I’m loving the new Titanium Blue Playstation 3 soon available in Japan as part of the Gran Turismo 5 release on November 3rd.  Hopefully this will start a whole line of custom color PS3 rollouts instead of the prior black and white units.  Maybe a pink one will make it into the rooms of young girls celebrating their sweet sixteen.

From Joystiq:

Gran Turismo 5, the racing game with the most ironically slow development ever, will arrive in Japan November 3. It’ll be available not only in a ¥7,980 ($93) standalone pack, but in a first-run Limited Edition with five DLC cars and a 308-page book, for the same price.
Sony is also releasing a ¥35,980 ($421) PS3 bundle, called the Gran Turismo 5 Racing Pack, including the LE of the game and a special "Titanium Blue" 160GB PS3 Slim. This joins the recent white version and the Final Fantasy XIII Lightning edition in the set of awesome PS3 Slim variants unavailable to most of us.

It could cause organ failure and even death in high doses.

The Daily Mail reports:

"… researchers … studied four different acrylic adhesives commonly used on food labels. They examined in detail 11 compounds found in the glues, four of which seeped through the packaging. Three of these had low toxicity while the remaining compound belonged to the highest risk category."

Sources:

• Daily Mail May 24, 2010

• Journal of Materials Chemistry 2010; 20: 5100 – 5109

Nexus One users have been in such a rush to receive the Froyo updates, which has dramatic improvements in speed and slowly introducing Enterprise features aimed at making the Nexus One better in line with commercial adoption.  This update is potentially the last and final update as it has been pushed OTA to users in the last 48 hours, showing signs that this is it.

Recently, users have been impatient enough to manually update from ERE27 to FRF50 to FRF72, rather than wait for an OTA Over-The-Air updates to be pushed down the line due to increased excitement for Adobe Flash capabilities and an obvious speed boost.

It might just be easier to wait for the update to come to you if your already on FRF72, as it doesn’t seem to show any drastic visible improvements showing only 645KB in size.

If your still impatient (as I am) then here are the updates, check your build version prior to updating *:

• Download: Update from ERE27 to FRF50 (44.44 MB) (Alternate)
• Download: Update from FRF50 to FRF83 (1.78 MB)
• Download: Update from FRF72 to FRF83 (645 KB)
• Download: Update from FRF83 to FRF85B (506.84 KB)
• Download: Update from EPE54B to FRF85B (44.35 MB)
• Download: FRF85B OTA Update (81.99 MB)

* And as always, update at your own risk as I, AdamEntity, you neighbors, congressmen, BP and Obama do not claim responsibility for damages to your phone.

Here are a few of the problems being experienced by a few early adopters:

Poor Reception

• The stainless-steel metal antenna band that was implemented as a possible design improvement as compared to common cellular antenna may actually be a design flaw.  Users have posted videos on YouTube and reported issues with signal drop whenever the device is handled a certain way, making contact with the antenna as indicated in this user submitted video.  Be careful left-handed users.
  

Cracked Displays 

• The chemically strengthened Aluminosilicate glass that is touted as stronger than plastic, ultra-durable and scratch resistant is susceptible to shattering.  The first thing that comes to mind is tempered glass, much like that of a store front, which is very strong and you can even run into without shattering.  However, it can be easily shattered/cracked with directly applied pressure such as with other glass surfaces, a nail or any metal object.

  

Manufacturing Defects

• Yellow bands/spots have been reported on some iPhone displays, showing noticeable difference in hue on the display. Apple is aware and further explain that it is a defect from the manufacturing process.  The yellowing has been disappearing on some devices and has been identified as a result of rushed manufacturing that left the display’s glass sealant not fully cured before being shipped.  See more pictures in Gizmodo’s gallery.
   

The good things from all of this, most users are quickly reporting the issues and Apple Support is asking that users take their devices to a local Apple store where they will exchange without further questions. Additional reports of devices not being available have come in but they are not wide spread and Apple Support recommends you take your phone in next week when things settle down and possibly for the display sealant to completely cure.

For the most part, everyone else that is not affected have been sharing their excitement over their new tech gadget.

And thanks to CTitanic for pointing out that certain widgets/application have to potential to kill your battery quicker on these new updates.  Once I got rid of a few extra apps everything has been smooth sailing.

No word on any additional features of functionality but it available for download via Google for TMobile customers (although many have updated their AT&T phone with it).

http://android.clients.google.com/packages/passion/signed-passion-FRF72-from-FRF50.bc033f9e.zip (1.9MB) *

* Of course update at your own risk.  This is a signed update so it will not root your phone but this is an update from FRF50 below.  You must flash to the last Froyo update before beginning this update: Android 2.2 Froyo Manual ‘update.zip’ your Nexus One, where to find it and how

Via: Android Police thru XDA Developers – Latest Froyo Build For T-Mobile Nexus One Leaked (FRF72) – Now Available!

This is another attempt at sharing the link with you:
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=8KK9YKD3

Hopefully this one will be up for awhile.  Now you need to understand the update process so here are some easy to following instructions.

Update Instructions, not for the beginner, use at your own risk and not for AT&T users on build EPE54B (although it does work on AT&T/Rogers it is not intended for your device).

1. Download the file located here on megaupload.
2. Attach your Nexus One to your computer via a micro USB cable.
   Once the phone is communicating with your computer, on the phone pull down the notification area from the top of the screen to Mount the USB drive.
3. Rename the file to ‘update.zip’.
   If the file doesn’t not show a file extension when you rename, you might have the file extensions invisible so just rename it update.  This will avoid renaming the file update.zip.zip if your on Windows.
4. Transfer the downloaded file to the new drive on your computer (transfer to memory card of phone). 
   (For example My Computer –> F:\ (Removable Disk) )
5. Hold down the Power, Volume Down, Trackball until power turns and on with Nexus One logo displayed.
6. Volume Down to RECOVERY.
7. Press Power to select.
8. While Triangle and Android are showing: Hold down Power and Volume Up simultaneously.  Try again until blue menu options appear.
9. Press Volume Down to select update.zip, then trackball to start update.
10. Allow time for phone to update and complete install after multiple reboots.

Update: Disclaimer: Build is not for AT&T/Rogers EPE54B although it works users should wait for an alternate release of FRF50 specific to EPE54B upgrade builds.   Instructions: Reversed instructions on transferring and renaming file since its would be easier to rename the downloaded file first before transfer.

Update: This is a pre-release of Android 2.2 that was intended for Google Employees and developers to get the update which is missing features.

Samsung recently issues a health warning about the potential dangers of watching 3D television and says the elderly, pregnant women and those suffering from serious medical conditions are among a wide range of people said to be at risk. 

According to Samsung Electronics’ Australian website, sleep deprivation or consuming alcohol while watching 3D programs  could be unsafe.

Even watching for too long could cause confusion, nausea, dizziness or convulsions.

It was the first warning of its kind since the firm made a massive pitch for 3D TV late last year.

"Cautious but pre-emptive approaches are needed as watching 3D programs is a totally new experience for people," a company spokeswoman said, Sunday.

LG has put a notice on its packaging over the possible health risks in 3D TVs. Such labeling has been the practice for video game console makers and publishers and could provide the same level of consumer education on the risks.

It said children aged less than 5 years should be limited in watching 3D programs and added viewing could hurt their eyes.

"The warnings are aiming to protect LG Electronics from any legal claims for compensation if people are adversely affected," a high-ranking company executive said.

An LG Electronics spokesperson wasn’t immediately available for comment.

Samsung hopes to sell 2 million TV sets over the next year, and Sony aims to sell 2.5 million. Global shipments could reach 4.2 million in 2010, and more than triple to 12.9 million in 2011, according to U.S.-based market researcher iSuppli.

The demand is expected to be sparked by plans to broadcast the FIFA World Cup this summer in 3D, giving TV broadcasters a positive outlook for the sector as a potential breakthrough.

"I’ve decided to delay the purchasing plan to buy Samsung’s 3D LED-backlit LCD TV mainly due to health risks. There is no reason to pay a premium for the set by taking the health risks," Choi Jae-ho, a 37-year-old office worker, told The Korea Times in a street interview near Samsung Electronics’ headquarters in southern Seoul.

"I’ve recently heard about some advantages in buying 3D TVs via TV commercials. But such safety issues will need to be studied. Meanwhile, 3D TVs are too pricey. I will wait."

Samsung and LG officials say they have studied the health effects of 3D viewing and have decided it is safe to proceed.

The Roku comes in three flavors:  The SD for $79.99, the HD $99.99 and the HD-XR $129.99.  And the minimum Netflix account required is $8.99 a month for unlimited access their streaming online library.

The new features will help you in the following areas:

BROWSE

SEARCH

PLAY

[Visit the Site and Watch the Video]

Microsoft’s new Zune-powered mobile devices aimed at our young generation of social networking music lovers is expected to go on sale tomorrow.  The Kin One will sell for $50 and the Kin Two for $100 after mail in rebate and acceptance of a 2-year agreement with Verizon.  That seems like a great offer until you take into account an additional $40 for a voice plan and yet another $30 for data.

These prices may seem reasonable to a “smartphone” user but the Kin One is NO smartphone.  However, you can take advantage of the bandwidth to use you Zune Pass account (additional monthly charge) for accessing the Zune library of Music, Television, Movies, Podcasts and FM radio experience (FM radio doesn’t require data use).  Expect to pay an additional $15 a month for a Zune pass account for unlimited access the library of music but not television content.

I wouldn’t recommend this phone to a smartphone user but for the children in the household that need access to family and friends. There are a few differences between the two devices, Kin One being the weaker of the two:

Kin One

• 2.6” TFT, QVGA (320×240), Capacitive Touchscreen
• Tegra APX2600, 256MB RAM
• QWERTY Keyboard (Vertical slide)
• 3G 1xEVDO Rev. A, Bluetooth (HSP, HFP, A2DP, AVRCP), Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g
• 5.0MP CMOS Anti-shake, Autofocus, LED Flash, Video
• Zune-powered Music, TV, Movies, Podcast, FM Radio Experience
• Over-the-air streaming and download of tracks with Zune Pass (File Formats Supported: mp3, WMA, AAC, WMV, MPEG4, H.264)
• 3.5mm Audio Jack
• Exchange Mail and POP3/IMAP Pull
• 4GB Storage
• Accelerometer, GPS
• Dimensions: 3.25” x 2.5” x .75”;
• Weight: 3.9 oz.
• Battery: 1240 mAh. 210 hours standby

Kin Two

• 3.4” TFT, HVGA (480×320), Capacitive Touchscreen
• Tegra APX2600, 256MB RAM
• QWERTY Keyboard (Horizontal slide)
• 3G 1xEVDO Rev. A (800/1900 MHz), Bluetooth (HSP, HFP, A2DP, AVRCP), Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g
• 8.0MP HDR CMOS Anti-shake, Autofocus, LED Flash, HD (720p) Video
• Zune-powered Music, TV, Movies, Podcast, FM Radio Experience
• Over-the-air streaming and download of tracks with Zune Pass (File Formats Supported: mp3, WMA, AAC, WMV, MPEG4, H.264)
• Headset: 3.5mm Audio Jack
• Exchange Mail and POP3/IMAP Pull
• 8GB Storage
• Accelerometer, GPS
• Dimensions: 4.25” x 2.5” x .75”;
• Weight: 4.7 oz.
• Battery: 1390 mAh. 232 hours standby.

What are your thoughts, is it a Hit or Miss?

The contest starts today 4/26 and ends tomorrow 4/27 so you must act quickly to get your two minute video uploaded to YouTube. Who couldn’t do with $5,000 in their pockets right now?!  The laptop and iPad are also a great additional to winnings.

Participants must submit a YouTube video illustrating or describing their affinity for Bejeweled in two minutes or less. From the weird and wacky to the fun and fanatical, all sorts of submissions are welcome. US$5,000 in prizes will be awarded to the top 10 entries, including a limited edition notebook PC and two iPads, each with custom-designed, "Bejeweled 10th Anniversary" engravings.

"More than half a billion people worldwide have played Bejeweled over the past decade, which still blows our minds," said Jason Kapalka, co-founder and Chief Creative Officer at PopCap and co-creator of Bejeweled.  "Their enthusiasm for the game is unquestioned, and we thought it would be fun to reward that incredible devotion in some way."