TrackingPoint Brings ‘Auto-Aim’ To The Real World With Linux-Powered Rifles


 TrackingPoint Brings Auto Aim To The Real World With Linux Powered Rifles

[CES 2013] As a teenager, I played a lot of PC games. But one thing I couldn’t stand anymore was the amount of cheating that went on in popular first-person shooters like Counter-Strike. Players would be able to see through walls to know where exactly enemies were located at all times and even be able to kill enemies with an automatic headshot using an “auto-aim” cheat. But what if something like the auto-aim was possible in real life? That’s exactly what an Austin-based startup is trying to do with its precision-guided firearms.

Each of the three customized hunting rifles are equipped with advanced computerized scopes powered by Linux. What the hunter sees through the scope is a video image taken from the scope’s objective lens, instead of being a direct visual scope. You can tag your target, which the scope will take into account a number of variables. The marked target is then kept in the scope’s field of view, and when the hunter pulls the trigger, the hunter will need to match the position of the reticle with the marked target, which will then fire the rifle.

TrackingPoint’s rifles start at around $17,000, which is pretty high in the gun-buying world, but when you consider you can perform a real-life auto-aim with it, then that is something you’ll want to show off with your other hunter buddies.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Air-conditioned bullet-proof jackets could help cops in service be more comfortable, GUSS, the Robot Mule Helps Marines Haul Loads,

Martian Passport Watch hands-on: Voice Command and Bluetooth get classy

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.

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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.

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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.

Samsung Announces 8-Core Exynos 5 Octa Mobile CPU

 Samsung Announces 8 Core Exynos 5 Octa Mobile CPU

[CES 2013] It seems NVIDIA and Qualcomm aren’t the only companies that are debuting their new mobile chips as Samsung has just unveiled its new 8-core Exynos 5 Octa today at CES.

Samsung’s Exynos 5 Octa is comprised of two sets of four cores: ARM Cortex-A15 and and Cortex-A7, and is said to lower power consumption by up to 70 percent compared to the Exynos 5 Dual. The Exynos 5 Octa is expected to be made available in high-end smartphones as it is expected to make multitasking on mobile devices a smoother experience as there should be no stuttering when playing HD videos.

The Exynos 5 Octa also has twice the 3D performance of any of Samsung’s previous mobile processors and is the first mobile processor to implement ARM’s big.LITTLE technology.

So what does all of this mean to you, the average and above-average mobile-device user? Simple – expect your mobile devices to get some serious speed and 3D graphic improvements if it’s built with the Exynos 5 Octa. Or NVIDIA’s Tegra 4. Or Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 800. Either way, the mobile industry is going to get a lot more interesting in the coming year as more devices are built with these new CPUs.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Verizon, AT&T, And T-Mobile Confirms Support For BlackBerry 10, Nokia Sold 14 Million Smartphones In Q4 Last Year,

FCC working to expand WiFi spectrum, wants to avoid wireless ‘traffic jam’

FCC working to expand WiFi spectrum, wants to avoid wireless 'traffic jam'

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.

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Panasonic Shows off 56-Inch 4K Resolution OLED Panel Using All-Printing Construction

If you follow the technology world and TV technology specifically, you might remember years ago when the first large-scale OLED panels were unveiled at last year’s CES. While the displays can be incredibly thin, lightweight and bright, they’re also extremely expensive at this point.

Panasonic is working on a new method of producing OLED panels using a printing technique that is said to be more economical than traditional display construction methods. In fact, the company is showing off a 56-inch 4K2K OLED panel at CES 2013 that was constructed using this method.

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According to Panasonic, its “all-printing” processes is capable of producing OLED screens of up to 56-inches, and will allow the construction of smaller displays as well. In the all-printing method, OLED materials are applied to a substrate using a printing technique that forms an electroluminescent layer. The printing method applies just the right amount of organic material exactly where it is needed making for less waste and a shorter production lead times.

That means that Panasonic’s method is able to make OLED panels more quickly and more cheaply than comparable methods. This printing process allows for separate application of red, green, and blue OLED materials. Panasonic says that this construction method will allow it to create next-generation displays for use in the home, medical field, broadcasting, and aircraft applications. There’s no indication of exactly how much cheaper panels produce using this method might be. It would be nice if this production method could help create an affordable OLED TV. The cost of producing the screens is one reason why modestly sized OLED TVs currently cost $10,000 or more.

Live from the Engadget CES Stage: an interview with the EFF’s Julie Samuels (update: video embedded)

Live from the Engadget CES Stage an interview with the EFF's Julie Samuels

The topic no one wants to talk about at CES? Yep, it’s gonna be a half-hour of frank patent litigation talk with the Electronic Frontier Foundation’s Julie Samuels. If you care at all about legal kerfuffles, you’re not gonna want to miss this one.

January 9, 2013 5:30 PM EST

Check out our full CES 2013 stage schedule here!

Update: video embedded

Continue reading Live from the Engadget CES Stage: an interview with the EFF’s Julie Samuels (update: video embedded)

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Belkin NetCam HD WiFi camera hands-on

Back in early November, Belkin unveiled the NetCam WiFi camera, but it only supported standard definition, and it was the company’s first try at implementing a wireless camera. However, the company has released a sequel here at CES 2013, and its calling it the NetCam HD. We stopped by the company’s booth to get a look at the new device.

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The NetCam HD touts 720p video capabilities, as well as digital audio capture for monitoring while your on the road. It also boasts easy setup with an Android or iOS smartphone with your home’s wireless router, so there’s no need to get on your computer to configure the device, which is incredible convenient, especially for those who use their smartphones the most.

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If you need to monitor your house at night, Belkin included night vision capabilities in the NetCam HD, just like the device’s predecessor. A companion mobile app handles most of the workload, and email alerts can be pushed to your inbox when motion is detected, complete with a screenshot of the culprit passing through.

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Additionally, the NetCam HD will launch with the recently outed WeMo SMART platform that adds to Belkin’s home automation tools for a variety of in-home uses with electronics and appliances. The NetCam HD is slated to hit shelves this spring at a price of $149, which is just a tad more than the original NetCam.


Belkin NetCam HD WiFi camera hands-on is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Live from the Engadget CES Stage: an interview with MakerBot’s Bre Pettis (update: video embedded)

Live from the Engadget CES Stage an interview with MakerBot's Bre Pettis

Yep, it’s a big year from 3D printing, and no company’s got a bigger piece of the spotlight than MakerBot. The company used last year’s show to announce the release of the first generation Replicator, releasing its successor a few months back. We’ve asked the company’s CEO Bre Pettis back to our stage to discuss the 3D printing revolution.

January 9, 2013 5:00 PM EST

Check out our full CES 2013 stage schedule here!

Update: video embedded

Continue reading Live from the Engadget CES Stage: an interview with MakerBot’s Bre Pettis (update: video embedded)

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iPotty Combines Your iPad With The Fun of Potty Training

 iPotty Combines Your iPad With The Fun of Potty Training

[CES 2013] Having a child means you’re going to have to teach them some valuable lessons like look both ways before crossing the street, say “Please” and “Thank you,” and covering your mouth when sneezing. You’re also going to experience your child growing up before your eyes as they take their first steps, say their first words and eventually free themselves from the tyranny of diapers by becoming potty trained. So why not allow them to be entertained while they do their business with the iPotty.

CTA Digital is showcasing its iPotty at CES this week and, as you would imagine, it’s a potty trainer that has an iPad built to the front of it. The iPotty will be available next month for $40 and will feature an adjustable, rotating iPad stand, a removable screen cover and splashguard for those moments when your child can’t seem to get everything inside of the potty.

So there you have it, not only will you be helping your child get through the experience of potty training, but you’ll also be teaching them how important it is to have a mobile device with you at all times while doing your business, just like Mommy and Daddy!

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: PaperTab Teases A Future Of Bendable Interactive Tablets, Vizio Demonstrates First Tegra 4 Android Tablet,

Behringer OMNI Link, Amp, and SP5i hands-on

This year at CES, audiophile company Behringer introduced the OMNI series of AirPlay-compatible speakers and other audio equipment. Of course, these products are all about networked playback and connecting all your home’s audio together over the interwebs. We ended up getting our hands on the OMNI Link stereo receiver, the OMNI Amp amplifier, and the OMNI SP5i AirPlay speaker system.

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The company made a big appearance at last year’s CES with its incredibly-oversized iPod dock, the iNuke Boom. However, this year the company launched a series of AirPlay-compatible products, and we ended up checking out the Link and the SP5i. The Link is a stereo receiver that can turn any pair of ordinary speakers into networked AirPlay-supported speakers.

The Link and Amp both look very similar from the front, and are the exact same size, but the difference between the two is mostly dependent on the connections on the back, as well as the hardware on the inside. The Link has red and white RCA audio inputs, and the Amp includes two stereo wire inputs. Both models include an ethernet port for home network connectivity, and there’s also a 1/4-inch headphone jack on the front for personal listening. The Amp features a 2 x 40W stereo amplifier for increased quality and louder music out of those low-powered speakers you have lying around.

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The SP5i is the company’s flagship OMNI AirPlay speaker, and it’s an active three-way speaker system with a 6-inch subwoofer inside. It’s a fairly large speaker, and the audio certainly doesn’t sound bad. Even with the loud noise and the large crowd on the show floor, the speaker blasted away and the bass was certainly bumping.

The OMNI Link will cost $129, and the Amp will be priced at $199, while the SP5i will cost you a hefty $349. The company will have a smaller version for $249 that will come with a smaller 4-inch subwoofer.

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Behringer OMNI Link, Amp, and SP5i hands-on is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.