Friday, June 05, 2009
A search engine with an answer to "the meaning of life" and a personality too -- http://ping.fm/ZjeWT -- too awesome/funny
Inside the $485-Million Airbus A380 Flying Palace [Airplanes]
Apparently, it may be Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud's new specially retro-fitted A380. As you may remember, the arabian Prince shone his genie lamp and bought an Airbus A380—the biggest passenger plane in the world—for his personal use.
British company Design Q is now making the plans for its interior, three floors with every luxurious detail you can imagine, including a lift that goes all the way down to the runway's tarmac and extends a red carpet so guests can get into the flying palace. I can already imagine a stunning hostess saying "Welcome, Mr Bond."
In addition to all of the above, the full marble Turkish bath in the spa, and twenty first class seats/beds for the extra guests, the plane will be full of high tech gadgets. The boardroom, for example, will have a hologram projector and a giant touchscreen perspex table, while each suite will include a virtual prayer mat proyector, always pointing in Mecca's direction.
Whoever bought it, I hope he invites us for a trip. And with "us" I mean "me." I can sleep on the couch, Mr Prince Sir you. [Daily Mail]
Thursday, June 04, 2009
Five new Moorestown-based MIDs announced at Computex
Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/04/five-new-moorestown-based-mids-announced-at-computex/
[Via MIDMoves]
Filed under: Handhelds
Five new Moorestown-based MIDs announced at Computex originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 04 Jun 2009 14:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsCompal shows off Android-running, Snapdragon-powered smartbook
Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/04/compal-shows-off-android-running-snapdragon-powered-smartbook/
As if it wasn't clear already, smartbooks are one of the big trends (if not the biggest) to emerge out of this year's Computex, be they Snapdragon or Tegra-powered. Just as interesting as the devices themselves, however, is the fact that a number of manufacturers are looking at using Android as an OS for 'em, including big players like ASUS, and now Compal. While's ASUS' Snapdragon-based offering was impressive enough, Compal looks to have slightly outdone it by adding a customized interface at start-up, which is apparently just a taste of further "optimizations" to come. Details are otherwise a bit hard to come by, but you can head on past the break for a hands-on video courtesy of techvideoblog.com.
Continue reading Compal shows off Android-running, Snapdragon-powered smartbook
Filed under: Laptops
Compal shows off Android-running, Snapdragon-powered smartbook originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 04 Jun 2009 19:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsVideo: hands-on with ASUS' Eee Keyboard at Computex
Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/04/video-hands-on-with-asus-eee-keyboard-at-computex/
Continue reading Video: hands-on with ASUS' Eee Keyboard at Computex
Filed under: Desktops, Peripherals
Video: hands-on with ASUS' Eee Keyboard at Computex originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 04 Jun 2009 19:54:00 EST. Please see ! our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsPharos Traveller 137 now available, can use both AT&T and T-Mobile 3G
[Via PhoneScoop]
Filed under: Cellphones
Pharos Traveller 137 now available, can use both AT&T and T-Mobile 3G originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 04 Jun 2009 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsApple Patent Describes Mid-Call Music, Video, Picture Sharing for iPhone [Apple]
The application explains it thusly:
An individual may call his friend to discuss music, but in order for the friend to listen to the music, the individual either may have to send the music to the friend using a device other than his telephone, or he may have to end the phone call and use the telephone to send the friend an email with the music attached.
This capability extends to pretty much anything, from photos and videos to voicemail and "others", and implies that the data could be streamed in real time, not just transferred and downloaded.
Carrier reluctance and technical network limitations are the most obvious obstacles to something like this actually coming to pass in the near future, though the patent has a clever solution for the latter problem:
There may also be two audio data streams to transmit. In order to transmit all of the streams over the same communication path, the control circuitry may employ a multiplexer to combine together any video streams, and to combine together any audio streams, the multiplexer may then combine into one fixed stream the two combined streams.
In other words, this is more than an airy-fairy "wouldn't it be cool" concept—Apple seems to have given it some s! erious t hought, and a bit of real engineering attention. And the more the better: this is one of those concepts that, once you see it, just seems like it needs to happen. [AppleInsider]
Video: NVIDIA Tegra's GPU gets busy with HD video and full-screen Flash -- Intel 945GSE shrugs, kicks dirt
Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/04/video-nvidia-tegras-gpu-gets-busy-with-hd-video-and-full-scree/
Filed under: Laptops
Video: NVIDIA Tegra's GPU gets busy with HD video and full-screen Flash -- Intel 945GSE shrugs, kicks dirt originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 04 Jun 2009 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsIntel snaps up Wind River, looks for that embedded systems edge
Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/04/intel-snaps-up-wind-river-looks-for-that-embedded-systems-edge/
Filed under: Desktops, Laptops
Intel snaps up Wind River, looks for that embedded systems edge originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 04 Jun 2009 10:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsHTC Hero / Lancaster running Android and "Rosie" UI launching on June 24th?
Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/04/htc-hero-lancaster-running-android-and-rosie-ui-launching-on/
Filed under: Cellphones
HTC Hero / Lancaster running Android and "Rosie" UI launching on June 24th? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 04 Jun 2009 06:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this |&! nbsp;CommentsWednesday, June 03, 2009
KillCopy Speeds Up Disk Transfers and Securely Deletes Files [Downloads]
Killcopy, like previously reviewed TeraCopy and FastCopy, handles local and network file transfer with radically more efficiency than the default Windows file copier. There are a host of features including the ability to toggle settings like copy verification for important files, parallel read/write to boost speed, and whether to prompt, overwrite, or skip if a file already exists. The feature that really sets KillCopy apart from other custom copy handlers is its ability to securely overwrite file locations. You can instruct KillCopy to scrub the previous location of a file with 1-3 passes of data, making secure deletion part of your basic file handling. KillCopy is freeware, Windows only.
KillCopy [via Freeware Home]
Google Squared Goes Live, Formats Your Searches Into a Spreadsheet [Search Engines]
The product is still pretty raw right now, but think of it sort of like Google's short-term answer to the very cool Wolfram Alpha's structured search—with results displayed in a spreadsheet format of sorts.
Google Squared is a search tool that helps you quickly build a collection of facts from the Web for any topic you specify.
- Facts about your topic are organized as a table of items and attributes (we call them "Squares" for fun).
- Customize these Squares to see just the items and attributes you're interested in.
- See the websites that served as sources for the information in your Square.
- Save and share Squares with others.
As I said, right now the strength of results varies. One search for digital cameras, for example, produced a list of many items—viewed seven rows at a time—while the above pictured "cheese" search came up with several empty fields.
The fields themselves vary according to your search. In the digital camera query, Google Squared automatically included a product name, along with an image, description, price, design, and author fields. In addition to name, image! , and de scription, the cheese search offered texture, milk, and country fields. Google Squared lets you delete an option, add columns or click on a link to see the next 10 results.
You can also start with an empty square and sign-in to save your selections. Running your mouse over a field will produce the source; Wikipedia is a recurring one.
Try out Squared for yourself and let us know what you think and how it stacks up against Wolfram Alpha—if at all. We'll update the post once Google provides an official announcement.
Google Squared [Google Labs]
Are you still broadcasting to the "haystack"... and praying that a "needle" may be watching? - http://ping.fm/dZTsN
Mobile Chipsets: WTF Are Atom, Tegra and Snapdragon? [Giz Explains]
Intel Atom
The current reigning king of low-cost, low-power processors, Intel's Atom flat-out dominates the netbook market. Its single- and dual-core processors are also some of the most powerful on our list, despite having abilities roughly equal to, in Intel's own terms, a 2003-2004 vintage Celeron. Based on the x86 architecture, the Atom is capable of running full versions of Windows XP, Vista (though not all that well), and 7, as well as modern Linux distros and even Hackintosh. While it requires far less power than a full-power chip, it's still more power-hungry than the ARM-based processors on our list, requiring about 2 watts on average. That's why netbook battery life isn't all that much longer than that of a normal laptop.
You can find the Atom in just about every netbook, including those from HP, Dell, Asus, Acer, Sony, Toshiba, MSI, and, well, everyone else. The 1.6GHz chip is the most popular at the moment, but Intel is definitely going to keep improving and upgrading the Atom line. However, you're unlikely to catch an Atom in a handset; it's low-power, yes, but low-power for a notebook. Battery life on an Atom handset would be pretty atrocious, which is why Intel's sticking to netbooks for now.
Qualcomm Snapdragon
Based on ARM, which is a 32-bit processor architecture that powers just about every mobile phone (and various other peripherals, though never desktop computers) out there, Snapdragon isn't competing directly with the Intel Atom—it's not capable of running full versions of Windows (only Windows Mobile and Windows CE), it's incredibly energy-efficient (requiring less than half a watt), and is designed for always-on use. In other words, this is the evolution of the mobile computing processor. It's got great potential: Qualcomm is trumpeting battery life stretching past 10 hours, smooth 1080p video, support for GPS, 3G, and Bluetooth, and such efficiency that a Linux-based netbook can use Snapdragon without a fan or even a heat sink. Available in single core (1GHz) or dual-core (1.5GHz), it can be used in conjunction with Android, Linux, and various mobile OSes.
Unfortunately, Qualcomm is still holding onto the notion that people want MIDs, and is championing "smartbooks," which are essentially smartphones with netbook bodies, like Asus's announced-then-retracted Eee with Android. Snapdragon's got promise, but we think that promise lies in super-powered handheld devices, not even more underpowered versions of already-underpowered netbooks.
We're frankly not sure when we'll see Snapdragon-based devices sold in the US. We're sure Snapdragon will end up in smartphones at some point, as at least one Toshiba handset has been tentatively announced, but the only concrete demonstrations we've seen have been in MIDs, and Snapdragon themselves spend all their energy touting these ! "smartbo oks." Snapdragon's Windows Mobile compatibility suggests we may see it roll out with Windows Mobile 7, if Tegra hasn't snapped up all the good handsets.
Nvidia Tegra
Nvidia's Tegra processor is very similar to Snapdragon—both are based on ARM architecture, so both are designed for even less intense applications than the Atom. Like Snapdragon, Tegra isn't capable of running desktop versions of Windows, so it's primarily targeted at Android and handheld OSes, especially forthcoming versions of Windows Mobile. What sets Tegra apart from Snapdragon is the Nvidia graphics pedigree: The company claims smooth 1080p video, like Snapdragon, but also hardware-accelerated Flash video and even respectable gaming (though no, you won't be able to run Crysis). They also go even further than Qualcomm in their battery life claim, suggesting an absolutely insane 30 hours of HD video.
While Snapdragon tends to be loosely associated with Android, Tegra is an integral part of Microsoft's plan for next-generation Windows Mobile devices. Instead of focusing on "smartbooks" and MIDs, which we think are part of a dead-end category, Tegra's commitment to pocketable handhelds could spell success. We've seen proof-of-concept demonstrations of Tegra already, but its real commercial debut will come with Windows Mobile 7—and if WM7 doesn't suck, Tegra could take off.
Others
We haven't included certain other processors, especially VIA's Nano, due to intent: The Nano requires lower power than full-scale processors, but at 25 watts, it's not even really in the same league as Atom, let alone Snapdragon or Tegra. The VIA Nano is really targeted at non-portable green technology, and looks like it'll do a good job—it outperformed Atom in Ars Technica's excellent test, and stands up to moderate use with ease. AMD's Puma (Turion X2) is in a similar boat: It's certainly markedly more energy-efficient than AMD's other offerings, but as it's targeted at laptops (not netbooks) with a screen size greater than 12-inches, it's not quite right for our list here.
These low-power processors aren't just, as we so often think, crappier versions of "real" processors. They've got uses far beyond netbooks, especially in the near future as the gap between netbooks and smartphones narrows.
Still something you still wanna know? Send any questions about why your iPhone can't play Crysis, how to tie a bow tie, or anything else to tips@gizmodo.com, with "Giz Explains" in the subject line.
Stunning NEC CRV43 43-Inch Curved Monitor Is Stunningly Expensive [Monitors]
This bad boy is basically 4 DLP monitors stiched together and LED backlit, offering a killer response time of 0.02 seconds. It's got DVI-D and HDMI 1.3 inputs, but don't bother hooking up something like your Xbox 360 to this thing—it wouldn't know what the hell to do with the wacky 2880x990 resolution. But I can only imagine how incredible this thing would be when set up to properly run an FPS or driving game. Good god. Hardcore gamers looking to out-rig each other, the bar has been raised. It can be yours for $7,999 of your dad's money next month.
NEC DISPLAY SOLUTIONS DELIVERS UNMATCHED VIEWING EXPERIENCE WITH 43-INCH SEAMLESS CURVED DISPLAY
Ultra-Wide Curved Display Designed for Simulation, Digital Imaging, Command & Control Applications
CHICAGO - June 4, 2009 - NEC Display Solutions of America, a leading provider of commercial LCD displays and projectors, today announced the 43" NEC CRV43 ultra-widescreen specialty desktop display, designed for use in applications such as professional graphics, higher education, government, financial, command & control and home office.
The NEC CRV43 curved display can be seen at InfoComm 09 on June 17-19 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla.
The unique NEC CRV43 curved display provides a much wider field of view and greater dynamic range with its double WGXA resolution (32:10 aspect ratio). The user's taskbar is extended natively and setup is made easy to configure with one input. These features make it an ideal solution for simulation, digital imaging and command & control.
"The NEC! CRV43 c urved display provides an excitingly immersive viewing experience for any type of user," said Keith Yanke, Director of Product Marketing for NEC Display Solutions. "Its lightning-fast response time coupled with its seamless curved screen provides enhanced comfort, decreased frustration and increased productivity. The monitor eliminates the bezel and screen gap issues that have complicated users' work environment for years."
The NEC CRV43 curved display includes the following features:
* Seamless curved screen, which eliminates bezel and screen gap issues for increased productivity and decreased frustration (according to Center for Human-Computer Interaction - Shupp et al, presented at Graphics Interface 2006)
* 2880 x 900 double WXGA native resolution
* 200 cd/m² brightness
* 0.02ms Rapid Response
* 10,000:1 contrast ratio
* Wide color gamut with 100% coverage of sRGB and 99.3% coverage of Adobe RGB
* Single link DVI-D and HDMI 1.3 input connectors
* USB 2.0 connectivity for easy use of peripherals
* Front panel controls
* On Screen Display (OSD®) and software-based GUI, which enables advanced display control optionsThe NEC CRV43 curved display is backed by a 3-year parts and labor warranty including the backlight and will be available for July 2009 shipment with estimated street price of $7,999.
New CrunchPad Prototype Photos and Video [Crunchpad]
Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/JlA8pBFNGkI/new-crunchpad-prototype-photos-and-video
Superfically, not much has changed from the previous prototype, except the updated CrunchPad now has an aluminum case and is 18mm thinner. The software has been updated too—as you can see in the video below—and boots directly into its Linux/Webkit-based browser. As for when you can get your hands on one of these, TechCrunch is currently working with partners to bring the $300 web tablet to the market. [TechCrunch]
The Atom Pinhole Camera Is The First Step Towards a Real Star Trek Replicator [Nanotechnology]
In their atom pinhole camera, the atoms act like photons in an optical pinhole camera, but instead of light traveling through a lens, it travels through a pinhole on a mask and creates a high-res inverted image on a silicon substrate. This camera is capable of resizing nanostructures down to 30 nm—10,000 times smaller than the original. So, a camera with say 10 million pinholes could produce large numbers of identical (or diverse) nanostructures simultaneously.
It all sounds very promising, but the real question is will I be getting instant food, clothing and gadgets in my lifetime? Maybe—but chances are the "gadgets" will be a Rascal and the "clothing" will be Depends. [Physorg via KurzweilAI]
Sony Ericsson X2 spotted?
Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/03/sony-ericsson-x2-spotted/
[Thanks, anonymous tipster]
Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds
Sony Ericsson X2 spotted? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Jun 2009 11:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments!Acer shows off Android on a netbook, sneaks Firefox into the proceedings
Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/03/acer-shows-off-android-on-a-netbook-sneaks-firefox-into-the-pro/
Filed under: Laptops
Acer shows off Android on a netbook, sneaks Firefox into the proceedings originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Jun 2009 15:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsGarmin-Asus set to launch first Android phone in Q1 2010
Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/03/garmin-asus-set-to-launch-first-android-phone-in-q1-2010/
Garmin-Asus isn't exactly doing a ton of talking about it just yet, but PC World is reporting that the company has confirmed that it plans to release its first Android-based smartphone "no later than the first quarter of next year." An Asustek exec reportedly further added that the device could even come a bit earlier, but unfortunately didn't have anything to say about a potential price, or anything about the phone itself, for that matter. Of course, as you're no doubt aware, Garmin-Asus already has a Linux-based phone in the form of the G60 (pictured above), but it's not clear if that proprietary OS will continue to co-exist alongside Android, or if it'll get ditched in favor of Android. If it doesn't, Garmin-Asus will have quite a few balls in the air at time, since the company is already pretty firmly committed to Windows Mobile as well.
[Via PhoneArena]
[Via PhoneArena]
Filed under: Cellphones
Garmin-Asus set to launch first Android phone in Q1 2010 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Jun 2009 15:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsMSI now shipping Wind Top AE1900 Black / Dual Core
Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/03/msi-now-shipping-wind-top-ae1900-black-dual-core/
Continue reading MSI now shipping Wind Top AE1900 Black / Dual Core
Filed under: Desktops
MSI now shipping Wind Top AE1900 Black / Dual Core originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Jun 2009 18:03:00 EST. Pl! ease see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsTeam Group shoves two 250GB SSDs into single enclosure
Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/03/team-group-shoves-two-250gb-ssds-into-single-enclosure/
Filed under: Storage
Team Group shoves two 250GB SSDs into single enclosure originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Jun 2009 10:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsIntel's Core i7 975 Extreme Edition reviewed, crowned world's fastest desktop processor
Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/03/intels-core-i7-975-extreme-edition-is-worlds-fastest-desktop-p/
Read -- Hot Hardware review
Read -- PCPer review
Filed under: Desktops
Intel's Core i7 975 Extreme Edition reviewed, crowned world's fastest desktop processor originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Jun 2009 04:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsViewSonic intros new 20-, 22- and 24-inch VG27 LCD monitors
Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/03/viewsonic-intros-new-20-22-and-24-inch-vg27-lcd-monitors/
Continue reading ViewSonic intros new 20-, 22- and 24-inch VG27 LCD monitors
Filed under: Displays
ViewSonic intros new 20-, 22- and 24-inch VG27 LCD monitors originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Jun 2009 03:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsTuesday, June 02, 2009
FDA Demands Drug Cos. Stop 'Misleading' Ads on Google, Yahoo - Advertising Age - News: http://is.gd/MtEB (via @twitturly)
Petite Cargo Pickup Plays Transformer
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/yankodesign/~3/O5IFyxYlKds/
Here's the deal about this fantastic Cargo Pick-up concept: Traffic's bad, it's only gonna get worse with time. To tackle inner city deliveries, is this innovative battery powered vehicle that boasts of variable track, wheelbase and load carrying configurations. It features a Compact Mode, Narrow Mode (with banking corner action) and Pick-up Truck Mode. The Compact Mode sees the Pick-up section flushed to the back of the cabin. It's an ideal situation for small deliveries. The Narrow mode gives reduced width and higher maneuverability and as the name suggests, the Pick-up Truck Mode allows you to carry larger payloads.
The Clip-On composite body panels give plenty of real estate for putting up adverts, which I think is a brilliant idea.
The CarGo Pod or the storage compartment when empty can be removed to further reduce the vehicle length.
Designer: Adam Schacter
