Remember those awesome pin art toys where you could press your hand (or face) into the pins to leaving a lasting impression? Researchers at MIT have taken the idea one (or two) steps further with “GelSight,” a hunk of synthetic rubber that creates a detailed computer visualized image of whatever surface you press it against. It works as such: push the reflective side of the gummy against an object (they chose a chicken feather and a $20 bill) and the camera on the other end will capture a 3-D image of the microscopic surface structure. Originally designed as robot “skin,” researchers realized the tool could be used in applications from criminal forensics (think bullets and fingerprints) to dermatology. The Coke can-sized machine is so sensitive, it can capture surface subtleties as small as one by two micrometer in surface — finally solving the mystery of who stole the cookies from the cookie jar. (Hint: we know it was you Velvet Sledgehammer ). Continue reading Robot skin captures super detailed 3D surface images Robot skin captures super detailed 3D surface images originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Aug 2011 08:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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SandForce , the company behind the companies that make some of the best SSDs on the market, is at it again — this time demoing 24nm NAND flash from Toshiba at the Flash Memory Summit in Santa Clara, CA. An SF-2000 processor was matched with the new shrunk-down storage, a 6Gb/sec SATA connection, and jammed inside a 2.5-inch enclosure to deliver 500MB/sec read and write speeds. It’s not the fastest we’ve seen, but the big news here isn’t the data rates — it’s the potential for cheaper SSDs. The smaller manufacturing process means Toshiba will be able to squeeze more storage out of the same wafer of silicon and, hopefully, shrink those still somewhat bloated prices. Check out the full PR after the break. Continue reading SandForce demos 24nm flash from Toshiba, cheaper SSDs on the horizon SandForce demos 24nm flash from Toshiba, cheaper SSDs on the horizon originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Aug 2011 06:48:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Walmart to shutter its online music store, somewhere Steve Jobs is smiling
August 10, 2011 No Comment
It seems like only yesterday that Walmart was doing its best to beat Apple at the digital music game by delivering us DRM-free digital music . Alas, the inexorable might of iTunes has, at last, become too much to bear. According to Digital Music News , Wally World’s MP3 store will shut its digital doors forever on August 28th. Chin up, Walmart, we won’t be coming to you for the new Kanye jam (not that we ever would), but we’ll still head on down when we’re in need of damn near anything else. Walmart to shutter its online music store, somewhere Steve Jobs is smiling originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Aug 2011 02:16:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …T-Mobile myTouch 4G designer Donn Koh unveils the process, how he brings the heat
August 10, 2011 No Comment
Have you ever wanted a look inside the mind of a mobile handset designer? Of course you do, and so do we, for that matter. Donn Koh, lead designer of smartphones like Sprint’s Evo 4G and T-Mobile’s myTouch 4G, has in-depth breakdowns of the design process on his personal website for our perusal. Going into detail about how the team managed to raise the bar while still including all the required elements, Koh also speaks about the goals for creating a dock for the myTouch 4G that would allow the phone itself to be the main attraction. Check out the source for the full rundown, and peep another sweet design shot after the break — especially if you enjoy well-designed, well thought out tech. Continue reading T-Mobile myTouch 4G designer Donn Koh unveils the process, how he brings the heat T-Mobile myTouch 4G designer Donn Koh unveils the process, how he brings the heat originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Aug 2011 04:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Now that Vudu has started streaming movies to PCs over the web, we’re not surprised that starting today, it’s moving to the iPad as well but what is surprising is the decision to stream over the web and forego a dedicated app. This approach lets the Wal-mart-owned (and fully integrated ) video delivery company avoid the restrictions of Apple’s app store and any additional fees, but unfortunately still means that like the PC, it’s restricted to standard definition resolution and due to licensing issues is missing any flicks from Disney. The company plans to keep expanding onto other platforms like Android soon (if you must, the site does work on the iPhone right now but the UI isn’t optimized for it yet) but it appears accessibility is replacing high quality HDX streaming as the service’s most notable trait, for better or worse. Continue reading Vudu starts streaming movies to the iPad, chooses the web app route Vudu starts streaming movies to the iPad, chooses the web app route originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Aug 2011 02:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …SATA-IO outs new SATA Express and Embedded SSD standards, acronyms abound
August 10, 2011 No Comment
It’s a big day for SATA-IO , as the organization has just announced not one, but two new SATA standards. The first of these, the SATA Express specification, gets the latter half of its name from the ‘e’ in PCIe, as it will allow current SATA standards to piggyback on the PCIe interface, boosting speeds to 8Gbps and 16Gbps, up from the current 6Gbps . SATA Express is expected to make its official debut later this year. SATA
Continue reading …Lenovo’s ThinkCentre M71z business desktop keeps your productivity up for $599
August 9, 2011 No Comment
Ready to revamp your company’s computer systems once the summer’s heat is a mere memory? Come this October, Lenovo’s letting loose its 20-inch ThinkCentre M71z all-in-one desktop, priced starting at just $599 to keep those expense reports low and your interest piqued. Better yet, you’ll be able to deck it out if you’re ready to rack up some points on the company credit card. Around the outside, you’ll find six USB ports and a DisplayPort connection, but it can also be equipped with a multi-touch screen as well as a two megapixel webcam — fantastic for those 10-way Skype or Google+ meetings. If you’re hungry for performance, the desktop can be maxed out with an Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB of DDR3 RAM, WiFi and either a 1TB HDD, or 160GB SSD capable of 15 second start-ups with RapidBoot. For good measure, the M71z comes bundled with Windows 7 Professional along with a wireless mouse and keyboard — the latter of which is flood spill-resistant. Please excuse us while we get back to the business of blogging, but you’ll find the full PR past the break. Continue reading Lenovo’s ThinkCentre M71z business desktop keeps your productivity up for $599 Lenovo’s ThinkCentre M71z business desktop keeps your productivity up for $599 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Aug 2011 01:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Windows Phone ‘Tango’ may be Mango’s successor, geared toward less-expensive handsets
August 9, 2011 No Comment
Windows Phone’s Mango update was released to manufacturers for testing two weeks ago, and you know what that means — it’s time to speculate on what’s lined up after the still-unreleased refresh. Mary Jo Foley’s dishing out some juicy rumors from sources that the next version of Windows Phone is codenamed “Tango,” and has a few tricks up its sleeves. The new OS would have a tighter focus on Nokia’s desire to bring lower-priced phones to the fold; it’ll also apparently target the Asian market “largely or even exclusively.” This prediction sounds as though Tango would only be pushed to inexpensive handsets, effectively turning Windows Phone into a two-tiered platform — but as many rumors go, we’re still waiting for a little more meat to chew on before making such a conjecture. If the new codename sticks, however, we expect to see a video chat service that won’t be too happy with the news. We’ll grab the popcorn and get a good seat for the (lopsided) duel that’s sure to come. Windows Phone ‘Tango’ may be Mango’s successor, geared toward less-expensive handsets originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Aug 2011 23:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Apple puts PCs on free recycling party list, opens doors to iPads, iPhones
August 9, 2011 No Comment
After being forced to pay off the door man to get into Apple’s electronics recycling party for years now, PCs are finally getting in for free — VIP style. Apple has revised its Reuse and Recycling Program and opened the gates to sheep from another shepherd’s flock. The new rules are quite a departure from past protocol , which charged PC users 30 bones to recycle non-Apple computers and displays — unless of course they agreed to purchase a Mac, in which case Apple would kindly do it for free. As part of the restructured program, ripe old iPads and iPhones are now eligible for Apple’s exchange program as well, where you’ll get a gift card if your device is actually worth anything. The company still recycles old iPods and mobile phones (regardless of manufacturer) for free, and offers 10% off a new iPod if you hand over an old one. With the revised plan it’s safe to say the folks at Apple ditched the program’s old theme song, “It’s Not Easy Being Green,” and are instead spinning a new track. Sparkly silver jacket not included. Continue reading Apple puts PCs on free recycling party list, opens doors to iPads, iPhones Apple puts PCs on free recycling party list, opens doors to iPads, iPhones originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Aug 2011 00:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Motorola CEO Sanjay Jha talks Ice Cream Sandwich, future tablets in Oppenheimer keynote
August 9, 2011 No Comment
You live, you learn — or so Alanis and Sanjay Jha would have us believe. The Motorola CEO delivered a keynote speech early Tuesday morning at the Oppenheimer Annual Technology and Communications Conference, touching upon the company’s recent past and the lessons its learned going forward. Referencing the Xoom launch, Jha told attendees to expect tablets in the second half of the year with “much more aggressive form factors” and unique enterprise features, adding that the company would be placing a renewed focus on cheaper, WiFi only tablets. The OEM also intends to streamline its global branding, creating marketing efficiencies for worldwide launches and saving the company a buck, or two in the process. Unfortunately, the Moto chief didn’t spill the release beans for the much hyped Bionic , but did take a gentle swipe at the upcoming beast phone, calling it an “important product, but not the only product.” Could this herald an oncoming wave of Ice Cream Sandwich devices ? We’re not sure, as Jha waffled when asked whether the company would, yet again, commit to Android’s next untested evolution. Motorola CEO Sanjay Jha talks Ice Cream Sandwich, future tablets in Oppenheimer keynote originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Aug 2011 23:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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