gadget news and reviews

NeWs Up^2-DaTe (15) +

4GB Shuffle | Yahoo Photos | iGoogle | Azureus Update
From The Shadows | Systm | MSN Maps

1) Apple iPod Shuffle going 2GB and 4GB this summer! Many blogs are revealing that Apple is planning to release a 2GB and 4GB version of their current 1GB shuffle. Major drawback, it will be impossible to find a song that you like while having to shuffle or click through your entire collection of songs. This product will be useless unless they decide to provide a screen.
Link: +digg | digg | BetaNews | MacNN

2) Yahoo! Photo Email Upgrade. Yahoo! email will soon allow emailing photos up to 300 Hi-Res images at once. It will work by uploading photos to Yahoo’s server and then providing thumbnail links in messages to the actual full-sized images. This is currently a BETA service. MSN currently offers a very similar feature to paid MSN/Hotmail accounts.
Link: Yahoo! Photo Mail (IE Only) | News-COM | BetaNews

3) iGoogle is here! Google is constantly adding features to their online services. Their latest feature is a personal portal similar to My MSN, My Yahoo!, and My Aol. They have merged Gmail, Personal Search History, Google Groups, and many more services into this personal portal. All you need to do now is login and set the new google url as your homepage.
Link: iGoogle | Google Labs
Related: My MSN | My Yahoo! | My Aol

4) Azureus JAVA BitTorrent Client update to v2.3.0.2. Now faster and uses less RAM and CPU. Also updates the built in tracker with a new modified layout and other features.
Link: Azureus | ChangeLog
Related: torrent.sahaskatta.com

5) From The Shadows Box 3.0 was released on Wednesday. This episode is about WiFi WEP cracking, spoofing security cameras, WarDriving, PSP Antenna MOD, and more. Previous episodes: Box 2.0 StarWars LightSabers & Box 1.0 PSP WiFi capabilites. *BitTorrent Required 2 Download.
Link: From The Shadows 3.0 | FTS 4 the PSP
Related: exitFrame (another tech/hacking show)

6) Systm was released on Monday. Another extremely good online technology show. Made by the creators of The Broken. The first episode was about snooping in on security cameras using a homemade “WarSpyingDevice.” First episode is 10mins long and is available in plenty of formats. *BitTorrent Required 2 Download.
Link: Systm | The Broken
Related: Systm 4 the PSP (32MB)

7) MSN is working on a satellite mapping service. This is in retaliation towards Google’s Keyhole mapping service using Google Maps. MSN is most likely going to use TerraServer, a satellite imaging company they already own.
Link: MSN SandBox | Terra Server
Related: Google Maps

Other: iTunes will support Podcasting in their next major release. No specific details available yet. | TWIT (This Week in Tech) #6 released on monday. Latest Technology Podcast.

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Systm Videos On The PSP +

Systm was succesfully launched on 05/24/05! They included a Mp4 format which was encoded to support playback on the Sony PlayStation Portable. Unfortunatley the size of the file was about 50MB and most PSP owners only have a 32MB card. So to solve this problem I have converted the video to the max quality possible under 32MB. I have also created a thumbnail for the video, which Systm has not included. I have setup a bittorrent tracker, which I will be using to distrubute these files. Checkback every week because I will add the latest episodes into this format as soon as they become avaliable. Click Here to start downloading episode 1. Please seed this file after your are done downloading.
Link: My Torrent Tracker | Systm.org
Related: The Broken & exitFrame on the PSP
Other: +digg | digg | TextAmerica

NeWs Up^2-DaTe (14) +

Netfix/Walmart | PSP Update | Y! Messenger | PS3 vs. 360 | MSN Desktop

1) Netfilx and WalMart join forces. This means that WalMart will direct their customers to Netfilx to join the DVD rental service. And in return Netflix will direct their customers to WalMart’s online DVD collection to buy DVDs they like. This is going to stengthen both companies, and it will also destroy BlockBuster’s online rental service quickly. (BlockBuster is already planning to pull out of the online DVD rental service.) Also if you want to get 2 months of free rentals from BlockBuster (+ 1 Free DVD 2 Keep) do the following: First sign up to Netflix’s 2 week trial, Second cancel before the trial ends, Third email the cancelation notification to blockbusteronline@blockbuster.com. They will send you a coupon code, which you then can enter while registering for BlockBuster’s service.
Link: Netflix | Walmart | BlockBuster | Press Release NF WM

2) PSP FirmWare Update (US Only) v1.5 -> 1.51 Click 4 More GTA: Liberty City Stories 4 the PSP is now offical. Unfortunatly the planned release date is 09/01/05! Many stores are already taking in pre-orders because this might just become the most popular PSP game.
Link: GameSpot | IGN | digg | +digg

3) Yahoo! Messenger BETA v7.0 is here. Yahoo is also trying to compete with Skype by adding VOIP into this release. They are also taking it to the next level by adding features such as voicemail into it for free while it is a paid feature in Skype. Yahoo will most likley succede in this area because of the number of customers they currently have. Most users do not want to switch to Skype because it requires installing a new program, but this will be much easier for Yahoo users.
Link: Yahoo! Messenger BETA
Related: MSN Messenger

4) Some great PS3 and xBox 360 comparisions have been released so take a look. Hint: Sony PS3 wins in most aspects. Links: GameSpot | IGN
5) Systm is releasing their first episode on Monday! What is it? A great new online weekly technology show. It will be available in plenty of formats and will be distrubuted using BitTorrent technology. Other shows from the creates inculde This Week In Tech (TWIT), which is a weekly technology podcast, and The Broken, which is a set of online hacking videos.
Link: Systm | The Broken | TWIT
Related: KevinRose | ScopeTech | LeoVille | SwitcherMan

6) MSN Desktop Search leaves BETA! This program has many new great features, which finally beats the current abilites of Google & Yahoo’s Desktop Searches. It indexes only while your are not using the computer, which Yahoo doesn’t offer. It searches many more types of files than Google does, including MSN Messenger chat logs. Also the GUI beats that of all the other programs.
Link: MSN | Yahoo! | Google

PSP Firmware Update +

Sony released an update for the U.S. PSPs on the 18th. This will now update the PSP to v1.51 from v1.5. This is not the major update that most of you have been waiting for, but just a minor security update. Apparently while playing online people had the risk of a hacker deleting all the content off the Memory Card. This update fixes those security holes. To get the update do the following:

• First, you will need WiFi access and the AC power supply plugged in. Remove any games that are currently in the unit.
• Second, you will need to have 14MB of free space on your Memory Stick. (*If you don’t have the space free up some by transfering it to your computer, and you can put it back on after the update process is done.The space is only required for updating, it can be deleted after the process is done.)
• Now go to Settings -> Network Update -> … This will take you through a Wizard.
• Once you are done, it should restart and then you can delete the 14MB update file off the card.
• The firmware file is located under Game -> Memory Stick

If you do not have WiFi you will be able to download the file from the web, there are many people who have pulled the file off their PSP then uploaded it to the web. But remember to make sure you are getting it from a safe site because some of those files might be damaged and could damage your PSP firmware for good! The best option to update if you don’t have WiFi is to drive down to Starbucks or some free HotSpots!

Link: Installation Pic | PSP Official Website
Related: Multiplayer Hack | Icon Hack
Deals: 1GB Memory Stick Duo Pro $104 From Amazon

Update: U.S. Playstation’s website now has the firmware for download on their website for those of you that don’t have WiFi. Download it from here, safest place.

*Sony uses this method to prevent errors from occuring during the firmware update. By downloading to the card first, then with the power plugged in there are slight chances of the software being written on incorrectly.

NeWs Up^2-DaTe (13) 1

xBox 360 | Pentagon | PS2 Colors | BlockBuster | iRiver | Google

1) It’s xBox 360 week! Microsoft just released all the information they possibly could about the new xBox. It seems like an amazingly powerful unit. Take a look at this video (Windows Media / Apple Quicktime), which is made by Microsoft promoting the new unit. Sony originally had planned to launch the PS3 in 2006, but to stay strong in the market they announced that they will also be releasing the unit this year. Kotaku has a great article about every aspect of the xBox 360 so take a look.
Link: Kotaku | Full HQ xBox 360 Video | Flash Preview

2) Some articles have been spreading around the web about the Pentagon crash. There are many sites that seem to have reasonable evidence which is trying to prove that a Boeing 747 was not what hit the Pentagon. Don’t know if any of it is true or not, but most of these videos and clips are being taken down by the government so take a look if you have a chance.
Link: Pentagon Crash Videos | Pentagon Crash Info
Related: Satellite Image of Pentagon

3) The Slim PS2 will be available in 5 different colors in the U.S. very soon. Sony decided to release this after releasing the Silver PS2 in Europe and the White PS2 in Japan. For more information about the slim series, view my previous post. (bottom line, new unit is smaller & has a network card.)
Link: Kotaku (This will answer any ?’s you could possibly have.)

4) Get 1 MONTH (4 weeks) of free DVD Rentals from BlockBuster.com! This includes 3 DVDs out at a time and 2 in store Rentals/Games. Also this is not considered as a trial so if you do decide to keep the service then you will not be charged for your first month. You also have the power to cancel anytime before the 4 weeks end. Codes Are: usatoday 7, usatoday8, and usatoday9. Enter one of the codes while registering to the service.
Link: BlockBuster

5) iRiver T10 is a new line of mp3 players, which comes with an 1.1″ Color LCD and holds up to 1GB of music. The unit comes in Lime Green, Cherry Red, and Orange Yellow. It has a built in FM tuner and can play back WMA, OGG, and MP3. The battery lasts about 53 hours, but best thing about this unit is the way it looks.
Link: Engadget | iRiver

6) Google is trying to combine RSS & Atom feeds into Gmail. They are also combining their blogging service with Gmail to make it easier to read feeds. This will be just another one of those online RSS feed readers, but this will gain a lot popularity because of its speed, Gmail layout, & finally because everyone wants Gmail. They will most probably allow users to have the feed emailed to their computers if they are using POP3 to access their mail.

Software Up-Dates (1) +

1) Firefox v1.0.4 is out. Mozilla has fixed 3 major security holes and exploits. Everyone should update to keep their computer safe. Also if you are using the SwitchProxy extension visit the link provided to download v1.3.2. Note: The Mozilla Suite has also been updated to v1.7.8.
Link: Download Firefox | Full ChangeLog | SwitchProxy
Related: RSS Feeds | Great Extensions | Mozilla Suite

2) Gaim v1.3.0 is here. This update fixes some security holes that have to do with the MSN protocols, and it also fixed some of the crashing issues as well. If you don’t know what Gaim its an all-in-one open source chat client which supports chatting on AIM, MSN, YAHOO!, IRC, ICQ and more. This program is 100% adware and spyware free!
Link: Download Gaim | Change-Log
Related: Trillian (Another great all-in-one chat client.)

3) AOL is working on a new version of AIM which support many new features. They are also going to integrate email into the client similar to how Yahoo and MSN do. They will also start to provide 2GBs of storage and the download will come with AOL’s own browser. The current BETA does not currently have all of these features, but will incorporate most of them very soon. This update is not going to be part of their future client called “trition”.
Link: AIM | AIM BETA
Related: AIM Alternatives: Gaim | Trillian

4) Azureus (Java BitTorrent Client) v2.3.0.0 is out. This new version has many great new features. First it supports decentralized tracking which means if the tracker were to crash or go down for a while it will be able to continue managing and downloading the file by itself. Second they updated the personal tracker feature so that it now has RSS built in. They have also fixed many tracker bug issues. Azureus now show many more details about from whom you are downloading the file from and also shows a graphical diagram of all the people you are downloading from and uploading to.
Link: Get Azureus | JAVA Runtime
Related: Orginal BitTorrent client

xBox 360 Pix Rolling Around +

Pictures of the xBox 360 seem to have been leaked before E3. First came the picture of the entire Unit, which looks very similar to the fake photoshop images that were spreading around for a while. That picture also has a view of a wireless headset, for xbox live, images of a wireless xbox controler, which is a standard, and some sort of webcam (or even an eyetoy). Then soon after a picture of the remote control for the xBox 360 came out, which tells us that xBox will be running some type of Windows OS on it because of the “Start” button, most likley a media center. And finally a close up image of the controller came in. All the buttons and controls seem to same as the original, but then it looks like the xBox logo on this controler seems to be a button. I’ll update this post as more images and news spreads.
Link: Engadget | Digg (profile)

Top 1,000 High Schools in the U.S. (2005) +

NewsWeek just published an article via MSNBC with a list of America’s 1,000 Top High Schools. This list consists of only public schools, which are ranked by the # of AP Exams taken and divided by the # of graduating seniors. Saratoga High is now placed at 202 which is a major set back since being placed at 153 in 2003. To download this article for easier viewing click on the link below: (.PDF ~100KB | .DOC ~93.5KB)

Some of the Top Schools in the Bay Area (California) were: Monta Vista, Cupertino; Gunn, Palo Alto; Lynbrook, San Jose; Mission, San Jose; Saratoga High, Saratoga; and San Jose High Academy, San Jose. (The schools above have been placed in order.)

Link: MSNBC/NewsWeek (2005) | MSNBC/NewsWeek (2003)
Related: SHS Falcons | SHS Website | GreatSchools.net

PHLAK v0.3 +

PHLAK (Professional Hackers Linux Assult Kit) v0.3 was just released. This new release has fixed many of the bugs that were in the previous version. To begin with, the WiFi cracking tool requried a certain type of Orinoco card, but now it supports many standard WiFi cards and also supports centrino laptops. It now supports hard drive installation and has many included documents/tutorials.
Link: PHLAK | Download PHLAK | Tool List
Related: Knoppix STD (Security Tools Distubition)

NeWs Up^2-DaTe (12) +

MSN Music | Memory Stick | Silver PS2 | ABC/PSP | PS3/xBox | PGC

1) MSN Music Store Buy 1 Song Get 5 Free (Looks like Microsoft doesn’t have too many customers.) Create more accounts to re-use offer.
Link: Music Store | digg | +digg

2) Memory Stick Duo Pro 1GB $104 from Amazon. There is also no shipping cost or tax! This item might be out of stock so make sure they have some before ordering. (Amazon still lets users make orders even if they don’t have the item in stock.)
Link: Amazon | digg | +digg

Fun Note: PSP Background turns Green. The order is: 1 Silver, 2 Yellow, 3 Lime, 4 Pink, 5 Green, 6 Light Purple, 7 Light-Blue, 8 Blue, 9 Purple, 10 Gold, 11 Brown, and 12 Red.
Link: digg | +digg

3) Sony released the Slim PS2 Silver Edition in UK. No word on when this will reach the U.S. Also if you have the original PS2, there is no reason to upgrade to this because there are not to many differences. Only upgrade to the slim version if you want to play online a lot (because it has a built in network card) and you like to travel around with the unit. (Unit is about 1/10 the size.) Picture @ end of this post.