Hacked hearing aids produce stellar ambient tunes from WiFi signals

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2014/12/03/ambient-noise-hearing-aid-wifi-signals/

What if we could hear the numerous invisible data frequencies that swirl around us every day? That's exactly what a project from hearing-impaired writer Frank Swain and artist Daniel Jones aims to do. Phantom Terrains is the proper name of the effort, and by hacking Swain's Bluetooth-enabled hearing aids, the duo has transformed WiFi signals into ambient sounds. So instead of seeing the device as a prosthetic, it's used as a sort of super power. The modification allows him to stroll around and listen to the range of tones electromagnetic signals provide -- like the pattern of a network's security parameters. And of course, no one else nearby can pick them up.

"The project challenges the notion of assistive hearing technology as a prosthetic, re-imagining it as an enhancement that can surpass the ability of normal human hearing," the pair's website explains. "By using an audio interface to communicate data feeds rather than a visual one, Phantom Terrains explores hearing as a platform for augmented reality that can immerse us in continuous, dynamic streams of data." With plenty of invisible signals floating around, there's no end to the amount of data that's ripe for this sort of transformation. And thanks to designer Stefanie Posavec, detailed maps of signal data along the way make for quite the interesting visual compliment.

Filed under: Misc, Alt

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Via: Wired

Source: Phantom Terrains

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Scientist's new rewriteable 'paper' is actually made of glass or plastic

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2014/12/04/rewritable-paper-yes-really/

If you ask us, the idea of rewritable paper seems pretty redundant no matter how high-tech it is. Apparently that didn't cross the mind of scientists at the University of California, Riverside. See, that's where Yadong Yin and his colleagues are using special color-switching dyes (called "redox") and an ultra-violet light to put text on a physical medium. In this case, that's a glass or plastic film like the tile above. The school says that these can be rewritten some 20 times without a significant loss in contrast or resolution, and could presumably replace the dead trees we're used to printing documents on. At this point, you're probably wondering how you erase the old text off, and that's fair -- even your favorite rubber pencil-cap won't do a thing here.

Apparently, all wiping the surface clean takes is throwing some heat at it. Yin and crew are working to bring the efficiency up to 100 rewrites, extend the text's lifespan beyond its current three-day mortality as well as developing a paper version. And no, this wasn't funded by Sony: the United States Department of Energy picked up the tab.

Filed under: Science, Alt

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Via: UPI

Source: University of California, Nature Communications

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Light-bending silicon strips are the key to super-fast computers

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2014/12/04/stanford-light-bending-silicon/

No, that's not a barcode you're looking at -- instead, it's the likely future of computing. Stanford University researchers have developed an optical link that uses silicon strips to bend light at right angles, which future processors will likely need to transmit data at super-fast speeds. The key, as you might have gathered, is the series of gaps. When light hits the device, the combination of those gaps and silicon sends different wavelengths left and right. You're not limited to specific light bands or directions, either; you can use an algorithm to design the link you need within a matter of minutes.

The technology is still young, but it's designed to be compatible with existing fiber optic networks and could theoretically improve transfers on high-capacity data lines (such as internet backbones) in ways that aren't possible with conventional optics. However, that's just the start. Stanford's dream is to develop photonic computer chips that replace "slow" electrical connections with much quicker, light-based pathways. You need more than just optical links to make that happen, but they're an important piece in the puzzle. You'll know who to thank if you eventually buy a photonic PC or phone that leaves your current hardware in the dust.

[Image credit: Vuckovic Lab]

Filed under: Networking, Science, Internet

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Source: Stanford, Nature

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Amazon launches a restaurant takeout and delivery service

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2014/12/04/amazon-local-takeout-delivery/

Amazon's already shown that it's intent on replacing your grocery store, with same-day deliveries and its Dash scanner, but now it wants to help at those times when you don't want to be in the kitchen. As part of its latest Amazon Local expansion, the internet retailer has launched a new Takeout & Delivery service, allowing customers to browse available local restaurants and order a freshly-cooked meal for pickup or have it delivered to their door. If you've used Grubhub or Seamless (before they merged) then you know the drill.

Currently, Amazon is trialling the service in Seattle. It offers dishes from over 100 local restaurants and will let you pay using the same Amazon account you use for your Prime deliveries. However, as we've seen in the past, the company doesn't like to limit services to one city for very long. With Amazon already listing tradespeople to help fix new TVs to the wall in homes in New York City and Seattle, it appears the company is intent on building out a physical presence locally -- without actually having to get its hands dirty.

Filed under: Household, Internet, Amazon

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Via: Werner Vogels (Twitter)

Source: Amazon Local

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Square's new restaurant delivery app lets you track your meal

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2014/12/04/caviar-for-iphone/

Square's seemingly odd decision to buy a restaurant delivery service is starting to make sense. The company has just released Caviar's first mobile app for iOS, letting you order high-quality cooking from your iPhone in eligible cities like Chicago, New York and San Francisco. You've probably seen the basic concept of a delivery app before, but there's a clever twist here. This is more like Uber for haute cuisine; you can not only check the status of your order, but follow couriers as they bring your meal. In theory, you won't be caught off-guard when your food arrives.

There's no mention of apps for other platforms. However, it won't be surprising if those are coming soon. To Square, Caviar is a way to keep restaurants using its payment services whether or not you visit their dining rooms -- it's in the company's best interests to save you the trouble of booking a table when you'd rather stay in.

Filed under: Cellphones, Internet, Mobile

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Source: App Store

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