The satellite imagery used in Google Earth is captured in 2D. The terrain that it covers is rendered in 3D. Sometimes those disparate layers don’t line up, and sometimes those results can be quite compelling. Artist Clement Valla has collected some of the most striking examples in an online gallery called “Postcards from Google Earth, Bridges.” It’s 60 images from around the virtual globe, pictures that are occasionally janky, occasionally boring, but often quite moving in a Salvador Dali sort of way. Our favorite is above, but feel free to share yours in comments below. Clement Valla’s Postcards from Google Earth blend 3D with 2D, look freaky originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 Mar 2011 09:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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We’ve seen a few dedicated “life-logging” devices that let you record your every waking moment, but why spend a couple of hundred bucks on something when you’re already carrying around a perfectly capable smartphone? That’s the thinking of the folks behind the Lifelapse iPhone app which, like the Vicon Revue we’ve tested , promises to simply record a time-lapse video of your entire day — they’ve even developed a “LifePouch” so you can conveniently wear your iPhone around your neck (no iPad version just yet). Unfortunately, the developers aren’t offer a peek at the app itself just yet, but the are now accepting applications for those that wish to participate in the beta. Lifelapse app promises to turn your iPhone into a life-logger originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 Mar 2011 07:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Fiskar’s ’88′ headphone amplifier concept touts bombastic knobs, oodles of style
March 10, 2011 No Comment
There are headphone amplifiers , and then there’s Fiskar’s 88. Designer Edouard Urcadez took the liberty of utilizing the Fiskar brand on this here concoction, which features an unorthodox form factor, larger-than-life volume / tone knobs, an array of rear outputs and a Made in Finland badge. There’s no theoretical specifications to simmer on, but the inclusion of speaker outputs leads us to believe that we’re looking at a dual-stage amp or one with far more power than most headphone pushers. We’ve never actually seen an inanimate object cry for production, but we’re going to stare at the image above a bit longer just in case. There’s a first time for everything, right? Fiskar’s ’88′ headphone amplifier concept touts bombastic knobs, oodles of style originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 Mar 2011 06:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …NASA’s Global Hawk completes unmanned airborne refueling simulation, will do it for real next year (video)
March 10, 2011 No Comment
While some bot makers are busying themselves designing AI to simulate humans’ natural and distinct lack of intelligence, it’s nice to see there are still old-fashioned researchers out there keeping the Skynet dream alive. Northrop Grumman ‘s aeronautics gurus have paired together a Global Hawk unmanned aircraft with a manned Proteus ship way up in the skies — 45,000 feet, to be precise — with the vessels of ingenuity managing to fly in tandem at a distance as short as 40 feet. Unsurprisingly, this is the first time such intimacy has been reached between UAVs (the Proteus had a monitoring crew on board to ensure the insurance bill wasn’t through the roof) in high altitude, and the ultimate goal of having two Global Hawks doing the deed without any human intervention is said to be within reach by next year. That’s when these light and agile air drones will be able to refuel themselves and go on for a mighty 120 hours in the air… plenty of time to complete a well planned extermination down below, if one were so inclined. Continue reading NASA’s Global Hawk completes unmanned airborne refueling simulation, will do it for real next year (video) NASA’s Global Hawk completes unmanned airborne refueling simulation, will do it for real next year (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 Mar 2011 03:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Sony’s Kaz Hirai consolidates power as likely CEO successor to Howard Stringer
March 9, 2011 No Comment
Sony’s in the midst of yet another realignment this morning. Most notable is the promotion of Kazuo “Kaz” Hirai to Representative Corporate Executive Officer and Executive Deputy President, effective as of April 1st. The change in title also carries new responsibilities for Sony’s Consumer Products & Services Group putting Kaz in charge of all of Sony’s consumer electronics businesses including TV, audio / video, imaging, PC, gaming, and mobile in addition to overseeing Sony’s global sales and marketing, common software platforms, and design operations. The move makes Kaz the number one candidate to replace Howard Stringer , the 69 year old boss from Wales, who is expected to step down in 2013. Continue reading Sony’s Kaz Hirai consolidates power as likely CEO successor to Howard Stringer Sony’s Kaz Hirai consolidates power as likely CEO successor to Howard Stringer originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 Mar 2011 02:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …PS3 firmware update v3.60 live, adds cloud storage and turns off controllers at intervals of your choice
March 9, 2011 No Comment
If you’re rocking a PlayStation Plus subscription and can’t wait to boot your savegames into the cloud , you’ll be happy to hear that the System Update enabling that — firmware v3.60 — is available for download right now. If you aren’t paying $50 a year for PS Plus, what good is it to you? Well, it’ll let you set you how long you’d like the system to wait before it tells your DualShock and Sixaxis controllers to shut down, hopefully conserving battery life without intermittent annoyance. Enjoy! [Thanks, Tim and Colin] PS3 firmware update v3.60 live, adds cloud storage and turns off controllers at intervals of your choice originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 09 Mar 2011 23:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Teradek Cube brings livestreaming to any camera, just don’t tell Charlie Sheen
March 9, 2011 No Comment
Livestreams have become a part of daily life here at Engadget, and the Teradek Cube aims to make any camera livestream-capable without additional software or materials. It’s is a card deck-sized box that docks in your camera’s hot shoe and connects to the net for instant streaming to the company’s Livestream.com — way more practical than some bulkier alternatives . All told there are six Cube models to choose from with varying quality / connectivity capabilities, but you get a free month of Livesteam.com service with any purchase, making the $1,490 starting price a little more palatable. The higher end models can even connect to Verizon 4G when paired with the Pantech UML290 , and the Cube is said to work with any camera. Of course, you could go the UStream route if quality isn’t your highest priority, but we only recommend that for the lowest of low-budget films. Teradek Cube brings livestreaming to any camera, just don’t tell Charlie Sheen originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 09 Mar 2011 23:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Although the iPad 2 is launching in two days, Apple wants to make sure that you’re filled with knowledge for March 11th. Sure, we showed you pretty much everything you wanted to know about the company’s second slate, but if you want more, they’ve got you covered. You can feast your eyes on demos of Garageband, FaceTime, iMovie, as well as other first party apps for the new iPad — these 14 videos should keep you occupied for a while. If you want to properly prepare yourself for Friday, hit the source link to watch them all. Apple posts iPad 2 guided tour videos originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 09 Mar 2011 20:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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We saw the Nokia E6 first leak a little over a month ago, suggesting that Nokia had plans to add a touchscreen into the portrait QWERTY formula pulled off so well in the E71 … but there was a problem: the screen was off. Where’s the fun in that? Now another shot of the apparently upcoming Symbian device has leaked — this time in a darker shade — showing an updated user interface with icons that look just big enough to comfortably fat-finger. That’s all we’ve got for the moment, but for E71 owners still waiting for their knight in shining armor to swoop in and offer a worthy replacement, this might end up being the closest thing — assuming, of course, it hasn’t been canceled and you’re still okay going with Symbian for your next phone. Nokia E6 spied again, shows off its touchy Symbian UI originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 09 Mar 2011 17:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Peel universal remote adapter for iOS now available, $99 buys you expensive Fruit
March 9, 2011 No Comment
You know your product name is clever when not one but two companies go for it. Such is the name “Peel.” This offering we’re talking about is not the sort that turns an iPod into an iPhone , rather it’s the kind that turns an iPhone into a universal remote — though it’ll work with all the other iOS devices too. It’s a combination app and hardware that we’ve been tracking since last year , and now it’s up for order. The iOS app talks to a goofy shaped IR blaster, called the Fruit, which costs $99. The combination turns your mobile device into a Harmony -hunting universal remote, but a smarter one that not only knows how to turn on your TV but also how to tune it to the latest episode of Glee , apparently, since every promo shot seems to feature some bit of gleekery. The app is free now and the Fruit is up for purchase — though it’s currently showing as back ordered. Let’s hope it doesn’t spoil. Peel universal remote adapter for iOS now available, $99 buys you expensive Fruit originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 09 Mar 2011 16:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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