Hasta La Gadget!

Each week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about consumer technology.

It’s that special time of year between the holiday sales and the pre-CES hype that presents an opportunity to consider some of the most innovative devices of the year. Switched On is proud to present the Saluting Wares Improving Technology’s Contribution to Humanity awards, also known as The Switchies. This year marks the seventh annual Switchies, which are decided based on a rigorous examination of the opinion of me, and do not reflect the opinion of Engadget or its editors. For that latter honor, nominees will need to win an Engadget Award.

This week’s Switched On will cover many of the major award categories while next week’s will cover some of the more obscure ones. Let’s roll out the red carpet then.

Continue reading Switched On: The 2012 Switchies, Part 1

Filed under: Misc

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Christmas is right around the corner, and for all of you procrastinators out there, we recently shared our handy guide to last-minute gifts that can be whipped up in the 11th hour. We also have some great suggestions for non-consumerist gifts of time and if you’re crafty, don’t forget to check out our DIY guide for cool make-it-yourself gift ideas like these useful texting gloves and this curiously strong solar charger upcycled from an old Altoids tin. For a fun activity to do with the whole family, check out our homemade holiday greeting card and DIY Christmas cracker tutorials, and before putting your gifts under the tree, don’t miss our guide to eco-friendly gift wrap alternatives.

Continue reading Inhabitat’s Week in Green: invisibility cloak, a Hobbit House and a portable washing machine

Filed under: Misc, Science

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Want to stream HD video to your TV from more devices? So does the outfit behind the Wireless Home Digital Interface (WHDI) standard. AMIMON wants to see its technology integrated into third party chipsets, and is now licensing its intellectual property to other companies. The IP up for lease promises low power, low latency two-way data links that work in parallel with video. CEO Ram Ofir hopes the technology will be adopted in mobile, automotive, camera and defense markets. “This license complements AMIMON’s current product offerings for the WHDI and AMIMON Professional markets,” he said. “We believe that by opening up our IP, we enhance the global ecosystem for wireless High-Definition connectivity and create new options for consumers and new business opportunities for manufacturers.” Read on for the official press release and a quick peek at AMIMON’s CES demo plans.

Continue reading AMIMON now licensing its technology to third parties, wants to see WHDI in more devices

Filed under: Misc, Wireless

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It’s been almost four months since we first (and last) heard about Marshall’s special edition Hanwell HiFi speaker, but today the renowned amp maker announced its sleek system is finally ready to hit shelves in various areas around the globe. The Marshall Hanwell amp / speaker combo’s set to be available in Europe, Japan and the US for a cool $800, which will give interested at-home rockstars a package that’s a “carefully crafted machine, designed to attain that trademark Marshall tone” and that produces “super lows, and hi-fi tweeters yield sharp extended highs, rendering the sound sharp and clear, like sitting in the front row.” You’ll have to tap on the source link below quick if you’re looking to snag one for yourself, though, as Marshall has already said it’ll only have about 10,000 units up for grabs.

Continue reading Marshall Hanwell speaker now available for $800, helps bring out your inner rockstar

Filed under: Misc, Portable Audio/Video

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Source: Marshall

It’s not that often we see the worlds of baking and technology mix, but when Johan von Konow went about making a traditional gingerbread house for the holidays, he added a laser to the recipe. The engineer and tinkerer first went about designing an accurate, miniature 3D representation of his summer house in a CAD program, with the help of his wife. He then printed outlines of the necessary building blocks onto sheets of baked gingerbread, and used a 50-watt laser engraver to cut them out and score icing guides for the final touches later on. Burnt edges rendered the confectionary inedible, but as its final destination was no longer stomachs, raw lasagna sheets were added for structural support, and hot glue used to bind it all together. If you’ve got all the kit and are feeling inspired by the picture above, the design layout and project walkthrough are available at the source link below. Hansel and Gretel needn’t be worried this time around — the tech used creating this particular gingerbread house has attracted a different kind of aged tenant.

Filed under: Misc, Household, Alt

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Via: Hack a Day

Source: Johan von Konow