Researchers at Sydney’s National ICT Australia (NICTA) have spent the past two years developing an incredibly futuristic invention which could bring relief to those who suffer from chronic pain. What it amounts to is a series of ‘smart’ chips inserted into biocompatible devices and strung together. These are then sewn into a very small (1.22mm wide) lead made of a polymer yarn and wires, which are then inserted into the spine . The device is them connected to a battery and computer which can measure and gather information about the pain-carrying nerves signalling the brain. The device can also respond by sending 10 volt electrical pulses to block the signals’ path to the brain, tricking the brain into thinking there is no pain. There are devices such as this one already in existence, but they are much larger than this new device, and its smaller size increases accuracy as it can be implanted closer to the spine than previous models. The NICTA’s device is set to go into human trials next year. Video after the break. Continue reading Chip implanted in spinal cord could help sufferers of chronic pain (video) Chip implanted in spinal cord could help sufferers of chronic pain (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Dec 2010 05:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Looks like there are more colorful PMPs on the way from Iriver. All we have right now from the company is a teaser video (in Korean, no less) and a few model names: U100, P100, and D2000, to be exact. Hopefully this will tide you over until next year when the things are ready to hit the street. Hit the source link to feel the love (as well as some very moving piano music). Iriver teases out U100, P100, and D2000 portable media players originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Dec 2010 04:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …About time, eh? Wintel users have been enjoying the spoils of WiFi music sync on their BlackBerry handsets for the past few months now, but if you’re still stickin’ with RIM (through the thick and thin ), and you just so happen to roll primarily on OS X, there’s a new piece of software that you should consider. BlackBerry Desktop Software 2.0 for Mac OS has just been let loose, and it’s a pretty substantial update. Aside from supporting WiFi music sync in official fashion, there’s also a new device switch wizard and the ability to import and sync photos and videos with iPhoto and iTunes. She’s waiting for you there in the source link — all 39.713 megabytes. You know what to do. BlackBerry Desktop Software 2.0 for Mac OS brings WiFi music sync, broader iPhoto / iTunes support originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Dec 2010 03:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Well, one thing’s for sure: it ain’t a Harmony . GenosTV, a small subsidiary of the ShambroWest Corporation, is fixing to make somewhat of a splash at CES next year, primarily by showcasing working prototypes of a remote that has been in circulation since June. The monstrosity you’re inevitably peering at above is described as the Cyclops Multifunction Universal Controller, and while we aren’t told if uses IR or Bluetooth (or both), we are expecting to get a little hands-on time with it in a matter of weeks. The company will also be using its time in Vegas to schmooze with connected HDTV makers, presumably in an effort to strike up a bundle deal with the Sonys, Samsungs and Vizios of the world. Needless to say, our interest is decidedly piqued. Continue reading GenosTV sets a date with CES, plans to demo Cyclops universal remote GenosTV sets a date with CES, plans to demo Cyclops universal remote originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Dec 2010 02:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Augmented reality and optical character recognition have just come into their own, beautifully intertwined into an instant translation app for the iPhone. Download Word Lens, pay $4.99 for a language pack, then point it at a sign and watch as it replaces every word with one in your native tongue. It’s a little bit like Pleco , but without the whole language learning stuff. We just gave it a spin, and while it’s not quite as accurate as this video claims, it’s still breathtaking to behold — especially as it doesn’t require an internet connection to do any lookup. Sadly, it only translates to and from English and Spanish for now. Still, Babelfish, eat your heart out. Word Lens augmented reality app instantly translates whatever you point it at originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Dec 2010 00:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Police found a stash of sexually explicit photographs and videos of scores of women when they searched the home of the man accused in the “Grim Sleeper” killings. Now, they want to know who the women are and what might have happened to them. (Dec. 16)
Continue reading …On Thursday, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was sprung from jail on bail in London, where he addressed a press throng, cracking wise about how justice in the British system is “not dead yet” and thanking his legal team and journalists who “were not all taken in and considered to look deeper in their work.” While he was at it, Assange discussed a rumor that his legal team was heeding about an indictment made against him in the U.S. and said he was more concerned “about being extradited to the U.S.” than to Sweden.
Continue reading …Click here to view this media It appears fear mongering flame thrower Rep. Louie Gohmert has found himself a new target other than those “terror babies” he warned us about . This week it’s “teh gays” that are going to literally destroy our military if they’re allowed to come out with the possible repeal of DADT, or worse yet, allowing gay members of the military to serve openly might just mean the end of America’s “existence as a great nation.” Right Wing Watch has more — Gohmert: Without DADT, Military Stands to Lose Thousands and US Will Reach the “End of its Existence as a Great Nation” : While debating the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX), of “terror-baby” fame, claimed that the policy’s repeal may doom the military and the nation as a whole. Gohmert blasted the recent Pentagon study , which showed that an overwhelming number of military service members do not oppose repealing DADT, and said that the military could potentially lose “many thousands, or tens of thousands, or hundreds of thousands” if the policy is repealed. Gohmert uses no scientific evidence of his own to back up his claim that “hundreds of thousands” of troops could leave, even though the Pentagon’s own polling found that the vast majority of troops do not have problems serving alongside gays and lesbians, and 92 percent of those who believe they have already served alongside gays did not believe that their “units functioned poorly as a result.” Gohmert went on to suggest that the House, which today voted to repeal Don’t Ask Don’t Tell 250-175, is opening up the floodgates to a disorganized and ineffective military. According to the Congressman, “when militaries throughout history of the greatest nations in the world have adopted the policy that it’s fine for homosexuality to be overt…they’re toward the end of its existence as a great nation.” Here’s the transcript of Gohmert’s remarks from Right Wing Watch and as they noted, he’s just channeling the remarks of The Family Research Council’s Tony Perkins who just earned a spot on the SPLC’s list of hate groups for their anti-gay rhetoric. You want an accurate poll? Take one where military members can answer privately with no ability of the commanders to figure out who answered where. And then let’s find out how many thousands, or tens of thousands, or hundreds of thousands we can lose with this activity. That’s important. Now we were told Don’t Ask Don’t Tell is inconsistent with American values, I would submit the military is inconsistent with American values. It does not have freedom of speech, it does not have freedom of assembly, it does not have the freedom to express its love to those in the military the way you can out here because it’s an impediment to the military mission. You can’t do that. Can you imagine military members being able to tell their commander what they think of him using freedom of speech or assembling where they wish? It doesn’t work. This is one of those issues that is so personal to the military; we need to have an accurate poll. And to my friend who said history would judge us poorly, I would submit if you look thoroughly at history, and I’m not saying its cause and effect, but when militaries throughout history of the greatest nations in the world have adopted the policy that it’s fine for homosexuality to be overt, you can keep it private it’s fine if you can’t that’s fine too, they’re toward the end of its existence as a great nation.
Continue reading …When is a YouTube video not a YouTube video? Every so often, a promotion pops up on the site that thinks outside the box, so to speak. In honor of the Nexus S (i.e. the best Android phone out there until the next best Android phone comes out), Google’s re-teamed with Patrick Boivin and his ragtag group of tiny ninjas — previously seen showing real unboxing power on a Nexus One package . We don’t want to spoil the fun, so just click through and enjoy… and after all is said and done, keep an eye out for the nunchuks. Trust us. Unboxing Ninjas kick back the fourth wall for the Nexus S originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Dec 2010 12:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Clearly, there’s a lot of anger in America right now. Much of it justified, as some can afford shower curtain rings that would dwarf others’ weekly wages (and the latter are the ones who are lucky enough to have jobs). When you take this fact, combine it with the Orwellian “Newspeak” so pervasive in our media (which David Neiwert has written so articulately about ), and multiply that by the NRA’s mission to fight for the rights of criminals, the mentally ill and even terrorists to have access to guns , you have a toxic stew, ready to erupt. Scene: Panama City, Florida. A school board meeting is interrupted by a man with a criminal record of assault (with a gun) waving a gun, and furious that his wife lost her job, his benefits have run out and the board members were unwilling to raise sales taxes so she and others like her wouldn’t be fired (it should be noted that reports are still sketchy, so not all of what he says about his wife and himself during the 5 minutes when the board members try and talk him down can be confirmed yet). We don’t yet know where he got his gun — but we do know his criminal record and history of mental illness made it illegal for him obtain a gun of any kind. We also know that you can walk into a gun show in many states, such as Virginia, and buy any weapon, no background check necessary . The Governor of Virginia thinks that this is a-ok. No matter that everyone from members of Hezbollah to the Columbine killers to the Pentagon shooter got their guns in this manner. Apparently, to make an omelette, you have to shoot a few eggs. But the gun lobby marches on: Much harm, no foul. The NRA has spent years trying to destroy and delegitimize the ATF , such that nobody has been leading this important law enforcement agency for the past 4 years. Why? Because they try and track where guns come from when they kill people . Crazy. right? And of course we know that we are creating our very own Bonus Army, as millions are filled with despair and anxiety as we give them a pittance while extending tax cuts for people who make Richie Rich look like Oliver Twist. So is this our future? Videos of killers wielding illegal guns and holding innocent people hostage — or worse. Reality TV, gone very, very wrong. Unless/until we decide that gun safety, economic equality, and preventing pundits from inciting riot/slandering whole groups of people on air are reforms worth fighting for. Stay tuned on this one. In the meantime, sadly, I can promise you one thing: Many mini-revolutions such as this will be televised. And it will be ugly.
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