Archive for February, 2010
Posted by: in Rebots
We’ve already seen MIDs, high-res phones, and a few other odd devices from Qisda since it spun off from / encompassed BenQ, and it looks like it’s now trying its hand at another e-reader as well. Still no official word about this one, but the device does look like it’ll hold its own with a 6-inch capacitive touchscreen (16 levels of gray), along with built-in WiFi, a microSD card slot for expansion, and support for all the basic formats you’d anticipate (including ePub and PDF) — the e-reader itself is also Linux-based. Coming from Qisda, it’s also possible that this one will be picked up by someone else and rebadged before its released, although there’s no indication of that just yet. There are plenty more pics (both internal and external) to be found at the link below, however, along with the device’s user manual. Qisda QD060B00 e-reader hits the FCC originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 26 Feb 2010 13:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Got a hankering for eggs, french fries (chips), or pizza? There’s a vending machine for that. While not exactly weird in the food sense, these machines are definitely something you don’t see everyday at school or the office. Continue reading for more.
[via Phoenixnewtimes]
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Posted by: in Rebots
These days you wouldn’t jump behind the controls of a real plane without logging a few hours on the simulator, and so we’re glad to hear that doctors no longer have to grab the controls of a da Vinci surgical robot without performing some virtual surgeries first. The Center for Robotic Surgery at Roswell Park Cancer Institute and the University of Buffalo School of Engineering have collaborated to create RoSS, the Robotic Surgical Simulator. Unlike our Ross, who works odd hours and covers fuel cell unveils with innate skill, this RoSS grants doctors to slice and dice virtual patients without worrying about any messy cleanups — or messy lawsuits. We’re guessing it’ll be a while before consumer versions hit the market, but just in case we’ve gone ahead and put our pre-orders in for the prostate expansion to Microsoft Slicing Sim 2014[TM].
Robotic Surgical Simulator lets doctors sharpen their skills by operating on polygons originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 26 Feb 2010 09:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Posted by: in Technology
A student at Pentucket Regional High School had a broken iPod, so he “took the entire thing apart and was rubbing wires against the battery, which became very hot, then exploded.” Science projects are usually fun, but experimenting with the internals of an iPod should be left off your shortlist.
This is not a faulty product that caused a danger to people. This was bored kids, in a classroom with a alternative all week, who found a hazardous way to entertain themselves.
[via Gizmodo - image via]
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Posted by: in Rebots
 Along with its introduction of the HD 5830, ATI announced the HD 5870 Eyefinity 6 card yesterday, which predictably comes with six DisplayPort outputs and enables that hallowed six-screen gaming overload that the Eyefinity branding has been about since the beginning. Some lucky scribes over at PC Pro have been treated to a live demonstration of what gaming at 5,760 x 2,160 feels like, and their understated response was to describe it as “far more immersive.” No kidding. They did raise the spectral figure of those monitor bezels, however, pointing out that bezel correction — where the image “behind the bezel” is rendered but hidden making the overall display look like a window unto the game world — habitually obscured text and game HUD elements. In their view, the sweet spot remains a triple-screen setup, and we’re inclined to agree (particularly if they look like this). For those interested in getting their multi-monitor gaming up and running, we’ve linked an invaluable guide from HardOCP below, which breaks down how much you can anticipate from ATI’s current HD 5000 series of cards, and also provides a video guide to setting your rig up.
ATI’s six-screen Eyefinity madness reviewed, fatal flaw found originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 26 Feb 2010 04:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Posted by: in Technology
Professional gamer Randy “N0M4D” Fitzgerald didn’t let Arthrogryposis (muscle / joint disability) keep him from achieving his dreams. He uses a special mouth-controlled pad to compete in tournaments, and does quite well to say the least. Video after the break.
Most would think that being a professional gamer would be non-existent on a list of possible occupations, but Randy defied the odds and competes in MLG (Major League Gaming).
[via Flatlinepro]
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Posted by: in Rebots
It’s not March 2 yet, but we do have another early indication of what TiVo’s big announcement will be as a tipster spotted two new DVRs in Ideal Buy’s intranet. Other than the shocking revelation that the two SKUs would allow users to record, pause and rewind live TV and pack in HDMI cables, they went on to mention pricing information and ship dates not seen in this screen grab pegging the new Premiere at $299 and THX Certified XL edition at $499 with an expected arrival of March 27. No word on any subscription fees, features or hard drive sizes, we guess there’s a few secrets left to be revealed next week in New York.
[Thanks, anonymous]
TiVo Premiere, XL DVRs show up in Ideal Buy systems for $299, $499; due March 27 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 25 Feb 2010 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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 As a Nintendo Wii owner, you’ve certainly got a smattering of options when it comes time to fire up the light gun, but even Nintendo’s Wii Zapper can’t hold a candle to this. Moishe Levison of MoProUSA has given us an inside look at what he’s been working on for the past few years, and while everything is obviously still in prototype form, we can’t help but be impressed. In short, he’s looking to create a new range of free gaming pistols, including one that requires no additional Wiimote and Nunchuk to operate. His flagship gun, the Duel Pro, is actually modeled from a replica pistol, and it tucks the guts of a Wii controller and Nunchuk entirely inside of its casing. There’s also an analog nub on both sides, enabling gamers to switch from one hand to the other should the action get too intense with the easy press of a toggle switch. Moreover, a color-changing LED is positioned on the rear in order to give instant feedback when an input is recognized, and did we mention that this thing looks stupendously realistic?
Another option is the Duel Eagle, which does require a separate Wiimote to be inserted in the top (much like Nyko’s Perfect Shot), but places the ‘C’ and ‘Z’ buttons within grasping range on the gun’s handle. The Duel Agent works similarly, but provides a more compact design for those who like to pack their heat in a more lightweight fashion. In both of these, the motion controls are integrated into the grip. The company actually has no plans to manufacture these on its own, but instead hopes to find an investor or two to buy the utility patent and turn the light gun market upside-down. We asked Moishe if this kind of technology could be applied on weaponry for Sony’s PS3 or Microsoft’s Xbox 360, and while he did confess that it was feasible, he’s keeping his focus firmly fixed on the Wii for now. Feel free to poke around in the prototype gallery below, but don’t leave this post without tapping that ‘Read More’ link and seeing the lineup handled on video. Seriously, you’ll score +5 macho points just from watching.
Continue reading MoProUSA shows off fully integrated Wiimote pistols, tempts investors (video)
MoProUSA shows off fully integrated Wiimote pistols, tempts investors (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 25 Feb 2010 11:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Posted by: in Technology
With a design that looks like several houses that were stacked on top of each other, this architectural masterpiece “was built by Herzog & de Meuron for the Vitra Campus in Weil am Rhein, Germany.” It’s definitely a refreshing sight to see, compared to the other extravagant yet dull mansions you see on MTV Cribs. Click here for first picture in gallery.
[via Toxel]
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 Pinky and the Brain don’t get almost the respect they deserve, but then again, neither do the lab coat-wearing boffins who make great strides behind sterilized doors to bring us one step closer to mass laziness. The latest development in the everlasting brain control saga takes us to the University of Washington, where a team of researchers are carefully studying the differences between doing an action and simply imagining the action. So far, they’ve discovered that interacting with brain-computer interfaces enables patients to create “super-active populations of brain cells.” Naturally, this finding holds promise for rehabilitating patients after stroke or other neurological damage, but it also advocates that “a human brain could swiftly become adept at manipulating an external device such as a computer interface or a prosthetic limb.” Or a remote control, or a Segway, or a railgun. We can’t talk for you, but we certainly dig where this is headed. Video of the findings is after the break.
Continue reading Thought-control research brings mental channel changing ever closer
Thought-control research brings mental channel changing ever closer originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 24 Feb 2010 01:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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