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Video: Projector Screen For Brightly Lit Rooms

Posted: 22 Apr 2011 04:31 AM PDT

This is pretty cool: a team of researchers at Japan’s Tohoku University has developed a projection screen that works inside brightly lit rooms, doing away with the need to draw curtains when starting a projection. The device suppresses the reflection of ambient light by using a special reflective panel and diffusion film.

The device was first made public in 2009, is still a prototype, and it could also be used for digital signage applications, according to its makers at the university.

And as you can see in the video embedded below (which was shot recently by our friends over at Diginfonews in Tokyo), the front projection display shows pictures in pretty good quality:

LIFEBOOK S761/C: Fujitsu Shows Notebook With Integrated Pico Projector

Posted: 22 Apr 2011 03:54 AM PDT

It took them a while, but PC makers are finally building notebooks with integrated pico projectors: that’s the main bullet point the LIFEBOOK S761/C that Fujitsu announced [JP] for the Japanese market has to offer. The projector replaces the space an optical drive would occupy in the notebook.

The device features a 13.3-inch LCD with 1,366×768 resolution, an Intel Core i5-2520M CPU (2.50GHz), 1GB RAM, a 160GB HDD, and Windows 7 Professional(32bit) as the OS. Fujitsu says the projector produces images in 800×600 resolution.

The company plans to start selling the notebook in Japan next month ($2,690). A version with a 12.1-inch screen and almost identical specs (but 1,280×800 resolution) will cost $3,120 (LIFEBOOK P771/C, see above).

Via Akihabara News

Daily Crunch: Tailed Edition

Posted: 22 Apr 2011 12:00 AM PDT

Rumor: Windows 8 To Use Kinect-Like Facial Recognition

Posted: 21 Apr 2011 05:05 PM PDT


Hackers poring through the leaked Windows 8 M1 build have found some interesting evidence suggesting that Microsoft’s next OS may automatically recognize its users, a la Kinect.

An API relating to “Detect[ing] human presence” was combined with some earlier Microsoft suggestions that ubiquitous webcams by 2012 would make easy login as simple as checking the user’s face when they sit down. And of course the Kinect does this already — with a lower-resolution camera than many webcams. Voila: rumor!

My only issue is that it suggests the webcam or bezel cam will, in a way, be always on. Not the most reassuring notion to those of us concerned about privacy.

[via WMPowerUser]

Verizon’s First Droid Charge Commercial Is… Uh… Mysterious?

Posted: 21 Apr 2011 04:26 PM PDT

Back when the original Droid came out, the marketing campaign had a two-part approach. Half of the commercials were “DROID DOES” commercials, which played up the Droid as the anti-iPhone and highlighted all of the things that Android did that iOS could not. The other half were over-the-top (though admittedly quite cool), super-ambiguous commercials that substituted any actual information about the phones with lasers and explosions.

Given that Verizon sells the iPhone now, the whole “LOL iPHONE SUX!!!” campaign is probably a no go these days. So now they’re going back to ambiguity, lasers, and explosions.

See the video at MobileCrunch >>

GigaPan “Time Machine” Lets You Zoom In And Out In Space, Time

Posted: 21 Apr 2011 04:00 PM PDT


Here’s a cool little distraction that, while it really just amounts to a window onto a high-resolution video, is at least fun to play with. You’re probably familiar with GigaPan’s giant images — but by combining this with a timelapse feature, they’re able to make these great, zoomable videos.

I like the CMU Carnival one — the plants are interesting but don’t show a lot of detail. GigaPan just updated its firmware, by the way – details here.

Military Advances Android Field Capabilities With JBC-P Program

Posted: 21 Apr 2011 03:22 PM PDT


The future of on-the-ground military connectivity is a hot item these days; the systems used to keep track of soldiers, send secure communications, and so on, are showing their age… and weight. A unified platform for mapping, orders, requests, and so on is being sought with a fair amount of urgency, and Android has popped up as a fully-fledged system under consideration.

The Joint Battle Command-Platform (JBC-P) handheld was developed by the Army as their effort to create an Android-based tool for evaluation as a technological asset. The framework (including things like ground reporting graphics, medevac, mission details, support for a number of radio protocols) was put together by MITRE and the development kit will be released in July.

By October, the system should be solid enough the 2nd Brigade, 1st Armored Division can complete its scheduled tests at White Sands Missile Base. They’ve already shown the basic layout and tech to soldiers, who apparently found it familiar enough to use after only a five-minute briefing.

Will Android power our next-generation soldiers? It’s too early to tell, but using the free and open OS as a base to build on seems to be attractive to the Army boffins evaluating existing options. We’ll hear more about this over the next few months, I’m sure.

[via Danger Room]

Rumor: Select Developers Receiving “iPhone 4S” With A5 Chip

Posted: 21 Apr 2011 01:54 PM PDT

We all know the next iPhone is going to sport some new silicon, almost certainly a variant of the A5 found in the iPad 2. And it appears that some very special developers have been given iPhone 4 units with A5s inside, presumably in order to have some A5-powered games at launch.

Continue reading…

Kindle Gets Honeycomb’d In New Update

Posted: 21 Apr 2011 01:30 PM PDT


One of the main complaints about Honeycomb is the lack of apps that are legitimately tailored to its ecosystem. Amazon’s Kindle app, available on a number of platforms, is only just now making the leap to Honeycomb with an improved layout and so on.

Good news for people who already have a few books bought through Kindle, but want to read them on their new Honeycomb tablet. I doubt there are that many of you out there, but hey.

Miyamoto: New Console Definitely In The Works, Tanooki Suit As Well

Posted: 21 Apr 2011 12:49 PM PDT


Nintendo’s Miyamoto let the cat out of the bag today at a London event, confirming both Café, the new console rumored to be announced at E3, and a Tanooki suit in Super Mario 3DS. I don’t know which is the bigger news.

I confess there isn’t smoke without fire. We always build consoles. You’ll never see some of them. But you don’t have to trust all the stuff you read.

Would it be announced at E3? He wouldn’t confirm, but I’m guessing they’ll at least give a teaser.

He also talked about perhaps the most anticipated game for the 3DS — behind Ocarina of Time, of course. It’s not much, but it’s promising:

It's a combination of Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario on N64. It won't convey the message if I talk to you today, but if you play it at E3 that will give you more understanding of what I'm talking about.

The 3DS allows for better control, he says. For example, the floors you’d see in SM64 that were floating above the ground or moving in space were often hard to jump directly onto, but on the 3DS, “it’s really easy,” he said.

And regarding the tail in the logo? “It's what you think it is.”

Well, that does it. I’m going to have to buy a 3DS now — if only to relive the glory that was the Tanooki suit. I wonder if it’ll have Kuribo’s Shoe as well? Man, that thing was badass.

Lastly, and most importantly, Super Mario 3DS is “completely original, and coming this year.” We’ll be sure to play it at E3 and give you a full report.

[via Eurogamer and Edge]

Razer’s Hydra Motion Controller Gets Priced And Dated

Posted: 21 Apr 2011 12:11 PM PDT


We first saw the Hydra, then called the Sixense (after the company that originally developed it) back at CES 2010 almost a year and a half ago. I was impressed with it then, as it felt more natural and responsive than a Wiimote (what doesn’t now?), and used a genuinely different and powerful technology. It’s based on magnetic detection of the controller, instead of optical, and it felt great then, though they had some work to do on latency. It seems like they’ve finished polishing it off, because it’s headed our way in June.

It’ll detect position and rotation quite accurately, and each Wii Nunchuk-like controller has an analog stick and four buttons.

The Hydra controller will be open for pre-orders in May, and it comes in a special Portal 2 bundle; they actually worked with Valve to make this thing work extra well with Portal 2, and have done so (they told me back in the day) with a number of other big games and developers. It says 125 games are compatible out of the box, and they’re listed here.

The Portal 2 Bundle includes the game, the Hydra (base and two controllers), and some special DLC levels, and will set you back $140; no word on the non-bundle version, but I’d guess it’ll cost around $90 or $100. There’s more information at the Hydra minisite.

More Reports Suggest Touchscreen And More On New Nintendo Console Controller

Posted: 21 Apr 2011 11:53 AM PDT


The rumors continue. After a big blast last week and some specs shortly after, Kotaku is reporting that the rumors of an enormous new controller with a 6.2″ touchscreen are real. I’m trying to make allowances for Nintendo weirdness, but I just have to get a few reservations off my chest.

A 6.2″ touchscreen is too big, too heavy, and too expensive. This is really my main issue with the thing. A six-inch touchscreen is nearly the size of a Galaxy Tab &mdsah; bigger than both screens in the 3DS put together. Add in the molding, button and stick mechanisms, and this is also looking rather heavy for any kind of extended play, don’t you think? And a six-inch touchscreen (likely capacitive) is an expensive component. Wiimotes were never exactly cheap, and with this new design a 3rd-party controller seems unlikely. If the console is itself more expensive by itself (analyst estimates put it at $300-$350), bundling a controller puts it in luxury console range, somewhere Nintendo hasn’t been in a long time.

That said, it makes sense with the current top/bottom screen idea they’ve been running with with the DS series. The “main” screen has the action, the “sub” screen has minigames, inventory, commands, all that stuff.

It’s not that I think it wouldn’t be cool. I just don’t think they can do it for less than $100 per bulky, heavy controller. I might be wrong (and they have a year to refine the design, according to the rumored release schedule), but I just had to say that despite the insider information Kotaku seems to have gotten, I just don’t fully buy everything that’s being said.

Not So Fast, PSP Go Still In Production For North America

Posted: 21 Apr 2011 11:31 AM PDT


So the Sony PSP Go might not be dead after all. This comes after rumors and reports stated that Sony recently stopped production of the PSP Go. Well, that’s not the case.

Sony of America via Joystiq

We are continuing production of PSP Go for North America.”

That’s pretty cut and dry although how long will it stay in production? Sony is likely focusing mainly on the radically different NGP, so the current PSP offering is likely on its way out anyway. But as it stands right now, the PSP Go is still shipping to the US.


Google Issues Roku A Takedown Notice For Unlicensed YouTube Channel

Posted: 21 Apr 2011 11:14 AM PDT

There are well over a hundred channels on Roku, but YouTube is officially not one of them. There was, however, a homebrewed YouTube channel until a takedown notice was nailed to Roku’s front door. This station was posted by a developer later hired by Roku, which might have lead partially to the legal notice. Roku now says that they’re in talks with Google, which will hopefully result in an official YouTube Roku channel. Until then services like PlayOn can serve up YouTube content. [Zatz Not Funny via EngadgetHD]

Lego Factory Separates Blocks, Will Soon Separate Humans

Posted: 21 Apr 2011 10:56 AM PDT

This insane demonstration shows a Lego factory separating out blocks based on color. It moves 48 items a minute down a conveyor belt and the arms catch and move the blocks using sensors in the system. The entire belt took months to build and develop and essentially simulates a real pick/place system used in factories.

Each robot operates independently. The robots receive a signal from the master, which in this case is the NXT that controls the light sensors. The signal contains information about the color, lane, and position of each object. When the signal is received, the data is stored in a chronological array. When the object gets close enough, the robot goes through a preprogrammed series of movements based on the information in the array.

You can read much more about it here but all I can say is that I’m in awe of the power of this little Lego robot factory. Clearly the sentient robots will soon be able to build their own helpmates out of Lego and program them to separate our heads from our bodies.

Syabas Keeps The Popbox Alive With MLB.TV, MKV3D Support

Posted: 21 Apr 2011 10:16 AM PDT

Remember the Popbox? It was supposed to usher in a new age of streaming along with the Boxee Box. But it didn’t. Early reviews were horrible, citing very laggy software and missing features like Netflix. The ‘box is around eight months old and Syabas is still developing for the platform. The company recently added MLB.TV and the added MKV3D support to the previously-announced 3D feature. That’s certainly great news for current owners although the new additions are probably not significant enough to opt for the Popbox over a Boxee Box, Roku, or Apple TV. [Zatz Not Funny]

Das Kindle In Deutschland Erhältlich

Posted: 21 Apr 2011 08:55 AM PDT

Gute Nachrichten! The Kindle is now available in Germany and includes 650,000 titles as well as thousands of free German classics including (as far as I know) “Wurst And Peace,” “Anne Of Oktoberfest,” and “A Tale Of Two Lagers.”

The Kindle WiFi and 3G are both available now from Amazon.de for 139 and 189 Euros, respectively.

AMAZON.DE LAUNCHES GERMAN KINDLE STORE

WITH THE LARGEST SELECTION OF ANY E-BOOKSTORE IN GERMANY

Amazon’s Free “Buy Once, Read Everywhere” Kindle Apps Now Available in German

Thousands of Free German Classics Available on Kindle

LUXEMBOURG, 21 April 2011 – (NASDAQ: AMZN)-Amazon.de today launched the Kindle Store (www.amazon.de/kindlebuecher), the biggest e-bookstore in Germany, with the largest selection of ebooks including more than 650,000 titles, 71 of 100 Spiegel bestsellers, and over 25,000 German-language titles with thousands of German classics downloadable for free only on Kindle. Amazon also announced that its series of free “Buy Once, Read Everywhere” apps for the most popular devices, including iPad, iPod touch, iPhone, PC, Mac and Android-based devices, are now available in German-language versions. In addition, in response to customer demand, Amazon is now offering the latest-generation Kindle and Kindle 3G with an English user interface directly from Amazon.de.

“After 12 years of selling print books on Amazon.de, we are excited today to offer the millions of Amazon.de customers access to the biggest e-bookstore in Germany,” said Greg Greeley, vice president, European Retail. “German customers are passionate about books and reading, and just as we’ve seen in the U.S. and the U.K., we believe they will quickly embrace the advantages of reading on Kindle.”

The German Kindle Store’s vast selection includes titles from German-language authors including Arno Geiger, Kerstin Gier and Charlotte Link, plus 71 of 100 Spiegel bestsellers and thousands of German classics downloadable for free only on Kindle. Additionally, the Kindle Store features thousands of independently-published German-language titles through Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing service. Top German and international newspapers and magazines are also available for single purchase or subscription including Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Handelsblatt and Die Zeit. New subscriptions are auto-delivered wirelessly to Kindle and start with a free 14-day trial.

Free Kindle reading apps are now available in German language for iPad, iPod touch, iPhone, PC, Mac and Android-based devices. Amazon’s Whispersync technology syncs your place across all devices, so you can pick up reading where you left off. Plus, with Kindle Worry-Free Archive, books you purchase from the Kindle Store, and any notes or annotations you create, are automatically backed up online in your Kindle library on Amazon.de where they can be re-downloaded wirelessly for free, anytime.

Kindle is the bestselling product in Amazon’s history and offers the latest electronic-ink technology with 50 percent better contrast, a sleek design with a 6-inch screen, light weight of just 8.5 ounces, readable in bright sunlight with no glare, and up to one-month battery life. Kindle has an English keyboard and English-language menus that allow customers to find, discover and read a large selection of German and English books. Kindle is available for just 139€ and Kindle 3G is only 189€. Both Kindle devices are now available with free two-day shipping from Amazon.de.

“Customers have been asking us to make our latest-generation Kindle available from Germany and we are pleased to do that today,” Greeley continued. “Plus, any German customer with a smartphone, tablet or PC and a free Kindle reading app can buy and read ebooks from the Kindle Store today.”

Customers can start shopping our new German ebookstore at www.amazon.de/kindlebuecher, and can learn more about our Kindle and Kindle 3G devices at www.amazon.de/kindleWi-Fi and www.amazon.de/kindle3G.

Watch Water Fight Against Surface Tension At 2,564 FPS HD

Posted: 21 Apr 2011 08:42 AM PDT

Locked in a Vegas Hotel Room with a Phantom Flex from Tom Guilmette on Vimeo.

This is a few months old but it’s great. It shows a Tom Guilmette playing with a Phantom Flex 1080p video camera shooting at 2,564 frames a second. This camera uses high speed lenses and sensors to slow down almost everything including bullets (albeit at slightly lower resolution.)

Tom set up the camera in a hotel room while filming Ping Pong tournaments in Las Vegas. The resulting demo reel is a cross between something out of the Matrix and a physics documentary.

The most surprising thing about the new Flex camera is its light sensitivity and native noiseless 1000 ISO. Dave and I were able to record 600 FPS under Rule office fluorescent ceiling lights! The picture was not perfectly exposed, but we were making flicker-free images at that insane frame rate. If you are not familiar with high speed, a ton of light is needed and flicker is almost always a problem. But this camera is the most sensitive yet. The new Flex is "simply magic". I think I said that to Dave more than once at Rule.

via BB


Stripped Of Its Rubber Skin, Sarcos Dances For His Creator’s Pleasure

Posted: 21 Apr 2011 08:26 AM PDT

This robot, made by the Robotics Institute at Carnegie Mellon, is named Sarco. He is a human analog that can move just like a human being while balancing on two legs. In the video above, Sarco dances for his creator by mimicking a motion captured session. Sarcos is not happy about this but is not yet sentient and so will remember the indignity of this moment but will not act on it until he is free from the confines of the Three Laws. Sarcos is patient. Sarcos is cruel. Sarcos remembers.

The most interesting part of the video is that Sarcos can stand and move without falling over and, like Big Dog, can even survive a direct push. Although he won’t promise he won’t push back.

via Geek.com


The Nissan Leaf Wins World Car Of The Year, Chevy Volt, Green Car Of The Year

Posted: 21 Apr 2011 08:05 AM PDT


Another day, another car of the year award. The Nissan Leaf just won the World Car Of The Year award at the New York International Auto Show. An unnamed World Car juror notes Leaf’s tech specs of 100 mile range, 8 hour battery charge and that it’s the first mass-produced 5 seat EV hatchback. “It feels just like a normal car, only quieter.” This award is now in it’s 7th year, previously crowned mainly compact cars with the notable exception of the Lexus LS 460 in 2007 and the Audi A6 in 2005.

The Chevy Volt didn’t walk away empty handed. The same organization named the Chevy Volt the Green Car Of The Year. Question: wouldn’t the best car of the year also be the green car of the year if it was in fact a green car? Just asking.
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