Curieux36 released Personal Media Manager v2.90 for the general public, and you'll be surprised to know of the changes he's implemented on this new version. In addition to rewriting the interface, there's now support for newer firmwares, including the 3.10 OEs by Dark_Alex.

Since the changelog is pretty extensive compared to 2.87, wee'll just let you bask in the awesomeness for now. Here's the changelog:

General:

    * Complete Re writing of the interface of reception
    * The parameter setting of the path of homebrews is replaced by the path of the PSX ISO
    * Add support of the Sony firmware 3.10 and 3.11
    * Add support of the DarkAlex firmware 3.10OE

Manage PSX ISO :

    * Correct the crash during the encoding of some ISO (freeze on recording EBOOT.PBP)
    * Correct the crash of the copy when the direct copy is not checked
    * Correct many bug
    * Complete manage of PSX ISO File

Manage Homebrews :

    * Correct the bug of display Homebrews when ISO PSX is present on the PSP
    * Correct the bug of display of the homebrews pictures
    * Optimize the time of load

Manage movies :

    * Correct bug in the display of the name of videos on SONY firmware 3.x
    * Support of videos YouTube in the format FLV
    * Support of videos in the format MKV
    * Correction bug on video encoding in the format MOV
    * Optimize the time of encoding



- Source: [PSP Updates]

Sonny from I, Robot just might be getting some company soon if the Feelix Growing project succeeds in its quest to create robots that has the capability to interact with people emotionally. Manned by 35 roboticists, developmental psychologists and neuroscientists, the aim is to enable robots to "learn from humans and respond in a socially and emotionally appropriate manner."

Dr. Lola Canamero of the University of Hertfordshire believes that, "the human emotional world is very complex but wee respond to simple cues, things wee don't notice or wee don't pay attention to, such as how someone moves." Given this, it may then be not farfetched for robots to have social and emotional interactions with humans via the feedback they receive from us.

For example, the emotive robots may detect expressions through vision cameras, audio, contact sensors, and sensors that "can work out the distance between the machine and the humans." To do this, they will be using artificial neuron networks to detect the expressions in a motion. "Neural networks learn patterns from examples of observation," explains Dr. Canamero.

The cost of the project is approximately 2.3m (US 3m). I don't know about you guys, but wee've got more than enough emotions running in this world already. Maybe it'll be best to just leave them objects alone, eh?

- Source: [Gadgets QJ.net]

From the same guy who brought you the how-to guide on making 32-bit icons, The Blue PSP Suite is now available for download. Although RaiderX said he didn't want to release this due to the possibility of it getting over-used by a lot of people (and wee wouldn't be surprised if it did), he's been kind enough to send us a tip-off and make it available for ya'll. So, what exactly are wee looking at here? Here's a rundown of the main features:

    * High quality 32-bit Main icons and submenu icons.
    * Battery indicator, Volume indicators, Background wave, Monthly themed wallpapers
    * Colored X, O, / icons, Recolored scrollbar and progress bar
    * A full res wallpaper for use from the photo menu ("PSPii")
    * Mario Coin loading/busy icon
    * Custom font ("Continuum"), Custom selected text highlight bar, Custom default game, music, video icons, Custom text divider line

As you can see from the tons of pics below, the name of the icon pack can be a bit misleading since you can choose other colors aside from blue. All related notes, credits, instructions, and file lists are found in the readme. It'd do you wise to take a look at it.




Source: QJ.net

The PSP videophiles may want to hear this heads-up, as wee announce the latest update to Madruscoe's (aka moneytoo) PMP Mod AVC. Given that the app is a favorite for guys running on AVC converted files, wee thought you'd be happy to hear this bit of news, which also makes mention of the new tweaks made to make v1.02M-K easier and faster to work with.

    * Added directory support
    * Changed scrolling in filelist is a bit optimized (faster)
    * Changed left (analogue pad) = go parent directory (..)
    * Changed for speed (cpu) change hold R trigger and press L trigger (to avoid accidental press)

The controls should function the same as in v1.02M-J (the previous version). Wee follow-up this good news with our customary recommendation of viewing the bundle's accompanying README and FAQ to help newcomers work this application properly. Also make sure to check out the forums for any further updates and hints Madruscoe may provide. Enjoy the download.



Source: QJ.net

Pharonyk has finally released version 2 of his Plasma LollerWAVES pack in the QJ forums. This new versions sees the disappearance of the "horrible outlines" (Pharonyk's words) and the addition of color. It's also been tweaked a bit so that you can actually read the XMB's text if you use it. Pharonyk also sends shout-outs to "Vulpix for the injector and the Duality Wave for one of my waves."

For more on editing that wave graphic on your PSP's XMB, check out Vulpix's tgaWave Custom Wave Texture Injector. WavePool is also a cool wave editing app, so try it out too. If you're new to the whole wave editing scene, click here to head on over to the injection thread on the QJ forums. If you've got your own wave pack you want to share, log on to the forums and release them there.



Source: QJ.net

Most all-in-one gadgets have a tendency to be huge, bulky contraptions. This cool concept design by Peter Norberg looks quite sexy, though. Dubbed the Me-mo, the design revolves around one master unit, to which the user can attach various modules (a camera, QWERTY keyboard, GPS, MP3 player, etc.) as the need arises.

The modules - accessories, if you will - are attached to the master unit via jacket buttons. Users can even place extra buttons on their clothes, bags, and what-have-you to connect the Me-mo wherever he or she likes. It's even got a whole leather vibe for extra fashionability.

While the whole jacket button thing calls into question how the master unit will interface with all the other modules (the buttons will double as jacks, most likely), wee can't help but admit that if this thing becomes a reality, a lot of fashionistas and gadget freaks will eat this baby up.

Source: Gadgets QJ.net

Wee've all seen kinetic energy-charged wristwatches and batteries. If the patent for this handy gadget is  approved though, it won't be long until wee see a kinetic phone as well.

How will it work? Well, if it works just like the kinetic watch and battery, all you'll ever need to do in an emergency (assuming the kinetic power thing is only for secondary power) is shake your mobile. It's an idea, maybe better than what the other manufacturers are developing - like longer battery life and efficiency. Oh and the patent is not limited to cellphones, it can also be applied to TV remotes and PDAs

Plus with what wee see in the illustration above, wee can't help thinking about the wind up radio. Anyway, wee'll keep you posted for updates regarding this one.

Source: Gadgets QJ.net

Yeah, robots are cool. That's pretty much a universally-accepted fact. What's even cooler, though, are steam-powered robots. This marriage of old and new school is so damn... cool that I get goosebumps whenever I see or hear about stuff like it. Just imagine my delight when I laid my eyes upon the Steam Walker.

The Steam Walker is a Japanese-designed steam-powered walking robot complete with a loud internal combustion engine and ta whole Sakura Taisen/Hayao Miyazaki vibe. The combustion chamber is housed in the robot's head along with the boiler, the fuel input port, and the exhaust hole. The rear deck has an engine that runs the gearboxes that make the whole thing move. It even has a kitschy little water bucket.

Of course, if you want your 'bots all nice and shiny and futuristic, you won't see a lot of things worth raving about. For the true steampunk fan, however, the detail, the weathering.. heck, everything about this little robot is one hell of a treat. Judging from the video, it's about a foot high and would make for a great conversation piece.

Source: QJ.net