Hasta La Gadget!

Currently up for $50,000 in funding on Kickstarter, the Wheelharp delivers the sounds of a chamber string orchestra via a keyboard and a full chromatic set of real strings. Oh, and it’s pretty much the most striking instrument we’ve ever seen. Developed by Los Angeles-based Antiquity Music, the device reacts to a user’s press of the keys by moving a corresponding string to a rotating wheel with an edge that bows the string. The instrument gives the player plenty of controls; the right pedal controls wheel speed, while the left mans the strings’ damper system.

Though an early version was demoed at NAMM this year, the Wheelharp is currently in R&D mode, and Antiquity plans to put much of the Kickstarter money toward researching the optimal string selection. Hit up the source link to hear the instrument in action. Just don’t get too excited; the instrument will retail for a cool $12,500 — or a slightly more palatable $10,000 through the crowdfunding site.

Filed under: Misc, Peripherals, Alt

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Via: Laughing Squid

Source: The Wheelharp (Kickstarter)

The Internet of things — that nebulous term usually associated with interconnecting everyday objects in a meaningful way — is in the news again. Yesterday, Broadcom announced that it’s launching a couple cost-effective, power-efficient wireless chips geared towards appliances, home automation and wearable devices. The first SoC, BCM4390, incorporates a highly-efficient WiFi radio for embedded use in products such as weight scales, thermostats and security cameras. It fits into the company’s range of Wireless Internet Connectivity for Embedded Devices (WICED) chips. The second SoC, BCM20732, features an ultra low-power Bluetooth transceiver and targets devices like heart rate monitors, pedometers and door locks. Broadcom’s also contributing its Bluetooth software stack to the Android Open Source Project with support for both standard and Bluetooth Smart hardware. Does this mean our long-awaited smart toaster’s just around the corner? We sure hope so. Follow the source links below for more info.

Filed under: Misc, Wireless

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Source: Broadcom (1), (2)

Pebble’s smartwatch might have launched with limited capabilities, but the list of things it can do keeps growing. Now that the company has released firmware version 1.11, you can add a few more features to that list. The update brings notification and set time UI changes, multiple notification viewing, the wearer’s current speed measured by RunKeeper, swaps the music app’s next and previous buttons and squashes a few bugs. It also installs the Simplicity watchface on the device that’s sure to make minimalists happy. Sadly, there’s nary a hint of a new game in sight so you’ll have to make do with Tetris and Snake whenever the mood for smartwatch gaming strikes. To get version 1.11, launch your Pebble smartphone app and tap “check for FW update.”

David Fishman contributed to this report.

Filed under: Misc, Wearables

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Source: Pebble

Many of the Pentagon’s most advanced weapon systems — including the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and PAC-3 Patriot missile system — were compromised by Chinese hackers, according to a classified document obtained by the Washington Post. The list of weapons was part of an earlier DoD report condemning Chinese cyber-espionage activities, but had been confidential until now. Other systems hacked are said to include the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), the Navy’s Aegis ballistic-missile defense system, the F/A-18 fighter, V-22 Osprey and the Littoral Combat Ship used for shore patrol. Many of these form the foundation of defense systems from Europe to the Persian Gulf — and their breach goes a long way toward explaining Washington’s unprecedented dressing-down of China.

Filed under: Misc

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Via: The Verge

Source: Washington Post

Special Evangelion business accessories will be available though Haruyama Trading, one of the major Japanese business suit chain stores.

They announced that they will open a special “HARUYAMA×EVANGELION: 3.0 Akihabara EVENT STORE” where these items will be available for a limited time (June 2 – June 23).

The store will sell dress shirts, ties, cuff links, and tiepins created in the image of major Evangelion characters such as EVA-01 and EVA-02.