I-Buddie Demos Android Netbook

We’ve heard a lot of talk about the concept of Android netbooks. Some PC manufacturers have been discussing Google’s mobile OS’s potential as an alternative to Linux and Windows on low-powered notebooks. So far, however, there hasn’t been much more than talk.

A small company called I-Buddie, however, is apparently taking the idea very seriously, and is edging closer to the release of a system. As proof of concept, the company released a demo video of the device in action.

Ossur’s new POWER KNEE prosthesis sports A.I., motorized actuators

Perhaps it’s a sobering reminder of the world we live in, but we’ve seen prosthetic technology grow in leaps and bounds over the last couple years. Continuing the upward arc, Ossur has just announced its second generation POWER KNEE device. Developed in partnership with Victhom Human Bionics, the device is billed as “the world’s first and only motor-powered, artificially intelligent prosthesis for above-knee amputees.” Features include: advanced torque and accelerometer sensors that keep an eye on the ground level and compensate accordingly; actuators that actively lift and stimulate the users own muscles for walking up stairs, inclines and ramps; and what the company is calling its “artificial intelligence” features, which allow the device to “observe the whole state of the respective human-system interface.” Currently in use at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, a full commercial release is expected by 2010.

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Ossur’s new POWER KNEE prosthesis sports A.I., motorized actuators originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Apr 2009 14:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Belkin Unveils iPhone and USB Car Chargers

Belkin_Micro_Auto_Charger.jpgBelkin announced two new car chargers for the iPod, iPhone, and other USB-compatible devices. The Micro Auto Charger (pictured) is a compact design that can sit flush on a car’s dashboard, and can charge devices at up to 1 amp–which is necessary for the iPhone and some GPS units. The Micro Auto Charger costs $14.99 and will be available in early May. There will also be a $19.99 package that includes a three-foot iPhone and iPod charge cable.

The Dual Auto Charger, meanwhile, features two USB ports for charging an iPod on one side and a BlackBerry or other USB device on the other side simultaneously. One port charges at 1 amp–for the iPhone–while the other works at 500 milliamps, which is compatible with iPods and other cell phones aside from the iPhone. The Dual Auto Charger lists for $29.99, includes one iPod charge cable, and is available now.

Bluetooth 3.0 + HS gets official, adds speed with 802.11

The rumors were true, and today’s the day that the Bluetooth SIG gets official with the latest, greatest version of Bluetooth. Bluetooth 3.0 + HS, as it’ll be called, promises to be markedly faster than prior iterations thanks to the reliance on 802.11, which is the same protocol used by WiFi modules, routers, etc. The new standard obviously catapults Bluetooth into a new dimension; rather than being good for nothing more than sending images from one phone to another or syncing a fitness module to a DAP, v3.0 is nimble enough to handle camcorder-to-HDTV, PC-to-PMP and UMPC-to-printer transfers. In fact, the inclusion of the 802.11 Protocol Adaptation Layer (PAL) provides increased throughput of data transfers “at the approximate rate of 24Mbps.” We had sit-downs with Mike Foley (executive director of the Bluetooth SIG) and Atheros CTO Bill McFarland in order to find out a few more details about plans for the protocol — if you’re eager to hear what they had to say, not to mention see a demonstration of BT 3.0 at work, follow us past the break.

Continue reading Bluetooth 3.0 + HS gets official, adds speed with 802.11

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Bluetooth 3.0 + HS gets official, adds speed with 802.11 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Apr 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tata Indica soon to hit the streets of Norway: it’s electric!

We heard tell of an all-electric, Norway-bound Tata Indica back in September of last year, and now it looks like it’s almost ready to hit the streets. Autoblog Green is reporting that the makers of the super-cheap Nano expect to have the electric Indica rolling off the line either late this year or early in 2010. While the Indica EV (above) that was shown at the SAE World Congress is not the model that will be available in Norway, we can probably expect it to look something like it. We don’t know any details about pricing, but expect the available number of autos to be “limited.” No further info about the car yet, but we’ll keep you posted. Hit the read link for a full gallery of the EV.

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Tata Indica soon to hit the streets of Norway: it’s electric! originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Apr 2009 13:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tweetlog: Ultimate Ears MetroFi 170

UltimateEarsMetroFi170.jpgGood-sounding headphones are hard to find for less than $50—unless they’re the Ultimate Ears MetroFi 170 (http://tinyurl.com/dbabks).

Apple’s 1 billionth app download predicted for April 23

Apple app countdown(Credit: Apple)

We could stare at the countdown tickers on Worldometers all day. Wow, 10.3 billion toilets have been flushed so far today! So it’s no wonder we love the Apple App store contest with its mesmerizing flipping numbers counting us down to the 1 billionth app download, …

We’re nominated for an EPpy Award!

We don’t really like to get self-congratulatory at Engadget — we prefer to let the work speak for itself. Still, we thought it was pretty cool when we heard that we’d been nominated for an EPpy Award in the category of “Best Consumer Technology Blog.” We’re not alone, either — the AOL family picked up the most nominations of any one company, with sites likes FanHouse and BloggingStocks getting nods as well. At the end of the day, we don’t really care if we win or lose, but it’s kind of nice to be recognized for doing what you love and doing it well — so… thanks!

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We’re nominated for an EPpy Award! originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Apr 2009 13:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MSI’s CULV-packin’ X-Slim X340 ships this month in US

MSI already told us that its ultraslim, super-sexy, WiMAX-ready X-Slim X340 would be starting at right around $1,000, and now we’re being told that the planet’s first laptop to be based on Intel’s CULV (consumer ultra low voltage) platform will be shipping in April. As in, this month. For the forgetful souls in the crowd, this here ultraportable will ship with an SU3500 CULV processor that consumes just 5.5 watts of power and a 4-cell battery. Now, to find a retailer ’round these parts willing to let you pre-order one…

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MSI’s CULV-packin’ X-Slim X340 ships this month in US originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Apr 2009 13:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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iPhone 3.0 Beta Reveals More Clues of Voice Control

Iphone_2
Developers testing iPhone 3.0 beta have discovered further evidence of voice control coming to the OS.

System files in the 3.0 beta suggest a framework called "Jibbler" may introduce voice-enabled navigation of the iPhone OS, sources told ArsTechnica. When a user dictates a command, for example, Jibbler could theoretically launch an app in the iPhone’s SpringBoard, or perform a search with Spotlight, a newly announced systemwide search tool.

The exact function of Jibbler has yet to be confirmed. However, voice control is looking more likely: In early April, developers testing an earlier version of the 3.0 beta discovered a configuration file called "Voice Control."

Ars speculates Jibbler could also introduce voice-enabled dialing. It’s worth nothing, however, that there are already voice-recognition apps available in the App Store: SayWho, a dialer; SayWhere, which looks up directions and businesses; and Google Mobile, which performs Google search queries.

iPhone OS 3.0 to feature voice control and feedback
[ArsTechnica]

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Photo: chrisscott/Flickr