Engadget http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Axxis fingerprint door lock invites hacker wannabes to burgle your premises]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/10/axxis-fingerprint-door-lock-invites-hacker-wannabes-to-burgle-yo/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/10/axxis-fingerprint-door-lock-invites-hacker-wannabes-to-burgle-yo/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/10/axxis-fingerprint-door-lock-invites-hacker-wannabes-to-burgle-yo/#comments
Biometric security might sound cool, but relying on fingerprint recognition alone for securing anything more serious than your Windows password typically results in the rapid hacking, whether through flesh or software, of that protection. Well, Axxis is trying to address this problem with a new dual-factor security lock -- requiring a PIN alongside fingerprint identification -- which allows you to customize access times for each registered user and also spy on their comings and goings. Retailing for $699 per lock, alongside an entirely-not-optional $299 accessory, this is hardly a bargain bin item -- with a price like that, a burglar might be inclined to steal the locks instead of your treasured possessions.

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Axxis fingerprint door lock invites hacker wannabes to burgle your premises originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Jul 2009 04:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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On the eve of Christmas 2007, quite a few obituaries for incandescent light bulbs were penned. News was slow, time was short and Congress had just outlined a new energy plan that would essentially force these energy-wasting bulbs out by 2012. Now, however, legions of scientists are racing the clock to develop new incandescents that will still meet the upcoming guidelines, with a Deposition Sciences technology paving the way for a post-2012 model from Philips. Without drowning you in technobabble, let's just say that said tech has seen 50 percent efficiency gains in the lab, which is more than enough to please even the most outspoken tree hugger in Washington. In related news, GE has issued two more LED light bulbs: the 7-watt Energy Smart LED PAR20 and 10-watt LED PAR30. Both of 'em are aimed more at commercial customers than at actual homes, but you'll be hard pressed to find a better option for lighting up your makeshift basketball court.

Read - Incandescent bulbs stage comeback
Read - GE Energy Smart bulbs

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Incandescent bulbs making a comeback, GE still launching new LED lights originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 08 Jul 2009 09:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Deposition SciencesDepositionScienceseco-friendlyenergyenergy smartEnergySmartgeGE Energy SmartGeEnergySmartgeneral electricGeneralElectricgreenincandescentincandescent bulbsIncandescentBulbsledled lightled light bulbled lightingLedLightLedLightBulbLedLightinglightlight bulbLightBulblightingPAR30Wed, 08 Jul 2009 09:51:00 EST<![CDATA[IDEA's Solar lamp glows like a Sputnik heatshield]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/idea-solar-light-balls-store-up-sunlight-for-later-use/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/idea-solar-light-balls-store-up-sunlight-for-later-use/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/idea-solar-light-balls-store-up-sunlight-for-later-use/#commentsWhile the original Sputnik burnt out after only 3 months in orbit, here's an homage that promises to be rather more resilient. IDEA, Japan's answer to you know who, is offering a 30cm tall (11.8-inches) self-sufficient ambient light that pretty much does its own thing. Integrated sensors detect when the light should be on, while inconveniences like power cords and on/off switches are completely done away with. The light's batteries are recharged by the sun at a rate of 2 to 5 hours sunlight for 8 hours operation, while its waterproof design means it can be dumped outside to collect rays during the day and even provide garden lighting at night. It's quirky, to be sure, but the obvious design cues taken from the Russian satellite should make true geeks smile with glee. You can find a gallery of the various color choices courtesy of Engadget Japanese below, and if you're passing by the land of the rising sun later this month you can snap up your very own solar light ball for ¥1575 ($16).

[Via Engadget Japanese]

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IDEA's Solar lamp glows like a Sputnik heatshield originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 02 Jul 2009 07:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ambientambient lightAmbientLightEngadget JapaneseEngadgetJapaneseIDEAJapanlightlight ballLightBallrechargeablesolarsolar-poweredsolar-powered lightSolar-poweredLightThu, 02 Jul 2009 07:52:00 EST<![CDATA[Sanyo's Eneloop lamp heals your ecological soul]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/30/sanyos-eneloop-lamp-heals-your-ecological-soul/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/30/sanyos-eneloop-lamp-heals-your-ecological-soul/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/30/sanyos-eneloop-lamp-heals-your-ecological-soul/#comments We've been fans of Sanyo's rechargeable Eneloop batteries since they first entered the market in the lazy NiMH and NiCd days of 2005. We remember this because we, like Eneloops, don't suffer from the memory effect of our predecessors. Ok, ok, that date's in the press release but that doesn't change the fact that Eneloops will maintain their charge over time even when stored, ununsed in a drawer now does it? Anywho, Sanyo just announced its rechargeable Eneloop Lamp that serves to light your home when upright or your path when held like a flashlight -- automatically, just as soon as it passes the 90-degree mark. It also features a healing function that waxes a cool blue light into the tragic abyss of your misery and despair. The internal AAs recharge in about 12-hours when set atop the included induction charger. Fully charged, you can expect between 3- and 45-hours of white light, 12- to 16-hours of the blue stuff, and about 6 hours in flashlight mode. No price was given but it'll be on sale in Japan starting September 11th.

[Via Akihabara News]

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Sanyo's Eneloop lamp heals your ecological soul originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 30 Jun 2009 04:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>batteryeneloopsflashlighthealinglamplightsanyoTue, 30 Jun 2009 04:56:00 EST<![CDATA[Dyson speeds up 'world's fastest motor,' gives it some fancy packaging]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/29/dyson-speeds-up-worlds-fastest-motor-gives-it-some-fancy-pac/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/29/dyson-speeds-up-worlds-fastest-motor-gives-it-some-fancy-pac/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/29/dyson-speeds-up-worlds-fastest-motor-gives-it-some-fancy-pac/#comments
Sir James Dyson is on a mission to tick as many boxes as possible with the hetero male demographic. He starts out well, bolting the "world's fastest motor" to a gun-shaped instrument of cleanliness. The product pages advertise 10 minutes of "high constant suction," and the top model is named the Animal, but the fact is it's still a vacuum cleaner. The motor is a direct descendant of the one found in the Airblade, with rotational speed jumping from 88K to 104K RPM. Dyson has said he hopes to harness the technology in other devices, including electric cars, giving credence to previously discredited rumors to that effect. Beyond the read link you will find a picture of the tiny speed demon in the loving hands of its inventor.

[Via Tech Digest]

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Dyson speeds up 'world's fastest motor,' gives it some fancy packaging originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 29 Jun 2009 17:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Continue reading ZigBee Alliances developing Green Power standards for energy harvesting devices

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ZigBee Alliances developing Green Power standards for energy harvesting devices originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 29 Jun 2009 14:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>energy harvestingEnergyHarvestinghome automationHomeAutomationself-poweredzigbeezigbee alliancezigbee home automationzigbee proZigbeeAllianceZigbeeHomeAutomationZigbeeProMon, 29 Jun 2009 14:13:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: Miniature, operational electric drill perfect for smurfing smurfs]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/29/video-miniature-operational-electric-drill-perfect-for-smurfin/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/29/video-miniature-operational-electric-drill-perfect-for-smurfin/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/29/video-miniature-operational-electric-drill-perfect-for-smurfin/#comments
The gang over at Make have dug up a pretty sweet electric drill that's looks to be about the right size for the Smurf in your life. Powered by a button cell battery, the inventor (a shadowy figure known only as s8) has plans to make these commercially available -- as soon as he figures out how to configure his website. Not too many details on how this was put together, but you can see several prototypes above. Video after the break.



[Via Book of Joe]

Continue reading Video: Miniature, operational electric drill perfect for smurfing smurfs

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Video: Miniature, operational electric drill perfect for smurfing smurfs originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 29 Jun 2009 13:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>drillelectric drillElectricDrillminiaturesmallsmurftinyMon, 29 Jun 2009 13:38:00 EST<![CDATA[Carnivorous Clock eats bugs, begins doomsday countdown]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/29/carnivorous-clock-eats-bugs-counts-down-to-doomsday/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/29/carnivorous-clock-eats-bugs-counts-down-to-doomsday/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/29/carnivorous-clock-eats-bugs-counts-down-to-doomsday/#comments It's not enough that humans gave robots a place to congregate to plan our demise, now we've adapted them with the ability to extract fuel from the very nectar of life. All that innocent experimentation with fuel cells that run on blood has led to this, a flesh-eating clock. This prototype time-piece from UK-based designers James Auger and Jimmy Loizeau traps insects on flypaper stretched across its roller system before depositing them into a vat of bacteria. The ensuing chemical reaction, or "digestion," is transformed into power that keeps the rollers rollin' and the LCD clock ablaze. The pair offers an alternative design fueled by mice, another contraption whose robotic arm plucks insect-fuel from spider webs with the help of a video camera, and a lamp powered by insects lured to their deaths with ultraviolet LEDs. Man, this is so wrong it has to be right.

[Via Hack a Day, thanks Isaac]

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Carnivorous Clock eats bugs, begins doomsday countdown originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 29 Jun 2009 04:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auger-Loizeaubacteriabloodcarnivorousflesh eatingFleshEatingflyfly paperFlyPaperfuel cellFuelCellinsectjames augerJamesAugerjimmy lizeauJimmyLizeaumicemousepestrobotspiderMon, 29 Jun 2009 04:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Device judges your pulse and Tweets its findings to your parents and Ashton Kutcher]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/28/device-judges-your-pulse-and-shares-the-results-with-your-mom-an/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/28/device-judges-your-pulse-and-shares-the-results-with-your-mom-an/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/28/device-judges-your-pulse-and-shares-the-results-with-your-mom-an/#comments
What's creepier than automatically informing Twitter every time your unborn child kicks his mother's womb? Giving all your Twitter followers a live feed of your heartbeat, including canned messages to announce your death in case you cease pumping Cheeto-infused blood through your goth-nerdy veins. This Japanese DIY project has open source schematics and is designed to bypass a PC and send the news of your heart hiccups directly the internet. Check out the appropriately dramatic video after the break.

Continue reading Device judges your pulse and Tweets its findings to your parents and Ashton Kutcher

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Device judges your pulse and Tweets its findings to your parents and Ashton Kutcher originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 28 Jun 2009 11:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>diyhackheart beatHeartBeatpulsetwitterSun, 28 Jun 2009 11:17:00 EST<![CDATA[Rhea Jeong's Void LP player concept cheats at gravity]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/27/rhea-jeongs-void-lp-player-concept-cheats-at-gravity/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/27/rhea-jeongs-void-lp-player-concept-cheats-at-gravity/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/27/rhea-jeongs-void-lp-player-concept-cheats-at-gravity/#comments
Designer Rhea Jeong's Void LP player seems devoid of reality, but it was inspired by the very real and very cute "Vinyl Killer," a little VW Bus that can propel itself around a record and play the tunes with its tinny speaker, naturally wearing out the precious LP in the process. The Void LP takes the concept of a self-sufficient speaker, amp and needle (the red ball), and then tosses them all into the air with a magnetic saucer. We're sure it sounds terrible, and it seems a little fantastical, but one thing's for certain: we want.

[Via The Rock and Roll Star]

Gallery: Rhea Jeong's Void LP player concept cheats at gravity

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Rhea Jeong's Void LP player concept cheats at gravity originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 27 Jun 2009 18:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>conceptlplp playerLpPlayerrecordrecord playerRecordPlayerrhea jeongRheaJeongvoidvoid lp playerVoidLpPlayerSat, 27 Jun 2009 18:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft unveils Hohm beta for overanalyzing your home energy usage]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/24/microsoft-unveils-hohm-beta-for-overanalyzing-your-home-energy-u/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/24/microsoft-unveils-hohm-beta-for-overanalyzing-your-home-energy-u/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/24/microsoft-unveils-hohm-beta-for-overanalyzing-your-home-energy-u/#comments Since Google can't be the only multibillion-dollar technology company having all the home energy monitoring fun, Microsoft's jumping in with "Hohm" -- like a portmanteau of "Home" and "Ohm," get it? We're not entirely sure just how it works yet, but according to the company, using both user input / feedback and analytics licensed from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the US Department of Energy, the program provides suggestions for energy conservation. However, it's the future uses we're more excited about -- eventually, you'll be able to upload energy usage data into the system automatically, provided you're getting voltage from one of the partner companies. First West Coast utilities to join up include Puget Sound Energy, Sacramento Municipal Utility District, Seattle City Light, and Xcel Energy, and nope, none of those overlap with PowerMeter's first enlistees. The sign-up page for the beta is now live, so hit up the read link if you want a chance to participate.

[Via Yahoo! Tech]

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Microsoft unveils Hohm beta for overanalyzing your home energy usage originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 24 Jun 2009 20:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>analyticsenergy savingEnergySavingenvironmentgreenhohmhomehome energy monitoringhome monitoringHomeEnergyMonitoringHomeMonitoringlawrence berkeley national laboratoryLawrenceBerkeleyNationalLaboratorymicrosoftmicrosoft hohmMicrosoftHohmohmpower consumptionpower savingPowerConsumptionpugetpuget soudn energyPugetSoudnEnergysacramentosacramento municipal utility districtSacramentoMunicipalUtilityDistrictseattleseattle city lightSeattleCityLightsmart metersmart metersSmartMeterSmartMetersxcelxcel energyXcelEnergyWed, 24 Jun 2009 20:49:00 EST<![CDATA[Yamaha's MusicCAST2 wireless distributed music system gets one better]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/19/yamahas-musiccast2-wireless-distribution-system-gets-one-better/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/19/yamahas-musiccast2-wireless-distribution-system-gets-one-better/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/19/yamahas-musiccast2-wireless-distribution-system-gets-one-better/#comments Sonos has been sitting pretty at the top of the wireless audio distribution space for quite awhile now. Today Yamaha is fighting back with a totally refreshed (and very Sonos-like) Musiccast2 system that supports up to 32 rooms of WiFi-based distributed audio from sources such as Rhapsody, Internet radio, or tracks stored on your Mac, PC, USB sticks, Bluetooth devices, or networked shares. iTunes support is enabled via a bundled TwonkyMedia Server in the $500 MCX-RC100 Network Music Commander remote control (above) with 3.5-inch LCD, touch-sensitive trackpad, and GUI that displays details such as album art and song information from all your MP3, WMA (no lossless or PRO), AAC (no Apple lossless or FairPlay DRM), FLAC and WAV audio files. To distribute the audio, you'll need a $400 MCX-A300 (amplified, just add speakers) or $400 MCX-P200 (non-amplified for AV connection) Network Music Player placed in each room where audio is desired. The MCX-P200 can also function as a universal IR remote with multiple IR outs to control other devices in the AV rack via IR flashers or the MCX-RC100 remote control. So yeah, it gets expensive, but it's easy and quick and won't require a sledgehammer, wiring, or sheetrocking skills. Our only reservation is with Yamaha's choice of straight-up 2.4GHz 802.11b/g to link the audio compared to the rock-solid, customized-802.11n mesh created by Sonos -- nobody wants a microwave to harsh their mellow, dig? More component pics after the break.

Continue reading Yamaha's MusicCAST2 wireless distributed music system gets one better

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Yamaha's MusicCAST2 wireless distributed music system gets one better originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 19 Jun 2009 06:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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David Friedman's Ironic Sans blog is full of great ideas, but never have we been in such desperate need of rapid implementation as this Outlet Wall. We'd say the idea is pretty self-explanatory, making an art out of plugging in devices instead of fussing with a hidden tangle of cords and powerstrips on the floor -- we've lost many a friend and family member to the wilds behind our entertainment center. As David points out: "Of course you don't have to actually wire all the outlets on the whole wall for electricity, but you'd better come up with a good way to remember which ones are live."

[Via Gadget Venue]

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The Outlet Wall concept is true wall wart nirvana originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 16 Jun 2009 09:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>david friedmanDavidFriedmanironic sansIronicSansoutlet wallOutletWallthe outlet wallTue, 16 Jun 2009 09:19:00 EST<![CDATA[ASUS 'Seamless Experience' is the best conception of the future we've seen in the past five minutes]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/14/asus-seamless-experience-is-the-best-conception-of-the-future/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/14/asus-seamless-experience-is-the-best-conception-of-the-future/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/14/asus-seamless-experience-is-the-best-conception-of-the-future/#comments
Are you fully prepared to live in one company's most likely inaccurate and yet still totally awesome vision of the future? If not, check out the video after the break. ASUS tossed together its ideas into a "Seamless Experience" showing at its Computex 2009 booth. Apparently the future involves a lot of interactive countertops -- a sort of pervasive Surface-lite, which presents interactive, relevant info for objects placed on it. The tech also facilitates interaction between devices placed near each other, and can even capture data from a plain ol' piece of paper and integrate it into the system. Sure, it's been shown before, but we're sure once enough companies come up with this idea independently they'll be able to form two warring factions and fend off consumer adoption with a format war for years to come.

Read - ASUS PR
Read - Video from NewGadgets.de

Continue reading ASUS 'Seamless Experience' is the best conception of the future we've seen in the past five minutes

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ASUS 'Seamless Experience' is the best conception of the future we've seen in the past five minutes originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 14 Jun 2009 02:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>asuscomputexcomputex 2009Computex2009futureseamless experienceSeamlessExperienceSun, 14 Jun 2009 02:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Savant's new Rosie Virtual Control uses your home for the interface, your car to impress girls]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/12/savants-new-rosie-virtual-control-uses-your-home-for-the-interf/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/12/savants-new-rosie-virtual-control-uses-your-home-for-the-interf/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/12/savants-new-rosie-virtual-control-uses-your-home-for-the-interf/#comments
Home automation fans, head's up: Savant is cooking up a new Rosie control interface that replaces traditional menus and icons with actual 360 degree photos of your location. Users turn on a light, f'rinstance, by touching the light that they want to activate, and control the dimmer switch by swiping up or down. The heart of the system is a rather familiar-looking 9-inch capacitive touchscreen device that displays the current location on the majority of the screen, with the other rooms scrolling across the bottom. Currently being pimped by the company at its Dealer Conference in Hyannis, there is no word on release date or cost, but we're guessing it's gonna be rather pricey -- the service includes a visit by the company's Professional Services Division, who photograph your home for you. Just make sure you straighten up a bit before they arrive. See the thing in the action after the break.

Continue reading Savant's new Rosie Virtual Control uses your home for the interface, your car to impress girls

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Savant's new Rosie Virtual Control uses your home for the interface, your car to impress girls originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 12 Jun 2009 01:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>home automationHomeAutomationrosierosie controlRosie Virtual ControlRosieControlRosieVirtualControlsavant systemsSavantSystemsTouchscreenVirtual ControlVirtualControlFri, 12 Jun 2009 01:44:00 EST<![CDATA[Husqvarna's Panthera Leo is the mower of the future for your lawn of today]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/11/husqvarnas-panthera-leo-is-the-mower-of-the-future-for-your-la/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/11/husqvarnas-panthera-leo-is-the-mower-of-the-future-for-your-la/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/11/husqvarnas-panthera-leo-is-the-mower-of-the-future-for-your-la/#commentsHusqvarna's Panthera Leo is the mower of the future, for your lawn of today
Concept cars are a dime a dozen around these parts -- but concept lawnmowers? A little more rare, and the latest from Husqvarna looks to be about as closely related to that rusty John Deere in your shed as Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes McLaren F1 car is to your boss's E-Class. It has paddles on the wheel for adjusting three independent mowing blades, a "sophisticated" LCD display that displays speed and obstacle proximity, and a rechargeable lithium-phosphate battery with enough staying power to trim your yard for two hours straight, all shown in a soothing and thoroughly rendered promo video after the break. The one thing it can't do, apparently, is tame the wild locks of Swedish male models.

Gallery: Husqvarna Panthera Leo

Continue reading Husqvarna's Panthera Leo is the mower of the future for your lawn of today

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Husqvarna's Panthera Leo is the mower of the future for your lawn of today originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Jun 2009 08:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>conceptconcept lawn mowerconcept mowerConceptLawnMowerConceptMowerhusqvarnahusqvarna panthera leoHusqvarnaPantheraLeolawn mowerLawnMowerlcdlithium-phosphatemowerpanthera leoPantheraLeoThu, 11 Jun 2009 08:06:00 EST<![CDATA[Sharp's remote controlled LED light-bulbs generate seven-shades of smart]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/11/sharps-remote-controlled-led-light-bulbs-generate-7-shades-of-s/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/11/sharps-remote-controlled-led-light-bulbs-generate-7-shades-of-s/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/11/sharps-remote-controlled-led-light-bulbs-generate-7-shades-of-s/#comments While you're replacing your household incandescent light-bulbs with LEDs in a bid to save energy and possibly cash (over the 40,000-hour lifespan) you might want to consider these remote-controlled lamps from Sharp. The DL-L60AV gives you on/off and dimming functions as well as the ability to adjust the light in seven shades of white to warm up or cool down the glow. Best of all, they screw into a standard E26 socket for a one-to-one exchange with your existing ocean warmers. The features of the remote control are still unclear (lighting zone support, range of operation, etc.) but it appears to work with multiple-lamps in parallel which is a nice touch. However, we'd like to see Sharp integrate a Z-Wave or ZigBee chipset so we could link these directly (without special wall-switches) into a tricked-out home automation and power managment system. The DL-series start at ¥3880 (about $40) for simple LED lights before hitting ¥7980 (about $82) for the fully-equipped DL-L60AV and begin shipping July 15th in Japan.

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Sharp's remote controlled LED light-bulbs generate seven-shades of smart originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Jun 2009 03:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hoping to relive the days of the Cold War -- you know, without the air raid drills? The handiwork of someone called Fred Niell (a character from a John le Carre' spy novel if we ever met one -- and we have), the Индикатор-6 ("indicator-6") uses gas-filled Nixie tubes to display the time. This timepiece is definitely more sane and sober in appearance than most of the clocks we see 'round here, and would look great in your study next to your cigar box and framed, autographed picture of Winston Churchill. What better way to keep track of the passing hours as you spend your twilight years writing your memoirs detailing your time in MI5? This hand-crafted chronometer sells for $275. Either hit the read link to order, or go to the safe house tonight at the stroke of midnight. You should already have the pass phrase. Video after the break.

Continue reading Indicator-6 Nixie clock is handsome, functional, Khruschev-approved

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Indicator-6 Nixie clock is handsome, functional, Khruschev-approved originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 04 Jun 2009 09:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Look, LED light bulbs are fanciful, great for Ma Earth and a fine addition to any home, barber shop or underground fight club. But let's be honest -- even the guy that bikes through blizzards to get to work and wears garb that he grew in his basement isn't apt to shell out $120 a pop to have what's likely the most efficient light bulb American dollars can buy. Enter Chunlei Guo from the University of Rochester, who has helped discover a process which could morph a traditional incandescent light bulb into a beacon of burning light without using nearly as much energy as before. In fact, his usage of the femtosecond laser pulse -- which creates a "unique array of nano- and micro-scale structures on the surface of a regular tungsten filament" -- could enable a bulb to increase output efficiency in order to emit 100-watts worth of light while sucking down less than 60-watts of power. Per usual, there's no telling when this new hotness is likely to hit the commercial realm, but one's thing for sure: we bet GE's paying attention.

[Via Physorg]

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Ultra-powerful laser could make incandescent light bulbs more efficient originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 31 May 2009 16:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bulbeco-friendlyfilamentgreenlaserlaserslightLight BulbLightBulblightingnanotechnologyopticalopticsresearchUniversityUniversity of RochesterUniversityOfRochesterSun, 31 May 2009 16:26:00 EST<![CDATA[Nokia spins off Home Control Center team as There Corporation, slips product into 2010]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/28/nokia-spins-off-home-automation-team-to-there-corporation-slips/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/28/nokia-spins-off-home-automation-team-to-there-corporation-slips/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/28/nokia-spins-off-home-automation-team-to-there-corporation-slips/#commentsRemember Nokia's Home Control Center launched in December with plans to send home automation product to retail by the end of 2009. Well, it's been upended today with Nokia bowing out of its own smart home activities and licensing the technology to the independent There Corporation -- a company that now employs Nokia's former Smart Home team. Unfortunately, we're now looking at the beginning of 2010 before we see the first solution dubbed Safety 360; a "security kit" for monitoring fire and water leakage alarms, intrusion detection, and energy consumption monitoring through the use of the Home Control Center device (pictured right), door/window sensors, motion, flood, and smoke detectors, and a "Binary Switch with electricity meter"... whatever that is. You know, at this point, we'd be happy for a big name consumer electronics company to sweep in, set a de facto standard, and kick the dozen or so proprietary and so-called "industry standards" to the curb so that we can finally take home automation mainstream. Maybe that'll be Z-Wave which is the only home automation communication standard listed under the device specs for Nokia's There's Home Control Center. The promise of the ubiquitous automated home has been floundering for decades now -- enough's enough.

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Nokia spins off Home Control Center team as There Corporation, slips product into 2010 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 28 May 2009 08:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>home automationhome control centerHomeAutomationHomeControlCenternokiasafety 360Safety360therethere coporationThereCoporationz-waveThu, 28 May 2009 08:51:00 EST<![CDATA[Transparent public restroom not for those with performance anxiety]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/26/transparent-public-restroom-not-for-those-with-performance-anxie/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/26/transparent-public-restroom-not-for-those-with-performance-anxie/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/26/transparent-public-restroom-not-for-those-with-performance-anxie/#comments
As if you didn't have enough to do in the water closet, visitors to this restroom in Lausanne, Switzerland, have one added step: they must actually press the "voir" button to get a little privacy in this otherwise transparent structure. The walls are constructed with liquid crystal glass that becomes see through under electric tension -- which can be triggered via motion sensor, in case all motion ceases for a period of time (napping is not allowed) or if there is too much activity (partying is definitely not allowed). What do you think: Is this a stylish and innovative alternative to the ugly plastic porta-john? Or a disaster waiting to happen? Video after the break.

Continue reading Transparent public restroom not for those with performance anxiety

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Transparent public restroom not for those with performance anxiety originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 May 2009 21:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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When most kids our age were cutting class to play Mike Tyson's Punch Out, the latch key kids over at Robot Stock News were taking apart their step father's vacuum. And as we grew up, all the while developing relationships with cellphone tipsters and eventually becoming successful tech bloggers in our own right, the Robot Stock News kids were also able to take their obsessive geek tendencies and make a name for themselves -- combing the interwebs, paying off high priced vacuum ninjas, and scouring the US Patent database for any and all news featuring many of our country's leading autonomous vacuum cleaners. They must have been really stoked to stumble upon a patent filed in November 2008, entitled "Compact Autonomous Coverage Robot." As far as we can tell, this document (filed by iRobot) details a Roomba with a squared off front, designed to hit those hard to reach corners that the traditional circular device cannot. This design change, while it seems minor, actually lends a level of complexity to the device: a square robot requires more complex programming, lest it get stuck in a niche that its round faced predecessor could never reach in the first place. Of course, there's no telling when (or if) this one will see the light of day, but you'll know as soon as we do. Promise.

[Via Robot Stock News]

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iRobot's new Roomba patent could clean those hard to reach areas, get stuck there originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 May 2009 17:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Philips has always pushed OLED lighting concepts, and it looks like the company's Lumiblade products will be the first to start shipping. The folks at OLED-Info got to play with some pre-production samples, and while they're definitely cool and impossibly slim, there are some notable drawbacks: the rectangular panel has some unfortunate "speckles," and overall they're just not very bright on their own, so you'll need quite a few for an actual lamp. Still, we've no doubt OLED lighting will soon be everywhere, so hit read link for a quick glimpse of the future.

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First Philips Lumiblade OLED lights arrive originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 20 May 2009 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>lamplampslightlight fixtureLightFixturelightinglightslumibladeoledoled lightingOledLightingphilipsWed, 20 May 2009 17:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Google announces first PowerMeter partners, we beg for more]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/google-announces-first-powermeter-partners-we-beg-for-more/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/google-announces-first-powermeter-partners-we-beg-for-more/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/google-announces-first-powermeter-partners-we-beg-for-more/#comments At last, we have the first partners in Google's quest to make your personal power consumption visible on your home computer. As the thinking goes, if you can't measure it, you can't improve it. So Google wants to give consumers near real-time visibility to their consumption and usage patterns via Google's PowerMeter software and utility-supplied "smart meters." The hope here, is that those aware of their energy consumption habits will change them to save money, and in turn, the planet. The initial list of partner utilities represent millions of homes spread across cities and country-sides in the US, Canada, and India:
  • San Diego Gas & Electric(R) (California)
  • TXU Energy (Texas)
  • JEA (Florida)
  • Reliance Energy (India)
  • Wisconsin Public Service Corporation (Wisconsin)
  • White River Valley Electric Cooperative (Missouri)
  • Toronto Hydro-Electric System Limited (Canada)
  • Glasgow EPB (Kentucky)
Google has also partnered with Itron to embed its PowerMeter software into Itron smart meters. While we applaud the effort, seeing energy consumption for the entire house, only, is far too macro (though a good first step). What we're waiting for is the marriage of this with home automation and monitoring solutions based on Z-Wave and ZigbBee, for example, so we can gain visibility and control down to the device level. Imagine a single software view that lets you drill all the way down to see how much energy your computer, lights, or home theater projector is consuming and then shut 'em down when not in use or to avoid vampire drain. Hey Nokia, you're working on a Home Control Center... you reading this? Google's looking for partners.

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Google announces first PowerMeter partners, we beg for more originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 20 May 2009 03:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It's important to remember that when we make inevitable war with the machines, it was really all our fault -- take this guy Lin, for example. Sure, he means well, building this massage chair out of scrap for his aging wife, who suffers from joint pain, but future generations scraping together a meager existence as they huddle for protection from homicidal robots and a rage-filled Christian Bale won't be exactly forgiving of Lin's plight. "Why couldn't he just travel backwards in time to stop the joint pain before it started?" they'll ask. "Didn't he know he was endangering the entire human race?"

[Via Make]

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Home built massage chair strikes inexpugnable fear into aching joints originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 17 May 2009 01:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>diymassagemassage chairMassageChairSun, 17 May 2009 01:49:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: Microsoft's Future really does make your computer a big-ass table]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/14/video-microsofts-future-home-actually-makes-your-computer-a-bi/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/14/video-microsofts-future-home-actually-makes-your-computer-a-bi/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/14/video-microsofts-future-home-actually-makes-your-computer-a-bi/#comments The problem with most so-called "homes of the future" is that they come off looking like a theme-park vision of the space age (read: the 1970s). The Microsoft Home, however, manages to piece together a realistic vision of our homes on a 5 to 10 year horizon -- a timeline just long enough to allow the nascent technologies of today to go mainstream. As such, it's no surprise to find dwellers interacting with the environment through gestures and voice to control interactive cooking surfaces in the kitchen and the digital wall paper in the kids' room. More prophetic perhaps, the promise that "one day your computer will be a big-ass table" appears to be coming true in the dining room. Take the tour in video form after the break.

Continue reading Video: Microsoft's Future really does make your computer a big-ass table

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Video: Microsoft's Future really does make your computer a big-ass table originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 14 May 2009 02:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Clayton Homes, a US-based company which makes and sells manufactured (prefab) homes, is getting in on the i-naming game with their latest bit of construction. The iHouse is a prefabricated, customizable house that is so energy efficient that Clayton estimates it costs about $1 per day to cover all of its electricity and heating needs. The house makes use of solar panels, energy-efficient appliances, thick walls, heavy insulation, a rainwater-catching system, a tankless water heater, and dual flush toilets to meet its eco-friendly goals. The company, which sold about 30,000 manufactured homes last year, thinks that the iHouse could quickly come to represent about 10 percent of its business. Prototypes of the house -- which at around 1,000 square feet costs $140,000 completely furnished -- are popping up all over the US, and as of last Saturday, are officially on sale nationwide. One more photo after the break.

[Via Yahoo News]

Continue reading Eco-friendly Clayton iHouse on sale, coming to a highbrow trailer park near you

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Eco-friendly Clayton iHouse on sale, coming to a highbrow trailer park near you originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 May 2009 11:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>awesomeclayton homesClaytonHomesecoeco friendlyEcoFriendlyihousemodular homemodular homesModularHomeModularHomesprefabsolarsolar powered homesolar powered houseSolarPoweredHomeSolarPoweredHouseThu, 07 May 2009 11:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Quantum dots make for more pleasing LED lamps]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/06/quantum-dots-make-for-more-pleasing-led-lamps/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/06/quantum-dots-make-for-more-pleasing-led-lamps/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/06/quantum-dots-make-for-more-pleasing-led-lamps/#commentsQuantum dots make for more pleasing LED lamps
Many who grew up beneath a warm, inefficient incandescent or halogen glow are having a hard time coming to grips with the stale, stiff, efficient illumination provided by CFL or LED bulbs. Two companies, Nexxus Lighting and QD Vision, have paired up to change that, with the former providing an 8 watt (75 watt equivalent) LED bulb, and the latter providing a thin film of quantum dots that can precisely control its color. The dots are microscopic particles that filter light into different colors depending on their size, from red to blue as the dots get smaller -- some only 10 atoms in diameter. The first bulbs are due later this year, and while no word on price is given, Nexxus's current LED bulb costs $100 on its own and surely that layer of dots won't come cheap. Also, no word on whether you'll need to use a Handlink to turn the thing on and off.

[Via Physorg]

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Quantum dots make for more pleasing LED lamps originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 May 2009 07:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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James Dyson, the man who single-handedly transformed the vacuum cleaner from a symbol of domestic oppression to an object of techno-lust, is back on the scene with not one, but a whole coterie of kitchen appliances designed to save space -- by sticking 'em in a box. No longer must Americans stand for tea kettles shaped like tea kettles, toasters shaped like toasters, or for juicers... you get the idea. What's more, these guys are all designed to work together: controls are uniformly placed on the top or front panels, with devices sharing common power supplies. As it stands, this is all currently little more than a story dreamt up on the basis of a patent, fodder for a slow news day, and something which neither Dyson nor his colleagues commit to actually making a real reality -- even if patent US 2009/0095729 tells us a different story. But what the hell? A guy can dream, right?

[Via Core77]

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Domestic visionary Dyson's totally square kitchen originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 May 2009 16:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We've seen brain-controlled wheelchairs in the past, but we've never seen them in action. This one, developed and built at the University of Zaragoza in Spain, uses an EEG cap worn on the head, using a P300 neurophysiological protocol and automated navigation. The user sees a real-time visualization of his surroundings on the screen in front of him, and then concentrates on the space which he wants to navigate to. The EEG detects the location, which is then transmitted to the autonomous navigation system, which then drives the chair to the desired location, avoiding any obstacles that might be in the way. Once the location has been chosen, the user can sit back and relax while the chair does all the work, making the use of the system far less mentally exhausting than some previous iterations which demand constant concentration on the target. Although there is no information about commercial availability of the wheelchair, it has been successfully tested by five different participants in a study. There's a video with a more detailed explanation of its impressive operation after the break.

Continue reading Mind-controlled wheelchair prototype is truly, insanely awesome

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Mind-controlled wheelchair prototype is truly, insanely awesome originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 04 May 2009 14:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brain controlbrain controlled movementBrainControlBrainControlledMovementbrian controlled wheelchairBrianControlledWheelchaireegmedicalmind controlmind controlled wheelchairMindControlMindControlledWheelchairUniversity of ZaragozaUniversityOfZaragozawheelchairzaragozaMon, 04 May 2009 14:54:00 EST<![CDATA[DIY ShiftBrite coffeetable a beautiful, headache-inducing conversation piece]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/04/diy-shiftbright-coffeetable-a-beautiful-headache-inducing-conve/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/04/diy-shiftbright-coffeetable-a-beautiful-headache-inducing-conve/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/04/diy-shiftbright-coffeetable-a-beautiful-headache-inducing-conve/#comments

Searching for the perfect coffeetable is a struggle we know well. DIYer macetech has sidestepped the whole "boring" furniture problem by installing 81 ShiftBrite LED modules into a 2x2 foot IKEA table which run a sine plasma into HSV/RGB conversion by way of an Arduino. Sure, it's probably not something your grandmother would want in her living room -- but your friends would undoubtedly be pretty jealous to see this thing hanging out in your place. Watch out for seizures, though. Video of the table in action after the break.

[Via Make]

Continue reading DIY ShiftBrite coffeetable a beautiful, headache-inducing conversation piece

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DIY ShiftBrite coffeetable a beautiful, headache-inducing conversation piece originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 04 May 2009 13:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arduinocoffeetablediyfurniturehomehouseholdikealedledsmacetechplasmarainbowshiftbritesinesine plasmaSinePlasmaMon, 04 May 2009 13:44:00 EST<![CDATA[PiSAT Solar's K-Light boasts a one-to-one charging ratio]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/29/pisat-solars-k-light-boasts-a-one-to-one-charging-ratio/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/29/pisat-solars-k-light-boasts-a-one-to-one-charging-ratio/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/29/pisat-solars-k-light-boasts-a-one-to-one-charging-ratio/#comments
It's pretty rare that a portable solar-based device offers much more utility than impressing your friends, but PiSAT Solar's K-Light won't only make you the coolest kid on your block: it might actually prove useful the next time you take a hike or find yourself hanging out in a developing country. In 10 hours of daylight charging the unit gathers up to 20 hours worth of battery power for use in the low-power 8 LED mode, or 10 hours of life if used in 16 LED mode. It's also switchable between flashlight and lantern modes. That should be great for campers, but where the K-Light really "shines" (so to speak) is in places like Africa, where villagers without electricity often use makeshift kerosene lanterns for light at night. K-Light is designed for up to 10 years of full daily use in such a scenario, and PiSAT is working on an adapter to let the lantern's battery also charge a cellphone. At $50 a pop, the barrier to entry isn't incredibly high, and PiSAT is working with the Koinonia Foundation to provide start-up grants of K-Lights to groups of African women to create local businesses selling the lights. One-off purchases are also available now online for us non-entrepreneurial types.

Gallery: PiSAT Solar's K-Light boasts a one-to-one charging ratio

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PiSAT Solar's K-Light boasts a one-to-one charging ratio originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Apr 2009 22:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>africaflashlightk-lightlanternpisatsolarsolar lanternsolar lightSolarLanternSolarLightWed, 29 Apr 2009 22:11:00 EST<![CDATA[ZigBee adding IP capabilities to its wireless devices, Texas Instruments likey]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/27/zigbee-adding-ip-capabilities-to-its-wireless-devices-texas-ins/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/27/zigbee-adding-ip-capabilities-to-its-wireless-devices-texas-ins/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/27/zigbee-adding-ip-capabilities-to-its-wireless-devices-texas-ins/#commentsZigBee adding IP capabilities to its wireless devices, Texas Instruments likey
We've seen ZigBee wireless functionality showing up in everything from remote controls to robots, but apparently that was all just the beginning. The Alliance has announced plans to expand its low-power standards to support Internet Protocol, a move that member-company Texas Instruments is apparently quite pleased about -- perhaps seeing an opportunity to make up some of those declining sales in the mobile phone area. IP connectivity in all sorts of random devices should open the door for plenty of exciting and new-fangled connectivity options, all of which can only mean one thing: dung beetle MMO.

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ZigBee adding IP capabilities to its wireless devices, Texas Instruments likey originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Apr 2009 09:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>internet protocolInternetProtocoliptexas instrumentsTexasInstrumentstiwirelesszigbeezigbee allianceZigbeeAllianceMon, 27 Apr 2009 09:34:00 EST<![CDATA[mypressi TWIST gives espresso addicts an easier way to indulge]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/27/mypressi-twist-gives-espresso-addicts-an-easier-way-to-indulge/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/27/mypressi-twist-gives-espresso-addicts-an-easier-way-to-indulge/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/27/mypressi-twist-gives-espresso-addicts-an-easier-way-to-indulge/#comments
You know the story -- your daily craving for a shot of espresso hits right around 7:30AM local time, and if you don't have it in your grasp by 0800 hours, you're likely visiting the slammer for at least a day or two for barista battery. In a beautiful effort to keep addicts far away from prisons and ever closer to their productivity machines, Espressi has unveiled the mypressi TWIST, which is described as a truly portable espresso maker that delivers top-notch goods without the wait. The secret to the one-pound device is the pneumatic engine that provides constant pressure throughout the extraction cycle, and we're told that a single CO2 cartridge can provide around eight shots. It'll hit American shores this fall for $129 -- 'til then, it's on you to keep a local shop on retainer.

[Via Single Serve Expresso]

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mypressi TWIST gives espresso addicts an easier way to indulge originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Apr 2009 08:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>coffeedrinkEspressiEspressofoodmypressi TWISTMypressiTwistpneumatictwistMon, 27 Apr 2009 08:53:00 EST<![CDATA[Philips shows off Lumiblade OLED lighting concepts]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/23/philips-shows-off-lumiblade-oled-lighting-concepts/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/23/philips-shows-off-lumiblade-oled-lighting-concepts/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/23/philips-shows-off-lumiblade-oled-lighting-concepts/#comments
As promised, Philips has now taken the wraps off its first few Lumiblade OLED lighting concepts which, judging from Philips' boasting, could well change your life and ours. Now on display at the Euroluce International Lighting Fair in Milan, the concepts are divided into consumer and professional groups, the former of which includes ceiling-mounted products like the one pictured above, as well as some slightly more straightforward desk lamps like the one pictured after the break. What's more, each lighting device also boasts at least some degree of interactivity, including the ability to recognize hand gestures or, in the case of the professional lighting fixtures, react to passers-by. Interestingly, however, none of the products are actually full-on OLED lamps, with each also supplemented by some LUXEON Power LEDs to provide some more usable lighting.

Continue reading Philips shows off Lumiblade OLED lighting concepts

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Philips shows off Lumiblade OLED lighting concepts originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Apr 2009 15:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>lamplightinglumibladeluxeonluxeon ledluxeon power ledLuxeonLedLuxeonPowerLedoledphilipsphilips lumibladePhilipsLumibladeThu, 23 Apr 2009 15:46:00 EST<![CDATA[Husqvarna's SMS-enabled Automower 260 ACX: ur lawnz mowed kk?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/23/husqvarnas-sms-enabled-automower-260-acx-ur-lawnz-mowed-kk/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/23/husqvarnas-sms-enabled-automower-260-acx-ur-lawnz-mowed-kk/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/23/husqvarnas-sms-enabled-automower-260-acx-ur-lawnz-mowed-kk/#comments
Good news for unmanned lawnmower enthusiasts (we know there are at least two of you out there). Husqvarna's latest, the Automower 260 ACX, can be programmed to send you an SMS text message if something should interrupt the mow job -- because sometimes looking outside to see if your robot is still tending to the lawn is just too much to ask. This bad boy gets an hour on a single charge -- which should be plenty of time to take down about half an acre of lawn -- and upon returning to its docking station, the battery is recharged in roughly forty minutes. Recommended retail price: €4,000 (that's over $5,200). No word yet on a stateside release.

[Via News Market]

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Husqvarna's SMS-enabled Automower 260 ACX: ur lawnz mowed kk? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Apr 2009 15:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>260 ACX260Acxautomowerautomower 260 ACXAutomower260Acxautonomouschoreshusqvarnahusqvarna automowerhusqvarna automower 260 ACXHusqvarnaAutomowerHusqvarnaAutomower260Acxlawnlawn mowerLawnMowerrobotrobot lawnmowerRobotLawnmowerThu, 23 Apr 2009 15:23:00 EST<![CDATA[AT&T CallVantage: fare thee well, we hardly knew ye]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/23/atandt-callvantage-fare-thee-well-we-hardly-knew-ye/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/23/atandt-callvantage-fare-thee-well-we-hardly-knew-ye/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/23/atandt-callvantage-fare-thee-well-we-hardly-knew-ye/#comments CallVantage may have survived being sued by Vonage, but there's one thing it couldn't survive -- progress. After thrilling us for some time now by magically transmitting people's "voice" over something called the "internet," AT&T's VoIP service will begin weening off customers over the course of this year. Folks will be able to switch to either another AT&T service, transfer to another service provider, or drop off the communications grid altogether -- where they will finally have the opportunity to spend their lives in solemn contemplation, with nothing but the babbling brook, the sweet sound of songbirds, and a journal of their thoughts to keep them occupied. The company says that it's pulling the plug to concentrate on its U-verse voice service, which can only mean one thing: Watson's got to them. We knew that guy was up to no good.

[Via MobileTechNews]

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AT&T CallVantage: fare thee well, we hardly knew ye originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Apr 2009 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ATTatt a-verseATT CallVantageAttA-verseAttCallvantagecallvantageu-versevoipThu, 23 Apr 2009 13:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Verizon Hub getting price cut Friday -- Hub 2 drawing near?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/23/verizon-hub-getting-price-cut-friday-hub-2-drawing-near/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/23/verizon-hub-getting-price-cut-friday-hub-2-drawing-near/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/23/verizon-hub-getting-price-cut-friday-hub-2-drawing-near/#comments
Verizon's landline-slaying (read: self-slaying) Hub will be getting a $50 price cut on a two-year contract come this Friday, which brings the grand total down to $149.99; alternatively, you'll now be able to get it for $219.99 on a one-year commitment or $299.99 completely devoid of the legal paperwork. According to the shot we have, Verizon is "reinventing" the price, but let's be honest -- either this thing isn't selling worth a damn or they'd like to move some inventory in preparation for the Hub 2 launch. Either way, it's an exciting time to be in the market.

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Verizon Hub getting price cut Friday -- Hub 2 drawing near? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Apr 2009 00:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hubhub 2Hub2verizonverizon wirelessVerizonWirelessvzwThu, 23 Apr 2009 00:13:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: iHouse SmartFaucet with face recognition is more smug than smart]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/21/video-ihouse-smartfaucet-with-face-recognition-is-borderline-sm/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/21/video-ihouse-smartfaucet-with-face-recognition-is-borderline-sm/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/21/video-ihouse-smartfaucet-with-face-recognition-is-borderline-sm/#comments Ready for the ultimate in convergence overkill? Meet the SmartFaucet from iHouse; a tap with built-in face recognition technology that automatically adjusts the water pressure and temperature to your preferred settings. The touchscreen display even features widgets for at-a-glance access to eMail, appointments, and the outside temperature while LEDs illuminate the flow with temperature matching colors. iHouse's Fadec (pictured after the break) also adds face recognition to a 2.8-inch in-house remote control. That little trick allows the remote to respond to pre-programmed scenes (think AC, lighting, audio) customized by inhabitant. Too much? Never.

[Via BornRich]

Continue reading Video: iHouse SmartFaucet with face recognition is more smug than smart

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Video: iHouse SmartFaucet with face recognition is more smug than smart originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Apr 2009 05:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bathroomface recognitionFaceRecognitionfadecfaucethome automationHomeAutomationihousesmartfaucetTue, 21 Apr 2009 05:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Solar-powered 'guiltless green' home theater system makes your Wall-E Blu-ray very happy]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/18/solar-powered-guiltless-green-home-theater-system-makes-your-w/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/18/solar-powered-guiltless-green-home-theater-system-makes-your-w/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/18/solar-powered-guiltless-green-home-theater-system-makes-your-w/#comments When Home Theater Specialists of America (HTSA) executive director Richard Glikes wanted a home theater system, he didn't just max it out with the best high definition equipment. He also thought to run it entirely from solar energy from four roof-mounted panels that produce an aggregate of 700 watts per hour in sunlight. It'll reportedly run things for 19 hours straight without having to dip into your traditional power grid. Hardware-wise, we're talking about a 100-inch screen, Sharp projector, six SpeakerCraft in-wall speakers, Integra AV receiver, Lutron lighting, and a universal remote. See how it was made, with the help of time-lapse photography and 1980s infomercial-genre background music, in the video after the break.

Continue reading Solar-powered 'guiltless green' home theater system makes your Wall-E Blu-ray very happy

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Solar-powered 'guiltless green' home theater system makes your Wall-E Blu-ray very happy originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 18 Apr 2009 11:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ecoeco-friendlyenvironmentalenvironmentally friendlyEnvironmentallyFriendlygreenhome theaterhome theater specialists of americaHomeTheaterHomeTheaterSpecialistsOfAmericahtsaintegralutronrichard glikesRichardGlikessharpsolarsolar panelsolar powerSolarPanelSolarPowerspeaker craftSpeakerCraftSat, 18 Apr 2009 11:42:00 EST