More on the LG Magic Remote targets Cinema 3D Smart TVs

I know we talked about the Magic Motion remote earlier this morning, but here is further information that might just whet your appetite. Officially known as the LG Magic Remote, this particular remote control will cater specially for LG's range of Cinema 3D Smart TVs, where it attempts to maximize user convenience with a slew of functions, most notably Voice Recognition, Wheel, Magic Gesture and Pointing. What makes the LG Magic Remote stand out over conventional remote controls at a glance would be the push-buttons making up just a single dimension of the intuitive user experience.

Ubergizmo, More on the LG Magic Remote targets Cinema 3D Smart TVs

$1.7 million of BlackBerry Playbooks stolen

We all know that the BlackBerry Playbook is not at the top of most people's Christmas lists, but is it really that lame duck of a tablet. Perhaps, when you compare it to what is available on the market, with the Apple iPad 2 leading the way, and Samsung's Galaxy Tab 10.1 nipping on its heels. Still, there are certain quarters of humanity who think that the Playbook is worth something, as Herald Bulletin reported that a truck ferrying stock of BlackBerry Playbook tablets which was headed towards Ontario, Canada, actually got stolen.

Ubergizmo, $1.7 million of BlackBerry Playbooks stolen

'Old GM' quietly dead and buried

After 103 years of stratospheric heights and immeasurable lows, General Motors Corp. has died. Motors Liquidation Co., or "Old GM," as it became known during the 2009 bankruptcy reorganization, was quietly dissolved on Thursday, Dec. 15, taking the company's bad debts and liabilities along with it.
The dissolution leaves the newly formed General Motors. Co. to live on as the company's fitter and better-financed replacement. The latter, as you'll recall, benefited from a massive government bailout of nearly $50 billion and the ability to restructure contracts with its suppliers, dealership bodies and unions.

Autoblog, 'Old GM' quietly dead and buried

Apple Wins Ban Over Import of HTC Android Devices in the US; HTC Plans to Work-Around Patent Violation

Apple’s just landed a major victory against HTC in a case where the latter was sued for violating patent  #5,946,647, a patent which details a way to analyze and link data structures at the system level. As this is a core functionality of Android’s, other OEMs are at risk. The final decision was a future ban of imports by the ITC starting in 2012. The ban affects HTC’s devices up to Android 2.2, but 2.3+ devices have not been incriminated yet.

HTC isn’t being vexed by this, though, as they state that alternate solutions to avoid violating this patent are already in the works.

Android Phone, Apple Wins Ban Over Import of HTC Android Devices in the US; HTC Plans to Work-Around Patent Violation

Verizon Galaxy Nexus car dock lacks three-pin connection of its HSPA twin, requires manual micro-USB connection

While Verizon customers are happily lording it over their HSPA-bound counterparts with those LTE speeds, they may be less happy to hear about the lower-grade car dock they've been saddled with. Setting you back $40, the dock is a protective bracket for your phone that attaches to your windscreen with a suction cup. However, the GSM version includes the Galaxy Nexus' three-pin contacts, with micro-USB and mic ports built into the dock, meaning there's no need to constantly plug and unplug - unlike the US model.

Engadget, Verizon Galaxy Nexus car dock lacks three-pin connection of its HSPA twin, requires manual micro-USB connection

VidaBox Media Servers add metadata support for XBMC, Popcorn Hour and others

We wouldn't expect for upper-crust aimed media server setups like the ones offered by VidaBox to play nicely with the common rabble, but apparently that's just what is going on. With the click of a check box, its "Drop-n-Rip" Blu-ray and DVD archiving now includes cover art and other metadata compatible with third party streamers including Popcorn Hour, HDI Dune, TViX, XBMC, Sage TV and others.

Engadget, VidaBox Media Servers add metadata support for XBMC, Popcorn Hour and others

Ekso Bionics' exoskeleton used to let paraplegics walk (video)

It's not just nuclear-powered super soldiers who will use exoskeletons - it can also be used to help those with physical disabilities. The Kessler Foundation grabbed one of Ekso Bionics' Ekso units and gave six people with severe spinal injuries, including a tetraplegic, the chance to walk. It's part of a trial study to examine the effects of walking for wheelchair-users, to see if it's better for their overall health or if it could contribute to their rehabilitation. A wider study will begin early next year with the hope of expanding use of the gear to domestic situations in the future.

Engadget, Ekso Bionics' exoskeleton used to let paraplegics walk (video)