Grand Theft Auto IV Box Art: Up Close And Personal

Filed under: Gaming, Hacks

gta_iv_official-1s.jpg

XboxFamily was reportedly sent a set of dummy Grand Theft Auto IV cases from Rockstar. The photos above and below show the three different designs that were (rumored) to be sent, plus the announcement of  a fourth one still unrevealed.

Frankly, I hope these aren’t the real cases, they aren’t what I would expect from one of the most popular gamer series’ of all time. Though, we guess it’s what inside that matters. (more…)

Sneak peek at SonyEricsson’s new UIQ interface

Filed under: Cellphones, Software

uiqnew.jpg

For those who are unhappy with the current UIQ user interface employed by SonyEricsson devices, here’s a little something to look forward to. Apparently the UI will have some serious facelift. Here’s a shot snapped from a presentation somewhere, somehow, by somebody. –Sam Chan

The DIY Newton iPhone Skin

Filed under: Cellphones, DIYs, Hacks

newtphone.jpg

Some of us who grew up during the golden ages of Silicon Valley have built up a sort of nostalgia based around the old rainbow Apple logo. While this version of the log was featured on the Newton, we haven’t seen it on any Apple products since the logo was officially changed in 1998. Strangely enough, that’s when Steve Jobs started moving Apple in their current future-driven direction.

This clever iPhone mod was done by painting the device black and replacing the menu button with the classic rainbow Apple logo. We sort of like the classic look, though it’s not what Jobs had planned for the phone. Don’t misunderstand, we much rather prefer the iPhone to the massive Newton. And by the way, it’s time to check your email after the queue reaches into triple digits. — Andrew Dobrow

Link

Control Your Debt! No… This is Not A Spam Post

digital_wallet.jpg

Control Your Debt might not be the best post title for a series gadget blog (us? serious? psh). This is no spam post. In fact, this gadget is a pretty cool digital wallet which allows for multiple ways to control and moderate your budget, while resembling the sleek design of the credit card of the future.

You can monitor your accounts and track your investments while having an all-in-one internal card which allows debit and credit purchases, meaning no more cards needed. The wallet uses biometric finger print security to make sure the only person to access your account info is you. — Andrew Dobrow

Link

FCC approves 80GB Zune; We Predict It Bombs

Filed under: Portable Media

zune-80-fcc.jpg

So, Mr. Gates. It seems you want to make another go at this whole portable media thing. The FCC has approved the Zune 2 80GB model, after putting it through the usual vigorous testing for compliance with such rules as the allowed radiated emissions, and more importantly, the mandatory “doesn’t blue screen every two seconds” test.

I think it remains pretty clear where we stand on the whole Apple vs. Microsoft conflict, yet we shall wait and see what the consumers decide when the 80GB Zune is released. And just to make sure that no secrets would be revealed, Microsoft made sure that no actual photos were released for this test. Does anyone expect this thing to make a good showing? — Andrew Dobrow

Link [via]

OMG! Awesome Party Guy Vid! YouTube Halloween Costume

Filed under: DIYs, Design, Wearables

youtubecostume.jpg

We’ve seen some really cool Halloween costume ideas the last few days, including the iPhone costume and the iPod Ad costume. And look at this! We’ve actually found one not centered around an Apple product.

The “OMG! Awesome Party Guy Vid!” YouTube Costume is very clearly homemade, but isn’t a half-bad copy of the video stats section of YouTube. Though the viewers of the Party Guy vid don’t seem nearly as excited as we are. Only a 1.5 star rating. — Andrew Dobrow

Link [via]

Next-Gen Credit Card With Keypad and Display

credit-card-screen-keypad.jpg

The “Credit Card Embedded Authentication Device” is a concept creation by Innovative Card Technologies and eMue Technologies, and uses a screen and keypad for extra security (so you can spare your poor Elvis ginger-haired baby the trauma), not to mention a kick-ass new design for the credit card, though perhaps not as sleek as Jacob Palmborg’s future credit card design.

The user types in their pin on the back of the card, at which time a one time transaction pin is shown on the screen to authorize payment. The card itself will be shown off to consumers in November at the Cartes & IDentification event being held in Paris. — Andrew Dobrow

Link [via]

Bizarre: Rockstar “spazzed” at Simpsons game GTA spoof

Filed under: Gaming

 grandtheftscratcy.jpg

An EA producer was heard commenting about Rockstar’s reaction of the Grand Theft Auto spoof in the upcoming Simpsons game. The producer says that Rockstar “spazzed out like little babies” after hearing of the spoof level in the Simpsons game called “Grand Theft Scratchy”.

Rockstar reportedly forced EA games to change the name of the level, which will now be called the “Mob Rules” stage. Simpsons executive producer Matt Selman explains where the controversy began: (more…)

Russian CD Fanatics Add Discs To Their Wardrobe

Filed under: Design, Hacks, Wearables

cdwear.jpg

These guys really love their CDs. So much so, that they have made a wardrobe out of them. What looks to be CD armor, these guys have put together some gear out of recycled compact discs (might spark flames if you sit too fast on the CD chair).

I strongly suggest not wearing this out in public unless you want to be sited by Russian bullies with geek-ready fists bunched together in balls of rage. Though who am I to talk, having once walked down the street in my fake afro wig and Spanish mobster style mustache while wearing a cheap suit and sunglasses. And I’m not sure, but I think the man on the left is bearing computer cable as a weapon. — Andrew Dobrow

Link

It Sharpens Your Pencil And Then Eats Your Soul

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

doll-head-pencil-sharpener.jpg

Check out this gruesome pencil sharpener designed by artist Matthew James Taylor. This guy knows his pencils. This design is revealed in a post on his site where he describes the art (first we heard of it being an art-form) of pencil sharpening.

Though, this “Living Dead Dolls” Sadie Pencil Sharpener seems to be his favorite tool of the trade (we happen to prefer the Wooden iPod Speaker Sharpener). Does it do a great sharpening job or does it just look cool as hell? Either way, the depth this guy goes on pencil sharpening is almost too nerdy to believe. And we love every second of it. — Andrew Dobrow

Link [via]