Google's Street View snowmobile takes your voyeurism to the Olympic slopes

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/09/googles-street-view-snowmobile-takes-your-voyeurism-to-the-olym/

There's something deliciously futuristic about the fact that Microsoft and Google are patrolling our roads, documenting their every nook and cranny with large multidirectional cameras strapped to SUVs. But what about the unpaved wilderness? Well, Google's after that too now, with its new Street View snowmobile it's unveiled just in time for the Winter Olympics in Vancouver. Sure, it's a bit of a gimmick, but also it's surprisingly thrilling to chase down the various slopes in use for the Olympics, and Google Earth even has most everything mapped out in 3D for your aerial viewing pleasure. Check out a video of the snowmobile in action after the break, or hit up that source link to "hit the slopes." If something gets in your way, turn.

Continue reading Google's Street View snowmobile takes your voyeurism to the Olympic slopes

Google's Street View snowmobile takes your voyeurism to the Olympic slopes originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Feb 2010 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Google Blog  |  Google Maps  | Email this | Comments

Read More...

Summary only...

Google Buzz takes mobile location services to the next level

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/09/google-buzz-takes-mobile-location-services-to-the-next-level/

Google just announced that it's bringing some serious location-based integration to its services, all centered around the new Buzz social networking tool built into Gmail. Google's going to do location better than the usual latitude / longitude coordinates -- it's able to snap those to actual place names and then take context-aware actions depending on where you are. The new location services is integrated into the main mobile Google.com search page and the new buzz.google.com page for the iPhone and Android, and into maps for Android, S60, and Windows Mobile. Buzz is rolling out starting today, and it should hit everyone within "the next few days."

Continue reading Google Buzz takes mobile location services to the next level

Google Buzz takes mobile location services to the next level originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Feb 2010 13:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

Read More...

Summary only...

Immutable Law 5: Own a word in the prospect's mind - what's Apple? great design, ease-of-use, music, or computers? - http://bit.ly/aRfkiY

Read More...

Summary only...

LG Mini GD880 Phone Has 16:9 Ratio And Looks Hot To Trot [Phones]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/9_b6JsWhlHQ/lg-mini-gd880-phone-has-169-ratio-and-looks-hot-to-trot

This LG Mini GD880 is so good-looking it makes my brain hurt at the injustice of it (presumably) running LG's S-Class OS, and not Android. Still, there's some nice spec to back up this slim 16:9 phone.

Just like the Chocolate phone before it, the display has a 16:9 aspect ratio, in this case at 3.2-inches. LG hasn't released many details about the internals just yet, but we do know it has a 5.0-megapixel camera with face detection, Wi-Fi, and HSDPA 7.2Mbps connectivity.

The lack of buttons, metal finishings and square corners make it look like it'll be part of their more "premium" range of handsets, so expect to pay a pretty penny if you want it PAYG, otherwise it'll most likely go for the usual month contract fees when it goes on sale in March in Europe—with worldwide availability expected shortly. I'm going to harass LG for confirmation of the OS, but with Mobile World Congress starting this weekend, I'm sure we'll find out a whole load more then. [LG]

Read More...

Summary only...

Notion Ink's Adam Tablet Will Have Flash, Output At 1080p and Have Battery Life 2x Longer Than iPad [Tablets]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/Bt5oi_4zbKk/notion-inks-adam-tablet-will-have-flash-output-at-1080p-and-have-battery-life-2x-longer-than-ipad

Flash, a longer battery life, outputting video at 1080p, a $1m app competition—these are just some of the ways Notion Ink is hoping its Android-powered Adam tablet will be able to win customers over.

The tablet has gone through several different guises since renders were unveiled in December. From the slick silver-edged device, to the roll-topped plastic prototype at CES, the latest renders suggest the final design will be more in keeping with that cheaper-looking prototype, although much slimmer. They're reportedly considering launching two different models, with the key difference being how thin they are—either 12.9mm or 11.6mm, which suggests different displays being used.

Pitting it against the iPad, CEO Rohan Shravan told SlashGear that due to the Nvidia chip and Pixel Qi screen, the Adam will have a battery life at least two times longer. Plus, it'll be able to output 1080p video whereas Apple's tablet can only manage up to 576p, AND they're exploring the use of Flash, which will apparently be shown off next week.

Recognizing that despite offering more spec than the iPad they still have a battle on their hands, they're encouraging development for the Adam with a $1m bounty being put up for creating apps. They haven't officially announced the competition yet, but as soon as we hear we'll let you know how you can put your creative genius to work. [SlashGear]

Read More...

Summary only...