Windows XP Coming to OLPC XO

Filed under: Hardware, Laptops, Software

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Rumor has it that everyone’s favorite OS is making its way to the OLPC XO this year. According to reports, testing is to begin in June to determine if Windows XP is a viable solution for XO laptops. If all goes well, you could be picking up an XO laptop by September.

The existing OS, Sugar Linux, will not be wiped out of the picture anytime soon, much to Microsoft’s dismay. A dual-boot solution will be created and buyers will be able to choose which operating system they’d prefer. I feel that putting XP on these laptops is a great idea. Plus, if you don’t want to use Vista yet, this is about the only computer you’ll get with XP still installed on it.

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Disney’s “Sleeping Beauty” For Blu-Ray Changes the Way We Watch Movies

Filed under: Internet, Software

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Coming in October, Disney plans to release “Sleeping Beauty” on Blu-Ray disc with some remarkably exclusive features thanks to the rise of BD-Live, the internet-based feature which offers a variety of Web-enabled features. From the article:

…viewers will be able to pop “Sleeping Beauty” into their Blu-ray Disc player and get a customized version of the famed Sleeping Beauty castle that serves as a backdrop for the menu. The sky behind the castle will reflect the weather in their hometown, whether it’s a blizzard in Cleveland or a balmy day in San Diego.

It’s more or less an Xbox-live with some Sony snaz thrown in exclusively for Blu-Ray discs and Blu-Ray players. Ironically the only Blu-Ray player on the market supporting such a feature is Sony’s PS3. So, if you shelled out loads of cash for a top-notch Blu-Ray player and held off on a top-notch gaming system with no-notch games, you’ll be missing out, for now.

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N5 DS Card Reader Now Available

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For those not familiar with the storage device known as N5 let me be the first to tell you: it’s illegal to use this device for downloading Nintendo DS games off the ‘net. Of course, that doesn’t mean you won’t do it. 100-percent of the gamers interested in purchasing the N5 or it’s predecessor the R4 have every intention of downloading a slew of DS games. It’s pretty much its only use aside from loading up shitty Robert Palmer MP3s.

It does have the capability of storing other data types, after all it has a card slot for Micro SD and supports FAT16 or FAT32 filesystems. Don’t be worried about online or multi-card play either, as the N5 supports it so finding people to play against shouldn’t be hard if you grab the Metro-Wardrive with it. A one time fee of 70 bucks only to have access to every DS game in existence? What a steal. Literally.

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Circuit Bending with the Atari 2600 Synthcart

Filed under: DIYs, Gaming, Hacks, Science, Software


There’s nothing I love more than making good electronic music from classic video game consoles. This video is a great example of someone using circuit bending techniques to generate sounds from an old Atari 2600. Using Paul Siocum’s Synthcart, the user is able to create original pieces using the 2600’s built-in sound chips.

Nothing beats the DIY instrument movement. If you have an 2600 collecting dust in your home, you should seriously consider getting yourself a Synthcart. At $25, it’s a dirt-cheap investment that will allow you to get started at creating your own chiptunes. The author even offers a downloadable ROM for free in case you want to try before your buy.

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Microsoft’s Surface Goes Vertical With TouchWall

Filed under: Hardware, Software

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TouchWall, a prototype device currently in development by Microsoft Research and Office Labs is a lot like Microsoft Surface, the tabletop computer with multi touch capabilities, except now it hangs from your wall. Some basic uses of TouchWall include dragging, scrolling, enlarging documents as well as viewing photos and videos.

At the CEO Summit, Bill Gates is expected to talk about his ideas on the future of user interface technology and will demonstrate TouchWall and its many practical uses, from giving simple, elegant business presentations to games like Missile Command.

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Rotary-Style iPhone

Filed under: Cellphones, Software

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Jailbreaking your iPhone is the norm nowadays. I’m pretty sure no one with an iPhone would be caught dead without some sort of third-party application installed. If you’re a fan of keeping it simple or kicking it old school, check out iDial, a rotary phone application for Apple’s Jesus Phone.

Add it to your iPhone and you’ll be able to relive the 1950s all over again. Dial a 4 with an exhilarating swipe of a finger. Fun. Just don’t try dialing whilst riding your bicycle.

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Incoming! Missiles From the Ceiling

Filed under: Design, Displays, Gaming, Software


The Atari 1980 masterpiece Missile Command is given a whole new take on interactive gaming thanks to Steven Mason. Steve wrote the clone for the multi-touch wall at Obscure Digital. It’s the same classic game, except you touch to shoot defending projectiles at incoming missiles. This adds a new element of game play and also gets your lazy ass off the couch. Chances are it’ll have you frantically slapping your hands against a wall for both exercise and entertainment.

We’ve seen this sort of technology before, even some with some newer games like Warcraft 3, but a classic such as Missile Command gives us a retro game with a fresh take on gameplay. I don’t see this kind of technology boosting the gaming industry’s innovation anymore than the Wii (a modern-day power glove), but seeing old Atari classics brought to life again makes me nostalgic.

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Essential Guitar Tools and Software Roundup

Filed under: Internet, Software

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The fine people over at MakeUseOf.com have compiled a list of essential guitar tools that will suit any master of the axe well. The roundup includes guitar tab sites, tab editors and organizers and scale programs. All of these tools are great ways to help you improve your playing and learn new techniques. Guitar programs such as Guitar Rig, GarageBand and Logic Express can all add new sounds to your playing and are usually available in demo form from the manufacturer’s website.

Remember, make sure the guitar you’re playing on is of reasonable size.

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Jessica Rabbit “Untooned” Video Surfaces


Perhaps you popped a hard one last week browsing the Internet. Maybe it was because you’re into leather, maybe you saw Tera Patrick blowing Peter North or perhaps you were one of the many geeks who saw a Photoshopped picture of Jessica Rabbit turned into a human.

Now, thanks to the wonder of video capture, you can see how the man behind the transformation put her together. It’s only the first hour of work crammed into a ten minute video but it’s well worth the watch. Turns out her face was reconstructed from part Angelina Jolie, part Allison Hannigan and Andrew’s mustache. Oh my…

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A Sweet Way to Task Manager

Filed under: Design, Misc. Gadgets, Software

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The only people I know that enjoy black licorice had seven root canals last year. That aside, for the few who do enjoy the taste that black licorice has to offer and are really into the computer thing, there’s the Control+Alt+Delete licorice from the fine folks at CtrlAltDel.org.

The bold taste of black licorice coupled with the three-fingered salute!? Genius! With Fathers Day coming up, this is a tasteful way to remind your dad to get you that new FragBox you’ve been eying.

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