Cell Bytes

When Microsoft introduced its BlueTrack mice technology in late 2008, they promised laser precision on any surface—whether that be carpet, wood or the belly of a dog. Now you can grab three new models for under thirty bucks.

The three models—the Wireless Mobile Mouse 3500, Wireless Mouse 2000 and Comfort Mouse 4500—all have the same BlueTrack tech, but differ in size and transceivers. The Mobile Mouse 3500 has a nano-transceiver and rubber grips on the side for extra support when surfing, whereas the 2000 model is larger, with a snap-in transceiver. As the name suggests, the Comfort Mouse 4500 is probably the most cushioned of the lot, but actually has one (if you ask me) hindrance—a wire. It’s the first BlueTrack mouse with a wire though, so obviously they agree with me.

While the 2000 model comes in just plain ol’ black and will be available in March, the 3500 is in the mysterious “lock ness gray” and tantalizing “dragon fruit pink,” and won’t be seen until April, with the March-bound 4500 aimed at the kids in “sea blue,” “poppy red” and “strawberry pink.” [Microsoft]

Based upon plant research by entities like NASA, Air Purifier Review has assembled the 15 houseplants that are best at cleaning your air (without electricity). The overall best? The Areca palm, also known as Chrysalidocarpus lutescens. [AirPurifierReview via Unplggd]

I like the idea of this titanium iPhone body replacement, and that’s why it’s too bad is just a nice hyper-realistic 3D render. The fact is that, despite what the student who made it claims, it’s not real.

First, the making of a custom, very intricate titanium part like this is a complicated and expensive process, one that would require ultra-precise CAD work and manufacturing. For CNC you will need a very high resolution machine, and molding is not available to mere mortals. Only someone at an aerospace company, a high end prototyping shop, or a factory would be able to pull this. That’s why you don’t see custom iPhone bodies in the market—I want them, please—unless they are Chinese mass produced plastics.

But the most important thing is the fact that there is not such a thing as a “special titanium alloy that is RF transparent.” Titanium makes radio signal reception and emission very difficult. It’s a radio insulating material, which is why the Titanium PowerBook G4 had such a crappy Wi-Fi reception. Sadly, the alleged alloy simply doesn’t exist. And if it does, you would only find it at Boeing or Lockheed Martin’s secret development facilities. Or Area 51.

If he discovered it, I suggest he patents the hell out of it and sell it to the military. They would love it. There’s the issue of having the mute button in the wrong direction too, but it’s ok. If you can create objects from nonobtamium, you can rearrange the circuitry inside the machine too. [Modmyi via Engadget]

Really? Really Sony BMG? After over 30 million views you just now decided to make YouTube pull Rick Astley’s “Never Gonna Give You Up” for a terms of use violation? If you were going to try to stop rickrolling, couldn’t you have at least done it a couple years ago?

Do you know what’s going to happen now? People are going to be rickrolling other people as much as possible using illicit streams as a protest all day. Thanks, assholes. Thanks.

Update: Via Ken Fisher, here’s why Sony BMG pulled the original video. [Neowin]