Reviews and info on Electronics, Computer Hardware and Computer Software

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

Yep, just like we’d heard, the Phoenix lander has identified water in a soil sample it collected in Mars earlier, and NASA’s extended the mission for another 90 days to go look for more. There’s no analysis of the ice yet, but it doesn’t look like there’s any organic materials in the sample, and it’ll take another three to four weeks before there’s any more data to reveal. Hopefully that means we’ll be packing up our silver go-go boots and taking off for our fabulous future lives on Mars in a month, but we’ll see how things go.

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One of the most successful smartphones of the last year is the Centro from Palm. Sprint was the first carrier to sell the device, so it’s no surprise that it’s also the first carrier to offer a software update for the phone. The big change is the addition of location services to Google Maps, a quasi-GPS that’s actually pretty useful. Other changes include updates to VersaMail for Gmail users, better Exchange support, and Bluetooth enhancements. Hit the jump for the full list from Palm’s website. [Palm Update - thanks, David!]

Improved Gmail IMAP compatibility and an updated setup wizard with the new Gmail settings

Updated compatibility for Google Mobile Maps My Location feature to approximate your current location – great for directions, finding nearby restaurants or business, or checking local traffic.1

Improved ongoing delivery of email sent to VersaMail accounts using Microsoft’s Direct Push Technology via Exchange ActiveSync

Bluetooth usability enhancements and updates

Sprint TV performance enhancements2

Enhanced AOL Instant Messenger performance

Improved performance when adding a contact using Mobile Voice Control

Improved email attachment handling

Changed default camera shutter sound to “ON.” Audible shutter “click” will be heard when taking photos

Allows Preferred Roaming List updates over the air

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NetShare is one app we never thought would make it onto the official iPhone App Store. All it does is set up a SOCKS5 proxy for you to get your laptop/computer online through use of the 3G/EDGE connection. Does it work? Yes. Yes it does, much to our surprise. EDGE works just fine, although Mahoney says it’s slow as balls. 3G impressions in a sec. Be careful of how much bandwidth you’re using, since your provider probably makes a frowny face at you using their network to power your laptop, however “unlimited” your plan may be. [NetShare - Thanks Matthew and Ryan!]

Update: Having problems setting it up on my iPhone 3G. I follow the instructions and the phone seems to “connect”, but that’s about it. No connections shown in the NetShare app, and nothing goes through.

Update 2: Now we’re getting the message that it’s not available in the US store. Sucks.

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You know that sweaty guy who always comes into work smelling like an armpit? Yeah, you know who I’m talking about—and if you don’t, “that guy” is probably you. Thanks to AOKI, you won’t have to tolerate the funny looks, wrinkled noses and giggle-laden whispers of your co-workers any longer. The translation is shaky, but their new line of deodorizing suits claim to absorb sweat, suck out odor and provide antibacterial protection using the power of silver ions. They also run about $370 on sale. Unfortunately, if you don’t live in Japan you will just have to continue being the smelly office outcast. [Rakuten via Crunchgear]

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No matter how good the music is, musicians look kinda lame tapping out little beats on tiny samplers on stage. What is emphatically not lame though is pounding them on 16 giant pressure-sensitive pads with this 750-pound sampler rig. It was built for the Warped-tour band Family Force 5 by a musician named bwack, and it packs a 22″ monitor, 10 control knobs, two pizza-sized pitch wheels and a Mac running Ableton to control the whole game. Check it out onstage at the Warped tour below. Giganto-rock!

I want to play this soo badly.
[Bwack via MAKE]

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As a tall guy I can appreciate that designer Nicholas Lee Dunderdale incorporated an adjustable roof into his 3-wheeled Kassou concept car. The rubber “neck” can be raised or lowered depending on the passenger’s need for headroom or better aerodynamics. But, to be honest, this thing looks like some sort of crazy science experiment. Like an unholy mixture of a giraffe, bat and a vacuum that surely goes against the laws of nature. I mean, what are those wings for anyway? Despite its odd appearance, the Kassou actually earned second place in the Car Design News Contest for 2008—although I wouldn’t expect to see it on the street anytime soon. [Car Design News via The Design Blog via Gearfuse]

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Nikon’s D3 DSLR will now receive a memory upgrade - at a steep price, of course. After all, as the Joker said, “If you’re good at something, never do it for free.” It doesn’t really apply verbatim in this case, but I hope you get my drift. Half a grand will see your D3 receive more continuous shooting buffer memory - hitting 36 shots from the previous count of 16. I wonder whether this is a ripoff considering the price you paid for the D3 in the first place, and now you’ll have to fork out even more for what’s expected to be there in the first place? The price won’t stop people from picking up the upgrade, that’s for sure.

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Google Maps is improving day by day (or at least until the next update), with the latest version throwing in mass transit directions on its S60 and Windows Mobile versions. Version 2.2 can easily be downloaded and installed on your smartphone’s browser, just make sure you’re on a decent data plan as it can end up to be pretty pricey if you’re paying by the kilobyte. This latest update will see 50 cities all over the world benefit from transit directions, and it goes without saying newer cities will be added in future revisions.

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Logitech is currently planning on developing and marketing premium instrument controllers for Guitar Hero World Tour, in time for the latest instalment that will make an appearance on the Xbox 360, PS2, PS3 and Wii platforms. Logitech will cater for all the consoles mentioned, and is compatible with Guitar Hero World Tour’s advanced feature set by enabling players to elevate their Guitar Hero jam sessions to full-fledged rock concerts. It would be interesting to see what kind of quality these peripherals are made out of, since Logitech doesn’t exactly rely on super cheap plastic that’s easily breakable. I’m drooling already.

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There is nothing quite like resting in your favorite lounge chair after a long day at work, and better still if there is a footstool to prop your tired feet up. Just make sure the socks don’t stink, aye? The RoboStool Footstool could help make your life a little bit easier, as it is more than willing to support your feet whenever summoned. It will feature three modes - universal remote, beacon navigation, and thermal sensor following. If you have the DIY know-how to build one of these yourself, why not check out the schematics and immerse yourself in one interesting summer project?

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