Turn Paper Airplanes Into Full-On Drones With This Little Rod of Power

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5983425/turn-paper-airplanes-into-full+on-drones-with-this-little-rod-of-power

Everybody loves a good paper airplane, but the problem is they only fly straight, and that's only so much fun. Well, that about to be a problem of the past. Thanks to the Power Up 3.0, you can not only outfit your paper creations with a motor, but steer them directly from your phone.

A new version of the company's previous paper-plane powerpack, the 3.0 not only pushes your plane forward, but has a remote controlled tail you can tweak with the accompanying iPhone app to steer your little jet in for whatever kind of landing you can manage. All you have to do is set the drive-shaft into the fold of your airplane and its ready to go. The PowerUp 3.0 is due out this fall and, unfortunately, we didn't get the chance to actually see the sucker in action, but if it lives up to even half of its promise, it should be a blast. We can't wait to get our hands on one. Or maybe two. Dogfights, baby.

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Samsung details Innovation Centers in San Francisco and New York, focusing hard on software + hardware marriage

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/02/11/samsung-details-innovation-centers-in-san-francisco-and-new-york/

David Eun, presently serving as EVP at Samsung's Open Innovation Center after stints at AOL, Google, Time Warner and NBC Entertainment, just took the stage here in Dana Point, California during the opening night of D:Dive Into Media 2013. Given the media / content focus of the event, the conversation between Eun and host Kara Swisher revolved almost entirely on Samsung's role in the world of content, production, connectedness and distribution. Starting things off with a bang, he affirmed that Samsung is opening two new Innovation Centers that'll act as idea accelerators. In a way, this is Samsung getting into the funding game, which certainly adds a new twist to an industry that has largely been dominated by angels that aren't necessarily a part of a major corporation.

Initially, one will be opening up in the Bay Area, while the other gets planted at an undisclosed location in New York City. Eun noted that in the past, Samsung was "focused on manufacturing hardware," but it realized some time ago that you "have to get both hardware and software right." He stated that the company as a whole has been "investing quite significantly over the past few years on software," and turning to how it impacts content, he explained an internal company process that aims to gather insight about consumers. Not necessarily in the creepy, privacy-invading kind of insight, but in the way of discovering what consumers want, but don't yet have in the marketplace.

Gallery: Samsung's David Eun at D:Dive Into Media 2013

Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Samsung

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LG reveals Optimus L Series II, dual-SIM L7II is the first to launch

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/02/11/lg-reveals-optimus-l-series-ii-dual-sim-l7ii-is-the-first-to-la/

As usual, LG can't wait for the show to start to display its latest phones and is previewing the Optimus L Series II line ahead of MWC 2013. Just like its predecessors, the L Series II will come in a variety of sizes, with a 3.2-inch L3II, 4.0-inch L5II and 4.3-inch L7II on the way. According to LG, the second coming of the L Style adds Seamless Layout, Laser Cut Contour, Radiant Rear Design and Smart LED Lighting (the button at the bottom has a lighted edge) design elements to the beauty of the original phones. Other than screen size, the different versions will also feature different batteries, ranging from 2,460mAh in the largest to 1,540mAh in the smallest.

The L7II will be first to launch and has the most details, with specs listing a 1GHz dual-core Qualcomm MSM8225 CPU, up to 4GB internal storage, 768MB RAM and a microSD slot, plus WVGA IPS screen and 8MP rear / VGA front camera setup. The dual-SIM version seen in earlier leaks will debut in Russia this week with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean on board, availability for the other new phones will be announced later. The full rundown of new features and a pair of pictures are after the break, while you check those we'll keep an eye out for any more surprises from LG before the show floor opens in Barcelona.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, LG

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LG promo confirms 5.5-inch Optimus G Pro for Korea

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/02/11/lg-promo-confirms-5-5-inch-optimus-g-pro-for-korea/

If you were worried that you might have to wait until Mobile World Congress to learn whether or not a 5.5-inch version of the Optimus G Pro was real, your mind can rest at ease. While hoping to drum up buzz for a launch beyond Japan, the company has ever-so-casually mentioned that at least the South Korean edition of the G Pro has a 5.5-inch, full HD screen -- half an inch larger than the Japanese model, and just as large as the panel on the Galaxy Note II. Want to know more? That's part of the promo. Borrowing a page from Sony, LG promises to reveal more of the phone the more Facebook Likes it receives. While previous tips suggest that the 5.5-inch edition will mostly be a larger take on an already supersized device, it's still very tempting to click that Like button -- just don't expect one of the mentioned prizes if you live beyond LG's native borders.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, LG

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Source: LG Social (translated), LG Electronics (Facebook)

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Sandboxr lets us easily make custom-posed, 3D-printed figurines (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/02/08/sandboxr-lets-us-easily-make-custom-posed-3d-printed-figurines/

Where was Sandboxr when we were kids? Instead of dragging our parents around on a hunt for the perfect figurine, we could have used the company's new web app to easily manipulate a virtual model and get a 3D printed statuette in the exact pose we wanted. There's compensation for the lost opportunities of our childhood, however. The creation tool allows for customized accessories, scenes and sizing, and it's expected to have reasonable prices of about $12 for a 2.5-inch character and over $20 for a 3.5-inch version. The best news may simply be the likelihood of a figurine existing in the first place -- Sandboxr sees itself as a platform for everyone from 3D animators through to game developers and dedicated toy companies, many of which can use existing 3D models to start a collectible line. The printing service is currently invitation-only and plans a Kickstarter fundraising drive to scale larger, but it's easy to see an end to the days of limited edition figurines -- much to the delight of our inner child.

Filed under: Misc, Household

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Via: Wired

Source: Sandboxr

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