So be it, but they both look like fools after being mocked by the BBC’s Charlie Brooker’s “Newswipe” show – which looks at the in’s and out’s of mainstream news. From Olbermann to O’Reilly and Glenn Beck too, no one is safe… no one. Gather the family around the computer screen, and be prepared to laugh and snort at this pure ownage.

Of course, we have seen prototype after prototype of his dreamchild, but what really started it was this blog post which was published back in July of 2008. Here’s what Arrington had to say:

Here’s the basic idea: The machine is as thin as possible, runs low end hardware and has a single button for powering it on and off, headphone jacks, a built in camera for video, low end speakers, and a microphone. It will have Wifi, maybe one USB port, a built in battery, half a Gigabyte of RAM, a 4-Gigabyte solid state hard drive. Data input is primarily through an iPhone-like touch screen keyboard. It runs on linux and Firefox. It would be great to have it be built entirely on open source hardware, but including Skype for VOIP and video calls may be a nice touch, too. If all you are doing is running Firefox and Skype, you don’t need a lot of hardware horsepower, which will keep the cost way down.

A basic thin, light, touch screen masterpiece (which roughly translates into an oversized iPhone), Arrington wanted a device that anyone could have. The cost being only $200 (which he stated at the time) is probably one of the biggest points that intrigues so many towards the hardware.

The feedback looked positive for the most part and people were even starting to throw Mike and the gang suggestions. And who might you ask does this gang consist of?

• Louis Monier
• Software developed by Singapore-based Fusion Garage
• Industrial design work by David Yarnell
• Greg Lalier from Dynacept.

Oh, and Arrington of course.

Here is one of the first CrunchPad prototypes to give you an idea of how far this thingamabob had progressed in such little time:

Much more recently, an affiliate with TechCrunch mistakingly leaked a few pics that got everyone’s attention:

Leaks are always hardest when they hit at home. Now we knowhow Apple feels. The party responsible for the leak has been penalized severely (whipped with wet spaghetti), so believe us when we say this kind of thing won’t ever happen again. Anyway, so long as the cat’s out of the bag, we may as well give you a few more pics. What you see is a prototype, equipped with an Intel Atom processor and a 12″ capacitative touchscreen. Looks a little different than it did last time, doesn’t it?

So, instead of locking down the whole thing from the public viewpoint, Mike did something very smart by giving everyone an exclusive sneak peek:

I wanted something I couldn’t buy, and found people who said it could be built for a lot less than I imagined. The goal - a very thin and light touch screen computer, sans physical keyboard, that has no hard drive and boots directly to a browser to surf the web. The operating system exists solely to handle the hardware drivers and run the browser and associated applications. That’s it.

Picture is thanks to Jason Calacanis, who best describes the CrunchPad as “… So amazing!!! Like a giant iphone!!!”.

As you can see above, it seems that the Apple keyboard and Logitech mouse are connected to the CrunchPad, so a physical keyboard may be optional (be it one you already own or by the makers of the CrunchPad).

The key uses: Internet consumption. The virtual keyboard will make data entry a pain other than for entering credentials, quick searches and maybe light emails. This machine isn’t for data entry. But it is for reading emails and the news, watching videos on Hulu, YouTube, etc., listening to streaming music on MySpace Music and imeem, and doing video chat via tokbox. The hardware would consist of netbook appropriate chipsets (Intel Atom or Via Nano), at least a 12 inch screen, a camera for photos and video, speakers and a microphone. Add a single USB port, power in and sound out, and you’re done. If you want more features, this ain’t for you.

One of the many leaked photos.

So, what are some of the key specs for the CrunchPad? Here they are:

12-inch touchscreen with a 4:3 aspect ratio
Single-point touchscreen
Via Nano processor
512 or 1 GB of RAM
4 GB flash drive (To store the OS and browser and any cache)
1024×768 resolution
WiFi
Accelerometer
VGA Camera
4-Cell Battery 
Dimensions: 12.5″ x 9.7″ x 1.3″
Weight: 3 lbs
Software: Full install of Ubuntu Linux on the prototype with a custom Webkit browser
Ports: Power, Headset, 1 USB
Boot time: 10 seconds from cold boot

Jason Calacanis of Mahalo (left) and Michael Arrington of TechCrunch (middle) taking pictures of the CrunchPad prototype.

Impressed yet? I am. I swear, I love this thing so much I’ll buy it before Robert Scoble does, and boy does he want one too. Scoble mentioned on FriendFeed that he was able to get Arrington to let him test it out, so here are some of his revelations over the device: He mentioned that “It is fast enough for realtime FriendFeed… The only downside I see is that it is a bit thicker than I would like. [But] the prototypes work great” (which makes me think that Arrington sort of planned the leak). Anyway, to finish this off, here’s a video of Arrington testing out one of the previous prototypes with Louis Monier:

Feel free to comment.

ToneMatrix is the online equivalent of the TENORI-ON, a device that consists of a screen, held in the hands, of a sixteen by sixteen grid of LED switches, any of which can be activated in a number of ways to create an evolving musical soundscape.

I spent about an hour in total playing with it and I’m sure you’ll have as much fun as I did. Here’s a sample video of the epically amazing online time waster:

And without further ado, here’s where to mess with it.

(Please note that I will make a statement after each category).

Based on your answers to the questionnaire, you most closely resemble survey respondents within the Disaffected typology group. This does not mean that you necessarily fit every group characteristic or agree with the group on all issues.

Disaffecteds represent 9 percent of the American public, and 10 percent of registered voters.

Basic Description
Disaffecteds are deeply cynical about government and unsatisfied with both their own economic situation and the overall state of the nation. Under heavy financial pressure personally, this group is deeply concerned about immigration and environmental policies, particularly to the extent that they affect jobs. Alienated from politics, Disaffecteds have little interest in keeping up with news about politics and government, and few participated in the last election.

As a Canadian, I look at the US as our best bud. You guys are our number one trading partner and we look at that as one of our greatest assets on the world stage, particularly when it comes to the global economy. But when you go in-depth, America is a mess: job loss, bailouts and tent cities. That’s practically what pops into my head when I hear about anything related to the States and the current state of the economy (oh, and Barack Obama). I am unsatisfied with their government, but not in a “cynical” way; I want the men and women of the U.S.A. to fix the economy and guarantee that we will never face the hurdle of hitting a recession like this once more.

(Side note: I say we because of how strongly the American and Canadian economy are connected, so a recession in the States translates to a recession in Canada for the most part).

Let us continue: I’m apparently “alienated” from politics? Excuse me! I am currently at the top of my class in Current Events and practically run the damn thing. I get my news from almost every major news source in the US and Canada (CTV, CBC, MSNBC, CBS, CNN, etc…). At times, I may read some articles from the BBC or Al Jazeera, and I see this as a benefit. Though, I always follow the “Three R’s” when it comes to reading from certain sources like our friends at Fox News - read, refuse, rebut: always form a contrary consensus, especially when the media source you are gathering information from plays a rather strong opinion on a certain topic like immigration or global warming.

“Alienated from politics, Disaffecteds have little interest in keeping up with news about politics and government, and few participated in the last election.”

I am probably more involved in politics than anyone else at my school, regardless of their grade (frankly, I don’t blame them for not wasting their time in it). I have met several Canadian politicians including Bob Rae, former Premier of Ontario and a candidate for the Liberal leadership, Jean Charest, current Premier of Quebec, and Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada. I met most of them at conventions that were set up by schools and that I willingly signed up for. Though, I will admit, I did not participate in the last federal election. Why? Well, I can’t vote (I’m only 15, remember?).

Lastly, I’m not under any financial pressure. If anything, my family and I are fairing a hell of a lot better than most other Canadians.

Defining Values
Despite personal financial strain – and belief that success is mostly beyond a person’s control – Disaffecteds are the only moderate supporters of government welfare and assistance to the poor. Strongly oppose immigration as well as regulatory and environmental policies on the grounds that government is ineffective and such measures cost jobs.

I watched a video on YouTube the other night about how “Fox News showed a factually false Republican talking point about the so-called ‘death tax’ and then showed no Democratic response and no correction of the Republican falsehood”. Rush Limbaugh thinks that all people start out equal when we’re born, and that those who essentially work harder and take advantage of their surrounding will do better. Wrong… people who save every penny all their lives will not do better than the heir to the multi-million dollar estate.

People who achieve great things are more likely to have inherited a large portion of their money. It’s not plain old hard work. Then again, should these people be punished for inheriting this money? Who knows. Being the heir to a fortune just proves that your family worked hard for you.

I will admit that I do oppose many things on the climate change agenda. I’ve questioned environmental leaders and have gotten pathetic answers (skip to 7:48). Their unwillingness to provide decent information to myself and millions alike who question their claims suggests that they have something to hide, and it isn’t good.

Who They Are
Less educated (70% have attended no college, compared with 49% nationwide) and predominantly male (57%). While a majority (60%) leans Republican, three-in-ten are strict independents, triple the national rate. Disaffecteds live in all parts of the country, though somewhat more are from rural and suburban areas than urban.

I am getting a $20,000 eduction per year. I go to one of the most prestigious high school in Montreal and I am receiving a more than satisfactory teachings. I will see through that I receive a college and university education as well.

I don’t lean towards the Conservatives! If anything, I am much more pro-Liberal than you think. My family votes for the Liberal every election I support their decision. And to end this portion, I live in a very urban environment.

Lifestyle Notes
Somewhat higher percentage report having a gun in the home than the national average, and 42% report someone in their house has been unemployed in the past year.

Not guns, no unemployment. 

2004 Election
Bush 42%, Kerry 21%. Nearly a quarter (23%) said they didn’t vote in the last election.

I probably would’ve voted for Kerry to keep Bush out of office (again, I couldn’t have voted).

Party ID
68% Independent/No Preference, 30% Republican, 2% Democrat (60% Rep/LeanRep)

None.

Media Use

Disaffecteds have little interest in current events and pay little attention to the news. No single medium or network stands out as a main source.

You make it seem as if we are direct descendants of cavemen! Just because we question a lot of the things that are on the news, doesn’t mean we don’t show an interest in it (we just don’t show an interest in what the network’s opinion is, we make our own based on the real facts). And yes, like I stated before, I watch a wide variety of media networks.

In conclusion to this mockery of “disaffecteds”, which from after reading the amount of criticism from this test, I believe that the correct terminology of a “disaffected” is a mainstream Libertarian (which I am).

If you want to take this great test, you can do so here.

The site was started by a good online friend of mine, Will Cudahy, who often talks about the most amazing things on the web that very few people in the general public know about. They do however cover stories that you would know about, like the iPhone (that’s the really cool phone everyone in the world wants), Twitter and even movies like The Dark Knight.

The sites design is even worth checking out (seeing that Will is one of the most amazing computer artist I know of). The site also gives reviews and news on music & art, which is also a plus in my opinion (most sites similar to o9media.net will only focus on TECH, like it is the only thing in the world that matter, which ain’t true).

Music.Art. Tech.

So without further a due, I give you…

o9media.net

PS: Love the site already? Become a writer for them! Click here for more info.

So, I asked my fellow FF’ers (FriendFeeder’s that is), and here was the outcome:

Engadget Spanish:

Following the continuing rumors and iPod sleeves discovered and all the paraphernalia that surrounds the world of apple, today we are going to add another “confirmation” by a manufacturer, rather than the possible launch of the new iPod Nano 4G. This time Hama is setting off alarms. It clearly stands out at the IFA, and as you can see, there are several models of sleeves for iPod Nano 4G. The package clarifies all kinds of doubts, pointing out clearly the name of the new player-you can see it in the gallery. The charge failed to serve us with information about the Nano 4G, but give us release dates and prices sleeves exposed there. Everything after the jump.

Doesn’t that last pic look quite similar to the U2 Edition iPod, eh? Who knows… I’m not going to start speculating anything.

Feel free to comment!

Source: Engadget.

I occasionally will head down to Highgate Spring, VT every summer to my country house to enjoy that remainder of my days left before school starts. This time was no different: the water splashed the deck, the birds could be heard faintly as a gust of wind passed through the trees… OK! Enough of the poetic “atmosphere” that I was trying to create (I fail at poems). A quick video and some pictures are below!

Feel free to comment :D !

To be honest, I would love to live in Vermont rather than in Montreal. I also think it’s the most beautiful part of the United States of America (scroll down for pics).

Anyway, I’m taking a break from blogging and heading over to my country house in High Gate Springs, VT! I can’t wait to go fishing, boating and finally get to see my grandparents! Wish me luck :)

Great view of lake Champlain!One of the Dobermans! The trees on the front of my property :) We are CANADIAN, AMERICAN & Ukrainian? Well I am part Ukrainian ;) From the lake, the back of the house. Going tubing on the lake!Just looking at this picture… it makes you want to be there.

If you’re from Vermont or you know of any great places to go to in Northern Vermont, feel free to drop a line in the comment :)