Japanese researchers create palladium-like alloy using nanotechnology, ‘present-day alchemy’
January 2, 2011 No Comment
As you’re no doubt aware, some of the precious metals used in consumer electronics — like palladium — can be both pricey and hard to come by, which has prompted some to harvest the materials from old electronics and reuse them , while others have been busily working on more readily available alternatives. Among that latter group are a team of researchers from Japan’s Kyoto University, who have just announced that they’ve managed to create a palladium-like alloy using what’s being described as “present-day alchemy.” More specifically, they used nanotechnology to combine (and “nebulise”) rhodium and silver, which don’t ordinarily mix, into the new composite, which they say could eventually replace the real thing in a whole range of electronics and other products. Unfortunately, it’s not clear when that might happen, but the researchers aren’t just stopping at palladium — they’re apparently already looking at using a similar process to create other alloys. [Image credit: Jurii / Wikimedia Commons ] Japanese researchers create palladium-like alloy using nanotechnology, ‘present-day alchemy’ originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 02 Jan 2011 07:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …CHAdeMO EV quick-chargers to get wider tests across US, 80% capacity in 30 mins or less
January 2, 2011 No Comment
The idea of waiting around for hours for your EV to recharge is soon to become a thing of the past — or rather it already is in Japan, where the CHAdeMO -style chargers are enabling cars like the Nissan Leaf to get to 80 percent battery capacity in just 30 minutes. Now they’re properly starting their US invasion. The first assault came in Portland a few months back, with 310 more stations lining up for deployment in Arizona, California, Texas, Tennessee, Oregon, and elsewhere in Washington according to Yomiuri . The move will cost about $230 million total, though there’s no word on whether they’ll be publically available like the one in Portland is. CHAdeMO, which is a play on the Japanese “O cha demo ikaga desuka” (“let’s have tea while charging”), works by handling the AC to DC conversion externally and providing power at up to 500VDC and 125 Amps, much higher than on-board AC/DC converters can handle. This drives down recharging time massively — even if you don’t like tea. CHAdeMO EV quick-chargers to get wider tests across US, 80% capacity in 30 mins or less originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 02 Jan 2011 06:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Meet Charles: the robotic GPS system that can tell when you’ve got road rage. Yes, he’s a tad scary looking , but according to the Cambridge professor who created him, you won’t feel like throwing him out the window when you’re frustrated. The disembodied satnav robot (head and torso only), which sits in the passengers seat, is designed to respond to a driver’s emotional cues, like facial expressions, body language, and tone of voice. Charles takes this information and responds accordingly, providing sympathetic phrases when he senses frustration. Researchers say the robot is about 70 percent accurate at detecting emotion, or about as accurate as any human. We say a backseat driver that can’t hit back is 100 percent awesome. Continue reading Cambridge professor creates creepy, emotion-sensing GPS system Cambridge professor creates creepy, emotion-sensing GPS system originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 02 Jan 2011 03:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Teasing tablets ahead of the CES deluge is nothing new for manufacturers now, but we’ll at least give Vizio a few style points for its expensive approach to the tactic. That’s because a Vizio tablet made a not-so-secret appearance during the Rose Bowl. Specifically, the device appeared about 15 seconds into the chairman’s message in the hands of Vizio chief sales officer Randy Waynick. Just in case the mere sight of it was too subtle, Waynick’s script was also kind enough to mention Vizio’s dedication to “entertainment freedom for all” and the ability to view content on “any of their great new products, from anywhere” — wink wink, nudge nudge. Details on the gadget are obviously unknown, but it’s a safe bet that it runs Android based on the tell-tale buttons shown at the bottom of its screen and we’re confident the actual specs will emerge next week. We’re also pretty positive it’s not Vizio’s 7-inch razor portable TV . For now though, watch the full video after the break and consider how fortunate we are to live in a world where one could buy a ticket to the Rose Bowl and keep a Vizio tablet on hand just in case the need to watch another football game from the stands struck. Continue reading Vizio teases entry into the tablet fray with pizazz via Rose Bowl spot Vizio teases entry into the tablet fray with pizazz via Rose Bowl spot originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 02 Jan 2011 01:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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As anyone who’s shopped around for a custom PC case knows, the options are virtually endless — but it’s a bit of a different story if you’re looking to keep things as sleek and simple as possible. Thankfully, the folks at Fractal Design have now provided one more option for the more modestly-inclined folks out there in the form of their new Define Mini case, which is a Micro ATX version of their larger Define R2 and R3 cases. As you can see above, it’s suitably monolith-like, and it doesn’t come with too many compromises in terms of specs — in fact, you’ll actually get a generous six HDD trays among all the usual accommodations. No word on a price just yet, but we’re guessing it won’t demand too much of a premium if the company’s other Define cases are any indication. Continue reading Fractal Design’s Define Mini custom PC case ditches LEDs for style Fractal Design’s Define Mini custom PC case ditches LEDs for style originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 02 Jan 2011 00:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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TCU held off Wisconsin 21-19 to win the Rose Bowl. Alabama pounded Michigan State in the Capital One Bowl, Florida topped Penn St. in the Outback Bowl, Mississippi State routs Michigan in the Gator Bowl. Texas Tech won the TicketCity Bowl. (Jan. 1)
Continue reading …HTC Thunderbolt and Samsung i520 bring LTE gravitas to Verizon’s stock-keeping systems
January 2, 2011 No Comment
So if the HTC Incredible was coded as the ADR6300 in Verizon’s internal systems, just what do you think an ADR6400 could signify? A pair of screenshots from a VZW employee living out a Julian Assange daydream have seemingly confirmed the common expectation that Verizon will very soon deliver its Incredible successor — better known to you and us as the LTE-equipped HTC Thunderbolt. Aiding and abetting the HTC handset in getting the red team’s LTE network started will be Samsung’s SCH-i520 , an Android 2.2 device equipped with that most critical of accessories, a front-facing camera. Both are now standing on the precipice of showing up for sale, those zeroes in the stock column shouldn’t remain so round for much longer . [Thanks, Andrew] HTC Thunderbolt and Samsung i520 bring LTE gravitas to Verizon’s stock-keeping systems originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 01 Jan 2011 22:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Verizon cutting Galaxy Tab price to $500, will refund any purchases from last two weeks
January 2, 2011 No Comment
New year means a new price for the Verizon-branded Galaxy Tab . Droid-Life has received word from a couple of VZW store employees that the big red network intends to chop a nice $100 chunk off its price for the 7-inch Android tablet. Though this move hasn’t yet been made official, the Galaxy Tab should soon be available to buy for $500, without any contractual obligations and plus a $60 movie rental voucher that can be redeemed in Samsung’s Media Hub or the preloaded Blockbuster Mobile app. You shouldn’t freak out if you’ve just bought a Tab either, as Verizon’s also said to be offering a benevolent refund for the difference in price to buyers of the Samsung slate who happen to have receipts dating from the last 14 days. Verizon cutting Galaxy Tab price to $500, will refund any purchases from last two weeks originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 01 Jan 2011 21:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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It’s an important time in any young OS’s life: NES emulation . Windows Phone 7 has just passed this important puberic milestone, thanks to the hard work of Matt Bettcher. Unfortunately, Microsoft doesn’t seem to recognize the significance, and is keeping the emulator out of the Marketplace (as per its no-funny-business terms of service). Matt’s trying to drum up some community support to change Microsoft’s mind on the matter, and in the meantime he’s planning to open source his project. There’s video after the break of the emulator running inside the WP7 emulator. It does the heart good! [Thanks, Sheeds] Continue reading NES emulator lands on Windows Phone 7, barred from the Marketplace NES emulator lands on Windows Phone 7, barred from the Marketplace originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 01 Jan 2011 17:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Google built the Cr-48 with hacking in mind, so it’s no surprise that we’re seeing other operating systems crop up. Still, it’s fun to watch, and enterprising hackers have got most of the usual suspects up and running: first Ubuntu , and now Mac OS X and Windows. It sounds like a lot of work, and we pledged that 2011 was going to be the year we sat on our asses and didn’t do anything hard, but you’re welcome to give it a shot! Just hit up those source links below for instructions, and follow after the break for video of OS X in action. [Thanks Damian W.] Continue reading Windows and Mac OS X make it onto the Cr-48, look great in matte black Windows and Mac OS X make it onto the Cr-48, look great in matte black originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 01 Jan 2011 16:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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