DIYRockets starts a challenge to build open source, 3D-printed rocket engines

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/03/08/diyrockets-and-sunglass-start-a-challenge-to-make-3d-printed-rockets/

DIYRockets believes that our chances of advancing space exploration improve when everyone can lend a hand. The company is putting its money where its mouth is by launching a competition to develop 3D-printed rocket motors using Sunglass' cloud design platform. Teams who sign up have to build an engine that could boost a nanosatellite-level payload into low Earth orbit using 3D-printed steel and other safe materials. The only major stipulations are that creators present a good business case and open-source their creations to help out other builders. DIYRockets' prize strategy reflects its for-the-greater-good ambitions: there's a $5,000 award for the best motor, but there are separate $2,500 prizes for both a student creation and the design that contributes the most to the industry. Registration officially starts on March 9th, and runs until April 6th, with the finished models due on June 1st. We'll be closer to a crowdsourced vision of space when the winners are revealed by July 1st.

Filed under: Transportation, Science

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Source: DIYRockets

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Google Fiber TV channel lineup sees its first 3D additions with 3net and ESPN3D

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/03/08/google-fiber-tv-3d-channels/

Google's Fiber efforts may not be that widespread yet, but it's obvious the search giant is doing all it can to improve the service for those who are lucky enough to have it. With that in mind, Google announced it's now brought an initial batch -- albeit a minor one -- of 3D channels to its growing Fiber TV lineup, giving "Gigabit + TV" subscribers (who own a three-dee-ready TV, of course) access to 3net at no extra cost and to ESPN3D for an additional $5 per month. While the inclusion of 3net and ESPN3D might seem like a pretty minor one on paper, it's without a doubt a step in the right direction for Fiber TV -- and, as the company puts it, this shows how the company is "committed to making these qualities that you've come to expect from Google Fiber TV better and better."

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD, Google

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Via: CNET

Sourc e: Google

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Cambridge Consultants develops indoor tech to pick up where GPS drops off

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/03/08/cambridge-consultants-indoor-tracking/

Indoor navigation isn't a new concept, but it often requires wireless signals or custom infrastructure, neither of which are entirely reliable. Cambridge Consultants has come up with an as-yet-unnamed technology that purports to solve the issue by utilizing low-power sensors along with a custom formula that don't require an existing framework. According to the Cambridge, UK-based company, all you need are its special Bayesian algorithm and run-of-the-mill smartphone components like accelerometers, gyroscopes and magnetometers to do the job. It has already built a concept chipset (seen above) that could be embedded in existing devices -- you can either map your location directly on it or send that info off to a remote system. The firm says the technology will be useful for firefighters and hospital workers, though we wouldn't complain if it's implemented in trade shows either. For more information on the tech, check the press release after the break.

Filed under: Cellphones, GPS

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Source: Cambridge Consultants

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Those Amazing Deals On Foreclosed Homes Are Disappearing

Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/tight-supply-hits-foreclosure-discounts-2013-3

As housing supply continues to stay tight and home sales pick up, prices continue to rise.

There were 2.1 million homes on the market for sale in January, down 24 percent from a year ago. And though new and existing homes entering the market are up, the sales pace increased as well.

In a new report, Paul Diggle from Capital Economics writes that "ultra-low mortgage interest rates and steady, if not spectacular, job creation mean that the delinquency rate and foreclosure start rate are falling quickly."

He says this is causing the composition of inventory to shift, and points out that more homes are coming into the market as pre-foreclosure (short) sales.

This has caused the discount on foreclosed homes versus other homes to decline to an average of 12 percent, a level last seen before the housing crash.  Last year the discount was a much deeper 30 percent.

SEE ALSO: The 15 Best Housing Markets For The Next Five Years >

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drag2share: Add Attachments Google Calendar

source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/lifehacker/vip/~3/M5SqGPDL7oI/collapsible-standing-desks-leaking-contact-lens-solution-and-google-calendar-attachments

Attach Gmail Messages to Google Calendar

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drag2share - drag and drop RSS news items on your email contacts to share (click SEE DEMO)

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GroupMe Now Lets You Split the Bill

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5989263/groupme-now-lets-you-split-the-bill

Divvying up the check at the end of a meal can be the worst. GroupMe's latest update to its iOS and Android apps will make it better with a new bill splitting feature.

You can add a "Split" to any of your groups, similar to the way you'd add a location or a photo. Add the total price, and anyone with a credit card can chip in. They just click the "chip in" button and their card number. Price is divided equally, and the more people that join, the more the price drops. Which, duh. Once you're ready to cash in, just click collect and after entering in your bank account info, GroupMe says you'll see the funds within 24 hours.

There is a slight catch—starting March 11, split contributors will be charged 4 percent plus a dollar fee, for credit card processing and a "convenience charge" paid to GroupMe. That's a little annoying, but less so than hounding friends endlessly to pay you back for concert tickets you bought months ago. [iPhone, Android via GroupMe]

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Visualized: First photo using ISS-mounted ISERV Pathfinder zooms in on Panama

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/03/07/visualized-iserv-pathfinder-first-image/

It's been a while since we last heard of the ISERV Pathfinder, an imaging instrument that consists of a camera, telescope and pointing system that was sent up to the International Space Station last July. Now it appears it's safely installed inside the Destiny module on the ISS and has captured its first ever image, seen above, a few weeks ago on February 16th. The high-resolution picture is of the Rio San Pablo, an ecological transition zone that's marked as a protected area by the National Environment Authority of Panama. Captured at three to seven frames per second with about 100 images per pass, photos like these are designed to transmit details of natural disasters and environmental mishaps to developing nations.

Even though NASA Marshall in Huntsville, Alabama is at the helm, it's in cahoots with researchers in Central America, East Africa and the Hindu Kush-Himalaya region to carry out its goal. Of course, they're still in the starting stages at the moment -- a few outstanding issues include the amount of sunlight needed and if the geometry of the ISS window affects the image -- but NASA hopes to open up the ISERV to other scientists in a few months once it has all its kinks worked out. To check out the stunning "first light" picture above in its full resolution, head on over to the source below.

Filed under: Science, Alt

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Via: Space.com

Source: NASA Earth Observatory

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Tango video chat goes native on iPad, makes better use of everyone's screens

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/03/07/tango-video-chat-goes-native-on-ipad/

The mobile version of Tango's video chat app has almost exclusively revolved around smartphones. It's at last going a little bigger: an update to Tango's iOS app is introducing full iPad support, expanding conversations to tablet size. Those who don't need quite that grand a canvas can still make the most of what they have through the new release. Calls now use the whole screen regardless of OS, and iPhone users can touch up any soon-to-be-shared photos in Aviary. The talkative among us just need to snag Tango's upgrade at the source link to eke a little more from their screens.

Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets

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Source: Tango

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Matterport 3D camera aims to map your interior world, display it from the cloud

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/03/07/matterport-3d-camera-cloud-based-virtual-maps/

Startup Matterport's just closed a round of investor funding to bring its 3D mapping camera and "interactive viewing platform" one step closer to commercial production. The company, founded in 2011 and backed by the likes of Qualcomm Ventures, aims to let consumers build virtual, cloud-based maps of their homes, offices or other sites of interest -- using a special camera rig -- for eventual viewing on laptops or tablets. It's an ambitious project that's managed to raise nearly $6 million in funding so far. But despite that investment, details on the specifics of the system, as well as a visual of the actual hardware used are scarce. So this could all very well smack of vaporware. For now, though, Matterport's site is selling the dream -- literally, as you can sign-up to pre-order now. So if you want to take a gander at what those 3D indoor maps may look like, hit up the source below.

Filed under: Desktops, Cameras, Laptops, Tablets, Software

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Source: Matterport

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NVIDIA rolls out Apex and PhysX developer support for the PlayStation 4

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/03/07/nvidia-rolls-out-apex-and-physx-developer-support-for-the-ps4/

Just because the PlayStation 4 centers around an AMD-based platform doesn't mean that NVIDIA is out of the picture. The graphics firm is updating the software developer kits for both its Apex dynamics framework and PhysX physics modeling system to address Sony's new console, even if they won't have the full hardware acceleration that comes with using NVIDIA's own chipsets. The introductions will mostly take some of the guesswork out of creating realistic-looking games -- theoretically, adding a larger number of collisions, destructible objects and subtler elements like cloth and hair modeling. Most of us won't see the fruits of the updated SDKs until at least this holiday, but programmers looking for more plausible PS4 game worlds can hit the source links.

Filed under: Gaming, Sony, NVIDIA

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Source: NVIDIA (1), (2)

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Samsung posts NX1100 camera manual prematurely, shows a subtle upgrade

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/03/06/samsung-posts-nx1100-camera-manual-prematurely/

Samsung must not be very attached to the NX1000: the mirrorless camera isn't even a year old, and its creator is already rushing to post details of the follow-up. Manuals for the NX1100 have surfaced on the company's site that confirm the camera's look while revealing details. And... it's no great shakes, at least from what Samsung has disclosed. There's still a 20.3-megapixel sensor, an ISO 12,800 sensitivity limit, a 3-inch LCD and 802.11n WiFi. Software also looks similar on the surface. As long as the manuals aren't just placeholders, then, the improvements are likely tougher to quantify. We just hope that official documentation means a short wait.

Filed under: Cameras, Samsung

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Via: Photo Rumors

Source: Samsung

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Fotodiox brings 140-megapixel images to your NEX, medium format lens not included

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/03/07/fotodiox-nex-medium-format-moving-adapter/

Fotodiox has a new take on E-mount lens adapters that'll give you 140-megapixel images by performing an interesting trick: moving the camera. The rather spendy device uses an interchangeable lens mount that accepts either Pentax 645, Mamiya 645 or Hasselblad V medium format lenses, coupled with a moveable platform to mount your Sony NEX. When ready to fire, you check the built-in exposure screen to frame the shot and the system moves the NEX around to grab images at predetermined, "precisely-positioned" locations in the lens' field of view. After stitching it all together in Photoshop or similar software, the result is either a panorama or medium format photo (depending on camera orientation) -- 140-megapixels' worth in the case of a Sony NEX-7. Besides the $500 adapter, the aforementioned medium format lens and a tripod, you'll likely require a healthy dollop of patience to use it, too -- and forget about video, of course. Check the PR after the break for more.

Filed under: Cameras

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Via: Sony Alpha Rumors

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LG's 55-inch OLED HDTV gets UK launch details: £9,999, ships in July

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/03/07/lgs-55-inch-oled-hdtv-gets-uk-launch-details-9-999-ships-in/

Nearly a year after LG first showed off the production design for its 55-inch OLED HDTV and just as it begins shipping in Korea and the US, the company has announced UK details for the set. The 55EM970V with its ultra-thin frame and high contrast screen is available for pre-order now at Harrods, Knightsbridge for about £9,999, with delivery expected in July. The only problem (other than scraping together the necessary cash) is deciding between this one and LG's other "world's first" HDTV, the 84-inch 4K model it's also currently shipping. Of course, waiting until 2014 (or beyond) for more supply and lower prices is also an option -- we're sure you will choose wisely.

Filed under: Displays, Home Entertainment, HD, LG

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Recon teases new sports heads-up display for sunglasses, promises more info this summer

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/03/06/recon/

Anyone who's ever had a nice brisk bike ride through a snowstorm is likely to cringe a bit at the above image. Though the gentlemen pictured is looking forward to the summer season for other reasons -- that's when the Recon heads-up display he's testing is set to get a bigger reveal. In the meantime, we're stuck staring at the above image of HUD-equipped sunglasses and wondering precisely what it all means -- aside, of course, for the company's move off the ski slopes.

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HTC says One's dual-membrane microphones block bad vibes

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/03/06/htc-dual-membrane-microphone-claims/

Nobody expects studio quality recording from a smartphone, but the technology in HTC's recently launched One at least allows distortion free audio to be nabbed in the quietest or loudest environments, according to the company's blog. Describing BoomSound tech, HTC says the system brings two dual-membrane MEMS microphones to the handset, one of which is focused on sensitivity and the other on high decibel sources. The two signals are then combined electronically, resulting in whisper-level tones that are free of hiss along with concert level blasting that won't clip or distort. By HTC's reckoning, that means the audio that goes along with those UltraPixels will be clear whether you're capturing a physics lecture or death metal concert.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, HTC

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Via: Android Central

Source: HTC Blog

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