Best Gadgets World

If your flat panel TV is looking entirely too modern in your home, this prototype design might spark your interest. The M21 Flat Panel definitely looks more like one of the earlier TVs than the sleek ones offered today. Although I love how the flat panels look, someone that has a home that is overly retro might not want to slap something so modern into their living room. Something like this would blend in a lot better. Besides that, if you’re robbed by really ignorant criminals, maybe they’ll be fooled and leave it alone thinking it’s just an old outdated TV.

The design was made by Joe Wilkerson, but anyone that is great with their hands could probably easily make something similar. It’d probably be faster than waiting on the prototype to hit the market. Especially since prototypes don’t always get made. This particular design features a 42” plasma screen and is designed after TVs from the 1950s. The designer is still testing the waters and seeing what kind of public interest his design draws before he takes any further steps with it. At some point he hopes to make a wider and shorter version that features a bit of storage. Which means for all those interested in the design keep a lookout on his page for any new pictures he may post.

Source: bbgadgets

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We had already expected the release to come in mid-June and it looks like Mozilla has held that date true, they have officially announced that Firefox 3 will be available on June 17.

In addition, they have also, as we mentioned early yesterday, released an additional release candidate as RC3 that took care of a few last minute bugs found in the Mac version.

Otherwise start getting ready to download and install Firefox 3 on June 17, and don’t forget to help all of your not-so-computer literate friends and family members do the same.

In addition to the release, June 17 will also be the day that Mozilla is attempting to set the world record for the most software downloaded during a single day.

Read [Mozilla]

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Fluorescent bulbs although they are much more environmentally friendly and save on your energy bill, they take forever to reach their brightest. I hate how dim they make a room seem, of course they eventually brighten up. That small set back isn’t enough to sway me from them, it is just a bit of a nuisance. Well these new Panasonic bulbs still feature an energy efficient design, but they reach instant brightness. The other nice feature is that they appear like the old incandescent bulbs, which look better in decorative lighting. I don’t know if it’s just me or not, but the new bulbs just looked a bit odd sticking out of the lights on ceiling fans.

These new Panasonic bulbs feature a compact quick lamp which is located in the center of the fluorescent tube. That allows the bulb to reach 60% of its full brightness within a single second of being flipped on. Basically the quick lamp turns on and once the spiral arc has reached enough of its own brightness it will shut off all on its own. The bulb is the equivalent of a regular 54-watt bulb, while actually using only 10 watts, it also will last 13,000 hours before burning out. It will be released in July of this year for Japan but no word on if or when it will reach the US.

[via ohgizmo]

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by Thomas Ricker, posted Jun 12th 2008 at 8:02AM
var So there’s a sensational rumor going around that Phil Schiller unwittingly presented MobileMe at WWDC using an iphone 3G with a front facing video camera. The very same camera fanboys wished for but Apple choose not to include in the final specs. The idea that Schiller would unknowingly demonstrate such a device is, to put it mildly, absurd. The fact that the evidence is reviewable — and in HD — on Apple’s website makes it even more so. If you care to look for yourself, the mysterious grease spot appears at 1:18:28 during the keynote. Just be forewarned: you’ll never be able to reclaim those 10 minutes when you might need them most. The pictures above should be proof enough.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

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Filed under: cellphones

While the initial announcement that select AT&T stores were getting a Microsoft Surface was exciting, when you think about it, they are just in a mobile phone store. However Microsoft has taken the excitement to a new level, that is assuming you are a fan of Las Vegas and Harrah’s. A newly installed Surface is now located in the Rio iBar ultra-lounge, which makes Harrah’s the first to install the Surface in an entertainment venue. In addition, instead of simply installing the Surface they have also created come customized applications that are said to offer “an amusing social experience.” Guests at the Rio will be able to “flirt, play and have fun,” however I am sure that along with all the drinks that are usually flowing the flirting may not always need the additional help.

Read [Surface]

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Apple had better watch its back as it seems Sprint is really determined to battle it out. In a bid to compete with the iPhone 3G, Sprint has just announced that it will be making the Samsung Instinct available for $199.99 along with a contract and after rebates. That’s the same price that AT&T is offering the iphone 3G to its customers.

Sprint had originally announced that the full retail price of the Instinct would be around $449.99. However, Sprint modified its Instinct package a bit by offering a $150 instant rebate under a new two-year contract. To lower the retail price further, Sprint will also be deducting a $100 mail-in rebate for the mobile phone. That sums up the rebates to around $250. Deducting it from the announced market price of the instinct would total to a $199.99 introductory price for the phone.

But unlike AT&T’s iPhone 3G offering, Sprint would still make the Instinct available for those who don’t want to get tied up with a two-year service contract with Sprint. Customers who will opt for this scheme will have to pay $449.99 and they won’t have to renew their contract with Sprint.

If you look at the scenario from a different angle, Sprint’s offer for the Instinct may seemed more practical than the iPhone. Given that the iPhone 3G is a much sought after mobile phone, still it pales in comparison with the more advanced features of the Samsung Instinct. But of course, it doesn’t carry the Apple branding which for some may be a big deal. The Samsung Instinct also comes packaged with a complete set of accessories in the box to even include a spare battery and a 2GB microSD card.

So, what’s it going to be, iPhone 3G or the Samsung Instinct?

Via [Phone News]

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by Thomas Ricker, posted Jun 12th 2008 at 5:40AMIt’s a given that Mr. Mossberg has a thing for Apple’s gear. In his opinion, it’s simply a better choice for his mainstream readership. It’s also obvious that Spring and Samsung are intent on besting the capabilities of the first generation iPhone with their new Instinct. Still, we can’t help but to giggle like Japanese school girls when his review of Samsung’s Instinct turns into a preview of the iPhone 3G. By our quick count, he mentions “iPhone” 31 times to just 19 mentions of “Instinct.” His bottom line as you’d expect is that the “ok” Instinct simply can’t compete with the iPhone. Then again, the iphone 3G can’t be used on Sprint’s network… or anywhere else until July 11th.

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Filed under: cellphones

by Thomas Ricker, posted Jun 12th 2008 at 6:02AM
See all those beautiful people? You don’t know them. And pushing your specs up the bridge of your nose while seated in front of Microsoft’s Surface won’t change that. Nevertheless, next time we’re adjusting our gadget-laded fanny packs in Vegas, we’ll be doing so at the i-Bar in the Rio hotel — the newest home to Microsoft’s big ass multi-touch table. Check out the video cheese after the break.

Video: Microsoft Surface at the Rio in Las Vegas

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Filed under: Misc. gadgets

by Thomas Ricker, posted Jun 12th 2008 at 6:02AM
See all those beautiful people? You don’t know them. And pushing your specs up the bridge of your nose while seated in front of Microsoft’s Surface won’t change that. Nevertheless, next time we’re adjusting our gadget-laded fanny packs in Vegas, we’ll be doing so at the i-Bar in the Rio hotel — the newest home to Microsoft’s big ass multi-touch table. Check out the video cheese after the break.

Video: Microsoft Surface at the Rio in Las Vegas

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Filed under: Misc. gadgets

by Joshua Fruhlinger, posted Jun 12th 2008 at 7:55AM
Operating a vehicle during a diabetic blood sugar crash can be a dangerous proposition for both driver and others on the road. That’s why Medtronic Diabetes developed the M-POWERED concept car that allows a person to constantly monitor glucose levels via both audio and visual cues. The Lincoln sedan was unveiled at this year’s American Diabetes Association annual meeting in San Francisco. No word on what happens during a glucose drop, but we imagine some sort of alarm and then, perhaps, shutdown occurs.

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Filed under: Transportation