Land Of 1000 Dances by Graye Smith

Keeping It Real by Aled Lewis

A Key For Everything by Richard Lee

Georgia by Whitney Shaw

Jump by Enora Josse

Imaginary Of Cloud by Chan Ka Tat

Camouflage by Jean-sebastien Deheeger

Haikus are easy but… by Rolf Nelson

We have seen the future of the Woot-Off, and we’re frightened. We suppose it’s our own fault for asking you to Show us something that we’ll sell in a Woot-Off five hundred years from now. Hold us now, protect us, as we glimpse at your unsettling visions of a nightmare tomorrow:

First prize - $100
plinth - When Roaches Rule
We hope a lot of cockroaches were harmed in the making of this picture. Click on it for a close-up of the screenshot.

Second prize - $50
majit - Salton Soylent Green Treat Maker
We tell ourselves we won’t reward any more Soylent Green references, and then something like this comes along and makes a fool of us once again.

Third prize - $20
Josephus - Woot Water for Wooters
Although he seems a little down about the cataclysmic drought, Dave looks surprisingly comfortable in that keffiyeh.

Honorable Mention

Frankenroc - Holographic Screaming Monkey
Help me, Screaming Monkey. You’re my only hope.

greensnake - iPod Femto
It just seems so bulky next to the iPod Zepto.

toby8915 - Sticks and Stones
The cutting edge of 26th-century weaponry.

mwiseman - Hot Watch-on-Watch Action
Make the androgynous future-creature stop staring at us. Click to embiggen.

guiseppi - The Trouble With Nanoprobes
Apparently, the people of the future have forgotten how to design web sites. Click it and it will grow.

faithcoaching - Sol-III’s Dairyland
Oh, yeah, we’re so sure people will still be saying “thank you” in 500 years.

twallis - Mars Needs Support
It can’t be easy to find modelling work when you’re hosting a telepathic mutant alien.

Champions’ Championship Champion
toby8915 - You Must Be Cloaking
eBay has one for $1391.99! pWn3d!

Win the Monkey Prize
once, shame on you. Win it twice, shame on us. Win it three times,
shame on the American psychiatric industry. We’re cutting you off after
this one, hipbabybob. We’re sure you possess the “talent” to win many more of these, but it wouldn’t be fair to those who don’t possess your natural gifts. Click for a larger version, if you must.

Luckily
for us, we’ll be long dead by the time these worst-case scenarios come
to pass. While we’re waiting for the sweet release of death, money winners, please email your Paypal info to jtoon@woot.com. Monkey Prize winner, send your mailing address to the same. Honorable Mentioneers may use coupon code HONMEN-FS for free shipping on a future order. Until next time, don’t look ahead. The future might be gaining on you.

Sure, nowadays everybody’s running around with their music
collections in their pockets, strolling down the boulevard to their own
personal soundtrack like a Bollywood villain. Now it seems as natural
as a hippie’s herbal deodorant. But before the Sony Walkman, listening
to music was something you did cooped up in your living room.

So we’ll forgive Sony for coming late to the MP3
game. Their NW-S705FP isn’t going to knock a certain other player off of
the portable-music throne, but at least they’re making an effort to
keep up with the kids. With 2GB of memory, an FM tuner, up to 50 hours of battery
life, a rotating OLED display and 13.5mm drivers - a few of the kids might actually appreciate
it. And it’s the first MP3 player with
earbuds that integrate active noise-cancellation technology. But take
note: your warranty will be void if you try to put a cassette into this
particular Walkman.

Warranty: 90 days

Features:

• 2GB Built-In Memory
• Built-In Active Noise Cancellation - the supplied Active Noise
  Canceling headphones with a 13.5mm headphone driver unit enables a
  wide-range frequency and wide dynamic-range playback with powerful bass
  sound.
• Clear Stereo and Clear Bass - reduces leaking of the
  audio signal from one channel to another and enhances the bass
  sound minimizing distortion.
• EX Model Headphones - The 13.5mm drivers collect ambient noise
  and cancel it out allowing you to enjoy music in noisy environments.
• Built-In FM Tuner - Provides accurate tuning of FM stereo radio
  stations. Presets allow the user to skip directly to the most listened
  to stations.
• JOG Shuttle - makes it easy to select a new song or a new play
  list. Simply scroll to find the track you’re looking for by turning the
  JOG Shuttle dial.
• Quick Battery Charge - A three minute charge will provide up to 3 hours of playback
• Up to 50 hours Playback - The internal, embedded Lithium-Ion
  battery provides up to 50 hours of continuous playback or up to 40
  hours continuous playback with the Noise Canceling function on.
• CONNECT™ Music Compatible - offers one of the most extensive
  music collections online. Unique features such as Connect Sets and live
  radio make this a choice destination for customers looking to expand
  their music collection. It’s easy to find and purchase single tracks or
  entire albums ranging from top hits to independent artists.
• Plays Back MP3/ATRAC/ATRAC3plus Audio Formats - For customers who
  already have an extensive music library, use the included software and
  hardware to store and playback their collection of MP3s. For the
  customer who is just getting into the world of digital music, Sony’s
  ATRAC® format provides higher sound quality and smaller file sizes than
  many competing formats. This enables the user to store more music at
  higher quality for longer listening.
• WMA (non-DRM) and AAC (non-DRM) Playback and Support - Perfect if you have a large collection of audio on your PC which was
  ripped from personal CDs.
• 3-Line Color OEL Display - Organic Electroluminescence Display
  offers high quality and a unique look. View information about the
  music, settings and even time and date in any lighting condition.
• Rotating Display - Designed to accommodate both left and right-handed users for maximum flexibility.
• 5-Band Equalizer - Offers 7 different levels for each of the 5
  different bands and allows you to set your favorite setting manually.
  The 5 Modes include: heavy, pop, jazz, unique and custom for an
  enhanced sound.
• VPT (Virtual Phone Technology) - Converts the played music with a
  3D sound processor to virtual surrounding music. Reproduces the
  acoustic effect of a studio, live-house, club or arena.
• SonicStage® Music Management Software Supplied - manage your music; create playlists, burn CDs, import digital music files and
  transfer music to Walkman® players
• Direct Encoding - Possible with the optional cradle, Allows you
  to record an analog audio signal directly from an audio player, such as
  a CD Walkman®, without using a PC. (Optional cradle sold separately.)
• USB 2.0 Compatible - provides extremely fast and easy transfer of audio files from computer to hard drive and flash players.
• Supports CD Text and ID3 Tagging - Allows you to easily view CD
  text and ID3 tag information including song title, album title and
  artist.

Specifications:

• Memory: 2GB (Built-in)
• Headphone Type: Active Noise Canceling Earbud
• Display: 3-Line Color OEL (Organic Electroluminescence)
• Design: Ergonomic, Ultra Compact, for right or left hand use
• Music Storage Capacity (Approx): 1,350 songs
• AVLS: Yes
• Equalizer: 5 Presets (Heavy, Pop, Jazz, Unique, Custom)
• Format(s) Supported: MP3/ATRAC3/ ATRAC3plus Audio, WMA(non-DRM), AAC(non-DRM)
• Data Transfer Rate: Hi-Speed USB 2.0
• Tuner: FM
• Antenna System: FM: Headphone Cord Antenna
• Frequency Range: FM: 87.5-108MHz
• Station Preset(s): 30
• Automatic Shut-off: Yes
• Battery Charging (Approx.): Quick battery charge (3 min charge = 3 hrs playback)
• Battery Indicator: Yes
• Battery Life (Approx.): Up to 50 hours playback with embedded Lithium-Ion battery(when fully charged).
• Power Requirements: Built-in, rechargeable, Lithium-Ion battery or USB power
• Headphone Output(s): 1(Side)
• USB Port(s): 1(Side)
• Weight: 1.6oz (47g)
• Measurements: 3.43″x1.07″x0.58″ (87.2×27.4×14.9mm)
• Color: Pink

In the box:

• Sony NW-S705FP MP3/WMA/ATRAC Player
• MDR-EX082 Noise Canceling Headphones
• Headphone Extension Cord
• USB Cable
• Sonic Stage 4.1 Software CD-ROM
• Quick Start Guide

Now, I was never much for your ciphering and your book-learning and
such. I’d make a durned poor post-structuralist semiotician, I’ll grant
you that. But I still don’t take kindly to Fancy Dans looking down
their Harvard noses at me and mine. So when the Motorola MPX200 Unlocked GSM SmartPhone strutted into town, it raised my bristles something fierce.

One look at its highfaluting built-in speakerphone and its suite of mobile Microsoft applications and I was sure the MPX200
would think I was some kind of hayseed rube. ‘Round here, we sure don’t
see a 176×220 screen with 65,000 colors every day. An SD/MMC slot?
Custom polyphonic ringtones? I thought a USB port was someplace where they unload ships.

But did the MPX200 put on airs? No sirree. With its unlocked GSM
and its easy-to-use clamshell form factor, it’s just as easy to get
along with as you please. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go water
the pigs, repair the old well, and conduct a textual analysis of Roland
Barthes’ Camera Lucida.

Warranty: 90 Days

Features:

• The Motorola MPx200 Smartphone does it all by combining all the functionality you need into a single, pocket-size package
• Windows Mobile software brings the familiar Windows experience to the palm of your hand
• You can synchronize everything with your desktop PC — automatically — with a USB connection, or over the air
• Functionality allows you to download music, games, video clips, and ring tones
• Watch videos, news clips, and film trailers anywhere you go
• Cellular Technology: unlocked GSM
• Band/Mode: GSM 1800/1900, GPRS for data.
• Display: 176 x 220 pixels TFT, 65,536 colors (16-bit)
• 133MHz Processor, 32MB Flash ROM, 32 MB SDRAM
• Expansion Type:  MMC/SD up to 1GB
• Battery Battery: 860 mAh Lithium Ion rechargeable. 
• Talk Time: 5 hours, 70 to 100 hours standby.
• Size: 1.06″ D x 1.88″ W x 3.50″ H. Weight: 4 oz.
• Audio: Built in speaker, stereo output through headset jack, MP3 playback.
• Mic with voice recorder functionality.
• Connectivity: Mini-USB, IrDA port, wireless Internet Service
• Polyphonic ringtones

Software:

• Windows Mobile for Smartphones operating system.
• PIM applications include Contacts, Calendar and Tasks.
• Calculator and file manager are included.
• Internet Explorer for surfing web sites, email client that works with Outlook.
• MSN Messenger is included.
• Windows Media Player included for playing MP3 and streaming video.
• Voice recorder included for recording voice memo and more.

Want to really enjoy that winter vacation in Miami Beach? Watch your
local weatherman describe day four of the massive ice storm back home.
Need to while away the draggy hours of the workday? Keep up with your
soaps from the comfort of your cubicle. Don’t want to rush home from
your local watering hole to catch Antiques Roadshow? Dial that mug up on your laptop, and be careful not to spill that Old Style.

Sheer
fantasy, you say? The mad chimerical dream of a dangerously unstable
lunatic? Wrong as usual. The Sling Media SlingBox Classic lets you get
your butt off the couch without taking your eyes off the TV.

Follow
along, if you dare: you hook this unattractive unit up to your teevee.
You connect said unit to the Internet’s magical series of tubes. You
load the SlingBox software onto your laptop or desktop PC. You veg out
to whatever garbage passes for TV these days, from anywhere you can
connect to the Internet. You can even change channels, or watch stuff
recorded on your DVR complete with
fast-forwarding, setting up season passes, etc. – all from your
computer, just as if you were crashed out on your Pibb-stained sofa.
Who’s crazy now?

A dense clump of technological
jiggery-pokery makes it all possible, but don’t trouble your pretty
little head with the details. All you need to know is that the Sling
Media SlingBox Classic turns your laptop into a portable idiot box.
Make your workstation a shirkstation – and, with God as your witness,
you’ll never go hungry for General Hospital again.

Warranty: 90 days

Features

• Enjoy your home TV programming wherever
  you are – the office, a hotel room, your garden, even the bathroom –
  anywhere there is an Internet connection
• The SlingRemote™
  in the SlingPlayer software gives you full control over virtually any
  A/V device, from changing channels and viewing recorded content to
  fast-forwarding or setting up a season pass
• Works seamlessly with your existing home theater setup and PC technologies – no new cables required!
• Easy to use and set up, with automatic device discovery and a setup wizard that walks you through the process step-by-step
• Stand-alone device connects directly to a home network without depending on a dedicated host PC
• Get
  TV on an unlimited number of PCs without the hassle and cost of adding
  new hardware (i.e. TV tuner cards) and software drivers to every
  computer – with no additional service fees
• SlingStream™
  optimization algorithms automatically adapt to changing network
  conditions to give you the best video quality consistently
• The
  Slingbox is powered by a high-performance digital signal processor from
  Texas Instruments and leverages Microsoft’s latest Windows Media Video
  technologies to provide superior video quality
• Signal outputs allow the Slingbox to operate in pass-through mode
• S-Video, Composite, and Coax inputs accomodate a wide variety of television sources
• Absolutely zero subscription fees
• TV tuner: NTSC (built-in)
• Power requirements: 100-240V AC

Inputs/Outputs

• Composite Audio & Video (RCA)Input
• S-video Input
• RF/Coaxial Input
• Composite Audio & Video (RCA)S-video Output
• S-video Output
• Device control: IR emitter
• Network connection: Ethernet (RJ-45)

Front Panel Display LEDs

• Status
• Network
• Power

In the Box:

• 1 Slingbox™
• 1 CD-ROM with Windows SlingPlayer software
• 1 Quick Setup Guide
• 1 power adapter
• 1 coaxial cable
• 2 composite audio & video RCA cables
• 1 S-Video cable
• 1 network cable
• 1 IR emitter

It flies. It screams. It annoys the hell out of everyone. It sells like hotcakes on eBay. And it does it all in dapper, dastardly black. It’s the newest, baddest, blackest Screaming Monkey, here to wave goodbye to yet another Woot-Off.

And so the triad is complete. Rising from the stygian depths to join his red and green brethren, this black-caped Screaming Monkey closes the unholy circle. Is the black costume actually a malevolent alien intelligence controlling the monkey for its own evil purposes? No, you’re thinking of Spider-Man. This is just a regular old monkey in a new outfit. Er, we mean, this is the greatest ecommerce event in the ecommerce history of ecommerce! Buy, buy, buy! Bye-bye!

The jig is up, NVIDIA. We know it’s your
job to make your video cards sound exciting. That’s why your sales copy
uses terms like “mind-blowing performance” and “unparalleled
horsepower”. We understand. It’s also our job to make your
video cards sound exciting. But the thing is, we like to sleep at
night, and there’s no way we could if we spent all day slinging
unsupportable hyperbole.

Sure, this is a decent enough card or whatever: a GeForce 7600GT GPU, 256MB DDR memory, NVIDIA CineFX 4.0 engine, PCI-E interface. But here are some phrases we won’t be using to describe it:

• “orgasmically nuclear”
• “soul-searing”
• “howling, demonic video performance”
• “like a herd of 65 wild mustangs driving ‘65 Mustangs”
• “world-historical”
• “so astonishing as to instantly liquefy the contents of the user’s bowels”
• “mega-ribs”
• “far out”
• “high-octane”
• “hi-octane”
• “a pulverizing, white-hot video-processing jackhammer”

Sure,
it’s more fun to write that stuff than to tell the truth. But here’s
the one word we feel best captures the elusive appeal of the NVIDIA GeForce 7600GT:

• “cheap”

Warranty: 90 days

Features:

• Powered by NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GT GPU
• Next-Generation Superscalar GPU Architecture
• PCI-Express x16 interface
• 256 MB of DDR2 memory
• Full Microsoft DirectX 9.0 Shader Model 3.0 Support
• NVIDIA CineFX 4.0 Engine
• NVIDIA SLI Technology
• NVIDIA Intellisample 4.0 Technology
• True High Dynamic-Range (HDR) Rendering Support
• NVIDIA PureVideo Technology
• Adaptable Programmable Video Processor
• High-Definition H.264, MPEG-2 and WMV Hardware Acceleration
• Advanced Spatial Temporal De-Interlacing
• High-Quality Scaling
• Video Color Correction
• Integrated HDTV Encoder
• NVIDIA UltraShadow II Technology
• 128-Bit Studio-Precision Computation
• Full-Speed 32-Bit Color Precision
• NVIDIA ForceWare Unified Driver Architecture (UDA)
• OpenGL 2.0 Optimizations and Support
• NVIDIA nView Multi-Display Technology
• NVIDIA Digital Vibrance Control 3.0 Technology
• Dual 400 MHz RAMDACs
• Dual-Link DVI Support
• 90nm Process Technology
• Built for Microsoft Windows Vista

Rear I/O Ports:

• 15-pin D-sub (VGA)
• DVI-I port
• S-video out

Package Includes:

• Biostar V7602GT21 GeForce 7600 GT PCI-Express Video Card
• User manual
• Driver CD
• S-video out to YPbPr cable

It’s hard out here for a refurb PC, know what I’m sayin’? I ain’t
gonna lie to you, man, I been through some rough times. I’ll spare you
all the details, but just so you know, stuff got so bad they had to
check me in for a little while to get my head right. That was a trip.
I’m cool now, though. Just turn over one difference at a time or
whatever they say, you know?

But listen, man, if you got any work you need done, I got a AMD Sempron 3200+ 1.8 Processor, 512MB PC3200 DDR SDRAM memory, and a 160GB 7200RPM Ultra DMA Hard Drive. You got any CDs to burn, or DVDs to watch? You need to check out my Double Layer 16X DVDR/RW Drive with CD Writer
Capacities. I can’t write DVDs, though. Doctors say I can’t or
whatever. But I work cheap and I work hard. Lotta people out here, you
know, they don’t wanna give a refurb a chance. But I can see you
understand where I’m comin’ from. I paid my debt, I’m clean, I’m out
here trying to get it together and fly right. So how about it, man?
Before you answer, let me just say: God bless you.

Warranty: 90 days

Specifications:

• Processor: Sempron 3200+ 1.8 GHz, 1600 MT/s (Mega Transfers/second), Socket 939
• Chipset: ATI Radeon XPress 200
• Motherboard: ASUS A8AE-LE/ AmberineM-GL6E
• Memory Installed: 512 MB (2×256)
• Maximum allowed: 4 GB (4×1 GB)
• Speed supported PC3200 MB/sec
• Type 184 pin, DDR SDRAM
• DIMM slots Four
• Open DIMM slots Two
• Hard drive: 160 GB 7200 rpm
• 16x DVD(/)R/RW (/)R DL drive
• Modem: PCI K56flex data/fax modem
• Video graphics: Integrated graphics
• Sound/audio: Controller: AC97 audio
• Network (LAN): Integrated 10/100 Base-T networking interface
• Memory card reader: Compact Flash I/II, SmartMedia, Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro, MultiMediaCard, Secure Digital (SD),  Micro Drive, XD Picture Card

Port type: Quantity

• 9-in-1 (4 slot) + 1 USB: One
• IEEE 1394: One
• USB (2.0): Two
• Headphone: One
• Line-in: One
• Microphone: One
• PS/2 (keyboard, mouse): Two (one each)
• VGA (monitor): One
• Parallel: One
• USB (2.0): Four
• IEEE 1394: One
• LAN: One
• Audio: One each (line-in, line-out, microphone)

Expansion slots:

• PCI: Three (two available)
• PCI Express: One (available)
• DIMM: Four (two available)

Drive bays

• 5.25-inch, external Two (one available)
• 3.5-inch, external Two (one available)
• 3.5-inch, internal One (occupied)

Keyboard and mouse

• Compaq PS/2 keyboard
• Compaq PS/2 scroller mouse

Software

• Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition 2005
• Microsoft Service Pack 2
• Sonic DigitalMedia Plus 7.02
• Sonic MyDVD Plus 6.13

The Meridian Indoor/Outdoor Recharable Lamp (Silver) first came to
our attention in pre-medieval Scotland, where our clan purchased a
large supply from a nice old fellow from Egypt. Sadly, we lost the
entire lot to a large gentleman from the Russian Steppes. Heartbroken,
we traveled the world, having grand adventures and getting so drunk
that occasionally we thought we were from a planet called Zeist. Man,
that was a hell of a night. Anyway, we finally made it to New York and
found this really cool parking garage with the most rocking acoustics
ever, seriously, you can just blast Stone Cold Crazy and it sounds like
you’re right up on the stage or something, so awesome, and it was there
that we found the large gentleman again. This time, after a long and
tiring battle, we won. And the prize? Our Meridian Indoor/Outdoor
Recharable Lamp (Silver).

Grab one fast, our no-good cousin might show up at any second.

Warranty: One year

Features:

• Beautiful and Functional. Use anywhere, anytime.
• Continuous use from a household outlet.
• Cordless use up to 8 hours on a single charge
• Rechargeable battery included.
• Hanging frame design.
• Quartz halogen bulb included.
• Dimmer Control On/Off Switch

Look, Brian, we need to talk. Now, you know we all have a blast at your backyard film festivals – that all-night Police Academy-fest
was legendary, and as for your retrospective screening of the films of
Jim “Ernest” Varney, well, everybody on Oakcrest Circle owes you a debt
of gratitude. You’re a cultural hero.

But projecting the
movies on the side of your garage isn’t cutting it anymore. For one
thing, it’s yellow. I spent the first 45 minutes of Ernest Goes To Reykjavik
wondering who the Chinese dude in the baseball hat was. For another
thing, it’s covered in siding, so the picture has all these lines all
through it, like where the siding panels end or whatever. You know what
I’m trying to say.

So we passed the hat and took up a
collection to buy you a Sima 90” Inflatable Home Theater Screen. It
comes with an air pump that inflates it in just a few minutes, and then
you’ve got a big, white, weatherproof 16×9 screen, measuring in at a
colossal 90 diagonal inches. And hey, it includes all the ropes and
crap you need to keep it from blowing away.

Nah, don’t
mention it. Least we could do. But, listen, it did kinda bite into the
old pocketbook, so we won’t be bringing any beer to movie night for,
like, the next four or five years. If you could grab the brew from now
on, we’d all appreciate it.

Warranty: One year

Features:

• 16×9 HD Widescreen format, 4×3 format compatible
• Compatible with all types of projectors
• Hi-Definition, bright white vinyl material
• Dual-use front and rear projection capable
• Commercial grade mesh reinforced PVC
• Ultra-sonic welded seams
• Inflates in under 5 minutes with included pump
• Plastic ground sheet included (0.1mm clear PVC)
• Dual self-sealing air valves allow for quick deflation
• Repair kit included
• Rust-free plastic grommets for durability
• Vinyl blackout screen Included
• Durable, adjustable hook & loop straps for screen support
• Optional black screen lacing included
• Black trimmed screen for a true cinema-style picture

Includes:

• 90″ inflatable screen
• air pump
• stability tie downs
• ground stakes
• ground cloth
• screen repair kit
• nylon carry bag

A long time ago, a king and a queen had a child, whom they named Buslink Mini MP3/CD/Radio Stereo System w/USB2 & SD/MMC Reader. From all over the land people came to give gifts to Buslink Mini MP3/CD/Radio
Stereo System w/USB2 & SD/MMC Reader. From the north came The Good
Fairy Penguinana, who granted the gift of reading CD/CDRW and CDR MP3. From the east, the Decent Warlock Henn Thai, who brought the gift of a USB 2.0 port and a Full Function Remote Control. From the south, the Tolerable Wizard Xpay Triot delivered the gift of an LCD screen and Digital Volume Control.

But
from the west came the Bad Witch Jhickflix, who carried with her a
curse. For it was the invitation to the west that had been lost in the
mail, and Jhickflix was very sensitive. As the king and the queen
trembled, Jhickflix gave her “gift”, the power to accept an MP3 Player
or iPod Nano… as long as it was under two gigs in memory. Jhickflix
laughed as the entire castle quaked in fear before her magic lightning.

It was then, however, that a quiet voice came from behind
the throne. For the king and queen had also forgotten to invite the
enchanted possum behind the… wait, what? Enchanted possum? We can’t
just tell them this thing has an MMC/SD
reader without talking about the enchanted possum? I don’t even know
why I come in to work any more. This site has totally gone downhill
since they started hiring freelancers. Just mail me my check and let me
get back to my screenplay.

Warranty: One year

Features:

• Plays CD, CD-R, CD-RW and MP3 files
• USB 2.0 interface
• Built-In Digital FM/AM Radio
• SD/MMC card reader (card not included)
• LCD display with blue backlit
• BBS (Bass Booster button) to enhance the bass effect
• Full function remote control included
• Full-range speakers with sculptured metal grilles
• Speakers can be wall mounted
• System Dimensions: 6.4 x 5.5 x 7.8-inches
• Speaker Dimensions: 6.4 x 5.5 x 6.75-inches

Front Panel Features:

• Display
• Power LED
• Mute LED
• FM ST LED
• USB port
• SD/MMC card slot
• Mode/Aux/Radio
• FM Stereo/Mono/AM
• Stop
• Folder/Prog
• Repeat
• Play/Pause
• DN/Rew/Up/FF
• CD/USB/SD
• Power on
• Mini phone jack
• Aux in
• BBS
• Volume

Rear Panel Features:

• FM ant
• Speaker jacks
• 110V and 220V switch

Specifications:

• Radio Frequency: FM: 88 - 108 MHz, AM: 530 - 1700 kHz
• CD/CD-R/CD-RW/MP3 compatible
• 4-inch dynamic speaker, 4 ohm x 2
• 1.5-inch tweeter, 4 ohm x 2
• AC power supply: 110 V, 60H z, 220 V, 50 Hz

Hotel Chatter (via Gizmodo) offers up their 2007 list of the best hotel Wi-Fi. According to the report, they’re finding that while hotel Wi-Fi is now almost ubiquitous, more and more restrictions are being added to free hotel WiFi. “For instance, you can get free WiFi in the lobby, but in-rooms it’s ethernet and it starts at $9.95 — Or you can get free WiFi in your rooms but you need to belong to a hotel’s loyalty program or be assigned a code with a special password.”

22 comment(s)

Last year we discussed security “walled gardens” with a network engineer for Canadian cable provider Cogeco. The practice limits the Internet access of an infected customer — only allowing access to ISP-hosted cleanup tutorials, patches and other resources. The practice lowers an ISP’s call volume (as opposed to just cutting them off) while protecting other users on the network.

The Washington Post blog today touches on security walled gardens and focuses on Cox’s use of the tactic, which began in 2005 and reaped significant rewards:”Prior to initiating this program, Cox was taking roughly 22,000 customers offline each year for Trojan infections. By 2005, that number was down to 8,000. And in 2006, the first full year in which it had those mechanisms in place, it confined slightly more than 1,800 users out of a user base of more than 3.3 million.”The report suggests that other ISPs have been hesitant to employ the tactic because they don’t care about spam, and (as the Cogeco engineer hinted) executives ca
.. (more @ dslreports.com)
16 comment(s)

While Time Warner Cable and DirecTV battle over HD capacity and quality and cable giants tinker with switched digital video to reclaim bandwidth, many HDTV owners have returned to the traditional antenna for uncompressed HDTV signal that trumps all of the above. It’s not news to HD fanatics, DirecTV HD owners in markets where local channels aren’t served or the startups offering new antenna gear. “Eighty-year-old technology is being redesigned and rejiggered to deliver the best picture quality,” says Richard Schneider, president of Antennas Direct, to the Associated Press. “It’s an interesting irony.”
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If you’re the proud (or, heck, ashamed) owner of a Sony Ericsson or Nokia phone, and you regularly forget to recharge your phone before heading out for the day, this Pocket-Sized Emergency Phone Charger could, potentially, save your life. Or the entire world. Sound far-fetched? Read on!

Say you’re out doing your errands for the day. You’ve just picked up your dry-cleaning from the little shop down the street when out of the corner of your eye, you see mind-sucking aliens with death-ray blasters sneaking into the offices of top-level government officials, determined to take control of the military and eventually the world. You whip out your trusty phone to call your friend, super-spy and extraterrestrial-exterminator Jack “Lightning” Bolt, only to find that your battery is dead. Oh no!

Luckily, you’ve got this tiny, handy little charger, equipped with a single AA battery. You plug it into your phone, and it provides you with a power boost–enough to make that call and save the world! Congratulations! $15, and obviously well worth it.