Hasta La Gadget!

Long since gone are the days of sitting at the breakfast table, drinking a cup of coffee and sharing the Sunday paper… or are they? The New York Time’s R&D Lab is developing a “kitchen table” based-on Microsoft Surface touchscreen technology, designed to take individuals that are normally face down in their iPads, back to the table for a more social way to consume and share content. The display gives multiple readers the opportunity to sit at the table and interact, with options to share across the surface by swiveling and enlarging images or articles. The Times envisions that it will also be a mode of discovery, where users could get more information on a certain product by placing it on the table to find prices and related NYT articles, which could also an interesting method for advertising — just be careful where you put that Starbucks cup.

Continue reading New York Times envisions Microsoft Surface kitchen table, just don’t spill your OJ (video)

New York Times envisions Microsoft Surface kitchen table, just don’t spill your OJ (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 31 Aug 2011 20:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink The Microsoft Surface Blog  |  Nieman Journalism Lab  | Email this | Comments

Instead of lugging a heavy microscope into the field, doctors and nurses in remote regions may have a more portable choice — a lightweight microscope that replaces lenses with holograms. Researchers at UCLA announced a prototype dual-mode microscope that’s lightweight, costs between $50 and $100 to produce and is similar in size to a banana. Like a hologram that uses interfering rays to create an image, this device shines light on a sample where its sensor chip (apparently also found in iPhones and BlackBerrys) and a cloud-based software program analyze the interference pattern and reconstruct an image of the sample. Since it’s dual-mode, both large samples and small samples can be analyzed through processes called “transmission” and “reflection,” and doctors could potentially use their laptops or smartphones to access the images remotely. Although still considered a prototype, researchers think the development has the opportunity to revolutionize health care by allowing doctors to test things like water, blood and food. Check out the full PR after the break.

Continue reading UCLA creates portable microscope that uses holograms, not lenses

UCLA creates portable microscope that uses holograms, not lenses originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 31 Aug 2011 20:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink PhysOrg  |  OpticsInfoBase  | Email this | Comments

Most anyone who’s paid attention knows Windows 8 will feature some fancy tweaks, including a revamped Windows Explorer and new copy, move and rename functions. But now Redmond’s given us a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it preview of a new Start Menu, in a video about accessing ISO and VHD files in the new OS. We’ve included a screen capture above — hit the source link if you’d like to see the full (and admittedly quite dry) video. You’ll spot the wily Start Menu about 25 seconds in.

[Thanks, Chris]

Filed under: Software

Windows 8 Start Menu caught on camera, shows off high-contrast design originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 31 Aug 2011 19:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  Building Windows 8  | Email this | Comments

While more and more Blu-ray movies come out each month, there are many favorites that haven’t been released yet. Here are 25 we’re waiting for.

Originally posted at Fully Equipped

Those Smart Meters may not have went over so well in San Francisco, and Google may have shuttered PowerMeter just a few months ago… but that doesn’t mean that Ma Earth is doomed to live a life a few centigrade higher than she should, right? EnergyHub has just announced that its snazzily designed energy monitoring system is now on sale for eco-minded folk in the USA, with $399 netting you a home base, a socket, a strip and a wireless thermostat (simpler bundles start at $299). According to the company, this kit’s ready to take on shacks, apartments or even houseboats, though no seal of approval from the Old Spice guy has been garnered in the case of the latter. Previously, this here package was only available through utility-sponsored programs, but now the simpleton in your life can see live energy use information, automatically switch appliances off while one’s away and sleeping, and even control settings remotely via the web or an iPhone / Android app. Head on past the break for an introductory video, or visit the source links to get in on the buying frenzy.

Continue reading EnergyHub’s energy management system on sale now to American planetlovers

EnergyHub’s energy management system on sale now to American planetlovers originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 31 Aug 2011 18:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  EnergyHub (1), (2)  | Email this | Comments