FTC to put Google under a microscope, try to uncover its anti-competitive ways?
June 23, 2011 No Comment
Google’s drawn the ire of the Federal Trade Commission before for failing to follow its own privacy policies . Now, however, the Mountain View crew is apparently facing a formal inquiry from the FTC as it seeks information about Google’s search and advertising business. The civil investigative demands are set to be sent out within the next five days, according to the Wall Street Journal , and the commission will be looking into whether Google’s search engine illegally routs all those internet eyeballs scanning its site to its own services instead of those offered by competitors. Sound familiar? It should, because Google’s under investigation for similar anticompetitive accusations made in Europe — somewhere Steve Ballmer is smiling. FTC to put Google under a microscope, try to uncover its anti-competitive ways? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Jun 2011 22:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Shaving will never be the same again. A limited edition razor called the Zaffiro has been released. It costs $100,000 and only 99 have been sold. Safe to say that if you’re making your mind up over whether to purchase one, there’s probably no rush. But why the seemingly exorbitant expense? Well, the main reason
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In the event you got lulled into a groovy seat dance by that most excellent muzak above, let us repeat – this app does not protect your lockscreen. That said, Visidon’s Applock will prevent the privacy -adverse from messing with your personally curated app collection. Have a nosy significant lover? No sweat — snap a pick with your front-facing cam , enable the face-lock in your settings, and those sexts are as good as blocked. It’s far from foolproof, however, as some comments indicate an extended bit of facial-wriggling tricks the app into unlock mode. Oh well, you’re so vain, you’ll probably think this Android market link is for you — don’t you? [Thanks, Matti] Visidon Applock sees your pretty face, grants you Android access (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Jun 2011 20:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Ford’s V2V tech talks to other cars, may or may not temper road rage (video)
June 23, 2011 No Comment
You know we’re headed safely into the future when Ford starts trotting out ‘ talking car ‘ technology. It’s highly unlikely that your next-gen Taurus will start criticizing your outfit selection anytime soon, but it will alert you to potential unseen collisions. The V2V (Vehicle-to-Vehicle) communication powering this auto evolution differs slightly from existing peer-to-peer tech — wedding GPS with a dedicated WiFi network, these autobots are only five years away from giving K.I.T.T. all sorts of company. Toss in a bit of FCC -channel security, add a dashboard of flashing-red LEDs, and you’re looking at a car that’ll aggressively bleep and bloop you out of harm’s way. Rest easy Big Brother types, Ford says the cars won’t be automagically controlling themselves — you still have to rely on those well-honed ninja reflexes for that. [Image courtesy CNET ] Ford’s V2V tech talks to other cars, may or may not temper road rage (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Jun 2011 18:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Every other year, aviation fanatics gather in the city of baguettes and burlesque to order airplanes, gawk at concept vehicles, and dream about a better future . The D-Dalus, one of the more bizarre concepts at this year’s Paris Air Show, from Austrian research company IAT21, stays aloft using quad contra-rotating cylindrical turbines — and perhaps a touch of magic. Theoretically creating a completely new category of aircraft, the carbon fiber D-Dalus maneuvers by altering the angle of its blades, giving it virtually limitless abilities to launch, hover, and turn in any direction. An aircraft with this level of flexibility is more suited for military use than consumer applications (you won’t be flying home from Paris in a freakish black tube), but could become a key asset for everything from freight transport to search and rescue operations — on land, at sea, or even in a burning building. We haven’t come across any proof that the Dalus can actually fly, but hit up the source link to see the craft suspended from the show floor ceiling in Paris. D-Dalus aircraft lacks fixed-wing or rotor, looks like flying steamroller originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Jun 2011 19:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Still not clear on what your gaming options will be like with Windows Phone Mango ? Then Microsoft’s now got you covered with a fairly extensive overview of its new Games Hub, which has actually been tweaked a bit further from earlier previews it’s offered. One of the biggest changes is that the Hub now includes features previously relegated to the separate Xbox Live Extras app, including improved Xbox Live messaging, integrated achievements (complete with comparison views with your friends), and the ability to edit your Xbox Live profile — not to mention fully animated 3D avatars. The Hub also boasts a new Collection view that promises to let you more easily manage your installed Windows Phone games, and it’s literally been brightened up a bit across the board. Check out the gallery below for a closer look, and hit the source link for some more details. Gallery: Windows Phone ‘Mango’ Games Hub Microsoft details the new Games Hub for Windows Phone Mango originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Jun 2011 17:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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The KIRFs we normally see are of the cellphone and PMP variety, with the occasional laptop scattered here and there. In fact, this might be the first time we’ve seen a clone of a serious robot, and not just some remote-controlled toy . Above is the UNISROBO from a pair of Chinese companies, UNIS and Just Good Technology. Those of you with a strong memory may immediately notice its amazing resemblance to NEC’s PaPeRo and PaPeRo-mini . Outside of the bright job, the only major aesthetic difference is the LCD embedded in UNISROBO’s chest. Under the hood, however, is a different story — this Chinese knockoff is missing the stereoscopic cameras and ultrasonic sensors that helped its Japanese inspiration navigate. There’s one thing these copycats are not though — cheap. UNIS will be selling two models at 2,980 and 3,980 Yuan (about $460 and $615). One more picture after the break. Continue reading Chinese UNISROBO KIRFbot is a not-so-cheap knockoff of NEC’s PaPeRo Chinese UNISROBO KIRFbot is a not-so-cheap knockoff of NEC’s PaPeRo originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Jun 2011 15:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Dutch parliament passes strict new law regulating cookies — the non-edible variety
June 23, 2011 No Comment
Well, it’s certainly been an interesting month for those interested in all things technology-related in the Netherlands. Just last week, the Royal Dutch Mint showed off some new coins emblazoned with QR Codes promising untold “surprises,” and this week the Dutch parliament made a bit of history by passing the first net neutrality legislation in the EU. Now it’s taken aim at another target: internet cookies. Despite warnings that it could cause websites to flee en masse to less-restrictive countries in Europe, the parliament has also passed an amendment to the net neutrality law that drastically changes how cookies are handled on the web. Specifically, websites will have to prove that visitors explicitly agreed to allow cookies, which likely means an extra click or a pop-up window before anyone’s able to actually visit a site. Of course, there’s also the possibility that it could lead to a drop in a cookie use in the country, although that seems about as likely as a drop in actual cookie consumption. [Thanks, Lucian; image: The Bygone Bureau ] Dutch parliament passes strict new law regulating cookies — the non-edible variety originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Jun 2011 16:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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File this under ‘questionably useful, but darling nonetheless.’ ZviZvi over at Instructables needed to update an outdated product for his Industrial Design portfolio, so he took grandpa’s old rotary phone and implanted an Arduino soul . With an involved bit of slap n’ solder and a WiFly shield , our enterprising Israeli modder transformed this once-luddite tech into an emoticon-tweeting wireless terminal. While the phone’s LED-lit dial is only capable of outputting ten heartwarming expressions, that’s still ten more than any rotary phone’s ever had before. Sure, you could always use that ever-accessible laptop (or smartphone) for your Twitter needs, but where’s the fun in that? Per usual, budding inventors can tickle their Emo in the source link below. Rotary phone mod tweets your emoticons, heavy soldering still required originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Jun 2011 13:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Tesla Roadster nears the end of its production run, company switches focus to Model S
June 23, 2011 No Comment
Well, we knew this day had to come eventually: various sources are reporting that Tesla Motors has announced that production of its Roadster will soon be drawing to a close, a scant three years (and a few months) after initially launching . “I think there’s a handful of cars left to sell in the US,” said CEO Elon Musk. “People in Europe and Japan probably have another six months [while in] the US, it’s maybe a month or two.” We always thought that the company’s approach was pretty gutsy, and maybe that’s exactly what the automotive world needed — a long-range (if expensive) ride that screamed: “this ain’t your parents’ EV.” (Cue guitar solo.) For the time being, the company will be switching its focus to the more subdued Model S sedan, although we won’t be surprised if we see more badass vehicles from these guys in the future. We aren’t sure it’ll help with the tears, but our Roadster Sport 2.5 test drive will (thankfully) live on forever. Tesla Roadster nears the end of its production run, company switches focus to Model S originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Jun 2011 13:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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