Source: http://gizmodo.com/5923819/new-pipe-design-turns-taking-a-shower-into-an-energy+generating-activity
As water churns through the ES Pipe's interior waterwheels, hydroelectric energy accumulates and is stored in the removable bulbs that fit into the top of the pipe. When needed, the bulbs can be removed and used for light.
Source: http://gizmodo.com/5923862/this-97+inch-android-40-archos-tablet-only-costs-250
Coming loaded with Android 4.0—you still have a little wait before you see anything but the Nexus 7 toting Jelly Bean—the slate packs a 9.7-inch 1024 x 768 display, a 1GHz ARM processor and 1GB of RAM. Elsewhere, there's front- and rear-facing cameras and 16GB of internal memory expandable via microSD.
All of which isn't hugely exciting but, dude, this thing costs $250. There are few tablets the size of an iPad for that kind of money so, if you need a bigger screen but are strapped for cash, maybe this is the solution?
Well, don't speak too soon. We've yet to see one in the flesh—they're due to become available by the end of July—but we have an inkling that the build quality might not be the finest you've ever encountered. Definitely worth seeing in person before you rush off to preorder the thing, then. [Business Wire via Verge]
Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/07/05/samsung-q2-2012-earnings-projections-galaxy-s/
Samsung's complete earnings results for the April - June 2012 period won't come out until July 27th, but Reuters reports its early guidance to investors estimates the company's profit at a record 6.7 trillion won ($5.9 billion). That's mostly due to strong sales of the ever-expanding (and increasingly targeted by lawsuits) line of Galaxy smartphones. Sales forecasts are slightly below earlier estimates, and while there's no specific numbers for each division, a Bloomberg breakdown of analyst predictions suggests there should be more good news to go around later this month.
Continue reading Samsung expects record earnings for Q2 thanks to all those Galaxy phone sales
Samsung expects record earnings for Q2 thanks to all those Galaxy phone sales originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 Jul 2012 20:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/07/05/blue-microphones-tiki-now-available/
Remember that miniature USB mic we saw back at CES from Blue? Well, the outfit just announced that the Tiki is hitting store shelves with the same $59.99 price tag we expected. The mobile recording peripheral is now available at Best Buy and is slated to hit Apple stores and other retailers at the month's half-way point. In case you're in need of a refresher, the diminutive unit features Intelligent Speech mode for recording interviews or meetings and Natural Recording mode for capturing your best Jack White guitar riffs. You can also expect proprietary noise cancelling technology, voice isolation and intelligent mute with the kit that is sized similar to a USB flash drive and connects via said ports. If you're itchin' for a closer look before adding one to your mobile recording setup, take a peek back at our hands-on for a few detail shots.
Blue Microphones Tiki USB mic now available at Best Buy, coming to Apple stores July 15th originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 Jul 2012 23:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use o! f feeds< /a>.
Permalink | | Email this | CommentsSource: http://www.engadget.com/2012/07/06/skype-update-for-mac-and-windows/
Those of you who are frequent users of Skype on Windows, Mac or Linux will know that the Microsoft-owned video chat service is often rather busy pushing out updates to its desktop applications. And, you guessed it, today's no exception. Unlike in previous occasions, however, this time Skype's software goods are only for folks using Redmond or Cupertino machines -- but they're also quite diminutive, so the Linux crowd won't be missing out on too much. How so? Well, both versions (Mac 5.8, Windows 5.10) aren't really adding any fresh features, only bringing an undisclosed amount of "generic" bug fixes and some unspecified enhancements to keep the apps running smoothly. You can grab the updates now from either of the links below, or straight from the Skype application on your computer.
Skype's latest update for Windows and Mac apps fixes bugs, improves stability originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 06 Jul 2012 02:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink |Skype (Mac), (Windows) | Email this | Comments
Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/07/06/htc-q2-2012-results-57-8-percent-fall-in-net-profit/
HTC has reported a substantial drop in its quarterly profits, with unaudited results for Q2 2012 totaling T$7.4 billion ($250 million), down from T$17.52 billion this time last year. While it marks an improvement compared to the company's dire first quarter of this year, HTC's been troubled by weaker-than-expected European sales, while customs issues have hampered US sales for high-end devices like the One X. Despite the continued global roll-out of the One series, sales continue to stall, with consolidated sales for last month totaled T$30 billion, unchanged from May and 33.4 percent less than June 2011.
HTC reveals Q2 2012 financial results: 57.8 percent net profit drop blamed on customs issues and weak sales originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 06 Jul 2012 04:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink |Reuters, HTC (PDF) | Email this | Comments
Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/07/06/reuters-develops-remote-cameras-for-2012-olympics/
Sure, the 2012 Olympics may be gearing up for HD, 3D and even Super Hi-Vision broadcasts, but that doesn't mean still photography has lost its appeal. In fact, Reuters photographers Fabrizio Bensch and Pawel Kopczynski are taking Olympic photography to the next level, perching remote-controlled camera rigs in stadium rafters. The system, which the duo has been developing since 2009, can turn, adjust focus and receive commands wirelessly. Once stills are snapped, they're sent to an editing system and then off to distribution. The team is spending more than 12 hours a day installing the cams at different Olympic venues before the games kick off on July 27th. In the meantime, you can sprint to the source for photos of the setup.
Reuters cooks up remote camera rigs for 2012 Olympics, mounts them where humans can't tread originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 06 Jul 2012 05:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Source: http://gizmodo.com/5923692/constellation-lampshade-projects-the-starry-sky-across-your-ceiling
The artist has painstakingly drilled holes in the shade for all of the major stars we can see in the night sky that make up the constellations—and a few others for added atmosphere. And if you're having trouble spotting which is which, the inside of the shade features connect-the-dot hints letting you distinguish Leo from Cancer. We'd say you'll need to bring your own lighting hardware and bulb, but it's a moot point since this looks like a one-off piece that Anna seemingly has no intentions of putting into production. Unless, somehow, the stars align. Sorry.
[Anagraphric via Notcot]
Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/07/05/olympus-announces-meg4-0-wearable-display-prototype-skips-the-s/
While Google may have grabbed headlines for its recent wearable tech, Olympus is doggedly forging ahead with its own prototypes, seven years on. Unlike Project Glass, the MEG4.0 isn't a standalone structure and needs a glasses frame to hang on, although the sub-30g unit shouldn't tax it too much. The QVGA (320 x 240) display can connect to devices through Bluetooth 2.1, with Olympus pointing to a smartphone hook-up to provide both the processing power and internet connectivity -- which sounds different to what we're expecting from Google's effort. The current prototype can squeeze out eight hours of intermittent use, or two hours of non-stop projection. While the device is being pitched at everyday users, Olympus aren't offering any suggestion at launch dates or pricing, but you can check on what the company is willing to share in the (Google-translated) press release below.
Continue reading Olympus announces MEG4.0 wearable display prototype, skips the skydive
Olympus announces MEG4.0 wearable display prototype, skips the skydive originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 Jul 2012 08:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Akihabara News | Olympus Japan (translated) | Email this | Comments
Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/07/05/parrot-zik-launching-in-august-for-399-free-app-included-for-i/
Remember those cool-looking Parrot Zik wireless headphones we saw back at CES? Well, now we have a date and a price for you Philippe Starck fans out there. Announced at the Hong Kong launch event earlier today, these NFC-enabled, active noise cancelling Bluetooth cans will be available globally in August, with the US getting a price tag of $399 before tax (and for those who care, you'll be able to nab one in Hong Kong for HK$3,399 or US$440). During our brief ears-on, we certainly enjoyed the Zik's great audio quality, noise isolation and the intuitiveness of its swipe gesture input. While the battery is swappable, note that this expensive package only comes with one cell (accessible under the magnetic cover on the left can) that typically lasts for around five hours, so road warriors will need to chip in about $30 for a spare one. Alternatively, product manager Theodore Sean (whom we had the pleasure to interview at CES) pointed out a unique and handy feature that sort of bypasses this problem: you can still use the Zik as a pair of passive headphones using the included 3.5mm audio cable, but without any battery juice left, you obviously won't be able to enjoy the noise cancellation function (on a plane, for instance) or even make phone calls.
Continue reading Parrot Zik launching in August for $399, free app included for iOS and Android
Parrot Zik launching in August for $399, free app included for iOS and Android originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 Jul 2012 08:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | | Email this | CommentsSource: http://www.engadget.com/2012/07/05/samsung-75-inch-%20es9000-smart-tv/
Anyone looking to fill half of their lounge with Samsung LCD just got a new size to choose. The 75-inch ES9000 is the bigger brother of the ES8000 that we saw earlier this year and ahead of the official launch in Korea, we managed to get an early eyes-on at a Samsung event held yesterday in London. In short, if you loved the LED-backlit display of the 55-inch model, you're going to adore the ES9000, which features the same smart TV brains alongside a retractable webcam unit housed on the top edge. The picture was pleasingly rich and sharp -- presumably due to the aforementioned backlighting and the ES series' edge-to-edge design. The bezel is a mere 7.9mm and Samsung has decided to coat the frame in a gentle Rose Gold coating which, due to the TV's slightly shady location, was a little trickier to pick out. That premium finish is matched by a premium price tag, however, and will hit checkbooks for 19.8 million won (around $17,450). Despite the UK appearance, retailer John Lewis (which hosted the event) couldn't confirm whether retail models would be coming to its stores in the future. But if you can afford 75 inches of TV, you can also afford a quick flight to Seoul to pick one up.
Samsung announces 75-inch ES9000 smart TV for Korea, with similarly gigantic price tag (eyes-on) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 Jul 2012 08:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink |Newswire Korea (translated) | Email this | Comments
Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/07/05/fujitsu-starts-build-it-yourself-pc-service/
Big PC companies are often seen as being at odds with the concept of custom-built computers: apart from letting us ticking a few checkboxes before we order, they'd rather we not fiddle with the internals. Fujitsu is breaking the mold and embracing some of that DIY culture with its upcoming Hands-on Custom PC Assembly Service. The Japanese can take classes that teach them how to install their picks (from a limited range) of processors, hard drives and RAM. While the program doesn't start completely from scratch -- the motherboard is already installed -- it takes would-be assemblers through many of the experiences of building their own PCs from the ground up. Builders can choose how many components, if they're not quite so ambitious, and learn smart practices like wearing anti-static wristbands. While there won't be as many unintentional jolts of electricity as the real deal, the courses should help PC owners feel comfortable working inside a computer -- not to mention save Fujitsu a few technical support calls. The variable-price courses start in Japan on August 9th for multiple Esprimo desktops and a LifeBook portable. We can only hope that American PC vendors take a few hints and encourage everyone's inner technician.
Fujitsu starts build-it-yourself PC service, lets you go homebrew without the electrical shocks originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 Jul 2012 10:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/07/05/huawei-ascend-d-quad-august-and-october-release/
Been holding onto the hope that Huawei's quad-core flagship would bow relatively soon? Well, it's time to swallow an extra dose of patience because it appears the Ascend D Quad is slated for an eventual late summer / early fall launch. As confirmed to the The Inquirer, the Chinese market will get first crack at the device this August, with a Western European debut to follow sometime after in October of this year. Originally outed at this past Mobile World Congress, the well-specced handset was scheduled for a summer release before technical issues revolving around the company's custom K3 Balong CPU set back mass production. When it finally lands on retailers' shelves, the one-time dynamo device won't look nearly as spectacular, given its now dated ICS OS, the glut of existing Android überphones (i.e. Galaxy S III and One X) and those to come. Does it risk becoming yesterday's mobile news? Only time and your dollars can say for sure.
Huawei Ascend D Quad release set for late August in China, October for European markets originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 Jul 2012 11:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink |The Inquirer | Email this | Comments
Source: http://gizmodo.com/5923601/olympuss-google-glasses-competitor-is-really-nothing-like-google-glasses
Weighing in at 30g, the Olympus model has a 320 x 240 floating screen on the lenses that connects to the wearer's smartphone or tablet using Bluetooth. Google's, meanwhile, are meant to be largely self-contained, not dependent on a tether to an existing device.
The Meg 4.0 supposedly boasts eight hours of battery life, though that's kind of a technicality—Olympus actually expects people to use the glasses in 15 second spurts about every three minutes, which according to someone's math, amounts to eight hours total. It also looks kind of like a Praying Mantis Olympus wants you to wear on your face. The glasses also have an accelerometer, so they can tell which way the person sporting them is facing. But they don't have a camera, which has been one of the main features Google thus far has used to advertise its nerd shades.
The Olympus and Google glasses do have two things in common though; no real release date, and they're both ugly as sin. [Olympus via SlashGear]
Source: http://gizmodo.com/5923321/would-apple-iglass-be-better-than-googles-glasses
Or, you know, be just as stupid as Google's Project Glass, only prettier.
Like Google's thingamajig, Apple's eyeglasses would—in theory—project all this information directly into the user's eyes using LCD projectors.
But unlike Sergey Brin's pet project, Apple's iGlass would not have the projector in front of your eyes. The projectors would be located on the side of the eyeglasses, looking into the glass, not the user's eyes.
Apple's patent describes a method in which the image travels through a special glass to land directly into the user's pupils. This, in theory, will provide with an illusion of total immersion.
Also unlike Google's Project Glass, the theoretical iGlass would use two heads up displays, not just one. Apple's patent says the dual projectors would provide with that total immersive experience which, in addition, would avoid motion-sickness because it would use stereoscopic projection.
The patent claims this method will also enable the specs to greatly fill the user's field of view and increase the quality of the image.
But as cool as this may sound, a product like this would suffer from the same problem as Project Glass: it will require users to change their habits and wear something on their heads. People will really need to get an actual benefit out of them, beyond the novelty of taking photos and video. Or just seeing Yelp ratings on top of restaurants and storefronts.
The fact is that we don't need to see Yelp ratings at all times, or take photos and video at all times, or see the world through a computer. That's why we have smartphones that can be easily used and put away.
But maybe Apple's method can at least make these useless face-invaders look better. Perhaps people will feel less like douchebags wearing glasses that don't have weird attachments that make you look like a character from the original Star Trek series.
For now, however, Apple just has a patent. At least Google has some hardware, even if it's just beta-quality, ultra-expensive and only does a tiny fraction of all the magical things the company initially told us it would do. [USPTO via TNW via Redmond Pie]
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