Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

In-vitro fertilization may soon become much more effective, if a new device dubbed the “silicone womb” comes out of testing successfully. Currently test-tube embryos are developed in an incubator, but the .2-inch long silicone womb, produced by Anecova, allows them to be implanted inside the mother for up to four days, during which time they’re exposed to the uterus through 360 40-micron holes. The goal is to develop stronger, more resilient embryos for eventual pregnancy, but a small test in Belgium has so far proven inconclusive as to the device’s effectiveness — and some researchers doubt it’ll work at all, since the embryos will be located in the uterus rather than the fallopian tubes where they would naturally develop. Still, there’s hope that the environment inside the uterus will be an effective substitute — to quote one researcher, “it’s a lot closer to a fallopian tube than a plastic tray.” 40 women are signed up for testing starting today, but results aren’t expected for some time.

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Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

It’s confirmed: Apple’s next event is scheduled for March 6th, next Thursday. It’ll be a Town Hall event; obviously new MacBooks and MacBook Pros aren’t to be expected, but the unambiguous “iPhone software roadmap” and the image above should help guide our assumptions as to what will be discussed. The SDK’s a given, but “exciting new enterprise features,” eh?

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Filed under: iPod Family, Apple

Tonight Apple released a new iPod touch ad during American Idol on FOX. The ad features several iPod touches laid out on a table with various features showing. After some of the iPods are shown at a close up, hands reach out and grab the iPod touches with the words “Everybody touch” displayed.

Thanks to our commenters for the YouTube link.

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Filed under: iPod Family, Mods, iPhone

Earlier this week, we wrote about a beautiful iPhone case mod that involved wrapping the whole thing in a ceramic coating called TiAIN. A lot of you wrote to say how much you liked it. Well, you’re in luck, because now you can buy one.

Just send in your iPhone plus $299US, and you’ll get

• Black back, no branding
• TiAlN Black (or gold) glossy logo
• TiAlN Black (or gold) back bezel
• Antenna Cover

Customization isn’t limited to the iPhone. They’re also doing the iPod touch ($129) and 3G iPod nano ($99). The process takes 2-3 days, and shipping is free. It looks pretty cool; let us know if you dress up your iPhone or iPod.

Thanks, Jason!

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Filed under: iPod Family, iPhone

Abilene Christian University is announcing a pilot program to provide an iPhone or iPod touch to every new student. At first glance, I found myself wondering: if some colleges are providing MacBooks with tuition, doesn’t an iPhone seem like a less-expensive attempt to lure new blood? Upon further consideration, I think there are some distinct advantages to a pocket-sized device in a learning environment. From constant connectivity to ultra-portability, it could provide a means for every student to access learning materials any time, from any place.

ACU has obviously considered this, and then some. With apparently well-coordinated plans to take advantage of the devices - including podcasts, mobile-accessible class materials, active-learning strategies and a re-focusing of the campus media - they’re preparing to take maximum advantage of the iPhone/iPod touch possibilities. If it’s a gimmick, it sure seems like a useful, well-thought-out one. For more information, case studies and future plans, take a peek at the ACU Mobile Learning page.

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Filed under: Gaming, iPod Family

iPod gamers (there’s an odd phrase) have got something new to try out. Apple released Bubble Bash this week [iTunes link], a new game for iPod (5th generation) and iPod nano (3rd generation).

I played it on my nano and it’s fun. Basically, you’ve got to toss bubbles into bunches of balloons, knocking out three or more of the same color. The graphics are nice for an iPod game and the music is only mildly annoying.

It doesn’t beat my favorite iPod game, Mini Golf, but it’s still fun. Check it out if you like puzzle games.

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Filed under: iPod Family, iPhone

Looks like the iPhone hacking teams are at it again. This time they have created a custom image where the normal “Connect to iTunes” image should be on a normal iPhone. This image, used when you restore your iPhone or iPod touch, was a yellow triangle and has been updated to the iPod connector and iTunes icon in recent iPhone/touch firmware versions.

Thanks to roxfan, Turbo, wizdaz, bgm, and pumpkin

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Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

We’ve seen some fairly sinister alarm clocks in our day — ones that fly around, nearly make you go deaf and “explode” if you don’t get up in time, for starters — but this DIY creation is definitely lobbying for top honors. The Turing Alarm Clock, which has admittedly been making the rounds of late, starts making racket just as any other alarm clock when the time comes, but rather than letting you smash the snooze button, it forces you to answer math questions with varying levels of difficulty before quieting down. Evil? Sure. Effective? You betcha. Check the video after the jump.

[Via Hack-A-Day]

Continue reading Homegrown alarm clock tests your math to gauge alertness

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Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

Shocking as it may seem, mainframe computing has never really gone away — even in this age of modular PS3-based supercomputers, financial institutions, retailers, and other large corporations still buy the big iron, which means IBM still makes it. The company’s latest, the fridge-sized System z10, follows up on the million-dollar System z9 released three years ago with faster, cooler processors, more energy efficient designs, 70 percent more computing capacity — and a smaller price tag, starting at just south of a million dollars this time. Hilariously, the z10 caused a bit of a mainframe Osbourne effect: eager customers holding off on z9 purchases in anticipation of the z10 caused a 15 percent drop in IBM’s mainframe revenue last quarter. Mainframe fanboys? Nothing surprises us anymore.

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Filed under: iPod Family, Software Update, iPhone

Just connected my iPhone to iTunes. More details as they come in.

1:30: I’m downloading the software now… To download directly, the direct links are iPhone and iPod. (Do let me know if I messed either of those up.)

I’ve decided that my wee little iPod touch will be the update fodder this time–remember last time all the trouble I ended up with when I basically fried my iPhone when going back to 1.1.1 after testing 1.1.3? The things I do for TUAW!

Help requested If any of you are in ADC, please see whether the SDK is available? Thanks!!

Continue reading iPod/iPhone firmware update 1.1.4 released

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