Microsoft Courier: the Apple tablet just got bumped into second place

Well, that’s it, I guess. The CrunchPad and Apple Tablet had a good run (in their mysterious ways), but Microsoft has come out of left field to deliver what appears to be the coolest tablet-like computer we’ve ever seen. Those lucky ducks over at Gizmodo appear to have a pretty solid exclusive on it, though, but I’m burning through my little black book of Microsoft guys to get more info.

What they’ve got in place looks fun, practical, and damned good-looking. Although currently in “late prototype” phase, and only available in renders at the moment, it is a real thing and it will come out. It’s probably best for you to just head over there and watch the video (the curs have made it un-embeddable).

[Gizmodo]

YikeBike: Foldable, Carbon Fiber Bike Is Sleek, Useful 21st Century High Wheeler [Bikes]

This weird thing is a 1.2kW electric motor powered, carbon fiber foldable bike called the YikeBike. It's real, unfolds in 15 seconds, and aims to solve the eternal problem of urban mobility, and probably become Woz's favorite new toy.

Folded, the YikeBike only takes 6 x 23.6 x 23.6 inches (150 x 600 x 600 millimeters) and weighs 22 pounds (10 kilograms), so it can be easily carried around. And while its pneumatic wheels may follow an old high wheeler configuration, according to the manufacturer, this thing is designed to be easy to maneuver, and it's equipped with electronic brakes with built-in anti-skid system.
Would this thing succeed where the Segway failed? Sadly, at $4900, I have a very bad feeling about it. [via YikeBike]