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Friday, January 09, 2009

Vocaloid 3: Japanese Synthesized Singing Sensation Now Knows English [Vocaloid]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/EKjKthVe8zQ/vocaloid-3-japanese-synthesized-singing-sensation-now-knows-english

Vocaloid, the super-popular singing synthesizer from Japan has now gotten an update—and it (she) is bilingual! Meet Megurine Luka, who's "moody and husky" voice is now yours to command in both Japanese and English.

Vocaloids 1 and 2, featuring much higher-pitched robotic singers became the #1 selling software on Amazon Japan. I think the fact that they had pretty, doe-eyed, teenage anime android girls (complete with "personalities" and "back stories") as mascots probably helped their appeal.

That's Luka-chan trying out her synthesized vocal chords in English—singing Amazing Grace. Previously, Western vocaloid fans had to enter all the text in katakana... like this admittedly adorable version of Miku (Vocaloid 2) singing The Proclaimer's 500 Miles.

[ Gizmodo Japan]

ASUS D200 Is a Media Server, Touchscreen Nettop, Router, Box [Eeeeeeeeeeee!]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/DfebRVaR2JE/asus-d200-is-a-media-server-touchscreen-nettop-router-box

Somewhere between the first EeePC and their awesome media-center-in-a-keyboard, ASUS became the Chuck Bukowksi of the gadget world: Drunk, unpredictable, prolific and occasionally brilliant. Then what of the Eee PC D200 touchscreen NAS-cum-router?

I'd say it falls under the drunk/brilliant category. According to Einfach Eee website (Varning! German!) the box will include an Atom processor, 2GB of RAM, a 1-4TB HDD, and 802.11n MIMO, and slot-loading DVD burner, a router and a touchscreen.

The intent of including the touchscreen is simple: it negates the need to either pipe into the NAS over the network or connection an external display, mouse and keyboard. Simple tasks, such as configuring the access point, moving files, setting permissions and burning DVDs (and hopefully direct media playback and torrent controls—with its DVI port, this could make a pretty amazing media PC) should all be manageable through the touchscreen.

To top it off, the $600 reported price is surprisingly low. ASUS says the D200 will ship in Q1 '09. For more pics and specs, head over to [Einfach Eee.—Thanks, Johannes]

Inside the Rocket-Proof Obamamobile [Cars]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/Us81MpbDi-k/inside-the-rocket+proof-obamamobile

I love this cutaway illustration of the new Cadillac One by John Lawson, Obama included. Specially things like "Doors: eight-inch thick and the weight of a 757 door". Other highlights:

• It can withstand rocket impacts and it's perfectly sealed against biochemical attacks.
• The petrol tank can withstand a direct hit thanks to a special foam and armor-plating.
• Its body is made of dual hardness steel, aluminum, titanium, and ceramics to "break up posible projectiles".
• The tyres are Kevlar-reinforced with steel rims underneath so it can run away no matter what.
• "Defense" accessories include: Night vision cameras, pump-action shotguns, tear gas cannons.
• It comes with bottles of blood compatible with the President's blood.

The only thing I don't get is this: It has a ten-CD changer. A CD changer? What is this? 1994? [Daily Mail]

Buffalo's Web Access hands-on: remote access from your iPhone

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/08/buffalos-web-access-hands-on-remote-access-from-your-iphone/

16 gigs ain't enough space for all those episodes of The Hills on your iPhone? Well, if you've got a Buffalo NAS such as the LinkStation Mini or Pro, you can now access all your files remotely on your OS X mobile device through an optimized web page straight from your device. The really nifty part is that you can stream MPEGs over 3G (and presumably EDGE, though we don't know why you'd want to) -- although it took around 60 seconds to buffer a TV show episode in the demo we got. The Buffalo rep we spoke with informed us that an actual app would be available in the App Store sometime this quarter, but if you're itching to catch up with LC and the gang, be sure to check out any one of the aforementioned devices that support the service and you could be streaming pronto.

Gallery: Buffalo's Web Access hands-on: remote access from your iPhone

Filed under: Cellphones, Portable Video, Storage

Buffalo's Web Access hands-on: remote access from your iPhone originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Jan 2009 20:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wireless HD hands on & recklessly-interfering

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/08/wireless-hd-hands-on-and-recklessly-interfering/

After some demo time with WirelessHD and founder John Marshall, it appears 2009 will finally be the year cable-free TV connections roll out in a big way. Expect products to launch towards the end of Q2, according to the Gefen rep on hand, their adapter will go into production towards the end of Q1 and hit shelves for about $700, while WirelessHD tech could add as much/little as 10% to the cost of a new TV like the demo units from LG and Panasonic. How well does it work for the money? Pretty well, with no untoward effects on the picture, and easily switching from source to source automatically. Walking between the display and source didn't cause a problem but even millisecond-switching 60Ghz hardware was no match for being picked up and fumbled around by a photo snapping Engadget editor. Check out pics featuring Gefen (fear not, the final models will have RS-232), LG & Panasonic prototypes plus OEM hardware we're likely to see soon in one form or another.

Gallery: Wireless HD hands-on