By Andrew Liszewski So apparently Sega’s got a new projector coming out sometime in August, but according to their website they’re unfortunately they’re not releasing a heck of a lot of information about it until July 25. We do know that it will project a pre-programmed fireworks show on the ceiling or walls of your home, […]

By Andrew Liszewski

So apparently Sega’s got a new projector coming out sometime in August, but according to their website they’re unfortunately they’re not releasing a heck of a lot of information about it until July 25. We do know that it will project a pre-programmed fireworks show on the ceiling or walls of your home, and that you’ll be able to design your own show from a library of 55 different virtual pyrotechnic displays. It will be powered by 3xAAA batteries so the projector is most definitely portable, and it will retail for about $160.

[ Sega’s Fireworks Projector ] VIA [ Newlaunches.com ]

Via [Ohgizmo]

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It’s Twitter day at Microsoft, apparently. Not only did the software giant announce that it would start adding tweets to its Bing search results, the company actually started officially using Twitter this day. To be clear, Microsoft had a rather large presence on Twitter before through its various departments/products/services, but now it’s using the main /microsoft account to tweet. The account is being run by its corporate communications team, consisting of four people. So far there have been only 2 tweets and the account only has about 1,000 people following it. That should change, fast.

It’s Twitter day at Microsoft, apparently. Not only did the software giant announce that it would begin adding tweets to its Bing search results, the company actually started officially using Twitter this day.

To be clear, Microsoft had a rather big presence on Twitter before through its various departments/products/services, but now it’s using the main /microsoft account to tweet. The account is being run by its corporate communications team, consisting of four people. So far there have been only 2 tweets and the account only has about 1,000 people following it. That should change, fast.

So what was its first tweet? “Anyone can make games now, Kodu is available on Xbox LIVE Marketplace http://bit.ly/3wlWKo #microsoft #xboxlive #kodu” Like any good Twitter user, Microsoft has self-promotion down cold. But that’s not almost as slick as Google’s first tweet back in February.

There’s probably not much to read into Microsoft’s love-fest with Twitter this day, but you never know. After all, rivals have been snooping around, flirting with the service.

Crunch Network: CrunchGear drool over the sexiest new gadgets and hardware.

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It may sound kind of silly, but when I talk to people outside of the tech world about Bing, the first thing brought up is usually how they like the pictures. And now Microsoft has created a contest on Facebook to let one user get their own picture featured on Bing. The Bing Summer Travel Photo Contest is asking Facebook users to submit their ideal summer vacation pics. The community will then vote on them, and the winner will get its day in the sun, so to talk, on Monday, August 3 — appearing to the millions who visit Bing on that day. Naturally, there are some rules for these photos as Microsoft probably doesn’t want kickass keg celebration photos on the Bing homepage. Obviously, no alcohol, smoking, guns, violence or nudity will be granted. But Microsoft also doesn’t want any photos with recognizable people or any third party trademarked images, so they don’t get sued.

It might sound kind of silly, but when I talk to people outside of the tech world about Bing, the first thing brought up is usually how they like the pictures. And now Microsoft has created a contest on Facebook to let one user get their own picture featured on Bing.

The Bing Summer Travel Photo Contest is asking Facebook users to submit their ideal summer vacation photos. The community will then vote on them, and the winner will get its day in the sun, so to talk, on Monday, August 3 — appearing to the millions who visit Bing on that day.

Naturally, there are some rules for these photos as Microsoft probably doesn’t want kickass keg celebration photos on the Bing homepage. Obviously, no alcohol, smoking, guns, violence or nudity will be allowed. But Microsoft also doesn’t want any pictures with recognizable people or any third celebration trademarked images, so they don’t get sued. Here’s what they’re looking for:

* The image should make you want to find out more about it.
* The image should draw you in and be a starting place for exploring Bing
* The subject of the photo must provide enough interest to program all the content that we use to support that exploration.
* Strive for subtlety and poetry. You shouldn’t have to know that it’s Halloween, Columbus Day, or Boss’s Day to enjoy the pic.

In a blog post on the matter, Microsoft also lays out how it goes about choosing the images it uses on Bing. “The images are chosen from a variety of licensed photos with the goal of inspiring a sense of exploration and delight while piquing your interest to learn more.”

Crunch Network: CrunchBoard because it’s time for you to find a new Job2.0

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From the “rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic file”: The new MySpace exec team has promised changes (”we have…laid the groundwork for an exciting new chapter of innovation for MySpace”). And they’re delivering. A couple of hours ago they changed the MySpace logo. No longer does it say “MySpace.com - A Place For Friends.” Now it simply states MySpace. The old logo is below. We’ve confirmed that the change just occurred this evening, even though MySpace PR is as usual not responding. They refuse to confirm that the logo is new, or say why they changed it. It sure is absurd to have a conversation that goes something like “So it looks like you’ve changed your logo this evening? No Comment. Uh huh. Ok, so any official reason why you changed it? No comment.” Trade secrets, I guess. And heck, I’m just happy someone still works there to pick up the phone. MySpace is also on the warpath to get more users. At login they now strongly recommend you log into your email and invite friends (hopefully they’ll avoid turning this too spammy). And they’ve also added a “people you may know widget” that shows friends of friends. We’re also hearing that MySpace will be removing some of the ugliest ad units that adorn the site this day. Whether that’s an effort to clean up the user interface or simply a sign of slowing ad sales, we’ll probably never know.

From the “rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic file”: The new MySpace exec team has promised changes (”we have…laid the groundwork for an exciting new chapter of innovation for MySpace”). And they’re delivering. A couple of hours ago they changed the MySpace logo. No longer does it say “MySpace.com - A Place For Friends.” Now it simply states MySpace. The old logo is below.

We’ve confirmed that the change just happened this evening, although MySpace PR is as usual not responding. They refuse to confirm that the logo is new, or state why they changed it. It sure is absurd to have a conversation that goes something like “So it looks like you’ve changed your logo this evening? No Comment. Uh huh. Ok, so any official reason why you changed it? No comment.” Trade secrets, I guess. And heck, I’m just happy someone still works there to pick up the phone.

MySpace is also on the warpath to get more users. At login they now strongly advocate you log into your email and invite friends (hopefully they’ll avoid turning this too spammy). And they’ve also added a “people you may know widget” that shows friends of friends.

We’re also hearing that MySpace will be removing some of the ugliest ad units that adorn the site this day. Whether that’s an effort to clean up the user interface or simply a sign of slowing ad sales, we’ll probably never know.

Crunch Network: CrunchGear drool over the sexiest new gadgets and hardware.

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Fifty-seven percent. That’s how much overall venture-backed liquidity decreased in the second quarter of 2009 compared to that of last year: from $6.48 billion to $2.8 billion, if you want the hard numbers. Looking at the chart, I’d state the drop compared to the second quarter of 2007 ($14.6 billion) is even more telling. It’s the bad news from this just-released Dow Jones VentureSource report, with the only positive nugget the fact that three VC-backed companies have been able to finish IPOs (raising a total of $232 million), ending a nine-month drought. Just half an hour ago, we reported separately that the National Venture Capital Association actually counted five IPOs during the quarter in which a total of $721 million was raised (including DigitalGlobe-$279, SolarWinds-$152 million and OpenTable-$60 million). Also, while the NVCA pegged the number of venture-backed acquisitions at 58 in the second quarter, generating $2.6 billion, the Dow Jones VentureSource report says $2.8 billion was reached through M&As of 67 portfolio companies instead.

Fifty-seven percent. That’s how much overall venture-backed liquidity decreased in the second quarter of 2009 compared to that of last year: from $6.48 billion to $2.8 billion, if you want the hard numbers. Looking at the chart, I’d say the drop compared to the second quarter of 2007 ($14.6 billion) is even more telling. It’s the bad news from this just-released Dow Jones VentureSource report, with the only positive nugget the fact that three VC-backed companies have been able to complete IPOs (raising a total of $232 million), ending a nine-month drought.

Just half an hour ago, we reported separately that the National Venture Capital Association actually counted five IPOs during the quarter in which a total of $721 million was raised (including DigitalGlobe-$279, SolarWinds-$152 million and OpenTable-$60 million). Also, while the NVCA pegged the number of venture-backed acquisitions at 59 in the second quarter, generating $2.6 billion, the Dow Jones VentureSource report states $2.8 billion was reached through M&As of 67 portfolio companies instead.

Either way, it’s looking very bleak out there, as venture capitalists are not only struggling to take their portfolio companies public but also to sell them. According to the Dow Jones report, M&As were down 60% from the $6.48 billion raised via 89 M&As in the same quarter in 2008. This represents the lowest quarterly M&A deal total since 1999. Furthermore, the median amount paid for a VC-backed company in the second quarter of 2009 was just shy of $22 million, a 46% drop from the almost $41 million median paid during the same period in 2008.

Jessica Canning, Director of Global Research for Dow Jones VentureSource, commented that the market appears to be correcting the “possibly inflated figures” posted in 2007, but sees the IPO window finally opening up again.

I second Erick’s comment that it’s a bit too early to call it a come-back, but I’m sure a lot of people are happy to finally see at least some IPO activity again, even if it pales in comparison to what we’ve seen from 2004 to 2007.

Crunch Network: CrunchBoard because it’s time for you to find a new Job2.0

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It’s been a huge day for Facebook, with news earlier this morning that the social network will soon be totally revamping its privacy settings and making it easier to share with the entire web. Now developer Joe Hewitt, who is responsible for Facebook’s massively popular iPhone application, has posted a note to the site describing some of the new features we have the ability to expect from the latest iteration of the app, which he says is “98% done”. Hewitt doesn’t give an exact release date, but we have the ability to likely expect it very soon.

It’s been a large day for Facebook, with news earlier this morning that the social network will soon be totally revamping its privacy settings and making it easier to share with the entire web. Now developer Joe Hewitt, who is responsible for Facebook’s massively popular iPhone application, has posted a note to the site describing some of the new features we can anticipate from the latest iteration of the app, which he says is “98% done”. Hewitt doesn’t give an exact release date, but we have the ability to likely anticipate it very soon.

From Hewitt’s post:

1. The “new” News Feed
2. Like
3. Events (including the ability to RSVP)
4. Notes
5. Pages
6. Create new pic albums
7. Upload pics to any album
8. Zoom into photos
9. Easier photo tagging
10. Profile Pictures albums
11. A new home screen for simple access to all your stuff, search, and notifications
12. Add your favorite profiles and pages to the home screen
13. Better Notifications (they link to the comments so you can reply)
14. Swiftly call or text people right from the Friends page
15. Messages you are typing will be restored if you quit or are disturbed by a phone call

All of these will be welcome additions, particularly the capability to view and respond to events listings, which were oddly missing in the iPhone Facebook app until now (I routinely found myself having to access the web version of the site in order to look up details). Unfortunately, Hewitt writes that Push notifications, which Apple enabled with the release of the iPhone 3.0 update, won’t make it into this release — we’ll have to wait for the next point update later this summer.

Update: Hewitt has provided us with some screenshots of the upcoming app. Looks like a massive improvement.

Crunch Network: CrunchGear drool over the sexiest new gadgets and hardware.

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By Andrew Liszewski Well this one’s pretty self-explanatory. Elecom’s horribly named ‘U2H-TC410B’ USB hub is designed to mount to the side of your desk or a nearby wall, thanks to its magnetic backing or a set of included hooks, so that you always have easy access to a set of 4 USB ports. And the ports […]

By Andrew Liszewski

Well this one’s pretty self-explanatory. Elecom’s horribly named ‘U2H-TC410B’ USB hub is designed to mount to the side of your desk or a nearby wall, thanks to its magnetic backing or a set of included hooks, so that you always have easy access to a set of 4 USB ports. And the ports are generously spread out to accommodate thicker USB cables or bigger flash drives. $39.99 from AudioCubes in your choice of black or white.

[ Elecom U2H-TC410B Wall Socket USB Hub ]

Via [Ohgizmo]

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By Chris Scott Barr There are certain things that a person can wear that’ll instantly earn them the label of “dork” or “nerd.” The pocket protector is a perfect example. Sure, it can be argued that it is a very important accessory for those who carry a multitude of things in their shirt pocket. However, […]

By Chris Scott Barr

There are certain things that a person can wear that’ll instantly earn them the label of “dork” or “nerd.” The pocket protector is a perfect example. Sure, it can be argued that it is a very important accessory for those who carry a multitude of things in their shirt pocket. However, it still looks stupid. The same holds true with this CVFR-S09 Solar Vest.

This vest is equipped with four solar panels which can be used to charge a number of different gadgets. The panels are even removable so that you can set them in the window while you’re inside. The fact that I have the ability to hold up to 8 gadgets in my pockets and recharge each of them (one at a time) might seem cool, but it’s not something I’d be caught outside in. For crying out loud it has the words “SOLAR VEST” sewn in the back of it. It might as well say “KICK ME” instead. The $140 price tag doesn’t even justify it as an impulse buy.

[ Chinavision ] VIA [ GeekAlerts ]

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Gaming keyboards have come a long way since the original G15. All the G-keys and the use of LCD to show player stats are ingenious additions that have become an indispensable tool for WoW fans, hardcore CoD4 players, and macro-happy gamers. Since then the market has definitely saturated. (Even MS has two […]

Gaming keyboards have come a long way since the original G15. All the G-keys and the use of LCD to show player stats are ingenious additions that have become an indispensable tool for WoW fans, hardcore CoD4 players, and macro-happy gamers. Since then the market has definitely saturated. (Even MS has two gaming keyboards.)

Despite the stiff competition, Logitech hasn’t lost its edge. The new G19 gaming keyboard is the first major upgrade since the G15 revision. Improvements to the Logitech’s flagship product include full color LCD (including YouTube and VLC compatibility); intuitive creation of powerful macros; support for six simultaneous keypresses; customizable key backlighting; and two self-powered USB 2.0 jacks. Impressive features demand high price and higher power requirement, which is why the G19 costs $200 and why the G19 is the first gaming keyboard that needs an AC adapter (warning: bulky). Everything USB’s reviewer is so impressed with the G19 that any hardcore gamers with $200 to spare should run out and get one. Those who don’t take fragging too seriously should really look elsewhere.

[ Logitech G19 Gaming Keyboard Review @ Everything USB ]

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By Andrew Liszewski I always thought that diving itself was supposed to be an enjoyable activity, so I’m scratching my head as to why anyone would need to bring along some other form of entertainment while down there. But that’s exactly what the iDive300 deep dive waterproof case is for. It’s designed for the iPod, iPod […]

By Andrew Liszewski

I always thought that diving itself was supposed to be an enjoyable activity, so I’m scratching my head as to why anyone would need to bring along some other form of entertainment while down there. But that’s exactly what the iDive300 deep dive waterproof case is for. It’s designed for the iPod, iPod Touch and the iPhone and allows you to watch movies or listen to music (with an included pair of over the ear speakers) at a depth of up to 300 feet underwater. And while down there you’ll still have control over your media thanks to a set of waterproof buttons on the side of the case.

With a price tag of $349.99 the case is kind of hard to justify, even if it does make decompression stops a bit less boring, but it does come with peace of mind thanks to a replacement warranty for your iPod or iPhone should anything ever happen to them as a result of the iDive300 failing.

[ iDive300 ] VIA [ bookofjoe ]

Via [Ohgizmo]

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