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Sunday, September 11, 2011

drag2share: Insert Coin: Teagueduino solderless electronic board

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/10/insert-coin-teagueduino-solderless-electronic-board/

In Insert Coin, we look at an exciting new tech project that requires funding before it can hit production. If you'd like to pitch a project, please send us a tip with "Insert Coin" as the subject line.

We've seen the Arduino platform used to do some very, very cool things. You can pick up one of these incredibly versatile contraptions for well under 100 bucks, putting it within reach of the entire gamut of advanced hardware developers. But as simple as it may be to use for the technically inclined, there's still quite a bit of programming required, and you'll probably need to know your way around a soldering iron as well. The Teagueduino sets out to simplify the process, replacing intimidating code with simple drop-down menus, which you can adjust in realtime, giving you instant feedback as you make adjustments to your 'coding' handiwork. The second piece of the puzzle is the Teagueduino board itself, which includes snap-enabled inputs and outputs (yes, that means you can leave the finger-melting soldering iron to the pros).

The hardware/software duo first made an appearance this spring, but it just popped up on Kickstarter, which means the Teagueduino could be making its way to a DIY project near you in the not-so-distant future. Unfortunately it's not cheap -- you'll need to pledge $160 to get a fully assembled kit, while $260 adds extra I/O terminals. The Teagueduino is nearing the halfway point of its $22,000 funding goal with 27 days left to go, and if all goes according to plan, you should have your kit by November. Jump past the break for an overview with the designers.

Continue reading Insert Coin: Teagueduino solderless electronic board

Insert Coin: Teagueduino solderless electronic board originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 10 Sep 2011 12:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: Smozzy dodges T-Mobile data plans, delivers mobile web over text

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/10/smozzy-dodges-t-mobile-data-plans-delivers-mobile-web-over-text/

Paying for your mobile internet data can be such a drag on the wallet. Luckily, there are Android apps like Smozzy that'll get you away from the pricey tiers, and onto the information superhighway via text -- no data plan required. You'll have to be a member of the Magenta brigade to use it, and you'll need an unlimited messaging plan, but after that, it should be smooth sailing and a little bit of extra wait time. So far, the well-reviewed app is still wearing its beta tag, and has only been tested on the Nexus S and T-Mobile G2. But don't let a little wireless experimentation stop you from enjoying the loophole-exploiting internet access. Something tells us this workaround might not be available for long. Hit up the source link below to test drive the SMS'd net for yourself.

Smozzy dodges T-Mobile data plans, delivers mobile web over text originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 10 Sep 2011 14:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: Sharp Aquos SH8298U 3D smartphone goes under the knife, comes out in China

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/10/sharp-aquos-sh8298u-3d-smartphone-goes-under-the-knife-comes-ou/

Same phone, different market -- that's pretty much what we're looking at above with Sharp's "new" 3D Aquos SH8298U. We first got our hands-on this device's twinner -- the Aquos SH-12C -- back at Computex, with that model sporting the Japan-only 1seg receiver, FeliCa (NFC) and 800MHz / 2100MHz bands. This time out, the OEM's made some subtle changes to its China entry, reducing the handset's storage from 8GB to 2GB, and packing it with GSM / WCDMA / HSPA radios. The rest of the spec list remains exactly the same, leaving this skinned Android 2.3 phone with a 4.2-inch qHD stereoscopic 3D display, dual 8 megapixel cameras, 512MB RAM and a 1.4GHz Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon processor. If translated pressers are your idea of fun, go ahead and check out the source.

Sharp Aquos SH8298U 3D smartphone goes under the knife, comes out in China originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 10 Sep 2011 15:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: Touch Vision Interface employs AR to control screens from afar

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/11/touch-vision-interface-employs-ar-to-control-screens-from-afar/

We're not exactly lacking in ways to interact with a screen from afar, but the folks at Teehan+Lax have now put an augmented reality-enhanced spin on things with their so-called Touch Vision Interface. While the "how" behind it is no doubt complicated (and being kept largely under wraps at the moment), the end result is fairly simple: you just point your smartphone at a screen (or two) and start manipulating it from the point of view provided by the phone's camera. Of course, it's all still in the early stages right now, but group sees a wide range of applications for the system -- even including large outdoor billboards. Check it out in action in the video after the break.

Continue reading Touch Vision Interface employs AR to control screens from afar

Touch Vision Interface employs AR to control screens from afar originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 11 Sep 2011 08:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Friday, September 09, 2011

drag2share: Sony's First Ever 4K Home Theater Projector Shoots Super Resolution for Super Cash [Projectors]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5838401/sonys-first-ever-4k-home-theater-projector-shoots-super-resolution-for-super-cash

4K video might be our inevitable future, but for now it's prohibitively expensive and rarely available. Sony's taking care of the latter part with its new VPL-VW1000ES projector—four times the resolution of 1080p (!) for mega, mega bucks.

Sony's many-charactered projector has some serious eyeball muscle: 2,000 lumens of brightness, the aforementioned insanely-high 4096 x 2160 output, and a lens capable of beaming out a 200-inch image. This sounds great! Except it costs "under" $25,000, which probably means very, very close to $25,000. If you're a person with $25,000 to spend on a projector, your retinas will be tickled. Well, at least they will be when you can find 4K video to play. Which might be a bit of a wait. At least the thing is gorgeous to look at in the meantime. [Sony]

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drag2share: You Can Now Blog On Blogger Using Your iPhone [IPhone Apps]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5838625/you-can-now-blog-on-blogger-using-your-iphone

If you blog on Blogger and wish you could post using your iPhone, Google has some good news for you.

On Thursday, Google released the official Blogger app for the iPhone and iPod touch. The app is a modest first effort that'll let you post to your blog, upload photos, tag a post, add labels and more. The app is available for free from the App Store. [iTunes via Google]

You can keep up with Kelly Hodgkins, the author of this post, on Twitter, Google + or Facebook.

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drag2share: ASUS Eee Slate B121 slabs it up for the enterprise market

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/08/asus-eee-slate-b121-slabs-it-up-for-the-enterprise-market/

Temper that excitement. This isn't the rumored quad-core, Kal-El running Transformer 2. Still, ASUS is doing its best to port the tab buzz to the enterprise set with its quietly introduced Eee Slate B121. Unlike its tablet PC bretheren, this business-minded slate runs Windows 7 Professional atop an Intel Core i5 processor, and comes loaded with the security tweaks necessary for the corporate road warrior: like Computrace LoJack for remote location and data wipe, and a Trusted Platform Module microchip that stores encrypted data. Also tacked on to the $1,500 12.1-inch package are a Bluetooth keyboard and Wacom Digitizer stylus. As for the specs, well, there's a 1280 x 800 LED Gorilla Glass display, 4GB RAM, 64GB of storage, dual USB 2.0 ports, mini-HDMI out, SD card slot and 2 megapixel front-facing camera. No official word on exactly when this biz-friendly tablet'll be available, but now would be a good time to convince your IT department to order it up. Be sure to hit the source below for the company's soft sell.

ASUS Eee Slate B121 slabs it up for the enterprise market originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Sep 2011 13:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: Viewsonic's $200 ViewPad 7e Android tablet now available for pre-order

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/08/viewsonics-200-viewpad-7e-android-tablet-now-available-for-pre/

Viewsonic has been at the low-cost Android tablet for some time now, and it showed no signs of letting up on that effort at IFA last week, where it debuted its new ViewPad 7e. If that managed to pique your interest, you'll be glad to know that the device is now available for pre-order for $199.99 (though there's still no promised ship date). That will buy you a 7-inch screen, a 1GHz Cortex-A8 processor, Android 2.3 for an OS, 4GB of built-in storage, a microSD card slot for further expansion, and even a mini HDMI port that will let you output full 1080p video.

[Thanks, Peter]

Viewsonic's $200 ViewPad 7e Android tablet now available for pre-order originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Sep 2011 13:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: Western Digital, Seagate and Hitachi square off in 3TB hard drive roundup

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/08/western-digital-seagate-and-hitachi-square-off-in-3tb-hard-driv/

We've seen 3TB hard drives trickling onto the market for the better part of a year, but it's only now that we're seeing more UEFI-equipped motherboards that can actually handle all that storage capacity. So, the benchmarking wizards over at HotHardware decided now would be a fine time to pit a few of 'em against each other, rounding up models from the likes of Western Digital, Seagate and Hitachi and subjecting them to a grueling battery of 28 tests. We'll leave it to you to peruse the scores, but suffice to say the Seagate Barracuda XT swept about half the benchmarks, and notched a close second the rest of the time. But is it worth spending an extra $30 over Western Digital's consistently trailing Caviar Green? We'll leave that to you and your wallet.

Western Digital, Seagate and Hitachi square off in 3TB hard drive roundup originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Sep 2011 14:48:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: Thermaltake Level 10 GT Snow Edition adds even more flair to an already audacious case

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/08/thermaltake-level-10-gt-snow-edition-adds-even-more-flair-to-an/

Thermaltake Level 10 GT Snow Edition

OK, so the Level 10 GT was a significantly more practical than its BMW designed fore-bearer, but it lacked a bit pizzazz that the OG version brought to the desk. The Snow Edition restores some of its gaudy flair by slathering its accents and protrusions in glossy white paint. In fact, it looks quite a lot like the version we spotted in NVIDIA's booth at Computex in May. The roughly $280 case isn't for the casual system builder, but DIYers who cherish style, silence (HotHardware called it, "easily one of the quietest full-sized ATX cases") and expandability it's a small price to pay. Or, to put it in colloquial terms, this is a bad-ass enclosure. Check out the source link for a thorough review.

Thermaltake Level 10 GT Snow Edition adds even more flair to an already audacious case originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Sep 2011 15:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: Epson launches five 3D, 1080p home theater projectors for serious cinephiles

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/08/epson-launches-five-3d-1080p-home-theater-projectors-for-seriou/

Epson 3D Projectors

New projectors quietly slip on to shelves almost every day, but Epson's new PowerLite Pro Cinema 6010, and updated Home Cinema series certainly caught our attention. They combine 1080p images with active 3D tech for a price that home theater builders shouldn't immediately dismiss. The flagship Pro Cinema 6010 and Home Cinema 5010 lines can output 2,400 lumens while maintaining a contrast ratio of 200,000:1. Both also include the ability to convert 2D content to 3D on the fly. The primary difference between the $4,000 6010 and $3,000 5010 (the wirelessHD-equipped 5010e will run about $3,500) is the included accessories and options: like ceiling mounts, 3D glasses and additional lens modes. The budget 3010 ($1,600) and 3010e ($1,800) models sport a more modest 40,000:1 contrast ratio and 2,200 lumen rating, but do have a pair of built-in 10W speakers. Oddly, only the 3010 package will include 3D glasses. The Pro Cinema 6010 and Home Cinema 5010 line will start shipping in November, while the 3010 series will land in October. Check out the PR after the break.

Continue reading Epson launches five 3D, 1080p home theater projectors for serious cinephiles

Epson launches five 3D, 1080p home theater projectors for serious cinephiles originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Sep 2011 16:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: Synrgic preps its T100 handset for the beast phone race

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/08/synrgic-preps-its-t100-handset-for-the-beast-phone-race/

Synrgic may not be a brand name that resonates with mobile-obsessed statesiders, but that's no reason to shrug off the nascent electronics maker's efforts. Known primarily for its tablet PCs in China, the company is purportedly gearing up for a launch of its first ever smartphone -- the T100. According to a leaked shot over on Chinitech, the handset'll pack a spec list that runs neck and neck with the heavy hitting phones we've seen flood the global marketplace. Sporting a 4.3-inch 960 x 540 display, the device runs an undisclosed version of Gingerbread on a dual-core 1.2GHz Tegra 2 processor, packs 1GB RAM, up to 32GB of internal storage (due to an omitted microSD card slot), and 1.3 megapixel front-facing / 5 megapixel rear camera set-up capable of 720p video capture. There's also an HDMI and USB port, ample 1500mAh battery, WiFi, Bluetooth and 3G GSM / WCDMA frequencies on board. If the gossip is to be believed, this phone'll touch down on retailers' shelves sometime in October or November -- perhaps in time for an Ice Cream Sandwich.

Synrgic preps its T100 handset for the beast phone race originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Sep 2011 17:13:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: AOptix e-Gate could improve global airport security, replace ID checks with iris scans

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/08/aoptix-e-gate-could-improve-global-airport-security-replace-id/

You're certainly not alone if you think that the current airport security process is far from ideal. AOptix hopes to streamline and speed up security procedures by replacing manual boarding pass and ID checks with a biometric kiosk called e-Gate. The new system, which verifies passenger identities by matching an iris scan with a boarding pass, just received (IATA) approval, and is currently being tested in three airports around the world. It's not as slick as a similar concept we saw earlier this summer, but e-Gate could be implemented with a trusted traveler program, creating special lanes for pre-approved frequent fliers -- similar to the US Customs Global Entry system in place today. We don't see it replacing X-ray machines and check-in interviews, but it could remove human error from the equation -- at least when it comes to verifying your identity. Jump past the break for the full scoop from AOptix, or you can check out the system for yourself at the Future Travel Experience in Vancouver.

Update: e-Gate is in fact a potential component of Checkpoint of the Future, which we saw conceptualized in June.

Gallery: AOptix e-Gate

Continue reading AOptix e-Gate could improve global airport security, replace ID checks with iris scans

AOptix e-Gate could improve global airport security, replace ID checks with iris scans originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Sep 2011 17:50:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: JVC shows off projectors with 4K precision, but not quite 4K pixels

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/08/jvc-shows-off-projectors-with-4k-precision-but-not-quite-4k-pix/

JVC first brought 4K home with its $175k DLA-RS4000 and now it's back with four new models with greater than HD resolution at much easier to swallow prices. You'll note the term used is "with 4K precision", because strictly speaking these don't project over 4,000 pixels of horizontal resolution, coming in at a still impressive 3,840 x 2,160 resolution. While this is still about four times the number of a standard HD image, it's less than say, Sony's VPL-VW1000ES. Filling in the difference is JVC's e-Shift technology, which was originally developed for its 8K projector. It works by creating two 1080p frames, with one shifted down diagonally and alternated at 120Hz to create the effect.

The scheme is not far off from the old wobulation technology featured in some "1080p" DLPs once upon a time, but this time there are no moving parts as it's all being done electronically. Shown off with an HD resolution source the upscaled image was still impressively sharp to us, even up close, while it also handles native 4K feed. While JVC may not be winning on raw pixel count, what it does have is a serious price advantage. Sony indicated its hardware would be available for "less than $25,000" but the top of the line JVC has an MSRP of just $12k, while the cheaper model will be $7,999 when they all ship in November. Check out the press release after the break and images in the gallery for details, including those so rarely seen native contrast ratio measurements.

Gallery: JVC CEDIA 2011

Continue reading JVC shows off projectors with 4K precision, but not quite 4K pixels

JVC shows off projectors with 4K precision, but not quite 4K pixels originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Sep 2011 18:50:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: Tursion TS-102 is an Android computer disguised as a pico projector

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/08/tursion-ts-102-is-an-android-computer-disguised-as-a-pico-projec/

Tursion TS-102

This pico projector is more than meets the eye. Underneath that bland, plastic exterior the Tursion TS-102 is actually a dual-core Android computer. That pair of 624MHz cores is pushing the surprisingly outdated Eclair through a lamp that can project an 800 x 600 image up to 100-inches in size at 20 lumens. While you can hook the TS-102 up to another device, there is no need to. It's capable of displaying media stored on the internal 8GB of flash or on a microSD card, and you can navigate apps with the integrated touchpad. Tack on a WiFi radio and an 80-minute rechargeable battery and you've got the makings of a pretty awesome little toy. You can order your own now on Amazon, but the luxury of owning your own pocketable, big-screen computer (and the bragging rights that go with it) will set you back a steep $449.

Tursion TS-102 is an Android computer disguised as a pico projector originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Sep 2011 19:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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