z00pster’s gadget blog

Straight outta Korea is the MPker, a mobile phone speaker set that packs a nice little punch and has a sexy silver design. The MPker starts off more like a flat rectangle then expands to reveal the dock and speakers. It fits what looks like Samsung phones and some other models as well. Controls are available right underneath the dock so you’re not sitting there fumbling with the phone’s dinky buttons. The price for this speaker set is excellent as well, as it’ll only set you back $34.

MPker, new telephone speakers [Akihabara]

This mockup of an Apple iPhone was conceived by Isamu Sanada, a Japanese graphic designer and Mac fan. But hell, if you ask me, it looks like a 2-year-old could snap this thing in half and use it as cymbals. Sure, it’s sleek, but I’m kind of tired of using that as a constant adjective for all Apple products. The buttons look hard to push, being somewhat indented, and does it really use bendy plastic? To me, that means it’s either impossible to open and close or so easy that it would break off within weeks. Anyhow, it’s an interesting try, and anything’s better than the ROKR…

iPhone R04 [Applele.com]

Kotaku’s Japan editor Brian Ashcraft is still giddy from having attended the Digital Interactive Entertainment Conference where he hobnobbed with Atari founder Nolan Bushnell and Nintendo demigod Shigeru Miyamoto. There wasn’t much news out of the conference, but Bushnell did let the world know he thinks Nintendo’s going in the right direction with the Revolution, while the other guys are just driving away real people from gaming.

Speaking of the Revolution, these might be — MIGHT be — the very first screenshot from a Revolution game. According to Revolution Report, the screens are from a game called Raid Over River, under development by a company that swears by Nintendo.

Since there aren’t very many games out yet for the Xbox 360, consider getting your favorite game rare and collectible faceplates. Our favorite so far is this, a Louis Vuitton knock-off.

But on top of our Xmas list is this: a Pac-Man Robot game where you control the Man with a remote to chase the ghosts. Sadly, it’s being shown as a concept in Japan only so it might never hit the stores. But we’re already trying to remember the maze patterns.

Check out Crecente’s instructions in how to get your PSP to play TV. First step: shell out $350 to buy the LocationFree TV base station, which allows you to upload cable TV, DVDs and DVR segments.

You know it’s ugly out there when these pictures count for big news. These particular blurry re-pros are from a flyer that will be distributed at the Creative Festival Sales in Singapore, December 9-11, showing a “hip” guy messing with a green and white player that may (or may not) be the already-reported Creative digital audio player. Look closely in the background and you can see a jukebox, speakers, AV devices, drum sets, a TV and video players. Stare for a long, long time and you might even have a flashback. And who knows, maybe the device itself will feature a blurry, soft-edge design. Just two more days ’til the December 8th launch.

Could THIS be the NEW Creative Media Player? [Stuck on fish]

Freeline Skates are quite the interesting hybrid. Take a skateboard, snap it in half, make the halves into skates, and you’ve pretty much got the idea. The skates allow you to move in a way that is a cross between skating and rollerblading. You stand on them like a skateboard, yet move your legs like you’re rollerblading. You need to watch this video to do the freeline skates justice. The skates were created by a skateboarder who was bored with other forms of skating and boarding and wanted something new. Don’t expect to be doing insane tricks, though. The skates go for $129 and Band-Aids aren’t included.

Product Page

This is the holiday season. Tech industry news is just about dead this week, and we’re seeing a serious lack of cool widgets and wadgets out there. To prove this, we found a story from the Agence France-Presse which states, in no uncertain terms, that we ‘Mericans like to do it in the can. By “do it” we mean surf the Interweb and by “can” we mean the shitter. There is so little news out there that the world is focused on our Internet excretory habits.

A quote from the story? Why sure, partner!

“Over half of those who used Wi-fi had used it in the bathroom,” said Cole, remarking that he believed some people in busy homes retreated there for some privacy.

“It wasn’t for comic relief — it was a genuine finding,” he said, referring to the survey during an advance briefing to amused US congressional staffers.

I’ll admit I’ve partaken in a little porcelain surfing in my day, but tell me, readers, is this a common habit? Please comment.

Logging on, on the John - Net follows Americans everywhere [HindustanTimes via TechDirt]

After much chatter and anticipation, Panasonic has finally started production of dual-layer 50GB Blu-ray discs. Ok, so actually, they’re calling it a “pilot production”—but hell, if something gets made and they can call it rabbit hunting I’m fine as long as it’s in high def. This tech miracle is taking place at the Japanese company’s Torrence, CA-based factory and is really the first attempt by any manufacturer to drum up a dual-layer Blu-ray disc.

Panasonic Begins 50GB Blu-ray Disc Production [Trusted Reviews]

This is by no means in production, going into production, or being developed, but it’s a big concept and we like it! The Ecocycle is a hybrid utility vehicle that starts off as a garbage truck with recycling capability. Then it can convert to either an ambulance or a fire truck. No, it’s not a toy for the kids, but an actual vehicle that extends the meaning of the term “hybrid” beyond the engine. This truck can also be parked via remote control and turns easily due to its tall and thin design. The Ecocycle won the 2004 Hungarian Design Award and Mercedes-Benz had something to do with it. I just hope if this thing ever picks me up to drive me to the hospital, they double check to make sure my IV isn’t connected to an old TV dinner someone threw out.

The Ecocycle [The Cool Hunter]

This leaked last Friday, but we wanted to regurgitate it for all you little birdies to munch on. Looks like the FCC has cleared the Nokia 6305i, the first of it’s EV-DO products for the US market. A slider phone with 1.3 megapixel camera and stereo speakers, it doesn’t seem to come with the usual advanced features like Bluetooth or a memory card slot. Hmmm. Also, it may have the Nokia logo, but it’s being manufactured by SK Teletech and will use Verizon’s proprietary menus and interfaces instead of the Nokia Series 40.

Nokia’s First EV-DO Phone Slips Out Of FCC [Phonescoop]

Looks like someone has been playing “A Boy and his Blob” for Nintendo a little too much. This speaker was designed by David Ellis for Kitty EX in Japan and looks like the result of a sexual union between Hello Kitty and a deformed marshmallow. Either way, the speaker is tuned more for fashion than audio, so don’t expect any B&O quality stuff here. Still want one? Go beg Mr. Ellis for one because these are not for sale!

Kitty Speaker [cNet Asia]