<![CDATA[[MobileRatty] tag: ber]]> http://mobileratty.com/tag/ber Mon, 14 Jul 2008 10:33:47 +0000 iRatty Engine http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss <![CDATA[ Cat Motorcycle is, Well, an Interesting Idea, I Guess [Meow] ]]> http://mobileratty.com/article/35564e84702ea1a62f0b3e59fc06a4b8 http://mobileratty.com/article/35564e84702ea1a62f0b3e59fc06a4b8 Most of the time, riding a motorcycle makes you look awesome. The exception to this rule? Riding around on the CAT 1 Über-bike, a motorcycle designed by Lee J. Rowland that has you riding around on the back of a gigantic fiberglass Jaguar. I'm sure it's an amazing bike, what with its 1200cc Buell 97 S3 Thunderbolt engine and custom air intakes and exhaust system, but come on: you'd look like a total jackass on this thing. And for $567,000 (!!), I'd better look like James f'ing Dean when I hit the road. [Lee J. Rowland via Book of Joe]


]]> Thu, 02 Oct 2008 09:00:00 +0000 motorcycle custom air intakes gigantic fiberglass jaguar cat ing dean exhaust system ber-bike 1200cc buell thunderbolt engine Cat Motorcycle is, Well, an Interesting Idea, I Guess [Meow] <![CDATA[CAT 1 Über-bike by Byron Hemmes]]> http://mobileratty.com/article/fb06d5df321a2f79da6b409a3d5cf10a http://mobileratty.com/article/fb06d5df321a2f79da6b409a3d5cf10a 1iyiyuh

• Length: 2.3 meters

• Wheel center to center: 1.7 meters

2hgryr

• 1200cc Buell 97 S3 Thunderbolt engine

• Body made from high-grade stainless steel

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• Air intakes and exhaust system custom-engineered to suit cat profile

• Cat fairing: Fiberglass finished in ultra-high-gloss ebony polyurethane lacquer

4ryt

• Handlebar width: 1 meter

• Weight: 360 kg

• Seat: Stingray

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£320,000 ($567,000; €404,000).

]]> Thu, 02 Oct 2008 05:01:00 +0000 cat suit cat profile ebony polyurethane lacquer wheel center center high-grade stainless steel meters handlebar width exhaust system CAT 1 Über-bike by Byron Hemmes <![CDATA[Porsche Design cellphone is not as fast as it sounds]]> http://mobileratty.com/article/4707f7bf529546b4916184a118f64f99 http://mobileratty.com/article/4707f7bf529546b4916184a118f64f99 porschecellphone.jpg

For most people, the name Porsche conjures up images of sophisticated design, exquisite quality, and most importantly, extreme speed. And while their new P'9522 delivers ample doses of those first two qualities, a web connection that relies on WiFi rather than a 3G network, makes it a bit closer to a Hyundai Accent in the high speed connection stakes. On the plus side, you do get a 5 Megapixel camera, a touch screen interface, and built in GPS.

Still, I'm sure that most potential customers for this Über candy bar phone will be more concerned with what kind of bulge that chunky aluminum shape makes in the pocket of their Armani suit, than in studying the feature set.

Shipping in November, it is expected to sell for about 600 Euros ($ 875), or about half the price of that other Porsche phone we looked at a while back.

Les Mobiles, via Born Rich

]]> Sun, 28 Sep 2008 08:04:32 +0000 speed connection stakes chunky aluminum shape delivers ample doses potential customers porsche phone feature set bit closer megapixel camera web connection Porsche Design cellphone is not as fast as it sounds <![CDATA[Ruby Cipher HDD kit provides AES 256-bit hardware encryption]]> http://mobileratty.com/article/752a3efd1bc88b160ac2214843ca13a0 http://mobileratty.com/article/752a3efd1bc88b160ac2214843ca13a0 Filed under:


Addonics is good for providing über-secure storage options, and this one does a fine job of keeping that legacy alive. The Ruby Cipher hard drive kit shows lots of love to any 2.5-inch SATA drive that you've got laying around, and once you slip it in there, you can rest assured that only you (and maybe your ghost) will see what files are within. The enclosure itself comes with inbuilt eSATA / SATA connectors, and there's also a SATA direct bridge to "isolate the SATA hard drive power and data connectors from the wears and tears incurred in some other removable SATA hard drive systems." Of course, you'll also find 256-bit AES hardware encryption, with a bundled flash key included to unlock the doors to your deepest, darkest secrets. Shame there's no price listed, but you know this level of security won't run you cheap.
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]]> Tue, 16 Sep 2008 13:43:00 +0000 ber-secure storage options storage 5-inch sata drive sata direct bridge flash key legacy alive fine job inbuilt esata data connectors Ruby Cipher HDD kit provides AES 256-bit hardware encryption <![CDATA[tokyoflash negative lcd/led watch is positively cool]]> http://mobileratty.com/article/dda4a491f892c5c04a4a89c3ac4e9319 http://mobileratty.com/article/dda4a491f892c5c04a4a89c3ac4e9319 Hot off the presses comes the latest über-cool modern watch from the guys over at Tokyoflash. Their latest creation features a reverse LCD display which lets you view the time without the need for pressing any pesky buttons.

The Tokyoflash Negative watch gets its name from its “always-on” inverse LCD display which uses oversize black dot-matrix pixels to reveal the time, day or date.

The watch features a multi-color LED backlight, which lets you quickly flip between one of seven different colors. Heck, you can have a different color for each day of the week if you so choose. There’s also a “frenzy” mode which sends the display into a psychedelic colored light show with a press of a button.

As and added bonus, the display lets you choose from horizontal or vertical display orientations, and offers a built-in alarm.

The Negative is available in both polished silver and polished black stainless steel finishes (my personal fave), and retails for ¥16,900 (appx. $162 USD).

Ready to be the first on your block with this new bit of eye wrist candy? Head on over to Tokyoflash and place your order now.

]]> Mon, 15 Sep 2008 22:38:07 +0000 tokyoflash negative tokyoflash display vertical display orientations negative reverse lcd display multi-color led backlight color eye wrist candy tokyoflash negative lcd/led watch is positively cool <![CDATA[Hands-on / a look within Pioneer's Elite BDP-09FD Blu-ray player]]> http://mobileratty.com/article/1bc51e5091b4dbb344c2f853711490a4 http://mobileratty.com/article/1bc51e5091b4dbb344c2f853711490a4 Filed under:


Pioneer didn't bring a whole lot of firepower to this year's CEDIA (though it did toss in 16 new speaker models), but the star of its show was definitely the über-expensive Elite BDP-09FD Blu-ray player. Thankfully, the company had a couple of units setup for photographing, one of which was dissected within a glass case. Needless to say, we snapped images from each, giving you a rare look at what makes this thing worth $2,199. As with most of its Elite components (HDTVs notwithstanding), this unit was also on the chunky side, but it's still a beauty in our eyes. The gallery awaits your attention.
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]]> Thu, 04 Sep 2008 15:07:00 +0000 home entertainment speaker models gallery awaits pioneer elite components units setup lot hdtvs worth Hands-on / a look within Pioneer's Elite BDP-09FD Blu-ray player <![CDATA[rare r2-d2 fridge for sale: one cool droid]]> http://mobileratty.com/article/aaa9ae029b2f1978b7b0d2d33dfcf74a http://mobileratty.com/article/aaa9ae029b2f1978b7b0d2d33dfcf74a I was surfing around in search of this desktop R2-D2 mini USB can fridge that I recently read about, when I happened upon something much, much cooler than that cooler.

Turns out that this awesome R2-D2 compact refrigerator was apparently made back in 2002 as a promotional prize for an Attack of the Clones contest held at 7-11 Stores in Japan. Word has it that just 1000 of these rare refrigerators were ever made, and now this one can be yours (assuming you’ve got the dough). Even rarer than the elusive Google mini fridge, this is definitely a serious über-geek collectible.

The guys over at ToyEast managed to get their hands on one of these rarities, and it’s in pristine condition. Priced at $1070 USD, it’s not exactly cheap, but if you’re a serious Star Wars fan, you might not be able to pass this up. Help me Obi-Wan Kenobi, I could overdraw my my checking account for this one.

]]> Wed, 27 Aug 2008 07:30:54 +0000 star wars fan cooler rare refrigerators pristine condition obi-wan kenobi ber-geek collectible fridge held cheap rare r2-d2 fridge for sale: one cool droid <![CDATA[TASCAM's GT-R1 records impromptu guitar / bass jams]]> http://mobileratty.com/article/698cbbb6e2ab6e72383c07e8138b716f http://mobileratty.com/article/698cbbb6e2ab6e72383c07e8138b716f Filed under: ,


For you axe-slingers who blame your inability to write a new song on the inability to afford a simple, portable recorder, your excuse is officially lame. TASCAM's ingenious GT-R1 affords musicians the ability to simply plug their guitar and / or bass directly in and record using the built-in amp simulator and effects. Better still, the stereo condenser microphones up top allow users to record ambient noise, vocals, off the cuff jam sessions or anything else for that matter. The unit captures in MP3 or WAV format (16- or 24-bit), includes an SD card slot (1GB bundled in) and a USB 2.0 port for offloading files and charging the battery. Newbies can even queue up an MP3 and jam along, and the integrated metronome / chromatic tuner are just icing on an already über-sweet cake. Word on the street has a price of around €200 ($308), which actually sounds like quite the bargain from here.

[Via Engadget Deutschland]

Gallery: TASCAM's GT-R1 records impromtu guitar / bass jams

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]]> Thu, 07 Aug 2008 04:03:00 +0000 record ambient noise record bass jams jam cuff jam sessions tascam stereo condenser microphones built-in amp simulator simply plug TASCAM's GT-R1 records impromptu guitar / bass jams <![CDATA[The Vertu Ascent and the Vertu Constellation: A Pictorial]]> http://mobileratty.com/article/b02232c484a77a75c1adc1729426fda7 http://mobileratty.com/article/b02232c484a77a75c1adc1729426fda7 Some time ago, I wrote a semi-mocking post about a just announced Vertu phone which was encrusted with gemstones and that had a price tag in the $100,000 neighborhood; not only was this phone priced way out of my galaxy, it was priced out of my universe. In that post’s comments, Drew came in and mentioned that he had owned a few Vertus, and that they were in fact actually excellent phones - despite their astronomical price tag. He also said that it wasn’t necessary to get them encrusted in stones, and that there were some which were (relatively) reasonably priced, especially if you bought them slightly used on eBay.

My curiosity was up, but I still wasn’t about to spend approximately $2500 (or more!) for a used “dumb phone” on eBay just to see if I liked the brand; amazingly enough, I didn’t have to. Even though I had written to Vertu (on Alison’s suggestion) to request a review unit, and had never heard back from them, around December, Drew mentioned he had an Ascent he would be willing to send me to try “for a few months”. Heh…okay!

A few months turned into a much longer time because I liked the Ascent so much, and because Drew was so accommodating. No, the Ascent didn’t have built-in GPS, I couldn’t read eBooks on it, and I couldn’t surf the web…but the phone had excellent battery life, it was simple to use, and it had extremely clear sound. Above all, it was easily the best mobile phone I had ever used: it had excellent reception in San Angelo, it was the best speakerphone I’ve yet tried, and even more surprising - considering its weight and rather blocky shape - the Ascent was pleasing to hold and caressable.

Recognizing that the Ascent was only a tri-band (just fine for US T-Mobile users, not so much for US AT&T users like me), Drew recently offered to trade the Ascent out for a barely used quad-band Constellation he had just scored on eBay. I was honestly unsure if I would like the Constellation as much, because other than a few dead-air spots in between San Angelo and Eldorado I was completely enamored with the Ascent; but I would soon learn that the Constellation possesses a few of its own charms.

I haven’t seen any comparisons of the two devices, so I thought I would share one while I still have both in my possession. Understand up front that I am not trying to explain or justify why someone would want to pay full price (or even eBay prices) for one of these play-pretties; they each retail for about $6,000 (for the Ascent) and $5000 (for the Constellation), which could buy so many other things. But just as you can’t explain to those who don’t understand why a Porsche or Ferrari “speaks” to you, why a Barenia Hermes Birkin is so desirable, or why an isolated house with a scenic view on a high hilltop strums your heartstrings, the same can be said of these phones. You either like them, or you don’t; if you have the disposable income, then buying one might be something you’d consider.

Either way, I hope you enjoy this glimpse into a brand which can best be described as the über-elite of mobile phones…

geardiary_vertu_constellation_25-443x500 The Vertu Ascent and the Vertu Constellation: A Pictorial
left to right: the Vertu Ascent and Vertu Constellation

… [visit site to read more]

]]> Mon, 04 Aug 2008 16:09:33 +0000 vertu vertu constellation vertu ascent ascent vertu phone phone constellation price astronomical price tag The Vertu Ascent and the Vertu Constellation: A Pictorial <![CDATA[The New Professional and Ultimate Das Keyboard]]> http://mobileratty.com/article/0cfe3f182e7382feb6dd1ed646b784c6 http://mobileratty.com/article/0cfe3f182e7382feb6dd1ed646b784c6 Das Keyboard

Two new keyboard was announced today by Das Keyboard, the Professional and the Ultimate. Just like a common keyboard, the Professional has standard QWERTY marking on its keys, but the Ultimate one doesn’t have it or it is completely blank.

Das Keyboard Takes Typing to Next Level with Release of Keyboards Designed to Provide Best Possible Typing Experience
Available With or Without Key Inscriptions, New Das Keyboard Models
Improve Comfort, Speed and Precision of Typing

Austin, TX – July 14, 2008 – Das Keyboard (www.daskeyboard.com), a division of Metadot Corporation renowned for its completely blank keyboards, announced today the release of two new and totally redesigned keyboard models – the Professional and the Ultimate. Both models sport German-engineered, gold-plated mechanical key switches, but unlike its sibling the Das Keyboard Ultimate which is completely blank, the Professional has the traditional QWERTY markings on its keys.

Incorporating the industry’s highest keyboard standards with the best key switches money can buy, the Das Keyboard Ultimate and Professional are designed to make typing more comfortable and satisfying by providing a completely unique touch and feel experience.

“If you spend eight hours a day typing on a keyboard, it might as well be on a keyboard that offers the best typing experience possible,” Daniel Guermeur, creator of Das Keyboard and CEO of Metadot Corporation said. “The Das Keyboard was designed for discriminating users who appreciate comfort and quality and are tired of mushy, unresponsive, five-dollar keyboards.”

Setting the Das Keyboards apart from standard keyboards, the mechanical key switches create a distinct “click” with each keystroke and make the typing experience more crisp, decisive and fast.

“Das Keyboard is a ‘clicky’ keyboard that’s surprisingly addictive,” TechRevu editor Ernest Lilley recently stated in a review of the Das Keyboard Professional (http://www.techrevu.com/php/Review-id.php?id=2405). “Built on über-high quality Cherry micro-switches that you can really bang down on, the positive feel of this minimalist keyboard is sure to delight serious keyboarders….”

Both the Professional and Ultimate are available in the U.S. at www.daskeyboard.com for $129.00. The keyboards can be purchased in Europe through GetDigital (www.getdigital.de), in Canada from TekGear (www.tekgear.com) and in Australia through AUSPC Market Online (http://www.auspcmarket.com.au.)

Key features include the following:

* Gold-plated mechanical key switches, engineered by German-based Cherry Corporation
* Two high-speed USB 2.0 ports for syncing and charging USB devices
* A sleek, glossy black surface with blue LEDs
* An extra long 6.6 foot USB cable which easily extends through your desk grommet to keep your workspace tidy.
* N-key rollover function (or the ability to register 12 key presses simultaneously without key jamming)

The Professional and Ultimate are compatible with Windows, Linux, or MacOS X and do not require the installation of software or drivers. Mac users can swap the command/control/options keys to match the Mac keyboard layout using the MacOS X keyboard control panel.

About Metadot Corporation

Metadot is an Open Source technology company and creator of the Metadot Portal Server, a freely downloadable and royalty free enterprise application for Linux and Solaris platforms. Metadot Corporation has its headquarters in the United States and is centrally located in Austin, Texas. It is a privately held company that is profitable, has no debts and is not financed by venture capital. Das Keyboard is a division of Metadot.

]]> Mon, 14 Jul 2008 10:33:47 +0000 keyboard keyboard control panel keyboard standards mac keyboard layout das keyboard models das keyboard professional das keyboard takes minimalist keyboard common keyboard The New Professional and Ultimate Das Keyboard