Man Replaces Thumb With Big Toe, Puts Gaming On Hold

James Byrne is a man used to using his hands…that’s a fancy way of saying he’s a human being that’s evolved from shark to monkey to being on facebook half the day.

But by trade Byrne is a carpenter who obviously needs his opposable thumbs to lay down the rug. But after an accident that cost him his most important finger not named the middle, he had to make a choice: be stuck as that guy who shakes four of your fingers instead of five, or replace the thumb with something else…

His big toe. Continue reading “Man Replaces Thumb With Big Toe, Puts Gaming On Hold” »

Kinect Mod Adds Voice and Motion Control to Skyrim

Despite being the fastest selling device (until the iPhone 4S), and an increasing amount of support from developers, it’s up to the modding community to figure out a way to integrate Kinect’s voice and motion controls into games that don’t officially support it.

Some aren’t waiting for Microsoft to hand out their $20,000 grant for Kinect hacks, with a ton of mods popping up in the last few months. Perhaps the most intriguing yet, YouTuber KinectFAAST has posted (via Destructoid) the video below showing what appears to be Kinect support for the PC version of Skryrim… Continue reading “Kinect Mod Adds Voice and Motion Control to Skyrim” »

Grand Theft Auto III: 10 Year Anniversary Edition hits iOS and Android Dec. 15

Rockstar just made things official for a Grand Theft Auto III Android and iOS port, announcing the 10 Year Anniversary Edition will finally be landing in the Android Market and App Store for $4.99 on December 15th.

While we haven’t yet got our hands on the new trailer expected to launch next week, we do have all the details on supported devices as well as screenshots for both versions.

When it comes to supported devices, iOS users (other than 3G and 3GS users) of course don’t have much to worry about. The iOS title, presumably a universal app, will support iPad 1 & 2, iPhone 4 & 4S, and 4th-gen iPod touch. Continue reading “Grand Theft Auto III: 10 Year Anniversary Edition hits iOS and Android Dec. 15” »

Everything You Need to Know About The U.S. Galaxy Nexus Launch

Google’s flagship Android experience has already landed in the UK, and now this month the Samsung Galaxy Nexus will be making its way stateside. However, there are still more than a few unanswered questions about what will almost certainly be the most sought after smartphone of the holidays, so we wanted to take some time to clear up a few of the rumors.

First of all, we already know (as Google has confirmed) that the device will be landing on Verizon. No matter what you read on any number of Android centric blogs, no one has a solid release date. The only thing we know for sure is it’s coming this month, and we know Toronto is getting the device a day before the expected December 8th Canadian launch with a special one day event at the Bay and Dundas BestBuy location. That will be your first chance to get your hands on the device in North America. Continue reading “Everything You Need to Know About The U.S. Galaxy Nexus Launch” »

Cover Songs Performed Entirely By Legacy Computer Equipment

The video above comes courtesy of YouTube user bd594, aka James Cochrane (via The Verge), who you might remember from his other unusual musical contraptions in the past.

What you’re seeing and hearing is The Animals’ House Of The Rising Sun performed entirely by a bunch of old computer equipment.

Here’s how he did it: Continue reading “Cover Songs Performed Entirely By Legacy Computer Equipment” »

Samsung Shows Off Flexible, Transparent, 3D Tablet in New Concept Video

Perhaps in a response to Microsoft’s vision of the future, Samsung today dropped the video below showing off how they envision the future tablet form factor, specifically keeping in mind the flexible AMOLED technology they’re currently developing.

Although the video is in Korean, we can tell from the visuals the concept appears to be a sheet of glass about the size of an iPad, with no obvious connections, ports, or visible internal hardware. We’re not exactly sure how Samsung plans on powering these magical glass slates, but a flexible, foldable, 3D display might not be too far off… Continue reading “Samsung Shows Off Flexible, Transparent, 3D Tablet in New Concept Video” »

How to Make Sure Carrier IQ Isn’t Tracking Your Every Move

If you haven’t yet heard of Carrier IQ, you might want to listen up. The software has been installed on various smartphones (Android and iOS) by carriers (mainly Sprint) for years now and could potentially be tracking your every move and sending sensitive personal information to carriers.

Thankfully there are methods of removing the software by installing Cyanogen Mod, but first you’ll have to figure out if the software is running on your device…

Meet Voodoo Carrier IQ Detector, a free Android app with one purpose, to detect Carrier IQ running on your smartphone. While it might not be 100% accurate as devs warn the build is just a few hours in, it’s available now and capable of detecting the software on most devices. Continue reading “How to Make Sure Carrier IQ Isn’t Tracking Your Every Move” »

SupaBoy Portable Console for SNES Cartridges Available Now

Most us have resorted to any number of emulators running on Android and (usually jailbroken) iPhones to get our retro Nintendo fix on the go.

For those with massive collections of original SNES cartridges, Hyperkin’s handheld console is finally ready for primetime, allowing you to play classic SNES titles on a faithful Nintendo-like controller equipped with a 3.5-inch display.

Supporting most original 16-bit SNES and Super Famicom cartridges, its slightly larger and chunkier than a PSP ( its 8.5 x 4 x 1.5 inches), allowing you to pop a cartridge right in the top. It also doubles as a home console, if your SNES console happens to die, by letting you plug in two full-size SNES controllers and use video out to hook up to your TV. Continue reading “SupaBoy Portable Console for SNES Cartridges Available Now” »

Welcome to Androidland: First Android Store Opens in Australia

We all know about Apple’s brick-and-mortar retail dominance in the tech world. Even Microsoft hasn’t been able to capture the mind’s and wallets of consumers in the real world with several failed attempts to mimic Apple‘s award winning retail experience. Not surprisingly. Google is also interested in retail with their first “Chromezone” retail store recently opening in London, and now the world’s first Androidland retail shop has just opened its doors in Australia. Continue reading “Welcome to Androidland: First Android Store Opens in Australia” »

“Google Wallet” NFC Payments Hit U.S. Vending Machines

While it might not be a big deal to some of our readers abroad, there is still a lack of NFC-enabled vending machines across the US. Maybe because most people try to avoid using credit cards for low cost items to avoid transaction fees.

Nevertheless, Google is continuing a major rollout of their MasterCard-backed Google Wallet mobile payment solution (which lets you pay with a wave of your phone), this time adding roughly 6,000 vending machines in the mid-Atlantic, Chicago, and San Francisco. Continue reading ““Google Wallet” NFC Payments Hit U.S. Vending Machines” »

Robin Williams Impersonates Siri, Colbert Puts It To The Test [video]

Siri has quickly become the tech industry’s go-to running joke, despite the technology setting a new standard for the way we control our devices.

It’s not that much of a shock that the media and tech geeks alike have been so enamoured of Siri concepts, parodies, and… sniper rifles?

However, techies aren’t the only ones poking fun at Siri’s capabilities (and lack thereof), with comedians Robin Williams and Stephen Colbert both giving their hilarious first impressions of the voice-controlled personal assistant… Continue reading “Robin Williams Impersonates Siri, Colbert Puts It To The Test [video]” »

Here’s What to Expect From Apple’s HDTV, Coming 2012

We knew it would only be so long before rumors began of an Apple Branded HDTV and today longtime Apple analyst Gene Munster certainly didn’t disappoint. via Business Insider” target=”_blank”>Talking at the IGNITION: Future of Media Event, Munster made some claims of what we can expect from Apple’s upcoming living-room take over.

In case you need a refresher, we’ve already heard a bunch of rumors that Apple is working on an HDTV set, most of which seem to stem from Steve Jobs’ comments to author Walter Isaacson that he had “finally cracked” the TV before his passing.

After urging audience members to hold off Continue reading “Here’s What to Expect From Apple’s HDTV, Coming 2012” »

Nokia and Google Race to Map the Great Indoors

When it comes to maps on our mobile devices, Google Maps has set the standard as the backbone of both native mapping apps on Android and Apple’s iOS. Goog has also done a lot to make sure they keep the top spot among competitors–For example, adding locations such as the interiors of museums and art galleries in Street View, and their efforts mapping parks and trails with their off road pedicab camera system.

Now, as Google begins to roll out the latest advancements to the app, indoor maps, Nokia is showing off a competitive solution that might give Goog a run for its money.

This week Google rolled out an update to the Google Maps Android app, bringing Continue reading “Nokia and Google Race to Map the Great Indoors” »

Switchcam Compiles YouTube, Fan Videos Into Interactive Concerts

Have you ever tried to watch fan shot videos of a recent concert or events on YouTube? It usually consists of jumping from one video to another trying to find the best camera angle and highest quality videos. It’s also painfully obvious nobody in the audience was man enough to hold up their camera for an entire two-hour set, leaving you to find bits and pieces of the show.

Thankfully, San Francisco-based startup Switchcam does the dirty work for you…

The company compiles all of the necessary videos to create a full-set list for different concerts, events, and performances, allowing you to seamlessly jump between different camera angles and sections of the set all from one page. Here’s how it works… Continue reading “Switchcam Compiles YouTube, Fan Videos Into Interactive Concerts” »

The Return of Etch-A-Sketch…With Nintendo Controllers

Etch-A-Sketch is often thought stone-age relic, but have the MacGyver-like skills of a certain YouTube user disproved that notion? Could rigging an old school NES controller to the toy enable one to more easily compete in the beautiful but small world of Etch a Sketch artists?

Judging by his elaborate rigging — which features an arduino microcontroller, hooked up to a stepper motor control board, which themselves are hooked up to the knobs — the idea is that one would have an easier time simply using the NES control pad to guide your way onto doing the next masterpiece (or just drawing vaguely suggestive pictures). Continue reading “The Return of Etch-A-Sketch…With Nintendo Controllers” »

Microsoft Lets You Try Out ‘Windows Phone’ On Your iPhone or Android

Have you ever wanted to see what the Windows Phone experience was all about without having to commit to a handset? Thankfully, Microsoft feels your pain and has now opened up a functioning HTML5 demo of the Windows Phone 7 (Mango) OS that runs on Android and iPhone browsers…

No downloads or installations required, all you have to do is swing by http://aka.ms/wpdemo in your browser of choice. You’ll be presented with an almost fully functioning demo of the OS’s main features.

Unfortunately there are some limitations– you wont get to try out any voice recognition capabilities, and most features Continue reading “Microsoft Lets You Try Out ‘Windows Phone’ On Your iPhone or Android” »

Apple & Google Pass on ESRB Ratings For Mobile Apps

So as gamers we are more than aware of the ESRB’s work– you know…the ones responsible for that little black and white rating in the corner of just about every game.

The organization has been assigning the familiar “Everyone”, “Teen”, “Mature 17+”, etc., ratings on video games since around 1994 and now in conjunction with the CTIA are introducing a new rating system for mobile apps and games. Bloomberg reports:

“Mobile applications for smartphones and tablet computers may carry new ratings for violence and sexual content under a wireless Continue reading “Apple & Google Pass on ESRB Ratings For Mobile Apps” »

Battlefield U.S.? Is the Government Declaring America a War-Zone?

News is beginning to spread its way through the media that American’s rights are under attack, and that the nation famous for fast food and football is now a declarable ‘battlefield’.

If you paid attention to any of the Black Friday events, you might think that battlefield is a fairly accurate assessment. But is the media blowing this story out of proportion or just trying to keep the government honest?

The United States Senate defeated an amendment, 61-37, which ALLOWS suspected Al Qaeda terrorists captured in the U.S. to be held in military, not civilian, custody. Essentially, it makes the National Guard part of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Opponents believe it puts the United States Continue reading “Battlefield U.S.? Is the Government Declaring America a War-Zone?” »

Incredible Steve Jobs Portrait Created Using Hand Drawn Words

Redditor and art teacher cheeseboyhalpert (we’re assuming that’s not what his students call him) has posted quite an incredible hand drawn portrait of Steve Jobs. The portrait was done using only descriptive words, a technique Halpert plans on teaching his students and also explains in detail in the description below.

As for the portrait, he apologizes that his handwriting became sloppy throughout the process, but promises the entire thing is made up of only handwritten words. The words used include: Steve Jobs, Business, Visionary, Success, CEO, Apple, Macintosh, iPhone, iPad, Pixar, iPod, Multimedia, California, Innovation, Marketing, iTunes, Network, SteveJobsFinger, and SteveJobsRing Continue reading “Incredible Steve Jobs Portrait Created Using Hand Drawn Words” »

Soft Robot Takes Big Steps For Robotics

On the surface it looks like some creepy display at the Nature Store, meant to lure you in but instead making you move on to the next storefront.

But “soft robots” are evolving into more than just narly displays, they’re showing off the advancements being made in robotics. The soft robot can walk and crawl using several different gaits, and can even deflate itself to fit within certain areas, not limited to door cracks, windows, or other crevices… Continue reading “Soft Robot Takes Big Steps For Robotics” »