prototype

Two years before its debut, the iPhone was as large as an iPad Mini.

A 2005 prototype of the iPhone was five inches wide and seven inches tall, according to images leaked to blog site Ars Technica through a former but unnamed Apple employee. The employee apparently worked on several hardware projects for Apple in the early 2000s and was able to check out the early iPhone versions.

Though it matched the size of an iPad Mini, the iPhone prototype wasn't quite as svelte. The prototype was around two inches thick compared with the Mini at just over a … Read more

LAS VEGAS--Lexus showed off a prototype version of its safety-focused research vehicle today at CES, and it's designed to be more aware of what's going on around on the road.

That translates to a car that's been equipped with a bevy of sensors and other technological goodies, including a roof-mounted Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) laser that can detect objects from 70 feet away.

Other additions include a trio of hi-def cameras that look out for nearby vehicles; a sensor that detects the car's speed and angle; and a GPS antenna that Lexus says can figure out which way your car is pointed even when the car isn't moving. … Read more

NASA is already experimenting with 3D-printing components for rockets to Mars, but the fun doesn't have to stop at liftoff.

Researchers at Washington State University and NASA are suggesting that rocks on the moon or Mars could be used to print useful objects like tools or replacement parts.… Read more

News about the upcoming next-gen iPhone isn't leaking. It's gushing.

There's been no shortage of unconfirmed reports in recent weeks purporting to detail Apple's next iPhone inside and out. Apple is expected to unveil the device next month.

We've seen supposed photos of replacement screens for the phone. Numerous gadget blogs have claimed to possess photos, videos and even dazzling 3D renderings of major phone parts. Apple, of course, has confirmed nothing, but already it feels like we've seen every angle of the unreleased product. We'll have to wait to see if the … Read more

An iPhone has surfaced on eBay that looks nearly identical to the iPhone 4. There's just one issue: the logo doesn't match up.

The device on the front looks identical to the iPhone 4, boasting its prominent screen and black body. On the bottom, it lacks the screws found in the iPhone 4, but includes the speaker and microphone ports found in the final device. However, those ports appear to be longer than those in the final product.

It's on the back, though, where things get a little crazy. On the bottom of the device, where the &… Read more

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- One of the first iPad prototypes will not be used as evidence in the trial between Apple and Samsung, despite it having been shown to jurors.

In a ruling near the end of the court session here today, U.S. District Judge Lucy Koh said that Samsung could not use the tablet, which cropped up in a pile of new evidence last month, to help show differences in what Apple originally envisioned for its patented tablet design, and what it eventually shipped.

The design patent, called the '889 patent in the case between the two tech … Read more

Forget the zombie apocalypse for a moment. What if a real disaster struck your neighborhood? Where would you, or relief workers, take shelter?

As thousands of Japanese are still coping with the aftermath of the 2011 Tohoku quake and tsunami, Osaka-based Daiwa Lease recently showed off this shipping container, a home for disaster zones. … Read more

Last year we ran into a rare Tetris cartridge with an asking price of $1 million. Perhaps the gaming market really is sinking, because a rare Legend of Zelda cartridge is going for just $150,000 on eBay.

The prototype cartridge dates to 1987, the U.S. release year for the famous NES game. The cartridge is yellow with a plain white label reading "Legend of Zelda."… Read more