Dr. Augustine Fou's Online Scrapbook

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Researchers develop infrared vegetable harvesting robot, to the disgust of children everywhere

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/12/researchers-develop-infrared-vegetable-harvesting-robot-to-the/

Researchers at England's National Physical Laboratory are working on a device that uses a modified microwave measurement system, terahertz and far-infrared radio frequencies, and a clever cauliflower detection algorithm to let robots "see" beneath -- and harvest -- crops that current technology cannot. So far, the imaging system has been successfully demonstrated in the lab, sparking the interest of at least one UK lettuce grower, and it looks like a product could be commercially available as early as next year. According to Dr. Richard Dudley, Project Lead at NPL, the team began by focusing on cauliflower crops because they're both "one of the hardest" to measure, and totally gross.

Filed under: Robots

Researchers develop infrared vegetable harvesting robot, to the disgust of children everywhere originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Aug 2009 10:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft and Nokia announce Office coming to Symbian

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/12/microsoft-and-nokia-announce-office-coming-to-symbian/

We didn't expect too many fireworks from Microsoft and Nokia's joint teleconference this morning, and, well, we didn't get any. As expected, Office Mobile is coming to Symbian, along with Office Communicator Mobile, SharePoint, and Microsoft System Center, and the two companies also said they'll be working on "future user experiences" for Nokia customers. Don't get too worked up about that, though -- Nokia said it was "deeply committed to Symbian," and that "there are no such plans" to work on a Windows Mobile device. So much for that. We did ask whether this partnership would affect Nokia's rumored Maemo plans, and we were told that development is Symbian-focused for now, but that there might be "other business opportunities" in the future, so at least that door remains open a hair -- but for the most part this is all about Microsoft and Nokia trying to stake out a stronger enterprise position, not anything else. Video after the break, if you're having a hard time taking that nap.

Continue reading Microsoft and Nokia announce Office coming to Symbian

Filed under: Cellphones, Software

Microsoft and Nokia announce Office coming to Symbian originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Aug 2009 12:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Palm lays the smack down on Pre theme for Android

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/12/palm-puts-the-smack-down-on-pre-theme-for-android/

Android's supposed to be all about peace, love, and openness, but that apparently doesn't exempt it from copyright law and trigger-happy general counsels (who knew?). In a move that should come as absolutely no surprise to anyone, Palm has sicced its legal team on the makers of the aptly-named "Palm Pre Android Theme" that borrows icons, wallpapers, and mojo (not to be confused with Mojo) directly from webOS. The concerns center around the usual suspects -- graphics copyrights and trademark infringement -- and the company is demanding that they cease use of the Pre's interface, name, and all that good stuff by some date that's been redacted from the leaked letter (we're assuming it's soon). To be fair, Palm comes out and says that it "appreciates that imitation is the most sincere form of flattery," but at the end of the day, they're concerned about the potential for consumer confusion. Interestingly, to the best of our knowledge, they haven't given the iPhone-based theme the same treatment -- but hey, maybe it's easier to confuse a Hero with a Pre than it is an iPhone... or something.

[Thanks, Justin]

Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds

Palm lays the smack down on Pre theme for Android originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Aug 2009 12:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Atom-based Inhand FireFly SBC promises netbook-level performance at a "fraction" of the power

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/12/atom-based-inhand-firefly-sbc-promises-netbook-level-performance/

SBCs (or single board computers) may not always be the most exciting components around, but it looks like InHand Electronics has managed to break out from the pack a bit with its new FireFly board, which the company claims is the world's "smallest and most power efficient full-function Atom-based SBC." That translates to a total power consumption of about 4.5 Watts in actual numbers (or 500mW in sleep state) and, just as notably, it apparently boasts some performance that's "comparable" to your average Atom-based Dell Mini netbook. What's more, unlike some other similar boards, the FireFly packs both on-board DDR2 and expansion capabilities, which not only broadens the potential product base for it, but could also mean that the eventual products will be smaller than your average handheld / UMPC / MID as well.

Filed under: Handhelds, Laptops

Atom-based Inhand FireFly SBC promises netbook-level performance at a "fraction" of the power originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Aug 2009 14:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lenovo debuts "fit anywhere" Q700 home entertainment PC

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/12/lenovo-debuts-fit-anywhere-q700-home-entertainment-pc/

Looking for something in between a nettop and a full-fledged, sometimes HTPC? Then you might want to consider Lenovo's recently announced Q700 system, which the company describes as the "perfect fit" for anywhere in your home. That's apparently assuming you have some less-than-demanding computing needs, however, as the Q700 is currently only available with a Pentium Dual-Core E5200 processor, along with 4GB of RAM, a max 640GB hard drive, a built-in DVD burner, and the usual integrated Intel X4500 graphics. It does pack an HDMI out, TV tuner, and plenty of other media-friendly features, however, not to mention a starting price of just $499 and a form-factor that lets it be neatly tucked away in your home theater rack. Hit up the link below to get your order in, or a closer look if you're still undecided.

[Thanks, David]

Filed under: Desktops, Media PCs

Lenovo debuts "fit anywhere" Q700 home entertainment PC originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Aug 2009 17:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dell's Zino HD crams desktop parts into miniature enclosure

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/12/dells-zino-hd-crams-desktop-parts-into-miniature-enclosure/

Confirmed specs are scarce, but we're taking the term "desktop parts" -- about the only info Dell will spill so far -- to heart. Hopefully this new Zino HD mini PC from Dell can live up to its name and kick the sometimes sluggish, laptop-inspired Studio Hybrid to the curb as Dell's home theater PC of choice. There's HDMI, eSATA and USB galore, so that's certainly a good start. Should ship sometime this fall.

Gallery: Dell's Zino HD crams desktop parts into miniature enclosure

Filed under: Desktops

Dell's Zino HD crams desktop parts into miniature enclosure originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Aug 2009 18:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dell's slim new Inspiron Z family is totally carb free

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/12/dells-slim-new-inspiron-z-family-is-totally-carb-free/

Dell's got a new lineup heading your way this fall, this time taking its low-cost Inspiron laptop brand to thin land. The Inspiron Z "family" isn't anything stunningly slim, and the 11.6-inch, disc drive free Z in the low end looks positively netbook-ish, but all the laptops are CULV-powered and should probably be arriving at pretty trim price points to fend off the likes of Acer's Timeline series. Hopefully we'll have more details soon (Dell sure does love to tease when it comes to CULV), but for now there are some ultra-exciting laptop stacking pics below to keep you entertained.

Gallery: Dell's slim new Inspiron Z family is totally carb free

Filed under: Laptops

Dell's slim new Inspiron Z family is totally carb free originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Aug 2009 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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HP Pavilion Elite makes an offer you (probably) can't refuse: Blu-ray, Win 7, quad-core CPU for $650

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/12/hp-pavilion-elite-makes-an-offer-you-probably-cant-refuse-bl/

Sure, it's not as sleek as some of the other options out there, but the specs of this HP Pavilion Elite e9110t desktop, for the $649.99 asking price, are pretty stunning: a 2.33GHz Intel Core 2 Quad processor, NVIDIA GeForce G210, 6GB of RAM, a 500GB hard drive , 802.11n, Blu-ray player, and a free Windows 7 upgrade when it finally launches. Offer ends this Saturday, August 15th, but if you're interests have piqued and your wallet has giving the go-ahead, dealnews has all the details and pertinent coupon codes.

[Via CNET]

Filed under: Desktops

HP Pavilion Elite makes an offer you (probably) can't refuse: Blu-ray, Win 7, quad-core CPU for $650 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Aug 2009 20:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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