Pulse
Latest
T-Mobile Pulse runs Android, headed for Europe
Not that our Stateside T-Mobile needs much help scoring Android handsets, but this phone looks strictly reserved for our European brethren. The T-Mobile Pulse is actually Huawei's U8220, which looks a little drab compared to its U8230 sibling, and works in what seems to be standard smartphone specs these days: 3.2 megapixel camera, 3.5-inch 320 x 480 screen, HSDPA, Bluetooth, WiFi and GPS. The 2GB SD card and mere 3.5 hours of talk time leave a bit to be desired, and the 13.5mm thickness is almost as beastly as Nokia's latest, but we're sure the Pulse means well. No word on a straight price, but in Germany with a two year agreement prices start at 5 Euro a month.[Via Engadget German]
Huawei starting its Android march with T-Mobile 'Pulse' in Europe?
Huawei's been talking up its impending play for a share of the Android pie for most of this year, but where's the beef? There's nothing in the market just yet, but that might be about to change with details on a so-called "Pulse" for some of T-Mobile's European networks in the coming months. The Chinese manufacturer specializes in the value segment -- a side effect of its brand not really commanding any premium outside Asia -- and the Pulse could be a big winner there thanks to an unlocked price said to be around €250 ($356). That's an impressively low figure in light of the supposed 3.5-inch display, full HSPA, GPS (of course), WiFi, and an HVGA display like all proper Android sets of the moment. Dutch site tweakers.net says this is all confirmed by way of a retailer that pegs the device for T-Mobile Netherlands in early October, which means the Heros and Galaxys of the world have precious little time to capitalize before these guys swoop in and undercut 'em all by a few bucks.
Dissidia demo expected July 23
Have you seen the latest episode of Pulse, the fortnightly PSN content highlight video? If so, you will have noticed that a demo for Square Enix's next PSP release, Dissidia: Final Fantasy, will be available to download on July 23. That's the expected release date, at least, but don't be surprised if it slips back down the slippery slope leading to the PSN servers. It wouldn't be the first time. For many of us this will be the first time to see how the game actually works, as screenshots and videos have shown nothing more than a lot of mindless mid-air hacking and slashing. For a game which apparently lasts for over 40 hours, there's got to be a little more to it than that. [Via VG247]
Device judges your pulse and Tweets its findings to your parents and Ashton Kutcher
What's creepier than automatically informing Twitter every time your unborn child kicks his mother's womb? Giving all your Twitter followers a live feed of your heartbeat, including canned messages to announce your death in case you cease pumping Cheeto-infused blood through your goth-nerdy veins. This Japanese DIY project has open source schematics and is designed to bypass a PC and send the news of your heart hiccups directly the internet. Check out the appropriately dramatic video after the break.
Maingear introduces eco-friendly, Ion-powered Pulse SFF PC
Stating that NVIDIA's Ion platform has already snagged wide industry support would be a gross understatement, but for whatever reason, Maingear decided to skip out on all the Computex revelry and blaze a trail of its own. Hailed as the planet's greenest gaming PC (which is certainly up for debate), the Pulse is an energy efficient small form factor PC that offers up Ion graphics. Said configuration is available with Intel Core 2 Duo CPUs and an 80+ certified 300-watt power supply; those who care more about frame rates than Ma Earth can opt for a GeForce 9800 GT ECO, which -- despite being a discrete, power-hungry GPU -- still swallows some 40 percent less power than a standard 9800 GT. You'll also find WiFi support, room for an optional Blu-ray drive and TV tuner, upwards of 8GB of RAM and room for a single 2.5-inch HDD or SSD. The whole box checks in at just 7.6- x 8.3- x 11.4-inches, and it's available for order right now starting at $799. Full release is after the break.
Nintendo Wii Vitality Sensor detects your pulse
And it looks like Nintendo's answer to Microsoft's Project Natal is... a pulse detector. Yep, Ninty's just announced the Wii Vitality Sensor, a finger sensor which attaches to the Wiimote to read your pulse. Details on how the accessory is going to be used in games are pretty vague, but it appears the idea is to check stress, help you relax, and just generally chill out and be groovy. That won't happen for a while yet, though: the Vitality Sensor was described as a "look into the future," so we're guessing we've got a wait in store.Update: Check out the full press release here.
Pulse: Resident Evil 5 and Family Guy top PSN downloads
What are PlayStation fans downloading these days? Resident Evil 5 tops the free game demos of 2009 so far, beating out the PS3-exclusive Killzone 2. What's up PS3 owners? You don't want to check out the best looking game on the system? Top 10 Game Demos of 2009 Resident Evil 5 Killzone 2 F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin Afro Samurai Tom Clancy's H.A.W.X. Skate 2 Wanted: Weapons of Fate Watchmen: The End is Nigh The Lord of the Rings Conquest MLB 09 The Show Check out the top 10 TV shows after the break.
Top 10 PSN games and movies for January 2009
This week's episode of Pulse (available on the PlayStation Store) revealed the top 10 games and movies downloaded off the PlayStation Store for January 2009: Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix Mortal Kombat II Magic Ball Cuboid JEOPARDY! Linger in Shadows Crash Commando PAIN LUMINES Supernova High Velocity Bowling It appears fighting games are what PS3 players want. The PSN versions of the classic 2D fighters, Street Fighter II and Mortal Kombat II take the top spots this month. We're glad to see that both Magic Ball and Cuboid are doing well -- these indie developers went exclusively to the PlayStation Network, and their casual games are doing quite well.
Top 10 downloaded PSN games of 2008
PlayStation.com's Pulse program has revealed* PSN's "overall" most downloaded games of 2008. Now, before cursing the heavens that PAIN is at the top of the list, PS3 Fanboy is quick to point out that the game was free with the Metal Gear Solid 4 PS3 bundle earlier this year.The list is still packed with surprises, especially with the performance of High Velocity Bowling and Aquatopia. It's good to see that PixelJunk Monsters did well, but where's Eden? WipEout HD's absence is also noticeable. We'd definitely like to see Pulse do this as a monthly feature.*Copied list after the break for our mobile users who may not be able to read the image.
PAIN is the most downloaded game on PSN in 2008
The latest episode of Pulse reveals the top PSN game downloads of 2008. At the top of the list is Idol Minds' PAIN. This isn't too surprising, considering it was included for free with the Metal Gear Solid 4 PS3 bundle earlier this year. However, we're surprised to see how well High Velocity Bowling has done. Other surprises include Aquatopia and High Stakes Poker.Do you think the top 10 list is missing any games? We certainly think so. Where's WipEout HD? Although it's a PSP remake, we think it's an incredible value.Here's the list, for those of you unable to see the image above: Pain High Velocity Bowling Super Stardust HD PixelJunk Monsters Flow Warhawk Aquatopia Tekken 5 Dark Resurrection High Stakes Poker Edition Ratchet & Clank: Quest for Booty
Sony puts finger on the Pulse of PSN releases
If you find yourself wishing there was a dedicated news source to keep you abreast of the latest releases on the PlayStation Network, then you're probably not the most attentive person in the world. Seriously, between Sony's pay-per-view "interactive magazine" Qore, and our very own Blu-ray-lovin' sister site, you should know about these things before they cross Kaz Hirai's desk.If you find yourself with a profound, unquenchable thirst for PSN info, Sony recently unveiled yet another news source from which to drink -- a biweekly (see: every other week), five-minute program titled Pulse. These updates, which are hosted by Christina Lee, will only air on PlayStation.com -- which makes sense, we guess. If it aired on the PlayStation Network, it would have to report about itself, creating an infinite feedback loop which would effectively turn your PS3 into a sentient killing machine.
PULSE highlights new PlayStation Network additions
Having trouble keeping up with all the new content on the PlayStation Network? Probably not, considering you read our site. Regardless, Sony is starting a new service called PULSE which plans on providing bi-weekly updates on the latest Blu-ray and PlayStation Network releases. PULSE will be available every other week on PlayStation.com. Click the link to check out the very first episode.
Livescribe Pulse smartpen gets OS X support
For months now, dutiful Mac users who refuse to load any flavor of Windows on their precious machines have longed for the ability to use Livescribe's Pulse smartpen. Now, those holdouts can finally say the wait was worth it, as Livescribe has announced that a native Mac desktop application (Livescribe Desktop for Mac) will be made available in beta form on November 24th. Additionally, a few new features for the Pulse have been added over on the Wintel side, including handwriting to text transcription software ($29.95) and the ability for consumers to print dot paper notepads for free. Finally, something for OS X users to digitally write home about.
ASUS Vito W1 wireless mouse keeps watch on your heart rate
Watches that monitor your heart rate may be commonplace these days (because, you know, they're actually useful), but a mouse that keep watch on your ticker -- well, that's something you don't see everyday. ASUS seems to think that's a shame, however, and it's set out to rectify things somewhat with its new heart-monitoring Vito W1 wireless mouse. Apart from an apparently really simple heart-monitoring application that comes with it though, this one looks to be about as standard as wireless mice get, with it boasting a 1,200 dpi resolution, a 2.4GHz USB receiver, five programmable buttons and not much else. No word on a price just yet, nor is there any indication of a planned release 'round these parts.[Via Coolest Gadgets]
Switched On: Livescribe's hot recording artist seeks mass appeal (Part 2)
Each week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about technology, multimedia, and digital entertainment The last Switched On discussed the innovative approach that Livescribe has taken in its core note-taking function while touching on some of the company's grander plans to create a wide array of applications and content, taking it far beyond its failed predecessor, the Logitech io2. Livescribe is building an ambitious house in a neighborhood that has seen a lot of foreclosures; Pulse will need to rewrite history to be successful in the traditionally challenged smartpen market. Indeed, between the time that the Pulse was announced and shipped, Logitech announced it was writing off the market for now. In addition to improving on note-taking, the company points to the reduced size of the Pulse as being less obtrusive than previous smartpens and thus more appealing to use. One of the keys to smartpen use is that it is less obtrusive than, say, a PC using Microsoft OneNote, which also has the ability to synchronize audio to written notes. However, the Pulse's OLED display offsets at least some of the gains made toward discretion by shrinking the pen's girth. Worse, to get the full benefit of the Pulse's cool ability to resolve conversations in a room using 3D audio recording, you must wear earbuds that contain embedded microphones. It's hard to imagine something that could be more off-putting to a speaker than seeing an audience member wearing earbuds, and it would engender curiosity when that speaker notices that they are connected to a pen. Fortunately, the Pulse does a very good job of recording even without the earbud-based microphones.
Switched On: Livescribe's hot recording artist seeks mass appeal (Part 1)
Each week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about technology, multimedia, and digital entertainment If the pen truly is mightier than the sword, Livescribe's Pulse smartpen ($149 with 1GB of flash memory, $199 with 2GB) may be able to take out a tank at 50 meters. Arguably the most technologically advanced writing instrument not intended for killing a Bond villain, the Pulse includes an infrared camera (for recording text), dual microphones, a speaker, a headphone jack, and an OLED display that can even play back short "movies" (animations synced with sound). And it manages to pack it all in a pen size that, while still a bit thick, is relatively comfortable and thinner than its closest technological ancestor, the now-discontinued Logitech io2.Using its noise-canceling microphones and ink recognition system, the Pulse can be used to either take written notes that are uploaded to the PC, or record audio. But its greatest advance for note-taking over previous smartpen systems such as the io2 is the ability to synchronize written notes with audio. Simply put the pen into "Paper Replay" mode and tap on some text to hear what was being said as you scribbled. The result is the next best thing to real-time transcription. It can be used to check what may be an unclear or hastily scribbled note, focus on commentary while the pen captures the content, or create or copy a diagram while it is explained via audio.But first, whatever is being written will have to be done so on paper designed explicitly for the pen. Like previous products that use Anoto technology, the Pulse needs smart "dot paper" to make transcription work. Without a doubt, this requirement will be a deal-killer for many, and limit the Pulse's everyday utility for some time to come. In contrast, simpler products such as the IOGear Mobile Digital Scribe uses ultrasound to track a pen's position and can be used on any paper (and the pens in such systems are smaller as well). To make dot paper more readily accessible, though, Livescribe will offer a template that should allow many customers to print their own dot paper at home. And dot paper enables the Pulse to pull off some pretty slick feats. Read on.
Silk'n light-based hair remover gets FDA approval for home use
Believe it or not, this actually isn't the first FDA approved personal hair remover we've come across, but for those looking for something capable of handling some seriously hairy ordeals, look no further than Silk'n. Created by Home Skinovations (har har), this unit relies on proprietary Home Pulsed Light technology to zap unwanted hair and bring back the smooth. Of course, this thing still has to be used "under the direction of a physician," but after waltzing into his / her office with three inches of sprawling chest hair blossoming from under that halfway buttoned shirt, we'd wager you'll have the requisite signature in no time.[Via medGadget]
DIY mod adds some awesome pulsating lights to the Wii
Oh, to have a Wii console such as this. Maybe it's unnecessary to do such a thing to your Wii, considering its sleek, simple white look is one of the things we love about it. Then again, it would be kind of cool to show off to others, like "look at me, I'm pretty awesome at doing stuff." And, really, case mods never get old, even if the system is almost ancient.What do you guys think?
Australians conquer bike safety, forest fires
The Australian Student Design Awards are home to quite a few interesting ideas this year -- along with a few head scratchers and wishful thinking. We're particularly digging this Pulse Bicycle Safety Helmet. The concept features an "Ear Drop" Bluetooth headset on one side of the helmet, leaving your hands free and your traffic-side ear listenin' for danger. You operate the headset with three easy-to-find buttons on the helmet, and the USB Ear Drop can plug into your computer to track your training, along with providing your vital info in case of an accident. There's also a rear headlight for helping cars spot your shiny noggin at night. Other highlights of the Student Awards include the "entile" interlocking edutainment system, a fire tracking UAV for rural fire department use, and the solar powered Ersa water condenser and power generator.[Via Popgadget]
Plantronics and Quicksilver team up for Bluetooth / iPod-enabled winter gear lineup
Seeing newly-unveiled outerwear touting iPod / Bluetooth connectivity is becoming a winter tradition it seems, as these blustery days bring about visions of new coats, helmets, lift tickets, and never letting go of your dear DAP / cellphone. This time around Quicksilver is seeking the technological know-how from Plantronics as it offers up a "limited edition" lineup of snow-ready gear that plays nice with your iPod and BT-equipped handset. The Double Daffy Snow Jacket sports Plantronics "stereo sound and voice technology" via Bluetooth, and should hit retail stores for $370 soon, while the presumably corresponding Pulse Helmet rocks a lightweight, ABS-infused design, side vents, and a black camo motif for $249.95. For the ladies in the house, the Teen Angel Snow Jacket caters to the female agenda for $340, and the partnering Shiver Helmet will run you $249.95. While no hard availability dates were mentioned, all the new kit will be on display at the SIA conference in Las Vegas through the end of the week, and we assume it'll hit your favorite ski shop shortly thereafter.
