Engadget

CableWiFi ties up 50,000 WiFi hotspots for cable subscribers to share

Daniel Cooper — Mon, 21 May 2012 07:26:00 EST

When it comes to supergroups, The Traveling Wilbury's haven't got anything on these guys. Bright House, Cablevision, Comcast, Cox and Time Warner are teaming up to share around 50,000 metro WiFi hotspots for their customers, under the banner of "CableWiFi." New York City and the Tri-State area, Los Angeles, Tampa, Orlando and Philadelphia will be among the first to get the service, with growth to more cities pledged for the future. If nothing else, it should be a good way to stick it to the man when he snatches your unlimited data plan.

Continue reading CableWiFi ties up 50,000 WiFi hotspots for cable subscribers to share

CableWiFi ties up 50,000 WiFi hotspots for cable subscribers to share originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 21 May 2012 07:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mobile Miscellany: week of March 12th, 2012

Zachary Lutz — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 19:06:00 EST

Not all mobile news is destined for the front page, but if you're like us and really want to know what's going on, then you've come to the right place. This past week, we've seen T-Mobile expand its network coverage and take an argument to the FCC regarding interoperability requirements of the 700MHz band. These stories and more await after the break. So buy the ticket and take the ride as we explore the "best of the rest" for this week of March 12th, 2012.

Continue reading Mobile Miscellany: week of March 12th, 2012

Mobile Miscellany: week of March 12th, 2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 17 Mar 2012 19:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Verizon Wireless gives birth to first LTE COW in Florida, we're still waiting for a celebratory cigar

Zachary Lutz — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 08:35:00 EST

They're not keen on providing milk, and we've never found evidence to suggest that Verizon's COWs are indeed happy COWs, but Big Red has welcomed a new arrival to its family: the company's first LTE-equipped cell-on-wheels. Measuring in at 1,080 inches tall and weighing a stunning 24,000 pounds, the self-powered transmitter will begin rolling across Florida to handle demand spikes during major events and to serve as a backup communications solution for emergency response scenarios. Although just an infant, it's capable of handling hundreds of simultaneous calls and data transmissions. Spoken like a thrilled papa, Verizon gushed, "We're very proud of this new baby, and glowing about our 4G LTE services around the state." You'll find all the carrier's cheers in the PR after the break.

Continue reading Verizon Wireless gives birth to first LTE COW in Florida, we're still waiting for a celebratory cigar

Verizon Wireless gives birth to first LTE COW in Florida, we're still waiting for a celebratory cigar originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Oct 2011 08:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple faces infringement lawsuit over fast booting patent once owned by LG

Amar Toor — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 10:11:00 EST

Apple's facing yet another patent infringement lawsuit -- this time, in Florida, where a company called Operating Systems Solutions (OSS) is taking aim at OS X's fast booting operation. According to court documents, the plaintiff alleges that Cupertino's function (most prominently displayed on this year's MacBook Air refresh) violates at least one protected claim, which details a four-step method for speedy booting, and involves files like config.sys and autoexec.bat (seriously). Interestingly enough, the patent in question was originally granted to LG Electronics, back in 2002, but is currently owned by the little-known OSS. It's still unclear whether or not LG has any involvement with the suit, but we'll bring you the details as soon as they emerge. In the meantime, you can hit the coverage link below to dig in to the full complaint.

[Thanks, Lucian]

Apple faces infringement lawsuit over fast booting patent once owned by LG originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Aug 2011 10:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Space Shuttle Endeavour lifts off one last time (video)

Brian Heater — Mon, 16 May 2011 12:02:00 EST

NASA's Endeavour shuttle marked its final launch today, lifting off from Cape Canaveral, Florida, a fortnight after an initial takeoff was scrubbed over concerns surrounding an auxiliary power unit heater. A six-member crew lead by commander Mark Kelly and some tiny satellites are on-board for the STS-134 mission, which involves the delivery of the massive cosmic ray-collecting Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer and some spare parts to the International Space Station. NASA's 134th flight is the penultimate mission for the current fleet of shuttle -- Atlantis will liftoff for a final time in July. Video of the smoke-filled majesty after the break.

Continue reading Space Shuttle Endeavour lifts off one last time (video)

Space Shuttle Endeavour lifts off one last time (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 16 May 2011 12:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Naked Florida man opens fire on SWAT bot with AK-47, no kidding

Christopher Trout — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 13:04:00 EST

"Investigators say they've never dealt with a naked man attacking a robot before." So starts perhaps the most insane local news story we've ever heard. According to an ABC affiliate in Florida, a disgruntled man, sporting nothing more than his birthday suit and an AK-47, opened fire on a robot last week, after threatening to shoot himself and anyone who crossed the threshold of his home. The $65,000 SWAT bot was sent in to investigate, and captured every inch of the man on video before being pumped full of bullets. Deputies say the man eventually surrendered fully-clothed and was taken for a mental evaluation. No word yet on when or if the footage will be released in a Robo COPS: Disrobed and Dangerous Special Edition. For now, you can check out video at the source link below.

Naked Florida man opens fire on SWAT bot with AK-47, no kidding originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Apr 2011 13:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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University of Central Florida's miniature laser diode aims to speed up networking

Richard Lai — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 16:18:00 EST

The use of laser as a means of data transmission is hardly anything new, but the current crop of laser diodes can only handle so much stress, provided that they don't fail in the first place. Luckily, the geniuses over at the University of Central Florida are about to deliver a smaller yet more intense and more reliable diode, which will lead to many more potential applications even beyond the scope of networking -- think cheaper, more effective hair removal. Little is said about how Professor Dennis Deppe's team made this possible, but once they work out how to optimize the operating voltage for better efficiency, Deppe reckons we'll see diode-embedded high speed, high bandwidth cables in the shops in four or five years' time. Seriously, we'd do anything to keep our latency low for some HD gaming action.

Continue reading University of Central Florida's miniature laser diode aims to speed up networking

University of Central Florida's miniature laser diode aims to speed up networking originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 Mar 2011 16:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Boeing's new unmanned X-37B launches into orbit, won't come home until it finds Major Tom

Sam Sheffer — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 02:01:00 EST

Model X-37B might look familiar to you -- it was the name of an autonomous space vehicle that took flight just about a year ago, orbited for a whopping eight months, and then successfully returned to our planet all by itself. Now a new version of the X-37B has blasted off to hang outside of the atmosphere for a while. The spacecraft left Cape Canaveral Launch Complex 41 down in Florida and hurtled to a low-Earth orbit with help of a Atlas V rocket. Boeing isn't saying exactly what it's doing up there, but we suspect this spaceship knows which way to go.

Continue reading Boeing's new unmanned X-37B launches into orbit, won't come home until it finds Major Tom

Boeing's new unmanned X-37B launches into orbit, won't come home until it finds Major Tom originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 08 Mar 2011 02:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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West Virginia county commission says MagicJack skipped out on 911 fees

Donald Melanson — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 15:31:00 EST

MagicJack has found itself in more than a few contentious confrontations before, and it looks like it's now landed in another with the Kanawha County Commission in ~~Florida~~ West Virginia. It's alleging that MagicJack has failed to collect 911 fees and in turn pay the funds to the county, which relies on the fees to fund its 911 emergency center -- or, as Kanawha County Commission President Kent Carper succinctly puts it, "there's nothing 'magic' about Magic Jack." For it's part, the MagicJack insists that it is not a "voice-over-Internet" provider and therefore isn't required to pay 911 fees, and it further adds that it isn't even able to collect the fees due to the way its product is sold. We'll just have to wait and see how well that argument holds up when MagicJack faces the state's Public Service Commission on March 1st -- which, incidentally, has already denied MagicJack's request to dismiss the case.

West Virginia county commission says MagicJack skipped out on 911 fees originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 18 Jan 2011 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sprint and Clearwire deliver WiMAX to Los Angeles, Ohio, Miami and Washington DC, promise SF on December 28th

Sean Hollister — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 01:18:00 EST

Seems like Sprint wants to get every last lick of 4G coverage in before Verizon flips the switch on LTE -- today, its joint venture with Clearwire is launching WiMAX in the City of Angels a day ahead of schedule. Lest you think Los Angeles is getting special treatment, five other cellular markets can now also get a taste of 5Mbps to 7Mbps download speeds, including Miami, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus and our nation's capitol, Washington D.C. That brings the total number of regions where you'll get some mileage out of that $10 surcharge up to 68, in case you're keeping track. What's next? If the press release after the break is correct, San Francisco will finally satisfy its need for speed on December 28th. Not that any of these locales haven't been secretly enjoying 4G already, of course.

Continue reading Sprint and Clearwire deliver WiMAX to Los Angeles, Ohio, Miami and Washington DC, promise SF on December 28th

Sprint and Clearwire deliver WiMAX to Los Angeles, Ohio, Miami and Washington DC, promise SF on December 28th originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 29 Nov 2010 01:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NetJets begins Aircell in-flight WiFi installations, won't stop anytime soon

Darren Murph — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 20:37:00 EST

It's one thing to expect in-flight WiFi on a commercial flight serving two or three hundred addicted peons, but how on Earth has it taken until now for NetJets to hop onboard this bandwagon? For those unaware, NetJets hosts the world's largest fractional fleet of business-oriented aircraft, and those that lay claim to portions of its herd are amongst the most wealthy this world has to offer. Currently, the outfit has just over 800 planes, and starting next month over 250 of them (in the midsize and large-cabin categories) will be equipped with Aircell's high speed internet service. In time, NetJets is planning to have "all future fleet aircraft, including light cabin models, delivered from the factory with high speed internet," and we're guessing that the jetsetters who drop the Benjamins to have their own plane are as anxious as ever for the future to be now. After all, who wouldn't want to tweet images of filet mignon from 35,000 feet?

Continue reading NetJets begins Aircell in-flight WiFi installations, won't stop anytime soon

NetJets begins Aircell in-flight WiFi installations, won't stop anytime soon originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 29 Jul 2010 20:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AT&T suffering major outage in Florida right now?

Chris Ziegler — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 17:24:00 EST

We're getting flooded with tips right now that Florida's in the hurt locker for AT&T service -- data and voice alike. We're reaching out to AT&T for an official comment on exactly what's going on, but in the meantime, feel free to post up your experiences (and sob stories) in comments, won't you?

Update: All fixed up, according to AT&T.

AT&T suffering major outage in Florida right now? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 13 Jul 2010 17:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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T-Mobile service down through much of the Southeast this morning

Chris Ziegler — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 11:03:00 EST

We're getting a few reports this morning that T-Mobile customers through the nation's Southeast have been suffering an outage, and a thread going on the carrier's official forums corroborates the story. It seems that phones attached to both 2G and 3G services throughout much of Florida, Georgia (including Atlanta), Tennessee, and the Carolinas have been affected since the wee hours to some extent; as far as we can tell, service is starting to come back online in some parts, but for others, inbound callers are getting "circuits busy" messages. What's everyone seeing out there?

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

T-Mobile service down through much of the Southeast this morning originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 29 Mar 2010 11:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit now rockin' in Orlando

Darren Murph — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 15:50:00 EST

Heads-up, thrill seekers: the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit is finally open and making laps at Universal Studios Orlando. If you'll recall, this coaster was actually announced way back in March of 2008, and after its opening was delayed a few times while kinks were worked out, we're happy to say that it's now capturing the most intimate emotions of those who willfully strap themselves in. We recently had an opportunity to catch a ride in between rainstorms and spats of Tiger Woods drama down in Central Florida, and being the roller coaster freaks that we are, we had a tough time pulling ourselves away from the adrenaline rush to focus on the technology making it all happen. Without question, this ride is the now the main draw at Universal Studios; the bulk of the wild coasters are at the neighboring Islands of Adventure, but this one's definitely worth a visit if you find yourself in the area.

You'll notice that each car actually uses platform seating, so the rear rows can see slightly above those in front. Once strapped in, a bright touchscreen panel awaits your attention on the top of the front lap bar; you can navigate through a half dozen or so genres in order to select one of 30 tracks, and while it's not publicized, those in the know will realize that a few Easter Egg tracks are hidden if you mash the right buttons. Once you select your ride soundtrack, the music begins to blast from the headrest-mounted speakers and you're towed straight up in the air as you await the first big drop. After you unload, you're funneled into a media area where employees are waiting to assist you in the purchase of your ride photo or video. We found out that each individual video is recorded in 720 x 480 resolution, and amazingly enough, each one is ready the moment you step down off the ride.

Guests can choose to purchase their ride DVD (complete with their song of choice) for $29.95 or as part of a few bundle packs that include photos, frames, etc. Photos can be purchased as actual prints, or they can be emailed directly from the kiosk; in our experience, a confirmation email was sent immediately, and our ride photo (it's actually an e-card that shows the photo at the end of the animation) arrived around an hour later. For an idea of what a first-hand video from the ride would look like, pop on past the break.

Gallery: Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit now rockin' in Orlando

Continue reading Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit now rockin' in Orlando

Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit now rockin' in Orlando originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 Dec 2009 15:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Police Wii Bowling team issued stern rebuke

Joseph L. Flatley — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:59:00 EST

You know, policing can be a tiresome, thankless task -- that's why we weren't all that surprised when Polk County's finest were caught on camera at the scene of a Florida drug raid engaging in a reported nine hour Wii Sports tourney. As you'll recall, investigators raided a home back in March on the lookout for drugs and stolen items -- which they found, along with weapons and that infamous Nintendo game console. Fans of police accountability will be pleased to note that when all is said and done, eleven members of the multiagency task force were eventually disciplined with a letter in their permanent records and a couple hours of re-training. According to Polk County sheriff's Chief of Staff Gary Hester, all of those involved "were all remorseful, upset with themselves, [and] apologetic," except one officer who finally bowled a perfect game: "It was totally worth it. The Dude abides."

Filed under: Gaming

Police Wii Bowling team issued stern rebuke originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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America's (newest) largest solar plant set to go live in Florida

Darren Murph — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 08:33:00 EST

If all goes well, this 25-megawatt solar plant in Florida won't be America's largest for long, but it's not like we'd pass up the opportunity to let this $150 million facility bask in its own glory (and the sun, if we're being thorough) while it can. The Desoto facility is just one of three solar projects that Florida Power & Light is spearheading, and judging by the proximity of this one (in Arcadia) to the 75-megawatt facility planned for nearby Charlotte County, we'd surmise that the two are linked in some form or fashion. President Obama is expected to show up rocking a set of Kanye glasses underneath a welder's mask when the plant is fired up this Tuesday, and while it'll only provide power to "a fraction" of FP&L's customer base, it'll still generate around twice as much energy as the second-largest photovoltaic facility in the US of A.

[Thanks, Yossi]

America's (newest) largest solar plant set to go live in Florida originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 25 Oct 2009 08:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Drug raid turns into 9 hour Wii bowl-a-thon

Thomas Ricker — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 09:03:00 EST

Know what's more alluring to the five-O than glazed confectionary goods? Nintendo's Wii, apparently. Or at least the lure of bowling without all the heavy lifting. See, a team of undercover cops raiding the home of a convicted Florida drug dealer was smitten enough by the console to quit their search and fire up Wii Sports for a bit of taxpayer fun over a period of, oh... about nine hours -- unaware that the home security system was recording the whole thing. Your dose of self-righteous indignation can be found after the break.

[Thanks, Maurice]

Continue reading Video: Drug raid turns into 9 hour Wii bowl-a-thon

Filed under: Gaming

Video: Drug raid turns into 9 hour Wii bowl-a-thon originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 Sep 2009 09:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Walt Disney World unveils incredibly scary, robotic version of President Obama

Laura June — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 09:04:00 EST

Now, we've never been to this "Hall of Presidents" at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida (our parents instead taking us to real, disused dungeons and battlefields for family entertainment), but we're thinking about heading down there today -- not because the newest animatronic addition -- President Barack Obama -- has just been unveiled, but because his likeness is so... unlike him, so incredibly, terrifyingly creepy (and yet still impressive all the same). Yes, we'll pop all of our closest friends' children into the van and take a fantastic voyage down to the southern tip of our great nation just to see their reactions to this horrifying robotic educational presentation. What better way to celebrate our nation's independence? Come to think of it... maybe our parents weren't so bad after all. Videos of Obamatron and of the President himself recording audio for it after the break.

Continue reading Walt Disney World unveils incredibly scary, robotic version of President Obama

Filed under: Robots

Walt Disney World unveils incredibly scary, robotic version of President Obama originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 03 Jul 2009 09:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit gets its own specifications breakdown

Darren Murph — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 22:11:00 EST

Generally speaking, we don't much care about the nuts and bolts behind a thrill ride. If it thrills, it's a winner; if not, it's a failure. But the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit is a horse of a different color, and being that it's described as the planet's most technologically advanced coaster, we figured it prudent to pass along the details that only true nerds could appreciate. For starters, each rider will have access to a touchpad in order to select their own ride soundtrack from a 30 song library. There's also a half dozen cameras in the ride vehicle alongside eight others along the track, all of which combine to assemble a take-home video of the experience if you'd like. Speaking of, check out the demo vid just past the break, and look for this to open to the public later this summer.

Gallery: Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit gets its own specifications breakdown

Continue reading Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit gets its own specifications breakdown

Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit gets its own specifications breakdown originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Jun 2009 22:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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HD channel expansion roundup

Richard Lawler — Sat, 02 May 2009 22:06:00 EST

Once upon a time, a smattering of new HD channels in one major metropolitan area was a huge deal. Nowadays, it's almost expected that one area or another will experience some HD expansion each week. In order to keep things nice and tidy around here, we deliver high-def expansions, market expansions and anything else dealing with HD channel growth right here. If we missed an area that you're familiar with, drop us a line in comments so everyone can catch up. The more the merrier, we say!

Read - DIRECTV Delivers Local HD Programming to Customers in Harrisonburg, Va.
Read - Telemundo 47 Now Available In HD On Time Warner Cable New York
Read - Bright House Connects With YES 'National' In Orlando
Read - Time Warner adds HD movie channel, expands HD tier 33%
Read - Some Oceanic Time Warner customers can soon watch Smithsonian Networks (Hawaii)

Filed under: Cable, Satellite, New content

HD channel expansion roundup originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 02 May 2009 22:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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75-megawatt solar plant to power "first solar city" in Florida

Darren Murph — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 04:11:00 EST

Given that Florida has accurately been coined The Sunshine State, it's not at all shocking to hear that America's first "solar city" will be built in the state's southwest corner. Or, at least that's the plan. According to a new report, West Palm Beach-based Kitson & Partners is currently developing a new city near Charlotte County, which will get juiced by a massive 75-megawatt solar plant. Said plant will cost around $300 million to build and will be installed by Florida Power & Light; if all goes well, homes will begin construction on a sizable plot of land dubbed Babcock Ranch by 2011. If things don't go so well, we're told that the actual power plant will still be erected and fed into the larger grid. In other words, Florida's gettin' some solar power, with or without this newfangled concrete jungle.

[Via Fark]

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

75-megawatt solar plant to power "first solar city" in Florida originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 11 Apr 2009 04:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Light-activated lock could revolutionize drug delivery

Darren Murph — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 01:57:00 EST

The Gators may not be in the Final Four this year, but the brainiacs on campus are still toiling away, regardless. Researchers at the institution (that'd be the University of Florida) have just stumbled onto a remarkable discovery that could eventually "starve cancer tumors and prevent side effects from a wide range of drugs." The magic find? A "lock-like molecule" that clasps or unclasps based on exposure to light. Sure, we've seen our fair share of newfangled drug delivery tools, but none that have been this noninvasive or simple to activate. In tests, gurus found that they could use visible or ultraviolet light to open or close a clasp, letting blood flow or creating a clot; in theory, this could one day be used to "prevent the formation of tiny blood vessels that feed tumors." Everything about this sounds just fantastic on the surface, but seriously, can you imagine how dead we'd be if the robots ever got ahold of this?

[Via Physorg, image courtesy of NanotechNow]

Filed under: Science

Light-activated lock could revolutionize drug delivery originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 03 Apr 2009 01:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Researcher finds electrical stimulation key to rehabilitating paralyzed limbs

Darren Murph — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 20:29:00 EST

We've seen the wonders of electrical stimulation before, so it's no real shock (ahem) to hear that a University of Florida engineer has figured out a method to combine that very tactic with sophisticated computer learning technology in order to assist Earthlings in regaining "more precise, more life-like control of paralyzed limbs." Reportedly, the research could help around 700,000 Americans who suffer from strokes and 11,000 from cord injuries each year. Says the university's Warren Dixon (pictured): "It's an adaptive scheme to do electrical stimulation more efficiently, with less fatigue and more accuracy." Eventually, the dream is to build a wearable, pacemaker-sized device that could output the precise amount of stimulation at the perfect time in order to encourage natural movement, and it would also be able to adapt to each individual as it learns their habits and techniques. Not mentioned in the report, however, was just how beneficial this discovery could be to the scads of preposterously lazy Americans, too.

[Via DailyTech]

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets, Science

Researcher finds electrical stimulation key to rehabilitating paralyzed limbs originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 21 Mar 2009 20:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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WJXT throws the HD lever in Jacksonville, Florida

Darren Murph — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 11:44:00 EST

Jacksonville residents looking for a new take on the evening news can finally see their dreams come true. As of now, WJXT -- an independent station serving the Florida city and its surrounding communities -- is broadcasting its newscasts in high-definition. At first, the noon broadcast will be the only one in HD, though other airings should follow suit in short order. Locals who rely on DISH Network and DirecTV will sadly be unable to enjoy the new look without an OTA antenna, though WJXT vice president and general manager John Rafferty has assured us that its high-def signal will be picked up by both "soon."

[Thanks, Eric]

Filed under: Primetime, Daytime

WJXT throws the HD lever in Jacksonville, Florida originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Jan 2009 11:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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South Florida's WSVN converts newscasts to high-definition

Darren Murph — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 11:51:00 EST

South Florida's NBC 6 became the first English-language network in the area to take its newscasts to high-def, but now those who refuse to watch news in SD finally have another choice. Starting this week, WSVN -- the FOX affiliate in the Miami-Ft. Lauderdale market -- will be airing its local news broadcasts in greater clarity, and now that this station has hopped on board, we reckon the outcasts will be following suit in short order.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Filed under: Fox, OTA, Primetime, Daytime

South Florida's WSVN converts newscasts to high-definition originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 12 Jan 2009 11:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AT&T's U-verse TV expands to more South Florida homes

Darren Murph — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 18:10:00 EST

AT&T vowed to make its U-verse TV service available to more homes on an ongoing basis when it first launched in South Florida, and expand it has. One tipster down in sunny Ft. Lauderdale just received a postcard in the mail informing him that the service was available for his domicile, and upon investigating, he found that it was actually available now for the majority of Broward County (including Ft. Lauderdale, Deerfield / Pompano Beach, Coconut Creek, Margate, Coral Springs, and Davie). Chances are, you're probably just kicking back enjoying the break anyway -- why not phone up the carrier and see if your address is in the lucky list?

[Thanks, Sam]

Filed under: Fiber

AT&T's U-verse TV expands to more South Florida homes originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 30 Dec 2008 18:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bright House Networks to host up MLB Network HD in Tampa Bay

Darren Murph — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 20:32:00 EST

We get the feeling that we'll see quite a few carriers proudly announcing carriage deals with MLB Network during the run-up to its launch (January 1, 2009), and Bright House Networks is getting us started by promising its Tampa Bay, Florida customers the channel come the new year. Starting in 2009, MLB Network will be available in SD on digital cable channel 159 and in HD on slot 744, and Joe Durkin, senior director corporate communications at the carrier, has confirmed that it will be added at no extra charge. For those unaware, the channel will carry "live games, original programming, highlights, classic games and coverage of baseball events," and its signature show -- MLB Tonight -- is obviously aiming to take viewers away from Karl Ravech, John Kruk and the rest of the gang at ESPN's 'Baseball Tonight.'

Filed under: Cable, Sports, New content

Bright House Networks to host up MLB Network HD in Tampa Bay originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 23 Dec 2008 20:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Researchers achieve new efficiency record of blue OLEDs

Darren Murph — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 15:55:00 EST

Ever since Sony's XEL-1 hit the market, pundits have pointed to the (comparatively) short-lived blue OLED material as its biggest hamstring. Researchers have been toiling around the clock in order to bring the blue lifepsan in line with its green and red siblings, and now it seems like a team of Gators are that much closer to the promise land. Reportedly, a gaggle of whiz-kids from the University of Florida have "achieved a new record in efficiency of blue organic light-emitting diodes, and because blue is essential to white light, the advance helps overcome a hurdle to lighting that is much more efficient than compact fluorescents." Franky So (pictured) and his diligent crew were able to reach a peak blue OLED efficiency of 50 lumens per watt, which is halfway to his goal of at least 100 lumens per watt. Hurry it up, folks -- CES is just around the corner.

[Via Physorg]

Filed under: Displays, HDTV

Researchers achieve new efficiency record of blue OLEDs originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 23 Dec 2008 15:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Researchers achieve new efficiency record of blue OLEDs

Darren Murph — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 15:55:00 EST

Filed under: Industry, Displays, OLED

Researchers achieve new efficiency record of blue OLEDs originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 23 Dec 2008 15:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cox dumps 14 new high-def stations on Pensacola, Florida

Darren Murph — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 15:07:00 EST

We know it's the season for giving and all, but this is pretty extreme. Cox Communications has sent out a flier to its Pensacola, Florida customers informing them that a staggering 14 new high-definition channels are on the way. Seems about right, though, especially given that the last major HD update in the area came back in early June. We won't bother listing all 14 in this space; instead, we'll direct you to the read link to soak it all in. [Warning: PDF read link]

[Thanks, Scott]

Filed under: Cable, New content

Cox dumps 14 new high-def stations on Pensacola, Florida originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 19 Dec 2008 15:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Travel Channel HD follows the road to Comcast's Jacksonville, FL system

Darren Murph — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 20:17:00 EST

We assumed that the solo addition in Houston was an anomaly, but it seems that Comcast may be pushing these stragglers in more locales than that. Out of nowhere, the carrier has added Travel Channel HD in Jacksonville, Florida, a followup of sorts to the two it added just weeks ago. Moral of the story? If you're a Comcast user, be on the lookout for one or two here and there, you just might get lucky.

[Thanks, Matthew]

Filed under: Cable, New content

Travel Channel HD follows the road to Comcast's Jacksonville, FL system originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 18 Dec 2008 20:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BHN brings four new HD stations to Tampa Bay, Florida

Darren Murph — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 19:12:00 EST

Well, what do you know? Two of the four HD newcomers that landed in Indy earlier today have appeared down in Tampa Bay, Florida. According to an ecstatic local, Golf HD (739), USA HD (740), Bravo HD (742) and SciFi HD (741) have all appeared in the Tampa / St. Petersburg area, keeping it somewhat in line with its Orlando-area lineup. Happy surfing!

[Thanks, Kaylan]

Filed under: Cable, New content

BHN brings four new HD stations to Tampa Bay, Florida originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 16 Dec 2008 19:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AT&T lights up U-verse TV in Orlando, Florida

Darren Murph — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 11:58:00 EST

Back in July, AT&T's U-verse services went live in South Florida. Now, those in the central region (Orlando, more specifically) can finally shake the little brother syndrome and indulge as well. On the same day in which AT&T activated U-verse in the Triangle region of North Carolina, it has begun to sell service to select parts of Orlando. The launch will provide the "first serious threat to Bright House Networks' dominance as the main cable provider in Central Florida," much like it's infringing on TWC territory in NC. Sadly, we're still waiting on confirmation of service areas from AT&T, but you can phone your local retail store to see if any information has leaked out to those channels.

Filed under: Fiber

AT&T lights up U-verse TV in Orlando, Florida originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 15 Dec 2008 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tallahassee enjoys new DirecTV HD locals alone & lonely

Richard Lawler — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 16:24:00 EST

Tallahassee, Florida DirecTV customers, we hope you're enjoying your WCTV/CBS, WTWC/NBC and WTLH/Fox high definition locals, because you're getting them alone. This solo market addition to the DirecTV offerings brings the total to 116 (five left for 121), although we're not sure that will make Panhandle residents feel more included. Unofficially, a commenter reports WTTV in Indianapolis is live now as well, maybe you can form a support group?

Filed under: Satellite, New content

Tallahassee enjoys new DirecTV HD locals alone & lonely originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 12 Dec 2008 16:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bright House gives refunds for 8-hour service outage in Florida

Darren Murph — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 10:17:00 EST

With all the price hikes and complaints about quality, it's not often that you find a story tied to a cable company that's positive. And in fairness, it's totally not positive that Bright House Networks' subscribers in Florida had to deal with an eight hour TV outage starting at around 3:00PM Monday, but just bear with us. In an effort to express its "sincerest apologies," the carrier has decided to automatically issue credits to affected customers. Sure, the refund won't be huge, but it's a sentiment that's rare and much appreciated in today's cutthroat business world. The outage was unlike any other outside of times in which a hurricane had struck, and a corrupt database used to deliver programming to cable boxes was blamed for the incident. We know, you're still upset that you missed the series finale of Boston Legal and / or the trouncing of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but hopefully a few pennies back on your next bill will make things easier to get over.

Filed under: Industry, Cable

Bright House gives refunds for 8-hour service outage in Florida originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Dec 2008 10:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Comcast adds a few to HD lineup in Naples, Florida

Darren Murph — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 10:19:00 EST

As is happening in many areas across North America, Comcast is shuffling the EPG in Naples, Florida as it looks to transition some analog stations to digital. But aside from the minor SD movers and shakers, we're interesting in the palm-full of new HD stations that'll be coming along for the ride. Beginning on December 8th, viewers in Collier and Lee Counties will see Versus HD and Golf HD emerge as their own separate channels, while AMC HD joins eight days later with the SD feed of MLB Network. Hopefully an HD variant of that last one isn't too far out of the picture.

Filed under: Cable, New content

Comcast adds a few to HD lineup in Naples, Florida originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Dec 2008 10:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Comcast gets Cartoon Network HD / E! HD to Jacksonville, Florida

Darren Murph — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 04:14:00 EST

So, what's it like being a Comcast subscriber in Jacksonville, Florida? You know -- to pay oodles of cash for a service and get high-def stations dropped on you in twos and threes rather than by the dozen? From the outside looking in, it's tough to say if the slow and steady approach is actually admired or loathed, but whatever your feelings on the matter, two more are headed to the Florida city. As of now, locals can find Cartoon Network HD and E! HD tucked away in the EPG, and if history is any judge, you will all be seeing a couple more in a month or two. Fingers crossed!

[Thanks, Matthew]

Filed under: Cable, New content

Comcast gets Cartoon Network HD / E! HD to Jacksonville, Florida originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 02 Dec 2008 04:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Verizon gears up for FiOS rollout in 27,000 Aimco apartments

Darren Murph — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 06:24:00 EST

It's incredibly obvious that one of Verizon's main opportunities for growth in FiOS TV is locking down contracts with housing facilities and apartment complexes, and while we've seen some small to medium-scale rollouts before, this one takes things to a whole 'nother level. Last year, the provider inked a deal with Aimco that would eventually bring fiber-based FiOS services to residents of some 27,000 apartments in 11 states across the nation. Now, 100 Aimco properties from coast to coast will be lit up with FiOS TV / internet / digital voice services prior to the onset of 2009, and that should make for quite a few happy tenants this holiday season.

[Image courtesy of Apts247]

Filed under: Fiber

Verizon gears up for FiOS rollout in 27,000 Aimco apartments originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 25 Nov 2008 06:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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FX / SPEED / FOX News HD comes to Tallahassee, FL on Comcast

Darren Murph — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 10:40:00 EST

Look out, as Comcast's on a roll yet again with a preferred trio of HD networks. After serving up FX HD, SPEED HD and FOX News HD to regions in Maryland and Georgia, the three have trickled down to the home of the Florida State Seminoles. Starting this week, Comcast users in Tallahassee, Florida will be able to access those three in high-def along with Bloomberg TV and Qubo in SD. Three ain't many, but it's sure better than none.

Filed under: Cable, New content

FX / SPEED / FOX News HD comes to Tallahassee, FL on Comcast originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 20 Nov 2008 10:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Comcast's Project Infinity makes landfall in South Florida

Darren Murph — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 23:23:00 EST

Comcast already raised up its hands and shouted "Hallelujah!" upon successfully implementing Project Infinity in some sections of the country, but those debatable 1,000 HD choices are just now filtering down the east coast to South Florida. As of now, folks that way have over 1,000 HD on-demand choices, and Comcast is mighty proud of that fact. Of course, the actual number of HD channels (you know, those that matter) hasn't changed a bit, but you'd never know it by the elation seen in the PR.

Filed under: Cable, New content

Comcast's Project Infinity makes landfall in South Florida originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 16 Nov 2008 23:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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