Unlike a lot of other unique proof-of-concept laptops, the Acer Iconia is fun to use and largely works as advertised. But it has a hard time answering the most frequent question we hear about it: why would anyone need a dual-touch-screen laptop?
Deadmau5 (also known as Joel Zimmerman) is one of the largest names in the electronic and house music scene — and he also happens to be a major tech head. Recently, the Canadian producer added some impressive new gear to his productions, in the form of a massive LED-covered cube and signature mau5head (that’s pronounced “mouse-head” in case you couldn’t guess). Read along after the break for an exclusive look at exactly what’s going on inside the mind of deadmau5 — both literally and figuratively.
Continue reading A day with deadmau5: LEDs, Super Mario, and techno
A day with deadmau5: LEDs, Super Mario, and techno originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 29 Mar 2011 13:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Voice-recognition capabilities on the iPhone enable a user to play music and call contacts using speech commands. Photo: Jon Snyder/Wired.com
Apple’s next-generation mobile operating system may include a more powerful voice recognition system, putting to use the company’s recent acquisition of an artificial-intelligence startup.
Apple on Monday said it would announce details on the future of iOS, the software powering the iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch, at the Worldwide Developers Conference in June. Expanded voice recognition features will be a highlight of the new operating system, claims TechCrunch’s MG Siegler.
The new voice system would take advantage of technologies developed by Siri, an artificial-intelligence company that Apple acquired April 2010, Siegler claims. Before Siri was acquired by Apple, it released an iPhone app that acted as a personal assistant. Dictating a command such as “I’d like a table for four at Nopa restaurant” would prompt Siri to reserve a table through the OpenTable online-booking service.
Deeper voice recognition in iOS would be a plausible next step for Apple. The touchscreen interface was already a giant leap forward for making user interface more approachable, and an expanded voice recognition system that controls core aspects of the iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch would make Apple’s mobile products even more user friendly for customers.
I can imagine less tech-savvy customers picking up an iPad and saying something like “Download Angry Birds,” which would initiate the download after you verify the purchase. Some other casual use examples would be “Search World War II on Wikipedia,” or “What’s the weather like next week in San Francisco?”
An improved voice-recognition system would also be extremely useful for an often-neglected audience: customers with visual impairments. The National Federation of the Blind previously applauded Apple for its VoiceOver system in iOS, a computer voice that reads back any text that you touch with your finger.
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High-speed rail is certainly a greener travel alternative, but a new design concept could make the concept even greener. The T-Box has been designed to capture the wind created by speeding trains, turning it into a renewable source of energy.
The device would actually be placed in the spaces between the tracks, so that it can harness the wind that’s created below the train itself. According to the creators, 150 boxes could be installed for every 1000 meters of rail. Over that range a train travelling at 200 kilometers per hour could theoretically produce 3500 watts of power.
The T-Box was a winner at the 2010 Lite-On awards, which recognize green design excellence.
Via Inhabitat
After reading a heartwarming review of the European-spec HTC Incredible S we’re left wondering when we, the colonies, will get ourselves a taste. The US-spec Incredible 2 looks to be coming soon enough, but our neighbors to the north will keep the S moniker, and are said to be getting it soon. It’s believed to be hitting Bell on April 4th, and now the above image purports to show the phone also listed in Virgin‘s inventory system. The price is $499.99, while a carbon fiber shield is going for a bargain $24.95 — useful if you want that Atrix look but are hoping for PlayStation certification thanks to the Adreno 205 graphics here.
HTC Incredible S coming to Virgin in Canada for $500? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 29 Mar 2011 13:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
At least, part of it could. Researchers in Brazil have developed a new type of plastic that’s stronger and lighter than petroleum-based plastics. And it’s made from fruit.
The new technique takes plants like bananas, pineapples, and coconuts and turns them into what’s called nanocellulose fibers, which can then be used to create the new plastics. The plastic is 30 percent lighter than traditional petroleum-based ones, and around three to four times stronger.
Right now the plan is to eventually replace automotive plastics with the new plant-based material, which would improve fuel economy by making vehicles lighter. But eventually the nanocellulose fibers could be used in more than just plastics.
“We may be able to replace steel and aluminum automotive parts using these plant-based nanocellulose materials,” researcher Alcides Leão told Wired.
JBL has unveiled the OnBeat, a new speaker dock that accommodates the iPad and other iOS devices.
Today we’re talking about Amazon’s new locker storage service in the cloud that could signal an Amazon-branded tablet PC in the near future, an iOS app that lets you quickly erase regretful Internet activity, and Sylvester Stallone’s eponymous clothing line.
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Originally posted at The 404 Podcast
Sony Pictures Entertainment’s Crackle full online video content is on its way to the PlayStation 3, Roku set-top boxes, Blu-ray players, and other devices.
Originally posted at The Digital Home
The United States Navy has been working on next-gen weaponry ever since the last-gen was present-gen, and if the next next-gen ever actually arrives, well… we don’t stand a chance at lasting very long. According to Wired, the Navy’s Office of Naval Research is expecting laser technology (as it relates to weaponry) to mature in the next score, and if all goes well, a free-electron laser could be mounted on a ship during the 2020s. As of now, FELs produce a 14-kilowatt beam, but that figure needs to hit 100+ in order to seriously defend a ship; unfortunately for those who adore peace, it seems we’re well on our way to having just that. When it’s complete, these outrageous pieces of artillery will be capable of “burning incoming missiles out of the sky [and] zapping through an enemy vessel’s hull.” Something tells us that whole “You Sunk My Battleship” meme is just years from reappearing in grand fashion.
Future Navy lasers will ‘burn incoming missiles,’ blast through ominous vessels originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 29 Mar 2011 12:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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