After years of harassing passengers and forcing us to remove our notebooks from their bags, the TSA has come to their senses and informed notebook bag makers that they would be relaxing the rules.

The new regulations allow some notebooks to remain in their bag, as long as the X-ray equipment can see through and nothing is placed in front of, or behind the notebook.

Another regulation change allows the notebook to be stored in a harness, or second bag, making removal much easier. The notebook can stay inside this second bag, and simply be placed back inside the main bag after you clear security. In both cases (no pun intended), the notebook no longer has to be subjected to sitting in a filthy bin and the risk of theft is decreased.

Several notebook bag designers have of course been working hard to get bags designed for these new regulations, and one of the first to announce a full lineup of TSA compliant bags is Mobile Edge. In their new ScanFast™ lineup, they have a backpack, a regular notebook bag and a notebook messenger. Their design allows the laptop to remain in the bag, and the owner simply unzips the bag and folds it open. This moves all the contents of the bag to one side, and leaves the notebook on the other side with no obstructions for the X-ray machine.

Of course, as Grant Martin already pointed out in a previous post, there is always the chance that a random TSA agent didn't get/read/understand the memo, and still yells at you to remove your notebook. These are after all, the same people that saw a Macbook Air and decided it looked too much like a bomb.

No price has been announced yet, and Mobile Edge plan to have these bags available by the end of summer.

via gadling 

Just wanted to let all of you in on a bit of good news from the Mouse and Keyboard on the Xbox360 world.

For those of you who may already be familiar with the XIM (Xbox Input Machine), you know that it was capable of taking the XFPS's capabilities and enhancing them 10-fold to make a usable mouse and keyboard experience with most games on the console. Since you're familiar, read below for the good news.

For those of who who don't know the XIM, read on. XIM started as an enhancement for the XFPS. Anyone who has used the XFPS regardless of which edition knows that no matter what you do it just doesn't offer the same experience. The guy behind the project, OBsIV found that it was possible with the combination of additional hardware and a special piece of software that you could create a much more accurate experience with the mouse and keyboard in games like COD4 and Halo 3. But, this experience wasn't quite as good as it could be due to the limitations in the hardware that the XIM used. So he went back to the drawing board and created a piece of hardware and new software that could deliver the experience that you've always hoped to get with a mouse and keyboard on a console, appropriately named XIM2.

So, what's the good news in all of this blabbering? The XIM2 is now being pre-ordered and will ship in 2 weeks.

via xbox-scene 

Apple has introduced a new iPhone 3G dock to the Apple Store. Like the previous version, it features a scooped-out front section so you can reach the home button, and it has a couple of grill-covered audio conduits to route the sound from the speakers and enable speakerphone calls. Also, like the original model, there is no remote control support, so the $30 accessory is strictly for charging and syncing (and, of course, for holding the iPhone at a jaunty angle). The new dock will not work with your old first generation iPhone.

But, we ask, why bother? It's likely that, when the next iPhone is released, this dock will be as useless as its predecessor is now. Better, then, to just spring for the new $9 iPhone 3G insert for the Universal Dock, of which you probably have one or two lying around. Sure, you lose the speaker conduits, but you gain an infrared eye.

Interestingly, right now the Universal Dock is not listed as compatible with the iPhone 3G. That will surely be remedied soon enough. Worse is the fact that there is no plastic dock adapter in the box with the iPhone 3G. That really smacks of nickel and diming.

If you do opt to buy these model-specific docks, we suggest you keep the old and useless ones, along with your old iPhones, in the back of the closet. When you have kids, you'll be able to save money on those fit-the-plastic-shape-in-the-hole toys and just let the kids try to do the same thing with the iPhones.

via blog.wired 

[Christopher Mitchell] (previously on Hack a Day) has come up with a rather interesting input device. The Clove 2 glove is a Bluetooth data input interface. The goal is to be able to "type" without the use of a traditional keyboard. Key strokes are achieved through finger movements. Your computer simply sees this as a Bluetooth HID device and some software translates it for you.

While it may seem confusing, he's designed it to be very similar to typing on a keyboard. Each finger movement or combination is a key stroke. Just like typing on a regular keyboard, there are modifying strokes such as ALT or shift that effect others. Most common used keys require the least combinations of finger movements

[Christopher] put some extra effort in to making this user friendly by adding some features that you might not have thought of at first. For example, the ALT and shift keys work similar to a phone interface. When you press them, the next keystroke is effected. There is also audio feedback to let you know that this has happened. Each normal keystroke makes a click, while each modifier has a unique tone.

They're not being stingy with information either. The site has a complete writeup of how to make the glove yourself. Each step has a detailed description and pictures as well as downloadable schematics.

This method of input seems so unobtrusive. We can visualize this being used in warehouses or even by doctors for different types of input when keeping your hands available is necessary. Maybe a sock version should be next in line!

via hackaday 

OCZ's bread and butter may be memory of various types, such as DDR3 RAM or the (absolutely awesome) OCZ 64GB SATA II SSD, but its latest Alchemy range takes a different direction. Débuting with the Elixir keyboard, the Alchemy line of gaming products is, in theory at least, intended to offer gamers decent peripherals, without a huge price tag.

As budget keyboards go, the Elixir appears pretty well-endowed feature wise. Foremost are ten tri-way programmable macro keys (effectively giving 30 in total), media player controls and pop-up shortcut menu. We're not sure how the latter will work exactly, but it sounds intriguing. The keys are all rubber-coated, which should ensure they're comfortable to use, as well as offering better grip than just plastic.

Eugene Chang, Product Manager OCZ's Technology Group commented on the Alchemy range's launch saying:

"The new Alchemy line from OCZ is designed to offer gamers quality gaming solutions that deliver both exceptional performance and value. Just because gamers have a budget doesn't mean they shouldn't enjoy premium gaming features, and our first Alchemy solution the Elixir gaming keyboard is designed with quality ergonomics and offers efficient game-play with programmable macro keys."

With an MSRP of just $29.99 (~£15) the Elixir definitely qualifies as budget-friendly. There isn't really a compelling gaming keyboard in that price range that I can think of, so if OCZ comes good on its promise it should be onto a winner with the Elixir.

Link:
OCZ.

via trustedreviews 

Fujitsu Siemens in action

We had a chance to see the Fujitsu Siemens soon to become retail, Lasso product. The ATI name is called XGP and Amilo will be the first notebook to have one.

We wrote that this external graphics has an RV670-based GPU, or should we say that Lasso has an M88 mobile version of the same GPU, and it doesn’t get that hot after a few hours of work.

We were asked not to do any benchmarks, but we saw how the retail unit looks and that it looks fine enough to start shipping shortly. This XGP actually supports PCIe 8X, which is more than enough to run Vista; and for the time being, you can run Lasso 3D on an external monitor, but at a later time you will be able to play Lasso accelerated games on your notebook display...

via .fudzilla 

Guitar Hero proved the market for music rhythm games is broader than previously thought. Rock Band took the genre to the next step and made it a more social experience by going beyond the six-string domain. Now Guitar Hero: World Tour is answering back. It's not just about guitars now that the full band is brought in. It's not just about playing classic songs either. World Tour lets you become the rock star in every way possible -- from playing the tunes to making the music itself. I got my first look at the next game in the hit franchise and there's no doubt about it: I'm impressed. Neversoft and Activision didn't sit on their laurels and pump out a cash-in sequel. There's so much new here that it's tough to decide where to begin.

t's tough to rock out without the proper equipment. Guitar Hero: World Tour adds drums and vocals to the formula to go along with the already present guitar and bass. It doesn't just add two new peripherals and call it a day, though. This next Guitar Hero game will add new features to the trusty guitar, as well.

The Guitar
World Tour introduces a new guitar controller that is even more feature-laden than past designs. Before you get in a huff about just buying the Les Paul or X-plorer models from past Guitar Hero games, know that Activision has told us these will still work in World Tour. They just won't have access to all of the new stuff the added features bring to the table. That being said, you're going to want the new axe.

The biggest addition to the new guitar is the touch pad located on the neck. While playing a song, this touch sensitive strip allows you to alter notes during sustains by sliding up and down the strip (giving more freedom and options than what you had before with just a whammy bar). It can also be used for tapping to play notes, particularly awesome if you want to mimic a slap bass. The real power of the touch pad comes in the music creator. We'll get to that soon.

Other changes have been made to the design as well. The back/select button has been made to look like the bridge of the guitar. It's easier to hit for activating star power and gives a more realistic look to the body. The entire body is bigger, as well, approaching something closer to a real guitar. The d-pad has been given a bit of style as well by reshaping it to look more like a knob.

All of the previous great features are still there on this guitar, too. It's wireless and sleek, has an accelerometer for activating star power (and more) and will make use of new custom faceplates. In short, it's the best guitar controller we've seen yet.

The Mic
The microphone peripheral is fairly standard. It's wired and comes without buttons. For menus and the like you'll need to use a controller. To activate star power in the game, you won't have to wait for a special section like you do in Rock Band. Tapping it or making a making a quick similar sound at any time does the trick.

The Drums
Three pads, two raised cymbals, and one bass pedal make up the action elements of this new drum peripheral. That equates to the basic setup of a snare, two toms, two cymbals and a bass drum. The two cymbals are raised above the three primary pads and, on the prototype set we got a look at, had hinges and swivels on them so that you could position them how you wanted. To activate star power with the kit you simply hit both cymbals at the same time.

The first thing you'll notice when you see the kit in action is that it's quieter than the Rock Band drums, which is great news for neighbors everywhere. Each drum head is eight inches in diameter, slightly larger than Rock Band's kit, so you'll be less likely to miss when things get heated. Like the guitar, this puppy is wireless. That won't really aid you in your posturing, but it will keep your room less cluttered....

via xbox360.ign 

R.I.P. SanDisk’s TakeTV, Fanfare Shut Down

TakeTV, we hardly knew ye. Unveiled just last October, SanDisk’s USB PC-to-TV video device along with Fanfare, its accompanying content portal, were both shut down on May 15th, a SanDisk spokesperson has confirmed.

The official party line is that TakeTV was no longer a priority for SanDisk as the company focuses on being at the hub of mobile entertainment. Translation: No one bought the device. It’s easy to understand why; SanDisk was outgunned and outnumbered on this set-top bet.

Though Om liked it, and SanDisk billed the device as an easy way to transport content from the web to your TV, it had two things going against it:

1.) It was kludgey. You had to plug a USB device into your PC, download content, then put that USB device into another device that hooked up to your TV. Yeah, that’s easy.

2.) Lack of content. If you want people to buy a device that downloads TV content, you’d better offer lots of TV content. TakeTV’s Fanfare portal had deals with CBS, Jaman, Showtime, the Smithsonian, The Weather Channel and TV Guide Broadband. No ABC, no FOX — not even The CW. TakeTV had announced a deal with NBC, but it looks as though that never got implemented.

Not to mention the fact that SanDisk was facing heavy competition from better-known companies like Apple, TiVo and Xbox — all of which provided more content and an easier solution for downloading shows to your TV.

TakeTV’s demise is a good lesson all around. For consumers, don’t be fooled by a company’s promise of what’s to come — especially for first-generation products. If it doesn’t have the content you want, don’t buy it (even Apple TV flunked at first). And Silicon Valley — quit making set-top boxes! With services like tru2way on the way and with Internet connections built right into TVs, you’re going to lose a lot of money as cable companies and consumer electronics companies eat your lunch.

TakeTV’s site is still up, but Fanfare has been shut down. The devices will still work, their owners just have to find video files elsewhere...

via newteevee 

Double HDD Rack eSATA and USB in hands

But where do they will stop? It's really the madness of HDD rack, a version of our favorite manufacturer every month and most other companies in the race now…

Between gadget and performance will require making a choice… we still on for the time being faithful to its precursor with the Black Box make for industrial use.

Here we have now in the hands the new version with double HDD! So performance later changed nothing (apart from a USB where the flow will be shared between the two HDD), since everyone has taken its e-sata (attention that your machine has also taken 2 external e-sata to use 2 discs simultaneously) . So basically it's like having 2 versions of the HDD Rack e-sata in one… nothing transcendent… they could provide a system of Raid to give a little more spice to the machine… glance it may be the case with a futur version 3 HDD and Raid 5?

You can buy it on GeekStuff4u.com !

Attention, for those who are kind to turn their HDD Rack non-stop, the AC adapter is hot and must be sought in a well ventilated area!...

via akihabaranews 

Optimus Popularis First 3D Prototype

via community.livejournal