Gadgets - Crave at CNET UK

Crumbs! Large Hadron Collider suffers snack-related bird mishap

richard.trenholm@cnet.co.uk (Rich Trenholm) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:58:01 +0000

A bird has bombed a bit of baguette into the Large Hadron Collider, causing the giant particle accelerator to overheat. If a marmoset drops in some Marmite, we've got ourselves breakfast

Top 10 geek recipes

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 09:00:00 +0000

When they're not redefining the fabric of modern society, many of the world's most famous nerds take time out to snarf a burger. Let's get cooking!

Digg is dead: Twitter killed it and Google helped bury the corpse

ian.morris@cnet.co.uk (Ian Morris) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:00:00 +0000

We've checked its pulse, and the link-sharing site is dead. Here's how the rise of social networking -- and Google's ceaseless evolution -- stuck the knife in and twisted

Why won't they die? The tech we won't forget

nate.lanxon@cnet.co.uk (Nate Lanxon) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:32:02 +0000

If you were born, it's highly likely you'll die. Sorry about that. For consumer tech though, it's not quite so cut and dried. We explore the technology that just refuses to be killed off

Plug versus Plug

ian.morris@cnet.co.uk (Ian Morris) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:00:00 +0000

We take a 100 per cent objective look at the plugs of the world, scientifically judging their attributes to decide which will come second to the mighty British plug. Oh, did we give it away?

Interview: The man who makes killer robots for the US military

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 08:00:00 +0000

For decades, the US military has been building an army of the smartest and deadliest robots on the planet. We were invited to its San Diego labs to witness the future of robotic warfare

Every BBC iPlayer device tested

nate.lanxon@cnet.co.uk (Nate Lanxon) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:13:01 +0000

The BBC's iPlayer is compatible with so many portable devices now it's almost funny. So here's your ultimate reference resource: we've tested and judged every single one of them

Secret Cinema goes Alien: In Shoreditch, no-one can hear you tweet

richard.trenholm@cnet.co.uk (Rich Trenholm) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:49:02 +0000

This Halloween, Crave boarded the Nostromo for a screening of Alien in a deserted warehouse, courtesy of the excellent night out that is Secret Cinema

Interview: The Space Station's IT guys

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:00:00 +0000

When computers on board the Space Station go down, the astronauts do the same as us -- they call IT. We spoke to the charming chaps at NASA's ISS helpdesk

NSA to store yottabytes in Utah data centre

richard.trenholm@cnet.co.uk (Rich Trenholm) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:26:02 +0000

US surveillance spooks at the National Security Agency are working on a data centre in the Utah desert that could potentially hold yottabytes of data. What-a-byte? We're glad you asked

Space Station IT: High technology

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:00:00 +0000

The International Space Station isn't just an orbiting multinational geek-fest, it's the world's highest and fastest computer network. We find out about the IT that makes it tick

MIT Affective Intelligent Driving Agent: Robotic backseat driver

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 13:21:01 +0000

It sits in your dashboard, looks like ET, and knows when you need to stop off to pick up some loo roll. Behold MIT's marvellous Affective Intelligent Driving Agent

The three strikes rule is not only illogical, but morally wrong and a waste of public money

ian.morris@cnet.co.uk (Ian Morris) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:07:01 +0000

There's no two ways about it: the three strikes rule is going to cause people problems, and it's almost certainly not going to reduce music piracy. So what's the point?

WowWee Rovio, Joebot, Cinemin and RoboRover: Red-hot robot action

richard.trenholm@cnet.co.uk (Rich Trenholm) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 12:50:01 +0000

WowWee wows us with a selection of their latest robots: Rovio, Joebot and RoboRover. And the Cinemin projector, which sadly isn't a robot, not even in disguise

Amazon to publish free Kindle PC app

nick.hide@cnet.co.uk (Nick Hide) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 10:36:02 +0000

Amazon is increasing the number of ways you can access its Kindle electronic book service, with a new free app for Windows PCs

Apple Magic Mouse tested, in pictures

nate.lanxon@cnet.co.uk (Nate Lanxon) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 15:04:01 +0000

Apple's latest foray into the fingery world of multi-touch user interfaces, is the Magic Mouse. We've got one, along with the new iMac, and our opinions are divided

Square dongle turns iPhone into portable credit-card reader

nick.hide@cnet.co.uk (Nick Hide) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 10:54:02 +0000

Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey is working on a dongle for your iPhone that turns it into a credit-card reader, meaning you get an email copy of your receipt

Wi-Fi Direct connects gadgets on the go: The death of Bluetooth?

richard.trenholm@cnet.co.uk (Rich Trenholm) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 16:57:02 +0000

The Wi-Fi alliance has announced Wi-Fi Direct, a new specification that will see devices connecting to each other without the need to connect with a router

Dyson's �200 Air Multiplier: We're not a fan

nate.lanxon@cnet.co.uk (Nate Lanxon) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 11:48:02 +0000

That problem with air not being smooth when it hits your face? Pah! A mere entry in the tome Name That Fail, thanks to the latest creation from James Dyson

Steve Jobs named 'most influential person in tech' -- again

nick.hide@cnet.co.uk (Nick Hide) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 10:39:01 +0000

For the second time, Apple CEO Steve Jobs has been named the most influential person in the technology industry, topping silicon.com's 2009 Agenda Setter's list

CNET UK Editors' Choice winners September 2009

nick.hide@cnet.co.uk (Nick Hide) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 12:44:02 +0000

September's winners are hard-working, top-quality pieces of kit, fully deserving of one of the most sought-after accolades in the industry. See what we picked

Amazon Kindle launches in UK: What you need to know

nate.lanxon@cnet.co.uk (Nate Lanxon) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 11:26:02 +0000

Amazon's ebook reader is finally available in the UK, including the wireless digital book store that made the product an enormous hit in the US

Robovie: Intel Atom-powered PC, also a robot

nate.lanxon@cnet.co.uk (Nate Lanxon) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 17:57:02 +0000

Meet Robovie. A robot with a webcam for a face, an Intel Atom CPU for a heart, and in addition to being able to walk, he can run Windows 7 and connect you to the Internet

Ceatec 2009: Tokyo goes green, 3D and even more robotic

nick.hide@cnet.co.uk (Nick Hide) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 12:25:01 +0000

Crave US' chief correspondent Erica Ogg is in Japan at Ceatec 2009, a trade show for the hottest and wackiest tech the Land of the Rising Sun has to offer

Nissan fish robots move in driving schools

nick.hide@cnet.co.uk (Nick Hide) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 11:34:02 +0000

Nissan has shown off cute new robots called Eporos that can move in a group and avoid crashing into things -- and each other

Join the CNET UK Advisory Panel

nick.hide@cnet.co.uk (Nick Hide) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 16:02:02 +0000

We're setting up a user group called the CNET UK Advisory Panel and we'd love you to join in -- that's right, you!

Mechanical Tumour: Revolting brain-thing pulses with your CPU

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 11:29:02 +0000

"Wouldn't it be great," thought Japanese artist Mio Lizawa, "if my PC had some sort of pulsating, frightening, brain-like thing hanging out of the side of it?"

Crave goes Diving with Dolphins: UK start-ups fly the flag for tech innovation

richard.trenholm@cnet.co.uk (Rich Trenholm) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 13:51:02 +0000

Crave headed for the UK's own Silicon Fen, meeting a selection of Cambridge start-ups showing off interactive printing, hassle-free online banking and a social network for you and your doctor

UK phone line tax going ahead

nate.lanxon@cnet.co.uk (Nate Lanxon) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 16:32:01 +0000

Government plans for a tax to help pay for broadband in rural and poorer areas have moved forwards in another giant leap for mankind's cash

Microsoft Courier UX tablet leaked

nate.lanxon@cnet.co.uk (Nate Lanxon) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 11:19:02 +0000

It's just vapourware until we hear more, but Microsoft's apparent dual-screen tablet has to be one of the most intriguing rumours of the year

CNET UK Editors' Choice winners August 2009

nick.hide@cnet.co.uk (Nick Hide) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 17:49:02 +0000

August's Editors' Choice awards are rather late, we admit. We can only apologise profusely and hope the outstanding quality of this month's winners will placate you

Roland TD-20KX V-Drums: �6,000 worth of electric dreams

nate.lanxon@cnet.co.uk (Nate Lanxon) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 12:13:02 +0000

If you've ever wondered what �6,000 will buy you in the way of an electric drum kit, here it is: Roland's new flagship setup, the TD-20KX -- a �5,769 monster of professional percussion

Precision Urban Hopper: Robot leaps over 7.6m walls

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 10:11:02 +0000

The US-made Precision Urban Hopper, a small wheeled robot that can leap over tall obstacles, is designed for urban surveillance operations

OFT cracking down on Web electronics stores

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 12:13:02 +0000

As part of a Europe-wide sweep, the consumer watchdog is investigating four UK online stores in relation to possible misleading advertising and unfair practices

802.11n Wi-Fi standard approved at last

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 11:08:01 +0000

It took seven years but the 802.11n standard for wireless networking has finally made it past the draft stage

Carrier pigeon faster than broadband: Wings beat Web

richard.trenholm@cnet.co.uk (Rich Trenholm) — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 13:06:02 +0000

Frustrated by your broadband speed? Spare a thought for the people of South Africa, who have turned to their fine feathered friends for help

Asus Eee Reader: Asus to blow ebook market wide open?

richard.trenholm@cnet.co.uk (Rich Trenholm) — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 17:32:02 +0000

Asus is looking to do it again with the Eee Reader, a reported ebook reader that will pack a dizzying array of features at an unbelievable price

The weirdest things at IFA 2009, in pictures

nate.lanxon@cnet.co.uk (Nate Lanxon) — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 18:06:02 +0000

Every year we go to the IFA tech trade show in Berlin, and every year we see bigger demonstrations of corporate wealth and visitor stupidity. We thought we'd share some

Photos: The evolution of gadgets at IFA

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 10:36:02 +0000

Come with us on a tour of tech trends at the German electronics show, and revel in photos of the first consumer VHS camera, brick-sized mobile phones, old-school video games and kitschy Euro booth babes. Sehr gut!

Toshiba JournE Touch: It's not the destination that counts, it's the JournE

richard.trenholm@cnet.co.uk (Rich Trenholm) — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 17:57:01 +0000

Toshiba has taken IFA by surprise with the JournE Touch, a touchscreen Web-browsing digital organiser... thingy

Ebook readers greener than books, study says

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 11:12:02 +0000

New research suggests that ebook readers can be more environmentally friendly than paper books, breaking even on carbon emissions after 22.5 ebooks over the life of the device

Giant Torayan: Fire-spewing robot invades Osaka city hall

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 10:54:01 +0000

A three-story robot called Giant Torayan has taken over a corner of Osaka's city hall. It sings, dances, breathes fire and, best of all, looks like an aluminium baby

Lego robot completes Sudoku puzzles

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 10:00:02 +0000

Swedish programmer Hans Andersson has created a Lego Mindstorms robot that can solve Sudoku puzzles

Sony Reader Touch and Pocket Editions hands-on photos

richard.trenholm@cnet.co.uk (Rich Trenholm) — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 17:40:01 +0000

We've been shhhed at the British Library as we tried out the Sony Reader Touch and Pocket Editions. Is the touchscreen any good?

Sony Reader gets touchy with Pocket and Touch editions

richard.trenholm@cnet.co.uk (Rich Trenholm) — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 17:24:02 +0000

Sony has announced a dinky Pocket and touchscreen Touch version of its ebook Reader. We have the first photos

eniCycle: The electric unicycle the world's been waiting for

Tue, 25 Aug 2009 10:50:02 +0000

Thank goodness. Slovenian inventor Aleksander Polutnik has sparked the transportation revolution the world needs, with a self-balancing electric unicycle

Photos: Beresford TC-7520 DAC tested

nate.lanxon@cnet.co.uk (Nate Lanxon) — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 10:27:02 +0000

It'll replace your computer's sound card and could make your hi-fi sound significantly more awesome. It's Beresford's affordable TC-7520 DAC, and we've just finished testing it

CBS to run video ad on chip in magazine

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 17:20:02 +0000

CNET UK's parent company, CBS, will run a video ad promoting its autumn TV line-up on a tiny chip embedded in certain editions of Entertainment Weekly magazine

Elephant amputee fitted for prosthetic leg

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 09:59:02 +0000

Motala is a 48-year-old working elephant from Thailand who one day, on her lunch break, stepped on a land mine. Wait, there's a happy ending -- she's been fitted with a prosthetic leg

Corsair's 128GB Flash Voyager GT drive tested

nate.lanxon@cnet.co.uk (Nate Lanxon) — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 14:34:02 +0000

Corsair's new 128GB Voyager GT flash drive is the single largest, fastest, most exciting flash drive we've ever been sent. Be prepared to spend a small fortune if you want one