Gadgetell | Tech News, Reviews, and Interesting Things

Sony’s BRAVIA line of hi-def LCD tvs just brought on nine new models. Featuring 1080p (“true” high definition) resolution, 10 bit panels for better color reproduction and Sony’s Digital Media Extender, which allows the tv to access select Internet videos without going through a computer. In other words, these are the Covergirls of the BRAVIA line.

All of the flat-panel televisions have Sony’s BRAVIA Theater Sync, which lets the owner control numerous external components, like AV receivers and Blu-ray hi-def DVD players. Countless other features are also available.

Read [ManageSmarter]

Hitting YouTubers with laughs and enlightenment,  this iPhone parody points out an essential problem with the beloved iPhone… no flash. Many new iPhone owners are very disappointed with the fact that various of their favorite sites are denying them access because of the lack of Flash. One owner decided to express their opinion through this video.

Gadgetell keeps putting out articles about new HDTVs and how much cheaper they are getting. I would know; I wrote one myself.

But lo and behold; an article on some technology you can use for your HDTV. Trak-kit was designed to give people mobility and versatility with their LCD screens. Your Plasma screen will be suspended from a track system so it can be rotated or moved vertically and horizontally. Prices are given with your request.

Personally, I know someone with one of these track systems for their HDTV. They’re always having a ball and you can trust the durability.

Via []

A press release was sent out Thursday by the Free Software Foundation (FSF) noting that the iPhone wasn’t the only ‘revolutionary tech innovation’ that will be released this week. FSF will offer Version 3 of the GNU General Public License, a document that stands behind the free software movement and many of its notable apps.

The Foundation had a Brady Bunch moment. “iPhone, iPhone, iPhone!!!” What about them?

As you can probably see, the GPLv3 (as it is called) has absolutely nothing at all to do with the release of the iPhone. But it has gone ignored; seeing as it is only a document and can not connect to the internet. They are trying desperately to gain attention, so they are throwing out a ‘vague’ suggestion that the iPhone may be violating the terms of the GPL.

Peter Brown, the director of the FSF, describes the iPhone as “crippled” and “leaving the user wondering if the iPhone contains GPLed software”. Wait - I thought the accusations were vague.

Update: The verbiage “company” that was previously in the title was a mistake and was completely unintentional.  We know that the FSF is a non-profit organization.

Via [Machinist]

Hundreds of thousands of people will scramble to line up at any place that can be possibly carrying the iPhone on Friday. Thieves and muggers will be looking for people carrying cash. People leaving the store will be targeted for their newly bought iPhones. The iPhones are even being delivered in armored cars.

Is this survival guide necessary? Oh, heck yea.

1. Plan your strategy. Get friends ready to help you out. Have interns wait online. Throw your camping gear in the car.
2. Rent a friend. Many “stand in liners” are selling theirselves for as much as $122.
3. Find out the store’s policy about lines. Some might not allow you to camp out or stay overnight in your car.
4. Also, bring cash or an Apple giftcard in the amount of the iPhone plus tax. Credit cards are accepted, but not an ideal choice for short-tempered staff and an unruly crowd.
5. If you don’t get a phone Friday, remember that Apple has a website. An order made on Friday will be there by next week.

NOTE TO ALL BUYERS: Do not waste your time at a Cingular store Friday. They will not be selling iPhones on Friday. Only Apple and AT&T stores will be carrying it. Happy hunting!

Japan - A ‘pasty’-looking child was the center of everyone’s attention. He giggled, made faces and rolled around on the ground while barking words. None of this would have been remarkable if CB2, as he is called, weren’t a robot.

His biomimetic body includes numerous actuators to replicate muscles and sensors to simulate senses and touching, with tiny cameras for eyes.

Like a child, when CB2 stands, he needs the help of an adult as his little legs wobble. His creators are hoping that CB2 will help children develop human relation skills; such as recognizing objects, learning languages and interacting with other people.

Read [NZ Herald]

Forget the remote: a new Japanese technology can allow the user to control electronic devices simply by thinking.

The Hitachi-developed ‘brain-machine interface’ reads the slight changes in the brain’s blood flow and translates it into electric signals.

A cap connects by optical fibers to a mapping device, which in turn, links to whatever electronic device you want to control (i.e. the toy train set used in a recent Hitachi demonstration).

Oh crap, I just turn off my computer. I hate when I get those anti-blogging thoughts.

Via [Hitachi]

Google Inc. is looking for help inside the Beltway to fight rising internet censorship worldwide.

They are taking a noble approach to their little situation; they are asking that the government to see internet restrictions as international trade barriers, similar to other hurdles to global commerce, such as tariffs.

There has been a dramatic increase in government web censorship (particularly in Asia and the Middle East) and is seen as a threat to Google’s advertisement-driven business model. Google asks that the problem be seen as an economic, not political, one.

Andrew McLaughlin, the Google’s director of public policy and government affairs, believes that it’s fair to say that censorship is the number one barrier to trade that we face. He has met several times with US Trade Representative officials this year to discuss the issue.

Read [AP]

Oakley and Motorola have teamed up to redefine wearable technology. Motorola O ROKR are a pair of bluetooth-enable, stereo-equipped pair of ‘high definition’ sunglasses.

Slip the shades on and insert the hidden earbuds. Controls for the phone are on the left arm of the glasses, and the MP3 player is on the right. Talk about convenience!

The shades themselves look pretty fashionable - for a device that lets you listen to your favorite music and answer calls.

Via [Motorola O ROKR]

For the first time in ten years the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) felt the need to withhold a video game from their society. ‘Manhunt 2’, according to CNN, was rejected because of what the BBFC described as an unrelenting focus on sadism and brutal slaying.

This ban inspired an American group to begin protest that the game be banned in America also. That will be the second time Take-Two Interactive Software, who published controversial video game “Grand Theft Auto” will be in the limelight for creating a disturbingly violent game. In the game, players become an insane asylum escapee, creeping up on people and murdering them in gruesome ways.

The U.S. organization that rates games, the Entertainment Software Rating Board, has yet to rate the game, which is due for release on July 10. Demands for an “Adult Only” rating are very high.

“[It]...is the only way to limit children’s exposure to this unique combination of horrific violence and interactivity,” says Susan Linn, co-founder in one of the protesting groups.

Read [Take Two Interactive]