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Nectar mobile fuel-cell power system now available for pre-order
On paper, the Nectar Power system is both awesome and ludicrous. This is essentially a keychain-dongle USB power solution for super-sized keychains. You carry it around and charge your iPhone or other USB devices as needed. Let's start with the ludicrous, which is the price. The unit is now available for pre-order from Brookstone and will retail for (wait for it...) US$300. Individual "power pods," used to generate the power, will cost $10 each. An extended warranty adds another $40 for two years, or $50 for three years. Gift wrap alone adds another $7. So why are we so ridiculously excited about this? It's simple. First, there's the technology. The Nectar is a butane-powered Solid Oxide Fuel Cell solution. It's like we really are living in the future. Each pod can supply power for about a dozen full charges, or as the product site says, about two weeks of power without outlets. Second, there's the size factor, which is impressively small. The gadget is a slick-looking chrome and black, with a satisfyingly Brookstone design aesthetic. But most important, the one thing that really makes this the device for any would-be James Bond type, is that it allows you to go completely off grid for extended periods of time without having to attach a solar grid to your backpack. Gilligan and the professor wouldn't have to make power supplies out of coconuts. The Nectar Power system looks like a sleek, slick solution for people who have the money and aren't afraid to use it as both a beautiful and practical toy. We can't wait to try it out. The Nectar ships Sept. 11, 2013.
Voxeljet 3D printer used to produce Skyfall's Aston Martin stunt double
Spoiler alert: a reoccurring cast member bids farewell in the latest James Bond flick. When the production of Skyfall called for the complete decimation of a classic 1960s era Aston Martin DB5, filmmakers opted for something a little more lifelike than computer graphics. The movie studio contracted the services of Augsburg-based 3D printing company Voxeljet to make replicas of the vintage ride. Skipping over the residential-friendly MakerBot Replicator, the company used a beastly industrial VX4000 3D printer to craft three 1:3 scale models of the car with a plot to blow them to smithereens. The 18 piece miniatures were shipped off to Propshop Modelmakers in London to be assembled, painted, chromed and outfitted with fake bullet holes. The final product was used in the film during a high-octane action sequence, which resulted in the meticulously crafted prop receiving a Wile E. Coyote-like sendoff. Now, rest easy knowing that no real Aston Martins were harmed during the making of this film. Head past the break to get a look at a completed model prior to its untimely demise.
Sony Xperia TL review: the company's second US flagship is much improved, but still imperfect
As Sony's second stab at the US mobile market, the Xperia TL arrives with a major corporate synergistic push: a 007 movie franchise tie-in. But an awkward distinction as the official Bond phone and a smattering of pre-loaded "Skyfall" multimedia content alone won't drive consumer adoption; the specs and pricing will. Following in the footsteps of the company's first stateside flagship, the Ion, this AT&T 4G LTE exclusive is priced aggressively at $99 on two-year contract, packing a 4.6-inch HD Reality display (1,280 x 720) powered by Mobile BRAVIA Engine, a dual-core Snapdragon S4 clocked at 1.5GHz, 16GB of storage (expandable up to 32GB via microSD), 1GB RAM, NFC, dual-band WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0, as well as an integrated 1,850mAh battery. With Ice Cream Sandwich running the show and a planned upgrade to Jelly Bean in the works, it has all the makings of a current-gen high-end offering. So will the Xperia TL help Sony build much-needed buzz for its mobile division here in the states? Can a sub-$100 price tag effectively lure consumers away from the bigger, faster and flashier Android phones AT&T has to offer? Or is this mainly one for Sony loyalists? Find out after the break as we put the TL through its paces.%Gallery-169692%
Sony Xperia TL comes to AT&T on November 2 for $99 with a two-year contract
We've already gotten our collective mitts on Sony's Xperia TL, and come November 2nd, you'll be able to do the same by plunking down $99.99 and inking a two-year contract with AT&T. In case you need a refresher, the LTE handset runs a skinned build of Ice Cream Sandwich, packs a 1.5GHz dual-core S4 processor, 13-megapixel rear-facing camera, NFC and a 4.6-inch 720p display powered by the firm's Mobile BRAVIA Engine. Since Sony's smartphone flagship is lucky enough to call itself the official James Bond phone, it'll come stuffed with behind the scenes footage of the upcoming film Skyfall and Bond-themed ringtones, wallpapers and more. For the full lowdown on the Xperia TL's arrival on Big Blue, hit the jump for the press release.
007 Legends PS3 gets exclusive Skyfall characters for multiplayer
Eurocom's re-imagining of select James Bond films, 007 Legends, has some exclusive content on the PS3. MI6 field agent Eve and assassin Patrice from next month's Skyfall film are both playable in multiplayer and have "their own special features and abilities," though the PlayStation Blog post doesn't mention what those features and abilities are, exactly.We contacted Activision for further information on what sets these two characters apart in the 007 Legends multiplayer mode. We'll be sure to update as soon as MI6 command gets back to us.
Sony's Xperia T is now available on O2 and ThreeUK, Walther PPK/S not included
O2 and ThreeUK have announced that they'll be carrying Sony's Xperia T, the phone James Bond totes 'round in Skyfall. He's got a tough decision on his hands depending on which network he chooses, however, with O2 offering an exclusive tie-in edition of the handset with custom ringtones and pre-release images. On the other hand, he probably gets through plenty of data reading classified files and flicking through the Tom Ford catalogue, so perhaps he'd prefer Three's unlimited data. Either way, you can follow in the footsteps of your hero right now, with price plans starting from £30 per month.
Carphone Warehouse stocking Sony's Xperia T, J and Tablet S for wannabe James Bonds
Given that James Bond himself is rocking Sony's Xperia T as his handset of choice in Skyfall, it's natural that wannabe Bonds will be clamoring for similar gear. Fortunately, Carphone Warehouse has announced that it's stocking the T, Xperia J and Xperia Tablet S when they make their debut in the UK. The two smartphones will be arriving on the increasingly busy September 5th, while the Tablet S's arrival date is still in the air, but we know it'll cost you £330 for the WiFi or £430 for the 3G version.
Sky adds Bond Channel to its movie offering, will screen entire back catalog in high-definition
Fresh from his appearance at this year's Olympic opening ceremony, James Bond is getting his own dedicated channel on Sky. The UK broadcaster will start showing all 22 movies in high-definition from October 5th, gearing up to the British spy's latest adventure, Skyfall, which launches a month later. Android, iOS and PC platforms will be able to stream the collection through Sky Go, while its new on-demand service will also be showing the full gamut of Bond adventures in a few months. For England, James.
007 Legends adapting 'On Her Majesty's Secret Service'
Activision has confirmed "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" as another playable chunk of Bond history in the upcoming 007 Legends, which will consist of five different missions inspired by various James Bond movies (but with Daniel Craig voicing Bond throughout, apparently). "Moonraker" was the first title announced. The addition of "OHMSS" means players will get to jump into a film widely considered one of the best in the series.007 Legends will also have a sixth mission based on "Skyfall," the new Bond movie due out next summer. The game will be out on October 16 of this year, and odds are that we'll get to see it in more detail in two weeks at Comic-Con.
007 Legends trailer reveals October 16 release date
We apologize that this trailer for 007 Legends is buried after an action-packed, tension-ridden, sexually charged video advertising the coming James Bond film, Skyfall. We're sure anyone interested in a James Bond video game is completely outraged by the violent hedonism of James Bond movies. Again, our sincerest apologies.007 Legends is due out October 16, its trailer eventually reveals, following in-game scenes from Moonraker, one of the six James Bond storylines mashed up for the title. The 007 Legends trailer begins at 1:24, and in all honesty we could have very easily cut out just the video game portion and spared you the trouble of having to watch the Skyfall trailer.If anyone has a problem with our editorial decision, feel free to take it up with our staff – all 0011 of us.
'Bond 50' 22 movie Blu-ray collection details revealed, ships in September (video)
MGM and 20th Century Fox revealed during CES that all 22 of the James Bond movies would be released together for the first time in the Bond 50 Blu-ray disc collection this fall, and now ahead of the Cannes International Film Festival there's additional details to share. The Bond 50 set will include 23 discs -- one for each movie and its bonus content, plus an extra containing two Bond featurettes digging into the world of James Bond and the six actors who have played him, plus videoblogs from the upcoming flick Skyfall (there's an open slot in the specially designed case for it as well). The set ships September 24th in the UK and September 25th in the US with other countries getting it the same week. While no price is mentioned in the press release, Amazon currently is taking preorders for $199. That's a hefty price but if you absolutely must have all of Connery, Lazenby, Moore, Dalton, Brosnan and Craig in one box this is it. The release with all the details follows after the break, plus the same trailer for the boxed set, a video reveal of the box itself, and the just revealed trailer for Skyfall, which is due to hit theaters October 26th in the UK and November 9th in the US.
Mini quadrotors play Bond, James Bond (video)
This week's TED2012 conference isn't all talk -- sometimes the videos features speak for themselves. Check out this phenomenal one from the University of Pennsylvania starring a number of nano quadrotors playing the James Bond theme by banging percussion, hitting the piano and strumming a guitar. The room in the video has infrared lights and cameras and the 'copters are outfitted with reflectors, making it possible to plot their position. The result is technical wizardry worthy of Q himself. Check it out after the break.
BMW My Remote app arrives in the US, 3-Series with stinger missiles due soon
BMW's My Remote iOS app has been available here in Europe for a while. Reenacting the car park chase from Tomorrow Never Dies is one of the principal ways to let off steam on a weekend. Sadly, the company has brought our exclusive fun to an end by releasing the app in the USA -- albeit without the weaponized vehicles from the movie. Once installed on an iPhone, you'll get remote locking, horn and headlights as well as a positioning app so you never get lost in a parking lot. The age and model of your Beemer will decide what features you'll be able to use (full details after the break) but remember Bond: you have a license to kill, not to violate the traffic laws.[Thanks, Mark]
Bond 50 Blu-ray box set collects all 22 films in one tidy package
The James Bond series is hitting 50 this year and to celebrate, MGM and 20th Century Fox have joined up to release all 22 flicks in one Blu-ray box set. Bond 50 includes some 130 hours of bonus features, including previously released extras and a few new exclusives. Check out all the details in the press release after the break, as well as the video trailer.
HP Envy Spectre arrives at FCC, next year's model probably called HP Envy SMERSH
Even in the FCC's secret Washington bunker, our boys in lab-coats like to spread a little festive cheer. When this new HP Envy 14 Spectre was released into the streets, we found it wrapped in tinsel. We'll expect to learn more about this dual-band Wireless-N packing laptop in January, where we figure it'll be the last model to carry Intel's Sandy Bridge, since successor Ivy Bridge isn't due to arrive at OEMs for another couple of months. We're not sure about naming your laptop after a James Bond villain organization, but it wouldn't be the first questionable decision to come from the House of Meg this year, would it?
Has James Bond gone green? Bulletproof electric roadster in the works
Warding off assassins while saving the environment just became a cake walk with the Jo-Mojo, an upcoming creation by Lativian armored vehicle company DARTZ. This two seat convertible roadster brandishes an 80 horsepower electric engine capable of pushing zero to 60 mph in 9.5 seconds and a top speed of 125 mph -- yet most of its "mojo" is outside the hood. Custom seating, color-changing chameleon paint finish, bulletproof tires, and others are just a few of the many "drooling" features. The sunroof is given a task with flexible solar panels built-in, good for juicing up the batteries while idle or on the go. Aimed to hit the market at the end of Q2 2012, its estimated price tag starts at 30,000 euros (~ $40,000), within range of most low-end luxury automobiles. Check past the break for a video slideshow of this snazzy piece of metal by Gray Designs, DARTZ's partner in the venture.
Activision registers domains for 'GoldenEye 007 Reloaded'
Internet sleuth @supererogatory discovered some recent domain name registrations made by Activision, which point at a potential re-release of 2010's Wii exclusive, GoldenEye 007. "GoldenEyeReloadedGame.com," "GoldenEye007GameReloaded.com," "GoldenEyeReloaded007.com" and "GoldenEye007Reloaded.com" were the four URLs the Santa Monica-based publisher snagged. Now, while the possibility of a new and improved Wii game isn't out of the question, we're inclined to think that Activision is thinking about consoles other than the Wii -- specifically, PlayStation Move functionality. Of course, fans have been clamoring for a remake of the original GoldenEye 007 on N64 since they looked up the word clamor and realized it was what they were doing; unfortunately, with original developer Rare now owned by Microsoft, that path is legally perilous. Activision has not made any announcements concerning these domain names.
'True Grit' cinematographer Roger Deakins makes jump to digital cameras
Sorry film diehards, another ally has bitten the dust -- and this one's a biggie. After years of dismissing digital cameras over quality concerns, Roger Deakins, the cinematographer behind The Shawshank Redemption, Revolutionary Road, and pretty much every Coen Brothers movie, has made the jump to digital. The-nine time Oscar nominee confessed to The Hollywood Reporter that he shot the forthcoming sci-fi thriller Now using an Arri Alexa digital camera and is leaning toward using one for his next film, a Sam Mendes-directed James Bond flick. I'm sure Q would approve -- not to mention James Cameron and Peter Jackson, assuming they can put down their respective RED EPIC cameras for long enough. [Image Credit: Sony]
Report: New Bond game moves ahead as film franchise is revived
Agent double-oh-seven is returning to the silver screen next year with Daniel Craig reprising his role as Her Majesty's most famous spy, and a report by Deadline claims that the film series' restart has led to a new James Bond game getting the ol' green light. The site makes no mention of who's developing -- or even if the game will tie into the film -- but we can count out Blood Stone dev Bizarre Creations, currently in the process of being shuttered by Activision, which holds the video game rights to all things 007. Wolfenstein and Singularity studio Raven Software was rumored as recently as last month to be working on a new, stealth-heavy Bond title (some supposed footage of which was later dug up). No matter who makes the game, we can only hope that it actually gets some, y'know, marketing -- unlike Blood Stone.
Rumor: Raven's Bond game shows up in animator's reel
Rumors started circulating yesterday about the rebirth of a Raven-developed James Bond game. Today, a poster on NeoGAF has unearthed footage that could very well be from that project in the demo reel of Hanjin Song, an animator on Raven's recent sci-fi FPS, Singularity. While the gameplay bears a surface resemblance to Bizarre Creations' just-released James Bond 007: Blood Stone, the screencap above show's a different UI, a new environment and what appears to be a more detailed model of Bond star Daniel Craig. In Song's clip, we see the super spy engaging in some death-defying parkour, sneaking around behind cover and, of course, shooting incompetent minions. We haven't heard back from Activision nor Song -- so don't start pre-ordering just yet -- but if we're not looking at the rumored Raven project, we're having a tough time imagining what else it could be.
