Feb 28

Hyundai Sonata Hybrid was delayed into 2011… by ‘virtual engine sound’ system

Posted in: delay, electric, electric car, ElectricCar, ev, hybrid, sound, Today's Chili

Remember how at the end of last year the US legislature decided to make it mandatory for EVs to churn out an audible noise while in motion? It was all in the name of saving pesky pedestrians from getting in the way of your gliding electro-car, but the new law itself has managed to create a bump in the road for at least one company. Hyundai’s Sonata Hybrid was all set to launch in late 2010, equipped with a “virtual engine sound” system that the user could toggle on and off, however the government’s request that it be kept permanently on required modifications to the vehicle’s wiring harnesses, UI software and user manuals, delaying its debut into late January. These tweaks had to be done “amazingly late in the process,” according to Hyundai America CEO John Krafcik, but the delay will at least ensure that all of Hyundai’s Sonatas will sound the same. Which is something, we guess.

Hyundai Sonata Hybrid was delayed into 2011… by ‘virtual engine sound’ system originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 28 Feb 2011 11:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Autoblog  |  sourceGreen Car Reports  | Email this | Comments

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Feb 28

What Was James Franco Staring at on His iPhone During the Oscars? [Caption Contest]

Posted in: iPhone, Today's Chili, top

Probably-stoned Oscars host James Franco and his giggly, unbearable sidekick Anne Hathaway: mediocre. But whilst bombing, Franco couldn’t keep his mitts off his iPhone—he first appeared on stage gleefully gripping it. So what’s he doing with the thing? More »

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Feb 28

Cheetah Robot Can Outrun Man

Posted in: Robots, Robots Robotics, Today's Chili, Weird News
cheetah robot.jpg

Just last week we were taking solace in the locomotive limitations of robotkind. Sure, machines can beat us at Jeopardy now, but if push comes to shove, at least we can outrun the thing, right? Nope. Now we’ve got to contend with cheetah robots.

Boston Dynamics, the creators of the creepy BigDog robotic pack mule, are working on a speedy new four-legged robot modeled after the world’s fastest land animal. The robot will also be able to “zigzag to chase and evade.”
Whereas the Big Dog was designed as an all-terrain transportation device, carrying up to 300 pounds through treacherous locals, neither Boston Dynamics, nor Darpa, the military department that awarded the company with a contract for the new cat-like robot, have revealed what function such a speedy robot would serve–though odds seem pretty good that the whole thing involves a lot of screaming and fleeing. 
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Feb 28

Dell Venue Pro arrives in the UK at long last: £459 off contract, shipping in 10 days (update: Germany also)

Posted in: cellphone, mobile phone, MobilePhone, phone, QwertySlider, shipping, slider, smartphone, Today's Chili, uk, windows phone 7, WindowsPhone7, Wp7

Time for a quick memory check: remember the WP7 slider that Dell announced some months ago? That’s right, it’s the Venue Pro — the one that’s been struggling to meet demand in the US due to some mysterious reworking. Well, here’s some good news for the folks on the other side of the pond: starting today, Dell’s UK store is taking orders for this unlocked slider for a hefty £459 ($745), and the first deliveries are expected to arrive in 10 days. Man, these wicked people from Round Rock sure love making us wait, but better late than never, right?

Update: We’ve been informed by our friends over at BestBoyZ that Germany’s also getting the Venue Pro today for around €534.

Continue reading Dell Venue Pro arrives in the UK at long last: £459 off contract, shipping in 10 days (update: Germany also)

Dell Venue Pro arrives in the UK at long last: £459 off contract, shipping in 10 days (update: Germany also) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 28 Feb 2011 11:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceDell  | Email this | Comments

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Feb 28

Blowguns: Japan’s Latest Workout Craze

Posted in: Miscellaneous Tech, Today's Chili, Weird News

blowgun fitness.jpg

Good news–it’s finally possible to combine your weight loss goals with your love of poison darts. It’s all part of what’s apparently Japan’s latest health craze–the blowgun. Proponents of the blow gun workout are offering up the dubious claim that shooting 20 darts has the same caloric impact as a 20-minute walk.
Added bonus: dart blowing will also make you prettier, working out one’s facial muscles as they blow. And heck, even of those claims prove false, there’s certainly value in being able to defend yourself, should you ever find yourself stranded in the jungle, being hunted by a lion. That’ll certainly burn off any excess flab.
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Feb 28

Official DirecTV App for iPad now available, brings touch controls to your satellite box

Posted in: app, Apple, ipad, itunes, remote control, RemoteControl, tablet, Today's Chili

Apparently that “coming soon” teaser page meant only a few days, as the aptly named DirecTV App for iPad popped up on the iTunes store this morning. The features were pretty well detailed on the website preview, just like other tablet remote control apps it can provide remote scheduling for most DVR boxes, you’ll need one of the Plus HD DVR models (HR20, HR21, HR22, HR23, HR24 and H21, H23, H24) for remote control functions. Early reviews seem positive except for the lack of video streaming to the tablet itself, check out the screens and other info from iTunes below or just click on through and try it out.

Update: ZatzNotFunny points out a detailed walkthrough of the new app put together by forum posters at DBSTalk, check it out at the link or embedded after the break.

[Thanks, Ali]

Gallery: DirecTV App for iPad

Continue reading Official DirecTV App for iPad now available, brings touch controls to your satellite box

Official DirecTV App for iPad now available, brings touch controls to your satellite box originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 28 Feb 2011 10:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink ZatzNotFunny  |  sourceiTunes  | Email this | Comments

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Feb 28

MobileNotifier: iPhone alerts improved (video)

Posted in: app, Apple, hack, ios, jailbreak, Today's Chili, video

If you haven’t jailbroken your iPhone yet then MobileNotifier might just push you over the edge — a place you’re probably already teetering upon given Apple’s pathetic push notification implementation. MobileNotifier beta v3 is a free open-source rewrite of iOS’ notifications from Peter Hajas (lead developer) and Kyle Adams (UI and UX). Perhaps the biggest feature of MobileNotifier is the addition of unobtrusive alerts that appear at the top of your existing app. Unlike Apple’s interfering popups, MobileNotifier alerts can be ignored, leaving them on the display without inhibiting use of the device. You can also take immediate action on alerts or tap them away for later. Pending alerts can be found in the AlertDashboard — the previously unused area above the app switcher, accessible with a double-press of the iPhone’s home button. Pending alert counts are also displayed as a line item on the Lockscreen. We’ve been running MobileNotifier for a few hours. While it’s not perfect (opaque windows?) we have no plans to remove it either. At least not until we see what Apple has in store for iOS 5 which, with any luck, will be revealed on Wednesday for a summer launch. Another screenshot and demo video can be found after the break.

Continue reading MobileNotifier: iPhone alerts improved (video)

MobileNotifier: iPhone alerts improved (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 28 Feb 2011 10:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink 9to5Mac  |  sourcePeter Hajas  | Email this | Comments

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Feb 28

Social Network Wins Three Oscars

Posted in: Miscellaneous Tech, Today's Chili
JesseEisenberg_SocialNetwork.jpg

People were quick to name The Social Network the movie of the year, making some pretty bold pronouncements for the film, and bandying about titles like Citizen Kane a good deal. The Academy, it seems, didn’t agree. Not quite. 

The David Fincher-helmed Facebook film ended the night with three awards–Adapted Screenplay (Aaron Sorkin), Film Editing (Angus Wall and Kirk Baxter), and Original Score (Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross). The film got shut out of some of the bigger categories, however, failing to nab Best Picture, Directing (Fincher), Actor in a Lead Role (Jesse Eisenberg), Cinematography (Jeff Cronenweth), and Sound Mixing (Michael Semanick and Mark Weingarten).
Hopefully this all means that Mark Zuckerberg did well in the Facebook Oscar Poll. The guy can certainly use the cash.
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Feb 28

The Fastest Gaming Processors For Any Budget [Guts]

Posted in: AMD, intel, review, Reviews, Today's Chili, top

If you don’t have the time to research the benchmarks, fear not. Tom’s Hardware has come to your aid with a simple list of the best gaming CPUs offered at each and every pricepoint. More »

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Feb 28

Mega Hurtz paintball robot is the remote-controlled, armor-plated tank you always wanted (video)

Posted in: remote control, RemoteControl, robot, Today's Chili, video

For whatever reason, the paths of paintball and robotics development have tended to converge. Latest in maintaining this fine tradition is the Mega Hurtz drone you see above, designed by a chap named Chris Rogers. It features a reconfigurable weapon platform — so yes, you can spruce it up into a modern-day ED-209 — equipped with a night-vision camera, a thermal imaging camera, and a laser scope. The paintball gun Chris has installed on the Mega Hurtz can rip through 20 rounds each second and tilt both vertically and horizontally for more refined aiming. It comes with a remote control feeding video of what the drone sees to the user, so all you’ll really need to dominate your next wargame with the Mega Hurtz will be a generous helping of ruthlessness. Video after the break.

Continue reading Mega Hurtz paintball robot is the remote-controlled, armor-plated tank you always wanted (video)

Mega Hurtz paintball robot is the remote-controlled, armor-plated tank you always wanted (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 28 Feb 2011 09:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink OhGizmo!  |  sourceKickstarter  | Email this | Comments

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