There is a new campaign dedicated to the preservation of individual rights. The campaign was created by Bruce Schneier, as a symbol of the rights of individuals and hopes for it to become a universal symbol for personal freedom. On the website there are graphics to download and links to mugs and shirts.
Today, teamxbox.com ran story that claimed Sony has patented a “method and system for generating sensory data onto the human neural cortex.” It is almost scary to think that at some point, the video and audio outputs of a gaming console could go stright into someone’s brain.
What is more scary, however, is that the patent office actually granted a patent to a company that only has a “prophetic invention” that is only “based on an inspiration.” How is this possible? Now, even if someone else invents what the patent describes, Sony will own the rights to it. Maybe I should patent the idea of a teleportation device while its still available.
Some dude is using his own money to develop a Pez MP3 player. Reserve your own for free here.
I am lucky enough to be the proud owner of Sony’s brand new protable media center, the Playstation Portable (PSP). The PSP is not only a portable gaming device (and one that is more powerful than the Nintendo DS I might add), but it can also store and play mp3’s, videos, and photos. Wireless play between PSPs without an access point is just icing on the delicious, super-moist cake. All of that and it’s cheaper than an iPOD! Well, okay, that’s not saying much since the iPOD is grossly overpriced, but the PSP is still a great buy.
My only complaints with the system are as follows:
1.) The system is simply too hard to keep clean. The screen is amazing and the fact that the whole thing is a nice shiny plastic is cool-looking, but it smudges quite easily. I hate to see my fingerprints.
2.) The battery life is a bit short. The system will only play high intensity games for a little over 2 hours.
3.) The PSP will not play just any video file that you save to it. The files must be converted to a specific format that can be saved on the memory sticks. Sony has a program for sale that will do this, but it’ll cost you a cool $20. Luckily, I’ve saved you some time and found a program that will do this for free. Thank the nice guys over at PSP Video 9 with a donation to their cause.
“U.S. Circuit Judge Harry Edwards told the Federal Communications Commission it “crossed the line” requiring the new anti-piracy technology in next-generation television devices. But another appeals judge on the panel questioned whether consumers can challenge the FCC’s rules in the courtroom.”