Sony today took the wraps off of their new PlayStation Move controller system, their much-anticipated answer to the Nintendo Wii-mote and Microsoft’s Project Natal.

The PlayStation Move is actually a set of motion controllers, sort of like the Wii-mote and Nunchuk. However, the PS3 Move components connect wirelessly via Bluetooth, so there’s no annoying cable between the parent and child controller. The Move works hand-in-hand with the PlayStation Eye camera, and as such can be used to create augmented-reality objects inside games on-screen. The Move controllers are designed to provide a highly accurate gesture and motion tracking on new games and Sony says they’ll be able to create much more precise gaming experiences to appeal to both casual and hardcore gamers.

The main Move controller looks sort of like a Mr. Microphone, but with a color-changing LED ball at the top. I’m not exactly sure what purpose the ball serves other than to look silly, but it might be used as a key for the players to know which controller corresponds to their on screen characters.

Sony plans on releasing the Move in three versions, one with just the pair of Move wands (if you already own an Eye camera), a PlayStation Move Starter Kit that includes the Move wands, a PlayStation Eye and a game. They’ll also be selling a bundle with the PS3 Slim and the Move Starter Kit. They expect for the Starter Kit bundle to sell for less than $99 (USD) and to ship the controllers this Fall, just in time for the busy 2010 holiday season.

To see more about the PlayStation Move and other PS3 news, check out the video of the Sony’s GDC press conference below (skip to about 9:35 into the clip to cut to the Move section, and 14:20 for the juicy bits):

[via PlaystationTEAM]

Filed under: iPad

During CES 2010, HP gave the public a slight tease of its upcoming slate device. The touchscreen device, which runs Windows 7, sports a form factor similar to Apple's iPad, as well as similar uses; it supports eBooks, music, videos, and of course, the Internet. But wait, there's more. According to a post on HP's Voodoo blog, the device will give you a "full Web browsing experience," not a "watered-down Internet" with "sacrifices." In other words, the HP slate device supports Flash and, well, the iPad doesn't.

While the blog posting didn't mention the iPad by name, it was fairly clear that the statement in question was an indirect jab at it. Accompanying the post is a short, 30 second clip. The highlight of the clip, which occurs toward the end, shows the user going to Hulu.com and watching a Flash-based video.

The reason that the clip is only 30 seconds long, and the Hulu portion is at the end of it, is that running Flash may have drained all of the device's batteries before all footage could be shot. (Just kidding! I couldn't help myself).

On a serious note, while the lack of Flash on the iPhone, and now the iPad, has its drawbacks, these drawbacks have been muted to a degree. The advent of the App Store created a non-Flash, potentially monetizable, playground for the creations of developers and content creators to play in. In addition, HTML 5 is emerging as a potential Flash development alternative.

via [AppleInsider]

TUAWHP attacks Apple iPad over Flash originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 10 Mar 2010 22:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Available in three models, Jays’ new a-JAYS headphones feature an 8.6mm dynamic speaker drivers and flat/ tangle-free TPE cords. The One is a basic model that comes in a sleek black finish, meanwhile the Two model features a highly polished finish and produces a more bass-heavy sound signature. The Two comes equipped with an included stereo splitter and a flight adapter.

The Three is a high-end model that adopts the titanium coated diaphragm (TCD) technology and a rubber coating, allowing these earphones to produce a wider frequency range than the One or Two models. Each purchase of the Three model comes with an included stereo splitter, a flight adapter and a protective case. Jays’ a-Jays high-performance earphones will be available in April 2010 for $40 – $60, depending on the model. [Jays]

Buffalo is about to release their newest portable hard drive ‘HD-PVRU2′ for the Japanese market. Adopting the Turbo USB technology, the drive features a rugged matte-finished exterior, a USB 2.0 interface and is bundled with eco Manager software for saving power. The Buffalo HD-PVRU2 will hit Japan at the end of March in two different versions 320GB ($100) and 500GB ($150). [TCM]

The Audio-Technica Boogie Box is an active speaker with a street style. Available in red, black, or camouflage, this all-in-one speaker system features two 70mm full-range speakers, driven by an integrated 2W+2W amplifier. You can connect the Boogie Box with your iPod, MP3 player or PMP. Measuring 159mm x 263mm x 143mm and weighing 2.6kg, the Audio-Technica Boogie Box retails for $159.99 each. [AudioCubes]

Finding yourself a new Linux-based nettop PC? Well if you do, be sure to check out ASUS’ latest Eee Box EB202 which is now available via Newegg’s online store. Specs-wise, this space-saving computer offers a 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270 processor, an integrated Intel GMA 950 graphics card, a 1GB RAM, a 160GB hard drive, a multi-format card reader, WiFi, Gigabit Ethernet and is pre-installed with the Chinese Linux distribution, Red Flag Linux. If you’re interested, ASUS Eee Box EB202 will set you back $189.99 after rebate. [Product Page]

Modder Dataman recently got his hands on Adafruit’s Monochron Pong Clock and massaged it into this cool Space Invaders clock – nicknamed the Intruderchron. Even though originally, the video game Space Invaders came out 6 years after Pong, the Space Invaders clock uses the same hardware as the Pong clock.

Dataman upgraded the firmware, and we have to say that overall, the effect is pretty hypnotic. The Pong clock was also cool, but it would be best if Dataman’s next clock were able to switch between different classic games, so you don’t have to buy multiple Monochrons.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

Dataman has shared his code, so if you can hack it or modify it to play different games if you want. You can get your own Monochron kit at Adafruit Industries’ online store for $80 (USD).

[via Hack A Day]

iKit’s Dura Case for the Apple iPad combines a hard shell plate with a soft-grip border to provide impact resistance and protection against scratches and dings. Available in black and clear, the case features a form-fitting design, open access to all ports and controls, an included screen protector and cleaning kit. If you are interested, you can pre-order the Dura Case for $40. [iKit]

One time I was at one of my cousin’s birthday parties at the park in our town. We were specifically told not to go on what had to be the world’s highest monkey bars. The geodesic dome structure was a good 10 feet off the ground not counting the hole worn underneath by the years of kids plummeting to their demise.

Naturally, we went to the top, warnings from parents that we would fall and break an arm unheeded. My cousin promptly falls and broke his arm as soon as we climbed to the top. All he had after a trip to the ER was an ugly white cast and melted ice cream. What he needed was one of these cool Casttoos.

The things come in several pre-printed varieties with carious pictures of broken bones that look like cartoon drawings. The real coolness though is the custom cover with your own x-ray image on it. That way you can just point to the picture on your cast when someone asks what you did. A custom cover can set you back as much as $40, but just think of the time you would save not having to explain yourself to everyone you know.

[Via Boing Boing]

Mythbuster Adam Savage has been obsessed with producing an accurate replica blaster from Blade Runner for years. The original gun was used by Replicant-hunter Deckard, played by a young Harrison Ford. But if you’re reading this site, you probably already know that.

Adam has been obsessing over this for quite some time, and his latest replica is almost complete, and he’s pretty satisfied with it. In 2006, the original that was used on the set of the movie was found and auctioned off. It sold for $256,000. Adam didn’t buy that one.

Adam’s blaster took him about 30-40 hours to complete, but spread out over about 6 long years. Which one was cheaper to make? You’ll have to be the judge after you read his article.

I think that this is a healthy obsession, but if it were me, I’d have done a Blastech DL-44, the heavy blaster used by Han Solo in Star Wars. Oddly enough, also wielded by Harrison Ford.

[Boing Boing via Make:]