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Thursday, March 26, 2009

Wireless water meters on the loose in New York City

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/25/wireless-water-meters-on-the-loose-in-new-york-city/

On the environmental tip, Mayor Bloomberg has announced that New York City will install 826,000 wireless water meters by 2011. Under the new system, readings will be sent to a network of rooftop receivers throughout the city every six hours, enabling the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to bill property owners every month with exact water usage -- with the bill available online. Under the current system, water use is estimated and folks are billed every three months. The system will cost taxpayers $250 million, and installation (free for property owners) is already underway in Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens. When it is fully installed, New York will be the largest city in the world to use wireless water metering. According to the New York Times, it's estimated that a 5 to 10 percent reduction in water use could save the city up to $90 million annually.

[Via Vos Iz Neias; Thanks, Yossi]

Filed under: Wireless

Wireless water meters on the loose in New York City originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 25 Mar 2009 12:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Vuzix dips toes in augmented reality, makes video eyewear cool again

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/25/vuzix-dips-toes-in-augmented-reality-makes-video-eyewear-cool-a/

Nintendo ain't the only company making waves at the Game Developers Conference this year -- oh no, we've also got Vuzix gettin' down and dirty with a brand new addition to its video eyewear segment. Said outfit has teamed up with metaio in order to showcase a new Augmented Reality Accessory Kit for the VR920 head-mounted display. The bundle will include the CamAR -- a clip-on USB camera that is designed to accurately track objects and the user's position in three-dimensional space -- along with the PhasAR wireless augmented reality input controller. When these are used in unison, users are able to simultaneously see what's going on in the Matrix and in the display. For instance, imagine reading a book that's tied into a program on the VR920; as you read along, images can pop up and complement the text. Far out, right? The full release is after the break, and we've been told that the attachment should sell for around $100 on top of the $399 VR920 when it ships around mid-Summer.

Continue reading Vuzix dips toes in augmented reality, makes video eyewear cool again

Filed under: Displays, Wearables

Vuzix dips toes in augmented reality, makes video eyewear cool again originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 25 Mar 2009 14:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hyundai BLUE-WILL plug-in hybrid concept debuts in Seoul

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/25/hyundai-blue-will-plug-in-hybrid-concept-debuts-in-seoul/

Hyundai recently broke a few molds with its dolphin-inspired cellphone, and it now looks to be doing the same with its latest plug-in hybrid concept, which is set to make its public debut at the Seoul Motor Show next week. Of course, Hyundai isn't just letting the car, dubbed the BLUE-WILL, get by on those eye-catching lines alone, with it also cramming a direct-inject 1.6-liter gas engine with a CVT transmission and a 100kw electric motor under the hood, and taking a number of other measures to make the vehicle even more eco-minded. That includes some solar cells on the panoramic roof, which you can still see through, and some eco-friendly plastics throughout, including headlamp bezels made from recycled plastic bottles, and other plastics derived from plant extracts. No word about it actually going into production, of course, but you can get a bit of a closer look by hitting up the link below.

Filed under: Transportation

Hyundai BLUE-WILL plug-in hybrid concept debuts in Seoul originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 25 Mar 2009 15:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nokia shows off song-inspired Bluetooth headset designs

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/25/nokia-shows-off-song-inspired-bluetooth-headset-designs/

It didn't exactly cause that big a stir when it was first announced, but it looks like Nokia's Music Almighty headset design competition still managed to attract a respectable 6,000 entrants, and Nokia is now showing off the five winners that have been manufactured as fully-functional, one-off headsets. The hook of the contest is that all of the headsets had to be inspired by a song, which expectedly drew a whole range of designs from the stylish Daft Punk "Robot Rock" set above to feat of subtlety that is the R. Kelly "I Believe I Can Fly" headset after the break. Hit up the link below to check out the remaining winners, including not one but two Michael Jackson-inspired sets, and look for the whole lot to make their way to the Nokia Regent Street Flagship store in London next month.

[Via Core77]

Continue reading Nokia shows off song-inspired Bluetooth headset designs

Filed under: Portable Audio, Wearables

Nokia shows off song-inspired Bluetooth headset designs originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 25 Mar 2009 16:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Flash coming to Android courtesy of BSQUARE

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/25/flash-coming-to-android-courtesy-of-bsquare/

The fine folks at BSQUARE have announced that they'll be porting Adobe Flash to Google's Android on behalf of a "global Tier 1 carrier." Whether or not that implies this "global Tier 1 carrier" will have exclusive access to Flash out of the gate remains to be seen. Details are otherwise very scarce, and it's unclear how this relates to the demo of Flash Andy Rubin showed off at Adobe MAX last year. However, BSQUARE bought NEC's Adobe(R) Flash(R) Technology Consulting and Distribution business 12 months ago, and has done Android work for other customers, so the expertise should certainly be there -- and naturally we wouldn't expect them to go shouting about this if they didn't have Adobe and Google's blessing in one form or another.

[Thanks, Peter R.]

Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds

Flash coming to Android courtesy of BSQUARE originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 25 Mar 2009 18:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lenovo's IdeaCentre A600 now available to order, should ship soon

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/25/lenovos-ideacentre-a600-now-available-to-order-should-ship-soo/

Lenovo's breaking some serious molds with the IdeaCentre A600, and if you've been waiting anxiously ever since we got up close and personal with one back at CES, the patience has (nearly) paid off. As of now (like, right this very moment in time), three varients of the all-black machine are up for ordering, with base prices sitting at $699.99, $799.99 and $999.99. They each show that shipping won't happen for another few weeks, but we'll bet Lenovo's just being conversative.

Filed under: Desktops

Lenovo's IdeaCentre A600 now available to order, should ship soon originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 25 Mar 2009 18:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Verizon Alias2 leaks out, features dynamically changing button layout

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/25/verizon-alias2-leaks-out-features-dynamically-changing-button-l/

Verizon's original Alias U740 dual-hinge phone may not have rocked any worlds, but it was a clever attempt to provide the best of both a QWERTY keypad and a standard clamshell number pad in a single device -- and it sounds like the Alias 2 we're seeing leaked here improves on that concept by using dynamically-changing button labels to hammer home the mode switches. It's not clear what tech is being used to switch layouts -- there are some whispers that it's an E-Ink display, since the labels apparently remain even without power -- but given this phone's expected price point, we'll say we're expecting more along the lines of one of those segmented LCDs found in cheap universal remotes. In other words, garbage. Hopefully we'll be proven wrong at CTIA, we'll let you know. Slightly bigger pic after the break.

Continue reading Verizon Alias2 leaks out, features dynamically changing button layout

Filed under: Cellphones

Verizon Alias2 leaks out, features dynamically changing button layout originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 25 Mar 2009 19:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EcoDrain heat exchanger makes good use of warm waste water

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/26/ecodrain-heat-exchanger-makes-good-use-of-warm-waste-water/

File this one directly in the "why didn't I think of that?" folder. As the bathroom gets more and more eco-friendly, the EcoDrain is stepping in to take advantage of all the hot water that goes to waste each time you shower. Put simply, this user-installed heat exchanger transfers heat from hot shower waste water to cold incoming water, essentially cutting water heater usage by as much as 40 percent. Of course, we've never seen a plumbing job that was anything close to simple, but for savings like this, it may just be worth the trouble.

[Via Inhabitat]

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

EcoDrain heat exchanger makes good use of warm waste water originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 Mar 2009 05:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Forever Plus finally takes a pico projector to 720p

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/26/forever-plus-finally-takes-a-pico-projector-to-720p/

Well, would you look at that! It's not 3M, Dell, Toshiba or any other mega-corp taking the totally tired pico projector from lackluster to 720p -- oh no, it's, um, Forever Plus. Said beamer has been around the block a time or two, but given the native 1,280 x 768 native resolution, we couldn't help but take notice. Reportedly, the 0.49- x 0.59- x 0.19-inch box outputs via HDMI and packs a lamp life of 30,000 hours, but we definitely have serious doubts about the quality. And the actual availability, for that matter.

Filed under: Displays

Forever Plus finally takes a pico projector to 720p originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 Mar 2009 06:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wednesday, March 25, 2009

RichCopy Enhances Windows File Copying with Advanced Rules [Downloads]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/lifehacker/full/~3/f15eTOecvok/richcopy-enhances-windows-file-copying-with-advanced-rules

Windows only: If you're looking for extremely granular control over file copying, and fewer failures, you don't want to miss RichCopy.

We're big fans of replacing the default and clunky Windows file copier with more speedier solutions, like Teracopy or FastCopy. If you're looking for speedy transfer and detailed control over all manner of things, like what files should be copied or overwritten based on age, size, attributes, or even the security settings for the directory they are in, RichCopy has you covered.

RichCopy doesn't have shell integration, unfortunately, like many of our favorite replacements, but given the kind of detailed tweaking you can do in RichCopy, you'll likely be opening the application to tinker in the sub-menus anyhow. RichCopy was previously an internal tool for Microsoft developers to use, but now has public release. There's no serious support for the tool, and it falls into the as-is category. That said, I didn't have any problem copying 15GB of data from one drive to another in a matter of minutes, thanks to RichCopy's snappy multi-threading support. RichCopy is freeware, Windows only.

RichCopy [via Digital Inspiration]

Google Voice to Allow Number Porting [Google Voice]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/lifehacker/full/~3/1dcx6KTYRv4/google-voice-to-allow-number-porting

We've been very excited about Google Voice ever since we gave it a closer look, but our biggest cause for hesitation (and the biggest complaint of many of our readers) is that you have to change your main number to take full advantage of Google Voice—a process that's always a pain for both you and your contacts. If you feel the same way, we've got good news: Reader Reid points out a Google support page explaining that number porting may be offered in the near future.

UPDATE: Reid writes back to point out that Google already allows you to take your Google Voice number with you to another provider if you decided to leave Google Voice at some point down the line.

Enable User Scripts in Google Chrome [How To]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/lifehacker/full/~3/MoJAngY6VOE/enable-user-scripts-in-google-chrome

Windows only: The latest beta version of Google Chrome adds support for user scripts, but if you want to enable them you'll need to follow a couple of quick steps.

The first step is to download and run the Google Chrome Channel Changer tool, which will subscribe you to updates from either the Beta or Dev channels—you get more features but potentially a less stable browser. For user scripts just choose the Beta channel, go to Help -> About and click the Upgrade button, and you'll get the latest beta version.

Next you'll want to open up your favorite file manager and browse down to the following path for your Windows version:

Windows XP: %userprofile%\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default
Windows Vista: %userprofile%\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default

Create a new directory called "User Scripts" inside the Default folder. This is where you will need to save the Greasemonkey scripts.
The last step is to modify the Google Chrome shortcut—or any Chrome "application" shortcuts—to include the --enable-user-scripts switch after the executable path.

Now you can start using Greasemonkey scripts in Google Chrome—although keep in mind that not all of them work, since Chrome hasn't implemented all of the features yet. Once you've saved a Greasemonkey script into the User Scripts folder, simply refresh the page and it should work (or not).

User Scripts [Chromium Developer Documentation]

Better Gmail for Google Chrome [Lifehacker Code]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/lifehacker/full/~3/VHLvDQ4taWs/better-gmail-for-google-chrome

Windows only: Better Gmail for Google Chrome is a compilation of user scripts designed to enhance your Gmail experience—and to make it easy, we've tested and bundled them together in one easy download.

Better Gmail for Chrome is inspired by the well-known and grown-up Better Gmail extension for Firefox. Like the original, we've packaged up a bunch of scripts that we've either tested successfully or modified to make them work correctly—since Chrome doesn't have full Greasemonkey support we had to make a few modifications to some of them.

Better Gmail for Chrome

Updated: 03/23/2009
License: All user scripts are copyright their original authors and maintain their original license as specified by their original author.
Installation: Installing Better Gmail for Chrome requires first using our guide to enabling user scripts in Chrome. Once you have completed those steps, you can download the Better Gmail for Chrome zip file.

Open up the zip file containing the user scripts, and copy the ones you want to enable into the appropriate User Scripts folder for your version of Windows:

Windows XP: %userprofile%\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chro! me\User Data\Default
Windows Vista: %userprofile%\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default

Refresh Gmail, and you are done. If you are having issues getting it to work, make sure that you follow the steps to enable user scripts.

Features:

Add Row Highlights-Highlight message rows as you roll over them:

Attachment icons—Adds attachment filetype icons:

Show Message Details-Display the full details of the top messages in a conversation:

Folders4Gmail-Lists labels in a folder-like hierarchy:

Hide Spam Count-Hides Gmail's Spam message count:

Credits: Better Gmail is a compilation of user ! scripts written by several Greasemonkey scripters. The full list of Better Gmail user scripts and their authors is as follows:

Add Row Highlights
Highlights the letter rows in the new Gmail when you hover over them with the mouse cursor
By stasnikiforov
Gmail *2* small attachment icons
See from your inbox what kind of attachment an email has.
By Moktoipas
Folders4Gmail
Lists labels in a folder-like hierarchy.
By Arend v. Reinersdorff
Hide Chat
Hides Gmail's Chat box in the sidebar.
By Diego Barros
Hide Invites Box
Hides the Gmail invites box on the sidebar.
By stasnikiforov
Hide Spam Count
Hides Gmail's Spam message count.
By Arend v. Reinersdorff
Show Message Details
Display the full details of the top messages in a conversation.
By Michael Lieberman
Hide Footer
Based on code by war59312
Gmail 3: Hide Chat, Invite Friend & Footer
Hides Chat, Invite a Friend, and Footer on Gmail version
By war59312

Release History:

Version 0.1: Initial Release

Create a Quick Infused Olive Oil Before Dinner [DIY]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/lifehacker/full/~3/OoRzJECW05k/create-a-quick-infused-olive-oil-before-dinner

If you're looking to impress the folks, the significant other, or your friends with a fancy-pants dinner, you only need a few hours to whip up a quick-infused olive oil that seriously boosts your offerings.

Photo by fdecomite.

Search around the web for recipes to infuse olive oil with herbs, citrus peel, garlic, or other flavors, and you'll typically be looking at a mash-bottle-wait-and-wait affair. An Atlantic magazine food blogger, however, suggests that mashing up your flavors in a bowl a few hours before serving, then adding just enough olive oil to use, pays off well:

Coarsely chop herbs, zest and/or garlic, and place in mortar or an unbreakable bowl with a with a pinch of salt; pound to a coarse mash with a pestle or a rounded rock.

Stir and mash the flavorings with the pestle as you slowly drizzle in the oil. Set aside to infuse one hour before using; if too strong, add more oil to taste.

Hit the Atlantic link for a few flavoring ideas, and note the commenter's simple tip for speeding up the process even further with a microwave. What kind of olive oil could you imagine making for your own hoity-toity dinner ordeal? Spill the inspiration in the comments.

Making Your Own Flavored Oils [The Atlantic Food Channel]

JetBytes Transfers Files Directly via the Web [File Transfer]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/lifehacker/full/~3/lki_sajfSIk/jetbytes-transfers-files-directly-via-the-web

JetBytes is a web based file-transfer service that skips the whole remote storage model and shares files directly between users.

The interface is dead simple. You go to the website and use the browse dialogue to select a file from your computer. JetBytes generates a random URL for your transaction. You then share the URL with the person you'd like to send the file to.

As long as you keep your browser open your friend can use that URL to download the file from you—once you navigate away from the JetBytes page even if the transfer is under way it will close the connection. When they load the URL they'll be given a save dialogue for the file you're transferring and from there the only limitation is the speed of your two connections. JetBytes does nothing more than route the file transfer through their web server, allowing you to share large files easily others even if one or both of you are behind restrictive firewalls.

There is no restriction on the size or type of the files. JetBytes is a free service and requires no registration or personal information.

JetBytes [via MakeUseOf]

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