Morning Xtra: Old PCs Sing Queen, Brain Tweets, Comcast 'Flasher'

Old Computers Sing Queen
Old hardware never dies; it just finds new use with modders. For proof, check out this version of Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" played by a junkpile of archaic computer hardware. YouTube user bd594 synced up the nostalgic bleats, whirrs, blips, and rings from a number of devices. Listen to an old HP ScanJet printer "singing" vocals to an Atari 800Xl pulling organ duty. [From: BoingBoing]

Court for Comcast 'Flasher'
A man who allegedly exposed his nether parts to a Comcast field technician is due in court on charges of indecent exposure. Like a scene out of a bad porn flick, the technician came to the man's house in order to fix his slow Internet service, but got a little more than he bargained for when the man, after he'd mentioned finding a sex tape in a gas station garbage can, whipped out his antenna. Understandably, the technician was uncomfortable and fled the scene, reporting it to his supervisor, who called the police. [From: Cnet]

Criminals Pay Big Bucks for Hackable Nokia Phone That Enables Exploitation of Online Bank Accounts
A top fraud investigator in the Netherlands told IT World that cybercriminals are paying top dollar for a discontinued $150 Nokia cell phone (more than $32,400 a phone, in fact). The phone features a software problem that is vulnerable to tampering and could be "exploited to hack into online bank accounts." You can read more about how the criminals might use the hacked phones here. [From: IT World}



Researchers Use Brain Interface to Turn Thoughts into Tweets
If you wish you could post Twitter updates without going to the trouble of actually typing them, science has you covered. Researchers at the University of Wisconsin have linked the micro-blogging site to a brainwave-control rig, allowing users to tweet by thought and, thus, sparing humankind from all that mucking about with keyboards and iPhone touch screens. [From: Engadget]

Mayo Clinic Opens Private Medical-Data Site
Mayo Clinic is one of the most respected names in medicine and is renowned for individual patient care. Therefore, it's not surprising to hear that it is rolling out a free, secure Web site -- called Mayo Clinic Health Organizer -- to organize medical information. You don't have to be a patient to join, and the site is similar in scope to Google Health. The Mayo site will send out customized information (like checkup reminders), determined by the amount of information you give it. Check it out at Mayo Clinic's Web site. [From: Star Tribune]

Virgin Mobile Offers Up $50 Unlimited Calling
Virgin Mobile has just announced a $50 unlimited plan with no roaming charges, available on April 15th. It reminds us of Boost Mobile's similar $50-per-month plan, but Virgin's includes a crazy-sweet "Pink Slip Protection" program which offers to pay your mobile bills for up to three months if you lose your job. Virgin also rolled out a group of texting-only plans for people who have forgotten that they can use their phones for talking. [From: Engadget]

Viliv's S5 MID Coming Out May 8th
Viliv's long-awaited, tablet-like, touchscreen-enabled PC device known as the s5 MID is finally going on sale April 27th, to be shipped on May 8th. Available from Dynamism, it will use Intel's Atom processor and will be running Windows XP under its own proprietary user interface, which will allow you to assign programs and applications to on-screen bubbles. Is this next competitor in the pocket-PC category to take on the tiny Sony P-series? We'll have to wait and see. [From: Engadget]

Microsoft Announces Xbox 360 Elite Bundle With 'Halo 3,' 'Fable 2,' and Netflix Trial
For all you gamers out there, Microsoft has announced its new Xbox 360 Elite bundle. The big box o' love includes a 120GB Elite 360 console, white-hot games 'Halo 3' and 'Fable 2,' and a free Netflix trial. It'll set you back $400. [From: Engadget]

Panasonic Developing 1080p Twin-Lens P2 Camcorder for Native 3D Captures
Is 3D the new HD? Hollywood seems to think so, and Panasonic's pro camcorder division is following suit. Engineers developed a handheld HD camcorder prototype that shoots in native 3D to show off at this year's National Association of Broadcasters Convention. Check out its binocular-esque lenses, and imagine watching home movies of your kids in true 3D. [From: Engadget]

Video: iHouse SmartFaucet
Do you worry about having to fiddle with knobs and faucets just to get tap water at the right temperature and pressure? Do you find yourself wishing you could check your e-mail or the weather while washing your hands? Are you rich? If so, you should take a gander at the SmartFaucet from iHouse. It has a tiny camera that recognizes you when you walk up and automagically adjusts the water to your customized temperature and pressure. That way, you can wash your hands like a king or queen. It even features a miniature touchscreen display for early-morning widget viewing of e-mail and appointments. Check out Engadget for a video of the unit in action. [From: Engadget]

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