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PlayStation tattoo gun mod gets inmate a stern rebuke, admiration from his cell block
When an inmate at Brook House Immigration Removal Centre near Gatwick, West Sussex, England, needed access to a tattoo gun (presumably banned in UK lockups, just as they are in the US) inspiration struck. According to The Sun, the inmate used the motor of a PlayStation's optical drive to move a sharpened ball-point pen. Sure, there are better ways to get ink -- such as waiting to be released -- but it ain't exactly a prison tattoo if you don't get it in prison. The paper goes on to say that from time to time a similar contraption made from "Nintendo consoles" turns up stateside, although the only such device we've ever seen was in an episode of The Wire, and it was made from an old cassette player. Either way, this is one mod we surely won't see from Ben Heck any time soon.
Inhabitat's Week in Green: LED lights, biofuel airplanes, and prescription tattoos
The Week in Green is a new item from our friends at Inhabitat, recapping the week's most interesting green developments and clean tech news for us. This week Inhabitat saw the light as we showcased an array of exciting developments in energy-efficient illumination. First off, Philips dazzled attendees at this year's Lightfair expo as they unveiled the EnduraLED -- the world's first LED replacement for those ubiquitous energy-sucking 60 watt incandescent bulbs. We were also excited to see the unveiling of the SolPix - a giant energy generating LED wall that doubles as solar shade and can be installed as high-tech building cladding. And if you think energy-efficient lighting isn't easy on the eyes, check out this beautiful LED flower that soaks up sun during the day and blooms at night. We also looked at several incredible (and insane) futuristic modes of transportation - for starters, how about an electric zip-line backpack that shoots you through city streets? We were also impressed by the Cell, a shape-shifting electric vehicle concept that comes complete with its own car-sharing transit system. And if soaring through the skies is more your style, check out these self-sufficient airships that harness solar energy to generate biofuel. Wearable tech saw several developments as well - this week we looked at the ultra-efficient 3d printers that created Iron Man's suit of armor. In other news, your next trip to the doctor could merit more than a single shot in the arm - researchers are developing a new type of "prescription" tattoo that keeps tabs on glucose levels using infra-red ink. Finally, we saw several remarkable inventions that stand to change how we combat climate change and construct our built environment. This week Bill Gates unveiled plans to invest in the development of a fleet of seawater-spraying mist machines that could combat climate change by creating sunlight-reflecting clouds, and we looked at a new type of biologically crafted brick that can be "grown" from a combination of sand, bacteria, and urine.
Keepin' it real fake, part CCLIV: HTC Tattoo joins the WinMo gang, or appears to anyway
No matter how realistic a KIRF phone looks these days, there's always a catch somewhere. For instance, this GSM handset is pretty much an exact clone of the HTC Tattoo, except for a couple of debatably important things: the suspiciously-cheerful $169 price tag, and the fact that Windows Mobile (and not Android) is running the show. Oh, and it doesn't end there: judging by the photo, you'd assume this evil clone runs WinMo 6.5, yet the spec sheet mutters 6.1. A typo? Maybe. Something far more baleful? Maybe. A KIRF OS to go along with the KIRF hardware? Probably. That said, it's hard to turn down a cheap phone that packs GPS, FM radio, stereo Bluetooth audio, a spare battery and a 2.8-inch touchscreen (240 x 320), but that's assuming that you've no self-esteem to speak of. See if the full kit after the break will seal the deal for you.
A step towards peace: Master Mario Chief tattoo
The Console Wars™ have been raging since before some of us were even born. For a majority of gamers, this is all they know, but thankfully one man is stepping up to try and bring an end to this eternal conflict. In combining Halo's Master Chief and Nintendo's iconic mascot, Mario, he's created one super tattoo and blueprint for the future prosperity of all gaming peoples. This Master Mario Chief is able to squash Goombas at alarming speed and save not only the Mushroom Kingdom from despair, but all of humanity in the year 2553 -- he's a figure every console owner can love. Frankly, we applaud this man's courage and dedication to acknowledge that there are good things on all consoles via this permanent tattoo. Instead of blindly trashing the opposition as inferior, he celebrates each console's merits. Except for anything on Sony platforms, though, because Sony totally sucks. [Via Hawty McBloggy]
HTC posts kernel source for Tattoo, Sprint Hero
The terms of the GPL require that developers of Android handsets out the source code for their phones' platform kernels, something HTC, Samsung, and others have generally been good about (emphasis on "generally") -- and now HTC's gone ahead and pushed a couple more notables into the public domain. The Tattoo and the Sprint-branded version of the Hero are the latest to get their innermost software workings exposed; the Tattoo should be an interesting choice here because it's one of the lowest-end Android sets released to date, and the Sprint Hero's been taking some heat for a while now for its lack of code exposure. We're happy to see HTC stay in compliance, yes -- but really, we're even happier to know that it's now in the hands of people who intend to tear it apart and do cool stuff with it.
RED DSMC specs detailed, prices start at $28,000 for EPIC-X, lower-end Scarlet still vague
Here we are at last. RED has finally dropped the full specs of at least one its "Digital Stills and Motion Cameras." And what did you expect? RED has naturally blown this thing out. The first camera to be released will be the insanely high-end EPIC-X, which will come out in four stages and retails for $28,000 (ouch). A pre-production "TATTOO" version will hit this year, followed by a production model for pre-existing RED owners next year, a release after that for RED trade-ins and then finally a widespread release. Meanwhile the Scarlet 2/3-inch camera (which is much more akin to current video-shooting DSLRs, though it doesn't have a full frame sensor) hasn't been given a price range or a release window, but promises to please with dual XLR inputs, electronic lens interoperability with RED, Canon and Nikon lenses (adapters required) and 1080p shooting at 60 fps. One great function shared between the cameras is the ability to operate the camera with a touchscreen and perform "touch focus tracking." So, now that we've frightened off all but the die-hards with a hint at pricing and some vaguely defined functionality, let's let the bullet points take it away after the break:
Enthusiastic shutterbug immortalizes Nikon on his forearm
Since time immemorial, man has used the tattoo to signify rites of passage and status, to look like a bad-ass, and to tell the rest of us what he holds dear -- whether it be the Zune, Storm, or PS3. Now camera buffs are getting in on the action, with a certain Manny Williams becoming so infatuated with his Nikon D3X that he had one inked to his forearm. According to his email to the company, this guy has been a photographer for over twenty-five years, but "since using a Nikon product, I am convinced that I will never use anything else...EVER AGAIN." You know, there are enough naysayers in the gadget biz that whenever we see someone happy it makes us happy. It really does. We just hope the body mod here isn't really another regretful symptom of some sort of manic episode. More Manny after the break.
Sony Ericsson Satio, HTC Tattoo, and LG GM750 now on offer at Vodafone
Hey, Britons: about a nice three-pack of "wow!" to start your week off right? We'd like to direct your attention over to Vodafone, where three particularly notable handsets that we've been following in recent months are now in stock and ready for delivery. The HTC Tattoo represents the new low end in Android fare, bringing a resistive QVGA display and a 3.2 megapixel cam to the table -- it'll go out the door for free on a £25 monthly plan. Heading over to the Windows Mobile side of the trailer park, the GM750 is a Voda exclusive loaded to the hilt with that newfangled WinMo 6.5 everyone's been talking about these days; it comes loaded up with a 5 megapixel camera and, like the Tattoo, can be yours for nary a penny on a £25 plan. Finally -- get ready -- the Symbian-powered Satio from Sony Ericsson is ready for your consumption, all 12.1 megapixels of it, for just another 10 quid a month. We'll take all three, thanks. [Via Electronista] Read - Sony Ericsson Satio Read - HTC Tattoo Read - LG GM750
HTC gets fancy with designer Tattoo covers
We knew the Tattoo would be just a little funkier than the rest of the devices in HTC's Android line (though you've got to admit that the pink Hero is pretty freakin' funky), and that vision's now coming to fruition under a whole line of designer covers. Under the clever-but-obvious "Tattoo My HTC" and "Tattoo You" catchphrases, the company is now offering a selection of 15 replacement covers to spice up your sidearm for €11.99 (about $18) each -- and if you're not feeling any of them, you can design your own right from the comfort of HTC's site for €14.99 (about $22). That might seem outrageous for a battery cover, but the good news is that these aren't just pretty rear ends -- the covers replace both the front and back of the Tattoo for a whole-body makeover that's sure to impress your fashion-conscious friends. [Via Pocket-lint]
Vodafone nabbing Sony Ericsson X2 in November, Samsung Corby as 'Genio'
Vodafone UK never seems to have a shortage of exciting new models in the pipeline; right now they've got no fewer than eight biggies listed on their Coming Soon page, and while we wouldn't necessarily categorize every last one as "exciting," there are a couple doozies in there. Besides the HTC Tattoo that we mentioned earlier, the Sony Ericsson XPERIA X2 is following on a month later in November holding down Windows Mobile 6.5 with its positively mind-bending customized home screen. Also notable is the Samsung "Genio," known globally as the recently-announced Corby -- Samsung intended it as an entry-level full-touch phone for the younger crowd, and to that end, Voda looks to be selling it on prepaid. It's gotta be a tough call deciding what to buy next for subscribers, but if you ask us, that's a positively awesome problem to have. [Via CoolSmartPhone]
HTC Tattoo earns FCC's love and respect
HTC's fourth Android phone (the Dream, Magic, and Hero all came before it, lest we forget) just got hooked up with some sweet RF emission approvals, meaning anyone carrying a Tattoo this side of the pond is now welcome -- nay, encouraged -- to fire off a few shots of Bluetooth, WiFi, and a little EDGE here and there. The documentation indicates a model name of "CLIC100," verifying the commonly-held belief that the phone was known as the "Click" internally prior to its introduction (not to be confused with CLIQ, of course), and the "100" code indicates that it's the first variant with quadband GSM / EDGE with HSDPA 900 / 2100. Whether there'll be another variant produced later with 850 / 1900 3G for North America remains to be seen -- but for now, at least you're welcome to plod along with 2.5G without fear of FCC reprisal.
Vodafone to launch HTC Tattoo in October
This next item is sure to please HTC fanboys and Anglophiles alike: according to some well-crafted PR, Vodafone has confirmed that it will be launching the HTC Tattoo sometime next month. Indeed, if Android, resistive touchscreen, and FM Radio aren't enough to blow your mind, wait'll you hear this next bit of news: this one is available in black -- a UK exclusive! Maybe not worth moving overseas for, but possibly worth pre-registering for? If you think so, hit the read link and get started. Show full PR text VODAFONE UK ANNOUNCES EXCLUSIVE HTC TATTOO Following last week's announcement of the Nokia E72, LG GM750 and Sony Ericsson XPERIA™ X2, Vodafone UK will be ranging another innovative smartphone exclusive. The new Android-powered HTC Tattoo is a smartphone which will keep you entertained and up to date wherever you are. The HTC Tattoo, available exclusively in black on Vodafone UK, lets you customise your own mobile experience using the latest HTC Sense technology. It delivers lots of the features of the enormously successful HTC Magic at an affordable price, for example, you can create shortcuts to your favourite internet sites, social networks, games, widgets and applications – and there's an amazing opportunity to personalise your phone further with thousands more applications and widgets available for download in the simple to use Android Market. Android also gives you quick and easy access to popular Google services such as Google Maps, Google Mail and Google Search as well as favourites like YouTube. Take your favourite snaps with the 3.2 megapixel camera with sharp focus, and view them on the HTC Tattoo's high resolution screen or upload them to your social network via the handset's superfast internet connection. And you are able to alter the look of your phone further with the unique covers that you can design yourself and purchase, or simply choose one from popular cover designs available. Key features of the exclusive black HTC Tattoo include: 3.2MP Camera Android technology FM Radio and MP3 player 2.8" Touchscreen Unique personalised covers Available in October, customers can pre-register for the Vodafone exclusive HTC Tattoo here: http://shop.vodafone.co.uk/shop/mobile-phone/htc-tattoo
Fallen Earth fan gets tattoo, hasn't played game yet
World of Warcraft tattoos are probably a dime a dozen, and if you've gotten one, you're relatively safe, because clearly that title's proved to have staying power.But how about getting permanent ink for a game that's not even officially out yet? That's what 25-year-old Sweden resident Joakim has done. The support technician for a Swedish internet service provider has gone out and gotten the logo for the upcoming post-apocalyptic MMO Fallen Earth on his leg.Both Joakim and developer Fallen Earth LLC have sworn that this isn't some coordinated PR stunt. We recently got a hold of Joakim via e-mail, and he explained why he got the tattoo and why he'll never regret it.
Android Battle: CLIQ edition
CLIQ Galaxy Tattoo Hero Magic / MT3G Dream / G1 Carrier T-Mobile -- (GSM / HSDPA) -- (GSM / EDGE) Sprint T-Mobile T-Mobile Manuf. Motorola Samsung HTC HTC HTC HTC Price -- -- -- $179.99 $99.99 $149.99 Released -- July 2009 -- Oct 11, 2009 Aug 5, 2009 Oct 22, 2008 Keyboard Slide-out Virtual Virtual Virtual Virtual Slide-out Android MOTOBLUR Standard Sense UI Sense UI Standard Standard Processor 528MHz MSM7201A 528MHz ARM11 528MHz MSM7225 528MHz MSM7201A 528MHz MSM7201A 528MHz MSM7201A Screen 3.1-inch (est.), 320 x 480 3.2-inch, 320 x 480 2.8-inch, 240 x 320 3.2-inch, 320 x 480 3.2-inch, 320 x 480 3.2-inch, 480 x 320 Headphone 3.5mm 3.5mm 3.5mm 3.5mm ExtUSB ExtUSB Touchscreen Capacitive Capacitive Resistive Capacitive Capacitive Capacitive Still Camera 5MP with AF 5MP with Flash 3.2MP 5MP with AF 3.2MP with AF 3.2MP with AF Bluetooth 2.0 2.1 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 Exchange ActiveSync ActiveSync -- ActiveSync Depends on version Depends on version Storage 256MB, microSD 8GB, microSD 512MB, microSD 512MB, microSD 512MB, microSD 256MB, microSD Battery 1400mAh 1500mAh 1100mAh 1500 mAh 1340 mAh 1150 mAh Weight 163g 114g 113g 135g 116g 158g It's been over 11 months since the Android first hit the scene with HTC's T-Mobile G1, and in that time we've come to the conclusion that, despite having more or less a clean slate on industrial design choices and specs, little progress has been made in the way of variation. Stacked up side-to-side, Motorola CLIQ manages to stand out with a slide-out keyboard and MOTOBLUR skin, but under the hood, it's pretty much as uniform as a netbook. Peruse for yourself in the chart above.
HTC claims Tattoo's screen is too small for capacitive to work well
For full-touch mobile use, capacitive touchscreens are the best solution we've got -- and it has absolutely nothing to do with the iPhone, it has to do with the incremental improvement in usability brought about by near-100 percent touch registration. That's a big deal, because even a 5 percent loss of registration on an on-screen QWERTY keyboard would represent roughly one letter missed every five words (assuming an average word length in the English language of just over 5 letters). Resistive screens have many, many totally valid applications, but put simply, phones aren't one of them; they've been outmoded by a different technology that's more appropriate for the size and use that the average handset sees. Registration issues aside, fingers are larger than styli, and when a resistive display is registering an unweighted pinpoint coordinate, you end up ironically losing accuracy -- a benefit touted by resistive that's really only realized if you're using a stylus full-time. No one's claiming that capacitive screens are the magic elixir to make human digits achieve superhuman accuracy on a tiny screen, but... you know, step one is making sure the phone knows you pressed something. Anyhow, HTC's now claiming that the just-announced Tattoo has gone resistive because its 2.8-inch screen is simply too small "to be accurate with" as a capacitive. The company's tweet goes on to say that resistive "ends up registering fewer miss-clicks," which could be argued -- maybe -- were users expected to use styli. Android is not and was never designed as a stylus-driven platform, and unless HTC's driving in that dubious direction, the claim is bunk. More realistically, the resistive display is probably a cost sacrifice the company made to keep sticker shock to a minimum, which is fair enough -- HTC's trying to cover many market segments with Android, as it should -- but we wish they'd been upfront about it.
HTC Tattoo spotted on video, stripped of faceplates
Somebody's tracked down HTC's new Tattoo handset and managed to unceremoniously strip it off its faceplates on video, providing our first real look at the hardware "IRL." It looks good, but not too good -- certainly not out of the league of HTC's other Android handsets. Sadly, the clip doesn't show the phone in action, so if you were looking for usability fodder, you'll have to look elsewhere. Vid is after the break.
HTC Tattoo has resistive touchscreen, a few regrets
We suppose it was inevitable. In the effort to take Android to the mainstream (i.e., cheap) with the HTC Tattoo, HTC had to commit that most controversial of technological sins: fronting a touchscreen-only device with a resistive sensor. Granted, Android is more prepared for pairing a resistive screen with your stubby fingers than something like the stylus-oriented Windows Mobile, but it's still not going to be a joy for implementing the OS's few gestures or the imperfect touchscreen keyboard. As we're sure you'll all agree.[Thanks Pilou; via MobileTechWorld]
HTC Tattoo (aka, Click) brings Android, Sense UI to all
This one sure took awhile but the oft leaked HTC Click has been renamed and kicked out the door as the Tattoo. While HTC is light on specs with the press release, we know it has a 3.2 megapixel autofocus camera, 3.5-mm headset jack, and microSD expansion. And besides being small and compact, the Tattoo can be personalized with owner-designed covers -- hence the name. The HTC Tattoo lands in Europe early October before hitting select global markets in the months to follow. Update: And... out pop the specs: 528MHz Qualcomm MSM7225 processor, 512MB/256MB ROM/RAM, 106 x 55.2 x 14-mm / 113 grams, 2.8-inch touchscreen LCD pushing 240x320 QVGA pixels, 900/2100MHz HSPA/UMTS and quad-band GSM/EDGE, internal GPS, 802.11b/g WiFi, digital compass, accelerometer, and Bluetooth 2.0. Not bad for a mass-market device.%Gallery-72133%
Dirt 2 is the 'breast' tattoo simulator ever
Somehow we totally missed Dirt 2's reinvention of digital "dirt" -- from dusty rally racing to busty Sally tracing. At least, that's what the ploy at Dirtytats.com (NSFW) would have us believe. The game's promotional site presents visitors with a pair of animated assets to put one's ink on. We decided to give our models a lace bra–like tattoo to cover up the ample skin real estate and express -- in a word -- what we thought about this type of marketing being tied into a racing game (after the break, fellow art lovers).Now, if Saints Row 2 had done something like this ... brilliant! It's all about context.%Gallery-45501%
All Points Bulletin video podcast shows off some ink
All Points Bulletin is one of those upcoming games that tends to defy easy categorization. It's an urban crime game that has persistence, quests (missions), and fantastic customization options. It's not an MMO as we'd typically define it, and APB developer Realtime Worlds has also hinted that it may eventually become something of a virtual world. Maybe this is part of why we're interested in this game, it seems to be breaking new ground in online games. We've been checking in now and again on the All Points Bulletin video podcast which always gives us some new perspective on this title. Realtime Worlds often emphasizes how deep the game's customization options are going to be in these videos, and this week's is no different. Given that you'll play a criminal (or a vigilante who hunts them) in APB, what self-respecting felon doesn't overload on tattoos? The fifth APB video podcast shows us some of the ink players will soon be sporting in the game. Chris Collins from the ABP team visits Metalurgey tattoo and piercing parlour in the Realtime Worlds hometown of Dundee, Scotland, to see how the game's ink compares to the real thing. Stay with us after the jump for a video embed of APB Podcast Episode 5: APB Tattoos vs. RL Tattoos.
