already be up to speed on the Wildfire's specs and vital statistics. For the latecomers, this is an Android 2.1 device with the same processor as HTC's fabled Hero, a 3.2-inch capacitive QVGA display, and an ambition to sate the market for an affordable, socially connected Android smartphone. It's slated for a release in Europe and Asia early in the third quarter of this year, and you can see all four of its tasteful color options in the exhaustive gallery of intimate photography below. Skip past the break for the full spec sheet and our early hands-on impressions of the Wildfire.%Gallery-93137%
Olympus dishes silver PEN E-P2 Micro Four Thirds camera
Look, we're not saying Olympus' original all-black PEN E-P2 had no retro whatsoever in its blood, but you'll be hard-pressed to convince us that this newer, silver-er model doesn't have a whole lot more. Nearly six months after the (admittedly overpriced) Micro Four Thirds camera got pushed through the ringer, Olympus has decided that the world needs a second color option, though outside of the hue, there's no difference whatsoever between the two models. It'll ship later this month in Europe for a still-lofty €799 ($1,016), but at least that scores you a M. Zuiko Digital ED 14-42mm 1:3.5-5.6 lens! Ah, who are we kidding -- that removes precisely zero pain from the sticker shock.
Nintendo's black Wii console arrives early at Best Buy and Sam's Club
Typical, isn't it? A full four days before these things are supposed to go on sale to the North American masses, an image of Nintendo's black Wii console has leaked from none other than Best Buy. This here shipment was actually received in the Great White North, but we're more than confident that similar packages are hitting the shipping docks of Best Buy stores everywhere here in the US, too. You'll notice that giant "Do Not Sell Before 05/09/2010" sticker there in the lower-right, but as we've seen in the past, all it takes is a pinch of airheadedness, a touch of charm and false sense of urgency to snag one early. Godspeed, Earthlings. P.S. - The "old" Wii bundle is now on sale at Best Buy for $179.99 ($20 less than yesterday), and we suspect this will be a trend that continues to other retailers as the new packages roll out. Thanks, David! Update: Seems these are arriving at Sam's Club locations as well, though they aren't to be sold until May 9th. %Gallery-92381%
Bookeen's upgraded, colorful Cybook Opus to debut on May 7
We were promised a color-loving version of the diminutive Cybook Opus and here's the delivery of said pledge. Coming in seven new shades to match its May 7 release date, the newly revised Cybook Opus boasts instant-on functionality, a new Boo Reader software that helps to optimize battery life, and a category-best 12 font sizes. It's still a monochrome E Ink display -- 800 x 600 pixels -- and memory hasn't budged up from the 1GB on its predecessor, but at least the opening price has dipped down to a £149 ($199 in USA) RRP. When you consider 150 books come preloaded on the device, it's almost like Bookeen is giving the hardware away for free. It's not, but that's as good a rationalization as any other. Full PR after the break.%Gallery-92018%
Nokia E72 gets white paint option, firmware update
You'd be hard-pressed to find a more direct competitor to the BlackBerry businessphone hegemony than Nokia's E7x series. It's therefore quite logical that only a day after RIM chief Mike Lazaridis made the white Bold official, Nokia is following up with its own pale-hued E72. Coming with a skinned UI to match the externals, the new handset is being announced alongside a firmware update (for E72s of all colors and creeds) that updates Ovi Maps, improves social networking integration, and allows location sharing through Facebook. You know, for when you wanna let your hair down after a hard day at the office. Internet radio of an unspecified variety has been included as well, along with general performance and stability improvements. Both the white handset and new firmware are available through Nokia today.
White BlackBerry Bold 9700 shows up on RIM's Thai website
For those among us who want to jump on the BlackBerry bandwagon, but desire a slightly more distinctive device -- you know who you are -- here's some official indication of an incoming new color option for the Bold 9700. Commended as perhaps the finest device RIM has been able to concoct so far, the 9700 is now being shown sporting a new, creamy white exterior over on RIM's official Thailand website. Seems like the company is developing a habit of diversifying its handsets' colors after giving the classical black some time to hog the spotlight. Here's to hoping the repainted phones filter out to more local online locations and nearby quality phone retailers nice and quickly. A pic of the newly white rear can be found after the break.
HTC Desire Black Edition confirmed, coming to Orange UK in late April
Remember that little guy up there? We spotted video of the Black Edition Desire exactly a week ago, but had few details to go with it aside from the fact it existed. Now we have word from Conor Maples, Orange UK's PR guru, saying that the operator will stock not only the standard-issue gunmetal Desire, but also the special Black Edition, which will be exclusive to Orange in the UK. The more familiar model will be arriving on the carrier's shelves some time early next month, with the darker, edgier Desire making a fashionably late entry in the latter part of the month. Screenshot of the relevant tweet after the break. [Image courtesy of AndroidSuomi.fi]
HTC Desire hits T-Mobile UK, black prototype spotted online
HTC's new flagship device is now almost certain to officially land on British shores ahead of its Sense-less elder brother, the Nexus One. T-Mobile's official online store is ready to take your order for the Desire right this minute, though it does come with the proviso that delivery may take up to seven days. That meshes almost perfectly with Amazon's April 1 delivery date, though the most exciting news might relate to pricing. At the high end, you can have the phone for free on £35 ($53) per month over two years -- nothing new there -- but at the £15 ($22) a month price point, you can have 300 minutes, 300 texts, unlimited (with an asterisk) internet and the Desire for £129 ($194). With Orange and Vodafone also confirmed as carriers, it's looking like a good time for Android lovers in the UK. In the meantime, a black prototype Desire has been spotted online, following swiftly in the footsteps of the silver Desire we saw setting Dutch hearts aflutter last week. It's not yet clear if or when it'll be making its way into retail, but the video awaits after the break in any case. [Thanks, Steve E. and iacopo73]
iPhone font created out of 540 apps and a love for the arcane (video)
No, we can't give you a clear reason why this particular chap did this particular thing, but good gravy, look at the pretty pictures! We've come across an iPhone-inspired font that looks to have been created by collating and color coding a vast collection of apps in order to properly represent the English alphabet. There's not much info given beyond the app count and the fact it required an architect with "too much free time" on his hands, but we're not going to begrudge a visual attraction when we can get one. You might be able to get the typography for yourself by contacting the author at the source link, or you can skip past the break to see it on video -- if you're careful enough you should be able to spot the world's greatest mobile app making a guest appearance.
Klipsch's black / white Image S4i and S4 earbuds filtering out to stores
We told you they'd be coming (as we discovered during our tour of Klipsch's Indianapolis campus), and now those deliciously black / white colored Image S4 and Image S4i earbuds are finally making their way out to the general populace. Vann's already has the Image S4 in white up for pre-order, while Apple stores are set to receive their Image S4i (includes an in-line microphone for iPhone yappin') any day now. The former will sell for $79 while the latter demands an extra Jackson, but it's safe to say that either will put Apple's own white earbuds to shame. %Gallery-86496%
