GM testing pedestrian detection system powered by WiFi Direct (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/07/27/gm-testing-pedestrian-detection-system-powered-by-wifi-direct-v/

Car makers have been peddling wireless pedestrian avoidance systems almost as long as there have been automobiles. (We believe one of the earliest was called the "side view mirror.") GM's new experiment though, differs from other implementations by skipping out on the 3G, cameras and radar -- instead going for a model built around WiFi Direct. The peer-to-peer 802.11 standard hasn't exactly set the world on fire, but the WiFi Alliance is diligently tweaking the platform and apparently GM thinks its a perfect match for connecting cars, cyclists and pedestrians to each other. Unlike 3G-based systems, there's little lag between locating and identifying bikes or people crossing the street since the signal doesn't have to be bounced off a satellite. It also has a leg up on radar detection since WiFi can be a two way pipeline -- alerting someone out for a stroll of an oncoming vehicle. Of course, it will be some time before anything like this actually makes it into! a produ ction vehicle. But, in the meantime, you can check out the PR and video after the break.

Continue reading GM testing pedestrian detection system powered by WiFi Direct (video)

Filed under: Transportation, Wireless

GM testing pedestrian detection system powered by WiFi Direct (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 Jul 2012 15:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung Galaxy S Lightray 4G hides out in the open, heads to MetroPCS

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/07/27/samsung-galaxy-s-lightray-4g-hides-out-in-the-open-heads-to-met/

What's old is apparently new again for MetroPCS subscribers. Thanks to some leaked training materials over on Howard Forums, we have a pretty clear idea of the next Galaxy S device to bow on that budget carrier's lineup -- the Lightray 4G. No, your eyes aren't deceiving you, we've seen this exact phone before at CES 2012 where it was part of Dyle's Mobile TV showcase. And that chassis you see above? It's a mostly unaltered version of Verizon's Droid Charge, although that formerly pointed chin seems to have gotten the Ashlee Simpson treatment. Spec-wise, the 4.3-inch device reportedly packs a Super AMOLED Plus display, 1.3-megapixel front-facing / 8-megapixel rear cameras, 16GB of included microSD storage (what it'll ship with onboard is unknown), HDMI-out and, bizarrely, that aforementioned TV tuner, replete with antenna. No word on when this unofficial fella's set to go legit nor which Google OS treat it'll run, but with a recently surfaced FCC doc and company slides to go off, we're sure to find out sooner rather than later.

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless

Samsung Galaxy S Lightray 4G hides out in the open, heads to Metr! oPCS originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 Jul 2012 18:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MSI outs new CR41 notebook, hopes you like the color royal bronze

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/07/27/msi-outs-new-cr41-notebook-hopes-you-like-the-color-royal-bronz/

What's rectangular, coated in a royal bronze finish, opens like a clam and lasts for up to seven and a half hours? If you answered MSI's new CR41 notebook, you'd be right (though we would've accepted self-destructing jewelry boxes as an answer). The 14-inch multimedia "mobile companion," announced just today, packs a 1,366 x 768 HD display, dedicated HM76 graphics chipset, choice of Intel's third-generation Core i processors and comes in a variety of storage configurations: 500 GB, 640GB or 720GB. Weighing in at 5.3 pounds (2.4kg) and measuring 13.8 x 9.2 x 1.3 inches (349.7 x 234.8 x 32mm), the laptop also features a six-cell 4,400mAh battery, support for Bluetooth 4.0 and WiFi b/g/n, an optical drive, ports for HDMI, USB 3.0 (x2), USB 2.0 (x2), an SD slot and the requisite headphone jack. So far no official pricing or release dates have been made public for the Windows 7 rig, but when it does hit retailers' shelves, rest assured it'll be upgrade-ready for Redmond's next great OS. Follow on past the break for the official PR.

Continue reading MSI outs new CR41 notebook, hopes you like the color royal bronze

Filed under: Laptops

MSI outs new CR41 notebook, hopes you like the color royal bronze originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 Jul 2012 19:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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WSJ: Apple, Google reportedly in rival groups to buy Kodak patents

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/07/27/apple-google-reportedly-in-rival-groups-to-buy-kodak-patents/

Kodak might be cleared to sell its patents, but it's likely no fan of the companies lined up to make a deal. The Wall Street Journal's best friends, "people familiar with the matter," assert that Apple and Google are part of separate coalitions hoping to buy the 1,100 patents up for grabs. Apple's camp supposedly includes Microsoft and controversial patent holder Intellectual Ventures; Google's team reads more like an Android Justice League, with HTC, LG, Samsung and "patent risk solutions" provider RPX all playing a part. Real or not, there's still much that's up in the air. Kodak's not talking, and even the touted insiders warn both of new challengers and allegiances that could be in flux over the next few days. If there's meat on this rumor bone, however, it could make the August 8th auction another patent war spectacle rather than a mere ticket back to solvency for Kodak. Break out the popcorn.

[Image credit: Pittaya Sroilong, Flickr]

Filed under: Cellphones, Digital Cameras

WSJ: Apple, Google reportedly in rival groups to buy Kodak patents originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 Jul 2012 17:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ViewSonic announces a duo of budget-friendly LED monitors

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/07/27/viewsonic-budget-led-monitors/

As gorgeous as huge, expensive monitors are, most situations just don't call for the inches or wallet-dents associated with today's luxury screens. With this in mind, and barely a breath after outing its $299, 27-inch LED offering, ViewSonic is back with two budget displays from the VA12 series. First up is the VA2212m-LED, which rocks a 1080p widescreen, 21.5-inch panel, 10,000,000:1 contrast Ratio, DVI and VGA inputs, as well as a pair of 2W integrated speakers. Its little brother the VA1912m-LED shares most of the same genes, but with an 18.5-inch, 1,366 x 768 resolution screen. Running with ViewSonic's eco-friendly theme, both mercury-free LED monitors also boast the eco-mode feature for low power consumption and a longer life. If either of the new displays are grabbing your attention, you'll be able to pick up the $149 VA2212m-LED imminently, with the $125 VA1912m-LED hitting North American retailers in mid-August.

Continue reading ViewSonic announces a duo of budget-friendly LED monitors

Filed under: Displays

ViewSonic announces a duo of budget-friendly LED monitors originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 Jul 2012 17:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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