DiaForce film captures your virtuoso performance, could replace guitar pickups
July 13, 2011 No Comment
Do you shred it up on the guitar and wish there were a way to capture your one-of-a-kind technique — every bend, hammer and slide? Well then, get thee to the Fraunhofer Institute for Surface Engineering where a few musically-inclined scientists — closet Hendrix fans, we assume — have managed to translate every pluck of the string into a laptop-processed digital control signal. To do this the team layered guitar tailpieces (that part on the end with the knobs and strings) with a ten-micrometer piece of the powerfully named, piezoresistive DiaForce film and recorded string tension with absolute precision. The project, developed in conjunction with M3i Technologies and Thin Films IST, will eventually port its pressure-sensitive tech to other stringed instruments — once engineers can figure out how to mass produce the stuff, that is. Research is also underway to replace the clunky, old world pickup cramping your electric axe’s style with an extra-sensitive coating of this resistive film. While you wah-wah wait for this tech to make its way to a Guitar Center near you, make sure to check the full release after the break. Continue reading DiaForce film captures your virtuoso performance, could replace guitar pickups DiaForce film captures your virtuoso performance, could replace guitar pickups originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 13 Jul 2011 04:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Fujitsu got to show off its recent color e-reader flossy flossy at the e-Book Expo Tokyo (the former Digital Publishing Fair) in Japan last week. Besting its previous market entry — the FLEPia Lite — this 8-inch, 157 dpi cholestric LCD module sheds both its predecessor’s weight and Windows OS for a 220 gram, Linux-operated, slimmed-down profile. While the 4,096 color range remains exactly the same, it’s the elimation of dithering from the display that’ll be brightening up your future literary experiences. Processing speed also got a significant makeover here, translating into 0.7 second writing speeds — a number the company promises will go down as full color capacity increases. Unfortunately, this slab of technicolor ebeauty doesn’t appear to be headed for a US debut, so interested parties should start saving for that import option. Robo-Brit voice-over video demonstration after the break. Continue reading Fujitsu’s e-reader gets a refreshed look at e-Book Expo Tokyo (video) Fujitsu’s e-reader gets a refreshed look at e-Book Expo Tokyo (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 13 Jul 2011 02:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …First synthetic organ transplant paves way for post-op, immunosuppresive drug-free future
July 12, 2011 No Comment
Science can do some wonderful , heartstring-tugging things. Take this for example: surgeons have triumphantly performed the first ever synthetic organ transplant. Cancer-stricken Andemariam Teklesenbet Beyene was the grateful recipient of this life-saving surgical breakthrough, performed by Prof. Paolo Macchiarini at Karolinska University Hospital in Sweden. The revolutionary operation comes with a zero rejection rate and requires no donor — a huge relief for those stuck on lengthy waiting lists. Using a 3D scan of Beyene’s windpipe, scientists at University College London crafted a highly-porous nanocomposite tracheal scaffold replica and covered it in stem cells harvested from his bone marrow. Within two days, the stem cells had worked their magic, weaving a brand new transplantable facsimile that is “indistinguishable from a normal healthy one.” And since the procedure uses no foreign-born tissues, patients can look forward to a full-recovery sans mandatory immunosuppressive drugs, a major plus for post-op quality of life. With the surgery a success, Prof. Macchiarini’s moving on to the next patient in need — this time, a nine-month-old Korean baby with a malformed trachea. Doctors — saving lives and warming hearts. Press release of the medically wondrous kind after the break. Continue reading First synthetic organ transplant paves way for post-op, immunosuppresive drug-free future First synthetic organ transplant paves way for post-op, immunosuppresive drug-free future originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 13 Jul 2011 01:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …MIT researchers revolutionize solar cell printing, fold the power of the sun into your everyday home (video)
July 12, 2011 No Comment
Wouldn’t it be neat if you could power a few gadgets around the house with some tastefully chosen, solar cell-embedded curtains? Alright, so this MIT-pioneered tech’s not quite that advanced yet, but it’s destined to have a Martha Stewart Living future. By eschewing liquids and high temperatures for gentler vapors kept below 120 degrees Celsius, researchers were able to cheaply print an array of photovoltaic cells on “ordinary untreated paper, cloth or plastic.” And here’s some additional food for thought — the vapor-deposition process used to create these cells is the same as the one that puts that “silvery lining in your bag of potato chips” — science, it’s everywhere . Despite the tech’s home furnishing friendly approach, this breakthrough printing technique can’t be done with your everyday inkjet , but it will make the cost of solar energy installations a bit cozier . Its flexible durability aside, the cells currently operate at only one percent efficiency — so you might want to buy those drapes in bulk to see a real bottom line kickback. Foldable paper video demonstration after the break. Continue reading MIT researchers revolutionize solar cell printing, fold the power of the sun into your everyday home (video) MIT researchers revolutionize solar cell printing, fold the power of the sun into your everyday home (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 12 Jul 2011 23:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Philly papers to offer subscribers discounted Android tablets that make terrible birdcage lining (video)
July 12, 2011 No Comment
As the internet has overtaken newspapers as an information source, convincing readers to shell out the dough for online news has proven an uphill battle . Now two papers are trying a new approach: entice customers with discounted Android tablets and pre-loaded content apps. The Philadelphia Media Network, which owns the Philadelphia Inquirer and the Philadelphia Daily News , is planning a pilot program for mid-August which will offer around 2,000 tablets; if successful, it could expand to more readers. The combined price of hardware and a one- to two-year daily subscription should be about half of retail. So far we have few details on what you’ll get for your money, but expect a WiFi tablet from a major manufacturer, with 3G and/or 4G possible in the future. If you’re from the city of brotherly love and want more details on this early-stage plan, see the video after the break. Continue reading Philly papers to offer subscribers discounted Android tablets that make terrible birdcage lining (video) Philly papers to offer subscribers discounted Android tablets that make terrible birdcage lining (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 13 Jul 2011 00:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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HP caught the industry by surprise yesterday, announcing some serious executive reshuffling, with Stephen DeWitt, the company’s former head of Personal Systems Group Americas stepping up to fill in the lead role at HP’s webOS global business unit, while Jon Rubinstein will be in charge of PSG globally. This game of executive musical chairs raised a lot of questions with regards to the state of the company’s beloved but arguably underperforming mobile operating system, particularly in the wake of the TouchPad’s lukewarm reception amongst reviewers, ourselves included . We managed to grab some time with DeWitt, in spite of what’s sure to be a fairly packed schedule at the moment, discussing the impact of the TouchPad’s reviews, the present and future of webOS, and what smartphone he carries around in his pocket. Continue reading The Engadget Interview: HP’s Stephen DeWitt The Engadget Interview: HP’s Stephen DeWitt originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 12 Jul 2011 20:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Intel to owners of failed SSD 320s: we’re ‘aware of the customer sightings’
July 12, 2011 No Comment
We can imagine few things more horrible than booting up your new 600GB SSD and seeing a reported capacity of 8MB. That’s exactly the situation reported by users of Intel ‘s SSD 320 series for over a month on the company’s support forums, as well as on Amazon reviews. One disappointed (to say the least) user describes that very scenario, and he’s not alone. According to several forum members, the problem seems firmware related and shouldn’t require a recall , while Intel says it’s “aware of the customer sightings.” Short on meaningful details, the statement promises an update is coming with more information — bite-sized consolation for the owners of byte-sized drives. Intel to owners of failed SSD 320s: we’re ‘aware of the customer sightings’ originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 12 Jul 2011 22:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Microsoft’s Andy Lees quashed dreams of Windows tablets running a Mango-style OS during a talk at the company’s Worldwide Partners Conference today, saying the mobile operating system would conflict with the outfit’s ideas of what makes a slate. According to Electronista , Lees said the computing giant sees tablets as PCs, making the mobile OS incompatible with its vision. He went on to say that Windows 8′s networking and printing functions make it more suited to the needs of tablet users. So, if you’re looking for the sweet style of Mango, it looks like you’ll have get your hands on one of these bad boys . Andy Lees says no to Mango on Windows tablets originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 12 Jul 2011 21:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Whether you believe we’re living in a post-PC world or not, there’s no denying the overwhelming growth of tablets in the past few years. Just this March, IDC put out figures saying 2010 saw the sale of 18 million tablets, but despite the recent boom, the outfit’s now reporting a 28 percent drop in tablet shipments in Q1 2011, bringing first quarter worldwide shipments to 7.2 million. IDC’s latest report points to “slower consumer demand, overall economic conditions, and supply-chain constraint,” but nonetheless estimates that total tablet sales will reach 53.5 million by year’s end, up from IDC’s original estimate of 50.4 million. Once again, Apple’s come out on top of the slate game, with the iPad 2 leading the market, despite its own dip in shipments. E-readers have apparently also seen a decline in the first quarter, with shipments dipping to 3.3 million units. Despite a slow start to the year, however, IDC’s optimistic about future sales, but you don’t have to take our word for it — full PR awaits you after the break. Continue reading IDC: tablet shipments drop 28 percent in Q1 2011 IDC: tablet shipments drop 28 percent in Q1 2011 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 12 Jul 2011 21:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Well, that didn’t take long. The sun’s only set once since we reported Samsung’s solar NC215S netbook was up for pre-order and we’re already getting word that it’s been delayed. Despite earlier estimates of a July 3rd US shipping date, Liliputing is now saying that the solar-powered laptop won’t make it to consumers until sometime in mid to late August, due to hold ups involving the machine’s custom panels. Here’s hoping this doesn’t spoil anyone’s plans to journey out of the house this summer. Samsung NC215S solar netbook delayed, won’t see sunlight until August originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 12 Jul 2011 18:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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