Man builds turbine-powered Batmobile, brags about having the only one (video)
July 14, 2011 No Comment
So you think you’re a huge fan of the Dark Knight, huh? Not so fast. Do you own a full-sized Batmobile ? Yeah… we didn’t think so. But, auto restoration guru Casey Putsch does, and to launch himself further into super-fanboy status, he upgraded the engine with a Boeing turboshaft — snatched out of a naval drone helicopter. According to him, this makes his collector’s item one of a kind, in true Bruce Wayne fashion. Sure, these discarded movie props are usually powered by a standard 350 (especially the older models), but that wasn’t enough for a dude’s dude who appraises and designs all types of vehicles for a living. Mods were also made to the interior, including an iPad in the dash which serves as the avionics system and keeps track of the important GPS coordinates — you know, stuff you’d expect Lucious Fox to toss in to track villains and such. For a look at this beast in action, check out the video after the break; meanwhile we’ll try to figure out how to cram a jet engine into a Tesla Roadster . Continue reading Man builds turbine-powered Batmobile, brags about having the only one (video) Man builds turbine-powered Batmobile, brags about having the only one (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 14 Jul 2011 06:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Select IKEA stores to host Blink electric vehicle charging stations, Volts now suitable for furniture pickup
July 14, 2011 No Comment
Need to pick up a foursome of Detolf display cases? Better know a pal with a pickup, bub. Unless , of course, your nearest IKEA happens to be one of ten situated in Arizona, California, Oregon and Washington. The famed furniture retailer has just nailed down a partnership with ECOtality, with a smattering of its western US stores to host Blink electric vehicle charging stations . Each of the sites be evaluated for feasibility and installation needs, and we’re told that the first stations should become operational this fall. The pilot program is currently set to last through December of 2012, but we’re guessing it’ll end up surviving quite a bit longer — after all, it was already tough enough to resist a weekly trip to this place. Now? Swedish meatballs just become a daily affair. Continue reading Select IKEA stores to host Blink electric vehicle charging stations, Volts now suitable for furniture pickup Select IKEA stores to host Blink electric vehicle charging stations, Volts now suitable for furniture pickup originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 14 Jul 2011 05:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Hulu Plus Android app is now playing on Evo 4G, Thunderbolt, myTouch 4G and G2
July 14, 2011 No Comment
Last month Hulu Plus finally arrived on Android however support was unfortunately limited to just six devices, but tonight the official blog has announced the count has reached double digits. Four HTC phones are on the list — the Evo 4G, Thunderbolt, myTouch 4G and G2 — bringing the total to ten models supported, featuring a mix of first and second gen Snapdragon chips clocked at varying speeds. Given shared architecture with some phones already on the list it’s not clear why these had to wait, but Senior Product Manager Lonn Lee is quick to point out that the streaming video site isn’t done yet. Even as it’s on the auction block , there’s at least some chance to pick up disgruntled Netflix subscribers and adding a few underserved handsets is as good a way as any to reach out. Hulu Plus Android app is now playing on Evo 4G, Thunderbolt, myTouch 4G and G2 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 14 Jul 2011 01:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Viewsonic ships 7-inch ViewBook VB730 tablet for $230, sticks with Android 2.2
July 14, 2011 No Comment
Looking for something a bit different to replace your Galaxy Tab with? Can’t say for sure why such a yearning would be reasonable, but if we just rang your bell, Viewsonic’s got a newcomer that’s on sale now. Just a few months after passing through the FCC’s database, the ViewBook VB730 is now in stock over at Amazon, with $229.99 netting you a 7-inch slate with Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, WiFi, a 1GHz ARM Cortex-A8 processor, 512MB of RAM, 8GB of internal storage space, a microSD card slot and an 800 x 480 screen resolution. Unfortunately, there’s no Android 3.2 to be found here; instead, Froyo’s listed as the OS of choice, but it’s fair to expect a bit of corner-cutting given that shockingly low price point. Hit the source if you’re sold. Viewsonic ships 7-inch ViewBook VB730 tablet for $230, sticks with Android 2.2 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 14 Jul 2011 03:35:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Having a hard time juggling your full-cast reproduction of Harry Potter masquerade Twitter accounts? No worries, the firm just sent out an update to its Android app that will let you switch between multiple accounts with ease. It’s almost magical. Not saddled with the burden of weaving a complex narrative across multiple online identities? That’s okay, there’s something here for everyone; this update includes push notification, updated home screen widgets, and assorted bug fixes. Version 2.1.0 is live today, assuming you’re rocking Android 2.1 or higher. Twitter for Android gets push notifications, multiple account support originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 14 Jul 2011 02:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Sony must be smelling dolla dolla bills in the EV -charged streets because the company just announced its intentions to fab lithium-ion batteries for the cars mid-decade. The statement, made from its plant in Motomiya, hinges on a future market flush with consumer demand for the earth-friendly autos, and could see the construction of several dedicated factories. Given the Japanese company’s recent history eating bits of competitor dust (hello Wii and iPod), we understand its forward-facing desire to become king of this Li-ion hill. But the mega-electronics maker isn’t placing all of its batteries in one fuel-source just yet — it’s “also [considering] developing batteries for gasoline-electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids” — should they win the green energy popularity contest . While we applaud the company for encouraging adoption of the environmentally-friendlier tech, we’d much rather see them make batteries for this bad boy from tomorrowland. Sony eyes electric car future, wants to soon sell you Li-ion batteries originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 13 Jul 2011 20:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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In our experience , soaking in the third dimension on a panel smaller than 40-some-odd inches isn’t exactly a jaw-dropping affair, but if you’re residing in cramped quarters… well, your options are somewhat limited. Outside of strapping something on your dome, you’ll probably be in the market for a more diminutive set, and LG’s DX2000 just might fit the bill. It’s a 20-inch LED-backlit 3D monitor, but unlike the legions of alternatives, this one’s of the glasses-free variety. It relies on parallax barrier technology (read: not the most sophisticated), but ups the ante by throwing in the world’s first eye-tracking feature on a panel of this stature. In theory, said feature allows users to move about in front of the screen, perhaps expanding those exceedingly narrow “sweet spots” that have worried viewers for years now. We’re also told that there’s a 2D-to-3D conversion feature, and while it’s destined to hit Korean streets later this month, other regions are slated to get it during the latter part of 2011. Continue reading LG’s 20-inch DX2000 3D monitor don’t need no glasses to be enjoyed LG’s 20-inch DX2000 3D monitor don’t need no glasses to be enjoyed originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 14 Jul 2011 00:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Apple’s lawyers in its lawsuit against Samsung are an impatient bunch. First, they asked the court for an accelerated discovery process so they could get their hands on Sammy’s forthcoming products ASAP. Then they filed a motion to trim the time until trial and asked for an order shortening the time to file the briefs for that motion. Yesterday, the court told Apple to slow its roll by denying its request to compress the briefing schedule. In doing so, the judge cited Apple’s knowledge of Samsung’s alleged infringement for more than a year and the fact it engaged in license negotiations with the Korean company during that time — which the court thinks undermines Jobs and Co.’s argument that they’ll suffer substantial harm without a hurried hearing schedule. It’s a minor ruling in the grand scheme of things, but it indicates that Apple’s cries to condense the time until trial may fall upon deaf judicial ears. Looks like the folks in Cupertino may have to look to the ITC if they want the rocket docket treatment. Judge denies Apple’s request to speed up its suit against Samsung originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 13 Jul 2011 21:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Have you heard of Evolio? Neither have we, but it might be time we all start paying attention to this Romanian start-up if its grandiose claims of tech stardom prove true. Heralding it as the “most powerful Android tablet” — and the one ring to rule them all — the Neura is a 1GHz dual core Tegra 2 processor-packing, 9.7-inch full HD displaying, Flash-capable slab of Eastern European engineering. Since its been (self-)declared king of the little green robot OS hill, the company’s aiming this market entry squarely at Apple’s iPad 2 — hoping its powers of 1080p and expandable memory can best that category titan. Unfortunately, the company’s proud boast only covers its hardware specs, leaving Froyo to underpower what could be a truly premium experience. A September update to Honeycomb is loosely mentioned, but with 3.2 already rolling out to Xooms , this baby’s starting to look dated. If owning an exotic tablet strikes your cooler-than-thou fancy, get your credit card set to import mode on July 25th. Informational video and its excellent Romanian-electro intro after the break. Continue reading Evolio’s Neura making a foolio of other Android tablets (video) Evolio’s Neura making a foolio of other Android tablets (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 13 Jul 2011 23:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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If you’re still rockin’ a landline you probably take caller ID for granted at this point and, if you’re a mobile only kinda person, you might not even realize your cellphone lacks it. But, the truth is, until now true caller ID has never been available from America’s wireless carriers. There were a number of technical hurdles that stood in the way, but today those are officially crumbling as T-Mobile is launching Name ID in conjunction with Cequint, the company behind City ID. Instead of just checking an incoming call against your list of local contacts, the number is also fed through a larger database of publicly listed ones. Any match is displayed when you receive the call and, if the person isn’t already in your phonebook, you can easily add them with a tap. Of course, this sort of convenience doesn’t come free — T-Mo will be charging $3.99 a month for Name ID service. At first only Exhibit 4G owners will be able to sign up, but other handsets (including the myTouch 4G Slide ) will be added to the list of compatible devices later. Check out the PR after the break. Continue reading T-Mobile Name ID finally brings true caller ID to your cellphone T-Mobile Name ID finally brings true caller ID to your cellphone originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 13 Jul 2011 22:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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