Xbox 360 - The Laptop Edition

Ben Heckendorn over at Engadget has just posted pics and details about his second generation Xbox 360 laptop. Apparently this one is thinner and lighter and sports some essential upgrades. If you’re interested in (seriously) voiding your warranty then stay tuned to Engadget because he’s also working on an in-depth tutorial on how to build your own. Scary.

Microsoft LifeCam NX-6000

A wired USB webcam with 2 megapixel resolution costs $189 and is designed to clip conveniently to the top of your notebooks display. As with the 1.3 megapixel VX-6000 it’s heavily skewed toward interacting with Microsoft products such as Windows Live Messenger and Vista although it will of course work with other software too.

Microsoft Reclusa

One for the gamers. The, perhaps aptly named, Reclusa is also backlit (Microsoft recognize the strange fascination we PC gamers have with the dark), features programmable buttons, macros, bumper buttons, jog dials and even a detachable padded wrist rest. Realizing that gamers tend to care not for wireless-ness the keyboard is of the wired variety and includes sexy sounding gold-plated USB ports to plug extra peripherals into. Microsoft continue their collaboration with Razer through the inclusion of Razer Hyperesponse Gaming Key Action to reduce latency.
There was no demo unit of this keyboard to try this morning so we’ll have to wait till the proper review unit arrives so see how it goes. At this stage it looks like it’ll retail for around $129 placing it, again, in direct price point competition with Logitech and the G15 gaming keyboard.

Microsoft Wireless Entertainment Desktop 8000

The top of the line variation of the Entertainment Desktop range includes a wonderful backlit keyboard and a magnetic docking station that recharges both the keyboard and mouse and includes a three-port USB hub. Since it’s designed with the living room rather than the office in mind the keyboard has a fancy-pants touchpad thingy that you can use instead of the mouse (for those times you’re reclining in your lounge watching TV via your Microsoft powered home theatre PC). I got to spend a few brief minutes trying it out and can report it’s comfortable, incredibly well featured, rather sexy and, most probably, mind-blowingly expensive. While official prices haven’t been set it’s shaping up to be in the $499 bracket which places it squarely in competition with Logitech’s super-cool Dinovo Edge.

Holographic Vaio Zoom Notebook Concept

The Vaio Zoom notebook concept was created by designer Eno Setiawan. The idea is that the notebook is entirely holographic. When off, the screen is clear glass and the keyboard is an expansive of beautiful black shine. When you turn it on the keyboard, screen, and mouse buttons are displayed as holograms. I think the thing looks beautiful as hell, but damnit, it's a concept. Just like the majority of other concepts, it doesn't work in the real world. It's like the concept for the woman I want. She's a supermodel, great cook, nymphomaniac, doesn't nag, can rest a beer on her head, has no teeth, and loves watching sports. See, she's a concept -- she doesn't exist in reality. That's why I live in my grandmother's attic with a bunch of cats. I've given up.

UK To Build Wave Powered Generator

The UK has approved the construction of the Wave Hub, which will be the first full-scale wave powered generator in the world. It looks like an underwater level from Mario Bros., but it actually generates electricity. Located off the coast of Cornwall, it may one day generate enough energy for 7,500 households and save 300,000 tons of carbon dioxide in 25 years. Which is impressive, but if they installed this thing in my waterbed I could power at least 10,000 homes. Because, you know, I swim in bed. Okay fine, I masturbate a lot. Practically nonstop.

Lunar Mining Robot Looks Like Awesome Toy

Scarab, the moon miner, was developed at the Robotics Institute of Carnegie Mellon. He's an awesome little guy designed to mine "hydrogen, possibly water, and other volatile chemicals" for use at a future moonbase. I didn't know water was a volatile chemical, but whatever. It runs off solar energy, and when there isn't any, it utilizes a "radioisotope source" for power. Which is good news, because I've been waiting for an RC car that runs off decaying uranium.