Hasta La Gadget!

There have been rumblings in the past that Hydis’ FFS LCD technology would make its way into certain tablets, and now the Korean manufacturer has signed a license agreement with Sharp that will see the two companies using each other’s technology. The agreement will allow Sharp to make use of Hydis’ Fringe Field Switching LCD technology, which is similar to IPS technology but allows for higher brightness and a superior color gamut.

The deal will allow both companies to make use of the technologies for ten years, and also guarantee a “patent peace” so that the companies can focus on making money instead of suing each other. Hydis goes on to say how its FFS technology is “superior to other similar wide viewing angle technologies in the market”, taking direct aim at IPS and PLS. Other benefits of FFS include lower power consumption and superior contrast ratios. Hydris even notes that it’s planning to bring FFS to “notebook computers and television[s].”

It’s interesting to see Sharp picking up the license to use FFS technology. Past rumors have suggested that IGZO may make an appearance in products such as the iPad, and recent reports have indicated that IGZO panels will be used for the mythical Apple Television. Sharp looks to be interested in incorporating FFS into its own panels, and if its as good as Hydis says it is, then we could be looking at future displays that are even better than what’s found in the current iPad.

[via ARM Devices]

Sharp and Hydis announce LCD license agreement is written by Ben Kersey & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

With Lion and the upcoming Mountain Lion operating systems, Apple is continuously integrating features from its mobile OS to the desktop experience. Does it mean that a touchscreen iMac is a good idea? I still don’t think so, but you can decide for yourself with the help of the Zorro Macsk attachment.

The Zorro Macsk is a frame that is placed over the iMac and plugs in via USB. It has no screen of its own, rather it uses infrared sensors to detect input. While it won’t turn your computer into an expert swordsman, it does support the same multitouch gestures that you can pull off on the Magic Trackpad, so it is a bit practical.

I think it’s nice to be able to use it to switch between Spaces, but other than that I don’t see any great benefit for a touchscreen iMac, unless you happen to like the look of greasy fingerprints on your screen. The Zorro Macsk is currently only available for the 21.5″ iMac., and you can order it on Amazon for $199 (USD).

I’m a sucker for remote-controlled toys, especially flying toys. Sadly I’m not qualified to fly any of the airplanes or helicopters I’ve ever tried. Generally I get to fly once and then crash during landing, destroying any chance at a second flight. RC geeks in the UK will soon be able to get a cool spy plane called the Spy Hawk, which to let you record your landing disasters – or the pool party your hot neighbor is throwing.

Spy Hawk is a three-channel mini glider that comes with an integrated first-person video system able to send five-megapixel live video feeds back to a 3.5-inch LCD on the remote control. The plane even has an autopilot mode with gyro stabilization that lets you get it to altitude, and then watch the video without having to worry about actually flying. The toy has a range of up to 600 m with an average flight time of 15 minutes on a single charge.

The system has an integrated four gigabyte memory card to store the video. It also uses intelligent signaling so you can fly more than one Spy Hawk at the same time. The Spy Hawk will sell for £249.95 (~$386 USD) when it lands next month over at Red5.

Remote control helicopters were all the rage not too long ago, but how about an even cooler spy plane? RED5 is offering a Spy Hawk plane that has a 5-megapixel camera attached to the nose, able to beam video back to a 3.5-inch screen embedded in the remote control. The plane is capable of being controlled up to 600m away, and you can record video onto a 4GB SD card for later viewing.

The Spy Hawk also features a stabilization system that makes it much easier to fly. An “autopilot” switch will turn on a guilty in gyroscope that will keep the plane at the correct altitude, allowing you to terrorize pedestrians from above while recording all the action. The plane can stay airborne for around 30 minutes thanks to a 7.4v lithium-ion polymer, and it’s relatively tough due to EPO crash resistant foam.

If you happen to have a second Spy Hawk, an “intelligent automatic control and video signal binding” mode links the two planes together, so you can chase them around while recording feeds from both. You may want to start with just one for now, though, as the Spy Hawk isn’t cheap at £245.95 (~$380). Check out a video sample recorded from the plane below.

Spy Hawk gives you an eagle eye in the sky is written by Ben Kersey & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

A remote control? Whaaaat. It doesn’t make as much sense as the Sonic Screwdriver screwdriver right? Then again, it’s not as if the tool itself makes sense. A screwdriver that opens locks and takes vital stats? Whaaaat.

Except for its case, this gadget is very similar to the Magic Wand remote control. It can learn up to 39 gestures – and thus 39 commands – to control any device that has an infrared remote, from TVs to home theater systems. It also emits 13 sound effects from the Doctor Who series.

ThinkGeek sells the Sonic Screwdriver programmabey-remotey for $100 (USD), but you should travel to the site at a future date in September because the gadget is currently sold out.

[via Ubergizmo]