The Wi-Fi Alliance has begun certification of Wi-Fi devices that can communicate directly with other wireless devices, without the need for a central hotspot or router.
Wi-Fi Direct finally provides an alternative to Bluetooth, the current leader in device-to-device networks. In fact, other than increased range (and power consumption!) Wi-Fi Direct doesn't really bring anything to the table that Bluetooth can't already handle.
These new Direct devices, along with the usual one-to-one connections, will also be capable of managing many-to-one networks. A Wi-Fi Direct printer could communicate with wirelessly-connected laptops, netbooks and smartphones -- how many homes don't have a wireless router, though? It might also mean that more ad hoc networks emerge in public spaces. A very cute video describing Wi-Fi Direct's applications can be found after the break.
These new Wi-Fi Direct devices (a few of which are listed at the bottom of the press release) should be available by Christmas. You only need one Wi-Fi Direct device to take advantage of this new feature, too -- you don't have to rush out and replace everything!
Wi-Fi Direct poised to usurp Bluetooth for device-to-device communication originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 25 Oct 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Taste Receptors In Lungs May Help Asthmatics
Writing in Nature Medicine, researchers report on discovering bitter taste receptors in human lungs, and that bitter compounds expand airways in asthmatic mice. Stephen Liggett talks about the possibility of treating asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with bitter compounds.
NSFW: Yep, Montblanc Killed my MacBook Pro Today
Last Wednesday, I got my hands on a new Meisterst�ck Le Grand Traveller pen. I haven?t touched my MacBook Pro since. It?s twelve months old. RIP.
Stop. Take a deep breath. Before my opening paragraph gets you all worked up, consider what I?m saying here. I?m saying that my TechCrunch options just cashed out and I?ve just used some of the money to buy an awesome new pen. And it?s beautiful. And I want to write a post all about how awesome and beautiful it is.
No - wait - I?ve just looked back at that lede, and you?re right. I am saying more than that. I?m saying that my new pen is so perfect in every way that my purchasing it spells the inevitable end of my MacBook. What?s more, I genuinely and unironically believe that the awesomeness of my pen is such that its halo effect will render your MacBook - and those of everyone you hold dear - useless as well.
Stop. Take a deep breath. Before my opening paragraph gets you all worked up, consider what I?m saying here. I?m saying that my TechCrunch options just cashed out and I?ve just used some of the money to buy an awesome new pen. And it?s beautiful. And I want to write a post all about how awesome and beautiful it is.
No - wait - I?ve just looked back at that lede, and you?re right. I am saying more than that. I?m saying that my new pen is so perfect in every way that my purchasing it spells the inevitable end of my MacBook. What?s more, I genuinely and unironically believe that the awesomeness of my pen is such that its halo effect will render your MacBook - and those of everyone you hold dear - useless as well.
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES (IBM) INTERDIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS INTEL INSIGHT ENTERPRISES
Padster iPad Bag Review
With iPads being more popular and apps being more diverse, the iPad has almost become a desktop replacement for your everyday life.� I carry my iPad 3G around with me everywhere since I can easily access my company network and pull up any information that I need.� But I always have a bad feeling of [...] Filed in categories: Gear, Laptop Gear, Reviews, iPhone, iPad, iPod relatedTagged: iPad bag, Leather, padsterPadster iPad Bag Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 28, 2010 at 6:30 pm.
Clinton: U.S. Will Help End Sexual Slavery
Pledging to do more to help end the scourge of sexual slavery, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton visited a rescue and rehabilitation center for child prostitutes in northern Cambodia on Sunday.
Xbox Live mandatory update coming November 1st, all hands on board
Dashboard, that is. You've already seen the new Xbox 360 dashboard update right here and thousands of you have tried its flatter, faster interface for yourselves, but if you've missed out, it's looking like your Halloween candy bag may include a full-scale rollout. Xbox Live subscribers are getting the above message in their inboxes right now, indicating that November 1st will bring a service update of some sort, after which point "You will notice a change to the layout of the Xbox LIVE Dashboard, a new color scheme, and new fonts being used." That doesn't necessarily sound like a cornucopia of Netflix Search, ESPN, Kinect and Zune Music to us, but it's not like you have a choice -- it's mandatory, and you'll lose all Xbox Live functionality unless you comply. We for one welcome our new gaming software overlords. Unlike some of the competition's updates, these at least add functionality.
[Thanks, Timothy C.]Xbox Live mandatory update coming November 1st, all hands on board originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 30 Oct 2010 23:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Xbox.com | Email this | Comments
[Thanks, Timothy C.]Xbox Live mandatory update coming November 1st, all hands on board originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 30 Oct 2010 23:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Xbox.com | Email this | Comments
Concept Butter Package Packs A Butter Knife In The Lid [Food]
Single servings of butter are almost always a pain to use. This concept packaging would revolutionize single serving butter because you don't need a butter knife. The lid of the package is the butter knife. I want this so bad. More »
Rachel Blanchard Rachel Hunter Rachel McAdams Rachel Nichols
Saturday, October 30, 2010
White iPhone 4 humor ? Saturday fun video
John from the Los Angeles-based sketch group that created this white iPhone 4 response video sent it in, hoping the humor would help ease the sting of non-release.
Let us know if laughter really is the best medicine, after the break!
White iPhone 4 humor – Saturday fun video is a story by TiPb. This [...]White iPhone 4 humor – Saturday fun video is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store. TiPb - The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog
Let us know if laughter really is the best medicine, after the break!
White iPhone 4 humor – Saturday fun video is a story by TiPb. This [...]White iPhone 4 humor – Saturday fun video is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store. TiPb - The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog
Michelle Rodriguez Michelle Trachtenberg Mila Kunis Milla Jovovich
HTC Desire HD vs. EVO 4G... fight!
By now you've probably read our Desire HD review and you've seen how HTC's latest Android flagship stacks up against its Windows Phone 7 sibling, the HD7. But how does it fare against the original Android giant, Sprint's EVO 4G? The devices share common displays (4.3-inch WVGA) and cameras (8 megapixel with dual LED flash) -- but they use different radios (HSPA+ versus CDMA / WiMAX) and processors (first-generation Snapdragon in the EVO, second-gen in the Desire). In fact, the two phones actually have very different personalities when you consider the Desire HD's aluminum unibody case and the EVO 4G's HDMI output and kickstand. Take a look at these mighty beasts side-by-side in our gallery -- along with a video after the break!
Note: In the video we mention that the Desire HD features a front facing camera. This is incorrect.
Gallery: HTC Desire HD vs. EVO 4G... fight!
Continue reading HTC Desire HD vs. EVO 4G... fight!HTC Desire HD vs. EVO 4G... fight! originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 30 Oct 2010 16:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments
Note: In the video we mention that the Desire HD features a front facing camera. This is incorrect.
Gallery: HTC Desire HD vs. EVO 4G... fight!
Continue reading HTC Desire HD vs. EVO 4G... fight!HTC Desire HD vs. EVO 4G... fight! originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 30 Oct 2010 16:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments
Flip offers moustachio'd cameras for Movember
Sure, different color options and various designer patterns are all well and good, but what gadgets really need more of is moustaches. Thankfully, Flip has now stepped in to fill that void with no less than eleven different moustache designs for the month of Movember. Available on the Flip UltraHD, MinoHD and SlideHD (and in various capacities), the moustachio'd offerings include handsome options like The Professor and The Auteur (pictured above) and, best of all, Flip will donate $10 from each purchase to the Movember Foundation, which raises funds and awareness for men's health. Hit up the source link below to check out all the options available, and to place your order if you find one that suits your style.Flip offers moustachio'd cameras for Movember originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 29 Oct 2010 19:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Flip Video Store | Email this | Comments
Vanessa Hudgens Vanessa Marcil Vanessa Minnillo Vanessa Simmons
Apple Sues Motorola Over Multitouch [Lawsuits]
Earlier this month, Motorola sued Apple for pretty much everything phone-related: MobileMe, the App Store, location based services, antenna design, and so forth. One thing Moto didn't mention however, was multitouch. So guess what happened? Apple decided to sue Motorola right back, filing two patent infringement lawsuits that cover six patents regarding, you guessed it, multitouch. More »
iRadar Device and iPhone App Provide Easy 360 Degree Laser and Radar Detection [Video]
The iRadar smart detection system integrates with its free app to provide visual alerts and notifications for speed and redlight cameras, dangerous intersections, and known speed traps. It detects all radar and laser guns, so no nasty surprises on your road-trip. More »
This Desk Is Cooler Than Your Desk Because It's a 58" iPhone [IPhone]
Whether owning a "Table Connect" would make you awesome, or something of a douchebag, is probably a matter of taste. But there's no doubt it's technically impressive—taking input from your iPhone to create a fully touch-functional, desk-sized replica. More »
Cuddle up with your very own angry bird
Want to show your love for Angry Birds, or perhaps just console one of the avian kamikaze fighters who recently had their eggs stolen by cowardly green pigs? Well then, my dear Android Central reader, you can. I can't promise he won't attempt to destroy your house in search of golden eggs, so don't hold us responsible if your house is reduced to rubble.The holiday season is right around the corner, and this would make a great gift for any Angry Birds fan. Although the birds won't ship until sometime in December, we have no idea how many preorders they're taking. So head on over to ToyWiz or shop.angrybirds.com and order yours for $14.99 while supplies last.Slingshot and precariously built wooden fortress sold separately.Posted originally at Android CentralSponsored by Android Cases and Accessories
Sports Camera Mount for Extreme Cylindrical Action
Have you ever needed to attach “your digital camera to cylindrical objects in extreme conditions”? Perhaps you find yourself cold and shivering in a torrential downpour, Thermos in one hand and umbrella in the other, yet desperate to snap a picture whilst you sip your hot beverage?
With the Flymount, you can do it all, and [...]
With the Flymount, you can do it all, and [...]
Friday, October 29, 2010
Tim Kaine: 'We're Fully Behind' Kendrick Meek
Just days before the midterm election, Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chairman Tim Kaine discusses the party's efforts to maintain a majority in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, and news that former president Bill Clinton has asked Democratic Florida Senate candidate Kendrick to bow out of the race. Kaine also discuss what upset victories he's expecting in the Democrat's favor.
Why Don't More TV Makers Sell Solar-Powered Remotes? [Remote Controls]
Fair enough, if your lounge is continually cloaked in darkness only heavy curtains and a thirst for home cinema can provide. But most lounges should have enough natural light to charge a solar TV remote, like this stylish Philips number. More »
Deal of the Day ?New HP ENVY 17 3D 1080p Quad Core i7 Laptop with 3D Active Shutter Glasses for $1549.99
The LogicBUY Deal for Thursday is the HP ENVY 17 3D laptop bundled with 3D Active Shutter glasses.� The ENVY 17 has a Core i7-720QM 1.6GHz cpu with 6GB DDR3 memory, and a 500GB 7200rpm hard drive.� The laptop has a 17.3? 1080p 3D UltraBrightView Infinity LED LCD screen, 1GB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5850 [...] Filed in categories: NewsTagged: Deal of the DayDeal of the Day ?New HP ENVY 17 3D 1080p Quad Core i7 Laptop with 3D Active Shutter Glasses for $1549.99 originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 28, 2010 at 6:30 am.
The Obama Administration's Suburban Disconnect
Joel Kotkin, PoliticoIdeologues may set the tone for the national debate, but geography and demography determine elections.
Google now taking suggestions for improving Tasks
Filed under: Productivity, Google
Google seems to be aiming at making Tasks into a ubiquitous tasklist, available anywhere and easy to use. This is one of the few niches where a non-Google tool has the upper hand - in this case, Remember the Milk is the leader of the pack, at least for now.
Google's engineers know what they have to do to make Tasks into a smash hit: give users what they want!
To make that happen, they've just announced a Tasks poll for feature requests. Google's post seems to be very new, but the poll already has 720 ideas -- so I'm assuming they're just reminding us it exists. And a worthy reminder it is - go ahead, tell Google what you think and help them make a kick-ass task manager for all of us to use!Google now taking suggestions for improving Tasks originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 26 Oct 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Google seems to be aiming at making Tasks into a ubiquitous tasklist, available anywhere and easy to use. This is one of the few niches where a non-Google tool has the upper hand - in this case, Remember the Milk is the leader of the pack, at least for now.
Google's engineers know what they have to do to make Tasks into a smash hit: give users what they want!
To make that happen, they've just announced a Tasks poll for feature requests. Google's post seems to be very new, but the poll already has 720 ideas -- so I'm assuming they're just reminding us it exists. And a worthy reminder it is - go ahead, tell Google what you think and help them make a kick-ass task manager for all of us to use!Google now taking suggestions for improving Tasks originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 26 Oct 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Where Do Wozniak's Awesome Business Cards Come From? [Wozniak]
Business cards are a little 20th century, no? So a pioneering futurist like Steve Wozniak needs to have some seriously cool ones, if he's going to have them at all. And they are—steel, photochemically etched, and really impressive. More »
BP Dispersants Causing "Non-Stop Diarrhea" and Other Pleasant Side Effects [Bp]
Remember when BP was responsible for horrible things, and then they plugged the hole and we moved on to worrying about other horrible things? Things are still horrible! The chemical they used to break down oil is making people ill. More »
Acer Plans to Launch Tablets In November
It’s the year of the tablets as electronics makers rush to get one of the hottest gadgets of the year into the hands of users. Acer is the latest to announce it will launch a new line of tablets.
The devices will be introduced in New York on November 23 and will be priced ranging from [...]
The devices will be introduced in New York on November 23 and will be priced ranging from [...]
Thursday, October 28, 2010
The Ultimate Router Battle [Reviews]
You've been getting by with the cheapie router you bought two years ago, so why should you upgrade now? Performance. And features. We asked seven manufacturers to send us the best consumer routers in their stables regardless of price tags. More »
Breaking: LimeWire P2P network shut down by RIAA
Filed under: Internet, P2PThe New York District Court, at the request of the RIAA, has forced LimeWire to shut down its network and cease distributing its software. TorrentFreak has the full story, and updates will surely follow as more data becomes available.
That a U.S. federal judge would finally grant RIAA's request comes as a numbing shock to the system. Perhaps the RIAA simply drew the right judge -- this is the same Judge Kimba Wood that found LimeWire guilty of copyright infringement back in May -- or maybe the lawsuit just snowballed in gravitas until it became unignorable.
For those of you that use BitTorrent, you might be surprised to hear that LimeWire is still most-installed P2P application with a market share of 37% -- uTorrent, by far the largest BitTorrent client, only has a 14% market share. If LimeWire really has been shut down -- and stays down -- this could affect the entire makeup of the Internet.Breaking: LimeWire P2P network shut down by RIAA originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 26 Oct 2010 18:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
That a U.S. federal judge would finally grant RIAA's request comes as a numbing shock to the system. Perhaps the RIAA simply drew the right judge -- this is the same Judge Kimba Wood that found LimeWire guilty of copyright infringement back in May -- or maybe the lawsuit just snowballed in gravitas until it became unignorable.
For those of you that use BitTorrent, you might be surprised to hear that LimeWire is still most-installed P2P application with a market share of 37% -- uTorrent, by far the largest BitTorrent client, only has a 14% market share. If LimeWire really has been shut down -- and stays down -- this could affect the entire makeup of the Internet.Breaking: LimeWire P2P network shut down by RIAA originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 26 Oct 2010 18:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Apple Faces Potential Lawsuit After Taiwanese Company Claims "iPad" Name [Apple]
A Taiwanese monitor manufacturer is threatening to sue Apple for $1.5 billion for the "iPad" name, claiming they registered "I-Pad" in 2000 for a tablet which failed to launch. Fujitsu tried (and failed), but Proview wants a stab too. More »
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GOP Hopes To Topple Freshman In Virginia's 5th
There was no closer House race in 2008 than Virginia's 5th, where Democrat Tom Perriello barely beat out a long-serving Republican congressman. Now, GOP candidate Robert Hurt is riding anti-incumbency sentiment, hammering the Democrat for his support of the White House agenda. NPR's Melissa Block traveled to Southside Virginia to talk to both candidates, as the battle to turn out the vote heats up.
Portia de Rossi Rachael Leigh Cook Rachel Bilson Rachel Blanchard
Obama Plays Jon Stewart's Straight-Man-In-Chief
President Obama tells Jon Stewart his administration has achievements unknown to many voters. This led to the comedian asking if the president planned a surprise party with jobs and healthcare for the American people.
Gallery: Discoveries In The Amazon
South America's Amazon region -- which contains the world's biggest rainforest and river basin -- is teeming with life, and much of it is still a mystery. More than 1,200 new plant and vertebrate species were discovered there in the last ten years, according to a report from the WWF. Here's a sampling of those discoveries.
National Review: The President's Puzzling Strategy
Rumors of the issues that the Obama administration will tackle after the election point to three upcoming fights: the Bush tax cuts, the deficit, and immigration. Stephen Spruiell of the National Review argues that these could easily backfire on the Democrats, as the GOP will not shy away from these debates.
Alcohol-Infused Whipped Cream Puts Some Cheery On Top [Booze]
The only thing better than flavored whipped cream? Flavored whipped cream that'll get you drunk. That's the joy of aptly named Whipped Lightning. Just imagine what the whippets are like. More »
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Writer Arundhati Roy May Be Arrested For Sedition After Kashmir Remarks
The award winning novelist and activist spoke in favor of Kashmiri separatism, saying it has never been an integral part of India. Police have been given the authority to arrest her.
Munk Bogballe debuts Classic Bespoke luxury laptop line: $7,000 and way, way up
With a name like Munk Bogballe, it has to be pricey... right? Right. 2.5 years after launching what's likely the most expensive MacBook of all time, the aforesaid purveyor of fine, fine mobile computers has introduced its Classic Bespoke collection -- at the Millionaire Fair in Moscow, no less. So, what does a base price of €5,200 ($7,180) buy you? A 5.1 pound slab of aluminum, accented with lush leather, a mahogany screen frame, freshwater pearl on / off button and oodles of gold. Oh, and a single line of diamonds, presumably for squeezing out six to ten more frames per second in Portal. You may also expect to get only the latest and greatest when it comes to technology, but you'd be badly mistaken; the standard configuration ships with a Core i5 processor, 4GB of RAM and a paltry 500GB hard drive. If you're hot for an SSD, ostrich leather or an 18 carat gold power button, that'll be extra. Not like you really care, Mr. Millionaire. Gallery: Munk Bogballe launches Classic Bespoke luxury laptop lineContinue reading Munk Bogballe debuts Classic Bespoke luxury laptop line: $7,000 and way, way upMunk Bogballe debuts Classic Bespoke luxury laptop line: $7,000 and way, way up originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 Oct 2010 14:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Munk Bogballe | Email this | Comments
MANTECH INTERNATIONAL MANHATTAN ASSOCIATES LSI LINEAR TECHNOLOGY
Daughter who hit McMahon in ring now in a TV spot (The Arizona Republic)
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'Tamil Pulp': Sexy, Gory Fiction, Now In English
Tamil is a language known for its poetry, but commentator Sandip Roy knows it has another side. Dime-store pulp fiction has a large Tamil-speaking following -- and a newly translated anthology is coming to America.
Buy Your Gizmodo Artist Series T-Shirt Today [Announcement]
You guys kept telling us you wanted an official Giz t-shirt, and now they're here. The very first Gizmodo Artist Series t-shirt, designed by former Giz illustrator Wendy MacNaughton, is available today from BustedTees for $20. More »
Most (And Least) Corrupt Countries
Somalia, Burma, Afghanistan and Iraq are the most corrupt. Denmark, New Zealand, and Singapore the least. The US, and other countries hit by the financial crisis fell in the rankings.
CrunchGear Week in Review: Caps for Sale Edition
$$$: Team Fortress 2 Modders Make Nearly $50,000 Apiece End Of An Era: Sony Stops Manufacturing Cassette Walkmans Apple Announces The Apple MacBook Air Refresh Including A Smaller Model Inflatable Photo Studio Sets Up In Minutes, Is a Firetrap New Pleo Peeks Out From The Antediluvian Mists
HTC Speedy a Knight in Sprint armor coming January 6th?
We were just getting used to HTC Knight when along comes more supposed details of the still-unconfirmed slider. Boy Genius Report has what it claims is a leaked accessories list from Sprint that reveals a case for the Knight is due on January 6th, 2011. Does that mean the phone itself is launching on the same date? Would that date have something to do with the start of CES? Oh, and BGR also claims from a source the Knight is getting a new title. What do you think about the HTC Speedy -- descriptive, eh? As far as we can tell, there isn't really much else to go by at this point, so our jump to conclusion will just have to stay under the bed for now.HTC Speedy a Knight in Sprint armor coming January 6th? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 Oct 2010 02:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Electronista | Boy Genius Report | Email this | Comments
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Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Earthquake Not To Blame For Cholera Outbreak In Haiti
The most likely explanation for the outbreak is a rise in temperature and salinity in estuaries around Haiti's Bay of Saint-Marc, says an expert. Shrimp-like copepods that carry the cholera bacterium thrive in those conditions.
Officials: Computer outage at Wyo. nuke site (The Arizona Republic)
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Apple now offering free iPad engraving
Been holding off on an iPad until you could put just the right two-line message on the back of it? Well, today's your day, as Apple is now finally offering free engraving for both the 3G and WiFi models just as it does with iPods -- and conveniently just in time for the holidays. That will change the shipping time from 24 hours to one to three business days, however, so make that message count.
Apple now offering free iPad engraving originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 Oct 2010 13:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink BGR | Apple Store | Email this | Comments
Apple now offering free iPad engraving originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 Oct 2010 13:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink BGR | Apple Store | Email this | Comments
New Vaccine Raises Hopes Of Polio Eradication
The new vaccine has been shown to be more effective than others. World Health Organization Officials are saying it could help completely eliminate the disease. They're giving it to millions of African children this week.
IBM patents system that uses hard drives to accurately measure earthquakes, predict tsunamis
Filed under: Fun, IBMIt is with dubiously raised eyebrows that we bring you this gem: using accelerometers in hard disks to detect seismic activity, IBM can divine a wealth of natural disaster-related information.
These hard disk sensors are so sensitive that they can detect the tiniest of vibrations. The seismic data, along with the sensor's geographical location, are then sent to a mainframe computer to be processed. IBM can then interpret that data to tell emergency response teams where an earthquake hit with the most magnitude. "It tells them I need to go to this school; I don't need to worry about this bridge," explains Bob Friedland, one of the patent's inventors.
While this technology doesn't go as far as predicting the next major earthquake, it can predict the likelihood and direction of a tsunami following an earthquake. Presumably, though, this system can detect with greater accuracy the small foreshock tremors that can precede large earthquakes.
For more information, feel free to read through the patent.IBM patents system that uses hard drives to accurately measure earthquakes, predict tsunamis originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 25 Oct 2010 08:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
These hard disk sensors are so sensitive that they can detect the tiniest of vibrations. The seismic data, along with the sensor's geographical location, are then sent to a mainframe computer to be processed. IBM can then interpret that data to tell emergency response teams where an earthquake hit with the most magnitude. "It tells them I need to go to this school; I don't need to worry about this bridge," explains Bob Friedland, one of the patent's inventors.
While this technology doesn't go as far as predicting the next major earthquake, it can predict the likelihood and direction of a tsunami following an earthquake. Presumably, though, this system can detect with greater accuracy the small foreshock tremors that can precede large earthquakes.
For more information, feel free to read through the patent.IBM patents system that uses hard drives to accurately measure earthquakes, predict tsunamis originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 25 Oct 2010 08:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Lazy Hackers Unite: Firesheep Boasts +104,000 Downloads In 24 Hours
Well that was fast.
In roughly 24 hours, Firesheep has been downloaded more than 104,000 times, as would-be-hackers ? or the merely curious? downloaded the Firefox extension to test the exploit.
As we reported on Sunday night, Eric Butler's Firesheep allows users on a public Wi-Fi network to effectively spy on others, by giving Firesheep users access to sensitive information (via cookies) that lets them log into their victim's accounts on unsecured sites.
We got a chance to catch up with Butler this evening, who has been overwhelmed by the extension's attention.
In roughly 24 hours, Firesheep has been downloaded more than 104,000 times, as would-be-hackers ? or the merely curious? downloaded the Firefox extension to test the exploit.
As we reported on Sunday night, Eric Butler's Firesheep allows users on a public Wi-Fi network to effectively spy on others, by giving Firesheep users access to sensitive information (via cookies) that lets them log into their victim's accounts on unsecured sites.
We got a chance to catch up with Butler this evening, who has been overwhelmed by the extension's attention.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Tunebug Shake Vibration Speaker Review
Since the advent of the Walkman?, we have become addicted to being connected to our music. Not just any music, but our music, sorted and selected while on the go to match our moods and activities. The vast libraries available with iPods and other digital music devices now make it expected that we can and [...] Filed in categories: Audio, Video, TV Gear, ReviewsTagged: SpeakerTunebug Shake Vibration Speaker Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 25, 2010 at 11:30 am.
Logitech Revue Google TV Box Looks Just as Complex Inside [Google TV]
The early word on Google TV is that it's kinda messy! So's the inside of the Logitech Revue, which is basically a netbook on a motherboard, complete with a 1.2GHz Atom processor. More »
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Panasonic's Power Loader Light slims down, stays out of fights with aliens
Panasonic's full-size Power Loader exoskeleton certainly has its place, but there are times when giant freaking robots arms might be considered overkill. Thankfully, Panasonic (or more specifically, its Activelink subsidiary) has considered such situations, and has now come out with its streamlined Power Loader Light (or PLL). As you can see, this model eschews the robot arms altogether, but it makes use of the same direct force feedback system that's able to predict your leg movements and increase your leg strength by up 40 kilograms. Of course, even the Light version is still a bit out of reach for everyday use -- it will initially cost around $223,000, but Panasonic is offering a grant program to potential developers that would cut the price in half.Panasonic's Power Loader Light slims down, stays out of fights with aliens originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 25 Oct 2010 12:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Plastic Pals | Email this | Comments
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Google faces landmark fine in Britain for 'gross invasion of privacy'
Filed under: Security, GoogleBritain's Information Commissioner, Christopher Graham, announced yesterday that a new investigation into the Google Street View privacy debacle will be opened. If found guilty of a breach of privacy, Google could face a fine of up to £500,000 ($790,000).
While £500,000 might seem like a pittance compared to the billions of dollars that Google has in the bank, it is the maximum fine that a privacy breach in Britain can warrant. It would be a publicity disaster, too, and it would open the flood gates for fines from other countries.
Google has already admitted that both emails and passwords were scooped out of the air by its Wi-Fi snooping. It is probably no coincidence that Britain is only now announcing a new investigation into the matter -- and it's hard to see how this new investigation can return anything other than a guilty verdict for Google.Google faces landmark fine in Britain for 'gross invasion of privacy' originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 25 Oct 2010 06:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
While £500,000 might seem like a pittance compared to the billions of dollars that Google has in the bank, it is the maximum fine that a privacy breach in Britain can warrant. It would be a publicity disaster, too, and it would open the flood gates for fines from other countries.
Google has already admitted that both emails and passwords were scooped out of the air by its Wi-Fi snooping. It is probably no coincidence that Britain is only now announcing a new investigation into the matter -- and it's hard to see how this new investigation can return anything other than a guilty verdict for Google.Google faces landmark fine in Britain for 'gross invasion of privacy' originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 25 Oct 2010 06:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Pumpkin Illumination 101: CFLs, LEDs, and Lasers, Oh My [Video]
Yesterday we showed you some great ways to carve the ultimate pumpkin, but what good is the ultimate pumpkin without some awesome illumination? Today we take a look at different ways you can illuminate your Halloween masterpiece. More »
Theta Music Trainer helps you develop musical hearing
Filed under: Audio, Games, Education
I've always wanted to do something musical. But having received no musical education and not coming from a musically-inclined family, I find myself dreading the subject and feeling that it's all a bit too much for me. I'm speaking mainly of the theoretical side of it, which has to do with figuring out all of those scales and then telling them apart.
Theta Music Trainer has shown me that I might have a chance to grasp this music thing after all. It's composed of several Flash-based games, each of which is focused on an aspect of "educated listening." Here are three examples:
Paddle Pitch trains your ear to recognize "scale tones." It's basically Pong, but you use the number keys to move the paddle, and you need to move the paddle to whatever sound was played.
Melodic Drops plays two-note sequences, and you have to figure out the musical interval between the two notes (an octave, two identical notes, etc.).
Parrot Phrases is by far the hardest one. The game plays sequences of notes, and you have to play them back by ear on a virtual piano, keyboard, or guitar.
In its free form, Theta Music Trainer is a very limited demo; it lets you play only the first level of every game. But if you pay $7.95/mo, you get full access to all levels. That's what it says on the contact page, anyway, but I wasn't able to find out how to subscribe.
The idea is very, very good, and the execution feels solid. So, even if Theta Music Trainer isn't quite ready for prime time, this is definitely one to keep an eye on for your musical training.Theta Music Trainer helps you develop musical hearing originally appeared on Download Squad on Sat, 23 Oct 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
I've always wanted to do something musical. But having received no musical education and not coming from a musically-inclined family, I find myself dreading the subject and feeling that it's all a bit too much for me. I'm speaking mainly of the theoretical side of it, which has to do with figuring out all of those scales and then telling them apart.
Theta Music Trainer has shown me that I might have a chance to grasp this music thing after all. It's composed of several Flash-based games, each of which is focused on an aspect of "educated listening." Here are three examples:
Paddle Pitch trains your ear to recognize "scale tones." It's basically Pong, but you use the number keys to move the paddle, and you need to move the paddle to whatever sound was played.
Melodic Drops plays two-note sequences, and you have to figure out the musical interval between the two notes (an octave, two identical notes, etc.).
Parrot Phrases is by far the hardest one. The game plays sequences of notes, and you have to play them back by ear on a virtual piano, keyboard, or guitar.
In its free form, Theta Music Trainer is a very limited demo; it lets you play only the first level of every game. But if you pay $7.95/mo, you get full access to all levels. That's what it says on the contact page, anyway, but I wasn't able to find out how to subscribe.
The idea is very, very good, and the execution feels solid. So, even if Theta Music Trainer isn't quite ready for prime time, this is definitely one to keep an eye on for your musical training.Theta Music Trainer helps you develop musical hearing originally appeared on Download Squad on Sat, 23 Oct 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
For Apple, a Week of Hot Air and Market Share
Apple held its big Back to the Mac event this week, showing previews of software and hardware to come. On the hardware side, it has a new, aluminum body MacBook Air. Weighs less than three pounds and boasts up to 30 hours of standby time, five to seven hours of actual use. It comes in two sizes: 13.3 inches and 11.6, which teeters right on the brink of netbook territory.
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Germophobes have a new tool against bacteria ? Violight Cell Phone Sanitizer
Did you know that your cell phone can be a breeding ground for strep, e. coli and other nasty germs? Do you care? Yeah, me neither. I eat off my phone and I like it. But if the thoughts that microscopic critters are currently crawling all over your snazzy iPhone have you in dispair, I [...] Filed in categories: Miscellaneous, News, Spotlight GadgetsTagged: CleaningGermophobes have a new tool against bacteria – Violight Cell Phone Sanitizer originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 23, 2010 at 5:15 pm.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Corruption Scandal Rocks Albany (Taegan Goddard's Political Wire)
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Gingerbread man arrives at Google HQ [video]
Look who dropped in for a visit at Google HQ -- it's the Gingerbread man, poised to join the rest of the tasty treats on the lawn at Google. There's no word on any announcement or code dropping, but it can't be too much longer now that this big fella is on site. Google's own unboxing video after the break. [via AndroidDev, TechCrunch]
Posted originally at Android CentralSponsored by Android Cases and Accessories
Posted originally at Android CentralSponsored by Android Cases and Accessories
GOP Victory May Be Defeat For Climate Change Policy
The majority of Republicans running for House and Senate seats this year don't agree that human activity is responsible for global warming. And one outgoing GOP congressman says when he tells his colleagues he believes the science, "People look at you like you've grown an extra head or something."
Verizon adds fewer customers than AT&T in Q3, race for first place gets tight
By subscriber count, Verizon had vaulted into first place by a pretty comfortable margin following its Alltel acquisition, but AT&T added significantly more customers this last quarter than Big Red did -- and just like that, the battle for first place among the US national carriers is starting to get hot again. Verizon added 997,000 customers (excluding acquisitions) in the July through September period versus AT&T's beefy 2.6 million, meaning AT&T now stands at some 92.8 million -- just 400,000 or so fewer that Verizon's headcount. Nothing like an exclusive iPhone launch to give you a little boost, right? On the plus side, Verizon's postpaid churn in the quarter was low at 1.07 percent, and Verizon Communications as a whole earned 31 cents per share -- lower than its second quarter pre-adjustment EPS of 58 cents, but a heck of a lot higher than the 7 cent loss it actually posted in Q2.
Outside of wireless, the company added 226,000 and 204,000 FiOS internet and television customers, respectively, bringing the totals to 3.9 and 3.3 million; FiOS ARPU is up nearly 11 percent year over year, and the company claims that its FiOS business now represents about half of its consumer revenues -- pretty impressive. Follow the break for Verizon's full press release.Continue reading Verizon adds fewer customers than AT&T in Q3, race for first place gets tightVerizon adds fewer customers than AT&T in Q3, race for first place gets tight originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Oct 2010 11:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments
Outside of wireless, the company added 226,000 and 204,000 FiOS internet and television customers, respectively, bringing the totals to 3.9 and 3.3 million; FiOS ARPU is up nearly 11 percent year over year, and the company claims that its FiOS business now represents about half of its consumer revenues -- pretty impressive. Follow the break for Verizon's full press release.Continue reading Verizon adds fewer customers than AT&T in Q3, race for first place gets tightVerizon adds fewer customers than AT&T in Q3, race for first place gets tight originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Oct 2010 11:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments
LG Optimus 7 review
If last night's cameo showing off the official Twitter client for Windows Phone 7 wasn't enough of a hint, yes, we've gotten our hands on LG's Optimus 7. This 3.8-inch machine will serve as LG's international WP7 ambassador while Americans get to grips with its QWERTY keyboard-equipped Quantum brother. As you'll no doubt be aware by now, the internal equipment is standardized around Microsoft's chassis spec, meaning a WVGA screen resolution, a 1GHz Snapdragon inside, and a 5 megapixel camera shooting 720p video at 24fps. You'd think, therefore, that it'd be a nondescript, middle-of-the-road option, but the Optimus 7 left us extremely impressed after our first hands-on and we're eager to keep digging for more. Does it put up a righteous fight against the more ambitious HD7 from HTC and Omnia 7 from Samsung? Jump past the break to find out.
This review is primarily of the LG Optimus 7 hardware. Check out our full review of Windows Phone 7 for our thoughts on the OS.Gallery: LG Optimus 7 reviewContinue reading LG Optimus 7 reviewLG Optimus 7 review originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Oct 2010 12:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments
This review is primarily of the LG Optimus 7 hardware. Check out our full review of Windows Phone 7 for our thoughts on the OS.Gallery: LG Optimus 7 reviewContinue reading LG Optimus 7 reviewLG Optimus 7 review originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Oct 2010 12:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments
Oprah's Upcoming Visit To Australia Gets Mixed Reviews From The Locals
Oprah Winfrey is on her way to Australia, and while her Aussie fans are excited that the Queen of Talk is coming to town, others wonder whether it's time and attention well spent.
Alaska Airlines fires up in-flight WiFi between Anchorage and Fairbanks, promises more in 2011
It's hard to say if Alaska Airlines' relationship with Row44 has fizzled, but unlike that WiFi'd route between San Jose and Seattle, the aforesaid airline is relying on Aircell to provide in-flight WiFi on flights between Anchorage and Fairbanks. Reportedly, Gogo service is live today for customers flying between those two locales, with it being completely gratis until the remainder of Aircell's network in the state of Alaska goes live over the next few months. Best of all, Aircell has promised to "expand its network to include Southeast Alaska by the end of the year," ensuring that it's not The Last Frontier in absolutely every possible way.Continue reading Alaska Airlines fires up in-flight WiFi between Anchorage and Fairbanks, promises more in 2011Alaska Airlines fires up in-flight WiFi between Anchorage and Fairbanks, promises more in 2011 originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 23 Oct 2010 01:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Gadling | | Email this | Comments
Krauthammer Confronts Totenberg Over NPR's Hypocrisy
Inside WashThe Latest Politics, News & Election Videos FOX News: "I don't understand the inconsistency here," Dr. Charles Krauthammer said on PBS's "Inside Washington" Friday night. Another guest on the panel was NPR's Nina Totenberg, whom Krauthammer targeted for her consistent liberal bias. "Why is it okay for Nina to express opinions as she has tartly, sharply, unashamedly and openly? And she's an honored correspondent there; in fact, they mention your status here on ["Inside Washington"] in your biography at NPR. And Juan,...
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Hulu Plus dropping to $4.95 per month? That's what she said.
It's only rumor for now, but Peter Kafka over at All Things D has sources telling him that the ABC/NBC/FOX-owned Hulu Plus video site is looking to cut its $9.95 per month subscription fee in halfish to $4.95, perhaps in a bid to increase subscriber count. If so that would drop it well below the $8.95 per month fee paid by Netflix subscribers. A price drop certainly wouldn't surprise us knowing that content owners are still experimenting with pricing in the brave new world we call the internet.Hulu Plus dropping to $4.95 per month? That's what she said. originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Oct 2010 06:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | All Things D | Email this | Comments
Windows: The Cadillac Of�Operating�Systems
It wasn't that long ago, as far as history goes, that the ideal car was a hulk of convenience, a bench-seated, chrome-plated, three-ton luxury missile. This ideal had many aspirants, but perhaps the one who most embodied it was the Cadillac, perhaps even the '59 pictured. That's more of a matter for vintage car enthusiasts, but it occurred to me that this particular car has a lot of things in common with Windows 7.
Bear with me here.
The pace of advancement in technology is such that ideas are often outpaced in just a few years. Formats, applications, and services pass by the wayside, having grown, bloomed, and withered at a speed which some years ago would be considered ludicrous. It's a bit like the fins, wings, grilles, and other flourishes that increasingly decorated cars in the 50s. They sold, they were outdone, they were forgotten as the next version came along. And critically, at the time, the competition was between flourishes, not between cars. Yet at some point, that whole type of car would no longer be relevant. Are you picking up what I'm putting down?
Bear with me here.
The pace of advancement in technology is such that ideas are often outpaced in just a few years. Formats, applications, and services pass by the wayside, having grown, bloomed, and withered at a speed which some years ago would be considered ludicrous. It's a bit like the fins, wings, grilles, and other flourishes that increasingly decorated cars in the 50s. They sold, they were outdone, they were forgotten as the next version came along. And critically, at the time, the competition was between flourishes, not between cars. Yet at some point, that whole type of car would no longer be relevant. Are you picking up what I'm putting down?
WikiLeaks Begins Exposing 400,000 U.S. Documents About The Iraq War
Whistleblower site WikiLeaks has begun to release an estimated 400,000 classified military records related to U.S. operations in Iraq. The documents reportedly offer new details about civilian deaths, as well as the mistreatment of Iraqi insurgents.
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Watch Dean Kamen's Prosthetic 'Luke' Arm Be Awesome at the Grocery Store [Video]
I can hardly walk through a grocery store aisle without clumsily knocking something over. An amputee equipped with Dean Kamen's incredible, shoe-controlled prosthetic arm, however, selects produce with grace. It's enough to make you forget about the Segway. More »
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Apple fixes FaceTime for Mac security flaw, not your Wolverine complex
That was quick. The FaceTime for Mac beta security flaw has been shutdown by Apple on the backend -- a flaw that allowed anyone with physical access to your machine to reset and grab your iTunes Store account password and security answers. So now, if some nefarious type were to click "View Account" within your FaceTime desktop app while you were chillin' in the Starbucks toilet or chatting away the day by the office water cooler, the would-be identify thief would simply be redirected back to the FaceTime Account Preferences pane. At which point he'd probably just slip your laptop into his backpack earning two thumbs up from that guy.Apple fixes FaceTime for Mac security flaw, not your Wolverine complex originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Oct 2010 04:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Cocoa Touch Apps | Email this | Comments
Google catches giant Gingerbread man, mounts on front lawn (video)
Cupcake, donut, eclair, froyo. That's not just a list of Android iterations, it's also an inventory of all the giant decorations (along with a large green robot) that cover the GooglePlex lawn. And today marks the introduction of a large gingerbread man. Historically, such tasty statues have been in honor of its related milestone's completion, so we're wagering that Android 3.0 (or is it 2.3?) will be officially unveiled in the very short future. Run, run, as fast as you can to the video after the break.
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]Continue reading Google catches giant Gingerbread man, mounts on front lawn (video)Google catches giant Gingerbread man, mounts on front lawn (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Oct 2010 20:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink @morrildl (Twitter) | YouTube | Email this | Comments
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]Continue reading Google catches giant Gingerbread man, mounts on front lawn (video)Google catches giant Gingerbread man, mounts on front lawn (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Oct 2010 20:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink @morrildl (Twitter) | YouTube | Email this | Comments
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Use Your iPad To Manage Your Finances In Style
When it comes to budgeting and managing your finances on your iPad there are several apps to choose from, but very few compare to Checkbook by iBear LLC. This newly released app has everything you could want or even ask for when it comes to both style and functionality. Easily keep track of your mortgage, [...]
Foreign Policy: Goodbye To Britain's Defense Budget
Britain's latest economic woes continued this week with the announcement of large cuts to the military budget. Alistair Burnett of Foreign Policy argues that going forward Britain will be less interested in military interventions like Iraq and Afghanistan, but seems committed to remaining a useful ally of the U.S.
Friday, October 22, 2010
WikiLeaks Publishes More Secret War Documents
WikiLeaks released thousands of classified documents on the Iraq war again Friday. The Pentagon has already criticized the release. Robert Siegel talks with NPR's Tom Gjelten about the document dump.
Samsung Focus review
Even though we've seen a torrent of Windows Phone 7 devices, we couldn't leave you hanging on a review of the Samsung Focus. In the last few days, a flurry of new Microsoft-powered devices have hit the market, boasting slight differences, but all looking and acting largely the same. We've taken a deep dive on the operating system itself, the Omnia 7, Optimus 7, Mozart, HD7, and Surround (phew!) -- now it's time to focus on the, er... Focus. The device itself has a lot in common with its European brother, the Omnia 7, boasting the same 4-inch Super AMOLED display, 8GB of internal storage, 1GHz CPU, and 5 megapixel camera. The device will soon go on sale in America for $199.99 on AT&T's network -- in fact, it's the only Windows Phone 7 device you'll be able to buy on the network when they go public on November 8th. But is it really worth your hard earned cash when there are so many other options in the market? Read on for the full Engadget review to find out!
Update: Just a note, the HD7 will also be available (for T-Mobile) on November 8th and we've updated the above information to reflect that.
Update 2: We had the numbers wrong on the RAM / ROM. It's 512MB and 1GB, respectively.
This review is primarily of the Samsung Focus hardware. Check out our full review of Windows Phone 7 for our thoughts on the OS.
Gallery: Samsung Focus review hands-on
Continue reading Samsung Focus reviewSamsung Focus review originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Oct 2010 18:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments
Update: Just a note, the HD7 will also be available (for T-Mobile) on November 8th and we've updated the above information to reflect that.
Update 2: We had the numbers wrong on the RAM / ROM. It's 512MB and 1GB, respectively.
This review is primarily of the Samsung Focus hardware. Check out our full review of Windows Phone 7 for our thoughts on the OS.
Gallery: Samsung Focus review hands-on
Continue reading Samsung Focus reviewSamsung Focus review originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Oct 2010 18:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments
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Live from the Engadget reader meetup in NYC
We're having a party, where are you? If you happen to be in the NY area, feel free to drop by, we'll be here at Espace in Manhattan until 10:30PM. Thanks again to Sprint for sponsoring, and all the exhibitors, which include Sony PlayStation, Research In Motion, Palm, Sony VAIO, Bug Labs, Panasonic, Nokia, Sling, Roku, Sonos, Boxee, Peek, and many more. We'll be streaming live to Ustream with an EVO 4G, among other shenanigans, and we'll try to update this post with photos and text throughout the night. More details on how to get here and what to expect can be found at this hyperlink.
Update: Here's the Ustream, live from an EVO 4G courtesy of Sprint. We'll try to keep it live for as long as we can! The chat is here, if you want to hang out.
Update 2: It's over! Thanks for everyone who made it out, and to folks who wish we would have a reader meetup in their town, we share those sentiments entirely, and will be venturing outside of NY very soon.
Continue reading Live from the Engadget reader meetup in NYCLive from the Engadget reader meetup in NYC originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 21 Oct 2010 20:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments
Update: Here's the Ustream, live from an EVO 4G courtesy of Sprint. We'll try to keep it live for as long as we can! The chat is here, if you want to hang out.
Update 2: It's over! Thanks for everyone who made it out, and to folks who wish we would have a reader meetup in their town, we share those sentiments entirely, and will be venturing outside of NY very soon.
Continue reading Live from the Engadget reader meetup in NYCLive from the Engadget reader meetup in NYC originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 21 Oct 2010 20:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments
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Speedlink Cue does the multitouch hybrid mouse thing
Honestly, while Apple's Magic Mouse is a bit of a pioneer in its application of a multitouch surface on a "regular" tracking mouse, it's not exactly easy or comfortable to perform multitouch gestures with it. Plus there's the little problem of no official driver for Windows. Speedlink's Cue mouse looks to be solving at least one of those problems, maybe even both. The wireless 1000 dpi optical mouse is naturally PC-compatible, with software to allow you to configure your own gestures, and it has a somewhat flatter and more extensive touch surface than the Magic Mouse, which might make gestures a bit more doable. Basically, it's somewhere in between the Magic Mouse and the Magic Trackpad, minus the hyperbole, and plus clear demarcation of right and left click. It'll retail for €40 when it ships in November (about $56 USD).Speedlink Cue does the multitouch hybrid mouse thing originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Oct 2010 15:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Wired | Speedlink | Email this | Comments
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This Vending Machine Sells Live Crabs [Video]
I thought the Japanese banana vending machine we saw last week was pretty weird. But compared to this Chinese vending machine which dispenses ACTUAL LIVING CRABS in little plastic containers, well, yeah, a banana machine seems pretty reasonable. More »
Tasker for Android lets your phone react to its current state or environment
Filed under: Utilities, Android
There's a new, interesting and quite unique Android app on the market. It's called Tasker, and it gives your phone the power to react to its current state or environment. It gives your phone the ability to work autonomously without your direct input -- in effect, Tasker gives your phone rudimentary artificial intelligence.
It works by creating rules that question your phone's current "context" (or state): "Is the phone upside down?"; "Have you just missed a call?"; "Is your battery almost empty?" -- if any of these questions returns a "yes," then an action is carried out. That's where this app becomes magical: an action can be almost anything. Your phone can make a call, or send an SMS; it can alter the ringing volume during work hours, or silence it during the night; it can run apps, or react to when you plug in the USB cable or headphones. This is remarkably similar to context-aware patents currently dueling through the US patent system filed by Google and Apple.
The excellent FastCompany review walks you through a nice rule: if you place your phone face-down (say, in a meeting), it automatically switches to silent mode. They also suggest another awesome rule: tell Tasker to SMS "on the way home" to a loved one when your GPS coordinates reach the train station.
My nerdy brain is leaping to try some really crazy ideas, though. How about using GPS so that your laptop only unlocks if your phone is nearby? Or a dead man's switch that formats your phone if it gets too far away from your laptop -- or if you don't open a certain app by 5pm each day? Of course you could tell the phone to take a photo every 10 minutes so that any potential thieves are caught in the act! The possibilities are almost endless.
The app itself costs about $5 from the Android Market, but you can download a 7-day trial from the Tasker site (which you can later upgrade). The Tasker Wiki has lots of excellent guides and walkthroughs to get you started, and even some ready-made profiles for every-day tasks.Tasker for Android lets your phone react to its current state or environment originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 18 Oct 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
There's a new, interesting and quite unique Android app on the market. It's called Tasker, and it gives your phone the power to react to its current state or environment. It gives your phone the ability to work autonomously without your direct input -- in effect, Tasker gives your phone rudimentary artificial intelligence.
It works by creating rules that question your phone's current "context" (or state): "Is the phone upside down?"; "Have you just missed a call?"; "Is your battery almost empty?" -- if any of these questions returns a "yes," then an action is carried out. That's where this app becomes magical: an action can be almost anything. Your phone can make a call, or send an SMS; it can alter the ringing volume during work hours, or silence it during the night; it can run apps, or react to when you plug in the USB cable or headphones. This is remarkably similar to context-aware patents currently dueling through the US patent system filed by Google and Apple.
The excellent FastCompany review walks you through a nice rule: if you place your phone face-down (say, in a meeting), it automatically switches to silent mode. They also suggest another awesome rule: tell Tasker to SMS "on the way home" to a loved one when your GPS coordinates reach the train station.
My nerdy brain is leaping to try some really crazy ideas, though. How about using GPS so that your laptop only unlocks if your phone is nearby? Or a dead man's switch that formats your phone if it gets too far away from your laptop -- or if you don't open a certain app by 5pm each day? Of course you could tell the phone to take a photo every 10 minutes so that any potential thieves are caught in the act! The possibilities are almost endless.
The app itself costs about $5 from the Android Market, but you can download a 7-day trial from the Tasker site (which you can later upgrade). The Tasker Wiki has lots of excellent guides and walkthroughs to get you started, and even some ready-made profiles for every-day tasks.Tasker for Android lets your phone react to its current state or environment originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 18 Oct 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Mich. Race Shows It's Not RIP For GOP Moderates
Despite the political obituaries that keep popping up, the Republican moderate hasn't disappeared from the midterm scene. In Michigan, GOP governor candidate Rick Snyder appears to have the lead, despite keeping the Tea Party at arm's length.
Watch This Voting Machine Change Someone's Vote [Video]
When programmer Don Relyea tried to choose one candidate on his voting machine, the computer chose a different candidate—plus four other candidates from the same, incorrect party—right in front of him. He captured the whole thing on video. More »
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Thursday, October 21, 2010
Netflix Streaming Video Is 20 Percent of Peak US Internet Traffic [NetFlix]
A recent study says that 20 percent of all downstream internet traffic during peak times in the US is Netflix streaming. No wonder Netflix is considering disc-less, streaming-only subscriptions. More »
Watch a House Get Annihilated By the Insurance Industry's New Indoor Hurricane Simulator [Video]
How do you determine how well houses will withstand catastrophic weather? If you're the insurance industry, you build a $40 million room that can simulate Category three hurricanes. Then you huff and you puff and you blow those suckers down. More »
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Remote control app for Logitech Revue hits the Android Market
Logitech may have it's own set of accessories for its Revue Google TV box, but the best peripheral may just be that Android phone you already have, which can be turned into a full-fledged remote control with the Logitech Revue app that's just hit the Android Market. Like other similar smartphone remote apps, it will give you both a trackpad and a keyboard in addition to the usual remote control buttons, and it's thankfully free to download. Hit up Android Market to find it right now, or head on past the break if you'd prefer to download it QR code-style.Continue reading Remote control app for Logitech Revue hits the Android MarketRemote control app for Logitech Revue hits the Android Market originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 21 Oct 2010 12:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink SlashGear | Droid Life | Email this | Comments
35 Years Ago Today We Got Our First Look at an Alien World [Techversaries]
Thirty five years ago yesterday, we could only imagine the view from the surface of another world. But Russia's Venera 9 probe changed all that, beaming back the first ever photo of another planet—25 million miles away. More »
AT&T Sold a Record 5.2 Million iPhones This Summer [At&t]
It's maybe not that big a surprise, given the huge number of iPhones Apple moved this past quarter, but it's still a big number: AT&T activated 5.2 million iPhones this summer. That's nearly 70% of their entire integrated device activations. More »
Microsoft publishes creepy Halloween theme pack for Windows 7
Filed under: Fun, Windows
Dubbed with the disgustingly politically correct name "Eerie Autumn," you can now enjoy a ton of creepy wallpapers and sounds for the entirety of this hallowed season.
The wallpaper images vary in quality -- some of them look like amateur attempts with point-and-click cameras -- but with 15 images to select from, there should be more than enough to sate your ghoulish urges.
This is also the first theme I've used with customized sounds. All of your major Windows sounds are replaced with spine-tingling horror film-esque counterparts. A blast from a church organ accompanies the connecting and disconnecting of USB devices, while some kind of violin-and-ghost combo will give you the willies when you receive a new email.
I just wish someone had told me about the new sound set. That's the last time I keep my volume turned up, I assure you...
[Direct link to the theme pack]Microsoft publishes creepy Halloween theme pack for Windows 7 originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 19 Oct 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Dubbed with the disgustingly politically correct name "Eerie Autumn," you can now enjoy a ton of creepy wallpapers and sounds for the entirety of this hallowed season.
The wallpaper images vary in quality -- some of them look like amateur attempts with point-and-click cameras -- but with 15 images to select from, there should be more than enough to sate your ghoulish urges.
This is also the first theme I've used with customized sounds. All of your major Windows sounds are replaced with spine-tingling horror film-esque counterparts. A blast from a church organ accompanies the connecting and disconnecting of USB devices, while some kind of violin-and-ghost combo will give you the willies when you receive a new email.
I just wish someone had told me about the new sound set. That's the last time I keep my volume turned up, I assure you...
[Direct link to the theme pack]Microsoft publishes creepy Halloween theme pack for Windows 7 originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 19 Oct 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
RESEARCH IN MOTION ROGERS COMMUNICATIONS SAIC SATYAM COMPUTER SERVICES
The MacBook Air Is Thinner Than an Axe Blade* [Comparisons]
Just how skinny are the new MacBook Airs? Thanks to this photographic evidence from Best Made Co., we can definitively say they're thinner than an axe blade. Even the sharp end; see for yourself: More »
Poppy Montgomery Portia de Rossi Rachael Leigh Cook Rachel Bilson
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Pope Names 2 Americans Among 24 New Cardinals
Pope Benedict XVI said the new "princes of the church'' will be formally elevated at a ceremony in Rome on Nov. 20. Eight of the new cardinals are Italian, bringing to 25 the number of Italians in the body that will elect Benedict's successor and giving a boost to Italian hopes of regaining the papacy.
Daily Crunch: Stand Guard Edition
Windows Phone 7: Solid Platform, Sorry Future A Camera For Every Budget Shogun 2: Total War: The Closest You?ll Get To Actually Being A Samurai Colorware Is Now Doing Its Thing With The iPod Touch 4G The Stemie ? You?d Be Nuts To Ride Without One It?s Photography Week At CrunchGear
How GOP Hopefuls Are Challenging Status Quo
John Fritze, USA TodayCatch up with the latest Beltway action with USA TODAY's political channel.Relying on an anti-Washington message of limited government and less spending, a growing number of Tea Party candidates are pulling even with their Democratic rivals or are frontrunners in some of the nation's most closely watched Senate races of this year's midterm election. With less than two weeks to go before voters decide which party will control Congress and the fate of President Obama's agenda, conservative Republicans in Alaska, Colorado, Florida, Kentucky, West Virginia and Wisconsin are...
Notes About The 'Dollars For Docs' Data
Drug companies have long kept the names of their speakers -- and how much they pay them -- secret. But last year, seven companies began posting doctors? names and compensation on their web sites, some as the result of legal settlements with the federal government.
A first look at the Windows Phone 7 and Xbox LIVE App Hub for developers
Filed under: Games, Microsoft, Mobile
Microsoft has just turned on its brand new (and beautiful) App Hub for WP7 and Xbox LIVE. Aimed at developers it provides an ideal starting point for students, those that want to bring apps or games to Windows Phone 7, or indie developers that want to produce the next big hit!
For the rather paltry sum of $99 per year developers can use the App Hub to submit their apps for both the Windows Phone and Xbox LIVE Marketplaces. Students, in a continuation of Microsoft's excellent DreamSpark initiative, get in free.
The main purpose of the App Hub, however, seems to be about educating developers. There's already a huge catalog of articles and code snippets to help you with WP7 and XNA development, and Microsoft certainly sounds dedicated in its drive to keep the new content coming -- those of you that have used the MSDN before will know just how good Microsoft developer resources can be! There seems to be a big drive to make sure WP7 apps comply with proper UI conventions, which confirms what we all suspected: Microsoft doesn't want Android's sucky-looking apps.
The App Hub underscores Microsoft's continuing, and now unified, push into the mobile-, console- and cloud-based projects -- and when Microsoft finally gets around to pushing its big-dollar chips in, it rarely fails to win the hand.A first look at the Windows Phone 7 and Xbox LIVE App Hub for developers originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 13 Oct 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Microsoft has just turned on its brand new (and beautiful) App Hub for WP7 and Xbox LIVE. Aimed at developers it provides an ideal starting point for students, those that want to bring apps or games to Windows Phone 7, or indie developers that want to produce the next big hit!
For the rather paltry sum of $99 per year developers can use the App Hub to submit their apps for both the Windows Phone and Xbox LIVE Marketplaces. Students, in a continuation of Microsoft's excellent DreamSpark initiative, get in free.
The main purpose of the App Hub, however, seems to be about educating developers. There's already a huge catalog of articles and code snippets to help you with WP7 and XNA development, and Microsoft certainly sounds dedicated in its drive to keep the new content coming -- those of you that have used the MSDN before will know just how good Microsoft developer resources can be! There seems to be a big drive to make sure WP7 apps comply with proper UI conventions, which confirms what we all suspected: Microsoft doesn't want Android's sucky-looking apps.
The App Hub underscores Microsoft's continuing, and now unified, push into the mobile-, console- and cloud-based projects -- and when Microsoft finally gets around to pushing its big-dollar chips in, it rarely fails to win the hand.A first look at the Windows Phone 7 and Xbox LIVE App Hub for developers originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 13 Oct 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
A 1950s Movie Palace Home Theater [HomeTheater]
Sure, some people might think to turn their empty second-floor room into a TV room. But I can't imagine many spend 3 years and $60,000 meticulously transforming it into a 1950s style movie palace like Tom Kern did. More »
In Election Ads, Democrats Silent On New Health Law
When Democrats passed their health overhaul bill back in March, they hailed it as the biggest domestic achievement since Medicare. But seven months later, most of the noise about the new law on the campaign trail is coming from opponents.
Making Healthcare Reform Work
Court & Balber, Los Angeles TimesHealth insurance companies have declared war on President Obama's healthcare plan.They are sending letters to policyholders announcing big premium increases and pointing the finger at the federal healthcare overhaul. Some insurers are refusing to sell individual policies for children because of rules requiring them to take all comers, not just those in perfect health. They are lobbying on Capitol Hill and in statehouses to undermine or eliminate the law's provisions.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Unvarnished Becomes Honestly.com, Raises $1.2 Million And Opens The Floodgates
Unvarnished is all grown up.
The self-described reputation management site, which allows professionals to anonymously submit reviews on their peers, has just renamed its site to "Honestly.com" and raised $1.2 million from several high-profile firms including First Round Capital, Ron Conway's SV Angel, Charles River Ventures.
Significantly, for the nature of the Honestly community, founder Peter Kazanjy is officially opening the site to any professional.
The self-described reputation management site, which allows professionals to anonymously submit reviews on their peers, has just renamed its site to "Honestly.com" and raised $1.2 million from several high-profile firms including First Round Capital, Ron Conway's SV Angel, Charles River Ventures.
Significantly, for the nature of the Honestly community, founder Peter Kazanjy is officially opening the site to any professional.
Notes About The 'Dollars For Docs' Data
Drug companies have long kept the names of their speakers -- and how much they pay them -- secret. But last year, seven companies began posting doctors? names and compensation on their web sites, some as the result of legal settlements with the federal government.
Microsoft report shows massive spike in Java exploits
Filed under: Security, Browsers
Move over, Flash and PDF -- there's a new contender in the race for the "browser plug-in exploit" title belt! According to the numbers Microsoft has crunched, Java appears to have locked up 2010's number one spot.
You don't often see Java's name splashed across the headlines, however, which is why the Microsoft report shocked me a bit. From personal experience on my workbench, I also know that Java is one of the last things the average user bothers to update. Outdated software is a big risk, especially when that software is being exploited as actively as Java is. Just last week, for example, Oracle pushed a massive bundle of 29 patches -- which I'll wager have been ignored by the vast Java-using public. My guess is that the bad guys have figured this out, too.
The good news: unlike Flash, which is needed by most of your favorite video and casual gaming sites, the Java plug-in is required far less often -- so you probably won't notice a big difference if you disable or uninstall it.
[via ZDnet]Microsoft report shows massive spike in Java exploits originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 18 Oct 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Move over, Flash and PDF -- there's a new contender in the race for the "browser plug-in exploit" title belt! According to the numbers Microsoft has crunched, Java appears to have locked up 2010's number one spot.
You don't often see Java's name splashed across the headlines, however, which is why the Microsoft report shocked me a bit. From personal experience on my workbench, I also know that Java is one of the last things the average user bothers to update. Outdated software is a big risk, especially when that software is being exploited as actively as Java is. Just last week, for example, Oracle pushed a massive bundle of 29 patches -- which I'll wager have been ignored by the vast Java-using public. My guess is that the bad guys have figured this out, too.
The good news: unlike Flash, which is needed by most of your favorite video and casual gaming sites, the Java plug-in is required far less often -- so you probably won't notice a big difference if you disable or uninstall it.
[via ZDnet]Microsoft report shows massive spike in Java exploits originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 18 Oct 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Marley Shelton Mary Elizabeth Winstead Megan Ewing Megan Fox
Daily Todo is a gorgeous, minimalistic manager for repetitive tasks
Filed under: Productivity, web 2.0
Every once in a while, a tool comes along that just blows my mind. I'm sorry if that sounds hyperbolic. I mean, when technology progresses, it often moves in the direction of complexity: Take my current Android phone and compare it to the Nokia I had ten years ago, and I think you'll see what I mean.
And every now and then I come across something that completely, and beautifully, bucks this trend. Daily Todo is one such tool. The Web is full of task managers, including ones aimed specifically at recurring tasks such as Joe's Goals.
But this thing... this thing is the zen garden of repetitive task managers. No account required; no banners, no documentation, no options, no tagging, no About page, nothing. I mean, one less feature and this thing would not even work.
To start using the tool, hit the huge button that says Create your Daily Todo list. Then just enter your list, one item per line. You then get to your list, showing your items with a check mark along each item. Each check mark has a few dots next to it, to show you previous days, so you can see if you did the task or not.
This is almost as good as Sciral Consistency. I'm still waiting for someone to remake that exact utility into a free Web app.
[Via the wonderful One Thing Well, which you should really read if you like this sort of minimalism.]Daily Todo is a gorgeous, minimalistic manager for repetitive tasks originally appeared on Download Squad on Sun, 10 Oct 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Every once in a while, a tool comes along that just blows my mind. I'm sorry if that sounds hyperbolic. I mean, when technology progresses, it often moves in the direction of complexity: Take my current Android phone and compare it to the Nokia I had ten years ago, and I think you'll see what I mean.
And every now and then I come across something that completely, and beautifully, bucks this trend. Daily Todo is one such tool. The Web is full of task managers, including ones aimed specifically at recurring tasks such as Joe's Goals.
But this thing... this thing is the zen garden of repetitive task managers. No account required; no banners, no documentation, no options, no tagging, no About page, nothing. I mean, one less feature and this thing would not even work.
To start using the tool, hit the huge button that says Create your Daily Todo list. Then just enter your list, one item per line. You then get to your list, showing your items with a check mark along each item. Each check mark has a few dots next to it, to show you previous days, so you can see if you did the task or not.
This is almost as good as Sciral Consistency. I'm still waiting for someone to remake that exact utility into a free Web app.
[Via the wonderful One Thing Well, which you should really read if you like this sort of minimalism.]Daily Todo is a gorgeous, minimalistic manager for repetitive tasks originally appeared on Download Squad on Sun, 10 Oct 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
MSI WindPad tablet design concepts rendered, available in your choice of innie or outie
It's a bit odd to see a gadget go from sitting in your hand to sitting in the output file of some renderer but, if images uncovered by blogeee.net are as legit as they're said to be, MSI looks to be thinking a redesign for its upcoming WindPad tablet. Two different versions are shown, one with a chromed bezel that's not entirely unlike the one we played with previously, and another with what looks to be edges that are not convex but instead concave, which actually seems like it could be quite nice for carrying whilst sauntering about the penthouse. On the back is a raised black surface that surely can't be glass... right? Anyhow, there's no being sure of the legitimacy of these renders, but both look respectable enough to show up on this tablet whenever it shows up at retail, supposedly by the end of the year.MSI WindPad tablet design concepts rendered, available in your choice of innie or outie originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Oct 2010 10:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | blogeee.net | Email this | Comments
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