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[Douglas Coupland's V-Pole unifies wireless connectivity and EV charging in an LED streetlight]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/23/douglas-couplands-v-pole-unifies-wireless-connectivity-and-ev-c/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/23/douglas-couplands-v-pole-unifies-wireless-connectivity-and-ev-c/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/23/douglas-couplands-v-pole-unifies-wireless-connectivity-and-ev-c/#comments Image

It's still very much a concept, and not something being described as a business venture, but author / designer Douglas Coupland is hoping that his new "V-Pole" design will serve as something of a model for cities looking to build out their technology infrastructure. As you can see, it's a rather nondescript (albeit brightly-colored) pole on the outside, but Coupland sees the inside being packed with an array of the latest technology, including Alcatel-Lucent lightRadios for wireless connectivity (both WiFi and cellular), an LED street light on top, and connections to nearby wireless charging stations for electric vehicles. As for the "V" in the name, that stands for Coupland's home city of Vancouver, which he sees as a natural fit for the pole -- something the city's mayor apparently agrees with.

Douglas Coupland's V-Pole unifies wireless connectivity and EV charging in an LED streetlight originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 May 2012 05:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alcatel-lucentcitiescityconceptcouplanddouglas couplandDouglasCouplandinfrastructurelightradiov-polevancouverwireless chargingWirelessChargingWed, 23 May 2012 05:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Motorola reinvents the TV interface with DreamGallery concept (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/21/motorola-dreamgallery/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/21/motorola-dreamgallery/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/21/motorola-dreamgallery/#comments Motorola reinvents the TV interface with DreamGallery concept (video)

Motorola is demonstrating how it expects TVs of the future will work with its DreamGallery concept. Powered by the company's Medios cloud-service, the display is designed to let you browse content as if it was the internet -- with bookmarks, personalized recommendations and interactive search tools. Its designed to work across your TV, computer, tablet and smartphone, aggregating Cable, Internet TV and VOD under a single interface that sits behind pull-tabs around the picture. If you're curious to see if this is easier to use than TiVo, head on past the break to catch your first glimpse.

Continue reading Motorola reinvents the TV interface with DreamGallery concept (video)

Motorola reinvents the TV interface with DreamGallery concept (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 21 May 2012 13:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Boston Cable ShowBostonCableShowCableCable ShowCable Show 2012CableShowCableShow2012ConceptDesignDreamGalleryFour ScreensFourScreenshdpostcrossInterfaceInternetMotorolaMotorola DreamGalleryMotorola MediosMotorola MobilityMotorolaDreamgalleryMotorolaMediosMotorolaMobilityTiVoTVTV InterfaceTvInterfaceUser InterfaceUserInterfacevideoVODMon, 21 May 2012 13:42:00 EST<![CDATA[NDS' Surfaces turns your wall into a TV, or a TV into a wall... one of those two]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/10/nds-surfaces/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/10/nds-surfaces/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/10/nds-surfaces/#comments Image

Remember the wall that was also a television in Total Recall? That's the inspiration behind Surfaces -- a concept device produced by British cable mavens NDS. Abandoning the idea of a single screen, the company mounted six displays into a wall that offers up TV and internet content when on, and blends into your wallpaper when off. The setup will even control your room's lighting for those particularly emotive X Factor performances and you control the whole thing with your iPad (while tweeting, bitchily about the show). However, before you storm the company's Staines headquarters looking to buy one, there are a few obstacles you should know about. Firstly, this amazing setup cost over $30,000 and secondly, it only really works if you've got plenty of content filmed in 4K -- but don't worry, Peter Jackson's working on it.

[Image Credit: Jon Snyder / Wired]

NDS' Surfaces turns your wall into a TV, or a TV into a wall... one of those two originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 May 2012 09:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ConceptConcept DeviceConceptDevicehdpostcrossNDSNDS SurfacesNdsSurfacesSecond-ScreenSecond-ScreeningSurfacesTVThu, 10 May 2012 09:16:00 EST<![CDATA[Honda test house features Smart Home System for controlling energy usage]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/01/honda-test-smart-home-controlling-energy/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/01/honda-test-smart-home-controlling-energy/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/01/honda-test-smart-home-controlling-energy/#comments Honda test house features Smart Home System for controlling energy usage

The term "smart home" seems to turn up in tech circles every so often, only to fade into the background again without much sign of ultra-connected dwellings becoming a reality. Honda's at least putting one foot forward, with a just-unveiled test house in Saitama, Japan featuring a system for controlling and monitoring energy usage. The Honda Smart Home System (HSHS) consists of thin-film solar cell panels, a rechargeable home battery unit, gas and hot water supply systems and the Smart e Mix Manager. The latter is the central part of the energy-control system, and it keeps track of all the other components in addition to monitoring the home's use of power supplied by the grid. In emergency situations, it can also provide electricity via the home battery unit. On the day-to-day level, however, the system is there to let home owners know what sources of power they can kill. Honda also integrates its Japan-only Internavi system for controlling home appliances remotely. The car maker hopes to use the house for extensive demo testing, with an ultimate goal of reducing CO2 emissions by 50 percent. No word on how many decades till we actually call this sort of place home, though. Click on past the break for a look (in Japanese) at the test home's features.

Continue reading Honda test house features Smart Home System for controlling energy usage

Honda test house features Smart Home System for controlling energy usage originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 May 2012 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>conceptconceptselectricityEnergyenergy efficientenergy usageEnergyEfficientEnergyUsagegreenhomehomeshondaHonda Smart e Mix Managerhonda smart home systemhonda test homeHondaSmartEMixManagerHondaSmartHomeSystemHondaTestHomeHousehousesJapanSmart e Mix Managersmart homesmart homesSmartEMixManagerSmartHomeSmartHomesvideoTue, 01 May 2012 19:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Project Glass team member shows off mockup for glasses-wearers, says it's for 'everyone']]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/12/google-project-glass-with-glasses/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/12/google-project-glass-with-glasses/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/12/google-project-glass-with-glasses/#comments Project Glass team member shows off mockup for glasses-wearers, says it's for 'everyone'While Google isn't ready to answer all of the questions we have about its Project Glass concept yet, a member of the team has chimed in on one of the most common questions -- could it work even the user wears prescription glasses? Industrial designer Isabelle Olsson says the team ideally wants it to work for everyone, and posted a photo of the Glass-on-glasses mockup shown above to her Google+ page. Unless you're a Google exec this doesn't bring you any closer to going retinas-on with the heads-up display / augmented reality project yourself, but hopefully it keeps the dream alive even for the near / far sighted among us.

Project Glass team member shows off mockup for glasses-wearers, says it's for 'everyone' originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 12 Apr 2012 20:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>augmented realityAugmentedRealityconceptdesignglassesgoogleheads-up displayHeads-upDisplayhudminipostmockupproject glassProjectGlassspectaclesThu, 12 Apr 2012 20:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Intel and Nissan collaborate on Infiniti's 2013 infotainment system, Atom inside]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/05/nissan-2013-infotainment-with-intel-atom/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/05/nissan-2013-infotainment-with-intel-atom/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/05/nissan-2013-infotainment-with-intel-atom/#comments Intel and Nissan collaborate on infotainment system for Infiniti's 2013 lineup, Atom processor lurks withinIntel is notorious for marking its territory on a wide array of consumer gear, but one piece of kit that's unlikely to sport that famous sticker is the infotainment system of Nissan's 2013 Infiniti lineup. Unveiled today at the New York International Auto Show, the in-vehicle computer represents a collaboration between Intel and Nissan and was showcased within the Infiniti LE concept vehicle. On the inside lurks an Atom CPU, which bucks the general trend toward ARM architecture in these systems. Both companies put their collective heads together to create cloud-based services for smartphone users such as video surveillance, vehicle control and monitoring. As another nice refinement, users will also be able to use their phone's NFC capabilities for keyless entry to the carriage -- no word on whether it can similarly activate the ignition. You'll find the full PR after the break.

Continue reading Intel and Nissan collaborate on Infiniti's 2013 infotainment system, Atom inside

Intel and Nissan collaborate on Infiniti's 2013 infotainment system, Atom inside originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 Apr 2012 20:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atomconceptconcept carConceptCarinfinitiinfiniti leInfinitiLeinfotainmentinfotainment systeminfotainment systemsInfotainmentSystemInfotainmentSystemsintelintel atomIntelAtomnew york citynew york international auto showNewYorkCityNewYorkInternationalAutoShownissannyiasnyias 2012Nyias2012Thu, 05 Apr 2012 20:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Intuit shows off MicroMint concept app for the WIMM One smartwatch, we go hands-on]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/30/intuit-micromint-wimm-one-concept-app-hands-on/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/30/intuit-micromint-wimm-one-concept-app-hands-on/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/30/intuit-micromint-wimm-one-concept-app-hands-on/#comments Given the amount of time we spent with the WIMM One smartwatch, you'd think we would have had enough fodder for a full-blown review. Alas, though, one critical piece was missing: apps. Not test apps, like a balance ball game, but honest to goodness apps from major third-party developers. Well, we got a chance to check out a concept app from Intuit, the company behind Mint.com (no TurboTax for this 1.41-inch display, sorry).

What can we say? When a device has a screen this tiny, the elevator pitch is going to be mighty brief. Here's how MicroMint works: just swipe left to right to see your balances for different accounts. There's no limit to how many it can display, and when you reach the end of the list, the app will just start cycling through again. As you can see in the video demo below, the app's performance is limited by the watch's 667MHz ARM11 CPU and 256MB RAM, which is to say you'll notice some lag as you swipe from one bank balance to another. And that's it. This is all the app does; don't expect to take advantage of Mint's other features, like budget-planning and mapping out savings goals (not that you'd want any graphs or itemized lists crammed onto that 160x160 screen).

For now, of course, this concept app is just that, a prototype. Intuit won't commit to releasing it, much less share any sort of timeline. Interestingly, though, David Siegel on Intuit's development team suggested to us that the app might be of more use when WIMM releases its next-gen watch with NFC. With that radio on board, he says, the app could potentially allow not just for balance-checking, but credit card payments as well. Additionally, the outfit is mulling a similar app for the Sony SmartWatch, which also runs Android and supports Java-based apps. The only development hiccup, he says, would be adapting the app for Sony-specific APIs. That's a whole lot of ifs for one paragraph, though, so for now we'll leave you with a super quick hands-on video, just past the break.

Edgar Alvarez contributed to this report.

Gallery: MicroMint concept app hands-on

Continue reading Intuit shows off MicroMint concept app for the WIMM One smartwatch, we go hands-on

Intuit shows off MicroMint concept app for the WIMM One smartwatch, we go hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 30 Mar 2012 07:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidandroid appandroid appsAndroidAppAndroidAppsconceptconceptsDavid SiegelDavidSiegeldemohands-onIntuitMicrMintMintprototypeprototypesSmart Watchsmartwatchvideowatchwatcheswimm oneWimmOneFri, 30 Mar 2012 07:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Nokia Morph patent application raises hope well beyond expectation]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/29/nokia-morph-patent-application/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/29/nokia-morph-patent-application/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/29/nokia-morph-patent-application/#comments Image
Remember Nokia Morph? It's the Finnish manufacturer's long-standing project to build a transparent, flexible phone that you can contort to your hearts content. Now the company's submitting a second missive to the Patent and Trademark office in the hope of claiming dibs on the IP contained therein. While it's very broadly written (and doesn't commit to anything), it's interesting to note that the phone would switch between the leaf-shaped candybar (we played with it at MWC) and a wristband you can wear on the go. The patent also talks about a "remote processing unit," in a nearby device or in the cloud, so, if the company can ever turn the dream into reality, the real action will be handled elsewhere. Then again, it's equally as likely to never appear in our lifetimes, you just never can tell with patents.

Nokia Morph patent application raises hope well beyond expectation originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 29 Mar 2012 10:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ApplicationsBendableConceptFlexibleGraphenemobilepostcrossMorphMWCMWC 2012Mwc2012NokiaNokia MorphNokiaMorphPatentPatent ApplicationPatentApplicationPatentsScienceSlap BraceletSlap WristbandSlapBraceletSlapWristbandTransformableUSPTOWearableWearable TechWearableTechThu, 29 Mar 2012 10:11:00 EST<![CDATA[Infiniti Emerg-E concept gets unveiled before Geneva, is it the 'green' supercar you've been waiting for?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/27/infiniti-emerg-e-concept-gets-unveiled-before-geneva-is-it-the/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/27/infiniti-emerg-e-concept-gets-unveiled-before-geneva-is-it-the/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/27/infiniti-emerg-e-concept-gets-unveiled-before-geneva-is-it-the/#comments Infiniti Emerg-E concept gets unveiled before Geneva, is it the 'green' supercar you've been waiting for?Despite parent company Nissan's penchant for forward-thinking electric mobility, its luxury division, Infiniti, hasn't gotten much love from us thus far, chiefly due to its reluctance to play in the EV and plug-in hybrid spaces that we cover. That friends, will change at the upcoming Geneva Auto Show with the unveiling of the absolutely gorgeous Emerg-E concept. We don't have much more info on offer other than a bevy of official shots, but with looks like that, how could we not keep a watchful eye out for its March debut? You'll find another snap of its interior after the break, and those with more time (and privacy) ought to peep the upcoming E-tron and i8 competitor over at Autoblog.

Continue reading Infiniti Emerg-E concept gets unveiled before Geneva, is it the 'green' supercar you've been waiting for?

Infiniti Emerg-E concept gets unveiled before Geneva, is it the 'green' supercar you've been waiting for? originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Feb 2012 21:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>car conceptCarConceptconceptelectric carElectricCaremerg-Eemerg-e conceptEmerg-eConceptemergeevgeneva autoshowgeneva autoshow 2012GenevaAutoshowGenevaAutoshow2012infinitisexyMon, 27 Feb 2012 21:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Rinspeed gives Smart Fortwo ED two extra wheels, more junk in the trunk]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/20/rinspeed-unveils-smart-fortwo-dockgo/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/20/rinspeed-unveils-smart-fortwo-dockgo/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/20/rinspeed-unveils-smart-fortwo-dockgo/#comments Rinspeed gives Smart Fortwo ED two extra wheels, more junk in the trunkRinspeed is a Swiss speed shop that is perhaps best known for making rather outlandish concept cars, from glorified golf carts to Bond-inspired amphibious autos. And now the company has unveiled its latest creation, the Dock+Go, a "backpack" for your Smart Fortwo ED. Essentially, Rinspeed has modified an existing Fortwo EV so that it can connect an extra axle to its derriere, providing extra trunk space, a hot box for pizza delivery or even extra speakers and infotainment options. Not only that, but the automotive add-on also packs extra oomph to give your mini EV additional range with a built-in fuel cell, battery or ICE.

The Fortwo that the Dock+Go mates with has itself gotten a bunch of show-worthy interior upgrades as well. It's got a 12.1-inch in-dash monitor, infotainment system from Harman with Aha radio and gesture control, plus an incredibly safe smartphone cradle built into the steering wheel to give the Smart's cockpit a second screen. Because it's a concept, you won't see the Dock+Go on the streets anytime soon, but you can see plenty more pictures of it at the source below. Oh, and should customer demand be sufficient, Rinspeed's in talks with manufacturers to make it happen. What say you, dear readers, does a Fortwo EV with a fatter caboose appeal to you?

Rinspeed gives Smart Fortwo ED two extra wheels, more junk in the trunk originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 20 Feb 2012 20:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>conceptconcept carConceptCardock godock+goDockGoelectric carelectric driveelectric vehicleElectricCarElectricDriveElectricVehicleevrinspeedsmartsmart fortwosmart fortwo edSmartFortwoSmartFortwoEdMon, 20 Feb 2012 20:02:00 EST<![CDATA[BMW i8 production prototype goes dancing in a winter wonderland (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/09/bmw-i8-production-prototype-goes-dancing-in-a-winter-wonderland/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/09/bmw-i8-production-prototype-goes-dancing-in-a-winter-wonderland/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/09/bmw-i8-production-prototype-goes-dancing-in-a-winter-wonderland/#comments It's been almost a year since we last wrote about the BMW i8 being winter-tested and here it is again -- this time in production prototype form -- doing donuts (!) in the snow. This plug-in gasoline electric hybrid vehicle started life as the Vision EfficientDynamics, promising sub five-second 0 - 60mph times while still achieving an impressive 87mpg (2.7 liters per 100km). We last saw the i8 concept at the Frankfurt Motor Show but the sporty coupé with the funky gullwing-like doors isn't expected in BMW showrooms until sometime in 2014. So for now just sit back, relax and check out the video above.

BMW i8 production prototype goes dancing in a winter wonderland (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Feb 2012 07:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bmwbmw i8bmw project iBmwI8BmwProjectIconcepthybridhybrid vehicleHybridVehiclei8phevproduction prototypeProductionPrototypeproject iProjectIprototypespyspy shotspy videoSpyShotSpyVideotestingvideovision efficientdynamicsVisionEfficientdynamicswinter testingWinterTestingThu, 09 Feb 2012 07:07:00 EST<![CDATA[Compal Trinity ODM reference design eyes-on]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/02/compal-trinity-odm-reference-design-eyes-on/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/02/compal-trinity-odm-reference-design-eyes-on/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/02/compal-trinity-odm-reference-design-eyes-on/#comments
Here at AMD's Financial Analyst day, the company had a little demo area which is where we spotted this little number -- an ODM reference unit from Compal, stuffed with the company's upcoming Trinity APU. We're told the unit above is one of several, which are proof-of-concepts used to convince and show OEMs powerful, yet thin machines the duo hopes they'll bring to market. Inside this particular prototype is one of the lower voltage variants of Trinity (read: either the 17W or 25W part), which enables that svelte 18mm profile. Seeing as it is a one-off (and one that'll never come to market in this form), our impressions are moot, yet we'd be remiss if we didn't point out we were a little dismayed by its chassis, which was flimsy enough to put the existing flex champion, Toshiba's Z830, on notice. Still, with an estimated starting price of half an Ultrabook (roughly in the $500 to $600 range), we'll leave it up to you to decide exactly how much you value torsional rigidity. Other then that, viewing angles seemed good from the brief demo reel we watched, and there's plenty of connectivity onboard, with two USB 3.0 ports, mini-DisplayPort and HDMI flanking the left, followed by audio jacks, another USB, Ethernet and power along the right. Looks like thin and lights are about to get a whole lot more interesting later in the year, which, frankly is great -- it's about time Chipzilla got some worthy competition.

Gallery: Compal Trinity ODM reference design eyes-on

Compal Trinity ODM reference design eyes-on originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 02 Feb 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>18mmamdamd trinityAmdTrinityapucompalcompal reference designCompalReferenceDesignconceptnon-ultrabookODMODM sampleOdmSampleOEMreference designReferenceDesignthin and lightThinAndLighttrinity apuTrinityApuThu, 02 Feb 2012 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[G-Shock prototype phone hides its craggy looks at CES, only fears your stares]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/24/g-shock-prototype-phone-hides-its-craggy-looks-at-ces-only-fear/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/24/g-shock-prototype-phone-hides-its-craggy-looks-at-ces-only-fear/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/24/g-shock-prototype-phone-hides-its-craggy-looks-at-ces-only-fear/#comments

Like your phones tough? Casio's apparently crafted another hardy device and this one appears to be running Android Gingerbread. The unnamed device can handle ten-foot drops and ten meters of water, while scaring small children at the same time. Hiding under a bridge somewhere in Las Vegas, it somehow avoided our patrols of the CES showfloor. The rubberized smartphone holds on to those G-Shock looks, with nubs mimicking the layout of Casio's ubiquitous digital watch. Aside from the super-tough credentials emblazoned on the back of the device, other specs remain unknown. MyNavi reports that the device remains a concept at the moment, although Casio still seems more than happy to show off the phone on its Facebook page. Interested in another option besides those smartphone-friendly G-Shocks? You can peruse the source for a full gallery of the hardware.

[Thanks GreeKNastY]

G-Shock prototype phone hides its craggy looks at CES, only fears your stares originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidandroid gingerbreadAndroidGingerbreadCasioCasio G-ShockCasioG-shockconceptgooglemobilepostminitoughwaterproofTue, 24 Jan 2012 15:03:00 EST<![CDATA[BMW's DesignworksUSA, Thermaltake reveal Level 10 M gaming mouse concept]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/17/bmw-designworks-usa-thermaltake-reveal-level-10-m-gaming-mous/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/17/bmw-designworks-usa-thermaltake-reveal-level-10-m-gaming-mous/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/17/bmw-designworks-usa-thermaltake-reveal-level-10-m-gaming-mous/#comments Themaltake and BMW's DesignworksUSA are apparently a design-team match made in PC gaming heaven. After previously partnering up for the elegant (and functional) Level 10 modular PC case, the two are back at it again -- this time with a focus on peripherals. While details are sparse, the Level 10 M mouse concept you're looking at is the first of the bunch to be revealed, and it's said to arrive sometime during the spring. It's not exactly a shoo-in for MadCatz's Rats, but considering the wire and an aggressively breathable design, it's clearly aimed at pro gamers. Sadly, key specs like its DPI rating and details about any macro functionality are currently non-existent, however, it does appear to be of the optical variety -- here's to hoping it'll perform just as awesome as it looks to the eyes, and for now, hit up the press release past the break for a totally vague description.

Continue reading BMW's DesignworksUSA, Thermaltake reveal Level 10 M gaming mouse concept

BMW's DesignworksUSA, Thermaltake reveal Level 10 M gaming mouse concept originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 17 Jan 2012 21:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bmwconceptdesigndesignworksdesignworksusagaminggaming mouseGamingMousehardwarelevel 10Level10m mouseMMousemouseoptical mouseOpticalMousepcpc gamingPcGamingpro gamingProGamingrenderthermal takeThermalTakeTue, 17 Jan 2012 21:34:00 EST<![CDATA[Inhabitat's Week in Green: Detroit Auto Show, solar plants and hydrophobic nanocoating]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/15/detroit-auto-show-solar-plants-and-hydrophobic-nanocoating/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/15/detroit-auto-show-solar-plants-and-hydrophobic-nanocoating/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/15/detroit-auto-show-solar-plants-and-hydrophobic-nanocoating/#commentsEach 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 Inhabitat hit the streets of Detroit to bring you the hottest hybrid vehicles and electric cars from the 2012 North American International Auto Show! We saw automakers unveil scores of sexy supercars like the Lexus LF-LC coupe, the Chevy MiRay, and the NSX concept hybrid, and we also showcased more realistic street-ready vehicles like Ford's Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid, VW's brand new hybrid Jetta, and Via Motors' VTRUX extended-range EV pickup. We also peered into the future of sustainable transportation as we brought you the finalists in Michelin's city car design challenge, we learned that the world's largest driverless personal transit system is set to break ground in India, and we saw the UK green light the first phase of its new HS2 high-speed rail line.

It was also a bright week for alternative energy as MIT scientists discovered a way to make more efficient solar plants modeled after sunflowers and Sweden announced plans for a massive 700 megawatt wind farm in the Baltic Sea. Meanwhile, we learned that Rwanda's poo-powered prisons are able to produce 75% of their power from human waste, we showcased plans for an energy-generating rolling suitcase that charges your gadgets, and we saw the launch of several shining solar-powered devices - OLPC's XO3 tablet computer and the sun-powered Solarkindle e-reader cover.

In other news, this week we rounded up our favorite eco gadgets from CES 2012 - including a hydrophobic nanocoating that makes any gadget completely waterproof. We also saw 200 Chinese works construct a 30 story prefab building in just 15 days, and we watched superman fly across a cute animated LEGO TV. Finally, we brought you the latest and greatest developments in wearable technology - including a set of smart sunglasses that merge virtual information with the real world, a set of bone-conducting earphones, and a set of motorized skates that can be attached to any boring old pair of shoes.

Inhabitat's Week in Green: Detroit Auto Show, solar plants and hydrophobic nanocoating originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 15 Jan 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auto showautomobileautomotiveAutoShowcesces 2012Ces2012conceptdetroit auto showDetroitAutoShowhybridInhabitatMITnanocoatingnanotechnologynsxsolarSun, 15 Jan 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Toshiba 5.1-inch prototype tablet eyes-on]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/11/toshiba-5-1-inch-prototype-tablet-eyes-on/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/11/toshiba-5-1-inch-prototype-tablet-eyes-on/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/11/toshiba-5-1-inch-prototype-tablet-eyes-on/#comments Those 13- and 7.7-inch Toshiba concepts were pretty sweet, but what if you're in the mood something in slightly odder aspect ratio? The company had another prototype, one that we couldn't convince them to take out of its glass case, that's not unlike the Intel MID that was floating around back in 2008 and 2009. It's sporting a 21:9 screen in a Galaxy Note-class 5.1-inch size. The bottom of the phablet is home to the microUSB and HDMI ports, while all the physical buttons are on the right side, though, they're oddly positioned near the bottom of the device. One of the three keys is clearly the volume rocker and one is presumably the lock/power, but we're not entirely sure what the other is for. Check out the gallery below and, if we can convince them to open up the case, we'll return with more hands-on impression.

Gallery: Toshiba 5.1-inch tablet eyes-on



Billy Steele contributed to this report.

Toshiba 5.1-inch prototype tablet eyes-on originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 11 Jan 2012 17:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cesces 2012Ces2012concepteyes-onhands-onprototypetablettabletstoshibatoshiba 5.1-inch tabletToshiba5.1-inchTabletWed, 11 Jan 2012 17:14:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony Vaio Hybrid and Slate tablet concepts showcase new form factors, flexible materials (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/11/sony-vaio-hybrid-and-slate-tablet-concepts-showcase-new-form-fac/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/11/sony-vaio-hybrid-and-slate-tablet-concepts-showcase-new-form-fac/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/11/sony-vaio-hybrid-and-slate-tablet-concepts-showcase-new-form-fac/#comments Black, bezeled and rectangular? That's pretty much the go-to design for tablets nowadays. But lately Sony's been straying from the pack and taking a different aesthetic tack, which it recently showcased with the Tablet S and P. On the showroom floor at CES, however, the company had two newer models secured behind glass to give consumers a sense of future form factors. These prototypes -- known prospectively as the Hybrid and Slate -- fall under the Vaio brand and clearly highlight an exciting direction for the Japanese electronics giant's impending offerings.

The Hybrid's most distinctive feature is its marriage of laptop functionality with tablet portability. Sliding the unit up and locking it into place reveals a keyboard in front (shown with a dedicated Windows button) and an expansive speaker grill behind. The company wouldn't elaborate on the materials used in the enclosure, but that sparkly, copper color manages to toe the line between cheap and space age -- a definite contradiction, for sure. At the base of the 11-inch unit is a dock that fits an included stylus, as this tablet is being designed to support touch pen input, in addition to the typical capacitive touch. None of the ports on the device are final, but when and if it ever ships, you can expect the usual array.

For a true glimpse into the next generation of tablet manufacturing, you need only look to Sony's tablet Slate -- the real stunner of this conceptual duo. With its use of a smart, soft touch flexible material -- the company refused to elaborate on just what -- that extends from the unit's back for easy table top mounting, it's easy to see a product like this setting consumers' interest on fire and nabbing that lust-worthy tech crown. Unfortunately, this particular scifi casing is more than likely a few years off, but it's good to see the company innovating and attempting to break free from the shackles of ordinary builds. The Slate is also designed to work with a wireless keyboard that shares the same intelligent material and appears to incorporate a touch interface. Click on through the galleries below for a tour of these two proof of concepts and make sure to click on past the break for a brief video tour.

Gallery: Sony concept tablet Hybrid


Gallery: Sony concept tablet Slate

Continue reading Sony Vaio Hybrid and Slate tablet concepts showcase new form factors, flexible materials (video)

Sony Vaio Hybrid and Slate tablet concepts showcase new form factors, flexible materials (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 11 Jan 2012 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CESCES 2012Ces2012ces2012bestofconceptconceptseyes-onflexible materialFlexibleMaterialfuturehands-onHybridSlatesmart materialSmartMaterialSonySony VaioSonyVaiostylustabletsVaiovideoWed, 11 Jan 2012 16:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Sharp 8K Super Hi-Vision LCD, 4K TV and Freestyle wireless LCD HDTV hands-on]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/11/sharp-8k-super-hi-vision-lcd-4k-tv-and-freestyle-wireless-lcd-h/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/11/sharp-8k-super-hi-vision-lcd-4k-tv-and-freestyle-wireless-lcd-h/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/11/sharp-8k-super-hi-vision-lcd-4k-tv-and-freestyle-wireless-lcd-h/#comments We got a hint of Sharp's plans during its CES 2012 press conference two days ago, but really nothing can prepare you for the sight of the company's 7,680x4,320 resolution 85-inch Super Hi-Vision 8K LCD. No matter how close we got, we still couldn't see the pixels, and the video reels being demonstrated showed an almost unimaginable level of detail. The worst part of it was, seeing that first almost ruined the experience of checking out the ICC 4K demo at the other end of the booth. We can say this -- after seeing Super Hi-Vision there's really no going back. Make an appointment to see those 33MP broadcasts from the London Olympics now. Also a concept, but packed in a more conventional design, were Sharp's Aquos Freestyle LCDs. These featherweight flat-screens were also featured in the press conference, and pack wireless HD streaming inside capable of extending up to 98 feet. The 20-incher in the video above even has a battery good enough for two hours of completely wireless 1080p viewing. While Sharp called them concepts, the displays seemed incredibly polished, so check them out in the gallery below because you may see them on shelves someday.

Gallery: Sharp LCD concepts

Sharp 8K Super Hi-Vision LCD, 4K TV and Freestyle wireless LCD HDTV hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 11 Jan 2012 16:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>4k8kaquoscesces 2012Ces2012ces2012bestofconceptfreestylehands-onhdpostcrosslcdlightweightsharpshvsuper hi-visionSuperHi-visionvideowirelessWed, 11 Jan 2012 16:11:00 EST<![CDATA[Volvo unveils XC60 plug-in hybrid concept, claims it's 'superior to all existing hybrids']]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/05/volvo-unveils-xc60-plug-in-hybrid-concept/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/05/volvo-unveils-xc60-plug-in-hybrid-concept/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/05/volvo-unveils-xc60-plug-in-hybrid-concept/#comments
Svelte plug-in hybrids? Practically a dime a dozen. What aren't, however, are their more boxy SUV brethren -- but that hasn't stopped Volvo from creating the concept that lays before you. Beginning with a gutted XC60, the company's fitted a turbocharged gasoline four cylinder good for 280hp up-front, and a 70hp electric motor powering the rear. Combined they produce 350 horses which scuttle the crossover from 0-60MPH in a relatively scant 5.8 seconds. Yet, when not in the mood for outright performance, it can be set to run in "Pure" electric mode via a button press on the dash, enabling hypermilers everywhere to eke out 35 miles of electric motoring from its 12kWh battery pack. After depleting that, it'll take three and a half hours to top up while tethered to 220V, or a seven and a half hours over 110V. Eager to know when the 50MPG, 600 mile range beast makes the jump from concept to reality? So are we, but until we learn more at the Detroit auto show, we've embedded PR alongside a video after the break, and a source link with a bevy of more pictures below.

Continue reading Volvo unveils XC60 plug-in hybrid concept, claims it's 'superior to all existing hybrids'

Volvo unveils XC60 plug-in hybrid concept, claims it's 'superior to all existing hybrids' originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 Jan 2012 01:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>autocarcesces 2012Ces2012conceptdetroit auto showdetroit auto show 2011DetroitAutoShowDetroitAutoShow2011electric vehicleElectricVehicleEVhybridplug-invideovolvovolvo xc60volvo xc60 conceptvolvo XC60 Plug-in Hybridvolvo xc60 plug-in hybrid conceptVolvoXc60VolvoXc60ConceptVolvoXc60Plug-inHybridVolvoXc60Plug-inHybridConceptThu, 05 Jan 2012 01:35:00 EST<![CDATA[SIM-LEI EV gets a video walk-through: shaped like a fish, has a big screen (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/28/sim-lei-ev-gets-a-video-walk-through-shaped-like-a-fish-has-a/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/28/sim-lei-ev-gets-a-video-walk-through-shaped-like-a-fish-has-a/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/28/sim-lei-ev-gets-a-video-walk-through-shaped-like-a-fish-has-a/#comments SIM-LEI We got our first whiff of the SIM-LEI, an EV from across the Pacific, in March. Back then it was just an oddly shaped prototype with an impressive range of 207 miles and a top speed of 93mph. With the SIM-Drive's concept marching closer to a planned production date sometime in 2013 the company is finally giving a more detailed look at the car at the 2011 Electrical Vehicle Industrial Exhibition. The tapered, fish-like shape reduces drag, but the tiny coefficient of 0.91 couldn't be reached without shrinking the mirrors to their legal limit. The SIM-LEI compensates for the minuscule side and rear-view reflectors with a trio of cameras that feed video to the 19-inch (yes, we said 19-inch) monitor in the dashboard. Check out the video after the break for a complete tour of its advanced motoring tech.

Continue reading SIM-LEI EV gets a video walk-through: shaped like a fish, has a big screen (video)

SIM-LEI EV gets a video walk-through: shaped like a fish, has a big screen (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Dec 2011 20:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carconceptelectric carelectric vehicleElectricCarElectricVehicleEVin-dashprototypesim-driveSIM-LEIvideoWed, 28 Dec 2011 20:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Yo-Yo wireless mouse concept charges with the flick of a wrist, saves your back]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/14/yo-yo-wireless-mouse-concept-charges-with-the-flick-of-a-wrist/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/14/yo-yo-wireless-mouse-concept-charges-with-the-flick-of-a-wrist/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/14/yo-yo-wireless-mouse-concept-charges-with-the-flick-of-a-wrist/#comments Yo-Yo Mouse We've seen plenty of round mice, including Apple's infamous puck, and many devices that derive power from a yo-yo-like pull string mechanism. So we're not quite sure why we've never seen those two concepts married before. In retrospect, a wireless mouse charged by the kinetic energy of using it as a yo-yo seems like a painfully obvious idea. As an added bonus, this tiny pointer with an LCD battery gauge makes you get up every so often and get your limbs moving -- thus saving you from chromic back pain. Huzzah! Of course, there's no guarantee you'll ever actually see one of these on shelves. Check out the source for a few more pics.

Yo-Yo wireless mouse concept charges with the flick of a wrist, saves your back originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 14 Dec 2011 03:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>conceptmicemousewireless mouseWirelessMouseyo yoyo yo mouseyo-yoyo-yo mouseYo-yoMouseyoyoYoYoMouseWed, 14 Dec 2011 03:56:00 EST<![CDATA[Researchers build world's smallest steam engine that could]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/12/researchers-build-worlds-smallest-steam-engine-that-could/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/12/researchers-build-worlds-smallest-steam-engine-that-could/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/12/researchers-build-worlds-smallest-steam-engine-that-could/#comments
Wanna create your very own microscopic steam engine? Just take a colloid particle, put it in water, and add a laser. That's a CliffsNotes version of what a group of German researchers recently did to create the world's smallest steam engine. To pull it off, engineers from the University of Stuttgart and Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems tweaked the traditional approach introduced by Robert Stirling nearly 200 years ago. In Stirling's model, gas within a cylindrical tube is alternately heated and cooled, allowing it to expand and push an attached piston. Professor Clemens Bechinger and his team, however, decided to downsize this system by replacing the piston with a laser beam, and the cylinder's working gas with a single colloid bead that floats in water and measures just three thousandths of a millimeter in size. The laser's optical field limits the bead's range of motion, which can be easily observed with a microscope, since the plastic particle is about 10,000 times larger than an atom. Because the beam varies in intensity, it effectively acts upon the particle in the same way that heat compresses and expands gas molecules in Stirling's model. The bead, in turn, does work on the optical field, with its effects balanced by an outside heat source. The system's architects admit that their engine tends to "sputter" at times, but insist that its mere development shows that "there are no thermodynamic obstacles" to production. Read more about the invention and its potential implications in the full press release, after the break.

Continue reading Researchers build world's smallest steam engine that could

Researchers build world's smallest steam engine that could originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 12 Dec 2011 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beadcolloidconceptdevelopmentefficiencyenergyengineGermanyheatlaserlaser beamLaserBeammax planck institutemax planck institute for intelligent systemsMaxPlanckInstituteMaxPlanckInstituteForIntelligentSystemsoptical fieldOpticalFieldparticlephysicsplasticresearchrobert stirlingRobertStirlingsteam engineSteamEngineThermodynamicsworlds smallest steam engineWorldsSmallestSteamEngineMon, 12 Dec 2011 13:29:00 EST<![CDATA[NASA looks to send landers to Europa in 2020, wants to break the ice]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/12/nasa-looks-to-send-landers-to-europa-in-2020-wants-to-break-the/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/12/nasa-looks-to-send-landers-to-europa-in-2020-wants-to-break-the/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/12/nasa-looks-to-send-landers-to-europa-in-2020-wants-to-break-the/#comments
There's still a lot of mystery surrounding Jupiter's moon Europa, but researchers at NASA seem fairly certain that there's a watery ocean lurking beneath its icy exterior. Their theories may finally be put to the test later this decade, thanks to a concept mission crafted by astronomers at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. According to Space.com, JPL researchers have come up with a plan that would send a pair of landers to Europa by 2026, in the hopes of finding out whether the rock has ever supported life forms. The endeavor certainly wouldn't be easy, since Jupiter blankets its moon in heavy radiation, but researchers think they can mitigate these risks by sending in an extra lander as backup, and by keeping the mission short and sweet. Under the plan, each 700-pound robot would use a mass spectrometer, seismometers and a slew of cameras to search for any organic chemicals that may be lodged within the moon's ice. Neither craft will sport a protective shield, so they'll only stay around the planet for about seven days, so as to avoid any radiation damage. At this point, the mission is still in the concept phase, though the JPL is hoping to launch both landers by 2020. JPL researcher Kevin Hand was quick to point out, however, that this would be a "habitability mission," and that NASA doesn't expect to find any signs of current life on Europa. Lars von Trier was unavailable for comment.

NASA looks to send landers to Europa in 2020, wants to break the ice originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 12 Dec 2011 08:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aliencamerachemicalconceptEuropaexplorationJet Propulsion LaboratoryJetPropulsionLaboratoryjplJupiterlanderlars von trierLarsVonTrierlifemass spectrometerMassSpectrometermissionmoonnasaorganic chemicalOrganicChemicalplanetradiationresearchrobotspacespace explorationSpaceExplorationMon, 12 Dec 2011 08:34:00 EST<![CDATA[Mitsubishi Electric's EMIRAI concept goes back to the future, refuses to fly (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/10/mitsubishi-electrics-emirai-concept-goes-back-to-the-future-re/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/10/mitsubishi-electrics-emirai-concept-goes-back-to-the-future-re/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/10/mitsubishi-electrics-emirai-concept-goes-back-to-the-future-re/#comments The Jetsons were a lie, people. If you want a flying car, glue a parachute to a Matchbox racer. Automotive companies like Mitsubishi Electric have a distinctly different idea about our auto future, one where we'll all be driving in a 1980s-by-way-of-2011 Tron roadster with seatback-embedded (glasses-free) 3D TVs and a big 'ol curved rear projection display. At least, that's the vision put forth by the company's EMIRAI concept, shown off at this year's Tokyo Motor Show. The demo vehicle's biggest innovation, supposedly on deck for the next decade and beyond, is its biometrically-sensitive interface, which can adjust the position of your seat based on current heart rate and facial temperature. There's also a driver side touch panel configured to recognize handwriting (Japanese, for now) and dynamically-changing buttons, mounted on the W-shaped "steering wheel," that rise and fall in correlation to the dashboard's UI. It's neat stuff, no doubt, but we'll let you go ahead and get excited at your own risk. Because until production models hit showroom floors, it's all still very much promises, promises. Check out the video after the break for a brief peek at the wheels of tomorrow.

Continue reading Mitsubishi Electric's EMIRAI concept goes back to the future, refuses to fly (video)

Mitsubishi Electric's EMIRAI concept goes back to the future, refuses to fly (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 10 Dec 2011 15:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dTvbiometricscarconceptconcept carConceptCarEMIRAImitsubishimitsubishi electricMitsubishiElectricrear projection displayRearProjectionDisplayTokyo Motor Show 2011TokyoMotorShow2011videoSat, 10 Dec 2011 15:13:00 EST<![CDATA[Smart to unveil tiny For-US electric pickup at North American International Auto Show]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/09/smart-to-unveil-tiny-for-us-electric-pickup-at-north-american-in/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/09/smart-to-unveil-tiny-for-us-electric-pickup-at-north-american-in/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/09/smart-to-unveil-tiny-for-us-electric-pickup-at-north-american-in/#comments Smart For-US Do you dig the size and efficiency of the Smart Fortwo, but need something a little more manly than that snub-nosed hatchback? Well, it looks like your prayers will be answered at January's North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Reports have it that will be where the For-US, Smart's plug-in pickup, will have its official unveiling. At about 12 feet long the "truck" is almost 50-percent larger than its sub-compact counterpart, but that extra room is put to good use. The bed in the back is home to a pair docking stations for the company's Ebikes. It's a pretty interesting concept, but we're wondering how lugging two heavy electric cycles will affect the range of 17.7kW/h lithium ion battery. Head on past the break for one more image, and hit up the source for even more sketches of the upcoming mini EV pickup.

Continue reading Smart to unveil tiny For-US electric pickup at North American International Auto Show

Smart to unveil tiny For-US electric pickup at North American International Auto Show originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 09 Dec 2011 01:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>conceptdetroit autoshowDetroitAutoshowelectric vehicleElectricVehicleEVNorth American International Auto ShowNorthAmericanInternationalAutoShowpick-up truckPick-upTruckPickuppickup truckPickupTruckSmartSmart For-USSmartFor-usFri, 09 Dec 2011 01:47:00 EST<![CDATA[Bridgestone rolls with air-free tire concept (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/06/bridgestone-rolls-with-air-free-tire-concept-video/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/06/bridgestone-rolls-with-air-free-tire-concept-video/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/06/bridgestone-rolls-with-air-free-tire-concept-video/#comments

The days of flat tires and spares are numbered. Sure, self-inflating tires are all well and good, but don't protect from the darn puncture itself. Similar to Michelin's tweels, Bridgestone has cooked up some air-free concept tires that use a tough but flexible thermoplastic structure that behaves like a normal tire with nary any horizontal force produced. Each wheel is able to support around 150kg, although on a typical electric mobility scooter the load is more likely to approach 50kg. Bridgestone is looking to show off those curved, hypnotic spokes on the retail model, but is still researching how to protect against objects getting lodged inside. Roll over the break to see those spokes in action and imagine a future without puncture repair kits.

Continue reading Bridgestone rolls with air-free tire concept (video)

Bridgestone rolls with air-free tire concept (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Dec 2011 21:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>air-freeair-free tiresAir-freeTiresbridgestoneconceptJapanthermoplastictiretiresvideoTue, 06 Dec 2011 21:12:00 EST<![CDATA[Samsung teases flexible, transparent display in concept video]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/05/samsung-teases-flexible-transparent-display-in-concept-video/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/05/samsung-teases-flexible-transparent-display-in-concept-video/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/05/samsung-teases-flexible-transparent-display-in-concept-video/#comments
Samsung's flexible display technology isn't slated to hit the market until 2012, but the Korean manufacturer is already giving us a glimpse of how it may transform our lives, with a freshly released concept video. Yes, it's just a concept ad, and a relatively brief one at that, but it still paints a pretty mouth-watering portrait -- one full of transparent, flexible screens, smartphone-tablet hybrids, and augmented reality. Check it out for yourself, after the break.

Continue reading Samsung teases flexible, transparent display in concept video

Samsung teases flexible, transparent display in concept video originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 05 Dec 2011 09:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adadvertisementAMOLEDARaugmented realityAugmentedRealitycommercialconceptconcept videoConceptVideoflexible displayFlexibleDisplayproductionsamsungsmartphonetabletteaseteaservideoMon, 05 Dec 2011 09:47:00 EST<![CDATA[Toyota Fun-Vii concept car envisions instantly customizable interior and exterior]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/01/toyota-fun-vii-concept-car-envisions-instantly-customizable-inte/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/01/toyota-fun-vii-concept-car-envisions-instantly-customizable-inte/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/01/toyota-fun-vii-concept-car-envisions-instantly-customizable-inte/#comments Look, the reality is that you can't drive your car into a Pay 'n' Spray every 15 minutes or so à la Grand Theft Auto, but what if you can simply change the vehicle's skin at the tap of a button? Toyota certainly likes the sound of that and has thus come up with the funky-looking Fun-Vii concept car. What's more, even the interior can be changed as well, and similarly it can be used as a display space for navigation or even racing simulation (assuming the latter's disabled while actually driving, of course). This is all good and well, but unlike many other concept exhibits we've seen, Toyota's mockup couldn't seat people -- we suspect the "car" only used a back projection from within, so we couldn't get to see what it'd feel like to play a Tron-like game inside the "car." Nevertheless, we look forward to day when this idea becomes a reality -- here's looking at you, flexible OLED! Video after the break.

Gallery: Toyota Fun-Vii eyes-on

Continue reading Toyota Fun-Vii concept car envisions instantly customizable interior and exterior

Toyota Fun-Vii concept car envisions instantly customizable interior and exterior originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Dec 2011 23:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appearancecarconceptconcept carConceptCarcustomcustomisabledoraemonexterioreyes-onfeaturedfeaturesFun-ViiGrand Theft Autohands-oninteriorjapanjean renoJeanRenoSci/Techtokyo motor showtokyo motor show 2011TokyoMotorShowTokyoMotorShow2011toyotatoyota Fun-ViiToyotaFun-viivideoThu, 01 Dec 2011 23:39:00 EST<![CDATA[Daihatsu FC ShowCase concept: who doesn't want a 60-inch TV in a van?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/01/daihatsu-fc-showcase-concept-who-doesnt-want-a-60-inch-tv-in-a/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/01/daihatsu-fc-showcase-concept-who-doesnt-want-a-60-inch-tv-in-a/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/01/daihatsu-fc-showcase-concept-who-doesnt-want-a-60-inch-tv-in-a/#comments Here's a funny one from the Tokyo Motor Show. Daihatsu's squarish concept EV van, dubbed the FC ShowCase, is basically a spacious four-seater packing plenty of goodies: a giant wing door, some blue lights on the wheels, an LED panel on the left skirt, side-view cameras instead of mirrors, a funky touch panel steering wheel, a small heads-up display and a 60-inch TV. And no, this isn't a mod from Pimp My Ride. According to one of the designers, the idea here is that the FC ShowCase acts as a mobile theater, which can keep travellers entertained while camping or fishing. With the seats folded down (except for the driver's seat, of course) on top of the 35kW solid polymer fuel cell stack, this vehicle also makes a great delivery van apparently, but don't expect FedEx to turn up at your door with Daihatsu's dream ride any time soon. Or ever. Video after the break.

Gallery: Daihatsu FC ShowCase hands-on

Continue reading Daihatsu FC ShowCase concept: who doesn't want a 60-inch TV in a van?

Daihatsu FC ShowCase concept: who doesn't want a 60-inch TV in a van? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Dec 2011 18:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>conceptconcept carConceptCarDaihatsuFC CaseFC Sho Casefc show casefc showcaseFcCaseFcShoCaseFcShowcasehands-onPMfLFCsolid fuel cellSolidFuelCelltokyo motor showtokyo motor show 2011TokyoMotorShowTokyoMotorShow2011videoThu, 01 Dec 2011 18:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Daihatsu Pico concept commuter EV hands-on]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/01/daihatsu-pico-concept-commuter-ev-hands-on/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/01/daihatsu-pico-concept-commuter-ev-hands-on/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/01/daihatsu-pico-concept-commuter-ev-hands-on/#comments Using LEDs to display messages on the back of a car? Looks like we have yet another contender with the same idea, except this time all four sides get an LED panel each. The idea behind Daihatsu's Pico concept EV is that it can interact with surrounding pedestrians and drivers using messages with matching colors. For instance, the LED belt can issue a red warning on the back if a car is following too closely; or when driving past pedestrians in close proximity (think rascal scooters but with front and back seats), the belt can turn green and indicate that the car's limited to a safe top speed of 3.7mph.

Other than that, the Pico's very much just a cute little EV with a driving range of up to 31 miles (with a full two-hour charge), plus a top speed of 31mph. We also dig the touchscreen console inside the car, but with just the two LED bars acting as doors, we sure hope it'll withstand a bit of rain. Video after the break.

Gallery: Daihatsu Pico hands-on

Continue reading Daihatsu Pico concept commuter EV hands-on

Daihatsu Pico concept commuter EV hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Dec 2011 13:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carcommuterconceptconcept carConceptCardaihatsudaihatsu picoDaihatsuPicoelectric carElectricCarevfeaturedfeatureshands-onjapanpicotokyo motor showtokyo motor show 2011TokyoMotorShowTokyoMotorShow2011vehiclevideoThu, 01 Dec 2011 13:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Nissan Pivo 3 extreme agility concept EV hands-on]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/01/nissan-pivo-3-extreme-agility-concept-ev-hands-on/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/01/nissan-pivo-3-extreme-agility-concept-ev-hands-on/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/01/nissan-pivo-3-extreme-agility-concept-ev-hands-on/#comments Nope, there's nothing wrong with those wheels. As you may recall, this is Nissan's Pivo 3, the company's latest concept EV that provides extreme agility using its four oddly pivoted, individually powered wheels. While we couldn't see this three-seater make sharp U-turns and do automatic parking at the Tokyo Motor Show, our very own Zach Honig managed to get his finger and trouser grease all over it.

Behind those pop-out doors one of the most interesting features we saw was the subtle side-view cameras with accompanying screens, thus reducing the car's width. Also, it turns out the lone steering wheel handles all four wheels, meaning the driver won't have to sacrifice too much brain power over multiple controls. That said, we can imagine that even the most experienced drivers may find this car to be a tough animal to tame initially -- the lady in Nissan's earlier demo looked like she had to steer dramatically around sharp corners. But keep the car going straight and it'll accelerate up to 120km/h (75mph), while on a single charge it can go up to 100km (62 miles). Video after the break.

Gallery: Nissan Pivo 3 extreme agility concept EV hands-on

Continue reading Nissan Pivo 3 extreme agility concept EV hands-on

Nissan Pivo 3 extreme agility concept EV hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Dec 2011 09:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>conceptconcept carconcept evConceptCarConceptEvelectric carelectric vehicleElectricCarElectricVehicleevhands-onjapannissannissan pivo3NissanPivo3pivo 3pivo3tokyotokyo motor showtokyo motor show 2011TokyoMotorShowTokyoMotorShow2011videozero emissionZeroEmissionThu, 01 Dec 2011 09:21:00 EST<![CDATA[Modular USB flash drive concept offers a new way to sort your data]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/23/modular-usb-flash-drive-concept-offers-a-new-way-to-sort-your-da/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/23/modular-usb-flash-drive-concept-offers-a-new-way-to-sort-your-da/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/23/modular-usb-flash-drive-concept-offers-a-new-way-to-sort-your-da/#comments
USB drives may come in all shapes and sizes these days, but they all basically give you one of two choices: you can buy one big drive to store as much of your data as possible, or juggle a bunch of drives if you want to keep things separate. Designer Hyunsoo Song has proposed an alternative with this so-called Amoeba modular USB flash drive, however, which let you sort your data on individual drives that can be used both on their own or together as one large drive. The idea there being that you can keep the drives together most of the time, and just detach the appropriate section if you want to share only your photos or videos with someone. Of course, the keyword here is "concept," but it's not exactly as far beyond the realm of possibility as some others we've seen.

Modular USB flash drive concept offers a new way to sort your data originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 Nov 2011 21:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Amoebaconceptflash driveFlashDriveHyunsoo SongHyunsooSongusbusb driveUsbDriveWed, 23 Nov 2011 21:49:00 EST<![CDATA[DARPA to develop biometric sensor capable of seeing through walls, pulling your heartstrings]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/21/darpa-to-develop-biometric-sensor-capable-of-seeing-through-wall/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/21/darpa-to-develop-biometric-sensor-capable-of-seeing-through-wall/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/21/darpa-to-develop-biometric-sensor-capable-of-seeing-through-wall/#comments The feds may soon know the way to your heart. Literally. Earlier this month, the forward-thinkers over at DARPA announced plans to develop new technologies capable of identifying human life through walls. The program, known as "Biometrics-at-a-distance," would essentially combine two pre-existing Pentagon projects: the Radar Scope, a device that can see through walls, and 2009's LifeReader, a system that uses Doppler radar to detect heartbeats. Though the military already employs a handful of devices to help soldiers see humans from behind walls, DARPA apparently thinks there's room for improvement. Most contemporary technologies, for example, only work from a maximum distance of eight meters, and aren't as accurate within more densely populated areas. DARPA wants its next project to extend this range beyond ten meters, while sharpening its ability to penetrate thicker obstructions. The agency also wants its sensor to identify individual humans using electrocardiography, which traces the heart's electrical activity. According to DARPA, this could allow users to pinpoint up to ten people at the same time, which could pay dividends during disaster rescue efforts, military operations, or your next Eyes Wide Shut party.

DARPA to develop biometric sensor capable of seeing through walls, pulling your heartstrings originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 21 Nov 2011 17:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>armybiometricbiometric IDBiometricIdbiometrics at a distanceBiometricsAtADistanceconceptDARPAelectrocardiographyfederalfedsgovernmentheartheartbeathumanlifereadermilitarypentagonprojectradarradar scopeRadarScopescansensortechnologywallswarwargadgetMon, 21 Nov 2011 17:54:00 EST<![CDATA[Rimac Automobili's Concept One supercar spotted in action, looks super (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/18/rimac-automobilis-concept-one-supercar-spotted-in-action-looks/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/18/rimac-automobilis-concept-one-supercar-spotted-in-action-looks/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/18/rimac-automobilis-concept-one-supercar-spotted-in-action-looks/#comments Back in September, we were lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the Concept One -- the first electric supercar from Croatia's Rimac Automobili. Boasting a full 1,088 horsepower and capable of going from 0-62MPH in just 2.8 seconds, the Concept One is still very much a concept, but today, we've got video proof that it actually works. Spotted by an eagle-eyed tipster, the 70-second clip is a bit shaky, and doesn't show the car doing much more than pulling out of the driveway, but at least it's something. No word yet on whether the Concept One is moving any closer to production, though we're certainly keeping our fingers crossed. Cruise past the break to see it in action for yourself.

[Thanks, Matthaus]

Continue reading Rimac Automobili's Concept One supercar spotted in action, looks super (video)

Rimac Automobili's Concept One supercar spotted in action, looks super (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Nov 2011 09:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1088 horsepower1088Horsepowercarconceptconcept oneConceptOnecroatiaelectric carelectric motorElectricCarElectricMotorEVhorsepowerrimac automobilirimac automobili concept oneRimacAutomobiliRimacAutomobiliConceptOnesupercarvideoFri, 18 Nov 2011 09:37:00 EST<![CDATA[QNX-based BlackBerry 'London' purportedly shown off, dummy unit-style]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/14/qnx-based-blackberry-london-purportedly-shown-off-dummy-unit-st/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/14/qnx-based-blackberry-london-purportedly-shown-off-dummy-unit-st/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/14/qnx-based-blackberry-london-purportedly-shown-off-dummy-unit-st/#comments If the above image is to be trusted, what you spy with your little eye may be the very first BlackBerry smartphone to sport RIM's QNX-based operating system, known more recently as BBX. With bold angular lines that smack heavily of the P'9981, this touchscreen slab (code-named "London") is said to be thinner than the iPhone 4 and will dutifully stand tall when placed on its side. Before you get too excited, however, keep in mind that the above image could very well be a concept, prototype -- or, even a masterful forgery. For what it's worth, The Verge was informed that this model is merely a dummy unit, although the actual device is alleged to contain a 1.5GHz dual-core TI OMAP processor with 1GB of RAM and 16GB of on-board storage. An 8-megapixel rear camera is also said to be in the mix, along with a 2-megapixel front-facing shooter and a June 2012 release date. Sure, it's easy to be excited about Waterloo's forthcoming wares, but sadly we're forced to take this one with a heapin' spoonful of skepticism. So, who's hoping Mr. London becomes a reality?

QNX-based BlackBerry 'London' purportedly shown off, dummy unit-style originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 Nov 2011 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bbxblackberryblackberry londonBlackberryLondonconceptleakleakslondonmobilepostcrossprototypeqnxresearch in motionResearchInMotionrimsmartphonesmartphonesMon, 14 Nov 2011 16:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Suzuki's Q-concept micro car tries to out-smart the Smart]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/13/suzukis-q-concept-micro-car-tries-to-out-smart-the-smart/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/13/suzukis-q-concept-micro-car-tries-to-out-smart-the-smart/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/13/suzukis-q-concept-micro-car-tries-to-out-smart-the-smart/#comments Inner-city cars have been getting smaller and smaller, but Suzuki's Q-concept micro car takes extreme spot-hunting to the next level. Thanks to its tandem seating configuration, the Q-concept is slim -- somewhere between a car and a motorbike -- bestowing it tighter turning angles, ideal for snaking betwixt those SUVs at Walmart. Being a concept, there are all sorts of teasing technical touches we'd love to see, such as what looks like a smartphone dock in the steering wheel, video screens instead of rear-view mirrors and, of course, gull-wing doors. It might not have the cyborg-ish charms of Audi's Urban Concept, but mercifully it's got some decent curves, unlike its cousin the not-so-concept electric Every van.

Continue reading Suzuki's Q-concept micro car tries to out-smart the Smart

Suzuki's Q-concept micro car tries to out-smart the Smart originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 13 Nov 2011 22:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carconceptconcept carConceptCarCrossOverEVgullwingQ-conceptsmart carSmartCarsuzukiSun, 13 Nov 2011 22:07:00 EST<![CDATA[Evolve Motorcycles shows off $50k Xenon lightcycle, Lithium electric streetbike]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/13/evolve-motorcycles-shows-off-50k-xenon-lightcycle-lithium-elec/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/13/evolve-motorcycles-shows-off-50k-xenon-lightcycle-lithium-elec/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/13/evolve-motorcycles-shows-off-50k-xenon-lightcycle-lithium-elec/#comments This year's Milan International Motorcycle Show is definitely featuring a healthy assortment of battery-powered two wheeled machines, and now Evolve Motorcycles has two more plug-in designs to add to the list. First up is its Xenon, aka the Tron Lightcycle replica, which is a real bike that you can purchase 32-inch hubless rims, OLED light tape and all for $50,000. It's even claiming a top speed of 100mph with a 100 mile range on its custom lithium ion battery system, so all you have left to do is regret not grabbing one for $35k on eBay last year. The Lithium however, chooses to keep things more conventional as a streetfighter concept built around a 54hp electric motor that is expected to cost around $20,000 when it actually goes on sale. Check after the break for a pic of the Lithium, or head over to our friends at Autoblog Green for a gallery full of eyecandy featuring both bikes.

Continue reading Evolve Motorcycles shows off $50k Xenon lightcycle, Lithium electric streetbike

Evolve Motorcycles shows off $50k Xenon lightcycle, Lithium electric streetbike originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 13 Nov 2011 07:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>concepteicmaeicma 2011Eicma2011electric motorcycleElectricMotorcycleevolve lithiumevolve motorcyclesevolve xenonEvolveLithiumEvolveMotorcyclesEvolveXenonhublesslightcyclelithiumlithium motorcycleLithiumMotorcyclemotorcycleoledoled tapeOledTapetrontron lightcycleTronLightcyclexenonSun, 13 Nov 2011 07:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Nokia GEM concept dazzles with excessive customization options, full-phone display (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/11/nokia-gem-concept-dazzles-with-excessive-customization-options/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/11/nokia-gem-concept-dazzles-with-excessive-customization-options/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/11/nokia-gem-concept-dazzles-with-excessive-customization-options/#comments

Nokia appears to have dislodged some huge creative blockage, beginning with its decision to back a new smartphone horse. Today we get yet another concept handset, revealed at Nokia Conversations. The GEM offers up an utterly customizable appearance that doubles as the interface. Following its naming convention, the user "polishes" the appearance of the phone, constantly tweaking it to suit their needs. The full-body touchscreen could offer up advertising on the back of the phone during calls, subsidizing costs, or media sharing done with some physical gesturing. See these glittering features shine in the ethereal design video right after the break.

Continue reading Nokia GEM concept dazzles with excessive customization options, full-phone display (video)

Nokia GEM concept dazzles with excessive customization options, full-phone display (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 11 Nov 2011 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>all-body touchscreenAll-bodyTouchscreenconceptconcept phoneConceptPhonecustomizablemobilepostminiNokianokia conceptNokia GEMNokiaConceptNokiaGemvideoFri, 11 Nov 2011 18:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Digidrench whets our appetite for water-based Arduino adventures (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/10/digidrench-whets-our-appetite-for-water-based-arduino-adventures/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/10/digidrench-whets-our-appetite-for-water-based-arduino-adventures/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/10/digidrench-whets-our-appetite-for-water-based-arduino-adventures/#comments

Wondering what you get when you mix an Arduino kit with some food coloring and plenty of water? Well, the Digidrench team came up with the concept of developing a media controller that mimics the flow of water in and out of three separate containers. The pay-off? Seeing three of the team get coated in a brightly colored mess. An Arduino kit is connected to a sensor that gauges the amount of water in the tanks and transmits the watery action to a corresponding video slice. Take the water out, and the deluge reverses. Pour faster, and the test subjects get poured on faster. Pour slowly and, well, you get it. You can laugh at their cheerfully colored misery right after the break.

Continue reading Digidrench whets our appetite for water-based Arduino adventures (video)

Digidrench whets our appetite for water-based Arduino adventures (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 Nov 2011 15:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arduinoarduino kitArduinoKitconceptdigidrenchDIYdrenchfood coloringFoodColoringmedia controllerMediaControllervideowaterwater sensorWaterSensorThu, 10 Nov 2011 15:18:00 EST<![CDATA[Honey, at home: Philips urban beehive shrinks your ecological footprint, increases holes on belt]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/10/honey-at-home-phillips-urban-beehive-shrinks-your-ecological-f/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/10/honey-at-home-phillips-urban-beehive-shrinks-your-ecological-f/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/10/honey-at-home-phillips-urban-beehive-shrinks-your-ecological-f/#comments

It's a first-world issue: running out of honey when we need just a little more to sweeten up that bowl of oatmeal or cup of coffee. What we need is a constant supply of the golden stuff, and Philips has thankfully come up with this urban beehive to provide precisely that. It's the latest addition to the company's germaphobe-unfriendly "microbial home" concept. The system is half flowerpot, half hive, with bees able to travel between flower pollination and your domestic honey factory their honeycomb house. Honey can be 'tapped' from the base, with a smoking system in place to "calm the bees" before opening the hive. Now, if Philips could fashion something to keep us in a constant supply of maple syrup, then maybe even bakery dreams have a future, after all.

Gallery: Philips Urban Beehive concept

Honey, at home: Philips urban beehive shrinks your ecological footprint, increases holes on belt originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 Nov 2011 13:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beebeehivebeesconceptflowerpothivehoneyhoneycombmicrobialmicrobial homeMicrobialHomenotthathoneycombphilipsphilips urban beehivePhilipsUrbanBeehiveurban beehiveUrbanBeehiveThu, 10 Nov 2011 13:16:00 EST