Engadget http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Tetris played on 6-foot LED matrix, controlled by DDR mat]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/17/tetris-played-on-6-foot-led-matrix-controlled-by-ddr-mat/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/17/tetris-played-on-6-foot-led-matrix-controlled-by-ddr-mat/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/17/tetris-played-on-6-foot-led-matrix-controlled-by-ddr-mat/#comments 6-foot Tetris controlled by DDR mats Watching two people play Tetris against each other is only slightly more entertaining than watching your stoner friends duke it in marathon Tekken sessions (read: not entertaining at all). But, we guarantee the video after the break is more interesting than it sounds. A trio of MIT students recreated the classic falling block game with six-foot tall arrays of LEDs (no cutesy Russia-inspired graphics here) and passed control duties off to a pair of Dance Dance Revolution mats. Look, just check out the video below and, if you're the ambitious type, you can get the code to create your own Tetris installation at the more source link.

[Thanks, Russell]

Continue reading Tetris played on 6-foot LED matrix, controlled by DDR mat

Tetris played on 6-foot LED matrix, controlled by DDR mat originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 17 Sep 2011 01:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Dance Dance RevolutionDanceDanceRevolutionDDRDIYgiant tetrisGiantTetrisinstallationLEDsMITtetrisvideoSat, 17 Sep 2011 01:55:00 EST<![CDATA[DARwin-OP does the up, down, left, right DDR shuffle (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/26/darwin-op-does-the-up-down-left-right-ddr-shuffle-video/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/26/darwin-op-does-the-up-down-left-right-ddr-shuffle-video/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/26/darwin-op-does-the-up-down-left-right-ddr-shuffle-video/#comments Some robots like to help around the house, others fulfill your Pixar fantasies, but this one's just training to boogie. Part of a summer long research project, DARwin-OP is taking a master class in Dance Dance Revolution from its amateur roboticist Geppetto. Perched atop a homestyle-DDR pad, the batman-like doppleganger bot does more of a slow shuffle step than full-on Running Man thanks to a slight bout of vertigo -- hence the balance bar. Once that minor kink gets straightened out, expect to see this dancefloor maniac add visual input to its repertoire -- letting televised arrows be its coordinated dance-off guide. Jump past the break for a video demo of the open platform automaton in action.

Continue reading DARwin-OP does the up, down, left, right DDR shuffle (video)

DARwin-OP does the up, down, left, right DDR shuffle (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 Jul 2011 13:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>botdance dance revolutionDanceDanceRevolutiondancing robotDancingRobotDARwin-OPDDRrobotroboticistroboticistsroboticsvideoTue, 26 Jul 2011 13:07:00 EST<![CDATA[MeeGo Conference 2011 sights and sounds (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/25/meego-conference-2011-sights-and-sounds-video/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/25/meego-conference-2011-sights-and-sounds-video/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/25/meego-conference-2011-sights-and-sounds-video/#comments So the MeeGo Conference is winding down here in San Francisco and we have prowled the exhibitor area over the past couple of days to bring you a taste of what's stimulated our eyes and ears at the event so far. We got to play with the Indamixx 2 music tablet -- basically an iiView M1Touch Pine Trail tablet running an audio-optimized build of MeeGoo 1.2 Tablet UX, which features a customized kernel for more real-time control and better audio scheduling. It's expected to ship for $700 in "June or July" complete with DAW and DJ apps.

Next we came across a MeeGo-based in-vehicle entertainment system that's currently available in cars from Chinese manufacturer Hawtai Motor. The device is Atom-powered, includes 3G connectivity, and provides navigation, communication, audio / video playback (for both stored and streamed content), along with Internet access. We saw a MeeGo app that gathers contact information on a form, sends it to an NFC-equipped Nokia C7, and writes it to a blank RFID tag. The tag can then be read by any NFC-capable phone, such as Google's Nexus S.

A fun conference isn't complete without some games, and we were treated to a homebrew, QML-based Dance Dance Revolution clone running on MeeGo, written using just a few hundred lines of code. Speaking of QML, we got a demo of another in-vehicle entertainment system with built-in instrumentation. This MeeGo app was designed to interface with a MegaSquirt open source ECU and display engine and other car data on a set of virtual gauges -- this in addition to performing the usual audio and navigation tasks. Check out our gallery below, then grab a snack and hit the break for our 15-minute hands-on video.

Gallery: MeeGo Conference 2011 sights and sounds

Continue reading MeeGo Conference 2011 sights and sounds (video)

MeeGo Conference 2011 sights and sounds (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 25 May 2011 09:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>C7Dance Dance RevolutionDanceDanceRevolutionDDRhands-onhawtaiHawtai MotorHawtaiMotoricsiiViewiiView M1TouchIiviewM1touchIndamixx 2Indamixx2IntelM1TouchMeeGoMeeGo Conferencemeego conference 2011MeegoConferenceMeegoConference2011MegaSquirtNFCNokiaNokia C7NokiaC7QMLRFIDtabletTablet UXTabletUxvideoWed, 25 May 2011 09:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Super Talent debuts CoreStore MV, super small, super fast mini PCIe SSD]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/23/super-talent-debuts-corestore-mv-super-small-super-fast-mini-p/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/23/super-talent-debuts-corestore-mv-super-small-super-fast-mini-p/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/23/super-talent-debuts-corestore-mv-super-small-super-fast-mini-p/#commentsSuper Talent is living up to its name today with the release of the world's "smallest and fastest" mini PCIe SSD. When we last took a look at the company's mini PCIe offerings, they were rocking 40MBps reads and 15MBps writes, but with the release of the new CoreStore SSD line, these exceptional storage makers have destroyed those 2009 specs with speeds topping out at 350MBps and 80MBps. The speedy CoreStore MV measures a mere 30mm x 50.95mm, combines Marvell's latest controller with DDR ONFi 2 flash, and is compatible with netbooks, notebooks, and other devices sporting a second gen mini-PCIe slot. Those devices working a standard PCIe slot can expect 350MBps reads and 220MBps writes with MV's big brother, the CoreStore MP. Both drives come in 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB and should be available starting next month at an undisclosed price -- though we figure true speed freaks will pay just about anything to get their fix. Jonesing for specs? Check out the source link below.

Super Talent debuts CoreStore MV, super small, super fast mini PCIe SSD originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 Feb 2011 09:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Corestore MPCorestore MVCorestoreMpCorestoreMvDDRflashflash memoryFlashMemorymarvellmarvell controllerMarvellControllermemorymini PCIemini PCie SSDMiniPcieMiniPcieSsdpciepcie ssdPcieSsdPciExpresssolid state driveSolidStateDriveSSDsuper talentSuper Talent Corestore MPSuper Talent CoreStore MVSuperTalentSuperTalentCorestoreMpSuperTalentCorestoreMvWed, 23 Feb 2011 09:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Samsung develops DDR4 memory with up to 40 percent better energy efficiency than DDR3]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/04/samsung-develops-ddr4-memory-with-up-to-40-percent-better-energy/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/04/samsung-develops-ddr4-memory-with-up-to-40-percent-better-energy/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/04/samsung-develops-ddr4-memory-with-up-to-40-percent-better-energy/#comments Samsung's famed lead in component manufacturing is being extended today with the announcement of a DDR4 DRAM stick that can perform read and write operations using up to 40 percent less power than the old/current DDR3 stuff. Bandwidth maxes out at 2.13Gbps at 1.2V, while Pseudo Open Drain technology assists in minimizing the battery impact. Over time, Samsung projects the new DRAM modules will hit 4Gbps speeds. It's working away with server makers right now in order to achieve JEDEC certification, but the target market will clearly be laptops and other mobile devices, where energy-frugal memory like this would best be appreciated. Check out Samsung's PR after the break.

Continue reading Samsung develops DDR4 memory with up to 40 percent better energy efficiency than DDR3

Samsung develops DDR4 memory with up to 40 percent better energy efficiency than DDR3 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Jan 2011 12:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>30nmcomponentcomponentsddrddr4dramjedecmemorypseudo open drainPseudoOpenDrainramsamsungTue, 04 Jan 2011 12:43:00 EST<![CDATA[Samsung and Toshiba double-down on 400Mbps DDR 2.0 NAND flash memory standard]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/23/samsung-and-toshiba-double-down-on-400mbps-ddr-2-0-nand-flash-me/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/23/samsung-and-toshiba-double-down-on-400mbps-ddr-2-0-nand-flash-me/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/23/samsung-and-toshiba-double-down-on-400mbps-ddr-2-0-nand-flash-me/#commentsSamsung and Toshiba double-down on 400Mbps DDR 2.0 NAND flash memory standardOur Peter Cetera album collection isn't exactly getting any larger, yet despite the progress of technology every time we get a new smartphone pulling over all those soothing hits never seems to get any faster. Even a fool can see laggy NAND flash memory is the culprit, and Samsung and Toshiba have a fix with a new DDR NAND flash standard. It offers 400Mbps transfer rates thanks to what they're calling "toggle DDR 2.0," similar to the tech in Samsung's latest SSD, effectively boiling down to a 30nm asynchronous design that's three times quicker than current DDR 1.0 NAND chips. Both companies are opening this standard for others, and hoping that their work will be the inspiration for faster devices and SSDs worldwide.

Continue reading Samsung and Toshiba double-down on 400Mbps DDR 2.0 NAND flash memory standard

Samsung and Toshiba double-down on 400Mbps DDR 2.0 NAND flash memory standard originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 23 Jul 2010 05:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>asynchronousddrddr 2.0ddr2Ddr2.0flashflash memoryFlashMemorynandsamsungssdtoggletoggle ddr technologyToggleDdrTechnologytoshibaFri, 23 Jul 2010 05:57:00 EST<![CDATA[DDR your GBA]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/17/ddr-your-gba/http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/17/ddr-your-gba/http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/17/ddr-your-gba/#comments
This one's a little messy, and involves the death of a perfectly likeable DDR pad, but it's all for a good cause. Jason1820 modded up his DDR pad to control his Game Boy Advance, and got himself a good game of Pac-Man going. The video after the break demonstrates the very type of hijinks that can ensue, and also serves as a helpful reminder why Nintendo was insane not to include a backlight in original Advance. Yeah, we're still bitter about that.

[Thanks, Joe]

Continue reading DDR your GBA

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DDR your GBA originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Dec 2007 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ddrgame boy advanceGameBoyAdvancehackmodMon, 17 Dec 2007 09:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Rock Band, Guitar Hero, and DDR get cheap rip-offs]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/11/25/rock-band-guitar-hero-and-ddr-get-cheap-rip-offs/http://www.engadget.com/2007/11/25/rock-band-guitar-hero-and-ddr-get-cheap-rip-offs/http://www.engadget.com/2007/11/25/rock-band-guitar-hero-and-ddr-get-cheap-rip-offs/#comments
When you're out trawling for a copy of the rapidly selling out Rock Band, you may run into a cheap knock-off or two of the rhythm game genre. Our tipster spotted several units including a Guitar and DDR imitation in Macy's, and a Drum game in another store. All of them plug directly into a TV, but none are particularly cheap at around $40 each. The usual target audience for these kind of gadgets are unsuspecting parents looking for a present for the kids, so make sure you include a rigorous education program in the perils of game rip-offs when you hand in your holiday wish-list.

[Thanks, Seth]

Read - Guitar Superstar
Read - Dance Mania
Read - Drum Star

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Rock Band, Guitar Hero, and DDR get cheap rip-offs originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 25 Nov 2007 12:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Dance Dance RevolutionDance ManiaDanceDanceRevolutionDanceManiaDDRDrum StarDrumStarGuitar HeroGuitar SuperstarGuitarHeroGuitarSuperstarRock BandRockBandSun, 25 Nov 2007 12:56:00 EST<![CDATA[Laser dance matrix lets you rock out right on the floor]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/06/laser-dance-matrix-lets-you-rock-out-right-on-the-floor/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/06/laser-dance-matrix-lets-you-rock-out-right-on-the-floor/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/06/laser-dance-matrix-lets-you-rock-out-right-on-the-floor/#comments
Dragging dance pad tech out of the PowerPad age, Applied Sciences' Laser Dance Matrix eliminates all the moving parts (except yours). The "pad" features four laser diodes interfaced with the guts of a Logitech Gamepad, triggering a buttonpress when your foot breaks a beam. The designers say that gameplay is similar to any other dancepad, with the notable difference of dancing on directly on the floor, which seems like a huge improvement to us. We just hope they take the next logical step and combine this with one of those LED dance floors that keep popping up -- talk about an instant party. The unit is just a prototype for now, but Applied Sciences is gauging interest to see if they should build them -- hit the read link to demand your laser dance upgrade.

[Via Hack A Day]

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Laser dance matrix lets you rock out right on the floor originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 06 May 2007 00:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applied sciencesAppliedSciencesdancedance padDancePadDDRlaserstepmaniaSun, 06 May 2007 00:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Motivatrix's MX9 Workout Master replaces aging stationary bike]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/04/03/motivatrixs-mx9-workout-master-replaces-aging-stationary-bike/http://www.engadget.com/2007/04/03/motivatrixs-mx9-workout-master-replaces-aging-stationary-bike/http://www.engadget.com/2007/04/03/motivatrixs-mx9-workout-master-replaces-aging-stationary-bike/#comments
Dance Dance Revolution has certainly helped pave the way for the health-conscious set to exercise whilst gaming, and even the Wii has sparked an outbreak of get-fit kids who endure hours of Wii Sports just to melt off those pounds, and now Motivatrix is hoping to get its exercise / gaming machine hybrid into your fitness room in place of that not-so-thrilling elliptical. The MX9 Workout Master mimics existing DDR systems in design, but it manages to feature a number of internal games inside to keep your workout sessions fresh. Additionally, the machine not only recognizes fancy footwork, but built-in sensors can understand arm flailing as well, and you can even "jam out to your own music" while breakin' a sweat. Most interesting, however, is the fact that its also an internet-enabled machine, meaning that exercise freaks across the land can compete against one another, giving even the least motivated individuals something to work for. No timetable was noted as to when we'd see these things hitting sporting goods sections, but until we get a crack at "Calorie Killer," we'll just stick with Simmer Down Sprinter.

[Via CNET]

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Motivatrix's MX9 Workout Master replaces aging stationary bike originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 Apr 2007 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Dance Dance RevolutionDanceDanceRevolutionddrexerciseinternetMotivatrixMX9 Workout MasterMx9WorkoutMasterParrish GraumannParrishGraumannsensorsensorsweight lossWeightLossworkoutTue, 03 Apr 2007 10:01:00 EST<![CDATA[West Virginia expands Dance Dance Revolution program]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/02/02/west-virginia-expands-dance-dance-revolution-program/http://www.engadget.com/2007/02/02/west-virginia-expands-dance-dance-revolution-program/http://www.engadget.com/2007/02/02/west-virginia-expands-dance-dance-revolution-program/#commentsAlthough Snowshoe, Winterplace, and Canaan Valley (to name a few) are just getting cranked for the winter ski rush, it seems like the locals are the last ones hitting the slopes and burnin' through the calories, but there's just no escaping the workouts if you attend a West Virginia public school. Following the first round of Dance Dance Revolution implementations in the school systems, the state has now announced intentions to stick with the program for awhile longer. Apparently, children who participated in the trials were able to maintain their weight and "saw a reduction in some risk factors for heart disease and diabetes," and now plans are to put DDR in every single public school statewide. Furthermore, children who hopped on the mats for a frenzied round or two ended up feeling "more comfortable" participating in other extracurricular activities, somewhat proving that video games don't breed killers. Nah, there's no word on whether the principal / teachers will be fiercely competing with the kiddos, but we're not holding our collective breath.

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West Virginia expands Dance Dance Revolution program originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 02 Feb 2007 21:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dance danceDanceDanceddrexerciseobesityschoolschoolsweightwest virginiaWestVirginiawvaFri, 02 Feb 2007 21:06:00 EST<![CDATA[$300,000 worth of Hynix DDR RAM modules hijacked]]>http://www.engadget.com/2006/12/30/300-000-worth-of-hynix-ddr-ram-modules-hijacked/http://www.engadget.com/2006/12/30/300-000-worth-of-hynix-ddr-ram-modules-hijacked/http://www.engadget.com/2006/12/30/300-000-worth-of-hynix-ddr-ram-modules-hijacked/#commentsIt seems the traditional method of acquiring goods -- you know, that "money for product" approach we've been testing out for centuries -- is going to the wayside quite often these days, as yet another major heist has gone down in Taiwan. Twenty boxes of Hynix Semiconductor DDR RAM modules were stolen yesterday, as a trio of assailants reportedly used a machete and stun gun to threaten the driver. The hijacking is likely a planned, organized move, as reports say that the thieves were seen headed to the airport, where they probably hopped a flight to China. Interestingly, it was stated that "ownership of the chips is still unknown," a fact that's sure to make insurance companies drool, considering the $306,000 of missing goods that somebody is going to be out for. Incidents like this do wonders in making those $169 GPS / RFID adornments seem fairly inexpensive, eh?

[Via Inquirer]

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$300,000 worth of Hynix DDR RAM modules hijacked originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 30 Dec 2006 01:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crimecriminalddrdramhijackedhynixramstealstolenTaiwantheftSat, 30 Dec 2006 01:27:00 EST<![CDATA[The Pipeline: Pundits go Wii!]]>http://www.engadget.com/2006/04/30/the-pipeline-pundits-go-wii/http://www.engadget.com/2006/04/30/the-pipeline-pundits-go-wii/http://www.engadget.com/2006/04/30/the-pipeline-pundits-go-wii/#commentsWelcome back to The Pipeline, a weekly feature where we dig through the mainstream media and see what the pundits, prognosticators and and pencil pushers have been discussing over the past week.

This week, the media was all over Nintendo's announcement that the gaming console formerly codenamed Revolution would henceforth be known as Wii. And, not surprisingly, most of the mainstream journos covering the story concurred with our assessment that the name somehow isn't going to wiin Niintendo any kudos. "Is Nintendo being desperately silly to attract attention, or is it just desperately short of clue?" asked the Guardian, while the Financial Times headlined its article "Wii aren't too sure about this." However, Nintendo did have at least one defender, Michael Pachter of Wedbush Morgan Securities, who pointed out that "N-Gage and Gizmondo are cool names" that didn't help those products win many fans. "Consumers relate to the coolness of the product, not the name." Wii'll see, Michael, Wii'll see.

Of course, the Wii announcement wasn't the only story in the news this week, and the mainstream press managed to crank out a few other interesting nuggets. USA Today took a look at the Pioneer Inno, and declared it "a winner," while The New York Times looked at the growing number of home docking systems for cellphones. Meanwhile, Forbes looked at another way to use cellphones at home, checking out the market for UMA-enabled handsets. Our favorite media hit this week, though, came from the Washington Post, which took an in-depth look at the DDR-as-exercise phenom, with the paper's reporter declaring, "Hello, my name is Caroline, and I'm addicted to 'Dance Dance Revolution.'" Hey, at least she's not addicted to the Wii.

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The Pipeline: Pundits go Wii! originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 30 Apr 2006 11:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cellphonesdance dance revolutionddrfeaturesinnolandlinesnintendopioneerportable audioportableaudiorevolutionthe pipelineThePipelineumawifiwiixmSun, 30 Apr 2006 11:24:00 EST<![CDATA[MPC TransPort T3200 business laptop]]>http://www.engadget.com/2006/04/25/mpc-transport-t3200-business-laptop/http://www.engadget.com/2006/04/25/mpc-transport-t3200-business-laptop/http://www.engadget.com/2006/04/25/mpc-transport-t3200-business-laptop/#commentsMPC Computers just announced their stoic little TransPort T3200 laptop targeting high-end, security-minded professionals. If that's your gig sonny, then listen up. The T3200 gets it done with a full line-up of Intel Core Duo processor options, up to 2GB DDR2 RAM, 120GB S-ATA (5400RPM) disks, DVD/RW combo drive, 802.11a/b/g WiFi, Bluetooth, integrated fingerprint scanner, and 15.4-inch WSXGA (1680 x 1050) display driven by ATI Mobility X1600 graphics for right around $3,000 large, fully-spec'd. Slap in an optional GPS and GPRS module and set the workers free!

[Via MobileWhack]

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MPC TransPort T3200 business laptop originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 25 Apr 2006 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>15.4core duoCoreDuoDDRgprsgpslaptopnotebookradeonS-ATATue, 25 Apr 2006 08:00:00 EST