Forget DVDs, set-top boxes and Xbox 360s. LG and Netflix announced today that they’re working on a television with built-in streaming video capabilities. The so-called “Broadband HDTV” will operate in similar fashion to the (pictured) hybrid Blu-Ray player/streamer that the two companies currently offer, but without the added clutter (and the Blu-Ray, of course). One downside is Netflix’s still-archaic “Instant Queue,” which requires you to first select your movies from a computer instead of directly choosing them on your TV. That, and the online offerings still don’t compare to Netflix’s massive mail-order catalog. But hey, it’s a step in the right direction. Maybe an “Xbox HDTV” is next. [Ars Technica]
If you’re looking for a good way to mow your lawn without moving a muscle, you might be interested in SmartMow. Just set this green gremlin on your lawn, turn it on and watch it dance across your grass in seemingly random patterns. We’ve covered some other automowers here on GearCrave, including the muscley, solar-powered Husqvarna mower. We’ll be honest, SmartMow doesn’t look the part as much, and we’d be a bit more worried about our dog’s tails than our lawn’s edging… [cnet]
What else is hot around the web today? Check it out…
Steve Jobs explains his health, invents new diet plan [coolest-gadgets]
Steambot– a steampunk robot actually powered by, uh, steam [gadgetvenue]
Hilarious– How UPS Might Deliver Your Gadgets [techeblog]
Painting with real brushes on the HP touchsmart PC [technabob]
What’s coming for MacWorld 2009? A roundup. [unplggd]
With all of its components stuffed into the bottom of the machine, Lenovo boasts the IdeaCentre A600 as the world’s thinnest all-in-one PC. At least, the monitor itself appears that way. The A600 packs an Intel Core Duo processor, up to 4 GB of RAM, up to a terabyte of storage and a 21.5-inch display in 1920×1080 resolution. Other perks include an air mouse, a game controller, a media center remote and a digital TV tuner. Plus, it kind of looks like it’s thrusting its chest at you. It’ll be on display at CES and available from $999. [Ubergizmo via DVICE]
With more than 30 years experience in building audio turntables, J.A. Michelle is famous for their high quality and sonically superior products. Finished in black acrylic with aluminium metal parts, the newest kid on the block, TecnoDec is an entry-level turntable that won’t require setup or maintenance and should deliver the precise sound you’ve been looking for. Just like its bigger brethren, it packs a low noise DC motor, an acrylic/vinyl platter, advanced bearing and a solid plinth that ensures minimal noise pickup. So if you plan on ripping off those old vinyls of yours, the Michelle TecnoDec sells for some $1,795. [via theawesomer]
In a year dominated by corporate titles like GTA IV and Fallout 3, the independent video game industry has begun to strike back. Designed in basements, bedrooms and offices by small, dedicated startups, indie gaming is about something that many corporate titles have missed– pure, unadulterated fun. To celebrate the work of the unsung heroes of gaming, here is GearCrave’s list of the 10 best indie games of 2008.
While the touch screen is undoubtedly one of the “Wow!” features of the iPhone, many people would like to see an attached keyboard added to the device in order to make typing a little easier. Under the thought process that Apple would never go “backwards” and release an iPhone with a physical keyboard, one industrious Apple fan has created an iPhone accessory concept to do just that. For me, the touchscreen on my iPhone works great. I don’t see any need to have an additional keyboard. What about you? Any iPhone users wish you had a keyboard? [via Gizmodo]
Word on the street is that Apple may be announcing a new uni-body 17-inch MacBook Pro this year at MacWorld. The 17-inch model would follow in the footsteps of it’s 13 and 15-inch siblings and would (like the others) make the battery for the laptop non-removable. While we have to admit the uni-body laptops do look pretty cool, having a battery that can’t be removed easily just seems like an unnecessary pain, especially for travelers who may need to blow through a few batteries while flying cross country or during meetings and other events where a power source isn’t directly available. We’ll keep our eyes peeled and keep you up-to-date on any forthcoming Apple news this week… [via SlipperyBrick]
When it comes to flash drives, we’ve seen some pretty cool designs (see also: strange) that include jewelry, action figures, animals, food and otherwise. However, these LaCie CurrentKey USB flash drives are somehow special. They are designed to look like coins but only a bit thicker. The work of the 5.5 Design firm, these flash drives feature a metal shock-proof/durable die-cast build and come in bronze for the 4GB version ($19.99) and silver for the 8GB ($29.99). Compatible with Windows, Mac and Linux, we can’t say for sure if you’ll wear these in your purse or wallet, or if they’ll become currency in the near future, but they sure look fresh… [via Yatzer]
More news from Kodak– the camera brand is set to release an update to its Zi6 camcorder this week at CES. The Zx1 will have a 2-inch LCD monitor, be able to capture 720p video at 60fps, and have the ability to easily upload video to YouTube. The camcorder is IP43-certified weather-resistant and records video to SD/SDHC cards up to 32GB in size, making it possible to store close to 10 hours of video on a single card. The device will be available in April in blue, pink, yellow, red, and black at an MSRP around $149.95. [via Engadget]
