electrocution
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Daily Update for July 25, 2013
It's the TUAW Daily Update, your source for Apple news in a convenient audio format. You'll get all the top Apple stories of the day in three to five minutes for a quick review of what's happening in the Apple world. You can listen to today's Apple stories by clicking the inline player (requires Flash) or the non-Flash link below. To subscribe to the podcast for daily listening through iTunes, click here. No Flash? Click here to listen. Subscribe via RSS
Apple adds page to Chinese website showing how to recognize genuine power adapters
Last week, TUAW reported on the case of Ma Aliun, a 23-year-old Chinese flight attendant who was apparently electrocuted while answering her iPhone -- which was attached to what may have been a knockoff iPhone charger. Apple has now added a page to its Chinese website showing iPhone and iPad users how to identify a genuine Apple power adapter. The page talks about Apple's "stringent safety and reliability testing," then recommends that owners use the genuine article: This overview will help you identify genuine Apple USB power adapters. When you need to charge the iPhone or iPad, we recommend that you use the supplied USB power adapter and USB cable. These adapters and cables are also available separately from Apple and Apple Authorized Resellers. Apple most likely published the page to satisfy the Chinese government, which would probably be critical of any statement blaming a knockoff charger for the death of one of its citizens -- especially when the knockoff was most likely manufactured in China. The page will be of limited usefulness, since most counterfeit equipment is hard to distinguish from the real deal. [via 9to5Mac]
Star Wars: The Old Republic launching Dec. 20, starts at $15 per month
After many galactic ages, Electronic Arts has finally announced a release date for Star Wars: The Old Republic, and it's not too far, far away. The long-awaited MMO will officially launch later this year on December 20 in North America and on December 22 in Europe. In addition to the release date, the game's pricing structure has also been revealed. The subscription options should look very familiar to World of Warcraft vets. After the free month that comes with the game, plans start at $15 for a single month, $42 for three months or $78 for six months. Oh, and if you want early access, there's still time to pre-order, of course. Thankfully, there's also still time to come up with an excuse for skipping out on your family's holiday plans. [Thanks to everyone that sent this in!]
BBC shows us what it's like to live with a bionic hand
We've posted a fair share on bionic limbs and their advancements over the years, but rarely have we had the chance to see a video of one in real world use, on a real person. The BBC has shared a video of a man named Patrick using his bionic arm, which -- long story short -- was partially the result of being electrocuted at work. This is his second one to date and specifically, it's a prototype Otto Bock mind-controlled prosthetic arm equipped with six nerve sensors that let him use the hand as if it were his own -- it supports pinching and gripping with the fingers as well as lateral and circular movement of the wrist. Although the footage is a mundane roll of various day to day tasks -- gripping a bottle to pour a glass of water for instance -- it's quite amazing to realize technology is helping him do things he'd otherwise be deprived of. We'd suggest checking it out at the BBC by clicking the source link below.
Mattel Mindflex hack shocks you into serenity
Okay, we're in love with this delightfully evil Mattel Mindflex hack, which delivers an electric shock if you don't remain calm, but we have to wonder: wouldn't this thing be amazing if you hooked it up in reverse and punished not thinking enough? Video after the break.
Perspiring man electrocuted by his PC
A 20-year old student in Shanghai's Yangpu District perished after being "electrocuted by his computer." Reportedly, the man removed the external case from his desktop to prevent it from overheating in the non-air conditioned room, and when his legs came into contact with the innards, the resulting shock left him deceased. Initial investigations by local police confirmed that he was indeed electrocuted, yet there was no reason given as to why the individual refused to switch on the cooling system.[Via The Raw Feed]
Mythbusters: Pee on the PS2 edition
It's the stuff great urban legends are made of: A drunk University of Wyoming student supposedly knocked himself out and earned a trip to the hospital after urinating on a still-plugged-in PS2 at an off-campus party. The story got pushed by Fark on Monday and is slowly making its way into the mainstream media, getting a mention yesterday on Fox News Live.We're a bit incredulous. First of all, it's arguable whether or not the physics of the story would even work. The popular Discovery TV show Mythbusters determined that it's nearly impossible to get shocked by peeing on the supercharged third rail of a train track because the urine stream isn't consistent enough to carry a charge. Even if the drunken party-goer somehow did get close enough for a solid stream, we find it hard to believe that the measly power output of a PS2 would knock someone out for a full ten seconds.The original report itself doesn't exactly inspire confidence, either -- Fun Tech Talk is not exactly a well-known and respected source for news. While the post reads like an AP brief, there's no link to any outside sources or mention of who originally reported the story. There are some journalistic inconsistencies too -- the party supposedly happened late Saturday night, but the dateline says it was written that same Saturday.The final nail in the coffin? None of the three students mentioned in the piece turn up on the University of Wyoming's online student directory.While we'd like to believe in the poetic justice for anyone stupid enough to pee on a game system, we've got to nip this one in the bud. As the Mythbusters themselves might say, this one is busted.
