The Modern Materialist : computers

Break Your Internet Addiction

Diana Vilibert — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 21:51:00 GMT

Need help taming your internet addiction? Ironically, there's a web app that can help:

Freedom is an application that disables networking on an Apple computer for up to eight hours at a time, freeing you from the distractions of the internet--andFreedom enforces freedom; a reboot is the only circumvention of the Freedom time limit you specify.

Go ahead. We'll be here when you get back.

St. Patrick's Day Sale - Up to 80% Off at Geeks.com

Diana Vilibert — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 21:24:00 GMT

Calling all computer nerds! You can get up to 80% off computer hardware and software today on Geeks.com, if you're still sober enough to enter your credit card info/remember your address. Actually...

...to come to think of it, they're probably making money off all of the people hitting "Purchase" seconds before blacking out, only to get a computer delivered to their door two weeks later. Sneaky.

Like a Virgin

Shaun Seneviratne — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 16:08:00 GMT

Go one step further than Andy's (Stevel Carrell) video game chair in The 40 Year Old Virgin:

The V1 Flagship Chair (The "V" stands for Vision, not Virgin). Only $2,600!

The Original V1, $2,000.

The New Corner V1, $1,700.

I don't care how often you use your computer, these chairs are just unacceptable.

[The V1 Chair Systems Page]

[Via DVICE]

Related: More! More Screens!

3-D Scanner

Diana Vilibert — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 17:22:00 GMT

See that snowman dressed in winter apparel? It's sitting on a 3-D scanner that, apparently, the “world’s first desktop scanner capable of capturing objects in their full 360⁰ topographic glory." What would you scan in 3-D?

[Realview-3D via Trendhunter]

A Buick of a Media Center

Shaun Seneviratne — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 17:07:00 GMT

[photo via]

Just as I was ranting about how things looked so much better in the 50s, British design student Thomas Thomassen designed this retro media center case!

I kind of want to go to a junkyard and decorate my room with scrap car parts now.

Here's a view of its behind:

[Via DVICE]

Right Click to the Danger Zone

Laureen Mahler — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 16:59:00 GMT

I'm going to venture an opinion here: Top Gun just never gets old. And I'm pretty sure that this is the only computer accessory approved by Maverick Mitchell...

[$17, Brando]

The Aircraft Mouse also comes in a variety of colors, for your Xtreme* Pointing Pleasure:

Welcome to the Danger Zone, mouse afficionados!

*Did you notice how I didn't use an "E" at the beginning there? It's totally more extreme that way.

[via Gizmodo]

Don't Get 8-Frostbit With These Gloves

Alex Zalben — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 21:02:00 GMT

Now, there's a tortured pun if I ever heard one:

I think these gloves are sold out (anyone know what "esgotado" means? Or what language it's in?). Also, I think they may be oven mitts. I maybe should have thought this through before I posted it? Whatever, it's cold and my brain is frozen, leave me alone.

[Bazar Design]

[Via Anderson Horta]

Floppy Disk Nostalgia

Shaun Seneviratne — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 14:33:00 GMT

Q: How many floppy discs does it take install the computer programs of today?

A: About as many as these posters:

Only 100 copies were made of these 3.5 inch poster sets and each one comes hand signed.

[$120, Antrepo Shop]

[Via The Awesomer]

Lenovo To Release PCs That Rival Apple's iMac and Macbook

Shaun Seneviratne — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 18:58:00 GMT

Lenovo has been making pretty legit PCs for awhile, becoming a standard among businesses, but Lenovo's computers always had that dated look with the red trackpad in the middle. It seems that they've taken a tip from the Apple folk and are set to release more consumer friendly PCs that can be seen as worthy rivals to the Macbook and iMac.

Starting at roughly the same price as a Macbook ($1,000), the Lenovo IdeaPad Y650 is made from carbon fiber, making it the thinnest and lightest notebook in its class. It also enables a multi-touch trackpad, a built in microphone, and camera, making it even more Mac-like.

On its home computing front, Lenovo is releasing the IdeaCentre A600 to tackle the iMac head on. What separates it from the iMac is its speaker system (which includes a subwoofer), facial recognition log in, and a remote that doubles as a headset.

Both computers have options for BluRay as well.

If I ever had to switch back to PC, I'd definitely get one of these Lenovos. Since they recently made updates to the iMac and Macbooks, the Apple folks may not come up with something to blow consumers away by the time these Lenovos are released.

Lenovo just might save the PC, rendering the Mac as Apple sauce (a-heh-heh-heh).

[Via Uncrate and Gizmodo]

Because Cats Can't Type

Steph Auteri — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 22:36:00 GMT

Either their butts are in front of my monitor, or they're walking across my keyboard, causing me to accidentally inject typos into my Modern Materialist posts (srsly, that's the reason...).

So generally, the cats are NOT allowed up on my desk.

But this new one... how can I keep her away?

This little kitteh has four ports (three on her back, and one in her mouth). I am in lover with her, andcan only hope that a U.S. retailer starts carrying her because, at the moment, she is only available in lots of 100 from China.

This makes me sad.

Yet hopeful.

That is all.

[Via Oh Gizmo!]

Test Drive: Computer Mouse Cradles Your Hand

Steph Auteri — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 21:00:00 GMT

Now that I work from home, at my computer, 24/7, I often worry about carpal tunnel syndrome. Because sometimes, when I'm drinking coffee, I feel a sharp, jabbing pain in my wrist, and have to put my coffee mug down or else risk spilling it all over my lap and across my keyboard. Which wouldn't be as bad as that time I spilled tea with honey all over my keyboard, but still.

I do a lot of wrist rolls, but I worry nevertheless.

So I was tres intrigued when I saw this ergonomic Handshoe Mouse over at Gizmodo.

The mouse is designed to contour to the natural at-rest position of your hand, so that your hand is completely relaxed while you're working.

When I first tried it out, it felt...weird. After all, I was used to arching my hand in a way that placed stress upon my wrist, as a means of keeping my fingers on the clickers. The Handshoe Mouse felt like a monstrosity.

After using it awhile, though, I began to wish that I didn't have to return mjy sample. Honestly, guys. When you place your hand on this mouse, you don't need to arch your hand. Rather, your thumb rests within the little thumb indentation while the rest of your fingers lay upon the curve with the clickers (it also includes the rolly-thing, for those of you who were worried about that).

Best of all, the back of the mouse spreads out to include the wrist itself (you can see this in the second shot), which precludes the need for a separate, squooshy wrist rest.

Which I feel is revolutionary, because I don't have a squooshy wrist rest to use in my bedroom, when I'm just on the laptop (and yes I use a mouse with the laptop).

The mouse comes in three sizes, depending upon the measurements of your hand, and there are also three colors to choose from (white, black, and clear...I suppose they're actually the anti-colors...). And there's no software to install before use. Just a USB cable.

I'll leave you to decide whether or not it's worth the money.

[$119.95, Handshoe Mouse]

Related: Test Drive: Privacy Mouse

Black Friday Sales: Amazon

Alex Zalben — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 20:02:00 GMT

Hey MM readers--since we're taking a vacation tomorrow to eat turkey, give thanks, and sleep in, today we'll be showing you the best of the Black Friday sales. Check back throughout the day for deals from your favorite stores!

I've done Black Friday exactly once, and that was only because I lived two blocks from the store. Other than that, I avoid the lines by going ONline (yes, I do get paid to do this). Hilariously, if you want the really good Black Friday online deals, you still need to wake up early, and spend all day refreshing websites, but at least you don't need to take your jammies off. Amazon always has some excellent deals, and here are three of my favorites:

LaCie Hard Disk 1 TB, $119.99
Note: I got this hard drive two weeks ago. Not only is it lovely, and works perfectly, but it's about $50 cheaper than usual for an enormous amount of storage. I can't recommend this deal highly enough.

Samsung BD-P2500 1080p Blu-ray Disc Player, $299

Firefly - The Complete Series, $20.49

[Amazon]

Would You Pay: A PC That Looks As Good As A Mac

Shaun Seneviratne — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 21:01:00 GMT

My first computer was a Compaq Presario from 1998. And I thought it was the coolest thing ever until Apple came out with the bulbous, multi-colored iMacs. Ever since, PCs never quite looked the same. Sure, it's not too difficult to make a custom PC with a case of your choosing, but most people don't have time for that.

Here is a nice looking PC that you can start using right out of the box:

Plush Department's PURE* dept. Design Computers are made with a ceramic casing and come in a variety of colors. And the specs aren't bad either.

However, some argue that you can purchase a PC that has the same specs as a Mac for half the price. At 4,500 €, this PC is more than double the price of an Apple Mac Pro.

Do you think approximately $5,700 is worth it for a PC with specs that you can achieve for under $1,000?

[4,500 €, PLUSHDEPARTMENT]

[Via sub-studio design blog]

Switch From Mac to PC With Ease

Alex Zalben — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 16:05:00 GMT

Something Mac owners have known for a long time is that it is extraordinarily easy to switch from one Mac to another. As part of the set up process, you just link up both computers with a firewire cable, and all files are preferences are sent over for you.

Moving from a PC to Mac has been a different story, up until now:

Belkin is poised to release a PC to Mac cable, which will do the same sort of move for you. Microsoft declined to comment on the unit, so take that as an endorsement, I think.

[$50, Belkin]

[Via Cnet]

New! Turn Your MacBook into a Tablet Mac

Diana Vilibert — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 19:02:00 GMT

Draw and write directly on the screen of your MacBook without buying a new laptop--Axiotron now lets you convert your existing MacBook into an Axiotron Modbook, and is about half the price of a new Modbook. Just a word of warning: if your laptop hasn't already fused to your hands, this is probably what'll do it for good.

[$1,299 and up, Axiotron]

Liveblog: Apple Notebook Event!

Alex Zalben — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 16:03:00 GMT

Today sees a new Apple event, focusing, we believe, entirely on updated MacBooks. While these sorts of announcements aren't as far reaching as, say, the WWDC Keynote, there's still usually some fun stuff that comes out of them.

Current rumors have a cheaply priced notebook (doubtful), a new, iPhone like trackpad (possible), and upgraded specs (definitely). The event starts at 1pm EST (10AM PST), and as it happens, I'll "live-blog" the info on this post. So be sure to bookmark, and refresh!

For clarities sake, I'll be posting the most recent updates at the bottom, so scroll down for the latest info:

12:03pm - Want to know what one of these looks like? Check out the last live-blog, while you're waiting.

12:16pm - Checking out a couple more rumors... Personally, I'd buy a large, HDTV display with built in Apple TV in a second, if the price was right. The other rumor is this possible mock-up of the new MacBook:

We'll certainly know how close that comes in about an hour...

12:39pm - Only twenty minutes to go! Apple Store is down, and so, curiously, is the Best Buy store. Hmmm...

12:58pm - We're about to start...

1:00pm - Steve is alive and well! The reports of his death have been greatly iXaggerated.

1:02pm - "Today is all about notebooks, which are teh awesome." I'm paraphrasing.

1:05pm - "Vista is teh haXX0r." I may be paraphrasing again.

1:07pm - Point is, they're spending a good amount of time talking about how awesome Macs are, and how much PCs suck. I assume this is leading into something like, "That's why we're in perfect position to take over the notebook market with..."

1:10pm - Macs are now 17.6% of the market, when a few years ago, they were 3-4%. Which is A) impressive, and B) Attributed to Leopard (positive) and Vista (negative). Anyone else think they're ignoring the rather more obvious, "People like iPods?"

1:12pm - Tim Cook, done with presenting these awesome facts, drops the mic and backs off the stage. Anyway, Steve Jobs is back, and talking about ways of reinventing Notebooks. Bring it.

1:14pm - ...Or not. Jony Ive will talk about how they currently make MacBooks, and then point out what they've learned. Currently, they're made out of chewing gum by goats. Now, they will be made out of magic.

1:17pm - Ive is talking about machine stamping and anodizing aluminum. I think I actually fell asleep and died for a second, not sure.

1:20pm - Shock surprise twist: they'll be using the method they were just describing, which makes the MacBook Air so light, on some more notebooks. Jobs is back and talking about graphics cards. The chip he's introducing is 5x faster than a similar Intel chip.

1:22pm - Hmm... This chip is 55% faster on 3-D graphics. This is clearly addressing the "games for Mac" problem, which is "games don't come out for the Mac," in case you don't know.

1:23pm - Here we go: new trackpad, as expected, is one big glass button with multi-touch. Essentially, imagine instead of a mousepad, you have an iPod Touch sitting in your notebook. Pretty rad, up until I smash it with my heavy metal fingers.

1:25pm - Want to know what the new MacBooks look like? Look above... The mock-up is 100% spot-on.

1:27pm - More specifically, it's the new MacBook Pro, with, "precision aluminum unibody enclosure, LED backlit display, next-gen graphics, multitouch glass trackpad, mini display port connector (putting on all new macs), and environmentally responsible."

1:30pm - They're talking about the two graphics cards in the MacBook Pros, which allow "Turbo" mode. Yup, this is a gaming notebook.

1:31pm - 5 hours of battery on the non-Turbo setting; 4 hours otherwise. Plus, the battery indicator is on the side of the machine, instead of the bottom, which is pretty rad.

1:32pm - Full access to the drive, which is new, right? I mean, that way, you can actually upgrade your laptop's drive, like you can with the Mac Pro?

1:34pm - Two models: Both 15.4", both 250GB hard drives; superdrives; $1999 for 2.4Gh, $2499 for 2.53GHz. In stores tomorrow, available for order today!

1:36pm - MacBook Air gets an upgrade, too, with 50% more storage space standard (120GB), plus the same basic graphics chip as the Pro.

1:37pm - $1799 for the basic MacBook Air; $2499 for a slightly faster model, both available in November.

1:38pm - New $899 Cinema Display, 24", also available in November.

1:39pm - ONE MORE THING!!

1:40pm - Updating the whole MacBook line, as well. Reducing the price to $999 to start and spec-wise, it's just like the Pro, but smaller.

1:42pm - This is just my untrained opinion, but right now, doesn't seem to be much difference between the MacBook Air, the MacBook, and the MacBook Pro, other than a few different chips, and general speediness.

1:44pm - Oops, correction: the current, White MacBooks, with updated specs will sell for $999. There'll be new, metal MacBooks selling starting at $1299 for the 13"; $1599 for the 15". Both are available tomorrow.

1:49pm - Okay, they're showing a video about how awesome Macs are. Anyway, for those of you who like reiteration: all MacBooks will be made from the MacBook Air process (except for dinky white MacBooks), meaning much lighter bodies. They'll also have massively updated graphics, hard drives, etc. Basically, MacBook Airs are upgraded to MacBook specs; MacBooks are upgraded to MacBook Pro specs; and MacBook Pros are basically sentient A.I. monsters that will eventually take over the world.

1:53pm - Ha. They're taking questions from the audience, but Steve pre-empts the obvious: "110/70, that's my blood pressure, and that's all we're talking about my health today."

2:03pm - In case you're wondering about the lack of updates, it's because there's nothing super interesting going on. The end!

2:05pm - ...and they're up at the Store. So what did you think? Excited? Bored?

The Dorkiest Product in MM History

Alex Zalben — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 21:32:00 GMT

We've posted some enormously dorky things in the relatively short history of Modern Materialist. And by "we," I mean, "me." However, this, no joke, trumps everything we've ever posted, all together. Whatever you think it is, it's dorkier than that:

See that? It's a fifteen button mouse for use with World of Warcraft. Each button can be customized for a specific hotkey. Plus, it glows in over 16 million colors. Oh, and if you get it, you'll never have friends again. That parts free with every purchase!

Anyway, it occurs to me this is possibly just sad, not dorky, so why don't we get the new Weird Al single in here? That should nerd things up a bit:

The mouse will be $90 when it goes on sale in November. Sigh.

[$90, SteelSeries]

[Via Gizmodo]

The Cure For Bored Fingers

Alex Zalben — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 19:29:00 GMT

Are your finger's bored? Need a little something to play with? Then why not try out this:

Get it? Finger's bored? Finger board? It's a joystick, anyway.

[$20, Everything USB]

[Via Ubergizmo]

Work it like the French

Wendy Atterberry — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 13:09:00 GMT

Think the only good use for a baguette is to sandwich a great slice of cheese or perhaps hit a baseball (if it's stale enough...)? Well, think again:

This one's made of gel foam, so no risk of attracting the mice. Mice! Get it? Sigh...I need to get out more.

[$24, UrbanOutfitters]

[via SwissMiss]

Related: Outwit Your Witless Boss

A Virtual Masterpiece

Steph Auteri — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 18:00:00 GMT

The ways in which artwork has evolved over the centuries, especially as we move into the digital world, are telling. After all, who needs Michaelangelo's David when you've got something a heckuva lot less unwieldy, like this:

[$155.90, GeekStuff4U]

And it's practical, too! (Though I suppose the Met won't be going out of business anytime soon...)

What's Hidden In This iMac?

Alex Zalben — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 13:00:00 GMT

Can you figure out what's hiding in this picture? Is it:

A) A brand new iMac, unveiled today by Apple!

B) A mirror that reflects only the true nature of your soul!

C) A picture frame, for the digital age!

Or maybe it's...

Just an iMac! Tricked you! Because, you see, there's nothing really hiding; the product I was showing off was covers for your desktops, from Acme Made. Because they get dusty, too. And why should laptops have all the fun?

[$30-$60, Acme Made]

[Via GeekSugar]

Price Perspective: Laptop Bags

Steph Auteri — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 19:30:00 GMT

The laptop pictured above is way more slim and pretty than the $200 piece of crap I picked up at a computer show a few years ago. In fact, I think I'm experiencing a bit of tech-envy. What could possibly make me feel better?

[$250-$275, Knomo]

Spending more on a laptop bag than I did on the laptop itself, of course!

[$285, Knomo]

::sigh...::

[Via geeksugar]

What's Wrong With This Picture?

Alex Zalben — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 14:30:00 GMT

What can I say, I'm into puzzles today. But there's one thing that's very, very wrong with this innovative computer design concept. Can you guess what it is?

No, it's not the projected screen.

Or the touchable interface.

Did you guess it? Yeah, there's no way it runs on Windows Vista. Oh snap!

[Via Yanko Design]

A Riddle About Laptops

Alex Zalben — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 13:00:00 GMT

Question: When is a laptop not a laptop?

Answer: When it's not on your lap!

[$40, Think Geek]

Apple Keynote LiveBlog

Alex Zalben — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 16:00:00 GMT

You know what time it is, Materialistas? It's Apple Time! Time for Steve Jobs' World-Wide Developer Conference Keynote, that is. Though I'm not in San Fran for the announcment, I will be updating this very post in a semi-live-blog, as the announcements of amazing, god-like devices roll out. So bookmark this page, and keep refreshin', because the updating should begin shortly (say, around 1pm EST).

Oh, and for clarities sake, I'll be posting the most recent updates at the bottom, so scroll down for the latest info.

12:00pm - Nuthin' yet. There's been a lot of rumors swirling about what, exactly, they'll be announcing today. My guess is that the iPhone 2 (whatever the specs) is a lock. I also wouldn't be surprised to find out the Touch has replaced a few more iPods (Touch Nano, maybe?). Finally, my fingers are crossed... I'm hoping... I'm praying... That John Mayer plays a song at the end. That would be so awesome.

Oh, and cause I'm a shameless self-promoter:

12:41pm - Apple Stores worldwide are DOWN. There's been some rumors that iPhone 2 wouldn't go on sale until next month. Those may be true, but at the very least, something is getting add to the Apple Store. My guess? iPuppies.

12:48pm - Okay, here's what I love about Apple Announcement Day... A picture of people going up an escalator!!!OMG! I kid, I actually did get excited about this.

12:53pm - I've updated the top picture with a pic of the hall, courtesy of Engadget, who's actually in San Fran. Perhaps I should start a live-blog about live-blogging this live-blog? Just a few more minutes until real info hits, and I can stop making stuff up to talk about...

12:56pm - Okay, MacRumors wins for craziest amount of over-information:

1:00pm - It's go time. Let's do this, Jobs.

1:03pm - Al Gore is in the crowd! Insert your own "inventing the internet" joke here. Although I suppose he'll insert his own joke in a little bit.

1:06pm - I think the above statement came out wrong... I meant I'm sure he'll make some sort of self-effacing joke about it, not "Al Gore is going to have sex on stage, and I'm referring to his penis as a joke." On second thought, I'm sure none of you thought that, and now I'm all embarassed. Anyway, they're still seating people.

1:08pm - Lights have dimmed. Steve is on stage. The crowd goes nuts. Only in San Francisco, people. Only in San Francisco.

1:09pm - 52,000 people at World Wide Developers Conference, massively successful, blah, blah, blah... Okay, "this morning we're talking about iPhone." Here we go.

1:10pm - New Mac OSX - named Snow Leopard, to be debuted after lunch. Snow Leopard, huh? I assume the next update will be code-named Happy Kitty, or something?

1:13pm - Finally, iPhone 2 talk... Though it's boring stuff about Enterprising features. This will be followed by SDK, and then we'll get to end-user features. Meaning, another few minutes until the stuff YOU care about. Also, me.

1:17pm - Okay! On to SDK. Still boring.

1:19pm - They're still talking about the Software Developer Kit (SDK). What is this, a developers conference?

1:23pm - Since this is really boring; possibly even more boring than you can imagine if you're not following the discussion in real-time (they're talking about how to build a User Interface), I'm going to take a moment and plug SketchFest NYC, a national sketch comedy festival happening this weekend in NYC. Three days of stuff that's fun. No discussion of User Interfaces. Okay, plug over!

1:27pm - Still displaying the Interface Builder. I'm going to take another moment, more on topic this time, to pose the following question/statement, that I've been thinking about the past few days: Apple is the technology leader, right? Using the example of the iPhone, before it was released, touch-screen tech was used for museum displays, and that's about it. Now, every phone maker is scrambling to make a touch screen phone. Look back further to the mouse, CD drives, iPods, and basically any innovation Appple has made. The other part of this is, because Apple is the leader, other companies scramble to copy them, but bend over backwards to make something that is, essentially, different. Which defeats the purpose of copying them. Anyway, looks like they're finishing the developer talk, so we're back on.

1:30pm - Sega is demoing Super Monkey Ball for the iPhone, featuring tilt-controls. I realize this sentence makes it sound like I'm insane if you don't know what I'm talking about.

1:33pm - Aha! Here we go...Super Monkey Ball, and other games, will be available at the launch of the iPhone App Store for $9.99. Not bad, for a game with 110 levels and motion controls. Picture below is from Gizmodo, if you couldn't figure that out:

1:35pm - eBay has created an iPhone app called Auctions that let's you do exactly what you think it does. It's a simplified version of eBay that let's you view and bid on auctions in real-time from the iPhone, without having to access the Safari browser. Honestly? I think this is going to be f-ing huge. Why would you use eBay on your computer, when you could just use it on the go?

1:37pm - Next up is Loopt, a social network app that lets you see, on a map, where your friends are. I expect this will shortly be used in a horror movie. "Oh my god, the killer... He's following us on Loopt!" Scary.

1:41pm - Other apps: TypePad, a free piece of software for blogging or sending photos; and Associated Press, for, you know, AP News?

1:43pm - Oh, you know what? The AP thing is actually a pretty forward thinking application: you can send first hand reports on news, with pictures, directly to the AP. This is either awesome, or terrible, depending on how you feel about mass production of the news. I recommend reading this for more info on the subject. That's an actual recommendation, btw, not a snarky "check" "this" "out."

1:47pm - More games, including a physics based game called Enigmo, and a caveman racing game called Cro-Mag Rally, which uses the iPhone as a steering wheel. Because when you're driving a car, the windshield is 3.5" wide. And also, you're a caveman.

1:51pm - More Apps, including Band, a virtual music creator and player; and At Bat, for checking baseball stats and scores in real time. Hey, do you think Apple is launching an App Store or something?

1:56pm - In case you're wondering, they're now demoing two medical apps. Which is nice, except I'm starting to get bored. This better get awesome, quickly.

2:00pm - So... What's everybody up to right now? Doing anything fun?

2:05pm - Okay, Steve is back. I swear to god, if he doesn't announce something good soon, I'm going to... Keep watching this. Sigh.

2:07pm - New features on iPhone 2.0: Full iWork and Office integration; ability to save images you get e-mailed; parental controls; language support.

2:10pm - iPhone 2.0 software in early July. Free for iPhone owners, $9.99 for iPod Touch owners. Yeah, but what about iPhone 2? You know, the phone, and not just the software?

2:13pm - And now, something entirely new.

2:15pm - MobileMe! The rumors were true... .Mac is turning into MobileMe, or as they're calling it, "Exchange for the rest of us." Oh snap.

2:17pm - Mobile Me works for Macs, PCs, and the iPhone. If you update a contact, a calendar item, or a mail message, it'll update on any device you have connected to MobileMe. Macs, it works with iCal, Address Book, and Mail. With PCs, Microsoft Outlook.

2:18pm - It'll be at Me.com, which isn't quite live yet.

2:23pm - Nice! You can also use the iDisk app native in MobileMe to wirelessly send files... Not that shocking, but considering I've had insane problems sending files from phone to phone before, this is pretty helpful.

2:27pm - Side thought, since I'm now going to be very late for a meeting: is this keynote really going to be two hours long?

2:28pm - 60 Day free trial available with iPhone 2.0 software, starting in July. $99 for a yearly subscription. Now, Steve's back again.

2:30pm - Steve sez: "The iPhone is very popular." $10 says this ends in, "so we're remaking it from the ground up," and everybody goes nuts.

2:32pm - Next challenges: 3G, 3rd party app support, more affordable. Here it comes...

2:33pm - Introducing iPhone 3G.

2:35pm - Thinner, black plastic back, solid metal buttons, same display, camera, flush headphone jack, and improved audio.

2:36pm - Also, 3G (duh). Faster than Nokia and Treo. Oh snap, again! Almost as fast as wi-fi (17 second download for wi-fi, versus 21 for iPhone 3G).

2:38pm - Battery life is 300 hours standby, 2G talk-time is 10 hours (double the previous version). 3G talk-time is 5 hours. Also: GPS now integrated in the iPhone. Wow, those rumors are right on the money so far.

2:43pm - More countries for iPhone service. Okay.

2:44pm - Wow, I am going to be super late for that meeting.

2:45pm - Pricing: $199 for an 8GB!

2:46pm - $299 for the 16GB, with a white version available for this size. Wow. These things are going to sell like... Well, like iPhones.

2:47pm - That's the maximum price, world-wide, by the way. They're showing an ad now. You can't see it.

2:50pm - Well, that's it! Steve's gone. iPhone available on July 11th, no other announcements, no One More Thing. Ummm... Hope that was worth it for you guys, and thanks for playing along! And post your impressions in the comments below.

Is It Plugged In?

Steph Auteri — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 15:00:00 GMT

When given the choice between calling up the IT department or repeatedly restarting my computer until it magically begins working correctly again, I usually choose the latter. And here's why:

[$15.95, X-treme geek]

If you call up the tech guys, you're basically at the whim of embittered computer prodigies who are actually referring to these die whenever you ask them a question.*

Actually, if hitting restart isn't working for you, you may just want to pick up a pair of these yourself.

*Disclaimer: All of the IT people I've ever known have been extremely lovely people, only existing to make life easier for the likes of me. All computer problems are due to the idiocy of their users. Especially that time I spilled hot tea with honey all over my keyboard.

[Via GeekSugar]

Cramped Quarters: Relocate to the Other Room

Steph Auteri — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 19:30:00 GMT

I live in a one-bedroom condo with my husband, where we've converted the dining room into an office for the two of us. So basically, we sit back-to-back, working most hours of the day, trying our darndest not to annoy the heck out of each other. If someone feels like watching TV...a mere few feet away...all hell breaks loose.

It's my dream that someday we will have a four-bedroom house, with enough room for us, the kids, and an office for each of us (with locks on the doors). For now, though, what to do when one person has work to do, and the other wants to throw a goddamn party!?

[FeDom]

That's right. The hard worker is banished to the bedroom, with her laptop and laptop desk, which comes with stereo speakers, cooling fans, foldable legs, etc.

Gain Elightenment

Alex Zalben — Wed, 28 May 2008 14:30:00 GMT

The picture above is of:

A) An Olde Timey Television.
B) An Elaborate Mirror.
C) A Relatively Thin Microscope.
D) A Tricked Out Computer.

If you answered D, you’d be absolutely correct… The Enlighten PC from Suissa Computers comes with a choice of video cards, 4GB of RAM, 1TB of drive space, a DVD burner, and a power supply.

It’s also completely freaking huge, as you can see from the pictures below (think about how large those ports are on your PC, then extrapolate):

Suissa is only making ten of these, and as they are customizable, pricing is available upon request.

[Suissa Computers]

[Via SlashGear]

Hardbook Mixes Style With Power

Alex Zalben — Mon, 12 May 2008 20:30:00 GMT

For those of you who are a little tech savvy, and don’t mind playing around with a hard drive, the Hardbook might be the thing for you. The hard drive enclosure fits most 3.5 inch SATA I or II drives, and connects to your PC or Mac using a USB cord.

Oh, and it looks like a book.

It also sports a unique “no fan” cooling system, as well as an internal power supply and a one push backup button. The drive enclosure isn’t out yet, but it will cost approx. $300 when it does.

[Sarotech]

[Via Oh Gizmo!]

More! More Screens!

Alex Zalben — Wed, 07 May 2008 18:00:00 GMT

9x Media provides customizable desktop displays for your computer (or, I guess web TV), and that’s pretty cool and all, until you start to consider that thy can be customized up to 64 screens, from 19” to 32” each. Any way you want ‘em. So you can have the above configuration, or you can make something like the ones below, which ar perfect for showing off your tree collection:

Prices vary, of course, and each unit is upgradeable and expandable. I’m going to need a bigger desk.

[9xMedia.com]

[Via Born Rich]

The Modern Materialist : computers

Break Your Internet Addiction

St. Patrick's Day Sale - Up to 80% Off at Geeks.com

Like a Virgin

3-D Scanner

A Buick of a Media Center

Right Click to the Danger Zone

Don't Get 8-Frostbit With These Gloves

Floppy Disk Nostalgia

Lenovo To Release PCs That Rival Apple's iMac and Macbook

Because Cats Can't Type

Test Drive: Computer Mouse Cradles Your Hand

Black Friday Sales: Amazon

LaCie Hard Disk 1 TB, $119.99Note: I got this hard drive two weeks ago. Not only is it lovely, and works perfectly, but it's about $50 cheaper than usual for an enormous amount of storage. I can't recommend this deal highly enough.

Samsung BD-P2500 1080p Blu-ray Disc Player, $299

Firefly - The Complete Series, $20.49

Would You Pay: A PC That Looks As Good As A Mac

Switch From Mac to PC With Ease

New! Turn Your MacBook into a Tablet Mac

Liveblog: Apple Notebook Event!

The Dorkiest Product in MM History

The Cure For Bored Fingers

Work it like the French

A Virtual Masterpiece

What's Hidden In This iMac?

Price Perspective: Laptop Bags

What's Wrong With This Picture?

A Riddle About Laptops

Apple Keynote LiveBlog

Is It Plugged In?

Cramped Quarters: Relocate to the Other Room

Gain Elightenment

Hardbook Mixes Style With Power

More! More Screens!

LaCie Hard Disk 1 TB, $119.99
Note: I got this hard drive two weeks ago. Not only is it lovely, and works perfectly, but it's about $50 cheaper than usual for an enormous amount of storage. I can't recommend this deal highly enough.