Hasta La Gadget!

Despite improvements, working conditions are still a sore point in China — and China Labor Watch wants to emphasize that no company is exempt from scrutiny. The rights advocacy group claims that, on top of pushing mandatory overtime and poor overall conditions, Samsung contractor HEG Electronics has allegedly been employing at least seven underage workers at a Huizhou plant making phones and DVD players. Not surprisingly, Samsung has been quick to defend itself, asserting that it found “no irregularities” in two separate inspections this year and that it plans a third as a response to the new accusations. Who’s telling the truth is still up in the air, although China Labor Watch is taking aim only after going undercover; it’s long been suspected that contractors whitewash their labor practices when they see corporate inspectors coming from a mile away. If there’s any substance to the allegations, Samsung may be the next tech giant taking action to mend a bruised public image.

Filed under: Cellphones, Home Entertainment

Samsung accused of, denies employing child labor through Chinese contractor originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 07 Aug 2012 16:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If you’re the sort to get a little too adventurous with CyanogenMod 10 or other custom ROMs, Google just gave you a crutch. Android 4.1.1 factory images are now available for every Nexus device that can currently get a taste of Jelly Bean: the HSPA+ Galaxy Nexus, Nexus S and the expected Nexus 7. While it’s not a complete safety net, the gesture will let dedicated modders flash their phones and tablets knowing that they can almost always jump back to the pure OS if someone’s definition of “alpha build” is a little too rough. CDMA users are unfortunately left out of the loop; let’s just hope they’re brought up to speed before too long.

[Thanks, Vince]

Filed under: Cellphones

Google posts Android 4.1 Jelly Bean images for Nexus devices, modders rejoice originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 Jul 2012 21:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mahoro is a general purpose robot co-developed by AIST and Yaskawa. It’s mission in life is to carry out dangerous lab work that was previously done manually by humans. Its jobs include culturing and dispensing with more accuracy and speed than a human can do it. Mahoro completes tasks better and in half the time. It also cuts down on accidents.


That last part is a real bonus when you are talking dangerous chemicals or nuclear material. This isn’t your typical factory robot since his arms have seven joints opposed to six or less. This extra axis means that the robot arms can replicate the elbow joint of a human and that gives him more flexibility. Moving like a human means that he is more efficient.

He’s already being used at some universities and pharmaceutical companies. The next goal is to make this ‘bot safe enough to work alongside humans – and hopefully not take their jobs.

[via Geek]