Thursday, June 10, 2010

Malata's SMB-A1011 is the 10-inch Android tablet we really want to happen (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/10/malatas-smb-a1011-is-the-10-inch-android-tablet-we-really-want/

Malata's SMB-A1011 is the 10-inch Android tablet we really want to happen
We're seeing so, so many Android tablets dropping every day, so few of which seem to deliver on their promises, that we're getting a bit jaded about the things. But, every now and again we see another one that makes our ears perk up again and make it all feel just like the first time. Such is the Malata SMB-A1011, a 10-inch, 1024 x 600 capacitive tablet running a 1GHz ARM Cortex A9 processor and paired with Tegra 2 graphics. It has up to 2GB of system memory and up to 32GB of storage, with microSD expansion and 1080p output over HDMI, along with WiFi b/g and Bluetooth wireless. It's all slathered with Android 2.1, making this a slab we'd certainly make room for in our respective man and woman purses. At this point we know nothing about pricing or availability, but we do know enough to not get our hopes up too high.

Continue reading Malata's SMB-A1011 is the 10-inch Android tablet we really want to happen (video)

Malata's SMB-A1011 is the 10-inch Android tablet we really want to happen (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 Jun 2010 07:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wednesday, June 09, 2010

Like I said here - http://bit.ly/gnlQd - time-on-site SUCKS as a metric; @glenngabe shows hardcore proof, what to do - http://bit.ly/c9XUi6

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PriceBlink Is a Real-Time Background Price Comparison Tool [Downloads]

Source: http://lifehacker.com/5559238/priceblink-is-a-real+time-background-price-comparison-tool

Chrome/Firefox: If you're looking for a price-comparison engine that integrates with your browsing experience but have been put off by some of the privacy issues surrounding popular price-comparison add-ons, you might want to take a look at lightweight and privacy conscious PriceBlink.

PriceBlink integrates with Chrome and Firefox and idles in the background waiting for you to do some shopping. When you visit shopping sites PriceBlink offers seamless suggestions, showing you were the products are cheaper at other retailers.

Where PriceBlink stands apart is factoring in shipping charges. You won't have to visit a site where a product is $5 cheaper just to find out that shipping actually makes it $3 more than the site you're currently on. PriceBlink also keeps an eye on coupon and deal sites to make sure you never miss coupons and free shipping codes. Check out the video above for a walk through or visit the links below to install it for Chrome or Firefox. Have a favorite price-comparison extensions or site? Let's hear about it in the comments.

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Learn to Make Your Own Chrome Extensions [Programming]

Source: http://lifehacker.com/5559317/learn-to-make-your-own-chrome-extensions

Learn to Make Your Own Chrome ExtensionsLifehacker readers are often interested in learning how to code, and if you're a Chrome user, development blog Tutorialzine has a great tutorial to start you off making simple Chrome extensions.

Chrome extensions are actually pretty simple at their core; they're basically just web pages, except they also have access to aspects of your browser, like tabs or history. Like any other page, you can use javascript and style sheets to really customize the look and feel all you want.

Tutorialzine's instructions will walk you through creating your first extension, that will act as a popup with a very pretty display of an RSS feed on it (pictured above, using theirs). It's simple, but the tutorial is pretty great—it walks you through each step of the process and makes it easy to understand which parts of the code are linked to certain attributes, as well as providing helpful links to certain sections of Google's documentation on extensions. If you've ever wanted to make a Chrome extension, it's a pretty good place to start. Hit the link to read more, and let us know what you think of the process in the comments.

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Sony Outs Seven LED 3DTVs At Once [3dTv]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5559356/sony-outs-seven-led-3dtvs-at-once

Sony Outs Seven LED 3DTVs At OnceThe promise of Sony's entry into the 3DTV market has been swirling since last September. Today they're not just dipping their toes in the 3D waters; they're delivering a full-on cannonball, with the launch of seven 3D and "3D-ready" TVs.

Only two of the models—the 52-inch and 60-inch Bravia XBR-HX909 series—feature integrated 3D right out of the box. The other five range from 40 to 55-inches and cost between $2100 and $4000. That's before you throw in the Sony active shutter glasses for $150 a pop and $50 sync transmitter that make the sets 3D-capable.

It's great to see a new heavyweight entrant in an area that's so far been dominated by Samsung and Panasonic. And Sony's models are coming in at least cost-competitive, although it's a little disappointing that they're not undercutting the competition to the extent that we'd heard. At least they're throwing in a 3D Blu-ray Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs and Deep Sea consolation prize.

The sets are available for pre-sale now and will be in stores sometime next month.

SONY DELIVERS THE INDUSTRY'S LARGEST ARRAY

OF 3D CAPABLE HDTVs AND HOME AUDIO AND VIDEO PRODUCTS

Pre-sales Begin for BRAVIA 3D HDTVs; 3D Upgrade For Earlier 2010 Blu-ray Models

SAN DIEGO, June 9, 2010 – Sony today announced that its 3D capable BRAVIA® HDTVs are now available for pre-sale at Sony Style stores and that its new integrated Blu-ray 3D™ devices will hit retail shelves beginning this July. Additionally, the company released a free firmware update that activates Blu-ray 3D capability for previously announced Blu-ray Disc models including the BDP-S470 and BDP-S570 players and the BDV-E570 and BDV-E770W home theater systems.

Sony now offers consumers the most diverse line of 3D capable home entertainment products including 19 BRAVIA® HDTVs, Blu-ray Disc players and theater systems, and audio/video components that offer various levels of performance and features.

Sony will support the 3D launch with an integrated marketing campaign featuring NFL quarterback Peyton Manning of the Indianapolis Colts, and Grammy® and Emmy® award-winning Jive/Sony Music artist Justin Timberlake aiming to deliver consumer education and eliminate 3D confusion.

"3D is revolutionizing the entertainment industry and only Sony is involved in every stage of the ecosystem," said Chris Fawcett, vice president of Sony's television business. "Leveraging deep 3D expertise from the company's theatrical and professional groups, Sony products are optimized to offer the best possible 3D home entertainment experience."
BRAVIA 3D HDTVs

Focusing on that high quality experience, Sony's 3D capable BRAVIA HDTVs incorporate a frame sequential display with active-shutter glasses that work together with Sony's proprietary high frame rate technology reproducing smooth, full high-definition 3D images.

The line-up includes the 3D integrated BRAVIA XBR-LX900 HDTV, which features a built-in 3D sync transmitter and two pair of active shutter glasses and the 3D ready BRAVIA XBR-HX909 and KDL-HX800 series 3D ready models which offer the option of adding the 3D sync transmitter and glasses at an additional cost.

The line features screen sizes including 40, 46, 52, 55, and 60-inches and ranges in price from around $2,100 (KDL-40HX800) to about $5,000 (XBR-60LX900).

Consumers who purchase and register one of the new 3D BRAVIA models will receive a copy of Sony Pictures Home Entertainment's Blu-ray 3D™ title Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs as well as Blu-ray 3D title Deep Sea. The sets will also include a PlayStation® Network voucher enabling 3D BRAVIA purchasers to download stereoscopic 3D gaming experiences on the PlayStation3 (PS3™) System (sold separately). The titles include PAIN (partial game) and MotorStorm®: Pacific Rift (demo) and full game downloads of WipEout® HD and Super StarDust™ HD.

BRAVIA XBR-LX900 Series Integrated 3D HDTVs

The full HD 1080p (1920 x 1080) BRAVIA XBR-LX900 series features integrated 3D functionality and includes the 60-inch XBR-60LX900 for about $5,000 and the 52-inch XBR-52LX900 for about $4,000.

The Monolithic Design, Edge LED backlight models also feature integrated Wi-Fi® (802.11n) for an easy connection to broadband home networks to access Sony's BRAVIA Internet Video Platform and BRAVIA Internet Widgets, as well as Sony's new premium video service, Qriocity.

BRAVIA XBR-HX909 Series 3D Ready HDTVs

The XBR-HX909 series is 3D ready with the addition of Sony active shutter glasses (about $150 per pair) and sync transmitter (about $50), both sold separately. The models feature full HD (1920 x 1080p) and Sony's Intelligent Dynamic full array LED backlight. The Monolithic Design concept models include the 52-inch XBR-52HX909 for about $4,000 and the 46-inch XBR-46HX909 for about $3,500.

Sony's Intelligent Dynamic LED backlighting improves contrast and dynamic range by local dimming that controls the LED backlight level by area so that detail is maintained in the dark areas, while other areas are driven near peak brightness. The models also include an RS-232c I/0 terminal for custom installation applications.

BRAVIA KDL-HX800 Series 3D Ready HDTVs

Also 3D ready (with the addition of Sony active shutter glasses and sync transmitter, sold separately), the BRAVIA KDL-HX800 series features full HD 1080p (1920 x 1080) and utilizes a Dynamic edge LED backlight with local dimming for improved contrast and dynamic range. The series includes the 55-inch class (54.6-inches measured diagonally) KDL-55HX800 for about $3,400, the 46-inch KDL-46HX800 for about $2,700, and the 40-inch KDL-40HX800 for about $2,100.

Blu-ray 3D Players

Available in July for about $300, Sony's Blu-ray 3D BDP-S770 model offers built in Wi-Fi (802.11n) for easy access to Sony's BRAVIA Internet Video platform and Qriocity.

Additionally, Sony's BDP-S470 and BDP-S570 Blu-ray Disc players can be upgraded to play Blu-ray 3D with a free online firmware update that is now available. The update also adds Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA®) compatibility to the models.

Blu-ray 3D Home Theater Systems

Also available this July for about $800, Sony's new full HD 1080p 5.1 channel Blu-ray 3D capable home theater system (model BDV-HZ970W) features wireless capabilities via the included USB wireless LAN adapter (802.11n) allowing for easy access to the BRAVIA Internet Video platform and Qriocity.

The model also offers two HDMI inputs with 3D pass-through, HDMI repeater function, and a universal remote.

Sony's BDV-E570 and BDV-E770W Blu-ray theater systems can now also be upgraded to Blu-ray 3D with the free firmware update. The update also adds DLNA compatibility to the units.

Unique to all Sony Blu-ray Disc players, users with an iPhone® or iPod® touch device can control the players using a free app called "BD Remote" which can be downloaded from the Apple App store. The app, will also be available soon for Android™ devices, allows the device to function as a remote control that includes the ability to access a Blu-ray Disc's details such as jacket artwork, actor, and production information as well as search for additional video clips online.

3D Capable Home Audio Components

Sony also recently announced 3D capable home audio products including the STR-DN1010 audio/video receiver, the HT-CT350 and HT-CT150 3.1 channel sound bars, and the HT-SF470 5.1 channel home theater system. The models offer consumers flexible solutions to round out the Sony 3D experience and meet the demands of 3D home entertainment.

Additionally, Sony will add 3D capability to the previously announced STR-DH810 and STR-DH710 AV receivers through a firmware update later this month.

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Sony 3DTVs go on pre-sale at Sony Style stores immediately, 'Cloudy' hits Blu-ray 3D June 22

Source: http://hd.engadget.com/2010/06/09/sony-3dtvs-get-us-pricing-info-go-on-pre-sale-at-sony-style-s/

After getting price and release date information in the UK, Japan and even Canada, Sony has finally seen fit to announce US details for the latest and greatest additions to the BRAVIA LCD lineup. Additionally, the software update to turn on Blu-ray 3D playback and DLNA streaming in its latest players (the out of the box 3D ready BDP-S770 ships next month) is going out today, provided you can find a disc to slip in them -- which you can't until Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs arrives at retail June 22. Just like the other launches, buyers of the new TVs can expect a copy of that movie, Deep Sea, and vouchers for 3D games on the PlayStation Network (once it comes back up.) Oh, and how much will you be spending on the new televisions? Check after the break for all the details, but MSRPs (expect much lower prices in reality, as revealed by JR.com) range from $2,100 for the KDL-40HX800 to $5,000 for a 60-inch BR-60LX900. No word yet on when you'll be able to pick up these displays at any other retailers, but if Sony is your preferred brand for 3D, you'll need to run by a Sony Style store to have a chance of sticking one on the wall in time for the 2010 World Cup.

Continue reading Sony 3DTVs go on pre-sale at Sony Style stores immediately, 'Cloudy' hits Blu-ray 3D June 22

Sony 3DTVs go on pre-sale at Sony Style stores immediately, 'Cloudy' hits Blu-ray 3D June 22 originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 09 Jun 2010 14:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GestureTek intros 42-inch multitouch GestTable, your HDTV suddenly turns jealous

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/09/gesturetek-intros-42-inch-multitouch-gesttable-your-hdtv-sudden/

Still looking to snap up your own Surface? Ain't got the cheddar to buy that one that comes free with a yacht? In all honesty, we're in no position to make promises about the affordability of this one, but GestureTek is gearing up to offer the world yet another option with the curiously titled GestTable. This 42-inch beast of a table contains a multitouch LCD with a lovely 1080p resolution, which means that you could theoretically watch the next installation of the Batman series on the same surface that's holding your cup of joe. Not that we'd recommend that, but hey.... In related news, the company is introducing the new 70-inch GestDisplay, a massive freestanding multitouch panel aimed primarily at businesses looking to give prospective customers a way to interact with the wares they're about to inevitably buy. As we alluded to earlier, there's nary a mention of price, but feel free to dip into the nitty-gritty just past the break.

Continue reading GestureTek intros 42-inch multitouch GestTable, your HDTV suddenly turns jealous

GestureTek intros 42-inch multitouch GestTable, your HDTV suddenly turns jealous originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 09 Jun 2010 15:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung's Big Time, Pocket-Sized Pico Projector [Pico]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5559245/samsungs-big-time-pocket+sized-pico-projector

Samsung's Big Time, Pocket-Sized Pico ProjectorYou may not be able to tell from this context-deprived picture, but Samsung's SP-H03 pico projector is small. Really small. Like, hockey puck small. And it puts 854x480 resolution and 1GB of internal memory in the palm of your hand.

The SP-H03 weighs just half a pound, and brings grownup specs to the pico category. In addition to that WVGA resolution, it's got impressive 30 lumen brightness, microSD memory expansion up to 16GB, and an itty bitty 1W stereo for media presentations.

It'll be available this month for $300, which sounds just reasonable enough that you should be able to get your company to spring for one for all those "important business presentations" you've got coming up. And if you end up using it more for putting home movies up on the garage door, well, who's gonna know?

SAMSUNG SEES BIG PICTURE WITH PALM-SIZED PICO PROJECTOR AND MEDIA PLAYER

New SP-H03 Pico Projector Packs Performance and Multimedia Integration Into Self-Contained Personal Media Device

RIDGEFIELD PARK, N.J., June 9, 2010 – Samsung Electronics America Inc., a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Corporation, today announced the SP-H03, a self-contained personal media device. The palm-sized pico projector features a bright, high resolution LED output and integrated multimedia player for the user on-the-go. The SP-H03's 1 GB of internal memory allows users to load content directly to the device with seamless, built-in multimedia playback without being tethered to a computer making it ideal for easily sharing images, videos, music, and documents on a variety on surfaces in business or personal settings.

"With portable design, high quality projection, and built-in multimedia playback features, the SP-H03 is an expansion of Samsung's expertise in LED technology and mobile productivity," said Tom Grau, senior manager of projector marketing at Samsung Electronics Information Technology Division. "The H03's robust and intuitive features make it an easy, efficient and affordable choice for everyone from tech-savvy travelers to mobile presenters, professionals and educators."

PINT-SIZED PERFORMANCE
The new ultra-portable SP-H03 offers a small, well-balanced industrial design that weighs only 6 oz., allowing it to easily fit into a pocket, backpack, purse or briefcase. The solid-state LEDs and DLP® technology heighten performance with a picture output of up to 80 inches, ensuring everyone enjoys the show.

The use of an energy-efficient LED light source also highlights Samsung's continued dedication to creating eco-sensitive products. Designed to last for the life of the product, solid-state LEDs maintain their brightness and eliminate traditional lamp replacement, contributing to a more-affordable total cost of ownership.

EXCLUSIVE SAMSUNG DESIGN INNOVATIONS
Not only does the SP-H03 boast a computer-free experience, but it also allows users to project their content on-the-go via external memory or entertainment devices like USB storage devices, microSD memory cards or MP3 players. For added versatility, users can enjoy audio playback through the SP-H03's integrated 1W speaker or utilize the output connectors for personal headphones or external speakers.

For business and education applications, Samsung's built-in Document & Media Viewers enable PC-free projection of Microsoft® Office Suite (PowerPoint, Excel, Word) documents, Adobe® PDF, movie, image, and audio files, in their native file formats.

The SP-H03 will be available through Samsung authorized retailers, including Best Buy, beginning in June 2010 for $299.99 MSRP.

SP-H03 KEY SPECS
· Unparalleled brightness in pico category with 30 ANSI lumens
· LED light source rated at 30,000 (max) hours of life
· WVGA (854x480) native resolution
· Image size ranging from nine to 80 inches
· 1 GB internal memory, expansion available via microSD card (up to 16 GB) or with input from a USB storage device
· Computer-free Document Viewer allows for content playback for Microsoft® Office Suite and Adobe® PDF documents and movie, image and audio files in native formats, including:
o Movie: AVI, MP4, ASF, MPG, RM, FLV, WMV
o Image: JPEG, PNG, BMP, GIF
o Music: MP3, MP2, WAV, WMA, FLAC, APE, RA
· Supports standard VGA signals (PC), composite video (smart-phones, DVD players), and USB storage devices with included or optional adaptor cables
· Rechargeable Lithium-ion battery: 2 hour (max) battery life
· Dimensions: 2.5 W x 1.5 H x 2.5 D inch
· Weight: 6 oz.

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Four-Ton Transformer Tribute to Ancient Chinese General Meshes History and Sci-Fi

Source: http://www.popsci.com/

In the U.S., we often complete the run-up to graduation by writing 25 pages of extremely dry thesis that is typically read and appraised by a single person before being relegated to the library stacks forever. Bi Heng, a student at the Central Academy of Fine Arts in China, decided that instead he would create a 4-ton, $43,000 Transformer-inspired sculpture honoring legendary Chinese general Guan Yu.

The sculpture was assembled from components of an old Jiefang brand vehicle, a 25-year-old military service truck employed by the People's Liberation Army. Robo Guan Yu stands about 32 feet tall and wields a dynastic-era weapon that makes for a nice juxtaposition with the post-Revolutionary scrap he's assembled from.

As for the real Guan Yu, he was a respected general at the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty and a key player in the civil war that ended it. Though his military exploits and valor have been pumped up to mythical standards over the years, he was apparently legitimately revered for his prowess at kungfu. Though Robo Guan Yu is unfortunately static, check out the accompanying promo video below to see the general's latest moves.

[MMO]

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Office Web Apps Offers Free Doc Editing with 25 GB Storage [Microsoft Office]

Source: http://lifehacker.com/5557862/office-web-apps-open-for-use

Office Web Apps Offers Free Doc Editing with 25 GB StorageOffice Web Apps, the free, cloud-based viewing and editing suite that Microsoft promised would be available to everyone, has opened wide its doors. It's a decent set of basic-plus editing tools, powered by SkyDrive's generous 25 GB of storage space.

As you can see in the screenshot above, Microsoft's free editing tools, like Word, aren't anything close to a replacement for its desktop suite, but it is an experience fairly comparable to Google Docs. They've even added in real time collaborative editing, and, presumably, there's greater formatting compatibility with Office documents you upload.

Office Web Apps Offers Free Doc Editing with 25 GB Storage
Head to office.live.com in your browser—any browser, it seems—and you'll get a list of the documents you've uploaded to SkyDrive, with Bing-powered search and some basic filtering. Head there in a smartphone, and Microsoft promises you'll be able to at least view your documents in most smartphone browsers. If you're a Live Messenger users, there's additional functionality in store for you, and Hotmail die-hards should get some extra neat features soon.

Office Web Apps are a free set of tools to use, and require a Live account. If you're not in the U.S., UK, Canada, or Ireland, you can access a no-country-restricted version of the Web Apps here, though not in any language but English at the moment.

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Preview Google Maps Links in Gmail [Gmail Labs]

Source: http://lifehacker.com/5558022/preview-google-maps-links-in-gmail

Preview Google Maps Links in GmailJust out of the Gmail Labs is a Google Maps preview function, which appends a miniature map—with full scaling, zoom, and other Maps features—to the bottom of any message containing a Maps link.

As always, you can enable the feature by heading to your Settings in Gmail and heading to the Labs section, where you'll find "Google Maps previews in mail" available to enable. The feature only works with U.S. addresses at the moment, but international support is being developed. By the same token, Buzz social network users get the same kind of instant preview of Maps links when posting their updates or viewing others'.

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Dual Monitor Tools Manages Your Multiple Monitors with Open-Source Tools [Downloads]

Source: http://lifehacker.com/5558216/dual-monitor-tools-manages-your-multiple-monitors-with-open+source-tools

Dual Monitor Tools Manages Your Multiple Monitors with Open-Source ToolsWindows: There are some great multi-monitor management tools available but if you're trying to keep things free and open-source the pickings get a little slimmer. Dual Monitor Tools is a collection of open-source applications for managing your multi-monitor setup.

Dual Monitor Tools isn't a single application but a suite of individual apps. Load only the ones you need and conserve memory in the process. The suite currently includes four applications Swap Screen, Dual Wallpaper, DisMon, and Dual Swap.

Swap Screen enables hotkey management of windows across your multiple monitors like moving, minimizing, and rotating the contents of monitors from one to the other. You can also restrict the mouse movement to a single monitor. Dual Wallpaper is a simple wallpaper manager that offers different wallpaper on each screen or spanning wallpaper. DisMon allows for selective disabling of monitors—handy for gaming and particularly picky applications that don't play nice with multiple monitors. Dual Snap is a screen capture application designed for capturing images from the secondary monitors. As noted above each application stands alone so if you see at tool that interests you, you can pluck it from the suite and use it without the others.

Dual Monitor Tool is open-source, Windows only. For more multi-monitor goodness make sure to check out how to make the most of your multiple monitor setup under Windows 7 and the five best tools for managing your multiple monitor setup.

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Safari Extensions Catalogs Add-Ons for Safari [Downloads]

Source: http://lifehacker.com/5558096/safari-extensions-catalogs-add+ons-for-safari

Safari Extensions Catalogs Add-Ons for SafariSafari: You checked out the new features in Safari 5, you enabled extensions, but now what? You need some extensions to play with. Safari Extensions is an unofficial catalog of available extensions to keep you updated until the official gallery goes live.

Apple won't be opening their extension gallery for Safari until later this summer. If you want to play with extensions sooner rather than later Safari Extensions is an unofficial catalog of available extensions.

The current offerings are small compared to the massive catalogs for browsers like Firefox and Chrome but with Safari 5 hot off the development press this morning we're not in any position to complain—especially in light of the fact that in the time it took to write this article the number of offerings doubled! Check out the extensions they have or submit extensions you've found in your travels. Safari Extensions is a free site and requires no registration. Thanks jwisser!

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Waachen Saves Online Videos To Watch Later, Is Like Instapaper for Video [Bookmarking]

Source: http://lifehacker.com/5558385/waachen-saves-online-videos-to-watch-later-is-like-instapaper-for-video

Waachen Saves Online Videos To Watch Later, Is Like Instapaper for VideoWacchen is an online bookmarking service that saves and stores all the online videos you run across in one place via a simple browser bookmarklet. It works very similarly to bookmarking, article-saving service Instapaper, but for video.

Wacchen saves videos from over 70 web sites with the click of a bookmarklet, including video sites like YouTube, Vimeo, TED, and tons more.

Waachen Saves Online Videos To Watch Later, Is Like Instapaper for VideoOnce you have an account, grab the bookmarklet and place it on your browser for easy access. When you surf the web and stumble across an interesting video, click the "Watch It Later" bookmarklet. Wacchen will save the video on its website, where you can later access all videos for future viewing.

It's a great way to keep track of videos, when you don't have time to watch them right away or in the middle of something. Wacchen requires an account to work.

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8 Incredible Health Innovations That Transform Lives [Health]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5558428/8-incredible-health-innovations-that-transform-lives

Each day, the physical capabilities that technology gives us is incredible, and we're not just talking about texting friends at lightening pace, or the ability to see our energy consumption in real time. We're talking about the abilities given to us by new tech in the health industry, either to supplement or restore disabilities experienced by people across the globe.

Technology is giving us wonderful options for those of us with physical limitations. From the blind to the deaf, from amputees to burn victims, gadgets are creating a whole new realm of abilities.

Here are eight extraordinary technologies that hold promise for an easier life.

8 Incredible Health Innovations That Transform Lives Credit: Courtesy of eyewriter.org

1. The Eyewriter

The Eyewriter is an outstanding invention for people unable to use their limbs. It is a set of glasses that can detect where a person's eyes are looking, allow them to literally draw with their eyes. Created for people diagnosed with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the designers' goal for the Eyewriter project is to develop the most simple and inexpensive eye-tracking headset possible and open source the software so that ALS patients around the world can create art and images on their own.

The Eyewriter from Evan Roth on Vimeo.

2. The Luke Arm

Named as a Star Wars head nod to Luke Skywalker, the Luke arm is one of the most advanced prosthetic arms ever created. DARPA, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, awarded $18 million in funding to Dean Kamen in 2005 to bring prosthetics into the 21st century, and boy did he. The Luke Arm is the first bionic upper limb to provide 18 degrees of freedom, a step up from its ancestors that only offer 3 degrees of freedom. It can be controlled by wiring the device to muscles or nerves, or with a foot pedal. It even has a tactile feedback sensor in the hand allowing the wearer to sense what kind of pressure they're putting into their grip. Here is a video of Kamen showing off the arm earlier this year.

Kamen is an impressive inventor, coming up with several inventions intended to improve people's lives, from this Luke Arm to a water purifier that runs off of cow dung for people in developing nations. Check out more about Dean Kamen on Planet Green.

The Colbert Report Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Dean Kamen
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor Fox News

3. A Dozen Different Legs

For amputees who have lost their legs, simply finding a prosthetic leg that allows them to move comfortably and freely can be a challenge. But what if you want to run in a marathon, or have legs that look natural for a formal event? Athlete, fashion model and activist Aimee Mullins has helped bring the possibilities for amputees to new heights. She shows how prosthetic leg design can transform the body into everything from a work of art to a super athlete, or simply help a person easily blend in to a social scene. Here is Aimee during a TED talk on the possibilities held within designing high tech prosthesis.



4. Solar Powered Hearing Aids

Hearing aids are helpful for the hard of hearing but they're very expensive, especially when it comes to the batteries. For people with little money to spare or limited access to replacement batteries, hearing aids are impractical. That's why Howard Weinstein created the Solar Ear, a $100 hearing aid with a solar powered battery that lasts as long as three years. Weinstein is hoping to chip away at the gap between the 600 million people who have hearing loss and the mere 8 million people who can afford a hearing aid.

On top of providing the gift of sound to those who might otherwise go without assistance, the Solar Ear project extends help far into the deaf community through employment opportunities. All of the employees working on Solar Ear devices are deaf.

The project is currently in Brazil, Botswana, West Bank Palestine, and will expand to Mexico, China, India, Canada during 2010.

5. Regrowing Stereocilia - The Hairs that Help You Hear

Stereocilia, or the tiny hairs inside our ears, are an integral part of the hearing system. But overexposure to noise - such as experienced in music concerts or blasting tunes from an iPod - can permanently damage them, degrading a person's hearing over time. Researchers at Stanford, however, have hit a breakthrough in growing hair-like cells that function just like those in our ears. This could mean solutions for damaged hearing.
The research is still about a decade away from offering a solution that can be used in humans, but the potential is there for helping to restore hearing to those with noise-induced hearing loss.

6. Liquid-Filled Eye Glasses

Sometimes low tech is far more effective than elaborate gadgets. Such is the case with Josh Silver's eyeglasses that adjust to the wearer's correct prescription simply with liquid. More or less liquid is added to the lens until the prescription is just right for the wearer. The inexpensive glasses address an important need of more than one billion people in developing nations worldwide who lack access to eyecare. Here is Josh Silver demonstrating how the glasses work and the impact they can have on people, from improving their productivity to their quality of life.



7. Printing New Skin Directly onto Wounds

Skin is an organ that protects our bodies from infection, and for burn victims, it's the loss of that protective barrier that is the biggest threat. Skin grafts - surgically moving healthy skin from one part of the body to the burned area - is one way of aiding recovery. But what if new skin could be created in an instant, sprayed on like a printer sprays ink onto a paper? Turns out, we can do that.

Researchers at Wake Forest University have created a device that can spray new skin cells onto burn victims, supplanting skin grafts as the standard treatment. The device can be wheeled directly over a patient in a hospital bed, where a laser takes a reading of the wound's shape and size, and the precise amount of skin cells is applied exactly where they're needed.

"We literally print the cells directly onto the wound," said student Kyle Binder, who helped design the device. "We can put specific cells where they need to go."

The device still needs to undergo testing by the FDA for approved use on humans, but it has proven to be effective on mice.

8 Incredible Health Innovations That Transform Lives

8. Wheel Chairs Powered by Fuel Cells and Solar Panels

Wheelchair technology has come a long way for getting people around. Ensuring they have a charge from a sustainable source of energy is part of that improvement. Over the last few years, we've seen Fuel Cell (Hydrogen-Powered) Wheelchairs and Solar Powered Wheelchairs pop up as more environmentally friendly ways of charging up the chairs. While they're not the most streamlined of chairs, using off-grid charging is a big plus and we're certain that in the next few years, we'll see even more innovative and less bulky ways of incorporating alternative energy into mobility.

8 Incredible Health Innovations That Transform LivesRepublished with permission from Planet Green

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