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Sunday, July 10, 2011

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Google pulls co.cc subdomains from search, brings our global malware nightmare to an end

Posted: 10 Jul 2011 11:17 AM PDT

Google's been on a creative tear lately, rolling out new products and revamping older ones. But there's a reason the phrase "search giant" is synonymous with Big G, and it's always working to return better results. Sometimes that means tweaking its algorithm to prevent SEO-gaming; other times it means dropping over 11 million sites from search results, as the company just did in blocking the .co.cc subdomain. Google classifies it as a "freehost" -- it belongs to a Korean company that provides free or cheap domains, often bulk-registered -- and after automated scanning revealed a high percentage of malware-hosting sites, decided to scrub the entire lot from its results. Of course, this is something like using a nuclear weapon against cockroaches: it causes a lot of collateral damage, while your real target scurries to its next hideout. Still, we wish Google well in its bravely quixotic mission.

HDMI group reportedly putting a stop to Mini DisplayPort-to-HDMI adapters

Posted: 10 Jul 2011 10:27 AM PDT

If you've been thinking about buying a one piece Mini DisplayPort-to-HDMI cable to bring vids from your Macbook to an HDTV, you may want to get it now. According to a report from TechRadar, the group behind HDMI has decided they don't meet the requirements and cannot be tested or licensed for compatibility. Their sin? Not having a male HDMI plug on each end as required by the spec, which only allows for dongles featuring an all-female pairing of Mini DisplayPort and HDMI to get the job done. We've contacted the group to find out exactly what's going on, but until we hear back it may be prudent to keep an eye on suddenly black-market cable pricing like gasoline before a big holiday.

Insert Coin: Prosthetic eye digital camera (video)

Posted: 10 Jul 2011 09:00 AM PDT

In Insert Coin, we look at an exciting new tech project that requires funding before it can hit production. If you'd like to pitch a project, please send us a tip with "Insert Coin" as the subject line.


Nobody with binocular vision would consider replacing a functional natural eye with a digital camera. But Tanya Vlach's vision is monocular, after losing one of her eyes in a car accident. A matching ocular prosthesis gives the San Francisco native a normal appearance, but it's unable to provide vision -- in its current state, at least. Vlach turned to Kickstarter for donations that would allow her to install a unique, waterproof in-eye camera, theoretically capable of transmitting 720p HD video wirelessly to a mobile app, and zooming and capturing still images using a blink-activated sensor. Features also on the wish list: facial recognition, a dilating pupil that changes based on light, infrared / UV capture, and geotagging, just to name a few.

The embedded camera obviously can't replace a natural eye, but it certainly brings more life to an otherwise useless cosmetic shell. Vlach needs to raise $15,000 by August 3rd in order to achieve her funding goal and commission an engineer to design the new optic. Donations of less than $5,000 will be rewarded with a variety of small-ticket items, while a pledge greater than that amount will net the donor their very own "souvenir eye camera" -- whatever that means. You can jump past the break for a video explanation from Tanya, who may very well be on her way to being the first human to use a digital pseudo-bionic eye.

Previous project update: The Triggertrap open source automatic camera release featured in last week's Insert Coin has exceeded its funding goal of $25,000. There are still three weeks left to claim your own ready-built Triggertrap for $75.

Pokemon headed to iOS, Android, Nintendo still doesn't give a Jigglypuff about casual gaming

Posted: 10 Jul 2011 06:00 AM PDT

Nintendo president Satoru Iwata made no bones about his disdain for casual mobile gaming during his keynote at GDC earlier this year. According to the executive, Nintendo will sustain itself with the sort of value absent from the current app explosion. Rovio naturally took issue with the statement and fired back, like so many disgruntled feathered animals. With all of that in mind, it was a bit surprising to hear that a Pokemon card game is headed for the iPhone and Android devices in Japan this summer -- after all, Nintendo does own a share of the popular monster-based franchise. Before you get too attached to the concept of Mario on your iOS device, however, keep two things in mind -- first, Nintendo only owns about a third of the franchise. Second, the company quickly shot down the suggestion of further expansion into the world of phone apps. Those 3DS games aren't going to buy themselves, after all.

Element5's Mini L Solarbag brings eco-friendly energy, protection to your iPad

Posted: 10 Jul 2011 03:28 AM PDT

Modern day solar bags are more about looks than utility -- the energy conversion rates on those things aren't exactly jaw-dropping -- but if it comes between a generic satchel and one that's Ma Earth-approved, well... you know what to do. Element5's Swiss Made Mini L Solarbag is tailored to fit your iDevice of choice, but it's fairly obvious that the iPad line will be most at home here. We're guessing that the company's taking a few liberties with that "mini miracle" tagline, and we aren't exactly thrilled with the lack of information surrounding charging time, but those who value form over function can get their order in now for 348 Swiss Franc (or $412 in actual money).

Objet260 Connex makes 3D printing cheaper, feasible for cramped offices

Posted: 10 Jul 2011 12:00 AM PDT

Waiting for a 3D printer you can actually -- you know -- afford? Well, unfortunately the wait isn't over, but we're certainly getting closer with Objet's 260 Connex. The latest offering can still print two materials simultaneously like its more expensive brethren, but is more compact and apparently more "attractively priced." Exactly how frugal, the firm didn't say, but can one really put a price on something that can churn out chunks of Iron Man armor? Yeah, we didn't think so. No word on when it'll ship, but with more than sixty materials to print with, you had better start brainstorming those prototypes now. Video after the break.




Show full PR text
Objet Continues to Revolutionize Rapid Prototyping; Reveals Newest Multi-Material 3D Printer, the Compact Objet260 Connex

REHOVOT, Israel, July 6, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

Compact, office-friendly, multi-material 3D printer
World's only technology able to jet 2 materials at the same time to produce advanced composite materials and up to 14 individual material elements in one part, in a single print run
Available with the newly released Objet ABS-like and clear transparent materials

Objet Ltd., the innovation leader in 3D printing for rapid prototyping and additive manufacturing, today revealed the Objet260 Connex, a compact and attractively priced addition to Objet's family of multi-material 3D printers. The Objet260 Connex is based on the company's patented inkjet 3D printing technology -– the world's only rapid prototyping system able to jet 2 materials at the same time. This technology allows users to select from a large range of composite materials when building 3D models, such as Objet's recently released ABS-like material. The system can also print a model replica made of up to 14 individual materials in a single print run.

Commenting on the new 3D printer, David Reis, CEO for Objet said, "The compact Objet260 Connex brings our high-resolution, multi-material 3D printing to new levels of accessibility for front-line designers and engineers who demand the highest quality prototypes and true-product representation. And all this in a system that is quiet, reliable and small enough to run in the corner of any office."

The Objet260 Connex allows users to create prototypes containing distinct material elements, such as rigid walls with flexible, rubber-like joints or models combining transparent and opaque parts. According to Eli B. Hamou, R&D Product Manager for Medtronic, a leading medical technology provider, "The Objet260 Connex multi-material 3D printer allows us to produce realistic anatomical models and prototypes of our medical devices by printing both rigid and flexible material elements in a single print job. This has enabled us to develop better end-products in far less time. It has also opened up for us a whole new direction for future research, that until now we were unable to practically consider."

Lucien Hirschi, CEO for Zedax SA, a Swiss 3D printing service bureau said, "The new Objet260 Connex enables us to accurately simulate the real look and feel of the complex watch designs that we receive from watchmakers. As the only platform able to simulate the different material properties of assembled watches, the Objet260 Connex gives us a major advantage and enables us to expand our business opportunities."

The Objet Connex family of 3D printers is the recipient of the EuroMold 2007 Innovation Award, recognizing the most innovative developments from the fields of mold-making and tooling, design and application development. It is used at companies such as Jaguar Land Rover, adidas AG, Trek Bicycles, DRS Tactical Systems, Vista Technologies, IPF, Zedax, Medtronic, and many others.

Notes for Editors

The Objet Connex family of multi-material 3D printers uses the world's only multi-material 3D printing technology.

Multi-material 3D Printing -– Objet's inkjet-based technology is the only one that allows 2 materials to be jetted at the same time. This opens up a whole range of new applications for 3D printing, including the accurate representation of assembled goods and consumer products. For example, consumer device prototypes that require a particular tactile feel such as mobile phones can be accurately reproduced in a single print job using a hard material for the shell and a flexible material for the keypad.

Composite materials -– Objet's inkjet-based technology is the only technology that enables the mixing of 2 materials to produce new materials with distinct properties, textures and colors. From a base of 14 cartridge ready materials, users can create up to 51 composite, Digital Materials based on various combinations of the original 14. Examples include Objet's newly released ABS-like Digital Material, able to simulate the toughness and high temperature resistance of ABS-grade engineering plastics.

Mixed parts -– Using Objet's multi-material 3D printers, users can print a model or prototype made of up to 14 distinct material elements. Such prototypes and models can consist of soft, flexible rubber-like elements, seamlessly joined with transparent elements, or rigid elements, in a number of various colors and shades. This capability provides a unique user experience for simulating gaskets, seals, hinges, shoe soles, tires and many other soft-touch applications.

The Objet260 Connex can use Objet's range of over 60 printing materials which provide users with a wide range of mechanical, thermal and physical properties from rigid (Objet Vero family) to rubber (Objet Tango family) to clear transparency (Objet VeroClear) and ABS-grade engineering plastics (Objet RGD5160-DM).

The Objet260 Connex has a 260 x 260 x 200mm (10.2 x 10.2 x 7.9") tray size and uses sealed material cartridges that are easy to insert and remove. Models are cured during the build process and can be handled immediately after printing. The system prints in 16-micron layers, producing models of unrivalled resolution detail and professional accuracy.

The Objet260 Connex Digital Media Kit is available online.

About Objet

Objet Ltd., the innovation leader in 3D printing for rapid prototyping and additive manufacturing, provides 3-dimensional printing systems that enable manufacturers and industrial designers to reduce cost of product development and dramatically shorten time-to-market of new products.

Objet's ultra-thin-layer, high-resolution 3-dimensional printing systems and materials utilize PolyJet polymer jetting technology, to print ultra-thin 16-micron layers. The market-proven Objet Eden line of 3D Printing Systems and the Objet24 and Objet30 desktop 3D printers are based on Objet's patented office-friendly PolyJet Technology. The Objet Connex multi-material family is based on Objet's PolyJet Matrix Technology, which jets multiple model materials simultaneously and creates composite Digital Materials on the fly. All Objet systems use Objet's FullCure® materials to create accurate, clean, smooth, and highly detailed 3D parts.

Objet systems are in use by customers worldwide, including Fortune 100 companies, in multiple industries such as automotive, architecture, consumer goods and electronics, dental, defense, education, industrial machinery, medical, medical devices, toys, footwear and service bureaus.

Founded in 1998, Objet serves its growing global customer base through offices in USA, Mexico, Europe, Japan, China and Hong Kong, and a global network of distribution partners. Objet owns more than 110 patents and patent pending inventions. For more information, visit us at http://www.objet.com, and for more about 3D printing industry-related news, business issues and trends, read the Objet blog.

© 2010 Objet, Quadra, QuadraTempo, PolyJet, FullCure, SHR, Eden, Eden250, Eden260, Eden 260V, Eden330, Eden350, Eden350V, Eden500V, Job Manager, Objet Studio, CADMatrix, Connex, Connex350, Connex500, Alaris, Alaris30, PolyLog, TangoBlack, TangoGray, TangoPlus, TangoBlackPlus, VeroBlue, VeroWhite, VeroBlack, VeroGray, Durus, Digital Materials, Polyjet Matrix and ObjetGreen are trademarks or registered trademarks of Objet Geometries Ltd. and may be registered in certain jurisdictions. All other trademarks belong to their respective owners.

Fukushima plant operator uses modded robot vacuum to suck up radioactive dirt (video)

Posted: 09 Jul 2011 08:58 PM PDT

A few months ago, back when Japan was freshly reeling from that devastating earthquake and tsunami, it became obvious that robots could help survey radiation levels in Fukushima, even if they were powerless to lower them. Now, Tokyo Power Electric Co., the company that operates the damaged nuclear plant, is experimenting with an ad hoc system designed to clean at least some of the radioactive dirt from the reactors. What you see in that clip below is an industrial-grade vacuum cleaner attached to a Warrior, the most heavy-duty of iRobot's mobile bots. The idea is that workers can control the system from a safe distance, and let the robot handle the dirty work of removing toxic sand and debris. Head past the break to see it in action, combing the floor of the (eerily) empty plant.

Ask Engadget: does any gaming laptop have decent battery life?

Posted: 09 Jul 2011 07:43 PM PDT

We know you've got questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, here's the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget inquiry is coming to us from Patrick, who needs to help his brother, and also, prove his brother wrong. If you're looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com.

"My brother is shopping for a laptop and wants long battery life, but also the ability to play games such as Minecraft on a reasonable graphics setting. His current laptop gets about two hours of battery life and he plays Minecraft at about 15 frames-per-second. The definition of 'long battery life' is vague, but obviously the longer, the better."

Well, Patrick -- here's hoping the collective readership in comments can "provide" you with "some advice" for "your brother." We're guessing they will.

New Kurt Vile video shot with Windows Phone handset (video)

Posted: 09 Jul 2011 05:44 PM PDT

This certainly isn't the first music video we've seen shot with a smartphone. And whether or not it's the first one shot entirely on a Windows Phone device is almost beside the point. What really makes the whole thing remarkable is that, unlike a lot of these fairly gimmicky videos, this one's for a truly terrific artist, Kurt Vile, whose awesome Smoke Ring for My Halo dropped on Matador back in March. The Todd Cole-directed video for the first track off that LP follows a day in the life of an East LA-based couple. Check out the video and an obligatory making of after the break.



Curtis Boirum's robotic car makes omnidirectional dreams come true (video)

Posted: 09 Jul 2011 03:09 PM PDT

Let's face it: you've probably never met a hemispherical omnidirectional gimbaled wheel that you didn't like. Neither has Curtis Boirum, a grad student at Bradley University. The aforesaid whiz kid has put together one of the most visually stunning robots we've seen in some time, and while the frame itself is nothing to get hot and bothered about, the motion capabilities most definitely are. The secret lies in the black rubber hemisphere, which rotates like a top and is outfitted with servos that are able to tilt the entire mechanism left / right / forwards / backwards. What's wild is just how fast those changes happen -- something tells us that whole "on a dime" thing was born to be used right here. Head on past the break for video proof.

Nao robot grabs a head-mounted camera, puts your photographic skills to shame

Posted: 09 Jul 2011 02:31 PM PDT

You see, herein lies the problem. At a glance, Nao looks humane. Even kind. In fact, it's bruited that he's helped on a few missions in his day. But underneath, he's a cold-blooded talent snatcher, and thanks to a little push from one Raghudeep Gadde, he might just capture your vacation in a manner that's superior to your own. As the story goes, this here scientist at the International Institute of Information Technology in Hydrabad, India, converted the humanoid into quite the shooter. He strapped a camera on its dome, and then programmed it to follow a pair of iron-clad photographic guidelines: the rule of thirds, and the golden ratio. Purportedly, Nao does a ton of analysis before finally deciding on how to compose and capture a shot, and for his next trick, he'll run circles around your existing Lightroom actions. So much for perfecting your craft, eh?

Apple coughing up $8 million to Personal Audio in iPod playlist settlement

Posted: 09 Jul 2011 01:35 PM PDT

Ah, the Eastern District of Texas. Home to tumbleweeds, free range cattle and boatloads of patent trolls. Personal Audio, a patent licensing company with a highfalutin' facility in Beaumont, Texas has become the latest outfit to claim victory over a major CE company, with Apple being asked to hand over $8 million to settle a tiff involving iPod playlists. Bloomberg reports that a federal jury in the Lonestar state found that Cupertino's iPod players infringed on patents for "downloadable playlists," right around two years after Personal Audio initially filed the claim for a staggering $84 million. We're told that the inventions cover "an audio player that can receive navigable playlists and can skip forward or backward through the downloaded list," and while Apple unsurprisingly stated that it wasn't actually using those very inventions, that hasn't stopped the courts from disagreeing just a wee bit. Now, the real question: are Sirius XM, Coby and Archos -- also named in the original suit -- going to be facing similar circumstances?
at 11:35 AM

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