Dr. Augustine Fou's Online Scrapbook

Friday, March 20, 2009

Toshiba's auxiliary speaker cancels noise from main speaker

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/toshibas-auxiliary-speaker-cancels-noise-from-main-speaker/

Er, something like that. Reportedly, Toshiba has conjured up some sort of newfangled technology that's able to more accurately reproduce sound by using a noise canceling auxiliary speaker. Specifically, the tech utilizes "sound from an auxiliary speaker to eliminate noise generated from the main speaker," and in case your wild guess wasn't good enough, it relies on "opposite-phase sound waves generated from the auxiliary speaker attached to the main speaker" to make it all happen. We know, our head is spinning just as fast as yours here, and it's all the more difficult to comprehend without an actual product to demonstrate. That said, Tosh is planning to conduct research and development in order to implement this into its own products, so hopefully we'll be seeing something a touch more tangible real soon.

Filed under: Home Entertainment

Toshiba's auxiliary speaker cancels noise from main speaker originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Mar 2009 21:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Thursday, March 19, 2009

UFO Spotted Over China [Ufo]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/30MdAawgzNs/ufo-spotted-over-china

Chinese officials have reported a UFO sighting while they were on an airplane and, in case anyone thought it was just a case of baijiu-induced hallucinations, they snapped pictures of it too.

In a report from Xinhua, the government-sponsored news agency, a group of journalists and officials were on a Southern Airlines flight in late February when one of them noticed an unusual luminous object traveling alongside their vessel.

After excitedly pointing it out to everyone around him, one journalist managed to snap a few photos before the object suddenly changed directions and swerved north east. The witnesses debated whether it had been a plane – but later, another plane did appear and everyone agreed that it looked nothing like the unidentified object they'd just seen.

Altogether, the alleged UFO sighting lasted about a minute. Any idea what it could have been? Aliens? Solar flares? AMERICAN SPIES?! [Xinhua]

Safari Cracked in Seconds at Pwn2Own Hacking Competition [Browsers]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/V0qu0SAkrIw/safari-cracked-in-seconds-at-pwn2own-hacking-competition

At the annual Pwn2Own competition, where hackers compete to crack software as fast as possible so you don't sleep at night, browsers were on the first day's menu. And Safari went down in seconds.

Security researcher Charlie Miller hacked Safari in just 10 seconds, then used a remote-execution exploit to take over the up-to-date MacBook and make it do his dirty bidding. Firefox and Internet Explorer 8 (which you can download at noon today) fell within a few hours to Nils, a master's student who busted all three browsers wide open. They each won $5000. Day 2 will offer more $5000 prizes for discovering new bugs in Firefox, Chrome and Safari.

Mobile phone OS's will also be part of the event, with $10,000 for cracking any of the five majors: iPhone, BlackBerry, Windows Mobile, Symbian and Android. Care to take bets on which one will go down first? [Pocket Lint]

BlackBerry Niagara 9630 Coming to Verizon in May [Rumor]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/lvf-roJsGN4/blackberry-niagara-9630-coming-to-verizon-in-may

The BlackBerry Niagra—son of the Bold and Curve—is coming to Verizon in May, according to analysts "familiar with the plan." Makes sense, given how much of it we've been peeking lately. Who's excited??? [TheStreet]

iPhone 3.0 OS Reveals New iPhones, iPods and the Mysterious "iProd" [IPhone]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/q15vWkLYYtw/iphone-30-os-reveals-new-iphones-ipods-and-the-mysterious-iprod

The iPhone 3.0 OS has references to brand new iPhone models (not just one, but two), a new iPod and the mysterious "iProd."

A quick rundown on Apple model naming conventions. The original iPhone is known as iPhone1,1 and the iPhone 3G is iPhone1,2. The first number refers to the overarching model, so when it changes, it indicates a a genuinely new product, not simply a bump in storage capacity (or even the mere addition of 3G). So that the models referenced in the iPhone 3.0's OS are iPhone3,1; iPod3,1; iFPGA; and iProd0,1 is is worth noting—we're talking significant hardware updates to the iPhone and iPod touch worthy of a new model number.

iPhone2,1 was first discovered back in October, though it's not the first mysterious Apple device to turn up in sites' traffic logs.

The iFPGA model is likely something never to be released, reckons Ars. But what of the mysterious iProd? The string 0,1 indicates it's a prototype or codename, since products are released at 1,1. Could this generic iProduct—if it's not in fact a touchscreen cattle prod, which would be excellent—be that long-fabled Mac tablet/netbook/wet dream? Or! maybe i t's something else altogether, like magic French toast. Mmmm. [Ars]

BeamBox Evolution R-1 pico available for pre-order, shipping April 1

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/18/beambox-evolution-r-1-pico-available-for-pre-order-shipping-apr/

BeamBox has just announced it's taking pre-orders for the Evolution R-1 pocket projector. If you've forgotten, the R-1 boasts an LCoS chip, with a brightness of 30 lumens, a 200:1 contrast ratio and VGA (640 x 480) resolution. The little guy has up to 4GB of onboard Flash memory, plus a microSD slot. It weighs in at about 175 grams, and will run you £260 (about $364), and is expected to ship on April 1st.

Filed under: Displays

BeamBox Evolution R-1 pico available for pre-order, shipping April 1 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Mar 2009 15:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Intel SIMD Accelerator promises to boost MID performance

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/18/intel-simd-accelerator-promises-to-boost-mid-performance/

Intel isn't offering a whole lot of details on this one just yet, but the company has let out an early word of a new and improved SIMD Accelerator it's currently working on, which promises to boost the graphics performance of MIDs while also consuming ten times less power than the accelerators now used. The SIMD itself (or Single Instruction, Multiple Data) works by executing multiple computing instructions at once, while apparently allows for onscreen graphic images to be "done faster." Of course, Intel isn't saying at all about an actual release just yet, but it does say that the project is "aimed at enhancing future Intel products," so it seems reasonable to assume that it'll eventually find its way into a standard MID platform.

[Via SlashGear]

Filed under: Handhelds

Intel SIMD Accelerator promises to boost MID performance originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Mar 2009 16:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Beta driver allows AMILO GraphicBooster to shed the external display

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/18/beta-driver-allows-amilo-graphicbooster-to-shed-the-external-dis/

Fujitsu Siemens's AMILO GraphicBooster has already proven itself to be pretty capable when hooked up to an external monitor, but a new beta driver now looks set to make the add-on even more convenient, and let you use it with the Sa 3650 laptops' own display. Better still, that apparently doesn't come at much, if any, expense to performance, but any other details (including word of availability) are unfortunately a bit light at the moment. You can draw your own conclusions from the video after the break, however, although Fujitsu Siemens' inability to produce a video in the proper aspect ratio may not inspire all that much confidence.

[Thanks, Max_P]

Continue reading Beta driver allows AMILO GraphicBooster to shed the external display

Filed under: Gaming, Laptops, Peripherals

Beta driver allows AMILO GraphicBooster to shed the external display originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Mar 2009 17:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Beta driver allows AMILO GraphicBooster to shed the external display

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/18/beta-driver-allows-amilo-graphicbooster-to-shed-the-external-dis/

Fujitsu Siemens's AMILO GraphicBooster has already proven itself to be pretty capable when hooked up to an external monitor, but a new beta driver now looks set to make the add-on even more convenient, and let you use it with the Sa 3650 laptops' own display. Better still, that apparently doesn't come at much, if any, expense to performance, but any other details (including word of availability) are unfortunately a bit light at the moment. You can draw your own conclusions from the video after the break, however, although Fujitsu Siemens' inability to produce a video in the proper aspect ratio may not inspire all that much confidence.

[Thanks, Max_P]

Continue reading Beta driver allows AMILO GraphicBooster to shed the external display

Filed under: Gaming, Laptops, Peripherals

Beta driver allows AMILO GraphicBooster to shed the external display originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Mar 2009 17:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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USB tethering, Publish Video and Find my iPhone found in OS 3.0

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/18/usb-tethering-publish-video-and-find-my-iphone-found-in-os-3-0/

Apple touted quite a few new iPhone features at yesterday's OS 3.0 event, but now that the beta build is trickling out, there's been a bevy of unearthed discoveries to further pique our interests. First up, the gang at Boy Genius Report found an option to enable the "Find My iPhone" service in the MobileMe settings. Unfortunately, that's all we've got, but we wouldn't put it past Cupertino to build some me.com-linked location tracker that'd be the envy of Orwell himself -- hey, that'd be pretty useful if you accidentally left the mobile in a taxi. Also in the MobileMe section, it now says Publish Video when you go to publish an image. It's an odd typo, to be sure, and while video recording has been near the top of our wishlist for some time, we're not about to get our hopes up. Finally, Mac Rumors is reporting that a hacker has dug up and successfully activated the USB tethering capabilities. Apple's Scott Forstall had mentioned the devs were building it in, but were still in talks with the carriers. As to whether any or all of these functions will actually end up in the final OS 3.0 build, your guess is a good as ours. For now, check out more pics of the MobileMe additions after the break.

[Thanks everyone who sent this in!]

Read - Find My iPhone
Read - USB Tethering

Continue reading USB tethering, Publish Video and Find my iPhone found in OS 3.0!

Filed under: Cellphones

USB tethering, Publish Video and Find my iPhone found in OS 3.0 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Mar 2009 18:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Modistech unveils flexible, ultrathin OLED light in Korea

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/18/modistech-unveils-flexible-ultrathin-oled-light-in-korea/

We just heard that the OLED market was set to skyrocket in 2011, but don't tell Modistech. Said outfit has just revealed its own flexible, ultrathin OLED light module in South Korea, which honestly looks eerily similar to Samsung's "flapping" OLED panels from last fall. Details are pretty scant right now, but we're told to expect mass production within the next year, with public availability penciled in for -- you guessed it -- 2011. Hit the read link for a few more delightful looks.

[Via OLED-Display]

Filed under: Displays

Modistech unveils flexible, ultrathin OLED light in Korea originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Mar 2009 20:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SwitchEasy's ThumbTacks are the cutest iPod mics you ever did see

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/18/switcheasys-thumbtacks-are-the-cutest-ipod-mics-you-ever-did-se/

SwitchEasy's ThumbTacks are far from being the first third-party microphones designed to function nicely with Apple's iPod nano 4G and second-generation iPod touch, but we'll be darned if they aren't the cutest. Clearly designed to mimic the iconic thumb tack, these itty-bitty microphones function with all third-party voice applications and can be selected in black, white or red. Not too shabby for $15.99 shipped, wouldn't you say?

[Via iLounge]

Gallery: SwitchEasy's ThumbTacks are the cutest iPod mics you ever did see

Filed under: Peripherals, Portable Audio

SwitchEasy's ThumbTacks are the cutest iPod mics you ever did see originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Mar 2009 23:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Super Talent ships decently priced UltraDrive ME / LE SSDs

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/super-talent-ships-decently-priced-ultradrive-me-le-ssds/

In terms of affordability, solid state drives still have quite some ways to go before they can actually be considered as viable replacements for most consumers. That being true, Super Talent is still doing its best to narrow the gap with the lower-priced UltraDrive families. Both the ME and the LE crews began shipping today, with the former arriving in 32GB, 64GB, 128GB and 256GB flavors and the latter in 32GB, 64GB, and 128GB capacities. The LE lot rolls a touch faster at 230MB/sec (maximum read) and 170MB/sec (maximum write), while the ME editions are rated at 200MB/sec write and 160MB/sec read. There's no mention of the LE prices, but the UltraDrive ME drives can be snapped up now for $128 (32GB), $205 (64GB), $379 (128GB) and $645 (256GB) from NewEgg.

[Via HotHardware]

Filed under: Storage

Super Talent ships decently priced UltraDrive ME / LE SSDs originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Mar 2009 01:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mamiya announces DL33 for those who need more than 28 megapixels

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/mamiya-announces-dl33-for-those-who-need-more-than-28-megapixels/

Mamiya announces DL33 for those who need more than 28 megapixels

Facing a little bit of competition from the hands of Nikon, and finding its earlier 28 megapixel DL28 to be something of a success (despite its $15,000 price tag), medium format master Mamiya is introducing a new model set to drive the megapixel wars to new heights. The DL33 sports similar specs to the DL28, including a 3.5-inch touchscreen on the back, but bests its successor with a 36 x 44-millimeter, 33 megapixel sensor. That means 16-bit capture, 12-stop dynamic range, and ISO settings from 50 to 800. Other tweaks include a faster autofocus motor and an improved UI, but with image files clocking in at 67 - 190MB you'll probably need some improved storage, too. The camera will be available starting next month for $19,999 including a 55mm f2.8 or 150mm f3.5 lens -- but only if you act now.

[Via Topix]

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Mamiya announces DL33 for those who need more than 28 megapixels originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Mar 2009 08:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GIGABYTE BIOS hack subverts NVIDIA SLI certification, sticks it to the man

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/gigabyte-bios-hack-subverts-nvidia-sli-certification-sticks-i/

GIGABYTE BIOS hack subverts NVIDIA SLI certification, sticks it to the man

When NVIDIA announced support for SLI on motherboards sporting Intel's X58 chipset, there was something of a hidden catch -- manufacturers needed to pay to become "certified." Yes, you might have thought all you needed was a pair of parallel PCI-E slots and couple of matching video cards to get your SLI on, but non-certified boards find themselves shunned by NVIDIA graphics hardware. However, where there's a will there's usually a way, and for at least one of those woefully illegitimate mobos there's a workaround. GIGABYTE didn't bother to get certification for its EX58-UD4 motherboard, but it did for the EX58-UD4P, and it turns out the same BIOS works on both. Naturally it takes a little extra work to get the wrong version up in the right EEPROM, but the read link has all the details you need to re-flash with finesse.

Filed under: Desktops, Gaming

GIGABYTE BIOS hack subverts NVIDIA SLI certification, sticks it to the man originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Mar 2009 08:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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