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Friday, March 20, 2009

Teens take pictures of space with balloon, Nikon Coolpix camera

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/20/teens-take-pictures-of-space-with-balloon-nikon-coolpix-camera/

The closest most of us 'round here will ever get to outer space is blogging about the Lunar X Prize, so our inner astronauts get rather giddy any time an amateur makes it to the cusp of the gravity well. The above photos were taken by the Meteotek team, a teacher and his four students from the IES La Bisbal school in Catalonia, Spain. The group designed and launched a balloon kitted out with a Nikon Coolpix and custom built electronics, intending to get some shots at 30,000 feet. Well exceeding their expectations, the $80 digicam (held aloft by a $60 latex balloon) reached over 100,000 feet, at which point it lost inflation and fell to the earth. As the balloon rose, the team was able to map its progress using Google Earth via the craft's on-board radio receiver. After it fell back to earth, the group "travelled 10km to find the sensors and photographic card," said one of the students, "which was still emitting its signal, even though it had been exposed to the most extreme conditions."

[Via Switched]

Filed under: Science

Teens take pictures of space with balloon, Nikon Coolpix camera originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Mar 2009 12:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercury In-Line Skates Let You Glide On a Shock-Absorbed Cushion Of Air [Skating]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/9KzNkQjlisc/mercury-in+line-skates-let-you-glide-on-a-shock+absorbed-cushion-of-air

Designed for ~~Ronald McDonald~~ optimum comfort, these Mercury in-line skates feature a shock system to minimize vibration, a removable calf plate and an air cushioned interior for an optimum fit.

The result would be less wear-and-tear on the joints, better ankle support and a ride so smooth that it is almost like true ice skating. I haven't attempted in-line skating since the mid 90's, but I would be willing to strap into some of these if they ever went into production (with a different color scheme of course). [Pouyan Mokhtarani via Tuvie via DVICE]

Gmail Lets You Take Back Sent Messages, Gets Built-in YouTube, Flickr and Yelp Previews [Gmail]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/X3tuOLNpg90/gmail-lets-you-take-back-sent-messages-gets-built+in-youtube-flickr-and-yelp-previews

Everyday, Gmail makes desktop mail clients feel a little more dated. The latest Labs features now preview stuff from YouTube (no more Rickrolling??), Flickr, Picasa and Yelp, and you can undo sending regrettable email.

Undo send, sadly, only has a five-second window to take it back (you can boost it to 10), so you better have excellent reflexes. Previews work a lot like the image preview you're used to. Here's the YouTube preview in action: [Gmail Blog, Cnet]

Lasers Become Weapons Grade For the First Time Ever [Lasers]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/pbOz2r9vQ0Y/lasers-become-weapons-grade-for-the-first-time-ever

Northrop Grumman just made a laser that measures 105 kilowatts, just north of the 100 kilowatt bar that defense researchers have called the weapons grade cutoff. Pew pew indeed.

Wired's Danger Room says that this won't be like Star Wars' blasters or Star Trek's phasers, but it can shoot "mortars and rockets" in war zones now. Two problems left to solve before we can start using lasers full time: how to dissipate heat and how to get them small enough to be practical. [Wired - Photo courtesy Northrop Grumman]

Rumored Toyota Hybrid Sportscar is Prius-based [Cars]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/ddgZ4mINWMo/rumored-toyota-hybrid-sportscar-is-prius+based

The thing that's always kept me from wanting a hybrid car is that they aren't all that fast. And the ones that are fast cost too much money. That might change with Toyota's MR2 Hybrid.

The rumored MR2 Hybrid is said to be built around the Prius design, but would go 0-60 in under 7 seconds and come equipped with paddle shifters. Jalopnik thinks that the engine would be similar to the FT-HS's 3.5-liter, V6 Hybrized innards from a few of years ago. The price? Supposedly it's would only be around $24,000. I think I'm starting to get hot flashes. [Auto Express via Jalopnik]

These Carbon Nanotube Muscles Are 30 Times Stronger Than Human Muscles [Man Vs Machine]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/5oL-zlmCyHk/these-carbon-nanotube-muscles-are-30-times-stronger-than-human-muscles

These next gen carbon nanotube muscles have "diamond-like" stiffness side to side, but are as flexible as rubber when moved perpendicularly. When voltage is applied to the structures, they contract with a pulling force 30 times the force per unit of human muscles.

They're also quicker. A human's muscle fibers can contract 10% per second, but these can contract 40,000 percent.

I had no idea synthetic muscles materials have come so far. A few years ago, when I was covering JPL's robotic arm wrestling challenge for Wired, the materials had a fraction of the potential of organic muscles. [Wired]

Xandros' instant-on Presto Linux distro now available for download-o

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/xandros-instant-on-presto-linux-distro-now-available-for-downlo/

It looks like those itching to try out Xandros' instant-on Presto Linux distribution needn't linger in drawn out boot processes any longer, as the beta version of the OS is now finally available for download from all the usual sources. Unlike some other instant-on OS environments, Presto is designed to sit alongside Windows rather than replace it entirely, with it giving you the option of selecting Windows or Presto each time you boot your computer. If you select the latter, you should be up and running in just "seconds," and have access to all of the apps you likely use 90% of the time. Just don't expect a free ride if you find yourself getting attached to the OS, as the final version is set to demand (an entirely reasonable) $20 when it launches on April 13th.

Filed under: Desktops, Laptops

Xandros' instant-on Presto Linux distro now available for download-o originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Mar 2009 14:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft: 'Second Light is not the next version of Surface'

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/microsoft-second-light-is-not-the-next-version-of-surface/

It's official, kids: Responding to numerous reports in the media as of late, Microsoft would like to squash the rumor that Second Light is the next generation Surface. The blog entry doesn't shed too much light on SL, other than stating that it's an "awesome" research project, one that "showcases the possibilities of the surface computing platform." Surface is due to come out sometime in 2011 (unless, of course, you buy the yacht -- in which case you need only wait until this June). If you just can't get enough of Second Light, we've stashed a video for you after the break.

[Via About Projectors]

Continue reading Microsoft: 'Second Light is not the next version of Surface'

Filed under: Displays

Microsoft: 'Second Light is not the next version of Surface' originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Mar 2009 15:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LG teams with Kodak for future OLED devices

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/lg-teams-with-kodak-for-future-oled-devices/

Details are still sparse, but Wired has it that LG Electronics has just inked a deal with OLED mainstay Kodak in order to use the latter's technology in all sorts of future devices. For those unaware, Kodak's actually been dabbling in OLED for ages now, though it rarely offers up dedicated products in order to take credit. Reportedly, LG could bake Kodak's OLED magic into devices such as mobile phones, televisions and digital photo frames, though we suspect LG has a few other out-of-the-box widgets planned as well. As much as we love the idea of an OLED watch phone, what we're really clamoring for is a big screen Scarlet with an OLED panel. Let's make it happen, alright folks?

[Via OLED-Display]

Filed under: Displays, HDTV, Home Entertainment

LG teams with Kodak for future OLED devices originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Mar 2009 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple adds HD video purchases to the iTunes Store

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/apple-adds-hd-video-purchases-to-the-itunes-store/

Apple's flood of announcements this month continues apace today with the addition of high-def movie purchases to the iTunes Store. Although HD TV shows were previously available to buy, HD movies were rental-only until now. HD flicks will cost you $19.99, and we're guessing they're the same H.264 compressed 720p quality as usual, so videophiles will probably want to stick to Blu-ray. Purchases will come with both an HD file and an iPod / iPhone-ready SD file, which is a nice touch, and Apple's also promising that HD rentals will now be on the store within 30 days of retail release -- better, but not perfect. It's all going live today with exclusive pre-orders of Quantum of Solace and Twilight, but honestly, we're still wondering when Apple will implement subscription video and really take it to Netflix.

Filed under: Home Entertainment

Apple adds HD video purchases to the iTunes Store originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Mar 2009 17:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Elgato ships 1080p-friendly Turbo.264 HD video conversion dongle

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/elgato-ships-1080p-friendly-turbo-264-hd-video-conversion-dongle/

Remember that brilliant Turbo.264 video conversion dongle that shipped like, two whole years ago? Yeah, it's successor has just hit the streets, and it's as ready as ever for 1080p content. The predictably titled Elgato Turbo.264 HD plugs directly into one's Mac and converts files up to 1080p (from camcorders, digital cameras, etc.) into files that are perfectly formatted for iPods, PSPs or other media players. The bundled software also lets users preview and trim video clips before converting, and it saves folks the time and hassle of importing into iMovie, learning commands, rendering and exporting. Reportedly, a video that would take an hour to convert to an iPod-friendly file takes just 15 minutes with this here dongle, and if that's worth $149.95 to you, you're one click away from brightening your own day.

[Via Electricpig]

Filed under: Peripherals, Portable Video

Elgato ships 1080p-friendly Turbo.264 HD video conversion dongle originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Mar 2009 18:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple to partner with LG on OLED-equipped iPhone, netbook?

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/apple-to-partner-with-lg-on-oled-equipped-iphone-netbook/

A new rumor from SmartHouse is making the rounds today, with alleged sources claiming LG has partnered with Apple to make OLED displays for a new iPhone and iPod touch, a Taiwan-manufactured netbook that's reportedly already in working prototype stage, and a device with a wafer-thin screen that would link wirelessly to a content-providing box similar to Apple TV. Sure, some of that makes sense, but let's add a good bit of context here. This article in question was written by SmartHouse veteran David Richards, who in the past has brought us such winners as PlayStation 4 launching in 2008, a Xbox 360 equipped with HD DVD, and our favorite, Apple producing its own soap opera series exclusively for the iPod. We're not saying the Apple-LG partnership is entirely out of the realm of possibility, but this guy doesn't exactly have the best track record. Furthermore, this doesn't jibe with two separate reports from Dow Jones Newswire and Commercial Times / DigiTimes that Quanta is providing the screens for an upcoming Apple netbook launching in Q3. Lastly, with today's announcement that LG is licensing Kodak's OLED technology for future devices, we get the feeling the company isn't the best suited to meet Cupertino's demands. Seems like this week's barrage of Apple news has gotten to people's heads, honestly -- keep a sharp eye!

[Thanks, everyone; image courtesy of Frunny]

Read - Re! port on Apple / LG OLED partnership
Read - Articles from David Richards

Filed under: Cellphones, Laptops, Portable Audio, Portable Video

Apple to partner with LG on OLED-equipped iPhone, netbook? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Mar 2009 19:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New SMM exploit targets Intel CPU caching vulnerability

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/new-smm-exploit-targets-intel-cpu-caching-vulnerability/

This one delves pretty deep into head-scratching territory, but it looks like the folks at Invisible Things Lab have discovered an exploit that could open the door to some potentially serious attacks on certain Intel CPUs paired with some popular motherboards. Of course, the exploit that they've actually released is completely harmless, but it demonstrates that the CPU cache can be "poisoned" to let folks read and write into the otherwise protected SMRAM memory. As NetworkWorld notes, that could lead to some more nefarious folks developing a SMM rootkit, which would be all the more perilous considering that the user of the infected computer would have no way of detecting the attack. For its part, Intel is apparently well aware of the problem, and it has already fixed the vulnerability on some newer boards like the DQ45, but others still in widespread use (like the DQ35 pictured above) have seemingly been left hanging waiting for a fix of some sort.

[Via Network World, thanks Andrew]

Filed under: Desktops

New SMM exploit targets Intel CPU caching vulnerability originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Mar 2009 20:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ASUS W90 gaming laptop gets put through its paces, 'raises the bar'

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/asus-w90-gaming-laptop-gets-put-through-its-paces-raises-the-b/

Suffice it to say that Computer Shopper was really really into that ASUS W90Vp-X1 gaming notebook that popped up on Newegg recently. This nearly 12 pound behemoth, the reviewer exclaims, not only sets "new 3D-graphics and productivity-speed records," but its 18.4-inch (1,920 x 1,080) LCD is "gorgeous," sporting "incredible color quality and wide viewing angles." Also singled out for praise was the Turbo Gear app that lets you overclock the machine by as much as 17 percent (for speeds up to 3.28GHz) and a "robust" 4.1 speaker sound system. Of course, any machine will have a few quibbles, although in this case they seem to be relatively minor: no Blu-ray (though it's supposed to become available at some point in the future) and a 2 megapixel webcam with "grainy" image quality (although "it's more than adequate for Skyping and chatting"). But that ain't all -- hit the read link for all the lurid details, including the hair-raising results of the Company of Heroes DirectX 9 test (spoiler: the word "blistering" was used).

Filed under: Laptops

ASUS W90 gaming laptop gets put through its paces, 'raises the bar' originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Mar 2009 20:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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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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