Call it the holy grail of radio transmissions if you must, but even if you’re not about to toss that label on it, there’s no question that the work being done in Stanford ‘s engineering labs could destroy quite a few preconceived notions about wireless interference. Demoed as a concept last year, a newfangled wireless technology developed in Palo Alto is proving that signals can indeed be sent and received at the same time. Outside of the cellular telephony world, this seemingly simple occurrence doesn’t really happen — typical wireless signals have to take turns when it comes to listening and transmitting. As an example, it’s impossible for a WiFi router to “shout” out signals while also being intelligent enough to quiet its own voice in order to hear “whispers” from a connected device. The breakthrough came when researchers found that radios could be tweaked to filter out the signal from its own transmitter, something that already happens within noise-canceling headphones. If this can be packaged into a commercially viable platform, it could instantly double the amount of information sent over existing networks, and on an even grander scale, it could allow airplanes to radio into control towers simultaneously (a feat that’s shockingly impossible with today’s physics bearing down). Head on past the break for a downright enlightening video on the matter. Continue reading ‘Stanford gurus enable two-way radio communications. Over.’ ‘Stanford gurus enable two-way radio communications. Over.’ originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 06:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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One manufacturer who has not boarded on the Windows Phone train to commerceville is Acer , who is certainly all over when it comes to Android . Why no WP7 love? No word on that front, but we’re told that may be changing this fall. The company is reportedly looking at releasing one or more handsets for the platform to coincide with the first major Windows Phone update, currently given the saucy nom de guerre ” Mango .” That’s right about when we’re expecting our first Nokia WP7 handsets, which means things could be getting interesting in Microsoftia this September. Acer jumping on the Windows Phone 7 bandwagon this fall? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 05:48:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Fujitsu’s HOAP-2 robot wipes whiteboards clean — humankind next in line? (video)
February 18, 2011 No Comment
They’ve taught them how to flip pancakes and shoot arrows , and now they’re teaching humanoids to erase your whiteboard. That’s right, the same folks who brought you iCub in a feathery headdress are back at it with Fujitsu’s HOAP-2, a humanoid robot that looks like it’s related to the Jetsons’ maid, and can wipe a dry erase board clean via upper-body kinesthetic learning. While scientists force the robot’s arm through a number of erasing movements, an attached force-torque sensor records the patterns, allowing HOAP-2 to mimic its previous actions, and voil
Continue reading …Google Reader Android app gets updated with unread count widget and more
February 18, 2011 No Comment
Lookie here, digital bookworms — Google has just refreshed its Google Reader app for Android , adding a couple of “your most-requested features” along the way. Things like a unread count widget and news ticker widget are coming to those with Android 2.2+, while a ‘Mark Previous As Read’ is making its way back to all users with v1.6 or higher. Oh, and if you’re into reading Russian feeds, there’s now official support for Russian translation. Head on down to the Market below to get the install going, and do your best not to be ashamed when the number in your unread count stretches three home screen panels. Google Reader Android app gets updated with unread count widget and more originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 03:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Lenovo’s ready to get specific with dates now that Google’s got itself an honest to goodness tablet OS. A company spokesman said that its LePad tablet — first announced by that name back in June 2010 but previewed at CES all the way back in January 2010 — will ship in its home country of China in March before making its way to the global stage in June. Unfortunately, Lenovo isn’t saying anything about final specs or which countries are first on its list — we already knew it was coming to the US in 2011 . The company’s also not talking price. Last time we saw LePad in January it was sporting Android 2.2 with a custom “LeOS” skin riding a 1.3GHz Snapdragon processor and 10.1-inch 1280 x 800 pixel display with a price just north of $500. Question is: will Lenny set it free with vanilla Honeycomb or will it feel compelled to apply the LeOS skin in order to avoid becoming just another Android tablet ? Lenovo LePad set for a global June LeLaunch originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 02:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …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 question is coming to us from Shimon, who clearly longs for the best of both worlds. If you’re looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com . “I am looking to replace my 17-inch MacBook Pro. I am looking for a 17-inch ultraportable laptop, or as close as I can get to one. Key features: light, thin, good battery life, high resolution screen, no lap burn, no noisy fan and doesn’t break the bank. Thanks!” Seems as if Mac / PC isn’t an issue, so we’re assuming they’re all on the table. Considering that he’s leaving a 17-inch MBP, what else out there can compare given the needs? Any suggestions from 17-inch laptop owners out there? Go on, answer away in comments below — you’ve got the time (and screen real estate) to spare. Ask Engadget: what’s the thinnest, lightest, sleekest 17-inch laptop? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 02:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Imagination Technologies unveils Series 6 PowerVR GPUs — promises desktop caliber graphics in mobile devices
February 18, 2011 No Comment
Imagination Technologies may not be a household name, but they created the PowerVR GPUs that are the gold standard in mobile graphics, and are a part of the ARM SoCs you find in mobile devices like the iPhone 4 , Galaxy S , and the Droid 2 . Not one to rest on its laurels, the company unveiled its new Series 6 PowerVR chips — affectionately known as ‘Rogue’ — that are 20 to 100 times more powerful than its previous handheld offerings. That’s right, these GPUs will have the same horsepower as today’s desktop computers while needing only a milliwatt of juice to deliver face-melting graphics — the catch is that this bit of black magic won’t be showing up in devices for a few years. Guess we’ll just have to settle for the Series 5 chips — like the quad core beast found in the Sony NGP and the upcoming OMAP 5 platform — which the company promises will make their way into select smartphones “within three months.” Be still, our gaming hearts. Imagination Technologies unveils Series 6 PowerVR GPUs — promises desktop caliber graphics in mobile devices originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 01:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …The Met’s upcoming opera to boast glasses-free 3D effects that nobody requested
February 18, 2011 No Comment
We don’t mean to sound negative or anything, and we’re not 3D naysayers by any means. But the news that the Metropolitan Opera ‘s upcoming production of Siegfried will include mind-blowing 3D background effects is, well, mind-blowing. While you’re undoubtedly familiar with 3D effects, you may not be acquainted with Wagner’s 1876 opera which portrays the story of Sigurd, a hero of Norse mythology. Robert Lepage, the director of the operation, expects theater-goers to find themselves engulfed in a three-dimensional world of his creation, which will be projected on the 45-ton set. Lepage, who is directing Wagner’s entire Ring cycle at the Met, worked with Geodezik — famous for the stage shows of famed opera performers Pink and Justin Timberlake — to create the show’s effects. The 3D you’ll be seeing if you hit the theater won’t be like the technology you’re familiar with, however, as it makes use of fractals, and the moving parts of the set to ‘trick’ your eyes into seeing in three dimensions. We don’t want to say this sounds like a bad idea until we’ve seen if of course, but we’ve got our reservations. Hit up the New York Times link to see one rather small image of the set. [Image: Lincoln Center] The Met’s upcoming opera to boast glasses-free 3D effects that nobody requested originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 23:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Comcast launches its own 24/7 Xfinity 3D channel, crosses 1 million 3D VOD views
February 18, 2011 No Comment
After DirecTV, Comcast has been among the most aggressive in pushing 3D programming, so it’s no surprise to receive word that it’s begun scheduling round-the-clock 3D content on the Xfinity 3D channel just days after DirecTV launched 3net alongside ESPN 3D and its own n3D network . While viewers can tune in to see what’s playing (mostly some documentaries and varied computer animated content) right now, the official kick off comes this weekend on February 20th when it airs the 2011 Tim Horton’s Classic outdoor NHL game between the Montreal Canadiens and Calgary Flames, followed closely by a Kings of Leon concert in Germany presented from MTV’s library. After early 2010 featured a sparse category of one-off 3D events it looks like the channel guide is at least starting to fill up, as to whether or not anyone is watching, Comcast also announced it’s served up over 1 million views of 3D shows and movies over video on-demand with more sports, music and movies to come. Continue reading Comcast launches its own 24/7 Xfinity 3D channel, crosses 1 million 3D VOD views Comcast launches its own 24/7 Xfinity 3D channel, crosses 1 million 3D VOD views originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 23:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Dell Rosemount tablet will have Intel’s Oak Trail inside, stylus, removable battery and remote wipe
February 18, 2011 No Comment
Dell means business with its upcoming Windows 7 slate , if the whispers we’re hearing are true — we have it on good authority that the Rosemount will be a Latitude . An inside source says that the 10-inch tablet will not only sport Dell’s storied business brand but will be geared towards enterprise through and through, with features like serviceable components (including a removable battery), software encryption and the ability to perform a remote wipe, and that it’ll have a dual-digitizer to support both touch input and a stylus for fine details. We don’t know about performance or battery life quite yet, but the slate will reportedly use an Atom chip, specifically Intel’s Oak Trail , so we’ll let you imagine the possibilities. [Thanks, Anonymous] Dell Rosemount tablet will have Intel’s Oak Trail inside, stylus, removable battery and remote wipe originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 22:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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