drag2share: When Dell Kills Off Netbooks, You Know They're Done For Good [Laptops]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5868692/when-dell-kills-off-netbooks-you-know-theyre-done-for-good

Netbooks? They're already dead to us. But that hasn't stopped manufacturers churning them out. Now Dell has announced that it's killing them off — a sure sign they're done.

Let's face it: Dell might sell a lot of computers — hey, even discontinued ones to the US Government! — but it's hardly revolutionary.

Now, Dell has announced that it's through with netbooks, and has already stopped selling their Inspiron Minis. It also has no intention of releasing new netbooks based on Intel's forthcoming Cedar Trail platform. In other words, it is done with the category.

And when a company as far from the cutting-edge as Dell announces that it's pulling out of the netbook game, it means that the breed of underpowered computers is officially dead. Gone. Forgotten forever. Don't be sad though — they were always crap anyway.

Speaking to The Verge, Dell's Marketing Director Alison Gardner was clear about their strategy for the future: "Thin and powerful is where it is at for us." Notice how she didn't use the world Ultrabook? Well done, Dell! You're going up in my estimations. [Liliputing via The Verge]

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drag2share: Microsoft takes the wraps off of So.cl, a search-based social network for students

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/15/microsoft-takes-the-wraps-off-of-so-cl-a-search-based-social-ne/

A few months back we got a quick sneak peek at Microsoft's social experiment which was, at the time, called Tulalip. Now it's finally gone official and scored an even harder to pronounce name So.cl. The basic premise is this: you sign up and search for stuff (using Bing, naturally) and your queries are automatically shared with your friends. From there things get even stranger. The Video Party feature lets users group chat while watching the same clip online, but there's no video chat. You also can't upload photos, but you can make a "montage" of images collected from around the web. To kick start what Microsoft sees as less of a social and more of a learning network, the company has partnered with NYU, Syracuse and the University of Washington. Hit up the source link for more details and to add your name to the waiting list -- for now Redmond's social search toy is in a limited beta.

Microsoft takes the wraps off of So.cl, a search-based social network for students originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Dec 2011 18:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: Researchers turn a DSLR into hyperspectral camera using PVC and duct tape, MacGyver green with envy

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/15/researchers-turn-a-dslr-into-hyperspectral-camera-using-pvc-and/

Hyperspectral imaging is a method that captures a far greater amount of the electromagnetic spectrum than a regular photograph. This makes it ideal for a variety of uses, from night vision to identifying mineral deposits from afar, but the problem is that hyperspectral sensors don't come cheap. However, some intrepid imaging scientists have come up with a way to turn your DSLR into a hyperspectral camera using stock SLR glass, a gel diffraction filter, PVC pipe, duct tape, some serious ingenuity and plenty of elbow grease. Thusly did they build a (relatively) cheap-as-chips imaging spectrometer that can deliver spectral resolution equal to that of commercial solutions at a far lower cost.

The result of their labor is a computed tomography image spectrometer (CTIS), which takes hyperspectral images by splitting light into spectral bands with a diffuser and recording them using a Canon EOS 5D Mark I in HDR mode. As constructed, the prototype takes a spectral resolution of up to 4.89nm in a 120 x 120 pixel area, though at a longer exposure time than dedicated devices. Having proven their concept, the plan is to build another lens extension using custom tubes and lenses that'll both reduce weight and increase the aperture to shorten the exposure time -- all for less than a grand. You can see both the camera's construction and some sample images in the gallery below, plus you can dig deep into the nitty gritty behind this bit of imaging black magic at the source link.

Gallery: DSLR hyperspectral camera

Researchers turn a DSLR into hyperspectral camera using PVC and duct tape, MacGyver green with envy originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Dec 2011 19:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  Vienna University of Technology  | Email this | Comments

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drag2share: Intel not planning to run around and desert USB as Ivy Bridge gets 3.0 certification

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/15/intel-not-planning-to-run-around-and-desert-usb-as-ivy-bridge-ge/

A few months back, there was some concern that Intel's Ivy Bridge chipset wouldn't come with USB 3.0 certification -- planning to push its proprietary Thunderbolt standard instead. The company acted quickly to soothe the panic of gadget fans concerned they'd have to replace their new external HDDs, but the USB Implementers Forum didn't say much beyond the odd nasty snipe at the new technology. Fortunately, the crew at the USB-IF have now given their blessing toward the union 'twixt 22nm processor and super-speed universal serial bus. Since AMD jumped on this bandwagon back in April, we can pretty much guarantee that we'll be plugging flash drives in the wrong way for years to come.

Continue reading Intel not planning to run around and desert USB as Ivy Bridge gets 3.0 certification

Intel not planning to run around and desert USB as Ivy Bridge gets 3.0 certification! origina lly appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Dec 2011 20:35:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: Pastmapper looks to take Google Maps back in time

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/15/pastmapper-looks-to-take-google-maps-back-in-time/

There's not exactly a ton to see there just yet, but a new website called Pastmapper has some pretty ambitious plans, and it's off to a fairly decent start. With a little help from the Google Maps API, it's aiming to provide maps of cities as they were in the past, complete with local business information, accurate streets, and even changes to things like hills and coastline. To kick things off, site founder Brad Thompson has debuted version 0.1 of the site with map of San Francisco as it was in 1853, including information from the A.W. Morgan & Company's San Francisco City Directory. Take a gander for yourself at the source link below -- and, if you're interested, Thompson is currently looking for some help to expand it.

Pastmapper looks to take Google Maps back in time originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Dec 2011 22:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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