At an L.A.-area skate park, Kiko, 8, and Drew, 11, mug for a photo. Taken with iPhone 4

VIDEO

I'm very, very excited about the video capabilities in iPhone 4. I've spent the last few years of my life working in web video, so forgive me if I "squee" here. The higher definition video [720p] is spectacular, and far better in quality than what was possible with iPhone 3GS (or, as far as I've seen, with any smartphone). You have to be mindful of that camera orientation switch option noted above with FaceTime: when you shoot video out of one side of the device, you get lower-resolution 640 x 480 footage, and when you shoot out of the other side, you get far higher-res 1280 x 720. As with the still camera function, you can tap an area to focus in, even while you are shooting. Video is saved and exported as h.264 QuickTime, and you can email, MMS, or publish to YouTube right from the iPhone.

LOCATION TAGGING FOR PHOTOS AND VIDEOS

The ability to browse what's in your photo and video library by the location where you shot those items is new, and really fun. I took a bike ride from my office to the beach, and from there down a long bike path along the coast to another town. I shot photos and videos along the way. When I arrived back at the office, I was able to view those clusters of media on a map, and tap the red "pushpin" to view everything I'd shot at the skate park, everything I'd shot at the pier, and so on.

IMOVIE

The iPhone 4 ships is released alongside a mobile version of iMovie ($5), so you can edit clips into iMovie projects with transitions, music beds, stylized or simple transitions, and templated themes ("travel postcard," for instance). Export your final product at medium (360p), large (540p), or HD (720p).

Video snobs may pooh-pooh the notion of editing on a mobile device (which requires a vastly more simplified and less powerful editing toolkit than one has with FinalCut Studio on an 8-core Mac Pro), but hey, a few years ago these same people were also pooh-poohing the notion of shooting video on a mobile device.

What this means to me: if I'm traveling, I can shoot, edit, and produce little reports or impressionistic video vignettes from the field without having to have even a laptop. That is a very big deal for some people (fine, by "some people," I really mean, "me"). And for non-videobloggers, it means you'll now be getting lots more annoying (but visually good quality) home movies of your relatives' Hawaiian vacations in your in-box.

When you're video editing on the iPhone 4, there's a theme sound library to work with, and you can even add songs from your iTunes/iPod library as music beds (ahem cough awesome but surprising, given the possible copyright conflicts ahem cough).

ORIENTATION LOCK

Thank you Jesus. At last. Orientation lock on the iPhone, like we have on the iPad. If you're reading Boing Boing in bed, just double-press the "home" button, then swipe that menu bar all the way to the left, and you can lock the display in portrait mode so it doesn't switch direction on you when you roll over or sit up or whatever. I wish you could also lock it in landscape mode. This would be especially handy for videos or gaming while you're passed out drunk in the gutter or relaxing on your couch at home.

IBOOKS

Apple's iBooks—the store, storage, and digital book reading application—works pretty much here like it does on iPad. There are some additional new abilities, like the ability to highlight and add notes. Given what my own personal reading and device usage habits are, I don't know that I'll personally be spending a ton of time reading iBooks on iPhone, but I suspect that others will be awfully excited about the ability to read one book on iPad, laptop or desktop Mac, and iPhone, and start where you left off at any given device.

MULTITASKING

As noted in early iOS4 reviews, multitasking is here, and feels long overdue. There are limits. You can't multitask everything with everything, but the ability to check email and Twitter while I'm on a conference call, or play music while I'm reading a blog, seems natural now (and didn't result in crashiness).

Double-click the home button to swap between open apps. Holding down the home button for a few moments gets you voice control, as with earlier versions. Touching the home button once, briefly, lets you search iPhone.

TETHERING

It worked flawlessly over Bluetooth, using AT&T's 3G, when the cable modem and wireless network in my office happened to be down for a while. What more do you want? It worked when I wanted it to work.

THE GYROSCOPE

I didn't have an opportunity to make use of the additional motion sensitivity that iPhone 4 offers over its predecessor, with the built-in gyroscope. So I can't say much about it, other than the fact it's there. But I'm sure that as the iPhone 4 makes its way out into the wild, developers of augmented reality applications and games will produce products that use this ability to enrich a variety of experiences. To me, those augmented reality possibilities are particularly exciting.

Apple: iPhone 4

iPhone 4 photography: how does it perform as a camera?

(Complete iPhone 4 Hands-on review here)

As a camera, the iPhone 4 is really sweet. I hopped on my bike and took the device down to the Venice Skate Park, then out to the ocean pier, then rode back to the office and tested the device out in a variety of lighting conditions with less animated subjects. The images I took in this post (other than the ones I'm in) were snapped on the fourth-generation iPhone with and without built-in flash, and have not been altered in any way other then cropping, resizing, and considerable JPEG compression to keep web file size down for this blog post. No Photoshop, no Hipstamatic, no sweetening or sharpening the image content.

For technically-minded readers who would like to examine the pixels in their native state, with no resizing, click here for one of my images at original size after some JPEG compression (file size: 668K, image dimensions: 2592 x 1936 pixels).

above: waves hitting rocks, no zoom.

above: iPhone held in same position as previous shot, zoom slider pushed 50%.

above: iPhone held in same position as previous shot, zoom slider pushed 100% to the right, maximum zoom.

Above: The reclining figure and Mexican skull were on a shelf in the gloomiest corner of my studio I could find, with low light.

Bruce Sterling's Shareable.net story about astroturfer gulag

Personally, I loved to buy stuff: I admired a consumer society. I sincerely liked to carry out a clean, crisp, commercial transaction: the kind where you simply pay some money for goods and services. I liked driving my SUV to the mall, whipping out my alligator wallet, and buying myself some hard liquor, a steak dinner, and maybe a stripper. All that awful stuff at the Pottery Barn and Banana Republic, when you never knew "Who the hell was buying that?" That guy was me.

Claire and I hated the sharing networks, because we were paid to hate them. We hated all social networks, like Facebook, because they destroyed the media that we owned. We certainly hated free software, because it was like some ever-growing anti-commercial fungus. We hated search engines and network aggregators, people like Google -- not because Google was evil, but because they weren't. We really hated "file-sharers" -- the swarming pirates who were chewing up the wealth of our commercial sponsors.

We hated all networks on principle: we even hated power networks. Wind and solar only sorta worked, and were very expensive. We despised green power networks because climate change was a myth. Until the climate actually changed. Then the honchos who paid us started drinking themselves to death.

(Image: claytonjayscott.com)

iFixit mercilessly pulls apart an iPhone 4

Ah, iFixit, if there’s anyone more adept at being the first to dissect the latest toys, I’ve not met them. The latest gadget on their operating table is none other than the most lusted after device in the entire world: the iPhone 4.

Yes, most people are still waiting to even touch the device, and here it is splayed open for all the world to see.

Matter of fact, it’s happening as I type this. Yes, somewhere in the world right now, an iPhone 4 is being pulled into teeny tiny pieces, for your pleasure. Go and check their website now and get all the updates as they’re discovered in near-real time.

Findings so far confirm the 512MB RAM (as opposed to the 256MB seen in the prototype model), and what appears to be a screen made of the really quite tough Corning Gorilla Glass.

Speaking of Gorillas, have you seen this gorilla made of coat hangers? So awesome.

[via Engadget]

Ragdoll Cannon: addictive Flash game

RagdollCannon3 (via Kottke)


Source: Boing Boing | 22 Jun 2010 | 11:40 pm

Getting a look inside the iPhone 4 - CNET

Apple Insider

Getting a look inside the iPhone 4 CNET The iPhone 4 got a timely teardown from iFixit on Tuesday night, confirming that it integrates 512MB of RAM and a new battery connection scheme and revealing the accelerometer/gyroscope hardware, among other things. ... iPhone 4 Teardown Confirms 1Ghz A8 CPUTechtree.com iFixit completes early teardown of iPhone 4Apple Insider iPhone 4 teardownZDNet (blog) HEXUS -CrunchGear (blog) -Unbeatable.com (blog) all 62 news articles »

US IP Czar's report sells out the American public to Big Content

On the issue of secret treaty negotiations, such as ACTA, the report has this to say:

The Administration supports improved transparency in intellectual property enforcement policy-making and international negotiations. As such, the U.S. Government will enhance public engagement through online outreach, stakeholder outreach, congressional consultations and soliciting feedback through advisory committees, official comment mechanisms such as Federal Register notices (FRN), notices of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) and notices of inquiry (NOI), as appropriate for the relevant process. In the context of trade negotiations, the Administration will pursue these objectives consistently with the approaches and considerations set out in the President's 2010 Trade Policy Agenda, including consideration of the need for confidentiality in international trade negotiations to facilitate the negotiation process.

Get that? 89 words about the need for transparency, negated by "including consideration of the need for confidentiality in international trade negotiations to facilitate the negotiation process" at the end. For background, copyright treaties have normally been the purview of the UN's World Intellectual Property Organization, where treatymaking is open and accessible to public interest groups and the press. The Bush administration moved copyright treaties to a private, closed-door negotiation called the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement, where poor countries, public interest groups, activists, and even members of the governments participating in the negotiations were prohibited. The Obama administration enthusiastically continued the ACTA work, intervening in a Freedom of Information Act request to get the text of ACTA into the open by arguing that US-led copyright treaties must be secret as a matter of "national security."

By including "consideration of the need for confidentiality in international trade negotiations to facilitate the negotiation
process," Espinel's office is giving a free pass to the US Trade Rep to go on making obligations on behalf of the American government without Congressional oversight, public transparency, or access by the press.

Equally grave is the report's acceptance of the legitimacy of the "301" process, by which executives from major entertainment companies are able to nominate countries whose laws they'd like to have changed for inclusion on a special US watch-list, which is then targetted by the trade rep and the administration for heavy bullying to reform copyright laws. This list doesn't solely consist of countries where copyright protection is admittedly weak (such as Russia), but also countries where the existing strong copyright legislation is up for revision (such as Canada), where the MPAA and RIAA would like to sway the debate by having the US intervene on their behalf.

Finally, there's the facial acceptance of the claims of the losses due to piracy. Even the GAO has dismissed the numbers on cash- and job-losses due to piracy put out by trade groups as utter fabrications. Yet this paper does little to address this. I don't see how the US government can propose to fix a problem if they don't know how grave the problem is in the first place. If Espinel's office spends millions of taxpayer dollars on this issue and the MPAA makes up a fresh set of imaginary piracy losses, do we have to start over again?

That, in the end, is the real question: how much money and resource, how much might and muscle, should the US government devote to enhancing the profitability of one corner of the entertainment industry, especially when the measures -- such as those in ACTA -- endanger key American freedoms, threatening to take whole families offline, threatening to establish a Great Firewall of America to block sites that upset the entertainment industry, threatening the ongoing operation of efficient and legitimate services for communicating and exchanging files?

2010 Joint Strategic Plan on Intellectual Property Enforcement (PDF)

Corruption: FCC's closed-door meetings on open Internet

Canadian Heritage Minister smears DMCA opponents as "radical extremists"

Canadian Heritage Minister James Moore today warned against those opposed to his Canadian DMCA, calling them "radical extremists." When Moore claims that critics of his bill are radical extremists, who is he speaking of? Who has criticized parts of the bill or called for reforms? A short list of those critical of the digital lock provisions in C-32 would include:

* Liberal MPs
* NDP MPs
* Bloc MPs
* Green Party
* Canadian Consumer Initiative
* Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada
* Canadian Association of University Teachers
* Canadian Federation of Students
* Canadian Library Association
* Business Coalition for Balanced Copyright
* Retail Council of Canada
* Canadian Bookseller Association
* Documentary Organization of Canada

Is LGP Going the Way of Loki Software?

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Microsoft taking a loss on Kinect?

Inside sources close to the matter have said that the build costs of Kinect are near $150. When you add up all the time to write the software and the costs of the hardware, it gets expensive. This has many people at Microsoft concerned.

Usually Microsoft takes a loss on their consoles in hopes of making money on the software and add ons. With Kinect, there is no exception, says a “A highly-positioned, trusted source“. Microsoft is betting that Kinect will have more people running to the stores to buy bundles including a new Xbox.

What are you thinking of doing?

[via 1up]

AT&T's Money-Saving Plans Will Cost Users More, Analyst Says - BusinessWeek

IntoMobile (blog)

AT&T's Money-Saving Plans Will Cost Users More, Analyst Says BusinessWeek June 23 (Bloomberg) -- When AT&T Inc. halted unlimited wireless data plans this month, the company said 98 percent of smartphone users would save money with its new pricing. The savings may vanish for half its users by 2013, ... Ending Apple's AT&T ProblemForbes Verizon getting iPhone next year... for real, this time?TG Daily Apple's Verizon iPhone Will Launch in 2011, Says AnalysteWeek Wired News -Fort Wayne Journal Gazette -Wall Street Journal all 186 news articles »

AMD Announces $99 Quad-core Chip for Cloud Servers (PC World)

Best Buy’s Insignia Brand to Offer Audyssey

Best Buy’s bargain brand, Insignia, is offering a new 5.1 home theater system with Audyssey technology, yes, Audyssey. We love Audyssey.

“Consumers have told us they want the latest in home theater audio technology that is easy to install, simple to control and affordable,” said Fernando Silva, vice president of Best Buy Exclusive Brands. “Our Insignia Home Theater System is a complete home audio solution offering rich surround sound that will transform any family room into a theater-like experience.”

Features

• 5.1 surround with 110-Watts per channel
• 5 speakers
• 120-Watt subwoofer
• 3 HDMI 1.4 imputs, 1 HDMI output (support for the new blu-ray audio and 3D video formats)
• Pre-Programmed Universal remote

Finally, Audyssey.

Audyssey audio technology, which will automatically enhance quieter sections of movies or television shows while leveling out the sounds of loud commercials for a more enjoyable listening experience. The system also includes a speaker setup microphone and Audyssey Auto Setup, which allows for easy home installation.

New Analyst Report Recognizes Verizon Business as a Leader in the U.S. Hosted Unified Communications Market

Adobe Audition coming to the Mac (Macworld.com)

Verizon Business Offers New IP Capabilities to Make Adoption of Unified Communications and Collaboration Simpler and More Cost-Effective

June 23, 1912: Computer Pioneer Alan Turing Born

iPhone 4 launch day: What should we expect?

FROM APPLETELL - iPhone 4 launch day is right around the corner, and the question remains as to what is going to happen this Thursday when the doors at Apple and AT&T stores worldwide open.
MORE »

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The First iPhone 4 Reviews: Spoilers Ahead! - PC World

NDTV.com

The First iPhone 4 Reviews: Spoilers Ahead! PC World The first reviews of the iPhone 4 are out, and the general consensus is positive. However, limitations like FaceTime's Wi-Fi-only functionality are causing some concern. It must be Apple Product Release Week–the first reviews of the iPhone 4 are out, ... Apple's IPhone 4 Is 'Major Leap,' 'One to Beat,' Reviewers SayBusinessWeek New iPhone Arrives; Rivals, BewareNew York Times 10 Ways to Score an iPhone 4 on Launch DayeWeek Los Angeles Times -NetworkWorld.com -Wired News all 704 news articles »

CEA Line Shows: Monster brings out first Universal 3D glasses

Section: Video, Accessories, HDTV

There’s a lot of things that can be said about Monster, usually overpriced being the first one that comes to mind.  While the company’s claim that HDMI cables have to be expensive is easily disputed, now for the first time when it comes to TVs, Monster looks to be addressing a true problem.  Not being content with just making HDMI cables for the newer 3DTVs, Monster is now making glasses for them as well.

Monster is looking to help the issue of having to buy separate 3D shutter glasses for different TVs by making it’s own.  The result is the Monster Vision Max 3D glasses.  How exactly that is achieved is unclear, though Monster does say that future standards are supported through the “Monster Vision update portal” that presumably connects to a computer through USB to update.  Rather than using the standard IR for syncing the glasses, Monster’s Max 3D glasses use RF to actively sync to the TV at all times, which is quite useful.  They are designed to easily fit over prescription glasses, and Monster claims users won’t experience the eyestrain they’d usually get with IR-based glasses, which we’ll have to try to believe.

The glasses will retail for $170 for just the glasses, and $250 for the glasses and transmitter.  Perhaps not a terrible price if Monster’s claim hold true.  Even if the eyestrain isn’t averted with the glasses, eliminating confusion for consumers is always a good thing.  Of course, it could also be argued that Monster could be creating more confusion by adding another set of glasses and standards to 3DTVs, which is certainly something we don’t need any more of.

Full Story » | Written by Shawn Ingram for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

4INFO CEO: Expect More Acquisitions, Revenues Will Quintuple [Video]

4INFO CEO Zaw Thet is trying to shed the title, “King of SMS.”

The mobile advertising company dominates the US SMS market, delivering some 400 million text messages each month (its monthly rate has roughly doubled from early 2010)— but Thet is tired of his crown, or rather, he’s eyeing a different one. 4INFO is trying to position itself as the largest mobile advertiser, SMS and beyond, and the company is ready to acquire other players to get it there.

“The way we look at it now is let’s be the best damn mobile company in the world,” Thet says. “[We want to] be the only mobile media platform that works with top tier publishers and advertisers to deliver the highest value per interaction…That means across every mobile channel (SMS, display, apps, etc.) and every type of mobile interaction.”

The first part of this (some might say overly ambitious) campaign is its acquisition of Butter, a company that specializes in creating customized mobile solutions and ad campaigns for the iPhone and Android platform. The all-stock deal, announced this Tuesday, is a modest takeover— a source believes Butter’s valuation didn’t break seven-figures— but it embodies 4INFO’s major shift in strategy.

Butter is not incredibly unique in its basic products, a few other companies are trying to create rich mobile ad experiences (like Medialets, Apple iAds) but Thet says he was drawn to their team, the roster of clients, which includes Coca-Cola, and especially their approach:

“The thing that we found very interesting about Butter was the fact that most of their advertising buys that they were getting weren’t coming from the mobile ad budgets. For viewers who are not familiar with the way that media works, there’s typically line items in each different advertising plan, for how they’re going to spend their money, x amount goes to TV, x amount goes to the web…what Butter had done is they had been able to break out of that bucket of just being an experimental, mobile ad budget line item… That meant to us that there’s something valuable there beyond just the technology, which was interesting, but the actual relationships and the network that they built in a very short amount of time.”

From Butter’s website:

As I noted above, this will be the first of many acquisitions for 4INFO, as the company tries to create a one-stop shop, mobile ad destination. Thet has a decent purse to work with, the company has raised approximately $40 million since 2005 and revenues are climbing at a feverish pace. According Thet, revenues will likely quintuple—possibly sextuple— this year. So they have the money, but will it work?

They’ve certainly proven themselves in the SMS category, the company boasts a network of roughly 3,000 publishers, with some of the biggest publishers paying as much as $75,000 per month to use the platform. For those unfamiliar with their B2B product, the main backbone of 4INFO is a publishing platform, “msgHaven,” which helps publishers manage their SMS content and delivery. The company also features an advertising platform, called “adHaven,” which includes an ad network for mobile ads. The company has expanded beyond SMS, notably moving into mobile display ads in 2009, but it definitely has a lot of ground to cover.

Of course that ground has also become more challenging. Now that Google and Apple have rushed onto to the scene with their recent acquisitions of AdMob and Quattro, their shadows loom over the market. Noah Elkin, a senior analyst at eMarketer, says 4INFO had a better chance of dominating the market 6 months ago (pre-Google/Apple takeovers), but he says their fundamental strategy of building a comprehensive mobile ad house is sound, as more companies look for rich ad experiences and one-stop shops: “SMS has had the greatest reach but it’s probably the most unsexy form of advertising there is— as more and more consumers buy smart phones you can see the tide shifting… It’s not too late for his peer group to get in the game.”

Thet discusses the value of Butter, his acquisition strategy, and potential suitors in the video above.

Firefox 3.6.4 Released With Out-of-Process Plugins

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Bacteria Turn Coal and Oil Into Renewable Energy

Apple updates iBooks, adds PDF support and comes to the iPhone

FROM APPLETELL - With the release of iOS 4, iBooks 1.1 has also hit the App Store, bringing with it PDF support, a new typeface and font sizes, and an additional page color to ease eye strain.
MORE »

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San Francisco board passes cell phone emission law (AP)

AP - In this city known for producing laws both path-breaking and contentious, legislators have forcefully stepped into another debate — this time over the potential danger of cell phone use.

Verizon discontinues the HTC Droid Eris, who is next?

Section: Communications, Cellphones, Cellular Providers, Smartphones, Mobile, Web, Websites

The HTC Droid Eris has been around since November 2009 and launched simultaneously with the Motorola Droid.  At the time, the Motorola Droid was the high-end, flagship Android device for the Verizon network, while the HTC Droid Eris was the low-key but still solid Android phone.  As of today, the HTC Droid Eris has been removed from the Verizon website, and if you search for Android smartphones by HTC, the only phone listed is the HTC Droid Incredible.  Since tomorrow marks Motorola’s big event, in which the Motorola Droid 2 and Droid X are expected to be launched, it makes sense for Verizon to clear space with phones that aren’t as popular any more. 

It is worth noting all the difficulties Verizon has had keeping the HTC Droid Incredible in stock - not because it is such a hot seller, but because there are so many screen shortages.  Again, with the new Motorola smartphones on the verge of becoming officially available, it is quite possible the next phone to go by the wayside will, indeed, be the HTC Droid Incredible.

Site [Verizon] Via [Droid-Life]

Full Story » | Written by Natesh Sood for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

CEA Line Shows: Monster announces Clarity HD line

Section: Audio, Accessories, Headphones, Portable Audio, Speakers

When Monster holds a press conference, it doesn’t hold back with the announcements.  At CES there was a ton on new product announcements, and the CEA Line Shows is no different.  As part of those announcements Monster showed off it’s new Clarity HD line of headphones and speakers.

The first Clarity HD announcement were headphones that bear the same name.  The Clarity HD In-Ear Headphones are earbuds that look similar in style to the Beats Solo or Diddy Beats.  Rather than focusing on heavy bass for hip hop like the Diddy Beats, the Clarity HD earphones are intended to bring about the entire sound experience.  Noel Lee, the “Head Monster,” claimed that the headphones would be great for classical music as an example.  They focus on the whole EQ range rather than just highs and lows.  They will be out within 3 months and retail for $229, which, considering what they promise, might not be too bad.

The other Clarity HD announcement comes in the form of the Clarity HD Precision Micro Bluetooth Speaker.  As the name implies, they are simple Bluetooth speakers that come in a relatively small package.  Demonstrated on stage streaming music from an iPad, the sound was loud enough to hear about 15-20 feet away in the second row, which was impressive.  It sounded like it could easily fill a smaller room with sound.  The speakers also work with cellphones, so you can use them as a Bluetooth speakerphone, and it has noise cancellation so the other party doesn’t hear everything going on in the room.  If you don’t want to use A2DP sound over Bluetooth, or your device doesn’t support it, the speakers also have an audio port on the back.  They will retail for $120 for both the standard black and white “iClarity HD” versions.

Full Story » | Written by Shawn Ingram for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

Jimmy Kimmel Live crippled by power outage, saved by laptop webcam (watch it tonight)

So it’s an hour before the curtain rises (I mean, if there was a curtain) and the power goes out at the Jimmy Kimmel Live taping and broadcast center. The show is still lit and the studio audience is good to go… but they can’t tape it.

Pop quiz, hot shot: how do you record a whole show with no equipment? Answer: pull out your MacBook.

Yes indeed, the sprightly mind of Mr. Kimmel went straight to the built-in webcam on his laptop, which he promptly had brought out to his desk. And then he recorded the whole thing. At 640×480, on his laptop.

All I have to say is it’s a good thing the lighting was still working, because those iSights aren’t so good in the dark. It’s on tonight! Go watch it!

[via Gizmodo]

“My Phone Is Off For You” – how to show you care in this modern age

It’s not often that I get to leave my phone at home. More often than not, it’s an accident. However, when I do it on purpose, it’s a deliberate act of self-denial — I know, I’m so selfless! Seriously, though. I do fully disconnect myself when I know something or somebody requires my full attention, but how, oh how can I broadcast that fact to the world so they can adore me for it? …Aha!

My Phone Is Off For You is a project (described as nothing less than a revolution) that aims to make people more aware of this modern lapse in etiquette. I’m not sure how these little stickers and stamps are to be applied to the offender — perhaps the forehead? It seems like one of those projects where the statement is worth making but the actual products aren’t worth buying. I see that with a lot of concept items: great unless applied to real life.

I do like the little logo, though. I wouldn’t mind sticking those on a few telephone poles around my area. Stop checking your phone during dinner, fool!

[via NotCot]

Hitler learns that what has been leaked cannot be unleaked

Wii Menu 4.3 kills homebrew

FROM GAMERTELL - Nintendo has released new Wii firmware. Wii Menu 4.3 takes away the Homebrew Channel and renders any fan-made patches useless.
MORE »

Full Story » | Written by NEWS for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

On the Call: Adobe CFO Mark Garrett (AP)

Lightly used 1970 Shaguar, $60K reserve (yeah, bidder, yeahhh)

How to prove you are the biggest Austin Powers fan in the world: bid on this 1970 Jaguar E-Type used in Austin Powers 2. The crazy part? It’s only got 4000 miles on it! That’s practically factory new! And it’s original everything, except of course for the patriotic trim. Only two hours left, though — better get on it. Hasn’t hit reserve yet, incredibly. Hope you’ve got sixty grand laying around for impulse purchases.

…Uh-uh! Don’t even try to deny it. You know you’re dying to give this thing a spin.

Narita airport = better than new love

CEA Line Shows: Vizio expanding in all directions

Section: Video, HDTV

The second press conference at the CEA LineShows was Vizio.  Vizio’s big push is for its Internet-enable TVs, dubbed Vizio Internet Apps (VIA).  A lot of what the company had to say dealt with how successful those TVs have been, with 70 percent of all VIA TVs being connected to the Internet, as opposed to the industry average of 10 percent of all Internet-enabled TVs being connected.In terms of announcements of VIA TVs, Vizio will soon be releasing 26-, 32-, and 37-inch models, all with built-in wireless-n, Bluetooth and remotes complete with slide-out QWERTY keyboards.

Aside from TVs, Vizio is expanding almost everywhere.  They are already the number one seller of soundbars, and plan on bringing about smaller bars for 32-inch TVs, as well as 5.1 surround sound soundbars.  To go along with the soundbars, the company has a line of Bluetooth headphones that will work with most VIA TVs (all except the 22-inch) and the 5.1 surround soundbar.  To help make sure that those VIA TVs are getting wireless signal, Vizio will soon be rolling out the HD Router which will be a wireless-n router so users can get the best wireless connection possible.  The company is also coming out with a mobile TV that will sport a 7-inch display with 800x480 resolution, and will recieve over-the-air broadcasts.  There are also plans for a universal touchscreen remote, an Internet sound system, and an Internet-enabled clock radio.

To keep up with other TV companies, Vizio will be offering 3DTVs as well.  There will be a shutter-glass 3DTV in Q4 that Vizio will sell for $1999 (though they were quick to point out local stores would probably sell it cheaper).  It will be complete with VIA, and will feature a 10million:1 contrast ratio with LED backlight.  Since shutter glasses typically cost a lot for consumers, Vizio is also looking at making a 3DTV that uses polarized lenses.  It will be a 65-inch razor LED TV, with not much else announced yet.  Vizio hopes to have it out by Q1 2011, so we’ll likely see it at CES next January.  In terms of price on that unit, Vizio co-founder Ken Lowe said that Vizio doesn’t like to sell anything for much more than $3,000, which is a good sign.

Full Story » | Written by Shawn Ingram for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

Medvedev to tour Silicon Valley, seek investors (AP)

AP - Russia's Dmitry Medvedev visits Silicon Valley for the first time on Wednesday, eager to reinvent his country's outmoded, oil-dependent economy — and lure talent and money from the high-tech capital.

FCC OKs AT&T buy of assets from Verizon (Reuters)

Arrests For Selling Poison-Ware In Spain

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

iPhone apps ready for iOS 4 (Appolicious)

CEA Line Shows: Monster announces 7.1 surround Tron headphones

Section: Audio, Headphones

At the CEA Line Shows in New York City Monster took the stage to announce a ton of new products, the biggest announcement coming through a partnership with Disney.  Monster has teamed with the media company to produce headphones inspired by Tron.

The new headphones are all black with Tron-esque blue highlights.  Unlike most Monster headphones which focus on specific music genres, or for high-end clarity, these headphones seem more geared towards gamers.  To help with this goal, the headphones will feature 7.1 surround sound, which is great for gaming, or just those who want to listen to music in surround sound.  The headphones also feature an optional microphone, though it will also have ControlTalk should you not want to use it.

The headsets won’t be out until closer to the new film’s release, and likely will be fairly expensive.  Given Monster’s previous headphones, however, they’ll likely produce some pretty good sound.  Even so, the Tron design is intriguing, and could convince some people to get the headset over some others.  These likely won’t be the only Tron-inspired headsets from Monster, or Tron inspired gadget period, as Disney seems intent on bringing Tron to many more products leading up to the release of Tron Legacy.

Full Story » | Written by Shawn Ingram for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

Linux: the people’s product

The Linux Foundation ran a t-shirt design contest back in March to kick off the grand opening of the new Linux.com store. More than 100 designs were submitted, and of these six were selected as finalists. Almost eight thousand votes were tallied, and the community-selected winner, with 57% of the votes, is Mr. Said Hassan from the Gaza Strip, who designed “The People’s Product.” Shirts with this winning design are being produced now, and will be available for purchase at the Linux.com store soon-ish.

Hassan says:

“This design represents that the Linux system is the collective work of people and it was done so that others can enjoy a reliable, suitable operating system away from a monopoly. So, it’s like a celebration of our efforts: Linux is our product.”

Hassan gets a free trip to LinuxCon, taking place in Boston, MA in August. Way to go, Mr. Hassan!

Be sure to take a look at all of the contest finalists to get a feel for what the community came up with.

Here’s the full press release, for your edification:

Linux Foundation Announces Linux.com Store T-shirt Design Winner

Nearly 8,000 votes determine community’s favorite Linux-themed design, to be displayed on T-shirts at LinuxCon and in Linux.com Store

SAN FRANCISCO, June 23, 2010 – The Linux Foundation, the nonprofit organization dedicated to accelerating the growth of Linux, today announced the winning design in its Linux.com Store T-shirt Design Contest, “The People’s Product.” The design won by a large margin with 57 percent (4,501) of all votes cast, with the other five finalists sharing 43 percent of the vote among them.

The winning design was created by Mr. Said Hassan who says it “represents the collective work of the people. It’s a celebration of our efforts: Linux is our product.” Mr. Hassan rallied bloggers and local television stations around his design, garnering a number of articles and television interviews about his submission. He is a marketing consultant at SADAF Information Technology in Gaza in Palestine.

As the designer, Mr. Hassan is receiving travel expenses and a free pass to LinuxCon in Boston (http://events.linuxfoundation.org/events/linuxcon) this August where “The People’s Product” design will be displayed on Linux.com Store merchandise and available for purchase. The design is expected to be available on T-shirts in the Linux.com Store this summer.

The contest was launched with the opening of the Linux.com Store, which is an online marketplace where people can purchase items from an exclusive line of original T-shirts, hats, mugs and other items that reflect “geek culture.” Six finalists were chosen from more than 100 design entries. Nearly 8,000 votes were cast during the month of May as designers competed for the grand prize and encouraged their personal networks to get out the vote.

“’The People’s Product’ design is an important addition to the Linux.com Store merchandise selection and will help generate revenue for activities that advance the Linux operating system,” said Amanda McPherson at The Linux Foundation. “We also hope that the Linux.com Store T-shirt Design Contest will bring attention to Mr. Hassan and others like him who support and contribute to Linux in a variety of important ways.”

All revenue generated from the Linux.com Store goes directly towards Linux Foundation activities, events and strategic initiatives. The Linux Foundation uses funds from a variety of revenue streams to support the work of Linux creator Linus Torvalds and to sustain important services such as technical events; travel grants for open source community members; a vendor-neutral forum for projects such as MeeGo; and free training resources direct from the kernel community; among others.

Related Links
* See all six of the finalists’ designs here: http://www.linux.com/tshirt-design-contest

* More details on the contest: http://www.linux.com/news/featured-blogs/185-jennifer-cloer/301840-linuxcom-t-shirt-design-contest-finalists-announced-

* Please visit the Linux.com Store at: http://store.linux.com/.

* Learn more about LinuxCon here: http://events.linuxfoundation.org/events/linuxcon.

About the Linux Foundation
The Linux Foundation is a nonprofit consortium dedicated to fostering the growth of Linux. Founded in 2007, the Linux Foundation sponsors the work of Linux creator Linus Torvalds and is supported by leading Linux and open source companies and developers from around the world. The Linux Foundation promotes, protects and standardizes Linux by hosting important workgroups, events and online resources such as Linux.com. For more information, please visit www.linuxfoundation.org or follow the organization on Twitter at www.twitter.com/linuxfoundation.

Bing Entertainment Brings Full Music Streams To Search, Plus Games, Movies, And TV Shows

Bing’s iPhone app isn’t the only thing getting an upgrade today at Microsoft’s search engine. Bing is also starting to roll out close to 100 new features to its main search engine on the Web. The biggest change is a new major search category under Bing Entertainment, which will include better ways to search for music, movies, TV shows, and games. “We did travel, health, shopping and local last year,” explains senior VP Yusuf Mehdi. “Now the Web has unlocked all of this entertainment, but for many people they are spending too much time looking for what they want to do instead of enjoying it. We are trying to remove all of those hurdles that block you from enjoying it. You should be able to watch a show, listen to online music, or play a game with a few clicks.”

Roughly 10 percent of all searches are entertainment related, according to Mehdi. And 90 percent of people do at least one entertainment search a month. Bing Entertainment is designed to provide a more in-depth and visual search experience for music, movies, TV shows, and games.

One of the most noticeable changes will come in music. Music searches will now come back with lyrics and playable streams for 5 million songs, which have already been licensed through Microsoft’s Zune service. A full stream of each song will be playable once per person, and then 30-second clips will be available in subsequent searches. (In this regard, Bing is catching up to Google, which launched a similar music search late last year). The idea is to make it easier for people to discover music and sample them. There will also be links to Amazon, iTunes, and Zune to buy full downloads.

When you search for an artist or a song, a special Answer Box (informally known as the Bing Box) will appear at the top of the search results page. It may be filled with pictures of the artist, a playlist of popular songs, upcoming events, their Tweets, and a link to the artist’s official site.

Movie searches will create an Answer Box with photo stills, a synopsis, local show times, and links to trailers. The results will be geared to help you plan a night out at the movies, complete with maps, parking, nearby restaurant suggestions and more. For TV shows, you will get TV listings in your area and sometimes playable streams from Hulu, Viacom, CBS and other partners through Bing Videos. Whenever available, trailers and TV shows will play within Bing.

Games searches will be geared toward both hardcore console gamers (teenagers) and casual Web gamers (Moms). For console games, results will be filtered to easily find walkthroughs, reviews, and cheats. Casual game searches sometimes take you to games you can play on Bing like Checkers and Bejeweled.

By bringing entertainment experiences it Bing, searchers might stick around longer. Search used to take you away to what you were looking for on the Web, but data (including music, video, and games) can move anywhere now, even to search engines. It might be time to retire that rule.

Sail the seven seas with your favorite sci-fi stars with CruiseCons

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Twitter For iPhone Quick To Add Multitasking And Retina Display Support

When Twitter bought Atebits, the company behind the excellent iPhone Twitter client, Tweetie, there was some concern it would slow down development of that app. Luckily, it doesn’t look like that has happened. As today, Twitter for iPhone version 3.0.1 has just launched, and with it comes suport for both iOS 4 and iPhone 4.

In fact, while other huge apps on the iPhone, such as Facebook, lag behind in supporting the newest iPhone functionality, Twitter is one of the first to implement some of the useful new features.

So what they are supporting with this update? The actual App Store page only vaguely says the app has updated “OAuth support” and has a “Stuck top tweets fix”. But having downloaded the app just now, I can confirm that it is enabled to “multitask” — meaning you can quickly switch into and out of the app and into other background enabled apps. The app also has been customized for the new iPhone 4 Retina display, developer Loren Brichter confirms.

You can find Twitter for iPhone here in the App Store. It’s a free download.

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Here’s the Dell Streak’s US retail packaging (maybe)

The Dell Streak is set to be released here in the states sometime soon — we hear the end of July. The 5-inch tablet/phone/EVO-eater will no doubt launch to a ton of criticism about it’s large stature and whatnot. Love it or hate it, this is what the retail packaging will likely look like. Think Jabra headset packaging, but with a very large touchscreen instead of a bluetooth headset suspended in a clear acrylic casing.

iPhone 4: Already Sold Out at Walmart..in Saline, Michigan

Looking for a new iPhone near Saline, MI? Too bad. Walmart already sold the one unit they received. When I inquired about the new device, the man on the phone stated, “We received one unit already, but we sold it to see how fast it would sell out. We aren’t sure when we are getting more.”

Continue reading…

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iPhone 4: Already Sold Out at Walmart..in Saline, Michigan

Looking for a new iPhone near Saline, MI? Too bad. Walmart already sold the one unit they received. When I inquired about the new device, the man on the phone stated, “We received one unit already, but we sold it to see how fast it would sell out. We aren’t sure when we are getting more.”

I’m assuming they WON’T, now. Breaking Apple’s rules of engagement can lead to the retailer loosing their launch day privileges. Plus, no one wants an iPhone 4 - OF COURSE IT’S GOING TO SELL OUT!

Anyone else run into similar stories? Post your findings below.

Zuckerberg: Facebook Revenue Estimates Of $1.1 Billion “Not So Far Off..”

Earlier today Inside Facebook posted a very interesting interview with Facebook founder/CEO Mark Zuckerberg. The conversation touched on a range of topics including the proliferation of social gaming, the argument for instituting Facebook Credits across all games, and why Zuckerberg is no longer afraid of Twitter. It also shed some light on Facebook’s revenue numbers: Zuckerberg said that estimates that Facebook would make between $1 and $1.1 billion this year “are not so far off in either direction that it’s causing us any pain…”

So what did he mean by that? Zuckerberg says that revenue estimates last year were lowballing Facebook’s revenue stats to the point that it was hurting the company. Now that’s changed, at least to the point that Facebook isn’t seeing any adverse effects from analyst guesses. Still, it sounds like those figures might still be a little low — Zuckerberg says that “in general, I think people underestimate the value of the whole thing” (though he may be referring to the overall value of Facebook in the long run as opposed to this year’s revenue numbers). Also note that he says that if the estimates were too high, Facebook would correct them to ensure that people didn’t have overoptimistic expectations.

From the interview:

The reason we corrected it last year is because it was hurting us. People thought it was too low. Now what I would say is that the estimates are not so far off in either direction that it’s causing us any pain, so we feel no need to correct it. Also, if it was too high, we would want to correct it too, because we don’t want expectations to be too high and we don’t want people to be disappointed if they joined. I think people are getting a better feel for it, but in general I think people underestimate the value of the whole thing.

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First iPhone 4 Reviews Mostly Sing Its Praises

First iPhone 4 Reviews Mostly Sing Its Praises

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First iPhone 4 Reviews Mostly Sing Its Praises

Just when you thought a few lucky customers beat the rest of the world to getting an iPhone 4, some technology journalists with early access to the device just published their reviews.

Apple typically handpicks a select group of publications to get early review units, and the first round of reviews comes from The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Engadget and others.

The reviewers agreed that the iPhone 4’s hardware is state-of-the-art industrial design. However, they debated about whether the handset solves the iPhone’s biggest recurring problem: handling phone calls on the overloaded AT&T network.

Priced at $200 for the 16-GB model and $300 for the 32-GB model, the iPhone 4 hits stores Thursday (though a few lucky pre-order customers are getting theirs as early as today).

Excerpts from the early reviews are as follows:

Josh Topolsky, Engadget:

The big question is obviously whether or not this fixes or helps with the constant dropped calls iPhone users on AT&T’s network have gotten used to. Well in our testing, we had far, far fewer dropped calls than we experienced on our 3GS. Let’s just say that again: yes, the iPhone 4 does seem to alleviate the dropped call issue.

Walt Mossberg, The Wall Street Journal:

In both hardware and software, it is a major leap over its already-excellent predecessor, the iPhone 3GS.

It has some downsides and limitations– most important, the overwhelmed AT&T network in the U.S., which, in my tests, the new phone handled sometimes better and, unfortunately, sometimes worse than its predecessor.

Xeni Jardin, Boing Boing:

The fourth incarnation of Apple’s iPhone is an incrementally improved, familiar device — not a new kind of device, as was the case with the recent introduction of iPad…. Apple’s focus on improvement is as much key to the quality of its products as innovation. But there’s one flaw it doesn’t eliminate: the unreliable quality of calls placed over AT&T, which remains the iPhone’s only U.S. carrier.

David Pogue, The New York Times:

With the iPhone 4, Apple tried to relieve the wigginess [of phone calls]. Sound is much better on both ends of the call, thanks in part to a noise-canceling microphone and an improved audio chamber (which also helps speakerphone and music sound). The stainless-steel edge band is now part of the antenna. The new phone is also better at choosing the best channel for connecting with the cell tower, even if’s not technically the strongest one. (Ever had four bars, but a miserable connection? Then you get it.)

Edward Baig, USA Today:

Cutting through the hype, Apple has given longtime diehards, and first-time iPhone owners, plenty to cheer about.

Photo: Jon Snyder/Wired.com

Zuckerberg Admits He “Paid Too Much Attention” To Twitter

This morning, Inside Facebook posted a great interview with Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg about the state of the company. It’s worth reading in its entirety for thoughts about the Platform, Credits, gaming, and the company’s financials. But one thing that caught my eye in particular was his thoughts about Twitter.

Over the past year and a half, Facebook has been under a lot of criticism that it is drifting away from its core service and into a more Twitter-like state, where short status updates rule and all information should be public. When Facebook failed to acquire the company in late 2008, Twitter’s influence on the look and feel of Facebook became more and more apparent. But Zuckerberg says that the time of Twitter infatuation is now over.

“As good as I think they are, I think I personally just paid too much attention to it,” Zuckerberg tells Inside Facebook’s Justin Smith. Why was he so focused on the rival? Their growth rate — it had Facebook worried.

“I looked at their rate and thought if this continues for 12 months or 18 months, then in a year they’re going to be bigger than us,” Zuckerberg says. But he says he was wrong in thinking Twitter’s growth rate would continue in the same way that Facebook’s had. “It just turned out that that their growth rate was kind of unnatural. They got a lot of media attention, and it grew very quickly for a little period of time,” he says.

Twitter’s rate of growth certainly stalled at points in the last year, but it appears to be growing at a healthy clip once again. And Facebook, with its new movement to make more data public, appears to be on a collision course with Twitter once again, as they move to add more features — some of which Facebook has.

But don’t tell Zuckerberg that. “It’s a very nice, simple service. They do one thing really well – that’s powerful,” is his view on them now.

He also notes that they’re different because Twitter’s focus isn’t on using your real identity, as it is on Facebook. To him, Twitter seems to be more about self-expression.

Finally, he tells Smith that watching them is going to be “really interesting over the next few years.” And then, unprompted, he brings up the name of another company Facebook has been rumored to be interested in purchasing — Foursquare.

If Zuckerberg is interested in watching Foursquare over the next few years, maybe we can take that to mean he is no longer interested in owning them. From what we’ve been hearing, Facebook and Foursquare have had a number of discussions over the past few months about possible partnerships and/or an acquisition. Nothing came of those, and Foursquare now seems committed to raising its next round of money, from what we hear.

Facebook, meanwhile, is still at work on its own location offering. “Well, we’re developing something, but nothing [to say] besides that. We want to make sure that we do it well, and we’re taking the time to do that,” Zuckerberg tells Smith.

The latest we’re hearing on that is that Facebook will offer simple check-in functionality on its mobile properties, but the emphasis will be on aggregating other services’ (including Foursquare) check-in data. The key to all of this will be to wrap around Facebook Places, a new local merchant-centric area that should launch fairly soon.

For what it’s worth, Zuckerberg hasn’t updated his Twitter account in over 15 months now. He sent a total of 18 tweets in just over a month of use.

[photo: flickr/deneyterrio]

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First 720p videos from iPhone 4 hit YouTube

Truly a blockbuster. Maybe this guy should move to some place where they have… you know, objects.

Really, though, it’s not bad. Obviously you’re getting a ton of smear and skew, as you will with any “HD” device of this size, but it’s also just as good as any $100-$150 pocket cam you’re likely to find. We’ll have our own video and image quality tests in our full review, of course.

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Borders Adds $20 Card to E-Reader as Rivals Cut Price - BusinessWeek

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Borders Adds $20 Card to E-Reader as Rivals Cut Price BusinessWeek June 22 (Bloomberg) -- Borders Group Inc. plans to sell the Kobo e-reader with a $20 gift card to lure customers after Amazon.com Inc. and Barnes & Noble Inc. cut prices for their own electronic devices. Members of the retailer's ... Nook Pricing ConundrumPC World Battle On: E-Reader Price War Breaks OutFOXBusiness Kindle, Nook and Vizplex eReader devices face mass extinctionZDNet (blog) The Tech Herald -Daily Beast -ABC News all 1,288 news articles »

IOS 4 Folders: Usable, but Poorly Implemented - PC World

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AT&T Walk-Ins for iPhone 4 Begin Next Week

A number of customers who pre-ordered Apple’s iPhone 4 have reported receiving the handset — two days before its official release date. Also, those who didn’t pre-order the device will be able to pick one up at an AT&T store on a first-come, first-serve basis as soon as next Tuesday.

An AT&T spokesman said iPhone 4 will begin arriving this week for customers who preordered. Those who preordered an iPhone 4 for home delivery will receive an e-mail when their order is shipped. The company will also begin phoning customers this week who placed reservations to notify them when their iPhone 4 is available for in-store pickups. Last, customers who did not preorder the device will be able to line up for an iPhone 4 at an AT&T store next Tuesday.

“iPhone 4 pre-order sales on June 15 were 10 times higher than the first day of pre-ordering for the iPhone 3GS last year,” AT&T said in a statement Tuesday. “Demand is simply unprecedented.  We’re thrilled to see the excitement around iPhone 4 and are committed to helping as many customers as quickly as we can. As we said last week, we’re committed to fulfilling preorders first – and are on track to do so.”

AT&T’s announcement followed individual reports from pre-order customers who claimed their iPhone 4 had already arrived in the mail.

The release of the iPhone 4 has been bumpy, to say the least. When Apple and AT&T opened preorders for the iPhone 4 last week, their servers were overwhelmed by the gigantic number of preorders, and in some instances AT&T’s website even sprung a security leak. Later, Apple and AT&T said the problems were due to an unprecedented number of preorders — 600,000 on day one.

UPDATED: The first version of this story incorrectly stated that AT&T would start delivering iPhones this week.

See Also:

• iPhone 4 + Glitchy Launch = Huge Demand Anyway
• iPhone 4 Has More RAM Than iPad
• Photo Gallery: Hands-On With the iPhone 4

Photo: Jon Snyder/Wired.com

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Updated Apple policy: partners may “collect, use, and share” precise location information

Don’t worry, this isn’t that post. You know, the one were it turns out Apple is Big Brother, in league with the NSA and Interpol. I expect that shortly, though. No, this is just an update to let you know that unless you opt out, you’re likely making your exact location available to anyone in Apple’s rolodex. Here’s the relevant portion of the privacy policy, recently updated.

Continue reading…

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AT&T: No iPhone 4 purchases without pre-order at our stores until June 29th

Didn’t get your iPhone 4 pre-order in before everything went to hell? Planning on trying to fight the walk-in lines on June 24th? Best avoid AT&T stores. We just got a note from the carrier, who says that, due to “unprecedented” demand, they won’t be able to sell the iPhone 4 to anyone without a pre-order until June 29th.

The guidelines:

• Preordered for home or business delivery: iPhone 4 will begin arriving this week for customers who preordered. We’ll send an email when each order has shipped.

• Preordered for store delivery: AT&T retail representatives will begin calling customers this week to let them know their iPhone 4 is available for pick up in store.

• Retail purchase (no preorder): AT&T plans to have iPhone 4 inventory – available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last – on June 29 in its retail locations, at www.att.com, and in business sales channels. As inventory sells out, AT&T will offer the convenient option of purchasing iPhone 4 and having it delivered to a home or business or an AT&T store. As always, customers will receive an email once their order is placed, and again when it ships.

iPhone 4 gets its first unboxing [Gallery] (Update: More pics!) (Update #2: And video!)

As handfuls of iPhone 4s begin to slip through the cracks and into the grabby hands of hungry phone fans everywhere, the first batches of unboxing pictures are starting to go live as we type this. (You mean these people aren’t waiting to open up their phones with the rest of us chumps on Thursday mornings? Jerks! You guys probably peeked at your Christmas presents as a kid, too. [Just kidding, of course -- tear those things apart.])

We’re keeping an eye out for galleries as they go up; if you’re amongst the many hundreds of thousands waiting on the edge of the seat, join as after the jump for these last minute teases.

MacRumors forumgoer AppleMojo managed to snap off these pics through the excitement:

Update: More shots!

We’ll update with more shots as they spring up around the Internet. Get your iPhone early? Feel free to shoot me some shots at greg at crunchgear dot com.

Update #2: Big thanks to Youtube user littlbilly76 , who took a second to capture the whole thing on video. It’s not exactly Scorcese-level work, but hey: it’s video.

Update #3: More video (this time in focus!) thanks to Youtube user gizmosachin:

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Adobe Releases Flash Player 10.1 for Android

In an open letter three months ago, Apple CEO Steve Jobs challenged Adobe to ship its Flash software on any mobile device and prove it worked well.

Adobe, now, has an answer. The company has released Flash Player 10.1 to its mobile partners and the technology should be in the hands of Android phone users with the upcoming Android 2.2 ‘Froyo’ update to the operating system.

Flash Player 10.1 will be available as a “final production release” for smart phones and tablets, once users are able to upgrade to Android 2.2, says Adobe.

Among the devices that will get Froyo and Flash Player 10.1 are the Dell Streak, Google Nexus One, HTC Evo, HTC Desire, HTC Incredible, Motorola Droid, Motorola Milestone and Samsung Galaxy S. Google hasn’t said yet exactly when Android 2.2 will be available to users, though it is expected in the next few weeks.

Adobe says Flash Player 10.1 will also be available in devices using BlackBerry, webOS, future versions of Windows Phone, MeeGo and Symbian operating systems.

If major Android phones get Flash capability it will be a push back against Apple’s efforts to turn public opinion against Flash on mobile devices.

With the launch of the first iPhone in 2007, Apple declared war against mobile Flash. Apple is supporting HTML5 and its efforts have influenced the online video landscape significantly. Many major websites are starting to use HTML5, and video players such as Brightcove are serving up HTML5 videos for devices not compliant with Flash. Separately, Apple has worked with companies like YouTube to produce iPhone-compatible versions of their sites.

“We have routinely asked Adobe to show us Flash performing well on a mobile device, any mobile device, for a few years now. We have never seen it,” wrote Jobs in a note posted on the Apple website in April. “Adobe publicly said that Flash would ship on a smartphone in early 2009, then the second half of 2009, then the first half of 2010, and now they say the second half of 2010. We think it will eventually ship, but we’re glad we didn’t hold our breath. Who knows how it will perform?”

But many developers are not convinced. Adobe’s Flash standard is still widely used on the internet, for everything from animated banner ads and splash screens to infographics, educational content and games. Much of that content has been unavailable on mobile devices: The previous version of Adobe’s mobile Flash player, Flash Lite, supported only basic Flash content, such as video.

Gadget Lab’s first look at a Flash Player 10.1 beta showed that Flash on the mobile phone can be fun, unlocking sites that otherwise would be inaccessible. But it’s not a flawless experience. On a Nexus One, Flash content — especially video — took time to load, which was frustrating. And it sucks bandwidth.

Still, for Adobe, it’s a big step toward making Flash a contender in mobile multimedia.

See Also:

• Adobe Gives Up on Flash for iPhone, iPad
• Steve Jobs Claims Flash Will Kill the Mobile Web
• Adobe CEO, Ex-Adobe Engineers Weigh In on Jobs’ Flash Attack
• First Look: Flash Arrives on New Android OS

Photo: Flash Player 10.1 on a Nexus One phone (Keith Axline/Wired.com)

Adobe Releases Flash Player 10.1 for Android

Some iPhone 4s Begin Arriving A Full 2 Days Early

As you may have read last night, Apple started emailing people who pre-ordered the iPhone 4 to let them know that it may arrive a day early. While the rest of us have to wait for June 24, those who opted to get the device delivered, should get it as soon as tomorrow, the email says. But actually, if FedEx’s tracking system is correct (and that may be a big “if”), some people may actually get the iPhone 4 today.

As you can see in the screenshot, FedEx is alerting some customers that the iPhone 4 is “On FedEx vehicle for delivery.” In this particular instance, this is an iPhone that has been sitting in Oakland for a day, so it’s not clear why it would be on a FedEx truck unless they were actually delivering it. Others on Twitter are seeing the same thing.

Also a bit odd is that the estimated delivery time in the example below still says June 24. Unless the FedEx truck is going to circle for the next two days, something is up.

Update: At least one person on Twitter is claiming that their iPhone 4 has been delivered already. Obviously, we’re awaiting proof of this. But other FedEx tracking details seem to suggest deliveries are happening as well.

Update 2: Here’s a user in the MacRumors forums who says they’ve gotten it delivered today — complete with pictures!

Update 3: And here’s another user who took a picture. This looks legitimate at this point.

Update 4: Another user who got it today is saying he can’t yet activate it.

[image: twitpic/pep2009 and twitpic/gilcabrera]

[crunchbase url="http://www.crunchbase.com/product/iphone-4" name="iPhone 4"]

Android-powered Samsung Galaxy S superphone coming to T-Mobile as the “Vibrant”?

Oh, you thought AT&T was the only one getting a custom, branded version of the Samsung’s Galaxy S Android superphone? Nope! T-Mobile’s getting one as well — albeit one that’s not quite as easy on the eyes.

CellPhone Signal just unearthed a pretty monstrous heap of details on ol T-Mo’s version of the Galaxy S.

What we know so far:

• It’ll be sold as the “T-Mobile Vibrant”, likely in reference to the ridiculously bright AMOLED screen
• Speaking of which, said AMOLED screen will be 4″ large.
• 1GHZ Hummingbird CPU, custom built by Samsung
• 5 megapixel camera with HD Video recording
• Bluetooth 3.0
• FM Radio
• Digital Compass
• 16GB of memory internal, with support for microSD cards
• 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi

According to their scoopster, the Vibrant ought to launch on July 21st. Now, you might want to take a seat for this next part: in partnership with EA, it looks like every Vibrant handset will ship with a copy of the Sims 3. 1 GHZ CPU? CPU Schmee-pee-you, am I right? No? What? Why are you not more excited?

Google Voice for everyone

Vote for the international “I love football” Doodle 4 Google winner

Kinect Sensor Bar on Microsoft Store for $150

The one thing we didn’t know (officially at least) about Microsoft’s controller-free Kinect sensor was the price. Now it has been added to the official Microsoft Store, coming in at the expected $150.

The Kinect is a bar that plugs into an Xbox 360 and sits atop your TV, just like the Wii’s bar, and allows you to interact with games using your own movement. The difference is that the Kinect has a pair of cameras – one for depth and one for motion – that figure out where you and your body parts are at all time. There are also four microphones to listen to your voice, but no controller to hold in your hand.

The accuracy is, according to those who have tested it, startling. The Kinect can see where your hands, feet and face are, and is even fine-grained enough to recognize when you’re not achieving the right pose in yoga, for example, and offers instructions to correct it, just like a real teacher.

Technically, it seems rather sparse: the two contained in the bar run at just 640 x 480 resolution at 30fps, and microphones in this case are likely just basic. The magic would appear to be in the software which so impressed us with the force-controlling, Light Saber-wielding Star Wars game demoed at E3.

The Kinect is only available for pre-order. You’ll still have to wait until November 4th to get one.

Kinect Sensor for Xbox 360 [Microsoft]

See Also:

• Microsoft Throws Glitzy Coming-Out Bash for Kinect at E3 …
• Hands On: Xbox Kinect Games Give You a Serious Workout
• Analysis: Microsoft's Kinect Controller Is a Wii-Too Product …
• Live Blog: Ubisoft's E3 Press Conference Gets Kinect'ed
• Video: Microsoft Makes Post-Natal Impression with Kinect Star Wars …

Innpu solves a problem you never had, introduces the ‘wired phone’ with built-in hands-free

Ok, so I’m not one of those guys that goes around holding their phone in one hand, and a hands-free microphone (irony duly noted) in the other in an effort to lose friends. In fact, I’m not even one of those guys that unwraps their included hands-free kit when they get a new phone. I just don’t use handsfree kits. If you call me when I’m driving, I let it ring out.

So I may not be in the best position to talk about Innpu’s new phone. You know, the one that has a permanently attached hands-free kit.

Do I just not get it? Do those freaky types that I mentioned above often lament the fact that they have to plug in their hands-free kit? Do they also lament the invention of the wireless hands-free? Do they not like the concepts of “choice” or “replace-ability”? Have they never jammed a headphone in a car door?

What I’m trying to get at here is this: why on Earth would you want a phone that can only be used by plugging a headphone into your ear? Retractable cables or not, I don’t see this as in any way being a good idea. 1) the sound quality will be terrible, so it’s no good for music, 2) if the earpiece or microphone breaks, it doesn’t seem like you can replace it 3) ever used a retractable cable? It’s only a matter of time before they tangle up and become useless, or the spring mechanism stops working. Replacing a $5 hands-free is no drama when the cable isn’t hard-wired to your phone. I really don’t get this thing.

Full press release can be found below. Have a read: Innpu’s goals appear to be very noble, if not based in reality.

Oh, and a quick note: phone radiation isn’t harmful.

NEW YORK, June 21 /PRNewswire-Asia/ — Since the introduction of the BlackBerry and iPhone, smart phone software features and value-added services have been maturing, but there have been few noteworthy hardware advances. Now, the Innpu Communication Technology Co., Ltd. (http://www.innpu.com ) will break the ice.

With a commitment to change the way users access cell phones to prevent mobile phone radiation and produce new technologies, Innpu Communication Technology Co., Ltd. recently successfully developed the world’s first “wired phone” cell phone and will soon release it.

Innpu introduces the first mobile phone with built-in retractable headphones. When receiving a phone call, just pull out the built-in headphone line; when the call is complete, the headset and headphones automatically retract. This reduces the risk of cell phone radiation to the user’s head, while also frees up both hands.

This built-in retractable headphone module may appear simple, but in reality is quite technical. Innpu spent 5 years gathering multi-national technology experts for the development of polymer materials, new composite materials, and a continuous innovation process, all in order to surpass ordinary headphone winding capability, now enabling winding up to ten thousand times during the phone’s service life, but also overcome module size constraints, which can affect ease of use, speed, etc.

Innpu has already obtained proprietary intellectual property protection for this technology in the European Union, China, the U.S., Japan and many other countries and regions. Meanwhile, Innpu management believe this technology can hardly be copied. That mobile phone radiation is harmful to human health is controversial at present, but numerous medical experts believe that since cell phone communications send and receive radio waves, the process of using a phone will certainly have a negative impact on brain function.

To prevent radiation, most phones are equipped to use and come with external headphones, but winding the headset externally is not convenient, so almost all headphones are not used, and alone cause the world billions of dollars in wasted resources every year. Innpu hopes that this invention can change cell phone consumers’ traditional usage habits, in order to avoid damage to the head from mobile phone radiation and to conserve resources, but also make audio and video applications for mobile phone users with headsets more convenient. Although Bluetooth wireless headset technology is mature, frequent charging and the inconvenience of wear among other reasons prevent widespread use.

Innpu’s “wired phone” will soon be available around the world. Additionally, in the future this technology will be extended to the iPAD, notebook computers and other small mobile network terminals, including MP4, MP5 and other music video terminals.

SOURCE Innpu Communication Technology Co., Ltd.

Clock Proudly Uses AA Batteries as Hands

Instead of hiding them ashamedly around the back or behind a modest little door, this clock instead displays its batteries out front, proudly putting the double-As in place of hands.

The cells fit snugly into two little hollows, one in each of the concentric circles that make up the body of the Front & Back clock. One each for hours and minutes, the AA batteries both power the unit and make up its display, a neat simplicity which would of course be ruined as soon as you put in a pair of logo-laden cylinders instead of the sleek gray bullets in seen in the picture.

And they’re a uniform gray for a reason: they don’t exist, not outside of a CGI rendering, anyway. If it were to make the leap into the real world, I would buy one and load it up with two different batteries: one Duracell in the minute position, its notional Bunny mascot running rings round and around the hour slot, which would be filled by a short-living dime-store cell, probably named something like Powercell, or Manasonic.

The Front & Back [The Wrong Objects via Oh Gizmo!]

See Also:

• OLED Digital Clock is Nothing But Numbers
• It's Beer O'Clock! Watch Has Built-In Bottle Opener
• Darth Vader Clock Radio
• Concept Clock Springs Forward, Falls Back

Sprint launches new 3G/4G USB modem

Are you looking for a speedy wireless connection? Do you like big, round dongles? Do you live in one of the 33 locations that have a Sprint 4G network? Do you get where I’m heading?

That’s right, Sprint today announced their first 4G-capable USB modem for all those folk that feel the need. An added bonus, if you’re of the travellin’ type, is that the modem will connect to Sprint’s 3G network when a 4G network isn’t available.

The device is free (after a convenient $50 mail-in rebate and $49.99 “instant savings”) on a two year contract, and will run you $59.99 per month for unlimited 4G data + 5GB 3G data. It works on both Windows and Mac.

Check out the full press release, below, for all the details you could possibly need.

Press Release:

Attractive Sprint 3G/4G USB Modem 250U from Sierra Wireless Makes it Easy to Get Lightning Fast Wireless Access On the Go

OVERLAND PARK, Kan., and VANCOUVER, British Columbia – June 22, 2010 – Sprint (NYSE: S) and Sierra Wireless (NASDAQ: SWIR; TSX: SW) today announced the availability of Sprint 3G/4G USB 250U mobile broadband modem from Sierra Wireless, bringing customers lightning fast speeds up to 10 times faster than 3G1 in any of the 33 Sprint 4G markets and dependable 3G speeds virtually everywhere else. Whether customers are streaming Hulu live, surfing the Internet or downloading huge files, they will appreciate its compact size, round design, and 180-degree rotating hinge, which can accommodate both horizontal and vertical USB ports and provide an ideal fit for virtually any laptop.

Sprint 3G/4G USB 250U is available now through Business Direct and Business Solutions Partners followed by full channel availability by mid-July. Customers can purchase Sprint 3G/4G USB 250U from Sprint for free (excluding taxes) after a $50 mail-in-rebate, a $49.99 instant savings and with a two-year service agreement on a new line activation or eligible upgrade. Sprint’s 3G/4G Mobile Broadband Connection plan is priced at $59.99 per month for unlimited use on the Sprint 4G Network and 5 GB of data on the Sprint 3G Network (price plans exclude surcharges and taxes).2

“Sprint continues to lead the 4G revolution and is proud to expand its growing portfolio of devices with the addition of 3G/4G USB 250U from Sierra Wireless,” said Fared Adib, vice president-Product Development for Sprint. “Consumers, businesses and industries such as construction, government, healthcare and transportation will be able to extend their Internet experience beyond the home and office and benefit from the constant connectivity and real-time access at lightning fast speeds.”

Sprint 3G/4G USB 250U supports Windows® 7, Windows Vista®, Windows XP and Mac OS®. Customers will appreciate its integrated GPS capability, which provides location, navigation and mapping solutions when connected to the Sprint 3G network. It is Sprint’s first USB modem with dual external antenna ports, and it is equipped with separate LED displays that make it easy for a user to know whether they are connected to Sprint’s 3G or 4G network. This unique, dual-mode device delivers faster speeds that can help businesses move ahead with their business goals – such as improved customer satisfaction, increased productivity and increased revenue.

“Following on the success of Overdrive™ 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot, we are extremely pleased to offer Sprint customers a unique new 3G/4G device, combining the speed of 4G with the reliable coverage of Sprint’s 3G network,” said Mike O’Brien, vice president-Operator and Distributor Sales for Sierra Wireless. “The Sprint 3G/4G USB 250U mobile broadband modem from Sierra Wireless is made for road warriors, providing flexibility, high quality and top-notch performance.”

Sprint is the first national wireless carrier to test, launch and market 4G technology. Sprint 4G is currently available in 33 markets, covers 50 million people and is expected to cover up to 120 million people by the end of 2010. Sprint 4G is available today in Georgia – Atlanta, Milledgeville; Hawaii – Honolulu, Maui; Idaho – Boise; Illinois – Chicago; Maryland – Baltimore; Missouri – Kansas City; Nevada – Las Vegas; North Carolina – Charlotte, Greensboro (along with High Point and Winston-Salem), Raleigh (along with Cary, Chapel Hill and Durham); Oregon – Portland, Salem; Pennsylvania – Harrisburg, Lancaster, Philadelphia, Reading, York; Texas – Abilene, Amarillo, Austin, Corpus Christi, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, Killeen/Temple, Lubbock, Midland/Odessa, San Antonio, Waco, Wichita Falls; and Washington – Bellingham, Seattle. For more information, visit www.sprint.com/4G.

In 2010, Sprint expects to launch 4G service in multiple markets, including Boston, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Denver, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New York, Pittsburgh, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, St. Louis and Washington, D.C.

About Sprint Nextel
Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline communications services bringing the freedom of mobility to consumers, businesses and government users. Sprint Nextel served more than 48 million customers at the end of the first quarter of 2010 and is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, and is the first and only wireless 4G service from a national carrier in the United States; offering industry-leading mobile data services, leading prepaid brands including Virgin Mobile USA, Boost Mobile, Common Cents Mobile and Assurance Wireless and instant national and international push-to-talk capabilities; and a global Tier 1 Internet backbone. With its customer-focused strategy, you can learn more and visit Sprint at www.sprint.com or www.facebook.com/sprint andwww.twitter.com/sprint.

About Sierra Wireless
Sierra Wireless (NASDAQ: SWIR – TSX: SW) is expanding the wireless world with a comprehensive offering of hardware, software and connected services for mobile lifestyles and machine-to-machine communications. Our customers count on us to help them succeed with early access to new wireless technologies and innovative, reliable, high-performing solutions for a broad range of applications. For more information about Sierra Wireless, visit www.sierrawireless.com.

ALT/1977: If Today’s Gadgets Had Been Made in the 70s

What if you could travel back in time to the 1970s? What would you do? That is the question asked by Alex Varanese in his wonderful ALT/1977 project. His answer?

[G]rab all the modern technology I could find, take it to the late 70’s, superficially redesign it all to blend in, start a consumer electronics company to unleash it upon the world, then sit back as I rake in billions, trillions, or even millions of dollars

This fantasy is realized in the form of four period-accurate promotional posters. Above you see an MP3 player clad in wood-effect plastic with a twiddly metal knob, an LED spectrum-analyser and some mysterious “mode” and “set” buttons, all paired up with some giant retro headphones and that trademark of 1970s audio, the quarter-inch jack.

Alex’ gallery also contains a notebook computer (the LapTron 64), a clamshell cellphone (the MobileVoxx) and a handheld gaming console (the Microcade 3000). If that’s not enough for you, there are an assortment of semi-abstract artworks based on the products. Anyone who grew up at this time will recognize these parodies as being absolutely dead-on.

I love these pictures, not just as clever re-imaginings but as actual products. With the exception of the Sega Game Gear-alike console, which I’m not so hot on, I’d buy any one of these products to use today. Especially that amazing Pocket Hi-Fi (tagline: “Like a party in your pocket. But not in a weird way.”)

ALT/1977: WE ARE NOT TIME TRAVELERS [Behance via ★]

IPhone and iPad Lost in the Trash, Found with MobileMe

IPhone and iPad Lost in the Trash, Found With MobileMe

When Eric Boehs saw the garbage truck coming he panicked. Desperate to get the trash carted away, he ran to get the bags, setting down his own bag, his iPhone and iPad. What happened next has disappeared into an anguished blur of guilt and confusion. All Eric knew was that when the mists of his memory cleared, there were two things missing: The iPhone and the iPad.

Being a switched-on guy, Eric fired up his Mac and used MobileMe’s Find My iPhone service to pinpoint his iPhone on Google Maps. His phone and the garbage truck were parked outside Hooters. The crew, presumably, were enjoying “lunch.” After 45 minutes, the phone still hadn’t moved, so Eric and his friend Billy jumped in his car and started to follow the iPhone using Billy’s iPad, with videographer Kyle Roberts following along.

Meanwhile, the trash crew had finished lunch and were on the move. Billy and Eric were trying to close the gap but they were up against the clock. Every time Billy pinged the iPhone to get its location, the battery would be drained a little more. Soon, the guys caught a break, and the truck stopped again, maybe for another snack, or maybe the crew was done for the day. It was just three streets away.

Eric was pessimistic. “I think the iPad’s gonna be cracked in half,” he said. Billy thought it would be covered in grease.

Ground zero. The guys arrived at the iPhone’s reported location, but there was no trash truck. Eric used MobileMe to tell his iPhone to beep. This can be done from both the MobileMe website, or the new Find My iPhone app from Apple. The advantage of the web version is that you can stay signed in if you need to switch away from the page. Eric and Billy were using the web.

They were in a motel parking lot. The dumpster there came up empty, so they set the beep again and stared listening at doors. Nothing. They spoke to the neighbors. One of them wasn’t too happy about them filming the whole operation. “Dude, surely you’re not filming right now,” he said to Kyle, “I’m wanted by the law.” Kyle blurred his face from the finished film.

Eric and Billy were determined. They knew that the iPhone at least was nearby, and likely the iPad with it. They found some friendly guys from a roofing company taking a break and asked them if they’d seen the phone.

“You got a white one?” the first roofer asked, grinning.

“It is!” said Eric.

“It got ran over?”

“Probably.”

“Hell, open your trunk!” called the roofer at one of his coworkers.

“I got an iPhone, and an iPad. One of these guys,” said Eric, pointing at Billy’s iPad.

“They both got ran over?”

The roofer pulled them both from his cab and showed Eric the tire tracks on both. The iPad and the iPhone were never even on the garbage truck. The roofers had found them in the road and, thinking they were maybe broken, tossed them in the cab. Eric was of course very happy, but there was one mystery remaining.

“I have to ask you guys a question,” asked Kyle, “Did you go to Hooters earlier today?”

“Yes,” said one roofer.

“Where do you think he’s gonna want to eat lunch every day?” asked another. He was still drinking from a Hooters paper cup.

And the i-devices? Not so good. The iPhone was obviously still working, as it had faithfully sent position updates back to the mother ship, but the screen was crushed. The iPad was broken in a far more unusual way. Whatever had driven over it was heavy enough to crush the aluminum unibody casing so hard that it was stretched over the parts inside like it was vacuum-formed. The screen, although popping out at the edges, was completely unscathed.

What have we learned? That Find my iPhone works great, that the iPad screen is tougher than it seems, and that roofers like a little scenery when they eat their lunch.

Trashed iPhone and iPad: Search of the iFamily [YouTube. Thanks, Kyle!]

IPad Keyboard Dock Works with iOS4

IOS4 will let you use a Bluetooth keyboard to type on your iPhone or iPod Touch and control various other functions. I’m writing this post on a latest-gen iPod Touch with an Apple Wireless Keyboard and it works great: The brightness buttons, volume and iTunes keys all do what you’d expect. This is a headline feature of the new iOS, shown off by Apple right there on the about pages.

What you may be surprised to learn is that the iPhone will also work when forced into the iPad Keyboard Dock, as tested by internationally-beloved technology pundit Andy Ihnatko. Once squeezed onto the dock connector, you get all the same functionality as you would with a Bluetooth keyboard, with the added danger of busting your iPhone due to the tight fit (the slimmer iPod Touch should work a lot better).

You might remember that you can also hook up a keyboard to the iPad via the USB camera connection kit. I can’t test this as mine is still on back-order, but Ihnatko tried it out an the answer is a big “no”. The iPhone flashes up its non-compatible accessory warning. Ah well.

I can’t say typing long-form text on the tiny screen is any fun, but it would certainly be better than typing long-form text on the iPhone’s screen. Even so, Apple’s minuscule Bluetooth keyboard is still large when compared to the iPhone. Perhaps this will kick-start the market in foldable, rollable keyboard accessories?

The iPad Keyboard Dock works with the iPhone 3GS! [CWOB]

See Also:

• iPad Keyboard: Pricey and Awkward, But a Must-Have for …
• Video: Neo Keyboard Hooked up to iPad
• USB Typewriter Turns iPad Into Paper
• iPad USB Camera Connector Works With Keyboards, Audio In-Out …

Beautifully Hypnotic Video Details Canon Macro Lens Hack

This video is eight and a half minutes long. It is also a beautifully shot, hypnotic look inside a DSLR lens, which is easily worth your time. Oh, and it’s a follow-along hack, too, if you have the guts.

Y’all probably know how to turn any SLR lens into a super-close-up macro lens: you just pop it off the camera and flip it around, pointing the rather delicate rear element at your subject. There are even reversing rings available which make an interface betwixt camera bayonet and lens filter-ring so you don’t need both hands all the time.

But this amazing how-to from Lozzless goes way beyond, using a drill, a hacksaw, lots of epoxy glue and even some soldering to make a permanent macro-lens from a Canon 18-55mm kit zoom. Out come the autofocus controller, out come the electronics, and in comes a ribbon cable and a whole lot of work to join the computronical parts back together.

The result, apart from the beautifully shot video (we’re guessing it was made on a Canon 5D MkII due to the short depth-of-field, so shallow even a spider couldn’t drown in it), is a lens which snaps snugly to the front of a Canon SLR and still gives it full electronic control over the aperture. It also looks like some amazing Gibsionian hack. Good job, Lozzless. And nice music choice, too (it appears the Yo-Yo Ma and Philip Glass “collabo” is actually allowed by YouTube).

How to create SuperMacro lens [Lozzless / YouTube via Photography Bay]