Project Natal Could Cost Around $200

So much for that sub-$100 price we were all expecting. If some early prices from Swedish retailers are anything to go by, we're all going to be scrimping on the luxury eggnog this Christmas.

While Scandinavian countries are notoriously expensive, 1,499 SEK ($191) for Project Natal is just far too much, even if you factor in conversion charges, taxes or inflation. Kotaku points out that games that cost $60 in the States cost the equivalent of $80 in Sweden, but that's not an excuse for pricing Natal at $200. Our worst fears may just have come true. Let's hope the flaxen-haired blue-eyed Nords are having a laugh at our expense, with some nasty placeholder figures. [Webhallen via Game.se via Kotaku]

Wii Rowing Machine: Like a Regular Rowing Machine, but More Gimmicky

Check out the video

http://gizmodo.com/5541718/wii-rowing-machine-like-a-regular-rowing-machine-but-more-gimmicky?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+gizmodo%2Ffull+%28Gizmodo%29

Nike+ heart rate monitor for Apple iPod coming June 1

First revealed last year following the release of Apple's fifth-generation iPod nano, the Nike + iPod Compatible Heart Rate Monitor is finally set for a U.S. release of June 1.

The news comes from a "Nike+ Pro" on the shoemaker's official forums. While the person did not reveal why the hardware has taken so long to arrive, they did announce the U.S. release, which will be followed by other international releases this summer.

"It will officially launch (in the U.S.) on June 1, 2010, although it may reach some retail outlets slightly sooner," the Nike official, named Clover, wrote. "It will reach Canadian markets in June and will launch internationally in summer 2010, exact date to be determined."

The person said they were not able to reveal the product's price, color, or device compatibility. However, an update to the Nike + iPod user guide last September stated that only the fifth-generation iPod nano was compatible with the new heart rate monitor.

Last year, people familiar with the matter told AppleInsider that the accessory was initially expected to launch alongside the new

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Tablet PC shocker! Fujitsu LifeBook T730 official, smaller version of T900

It's good to have options, right? And, bam! Just like that, Fujitsu announces a little something called the LifeBook T730. Sporting the same Intel Core i5-520M, i5-540M, or i7-620M CPU available on the LifeBook T900, this bad boy packs up to 8GB RAM, 320GB HDD (or 128GBSSD with encryption), Bluetooth, HDMI output, pen input (with optional capacitive multitouch), and a Super-Multi DVD writer into a comparatively svelte, 12.1-inch LED backlit package. Prices start at a Rockefeller-esque $1,869 and move skyward ever-so-quickly depending on your needs and budget.

Walking to Recharge your Devices

Walking Could Recharge Your Smartphone or MP3 Player

Agam Shah, IDG News

May 19, 2010 10:40 am

Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology are harvesting energy through activities like walking or running that could power or recharge smartphones and portable music players in the future.

Consumer electronics are quickly getting smaller, but the batteries cannot keep up, said Zhong Lin Wang, professor and director of the Center for Nanostructure Characterization at Georgia Institute of Technology. Smaller devices tend to consume less power, and the lab is trying to come up with ways in which motions like tapping, bending or walking could generate energy to keep the devices running.

The researchers have developed tiny nanowires made of zinc oxide that are capable of generating an electric field through force or motion. Zinc oxide has piezoelectric potential, which provides the ability for nanowires to convert mechanical energy into electric energy.

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Apple's Patent for Holographic, Multitouch 3D Interfaces

Apple is evolving. First, they wanted us to wear 3D iPod glasses. Now, they don't want us to wear any glasses, in a 3D holographic environment with a multitouch interface.

The way it works, generally speaking, is that the screen deflects images into your left and right eyes, as the camera syncs with the project system to make sure the proper images arrive at the proper eyeballs.

From a feature standpoint, what's cool about the system—which is similar to other patents, with respect to the 3D desktop interface—is that it customizes the imagery to each individual in a group, so people can do stuff together. Like Project Natal, on 3D steroids.

Best $200 Blu-ray Players

Check out this review: http://gizmodo.com/5537666/the-best-200-blu+ray-players-reviewed

Aerobic Step for Wii Fit

The Multi Function Aerobic Step is designed to raise your Balance Board by an extra three, four, or six inches so that you can get more out of your Wii Fit exercise routine. It's simple, but does the trick. More »


See it in action - click here

LEAK: Blackberry Tablet Due This Year

Been wondering about that BlackBerry tablet device you have been hearing about lately? We have some exclusive information to share with you. We have confirmed with multiple sources that the 8.9″ BlackBerry tablet will be strictly a "companion" device.

If you are wondering what it is all about, take a good hard look at the Palm Foleo. Yes, the BlackBerry tablet will not have any cellular networking built in, and will rely on either a Bluetooth connection to your BlackBerry or the built-in Wi-Fi radio. Additionally, we are hearing that the launch of the tablet is slated for December, but the team working on the project is trying to get it out to the marketplace sooner than that. Lastly, the focus of the device is said to be multimedia - think e-books, emailing, web browsing, photo viewing. To be honest, as a complementary device that is coming from RIM, we are not sure why they are even trying here. Especially since RIM employees have privately voiced their frustration to us regarding this initiative.

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Microsoft confirms Natal launch in October

We've heard it before, now Microsoft's Syed Bilal Tariq is repeating the October launch date for Natal. Speaking to GamerTagRadio, Microsoft's marketing manager for Saudi Arabia says that the Natal launch,

"is going to be somewhere in October and we will be in a position to confirm the date at E3, which is in June, but definitely it is going to be October 2010."


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Xbox 360 3D gaming a reality with LG partnership

Gaming, Displays, HD Displays, HD Players, HD Content

Xbox 360 3D gaming a reality with LG partnership

By Thomas Ricker posted May 11th 2010 1:55AM

The image above is unmistakable: 3D gaming on an Xbox 360 with the help of an LG 3D television. From the looks of the Korean press release, LG and Microsoft have entered into a memorandum of understanding to jointly market LG's new 3D televisions along side 3D-capable Xbox 360 games in South Korea, then later expand the partnership throughout the Asia Pacific region. If we're reading this correctly then it appears set to begin by bundling Xbox 360 3D games with LG 55/47LX9500 LED televisions sometime at the end of June. In other words, we're not seeing anything specific claiming new Xbox 360 hardware, just like we've seen on the PS3.


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CDC Document on Physical Activity and Academics

Check this out:

http://www.cdc.gov/healthyYouth/health_and_academics/pdf/pa-pe_paper.pdf

Apple's Seamlessly Embedded Heart Monitor

Nike is making millions from its Apple-friendly wares, designed to turned technophiles into fitness freaks. Imagine the possibilities if the iPhone could not only track your running stride but also monitor your heart rate while doing it. That's one of a suite of potential uses for this patent app from Apple, a Seamlessly Embedded Heart Rate Monitor. The design is for a series of electrodes that are, well, seamlessly embedded into the shell of a given device in such a way that they are "not visibly or haptically distinguishable on the device." The device could then, with a touch, measure heart-rate, uniquely identify a user, and even "determine the user's mood from the cardiac signals." Just imagine the new flood of EKG-related apps: iPalpitate, Murmur Maker, Cardiac Arrest... the possibilities are endless.

Take a look - click here

HP buys Palm

PALO ALTO, Calif. & SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--HP (NYSE: HPQ - News) and Palm, Inc. (NASDAQ: PALM - News) today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which HP will purchase Palm, a provider of smartphones powered by the Palm webOS mobile operating system, at a price of $5.70 per share of Palm common stock in cash or an enterprise value of approximately $1.2 billion. The transaction has been approved by the HP and Palm boards of directors.

The combination of HP's global scale and financial strength with Palm's unparalleled webOS platform will enhance HP's ability to participate more aggressively in the fast-growing, highly profitable smartphone and connected mobile device markets. Palm's unique webOS will allow HP to take advantage of features such as true multitasking and always up-to-date information sharing across applications.

"Palm's innovative operating system provides an ideal platform to expand HP's mobility strategy and create a unique HP experience spanning multiple mobile connected devices," said Todd Bradley, executive vice president, Personal Systems Group, HP. "And, Palm possesses significant IP assets and has a highly skilled team. The smartphone market is large, profitable and rapidly growing, and companies that can provide an integrated device and experience command a higher share. Advances in mobility are offering significant opportunities, and HP intends to be a leader in this market."

"We're thrilled by HP's vote of confidence in Palm's technological leadership, which delivered Palm webOS and iconic products such as the Palm Pre. HP's longstanding culture of innovation, scale and global operating resources make it the perfect partner to rapidly accelerate the growth of webOS," said Jon Rubinstein, chairman and chief executive officer, Palm. "We look forward to working with HP to continue to deliver industry-leading mobile experiences to our customers and business partners."

Under the terms of the merger agreement, Palm stockholders will receive $5.70 in cash for each share of Palm common stock that they hold at the closing of the merger. The merger consideration takes into account the updated guidance and other financial information being released by Palm this afternoon. The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions, including the receipt of domestic and foreign regulatory approvals and the approval of Palm's stockholders. The transaction is expected to close during HP's third fiscal quarter ending July 31, 2010.

RIM shows off BlackBerry 6 on video

While RIM's WES 2010 keynote is still ongoing, the company's YouTube channel has kindly released the first teaser video for the incoming BlackBerry 6 operating system. There's a lot of movement on screen -- so much, in fact, that it's almost like RIM really doesn't want you to see the OS at all. We did catch sight of a Cover Flow-aping music organizer, an onscreen keyboard engaging in some threaded messaging, Facebook and Twitter clients, and even the briefest of glimpses at that infamous WebKit-based browser. Interaction in the video is done via touch, but you'll naturally be able to utilize the new interface on more conventional, touch-less devices as well. Skip past the break for the visual goodies.

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