Hasta La Gadget!

A group of engineers from Disney Research have crafted a new method to create interactive objects using 3D printers. Referred to as “printed optics,” the lure of this technology is the ability to transform inert 3D models into interactive subjects by embedding 3D printed light piping into an object with minimal electronic components. Illuminated by LEDs and mobile projectors, this new breakthrough in optics has the potential to replace LCD and LED screens to display information on smaller interactive devices. If you find yourself scratching your head trying to visualize such a mojo in action, then check out the video after the break. It will enlighten you.

Continue reading Seeing is believing, Disney crafts 3D printed optics (video)

Filed under: Misc, Peripherals, Alt

Seeing is believing, Disney crafts 3D printed optics (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 05 Oct 2012 21:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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[CEATEC 2012] While everybody wants to have an audio system at home, not everyone can afford the space to have one – especially if they live in a tiny place. Well, the folks over at NEC have come up with a solution: by placing a speaker in its lights. The speakers feature Bluetooth connectivity, which can then be paired up with your smartphone/MP3 player/tablet to stream music from it. There’s no need for any special app or proprietary hardware to transmit your music, which is a huge plus in my book.

The company unveiled it earlier this year, but this time we got to see it for ourselves. The quality of the sound isn’t too shabby, but it could do with a louder volume because it was pretty hard to hear the audio over the bustling crowd at CES. It should probably do much better in a small, enclosed room. Then again, if you’re planning to play loud party music with these lights, you’re probably better off looking elsewhere. Expect these LED lights with built-in speakers to go on sale in Japan some time later this year.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Docomo Shabette Robo keeps you in the know, ROHM CIGS near-infrared see-through image sensor ,

While Vizio’s summer has been all about PCs, set-top Google TV boxes and even the odd ultrawidescreen HDTV, it’s getting back into its usual garb for the fall. As is its customs, it’s rolling out a few new HDTV models ahead of the big shopping season, which range in size from 55- to 70-inches. Other than the 58-inch CinemaWide ultra widescreen model there are also three representatives from its M-Series, with a 55-inch model for $949, and a 65-inch model that’s $1,699 with 3D and $1,499 without. The other two models are in its E-Series line, and are 2D only edge-lit LED sets that feature a new thin bezel / slim frame design. The 60-inch version is priced at $999, while the 70-inch goes for $1,999. They all include the Yahoo Widgets powered Vizio Internet Apps (Netflix, Vudu, Hulu, Amazon etc.) and WiFi built in and most are already popping up on store shelves near you (just ask Logitech and Sling how that works), check out a bit more information in the press release after the break.

Continue reading Vizio’s ‘extra-large’ holiday HDTV lineup goes from 55- to 70-inches

Filed under: Displays, Home Entertainment, HD

Vizio’s ‘extra-large’ holiday HDTV lineup goes from 55- to 70-inches originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 02 Oct 2012 08:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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While some wouldn’t necessarily associate Ikea with eco-friendliness given that its business revolves around plywood, the furniture chain has just staked out a clearer position as a green pioneer. It’s phasing out sales of all lighting that isn’t LED-based by 2016, making it the first major home furnishing shop with a US presence to entirely banish less efficient illumination. Ikea also wants to take advantage of its economies of scale with the “lowest price on the market” for LEDs, which could shake up an industry where anything beyond incandescent technology usually carries a premium. We’ll still have some time to wait for the full switch, but the company at least plans to practice what it preaches by replacing over a million store lights with LEDs — so those of us with no light replacement plans can still feel as green as the Beddinge Håvet we’re taking home.

[Image credit: Rainchill, Wikipedia]

Continue reading Ikea to sell only LED-based lighting by 2016, wants to be greener than your sofa bed

Filed under: Household

Ikea to sell only LED-based lighting by 2016, wants to be greener than your sofa bed originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 01 Oct 2012 13:48:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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This gadget is quite old in Internet Age, but the concept behind it is sound. If you find yourself playing “Where’s the Keyhole?” when you come to your home at night, you’re either drunk, a character in a horror flick that’s about to die or it’s just too damn dark at your doorstep. The Locklite can help with that last bit.

Made by True Utility, the Locklite is simply an LED in a rubber case. You then attach it to a round-headed key using the included two-piece steel casing. Unfortunately if you don’t have a round key, it’s not of much use.

Below is a demo video made by I Want One of Those: