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Stay Classy, Phallic Nintendo Ads [Ads]

Posted: March 16th, 2010, 5:59am PDT by Mark Wilson

Tags: Ads

Click here to read Stay Classy, Phallic Nintendo Ads

I'm sorry, but when you send the question "What would you like 93% bigger" to my email in a generic red graphic, one thing comes to mind. And it's not the DSi XL. (Also, 93% bigger would just be gross.) More »

Add a DSLR to Your Nintendo DS [Mods]

Posted: March 15th, 2010, 5:40am PDT by Mark Wilson

Tags: mods

#mods

Click here to read Add a DSLR to Your Nintendo DS

Nobody is going to share the murky photos from the DSi's integrated camera, so why not hack a classic DS to become a controller for a dSLR? More »

Developers: Nintendo DS2 To Be Revealed At E3 With Accelerometer and Higher-Res Screens [Nintendo]

Posted: March 15th, 2010, 3:42am PDT by Kat Hannaford

Tags: nintendo

#nintendo

GDC is over for another year, but the omission of any solid Nintendo news—particularly in the shape of a new handheld console—was not enough for RPAD.tv, who spent the whole show digging for DS2 information from developers. More »

Gadget Deals of the Day [Dealzmodo]

Posted: March 8th, 2010, 12:00pm PST by Kevin Lee

Tags: Dealzmodo

Deals today are so good they'll make you feel dirty about saving cash. Top picks are a Dell for super cheap, Mass Effect 2's space opera goes for even less, and free fired shrimp doused in sweet mayo sauce.

Top Deals:
• Get 7 Mac Apps with the Macheist Nanobundle2 for only $19.95 (normally $260)
• Mass Effect 2 (PC) for $29.99 plus free shipping (normally $40.54).
• Coupon for Honey Walnut Shrimp at Panda Express (Mar. 10 ONLY) for $0 (use this form).

Home Entertainment:
• 55" Vizio VF551XVT LED-Backlit LCD HDTV (1080p, 240Hz) for $1749.00 plus free shipping (normally $2499).
• 46" SONY BRAVIA KDL-46W5100 1080p LCD HDTV for $1,198.99 plus free shipping (normally $1529).
• 42" Panasonic Viera TC-P42U1 1080P Widescreen Plasma HDTV for $700 with free shipping (normally $1000).
• Sony ES Series STR-DA4400ES Home Theater A/V Receiver for $799.99 plus free shipping (normally $1099.99 - use coupon code SONYSTR440ES).
• Sony HT-CT100 Sound Bar Speaker + Subwoofer for $219.99 (normally $299 – use coupon code: 3A825).
• Creative Inspire Speaker System $40 Shipped (normally $50 - use coupon code EMCYPYN25).
• Skullcandy Ink'd Earbuds - Black for $9.99 plus shipping (normally $19.99).
• Best Buy $9.99 + Free Shipping Blu-ray Movie Sale (Quantum of Solace, Dark City, MORE).
• Austin Powers Collection: Shagadelic Edition Loaded With Extra Mojo (Blu-ray) for $24
• Harold & Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay Unrated Special Edition (Blu-ray) or Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle Extreme Unrated (Blu-ray) for $11

Hobomodo:
• GameFly 21-day Free Trial for $0 (normally 10 days - use coupon code 2military1)
• TeamViewer iPhone Remote Desktop App for $0
• Big Brain Of Fire (iPhone/iPod Touch) for $0 (normally $1.99).
• Good to Be by Backyard Tire Fire (MP3) for $0 (download here).
• Rachael Ray Nutrish Dog Food sample for $0 (use this form).
• Coupon for Honey Walnut Shrimp at Panda Express (Mar. 10 ONLY) for $0 (use this form).

If a deal looks too good to be true, investigate the store and see if it's a good, reputable place to buy. Safe shopping!

[Thanks TechDealDigger, Dealzon, Logic Buy, GamerHotline, Cheap College Gamers, CheapStingyBargains and TechBargains.]

How Sony Lost Its Way [We Miss Sony]

Posted: March 3rd, 2010, 1:00pm PST by Joel Johnson

Tags: We miss Sony

More than anything, Sony's lost its spirit, spending too much time telling us it's the greatest electronics company in the world and not nearly enough showing us.

Proprietary Formats

Sony's last huge format hit was a product called "Compact Disc". You might have heard of it. Spinning plastic wheel with pits in the bottom? Read by lasers? Co-developed with Philips?

It took a couple of years for CDs to take hold, but once they did, Sony raked in the cash. Not only by selling players, but by manufacturing CDs for themselves and others. It's a huge part of their business even today, as Sony DADC produces not just CDs, but DVDs, Blu-ray, and PlayStation discs in facilities around the world.

Sony became spoiled. For decades, a success in a new media format meant that Sony could expect to make money selling the media itself. Through the '80s and '90s, they became less inclined to share the market. Sony developed the 3.5-inch floppy disc drive for computers which found wide adoption as blank discs were available from a variety of manufacturers. MiniDisc followed, but with less success. In 1998 as the flash memory market started to warm up, Sony introduced Memory Stick, what eventually became an entire family of expensive flash memory formats that were not compatible with devices from any other manufacturers.

And don't forget the Blu-ray vs. HD-DVD war. Sony eventually won that one, but the battle continued for such a long time because neither consortium wanted to lose the market to produce media for consumers—consumers who were increasingly getting their content online.

See the problem? Time and again, Sony took an excellently engineered solution and held it tightly, the better to extract big profits. But every generation, every iteration, Sony's need to control the format became more and more of a liability. Even loyal Sony customers could tell the proprietary formats were a screw job, eroding their happiness with their Sony product every time they had to shell out a premium to buy a Sony-authorized blank.

Unwillingness to Commit

Sony is rife with good ideas. Too afraid to commit to each one fully, Sony instead releases a ridiculous number of products in an attempt to see which might take hold, making many that seem like one-off oddities that even Sony doesn't believe in.

Take "Bravia Link", the streaming media box that Sony decided to sell as a $200 aftermarket option for its televisions while Sony's competitors were integrating similar services right into the TV. Worse, Sony sells the PlayStation 3. Why not integrate the streaming service into that, adding value to the PS3 and buy-in of its customers?

Or what about the Party-shot Automatic Photographer, a dock that works with just two models of Sony's point-and-shoot cameras to automatically compose and shoot portraits of party-goers. Great idea—so why isn't it just built into every camera Sony makes?

Nintendo ate Sony's lunch with the Wii—so Sony is building a Wiimote clone for the PS3.

Netbooks were hot—so Sony built a netbook twice as expensive as its competitors with little performance difference then let it fade away in the market after spending millions on its launch campaign.

Sony released the first e-ink reader years before the Kindle—in Japan only. And it was nearly impossible to load your own content onto it. And it took years to get a solid online library and store together. According to estimates from Forrester Research, Sony had only sold about 50,000 of its Readers before Amazon entered the game with the Kindle. It took a competitor with a superior product to convince customers it was time to look at e-ink readers at all. And the non-strategic advantage of being the only reader sold in brick-and-mortar stores for Sony to get the #2 market share it had at last tally.

Apple announced the iPad—so Sony says the tablet market is a "space [they] would like to be an active player in." I am sighing preemptively for the beautiful black slate that Sony will release in 2011, then never upgrade again. In the meantime Sony is pushing its new Chumby-based Dash device, or as you may recognize it, a five-inch thick touchscreen tablet that you have to keep plugged into a wall.

For a brief moment, Sony's Vaio notebooks were among the most beautiful and colorful around. But it didn't take long for Sony's larger notebook competitors like HP to catch up on design—while Sony continued to charge a premium for their now stock-standard "pretty" laptops. Gartner analyst Leslie Fiering put it damningly: "They've been status quo for so long that it's hard to see signs of change. If they continue on the path they're on, they're going to continue to be an also-ran."

That's today's Sony: an also-ran who wants to be respected like a market leader.

For homework, Sony could start with these three studies from Stanford School of Business: "Too Much Choice Can Hurt Brand Performance"; "Asking Consumers to Compare May Have Unintended Results"; and "For Buyers, More Choice Means Better Quality".

That last one might seem bolster Sony's shotgun marketing plan until you read this warning: "In one study, for example, consumers gave top ratings to a restaurant that offered a wide variety of dishes in one category—Thai food. But when that restaurant was portrayed as offering not only Thai food but also food in other categories, consumer ratings went down. 'In some cases, having a lot of unrelated options is a signal to the consumer that the brand is not focused, and therefore can't be very good.'"

Arrogance

There's no better example of the arrogance of the modern Sony than the launch of the PlayStation 3. It was the last of the current generation of game consoles to market. It cost more than all its competitors. Kaz Hirai, then president and CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment America and now the head of the entire ball of wax worldwide, said infamously, "The next generation doesn't start until we say it does."

People were rolling their eyes at Sony even as Hirai and his executive team made those lofty statements—but our eyes flipped all the way into the backs of our skulls after Sony spent the next three years struggling in a videogame market they once dominated.

Why Sony would present this cocky face to the world is impossible to understand, until you realize that it's the sort of self-delusional bluster, pre-game trash talk, from a team that hasn't won a championship in years.

It's clear in their marketing and press relations, too. Sony is always quick to throw a big party, launch some laptop with a silly event like a fashion show, or hand press review units out to lifestyle magazines but not technical publications. Having had one accidental lifestyle product success with the Walkman, Sony mistakenly believes that its products are stylish—when in fact the Walkman became a style icon despite its often garish or pedestrian looks.

If you think this is too harsh an appraisal, think about the many Sony products that arbitrarily ended up in our 50 Worst Gadgets of the Decade roundup. Almost all of them are guilty of more than one of the above infractions, and some—such as the $1900 solid-brass MiniDisc player above, a key device in the short-lived Qualia luxury line—are the glorious embodiment of all three.

I believe Sony has the chutzpah to do more than make me-too products—they're capable of making market-expanding products that become household names. But until they take a hard look at themselves in an honest light, Sony will continue to embarrass themselves by remaining the company that says they're bringing us the future—then sells us products even they don't believe in.

-With reporting by Brian Barrett and Don Nguyen

Rumor: Foxconn Production Problems Mean Long Lines at iPad Launch [Rumor]

Posted: March 1st, 2010, 10:43am PST by matt buchanan

Tags: Rumor

An analyst is reporting that "an unspecified production problem at the iPad's manufacturer, Hon Hai Precision, will likely limit the launch region to the US and the number of units available to roughly 300K."

Analysts make poofy, speculative claims that we ignore all the time, but Canccord Adams' Peter Misek here is reporting that there is an actual "unspecified production problem" happening at Foxconn (the prettier name for Taiwanese manufacturer Hon Hai Precision) resulting in a "manufacturing bottleneck." Of course, it's possible he's still wrong, and a million iPads will flow freely later this month (ooo, is it March already?).

But a high-demand, low-supply launch wouldn't be the worst thing in the world either. It certainly wouldn't be unprecedented; Christ knows, Amazon and Nintendo that strategy milked it for years. [AppleInsider]

Nintendo DSi Uses Camera Face Tracking to Create 3D Mirages [3D]

Posted: February 26th, 2010, 2:20pm PST by Jesus Diaz

Tags: 3d

newVideoPlayer( {"type":"video","player":"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/v\/h5QSclrIdlE&hl=en&fs=1&fmt=22","customParams":[],"width":500,"height":412,"ratio":0.824,"flashData":"","embedName":null,"objectId":null,"noEmbed":false,"source":"youtube"} ); Three-dee displays make me dizzy. I want to see real 3D without eyeglasses, which is exactly what this new Nintendo DSi game does. It opens a world to a new dimension by tracking your face with the DSi camera.

Its name is Rittai Kakushi e Attakoreda, and the mechanics are quite simple: You move your face or tilt your Nintendo DSi to find hidden shapes inside a 3D scene taking over the two screens, a fantastic Through-the-Looking-Glassish doll house that seems completely real. It feels as if the DSi is a window to an alternative world.

What's the magic trick? It uses the front camera of the DSi to track your eyes' position in relation to the angle of the DSi screens, the same principle as Johnny Chung Lee's Wii hack. Since the game knows from where you are looking, it changes the perspective of the 3D camera in sync with your eyes, giving you the perfect illusion that you are looking into a world inside your handheld. [Nintendo Japan via Boing Boing]

In-Store Gaming Kiosks Through the Ages [Retromodo]

Posted: February 26th, 2010, 12:20pm PST by John Herrman

Tags: Retromodo

I never owned a Nintendo 64, and that was totally fine. See, I lived within biking distance of a Blockbuster.

Despite its gradual decline on account of downloadable demos and general console popularity (if you don't have one, one of your friends does), the in-store kiosk is still going strong—walk into any Best Buy or GameStop, and you can play a Wii, a PS3, and an Xbox, or even a PSP and a DS. And just like in the 80s and 90s, the kiosk's chances of the coveted trifecta of retail demo gaming (switched on, connected to working controllers, and playing a non-demo version of a game without time limits) hover at around 10%.

Anyway, Kombo's rounded up visual history of some of the most memorable console demo stations, and I defy any of you to make it through without suffering through at least two military grade Circuit City line-battle flashbacks. It's my turn, you turd. [Kombo]

Nintendo DSi XL Is $190 on March 28 [Dsi Xl]

Posted: February 24th, 2010, 4:16pm PST by Jason Chen

Tags: dsi xl

The mini-giant Nintendo DSi XL, which is ALSO AN EREADER APPARENTLY, has just gotten a price: $190. It will be ripe for your purchasing on March 28.

Oh Boy, Nintendo DSi XL Is an Ereader Now Too [Nintendo]

Posted: February 24th, 2010, 3:19pm PST by matt buchanan

Tags: nintendo

Let's not turn everything with a screen into an ebook reader, pleeeease? The DSi XL is launching in North America on March 28, and Nintendo's putting that gorgeous 256x192 display to use with 100 Classic Books June 14. Dear Christ.

The 100-book package features works from Shakespeare and Mark Twain and it's 20 bucks. Mercifully, you can adjust the text size, meaning if you want it to be readable, you'll be able to scale it up to something like four words per screen. I'm sorry, but reading on a backlit screen with a resolution of 256x192 spread across 4.2 inches sounds like the quickest way to a migraine ever. Actually, that could be the best excuse for getting out of school ever. "My eyes are bleeding from reading so much!" [Kotaku, Bloomberg]

Wiimote Proton Pack Mod Shows Both Dedication and Indifference For Graphical Capability [Ghostbusters]

Posted: February 23rd, 2010, 6:20pm PST by Jason Chen

Tags: ghostbusters

This man, Jack Rossi, created a simulation proton pack + thrower so he can play the Wii version of Ghostbusters with as much realism as possible. This is the result.

I gotta admire him for his preference of playability over having this-gen graphics. And for finding a use for all that junk he had lying around his house. [GBFans via Destructoid via Nerd Aproved]

Gadget Deals of the Day [Dealzmodo]

Posted: February 23rd, 2010, 12:00pm PST by David Chaid

Tags: Dealzmodo

Break open that jar of pennies you've been saving for a kidney. Indulge your twisted side by picking up Dante's Inferno or indulge your softer side by renting The Last Unicorn on Netflix—there is no in between.

Top Deals:
• 15.4" Dell Vostro 1520 Core 2 Duo Laptop for $599 (normally $823).
• Dante's Inferno (360/PS3) for $39.99 (normally $53.40).
• Netflix 1-month trial for $0 (normally 2 weeks, use coupon code A80025926).

Hobomodo:
• Toy Box Physics (iPhone) for $0 (normally $1.99).
• Netflix 1-month trial for $0 (normally 2 weeks, use coupon code A80025926).
• Mystical Monkey All Purpose Cleaner sample for $0 (use this form).
• 40 Dogs (Like Romeo And Juliet) by Bob Schneider (MP3) for $0 (download here).
• Pancakes at IHOP (Today only!) for $0 (use this form).
• Oil of Olay Total Effects Body Wash Sample (WalMart) for $0 (use this form).
• Ladies Home Journal Subscription for $0 (use this form).
• MultiStage Recovery 4.1 Download (Tuesday Only) for $0 (use this form).
• TruPhone Sim Card and $7.50 Credit for $0 (use code:F23T5J and this form).
• $10 Bahama Breeze Restaurant Gift Card for $0 (use code:F23T5J and this form).

If a deal looks too good to be true, investigate the store and see if it's a good, reputable place to buy. Safe shopping!

[Thanks TechDealDigger, Dealzon, Logic Buy, GamerHotline, Cheap College Gamers, CheapStingyBargains and TechBargains.]

Rumor: Sony is Developing a Universal Gaming Controller For Use With Xbox and Nintendo Consoles [Sony]

Posted: February 19th, 2010, 3:44am PST by Kat Hannaford

Tags: Sony

Sony. Working on a PlayStation controller that can also be used with Xbox 360s. And Nintendo consoles. Has hell iced over? Did the last 30 years never happen? Has Linus Torvalds replaced Kazuo Hirai at SCEI?

I know Sony's been working through its propriety issues of late, using the ePub format for ereaders and—heaven forbid!—launching its first range of SD cards. But opening the PlayStation up so the controller can be used with rival game consoles? Well I never.

GoRumors has dug up a patent suggesting Sony's working on a controller with a touchscreen LCD panel that would display commands for other consoles or players that have been set up to work with it.

The patent spells it out:

"A game console controller includes a hand-holdable housing and a touch sensitive liquid crystal display (LCD) on the housing. The LCD is caused to present, depending on what type of game console a user has selected, a controller key layout for a first type of game console or a controller key layout for a second type of game console. A key layout includes plural keys selectable by a user to input commands to a game console."

By the looks of the diagram, the controller wouldn't just be a remote control that would let you turn on the different consoles—it would be an actual gaming peripheral, with the X/Y A/B buttons displayed on the LCD. It certainly wouldn't replace the use of an Xbox 360 or Wii controller, as I can't imagine mashing my thumbs on a touchscreen display for too long, but could be handy when you've got extra friends around and not enough pads to go around. Or as I mentioned before, turning the consoles on to access media.

I'm just in a state of shock that Sony of all companies is proposing this idea. I need to go lie down for a while. [GoRumors - Thanks Anand!]

Microsoft, Into the Light: The Unofficial Windows Phone 7 Strategy [Windows Phone 7]

Posted: February 18th, 2010, 9:00am PST by Jason Chen

Tags: Windows phone 7

Microsoft's last decade began dark. They seemed to screw everything up. Then, over 10 years, they made Xbox, Zune, and a better Windows. And if the reborn Windows Phone can amplify everything, they've got a shot at being the greatest.

Ten years is a long time. During that period, things got harder, and easier, for Microsoft. While Redmond was plotting a comeback, gadgets got to be a lot more than just hardware. The internet and social bloomed. The world that was in increasing need of software expertise. Just few companies—including Microsoft—had shoulders broad enough to give us the entire setup, fully integrated. That is, everything from email services to mobile hardware to desktop operating systems and maybe even movies, video games and music. Things Redmond always had potential for, but failed to deliver on in a cohesive way.

Today, phone makers like Palm, Sony Ericsson and Nokia are less threatening simply because phones need to work with everything else. Only Apple, Google and Sony have similar advantages, although none in such strong proportion as Microsoft. Theoretically.

But 10 years wasn't a coincidence of round timing, or a target. It's taken this long for Microsoft to get its shit together.

See: infighting. The examples here and here tell of instances where one division (Office) was able to basically tank another division (Tablet PC) because the former refused to make a version of its product for the latter. One group develops a great technology like ClearType, only to have it shat on and ignored for a decade before it makes it to market in products developed by other groups.

Eventually, sense prevailed. Windows Mobile was absorbed into the Entertainment & Devices division, the same division that brought you the Xbox and Zune. Why's this notable? Because those two devices are examples of how teams at Microsoft insulated themselves from the rest of the company and made good gadgets we love, period. This is not super common at Redmond. And the move gave Windows Phone 7 the advantages of that group's proven engineers, designers and leaders like Joe Belfiore.

In an interview this week, Joe Belfiore, head of the Windows Phone team, told us that the Windows Phone 7 design, and not just the features, was taken from the best of what Microsoft has been doing. He said they looked over their recent successes and found proven tactics. "For the problems you want to solve in a phone, this approach we took in Zune HD makes sense, so let's use it here," he said. "This approach that we used in Media Center or on a web property makes sense, so let's use it here."

But the future of E&D wasn't about individual gadgets. The division saw a path a few years ago, when J Allard said that "Xbox, Zune and future products will merge."

Windows Phone 7 was the focal point of that vision.

Now Microsoft has all the pieces in place. Windows 7 is good. Media Center is good. Zune is good. Xbox is amazing. Microsoft has so many servers, and web services like Hotmail and Bing. And Windows Phone 7 looks really impressive. Not many companies have this much going for them. But how all these different products come together could be defined by infighting or true coordination—both of which are possible at Microsoft—and will make things utterly amazing or do nothing to elevate Microsoft at all. The stage is set for a tremendous success, but the details are critical. Lethal, even. Here's what we'd love—and what we'd hate—to see.

Zune

Zune is maybe the easiest thing to integrate with Windows Phone. And to call Windows Phone 7 a Zune Phone wouldn't be too far off. The UI borrows heavily from Zune, and many of the team responsible for WP7 previously worked on Zune. Having the entire Zune player on the phone is much like what Apple did with the iPod app on the iPhone, including buying songs over the network. And it's almost exactly like what Xbox has with an integrated Zune marketplace. Zune is basically the Microsoft brand for media. But Zune has some potential edges over Apple and Google's offerings.

The reasons everyone was begging Microsoft to make a Zune Phone were the social aspect and the Zune Pass, which gets you unlimited music (+10 to keep) for the cost of a CD a month. (Something Apple can't match in an iPod but something that people would hardly go out of their way to buy a new Zune for.) In 2010, when carrying around a smartphone and a music player no longer makes sense, it was beyond time for Microsoft to make a phone with its music suite. All they need to do is add in a Pandora-esque streaming factor and they're two steps ahead of everyone else.

Back to the social: Windows Phone 7 already got the Xbox Live/Zune Social friends list in there. If they can tie in this interface—a sturdy enough base for social networking as I've ever seen—and add on location features and status updates, they can really go far. You can already see what your friends are listening to on the desktop Zune player, but being able to see what your friends (or even the people around you) are listening to in real time, then streaming that music over 3G from the Zune servers, that would be a killer social music experience.

There are also quite a few ways Microsoft can screw up the plan. They can make like Google Buzz and shoehorn in too much, too fast, with too little concern for privacy. They can kill off Zune Pass and eliminate the one killer aspect of Zune that differentiates itself from other music competitors. And they can fail to see that hooking the social aspect into their phones is the way every service is progressing now. Fairly easy things to avoid, since Zune has been planned as a media brand and service inside of Xbox for quite some time.

One more very real danger is that development of Zune continues to be separate from the Xbox experience the way Media Center is. Opening the Media Center is jarring, because it subscribes to a different design language and has to be run discreetly. Zune integration needs to avoid this cookie cutter UI approach, while retaining some Zune language and identity.

Here's an afterthought, in consideration of the Zune brand: They could take Windows Phone 7, strip out the phone parts, and call the new hardware a Zune HD2. Everyone already knows how well the iPod Touch is selling. While it forces users to carry a media player and a phone around, there's a market for a device that can do everything but call, especially when carrier contracts and company phones make choosing a phone more difficult. Release the Zune HD2 as a phone-free WP7 device, and you've got millions more potential installs for all those apps, games and content. In other words, Windows Phone 7 would be helping Zune grow into something better than a Zune.

What we want to see:
• Improved Zune service for over-the-air music streaming, like Pandora, if you have a Zune pass
• A base for music social networking, much like how the Zune Social works on the desktop, but anywhere in the world
• Audio recognition so you can hold the phone up to a speaker, grab the song off the Zune network and download it to your phone instantly (with or without Zune pass)
• Wireless music streaming to another Windows Phone, so you could both listen to the same track at the same time

What we don't want to see:
• A bunch of permission lockdowns that makes music streaming and sharing impossible; not because it's not technologically feasible, but because record companies make a face at you sharing music ephemerally (none of it will be stored or saved) among your friends
• The elimination of Zune Pass. Seriously, it's one of the biggest draws of Zune

Xbox

Ahhh, Xbox Live. There's no logical reason why it took 2010 for any of the major console makers or phone makers to get an official console onto a phone. Sony has both a phone division and a gaming division, and Nintendo could have easily partnered with many phone makers for a DS that makes calls. But nope, Xbox Live in WP7 is set to be the first. But it won't be without competition.

Apple's App Store is the current winner in the space, and with good reason: They've put out the best product with the largest audience that's the friendliest to developers. Microsoft can easily overcome this. They've got the games industry behind them. Their development structure is familiar to any studio that's been working on Xbox 360 or PC games—basically all of them—and they have solid relationships with most developers. You've heard developers say that porting games to and from the Xbox or the PC is easy after they've done one. Using the same tools will hopefully make things easier on people making games for WP7. Not super easy, but easier.

You can see the potential here. As Mark said, there are a couple options Microsoft can take. They can make PSP/DS/iPhone level games, they can make games that are companion mini games to the full console versions that either interact or influence your experience there, or they can make straight ports of lighter games on Xbox Arcade that don't require all of the Xbox 360's power. All of these are enticing, and the latter two are more promising than current mobile activity. When we mentioned some of these scenarios to Belfiore, he said, "All the kinds of things that you'd expect, generally, we'll be bringing to bear on the Xbox Live experience." Vague as the answer was, it gives gamers some hope that Microsoft isn't going to leave it at just using the name and a few Xbox Live features, but many of them.

Despite the potential, Microsoft's fighting an uphill battle on roller skates. They're two years late to a mobile games party that's already been defined by a competitor—a competitor that has a product with a three-year headstart. But the fact that Windows Phone will be the first device that carries the name of the big three console makers will mean a lot to regular people. Would a young gamer rather get a portable Xbox phone, when he's already intimately familiar with the Mass Effects and the Dead Risings, or would he rather get something made by Apple? There's also a lot of potential here for a standalone Xbox portable that isn't a phone, much like the Zune-branded Windows Phone 7 device that isn't a phone.

Bottom line, though, is if they don't go 100% all out, grab every one of their console partners and entice them into making quality exclusive games for the Windows Phone, the Xbox name will be worth nothing. People are expecting a level of mobile gaming that hasn't been seen before, not just more iPhone games. Plus, Xbox Live is a network, so they better capitalize on the fact that the infrastructure for multiplayer gaming is already there.

The only real competitor here is if Sony somehow manages to disentangle its various division heads from its various division asses and come out with a branded Sony PlayStation Portable phone. Which we doubt will ever happen.

(*We acknowledge, snidely, the failure of NGage as a hardware and then software platform.)

What we want to see:
• Heavy studio support that bring DS/PSP-quality games to the phone, not just iPhone-level stuff
• Multiplayer games that take advantage of Xbox Live, but accommodate for the lagginess inherent to phones
• Indie gaming thriving thanks to pro-level tools, but able to pull it off without the big budgets of major publishers
• Location-aware gaming that knows where you are, and lets you collect bonuses by visiting places around town (or different cities). Imagine having unique weapons on your console games because you did a sync at New York or SF or Albuquerque
• Multiplayer augmented reality games where you could communicate and interact with other Windows Phones
• An actual controller add-on accessory that gives the option for console-style controls, so you're not stuck with the touchscreen alone

What we don't want to see:
• A bunch of junk games that make it difficult to find the quality ones (the iPhone App Store effect)
• Only cheap games, instead of quality games that take time and effort to develop
• Games that are just lazy ports of games on other devices, not taking advantage of the touchscreen or any of the unique Windows Phone abilities

The Information Superhighway

Every smartphone has been trying to leapfrog previous smartphones in order to claim the crown of "most connected phone." There was Palm, with its fetching and integration of Facebook contacts, Moto's BLUR, which has Twitter and Facebook directly integrated into its top-of-the-phone experience, and now Windows Phone, which pulls data from your email accounts, social networks and work accounts (Microsoft can't quit you, Enterprise customers) and displays it in the tiles on your home screen. This data-centric design has both out-Appled Apple, and could win the connectedness war.

But it's not as far as Microsoft can go. There are a lot of semi-neglected features that the tech-savvy have ditched Microsoft and gone to Google for. Their Windows Live services actually have apps like Photos, Mail (Hotmail), Groups, Spaces (a Facebook-ish site) and SkyDrive (an online storage hub). Nobody really uses these because they're not connected to anything. If Microsoft can bundle Windows Live tightly into the phone and give people an integrated experience—something Google is kicking total ass with on Android, and Apple is only kinda doing with MobileMe—that's one more check in the "win" column.

Being able to check Twitter from your phone isn't enough; every phone out there can do that. Microsoft needs to actually throw its weight around and make its services talk to each other. Imagine a scenario where you're playing an Xbox Live game on your Windows Phone and you do something cool, like getting an achievement (oh yes, why not Achievements for games on there too?). Your phone automatically grabs your location, Tweets your accomplishment, inserts it into your Windows Live Spaces blog, grabs a screenshot for your Windows Live Photos and sets it as your status in Windows Live (MSN) Chat. Pretty cool, no?

This is the type of thing that has taken Microsoft so long to do, for some bureaucratic reason that only division heads can fathom. Why can Google pump out stuff like Buzz (and even enact privacy fixes quickly), but Microsoft can't even get its various online divisions to talk to each other to plan out ideas? Google is Microsoft's primary competitor in the online space here, and if Microsoft doesn't get it together and understand that much of what people need from traditional apps is moving into internet apps, Windows Phone will be sad indeed.

Time will tell how well the mobile version of Internet Explorer—the one stuck somewhere between IE7 and IE8—will perform compared to the WebKit ones used by the other major smartphone OSes. That might be one instance where Microsoft should go external instead of eating its own dog food. Indeed, maybe all the Windows Live services are moot, and there's no way, in the end, to out-Google Google. But I can bet Steve Ballmer will eat his own children before he starts integrating a bunch of Google apps onto his phones.

What we want to see:
• Bundled services, like Google's online apps, in the phone (and on the desktop). It doesn't matter if it's Microsoft's services or Google's services, frankly
• A browser that doesn't suck, which might mean Microsoft needs to ditch their portable IE and go with WebKit, like Android, iPhone or Pre
• The ability to pull all kinds of data from various sources to place on the home screen, like RSS feeds, instant messages, your Xbox Live friends list, the current status of your torrent downloads on your desktop and whatever other information you're interested in

What we don't want to see:
• All this information slowing the phone down. The BLUR interface on Moto's phones is useful, but it's also slow, so a hardware balance must be struck
• All this information eating up battery life. Keeping a constant 3G connection to fetch tweets, stats, emails and so on is rough on the battery, and we would rather have a phone that can last an entire day's use

Windows

The lessons learned from the Vista to Win 7 transition are applied neatly to Windows Phone as well. Instead of presenting users too many options at once, slowing everything down, Windows Phone repackages it into an interface that seems faster and streamlined, but is still powerful at its core.

It's still unclear how much multitasking—the core functionality of Windows and part of the reason why it's called Windows—will make it into Windows Phone. Fine. If you can't find a way to manage full multitasking, like Android or Pre, you should at least be able to do some stuff. Like playing Pandora in the background while you answer emails, or being able to switch back and forth between a web page, a word document and email without having to reload each every time you do so.

But also, even with all the cloud syncing, we need a form of desktop syncing that's as good, if not better, than Apple's iTunes solution. Hooking up photos, music and videos is already taken care of by the Zune suite, but contacts, calendar, social networking account info, emails and more should all be handled as well.

What we want to see:
• Better syncing between Windows and Windows Phone
• Mac support
• Great cloud sync for both mobile and Windows, like My Phone, but with everything (excluding, say, heavy stuff like videos)
• Tight integration, where you can access your text messages, voicemails and call logs from your desktop (somewhat like Google Voice)

What we don't want to see:
• Lousy ports of Windows apps without regard for how they work on the phone
• Cloud-only sync; even though we know cloud is important, we never want Microsoft to ditch the ability to sync stuff from a desktop
• A bunch of manufacturers trying to undercut each other with low-end hardware. One of the big things about Windows is that you can shove it on high-end hardware and low-end hardware and it would still be called Windows. Nobody wants to have a slow-ass phone experience, like Windows Mobile was subject to, because all the manufacturers were too cheap to put good hardware in there. So no, not Windows like this

Office

There wasn't much shown about the intricacies of Office other than it's there, and it works, so we're left wondering how Microsoft will integrate such a simplified OS with the necessary complexities of Word and PowerPoint and Excel. Will your finger be a fleshy Theseus, deftly winding its way through Labyrinthian spreadsheets while you're standing in line at the post office, with mobile Clippy being your Ariadne? Or will the small screen size and lack of sufficient thought into how a bigass productivity app will work form the minotaur that craps on your presentation?

Either way, we've already seen how Microsoft has ported Office onto Windows Mobile before, and it wasn't pretty. If whoever's in charge of the Office division can finally see that Office doing well on any platform is great for all platforms, maybe then we'll get a good implementation on the phone. If Steve Jobs can scare the iWork team into making a pretty-damn-good touch-version of iWork for the iPad, how can a touch Office not be doable at Microsoft? If it can't be done, Ballmer just isn't doing his job.

The main competitor here is, once again, Google. Google Docs is quite decent for normal people to use on Android. Maybe making Office's online component phone-friendly is the way MS needs to go, rather than porting a heavy app into a less heavy one. Either way, if Microsoft wants to be the phone for businessdudes, they'll have to think this part through.

The Microsoft Future We'd Like

Although Microsoft didn't go far enough in the direction we like and actually build its own hardware, they are setting strict minimum requirements and limitations on who can build a Windows Phone and who can't. Belfiore told us, "In this release, we picked the things that mattered most to the user experience, and we require them. So in this release capacitive touch is required." This is better than before—making sure the touch-performance is constant throughout the various models is great—and we can see them being more like Google's current Android lineup (a couple of really good phones, plus some so-so ones) than previous Windows Mobile versions. Like Google, Microsoft is taking an active step in working with partners. Belfiore says they are bringing "in a lot of the hardware that our partners are building, and doing extensive testing on the hardware ourselves."

By insulating itself from the politics of Microsoft and not having to be subservient to any one division, Windows Phone found it possible to integrate the best from nearly all divisions. But it's not enough. The promise of Zune on Windows Phone is great, and the promise of Xbox Live is great, and the promise of online connectivity is great—we just need to see how they execute. If the Windows Phone team goes at this 100%, we'll have a phone that—in its base experience—can beat any other smartphone out there. And for the first time, maybe ever, Microsoft isn't just selling a lot of shit—they've got a chance at winning over our pockets, desktops and livingrooms by earning it.

The Science of Sleep Tracking Gadgets and The Decision Tree [Health]

Posted: February 17th, 2010, 4:04pm PST by Thomas Goetz

Tags: health

Thomas Goetz is the Executive Editor of Wired and the author of The Decision Tree, a new book about how tracking and research can better inform our own health decisions. Here, as an example, he explains sleep gadgets.

Can gadgets make us healthier? Ever since the days of vibrating exercise belts in the 1950s, we've hoped that electric gizmos might work health miracles (witness the return of exercise belts today). But almost always, these turn out to work as well as battery-powered snake oil.

But it turns out that some gadgets can, in fact, improve our health. The difference is that these tools don't promise to do all the work. They just promise to make it easier to track what we already know works – diet and exercise – which in turn makes us eat better and exercise more.

There's good research to support the idea of self-tracking and health (one study found that simple monitoring by email improved concentration & productivity by 50%; made people twice as likely to change their diets; and significantly improved physical and mental quality of life.) But are there good gadgets to match the research? Let's consider just one category: Sleep.

In the past year or so, a handful of devices have come on the market that promise to help you measure your sleep quality, learn when your good night goes bad, and even wake you up at the optimal time. They're the result of two trends: sleep research that has given scientists a new understanding of what constitutes a good night's sleep; and cheaper, better sensors that make these tools affordable and easy to use.

Before I drill down into the devices, a bit of context on the benefits and science of tracking our sleep. The premise of monitoring our sleep is a bit tricky, since we're, uh, supposed to be asleep. So we need to use sensors and proxies to measure things that we hope correspond to sleep quality through the night. Most of this boils down to measuring how long we spend in the five phases of sleep, from light sleep to REM to deep sleep.

The traditional approach to sleep research is called polysomnography, an intensive high-fidelity approach that typically requires more than 20 wires to be hooked up to the test subject. This noodle soup of nodes and cables measure everything from eye movement to leg movement to breathing and heart rate. This is the stuff of sleep labs, and though the measurements are highly detailed and thorough, they come with a catch: By requiring somebody to go to a sleep lab to be measured, you're inherently messing up the experiment because the conditions have changed.

Here's why: Collecting the data requires the person with sleep troubles to leave their home environment — their own bedroom, their own bed, their own sheets. That's not restful. Plus with all those wires and nodes, the sleep subject is bound to be disturbed by being literally tied down. So while the measurements may be precise and exacting, the experiment may not be replicating the same kind of sleep.

The alternative approach in sleep research is called actigraphy, and it pretty much takes the opposite direction. Rather than try to measure every last variable, actigraphy looks to measure just one metric — movement — with one sensor (called an accelerometer). What you lose in the details, the theory goes, you more than make up for in the setting. The sleep subject only needs to wear one sensor, usually on their wrist, and they can sleep in their own home, in their own bed.

Research has found that, while polysomnography data corresponds more closely to what actually happens during the night, actigraphy is surprisingly accurate, too. And that the environmental and other factors may more than make up for actigraphy's lack of detailed metrics.

The trade off between polysomnography and actigraphy has been well known among sleep researchers for several years. What's changed in the past couple years is that accelerometers have gotten really, really cheap. Following the familiar trajectory of Moore's Law, the price of accelerometers has dropped from thousands of dollars to hundreds to — today — close to $10 a piece. This is why accelerometers are turning up in our shoes, in our cellphones, and in our videogames like Nintendo's Wii. They're powerful, cheap and flexible.

Which brings us to the devices. There are lots of sleep trackers out there, but I've selected five here that seem promising and based on good science. I haven't tested them all myself, so I've provided links to hands-on reviews from other sources. Since the products mostly work with the same hardware, one area to look for distinctions is the software — the website or app interface. How easy is the device to use and engage with the data it provides? In the end, if you want to start tracking your sleep, you should decide how much information you're willing to grapple with (or pore over), and how much you're willing to spend on the experiment.

-Sleeptracker ($149/$179, depending on model): Imagine if your watch told you when to wake up. That's the promise of the Sleeptracker, which looks like a fancy digital watch but, thanks to the accelerometer, sets off an alarm. The approach is simple: You tell it when you want to wake up, and the Sleeptracker goes off when you seem to be in the lightest phase of your sleep cycle. Review by New York Times

-FitBit ($99): The FitBit is an overall tracking tool that puts an accelerometer to work measuring how much you exercise, how many calories you burn and, yes, your sleep quality. I've used one and find it almost imperceptible during the night (it slips into a soft wrist band). Though it's good at gathering the data, though, it's not so clear what you do with it: there's no wake-up function and the data is pretty static on the website. Review by Wired.com

-WakeMate ($49.99): The WakeMate is an effort to streamline the technology every step of the way: the device itself is on a sleek wristcuff, and the tracking tool is in a robust iPhone app as well as website. Like the Sleeptracker, the WakeMate will rouse you in a predetermined window. No reviews; ships 1/25/10. More info from Geek.com

-Zeo ($249/$349): The Zeo calls itself a "personal sleep coach," and it is definitely more involved than the other devices. Indeed, unlike the other devices mentioned here the Zeo DOES use polysomnography, specifically through a headband that measures electrical impulses in the brain. In addition, the Zeo comes with a bedside display that's like a souped-up clock radio; it displays the data as you sleep (which isn't much use) or the next morning. The last part of the Zeo system is the website, where your sleep data can be parsed dozens of ways. The purchase price includes six months of sleep coaching to make the most of your Zeo. Review by Wall Street Journal

-Sleep Cycle ($0.99): This one works with a device you may already own: the iPhone. Using the iPhone's accelerometer, this little app that monitors how much you're moving around. When it detects you're in a light sleep phase around your wake-up time, it starts to play a tune to gently ease you awake. And all your movements are retained as data that you can examine in your iPhone. At 99 cents, it's a great way to sample the sleep tracking concept. Review at 148Apps

The big idea here, of course, is much bigger than sleep. The larger notion, which I explore in my new book The Decision Tree, is a new trend: The idea that we can combine legitimate public-health research with new tools and technologies to better inform and improve our health decisions. The more we engage with our health, it turns out, the better our health. It may not be as easy as strapping on a vibrating belt, but it does have a nice ring to it.

Thomas Goetz is the author of The Decision Tree: Taking Control of Your Health in the New Era of Personalized Medicine and creator of the Decision Tree blog. The executive editor of Wired Magazine, Goetz grew up favoring Coleco Head-to-Head over Mattel and Intellivision over Atari. He has a masters in public health from University of California, Berkeley.

This article previously appeared in The Huffington Post.

Next-Generation Nintendo DS May Get Tilt Controls [Rumor]

Posted: February 17th, 2010, 9:48am PST by Jesus Diaz

Tags: Rumor

Nintendo has seeded the DS2 development kit to a few selected companies, including the hardware itself. According to one developer, Nintendo said the DS2 was the first version and not final, but he is very impressed with the new controls:

It's genuinely the best thing I think I've ever worked with. I can tell you that it's got a 'tilt' function that's not dissimilar to iPhone, but does a lot more. We know that The Pokemon Company are getting special attention with it.

I wonder if this move was always on the cards or if it's just a reaction to Apple's huge success in the gaming arena, a success that has turned upside down both the idea of games distribution and some of the conceptions for mobile gaming previously set by Nintendo and Sony, especially when it comes to the importance of physical controls. Would the new DS2 include capacitive screens too? How could Nintendo one-up the sudden and serious threat that Apple now represents? We will have to wait a long time to discover the answers. Probably too much, probably way after the iPad and the next iPod/iPhone generation appear. [CVG]

Rumor: Nintendo DS 2 Being Tested By Developers, Motion-Sensing To Be Key Part of New Pokemon Game [Nintendo]

Posted: February 17th, 2010, 2:22am PST by Kat Hannaford

Tags: nintendo

The DS 2 (not to be confused with the XL, which only ate a super mushroom), is reportedly alive and kicking, with developers now testing the motion-sensing console—but it won't be ready in time for GDC in March.

CVG spoke to a developer at one of the studios that's been lucky enough to receive the early prototype, and apparently it's already making waves there:

"It's genuinely the best thing I think I've ever worked with, I can tell you that it's got a 'tilt' function that's not dissimilar to iPhone, but does a lot more. We know that The Pokemon Company are getting special attention with it."

The Pokemon Company is a a division of Nintendo that handles marketing and licensing for Pokemon games—suggesting one of the launch titles that will take advantage of the HD screen and motion-sensing console will be a continuation of the Pokemon saga. It's been a while since I've checked in with Ash and Pikachu, but I'll definitely give it another spin if it's got some cool iPhone-like tilt control when battling. [CVG]

How Will Xbox Live Work on Windows Phone 7? [Windows Phone 7]

Posted: February 15th, 2010, 8:19am PST by Mark Wilson

Tags: Windows phone 7

Apple may have the iPhone, but the iPhone doesn't have the Xbox. Today, Microsoft leveraged their most compelling entertainment asset, the Xbox 360, into Windows Phone 7 Series. But what does this mean, practically speaking?

(Note: If you don't understand what the heck Windows Phone 7 is, read this first.)

Here's the official word from Microsoft on how WP7 will incorporate Xbox Live.

"Games—This hub delivers the first and only official Xbox LIVE experience on a phone, including Xbox LIVE games, Spotlight feed and the ability to see a gamer's avatar, Achievements and gamer profile. With more than 23 million active members around the world, Xbox LIVE unlocks a world of friends, games and entertainment on Xbox 360, and now also on Windows Phone 7 Series."

What we saw in Microsoft's demo today fleshes that concept out a bit. There will be a Spotlight section, with your Xbox Live avatar and notice of friends' achievements. And of course, there will be games—"premium titles" with achievements and multiplayer connected to other cellphones, PCs and Xbox 360 consoles.

Don't let the simple interface fool you. Xbox Live on a phone is more than having your avatar on one more screen because of the three types of games I believe we'll see on Windows Phone 7.

The Three Games of Windows 7 Phone

The first type of game will be a lot like an iPhone title. Powerful pocket hardware will push impressive graphics (that make the PSP and DS look sad). That's a simple idea that I know all of you can wrap your heads around.

Now, some of these games may be released cross-platform, as Microsoft teased today. They'll be what I classify as the second type of gaming on Windows Phone 7—casual, connected titles that allow anyone with a Live account to join in (no matter if they're on a WP7, 360 or PC). You won't see the most beautiful XBLA titles on the phone, of course, but something like Worms? Why not? A buy it once, play it anywhere model would make this type of game incredibly enticing.

The third type of game—the one that will appeal most to the hardcore gamers—is the Xbox 360 expanded title, something unmentioned by Microsoft but that I see coming a mile away. Imagine a minigame accompaniment to Halo that could unlock more content/resources/anything. Now imagine that such a game is driven by some of the most powerful handheld processors in the world. (You should be picturing something that looks a lot like Call of Duty's Nazi Zombies on the iPhone.) But with the iPhone, Nazi Zombies never leaves your phone—nothing about it will affect your Call of Duty experience on your home console.

Such no longer needs to be the case when the game is connected to Live. AAA franchises can make their way to the mobile space with Microsoft in a way that they never could with Apple. Put differently, pocketable games can have console-level repercussions.

Microsoft's Mobile Trump Card: Nobody Else Has an Xbox Live...Not Really

While the iPhone is a treasure trove of pocketable amusements, they're pretty much self-contained entities working in a closed box. Sadly, pretty much the same thing can be said about the Nintendo DS or Sony PSP. Nintendo and Sony have both experimented with connecting their mobile and home platforms on a title-by-title basis (and no doubt, the PSP's early promise of Remote Play still sounds like a revolutionary idea today), but neither company has been all that successful in bridging the gap to create a seamless digital experience.

Plus, let's face it, neither Sony nor Nintendo is relevant in the smartphone business—the present and future of pocket gaming. And while the iPhone is tough competition, it's one phone. Windows Phone 7 Series is a specification (that includes baseline hardware specs and software specs) for many phones that could potentially be on many carriers.

Imagine if Nintendo let any willing manufacturer integrate Wii/DS services. That's essentially what Microsoft is doing here.

But when it really comes down to it, is Microsoft selling us the Xbox 360 experience on cellphones, or are they pitching putting cellphone games on the Xbox 360? And will anyone want to create original, non-ported content for the Windows 7 Phone Series when there are 75 million iPhones and iPod touches out there already?

Time will tell. Despite what promises to be the most full-featured mobile gaming platform of all time, Microsoft must woo developers to create compelling mobile content before any of this matters.

Gadget Deals of the Day [Dealzmodo]

Posted: February 11th, 2010, 12:00pm PST by David Chaid

Tags: Dealzmodo

Get geared up for Valentine's Day. Lenovo's S10 bends into many desirable positions, eHarmony's free Valentine's weekend lets you go back to being a creep-on-the-cheap, and Solid Snake is available at $20—for mustache rides.

Top Deals:
• 10.1" Lenovo S10-3t 0651-37U Tablet Netbook for $449.99 (normally $500).
• Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (PS3) for $19.99 plus free shipping (normally $31).
• eHarmony Free Communication Valentines weekend for $0

Hobomodo:
• Mezopuzzle (iPhone) for $0 (normally $.99).
• eHarmony Free Communication Valentines weekend for $0
• Healing Hands by Citizen Cope (MP3) for $0 (download here).
• PowerBar Gel Blasts sample for $0 (use this form).
• 8"x10" Custom Photo Collage Print (Walgreens) for $0 (normally $4 - use coupon code VDAY).
• Tide plus Febreeze Freshness Sport for $0 (use this form).
• Excedrin Sample for $0 (use this form).
• Milkshake at Ruby's Diner 2/12-2/14 (coupon) for $0 (use this form).
• Pocket CPR for iPhone for $0 (use this form).
• PCHand Screen Capture Recorder Suite for $0 (use this form).

If a deal looks too good to be true, investigate the store and see if it's a good, reputable place to buy. Safe shopping!

[Thanks TechDealDigger, Dealzon, Logic Buy, GamerHotline, Cheap College Gamers, CheapStingyBargains and TechBargains.]

Remainders - The Things We Didn't Post: Tricky Tricky Edition [Remainders]

Posted: February 8th, 2010, 3:00pm PST by Kyle VanHemert

Tags: Remainders

In today's Remainders: tricks of all sorts. Wisair cuts some cords with their wireless display adapters; Netflix warns the FCC of potential loopholes in the Comcast/NBC merger; the inimitable BrussPup plays with our heads (and ping pong balls); and more.

Air Ball
I'm all for eliminating cords and wires whenever possible, so I was excited to hear that Wisair's wireless display adapters were coming to Macs by the end of March in products from at least four OEMs. My excitement evaporated when I looked at InFocus's Wisair setup, which incorporates a display, speakers, mouse and keyboard into one unsightly package. If you're looking to get rid of wires for aesthetic reasons, like me, you'll share my hope that some of the other Wisair-based systems will be a little sleeker and a little more flexible. Because making me use your keyboard, mouse, display, and speakers isn't removing clutter from my desk, it's adding it. [Engadget]

newVideoPlayer( {"type":"video","player":"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/v\/civsZLQzrjs&hl=en&fs=1&fmt=22","customParams":[],"width":500,"height":412,"ratio":0.824,"flashData":"","embedName":null,"objectId":null,"noEmbed":false,"source":"youtube"} ); Tech TV
It seems that with each passing year the Super Bowl's commercials get a little less exciting. Or maybe it's me getting a little more cynical. Either way—Parisian Love aside—seeing high profile, memorable tech commercials during football's big game is increasingly uncommon. Thankfully, Computer World offers a trip down memory lane, collecting the ten most memorable Super Bowl tech ads of all time, starting all the way back with Xerox's "Monks" spot from 1976 and continuing up through today. There's no sudsy Megan Fox, but maybe that's a good thing. [Computer World]

To Xfinity and Beyond
Netflix is understandably worried about the impending Comcast / NBC merger. In a recent FCC filing, they warned that if net neutrality policies aren't strengthened and enforced, Comcast could effectively use a loophole to promote NBC content on its own streaming services and keep that content off of others. And they have good reason to worry: as physical disc-dealing loses ground to streaming services, Netflix will have to keep up with companies who own the content and the means of providing it to stay in the game. [Washington Post]

newVideoPlayer( {"type":"video","player":"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/v\/vjT0dz3zPFs&hl=en&fs=1&fmt=22","customParams":[],"width":500,"height":412,"ratio":0.824,"flashData":"","embedName":null,"objectId":null,"noEmbed":false,"source":"youtube"} ); Pup Pong
BrussPup, not content simply to blow our minds with his painters tape anamorphic illusions, posted "iBall" last night, a tech-trick of a slightly different variety. With some very careful timing, he plays a video of a ping pong ball back across four different displays, making look like he's dumping the ball from device to device. Pretty neat. Also, keep an eye out for pieces of the glowing Nintendo controller illusion that are still up in his hallway. That's dedication. Or maybe laziness. [BrussPup on YouTube]

From Wiiitis to Wii Fractures: A Guide to Nintendoid Medical Conditions [Medicine]

Posted: February 8th, 2010, 6:45am PST by John Herrman

Tags: Medicine

A British doctor was so kind as to write a letter to the New England Journal of Medicine, handily summarizing what is known about Nintendo-related injuries. The gist: Your Wii wants you dead.

The point of the letter was to highlight a new case, in which a girl hurt her foot playing Wii Fit. But in the process, it provides a tidy little history of ways people have managed to injure themselves playing video games.

• Nintendinitis: This is the classic videogame injury, and one you've probably heard of before. This is a repetitive stress injury in the "extensor tendon of [the] thumb," which you can get from pretty much any game console.

• Wiiitis: Sounds like something a lot of people have probably just slept off:

A healthy 29-year-old medical resident awoke one Sunday morning with intense pain in the right shoulder. He did not recall any recent injuries or trauma and had not participated in any sports or physical exercise recently. He consulted a rheumatology colleague. The Patte's test was positive, consistent with acute tendonitis isolated to the right infraspinatus.

After just a day with the Wii, this kid was out of commission for a week. What does Nintendo have against healthy tendons?

• Traumatic Hemothorax: If this sounds terrifying, you probably did well in Latin class. Doctors have apparently documented the cavities around patients' lungs filling with blood after Wii-related falls. This can kill you.

• Dislocations: This one is the most predictable of the lot, since honestly, who hasn't gotten carried away trying to Happy-Gilmore-bowl their way through Wii Sports? And anyway, fake sport/real injury humor is universal.

• Head Injuries: Wiimote straps may save your HDTV, but they won't save your kid sister from getting clocked in the skull while you're playing Zelda.

• Wii Fracture: This is the new one:

In the United Kingdom, a healthy 14-year-old girl presented to the emergency department at Horton General Hospital in Banbury (near Oxford), having sustained an injury to her right foot with associated difficulty in mobilization. She had been playing on her Wii Fit balance board and had fallen off, sustaining an inversion injury.

Apparently, rolling your foot off the side of the balance board—which, really, anyone who's played Wii Fit has done multiple times—can be enough to crack a bone in your foot.

So basically your Wii is actively trying to maim you and your children, the end. [NEJM—Thanks, Michael from Medgadget!]

A Brief Survey of Recent Tape-Based Anamorphic Illusions [Opticalillusions]

Posted: February 6th, 2010, 2:42pm PST by Kyle VanHemert

Tags: Opticalillusions

newVideoPlayer( {"type":"video","player":"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/v\/5qA-WcM6Nvs&hl=en&fs=1&fmt=22","customParams":[],"width":500,"height":412,"ratio":0.824,"flashData":"","embedName":null,"objectId":null,"noEmbed":false,"source":"youtube"} ); With just a roll or two of painters tape, some patience, and a willingness to forfeit the respectability of their apartments (except, maybe, from a single perspective), some clever artists have created a very impressive collection of tape-based illusions.

Earlier today, Boing Boing posted this neat Back to the Future-inspired piece featuring an impressively detailed DeLorean rendered with painters tape. Kudos to YouTube user Wablamo for immortalizing everyone's favorite time traveling automobile in such an appropriately mind-boggling medium.

But the true hero of the anamorphic painters tape illusion is a YouTube user who goes by the name of BrussPup. I've watched BrussPup evolve over these last few weeks from his first experiments in the form—when he was, indeed, just a pup—up through our current moment in which BrussPup stands as a titan of tape-based illusions.

But let's start back with his humble beginnings. BrussPup's first piece, "X Room Illusion!," was a relatively simple undertaking but it betrayed the artist's natural ability for this particular endeavor:
newVideoPlayer( {"type":"video","player":"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/v\/NB6DSKJZ1T4&hl=en&fs=1&fmt=22","customParams":[],"width":500,"height":412,"ratio":0.824,"flashData":"","embedName":null,"objectId":null,"noEmbed":false,"source":"youtube"} );

A week later, we were treated to "Crazy Cube Illusion!," a more complex, confident effort that garnered a corresponding increase in YouTube views and blog notoriety:
newVideoPlayer( {"type":"video","player":"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/v\/skotd6g7etU&hl=en&fs=1&fmt=22","customParams":[],"width":500,"height":412,"ratio":0.824,"flashData":"","embedName":null,"objectId":null,"noEmbed":false,"source":"youtube"} );

Emboldened, BrussPup quickly offered up his next piece, "Pac-man Illusion!," which was noteworthy for spanning all the way down his hallway and incorporating a piece reflected by a mirror, which just piled extra mind-boggling on top of the regular mind-blogging to which we had grown accustomed:
newVideoPlayer( {"type":"video","player":"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/v\/xQp_oCgAH-E&hl=en&fs=1&fmt=22","customParams":[],"width":500,"height":412,"ratio":0.824,"flashData":"","embedName":null,"objectId":null,"noEmbed":false,"source":"youtube"} );

BrussPup's most recent piece, "Nintendo Illusion!," is certainly his most ambitious effort to date. In this illusion, which took BrussPup fifteen hours to complete, blacklights and white paper were employed to create a glowing Nintendo controller:
newVideoPlayer( {"type":"video","player":"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/v\/foF13Ezxt5c&hl=en&fs=1&fmt=22","customParams":[],"width":500,"height":412,"ratio":0.824,"flashData":"","embedName":null,"objectId":null,"noEmbed":false,"source":"youtube"} );

There's no telling what's next in the world of tape-based anamorphic illusions. Has BrussPup retired his tape roll forever? Will Wablamo usurp his title as preeminent anamoprhic illusionist? We'll just have to wait, squint our eyes, scratch our heads, and see. [BrussPup's YouTube Channel and Boing Boing]

Stow This DSi In Your Stomach, Not Your Pocket [Imagecache]

Posted: February 6th, 2010, 1:00pm PST by Kyle VanHemert

Tags: Imagecache

Like the Virgin Mary before it, an impression of a Nintendo DSi appeared on this piece of toast. Now it just needs a salami screen protector and a vegetable stylus and this mouthwatering gadget will be complete. [Tiny Cartridge]

This Week's Gaming Stories You Cannot Miss [Roundups]

Posted: February 5th, 2010, 5:20pm PST by Mark Wilson

Tags: Roundups

Star Trek Online? Iron Man 2 details? Mass Effect alien shagging? A new Sonic in 2D? Oh yes, friends. All this and more!

Why There Hasn't Been A Truly Great Star Trek Game
My opinion? Because games don't nail diplomacy in a realistic, dynamic manner.

Want The Heavy Rain Demo Right Now? Here's How...
Heavy Rain looks like one of the few things that Sony is doing really right.

Project Needlemouse Is... Sonic 4, Episode I
It's taken a decade and a half, but I just may care about Sonic again.

Sega Offers Reasons Iron Man 2 Won't Be Dreadful
Oh, the sellout studios ALWAYS say this stuff. (And we so often believe them.)

Star Trek Online: One Million Served
I need a ship name, if anyone has any ideas.

Mario & Sonic's Relationship Isn't Quite What It Used To Be
It's funny because it's true.

Mass Effect 2 And The Curse Of The Tiny Text
I feel for people with tiny, SD TVs for more reasons than just this one.

So, How Did Mass Effect 2 End For You? SPOILERS
Let's just say my character was going through a bit of a dry spell.

What's Happened To Nintendo's "New Play Control"?
Lame, Nintendo. Lame.

Madden Predicts Saints Win In Super Bowl XLIV
I'm between making chili and pork for my Superbowl celebration. Oh, and there's football on or something, too.

"Mass Affect" - BioWare's Upcoming Hipster RPG
I know some people who've played this.

iPhone Is Now More Popular than DS and PSP Among Game Developers [Games]

Posted: February 5th, 2010, 2:40pm PST by Jesus Diaz

Tags: Games

Game Developer Research says that Apple is winning the race among handheld game developers: 19 percent write now for the iPhone and iPod touch. That's more than double the amount of Nintendo DS and Sony PSP developers. Other interesting figures:

• Handheld games are now 25 percent of the whole gaming market, up from 12 percent before the iPhone/iPod touch phenomenon.
• During the last three quarters, all handheld game developers are writing for the Apple iPhone and iPod touch.

No wonder why Nintendo's President not a fan of the iPad. [Electronista]

Gadget Deals of the Day [Dealzmodo]

Posted: February 5th, 2010, 12:00pm PST by David Chaid

Tags: Dealzmodo

Loads of loot in our dealz. One of our favorite HDTVs from last year just had its price slashed, as did one of our favorite laptops. Dead Rising 2 has been delayed so satisfy your unquenchable zombie bloodlust in hobomodo.

Top Deals:
• 15.6" Dell Studio 15 Core i7 Laptop for $899 plus $6 shipping (normally $1,118).
• 42" LG 42LH90 1080p LED TV $1,050.00 with free shipping (normally $1188).
• iZombie: Dead March, and Aero Frenzy (iPhone) for $0 (normally $.99 each).

Hobomodo:
• iZombie: Dead March, and Aero Frenzy (iPhone) for $0 (normally $.99 each).
• Download of Microsoft Office 2010 Beta for $0 (use this form).
• Pocket Constitution and Declaration of Independence for $0 (use this form).
• EASEUS Partition Master 5.0.1 Professional Edition for $0 (use this form).
• In Between The Spaces You Don't Think About by ...soihadto...(MP3) for $0 (download here).
• Little Bird by Eels (MP3) for $0 (download here).
• Long John Silver's Crispy Breaded Fish Piece for $0 (use this form).
• "Surviving Sid" (free Ice Age short, Amazon VOD) for $0 (use this form).
• Dream Water Snoozeberry Shot (sleep aid) for $0 (use this form).
• Nero 9 Lite for $0 (normally $29).

If a deal looks too good to be true, investigate the store and see if it's a good, reputable place to buy. Safe shopping!

[Thanks TechDealDigger, Dealzon, Logic Buy, GamerHotline, Cheap College Gamers, CheapStingyBargains and TechBargains.]

Gadget Deals of the Day [Dealzmodo]

Posted: February 4th, 2010, 12:20pm PST by David Chaid

Tags: Dealzmodo

On today's dealz our favorite Hackintosh is up on the DealzBlock for an astounding $249. Check out some gargantuan HDTVs in our home entertainment section, and get for free what you've only dreamed of—adhesive notepad samples!

Top Deals:
• 10" Dell Mini 10v Netbook for $249 plus free shipping (normally $279).
• 50" Samsung Plasma TV $699.99 plus free shipping (normally $798).
• Adhesive Notepad Sample for $0 (use this form).

Hobomodo:
• 16 Month Popular Science Digital Subscription for $0 (use this form).
• Reusable Canvas Tote Bag for $0 (use this form).
• Adhesive Notepad Sample for $0 (use this form).
• Ocster Backup Pro 3 for $0 (use this form).
• Starbuck's Sampling KIND Bar/Feb. 5 for $0 (use this form).
• Fuze Meeting 30-day HD Web & Mobile Meetings for $0

Contests:
• BBO Poker Table Facebook Giveaway.

If a deal looks too good to be true, investigate the store and see if it's a good, reputable place to buy. Safe shopping!

[Thanks TechDealDigger, Dealzon, Logic Buy, GamerHotline, Cheap College Gamers, CheapStingyBargains and TechBargains.]

Sony's Latest PS3 Mistake: No More Downloadable AAA Titles [PS3]

Posted: February 3rd, 2010, 6:04am PST by Mark Wilson

Tags: PS3

I just want to take anyone from Sony who's related to the development of the PS3 platform in any way, and shake them until the saboteur witch doctors hired from Nintendo and Microsoft lose their hold.

The latest idea from the Sony braintrust? No more big downloadable titles. So you'll still be able to download little arcade games, but future titles the size of Warhawk will no longer be offered on PSN.

Meanwhile, Microsoft has assembled an impressive library of $20 titles on the 360, and they're intelligently slapping games like, say, Mass Effect on there before Mass Effect 2 comes out. This kind of strategery is good for the game studios, sure, but more importantly, it's convenient for the consumer.

Anyway, Sony is having none of that. Why? Because their platform is heavily invested in 50GB-wielding Blu-ray (which requires hefty installs for some games all the same).

You want to know the chief problem with Blu-ray, Sony? It's that you can't download it. You aren't out of the console fight yet. Pick yourself up, dust off your gloves and attack the world with every tentacle that is Sony's larger development monstrosity.

I grew up listening to a Walkman. This shit kills me. [IGN via Kotaku]

Gadget Deals of the Day [Dealzmodo]

Posted: February 2nd, 2010, 12:00pm PST by David Chaid

Tags: Dealzmodo

Today's deals are off the charts with a Lenovo G530 for $380, a Zune for $188, and a free solution to your dwelling's omnipresent bacon and cheeto smell. Check out the OWLE Bubo deal and improve your iPhone's video performance.

Top Deals:
• 15.4" Lenovo G530 Dual Core Laptop for $379.99 plus free shipping (normally $450).
• Microsoft 16GB Zune HD Video MP3 Player for $188.88 plus free shipping (normally $209.99).
• Glade PlugIns Scented Oil Gift Pack for $0 (use this form).

Walmart's Superbowl HDTV Deals:
• Vizio 55-inch 1080p LCD TV – $1,298 (save $200)
• Vizio 47-inch 1080p LCD TV – $898 (save $100)
• Sony 46-inch Bravia 1080p LCD TV – $778 (save $300)
• Sony 40-inch Bravia 1080p LCD TV – $668 (save $130)
• Vizio 32-inch 720p LCD TV – $368 (save $30)

Party planners can go here to create a shopping list based on the number of party guests, receive party planning tips and find simple gametime recipes.

Hobomodo:
• Hand of Greed (iPhone) for $0 (normally $2.99).
• Proof by The Northern Key (MP3) for $0 (download here).
• FujiFilm SeeHere 50 4x6 photo prints for $0 (use coupon code prints-6)
• Prey App download for $0 (use this form).
• STAYFREE Sample for $0 (use this form).
• YouTube MP3 Downloader for $0 (use this form).
• Glade PlugIns Scented Oil Gift Pack for $0 (use this form).
• U.S. News & World Report for $0 (use this form).

If a deal looks too good to be true, investigate the store and see if it's a good, reputable place to buy. Safe shopping!

[Thanks TechDealDigger, Dealzon, Logic Buy, GamerHotline, Cheap College Gamers, CheapStingyBargains and TechBargains.]

Gadget Deals of the Day [Dealzmodo]

Posted: February 1st, 2010, 12:00pm PST by David Chaid

Tags: Dealzmodo

The Superbowl is this Sunday so snag an HDTV in addition to the guacamole you plan on mainlining. Also, check out an HP TouchSmart, a nicely discounted Motorola Droid, or snag a surprisingly free and fun game for the iPhone.

Top Deals:
• 12.1" HP TouchSmart tm2 Multi-touch Tablet for $899.99 with free shipping (normally $1,199.99 - use coupon code NBLB654853).
• Motorola DROID for $109.99 plus free shipping (normally $200).
• Twin Blades (iPhone) for $0 (normally $.99).

Party planners can go here to create a shopping list based on the number of party guests, receive party planning tips and find simple gametime recipes.

Hobomodo:
• Ultimate Video Poker (iPhone) for $0 (use this form).
• Perfect Macro Recorder for $0 (use this form).
• Twin Blades (iPhone) for $0 (normally $.99).
• Paris By Night (Original Mix) by The Disko Starz (MP3) for $0 (download here).
• Shutterfly 50 prints for $0
• Yogi Tea samples for $0 (use this form).
• Romantic Moments MP3 Album, 6 songs for $0 (use this form).

If a deal looks too good to be true, investigate the store and see if it's a good, reputable place to buy. Safe shopping!

[Thanks TechDealDigger, Dealzon, Logic Buy, GamerHotline, Cheap College Gamers, CheapStingyBargains and TechBargains.]

Nintendo President States the Obvious, Forgets About The DSi LL [Blockquote]

Posted: January 29th, 2010, 3:57am PST by Kat Hannaford

Tags: Blockquote

Nintendo's often-outspoken President, Satoru Iwata, speaking about the iPad. [Yahoo News]

Nintendo Q3 Report: 23 Percent Profit Loss [Gaming]

Posted: January 27th, 2010, 11:59pm PST by Adrian Covert

Tags: gaming

Thanks to slumping DS sales (only took five years!), and Wii price cuts, Nintendo posted Q3 profit losses of 23 percent ($192 million, down from $249 million a year ago). It the first time in four years they've posted an annual profit loss. Looks like its time for Nintendo to respond to the iPhone/iPod touch boom, and encourage other Wii games besides "My Extreme Carnival Games 15." [Reuters]

Wii Classic Controller Pro Finally Hitting US This Spring [Wii]

Posted: January 25th, 2010, 9:08am PST by Brian Barrett

Tags: wii

The Classic Controller Pro for Wii has been available in Japan for some time already, but it's making its way to these here parts this April.

The controller looks like it came from the PS2 factory, and it won't plug directly directly into your Wii. Instead, you have to plug it into your Wii Remote, which isn't that much of a hassle. It'll ship with Monster Hunter Tri, but will also be sold separately for $20.

The Classic Controller Pro will come in black or white, and be compatible more than 450 Wii, WiiWare, and Virtual Console games. The design includes a second row of shoulder buttons, and an "ergonomic" grip, which sounds like marketing pablum to me. Still, though, looks neat!

The Perfect Bundle for Hunting Season: Monster Hunter® Tri and Wii Classic Controller Pro Come Together for the First Time in North America

Bundle Will Bring the Highly-Anticipated New Controller and Popular Franchise Together for the Ultimate Monster Hunting Experience on the Wii System

SAN MATEO, Calif. & REDMOND, Wash.—(BUSINESS WIRE)— Capcom® Entertainment, a leading worldwide developer and publisher of video games, and Nintendo of America today announced an exciting new bundle featuring one of the most highly anticipated titles for 2010, Monster Hunter® Tri, and combining it with the new Classic Controller Pro™ for the Wii™ system. The Classic Controller Pro's more traditional control configuration will give gamers the ultimate Monster Hunting experience when the bundle becomes available in North America this April at a suggested retail price of $59.99.

"Monster Hunter Tri has made a huge splash in the Japanese market, and we're confident the bundle with the Classic Controller Pro will give fans in North America plenty to get excited about," said Steve Singer, Nintendo of America's vice president of Licensing. "Gamers of all kinds enjoy playing games on Wii. Monster Hunter Tri delivers an incredible new experience on Wii, while the Classic Controller Pro gives players even more control options for their favorite Wii games."

The new Classic Controller Pro includes a second row of shoulder buttons and ergonomically friendly grips. The Classic Controller Pro plugs directly into the Wii Remote™ controller, and until now, has been available only in the Japanese market.

The Classic Controller Pro will be compatible with more than 450 Wii, WiiWare™ and Virtual Console™ games. The Classic Controller Pro bundled with Monster Hunter Tri will be black, while both black and white versions of the controller will also be available separately at a suggested retail price of $19.99. The game will also be available without a controller at a suggested retail price of $49.99.

Making its North American debut on Wii this spring, Monster Hunter Tri is one of the most strikingly beautiful titles developed for Nintendo's Wii system. Pushing the hardware to the limit, Monster Hunter Tri depicts a living, breathing ecosystem where humans co-exist with majestic monsters that roam both dry land and brand new sub-aqua environments – a first for the series. Offering the player varied control configurations to suit their style of play, players can choose between the Classic Controller Pro, Wii Remote™ and Nunchuck™, or Classic Controller™ to slay the monsters that inhabit the world.

The Monster Hunter series has sold over 11 million units worldwide and has become a social phenomenon in Japan giving rise to training camps, dedicated festivals and numerous licensed products. According to Media Create, Monster Hunter Tri sold 520,000 units in its first week of release in Japan and became the leading title sold across all platforms for the week of its release.

Microsoft's Xbox 360 Apple Defense [Lawsuits]

Posted: January 24th, 2010, 8:00am PST by Jack Loftus

Tags: Lawsuits

Microsoft and Apple, already strange bedfellows if we're to believe Apple's seriously considering Bing over Google on future iPhones, are at it again, albeit indirectly. This time it's Microsoft's turn, as they present counterarguments in an Xbox 360 antitrust case.

The disgruntled player is a company called Datel Design & Development, which dubiously argues that Microsoft is monopolizing the market for "Multiplayer Online Dedicated Gaming Systems." With their supposed monopoly, Microsoft is allegedly controlling the related market for accessories by using software-related barriers that bar 3rd party devices from competing with Microsoft Xbox 360 accessories. In a nutshell, this means Datel's unlicensed Game Genie-type cheats device is barred from being sold for use on the Xbox 360 platform.

Now, I say dubious because Datel conveniently leaves out any mention of market leader Nintendo Wii, as well as the PS2, PSP and DS handhelds in its argument. If one only considers the Xbox 360 and PS3 in the dominant market, as Datel does, the argument has some merit, maybe. Add in those pesky "other consoles"—the ones Datel says don't count because their owners aren't really gamers, or something—and poof, a little bit less believable.

Nevertheless, the Datel complaint led Microsoft to cite Apple's legal battle with Psystar, and hence the strange bedfellows comment above. From the Microsoft motion, transcribed by TechFlash *deep breath*:

[Psystar responded with antitrust claims] "much like those alleged by Datel, alleging that Apple had sought to monopolize a primary market for the Mac OS as well as the aftermarket for hardware that could be used with the Mac OS and had tied the Mac OS to its own hardware. [Much like Apple owners agreeing to the OS X EULA] Xbox 360 purchasers knowingly and voluntarily gave Microsoft the right to prohibit the use of unauthorized accessories...each Xbox 360 comes packaged with a software license requiring consumers to agree that the Xbox 360 software can be used only with Microsoft authorized accessories."

The one thing I'll give to Datel is their accessories really expose how Microsoft gouges us all with their accessory pricing. For $30 MS gives us 512MB memory cards. For $40, Datel sells us 2GB. The case goes to court March 1. [TechFlash, Datel's Motion (pdf)]

Gadget Deals of the Day [Dealzmodo]

Posted: January 20th, 2010, 12:00pm PST by David Chaid

Tags: Dealzmodo

Today's deals are overrun with laptops, netbooks, videogames, HDTVs, and cameras of all shapes and sizes. Get your looting face on as you grab a Lenovo G450, a Flip Camcorder, and an extravagantly discounted Reign of Swords. Booyah, grandma.

Top Deals:
• 14" Lenovo G450 Laptop for $499 plus free shipping (normally $699).
• Flip Mino F360B Video Pocket Camcorder for $96.99 with free shipping (normally $119.99).
• Reign of Swords (iPhone) for $0 (normally $2.99).

Hobomodo:
• Samples of Prilosec for $0 (use this form)
• Free 1AVCapture Download (Capture & record anything on PC) for $0 (use this form)
• Free Selena Gomez "Naturally" Music Download for $0 (use this form)
• Reign of Swords (iPhone) for $0 (normally $2.99).
• Stamps.com 4-week trial with $25 worth of postage, digital scale, supplies for $0
• We've Got A Long Way To Go by Joe Perry (MP3) for $0 (download here).
• 50 Digital Photos Printed by CVS for $0 (normally $9, use this form).

Contests:
• Gizmodo Apple Tablet Sweepstakes!

If a deal looks too good to be true, investigate the store and see if it's a good, reputable place to buy. Safe shopping!

[Thanks TechDealDigger, Dealzon, Logic Buy, GamerHotline, Cheap College Gamers, CheapStingyBargains and TechBargains.]

Show and Sell: The Secret to Apple's Magic [Apple]

Posted: January 20th, 2010, 7:00am PST by Joel Johnson

Tags: apple

Flash an exotic prototype, then—Presto!—get people to buy your more boring stuff. That kind of thinking still rules at most electronics companies. Apple under Steve Jobs only shows off actual products. The difference? Apple's arcane secret to success.

A specter harrows the consumer electronics industry: malaise. Like washed-up Catskill magicians unable to let go of old routines while a brash upstart steals their audience, nearly every maker of consumer electronics in the world clings to a quaint song-and-dance about prototypes.

"Here is your possible future," they bark, flourishing the latest conceptual product from the lab. "Now watch us make it disappear!"

Apple's chief magician knows better, pulling solid objects out of the aether; products you can actually buy.

If this sounds like a minor complaint about most of the industry's lack of imagination in marketing, you're misunderstanding the whole act. The fact that Apple does not reveal prototypes but shipping products is the fundamental difference between their entire business strategy and that of the rest of the industry. It evokes a feeling of trust between Apple and consumers—that when Apple actually reveals a product, it's something that they're confident enough to support for years to come.

For the better part of the last century—starting arbitrarily with the 1934 Chicago World's Fair and its stark, Randian slogan: "Science Finds, Industry Applies, Man Conforms"—the producers of consumer goods have stuck to a basic formula: Show off a prototype; gauge public response; then release a commercial product that is less ambitious, if released at all.

It worked in part because it told a compelling story. "Here is what the future looks like; and here's an intermediate step towards that future that you can buy today." Electronics' sister industries followed the same tack. Car shows were populated with prismatic concept cars hewn with non-Euclidean angles rotating on raised daises. Videogame tech demos showed graphics too impossible to believe, but entrancing enough to betray our better judgment.

But in Jobs' encore performance, Apple has changed the routine.

Outwardly Apple's showmanship is competent, workmanlike. Jobs-as-performer wears an understated uniform that does not distract from the act. His humor, when it exists, is subtle. The closest an Apple keynote gets to pomp are pie charts that look like wooden logs.

Yet when Jobs reveals the company's next product, there's a critical difference: It exists. When possible, it is available for retail purchase the same day. There are few maybes or eventuallys tempering the presentation: "Here is the tiny miracle we've created. We want to sell it to you today."

As a counter-example, let me pick on Lenovo for a moment: At CES this year, they showed off the Ideapad U1 prototype, a netbook with a screen that could be decoupled from the keyboard to operate as a multitouch tablet. Clever idea, seemingly well considered and brain-bendingly not available for purchase today.

Do you see the story that Lenovo is spoiling for themselves? First, they've deprecated the imagined utility of every other laptop they sell without the flashy removable tablet screen. Yet they've also whispered a nervous apology to potential customers: "We could make something this cool, but we're not so confident in our plans to fully commit to them. Maybe you could tell us if you think you'd like this trick?"

Lenovo might make the U1. They might sell a few units. But simply by revealing it before it was a living, breathing SKU on retail shelves, they've relegated it to a quirky sideshow.

See also: The Chevy Volt, announced so long ago that GM has gone through a bankruptcy and shotgun CEO transition without actually being available for sale. Bet those will be flying off the lots.

Some of Apple's peers understand the need to manage expectations. Have you ever seen RIM show off a BlackBerry prototype? What about Nintendo? They don't pull a Microsoft-like move of showing very early-stage products to reporters and potential customers. They simply pull out a Wii or a DS and say, "This is it. Give it a try."

Everybody loves a prototype. Engineers get a chance to strut their stuff. If you've got a 40-inch OLED TV in a lab somewhere, bring it to your trade show. Executives take pride in their company's technical prowess. Marketers get an excuse to throw an even fancier party. And customers and press get idyll fodder for a daydream.

None of those things equal units sold. None of those things turn a customer into an ardent fan.

That an industry exists around rumors and leaks for unreleased products may be useful to Apple, but it is a side-effect of their product strategy, not the basis of their marketing. Consider that when Apple finally does release a product, the marketing tends to showcase the device itself in clear, comprehensible ways. Apple isn't shy to make claims about the grandiose, epiphanal nature of its products because—whether they pull it off or not—they have built a culture in which every product they make is designed to be world class.

Instead of prototypes, Apple makes patents. Although I'm certain Apple would keep these patents behind the curtain if they legally could, their existence proves something amazingly pedestrian: Behind the scenes, Apple is essentially the same sort of company as every other electronics star in the world.

They're developing prototypes. They're trying new tricks, seeing what works. They know experimentation is the lifeblood of innovation.

But like the consummate showmen they are, they temper the wooly process of building the future with something missing from nearly every other technology company: restraint. Apple may come off at times as a bit soulless, but at least they've got class. And when that class allows them to sell more products that make happier customers, I'll take class over flash every time.

That the Consumer Electronics Show is held in Vegas is no accident. It's a derelict spectacle meant to cater to mid-level buyers, gilt with the threadbare trappings of Innovation and Progress, but sending most of its audience home with nothing but a hangover and a t-shirt.

When Apple pulls a tablet out of its hat next week, it's likely that we won't be able to purchase it for a couple of months, but rest assured that's only because of regulatory pitfalls. And besides, there will be no doubt that when Jobs shows us his vision of the future, Apple will be doing everything they can do to get them into our hands.

That's the trick of it. Consumer audiences have grown wary of nearly a century of predictable sleight-of-hand. We've seen too many companies promise us the future, then fail to deliver it.

I believe that there are dozens of companies out there with the talent to pull the future toward us along some retail tesseract. But until they conquer their stage fright, leave aside the vaudevillian antics that savvy, jaded audiences no longer find compelling, and embrace a more honest and practical sort of conjuration, Apple will continue to be the defining technology performance of our age.

Gadget Deals of the Day [Dealzmodo]

Posted: January 19th, 2010, 12:00pm PST by David Chaid

Tags: Dealzmodo

If you're still hungover from your MLK day celebrations then these deals will dry you out in no time. A killer Acer laptop, a 24" Dell widescreen, and free granola bars to eat over a keyboard. Don't forget our tablet-prediction-sweepstakes!

Top Deals:
• 24" Dell ST2410 Widescreen Monitor for $189 with free shipping (normally $269).
• 15.6" Acer AS5732Z-4280 2.2GHz Laptop for $399.99 with free shipping (normally $499.99).
• Sunbelt Granola Bars box, BOGO Coupon for $0 (use this form).

Hobomodo:
• Download of Fresh Ram 5.0.0 for $0 (use this form).
• Zombie Pizza (iPhone) for $0 (normally $1.99).
• The Great City 11 Song Album by Revere (MP3) for $0 (download here).
• New Sounds Of Latin Music MP3 Album, 21 Songs for $0 (use this form).
• Sunbelt Granola Bars box, BOGO Coupon for $0 (use this form).

Contests:
Tell Us Your Feature Predictions, Win an Apple Tablet.

If a deal looks too good to be true, investigate the store and see if it's a good, reputable place to buy. Safe shopping!

[Thanks TechDealDigger, Dealzon, Logic Buy, GamerHotline, Cheap College Gamers, CheapStingyBargains and TechBargains.]

Without a Doubt, I'm Getting a Game & Watch Keychain [Nintendo]

Posted: January 18th, 2010, 10:20am PST by Jesus Diaz

Tags: nintendo

Maybe it's because I spent countless days glued to these things when I was a kid, but I must get Takara Tomy's new solar-powered, officially licensed Nintendo Game & Watch keychains. And their price is as tiny as their size.

Only $11. [Gigazine via Crunchgear]

Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars Hits the App Store [IPhone Apps]

Posted: January 17th, 2010, 9:11pm PST by John Herrman

Tags: iPhone apps

The iPhone's got its first GTA title, and it looks pretty great. As teased before, this is a top-down GTA, and it's a near-direct port of the Nintendo DS version, albeit with better graphics, and more awkward controls.

Touch Arcade's had some time to run/jack/drive/murder their way around the game a little bit, and here's what they noticed:

• The graphics are much better than they looked in the early screenshots, falling closer to the PSP version of the game than the DS version.

• The plot and writing are classic GTA, which is to say decent, and gratuitously profane. In a good way!

• The controls aren't as awkward as they look. (Note: they look very awkward.)

• It's a full-fledged GTA title, with integrated minigames, hours of gameplay and an appropriately high price: $10.

GTA: Chinatown Wars is live in the App Store. [Touch Arcade]

Nintendo Claims Wii Owners Don't Need Netflix HD, Nor A New Console [Gaming]

Posted: January 15th, 2010, 1:47am PST by Kat Hannaford

Tags: gaming

Oh, Reggie. You used to be such a gaming icon, hell, I even bought your Wii nunchuck t-shirt. But how can you judge your fanbase so incorrectly, saying Wii owners don't care about Netflix HD?

True, the Wii isn't HD at 480p, so anyone serious about streaming Netflix video in HD probably owns a PS3 or Xbox 360, but Fils-Aime's remarks in an interview with NBC show he's clearly out of touch with the industry. It's not like people buy consoles these days just to wave their arms in the air pretending they're Muhammad Ali—these machines are multimedia hubs capable of doing so much more than gaming now.

Fils-Aime's full quote on the matter:

"the vast majority of content for streaming on Netflix is not HD content, so there really is no loss for the Wii consumer with the fact they can't get any HD content through our system".

We've been hearing a lot of talk about a Wii HD (some say it'll even contain a Blu-ray drive), but Fils-Aime took the opportunity to deny (again) that it's on its way. He claimed Nintendo will only release a new console when everyone's bought a Wii—over 26 million have been sold reportedly—so we've got to wait until the market is "tapped out" until we see anything new.

Fils-Aime predicts that won't happen for "years." So, despite the Wii being on sale since 2006, don't count on Nintendo actually pleasing gamers—they're too busy after your Mom's money. [CNBC via Kotaku]

Gadget Deals of the Day [Dealzmodo]

Posted: January 14th, 2010, 12:00pm PST by David Chaid

Tags: Dealzmodo

Check out these Lenovo IdeaCentres, a hilarious HBO show, and a new section to the dealz: Contests. Win a Rippx by correctly predicting the US medal count in the upcoming Olympic games. Know about a sweet gadget contest? Tell us!

Top Deals:
• 21.5" Lenovo IdeaCentre A600 All-in-One Desktop for $699 with free shipping (normally $999 - use coupon code USPA6CJ).
• Eastbound & Down: Season 1 on DVD for $12.99 (normally $22).
• Taco Bell Fresco Taco for $0.
• Predict the correct US medal count and win a Ripxx.

Hobomodo:
• Fuze Meeting 30-day trial for $0.
• World of Tunes (iPhone) for $0 (normally $2.99).
• The Palm Sampler 10 Tracks (download here).
• Saavn Celebrates Bollywood MP3 Album, 8 songs for $0 (use this form).
• Taco Bell Fresco Taco for $0.
• Poise Bladder Control Pads Sample Kit for $0 (use this form).

Contests:
• Submit a US medal count prediction and the one who gets closest will get a free Ripxx.

Know about some cool contests going on? Submit them to tips@gizmodo.com or tag them #tips at the top of this page.

If a deal looks too good to be true, investigate the store and see if it's a good, reputable place to buy. Safe shopping!

[Thanks TechDealDigger, Dealzon, Logic Buy, GamerHotline, Cheap College Gamers, CheapStingyBargains and TechBargains.]

Gadget Deals of the Day [Dealzmodo]

Posted: January 13th, 2010, 12:15pm PST by David Chaid

Tags: Dealzmodo

Today's dealz highlights a Core i7 laptop from Alienware to get your frag on. Be sure to catch up on Fringe if your Lost addiction isn't enough—and check out a free song from Paramore to get busy with.

Top Deals:
• 15.6" Alienware m15x Core i7 Laptop for $1,599 (normally $1,899).
• Fringe: The Complete First Season (Blu Ray) for $29.99 plus free shipping (normally $52.35).
• Breathe from Paramore (MP3) for $0 (use this form).

Home Entertainment:
• 55" Samsung UN55B8000 1080p LED HDTV for $2,279 plus free shipping (normally $2,449 - use coupon code UN55B8000).
• 52" Philips 52PFL5704D/F7 52-Inch 1080p LCD TV for $999.99 (normally $1299).
• 52" RCA Scenium 120Hz 1080p Widescreen LCD HDTV for $1098 with free shipping (normally $1404).
• 32" LG 32LH30 1080p LCD HDTV for $421.12 with free shipping (normally $469.99 - use coupon code BONUSBUY).
• 32" Hitachi Alpha L32A403 LCD HDTV (720p) for $349.99 plus free shipping (normally $399).
• 23" Samsung 2333HD 1080p LCD HDTV for $218.65 plus free shipping (normally $250).
• Acoustic Research ARRX15G XSight Universal Remote for $79.99 with $4.99 shipping (normally $99.99).
• Audio Unlimited Wireless Speakers with Remote for $89.99 plus free shipping (normally $99.95).
• Lost - Seasons 1, 2, 3 on DVD for $16.99 each (normally $23).
• The Matrix, Blu-ray Disc for $17 shipped (normally $28).
• Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (Blu Ray) for $10.99 (normally $20.35).
• Fringe: The Complete First Season (Blu Ray) for $29.99 plus free shipping (normally $52.35).

Personal Portables and Peripherals:
• Sony Cybershot DSC-W190 12.1MP Digital Camera for $109.95 plus free shipping (normally $134.88).
• Archos 5 250 GB Internet Media Tablet for $199.99 plus free shipping (normally $240).
• Logitech MX Air Rechargeable Cordless Air Mouse, Open Box for $75 shipped (normally $142).
• TomTom XXL 540S 5-inch WS GPS w/ Text-to-Speech for $159.99 plus free shipping (normally $185).
• Fujifilm Finepix S200EXR 12MP Super CCD Digital Camera for $414.95 plus free shipping (normally $478).
• Nokia E71 Smart Phone (Unlocked, Quad-Band GSM) for $229.99 plus free shipping (normally $364 - use coupon code: 4ZGWDCRD6BVG4H).
• Microsoft Zune 30GB Portable MP3 Media Player (REFURB) for $69.99 (normally $89).
• Samsung WEP 301 Bluetooth Headset for $.99 plus free shipping (normally $13 - use this form).
• Plantronics Discovery 925 Bluetooth Headset for $52.99 with free shipping (normally $76)
• Samsung DualView TL220 12MP 4.6X Digital Camera w/ Dual LCDs (Front & Back) for $229.99 plus free shipping (normally $299).

Hobomodo:
• 8" x 10" Collage Print for $0 (use this form)
• Bottle of Dentyne Gum (w/ picture upload) for $0 (use this form)
• MP3 Download-Breathe from Paramore for $0 (use this form).
• Download up to 116 MP3 Albums for $0.
• DualSpinBall (iPhone) for $0 (normally $.99).

If a deal looks too good to be true, investigate the store and see if it's a good, reputable place to buy. Safe shopping!

[Thanks TechDealDigger, Dealzon, Logic Buy, GamerHotline, Cheap College Gamers, CheapStingyBargains and TechBargains.]

Microsoft, It's Time to Stop Charging for Other Companies' Content on Xbox [Xbox Live]

Posted: January 13th, 2010, 8:25am PST by John Herrman

Tags: Xbox Live

If your subscription is paid, you can watch Netflix for free on your computer, your Blu-ray player, your PS3, and soon, your Wii—but not on the Xbox 360. Microsoft, it's time to kill the Xbox internet tax

In case you don't own an Xbox, what I'm talking about is Xbox Live, Microsoft's online gaming/content/social network system for the Xbox 360. The free, or "Silver" version of the service offers a slim set of online capabilities, limited to game demo and add-on downloads, and some downloadable video content. But all the other stuff the Xbox does online—the online gaming, the movie and music streaming, the social networking—requires an Xbox Live Gold subscription, which costs $50 a year, $20 every three months, or $8 a month.

In return, Microsoft gives you online gaming, something which has obvious costs for them, and which I can understand paying for. But they're also effectively selling you access to services that aren't theirs, services that are free, or services that you've already paid for:

• Netflix. If you have access to Netflix instant streaming, you're already paying at least $9 a month for the service, and whatever you pay for your broadband connection. You can stream it for no extra charge on all other consoles, and the content is streamed from Netflix's servers, so why are we paying Microsoft for this?

• Last.fm, Twitter and Facebook. These are recent additions to Xbox Live, and Microsoft obviously spent a fair bit of time and resources devising new interfaces for these services. It would be fair, then, to charge a set number of Xbox Points for these apps, but to charge a recurring Live Membership fee to access these otherwise free services doesn't make sense.

• Zune. This, of all the services in the Xbox Live Gold ghetto, makes the least sense. In the Zune video marketplace, you pay for movies with Xbox points. In other words, you have to pay for Zune movies or TV shows twice: once with your Live Gold membership, and once with your actual media purchase. UPDATE: A Microsoft rep got in touch:

All Xbox LIVE members, including Silver, can rent, buy, and stream videos from Zune on Xbox LIVE.

That did seem like a little much—I stand corrected.

I'm not saying that Microsoft should scrap Live altogether, or that there can't be a paid tier for the service. I'm also not saying that other companies are innocent here—Sony, while they're not charging for Netflix access, do require a Sony-tied login to access it, which seems like an unnecessary, albeit costless, extra layer between you and the external service you've already paid for. I'm just saying that Microsoft needs a Live subscription system that only asks you to pay Microsoft when Microsoft gives you something in return. Charge for online gaming, charge for Netflix Parties, charge for things that cost money.

Just stop charging us for things that we've already paid for, or that we don't—or even can't—pay for anywhere else.

Netflix Video Streaming Available on Nintendo Wii In Just A Few Months [Nintendo Wii]

Posted: January 13th, 2010, 2:50am PST by Kat Hannaford

Tags: nintendo wii

Thankfully Netflix's CEO Reed Hastings wasn't just stirring up hype last week when he said the chances of Netflix on Nintendo were "excellent," as the deal's just been inked and will debut in early Spring.

Joining the PS3 and Xbox 360, Netflix will bring its streaming video service to the Wii, offering movies and TV shows to subscribers of the $9/month DVD mail-out service. You'll need to grab a software disc from Netflix though in order to get streaming rights on your Wii, but it's sent to your pad for free so you can't quibble much about that. Worth pointing out though is that the Wii can't give you anything more than 480p video resolution, so don't go thinking this Netflix deal is the best news ever. [Netflix Wii NY Times]

Netflix CEO: Chances of Nintendo Wii Support Are "Excellent" [NetFlix]

Posted: January 8th, 2010, 4:57pm PST by John Herrman

Tags: netflix

Without a hint of doubt, Netflix CEO Reed Hastings says that chances of Netflix on Nintendo—are "excellent." Stir that together with October's confident rumors about forthcoming Netflix support on the Wii and, well, you get it.

The quote came in response to an onstage question from AllThingsD's Peter Kafka, during an interview here at CES. The choice of "Nintendo" rather than "Wii" terminology was Kafka's choice, and was kind of unfortunate, because the only caveat to October's rumors was that Netflix may be waiting for Nintendo's next-gen product. In any case, it's not a confirmation, but it's close—Wii people, don't let your hopes for native Netflix die quite yet.

Nyko Wand+ Hands-On: I Love Watching Nintendo Get Kicked In the Balls [Wii]

Posted: January 7th, 2010, 3:24pm PST by Mark Wilson

Tags: wii

You wouldn't think a third party could clone a Nintendo product and then make it better, but Nyko may have done that with the Wand+.

I mean, let's face it. Nintendo has grown greedy and lazy, and it's no more apparent than how they gave us Wii MotionPlus as an adapter on the Wiimote. The dongle is fine for backward compatibility, welcome even, but they're double-dipping on all new Wiimote buyers, making them purchase controllers AND Wii MotionPlus to play games.

In a balance of karma, Nintendo has been one-upped by a knockoff.

Nyko's Wand+ integrates 1:1 motion (like you see in WiiMotion Plus) into the normal Wiimote formfactor. In your hand, it feels every bit as comfortable as a Wiimote (actually, I prefer it because of its rubber grip.) And playing Wii Sports Resort (table tennis) with the Wand+ today, it felt every bit as responsive/accurate as what Nintendo is crapping into our laps as an awkwardly attached accessory.

Further testing will be needed to determine whether or not the Wand+ is just as good as the original, but Nyko's reps were pretty confident in the tech. We'll test one more rigorously when they arrive for $40 in March, but until then, I'm just happy to see some company put a little external pressure on Nintendo.

Next-Gen Nintendo DS Will Have Some Kind of Motion Detection [Nintendo DS]

Posted: January 6th, 2010, 12:16am PST by Jason Chen

Tags: nintendo DS

Nintendo's president Satoru Iwata was more mouthy than most presidents are about their upcoming, but unannounced, products, and said that the upcoming DS will have an accelerometer. Or, some kind of motion sensor.

Here's the quote:

[It will have] highly detailed graphics, and it will be necessary to have a sensor with the ability to read the movements of people playing.

The highly detailed graphics part is a given, but even so, is still pretty vague. It does mesh with the Nvidia Tegra rumors we heard back in October. The people's movements part is a bit more interesting. Maybe some kind of accelerometer for tilt-based gaming (like in smartphones now) could be interesting, but unintrusive enough for it to still be a DS. [Kotaku]

Gadget Deals of the Day [Dealzmodo]

Posted: January 5th, 2010, 12:00pm PST by David Chaid

Tags: Dealzmodo

Take a break from all the CES madness and contemplate today's deals. Check out a kickin' rad Toshiba laptop, some boombastic Polk Audio floor speakers, and a wispy game for your iPhone.

Top Deals:
• 13.3" Toshiba Satellite T135 Laptop for $579.99 plus free shipping (normally $698).
• Polk Audio R50 Floorstanding Speakers for $116.56 plus free shipping (normally $195 - use coupon code BONUSBUY).
• Wisp (iPhone) for $0 (normally $.99).

Gaming:

Hobomodo:
• Driver Magician for $0
• Wisp (iPhone) for $0 (normally $.99).
• Free Dora the Explorer Game Download.
• Sacramento Kings Ticket for people with January Birthdays for $0.
• The Age of Anxiety by Virgin Islands for $0 (download here).
• Slim Fast Bar from Sam's for $0 (use this form).
• NasaDock STAND, NasaMist or NasoGel product for $0 (use this form).
• Admission to Museums with Your Bank of America Card for $0 (use this form).
• Kodak Gallery 50 4x6 prints for $0

If a deal looks too good to be true, investigate the store and see if it's a good, reputable place to buy. Safe shopping!

[Thanks TechDealDigger, Dealzon, Logic Buy, GamerHotline, Cheap College Gamers, CheapStingyBargains and TechBargains.]

Gadget Deals of the Day [Dealzmodo]

Posted: January 4th, 2010, 12:00pm PST by David Chaid

Tags: Dealzmodo

If your family neglected to pick up on your gift wishes then be sure to scope out today's New Year's deals. Check out the HP laptop for $450, Insignia's behemoth HDTV for $990, or snag a delicious smoothie from Keva.

Hobomodo:
• 24 oz. Smoothie at Keva Juice for $0 (use this form).
• Nigel North "Eternal Baroque" MP3 Album for $0 (use this form).
• I Love the 80s, Vol. 1 MP3 Download for $0 (use this form).
• Hidden Wonders Of The Depth (PC/Mac) for $0 (use code freedepthsemailpc for PC, freedepthsemailmac for Mac - download here).
• Let's Golf (iPhone) for $0 (normally $1.99).
• FujiFilm SeeHere 100 4x6 photo prints for $0 (use coupon code prints).

If a deal looks too good to be true, investigate the store and see if it's a good, reputable place to buy. Safe shopping!

[Thanks TechDealDigger, Dealzon, Logic Buy, GamerHotline, Cheap College Gamers, CheapStingyBargains and TechBargains.]

Gadget Deals of the Day [Dealzmodo]

Posted: December 23rd, 2009, 12:00pm PST by Kyle VanHemert

Tags: Dealzmodo

Steam kicks off their holiday sale today with some incredible deals on big name games. If you're still looking for last minute gift ideas—for yourself or others—today's huge Dealz list is a great place to start.

Top Deals:
• 10.1" ASUS Eee PC 1005HA Netbook $261.75 plus free shipping (normally $340).
• 46" Toshiba 46SV670U REGZA 1080p HDTV for $1299 with free shipping (normally $1449).
• Insane Deals on Steam through January 3rd.

Hobomodo:
• Save Our Souls Episode 1 (iPhone/iPod Touch) for $0 (normally $1.99).
• It Came Upon A Midnight Clear by MercyMe (MP3) for $0 (download here).
• Audible 14-day trial with two Audiobook credits for $0
• Samsung WEP450 Bluetooth Headset for $0 plus free shipping (normally $33).
• Download 25 Christmas Songs from Amazon MP3 for $0.
• Free Harvard Business Review 6 month Subscription (use this form).
• Free Redbox DVD Rental (use coupon code:ACME25 and this form).
• Free Coffee or Tea at Peet's Coffee & Tea on Dec 24th (use this form).

If a deal looks too good to be true, investigate the store and see if it's a good, reputable place to buy. Safe shopping!

[Thanks TechDealDigger, Dealzon, Logic Buy, GamerHotline, Cheap College Gamers, CheapStingyBargains and TechBargains.]

Gold "Supreme" PS3 Costs $319,000, Plus Your Dignity [Gaming]

Posted: December 23rd, 2009, 5:00am PST by Kat Hannaford

Tags: gaming

Was that $490,000 gold Wii on the wrong side of the allegiance for you? Thankfully Goldstriker's now offering a 22ct-gold-and-diamond-studded PS3, letting you take on the terrorists in MW2 the proper way.

Only three have been made, so you better get your skates on if the 1,600 grams of solid 22ct gold and 58 0.50ct diamonds-decorated console is just the living room accessory you've been after. Only £199,995 ($319,104)—a veritable steal in comparison to the Wii. But how much will the Xbox 360 version set us back, and can we get a refund when the inevitable RROD happens? [Stuart Hughes via Goldstriker]

Remainders - The Good, Bad and Ugly Things We Didn't Post (and Why) [Remainders]

Posted: December 22nd, 2009, 9:40pm PST by Dan Nosowitz

Tags: Remainders

Today's Remainders are gelled, tanned, and fist-pumping: Dell pulls ads from World's Greatest TV Show (Jersey Shore); Facebook tempts spouses to cheat; Apple approves, pulls an NES emulator; and a recipe for bacon cups. That's right, cups made of bacon.

Dell Boycotts Jersey Shore, Has No Taste

Jersey Shore is great. It's the trash TV event of our generation. Anyone that has a problem with it has a serious deficiency in the "derisive fun" section of the brain. Add Dell to that list, because they've pulled ads from the show for the usual "We don't support ethnic bashing and do not understand reality television (or fun)" reason. Who wants to boycott Dell due to their boycott of Jersey Shore? Anyone? [Engadget]

Facebook Ruins British Marriages

All those great stalking features that make Facebook so addicting apparently also make it DEADLY...to marriages. A survey found that Facebook-related findings were mentioned in 20% of English divorce papers. Here are some actual examples:

One 35-year-old woman even discovered her husband was divorcing her via Facebook.

Conference organiser Emma Brady was distraught to read that her marriage was over when he updated his status on the site to read: "Neil Brady has ended his marriage to Emma Brady."

Last year a 28-year-old woman ended her marriage after discovering her husband had been having a virtual affair with someone in cyberspace he had never met.

Amy Taylor 28, split from David Pollard after discovering he was sleeping with an escort in the game Second Life, a virtual world where people reinvent themselves.

Gasp, you guys. Gasp. [Telegraph]

Apple Approves, Then Pulls NES Emulator, to Nobody's Surprise

What's surprising about this story isn't that what looks like a really fun, full-featured NES emulator app was pulled from the App Store; it's how the hell that app got approved in the first place. Nescaline (every time you think the world has run out of puns, the world proves you wrong, and you cry) was approved and removed overnight, for the simple reason that "It's an emulator." That's from the mouth of an Apple rep, although it's not like you needed that explanation—it's pretty obvious. You want NES emulation, you jailbreak your iPhone, it's that simple. Sorry to the guys of Nescaline, but maybe the app will find success on the grey market of jailbreak apps. [PCWorld]

Bacon Cups. Cups of Bacon.

Man, do I love our sister site Lifehacker. Today they have a guide to making bacon cups in a cupcake pan, which yields the most delicious dishware you've ever eaten. The BLT idea pictured here is really great, but you know there are boatloads more. How about pasta in a parmesan-cream-onion sauce in a bacon cup, for a twist on carbonara? Or filling it with a corn bread, apple and sausage stuffing? Or scrambled eggs and cheese, topped with a biscuit? I can't keep going, I'm already drooling down my shirt front. Post your suggestions in the comments! [Lifehacker]

N64 Emulator Hits Jailbroken iPhones, With Bluetooth Wiimote Support [Jailbreak Apps]

Posted: December 22nd, 2009, 3:32pm PST by John Herrman

Tags: Jailbreak apps

Last month, ZodTTD, the guy who basically pioneered game emulation on the iPhone, promised us an N64 emulator. Today, that's exactly what he's delivered, with a bonus: Wiimote support, via Bluetooth.

Early reports—and this video—peg the app as slow and tough to control, even with the Wii attachment, which, if you've been following jailbreak game emulation on the iPhone at all, should sound familiar. What should also sound familiar are stories of how said emulators, after a few months of development, almost invariably become something completely different, subject to description by such exclusive adjectives as "playable" and even "OK." That n64iphone will get better one day is a matter of faith, but goddamnit, have hope!

n64iphone is available to jailbreakers in Cydia for $2.50—ROMs not included, obviously—which would be a fair price for a full-fledged N64 emulator, but feels a little high for what currently amounts to a very neat party trick. [EsferaiPhone]

Wii BOSS Controller Case: Great In Theory, Poor In Execution [Wii]

Posted: December 20th, 2009, 8:00am PST by Jack Loftus

Tags: wii

There's a lot of useless accessory crap for the Wii, but the BOSS controller case looked to buck the trend by addressing Nintendo's baffling lack of classic controller support for New Super Mario Bros Wii. Too bad it doesn't work.

Basically, what this big red thing does is slip over your Wiimote and, theoretically, makes it easier to grip and push those tiny buttons when playing a game with the Wiimote on its side. Kind of like the Classic Controller, with an accelerometer built in.

Unfortunately, Ars Technica says the additional bulk just makes things unwieldy. One needs big, beefy hands to use this thing properly, they report, and the additional heft in back—junk in the trunk, if you will—only makes things worse. And since the buttons on the case are just pressing down the original Wiimote buttons below, things got a tad unresponsive. Even at $10, the reviewer "breathed a sigh of relief" when he tore it off after an hour of play time.

It's too bad. That tiny directional pad and those tiny 1 and 2 buttons really cramp me up after an extended play session in the Mushroom Kingdom. [ars technica]

Gadget Deals of the Day [Dealzmodo]

Posted: December 18th, 2009, 12:00pm PST by Kyle VanHemert

Tags: Dealzmodo

It turns out Avatar is pretty cool after all, so bring home all that sweet alien action with a nice deal on Avatar: The Game on 360, PS3 or Wii. If that wears you out, replenish with a free Whatburger.

Top Deals:
• 17.3" Dell Inspiron 17 LED Laptop for $449 plus free shipping (normally $629).
• Avatar The Game PS3 & 360 for $44.99, Wii for $37.49 plus free shipping (normally $55, $47).
• Burger from Whataburger Today for $0.

Computing and Peripherals:
• Dell Vostro 220 Dual-Core 2.6Ghz Desktop plus 20" Dell LCD Monitor for $389 with $35 shipping (normally $621).
• 17" MacBook Pro (newest model MC226LL/A) for $2,129 plus free shipping (normally $2,499).
• 17.3" Dell Inspiron 17 LED Laptop for $449 plus free shipping (normally $629).
• 15.6" Lenovo IdeaPad Y550 Intel Laptop for $512.10 plus free shipping (normally $1043 - use coupon code: USPNOTEBOOKS).
• 14" Lenovo G450 Dual Core Laptop for $404.10 plus free shipping (normally $669 - use coupon code USPNOTEBOOKS).
• 13.3" HP dm3-1030us Laptop for $569.99 with free 2-day shipping (normally $629.99 - use coupon code SVMY478761).
• 25" Samsung SyncMaster P2570 Widescreen LCD for $224.09 plus free shipping (normally $300 - use coupon codes 4XNJ1GLL72360F and 40693M3916H1CP).
• 22" LG W2286L Widescreen LED Monitor for $183.99 w/ Paypal plus free shipping (normally $224 - use coupon code: EMCMNMS75).
• 2TB Fantom G-Force Greendrive GD2000EU External HD for $139.99 plus free shipping (normally $185 - use this form).
• 1TB Seagate ST1000340AS-RK Hard Drive for $70 (normally $90).

Gaming:
• Xbox 360 Elite 120GB Winter 2009 Lego Batman/Pure Bundle Plus 12-Month Xbox Live Gold Card & 2 Bonus Games $349.00 for $13.70 shipping at Walmart (normally $439).
• Sony PSP Limited Edition Assassin's Creed Pack for $169.99 with free shipping (normally $199.99).
• Nintendo DS Lite for $109 plus free shipping (normally $129).
• Logitech Wireless Wheel for Wii + Logitech Wireless Keyboard for Wii for $39.99 plus free shipping (normally $73).
• PS3 Controller (Black) and Uncharted: Drake's Fortune for $58.99 plus free shipping (normally $70).
• Avatar The Game PS3 & 360 for $44.99, Wii for $37.49 plus free shipping (normally $55, $47).
• Tom Clancy's End War (360) for $8.99 with free shipping (normally $14.99).
• Blitz: The League II (360/PS3) for $9.99 plus free shipping (normally $19).
• Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars (PSP) for $19.78 (normally $27.40).
• Borderlands (PC download) for $32.95 (normally $45).
• Empire Earth 2: The Art of Supremacy (PC download) for $2.50 (normally $10).
• Empire Earth 2: Platinum Edition (PC download) for $4.95 (normally $20).

Hobomodo:
• Burger from Whataburger Today for $0.
• Fujifilm SeeHere 100, 4 by 6 photo prints for $0
• 1 Year Maxim Magazine Subscription for $0 (use this form).
• Titos Vodka Personalized Labels for $0 (use this form).
• "It's Complicated" Movie Screening Tickets for $0 (use this form).

Also, Target has some more electronics deals, starting Sunday:
Free GiftCards with purchase:
• $10 Target GiftCard when you purchase a Nintendo DS handheld game system ($129.99).
• $15 Target GiftCard with select iPod purchases: 8GB iPod Touch ($195) or 8GB iPod Nano ($145).

Capture the holidays for less:
• Sony Webbie camcorder on sale for $129.99 (save $20).
• Sony Cyber-shot digital camera on sale for $119.99 (save $20).
• Sony 4GB memory stick on sale for $24.99 (save $10).

High-definition deals:
• Westinghouse 26" 720p LCD HD TV on sale for $249 (save over $80).
• Westinghouse 42" 1080p LCD HD TV on sale for $597 (save over $80).

If a deal looks too good to be true, investigate the store and see if it's a good, reputable place to buy. Safe shopping!

[Thanks TechDealDigger, Dealzon, Logic Buy, GamerHotline, Cheap College Gamers, CheapStingyBargains and TechBargains.]

If You Are an Idiot, You May Want to Spend $490,000 in this Nintendo Wii Made of Gold [Nintendo]

Posted: December 18th, 2009, 6:05am PST by Jesus Diaz

Tags: nintendo

From the people who brought the iPhone 3GS Supreme to a tasteless assclown, here's the Nintendo Wii Supreme, labeled by the designers as "the world's most expensive games console." Why? Because it's made with 5.5 pounds of solid 22ct gold.

The front buttons are studded with 78 0.25 carats diamonds. Each of the three Nintendo Wii Supremes—yes, they are expecting three morons to buy them at $490,000 each—take six months to create. [Stuart Hughes]

Gadget Deals of the Day [Dealzmodo]

Posted: December 16th, 2009, 12:00pm PST by Kyle VanHemert

Tags: Dealzmodo

Today's Dealzmodo has a very special deal: find Love, for free. Or at least find uncomfortable e-mail exchanges, with a free 3 day trial at Match.com. Also, check out a red hot deal on a red hot Toshiba Satellite notebook.

Top Deals:
• 13.3" Toshiba Satellite T135-S1310RD for $599.99 plus free shipping (normally $699).
• Battle Fantasia (360) for $9.99 plus free shipping (normally $22).
• Match.com 3 days for $0

Personal Portables and Peripherals:
• Ultimate Ears 700 Noise Isolating Earphones for $136.02 plus free shipping (normally $180.17 - use this form).
• Magellan Maestro 4700 4.7-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator for $149.99 plus free shipping (normally $199.99).
• Flip MinoHD Camcorder, 60 Minutes for $119.99 plus free shipping (normally $166.99).
• Griffin Simplifi Dock, Media Reader & USB Hub (iPhone 3G, iPod) for $37.99 with free shipping (normally $49.99)
• Garmin nuMaps Lifetime Map Update Card for $79.99 with free shipping (normally $96.49)
• AT&T Option GT Ultra Express Card (unlocked) for MC/Mac for $29.99 with free shipping (normally $40)
• Sandisk 4GB MicroSDHC Card for $7.95 plus free shipping (normally $15).

Hobomodo:
• Match.com 3 days for $0
• Team Fortress 2 Free-Weekend(PC) $0
• Pitter-Pat Acoustic AmazonMP3 Exclusive Version (MP3) by Erin McCarley for $0 (download here).
• 7 Cities (iPhone) for $0 (normally $2.99).

Thanks to new intern David for helping out with today's list. If a deal looks too good to be true, investigate the store and see if it's a good, reputable place to buy. Safe shopping!

[Thanks TechDealDigger, Dealzon, Logic Buy, GamerHotline, Cheap College Gamers, CheapStingyBargains and TechBargains.]

Tegra 2 Coming in January: Nvidia Promises Netbooks, Smartphones and Smartbooks Galore [Nvidia]

Posted: December 16th, 2009, 10:51am PST by John Herrman

Tags: Nvidia

The Tegra system-on-a-chip, the zippy hardware that powers the Zune HD, had so much potential. Then, the delays. Slow pickup. Disappointment. Whatever happened to the Tegra, Nvidia doesn't want it to happen again. This time, they say, will be different.

As for what the Tegra 2 is, nobody really knows, because the closest Nvdia execs will get to a spec rundown is to offer vague promises of MORE: evidently it will be at least twice as powerful as its predecessor, which was was impressive in its own right. We'll get a sense of how powerful it is at CES, but the major point Nvidia would like to make is that unlike last time, the Tegra 2 will actually get used:

At CES we are going to make a major announcement about Tegra family. It is highly possible that we will see some very interesting form-factors coming out at the same time. [There will be products] shown by our partners using the next-generation Tegra device. You are going to see roll-outs and deployments of tablet PCs, smartbooks, netbooks, MIDs throughout the first half [of the year]; and then you will see major roll-outs of smartphones in the second half

This jibes with chatter from the last few months that companies like Samsung, Nintendo and even Nvidia themselves have suddenly started working on Tegra hardware; we just didn't know until now that it'd be next gen. What we still don't know is what that means: If the original Tegra could decode 1080p video, what can the new one do? Decode 1080p video more enthusiastically? [XbitLabs]

Video Game Timeline: A 2-Minute Crash History Course [Video Games]

Posted: December 16th, 2009, 6:00am PST by Mark Wilson

Tags: video Games

It's a great divide. Many of our readers watched as video games were born and developed to this day. Others never knew a world without friends lists and Live accounts. Regardless of your background, this timeline will catch you up.

(Click image for full-size pop-out.)

A number of notables are missing, from 3DO to the Jaguar to even the infamous Virtual Boy. But you should gain some perspective all the same while we wait for the inevitable Failed Video Game Timeline follow-up. [Online Education via GoNintendo]

Nintendo Files Trademark For Zii, Is It The Wii 2 Though? [Gaming]

Posted: December 15th, 2009, 4:20am PST by Kat Hannaford

Tags: gaming

If Nintendo's follow-up to the Wii is actually called the Zii, I think that's the first mistake right there. But could this mysterious trademark, filed in Japan in October, actually be for the Wii 2, or something else?

It was spotted on a trademarks database yesterday by the eagle-eyed Siliconera, who rightly points out that it "seems kind of late to protect Wii typos since the console is three years old." Perhaps it's that HD Wii which has been oft-rumored? Whatever it is, Creative won't be too happy. [Siliconera via Kotaku]

Is Apple Taking the Internet Seriously Now? [Apple]

Posted: December 13th, 2009, 3:06pm PST by matt buchanan

Tags: apple

Apple's always been a particular kind of company, obsessed with experiences, controlling them, end to end. But those they've always been centered around the traditional desktop. Until Apple bought Lala. Is Apple taking the internet seriously now?

By "taking the internet seriously," we mean, in one sense, getting more serious "the cloud," which is a digital yuppy euphemism for "stuff stored on honking servers out there somewhere that you access over the internet." A few things—a few acquisitions, really—make us think Apple is eyeballing the internet in a new way as means of service. And we don't mean in the sorta kinda way they run MobileMe, which has been, at first, a flop and now, decent if it were free like all the Google stuff is and not $100 a year.

• The biggest piece is Lala. It remains to be seen how radically Apple uses it to transform iTunes, but the potential for a complete upheaval of the current iTunes model is enormous. Right now, you buy stuff on iTunes, download it to your hard drive, and sync it to your iThing through a rubbery white cable. A LalaTunes would be re-oriented around the web: You buy and manage songs over the web, and could stream your library anywhere, like to other computers, to your phone, directly. You can buy the streaming rights to a song forever, for 10 cents (well, that's what Lala sells 'em for now, anyway), rather than download it. And if this new, de-centralized iTunes is indeed embedded all over the web, it would become the de facto way to listen to music on internet, the same way Google is just how your search.

• Apple tried to buy AdMob, before Google did. AdMob is a mobile advertising company, formerly, one of the biggest. The sell ads, on the internet, for mobile phones. Apple might've wanted it as a defensive move to keep it away from Google, but just as likely, Apple wanted a slice of the mobile advertising revenue that's simply going to explode over the next couple of years, much of which is being sold for the iPhone.

• A somewhat shakier rumor is that Apple's is thinking about buying iCall, not for the name, but because they're a VoIP company. If Apple's really diving into the internet stuff, an internet calling service makes some sense. Also, though unrelated, it's interesting that after Apple blocked the app Podcaster for being iTunesy, it later released the functionality it provided, and Apple's complaint about Google Voice and other GV apps, were that they "duplicated" functionality.

• Update: Oops, forgot all about the massive, 500,000 square-foot data center Apple's supposedly building that would be one of the largest in the world

Again, Apple's dabbled in internet services for a long time—you know, .Mac and MobileMe, with its storage and syncing and photo services—but in the future, you'll probably mark the iPhone as when the internet really started to matter. It's a relatively modest piece of hardware compared to a real computer—when Ballmer said "the internet is not designed for iPhone," truthfully, he wasn't horribly off-base since a ton of non-game apps really are particular means displaying stuff from the internet. Remember how limited the iPhone felt before apps? Before it became a real internet thing?

The defining conflict of personal computing for the last two decades has been Apple vs. Microsoft, Mac vs. PC. Today, it's a three-way battle: Apple vs. Microsoft vs. Google. Steve Ballmer's been mocked for years over his obsession with Google, manifested through their Microsoft's blind pursuit of search marketshare, but his single-mindedness looks far less loony today. It's funny, actually, that Microsoft has been entirely absent from Apple's recent collisions, which have all been with Google: Maps, voice, mobile advertising, music, executives, phones, etc. Microsoft doesn't even enter the picture here, at least from Apple's perspective. And these fights are all about the internet or mobile services.

Which is illuminating. Microsoft has had their lunch chewed, swallowed and spit back into their faces on mobile, on digital music and on, um, the internet. They let all of those things, which they were in a serious position to dominate, pass them by. Windows Mobile is hosed. Zune HD is amazing, but far too late. Google owns over 70 percent of the search market, and people are still abandoning Internet Explorer in droves after Microsoft let it rot for years. Microsoft, with its OS on 90 percent of the world's computers, obviously has much more to lose than Apple if the OS becomes truly irrelevant.

Apple probably doesn't want to be Microsoft. Complacency breeds extinction. And it's clear that things are continually shifting away from the traditional desktop (or laptop), to the internet. I'm not saying Apple's abandoning OS X and MacBooks and we're going to all wake up in the puffy cloud tomorrow, but anybody who thinks things aren't going in this new terminal-client direction, where OSes and hardware doesn't matter is blind or stupid or in denial. I mean, it's already here in some ways. (Uh, just look at Google.) A model that stays tethered to the traditional desktop is like tying a weight around your ankle and trying to fly by flapping your arms.

An Apple that's seriously focused on the internet could be a curious thing. Apple's all about ecosystems that flow and work together. Would it be a walled garden in the clouds? Or would it be open, you know like people seem to think the internet should be? (I think of how Nintendo transitioned Mario from 2D to 3D with Super Mario 64. It was totally Mario, but something completely new.)

Whatever the case, it's hard to imagine Apple not taking the internet and internet-based services more seriously than ever—butting heads again and again with Google, the new Microsoft (of the internet) shows at least that much. We'll have to wait and see what that really means, though.

Gadget Deals of the Day [Dealzmodo]

Posted: December 11th, 2009, 12:00pm PST by Kyle VanHemert

Tags: Dealzmodo

Today's Dealzmodo has the skinny on Target's upcoming video game and electronics sale in addition to all the regular deals on laptops, Blu-rays and more. Also, check out a selection of HDTV deals hand-picked by our friends at HD Guru.

Top Deals:
• 20" Lenovo C300 All-in-one Desktop PC for $425.14 plus free shipping (normally $529.99 - use coupon code USPHOLIDAY).
• Tony Hawk Ride with Skateboard Controller (360, PS3, Wii) for $89.99 (normally $118.99).
• Adult Swim ATL Remix Mixtape MP3 Downloads for $0 (use this form).

Our friends at HD Guru have worked hard to catalog the week's best HDTV deals. Here are just a few:
• Panasonic TC-L26X1 26-Inch 720p LCD for $299.99
• LG 37" 1080p 240Hz LCD for $999.99
• Panasonic TC-P46G10 46" 1080p Plasma plus free Blu-ray player for $1118.98
• Panasonic TC-P54S1 54" 1080p Plasma plus free Blu-ray player for $1389.00
Check out HD Guru's This Week's Hottest Deals post for links and more deals.

Also, starting Sunday, Target is offering big savings on games and electronics online and in their retail stores. Gaming deals include:
• $30 Target GiftCard with Nintendo Wii game console ($199.99).
• $10 Target GiftCard with Nintendo DSi handheld gaming system ($169.99).
• Rock Band 2, Guitar Hero World Tour, DJ Hero and Tony Hawk Ride for $88 (normally $119.99-159.99 each)
• $10 off select DS games including the new Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks, Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story and more

Gadget deals include:
• Kodak MD41 digital camera on sale for $95 (save over $50).
• Aiptek HD digital camcorder on sale for $79 (save over $30).
• HP digital photo frame on sale for $69 (save over $40).
• Garmin Nuvi GPS navigation system on sale for $99 (save over $50).
• TomTom GPS navigation system on sale for $99 (save over $30) and get a $20 Target GiftCard with purchase.
• Logitech V220 cordless notebook mouse on sale for $9.99 (save over $15).
• Casio lighted-key keyboard on sale for $98 (save over $30).

Personal Portables and Peripherals:
• Logitech Squeezebox Network Audio Player for $179.99 plus free shipping (normally $269 - use coupon code logi_sbc_12119).
• Samsung DualView TL225 12MP Digital Camera (Black w/ Orange or Purple) for $234 plus free shipping (normally $288 - use coupon code EMCMNMM47).
• Nokia BH-216 Bluetooth Headset for $9.99 plus free shipping (normally $25 - use this form).
• ARCHOS 5 Internet 60GB Media Tablet for $155 plus free shipping (normally $209).
• Mach Speed Raven 2GB MP3 Player for $5 plus free shipping (normally $15 - this form).
• Zune 80GB MP3/Media Player plus Home AV kit for $129.86 (normally $170).

Hobomodo:
• HBO's Big Love "A Juniper Creek Christmas" album (8 songs MP3) for $0.
• FREE X5 Free Classical Sampler - Classical Christmas (Download) (use this form).
• Free 1 Year Subscription to Maxim (use this form).
• Free 1 Year Subscription to U.S News & World Report Magazine (use this form).
• Adult Swim ATL Remix Mixtape MP3 Downloads for $0 (use this form).
• Crazy Snowboard (iPhone) for $0 (normally $2.99).
• Open Remix 7 Song Sampler (MP3) for $0 (download here).

If a deal looks too good to be true, investigate the store and see if it's a good, reputable place to buy. Safe shopping!

[Thanks TechDealDigger, Dealzon, Logic Buy, GamerHotline, Cheap College Gamers, CheapStingyBargains and TechBargains.]

Gadget Deals of the Day []

Posted: December 10th, 2009, 12:00pm PST by Kyle VanHemert

Today's Dealzmodo brings more free holiday MP3 tidings and a multitouch laptop to take your Facebook poking to a new, literal level. Also, find big savings on the Spykee spy robot to take your stalking to a new, robotic level.

Top Deals:
• 14" Lenovo ThinkPad T400s Laptop with Multi-touch for $1,699 with free shipping (normally $2,145 - use coupon code: USPHOLIDAY).
• Spykee Spy Robot w/ VOIP and Webcam for $120 plus free shipping (normally $299).
• 20 Song Holiday Sampler Album for $0 at iTunes.

Hobomodo:
• 20 Song Holiday Sampler Album for $0 at iTunes.
• Burger from Whataburger Today for $0.
• 60-Day Trial Membership Offer at BJs Wholesale Club for $0.
• Silent Night by House Of Heroes (MP3) for $0 (download here).
• Holiday Smash (iPhone) for $0 (normally $1.99).
• Free 2010 Delallo Calendar (use this form).
• Free Forbes Investor's Guide (use this form).

If a deal looks too good to be true, investigate the store and see if it's a good, reputable place to buy. Safe shopping!

[Thanks TechDealDigger, Dealzon, Logic Buy, GamerHotline, Cheap College Gamers, CheapStingyBargains and TechBargains.]

iHandstick Doesn't Solve the iPhone's Touchscreen Gaming Controls Problem [Iphone Gaming]

Posted: December 10th, 2009, 9:40am PST by Adam Frucci

Tags: iPhone gaming

The biggest thing keeping the iPhone from rendering the Nintendo DSi and Sony PSP Go obsolete is its lack of physical buttons. You just can't play some games with a touchscreen. And this wacky iHandstick does nothing to solve that.

Instead, it pops the iPhone or iPod Touch into a Playstation-like grip, allowing you to hold it like a controller you're used to. But the controls will remain the same, and will maybe even be harder to manipulate when holding it like that.

But hey, if you want to try your luck it's only $17. [USB Fever via Engadget]

Pretend You've Got a DSi XL With This Datel Japan Sound Speaker [Nintendo]

Posted: December 10th, 2009, 8:32am PST by Kat Hannaford

Tags: nintendo

Simulate the experience of owning a DSi XL months before it goes on sale outside of Japan, with this Datel Japan DSi sound speaker.

Not only does it play your Mario soundtrack out loud, but it also charges your DSi when it's plugged in. There's even a little hole on the top half of the case so you can continue using the camera. It's like they thought of everything—except how to continue using the shoulder buttons. On sale in Japan now, it's ¥3,990 (around $45). [Datel Japan via Tiny Cartridge]

Why I Hate Ereaders, And Doubt They'll Ever Hit The Mainstream [Ebooks]

Posted: December 10th, 2009, 7:00am PST by Kat Hannaford

Tags: Ebooks

It started with Sony. Like most poorly thought-out format ideas from the Japanese titan, 2004's Librie ereader promised a revolutionary new way to perform an act you never realized needed an overhaul. Reading.

Books, in the paper and ink form, have been around for over a thousand years. You can bet your prized copy of Cloud Computing For Dummies that when the first book, the Diamond Sutra, was finished, those still chipping their chisels into stone, or carving papyrus downed their tools and said something along the lines of "thank the lord, reading's become even easier now!" It was a much-needed change, unlike the electronic books manufacturers like Sony and Amazon have been trying to flog.

A few ereaders existed before Sony swaggered onto the playing field, but it wasn't until 2004's DRM-riddled Librie (upon hearing of the Librie, Boing Boing's ever-militant Mark Frauenfelder exclaimed "This self-destruct feature is sickening. Who would buy a Librie with this deadly defect built in?") that they came into prominence, much like a curried egg sandwich on a humid day. In a rainforest. In Indonesia. With a placard saying ‘SMELL ME' and a marketing budget backing it up the size of, well, Sony's.

A handful of people since then have invested the amount they could've spent on a couple of phones on one of these devices, but that's not the last time they've had to dig deep in their pockets, ignoring the loose change they'd normally spend on a paperback, searching instead for their credit card or Amazon gift vouchers.

With ebooks costing between $10 - $15, you're forced into continually feeding your Kindle/Reader/Nook/Other-warm-and-nurturing-sounding-device with cash, and as the ereaders are so physically large you also need to invest in a manbag just to avoid being mugged. Did we say mugged? We meant "laughed at." There's a reason why you don't see people using them on public transport.

They're impractical and expensive. It's such a Sony trait, to reinvent the wheel when the current model is still going ‘round perfectly. While Blu-ray may've eclipsed the deceased HD DVD (RIP), barely anyone uses an SACD player anymore (disclosure: except, err, me. But only with one album – Dire Straits' Brothers In Arms. Cough.) Even less people than that still use Betamax and MiniDisc. They, like the ereader, are futile exercises in trying to create a market for something that has little demand.

That's the crux of my argument. Any company that attempts to own market share in that area is fighting a losing battle. Consumers won't buy an electronic book when they can get a paperback for the same price or even less, and when they can lend it to friends, read it in the bathtub or even sell it on and make a percentage of their money back.

Our grandchildren won't be housing first edition ebook copies of War and Peace in an antiquated Kindle, passed down from generation to generation. There's no opportunity to get sentimental over an e-book, and when it comes to works of fiction and non, which have had thousands of man-hours injected into them, surely that's the reason people read them? To escape for a few hours turning some pages, and then eventually handing it to a friend with a glowing recommendation to read it from cover to cover?

Instead, we're now encouraged to send links to one another or rely on Amazon to recommend titles, and to poke a button to turn the pages. I imagine the writer of Diamond Sutra never would've put up with e-ink page lag, nor been too impressed with having to charge the device after only a few days' worth of pressing a button repeatedly, trying to turn the bloody page.

I have no beef with reading ebooks on a mobile phone or tablet, however.

During September of this year, there were more ebooks added to Apple's App Store than there were games, according to San Francisco-based analysts Flurry. There's an obvious advantage to reading an ebook on an iPhone, as chances are you already own one. You don't have to fork out several hundred dollars on a new device that just displays lines of e-ink. iPhones are devices which serve more than one purpose, and while some ereaders allow for music playback and even gaming, you'd never buy one just to play MP3s on.

Same story with tablets—whether you've got an Archos, ASUS or a secret Apple tablet no-one knows about. Provided the cost of the ebooks doesn't outweigh the cost of a paperback, it's an extra bonus for anyone who owns one of these multi-purpose devices.

Not even the comments of Nintendo President Satoru Iwata bothered me, when he told the Financial Times that they're considering equipping the next version of the DSi with 3G connectivity to download ebooks on. At its heart, any Nintendo product will always be bought for gaming, and if it offers other features such as ebooks, then that's a nice extra. But it won't be bought for the ability to read books on.

While analysts Forrester Research claim that 3 million e-readers will be sold in the US during 2009, it seems even Amazon and Barnes & Noble aren't too confident of the lasting power of their devices. Both companies have launched apps for the iPhone, which give close to 40m users access to hundreds of thousands of books on devices they already owned. Is this a case of Amazon and Barnes & Noble shooting themselves in the foot, or safeguarding themselves over what they know will be a short-lived industry? My money's on the latter, but tell me your thoughts.

8 Gifts for Girlfriends Neglected By Tech-Addicted Boyfriends [Gift Guide]

Posted: December 1st, 2009, 12:20pm PST by Adam Frucci

Tags: Gift Guide

Hey baby, look, we all have priorities. For me, my gadgety toys just so happen to fall a teensy bit above you on the list. Don't be offended! Here, look, I got you a present! Now, back to my iPhone.

BTW, if you hate the gallery format as much as the Grinch hated Christmas, click here.

23andMe: What better way to make up for neglecting your girlfriend than by giving her the most personal gift possible: a detailed analysis of her genetic code. She'll be able to learn about her descendants as well as get clued in on what sorts of diseases she needs to look out for in the future. And as an added bonus, all that data she'll get will require a good amount of time for her to go through. Time you can spend playing video games. $300-$500 [23 and Me]

Classmates.com membership: Nothing will make her appreciate your half-assed brand of boyfriending like a trip down ex-boyfriend lane, especially the high school sections. Look, you might not be able to make it through a dinner without dicking around with your phone, but at least you didn't get fat and never leave your hometown like these schlubs. Here's to being the most palatable of an unpalatable group! $39 [Classmates.com]

New Super Mario Bros Wii: Your girlfriend might hate Modern Warfare 2, but if there's any game that will turn a game-averse girl into a trash-talking controller jockey, it's this one. You can play together, alternating between helping each other out and throwing each other into bottomless pits. I'm sure there's a metaphor for your relationship in there somewhere, but I'll leave it to you to suss out. $50 [Amazon.com]

Don't Buy: Kitchen Gadgets: Even if she says she wants to get more into cooking, you probably don't want to give her a kitchen gadget as a gift. I mean, sure, you might think that her making a delicious meal for the two of you while you surf the web sounds great, but insinuating that that's how she should pass her time will probably earn you a swift kick to the hanging brains.

Asus O!Play: Getting a gadget for a gadget-wary girl might seem like an obvious blunder, but think about it: with this thing, you can stream downloaded movies and TV shows to your TV that you can watch together! As long as you are well prepared with some of her favorite movies and shows, you'll be able to sneak in some gadget-lust fulfillment in a way that you can enjoy it together instead of by yourself. A novel thought! $99 [Link]

TiVo HD: Look, you don't have to be super into gadgets to appreciate the quality of a TiVo HD when compared to the crap DVR your cable company provides. And this is, again, something you can use together rather than something she has to tolerate you paying attention to instead of her. $215 [Amazon.com]

Canon 7D: If there's a guaranteed way to get her into gadgets, it's buying her one of the best. And really, if she's into photography even a little bit, she'll love the 7D. It's a monster of a camera, one that'll have her taking pictures all the time. Looking for something a bit cheaper? Check out our DSLR buying guide. $1,900 [Link; Amazon.com]

Don't Buy: Dyson DC25: You don't want to get this for the same reason you don't want to get her a kitchen gadget, but even more so. You can be into cooking, but no one is passionate about cleaning. Seriously, if you value your relationship at all, avoid at all costs, no matter how cool you think the vacuum is. $500 [Link; Amazon.com]

Don't forget to recommend your own favorite girlfriend-pleasing gifts in comments-include pics and pricing if possible.

All Giz Wants is our annual round-up of favorite gift ideas, including amazing attainable objects and a few far-out fantasies. We'll be popping guides catered to different interests several times per day for the next week, so keep checking back.

Nokia Gets Busted Showing Off N900 SNES Emulator [Nokia]

Posted: November 28th, 2009, 8:00am PST by Chris Jacob

Tags: Nokia

Alright, Nokia. We know you've ben hurting since N-Gage passed away, but apparently in your despair you forgot that Nintendo wouldn't take kindly to a promo video featuring emulated SNES games. Oops!

The video has since been pulled from Youtube, but the screen grab above shows how Nokia went out of their way to demonstrate how well SNES emulators run on the N900. The rub here isn't the emulator itself; as Nintendo Life points out, Android features a bunch of emulators in its app catalog. As long as those emulators don't come with ROMs, everything is peachy.

The problem was that Nokia actually showed video of Super Mario World and Super Ghouls and Ghosts running within that emulator. They even acknowledged that "some emulators require separate ROM images to play games," and claimed that "[m]ost publishers allow individual title usage provided that the user is in possession of the original title." Yeah... pretty sure Nintendo doesn't like that idea.

So now Nintendo's got its claws out for Nokia. Pretty bold of you to push emulators now that N-Gage is no longer with us, Nokia, but really, you must have seen this coming. [Edge Online via Nintendo Life, Thanks Nintenboy01.]

The Complete List of NewEgg Black Friday Deals [Black Friday]

Posted: November 25th, 2009, 12:25pm PST by Rosa Golijan

Tags: black Friday

We were teased with the first leaks, then with an update, but now we've got NewEgg's complete list of Black Friday and pre-Black Friday deals.

PRE-Black Friday Sale from now until 2:59PM PST Wednesday 11/25
$97 - TomTom XL340 GPS - Free Shipping
$149.99 - GARMIN nüvi 1200 3.5" GPS Navigation - Free Shipping
$49.95 - Antec Three Hundred Illusion Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Free Shipping
$44.99 - Antec EarthWatts Green EA-380D Green 380W 80 PLUS Power Supply - Free Shipping
$49.99 - ViewSonic VFD810-50 8" 800x600 Digital Photo Frame - $1.99 Shipping
$49 - Polaroid DVF-130 Titanium 1.3 MP 2.0" LCD Digital Video Camera - $1.99 Shipping
$199.99 - Canon DC410 Silver 1/6" CCD 2.7" 112K LCD 37X Optical Zoom DVD Cammcorder - $1.99 Shipping
$149.99 - Seagate Expansion 2TB USB 2.0 External Hard Drive ST320005EXA101-RK - Free Shipping
$99.99 SAMSUNG S2 640GB USB 2.0 External Hard Drive HX-MU064DA/G22 - Free Shipping
$29.99 - Black & Decker CMD3400MB Coffeemaker - Free Shipping
$24.99 - Rosewill - HDMI Switch box 3-in-1 w/ Remote (RME-002) - Free Shipping
$29.99 - Monster - High Speed HDMI cable - 16 FEET - Free Shipping
$1499.99 - LG 55" 16:9 2.4ms 1080p 240Hz LCD HDTV 55LH55 - Free Shipping
$399.99 - SAMSUNG 32" 16:9 720p LCD HDTV LN32B360 - Free Shipping
$129.95 - LG Network Blu-ray Disc Player BD370 - Free Shipping
$12.99 - Logitech RX1500 Black 3 Buttons Tilt Wheel USB Corded Laser 1000 dpi Mouse - Free Shipping
$34.99 - Creative Fatal1ty Gaming USB Headset - Free Shipping
$69.99 - Creative GigaWorks T40 Series II 32 watts RMS 2.0 Speakers - Free Shipping
$43.99 - Logitech G11 Gaming Keyboard - Free Shipping
$94.95 - CyberPower Intelligent LCD Series GreenPower UPS - Free Shipping
$24.99 - Microsoft SideWinder X5 Mouse - Free Shipping
$115.99 - ZOTAC IONITX-B-E Intel Atom N230 1.6GHz NVIDIA ION Mini ITX ION Platform Motherboard/CPU Combo - Free Shipping
$149.99 - Intel Entry Storage System SS4200-E NAS Server - Free Shipping
$199.99 - HP MediaSmart Server LX195 640GB - Free Shipping
$64.99 - HIS H467QS1GH Radeon HD 4670 1GB - Free Shipping
$19.99 - SPARKLE SFPX84GS512U2HF GeForce 8400 GS 512MB - Free Shipping
ShellShocker Black Friday Kick Off. That's a deal every 2 hours until 3:00PM! All times listed in PST.
Wednesday 11/25 (Midnight - 1:59AM): $69.99 - A-DATA 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 - Free Shipping
Wednesday 11/25 (2:00AM - 3:59AM): $10.99 - BELKIN F5D8011 N1 Wireless Notebook Card - Free Shipping
Wednesday 11/25 (4:00AM - 5:59AM): $19.99 - Rosewill R230-P-BK Black Computer Case - Free Shipping
Wednesday 11/25 (6:00AM - 7:59AM): $54.99 - HP DF808C1 8" 800 x 600 Digital Photo Frame - Free Shipping
Wednesday 11/25 (8:00AM - 9:59AM): $159.99 - Hanns•G HH-241HPB Black 23.6" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor Built in Speakers
Wednesday 11/25 (10:00AM - 11:59AM): $69.99 - OLYMPUS FE-26 Black 12.0 MP Digital Camera - Free Shipping
Wednesday 11/25 (12:00PM - 2:59PM): $18.99 - Logitech RX720 Black Cordless Laser Mouse - Free Shipping
Black Friday Starts 3:00PM PST Wednesday 11/25 - Exclusive Sneak Peek
10% Bing.com Cashback on everything!
Available Friday 11/27 at 6:00AM PST: $59.99 - TomTom ONE 140 3.5" GPS Navigation with IQ Routes Technology - 5.99 Shipping
Available Friday 11/27 at 6:00AM PST: $189.99 - Acer Aspire One AOD250-1924 Black Intel Atom N270(1.60GHz) 10.1" WSVGA 1GB Memory 160GB HDD Netbook w/ 6 cell battery (8 hour life) + Free Shipping

Cases & Power Supplies
$59.99 after MIR - COOLER MASTER Black ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Free Shipping
$24.99 - HEC 6T Series Black MicroATX Mini Tower Computer Case - Free Shipping
$99.99 after MIR - Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Free Shipping
$74.99 after MIR - Antec Mini P180 White Steel MicroATX Mini Tower Computer Case - Free Shipping
$84.99 - Thermaltake V9 Black Edition ATX Computer Gaming Chassis Mid Tower - Free Shipping
$59.99 - NZXT BETA EVO Classic Series ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Free Shipping
$39.99 after MIR - RAIDMAX SMILODON ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Free Shipping
$179.99 after MIR - CORSAIR 1000W ATX12V Power Supply - Free Shipping
$59.99 - Thermaltake 500W ATX 12V Power Supply - Free Shipping
$79.99 after MIR - COOLER MASTER 700W ATX12V Power Supply - Free Shipping
$99.99 - Rosewill 1000W ATX12V Power Supply - Free Shipping
$44.99 - ENERMAX Tomahawk 405W Power Supply - Free Shipping
$39.99 - COOLER MASTER Intel Core i7 compatible 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler - Free Shipping

Cell Phone & Accessories
$8.99 - GRIFFIN - AirCurve for iPhone - 1.99 Shipping
$19.99 - Motorola F3 Unlocked GSM Bar Phone with Speaker Phone - 2.99 Shipping
$8.99 - LG HBM-760 Bluetooth Headset - Free Shipping
$8.99 - Kingston 4GB Micro SDHC Flash Card with microSD/SDHC USB Reader - Free Shipping
$14.99 - Transcend 8GB Micro SDHC Flash Card - Free Shipping

Desktops
$799.99 - iBUYPOWER Gamer Extreme 938i Intel Core i7 860(2.80GHz) Desktop PC - Free Shipping
$399.99 - CyberpowerPC Gamer Ultra 2019 Athlon II X2 245(2.9GHz) - Free Shipping

Digital Cameras/Camcorders & Accessories
$99.99 - Creative vado HD White 4GB Pocket Video Cam - 1.99 Shipping
$99 - OLYMPUS Dark Gray 12.0 MP 4X Optical Zoom Wide Angle Digital Camera - 1.99 Shipping
$439.99 - Nikon D40 Black 6.1 MP Digital SLR Camera w/AF-S DX NIKKOR ED 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G II Lens - 1.99 Shipping
$149.99 - PowerShot SD1200 IS 10.0 MP 3X Optical Zoom, Dark Gray - 1.99 Shipping
$149.99 - PowerShot SD1200 IS 10.0 MP 3X Optical Zoom, Light Gray - 1.99 Shipping
$149.99 - PowerShot SD1200 IS 10.0 MP 3X Optical Zoom, Pink - 1.99 Shipping
$149.99 - PowerShot SD1200 IS 10.0 MP 3X Optical Zoom, Blue - 1.99 Shipping
$149.99 - PowerShot SD1200 IS 10.0 MP 3X Optical Zoom, Green - 1.99 Shipping
$149.99 - PowerShot SD1200 IS 10.0 MP 3X Optical Zoom, Orange - 1.99 Shipping
$99.99 - FUJIFILM A235 Silver 12.2 MP 3X Optical Zoom Digital Camera - 1.99 Shipping
$149.99 - Recertified: JVC Everio GZ-MG230 Silver CCD 28X Optical Zoom 30GB HDD Digital Camcorder - Free Shipping
$99.99 - Flip Video Ultra Camcorder - 1.99 Shipping
$39.99 - Aluratek ADVC01F Red 5.0 MP 8x Digital Digital Video Camcorder - 1.99 Shipping

Digital Frames
$59 - Kodak EASYSHARE P725 7" 800 x 600 Digital Photo Frame - 1.99 Shipping
$89.99 - HP DF1200A1 12" 800 x 600 Digital Photo Frame - Free Shipping
$29.99 - ViewSonic VFA713W-10 7" 480 x 234 Digital Photo Frame - 1.99 Shipping

Displays (LCD Monitors)
$129.99 - LG W2230S Glossy Black 21.5" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor 1920x1080 - Free Shipping
$79.99 - ACER LCD 18.5" 5MS X183HB RT Monitor - Free Shipping
$89.99 after MIR - ASUS LCD 20" 5MS VH202T-P RT Monitor - Free Shipping
$259.99 - HANNSG LCD 27.5" 3MS HG-281DPB Monitor - Free Shipping
$119.99 - SCEPTRE X226W-1920 Black 21.5" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor - Free Shipping
$139.99 - Acer P235Hbmid Black 23" 5ms HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor - Free Shipping

Flash Memory
$8.99 - Kingston 4G Micro Flash Card with microSD Reader - Free Shipping
$14.99 - Transcend 8GB SDHC Flash Card - Free Shipping

GPS & Car Electronics
$99.99 - Garmin Nuvi 205W 4.3" GPS - Free Shipping
$169.99 - nüvi 265WT 4.3" GPS with FM Live traffic - Free Shipping
$179.99 - nüvi 1350T 4.3" GPS Navigation with FM Live traffic - Free Shipping
$79.99 - TomTom One 130 3.5" Portable GPS Navigation - Free Shipping
$97 - TomTom XL 340 4.3" GPS Navigation - Free Shipping
$299.99 - TomTom GO 740 Live gps - Free Shipping
$169.99 - TomTom GO 630 4.3" GPS - Free Shipping
$49.99 - Clarion CD/MP3/WMA Receiver Model CZ109 - Free Shipping
$159.99 - Valor AM/FM/DVD Receiver with 7" Touch Screen Monitor - Free Shipping
$59.99 - TomTom ONE 140 3.5" GPS Navigation with IQ Routes Technology - 5.99 Shipping

Home & Office
$45.99 - Fellowes P70CM Cross Cut Shredder - Free Shipping
$31.99 - Verizon V100AM-2 Cordless Phone w/answering machine and CID - Free Shipping
$22.99 - DeLonghi DCG39 Coffee Grinder - Free Shipping
$19.95 - Oster 4207 Electric Wine Opener - Free Shipping
$34.99 - Oster 5716 Food Steamer - Free Shipping
$32.99 - Tatung THWP3L Water Dispensee - Free Shipping
$64.99 - Tatung 1500W Induction Cook Top - Free Shipping
$19.99 - George Foreman GR12 Super Champ Grill - Free Shipping
$51.88 - Sunbeam 5891 Programmable Breadmaker - Free Shipping
$22.49 - Maxi-Matic EPB-1800 Blender - Free Shipping
$19.99 - 5.5 Cup Electronic Rice Cooker White - Free Shipping
$139.99 - Eureka 8853AVZ Capture+Pet Lover Upright Vacuum - Free Shipping
$14.99 - Mr. Coffee TF5 4-Cup Coffee Maker - Free Shipping
$19.95 - Mr. Coffee TM32W Ice Tea Maker - Free Shipping
$19.99 - Sunbeam 2561 Hand Mixer - Free Shipping
$24.99 - Remington R450SSLTNE Men's Shaver - Free Shipping
$79.95 - Keurig B40 Single Serve Coffee Machine - Free Shipping
$21.99 - Lasko 754200 Ceramic Heater - Free Shipping
$26.99 - Ginsu 04878 8-PC Stainless Block Set - Free Shipping
$22.99 - OXO Salad Spinner - Free Shipping
$59.99 - Oxo Everyday Kitchen Tool Set - Free Shipping
$49.99 - Black & Decker 6 Slice Toaster Oven - Free Shipping
$19.99 - Conair WW11 Bath Scale - Free Shipping
$49.99 - Soleus HGW-308 Micathermic Heater - Free Shipping
$14.95 - Breville 1856 Stainless Kitchen Scale - Free Shipping

Memory
$12.99 - Dane-Elec 4GB USB Poker Chip with 600 Games - Free Shipping
$29.99 - Patriot DDR 400 1G Desktop Memory - 2.99 Shipping
$249.99 after MIR - Patriot 128G USB Flash Drive - Free Shipping
$69.99 - G.SKILL DDR3 1333 4GB Desktop Memory - Free Shipping
$79.99 - G.SKILL DDR3 1600 4GB Desktop Memory - Free Shipping
$ - OCZ 10% Off DDR3 Memory
$64.99 after MIR - Corsair XMS DDR2 800 4GB kit - Free Shipping

CPUs & Motherboards
$715/843 - AMD 965 Black Edition CPU/ Asus M4A79XTD Motherboard -
$139.99 - Intel Core 2 Quad Q8300 Quad-Core Processor - Free Shipping
$99.99 - GIGABYTE GA-P55-UD3L LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard - Free Shipping
$179.99 - MSI P55-GD80 LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard - Free Shipping
$79.99 - ASUS M4A785TD-M EVO AM3 AMD 785G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Free Shipping
$64.99 - ASUS M4A785-M AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 785G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Free Shipping
$29.99 after MIR - ECS AM2+/AM3 NVIDIA GeForce 8200 HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard - Free Shipping
$54.99 after MIR - ECS BLACK SERIES P45T-A LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Free Shipping
$58.99 after MIR - ECS A785GM-M AM3 785G R Motherboard - Free Shipping
$249.99 after MIR - EVGA 132-BL-E758-A1 X58 3SLI RT Motherboard - Free Shipping
$85.99 after MIR - ZOTAC IONITX-B-E Intel Atom N230 Motherboard/CPU Combo - Free Shipping
$99.99 - Foxconn R20-S4 Intel 945GC 1 x 240Pin Intel GMA 950 Barebone - Free Shipping
$139.99 - MSI X58M LGA 1366 Intel X58 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - Free Shipping
$59.99 - MSI K9A2 CF-F V2 AM2+/AM2 AMD 790X ATX AMD Motherboard - Free Shipping
$174.99 - ASUS P7P55D EVO LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard - Free Shipping
$84.99 after MIR - Asus P5Q Pro Motherboard - Free Shipping

Networking
$49.99 - NETGEAR WNR2000 Wireless-N Router - Free Shipping
$39.99 - LINKSYS WRT120N Wireless Home Router - Free Shipping
$129.99 - D-Link DGL-4500 Gaming Router - Free Shipping
$39.99 - TRENDnet TEW-639GR Wireless Router - Free Shipping
$39.99 - ASUS WL-520gU Wireless Router - Free Shipping
$9.99 - Rosewill USB 2.0 Wireless 1x1 Pre-N Adapter - Free Shipping

Notebooks/Netbooks
$199.99 - Gateway Red 10.1" Netbook, Intel Atom N270(1.6GHZ) - Free Shipping
$199.99 - Gateway NightSky Black 10.1" Netbook, Intel Atom N270(1.6GHZ) - Free Shipping
$449.99 - Sony Vaio 15.5" Intel PDC - Free Shipping
$649.99 - HP Pavilion 15.6" HP Gaming Notebook - Free Shipping
$189.99 - Acer Aspire One Black Intel Atom N270(1.60GHz) Netbook - Free Shipping

Optical Drives & Media
$49.99 - LITE-ON Black 4X BD-ROM SATA Internal 4X Blu-ray Disc Reader - Free Shipping
$129.99 - LG Black WH08LS20K Blu-ray Burner - Free Shipping
$34.99 - Samsung SE-S224Q R External DVD - Free Shipping
$39.99 - Rosewill USB 2.0 External Slim 8X DVD Burner - Free Shipping
$39.99 - PLEXTOR PX-880SA SW R DVD Burner - Free Shipping

PC Accessories
$14.99 - Rosewill RKV-2UC 2-Port USB KVM Switch - Free Shipping
$23.99 - Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 - Free Shipping
$43.99 - Logitech G11 keyboard - Free Shipping
$46.99 - Logitech Black Cordless Ergonomic Desktop Wave Keyboard/Mouse Combo - Free Shipping
$69.99 - Silver/Black 8 ButtonsCordless Laser Rechargeable Air Mouse - Free Shipping
$29.99 after MIR - Logitech V550 Nano laser mouse - Free Shipping
$15.99 - Microsoft Wireless Mobile Mouse 3000 - Blue - Free Shipping
$26.99 - Microsoft LifeCam VX-5000 1.3 M Effective Pixels USB Webcam - Free Shipping
$34.95 - SENNHEISER PC151 3.5mm Circumaural Headset - Free Shipping
$39 - Recertified: Gyration GYT8101 GYROTRANSPORT Air Mouse - 5.99 Shipping
$49 - Recertified: Gyration GYT8102 GYROTRANSPORT Air Mouse - 5.99 Shipping
$39.99 - Gigabyte GM-M7800S mouse - Free Shipping
$34.99 - Creative Fatal1ty Gaming USB Headset - Smaller Box - Free Shipping
$34.99 - Creative 73VF040000010 Notebook Pro WebCam - Free Shipping
$49.99 - Creative Sound Blaster Arena USB Gaming Headset - Free Shipping
$49.99 - Adesso WKB-3000UB wireless mini Keyboard - Free Shipping
$14.99 - PLANTRONICS .Audio 480 3.5mm/ USB Canal Stereo Headset - Free Shipping
$59 - Gunner Catalyst Shredder Espresso Digital Performance Eyewear - Free Shipping
$24.99 - Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio Sound Card - Free Shipping
$69.99 - Creative GigaWorks T40 Series II 32 watts RMS 2.0 Speakers - Free Shipping
$15.99 - Pixxo SS-4697 7 Watts RMS 2.1 Stereo Speakers - Free Shipping
$94.95 - UPS CYBERPOWER|CP1000AVRLCD RT - Free Shipping
$24.99 - Rosewill RX-358-S BLK (Black) 3.5" SATA to USB & eSATA Ext. Enclosure w/Int.80mm fan - Free Shipping
$34.99 - Rosewill R2-JBOD Aluminum 3.5" USB 2.0 DUAL-BAY External Enclosure - Free Shipping
$14.99 - Rosewill RHB-320 7 Ports USB 2.0 Hub with Power Adapter - Free Shipping
$14.99 - Rosewill RTK-045 45 Piece Premium Computer Tool Kit - Free Shipping

Portable Electronics
$19.99 - Sony Premium White Headphones with Gold Plated Connector (MDR-EX56LP/Whi) - Free Shipping
$49.99 - Creative ZEN Mozaic 1.8" Black 4GB MP3 Player - Free Shipping
$68 - Recertified: Microsoft Zune 30GB Digital Media Player with FM Radio and Wireless Connectivity - Free Shipping
$137 - Aluratek "Libre" E-Book Reader Pro with 5" Display, Black - 1.99 Shipping
$9.99 - Rosewill 4 Port USB Charger RUC-6180 - Free Shipping
$79.99 - YAMAHA YPT220 PAK 61 Key Keyboard w/AC Adapter, Keyboard Stand & Headphones - Free Shipping
$19.99 - Energizer - Protective Case w/ Built-in Battery for iPhone (AP1500) - 1.99 Shipping

Printers
$64.99 - HP Officejet J4680 CB783A 4800 x 1200 dpi Wireless Thermal Inkjet MFC / All-In-One Color Printer - Free Shipping
$89.99 - Canon PIXMA MP560 3747B002 9600 x 2400 dpi Wireless InkJet MFC / All-In-One Color Printer - Free Shipping

Servers
$109.99 - SANS DIGITAL TowerRAID TR4M-B - 4 Bay SATA to eSATA (Port Multiplier) JBOD / RAID 0, 1, 1+0, 5 Enclosure - Free Shipping
$299.99 - acer Aspire Easystore H340 Intel Atom 1.6Ghz 2GB 1TB GBLAN 4 Bay Hotswap Windows Home Server - Free Shipping

Software
$69.95 - Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007 Licensed for 3 PCs - Free Shipping
$23.99 - Acronis True Image Home 2010 Amaray Case - Free Shipping
Free after MIR - AVG Internet Security 2YR/3U 9.0 - Free Shipping

Storage
$214.99 - Intel X25-M Mainstream 2.5" 80GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid state disk (SSD) - Free Shipping
$49.99 - Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - Free Shipping
$89.99 - Western Digital Scorpio Blue WD6400BEVT 640GB 5400 RPM 8MB Cache 2.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s Internal Notebook Hard Drive - Free Shipping
$99.99 - Western Digital Elements 640GB USB 2.0 Midnight Black Portable Hard Drive WDBAAR6400ABK-NESN - Free Shipping
$97.99 - Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST31500341AS 1.5TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - Free Shipping
$89.99 - Seagate Momentus 7200.4 ST9500420AS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache 2.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s Internal Notebook Hard Drive - Free Shipping
$139.99 - Seagate Barracuda LP ST32000542AS 2TB 5900 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Hard Drive - Free Shipping
$159.99 - Fantom Drives G-Force 2TB USB 2.0 / eSATA External Hard Drive GF2000EU - 9.7
$149.99 - Seagate Expansion 2TB USB 2.0 External Hard Drive ST320005EXA101-RK - Free Shipping
$18.99 - Kingston DataTraveler 8GB (4GB x 2) USB2.0 Flash Drive Twin Pack (2pcs) Model DTI/4GB-2P - Free Shipping
$59.99 - CORSAIR Flash Voyager 32GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive Model CMFUSB2.0-32GB - Free Shipping
$129.99 after MIR - HITACHI Deskstar HD32000 IDK/7K 2TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - Free

TV & Home Theater
$74.99 - Western Digital WD TV HD Media Player - Free Shipping
$1.99 - Cables Unlimited - Select HDMI Cable - 6 FEET - Free Shipping
$44.99 - Logitech Harmony 659 Universal Infrared Remote Control - Free Shipping
$14.99 - Rosewill - Free Angel HDMI cable (10 FEET) - Free Shipping
$99.99 - Polk Audio PSW10 Black 10-inch Powered Subwoofer Single - Free Shipping
$479.99 - Polk Audio SurroundBar 360 DVD Theater System - Free Shipping
$99.99 - LG Blu-ray Disc Player BD270 - Current shipping
$99.99 - sling MEDIA SC100-100 SlingCatcher Watch Digital Media On TV From Slingbox, PC, Internet - Free Shipping
$149.99 - SAMSUNG Blu-Ray Disk Player BD-P1600 - Free Shipping
$199.99 - SAMSUNG Blu-ray Disk Player BD-P3600 - Free Shipping
$399.99 - LG 32" 16:9 1080p LCD HDTV 32LF11 - No FS
$549.99 - LG 42" 720p LCD HDTV 42LH20 - 29.99 Shipping
$847.99 - SAMSUNG 46" 16:9 6ms 1080p LCD HDTV LN46B500 - Free
$1399.99 - LG 60" 1080p 600Hz Plasma HDTV 60PS11 - No FS
$479.99 - LG 42" 720p 600Hz Plasma HDTV 42PQ10 - 19.99 Shipping
$99.99 - Recertified: SHARP 19" 16:9 720p LCD HDTV LC-19SB25U - No FS
$699.99 - SHARP 46" 16:9 4ms 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV LC-46SB57U - 39.99 Shipping
$159.99 - Sharp Recertified: 19" 720p LCD HDTV, 1366 x 768,TSC/ NTSC/QAM Tuner, HDMI - Free Shipping
$397.99 - SAMSUNG 32" 16:9 720p LCD HDTV LN32B360 - Free Shipping
$597.99 - SAMSUNG 40" 1080p LCD HDTV LN40B500 - Free
$395.99 - SCEPTRE 37" 16:9 6ms 720p LCD HDTV X370BV-HD - 29.99 Shipping
$299.99 - Honeywell Altura 32" 16:9 720p LCD HDTV MT-HWJCT32B4AB - 19.99 Shipping
$159.99 - REMOTE LOGITECH 915-000035 RTL - Free Shipping
$299.99 - COMBO: YAMAHA 5.1-Channel Digital Home Theater Receiver RX-V365 + Energy Take 5 Pack 5CH Home Theater Speaker System + Free Shipping

Video Cards
$64.99 - HIS H467QS1GH Radeon HD 4670 1GB 128-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Free Shipping
$99.99 - Hauppauge WinTV-HVR-2250 Dual TV Tuner / Encoder 1229 PCI-Express x1 Interface - Free Shipping
$89.99 - PNY VCGGTS2501XPB GeForce GTS 250 1GB 256-bit GDDR3 - Free

Video Consoles & Games
$299.99 - Microsoft Xbox 360 Elite Holiday Bundle w/Lego Batman & Pure & Microsoft Xbox 360 Elite 120 GB Hard Drive Black - Free Shipping
$199.99 - Nintendo Wii Console White - Free Shipping
$39.99 - SONY DUALSHOCK3 Wireless Controller - Free Shipping
$299.99 - Playstation 3 Slim 120GB System - Free Shipping
$39.99 - Batman: Arkham Asylum Playstation3 Game Warner Bros. Studios - Free Shipping
$39.99 - Batman: Arkham Asylum Xbox 360 Game Warner Bros. Studios - Free Shipping
$39.99 - Halo 3: ODST Xbox 360 Game Microsoft - Free Shipping
$39.99 - Forza 3 Xbox 360 Game Microsoft - Free Shipping
$19.99 - World of Warcraft: Battle Chest PC Game BLIZZARD - Free Shipping

* Prices and availability are subject to change

Wowza. Lotsa deals. You can find all the product links on NewEgg's Facebook page and also see updates on what's already sold out. [Facebook—Thanks, Thai!]

Gifts For People Too Busy Playing Video Games to Appreciate Them [Gift Guide]

Posted: November 19th, 2009, 2:00pm PST by Adam Frucci

Tags: Gift Guide

Most serious gamers might seem easy to buy for at first: games! But they probably are buying most games they really want right when they're released. So you've got to be a bit more creative than that.

BTW, if you hate the gallery format as much as the Grinch hated Christmas, click here.

Modern Warfare 2 Controllers: These controllers add mappable buttons on its back, allowing you to do things like jump and reload without taking your thumb off a stick. And as anyone who's been thoroughly humiliated by 13-year-olds online knows, every little advantage helps. $50 [Link; Amazon (PS3), Amazon (Xbox 360)]

Nyko Charge Base IC: This thing make charging up your Wiimotes as painless as humanly possible. Just place them on the tray, that's it. No plugging in, no swapping batteries, no nothing. Now you'll never sit down to play and find a dead controller again. $35 [Link]

Ear Force X41 Headset: It's pretty amazing how much of an advantage spatial audio can give you. These awesome headphones will let you hear people sneaking up on you from all sides with excellent audio quality. They're also wireless, which ditches the annoying cable between the headset and your controller. $180 [Link]

Xbox Live Points/Wii Points/PlayStation Network Cards: All three current-gen consoles have virtual stores that let you buy games, game add-ons, movies, shows and all sorts of other stuff. The Wii and Xbox 360 use a proprietary points system, while the PS3 lets you pay in dollars. All three will let you buy gift cards that will work specifically on their systems, however, and no gamer will be upset to get those in their stocking. Price Varies [Amazon: Xbox 360, PS3, Wii]

Mad Catz Street Fighter IV FightSticks: Any fighting game aficionado will tell you that playing with a normal controller is for suckers. An arcade stick gives you much more control over your moves and combos, allowing you to thoroughly destroy the competition. And while this particular stick is branded with Street Fighter IV graphics, it'll work with any game. $70 [Link]

Microsoft Sidewinder X8: For PC gamers, the mouse is an important accessory. For years, wireless mice have been ignored thanks to lag, but the current crop of mice finally has the goods to hang with their wired cousins. The Sidewinder X8 is one of the best, offering up speedy response time, long battery life and comfy ergonomics. $75 [Link]

Arkeg: The Arkeg is an arcade cabinet with a kegorator inside. Yes, arcade games and beers. If you can swing the pricetag on this bad boy, I'm pretty sure you'll make anybody with a pulse really happy. $4,000 [Arkeg; Link]

DON'T BUY Ultimate Game Chair: A chair with speakers is a stupid idea. No self-respecting adult would have this in their home, and kids would get bored with the gimmick quickly. If you're going to clutter up your living room with video game related crap, it might as well be plastic instruments and skateboards. $570 [Target]

Gadget Deals of the Day [Dealzmodo]

Posted: November 19th, 2009, 12:00pm PST by Kyle VanHemert

Tags: Dealzmodo

In the name of productivity, snag a great deal on a 17" HP Elitebook 8730w mobile workstation and load it up with a free beta of Office 2010. Also, clean up with a decidedly badass Dyson hand vacuum.

Top Deals:
• 17" HP Elitebook 8730w Laptop for $899.99 plus free shipping (normally $1799).
• Dyson DC16 Root 6 ANIMAL Handheld Vacuum Cleaner for $79.97 (normally $199 - use coupon code: CTX768FU38QR).
• Microsoft Office 2010 Beta for $0 (License is good through 10/10).

Gaming:
• PS3 Slim Consoles plus 2nd Controller: 250GB for $350, 120GB for $300 plus free shipping (normally $393, $343).
• Pro-Evolution Soccer 2010 (PS3) for $49.99 plus free shipping (normally $58.99).
• Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 Collector's Edition (PS3) for $59.99 plus free shipping (normally $69.99).
• Cities XL Limited Edition (PC) for $29.99 (normally $49).
• Star Wars Classics Bundle – 6 games (PC) for $24.95 (normally $49).
• LucasArts Adventure Bundle – 4 games (PC) for $9.95 (normally $19).
• Dungeon Siege 2: Broken World Expansion Pack (PC) for $1.99 (normally $7).
• Nintendo DSi Bundle (console, LEGO Indiana Jones game, carrying case) for $189 (normally $210).
• Carnival Games (Wii) + Tshirt for $25.99 plus free shipping (normally $34).
• Drawn to Life: The Next Chapter (Wii) for $36.98 plus free shipping (normally $49).

Personal Portables and Peripherals:
• Avaak Vue View-over-Internet Home Video Network for $230 (normally $299).
• Panasonic HDC-SD10K SD Full HD Camcorder for $299.99 plus free shipping (normally $448.88 - use code SDIODEAL).
• Fujifilm FinePix S200EXR 12MP Digital Camera for $430 plus free shipping (normally $490 - use this form).
• Samsung DualView TL220 12MP Digital Camera for $224 plus free shipping (normally $250 - use coupon code EMCMMMX49).
• Garmin Nuvi 1350T 4.3" Widescreen GPS w/ Traffic for $190 plus free shipping (normally $217).
• Skullcandy MacGyver 1GB MP3 USB Watch w/ Black Smokin Buds for $35 plus free shipping (normally $90 - use coupon code EMCMMMX54).
• Dyson DC16 Root 6 ANIMAL Handheld Vacuum Cleaner for $79.97 (normally $199 - use coupon code: CTX768FU38QR).
• IHOME IP29BC Portable Speaker System for iPhone for $74.99 plus free shipping (normally $88).

Hobomodo:
• Microsoft Office 2010 Beta for $0 (License is good through 10/10).
• 2010 Oriental Trading Company Calendar for $0 (use this form).
• Complimentary Issue of the Robb Report for $0 (use this form).
• Sample True Lemon, True Lime and True Orange for $0 (use this form).
• Playtex Sport Sample for $0 (use this form).
• Sample Aveeno Hair Care Products for $0 (use this form).
• X5 Classical 5 Track Sampler - Classical Christmas (MP3) for $0 (download here).

If a deal looks too good to be true, investigate the store and see if it's a good, reputable place to buy. Safe shopping!

[Thanks TechDealDigger, Dealzon, Logic Buy, GamerHotline, Cheap College Gamers, CheapStingyBargains and TechBargains.]

Dealzmodo: Best Buy Black Friday Ad Features Pre-Loaded Nintendo DSi [Dealzmodo]

Posted: November 15th, 2009, 12:30pm PST by Jack Loftus

Tags: Dealzmodo

As this leaked Best Buy Black Friday ad reveals, one of the many deals coming our way the day after Thanksgiving is a Nintendo DSi, preloaded with a number of free DSiWare titles.

The price remains the same as it's been for the DSi: $170. The downloadable titles, which have been downloaded for you at the factory, are the gravy.

There are two bundles in all, reports Siliconera:

One bundle is geared towards Brain Age fans. It includes Brain Age Express: Arts & Letters, Brain Age Express: Sudoku, Brain Age Express: Math, Clubhouse Games Express: Card Classics, Photo Clock and a white Nintendo DSi.

The Metallic Blue DSi Mario bundle is better suited for core gamers. Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again!, WarioWare Snapped!, Dr. Mario Express, Mario Calculator, and Mario Clock are loaded on that DSi.

All told, the two bundles give you $28 and $22 worth of freebies, respectively. [Gearlive via Siliconera]

Let's Count the Ways NES Modders Have Decimated My Fondest Childhood Memories [Mods]

Posted: November 15th, 2009, 12:00pm PST by Jack Loftus

Tags: mods

So a new, potentially very popular Mario title comes out today. Sweet, sweet nostalgia. To celebrate, let's revisit all the 2009 NES hacks and mods that have, thus far, utterly destroyed or otherwise corrupted my most cherished memories, shall we?

Our first mod is a relatively recent one. The modder took a nice, fully functioning Super Mario Bros./Duck Hunt combo cartridge, gutted it, and turned it into an admittedly clean and portable NES emulator. Sure, the gutting made most of my 1986 memories fade into a terrifying pit of blackness, but at least this wasn't a golden Legend of Zelda cartridge or anything.

Christ! That's ugly. But pimpin' ain't easy, so we'll give it a break. Unfortunately for me, my psyche receives no such break, and I am reduced to but two hearts, and my Master Sword no longer shoots laser beams.

The greatest platformer ever created by human hands, now a lowly 160GB USB drive. When will the insanity end?

Never, apparently. A mere month before the Super Mario Bros. 3 USB "creation" came to light, someone took a classic Game Boy, removed everything in it that made it a timeless piece of video game lore, and replaced it with a hard drive. Half a heart left, and there's this incessant beeping in my ears. Jack needs food, badly.

When I grip an NES control pad in my hands, its hard edges digging unforgivably into the soft flesh, I go to my happy place. When modder Taylor Merrill does the same, he hears the theme song from Sanford and Son. He also hears friends and relatives because he managed to get a Samsung Eternity phone into the controller that defined a generation of early console gamers. Good for you all. My childhood just ran into a goomba, jumped straight up into the air, and fell off the screen.

Gadget Deals of the Day [Dealzmodo]

Posted: November 10th, 2009, 12:00pm PST by Kyle VanHemert

Tags: Dealzmodo

Sleeping fitfully because you can't decide which laptop to buy? Save nearly $200 on the Sony VGN-FW590 in today's Deals. If that doesn't cure you, pick up your free copy of Harvard Medical School's Guide To A Good Night's Sleep.

Top Deals:
• Moxi 2 Tuner 500 GB HD DVR for $500 (used to be $800).
• Sacred 2: Fallen Angel (360/PS3) for $39.99 plus free shipping (normally $57.94).
• Harvard Medical School Guide to a Good Night's Sleep for $0 ( use this form).

Personal Portables and Peripherals:
• Sennheiser PMX80ECO Eco Friendly Sport Headphones for $34.20 plus free shipping (normally $55 - use coupon code: AFL5)
• Microsoft LifeCam Cinema High Definition Webcam for $46.99 (normally $59)
• Mini Flexible Tripod for Digital Cameras for $0.89 plus free shipping (normally $3.50 - use coupon code:MLC188986111064A).

Hobomodo:
• 50 Photo Cards for $0 (normally $24.5 - use coupon code freebies4mom-1109).
• Besieged! (iPhone) for $0 (normally $.99).
• 1 Year Subscription Wine Spectator Magazine for $0 (use this form).
• Free Book: Introducing Microsoft SQL Server 2008 for $0 ( use this form).
• MP3 Download Annie Little/Fly Me Away from Amazon for $0 ( use this form).
• Harvard Medical School Guide to a Good Night's Sleep for $0 ( use this form).

If a deal looks too good to be true, investigate the store and see if it's a good, reputable place to buy. Safe shopping!

[Thanks TechDealDigger, Dealzon, Fat Wallet, GamerHotline, Cheap College Gamers, CheapStingyBargains and TechBargains.]

New iControlPad Prototype Controls the iPhone with Dual Analog Nubs [IPhone]

Posted: November 10th, 2009, 6:33am PST by Danny Allen

Tags: iPhone

The iPhone gamepad case is back with an overhauled design that brings controls to the front, and adds dual analog nubs (the same as the Pandora gaming handheld). There's also an internal battery that charges the iPhone while playing.

The previous design was a lot sleeker, and placed the controls on the side. But it didn't have those awesome nubs. A test run of those units were shipped to selected people in February, and early feedback, plus a "sleepless night", lead to the updated, bigger look.

You'll need to Jailbreak your iPhone, but the iControlPad is supported by some of the biggest iPhone devs (including ZodTTD's PSX and GBA emulators). If you're interested in placing a pre-order, sign up for the newsletter over at: [iControlPad]

Gadget Deals of the Day [Dealzmodo]

Posted: October 27th, 2009, 12:00pm PDT by Kyle VanHemert

Tags: Dealzmodo

Today we have deals on TVs of all shapes and sizes. Actually, they're all pretty much the same shape, but there are plenty of sizes. Still, the Sony home theater package will complement whichever set you go with.

Top Deals:
• Xbox 360 Pro 60GB Console for $199.99 plus free shipping (normally $249).
• Polaroid M601 6" Digital Picture Frame $29.99 plus free shipping (normally $89.99).
• Free Subscription to Sound & Vision Magazine for $0 (use this form).

Gaming:
• Xbox 360 Pro 60GB Console for $199.99 plus free shipping (normally $249).
• Download S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Shadows of Chernobyl for PC for $5 (normally $44).
• Animal Crossing for Wii w/ Wii Speak Bundle for $35 plus free shipping (normally $70).
• Mad Catz Racer Wheels and Pedals (PS3) for $19.99 (normally $29).
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Smash-Up (Wii) for $29.98 plus free shipping (normally $47).
• The Beatles: Rock Band Special Value Bundle (360/PS3/Wii) for $119.00 plus free shipping (normally $140).

Personal Portables and Peripherals:
• Sigma DP1 14MP Digital Camera for $400 plus free shipping (normally $550).
• Pentax K-x 12.4MP DSLR with lenses for $750.99 plus free shipping (normally $976).
• Casio EXILIM EX-S5 10.1MP Digital Camera for $109 plus free shipping (normally $150).
• Tomtom ONE 140 GPS for $80 plus free shipping (normally $115).
• Nokia 5530 XpressMusic Unlocked Smartphone for $185 plus free shipping (normally $240 - use coupon code:ZS57R18LN40MM0).
• Dyson DC16 Root 6 Vacuum Cleaner for $94.99 plus free shipping (normally $149).

Hobomodo:
• Chipolte Burrito on Halloween Night for $0 (use this form).
• Fit To Drive (iPhone) for $0 (normally $1.99).
• Warp Fighter (iPhone) for $0 (normally $1.99).
• Free Subscription to Sound & Vision Magazine for $0 (use this form).
• Wicked Cool Coming Attractions 9 Song Sampler (MP3) for $0 (download here).

If a deal looks too good to be true, investigate the store and see if it's a good, reputable place to buy. Safe shopping!

[Thanks TechDealDigger, Dealzon, Fat Wallet, GamerHotline, Cheap College Gamers, CheapStingyBargains and TechBargains.]

Miyamoto: Next Gen Wii Could be Smaller, Cheaper [Wii]

Posted: October 23rd, 2009, 7:10am PDT by Danny Allen

Tags: wii

A few Wii 2 rumors are floating around: it might have HD and a new controller, and could arrive next year. Now in an interview with Popular Mechanics, Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto says it may also be more compact and cost-efficient.

"While we don't have any concrete plans for what we'll be doing with hardware in the future, what I can say is that, my guess is that because we found this interface to be so interesting, I think it would be likely that we would try to make that same functionality perhaps more compact and perhaps even more cost-efficient."

And as for things like DVD playback without a homebrew hack? A glimmer of hope, though nothing definitive:

I think originally video-game systems were viewed as a toy, and they were something you played with…As time goes on, I think we're going to see how the system of the video-game console and this interactive interface is going to gradually bleed in to other elements of, say, home electronics and daily life.

Check out the full interview at: [Popular Mechanics via TechRadar">[www.techradar.com] ]

Gadget Deals of the Day: Old Apple Edition [Dealzmodo]

Posted: October 21st, 2009, 1:01pm PDT by Kyle VanHemert

Tags: Dealzmodo

New announcements from Apple translate into big savings on the older models that are being replaced by those upgrades. Take a look at the refurbished section of Apple's store for more great deals. That and more in today's deals.

Apple:
• Refurbished White MacBook 2.13GHz Intel Core 2 Duo for $749 (normally $900).
• Refurbished Aluminum MacBook 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo for $899 (normally $1,100).
• Refurbished iMac 24-inch 2.66GHz Intel Core 2 Duo for $1099 (normally $1500).

Gaming:
• Sony PlayStation 3 Slim 120GB for $274.99 plus free shipping (normally $300).
• Xbox 360 Elite Holiday Bundle for $269.99 plus free shipping (normally $299.99).
• Nintendo DSi for $154.99 plus free shipping (normally $170 - use coupon code NQVX4R5XXSVD0T).
• Forza Motorsport 3 (360) with $10 Amazon Credit for $55 plus free shipping (normally $59 shipped).
• NBA 2K10 Anniversary Edition (360/PS3) for $89.99 plus free shipping (normally $98.99).
• Section 8 (PC) for $29.99 (normally $49).
• Assassin's Creed: Director's Cut Edition (PC) for $5 (normally $19).
• Hot Shots Golf: Open Tee 2 (PSP) for $15.99 (normally $19).
• Creative Fatal1ty Gaming Headset for $29.99 plus free shipping (normally $54).

Home Entertainment:
• 47" Philips 47PFL3704D/F7 1080p LCD TV for $889.99 plus free shipping (normally $1030).
• 42" Panasonic TC-P42G10 VIERA 1080p 600Hz Plasma HDTV for $762 plus free shipping (normally $889).
• 42" Dynex 1080p DX-L42-10A LCD HDTV for $499.99 (normally $599)
• 32" Samsung LN32B360 720p LCD TV for $444.00 plus free shipping (normally $470).
• 24" Samsung Touch of Color T240HD LCD HDTV for $270 plus free shipping (normally $300).
• Pioneer Blu-ray Player for $145 plus free shipping (normally $220).
• Polk Audio Monitor 50 Speakers for $89.99 plus free shipping (normally $138 - use coupon code EMCMLNL26).
• Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince on Blu-ray for $18.99 (normally $26).

Personal Portables and Peripherals:
• Sony CyberShot DSC-W230 12MP Digital Camera for $159.99 plus free shipping (normally $180).
• Garmin Colorado 400t GPS for $299.99 plus free shipping (normally $329 - use coupon code SUPERSTEAL20).
• 7" JVC KW-AVX710 In-Dash Touchscreen Receiver for $259.99 plus free shipping (normally $379).

Hobomodo:
• Star Catch (iPhone/iPod Touch) for $0 (normally $.99).
• Paper Bag Records Fall '09 10 Song Sampler (MP3) for $0 (download here).
• Free Redbox DVD Rental at Meijer for $0 (use coupon code:CMEJR22 and this form).

If a deal looks too good to be true, investigate the store and see if it's a good, reputable place to buy. Safe shopping!

[Thanks TechDealDigger, Dealzon, Fat Wallet, GamerHotline, Cheap College Gamers, CheapStingyBargains and TechBargains.]

8 Great Extra(neous) Gadget Screens [Displays]

Posted: October 19th, 2009, 1:30pm PDT by John Herrman

Tags: Displays

Innovating is hard! But there's one trick that can pull any engineer right out of that rut: the extra display. Here are eight of the most surprising, audacious, and weird places ever to be graced with a display panel.

Nothing is immune, be it cameras, laptops, game controllers or ebook readers, and the trend is showing no signs of stopping. The consumer electronics industry, it seems, is slowly become one big episode of Pimp My Ride. Anyway, on with the screens.

When switched off, Samsung's TL220 and TL225 point-and-shoots look like any other boring camera. Switched on, they still look like any other boring camera, except for an odd-looking, forward-facing second display. Samsung's advertising angle is all about MySpace-style self-portraiture and making babies smile with horrifying clown animations, but the visual countdown timer is the only feature I think I'd ever end up appreciating.

Every stumble Barnes & Noble's eReader takes into the limlight reveals something stranger. First, we find out it'll run Android, a smartphone OS. Then we discover it's going to have two screens—a traditional E-ink display up top, and a multitouch LCD down below. There's no denying this makes for some great gadget porn, but we'll have to wait until tomorrow to find out if it's a good idea, because really, that's not at all clear.

An ill-timed half-step in the generational console wars, the Sega Dreamcast is remembered primarily as a failure. But for the purposes of this list, we'll rosily remember it as the first console to include displays in its controller. Strictly speaking, the "display" was one of the functions of the Visual Memory System cartridges, which each contained its own processor, memory, battery and, of course, 48x32 monochrome panel. Despite some genuinely OK uses—keeping certain controls secret during multiplayer games, or displaying FPS stats—the hardware couldn't really do the concept justice. [Pic via Axess]

Nintendo's entire DS pitch was about the second display, which was intended mainly as a touchscreen control interface. Early reviewers didn't really know what to make of it. Now, reviewers take Nintendo's two-screened style for granted.

The Eee Keyboard looks more like a one-off Ben Heck mod than it does a real product—a theory almost supported by its endlessly creeping release date. Today, units are about ready to ship, meaning that you'll be able to buy a QWERTY keyboard with a full-fledged computer in it, and a secondary touchscreen display crammed into the right-hand side.

Lenovo's ThinkPad W700ds captures the spirit of the extraneous second screen perfectly. One second you're just tapping away at your big, bland, work-issued laptop, then BAM! A secret monitor pops out of the side of your main screen. This is pure Inspector Gadget, right here. And man, the pitch for this thing over at Lenovo HQ must've been utterly spectacular. Thanks, namely Lenovo engineer! I hope this worked out for you.

Lenovo's secondary displays are covert; you know, hush hush. Sharp's, on the other hand, are out 'n' proud—in fact, Sharp's Mebius NJ70A carries its extra pixels right in the middle of its face, where you'd normally find a trackpad. Actually, this multitouch capacitive display is the trackpad.

The first generation of OLPC hardware was, despite some interesting flourishes, pure laptop. The first few generations of tablets PCs were nothing more than notebooks with an extra hinge. The next take on both concepts, the XO 2 and Microsoft's Courier, respectively, took everyone by surprise by killing keyboards in favor of displays. Neither is available yet, so the jury is out—way out—on whether or not our future has two screens, or just one.

Next Nintendo DS Might Get a Huge Speed Boost from Tegra [Rumor]

Posted: October 13th, 2009, 5:24pm PDT by Chris Jacob

Tags: Rumor

The Nintendo DS is great, but seriously underpowered. That could change in the next version, though, thanks to a little help from the same processor that drives the Zune HD.

It's rumored that Nvidia has won a contract to supply Nintendo with Tegra chips for the next generation DS. The specific chip Nintendo plans on using is unknown, so we don't know exactly how powerful the next model could be. Considering the current DS runs on two incredibly slow processors, any Tegra would be a huge boost in power.

As a bonus, the source reports that the new hardware should allow backwards compatibility. Hopefully not à la PSP Go, where backwards compatibility really means you have to buy all the games you already own again. [Bright Side of the News via Electronista]

This Week's Gaming Stories You Cannot Miss [Roundups]

Posted: October 9th, 2009, 4:00pm PDT by Mark Wilson

Tags: Roundups

There were many, many interesting stories happening in the world of video games this week. From Wolverine claws appearing on PlayStation Home to these gross-looking beasts from the latest Final Fantasy, there's a lot to see over at Kotaku.

K8
K Monthly is Kotaku in online magazine form.

Ready To Rat Out R4 Sellers? Nintendo Is Here To Help

Your PlayStation Home Avatar Can Have Adamantium Claws
OK, so now there's one decent thing to be done in PS Home.

BioWare: Mass Effect 2 Is Kinda Like Empire Strikes Back.

Some More Red Dead Redemption Screens To Look At
This old west sequel is really shaping up.

PSPgo In Chinese Knock Off Form

Show Us Your Wii History
Spoiler: Everyone's top 10 includes the same games.

Computer Classic Archon Returning to PC

Is Single-Player Gaming In Danger Of Extinction?
I doubt it. Movies and masturbation are still going strong.

The Critters of Final Fantasy XIV

Star Fox in Iraq: Do A Barrel Roll!
If you've played Star Fox, you need to watch this video by CollegeHumor.

Yes, It's Real and $60 a Six-Pack
Can I get a "mmmm, beer?"

Gadget Deals of the Day [Dealzmodo]

Posted: October 2nd, 2009, 12:00pm PDT by Don Nguyen

Tags: Dealzmodo

The weekend is finally here—so take advantage of awesome weather while it lasts. There's a great deal for It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia's first three seasons. The show is absolutely hilarious, check it out if you haven't already.

Top Deals:
• Apple Time Capsule 500GB for $189.99 (normally $214).
• It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia: Seasons 1-3 (DVD) for $39.99 plus free shipping (normally $55.98).
• Starbucks Tall Brewed Coffee (Oct 2-5th) for $0 (use this form).

Gaming:
• Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 (360) for $46.99 plus free shipping (normally $52.98).
• Resident Evil: Degeneration (iPhone/iPod Touch) for $2.99 (normally $6.99).
• Painkiller Black Limited (PC) for $4.90 (normally $12.92).
• Grand Theft Auto San Andreas (PC) for $3.90 (normally $9.99).
• PSPgo for $212.49 plus free shipping (normally $249).
• Nintendo DSi for $144.49 plus free shipping (normally $169 - use coupon code 6FWJ247J1P44CK).

Personal Portables and Peripherals:
• Westinghouse DPF-1411 14.1" Digital Frame for $99.99 plus free shipping (normally $150).
• Nokia 5800 XpressMusic Cell Phone (Unlocked) for $224.99 plus free shipping (normally $290 - use Coupon Code: 9K78JTP99FW1FP).
• Samsung DualView TL220 12.2MP Digital Camera for $259.99 plus free shipping (normally $299).
• Sennheiser DJs HD202 Headphones for $22 plus free shipping (normally $33).
• Polk Audio VM30 Speaker for $330 plus free shipping (normally $499 - use coupon code:SPEAKER1012).

Hobomodo:
• Garnier Fructis Triple Nutrion Shampoo for $0 (use this form).
• (Red) Button (eliminate Aids in Africa) for $0 (use this form).
• Subscription to Four Wheeler for $0 (use this form).
• Mini Eye Make-Up Brush Set and Case @ Aerie Stores on Thursday for $0 (use this form).
• Burt's Bees Natural Acne Solutions Sample for $0 (use this form).
• Starbucks Tall Brewed Coffee (Oct 2-5th) for $0 (use this form).
• MEVO & The Grooveriders (iPhone/iPod Touch) for $0 (normally $.99).

If a deal looks too good to be true, investigate the store and see if it's a good, reputable place to buy. Safe shopping!

[Thanks TechDealDigger, Fat Wallet, GamerHotline, Cheap College Gamers, CheapStingyBargains and TechBargains.]

Yet Another Modder Desecrates Fond Nintendo Memory From My Youth [Hard Drives]

Posted: September 27th, 2009, 10:00am PDT by Jack Loftus

Tags: Hard Drives

Like I've said here before, when a modder takes a perfectly perfect piece of Nintendo lore and makes a hard drive out of it, or turns a classic item from gaming history and begets a USB drive, I weep.

The victim today is Super Mario Bros. 3, arguably the best platformer title in history and possibly one of the best video games ever created by mankind.

As of this writing, there is one less of these fine cartridges left in the world. The one you see here has had its guts ripped asunder, only to be replaced with a 160GB USB hard drive.

Sure, one could put thousands of Super Mario Bros. 3 ROMs inside this thing now that it contains a hard drive, but the essence—and a bit of my childhood—are gone forever. I'll be sleeping with my copy under the pillow tonight. [GeekSugar via CrunchGear]

Wii Price Cut Goes Live at Amazon [Wii]

Posted: September 27th, 2009, 8:30am PDT by Jack Loftus

Tags: wii

The all but confirmed Wii price cut to $200 is now in effect over at Amazon, where they get things started with the new $200 asking price.

The online retailer is also sweetening the deal with a $25 Amazon gift card, which will be good until October 3. Let the holiday insanity begin. [Kotaku]

Nintendo DS "Sings" Daft Punk With a Little Help From Korg DS-10 [Nintendo DS]

Posted: September 27th, 2009, 7:00am PDT by Jack Loftus

Tags: nintendo DS

The Internet is pretty ripe with cool Korg DS-10 videos, but this is the first one I've seen where the "game" got the venerable DS humming a tune alongside the duo from Daft Punk.

Sorry if that makes me sheltered or whatnot, but impressed I am, nevertheless.

Credit is due to Denkitribe, who used the musically inclined gray matter in his noggin to tweak the analog sound waveforms available in DS-10 to sound like words from Daft Punk's Harder Better Faster Stronger. Is it perfect? No. But it's a stellar effort I watched all the way through, so there.

Not bad for a $20 cartridge, and in any event it sounds better than an autotuned Kanye West. [technabob]

Remainders - Things We Didn't Post [Remainders]

Posted: September 23rd, 2009, 8:00pm PDT by Wilson Rothman

Tags: Remainders

Porn Stars Appear in the App Store...Umberto Eco Traces the Death of Handwriting to the Ballpoint Pen...$300 Sony PS3 Selling Faster—While Supplies Last...US Suddenly Leading Global Mobile Data Boom?

Porn stars Sunny Leone and Aria Giovanni just got full Apple approval to distribute free apps via iTunes, mostly by promising not to show any naughty bits. There are pics, videos and some kind of blog, but it's apparently all strictly PG-13. (Insert joke about something to do with your left hand while your right... oh nevermind.) [PC World; iTunes link]

You might think that thumb typing idiotic phrases like "U R 6Y" was what destroyed handwriting for all times, but the great writer/philosopher Umberto Eco—in a lamentation of the lost calligraphic arts—says it was the ballpoint pen: "Handwriting, when produced with a ballpoint, even a clean one, no longer had soul, style or personality." If you say so, Profesore. [Guardian UK]

Sony Computer Entertainment of America boss Jack Tretton told Reuters that the $100 PS3 price cut about a month back has been good for sales. "I couldn't be more optimistic about our fortunes for the rest of the year and for the future," he said, but added, "If things continue at this pace, it is conceivable that there will be product shortages." Hey, it worked for Nintendo—and may work again. [Yahoo/Reuters]

You know all those jokes about how American broadband and cellular infrastructure sucks compared to Europe, Japan and Korea? Well, apparently things are changing, at least in the area of mobile data. It's no surprise that America is leading in mobile-data growth, since we had so damn far to go, but it's a little funnier that Verizon (you know, the carrier with no iPhone, or any cool phone to speak of) is #2 worldwide in mobile data revenues. I know their monthly fees are high, but that's pretty friggin' impressive. You can see the rest in the chart above. Sure it's nice, but there's something fishy about the scarcity of Euro companies on this particular data-revenue-oriented list. [GigaOm]

Nintendo Wii Price Cut Confirmed? $199 This Sunday [Wii]

Posted: September 23rd, 2009, 1:04am PDT by Danny Allen

Tags: wii

So those rumors that the Wii will drop $50 on Sept. 27 are looking increasingly like a done deal. An internal memo from an anonymous Best Buy tipster backs-up the claim, and says Nintendo will make things official this Friday.

When you think about, it's amazing that the Wii has motored along for three years at $250. But it's clear that Nintendo has to do something. The 120GB PS3 Slim is $300, the 120GB Xbox 360 Elite is $250 with rebates, and 250GB bundles for both are strongly rumored to be around the corner.

My Wii just kind of sits in the corner all lonely these days. If you don't have one, is the new price enough to make you pick one up? Or will you just hold out until 2011 for the next-gen Wii with HD graphics? [Engadget]

Awesome R2-D2 Houses Eight Game Consoles and Projector [Star Wars]

Posted: September 21st, 2009, 4:40pm PDT by Jesus Diaz

Tags: Star Wars

For the love of the holy underpants of Yoda! This R2-D2 is the most amazing astromech mod yet. Created by Popular Science reader Brian De Vitis, it holds eight consoles, a sound system, and a projector!

Brian first took an R2-D2 shaped cooler and modified it to make it look more realistic. He then gutted the consoles to rearrange the controllers inside so all the ports could face in the right direction. That still left enough space inside to place a projector and a sound system. Quite a feat.

I can see Dreamcast, Playstation, SNES, and Nintendo Ultra64 gamepads, but what are the rest? [The Force]

Next Generation Wii Coming With HD Graphics and New Controller in 2011 [Nintendo]

Posted: September 21st, 2009, 6:39am PDT by Jesus Diaz

Tags: nintendo

Leave it to Yoichi Wada—president of final fantasizer Square Enix, the biggest Japanese game house—to break the news about the next generation Nintendo Wii. All while predicting that Microsoft and Sony motion efforts won't be "truly successful."

Wada says that the next-generation, high definition Wii will offer the same capabilities as the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, while adding a brand new motion controller. We will have to wait till 2011 to see it, like previous rumors pointed out. [Joystiq]

Nintendo Conference Call Allegedly Confirms Sept. 27 Wii Price Cut [Unconfirmed]

Posted: September 20th, 2009, 8:00am PDT by Jack Loftus

Tags: unconfirmed

If unofficial company confirmations are your thing, and you've been following Nintendo's all but certain Wii price cut, feast on this: One Nintendo fan site eavesdropping on a retailer call claims the company confirmed a $50 cut for Sept. 27.

If that sounds a bit confusing and unconfirmed by anyone but that particular web site, that's because it is. Put simply, the Big N hasn't said a peep about any of this to anyone save those at this alleged secret tree house meeting, whose attendance list included what we presume to be folks like Target, Toys R Us and other retailers who've leaked circulars purportedly advertising a $200 Wii over the past week.

In the end I'm inclined to agree with Kotaku on this one: Wait for the Tokyo Games Show, where all will be revealed and confirmed. Then, after such time has past, we can all get back to predicting when the next price cut will hit. [Nintendojo via GoNintendo via Kotaku]

Gadget Deals of the Day [Dealzmodo]

Posted: September 18th, 2009, 12:00pm PDT by Chris Jacob

Tags: Dealzmodo

The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition is on sale for both the iPhone and PC, and should provide a swashbuckling adventure to keep you occupied until Monday. Enjoy your weekend!

Top Deals:
• 15.4" Toshiba Dual Core Laptop with for $399.99 plus free shipping (normally $599).
• Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ10S 10.1MP Digital Camera for $79 plus free shipping (normally $149).
• Don't Disturb Me I'm Sleeping Natural Sleep Aide for $0 (use this form).

Gaming:
• Microsoft Xbox 360 Elite for $254.99 plus free shipping (normally $300 - use coupon code 6FWJ247J1P44CK).
• Nintendo DS Lite for $110 plus free shipping (normally $130 - use coupon code 6FWJ247J1P44CK).
• The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition (PC) for $4.99 (normally $10).
• The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition (iPhone/iPod Touch) for $3.99 (normally $7.99).
• Guitar Hero On Tour: Modern Hits NDS $29.98 plus free shipping (normally $47).

Home Entertainment:
• 54" Panasonic Viera TC-54PS14 1080p Plasma HDTV for $1199.99 plus free shipping (normally $1499).
• 50" Panasonic TC-P50X1 Plasma HDTV (720p) for $719.99 (normally $799 - use coupon code TOUCHDOWN).
• 42" LG 42PQ30 720p 600Hz Plasma TV for $579 plus free shipping (normally $670).
• 40" Samsung LN40A750 1080p 120Hz LCD TV for $999.99 plus free shipping (normally $1088).
• Polk Audio Monitor Series CS2 Center Channel Speaker for $109.99 plus free shipping (normally $150 - use coupon code SPEAKERS914B).

Personal Portables and Peripherals:
• Nikon D5000 12.3MP DSLR (Body Only) for $585.99 plus free shipping (normally $699 - use coupon code CAM9145).
• Canon VIXIA HG21 120 GB HDD Camcorder for $649.99 plus free shipping (normally $799 - use coupon code CAM91515).
• Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ10S 10.1MP Digital Camera for $79 plus free shipping (normally $149).

Hobomodo:
• Don't Disturb Me I'm Sleeping Natural Sleep Aide for $0 (use this form).
• Mars Chocolate for $0 (use this form).
• Divx Pro 7 Download for $0 (use this form).
• Cake Mania (PC) for $0.
• Undead LIVE! Vampire Werewolf Overlord (iPhone/iPod Touch) for $0.

If a deal looks too good to be true, investigate the store and see if it's a good, reputable place to buy. Safe shopping!

[Thanks TechDealDigger, Fat Wallet, GamerHotline, Cheap College Gamers, CheapStingyBargains and TechBargains.]

Remainders - Things We Didn't Post [Remainders]

Posted: September 17th, 2009, 7:00pm PDT by Dan Nosowitz

Tags: Remainders

San Francisco airport to exploit environmental guilt...Motorola Cliq to see November 11th release?...More evidence of the $200 Wii...Incredibly difficult Nintendo DS hack...

San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom might be taking his city's reputation as the most liberal in the country a little too seriously—he's proposing a "carbon offset kiosk" in the SFO airport. The idea is that travellers can go to the kiosk, find the environmental cost of their trip, and try to offset it presumably with cold hard cash. We know California's not doing so hot, economically, and his heart's in the right place, but this is so obviously not going to work. Maybe we could work on more efficient fuel instead, hmm? [Fast Company]

Boy Genius Report um, reports that the Motorola Cliq and BlackBerry 9700 are both due to launch on the same day, November 11th. It's a perfectly plausible date, but until we get confirmation from somebody at T-Mobile or Motorola, we're not going to get concerned with rumors like this one. [Boy Genius Report]

This Nintendo DS hack sounds great, at first—why use an expensive, proprietary charging jack when you can just replace it with the common miniUSB? The voltage is close enough to not matter, and the case looks pretty much the same after the hack, so why not? Well, maybe because it's a really, really difficult hack, requiring you to pretty much take the entire DS apart, solder, and put it back together. The thing is, DS cables really aren't that expensive and who knows what this kind of operation could do to your console. Oh well—it's the thought that counts, and bravo for pushing standards. [Surugi via Hackaday via Crunchgear]

Not that anyone thinks this rumor isn't true, but we've got even more evidence that the Wii is taking a price dip to $200, thanks to a leaked Target circular. I wonder how many Christmases in a row the Wii can be the most sought-after gift? [Kotaku]

Epson's PowerLite 705HD Projector Clocks 720p For Under $750 [Projectors]

Posted: September 17th, 2009, 11:40am PDT by Sean Fallon

Tags: Projectors

Today Epson announced two new projectors aimed squarely at budget conscious consumers—the PowerLite Home Cinema 705HD and the MovieMate 60.

If you can stand the drop from 1080p, the PowerLite 705HD still brings something to the table when compared to their 8100 model. Most notably, it's less than half the price. The 705HD is 3LCD-based, it delivers 2,500 lumens brightness, 3000:1 contrast and Component Video, S-Video, HDMI, and USB connectivity.

Epson also released the MovieMate 60—an all-in-one unit with a built-in DVD and speaker system. Of course, it seems pretty absurd to spending $700 on a 540p combo device with DVD given that much more future-proof technology exists at that price point. That having been said, keep in mind that 1080p projectors are starting to drop below the $1000 mark. If you are willing to spend a little extra money or put off the purchase for another year, you stand to get a lot more bang for your buck. Both of the projectors featured here will be available in October.

Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 705HD Offers Big Screen High-Definition Performance for Under $750

Versatile Home Entertainment Projector Delivers High-Quality Movies, Gaming and More

LONG BEACH, Calif. – Sept. 17, 2009 – Bringing affordable, big-screen home entertainment to households across the country, Epson today announced the new Epson PowerLite® Home Cinema 705HD. Available for $749.99, the Home Cinema 705HD joins Epson's award-winning line of 3LCD™ home theater projectors, providing families and first-time home theater enthusiasts with a versatile, high-quality 720p high-definition solution for a range of options – from movies and gaming, to broadcast TV and sports, to videos and music with an Apple® iPod.

The Home Cinema 705HD is designed to make home entertainment simple and enjoyable, and comes with a variety of consumer-friendly features and performance benefits for enjoying the big screen at home. The projector boasts 2,500 lumens of color and white light outputi to accommodate movie viewing or game playing in different environments – even daytime. It also features four pre-set color modes optimized for video, as well as HDMI connectivity and a USB 2.0 connection for sharing photos and slideshows. Featuring Epson's three-chip 3LCD technology and exclusive energy efficient E-TORL® lamp, the Home Cinema 705HD delivers bright, movie theater-like images and video with amazing detail and no possibility of color break-up or "rainbow effect."

"Whether you're watching your favorite movie with that special someone, or gathering family and friends to cheer on the home town team for the big game, there's nothing like the visual impact of viewing high-definition output on a 120-inch screen at home," said Marge Ang, senior product manager, Epson America. "The Home Cinema 705HD offers that experience to even more consumers with an affordable, easy-to-use, high-quality solution."

More About the Home Cinema 705HD

The Home Cinema 705HD features a sleek white, compact design that offers a range of options and performance, expanding its versatility for home entertainment needs:

* 3LCD Quality and Reliability – 3LCD technology for incredible color, amazing detail and road-tested reliability with no possibility of color break-up or "rainbow effect"
* Increased Brightness – Movie theater-like images with 2,500 lumens of white and color light output for brightness levels that are among the highest in this home theater category

* Big Screen Performance – Widescreen capability with 720p performance
* Easy Set-up and Installation – Epson Universal Mount and 1.2x optical zoom and Instant On, Instant Off® technology allows for no waiting time to start or shut-down projector

* Versatile Connectivity – Component Video, S-Video, HDMI, and USB Type A digital connections to share photos and slideshows
* E-TORL® (Epson Twin Optics Reflection Lamp): Provides optimum light uniformity and increased light output for screen sizes larger than ten feet with exclusive 200 watt high efficiency design; uses less energy for up to 5,000 hours of lamp lifeii

Availability and Support

The Epson Home Cinema 705HD will be available in October through online A/V specialty retailers, select retailers nationwide, and the Epson online store for an estimated street price of $749.99. The projector comes with the service and support only Epson can offer, including a two-year limited warranty with toll-free access to PrivateLine®, Epson's priority technical support, and free two-business day exchange with ExtraCareSM Home Service.

Go Big And Stay Home With New Epson MovieMate 60 All-in-One Home Entertainment Solution

Integrated Projector, DVD/CD and Stereo Speaker Unit Delivers Big Screen Performance

Just About Anywhere for Under $700

LONG BEACH, Calif. – Sept. 17, 2009 – Epson America today announced the Epson MovieMate™ 60, the lightest, brightest and most versatile offering in Epson's innovative line of "all-in-one" home theater projectors. By combining a high-quality, high-brightness projector, a CD/DVD player, microphone input, and stereo speakers in one portable unit, MovieMate 60 offers families and home theater enthusiasts an affordable, easy-to-use and versatile solution for home entertainment in any room of the house, in the backyard, or on vacation.

With MovieMate 60, consumers can enjoy their favorite DVDs, sporting events, TV shows, gaming consoles, and even karaoke up to 8 times larger than a 40-inch widescreen TV. MovieMate 60 features a bright, energy efficient lamp that delivers 2,000 lumens of color and white light output1, Dolby® Digital audio and big-screen image quality in a portable and convenient home theater solution. MovieMate 60 also offers easy plug ‘n play connectivity, including HDMI, allowing consumers to enjoy and share digital content from computers, camcorders, digital cameras, or MP3 players. With the performance and reliability of Epson's three-chip 3LCD technology and energy efficient E-TORL® lamp, the MovieMate 60 delivers home theater enthusiasts brighter, natural colors for years to come.2

"These days, families are looking for more affordable ways to entertain themselves and share good times," said Marge Ang, senior product manager, Epson America. "Whether watching a movie, hosting a gaming night or singing karaoke, Epson's unique MovieMate all-in-one projectors help bring families and friends together with a big screen entertainment experience anywhere – in any room of the house or in the backyard."

Epson MovieMate 60
The Epson MovieMate 60 features a sleek, compact design with a built-in handle and cushioned carrying case for portable convenience. Additional features and benefits include:

* Projecting a 16:9 widescreen 60-inch image from only six feet away or a 120-inch image from just 12 feet away
* Built-in progressive scan standard definition 540p resolution DVD/CD player
* Great sound quality using two built-in ten watt 5.1 Dolby Digital DTS® speakers
* Integrated microphone jack to allow for voice amplification – great for narrating a slide show, karaoke and more
* Compatible with Apple® iPod, Nintendo® Wii™, Sony® PlayStation® 3 and Microsoft® Xbox 360®
* New, brighter, energy-efficient E-TORL lamp with 2,000 lumens white and color light output to maximize brightness and uniformity so viewers can enjoy the projector even in well-lit rooms
* No additional cables needed for easy set-up and portable flexibility

Availability and Support

The Epson MovieMate 60 will be available in October through national resellers for an estimated street price of $699. The projector comes with the service and support only Epson can offer, including a two-year limited warranty with toll-free access to PrivateLine®, Epson's priority technical support, and free two-business-day exchange with ExtraCareSM Home Service.

[Epson]

American Nintendo DSi Dons a Pretty Pink Dress, Tasteful White Slip [Nintendo DSi]

Posted: September 15th, 2009, 3:20pm PDT by John Herrman

Tags: nintendo dsi

Nintendo of America's just started shipping the DSi in two new colors, adding to the preexisting blue and black units: White, for a subtle, decidedly ungadgety look, and pink for the lay-deez dudes who carry garishly colored gadgets ironically. [Nintendo]

Gadget Deals of the Day [Dealzmodo]

Posted: September 15th, 2009, 12:00pm PDT by Chris Jacob

Tags: Dealzmodo

Dealzmodo has plenty of game bargains today. Direct2Drive is celebrating their fifth anniversary with huge discounts on great games, and Best Buy is giving away copies of X-Blades for the Xbox 360.

Top Deals:
• 15.6" Dell Vostro A860 Core2Duo Laptop for $399 (normally $549).
• Bioshock (PC) for $5 (normally $18).
• Ensure 8 oz Shake for $0 (use this form).

Gaming:
• Bioshock (PC) for $5 (normally $18).
• The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena (PC) for $5 (normally $35).
• Saints Row 2 (PC) for $5 (normally $25).
• X-Blades (360) $0 (normally $19.99 - in-store only, use this coupon).
• Xbox 360 Arcade for $169.99 plus free shipping (normally $199 - use coupon code 6FWJ247J1P44CK).
• PS3 Slim for $269.99 plus free shipping (normally $299).
• Nintendo DSi for $144.49 plus free shipping (normally $165 - use coupon code 6FWJ247J1P44CK).
• The Lord of the Rings: Mines of Moria Collector's Edition (PC) for $9.99 (normally $28).
• Alone in the Dark (PC) for $2.33 (normally $7).

Home Entertainment:
• 50" Panasonic VIERA TC-P50S1 1080p 600Hz Plasma HDTV for $999.95 plus free shipping (normally $1050).
• 47" LG 47LG90 47-Inch 1080p 120Hz LED LCD HDTV for $1,499.99 plus free shipping (normally $1580).
• 42" LG 42HL20 LCD HDTV for $599.99 plus free shipping (normally $699).
• 42" Panasonic Viera TC-P42C1 Plasma HDTV for $629 plus free shipping (normally $700).
• SlingCatcher with Slinglink Turbo Bridge for $198 plus free shipping (normally $330).
• LG BD270 Blu-ray Disc Player for $129 plus free shipping (normally $150).

Personal Portables and Peripherals:
• Magellan Maestro 3100 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator for $69.99 plus free shipping (normally $95).
• AT&T Option GT Ultra ExpressCard Unlocked for $29.99 plus free shipping (normally $39).
• 4GB Microsoft Zune with Car Pack and Premium Headphones for $81 plus free shipping (normally $105).

Hobomodo:
• Ensure 8 oz Shake for $0 (use this form).
• Subscription to Field and Stream for $0 (use this form).
• Newsweek Commemorative Ted Kennedy Edition for $0 (use this form).
• Subscription to KIWI Magazine for $0 (use this form).
• Doodle Buddy (iPhone/iPod Touch) for $0 (normally $2.99).
• Fling (iPhone/iPod Touch) for $0.

If a deal looks too good to be true, investigate the store and see if it's a good, reputable place to buy. Safe shopping!

[Thanks TechDealDigger, Fat Wallet, GamerHotline, Cheap College Gamers, CheapStingyBargains and TechBargains.]

Nintendo Wii Price Cut to $199 in Two Weeks [Unconfirmed]

Posted: September 14th, 2009, 12:40pm PDT by matt buchanan

Tags: unconfirmed

A Toys R US ad for Sept. 27 follows a Walmart list that makes it seem pretty damn likely the Wii's gonna drop to $199 in the next couple of weeks. With Wii Sports intact, even. About time. [Kotaku]

Taizo Robot Doesn't Help My Fear of Clowns, or Exercise [Robots]

Posted: September 14th, 2009, 8:00am PDT by Danny Allen

Tags: Robots

With over 40,000 citizens aged over 100 years old, it's no wonder that Japan is pumping out elderly care robot bear nurses, exoskeleton walking aids, and now Taizo, the bizarre clown-faced, spaceman-lookin' physical movement robot.

Taizo is designed by Japan's National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), and is supposed to look silly. The idea is to put people at ease while using his 26 joints to demonstrate around 30 different moves for them to follow.

With the elderly in mind, the 27.5-inch tall bot does many of the exercises from his own special chair, and will last about 2 hours per charge.

But Taizo will be roughly $8000 when he arrives next year. I guess most salarymen/women will have to rent one...or just buy their folks a Wii. [General Robotix via Impress via Pink Tentacle]

Gizmodo's Essential iPhone Apps: Fall 2009 [IPhone Apps]

Posted: September 4th, 2009, 7:30am PDT by John Herrman

Tags: iPhone apps

More than a year after launch, there are 74,031 apps in the iPhone App store. Most of them are crap. Some of them aren't. Here are the 50 iPhone apps you actually need, all in one place.

Well, OK, if you count the overlapping apps—paid and free Twitter clients, neck-and-neck navigation apps, the jailbreakers—it's more like 56, but that's not the point, people: The point is, since the last time we corralled all the best of the best (barring our weekly roundups, of course), the iPhone and App Store have changed immeasurably. In the last nine months we saw the release of the 3GS and iPhone OS 3.0, Apple loosening its grip on what kinds of apps people are allowed to create, and hundreds of fresh developers making genuinely new, genuinely impressive stuff. It was time for an update, and a big one.

So, hit the "iPhone Apps" link on the left sidebar, just above Bestmodo (Note: It's split into two pages, so make sure to click through), or just scroll down—they're all here too. We've got the best games, messaging apps, eBook readers, dictionaries, productivity software and timewasters. We've got apps to keep you up on current events, to keep your daily music intake interesting, to keep you entertained on the train, and to keep you on the right interstate. These are the essential iPhone apps—a list that'll transform that shiny, boring brick you just bought into the device that everyone's always raving about.

What counts as an essential iPhone app changes all the time, and so should our guide: If we've missed anything huge, or you've got a much better suggestion for a particular type of app, let us know, or say so in the comments. We'll be updating this thing pretty frequently, and a million Gizmodo readers can do a better job at sorting through the app mess than a single Gizmodo editor. Enjoy!

Gizmodo's Essential iPhone Apps

AirSharing: Our favorite file storage app-shoots files to the iPhone's flash memory via Wi-Fi for storage, transport, and easy retrieval.

Amazon: Amazon's usually the first place I look during a fit of impulse buying, which their iPhone app now makes stupidly easy.

AOL Radio: More free radio content than any actual radio could ever have. Tailored radio stations are great, sure, but old-fashioned programmed stations-AOL Radio's specialty-have their charms

BeejiveIM: Expensive? Sure. Totally essential for messaging hounds? Yup.

Bloom: Generative, ambient music by Brian Eno. If I need to say more, it's also a mini-sequencer: Drop your finger on the liquidy pastel screen, play a note, make simple loops. Music For Airports that you can make yourself. In an airport, even.

Brain Exercise with Dr. Kawashima: A lot of people buy Nintendo DSes for the sole purpose of having those Dr. Kawashima-approved brain-training games at hand. With this app, you get the exact same mind-juicing benefits for a few bucks, on hardware you already carry.

Brushes: If you've ever seen on of those spectacularly detailed "paintings" done on the iPhone, chances are it was created with this. This is fingerpainting in 2009.

CameraBag: Image processing apps tend to be gimmicky, but CameraBag's got enough artistic effects and editing flexibility to make the crappiest iPhone camera photos look interesting at worst, and spectacular at best.

ConvertBot: Plenty of apps can technically deal with unit conversions as well as ConvertBot can, but none of them have its fantastic, super-fast interface.

Epicurious: The only cooking app you really need. With its thousands of recipes, shopping list feature and meal suggestions, Epicurious will make you at least look like a passable cook.

Evernote: Obsessive documenters, take note(s): This is the only scribbling app you need.

Facebook: This was an essential app from the get-go, and it's been steadily evolving-like the site-for the last year. Version 3.0 was a total refresh, and supports nearly every one of Facebook's sprawling features, sometimes better than the site itself.

Fring: Every major instant message protocol, comfortably crowded under one (free!) roof. The addition of push notifications notched this one up from great to, uh, greaterer.

Frotz: Laugh all you want, jocks-us geeks know where it's at: text gaming. Bringing virtually every text-based game you've ever heard of to the iPhone gives the genre a whole new lease on life, and you the most prodigious time-waster imaginable.

Google Mobile: Google Mobile was a solid app (but not particularly essential)-and then came voice search.

Google Earth: The same amazing Earth touring app found on the desktop, now spinnable via multitouch. Honestly if someone told me two years ago I would have a functional Google Earth app on my phone, I wouldn't have believed them. This is now.

i.TV: Once you've used a wonderful, full-featured TV guide app on your iPhone, reading one on paper-or even on your laptop-will feel stupid. iTV is that app. It also works as a remote for some TiVo boxes, with more DVRs to come.

I Love Katamari: Mad genius designer Keita Takahashi left the series years ago, but Katamari is still among my favorite game franchises of all time (and I'm not alone), and it's a natural fit for the iPhone's tilt-controls.

Kindle: There are a pile of eBook readers for the iPhone, but only one connects to Amazon's book store, and more importantly, your Kindle library.

Last.fm: Creates free, effectively endless custom radio stations, streams them over 3G and learns more about your musical tastes with time. There is literally no downside to this app.

MLB At Bat: Live streaming MLB games, every day, over 3G. That is all.

Motion X Poker Quest: Realistic dice physics meets ancient Egyptian gods in one of the more addicting iPhone games you'll see.

Mujik: Mujik is like Bloom in that it lets anyone make amazing music in the space of a few minutes. That's where the similarities end.

Navigon: Hey, so, have you heard your iPhone is also a really, truly good turn-by-turn navigation device? Because with the pricey-but-probably-worth-it Navigon, it is.

Ninjawords: An intelligently pared-down dictionary and thesaurus app, Ninjawords will make you feel and seem slightly less dumb. It works offline, too.

NPR News: Comes with text news, offline reading and an endless (seriously!) supply of calming, androgynous voices, either live or on demand.

Newsstand: One of the only RSS readers that isn't slow, overcomplicated or missing something vital.

Pageonce Personal Assistant: Are you a fancy businessperson, with "accounts" and "subscriptions" and, uh, "dollars?" Personal Assistant sucks your scattered financial, travel and leisure concerns all into one simple, unscary interface.

OpenTable: Actually talking to a maître d' on the phone: Out. Tapping your iPhone a few times to get a dinner reservation at a veritable assload of restaurants: In.

Pandora: Best internet radio app, hands down. Smartly auto-suggests music based on other artists you like. Both on the go and while at home. Streams well over EDGE and 3G. Free. What more could you ask for?

PanoLab: Who knew multitouch is the perfect interface for stitching photos together into panoramas? It is. Plus if the photo you just took doesn't work, toss it out and take another one immediately. A paid version adds even more features.

Prowl: Easily the most useful push app Apple's let through the gates, Prowl lets you forward any Growl notifications from your Mac or PC-everything from Mail to IM to Torrent downloads to Tweets-directly to your phone.

QuickOffice: Gaping void in default iPhone functionality #123: Real document editing. Solution #123: QuickOffice

Remote: One of the first apps we saw, and still among the best in terms of usefulness. If you use iTunes frequently at home and especially if you listen away from your desk via a stereo hookup or Airport Express, you need the Remote.

RjDj: A totally unique music application that processes sound from your environment and replays it according to a set program, creating a trippy, always-evolving soundscape.

Run Pee: An app to tell you when the boring parts of movies are so you can go pee-or if you're feeling daring, more-without missing much. It's a brilliant concept, with unexpectedly good execution.

Shazam: This just doesn't get old: hold your phone to the air to grab the song playing at the supermarket (or being hummed by your friend), and have it identified in a few seconds. We live in a privileged age.

Simplify Media: Stream your home machine's iTunes library and those of up to 30 friends to your phone. This app lives up to its name. Forget worries of filling up 8GB, or even 16.

Skype: On 3G, it's perfect for Skype messaging and long distance texts; on Wi-Fi, it near-magically turns your iPhone into a VoIP handset.

Star Defense: Tower Defense games are one of the few genres that the iPhone excels at, and Star Defense, with an entirely fresh 3D take on the concept, multitouch, varied levels and multiplayer, is about as good as they get.

Slacker Radio: Yet another free, customizable radio app, but one that has a spectacularly huge music library, and that gives you fine control over the songs you hear.

The Sims 3: An amazingly faithful adaptation of the 3D life simulator that you routinely ridicule others for playing, but secretly enjoy yourself, every night, with a bottle of extremely cheap wine.

TomTom: If you're used to TomTom's standalone GPS units, their turn-by-turn navigation app will be a pleasant, familiar surprise. In some ways, it might even be better.

Tweetie: If you spend enough of your day on Twitter to consider paying for an app, Tweetie's multiple account support, uncluttered interface and impressively broad feature set is about as close to a desktop Tweeting experience as you'll get on the iPhone.

TwitterFon: And if you're not willing to pay for a Twitter app-understandable!-TwitterFon isn't too shabby. It's super-fast and stupid-simple, so it'll do well by all but the most obnoxiously obsessed Twitterers.

VLC Remote: One of the first apps we loved was the iTunes Remote-now, the Swiss army knife of media players VLC has one of its very own.

VNC Lite: View and fully control my computer from anywhere, as long as I am on the same network. So I can basically be at my computer without actually being at my computer.

WeatherBug: On the desktop, it's excessive. But on the iPhone, WeatherBug gives you much more-and much more useful-info than Apple's default app. And in the paid version, hyperlocal, data-driven weather nerdery abounds.

Wikipanion: Why even carry an iPhone if you can't use it to settle petty arguments about things that don't matter?

Yelp: Yelp is built on the premise that people really, really love to review things, and that this bizarre impulse should be harnessed for good. With a massive database of food/drink/everything else reviews, easy navigation, inbuilt maps, and augmented reality, it's tops.

Jailbreak Apps

Before you dive into these, here's a quick guide for jailbreaking your phone.

Jailbreak: AdBlock: Blacklist obnoxious ads, just like you do on your PC.

Jailbreak: Cycorder: Not everyone can upgrade to an iPhone 3GS. Everyone can, however, record video.

Jailbreak: GV Mobile: Google's official Google Voice app may never see the light of day, so GV Mobile is the only way to get your all-in-one telephony fix on the iPhone.

Jailbreak: WinterBoard: If you've ever seen some guy on the internet proudly demonstrating his garishly skinned or themed iPhone, this is almost definitely what he was using. Note: It can be used for aesthetic good as well as evil.

Jailbreak: Veency: Like every other iPhone VNC app, except totally in reverse: It's a server.

[Gizmodo's Essential iPhone Apps]

Gadget Deals of the Day [Dealzmodo]

Posted: September 3rd, 2009, 12:00pm PDT by Don Nguyen

Tags: Dealzmodo

Knowing how to brew your own delicious cup of coffee at home is great, but sometimes it's better to outsource the manual labor—if you're feeling lazy today, head over to Border's Books for a free cup of java.

Gaming:
• The Bigs 2 (360) for $29.99 plus free shipping (normally $38.98).
• Madden NFL 10 (PS3) For $47.98 plus free shipping (normally $53.99).
• Wireless Sensor Bar for Nintendo Wii $3.99 plus free shipping (normally $9).
• SanDisk 2GB SD Card for Wii for $10 plus free shipping (normally $19).
• Dirt Moto Racing (iPhone/iPod Touch) for $.99 (normally $4.99).
• Resident Evil 4 (iPhone/iPod Touch) for $2.99 (normally $7.99).
• Retro Duo Twin NES and SNES Console $29.99 plus free shipping (normally $45).

Home Entertainment:
• 50" Pioneer KURO KRP500 1080p Plasma TV with Wall Mount for $1738.18 plus free shipping (normally $1999 - use coupon code: LOYALTY10).
• 46" Sharp LC46LE700UN 1080p LCD TV for $1450 (normally $1999).
• 42" LG 42LG70 1080p 120Hz LCD TV for $849.99 (normally $1179 - Pay with PayPal for extra $20 discount).
• 42" Samsung PN42B450 720p Plasma TV with Wall Mount for $675 plus free shipping (normally $849).
• 40" Sony Bravia KDL-40XBR7 LCD TV with Sony Bravia DMXWL1 Wireless HD Link for $1099.99 plus free shipping (normally $1500).
• Pioneer VSX-519V-K 5-Channel A/V Receiver for $175 plus free shipping (normally $200 - use coupon code AUDIO9115).
• Polk Audio Monitor 70 3-Way Speaker for $179.99 plus free shipping (normally $228 - use coupon code EMCLXLM29).
• Freddy vs Jason (Blu Ray) for $11.49 (normally $20.68).
• Go (Blu Ray) for $12.99 (normally $22.97).

Personal Portables and Peripherals:
• Optoma PK-101 DLP Pico Pocket Projector for $229.88 plus free shipping (normally $300).
• eDimensional AudioFX Pro 5+1 USB Circumaural Force Feedback Gaming Headset $39.99 plus free shipping (normally $60).
• Archos 5 Wi-Fi 120GB Portable Media Player for $199.99 plus free shipping (normally $299 - coupon code: LOYALTY10).
• Garmin nuvi 750 Portable GPS $169.00 (normally $200).
• Garmin Nuvi 1490T GPS $349.99 plus free shipping (normally $429 - coupon code ZMNNMQX74DDWCM).
• Flip UltraHD Camcorder 120 Minutes $159.99 (normally $180).

Hobomodo:
• Free Seattle's Best Small Coffee at Border's Bookstore for $0 (use this form).
• Free H1N1 Flu App (iPhone) for $0 (use this form).
• Free Huggies Little Movers Diapers Sample for $0 (use this form).
• iBrillity (iPhone) for $0 (normally $.99).
• "The Journey" by former Cranberries singer Dolores O'Riordan (MP3) for $0 (download here).
• Exederm Intensive Care Cream sample for $0 (use this form).

If a deal looks too good to be true, investigate the store and see if it's a good, reputable place to buy. Safe shopping!

[Thanks TechDealDigger, Fat Wallet, GamerHotline, Cheap College Gamers, CheapStingyBargains and TechBargains.]

On October 4, You Can Lose $20 and a Few Pounds on the Wii Fit Plus [Nintendo]

Posted: September 1st, 2009, 6:20pm PDT by Rosa Golijan

Tags: nintendo

Brian will be one happy boy come October 4. That's when the Wii Fit Plus (announced at E3) will be arriving. Good news: looks like it'll be only $20 if you don't need a Balance Board.

The Wii Fit Plus will introduce 15 new mini-games and come as either a standalone disc for $19.99, or as part of a bundle with the original Wii Fit and Balance Board for $99.99. It also looks like Nintendo will be releasing black editions of the Wii remote, nunchuk and MotionPlus, so those concerned about matching their toys to their furniture will finally breathe a sigh of relief.

We're happy to get the release info, but one question remains: will the Wii Fit Plus mean more pictures of Brian in his boxers? [USA Today via kotaku]

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