Mar 02

Pyuuun palm-sized robot keeps tabs on you, delivers beverages

Posted in: RobotApocalypse, Today's Chili

If Hans Moravec of the Robotics Institute at Carnegie Mellon University is right, we only have a good twenty to thirty years left before robots evolve into a new type of artificial species. As we wait for the inevitable robot apocalypse, we’ve already begun to see lots of little robotic guys pop into our lives, whether they’re sweeping the floor, giving us something to hug, or bringing us a cup of tea. In addition to its miniature waitstaff ability, Pyuuun, Robo-Engine’s “LifeLog Robot,” is equipped with eight sensors (including brightness, movement, collision, sound, distance, temperature, slope and infrared) and can be programmed to monitor an area, collecting various data (such as keeping an eye on a temperature-sensitive workspace) and reporting back to you (or your robot overlords) via WiFi. With a 12-volt battery that promises six hours of use on a single charge, the utility of this bad boy is only limited by your imagination — and its ￥300,000 (about $3,090) price tag. Video after the break.

Continue reading Pyuuun palm-sized robot keeps tabs on you, delivers beverages

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Pyuuun palm-sized robot keeps tabs on you, delivers beverages originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 02 Mar 2009 18:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mar 02

Digital cameras set Datacolor’s Spyder sense tingling

Posted in: Today's Chili

Datacolor SpyderCube(Credit: Datacolor)

Although it looks like something you’d hang from your rear-view mirror next to the fuzzy dice, Datacolor’s SpyderCube is actually an ingenious tool for maximizing the dynamic range and obtaining neutral white balance for your digital photographs. Datacolor describes the SpyderCube as "the first all-in-one …

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Mar 02

LaCie’s new Sally Struthers-approved USB key drives

Posted in: Today's Chili, usb, usb drive, UsbDrive

If you felt that LaCie’s CurrenKey ultraportable storage solution was a bit too heavy in the yuks department, the company’s back with something that might be a little more up your proverbial alley. With a form factor that reminds one of a late-night ad for a correspondence course in locksmithing, these miniature microSD card readers offer 20MB/s read and 10MB/s write speeds. Additionally, PassKey supports microSDHC cards, and both iamaKey and itsaKey are available with either 4GB or 8GB of built-in storage. Sure, this guy won’t open a cold one for you, but the shock-proof, Windows ReadyBoost-compatible device does look good on a keyring. You know, if that’s what you’re into. Price and availability to be announced.

[Thanks, Dwayne]

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LaCie’s new Sally Struthers-approved USB key drives originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 02 Mar 2009 18:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mar 02

Rumor: New PSP will have sliding screen

Posted in: Today's Chili

Will the new PSP look more like the Mylo?

(Credit: Sony)

After rumors surfaced last week that the next-generation PSP would do away with the UMD optical drive in favor of direct downloads to flash memory via the PlayStation Network, Eurogamer is reporting something similar and adding a new twist

…

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Mar 02

Asus’ dual-screen concept laptop

Posted in: Today's Chili

See me, feel me, touch me.

(Credit: Asus)

Spotted at the German CeBit 2009 show was this interesting concept piece from Asus. It’s a laptop with two displays, instead of a traditional screen and keyboard. The company calls it “a revolutionary dual-panel concept notebook,” and says the design was inspired by “ideas contributed from users from around the world.”

Using a Web site called WePC.com, consumers could submit and discuss ideas for innovative laptops, and many of the submitted ideas seem to revolve around multiple displays in a single unit.

These photos represent a stab at bringing one of these crowd-sourced ideas to life, but Asus warns that “the concept is still a work-in-progress which requires continued feedback.”

This is how Asus describes the system:

The dual panel offers a flexible working space in which users can adapt to suit their prevailing usage scenarios, for example adjusting the size of the virtual touchpad and keyboard.

Through hand gestures, handwriting recognition, and multitouch, users are presented with a control surface that is both flexible and intuitive. Users can use the dual-panel concept in a myriad of usage scenarios, for example as a conventional notebook with multitouch screens, a virtual keyboard and touchpad; a multimedia hub, in which both dual panels could combine to form a larger display for widescreen entertainment; or an E-book mode in which users can hold the dual panel concept notebook just like they would a conventional book while flipping pages through intuitive gestures or by touch.

These concepts aim to bring convenience to the user through technological innovations and user-centric design.

More pics after the break. …

Originally posted at Digital City Podcast

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Mar 02

Mac Mini Packaging Spy Shot Leaked? (Yawn)

Posted in: Apple, Mac, rumors, Today's Chili

121151image_093_425

About two weeks ago a blurry photo purporting to capture Apple’s next Mac Mini had us calling BS. But then a day later, a video appeared showing off the fabled device, and we were a little more convinced. Today another image is making its rounds on the web, this time claiming to represent the packaging of the Mac Mini.

In the image, the device appears to match the Mac Mini in the previous photo. (Note the five USB ports and Mini Display port). And above the fabled Mac Mini is the Nvidia logo, which suggests the device will ship with an Nvidia chipset. Though some might have doubts about the image because the packaging shows the back of the Mac Mini, the box of the current Mac Mini flashes its derriere, too.

At this point we’re 90 percent convinced that this is the new Mac Mini. And to that we have to say — snore. We wanted a form factor upgrade, dammit.

See Also:

New Mac Mini Packaging Spy Shot [MacRumors]

Photo: MacRumors

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Mar 02

The 2008 Engadget Awards

Posted in: Today's Chili

Sure, it’s March of 2009… but better late than never, right? For your voting (and nominating) pleasure, we present the fifth annual Engadget Awards! The premise is simple: 2008 may have slipped through our fingers, but all the memories of gadgets-past are still with us (some in a more favorable light than others). Here’s your chance to sound off on what you loved in 2008, and tell us what you’re psyched about for 2009.

This year we’ve got 23 categories up for grabs, with 46 total awards to be decided. All finalists for Engadget Awards are reader-nominated, and the editors of Engadget will then select the best of those nominations (usually somewhere between 4-6 devices or technologies) as finalists.

There are two awards per category, Reader’s Choice (voted on by you!), and Editors’ Choice (selected by us). The vote will take place later this month, and winners will be announced shortly thereafter.

You can find all the info and nominees on a landing page we’ve built this year which should make it easier to get all your selections in (and vote once we’ve picked the finalists). Just click right here.
You’ve got until 11:59PM ET on Sunday, March 8th, 2009 to get your entries in. Now, go nominate!

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    The 2008 Engadget Awards originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 02 Mar 2009 17:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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    Mar 02

    Are voice commands on GPS worth it?: Ask the Editors

    Posted in: Today's Chili

    Q: I am writing to ask you about what GPS device is the best for someone interested in traffic updates (preferably free), as well as Bluetooth capability. I also like the idea of Lane Assist because I fear missing exits, etc. Also, is the voice response option really a practical one at this phase? Hope to hear from you soon. –Alex via e-mail

    A: Hi Alex. I’ll start with your last question first. Voice command functionality is just starting to show up in portable navigation devices, letting you enter addresses and perform some other tasks simply by speaking to the GPS. As with any new technology, I can understand your apprehension. Is it good enough? Is it actually useful? In other words, is it ready for prime time?

    In the case of voice commands and GPS, it’s not quite there yet. The idea behind it is good. The ability to enter addresses and perform certain functions with the sound of your voice would seemingly save you the time and trouble of going through various menus and tapping onscreen buttons to achieve the same goal.

    Being able to do things like increase system volume and zoom in on maps via voice commands is particularly useful since you can keep your hands on the wheel instead of reaching over to fiddle around with your PND’s touch screen.

    However, in practice, the technology still needs some work. Voice command functionality is available on a handful of GPS models, such as the TomTom GO 930 and the Magellan Maestro 4250, but of the current offerings, there are only two models where I’d consider the voice command feature satisfactory: the Garmin Nuvi 880 and Navigon 7200T.

    These two systems returned fairly accurate results when dictating addresses, and the Nuvi 800 had the bonus of offering 30 voice commands to perform other functions, including volume control and activating the hands-free speaker system. Unfortunately, they’re also on the pricier side ($700 to $1,000 for the Garmin and $300 to $500 for the Navigon), and I wouldn’t say the voice command functionality is so great that it’s worth the extra expense.

    …

    Originally posted at Miss Direction

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    Mar 02

    Qualcomm shows off emerging display technology

    Posted in: Today's Chili

    The G-Core is a GPS gadget for golfers that uses the daylight-readable Mirasol technology.

    (Credit: Rafe Needleman / CNET)

    PALM DESERT, Calif.–Qualcomm’s MEMS Technologies group at Demo 09 is showing off its evolving Mirasol display technology, which is based on micro-mechanical control of a reflective material (for a …

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    Mar 02

    Pentax extends its reach to first megazoom

    Posted in: Today's Chili

    (Credit: Pentax USA)

    Better late than never? Pentax makes a surprisingly belated entry into the megazoom digital camera market with the $399.99 X70, a competitively spec’d camera. In fact, its lens and sensor specifications look amazingly similar to that of the Nikon P90: a 1/2.33-inch 12….

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