Most people won't have any use for this thing, but if you need to analyze evidence from a hard drive without changing its content, you'll probably be interested in the Forensic RTX.
This is the newest product from WiebeTech, the maker of the UltraDock V4 and the Drive eRazer, for the forensic field.
The Forensic RTX hard drive enclosure is for the CSI set.
(Credit: WiebeTech)Basically, it's an external hard-drive enclosure that can house four 3.5-inch hard drives at a time. However, it differs from any regular external enclosure in many ways.
First, the device supports both the currently popular SATA and the older IDE interface standards. This means it can handle the hard drives of current desktops as well as those that were made more than 10 years go. Secondly, two of the hard drive bays feature WiebeTech's proprietary write-blocked technology that guarantees with an absolute certainty that you, and only you, can read from the hard drive.
The hard drive bays even have locks, to make sure they can't be physically tampered with. Another bonus is when you need to replace the hard drive, you don't have to unscrew anything. You just need to insert the hard drive the way you wold insert a CD in the CD Drive and then close the bay's door.
The Forensic RTX feature a plethora of connection options, including USB 2.0, FireWire 800, FireWire 400, and eSATA.
The Forensic RTX's chassis is made of sturdy aluminum that provides a rugged durability and a cooling solution.
Like I said earlier, most of us won't need one of these, but if you happen to have a use for it, make sure you start saving. The Forensic RTX can easily dig a hole in your wallet with its hefty price tag of $1,500.
A service launched on Tuesday lets cell phone users unmask the Caller ID on anonymous calls.
TrapCall, which is offered by TelTech Systems, reveals the phone numbers of and, in some cases, the names and addresses of blocked Caller IDs. Toms River, N.J.-based TelTech is also the company behind the controversial SpoofCard, an Internet calling-card service that allows users to place calls in which originating caller numbers appear to be something completely different--like the White House switchboard.
Cell phone users have long been able to shield their originating number from display by dialing *67 before placing a call. However, cell calls placed to 800-numbers have been immune to this technique because the toll-free number is paying to receive the call. TrapCall takes advantage of that arrangement.
TrapCall instructs new users to reprogram their cell phones to send all rejected, missed, and unanswered calls to TrapCall's own number. When a blocked or restricted number appears on a cell display, the user presses a button on the cell that is normally used to send the call to voicemail. The call is then rerouted to TrapCall's toll-free line, where the caller's information is obtained and then sent back to the original call's recipient. All this reportedly takes about six seconds while the caller is listening to a normal dial tone.
The service, which is currently available to AT&T and T-Mobile subscribers, is free and includes the option of blacklisting unwelcome callers. Additional premium features include the recording incoming calls (which TelTech notes may be illegal, depending on the users' individual state laws), voicemail transcriptions via e-mail and text message, and the ability to listen to voicemail via the Web.
However, the service raises a couple of sticky privacy issues, especially for victims of domestic violence.
Cindy Southworth, director of technology at the National Network to End Domestic Violence, told Wired that the service raises "huge concerns" for her that abusers would use the service to locate victims fleeing abusive relationships, especially ones in which the victim and abuser share custody of a child.
However, TelTech President Meir Cohen responded to those charges by defending the service as merely utilizing a process that has long been available to anyone with access to an 800-number.
The world is overrun with bookshelf speaker systems for the iPod, but finding a powerful, portable iPod boom box is surprisingly tough. The Ion Block Rocker isn't the prettiest thing we've seen, but it is one of the most practical and affordable ways to blast your music outdoors.
For better or worse, the Block Rocker also does a damn fine job as a mobile karaoke machine (as I skillfully demonstrate in this video). Along with a few pints of liquid courage and an iPod stocked with pop music, this thing is humiliation on wheels.
To learn more, check out our full review of the Ion Block Rocker portable speaker system.
The Ion Block Rocker in all its boxy glory.
Donald and Jasmine intersperse the silliness with details on the latest iPod Classic review, as well as information on the Sony E-Series Walkman and a very special member of the S-Series family. Also on the table: a super durable portable party speaker, a chat about podcast support, and free stuff!
Listen now:
Download today's podcast
... Read More
This week brings us another rhythm game for WiiWare along with a pair of Turbografx 16 imports for the Virtual Console.
WiiWare
- Groovin' Blocks (Empty Clip Studios, 800 Wii points): Groovin' Blocks is one part puzzler, one part rhythm game where following the beat of a song will help you reach a higher score. Play through up to 27 levels, all with their own beats.
- Final Solider (1991, Turbografx 16, 700 Wii points): Final Solider is a top-down shooter released within the Star Solider series. Play through various levels or try your skill at a 2- or 5-minute speed run while blasting your way through enemies.
- Cho Aniki (1992, Turbografx 16 CD-Rom, 900 Wii points): Arguably one of the strangest games ever made, Cho Aniki is finally released in North America via the Virtual Console. Play as either Idaten or Benten as you try to stop the Planet Builder who basically controls the entire universe. Like we said, strange. You've been warned.
What games do you think are missing from the Wii Virtual Console? Sound off here!
Listen now: Download today's podcast
| EPISODE 105 |
iDrum--making beats on the iPhone and iPod Touch
Eton P’9120 Porsche Design Clock Radio looks fast while standing still
Rubik’s cube/subwoofer mashup from Elac
BLOCK ROCKER: portable PA system for iPod
Zune Bug MP3 nightlight lulls or excites, depending on your music library
Sony IP Music Player takes retro approach to touch-control interface
Orator Briefcase PA System lets politicians make speeches anytime, anywhere. Oh, great...
What the hell!?
The Ghetto Blaster Tote with working speakers
Kill me.
Contact lens jewelry for your eyeballs: Ouch!
Hello Kitty Watch (DJ edition!)
Hello Kitty won’t stop breeding
Thanks, Azizul AND Shalin
Just make sure you grab the toy gun and shoot the designated target.
... Read More
Virtual Console
- Samurai Shodown (1993, NeoGeo, 900 Wii points): Samurai Shodown is a fighting game that lets you choose between 12 characters each with their own moves and special abilities. Fans of the Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter franchises are sure to enjoy this title.
WiiWare
- Block Breaker Deluxe (Gameloft, 800 Wii points): Block Breaker Deluxe is a brand new take on the classic brick-breaking arcade and portable games.
- Cocoto Fishing Master (Neko Entertainment, 700 Wii points): Cocoto is a fishing master in search of five legendary fish. Use your Wii remote and nunchuk to reel them in while you battle massive bosses in five different lake-worlds.
What games do you think are missing from the Wii virtual console? Sound off here!
With yesterday's launch of the WiiWare service, it's now easier than ever to fill up your Wii to the point of full capacity. It doesn't take much to fill up those 2,163 blocks (about 512MB)--between additional channels, the virtual console, and now WiiWare, you're going to need to be doing some serious maneuvering if you want to experience everything the Wii has to offer. So why hasn't Nintendo come up with a solution that can allow owners to expand the storage capacity?
(Credit:
Nintendo.com)
While the SD card slot is nice, for many Wii owners it has become strictly a way to back up game saves. You can't directly access it in-game nor can you play virtual console or WiiWare games directly off of it. Why not enable this? Surely this can be accomplished with a Wii system update. And by limiting the memory capacity, Nintendo is essentially preventing customers from buying more virtual console and WiiWare titles.
Rumors of a storage add-on have come and gone, with nothing ever manifesting. If Nintendo plans on adding a new WiiWare title every Monday--in addition to the new virtual console titles they release each week as well--something needs to be done to address this growing concern.
While we'd all like for the SD card slot to allow in-game read and writing capabilities, or for the ability to connect a USB flash-drive, we're guessing it will probably be a Nintendo-branded ... Read More
(Credit:
DealExtreme)
I've never understood why a cell phone signal-blocking handset case is needed when all one has to do is simply switch off the darn phone. But if you really must have one, just to show your geek mates you've something they don't (for good reason), check out this $6.38 option. It's available at the irresistible DealExtreme--an online retailer that BoingBoing accurately sums up as a seller of "cheap Chinese crap you were never sure you needed"--with free worldwide shipping thrown in.
However, the "leather" in the casing looks dodgy at best. And if you do stupidly use the signal-blocking case, take heed that your cell phone will be working doubly hard to get a signal and, naturally, draining the power cell doubly fast. Which means that when you dislodge your handset to make a call, it might be deader than a dodo. Alternatively, you can save yourself the $6 and invest in some low-tech tin foil which similarly deflects those signals.
(Source: Crave Asia)
You get asked out at a party, but you can't help but wonder if the guy is actually the stable, reliable charmer he appears to be. A new SMS and Web-based service called PlayerBlock lets you sneak off with your cell phone, send a text message and get the dirt faster than he can say, "How 'bout a movie?"
(Credit:
PlayerBook.com)
Based on the highly optimistic starting assumption that "people cheat and lie while dating and in relationships," PlayerBlock claims to be the first ever text-based service that enables romance seekers to investigate the dating habits of others (the Web already hosts similar date- and fidelity-tracking sites).
PlayerBlock members (who pay $4.99 per month for up to 100 messages) are encouraged to report both positive and negative dating experiences, with their insights then linked to the phone number of the tattled-on party.
"Did your date go well? Did you get played? Did they call when they said they would? We want to know! Tell us your innermost thoughts--don't let your neighbors get fooled just as you did," urges Global SMS, a privately owned company based in South Florida that came out with PlayerBlock.
Beyond the "Report a Player" and "Check a Player" features, the PlayerBlock service allows members to "Watch a Player." With that feature, Global SMS hopes to increase the audience beyond the dating arena and into the relationship space.
Potential for abuse of such a service, of course, is immense, as heartbreak and personal grudges could lead people to slam the objects of their frustration as a matter of vengeance. Then there's the subjectivity factor. After all, one person's player could be another person's inamorato--or something like that. And any truly poorly behaving lothario or lotharia could easily swap cell phone numbers regularly to avoid being associated with a negative charge.
The PlayerBlock service is currently supported by wireless carriers including AT&T, Sprint, Nextel, Verizon Wireless, Virgin Mobile and Boost Mobile. Others, including T-Mobile, will be coming soon.
Ah, whatever happened to the simple days of meeting at the sock hop?
