Dr. Augustine Fou's Online Scrapbook

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

DIY'er creates 56-inch multi-touch display

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/294688812/

Filed under: Displays

It seems like the multi-touch revolution that's happening right now is really bringing out the DIY'ers -- and this latest feat of hackery is right up there with the best of them. Christopher Jette has created a massive, 56-inch multi-touch display in his spare time using a box that resembles an old rear-projection TV, 168 infrared LEDs, and some serious elbow grease. The LEDs dot the perimeter of the screen and create a field of IR light which is scattered when touched, a webcam mounted at the back of the display picks up the movement and translates it to input. If you've got some time on your hands, there are instructions available for recreating the experiment, or you can just sit back and watch it in action in the video after the break.

[Via Hack a Day]

Continue reading DIY'er creates 56-inch multi-touch display

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

$5,000 Dior phone: so upscale it doesn't require specs

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/294867819/

Filed under: Cellphones

Look, we're not Russian oil tycoons with a taste for trophy wives one-third our age. That's true. Nevertheless, no matter how hard we try, we just can't understand how spending $5,000 on these new Christian Dior phones will substantially increase our lot in life. Then again, we're afraid of robots. The new line of boutique phones manufactured in partnership with ModeLabs feature a touchscreen display, camera, and novel, mini-phone extender dubbed My Dior (pictured after the break). About the size of a USB key, My Dior is meant to clip onto the outside of your wo/man bag thus avoiding any frantic rummaging when the favorable divorce settlement call finally arrives. Sorry, that's about as detailed as the specification list gets... not that specs matter when couture is at stake.

[Via Textually]

Continue reading $5,000 Dior phone: so upscale it doesn't require specs

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Oh No: Sprint Capping "Unlimited" 3G Data Service at 5GB [Rumor]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/293884926/oh-no-sprint-capping-unlimited-3g-data-service-at-5gb

We've raved on Sprint's EV-DO data service more than once, in no small part because they were the only carrier to have truly unlimited 3G data, while AT&T and Verizon capped their service at 5GB. Our love affair just might be over. According to a leaked update of their terms of service, effective July 31st, they'll be enacting a 5GB cap as well.

"Sprint reserves the right to limit throughput speeds or amount of data transferred and to deny, terminate, modify, or suspend service if usage exceeds 5GB per month in total or 300MB/month while off-network roaming."

Looks like we'll be re-assessing our pick of best data service. So sad. [Sprint Users via Phonescoop]

AUO unveils curved, slim and an 8-inch multi-touch display

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/293438033/

Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds

AU Optronics (AUO) is tooting the "world's first" horn this morning with its new curved TFT-LCD process on glass substrate. They've also got the world's slimmest -- 0.63mm -- TFT-LCD available in both 1.9-inch and relatively massive 8-inch versions, the latter boasting a 400cd/m2 brightness and 2.1-gram weight. Not bad, but they can't hold a candela to future generation OLEDs. Perhaps most interesting, though, are a pair of in-cell, multi-touch displays offered at 4.3- and 8-inches. The panels are said to offer superior anti-glare properties while manufacturing the multi-touch feature directly into the LCD cell without necessitating any additional glass. The 4.3-inch panel hits mass-production this quarter. Feel free to speculate on which MID devices might sport 'em.

[Via DigiTimes]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Sharp unveils 22 thin, internet ready LCDs

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/293527284/

Filed under: Displays, HDTV

Sharp's re-upped on the super-size rollouts, with 22 LCDs including every color and size variation, ready to hit shelves this summer ahead of the Beijing Olympics. Available in black or brown, the RX5 series (pictured) headlines the pack with 65-, 52- and 46-inch versions including 1080p resolution, 120Hz motion, a "living contrast" ratio of 1500:1 (dynamic ratio 20,000:1), 12bit image processing and internet access to a specially tuned Yahoo! Japan page all packed into a 5cm deep frame (42- and 52-inch, 6.6cm for 65-inch). The more mainstream GX5 line ranges from 52- to 32-inches complete with all the 1080p resolution, side mounted ARSS "Around Speaker System", DLNA access and internet hookups we know and love, plus 32- and 26-inch GH5 models that drop down to 720p, losing the around speakers, internet and 1080p res. The DS5 line is aimed at those who don't need internet access, but do need to choose between black, white and red LCDs. Check the chart on Sharp's page to compare with the "world's thinnest" X-series and see what HDTV corresponds with your social status when these drop in June.

[Via AV Watch & Akihabara News]

Read - Aquos 22 LCD models comparison
Read - R series
Read - G series
Read - D series

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Apple looks to OTA downloads for 3G iPhone, record labels look for cash

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/293646836/

Filed under: Cellphones

According to a churning rumor-mill, Apple desperately wants to make over-the-air downloads of iTunes content a reality on the 3G iPhone. Apparently, a record label executive "familiar with the discussions" states that the Cupertino gang is hoping for a "big launch in June" which includes OTA music downloads, ringtone sales, and ringback tones (the substitute music you hear instead of a ring when calling someone). There's only one problem: the labels want a higher premium for those services than a typical MP3 download. Of course, Apple's iTunes pricing has been a point of contention for some time, though its recent rule-bending for HBO could lead to upped charges for the new services. Something tells us Apple has the tenacity and bullheadedness to make this work -- let's just hope they can temper the labels' greed with the end user's economic realities.

[Via AppleInsider]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

IOGEAR rolls out USB-sharing Net ShareStation

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/293827534/

Filed under: Peripherals, Networking

We're not exactly hurting for wireless, USB-sharing options right about now, but when it comes to devices that let us yank another cable from our desk, we're all for a bit of excess. This latest one comes to us from IOGEAR, which opted for the sharing-over-network method with its new Net ShareStation. Like other similar devices, this one plugs straight into your router (wireless or otherwise) and, in this case, accommodates up to four USB devices of your choice, although you'll need to provide your own AC-powered 4-port USB hub if you plan to use more than one device with it. If that last rather lame detail isn't a deal-breaker for you, you can get your hands on this one now for $80.

[Via Blast]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

DIYer uses mountain bike to pedal around Google Earth

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/293946601/

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

Not quite sure what's up with the recent influx of bicycle-related DIY jobs, but nevertheless, we've another one on our hands here with Mike's Flying Bike. Essentially, Mike utilized a SunSPOT as well as a plethora of other sensors in order to modify his mountain bike for use as a Google Earth controller. In ET-like fashion, he's now able to pedal around various locations in the world, simultaneously burning through excess calories, opening his mind to new locales and monumentally inflating his ego. If you've got seven minutes to spare, you can check this thing out in action just beyond the break.

[Via Google Earth Blog, thanks Roger]

Continue reading DIYer uses mountain bike to pedal around Google Earth

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Roku reveals first Netflix set-top-box, reviews flow in

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/294002573/

Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment

Well, would you look at that? After a mildly uncomfortable wait, the very first Netflix set-top-box has landed (the Xbox 360 with plug-ins notwithstanding). Thanks to Roku, users can finally tap into (a portion of) the Netflix library without having to wait for physical discs to arrive -- and for just $99.99, no less (though unlimited access to online films still requires an $8.95 or higher monthly fee for the traditional service). Better still, the HDD-less Netflix Player can even utilize a wireless signal to pull in streams, though your miles may vary on actual performance. As for ports, you'll find HDMI, component, composite, Ethernet, S-Video and a Toslink optical audio jack. Initial reports are looking pretty positive from here (save for the glaring lack of HD support), but feel free to dig into the reviews below to get a better feel of what this box really has to offer.

Read - Roku Netflix Player officially introduced
Read - PCMag review (4 out of 5)
Read - CNET review (7.7 out of 10)
Read - Wired review ("...just shy of totally amazing.")

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Monday, May 19, 2008

Turn a Hallmark Music Card into a Cereal Box Speaker [How To]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/lifehacker/full/~3/293036254/turn-a-hallmark-music-card-into-a-cereal-box-speaker

Instructables poster Justin Seiter didn't let a slightly cheesey but expensive Hallmark card with audio go to waste. Using a glue gun, a junky set of old headphones, electrical tape, a utility knife and a mini-cereal box, he created a speaker for his iPod (or any stereo-jack-accepting device). It might not power your home theater, but it gets stereo sound from the headphone wires and might make for a geek-pride spare speaker in a bedroom or bathroom. Hit the link for full instructions on piecing your childhood breakfast favorites and throwaway electronics into modern audio accessories.