A t-shirt-stuffed Linux store has opened for business, the proceeds from which support the Linux Foundation. But since Linux users are such penny-pinchers, $18 is probably more than they’ll pay for a single garment of clothing. [ LinuxStore via CrunchGear ] More

Electric motorcycles are getting more and more common, and while we don’t think they’ll ever quite capture the rush of an internal-combustion engine threatening to fly into bits as it screams toward red-line, they are starting to offer their own… unique charms. This model is a Norwegian prototype, based on a Honda chassis that had its tail chopped and motor stripped, replaced by stacks of Nickel-Metal batteries, then wrapped in some custom bodywork. The bike sports a touchscreen dash powered by Ubuntu that offers both stats about the bike (speed, temperature, etc.) as well as GPS navigation and, presumably, on the go games of Tux Racer. It’s a one-off built by Green School Motorcycles and Akershus University College, and there’s plenty more information about it in a video at the source link below — if you speak Norwegian. [Thanks, dsbilling ] Electric Green School motorcycle shows its rebel nature by running Linux originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 04 Mar 2010 09:21:00 EST

Is the N900 the most hacker-friendly phone ever created? All sources are pointing to “yes.” Just two short months ago, we saw one determined code monkey turn his N900 into a PS3 controller ; today, we’re looking at someone who did the exact opposite. If you’ve memorized the Debian source code and aren’t afraid to dabble in the wild and murky world of N900 modding, you too can one day use a spare SIXAXIS controller in order to dictate gameplay on your Nokia handset. All the instructions you need are there in the source link, and for everyone else just looking to have a watch from the sidelines, hop on past the break and mash play. Continue reading PlayStation 3 controller used for N900 gaming (video) PlayStation 3 controller used for N900 gaming (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 13 Feb 2010 10:04:00 EST.

KDE might not be on the radar of everyone that jumped into the Linux game with Ubuntu , but that might change a bit with the release of KDE Software Compilation 4.4 (a.k.a “Caikaku”), which looks to add considerably more than some tweaks and a bit of polish. That includes a range of built-in social network features and, perhaps most notably, a Plasma Netbook component that’s specifically designed for “ergonomic use on netbooks and smaller notebooks.” Otherwise, you can expect to see some improved window management features, a new Desktop Search, and, of course, plenty of other minor improvements and bug fixes (7,293, to be exact). Hit up the link below for the complete overview, and the necessary download links to get started. [Thanks, Madman] KDE 4.4 ‘Caikaku’ released, complete with netbook trimmings originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Feb 2010 13:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

Self-described cellphone cynic and “father of Linux” Linus Torvalds decided to get a Google Nexus One the other day. And while the customer service lines may be clogged over the phone’s performance, Daddy Linux is positively pleased as punch. Unsurprisingly, the man who invented the most popular open source operating system in the world is a “happy camper” over the fact that this cellphone runs Linux. But Linux alone wasn’t enough to get Linus on board with the rest of the smartphone crazy 21rst century, no sir. His previous phones, in fact—the ones he mostly used to “play Galaga” on long flights—also had various versions of Linux, but lacked that certain spark.

As if you needed any more evidence of the tech supremacy of your Nokia N900 or N810 , here’s Firefox making its official mobile debut on the most righteous Maemo OS. Available for download right now , version 1.0 will come with a pretty sweet feature named Weave Sync, which harmonizes your bookmarks, tabs, history and passwords across devices, making for a seamless transition between your desktop computer and your mobile one. We reckon we could get used to that. Alas, Flash support is still somewhat shaky, and does not come enabled by default, though you’re free to flip the switch and ride the lightning as it were. We’re sure Mozilla will appreciate any crash reports you might want to throw its way as well

The intersection of the classical instrument known as a guitar and the modernist urge to modify everything has resulted in plenty of nutty , zany , and just plain questionable products in its time. It’s quite a pleasure, therefore, to point you in the direction of a so-called Digital Guitar that keeps the axe looking refreshingly familiar, while turning it into something that poses a legitimate threat of actually being useful. Essentially a MIDI controller, the Misa guitar has 24 frets and a large multifunctional touchscreen, which you can use to interface with the appropriate software on your pc. We’ve got a video demonstration after the break, and you can hit up the source link for more info including details on how you might be able to buy one for yourself. Continue reading Misa Digital Guitar cuts the strings, brings the noise Misa Digital Guitar cuts the strings, brings the noise originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 Jan 2010 02:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds

As the Linux Foundation tells it, the Linux-related job market is today 80 percent larger than it was five years ago. Whereas other industries have had to shed workers in the current recession, the Foundation is hopeful penny-pinching measures might actually encourage businesses to transition to Linux-based software and thereby further stimulate employment opportunities within the sector. We’re not told exactly what “Linux-related” means in this context, but the newly set up Linux.com Job Board indicates that the vast majority of new openings are for system admins. That’s right, the corporate world is crying out for more geeks — won’t you answer the call? [Thanks to Overlord59 for the Tux images] Linux Foundation sets up Job Board, cites 80 percent growth in Linux-related jobs originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 15 Jan 2010 07:16:00 EST.

I’m still not sold on pico-projectors , but obviously that fact hasn’t stopped companies from continuing to make them. I even saw one on a cellphone in a commercial once—they’re so mainstream, man! And now Favi has two more: Who? Right. Favi’s a first-timer around here. Anyway, they have two new additions to the pico-projector space: The RIOLED-Q and the RIOLED-V , two distinct little things that focus on business use (the former) and Linux/web apps (the latter.) In the former’s case, “business” translates into a bright, 2-speaker-sporting pico-projector with A/V, VGA and USB connections. There’s memory built in, although it’s not said how much, and the form factor is small (note the pen), which is no surprise

I’m still not sold on pico-projectors , but obviously that fact hasn’t stopped companies from continuing to make them. I even saw one on a cellphone in a commercial once—they’re so mainstream, man! And now Favi has two more: Who? Right. Favi’s a first-timer around here. Anyway, they have two new additions to the pico-projector space: The RIOLED-Q and the RIOLED-V , two distinct little things that focus on business use (the former) and Linux/web apps (the latter.) In the former’s case, “business” translates into a bright, 2-speaker-sporting pico-projector with A/V, VGA and USB connections. There’s memory built in, although it’s not said how much, and the form factor is small (note the pen), which is no surprise