Hasta La Gadget!

MakerBot has made a name for themselves recently with their line of 3D printers. Today, the company is at CES 2013 showing off their new experimental 3D printer known as the Replicator 2X, which is the successor to the Replicator 2. What’s most impressive about this new model, is that it has two printing heads. We ended up stopping by the crowded booth to get a look at the new printer.

The two printing heads allow for printing more complex objects, and whereas the Replicator 2 uses PLA filament, the 2X uses ABS filaments. However, the 2X is supposed to run more smoothly, and print in multiple colors, as well as even multiple materials. The 2X will also be able to print at a 100-micron resolution.

The Replicator has a slightly redesigned chassis, and among the updated features of the new design are an aluminum build platform and print area that’s enclosed by plastic windows. The benefit is that the build area retains heat better than the open chassis of past models from the company, allowing for faster and more reliable printing.

MakerBot will begin taking pre-orders for the Replicator 2X on January 11, and the company says it will begin shipping the printer to customers by mid-March. As for the price, you’re looking at something close to what a high-end MacBook Pro would cost — $2,799 to be exact.

MakerBot Replicator 2X experimental 3D printer hands-on is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

We’ve already gone into detail on why you don’t need a case for your iPhone 5, but that was before PureGear unveiled its line of awesome Retro Game cases. Obviously, this changes everything. Come February they’ll be available in three different versions for $30 a pop: a traditional boxy maze, a circular maze, and a pseudo-pinball machine that works more like The Price Is Right’s Plinko. More »

What’s that? Not enough race car drivers on our CES 2013 stage? Great news! Resident automotive obsessive Tim will be talking to professional rally car driver and YouTube star Ken Block about all things fast.

Check out our full CES 2013 stage schedule here!

Update: video embedded

Continue reading Live from the Engadget CES Stage: an interview with rally car driver Ken Block (update: video embedded)

Filed under: Transportation

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We’ve gotten our first opportunity this week to take a peek at the first Martian Voice Command Watch model known as the Passport, able to attach to both Android and iOS via Bluetooth for simple connectivity on the go. This machine was originally part of a Kickstarter project and is just ready for prime-time now, giving users in the field the ability to make and receive calls, read short text messages and reply, and read short messages of several kinds. Voice Commands are able to be made using both iOS and Android’s voice command systems.

In the video here you’re able to see one message being sent over wireless Bluetooth connection to the watch itself. We’re also looking at the final form of the watch here, mind you, complete with its basic high-quality band and metal construction. You’ll be working with a 96 x 16 pixel OLED display on the bottom section of the watch for read-back of messages of all kinds from your device while the top bit is reserved for some classy analog watch hands action.

This machine also has the ability to vibrate with each new message, this allowing you to get alerts without being rude – just take a glimpse at your Martian watch and you’re back in the game. This watch is also vibrates according to which kind of notification it’s delivering, with multiple vibrations for a phone call and a single vibration for a text or social media update.

This watch 1.53 x 1.46 x 0.52 inches in size, weighing in at 2.1 oz (59.5 grams) with its leather band or 2.5 oz (70.9 grams) with its silicone band – both are available to you. You’ll be powering this watch up with a microUSB cord via its side under a simple cover, and the box contains the watch, a microUSB cord, and a quick starter guide. You’ll be able to start ordering this device right this minute for $299 right now and the estimated delivery date is currently in-between February and March of 2013.

Martian Passport Watch hands-on: Voice Command and Bluetooth get classy is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Ever suffer through the painfully slow bottleneck of public WiFi? Sure you have — Airports, coffee shops, even your neighbor’s unprotected home network are limited by the current WiFi spectrum. FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski says it’s a problem, and wants to clean up the mess. Speaking with Gary Shaprio at CES, Genachowski revealed that he’s been working with the DoD and other Government agencies open up more bandwidth for WiFi. Areas like New York City have an abundance of spectrum set aside for TV licenses, he says, airwaves that could serve the public better for WiFi or cellular networks.

“The rest of the world is watching us,” he told Shapiro. “We have to get it right… …we need to have a nationwide, unlicensed, continuous, same-frequency platform for innovation.” To do that, the FCC will need to wrench spectrum from the hands of broadcasters, and redistribute it. “We can reorganize it and ensure everybody gets a good share.” It’s an uphill battle, but one the chairman recognizes as important. “We predict a WiFi traffic jam, and we need to fix it… …WiFi is such an integral part of our broadband ecosystem, and we need to make sure that we pay it sufficient attention.” Check out the rest of Shaprio and Genachowski’s dialog in our ongoing liveblog.

Filed under: Wireless, Internet

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