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Sunday, September 2, 2012

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E-miglia 2012 racers sped on electrons through Europe, chasing Tesla

Posted: 02 Sep 2012 02:22 PM PDT

E-miglia 2012 racers sped on electrons through Europe, chasing Tesla


E-miglia 2012 racers sped on electrons through Europe, chasing Tesla
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Tesla Motors, Racing, Videos The third annual electric cross-country, 800-kilometer race known as E-miglia took place from August 12 to 16 through the mountains of Germany, Austria, Italy and Switzerland. Thirty-two participants lined up to demonstrate the possibilities of electric propulsion and, for 31 of them, the mission was to knock Tesla Motors out of first place. The California-based EV maker provided the cars that took first place in the past two years, so the big question was: could Tesla be beat this time? In the car class, the Mini E, Mercedes E-Cell, Nissan Leaf, Peugeot iOn took on the Tesla Roadster. As for e-motorcycles, Zerotracer, Zero Motorcycles and others raced for the title. Their first stop, after a 72-km prologue, was in Salzburg, where competitors were provided with solar-powered recharging at the city's Convention Centre. The second phase of the race covered 120 km and was eco-focused, where drivers earned points for being energy efficient. During the course of the race, cars and bikes traveled an average of 200 km per day to make it through to the finish line. And the winner was? Well, the same model as last year: LG Solar's Tesla Roadster, followed by the Mercedes A-Class E-Cell and then a Mini E. The best bike was a 2012 Zero Motorcycles DS, which finished eighth overall. A video of the event is available below.Continue reading E-miglia 2012 racers sped on electrons through Europe, chasing TeslaE-miglia 2012 racers sped on electrons through Europe, chasing Tesla originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 02 Sep 2012 16:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Pandora For Ed Apps: eSpark Nabs $5.7M From 500 Startups, Others, Hires Facebook...

Posted: 02 Sep 2012 02:22 PM PDT

Pandora For Ed Apps: eSpark Nabs $5.7M From 500 Startups, Others, Hires Facebook Mobile Vet As CTO


Pandora For Ed Apps: eSpark Nabs $5.7M From 500 Startups, Others, Hires Facebook Mobile Vet As CTO
Chicago-based startup eSpark Learning, which founder and CEO David Vinca describes as "Pandora for education apps," has secured $5.7 million in series A financing from MK Capital, Learn Capital, NewSchools Venture Fund and 500 Startups to help fuel national expansion. The new capital brings the startup's total funding to just under $7 million. In addition to its raise, eSpark is also announcing that it has hired 5-year Facebook veteran Luke Shepard as its new CTO. Shepard is best known for leading the mobile platform (or "platmobile") team at Facebook and helping to build Facebook Connect as well as the OAuth 2.0 protocol.

LG Chem develops very flexible cable batteries, may leave mobile devices tied up...

Posted: 02 Sep 2012 01:19 PM PDT

LG Chem develops very flexible cable batteries, may leave mobile devices tied up in knots


LG Chem develops very flexible cable batteries, may leave mobile devices tied up in knots
The world is no stranger to flexible batteries, but they've almost always had to be made in thin sheets -- that doesn't amount to a long running time if you're powering anything more than a watch. LG Chem has developed a flexible lithium-ion battery that's not just better-suited to our bigger gadgets but could out-do previous bendable energy packs. Researchers found that coating copper wires with nickel-tin and coiling them briefly around a rod results in a hollow anode that behaves like a very strong spring; mating that anode with a lithium-ion cell leads to a battery that works even when it's twisted up in knots. Join multiple packs together, and devices could have lithium-ion batteries that fit many shapes without compromising on their maximum deliverable power. Some hurdles remain to creating a production-grade battery, such as a tendency for the pack to shed a small amount of capacity whenever it's put under enough stress. LG Chem is fully set on turning these cable batteries into shippable technology, however, and could ultimately produce mobile devices and wearables that really do bend to their owners' every whim.Filed under: Wearables, ScienceLG Chem develops very flexible cable batteries, may leave mobile devices tied up in knots originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 02 Sep 2012 16:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Phys.org | Email this | Comments

Nokia's Purity HD stereo headset by Monster goes Pro, gains Bluetooth, NFC and n...

Posted: 02 Sep 2012 12:16 PM PDT

Nokia's Purity HD stereo headset by Monster goes Pro, gains Bluetooth, NFC and noise cancellation


Nokia's Purity HD stereo headset by Monster goes Pro, gains Bluetooth, NFC and noise cancellation
If Nokia doesn't show off at least one banana-hued Lumia smartphone come September 5th, we're going to be extremely confused. Say howdy to the Pro-monikered followup to its corded Purity HD stereo headset by Monster, which gains Bluetooth (no word on what version), NFC for pairing and active noise cancellation. Similar to its recently revealed PlayUp speaker, the company's teasing the the Purity HD Pro as an audio accessory that'll "perfectly match your Lumia," with a choice of black, white, red and yellow. The Pro is essentially identical to its predecessor, but now the folding earcups also serve as a pseudo-on/off switch for its ANC functionality. As you might expect, all that tech and Monster branding will cost ya a spendy €299 (about $376) -- nearly as much as Parrot's Zik by Starck. No further details are currently available, except that the cans will reach store shelves near this year's close. Update: You'll find a video hands-on by way of The Nokia Blog here.Nokia's Purity HD stereo headset by Monster goes Pro, gains Bluetooth, NFC and noise cancellation originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 02 Sep 2012 15:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Nokia Converstations | Nokia | Email this | Comments

IRL: Mailplane, Verizon Wireless iPad and the Samsung Galaxy S running CM9

Posted: 02 Sep 2012 11:44 AM PDT

IRL: Mailplane, Verizon Wireless iPad and the Samsung Galaxy S running CM9


IRL: Mailplane, Verizon Wireless iPad and the Samsung Galaxy S running CM9
Welcome to IRL, an ongoing feature where we talk about the gadgets, apps and toys we're using in real life and take a second look at products that already got the formal review treatment. Do we like the stuff we bought? You betcha we like the stuff we bought. This week, Darren tells of giving Mailplane another shot three months after deciding it was crap. Steve loves his aging Galaxy S all the more now that he's upgraded it to CM9. As for Edgar, he thinks his new VZW iPad is okay.Continue reading IRL: Mailplane, Verizon Wireless iPad and the Samsung Galaxy S running CM9Filed under: MiscIRL: Mailplane, Verizon Wireless iPad and the Samsung Galaxy S running CM9 originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 02 Sep 2012 14:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

New England design and decor elements

Posted: 02 Sep 2012 11:44 AM PDT

New England design and decor elements


New England design and decor elements
As a New England design blogger, I've done my share of posts about my local environment and all that makes this region special.

Car accident stops 80eDays Tesla Roadster from completing world tour

Posted: 02 Sep 2012 09:04 AM PDT

Car accident stops 80eDays Tesla Roadster from completing world tour


Car accident stops 80eDays Tesla Roadster from completing world tour
A unfortunate traffic accident brought Rafael de Mestre's electric trek across the globe to an abrupt halt today, stopping his Tesla Roadster a scant kilometer from the finish line. "Game over," the world traveler wrote on Facebook and Twitter, posting a picture of the damaged vehicle and assuring readers that he survived the ordeal. Since then, he's only offered a small update, lamenting the loss of his faithful electric carriage and sharing a short video of the accident's aftermath. Lend the dejected driver some moral support (or just engage in digital rubbernecking) at the source links below.Filed under: TransportationCar accident stops 80eDays Tesla Roadster from completing world tour originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 02 Sep 2012 11:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Chargelocator (Twitter), Electric Race (Facebook) | Email this | Comments

Inhabitat's Week in Green: go-kart made of Lego bricks, TOTO toilet bike and the...

Posted: 02 Sep 2012 07:29 AM PDT

Inhabitat's Week in Green: go-kart made of Lego bricks, TOTO toilet bike and the launch of 'Willow Glass'


Inhabitat's Week in Green: go-kart made of Lego bricks, TOTO toilet bike and the launch of 'Willow Glass'
Each week our friends at Inhabitat recap the week's most interesting green developments and clean tech news for us -- it's the Week in Green. As we head towards the home stretch of the 2012 presidential campaign, we're closely watching both candidates to see what they're doing for the environment. The Obama administration scored a major win for fuel-efficient cars this week by finalizing new standards that will increase the fuel economy of cars to the equivalent of 54.5 mpg by 2025. But what about the cars that are currently on the road? This week we test drove a 2013 Ford Focus Electric through the streets of San Francisco (we admit, we did get a bit of range anxiety). And in one of the most interesting automotive stories from the past week, the world's first 3D-printed car -- the Areion EV-- reached a top speed of 141 kph.Continue reading Inhabitat's Week in Green: go-kart made of Lego bricks, TOTO toilet bike and the launch of 'Willow Glass'Filed under: Misc, Transportation, ScienceInhabitat's Week in Green: go-kart made of Lego bricks, TOTO toilet bike and the launch of 'Willow Glass' originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 02 Sep 2012 10:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Indoor and outdoor decor that adds home value

Posted: 02 Sep 2012 07:29 AM PDT

Indoor and outdoor decor that adds home value


Indoor and outdoor decor that adds home value
Did you know that when purchasing and selecting decor for your home there are some purchases that increase the appraisal value and help to make your home more marketable?

Eaton, DOE upgrading and downsizing hybrid power system

Posted: 02 Sep 2012 05:54 AM PDT

Eaton, DOE upgrading and downsizing hybrid power system


Eaton, DOE upgrading and downsizing hybrid power system
Filed under: Emerging Technologies, EV/Plug-in, HybridEaton is working on upgrading its hybrid electric vehicle power control system by reducing the size of the battery 50 percent and improving the total performance of the system and its charge rate while maintaining battery life, fuel economy and overall vehicle performance. The R&D project will be funded jointly between Eaton and a grant from the Department of Energy's Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy (ARPA-E). It's intended to optimize operations of hybrids, from passenger cars to commercials vehicles. The $2.8-million project will be led by Eaton's Innovation Center team in Southfield, MI, who will work with a team from the DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Eaton will leverage its expertise in intelligent power management systems and hybrid technology with the NREL's expertise in battery modeling and prognostics. Eaton thinks improving hybrid power management and extending battery life would work well in other sectors, including community infrastructure, data centers, manufacturing and industrial. Eaton is playing a significant role in several DOE projects in advanced, efficient vehicle and fueling technologies. These include affordable home refueling stations for natural gas vehicles, compressed natural gas, research on waste heat recovery for commercial vehicles and fuel cell expander research. The 100-year old company is also playing a key role in electric vehicle charging station technologies, for example with its DC Quick Charger. Green vehicle technologies are seeing a lot of small start-up companies come and go, and do need support government grants and well-established, solid companies like Eaton. The question for mega-companies like General Electric, Siemens, Panasonic and global automakers could be: Are green vehicle technologies worth it for you? Is this a niche you're testing out for a little while to see if sales and production ramp up enough to make it worth the investments? Eaton would probably say yes, having played a large role in commercial vehicle hybrid systems for several years, but for all the rest of it - electric vehicles and their charging stations, hybrids, natural gas vehicles, and fuel cell vehicles - a lot of investment and long-term strategic is needed. Some of these major suppliers are likely to come and go.Eaton, DOE upgrading and downsizing hybrid power system originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 02 Sep 2012 08:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Withings revamps its WiFi bathroom scales, orders you to stop slouching

Posted: 02 Sep 2012 04:51 AM PDT

Withings revamps its WiFi bathroom scales, orders you to stop slouching


Withings revamps its WiFi bathroom scales, orders you to stop slouching
Withings has introduced a new set of wireless bathroom scales to spare us sedentary geeks the effort of recording our weekly weigh-ins. The updated set includes Position Control technology, which we assume means it tells you to stand up straight and suck your belly in while it's sending your details to the internet. All you need is a smartphone or tablet that can use its new Health Companion App. which came out earlier this month. It arrives in Europe at the end of September, and equipping yourself for a war on weight will cost you €120.Continue reading Withings revamps its WiFi bathroom scales, orders you to stop slouchingFiled under: Cellphones, Misc, WirelessWithings revamps its WiFi bathroom scales, orders you to stop slouching originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 02 Sep 2012 07:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

VidaBox unveils vPlayer and vStreamer Media Extenders with slicker looks, green...

Posted: 02 Sep 2012 02:42 AM PDT

VidaBox unveils vPlayer and vStreamer Media Extenders with slicker looks, green credentials


VidaBox unveils vPlayer and vStreamer Media Extenders with slicker looks, green credentials
Most VidaBox Media Extenders have borne a closer similarity to mini PCs than to the kind of equipment you'd stack on top of a home theater receiver. That's already been changing, but the company's new vPlayer and vStreamer are virtually invisible in the living room by comparison. Either has a newly streamlined, stackable design that feels entirely at home in the den and keeps the noisy buzzes and whines to a minimum through a new cooling system. Although VidaBox is wonderfully vague about specs -- both hubs tout a "dual core processor," for example -- its units have been modernized enough to use a thrifty 35W of typical power. The boxes lack dedicated media storage space and curiously have to be factory upgraded to get HDMI 1.4 instead of 1.3, but they'll output 7.1-channel audio and 1080p video while integrating with most common home automation systems over RS-232. We haven't been quoted prices to simplify any buying decisions; we expect the gap to be small between the two offerings, since the vPlayer and vStreamer are identical on the inside except for the vPlayer's Blu-ray drive. Dealers will have a better answer for you when VidaBox starts shipping the extender duo on September 4th.Continue reading VidaBox unveils vPlayer and vStreamer Media Extenders with slicker looks, green credentialsFiled under: Home Entertainment, HDVidaBox unveils vPlayer and vStreamer Media Extenders with slicker looks, green credentials originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 02 Sep 2012 05:18:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | VidaBox | Email this | Comments

OLPC delivers big OS update with text-to-speech, DisplayLink and WebKit

Posted: 02 Sep 2012 12:02 AM PDT

OLPC delivers big OS update with text-to-speech, DisplayLink and WebKit


OLPC delivers big OS update with text-to-speech, DisplayLink and WebKit
While most of its energy is focused on the XO-4 Touch, the One Laptop Per Child project is swinging into full gear for software, too. The project team has just posted an OS 12.1.0 update that sweetens the Sugar for at least present-day XO units. As of this latest revamp, text-to-speech is woven into the interface and vocalizes any selectable text -- a big help for students that are more comfortable speaking their language than reading it. USB video output has been given its own lift through support for more ubiquitous DisplayLink adapters. If you're looking for the majority of changes, however, they're under-the-hood tweaks to bring the OLPC architecture up to snuff. Upgrades to GTK3+ and GNOME 3.4 help, but we're primarily noticing a shift from Mozilla's web engine to WebKit for browsing: although the OLPC crew may have been forced to swap code because of Mozilla's policies on third-party apps, it's promising a much faster and more Sugar-tinged web experience as part of the switch. While they're not the same as getting an XO-3 tablet, the upgrades found at the source link are big enough that classrooms (and the occasional individual) will be glad they held on to that early XO model.Filed under: Laptops, SoftwareOLPC delivers big OS update with text-to-speech, DisplayLink and WebKit originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 02 Sep 2012 02:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Phoronix | OLPC Wiki | Email this | Comments

Evernote update makes use of Jelly Bean's rich notifications

Posted: 01 Sep 2012 09:50 PM PDT

Evernote update makes use of Jelly Bean's rich notifications


Evernote update makes use of Jelly Bean's rich notifications
The rich, interactive notifications baked in to Jelly Bean are certainly one of our favorite features of the newest version of Android. Now, one of our favorite apps, Evernote, is tapping into their power. Version 4.2 of the note-taking giant's program offers quick shortcuts to edit and share uploaded notes from the notification pull down. Those notifications are also delivering a lot more context than they used to. Rather than a simple alert that a note has been uploaded, you're now presented with a thumbnail of images captured and a snippet of your text entry. Power users will also be glad to hear those notifications will no longer pile up, as multiple ones will be condensed into a single entry as they do with Gmail. There's also the usual bevvy of bug fixes and performance improvements, which is never a bad thing.. Hit up the source to download it now.Filed under: MobileEvernote update makes use of Jelly Bean's rich notifications originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 02 Sep 2012 00:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Android Police | Evernote | Email this | Comments

Ask Engadget: is iPod Touch and Wireless Printer-based credit card processing po...

Posted: 01 Sep 2012 08:12 PM PDT

Ask Engadget: is iPod Touch and Wireless Printer-based credit card processing possible?


Ask Engadget: is iPod Touch and Wireless Printer-based credit card processing possible?
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 inquiry is coming to us from Dustin, who wants to turn the humble iPod Touch into a cash register for live events. If you're looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com. "We currently have 10 credit card terminals we purchased three years ago, and we're looking to replace them thanks to their horrific failure rate and replacement cost. We only use them for special events, but they account for $24 million of our credit card revenue. Ideally I'd like to replace them with iPod touches and a wireless printer, but I can't seem to find a solution that offers printing -- but it's essential to what we do. Thanks for your help!" We found that Square lets you connect to a Star Micronics receipt printer, and Intuit GoPayment accepts Bluetooth-enabled P25 Blue Bamboo printers -- so those could work for you. Of course, Ask Engadget is about sourcing the opinion of our hive-mind, so if your business has already conquered this problem, why not share what you know?Filed under: Cellphones, Misc, Portable Audio/VideoAsk Engadget: is iPod Touch and Wireless Printer-based credit card processing possible? originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 01 Sep 2012 23:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Next Apple earbuds potentially sighted in Vietnam, may fix an iconic design (video)

Posted: 01 Sep 2012 07:09 PM PDT

Next Apple earbuds potentially sighted in Vietnam, may fix an iconic design (video)


Next Apple earbuds potentially sighted in Vietnam, may fix an iconic design (video)
The pack-in earbuds for iPhones and iPods have been among the most recognizable of technology symbols for more than a decade... just not for their technical merits. They're notorious for slipping out of wearers' ears and having a mediocre sound next to just about anything else you can buy. If Tinhte's own discovery in Vietnam is authentic, Apple might be breaking with another one of its longstanding traditions this year by redesigning those earpieces for the better. Gone are the usual buds that only vaguely aim towards your ear canals. Instead, what's on show has oval tips very loosely resembling those of the Klipsch Image S4 II, and slots in at an angle to fit more directly into the canals -- not to mention more comfortably, based on early tests. We can't guarantee that these headphones are more than just the products of an ambitious third-party manufacturer, but Tinhte has had a good track record for snagging pre-release Apple gear, and that "Designed by Apple in California Assembled in Vietnam" lettering would reduce the possibilities to either a good KIRF or the real thing. One way or the other, we could know the truth soon enough.Continue reading Next Apple earbuds potentially sighted in Vietnam, may fix an iconic design (video)Filed under: Cellphones, Portable Audio/VideoNext Apple earbuds potentially sighted in Vietnam, may fix an iconic design (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 01 Sep 2012 21:35:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink MacRumors | Tinhte.vn (translated) | Email this | Comments

Mobile Miscellany: week of August 27th, 2012

Posted: 01 Sep 2012 06:38 PM PDT

Mobile Miscellany: week of August 27th, 2012


Mobile Miscellany: week of August 27th, 2012
Not all mobile news is destined for the front page, but if you're like us and really want to know what's going on, then you've come to the right place. This past week, MetroPCS welcomed the Coolpad Quattro 4G into its stable and we also caught wind of a redesigned Huawei Mercury for Cricket. These stories and more await after the break. So buy the ticket and take the ride as we explore the "best of the rest" for this week of August 27th, 2012.Continue reading Mobile Miscellany: week of August 27th, 2012Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, MobileMobile Miscellany: week of August 27th, 2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 01 Sep 2012 21:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Wolfram Alpha lets you stalk yourself on Facebook, reminds you how noisy you are

Posted: 01 Sep 2012 05:33 PM PDT

Wolfram Alpha lets you stalk yourself on Facebook, reminds you how noisy you are


Wolfram Alpha lets you stalk yourself on Facebook, reminds you how noisy you are
You know Facebook's got dirt on you, it's one of modern life's unavoidable trade offs. Now though, thanks to Wolfram Alpha, you can data-mine yourself -- something its creator has been doing for years -- and get a true sense of exactly what the social network knows about you. You'll first have to head over to the computational knowledge engine, then search "Facebook report." Follow the prompts to give the app permission etc, and you'll be rewarded with a detailed breakdown. The data shows information about your interactions, friends, most popular photos, most common demographics and more. For example, you might discover that you know someone in the Philippines, have a clutch of non-connected friends weirdly in the same location, or that you mom is your top post commenter. Though you probably knew that last part already. Paranoid or curious? Jump on the source link to get started.Filed under: InternetWolfram Alpha lets you stalk yourself on Facebook, reminds you how noisy you are originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 01 Sep 2012 20:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink SlashDot | WolframAlpha | Email this | Comments

NASA awards $100,000 grant for sideways supersonic plane concept, sonic boom not...

Posted: 01 Sep 2012 03:56 PM PDT

NASA awards $100,000 grant for sideways supersonic plane concept, sonic boom not included


NASA awards $100,000 grant for sideways supersonic plane concept, sonic boom not included
NASA isn't just interested in extra-terrestrial exploration, but in pushing the boundaries of atmospheric flight as well, which is why it's just awarded $100,000 in funding for the supersonic plane concept shown above. As you can see, the symmetrical plane is basically all wing, and that's because it has two different configurations based on how fast you want to go. For normal, subsonic flight, a plane needs a decent wingspan to get off the ground and sustain flight at lower speeds. But, when you want to go supersonic, large wings become a bit of a drag, which is where the concept's bi-functional design comes in. The plane begins its journey in the long-winged setup, but spins 90 degrees amongst the clouds to use its stubby wings for efficient faster-than-sound flight and "virtually zero sonic boom." Gecheng Zha from the University of Miami has been touting his concept for quite some time, but now he's got the cash to refine the design, run simulations and do some wind tunnel testing, with the potential for more funding in the future. Unfortunately, the concept is, at best, decades from becoming a reality, but we're sold on the ninja star-like design. Guile, however, is not impressed.Filed under: TransportationNASA awards $100,000 grant for sideways supersonic plane concept, sonic boom not included originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 01 Sep 2012 18:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink core77 | NASA | Email this | Comments