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[KegDroid dispenses beer with the help of a Xoom tablet and an Arduino board]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/30/kegdroid-beer-xoom-tablet-nfc/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/30/kegdroid-beer-xoom-tablet-nfc/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/30/kegdroid-beer-xoom-tablet-nfc/#comments KegDroid dispenses beer with the help of a Xoom tablet and an Arduino board

Here's an instance of NFC technology that's more exciting than yet another tap-to-pay scenario. Google employee Paul Carff combined a Motorola Xoom running ICS with an Arduino microcontroller to create KegDroid, a friendly green beer dispenser. The Xoom acts as a gatekeeper to that brewed goodness, only letting the bot dispense drinks after users swipe an authorized badge. The badge is read by an NFC scanner on the bottom of the case and is then authenticated (or rejected) by the Arduino board. Once the system grants access, users can choose from two selections on tap via a custom Android application displayed on the Xoom's screen. As Android Community points out -- and as you'll see in the video below -- the KegDroid hasn't mastered a bartender-level pour (read: there's way too much foam). Still, this is oodles cooler than your average keg, wouldn't you agree?

Continue reading KegDroid dispenses beer with the help of a Xoom tablet and an Arduino board

KegDroid dispenses beer with the help of a Xoom tablet and an Arduino board originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 30 Apr 2012 17:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Arduinoarduino boardArduinoBoardbeerbeersdiygooglegoogle androidGoogleAndroidkegkegdroidkegsmicrocontrollermicrocontrollersmotorola xoomMotorolaXoomNFCNFC kegNfcKegPaul CarffPaulCarffvideoxoomMon, 30 Apr 2012 17:47:00 EST<![CDATA[Beeri: Siri's new best friend cracks open a cold one (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/21/beeri-siris-new-best-friend-cracks-open-a-cold-one-video/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/21/beeri-siris-new-best-friend-cracks-open-a-cold-one-video/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/21/beeri-siris-new-best-friend-cracks-open-a-cold-one-video/#comments Beeri We already know that Siri can send texts, check the weather or find you a restaurant, but did you know she can also fetch you a beer. Well, sort of... with a little hacking. The folks at Redpepper dreamed up Beeri, an RC truck that cracks open a can of brew whenever it receives a tweet instructing it to "pour." Since you can text updates to Twitter (40404) and Siri can text, that means it's perfectly simple to tell Beeri it's Miller time. Whenever the Arduino embedded in the truck detects a mention with the word "pour," it drives forward, slamming a beer can into a puncture wall that drips into a funnel, filling a cup beneath the table top. It's a pretty ingenious system, and you can see it in action after the break. We just hope Beeri has a day job -- looking at all that head, it's clear she wouldn't last a day as a bartender.

Continue reading Beeri: Siri's new best friend cracks open a cold one (video)

Beeri: Siri's new best friend cracks open a cold one (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 21 Oct 2011 15:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apple iphone 4sAppleIphone4sarduinobeerbeeridiydo it yourselfDoItYourselfhackiphone 4sIphone4srobotrobotssirisiri virtual assistantSiriVirtualAssistanttwittervideovoice controlVoiceControlFri, 21 Oct 2011 15:39:00 EST<![CDATA[Adorable CanBot chills in your fridge, quietly biding its time (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/09/adorable-canbot-chills-in-your-fridge-quietly-biding-its-time/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/09/adorable-canbot-chills-in-your-fridge-quietly-biding-its-time/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/09/adorable-canbot-chills-in-your-fridge-quietly-biding-its-time/#comments

What's the point of a robot disguised as a tank or, uh, a clothes dryer? If you really want to infiltrate human society, you need robots that can hide in plain sight. Thankfully for would-be robotic conquerors, Ron Tajima brings us the aptly named CanBot, which hides batteries, an embedded control board, and three RC-servo legs beneath its beer-can exterior. Tajimi controls it with a Wiimote, and in the video above you can see it walking and rolling. His son seems less than impressed, but he probably sees this stuff all the time. We're mightily excited, and look forward to picking up a six pack. Of robots.

[Thanks, Robotbling]

Adorable CanBot chills in your fridge, quietly biding its time (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Jun 2011 20:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artbeerbeersCanBotdesignDIYdo it yourselfDoItYourselfrobotrobotsRon TajimaRonTajimaTajimatransformerTransformersvideoThu, 09 Jun 2011 20:16:00 EST<![CDATA[Beer cooler built in the shape of Google's Android... just because (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/11/beer-cooler-built-in-the-shape-of-googles-android-just-becau/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/11/beer-cooler-built-in-the-shape-of-googles-android-just-becau/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/11/beer-cooler-built-in-the-shape-of-googles-android-just-becau/#comments The bounds of Android fandom, will we ever know them? The latest exhibition of one man's love for his mobile OS is this here beverage (we know it's only going to house beer, let's be honest) cooler, which has been lovingly recreated in the form and proportions of the Android logo. Standing somewhere over four feet tall, it's really a fantastically well executed DIY project, and its maker has taken the time to document it on video for us as well. You'll probably find the unfinished droid a little disturbing to see, what with its unpolished skin and rough edges, but maybe that's a fitting metaphor for the constantly evolving operating system anyway. All we know is that the end result is at least as sweet as Gingerbread, if not more so. See it all just past the break.

[Thanks, Tony]

Continue reading Beer cooler built in the shape of Google's Android... just because (video)

Beer cooler built in the shape of Google's Android... just because (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Jan 2011 05:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidbeerbeer coolerBeerCoolercoolcoolerdiyfanfanmadefiguregooglehomemadevideoTue, 11 Jan 2011 05:53:00 EST<![CDATA[iPhone-controlled beer cannon is the robot friend of our dreams (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/29/iphone-controlled-beer-cannon-is-the-robot-friend-of-our-dreams/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/29/iphone-controlled-beer-cannon-is-the-robot-friend-of-our-dreams/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/29/iphone-controlled-beer-cannon-is-the-robot-friend-of-our-dreams/#comments If your morning's been running low on a little thing called awesomeness, hurry past the break and gorge yourself on the stuff in the embedded videos. For the more patient among you, we'll set the scene. A young chap by the name of Ryan has repurposed an old mini-fridge from his college days into a beer-firing drone, which can accept instructions on beer brand, temperature, and destination, before launching it at the target with a force of 50psi. An embedded webcam assists the iPhone user in aiming the throws, while it's also said to record every toss and tweet it out for posterity as well. If this thing could slice bread, we'd probably offer to marry it.

Continue reading iPhone-controlled beer cannon is the robot friend of our dreams (video)

iPhone-controlled beer cannon is the robot friend of our dreams (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Dec 2010 08:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleawesomebeerbeer cannonBeerCannoncannoncoolfridgeiphonemini fridgeMiniFridgeremote controlremote controlledRemoteControlRemoteControlledrobotrobotsvideoWed, 29 Dec 2010 08:48:00 EST<![CDATA[Beer-fetching robot promises to make your significant other obsolete]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/08/beer-fetching-robot-promises-to-make-your-significant-other-obso/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/08/beer-fetching-robot-promises-to-make-your-significant-other-obso/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/08/beer-fetching-robot-promises-to-make-your-significant-other-obso/#comments The thing about the future is this: we'll still have to do menial things like answer the door, or take out the trash, or get up off our couches to get our own brews after a long, hard day at the office... unless we're smart enough to invent robots to do such menial things, that is. Well, Willow Garage has spent some time building a "Beer Me" application for its PR2 robot which gets at least one of these tasks under its belt. They added a four-holed foam block placed behind the robot's navigation laser so that it can safely carry four bottles across the terrain, and equipped their refrigerator with a tilted "self-stocking" shelf. Check out its operation in the video below.

Continue reading Beer-fetching robot promises to make your significant other obsolete

Beer-fetching robot promises to make your significant other obsolete originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Jul 2010 14:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beerpr2robotrobotsthe futureTheFuturewillow garageWillowGarageThu, 08 Jul 2010 14:34:00 EST<![CDATA[Heineken Bot does what it says on the keg, soon to be man's new best friend (update: new video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/07/heineken-bot-does-what-it-says-on-the-keg-soon-to-be-mans-new/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/07/heineken-bot-does-what-it-says-on-the-keg-soon-to-be-mans-new/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/07/heineken-bot-does-what-it-says-on-the-keg-soon-to-be-mans-new/#comments If you ask us, our theory is that the Daleks are rather huggable by nature, but they probably partied a tad too hard with these beer-toting fellas before trashing the world. One such "Heineken Bot" -- crafted by the geniuses at Middlesex University -- turned up at Kinetica Art Fair in London. Daring humans can stop this drifting bot by hovering their hands above its sonar-sensing head, and then place a cup in its holder for some bevvy spat out of its keg. When you're served, the lonewolf continues to wander along its pre-programmed path, probably waiting for the assassination signal from Skynet. See for yourself after the break while you're still alive.

Update: Chris Barlow from the project team has just hit us with a video of the upgraded Heinken Bot. Check it out after the break.

Gallery: Heineken Bot at Kinetica Art Fair 2010

Continue reading Heineken Bot does what it says on the keg, soon to be man's new best friend (update: new video)

Heineken Bot does what it says on the keg, soon to be man's new best friend (update: new video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 07 Feb 2010 02:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alcoholbeerhands-onheinekenheineken botHeinekenBotkinetica art fairkinetica art fair 2010kinetica museumKineticaArtFairKineticaArtFair2010KineticaMuseumlondonmiddlesex universityMiddlesexUniversityrobotSun, 07 Feb 2010 02:14:00 EST<![CDATA[BrewTroller simplifies homebrewing, makes it doable while inebriated]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/11/brewtroller-simplifies-homebrewing-makes-it-doable-while-inebri/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/11/brewtroller-simplifies-homebrewing-makes-it-doable-while-inebri/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/11/brewtroller-simplifies-homebrewing-makes-it-doable-while-inebri/#comments
It's been a mystery for ages, but at long last, it seems a simple DIYer has found a solution. We all know that the best beers are the ones brewed at home, but after a given amount of "test sips," things can easily get a little out of control. In order to simplify the homebrewing process, the brilliant BrewTroller was concocted during a short stint with sobriety. In essence, the system utilizes a Sanguino microcontroller platform which was inspired by the tried-and-true Arduino in order to give brewers complete control over temperature and the like. When connected to a simple menu-driven display, it removes the need to bang out a paragraph of code while tipsy in order to tweak the flavor ever so slightly. Hit up the read link to have a look at the progress, but make sure you strap on those Beer Goggles first.

[Via HackedGadgets]

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BrewTroller simplifies homebrewing, makes it doable while inebriated originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 11 Apr 2009 02:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ArduinobeerbrewbrewingBrewTrollerDIYdrinkfoodSat, 11 Apr 2009 02:06:00 EST<![CDATA[Crapgadget CES, round 8: Remote Control Cooler]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/12/crapgadget-ces-round-8-remote-control-cooler/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/12/crapgadget-ces-round-8-remote-control-cooler/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/12/crapgadget-ces-round-8-remote-control-cooler/#comments

Don't drink and drive.

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Crapgadget CES, round 8: Remote Control Cooler originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 12 Jan 2009 07:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beercesces 2009ces 2009 crapgadgetCes2009ces2009crapgadgetcoolercrapgadgetheinyremote controlremote control coolerRemoteControlRemoteControlCoolerMon, 12 Jan 2009 07:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Serv O'Beer pours when iPhone accelerometer tells it to]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/05/serv-obeer-pours-when-iphone-accelerometer-tells-it-to/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/05/serv-obeer-pours-when-iphone-accelerometer-tells-it-to/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/05/serv-obeer-pours-when-iphone-accelerometer-tells-it-to/#comments Now that the holiday season is officially over (CES notwithstanding), there's officially no better time to get inebriated and wash away the sorrows of not having another government-recognized holiday for like, ever. After you've drug that dead tree out to the roadside and filled a few buckets with tears, why not try constructing your very Serv O'Beer in order to bring just a sliver of that joy back into your heart? Put simply, the project pictured above utilized Construx as the mechanical platform, a servo driving the action and ioBridge controlling the system; a so-called "perfect pour" was executed by linking an iPhone accelerometer to the system and turning it up. Have a look at the demonstration vid just past the break -- dollars to donuts it'll make you smile.

[Thanks, Hans]

Continue reading Serv O'Beer pours when iPhone accelerometer tells it to

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Serv O'Beer pours when iPhone accelerometer tells it to originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 05 Jan 2009 05:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accelerometeralcoholbeerConstruxdiyhackhacksioBridgeiphonekinexmodmodsServ OBeerServObeervideoMon, 05 Jan 2009 05:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Serv O'Beer pours when iPhone accelerometer tells it to]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/05/serv-obeer-pours-when-iphone-accelerometer-tells-it-to/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/05/serv-obeer-pours-when-iphone-accelerometer-tells-it-to/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/05/serv-obeer-pours-when-iphone-accelerometer-tells-it-to/#comments
Now that the holiday season is officially over (CES notwithstanding), there's officially no better time to get inebriated and wash away the sorrows of not having another government-recognized holiday for like, ever. After you've drug that dead tree out to the roadside and filled a few buckets with tears, why not try constructing your very Serv O'Beer in order to bring just a sliver of that joy back into your heart? Put simply, the project pictured above utilized Construx as the mechanical platform, a servo driving the action and ioBridge controlling the system; a so-called "perfect pour" was executed by linking an iPhone accelerometer to the system and turning it up. Have a look at the demonstration vid just past the break -- dollars to donuts it'll make you smile.

[Thanks, Hans]

Continue reading Serv O'Beer pours when iPhone accelerometer tells it to

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Serv O'Beer pours when iPhone accelerometer tells it to originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 05 Jan 2009 04:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accelerometeralcoholapplebeerConstruxdiyhackioBridgeiphonekinexmobilemodperipheralsServ OBeerServObeervideoMon, 05 Jan 2009 04:54:00 EST<![CDATA[Basil the Robot trained for symbolic recognition, beer toting]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/22/basil-the-robot-trained-for-symbolic-recognition-beer-toting/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/22/basil-the-robot-trained-for-symbolic-recognition-beer-toting/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/22/basil-the-robot-trained-for-symbolic-recognition-beer-toting/#comments
Though not much of a looker -- feel free to insert your own beer goggles joke here -- Basil the Robot is an experiment by Jim and Louise Gunderson to train an AI to identify its surroundings symbolically. That way, the couple hopes, he can react dynamically in new environments. Basil was intended to be shown off at a Cafe Scientifique meeting by having him go to the bar and order drinks for his creators, but that proved unsuccessful when Basil's battery died. The couple did videotape a successful trial run from the night before, which you can see after the break. Basil will next receive a microphone for voice commands and be upgraded from his current sonar navigation to a video sight system. The eventual goal is to teach Basil to go to the local brewery and pick up beer. Sure, we're still terrified of the robot revolution, but let's get serious here -- who are we to deny our mechanical overlords if they keep proffering us six-packs? Hit up the read link for the full story.

[Via Metafilter]

Continue reading Basil the Robot trained for symbolic recognition, beer toting

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Basil the Robot trained for symbolic recognition, beer toting originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 22 Dec 2008 19:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aiartificial intelligenceArtificialIntelligencebasilbasil the robotBasilTheRobotbeergamma twoGammaTwogundersonjim gundersonJimGundersonlouise gundersonLouiseGundersonrobotMon, 22 Dec 2008 19:44:00 EST<![CDATA[Micro Matic v-POD weds beer dispenser and LCD TV]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/micro-matic-v-pod-weds-beer-dispenser-and-lcd-tv/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/micro-matic-v-pod-weds-beer-dispenser-and-lcd-tv/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/micro-matic-v-pod-weds-beer-dispenser-and-lcd-tv/#comments
It's two things that are inevitably tied to one another each Sunday -- LCD TVs and alcohol. Now, Micro Matic is bringing them together like never before, and only the most serious of in-home bartenders need apply. The v-POD comes in a couple of shapes and colors to best suit your needs, with the stainless steel Kool-Rite boasting a half-dozen taps, stereo speakers and an inbuilt 10-inch LCD. Now, if only these were available with slightly larger HDTVs and price tags nowhere near the three grand mark, we'd be talking.

[Via Engadget Chinese]

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Micro Matic v-POD weds beer dispenser and LCD TV originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 01 Dec 2008 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beerbeer kegBeerKegfootballHDTVhdtvkegkeglcdlcd tvLcdTvmicro maticMicroMaticNFLsuper bowlSuperBowlv-PODMon, 01 Dec 2008 17:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Micro Matic v-POD weds beer dispenser and LCD TV]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/micro-matic-v-pod-weds-beer-dispenser-and-lcd-tv/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/micro-matic-v-pod-weds-beer-dispenser-and-lcd-tv/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/micro-matic-v-pod-weds-beer-dispenser-and-lcd-tv/#comments
It's two things that are inevitably tied to one another each Sunday -- LCD TVs and alcohol. Now, Micro Matic is bringing them together like never before, and only the most serious of in-home bartenders need apply. The v-POD comes in a couple of shapes and colors to best suit your needs, with the stainless steel Kool-Rite boasting a half-dozen taps, stereo speakers and an inbuilt 10-inch LCD. Now, if only these were available with slightly larger HDTVs and price tags nowhere near the three grand mark, we'd be talking.

[Via Engadget Chinese]

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Micro Matic v-POD weds beer dispenser and LCD TV originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 01 Dec 2008 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beerbeer kegBeerKegfootballhdHDTVhdtvkegkeglcdlcd tvLcdTvmicro maticMicroMaticNFLother hardwareotherhardwaresuper bowlSuperBowlv-PODMon, 01 Dec 2008 17:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Three Sheets not done yet: New Year's Eve Pub Crawl from London on MOJO's website]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/three-sheets-not-done-yet-new-years-eve-pub-crawl-from-london/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/three-sheets-not-done-yet-new-years-eve-pub-crawl-from-london/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/three-sheets-not-done-yet-new-years-eve-pub-crawl-from-london/#comments
iN DEMAND Networks has heard you loud and clear, and it's giving Three Sheets fanatics at least one more look at Zane Lamprey's blitzed face this New Year's Eve. On the very day that MOJO HD vanished from programming providers everywhere, in flies a release informing us that what's likely the channel's most loved show will be back for another go... online. The second annual Three Sheets New Year's Even Pub Crawl will air this year from London, and it will begin streaming at the stroke of midnight ET on January 1, 2009. The 45-minute special will see Zane dropping by the bar at Duke's Hotel, Green and Red on the East End and Casa Blue (just to name a few). Oh, and if you're really dedicated to the show, you can hit up the Zane Years Eve party in LA, which will include a screening of this very show. We'll keep you posted on anything we hear regarding the show being picked up on another network (hint, hint, networks). Full release is after the break.

Continue reading Three Sheets not done yet: New Year's Eve Pub Crawl from London on MOJO's website

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Three Sheets not done yet: New Year's Eve Pub Crawl from London on MOJO's website originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 01 Dec 2008 15:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alcoholbeerbreaking newsBreakingNewshdinternetinternet tvinternet videoInternetTvInternetVideoMOJOMOJO HDMojoHdnew contentnewcontentthree sheetsThreeSheetstravelzane LampreyZaneLampreyMon, 01 Dec 2008 15:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Budweiser telephone lets you drunk dial, like, for real]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/04/budweiser-telephone-lets-you-drunk-dial-like-for-real/http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/04/budweiser-telephone-lets-you-drunk-dial-like-for-real/http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/04/budweiser-telephone-lets-you-drunk-dial-like-for-real/#comments
We can only hope that the makers of this beer bottle phone actually got Budweiser's permission before slapping its logo on there, but regardless of all that, who can deny the awesomeness here? Okay, so you've got to be "that guy" for it to take your breath away, but we know you're out there somewhere, that guy. Aside from looking like a cold one, it pretty much handles everything else a hamburger phone (or similar) would, but at least this one doesn't require prior knowledge of Juno to be appreciated by your tipsy pals. Get your inebriated dialing on now for just $16.99 delivered.

[Via CrunchGear]

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Budweiser telephone lets you drunk dial, like, for real originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 04 Jul 2008 02:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beerbeer bottlebeer phoneBeerBottleBeerPhoneBudweisercomedyfunnygiftlandlinephonetelephoneFri, 04 Jul 2008 02:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Chassis the beer pouring robot gets paint job, even more lovable]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/12/chassis-the-beer-pouring-robot-gets-paint-job-even-more-lovable/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/12/chassis-the-beer-pouring-robot-gets-paint-job-even-more-lovable/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/12/chassis-the-beer-pouring-robot-gets-paint-job-even-more-lovable/#comments
Robots that assist in taking humans to their desired level of inebriation are far from new, but Chassis is just too darn likable to ignore. The beer pouring creature itself has actually doled out a few pints in its lifetime, but apparently, the latest spotting showed off a snazzy new paint job and a few additional lights. Heck, there's even a built-in microphone and speaker for "audience interaction." Best of all, however, is that the operator of this fellow can make it talk to party goers in the vicinity, and while we're currently unsure of its marital status, we have all ideas that it's a real hit with the ladies. Check out a few more snapshots in the read link below.

[Via UberReview]

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Chassis the beer pouring robot gets paint job, even more lovable originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Mar 2008 09:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alcoholbeerbeer pouringBeerPouringchassisrobotWed, 12 Mar 2008 09:54:00 EST<![CDATA[Bill Gates: philanthropist, nerd, beer baron]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/21/bill-gates-billionaire-nerd-beer-baron/http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/21/bill-gates-billionaire-nerd-beer-baron/http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/21/bill-gates-billionaire-nerd-beer-baron/#comments
Being the shrewd businessman that he is, Bill Gates has just invested a significant amount of money in one of the few products consumed during both good times and bad: alcohol. Actually Femsa, the Mexican brewery in which Gates now owns a $392 million stake through his Cascade Investment LLC fund, does a lot more than just brew booze: according to Reuters, it's also the world's second-largest Coke bottler as well as operator of Oxxo, Latin America's largest convenience store chain. When asked how he felt about the Microsoft founder moving in on his home turf, fellow billionaire Carlos Slim reportedly shrugged off the threat, boasting, "Not only am I a wealthier man than Mr. Gates, but he couldn't even make it through half a Power Hour with his nueva cerveza."

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Bill Gates: philanthropist, nerd, beer baron originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 21 Dec 2007 13:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acquisitionsbeerbill gatesBillGatescarlos slimCarlosSlimfemsamexicoFri, 21 Dec 2007 13:34:00 EST<![CDATA[Pocketable probe could detect drink spiking]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/08/15/pocketable-probe-could-detect-drink-spiking/http://www.engadget.com/2007/08/15/pocketable-probe-could-detect-drink-spiking/http://www.engadget.com/2007/08/15/pocketable-probe-could-detect-drink-spiking/#commentsGranted, we've come across hordes of patent applications that were far from practical, but if it's the premise that counts, we suppose this one works out alright. The app calls for a "probe" which could then be inserted into a drink, and an indicator connected to a database that would enlighten you if your drink has indeed been injected with a noxious solution while you weren't paying attention. The process would also require that a blast of electricity be sent through the probe, and though it's not directly stated, it also entails that the user be sober enough to understand it and willing to bust it out whilst partying. We have our doubts about the last two ever truly working out.

[Via MedLaunches, image courtesy of BBC]

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Pocketable probe could detect drink spiking originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Aug 2007 01:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alcoholbeerchemicaldrinkdrink spikingDrinkSpikingpatentWed, 15 Aug 2007 01:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Nuvo Wino infrared wine thermometer sports retractable sensor]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/22/nuvo-wino-infrared-wine-thermometer-sports-retractable-sensor/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/22/nuvo-wino-infrared-wine-thermometer-sports-retractable-sensor/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/22/nuvo-wino-infrared-wine-thermometer-sports-retractable-sensor/#comments
There's no shortage of gadgetry designed to keep your wine legit and chilled, but the Nuvo Vino infrared thermometer is hitting the market to ensure that your pre-drink rambling doesn't lead to you drinking an overly warm glass. The simplistic device sports a retractable sensor that purportedly measures the exact temperature of the wine itself, and there's plenty of accompanying documentation to inform you of what perfect degree you should look for before indulging. As expected, it also features a fairly attractive motif in order to catch the eye of the affluent, but until they add built-in aural cues that blurt out whether or not your beverage is ideal, we'll hold onto our $49.95.

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Nuvo Wino infrared wine thermometer sports retractable sensor originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 May 2007 10:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alcoholbeerdrinkingluxurynuvo winoNuvoWinoretractablesensorsensorsthermometerwineTue, 22 May 2007 10:41:00 EST<![CDATA[Foster's to aid in first "beer battery" fuel cell project]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/03/fosters-to-aid-in-first-beer-battery-fuel-cell-project/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/03/fosters-to-aid-in-first-beer-battery-fuel-cell-project/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/03/fosters-to-aid-in-first-beer-battery-fuel-cell-project/#commentsWhile it's certainly debatable whether beer is to thank for the explosion in the consumer electronics industry, it looks like we'll be thanking the beverage without hesitation for making our world a little greener. Oddly enough, "scientists and Australian beer maker Foster's are teaming up to generate clean energy from brewery waste water by using sugar-consuming bacteria," and better yet, the University of Queensland will host a microbial fuel cell at a Foster's Group brewery near Brisbane. Essentially, the cell will consume brewery wastes such as sugar, starch, and alcohol, while producing clean electricity by harnessing the energy released from the organic materials coming in. The device is expected to produce two-kilowatts of power, and while hopes are to bring the technology to other breweries and wineries around the country, this iteration should crank up sometime in September.

[Via Physorg, thanks Michael T.]

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Foster's to aid in first "beer battery" fuel cell project originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 03 May 2007 08:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alcoholAustraliabacteriabeerbeer batteryBeerBatterybiodegradablebiologybrewerybrisbaneelectricityenergyfoster'sfuel cellFuelCellgreenpowerqueenslandscienceThu, 03 May 2007 08:16:00 EST<![CDATA[Beer to thank for consumer electronics explosion?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/04/18/beer-to-thank-for-consumer-electronics-explosion/http://www.engadget.com/2007/04/18/beer-to-thank-for-consumer-electronics-explosion/http://www.engadget.com/2007/04/18/beer-to-thank-for-consumer-electronics-explosion/#commentsBeer has certainly found its place in worldwide culture, but claiming that it's the foundation for all of the consumer electronics that we enjoy today is probably stretching it. Nevertheless, the controversial (or just plain sarcastic) Charlie Bamforth proclaims that "beer is the basis of modern static civilization," touting his three decades at Anheuser-Busch as a knowledge base. Essentially, Charlie insinuates that beer spurned innovation in ages past by making the early brewers think outside of the box, which subsequently led to tents, then cities, and by extension, iPods, laptops, and USB-powered oddities. Granted, the man's linkages make entirely more sense when inebriated (or at least tipsy), so if you're looking to prove just how important alcohol is to your gadget collection, grab a few cans and hit the read link below.

[Via Inquirer]

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Beer to thank for consumer electronics explosion? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Apr 2007 21:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alcoholBamforthbeerbeveragecivilizationdrinkelectronicsWed, 18 Apr 2007 21:07:00 EST<![CDATA[PS3 or beer? Microsoft poses the ultimate question]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/23/ps3-or-beer-microsoft-poses-the-ultimate-question/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/23/ps3-or-beer-microsoft-poses-the-ultimate-question/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/23/ps3-or-beer-microsoft-poses-the-ultimate-question/#comments
While we might've put down a few of Microsoft's last night Europe exploits as a tad immature, we aren't going to deny the genius here: Microsoft's message to gamers is that the PS3 = the Xbox 360 + £146 in beer money. Of course, such a mental exercise is nothing without a bit of illustration, so Microsoft carted in just that much beer to the offices of the UK's CVG magazine (above) and Auckland, NZ's GamePlanet store (pictured after the break). Naturally, Sony will have the last laugh when its utterly sober fanboys use keen rhetoric to destroy their tipsy MS fanboy opponents in the comments section following this post.

[Via Joystiq]

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PS3 or beer? Microsoft poses the ultimate question originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 23 Mar 2007 20:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beercvggameplanetmathmicrosoftps3sonyxboxFri, 23 Mar 2007 20:06:00 EST<![CDATA[Inebriated crooks leave behind digital snapshots of themselves]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/18/inebriated-crooks-leave-behind-digital-snapshots-of-themselves/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/18/inebriated-crooks-leave-behind-digital-snapshots-of-themselves/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/18/inebriated-crooks-leave-behind-digital-snapshots-of-themselves/#commentsIt's one thing to lose track of all the peripherals you need to gank whilst stealing a gaming console, but to leave behind digital snapshots of yourself at a crime scene is on an entirely different level of dumb. In a case filled with Darwin award nominees, a team of self-incriminating thieves managed to break into private property and jack about "$5,000 worth of expensive alcohol, including $800 bottles of wine and high-dollar scotch," only to forget a digital camera filled with photos of the party in progress. Interestingly, game designer Richard Garriott (Ultima Online, anyone?) actually owns the property, and has stated that he'll probably install a swank video surveillance / security system to prevent such an annoyance from happening again. But if you've been wondering how to make a quick buck in order to snag a few new pieces of kit flowing out of CeBIT, Texas police are offering "up to $1,000 in reward money" for leading investigators to the less-than-intelligent criminals.

[Via Fark]

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Inebriated crooks leave behind digital snapshots of themselves originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 18 Mar 2007 18:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alcoholaustinbeerdarwindrunkdumblarcenyrewardstealstealingstupidtexastheftthiefweirdSun, 18 Mar 2007 18:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Heineken to track shipping containers via GPS]]>http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/09/heineken-to-track-shipping-containers-via-gps/http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/09/heineken-to-track-shipping-containers-via-gps/http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/09/heineken-to-track-shipping-containers-via-gps/#commentsWe're not exactly sure why Heineken needs GPS to monitor the location of its beer shipments, but they probably know more about global shipping logistics than we do. According to RFID Journal, starting this month, the Dutch beer giant will begin the first test of its "Living Beer Plan," tracking 10 shipping containers of beer from Heineken headquarters in The Netherlands to the United Kingdom and the United States. Customs data, such as whether or not the containers' doors have been opened, will be available online to British and American customs officials, (as well as the researchers monitoring the project at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam) even before the cargo ships reach UK and American ports. Heineken claims it will save on the 30-odd pages worth of printed customs forms and other documents by using GPS and online tracking instead. Surely with the money saved on not printing up documents, Heineken wouldn't mind sending its friends at Engadget a free case of brew? Pretty please?

[Via Brandish]

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Heineken to track shipping containers via GPS originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Nov 2006 04:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amsterdambeergpsheinekennetherlandsshipping containersShippingContainersThu, 09 Nov 2006 04:37:00 EST<![CDATA[Miller to introduce self-cooling beer cans next year]]>http://www.engadget.com/2006/04/20/miller-to-introduce-self-cooling-beer-cans-next-year/http://www.engadget.com/2006/04/20/miller-to-introduce-self-cooling-beer-cans-next-year/http://www.engadget.com/2006/04/20/miller-to-introduce-self-cooling-beer-cans-next-year/#commentsWe're always keen on technology that improves our beer consumption experience, whether it be coasters and pitchers that signal for help when you need a refill, or mugs that let you share a drink with distant friends. Obviously, then, we were understandably excited to learn that Miller will be the first domestic brewer to utilize Tempra's self-cooling cans for dropping your drink's temperature a minimum of 30º F on command. Self-cooling, and self-heating, technology have been around for awhile, but save for the homemade Peltier Beer personal beverage cooler, this is the first method we've seen to cool down your suds long after the ice in your cooler has melted. Tempra's I.C. Can works by drawing heat out of the beverage with a natural desiccant (drying agent), through a water gel coated evaporator, and into an insulated heat-sink container, once an internal vacuum-seal has been broken. Miller's self-cooled offerings should begin showing up in finer distributors nationwide starting sometime next year, and as you can probably imagine, a sixer of these high-tech brews isn't going to come cheap.

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Miller to introduce self-cooling beer cans next year originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 20 Apr 2006 15:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beeri.c. canI.c.Canmillerpeltierself-coolingself-heatingsix packSixPacktempraThu, 20 Apr 2006 15:43:00 EST