| Adobe demonstrates legitimate Photoshop capabilities on iPad, deems it but a concept (video) Posted: 31 Mar 2011 11:17 AM PDT So, here's a thought. Why, if you were a dutiful Adobe employee, would you waste countless days and weeks creating what could very well be the next big iPad app, only to deem it a concept and never actually promise a real release? Exactly. During the 2011 edition of Photoshop World, a bigwig from the company took the stage in order to showcase what could soon be possible with Photoshop on-the-go, and if you've been wowed by the powers of Photoshop Express, you'll be utterly floored by what Adobe has been able to do here. The wildest part, in our estimation, is the absence of stuttering when manipulating multiple images and applying filters, but then again, they may be working with a pixel-optimized set of shots (versus a full-size RAW, for example) in this particular demo. As we said, no one's even confirming that this has any hope of breaching reality, but we're going ahead and making the outlandish assumption that Adobe's not just wasting our (and its own) time by showcasing this in public. Video's below, bub. [Thanks, Nick] |
| Mesmerizing Touch Wood SH-08C ad showcases Japan's beauty, mankind's ingenuity (video) Posted: 31 Mar 2011 10:59 AM PDT Sharp isn't apt to sell but 15,000 of its Touch Wood SH-08C handsets, but after watching the ad below, you can bet there will be demand for more. It's a bit baffling to think of the trouble Drill, Inc. went through in order to assemble the pieces necessary for a wooden ball to trickle down a homegrown marimba, particularly in the midst of Kyushu, Japan's woodlands. Kenjiro Matsuo was responsible for the creation of the instrument, while Morihiro Harano is being handed credit for the idea itself; in fact, he confirmed to The New York Times that no artificial music was added whatsoever, with only the background levels being adjusted up for effect. You may have never listened to a piece of classic music in your life, but you're sorely missing out if you ignore Bach's Cantata 147, "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring." Or, at least the version in that video below. |
| HP enables Google Cloud Print on ePrint printers right out of the box Posted: 31 Mar 2011 10:25 AM PDT Man, remember when transferring data to your printer required a big fat cable and physical proximity to your ink spitter? Thankfully, we live in more refined times now and HP and Google have hooked up to deliver the first printers with driverless Cloud Print support, making the whole thing that extra bit easier. HP ePrint printers were already sophisticated enough to receive instructions via email and now they're casting aside the need for a connected PC to talk to Google's Cloud Print service as well. All you need is your machine's @hpeprint.com email address and then you're away, zipping pictures and text from your smartphone, tablet or laptop to the HP paper decorator. It's all seamless and wireless and probably feels like the future when you're doing it. We'd tell you, but we stopped printing stuff in 2004. Show full PR text HP ePrint-enabled Printers First to Support Google Cloud Print
Easily and securely print from Google apps without a PC connection or print driver
PALO ALTO, Calif., March 31, 2011
HP today announced that Google Cloud Print users can print directly to any HP ePrint-enabled printer from any Google Cloud Print supported app on any computer or smartphone.
HP's portfolio of web-connected and cloud-aware printers for home and business are the first to support Google Cloud Print out of the box.
The combination of Google Cloud Print and HP ePrint printers makes printing from any web, mobile or desktop app that supports Google Cloud Print more intuitive, accessible and useful by eliminating the need for a print driver or PC connection to the printer. Apps supported by Google Cloud print currently include Gmail for Mobile, Google Docs for Mobile and Chrome OS, and will expand to include third-party apps.
"Making it easy for our customers to print where and how they want is a top priority for HP," said Stephen Nigro, senior vice president, Imaging and Printing Group, HP. "With HP ePrint and cloud-aware printers, you get the best experience printing via Google Cloud Print."
Users simply add the unique email address of their HP ePrint-enabled Photosmart, Officejet or LaserJet Pro to their Google account, which provides the ability to print easily and securely from Google apps to the selected HP printer.
"Users are rapidly migrating to web and mobile apps, and Google Cloud Print brings full-featured printing capabilities to these apps," said Mike Jazayeri, director, Product Management, Google. "We are excited that HP has brought the first-generation of cloud-ready printers to market. While cloud printing is possible with any printer that is connected to a PC, users can achieve a more streamlined, intuitive experience by printing directly to a cloud-ready printer."
A full list of HP printers compatible with Google Cloud Print and more information on HP ePrint is available at www.hp.com/united-states/campaigns/hp-eprint-google-cloud-print/. |
| Israel gets its first EV battery swap station, makes charging stations obsolete Posted: 31 Mar 2011 10:14 AM PDT Don't get us wrong, we think electric vehicles are totally rad and all, but there's still the whole recharging thing that makes us a little wary. That's why we're stoked to hear that Better Place's first battery swap station for EVs (and not just special Japanese cabbies) has officially opened its doors in Israel... for owners of the Renault Fluence Z.E. All it takes is an RFID card to enter the carwash-esque structure, and robots from below swap out your empty battery for a fully charged alternative while you occupy yourself for three minutes. No word on how much it'll cost for the opportunity, but we've got an inkling it won't be cheap. Fortunately, we've got apps and "get you home" guarantees for that additional peace of mind, but we do hope the concept eventually makes its way over to our shores. Of course, we're also still waiting for eternal battery life in all of our electronics, but until that day comes invisible robots changing batteries for us will suffice. |
| World Backup Day reminds you to backup your world, today Posted: 31 Mar 2011 09:52 AM PDT It's a bit less silly than the National Day of Unplugging, but unless your weekend starts on Thursday, there's nary a snowball's chance in Hades that you're going to skip tonight's network comedy lineup in order to do something that you can clearly put off until tomorrow. But what if, dear readers, your data doesn't make until tomorrow? What if those images from your first date vanish into the ether? What if you spend $4,598 next week in vain as a perplexed computer technician asks you if you'd ever considered backing your critical data up? For those that choose to act on World Backup Day, that future isn't one you'll have to consider, and a host of online backup services are urging you to sign up today in order to protect what's most important to you: your stash of decidedly unbecoming Facebook messages. We'd also suggest investing in a NAS or RAID setup for your home, but throwing everything into a fireproof safe four miles below Arches National Park probably isn't a bad idea, either. You know -- in case your fail-safe fails. Not that we'd ever consider fear mongering... |
| Vestas unveils massive 7-megawatt offshore wind turbine (video) Posted: 31 Mar 2011 09:29 AM PDT Building and putting any sort of offshore wind turbine into place is a fairly impressive bit of engineering, but Denmark's Vestas is truly going the extra mile with its new V164-7.0 MW turbine. Not only does it promise to provide seven megawatts of power but, as you can see above, each of the blades is longer than nine double-decker buses, which gives the turbine itself a larger total diameter than the London Eye. Of course, the company also hopes that there will eventually be not just a few of these but massive farms of the turbines at sea (the North Sea, specifically), although that won't exactly happen overnight -- Vestas only expects to have the first prototypes ready by the end of 2012, with full production expected to begin in the first quarter of 2015. Head on past the break for a video -- don't worry, nothing like this happens. [Thanks, Alex]
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| Intels of Intel's X79 chipset exposed: 14 USB 2.0 ports but not a one with 3.0? Posted: 31 Mar 2011 09:07 AM PDT Finally all's well in the Sandy Bridge camp, Intel exorcizing the demons and getting its current generation of hardware flowing smoothly. You know what that means: it's time for the next, a revision called X79 that will supersede the current X58 chipset sometime toward the beginning of 2012. According to the leaked slide above, X79 motherboards will feature 2011-pin LGA sockets for E-series CPUs, where 'E' stands for "Enthusiast" not "Elephant." 14 SATA connections are available, 10 of which will manage 6Gb/s, and another 14 USB 2.0 ports means you can have just about every USB-powered member of the Crapgadget Hall of Fame connected simultaneously. That said, there's no mention of a single USB 3.0 port, something of a bummer for those hoping that standard would be, well, standard by 2012. Of course Intel's thrown its weight behind Light Peak Thunderbolt, but curiously there's no integrated support for that, either. |
| Leviton announces Evr-Green 120 portable EV charger, pledges no unsightly shedding of leaves Posted: 31 Mar 2011 08:46 AM PDT Lack of public EV charging stations got you down? Range anxiety a frustrating part of life? Wouldn't life be grand if you could just carry around an outlet in your trunk? Smile, friend, because Leviton's got just the bit your boot's been looking for. It's the Evr-Green 120 Level 1 Portable Charger, able to be plugged into any 15- or 20-amp household outlet before the other end goes into your car's receptacle. Level 1 chargers are not the fastest, often taking 20 or more hours to put a full charge into big batteries, but if you just need to top-up and do it on the go this could be a great solution. It's also one of the first truly portable chargers we've seen. The Best Buy charger for the Focus Electric (which is also from Leviton) is technically portable, but it's obviously meant for bolting to the wall. This one looks to fit neatly in the trunk right next to all your hockey gear, though the ice might well be thawed before this releases -- Leviton is only pledging a rather vague "2011" for availability. Show full PR text Leviton Announces UL Listing for Portable Charger
Part of the Evr-Green™ Line of Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment,
Charger Maximizes Driver Flexibility
Melville, New York, March 30, 2011 – Leviton today announced the Evr-GreenTM 120 Level 1 Portable Charger, which allows drivers to charge a plug-in vehicle anywhere a standard outlet is available, has received Underwriters Laboratories Inc.® (UL) Listing for Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) in the United States and Canada.
Available for purchase this spring, the charger is part of Leviton's Evr-Green line of residential, commercial and public charging equipment. The Portable Charger can be plugged into any standard 15-amp or 20-amp, 125-volt grounded receptacle found in almost all homes, buildings and public facilities. The charger allows drivers to charge an electric vehicle at home, or to take the charger with them, allowing them to plug in at stops along the way or when they arrive at their destination.
Evr-Green chargers comply with all industry standards, including the current National Electrical Code®. Assembled in the United States, the chargers are backed by a three-year warranty, and are compatible with all major automakers' plug-in vehicles (SAE J1772TM compliant).
"Consumers look to UL as a leading resource for safety information and we're proud that our Evr-Green 120 Level 1 Portable Charger meets the demanding UL product safety testing requirements. With the Portable Charger's UL listing, we continue to provide our customers with the highest-quality, safest and most sustainable products on the market," said Mike Mattei, vice president and general manager for Leviton's Commercial and Industrial Division. "The Portable Charger, which consumers can pack and take with them, eases 'range anxiety' concerns by allowing drivers to recharge nearly anywhere there is an outlet."
A convenient handle and a cord management system allow for easy transport and storage. The portable cord set also has a selectable charge rate to minimize circuit overload.
In addition, a watertight, dust-tight and corrosion-resistant enclosure provides for indoor/outdoor use. The enclosure is constructed with an eco-friendly PBT resin that features a 50 percent to 85 percent lower carbon footprint than other thermoplastics. The patent pending design also has a dockable holder for the J1772 charge connector. This holder enables consumers to conveniently store the connector.
"We conducted extensive primary and secondary market research in the design and development of the Evr-Green 120 Level 1 Portable Charger," said Manoj Karwa, project leader, Leviton EVSE Programs. "Our goal was to use environmentally friendly components and develop an enhanced ergonomic design to provide consumers with a product that delivers exceptional electrical, mechanical and aesthetic performance."
The Evr-Green product line has been specifically developed to meet stringent automotive quality, product development and testing requirements. The products are planned to be available through multiple channels including electrical distributors, retail, online and through automakers in 2011.
About Leviton
Leviton is a global leader in electrical wiring devices, data center connectivity solutions and lighting energy management systems. A member of the USGBC (United States Green Building Council), Leviton was founded at the turn of the 20th century, and has grown to become a preeminent leader in the industry. Today Leviton's product portfolio consists of over 25,000 devices and systems used in homes, businesses and industry. Nine out of ten buildings and homes throughout North America use products made by Leviton and builders, electrical contractors and other industry professionals rank Leviton products #1 in brand preference. Leviton products are the smart choice for smart professionals. For more information, visit leviton.com. To request more information about Leviton's Evr-Green portfolio, visit http://www.evrgreeninfo.com. |
| Xperia Play meets shipping delays in UK, Vodafone and Three bump launch to next week Posted: 31 Mar 2011 08:23 AM PDT Sony Ericsson's Xperia Play isn't having the best of starts in the world, having been delayed by UK carrier O2 due to " software issues," and it's now missing its targeted launch date of April 1st with two more of the local operators, Vodafone and Three. Both have today announced that, due to shipping issues, they won't be able to meet tomorrow's launch date -- leaving only Orange on track to release it on time. T-Mobile, Orange's partner in Everything Everywhere, says it'll have the Xperia Play in "mid-April." Still, the wait isn't that much longer as Three hopes to sell you a Play "early next week" and Vodafone, a bit more cautiously, is shooting for availability "as soon as possible." |
| Obama says federal fleet to run on alternative fuels starting in 2015 Posted: 31 Mar 2011 08:01 AM PDT  Chances are the Secret Service won't be ditching its signature black SUVs for these things anytime soon, but if all goes according to President Obama's new energy plan, even the Commander in Chief's armed guards will be rolling more eco-friendly in the next three years. In a speech given at Georgetown University Wednesday, the President said he expects all government agencies "to purchase 100 percent alternative fuel, hybrid, or electric vehicles by 2015." Now, that doesn't mean they'll have to get rid of pre-existing gas guzzlers, but any new purchases made after the cutoff date will be expected to comply -- the government's current fleet consists of 660,000 vehicles, 400,000 of which run on gasoline. Among other things, the President also called for increased infrastructure for the production of biofuels made from things like wood chips and switchgrass. So no, Cadillac One probably won't be replaced by a rechargeable egg car, but if Uncle Sam's taking suggestions, we'd be happy to make a recommendation -- Wheego Whip LiFe One does have a nice ring to it. Doesn't it? |
| ASUS Eee Pad Transformer shows up at Best Buy for $400 Posted: 31 Mar 2011 07:38 AM PDT Never mind the cringe-inducing advertising, ASUS has given us a much better reason to care about its Tegra 2-toting Eee Pad Transformer: a $400 price. The 10.1-inch Honeycomb tablet (with 1280 x 800 resolution on an IPS display) has quickly moved from its Taiwanese release, through yesterday's UK pricing announcement, to today showing up at Best Buy in the US, so we suspect its global shipping can't be far off at all. With a sticker that's a clear $99 less than the cheapest iPad and a good deal more affordable than its Android competition like the Xoom and G-Slate, the Transformer could yet take the tablet world by storm. Do take note that the keyboard dock that inspires this slate's name is an optional extra, but given the starting price, the whole package might still end up less than what others will ask. |
| HTC invites us to 'see what's next' on April 12th Posted: 31 Mar 2011 07:19 AM PDT Would you look at what dropped in our inbox this morning? Good old HTC is cooking up a little somethin' somethin' for an April 12th launch in London town, for an event kicking off at 1.30PM BST or 8.30AM EST. While consulting our solar calendars, we noticed that's when Microsoft's MIX 2011 developer gathering is also getting started, but we're sure it's just a coincidence and HTC isn't about to spring a battery of new Windows Phone 7 devices on us. In fact, if you stare at the invite's image long enough, you might just convince yourself you're looking at a bulging smartphone screen, which could indicate we're talking about the EVO 3D's European launch. You never know with these things. Whatever happens, we'd advise circling the date and making sure your popcorn supplies aren't running low. |
| Logitec's new wireless router is crazy-looking, crazy fast Posted: 31 Mar 2011 06:55 AM PDT The new Logitec ( not Logitech) LAN-WH450N/GR offers four Gigabit Ethernet ports, 802.11a/b/g/n wireless networking that maxes out at a theoretical 450Mbps, and just about the wildest router design we've yet seen. Yes, it's justified by improved wireless throughput as a result of having three antennas sprouting out of the thin-bodied device, but who is Logitec trying to kid? It's a futuristic, desktop-straddling robocopter and everyone at that company knows it. Should you or the geek in your life be interested in obtaining one, the new routers are going on sale in Japan in mid-April for ¥19,000 ($230). |
| World's largest indoor photograph shows off fancy old Czech library Posted: 31 Mar 2011 06:34 AM PDT If you think Google's seven-gigapixel renderings of world famous art museums are impressive, get a load of this: a guy named Jeffrey Martin just produced a record breaking panoramic photo of a reading room in Prague's Strahov monastery library, and it's got the internet giant's Art Project beat by more than 30,000 megapixels. Not that Google's pictures are anything to scoff at, but the 40-gigapixel, 360 degree, 283GB image is something of a digital masterwork. According to Wired, the photograph, taken in February on a GigaPanBot-mounted Canon 550D, is comprised of 2,947 unique images that took a computer program more than four days to stitch together. If you're a fan of 18th century European literature, Franz Anton Maulbertsch's trompe l'oeil paintings, or just ridiculously detailed digital photography, you can peep the image in its entirety at the source link. |
| HTC Flyer parades its many unique qualities in latest video from the company Posted: 31 Mar 2011 06:05 AM PDT Android tablets, everyone's got one, but none are quite like HTC's 7-inch Flyer. Built out of a single piece of aluminum and a great many chunks of silicon, it struts along at a 1.5GHz pace, carries a handy dandy capacitive stylus called Scribe, and offers up a tablet-ified version of HTC's Sense skin on a 1024 x 600 display. It's also the only portable of its kind (so far) to offer the OnLive cloud gaming service. So many features, you'd think someone would go to the effort of summarizing them, perhaps in the form of a stylish video, no? Well, HTC has done exactly that, and its latest product overview vid is embedded for you just after the break.
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| Galaxy Player 5 stops by the FCC, only takes the easy tests Posted: 31 Mar 2011 05:40 AM PDT When you only have WiFi to worry about, testing in the foam rooms of doom at the FCC gets a little bit easier. Or so we'd imagine, anyhow. Samsung's WiFi-only PMP, the Galaxy Player 5 (aka YP-G70, aka Galaxy Player 70), just got rubber-stamped by our favorite federal body, passing with flying colors. While we weren't treated to any teardown antics, we do have the lovely sketch above showing you where you can find the FCC logo. It's the thing on the pointy end of the red arrow above, a label that hopefully you'll be able to see in person very soon. [Thanks, James] |
| Delta E4 electric coupe goes out for a spin, carrying lucky humanoid (video) Posted: 31 Mar 2011 05:13 AM PDT When was the last time you rode in an electric vehicle almost entirely constructed of carbon fiber and good for 250 miles on a charge? We're laying odds on "never," which is why we turned a shade of violent green when we saw Fully Charged host (and part-time Series 4000 Mechanoid) Robert Llewellyn set foot in just such a car. Delta Motorsport's E4 Coupe, originally designed to win an Automotive X-Prize, is the vehicle we're referring to here, and despite the fact that only one-third of its full projected power was available to coax Mr. Llewellyn firmly into his racing seat (four-wheel drive and regenerative braking are also TBD) and set his teeth on edge, we have to give the man some major props for documenting the experience for us on film. Watch it after the break. |
| Foxconn reports $218 million full-year net loss, worse than analysts' expectation Posted: 31 Mar 2011 04:38 AM PDT  Foxconn, the mega-manufacturer behind many popular gadgets, posted a $218.3 million net loss for 2010 yesterday. While the company had previously predicted lower earnings amid suicide-related wage increases and welfare costs, the reported figure is still worse than analysts' estimation of around $202 million, which also far outweighs the prior year's $38.6 million profit. Foxconn puts the blame on higher consolidated income tax and increased competition, as well as "cost streamlining actions" -- a reference to the ongoing relocation and expansion plans, which are also the outcome of the Chinese suicides -- that took longer than expected and led to increased spending along with higher manufacturing overhead. As for 2011, Foxconn said it'll "take decisive actions to conclude our capacity relocation, optimize our cost structure and return to profitability." Of course, further losses could accelerate plans to increase prices, which could ultimately put everyone in a lose-lose situation if Foxconn can't compete. Excerpts from the financial report can be found after the break. Show full PR text MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Review of Results and Operations
The year 2010 was an extremely difficult year for us. We saw major changes in the handset ecosystem triggered by entry of new players, introduction of new software and applications, as well as emergence of new business models. Market dynamics shifted drastically and created tough challenges for some industry players as well as the Company.
Despite our continual efforts to further diversify customer base and sources of revenue, the operation results for the Company concluded less than satisfaction. Revenue for the year 2010 was US$6,626 million, which represents a change of US$588 million, or 8.2% less than the prior year revenue of US$7,214 million.
The intensifying market share struggles among global OEM brands had made the global handset EMS market difficult and caused pricing pressure for the Group's products. Higher manufacturing overhead resulting primarily from lower utilization of facilities and relocation, changes in product mix, impairment losses, continued long-term investment in research and development activities as well as higher consolidated income tax also affected our financial performance. Loss for the year 2010 attributable to equity holders of the Company was US$218 million, representing a decline of 659% over the profit for prior year amount of US$39 million. Basic loss per share for the year 2010 were US3.06 cents.
In 2010, we continued to execute our capacity re-location programs, which commenced in the latter part of 2008. These efforts were set out to right size the cost and scale of our operations in order to cope with the challenges in our business. In PRC, we continued to focus on expansion in Langfang, Beijing and Tianjin, while reducing our exposure in the higher cost areas. We initiated discussions with Hon Hai group companies to transfer some less utilized assets to satisfy their growing demand and trim down our fixed costs. Outside of the PRC, we also reviewed our local business opportunities and constantly looked to improve profitability of our various sites. Some of these cost streamlining actions took longer than we had expected and thus created unfavorable impact to our financial performance. Relocation and downturn of our business also generated asset impairments that hit our bottom line.
While the cost optimization efforts persisted, we did not slow down our R&D investments. Our investments in design engineering resources for smart phones started to see good progress in 2010. It is our belief that we have built respectable capabilities in this area which will help our customers tremendously in enriching their product portfolio and shortening their products' time to market. Smart phones have generated strong growth momentum in the market and we believe our investments in this area will prove to be vital for our future.
Outlook
Looking ahead to 2011, our alarming setback in 2010 has created a sense of urgency in the organization. We need to change as the market is changing and our customers are changing. We need to take decisive actions to conclude our capacity re-location, optimize our cost structure and return to profitability. As part of the efforts for resources consolidation, we have discussed with Hon Hai group to sell our Taiyuan legal entity and its assets to them. Subject to independent shareholders' approval and completion of the transaction, we believe it will help us in reducing our fixed costs for operation while allowing Hon Hai to further expand in the Taiyuan area. We need to serve our existing customers better and approach more new customers. As smart phones become the mainstream of the market, we believe our end-to-end solutions from design to manufacturing and services put us in a leading position in the market place.
Employees
As at 31 December 2010, the Group had a total of 126,687 (2009: 118,702) employees. Total staff costs incurred during the year 2010 amounted to US$565 million (2009: US$485 million). The Group offers a comprehensive remuneration policy which is reviewed by the management on a regular basis.
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| Samsung Galaxy S getting a 1.4GHz '2011 edition' next month (update: confirmed) Posted: 31 Mar 2011 03:59 AM PDT You didn't think Samsung was going to leave the classic Galaxy S handset in the past, did you? Dmitriy Ryabinin of hi-tech.mail.ru has tracked down the above comparison sheet showing off a new variant of the 4-inch Android phone, this time packing a 1.4GHz Qualcomm MSM8255T chip and a 14.4Mbps HSPA+ radio. Other than those upgrades and a 1650mAh battery, it's a faithful reproduction of last year's original and should be arriving in Russia around the end of April for a price of just under 24,000 rubles ($846). What gives us faith in this apparent leak is our earlier sighting of a 3.7-inch Galaxy S2 "Mini" device from Samsung, which also clocks in at a mighty 1.4GHz. Coincidence? We doubt it. [Thanks, Andy] Update: That was quick. Samsung's Russian mouthpiece has confirmed all of the above, adding note of a metal back cover and a Galaxy S Plus name for markets outside of Russia. Sadly, there's no word as to where else it might be showing up. |
| UK's first fuel cell-powered black cab hits the streets of London Posted: 31 Mar 2011 03:38 AM PDT It may not look much different than your average black cab on the outside (decals aside), but it's quite a different story under the hood of this taxi, which has just been deemed road legal in the UK. Developed by Intelligent Energy, the cab actually includes both a fuel cell with a 30 kW net output and a 14 kWh lithium polymer battery pack, which combined promise to provide enough juice for a full day of operation -- along with a top speed of 81 MPH and acceleration from zero to sixty in fourteen seconds. Londoners won't be seeing them everywhere just yet, however, as the company only expects the first fleet to be ready sometime next year in time for the 2012 Olympics. Show full PR text Road Legal Fuel Cell Black Cabs Make First Appearance on London's Roads
Posted 28th March 2011
LOUGHBOROUGH, UK, 28th March 2011, Intelligent Energy, the global clean power systems company, has announced that the Fuel Cell Black Cabs have taken to the roads of London for the first time since being awarded Road Legal status by the UK Vehicle Certification Authority (VCA). At an event on 22nd March 2011, one of the Intelligent Energy powered taxis travelled from Forbes House, headquarters of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) and the taxi's base for the day, to some of London's most iconic landmarks.
The project to deliver a fleet of the zero emission taxis to the streets of London in time for 2012 is on track, with the first Fuel Cell Black Cabs covering a combined total of over 8,000 miles in road and test track testing conditions. During its first tour of London's roads, one of the Fuel Cell Black Cabs excelled in rush-hour traffic, with smooth and responsive acceleration provided by the fuel cell and electric motors.
Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, wants to make Britain a leader in fuel cell technology and has already announced plans to increase hydrogen refuelling stations around the capital. He said, "These prototype zero-emission taxis are a shining example of British ingenuity, combining revolutionary fuel cell technology with an iconic design classic. This marks an important milestone in my goal to create a cleaner cab fleet, firstly through introduction of the first ever age limits moving towards zero-emission vehicles as they come to market. Affordable and low polluting cabs are within our grasp and I urge manufacturers to accelerate efforts to produce them."
The zero emission taxis have been developed by a consortium, led by Intelligent Energy, which includes Lotus Engineering, London Taxis International and TRW Conekt with part-funding from the UK Government's Technology Strategy Board. The fuel cell and battery powered hybrid taxi provides a 250 mile driving range with rapid refuelling, all within the confines of the body of a conventional London taxi. Now that fully functional, validated, proven vehicles have been produced, the consortium plans to push ahead with the delivery of a fleet to London in time for 2012.
"The Fuel Cell Black Cabs are now road proven with thousands of miles of operation. Indeed, many people may have seen them as they have been driven around various parts of the UK, but we are now happy to formally announce their road legal status and that you will be seeing more of them in the coming months," noted Dr. Henri Winand, Chief Executive of Intelligent Energy. "At a time when London will soon be demonstrating its commitment to excellence in the sporting arena, we are proud to show that the UK can also deliver world-leading zero emissions, fuel cell electric vehicle technology that will make a real difference both to lowering carbon emissions and improving air quality."
Editors Notes:
Energy and Climate Change Secretary Chris Huhne said:
"Green vehicles are taking to the streets in a big way. High petrol prices and the desire to clean up our air quality make them the smart choice. The zero emissions London taxi looks and performs just like a conventional taxi, even over long distances. It's a great British innovation and I look forward to seeing them in service in London next year."
Paul Everitt, Chief Executive of SMMT, said:
"The UK is at the heart of the global low carbon industry and is a leader for research and development into new technologies. Over the coming years the low carbon sector is set to become increasingly important for manufacturers and motorists. The Fuel Cell Black Cab is a terrific example of British engineering skills and pioneering innovation".
The Fuel Cell Black Cab on Westminster Bridge as it passes the Houses of Parliament
About Intelligent Energy
Intelligent Energy is a global clean power systems company, with a range of leading fuel cell and hydrogen generation technologies. The company partners with leading global companies in the transportation, oil and gas, aerospace, defence, distributed generation and portable power markets. Current partners and customers include Scottish & Southern Energy plc and The Suzuki Motor Corporation, with whom Intelligent Energy built the Burgman Fuel Cell Scooter, a recent recipient of European WVTA (Whole Vehicle Type Approval) – a first for any fuel cell vehicle, which qualifies the scooter as safe to use on all EU public roads and another important commercial milestone on the path to clean, user friendly mobility for all. Other Intelligent Energy world's firsts in recent years include the development of the world's first hydrogen fuel cell motorbike and supplying the fuel cell system to Boeing which powered the world's first manned fuel cell aircraft.
In addition to visiting Intelligent Energy, more information is available via Twitter, Youtube, Flickr and LinkedIn. |
| Samsung reportedly installing keylogger software on laptops (update: nope) Posted: 31 Mar 2011 03:07 AM PDT We'll start by saying that we've reached out to Samsung for a response here, but as of now, no reply has been given -- neither a confirmation nor a refusal of truth. Why bother mentioning that? If this here story proves true, Sammy could have a serious problem on its hands -- a problem that'll definitely start with a rash of negative PR, and a quandary that could very well end the outfit up in the courtroom. According to a report by Mohamed Hassan over at Network World, Samsung allegedly took the initiative to install a keylogger into his recently purchased R525 and R540 laptops. The app was noticed right away after a security scan on both systems, with StarLogger popping up with the c:\windows\SL directory. Where things really get strange is on the support line; reportedly, a supervisor informed Mr. Hassan (after an earlier denial) that the company did indeed install the software at the factory in order to "monitor the performance of the machine and to find out how it is being used." Unfortunately, it's difficult to say if this is a widespread issue, or if the tale is entirely correct, but we get the feeling that Samsung will have little choice but to respond in some form or fashion here shortly. Naturally, we'll keep you abreast of the situation -- meanwhile, you may want to reconsider that hate-filled comment you're about to bang out on your Samsung laptop, and instead, feast your eyes on the video just past the break. Update: Kudos to Samsung for hitting this head-on. An hour after we inquired for comment, a company spokesperson tossed over this official quote: "Samsung takes Mr. Hassan's claims very seriously. After learning of the original post this morning on NetworkWorld.com, we launched an internal investigation into this issue. We will provide further information as soon as it is available." Update 2: Samsung's official Korean language blog, Samsung Tomorrow, has a posted an update calling the findings false. According to Samsung, the confusion arose when the VIPRE security software mistakenly identified Microsoft's Slovene language folder ("SL") as Starlogger, which Sammy was able to recreate from an empty c:\windows\SL folder (see image above). So yeah, move along, it's much ado about nothing -- the R525 and R540 laptops are perfectly safe. Update 3: Even StarLogger has stepped up and confirmed the good news; furthermore, it'll be changing the way it structures things so as not to set off any more false-positives. |
| HP EliteBook 2560p and 2760p specs leak out, show Core i7, USB 3.0 and DisplayPort additions Posted: 31 Mar 2011 03:01 AM PDT Let's get the hard facts out of the way first: HP has a pair of as-yet-unannounced laptops in the pipeline, to be dubbed the EliteBook 2560p and 2760p. That info comes straight from a PDF document hosted on HP's servers, and barring a spectacular change in the company's model numbering scheme, the new machines will be replacing the 12.1-inch 2540p and 2740p introduced around this time last year. In less concrete but still likely accurate news, the specs for these machines are expected to include low- and standard-voltage Intel Core i7 processors (of the 2011 variety), USB 3.0 and DisplayPort connectivity, and options for 1440 x 900 resolution on matte displays. The difference between the two EliteBooks is that the 27xx series has typically been a convertible tablet PC while its lesser-numbered sibling is usually a straight ultraportable. Can't be long to go until these ThinkPad X220 competitors get official. [Thanks, D] |
| Google tightening control of Android, insisting licensees abide by 'non-fragmentation clauses'? Posted: 31 Mar 2011 02:12 AM PDT  A storm seems to be brewing over the realm of Android development. Bloomberg's Businessweek spies have received word from "a dozen executives working at key companies in the Android ecosystem" that Google is actively working to gain control and final say over customizations of its popular mobile OS. That might not sound unreasonable, and indeed Google's public position on the matter is that it's seeking to stabilize the platform and ensure quality control, but it does mark a major shift from where Android started -- an open source OS that was also open to manufacturers and carriers to customize as they wish. Not so anymore, we're told, as apparently Mountain View is now demanding that content partnerships and OS tweaks get the blessing of Andy Rubin before proceeding. The alternative, of course, is to not be inside Google's warm and fuzzy early access program, but then, as evidenced by the company recently withholding the Honeycomb source code, you end up far behind those among your competitors who do dance to Google's pipe. Things have gotten so heated, in fact, that complaints have apparently been made to the US Department of Justice. They may have something to do with allegations of Google holding back Verizon handsets with Microsoft's Bing on board, ostensibly in an effort to trip up its biggest search competitor. Another major dissatisfaction expressed by those working with Android code is that Google needs an advance preview of what is being done in order to give it the green light -- which, as noted by a pair of sources familiar with Facebook's Android customization efforts, isn't sitting well with people at all. Google and Facebook are direct competitors in the online space and it's easily apparent how much one stands to gain from knowing the other's plans early. As to the non-fragmentation clauses in licenses, Andy Rubin has pointed out those have been there from the start, but it's only now that Google is really seeking to use them to establish control. The future of Android, therefore, looks to be a little less open and a little more Googlish -- for better or worse. As Nokia's Stephen Elop puts it: "The premise of a true open software platform may be where Android started, but it's not where Android is going." |
| Acer CEO and President Gianfranco Lanci resigns amid disagreement about company's future direction Posted: 31 Mar 2011 01:22 AM PDT Acer's board and CEO don't seem to have been getting along too brilliantly lately and now the situation's come to a point with the resignation of one Mr. Gianfranco Lanci from the company's helm. In a press release just distributed, Acer points out that Lanci held different views from the majority of board members about the "importance on scale, growth, customer value creation, brand position enhancement, and on resource allocation and methods of implementation." Following a few months of discussions that failed to deliver a consensus, both parties have decided it's best to part ways. For now, things continue as normal with Acer's goal still being globalization of its product portfolio, whose centerpiece will remain the personal computer, according to Chairman JT Wang. He'll be the man to take over for Lanci while Acer seeks out a replacement for the outspoken Italian. Show full PR text Acer CEO and President Gianfranco Lanci resigns
With immediate effect
TAIPEI, TAIWAN (March 31, 2011) – Acer CEO and President Gianfranco Lanci has resigned from the company, with immediate effect. Acer Chairman J.T. Wang takes acting role in the interim. The company has commenced with the planning of organizational and operational adjustments for the sustainable future of Acer.
The resignation was approved at a meeting of Acer's Board of Directors today, and the company has communicated internally with its worldwide employees.
On the company's future development, Lanci held different views from a majority of the board members, and could not reach a consensus following several months' of dialog. They placed different levels of importance on scale, growth, customer value creation, brand position enhancement, and on resource allocation and methods of implementation.
The change does not affect current operations which are functioning as normal. Acer's strong management team of multi-nationals has been well-informed and is committed to overseeing and implementing the company strategies, as does the amicable company relations with industry partners persist. Acer will continue to push for globalization, follow its multi-brand and channel business model, develop competitive products and services, and foster closer relations with key vendors and channel partners.
Acer Chairman, J.T. Wang expresses, "The personal computer remains the core of our business. We have built up a strong foundation and will continue to expand within, especially in the commercial PC segment. In addition, we are stepping into the new mobile device market, where we will invest cautiously and aim to become one of the leading players."
"In this new ICT industry," continued Wang, "Acer needs a period of time for adjustment. With the spirit of entrepreneurship, we will face new challenges and look to the future with confidence."
In his role as President and CEO, Lanci has contributed significantly toward Acer's growth. The company expresses its true appreciation for Lanci's efforts and wishes him all the best in his future endeavours. |
| Microsoft lodges antitrust complaint against Google with European Commission, ignores irony Posted: 31 Mar 2011 12:29 AM PDT So Microsoft doesn't like anticompetitive behavior, huh? Since when? Brad Smith, General Counsel for the Redmond rabblerousers, has posted a lengthy blog post outlining Microsoft's concerns with "a pattern of actions that Google has taken to entrench its dominance" in online search and ads, which he claims is detrimental to European consumers. Funnily enough, half the post is about Google's legal issues in the US, but we'll set that aside for now. What this boils down to is that Microsoft is finally taking the gloves off -- Google accused it of pushing other companies to do its dirty work -- and is now adding its name to the list of objectors to Mountain View's stranglehold on search in Europe. The European Commission is already taking a regulatory looksee at Google's tactics, so this isn't sparking off a new investigation, but it does add the glamor of two big names locking legal horns yet again. Hit the source link for Brad's exposition of Google's villainous wrongdoings. |
| Netflix beefing up service center in preparation for global launch Posted: 30 Mar 2011 11:57 PM PDT It's no secret that Netflix has grand plans to expand its global footprint that now feeds media to some 20 million North American subscribers. Hell, the company was boasting of the " significant dollars" allocated to its 2011 international expansion plans just four months ago. While nothing's official yet, we've unearthed a few tantalizing openings posted to the Netflix job site over the last few days that could point to an imminent launch. Notably, Netflix's customer service call center in Hillsboro Oregon is gearing up to expand its scope of operations beyond North America. Two new job postings for a Training Supervisor and Quality Assurance Analyst both mention the need to prepare for "rapid" international expansion and "will support a specific country / region outside of North America." The Training Supervisor is being hired specifically to educate customer service reps in preparation for that future international growth. Neflix is looking for fluency in English in addition to Dutch, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese (Brazilian and European), and Spanish (Latin American and European), leaving things pretty wide open with regard to the countries targeted for initial launch. We do know that Netflix had plans to launch in the UK way back in 2004 -- plans that were ultimately scrapped in order to focus on its core US business (and later Canada). But if not the UK then we should at least expect to see Netflix target the European continent first if a statement attributed to CEO Reed Hastings from way back in January of 2010 still rings true: "the big market for Hollywood content (after the U.S.) is Europe...Third is Asia. Fourth is the rest of the world." Can't let Amazon have the market to itself now can we Reed? [Thanks, Chico] |
| Lasers let deaf ears pick up what the sonic world is putting down Posted: 30 Mar 2011 11:01 PM PDT Not going to front: we've a soft spot in our heart for focused beams of light. We've seen 'em rid the world of its space junk and set the pace of human hearts, and now, they're taking a leading role in aural advancement. As improbable as it sounds, a research team from the University of Utah led by Richard Rabbitt has found that lasers may be able to give deaf people the ability to hear. Using a low-power infrared diode -- similar to those in laser-pointers tormenting cats the world over -- Professor Rabbitt found that exposing oyster toadfish hair cells (analogous to the cells found in humans' inner ears) to infrared light caused them to release neurotransmitters and activate adjacent neurons. This could lead to laser-based ear implants able to stimulate focused areas of cells with thousands of sound wavelengths, as opposed to today's electrode implants whose electrical current spreads through human tissue and limits the deliverable sonic range. Smaller, more efficient power supplies and light sources are needed before optical hearing aids become a reality, but if these newfangled lasers ever get their act together, we should be able to hear version two (and three) coming down the pike. |
| Carbon nanotubes used to more easily detect cancer cells, HIV Posted: 30 Mar 2011 10:31 PM PDT Cancer's not slowing its march to ruining as many lives as it possibly can, so it's always pleasing to hear of any new developments that act as hurdles. The latest in the world of disease-prevention comes from Harvard University, where researches have created a dime-sized carbon nanotube forest (read: lots of nanotubes, like those shown above) that can be used to trap cancer cells when blood passes through. A few years back, Mehmet Toner, a biomedical engineering professor at Harvard, created a device similar to the nano-forest that was less effective because silicon was used instead of carbon tubes. Today, Toner has teamed up with Brian Wardle, associate professor of aeronautics and astronautics at MIT, who together have redesigned the original microfluid device to work eight times more efficiently than its predecessor. The carbon nanotubes make diagnosis a fair bit simpler, largely because of the antibodies attached to them that help trap cancer cells as they pass through -- something that's being tailored to work with HIV as well. Things are starting to look moderately promising for cancer-stricken individuals, as hospitals have already began using the original device to detect malignant cells and ultimately prevent them from spreading -- here's hoping it's qualified for mass adoption sooner rather than later. |
| Samsung mass-producing 22-inch transparent LCD, your desktop monitor seethes with jealousy Posted: 30 Mar 2011 09:29 PM PDT They said they would do it, and by golly it's nearly here -- Samsung just revealed that its assembly lines are starting to churn out see-thru computer screens that don't require power-sucking backlights to function. Unfortunately, it looks like the amazing AMOLED variety is still on the drawing board, but ambient light-powered LCDs are on the way, with Samsung offering a 22-inch, 1680 x 1050 resolution panel with a 500:1 contrast ratio to begin with. Sammy suggests we'll see it in HDMI and USB-compatible monitors and suspects it'll be used in advertising and teleconferencing first -- which suggests this display won't come cheap -- but we all know the true killer app will be a nice big frameless laptop screen. We'll take two, please. PR after the break. Show full PR text Samsung Electronics Becomes the World's First in Mass Production of Transparent LCD Panel
SEOUL, South Korea--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. announced today that it began mass production of a 22-inch transparent LCD panel in March this year.
"Transparent displays will have a wide range of use in all industry areas as an efficient tool for delivering information and communication. With the world's first mass production of the transparent LCD panel, Samsung Electronics plans to lead the global transparent LCD market by developing various applications."
The panels come in two types, the black-and-white type and the color type, and they have a contrast ratio of 500:1 with WSXGA+ (1680*1050) resolution.
Compared with the conventional LCD panels that use back light unit (BLU) and have 5% transparency, Samsung's transparent LCD panel boasts the world's best transparency rate of over 20% for the black-and-white type and over 15% for the color type.
The transparent LCD panel has a high transparency rate, which enables a person to look right through the panel like glass, and it consumes 90% less electricity compared with a conventional LCD panel using back light unit. It's because a transparent LCD panel utilizes ambient light such as sun light, which consequently reduces the dependency on electricity for generating power.
Also, Samsung's transparent LCD panel maximizes convenience for not only manufacturers but also consumers by incorporating the High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) and the Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface.
Transparent display panels have endless possibilities as an advertising tool, which can be applied to show windows and outdoor billboards or used in showcase events. Corporations and schools can also adopt the panel as an interactive communication device, which enables information to be displayed more effectively.
Younghwan Park, a senior vice president of Samsung Electronics LCD Business, said, "Transparent displays will have a wide range of use in all industry areas as an efficient tool for delivering information and communication. With the world's first mass production of the transparent LCD panel, Samsung Electronics plans to lead the global transparent LCD market by developing various applications." |
| Evigroup debuts Windows-based SmartPaddle tablet Posted: 30 Mar 2011 08:49 PM PDT It hasn't been all that long since France's Evigroup upgraded its "Paddle" tablet the Paddle Pro, but it's now already back with another model: the SmartPaddle. This one packs the same Atom N450 processor as before, along with an 11.6-inch capacitive screen, 2GB of RAM, a 64GB SSD, WiFI and 3G connectivity, and Windows 7 for an OS -- plus a Microsoft Arc keyboard, apparently. You'll also get the same head-tracking capabilities seen on the Paddle Pro, as well as a new 3D interface for Windows dubbed "Scale," which promises to make things a bit more tablet-friendly. Head on past the break for a video, and look for the tablet itself to set you back a hefty €1,290 (or about $1,820). [Thanks, WMax] |
| Amazon negotiating for Cloud Player music licensing deals after all? Posted: 30 Mar 2011 08:08 PM PDT Publically, Amazon wants you to think it doesn't care about licensing the music that it will let you store in the cloud, but privately we're hearing the company is scrambling like mad to work things out with angry music labels as we speak. Specifically, the Wall Street Journal cites a pair of anonymous sources who say Amazon's actually negotiating deals with the four major labels right now -- though Amazon won't confirm such a thing -- which the e-tailer hopes to close in a matter of weeks. What's more, they say Amazon may move to an system that compares users' uploaded songs with a database of those tunes it's managed to licence should the deal go through -- a system much like Sony's Music Unlimited, by the sound of it. It shouldn't come as any surprise, then, that the Journal quotes Sony Music chairman Martin Bandier in its final paragraph, who makes his pointed indignation at Amazon's announcement heard: "This is just another land grab. I can't make it any plainer than that. It's really disrespectful, and of course we are considering all of our options." Nothing like a little bit of mainstream media coverage to help pressure a business deal. |
| Fruity nanofibers could make for super-strong plastics, banana-flavored body panels Posted: 30 Mar 2011 07:57 PM PDT Carbon fiber is still the material of choice for high-end components that need lots of strength without a lot of weight, but wouldn't life be better if those components were made of pineapple? Apparently, yes. At least that's the case according to Brazilian scientists led by Alcides Leão, who have created so-called nanofibers from the pulp of various fruits, including pineapple leaves and coconut shells. These are processed down to create nano-scale threads that, when added to plastics, form a composite 30 percent lighter than carbon fiber yet three or four times stronger. Healthier, too. No word on when this stuff might be in full production, but we look forward to cradling our future fruit-based gadgets. |
| MakerBot's Interface Board Kit does PC-less 3D printing, turns your superhero fantasies into reality Posted: 30 Mar 2011 07:36 PM PDT If you're like us -- that is to say, wildly popular and devastatingly good looking -- then you're probably wondering why someone hasn't produced an action figure in your likeness yet. Well wonder no longer, for the folks over at MakerBot just announced yet another handy tool to make at home 3D printing even easier. An addition to the aptly titled Thing-O-Matic, the Gen 4 Interface Board Kit v1.1 is billed as a DIY interface that lets you operate your thingy printer without having to attach it to a PC. The kit comes equipped with an SD card slot for easy independent operation, and because the board's fully hackable, you can use it to control your robots or homebrew CNC devices, too. It sports nine programmable buttons and an LCD screen for feedback, and allows you to set and read temperatures, view build progress, or start a new project stored on the SD card. So what are you waiting for? Your self-aggrandizing bobblehead isn't going to make itself. |
| Android PlayStation emulator PSX4Droid pulled from Market, timing pointing at Xperia Play (updated) Posted: 30 Mar 2011 07:16 PM PDT Uh oh, the day has finally come. We just gathered from Joystiq (and confirmed ourselves) that the renowned Android first-gen PlayStation emulator, PSX4Droid, has been pulled from the Market. The reason? Its author, ZodTTD, said Google informed him that it was a matter of "Content Policy violation," however the fact it's taken eight months for Google to take action suggests it might have a little something to do with the imminent launch of the Xperia Play, which will have its own mechanism to power the original PlayStation's games. Another mystery is that it looks like other emulators such as SNesoid (SNES), GameBoid (Game Boy) and, in particular, FPSe (PlayStation) appear to be safe for now, which might suggest that there are other reasons behind this removal; but still, the timing suggests otherwise. On the bright side, we can always rely on third-party app markets. Update: Here's a super generic statement we just received from Google regarding this matter: "We remove apps from Android Market that violate our policies." |
| More HTC Pyramid pics leak, now with less blurrycam and extra specs Posted: 30 Mar 2011 06:02 PM PDT |
| Kinect dives into anime cyberspace, dares you to catch cute robot tanks (video) Posted: 30 Mar 2011 05:51 PM PDT If your foremost dream is to jack into a dystopian cyberpunk reality where hackers play with human brains (and you also happen to love Japanese anime), you'd best book your flight to Tokyo right now -- a Shibuya department store has set up a basic cyberspace simulator straight out of Ghost in the Shell. That's the film Ghost in the Shell: S.A.C. Solid State Society, to be precise, which just got a stereoscopic 3D re-release in Japan this week, and in its honor creative services company Kayac set about constructing a high-quality Kinect hack. Microsoft's depth camera tracks the lean of your body, while the honeyed virtual reality is projected onto a pair of nearby walls, and it's your objective to slap the Tachikoma tank silly without falling over yourself. Get a peek at what it's like to play with in the video above. |
| Fox asks Time Warner to stop streaming its channels to customers' iPads Posted: 30 Mar 2011 05:28 PM PDT While we'd heard many networks were unhappy with Time Warner's decision to release its live TV streaming iPad app and there have even been whispers of cease-and-desist letters in the offing, Fox has put a request to have its channels excluded in writing. At issue is whether or not their agreement allows Time Warner to provide the channel on devices other than the TV -- while TWC is confident it does since it only works within the customer's home, the networks would apparently like to renegotiate before conceding anything. Senior VP of Fox Networks Group Scott Grogin confirmed the letter was sent but did not reveal any details about its contents. Following the battle plan of its last battle with Fox, Time Warner Cable has preemptively put up a IWantMyTWCableTVApp site asking customers to show support for the TWCable TV app against the networks. We'll wait to see who blinks first and remember that Dish is already slinging channels to tablets with wild abandon while Comcast and Cablevision have plans for similar implementations on the way. |
| ECOmove QBEAK EV unveiled, grows a roof but no actual beak (video) Posted: 30 Mar 2011 04:54 PM PDT You might expect a car with the word "beak" in its nose to have something of a pronounced proboscis. Not so. It's the ECOmove QBEAK, a little, orange, all-electric car that's now been shown in the actual flesh in both coupe and convertible form. The car seats an odd number of people, three or six depending on configuration (something we definitely like), yet is smaller than a Smart Fortwo. It does this thanks to motors that fit in the wheels and composite suspension that's much more compact than your average strut setup. Range is up to 300km -- 186 miles -- but at this point we don't know much more about when this tangerine dream might be rolling into showrooms for real. Video of its unveil below. |
| Skype 5 for Mac continues to frustrate -- how's it treating you? Posted: 30 Mar 2011 04:22 PM PDT It's rare that a new piece of software generates only positive feedback, but the world's most popular VoIP app has seemingly frustrated throngs of loyal Mac users, including a number of technologically savvy individuals within these very walls. A brilliant comparison of the old vs. new has emerged over at Ignore The Code (linked down below for your perusal), and it got us wondering -- are average consumers seeing this any differently? There's no question that Skype 5 for Mac looks a heck of a lot like the Windows build, but as the aforesaid article points out, it seems that the UI engineers lowered the standard of the OS X version rather than dragging the Windows variant up. What makes the new edition so difficult to swallow is just how ideal the prior model was -- now, it's a chore to spot contacts, initiate chats and handle the most basic of tasks that Skype should handle. So, we'll leave it to you: is Skype heading in the wrong direction in terms of usability and functionality, or should the collective world just get a grip? |
| Watch-controlled robo-tot grasps small objects, the meaning of life (video) Posted: 30 Mar 2011 03:53 PM PDT It may seem like there's an abundance of robot news lately, but we're just trying to please our mechanical overlords deliver the latest in gadget and technology news. What we've got here is an Arduino-based robo-gripper that serves only to move around and use its 3D printed claws to grab tiny objects that we'd otherwise be too lazy to pick up ourselves. The robot, infused with a Texas Instruments CC1110 dev kit, is controlled using an accelerometer-based Chronos watch and can move in all directions by simply tilting the timepiece. If you want to take a gander at this little guy in action, check out the video past the break -- it's always warming to see humans having the upper hand against the machine. |
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