After having seen The Dark Knight three times over the last weekend I can't help but think this would be a great scene for the next film (which had better not be called Caped Crusader): A city municipal worker in the IT department changes some very important passwords and refused to give them up, even after jailed. From his cell, he divulges the codes to just one man, the city mayor, in a secret meeting that even the DA and police don't know about. This actually happened this week in San Francisco. The IT tech, Terry Childs, wasn't up to any nefarious deeds, or so he says, he just didn't want his co-workers to mess up his huge system, and can anyone who's ever worked in IT blame him? [SFGate]

This concept USB watch, dubbed "Timeless" is either a fabulously ironic piece of deconstructivist electronic art, or a geeky overload. Whichever way you look at it, it's kinda neat: basically it's a simple digital watch, with an internal battery that's charged when you plug it into a USB socket. And then the same USB socket plugs back into the watch face, secured with PCB mount-style latches, with the ribbon cable as a strap. It's a concept... but I could rattle of a pretty list of people I know who'd probably love to own one. [DesignBrothers via CoolestGadgets]

For those of you who're into a little bit of creative electronics as well as fancying yourself as a bit of a mean DJ, this DIY laser light show may be just the thing to spice up your parties. Not only will the project spray laser light around (and who doesn't like laser light shows?) but it also reacts to music, so you'll have your own laser visualizer. Check out the video to see it in action. Basically the light from a lab-style laser is reflected off a mirror mounted to a speaker membrane and then gets diffracted through a grating to create multiple beams. As the music drives the speaker, the mirror jitters and bingo! You've got a laser light show visualizer that makes your giant mirrorball seem even more passé than it already is. The whole thing has pretty detailed instructions so you can build your own... just don't use too powerful a laser source, eh? Those things can be dangerous. [Project page via Hacknmod]

Over at Sound and Vision Mag they're asking exactly this question, and there's a lot of logic behind it. Current flat-screen TV tech favors the 16:9 (or 1.78:1) dimension ratio, but many movies are shot in Cinemascope 2.35:1, around 32% wider. That's why you still see letterboxing on your HDTV, or the frames are cropped to fit. High-end home theater projectors already cater for Cinemascope dimensions by using anamorphic lenses and some fancy processing to correct the image. So will next-gen home TVs end up wider too? The experts Sound and Vision asked tended to think not, with both Toshiba and Sony confirming they had no plans in this direction. Partly it's a question of manufacturing: the tooling is set up for production of TVs in 16:9, which mainly concerns the production of LCD panels (or OLED panels that're in the pipeline), and changing that would be pretty expensive. As a Samsung expert points out this even affects things like the glass used for the panels: manufactures are used to particular dimensions and achieving a particular yield from a "mother" sheet of glass... changing the screen dimensions would involve adjusting all this production too. And of course there's all the tech involved in getting 2.35:1 images onto the screen in the first place: DVDs and BDs aren't that ratio, though you could achieve it by throwing away pixels. But all of these problems are not insurmountable. And I, for one, would welcome the idea of a "full" widescreen TV sitting in my living room in four or five years time: maybe because I mainly watch movies rather than TV shows. What's your take on the idea, guys? Gawker Media polls require Javascript; if you're viewing this in an RSS reader, click through to view in your Javascript-enabled web browser. [Sound and Vision Mag]

A team at Universidade Nova de Lisboa in Portugal have produced the world's first field-effect transistor based on paper. The paper layer acts as an "interstrate", with the actual FET components being fabricated onto both sides: so the paper holds the transistor together and acts as an insulator. Amazingly in tests the paper transistor performed better than amorphous silicon transistors and even approaches the performance of state-of-the-art oxide thin-film transistors. Why is this interesting news? Mainly since paper is a lower-cost substrate than silicon, so this invention opens the way for cheap, or even disposable, paper displays, smart labels, RFID technology... basically expect more ubiquitous technology integration in future products. [Physorg]

Be happy: A new wireless HD video standard guarantees that major brands including Sony, Sharp, Hitachi, Samsung and Motorola will have interoperable wireless video streaming. Amimom—the chip makers behind the "video modem" wireless HD tech we've been seeing on and off for the last few years, and most recently in Belkin's Flywire—is announcing the WHDI consortium with the above members, formed to standardize their wireless HD spec and embed it in member companies' TVs, projectors and HD video sources. The result is a network of HD components, streaming uncompressed 1080p video not just through one room like competing UWB standards, but to and from any source to any TV in your entire home, with a range comparable to Wi-Fi. Pretty impressive stuff. The change in range is due to the chunk of spectrum being used (5GHz for WHDI and anywhere from 3.1 to 10.6 GHz for UWB). UWB is a low-power, short-range broadcast because it has to play nice with the other protocols found on the wide breadth of spectrum it calls home. (For better or worse, Monster's wireless HD kit is wireless up until the point it needs to use your home's coax wiring to gain whole-house coverage). WHDI, however, is camped out in a chunk of unlicensed 5GHz spectrum just like 802.11n Wi-Fi, meaning it must be able to tolerate the reasonable levels of interference only from other devices that use the same frequencies, and can broadcast at higher power levels than UWB—enough for a range of "over 100 feet." WirelessHD, a third major spec also funded by Samsung and Sony, plus Panasonic, Toshiba, LG and NEC, uses the 60GHz band, and apparently has problems unless the transmitter and receiver are within line-of-sight. Components will be paired through menu systems using a pass-key, like Bluetooth. The spectrum can hold around six streams of 1080p video at a time, although real-world interference may vary. A likely scenario would be streaming from a WHDI cable box or Blu-ray player downstairs to 3 TVs throughout your house while still having room for HD gaming in the den. The fact that a few heavies like Panasonic are still notably missing could mean another standards battle is on the horizon. While WirelessHD already claims a published 1.0 spec, and Monster's UWB product should be out by the fall, the WHDI spec is due to be finalized at the end of the year, with products hopefully popping up in time for CES '09. Stay tuned until then—as one format war ends, another begins.

The Atmos 561 Clock, made by Jaeger LeCoultre and designed by Mark Newson, is powered entirely by changes in temperature and sits inside a block of crystal for good measure. According to The Watchismo Times, a change in temperature of one degree celsius can power the clock for two days. A mixture of Ethyl Chloride and "gas" is what reacts to the temperature change and expands against a spring in a chamber, which then converts its stored potential energy into clock power and so on and so forth. Though not a new technology, this update is easy on the eyes, and that has to count for something. For more shots of retro Atmos clocks, check out [The Watchismo Times via Technabob].

Many companies use Windows Live Messenger for corporate IM because it's free and comes with pretty much any Windows computer they purchase. Windows Mobile users have had mobile IM love for awhile, but BlackBerry users have been left out, at least as far as official messengers go. They had already been promised an official client, and today Microsoft published it. Also included is live Hotmail support, for those who still use it. Go and download it, BlackBerry addicts, if you haven't already. [Download, via Ars]

Not content to just offer a new version of Windows Live Messenger for a competing platform, Microsoft today released an updated official version of the full Windows Live app for Windows Mobile that features contacts syncing, support for Live Spaces, Live Maps, and push email from HotMail, MSN, or Live accounts. It's a free mobile download, though you'll have to make sure you nuke the old version first lest you mess up your device. [Download, via JK On The Run]

Here it is, fellow space-geeks, the first official image of the new joint Russian-European manned spacecraft, and we'll be damned if it doesn't look like something out of the Ikea Kitchen Collection. It's made to ferry up to four people (cosmonauts or astronauts?) to the moon and back, with a two-stage orbiter-and-lander design much like the original American lunar missions. What's interesting is that the craft uses thrusters to slow its descent to the moon's surface as well as to launch itself off the surface. The Russians state that they expect a launch in 2018, though a launch could happen sooner if stock rockets currently available are modified, which sounds perfectly and totally safe to us. [BBC]

After having seen The Dark Knight three times over the last weekend I can't help but think this would be a great scene for the next film (which had better not be called Caped Crusader): A city municipal worker in the IT department changes some very important passwords and refused to give them up, even after jailed. From his cell, he divulges the codes to just one man, the city mayor, in a secret meeting that even the DA and police don't know about. This actually happened this week in San Francisco. The IT tech, Terry Childs, wasn't up to any nefarious deeds, or so he says, he just didn't want his co-workers to mess up his huge system, and can anyone who's ever worked in IT blame him? [SFGate]

DirectX 11 is coming, and it looks pretty awesome. Sure, you get advancements in shading and better support for multi-core machines, but what's really got our heads turning is the concept of letting programmers use the GPU in your video card to do some of the heavy lifting, meaning your graphics chip becomes a second, parallel processor. While the idea itself isn't new, this is the first we've heard of DirectX using such technology and we're sure it'll have PC gaming fanboys drooling when it rolls out, whenever that happens to be. [Joystique]

Just when we thought John Mayer was happy with his MacBook Air, he goes and cheats on Apple with a Sony Vaio. Was it the fact that he had to submit a bug report? Was it the fact that everyone's submitting bug reports with his name in it? Or how about because he's on the Sony BMG label? Who knows! It's not the first time he's cheated on Apple, and we're sure as shit it's not going to be his last. [As seen in the latest issue of Wired Mag]

The Consumerist just uncovered a new deal in the works by Comcast to give away Wiis to new subscribers. Whoa. Their deal, which runs on a limited supply basis, is supposedly good from July 28 to August 17 in the Miami, SF, Houston, Denver, Chicago, Philly, Boston and Detroit areas (among others). If you're looking to change over to Comcast, call them up on July 28 and ask about this deal to get a free Wii. There should be actual ads going out about this soon as well, so keep an eye out. Hell, even if you have Comcast now, you might want to cancel your plan and re-up under your wife's name just to get that Wii. [Consumerist]

I was really excited to see A-Level hit the App Store today—I've actually needed to use a level recently, but I don't have one. And replacing a physical tool with a 99-cent mobile software app is what the future's all about, right? But after grabbing it and giving it a test, it's a well-executed app but with one fatal flaw: you can't re-zero your accelerometers. If you've played Super Monkey Ball, you know that the EA folks are right when they told us the iPhone devs still have a ways to go before they can tease statistically accurate data out of the acceleromters for precision control of a game. The same problem unfortunately applies to A-Level. Right now, every reasonably level surface in my house is registering around -2 degrees off-center when a measurement is taken in landscape mode. When you tilt the phone straight up to measure with the bottom, the orientation of the accelerometers shifts, and the inaccuracies EA was talking about become apparent as it swings to the opposite side of the spectrum—around +6 degrees off-center. A simple re-zero button will help this app immensely—allowing you to take quick comparative readings that aren't as susceptible to error. The developer, Posimotion, says this is on the way—but until then, hold on to your old, non-virtual level. [iTunes Store via Gadget Lab; Giz's iPhone App Review Marathon]

We literally have no further information other than what you see in the image above, but either way, it's a very interesting photo even if it might be a fake. It makes sense that whatever huge display is running off a Windows XP machine—many giant displays do. What's also interesting in the photo are the cops (are they cops?) manning the line with fire extinguishers in case one of the Beijingnese Apple customers gets outta line. [Thanks Chris!] In comparison, there's a WSJ shot of the same angle, but this time with an iPod+iTunes ad banner running. Could be that the XP shot is when the thing's in sleep mode?

According to the designer, Pillo is a "modern way of living" that can be described as "furniture or micro architecture." Essentially, it is a series of carbon fiber rods covered in fabric that can be easily unfolded or collapsed for easy transport. Throw a little light source in there and you have yourself one cozy, blinding little fort for adults that can also function as a unique focal point and lighting source in a room. Obviously, this thing has the word "concept" written all over it, so I wouldn't expect to see it being sold to the public anytime soon. [Project Page via The Design Blog]

I must admit that I was intrigued by the Super 8 projector that Japanese manufacturer Gakken released back in March. My only problem was that you would need to get your hands on an 8mm camera in order to get back to the retro filmmaking stylings of our forefathers. Fortunately for film buffs, Gakken is planning to release a companion to their projector with their own low-cost, no frills 8mm camera. Gakken's 8mm camera hasn't even been announced, so pricing and release date information are not available. Not to worry though—you can still take a trip down memory lane by hitting the link to check out out OObjects list of 20 classic 8mm cameras featuring famous selections from as early as the 1930s. [Trends in Japan and OObject]

We saw the Nerf Vulcan EBF-25 at Toy Fair 2008, we saw it perform in the hands of brave co-workers fighting in the trenches at the epic Nerf office war, and now you can proudly own the pinnacle of foam dart weapon technology for $40. [Hasbro via Digg] Thanks, Nelson!

The Gadget: Protective fabric-based sleeves for your iPhone 3G/original iPhone. Unlike a case, you slip your iPhone inside via the top and have to take it back out entirely to use. The Price: $21.90 The Verdict: Protective goodness. We're usually very down on cases for any kind of phone or PMP—why cover up something well designed with something quite ugly—but sleeves are an entirely different matter. Fabrix' version provides ample cushioning for your phone when it's not in use, but you're supposed to take your iPhone entirely out of the sleeve when you're actually handling it. Couple that with the fact that these sleeves are actually very nice looking and you've got a great combination of usability and aesthetics. It's especially useful for women with purses, as the ones we're familiar with just throw their phones in with their keys, pens and other sharp objects. Now with the case, we can place our phones in the same pocket as our keys—something we have always stayed away from. Pick up a few to change out when you're tired of the old one. [Fabrix]

Much like the United States, Britain has a bit of an illegal immigration problem. Tens of thousands risk their lives to cross into Britain each year by clinging underneath trucks transported on ferries. To combat this problem, BAE systems has provided the border agency with a robot dubbed "Hero" that is capable of ferreting out these stowaways using a combination of cameras and sensors. The device can check underneath vehicles and even detect heartbeats when fitted with the proper equipment. It can also be used to identify chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear materials being smuggled into the country. Some of you may be wondering when the US going to get something like the Hero robot. Interestingly enough, the military has been testing a similar robot called Odis in Iraq and Afghanistan for some time now—but whether we will see one patrolling our borders in the States anytime soon remains to be seen. [BAE via Telegraph via Danger Room]

What's the next step in space exploration? A semi-permanent moon base, of course. It's about time we get a settlement up there for astronauts to stay at for months at a time, don't you think? Experimental architecture firm Architecture and Vision does, and they've designed what they've dubbed Moon Base Two, a base that can accommodate astronauts for months at a time. The base would be delivered by the Ares V rocket, due to be deployed in the next decade, and would automatically deploy when it lands. It could house up to four people for a period of up to six months. So technically it wouldn't be a permanent base, but it could act as a home for long enough to do a serious amount of research or to go nice and space crazy, as we all know is inevitable. Looks pretty cool to us. [Archietecture and Vision via io9]

Apparently, proxy test taking is a big enough problem that the nation's top business schools will soon require that students undergo a palm vein scan before taking their GMATs. Like a fingerprint, the system of veins running through the hand is unique to every individual, and supporters claim that using vein scanning is not only superior to the current digital fingerprint method, but it also does not come with the same stigma. Personally, I don't think that standardized tests are really worth a damn when it comes to admissions, so all of the fuss surrounding it seems pretty silly to me. At most, it should be weighted on the very tail end of a student's accomplishments. Still, if dropping $250 on the GMATs is in your future, palm-vein scanning will begin next month in Korea and India, with US centers starting around the fall. A world-wide rollout is expected by May. [WSJ]

Unlike certain other Fox properties, seeing the Simpsons continue to be milked for merchandising doesn't fill me with quite so much rage, so these officially engraved iPods are cool for hardcore fans. But for the $80 premium over standard price for an iPod classic, I'm more inclined to take the one I already have to our pal Phil and burn in a portrait of Mr. Burns saying "Have the Rolling Stones kiilled." [Fox Online Shop via Slash Gear]

We know you've been DYING to get your own Dr. Dre headphones ever since you saw them back at CES, so you'll be happy to know that Apple and Best Buy are willing and able to take your $349.95 this Friday. The headphones are supposedly imbued with "extreme clarity, deep bass and full power, which had been lacking in conventional headphones." Yeah, we've been asking ourselves for years why conventional headphones had only come with half power, but now we know that it's because Dr. Dre mandated it. Gangsta. [Business Wire]

Remember when Apple got shady with Windows users by pushing out Safari via its own software update tool to everyone, even if you didn't have it installed already? Windows users are now up in arms again about iTunes 7.7 bringing along an unwanted MobileMe control panel without asking, and I don't blame them. Granted, a control panel is not the same as an entire application, but getting loaded up with extra software that you don't want is still a shady move. And unfortunately, that's just the start of MobileMe's pushiness. Our own Jason Chen also noticed a surprise when he docked his iPhone this morning—this big fat ad for MobileMe in iTunes under the "Summary" tab for his phone. No code installed here, but getting spammed for a service that's had hiccup after embarrassing hiccup over the last several weeks is not the best way to keep those already in your customer base happy. Tsk tsk Apple. [Computerworld]

Last week, I called on you to create and submit some brutally honest gadget ads. And you did! While I'd say about half of the entries were ads for the iPhone 3G (I get it guys, you want copy and paste), we also got some pretty awesome ads for other devices. From the predictable (red-ringing Xbox 360s) to the completely unpredictable (White Castle Slyders, last time I checked, aren't gadgets, but I let it, uh, slide), we have some great entries here. Hit the jump for your top three winners and all the rest of the top entries in the Gallery of Champions. First Place — Flowbee by Tricky Wombat Second Place — Wii by Phillip Stucker Third Place — Ionic Breeze by Andy Graber

You know how solid state drives aren't very common right now? SanDisk laid the blame for that directly onto Microsoft's face, accusing Windows Vista of not being optimized for those SSDs. The next-generation drives due out soon require more advanced controllers (the stuff that interfaces with the drive itself), which "need to basically compensate for Vista's shortfalls." SanDisk's chairman and CEO follows up with "performance in the Vista environment falls short of what the market really needs and that is why we need to develop the next generation." Seriously though, if this is true, we hope Windows 7 solves these issues so we can finally get some flash action up in our laptops. Then again, it could just be SanDisk covering up their own failure to get products to market with some finger pointing. [CNET]

Games For Windows LIVE, the PC equivalent of Xbox Live, has now gone free. As of now, you won't have to subscribe to a Games For Windows LIVE Gold Account ($49 a year) in order to get the PC to PC or PC to Xbox 360 multiplayer action. Great news for PC owners, but we hope that Microsoft will refund the cash for people who still have a few months left on their account. [Games For Windows via Gamerscore Blog]

Ryan Block, editor of Engadget, announced his resignation today. When I first heard the news, I was blindsided with a loss of competitive bearing followed by some strange sorrow. I suppose I'd explain it by saying Ryan is probably the best frienemy a guy could possibly ask for. The press has often played up the competition between our sites, and I admittedly contribute to that reporting for the sake of the story. But however different our executions are, we both have the goal of doing the best editorial possible within a given time span. He's been welcome company at shows where our tasks ran more in parallel than any other two people in the room. At events we'd cover, we would often arrive early, both sneaking away early from, say, a liveblog to cover the next step of the story first, and then staying later than most. Where we went, Ryan was already there, or was about to be there shortly. Watching him work, I've had enough chance over my last +2 years at Giz to know he's an outstanding guy, historic rivalries aside. And so, as he moves on, I hope he makes ample use of his editor-at-large position and posts frequently. But not too frequently. I could use some time off. [RyanBlock]