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Now Droids can solve 7×7x7 rubik’s cubes

Posted: 21 Jul 2010 05:30 AM PDT

Spoiler: It takes 38:53 seconds, with is about 48 hours faster than I could do it. [via AndroidGuys]

Fuji announces four new digital cameras

Posted: 21 Jul 2010 04:33 AM PDT

As we go into the second half of 2010, it seems like we get more and more camera companies releasing new products. In fact Fuji just today announced four new point and shoot cameras of varying capabilities.

First, we have the FinePix F300EXR. This is a 12 megapixel point and shoot, which supposedly supports up to ISO 12800. The major improvement on this camera is the lens; it has a 24 to 360mm mechanical zoom. This means that it’s a good all purpose camera, with a reasonable range from wide angle to zoom. MSRP is $330, expect to see this camera in August.

Next, we have the Z800EXR. Again, a 12 megapixel sensor, but this time the lens is significantly more limited. This is more of a general purpose camera, with only a 35-175mm zoom range. MSRP will be $230, and again, expect to see this one in August.

In the more bargain end of the market, Fuji announce the FinePix JX280. This point and shoot has a quite reasonable 14 megapixel sensor, 28-140mm lens (5x optical zoom). The best part? MSRP on this model is $150. That’s quite the deal for a 14 megapixel camera. Available in August.

The S2800HD is a whole different animal from the previous two. This camera is intended to fill the gap between the P&S crowd, and the DSLR crowd. Fuji has increased the sensor to 14 megapixels, and addded an 18x optical zoom lens. MSRP on this one is a quite reasonable $260, and you can expect to see it at the shops in September.

AiRScouter: Brother’s futuristic head mounted display

Posted: 21 Jul 2010 04:21 AM PDT

Head mounted displays still have something futuristic about them, and Brother’s offering, the so-called AiRScouter, is no exception. The company today unveiled [press release in English] the newest version of the HMD, which was first shown to the general public in 2008 (and once again in 2009). Back then, the AiRScouter was unnamed and had a different design.

In fact, the device is still in prototype stage and labeled by Brother as “Retinal Imaging Display”. Brother expects the AiRScouter to be mainly used for augmented reality applications. The new version offers better image quality than the previous one and allows to attach a micro camera.

The AiRScouter is expected to be ready to be tried out by attendees of the “Brother World JAPAN 2010″ expo that will be held in Tokyo in September. Brother says it will “launch” the device in fiscal 2010, which (in Japan) ends in March 2011.

For kids, moms and dads: Panasonic to offer 3D glasses for the whole family

Posted: 21 Jul 2010 03:20 AM PDT

Panasonic not only announced two awesome 3D plasma TVs today, the company also introduced [JP] a new concept for 3D glasses. The three models are supposed to be the perfect fit for for every member in your family: size S is suitable for kids, M is for women and L is best for men (according to Panasonic).

Panasonic says that at 38g, the S-size model (TY-EW3D10W) is the lightest pair of 3D glasses out there (size: 165×168×40mm). The M-sized glasses (TY-EW3D2MW) are sized at 169×168×41mm and weigh 39g. The L model (TY-EW3D2L) weighs 40g and is sized at 173×168×42mm.

What’s new technically is that users will be able to charge the glasses via USB (see below). Just plug them into a USB port, charge them for two hours and they’re ready to be used for 30 hours continuously (no battery needed).

All models will cost $150 when they become available in Japan on August 27. Panasonic labels the previous 3D glasses in its line-up, the TY-EW3D10W (63g), as being “free size” (it will remain on sale).

Panasonic outs plasma 3D TVs with built-in HDDs and Blu-ray recorders

Posted: 21 Jul 2010 02:02 AM PDT

Total spec overkill from Panasonic today: the company just announced [JP] the world’s first all-in-one TVs that feature 3D capability and come with built-in HDDs and Blu-ray recorders. The devices are following four 3D plasmas Panasonic Japan has shown in recent months.

There will be two all-in-one 3D models, the 46-inch TH-P46RT2B and the 42-inch TH-P42RT2B. Both TVs boast the following specs:

  • full HD resolution
  • 500GB HDD
  • both TVs play 3D Blu-ray movies
  • full black panel with 5,000,000:1 native contrast ratio
  • 16×4cm×2 full range speakers
  • Skype support
  • Ethernet
  • DLNA support
  • VIERA Link
  • delivered with one pair of 3D glasses (TY-EW3D10W)
  • three HDMI ports

Panasonic plans to roll out the 3D TVs in Japan on August 28. But awesome specs come with a price: Buyers should be ready to pay $5,050 for the 46-inch model and $4,500 for the 42-incher. Panasonic hasn’t said anything about international sales plans yet.

Daily Crunch: Steady Edition

Posted: 21 Jul 2010 12:00 AM PDT

Looking for 100 GameCubes? Check the auction sites

Posted: 20 Jul 2010 10:08 PM PDT

If for whatever reason, you’re in the market for the remains of a used game store, here’s your chance. Looks like a used game store shut down in Japan, and they’ve put up their inventory on Yahoo Auctions. So here’s your chance to grab 40 Famicons, or 100 Super Famicons, or even 2000 loose SFC carts to use with your 100 Super Famicons. Oh, and the auction is in Japanese, so I hope you can read it.

[via Magweasel]

Light stencils make tagging long exposures a snap

Posted: 20 Jul 2010 07:14 PM PDT


I’m a bit ashamed that I never thought of such a simple thing. I’ve messed around with long exposures and light trails a bit — even got some sweet results. But waving a flashlight or phone around is no way to do things if you want any kind of precision. Turns out all you need to do is slice your design in a piece of cardboard and shine the light through it.

More in-depth instructions and ideas here.

[via Make and Gizmodo]

Add a side-mounted End Call button to your iPhone 4

Posted: 20 Jul 2010 05:07 PM PDT


It’s clearly a joke but seeing the $29 advertised price, Apple might be eyeing this a possible option to compensate for the $175 million it’s losing giving away iPhone 4 bumpers. [via osXdaily]

These Roboots Were Made For Walking 2: World Record Roboogaloo

Posted: 20 Jul 2010 04:30 PM PDT


I remember writing this same robot up back in 2008 when it set the previous robot walk record, so I thought it’d be nice to publish this update. The “Ranger” robot built by students at Cornell (with improvements) has set a new unofficial record for sustained robot walking. It’s gone 14.3 miles without falling down, which is more than I can say. Go team!

[via Physorg]

The HP Slate 500: Eight models of Windows 7 tablet goodness

Posted: 20 Jul 2010 04:17 PM PDT


Great news, Internet. The Windows 7 HP Slate isn’t dead. According to HP’s site, the Slate is very much alive — all 8 variations of it — and it seems like HP will indeed put it head-to-head against the Palmpad like I thought.

Don’t too excited just yet. These models are anything but official as they were simply found on some random HP product listing. However, the brief description — embedded below — should make some people’s day. It seems like the original HP Slate complete with Windows 7, 8.9-inch screen, dual cameras, and — this is new — some sort of stylus/pen input.

What’s in the box
Headphones

Summary

No matter where you are or what kind of fun you're in the mood for, the HP Slate 500 is all you need. Exclusive HP software gives you access to photos, videos and everything on the Internet with just a touch, while Windows® 7 Premium gives you the power to do what you want. The unique design and 22.6 cm (8.9″) screen put the full Internet in your hands, while two cameras (video and still) let you capture life as it happens or participate in web conferencing. Adjust the screen orientation to fit your content and use the pen to write or draw as if on a piece of paper. Whatever you want to do, the HP Slate 500 helps you do it – and makes it more fun too.

Related products

Legal Disclaimer
The information contained in this document is subject to change with or without notice. Hewlett Packard makes no warranty of any kind with respect to this information. Hewlett Packard specifically disclaims the implied warranty of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. Hewlett Packard shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, or other damage alleged in connection with the furnishing or use of this information.

There are currently eight different model numbers listed for the Slate, which could mean a few different things. First of all, HP is notorious for mutli-model platform lines, with tiny differences between each model like storage capacity, 3G modem, and software pack. Or they could be destined to different retailers, who often force manufacturers to use different model numbers in order to cut down on competitive price matching. Or there could be multiple series with a few models heading to the consumer market and the others meant for enterprise users.

However, the inclusion of model numbers seem to say pretty clearly that this platform is alive and slowly working its way through HP’s massive product development pipeline.

So HP’s plan is to out two totally different tablets, eh? The webOS Palmpad and the HP Slate 500 running Windows 7. Things are going to get interesting. [via PC World]

Canon exec confirms they are working on small form-factor high-quality cameras

Posted: 20 Jul 2010 04:00 PM PDT


Masaya Maeda, Canon’s head of the Image Communication Products, shared more than just sales numbers in an interview today. On the question of whether Canon was going to be attempting to compete with smaller mirrorless (so-called EVIL) cameras like those using the M4/3 system, he had this to say:

It’s not a question of whether or not you have a mirror. There is a consumer need for good-quality cameras to be made smaller. We will meet this need.

Boom, Canon’s getting into… wait, what exactly? Something smaller than a DSLR, yet more capable than a point-and-shoot. That’s really all we can take from this — but it’s something.

Canon has of course been bulking up its mirrorless technology, not with actual mirrorless cameras (other than its point-and-shoot lines, of course), but with improvements to their sensor-to-user flow and UI. The new high-resolution LCDs on the 7D and T2i are great to use and Canon is working on better solutions for focus and capture during live view mode.

As useful as a mechanical shutter and mirror-based design is, it may be (sob) approaching end of life, at least as a consumer product. I have no doubt there will be DSLRs in five years, but most people will want something more compact, and Canon will have to make the image quality and customization possible in a DSLR available at that smaller size. How? Beats me. But I’m excited to find out.

Forget all these Android tablets, let me at that Chrome OS

Posted: 20 Jul 2010 03:30 PM PDT


Hardly a day goes by when we don’t hear about a new Android-based tablet in some ever-so-slightly-new size, configuration, or spec. Chances are that every PC manufacturer out there is going to have one, and chances are they’ll all be more or less interchangeable — like the Windows 7 tablets that they often announce at the same time. With the clear exceptions of Apple and HP, most computer-makers don’t seem to be interested in doing anything but getting a product out the door that’s competitive.

This bulk approach to such a personal computer as a tablet has taken the shine off of Android for me — not that it had much to begin with, being an OS designed around a smaller form factor. I love my Android phone, but the idea of Android running on some stock Dell hardware with a little spritz of UI on top really isn’t that attractive to me. I say, bring on the Chrome OS tablets.

We’ve heard that Google’s mysterious browserish OS will hit this fall on a few devices, likely including a flagship netbook and tablet. When I wrote at length about its potential last winter in Google, Rome, and Empire, I essentially conflated it with a sort of archetypical next-generation OS, and the reality will likely start out as something a little more humble. My personal guess: a highly versatile browser with a ton of APIs ready to be taken advantage of, launching with partnerships and a few new services so that it can be a tolerable replacement for a netbook or laptop. It’ll take a while for it to get going.

But I think Google is going to get this right: Chrome OS is a browser OS, and that will always be the focus. It really will be as simple as that, though you can complicate it if you want with lots of plugins — as you can with current browsers. I feel some people will see Android 3.0, which is rumored to be tablet-orientated, and think “why would you want only this basic Chrome OS functionality?” Well, more isn’t always better. And with a tablet, the benefits are several.

Simpler hardware. In all likelihood, Chrome OS will be a one-button affair for the most part. Although it will of course support keyboards for text input and likely other devices for this or that app, I think Google will want this to be the simplest and cleanest browser experience out there. It may not be able to beat the iPad in terms of simplicity, but it can at least match it. Chrome OS tablets will likely have very few hardware controls and little in the way of inputs and outputs. I’d guess SD, one USB, and one combo audio port will be the standard. Less need for storage and storage control, plus less demand on the CPU and other components means that the entire thing can be thinner and run cooler.

It’ll run great. Android has come a long way, and Froyo even runs well on a four-year-old HTC Touch. But a lightweight OS will always do more with fewer resources, and I think Chrome OS is less likely to run into limitations than a big Android tablet — certainly less likely than a Windows 7 tablet, which will be working at the limit constantly.

Really instant on. All that really needs to be loaded into active memory is display, a blank browser page, and the wireless/IP stack. The iPad has this down pretty good, but I suspect Chrome might be even quicker to its feet. That’s entirely speculation, but I’m guessing Google knows it’s a good selling point.

A defined purpose. This is really the one I care about. The simplicity of offering what is essentially a single-service device, crossed with the versatility of that single service. The iPad, Android, webOS, Windows 7 — all these things have a complicated statement of purpose. Their functions are numerous and you can expand them and add apps, widgets, and so on. Pages of settings, local contact information, 3G, music, storage, multitasking… man! I already have a computer. Chrome OS will offer a browser that you hold in your hand. That’s pretty much it! Sure, you can do a lot of stuff in your browser, but Google doesn’t make those promises for you. They’re implicit in the dedication of the device to the browsing experience. It’s a window into the web, and that’s all. That straightforward nature comforts and attracts me.


Now, I sometimes forget this, but I am not in fact the only person in the world. Other people prefer different things and even enjoy devices like the Dell Streak, which I would exile to Neptune if I could (A five-inch tablet? Are you kidding me? Viewing this rich, wonderful Internet of ours on a screen less than 7″ seems like self-flagellation to me. But have fun.). I just think the tablet as a device is evolving, and just as some people will prefer a full-featured Windows 7 or OS X machine in the desktop/laptop world, some will prefer a powerful multimedia omnibus device in the tablet world. On the other hand, some people prefer the elegance of a customized Linux build on their microATX system, and will prefer the elegance and simplicity of the window into the web I hope Chrome OS will be.

There’s no way to tell until Fall rolls around, unless Google wants to spill the beans to us early and prove me right or wrong. Even if Chrome OS turns out to be something completely different, I have faith that I’m not the only one who wants what I’ve described, and that’s what we call a market. I just realized I’m curious whether this is really the case or not, so please chime in and describe whether you think you’re more interested in a pared-down, web-centric thing or the more powerful, more complicated “full” tablet experience.

China now the world’s top energy consumer (but the U.S. has become more energy efficient)

Posted: 20 Jul 2010 03:00 PM PDT


Flickr’d

Is there a green movement in China? Maybe there ought to be, considering the numbers that have just come out. China is now the planet's number one consumer of energy, overtaking the U.S. in the process. But at the same time, the U.S. has improved its energy efficient more so than China, meaning that the U.S. can get the same amount of work done while consuming less, say, coal or oil.

The actual numbers are pretty impressive, particularly when you consider that a mere 10 years ago China was quite a bit behind the U.S.

China consumed some 2,252 millions tons of the oil equivalent of sources such as coal, nuclear power, natural gas, and hydropower. The U.S. consumed 4 percent less. These are numbers from last year, by the way.

But that's where energy efficiency comes into play. Since the year 2000, the U.S. has increased its energy efficiency by about 2.5 percent annually. China? 1.8 percent. So not a huge difference, but a difference nonetheless.

Does this really mean anything to you? Eh, maybe. Certainly it'll have implications for the world at large though. Now that China is the biggest consumer of energy, it alone is in the position to tell energy providers, "Look, we're willing to pay X for Y units of energy." If China's X is bigger than the U.S.'s X, then we may be looking at a situation where energy prices will go up simply because "someone else" is willing to pay more.

Which could mean that all the factories that produce all the lovely electronic gizmos we talk about day in, day out, could see their costs of doing business go up. And who would make up the difference? Yes, you!

Then again, it could have the very opposite effect, and end up lowering prices.

Or, better yet, the Sun could explode, making all of this moot. Hard to run a factory without the Sun churning away out there.

Canon announces two new CanoScan LiDE scanners

Posted: 20 Jul 2010 02:30 PM PDT

In the market for a scanner? Canon just announced they have two new scanners in their Canoscan LiDE product line coming out later this year.

There are two new models, the LiDE 210, and LiDE 110. The 210 has a maximum resolution of 4800 x 4800, while the LiDE 110 supports a maximum resolution of 2400 x 4800. Both of the new models have auto document fix, auto scan mode, and an improved “Z-Lid expansion top” for scanning thicker documents. The new scanners are powered through their USB connection, instead of requiring an external power source. MSRP for the LiDE 210 is $89.99 and the LiDE 110 is expected to sell for $59.99.

From the press release:

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging, today announced the addition of two new CanoScan LiDE Color Image Scanners – the LiDE 210 and LiDE 110 scanners. These sleek and compact scanners, with the LiDE 210 being the thinnest Canon scanner to date, offer consumers affordable, high-speed scanning options without sacrificing overall image quality, making archiving photos or scanning an important document to be e-mailed extremely easy.

"When the time comes to archive memorable photos or important documents, consumers need to be confident that the finished product will be of high image quality when compared to that of the original"

The new Canon CanoScan LiDE 210 and LiDE 110 scanners are not only affordable and compact but easy to use as well. With a maximum color resolution of 4800 x 4800 dpi (optical)1 for the LiDE210 and 2400 x 4800 dpi (optical)1 for the LiDE110 scanner, users can be confident that the end result of scans will be of high quality. The addition of Auto Document Fix, which helps maintain readability of important documents by sharpening and blackening the text, and Auto Scan Mode, which automatically adjusts settings by detecting the type of original being scanned, make either of these scanners a must-have to satisfy one's scanning needs. These color image scanners also offer an Advanced Z-lid Expansion Top, which raises up to 20 millimeters for easy scanning of thick items such as a child's notebook or a page in a personal scrapbook in addition to EZ-buttons which allow for seamless copying and creating e-mail attachments or turning important documents into PDFs. Powered through the USB connector in addition to being Energy Star compliant, both color image scanners utilize low overall power consumption.

"When the time comes to archive memorable photos or important documents, consumers need to be confident that the finished product will be of high image quality when compared to that of the original," said Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager, Consumer Imaging Group, Canon U.S.A. "These two new CanoScan scanner models deliver not only great results but show Canon's commitment to providing products which are energy efficient."

The estimated selling price for both of these Energy Star Compliant color image scanners is $89.992 for the LiDE210 and $59.992 for the LiDE110.


Apple Obliterates Q3 Earnings Estimates On Best Mac Sales Ever And Huge iPad Numbers

Posted: 20 Jul 2010 01:46 PM PDT

In news that should surprise no one by now — Apple once again had a stellar quarter and blew past Wall Street estimates for Q3 2010. Just as with Q1 and Q2 of this year, Apple has been doing so well thanks largely to the iPhone. But unlike those quarters, Apple now has an important new product adding money to their bottom line: the iPad (the iPad had been released just prior to the closing of Q2). And this quarter actually marked Apple's best ever in terms of Mac shipments.

Apple posted a revenue of $15.7 billion for the quarter (a new record — beating even holiday quarters). And net quarterly profit was at $3.25 billion — $3.51 per diluted share. All of those easily beat both Apple's own (always low) estimates, as well as Wall Street's.

CrunchRumors: Nikon D90 replacement specs

Posted: 20 Jul 2010 01:37 PM PDT

This is strictly a rumor at this point, but the replacement for the D90 is looking interesting. Nikon Rumors got a whisper of the basic stats, and here’s what we’ve got:

  • 16MP DX Sensor
  • Noise reduction algorithm from the D700
  • Full HD video capabilites (1080p?)
  • Video auto-focus capability
  • Body made partly from aluminium

    • Again, we don’t know for sure that this is true, but given the direction that Nikon has been going, I think it’s probably pretty safe to accept this as true.

Leggy disk drive stands up to avoid spills

Posted: 20 Jul 2010 01:00 PM PDT


This is pretty cute, and may even be practical. The Floppy Legs drive is a design project by Chambers Judd with little legs that detect moisture and immediately stand the drive up — instead of voiding your warranty, like normal moisture detectors.

It’s part of a series exploring natural reactions as applied to technology — like this radio that “sneezes” to knock dust off its little transistors. They’re a bit jokey, but there’s a grain of truth there.

I mean, wouldn’t you feel safer if you knew there was a little mechanism (perhaps not so dramatic) in your $2000 laptop that just pushed it off the table a bit, closed the vents, and alerted you if it detected moisture? I don’t know, maybe I’m crazy. But I think they’re onto something here with the cross-breeding gadgets with natural behaviors.

[via Switched and Engadget]

Cover your Wii in gold chrome vinyl for no reason at all

Posted: 20 Jul 2010 01:00 PM PDT

Bored with that plain old white Nintendo Wii? Want to make it look like an abomination? Well here’s your chance! For only $19.99 you can buy a 24 piece kit that will cover all of your Wii-ness with chrome gold!

I’ve never understood the point of putting decals on your consoles. Sure, the Xbox 360 has an interchangeable faceplate, but you can always return that to the original design. The decals and stickers just seem too permanent to me. Sure, you like the idea of a gold Wii now, but how are you going to feel about it in 6 months? At any rate, the gold colored vinyl decal that you put on your Wii is supposed to protect it from getting scratched, and from the elements (I assume sandstorms and the like). The vinyl is guaranteed for life never to peel, crack or fade, so it’ll pretty much last forever. At least it’s cheap, and if you live in a house where having a gold Wii is desirable, go for it. This product just ain’t for me. I’m holding our for the “Calvin peeing on an Xbox” decal for the side of mine. MSRP is $24.95, but the kit is on sale for $19.95 at Amazon.

[via Zergwatch]


Lenovo gets into the pad business with the LePad

Posted: 20 Jul 2010 12:30 PM PDT

At CES, we saw two compelling new products from Lenovo: the LePhone, a slick and powerful Android smartphone, and the U1, an interesting hybrid notebook-tablet. Unfortunately, neither one was destined to make its way into our hands. The LePhone is looking to be an Asia-only device, and the U1 has been shelved to make way for an Android-powered variant. But Lenovo isn’t giving up — well, not on China, anyway. They’ve got a new tablet coming along, called the LePad, which will run Android and which they hope to launch in the Far East by the end of the year.

Having seen what Lenovo did with Android 2.0 with the LePhone, I actually believe they might be able to stand out from the crowd a little with the LePad. That’s the big challenge, since Android is obviously the OS of choice for companies that don’t have an OS of their own to use (i.e. Apple, Microsoft, HP).

I’ll be mad if they keep it China-only, though. At least bring a few over! Unlike the LePhone, there shouldn’t be issues with carriers and radio compatibility, so I expect we’ll be able to get our hands on one.
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