It’s been about a year since he left Microsoft, but the J Allard era came to a more definitive close yesterday, with the shuttering of his brainchild, Pioneer Studios. Microsoft opened the incubation lab more than three years ago as an entrepreneurial space where designers could toy around with new consumer technologies. The tragically shelved Courier tablet was first developed within Pioneer’s exposed brick walls, where Allard and his Alchemy Ventures team also worked on the Xbox, Zune and Windows Phone 7. Now, however, a Microsoft spokeswoman has confirmed that the downtown Seattle office is no longer occupied, telling CNET that many of the lab’s employees have either left, or moved on to different positions within the company. Pioneer co-founder Georg Petschnigg left Microsoft in April to pursue an “undisclosed new venture,” while fellow godfather Jonathan Harris is still at Redmond, where he serves as “principle experience director,” according to their respective LinkedIn profiles. The spokeswoman didn’t offer a specific reason for the decision, but in a now-ominous video posted to Microsoft’s developer site back in October, Petschnigg acknowledged that the unit’s innovative spirit would frequently lead to dead ends. “Often times our work just doesn’t go anywhere,” he explained, adding that Pioneer would only pursue projects expected to bring in more than $100 million a year. “That’s one of the perils of being an entrepreneur.” See the full video after the break. Continue reading Microsoft shutters Pioneer Studios, we pour one out for J Allard Microsoft shutters Pioneer Studios, we pour one out for J Allard originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 May 2011 05:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Mutewatch now in production, set to silently manage your day by July (video)
May 20, 2011 No Comment
We first caught wind of Mutewatch AB’s eponymous sort of anti-watch — a personal vibrating time management wristband, equipped with a hidden touch-activated LED display — when it became available for pre-order back in August . It seemed unique, but back then we had no idea of how it looked in action or when we might finally get one strapped onto our wrists. It’s a mystery no more, as the Swedish suite has just released a heavily stylized (and totally rendered) video showcasing the Mutewatch’s various touch-enabled functions. Also in tow, a press release announcing retail availability in July. Although our cellphones can do pretty much the same thing as this spendy $259 timepiece, we can’t hide our geeky (and guilty) lust for one. You can check out the video for yourself past the break, but be warned: a moderate case of GAS — Gadget Acquisition Syndrome — may occur after viewing. Continue reading Mutewatch now in production, set to silently manage your day by July (video) Mutewatch now in production, set to silently manage your day by July (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 May 2011 07:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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In case you need still more distraction from using your Nook Color to, you know, read , now you can have Hulu ‘s extensive video library at your fingertips, thanks to a simple 19-step process. Replacing the standard Adobe Flash Player with a modified version seems to work for the Nook and some other devices; users at Android Central have reported success on the Epic 4G, Thunderbolt, and Droid Incredible. When you’re ready to trade One Hundred Years of Solitude for 1000 Ways To Die or 16 and Pregnant , hit the source link for detailed instructions, and see the tutorial video after the break. [Thanks, Alex] Continue reading Stream Hulu on your Nook Color, ditch Fitzgerald for Family Guy Stream Hulu on your Nook Color, ditch Fitzgerald for Family Guy originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 May 2011 06:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Some emotional robots dip deep into the dark recesses of the uncanny valley , where our threshold for human mimicry resides. Emoti-bots on the other hand, manage to skip the creepy human-like pitfalls of other emo-machines, instead employing household objects to ape the most pathetic of human emotions — specifically dejection and insecurity. Sure it sounds sad, but the mechanized furniture designed by a pair of MFA students is actually quite clever. Using a hacked Roomba and an Arduino, the duo created a chair that reacts to your touch, and wanders aimlessly once you’re rump has disembarked. They’ve also employed Nitinol wires, a DC motor, and a proximity sensor to make a lamp that seems to tire with use. We prefer our lamps to look on the sunny side of life, but for those of you who like your fixtures forlorn, the Emoti-bots are now on display at Parsons in New York and can be found moping about in the video after the break. Continue reading Emoti-bots turn household objects into mopey machines (video) Emoti-bots turn household objects into mopey machines (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 May 2011 06:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Yay for the UK, it’s now one step closer to catching up to the Japan of last decade. Mobile carrier Orange is today launching the UK’s first mobile phone contactless payment service, dubbed Quick Tap, for purchases up to
Continue reading …Lexar dual-slot CF / SD reader packs USB 3.0, downloads cards six times faster (video)
May 20, 2011 No Comment
For professional photographers, every second counts when downloading images on a deadline — especially when you throw enormous HD video files into the mix. With the $50 Lexar Professional USB 3.0 Dual-Slot Reader, photogs now have a fast transfer option to compliment their pricey high-capacity CF and UHS-I SDXC cards, theoretically enabling downloads at up to 500MB per second (though current cards max out at one-fifth of that ). You’ll need to have a USB 3.0 port and high-speed flash to take advantage of faster transfers, though the reader is backwards-compatible with USB 2.0 and older cards — you’ll even be able to use that 32MB CF that came bundled with your DSLR. And what about appearance? Lexar Director of Marketing Jeff Cable sums it up: “It looks similar to our older card reader, the USB 2.0 reader , except that it says USB 3.0 right here on the front.” Bam! Continue reading Lexar dual-slot CF / SD reader packs USB 3.0, downloads cards six times faster (video) Lexar dual-slot CF / SD reader packs USB 3.0, downloads cards six times faster (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 May 2011 04:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Nokia’s Windows Phones will feature dual-core ST-Ericsson U8500, says STMicroelectronics chief
May 20, 2011 No Comment
As you’ll no doubt be aware, Qualcomm currently enjoys a stranglehold on processing hardware inside Windows Phone handsets . Its Snapdragon chip stars in both Microsoft’s original and updated chassis spec for the platform, but its hegemony may soon be coming to an end. STMicroelectronics (the ST in ST-Ericsson) boss Carlo Bozotti is cited by Forbes as saying that Nokia will use ST-Ericsson hardware to power at least some of its Windows Phones. The dual-core U8500 , a long-time Nokia favorite , is touted as the first such system-on-chip to appear, with its successors helping to populate Nokia’s expansive WP lineup in 2012. The only intel we’ve had so far on Nokia’s initial handsets for the new OS revolved around Qualcomm-based devices , so even if ST-Ericsson is indeed going to infiltrate the Windows Phone ecosystem, it doesn’t look likely to be among the very first Nokias out of the gate. Nokia’s Windows Phones will feature dual-core ST-Ericsson U8500, says STMicroelectronics chief originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 May 2011 01:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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The 16GB-equipped, 7-inch Flyer from HTC is making its way west this week. Best Buy, which gets the honor of exclusively launching the WiFi-only Android tablet in the US, has revealed Sunday as the official first day of availability for the Flyer, at a price of $500. As you’ll recall, the stylus that ships in the retail box just about everywhere else will be markedly missing from the Best Buy bundle, costing an extra $80 to those who simply must have it. You’ll be able to purchase your Flyer online and at all brick-and-mortar Best Buy and Best Buy Mobile stores, but if mobile connectivity is more important to you, we’d advise holding out a little while longer for the 3G- and 4G-capable Evo View variety on Sprint. HTC Flyer lands at Best Buy on May 22nd for $500, Magic Pen sold separately originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 May 2011 02:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Do we sense just a wee bit of jealousy here? Not to be outdone by Verizon’s Windows Phone darling , AT&T swiftly reacted to the Trophy’s official launch by whipping the long-expected HTC HD7S out on Facebook and stamping a seal of approval on it. With the go-ahead in place, we can expect to see the new device going on sale June 5 at a penny under $200. This may be a tad steep when comparing its WP7 brethren , but it’s not an unusual starting price for many of AT&T’s top-end smartphones . If you like to fill up your inbox with the latest “email alerts and special offers,” drag your cursor to the source link below. HTC HD7S coming to AT&T on June 5 for $200 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 May 2011 16:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Sony unveils flexible color e-paper, new glasses-free 3D LCD displays at SID 2011
May 19, 2011 No Comment
We saw some fancy panels and flashy lights on the show floor at SID this week, but Sony decided to keep its latest display offerings tucked away in an academic meeting. We’re getting word today from Tech-On! that the outfit unveiled a 13.3-inch sheet of flexible color e-paper as well as two new glasses-free 3D panels in a separate session at the conference. New e-paper solutions loomed large at SID, but we were surprised by the lack of flexible screens. Sony’s managed to deliver both on a display that weighs only 20 grams and measures a mere 150-microns thick, a feat made possible by the use of a plastic substrate. The sheet boasts a 13-percent color gamut, 10:1 contrast ratio, and 150dpi resolution. As for the 3D LCD displays, Sony joined a slew of other manufacturers in showing off its special brand of the panels. These new displays, ranging from 10-inches to 23-inches, apparently employ a new method for delivering 3D to the naked eye . This particular method uses a backlight positioned between an LCD panel and another backlight for 2D images, and can be easily be switched off for 2D viewing. Of course we would have liked to see these screens in the flesh, but alas, Sony decided to play coy. Hop on past the break for a shot of the new 3D panel. Continue reading Sony unveils flexible color e-paper, new glasses-free 3D LCD displays at SID 2011 Sony unveils flexible color e-paper, new glasses-free 3D LCD displays at SID 2011 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 May 2011 17:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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