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Alleged metallic Nokia EOS body teased again, this time with a dozen of them
That baffling metallic Nokia EOS chassis we saw the other day? It's back, but this time the same leakster from Sina Weibo managed to get a shot of at least 12 of them, meaning the device has likely reached some sort of production stage. In another photo, we can see the same button arrangement -- presumably volume, power and camera -- that's already present on the current Lumia range. The strange thing is we've yet to see a cover plate that will match this seemingly smaller camera opening, but the square shape does make us wonder whether this will fit Pelican Imaging's 16-lens array camera. After all, Nokia did announce its investment in this plenoptic camera technology. Hopefully Elop will personally explain what's going on at his event on July 11th -- maybe with both this and the plastic EOS in his hands.
Toshiba outs Satellite P8-series laptops, treads line between enigmatic and annoying
Toshiba gave us an early glimpse of its glasses-free 3D Satellite P855 a few days ago and has now revealed a little more about the rest of the P8-series. The company still isn't talking processors or GPUs, beyond saying that the line-up will use the "latest" hardware from Intel and "next-gen graphics from NVIDIA." Without getting breathless about it, this hints at what we'd already hoped: some Ivy Bridge action coupled with the possibility of Kepler graphics -- after all, these new Satellites won't start shipping til the next quarter. Regardless, here's some stuff we know for sure: The full line-up includes a second 15.6-incher (the P850) and two 17.6-inchers (the P870 and P875) which will do away with the lenticular 3D display but keep the metallic finish, LED backlighting, backlit keyboard, Slip Stream audio for playing music while in standby, four USB 3.0 ports, HDMI out, WiDi and BlueTooth 4.0, while also offering the options of a Blu-ray drive and hybrid hard-drive (8GB solid, 750GB spinning). No official word on pricing yet, but we've already reported that the range will likely start at £599 ($940). So, breathless is too much, but breathy is okay.
Researcher brings modified Touchpad into the MRI room, breakthrough ensues
Yes, the Touchpad is officially dead, but that hasn't stopped Stanford researcher Andrew B. Holbrook from using HP's tablet in a somewhat unexpected setting: the MRI lab. Holbrook, it turns out, has been developing a new, webOS-based system that could make it a lot easier for doctors to conduct interventional MRI procedures. Unlike its diagnostic counterpart, this brand of MRI can only operate within highly magnetic fields, thereby posing a threat to many electronic devices. Holbrook, however, may have found a way around this barrier, thanks to a modified Touchpad. With the help of HP engineers, the researcher stripped his tablet of metallic components, including its speakers and vibration motor, resulting in what the manufacturer calls a "minimally metallic device that could be used almost anywhere within the magnet room." With his Touchpad primed and loaded with apps for data manipulation, Holbrook went on to successfully integrate the device within an MRI system. He also developed a series of apps that allow technicians to monitor and manipulate an MRI procedure on their devices, regardless of whether they're in the magnet room itself, or outside. Holbrook says he's already started applying the same approach to webOS phones, in the hopes of providing doctors and researchers with an even more compact way to keep track of their patients. For more details on the system and future developments, check out the source link below. [Thanks, Mina]
Final Audio Design's Piano Forte earphones promise concert hall sound at bank-breaking prices
Behold Final Audio Design's latest high-end earphones: the Piano Forte X-VII Series. Each of the four models that comprise the series features a large neodymium magnet driver, nestled inside a rigid metal housing made of alloy powder and natural resin, designed to minimize bad vibrations. The driver is a hefty 16 mm in diameter, and boasts roughly three times the surface area of your garden variety earphones, resulting in enhanced low frequency soundscapes. Final Audio Design also added a proprietary pressure ring to each model's diaphragm (to ward off sound artifacts), as well as special pressure vents (to optimize air pressure around the diaphragm). Internal air pressure, on the other hand, is kept in check thanks to the X-VIII Series' metallic earpads, which allegedly allow your ear to naturally adjust to any barometric shifts. Each of the four models comes in a unique metallic housing, reportedly capable of delivering different audio blends. But they all share one important characteristic -- they're really expensive. At the high end of the price spectrum are the X-G and X-CC models, which will put you back some ¥220,000 ($2,668). Bargain hunters, meanwhile, will have to settle for the VIII, priced at a slightly less obscene ¥80,000 ($970). Granted, these earphones may very well warrant that kind of cash and scientific hyperbole, though it's certainly difficult to gauge their value without taking them out for a spin ourselves.
Samsung's new 9 Series LED-backlit 3D monitor goes for asymmetric beauty with a Touch of Color
We might already be here at CES in Las Vegas, but that isn't stopping Samsung from doing some very last minute teasing. The Korean maker of everything electronic has released a few teaser images for its new flagship 9 Series LED-backlit 3DTV monitor. This new panel features a striking asymmetric design, with the stand offset to the far right, and a metallic construction accented with a (hopefully tasteful) Touch of Color. No further details or specs are available as of yet, but mysteries like that don't tend to hang around for too long in this city and at this time of the year. Update: Samsung's English-speaking PR got in touch with us to say that this is actually a monitor, not an HDTV.
Researchers create super-strong metallic velcro
Alright, so it's not technically Velcro (that's a brand name), but a team of researchers from Germany's Institute of Metal Forming and Casting have created what might be the biggest advance in hook and loop fasteners in some time. As you can see, they've turned to metal, and say their new fasteners are both resistant to extreme heat and able to support loads of up to 35 tonnes per square meter. Like regular Velcro, however, you'd still be able to easily peel the tape apart and reuse it again and again. Of course, it is still just in the prototype stage -- and actually consists of a number of different variations on the idea, including a hybrid version with a synthetic strap -- but the researchers say it could eventually be used in everything from ventilation systems to automotive construction.
World of WarCrafts: Runed copper rod
Every Thursday, Shelbi Roach of The Bronze Kettle guides you in creating WoW-inspired crafts using real world mats with World of WarCrafts.Everyone needs a good rod. This runed copper variation is the ideal candidate for the apprentice enchanter. Just be mindful of where you whip out your magic stick because everyone will want to get their hands on it.Here is what you will need: Wood Dowel (1/2" x 12") Wood Dowel Cap (1 1/2" x 3/8" Hole) Metallic Craft Paint (I actually used a deep bronze) Fine Gold Glitter Brown Suede/Leather Cord Small Feathers (2 red, 2 green) Craft Glue (wood friendly) Scissors Click on the images below to view a gallery of step-by-step instructions. %Gallery-23442%
Rumor: Metallic Rose DS Lite inbound
Go Nintendo is reporting a rumor that those of us here in the United States could be getting a new DS Lite model soon, in the form of the beauty you see above. Keen observers will notice that this is the same color that came in the Nintendogs bundle that released alongside the Phantom Hourglass bundle, only without the paw print. This rumor comes from "a few GameStop insiders," so we're not sure we entirely believe this model is releasing. Until we get official confirmation, we aren't going to hold our breath.See also: The DS Life: Puppies at play
Light gun for wannabe regulators (geeks off the street need not apply)
To be a regulator, you gotta be handy with the steel, if you know what I mean, earn your keep. Regulators! Mount up! Hoping to win back the street cred it lost after selling a zapper shaped like a damn shark, Pega has improved upon the 2-in-1 Machine Gun and Pistol shell design, adding a metallic paint job and black grips for an extra touch of realism. The peripheral still looks like a cheap toy, but it should be adequate for whenever you need to lay some busters down.DealExtreme, a haven for nearly every crummy Wii accessory you can think of, carries the Pega piece for $16.54. Hook a left on 21 and Lewis, and take a look at a couple more product shots. We also have some wacky packaging that you don't want to miss!
Gloss Silver and Metallic Pink DS Lites now available for import
The new DS Lites have been released in Japan and have shown up on import shopping sites. That's right, for only $179 + shipping, you can have a DS Lite in one of the two new Japan-exclusive colors! You have your choice of Like the Regular DS Phat Color but on a Lite, or Like the Pink One but Shinier. Sure, you pay a premium, but it may be worth it to have a DS that looks somewhat different from other DS's in the immediate area. Depends on how you feel about the new colors! What do you think-- Gloss Silver or Gross Silver? Metallic Pink or Me-tacky Pink?
