Gadgets Connect

Posted Feb 21st 2008 6:18PM by Nilay PatelFiled under: Desktops, Laptops, Storage It’s an old adage that no security measure is worth anything if an attacker has physical access to the machine, but things like heavy-duty disk encryption are supposed to at least slow things down. Sadly, that may not actually be the case, as a group of Princeton researchers has just published a paper detailing an exploit that requires little more than a spray duster and a screwdriver. Since the encryption key for systems like BitLocker and FileVault lives in RAM, all an attacker has to do to get it is cool the RAM modules with the air duster held upside down, yank the DIMM, and insert it into another machine, where it can then be read to access the key. (Read the full post about ‘Cold boot disk encryption attack is shockingly effective’…)

Share This

Tom Robertson (Microsoft Corp. General Manager of Interoperability and Standards) describes a set of broad-reaching changes to the company’s technology and business practices to increase the openness of its products and drive greater interoperability, opportunity and choice for developers, partners, customers, and competitors.

(Read the full post about ‘Microsoft Announces Company Changes’…)

Share This

Sony’s Bravia line of LCD TVs have gotten yet another range - this time in the form of the F series. You will be able to start with the 32″ model that won’t cater to folks who love their movies in full HD as it maxes out at WXGA resolution. As for the 40″ and 46″ versions, you will be able to enjoy full HD in its entirety. All three LCD TVs will feature glossy sapphire black paint and some aluminum for that classy look. Other shared features include a 3,000:1 contrast ratio, a 178 degree viewing angle and a new picture quality circuit. Japan will be the lucky recipients of the Bravia F series first at the end of next month onwards, with the 32″ KDL-32F1, 40″ KDL-40F1 and 46″ KDL-46F1 retailing for $1,850, $2,680 and $4,257, respectively. (Read the full post about ‘Sony Bravia F Series’…)

Share This

The Kingdom Under Fire series continues with Kingdom Under Fire: Circle of the Doom. The series shifts gears, though, changing from a real-time strategy war game to an action RPG. Read on to find out whether it’s worth entering this kingdom. I haven’t played either of the past two KUF games, but I have played a fair amount of RPG titles. This one is a hack-and-slash affair, which is very different from the expansive well-crafted story lines like Geek.com’s 2007 Game of the Year Mass Effect or Geek Pick Oblivion. Whatever the story line of these hack-and-slashes, the button-mashing gameplay dominates the experience. This is sadly no different with Kingdom Under Fire: Circle of Doom. (Read the full post about ‘Review: Kingdom Under Fire: Circle of Doom for Xbox 360′…)

Share This

I know this must have happened to you a million times as well . . . you’re just about to go down the catwalk at the Paris fashion show, but you’ve cut your cheek on one of the crystal champagne flutes. What to do? Slap on one of these high-fashion bandages over your boo-boo, adjust your outfit (which is the size of a bandage anyway), and off you go! Now you’ve started another fashion trend, though rapper Nelly may claim that honor. Blinged out bandages with 4 Swarovski crystals are available in three colors (white, red and pink), and one little tin sells for $12 at Charles and Marie. Designed by Fabian Seibert, who also created the trendy ace-type bandage replacement in 5 bright colors. (Read the full post about ‘Blinged out bandages’…)

Share This

Posted Feb 21st 2008 11:29AM by Donald MelansonFiled under: Laptops It looks like those in North America eager to get their hands on Asus’ sleek new leather-bound U2E ultraportable will have to wait a little while longer, although it’s not clear exactly how long. There’s apparently no production delays or other problems with the laptop, however, with Asus instead rather frankly fessing up that its holding back on the laptop simply so it can launch some other products alongside it. In case you missed it, the U2E (also known as the U2) boasts an 11-inch LED-backlit display, a Core Duo ULV processor and a 32GB SSD drive, all of which combine for some expectedly strong battery life while still maintaining some decent performance — and no doubt a lofty price tag as well. (Read the full post about ‘Asus delays U2E launch, wants other products to ride its coattails’…)

Share This

The mobile plans war is getting more exciting every single day. After Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile and AT&T announced their flat-rate calling plans for $99.99 per month, there are speculations that Sprint Nextel will offer its own unlimited plan at 40% lower or $60 per month. It’s a very surprising move knowing that this struggling mobile operator recently announced its Unlimited Access Pack for $119 per month. Though there is still no official announcement about this move, analysts speculate Sprint will go for a $60 to $80 monthly plan. Though many customers are delighted about this discounted rates, Wall Street is worried this will spur deeper price cuts and competitive counterattacks, which might prove detrimental to the business in the long run. (Read the full post about ‘Sprint to deliver another major blow on mobile price war?’…)

Share This

Intel has just rolled out a dual-socket motherboard for PC manufacturers who want nothing but the very best for their customers, resulting in a high-powered machine that runs on a couple of quad-core processors as well as multiple graphics cards simultaneously. Known in consumer electronics circles as Skulltrail previously, you get the Dual Socket Extreme Desktop Platform that features a Desktop Board D5400XS and a couple of high-powered Core 2 Extreme QX9775 processors as well as the ability to support both Crossfire from ATI or SLI graphics cards from Nvidia. This way, no matter which graphical camp you prefer to set your base on, you will be able to start fragging almost immediately despite playing in the highest resolution possible while turning all other shaders and anti-aliasing options on. (Read the full post about ‘Intel on a rampage’…)

Share This

Lovers Spell Kit

The Spell Kit has everything you need to cast a spell and watch as your desired one start to desire you. Cast a love spell on the one you desire!Perform the spell ceremony on a special day such as Valentine s Day following the instructions on the spell scroll.The Spell kit contains petals, ribbon and a candle and all you needan item given to you from the one you desire.Find a quiet place, follow the scroll guidlines and keep the power of the spell strong by placing item under your pillow. Use the Spell Kit to make the love between you and your desired one grow. Spell Kit features:? One black bag Spell Kit? Scroll with spell instructions ?

(Read the full post about ‘Lovers Spell Kit’…)

Share This

Posted Feb 21st 2008 3:22AM by Darren MurphFiled under: RobotsIf you’re content with letting time pass you by, you may not realize that this year’s holiday shopping season is but ten months away, and apparently, Mattel thinks it’s got the whole hottest toy thing figured out already. Granted, we’d place our bets on that wildly animated Elmo Live fellow (and yeah, Kota is a legitimate dark horse), but the $150 D-Rex dinosaur is still pretty slick. Aimed at kids ages six and (way) up, the interactive dino reportedly features 100 different roars, “lifelike” skin (saywha?) and the ability to respond to a variety of commands or simply take a chunk out of your ankle if he prefers. (Read the full post about ‘Mattel’s D-Rex wants a piece of Pleo, your leg’…)

Share This