Apparently ‘Mys Videl’ has managed to get Linux running on Microsoft’s Zune at least “partway”.

‘Mys Videl’ tells all on Zune Boards, “I’ve been working on it for quite awhile and has a lot of bugs to work out and a lot of features to work out. It currently has to be booted while synced and has limited capability’s but I’ve at least got it partway working.”

Linux will open up many new doors for new programs and features on the Zune. And as ‘Mys Videl’ says, “Linux on the Zune will just be plain sexy.” I agree. Can we pleeaaaase call it ‘Zlinux’!?

MP3tunes is now offering free unlimited storage and music streaming for all your music. They call their service the “Oboe Locker.” Their pricing structure is as follows - Premium (unlimited storage, $40/year), Basic (2GB, $20/year), and Free (1GB). Not bad considering the options and storage sizes.

The Oboe Sync 2.0 software lets you sync your collection to your Oboe Locker and is available for Windows, OS X, and Linux. They also offer the “Sideload” Firefox and IE plug-in that lets you grab and store music you find while surfing. Also available are media player plug-ins for iTunes and Winamp. I see they have their bases covered and can’t wait to try the service out.

Via Download Squad

Israeli scientists have developed a revolutionary keypad lock - the size of a single molecule. The lock only activates when the correct password is given, a combination of chemicals and light. Now that’s some serious security.

“By harnessing the principles of molecular Boolean logic, we have designed a molecular device that mimics the operation of an electronic keypad lock,” say the scientists.

The scientists also write, “Future programmable molecular locks might have the capacity to process multiple password entries that provide theoretically unbreakable protection against forgery.” This will without a doubt open new doors to more sophisticated and effective security.Above Image: A diagram of how the molecular keypad works.

Via American Chemical Society

At Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, salty peanuts aren’t the only thing coming out of the vending machines. ““We’ve done about $55,000 in a month in gross sales just for the one on Concourse A,” says Anita Leopold, executive vice-president and owner of Business Traveler Services.

ZoomSystems and Leopolds company operate two of the vending machines at the Atlanta airport which was the first to install what ZoomSystems calls “small-format robotic stores.”

AJC via TUAW

As many of you know, I’m a sucker for well designed things. This is the latest in hot design from Rune Larson, designer of the “Easy as Pi” phone. This Eclipse Design Phone features a standard keypad, a transparent LCD, and not much else. It’s simplicity and functionality is what makes this model unique, not an overload of features - kinda’ like the Willcom R9.

Via Slashgear

No someone was thinking when the came up with this. If you have an SD slot, now you can make your device GPS capable with the Spectec SD/SDIO GPS Receiver.

Note the antenna at the top of the SD card, and additional slot below the antenna for an extra MicroSD card (up to 2GB).

Gear Diary says, “If you are also interested in buying one, contact Spectec and they will point you to a supplier in your country that can then give you the correct price.”

The Tokyo Ubiquitous Network Project is installing RFID transmitters all over Tokyo’s Ginza area, a famous shopping area in the city. The RFID tags and transmitters will give location-related information to people carrying prototype readers.

According to Network World, “The system works by matching a unique code sent out by each beacon with data stored on a server on the Internet. The data is obtained automatically by the terminal, which communicates back to the server via a wireless LAN (WLAN) connection and requests the data relevant to the beacon that is being picked up.”

The system will provide people with basic navigation and information about the shops and stores in the area in at least four languages - Japanese, Chinese, Korean and English.

The terminal being used in the trial features a 3.5-inch OLED touch-panel display and a host of networking interfaces. There is RFID, infrared and 429MHz wireless for interacting with the beacons in the trial, WLAN for connection to the Internet and a Bluetooth link. General trials in Ginza are scheduled to begin on Jan. 21 and will run until March.

Now this interesting and something to watch out for. Basically, thieves modify the existing ATM equipment with their own equipment to snatch your PIN and card numbers.

A “skimmer” (shown above) is placed over the existing ATM card slot and when you insert your card, the information is transmitted to the thieves who are possibly sitting in a car nearby.

Additionally, a wireless camera is mounted inside the brochure holder and positioned to record your PIN number when you enter it. So take a second look when you’re at the ATM next time, does anything look suspicious?

Via Snopes

Sony’s new EVI-HD1 conferencing camera works in both SD and HD. It features a 10x optical zoom, can be panned tilted, works in widescreen 16:9 format at 720p, 1080i and 1080p, has a 70 degree field of view, and can be controlled via a remote control. When the EVI-HD1 is available in January, you can expect to pay $4,495.

Via HDTV UK