To help it not get lost in the MW2 shuffle, GearBox Studios is set to release a new batch of DLC for their awesome Borderlands game on November 24th for the Xbox 360 and PS3. The content will cost $10 and will give around 6-10 hours of gameplay.
Promising more narrative this time around, the content centers around zombies and swamps, giving the whole look of the game a different approach. Entitled the “The Zombie Island Of Dr. Ned”, it looks just as stylized and fun as the regular game and let’s hope this is just the first of many quality DLC’s for Borderlands. No word yet on the PC release date. Watch the video.
November 11th, 2009 4:16 PM | by Christen da Costa
Ricoh, who rock some seriously solid cameras, announced a new and novel approach to the digital camera space yesterday, the GXR. Unlike traditional DSLRs, the GXR, which is more digital point and shoot, has a removable lens/sensor system. For the consumer, that means you can upgrade not only the optics of the camera, but its ability to capture high rez photos without buying a whole new back or system.
Take for instance the two lens/sensors to be launched. The 24-72mm-equivalent f2.5-4.4 lens includes a 10 megapixel sensor that can capture VGA movies, while the second module, a 50mm-equivalent f2.5 macro lens, can capture 12.3 megapixel photos and 720p video (and more).
But there are drawbacks. The camera ain’t cheap – $549 for just the body – and each lens/sensor costs over $400 as of right now. So without trying to wax too philosophical, the debate really lies within what kind of consumer you are. Would you prefer to have a set of lenses that you can use on a wide variety of cameras, or a camera that has a wide array of lenses that can only be used with one camera?
Update: Ricoh might build a printer module for the GXR.
November 11th, 2009 2:16 PM | by Christen da Costa
What’s portable, cute and loves to listen to your every command? If you said Moshi’s Voice Control Travel Alarm Clock, then you’re spot on.
I have yet to try out any of Moshi’s voice activated alarm clocks, but according to their press release with the push of button you can activate up to 9 settings simply by speaking a command(no programming required), which includes setting the time, alarm, snooze, and asking for the temperature.
The palm sized Moshi Travel Alarm Clock is available in pink, blue, white, and black at their website and will be available at select Bed Bath & Beyond stores come mid to late November. Price: $25.
November 10th, 2009 4:05 PM | by Christen da Costa
If you’re not feeling the hip slinging Spider Pro camera system then you might wanna checkout the Cotton Carrier. It uses a very similar hooking system but instead of sitting at your hips, which can potentially inhibit your ability to walk or run, the Cotton Carrier adhears to your chest like a tactical vest.
The harness itself can carry up to one camera, but they’ve also seen fit to include a Velcro harness system that not only supports an additional camera but can be attached to any bag or strap (turns out that this is the more expensive version). There doesn’t seem to be a specific weight limitation but they’ve tested it up to 18lbs and found no problems with comfort or durability.
The Cotton Carrier is available now and you can get the complete system for $139.
November 10th, 2009 3:46 PM | by Christen da Costa
Controlling a car via the iPhone is pretty old news at this point, but the boys (and girls) at Waterloo Labs have modded an old ass, broke ass Oldsmobile using every day parts to control the vehicle using the handset. If the Teenwolf Styles move (aka surfing the car) isn’t enough for you, check the modded power wheels.
November 10th, 2009 3:36 PM | by Christen da Costa
Sure, Intel is primarily a chip maker, but every once and a while they throw us a product curve ball. The Reader (yup, that’s what it’s called) is a handheld device that can literally read aloud the text of a physical book. It’s intended use is for the physically blind or those who are challenged by a learning disability, but it could also serve as an archiving system.
It works by using OCR, or optical character recognition, and captures the text through a small built-in 5 megapixel camera. I’m skeptical as to how much text it can read and convert in one given snap shot, but Intel says that “conversions [are] fast”.
Total on board storage of the device is 4GB (solid state) and a USB port helps to transfer any stored data to your personal computer. The battery should be good for about 4 hour of audio playback and the reader is also compatible with a variety of file formats (DAISY 2.02* (DAISY), NISO 2002* (z2002 or DAISY 3*), NISO 2005* (z2005 or DAISY 3), NIMAS 1.0/1.1*, MP3, WAV, ASCII text) and contains a 3.5mm headphone jack for greater privacy.
The Intel Reader is said to ship sometime in the next few weeks and cost about $1,500.
November 9th, 2009 10:25 PM | by Christen da Costa
Small, powerful and portable probably best describe the Olympus EP-2 PEN Camera, the follow up to the EP-1 which launched earlier this year.
For the most part the micro four thirds 12 megapixel DSLR remains the same as the first iteration, but this time around Olympus has added a few additional features such as an all black body and a detachable VF-2 Electronic View Finder that enhances dark scenes and allows you to view the camera’s viewfinder from a variety of angles. And despite the small upgrades, Olympus has seen fit to tack on an additional $300 to the price tag when it launches sometime in early December (preorder here).
This is a portable Game Cube from maker extraordinaire Hailraser. He’s used a variety of components from a variety of systems to build this system. The oddest part, though, is the exposed disc drive on the rear of the device. So, if you’ve got large mitts you might find your finger on the wrong end of a spinning disc. Actually he says it’s harmless, but I’d beg to differ when it comes to an infant’s finger.
Die hard surfers surf year round regardless of the weather, here in SoCal that is. And yes, despite our southern location it does get quite frigid at times. So what’s a surfer to do? Enter Rip Curl’s H-Bomb heated wetsuit.
Powered by two Lithium-ion, 7.4 volt batteries, the H-Bomb has a set of carbon fiber heating coils that can produce up to 3 hours of body warming heat on a single charge. Because they’re made of carbon fiber they’re flexible and won’t corrode if exposed to the water.
But like all things ultra cool (or hot in this case) there’s a significant cost to entry: $1,000.
Remote the iControlpad, the accessory that turned your iPhone into a real deal portable gaming machine? Well they’re back, and this time around they’ve gone bigger, bolder and more powerful. More powerful you say? Yup, this version has a built-in battery that chargers your iPhone as you hammer out levels of TapTap Revenge, or in their case Mario Kart.
According to the maker, the feedback they got from the first iteration was that it was too cramped. And then they realized they’d have to produce a different version for each new iPhone. While I don’t know if this iteration will accept every iPhone currently on the market, its larger size definitely gives way for physical ‘inserts’ to allow for such a feat.
And yes, those are two analog sticks that you’re seeing. They’ve got access to the parts used on the openPandora handheld. Can you say ’see you later’ PSPGo?
There is no word on a release date, but let’s just hope they make it foldable for greater portability, because right now it’s looking a bit too fat.
