Hasta La Gadget!

It’s pretty clear by watching the demonstration video (which is lurking in the read link, just so you know) that this stuff is still pretty preliminary, but we could definitely see it going places with the right people behind it. The Interface Database Concept was dreamed up by Alan Sien Wei Hshieh, and by utilizing a relatively simple set of Javascripts, he was able to overcome traditional platform incompatibilities that can so often hamstring medical hardware / software in day-to-day usage. The creation aims to enable “seamless and intuitive data transfer” and to “define a set of gesture and multitouch commands that will override controls and input devices that may be difficult to use on medical devices.” The aforementioned vid shows off gesture-based transfers and even an accelerometer-based cross-platform transfer, both of which make you forget that we’re just talking about X-rays and blood tests.

[Thanks, Kara]

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

Conceptual interface brings gesture-based data transfers to medical realm originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Jan 2009 09:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung swept into CES this year like an alien invasion. Tucked away beneath its awards, massive booth presence, and disrupter blast of products is this sexy Bluetooth earpiece. The Capella (shown tucked inside the receiver) is meant to be worn as a fashion accessory. Hey, that’s what they say. And at the risk of being juiced by a Martian, well, we’re not going to argue.

Filed under: Portable Audio, Wearables, Wireless

Samsung’s Capella Bluetooth earpiece invades CES originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 09 Jan 2009 16:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft’s Sync, a voice-activated communications and entertainment system available exclusively on new Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury vehicles, will receive several major upgrades as part of its 2.0 release.

According to The Detroit News, the second-generation version of the Bluetooth-wired system was unwrapped at CES last night and will include new features such as traffic updates for selected routes, turn-by-turn directions, weather for specific areas, and personalized news, including sports scores, stock listings, and entertainment highlights. First introduced in the 2008 Ford Taurus, the upgraded Sync will be available free of charge for three years on all 2010 Ford models.

Stay tuned for more on this and other hot Microsoft tech as we continue to bring you the latest straight from the CES floor. You can also learn more about Ford Sync here.

For PCMag’s full CES coverage, go to http://www.pcmag.com/category2/0,2806,2235882,00.asp.

I’ve never seen the appeal of sunglasses with built-in earphones. OK, I suppose I get the theory, but in reality, there are time that you want to listen to you music when you don’t necessarily want to be wearing sunglasses–like at night, for example (yeah, yeah, Corey Hart, I know, I know). That said, plenty of companies have been jumping into the space with both feet ever since it was pioneered by Oakley a few years back.

The latest is Step Labs, which is showing off its new TriSpecs at CES. These guys offer “high fidelity,” according to the company, plus Bluetooth for pairing with your handset. The headphones also offer fairly good speech quality–I can attest to that, having tried out a pair last night. Also, unlike the Oakley Thumps, they actually look like something non-crazy people might wear in public.

According to Step Labs, the glasses are available now–well, sort of. The company actually doesn’t have any distribution in the States. So in the meantime, if you really want a pair, be sure to check out the site.

For PCMag’s full CES coverage, go to http://www.pcmag.com/category2/0,2806,2235882,00.asp.

Following the introduction of their passPORT iPod and iPhone car integration kit last month, Scosche has announced several new products this week ahead of CES 2009. The first three are stereo earphones: the IDR400M features noise canceling, a hands-free cell microphone, 10mm drivers, and single and dual flanged soft silicone inserts. The IDR600 has slightly larger 11mm drivers, a sliding magnetic cable management system, and a 24K gold-plated 3.5mm audio jack. The HZ5 tuneSTREAM Bluetooth Headphones give iPhone and iPod owners up to 30ft of wireless range (though probably less in real-life), the ability to answer hands-free phone calls, and up to eight hours of continuous battery life.

The company has also announced the passPORT Home Dock, which will charge the iPhone 3G, the 2G iPod touch, and the 4G iPod nano; it can snap into existing docking stations. In addition, there’s the reCOIL retractable car charger for the iPod and iPhone; it features a four foot cord and a magnetically locking dock connector. Finally, the company has announced new Protect and kickBACK (pictured) polycarbonate cases for new iPod and iPhone models, as well as the showTIME six-foot A/V output cable. Release dates vary, but most will be available either this month or by Spring 2009.