The Gadget Blog » Handhelds

Barnes & Noble Nook Hacked Into Web Tablet

Rico Mossesgeld — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 16:30:06 +0000

A development that will surely worry Barnes & Noble execs at best, and force the book retailer to come out with a firmware/software update at “worst”, a group of developers have managed to turn the nook e-reader into a sub-$300 web tablet—with free 3G access via B&N’s network access.

The process, which predictably violates the nook’s warranty and user agreement, first involves removing the e-reader’s internally stored 2GB microSD card. The next step requires connecting this card to a PC running Linux or Unix, editing an initialization file, and simply replacing the word “disabled” with—you guessed it—”enabled”.

However, that’s not the end of this story. As Top Tech News reports, “Users of the modified device must also find a way to download web-surfing and security Relevant Products/Services software onto the machine, as well as make these applications accessible on the device’s existing user interface.” The full details are available from the NookDevs wiki.

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Pentagon Develops Handheld version of the Beam of Pain

Rico Mossesgeld — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 16:12:56 +0000

Since 2005, US military research has worked on the Thermal Laser System (TLS), technology designed to cause enough pain to “repel individual adversaries”, but not enough to cause lethal or permanent damage. The TLS beam aims to do this by causing a burning sensation on the target’s skin.

Prototype version of Pain Beam. Courtesy USMC

The latest development? A handheld version the Pentagon hopes will end up in the hands of law enforcement officials in the US. Apparently the only kink to work out is developing an eye-safe beam, which produces the desired effect without blinding anyone unlucky enough to catch the beam straight into their own eyes.

Personally though I always find these kind of advances in pain-compliance technology scary. It’s like what Steve Wright, an analyst at UK’s Leeds Metropolitan University, says: “Persuading by pain rather than brain – through conversation – has led to push-button torture in the past. If it leaves no mark on the skin how will anyone prove it’s been abused?”

It’s the same argument Taser-critics have long asserted (save for the lack of marks on the skin): Pain-compliance technology always creates the possibility for abuse. People by nature always like doing things the easy way. I’m all for helping the police be more effective, but once that policeman having a bad day realizes that it’s easier to shock someone else into submission than talking them down, it’s a slippery slope that slides right into abuse.

What do you think? Hit the comments below.

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A Great Idea to Stop Gadget Thefts

Rico Mossesgeld — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 17:30:14 +0000

Samuel Borgese was recently featured on The New York Times, as part of a story that points out how gadget makers in the US seem less inclined to help out owners of stolen who don’t want thieves to profit. Borgese’s brilliant idea? When someone registers a second-hand gadget, the maker should send an email to the original owner, asking them to confirm that they indeed sold the gadget.

Courtesy Amazon

This idea probably won’t work for gadgets not tied to a specific service. But for items like Amazon’s Kindle, where users need to be properly registered so that they can buy books for the electronic book reader, Borgese’s solution is a definite winner. If the original owner doesn’t verify the sale, then the gadget is rendered effectively useless. And the person trying to register the gadget—potentially a thief—has left a traceable record within the system.

Granted, it’s possible that people have figured out how to load pirated books onto a Kindle, limiting this deterrent somewhat. But providing this kind of service can help gadget makers score points against those bemoaning the imposition of propriety and closed platforms onto users. “Yes, you buy books at the price we set, and we can delete books you’ve paid for (and refund you). But we will also help you catch those who steal your gadgets—or at least make it harder for them to profit from illegal enterprise.”

It’s easy to see the reasons behind the stance towards stolen gadgets of companies like Amazon. Most likely they involve legal and cost concerns. But wouldn’t an anti-theft guarantee be a great incentive to commit to a product and its corresponding service(s)?

Source

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Student Sues Amazon for Remotely Deleting 1984 From His Kindle

Rico Mossesgeld — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 10:31:32 +0000

Yes, it’s amazing that Amazon can remotely delete customers’ books, and hide behind a prompt refund.

What’s even more amazing is a student is willing to go through the trouble of suing Amazon over this (the company deleted his copy of 1984, which he needed to finish homework) to “set a precedent”. Not for money in other words, but to make the courts declare remote control of paid merchandise illegal.

I’m suddenly glad the Kindle never tempted me too much. Then again, I’ve also started worrying about my Steam games collection, which of course is subject to Valve’s control.

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Sony PSP Go Pictures, Video

Rico Mossesgeld — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 13:00:08 +0000

Introducing the Sony PSP Go: Seems Sony realized that the UMD format was effectively dead; the latest planned incarnation of the Sony PSP only accepts media through Memory Stick Micro cards and wireless downloads (via the PlayStation Network). Bad news for current UMD and normal-sized Memory Stick users.

All Images Courtesy SCEA

Yet the focus on digital delivery means that Sony was reportedly thoughtful enough to equip the PSP Go with 16GB of onboard memory. The new slide-down form factor may be something new for longtime PSP users. That’s because controlling the portable console requires the hands to be closer together—and below the Go’s 3.8″ screen. Compare that to the thumbs-on-the-side configuration that has defined every PSP model until now.

Like its predecessors, the PSP Go features WiFi, which as you may know allows wireless multiplayer gaming, access to the PlayStation Network, and limited web browsing. Unlike previous PSPs however, the Go is also Bluetooth-capable, potentially allowing data sharing with other kinds of devices, and of course setting up multiplayer games with nearby PSP Go owners.

The PSP Go will debut in North America and Europe this October 1, at a price of $249 and €249 respectively (poor Europeans!). It will hit Japan on November 1, with a 26,800 yen price.

Given the PSP’s long history with homebrewing and piracy, I wonder if Sony will still go through the trouble of attempting to lock the PSP Go against hack/mod attempts. As anyone knows though, piracy is nigh impossible to stop. In any case, here’s a video of the PSP Go in action:

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Why iPhone Kindle Won’t Kill Kindle

Rico Mossesgeld — Tue, 12 May 2009 13:00:01 +0000

So people are saying that the iPhone Kindle app, which more or less provides the same ebook reading functionality on Apple’s smartphone, will kill the Kindle. Makes sense actually. After all, why spend $360 on a gadget that can only do one thing, when you can spend roughly the same for a smartphone that multi-tasks? This argument appeals especially to die-hard fans of the Apple “experience”.

Courtesy of Amazon

At the same time however, I can tell you that reading text on a backlit display strains the eyes. The e-ink of Amazon’s Kindle, on the other hand, is easy on the optics. That’s still why a lot of us still prefer reading printed words on dead trees, even if literally all books ever written are available through the web browser; no tiring light shines from them.

Future Kindles will definitely display color, free from the limits of grays. And you can bet that development will make Amazon’s reader more attractive; who wouldn’t artificially generated color pages that are easy to read? Amazon has the luxury of concentrating on ebook research, unlike supposed future competitors like Apple who are taking a more broad research towards R&D. What do you think?

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My Thoughts on the Amazon Kindle DX

Rico Mossesgeld — Thu, 07 May 2009 13:00:02 +0000

So yes, Amazon launched yesterday a 9.7″ version of the Kindle, named the Kindle DX. I think:

Geeks would want to hear about the specs – The Kindle DX features a 9.7″ display, with a resolution of 1200 x 824 pixels, and an estimated 4.5GB (3,500 books) of internal storage. The DX is the first Kindle with an accelerometer; pages will rotate between landscape and portrait automatically depending on the device is held.

Kindle 2 vs. Kindle DX

Newspapers must be praying that the Kindle DX is a success – The Boston Globe, The New York Times, and The Washington Post must be thinking: Oh wow! A potential way to revive our dropping revenues! Could turn out to be a wise move actually. At least less trees die!

If Amazon is serious about pushing the Kindle DX as an educational device… – Then they should cut the price a bit. $489 for a gadget that can display only 16 shades of gray!? Speaking of which…

The textbook-on-a-Kindle pilot program is a good move – 50 lucky(?) students at an American university will receive 50 units to use as textbooks. Their academic performance will be compared to other students using traditional books. If this little exercise goes in favor of Amazon, they will have a strong case study to sell the Kindle DX to more clients! Specifically the educational ones.

Amazon could’ve chosen a better name. I don’t know if DX stands for anything, but any time I think of those two letters, Triple H and Shawn Michaels come to mind. How educational indeed!

That’s all I’ve got on the Kindle DX. What about you?

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Periscope Lighted Folio For Kindle 2

Rico Mossesgeld — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 19:56:15 +0000

One benefit of e-ink is the fact that shining a light on it is enough to make low-light reading possible. That’s a reality exploited by the Periscope Lighted Folio for Kindle 2, which is basically a folio (well, duh!) with space for a notepad, pens, a swiveling twin LED light, and of course, a Kindle 2. That’s all for $50.

The Periscope Lighted Folio also has space for 3 “AA” batteries, which—as claimed by maker Periscope—can power the LED light for 40 hours or more. Periscope also made sure to highlight its Folio’s magnetic lock feature, which allows the user to keep the folio folded onto itself, compacting the whole she-bang “to faciliate one-handed use”. Surely you can spend $50 more, after you’ve spent $360 on the Kindle 2 itself!

You can visit periscopelight.com for more info on where to buy.

(Image courtesy of Periscope)

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Leather Cases for the Kindle 2

Rico Mossesgeld — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 14:30:12 +0000

I bet a common objection to the Kindle 2 (or any e-book reader for that matter) is the classy feel. Something about a well-bound book seems more traditional, weighty, and significant. Maybe that’s why these leather Kindle 2 covers (available from Amazon of course) could make up for the reader’s plastic-based existence. From vendors like Cole Haan, M-edge, and Amazon itself, here’s a sample listing:

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Hearst to Launch Own eBook Reader

Rico Mossesgeld — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 10:27:00 +0000

A desperate move to shift out of a so-called dying medium? Or a savvy move taken after the innovators have hit the beachhead and suffered losses? Full story at cnn.com.

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