Hasta La Gadget!

DARPA’s new BLADE initiative doesn’t involve a blood sucking Wesley Snipes in a black leather trench coat, but we still think it’s pretty awesome. This BLADE stands for Behavioral Learning for Adaptive Electronic Warfare, and is focused on developing a system of algorithms that will automatically jam threatening wireless communications on the battlefield. DARPA gave $8.4 million to BAE Systems to implement the project, which will detect, analyze, and counter wireless communications, without human involvement. BLADE would also allow troops to overcome enemy counter-jamming measures and prevent the use of remotely controlled IEDs. The system is broken up into three central components: detection and characterization, jam waveform optimization, and battle damage assessment. DARPA expects BLADE software to be easily integrated into existing electronic warfare equipment, and should be ready for use in 2012 — still no word on a comeback for Mr. Snipes.

DARPA awards BAE $8.4 million for BLADE wireless jamming initiative originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 Jan 2011 15:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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This might not be the “most impressive” Star Wars announcement you were looking for. Not that it’s a bad thing the complete saga will be released on Blu-ray in September, and there was no mention of any exclusivity shenanigans, but despite making this the least disappointing thing that has happened to the series in a decade or so forgive us for being slightly underwhelmed. Fans will appreciate the promised 30 hours of special features — or wait for Red Letter Media to recut them into a careful dissection of everything wrong about the prequels — but the ability to buy the two trilogies individually for $44.99 ($69.99 MSRP) is definitely appreciated. You can queue your $89.99 ($139 MSRP) preorder on Amazon right now while you check out video of the announce featuring Lord Vader himself, including a peek at the trailer embedded after the break.

Continue reading Star Wars Complete Saga Blu-ray news: release in September, 30 hours of special features, available for preorder now (video)

Star Wars Complete Saga Blu-ray news: release in September, 30 hours of special features, available for preorder now (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 Jan 2011 15:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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On Thursday at its press conference, Dell revealed the Dell Streak 7 tablet.

Originally posted at CES 2011

It’s official: Flickr has announced that it’s launching an officially official Flickr app for Windows 7 and Windows Phone 7. Though we don’t know exactly when the photo sharing apps will launch, you can sign up at the source link on Flickr so they can let you know when it actually launches. In the meantime, there’s a video demo of the apps in action, and we have to say, we like what we’re seeing.

Continue reading Flickr headed to Windows 7 and Windows Phone 7

Flickr headed to Windows 7 and Windows Phone 7 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 Jan 2011 15:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Verbatim’s latest offering of peripherals include accessories for the mobile warrior: hard drives, keyboards, mice, and keyboards.

Originally posted at CES 2011