Renting a tall crane to get a high-angle shot could soon be an expense filmmakers can avoid with this Balloon Camera designed to lift a remote control stabilized camera gimbal up to 985 feet in the air.

Developed by the NHK, Japan’s equivalent of PBS or the BBC, the miniature blimp is actually best suited for operating heights of around 165 feet where it’s most stable. The four axis gimbal is panned, zoomed, and tilted with an RC helicopter remote, but thanks to built-in gyros the rig also independently moves to stabilize the camera as the balloon drifts about.

The rig remains tethered to the ground at all times since the balloon isn’t designed to be flown, but in the event the cable snapping a safe landing mechanism ensures the gear its hoisting are immediately and safely returned to the ground.

Its Achilles heel is obviously the wind, as the stabilized gimbal can only compensate for movements in gusts up to 16 miles per hour. So forget about using it to capture dramatic footage of tornados, hurricanes, or monsoons, because once you set it aloft that’s probably the last time you’ll ever see it. [DigInfo]

When the Asus Transformer Prime launched, there was outcry from developers over the fact that its bootloader was locked. Asus eventually crumbled, and announced that they would remove the restrictions. Now, almost two months later, you can download the fix.

The news means that those who wish to do so can now install customs ROMs on their Transformer. Asus is, however, keen to point out just how bad an idea it thinks that is, saying:

“It is strongly advised that you avoid activating this App unless you fully understand and accept the risks that may arise.”

Yeah, yeah. Shut up, Asus. [Asus]

New Zealand news sources report that Megaupload co-founder Kim Dotcom was released on bail today almost exactly month after he was arrested. The only catch is that he can’t stray too far from his house or use the Internet. Ouch.

After being repeatedly denied bail, Kim Dotcom is finally out of jail. CNET noticed that news sources in New Zealand were reporting his release. A New Zealand court ruled he was no longer a “flight risk,” because, apparently, Kim Dotcom doesn’t have access to any of the money that would allow him to flee the country.

Still, authorities didn’t exactly give Dotcom a free pass to wander the country to do as he likes. According to Stuff.co.nz:

Judge Dawson granted bail to his Coatesville house with the conditions that he did not have access the internet, no helicopter be allowed to travel to the property, that he would not travel more than 80km from the property and that he give police 24 hours notice of any appointment that required him to leave the property, except for medical emergencies.

As the founder of Megaupload, Dotcom has emerged as a bombastic symbol for both sides of the case. Some people see him as a hero and a victim, while others seem him as a criminal. Next up for Dotcom is a hearing about his potential extradition to the United States to face charges for what the FBI called a $500 million “mega conspiracy.” That hearing was reportedly supposed to begin today, but the United States hasn’t yet filed the extradition paperwork—US officials have until March 2nd to do so.

Without doubting Judge Dawson’s judgement, I’m inclined to side with Dotcom’s lawyer who told the judge that asking Dotcom not to use the Internet altogether is unrealistic and excessive request in this day and age. And for god’s sake-the man’s name is Dotcom. [Stuff.co.nz via CNET via Business Insider]