Filed under: CES, Displays, Wearables

Just as expected, Lumus-Optical is all set to showcase its microdisplay-packin' spectacles at CES, and while it doesn't seem that the technology has changed since we first heard of them, we've now got a slew of photographs to go by. Apparently, the glasses will boast twin microdisplays and an ultra-thin LOE lens, which can purportedly immerse the wearer by creating the effect of viewing a 60-inch screen from ten feet away. Also of note, the company claims that unlike gaudy alternatives, these won't make you look like a complete tool, but judging by the image above, we aren't so sure that's entirely accurate.

Read - Press release [PDF]
Read - Photos

Continue reading Lumus-Optical's LOE-based glasses get pictured

 

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The above photo was snapped on the final day in the life of the Astor Place Barnes & Noble in New York City.

The photographer suggests, "For the new year, fellow bibliophiles, let's resolve not to defile our remaining bookstores in this way."

Indeed. If you've never lived or worked New York City trust me when I say that rather than move here out of curiosity, you can simply look at this photo and know exactly what it is like.

B&N: A Sorid Epitath [BlogChelsea via Racked]
(Photo:BlogChelsea)

In a stunning bout of honesty, Adobe's licensing subsystem would like you to know that it has managed to fail "catastrophically."

The poor human who caused this error writes:

Adobe pushed out an upgrade of its Creative Suite. I installed it, as prompted. This is what happens when I try to run any element of the Suite after the install.

Click on the modal dialog box and the program closes. For extra redundancy, there's a second error message that reads "licensing for this product has stopped working." But I am impressed that I wasn't merely able to get the programs to fail, but that I got them to fail "catastrophically."

Adobe Creative Suite fails "catastrophically" thanks to DRM [BoingBoing]

Hey, guess what? Xbox Live is sorta puking again (maybe due to Windows Live Data Authentication says the Pirate King) after briefly recovering from its holiday cold. Nasty weather to blame for the long illness? Nope, rumor has it greasy hackers are the reason I've had problems getting online to snipe your face off in Team Fortress 2 lately.

Primotech says that according to a "source close to Microsoft," Live was brought to its sputtering, coughing state by some assface(s) launching a systematic denial-of-service attack. Of course, no confirmation from Microsoft—or any details about the cause of the outage—but the whole ignorance-is-bliss-for-users approach is apparently funneling some flames into Major Nelson's earbox, so hopefully they'll give us some real info soon.

We've got other entertainment options, like Rock Band all by our lonesome, so we're not too cheesed, but that late stocking stuffer should smooth over any lingering resentment. [Primotech via Kotaku]

The New York Times highlights the invisible and elusive ingredient found in all cooking, heat, and discusses the finer points of using heat to efficiently get the results we want. The article is full of cooking nuggets of wisdom, like how to quickly bring a pot of water to the boil. ("With the lid on, it will start bubbling in as little as half the time.") The article also tackles different methods for cooking the perfect pasta or a flawless slab of meat with several different methods that are certain to help out in the kitchen or at the grill. If you're an expert at cooking with heat, let's hear your favorite tips in the comments. Photo by tanakawho.

Filed under: Home Entertainment

Don't act surprised -- you knew good and well this thing was a-comin', and it seems launch day has finally arrived. Highlighted now on the firm's website, the TV+ DVR still rocks that WiFi goodness we knew would be included, with options for an 80GB or 250GB hard drive and the ability to schedule, record and stream content at will. Additionally, you can sync your recorded shows with your Archos PMP, flip through songs / photos and even view PDFs. You know by now if this one is still lingering on your must-have list, and if so, you can snag one for $229 (80GB) or $349 (250GB).

 

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Filed under: CES, HDTV, Peripherals

We've seen Gefen get all riled up and unleash a barrage of new kit all at once, and sure enough, the outfit is doing just that once more. For starters, we've got the TV Switcher, which enables consumers to connect and access four HDMI sources from a single HDTV. Next up is the TV Splitter, which allows users to channel a single HDMI source to four displays -- and yeah, both of the aforementioned units play nice with HDMI v1.3a. Moving right along, we've got a pair of updates to the PVR lineup; the HD PVR records in MPEG4 and can store material on the 80GB HDD or an SD card, while the SD PVR records content onto USB storage devices. Over on the sound side, the Gefen TV Audio Processor takes a single HDMI source and delivers it to a display and an external audio receiver; furthermore, it reportedly "decodes the HDMI signal to provide an audio signal along with six discrete RCA connectors." Lastly, the firm is doling out v1.3 / Simplay HD-certified HDMI cables in 6-, 10- and 15-foot lengths, but unfortunately, it didn't bother handing out price tags for any of the goods here.

 

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OLPC should be snagging mad coverage over at Valleywag, they're generating tabloid headlines like it's their mission lately (so tame!). The latest: After joining OLPC following its bitch fight with OLPC founder Nicholas Negroponte over its Classmate competitor, Intel is now out the door. And it's apparently because Negroponte has some deep-seeded jealousy issues.

According to Intel, not only did Negroponte persist in his demand that they stop selling the Classmate—part of the horde sacking the shit out of OLPC's Rome all over the world—he insisted Intel stop working with any company that makes cheap notebooks, like Asus. That's a bit much. What happened to laptops and love for the childrens?

If it really went down this way, OLPC is in much worse shape than we thought. We eagerly await their back-biting response. [CNET]

Weblog Hackosis details a smart hack for finding an internet browser in Windows XP in the face of extreme IT lockdown—where Internet Explorer is blocked and Firefox is an out-of-the-question extravagance. The method? Simply use the browser built into the XP default help app. For example, just open up an app like Calculator, hit F1 or go to Help -> Help Topics, then right-click the title bar and select "Jump to URL..." Then it's simply a matter of entering the URL you want to visit. It may not work in extreme cases of IT lockdown, but it's worth a try if you're desperate. While you're at it, here are a few more methods to survive IT lockdown.

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30 years ago Hawaii completed a runway project that satisfied both the demand for transportation and travel while maintaining the ecological treasures that Hawaiians revere. (PRWeb Jan 3, 2008) Post Comment:Trackback URL: http://www.prweb.com/pingpr.php/RmFsdS1NYWduLUhvcnItU2luZy1Mb3ZlLVplcm8=

Filed under: CES, Displays

Well, at least we didn't have to wait long. After a bit of a premature showing on Dell's website in the AM, the Crystal is back for realsies. Obviously the notable thing here is the design statement Dell is making with all that glass and metal -- these days it's almost like they've started paying their designers or something -- but the good news is that beauty isn't only skin deep here, since this 22-inch LCD has a 1680 x 1050 resolution, 98% color gamut, 2ms response time, 2000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, and a built-in 2 megapixel webcam. There are also built-in speakers, and fancy touch controls across the base of the monitor, all wired along the glass with style. Connections include DVI and HDMI with HDCP and DisplayPort. Perhaps the best news is that you don't have to wait until CES to pick this thing up: it's available now for $1,199.

[Via Direct2Dell]

 

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