MY Tech..

Mad Catz Cyborg M.M.O. 7 Gaming Mouse

yogi-iitk — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 12:07:17 GMT

You might remember back in November last year that Mad Catz unveiled their new professional gaming mouse the Mad Catz Cyborg M.M.O. 7. If you have been patiently waiting for it to arrive your wait is now over, the Mad Catz Cyborg M.M.O. 7 gamin mouse is now available to pre-order, priced at $130.

The Cyborg M.M.O. 7 gaming mouse is equipped with an array of adjustable panels and weights to help make the mouse perfect for any individual, perfectly fitting your hand and playing style.

It also equipped with 13 programmable buttons (plus std left and right) that combine with a 3-position MMO mode switch and a 2-position MMO shift buttons to provides you with a massive 78 user-definable in-game commands. Enough to cover even the most demanding of game configurations. Together with a 5D Button on the side perfect positioning under your thumb, that allows you to click up and down, left and right, and press click.

The supplied Cyborg’s proprietary Smart Technology (ST) software gives you total control over your M.M.O. 7 Gaming Mouse’s unique features. Enabling you to adjust your macros and set custom keybindings, tweak cursor sensitivity, create custom profiles for individual games, and assign commands to your programmable buttons and modes, with ease.

Mad Catz explains:

"Level up your gaming hardware with the Cyborg M.M.O. 7 Gaming Mouse. Cyborg took all of the standout features and technology from the world’s most adjustable gaming mouse – - the FPS-revolutionizing Cyborg R.A.T. – - and then enhanced control and ergonomics to create the ultimate weapon for MMO gamers. Whether you play WoW, EVE, The Lord of the Rings Online, Star Wars: The Old Republic, Guild Wars, or RIFT, the Cyborg M.M.O. 7 delivers powerful macros and programmability to support any MMO.”

So if you think you evan benefit from a Mad Catz Cyborg M.M.O. 7 gaming mouse is now available to pre-order, priced at $130.

NES Controller Hacked To Play iCade iPad Games

yogi-iitk — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 10:55:04 GMT

If you have any NES controllers lying around and enjoy a little gaming, you might be interested in this new hack that has been created by Paul Rickards. Who has taken a standard NES controller and modified it to work on the iCade games on the iPad.Rickards admits the hack happened as a accident, while playing around with iMAME on his iPad together with his homebrew Commodore 64 keyboard. Which is connected to his iPad via a modded USB connection, he accidentally struck a key. Which then prompted iMAME to say "enabling iCade mode”

After investigation he discovers the iPad would recognise USB connected controllers. So to make the NES controller work with the iPad, Rickards manufactured another USB keyboard using Arduino, but instead of using a keyboard matrix, used the NES gamepad instead.

To finish the hack off professionally he created a lego case for the board and ports, with one of the ports connected to the iPad’s Camera Connection Kit.

Rickards has detailed instructions on the neat hack for iCade game over on his website Bios Rhythm. So if you have a few hours spare this weekend and have a spare NES controller why not adapt your iPad to enjoy a little retro gaming.

Source: Cult of Mac : Bios Rhythm

Chromatic-Typewrite

yogi-iitk — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 14:30:15 GMT

Artist Tyree Callahan has taken a 1937 Underwood Standard typewriter and transformed it into something a little special called the Chromatic Typewriter. That allows you to type a painting on to paper, using colours rather than the traditional letter associated with a typewriter. The Chromatic Typewriter is a 2012 West Prize Entry.

Callahan explains:

"The 2012 West Collects "West Prize Competition” is off and running. The little Chromatic Typewriter is out in the world and the feedback has been great. I’ve decided to re-type my artist statement with the thing. It ought to be equally decipherable as any other I’ve read lately.

I’m super excited about it. The reaction to the piece has been pretty special. It seems to be making a lot of people happy and it has started some great discussions on the translation of art into words and words into art. And folks with synesthesia seem to like it the most!”

The Chromatic Typewriter is still just a prototype at the moment and after each typed painting you must manually refill the colours that correspond to the keys. Even though there is only one available Callahan has priced his creation at $3,000-$5,000, and more information about the Chromatic Typewritern can be found over on

Square Enix Servers Hacked, 1.8 million Accounts Exposed

yogi-iitk — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 16:41:31 GMT

MacBook Pro Update Arriving Soon?

yogi-iitk — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 14:48:32 GMT

Apple has started to curb the amount of MacBook Pro laptops that it currently has in stores with many nearly out of stock, which nearly always indicated that a refresh of some kind might well be immanent. So if you are thinking of purchasing a new MacBook Pro it might be worth holding fire for just a little while longer.

Other indication that suggest a refresh is immanent is that new references for all MacBook Pro models have appeared in Apple’s inventory system for the 13 inch, 15 inch, and 17 inch screen sizes.

The references seem to suggest that Apple will continue to supply 2 x 13 inch models, 2 x 15 inch models, and 1 x 17 inch model of MacBook Pro. But rather than a huge overhall the expected changes are thought to be fairly small and only upgrades to their processors and the Bluetooth 4.0 technology. Which Apple has started shipping in their new model MacBook Air systems.

Source: 9to5Mac

Gamestop Giving Out Batman Arkham City Catwoman Codes With Used Copies

yogi-iitk — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 14:35:06 GMT

Today is the day future video game historians will mark as the apex of the battle over used game sales. It will take more than your online passes and one use DLC codes to intimidate Gamestop, publishers? You like single use codes packed in with new copies of games? Gamestop’s got your single use codes right here. If by here you mean the inside of every used copy of the game.

Yes, Gamestop is apparently offering the same bonus Catwoman content which should theoretically be the sole domain of mint copies with "pre-used” copies of Batman Arkham City, essentially making the whole code thing an exercise in futility. Questions such as where did Gamestop get the codes abound. Rest assured though, it’s not like Gamestop would take them from new copies in order to boost higher-margin used game sales. Then maybe sell those games as used copies as well when the codes run out? Although to be fair, their new approach of putting codes in used games certainly beats their old one of taking codes from new games.

Source Kotaku

Scientists Develop Wireless Bike Braking System

yogi-iitk — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 14:27:33 GMT

Computer scientists at the Sarland University have developed a new wireless braking system for bicycles, and instead of cables and levers to activate the brakes, it is all done with a range of wireless devices.

The wireless braking system for bicycles is made up of a a wireless transmitter on the hand grip and a motorized disk brake caliper, when the hand grip is squeezed, the data is transmitted to the caliper and the brakes are applied.

The developers of the technology are testing it out on bicycles, and intend to use it for something else when it is fully developed, the idea is that the technology could be applied to trains, cars and also planes.

Source Wired, Gizmag, Alpha Galileo

Lego CubeStormer II Solves Rubik’s Cube

yogi-iitk — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 14:23:39 GMT

You might remember last year we featured the CubeStormer a Rubik’s Cube solver that was built from Lego and became the Worlds Fastest Lego Mindstorms RCX Speedcubing Robot. Well the team are back and have now created a new design using a Samsung Galaxy S II smartphone to process the calculations and has now halved the record set by the original CubeStormer. Watch the video after the jump to see it in action.

The next generation Lego CubeStormer II has been built by Mike Dobson and David Gilday, and is capable of solving Rubik’s Cube at amazingly fast speeds. Its been constructed using four Lego Mindstorms NXT kits, and a Samsung Galaxy S II smartphone as its "brain.”

Source: Engadget

Amazon Limits Kindle Touch 3G Web Access To A Handful Of Sites

yogi-iitk — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 12:43:49 GMT

If you thought you would be able to happily surf the web on your new Kindle Touch 3G device you might be a little disappoint to learn that Amazon is no longer offering an open 3G web access through its new Kindle Touch 3G reader.

When the new Kindle Touch 3G was launched last week there was a little confusion over the wording used to explain the web surfing features of the new device, which said ”experimental web browsing is available via Wi-Fi.”

After a lot of speculation on the Kindle forums Amazon has now clarified the situation explaining:

"We apologize for the confusion. Our new Kindle Touch 3G enables you to connect to the Kindle Store, download books and periodicals, and access Wikipedia – all over 3G or Wi-Fi. Experimental web browsing (outside of Wikipedia) on Kindle Touch 3G is only available over Wi-Fi,”

”Our Kindle Keyboard 3G will continue to offer experimental web browsing over 3G or Wi-Fi.”

Websites you will be able to surf via 3G include Kindle Store and browsing Wikipedia.

Source: PC Mag

Gears Of War 3 Horde Command Pack Arriving November 1st

yogi-iitk — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 12:39:38 GMT

If you have been enjoying the new Gear of War 3 game you might be pleased to know that its first DLC download called Horde Command Pack will be arriving on November 1 st.

The new Horde Command Pack includes three new maps, new weapons, skins and new characters : Onyx Guard, Big Rig Dizzy, Bernie. Together with new fortifications for Horde mode. The maps are Blood Drive, Azura and Rustlung, Blood Drive goes back to the classic maps style tradition of Gears which is sure to please long term fans of the series.

Official details of the new maps and fortifications

Blood Drive: The Jacinto Medical Plaza was overwhelmed by evacuated citizens after the government-sanctioned Hammer Strikes, and the ensuing riots quickly turned this safe haven into a dangerous inferno. An abundance of high ground and funneled choke points make this map a returning favorite to Horde.

Rust lung: Once the pride of the Royal Ty ran Navy, the fore decks of this decommissioned battleship are now riddled with bullet holes. Any team with the fortitude to hold the exposed central torpedo bay will find that the ship’s Loader has been replaced with a battle-ready Silver-back mech suit.

Azura: This island resort was once the exclusive domain of Sera’s educated elite, but the tranquil water gardens and lush foliage have become a hotly contested combat zone. Dual snipers overlook a powerful explosive weapon, while the defensive central platform may be your last resort of retreat.

Fortifications:

Command Center: This new fortification type allows you to call in fire support from snipes, mortar strikes and multiple Hammers of Dawn. That’s right, plural, hammers.

Decoy Upgrade: This is an upgrade that turns your decoy into an Onyx Guard bot that will fight in your defense.

Sentry Upgrade: This upgrade adds a fire bolt sentry that deals more damage and is super effective against Berserkers. If only there was one to one-shot lambent zerkers.

Silverback Upgrade: This advancement allows you to upgrade your Silverback exo-suit with devastating rockets and extra levels of repair cost reduction.

Source: GOW3