For those that don’t already know, the PS3 supports Linux, and has its own distribution of Terrasoft’s Yellow Dog Linux as well as capable versions of Fedora, Gentoo, Ubuntu. On top of these Linux flavors, there is this cool Japanese man’s guide for Debian that helps homebrewers boot their own custom games, or do many other creative things with a Linux live cd.
Sony has been rather open about the use of Linux on the PS3, even assisting Tuxophiles with access to partitioning tools and a boot loader, making the installation of another OS simple and streamlined. All is not well though, as Sony has blocked advanced usage of the nVIDIA RSX chip (which shares its name with an Acura) and Linux users aim to unlock the powerful graphics processor.
Citing fears of home production or usage of games not originally designed for the PS3 coupled with control issues of with the Blu-Ray player, Sony has blocked the GPU with the PS3’s hypervisor. In other words, the platform that allows multiple operating systems to run on the PS3 also treats any OS besides the main one as a guest OS, therefore restricting access to hardware, in this case the nVIDIA RSX chip.
Although internet petitions barely ever work (the last one I ever did was one for re-releasing Timesplitters 2 for the PS2 as an online-capable game), go ahead and help the cause by signing the petition here.
Hybrid Technologies, one of many companies created to save the world (and make some money in the process), has created a magnificently monstrous machine capable of a zero-to-sixty time of just 3.1 seconds. With specs like this:
L1X-75 Carbon Fiber SUPERCAR
Speed: Over 120 mph / 193 km/h
Range: Over 100 miles / 160 km/h
Charge Time: 8 -10 hours on 220 V
Total Weight: 2600 lbs / 1182 Kg
Power System: 320 V
Cycle Life: 1500+ charges
and a reported600 horsepower engine inside it’s sleek carbon shell, this rechargeable roadster is one electrifying roadster. Add to this the ability to charge the sporty hybrid inside a garage featuring a normal, household outlet and the whiny 10,000 rpm engine, and this lithium battery-fueled beast could be an excellent choice for those that are gearheads and want to go green and help the earth.
Oh how blinded we nerds are, we have all become such fanboys, ranters and hypocrites that no one is willing to take our biased opinions seriously anymore. Thank God someone has stepped in to show us the way, plus he boinks a bunch of chicks for money.
“American icon, Ron Jeremy, fresh off of his book tour, New York Times feature story and his second run on the Surreal Life, is teaming with Heavy news and hosting his own technology review show.
Each irreverent, Andy Rooney-style review of technology starts with an informative open, then Ron takes to the street to find out what the people think about cellphones, video games, cars and more-and finally gives his conclusion on the nature of technology in society.”
Cellphones? Video games? Cars?! For the love of all that is holy, please sign me up. Techsmart with Ron Jeremy airs today one Heavy.com, check out the direct link here.
And if just can’t wait to see Ron in action doing something non-penetrating, check out his amazing acting range in classy movies like Charlie’s Death Wish. Seriously, no boinking.
I’ve seen alot of Bluetooth apps in my day, but this one is a complete first for me. Someone actually took the time and energy to build a program for a cellphone to be able to drive a full size car. Sadly the source site is in a language other than the one I’m able to (barely) speak, so search-me on how they managed to pull it off.
Amazing? yes. Useful? Probably not unless you’re a secret agent.
Ever had your car stolen? Or more conceivably, ever had your neighbor’s car alarm go off for two hours at 3am? Well now a company exists who hopes to kill two birds with one foggy, flashy stone. A company called FlashFog Security has made a new type of car alarm that doesn’t depend on noise at all. Instead of making the now universally ignored alarm sound featured in most theft deterrents, the FlashFog system concentrates on making a car virtually impossible to steal by assaulting your other senses.
First the FlashFog system rapidly disperses a cloud of glycol, filling the car in just a few seconds with thick, dense, harmless fog. And if a car instantly hotboxing itself isn’t enough to make a thief crap in their pants, the FlashFog system has a second line of defense. After blasting out the fog the system immediately begins strobing rapidly, blinding anybody in the cloud of confusion.
“FlashFog’s unprecedented power overwhelms even professional thieves who know it’s coming. The fog alone is incredibly disorienting but FlashFog doesn’t stop there. The terrifyingly bright strobe light hits him 12 times per second, forcing his eyes into constant shock.”
On top of disorienting fog and the threat of frighteningly implied “constant eye shock,” the FlashFog also claims to offer protection for up to one hour, ensuring that the would be thief doesn’t just wait it out. FlashFog Securities also says that the fog leaves no residue or odor, stating on their web site that it won’t even effect tobacco flavor. So upon discovering your flashing, smoldering Mercedes, at least you don’t have to sweat the pack of menthols in the glove box. The machine itself also comes with a three year extended warranty, giving you the piece of mind that you won’t be enveloped by a terrifying, blinding cloud of fog while you’re on your way to pilates. At least not for three years.
“The fog is so thick that even finding the door is a great challenge. Finding anything to steal is virtually impossible.”
Honestly FlashFog sounds pretty fool proof and looks to be a logical evolution from the “This car is protected by Viper!” days. Just don’t freak out after dinner when you find a blinded car thief in your driver seat frantically groping for a door handle. What do you think? Hit the comment bar to leave some feedback.
Most people have come across their share of mediocre products. The things that make a product unsatisfactory are usually common reasons like lack of functionality, poor support, bad design, and outright market failure. But, among the growing amount of commodities that have failed, the amount of innovative features that get borrowed from these goods grows as well.
While I could certainly include every technological improvement that departed from unsuccessful products, this list merely attempts to bring forth some of the more major ones. Any product that is excluded from the list, or for that matter, should not be on the list in the first place, can and should be discussed below in the comments section.
If you’re anything like me you have always thought of in car TV/DVD players as some what of a novelty. I mean sure they are useful when you go on a long road trip and want to bring along a DVD to watch, but for those shorter rides it’s more of a hassle then a help. The problem is that you’re limited to your own DVD library.
Well the company WI-FI TV is looking to change all of that by attempting to integrate their existing WI-FI TV technology into cars and cell phones. Currently WI-FI has a Web site set up so that users can upload videos and watch existing stations through their computer. Kind of like a Youtube with the added feature of stations.
The site itself is relatively new and doesn’t provide many details yet, but it’s nice to know that we are moving in the right direction.
Forget biofuel, hydrogen, or any of those weak excuses for an alternative energy source. You want to know what your next car will run on? Take a deep breath. No, not stale Pringles and body odor. Good old air. French development firm MDI is nearly ready to release a car that runs entirely on compressed air. Check out the linked video for some sweet house music and a bunch of people who talk real funny. Also, some mind-blowing information on the car itself.
The car’s inventor, Guy Négre, comes from the F1 racing field (Americans: that’s NASCAR’s classy cousin), and while the curves aren’t quite as smooth and sexy, there’s still plenty to be excited about. The manufacturer is offering two models, the MiniCAT and CityCAT, which will start at €6,860 and €9,460 respectively (about $9,000/$12,450 U.S.). Emissions? Nothing but air-scented air. Fuel economy? One tank of compressed air takes you about 125 miles and will cost $2-$3 to refill, either at a filling station or at home. A hybrid model is in development for drivers who need to go longer distances, and will be able to go from New York to Los Angeles. on a single tank of air/fuel — certainly a boon for those frequent New York to L.A. commuters.
There’s already a sign-up list, so if you’re ready to pull out the intravenous fossil fuel drip you’ve been mainlining, go here. If they could just figure out how to fuel a car using cigarettes and disdain the French would be unstoppable.
That’s Venture Vehicles’ motto. What once was just a concept just received the green light for mass production.
The trike-wheel, extreme tilting, hybrid electric vehicle will sure turn heads since it looks like a precursor to the tron light cycle, but beyond the futuristic look is a very practical car. It seats two, comes with a bevy of standard equipment like navigation, HIVAC, cruise control and the all important iPod integration. However the most impressive spec is its speed and mileage; 100 to each. Staring at a base price of $18k, look out for the BMW designed VentureOne later this year.
