Mar 04

HP shows off Metal Watch concept (video)

Posted in: concept, HP, prototype, research, teaser, Today's Chili, video, watch

Give yourself a cookie if you can still remember as far back as August 29th of last year. That was the day when HP’s Phil McKinney teased the world with images of three new prototypes being developed in his company’s labs — there was a tablet, now known as the HP TouchPad, a smartphone that’s since taken on the name of Pre 3, and something snaked around his wrist that looked suspiciously like a watch. Today, we learn more about this Metal Watch, as HP calls. It’s a continuation of the company’s overarching theme of mobile interconnectedness, however unlike its webOS devices, this connected watch is nowhere near ready for prime time (or maybe it’s just like them since none are actually shipping yet!). The new Metal fella is still a research project as much as anything else, but it’s seen as a key part of our future, acting as an easy-to-use information aggregator. It looks just like any old watch to us, but why not jump past the break and let HP’s CTO enlighten you on what makes it special?

[Thanks, Obstacle-Man]

Continue reading HP shows off Metal Watch concept (video)

HP shows off Metal Watch concept (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 04 Mar 2011 05:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mar 02

Gadget Lab Notes: Apple Wasn’t The Only One Making News Today

Posted in: concept, gaming, Google, Miscellaneous, olympus, Today's Chili, Yahoo

The TOUGH TG-810 is the first camera crushproof up to 100kg

Gadget Lab Notes is an eclectic roundup of gadget news briefs and intriguing products that catch our eye.

Olympus TOUGH TG-810 Claims to be the First 100kg Crushproof Camera
Accidentally step on the Olympus TOUGH TG-810? Not a problem, as long as you weigh less than 100kg (about 220lbs). The 14 MP TG-810 is shockproof, waterproof up to 10m, and freezeproof up to -10 C. It features a 3-D shooting mode, 720p HD recording, underwater scene modes, and a variety of other modes and filters to enhance stills and video.

Tough TG-810 [Olympus via TechRadar]

Thermaltake Level 10 Super Gaming Modular Case, an Epic Home For Your Gaming Rig
For $280, you can get the Thermaltake Level 10 Super Gaming Modular Case, whose design was inspired by the work of BMW Group Designworks. The case will prevent overheating through the use of 4 cooling fans and optional water cooling, and sports a hinged side panel, 6 USB ports (two USB 3.0, four USB 2.0) and a variety of other ports. It’s got 5 hot-swappable hard drive bays and also features improved cable management for hiding extra cords at the back.

Thermaltake Level 10 Super Gaming Modular Case [Thermaltake USA via Uncrate]

GoPro Battery BacPac Ensures Over 5 Hours of Video Recording Adventures
GoPro, purveyor of wearable, mountable HD cameras, has outed the BacPac, a clip for the HD Hero camera that provides over 5 hours of recording capability. That’s right, for $49.99, you can keep snowboarding, skateboarding, backflipping, or doing whatever other extreme activity you want to document with first person video, for over 5 hours.

Battery BacPac [GoPro via Crunchgear]

Grown-Up Battleship: You May Pass Out Before You Finish the Game
Honestly, I’m surprised this wasn’t created sooner: a Battleship Drinking Game, with shotglasses perched on each “ship”. So now cries of “You sunk my battleship!” are accompanied by a chug of your favorite poison.

Battleship Drinking Game [Core77]

Bing’s Global Searches Outnumber Yahoo’s For the First Time
In February, Bing searches accounted for 4.37% of the global market, while Yahoo held only 3.93% of the global search market. Neither search engines are making Google sweat though—the search engine giant maintained 89.94% of the global search market. In the US, the proportions played out a bit differently: Google leads with 79.63%, followed by Yahoo and Bing with 9.74% and 9.03%, respectively.

Global Stats [Statcounter via Slashgear]

Floor Plan Light Switch Makes it Easy to Light the Right Room
If you’ve ever fumbled around with a light panel of 3 plus switches as you enter a dark house, you know it can be a pain to try to illuminate the right area. The Floor Plan Light switch would display a glowing layout of the floor; just press the room you want to light, and voila! Hopefully it could also scale to a single room that has multiple light areas, like kitchens and bathrooms often do.

Floor Plan Light Switch [Yanko Design]


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Mar 02

VW’s Bulli van concept does iPad integration right, shockingly

Posted in: Apple, concept, ipad, Today's Chili
VW's Bulli van concept does iPad integration right, shockingly

After seeing many atrocious attempts, it seemed factory iPad integration was something that simply shouldn’t happen. Now, in Volkswagen’s Bulli concept, we’re seeing something that makes sense — something we’ve wanted to see for a while now. The tablet sits in a custom cradle in the center of the dash, extended on a pivoting arm so that it can turn toward driver or passenger. It then provides center stack duties, letting front-seaters manage the climate controls, play some music, and of course get directions. Naturally we’d like to see something a little more platform-neutral if it’s going to be a factory option, but we’re guessing that if indeed this new-age Vanagon ever sees production its interior will look nothing like this anyway. So, no point in getting too worked up about it, then.

VW’s Bulli van concept does iPad integration right, shockingly originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Mar 2011 10:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Feb 28

Gadget Lab Notes: Wireless Monitor, Lego-Like PC Tower Case, Retro iPhone Case

Posted in: android tablet, concept, Miscellaneous, nfc, Today's Chili

The HELLO-Q PC Tower Case is great for the LEGO lover.

Gadget Lab Notes is an eclectic roundup of gadget news briefs and intriguing products that catch our eye.

Fujitsu Introduces A Completely Wireless 22-Inch Monitor
Toted as the “world’s first truly wireless display,” Fujitsu’s Wireless 22-inch screens draw power from their Smart Universal Power Access (SUPA) technology using magneto-induction transmitter antennas. SUPA works essentially the same as induction chargers such as the HP Touchstone or the Powermat. Images are transmitted to the LED-backlit monitor from a laptop or desktop up to 10 meters away via wireless USB. If you’re looking to transform your desktop into a cord-free zone, you’ll have to wait: pricing and availability information haven’t been released yet.

Fujitsu 22-Inch Wireless Displays [Daring Minds]

How Would You Decorate Coobeeo’s HELLO-Q Building Block-Studded PC Tower Case?
Use your imagination to construct designs, messages, or useful enclosures with building blocks: The front face of Coobeeo’s HELLO-Q PC tower case is covered entirely in building block studs. Hopefully it’s LEGO compatible.

HELLO-Q PC Tower Case [Coobeo via Oh Gizmo!]

TazTag’s TazPad is the First NFC-Enabled Android Tablet
TazTag’s 7-inch Android tablet (to be revealed at CeBIT later this week) will feature HDMI output and full HD support, biometric authentication, a camera, GPS, and an accelerometer. It will also include Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, NFC, and ZigBee, a communication standard for low-powered gadgets. The TazPad will be available Q2 2011.

Tazpad at CeBIT [Android Community via Slashgear]

Starrynight Lamp Glows Bright in the Day, Starry at Night
A thin photovoltaic layer on the outside of this concept lamp charges up a battery so when it’s switched off at the end of the day, pinpricks of light still provide a glow for the rest of the night.

Starrynight Lamp [Yanko Design]


Complete Your Ironic Hipster Look With a Retro 80s iPhone Case
Skinny jeans? Check. Collection of VHS tapes? Check. Chunky Zac Morris-style cellphone? Well now you can check that off the list, too. For $21, you can get this retro iPhone 4 case which transforms your sleek, pocket-able smartphone into a large, awkward homage to the early days of mobile communication.

80s Retro iPhone Case [IWOOT via Ubergizmo]

Your Next Pizza Could Be Delivered on the Thrust Eco-Delivery Ebike
Unveiled at LA’s recent International Pizza Expo, Thrust Electric Bikes’ Eco-Delivery bike charges via solar power or electricity and means that your delivery guy doesn’t need a pesky driver’s license to do his job. LED’s line the on-bike pizza enclosure, providing extra cycler and logo visibility.

Eco-Delivery Electronic Bike [Thrust Electric Bikes via ChipChick]


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Feb 22

Smart shows off Forspeed electric roadster concept

Posted in: concept, electric, electric vehicle, ElectricVehicle, ev, Today's Chili
We’ve got some good news and some bad news for folks eager for a sportier, all-electric Smart vehicle. The good news is that parent company Mercedes-Benz has just taken the wraps of its brand new Smart Forspeed concept vehicle, which will make its debut at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show. It’s a compact, all-electric roadster that promises a top speed of 75 miles per hour, a range of 84 miles on a charge (which, incidentally, can be done using a normal 220 volt socket), and a luxury interior that even includes a special smartphone housing. The bad news? The company is saying up front that it “won’t make production,” but that “elements of the car will be carried over into future projects.” Hit up the link below for a closer look.

Smart shows off Forspeed electric roadster concept originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 Feb 2011 08:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Feb 21

Antistatic E-3POD concept wins Citroen design award, job for its student creator

Posted in: car, concept, electric, electric car, electric vehicle, ElectricCar, ElectricVehicle, ev, london, Today's Chili, Transportation

Who says dreaming doesn’t pay? A young designer by the name of Heikki Juvonen recently won himself a six-month job placement at Citroen’s PSA Design Centre in Paris after producing the most compelling response to the company’s Double Challenge set to students at London’s Royal College of Art. The premise was simple — put together an aesthetic for an ultra-compact urban vehicle that Citroen could call its own, and judging by the imagery above, we can all probably agree that Heikki achieved a very distinctive look with his E-3POD. We’re not yet certain how we feel about being inside the largest of the three wheels for the duration of our electrically powered journeys, but the young gent has half a year on his hands to tweak and refine his eye-catching design. We’ll be ready to test-drive the prototype as soon as Citroen becomes mad enough to build one.

Antistatic E-3POD concept wins Citroen design award, job for its student creator originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 21 Feb 2011 05:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Feb 20

Imperia plug-in hybrid does 0 – 60 in four seconds, looks classy while doing it

Posted in: concept, hybrid, Today's Chili

If you’re tired of hybrids like the Prius or Volt, cars that could easily get lost in a Hertz parking lot, check out the GP. It’s the first and only product from resurrected Belgian auto maker Imperia, which previously operated in the early 20th century, but other than the pronounced front grille offers little resemblance to its forbears either above or below that pronounced bonnet. It has an inline four cylinder turbo engine offering 212hp that’s paired with a 134hp electric engine, itself backed by a Li-polymer battery pack. It’ll do about 45 miles on batteries alone but, more importantly, will roll the 0 – 60mph sprint in under four seconds. Or, at least, it will if it ever hits production. A concept of the car was unveiled at the Brussels Auto Show, but it’s anyone’s guess when it might actually hit the road for reals.

Gallery: Imperia GP

Imperia plug-in hybrid does 0 – 60 in four seconds, looks classy while doing it originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 20 Feb 2011 14:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Feb 17

Corning’s Glass-Filled Vision of the Future

Posted in: concept, science, Today's Chili

Corning - Day of Glass

Corning, makers of fine glassware and ceramics that you probably already have in your kitchen, sees the future, and it has a lot of glass in it. A lot of touch-sensitive, multi-functional, all-encompassing glass that will cover virtually every device we carry with us and every object we interact with. 
The “A Day Made of Glass” video (video’s behind the jump) suggests a possible future where we all carry transparent glass-phones that look conspicuously like iPhones that interact seamlessly with everything in our homes, 3D televisions that literally jump out at you (without glasses, of course,) and cars with touch-panels that spring to life when you approach the vehicle. 
Admittedly none of this technology exists in the consumer market just yet, but none of it is so terribly far-fetched given current trends that it couldn’t be possible in the near future. The idea of interactive televisions that display traffic conditions and weather while you’re checking out the morning news is nothing new, and neither is the idea that a computer system in a store can identify you when you approach and suggest products that you like. If you’re thinking that part looks a lot like the movie Minority Report, you wouldn’t be too far off.
Still, while reality never really turns out like these concept videos (after all, brushing your teeth and checking your messages at the same time is all well and good until your mirror blue-screens on you) one thing is for sure: if Corning has its way, the future will need a lot of Windex.
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Feb 17

Cardboard Flash Drives Let You Throw Away Your Data

Posted in: concept, flash drive, Miscellaneous Tech, Today's Chili

Cardboard Flash Drives

Most people don’t use USB flash drives for disposable information: after all, there’s e-mail for that – but if you’re looking for a cheap alternative to giving out traditional plastic flash drives, the designers at Art Lebedev (you know, makers of the now famous Optimus Maximus Keyboard) have an idea: what if you could buy a sheet of cardboard flash drives, rip one off, drop some data on it, and then hand it out or get rid of it when you’re finished? Thus, the cardboard flash drive was born. 
They’re still a design, but Art Lebedev has mockups of 8GB and 16GB versions of the things, that come in neat little rows connected with perforated cardboard for easy separation and a blank space on the top you can use to print the name of your company or a reference to the data you have on the drive. Presumably using cardboard creates less waste in the long run, because the cardboard is recyclable and breaks down naturally, while thick plastic housings will be around for thousands of years. 
Still, it would be difficult to resist the urge to hang on to a 16GB flash drive, even if it were made out of cardboard. There’s no timeline for whether these will ever be a real product or how much it would cost if it were, but it’s not hard to see people who would want to use these to replace press kits or business cards at trade shows.
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Feb 17

Rinspeed BamBoo electric concept is world’s largest HTC Flyer dock

Posted in: automobile, car, concept, electric car, ElectricCar, HTC, tablet, Today's Chili, twitter

Talk about your cross promotions. The Rinderknecht-built Rinspeed BamBoo concept electric car looks to be the stuff of a gadget nerd’s dreams. Unfortunately, that dream resembles a dystopian nightmare envisioned by a Neal Stephenson novel whereby everything we own is sponsored, trivial, and slathered in corporate logos. But hey, it’s just a concept, and production vehicles never look like the original idea so anything goes… and we mean anything. To start with, the breadbox-inspired dash features a Siemens VDO display with a docking station in the glovebox for the new HTC Flyer tablet. The BamBoo dash is flanked by flowery JBL GreenEdge speakers and the starter key is styled after a Swiss army knife. And if we’re not mistaken, there’s a webcam extended off a stalk from the center of the dash. An interesting piece of work right on down to the cluster of old school throw switches for the wipers, lights, hazards, etc. But that’s just the cockpit.

The radiator grill has been replaced by an internet-connected “identiface,” developed by Daimler subsidiary MBtech, whereby the occupant can display any number of messages to onlookers from Facebook or Twitter, for example, or even the radio station preset you’re currently jamming. The inflatable rear seats are removable as is the inflatable waterproof roof developed by Tecnotex that doubles as a beach blanket. The whole kit is powered by a 54 kW electric motor capable of a 120km/h top speed and battery capable of pushing the sporty golf cart some 105 kilometers before requiring a recharge from an RWE intelligent charging station. Look for it to make its big reveal at the Geneva Motor Show. Until then, head over to Autoblog to feast on their gallery of images with a few choice shots added below.

Gallery: Rinspeed Bamboo

[Thanks, Tim]

Continue reading Rinspeed BamBoo electric concept is world’s largest HTC Flyer dock

Rinspeed BamBoo electric concept is world’s largest HTC Flyer dock originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 06:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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