Nelson Wong Life Blog

Your iPhone is a BRICK

California Senate votes to legalize windshield GPS mounting

Though it’s typically common practice to suction that new GPS unit to your windshield just as soon as you whip it from the box, folks in California have long been unable to enjoy such luxuries outside of their own driveways. Currently, it’s illegal to have navigators stuck to one’s front window, and police have been handing out “obstructed view” citations for those who disregard the law in the Golden State. Now, however, the California Senate will be voting on Senate Bill 1567, which would “add an exemption for the use of a seven-inch GPS screen mounted on in the lower corner of the passenger-side windshield or a five-inch screen on the driver’s side.” Of course, there’s still oodles of red tape (and you know, a vote) to pass through before gridlocked drivers are able to toss that NAV up at eye-level, but you’ve got to start somewhere, right?

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3G iPhone revealed in third-party case render?

Look, we’re not saying this means anything, but the above rendering from iPhone case-maker XSKN sure does look like those supposed design changes we’ve been hearing about. You’ll note the larger, more curvy back, space opened up near the earpiece for the rumored front-facing camera, and what appears to be a non-recessed headphone jack. Sure, this could be a ploy to get eyes on their pages, but even if they’re citing the specs we’ve heard, this is still the first case design we’ve seen for anything other than the original iPhone.

Canon Patents New Camera Fuel Cell

Canon may be planning to bring fuel cells to DSLRs. A new patent application details a clever workaround for the problems of supplying fluctuating current from the cells. Instead of just one fuel cell, or a bank working together, Canon’s design works more like an inkjet printer: several fuel cells output differing voltages, and these can be mixed and matched. Thus, high-draw operations like mirror-flipping or flash charging can be given the juice they need.

That’s the basic idea, anyway. Read the application for more details. Fuel cells and cameras seem to be a pretty good fit. Photographers are used to using external battery packs, both for added battery life and for the handling advantages of a bigger chunk of plastic, so swapping out the banks won’t be any kind of inconvenience. Getting these mini containers of liquid through airport security might be a little trickier, though.

More “leaked” 3G iPhone shots hit the web

For those that need to be in the know about the very latest supposedly-leaked 3G iPhone shots that hit the web this week, we’ve got you covered — but we’re not convinced, especially of the device on the right. The shots on the left do at least seem to be crafted around those supposed size and shape leaks we saw the other day though, so bonus points there for playing into another current rumor to rack up a small bit of credibility.

Marvel Already Dates Iron Man 2

Marvel today updated its feature film slate strategy and plans for the next three years, locking in key release windows for its character franchises. In order to focus its attention on maximizing the success of an Iron Man sequel and the launch of Thor in the summer of 2010 and because Marvel believes that the summer is the optimal time to launch a new property, the Company will not release a self produced film in 2009. Marvel plans to launch its 2010 film slate with the release of the sequel, Iron Man 2, on April 30, 2010, followed by the launch of Thor on June 4, 2010. Additionally, Marvel is planting its feature film stakes for summer 2011 with an Avengers-themed summer – a two-picture project which will debut on May 6, 2011 with The First Avenger: Captain America (working title), followed by The Avengers in July 2011.

Marvel’s Chairman, Morton Handel, commented, “Adjusting for the strong year-ago contribution from the Spider-Man JV, Marvel’s Q1 2008 operating results continued to demonstrate strong global demand for consumer products based on the Company’s portfolio of characters. Marvel’s self-produced feature film slate launched this past weekend with a performance that firmly establishes Iron Man as a major new film franchise, and the Company eagerly awaits the June premiere of The Incredible Hulk, Marvel’s second self-produced film. In addition, Marvel has been investing in other important areas of growth such as the Internet where, to lead the Company’s newly formed Global Digital Media Group, Marvel recently announced the hiring of Ira Rubenstein. Marvel has a strong foundation to build from, and the Company is adding infrastructure to maximize these opportunities.”

iPhone firmware 2.0 adds Chinese handwriting

Screen shots posted on Chinese site wretch.cc allege that iPhone firmware 2.0 has added support for Chinese handwriting recognition in addition to a revamped (albeit non-recognition) Japanese interface. While that’s still light years from an Apple admission that not everyone is in love with the on-screen keyboard, it’s one small step toward functionality that seems to make boatloads of sense — in any language — given the phone’s generously proportioned touchscreen and its reluctant but unavoidable nomination as the Newton’s spiritual successor. What isn’t clear is how folks are expected to draw characters, seeing how there’s no provision for an on-board stylus, the entire interface is designed for finger use, and we don’t see many owner rushing out for a Pogo. However Apple intends for this feature to be used, the implementation looks pretty hot, capable of operating in both portrait and landscape modes. Sadly, it seems that Chinese is the one and only language supported at the moment; sure you don’t want to let everyone in on the Graffiti-esque retro fun here.