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Geiger Fukushima: Radiation And Geiger Counter For The iPhone

Posted: 16 Nov 2011 01:00 AM PST

geiger feat

Japan-based Sanwa has announced the so-called Geiger Fukushima [JP], a portable and light (70g) geiger counter that uses the iPhone to measure beta and gamma rays in your environment. Just connect the 14cm long probe to the iPhone, fire up an app that supports the device and view the handset’s display to track radiation readings.

There are many portable geiger counters out there, but the idea here is to make use of the iPhone’s capabilities to keep the price down: just the handset and the Geiger Fukushima are enough. The device can be ordered by people living outside Japan, too (it costs US$203 in the Japan Trend Shop).

Sanwa says the measuring range for the Geiger Fukushima stands at 0.04-20 microsieverts per hour and that one AAA battery lasts about 200 hours.

Daily Crunch: Smartie

Posted: 16 Nov 2011 12:27 AM PST

Kindle Fire Gets Torn Down – No Surprises Here

Posted: 15 Nov 2011 02:00 PM PST

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iFixit, bless their hearts, have taken a Kindle Fire to pieces, though as it turns out, there aren’t too many pieces to begin with. The battery is one huge unit, and all the processing and I/O occurs on a single PCB at the bottom of the device.

Those expecting a carbon copy of the Playbook both outside and in will be disappointed: the layout, batteries, PCB, and all the components are different, making the form factor more or less the only real similarity between the two devices.

That said, it is possible they share a processor unit; reports had TI as the supplier, and 1GHz sounds about right. Curiously, it’s not visible on the surface of the PCB, or is integrated in such a way that it can’t be identified without a more invasive teardown. But TI provided the transceivers, power manager, and so on, so it’s a safe bet. Update: yes, it was hiding under the RAM module, and it is a TI OMAP 4430, the same type used in the Playbook.

One thing they mention that I hadn’t noted before is that the battery’s charge time assumes an outlet connection for the 1.8 amps it supports; most USB ports and cables don’t provide that, so expect a longer charge time on USB (as you probably should with most devices). Total charge is stated as 4400mAh, less than the iPad 2′s 6600, but of course this has a significantly smaller screen and less intense CPU/GPU.

There don’t appear to be any hidden or unannounced features — personally, I was hoping for a microphone inside the speaker assembly, for use with Amazon’s latest acquisition. But it seems that the Fire is exactly what they say it is, no more, no less.

They’re just finishing up the teardown as I write this, and may include some extra information from Chipworks, as they have done before, so I’ll update this post if pertinent data is uncovered.

Bang & Olufsen’s New Beolit 12 Speaker Dock Preps For The Holidays

Posted: 15 Nov 2011 01:53 PM PST

beolit12

Christmas is right around the corner, and what could be a better complement your gingerbread and eggnog than a full month of Christmas music. Nothing, right? Which is why you may need this new minimalistic speaker dock from Bang & Olufsen.

Based on the FCC info, it looks like the Beolit 12 will be configured for AirPlay, and also supports USB and Ethernet connectivity, along with a 3.5mm jack for those of you who prefer cords.

The dock sports a picnic basket-esque strap for easy portability, along with a dual-toned speaker grill that reminds me an awful lot of honeycomb. Up top you’ll find a little spot to rest your media player of choice, along with your standard music controls for pause/play, volume, etc.

All-in-all it looks like a sweet little speaker dock, and AirPlay functionality makes it all the more attractive. Unfortunately, no word yet on pricing or availability, but we’d guess it’ll show up in your neck of the woods before Santa does.

[via Wireless Goodness]

Addicted Gamers May Have Physiological Differences In The Brain

Posted: 15 Nov 2011 01:31 PM PST

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A study by an international research team has shown a correlation between frequent gaming and a greater volume of grey matter in a part of the brain linked to an internal reward system associated with addiction. Take a few minutes to parse that sentence, I’ll wait. The study, published today in Nature’s Translational Psychiatry journal, describes the analysis of fMRI scans of 154 14-year-old gamers. They found that the ventral striatum, part of the dopamine system and implicated previously in addiction studies, was larger in gamers who played more frequently, though the data was strictly correlative and should not be taken as evidence of causality.

It’s worth considering for a moment because studies like this always end up hitting network news after a day or two, with ridiculous simplifications and ominous speculations. Are Violent Video Games Literally Warping Our Children’s Brains? Find out — after this message!

In fact, a quick search shows that the Reuters report (which, I should say, is not actually inflammatory) has already propagated to a number of networks and AP outlets. None of them link to the actual paper, though, which can be found here.

The study is really quite straightforward, comparing the structural and behavioral differences between two groups: frequent and infrequent gamers. The results show that frequent gamers have a larger volume of cortex in their left ventral striatal cortex, that they showed less deliberation in making choices in the gambling game they played, and that there was more brain activity corresponding to wins and losses.

The natural way to spin the story is to say that playing games has affected the brain, though there is no evidence this is the case. In fact, the reverse is more logical: people predisposed to addiction are more likely to participate in potentially addictive activities. This puts video game addiction in the same category as other, more widely-recognized addictions. Comorbidity with social and anxiety disorders

Studies like this are a great way to attack technology and services. Twitter use, for example, almost certainly correlates to people with shorter attention spans. Causality? Undetermined, but it’s convenient to argue that Twitter use enables that short attention span. The implication is that these people should be doing things that combat that short attention span, but this ignores so many other variables (total engagement, social trends, improvement in multitasking ability, etc) that it’s easily recognizable as wishful thinking.

With games the market is getting large and mainstream enough that the doomsaying of early days has been conclusively proven wrong, but the topic, despite being a multi-billion dollar market comprising some of the most interesting and powerful companies in the world, remains incendiary. Be on the lookout for FUD, and value research like this for what they are: small steps towards understanding the relationship between behavior and physiology, not to be used as planks in anyone’s anti- or pro-gaming platform.

MiniatureMoments: 3D Printed Pictures Of Your Wee Bairns

Posted: 15 Nov 2011 01:04 PM PST

A UK startup called MiniatureMoments has created a fairly unique keepsake for you and yours. These things are 3D-printed negatives that appear when you hold them up to the light. They are translucent and are about as big as a passport photo and custom-designed with your own portrait.

The miniatures, especially their size and color, are actually redolent of an earlier era. I could imagine these being made out of elephant ivory or bakelite in Industrial England, giving them a sort of memento mori, steampunk quality that I find appealing. They’re obviously pretty small but you could probably stick it up in a window or hang it around your neck like some mad-eyed Miss Havisham reliving your dewy youth.

Each miniature costs $40, shipped, which is steep for a rigid postage stamp. Your call.

Product Page



Bag Week Review: Mission Workshop Sanction

Posted: 15 Nov 2011 12:08 PM PST

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Bag Week continues with our review of Mission Workshop’s Sanction backpack. It’s a weather-proof pack made for short trips on your bike or long walks in the rain. It’s their smallest backpack, far smaller than the Vandal I reviewed last year. But at 1000 cubic inches, it’s still big enough day-tripping. Let’s take a closer look at this thing.

Mission Workshop Sanction

Type: Backpack

Dimensions: 12” x 18” x 5” / 1000 in3/ 16 liters

Pockets: Main cargo area, zipped laptop compartment (up to 15″), 2 zippered pockets, 1 slip compartment, one external easy-access velcro pocket

Features: Zippered compartments and main cargo area are weatherproof, double enclosure for top flap (velcro and buckles)

MSRP: $179

Product Page

Style

A very handsome bag, though a bit strappy. The grey color I reviewed is unfortunately sold out at the moment, but generally MW is tasteful and in their color selections, which are muted and not over-shiny. There are no unnecessary flourishes, and the little external pocket is nicely proportioned. The extra material from the shoulder straps and top buckles tend to hang loosely and flap all over the place, so you might have to improvise a way to secure them. I found the shoulder straps stuck nicely into the little utility loop on the bottom.

The bag is a bit flat and not very large, so if you’re concerned that you won’t appear manly without something big and bulky, this isn’t for you.

Utility

The Sanction is a more everyday, urban bag than the other weatherproof bags I’ve used from MW and Chrome. It’s got enough room to make it a decent overnighter, but it’s more practical for around-the-city biking and such. The big main compartment flattens down a lot, but will actually accommodate items up to five or six inches tall, so a big book or some groceries will go in no problem. It’s lined with thick tarp material, but doesn’t zip or roll down at the top, so I wouldn’t trust it with my top secret treasure maps in a gale. It does have a little bit of a lip at the edges to prevent any leakage from the top of the bag, but I would have preferred it to fold over or something.

The laptop compartment fit my 15″ MacBook Pro easily and smaller laptops with perhaps a little too much room to spare. The little zippered pockets aren’t as roomy – the top one is more of a pen and pencil holder, and the bottom one would hold a trade paperback or a few DVDs. The one that doesn’t fasten closed has the most room; it’s very deep but not very wide. I’m not sure what you’d put in there, a 2×4? I like the little outside pocket, though. It looks exposed but there’s lots of velcro and a similar “lip” to the top pocket’s, which helps keep moisture out. It’s the perfect size for a power adapter, a toothbrush, a book, or whatever.

Having two means of keeping the top flap down is reassuring, and there’s space under the straps and flap to secure things lengthwise, like a bedroll or something.

In my opinion it could have used a little extra love at the very bottom, though, maybe a grippy or extra-waterproof material.

Who is it for?

The weather-conscious urban bicyclist. So, me. It’s a good, compact day bag for getting around the city with a laptop, a book, and a sack lunch or a few groceries. Though it served me well as an overnight bag, I don’t think it would do well for trips over two or three days, and it’s not roomy enough to keep clothes folded crisply.

Here’s the product page again. And lastly, if you’re feeling rich, there’s a hardcore version of this bag with improved waterproofing and lining for a hundy more.

Pictures Of Fujifilm’s EVIL Camera Leaked – It Looks Fantastic

Posted: 15 Nov 2011 11:52 AM PST

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Fujifilm’s retro-styled X100 threw the photography world into a loop with its combination of retro styling, serious photo chops, and the actually innovative “hybrid viewfinder.” I had my issues with it, but it still hits me right in my retro-bone, and I look forward to the future installments in the X-line. Which brings us to today’s news.

Pictures have leaked of the LX, supposedly Fuji’s upcoming mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, or at least of an incomplete prototype. And I’m happy to say that it’s as premium as they said it would be.

Of course, it’s looking a little rough – this was probably a prototype on show at some internal presentation. But one of the sources in contact with the source himself says that it’s nearly complete and may even be ready in December. Personally I doubt that they’ll be able to actually make a release before then (Fuji lately has had long delays between announcements and availability), but it’s certainly possible we could see an announcement.

The camera itself looks very chunky, larger than the X100, with more squared-off corners. The mount is reportedly an internal Fuji one, not compatible with anything else, and it will ship alongside three primes and a zoom: an 18mm f/2, 35mm f/1.4, a 60mm, and a zoom probably in that 18-60 range, possibly shorter. The sensor, as some might have guessed from those focal lengths, is said to be APS-C, possibly an evolution of the one in the X100. The viewfinder is almost certainly the hybrid EVF/OVF.

As for price, someone claims to know a Fuji rep who put the body at $1400, which is a good ballpark regardless of whether it came from Fuji or elsewhere. There’s much in common with the X100, but it comes without without that expensive glass, and a few improvements here and there makes that price sound about right.

The pictures were originally posted at Chinese forum Xitek but swiftly removed.

Altec Lansing Headphones Go Custom

Posted: 15 Nov 2011 10:57 AM PST

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Altec Lansing has been trying to sell custom headphones with for a while now but this year they’re getting serious. In a joint effort between A-L and ACS customs, a UK company, they are now selling $999 custom in-ear headphones for professionals (and professional wannabes).

If you’ve never tried a pair of custom earbuds, rest assured the audio is top notch and the sound is usually wildly immersive. However, these things are expensive with the cheapest pair coming in at $499.

The buds are made of soft silicone and require a trip to an audiologist for a fitting.

Product Page



Video: What Is 4G? Ex-TC’er Doug Aamoth Explains It Better Than Anyone Else Could

Posted: 15 Nov 2011 10:22 AM PST

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I get asked the same set of questions at least a couple of times each week: What is 4G, anyway? Does “4G” mean the same thing across all of the carriers?

I’ve been meaning to do a quick and humorous video explaining the whole mess, but just kept putting it off. I now realize why: unbeknownst to me, my brain was waiting for TechCrunch-alum Doug Aamoth to do it. The time has come, brain — the time… has… come.

For those who may be a bit too new around these parts to remember TechCrunch in the days of yore, Doug wrote for us at our (since absorbed) sister-site CrunchGear. He was called away to another site by the siren song of trivial stuff like money and health insurance shortly before the AOL mothership arrived and started offering those things to us. For more good times, check out Doug’s classic Penguin Soda Machine review here. Miss you, buddy.

Recent Changes At Amazon & Best Buy Seem To Suggest A New Apple TV Is Coming Soon

Posted: 15 Nov 2011 10:14 AM PST

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The Apple TV is starting to look a bit stale. The current model was announced on September 1st, 2010, but being Apple’s hobby, it always takes a back seat in the refresh van. However, recent changes at Best Buy and Amazon seem to suggest that the current model will soon be replaced.

Amazon and Best Buy are both selling the Apple TV $10 below its $99 MSRP. Plus, Amazon put a 2010 label next to the product name as if to suggest there will be a 2011 model coming soon. Major retailers rarely sell Apple products below their suggested price. It’s a practice usually reserved for clearing out inventory prior to product discontinuation.

A new Apple TV has long been rumored. Most assume that Apple will replace the single-core A4 chip with the now nearly ubiquitous A5 chip. The dual-core processor would likely make the interface silky smooth and along with helping 1080p playback. Apple doesn’t really have to update the Apple TV, though. The current model performs the current set of functions just fine. But a new model would hopefully bring a new feature set that requires a more powerful platform — like Siri on the iPhone 4s.

If a new Apple TV is in the works, it would likely hit in the coming days. The holiday spending spree is in full effect and Apple isn’t one to ignore shopping trends. If it’s not out soon, the next version probably wouldn’t be released until 2012

The Acoustic Ruler iPhone App Is More Useful Than The Sonic Screwdriver

Posted: 15 Nov 2011 10:10 AM PST

iPhone hacks are pretty cool and this is one of the cooler of the cool ones. It’s an app that sends out an acoustic wave in order to measure the distance between two phones or between the phone and a microphone. While it’s not completely accurate, it’s still pretty fun.

To measure anything you need two iPhones or a wired mic. On one end, the iPhone or iPad emits a sound and on the other end there is a sensor to tell when the sound has been emitted. Presumably you could use your included headphones and I suspect a Bluetooth headset would inject some error, so you’re kind of constrained in terms of actual measurements.

It’s out now and it’s available now right here. You’re obviously not going to want to measure your fault-intolerant items with this system but it’s a cute trick and works in a pinch.

Bag Week Review: The Chrome Krakow Laptop Bag

Posted: 15 Nov 2011 09:16 AM PST

bagweek-bug

What is it?
Boy am I enjoying bag week. Incase’s Alloy series Compact Backpack was quite the treat, but I have wandering eyes which have now led me to the Chrome Krakow Laptop Bag. The thing about the Krakow is that it can withstand just about anything, which seems to be the trend at Chrome. The company is all about letting you go wild and crazy while keeping your gadgetry safe and snug in your bag. That said, the Krakow falls in line well, and has a design to prove it.

The bag sports industrial metal strap adjusters, along with two metal hooks on the straps themselves. Just from looking at it you can tell the bag is made for some heavy wear and tear, made obvious by the nylon construction with polyurethane coating. But what isn’t so obvious is the weatherproof military-grade truck tarpaulin liner on the inside. To put it plainly, you’d have trouble getting your laptop wet in this bag.

The Chrome Krakow Laptop Bag

Type: Backpack
Dimensions: 14" wide, 19" high, 4" deep / 19 L
Pockets: Laptop Sleeve, two secondary external sleeves, and one pencil pouch up front
Features: Nylon construction, weatherproof both inside and out, sternum strap, water seam-sealed zippers, space for up to a 17-inch MacBook
MSRP: $130.00
Product Page

The Krakow is actually a bit of a trickster. When you first catch a peek, it seems as though the entire front of the backpack is the opening flap. Really, it’s just the top third or so that latches closed with Velcro but that illusion gives it a sort of military feel, which I enjoyed. In fact, the Krakow is a pretty good-looking bag all around, with an unobtrusive design and a nice touch of metal to prove its ruggedness.

But it’s not for everyone. The Krakow offers plenty of space, but the majority of pockets more closely resemble sleeves. As I mentioned, you could fit a 17-inch MacBook in the main compartment’s laptop sleeve, and you could probably toss in quite a few other flat things, but nothing that taps too much into the third dimension is going to work. A camera, for example, was tough for me to fit in there along with my laptop, a tablet, a journal, and some other papers.

Who is this for?
The Krakow is for someone who carries a lot of paperwork, files, tablets, (semi-thin) books, magazines, and a laptop. If you plan on packing your lunch and your sports gear and anything else bulky, look elsewhere. The Krakow is also for the modern day adventurist — as long as you’re not dropping it off a cliff, this thing should keep your valuables safe and dry.

I’d venture to say that the number one deal breaker with me and bags is accessibility. Can I take stuff out and put stuff in the bag easily, while I’m walking, without having to take off the bag. In this category, the Krakow wins. You can get into the front zippered pouch with one strap over your shoulder, but that’s child’s play. You can also get into the main compartment with the bag looped over one shoulder because the zipper runs along the top and down one side of the bag.

Do I want it?
Funny you should ask…

I do, in fact, want the Krakow. It looks pretty damn slick (especially in all black) and suits my needs pretty well. I wouldn’t use this for work, since I always have to have a camera/lenses/random gadgets with me, but I’d certainly use it as my primary around-the-town bag in a heartbeat. It’s comfortable, durable, and easy to get into on-the-go. The only drawback is its price tag.

Click to view slideshow.


Phosphor Releases The World Time Sport

Posted: 15 Nov 2011 07:30 AM PST

PhotoGallery

Phosphor has just announced a new world time/dual timezone model, the World Time Sport. The company is well-known for their e-ink watches (we reviewed a few here) and this one uses a touch interface to scroll through multiple timezones as well as various screens including a dual-time screen for travelers.

The limitations of e-ink make it hard to add features like stopwatches and timers, which can get frustrating for sports fans, but this watch is a bit more rugged than the current e-ink line up and comes in three colors, orange, black, and white.

It’s available for pre-order now for $80 and will ship in December.

Product Page



Surprise: HP Is Squeezing Every Possible Penny From The Canceled TouchPad

Posted: 15 Nov 2011 07:12 AM PST

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The $99 TouchPad fire sale was the best way to close the book on webOS and the TouchPad itself. It got the TouchPad into the hands of the fans. Only those that cared about the product lined up outside of Best Buy to grab one of the cheap notebooks. It’s also probably safe to say that most of these people do not have any interest in HP’s crapware notebooks. These people just wanted a solid tablet for a great price.

HP, you should have taken your win and walked home. But you didn’t. You’ve screwed up. Again.

The TouchPad’s story is a sad one. A product born out of Palm’s inspiring vision for the future of mobile and HP’s expertise at killing innovation. Despite featuring a solid operating system, the product landed with a thud and only webOS die-hards opted for the $499 TouchPad. HP announced just 7 weeks after it launched that it was killing all webOS hardware development and would clear out the remaining supply for just $99, which sold out nearly overnight.

The story all along was that another batch of TouchPads was coming. Retailers and even the HP website had sign-up pages to notify potential buyers of available TouchPads. But here we are, a couple months later, and the $99 TouchPad hasn’t resurfaced.

However, the TouchPad has randomly popped up at different retailers, but there is often a major caveat. Best Buy got a round of 32GB $150 TouchPads late last month but they were only available for purchase with an HP notebook. Then Tiger Direct (and sister site, Circuit City) started selling the TouchPads but only with an expensive accessory pack, bringing the price up to $279. Then, just today, Office Depot’s Black Friday ad leaked showing a TouchPad deal similar to that found at Best Buy; buy any HP PC and get a 32GB TouchPad for $150.

You just know somewhere deep in the corporate machine that is HP, an overpaid executive and his team of cronies thought up this scheme. “People want the TouchPad, right? Alright, then let’s make a quick buck off these people. If they want one, we’re going to force people to buy one of our cheap, adware-filled notebooks. Oh, and we’ll pull support for the TouchPad or, maybe, half-heartedly support it for the stragglers.”

This isn’t about capitalism or free trade. HP had a chance to make some friends and earn some good will. The TouchPad is clearly not worth anything to HP. The first fire sale demonstrated that. Now they’re using it as a bait, waving it in front of potential buyers, just hoping to trick someone into buying one of their crappy notebooks. HP has every right to make a buck but sometimes it’s worth foregoing a tiny bit of additional revenue to earn some respect. After years of self-destructive behavior, HP needs respect more than anything else.

Aerial 3D: Amazing System Shows 3D Objects In Mid-Air, With No Screen (Video)

Posted: 15 Nov 2011 07:09 AM PST

burton 3d feat

Since 2006, Tokyo-based Burton has been working on Aerial 3D, a technology that makes it possible to produce pictures in 3D in mid-air or underwater – without using a screen (that’s what I call “True 3D Technology” indeed). Burton says their laser-based system is the only one of its kind.

The current system projects 3D objects at 50,000 dots per second (up from around 1,000 in 2006) and with a frame rate of 10-15. The Aerial 3D works by focusing laser light, producing “plasma excitation from the oxygen and nitrogen in the air”.

As you can see in the video below, the technology still leaves some room for improvement regarding picture quality (Burton currently tries to boost the frame rate), but the 3D objects can be seen floating in mid-air clearly:

Video courtesy of Diginfo TV

Bag Week Review: The Targus Spruce EcoSmart

Posted: 15 Nov 2011 07:02 AM PST

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When I joined TechCrunch (and AOL, by association), I found myself swimming in company-issued bags. The standard-issue MacBook Pro came with a hefty Targus beater of a shoulder bag, and AOL saw fit to send me a Ogio backpack emblazoned with a giant purple AOL logo.

I shoved them both in a closet after a few days.

Instead, I lug around the Targus Spruce EcoSmart on a daily basis. It’s not the most expensive, nor the most fashion-forward bag you’re likely to see during Bag Week, but it’s a robust, comfortable day bag that can carry most of your daily necessaries without making you regret it.

The Targus Spruce EcoSmart

Type: Backpack
Dimensions:13″ x 18.75″ x 8.25″
Pockets: Laptop compartment (up to 15.6″), main cargo compartment, secondary cargo compartment, 3 zippered pockets
Features: Lightweight mesh straps, made of eco-friendly materials
MSRP: $68.99
Product Page

If you couldn’t tell by the name, the Spruce EcoSmart was designed with the environment in mind. No, it won’t biodegrade if you hurl it in a landfill — rather, the bag’s polyester body is made out of recycled plastic bottles.

Speaking of the Spruce’s body, it’s pretty nondescript at first glance, but a closer look reveals some fun little flourishes, like a series of hard rubber bumps along the front. While they actually add a bit of character to the bag’s front, they’re also meant to take the hits that come when you carry the bag around.

All of the bag’s stitching is green, as are the little plant logos on each zipper. What will really catch your eye though (for better or worse) is the bag’s forest green lining. It seems like a silly way to advertise the bag’s eco-friendly schtick, but it becomes surprisingly useful when trying to dig a hard-to-see doodad out of the bottom of the bag.

The bag’s straps are reassuringly thick, but are made of a lightweight mesh that keep the load from digging into your shoulders too much. The right strap also features a little plastic knob that the truly finicky can wrap their headphone cable around. That same foamy mesh is strategically placed near your lower back and shoulders, which makes the whole thing feel very cushy.

At over 8 inches thick, it doesn’t seem like the Spruce would have much trouble fitting your things, but it’s a tighter squeeze than you think. That’s because Targus felt the need to compartmentalize things a bit too much — the laptop goes in a sleeve that takes up most of one compartment, while the compartment in front of that is where most of your stuff will go. Another smaller compartment sits in front of that, with pockets for pens, ID, and other miscellaneous bits you may want to throw in.

My usual loadout consists of the aforementioned 15-inch MacBook Pro, an iPad, a few notebooks, my Panasonic GF2, and a few extra lenses, all of which fit perfectly inside. The bag’s a great fit for a day trip (even the ones that involve lots of running around), but the Spruce definitely won’t be your bag of choice when it comes to going away for the weekend.

Who is this for?
Treehuggers, people who carry lots of small things instead of a few big ones, avid day-trippers.

Do I want it?

That depends — the price is certainly right (especially if you do a little poking around), but you’ll have to make do with some strangely-sized compartments. Still, it’s a mighty comfortable backpack for those who don’t feel an unwavering need to carry their whole lives around with them.

Click to view slideshow.


Bag Week 2011: The First Giveaway

Posted: 15 Nov 2011 06:29 AM PST

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First, if you find the concept of Bag Week appalling (looking at you, achshar), read no further. We want no truck with you. Second, here’s a free bag.

eBags is offering a free Mother Lode TLS Weekender Convertible backpack to one lucky reader. We haven’t had a hands on with this model, so we expect a full report from you once it arrives. However, that said, it looks pretty fancy and comes in multiple colors.

How do you win? Comment below excoriating us for running Bag Week and how horrible it makes you feel. Tell us what terrible people we are and extra points will be given for ad hominem attacks. Examples could include “I hate my current bag and find bag reviews useful, but John Biggs is an eggsucking dog” or “TechCrunch is really going downhill with all this talk of bags. I use the bag I got at Office Depot four years ago and, although it has caused a hernia and lumbar problems, I intend to use it until it falls apart. I don’t need to learn new information about bags! A pox on you and yours!”

I’ll pick a winner tomorrow at noon. Look for more great BW giveaways to come.

RIM Unveils The BlackBerry Bold 9790 And Curve 9380

Posted: 15 Nov 2011 05:52 AM PST

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We may have gotten a glimpse at what RIM has planned for the future, but for now RIM devotees will have to make do with a new pair of current-gen BlackBerrys. The new Bold 9790 and the Curve 9380 both run RIM’s BlackBerry 7 OS, but that’s about where the similarities stop.

As the model number suggests, the 9790 is an extension of RIM’s pint-sized 9700 series. The Bold 9790 sticks with the tried-and-true BlackBerry design, albeit with some revamped buttons that caused a bit of a stir when they were first spotted. Unlike the other BB7-powered Bold, the 9790 sports a smaller 2.44-inch 360×480 display, a 1GHz processor, and 8GB of internal storage.

Meanwhile, the Curve 9380 takes its cues from the other touchscreen BlackBerrys of late, but it’s a hair shorter and wider than it’s other all-touchscreen brother, the Torch 9850. The 9380 keeps the same 360×480 resolution as seen in the new Bold, and stretches those pixels over a larger 3.2-inch display. RIM is keeping mum on the new Curve’s specs, but considering the Curve series’s budget-friendly pedigree, I wouldn’t expect much of a barnburner.

Speaking of the Curve, something about it has been irking me since I first saw it, and I think I’ve just figured out what it is. Save for the optical trackpad, the 9380 looks almost exactly like the original BlackBerry Storm. Even the screen sizes are similar, with the Storm beating out the Curve by .05 inches. It’s an interesting development, considering how awful the Storm was, but in fairness its design was probably the least offensive thing about it.

RIM has yet to reveal specifics like pricing and availability, but here’s hoping these BlackBerrys get pushed out the door soon. I have a feeling RIM will need all the extra time they can get to polish up their new OS and the hardware that will go with it.

Netflix Outs Redesigned Android Tablet App, New iPad Version Hitting In A Few Weeks

Posted: 15 Nov 2011 05:20 AM PST

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Netflix took to its blog this morning to announce a new look for its Android tablet app. Gone is the old beige and red scheme (finally). In its place is an immersive user interface that takes full advantage of cover art. It’s swanky and a tad reminiscent of the latest set-top box version.

Per the release the new app is launching today to coincide with the Kindle Fire and Nook launch. Since those two tablets are all about content consumption, it’s a tad hard to argue against that logic. Despite Amazon’s best efforts, Netflix is still the de facto movie and streaming source.

Neil Hunt, chief product at Netflix,

We’re happy to debut a new user experience coinciding with the release of the next generation of devices from industry leaders. The new Netflix interface offers a significant improvement in browsing and searching for TV shows and movies to instantly watch.

The Android version hits the Market today and is available as a free download — of course you need to pay $7.99 a month for access, though. Netflix is also updating the iOS version to the new UI and that app will be available in a few weeks.