A credit card piggy bank would be no fun at all. Where is the joy in sticking a credit card into pig’s back when you can’t smash it later on to blow your earnings on some frivolous item? Besides, using a credit card or debit card to wirelessly add money into a savings account does not make sense. However, some greedy child could definitely use this bank to hit their relatives up for a more massive allowance. Excuses like “I don’t have any cash on me” won’t get you off the hook anymore. Good thing this is only a concept device. [Behance via DVICE]

Via [Gizmodo]

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iTunes is on track to become the largest music retailer in the U.S., pipping Wal-Mart to the title. (I’ve never known anyone to buy popular music from Wal-Mart. Clearly I’m out of the mainstream.) NPD stated yesterday that iTunes had in fact overtaken Best Buy and Target to become the second biggest music retailer, but its […]

iTunes is on track to become the largest music retailer in the U.S., pipping Wal-Mart to the title. (I’ve never known anyone to purchase popular music from Wal-Mart. Clearly I’m out of the mainstream.)

NPD stated yesterday that iTunes had in fact overtaken Ideal Buy and Target to become the second biggest music retailer, but its projections show iTunes claiming the number one spot before the end of the year. Digital music sales were up last year while CD sales fell, as you know. And if CD sales continue to decline, why should brick and mortar retailers still devote so much shelf space to them? So, CD sales go down, retailers stop stocking them, people purchase their music on the internet. It’s a reinforcing cycle.

Though I do wonder exactly how often you guys use iTunes to buy music. When I buy music, nine times out of ten it’s off Beatport.com, but that’s merely a reflection in my taste in music. I don’t even think I had an iTunes phase; I think the last song from there I bought was a The Knife song during the summer. But if it’s the biggest music retailer (or soon to be) then surely some of you’re heavy users.

When will iTunes replace Wal-Mart as No. 1 music retailer? [Cnet.com]

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Via [crunchgear]

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While those who are born into a world of e-books won’t miss much, there are a few generations of paper-readers who might still need some convincing. The LIVRE, a concept for a more tactile friendly e-book, first looks like a chunky version of Sony’s Reader. But the design is actually fairly inspired.

Our favorite feature is that which we thought the most ludicrous upon first glance—that bulky case. But there’s a method to the madness. The case is constructed of flexible silicon, an attempt to re-create the soft feel of a book and offer some tactile enjoyment to the sterile feel of e-books.

Also of note, the concept calls for multitouch page flicking. Of course, it’s a cheap idea to throw into the design since, trust us, if e-paper/e-ink technology had anywhere near the response time to make touch controls feasible, Amazon and Sony would be on the trend in a heartbeat. [LIVRE via engadget]

Via [Gizmodo]

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Shrink-wrapping your MP3 player has suddenly become reality, thanks to the guys at Twinbird. The XZABADY (crazy name, eh, crazy guys?) is a frame-shaped iPod dock with FM radio that you can park your player in to make it waterproof. The player connects via an audio jack, and you can customize the background with a picture of your loved one—maybe they look better with an iPod superimposed on top of them—and then press down on the silicon rubber sheet to seal. XZABADY: truly a byword for fugtional; where fug meets function. [Trends in Japan]

Via [Gizmodo]

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Boingboing has collected a batch of links and proof showing Comcast paid people to attend a net neutrality hearing and cheer for them, which displaced reporters and other generally sane people who would have booed and hissed.

It is reported that the henchmen were identifiable by the yellow highlighters they wore. Are there denials? No! Comcast is admitting that they paid people to hold seats for local employees who wanted to attend the hearing. And although it is reported that this tactic is not uncommon at congressional hearings, I don’t care. If you needed proof that Cable is up to no good, here it is. Absolutely Comcastarded. [BB]

Via [Gizmodo]

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Daem Interactive has developed Skuair, new technology that it is calling the next generation of 2d code readers. Skuair isn’t limited to reading barcode lines and numbers but can read product logos or images. Skuair works with any mobile phone and is easy to operate. The user simply takes a picture of an advertisement or […]

Daem Interactive has developed Skuair, new technology that it is calling the next generation of 2d code readers. Skuair isn’t limited to reading barcode lines and numbers but can read product logos or images. Skuair works with any mobile phone and is easy to operate. The user simply takes a picture of an advertisement or product logo and a low resolution image is sent to the recognition server and an associated URL is returned. The user can receive a variety of multimedia content from the company or person who owns the image.

Read more…

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Via [crunchgear]

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Did you hear that? That was the sound of the Everex Cloudbook finally hitting. We’d heard rumors of it being delayed until at least March, but Wal-Mart has them in stock, at $399. While initial review units had problems, it’s possible they’ve been corrected for the final retail version, but given the tight time from, we […]

Did you hear that? That was the sound of the Everex Cloudbook finally hitting. We’d heard rumors of it being delayed until at least March, but Wal-Mart has them in stock, at $399.

While initial review units had problems, it’s possible they’ve been corrected for the final retail version, but given the tight time from, we doubt it. Tread softly here, Wal-Mart shoppers.

Everex 7″ CloudBook CE1200V Ultra-Portable Laptop w/ VIA C7-M Processor ULV [Wal-Mart dot com]

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Via [crunchgear]

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If Sony exists for anything, it’s synergy, so its latest quickie home theaters are made to match its Blu-ray players—you’ll notice only one of this fourfer has an upscaling DVD player—you’ve gotta bring the vid (Blu-ray) goods (Blu-ray) yourself. The $400 5.1 HT-SS2300 is the top audio-only, which pumps out 1000W and as three HDMI ports. Its lesser bro, the 3.1 HT-CT100 is a puny 250W soundbar setup that’ll go for $300, and finally the 5.1 surround HT-DDWG rocks 800W and an iPod dock for $200. The sole do-it-all, the 5.1 surround, 900W HT-7200DH, has a 1080p-upscaling DVD player and three HDMI ports—it’ll go for $500.

LAS VEGAS, Feb. 26, 2007 - Sony today introduced four component home theater systems designed to complement high-definition televisions and Blu-ray Disc™ players.

Optimized with 1080p-capable HDMI™ inputs, the HT-SS2300 and HT-CT100 models support full HD video and eight channels of uncompressed audio. The HT-7200DH and HT- DDWG700 models round out the line, offering 5.1 channel home theater surround sound.

HD Companion
The HT-SS2300 and HT-CT100 component systems are designed for Blu-ray Disc players and other high-definition components using three 1080p-capable HDMI inputs, in addition to optical and coaxial digital inputs.

The 5.1 channel HT-SS2300 system, with 1,000 watts (RMS) of power, features a slim AV receiver designed to match Sony’s line of 2008 Blu-ray Disc players. It will be available this summer for about $400.

At 250 watts (RMS), the 3.1 channel HT-CT100 unit includes a sound bar and separate subwoofer, which delivers realistic surround sound using Sony’s S-Force PRO Front Surround Sound technology eliminating the need for rear speakers. The system will be available in March for about $300.

Both systems feature Sony’s Digital Media Port, which adds controlling, networking and connectivity features for music playback with various optional accessories sold separately. Additional accessories include a Network Walkman™ player audio cradle, a PC client device and a Bluetooth® adapter.

The units offer a simple set-up feature with Sony’s Digital Cinema Auto Calibration (DCAC) that uses an included microphone to measure speaker distance, level and frequency, automatically calibrating the listening environment to accurately optimize the sound field.

Additionally, the new home theater systems offer an updated Portable Audio Enhancer. This improves the clarity and depth of a connected music player by adding information to the audio signal that had been removed during compression.

High-Resolution Audio
The 5.1 channel HT-7200DH and HT- DDWG700 systems deliver high-resolution surround sound with 900 and 800 watts (RMS) of power, respectively.

The HT-7200DH system integrates a single disc DVD/CD player with upscaling to 1080p via HDMI™ when connected to a 1080p-capable HDTV set. There is an HDMI repeater that automatically switches the television to the correct input needed for operation. The integrated AV receiver has three 1080p-capable HDMI inputs for support of high-definition home theater components. An on-screen display simplifies content navigation and device operation. The model will be available in May for about $500.

The HT- DDWG700 unit includes a cradle for iPod® players (TDM-iP10) so you can enjoy music through the home theater via a connection to its Digital Media Port. The surround sound system will be available in March for about $200.

All of the models offer Digital Cinema Auto Calibration, Portable Audio Enhancer and a Digital Media Port interface.
The new systems will be available at sonystyle.com and Sony Style retail stores nationwide, as well as at military base exchanges and authorized dealers throughout the country.

Via [Gizmodo]

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As you might have guessed, the NXMP324 from Neux Corp isn’t what I would call a “serious” product, but those looking for something a little different might find its support for MP3, WMA, WMV, WAV and ASF file formats, built-in USB 2.0 port, FM radio, and 128MB to 4GB capacities mildly interesting. Not me though—I’m still holding out for the MP4 shaped like a bottle of Thunderbird in a paper bag. Pricing info available upon request. [Globalsources via PMP This day]

Via [Gizmodo]

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Have you entered in our Toshiba x205 laptop contest yet? You do want a free laptop, don’t you? Click here to see how to enter.

Via [Gizmodo]

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