Hasta La Gadget!

eBook enthusiasts love some good quadricopter action as much as anyone, and now those with a Nook Tablet can get in on flying the Parrot AR.Drone 2.0 that launched this May. Today Barnes & Noble announced that the AR.FreeFlight 2.0 app is available for a free download in its Nook Store. The program lets owners of the RC copter control the device over WiFi. Users can capture photos and videos with the Drone 2.0’s embedded cameras and share them via the app or YouTube and Picassa, and double-tapping the button of the right side of the Nook makes the Drone 2.0 perform flips. The $299 AR.Drone 2.0 is available through B&N’s site — get more info in the PR below.

Continue reading Parrot AR.Drone 2.0 app lands on Nook Tablet, turns eBook fans’ gazes skyward

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets, Software

Parrot AR.Drone 2.0 app lands on Nook Tablet, turns eBook fans’ gazes skyward originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Jul 2012 05:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Quite possibly the two greatest things in the world — beer and Arduino — have been married once again in a hack does them both justice. Accomplished maker and alcohol enthusiast Jeff Karpinski turned a spare Uno and an Ethernet shield into a gadget that automatically checks him in on Untappd. The build is connected to his kegerator through a hall-effect flow sensor that sits in his tap lines. Every time he pulls himself a pint of homebrew, the Aruino makes an API call to the so-called Foursquare for beer nerds, and updates his profile. Obviously, publishing to the site every time the keg is tapped could get messy, so there’s an automatic five minute time out to avoid getting repeat hits just for topping off. There’s also a button that manually engages the five minute lock out, allowing Jeff to pour his buddies a cold one without claiming the drink for himself on Untappd. And updating is a snap thanks to the simple web server that’s integrated. Changing what beer is on tap in the API call is as simple as opening a web browser. Interested in upgrading your own kegerator? Check out the source link for complete instructions and a parts list.

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets, Internet

Arduino Kegerator hack checks in your homebrews on Untappd originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Jul 2012 14:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Hack a Day  |  Jeff Karpinski  | Email this | Comments

Velocomp’s iBike Powerhouse, the cycling computer that integrates with your wheels to bring you workouts such as the descriptively named Brazilian Butt, is finally ready to ship. Introduced back in January, the Powerhouse works with an app for the iPhone or iPod touch (hence the iMoniker) to measure your pedal rates and other health stats, with preset workouts guiding you through 45- to 90-minute rides targeted toward your fitness level. The regimens also include tips and video demos from cycling pro Hunter Allen.

The $279 package, available through the iBike site, includes a case for the iPhone or iPod touch, the Powerhouse computer itself, the app, a wireless speed sensor and a handle bar mounting system. Though the system comes with two pre-loaded workouts, you can buy more for $9.99 a pop through the iOS app. Head on down to the PR for more info.

Continue reading iBike Powerhouse starts shipping: a workout coach for your set of wheels

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

iBike Powerhouse starts shipping: a workout coach for your set of wheels originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Jul 2012 05:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Examiner.com, Ubergizmo  |  iBike Sports  | Email this | Comments

Solar3D probably isn’t a company you’re particularly familiar with… at least not yet. The California-based manufacturer has just successfully fabricated a three dimensional solar panel that traps sun light in nano-scale wells on a silicon wafer. Perhaps most exciting, the prototype panel was built using off-the-shelf tech from Panasonic, meaning that the price of mass production shouldn’t be prohibitively high. More testing is needed, but the resulting panels should be up to 50 percent more efficient than current generation 2D ones. For a few more details, check out The PR after the break.

Continue reading 3D, light-trapping solar cells successfully fabricated by Solar3D

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

3D, light-trapping solar cells successfully fabricated by Solar3D originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 17 Jul 2012 20:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Intel is back to its old games in Q2 of 2012, raking in $13.5 billion during the second three month financial period of the year, up from $12.9 billion in the first quarter and a solid five percent year over year. Of that impressive pile of cash, Chipzilla was able to pocket $2.8 billion in net income, up $100,000 from Q1 and three percent from the same time period last year. That equates to a healthy $0.57 per share in earnings, which should make investors happy. PC Client Group enjoyed slow but steady growth, seeing its revenues grow by three percent, but the big story is the Data Center division wich saw revenues climb 14 percent to $2.8 billion, sequentially.

It’s not all wine and roses however, the processor giant also lowered its expectations for Q3 after falling slightly short of its goal this quarter. Growth is expected to continue, but at a much slower rate thanks to the “challenging macroeconomic environment.” Of course, an estimated $14.3 billion in Q3 would match its previous earnings record and is hardly anything to sniff at.

During today’s earnings call Paul Otellini took time to brag about well the current generation of products was performing. Production had ramped up quicker than previous lines, and was selling better than earlier lines of CPUs. And, though he gave no specifics, he said the company tracking at least 20 Windows 8 tablets powered by Intel’s hardware.

Continue reading Intel reports Q2 earnings: rakes in $13.5 billion, pockets $2.8 billion

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

Intel reports Q2 earnings: rakes in $13.5 billion, pockets $2.8 billion originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 17 Jul 2012 16:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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