PSP firmware 6.10 brings Bluetooth internet tethering to the PSP Go
The PSP Go isn't even out yet and Sony's already dishing out the feature updates -- PSP firmware 6.10, announced today, allows the slider handheld to tether to your cellphone over Bluetooth for remote internet access. That's actually a pretty handy feature for a system that relies on network game distribution, don't you think? That's not all, however: all PSPs will get a new XMB feature called SensMe which can generate playlists based on "moods," and the PC-based MediaGo software is being updated as well. Not a bad haul -- we'll let you know when it goes live. SensMe video after the break.
[Via Joystiq]
Continue reading PSP firmware 6.10 brings Bluetooth internet tethering to the PSP Go
Filed under: Gaming
PSP firmware 6.10 brings Bluetooth internet tethering to the PSP Go originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 22:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Dell adds dual-core SU1400 CPU, other options to Inspiron 11z
Dell's 11.6-inch Inspiron 11z just went on sale last month, and already the outfit is opening up the options for those not entirely pleased with the single $399 model. Starting today, a $479 configuration is available to ship with a 250GB HDD and Vista Home Premium (with a Windows 7 upgrade, of course), and if that's still not enough, prospective customers can soon select their 11z in a variety of colors. We're talking Alpine White, Ice Blue, Jade Green, New Cherry Red, Passion Purple and Promise Pink, with the latter contributing $5 to breast cancer research. As for optional hardware upgrades, you can slot a dual-core Pentium SU1400 CPU in there alongside 4GB of RAM and a 320GB hard drive. As of this very moment, Dell has yet to open up the CTO doors, but we're guessing an admin is on that as we speak. Right, Dell?
Filed under: Laptops
Dell adds dual-core SU1400 CPU, other options to Inspiron 11z originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 22:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Portable Pain Weapons Leave No Trace of Use, May Become Police Issue [Weapons]
We don't hesitate to show excitement over non lethal and less-than-lethal weapons, but the reality is that they're kinda scary. In particular when we're starting to see hand-held heat weapons which leave little to no trace of ever being used.
A long time ago we heard about the UK considering testing out some non lethal directed energy gear. Basically a beam-based weapon which would cause a burning sensation to discourage a victim (or attacker), but not actually damage skin or leave burn marks. This is what the Joint Non-Lethal Weapons Directorate, JNLWD, has been exploring since 2005. But according to project engineer Wesley Burgei, they've still got a few bugs left to work out:
"We have established the minimum irradiance to cause a sensation and have characterised where thermal injury begins," he says. "But the exact operating irradiance which balances a useful military effect with a conservative margin of safety has not been nailed down yet."
In plain words? There are some itty bitty safety issues. Thankfully those will be ironed out before the weapons ever hit the streets due to some UN protocol on blinding laser weapons. It turns out that they forbid weapons which would penetrate the retina and cause blindness. It seems odd that a beam-based weapon could affect skin without damaging eyesight, but, according to Burgei, it's entirely possible to use a "retina safe" wavelength.
It's great that safety is a priority in the design and creation of these beam-based weapons, but Steve Wright, a non lethal weapons analyst at Leeds Metropolitan University, raises an interesting point about them:
"Persuading by pain rather than brain - through conversation - has led to push-button torture in the past. If it leaves no mark on the skin how will anyone prove it's been abused?"
Tasers and the like leave evidence, marks and traces of use, but once they're within proper safety limitations, beam-based weapons like the one being built by the JNLWD won't. Not to start the "Oh, no! They'll be abused!" train, but how will we regulate them? [New Scientist]
Microsoft’s 224,000 Servers Fit Into 112 Containers and Only Take Four People to Set Up [Microsoft]
There are 2,000 in that container. And there are 112 such containers in Microsoft's $500 million Chicago data center. It may seem somewhat ridiculous, but this container-based data center design is absolutely brilliant (and environmentally sustainable to boot).
While we haven't seen Microsoft's newest data center, we hear that it has 700,000 square feet of space, really, really high ceilings, and 40-foot stacks of server-filled containers. Thinking about the stacks may leave me with vertigo, but thinking about the ingenuity of the design leaves me impressed: Microsoft has built something which'll "deliver huge benefits in cost, energy efficiency and environmental sustainability."
All those containers are plug-and-play in a way, complete with corresponding bays, and can be set up by "as few as four employees" in hours. Yes, they've designed it so that moving 60 ton stacks of servers requires only four people. If that's not incredible then let's consider that the place has a huge focus on being energy efficient: Despite the facility having a 30-megawatt power capacity, steps have been taken to make it as economical and sustainable as possible:
[T]he Chicago site employs water-side economization [which takes] advantage of cool outside air to reduce the data center's reliance upon power-hungry chillers to produce chilled water. Air economizers introduce fresh air into the data center, while water-side economizers use cooling towers to remove waste heat.
Basically Microsoft is cutting down energy waste, saving on labor, and being all-around economical. While the modular, server-in-a-box approach might not get the stamp of revolutionary, the way Microsoft is approaching it is something worth paying attention to because it might just be what'll help "meet the demand for cloud computing at scale." [Data Center Knowledge]
iFukkin iPhone App Maybe Is Not What It Seems [IPhone Apps]
Japanese teen? Got it. Cheerleader uniform? Hmmm-hmmm. Video camera? Sure enough. Push ups? Yes. You know exactly where this is going.
Yes, it's an application in which a Japanese cheerleader encourages you to do sit-ups. Why the name, then? Apparently, fukkin means abs in Japanese. Whatever. For $1, it's certainly the cheapest fukkin exercise you are going to find.[iTunes Appe Store via Krapps]
Swordfish Net netbook
The Swordfish Net netbook won't be the same as other 10" netbooks - after all, it will feature a couple of the Intel Atom 1.6GHz processors running within. Make no mistake about it, this isn't a dual core processor, but will just run a couple of processors within where it is claimed to increase overall power. Overall power usage, that's what we say - considering a 3-cell battery resides within, you can expect the Swordfish Net netbook to remain plugged in most of the times. Would you fork out $450 for this?
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LG GD510 Pop phone
LG's latest GD510 Pop phone will continue where the hugely successful LG Cookie left off, being an entry level touchscreen handset that was specially designed to appeal to the masses. After all, 7 million Cookies sold worldwide to date can't be wrong, resulting in the GD510 Pop successor that will come with a 3" WQVGA touchscreen display, 8GB of internal storage, a 3 megapixel camera and a brushed aluminum case alongside a single multi-function button and a slim 4.8mm bezel. This won't reside on the high end market, but expect it to be a hit with those who want a sleek phone without breaking the bank. The LG GD510 Pop will arrive in Europe later next month for an undisclosed price.
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Motorola V13 resurrected
The Motorola Ruby clamshell was thought of to be canceled, although it did make its rounds in press photo circles after that. Guess the handset will see action in the market after all, known as the Motorola V13 instead. Having gained approval from the Bluetooth SIG yesterday, we have garnered information concerning the V13 which includes a 2.2" QVGA internal display, a 2" QVGA external touchscreen display, CDMA/Ev-Do connectivity, Bluetooth support and a 5-megapixel camera with autofocus and flash. Too bad there is no official announcement concerning this phone just yet, but stay tuned.
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Sony Vaio X prepped for Japan launch
Sony Japan has unveiled a new product page for their upcoming Sony Vaio X series notebook, where the Vaio X will be a thin and light notebook that won't be more than 0.55" thin, tipping the scales at a mere 1.5 pounds courtesy of its carbon fiber chassis. Be prepared to fork out much more compared to a netbook though, considering this is a Sony product. We heard that the Vaio X will rely on the Intel Atom processor to keep things running from within, and judging by how thin it is, it could possibly run on a fanless design.
Permalink: Sony Vaio X prepped for Japan launch from Ubergizmo | Hot: iPhone 3GS Review
iHome iP88 ships
iHome's latest clock radio, the iP88, has started to ship, where it will be the first device from the company to come with a couple of Dock Connectors and boasts the ability to handle audio from two iPhones or iPods (although not simultaneously), but it can juice both of them up at the same time. In addition, you can also opt to wake yourself up from a playlist on one of the docked devices or choose to synchronize your time with an iPhone's clock to make sure your entire household will conform to your interpretation of time. Features include optimized speaker chambers, simulated 3D sound, up to eight AM or FM presets and a gradual wake/sleep option. The iHome iP88 will retail for $150.
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