Pebble team posts UI preview, provides an early look at how you’ll interact with the E-Paper Watch

Pebble team posts UI preview, provides an early look at how you'll interact with the EPaper Watch

Sadly, Pebble won’t be making its way to backers by its original September estimate, but the design team wants you to know that it’s hard at work, traveling the world to source components, running shipping tests and spending time refining the user interface in order to provide a top-notch experience once you do receive your device in the mail. To that end, Martijn, the UI designer, has dropped by Vimeo to provide us with a “sneak peek” at the device’s operation, including some demos on iOS and a connected prototyping board, using a custom tool that sends designs to the Pebble screen from any graphics program in real-time (a feature that will reportedly also be available in the SDK). From what we’ve seen, there appears to be plenty of space on the screen to show incoming calls, read emails with eight lines of text at a time, view appointment details, select songs and control volume, and, of course, see the current time. Commenters seem to be quite pleased with the design so far, and we have to agree — it’s a pretty slick UI. Jump past the break to see it in action.

Continue reading Pebble team posts UI preview, provides an early look at how you’ll interact with the E-Paper Watch

Filed under: ,

Pebble team posts UI preview, provides an early look at how you’ll interact with the E-Paper Watch originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Aug 2012 12:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourcePebble (Vimeo)  | Email this | Comments

Century releases the Plus One Projector for iPhone 4 and 4S

Century, the company that brought to the world the insanely useful HDD Stage Rack also known as the SATA HDD Docking station comes today with another nifty little device the Plus One Projector for iPhone 4 and 4S.
This new sleeve for iPhone 4/4S offers not only comes with 1,850mAh internal battery that will be capable to charge your iPhone, but also with a DLP 35ANSI projector with a 1000:1 contrast ratio and VGA resolution. Granted that this may not be the ideal projector to replace your Home …

‘Stained glass’ nanotechnology capable of printing up to 100,000 dpi

100,000 dpi color image crafted by 'stained glass' nanotechnology

Researchers in Singapore have managed to create high-resolution color images several times sharper than typical methods using a metal-laced nanometer framework. While normal inkjet and laser jet printers can reel out up to 10,000 dots per inch, this nanotech-based technique has a theoretical limit of around 100,000 dpi. The technique is closer to lithography than typical modern printing, and could pave the way for future high-resolution reflective color displays and high-density optical storage. Scientists crafted precisely patterned metal nano structures, and designed the surface to specifically reflect the intended color. According to project leader, Dr Joel Yang, “The team built a database of color that corresponded to a specific nanostructure pattern, size and spacing,” with an ultra-thin metal film spread across the image activating these “encoded” colors. Looks like yet another reason to upgrade our dull fleshy retinas.

Filed under: ,

‘Stained glass’ nanotechnology capable of printing up to 100,000 dpi originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 13 Aug 2012 07:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Phys.org  |  sourceNature Nanotechnology  | Email this | Comments

Colloidal Display uses soap bubbles, ultrasonic waves to form a projection screen (hands-on video)

Colloidal Display uses soap bubbles, ultrasonic waves to form a projection screen handson video

If you’ve ever been to an amusement park, you may have noticed ride designers using some non-traditional platforms as projection screens — the most common example being a steady stream of artificial fog. Projecting onto transparent substances is a different story, however, which made this latest technique a bit baffling to say the least. Colloidal Display, developed by Yoichi Ochiai, Alexis Oyama and Keisuke Toyoshima, uses bubbles as an incredibly thin projection “screen,” regulating the substance’s properties, such as reflectance, using ultrasonic sound waves from a nearby speaker. The bubble liquid is made from a mixture of sugar, glycerin, soap, surfactant, water and milk, which the designers say is not easily popped. Still, during their SIGGRAPH demo, a motor dunked the wands in the solution and replaced the bubble every few seconds.

A standard projector directed at the bubble creates an image, which appears to be floating in the air. And, because the bubbles are transparent, they can be stacked to simulate a 3D image. You can also use the same display to project completely different images that fade in and out of view depending on your angle relative to the bubble. There is a tremendous amount of distortion, however, because the screen used is a liquid that remains in a fluid state. Because of the requirement to constantly refresh the bubbles, and the unstable nature of the screen itself, the project, which is merely a proof of concept, wouldn’t be implemented without significant modification. Ultimately, the designers hope to create a film that offers similar transparent properties but with a more solid, permanent composition. For now, you can sneak a peek of the first iteration in our hands-on video after the break.

Continue reading Colloidal Display uses soap bubbles, ultrasonic waves to form a projection screen (hands-on video)

Filed under:

Colloidal Display uses soap bubbles, ultrasonic waves to form a projection screen (hands-on video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Aug 2012 12:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceYoichi Ochiai  | Email this | Comments

MIT Media Lab’s Tensor Displays stack LCDs for low-cost glasses-free 3D (hands-on video)

MIT Media Lab's Tensor Displays stack LCDs for lowcost glassesfree 3D handson video

Glasses-free 3D may be the next logical step in TV’s evolution, but we have yet to see a convincing device make it to market that doesn’t come along with a five-figure price tag. The sets that do come within range of tickling our home theater budgets won’t blow you away, and it’s not unreasonable to expect that trend to continue through the next few product cycles. A dramatic adjustment in our approach to glasses-free 3D may be just what the industry needs, so you’ll want to pay close attention to the MIT Media Lab’s latest brew. Tensor Displays combine layered low-cost panels with some clever software that assigns and alternates the image at a rapid pace, creating depth that actually looks fairly realistic. Gordon Wetzstein, one of the project creators, explained that the solution essentially “(takes) the complexity away from the optics and (puts) it in the computation,” and since software solutions are far more easily scaled than their hardware equivalent, the Tensor Display concept could result in less expensive, yet superior 3D products.

We caught up with the project at SIGGRAPH, where the first demonstration included four fixed images, which employed a similar concept as the LCD version, but with backlit inkjet prints instead of motion-capable panels. Each displaying a slightly different static image, the transparencies were stacked to give the appearance of depth without the typical cost. The version that shows the most potential, however, consists of three stacked LCD panels, each displaying a sightly different pattern that flashes back and forth four times per frame of video, creating a three-dimensional effect that appears smooth and natural. The result was certainly more tolerable than the glasses-free 3D we’re used to seeing, though it’s surely a long way from being a viable replacement for active-glasses sets — Wetzstein said that the solution could make its way to consumers within the next five years. Currently, the technology works best in a dark room, where it’s able to present a consistent image. Unfortunately, this meant the light levels around the booth were a bit dimmer than what our camera required, resulting in the underexposed, yet very informative hands-on video you’ll see after the break.

Continue reading MIT Media Lab’s Tensor Displays stack LCDs for low-cost glasses-free 3D (hands-on video)

Filed under: ,

MIT Media Lab’s Tensor Displays stack LCDs for low-cost glasses-free 3D (hands-on video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Aug 2012 14:16:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceMIT Media Lab  | Email this | Comments

Acer breeds LEDs with lasers, new hybrid projector is born

Acer breeds LEDs with lasers, new hybrid projector is born

Acer usually graces our pages for its pico projector range, but the company’s taken a leaf out of the high-end book for its latest non-portable model, the K750 LED-laser hybrid. The world’s first combo projector spits out 1080p, just as you would expect, at a contrast ratio of up to 100,000:1. Acer claims the color brightness, saturation and fidelity are significantly better than mercury lamps, and appears to be leaning towards the business and education markets, citing the K750’s instant on / off capability to sway the productive types. If you fancy one of these in your house, however, better start saving your cash — AVForums claims it’ll be available in the UK later this month bearing a price tag of around £1,700 (approximately $2,650).

Continue reading Acer breeds LEDs with lasers, new hybrid projector is born

Filed under:

Acer breeds LEDs with lasers, new hybrid projector is born originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 08 Aug 2012 12:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink AVForums  |   | Email this | Comments

You Can Actually Afford Dell’s Probably Awesome 27-Inch UltraSharp Monitor [Monitors]

Dell is dropping a nice new 27-inch monitor that isn’t too spendy—the UltraSharp U2713HM. It’s Dell’s first to use AH-IPS, or advanced high-performance IPS, a technology that’s supposed to improve on both color and clarity. Though it was only announced on the company’s Japanese site, the screen looks like it will only cost around $637. A pretty fantastic deal! More »

Dell debuts new 27-inch U2713HM monitor: its first AH-IPS panel, $799 (updated)

Dell debuts new 27inch U2713HM monitor, its first AHIPS panel

What’s this? Appearing on its Japanese blog, ahead of any English language announcement, Dell’s new monitor pairs a backlit LED with a 27-inch AH-IPS display. The U2713HM marks the company’s first Advanced High Performance IPS panel, which cranks viewing angles up to 178 degrees and adds Dell’s name to a pretty exclusive list of manufacturers. The screen can output up to 2,560 x 1,440 (WQHD) resolution, with Dell promising a 37 percent reduction in energy consumption compared to the preceding U2711. If you’ve got HDMI, DisplayPort, VGA or DVI-D, you’ll likely be well-prepared for the monitor, which also has a four-port USB 3.0 hub embedded. However, that high-quality panel corresponds with a suitably high price tag; on the other side of the Pacific, the U2713HM has been marked up at 50,000 yen and is available starting today.

Update: Dell has now announced pricing for the US. This UltraSharp slab will set you back just shy of 800 bucks. Visit the source to get your order in.

Filed under:

Dell debuts new 27-inch U2713HM monitor: its first AH-IPS panel, $799 (updated) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 08 Aug 2012 03:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceDell Japan (translated), Dell  | Email this | Comments

ARM’s Mali-T604 makes official debut, we get a first look at the next-gen GPU (hands-on video)

DNP ARM's MaliT604 makes its official device debut, we get a first look at the nextgen GPU handson video

Think those are some pretty slick graphics in your Galaxy S III? Samsung’s latest smartphone packs some mighty graphics prowess of its own, thanks to the Mali-400 MP GPU, but once you spend a few minutes with the Mali-T604, the company’s next-generation chipset, the improvements become quite clear. After seeing the Mali-T604 in action, as we did at SIGGRAPH today, the capabilities leave us hopeful for the future, and perhaps feeling a bit self-conscious about the silicon currently in our pockets. The reference device on hand was operating in sync with a variety of unnamed hardware, protected from view in a relatively large sealed box. We weren’t able to squeeze many details out of ARM reps, who remained mum about the demo components, including clock speed, manufacturer and even fabrication size. What we do know is that we were looking at a quad-core Mali-T604 and dual-core ARM Cortex-A15 processor, with a fabrication size in the range of “28 to 40 nanometers” (confirming the exact size would reveal the manufacturer). Clock speed is also TBD, and the early silicon on demo at the show wasn’t operating anywhere close to its top end.

In order to experience the T604, we took a look at three demos, including Timbuktu 2, which demonstrates elements like self shadowing and depth of field with OpenGL ES 3.0, Hauntheim, which gives us an early look at physics simulation and HDR lighting with OpenCL, and Enlighten, which rendered silky smooth real-time illumination. You can see all of the demos in action after the break, and you can expect T604-equipped devices to make their debut beginning later this year — ARM says its working with eight manufacturers to get the licensed tech to market as early as Q3.

Continue reading ARM’s Mali-T604 makes official debut, we get a first look at the next-gen GPU (hands-on video)

Filed under: , , ,

ARM’s Mali-T604 makes official debut, we get a first look at the next-gen GPU (hands-on video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 07 Aug 2012 13:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

Foxconn investment in Sharp looking less likely due to LCD manufacturer’s shrinking stock value

Foxconn investment in Sharp looking less likely due to LCD manufacturer's shrinking stock valueFoxconn’s parent, Hon Hai Precision Industry, partnered up with Sharp earlier this year, taking a stake in Sharp’s Sakai LCD manufacturing plant and investing another $850 million in the company. Unfortunately, that latter investment deal is in danger of dissolving due to Sharp’s financial troubles. The Wall Street Journal reports that Sharp’s shares have fallen enough in the months since the aforementioned agreement was consummated in March — due to flagging sales and excess inventory — that Sharp’s given Hon Hai the option to back out of the deal. However, Hon Hai’s still interested in buying ten percent of the Japanese company, and has expressed an interest in renegotiating the terms of the investment. So, it seems we’ll have to wait and see if Sharp accepts Hon Hai’s continued advances, but you can read more about the company’s financial woes right now at the source below.

Filed under:

Foxconn investment in Sharp looking less likely due to LCD manufacturer’s shrinking stock value originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 06 Aug 2012 17:50:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceThe Wall Street Journal  | Email this | Comments