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Friday, September 10, 2010

iLoveHandles turns nano iPods into oversized watches

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/10/ilovehandles-turns-nano-ipods-into-oversized-watches/

What happens when Apple introduces a square-shaped new iPod and adorns it with an analog watch face for a lock screen? A whole new cottage industry sprouts up, whereby entrepreneurial types dust off old and mostly worthless watch straps, cut out an iPod nano-shaped compartment in them, and charge you $19.99 for the privilege of turning your tiny PMP into a somewhat bulky wristwatch. The saddest part about this is that we've got a feeling they might be on to a winner here.

iLoveHandles turns nano iPods into oversized watches originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Sep 2010 05:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Thursday, September 09, 2010

Researchers Successfully Translate Brainwaves Into Words [Science]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5632821/researchers-successfully-translate-brainwaves-into-words

Researchers Successfully Translate Brainwaves Into Words In a recent study, researchers at the University of Utah successfully translated brainwaves into words, a huge breakthrough that could eventually give paralyzed patients a new way to communicate.

The trials, which involve placing a grid of electrodes directly on an epileptic subject's brain, are preliminary—only that one individual has been tested, and when the entire pool of words, ten in all, were used, they were only identified with 48% accuracy. But when limited simply to "yes" and "no," researchers were able read the brainwaves accurately 90% of the time.

Those results are extremely promising. Bradley Greger, a bioengineer at the University of Utah who worked on the studies, explains:

This is quite a simple technology … based on devices that have been used in humans for 50 years now...We're pretty hopeful that, with a better design, we'll be able to decode more words and, in two or three years get approval for a real feasibility trial in paralyzed patients.

With some paralyzed patients' means of communication limited to blinking their eyelids or wiggling their finger, this research has profound potential. [LATimes]

Working Tractor Beam Can Move Objects 5 Feet With Just Light [Awesome]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5632911/working-tractor-beam-can-move-objects-5-feet-with-just-light

Working Tractor Beam Can Move Objects 5 Feet With Just Light Have you ever lazily wished you could just use a tractor beam to grab that out-of-reach object? Apparently, you can. Using only light, Australian researchers say they are able to move small particles almost five feet through the air.

It's more than 100 times the distance achieved by existing optical "tweezers," the researchers say.

Not quite a simple grabby tractor beam, the new system works by shining a hollow laser beam at an object and taking advantage of air-temperature differences to move it around.

Moving objects with powerful light is not new - researchers have long been using optical tweezers to pluck bacteria-sized particles and move them a few millimeters. The U.S. Secretary of Energy, Steven Chu, won his Nobel Prize for work with optical tweezers. But Andrei Rhode and colleagues at the Australian National University say their new laser device can move glass objects hundreds of times bigger than bacteria, and shove them a meter and a half (5 feet) or more. Rhode says the 1.5-meter limit was only because of the size of the table where he placed his lasers - he thinks he can move objects up to 10 meters, or about 30 feet.

It works by shining a hollow laser beam around small glass particles, as Inside Science explains. The air around the particle heats up, but the hollow center of the beam stays cool. The heated air molecules keep the object balanced in the dark center. But a small amount of light sneaks into the hollow, warming the air on one side of the object and nudging it along the length of the laser beam. Researchers can change the speed and direction of the glass object by changing the lasers' brightness.

The system needs heated air or gas to work, so in its present incarnation it wouldn't work in space - sorry, Star Wars fans. But it could be used for a variety of purposes on Earth, like biological research or movement of hazardous materials.

[Inside Science News Service]

Popular Science is your wormhole to the future. Reporting on what's new and what's next in science and technology, we deliver the future now.

USB 3.0 Hard Drives So Fast and Small That Even a Monkey Wants Them [LaCie]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5633380/usb-30-hard-drives-so-fast-and-small-that-even-a-monkey-wants-them

I don't know what this cute little creature is up to, but the hard drives he's fondling are some of the world's smallest USB 3.0 drives: The LaCie Rikiki and the Minimus.

The LaCie Rikiki and Minimus are some of the world's smallest mobile and desktop USB 3.0 hard drives available. The Rikiki will come in a 500GB capacity and cost $100 while the Minimus will offer a 1TB capacity for $130.

LaCie Introduces the Worlds Smallest Mobile and Desktop USB 3.0 Hard Drives

September 8, 2010 - LaCie debuts today sleek USB 3.0 hard drives for your desktop or pocket – the LaCie Minimus and LaCie Rikiki USB 3.0. Proving size does matter, LaCie delivers the industry's fastest transfer speeds at 5Gb/s* in its ultra–small Rikiki form factor – perfect for users that refuse to sacrifice performance for mobility; and the LaCie Minimus – for users that enjoy their terabytes as much as desk space.

Complementing their remarkably small sizes, the Rikiki and Minimus hard drives are encased in sturdy brushed aluminum for an elegant aesthetic appeal. The aluminum offers resilience from blunders, improved heat dissipation, and is fully recyclable.

Designed to be simple from the inside out, the Rikiki and Minimus come with LaCie's Software Suite to ensure seamless setup and backup support for Mac or PC. Additionally, each product comes with 10GB of Wuala online storage so you can securely store and share files online.

"The Minimus and Rikiki USB 3.0 offer our customers easy and affordable options to access the super speeds of USB 3.0," said Philippe Rault, LaCie Consumer Product Manager. "Since these products offer backward compatibility with USB 2.0, they will work on any PC or Mac with no worry."

Availability

The LaCie Rikiki USB 3.0 is available in a 500GB capacity at $99.99. The LaCie Minimus is available in a 1TB capacity at $129.99. Both products are available through the LaCie Online Store, LaCie Corner, and LaCie Reseller+. For more product information, visit www.lacie.com.

* Based on theoretical rate given by the USB–IF. More info on www.usb.org

Dual-Screen Kno Tablet To Be Available by Year's End [Tablets]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5633557/dual+screen-kno-tablet-will-be-available-by-years-end

Dual-Screen Kno Tablet To Be Available by Year's End Does the lure of playing with "the most powerful tablet anyone has ever made" tempt you? How about those dual 14.1-inch touchscreens? (That's a combined might of 28.2-inches!) Kno has received $46m investment, with an end-of-year launch already penciled-in.

After being shown off at the D8 event in June, we were bowled over by the idea of having two capacitive IPS screens, measuring 14.1-inches each. That's a seriously large tablet, but could be the closest thing we see to Microsoft's Courier, which has now been binned.

Running on a Tegra 2 chip with 16GB of storage, we're not quite sure what warrants investor Marc Andreessen's claims that the Linux device will be the "most powerful tablet anyone has ever made" (considering other Tegra 2 tablets exist, such as Toshiba's Folio), but perhaps they're holding a few cards back for now.

It sounds expensive, doesn't it? The company's CEO Osman Rashid claims it'll cost under $1,000, though a tablet's got to be nearer $500 for most to even consider it. Especially students, who the tablet is said to be aimed at. Kno wants to offer college textbooks through an app store, which will allow them to draw on the pages and take notes like a lot of the ereaders nowadays. However, Kno plans to use webkit, so the textbooks can be transferable between the tablet and other devices—smells like a pricey way of pirating schoolbooks to me, however pretty the device may be. [TechCrunch]

Zotac introduces ID33 and ID34 Zbox mini PCs, complete with Atom D525 and Blu-ray

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/08/zotac-introduces-id33-and-id34-zbox-mini-pcs-complete-with-atom/

Now this is an HTPC worth gawking at. Zotac has just revised its long-standing Zbox line with a new duo, and we have to say -- we're digging the new look. Beyond the exterior improvements, the outfit has bolstered the internals by providing the HD-ID33 and HD-ID34 with Intel's new 1.8GHz Atom D525 CPU, 2GB of DDR2-800 memory, NVIDIA's next-gen Ion graphics platform, an HDMI output, 6-in-1 card reader, gigabit Ethernet, 802.11b/g/n WiFi, a couple of USB 2.0 ports and an unexpected pair of USB 3.0 sockets. The only notable difference between the two is the inclusion of a 250GB hard drive in the ID34, while the 2.5-inch HDD slot is left open for DIYers in the ID33. Windows 7 is onboard, naturally, as is a slot-loading Blu-ray drive that the company is (rightfully) proud of. It's not talking prices just yet, but we're willing to overlook a modest premium to finally get BD support within a delightfully small package. Hit the gallery below for more eye candy.

Gallery: Zotac's Zbox ID33 and ID34 with Blu-ray

Continue reading Zotac introduces ID33 and ID34 Zbox mini PCs, complete with Atom D525 and Blu-ray

Zotac introduces ID33 and ID34 Zbox mini PCs, complete with Atom D525 and Blu-ray originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 08 Sep 2010 20:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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T-Mobile G2 comes out from hiding, pre-orders begin later this month

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/09/t-mobile-g2-comes-out-from-hiding-begins-pre-order-this-month/

At last, T-Mobile just went official with its G2 QWERTY slider. As expected, this Android 2.2 device ships with Qualcomm's MSM7230 Snapdragon silicon optimized for T-Mobile's HSPA+ network with an 800MHz CPU and second generation application co-processor. Other specs include a 3.7-inch screen, 4GB of internal memory with pre-installed 8GB microSD card (supporting up to 32GB cards), Swype keyboard, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and 5 megapixel autofocus camera with LED flash and 720p HD video capabilities. Oh, and web browsing is supported by Adobe's Flash Player. Look for this successor of the T-Mobile G1 to go up for pre-orders sometime later this month.

Continue reading T-Mobile G2 comes out from hiding, pre-orders begin later this month

T-Mobile G2 comes out from hiding, pre-orders begin later this month originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Sep 2010 00:50:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ARM reveals Eagle core as Cortex-A15, capable of quad-core computing at up to 2.5GHz

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/09/arm-reveals-eagle-core-as-cortex-a15-capable-of-quad-core-compu/

Way to take the wind out of our sails, ARM -- no sooner does your dual-core Cortex-A9 finally ship, do you reveal an even more powerful smartphone, smartbook and server-slaying beast. The Cortex-A15 MPCore picks up where the A9 left off, but with reportedly five times the power of existing SOCs, raising the bar for ARM-based single- and dual-core cell phone processors up to 1.5GHz... or as high as 2.5GHz in quad-core server-friendly rigs with hardware virtualization baked in and support for well over 4GB of memory. One terabyte, actually. Like we'd heard, the ARMv7-A "Eagle" chips are destined for Texas Instruments, but ST-Ericsson and Samsung as also named as "lead licensees," so we fully expect to see some badass silicon powering a Galaxy when the 32nm and 28nm parts ship in 2013. Press release and video after the break, replete with ARM partner companies fawning over the new hotness. We can't really blame them.

Continue reading ARM reveals Eagle core as Cortex-A15, capable of quad-core computing at up to 2.5GHz

ARM reveals Eagle core as Cortex-A15, capable of quad-core computing at up to 2.5GHz originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Sep 2010 01:55:00 EDT. Please see our t erms for use of feeds.

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Lessons in Bell Curves: 15-inch laptops still king, despite wealth of portable alternatives

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/09/lessons-in-bell-curves-15-inch-laptops-still-king-despite-weal/

Jimmy Eat World didn't concoct the masterpiece that is The Middle for nothing, you know. In yet another example of the middle muddying up the waters for everyone else, DisplaySearch has found that the vast majority of systems sold in America fall into the 15.6-inch category, despite the fact that many offer no gain in resolution over 12- and 13-inch ultraportables with 1,366 x 768 panels. The reason? For one, supply and demand. The sheer quantity of 15-inch machines on the market pushes prices south, and on days like Black Friday, rarely is any size as discounted as the tried-and-true 15-incher. The numbers here would show an even greater difference if the tablets were yanked, but what's made clear is just how little interest is being shown by the masses to the outliers. In fact, Laptop found that MSI is officially putting the kibosh on its plans to ship the 13-inch X360 stateside, and a number of other manufacturers are mulling similar decisions (though "off the record"). So, are you helping to jumble up the middle, or are you a loud-and-proud 5-percenter?

Lessons in Bell Curves: 15-inch laptops still king, despite wealth of portable alternatives originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Sep 2010 02:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Droid 2 R2-D2 boot animation, live wallpapers leak out at light speed

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/09/droid-2-r2-d2-boot-animation-live-wallpapers-leak-out-at-light/

Not willing to wait for the genuine R2-D2 edition Droid 2 later this month? Then it looks like you can now get the next best thing -- the Star Wars-themed boot animation and live wallpapers from the phone have already been dug out from the recently leaked ROM and made available for download. Those include the Millennium Falcon flying through an asteroid field, the always exciting jump to lightspeed, an interactive R2-D2, and everyone's favorite: the space slug. Head on past the break for a pair of videos, and hit up the links below to check out the rest (and download them).

Continue reading Droid 2 R2-D2 boot animation, live wallpapers leak out at light speed

Droid 2 R2-D2 boot animation, live wallpapers leak out at light speed originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Sep 2010 03:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Elocity A7 goes up for pre-order on Amazon with Android 2.2, Tegra 2, and a $370 price tag

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/09/elocity-a7-goes-up-for-pre-order-on-amazon-with-android-2-2-teg/

Galaxy Tab? Who needs that overpriced prima donna? Here's the tablet the economical among us have been waiting for. Alright, so the Elocity A7 didn't elicit the highest of praise when it made its cameo on The Engadget Show, but let's congratulate its makers on achieving a pair of feats. Firstly, StreamTV has managed to get its Froyo tablet listed for pre-order on Amazon -- which is no mean feat in itself, just ask Notion Ink -- and secondly, it's done so at an even lower price point than promised, with an encouraging $370 tag. Even if you're like us and not entirely blown away by its performance, you've got root for this little slate to complete the narrative and start selling -- if for no other reason than that it might incite others to stoop to the same price point.

Elocity A7 goes up for pre-order on Amazon with Android 2.2, Tegra 2, and a $370 price tag originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Sep 2010 04:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nokia Mobile TV Headset acts as a TV antenna for your unreleased Symbian^3 device

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/09/nokia-mobile-tv-headset-acts-as-a-tv-antenna-for-your-unreleased/

Okay, so Symbian^3 is still just a glint in our eyes, but that launch date is fast approaching and here's a neat little accessory to keep up excitement for the platform: the Mobile TV Headset. You know how most phones use the cord of your earphones as an FM aerial? Well, this thing does the same, only with DVB-H teevee signals, piping them straight through into your USB-on-the-go-equipped Nokia handset. It comes with channel-changing, call-receiving, and volume controls, and will set you back €40 ($51) before taxes in Q4 of this year.

[Thanks, Maximus]

Nokia Mobile TV Headset acts as a TV antenna for your unreleased Symbian^3 device originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Sep 2010 04:50:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wednesday, September 08, 2010

QuickPay announces ROAMpay credit card swiper for Android, BlackBerry, iOS

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/08/quickpay-announces-roampay-credit-card-swiper-for-android-black/

We've seen our fair share iPhone-based credit card payment systems, but we both know that those aren't the only handsets people do business with. ROAMpay from QuickPay Merchant Services is a device agnostic card swiper with apps available for iOS, Android, and BlackBerry. Actually, it seems to be a virtual cash register as well, letting you log cash transactions (and generate receipts for 'em) as well as offering real-time authorization for Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express (as long as you have a QuickPay account, of course). Ready to get into business? Hit up the source link. Otherwise, we have a fantastic video (and some pretty swell PR) for you after the break.

Continue reading QuickPay announces ROAMpay credit card swiper for Android, BlackBerry, iOS

QuickPay announces ROAMpay credit card swiper for Android, BlackBerry, iOS originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 08 Sep 2010 14:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mushroom announces durable PortaBella wireless bonding device, continues adorable naming scheme

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/08/mushroom-announces-durable-portabella-wireless-bonding-device-c/

Mushroom announces durable PortaBella wireless

It's okay if you've never heard of wireless broadband bonding. The technology hasn't exactly caught on, even if it gets us all excited in our download place. The basic idea is to take a suite of wireless broadband adapters and plug them all into a single router, aggregating their power like shotgun modems did in the dial-up days. Mushroom Networks is the leader in this space and it has announced a new, "heavy duty" version of its PortaBella bonding device, joining its Porcini and Truffle models. The new PortaBella combines the connections of up to four wireless modems, even from different carriers, and works at temperatures ranging from 4 to 158 degrees Fahrenheit -- which sadly doesn't quite meet the extremes experienced on an average day at the Engadget Lunar Outpost. It seems our heavenly bloggers above will have to keep sharing that single modem for now.

Continue reading Mushroom announces durable PortaBella wireless bonding device, continues adorable naming scheme

Mushroom announces durable PortaBella wireless bonding device, continues adorable naming scheme originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 08 Sep 2010 14:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.!

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Quo's latest Mac clone to feature Asetek liquid cooling, Core i7

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/08/quos-latest-mac-clone-to-feature-asetek-liquid-cooling-core-i7/

We just got off the phone with Quo Computers founder Rashantha De Silva. Remember him? Last spring, amidst all the hoopla surrounding Psystar and Apple, he announced the opening of a walk-in Mac clone shop in The Golden State. Since then, Psystar may have bitten the dust, but it looks like De Silva and co. are still in business... for now, anyway. Their newest (they haven't even had time to update the website), the Quo maxQ2, will feature an Intel Core i7 3.6GHz CPU, 12GB of RAM, a 240GB SSD, a 1TB HDD, and an Adobe Mercury Playback Engine-compatible NVIDIA 285 GTX GPU. In addition, this bad boy will come equipped with an Asetek liquid / copper cold plate cooling system, and believe it or not, it'll run OS X, Linux and Windows 7. Prices start at $3,765, and it should go on sale starting September 15. For about 18 minutes, or an hour and 18 minutes if Apple's lawyer crew just so happens to be at lunch.

[Thanks, John Mayer (really!)]

Continue reading Quo's latest Mac clone to feature Asetek liquid cooling, Core i7

Quo's latest Mac clone to feature Asetek liquid cooling, Core i7 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 08 Sep 2010 16:18:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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