EPFL mixes graphene and molybdenite to make very efficient, flexible flash memory

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/03/20/epfl-combines-graphene-and-molybdenite-for-super-efficient-memory/

We've seen graphene chips, and we've seen molybdenite chips. What would happen if we combined the two? If EPFL's experimental flash memory is any clue, we might get one of the better blends since chocolate met peanut butter. The chip uses graphene's high conductivity for the memory itself, as well as for electrodes, but stuffs molybdenite in between to rapidly switch electrical states (such as what you'd see in write commands) while using little power. The hybrid is theoretically both faster and more power-efficient than conventional silicon designs, but that's just the start: the extra-thin nature of either material is better-suited to flexible electronics on top of shrinking the chip footprint. If there's anything at this stage that would sour EPFL's dreams of a storage utopia, it's time. There's no immediate mention of commercialization plans for the mutant memory, which could leave us stuck on silicon for awhile.

Filed under: Storage, Science

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Source: ACS Nano

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Send to Kindle buttons now available for web publishers and Wordpress bloggers

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/03/20/send-to-kindle-buttons-web-publishers-wordpress-bloggers/

Up until now, if you wanted to send content from a website directly to your Kindle for later reading, you had to install a browser extension. Now, however, you don't necessarily have to if the site in question has implemented Amazon's new "Send to Kindle" button. Made just for web publishers and Wordpress bloggers, you can already see it on The Washington Post, TIME and Boing Boing websites. Publishers can design how they want the button to look to a certain degree via limited customization of the font, color, size and theme. Like all the other Send to Kindle shortcuts, all readers need to do is select the article they want to ship over, hit the button and they'll see it on their favorite Kindle reader, be it the app or the device. Site owners can head over to the sources below to see how they can participate.

Filed under: Software, Amazon

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Via: PaidContent

Source: Send to Kindle for websites, Send to Kindle Wordpress plugin, Kindle Daily Post

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Wireless 'under the skin' prototype implant beams instant blood test read-outs to your smartphone

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/03/20/wireless-under-the-skin-implant-can-beam-instant-blood-test-re/

A new blood-testing subdermal sensor has been developed by a team of scientists in Switzerland. While that may not sound particularly notable, this half-inch prototype can instantly beam several health metrics to smart devices over Bluetooth, monitoring cholesterol, blood sugar levels as well as the impact of medical treatments like chemotherapy using five built-in sensors.

The device has already been tested on animals and while the researchers hope to begin testing soon on patients that would typically require a lot of blood tests and monitoring, the module is still several years from a commercial release. According to the EPFL's video, the sensor can even predict heart attacks several hours before they occur, sensing minute changes in the bloodstream ahead of time. We've 'implanted' the explanation after the break, but if you're looking for some more medical-minded specifics, head to the source.

Filed under: Science, Alt

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Via: BBC

Source: EPFL

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Amazon Whispercast for Kindle now lets organizations manage mass app distribution on Fire tablets

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/03/19/amazon-whispercast-for-kindle-bulk-app-distribution/

When Amazon introduced its Kindle Whispercast service back in October, it did so with the promise that '"bulk app distribution" would be coming soon for Fire tablets. Fast forward to today and that feature is now live, giving organizations the ability to push purchased applications from an administration account to all managed Kindle Fire tablets. Yes, that even includes BYOD devices, although those users will have to accept an opt-in prompt to participate. If your school or business already participates in the service, there's no need to take any further action -- the ability should be enabled right now. But if you'd still like to sign-up, you can do so at the source.

Filed under: Tablets, Amazon

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Via: TechCrunch

Source: Amazon, (2)

Source: Jeremy Ng (Google+)

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Skitch 2.0 for Windows improves layout, performance, adds social sharing

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/03/20/skitch-2-0-windows-desktop/

It's only been a few short months since the last Skitch for Windows 8 update, but before you can say "spring equinox," it's time for another one. Release 2.0 boasts a number of improvements over its predecessor that include an improved and streamlined layout which showcases the Capture menu, enhanced sharing with services like Twitter and Facebook, and a snappier performance overall. It's available today from Evernote.com or you can wait to snag one from the Windows Store in a few days.

Filed under: Internet

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Source: Evernote Blog

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This leaked 5-inch ZTE handset could be headed to Sprint's LTE lineup

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/03/19/zte-handset-leak-sprint-lte/

Much of ZTE's MWC 2013 focus was its desire to go from white label to global brand name. And from the looks of these leaked shots, the Chinese OEM's taking that goal seriously, purportedly prepping a new handset for Sprint. Going by the rumored name "Quantum," the handset falls below flagship status, allegedly running Android Jelly Bean and bearing a Snapdragon S4 processor, 5-inch 720p display, 1GB RAM and a 13-megapixel rear camera housed in an outsized circular module. There's no visible carrier branding anywhere on the device to confirm its possible Sprint LTE destiny -- only a logo in the notification pane and an anonymous tip, as reported to Android Police, pegs it for that. If this leak does indeed pan out, then that's good news for Sprint subs looking for more hardware choice, giant screens and 4G. And if not, well, no one will know the difference. Check out the source for additional shots.

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile, Sprint

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Source: Android Police

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NVIDIA reveals Volta next-gen GPU platform

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/03/19/nvidia-roadmap-volta-gpu/

We're here at NVIDIA's GPU Technology Conference in San Jose, and company CEO Jen Hsun-Huang has just revealed the next step in its GPU roadmap. Called Volta, it's scheduled to arrive after Maxwell, and will advance GPU technology with a ridiculous amount of memory bandwidth. Volta GPUs will have access to up to 1TB per second of bandwidth by stacking the DRAM on top of the GPU itself, with a silica substrate between them. Then, by cutting a hole through the silicon and connecting each layer it's possible to move, according to Huang "all of the data from a full Blu-Ray disc through the chip in 1/50th of a second." We aren't exactly sure what that means for graphics, but being able to process data that quickly is bound to be a boon for gamers... whenever Volta actually arrives, of course.

Filed under: Desktops, Gaming, Laptops

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Google Drive Realtime API arrives, lets developers make collaborative apps

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/03/19/google-drive-realtime-api-lets-developers-make-collaborative-apps/

Google has been eager to have programmers weave Google Drive sharing and syncing into their apps, but the coveted live collaboration has remained solely in Google's domain. Until today, that is. The company has posted a Google Drive Realtime API that lets third-party apps integrate the same simultaneous collaboration as Google Drive, including important nuances like conflict resolution and presence. More enterprising coders can create custom objects beyond what Google offers on its own. A handful of companies are already using the Realtime API for apps that everyday users can try right away, such as Draw.io, Gantter and Neutron Drive; other developers just need to visit the source link to get started.

Filed under: Storage, Internet, Google

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Via: Google Developers Blog

Source: Google Developers

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NVIDIA updates its mobile roadmap: Logan and Parker, mobile SoCs packing Kepler and Maxwell GPUs

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/03/19/nvidia-mobile-roadmap-logan-and-parker/

Thought the new Tegra 4i was the bees knees when it we saw it last month? Well, NVIDIA gave us a bit more info on the next steps in the Tegra roadmap, Logan and Stark Parker. It turns out that these next two mobile platforms will both utilize NVIDIA's CUDA technology, with Logan packing a Kepler GPU and Parker running a Project Denver 64-bit ARM CPU and a next-gen Maxwell GPU. Logan arrives early next year, while Parker won't be in devices until sometime in 2015.

Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Mobile

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Monoprice MHD Action Cam Review: Not Bad for $100

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5988435/monoprice-mhd-action-cam-review-not-bad-for-100

Wacom Cintiq 13HD graphics display hands-on (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/03/19/wacom-cintiq-13hd-hands-on/

Here's the thing with Wacom's latest Cintiqs: the bigger the display, the more straightforward the buying decision tends to be. The Cintiq 22HD and 24HD dominate at the professional high-end, but, as you get smaller and cheaper, more options come into play -- whether they're non-display tablets like the Intuos5 or complete PCs like Microsoft's Surface Pro (software issues aside). However, if you're looking for full-fledged Cintiq qualities in a smaller package, then this morning's announcement of the $1,000 Cintiq 13HD probably caught your interest. No, it's not the rumored standalone tablet, but our first impression is that it's a lightweight and handy option for serious work. Read on for more.

Gallery: Wacom Cintiq 13HD hands-on

Filed under: Displays

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Dragon Mobile Assistant Offers Completely Hands-Free Texting, Shares Your Location with Loved Ones

Source: http://lifehacker.com/5991258/dragon-mobile-assistant-offers-completely-hands+free-texting-shares-your-location-with-loved-ones

Android: We've discussed how useful Dragon Mobile Assistant, (the spiritual successor to Vlingo, our favorite virtual assistant for Android), is as a hands-free mobile assistant. Now the app has updated to include truly hands-free SMS, and location sharing that will tell someone you're waiting for or traveling to exactly where you are and when you'll likely arrive.

Dragon Mobile Assistant is already a great tool for managing your calendar, placing calls, sending text messages, and staying organized on the go with little fuss. The latest update adds on many of those features. For example, the new hands-free SMS features let you start, dictate, and send SMS messages without touching the phone once, even to send the message out. Plus, when a response comes in, Dragon will read it aloud, giving you the option to reply right then, completely by voice.

The location sharing feature is the other major feature in the new version of the app. You can say aloud, "Tell [X person] where I am," and that person will get a text message with a link to your current position on a Google Map. If the other person is also using Dragon, you can ask your phone "Where's [X person]?" and Dragon will query their device, and if the other person approves, show you exactly where they are so you can meet up with them.

The app has a few other new bells and whistles as well, like the option to automatically dial in to any conference call or scheduled phone call on your Google Calendar, and even more supported voice commands. Check it out at Google Play below.

Dragon Mobile Assistant (Free) | Google Play via Android Police

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Report: Google to Unify Chat as a New Service Called Babble

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5991263/report-google-to-unify-chat-as-a-new-service-called-babble

Google Talk is great: lightweight and fast. But then, Google's also got G+ messenger, Hangout, and even Drive Chat. There are currently so many options across its different platforms that it can get confusing—but Google Babble is apparently set to end that, with one unified, cross-platform chat solution, which will span Android, iOS, BlackBerry, and the cloud.

According to multiple sources talking to Geek, Google's building a whole new service, fresh from the ground up, to unify messaging across Google's various platforms, as well as the likes of iOS and BlackBerry too.

Babble will apparently work in a similar, melded fashion to the best of Google's current chat implementations. You'll be able to dump images in there, fire-up video chat Hangout-style, and chat in a threaded, conversation-organised style.

There's no timescale attached to the report, although Geek says that we'll see more come Google I/O this year. We just hope that it'll blend the best of both worlds when it comes to apps on the mobile side. [Geek]

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Our newest offspring Gizmodo UK is gobbling up the news in a different timezone, so check them out if you need another Giz fix.

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Just Re-Stack and Twist This Lamp When You Get Bored of Its Design

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5991135/just-re+stack-and-twist-this-lamp-when-you-get-bored-of-its-design

Simply re-organizing a room is the easiest—and cheapest—way to give it a fresh look. And the same applies to this Babele layered wooden lamp created by a studio calling themselves Manifattura Italiana Design, or MID for short.

Like a glowing version of the Tower of Hanoi puzzle, the central support of the Babele lamp lights up and is visible through a gap on all of the stacking pieces that define the lamp's shape. When assembled 'properly' it looks like a traditional lamp complete with a shade, but you're welcome to easily re-stack the layers however you want if a more abstract look is what you're after. The only real puzzle here is how to get your hands on one since there's no indication MID is putting the lamp into production.

[MID via Design Milk]

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