Aug/100
Purdue’s ’self-calibrating’ MEMS could produce the most accurate sensors yet
Micro electromechanical systems, or MEMS, aren’t anything new. But Purdue University’s Jason Vaughn Clark has ideas that are far grander than those we’ve seen already. Mr. Clark has purportedly developed a new take on an old spin, with electro micro metrology (EMM) enabling engineers to “account for process variations by determining the precise movement and force that’s being applied to, or sensed by, a MEMS device.” These self-calibrating machines are the first to do so without any external references, which would allow nanotechnologists, crime forensics researchers and a whole host of others to determine what actually happens at a microscopic level. In theory, the gurus working on this stuff long to improve the accuracy of atomic force microscopes and to eventually create a diminutive AFM-on-a-chip, which — according to Clark — could “open the door to the nanoworld to a much larger number of groups or individuals.” We’re waiting.
Purdue’s ’self-calibrating’ MEMS could produce the most accurate sensors yet originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 12 Aug 2010 11:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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May/100
Fraunhofer’s 3D posters make your fish-based advertising really pop
The pinnacle of 3D-based content? Glasses-free, of course, and Fraunhofer has reached that level for static images — and it plans to use it for advertising, of course. The company is talking up its new 3D posters that rely on 250,000 lenses embedded in a grooved sheet, each lens with a 2mm diameter. The effect is said to be similar to those simple “3D” lenticular postcards and cereal boxes we’ve all seen, but Fraunhofer promises that improved accuracy used in manufacturing here will make the resulting images far clearer, enabling the effect to be clearly seen on these five meter posters even from across the street. That’s good, because when was the last time you walked up to a billboard to get a closer look?
Fraunhofer’s 3D posters make your fish-based advertising really pop originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 May 2010 09:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Apr/100
IR-detecting OLED film could mean cheap night vision on everything
Night vision, once the exclusive property of military special forces and dreadlock’d aliens, has over the past few years become far more accessible for the everyman — even everymen with small pockets. But, we could be on the verge of a green-screen revolution if research taking place at the University of Florida, led by Dr. Franky So, comes to fruition. He and his students are working on OLED film that is excited by infrared. Multiple layers of the stuff convert that light into a spectrum that we can see and, if all goes well, could be inexpensively layered onto anything from glasses to car windshields. So is indicating this stuff could start production in 18 months, but given the accuracy of original predictions regarding monstrously huge yet inexpensive OLED displays we won’t exactly be holding our collective breath over here.
IR-detecting OLED film could mean cheap night vision on everything originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Apr 2010 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Mar/100
Google issues statement on Nexus One sales, touts Android Market’s 30,000 apps
Numbers released by Flurry Analytics yesterday suggested that Google’s Nexus One had sold around 135,000 units in 74 days (the same amount of time it took the iPhone to hit a million) — not a staggering number by any measure. Now, we don’t really have any way to assess the accuracy of Flurry’s data, but we spoke with Google’s team about a few things, and here’s what they had to say. For starters, Google wanted to assert the idea that selling lots of a single handset isn’t the company’s primary goal, an idea which makes sense considering how many handsets are currently available with Android. In our conversation, Google actually called out the sales figures for the Droid and seemed eager to make the point that their game is more of a war of attrition fought on a variety of fronts. Read their statement — and lots more — after the break…
Continue reading Google issues statement on Nexus One sales, touts Android Market’s 30,000 apps
Google issues statement on Nexus One sales, touts Android Market’s 30,000 apps originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 17 Mar 2010 13:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Mar/100
Microsoft confirms accuracy of old, pre-’reboot’ Windows Mobile 7 leaks
Remember those old, allegedly leaked Windows Mobile 7 screen shots from way back in 2008? You know — those ones that look absolutely nothing like the so-called Metro UI that Windows Phone 7 Series is actually using? Well, Microsoft’s Albert Shum — one of WP7S’ chief designers who we had the pleasure of meeting back at MWC — just confirmed the accuracy of those leaks in a session here at MIX10. Discussing the reboot of the WinMo 7 program that happened inside Microsoft about a year ago, Shum flashed a slide showing eight of those infamous shots featuring those crazy bottom-aligned battery and signal meters along with WinMo 6.x-ish ID oozing from every nook and cranny. Needless to say, a clean-slate approach was sorely needed, and that’s exactly where Metro ended up coming into play — but be honest: is there anyone out there that would’ve still preferred the old leak in a production device?
Microsoft confirms accuracy of old, pre-’reboot’ Windows Mobile 7 leaks originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 15 Mar 2010 19:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Mar/100
ASUS Cine5 is ‘world’s most compact’ five-channel speaker, doesn’t forget the blue LEDs
Seriously, who told manufacturers that we’re in love with garish LED status lights?ASUS has strapped a glowing orb of unnecessariness around the volume knob of the Cine5 — an otherwise perfectly acceptable and appreciably diminutive PC soundbar. With an array of speaker drivers integrated into that curvy body, ASUS claims the Cine5 produces realistic multidirectional surround sound, but does admit it’s mostly intended for smaller spaces such as study rooms. The announcement also includes a nod to FPS gamers, with claims that the improved positional audio on offer will benefit both gameplay immersion and accuracy when identifying a sound source, though we reckon the biggest boon will still be the elimination of the extra cables and speakers one usually needs to get one’s surround sound on. Price and availability have not yet been made public, but knowing ASUS both should be in the reasonable range of the market.
ASUS Cine5 is ‘world’s most compact’ five-channel speaker, doesn’t forget the blue LEDs originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 07:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Feb/100
Viliv S5 MID gets accuracy-boosting HID driver for Windows 7
Viliv’s S5 MID, the little machine that packs the Vaio P’s Z520 processor in a legitimately pocketable form-factor, just got a breath of fresh air. It’s an HID (human interface device) driver for Windows 7, boosting the machine’s touchscreen abilities and enabling the breadth of Windows 7’s tablet functionality. According to Uber Tablet this greatly enhances usability by, amongst other things, presenting the Windows tablet keyboard rather than relying on the accessibility version and enabling better calibration. The driver being used here is legitimate according to reports we’ve read, but it is not signed and doesn’t appear to be an official release from Viliv, so you may want to exercise a bit of caution before you install — but don’t wait too long. This sounds like a pretty tasty update.
Viliv S5 MID gets accuracy-boosting HID driver for Windows 7 originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 28 Feb 2010 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Feb/100
Raytheon scores $886 million contract to improve GPS capabilities
Raytheon scores $886 million contract to improve GPS capabilities originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 26 Feb 2010 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Feb/100
Motorola CLIQ updated, Android 2.1 still MIA
Sitting somewhere between that accidental update from a few weeks back and an honest-to-goodness cut of Android 2.1 lies this puppy, a new official build for Motorola’s CLIQ versioned 1.3.18. By all appearances, this is basically a smoothed-out, refined version of the first CLIQ upgrade from early December, featuring further improvements to battery life and both touchscreen and accelerometer accuracy, but they’ve also managed to squeeze in QuickOffice 2 and better support for corporate email accounts. Though we’d prefer Eclair, of course, we’ll take what we can get — and technically, we’re not even due for 2.1 yet anyhow. The upgrade’s being pushed as a phased rollout — as virtually all Android updates seem to be — so if you haven’t gotten it yet, keep checking every ten seconds or so (and if people think you’re acting strangely, just claim that you’re getting a ton of text messages — it usually works for us).
[Thanks, Juan R.]
Motorola CLIQ updated, Android 2.1 still MIA originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 23 Feb 2010 10:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Feb/100
BeBionic teases advanced bionic hand, Terminator 5 now has a prop supplier (video)
It won’t officially launch until May, but we’re already guessing that the folks over at DaVinci are casting quizzical glances towards BeBionic. The UK-based outfit is teasing what it calls the “next generation of fully articulated myo-electric hands,” which are said to provide “a range of naturally compliant grip patterns that provide repeatable accuracy” to those who have lost their own hand(s). Better still, the functions (speed, grip force, grip patterns, etc.) can be customized to suit each individual user, and the integrated wireless chip means that said tweaking can take place sans any troubling USB cables. The company’s also planning to reveal the planet’s first powered wrist with rotation capabilities as well as flexion / extension, and the range just wouldn’t be complete without silicone skin available in 19 tones. Hop on past the break for a couple of promo videos — we get the feeling the world of prosthetics is about to take a huge leap forward.
Continue reading BeBionic teases advanced bionic hand, Terminator 5 now has a prop supplier (video)
BeBionic teases advanced bionic hand, Terminator 5 now has a prop supplier (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 16 Feb 2010 10:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Feb/100
Adobe confirms no Flash in Windows Mobile 7 (updated)
Look, it’s pretty clear that Windows Mobile 7 will be revealed by Microsoft at Mobile World Congress. We’ve been feeding on a veritable feast of WinMo7 rumors for several months now all pointing to Steve Ballmer’s keynote scheduled for 3PM Barcelona time (9AM in New York). Now Adobe has issued a statement apparently confirming what we’ve already heard: Windows Mobile 7 will not support Flash. Unfortunately, the actual quote carried by Phone Scoop doesn’t mention Windows Phone 7:
“Microsoft and Adobe are working closely together. While the newest version of Windows Phone won’t support Flash at initial availability, both companies are working to include a browser plug-in for the full Flash player in future versions of Windows Phone. More details will be shared at Microsoft MIX next month.”
Of course, the “newest version of Windows Phone” is technically 6.5.3 — a WinMo update recently announced (but hasn’t shipped) and presumably still works with Flash 10.1 beta (but isn’t guaranteed). And since we can’t find the Adobe statement on any of its usual press channels, we can’t say for sure this quote is related to Windows Mobile 7. Still, we don’t doubt the accuracy of Phone Scoop so don’t get your hopes up for Flash in the initial builds of Windows Mobile 7 Windows Phone 7 Series devices.
Update: Sorry kids, we have independent confirmation: Windows Phone 7 will not support Flash at initial launch.
Adobe confirms no Flash in Windows Mobile 7 (updated) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 14 Feb 2010 20:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Feb/100
PwnageTool for iPhone OS 3.1.3 released for the version obsessed
While the list of tweaks is absurdly small in the latest iPhone OS update, we know that some of you simply have to run the latest and greatest OS at all times regardless of risk. Fortunately for you, the Dev-Team has stepped to with a new version of PwnageTool (v3.1.5 for Mac OS X) that handles the update to iPhone OS 3.1.3 with aplomb while preserving your device’s ultrasn0w unlock and jailbroken state. As usual, there’s a litany of precautions depending upon the device you own so hit the source link and read the dev-team’s words carefully before proceeding. With a little luck, patience, and undue stress, improved accuracy of your device’s reported battery level can be yours — Huzzah?
PwnageTool for iPhone OS 3.1.3 released for the version obsessed originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Feb 2010 06:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Feb/100
Omega GM-1 lets you bring your real drum set to Rock Band
Omega GM-1 lets you bring your real drum set to Rock Band originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 01 Feb 2010 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Jan/100
Casio EX-10HG ‘hybrid GPS’ prototype taps into accelerometers for pinpoint accuracy
It’s not a completely new idea, accelerometers have been enhancing GPS devices for a while now with additional velocity and directional information when the GPS signal is weak, but now Casio is giving it a shot in its new Exilim EX-H10 prototype camera. The “hybrid GPS” shooter does the regular geotagging thing with its onboard GPS, but when signal is weak (like when indoors, for instance), the camera augments the location data with guesstimates gleaned from its onboard accelerometers. The camera also has pretty detailed maps, so you could almost use the device for navigation, though the “pushpin” view is a good start. Hit up the source link for some more shots.
Casio EX-10HG ‘hybrid GPS’ prototype taps into accelerometers for pinpoint accuracy originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 12 Jan 2010 10:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Jan/100
MOTO gives straight advice on smartphone touchscreen quality (video)
Like simple and unsophisticated tests? Here’s one sure to generate some heated discussion. MOTO, a group of super brains that assists companies from startups to Microsoft in their product development, has devised a dead-simple test to measure the accuracy of touchscreen devices. The test involves slowly drawing a few diagonal lines across the display using any drawing program on your device. Straight lines are good — stair-stepping is bad. Now, assuming the app isn’t doing some kind of smoothing algorithm then what you see above is symbolic of the accuracy of the iPhone, Droid Eris, Droid, and Nexus One (moving left to right). We met with Morgan Venable, Senior Project Lead / Electical Engineer at MOTO, and saw this test performed live here at CES. Compelling stuff. Video after the break.
Update: Test under medium pressure after the break.
Continue reading MOTO gives straight advice on smartphone touchscreen quality (video)
MOTO gives straight advice on smartphone touchscreen quality (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 09 Jan 2010 15:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Dec/090
Ask Engadget: Best geotagging camera or solution?
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 question is coming to us from James, who needs more geotagging in his life for reasons that are far too personal to share. That said, we have to confess that we’re curious…
“I am looking for the best geotagging camera currently available. The most important feature for me is the accuracy of the GPS module, so any hard specs on satellite receiver would be really useful. Thanks for your time!”
Short and sweet, precisely how we like it. We’re also expanding the question to include geotagging accessories, being that it may actually be best to snag a well-respected standalone camera and then add something like the PhotoTrackr Mini — besides, this will ensure that you can upgrade cameras whenever you darn well please without losing the geotagging abilities. Shout out your recommendations in comments below!
Ask Engadget: Best geotagging camera or solution? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 Dec 2009 23:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Dec/090
HTC’s 2010 roadmap goes on display?
Those among us with minds like steel traps might recall that HTC’s 2009 was leaked with shocking accuracy way back in January of this year, which lends some credibility to this already-believable series of slides we have seemingly showing off most of the good stuff we can expect out of the company in the coming months. The stuff we’re privy to here was allegedly presented at a meeting in Vienna back in October, with both Windows Mobile and Android designs broken up into four target demo categories: Design / Lifestyle, Social, Performance (we like the sound of that), and Productivity — but don’t take our word for it. Follow the break for everything you need to know about this very real-sounding downpour of specs and renders.
Gallery: HTC portfolio for first half of 2010
Continue reading HTC’s 2010 roadmap goes on display?
HTC’s 2010 roadmap goes on display? originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 06 Dec 2009 19:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Dec/090
T-Mobile pushing CLIQ firmware update today?
TmoNews seems to have it on good authority that T-Mobile will be rolling out a firmware update over the air to the Motorola CLIQ today — the device’s first since launch — and we’ve got good news and bad news. First, the bad: by all accounts, it appears that this’ll still be an Android 1.5-based firmware, adding fuel to the fire suggesting that UI skins like BLUR are a huge barrier to keeping devices up to speed with Google’s breakneck release pace. The good news, though, is that the update seems to be lined up to fix a plethora of issues involving Bluetooth, touchscreen accuracy (we can attest to this one), connectivity, accelerometer functionality, and — wait for it — battery life! Looks like the build number is 1.1.31, so let us know if and when you get hooked up, owners.
T-Mobile pushing CLIQ firmware update today? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 Dec 2009 12:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Dec/090
T-Mobile pushing CLIQ firmware update today? (update: yes!)
TmoNews seems to have it on good authority that T-Mobile will be rolling out a firmware update over the air to the Motorola CLIQ today — the device’s first since launch — and we’ve got good news and bad news. First, the bad: by all accounts, it appears that this’ll still be an Android 1.5-based firmware, adding fuel to the fire suggesting that UI skins like BLUR are a huge barrier to keeping devices up to speed with Google’s breakneck release pace. The good news, though, is that the update seems to be lined up to fix a plethora of issues involving Bluetooth, touchscreen accuracy (we can attest to this one), connectivity, accelerometer functionality, and — wait for it — battery life! Looks like the build number is 1.1.31, so let us know if and when you get hooked up, owners.
Update: We’ve gotten tips from several users now that they’ve already been able to nab the update, so it looks like the CLIQ is definitely getting a little better today. Well, hopefully, anyhow.
T-Mobile pushing CLIQ firmware update today? (update: yes!) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 Dec 2009 12:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Oct/0925
SlashBot: The Guitar Hero Robot – EXPERT Cliffs of Dover
Our robot playing “Cliffs of Dover” on Expert. It finished with 96% accuracy! Not too bad for a machine. Slashbot is our Electrical Engineering senior design project at Texas A&M. The system plays Guitar Hero by analyzing the video signal with a National Instruments PXI box and LabVIEW. For more information please visit our blog at slashbot.wordpress.com