Gadgets Future

A compilation of clips from associate professor Howie Choset’s lab. More details in my quick peek today at some CMU robotics projects, and this story from Tech Review.

The iPhone’s fake GPS is a useful feature, and stops you from looking too much like a map-studying tourist when in foreign lands, but the new iPhone 2.0 update will bring the service one step closer to real GPS. It still uses cell tower and WiFi triangulation, but will be able to update in real time as you walk (or drive) around.

Your position is represented on screen by a pulsing blue ball which moves as you do. That’s a lot easier to use than the current method of stopping and hitting the “Locate Me” button every few steps.

iPhone OS 2.0 includes live location tracking [iphone Atlas]

Greed has always been one of humankind’s greatest weakness, and unfortunately this trait was the cause of Tulsa resident Tony Winnett’s death. Apparently, he was so in love with gold (pretty wise considering where the U.S. dollar is heading currently) that he actually heated mercury in order to separate the gold from the computer parts he salvaged, accidentally inhaling it in the process that led to his death.

Had enough of the usual gang here on Gadget Lab? Think you can do better than the multitalented (but inescapably British) Rob Beschizza? Now’s your chance to show us what you’ve got.

We’re looking for an enthusiastic, eager, tech-savvy blogger to join the Gadget Lab team and help cover the most interesting and compelling daily tech news for Wired’s most popular blog. We’re not just shoveling press releases onto the web here, unlike some blogs we could mention. That’s why we want someone who can bring an intelligent, informed and entertaining perspective to our gadget coverage.

In return, you’ll get unparalleled exposure on Wired.com, plus the chance to test out, play with and write about all kinds of new gadgets long before your friends do. Oh yeah, and we pay money too.

If this sounds like your dream job, send me an email with your resume, links to 3 recent blog posts you’ve done, and a sample Gadget Lab post on a tech news item from the day you send it. Resume not up to date? Fine, just tell me what jobs you’ve worked lately. And please keep your sample post to 150 words, tops.

Photo: foundphotoslj / Flickr

Yes, it’s true. Internet telephony company Jajah is participating in the iphone Developer Program. That means in addition to its existing web-only client, there will also be a native VoIP app for the iPhone this summer.

You can expect the new client to be available via the App Store, which is launching sometime in June.

If you recall, after a lot of speculation about what would and wouldn’t be allow to run on the iPhone, Steve Jobs said VoIP would be permissible at the SDK roadmap event last March, but that mobile carrier networks were off limits.

The exact wording from the SDK agreement is as follows: "If an Application require or will have access to the carrier network, then additionally such Application: …May not have Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) functionality."

Pretty clear cut. Jajah is apparently adhering to this stipulation, which is almost certainly tied to the contracts Apple has with AT&T and other individual carriers in Europe. The compay says the new native app will either be free or a low-cost service, depending on the call destination or source. At the very least, it’s going a be a great option for jet-setters who want to avoid those ridiculous roaming charges.

The Stylophone is back, and this time with a vengeance. This updated model features a couple of sockets for you to connect a pair of decent headphones as well as a compatible mp3 player of your choice, allowing you to enhance (or murder, depending on your musical ability) your favorite songs. In addition, it coems with volume control as well as a trio of sound modes. The Stylophone is powered by a trio of AA batteries, retailing for a wee bit less than $30.

Posted Apr 4th 2008 1:28PM by Donald Melanson
Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment We’d already heard it was delayed, but that apparently hasn’t stopped some pics of Hauppauge’s much-anticipated HD-PVR from landing in the hands of a moderator of the SageTV forums, who has kindly posted them for all to see. As you can see, however, it isn’t exactly much to look at, but the promised real-time H.264 compression of 1080i video from a component video source should be more enough to make up for any design quibbles. What’s more, if that same SageTV moderator is to be believed, Hauppauge should be starting to take pre-orders for the device relatively soon, possibly as early as today (it’s still expected to set you back about $250).

[Via TV Squad]

HOT STUFF-Reuseable Hand Warmers Pair

Put some Hot Stuff in your pocket, for instant heat, anywhere, anytime…just activate your packs. Simply click the disc inside the pack and you have instant heat for around half an hour.  To reuse simply heat in boiling water until the liquid in the disc goes clear, leave to cool and click again when you need it. This brilliant design by Kate Storer, ideal for anyone or everyone Gran for those cold winters nights, Dad when his watching a football match, Bikers when they need to warm up After A Long Drive….or the kids if they have a long walk to schoolSize 8cms across 

Technorati Tags: Girls Goodies

Posted Apr 4th 2008 9:31AM by Paul Miller
Filed under: Digital Cameras
It’s a little jargon heavy, but Dyxum forum moderator Shao Z. has documented the process of modding up some 60’s era f/1.2 Minolta lenses and setting them to work with his Sony A700 DSLR. Obviously the Sony Alpha series comes from a Minolta heritage, but it took adding a ROM chip and machining some mounts to get the lenses to work with the A700. The plus side is that the process keeps infinity focus and focus confirmation intact (the lens itself is manual focus), as well as Sony’s in-camera Super Steady Shot. The lenses work with all Sony DSLRs, as well as the Minolta 5D and 7D film cameras, and he’s selling one on eBay if the whole modding experience isn’t your thing.

Kid Kustoms allows your little one to live life in the fast lane, bringing a pram that boasts the best styling on the blog. It features traditional hot-rodding tropes, over-the-hub fenders and even glossy paint to complete the race car look. Virtually everything about this pram can be customized according to your likes and budget, although the top speed depends on how fast you will be able to push this thing. Each Kid Kustoms offering retails anywhere between $2,000 to $3,500, which is worth far more than my first car. Sob!