Fire-Safe Cigarettes to Keep Idiots Alive a Bit Longer

How many stupid people have started fires by falling asleep while smoking a cigarette? One might see this as Darwinism in action, but apparently the bleeding hearts over in Europe think differently. They've developed "fire-safe" cigarettes that put themselves out after a minute or two when not being smoked.

Whatever, if cigarette smokers were so worried about their personal safety they wouldn't be smoking cancer sticks in the first place. Just let these people kill themselves if that's what they want so badly. –Adam Frucci

Source:- http://gizmodo.com/

Solar Powered LED Tent Houses Six, Provides Eight Hours of Light

The only time we've been camping is, well, never, so this solar powered LED tent isn't quite for us. But those of you who like to get some outdoors time with your family yet still want to keep enough light to play some Go Fish at night should look into this LED tent.

It's $230, and has an eight-hour battery to power the LEDs inside. All you need to do is keep the solar panels set up during the day when you're out doing whatever it is people do when they're camping. Poop in the woods and look for leaves to wipe with, presumably. – Jason Chen

Source:- http://gizmodo.com/

LiveScribe Smartpen

The LiveScribe Smartpen is about to make its appearance at the D conference, but we wanted to remind you about the coverage we did last night. Hop on over to this post and see for yourself. It's no smart table, but a smart pen's not too shabby either. – Jason Chen

Source:- http://gizmodo.com/

iPhone to get third party apps

Just in case you missed Walt Mossberg's sitdown with Steve Jobs earlier today, but in the open Q&A his Jobsness was asked point blank about the openness of the iPhone, and whether users can expect their $600 cellphone to be able to add on third party apps. His reply?

"This is an important tradeoff between security and openness. We want both. ... we'll find a way to let 3rd parties write apps and still preserve security on the iPhone. But until we find that way we can't compromise the security of the phone. ... I've used 3rd party apps... the more you add, the more your phone crashes. No one's perfect, and we'd sure like our phone not to crash once a day. If you can just be a little more patient with us I think everyone can get what they want."

You heard it folks, Apple's working on allowing third party devs into the hallowed ground of the iPhone. One big issue (kind of) down, now we've just got to work on getting that thing a real keyboard and some 3G.

Source:-http://www.engadget.com/

Lenovo's ThinkPad X61, X61s and X61 tablet PC get official

Hearing about Lenovo's ThinkPad X61 shouldn't come as a total surprise to anyone, but while leaked information always satisfies the pallet, official details on a few new machines in the X-series shouldn't hurt. The X61 tablet will sport your choice of a 1.4GHz L7300 or 1.6GHz L7500 Core 2 Duo CPU, a 12.1-inch XGA or SXGA+ display, up to 160GB of hard drive space, up to 4GB of RAM, an optional dual-layer DVD writer (UltraBase required), Intel's GMA X3100 graphics set, gigabit Ethernet, WiFi, Bluetooth, WWAN, a trio of USB 2.0 ports, up to eight-hours of claimed battery life from the eight-cell Li-ion, optional fingerprint scanner, an SD reader, and a PC Card slot with 34-millimeter ExpressCard adapter. The 12.1-inch X61s touts most of the same hardware as its tablet-based sibling albeit in a laptop form, while the X61 goes up to 2GHz with Intel's T7300. All of the aforementioned units should be ready to ship next month, and the ThinkPad X61, X61s, and X61 tablet PC will purportedly start at approximately $1,484, $1,474, and $1,779, respectively. More shots of Lenovo's latest after the break.

Source:-http://www.engadget.com/

PSP 3.50 firmware available: "Remote Play" over the Internet

Just released in Japan, Sony's 3.50 firmware for the PSP should making the global rounds soon enough. That, coupled with the latest PS3 firmware update, means you've just scored "Remote Play" functionality -- access to videos, music, and pictures on your home PS3 running 1.80 -- over the Internet. In other words, you can stream media but can't actually play games remotely. The update also includes an RSS Channel Guide but we know it's the remote play you want. The new firmware should already be available via your PSP's Network Update option even though many of Sony's download sites are still pegged at version 3.40.

Source:-http://www.engadget.com/

LG Prada as Verizon's "iPhone Killer"? (LOL)

TheStreet.com claims that the LG Prada, a phone we definitively declared not as good as the iPhone, is going to be Verizon's answer to AT&T's exclusive. Scott Moritz of The Street says he just confirmed that Verizon will release a version of LG's phone here in the States. Whether that will be Prada or something slightly different, he's not sure.

According to what we heard from LG, they claim the KE850 (Prada) will not come to the States in its current form, and whatever does will not actually be called the Prada. However, we do know that Prada-ish phones like the LG KS20 are already coming out, but we're not sure if this is the weapon Verizon will be using to counter AT&T. – Jason Chen

Source:- http://gizmodo.com/

Microsoft sells one million Zunes

It may not seem like all that much given Apple's recent announcement that it's sold 100 million iPods, but Microsoft seems to be content with the one million Zunes it has sold so far (or will have sold by the end of June), which meets the sales target set at the Zune's launch. That tidbit of information comes from Robbie Bach, president of Microsoft's Entertainment and Devices Division, who told the San Francisco Chronicle that the company has sold "a little over a million Zunes," reportedly giving it a 10% share in the hard disk-based player category. While Bach sees that as a "good start" he admits that the Zune hasn't quite gotten as social as the company would like, saying that "when your installed base is a million, the benefits of sharing, frankly, aren't as wide as we hope to see in the future." Unfortunately, Bach didn't get very specific about any future Zune plans, choosing instead to talk up the pink and watermelon-colored Zunes, which'll surely make all the difference.

Source:-http://www.engadget.com/

Self-driving "Marvin" SUV gets set for DARPA's Urban Challenge

It looks like DARPA's newly-instated Urban Challenge is shaping up nicely, with this self-driving Isuzu SUV from Austin Robot Technology and the University of Texas now joining the likes of Team LUX's Volkswagen Passat and NC State's Lotus Elise in competing for the top prize. As with those other vehicles, the SUV (dubbed Marvin) is completely autonomous, relying on an array of sensors, video cameras, artificial intelligence, and machine-learning technology to (hopefully) avoid catastrophe as it motors about. As you might guess, the Urban Challenge presents a few different obstacles for the vehicles to deal with than the Grand Challenge does, including intersections, improperly parked cars, and traffic laws that must be followed at all times. Marvin still has a ways to go before it can get a chance to drive away a few million dollars richer, however, with it required to pass a basic driving test this summer and a national qualifier in October before it's allowed to enter the big event in November.

Source:-http://www.engadget.com/

Google cooking up more apps for the iPhone and other details

So The Seattle Times got a sit down with the rather guarded Glenn Lurie, AT&T's man on the ground for the iPhone. While he didn't give much up in the way of the phone's finer details, he did have one takeaway that left us interested. When asked about the mass skepticism over the iPhone's price, he replied "... There are other things -- you have the widgets, some of the Google applications that are coming -- there are just so many things here that the price will not be an issue." Now, we don't want to get all weird here and read tea leaves, but he did say Google applications (as in plural), so we think it's safe to say Google has more planned than just Gmaps for the iPhone. We wouldn't be surprised to see a Google news reader, Gmail, or even Gcal apps on there, but given the fact that Apple already has its own agenda for mail, calendaring and the like, it might stand to reason the iPhone won't be locking its users out of 3rd party add-on apps after all. Another interesting detail: "people are going to be asked to have an unlimited [data] package" with the iPhone. Hm, no surprise there. Ok, discuss / argue amongst yourselves.

Source:-http://www.engadget.com/

The SMS M500 GSM Watchfone: the 58 year wait is over

Calling all cars, calling all cars... be on the look out for the SMS M500 GSM Watchfone. That's right, the first shipments of the M300 followup are said to be leaving Hong Kong as of tomorrow, May 30th. Now we can all get a little Dick Tracy with "the world's smallest mobile phone" -- or so says SMS Technology Australia. Unlike Dick's 2-way Wrist Radio which emerged in 1949, this pup goes quad-band GSM while packing a 1.5-inch touchscreen with itty bitty, built-in stylus; Bluetooth 2.0; and all the 120 x 160 pixel MP4 video (or MP3/AAC audio) you can pack into its 128MB of storage. The watch weights just 60-grams and should hold-up to about 200 minutes of talk or 80 hours standby before needing a USB recharge. Now if someone could just hook us up with a jetpack we can get to living in the future promised to us by Uncle Walt (no, the other one) in those free lovin' 70s.

Gallery: The SMS M500 GSM Watchfone: the 58 year wait is over

Source:-http://www.engadget.com/

Spanish solar tower could eventually power an entire city

Just last month we witnessed a gigantic skyscraper / solar tower hybrid that generates a whopping 390-kilowatts of energy, but even that looks like child's play compared to the 40-story solar power plant that resides in Spain. The expansive system consists of a towering concrete building, a field of 600 (and growing) sun-tracking mirrors that are each 120-square meters in size, and a receiver that converts concentrated solar energy from the heliostats into steam that eventually drives the turbines. Currently, only one field of mirrors is up and running, but even that produces enough power to energize 6,000 homes, and the creators are hoping to see the entire population of Seville (600,000 folks) taken care of solely from sunlight. So if you're eager to see what's likely the greenest solar power plant currently operating, be sure to slip on some shades, tag the read link, and peep the video.

Source:-http://www.engadget.com/

iPhone Gets A Traffic Button (Or Not); Surveys Say People Want iPhones (Or Not); June Is Still iPhone Launch Month (Or Not)

Welcome to a Friday-night, Ballmer-free edition of iPhone Non-News.

The least minor of non-events was the discovery of two buttons in the iPhone Google Maps app interface, shown in the above left panel of iLounge's illustration. You'll notice that one button features "a couple of wavy lines" (to quote one of my favorite movies). The other button shows a little car. People are quite certain that one of these buttons will launch the already discussed Traffic feature. Steve Jobs is the only person who knows what happens if you push the other button.

OK, I'll tell you: you get $200,000 tax free, and someone you don't know dies.

You'll notice that Cingular (shown on the older image at right) has been changed to AT&T. Could this be the very moment when we kiss Cingular goodbye forever? Hey, I will as soon as The New AT&T stops using it. Come on, whoever you are, this is confusing!!

The photo appeared in an iPhone promotional e-mail sent out by the aforementioned New AT&T, who apparently didn't read the market research we have, that says between 1 and 100 people out of 100 has already bought an iPhone in their minds.

No, seriously, there's a lot of serious serious, like super serious market research going on. At this very moment, between 6 and 9 percent of breathing humans claim to plan to intend to buy an iPhone, according to an assortment of reports, while two-thirds of more or less the same population says, "No flippin' way." (That's a headline writer's call, since you can flip that same data into good news pretty quick, with 33.333% fully giddy about iPhone.

This just in: In a survey I just took, 100% of people in this immediate vicinity are unsure of whether or not they will buy an iPhone, but that is subject to change.

You'll also be happy to hear that the iPhone is still scheduled to ship in June, according to people who just last week said that the iPhone is still scheduled to ship in June. When pressed for details, they revealed that Halloween is still October 31, Christmas is still December 25, and while no one really knows when Easter and Passover will happen next, they are likely to occur at around the same time.

If at this point you are confused, blame Steve Jobs, not me. – Wilson Rothman

Source:- http://gizmodo.com/

Survey: two-thirds say "no thanks" to iPhone

iPhone buzz may be at a strong, rolling boil at this point, but a recent survey suggests that the tabloid-like attention the device has been enjoying may not translate to sales at Apple and AT&T counters come next month. The poll of 1,300 individuals responsible for their own bills uncovered that while 77 percent had heard of the iPhone (wow, only 77 percent?) and 41 percent had a "good impression" of it, a full two-thirds of respondents indicated that there was no chance they'd buy one -- and only 6 percent said they'd pick one up. 6 percent seems like a dismal number at first glance, but the survey firm astutely notes that even at the very peak of its popularity, the now-ubiquitous Motorola RAZR only achieved 6 percent market penetration. So yeah, theoretically, if 6 percent of the American bill-paying populace actually buys an iPhone next month, we officially have the next RAZR on our hands. Way to put a damper on things, eh?

Source:-http://www.engadget.com/

Alltel Gets Super Thin Samsung Wafer With XM Radio Mobile

Alltel's not usually known for getting cutting edge handsets, but it may be time for that to change as the slick-looking Samsung Wafer SCH-R510 heads their way. The phone has some interesting features, with the celltop widget system, XM Radio Mobile, Axcess TV, and Axcess mobile Guide. Elsewhere, it has a 1.3-megapixel camera, weighs 2.7 oz., and will cost you $49 after a $50 mail-in-rebate. It qualifies for Alltel's My Circle as well, which is their all you can call for free plan. A nice, anorexic addition to the Alltel lineup without any of the associated health problems.

Source:-http://gizmodo.com/

Topcon GR3 GPS Receiver: The Mr T of Navigation?

The Topcon GR3 looks more like a heavy-duty flashlight than a GPS receiver. It looks like the kind of tool that Bruce Willis would use in one of the Die Hard movies to bop the bad guy over the head - or Ashton Kutcher if he's being a cheeky beggar. Really a tool for surveyors who need pinpoint accuracy - it uses 36 satellites to give you results down to the last milimeter - the GR3 is built to withstand the most extreme weather conditions. It has just won a prestigious award in Germany (making it more like David Hasselhoff than Mr T, perhaps) for design. But it's expensive: you won't get any change out of $22,000.

Source:-http://gizmodo.com/

The BlackBerry Curve

Picture an 8800 with its tie loosened and a couple buttons undone, and this here is pretty much what you'd get. Hot on the heels of the aforementioned 8800, RIM has officially taken the wraps off its hotly anticipated (and well scooped) 8300 "Curve," a device that takes the standard QWERTY BlackBerry formula and throws in a handful of consumer-friendly features for good measure. Clearly at the top of the list is a 2 megapixel cam with integrated flash -- but other goodies include comprehensive media support (WMA, WMV, and H.263 all make the cut), stereo Bluetooth, a true 3.5mm headphone jack, microSD expansion for when you exhaust (quickly) your 64MB of internal ROM, and a 15.5mm thick shell that's pretty stylish by RIM standards. Now that the phone's official, we're hoping to see it hit AT&T -- among other carriers -- in the coming weeks.

Source:- http://www.engadget.com/