Open Source Remote Control lets you pilot just about any drone

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2014/11/02/open-source-remote-control/

Drones and other remotely piloted vehicles are inherently limited by their controls; you frequently have to switch controllers when you switch vehicles, and you can usually forget about customization. You might not have to worry if the Open Source Remote Control (OSRC) project gets off the ground, however. The long-in-development peripheral uses a mix of modular hardware and Linux-based software that lets you steer just about any unmanned machine. On top of a programmable interface, you can swap in new wireless modules and shoulder switches to either accommodate new drones or improve existing controls. You can also attach a 4.8-inch touchscreen module (typically for a first-person view), use cellular networks or even share one vehicle between multiple operators -- handy if you're at a flying club or shooting a movie.

OSRC is leaning on crowdfunding to get started, and the amount you pledge dictates just what kind of remote you'll get. The core unit, which includes 2.4GHz wireless and standard shoulder buttons, costs €480 (about $600); if you want GSM, GPS and the touchscreen add-on, you'll want to spend €1,250 ($1,565) on the Advanced kit. Both devices should arrive in April 2015 if all goes well. Either is relatively expensive, but they could easily justify themselves if you take your RC craft very seriously.

Filed under: Peripherals, Robots

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Source: Indiegogo

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The iBox Nano 3D printer is almost as cheap as it is tiny

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2014/11/02/ibox-nano-3d-printer-kickstarter/

We've seen our share of 3D printers 'round these parts, but the iBox Nano could be one of the smallest yet. Its creators claim that the gizmo is not only the most diminutive resin printer, but also the most affordable in addition to being the word's quietest and lightest 3D printer to date. It achieves these bullet points in a few ways, namely by using LEDs instead of a DLP bulb for light (cuts down on size and noise) and acrylic parts for the actual printer body. The end result is a box measuring 4 x 3 x 8 inches and weighing in at three pounds. What's with going small, though? Well, the inventors say that, statistically, folks who buy bigger (and costlier) 3D printers tend to only print smaller objects anyway -- this is a matter of calculated efficiency.

Taking that theme even further, you can print without installing any software; everything is handled via WiFi and your web browser -- you can even print from Android and iOS devices. And if you're wondering what's actually possible with the Nano, like Gizmodo notes, the pitch video and Kickstarter page are rife with things like high-res chess pieces, rings and even a velociraptor head with individual teeth. Want one for custom trinkets of your own? All it takes is a $269 pledge and for the project to raise the rest of its $300,000 funding goal (about $92,000 as of this writing).

Filed under: Cellphones, Desktops, Household, Laptops, Peripherals, Mobile

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Via: Gizmodo

Source: Kickstarter

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These LED bulbs are brighter despite fewer diodes and a lower price

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2014/10/31/cree-led-bulbs/

One of the toughest parts to swallow of LED lighting technology is just how costly it can be. Well, the folks at Cree have taken umbrage with that and developed a bulb that'll retail for around $5 per 40- and 60-watt-equivalent bulb -- less than some standard CFL lamps by a few bucks. How's it doing that? In part by changing the bulbs' design and eliminating the need for heat sinks. As IEEE Spectrum reports, instead of the collar that more or less does double-duty holding the LEDs in place and dissipating heat, the new models get rid of hot air via convection. Meaning, as diodes get warmer, they naturally draw cool air in from outside the bulb as the higher temperature rises upward and outward.

Cree's also cut costs (and prices) by clipping the amount of LEDs from 10 in its 60-watt-equivalent bulbs down to eight. They don't lose any light power in the process, though. As a matter of fact, the diodes run at higher power to produce more of it. Oh, and according to the outfit's Mike Watson, the collar-less design makes the dimmable bulbs look like a traditional incandescent, which he thinks will speed up adoption. Sure? Seems like a bit of a stretch, but hit the comments if bulb shape is what kept you away from the tech.

Filed under: Household

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Via: IEEE Spectrum

Source: Cree

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Kodak's new action cam offers 360-degree views of your stunts

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2014/10/30/kodak-pixpro-sp360-action-cam/

Kodak has already thrown its hat into the action cam fray, but its new gadget offers a much wider view of the goings-on. The company's PIXPRO SP360 effort captures footage with 360-degree views in full HD (1080p), which it says is capable of creating "fully immersive images" without having to employ a fleet of cameras. With a dome-shaped fixed lens up top, the diminutive device records the aforementioned video at 30 fps with a 16-megapixel MO sensor, while offering Front (212 degrees), Split (180-degree front and rear views at the same time), Dome (214 degrees) and Sphere (360 degrees) modes for alternative vantage points.

As you might expect, the unit packs WiFi connectivity for syncing up with a mobile device of computer for remote viewing and controls from up to 65 feet away. In addition to being splashproof, freezeproof, shockproof and dustproof, the SP360 features a motion sensor that can automatically start recording when it picks up movement. And it can snap 10-megapixel stills of all the action, too. Pricing starts at $349, but if you're looking to pick up the kit that includes a waterproof case and both bar and adhesive mounts, you'll need to fork over an additional $50.

Sean Buckley contributed to this report.

Filed under: Cameras

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Source: Kodak

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CHART: LinkedIn's Revenue Is On The Up And Up

Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/chart-of-the-day-linkedins-revenue-is-on-the-up-and-up-2014-10

LinkedIn reported earnings for its fiscal third quarter of 2014 on Thursday. Revenue and expectations surpassed Wall Street's expectations — it reported $568 million on $0.52 EPS, versus predictions of $557.49 million in revenue on $0.47 EPS.

Based on company data charted for us by BI Intelligence, LinkedIn's revenue continues to see steady growth in its three major lines of business — talent solutions, marketing solutions, and premium subscriptions — even though the company's year-over-year growth has been pretty flat. But LinkedIn has also been investing much of its own money to boost membership on the network: It recently redesigned its user profiles and even launched a new app called Connected to make networking among contacts easier.

SEE ALSO: CHART OF THE DAY: All Of Facebook's Revenue Growth Is Coming From Mobile Ads

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Why Everyone Wants to Kill the Mouse and Keyboard

Source: http://gizmodo.com/why-everyone-wants-to-kill-the-mouse-and-keyboard-1652834936

In the past few decades, everything about our computers have changed. The screens. The guts. The size, weight, and materials. The software itself, of course. But one thing has stayed exactly the same, frozen in time from the early days: The tools we use to tell them what to do. So it's odd that we're so desperate to throw them out the window.

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LG slims smartphone bezels to a virtually non-existent 0.7mm

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2014/10/30/lg-slim-bezel-lcd/

You might talk about how much you hate large bezels, but LG is actually doing something about it. It just unveiled a 5.3-inch, 1080p LCD display with 0.7mm bezels, less than the width of a credit card. The Korean company said they're the world's narrowest, thanks to "Neo Edge" module processing and "advanced in-cell touch" tech. That's a fancy way of saying that the panel's circuit board and backlight are glued together instead of taped, and that the touch panel is embedded into the LCD module. LG added that the dust- and waterproof display is substantially more durable too -- though we can't help but wonder if replacement parts will be pricier. If that Sharp Aquos Crystal X bezel now seems downright bulky, too bad -- LG's new screen will initially be built for Chinese smartphones only.

Filed under: Cellphones, LG

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Source: LG

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Google makes Play Books more student friendly

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2014/10/30/google-play-books-android-student-features/

Google's latest Play Books update for Android makes the app a lot easier to use for reading non-fiction e-books. See, Play Books is perfect if you're just reading something from cover to cover. But if you're using it to read text or reference books for school, or maybe even cookbooks (materials you usually flip through to find the page you're looking for), then it can be infuriating to use. Now, the latest version comes with a handful of features to change that, including one called Skim Mode that makes it easy to skim pages, as you can see after the break. Another feature called Quick Bookmarks lets you jump between the parts you've bookmarked, while the last one called Notes & Highlights is especially useful for students, since it lets you highlight text (say, quotes or important info you want to remember later) and take notes while reading. If you desperately need these features to get you through the next semester, head over to Google Play to download the app's latest version.

Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Mobile, Google

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Samsung's 3G-ready Gear S watch reaches the US November 7th

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2014/10/30/samsung-gear-s-reaches-us-nov-7th/

Itching to strap Samsung's 3G-equipped Gear S smartwatch on your wrist? If you're in the US, you'll only have to wait one more week. The cellular-capable timepiece is now officially slated to reach American stores on November 7th, including Best Buy, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon. Just how much you'll pay depends on your choice of network. Verizon hasn't mentioned pricing just yet, but AT&T will sell the Gear S for $200 on a two-year contract; Sprint and T-Mobile will offer the wristwear on monthly installment plans that have you shelling out respective totals of $384 and $350. That's a lot to pay in the current smartwatch market, but this is also one of the few wearables that lets you leave your phone at home.

Filed under: Wearables, Mobile, Samsung, Verizon, Sprint, AT&T, T-Mobile

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Source: Samsung Mobile US Press

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Article: LG Display announces world’s narrowest 0.7mm bezel LCD display

LG Display is having a good year so far, having seen profits increase last quarter, and the company has just made another important breakthrough in its smartphone display technology. LG Display has announced a 5.3 inch Full HD LCD panel which has the world's narrowest bezel – just 0.7mm. For a li...

http://www.androidauthority.com/lg-display-0-7mm-bezel-545083/

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Short: Tech company invents android data couriers to fight cyber-attacks

Source: http://sploid.gizmodo.com/short-tech-company-invents-android-data-curriers-to-fi-1652161810/+caseychan

Hasraf Dulull is a master of digital visual effects with an uncanny vision of our near future: A tech company creates an army of badass android data couriers to fight against cyber-terrorism.

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'Microsoft Band' fitness tracker leaks out (update: goes on sale Thursday for $199)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2014/10/29/microsoft-band-leak/

It looks like the curtains have been raised early on Microsoft's attempt to join the wearable game. Windows Central points out that sync apps have appeared in the Mac and Android app stores (update: and Microsoft's), set to personalize and track data for your "Microsoft Band." Rumors had pointed to a fitness tracker more than a watch that could debut within weeks, and judging by the apps that's just what we'll get. According to the Google Play, Windows Phone Store and iTunes listings, the device itself has more in common with Nike's FuelBand than the what we've seen from Apple and Google so far. That includes tracking steps, heartbeat, calories burned and sleep quality. 9to5Mac linked a privacy agreement that goes into even deeper detail about what else it can do, namely display notifications from your mobile device or take notes and set reminders with Cortana.

Update: Microsoft confirmed that the Band will go on sale for $199 Thursday in its online and physical stores, to US customers only, in "limited quantities." Designed by Quentin Morris (who also developed the Xbox One controller), it carries ten sensors onboard to measure things from heart rate to UV exposure to stress levels, and can last as much as 48 hours on a single charge. As indicated by the apps, it's ready to work with whatever mobile platform you bring to the table, but with its built-in GPS, you can go running without a phone and still track your workout.

The Microsoft Health service that does all the heavy lifting of storing data and syncing notifications to the Band's 310 x 102 res display is similar to Apple HealthKit and Google Fit, but the plan here is to open it up for use on devices and platforms built by others. As our source indicated, not only is the device cross platform-ready, Microsoft will look for other companies (think Samsung, HTC, Pebble, Fitbit) to make their devices Microsoft Health compatible. That way they can sync into the data and notifications immediately, all powered by the Microsoft backend.

Microsoft Health is also your way into its "Intelligence Engine", which automatically tells you things like which exercises burned the most energy, and how well you've been sleeping. The plan is to wrap that data up with info from your Outlook calendar and GPS data to give a broader look at what's impacting your fitness level. Other companies can license the ten sensor setup for their own devices, while UP by Jawbone, MapMyFitness, MyFitnessPal and RunKeeper are already on board with Microsoft Health. Another feature that's coming is the ability to share data (if you choose) from the HealthVault with your medical provider. Microsoft thinks it has the perfect system for folks active both at work and in the gym -- take a peek at the demo video below and see if it's worth the $200.

Filed under: Wearables, Mobile, Microsoft

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Via: Windows Central, 9to5 Mac

Source: Microsoft Band

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FAA to drone pilots: fly near big sports events and face prison time

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2014/10/30/faa-warns-against-drones-near-sports/

If you have dreams of recording your own aerial footage of a baseball game using a drone, you'll want to put them on ice. The FAA has issued a warning to all pilots that they'll be fined or imprisoned if they fly remote-controlled aircraft too close to large sports venues (specifically, within 3 miles and under 3,000 feet) during events. The heads-up is ultimately an extension of an existing no-fly notice, but it represents the first time that the FAA has explicitly outlined criminal penalties for flying drones in restricted airspace -- it's not just promising tougher rules. You probably won't object to these particular guidelines if you like your sports distraction-free, but the notice suggests that other crackdowns might be coming soon.

[Image credit: Leon Halip/Getty Images]

Filed under: Robots

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Via: Ars Technica, AP (Lake County Record-Bee)

Source: FAA

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London police raise privacy hackles with gang violence software

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2014/10/30/london-police-gang-violence-study/

London's Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) has completed a 20-week study in a bid to more accurately predict whether specific gang members are likely to commit violence. The software, developed by Accenture, pulls data together from systems already used by the MPS and runs it through an analytics engine. It's looking at geography, past offenses, associations with other criminal and even social media postings. An MPS spokesman told the BBC that the system would record and analyze threats or negative comments made by gang members on social media, for example.

Prior to launching the pilot, police analyzed data on London gangs in 32 boroughs for a period of four years to see who was most likely to commit mayhem. That study was then compared to actual acts of violence recorded in its crime logs. The MPS said the experiment accurately pinpointed future villains, though it wouldn't divulge which criteria it used for its predictions.

That lack of informatio has irked privacy groups, who feel the study smacks of mass surveillance and tramples on privacy rights. Big Brother Watch, a UK privacy think-tank, told the BBC that such programs "run the risk of unfairly targeting certain groups of people" and unfairly stigmatizing them. Similar arguments have been made against NSA surveillance or New York City's now-defunct "stop and frisk" program, for instance -- both of which tend to target specific minority groups. The MPS replied that the new study is focused on gang violence only, and is simply a way to fight crime efficiently given its limited resources.

Filed under: Storage, Science

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Via: BBC

Source: Accenture

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LG's 4K monitor has Thunderbolt support, dead-accurate colors

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2014/10/29/lg-digital-cinema-4k-monitor/

If your 4K project will be beamed onto millions of TVs or movie screens, "close enough" color accuracy won't cut it. LG wants to help with the 31MU97 Display Cinema 4K monitor, a 31-inch, 4,096 x 2,160, 19 x 10 ratio display with 10-bit color that can cover 99.5 percent of the AdobeRGB spectrum. That'll work well for photographers, but it'll also suit moviemakers thanks to the Dual Color Space mode. When switched, it'll reproduce 97 percent of the "DCI-P3" color space used by filmmakers to grade digital cinema camera footage. It will also work on a PC or Mac, thanks to Thunderbolt support. Such displays can run breathtaking sums, but the 31MU97 looks more reasonable -- it's listed on LG's Australian site at $2,499 Australian dollars ($2,195 or so). It'll hit stores this week in the US, Germany, the UK and Australia, followed by other parts of the world in November.

Filed under: Displays, LG

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Source: LG

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