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Lowrider symphony: Hot hopping-car orchestra performs

Lowrider symphony: Hot hopping-car orchestra performs

Take a lowrider car club. Add a couple of artists. Throw in some wireless audio technology. Do some choreography. Practice for four months. Roll it all out in a parking lot in Albuquerque, N.M. Congratulations, you've just created a lowrider symphony.

Officially called "Symphony 505," a reference to one of New Mexico's two area codes, the performance piece took place during ISEA2012 Albuquerque: Machine Wilderness, a collection of art, science, and technology events with an international conference.

I caught the event on a warm New Mexico Sunday evening. It was equal parts baffling and fascinating. The cars moved about the parking lot, sometimes following each other, sometimes making their own purposeful paths. … Read more

Sony's svelte external battery looks like a smartphone

Sony's svelte external battery looks like a smartphone

When you absolutely need to make sure your main squeeze -- your smartphone or tablet, that is -- can stay powered when away from a wall outlet, a seemingly never-ending number of external battery options exist.

Few of the chargers, however, look as sleek as the half-inch thick Sony CycleEnergy external battery announced today, featuring lithium ion flavors in either 3,500 or 7,000mAh capacities. The slim aluminum frame weighs up to 6.9 ounces and sports a design that probably makes it easy to bundle along with a phone. … Read more

Logitech leaves Squeezebox fans wondering what's next

Logitech leaves Squeezebox fans wondering what's next

In my review of the Logitech UE Smart Radio, there's a single parenthetical line mentioning that the company is discontinuing the Squeezebox line of products. Incredibly, that's more than Logitech has officially said on the matter, leaving the passionate fans of the Squeezebox platform wondering what's going to happen to their network audio streamers.

To be clear, the Squeezebox product line is unequivocally over. Logitech representatives have confirmed to me that there will be no new Squeezebox products, and the Logitech Web site has been virtually wiped of any mention of the Squeezebox brand. The new UE … Read more

Which phone cracks up in iPhone 5 vs. Galaxy S3 torture test?

Which phone cracks up in iPhone 5 vs. Galaxy S3 torture test?

Smartphone sadism continues in this face-off video between the iPhone 5 and the Samsung Galaxy S3 from gadget warranty outfit SquareTrade.

After being dropped, drowned, and pounded with various household objects, the lightweight, metal-backed iPhone 5 seems to hold up much better overall than its Android arch-nemesis, but the demonstration is far from scientific. The Galaxy S3 took a serious face shot to its glass screen in the drop test, whereas the iPhone 5 lucked out and bounced off its side edge. … Read more

Recycled cell phones take wing as robotic birds

Recycled cell phones take wing as robotic birds

A very odd flock of birds landed in Albuquerque, N.M., this past week. There wasn't a feather in sight as four winged creatures sat on bare branches, flashing their eyes and lifting their wings. These art objects are fashioned entirely from recycled phone parts.

Escape, an installation piece by U.K. artists Neil Mendoza and Anthony Goh, turns unremarkable phone scrap into curious and engaging little birds. Each bird contains an Arduino controller.

When hooked up to the cell network in Europe, the birds can take and make phone calls. Here in New Mexico, they are reprogrammed to react to the proximity of people approaching them. … Read more

Siri reporting wrong weather results, users say

Siri reporting wrong weather results, users say

Some iPhone users report having received wrong weather reports from Siri when they specify city names found in several states, according to MacRumors' forums.

"I live in New York and every time I ask it for the weather it gives me the forecast for New York, Texas," one user complained. Apple's own support board also includes a few posts on the matter. We've contacted Apple and will update the post when we hear back.

Last week Apple suffered a public relations embarrassment after users discovered glitches in the company's update to its iOS 6 mobile … Read more

iPhone 5 spoof video features a 795 percent taller screen

iPhone 5 spoof video features a 795 percent taller screen

It's the logical next step in iPhone development: a much, much, much longer screen. It's 18 percent thinner and 795 percent taller than the previous iPhone. A parody video has popped up on YouTube to tout the phone's ability to reduce "scrolling fatigue" and offer full-body FaceTime.

The video, called "A Taller Change Than Expected" comes from YouTube comedy troupe Satire, makers of the "We're NASA and We Know It" video. NASA Mohawk Guy, complete with stars in his hair, makes a cameo appearance rocking his extra-long iPhone 5 as a guitar.… Read more

Mind-controlled robot tail lets you wag when happy

Mind-controlled robot tail lets you wag when happy

So you've got your cat ears, your cat suit, and everything else you need to transition to another species. What's missing? A thought-controlled robot tail, of course.

From Neurowear, the makers of Necomimi robot cat ears, comes this concept for a mechanical tail that moves according to the user's emotional state. There's a brainwave-reading sensor, also used in Necomimi, that can be hidden under your hat.

As seen in the ridiculous vid below, your tail will wag when you see a bunch of pretty flowers, or an attractive Frisbee player in the park.

And, no doubt, fresh kitty litter. … Read more

The 404 1,136: Where we occupy the Low Line (podcast)

The 404 1,136: Where we occupy the Low Line (podcast)

Leaked from today's 404 episode:

- iPhone 5: Say hello to scuffgate?

- Hacker: I've ported Google Maps to iOS 6.

- Subterranean park in Manhattan to stay sunny with fiber-optic skylights (Low Line).

- Coca-cola nails social media by releasing personalized bottles, Justin included.

- Leica cameras for some reason favored by celebrities.

Bathroom break video: iPhone 5 super-glued to ground in Amsterdam.… Read more

Best 24-inch monitors

Best 24-inch monitors

Monitors that are 24 inches with 16:10 aspect ratios are a dying breed. Their slow demise makes way for the new world order of 16:9.

While the 16:9 aspect ratio and the 1,920x1,080-pixel resolution more closely matches that of movies and mimics HDTVs, some users still find value in the extra screen real-estate afforded by 16:10-based, 1,920x1,200-pixel resolution.

As long as there is enough demand, 1200p monitors will continue to be made, but they're nowhere near as plentiful as say four years ago. With fewer to choose from than before, knowing which are the best is where I and this blog come in, could be very helpful.

Personally, I prefer 24-inch displays at 16:10, but the 16:9 aspect ratio makes 2,560x1,440-pixel resolution possible so it can't be all bad.

You may notice that I didn't include the HP DreamColor LP2480zx on the list. It's the best-performing 24-inch I've ever seen. Its price, unfortunately, puts it out of reach for the majority of users.

Given that, I've only included monitors on the list most average people could afford.… Read more