There’s no shortage of devices sprinkled with Swarovski crystals. Unfortunately, most are so smothered with bling that they just look tacky. The Elements Stardust Radio is actually done up right, with just the right ratio of bling and device. It actually looks nice.
It’s a Sonoro musical player that has been covered with 3,900 Swarovski crystals in a white floral pattern against a background of black crystals. It features 10 preset AM/FM stations, iPod/notebook/PMP compatibility as well as an integrated alarm clock. Hopefully we can close the “Crap me up with Swarovski” chapter on this high note, but somehow I doubt it.
The brilliantly bejeweled Easter eggs of 19th century Russian artist Peter Carl Fabergé are a hallmark of miniaturist engineering and craftsmanship. Forbes magazine's late, great publisher Malcolm Forbes was an avid Fabergé collector, building a set of eggs and objets d'art even a czar would envy. But the Forbes eggs have since moved on to a private collection in Russia, and the people at Forbes miss their eggs!
Now YOU can help craft a new collection. Go crack an egg then paint it, encrust it with shiny matter (rubies optional), insert an empress' LED carriage, or otherwise make it wonderful. The design is entirely up to you: just take your passion and inspiration from Fabergé's brilliant style as you make your own fantastic egg.
Grand prize winner receives a Sonos Multi-Room Music System worth $999. The four runners-up receive a copy of Toby Faber's new book Fabergé's Eggs: The Extraordinary Story of the Masterpieces that Outlived an Empire. The winning eggs will also be featured in the Forbes Galleries in New York City.
I hope to see some blinky cylon eggs in the contest, personally.
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Apparently the new series of Windows Vista ads starring Jerry Seinfeld and Bill Gates did not impress Microsoft, or many others for that matter. Microsoft has now basically admitted that the ads bombed, sucked and otherwise blew and they’ve actually fired Jerry Seinfeld. Bill Gates being Bill Gates will stick around and may be back in future ads.
The series will go on, but not with Seinfeld. Which likely means without the funny. And who knows what direction it will take. Personally after the suckage of the first ad, I thought they were beginning to hit their stride. So tomorrow you’ll hear some Microsoft spin regarding phase two of the project. That would be the phase without Seinfeld.
Ask any photographer wannabe about the video capture feature in their precious Digital SLR, chances are they hate it or prefer other improvement rather than motion capture in their still image camera. Like it or not, this video thing is the next core feature for Digital SLR; future releases without the video gimmick would be considering a step down or fall short of expectation.
Nikon’s D90 claimed the world’s first DSLR with movie mode in 720p, Canon replied with a full 1080p HD recording with 5D successor. What’s next? 4K resolution? Built-in audio mic? Whatever that it’s heading, I’m very exciting with this new video feature. Just think of the ability to use a high quality tilt-shift, macro, wide angle, fish eye or the supertele lenses to capture video. The possibility is endless! and i can’t wait to go back on the field again. If only Canon get this puppy out on the street sooner. Meanwhile, check out the 5D Mark II video recording samples from Canon at Korean and Japanese site.
5D mark II Video clips
Taken with EF70-200mm F2.8L IS
Taken with TS-E45mm F2.8, Tilt-shift
Taken with EF 24-70mm
Taken with EF15mm F2.8 Fisheye
Taken with EF85mm F1.2L
Sennheiser will release a new Bluetooth headset. Known as the Sennheiser VMX Office Bluetooth Headset, the device is connected by a base station to landline phones, computers, or Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones. You can easily switch between a desk phone, cell phone and PC application with a single push of button. The headset also allows you make hands-free conversations within the 35 meter radius from the source. The VMX Office’s ActiveGard feature reduces surges in volume in milliseconds automatically to further preserve your hearing while at work. This Bluetooth headset offers a 5 hour talktime and 100 hours of standby time. Sennheiser VMX Office Bluetooth Headset will be released next month. No info on pricing so far. [Newlaunches]
So, we all know that motion controls like Nintendo’s Wii are the future of gaming. The Stix controllers even took a stab at it for the PC. Actiga has an interesting take on it (We think) and has announced a new line of Mini-Motion controllers that will be available in different game categories.
USB controllers will be available for Mac and PC, that resemble such things as skateboards, RC Cars, baseball, and a racing vehicle. Each of the controllers connect via USB and will sell for $19.99. It’s unclear if the controller has games built-in or if they are simply controllers to be used with other PC games that already exist. I mean, we’re assuming these aren’t just glorified joysticks.
The power of Google Maps for the desktop is now available on your mobile phone, courtesy of Google Maps for Mobile.
The just launched new version of Google Maps for Mobile now features Street View and walking directions wherever you are. Aside from that, Google’s added a few other features to further enhance Google Maps for Mobile as well.
In this new version, business reviews are now available, “so you’ll know if it’s actually worth driving across town to that store.” And like mentioned earlier, you can also tap its power for providing you with walking directions for you to safely arrive at your destination.
Of course, Google also worked on the application’s overall speed, so despite all the extra features, it shouldn’t slow down your phone to an extent that you’d like to curse it.
It’s now available for download at google.com/gmm for BlackBerry devices and many other Java-enabled handsets.
While working on the world’s first Symbian Foundation OS-powered devices, Nokia is also busy on the next generation Maemo Internet Tablet OS.
The company has confirmed that it does not intend to release any new devices in the near future, but goes on to say that it will only announce these when they are really ready.
For now the company is busy working on additional software enhancements for the Internet Tablet OS, adding high-definition cameras for content creation, enabling support for 3G HSPA connectivity and support for TI OMAP3 processors.
Nokia doesn’t say when the first devices with these changes will hit the market, but they’ve established a long-term commitment to Maemo and should deliver it no matter how long it takes.
There’s no shortage of devices sprinkled with Swarovski crystals. Unfortunately, most are so smothered with bling that they just look tacky. The Elements Stardust Radio is actually done up right, with just the right ratio of bling and device. It actually looks nice. 
Apparently the new series of Windows Vista ads starring Jerry Seinfeld and Bill Gates did not impress Microsoft, or many others for that matter. Microsoft has now basically admitted that the ads bombed, sucked and otherwise blew and they’ve actually fired Jerry Seinfeld. Bill Gates being Bill Gates will stick around and may be back in future ads. 
So, we all know that motion controls like Nintendo’s Wii are the future of gaming. The 
