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Monday, July 23, 2012

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Sally Ride, first American woman in space, dies at 61

Posted: 23 Jul 2012 03:05 PM PDT

Sally Ride, first American woman in space, dies at 61


Sally Ride, first American woman in space, dies at 61
It's a sad day for space travel. Sally Ride, the first American woman to ever travel to space, has died at the age of 61 after a bout with pancreatic cancer. She's best known for breaking NASA's gender barrier by flying on Space Shuttle Challenger on June 18th, 1983, but she spent much more of her time guiding our future in space while here on Earth -- she founded NASA's Office of Exploration and directed its early strategy, and she later went on to lead the California Space Institute as well as teach physics at Stanford University. Her final decade saw her establish Sally Ride Science to encourage students wanting to follow in her footsteps, especially girls. Ride blazed one of the brighter trails in technology, and she'll be missed. [Image credit: National Archives]Filed under: Transportation, ScienceSally Ride, first American woman in space, dies at 61 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 Jul 2012 18:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink NPR | Sally Ride Science | Email this | Comments

A50 Audio System review: Astro Gaming's latest wireless headset (mostly) pwns in...

Posted: 23 Jul 2012 03:05 PM PDT

A50 Audio System review: Astro Gaming's latest wireless headset (mostly) pwns in 7.1


A50 Audio System review: Astro Gaming's latest wireless headset (mostly) pwns in 7.1
Alright, so you've been successfully pwning n00bz in Battlefield and Call of Duty, but lately you've decided your rig could benefit from one of those surround sound headsets that everyone says will make you so much better at first-person shooters. You might remember Astro Gaming's latest offering from E3, the A50 Wireless Headset -- it's the company's second try at a wireless Dolby Headphone-enabled 7.1 surround sound system. Its previous attempt, the MixAmp 5.8 (sold alone and bundled with the $229 A30 / $280 A40 Wireless Audio Systems), was a solid solution for folks wanting traditional MixAmp controls and enough versatility to use with any pair of wired headphones. (What's up, audiophiles?) However, it didn't provide as seamless a setup for gaming on the couch as headsets with embedded wireless radios like Turtle Beach's X41. So, does essentially shoving the MixAmp 5.8 into an A40 make for a better living room-geared solution? Does it manage to retain that MLG-bred DNA Astro is famous for? Does it trump headsets in its range like the $270 XP500? Most importantly, should serious gamers consider dropping 300 bones for it? We'll explain it all after the break.Gallery: Astro Gaming A50 Wireless Audio System review Gallery: Astro Gaming A40 plus MixAmp 5.8 vs. A50... Fight!Continue reading A50 Audio System review: Astro Gaming's latest wireless headset (mostly) pwns in 7.1Filed under: Gaming, PeripheralsA50 Audio System review: Astro Gaming's latest wireless headset (mostly) pwns in 7.1 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 Jul 2012 17:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Traffic Deaths Surge in Q1 of 2012

Posted: 23 Jul 2012 03:05 PM PDT

Traffic Deaths Surge in Q1 of 2012


Traffic Deaths Surge in Q1 of 2012
Overall road fatalities are still well below the record highs of 2005.

Juggernaut Alpha with Windows Phone 8 appears in benchmarks, shows how sharp it...

Posted: 23 Jul 2012 02:30 PM PDT

Juggernaut Alpha with Windows Phone 8 appears in benchmarks, shows how sharp it might be


Juggernaut Alpha with Windows Phone 8 appears in benchmarks, shows how sharp it might be
A while back, we spotted the Juggernaut Alpha's unique and hard-to-forget moniker in a document listing a number of alleged upcoming Windows Phone 8 handsets, and now the device has managed to land itself in a purported set of early benchmarks. According to WMPoweruser, the Juggernaut Alpha results are from a Windows Phone app called WP Bench, where it clearly shows how much faster it is than its closest challenger -- nearly doubling its speeds when compared to those of the HTC Titan. Needless to say, if true, this kind of outcome is to be expected given all the improvements Microsoft announced last month, but this only gives us more to look forward to come that eventual WP8 fall release.Filed under: Cellphones, SoftwareJuggernaut Alpha with Windows Phone 8 appears in benchmarks, shows how sharp it might be originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 Jul 2012 17:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink MobileSyrup | WMPoweruser | Email this | Comments

Join the Engadget HD Podcast live on Ustream at 5:30PM ET

Posted: 23 Jul 2012 02:30 PM PDT

Join the Engadget HD Podcast live on Ustream at 5:30PM ET


Join the Engadget HD Podcast live on Ustream at 5:30PM ET
It's Monday, which means it is time for you to listen into the recording booth when the Engadget HD podcast goes to mp3 at 5:30PM. Please be a part of it by reviewing the list of topics after the break, then participating in the live chat too. Continue reading Join the Engadget HD Podcast live on Ustream at 5:30PM ETFiled under: AnnouncementsJoin the Engadget HD Podcast live on Ustream at 5:30PM ET originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 Jul 2012 16:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Baidu Q2 Sales Up 60% To $859M; Search Giant Keeps Focus On Mobile, Cloud Ahead

Posted: 23 Jul 2012 01:55 PM PDT

Baidu Q2 Sales Up 60% To $859M; Search Giant Keeps Focus On Mobile, Cloud Ahead


Baidu Q2 Sales Up 60% To $859M; Search Giant Keeps Focus On Mobile, Cloud Ahead
Search is going very strong in China, and leading player Baidu continues to reap the benefits. In its Q2 results, the company reported sales of 5.456 billion yuan ($858.8 million), up 59.8 percent compared to the same quarter in 2011. The company's chairman and chief exec, Robin Li, said in a statement that Baidu will "maintain momentum" going forward by investing in new technology, new talent, and more products specifically geared to mobile and cloud services. But these are long-term strategies: for all intents and purposes, just about all of Baidu's revenues today are coming from online advertising and other online marketing activities: these accounted for RMB5.452 billion ($858.1 million) in sales, the company said. Operating profit was up by 51.5 percent to 2.815 billion yuan ($443.1 million), with net income also up by a healthy 69.6 percent to 2.770 billion yuan ($436.0 million). Diluted earnings per share were 7.86 yuan ($1.24). Both the EPS and revenues comfortably beat analyst expectations.

Well, Duh: Apple Said To Release Adapter For The New iPhone’s Tiny Dock Connector

Posted: 23 Jul 2012 01:55 PM PDT

Well, Duh: Apple Said To Release Adapter For The New iPhone's Tiny Dock Connector


Well, Duh: Apple Said To Release Adapter For The New iPhone's Tiny Dock Connector
Earlier today, a Reuters report added more fuel to a particularly nitpicky fire -- according to its typically unnamed sources, Apple's new iPhone indeed sports a smaller, 19-pin dock connector instead of the 30-pin relic the company's iDevices have clung to for years. The news itself isn't particularly shocking -- our own John Biggs called it last month -- but now a new report from iMore points to an even less surprising development. The Cupertino company is allegedly working on a dock connector adapter to keep those iDevice accessories from becoming completely obsolete, or so the story from iMore's supply chain sources go.

Gather: A New App For Organizing Meetups Over Facebook And Twitter

Posted: 23 Jul 2012 01:55 PM PDT

Gather: A New App For Organizing Meetups Over Facebook And Twitter


Gather: A New App For Organizing Meetups Over Facebook And Twitter
Gather is a newly launched mobile application which allows you to create "disposable" micro-meetups which can be quickly broadcast to Facebook and Twitter. It's meant to serve as a lightweight tool that helps you share your intended plans ahead of your Facebook or Foursquare check-in, for example. The benefit to using this app, instead of posting directly the to social networks themselves, is that it centralizes friends' plans, so you don't have to obsessively check Facebook and Twitter for updates and news. If your friends are doing something fun nearby, you'll just get a push notification instead.

Lenovo IdeaTab S2110 quietly goes on sale as the Gobots of transforming tablets

Posted: 23 Jul 2012 01:55 PM PDT

Lenovo IdeaTab S2110 quietly goes on sale as the Gobots of transforming tablets


Lenovo IdeaTab S2110 quietly goes on sale as the Gobots of transforming tablets
Lenovo's 10-inch IdeaTab S2 was one of the belles of its CES ball in offering a distinctly Transformer Pad-like experience for those not beholden to ASUS' view of the world. While there wasn't much attention given to the Android 4.0 tablet outside of the FCC filing we saw last month, it's getting its time to shine at last: the device is now sitting on Lenovo's virtual shelves as the S2110. The 10.1-inch slate's selling point remains its (strictly optional) keyboard dock, which supplies a trackpad, an SD slot, USB and 10 extra hours of battery life to keep that movie marathon going. Even if you have no intention of constructing the Gobot to ASUS' Transformer original, though, the S2110 is still a big leap over the so-so S2109 from the spring. A 1.5GHz dual-core Snapdragon APQ8060A, a rear 5-megapixel camera and a landscape 1,280 x 800 screen are all incentives to pay the premium over the S2110's budget predecessor. Not that there will be much of a premium to pay -- despite setting a $449 official price, Lenovo is already discounting the S2110 to as little as $343. That's low enough to lure the cost-conscious away from the Transformer Pad elephant in the room, even if it reminds us of relatives that always bought us the cheaper robot toys when we were kids. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]Filed under: Tablet PCsLenovo IdeaTab S2110 quietly goes on sale as the Gobots of transforming tablets originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 Jul 2012 16:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Lenovo | Email this | Comments

2013 Lincoln MKZ configurator comes alive, hybrid option at no extra cost

Posted: 23 Jul 2012 01:19 PM PDT

2013 Lincoln MKZ configurator comes alive, hybrid option at no extra cost


2013 Lincoln MKZ configurator comes alive, hybrid option at no extra cost
Filed under: Hybrid, LincolnLincoln has officially fired up the configurator for the 2013 MKZ, keeping the option sheet fairly simple with a total of five trim packages. The party gets started with Premiere trim, which includes SYNC with MyLincoln Touch, a huge 10.1-inch LCD information screen and leather seating. Stepping up to Select trim will throw in a rear-view camera, wood steering wheel and new LED accent lighting outside for an additional $1,100. Throw an extra $2,050 at the MKZ and you'll be rewarded with Reserve trim. At $39,450 including destination, the third-most expensive option package includes navigation with voice recognition, a blind-spot information system with cross-traffic awareness and cooled front seats. Interestingly enough, the MKZ is available with two sunroof options. At $43,330, Preferred trim includes a single-panel sunroof alongside niceties like 19-inch wheels, a heated steering wheel and a THX stereo system with 14 speakers. If you want that fancy retractable panoramic roof we saw when the sedan debuted, you'll have to plunk down an extra $1,795 for the pleasure. The MKZ offers buyers a total of five drivetrain options, from a 2.0-liter turbocharged EcoBoost four-cylinder or a 3.7-liter V6 in either front- or all-wheel drive configuration to a 2.0-liter hybrid. Interestingly enough, choosing the gas-electric powertrain doesn't add anything to the price, as it's the exact same price as the base engine, the 2.0-liter EcoBoost, for all trim levels. Head over to the configurator to have a look for yourself.2013 Lincoln MKZ configurator comes alive, hybrid option at no extra cost originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 23 Jul 2012 16:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Canon EOS M mirrorless camera hands-on (video)

Posted: 23 Jul 2012 01:18 PM PDT

Canon EOS M mirrorless camera hands-on (video)


Canon EOS M mirrorless camera hands-on (video)
There have been plenty of false alarms in recent months, but Canon's first mirrorless interchangeable lens camera (ILC) is finally here -- in fact, we're holding it in our hands. The EOS M is clearly reminiscent of a point-and-shoot, such as the company's high-end PowerShot S100. Sure, Canon could have added some of the dedicated controls that its professional user base would demand, but photojournalists aren't the target here, for a few reasons. Canon's primary motivation, at least from an official perspective, was to create a camera that serves to bridge the gap between pocketable compacts and full-size DSLRs with a simple user interface designed to educate, not intimidate. Also key, however, was avoiding cannibalization of the company's low-end and mid-range Digital SLR models, which clearly still have a place in the lineup one tier above this ILC. Consumers willing to sacrifice hardware controls for a touchscreen-driven UI won't be missing out on much else -- functionally, the EOS M is a near-clone of Rebel T4i with the same 18-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, DIGIC 5 processor and 3-inch touchscreen. Even the advanced two-stage focusing system has made its way from the T4i, which utilizes both phase-difference and contrast AF in order to achieve focus more efficiently when capturing video. The housing design and lens mount are unlike any other that Canon has produced, however, combining features from other models without completely eliminating the need for a DSLR, or a compact for that matter. If you can get by without granular controls, you'll do just fine here -- the design really is spectacular. With an $800 price tag, the EOS M falls within the upper tier of the mirrorless category, and it remains to be seen whether it will be an obvious pick when it finally hits stores in October, a month after competitors tease their own products at the massive Photokina expo in Germany. How does it fare today? You'll find our impressions just past the break.Gallery: Canon EOS M hands-onContinue reading Canon EOS M mirrorless camera hands-on (video)Filed under: Digital CamerasCanon EOS M mirrorless camera hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 Jul 2012 15:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Investigation Into Jeep Opens

Posted: 23 Jul 2012 01:18 PM PDT

Investigation Into Jeep Opens


Investigation Into Jeep Opens
NTHSA assesses fire risk in more than 335,000 Chrysler Vehicles.

Nintendo's transparent 3DS XL poses for the camera, makes you wish you had one

Posted: 23 Jul 2012 12:45 PM PDT

Nintendo's transparent 3DS XL poses for the camera, makes you wish you had one


Nintendo's transparent 3DS XL poses for the camera, makes you wish you had one
We know what you're likely thinking: "I want this. I want it now" -- or, you know, something along those lines. Unfortunately, don't expect this transparent beauty to show up at retail stores when the supersized 3DS launches later next month, as it's nothing but a mere demo unit. The see-through XL was recently used by Nintendo to showcase the handheld's guts during a Q&A session on its website, and while it's currently just an extra-large test dummy, it could potentially be a sign of big things to come. We wouldn't hold our breath, though, so for now you'll have to be satisfied with one of those opaque options you have to choose from.Filed under: GamingNintendo's transparent 3DS XL poses for the camera, makes you wish you had one originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 Jul 2012 15:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Kotaku | Tiny Cartridge | Email this | Comments

Fake jellyfish made from rat cells have a place in our hearts (video)

Posted: 23 Jul 2012 12:08 PM PDT

Fake jellyfish made from rat cells have a place in our hearts (video)


Fake jellyfish made from rat cells have a place in our hearts (video)
There's a whole sea of jellyfish out there ready to sting indiscriminately. So, why do we keep trying to make them? Scientists from Harvard and Caltech have a pretty good reason for creating fake jellies -- they hope to mend broken hearts by adapting their 'pumping' style of movement. Much like our own vital organ, the creatures are a mass of muscle adept at shifting fluid, meaning the research has several medical applications, such as bioengineered pacemakers for busted tickers. In creating the Medusoids, the team used a silicon scaffold coated in functional rat cardiac tissue, copying the muscle layout of a real jellyfish as best they could. When immersed in salt water and treated to bursts of current, the cells contract and cause the silicon sheet to move in a way eerily similar to the real thing. Next step for the team? An autonomous version that can move and potentially feed without their influence, of course. And, after seeing the little swimmers in action, we've certainly got palpitations. See what we mean after the break.Continue reading Fake jellyfish made from rat cells have a place in our hearts (video)Filed under: ScienceFake jellyfish made from rat cells have a place in our hearts (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 Jul 2012 14:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink The Register | Nature Biotechnology | Email this | Comments

Netgear WiFi Booster for Mobile keeps handhelds connected for $39.99, back porch...

Posted: 23 Jul 2012 12:08 PM PDT

Netgear WiFi Booster for Mobile keeps handhelds connected for $39.99, back porch streamers rejoice


Netgear WiFi Booster for Mobile keeps handhelds connected for $39.99, back porch streamers rejoice
Ah, yes. We all dread the fickle beasts known as WiFi deadspots. Luckily, Netgear wants you to keep that comfy seat or maneuver around the homestead without losing that Breaking Badstream. The outfit has unveiled its WiFi Booster for Mobile that pairs up with your home or office router to increase network reach for smartphones, tablets, laptops and other mobile gadgets. Touting universal compatibility with your existing 2.4GHz wireless equipment, the add-on uses a strategically selected outlet in order to flex its muscle boosting 802.11 b/g/n signals. Once you've plugged the unit, a WPS connection is merely a button push away. Netgear didn't offer any details on what kind of range increase you can expect. However, you'll be able to pick one up sometime this summer for $40 if you could use the help.Continue reading Netgear WiFi Booster for Mobile keeps handhelds connected for $39.99, back porch streamers rejoiceFiled under: Wireless, NetworkingNetgear WiFi Booster for Mobile keeps handhelds connected for $39.99, back porch streamers rejoice originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 Jul 2012 14:35:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink SlashGear | Netgear | Email this | Comments

U.S. Capitol could get first plug-in charging stations, finally

Posted: 23 Jul 2012 11:22 AM PDT

U.S. Capitol could get first plug-in charging stations, finally


U.S. Capitol could get first plug-in charging stations, finally
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Legislation and Policy, USA This election season, there is apparently one thing the elected officials on Capitol Hill can agree on: getting some plug-in vehicle chargers nearby. There are some plug-in vehicles drivers on the Hill, after all, and they want to fill up on electrons while at work, just like other EV drivers. Last week, Committee on House Administration approved H.R. 1402, which would: ... authorize the Architect of the Capitol to establish battery recharging stations for privately owned vehicles in parking areas under the jurisdiction of the House of Representatives at no net cost to the Federal Government. The Senate voted in May to approve its version of the bill (S.739) and H.R. 1402 could be voted on in the full House by the end of the month, says the EDTA. These stations will not be free, and the money collected will make sure that that line about "no net cost to the Federal Government" remains true. Learn more about H.R. 1402, introduced by Rep. Dale Kildee (D-MI), here from Open Congress.U.S. Capitol could get first plug-in charging stations, finally originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 23 Jul 2012 14:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Toshiba REGZA T-02D smartphone launches in Japan: 'New AMOLED Plus' display, old...

Posted: 23 Jul 2012 11:21 AM PDT

Toshiba REGZA T-02D smartphone launches in Japan: 'New AMOLED Plus' display, old resolution


Toshiba REGZA T-02D smartphone launches in Japan: 'New AMOLED Plus' display, old resolution
Confusingly announced by Fujitsu, the Toshiba Regza T-02D will settle into a wall of similarly bright-colored, good-looking smartphones in NTT DoCoMo stores starting this week. The (Japan-only) phone's 4.3-inch OLED screen holds onto a middling qHD resolution, but Fujitsu says its "new AMOLED Plus technology" will apparently render in higher clarity than any of its preceding smartphone displays -- we'll wait to see it in action before coming to any conclusions. There's no word on who's behind the dual-core 1.5GHz processor, but Xi connectivity (how Japanese carrier NTT DoCoMo brands its LTE provision) makes a Qualcomm chipset likely. Fujitsu is also pushing the phone's 'human-centric' Android skin, like what we saw on its own quad-core slab). This involves a collection of UI tweaks to the base Android 4.0 OS, including Intellicolor, where the phone will sense the color of ambient light and tweak the display accordingly. The phone's 13.1-megapixel camera reaches an impressively high ISO level of 25600, running on Sony's back-illuminated Exmor R sensor, while Fujitsu's also channeled the ghost of the original Motorola Atrix, resurrecting a fingerprint unlock sensor. Other features worth mentioning include high-definition NOTTV compatibility, plus certified water and dust resistance. As is expected from the world of Japanese smartphones, there's a selection of colors too -- the T-02D will be available in Pink, Black and Blue from launch. Japan residents wondering exactly which company made the phone can try to get their head around the full release below.Continue reading Toshiba REGZA T-02D smartphone launches in Japan: 'New AMOLED Plus' display, old resolutionFiled under: CellphonesToshiba REGZA T-02D smartphone launches in Japan: 'New AMOLED Plus' display, old resolution originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 Jul 2012 14:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | NTT DoCoMo, Fujitsu | Email this | Comments

Bentley Continental GT Hits 205 MPH

Posted: 23 Jul 2012 11:21 AM PDT

Bentley Continental GT Hits 205 MPH


Bentley Continental GT Hits 205 MPH
The range-topping 2013 Continental GT Speed is the fastest Bentley ever.

Qualcomm axes its own Mirasol production, will only bring some devices to market...

Posted: 23 Jul 2012 10:48 AM PDT

Qualcomm axes its own Mirasol production, will only bring some devices to market itself


Qualcomm axes its own Mirasol production, will only bring some devices to market itself
Talk about flying under the radar. While everyone's focus on Qualcomm's results last week centered on the mobile chip business going gangbusters, the company quietly revealed during its fiscal results call that it's backing out of producing Mirasol displays itself. CEO Paul Jacobs instead wants the company licensing out the butterfly-inspired screens to interested companies and will limit its direct commercialization to "certain" devices. The company isn't explaining why beyond the plan more closely matching "addressable opportunities," although the absence of any widescale launches (and unconfirmed but repeated talk of low yields at The Digital Reader) suggests that factory output never quite reached critical mass. We're hoping that someone picks up the color e-reader torch before too long and delivers more than just the reference model derivatives we've seen to date.Filed under: DisplaysQualcomm axes its own Mirasol production, will only bring some devices to market itself originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 Jul 2012 13:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink The Digital Reader, TechCrunch | Seeking Alpha (call transcript) | Email this | Comments

News Corp launches Amplify educational unit, with help from AT&T (video)

Posted: 23 Jul 2012 10:47 AM PDT

News Corp launches Amplify educational unit, with help from AT&T (video)


News Corp launches Amplify educational unit, with help from AT&T (video)
In light of recent scandals, it's hard not to see this as a bit of image rehabilitation, but we'll do our best to take it at face value. News Corp is bringing its 18-month-old educational division to the fore by rebranding it Amplify and teaming up with AT&T to put tablets in the hands of students. The unit will focus on developing products and services tailored for classrooms, ranging from kindergarten through high school. And, at the center of that ecosystem, will be the Amplify Tablet (which, judging from the video below, appears to be a modified Galaxy Tab). Videos, encyclopedia entries, books and even remote tutoring apps will all be just a tap away. The tablets will get their first trial run in the US during the 2012-2013 school year. With the phone hacking scandal behind him, former New York City school chancellor Joel Klein (who headed up News Corp's internal investigation), is free to focus on getting Amplify rolling and into classrooms across the nation. Before you head off, make sure to watch the clip from AT&T after the break.Continue reading News Corp launches Amplify educational unit, with help from AT&T (video)Filed under: Misc. Gadgets, Tablet PCsNews Corp launches Amplify educational unit, with help from AT&T (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 Jul 2012 13:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Reuters | Email this | Comments

Apps to Help After a Car Crash

Posted: 23 Jul 2012 10:47 AM PDT

Apps to Help After a Car Crash


Apps to Help After a Car Crash
There are apps to guide you through what to do after a fender-bender.

BioSoles know you're you within three steps, deter shoe bandits

Posted: 23 Jul 2012 10:07 AM PDT

BioSoles know you're you within three steps, deter shoe bandits


BioSoles know you're you within three steps, deter shoe bandits
It's no secret that everyone has a unique swagger -- so much so it can be used for identification. Many are working on this for biometric security, including a team at Carnegie Mellon University and Autonomous ID, who are collaborating on shoe insoles that monitor pressure and gait to confirm the identity of the wearer. So far, tests have shown a detection rate above 99 percent within just three steps, meaning they can alert you before that opportunist even makes it out of the locker room. It's thought the cloud-connected BioSoles could be implemented in security access, although we're not sure this offers advantages over similar, static technology also in development. We do, however, like the idea that subtle changes in your strut could be used to provide early indications of conditions such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and diabetes. It's likely that the insoles won't be available any time soon, so until then, keep an eagle eye on those expensive kicks.Continue reading BioSoles know you're you within three steps, deter shoe banditsFiled under: Wearables, ScienceBioSoles know you're you within three steps, deter shoe bandits originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 Jul 2012 12:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink The Verge | Carnegie Mellon University | Email this | Comments

Avanti launches prepaid, Ka-band satellite internet access, wants us Yelping fro...

Posted: 23 Jul 2012 09:32 AM PDT

Avanti launches prepaid, Ka-band satellite internet access, wants us Yelping from the Alps


Avanti launches prepaid, Ka-band satellite internet access, wants us Yelping from the Alps
Avanti has been beaming satellite broadband to Europe for awhile, but it's been tied to a subscription through carrier deals. That's a tough sell to customers who, by definition, don't want to be tied to anything -- which is why the company just launched prepaid satellite internet access for the continent. Although the Ka-band service's 4Mbps downstream and 1Mbps upstream speeds won't have anyone dropping their 330Mbps fiber anytime soon, the pay-as-you-go strategy will let travelers and rural dwellers get broadband in a pinch, no matter how spotty terrestrial access might get. Imagine Skype calls during Swiss ski vacations and you've got the gist of it. Carriers will resell the data in healthy doses of 1GB or larger, and Avanti is adamant that there won't be any nasty throttling surprises waiting in store. While exact prices will depend on partners, the provider isn't waiting for those details before it covers much of the Old World: its upcoming HYLAS 2 satellite (what you see above) will share the speed with Africa, the Caucasus region and the Middle East as of August 2nd, making it almost too easy for us to update Google+ in Georgia.Filed under: Wireless, NetworkingAvanti launches prepaid, Ka-band satellite internet access, wants us Yelping from the Alps originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 Jul 2012 12:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | TechWeek Europe | Email this | Comments

Bay Area studying taxing the miles we drive: good idea or worst idea?

Posted: 23 Jul 2012 08:59 AM PDT

Bay Area studying taxing the miles we drive: good idea or worst idea?


Bay Area studying taxing the miles we drive: good idea or worst idea?
Filed under: Legislation and Policy, USA In some ways, taxing people for the miles they drive makes sense. After all, we need money to keep roads in good shape and it already happens today, indirectly, through gasoline taxes. But when anyone talks about taxing the miles directly - i.e., through a mileage or "vehicle miles traveled" tax - hackles get raised. Nonetheless, a new VMT tax is being proposed in the San Francisco Bay area, where officials from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission and the Association of Bay Area Governments just approved studying how a per-mile tax would affect revenue, pollution and traffic. The study will look at rates between a penny and a dime a mile. The Mercury News figures that, at the higher end, the tax could raise up to $15 million a day. The study will last through January and the commission could vote on it next April. What's tricky in the Bay Area proposal is that vehicles would need to have "GPS-like odometers or other devices" installed in order to track how far they've gone. Sure, many people already have such trackers in their cell phones they carry with them all the time, but to require this from drivers would be a new step. A mileage tax project that was tested in Oregon had a clever workaround. Yes, the cars had GPS units, but they only broadcasted information when the car was filled up, allaying some privacy concerns. In 2009, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood also talked about a mileage tax, but the idea was quickly shot down.Continue reading Bay Area studying taxing the miles we drive: good idea or worst idea?Bay Area studying taxing the miles we drive: good idea or worst idea? originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 23 Jul 2012 11:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Samsung's Galaxy Reverb details echo across the twittersphere

Posted: 23 Jul 2012 08:59 AM PDT

Samsung's Galaxy Reverb details echo across the twittersphere


Samsung's Galaxy Reverb details echo across the twittersphere
If the now-deleted @evleaks is / was to be believed, Samsung is preparing a low-price handset for Sprint's big yellow network. The pulled feed revealed that the Galaxy Reverb (SPH-M950) will pack a Snapdragon MSM8655, a 4-inch 800 x 480 WVGA display, 768MB RAM, 4GB on-board storage and Ice Cream Sandwich. Photography enthusiasts should know that there's a 5-megapixel rear camera and a 1.3-megapixel front-facer for those self-portrait moments. There's no word on if it packs LTE, but given the limited quantity of Sprint markets that can currently use the standard, we wouldn't get our hopes up just yet.Filed under: CellphonesSamsung's Galaxy Reverb details echo across the twittersphere originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 Jul 2012 11:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Unwired View | Evleaks (Twitter) (Offline) | Email this | Comments

Mojang sued for alleged patent infringement in Android version of Minecraft

Posted: 23 Jul 2012 08:59 AM PDT

Mojang sued for alleged patent infringement in Android version of Minecraft


Mojang sued for alleged patent infringement in Android version of Minecraft
Mojang has seen the sort of success that most game developers dream of with Minecraft, but it looks like it's now also found itself thrust into the rarely desirable world of patent lawsuits. As revealed by Minecraft creator Notch himself on Twitter, Mojang is being sued by the Texas-based Uniloc (which has also taken aim at Electronic Arts, Gameloft and others) over some alleged patent infringement in the Android version of Minecraft. That supposed infringement is not related to any of the distinctive gaming elements of Minecraft, but rather the means through which the game verifies users -- something Uniloc alleges is a violation of patent #6,857,067, a "system and method for preventing unauthorized access to electronic data." Not surprisingly, Notch has taken the opportunity to make his thoughts on software patents known (see his blog post below), and also make absolutely clear that he intends to fight the suit, saying that "if needed, I will throw piles of money at making sure they don't get a cent." That's also prompted a response from Uniloc CEO Ric Richardson, who notes that he had no direct involvement in this particular patent or suit, but defends the company's practices and insists that it is not a patent troll.Filed under: GamingMojang sued for alleged patent infringement in Android version of Minecraft originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 Jul 2012 11:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | BBC News, The Word of Notch, Ric Richardson | Email this | Comments

Engadget Giveaway: win one of two Samsung Galaxy Notes, courtesy of 1SaleADay!

Posted: 23 Jul 2012 08:59 AM PDT

Engadget Giveaway: win one of two Samsung Galaxy Notes, courtesy of 1SaleADay!


Engadget Giveaway: win one of two Samsung Galaxy Notes, courtesy of 1SaleADay!
Is it a phone, a tablet or a fabulous phablet? You can call it whatever you want, but we're going to throw it into a new category for two days: free. Indeed, we have two unlocked Samsung Galaxy Notes (N9000) ready to distribute out to two lucky readers, and we have 1SaleADay to thank for the opportunity. The site offers daily deals on all types of electronics, and chances are you'll happen upon something that really strikes your intrigue. So head below to leave a comment as usual, and best of luck to you!Continue reading Engadget Giveaway: win one of two Samsung Galaxy Notes, courtesy of 1SaleADay!Filed under: AnnouncementsEngadget Giveaway: win one of two Samsung Galaxy Notes, courtesy of 1SaleADay! originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 Jul 2012 11:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Judge calls Samsung vs. Apple 3G suit 'ridiculous,' suggests mediation instead

Posted: 23 Jul 2012 08:59 AM PDT

Judge calls Samsung vs. Apple 3G suit 'ridiculous,' suggests mediation instead


Judge calls Samsung vs. Apple 3G suit 'ridiculous,' suggests mediation instead
Annabelle Bennett is no stranger to Apple/Samsung litigation -- the Federal Court of Australia judge has had a hand in the companies' disputes for at least the past year. And it would appear that she's grown a bit impatient, following a Samsung move that she's labeled as "just ridiculous." According to a Bloomberg report, the trial began with Samsung's attorney stating that Apple refused to pay a fee to license three patents related to 3G data transmission. Apple's counsel, however, explained that the company did offer to pay, but Samsung refused. Bennett responded by asking "why on earth are these proceedings going ahead?," following up with "why shouldn't I order the parties to mediation?" -- a question she expects to be addressed by the end of the week. There doesn't appear to be any official ruling at this point, though the trial certainly isn't off to a great start for Samsung. Ultimately, the duo may be forced back to the negotiating table, letting Bennett move on to other cases until the next patent rouse.Filed under: Cellphones, WirelessJudge calls Samsung vs. Apple 3G suit 'ridiculous,' suggests mediation instead originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 Jul 2012 10:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Electronista | Bloomberg | Email this | Comments

Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 appears in 30-second commercial (video)

Posted: 23 Jul 2012 08:23 AM PDT

Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 appears in 30-second commercial (video)


Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 appears in 30-second commercial (video)
If -- for some outlandish reason -- you were still doubting the imminent release of the Galaxy Note 10.1, let us invite you to have a peek at the video just after the break. Sure enough, it's an official Samsung teaser showcasing some of the more seductive features of its forthcoming Android slate -- the slate that Samsung was ordered to stop selling in the US earlier this month until a patent trial could be held. If you're looking for a brief update on how we got here, you may recall us first touching the 10.1-inch Note back at Mobile World Congress in February, with the device caught on camera elsewhere as recently as last month. There's still no definitive ship date to grab hold of, but it's probably time you asked yourself: is okay to yearn after something that an honorable judge has deemed "not as cool" as some other tablet? Decision 2012 -- we report, you decide.Continue reading Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 appears in 30-second commercial (video)Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 appears in 30-second commercial (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 Jul 2012 10:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink All About Samsung, The Verge | Stepmgmt (YouTube) | Email this | Comments

Google takes Nexus 7 camping for its first ad, can afford to pack light (video)

Posted: 23 Jul 2012 07:51 AM PDT

Google takes Nexus 7 camping for its first ad, can afford to pack light (video)


Google takes Nexus 7 camping for its first ad, can afford to pack light (video)
There's more than a small amount of fervor swirling around the Nexus 7, so it only makes sense that Google wants to seize the moment and pitch its first Nexus tablet to the world. Its first commercial is a very Norman Rockwell-like, father-and-son camping trip -- if Rockwell replaced Boy Scouts with Jelly Beans, that is. The 7-inch slate handles just about every task the two could care for, whether it's learning about (and exaggerating) the local fauna as well as keeping busy on a rainy day. We'll let you witness the slight twist of an ending first-hand, although we'll add that Google is careful to use a lot of Nexus 7 features that don't demand always-on WiFi: the search giant wants us to know that we can head to the boonies without the tablet becoming a paperweight. The one shock is the absence of that all-important $199 price, which you'd think would help trigger some impulse shopping. You can reconcile your disbelief and enjoy some family bonding by catching the full commercial after the break.Continue reading Google takes Nexus 7 camping for its first ad, can afford to pack light (video)Filed under: Tablet PCsGoogle takes Nexus 7 camping for its first ad, can afford to pack light (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 Jul 2012 10:13:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | YouTube | Email this | Comments