drag2share: Mirror Box + Digital Camera = Instant Holiday Desktop Wallpaper [Image Cache]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5864742/mirror-box-%2B-digital-camera--instant-holiday-desktop-wallpaper/gallery/1

If you're not already swamped this time of year, here's a fun experiment you can do with a compact digital camera, a box made of mirrors, and any holiday themed items you might have lying around.

Ron Brinkmann created this easy-to-build project that really only requires you to know how to use duct tape and your camera's self-timer. Once you've got your scene set up inside you just drop your camera in with a few seconds countdown, put a mirror lid on top and wait for the results. It also provides the rare occasion to use your camera's built-in flash as a way to actually improve your photos, instead of just over-exposing them. [Digital Composting via Ron Brinkmann]

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drag2share: iPhone Controlled Minimalist Coffee Maker Hides All the Hardware Under the Counter [Coffee Maker]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5864767/iphone-controlled-minimalist-coffee-maker-hides-all-the-hardware-under-the-counter

If the minimalist aesthetic in your kitchen is cramping your ability to brew up a cup of joe whenever you need a caffeine boost, Scanomat's Top Brewer keeps all the grinding and brewing hardware under the counter, out of sight.

In fact all that's visible is a gooseneck dispenser sticking out of the top of the counter, a small grate for catching spills and sprays, and an LCD touchscreen UI that serves as an alternate way to order up your beverage if an iPhone or iPad isn't readily available. While some drinks require longer brewing times than others, on average the Top Brewer can produce up to four cups of coffee per minute, and is self-cleaning so you can walk away and enjoy your brew right away.

It even has what it boasts to be the smallest milk foamer in the industry, installed at the very tip of the dispenser where it heats and foams to the required texture as needed. And if coffee isn't your thing, the Top Brewer can be configured to dispense hot and cold water, milk, fruit juices or even just steam for blanching vegetables. Pricing is still TBA, but you can expect it to cater to those who don't mind paying a premium for a great cup of coffee. [Scanomat via Uncrate]

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drag2share: Samsung's two-faced SCH-W999 Android plays the dual core, dual SIM game

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/03/samsungs-two-faced-sch-w999-android-plays-the-dual-core-dual-s/

Remember Samsung's second-gen dual-screen Android clamshell we spotted about a month ago? Well, here it is at last: announced in partnership with China Telecom, this SCH-W999 flip phone packs two 3.5-inch 480 x 800 Super AMOLED panels back to back, along with a 1.2GHz dual-core Qualcomm MSM8660, Android 2.3 with TouchWiz, HyperSkin back cover (as featured on the Galaxy Nexus for grip plus anti-smear), five megapixel camera, Bluetooth 3.0, WiFi and WAPI (China's not-so-successful take on WiFi, basically).

Like many phones on China Telecom, the W999 comes with dual SIM slots and dual-mode connectivity (GSM and CDMA2000, with the latter offering EV-DO 3G), but with the additional support for penta-band radio for globetrotters. Want to nab one? We're looking at a 2012 launch, though there's no word on prices just yet -- well, just so you know, the predecessor W899 starts from ¥8990 ($1,410), so good luck with your garage sale. We got you some pictures from the China launch event after the break, courtesy of Samsung Mobile.

Gallery: Samsung's two-faced SCH-W999 Android plays the dual core, dual SIM game

Continue reading Samsung's two-faced SCH-W999 Android plays the dual core, dual SIM game

Samsung's two-faced SCH-W999 Android plays the dual core, dual SIM game originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 03 Dec 2011 11:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: Samsung Galaxy Nexus for Verizon LTE hands-on (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/03/samsung-galaxy-nexus-for-verizon-lte-hands-on-video/

New Yorkers got a sneak peek at the Verizon LTE flavor of the Galaxy Nexus at the Samsung Experience in Columbus Circle today, and we dropped by to spend a few minutes with the Ice Cream Sandwich handset in the Manhattan showroom. Samsung had just four pre-production Nexus models on hand, which were running Android 4.0.1 -- not the final 4.1 version we're expecting to see shortly, with a baseband update in tow. None of the samples included SIM cards, so we were only able to test them using the built-in WiFi module. A security alarm sounded when we attempted to remove the back cover to install a SIM, though the battery was also superglued in place, further inhibiting our access.

We did take the unit for a speed test spin using our Verizon LTE MiFi, and achieved download speeds ranging from 5000-7000kbps and upload speeds of 300-2000kbps when connected to LTE over WiFi. These results don't represent what you'll see with the built-in module, but considering there was no way to get these running on the Verizon network, connectivity was limited to the MiFi and in-house WiFi. Still, this is your best shot at getting your hands on a device ahead of Verizon's official launch, so if you happen to be anywhere near NYC, head on down to the Samsung Experience to get your Nexus fix. Or hop past the break for our hands-on video.

Gallery: Samsung Galaxy Nexus for Verizon LTE hands-on

Continue reading Samsung Galaxy Nexus for Verizon LTE hands-on (video)

Samsung Galaxy Nexus for Verizon LTE hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 03 Dec 2011 19:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: HOW TO: Tell If Your Android Phone Has Carrier IQ

Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-tell-if-your-phone-has-carrier-iq-2011-12

There's a lot of discrepancies and misinformation floating around out there as to which smartphones contain Carrier IQ.

Carrier IQ is the hidden software carriers and manufacturers install on phones to track your device's hardware performance. It can also track which apps you have installed and the URLs you visit. 

Right now, there's no easy way to remove it. Android users can root their phones to uninstall, but that should only be done by pros.

Until carriers give you an option for opting out of Carrier IQ, here's a quick and easy way to tell if your phone has it. Lookout Mobile Security, the same company that helps scan for malware on Android phones, just released a simple app that tells you if your phone has Carrier IQ.

All you do is boot it up and you get a clear message, either "Your device does not have Carrier IQ" or "Your device does have Carrier IQ."

You can download the app for free from the Android Market.

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See Also:

• Here Are The Best iPhone And iPad Apps You Missed This Week
• $40M App Startup Color Is Back—Here's The Company's Latest Gamble
• Now Nokia Says Carrier IQ Doesn't Ship With Its Phones

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