Contrasting contrasts: The Kindle on the right is the new global-wireless model.
(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)When the Kindle 2 was first released, we reported on the small controversy over how dark the text and images appeared on the screen compared to the original Kindle. Held side by side, the original appeared to have better contrast and the text appeared slightly darker--and slightly easier to read.
Well, when we reviewed the new AT&T-powered version of the Kindle 2, which Amazon calls "Kindle Wireless Reading Device (6" Display, Global Wireless, Latest Generation)," we noticed that the text appeared darker on this model than on the older Sprint-powered Kindle 2. It's not a huge difference but it's definitely noticeable (see photo above).
While that's a good thing, we're not sure when Amazon made the transition to the slightly improved screen. It very well could have showed up on later revs of the Sprint-powered Kindle or it may have appeared with the introduction of the international AT&T-powered version. Alas, repeated e-mails to an Amazon PR spokesperson have gone unanswered, so we haven't been able to get official word from the company on what it did--or didn't do--to the screen.
When the initial controversy flared up, some Kindle owners wondered whether a firmware upgrade would remedy the contrast issue. We still don't know the answer to that, but we're hoping Amazon will clarify the contrast question for us (if it does, we'll update this post), especially with Barnes & Noble's Nook shipping within the month.
In the meantime, you can read our full review of the AT&T-powered Kindle and if you happen to have compared this model with the Sprint-powered Kindle and noticed a difference between the black levels, please post a comment.
On Sale Now: $259.00
View the latest prices for Amazon Kindle wireless reading device (U.S. and international wireless, latest generation)
(Credit:
Banpresto)
Looking at the Sega Mega Drive-modeled Zippo lighter reminds me of the actual console that I still have on top of my wardrobe. I remember spending a good deal of time on it playing Mortal Kombat and Sunset Riders with my friends. Those were the days when 16-bit graphics were more than enough, and 3D games were almost unheard of.
There's also a Sega Saturn version available, and both lighters retail for $114 each. Give the PlayStation 3 10 years, and I'm sure it'll be inducted into the Zippo game console hall of fame.
(Source: Crave Asia via Gearfuse)
The blogosphere is buzzing with user reports that the text is lighter on the Kindle 2 than the Kindle 1. But is there more to the problem than meets the eye?
(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)Whenever a next-generation version of a product is launched, inevitably you get comparisons to the previous model--and what the older model did better. Well, in the case of the Kindle 2, the nitpicking is in full swing as several blogs have taken up the debate over whether the Kindle 2's text is lighter than the original Kindle's.
On Joe Wikert's Kindleville blog, one reader lodged the following complaint:
Side-by-side, the K1 text is bolder and jumps out at you. It's as if the low fidelity, dot-matrix-like typeface of the K1 is better suited for the reading experience than the feathered, crisp, 16-shades of gray of the K2. After 30 minutes of reading on the K2, my eyes get tired and I actually experience mild dizziness, headaches. Never experienced that with the K1.
In the Mobileread forums, a reader posted that he had decided to return the Kindle 2 after he noticed "low contrast on text as compared to kindle 1...text on kindle 1 is really good it is dark and somewhat thicker than kindle 2 at the same font size, menu is normal on kindle 2." He said he spoke to a Kindle representative (we assume a customer service person), who said he'd heard complaints from other Kindle 2 users as well.
On Amazon, there's a thread titled, "Amazon: Please make the text darker on Kindle 2!"
The thread's starter, BMK, is calling for an e-mail campaign to encourage Amazon to update the firmware on the Kindle 2 to fix the alleged problem.
"Kindle 2 is capable of producing darker text than the default setting, which is light, thin, and difficult to read for many people. Customer Service has reportedly told at least one person that the standard text could have been a darker shade of gray/black than the one that was chosen."
So, what's the deal? Are people imagining things or is there really an issue?
... Read more
(Credit:
Ajoka)
There's nothing worse for a spy than being busted just because the voice recorder pen can't be used when the villain tries to sign a check. Which is probably why this lighter/video camera combination might work better--at least you can light a cigarette when you're feeling nervous.
The Lighter DVR from Ajoka is perfect for any Bond wannabe. It records VGA-quality (640x480-pixel) color videos with sound, and the battery can last up to six hours. The microSD slot accepts cards up to 8GB, which gives approximately eight hours of footage. The microphone and lens are hidden along the front of the lighter, which has a torch and eagle motif.
At the bottom of the device are the USB port, media card slot, on/off switch, and record button. Although they may not be located in the most inconspicuous place, the camera's still discreet enough--provided you don't fumble and give the game away.
The price isn't listed on Ajoka's site, but Engadget reports that the Lighter DVR is retailing on the company's Web site for $150 apiece.
(Via Crave Asia)
(Credit:
Smule)
In September, Smule introduced Sonic Lighter, an iPhone and iPod Touch app that's basically nothing more than a virtual lighter. Not very exciting honestly.
The folks at Smule have been working on something a bit meatier in the meantime though: the company's follow-up to Sonic Lighter, Sonic Boom. Sonic Boom turns your iPhone into a virtual firecracker, using your finger as the virtual match.
Just flick your finger along the screen, touch the fuse, then sit back and watch the fireworks--the fireworks in this case being a virtual firecracker exploding into several hundred pieces of polygonal debris.
You can even customize your explosions by grafting a pic from your iPhone's photo library onto the firecracker. Potentially sadistic? Well yes, of course, but it's all virtual, right?
One of the coolest features is the ability to see what are supposedly real-time Sonic Boom explosions by people around the globe. Also, if you have a second iPhone with Sonic Lighter, you can use it to light the fuse of the firecracker on your first phone. Talk about synergy.
(Credit:
PMP Today)
If you happened to come by one of those cigarette pack phones from China we saw awhile back, this may be the perfect mate for it: a music player made to resemble a lighter.
And not just any lighter, but a Zippo. The "Zarva Zippo MP320" is a 1GB player that handles only music, though it does have a small LCD for navigation purposes, according to PMP Today. The casing purportedly is even made from the same material as that used to produce the iconic lighter.
The biggest drawback, however, is that it won't actually light your smokes. But don't despair--there's a USB drive for that.
(Credit:
Gadget4all)
If there's something that even arch-rival Giants and Dodgers fans can agree on, it's that there are zillions of USB hubs on the desktop market. But what about for the car? For 12 bucks, Gadget4all is selling a four-port charger that can plug directly into the cigarette lighter socket for all your in-car gadget needs. Because you never know when you might need a snack or a megadose of aromatherapy to prevent a case of road rage.
(Credit:
Memlite)
Even with all the useless items Crave encounters routinely, this has got to be one of the sillier examples. Which is why we feel compelled to write about it, of course.
It's a USB lighter. That's right, a flash drive that you can also use to fire up a stogie (or whatever). The German-made "Memlite," as it's called, has a 512MB memory key that pops out of this unlikely combo gadget for those frequent times when you just have to store some digital data while getting a smoke. As Everything USB notes, it's unclear what kind of lighter fluid or gas is required to secure a flame, but we'd rather not think about the consequences of handling flammable liquids around a laptop with a battery that's on the verge of melting.
We won't get all preachy about the evils of cigarettes, but we will say that there's more than one way to relax at the computer. You might consider, for example, some USB aromatherapy.
XtremeMac's InCharge Auto adapter is just the thing for non-smoking iPhone commuters.
(Credit: CNET Networks)I got my hands on XtremeMac's latest in-car iPhone power adapter, the InCharge Auto. As luck would have it, CNET car tech writer Kevin Massy loaned me his trusty desktop car lighter power supply to see if the adapter was worth its salt.
The result? It works! In fact, the adapter's standard USB connection will likely work on other USB-chargeable products as well.
For just $20, this seems like a good solution for charging you iPhone between destinations.
On Sale Now: $10.99 - $15.83
View the latest prices for Incharge Auto iPhone and iPod charger (black)
(Credit:
Engadget)
It was only a matter of time, really. As our multitasking lifestyles force the convergence of all trends (creating some pretty weird byproducts along the way), the ultimate collision was inevitable: iPod docks and Hello Kitty--in a car, no less.
The Hello Kitty car charger works with various iPod versions by plugging into the cigarette lighter and sending your music directly through the dashboard radio, according to Engadget. The bottom line? We've said it before: You can run or drive, but there's simply nowhere to hide.
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