Hasta La Gadget!

Surprise of all wonders, the Nissan Leaf has suffered another delay, but this time there’s at least an amusing anecdote to quote while you wait. You see, The Northern Echo quotes a Nissan spokeswoman as saying that the Leaf’s backup warning signal emits a loud beep, but UK law requires that such sounds be disabled between the hours of 11PM and 6AM. “The audible system on the Leaf did not allow for that to be done, so the beeping sound is being removed entirely before the cars can be driven on roads in this country,” Nissan said, which will result in a “slight delay” in shipping the cars from the company’s Japanese plant. Amusingly, US law actually requires electric cars to make noise these days.

Nissan Leaf delayed in UK, backup warning signal to blame originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 Mar 2011 10:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Remember how at the end of last year the US legislature decided to make it mandatory for EVs to churn out an audible noise while in motion? It was all in the name of saving pesky pedestrians from getting in the way of your gliding electro-car, but the new law itself has managed to create a bump in the road for at least one company. Hyundai’s Sonata Hybrid was all set to launch in late 2010, equipped with a “virtual engine sound” system that the user could toggle on and off, however the government’s request that it be kept permanently on required modifications to the vehicle’s wiring harnesses, UI software and user manuals, delaying its debut into late January. These tweaks had to be done “amazingly late in the process,” according to Hyundai America CEO John Krafcik, but the delay will at least ensure that all of Hyundai’s Sonatas will sound the same. Which is something, we guess.

Hyundai Sonata Hybrid was delayed into 2011… by ‘virtual engine sound’ system originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 28 Feb 2011 11:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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On February 14 NASA’s Stardust spacecraft had a close encounter with the comet Temple 1. For the first time in history, we got to visit a comet two times—a strange opportunity that allowed scientist to see how these space objects change. More »

HTML5, JavaScript and a tiny pinch of Flash. Those are your ingredients for building one of the neatest, simplest websites we’ve come across in a long time. Conductor, as its maker Alexander Chen dubs it, is a visualization built on New York‘s publicly available subway schedule API. It shows the progress of the Big Apple’s underground carriers throughout the day and garnishes the experience with a delightful musical trick every time two lines cross. You can see it on video after the break or just hit the source link and experience it for yourself.

Continue reading New York subway schedule turned into a beautiful, musical visualization (video)

New York subway schedule turned into a beautiful, musical visualization (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 14:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ah, MIDI. How we love thee. You’re older than dirt itself, but still totally relevant — something we could only hope to one day be. But now, it’s time to make a move. A move to a world where copper wires and insulated cabling aren’t necessary. A world where wireless rules. Create Digital Music has a new report out on two of the most prominent options when it comes to wireless MIDI, with the both of ’em distributing bleeps and bloops over totally different airwaves. The Starr Labs AirPower relies on a proprietary 2.4GHz communications protocol, enabling MIDI guitarists to finally get their groove on without worry over cable ejections. ‘Course, with a $425 (upgrade) / $250 (MIDI-only) price tag, it’s far from being affordable, and that $250 dongle is needed in addition to the $425 adapter for any instrument not made by Starr. The Missing Link relies on traditional WiFi waves, enabling phones and tablets to easily tap into its potential. You’ll need to be aware that even the slightest bit of WiFi interference could ruin a live gig, but at just $150 (limited first run), it may be worth the risk. Head on past the break for a live demonstration of the latter, and tap that via for more dirt on the duo.

Continue reading Starr Labs AirPower, Missing Link adapters take MIDI into the wild world of wireless

Starr Labs AirPower, Missing Link adapters take MIDI into the wild world of wireless originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 15 Jan 2011 03:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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