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Filed under: Robots

Although Pleo’s only been out for about six months, UGOBE opened up shop at PleoWorld about a year ago, and to celebrate they’re selling the robo-dino-pets at over $100 off the regular $350 price tag. The promo goes on until July 11th, and apparently all you need to do is pop in a promo code (PLEOWORLDISONE) and you’ll get yours for a cool $235, which is an especially great deal if your intention is only to slaughter it.

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Original post by Ryan Block

Filed under: Cellphones

We’ll be frank — we really have no idea what Samsung’s getting at with its freshest Soul promotional video, but it’s certainly a fine piece of eye candy if nothing else. Put simply, the video shows a maniac darting about demonstrating ten optical illusions in just over two minutes, and in case you couldn’t guess, the Soul is saved for last. Should we have prefaced that bit with a spoiler warning? Too bad — vid’s still waiting after the jump if you’re interested, though.

[Thanks, Joel]

Continue reading Samsung Soul promo video shows 10 optical illusions in 136 seconds

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Original post by Darren Murph

Griffin, maker of all things iPod has just announced (2 days ago) the new FlexGrip and FlexScreen cases for iPod. They’ve also released a new Screen Care Kit for iPod touch. The full info below and somehow I feel I’ve seen this type of casings before but I can’t feel that out yet.

FlexGrip
FlexGrip provides the ultimate in silicone protection for iPod nano and iPod touch against dirt, dings, dents and scratches. The two-color case is smooth on top with a textured, nubby rear surface for easy grip. It goes on easily and allows full access to the screen, connectors, and controls. FlexGrip for iPod touch includes a static peel touchscreen protector and cleaning cloth.

FlexScreen for iPod nano
FlexScreen features the same textured back as FlexGrip and adds a crystal-clear, scratch-resistant polycarbonate face shield. This incredibly durable shield easily snaps onto the outside of the case for added protection.

Screen Care Kit for iPod touch
Griffin’s new Screen Care Kit for iPod touch includes five static peel screen protectors, and a premium lint-free cleaning cloth to remove smudges, dust, and fingerprints. Cleaning and care instructions are included, making this kit a necessity for the iPod touch user who wants to preserve the screen from damage.

Tags: FlexScreen and Screen Care Kit for iPod touch, Griffin FlexGrip

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Original post by colbert low

Filed under: Displays, HDTV

Pioneer and Matsushita (Panasonic) have finally hammered out the basics of a deal that will allow the latter to supply panels for future Kuro plasma displays, and plasma HDTV fans to breathe easy again. Pending a final agreement in May, dollars and cents remain undisclosed, but we can expect a fusion of Panasonic’s current “Neo PDP” technology from its Viera line when they begin production May 2009 in Amagasaki before hitting shelves in the fall. Kuro will still be maintained as a premium brand (with a premium price) with different image processing, while both companies plan to keep working together on reducing power consumption and the infinite black level plasma. Pioneer still plans future Kuro LCD HDTVs based on panels from Sharp,but it’ll also apparently have access to IPS technology from Panasonic’s tie-up with Canon and Hitachi. See? We told you it’d be okay.

[Via AV Watch]

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Original post by Richard Lawler

Filed under: HDTV

Hitachi has been touting its slim, UWB-packin Wooo UT series LCD TVs for some time now, but it looks like the company has now finally gotten around to dishing them out, and it’s thrown in a few other new models for good measure. On the UT series front, the sets are the same 32-, 37- and 42-inch models we’ve seen before, with each boasting a 250GB hard drive, and a so-called iVDR port to accommodate Hitachi’s iVDR hard drive cartridges for further expansion, with that aforementioned use of UWB helping to keep the thickness down about 1.4 inches. If you don’t need your TVs quite that thin, you can opt for one of Hitachi’s new Wooo XV LCD sets, also available in 32-, 36 -and 42-inch varieties (1366×768 and 1920×1080), which drop the UWB and internal hard drive but hang onto the iVDR port. Those that prefer plamsas can also take their pick of Hiatchi’s new 50- or 42-inch Wooo 02 series sets, both of which also boast an iVDR port, although only the 50-incher packs a 250GB internal hard drive (no UWB on these either). As if that wasn’t enough, Hitachi also took the opportunity to announce its new Wooonet service for its UT series sets, which will not only let you transfer video from a PC to the TV, but give you access to a video on demand portal as well. No word on prices, but they’re apparently all available in Japan now.

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Original post by Donald Melanson

Filed under: Cellphones, Displays

We kid you not. Panasonic is working on a new low-voltage (1.5v) plasma technology which it says will rival OLED displays in brightness, thinness, and contrast. Better yet, Panasonic claims that its plasmas can be manufactured for “much less money” than OLEDs. Panny already has plans to include their new plasma displays in cellphones for use with AT&T’s Mobile TV service, gas pumps, ATMs, and on HP printers under a new exclusive two-year deal. Color us impressed if the new displays look anything like the 3.5-inch, 854 x 480 pixel Viera phone instead of that anemic looking phone pictured above which accompanied the press release.

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Original post by Thomas Ricker

Filed under: Gaming, Peripherals

Over a year (yeah, really) after this thing was originally announced, Nyko has finally slid the final piece in place in order to offer up the rumbling, bumbling Zero Wireless PS3 controller to end users. Granted, the version hitting shelves as we speak does include rumble, but since you’ve waited this long, you’re probably better off getting the real deal when it lands in April — for $5 less. Still, those who actually prefer 3rd party kit can look forward to being $59.99 poorer and receiving 25 hours of play on a full charge, LED-backlit buttons, “heat-dissipating aluminum panels (saywha?),” and your choice of black, white or silver.

[Via Joystiq]

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Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: Cellphones

It’s hardly been a secret that Helio was causing some problems for Earthlink, but the company’s CEO has just now weighed in himself on the matter, offering some comments on the situation and Helio’s now former CEO Sky Dayton in one of those always exciting earnings calls. As mocoNews reports, Earthlink’s Rolla Huff says the company “made hard decisions around getting our cost structure down,” including the “very difficult decision…to not continue making incremental investments in Helio.” Huff apparently laid none on the blame on Helio’s Sky Dayton, however, saying simply that “Sky has a history of creating and building strong brands and he’s done a great job at that with Helio,” and that they “very much appreciate his willingness to be involved in getting Helio to this point in its life cycle.” Of course, that was hardly the entire purpose of the call, and those concerned with the nitty gritty of earnings details can get their fix by hitting up the read link below.

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Original post by Donald Melanson

Filed under: Laptops

You. Yes, you. Someone knows your darkest fears, your deepest regrets, your most painful memories… and they know they’re all related to your power cord being yanked violently out of your laptop. Well thankfully, that someone has taken the law into their own hands, and is attempting to halt further infractions against your personage and / or computers. Enter the JerkStopper: a tough, tempered steel device that cannot be cut or broken… wait, it also keeps your cord in place. Apparently, all you needed to do was fasten the thing into an innocent USB, RJ11, or RJ45 port, and clamp it down with metal teeth. Sure, you won’t get that annoying spark anymore when your power cord wiggles, but you might dislodge a USB jack from its rightful home. Hey — that’s the chance you take when you play with the JerkStopper.

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Original post by Joshua Topolsky

Filed under: CES, GPS

Ah, the wonderful world of personal GPS trackers. Upon gazing at the i-Tracker, visions of Cheaters arise in our minds, but we’ll try to keep the nostalgia at a minimum here. Transystem’s latest — which was proudly displayed at CES — reportedly houses both a GPS and GSM module which enables it to transmit tracking information to one’s PC or mobile in real-time. As expected, it can be controlled with a predetermined handset or internet-connected PC, and there’s even an SOS button that instantly beams out one’s current location. Mum’s the word on pricing / availability, but make sure you clear that history after scouring the net in search of one.

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Original post by Darren Murph

An anonymous reader writes “Back in 2004, Slashdot posted about computer solitaire being patented. It was a ridiculous patent and made it onto the EFF’s list of worst patents. However, not much had been heard about that patent until now. It turns out that the patent holder, Sheldon Goldberg, is now using that patent to sue a bunch of different online publications, including Digg, eBaum’s World, the NY Times, Cnet and the Washington Post. He’s also suing Google, Yahoo and AOL (why not?).”

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Original post by ScuttleMonkey

Panaqqa writes “It’s taken some time, but the EFF’s Patent Busting Project is making progress. In the latest news, the USPTO has now officially rejected one of the 10 awful patents targeted, making the world safe again for administering tests over the Internet. This joins the reexamination of a patent on automated remote access of a computer over a network and the revocation of a patent on recording live performances to CD as notable successes for the EFF.”

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Original post by Zonk

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless

In the latest major twist in this epic battle between wireless chipmakers, a US District Judge has slapped a permanent injunction on any products containing those Qualcomm 3G chips ruled to be infringing on Broadcom’s so-called ‘686 patents. Not only can Qualcomm no longer offer infringing devices nor the chips themselves in the US, the retroactive nature of the ruling means that the company can’t even provide service or technical support for ‘686 products already on the market. At this point, with a voluntary licensing agreement seemingly off the table, the next move for Qualcomm is establishing a plan of action to show Judge James Selna how it plans to redesign its products into compliance. [Warning: PDF link]

[Via Reuters]

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Original post by Evan Blass

theodp writes “After USPTO Examiner Mark A. Fadok rejected Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos’ 1-Click Patent claims as ‘old and obvious,’ Amazon canceled and refiled its 1-Click claims in a continuation application as it requested an Oral Appeal, a move that smacked of a good old-fashioned stalling tactic. But the move may have backfired, as Fadok has just completed his review of the continuation app and concluded that all of the refiled 1-Click claims should be rejected, providing explanations of why the Board of Patent Appeals was wrong to reverse his earlier decision after listening to Amazon’s lawyers in September. In October, USPTO Examiner Matthew C. Graham rejected most of the 1-Click claims as part of the reexam requested by LOTR actor Peter Calveley, a decision that attorneys for Amazon are currently trying to work around with some creative wordsmithing. Can’t see how all of this means ‘less work for the overworked Patent and Trademark Office.’”

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Original post by timothy

Rudd-O writes “It’s official. Ogg technology has been removed from the HTML5 spec, after Ian caved in the face of pressure from Apple and Nokia. Unless massive pressure is exerted on the HTML5 spec editing process, the Web authoring world will continue to endure our modern proprietary Tower of Babel. Note that HTML5 in no way required Ogg (as denoted by the word ’should’ instead of ‘must’ in the earlier draft). Adding this to the fact that there are widely available patent-free implementations of Ogg technology, there is really no excuse for Apple and Nokia to say that they couldn’t in good faith implement HTML5 as previously formulated.”

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Original post by Zonk