|
|
|
Review: Fusion Case for iPhone 3G
May 13, 2009, 3:08 AM by ROB
Posted in IPHONE, REVIEWS, MOBILE | 308 views
I've been plagued with the hard case/soft case debate since I bought my iPhone 3G last year. On one hand, I appreciate the slim form factor of a soft case; my phone is big enough as it is. On the other, a hard case offers more protection. After a week with the Fusion case from Contour Design, I've (almost) found my happy medium.
In the manufacturer's own words:
| Consisting of more than just plastic and rubber, the Fusion is made of space age polycarbonate skillfully molded around the iPhone 3G then fused with high tech silicone to create a shell more flexible and protective than anything before. |
Well, I wouldn't call it "space age." The "Space Age," after all, began in 1957. I would go as far as calling it "cool," though, as it's certainly one of a kind. Here's the rundown.
Pros: Since it's a combination of both hard plastic and silicone, the Fusion is more durable than the Incipio soft case it replaced. The Incipio case was completely silicone and it wound up tearing after a few months' use. I don't see the Fusion getting damaged in that manner and it keeps the bulk of the phone to a minimum.
Cons: The silicone in the Fusion isn't as "grippy" as other soft cases. Some might call that a benefit, but I certainly miss it; the grip I've enjoyed in other hard cases helps keep my phone reasonably secure in the car, on tables, and in my pocket. Since the Fusion's silicone is tougher and glossier than other soft cases, it is a little prone to scratching, but it's better than the phone itself going all wonky.
The Verdict: The Fusion is, to me, the best of both worlds, combining the form factor of a soft case with the durability of a hard case. It's available for both the iPhone 3G and the iPod Touch 2G, so no one gets left out (except those "old" iPhone users, but they should probably upgrade to 3G anyway). At $29.95, it's priced comparably with other cases, so if you're looking for something both durable and slim, it's a good buy.
Our score: 4/5 (Above Average)
|
| Comments (0) |
It's Post-Exams Review Week!
May 11, 2009, 12:40 PM by ROB
Posted in , REVIEWS, GADGETS, SOFTWARE | 0 views
I've been pretty much living in a hole for the past week due to exams (thanks, Wake Forest), so I've got a bunch of reviews waiting to be published. Sucks for me, but it's great news for you! I'll be posting a series of reviews throughout the week covering some awesome gadgets and some cool software. I'll update this post with links, so bookmark it and check back throughout the week.
|
| Comments (0) |
Facebook Gets Contra Code
May 08, 2009, 1:05 PM by ROB
Posted in FACEBOOK, | 638 views
A few weeks back, you might recall, ESPN was graced with unicorns and rainbows thanks to a clever hack and the Konami (Contra) code. Now Facebook has implemented the code into their website as an easter egg for their users.
Check it out: press up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, B, A, Enter anywhere outside of a text box and watch the light show begin.
Sure, it's cool and all, but original? Hardly. There are other easter eggs on the site, though.
By the way... I just added an easter egg to Gadget Grounds and no, it's not the Contra Code.
|
| Comments (2) |
PSP-3000 Now Runs Homebrew (sort of)
May 08, 2009, 4:39 AM by ROB
Posted in HACKS, GAMING | 549 views
Since its release in October of last year, the PSP-3000 (also known as the PSP Brite) has been notoriously impossible difficult to hack. With a new PSP model possibly looming on the horizon, the Brite has finally gotten a taste of what it's like to run homebrew; the ChickHEN Homebrew Enabler allows users to run some homebrew applications. Sounds great, right? Let me tell you why you shouldn't bother.
The first challenge in running the hack (which doesn't require any specific UMD game, etc.) is to get it to work. The hack takes advantage of a weakness in TIFF image handling to reboot the device in a state that can handle homebrew apps. By its nature, this is a buggy procedure; sometimes it "hits" and injects the code needed to run the HEN, but nine times in ten it simply crashes the device. I've managed to get it to work just three times out of nearly 100 trials on my Ratchet & Clank edition unit.
Once you do manage to get the device booted into a state that will allow homebrew, you need to have valid homebrew apps. Essentially, this is limited to some (not all) emulators and a handful of genuine homebrew games. No, friends. You cannot load game backups, ISOs, CSOs, or anything of that nature, nor can you install a custom firmware on the device. Further, there are no plans to enable that functionality.
Since the patched software lives in RAM (it's not flashed to the internal storage), the homebrew function only lasts until you hard-reset or power off the device. Want to fire up your emulator afterward? Start running ChickHEN all over again.
Essentially, with this hack, you spend thirty minutes of your time enabling the device to play Metroid. If you're really looking for that sort of outlet, there are dozens of easier ways to play emulated games. While ChickHEN is a wonderful breakthrough in the sense that it "hacks" the "unhackable" motherboard.
Despite claims to the contrary, I predict that there will be an ISO/CSO loader for ChickHEN and that it will develop quickly once the ball gets rolling. Once homebrew was enabled on the Wii, devs swore there would be no backup loader for the system, but lo and behold, I can now run my backups on the device. Will my prediction come true? Let's wait and see.
  
|
| Comments (0) |
Flashback: Duke Nukem
May 07, 2009, 2:43 AM by ROB
Posted in FLASHBACK, GAMING | 555 views
This is the second episode in the weekly Flashback series, in which we bring you a new old-school favorite with each installment. Last week, we took a look at text-based classic Zork. Got an idea? Catch me on Twitter @RobLaughter!
In honor of the rumored shutdown of Duke Nukem developer 3D Realms, I decided to take a look at an old-school favorite of mine: Duke Nukem.
The original Duke Nukem was released in 1991 as a side-scrolling platform game by Apogee Software. Set in the "near future" (1997), the player's goal was to stop madman Dr. Proton from taking over the world. Through three episodes, Duke follows Dr. Proton from Los Angeles, to the moon, and to the future.
Most objects in the gameplay can be interacted with in some way—cameras can be destroyed, powerups can be discovered, and secrets abound.
My absolute favorite part of this game is the wide range of options you have for how you play it. Nearly every level is circular in some way, busting the Super Mario-style linear approach to platformers. If you're just interested in completing the game, you can easily work your way through it by simply grabbing the key to the level and finding the exit. If you're like me, however, you can obsessively scour the levels for any and every powerup you can find, boosting your score and getting some sweet upgrades.
  
Ready to play? Grab the shareware episode of the game here. Note: if you're using some configurations of Windows Vista or Windows 7, you will need to install a DOS emulator. I recommend DOSBox.
|
| Comments (0) |
iPhone OS 3.0 Beta 5 Released
May 07, 2009, 1:30 AM by ROB
Posted in IPHONE, MOBILE | 713 views
iPhone OS 3.0 Beta 5 has been released, breaking Apple's two week release cycle. To me, that either means there was a huge bug in Beta 4 that I haven't found yet or that we're quickly coming up on a final release. I shan't be upgrading right away on the following bases.
1.) I just spent the past 15 minutes installing Myst and I'm really itching to play it. Like right now.
2.) I'm not prepared to sacrifice my jailbreak in the name of journalism at this time.
3.) I'm busy upgrading 3 PCs to Windows 7 RC.
4.) Discussion on Gizmodo indicates that Beta 5 breaks MMS and, although I don't use MMS, I'm not prepared to find out what else it might break (*cough* tethering).
I'll jump on the boat after I get bored with Myst. Until then, party's over here.
|
| Comments (0) |
Rumor: 3D Realms Closing Its Doors
May 06, 2009, 9:21 PM by ROB
Posted in GAMING | 274 views
Shacknews reports that 3D Realms, developer of the classic Duke Nukem franchise, has closed its doors. The development studio, which has been working on aptly-named Duke Nukem Forever since 1997, is purportedly shutting down due to financial trouble.
According to recently-resurrected publisher Apogee Software's Twitter feed, the shutdown does not affect the upcoming Duke Nukem Trilogy for the PSP and Nintendo DS. Those titles are scheduled for release in the fall of this year.
There are no "official" reports of the shutdown—only what we know from Apogee and Shacknews' "very reliable source." Who knows—maybe it's a huge publicity stunt for Duke Nukem Forever?
» Via Shacknews
|
| Comments (0) |
QuickPWN Added, Removed from App Store
May 06, 2009, 3:09 AM by ROB
Posted in IPHONE, MOBILE | 260 views
The publisher of iPhone tech blog QuickPWN announced this morning that his latest web app—a mobile version of the QuickPWN site—had been approved by Apple's app store. By the end of the day, it had been removed.
No surprise, really. Apple's application approval (App's app app?) process is flawed at best. I can see the reviewers in Cupertino now going nuts over the news that they let QuickPWN slip through their all-knowing security defenses (just like Baby Shaker did). As for the reason it was pulled, no one outside of those offices knows for sure, but it's probably safe to say that it's because the site just happens to share a name with one of the most popular jailbreaking tools known to man.
It's interesting to note that, by the developer's own admission, he is not affiliated with the iPhone Dev Team and does not develop jailbreaks.
» Via QuickPWN
|
| Comments (0) |
Do You Have the Swine Flu?
May 05, 2009, 10:47 AM by ROB
Posted in PIGGIES, | 526 views
Either I'm being consumed by exams or "Swine Flu" isn't quite the buzz word it was just a few days ago. I guess being confined to my room to study has its advantages: less exposure to the pandemic.
If you're concerned you might have H1N1 or whatever they're calling it these days, there's a free online tool you can use to diagnose yourself. Results not guaranteed. Check it out here.
|
| Comments (0) |
Trojan2GO Keeps Love Gloves Wrinkle-Free
May 02, 2009, 9:22 PM by ROB
Posted in CONDOMS, | 445 views
Nothing says "I'm a virgin" like a wrinkled wallet-condom. If social suicide doesn't bother you, then you've got to worry about the fact that carrying condoms in wallets just isn't safe; heat and extreme cold break down the latex in the product and can lead to breakage (ask Alice—she knows).
Alice says that if you really need a condom on the go, you should get a business card holder or a plastic compact (yikes) to keep them safe, but top condom manufacturer Trojan has another idea: Trojan 2GO. Trojan 2GO packs two of your favorite style of Willie Hats in a stiff credit-card-sized package (all puns fully intended).
Get yours now at Amazon.
|
| Comments (0) | | « Newer Entries | Older Entries » | |
|
 Subscribe
Find Something
What's New?
Groundskeepers
»Rob Laughter | Blog
»Ethan Lee | Blog
Blogs we like
Gizmodo
Engadget
Coolest Gadgets
Gizmo Watch
OhGizmo!
|
