Dr. Augustine Fou's Online Scrapbook

Sunday, May 18, 2008

FCC Filing Teases WiMAX Option for Future Apple MacBooks [Apple]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/292560437/fcc-filing-teases-wimax-option-for-future-apple-macbooks

A new FCC filing for an Intel 5350 WiFi/WiMAX combo card that fits into Mini PCI Express slots is probably the best evidence yet for future WiMAX functionality in Apple MacBooks, but it's still far from a confirmation. The bottom line is that with the new card, the WiMAX option officially exists for MacBooks, but as of yet there are no drivers written that would allow it to work with Apple's line of laptops. You could actually hack your laptop and plug the card in just fine as it is now, but without the drivers (which do exist for Windows), it's pretty useless. That said, the drivers—especially with Intel Macs—are a mere Leopard update or MacBook redesign away. [FCC Filing via ComputerWorld]

Planika Fires Lets You Stoke the Flames Without the Smoke [Yeah, Baby]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/292930918/planika-fires-lets-you-stoke-the-flames-without-the-smoke

Nothing screams impeccable taste like having a fireplace in the middle of your coffee table and now, thanks to Planika Fires, you can keep the flames roaring without worrying about smoke or soot. The company makes the magic happen using a proprietary liquid biofuel called Fanola, which burns completely smoke and smell free.

Fanola, the company says, is a biologically clean product which emits nothing but water vapor and CO2. Heating inserts ensure that the only thing burning in your shag pad, besides the fireplace, will be the flames of love. The fireplace technology comes in a variety of designs, so you can mix and match with every piece of Ikea furniture ever created.

Pricing info was not available, but can you really put a price on staying classy? [Planika Fires via greenupgrader]

HTC Touch Diamond unboxed, packaging worthy of the phone

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/291758675/

Filed under: Cellphones

Nothing new to report on the Touch Diamond's tech here, but wow, look how fun the box is! Of course, we know you're all waiting to see what they stuffed in the wedge-shaped package, and the answer is a charger, headset, USB cable, a manual or two, and the software. The charger appears to be a universal job with a swappable plug for travel, and the headset a typical example of an HTC pack-in -- albeit with a dash of fun and angular design. Hit the link for the pics.

[Thanks, SlashPhone]

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Salling's interactive window tech is interactive

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/292887929/

Filed under: Displays

We've seen all sorts hip-cool interactive window installations, usually comprised of a camera for a modicum of interactivity and a projector or a display for screening the results. The Salling store in Arhus, Denmark is taking things a bit further and making the window itself interactive. There's still a camera to sense motion, but instead of a display there's some fancy window tech that makes sections of the glass transparent or not based on where the person is standing. Sure, the idea of having to walk up to a window and wave your arms around to reveal what's behind it might seem a bit counter-intuitive, but at least it'll give the loiterers something to do. Video is after the break.

Continue reading Salling's interactive window tech is interactive

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Friday, May 16, 2008

Displaced by XP, Sugar Labs goes it alone

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/291650274/

Filed under: Laptops

While OLPC tries to wise up to the real demands of the market and build a cheap laptop that people actually want -- which means Windows XP for most -- Walter Bender, OLPC's former president of software and content for the project is taking his open source Linux-based Sugar OS and has started up a new non-profit to aid its development. Bender still has the vision of an open source learning OS, and plans to give Sugar full support for other low-cost platforms like the Eee PC. Ooh, burn.

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Mtron says its Pro 7500 is the fastest SSD around

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/291341172/

Filed under: Storage

We've had a little love affair going on with storage vendor Mtron ever since we saw that "battleship" SSD RAID array, and it looks like the company is after our hearts once again, this time with the Pro 7500 series of SSDs, which it says are the fastest around. That's really only half-true -- while the 120MB/s write speed is definitely the fastest we've seen, the 130MB/s read speed is the same those Greenhouse's DH-SSDGD drives we just saw a couple days ago. Still, that's mighty fast -- too bad these are probably going to be priced into the stratosphere like Mtron's other SSDs.

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Samsung's 12.1-inch OLED laptop concept makes us swoon

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/291466023/

Filed under: Displays, Laptops

As much as we would loath typing on that touch-sensitive, rigid keyboard, we're definitely geek-smitten by this ultra-thin, AMOLED laptop concept from Samsung SDI -- Sammy's display division. 12.1-inches and 1,280 x 768 resolution with infinite contrast? We'll take two... just as soon as someone can explain the extra panel around back. With Samsung projecting 14- to 15.4-inch OLED laptops in 2009, this might come sooner than you think.

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A Watch For The Extrovert

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/yankodesign/~3/290249007/

Inspired by HR Giger’s amorphous designs, the Draught Watch carries the idea of symbiosis by proposing the watch and the wearer are one. The design is a bit outside the box but nothing is ever too weird for us extroverts.

Designer: Benjamin Wysk

Benjamin Wysk

Pour some light wine

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/yankodesign/~3/290307519/

A standard wine glass is one of the more beautiful shapes in our world. This vessel’s simple elegance is only rivaled by the complexity of the content it was designed to hold. Sharing a glass of wine is one of the more intimate and bonding experiences anyone can enjoy and this lamp design by mmckenna is an unprecedented way to add a little more ambiance to any evening. This cordless lamp, dubbed “Betty Lou” can be placed on most any wine glass and is powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery and lit by very efficient LEDs. Both are managed by proprietary circuitry which monitors the battery’s charge state, checks for short circuits, and maintains consistent brightness. Heat generated by the LED is efficiently dissipated over the surface of the anodized aluminum handle. BettyLou is engineered for optimum light output by a lens and reflector creating a warm even glow.

Designer: mmckenna Studio

mmckenna Studio

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Google Now Maps Real Estate Listings [Real Estate Search]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/lifehacker/full/~3/289906472/google-now-maps-real-estate-listings

Google Maps now makes it easy to check out real estate listings in a certain area: click on the "Show search options" link next to the Search Maps button, and choose "Real Estate" from the drop down. Your search will map homes for sale, with photos and prices. Search blog Google Operating System reports that the results come from real estate site feeds, not Google Base. You can also refine your search by price, number of bathrooms and bedrooms. Looks like Google Maps is giving Zillow a run for its money, though Zillow offers home valuations for property that's not necessarily for sale.