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Thursday, November 03, 2011

drag2share: New sensor can read your heart from afar, but knows not your feelings

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/03/new-sensor-can-read-your-heart-from-afar-but-knows-not-your-fee/

Are you fed up with your current ECG sensor? Tired of all the mess of electroconductive gels, sticky electrodes and tangled wires? How about this: Britain's Plessey Semiconductors offers an ECG sensor that promises heart-monitoring without the hassle. We've seen similar technology before, but according to the company, the Electric Potential Integrated Circuit -- or EPIC, as it's humbly called -- can read heartbeats even through a sweater; future versions might be embedded in hospital gurneys for constant, unobtrusive monitoring. Like an extremely sensitive voltmeter, it detects tiny changes in electric fields, which means it could also be used for Kinect-style motion interfaces. The company even imagines a future system where firefighters can use the EPIC to find humans in a smoke-filled room. If you're thinking, "My, that sounds just like my Deus Ex dreams" -- hey, we're right there with you.

New sensor can read your heart from afar, but knows not your feelings originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 03 Nov 2011 05:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: CSR sharpens indoor and in-car navigation with SiRFstarV, SiRFusion and SiRFprimaII

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/03/csr-sharpens-indoor-and-in-car-navigation-with-sirfstarv-sirfus/

It's been a while since we last heard from CSR, but that changed earlier this week, when the company unveiled its new SiRFprimaII and SiRFusion platforms, alongside its SiRFstarV architecture. According to the UK-based firm, both SiRFstarV and SiRFusion are designed to provide more accurate geographic data and enhanced indoor navigation capabilities across PNDs and other mobile devices. SiRFstarV, the logical follow-up to CSR's SiRFstarIV architecture, culls location data not only from GPS, but from Galileo, Glonass and Compass satellites, as well as a range of radio signals, accelerometers, gyros and compasses. All this information is fed to the user via the SiRFusion platform, which combines data from radio systems and sensors to provide constantly updated location graphics. Together, both SiRFstarV and SiRFusion promise to help users find their way around both indoor and outdoor locales, within an accuracy range of ten to 15 meters.

The SiRFprimaII platform, displayed above, is strictly geared toward in-car navigation and infotainment systems. This system combines a SiRFprimaII SoC and TriG RF multi-GNSS radio with CSR's Bluetooth and WiFi technologies to create a multimedia rich, touchscreen-based in-car environment. Geared toward both ODMs and OEMs, this hardware-software combo enables drivers to get more reliable navigation data, while allowing passengers to stream video, surf the web and manipulate everything via remote control. As for that SoC, it's powered by a 1GHz ARM Cortex A9 app processor, features an LCD controller for displays of up to 1280 x 720 resolution, and boasts a pair of 3D graphics and video accelerators. For more details, check out the pair of press releases, after the break.

Continue reading CSR sharpens indoor and in-car navigation with SiRFstarV, SiRFusion and SiRFprimaII

CSR sharpens indoor and in-car navigation with SiRFstarV, SiRFusion and SiRFprimaII originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 03 Nov 2011 06:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: LomoKino Super 35 Movie Maker lets you channel your inner Charlie Chaplin for $80

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/03/lomokino-super-35-movie-maker-lets-you-channel-your-inner-charli/

Ever wish you could return to a simpler cinematic era -- one characterized not by 3D graphics and Spielberg, but by silent images and Eisenstein? Well, you can now spearhead the movement yourself, with Lomography's new LomoKino Super 35 Movie Maker. With this device (pictured above), amateur filmmakers can manually produce their own frill-free movies on any roll of 35mm film. All you have to do is load your film into the so-called "magic box," turn the crank and let the LomoKino work its magic. The camera, which boasts a 25mm lens and max aperture of f/5.6, will capture 144 shots on a single roll of film, good for about 50 to 60 seconds of footage. It also supports a wide array of effects, including slide film, color negative, redscale and black and white. Once that's developed, you can run it through Lomography's LomoKinoScope, direct it toward a light source, and watch your homemade Baby's Lunch or Nanook of the North unfold before your eyes. You won't find any sound, special effects, or fancy post-production tools here -- just moving images, plain and cinematically pure. Lumiere enthusiasts can grab one now for $80, or opt for both the LomoKino and the LomoKinoScope, bundled together for $100. For more details, roll past the break for a sample video and the full PR, or get a closer look at the LomoKino in the gallery, below.

Continue reading LomoKino Super 35 Movie Maker lets you channel your inner Charlie Chaplin for $80

LomoKino Super 35 Movie Maker lets you channel your inner Charlie Chaplin for $80 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 03 Nov 2011 07:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wednesday, November 02, 2011

drag2share: This Woman's Fake Face Is Made from 500 Faces [Image Cache]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5855562/this-womans-fake-face-is-made-from-500-faces

Self-portraitist clickflashwhirr has been snapping shots of her mug every day for over a year—and that's nothing new on the net. But averaging 500 of those snaps into one artificial face? Beautifully creepy.

The digital composite was done by Tiemen Rapati, who explains he "simply [counted] the individual RGB values for each pixel and for each portrait, and [divided] those values by the number of portraits." The result is a slightly hazy, easy on the eyes, year-plus amalgamation of a woman. It's dreamlike, but unsettling to think the face we're looking at here never really existed. I wonder if her face hurt after making that same expression over and over and over and over again? [Tiemen Rapati via Colossal]

You can keep up with Sam Biddle, the author of this post, on Twitter, Facebook, or Google+.

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drag2share: Internet Explorer Desertion Continues as Usage Drops Below 50 Percent [Web]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5855654/internet-explorer-desertion-continues-as-usage-drops-below-50-percent/gallery/1

Internet Explorer Desertion Continues as Usage Drops Below 50 Percent Internet Explorer has long been declining in popularity, but it hit an abandonment milestone in October as its market share dropped below 50 percent for the first time in more than a decade. What browsers are reaping the benefits?

Microsoft's browser is far from dead, but the October stats are hardly favorable. Some of IE's decline can be attributed to the rapid increase in mobile browser usage—Safari rules that land. But while IE is still hovering above 50 percent of users on desktops, it's dropping fast—nearly 2 percent last month. Most of the defecting desktop users are going to Chrome, but Firefox still has an edge over Google's browser. Check out graphs above for more or head over to Ars Technica for comprehensive analysis of web usage. [Ars Technica]

Internet Explorer Desertion Continues as Usage Drops Below 50 Percent

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drag2share: Android Browser leapfrogs Opera Mini, but Safari increases its lead

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/02/android-browser-leapfrogs-opera-mini-but-safari-increases-its-l/

Web browser warriors have some more statistical firepower to play with, now that Net Applications has released the latest usage figures for mobile browsers. Google's vaguely titled Browser has inched up from a 16.3 percent share last month to 18.7 percent, counterbalanced by Opera Mini, which declined from just under 19 percent to 13.1 percent. Similarly, both Symbian and BlackBerry's mobile browsers dropped a few percentage points, down to 2.6 and 2.4 percent respectively. While rumors of a mobile-friendly version of Chrome continue to bounce around, there remains a substantial gap between second-place Android and the current mobile browser boss, Apple's Safari, which has now extended its dominance from 55.6 percent to 62.2 percent. The battle of the browsers wages on.

Android Browser leapfrogs Opera Mini, but Safari increases its lead originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Nov 2011 10:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: HP and Calxeda's Moonshot ARM servers will bring all the boys to the yard (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/02/hp-and-calxedas-moonshot-arm-servers-will-bring-all-the-boys-to/

HP and Calxeda's indiscreet partnership has been revealed to the world: Project Moonshot is a new server based around a brand new ARM-based EnergyCore system-on-chip. These new units are so efficient that a four core version, packing 4GB DRAM, consumes just five watts at full pelt -- for perspective, that's less than your average tablet. The other funky innovation is that all the server nodes now share a single power, cooling, management and storage system rather than carrying it themselves. In terms of space saving, the Redstone four unit chassis you can see in the image above can hold 288 of the little blighters. If you set your alarm clock early to learn more about efficient server architecture, head on past the break for two videos, including a tour of HP's server labs and some press release goodness.

Continue reading HP and Calxeda's Moonshot ARM servers will bring all the boys to the yard (video)

HP and Calxeda's Moonshot ARM servers will bring all the boys to the yard (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Nov 2011 11:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: Engadget's holiday gift guide 2011: tablets

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/02/engadgets-holiday-gift-guide-2011-tablets/

Welcome to the Engadget Holiday Gift Guide! We're well aware of the heartbreaking difficulties surrounding the seasonal shopping experience, so we're here to help you sort out this year's tech treasures. Below is today's bevy of curated picks, and you can head back to the Gift Guide hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the holiday season.

Of all the electronic gifts you could buy someone right now, a tablet seems like one of the safer bets. It's a cheaper way of saying "I love you" than bestowing a $1,000 laptop, and it takes less chutzpah than signing someone up for a smartphone (along with two years of data fees). And let's be real here: what's more festive than flopping onto the couch in pajamas after opening gifts and lazily playing Angry Birds while It's A Wonderful Life airs in the background? Yeah, we can't think of anything either.

Sadly, we don't have any webOS-flavored tablets this time around, and we couldn't include some hotly anticipated numbers like the Transformer Prime, since they're not shipping yet and we don't even know much they'll cost. Still, we managed to find a slew of Android tablets (and one iPad) across a range of budgets. Been on the fence about what to get? Skip past the break for some ideas.

Continue reading Engadget's holiday gift guide 2011: tablets

Engadget's holiday gift guide 2011: tablets originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Nov 2011 12:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: BlackBerry Torch 9810 up for pre-order, illuminating T-Mobile stores November 9th

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/02/blackberry-torch-9810-up-for-pre-order-illuminating-t-mobile-st/

T-Mobile is getting ready for another BlackBerry-flavored spark -- the Torch 9810 is now up for pre-order for the carrier's business customers. The 3.2-inch slider will be bringing its full QWERTY keyboard, 4G, 1.2GHz processor and BlackBerry OS 7 to T-Mobile stores on November 9th for $250 -- after the mail-in rebate and with a two-year plan, naturally. Press info after the break.

Continue reading BlackBerry Torch 9810 up for pre-order, illuminating T-Mobile stores November 9th

BlackBerry Torch 9810 up for pre-order, illuminating T-Mobile stores November 9th originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Nov 2011 12:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: DIY unmanned airship soars 95,000 feet above Earth, lays claim to new record (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/02/diy-unmanned-airship-soars-95-000-feet-above-earth-lays-claim-t/

Are you entertaining dreams of launching your own private spacecraft? All you need is about 30 grand in your bank account, and lots of spare time. Last weekend, a company called JP Aerospace sent its unmanned Tandem airship 95,085 feet above the ground -- a height that, according to the company, establishes a new record for remotely controlled airships. In fact, JP Aerospace says this altitude is a full four miles higher than any other airship has ever flown. To pull this off, the team strapped its 30-foot-long aircraft with two balloons, and packed it with a pair of electric motors that manipulated the Tandem's specially designed propellers. It's a relatively simple method, and one that didn't exactly break the bank, either. All told, it took about five years and some $30,000 to launch the aircraft, as part of the company's Airship to Orbit project. The long-term goal is to use the Tandem or similar airships as a launch pad for rockets or other interstellar aircraft. No word yet on when that could happen, but you can float past the break for a brief video on the Tandem, coupled with a brief PR.

Continue reading DIY unmanned airship soars 95,000 feet above Earth, lays claim to new record (video)

DIY unmanned airship soars 95,000 feet above Earth, lays claim to new record (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Nov 2011 07:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tuesday, November 01, 2011

drag2share: Logitech's Mini Boombox is a $99 Bluetooth speaker, we go hands-on (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/01/logitechs-mini-boombox-is-a-99-bluetooth-speaker-we-go-hands/

$99? For a portable speaker? Yup, that was our reaction too -- especially when the Mini Boombox's larger sibling boasts four times as many drivers (eight instead of two) and costs just $50 extra. But then we gave this more suitcase-friendly version a whirl and discovered that it's actually loud and balanced enough to do some justice to your tunes while you're on the move. In fact, it could well make a smarter purchase than those $30 speakers you keep buying in airports and then deliberately losing. It's available now, works with any Bluetooth-equipped smartphone or tablet and incorporates a mic for handling calls -- plus its rechargeable battery is claimed to last up to ten hours. Ears-on video and a quick round of 'name that tune' right after the break.

Gallery: Logitech Mini Boombox hands-on

Continue reading Logitech's Mini Boombox is a $99 Bluetooth speaker, we go hands-on (video)

Logitech's Mini Boombox is a $99 Bluetooth speaker, we go hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 Nov 2011 20:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: Kinect commercial SDK coming in 2012 (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/01/kinect-commercial-sdk-coming-in-2012-video/

So much for it being a fad. Kinect has evolved from a way to play with Elmo to a key tool in scientific research, delivering interactive presentations and managing your bank account. We've always called these non-standard uses of the device "Kinect Hacks" as people find more weird and wonderful ways to use it to their advantage. Unsurprisingly, Redmond has been paying attention and it's planning a commercial Kinect SDK. It's teaming up with developers to create the new software and has already received 200 applications from interested parties. It all kicks off early next year, and interested parties should be chatting up the company as we speak. Stuck for inspiration? We've got you covered, check out what other clever bods have already achieved with the technology in the video after the break.

Continue reading Kinect commercial SDK coming in 2012 (video)

Kinect commercial SDK coming in 2012 (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 Nov 2011 20:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: Pantech's Gesture Recognizing Vega LTE Will Do More Than Smile When You Wave At It [Video]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5855256/pantechs-gesture-recognizing-vega-lte-will-do-more-than-smile-when-you-wave-at-it/gallery/1

Pantech isn't known for their cutting edge phones 'round these parts, but that will soon change with their upcoming Vega LTE line that recognizes touchless gestures using its front facing camera, like a miniature version of Microsoft's Kinect.

The Android based handsets employ eyeSight's gesture recognition technology, which is a software-only solution that works with even the low resolution cameras typically found on the front of smartphones. It's capable of detecting simpler gestures, like waves and taps, and isn't tripped up by motion or poor lighting conditions. Though, I'm suspecting the dark of night could be a problem. Out of the gate the functionality looks like it will be limited to placing and answering calls, as well as controlling your music. So it seems like a feature better suited for use when driving. But there's no reason a software update down the line couldn't increase its functionality and make it a more appealing feature. [All Things D via Phandroid]

Pantech's Gesture Recognizing Vega LTE Will Do More Than Smile When You Wave At It

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drag2share: Siri Can Even Tell You a Story (If You Ask Her Enough Times) [IPhone]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5855355/siri-can-even-tell-you-a-story-if-you-ask-her-enough-times

Siri Can Even Tell You a Story (If You Ask Her Enough Times) Bored with Siri yet? Ran out of things to ask her? Then ask her to tell you a story! She'll refuse at first but if you keep on bothering her, she'll relent and tell you her origin story. It's funny!

Easter eggs like this one turn Siri from a really great voice control system to a really great voice control system you actually want to use. There's more depth to her than any robot around. [Geeky Gadgets]

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drag2share: BlackBerry Bold 9900 and Torch 9860 coming to AT&T November 6th, Curve 9360 inbound November 20th

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/01/blackberry-bold-9900-and-torch-9860-coming-to-atandt-november-6th/

It's been a few months in the works, but the BlackBerry 9900 and Torch 9860 have finally received AT&T's stamp of approval and will be available this coming Sunday. And as an added bonus, the Curve 9360 isn't too far behind, jumping onto the lineup November 20th (though if you're a business or government customer, you'll be able to snag one on the 14th). Pricing? With two-year commitments, the Bold 9900 will wind up costing $200, the Torch 9860 can be yours for $100 and the Curve 9360 will be a mere $30. The Torch appears to be destined only for virtual shelves right now, though we're not certain if it'll be making a physical appearance in retail stores any time soon. Get all of the deets in the presser after the break.

Continue reading BlackBerry Bold 9900 and Torch 9860 coming to AT&T November 6th, Curve 9360 inbound November 20th

BlackBerry Bold 9900 and Torch 9860 coming to AT&T November 6th, Curve 9360 inbound November 20th originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 Nov 2011 10:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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