FocuSoft Tech Blog

Video: Manson MB-1 guitar sports X-Y midi controller, tons of ‘tude Posted: 24 Apr 2009 09:24 AM PDT We’re generally downright Ludditic when it comes to our music (we like it loud and bratty — and no backing tapes, please) but one can’t help but get a little giddy when confronted with a guitar that does, you know, other stuff. Matt Bellamy’s Manson MB-1 signature is not only a respectable ax in its own right, but it also features an X-Y controller (think Korg Kaoss Pad) for two dimensional control of damn near any FX plug-in you can get your hands on. Available in “Matt Black” and “Red Sparkle,” this bad boy starts at £2,999 (that’s almost $4,400, folks). But what do you expect for what Music Radar has termed “easily the most technologically advanced signature guitar on the planet?” Or you could just buy a Kaoss Pad and shove it in your Les Paul. But we wouldn’t recommend that. Make sure you check out the stunning video demonstration after the break. [Via Music Radar] [via EnGadget.com]

Keepin’ it real fake, part CC: HiPhone Nano N3+ is crazy beautiful Posted: 24 Apr 2009 09:03 AM PDT Yes, KIRF number two hundred is a special affair. The HiPhone Nano N3+ is one of those knockoffs that transcends the category and is just plain awesome all on its own. We can’t vouch for its performance or build of course, but the N3+ clamshell is part iPhone, part RAZR, and part iPod, with a little bit of Star Trek: TNG attitude thrown in for good measure. Seriously, though guys: we weren’t kidding when we hinted (told you) that this would be a perfect birthday gift. June 15th. Think about it. Oh, and Happy 200th KIRFday, Engadget! One more glorious shot after the break. [Via PMP Today] See the original post: Keepin’ it real fake, part CC: HiPhone Nano N3+ is crazy beautiful

Modder brings Virtual On’s dual sticks to the Xbox 360 on the cheap Posted: 24 Apr 2009 08:35 AM PDT Most fighting games are pretty badass, but fighting games that feature giant robots? Overwhelmingly badass. Such was Virtual On, one of Sega’s most beloved (and seemingly most quickly forgotten) franchises, where two anime-themed (and frequently Saturn-wearing) virtualroids duked it out in full 3-D and blew our minds with great graphics and a humbling dual-stick control scheme (push both forward to run ahead, apart to jump, together to crouch, etc.). With the game making its triumphant return to action on the Xbox 360, a Japanese gamer has created the above monstrosity by wedging a couple of candy packages onto the controller’s analog sticks, then wiring up weapons buttons. With a little paint they’d almost pass for the arcade’s controller, but we’re not entirely sure that thin plastic would hold up to repeated deploys of Grys-vok’s ICBM attack. [Via Joystiq] View original here: Modder brings Virtual On’s dual sticks to the Xbox 360 on the cheap

It’s everywhere: Windows 7 release candidate leaked Posted: 24 Apr 2009 08:30 AM PDT Flash! The Windows 7 release candidate has leaked. You can find it where you usually find such things. As it stands, this release candidate is rumored to be officially released on May 5, the same day as the second leg of the Manchester United - Arsenal Champions League semi-final. Here's a screenshot, care of Windows 7 News. Looks about the same to me. And if you do grab the leak—doesn't bother me if you do!—would you be so kind as to let us know how it turns out? via Download Squad (Are they really a squad, or is that just their silly name? One wonders.) Read more: It's everywhere: Windows 7 release candidate leaked

X-mini Max II looks like a trash can, pumps out the jams Posted: 24 Apr 2009 08:13 AM PDT If you’ve ever thought to yourself, “I could use a pair of tiny, tinny, and aesthetically-impaired portable speakers for my laptop or PMP,” this is your lucky day. X-Mini, known for pushing sound through something that looks like a cross between alien hardware and a donut, is back on the scene with the Max II. A stunning departure from the usual fare, this thing ditches the wagon wheel in favor of something that one of Dark Helmet’s minions might wear in Spaceballs. Apparently, the new design also features a bigger driver meaning, you guessed it, “twice the bass.” We didn’t have the heart to point out that two times bupkis is still bupkis. We’re not sure when this 2.5W sonic wonder will be released in the US, but we’ll be keepin’ our eyes peeled. Continued here: X-mini Max II looks like a trash can, pumps out the jams

Pleo gets remote-control Wii Nunchuck hack Posted: 24 Apr 2009 08:02 AM PDT Pleo’s fate may be decided by a bankruptcy sale, but the robot dinosaurs already out in the wild are too busy being hacked to worry about IP.  Modder Andrey has developed a system which allows him to remotely-control his Pleo via a Wii Nunchuck, with the head, tail and basic movements all mapped to the Nintendo controller’s buttons and motion-sensors. Video demo after the cut The system uses an Arduino board with an XBee RF module and a custom connector for the Nintendo controller.  Meanwhile Pleo gets an XBee RF link of its own, to receive control signals from the Nunchuck.  If the dinobot is turned on with a certain SD card loaded, it will automatically wait to receive remote instructions rather than going into the normal autonomous mode. Andrey has made all the code available, and it’s easily modified if you’d rather different controls map to different Pleo functions.  It’s hacks like these that show us just how much we’ll miss Pleo if whoever buys his IP doesn’t continue to make the little dino. Click here to view the embedded video. [via Hack a Day] Relevant Entries on SlashGear Pleo XBee wireless & facial recognition hacks RC Airgun keeps marauding squirrels at bay Ugobe files for bankruptcy: no more Pleo Pleo maker Ugobe not going out of business Nyko Wireless Nunchuck severs the final cable on the Wii More: Pleo gets remote-control Wii Nunchuck hack

MSI launch X-Slim in Japan Posted: 24 Apr 2009 08:00 AM PDT It may have been announced at the CeBIT in Hanover but it has taken that long to get to the stage were MSI are able to announce that their version of the slim and light laptop has finally reached the shelves of the stores. The details are a little thin on the ground at the moment, but there will be some coming through soon, hopefully. See more here: MSI launch X-Slim in Japan

Lightning Review: Viliv S5 (Netbook Meets MID) [Review] Posted: 24 Apr 2009 08:00 AM PDT The gadget: Viliv S5, a computer that fits in your palm, packing all the Atom processor power of the latest netbooks along with GPS. The price: $599 (configured with 4.8″ WSVGA display, 60gb HD, Intel Atom 1.33GHz CPU, free spare battery, car kit and pouch) The verdict: The S5 is a good value, but you may not like it anyway. At .92lbs, the Viliv is a bit hefty in your hands even though it’s 1.5lbs lighter than most netbooks. Still, it kept surprising me with its speed. Loaded with the same processor as the Vaio P, the system doesn’t actually run XP faster than any Atom-based, but to see installation bars and downloads move so quickly on such a tiny device is always a bit of a mindfrak. The touchscreen has passable color, brightness and contrast—luckily, it’s also ridiculously accurate. Yeah, the buttons and icons are as minuscule as you’d expect, but I never had a hard time, say, hitting the “X” to close a window (with my precision “nail” tool, of course)…unless my browser was full screen. Then my finger just never fit in the corner properly. For when you need extreme precision, the four-way thumbstick doubles as a mouse, or you can use the bundled “Cube” interface for larger icons (which is fine for a skin, but you’ll need to tinker in the real XP sooner or later). As for the keyboard, it pops up with a conveniently placed button on the right. Pressing keys offers a satisfying moment of haptic feedback. It works about 90% of the time, but however the keyboard skin was designed, your finger press sometimes goes through the keyboard and hits a link or something that’s on your screen. It can make typing a simple phrase quite taxing as you unintentionally swap text boxes. The GPS? It works, but you’ll need to supply your own nav software (an additional cost). The battery? It’s rated at 6 hours, but we received four hours (and two minutes) when tested with nonstop WMV playback (Wi-Fi on with the screen at medium brightness). Since many manufacturers claim battery life that’s double actual testing, I considered four hours to be decent. The USB, headphone and Multi I/O ports are enough in a device of this size, because between them, you could plug in a keyboard, monitor (with adapter) and speakers. In this respect, the Viliv could make for an extremely portable home-to-office computer. Here’s the issue: I just don’t like MIDs. I hate them, really. If I want to use something small, I’ll use a smartphone. If I want to use something slightly bigger, that’s netbook/laptop territory. The MID, in my mind, is a failed idea of the future still stuck in the 90s. It’s a computer that neither fits in your pocket nor serves as your main computer. So if you hate MIDs, the Viliv S5 won’t do anything to change that. But for a MID, I must say, I liked the Viliv. If you are the type of person who can stand the 4.8-inch screen and is looking for their GPS to do a little more, then it might interest you. And at $599, it’s sort of the netbook of MIDs—a whole lot cheaper than what you can get from Sony or the soon defunct OQO. As fast as any netbook Relatively cheap Utilitarian but solid build Accurate touchscreen Some keyboard quirks [Dynamism and Video from ITInside] Original post: Lightning Review: Viliv S5 (Netbook Meets MID) [Review]

Windows 7 RC1 (Build 7100) Now Available at Your Favorite Torrent Site [Windows 7] Posted: 24 Apr 2009 07:59 AM PDT We knew this was coming—a day after it was in the hands of partners, legit copies of Windows 7 Release Candidate 1 (build 7100) have hit your favorite torrent site. Watch out for fakes. [ZDNet] Excerpt from: Windows 7 RC1 (Build 7100) Now Available at Your Favorite Torrent Site [Windows 7]

Lime green Nintendo DS Lite bundle dropping next week Posted: 24 Apr 2009 07:55 AM PDT There's no word on price, but Nintendo is releasing a new lime green DS Lite bundle in the US with Personal Trainer: Cooking on May 3 with a chichi case to match. Yay! I wonder who this bundle is targeted at? Can we please get Virtual Console for the DSi instead of this crap? via GeekSugar See the original post: Lime green Nintendo DS Lite bundle dropping next week

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