Author: Andy Merrett
All hail the penguin, as Linux gets ported to iPhone (kinda)
There are plenty of hackers working at unlocking each successive firmware update on the iPhone to allow it to be used with third party applications and on other mobile networks, but some want to change the entire operating system.
A hacker has successfully managed to install Linux onto Apple’s handset, though it has a very limited function set, crucially lacking touchscreen support, accelerometer drivers, baseband, Wi-Fi, and sound support…
Squint at a classic book on your Nintendo DS
When you’re not crossing animals or looking after your Nintendog, you might like to brush up on a spot of classic literature with the 100 Classic Books software.
The application does exactly what it says on the box – lets you read a load of classic books on the pocket console.
While the DS’s screen is no match for the likes of the Sony Reader, BeBook, or Amazon Kindle, it might be worth getting if you want to enjoy a sneaky Dickens, Shakespeare or Melville on the Tube…
Virgin Mobile intros 30p-a-day mobile web tariff
Virgin Mobile has decided that its customers deserve cheaper access to the mobile Internet and has introduced a new tariff for moderate daily surfing.
The “Casual User” tariff, available to both contract and pre-pay customers, costs 30p per day and has a 25MB daily limit (we hope that it’s megabytes, though the press release implies megabits).
This, Virgin claims, is up to three times cheaper than most other networks. In an attempt to prove that, a lengthy and boring comparison chart has been published. I’m not going to mess about drawing you a table of figures, because you’re all more than capable of checking out the competition yourself. Suffice it to say, the deal seems pretty average. Heavy mobile Net users would probably be better off with a higher bandwidth or “unlimited with fair use” tariff, but for those just checking Facebook and a few sport and weather pages, it should suffice.
Nokia 5800 XpressMusic coming very soon, in time for Christmas perhaps?
After a long time waiting, Nokia has finally announced that its Nokia 5800 XpressMusic (“Tube”) touchscreen mobile phone will be available across a number of markets “soon”.
Unfortunately, details are sketchy, and the UK isn’t specifically mentioned in the markets initially listed — that’ll be Russia, Spain, India, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Finland but hopefully that’s not an exhaustive list.
Coming to the UK? Probably. Before Christmas? Maybe. Price and network? Nothing obvious yet…
Laptop site "for women" launches with festive Gordon Ramsay live streaming recipes
Here’s my second food-related post of the day, with mews that Intel’s new My-Laptop.co.uk web site will be officially launched by outspoken Michelin-starred chef Gordon Ramsay.
Intel will live stream various recipes, tips and techniques from Ramsay during the Taste of Christmas event from 4th-7th December. As well as a daily live webcast of Gordon’s theatre event, there will be live chats with the likes of Angela Hartnett, Jason Atherton and Stuart Gilles (protégés, apparently)…
Like Japanese food? Get the Motoman industrial robot to cook it for you
Visitors to the International Next-Generation Robot Fair in Osaka who get a bit peckish can head over to the stand where the Motoman SDA10 robot has demonstrated its culinary abilities.
This two-armed robot can do a range of things, and cooking okonomiyaki is just one thing on its impressive resumé. It’s even more impressive because it can take orders from customers using speech recognition technology and then create the dish using standard kitchen utensils. It even flips the pancake-like dish…
Sharp intros new 46-inch AQUOS HDTV and Blu-ray player
Sharp has added another size to its range of D65 high definition LCD TVs. The 46 inch version, the largest yet released, features a full 1080p panel, 20,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, 450cd/m2 brightness, and a reasonable 6ms response time.
Three HDMI inputs will enable you to connect up all your high-def gear, and there’s a built-in Freeview digital tuner plus two SCART ports for connecting other equipment and a USB slot for memory sticks or cameras.
Featuring two 10W speakers, the set shouldn’t embarrass itself if you don’t plan on hooking it up to an audio system. Sound features include automatic volume control and clear voice technology…
Thanksgiving Tech Trumpet: Computer SSB
Yes, it’s that time of year when Americans take a bit of time out and give thanks for… well, things.
In honour of that, here’s a special Tech Trumpet – a computerised version of the Star Spangled Banner.
You wouldn’t expect me just to play the tune without modifying it though, would you?
Course not, which is just as well, because this is a very special version of the song…
Nimbuzz mobile IM/VoIP client makes it to the iPhone
Good news for iPhone users who have been waiting to use the Nimbuzz mobile instant messaging and VoIP client — it’s finally available to download for free.
It offers free voice calling over a Wi-Fi connection to users on Skype, Yahoo! Messenger, Windows Live Messenger and Google Talk, among others, as well as instant messaging to a whole host of other services…
Bad eyes or missing equipment? One in five Americans can't tell HD from SD
One in five Americans can’t tell the difference between high definition and standard definition TV according to a recent piece of research.
In fact, that’s probably a little misleading. More people probably would be able to tell the difference if they were shown a standard definition broadcast and a high definition broadcast (or, better yet, a Blu-ray film) side-by-side. What’s actually happening is that viewers aren’t sure when they’re watching normal TV and when they’re viewing higher resolution TV.
There are likely many reasons for this problem…
