Android phones have down away with key guard combinations. Users slide out a pattern on a nine-dot grid instead. At least one problem with this locking pattern has made the online rounds however, and nothing makes the effects more clear like a personal anecdote:

There, I had another brilliantly fatal idea: I clicked on the “forgot the unlock pattern” button which just appeared, just out of curiosity to see what would happen next. The phone asked for my Gmail account and password. I filled the requested information, but it didn’t unlock the phone; apparently this is a known Android bug that I didn’t know about. And, contrary to what I naively assumed, there was no way to get back to the unlock pattern screen. I rebooted the phone. No change, no escape.

Then it dawned on me that I was 600 kilometers away from home, for almost a full week, without all my computer tools. And I was locked out of my own phone.

Our protagonist then racked his brains and Googling skills to come up with a workaround, and luckily he had access to a Windows PC. Unfortunately, that represented 5 hours of lost time. Good thing he came up with a list that owners of Android OS devices—especially those who know how to manipulate their gadgets through a terminal—should be aware of:

1. Don’t play with or (worse) monkey-test security systems, especially when away from home
2. Set up a recovery shell for future use, to cater for possible bugs
3. Android is still a bit rough on the edges, to put it nicely
4. It’s nice to always have a real computer handy; and possibly a spare IP connection, too
5. I’m glad Android makes this kind of hacking possible, almost easy and legit.

Easy? I don’t even know what “recovery shell” means! The full story, including how the phone was made usable again, is here.

Save for jewelry, forget about wearing anything on your wrist. In the future, our nails will tell the time! At least if Watch on thumbnail TX54 ever hits retail.
As a concept, the TX54 is simply a translucent tiny timekeeping device that attaches to your fingernail. Features such as changing the color of the display text and deactivating the visuals are available, and the concept is even complete with some subtle branding!

Kontrast Blog theorizes that the TX54 is perfect for frequent flyers—New York time on the right thumb, London on the left—but I think the TX54 should have a more useful …read more

EFO was kind enough to send me their RF keyboard. The wireless PC remote provides full control over a connected PC, with a generously-sized touchpad occupying the upper half, and a QWERTY thumb board on lower. The device, less than a centimeter thick, is most likely meant for presentations and controlling media PCs.

Just plug in the USB receiver, wait for the computer to automatically load the appropriate drivers, and you have full control over that PC. Moving the mouse pointer around is a simply matter of dragging your finger on the track pad like you would on a laptop, and …read more

Action and war movies have established that night-vision renders the darkened world as green, and this is an accurate reflection of what real military operators use. So do night-vision goggles present the world as green? Here’s the quick answer: according to Nat Geo’s Helicopter Wars, in an episode featuring the HH-60 Pave Hawk, the human eye can distinguish more shades of green than any other color.
In other words, the color green was chosen because it presents a night-vision operator with the most accurate picture possible, the most perceivable. Obviously, in situations where seeing everyone else before they see you represents …read more

The beauty of CubeMe is its simply mockery of Apple’s refusal to support Flash content through the iPhone OS. As the description reads:
This extension replaces all Flash content with the ubiquitous blue cube iPhone users are accustomed to seeing. Pretend you’re on an iPad!
Follow the blue cube on Twitter – http://twitter.com/thebluecube
Please note: this extension and its developers have no affiliation with Adobe or Apple.
Known issues:
- Extension can only be disabled by accessing chrome://extensions and disabling it there.
Current version is 0.4.1, which was uploaded yesterday. Chrome users, install CubeMe on your favorite browser and starting limiting your online experience today!

Straight from Japan came the PrePeat, a printing system that could potentially change the printer industry. No ink or toner is required, just specially-formulated reusable paper. A development that was unveiled a couple of months ago, during the Eco-Products 2009 convention, the PrePeat is basically a thermal printer that can “rewrite” on the special paper a 1000 times.
Not relying on consumables will definitely reduce operating costs, but the estimated 500,000 yen price point (currently $5,605.5) may turn off customers. The resuable paper is available in lots of one-thousand, and costs 300 yen a piece ($3.36) according to the video above, …read more

Hardcore fans of The Beatles can get themselves a flash disk packed with 14 remastered hits, and 13 “mini-documentaries” featuring the influential rock band. Even better, the digital content (FLAC for the songs, and MP4 for the vids) are not just stored on your typical thumb drive, but in a specially-crafted green aluminum apple. The whole package is called The Beatles [USB].

The actual flash disk is within the apple’s stalk, while the apple’s body is distinctive decoration—and most likely would make a decent paperweight for all that Beatles paraphernalia. Here’s are more details about The Beatles [USB]:

16GB USB stick housed …read more

Remember Batman in Kingdom Come? In the graphic novel, an alternative-future and paralyzed Bruce Wayne moves around with an exoskeleton. Robotic braces allow him normal movement, all controlled like his mind.
Similar technology may become mainstream soon actually. Argo Medical Technologies in Israel is currently holding US trials for its ReWalk. That’s a exoskeleton that allows people who are paralyzed from the waist down to use their legs again. Users may not be able to control these mechanical leg supports with their minds, but the crutch-based control scheme looks pratical enough—but unfortunately requiring full upper body function as well (sorry quadriplegics).
The …read more

As additional aid to your valentine-inspired shopping, here are some discounts currently running on Dell.com. Unless otherwise noted, the promos below all end on 2/11/2010, 5:55 AM CT. WHILE SUPPLIES LAST – Save $423 on this Fully Loaded Studio XPS 8000 with 20″ Monitor only $999 after instant savings! (until supplies last)

Treat yourself to big savings on popular laptops starting at $449 after instant savings!
Studio 15 laptop with new Core i7 processor for just $899 after instant savings.
Find an Inspiron Mini 10 netbook to fit your needs starting at $249 + free 2 business day shipping!
Over $300 in savings on …read more

Buy.com has recently put up a Valentine’s Day store. While that features non-techie stuff like earrings, stuffed toys, and other mushy standbys, there are also discounts on cameras, portable media players, and the like.

Valentine’s Day Superstore at Buy.com! exp 2/14/10

Here are some gadgets available through the lovey-dovey gimmick:

Samsung NC10-13P 10.1″ Netbook – Intel Atom N270 1.6GHz, 1GB, 160GB HDD, Bluetooth, Windows XP Home (Pink) – $339.95 (expires 2/5/10)
Kingston 4GB DataTraveler 101 USB Flash Drive (Pink) – $10.49
Sungale 15″ HD LCD Digital Photo Frame – Remote Control, MP3, Holds Over 200 Pictures Internally SAVE $39.01 – $109.99
Microsoft Zune 4GB MP3 Player …read more