Hasta La Gadget!

Raspberry Pi‘s journey to reach owners has been a lengthy one, but Greg Holloway is preparing to send his board on a longer voyage — one across the Atlantic. Nestled inside a tupperware tub, the RaspberryPi is the brains of FishPi, an autonomous vessel — guided by GPS and a compass — that measures 20 inches from bow to stern. Currently in proof-of-concept form, the craft uses a 40 mm rotating propeller and draws juice from batteries powered by a 130 watt solar panel. Producing kits for students, enthusiasts and professionals is the goal of the project, but testing and development are still on the docket. While the Linux-laden launch isn’t ready for the high seas quite yet, you can sail to the source for the technical breakdown or check it out at the Nottingham Hackspace Raspberry Jam next month.

FishPi sets course for the open sea, captained by a Raspberry Pi originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 Jun 2012 03:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Soon you’ll be able to download your very own entirely Google-made version of Google Maps for iOS, this time not having Google on the back end of the Apple interface you’ve seen since the iPhone was launched. This new version will be released soon, with Google executive Jeff Huber speaking up this week on the subject with a simple “we look forward to providing amazing Google Maps experiences on iOS.”

Apple announced and demonstrated their own version of GPS mapping with the tentatively titled Apple Maps, this being the first time Apple wasn’t relying solely on Google for all of their mapping needs. Apple’s new system will rely instead on TomTom-based backend mapping data, and will include new features such as the rather impressive looking Flyover 3D rendering of the planet.

This first Google-pushed Google Maps application for iOS will likely make a stab at Navigation now that Apple Maps will have the same functionality, and will almost certainly be a free download as well. Have a peek at our timeline below to see all there is to see on Apple’s new mapping initiative, and get ready for a map war!

[via Google+]

Apple Maps spurs full Google Maps app is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Facebook has a new feature that iOS and Android users can now start to take advantage of called Find Friends Nearby. Originally dubbed “Friendshake”, the feature allows you to see friends who are nearby, as well as potential friends, provided they’re also using Find Friends Nearby. The new feature is primarily aimed at those meeting people for the first time who want to quickly add details to Facebook.

Ryan Patterson, an engineer for Facebook, designed the app at a hackathon event to easily exchange contact information. Rather than hunting for specific names, which can result in finding the wrong people or entering typos, Find Friends Nearby allows both users to log into and see each others details easily and quickly.

The feature has bigger implications too. Rather than just finding people in the immediate area, Facebook could add additional features that that allow you to find people with similar interests, or maybe find friends of friends. Highlight is an app launched at SXSW that has the same functionality already, but Facebook integrating the same features would help command a much larger audience.

There’s two ways to use the new feature. The first is by going to a mobile webpage found at http://fb.com/ffn, and the second is by digging through the iOS and Android app menus. Users need to go to Menu -> Apps -> Find Friends -> Other Tools, then tap on Find Friends Nearby.

[via TechCrunch]

Facebook adds Find Friends Nearby to mobile apps is written by Ben Kersey & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.