various new/gadget feeds

Nintendo partners with Best Buy so you can play unreleased Wii U games in store during E3 (video)

Sun, 19 May 2013 09:14:00 +0000

There's nothing more frustrating than watching a product or service get announced, then having to wait an age to try it out. Nintendo hears that, and has announced via Nintendo Direct, that during E3 week, Best Buy will have playable demos of as-yet released Wii U games in 100 stores across the US and Canada. Given that no one was likely expecting any new hardware from the firm, it's clear the gaming stalwart is looking for other ways to stir-up some interest. There's no mention of titles, so we're left to assume they'd be the games announced at the show. Either way, scratch out that week in June to make sure you find out first hand. Scrub right to the end of the video past the break to see the announcement for yourself.

Filed under: Gaming, Nintendo

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Via: Joystiq

Madden 25 Anniversary Edition includes NFL Sunday Ticket, exclusive to Amazon

Sun, 19 May 2013 07:02:00 +0000

Virtual football enthusiasts excited for Madden 25 (it's technically Madden 2014 marking 25 years of the franchise) may want to head over to Amazon if they're serious about watching actual NFL games. The online retailer has an exclusive Anniversary Edition of the game up for pre-order, which comes bundled with a 17-week pass for both Madden Ultimate Team cards and computer and mobile access to NFL Sunday Ticket. On top of getting all the 2013 regular season's out-of-market matches, DirecTV subscribers can also snag a $10-a-month discount on the TV version (normally $225) for one year with a pro bono MAX upgrade. Joystiq notes that only 100,000 copies are up for grabs, split evenly between the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions. All it takes to get in on the action starting August 27th is $100 -- $40 more than the standard edition, which can net you up to $400 in total savings on the services. Hit up the source link if you're ready to secure your copy.

Filed under: Gaming, HD

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Via: Joystiq

Source: Amazon

Visteon's HABIT is a concept infotainment system that puts road trip copilots out of a job (video)

Sun, 19 May 2013 04:41:00 +0000

A good acronym also hints at what it does, and Visteon's new intelligent in-car concept, HABIT, is a good example of that. The Human Bayesian Intelligence Technology system -- to give it its full name -- learns the behaviour of drivers so it can automatically change the temperature, heat the seats and drop that Biohazard album just when you need it most. Factors such as weather, time of day and real-time road conditions all play a part, plus, of course a log of all your typical in-car interactions. It promises to go above just warming your behind on a cold morning though, offering intelligence that would be able to divine local radio stations that play your kind of jam when you're out of town. It could also seamlessly mix these with your local / tablet / smartphone library and internet sources. Sound a little too creepy? Wait until you see the computer-generated demo video presenter past the break.

Filed under: Peripherals, Transportation

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Via: Autoblog

Ask Engadget: can you use an Android tablet as a graphics tablet?

Sun, 19 May 2013 02:45:00 +0000

We know you've got questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, then here's the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget inquiry is from Xan, who wants Cintiq functionality without paying Cintiq prices. If you're looking to ask one of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com.

"I'm a student and I'm considering staying on to do graphic design, and I really like the look of Wacom's Cintiq devices. Unfortunately I couldn't afford one even if I sold a kidney, so I was wondering if I could turn an Android tablet into a cheaper version? I figure a device like the Galaxy Note 10.1 with its Wacom digitizer would be a good fit, so is there a way to do it? Thanks!"

We're sucking in air through our teeth, as we're sorry to say, we can't think of a way this could be done successfully. There's a few problems like no software, a lack of bandwidth and doubts over the accuracy of a tablet to replicate such a sophisticated piece of hardware. That said, perhaps the forthcoming Surface Pro software update might solve this problem altogether, but an Android tablet? We're not so sure. But if there's anyone out there who has made it happen and wants to share their revelation, why not leave a note below?

Filed under: Peripherals

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Mobile Miscellany: week of May 13th, 2013

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:45:00 +0000

If you didn't get enough mobile news during the week, not to worry, because we've opened the firehose for the truly hardcore. This week brought a new handset from Sony to the US and UK, updates to Nokia Creative Suite and three new (and very inexpensive) smartphones from Blu Products. These stories and more await after the break. So buy the ticket and take the ride as we explore all that's happening in the mobile world for this week of May 13th, 2013.

Filed under: Cellphones, Software, Mobile, Sony

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Streetlight Manifesto: Ungrateful

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0000

Streetlight Manifesto's new record, The Hands That Thieve, is an instant classic in the ever-shrinking world of really stellar ska music simply by virtue of being a Streetlight Manifesto album. But what "Ungrateful" brings to the table is something a little subtler; it's a great Catch 22 song.

Axio returns as Melon, an EEG headband that'll help you learn to focus

Sat, 18 May 2013 23:32:00 +0000

The quantified self movement's gaining steam, with companies creating all sorts of gadgets to track our activity levels, sleeping habits and even what's going on inside our heads. Melon's an EEG headband that taps into your brain's inner workings to show you how well you maintain mental focus. We actually saw Melon's prototype predecessor last year when it was called Axio, and while this new band packs largely the same components, the design's been refined to a much thinner profile. As before, its got a trio of electrodes for sensing brainwaves, a NeuroSky chip for filtering out extraneous electrical noise and Bluetooth 4.0 for offloading data wirelessly. It sends data to iPhones (Android's in development) running the Melon app, which translates that info into a focus graph -- generally speaking, the higher the neural activity in your pre-frontal cortex, the higher your level of focus. Users then input contextual data tags like time of day, type of activity and the surrounding environmental conditions to allow them to track variables that may affect their focus.

Filed under: Wearables

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Source: Kickstarter

One of the Basic Math Rules You Learned In School Is Wrong

Sat, 18 May 2013 23:30:00 +0000

There are probably a lot of things you learned in school that you don't even remember, but the "order of operations"—also known as PEMDAS—is likely to be one that stuck with you; you'll mess up even simple equations without it. The catch? Well, it's wrong.

Ex-Valve Engineers' Crazy AR Glasses Put Tiny Projectors On Your Face

Sat, 18 May 2013 22:28:00 +0000

Want some more tech to put on your face? Neither full-on goggles like the Oculus Rift nor slender no-AR-yet specs like Google's Glass , CastAR takes a whole different approach to modified-reality tech by slapping tiny projectors on your face, and The Verge got to take a peek.

Cast AR hands-on with Jeri Ellsworth at Maker Faire 2013 (update: video interview)

Sat, 18 May 2013 21:33:00 +0000

When Valve's first hardware hire, Jeri Ellsworth, tweeted back in February that she was fired from the company, we were disappointed but also intrigued by what she meant by "time for new exciting projects." Well we finally saw what she's been up to here at at Maker Faire 2013. It's called Cast AR, and it's a pair of 3D augmented-reality glasses that she and former Valve programmer Rick Johnson were working on at Valve before they left.

The model we saw is still in the early prototype stages, but the concepts are already in place. Perched atop a pair of active shutter glasses are a couple of miniature LCD projectors, which bounce images from a connected computer onto a special reflective surface at a 120Hz refresh rate. A camera module sits on the eyewear's bridge and monitors an array of infrared LEDs embedded in the reflective surface. This allows for quick and accurate head tracking. Join us after the break for our impressions and our video interview with Jeri Ellsworth.

Gallery: Cast AR hands-on at Maker Faire 2013

Filed under: Gaming, Wearables

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Alt-week 5.16.13: bug eyes, robo-cops and fake flowers

Sat, 18 May 2013 21:30:00 +0000

Alt-week takes a look at the best science and alternative tech stories from the last seven days.

If we're to find a common thread in this week's collection of stories, it'd be nature's guiding hand. How it inspires science, how we seek to imitate it, and how unnatural the future of policing could be. This is alt-week,

Filed under: Science, Alt

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This 18-Year-Old's Invention Could Make Your Future Phone Instacharge

Sat, 18 May 2013 20:58:00 +0000

While you are hanging out on the Internet (in your underwear, maybe?) on a Saturday, kids that are smarter than either you or I are out there getting ready to change the world. 18-year-old Eesha Khare (left), for instance, not only invented a supercapacitor that could someday be a phone battery that charges in just a couple of seconds; she also won $50,000 for it.

How Two Valve Engineers Walked Away With The Company's Augmented Reality Glasses

Sat, 18 May 2013 20:30:08 +0000

Valve was secretly working on a pair of augmented reality glasses and those glasses are still being built by two Valve employees who lost their jobs in the "great cleansing."

'Bang With Friends' Gets Booted From App Store

Sat, 18 May 2013 20:14:03 +0000

A week after debuting the new mobile client for anonymous friend banging, the iOS version of Bang With Friends was removed from the App Store by Apple.

If Yahoo Buys Tumblr, What Will It Do With All That Porn?

Sat, 18 May 2013 19:44:26 +0000

If Yahoo! succeeds in its attempt to acquire Tumblr, it will end up with one of the hottest Internet properties in today’s Web, with access to the coveted youth market and a foothold in mobile.

Dell Project Ophelia USB Android stick to ship in July, priced at $100

Sat, 18 May 2013 19:31:00 +0000

We know that "wherefore art thou?" was about Romeo, but if your question was for (Dell's) Ophelia, then it's likely more "when art thou." The answer? July. The Android pendrive / USB computer we saw back at CES may be one of many, but distinctive thanks to its mainstream PC-maker origins. We're still lacking a lot of the specifics, other than that there's WiFi, Bluetooth, Wyse PocketCloud integration, plus, of course, HDMI and Android 4.something. There will likely be a few enterprise-friendly features too (administration tools, remote wiping) reports PC World. As usual, developers will get their hands on them first, with -- interestingly -- some cable and telecoms companies potentially stocking it too -- though no specifics at this time. So, the $100 Dell might not be the portable you'd love for this price, but maybe the USB PC finally crossing over?

Filed under: Desktops, Dell

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Source: PC World

Watch Ridley Scott's Aliens Animated in Just 60 Seconds

Sat, 18 May 2013 19:30:00 +0000

Who has time to watch a whole movie anymore? It's summer! So in the spirit of phoning in everything once the temperature rises above 70-ish, here's Ridley Scott's Aliens in 60 seconds of adorable animation. Brought to you, of course, by the fine folks who did Star Wars Episode IV , Back to the Future , and The Matrix . Not bad for a human. [YouTube]

Patton Oswalt's Amazing 'Star Wars Episode VII' Rant, Brought To Life

Sat, 18 May 2013 19:02:38 +0000

The totally improvised, 7 1/2 minute filibuster from an episode of "Parks & Recreation", in which Patton Oswalt outlines his vision of "Star Wars: Episode VII" could not possibly have been more perfect, could it? Well, yes, it could, actually.

Google Hangouts Has a Weird, Fun Multi-Cam Trick

Sat, 18 May 2013 19:00:00 +0000

So, Google's new Hangouts app keeps all of your chats in sync across all of your devices. Cool, right? But what if you're in a video call on your phone, and then open the same video call on your computer. Boop! Suddenly there's two of you, as I just discovered when chatting with my friend Bay.

Someone Animated Patton Oswalt's Epic Star Wars/Avengers Mashup Rant

Sat, 18 May 2013 18:46:00 +0000

Not too long ago, Patton Oswalt riffed on his idea for a great plot for the upcoming Star Wars: Episode VII film on Parks and Recreation. Now, it's got a whole bunch of..."digital effects" that turn it into the film we all deserve. It's alright JJ, we've got this one on lock. But thanks for throwing your hat in the ring! [iZacLess via Patton Oswalt]

A Trip That Doesn't End

Sat, 18 May 2013 18:30:28 +0000

One night in the fall of 1987, a college freshman ate half of a microdot of acid on his way to a party. The tingling euphoria, splendid visuals, and sudden bursts of insight mostly wore off by the time he retired to his dorm. But the following morning, some effects still remained.

Grizzly Trying To Eat GoPro Caught On Tape

Sat, 18 May 2013 18:25:45 +0000

If you've ever wondered what it's like to be eaten by a grizzly, a new video shot by a biologist in Alaska should help satisfy your curiosity.

Is Mount Everest Ruined?

Sat, 18 May 2013 18:22:51 +0000

The mountain represents "everything wrong with climbing."

How Much the Starship Enterprise Costs, Google I/O Goodies, And More

Sat, 18 May 2013 18:00:00 +0000

It's been a big, big week. Google I/O hit this week, bringing along a whole bunch of Android updates, if not a new version or any actual hardware. And aside from all that jazz, we've got an ode to Chris Hadfield, (a wild guess at) how much it would cost to build the starship Enterprise, why 3D-printing is overrated, the best streaming radio service, why your ears pop on an airplane and more.

Meet The Malaysian Neo-Nazis Fighting For A Pure Malay Race

Sat, 18 May 2013 17:51:02 +0000

Adopting a worldview that specifically discriminates against your race seems a very odd thing to do.

Sprint closes deal to buy US Cellular spectrum, adds 420,000 customers

Sat, 18 May 2013 17:14:00 +0000

Sprint was clearly hungry for capacity when it bought spectrum from US Cellular last fall, and it's at last getting its fill -- some of it, at least -- by closing the deal today. The carrier has officially taken possession of 20MHz in airwaves across Midwestern cities like Champaign, Chicago and South Bend, as well as 10MHz in St. Louis. The customer handover isn't quite as grandiose as was mentioned in November, however: Sprint is ultimately adopting 420,000 US Cellular customers, rather than the originally claimed 585,000. It should be a relatively bump-free transition, no matter who's included in the group. Sprint expects the switch to take several months, and it's keeping the US Cellular network active while customers go hunting for discounted phones.

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile, Sprint

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Source: Sprint

Learn Klingon In 6 Steps

Sat, 18 May 2013 17:10:00 +0000

So you think you have the fortitude to learn Klingon?

Student Fakes Kidnapping To Distract His Parents From A Failing Grade

Sat, 18 May 2013 17:09:38 +0000

Aftab Aslam may have failed his Georgia Gwinnett College English class (twice), but he definitely earned an A in "Faking Your Own Kidnapping, Worrying the Hell Out of Your Parents, and Wasting Police Resources: 101".

70 Injured From 'Staggering' Metro-North Train Collision

Sat, 18 May 2013 17:08:27 +0000

Authorities say that last night's Metro-North train collision between left 70 people injured and three remain in critical condition. Senator Richard Blumenthal said after seeing the scene, "The damage is absolutely staggering."

Watch This Badass Pilot Save the Day With a Ballsy No-Wheel Landing

Sat, 18 May 2013 17:07:00 +0000

Last night, the pilot of US Airways Express Flight 4560 was having some bad luck. The landing gear on his turboprop twin-engine plane just wouldn't go all the way down. So with some quick thinking and righteous piloting skills, he went in for a wheelless, sparky touchdown, and pulled it off without a hitch.

Share Your Rare Music Collection with the Internet

Sat, 18 May 2013 16:00:00 +0000

Sometimes, you love a song and it’s not on the web. That’s just not right, because the three or so generations alive today are largely responsible for making sure that all the important and interesting stuff (and not just cat videos) make it onto the Internet.

The Last of Us will debut 'play while it downloads' feature on the PS3

Sat, 18 May 2013 15:27:00 +0000

Even though we don't yet know what the PlayStation 4 looks like or how much it will cost, one of the many details revealed at Sony's February event was that games will be playable even as they download. Now it turns out we won't have to wait for the new hardware to experience that feature on a console -- Steam, for example, does this on PCs with some games -- as The Last of Us leaders Bruce Straley and Neil Druckman told Game Informer the PS3 game will be available as a download the same day it arrives on discs, and is playable once the transfer is 50 percent complete. There's no word whether other developers will have access to the "magic" Naughty Dog worked out with Sony to make it happen, but as least there will be as little delay as possible before you begin exploring its post-apocalyptic landscape June 14th.

Filed under: Gaming, HD, Sony

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Via: Joystiq

Source: Game Informer

This Table Designs Itself With a Corrosive Chemical Dance Party

Sat, 18 May 2013 15:15:00 +0000

There are all kinds of ways to design a table, but most of them don't include resonant frequencies or specially-designed abrasive enzymes, much less both. Bonus Table 571 isn't most tables though, and that's exactly how it gets its very specific pattern.

Brussels Does Not Take Kindly To People Messing With Its Peeing Boy Statue

Sat, 18 May 2013 14:26:00 +0000

The people of Brussels love to put their little-peeing-boy statue through festive costume changes – a Santa suit in wintertime, Count Dracula, a red-leather garment when they're in an Eastern groove. So you'd think they have a little compassion for an outsider who tried to give the statue his own fashion makeover. But nope.

The World's Fastest Wi-Fi Puts Your Sluggish Router to Shame

Sat, 18 May 2013 14:13:00 +0000

For the most part, we're all happy if we can get Internet that's fast enough to stream some HD video. But faster is always better, and a new, world-record setting network developed in Germany is so blazing fast you wouldn't know what to do with it. It can deliver multiple HD films in a second.

The Tantalizing Tales Behind Used Clothes

Sat, 18 May 2013 13:59:18 +0000

“They were selling this dress with blood splattered on it.”

YouTube’s Biggest Stars Celebrate Being YouTube’s Biggest Stars

Sat, 18 May 2013 13:25:07 +0000

Do you have any idea who the people in this video are?

Animal Sex: How Ostriches Do It

Sat, 18 May 2013 13:24:59 +0000

As the largest and fastest flightless birds around, ostriches are one of the most recognizable bird species on the planet. But their physical stature isn't the only interesting thing about these birds — their reproductive behavior is also quite peculiar.

What 11 Pairs Of Eyeballs Watching A Movie Looks Like

Sat, 18 May 2013 13:19:20 +0000

This is not only really cool, but it has striking implications for makers of film and TV.

Start Your Day Right With a Daft Punk Laser Bubble Rave

Sat, 18 May 2013 13:06:00 +0000

Lasers, bubbles, edge-tracking, and Daft Punk are all pretty awesome in their own separate ways, but put together, they can put one one hell of a useless, random, but awesome show.

Google-built media player hits the FCC, reveals only a Hitchhiker's Guide reference

Sat, 18 May 2013 13:04:00 +0000

With much of its information obscured it's hard to say what Google has planned for this new device revealed by its FCC filing, but the model number at least indicates someone has a sense of humor. Called an "H840 device" and rocking the model number H2G2-42 (Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy - 42, the ultimate answer to the question of life, the universe and everything) it has WiFi of the 802.11 b/g/n varieties, but that's all we know for sure. The natural question is whether this is a proper revamp of / follow up to the failed Nexus Q project, particularly with its appearance coming so closely after the unveiling of its Google Play Music All Access subscription. Of course, Google has no shortage of mysterious device projects in store, we're hopeful this one will reveal all of its secrets soon.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Internet, HD, Google

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Source: TabletGuide.nl, FCC

Amtrak boosts WiFi on select trains, more upgrades coming this summer

Sat, 18 May 2013 10:11:00 +0000

There are plenty of wonderful things about train travel: the leg room, the scenery, the lack of security pat-downs. The WiFi, on the other hand, has long been the slowest thing about Amtrak. The company announced today that it's finally doing something about its frustratingly sluggish service, upgrading wireless on select trains, including the Acela express between Boston and Washington DC and a few California lines like the Capitol Corridor, Pacific Surfliner and San Joaquin. Travelers to other destinations will have to wait a bit longer for quicker load times -- Amtrak has promised that the rest of its WiFi-equipped trains will be upgraded by "late summer."

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Via: Slashdot

Source: The New York Times

Stitcher adds car mode to iOS app, encourages responsible driving

Sat, 18 May 2013 07:06:00 +0000

Stitcher just announced a new car mode for the iPhone version of its radio and podcasting app, bringing a simplified interface that works in both portrait and landscape positions. Accessible by tapping the Stitcher logo at the top of the screen, car mode offers a pared-down version of the app's standard UI, with bigger buttons and only the essential audio controls. It's nowhere near as flashy as Stitcher's BMW integration, mind you, but the point is to keep your eyes on the road and off your iPhone's screen. The app gets a few other updates this time around: a front page with top headlines, one-tap access to shows and podcasts you're searching for and improved playback when you're picking up in the middle of a show. Head to the source link below to give the app a spin, and drive safely!

Filed under: Software, Mobile

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Source: Stitcher Blog, Stitcher Radio (iTunes)

The Weirdest Thing on the Internet Tonight: Two Colors, Three Dimensions

Sat, 18 May 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Mixing surreal anaglyphic animation and a haunting soundtrack, this stunning short by Stephen Chan is cool enough to watch even without the glasses. Of course if you want the full effect but don't have access to pair, just blink your eyes alternately real fast. That might work.

University of Glasgow makes 3D models with single-pixel sensors, skips the cameras (video)

Sat, 18 May 2013 03:52:00 +0000

Most approaches to capturing 3D models of real-world objects involve multiple cameras that are rarely cheap, and are sometimes tricky to calibrate. The University of Glasgow has developed a method that ditches those cameras altogether. Its system has four single-pixel sensors stitching together a 3D image based on the reflected intensity of light patterns cast by a projector. Reducing the pixel count lowers the cost per sensor to just a few dollars, and extends the sensitivity as far as terahertz wavelengths. Real-world products are still a long way off, but the university sees its invention as useful for cancer detection and other noble pursuits. Us? We'd probably just waste it on creating uncanny facsimiles of ourselves.

Filed under: Science, Alt

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Via: New Scientist

Source: University of Glasgow

Iowa Farms Can't Seem to Keep Their Pig Shit from Exploding

Sat, 18 May 2013 03:00:00 +0000

Pig farming is tough, foul-smelling, and dirty work. Turns out, that's the good part of it. See, since 2009 the American hog farming industry has been struck with an explosive pork poop problem—in that the decomposing porcine waste will go boom under the right conditions.

This Week's Top Comedy Video: Vine Tries to Make a Vine Ad in Vine

Sat, 18 May 2013 02:00:00 +0000

Vine might be the communication tool of the future, but it's not without its limitations. Not the least of which is how impossible it is to describe Vine in a Vine-length blurb. Irony, thou art cruel!

Twitter partners with NBA to highlight in-game replays, Blake Griffin posterizations

Sat, 18 May 2013 01:49:00 +0000

In all honesty, Blake Griffin himself could start a social network that served no purpose outside of featuring his dizzying (and disgusting, if you will) array of dunks, and it'd probably go over quite well. Instead, he -- along with other superstars in the National Basketball Association -- will soon see replays of in-game highlights making waves across Twitter in more official fashion. Hot on the heels of a deal between ESPN and Twitter comes this: a partnership between the NBA and the aforesaid social network that'll get video highlights to the world while the game is still ongoing.

#NBARapidReplay will be the hashtag to watch for as the playoffs progress, and as you'd expect, short advertisements will appear alongside those clips. Twitter's foray into the television universe is hardly a new one, but it's becoming ever more obvious that the company is following the ad dollars into the homes of everyday viewers. Up next? A deal to tweet highlights from the 2014 Masters golf tournament... but only in extremely soft spoken, lowercase, predominantly pompous characters.

Filed under: Internet

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Source: Bloomberg

NASA Designs the Scientifically Perfect Space Meal

Sat, 18 May 2013 01:00:00 +0000

After being strapped onto the front of a 15-story controlled explosion and launched clear out of the atmosphere to live in an experimental laboratory orbiting around the Earth at thousands of miles an hour, the least NASA can do is give you a good meal.

BlackBerry software chief on updates and BB10 for healthcare and financial services

Sat, 18 May 2013 00:53:00 +0000

During BlackBerry Live this week we got to speak with Vivek Bhardwaj, BlackBerry's Head of Software, about the future of BB10. In light of the the platform's first major software update rolling out to its devices, we asked about the plans for future releases. Bhardwaj told us that the plan is for them to come at a regular cadence of one major code update per year, with other, incremental updates for specific devices sprinkled in as needed. A particular focus is to do so while delivering devs fully realized hardware and to avoid fragmentation in the code base -- making it easier to create BB10 apps.

While he wouldn't dish details about features coming to BB10 in those updates, Bhardwaj did explain that he's working on making BB10 a platform particularly suited for use not only in cars, but also in the healthcare and financial services industries. That focus is a part of the mobile computing ethos espoused by CEO Thorsten Heins meant to have BB10 devices be users' personal, portable computing terminal that is simply plugged into a screen -- whether it's a desktop monitor, a car or somewhere else -- that delivers a uniform experience. When asked whether those screens would include TVs, Bhardwaj didn't rule it out, but he did say that home experiences weren't a priority because it's a crowded space and BB10 "is all about getting things done." As a result, the number one focus is building out a compelling automotive platform, with healthcare and financial services coming in a close second. So, folks thinking BB10 was BlackBerry betting on consumers instead of the enterprise, think again. The more things change, the more they seem to stay the same -- at least when the folks in Waterloo are involved.

Filed under: Cellphones, Software, Mobile

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Yahoo rumors ahead of Monday's event include $1.1 billion Tumblr buy, Flickr updates

Sat, 18 May 2013 00:11:00 +0000

Earlier today, Yahoo sent press invites to a "product-related" event in New York City Monday afternoon and there are already two separate rumors about the company's plans. The first, from Bloomberg, concerns the event specifically and cites a "person familiar with the matter" reporting we'll hear about new updates for Yahoo's once-mighty Flickr photo service. The second is from AllThingsD which has upgraded rumors of a Tumblr purchase from possible to possibly imminent, saying the company's board will meet Sunday to decide whether it will make a $1.1 billion all-cash offer for the site. Since new CEO Marissa Mayer took over Yahoo has made a number of acquisitions with a focus on improving its homepage, content and app offerings including Flickr. That announcement is also penciled in for the 20th, but whatever actually goes down you can be sure we'll have the details as they're unveiled around 4PM ET.

Filed under: Internet

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Source: Bloomberg, AllThingsD

Energizer 180W Cup Inverter: Juice Your Gadgets on the Go

Sat, 18 May 2013 00:00:00 +0000

It's been a brutal week at work, you've spent what? Maybe 15 seconds of it without your phone on your ear and your computer on your lap? At this point, your electronics are just as drained as your are. Give them a jump start on your drive home with this 180W car charger.

New Google Chrome Ad Spoofed By Microsoft

Fri, 17 May 2013 23:37:22 +0000

Right on the heels of a very successful Google I/O conference during which Google has shows on stage that Chrome was becoming as good on mobile as it is on desktop, the company also launched a new television ad that [...]

, , , Original content from Ubergizmo.

Most Beautiful Items: May 11 - May 17, 2013

Fri, 17 May 2013 23:20:00 +0000

Another week on the books means another week's worth of beautiful items. From structures made out of salt to Venice's beautiful beachfront facades, here are some of our favorite architecture and design posts from the past seven days.

Google Glass 'prescription edition' makes a cameo at Google I/O

Fri, 17 May 2013 23:20:00 +0000

Google I/O is always full of surprises, and we came across yet another elusive bit of hardware on the show floor today: Google Glass "prescription edition". No, it's not actually called that (we made up the name), but what you're looking at is definitely Glass that's been neatly integrated with a pair of prescription glasses -- in fact, it looks a lot like the version of Glass that Google recently mentioned on its blog. We don't really know anything else about this device, but we've reached out to Google for comment. Is this a custom design built by combining Google Glass Explorer Edition with off-the shelf eyewear? Is this a Glass prototype that's designed specifically for people who wear prescription spectacles? Share your thoughts in the comments and don't forget to check out the gallery below.

Update: Google's confirmed it's a prototype the company's experimented with that uses the same software as the Explorer Edition but slightly different hardware on the outside.

Gallery: Google Glass 'prescription edition' at Google I/O

Brad Molen contributed to this report.

Filed under: Wearables, Mobile, Google

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How to Make Your Own Anti-Venom without Poisoning a Horse

Fri, 17 May 2013 23:00:00 +0000

The Iocane Powder trick really does work! As this slick educational short from the SciShow explains, you've got two choices when it comes to treating deadly, deadly snake bites: you can either hopefully make it to a hospital in time to counter the toxins with dozens of expensive vials of delicate anti-venom, or you can slowly inoculate yourself against their effects—effectively turning yourself into a poison-immune mobile anti-venom factory. Where do I sign up? [SciShow]

Lenovo's Intel-powered K900 smartphone on sale now in China, ships internationally this summer

Fri, 17 May 2013 22:52:00 +0000

It arrived with a bang, but it's been dead silence ever since. Lenovo's Intel Clover Trail+ smartphone, the Android-based K900, is finally ready to make its grand entrance into the consumer realm. The 5.5-inch powerhouse will ship with a dual-core Atom Z2580 CPU (2.0GHz) within, a PowerVR SGX 544MP2 GPU, a 1080p IPS panel slipped behind a coating of Gorilla Glass 2 and a 13 megapixel camera. Despite the sizable display, it weighs just 162 grams and measures 6.9 millimeters thick, and should be available across greater China right now for RMB 3,299 (around $536) -- or RMB 2,999 if you're lucky. For those outside of Lenovo's homeland, you'll need to wait until summer for it to hit an unspecified amount of "international markets."

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Lenovo

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Source: Lenovo, JD.com

The Daily Roundup for 05.17.2013

Fri, 17 May 2013 22:30:00 +0000

You might say the day is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workday, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Daily Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 24 hours -- all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.

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Google Play Music, Hangouts, Kicksend, and More

Fri, 17 May 2013 22:00:00 +0000

What with Google I/O being this week, there are naturally some wonderful additions to Android's app family from the mothership herself. But that doesn't mean third party developers have just been sitting around twiddling their thumbs—this week's set of apps has offerings from everyone.

Festival Ready, Beer Hunt, and More

Fri, 17 May 2013 22:00:00 +0000

The summer season is just about to be upon us, and this week came bearing a whole slew of apps ready to make sure you're having maximum fun while maintaining maximum responsibility. We hope.

EyePaint, WWF Together, and More

Fri, 17 May 2013 22:00:00 +0000

It's been a long week, and you deserve a break. Fortunately, this week's set of apps for iPad are full of fun and relaxation, and there's even app ready to do the work for you. Lucky you.

Formlabs ships first Form 1 3D printer, Kickstarter backers should see theirs next week

Fri, 17 May 2013 21:55:00 +0000

Some might say it's been a long, long while since October -- with "some" referring to the swath of Kickstarter backers who've been waiting oh-so-patiently for a Form 1 to call their own. Formlabs has just confirmed via a company blog post that the very first Form 1 3D printer shipped out today, as the Collector's Edition Form 1 and half of the Initial Formation tier of pledges hopped on a variety of delivery trucks. The rest of you backers can expect to begin printing "by the end of next week." For those keeping count, the Form 1 is actually a few months behind schedule, but in all honesty, that's pretty good considering the up-and-down nature of crowdfunded projects that manage to find the limelight.

The outfit is reminding folks that Form 1 units are shipped as they're produced, fulfilling Kickstarter rewards and preorders by priority. Specifics on group deliveries won't come for a few more weeks, but those in the Bay Area can swing by Maker Faire (or ICFF if you're in the Big Apple) to catch an early glimpse. Oh, and if you're just now hearing of this thing? You can place a $3,299 order right now, but you probably won't get it until July. Them's the breaks, kids!

Filed under: Peripherals

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Source: Formlabs

A Tour Through the US Army's Largest Simulated Battlefield

Fri, 17 May 2013 21:40:00 +0000

How does the Army train soldiers for guerrilla combat in cities and villages they've never visited? By building replicas of those villages, training a force of fake "insurgents," and hiring actors to populate the scenes. Welcome to Fort Irwin, a 1,000-square mile Army Base where many soldiers train before deploying overseas.

Hangouts Easter Eggs put dinos and ponies in your chat

Fri, 17 May 2013 21:28:00 +0000

If the 850 hand-drawn emoji included in Hangouts aren't enough for you, we've got some good news -- there's a small collection of Easter Eggs that add even more whimsy to your discussions. The commands are mostly initiated with an IRC-like "/" followed by certain words. For example "/ponies" sends a colorful little filly prancing across your window. There's also "/ponystream" which overruns your chat with young horses. Of course, you can also punch in the Konami code (if you don't know what that is by now, there's no hope for you) which will change your background to pleasant drawing of a mountain and a tree. Sadly, that one is only visible to the person doing the typing. So far we're having mixed results with the web interface for Hangouts and the commands don't work on the mobile version. But in the Chrome app, everything is golden.

Filed under: Internet, Google

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Via: Droid Life

Source: Moritz Tolxdorff (Google+)

This Silicone Cylinder Is an Acceptable Adult Piggy Bank

Fri, 17 May 2013 21:20:00 +0000

Most of us have a spot for our spare change, whether it's a glass or a jar or the space in between your couch cushions. These rubber banks, designed by the Hong Kong collective Praxis, are just as practical and a lot more refined.

This week on gdgt: LG shows there's room for more than one mega-smartphone

Fri, 17 May 2013 21:00:00 +0000

Each week, our friends at gdgt go through the latest gadgets and score them to help you decide which ones to buy. Here are some of their latest picks -- along with a few you should probably avoid. Want more? Visit gdgt anytime to catch up on the latest, and subscribe to gdgt's newsletter to get a weekly roundup in your inbox.

Filed under: Misc

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Firefox 22 beta enables WebRTC by default, HiDPI displays on Windows

Fri, 17 May 2013 20:47:00 +0000

Though Mozilla has long been a proponent of WebRTC for plugin-free video and voice chat, it hasn't been ready to enable the full protocol in Firefox as a matter of course. It's more confident as of this week: the newly available Firefox 22 beta turns on complete WebRTC use by default, allowing for both live web conversations and peer-to-peer file swaps. There's more to the release as well, depending on the platform. Windows users receive support for HiDPI displays, like that of the Kirabook; every desktop user also gets gaming-friendly OdinMonkey JavaScript tuning, a web notification API and a font inspector. Android users won't have WebRTC and other upgrades for now, but everyone can experiment with the latest Firefox beta at the source links.

Filed under: Cellphones, Internet, Software

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Via: Mozilla (1), (2)

Source: Firefox Beta, Google Play

The Strange Story Of Marie Antoinette's Watch

Fri, 17 May 2013 20:42:21 +0000

It was a watch so beautiful, so elegant, so precise, that it could only have been meant for royalty. Then it vanished without a trace.

Ten Days On A Lesbian Porn Set

Fri, 17 May 2013 20:32:03 +0000

A surprisingly human look at what goes on behind the scenes.

Baby Foxes Check Into Facebook

Fri, 17 May 2013 19:50:36 +0000

On the eve of Facebook’s one-year IPO anniversary, several employees were buzzing about one topic on campus. No, it wasn’t about revenue. It was about the Facebook foxes.

Dell XPS 18 Review

Fri, 17 May 2013 19:42:04 +0000

This complete review of the Dell XPS 18 goes over all practical aspects of this computer to give you an accurate picture of how it is

, , , Original content from Ubergizmo.

This Chart Helps You Find The Right Career Based On Salary And Growth

Fri, 17 May 2013 19:02:45 +0000

If you haven't settled on a career yet, this interactive chart from Rasmussen College can help you find the best options.

Why Is This 112-Year-Old Church Floating In The Air?

Fri, 17 May 2013 18:56:59 +0000

Art installation? Trick photography? Nope, just a little restoration project going on at Utah's Provo Temple, which was badly damaged in a fire in 2010. Thankfully, the Church of the Latter Day Saints is salvaging the 112-year-old building with a little architectural levitation.

Sony XPERIA Z Tablet With Stock Android And Unlocked, For Development

Fri, 17 May 2013 17:47:54 +0000

The Sony XPERIA Z Tablet is going to hit U.S shores by month’s end, but Sony has just announced that its flagship tablet could be unlocked and loaded with a stock Android OS for developers who want to take the [...]

, , , Original content from Ubergizmo.

The Most Bizarre Requests Received By British Diplomats

Fri, 17 May 2013 17:28:14 +0000

British consular officials are completely fed up with fielding stupid requests for assistance from Britons abroad. So they put out this ridiculous press release.

NVIDIA SHIELD Pre-Orders Hit Sooner Than Expected

Fri, 17 May 2013 17:12:15 +0000

Earlier this week, NVIDIA announced the pre-order timeframe of its SHIELD Android mobile game console powered by Tegra 4, and that was supposed to be next Monday for retail partners like Newegg, GameStop, Micro Center and Canada Computers. Good news: [...]

, , , Original content from Ubergizmo.

Eight Nerds Get Rich Off A Game That Makes Oprah Sob Into A Lean Cuisine

Fri, 17 May 2013 17:09:50 +0000

Cards Against Humanity has made well more than $12 million, all because some Highland Park 20-somethings wanted to avoid conversation.

Microsoft Updating Xbox 360 Dashboard To Prepare For Next-Gen Xbox [Rumor]

Fri, 17 May 2013 16:56:19 +0000

Microsoft’s next-generation Xbox will be unveiled on May 21, which means they probably have a lot planned to be announced that day not only for its newest Xbox video game console, but also its games ecosystem, such as it reportedly [...]

, , , Original content from Ubergizmo.

Temple Run Franchise Surpasses 300M Downloads; Temple Run 2 Update Incoming

Fri, 17 May 2013 16:33:40 +0000

Imangi Studios’ Temple Run 2 made its debut earlier this year iOS and Android resulting in the game being downloaded over 50 million times at last count. Today, Imangi has announced the entire Temple Run franchise has been downloaded over 300 million times [...]

, , , Original content from Ubergizmo.

Palm-Sized Portable Iron Runs On USB, AA Batteries To Deliver Wrinkle-Free Clothes

Fri, 17 May 2013 16:05:40 +0000

We know when traveling, one of the hardest things to do is to keep your clothes wrinkle-free, especially if you’re the kind of person to pack everything they’re traveling with into a large duffle bag. Sure – you could use [...]

, , , Original content from Ubergizmo.

iOS Devices Now Approved For Military Use By Department Of Defense

Fri, 17 May 2013 15:52:45 +0000

Earlier this month, we heard reports both Samsung Galaxy and iOS devices were in the process of being approved to be used by the U.S. Department of Defense. Soon after that report, we heard both BlackBerry and Samsung devices were approved, [...]

, , , Original content from Ubergizmo.

Samsung Releases TecTiles 2 NFC Tags With Galaxy S4 Support For $15

Fri, 17 May 2013 15:39:55 +0000

Samsung had previously released its TecTiles programmable NFC tags for its Galaxy S3 around this time last year, but unfortunately with the release of the Galaxy S4, its TecTiles didn’t support its latest and greatest smartphone. But today, Samsung is [...]

, , , Original content from Ubergizmo.

Abducted Man Finds Way Home Using Google Maps After 23 Years

Fri, 17 May 2013 15:20:25 +0000

Now this is definitely a modern day version of Hansel & Gretel (no, not the high tech witch hunting pair of siblings as depicted on the silver screen earlier this year), where a 28-year old man who was abducted more [...]

, , , Original content from Ubergizmo.

The CW Brings Its Shows To Apple TV Via App

Fri, 17 May 2013 15:15:20 +0000

It looks like The CW has been making some serious moves lately as not only did they launch an application on the Xbox 360 just a few weeks ago, but today, the network frequented by tweens and teens has struck [...]

, , , Original content from Ubergizmo.

Scientists Create Single Pixel Camera For 3D Images

Fri, 17 May 2013 15:11:58 +0000

Scientists from Glasgow have managed to come up with an unprecedented discovery, by successfully creating a single-pixel camera for 3D images. This unique discovery would comprise of a projector which displays patterned light on the face on a mannequin, where [...]

, , , Original content from Ubergizmo.

Syrian Electronic Army Hacks The Financial Times

Fri, 17 May 2013 15:06:53 +0000

It was not too long ago when we brought you news that the Syrian Electronic Army hacked into 11 Twitter accounts of The Guardian, and it seems that that was not the last we heard of them. Today, we have [...]

, , , Original content from Ubergizmo.

Domino’s Customizes DVDs To Smell Like Pizza When Played

Fri, 17 May 2013 15:03:27 +0000

We’re not sure what’s going on in Brazil these days, but they’re coming up with some seriously awesome products as just last week, Huggies unveiled its TweetPee product, which alerts parents when they need to change their baby’s diaper. This week, [...]

, , , Original content from Ubergizmo.

Black Ops II Uprising Now Available

Fri, 17 May 2013 15:02:53 +0000

There is nothing quite like adding more legs into a particular game by having a riveting franchise alongside more downloadable content (DLC), as with the case of Black Ops II Uprising which has been available since yesterday. Call of Duty [...]

, , , Original content from Ubergizmo.

Foc.us Headset Touts A Better Gaming Experience

Fri, 17 May 2013 14:53:21 +0000

Messing with one’s mind used to be the domain of manipulative personalities and shrinks, but now it seems that even regular hardware that has been tuned to a certain manner is able to do so. The foc.us is a unique [...]

, , , Original content from Ubergizmo.

This Is Every Known Piece Of Space Debris Orbiting The Earth

Fri, 17 May 2013 14:50:15 +0000

Whoa.

Nintendo Partners With Best Buy To Allow Fans Access To Unreleased Wii U Games During E3 2013

Fri, 17 May 2013 14:48:55 +0000

Nintendo may not be holding one of its global press conferences at this year’s E3, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it should be seen as a bad thing, even though its Wii U has yet to sell as well as the [...]

, , , Original content from Ubergizmo.

Nintendo And SEGA Agree On Exclusive Partnership

Fri, 17 May 2013 14:48:36 +0000

Sega does what Nintendon’t? That’s all old hat and water under the bridge by now, as Sega and Nintendo have come to an agreement where future Sonic the Hedgehog games will be Nintendo exclusives, especially on the Wii U home [...]

, , , Original content from Ubergizmo.

Microsoft Says It Pays To Upgrade To Windows 8

Fri, 17 May 2013 14:42:54 +0000

Microsoft wins either way when they recommend enterprises to make the jump to the latest version of their Windows operating system, touting that companies which do not migrate from Windows XP to Windows 7 or 8 could eventually end up [...]

, , , Original content from Ubergizmo.

LG Optimus GJ Headed For Taiwan

Fri, 17 May 2013 14:38:12 +0000

It seems that waterproof smartphones are all the rage these days, and not only that, these special kind of devices have become more and more sleek in terms of design, where it is getting more and more difficult to tell [...]

, , , Original content from Ubergizmo.

U.S. Air Force To Deploy iPads

Fri, 17 May 2013 14:35:54 +0000

Just as the Defense Department granted iOS devices approva l for use on military networks, TheStreet reports that the U.S. military plans on saving around $50 million through its purchase of iPads.

HTC One Production Volume Set To Double

Fri, 17 May 2013 14:31:18 +0000

The HTC One is the Taiwanese smartphone company’s latest flagship device, where it was first revealed in February earlier this year. So far, it has earned pretty rave reviews and we do know that this could very well be the [...]

, , , Original content from Ubergizmo.

PlayStation Mod PSIO Can Load PS1 Games Directly Onto The Console

Fri, 17 May 2013 13:38:08 +0000

Playing PlayStation games on the PS3 isn’t as easy as Sony would have us believe as inserting a PS1 game into the PlayStation 3 will result in the game console to probably spit it back into your face. The only [...]

, , , Original content from Ubergizmo.

Men's Biceps Predict Their Political Ideologies

Fri, 17 May 2013 13:32:10 +0000

Turns out, positions on economic redistribution are correlated with upper-body strength.

Samsung Galaxy S4 Expected To Sell 10 Million Units Next Week

Fri, 17 May 2013 13:22:30 +0000

With many customers around the world now able to pick up the Samsung Galaxy S4 on their wireless carrier of choice, as well as Google’s unlocked version of the smartphone starting on June 26, we think it’s safe to assume Samsung [...]

, , , Original content from Ubergizmo.

10 Facial Reconstructions Of Famous Historical Figures

Fri, 17 May 2013 13:16:08 +0000

Why look at a painting of a historical figure when you can come face to face with one? Forensic facial reconstruction using scans of skeletal remains allows researchers to create 3D models of the face through a combination of science, history, and artistic interpretation.