So, Windows Vista has been around now for a good thirteen months, and in that time, it has seen much criticism. If you’ve been on the fence about switching or upgrading to Vista, we are sure that Microsoft is hoping that their upcoming price drop will be enough to get you to make the move. The new pricing details will be as follows:

• Windows Vista Ultimate: $320, down from $400
• WIndows Vista Ultimate Upgrade: $220, down from $260
• Windows Vista Home Premium: $130, down from $160

The price drops are expected to coincide with the shipment of the first major update to Vista, Service Pack 1. Tags: adslice (T), microsoft (T), operating systems (T), os (T), price drops (T), sidefeatured (T), software (T), vista (T), windows vista (T) Read More | Reuters

Filed under: Features, Misc. Gadgets

Ariel Waldman contributes Movie Gadget Friday, where she highlights the lovable and lame gadgets from the world of cinema.

Previously on Movie Gadget Friday, we traveled across war-torn galaxies in the 1978 version of Battlestar Gallatica. Moving forward a few years to 1982, we'll take a look inside the computational arcade culture of TRON. Saturated with neon suits and Pac-Man blips and bleeps, the sci-fi cult Disney film has achieved pop culture status over the years.

The ENCOM Digitizing Molecular Laser
Using a matter transform sequence and a grid matrix, the ENCOM Digitizing Laser is able to transport physical matter into a digital space. The laser is able to lock on a target and dismantle the molecular structure on a cubic grid. When used for its original intentions, the molecules remain suspended in the laser beam. However, the Master Control Program is able to deviate this sequence into transporting the restructured molecules into a digitized computer game world where TRON resides. The molecules can then be shifted back safely into the physical world by selecting the run mode through the laser system. Surprisingly, the only side effects the laser has on humans is minor disorientation and temporary memory loss. Phew. More after the break.

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supererogatory: going beyond what is required or expected; also, superfluous, unnecessary.

Filed under: Wearables

Oh sure, we've seen gadgets used as motivational tools before, but Sega Toys is apparently banking on you not being a hothead. Otherwise, you just might fling its Body Trainer headset from your dome as soon as you hear "please exercise a little bit harder" over your incessant panting. Nevertheless, those with oodles of self-control may actually benefit from having a personal trainer (of sorts) in their ear while working out, and by monitoring the wearer's heartbeat via a sensor, it can blurt out messages at the appropriate time to help users through their session(s). Reportedly, this nifty exercise buddy is set to launch in Japan this April for ¥5,775 ($54), and while we've no idea if this thing is destined for US soil, we can definitely see it being used more so for its musical abilities and less for its steadfast encouragement.

[Via CNET]

 

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Filed under: Retail, Apple

Apple opened a new retail store at Midsummer Place, Milton Keynes this weekend (that's in the UK, Buckinghamshire to be precise). As usual, we asked any TUAW operatives who may have attended to share their reports and/or pictures. So, did you go, and if you did, how was it? Let us know in the comments. Here's hoping you scored a T-shirt or even the Opening Day Contest's grand prize.

If you haven't gone down to the store yet, when you do get there, show us a little love and set the in-store machines to TUAW for their Safari homepage! Apple Store employees love that.

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We knew that Microsoft Research had something pretty amazing up its sleeve after talking to a few people at the company, in addition to having dinner with Robert Scoble, who told us that what he saw brought him to tears. As it turns out, it is the WorldWide Telescope that had people in awe. After watching Roy Gould introduce the software in the above video during TED, we have to say, we agree. Think of the WorldWide Telescope as the equivalent to the full-featured version of Google Earth - except that the WorldWide Telescope software is free, and instead of looking at the earth in extreme detail, you get to peruse the cosmos instead. I mean, watch the video to see how truly mind-blowing this technology really is. Look for it to be available for download this Spring for the Windows platform. No word on how beefy a machine you will need to run it as smoothly as it worked in the demo - but here’s hoping that everyone who downloads the WorldWide Telescope will be able to enjoy the same experience seen here.

Tags: cosmos (T), curtis wong (T), google earth (T), microsoft (T), microsoft research (T), roy gould (T), software (T), ted (T), ted talks (T), videos (T), worldwide telescope (T)

Speaking of MoMA, not only are they exhibiting the likes of AT&T and Nokia at the museum, there is an incredible display online. Combining science with design, there are over 300 concepts in Elastic Mind that are translated into physical objects. The purpose, they say, is to “combine research with attentive consideration of human limitations, habits, and aspirations.”

All we know is that spending a couple of hours on the site may not have the impact of seeing the show itself, but it certainly is worth the time. For example, in Collection for the Lonely Man, it includes the Sheet Thief, which winds up the bed clothes to the other side. Others are Cold Feet, Heavy Breather, Plate Thrower, and Hair Alarm Clock that will run hair across the user to wake him.

Tags: art (T), design (T), exhibit (T), moma (T), museum (T), ny (T), online (T), research (T), science (T)

Read More | MoMA Elastic Mind

After being the focus of a photo album, a cigar case, luggage tags, and even Christmas, the mild-mannered circuit board has now entered the world of couture. Gents, if you’re taking your lady friend for a night on the town (and we don’t mean to the nearest Apple Store), consider these circuit board cufflinks. Geeky-yet-classy, they have a silver-plated finish, are ¾” in diameter and even come in a gift box! And if you’re a geek-lovin-lady, we think it’s a great one-of-a-kind birthday present. Available for $75 USD.

Tags: accessories (T), circuit board (T), circuitboard (T), clothing (T), cufflinks (T), geeky (T)

Read More | Fractal Spin via Gizmodiva

Filed under: Laptops, Storage

We know, we're getting tired of Apple Blu-ray rumors as well -- they're right up there with refreshed Cinema Displays in terms of rumor persistence -- but until Steve and the gang actually shove a drive into a machine we're stuck with them. The latest says that Apple is actively pressing Sony for slot-loading BD-R drives but quality control issues are gumming up the plan. Reportedly, this latest ho-hum MacBook Pro refresh was to feature BD-R drives, but all Sony could muster up were Blu-ray / DVD±RW drives, which Apple refused. That seems a little odd, frankly -- now that the format war is over and the competition's already shipping mid-range laptops with slot-load BD-R drives, you'd think Apple would want to cash in that Blu-ray Disc Association membership card with whoever can supply the drives. As always, we'll see when we see -- it's gotta happen sometime, right?

[Image courtesy of dadako.com]

 

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If you’re tight on desk space, consider this gadget. It’s the Wireless Finger Mouse, which fits onto your index finger, and is operated by thumb. It also works on any surface, such as clothing, making it perfect for business travelers. The cool thing is that you can type and use the mouse simultaneously, for the ultimate in computer multi-tasking. Comes with a USB receiver and 3 “finger rings” for customizable comfort. It’s also “Plug and Play”, compatible with Windows, including Vista. Available for $38 USD.

Tags: brando (T), finger mouse (T), mouse (T), peripheral (T), usb (T), windows (T), wireless (T)

Read More | Brando