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Video: DIY Lego Drum Machine NXT-606

Posted: 28 Jul 2010 03:46 AM PDT

In 1998 Lego introduced the MINDSTORMS product line. The NXT is a brick-shaped computer that can take in sensory input, control motors and most importantly in this case, play back sounds. The NXT-606 drum machine is based on this unit and I must say it sounds pretty good. You can even get a set yourself and build your own.

You can get more information and the free software here.

Features:

  • Monophonic sample based drum machine
  • 24 percussion and Fx sounds
  • Sampling rate: 8Khz
  • memory: 96 measures
  • control: 2 rotation sensor +NXT buttons
  • hacked loud speaker to mono output: jack 6,35mm
  • Editor: NXT-G
  • Real time operation

Main page:

  • Mode: edit/loop4/loop8/…/loop96
  • Play: play/stop
  • Save and copy
  • Measure: 1 to 96
  • Tempo: 20 to 200
  • Swing: 0 to 9
  • Humanisation: not achieved

Edit page:

  • Graphic pattern editor
  • Selected step: 1 to 16
  • Sound: 1 to 24
  • Velocity: 0/25/50/100%

[via Synthtopia]

HDC-TM650: Panasonic Announces Another (Japan-Only) 3D Camcorder

Posted: 28 Jul 2010 03:16 AM PDT

Panasonic caused a splash in the blogosphere yesterday when it announced the world’s first consumer 3D camera, the HDC-SDT750, for the American market (release in October). The device was announced [JP] today in Japan as well, but Panasonic made some changes. And it showed another model, too, the HDC-TM650 (pictured), which hasn’t been announced for other markets thus far.

The Japanese version of the SDT750 (shown on the right in the pic below) comes with a whopping 96GB of internal memory, but on the flipside, Panasonic decided to sell the 3D lens separately in its home market. It will cost $1,800 ($400 more than the American model with the lens) and go on sale two months earlier, in late August. The 3D lens will set Japanese buyers back another $430.

The HDC-TM650 is very similar to the SDT750 but comes with just 64GB of internal memory (instead of 96GB), a 2.7-inch screen (instead of 3 inches), and a stereo mic (instead of a 5.1 mic). At 388g, it’s lighter than its bigger brother (440g/including battery). It will hit Japanese stores in August, too (price: $1,480).

Via AV Watch [JP]

Panasonic Wants You To Take Pictures In 3D

Posted: 27 Jul 2010 09:27 PM PDT


Along with the other announcement Panasonic made today, they also told us about a new lens for their LUMIX G camera. You’ll remember that the LUMIX G is their micro 4/3 line, of which we reviewed the G10 back in May. The new lens is first to give the ability to take a 3D image using a camera with only one CCD, by using a stereo optical system in the barrel of the lens. Details are sparse, but keep in mind that splitting the image and using smaller lenses will really limit the amount of light coming in. We expect the lens to be available before the end of the year, but that’s about all we know. Also keep in mind that you’ll have to have a 3D display to view the images. You can read the full press release after the jump, if you are interested.

SECAUCUS, NJ (July 27, 2010) – Continuing its record of 3D technology leadership, Panasonic today announced the development of the world’s first* digital interchangeable twin-lens, making it possible to shoot 3D with an interchangeable lens system camera. As a new member of Panasonic's powerful lineup of interchangeable lenses as part of the LUMIX G Micro System**, the twin-lens will allow high-quality shooting in 3D. Panasonic plans to release this new lens for sale before the end of the year.

"This year will be remembered as the 'First Year of 3D Era' and Panasonic has already taken the lead by launching 3D-capable VIERA™ televisions and Blu-ray™ 3D Disc Players," said Darin Pepple, Senior Product Manager, Imaging, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company. "With Panasonic's development of a twin-lens capable of 3D shooting, the company is providing consumers with a way to capture their own 3D content, which they can then enjoy watching in the comforts of their own home. Panasonic is dedicated to evolving the 3D ecosystem, letting consumers create and display lifelike 3D images in their homes."

Currently, 3D shooting with an interchangeable lens system camera is possible only by using panorama systems or by combining two lenses and two CCDs. However, these systems are not ideal and have difficulty capturing moving objects. Panasonic’s new 3D lens for the LUMIX G Micro System features two optical systems installed within the diameter of the lens mount, creating stereo images from the left and right lenses that are then processed with a 3D image processing system. Thanks to Panasonic’s advanced technologies in optical technology, image processing systems, and lens barrel design, the 3D lens will be compact in size.

This new compact 3D-capable interchangeable lens will be easy to handle and allow instant 3D shooting, without distortion or time lag between left and right images – even when shooting moving objects.


VicenTerra GMT-3 Watch

Posted: 27 Jul 2010 08:43 PM PDT

So what is this all about? Well the first planned watch from the new VicenTerra brand is the GMT-3. Large and tonneau cased, it will sport a steel case (not sure about the size) with a uniquely modified Swiss ETA 2892 automatic movement. The modifications will give it the time, retrograde date display, second time zone in GMT format, a day/night indication disc at the top of the dial, and a rotating globe that is meant to have the "lit" side of the Earth facing the dial. There are pushers all over the case to operate the various functions. Seems elegant enough given the good quality base movement.


Panasonic Reveals Its Consumer 3D Camcorder, The HDC-SDT750

Posted: 27 Jul 2010 07:38 PM PDT


Panasonic, not content to only release new still cameras and normal camcorders this week, has revealed the 3D camcorder we’ve been looking forward to for some time now. It’s called the HDC-SDT750. Catchy!

Quick digression: Whose job is it to come up with names for Panasonic electronics? I’m guessing they would see a measurable increase in sales of their flagship items if they gave them names people could remember. When someone puts “flip camera” into Google, they get what they’re looking for. “Panasonic camera”? Not so much. Moving on.

The SDT750 records at 1080p/60FPS on its 3MOS sensor, and has the usual fixins you’d expect on a $1000+ camera: manual settings ring, optical image stabilization, and a nice big 3″ touchscreen (not 3D, unfortunately). Unfortunately, once you put the 3D conversion lens on there, it has to split the image, producing two 960×1080 side-by-side images at 60FPS. This is a little puzzling to me; why not just have 1080p at 30FPS? It seems a bit odd, and hopefully Panasonic will make that a possibility soon.

The main lens (i.e. for 2D shooting) is a 46mm F/1.5 Leica Dicomar, which sounds pretty awesome. You lose almost two full stops of light when you put on the 3D lens, though, bringing it down to F/3.2. That’s not so bad still for a camcorder, but you’ll need to keep it in mind when you’re shooting. It’s got 12x optical zoom, though of course you’ll lose a lot of light there too.

Another cool feature is built-in 5.1 channel recording; it uses five actual microphones and automatically mixes it. That’s pretty awesome, and I really hope it trickles down to more consumer-level cameras.

On the other hand, that handy manual settings ring, normally able to control focus, zoom, exposure, white balance, and shutter speed, can only control white balance when the 3D lens is on. That’s what they get for half-assing the 3D capability. Pity!

So what can you expect to pay for this sucker? $1400. Yeah, a bit expensive, but really, it’s one of the few all-in-one 3D systems on the market. It’s more than a fair price if you ask me, although the framerate limitation is baffling.

It’ll be available in October. More specs and info at Panasonic.

Is This The End For The Army’s “Pain Ray”?

Posted: 27 Jul 2010 07:00 PM PDT

Among the many advances in military technology, perhaps one of the most unwelcome was the “Active Denial System,” a super-short-wavelength radiation weapon that caused intense pain in whoever it was aimed at, be it enemy combatants, protestors, or geese. Enemies of the technology cited its ripeness for abuse when calling for it not to be deployed, but it was sent over to Afghanistan anyway… until just recently, when they took it back.

The only reason given for its removal was a terse quote from Colonel Shanks, Chief of Public Affairs for ISAF:

The ADS was not used and was shipped from Afghanistan. The operational need for the device was not approved by commanders.

Perhaps it just wasn’t effective? The technology works by exciting water molecules in the top layer of your skin, causing a burning sensation not unlike touching a hot light bulb, according to those it was tested on. It has a long range for a nonlethal weapon (500m) but in Afghanistan that may simply not be an effective tactical tool — lots of long distances and lots of cover, from what I hear.

This failed (or actively denied) deployment may spell the end for the ray, but a more portable version, the Silent Guardian, is still in development by Raytheon. It’s not quite handheld, but it’s smaller than the Hummer-mounted model and still hurts like hell, if I’m to believe that guy in the picture.

[via DailyTech]

Rumor Has $350 PS3 Move Bundle Heading Our Way

Posted: 27 Jul 2010 06:30 PM PDT


When the Playstation Move was announced, we learned the basic prices: $50 per controller, $100 for a controller plus the Eye and a game, or $400 for a fully kitted-out PS3 with Eye, Move controller, and game all included. Seemed a decent deal, but they didn’t mention how much storage you’d be getting in the console package.

This is pretty important stuff, since if you want your PS3 to be your media player as well as game machine, you want as much space as you can get — and if they were planning on sticking you with a weak 80GB drive, the deal seemed a little less sweet.

But some more information on the bundles has been revealed by one of those many unnamed sources out there, and the $400 bundle is said to be packing a whopping 320GB of hard drive space. Really? That’s… really generous, if true.

The second reveal is that there may actually be a second console bundle for people who don’t really want to shell out for all those gigs — people who would prefer the 360 Arcade bundle, for instance, or SSD in a netbook. For these guys, there will be a $350 bundle with a 120GB drive inside, which isn’t bad at all. It would be available on September 19, with the other stuff.

It’s still a rumor at this point, though, so don’t go around demanding it from your local retailer. I’m guessing the source wouldn’t have said anything if this wasn’t about to be announced, so we’ll keep our ears to the ground for more info.

[via SlashGear]

Panasonic Has Two New Camcorders: Small And Extra Small

Posted: 27 Jul 2010 06:10 PM PDT


I recently reviewed the Toshiba Camileo H30, a functional camcorder with a traditional body style, and concluded that these would continue to sell for a few more years just on the strength of being familiar objects. The Flip-style camcorder is gaining popularity (as well as embedded imagers in phones and such), and the flip-out LCD home camcorder’s days are numbered.

Panasonic is hedging their bets, announcing models of both types. Let’s see what they’ve got.

The HM-TA1 is the pocket-cam style one. It says it shoots in “Full High Definition (HD), 1920×1080 pixels,” but it doesn’t actually say 1080p anywhere, though it uses 30p in the accursed iFrame format. Not that it matters — 1080p or 1080i, the video quality is going to be pretty weak on a pocket cam with a tiny lens and sensor. It’s got the same basic layout as every other pocket-cam (2″ LCD), and takes an SD card like every other pocket-cam. If you want to buy a camera like this, my advice is to get the Kodak Playsport, which won’t get you any better image quality but is waterproof.

The HDC-SDX1 is a more traditionally-styled camcorder, and it has the benefit of optical image stabilization and more versatile autofocus. It’s also got a 2.7″ touchscreen flip-out LCD, with the always handy touch-to-focus capability. It claims a “23x intelligent zoom” but I don’t believe a word of it, since they don’t mention the actual optical zoom factor. Any digital zoom should be avoided; intelligent simply doesn’t apply. It’s got a nice wide 35.8mm on the zoomed-out end, though.

Both camcorders double as webcams, which is actually a perfectly good idea, if not new. It might sound weird to use a full-size camcorder as a webcam, but you’re guaranteed decent image quality, stereo sound, and it’ll save you a few bucks.

If these things shoot 1080i, though, forget it. There’s too much good stuff out there for you to be worrying about deinterlacing.

Panasonic is asking $170 for the little TA1 and $500 for the SDX1. They’ll be arriving in August and September, respectively.

Toshiba Lays Out Three New 2.5” Hard Drives

Posted: 27 Jul 2010 06:00 PM PDT


Toshiba Storage Device Division has released a new line of 2.5" mobile drives. These 7200 RPM SATA drives are designed for the more demanding user and are optimized for "demanding performance, power consumption, and durability requirements."

Three total drive lines have been released, each offering a slightly different role in small-form-factored computing. There's the MKxx61GSY, which is made for high-end notebooks, gaming machines and mobile workstations. With sizes ranging from 160 GB to 640 GB and a release date in Q3 of 2010.

Next is the MKxx61GSY line. These are used for more stamina requiring applications such as the 24/7 blade servers used for say, Facebook's photo gallery. Consider these to be very docile and tough.  ”The MKxx61GSY is designed for speed, with a balanced approach to storage capacity, durability, power consumption, and acoustics, compared to 5,400 RPM mobile and 3.5-inch desktop drives.” Sizes range from 80 GB to 500 GB and will be available Q4 of 2010.

Finally, we have the SED line, or Self-Encrypting Drive, this will be used for more secretive tasks that require eyes-only clearance. Think government and secret agents. It follows the security standards from the TCG Opal Specification. No word on size or release date for the secure drives.

You can probably expect to see the first two lines showing up in laptops pretty soon.

[via Tom's Hardware]

Privacy-Conscious? Hear An Airhorn Every Time Google Detects You

Posted: 27 Jul 2010 05:30 PM PDT


I doubt anybody is going to keep this Firefox plugin installed for very long (the point is made after a few minutes), but big red boxes and airhorns blasting you in the face are a good way of saying “HEY. Your information is being transmitted to Google.” You can get the no-airhorn version, but it’s not quite as exciting.

BWOOOOOOOOOO

[via HardOCP]

Apparently, You Can Still Solder Together Your Own Computer If You Really Want To

Posted: 27 Jul 2010 05:00 PM PDT

Back in the dark ages, it used to be if you wanted a computer, you built it yourself. And I don’t mean order the parts and put them together, I mean soldering the chip sockets into a breadboard and assembling all the bits by hand. For whatever reason, computer enthusiast Matt Sarnoff misses the halcyon days of the Altair, and decided to build his own PC the old fashion way: with a hot piece of metal and some lead wire. Despite the fact that I’m pretty sure this makes him crazy, he’s quite good at it. Check out the video after the jump.

So good on you Matt, you have to respect a man who’s not afraid to put together a computer using the equivalent of stone knives and bearskins.

[via Make]

Is 3:39 Too Long For A Video On The Magic Trackpad? I Think Not

Posted: 27 Jul 2010 04:38 PM PDT

9to5Mac posted a video of the Magic Trackpad. Their Zapruderesque exegesis looks at the device from all sides, ensuring us that I will be bereft of a single thing when I line up tomorrow at the mall in order to be one of the first to own the strange, distended trackpad known as the Magic Trackpad.

Devin, in fact, is planning on doing a five hour mini-series on the Apple battery charger entitled “Charge Different.” Expect it on IFC in the fall.

Official Nikon D3100 Announcement Expected August 19th

Posted: 27 Jul 2010 04:30 PM PDT

We’re expecting to get official word on the D3100 next month; Nikon is currently planning a press event the week of August 16th-20th in Europe, which is pretty typical. It’s expected that there will be two events, one to announce the launch of new Coolpix cameras, and one to announce the launch of the previously rumored D3100, as well as some new lens. More details after the jump.

We’ve heard about the D3100, but it appears that there may be four new lenses coming as well. This is a rumor at this point, but Nikon is expected to launch a new 85mm f/1.4, a 24-120mm f/4, a new 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 in FX (my favorite DX lens), and an upgraded 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6 lens. Exciting stuff. Since the press event will be in Europe, we should have the official news on the 20th.

[via Nikon Rumors]

Intel Hits 50 Gbps Throughput With Photonics

Posted: 27 Jul 2010 04:00 PM PDT


When we last left the intrepid research scientists at Intel, they had managed to hit 40Gbps throughput using something called the Avalanche Photodetector. It’s been two years since that report (yeah, this has been in development for a while), and the gang at Intel have not been idle, let me tell you. They’ve managed to improve the field of photonics to achieve throughput of 50 Gbps! While not as much of an advance as one might like to see in two years, this is still a respectable achievement.

Here’s an explanatory video showing what exactly is going on.

People are talking about this like it’s some breakthrough that just happened, but it’s been in the works for years now, and is far from hitting the streets. Even Light Peak, Intel’s new high-speed standard aimed at consumers, isn’t ready for use yet.

We’ll let you know when this one is fully baked. Probably about two years from now.

Replica Nikon Lens Mug Now Available

Posted: 27 Jul 2010 03:30 PM PDT

No idea if this is an actual licensed product, but it certainly looks cool. I’ll admit, when then the Canon mugs came out last winter I was jealous. I’m not a Canon guy, so I just resigned myself to the fact that I’d probably never have one. Then some popped up on ebay, but in a really limited run. I missed out on those too.

The mugs are replicas of a 24-70mm lens, so that’s a decent sized cup of coffee. They’re also priced quite reasonably at $23.00 plus shipping. The mug even comes in a gold box, with a fabric bag, just like a real lens. Looks pretty convincing as well. I’m struggling about rather I’m going pick one up this time.

[via PDN Pulse]

Class Action Lawsuit Against Apple Alleges That iPads Get Too Hot When Used In The Sun

Posted: 27 Jul 2010 03:00 PM PDT

Apple must make a big, juicy target to lawyers trying to cobble together class-action lawsuits. They make promises in plain English that, as is the case with almost all advertising, don’t exactly pan out, but usually allowances can be made. Does Old Spice make you “smell like a man”? If you think a man smells otherwise, can you sue Old Spice for false advertising?

Similarly, when Apple says reading on the iPad is “just like reading a book,” are you going to sue Apple because unlike books, the iPad can overheat and shut itself down? It’s a free country, I guess, but someone’s going to have to pay those legal fees when the case gets thrown out amid uncontrollable laughter.

From the suit (which you can read in its entirety here):

20. Indeed, according to the www.apple.com website, “[r]eading on iPad is just like reading a book.” However, contrary to this promise, using the iPad is not “just like reading a book” at all since books do not close when the reader is enjoying them in the sunlight or in other normal environmental environments. This promise, like other portions of APPLE’s marketing material for the iPad, is false.

And let’s just get the full quote from Apple’s website, just for the record:

Reading on iPad is just like reading a book. You hold your iPad like a book. You flip the pages like a book. And you do it all with your hands — just like a book.

Combine this specific, qualified statement with the fact that operating temperatures are mentioned in the manual, and I think a reasonable judge will conclude that Apple broke no promises and adequately warned the user. The product is functioning as advertised and within the limits disclosed by Apple. I don’t like it any more than they do that the thing doesn’t function above 95°F, but hey, I don’t sue the grocery store when my ice cream melts.

So far there are three plaintiffs, making up .000001% of iPad owners. I often find myself in the awkward position of defending Apple, and other large companies I frequently criticize, from silly lawsuits. It’s irritating. Get a grip, whiners! These lawsuits are embarrassing to the species!

[via Ars Technica]

How frightened should you be of Wal-Mart’s upcoming use of RFID?

Posted: 27 Jul 2010 02:30 PM PDT


Flickr’d

Wal-Mart, the biggest retail store in the U.S., has announced plans to attach RFID tags to certain articles of clothing, including jeans, underpants, and socks. Just the word alone—RFID—should set off your Spider Sense, but should you actually be afraid of shopping there from now on? I mean, there’s any number of things to be upset at Wal-Mart about, so where does the use of RFID fit in that anger matrix?

Starting on August 1 (so, Sunday), Wal-Mart will outfit RFID tags to select garments. These garments include jeans, socks, and underpants. They’re doing so, Wal-Mart says, in order to better serve you, the customer.

A store employee will be able to scan the jeans rack from a distance and say, "Uh oh, we’re running low on Size Y jeans, better go get some more from the back." Advantage to you: you’ll never approach a jeans rack again and find that they’re out of your size. Knock on wood, of course.

That does seem to be the only use for the RFID tags. I mean, besides providing an additional anti-theft level.

So, why are so many people upset?

It seems to me that people aren’t so much upset at the idea of pants and socks having RFID tags on them, which is harmless in and of itself (unless you’re afraid that employees will know what size pants you wear), as they are afraid of Wal-Mart employees running around with RFID readers.

Think of all the things that have RFID chips embedded in them these days. Passports, certain credit cards, mass transit passes, drivers licenses—and more!

The issue is, and this is borderline supervillain-y, is that some no good kid could be armed with an RFID reader and read your personal information as you’re shopping for back-to-school clothes for your kids.

Katherine Albrecht, the director of the Consumers Against Supermarket Privacy, called it a first step toward a "very frightening tracking system."

Wal-Mart, of course, says it’s not in the business of scanning your personal information, and that the tags will only be used for good, not evil.

I, for one, would like to see RFID abolished everywhere. Give me an example where the presence of RFID has actually enhanced a service. Some of the subways in New York have an RFID reader—how is that any easier than merely swiping your MetroCard? It’s not like the transition from tokens to MetroCards where there was a demonstrable benefit.

Then again, it’s not like any documents on my person have an RFID chip in them—yet, at least. So I’d be mad at Wal-Mart for something that wouldn’t even affect me.

Playstation logo licenced for clothing, “lifestyle” products

Posted: 27 Jul 2010 02:00 PM PDT

Hey you. Yeah, you Sony fanboi. You know who I’m talking to; you’re the guy that watching blogs for articles about the PS3, and defending everything Sony does with a rabid mindless worship that borders on fanaticism. You’ll be able to show your love of everything shiny, black, and Sony to the outside world now. Well, maybe not the “outside” world, since we all know you never leave your basement.

Sony Computer Entertainment announced today that they’ve just launched a logo licensing program, intended for clothing companies, “lifestyle” companies (Playstation perfume anyone?), and companies that just want to use the cross, triangle, square, circle marks. Sony claims this is to “enrich the license products that will make the Playstation brand more accessibe than ever.” And make them money.

The shirt shown is just a conceptual design, and doesn’t actually exist.

[via 1up]

By The Numbers: Chevy Volt vs Nissan Leaf

Posted: 27 Jul 2010 01:30 PM PDT

It’s hard to ignore the looming EV vehicle showdown between the Chevy Volt and the Nissan Leaf even though the vehicles are totally different in nature and target market. While the Nissan Leaf is simply a beautifully-packaged electric vehicle with around a 100 mile range, the Chevy Volt takes a different approach by having a somewhat limited 40 mile EV range but an on-board gas-powered generator that will power the electric motor as long as there’s gas in the tank. GM is clearly targeting the a higher-end market with a $41,000 MSRP while the Nissan Leaf is a bit more down-market with a starting price of $32,000.

That’s fine. There’s more than enough room in the world for both of the vehicles. There doesn’t really have to be a winner here. In terms of sales numbers, the Nissan Leaf will enter more markets than the Volt (or its Opel Ampera counterpart) initially anyway. GM only expects to sell about 10,000 Volts during the first year where Nissan already 17,000 Leaf pre-orders, 5,000 more than the first year estimate. Clearly both vehicles are highly anticipated, though, so comparisons will no doubt be made around workplace watercoolers from now on. Here’s what we know so far.

Both GM and Nissan have strategically been rolling out details about their respective vehicles. Performance data still hasn’t been released for either. The gas tank size of Volt is unknown and Nissan hasn’t announced warranty info just yet. Clearly we don’t have all the info just yet, but there’s more than enough firepower to start a little flame war with your coworkers.

Requiem for the G1

Posted: 27 Jul 2010 12:50 PM PDT

Today saw T-Mobile finally retiring the venerable G1, forerunner to the ongoing Android revolution. I’ve been using a G1 since launch, so this is an emotional moment for me. Let’s just take a quick trip down memory lane out of respect for a solid phone.

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