Remember that crazy little thing called 8-track? We didn't know you could still order albums in the format, but apparently you still can--at least when it comes to Cheap Trick's latest, which also happens to be called The Latest.
Going retro will cost you, however. The 8-track tape version costs $30 (it's available for pre-order) while the CD is going for $12.99 on Amazon. The record is $20 and the digital download is $8.99.
According to the site 8-Track Heaven, the 8-track tape is mostly dead--but not totally. The site says major labels quit producing 8-track tapes in about 1988, but "a number of entrepreneurial souls have kept the 8-track tradition alive in the form of small production runs of independently released carts." (Link: new releases on 8-track)
Anybody still own an 8-track tape player or have fond memories of using one?
(Via kottke.org)
Can your computer do magic?
This prototype design can. The Illusion PC is one of thousands of entries into the Next-Gen PC Design competition sponsored by Microsoft. Gizmodo spotted it, and I have to agree that it pulls off a pretty nifty visual trick.
The Illusion PC, entry No. 911 in the Next-Gen PC Design Competition.
(Credit: NextGenDesignComp.com)The design makes the PC appear to have no inner components. The designer says the aim was to make the computer not look like a computer, and when turned off to look just like a household decorative object.
The cube measures 8.25 inches on each side and uses a Mini-ITX mainboard, 200-watt mini-PSU, and slot-loading DVD burner meant for laptops. It has room for up to two standard desktop hard drives. The Illusion can also come with a mini 6-inch monitor and TV tuner card as options. A small wireless keyboard and air mouse are used to control the PC.
While it's intended as a home theater PC, it could also be custom built to consumers' tastes, the designer says.
Click here to see the other equally awesome finalists in the competition.
(Credit:
ThinkGeek)
We almost didn't post this item because we wanted to keep it a secret from our co-workers. That way we could use it on them every day between now and April 1.
The "Phantom Keystroker" is the ultimate prank for office sadist, a devious little device that's sure to make any cubicle dweller go postal (not that it takes much). Once discreetly plugged into an unsuspecting colleague's USB port, it will randomly move the cursor around and type in dummy text whenver it feels like it, Gizmodo says.
Unfortunately it can't be controlled remotely. But it does have a way to time the actions so you can gather other office mates for an impromptu viewing of the pending meltdown.
If you've been wondering exactly how to program RSS feeds into the new Nero 8, help has arrived. CNET Editor Molly Wood shares a Quick Tip for programming your favorite RSS feeds into Nero 8's feed reader on the StartSmart interface.
For more information about other new features, check out the Nero 8 full review and First Look video.
Erica Sadun at The Unofficial Apple Weblog has a handy little tip on how to transform your iPhone into a Wi-Fi-enabled iPod.
It involves signing up for the iPhone prepaid option, activating the iPhone, doing a bit of SIM-card fu, canceling the payment plan, and then enjoying the iPhone's iPod and Wi-Fi functions without the contract.
Sadun's instructions, tests, and results are here.
Update: Tom Merritt tested this out, "borrowing" Jasmine France's iPhone, and it worked smoothly for him. Watch his Insider Secrets video above to see that SIM trick and other SIM-swapping advice for the iPhone.
Jasmine has yet to report whether she received her iPhone back. I'll update this page as soon as that happens.
Update 2: Jasmine received her iPhone back, and then returned it to Kent German's office. All is well.
Update 3: Jasmine France reports that it wasn't her iPhone, and she ain't even tryna hear all that iPhone noise. Pssht.
If you share your iTunes library so that anyone on the network can access your music, it's a matter of time till curiosity gets the best of you.
When you close iTunes or shut down your computer, you may be greeted by a message that says "One or more users are connected to your shared iTunes library." Then, if you're like me, you feel guilty about closing iTunes.
This message means it's time to get sleuthy.
What if your loyal listener is in the middle of their favorite song? Who am I to poop on their party? And who is this mysterious listener, anyway?
Well, there are several ways to find out the answer to that last question.
Apps for the Mac
If you're a Mac user, it's easy to find out who's jamming out to your iTunes.
iTunes Monitor is the best solution, but it only runs on Mac OS X.
(Credit: Ebyss.net)
- iTunes Monitor is a popular app on Download.com. Not only does it show you who's connected to your shared music, it also tells you what they're listening to.
- A similar Mac OS tool (that we haven't tested) is the What Are People Listening 2? applet.
Identifying listeners on Windows
The process is more tedious for Windows users to find out who's listening in on iTunes. There aren't any apps we know of that are custom-built for the task, but you still have options.
You can use Windows's built-in Netstat network monitor. Netstat gives you real-time information about your computer's active network connections and which applications are being accessed.
- Click "Run" in the Windows Start menu.
- Type "netstat -ab" in the "Open" box and click OK. A pop-up window will appear and list all open connections.
- Look in the "Foreign Address" column for all "iTunes.exe" entries. You should find the ccomputer name for each user connected to your iTunes.
There's a slightly less gritty way to keep tabs on your iTunes listeners, thanks to this helpful post on the Tongue and Groove blog. They recommend downloading TCPView network-monitoring tool and using it to see who's listening in on your iTunes.
TCPView isn't pretty, but it works.
As far as finding out what your fans have listened to, follow these steps.
- Click on "Search" in the Windows Start menu.
- Check the "Date" box.
- Select "files Last Accessed" from the drop-down menu and select the radio button next to "In the last 1 day."
- Check the box next to "Type" and select the file types (MPEG Layer 3 Audio, M3U Audio Playlist, etc.) that you want to track.
- Click the "Search Now" button.
- You should see all music files that have been access. Of course, you'll have to self-filter the results to eliminate the stuff that you've been listening to.
Neither of the Windows options are very pretty to look at, but they're down-and-dirty ways to get the info you're looking for.
(Credit:
Newlaunches)
Now this is something with potential for some fun. The "Mirage 3D Hologram Generator" is a precision optical instrument that claims to generate a perfect image and, as Newlaunches says, you don't need a Ph.D to work it. All you need to do is place an object in the small bowl, and what appears to be a detailed replica will hover over it.
We're a bit wary of passing along anything sold through a site with a name like "Eyetricks.com," but it insists that the $36 device has been used in schools and universities to teach 3D imagery. The real question, of course, is whether we can get one big enough to project a life-size image in a cubicle.
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