There's also a more detailed video below of just how this hack, by Zhao He, works  but the basics are simple: The Wiimote, Nunchuk and Balance Board are all connected to your PC via Bluetooth. You then download the free, open-source software and install (XP useres will need to install the .NET framework first). The Wii accessories do what they are supposed to do - sense motion – and the software translates it into drum sounds.

This is quite excellent, although I will kill you if you ever bring it near my house. My lazy flatmate, along with owning a real drum kit, is one of those annoying people who can't stop rat-a-tat-tapping on every surface that will make a noise. He also sings in the bathroom, which is right next to where I live and work, explaining the sometimes terse tone of my posts.

We love Zhao's hack, but if he would, say, work out a way to get my housemate a job, we'd worship him all the more.

Wii Drum High [He Zhao. Thanks, Zhao!]

Wii Drum High Tutorial from Zhao He on Vimeo.

We honestly don't know how the Pingdom folks get time to do their real job -- monitoring uptime. They keep coming up with galleries like this, which runs from the first mouse to the first web server, taking in the wood-cased Apple I and a giant, room-sized laser printer on the way.

Back to that "portable" from IBM. We know you''e itching for the specs. The top end model – a mere $20,000 – had 64kb RAM, a five inch CRT screen and a hard drive with... kidding. It didn't have a hard drive. Instead, there was a tape drive. This stuff still amazes me, every time I see it. Take a look at your cellphone, right now. Even the junkiest models kill these old machines.

The history of PC hardware, in pictures [Royal Pingdom]

See Also:

 
• Gallery of Nerd Vanity Plates
 
• The Humble Origins of the Tech Giants
 
• Houston, You Have a Problem: Gallery Of Operation Centers
 
• A Picture History Of Computer Storage

Gadget mavens Brando does not disappoint with their latest, the USB Notebook Cooling Pad + 3-Port Hub + 2.5" HDD. Well, what can we say about this self-explanatory peripheral? You get a dual-fan USB-powered laptop cooler with the addition of USB 2.0 ports for you to hook up a whole host of USB Humping Dogs, while the 2.5" SATA hard drive dock located at its rear is good for additional storage as and when required. Nice to know that you can have this peripheral powered by an AC adapter since you wouldn't want to like, overload those USB ports it is connected to, right? Brando is offering this mish-mash peripheral for $33 a pop.

Just when you thought that all wireless routers are the same, along comes the Huawei D100 router that defies common sense. This Wi-Fi router allows you to connect a standard 3G USB dongle into the top, where it will then share your 3G broadband connection with just about any other device in the area, perfect for a traveling family who want to go online without having to scurry around for a Wi-Fi hotspot. Just make sure that you're on a decent data plan, otherwise a pay-per-use structure will really hurt your pockets at the end of the month. The Huawei D100 will retail for £69.99 including a 3 mobile broadband plan. Guess this limits it to just the UK, so folks living Stateside will just have to wait.

Most laptop chargers are rather bulky and huge, even with the strides we’ve taken in the world of miniaturization these days. Easy Energy aims to go against the grain with its Yogen Max foldable laptop charger which is able to charge gasping laptops without having to depend on any external power source. Sounds pretty crazy, considering how they’re not going to depend on solar power either. Check out what Guy Ofir, Chief Executive Officer of Easy Energy has to say, “This unique product will allow for the complete charging of a laptop anywhere in the world, inside or outside, wired or not.” Yogen Max is tipped to be released sometime next year. I myself am pretty interested to see how the Yogen Max will pan out when it is finally available to the masses. Guess you’ll have pretty solid calf muscles once you’re done juicing up your laptop with this.

Press Release

• Email to a friend
• Leave a comment
• 
  

Excess cord left hanging down from your earbuds really isn’t the end of the world.  However, if it is bothering you, you might as well solve the issue.  After all the extra cord can cause issues.  When it’s hanging down loosely it’s easier to catch it on things or for you to accidentally grab it and end up ripping the earbuds out of your ears.  Plus the cord hanging down just looks sloppy.  Yes, it is a little anal to worry about it, but it’s not exactly an attractive cord.

Well now you can pick up this 3-pack of Tune Ties from Belkin.  The Tune Tie is really nothing special, it’s just a simple device that lets you wind the cord around it, then holds the ends in place.  It’s also not the first of these things to be created.  However, being Belkin it does have the extra perk of coming with a Belkin Lifetime Warranty.  The three pack includes red, gray and black.  You can pick them up on Amazon for around $14 for the set.

Source: GadgetGrid

• Email to a friend
• Leave a comment
• 
  

Medion has just announced a trio of new personal navigation devices (PNDs) which will come with their own AuthenTec fingerprint sensor which is meant to enhance user security and deter device theft, shipping in selected European markets. This is not new, as Medion was the pioneer when it comes to rolling out the first fingerprint-enabled PND in the world last year, so seeing three more models join its solitary brother in the marketplace shows that there is a demand for such a feature - either that or Medion is trying to create the demand itself. The three PNDs that we’ll look at today will be the GoPal P5235, P5435 and X5535.

As mentioned earlier, all three PNDs will make use of AuthenTec’s tiny form factor AES1510 fingerprint sensor when it comes to the user identification process, which means only authorized users will be able to activate the said device. This fingerprint sensor is able to store up to five different user fingerprints, allowing up to 5 people to share the device in theory, either that or in case you lose your finger in an accident (touch wood) and need to access the PND with other digits. This security feature ought to be made a staple methinks, after all, theft of PNDs aren’t exactly slowing down as they’re one of the most frequently stolen items in vehicles today.

All three models will feature a generous 5″ display so you don’t need to end up with a permanent squint when you arrive at your destination. In addition, they will boast speedy route calculation, is able to respond to input commands including voice control, and supports Traffic Message Channel (TMC) reception. The high end MEDION GoPal X5535 will come with an integrated gyrometer to compensate for temporary GPS signal loss just in case you enter a tunnel and emerge at the other end. There is no word on pricing though, but these shouldn’t cost an arm or a leg – maybe a finger. I’m kidding!

Press Release

• Email to a friend
• Leave a comment
• 
  

It looks like Sony is about to enter the netbook market.  Of course, there are little details so far, but from the looks of the FCC image, it appears that Sony is preparing a small WWAN-equipped VAIO.  The image shows off what appears to be a netbook that measures in at 9.5 x 4.5-inches, but carries an official description of “notebook PC.“  Perhaps we can assume that description is just because of the fact that Sony does not like the netbook market.  Call it what you want, but a “netbook,“ “notebook,“ or even a “laptop,“ the size is what will determine the correct market.

The few details that were listed, have this as model numbers PCG-1P1L and PCG-1P2L.  Additionally, they are shown to feature Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n and Bluetooth as well as EVDO and HSPA.  So far, there is not any information regarding a display size, operating system or other features.  The one drawback that I can see here is that, assuming this is truly a VAIO netbook, the price will most likely not be at the same level as other netbooks.

Via [Engadget]

Keep up with the latest gadget goodness! - Subscribe to our feed →

Related:

• iNav - Another Hi-Tech Revolution From Apple?
• Tripod - Portable MP3 and ipod Speakers
• MP3 Badge: musical devotion from Apple
• 8-Inch Portable DVD Player From Sony
• New Zen Crystal From Creative
• Touch HD From HTC
• 2 IN 1 Gadget From Keian Japan
• HP TouchSmart TX2 - tablet pc with multi-touch support
• Digital Photo Frame Intouch IT7150 With Multi-Touch Support