CrunchPad to compete with theoretical Apple Tablet?

An interesting war could soon be starting. No it’s not a war of man and military machines, but instead a war between an underdog and seasoned veteran. The underdog, Michael Arrington of TechCrunch teamed up with a Singapore tech startup, Fusion Garage to get his CrunchPad idea into reality. From the beginning, the CrunchPad was to be a $200 touchscreen tablet device that would eschew the typical local storage and focus primarily on the web in both program usage and storage (as the device doesn’t have any local storage) — all programs and data transferred will come from online sources. Another handy feature built in to the CrunchPad is the ability to use the tablet as a 3G modem for other electronics effectively doubling the usefulness of said gadget as it will also help many other gadgets. The ultra low price of $200 doesn’t appear to be sticking however as the Strait Times is reporting that at launch in November the device will ship with a new, larger $400 pricetag. Building you own wonder gadget is never easy. With a new Apple tablet rumored to be released in September, one has to compare the two and wonder who will win. The Apple Tablet will more than likely look better and have some form of OS X on it…whether it’s a modified iPhone OS or modified Leopard OS still remains to be seen. Current rumors foretell of the Apple Tablet coming with an iPhone OS of some sorts, but, it is a rumor so anything is possible. After reading a slew of reviews on each, spending countless hours drooling over pictures and videos, which device do you think you would choose. The sure to be gorgeous mega giant Apple Tablet or the underdog Crunch Tablet?

Source: Venture Beat

Ninja Star/Coat Hangers reveal your inner triad persona

Closet Triad followers and those of you who simply like sharp, shiny objects may want to spice up your humble abode but don’t know how to go about it. Adding a geeky flare to your living quarters isn’t an easy task. You want people to know you’re a geek, but you don’t want to look too geeky to the point you have to imagine what girls look like….that’s never a good thing mind you. One way to bluntly (not quite) reveal your inner passions is by way of the Ninja Star Coat Hook. The actual hook is pretty straight forward – a Chinese Ninja star with one tip replaced with a screw to affix to your wall. Set up as you would imagine is pretty simple. The Ninja Star Hooks will definitely add a more geeky and menacing flare in no time flat. Getting such a unique coat hanger only requires you to part with $13 and take a stroll on by ThinkGeek. Not so bad is it? One more thing…just be sure that you mount them higher up on the wall. Wouldn’t want to trip and fall into one now would ya? (ouch)

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Source: CrunchGear

Apple pointing iPhone OS instability finger at jailbreaking

Apple’s stance on jailbreaking is nothing new. They hate it. They want it written into law as illegal (stupid). Many people who have a love for the devices potential are often left wanting more when Apple goes on and does truly stupid things….like banning GV apps. Because of the constant tug and pull of power that seems to go on between AT&T, Apple, and the iPhone end user, many users take matters into their own hands by jailbreaking their devices. It truly is one of the best things you could ever do for your iPhone. While it can cause some instability issues and other speed hiccups, those problems are most often caused by a bad app, not a problem with the jailbreak code. Still, Apple as of late has been relentless, pushing the issue that jailbreaking causes everything from system instability issues to supporting terrorism. (Don’t even get me started on that one.) A new support document published by Apple reveals just how misguided their view really is. The former claim, that jailbreaking causes system incompatibilities and speed problems within the OS, is nothing that anyone is denying. There are problems occasionally that require you to re-jailbreak. Again, most times redoing it will fix any outstanding issues. People who jailbreak are tech savvy enough to know the inherent risks and complications that can arise when tinkering with such a complicated devices’ code and inner workings. Still, that doesn’t give Apple’s claim any real credibility in regards to the real motives behind their claim.

Fill you sweet tooth and get the job done with the Chocolate Bar Mouse

Novelty gadgets while not usually worthwhile in regards to actual usefulness when features are concerned surprise us every once in a while. This gadget probably isn’t one of them. The gadget in question is the Chocolate Bar Mouse. Instead of pushing around a common, boring mouse, do something different. Stand out in the computing age with a mouse that looks like a a bar of chocolate with a bite taken out of it. Now I love chocolate. So see this makes me want to go eat a bar myself. However, moving back to usability one can see that the flat shape and awkward styling probably isn’t all that comfortable. Hey, I could be wrong. Still, if this digital sweetness is calling your name, Lazybone UK is your hookup for a mere £21.99 ($36.31 USD).

Source: Geeky-Gadgets, Hardware Sphere

Macbook Pro, iPhone, and other miscellaneous desk items get caked

If you’re a gadget enthusiast and a baker, or you simply have a massive sweet tooth, the creation above created by New York based BCake will put you over the sugar high edge. The masterpiece as you can see goes beyond your typical cake in that there are numerous angles, edges, and shapes that truly show BCake’s skills and abilities to create some really good looking cake. Looking at the pictures, one can see a Macbook Pro, mighty mouse, and iPhone made completely out of cake. Going the extra mile, other miscellaneous desktop objects such as pencils, sticky notes, etc made out of pure sugar…*perfect bedtime snack for little johnny*. There are more pictures inside to drool over and get your sweet tooth sent into over drive. Even if I were in the position to be in the same room with such a masterpiece of geekiness and bakery goodness, even though I would be highly drawn to chowing down like none other, I simply couldn’t or wouldn’t want to destroy something so beautiful. Would you? Remember, if you’re ever in the New York neighborhood check out BCake. Of course, you can always stop by their website. More pictures inside.

AESIR Embler flies like, looks like UFO. Isn’t UFO.

Sci-fi buffs no doubt have some sort of fascination with UFO’s and alien creatures from other planets. Whether they’re here for friendship and lifelong happiness or to conquer our soles and consume our brains, the unknown that surrounds extraterrestrial issues and UFO’s is hard to ignore. An aerospace company by the name of AESIR has finally developed a vehicle/device that takes a more traditional “UFO”-ish look for one of their unmanned aircraft that is actually stable and more or less reliable (so far). The device, called “Embler”, uses a combination of specially placed wind vanes and flaps to control torque and direction. The lift comes from the Coanda effect of the airflow directed downward over the curved outer surface creating the upward propulsion. I don’t know about you but I definitely want one of these. *sigh*….someday

The Awesomer, AESIR

iriver to bring Android based PMP and new e-reader to market?

For now, hop on aboard the rumor train and get ready for a ride. A ride full of iriver rumors of juicy gadgets to get you salivating. The electronics company who was once known for amazing mp3 players such as the iHP-120 has of late focused more on the lower capacity/end of the market with players that haven’t really wowed us. However, according to rumors from the Australian urban jungle say iriver is about to sing a different tune. A tune that includes an Android based PMP and a new e-reader/internet tablet. Woo hoo! The news comes from Danny Bejanoff, iriver’s product manager at a local distributor, C.R. Kennedy’s. Apparently iriver is looking to take on Apple and their iPod Touch head on as this new PMP will come with WiFi/Bluetooth, 3.5″ touchscreen, full web browser, accelerometer, and a digital TV turner are the more important talking points. Of course, the coolest part here is the inclusion of Android. So far this wonder gadget hasn’t been officially approved yet so don’t get you hopes to high and your dreams crushed if it becomes vaporware. Also up in the pipeline — a new e-reader and internet tablet. iriver can design some truly great gadgets. Now all they have to do is stuff these things with all kinds of goodies that will actually make us want to buy them over the competition.

Source: Engadget, Current