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Unless you live in a very large city and rely solely on your public transportation (or your own two feet) to get you everywhere, there’s a good chance you’ll be buying a car sometime in the future. Unless you’re buying a brand-spanking new car, there are certain things you need to look at to make sure you aren’t getting a lemon. One thing that helps to know is if the car has its original paint job. If the vehicle is newer and has been repainted, it’s very likely that there has been some damage (and thus repair) to the car that you haven’t been told about. Here’s a handy little device that will let you know the status of the paint job.

This little keychain can quickly measure irregularities in the paint, which are tell-tale signs of a repair or fresh coat of paint. Knowing this information can help you to make a more informed decision when purchasing a used vehicle. You can also use the info to negotiate a lower purchase price. Not bad for a $20 gadget.

Source: RedFerret

This comic from Sheldon is EXACTLY why I’m not excited about the Amazon Kindle:

Sheldon: The Amazon Kindle

It reads:

Book-Lovers! Are you tired of printed books? Tired of using a battery-free data storage-and-retrieval system that works perfectly every time you pick it up?

No.

Wouldn’t you prefer to read books on a device that looks and feels like your first graphing calculator?

No.

And what if that same device could also surf the web? Wouldn’t that be awesome?

Wouldn’t I just use a laptop and surf faster and easier?

The “Amazon Kindle” …the answer to the question you weren’t asking!

And of course, there was a response strip from Jeff Bezos:

• Sheldon: Jeff Bezos Kindle Response Strip

Matt Strebe reviewed the Amazon Kindle and the Sony eReader here:

• gadgets Page » Amazon Kindle vs. Sony Reader SMACKDOWN

The ONLY advantage I can see for these gadgets is for university or high school students. Being able to carry ALL of your text books in one, slim gadget is really appealing when you’re your books for each one class weigh eight pounds apiece. Other than that, paper is really a better option.

by Donald Melanson, posted Apr 22nd 2008 at 4:37PM It’s far from the only strength-boosting exoskeleton out there, but Honda’s so-called “walking assist device” is one of the few that you can actually take for a test spin — if you happen to be attending the Barrier Free 2008 trade show in Osaka, Japan next week, that is. Apparently employing some of the same technology developed by Honda for its ASIMO robot, the walking assistant is able to obtain information from hip angle sensors to help keep its wearer upright, with the device’s motors also able to increase the wearer’s natural stride. That, Honda says, should make the device ideal for the elderly or those with weakened leg muscles, although we’re sure they could find at least a few other buyers if it ever actually hits the market at a reasonable price.

[Via Autoblog]

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Filed under: Wearables

After it’s troubles became public back in January, games publisher SCi, who released games under the Eidos label, has been looking for a way out ever since. This week it has confirmed it is looking for a sale, with the following statement released on the company’s website:

The Board of SCI notes the recent speculation about an equity issue and confirms that it is considering a placing and open offer in the near future. This fund raising will be to raise the working capital the Company indicated it required at the time of its interim results on 29 February.

Two offers seem to be on the table from Time Warner and NBC Universal. Time Warner already has a 10% share in SCi and would be looking to increase that, maybe even to a controlling stake? NBC Universal on the other hand could become a significant minority stakeholder in return for the funds the company needs.

It is thought SCI needs in the region of US$90-110 million in order to continue operations. That is due to the losses it has incurred and delays to major titles, which were brought to light in January.

SCi has a significant IP library on which to call when considering new games to bring in money (Tomb Raider, Hitman, Conflict Global Storm, Championship Manager). With the right backing and injection of cash there is no reason it can’t be a top-tier publisher once more. Hopefully, whichever bidder is successful will bring that much needed kick to get them going again.

Read more at the Times Online

Nokia’s new 5320 XpressMusic cell phone is yet another audio-centric handset from the Finnish manufacturer, but it has one very outstanding feature - the ‘Say and Play’ function that is actually voice-controlled music playback. All you need to do is speak (legibly) the name of the artist and track, and it will automatically skip to that particular track. Other features include :-

* 24 hours playback time
* Dedicated audio playback chip
* S60 Operating System
* microSD memory card slot
* HSDPA connectivity

The 5320 XpressMusic is tipped to ship in Q3 this year for 220 Euros prior to taxes and subsidies.
[Source]

Kingston has introduced one of its most secured data storage device yet with the new DataTraveler BlackBox (DTBB). We’re finally talking about real data security here with a 256-bit hardware-based AES encryption that automatically locks itself after ten unsuccessful password attempts. Even the US Government was excited about the DataTraveler BlackBox, so much so, that it has given it an FIPS certification. FIPS certification is given to data devices which have passed the Federal standard for data management and security.

Going back to the USB drive itself, we learned that it comes in 2GB, 4GB or 8GB storage capacities and retail for $165, $242, and $424 respectively. While the DataTraveler BlackBox is more expensive than your standard USB flash drive, its not a bad price to pay for ensuring that your personal data security will not be breached.

Read [DTBB Demo] Via [Crunch Gear]

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We have been seeing OLED displays from both Sony with their 11-inch Sony XEL-1, and Samsung’s 14 and 32-inch offerings from this years CES, but no idea with regards to production dates on the medium to large sizes. Samsung’s VP Marketing are now saying that medium and large OLED displays for monitors, HDTVs and laptops should appear on the market in 2009 and 2010.

Samsung are expected to boost production capacity to 3 million OLED displays in 2009, doubling their current) and reaching six million in 2010. This large output will bring down production costs in 2009, so people should be able to afford them. 1080p OLED HDTVs should be in very high demand as they are impossiablly thin and the specification are great with an amazing image.

Press post

It looks like a 10-inch version of the Asus Eee PC will be coming our way later this year. None other than Asustek CEO Jerry Shen stated they are already working on a new Eee PC with a larger display.

“The feedback we’ve received from users has been great. Many have asked us for bigger screens and better usability. That’s what made us start developing the Eee PC 900. People are asking for bigger keypads and more software as well, issues the company continues to work on,” said Mr. Shen.

Shen also said that Asustek will probably stop upgrading the display screen of the Eee PC after they have released the 10-inch version, and that any display bigger than 10-inches shall no longer be called an Eee PC. I couldn’t help but agree more with Mr. Shen, actually the 9-inch screen would have been enough. But we have to understand Asus for trying to milk the Eee PC for some more dough, a larger screen would certainly attract more sales into the Eee PC product line. Mr. Shen did not give an exact release date or any pricing details for the 10-inch Eee PC, but alluded that the new Eee PC will probably come with a bigger keypad and more software.

Read [PC World]

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Looking for something to listen to? Joel “The King Geek of all Media” Evans appeared on a syndicated radio morning show today to talk tech. The Cleveland-based show, Rover’s Morning Glory, has a weekly spot called “Tech Tuesday” where an expert comes on and answers a few questions.

Joel was really grilled by a few callers who completely skipped his main focus (mobility) and instead were asking about memory, networking the PS3, virtualization, and more. The show sounds like a lot of fun but still has some good information, so if you have a few minutes, check it out. Joel also appeared on Tech Talk Radio a few months back.

You can listen to the file directly right from here (MP3) or save it and listen later.

eBay will be shutting down its live auction service by the end of 2008. The move is part of eBay’s latest move to try and recreate its own business model. For those who are not familiar with eBay Live Auctions, the service is similar to your traditional auctions but the Live Auctions last until there are no longer any people bidding for the item. Unlike eBay’s regular online auction which has a set time frame before the auction expires. Winning bidders also paid a premium of 12.5 or 15-percent based on the final bid. The decision to shut down Live Auctions was announced amidst the cry of several hundreds of eBay sellers who participate in the Live Auctions. Well, at least they can always go back to putting their items up for bid at eBay’s regular online auction service.

Via [The Register]

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