Jul 24

Hands-on with Disney Research’s AIREAL haptic feedback technology (video)

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Handson with Disney Research's AIREAL haptic feedback technology video

If you’re hoping to get some more tactile feedback out of augmented reality environments, the folks at Disney Research have devised the AIREAL system that could end up doing just that. The team is showing off the project at SIGGRAPH’s Emerging Technologies space, so we made sure to stop by for a look and feel. As quick refresher, the technology reacts to the user’s gestures by churning out a vortex of air to provide tactile feedback in real space — thanks to an almost entirely 3D printed enclosure and a smattering of actuators and depth senors. In the demo we saw, hovering our hand just over a display summoned a butterfly.

Once it landed, that small bit of air offered up the physical sensation that it was actually touching us. As we moved closer to a virtual open window, wings went a flutter and the whole sensation increased a bit. Sure, what we saw was a fairly simple use scenario, but there are aspirations for this to enhance gaming experiences and other augmented environments (likely within the confines of a Disney park, of course) with the addition of haptic feedback. Looking for a bit more info? Consult the video after the break for just that.

Gallery: Disney Research AIREAL hands-on

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Jul 24

The Depressing Truth About Being a Superhero

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Whenever we watch our favorite superhero movies, we can’t help but wish we had their powers. Superhuman strength, superhuman speed, superhuman ability. It all sounds so great! But in reality, it wouldn’t be always awesome like saving pretty actresses and wearing spandex. Day to day life would suck.

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Jul 24

Justin Amash Amendment To Stop NSA Data Collection Voted Down In House

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WASHINGTON — Members of the House of Representatives engaged in a heated debate Wednesday over an amendment from Rep. Justin Amash (R-Mich.) to halt the National Security Agency’s bulk collection of phone record data.

“We’re here today for a very simple reason: to defend the Fourth Amendment, to defend the privacy of each and every American,” Amash said as he introduced his measure. Lawmakers’ votes, he said, would answer one simple question, “Do we oppose the suspicionless collection of every American’s phone records?”

Apparently, the answer was no. The House voted 217-205 to defeat the amendment Wednesday evening.

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Jul 24

The Daily Roundup for 07.24.2013

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DNP The Daily RoundUp

You might say the day is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workday, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Daily Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 24 hours — all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.

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Jul 24

Marco Rubio Wants To Be Lead Sponsor Of 20-Week Abortion Ban

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Despite the concerns of some Republican mega-donors, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) said on Wednesday that he would like to be the lead sponsor of a ban on abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy that passed the House earlier this year.

“If someone else would like to do it instead of me, I’m more than happy to consider it,” Rubio told Politico. “But I’d like to be the lead sponsor. I feel very strongly about this issue.”

Abortion was not a winning issue for Republicans during the 2012 elections, but conservatives have found an effective wedge issue in the 20-week ban, which a majority of Americans seem to support.

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Jul 24

California Redistribution Sees $4 Billion In Redevelopment Revenue

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More than $1 billion is pouring into the coffers of cities, school districts and other public entities across Los Angeles County, as the state redistributes $4 billion formerly used to battle blight.

Money that for decades was earmarked for use by redevelopment agencies is now being funneled to local governments, which can spend the money as their regions warrant without strings attached. A report released last week by the California Department of Finance details how much has been redistributed over the last two years to cities, counties, K-12 and community college districts and county education offices.

“This is money that otherwise would not have been coming to all of these taxing entities in this way,” said Ryan Alsop, L.A. County’s assistant CEO for intergovernmental and external affairs. “This was all part of the governor’s grand plan — freeing up money for state, local governments.”

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Jul 24

Wedding Blues? Here’s How To Deal With Post-Big Day Sadness

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As much as you may have complained about planning your wedding, the moment it’s all over you might find yourself feeling more depressed than relieved. But you have a lot to be happy about — after all, you just married the person of your dreams! So what gives?

This phenomenon, known as the “post-wedding blues,” is completely normal and happens to many brides. Wedding planner Bitchless Bride described it best in her HuffPost blog post, “5 Ways to Beat the After Wedding Blues.”

“Similar to a tumultuous breakup, when your wedding planning is over, even if it wasn’t a great experience for you, it still became a habit,” she writes. “You always had something to do, decisions to make, places to be, people to not only spend time with, but who were desperately trying to assist your every whim. And now it’s over…Whether you choose to admit it or not, wedding planning became your pastime.”

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Jul 24

Beats Studio next generation headphones slated for launch in August

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Beats Electronics has rolled out the carpet for its next-generation Beats Studio headphones, announcing that they will be available for purchase in August with a price tag of $299 USD. With the latest version comes a promise of improvements across quality and design, as well as a rechargeable Lithium-ion battery, something the original lacked.

Beats Studio Headphones

As far as design goes, there are three options featured in the image above. The latest generation of Beats Studio uses a lighter material than the original version, and is designed to be both stronger and more flexible. The headphones feature no straight lines, and none of the screws are visible. Likewise, the ear cups can be adjusted to fit the wearer via an “ergonomic adjustment mechanism,” a change over the last version.

The headphones utilize adaptive noise cancellation, more commonly called ANC, which includes two modes: a music mode, and an increased noise cancellation mode that results from unplugging the cable. In the former mode, Beats Electronics says the combination between noise cancellation and music is balanced, with the materials used in the construction aiding the process.

Beats Acoustic Engine – a digital tuning software – is used to tune to Beats Studio headphones for proper sound quality, while manually swapping batteries is a thing of the past with the integrated rechargeable battery. Use time comes in around the 20 hour mark on a charge, which is achieved using either a USB cable or a standard outlet. There’s a built-in charge indicator in the form of 5 LEDs, as well as automatic shutdowns to help conserve the battery.

Said Jimmy Iovine, “With the original Studio headphone we set out to prove that people all around the world care enough about sound to invest in it – and we did. Now we are taking it a step further.The new Studio is tuned with balance, accuracy and emotion, has a breathtaking design and truly innovative technology. This is the sound of the future.”

SOURCE: PR Newswire


Beats Studio next generation headphones slated for launch in August is written by Brittany Hillen & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2013, SlashGear. All right reserved.

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Jul 24

Student Loan Deal Passes In Senate

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WASHINGTON — Borrowing for tuition, housing and books would be less expensive for college students and their parents this fall but the costs could soon start climbing under a bill the Senate passed overwhelmingly Wednesday.

The bipartisan proposal would link interest rates on federal student loans to the financial markets, providing lower interest rates right away but higher ones if the economy improves as expected. The measure was similar to one that already had passed the Republican-led House and leaders from both chambers said they predicted the differences to be resolved before students start signing loan documents for fall term.

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Jul 24

CNN Dildo Blooper: Jonathan Mann Confuses Flightless Bird For Adult Toy During Interview (VIDEO)

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Fresh off this local reporter’s inadvertent drawing of a penis, we give you CNN offering up a report on dildo extinction.

In an hilarious slip-up Tuesday, CNN International anchor Jonathan Mann reported on the plight of dildos and how years of, ahem, flaccid human stewardship has driven them to extinction.

Mann was speaking with University of Arizona professor John Wiens about climate change and a recent study indicating animals have to evolve at a rate 10,000 times faster than they currently do to avoid extinction in a warmer world.

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