We’d love to head on down to Fukushima with a DSLR and some iodide pills, but that’s obviously not going to happen. Sending in a flying robot seems to be the next best thing, though, and that’s exactly what Tokyo Electric Power (TEPCO) has done. T-Hawk, a US-made MAV ( Micro Air Vehicle ) commonly used to search for roadside bombs in Iraq, made its Japanese debut last week when it photographed the nuclear plant from above, providing a detailed look at the interior damage a month after iRobot’s visit . Small enough to fit in a (rather large) backpack, officially the T-Hawk is named for the tarantula hawk wasp species, but could just as easily have been named for the T. Hawk Street Fighter character, who also swoops in to attack his opponents from above. As expected, things look pretty nasty at ground zero, so head past the break for a video of the damage. Continue reading T-Hawk UAV enters Fukushima danger zone, returns with video T-Hawk UAV enters Fukushima danger zone, returns with video originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 21 Apr 2011 18:48:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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We haven’t heard much about iriver’s Story HD e-reader since it quite literally landed in our laps at CES back in January, but it looks like it might now finally be nearing a US launch. The e-reader has just turned up at the FCC, where’s it’s been thoroughly tested and dissected (see the link below for some additional evidence). That’s not always a sure sign that a US launch is imminent, but it does seem likely in this case — especially considering that iriver has already lined up a number of US content partnerships for the device. As for the e-reader itself, it’s similar in size to the Kindle and packs a 6-inch 1024 x 768 display, along with an 800MHz Coretx A8 processor, 2GB of internal memory, an SD card slot for expansion, and WiFi connectivity. In other words, it remains unchanged from CES, which means our preview is just as relevant as ever. iriver Story HD e-reader hits the FCC, US retailers next? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 21 Apr 2011 16:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Look at this guy! What a cutie! It’s like Elvis ‘ microphone cross-bred with some sort of weird alien USB bumblebee. Samson’s Meteor Mic is unquestionably shiny, but its competition is an increasingly attractive bunch as well. Does Lil’ Samson’s beauty run only grill-deep? Read on to find out! Gallery: Samson USB Meteor Mic review Continue reading Samson Meteor Mic review Samson Meteor Mic review originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 21 Apr 2011 17:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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It’s the rumor that wouldn’t die, and Reuters is now reporting that Apple is finally set to launch a cloud-based music service — presumably putting its massive North Carolina data center to some real work at long last. Details are still fairly light beyond that, but Reuters says that Apple’s service will actually launch ahead of Google’s similar cloud-based option , which it reports is now “stalled,” citing “several people familiar with both companies plans.” According to Reuters , the service will let folks store their music (and only music, apparently) on Apple’s servers and then access it on any device with an internet connection — and a copy of iTunes, we presume. Reuters: Apple set to launch cloud-based music service ahead of Google originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 21 Apr 2011 16:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Here’s a solution for adding a little techno-flare to your furniture that’s a bit more subtle than cramming computer parts into a coffee table . The Arbonata Light Table, available from nKcharms at the source link, impregnates stylish slabs of wood with over 1,700 LEDs arranged in the shape of a tree. According to designer Dennis Vetu, it’s some sort of metaphor for the circle of life — as he explains on the Arbonata site, “tree becomes wood, becomes light.” Artsy prattle aside, we couldn’t imagine sitting down to a ramen dinner on a classier surface. If you’re not partial to branches and leaves though, nKcharms will work with customers to create unique designs. We might just order one emblazoned with a glowing Engadget logo. Sadly, there’s no price listed, but then again, if you have to ask…. Don’t miss the gallery below. Gallery: Arbonata Light Table Arbonata Light Table classes up LEDs and dining rooms originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 21 Apr 2011 14:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Hair transplant robot gets FDA approval, men with straight brown hair rejoice
April 21, 2011 No Comment
Back in 2007, we told you about Restoration Robotics , an upstart research team using robots to perform hair transplants — a project whose details (you know, like how it works) were shrouded in secrecy. Four years later, the Artas System has won FDA approval for in-office procedures, with the inviting bot in the above photo harvesting individual hair follicles from the scalp . A few months after this robot operates on your cranium, hair will start growing back, a process that could take a year — and makes for a more gradual transformation than slapping on a toupee. Still, you’ll have to be a certain kind of man to take advantage of this technology — for now at least, it’s only been cleared for men with black or brown straight hair. Looks like the rest of you will have to find other, lower-tech ways to suffer for your beauty. Continue reading Hair transplant robot gets FDA approval, men with straight brown hair rejoice Hair transplant robot gets FDA approval, men with straight brown hair rejoice originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 21 Apr 2011 14:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Samsung’s LTE-enabled Droid Charge coming to Verizon on April 28th for $300 on contract
April 21, 2011 No Comment
Ready for the era of $300 superphones? We know, we aren’t either, but the addition of LTE seems to be justification enough for Verizon Wireless and Samsung to toss a $299.99 subsidized price on the latter’s newest handset. After being leaked a few times over , the borderline-ominous phone is finally getting official. April 28th is the day, with consumers then able to grab a 4.3-inch AMOLED Plus display, rear-facing 8 megapixel camera, a 1.3 megapixel front-facing shooter, 1GHz processor, Android 2.2 and LTE support. Unlimited 4G data plans are still being hawked for $29.99, and while the entry price definitely stings, having mobile hotspot for “no additional charge” is certainly a perk. Might want to be first in line, though — that last snippet will only be offered for “a limited time.” Gallery: Samsung Droid Charge for Verizon Wireless Continue reading Samsung’s LTE-enabled Droid Charge coming to Verizon on April 28th for $300 on contract Samsung’s LTE-enabled Droid Charge coming to Verizon on April 28th for $300 on contract originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 21 Apr 2011 12:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Sprint service the only thing standing between you and a Motorola Xoom ? Good news — a tipster passed along an internal calendar showing an April 25th employee training date for the Honeycomb tablet, and while we’re still taking it with a grain of salt, it seems like the real deal. If past products are any indication, it should hit Sprint stores a fortnight later, in early May, lining up nicely with those Xoom cases that were spotted a week back. The Nexus S 4G also looks to be slotted for employee training the same day, foreshadowing busy times ahead for the Now Network cashiers. Motorola Xoom, Nexus S 4G hitting Sprint in early May? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 21 Apr 2011 12:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Toshiba’s waterproof Camileo BW10 does 1080p video, 5 megapixel stills for $150
April 21, 2011 No Comment
Flip might have died an untimely death , but spring is here, the birds are chirping, and the march of vacation-ready pocket cams continues — Toshiba just announced the Camileo BW10, whose rubberized coating makes it usable in water as deep as 6.5 feet. At $150, it’s a smidge cheaper than other rugged 1080p camcorders, but then again, you’ll pay a premium for models you can use in deeper water. In addition to video, it snaps 5 megapixel photos and has an SD card slot, USB connector, and HDMI output, though Toshiba regrettably doesn’t bundle an HDMI cable. Not a deal-breaker? You can nab one in yellow or silver on Toshiba’s site today with an instant $20 rebate. Continue reading Toshiba’s waterproof Camileo BW10 does 1080p video, 5 megapixel stills for $150 Toshiba’s waterproof Camileo BW10 does 1080p video, 5 megapixel stills for $150 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 21 Apr 2011 10:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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We have some good news from the Land of the Rising Sun — a fresh batch of Leafs are on their way to American shores. At the New York Auto show, Nissan announced that the first shipments of post earthquake-produced EVs should be in the hands of American consumers by April 27th. The company still expects to fulfill current orders by the end of summer and on May 1st will begin accepting new reservations for vehicles in Arizona, California, Hawaii, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, and Washington. Buyers in the southeastern US will be able to join the plug-in parade this fall, to be followed by a nationwide launch in 2012. Now that the auto manufacturing plants are getting back to business as usual following the tsunami that ravaged Japan, we can only hope the rest of the country isn’t too far behind. PR after the break. Continue reading Nissan recovering from quake, ramps up Leaf deliveries Nissan recovering from quake, ramps up Leaf deliveries originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 21 Apr 2011 11:16:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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