Like many people, I often find myself in situations where my MacBook Pro battery runs out much sooner than I would like. The newer MacBook Pro’s have a built-in battery with extended life, but I don’t have any immediate plans to upgrade. That’s were HyperMac comes in. It’s an external battery in a aluminum enclosure that can both power and charge a MacBook as well as a iPhone (via USB). It comes in four sizes, the larger the HyperMac, the longer the batter life. It also automatically determines which model you are using and charges at the appropriate voltage.

Available in 4 different capacities of 60Wh, 100Wh, 150Wh and 222Wh (compared to MacBook Air 37Wh only internal battery), the external battery is capable of powering the MacBook for up to 32 hours – allowing for long haul flights, extended outdoor shoots, expeditions to remote locations or any situation where electricity is simply not an option. When on the road, there is also the HyperMac car charger which powers and recharges the MacBook directly from the automobile cigarette slot.

I ordered a MBP-100 which I’ll be putting to the test the next few months as I travel.

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Canon has just announced their new EOS 7D DSLR camera. It features a 18MP sensor, a 19-point AF system, shoots up to 8 fps and includes 1080p Full HD video. The retail price is $1699.00, placing it between the 50D and the 5D Mark II.

The EOS 7D boasts significant EOS advancements including a completely new 19-point Autofocus system, a new Canon iFCL Metering System (Intelligent Focus, Color, Luminance) and a new Intelligent Viewfinder. An 18-megapixel Canon CMOS sensor and Dual DIGIC 4 Imaging Processors fuel the EOS 7D’s 14-bit A/D data conversion and its ability to freeze fast motion in high-resolution with eight fps continuous shooting up to 126 Large JPEGS using a UDMA CF card, positioning this camera for the studio as well as the sideline. The EOS 7D captures beautiful low-light images with or without a flash, at occasions such as a dance recital or wedding reception, thanks to a wide range of ISO speed settings from 100-6400 (expandable to 12,800). In addition to its new still capture capabilities, the EOS 7D features Full HD video capture at 1920 x 1080 resolution with selectable frame rates of 24p, 25p or 30p. Native 24p recording helps videographers achieve a more cinema-style look for their footage without the need for post-processing.

DP Review has posted a hands-on preview of the 7D.

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Canon has just announced their new PowerShot G11 camera. It’s their successor to the G10, which I own and is a really great compact camera that shoots in RAW, so I’m definitely keeping my eye on the new G11 which comes out in October.

It looks like the G11 will be even better than the G10 in low light settings:

Professional photographers will benefit from the G11’s greatly expanded dynamic range. Canon’s new Dual Anti-Noise System combines a high sensitivity 10.0 Megapixel image sensor with Canon’s enhanced DIGIC 4 image processing technology to increase image quality and greatly improve noise performance by up to 2 stops (compared to PowerShot G10). The PowerShot G11 also includes i-Contrast technology, which prevents high-light blowout whilst retaining low-light detail – ideal for difficult lighting situations.

DP Review has a write-up the covers all the new features and G11 specifications.

UPDATE: Another new Canon camera that looks promising is the PowerShot S90. It is similar to the G11, but in a smaller body. Here’s a hands-on review of the S90 by DP Review.

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To celebrate their recent launch, the new gadget website gdgt is having a West Coast Launch Party & Meetup starting at 7pm on Tuesday, August 4th at DNA Lounge in San Francisco. Veronica Belmont is the MC of the event, which will feature 18 companies showing their latest gear, much of which will be available for a hands-on demo.

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gdgt, the new gadget site created by Ryan Block (former editor of Engadget) and Peter Rojas (founder of Engadget & Gizmodo), has just launched.

gdgt (like “gadget” — or g-d-g-t) is a new kind of technology site — a social gadget platform that enables you to connect with the community through your gadgets, and connect with your gadgets through the community. It’s a place for you to engage with your devices and hang out with people who are as passionate about their gear as you are.

Here’s my account on gdgt.

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TomTom for iPhone was announced at WWDC 2009

The TomTom solution combines two new TomTom products to provide users with state of the art in-car navigation on their iPhone 3G:

• The TomTom navigation application for iPhone; an Apple version of TomTom’s award-winning turn-by-turn navigation software, including IQ Routes and latest maps from Tele Atlas;
• The TomTom car kit for iPhone; a specially developed car kit for secure docking, enhanced GPS performance, clear voice instructions, hands-free calling and in-car charging.

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Here are my photos of Maker Faire 2009, which took place Saturday, May 30th and Sunday, May 31st at the San Mateo County Event Center.

Photo Gallery: Maker Faire 2009

Here are the videos that I shot at Maker Faire 2009.

photo by Scott Beale

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Make and Craft present Maker Faire 2009, the world’s largest DIY festival, which is returns to the San Mateo County Expo Center for its 4th year next weekend, Saturday, May 30th and Sunday, May 31st.

Following on President Obama’s call to “begin again the work of remaking America”, Maker Faire 2009 will be organized around the theme of Re-Make America. Held in the San Francisco Bay Area on May 30-31, Maker Faire celebrates what President Obama called “the risk takers, the doers, and the makers of things.” The fourth annual Maker Faire will showcase individual creativity and grassroots innovation in the largest festival devoted to DIY culture and technology in the country.

Here are my photos from Maker Faire Bay Area 2008.

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Elephant Bottle Opener designed Jergen Moller for Georg Jensen.

This little guy never forgets how to open stuff! Sweet and capable brushed metal elephant with a lid-popping trunk and twist off belly.

via swissmiss

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guest post by Burstein!

The Fukitorimushi, which roughly translates to “wipe-up bug,” is an autonomous cleaning bot that crawls around and cleans your floors. Unlike the Roomba, which gracefully glides across surfaces, the Fukitorimushi has a distinct inch-worm-esque crawl that drags its belly across your floor.

The robot’s features include a space-age nano-fiber called Nanofront that is especially absorbent of liquids and particles. As such, its debut was not at a robot fair, but rather than the Tokyo Fiber Senseware Expo. While the fiber may be the technological break though, the robotics are rather excellent as well. The bot can sense a distinctly dirty patches and will then take extra care to clean the offending areas before returning to its charger. And it is cute, too!

According to its creators, Fukitorimushi is also designed to engage the emotions and foster a closer relationship between humans and machines. The way the machine creeps across the floor may seem a little strange at first, but the designers say people tend to grow fond of the robotic creature after watching it for a while. In addition, the owner must periodically replace Fukitorimushi’s nanocloth cover with a clean one. The designers suggest this task of looking after the Fukitorimushi may encourage a pet-like affection for the machine.

The Fukitorimushi is merely a proof-of-concept bot right now, and it is unclear if there are plans for consumer release.

via Pink Tentacle

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guest post by Burstein!

Ladies and Gentlemen, from the brilliant minds of MIT Media Lab, we give you The WoW (World of Warcraft) Pod! The WoW Pod is an environment that is specifically designed for the advanced WoW player that will “provide and anticipate all life needs.”

Inside, the gamer finds him/herself comfortable seated in front of the computer screen with easy-to-reach water, pre-packaged food, and a toilet conveniently placed underneath his/her custom-built throne.

The WoW Pod is does a lot more than merely provide the gamer with water, food, and a toilet – it will provide you with cooked meals! The gamer selects their meal by scanning a packet of food. the game recognizes the meal, and then adjusts a hot plate to cook it at the right temperature. When the meal is done, the player’s avatar will announce it to the player, and the rest of the game-world, by bouncing joyfully and clapping.

The gamer who plays “Cavara”, a level 80 Dwarf Paladin, tested the WoW Pod and noted gleefully, “I think it is the best way to isolate yourself from reality for a good five days straight (giggle).”

via Kotaku

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photo by Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories

In collaboration with Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories, prankster Rob Cockerham (Cockeyed) has developed the Amazon Kindling, a new wireless wooden reading device. Once you are done reading it, just throw it on the fire to help keep it going.

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guest post by Burstein!

photo by Ani Niow

Ani Niow asked the question “What happens when you’re an engineering student with a minor in sexuality and you find yourself funemployed?” The answer, make steampunk vibrator, of course. It weights about a pound, is smooth to the touch, and, yes, it sorta works. When Ani tried it with steam, apparently it got too hot to touch, and I presume this meant too hot for the goonies. That said, it does work off of compressed air. If you happen to know of or have a more powerful boiler than a pressure cooker that is available, she would be interested.

In the meantime, you can see it at Femina Potens until the end of the month.

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The LaCie iamaKey is quite possibly the coolest USB flash drive I’ve ever seen.

With the new LaCie iamaKey, inventive storage meets data protection. The key-shaped design is functional and memorable, and the protection that the LaCie iamaKey offers makes it extremely reliable. Best of all, with its 4GB and 8GB models, you can fit an enormous amount of data in a small flash drive. With the universal Hi-Speed USB 2.0 interface, iamaKey can be used with both PC and Macs. Hi-Speed USB 2.0 not only offers universal compatibility and cross-platform convenience, but features a hot-pluggable connection and high-speed transfer rates, and is Windows ReadyBoost™ compatible. With its eye-catching design, the iamaKey certainly stands out, but its connector (Gold SIP) is both water- and scratch-resistant, making it one of the most durable and thinnest USB keys on the market. Protective edges on the connectors ensure that you’ll always insert the LaCie iamaKey properly, keeping it usable and safe.

LaCie also makes the larger itsaKey, as well as the PassKey, a microSD USB Card Reader and the CurrenKey, a USB Flash Drive in the shape of a coin.

via FreshArrival

image via LaCie

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Always on the quest for the perfect compact camera, I recently bought the new FujiFlim FinePix F200EXR and after using it a few days I’m quite impressed. It does really well in low light situations, sometimes even at ISO 800. I shot some photos with it at last night’s Drinkup and the Soviet Unterzoegersdorf Sector II Release Party, the venues for both events were very dimly lit. Here’s a write-up on the camera from DP Review.

photos by Scott Beale

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Burning Man Earth Project is developing a Black Rock City iPhone app for Burning Man 2009. No specifics have been released yet about the project.

UPDATE 1: Andrew Johnstone and Michael Michael will be giving a talk about “Decoding Black Rock City” including the Black Rock City iPhone app at the next dorbot-sf.

UPDATE 2: Burning Man Earth Project has removed the image of their iPhone app and they will not be presenting at dorkbot next week. They need more time to develop the app before they are really to officially announce it to the public.

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On the latest episode of Systm, hosts David Calkins and Patrick Norton show you how to build an exact replica of a Star Wars Lightsaber.

Star Wars movie props and replicas are expensive memorabilia. Original pieces command a princely sum and replicas can cost anywhere from a $100 to a $1000 or more. For items like lightsabers, however, you can assemble your own replica using the exact same parts as the Star Wars prop makers. All you need is some time, an eBay account and a trip to the local hardware.

photo by Serafina Kernberger

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guest post by Simone Davalos

Many of the illustrious members of the Laughing Squid diaspora are familiar with the Snarky McF*ckbutton, a culturally indicative bit of personal accessory that saves the wearer the time and toil of actually verbalizing how much cooler they are than you (we have written about the illustrious McF*ckbutton in this space before, here).

CTP, the mover and shaker behind the Snarky McF*ckbutton, has been quietly supplying buttons for all occasions, often for free, at many exciting Bay Area events. He would like to continue snarking up the environment in a bigger way, and to this end he has a proposition for you:

The Snarky McF*ckbuttons Factory Improvement Campaign

So what’s this whole thing about? The popularity of our buttons has really taken off over the past couple of years, and it is time for us to take the next step and get a motorized button maker. This will allow us to not only be able to fill your orders more quickly, but will also allow us to finally accept large bulk orders that up until now we’ve had to refer to other companies. It will also allow us to give away even more buttons to even more fund raisers for good causes. Only trouble is the machine is pretty expensive. In order to help us get it we’ve put together a pretty simple and straightforward investment idea that we’re sure everyone will love. In order to help us get it we’ve put together a pretty simple and straightforward investment idea that we’re sure everyone will love.

We are asking for $100 from each supporter, limited to the first 70. We will collect the money over the month of February, 2009, and once we have reached the target of $7,000 we will get the button machine. What’s in it for you? In return for your $100 we will give you 100 snarky buttons of your choice (a $150 value), or a bulk order of 300 buttons of one design (that’s 33 cents each!!), plus you’ll get a 10% discount on all your orders for the coming year. We will fill the orders during March, 2009, in the order that people signed up.

Help Snarky McF get a primo button machine! Enable the advancement of technology that furthers the cause of sarcastic, pithily written button comments everywhere! Be able to say you were there back at the beginning, and whatever, it was way better then.

Details and ways to pay at The Snarky McF*ckbutton website.

See Previously: Snarky McF*ckButtons – Wear What You’re *Really* Thinking

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Laughing Squid Web Hosting sys admin Adam Elkins demonstrates the E-Cigarette, an artifical electronic cigarette that helps you quit smoking. It includes a red LED at the end and fake smoke to help simulate the act of smoking a real cigarette, reducing the harmful effects smoking and second-hand smoke. E-Cigarette kits are available from Smoking Everywhere.

It is a non –flammable product that uses state of the art classy micro-electronic technology which provides smokers a real smoking experience without the fire, flame, tobacco, tar, carbon monoxide, ash, stub or smell found in real cigarettes.

Smoking Everywhere E-Cigarette offers smokers a chance of smoking in a much healthier way and the freedom to smoke everywhere. The smokers still get their nicotine, but don’t get any harmful side effects of smoking traditional cigarettes which contains real tobacco.

This is so cool it makes me want to take up fake smoking. It’s like a drug delivery system from the future! Some day all the hip androids will be using them.

image via Smoking Everywhere

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Sony has just released their new “Stupid Piece Of Shit That Doesn’t Fucking Work”. I think I’ll wait until the 2nd generation model before buying this one.

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