Wednesday, November 18, 2009

This Woman Will Make Our Walls Breathe [Designers]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/jdlo_pMU7Qw/this-woman-will-make-our-walls-breathe

Every single day we oooh and aahhh over the latest design concepts, but right now, let's focus on one of the minds behind such designs and smile in awe of her motivations and inspirations. Meet MIT designer, Neri Oxman.

Oxman went through medical school, but abandoned that career path for a "mishmash of design, architecture, art, and computer programming."

She works out of MIT's media lab and strives to bring about her vision of the future which consists of all objects living, breathing, and adapting as we interact with them. She imagines organic architecture designs, nanotube walls which change size, chairs that change shape as you sit, DNA-encoded clothing that grows with you. She explains that studying how human bones adjust, getting thicker when a woman is pregnant or thinner when individuals are in outer space, inspired that vision of hers.

As with many other designs that we see, Oxman's are stunning in their intricate plays with textures and materials, but to me the dreamy vision that pushes her to create them adds so much more to the way I view her works. I expect them to draw breath. Maybe we should start taking closer looks at the minds behind the eye-candy we so enjoy. Are there any objects, maybe even gadgets, that truly made you want to know how they were inspired? [Materialecology Blog via Materialecology via Esquire]




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ATI Radeon HD 5970: The World's Fastest Graphics Card [Graphics Cards]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/kdZDfR0qrkU/ati-radeon-hd-5970-the-worlds-fastest-graphics-card

The ATI Radeon HD 5970 slaughters the competition in pretty much every benchmark thrown at it. It's outrageously fast. We're talking five teraflops here, people. Teraflops.

MaximumPC put the 5970 to the test, and found that it lives up to its promise. The 2GB dual-GPU card is the first to support DirectX 11, and basically doubles its wholly respectable predecessor (the 5870) in specs, capable of delivering nearly 5 teraflops of raw processing power. It's a massive card, about a foot long, designed mostly for heat dissipation, at which aim it apparently succeeds. It's also got easy access to overclocking via AMD's OverDrive, and can drive up to three displays simultaneously with a maximum resolution of 7680x1600. So it's pretty much the greatest thing ever, and it's got a pricetag to match: $600 upon its undisclosed release. Yow. [MaximumPC]




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The True Google Phone We've Been Waiting for May Be Coming Soon [Google]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/17wA0uVlVRY/the-true-google-phone-weve-been-waiting-for-may-be-coming-soon

TechCrunch is hearing some veeeeeery interesting rumors about a true Google Phone: Not just an Android device, but a phone designed top-to-bottom by Google to fulfill their dream of exactly what Android can be.

We've heard rumors like this before, but this time there are a few distinct elements that seem credible. The rumblings are a bit vague, but point to an outsider-made but Google-dictated device, sort of like how Microsoft's first Zune was actually made by Toshiba—and in the case of the Google Phone, there are a couple options for the possible manufacturer. The obvious choice is HTC, who's been the major hardware manufacturer of Android devices, but TechCrunch hears that the source of the hardware will be Korean, not Taiwanese, which likely points to either Samsung or LG.

Samsung has a long-standing relationship with Apple, supplying tons of parts for the iPhone, so maybe LG would step up to the plate and develop this phantom device. LG's no stranger to Android, but has been a minor player up to this point—maybe they've been working on this mysterious Google Phone in the meantime, which is supposedly aiming for an early 2010 release.

Right now, we don't know much of anything, so we're reaching out to you guys—if you've heard anything about a possible Google Phone, please shoot us an email. [TechCrunch]




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Motorola Droid camera autofocus fixed in secrecy? (Update: it's a date-related self-correction)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/17/motorola-droid-camera-autofocus-fixed-in-secrecy/

While we were busy looking into external speaker problems on the Droid, it would seem Moto was itself hard at work remedying a separate issue with the device. A number of users on support forums have complained of the Droid's camera failing to focus and giving them "red corners" when attempting to take pictures, but now -- suddenly and without warning -- their ailment has gone away as if touched by the hand of an omnipotent being (or, alternatively, a silent firmware update). This particular autofocus problem was mentioned in Verizon's 5-page treatise on known issues with the Droid, though the planned resolution was an official update by December 11. The fix seems to have been delivered early, as green corners are sprouting up all around, but this silent update conduit sounds a bit nefarious, no?

Update: Sure enough, we can confirm from testing one of our own Droids that the issue has been resolved. The endless quest for the green focus box is over, and you can now finally begin scanning all your discount cards into Key Ring.

Update 2: And things have turned surreal. Dan Morrill, from Google's Android team, has confirmed that there's a date-related bug in the Droid's camera software that leads to it having cycles of good and bad focus that depend on the date. Our own testing confirmed this, as backdating to the 11th of November returned those red bars of failure. Apparently, the cycles last 24.5 days, meaning that you'll have good focus all the way to December 11, when the real fix is expected to drop. So breathe easy, Gotham, there are no phantom updates, just an oddly date-sentient camera.

[Thanks, AlexL and Kaiser]

Read - Android Forums
Read - Howard Forums

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Motorola Droid camera autofocus fixed in secrecy? (Update: it's a date-related self-correction) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AT&T's BlackBerry Bold 9700 starts shipping out to top bananas

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/17/atandts-blackberry-bold-9700-starts-shipping-out-to-top-bananas/

Got an AT&T Premier account at your disposal? Does your nine to five require you to wear a suit on every day that ends in "y?" If you're nodding your head and simultaneously thinking about just how tight that top button is around your neck, there's a decent chance that you can get AT&T's version of the BlackBerry Bold 9700 right now. 'Course, those on T-Mobile have already been enjoying the spoils for a few hours now, but judging by the unboxing shots in the read link, that window of US exclusivity looks to be all but shut. So, anyone jabbing the boss for an upgrade?

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AT&T's BlackBerry Bold 9700 starts shipping out to top bananas originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AMIMON's WHDI wireless HD modules coming to netbooks and laptops

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/17/amimons-whdi-wireless-hd-modules-coming-to-netbooks-and-laptops/

For as long as we can remember, AMIMON's WHDI technology has been reserved for use in high-end AV components -- HDTVs, Blu-ray players, set-top-boxes, etc. Today, the outfit has finally figured out a way to break free from its current box and get all up in the grille of the mainstream market. As of now, WHDI modules are being made available for netbook and laptop manufacturers, enabling portable PCs to send or receive high-def signals from other WHDI-enabled devices sans cabling. The outfit expects lappies with their tech built-in to ship sometim! e in 201 0, and when we prodded for more information on who exactly would be taking 'em up on their offer, the company stated that specific partners wouldn't be announced for a few more months. Still, built-in support for beaming 1080p content from a laptop to an HD panel without a single cord? Major score.

Continue reading AMIMON's WHDI wireless HD modules coming to netbooks and laptops

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AMIMON's WHDI wireless HD modules coming to netbooks and laptops originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google announcing Chrome OS launch plans this Thursday

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/17/google-announcing-chrome-os-launch-plans-this-thursday/

It's looking increasingly unlikely that Google's Chrome OS is really launching this week (not that we were really that convinced anyway). What is true, however, is that the company is hosting an event later this week at its Mountain View, CA headquarters to showcase its progress, provide an overview of the platform, and give information on its "launch plans for next year." Excited? Us, too.

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Google announcing Chrome OS launch plans this Thursday originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 19:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ASUS G51J 3D sports NVIDIA 3D Vision with 120Hz display to bring 'real' 3D to laptops

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/17/asus-g51j-3d-sports-nvidia-3d-vision-with-120hz-display-to-bring/

No knock on Acer, who got here first with the Aspire 5738DG, but it sounds like the ASUS G51J 3D has the technology edge in the nascent 3D laptop category. We'll have to see it in action to be sure, but the laptop is using NVIDIA's 3D Vision tech for extensive game compatibility (around 400 games currently work with it), and a 120Hz, 15.6-inch screen paired with some active shutter glasses. We've found the shutter method to be typically a more enjoyable 3D experience than polarized solutions, with no knock on frame rate or resolution. The GeForce GTX 260M card with 1GB of DDR3 memory doesn't hurt either, but that hugegantic USB IR blaster that has to sit on the desk and sync up with the glasses could be a problem for 3D-on-the-go. Of course, the benchmark friendly Core i7-based G51J which this machine is based on (the only real difference is the screen) was never much of one for portability. The laptop will be out soon, with a starting price of $1,700.

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ASUS G51J 3D sports NVIDIA 3D Vision with 120Hz display to bring 'real' 3D to laptops originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 20:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ATI Radeon HD 5970: world's fastest graphics card confirmed

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/18/ati-radeon-hd-5970-worlds-fastest-graphics-card-confirmed/

ATI just announced its latest greatest polygon cruncher on the planet: the previously leaked Radeon HD 5970. The new card card is also one of the first to support Microsoft DirectX 11 and Eyefinity multi-display (driving up to three displays at once for a 7680x1600 maximum resolution) with ripe potential for overclocking thanks to the card's Overdrive technology. Instead of relying upon a single GPU like the already scorching Radeon HD 5870, the 5970 brings a pair of Cypress GPUs linked on a single board by a PCI Express bridge for nearly 5 TeraFLOPS of computer power, or a mind boggling 10 TeraFLOPS when setup in CrossFireX. Naturally, the card's already been put to the test by all the usual benchmarking nerds who praise the card as the undisputed performance leader regardless of game or application. It even manages to keep power consumption in check until you start rolling on the voltage to ramp those clock speeds. As you'd expect then, ATI isn't going to offer any breaks on pricing so you can expect to pay the full $599 suggested retail price when these cards hit shelves today for retail or as part of your new gaming rig bundle.

Read -- Press Release
Read -- HotHardware review
Read -- MaximumPC
Read
-- Tweaktown
Read -- PCPer

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ATI Radeon HD 5970: world's fastest graphics card confirmed originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 01:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fedora 12 'Constantine' launches with enhanced video codec and power management

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/18/fedora-12-constantine-launches-with-enhanced-video-codec-and-p/

Continuing in the time-honored tradition set by the likes of Fedora 10 and Fedora 11, Fedora 12 (codenamed "Constantine"). With this release comes improvements in the realms of webcam support, video codec, audio, security and power management, as well as "bluetooth on demand" and some virtualization enhancements. The only thing absent for the devout Linux fan? A fun alliteration like Karmic Koala. Missed opportunity, if you ask us.

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Fedora 12 'Constantine' launches with enhanced video codec and power management originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 02:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Google Earth 2.0 For iPhone Brings Custom Maps [Google]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/1dmZwOIyB28/google-earth-20-for-iphone-brings-custom-maps

Google is rolling out Google Earth 2.0 for the iPhone over the next 24 hours and it brings a long-awaited custom map feature by allowing you to sync your Google My Maps with the app.

Along with the custom maps, the update brings more languages and better performance. Anyone managed to get the update yet? [Google Lat Long Blog]




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Flash 10.1 Tests: Hardware Accelerated HD Hulu and YouTube Video? Yes Please [Adobe Flash]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/FW1IhEldNSQ/flash-101-tests-hardware-accelerated-hd-hulu-and-youtube-video-yes-please

The first Flash 10.1 desktop player beta has arrived, and AnandTech has put the new GPU-accelerated video playback to the test. And while the OS X version currently lacks graphics acceleration, Flash 10.1 still serves up improvements on the Mac.

I took the same [480p Hulu] Office clip I'd been using for all of the other tests and ran it on my Mac Pro at full screen (2560 x 1600)….Going from roughly 450% down to 190% (or a bit over 10% of total CPU utilization across 16 threads) made full-screen Hulu playable on my machine. In the past I always had to run it in a smaller window, but thanks to Flash 10.1 I don't have to any longer.

Meanwhile, Nvidia Ion-accelerated video was deemed "almost perfect." Just take a look at the table. CPU-utilization of 70% generally makes video unwatchable, but updating to Flash 10.1 made full screen high-def (1920 by 1200) Hulu a smooth stream on the Ion test system.

ATI chips and integrated Intel graphics ran into a few problems, but they've been attributed to the Flash 10.1 player still being a beta. I recommend giving the full test info a read over at: [AnandTech | Flash 10.1 Download]




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Flash 10.1 Is Good News for Hackintosh Netbooks [Hackintosh]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/3h8mi0f4Qoc/flash-101-is-good-news-for-hackintosh-netbooks

High-Def Flash video is a stretch on some hacktintosh netbooks, but Flash 10.1 brings it into the realm of possibility. I just installed it on my MSI Wind running Leopard, and damn: HD YouTube and Vimeo videos were almost watchable.

I say almost, because there was still some noticeable frame dropping. But still, I could actually watch HD flash video (windowed and full-screen) without it stuttering like a slideshow. One issue with YouTube: the CPU pretty much went into overload once the video was playing, and on the third viewing I had to Force Quit Firefox to wrestle back control.

But this is good news for hackintoshes, and netbooks in general. This is not hardware GPU acceleration (limited to Windows right now), it just seems to be better CPU usage. Earlier today I also posted about AnandTech's Flash 10.1 CPU-utilization tests: they still noticed improvements under OS X, too. If you've given Flash 10.1 a try, post a comment here so other readers can see what sort of netbook you have, and if it's worth trying.

For the record, my MSI Wind U100 has 2GB of memory, a 1.6GHz Atom N270 processor, and integrated Intel 945 graphics. (Pic above is of the Dell Mini 9).




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Fusion-io ioXtreme PCI Express SSD reviewed: wicked fast, bloody expensive

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/fusion-io-ioxtreme-pci-express-ssd-reviewed-wicked-fast-bloody/

Okay, so maybe you didn't need a full-on review to tell you that Fusion-io's ioXtreme PCI Express SSD was staggeringly pricey, but at $11 per gigabyte ($895 for 80GB), you may want to turn a blind eye right now if you're short on disposable income. If you've managed to continue on, then you owe it to your collective senses to give the read link a look. The gurus over at HotHardware were able to get one of these lightning fast devices in for review, and while we were always assured that performance would be mind blowing, it's another thing entirely to see those promises proven in the lab. Critics found the card to be the "fastest overall SSD solution on the market today," with consistent 700MB/sec reads and 300MB/sec writes. Of course, they were still anxious to get their hands on a supposedly forthcoming update to make this thing bootable, and the omission of a RAID BIOS definitely put a small damper on things; still, it's hard to let annoyance such as those overshadow the monster performance numbers, but we'd recommend giving the full skinny a good lookin' at before committing your child's college education fund to a pile of NAND.

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Fusion-io ioXtreme PCI Express SSD reviewed: wicked fast, bloody expensive originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sciphone's Android-toting N21 unboxed, dual SIM slots caught rockin' the suburbs

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/sciphones-android-toting-n21-unboxed-dual-sim-slots-caught-roc/

It may look a lot like the General Mobile DSTL1, but SciPhone's N21 still has its very own soul. Our BFFs over at Engadget Chinese were able to wrangle one in, and naturally they took the opportunity to score a photo shoot and host it for the world to see. There aren't too many surprises to be found, but if you're looking for a pinch of KIRF, twin SIM slots, a 5 megapixel camera and the not-exactly-newest version of Google's mobile operating system, you know where to look.

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Sciphone's Android-toting N21 unboxed, dual SIM slots caught rockin' the suburbs originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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