Crave

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(Credit: Gizmodo--art by Jesus Diaz; copy by Mark Wilson and Jesus Diaz; extra documentation by Eric Sheline)

The 102-year history of the Times Square New Year's Even Ball is one filled with technology, death and, of course, pretty shiny lights. See it all unfold in our historical timeline.

Of course, for those who don't appreciate the festivity of the ball drop, despite all of the hard work behind the scenes, feel free to ignore the ball's 32,256 glimmering Philips LEDs and turn your attention to your iPhone...because, yes, Waterford has made an app for that.

Happy New Year everyone!

This story originally appeared on Gizmodo.

(Credit: Chariot Skates)

If you can imagine "wearing" a bicycle on your feet, it might look something like Chariot Skates, the name of a novel form of roller skate that lets you go off-road and downhill with greater ease than inline skates.

Australian Michael Jenkins created his Wheelskates to bring skiing and cycling together in one product. The user's feet are suspended below the axles of knee-high wheels in hinged leg and foot support struts; smaller rear wheels add stability. The mechanism helps create the impression of skiing and skating when moving forward.

Jenkins says the low center of gravity in his skates allows users greater speed and maneuverability than traditional inline skates, adding that he travels around 12 mph without traffic.

It's also possible to go down grassy slopes and traverse rough terrain on them. Stopping is achieved by gripping the wheels with special gloves, or doing a T-stop.

People have been tinkering with wheeled footwear for more than a century, but Chariot Skates brings modern materials know-how to the dream of effortless motion.

The prototype skates are made of expensive carbon composite material, and estimated production costs are comparable to those of "first-class carbon fiber bicycles," according to Chariot Skates, which is based in Hong Kong.

Jenkins has said they may cost several thousand Australian dollars when they hit the market, expected next year.

(Via Gear Junkie)

World of Warcraft runs well in Ubuntu.

(Credit: Screenshot by Dong Ngo/CNET)

If you are looking for an operating system that offers the best values, none can compare to Linux.

First of all, it's free. Most Linux distributions can be downloaded gratis from the developers' Web site and you can install it on however many computers you want. Secondly, it comes with a lot of things, such as office tools (word processing, spreadsheet, presentation), audio and video playback, Internet and e-mail, instant messaging, and so on. Basically everything a general user would want to use with a computer is there when the installation is done. For those applications that are not there, chances are you can download them for free.

Wine is more than just an emulator; it makes Windows applications run in Linux much like they do in Wndows.

(Credit: Screenshot by Dong Ngo/CNET)

There's also a Linux application called Wine that allows you to run Windows software within Linux. What is special about Wine, however, is the fact that it's not a traditional virtual environment and therefore runs Windows applications very much the way Windows does, without much overhead. Unfortunately, not all Windows applications work with Wine and even if they do, you might not be able to install or run them the way you do in Windows.

Wine, which was developed in 1993, is a recursive acronym for "Wine Is Not an Emulator," though this doesn't make it true that it is not an emulator. Rather than acting as a full emulator, it implements a compatibility layer, providing alternative implementations of the DLLs that Windows programs call, and processes to substitute for the Windows NT kernel. The Wine project has run into a lot of difficulties, mostly because of the incomplete and incorrect documentation of the Windows API. For this reason, after 15 years of development, the first version of Wine (1.0) was release in mid-2008.

Over my Christmas break, I decided to try out the latest version of Wine with my most frequently used Windows application, which is called World of Warcraft (or WoW). Just so that it's clear that I am not antisocial, this didn't take away much time spending with friends and family, as it actually took me less than an hour to do the whole thing.

I started out with getting an ISO image of the ever-popular Linux distro Ubuntu version 91.0. After that, I burned the image onto a CD and started the installation from it.

If you have ever installed an operating system, such as Windows, the installation of Ubuntu is very similar to that. You just need to insert the CD into the optical drive, boot the computer from it, and follow the instructions. The installer will do everything for you, including configuring the hard drive and setting up dual-boot if you want to use it on the same computer that also has Windows installed. In this case, make sure you pick the amount of hard-drive space you want to use for Linux carefully, as this can't be changed once the new OS is installed.

You need to launch the Windows executable file using Wine Windows Program Loader to run a Windows-based application within Linux.

(Credit: Screenshot by Dong Ngo/CNET)

Note that in case there's no free space on the hard drive, the Linux installer will automatically shrink the partition used by Windows and free some space for Linux. This process, apart from making the Windows partition smaller, doesn't change anything else and your Windows should work like normal. However, a good rule of thumb is to make sure you back up important files prior to installing Linux.

In my case, I installed Ubuntu 9.10 on the same Core 2 Dual machine with 4GB of RAM and a 500GB hard drive that runs Windows 7 into a dual-boot setup and the whole process took less than 30 minutes. After that, at boot up, I have the option of booting in either Windows 7 or Ubuntu.

Once the installation is done, though Ubuntu runs fine, chances are not all the hardware components, such as video or sound, have their optimized drivers installed. You need to manually do this by running the Hardware Driver utility (System -> Administration -> Hardware Drivers); this utility will list the hardware components that require proprietary drivers and you just need to install (or activate) them. In my case, I needed to do that for my video card, which is a budget Geforce 8300GS with 510MB of RAM.

Wine can be installed for free and the process takes just less than a minute via a broadband connection.

(Credit: Screenshot by Dong Ngo/CNET)

The next step is to install Wine. You can do that via Ubuntu Software Center (Applications -> Ubuntu Software Center). Here, you select "Get Free Software" then search for "Wine." In my case, I found two versions of Wine: Wine Microsoft Windows Compatibility Layers and Wine Microsoft Windows Compatibility Layers (Beta Release). I picked the beta release. (Obviously newer is better, right?) The installation of Wine literally took a few seconds with the Internet connection I used, which was really fast. If you use a regular DSL, this might take around a minute.

Now it's time to install WoW. I did it the way I've always done in Windows in the last couple of years: copying the whole "World of Warcraft" folder over from another computer. This is because installing the game from scratch would take hours, considering all the updates and the almost 20GB of storage space that the game requires. With Linux, however, you might not be able to install WoW from scratch anyway. The WoW installer that I tried refused to continue, citing that the computer doesn't meet the game's requirement. This is probably because it could read the computer's hardware via Wine.

Because WoW wasn't installed from scratch, I couldn't launch it from Wine's Start Menu (which resembles that of Windows'). Instead, I need to call the game's executable directly. The trick is that you need to call it via Wine Windows Program Loader by right clicking on the Wow.exe file and choose "Open with Wine Windows Program Loader." It won't work if you just double-click on it.

(Credit: Screenshot by Dong Ngo/CNET)

And that's it, the game loaded and worked just like in Windows. I could run it in full-screen mode, Windows mode, using the add-ons, etc. The performance was decent. At the recommenced settings, I had consistently 20 frames per second in Daralan, the notoriously slow and laggy area of the game. In other areas, such as dungeons, I was able to get up to 45fps, which was really impressive considering the budget video card.

Overall, it was a really interesting and exciting experience. However, WoW crashed during start-up a couple times; this could be solved by simply restarting the computer or reinstalling Wine. This is probably where the "beta" notion of Wine is to blame.

Other than WoW, I tried a few other Windows applications, such as iTunes and QuickTime, and they worked, too. however they didn't always work the way you expect in Windows.

All in all, Wine will not make an alternative to Windows, but the fact that now I can run my favorite game in Linux makes me believe that Linux is really an ideal operating system for savvy users. So if you think you are one, make a backup of your Windows computer and try it out. It's a lot of fun and doesn't cost anything.

Finally, it's time to get my gorgeous body back!

(Credit: Dong Ngo/CNET)

So Christmas, as awesome as it has always been, is now over, and you're wondering what to do next. Well, I don't have an answer to that. However, if you already know what to do but just wonder how to best do it and you happen to own an Android-based phone, then I have something for you.

It's an app that can be used for basically anything, called eHow from Demand Media, the owner of the popular eHow Web site.

The app basically puts all the functions of the Web site and more in your palm. I tried it out over Christmas and really loved it. I was able to quickly find recipes and step-by-step instructions for dozen of cocktails and meat pies, and now I believe have mastered the way to make tuna steaks.

Best of all, I was even able to record the process of making the food with the phone. The app has a function called "I did this" that allows you to upload your experience of getting the job done via text, images, or video to the eHow Web site, or you can e-mail that to friends to show off, which I did. (I didn't upload anything to the site as I didn't want to risk my self-proclaimed level of steak mastery being questioned.)

Apart from food and thousands of other daily chores that you might need help with, the app also offers advice on serious issues, such as how to lose weight or find love. I didn't try any of these out (yet) but if you have and were successful, please share your experience in the comments below.

According to Demand Media, eHow is now home to more than 1 million articles and videos, and a vast community that shares its experiences and provides real-life advice. You don't need to be a member to get the advice but if you want to share yours, an account can be created for free. And now with the eHow app, you can do that when you're on the go, literally from anywhere in the world.

The app, however, does require an Internet connection. It doesn't have any content built-in; it's just a front-end application that accesses the data directly from the eHow's Web site each time you look for an advice. I tried it with Verizon's 3G connection and the performance was decent. Most text and image items loaded instantly, but the videos took a few seconds to buffer before playing, which was to be expected.

The app seems to be a perfect fit for Android phone users now that the new year is coming and you'll probably need help achieving your resolutions. The eHow app is available at the Android Market app store and can be downloaded for free.

The app is not available for the iPhone for now, which is a good thing in a way, because if you really already have "an app for everything," you might not need an app that has everything in it.

Concept art for an Apple touch-screen Netbook. Is this what you want to see?

(Credit: Gizmodo)

We're nearing 2010, and that means it's time for bloggers like yours truly to stock up on champagne, put on our one necktie, and start making predictions. Instead, I thought it would be fun to talk about the tech I'd like to see in the new year. Then I thought it would be even more fun if we talked about the tech that you, the readers, would like to see.

To be fair, a few of our poll options are left over from my 2008 holiday wish list that didn't come to be in '09. Then I've added a few more that are 2010-specific. But it's not all about what I want. Which of these would you most like to see in 2010? Not which is the most likely, but which would be the coolest?

If we missed anything, be sure to let us know in the TalkBack section below. And happy holidays!

(Credit: Entertainment Earth)

I am not really Batman, despite what I tell girls on dates, but if I had this badass Bat utility belt I could maybe convince them otherwise. I mean, it's only $279 and could easily hold all my portable gadgets, plus my wallet and a young lady's heart (not literally, of course).

The 38-inch-wide belt is made of faux leather and has eight pouches with Batman logo emblems on the snaps, as well as a gold-plated metal buckle with a Batman logo emblem. It'll be available in June of '10, but Entertainment Earth is taking preorders now. In addition, it's a licensed replica, so you won't have lawyers coming after you like the Joker's henchmen. But even if you did, you'd have the included smoke bombs and grappling hook to deal with them.

Well, OK, it doesn't come with weapons, but the Internet's a big place. I'm sure you could find something useful to fill the pouches with. Jelly, perhaps?

In this week's preholiday edition of the Digital City Podcast, we all get ready for our one long break of the year, accompanied by special guest smartphone guru (and new CNET East Coaster) Bonnie Cha.

Scott and Joe have seen James Cameron's "Avatar"; Bonnie and Julie haven't. We also discuss Intel's new Atom Netbooks, 3D Blu-ray on the PS3, holiday smartphones, and upcoming laptops and phones at CES 2010. Best of all, Scott gets a chance to show off his one and only Batjew T-shirt. Watch it on video or you'll miss it.

Plus, don't forget to enter a comment to win a 16GB Zune HD of your very own. Happy holidays!

Related links:
>>3D Blu-ray standard outlined, includes PS3
>>New Atom Netbooks: Strange timing for shoppers?
>>CES 2010 Preview: Cell phones
>>CES 2010 Preview: Desktops and laptops

>>Watch the Digital City live every Monday at 3 p.m. EST on CNET Live!
>>Subscribe to Digital City on iTunes
>>Join the Digital City Facebook fan page
>>Need more? Follow Dan on Twitter! And Scott!

(Credit: NYU)

I'm surprised something like the Swig & Jig hadn't been invented yet, but so glad someone finally got around to making a liquor cabinet that throws a party every time you take out a drink.

The cabinet, a creation of Alex Vessels and Katherine Keane for the winter show at the Interactive Telecommunications Program of NYU's Tisch School of the Arts, features several compartments to store your potables. Each of these is outfitted with a switch, so that when you remove a bottle, the Swig & Jig lights up and plays a song.

The best part: it's fully programmable, meaning that each drink gets its own unique accompaniment. That means, in this case, the Pogues for Jameson, Etta James for a bottle of white wine, MGMT for PBR, and so on.

It almost makes me sad, knowing that when I take my cheap drinkin' scotch off the shelf tonight, it could be playing the sad trombone I deserve.

Swig & Jig from Gizmodo on Vimeo.

This story originally appeared on Gizmodo.

Along with Beeker and Fozzie Bear, Animal ranks among my favorite Muppets characters. So it's great not only to see him starring in his own iPhone game, but to report that the game's a blast.

At first blush, The Muppets Animal Drummer from Disney looks like something out of Rock Band: you've got five drums that light up and change colors (and occasionally catch fire); combo bonuses and power-ups that appear as you progress; and Animal himself (itself?) banging away center-stage.

A little bit Rock Band, a little bit Simon, The Muppets Animal Drummer is all fun.

(Credit: Disney)

However, the gameplay's a bit different: Animal bangs out a series of beats using different parts of the drum set and different intervals. Your job is to play back the lick (by tapping the drums) using the exact same phrasing.

It starts off pretty easy, but quickly gets challenging (especially for rhythm-deprived individuals like myself). Even so, I find this a lot more fun than, say, Tap Tap Revenge or Rock Band, both of which reach a level of "impossible" that makes me lose all interest.

Here, you can improve your performance with practice--no superhuman levels of dexterity required.

There's also a Free Play mode that lets you drum along with any of the game's handful of songs (some of which must be unlocked by doing well in Classic mode) or songs in your iPod library. Younger kids in particular will have lots of fun with this, as it's really just noise on top of noise.

Whatever mode you choose, you'll enjoy snippets of Animal's voice along the way--icing on the cake.

And sweet cake it is. Animal Drummer may have built-in kid appeal (assuming kids these days even know who the Muppets are), but it's also plenty of fun for older players who enjoy music- and rhythm-centric games. At $1.99, I can highly recommend it.