Retrobit RetroDuo portable and RetroPort hands-on

Inspired, perhaps, by the fruits of Ben Heck's dual-console handheld dreams, Retrobit has retrofit their Retroduo NES / SNES hybrid game console to fit in your hand. The Retroduo Portable, a handheld SNES console shown for the first time at CES 2012, hopes to one-up Hyperkin's SupaBoy by adding support for classic NES games. We dropped by their booth to get a closer look.

Gallery: Retrobit RetroDuo portable hands-on

TP-Link's Wireless N Nano and Portable 3G/3.75G Battery Powered Wireless N Router (hands-on video)

TP-Link was showing off a couple of interesting new wireless routers at CES this week. The Wireless N Nano Router is the world’s smallest at 2.5 x 2.5 x 0.75 inches, it weighs practically nothing, and it draws power over Micro USB. Also, even though the router’s tiny, it’s the real deal with top speeds up to 150Mbps. Think about the last time you went to a hotel that only had a wired internet connection — you're TP-Link's target market.

The company was also exhibiting its Portable 3G/3.75G Battery Powered Wireless N Router. On top of working as a regular wireless router, the device can turn the connection from your HSPA+ or EVDO dongle into a wi-fi connection as well, so you can easily share your connection with other people in...

World's smallest media player doesn't require a power plug

What you're looking at is the world's smallest media player from Sigma Designs — even smaller than the HTC Media Link. The EasyTV is just a working reference design so it's not for sale but could be if a manufacturer decides to move forward with the blueprint. The ultra efficient device doesn't require a power plug tethered back to the wall jack yet still pumps 1080p video received over 802.11n Wi-Fi up through your television's HDMI cable. Inside you'll find Sigma's SMP867X multimedia chip processor with support for DLNA and 802.11n Wi-Fi (and Wi-Fi Direct). Power is provided by the unused USB jack on the back of your television making this an easy way to make some televisions into smart TVs.

World subway paths at scale

Urban planner Neil Freeman maps the world's subway systems to scale in a minimal style resembling the scribbles or renderings of weird sea creatures by a two-year-old. I wish there were nodes to show stops, too, but the contrasts between the compact TRTA in Tokyo and RATP in Paris, and the spread out Seoul Metro and Transport for London is an interesting look.

Shit Nobody Says

This is for all of you who are tired of those Sh*t ______ Says videos.

Previously on [GAS]:

• Sh*t Wookiees Say [Video]
• Sh*t Nerds Say [Video]

[Via The Mary Sue]

Dating Advice for Gamers

This should be taken into consideration for all you gaming ladies as well by the way!

Beast!

Thermador Freedom full-surface inductive cooktop oven mitts-on

Thermador Freedom full-surface inductive cooktop oven mitts-on:

We'll admit it, cooktops aren't all that sexy as a rule. But Thermodor's Freedom full-surface adaptive induction unit we just happened upon at CES Unveiled this evening certainly takes some steps towards making that almost true. Touting a 6-inch touchscreen that displays the pot's shape and position and enables easy one tap control of each vessel's cooking temperature as well as up to 4600-watt maximum output power. A benefit of this seamless layout is that due to inductive cooking's magic, pots can be reconfigured while cooking without the need to wait for an element to heat up. While we weren't allowed to do any cooking tests, we expect the surface does get hot and can cook food. Thermador's flagship Freedom surface is due to ship in Jul 2012 for an sound about $4949. Hit the gallery for some pretty hot see-thru pics of the inner workings of the Freedom.

Game AIs

In Detail: Rolls-Royce 102EX Phantom EV

This week's episode of TRANSLOGIC features the Rolls-Royce 102EX Phantom EE (experimental electric), a one-off concept car that showcases how an EV might survive--even thrive--in a segment where "compromise" is considered a 4-letter word. During the world tour the vehicle has made in the past year, Rolls-Royce has sought to convince potential buyers that an EV doesn't require a trade-off in style or performance. In fact, within the ultra-luxury segment, the high-tech innovations can enhance the James Bond aura all the more.

Since the car was unveiled in Geneva last year, the 102EX team has focused on whether an EV can provide the quality customers expect to come out of Goodwood. Emily Dungey, the 102EX project manager who rides in the front seat with Bradley during the episode, views this model as "a prototype to talk to people, to see if when they drive the car, they feel like they're getting the Rolls-Royce experience."

In fact, not only does the 102EX experience provide the expected creature comforts, but there's something even a little more distinguished about driving an electric Rolls. The engineers have found some innovative ways to leverage the unique properties of an EV to up the luxury quotient of the 102EX--ways that wouldn't be possible in a petrol-powered Phantom.





For instance, under the bonnet you take out the V-12 and give way to a giant, 96-cell li-ion battery pack which powers two 145 kW electric motors hooked directly to the rear axel. This direct connection means no driveshaft running through the center of the vehicle, and therefore much more interior space available, particularly in the rear footwell. And, rest assured, the 102EX designers take full advantage of this opportunity, lining the entire vehicle floor in leather, rather than carpet.

The interior is incredible, and it's really pointless in this instance to enumerate all the charms encompassed in the cabin. The first thing you'll notice is the Corinova leather seats, which are dyed the most perfect hue through a vegetable tanning process. Usually seats are made with chromium and other materials to treat the leather and dye it, but this is treated with chestnut oil extract on the tri-produced leather to produce more natural lines and personalize the hide.



Another way that the 102EX uses its EV-specific properties to enhance the luxury experience is by offering a new prototype system for induction charging developed by HaloIPT, a British-New Zealand company. Rolls-Royce says it's possible to charge the 102EX by simply driving over an induction charging pad on the floor via a receiver pad on the underside of the car. Never having to worry about remembering to plug in your EV? Why, that's even easier than sending Jeeves to fill the tank!

With a number of fancy electric cars from Tesla to Fisker to BMW--not direct competitors, but targeting perhaps a similar affluent demographic--Rolls has to adapt to continue to provide progressive electric drive trains with the standard impressive bells and whistles. Now, Bradley might want to fashion that Cockney a bit more often if it's going to secure him the keys.