Microsoft Research-backed e-reader prototype can’t keep its text to itself (video)
May 13, 2011 No Comment
We’ve seen plenty of dual-screen devices over the past couple of years, and they never fail to make us a little sentimental for Microsoft’s stillborn Courier concept . That goes double for this reader device, which made an appearance at this week’s CHI conference in Vancouver, seeing as how Microsoft Research apparently played a role in its development. But this gadget, presented by the University of Maryland’s Nicholas Chen, is clearly its own beast — and it’s an awesome looking one at that. The reader actually only has one screen, but it can connect wirelessly with other units, letting the users do things like send links between devices. It will also clip magnetically to another unit, so you can look at two pages of the same document at the same time, just like one of those oldfangled book-type things. Fans of awkward intros, check out the video after the break. [Thanks, Winston] Continue reading Microsoft Research-backed e-reader prototype can’t keep its text to itself (video) Microsoft Research-backed e-reader prototype can’t keep its text to itself (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 14 May 2011 01:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Hey there fellow iOS users, just thought we’d let you know that the Engadget app for iPhone and iPod touch has now been updated to version 2.2. What’s new, you ask? Well, on top of a stash of performance tweaks, there’s now a handy landscape viewing mode along with much improved sharing features; or if you prefer saving the goodies for yourself, then you’ll also like our new “save for later” options for Evernote, Instapaper, and Read It Later. Head over to the App Store to nab the fresh update now. Oh, don’t worry, we haven’t forgotten our buddies on the Windows Phone boat. We can assure you that our devs are hard at work at cooking up an Engadget app for Windows Phone 7 just as we speak, so stay tuned for an announcement soon. Engadget app for iPhone and iPod touch updated to 2.2.0, get it now! originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 13 May 2011 14:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Hey there fellow iOS users, just thought we’d let you know that the Engadget app for iPhone and iPod touch has now been updated to version 2.2. What’s new, you ask? Well, on top of a stash of performance tweaks, there’s now a handy landscape viewing mode along with much improved sharing features; or if you prefer saving the goodies for yourself, then you’ll also like our new “save for later” options for Evernote, Instapaper, and Read It Later. Head over to the App Store to nab the fresh update now. Oh, don’t worry, we haven’t forgotten our buddies on the Windows Phone boat. We can assure you that our devs are hard at work at cooking up an Engadget app for Windows Phone 7 just as we speak, so stay tuned for an announcement soon. Engadget app for iPhone and iPod touch updated to 2.2.0, get it now! originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 13 May 2011 14:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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We’ve seen them spit out fancy glass vases and tiny white strandbeests , and now the 3D thingy makers are pumping out cutesy salt and pepper shakers. Those hyper-glossy white rabbits pictured above are some of the first spawns of Glazed Ceramics, the newly minted food-safe material available from Shapeways. Glazed Ceramics are fired in an oven or kiln like traditional ceramics and are then coated with a lead-free non-toxic gloss — the result is food-safe, recyclable, and heat resistant up to 1000 degrees Celsius. The new material is now available to Shapeways designers and will be until August 12th, at which point the company will decide whether its worth keeping around. For now you can sate your appetite for 3D printed shiny white dishes by clicking the source link below. Shapeways Glazed Ceramics make 3D printed objects you can eat off of originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 13 May 2011 14:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Consumers are flocking to prepaid about as fast as children to an ice cream truck, and T-Mobile is welcoming them with open arms. Pushing out a competitive and timely response to Verizon’s Unleashed plans is vital — especially given T-Mobile’s paltry first-quarter results — and the company will be ready to match wits with the country’s number-one carrier on May 22. The official site is already saying as much, proclaiming to its prepaid customers that their monthly packages will become even tastier at that time. What it’s missing, though, is a name, and TmoNews has uncovered evidence suggesting ‘T-Mobile Monthly 4G’ will be the re-branded title. So what will these new enhancements bring to customers? Monthly rates will stay exactly the same as before, with additional 4G data supplying an extra oomph to the offerings. The top-of-the-line plan goes for $70 and will offer unlimited minutes, text, and web (a jump up from the 2GB currently in use); the $50 choice is identical in minutes and text, but will only allow 100MB before data gets throttled. This idea of cutting down internet use is a definite upgrade to the current plan, since at present time it gives out the same 100MB but cuts data use completely off as soon as that point is reached. We’re also noticing that international and BlackBerry services are available a la carte for an extra $10, as well as a noteworthy day pass that bestows 24 hours of unlimited 4G data for $1.49. Color us impressed; all of the latest revamps to T-Mobile’s prepaid options are a refreshing contrast to its competitors mandating more and more restrictions to their monthly data plans. Continue reading T-Mobile baking fresh prepaid plans May 22, adds more 4G data for flavor T-Mobile baking fresh prepaid plans May 22, adds more 4G data for flavor originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 14 May 2011 00:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …New iMac frees you from the tyranny (and convenience) of servicing your own hard drives
May 13, 2011 No Comment
Letting Apple control most facets of your computing experience is just a fact of life for the Mac faithful, but the company may have gone too far for some with the most recent iMac refresh . Want to swap out that hard drive for a bigger one or replace a dead disk? You’ve got no option but to go straight to Apple thanks to a new proprietary cable and special firmware. The standard 4-pin SATA connector has been replaced with a 7-pin configuration that keeps you from hooking up just any old hard drive, and without that magical firmware the iMac won’t even boot. Remember, this is the company that thinks swapping batteries is best left to the professionals , uses a custom BIOS to keep you from running OS X on non-Apple hardware, and forced a company to put the brakes on an SSD upgrade for the MacBook Air. Really, we’re kinda surprised the iMac doesn’t shock you when you try to pry it open. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in] New iMac frees you from the tyranny (and convenience) of servicing your own hard drives originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 13 May 2011 15:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Robot arm learns to use hammer, mocks pathetic human’s attempt to fight back (video)
May 13, 2011 No Comment
This guy had a pretty natural reaction upon discovering that the DLR Hand Arm System has learned to use a hammer: he took a bat to the thing. Rather than curbing the inevitable robotic uprising, however, the whole thing just demonstrates exactly how durable the mechanical appendage is, as it resumes normal functionality after the swift blow. The arm contains 52 motors and super strong synthetic tendons, and is the work of the German Aerospace Center, the electronic sadists who also recently took a hammer to one of their robot hands. Videos of the mayhem after the jump — we’re sure they’ll be Skynet’s Exhibit A. [Thanks, Joseph ] Continue reading Robot arm learns to use hammer, mocks pathetic human’s attempt to fight back (video) Robot arm learns to use hammer, mocks pathetic human’s attempt to fight back (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 13 May 2011 23:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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We know you’ve got questions, and if you’re brave enough to ask the world for answers, here’s the outlet to do so. This week’s Ask Engadget inquiry is coming to us from Garren, who isn’t ashamed of being picky about his next laptop. If you’re looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com . ” I’m a college student looking for a new laptop, but almost all of my media I receive digitally. I’m looking for a laptop, not a netbook, without an optical drive, and budget sensitive. The optical drive will just be a waste of space, when I can have thinner laptop. What’s out there? ” Any of you digital junkies care to chime in? If so, comments are welcoming one and all down below. Ask Engadget: best full-size laptop without an optical drive? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 13 May 2011 22:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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While we wait for the OTA update that will bring Android 3.1 to existing Google TV devices, Logitech’s Revue — check the official blog post linked below for some of the features being added — has apparently already received its price cut and CrunchGear points out it is currently available for $199 on Amazon. As we noted a couple of weeks ago when the company announced weak sales and a plan to drop the price to $249, getting the price under two bills was probably as important as smoothing out the software experience. Of course, after Google I/O we wonder if anyone interested in Google TV is still jonesing for a launch device (even with the promise of updated software and Android Market access in the future) when something newer and better is likely on the way. After all, you can get Honeycomb on a T-Mobile G1 now, but that doesn’t mean you would want to do it. Logitech Revue price drops to $199 on Amazon originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 13 May 2011 21:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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3D glasses may not be the most obvious warfare tool. But that’s exactly what it took for the Allies of WWII to outwit Hitler. A BBC documentary reveals how they used three-dimensional photos to stop Nazi weapons of mass destruction before they could bomb Britain. Dubbed Operation Crossbow, the mission entailed Spitfire pilots photographing battlefield
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