The Nintendo Wii’s remote control has been poked fun at for looking like an actual TV remote. However, the video above shows some guy in Japan actually controlling his TV with the Wiimote. First, we see him browse some EPG then, he selects a channel and starts watching it. We then see him adjust the volume and change channels. Pretty cool.
How is he doing this? Is this some “extra” feature the Japanese have, that we don’t. Is this a fake? Is it an ordinary universal remote in a Wiimote shell? But, it can’t be. Because we see him browse the Wii’s system settings. The cursor on the TV looks like the Wii’s. Even the music. Is he using some Bluetooth hack?
Any ideas?
Update: Okay, I did some digging. So apparently Nintendo unleashed the Wii TV Guide Channel in Japan. It gives users the abilities shown in the video. The new feature allows you to use the Wiimote like a universal remote. The sensor bar acts like the IR receiver. Interestingly, the TV Channel also lets users rate and share TV shows. You can “stamp” your favorite shows with your Mii icon, so your friends can see what shows you like. You can also see what your friends are stamping.
Check out this Donkey Kong t-shirt, which is actually the first level of the of awesome arcade game. It costs $19.99 via MyTeeSpot.
On another related note, if you haven’t seen the documentary, The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters, I highly suggest it. If you’ve seen it already, skip the rest of this. For the others, it’s about two nerds, Billy Mitchell and Steve Weibe, going at it for the high score on Donkey Kong. You’ll be in disbelief with the amount dedication and deceit that goes on…just for a high score. Go rent it or something.
This clever gadget is basically just a hook. However, the hook accepts two plastic bottles to be attached to it. Once you screw on two plastic bottles, it forms a hanger! Simple! Designed by Xuan Yu, the Rethink Hanger is both eco-friendly and smart.
It’s kinda like the Newspaper House, turning something worthless into something useful.
Imagine being able to play with LEGOs without actually buying the bricks? Or the added mess. This application concept for the Apple iPhone and iPod Touch allows users to build, play, and share all of their Lego creations. Developed by PlayNYC, Lego-touch features just about every possible Lego brick for you to use and it even has a “Brick-Bin”, which displays all of your available pieces in a ‘Cover Flow’ style. You simply select the bricks you want to use and use your finger (like any other ordinary iPhone/Touch app) to begin engineering your creation. It’s like virtual Lego. Once you are done building your masterpiece, you can send your project and receive your friends’ creations over the net via email or SMS. It even has a game mode allowing you to have a “build-off” competition with your buddies.
Be sure to check out PlayNYC’s website for their animation demonstration highlighting the application.
We’ve all lost our cell phones temporarily at one point or another. Whether you left it in the car or in between the sofa mattress, it can be frustrating tearing up the house looking for the damn thing. A website aims to solve that problem, WheresMyCellPhone.com. The premise is simple: enter your cell phone number into the text box and the site will call your phone, hopefully, allowing you to find it. That is, of course, assuming your phone isn’t on vibrate (or silent) and is in the vicinity of your room. The site itself is pretty bare, but functional. The site promises not to “store” your phone numbers, so it should be safe to use/try.
A couple issues. First, I tried the site and entered my phone number, but nothing happened. I’m still waiting for the phone call as I write this. Second, this site is pointless for people with a second line, or for the ‘troopers’ still with a good ‘ole land-line. Finally, this doesn’t prevent an evil-doer from prank calling someone. However, it is still a good idea, especially if you don’t have a friend hanging around to call your phone for you or you no longer have a land-line.
Feel free to give it a shot. If you were able to get it to call you, let me know.
Update: I did get the call after trying again. I don’t know if it was my phone or what, but the site does work.
The Samsung 22-inch 2263DX monitor comes with a sidekick: an additional 7-inch monitor, connected to the main display via USB, thanks to Samsung’s UbiSync technology. The 7-inch tandem screen is rear mounted on a pivoting arm, allowing the small display to be moved to either side or top of the 22-incher. It can be used as a secondary LCD display: for web surfing, media playing, photo viewing, you name it. Interestingly, the arm can be detached so the 7-incher can be used standalone. 1680 x 1050 is the resolution on the larger screen, with the smaller LCD being 800 x 400. The 2223DX sports HDMI inputs, 170/160 degree viewing angle, 8,000:1 contrast ratio, 5 ms response time, built-in 3 megapixel webcam, dual array microphone, and speakers.
From Korean manufacturer, Bluebird, comes the Pidion BM-350. It’s a new PDA phone that runs Windows Mobile 6 with 3G and GPS (using the SiRF III chip) support. And, of course, like most overseas gadgets, we’re (U.S.) probably gonna miss out on this one as well… It should be out in Europe later this year for around 500 Euros ($770).
Features:
* Quad-band GSM (850/900/1800/1900 MHz), 3G (2100 MHz), GPRS, EDGE and HSDPA (3G+)
* integrated SiRF III GPS receiver with A-GPS support
* 2.8? TFT LCD touch screen with 320×240 pixel resolution
* 520Mhz PXA 270 processor
* 1.3MP digital camera
* 0.3MP front camera for the videoconferencing
* FM Radio
* 64 or 128 MB of RAM
* 128 or 256 MB of ROM
* Infra-red 1.2
* Bluetooth 2.0
* Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g
* microSD HC port (up to 32 GB)
* MiniUSB 2.0 and USB Host
* Removable 1230mAh Li-Ion battery with 200 hours standby and 6 hours talk time
* Dimensions: 11.4×6.1×1.5 cm
* Weight: 120 grams
* Windows Mobile 6 Pro
Not everyone has their TV at the optimal playing height when playing their Nintendo Wii standing up. If your setup is like mine, occasionally, the Wiimote loses connection when you swing too high, due to the TV being too low. Thankfully, Thanko, known for their obscure gadgets, has a motorized TV stand for sale. The stand supports 40 to 60-inch TVs with a maximum weight capacity of 110 pounds. The stand is easily adjusted by a remote control, so you can re-adjust your TV’s height back to “sofa position” when done pwning your friends at Wii Tennis.
