by Ryan Block, posted May 12th 2008 at 10:02PM
var We’ve got some news that’ll make a PC gamer or two weep: the Wall St. Journal is reporting that as of next month Dell will be dropping four models of XPS performance PCs to focus solely on pushing Alienware. Certainly no surprise though, we’ve been waiting for this move since they picked the company up back in 2006. Of course, there will be certain challenges, namely how Dell will keep its Alienware brand separate (read: pristine) — as its done since the acquisition — yet be able to offer performance PCs on its site alongside the rest of its machines. It’s also unclear what will happen to is XPS line of laptops, since those are big sellers as well, but we’ll all have to wait patiently for the bomb to drop before knowing for sure what Dell’s cutting and what they’re not. [Warning: subscription required]

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Evergreen known for its unique products has launched a USB hub in the shape of an emergency exit logo. This green colored hub comes with four USB2.0 ports.The Evergreen Exit hub measures 12.1x 9.5 x 6 cm and weighs 92g. The Exit USB hub is available for approximately 999 yen ($9.70) direct from Evergreen Japan.
[ Source ]

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Following up on the earlier rumors, HP has begun to officially offer the Mini-Note 2133 with Windows XP. Although HP has commented that Windows XP will be pre-installed they are doing it by way of the free Vista downgrade option, so when the notebook arrives it should include an install disk for both XP and Vista Business.

In addition to the Windows XP offering, HP has also added a few new configurations to the Mini-Note line-up. Instead of the original four configurations to choose from there are now eight. This should sound like welcome news with more to choose from, however it makes the XP downgrade offering seem just a little on the shady side.

Take for example the high-end Mini-Note model KR964UT, that retails for $819. That comes with, for the most part the same specs as the slightly lowered spec’d model KX870AT that retails for $749. The only items that we can see that are not the same between the two is the option to downgrade from Vista to XP, which should be free and the hard drive. The model that retails for $819 has a 160GB 5,400 rpm drive, while the model that retails for $749 has a smaller but faster 120GB 7,200 rpm hard drive. Is that 160GB drive really worth the $70 difference?

Either way its nice that users will now have the option to have their Mini-Note arrive with XP installed and working properly.

Via [SlashGear]

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This is an awesome addition to any kitchen especially for people who are cooking out of many different pots at one time. Mothers who are always burning one pot or the other will greatly appreciate this new product. A timer you can place on each individual pot with a potholder is a great idea. Most people only have one timer or if you are like me I use the timer on my microwave then use the watch on my wrist. I always lose track of the time because it can not warn me that the time is up so I usually burn at least one thing.

I cook three meals a day. With that many, I usually end up nearly burning something because not only do I have the dinner to deal with but I have two children who are screaming “is it done yet?!” By the time you deal with them you forget what pot you started first and how much time is left. This new gizmo will definitely eliminate that problem.
Gimme!

More info from the manufacturer

Price: $9.00
(Please note prices are subject to change and the listed price is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of posting)

Posted in Gizmo of the Day, Home Automation, Miscellaneous

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by Paul Miller, posted May 12th 2008 at 2:20PM
Nintendo just brought WiiWare to the States, which means you can finally download original games to the console — not just the classics available on the Virtual Console. While we’re sure the Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles entry and the charming LostWinds platformer will do quite well for themselves, we’ve been drooling over Defend you Castle, the Flash version of which has sucked more productive hours out of us than we’d care to admit — unemployment here we come! Games range from 700 to 1,500 Wii points ($7 to $15) and are available now.

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by Paul Miller, posted May 12th 2008 at 1:48PM
It looks like Apple might finally ready to give up its demands for straight up and down $1.99 TV show pricing on iTunes. If you’ll remember, Apple and NBC had quite the squabble over price flexibility and margins last year, and some other show providers have held off providing content until they can get a more favorable deal from Apple. It seems one of those content holders was HBO, with word on the street that Apple is finally going to bow to desires for flexible pricing, and has signed up HBO to kick things off. Apple has also in recent months added NBC Universal shows to its UK store with variable pricing, which might be a sign that a return to the US store isn’t far off.

[Via Silicon Valley Insider]

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by Donald Melanson, posted May 12th 2008 at 11:25AMIt’s far from the first SATA-compatible SSD drive, but TDK seems to think its new GBDisk RS1 series drives will be just the ticket for some very particular users (though not likely you or us). Apparently designed specifically for industrial use, the drive uses single level cell NAND flash memory (as opposed to multi-level cell) and a GBDriver RS1 SATA controller, which TDK says will together help it maintain data reliability while standing up to frequent, high-speed data writing. You will have to make do with some fairly small storage capacities even by SSD standards, however, with the drives topping out at 16GB, all of which come in 2.5-inch drive enclosures. No word on prices just yet, but you can look for them to start rolling out this June.

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The Nokia 3600 Slide offers a 3.2 megapixel camera with autofocus, dual-LED flash, and video recording as well as the following features:

* quad-band GSM (850/900/1800/1900MHz)
* GPRS/EDGE
* 30MB memory
* microSD card slot
* Nokia Maps GPS
* Opera Mini web browser
* background noise cancellation
* FM radio
* 2.5mm audio jack with TV-Out capability
* 16m color TFT, 240×320 pixel resolution main display
* Bluetooth 2.0

Via MobileBurn.

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Users experiencing issues with SP3 Tummy Shield for moms-to-be StandPouch eliminates the need for a tripod Trunki offers relief for parents Clip Stik Ultra-Slim Fan Strapless One Touch Heart Rate Watch Bladez 3D Helicopter Digital Clock Calendar + USB Hub MSI Titan 700 small in size but performs decently Flogos turn the sky into your billboard Bug Bat helps zap pests Hello Kitty cell phone comes with speakers Cup eliminates the need for a stirring spoon HandTalk Translates Sign Language To Audio On Your Cellphone Google Recycled Mini Wireless Mouse Sony Style Mother’s Day package Thumbnail gallery plugin by SoftSift

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Gadget Lab predicts that there will be new fashion amongst underaged Japanese smokers: stupid, wispy, half-grown bum-fluff mustaches. Why? Age-detecting cigarette machines. In order to combat illegal vending sales to the under 20s, Fujitaka Co has come up with a machine which uses a digital camera to study the faces of potential buyers and detect “wrinkles surrounding the eyes, bone structure and skin sags”.

The problem is that the device only achieves a 90% hit rate, meaning that “minors that look older, and baby-faced adults” could fool the machine. These unfortunates will be asked to insert their driving licenses.

The potential for insult here is high, although I know a few people who would be so happy to be thought younger than they are that the temporary lack of fags* would be trivial. We suggest that to be fully effective, though, the machine should detect sallow skin, sunken cheeks and yellowing teeth.

Wrinkles could be key to buying cigarettes in Japan [Reuters]

Photo [LHOON/Flickr]

*Fags in the English sense

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