Developages - Development and Technology Blog

Filed under: Gaming

It looks like a recent PlayStation 3 theft took a few more twists and turns than your garden variety console heist, with not one but two individuals finding themselves finding themselves short a PS3 before all is said and done, and one of ‘em eventually winding up with an unwanted Xbox 360. Our story picks up when one Dustin Waller gets a used PS3 as a gift and goes about using it, unknowingly, under the previous owners PlayStation Network ID. As luck would have it, that “used” PS3 was actually stolen, and after a month of good times, the police showed up at his door and took the console away. Apparently, they used Waller’s IP address to track down his location, which we assume means Sony was also involved, although that tidbit’s not exactly clear. But that’s not all, when Waller went back to the 3-D Games store that the PS3 was purchased at to get a refund, they refused him, and would only give him an Xbox 360 in return, which Waller complains “isn’t nearly as expensive or sophisticated as the PlayStation.”

[Via PS3 Fanboy]

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Original post by Donald Melanson

Filed under: Desktops

Certainly, we’ve seen compartmentalized computing concepts before, but the machine you see above is far beyond a few lines on paper. This modular PC was designed with Mother Earth in mind, and from our view, design graduate Ben Chase should be receiving a copious amount of hugs from trees all around. The sustainable PC runs Windows, consumes just 27-watts of power and has “upgradable components that slide out without the need for tools.” According to Mr. Chase, he has crafted a 95% working prototype, and though we doubt any of the big boys have contacted this bloke about taking things mainstream, that probably wouldn’t be a bad idea on their part.

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Original post by Darren Murph

The XM-Sirius merger took another hit Thursday when two top House Democrats urged the FCC to impose consumer protection standards on the deal if the commission chooses to approve it.

“It is essential that, if the FCC approves this merger, it ensures there are appropriate safeguards in place to protect consumers,” chairman John Dingell of Michigan, said in a statement.

“It should allow any manufacturer to offer devices that are compatible with the newly-formed company’s satellite radio service,” Dingell continued. “Just as consumers should be permitted to bring non-harmful compatible devices to wireless networks, they should have the opportunity to bring their choice of devices to the service of the newly-formed company created by this merger.”

“As the FCC evaluates the proposed XM-Sirius merger, they must remember their mandate to consider consumer welfare and protect the public interest,” said Rep. Edward Markey, chairman of the Internet and telecom subcommittee.

XM and Sirius announced in February 2007 that they would merge in a stock swap worth $13 billion, including net debt of $1.6 billion.

The Department of Justice approved the XM-Sirius merger in March ruling that the combined company will not substantially lessen competition or harm consumers, but the deal must now be approved by the FCC.

Dingell and Markey also asked the FCC to make sure XM and Sirius adhere to the price constraints they have already submitted to the commission.

Sen. Byron Dorgan, a North Dakota Democrat and a member of the Senate Commerce Committee, urged the FCC last month to block the deal entirely. The DOJ decision was illogical, and a combined XM-Sirius would be contrary to the public interest, Dorgan wrote in a letter to the FCC.

Original post by Chloe Albanesius

Three Logitech music players — the Logitech Squeezebox Duet, the Logitech Squeezebox, and the Logitech Transporter — will now be able to access over 80 channels of Sirius satellite radio via a software upgrade that Logitech will make available at some point in the future.

Subscribers will be able to hear commercial-free music channels, plus Howard Stern, Martha Stewart Living Radio, COSMO Radio, MAXIM Radio, Playboy Radio, non-stop NFL talk on SIRIUS NFL Radio, and four different comedy channels. There’s no word on whether a subscription is required or not; when we hear back, we’ll update the post.

Original post by Mark Hachman

While the rest of us sit in satellite-radio-merger limbo, Sirius is making hardware deals. The provider announced today that it would be bringing more than 80 of its music, talk, and entertainment channels to various Logitech hardware devices, including the Squeezebox Duet network music system, Squeezebox network music player, and Logitech Transporter network music player.

Owners of the above Logitech devices will be able to stream Sirius programming, including Howard Stern, Martha Stewart Living Radio, Cosmo Radio, Maxim Radio, Playboy Radio, and NFL Radio, over a Wi-Fi or wired connection.

“By offering content from Sirius over our Squeezebox and Transporter network music players, our customers can now experience Sirius’ streaming content on their home entertainment systems,” said Robin Selden, Logitech’s vice president and general manger of Streaming Media. “From its commercial-free music channels to its exclusive talk content, Sirius’ programming will supplement the entertainment experience offered by Logitech’s network music players. And now with our newest Squeezebox controller, music lovers can turn on Sirius from the comfort of their couch.”

The update will roll out to the devices via a software update.

Original post by Brian Heater

Filed under: GPS

Thanks to a little digging at the FCC, we knew good and well Mio had a few Moovs on the way, and it’s really no surprise that it chose CeBIT to make things official. Aside from looking incredibly sexy, the new Moovs all feature MioMore to unearth local gems and points of interests, SiRF GPS chipsets and InstantFixII for acquiring your location in a jiffy. Up first is the Moov 330 Regional (€180; $273) / 330 Europe (€230; $350), which each boast a 4.3-inch display and differ only in the expansiveness of their European maps. Next up is the €280 ($426) Moov 370 Europe, which ups the ante on the previous two by including Bluetooth and traffic information. Lastly, we’ve got the Moov 200 Regional (€150; $228) / Moov 200 Europe (€180; $273), which look to boast 3.5-inch displays and pack the same features as the 330 series. Mum’s the word on availability, but folks situated across the pond aren’t apt to miss a design like this.

[Via NaviGadget]

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Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: CES, Home Entertainment, Portable Audio

Forget iPod docks, we’re looking to dock just about every gadget we’ve got. Lucky for us, that’s seeming like more and more of a possibility, with XM’s new docks adding to the trend. Built by Audiovox, the XM Sound System and XM Compact Sound System (pictured) are $99.99 and $149.99 respectively. The Sound System has more than 18 hours of battery life to go along with its built-in XM antenna so you can bring your Radio Disney to the park … or the liquor store. The Compact Sound System is more of a tabletop device (ie: it’s agoraphobic, so best to leave it at home). Both systems come with a line-in jack for plugging an iPod or the like straight in. What, no second dock connection?

[Via Orbitcast]

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Original post by Christopher Grant

Filed under: Robots

Straight out of Japan comes the latest mobile robot to ease our daily lives while threatening our jobs, Yasukawa Electric Corporation’s SmartPal V. The 1.3-meter tall rolling bot is loaded with all the proximity, speech recognition, and object-detecting sensors we’ve come to expect from today’s modern mech, along with improved dexterity thanks to additional joints and lumbar units as compared to previous models. This latest SmartPal, which was introduced at the 2007 International Robot Exhibition, also rocks its own accessories, such as a head-mounted projector to push the world’s last remaining tour guides into early retirement.

[Via Engadget Chinese]

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Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Original post by Evan Blass