Tuesday, August 04, 2009

Lab-in-a-Chip Can Perform 1,024 Chemical Reactions Simultaneously [Science]

Lab-in-a-Chip Can Perform 1,024 Chemical Reactions Simultaneously [Science]

An University of California Los Angeles' team of chemists, biologists and engineers has developed a funky lab-in-a-chip capable of performing 1,024 chemical reactions in parallel. Using microfluidics, the system may dramatically accelerate drug development for cancer and other diseases:

The precious enzyme molecules required for a single in situ click reaction in a traditional lab now can be split into hundreds of duplicates for performing hundreds of reactions in parallel, thus revolutionizing the laboratory process, reducing reagent consumption and accelerating the process for identifying potential drug candidates

The UCLA scientists think that their new invention can revolutionize chemistry laboratories, and drug development, since their chip is capable of performing more than a thousand simultaneous chemical reactions in seconds, processes that take insane amounts of time to do using traditional lab bench material.

The "integrated microfluidic device for large-scale in situ click chemistry screening" works by funneling the chemical matter through micro-channels etched in the chip. It works at the molecular level, so even while the reactions are the same that boffins get with traditional lab tools, the liquid quantities are so small that the eye can't actually see them. The results of these combinations are then analyzed manually using a mass spectrometer, a part of the process that the team expects to automate in the future.

In other words: Fasterer and fasterer research, less development time, more drugs to try. Seem! s like a win-win combination to me. [UCLA and Lab on a Chip journal via Medgadget]




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Beautiful Waveform Timeline Shows Music Sales In All Media Through Time [Music]

Beautiful Waveform Timeline Shows Music Sales In All Media Through Time [Music]

This simple and powerful statistical graphic would make Edward Tufte proud: It shows all music sales since 1973, dividing them by media type, and presenting them like waveforms. Click to enlarge.

[NYT—Thanks David]




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Nikon Coolpix S1000pj projector-cam beams into reality along with friends

Nikon Coolpix S1000pj projector-cam beams into reality along with friends

Man, the Nikon Coolpix S1000pj has gone from crazy rumor to seemingly-real to whoa-here's-the-press-release in record time -- the compact cam with the integrated projector was just officially announced, along with the three other cams we saw leaked earlier today. Leaked specs for the S1000pj were dead-on: a 12.1 megapixel sensor with ISO 6400 sensitivity mounted behind a 5x wide-angle zoom lens with five-way VR stabilization, and that LED-powered projector that'll put up a 40-inch image for slideshows complete with music, effects and transitions. We're a little less excited about the $430 list price this thing will carry when it hits in September, but on the whole it's a pretty terrific idea and we're completely intrigued -- looks like we'll be saving our pennies this month. Pictures of everything in the gallery, deets on the other cams and a video of the S1000pj after the break.

Continue reading Nikon Coolpix S1000pj projector-cam beams into reality along with friends

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Nikon Coolpix S1000pj projector-cam beams into reality along with friends originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AMD's integrated 785G graphics platform review roundup

AMD's integrated 785G graphics platform review roundup


It's mildly hard to believe that AMD's DirectX 10-compatible 780 Series motherboard GPU was introduced well over a year ago now, but the long awaited successor has finally landed. This fine morning, a gaggle of hardware sites around the web have taken a look at a number of AMD 785G-equipped mainboards, all of which boast integrated Radeon HD 4200 GPUs, support for AMD's AM3 processors and a price point that's downright delectable (most boards are sub-$100). Without getting into too much detail here in this space, the general consensus seems to be that the new platform is definitely appreciated, but hardly revolutionary. It fails to destroy marks set by the 780G, and it couldn't easily put NVIDIA's GeForce 9300 to shame. What it can do, however, is provide better-than-average HD playback, making it a prime candidate for basic desktop users and even HTPC builders. For the full gamut of opinions, grab your favorite cup of joe and get to clickin' below.

Read - HotHardware review
Read - The Tech Report review
Read - Tom's Hardware review
Read - PC Perpective review
Read - Hardwa! re Zone review
Read - Hexus review

Continue reading AMD's integrated 785G graphics platform review roundup

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AMD's integrated 785G graphics platform review roundup originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 05:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Netflix rumored to be bringing Watch Instantly to iPhones, skepticism advised

Netflix rumored to be bringing Watch Instantly to iPhones, skepticism advised


Multichannel News is passing on word from "an industry executive familiar with Netflix's plans" that the company is prepping an app for the iPhone and iPod touch (not to mention the Wii, which we've heard before) that would let users enjoy their Watch Instantly queues from the comfort of the small screen -- likely restricted to WiFi, of course, because the mere thought of trying to stream a movie over a saturated 3G network is about as brutal as fingernails on a chalkboard. It's a cute rumor; the overlap in Netflix and iPhone owner demographics has to number in the hundreds of thousands, so it's easy to understand why the thought of catching up on Friday Night Lights on the road would go over well with the populace.

A couple problems here, though: first off, Watch Instantly doesn't store content locally, which means you've got to maintain an internet connection to enjoy the show. Assuming the no-3G thing panned out -- and rest assured, it would -- who wants to be stuck in a coffee shop for hours on end because you want to finish out a movie you've started? Secondly, if there's one thing Apple loves, it's maintaining control of the media ecosystem; we'll see hell freeze over before we'll see Watch Instantly on Apple TV, so why would the iPhone be any different? Of course, there's nothing stopping Netflix from creating a Watch Instantly app, but getting it into the App Store is another matter altogether -- and barring some wild FCC ruling, we're not seeing Apple letting that happen.

[Via Electronista]

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Netflix rumored to be bringing Watch Instantly to iPhones, skepticism advised originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 06:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toshiba's capacious 64GB SDXC card sampling this December, thrilling next Spring

Toshiba's capacious 64GB SDXC card sampling this December, thrilling next Spring


Mmm, storage. With megapixels on the rise and the storage ceiling nowhere in sight, Toshiba has joined the likes of Panasonic and Pretec in announcing an SDXC card of its very own. The 64GB device is expected to begin sampling this December, and if all goes well, it should begin pulling in 35MBps write and 60MBps read rates en masse early next year. In related news, a 16GB and 32GB SDHC card from the company should also hit store shelves early in 2010, but really, who's interested in that?

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Toshiba's capacious 64GB SDXC card sampling this December, thrilling next Spring originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 07:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NVIDIA clings desperately to XP with the DirectX10-hating ION LE chipset

NVIDIA clings desperately to XP with the DirectX10-hating ION LE chipset

NVIDIA clings desperately to XP with the DirectX 10 hating ION LE chipset
Anything that makes our netbooks, nettops, and smartphones into slightly less mediocre video performers is okay in our book, so we're fond of NVIDIA's ION platform and are looking forward to finding out exactly what the company has up its sleeve for ION 2. We weren't, however, expecting an even cheaper revision of the chipset, but that's exactly what's been announced this morning. NVIDIA is creating ION LE, a sibling of the existing ION that does everything its big sister can do except support DirectX 10. The idea, of course, is to lower costs while providing all the functionality XP-packing netbooks and nettops need, but as Windows 7 sits at home getting made up for its débutante party we have to wonder just how much longer Microsoft's old faithful will be on the market -- and how much longer DX9 will be relevant.

[Via SlashGear]

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NVIDIA clings desperately to XP with the DirectX10-hating ION LE chipset originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 08:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Altek crams a dozen megapixels of wishful thinking into T8680 cameraphone

Altek crams a dozen megapixels of wishful thinking into T8680 cameraphone

Altek crams a dozen megapixels of wishful thinking into T8680 cameraphone
There once was a time when a 12 megapixel cameraphone would have been laughed at, and, though many are still smirking (guilty), they're now a reality -- a reality that Altek wants desperately to be a part of with its T8680 handset. Its face looks rather like a PMP with a 3-inch WQVGA LCD, but on the back is the standard sort of 3x pop-out zoom that you'd expect on a compact shooter, sitting next to a tiny xenon flash. It'll capture unnecessarily high resolution images while being crippled to VGA video, play back MP3 and AAC files, and tune into the Weekly Top 40 over FM. Yes, it'll even make calls, but with only tri-band GSM/EDGE support don't expect to e-mail those gigantic pictures directly from the phone. The T8680 is expected to hit Chinese retailers in about a month for 3000 yuan (about $440), and probably won't be making much of an appearance elsewhere.

[Via GSM Arena]

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Altek crams a dozen megapixels of wishful thinking into T8680 cameraphone originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 09:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mimo's 710-S 'Mobile Slider' USB monitor gets low... real low

Mimo's 710-S 'Mobile Slider' USB monitor gets low... real low

Well, wouldn't you know it? Those off the wall concepts of what appeared to be a next-generation USB-driven Mimo monitor seem to have found their way into the production line, as the outfit made suddenly famous for its secondary displays now has a new model on tap. The 710-S "Mobile Slider" edition is really just a tweaked version of the aforementioned 7-inch panel, but it has been completely redesigned into a "sleeker, foldable and more portable unit." We hadn't really given much thought to bringing one of these things along in a laptop case, but this critter just might change our opinion on the usefulness to road warriors. Hit the read link to get in line; you'll have the opportunity to part with $149.99 in exchange for one later this month.

[Via EverythingUSB]

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Mimo's 710-S 'Mobile Slider' USB monitor gets low... real low originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Nikon Coolpix S1000pj projector-cam gets hands on, ads galore

Video: Nikon Coolpix S1000pj projector-cam gets hands on, ads galore


The just-announced Nikon Coolpix S1000pj digicam / pico projector has been blowin' up the Interwebs this morning, and we have the video to prove it. First of all, there is a hands-on provided by What Digital Camera over in the UK, and aside from the projector they've uncovered a pretty straight forward digital shooter: 12 megapixel, 5x optical zoom, pretty standard dimensions, and a 2.7-inch LCD. However, the projector itself seems to do the job quite admirably. Sure, it's not an extensive demo, but the image looks clear and crisp. The reviewer deems it "a very, very clever party trick." And if the straight ahead tech demo doesn't get you in the mood to snap pictures and project them onto something, advertisers have offered us two visions of the future: take your pick from a spirited get together choc full o' photogenic American actors, or a somewhat subdued, more elegant affair in the presence of photogenic French actors. All that fun (and more) is to be had after the break.

Continue reading Video: Nikon Coolpix S1000pj projector-cam gets hands on, ads galore

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Video: Nikon Coolpix S1000pj projector-cam gets hands on, ads galore originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 12:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nokia N97 Mini is seriously just a smaller, cheaper N97, it seems

Nokia N97 Mini is seriously just a smaller, cheaper N97, it seems

Eldar Murtazin over at mobile-review has chimed in on those alleged Nokia N97 Mini shots that leaked last week -- and as anyone who follows the mobile industry knows, when the ridiculously well-connected Eldar speaks, folks tend to listen. The dude says that the N97 Mini is very much real, as is the name, which -- get this -- he claims was leaked by Nokia itself in an effort to stave off an unnamed competitor who'd also been planning to release a smaller version of one of its handsets with a "Mini" label slapped on the name. At any rate, the N97 Mini apparently isn't pulling any punches -- it's said to be exactly what you see, little more than a smaller N97 with a reconfigured keyboard and no camera lens cover. That sounds like a tough sell at first, especially when you throw in Eldar's claim that it'll step down to 8 and 16GB versions from the N97's 32GB, but the good news is that Espoo's seemingly looking to get this on the market for about €100 less ($144) than the N97. As for an official announcement, Eldar says that Nokia's planning to unveil it at Nokia World next month; the original model was revealed at last year's show, and frankly, we're hoping for a little bit more innovation than this by the time they're done unveiling the new lineup. Rover, perhaps?

[Via Unwired View]

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Nokia N97 Mini is seriously just a smaller, cheaper N97, it seems originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Latest Dell tablet / MID rumor: Intel-based, free-on-contract

Latest Dell tablet / MID rumor: Intel-based, free-on-contract


Last we heard, Dell was secretly at work on a handheld / MID that would challenge the likes of the iPod touch, but it turns out it may also have its eye on the Kindle and the still emerging e-reader market, or the two may be one in the same -- or neither, but bear with us for a minute. According to Wired's Gadget Lab, Dell is looking to shake things up in a fairly big way by offering a touchscreen tablet of unspecified size for free to folks willing to enter into a contract and sign up for "one or more digital media subscriptions." Details are otherwise a bit light, as you might expect, but Dell is rumored to be collaborating with Intel on the device, and the pair are supposedly looking to launch it in "about six months."

[Via SlashGear]

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Latest Dell tablet / MID rumor: Intel-based, free-on-contract originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 15:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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via @dberkowitz - Facebook to App Ads: "Be careful how you use user data in your app ads." -- http://bit.ly/e8eKb

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How to --reproducibly-- manufacture viral video hits http://bit.ly/GBUTR - without paid media support.

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Monday, August 03, 2009

Nikon's Coolpix S1000pj: First Digital Camera With a Built-In Projector [Digital Cameras]

Nikon's Coolpix S1000pj: First Digital Camera With a Built-In Projector [Digital Cameras]

The guys at PhotoReview have unveiled four new Nikon Coolpix digicams, including the S1000pj—the first to include a built-in digital projector. This backs up earlier rumors about the camera formerly known as the VP650.

The Coolpix S1000pj is the first digital camera with a built-in projector that lets users project photos or movies clips on any flat surface at up to 40 inches in size. A handy projector stand is included, as is a remote control that can be used to operate the projector, release the shutter, and more. This model features an effective resolution of 12.1 megapixels and a 5x Zoom-Nikkor lens with 28mm (equivalent) wide-angle coverage, along with a similar image stabilization system to the Coolpix S640.

Although a release date is still up in the air, the S1000pj is expected to drop sometime in the near future for an RRP of $699. Check out PhotoReview for details on the entire lineup. [PhotoReview via Nikon Rumors]




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