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[Inhabitat's Week in Green: i-oniq hybrid, spherical solar cell and an incredible LEGO printer]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/04/inhabitats-week-in-green-i-oniq-hybrid-spherical-solar-cell-a/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/04/inhabitats-week-in-green-i-oniq-hybrid-spherical-solar-cell-a/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/04/inhabitats-week-in-green-i-oniq-hybrid-spherical-solar-cell-a/#comments Each week our friends at Inhabitat recap the week's most interesting green developments and clean tech news for us -- it's the Week in Green.
This week epic green transportation initiatives kicked off around the world as Inhabitat reported that Shenzhen, China launched the world's largest electric vehicle fleet and London's brand new Eco-Routemaster hybrid bus hit the streets for the first time. We also showcased an earthquake-proof Japanese building system capable of levitating an entire house, and we brought you sneak peeks at the hottest eco vehicles that will be unveiled at next week's Geneva Motor Show, including Hyundai's sexy i-oniq hybrid and Infiniti's Emerg-E plug-in. Audi also turned heads with its souped-up R18 E-Tron Quattro hybrid Le Mans racer, and Perave's 350 MPGe MonoTracer electric motorcycle hit the market.

It was also a bright week for renewable energy with a revolutionary spherical solar cell capable of capturing light from all directions, and Austria Solar sending out a "sun-powered" annual report that only appears when exposed to sunlight. Meanwhile, we said goodbye to the polluting energy technology of the past as Midwest utilities shuttered 10 fossil fuel-powered plants and the world's oldest nuclear reactor closed up shop in the UK. Brilliant designers also chased away dark winter days with a sunflower-shaped heliostat that can flood any house with natural light and a cheap, photovoltaic Little Sun lamp for the developing world.

Green tech also wired the world in exciting new ways as the Smithonian Institute announced plans to replicate and share its collection with the world using 3D printing tech and a 14-year-old boy invented an incredible LEGO printer. We also watched HP launch an all-in-one workstation that pops open for easy DIY upgrades and repairs, while Huawei unveiled a soaring Pegasus sculpture made from 3,500 smartphones. Last but not least we brought you a look at Google's new Terminator-style augmented vision goggles, and we shared a fun tutorial on geocaching with your children.

Inhabitat's Week in Green: i-oniq hybrid, spherical solar cell and an incredible LEGO printer originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 04 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3D printing3dPrintingecoEmerg-E plug inEmerg-ePlugInenvironmentfossil fuelsFossilFuelsgeocachingGoogleGreenhybridi-oniqinhabitatinhabitats week in greenInhabitatsWeekInGreenMonotracernuclearsolarthisweekingreentransportationSun, 04 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Garmin announces redesigned line of eTrex GPS handhelds with enhanced geocaching]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/31/garmin-announces-redesigned-line-of-etrex-gps-handhelds-with-enh/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/31/garmin-announces-redesigned-line-of-etrex-gps-handhelds-with-enh/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/31/garmin-announces-redesigned-line-of-etrex-gps-handhelds-with-enh/#comments
Lost hikers and outdoorsmen will soon have yet another arrow to add to their navigational quivers, now that Garmin has decided to upgrade its eTrex line of GPS handhelds. The refresh, announced this morning, will bring three new models to the eTrex family during the third quarter of this year. First up is the eTrex 10 -- a basic, $120 little guy that carries a global database of locations, as well as a monochrome display that can be read under the sun. The $200 eTrex 20, on the other hand, displays images in 65k color on a 2.2-inch screen and can support topographic, roadway and marine maps. At the high end of the spectrum is the eTrex 30 ($300), which offers all the features you'll find on the eTrex 20, plus a tilt-compensated electronic compass, barometric altimeter and wireless data transfer capabilities. All three models allow users to download geocached information directly to their devices and boast a lengthy 25-hour battery life -- giving you plenty of time to find your bearings before calling in the rescue squad. Full PR after the break.

Continue reading Garmin announces redesigned line of eTrex GPS handhelds with enhanced geocaching

Garmin announces redesigned line of eTrex GPS handhelds with enhanced geocaching originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 31 May 2011 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2.2-inch2.2-inch display2.2-inchDisplay65kaltimeterbarometricbarometric altimeterBarometricAltimeterbatterybattery lifeBatteryLifecompasselectronic compassElectronicCompasseTrexetrex 10etrex 20etrex 30Etrex10Etrex20Etrex30Garmingarmin etrex gps deviceGarminEtrexGpsDevicegeocachegeocachinghikermapnavigationoutdoorstilt-compensatedTopographicMaptopographyTue, 31 May 2011 12:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Nixie tube reverse geocache box makes us long for the 80s, our very own spy card]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/12/nixie-tube-reverse-geocache-box-makes-us-long-for-the-80s-our-v/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/12/nixie-tube-reverse-geocache-box-makes-us-long-for-the-80s-our-v/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/12/nixie-tube-reverse-geocache-box-makes-us-long-for-the-80s-our-v/#comments This reverse geocache box reminds us of something out of Mission: Impossible -- the second-run of the TV series, not that dreadful Tom Cruise franchise -- only it won't self-destruct in five minutes. It will, however, unlock when it reaches a pre-programmed location. Like the Deluxe Reverse Geocache, this box gives its holder a mission should they choose to accept: use the display to find the box's final resting spot. Unlike its predecessor, this one uses three nixie tubes, not an LCD screen, to track the box's distance from its destination. A built-in Arduino GPS sensor does all the tracking, and a servo motor pops the top when triggered. The refashioned French army medical box operates off of three D-cells, and can do about 600 GPS fixes before powering down. We're definitely fond of this throw-back treasure chest, we just wish it had a built-in audio player for bumping the MI theme. Yeah, we said it.

Nixie tube reverse geocache box makes us long for the 80s, our very own spy card originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Jan 2011 07:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arduinogeocachegeocachingGPSgps trackingGpsTrackingNixieTubeNixieTubesreverse geocachereverse geocachingReverseGeocacheReverseGeocachingWed, 12 Jan 2011 07:06:00 EST<![CDATA[Garmin launches OpenCaching community, pushes caching closer to the mainstream]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/08/garmin-launches-opencaching-community-pushes-caching-closer-to/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/08/garmin-launches-opencaching-community-pushes-caching-closer-to/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/08/garmin-launches-opencaching-community-pushes-caching-closer-to/#comments What's that? You've never heard of caching? For shame! In all seriousness, we're surmising that quite a few of you out there may have overlooked this up-and-coming jewel of recreation, but Garmin's doing its darnedest to change that. The GPS maker has just opened up a new online community at OpenCaching.com, hailed "a completely free online community for creating, sharing and finding geocaches around the world." For those out of the loop, caching is akin to a sophisticated game of hide-and-seek, where individuals download GPX files and then head out on adventures that'll lead them to various surprises and / or treasures. A two-month old honey bun, an original script from Step Brothers, or maybe even a sealed bag of Deutsche Marks from last century -- you know, things of that sort. The site even lets users rank the 'Awesomeness' in addition to size, terrain and difficulty, and while it's obviously hosted by Garmin, it's platform agnostic in nature. Head on over if you're looking to blaze a few trails over the holiday break.

Continue reading Garmin launches OpenCaching community, pushes caching closer to the mainstream

Garmin launches OpenCaching community, pushes caching closer to the mainstream originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 08 Dec 2010 01:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cachecachescachingcommunitygameGarminGeocachinggpsguidehobbynavnavinavigationopencachingopencaching.comrecreationroutingwebsiteWed, 08 Dec 2010 01:47:00 EST<![CDATA[Garmin's $23 Chirp wireless beacon brings geocaching thrills to Oregon, Dakota GPS units]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/15/garmins-23-chirp-wireless-beacon-brings-geocaching-thrills-to/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/15/garmins-23-chirp-wireless-beacon-brings-geocaching-thrills-to/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/15/garmins-23-chirp-wireless-beacon-brings-geocaching-thrills-to/#comments Looking for an avenue to join millions of others in geocaching, eh? We know, there's hardly a better way to spend a weekend than by playing a sophisticated game of hide-and-seek, and Garmin's right there with us. If you, like it, are stuck in Kansas with nary a Jayhawk game in sight, this here pebble is the answer to all of your boredom woes. The Chirp is a wireless beacon that's designed to work with any compatible wireless-enabled Garmin handheld (the Oregon, Dakota and the recently announced GPSMAP handhelds are mentioned by name), and once you've set it up to cooperate with your device, it'll automatically transmit program coordinates so other cachers can find each stage of your multicache -- it's touch-and-go in its simplest form. The whole thing measures just 1.3- x 0.9-inches, weighs under an ounce and can be had for just $22.99. So yeah, good luck sticking to Segway polo with an offer like that.

Update: Video after the break!

Continue reading Garmin's $23 Chirp wireless beacon brings geocaching thrills to Oregon, Dakota GPS units

Garmin's $23 Chirp wireless beacon brings geocaching thrills to Oregon, Dakota GPS units originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 15 Oct 2010 10:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beaconchirpDakotaGarminGarmin chirpGarminChirpgeocachersgeocachinggpshomingnavnavinavigationOregonoutdooroutdoorstravelvideowireless beaconWirelessBeaconFri, 15 Oct 2010 10:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Deluxe Reverse Geocache is reusable, really awesome]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/09/deluxe-reverse-geocache-is-reusable-really-awesome/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/09/deluxe-reverse-geocache-is-reusable-really-awesome/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/09/deluxe-reverse-geocache-is-reusable-really-awesome/#comments
You're familiar with geocaching, right? One person hides a "cache" somewhere in the world and hands out the coordinates; the first person to locate it via GPS wins. How about the "reverse geocache"? This one is a little more difficult to get together: you have to design a box of some sort that contains the necessary hardware to enable it to be opened only at a certain GPS coordinate. You hand the dude your box, and they traipse around the woods until they get to the right spot and the box opens. Well, the operator of the imakeprojects.com website has developed a little something called the "Deluxe Reverse Geocache," a locked, electronically enhanced Pelican case that unlike other reverse geocaches, is designed to be reprogrammed and reused after completing its journey. But that's not all! It also gives the user hints regarding the desired location, along with a limited number of attempts to solve the puzzle -- after which the player is downgraded to one attempt per hour. Want to play? Hit the source link for all the details. Happy hunting!

Deluxe Reverse Geocache is reusable, really awesome originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 09 Jul 2010 16:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Deluxe Reverse GeocacheDeluxeReverseGeocachediygeocachegeocachinggpshackI Make ProjectsIMakeProjectsmodreverse geocachereverse geocachingReverseGeocacheReverseGeocachingFri, 09 Jul 2010 16:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Magellan's new eXplorist GC for geocachers is far too easy to find]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/22/magellans-new-explorist-gc-for-geocachers-is-far-too-easy-to-fi/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/22/magellans-new-explorist-gc-for-geocachers-is-far-too-easy-to-fi/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/22/magellans-new-explorist-gc-for-geocachers-is-far-too-easy-to-fi/#comments
There's certainly plenty of GPS devices that are well-suited to geocachers, but Magellan is claiming that its new eXplorist GC is the very first such device that's been "designed exclusively for geocaching." That means you'll get loads of pre-loaded geocaches, a free 30-day premium membership to Geocaching.com (which the device links to), and even some merit-based awards that will let you boast about your geocaching skills. Of course, the device will also handle your other GPS needs, and includes all the usual features like waypoint creation, a worldwide basemap, and a trip odometer. Sadly, it won't be much of an adventure to find the device itself -- it'll be available from all the usual sources next month for $199.99.

Magellan's new eXplorist GC for geocachers is far too easy to find originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 22 Mar 2010 18:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eXploristeXplorist GCExploristGcgeocachersgeocachinggpsmagellanmagellan eXplorist GCMagellanExploristGcMon, 22 Mar 2010 18:36:00 EST<![CDATA[DeLorme PN-60w with Spot connectivity gets official, can track your friends, too]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/delorme-pn-60w-with-spot-connectivity-gets-official-can-track-y/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/delorme-pn-60w-with-spot-connectivity-gets-official-can-track-y/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/delorme-pn-60w-with-spot-connectivity-gets-official-can-track-y/#commentsDelorme PN-60w with Spot connectivity gets official, can track your friends, too
As it turns out yesterday's news from Delorme about the PN-60w wasn't exactly from DeLorme. Now the official news from the source has dropped, and it includes a few tidbits not revealed yesterday. We'll start with the bad news first: the social networking functionality here is outgoing only, meaning you can brag to your friends about making it to the top of Half Dome without plummeting to your death, but you won't be able to receive their jealous responses. For the good news, you will not only be able to send tweets and the like but can also log geocache locations directly from wherever you find them, and interestingly the device can create a sort of local area network, able to display the location of everyone within range and even easily exchange waypoints. That should make not losing your friends in the woods a little easier -- but sometimes that's half the fun of hiking.

DeLorme PN-60w with Spot connectivity gets official, can track your friends, too originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Jan 2010 05:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>delormedelorme pn-60delorme pn-60wDelormePn-60wgeocachegeocachinggpsPN-60wspotspot wirelessSpotWirelessThu, 07 Jan 2010 05:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Air Force says that GPS situation is 'under control,' urges you to 'chill out']]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/21/air-force-says-that-gps-situation-is-under-control-urges-you/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/21/air-force-says-that-gps-situation-is-under-control-urges-you/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/21/air-force-says-that-gps-situation-is-under-control-urges-you/#comments
Responding to a Government Accountability Office report that warns of major GPS failures as early as next year, U.S. Air Force Col. Dave Buckman has responded, saying: "No way! As if! The issue is under control." If anything, he said, "there's only a small risk we will not continue to exceed our performance standard." Whew, that's a relief... we don't know what we'd do without our Knight Rider GPS to keep us company on those long, lonely car rides.

[Via Pocket-lint]

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Air Force says that GPS situation is 'under control,' urges you to 'chill out' originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 21 May 2009 16:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>air forceAirForcefailgaogeocachingGovernment Accountability OfficeGovernmentAccountabilityOfficegpsU.S. Air ForceU.s.AirForceThu, 21 May 2009 16:32:00 EST<![CDATA[GPS System might begin to fail in 2010, Government Accountability Office warns]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/19/gps-system-might-begin-to-fail-in-2010-government-accounting-of/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/19/gps-system-might-begin-to-fail-in-2010-government-accounting-of/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/19/gps-system-might-begin-to-fail-in-2010-government-accounting-of/#comments
Get all of your geocache games in while you can, kids... if the Worst Case Scenario(R) goes down, the nation's GPS system could begin to fail sometime next year. According to a Government Accountability Office report, the Global Positioning System has been so mismanaged that when aging equipment starts to fail, there may be no new satellites to take their place. "If the Air Force does not meet its schedule goals for development of GPS IIIA satellites," the report states, "there will be an increased likelihood that... the overall GPS constellation will fall below the number of satellites required to provide the level of GPS service that the U.S. government commits to." All we can say is that between this, Internet Doomsday, and the imminent Robot Apocalypse, it's gonna be a fun couple of years.

[Via Fox News]

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GPS System might begin to fail in 2010, Government Accountability Office warns originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 May 2009 21:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>air forceAirForcefailgaogeocachingGovernment Accountability OfficeGovernmentAccountabilityOfficegpsU.S. Air ForceU.s.AirForceTue, 19 May 2009 21:37:00 EST<![CDATA[Garmin introduces waterproof nuvi 500 / 550 for the argonauts]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/22/garmin-introduces-waterproof-nuvi-500-550-for-the-argonauts/http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/22/garmin-introduces-waterproof-nuvi-500-550-for-the-argonauts/http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/22/garmin-introduces-waterproof-nuvi-500-550-for-the-argonauts/#comments
Sure, Garmin's new nüvi 500 series can get you from point A to point G on paved and well-lit highways, but that's not the (whole) point here. Instead, these rugged (and waterproof) navigators are geared up to take to the trails, waterways and sidewalks with one-touch transitions between driving, bicycling, boating and walking modes. The 500 includes road maps and topographic maps for the lower 48 US states, Hawaii and Puerto Rico, while the 550 touts comprehensive street map coverage of the US and Canada. Both devices boast a 3.5-inch touchscreen, a removable, rechargeable battery, Garmin's "Where Am I?" feature and geocaching support to boot. As for USers, you'll find the 500 and 550 on sale in Q3 for $499.99, while those across the pond will see the nüvi 550 land this September for £299.

[Via GPSTracklog, thanks Rich]

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Garmin introduces waterproof nuvi 500 / 550 for the argonauts originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 Jul 2008 10:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>boatingcyclingeuropeGarminGeocachinggpsnavnavinavigationnavigatornavteqnuvinuvi 500nuvi 550Nuvi500Nuvi550pndruggedwalkingwaterproofTue, 22 Jul 2008 10:42:00 EST<![CDATA[Another position artist emerges from woodwork, traces face via GPS]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/02/another-position-artist-emerges-from-woodwork-traces-face-via-g/http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/02/another-position-artist-emerges-from-woodwork-traces-face-via-g/http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/02/another-position-artist-emerges-from-woodwork-traces-face-via-g/#comments
Get 'em in quick folks, your 15 minutes are almost up. As position art has skyrocketed in popularity over the past week or so (it seems, anyway), we've found yet another artist who has drawn his face via GPS. Best of all, this one actually looks the closet to legitimate, considering all the flaws and erratic lines that we'd truly expect to surface when traveling with a tracker. Essentially, Antti Laitinen drew an image of himself onto a map (numerous times in a variety of locales), and then proceeded to walk the lines that were drawn -- navigator in tow. The end result is what you see above, which is nothing nearly as elegant as prior "attempts" that we've seen, but likely a much better representation of how the process works. Masterful work, Mr. Laitinen.

[Via Wired]

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Another position artist emerges from woodwork, traces face via GPS originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 02 Jun 2008 07:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artdrawdrawingGeocachingGeodrawinggpsgps artGpsArtposition artPositionArtMon, 02 Jun 2008 07:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Geocacher causes Auckland bomb scare, Bostonians find soul-mates]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/13/geocacher-causes-auckland-bomb-scare-bostonians-find-soul-mates/http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/13/geocacher-causes-auckland-bomb-scare-bostonians-find-soul-mates/http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/13/geocacher-causes-auckland-bomb-scare-bostonians-find-soul-mates/#comments
In a world gone mad with fear, another global city has ground to a halt in the wake of harmless fun. Like Boston's visceral aversion to Mooninites, Auckland New Zealand has demonstrated an armed distaste for Geocaching. Geochaching is a GPS treasure-hunting game where participants find hidden containers placed around this big blue planet. Unfortunately, security caught the gamer on CCTV strapping a package to a rail near Aotea Center; they then called in the bomb squad. Tip to geocachers: don't wear a bearded, ninja-suit when placing your cache in busy urban areas.

Update: Tip 2: don't use a cache that looks like a bomb! Pics of the device after the break.

Continue reading Geocacher causes Auckland bomb scare, Bostonians find soul-mates

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Geocacher causes Auckland bomb scare, Bostonians find soul-mates originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 13 Feb 2008 04:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aucklandbombbomb scareBombScaregeocachegeocachingWed, 13 Feb 2008 04:06:00 EST<![CDATA[Garmin planning four new eTrex GPS / Galileo handhelds]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/24/garmin-planning-four-new-etrex-gps-galileo-handhelds/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/24/garmin-planning-four-new-etrex-gps-galileo-handhelds/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/24/garmin-planning-four-new-etrex-gps-galileo-handhelds/#commentsAccording to what appears to be a promotional flyer for Garmin's new lineup of eTrex devices, the company will be launching four new handhelds this fall, three of which will boast Galileo-readiness. The Venture HC looks to be the lone bandit sans Galileo support, but does sport 24MB of internal memory, USB connectivity, a WAAS-enabled 12 channel parallel GPS receiver, 2.1- x 1.3-inch backlit display, trip computer, automatic track log, celestial tables, and waterproof abilities as well. The eTrex H holds it down on the low-end by mimicking the older eTrex and adding future Galileo support via a "drop-in chip," while the Legend HCx handles microSD expansion cards and the top-end Vista HCx adds in a barometric altimeter and an electronic compass. Each unit should purportedly hit shelves sometime this fall, and depending on which model you go for, you'll be spending between $119.94 and $319.94 in Canada, or $111 and $295 here in the US of A. [Warning: PDF read link]

[Via NaviGadget]

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Garmin planning four new eTrex GPS / Galileo handhelds originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 24 May 2007 23:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>etrexetrex hetrex legend hcxeTrex Vista HCxEtrexHEtrexLegendHcxEtrexVistaHcxgalileogarmingeocachingreceiverwaterproofThu, 24 May 2007 23:57:00 EST