Optimus Tactus

Artemy Lebedev and his team have released images of a concept for a new product which shows what is possibly a touch sensitive interactive keyboard called the Optimus Tactus. The keyboard demonstrates an interactive display surface which appears to be programmable and which can show video amd other media and information which could normally appear on a display. It would be nice to see this come to light in a time window much shorter than we saw with the Optimus Maximus. I'd also like to see some thought place into how the keyboard will provide feedback to show a successfull activation of a key or control.

Netscape Is Finally Laid To Rest

After over 13 years of service, the browser that pretty much started it all is finally being laid to rest. Netscape is being sunsetted and will no longer be updated past February 1st 2008. For more information visit the official Netscape blog. Those of you who like Netscape and still use it should really look at Firefox. It offers an excellent alternative to IE.

Vista WGA Kill Switch Killed In SP1

The dreaded Kill Switch which is activated in Windows Vista by WGA, is apparently going to be killed off via Service Pack 1. This feature has been responsible for a number of users losing capabilities because Vista thinks it is an unlicensed/Illegal copy. The implimentation of WGA isn't smart enough to detect that changes in a system are not actually the result of an illegal install. Too many changes (including the installation of third party software and you get a disabled version of Vista... This From ZD-Net

Dell Sell Via Best Buy & Launch Latitude Tablet

Dell have announced that they will begin selling some of their products through Best Buy. Initial Products will include their new XPS One and the XPS 1330 laptop. What I'm wondering is whether or not customers will also be able to use best buy stores as drop off centres for servicing, repairs and upgrades. Reports from several sources, including Gizmodo and Engadget, are that their Latitude XT Tablet PC will most likely be launched on Tuesday the 11th of December.

Dr. Emmett Browns Flux Capacitor

For those of you who have everything, including the mint DMC-12 DeLorean in the garage, we now have the perfect gift. TFAW (Things from another world) are selling a replica of the Flux Capacitor as seen in the "Back to the Future" movies. The life size replica measures sixteen inches tall by twelve inches wide. It is masterfully recreated to be as authentic as possible, right down to the lighting, which includes adjustable power settings. This cool piece of kit can be had starting on April 30, 2008 for $275. Visit TFAW for more info...

Google Announce GPS-less Location System

Google has revealed a new software solution called My Location which enables non-GPS mobile phones to be pinpointed to within three miles of their actual location. Whilst that isn't anywhere near the resolution of GPS-based tech, Google is claiming that it will suffice for providing "neighborhood-level" data, and that pressing "0" whilst in the app will enable users to skip the task of entering in a starting address when looking up directions. The tracking database still has a few gaps in it with locales in Europe and all of China and Japan included in the "to be done" list. However interesting, this concept lacks any punch and needs to be refined much further before GPS users will even look at it.