Dr. Augustine Fou's Online Scrapbook

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

MSI Wind gets official pricing and availability for the US: $399

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/289691396/

Filed under: Laptops

We already knew most of the details on the MSI Wind, but the Atom-based ultraportable just got official US pricing and availability today -- and just like we hoped, it got a little cheaper on the trip over. Although there'll be both 8.9-inch and 10-inch versions worldwide, we're only getting the 10-inch in both XP and Linux flavors, starting June 3rd. The SuSE version will feature that 1.6GHz Atom, 512MB of RAM, 80GB hard drive, and a 3-cell battery rated at 2.5 hours of use for $399, while the XP edition will come in at $549 with 1GB of RAM, Bluetooth, and a larger 6-cell battery good for 5.5 hours. There's also apparently going to be a $500 "base" XP edition, but details on that are pretty sparse at the moment. Looks like ASUS had better get that Atom-based Eee 900 out by June as planned if it wants to keep up, eh?

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Superpowerful small wind turbines light up the night

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/289708034/

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

We've seem some impressive wind power tech, but a new breed of small, high-power wind turbines could potentially bring efficient wind power home. Developed by an inventor named Doug Selsam, the new turbines have rotors just 14-18 inches in diameter, but can produce 200 watts in a 20MPH wind, and much more than that at higher wind speeds. The trick is using high-strength carbon-fiber materials that allow several rotors to be hooked up as one -- in strong winds a thirteen-rotor system can produce enough juice to blow out a bank of car headlights "like flashbulbs." That's pretty impressive -- especially since the system is light and balanced enough to be held up with one hand. No word on when or how we might see these hit the public, but we can see some pretty sweet applications -- laptops in the park, anyone?

[Thanks, Yocheved]

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Herbalicious Furniture

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/yankodesign/~3/289541662/

Design student Elliot Mariess needed to come up with something new and off kilter for his degree so naturally he envisioned any space should and could have an aromatic herb garden. This simple looking dresser is more than meets the eye - inside is a whole garden living off a low wattage bulb. Not only do you get fresh herbs, but it naturally filters the air, keeps stank off your clothes, and makes us all look like green thumbs.

Designer: Elliott Mariess

Elliott Mariess

Monday, May 12, 2008

Sumitomo set to produce 40-inch OLED panels in 2009

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/288251205/

Filed under: HDTV

Not that there was any doubt that OLED is on its way to larger sizes (hasn't it been since like 2005?), but Japanese firm Sumitomo Chemical announced its plans to produce 40-inch OLED panels for HDTVs some time in 2009, meaning Sumitomo-based TVs could hit the market in 2009 or 2010. Samsung's old-skool 40-inch OLED HDTV prototype shown above for scale.

[Via OLED-Info]

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Eye-Fi launches Eye-Fi Home, Share, and geotagging Explore

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/288469937/

Filed under: Peripherals, Wireless, Storage

Eye-Fi's expanding from a single card to a family of three tonight. All are the same 2GB as before, but now we've got the new flagship Eye-Fi Explore ($129), which includes geotagging courtesy of Skyhook (the same WiFi-based location system that helps the iPod touch and iPhone find their way). Then you've got the Eye-Fi Share ($99) -- basically the same card we used to know simply as the Eye-Fi -- and finally the Eye-Fi Home ($79), which appears to only be able to upload photos through desktop software using your home network. Expect 'em all on sale come June 6th.

Gallery: Eye-Fi launches Eye-Fi Home, Share, and geotagging Explore

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Lumeta's "peel & stick" solar panels can blanket a roof in under 35 minutes

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/288653775/

Filed under: Household

If destroying your roof just to get some sun-sucking solar panels installed isn't your thing, Lumeta's PowerPly could be the solution. The panels use traditional roofing adhesives, that'll be familiar to regular ol' roofers, and save the process from drilling holes and bolts associated with the regular rack systems required to mount solar panels. Right now this process is targeted at commercial projects -- you can watch a pair of guys install 2.25 kilowatts of solar modules onto a California roof after the break -- but hopefully residential applications won't be far behind.

[Via Digg]

Continue reading Lumeta's "peel & stick" solar panels can blanket a roof in under 35 minutes

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Nanohealing substance stops bleeding in seconds, vampires protest

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/288687301/

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

We may already have spray-on bandages, but Arch Therapeutics has developed a nanostructured substance that they say stops bleeding almost instantly. Originally developed at MIT, the material is awaiting FDA approval and could make its way into operating rooms soon. The liquid is made up of amino acids that form peptides and cluster into long fibers when exposed to salty environments, like, say, a whole bunch of blood. The material isn't terribly new -- it was originally discovered in the 90s, but only recently during an experiment did researchers realize that it would be great for blood control. Shortly thereafter, people saw dollar signs and Arch Therapeutics was founded.

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ASUS Eee PC 900 now available

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/288731717/

Filed under: Laptops

We knew it was due today, and what do you know: ASUS is busting out its new 8.9-inch Eee PC 900 right on schedule. So far ZipZoomfly is selling the XP version for $600, while Buy.com is offering up the Linux edition for $566. We're not sure what happened to those other resellers, or where that $550 pricepoint went, but we're sure we'll be seeing both before long -- which means it might be wise to hold off for just a tad bit longer, unless you really can't wait for sweet, sweet subnotebook embrace.

[Via Laptoping]

Read - Buy.com
Read - ZipZoomfly

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Lightsâ¦Action Camera

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/yankodesign/~3/288626493/

I may have gotten my wording confused, but it was for a reason. We have all witnessed the excitement of seeing some pretty amazing feats on surfboards, snowboards, race bikes and the like. The thrill of watching at a safe distance, allows the spectator to enjoy the action, but unfortunately the actual Rush from being in the moment is many times kept at arm's reach. Now we can have a Rush like no other. Designer Martin Ruegg, has invited us with his invention to experience what most of us are too scared to experience for ourselves. RUSH is a new shockproof and waterproof action camera that allows shots to be taken from an entirely new perspective. Rush can be attached by using a helmet, body band, or suction cup. The camera is triggered by the use of a clickable ring worn on the index finger and can be activated with the press of the thumb. Now, any exciting action moment can be caught anytime, anywhere.

Designer: Martin Ruegg

Martin Ruegg

Sunday, May 11, 2008

Lightning Review: Olympus TP-7 Cellphone Recording Mike [Review]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/287454433/lightning-review-olympus-tp+7-cellphone-recording-mike

The Gadget: This olympus microphone plugs into a recorder and your ear, recording whatever you hear. That makes it perfect for recording cellphone interviews, which traditional telephone voice recorder setups meant for landlines can't.

The Price: $18

The Verdict: Perfect for journalists, lawyers and students. Comes with different soft earpieces and jack adapters. I love it. Sound quality of the recordings is as you hear it, which is to say as good as your cellphone delivers. If you're recording by cellphone using a native app, that's going to be better, though.

[Amazon]