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[Ditching DRM could reduce piracy, prices, inconvenience]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/09/ditching-drm-could-reduce-piracy-prices-inconvenience/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/09/ditching-drm-could-reduce-piracy-prices-inconvenience/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/09/ditching-drm-could-reduce-piracy-prices-inconvenience/#commentsDown with DRMThis may run counter to what your common sense tells you but, a new paper out of Duke and Rice University says that ditching DRM could actually reduce piracy. The study, which relied on analytical modeling, showed that while copy protection made illegally sharing content more difficult it had a significantly negative impact on legal users. In fact, the researchers say, "only the legal users pay the price and suffer from the restrictions [of DRM]." Many consumers simply choose to pirate music and movies because doing simple things, like backing up a media collection, is difficult with DRMed content. Even the most effective DRM is eventually broken, and fails to deter those already determined to steal. Meanwhile, abandoning these restrictions could increase competition and drive down prices (as well as remove a serious inconvenience), encouraging more people to legitimately purchase content. You can check out the November-December issue of Marketing Science for more details.

Ditching DRM could reduce piracy, prices, inconvenience originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 09 Oct 2011 20:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DRMDRM freeDrmFreedukeduke universityDukeUniversitypiracyresearchricerice universityRiceUniversitystudySun, 09 Oct 2011 20:22:00 EST<![CDATA[Monkeys control virtual arm with their brains, may herald breakthrough for paraplegics]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/06/monkeys-control-virtual-arm-with-their-brains-may-herald-breakt/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/06/monkeys-control-virtual-arm-with-their-brains-may-herald-breakt/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/06/monkeys-control-virtual-arm-with-their-brains-may-herald-breakt/#commentsMonkey mind-controlled arm: It sounds like the name of an awesomely terrible sci-fi film or a fledgling grindcore group, but it's a very real phenomenon, and one that could pay significant dividends for paraplegics everywhere. Neurobiology professor Miguel Nicolelis and his team of researchers at Duke University recently devised a method by which monkeys (and, perhaps one day, humans) can control a virtual arm using only their brains. It's a concept similar to what DARPA has been pursuing with its mind-controlled "Luke" arm, with one important difference: Nicolelis' system not only allows users to remotely execute motor functions, but provides them with near-instantaneous sensory feedback, as well. Most similar techniques use electrode implants to stimulate brain activity, but this can create confusion when a patient's brain sends and receives signals to and from a prosthetic arm. Nicolelis circumvented this problem with a new interface that can read and transmit brain signals to an artificial limb, before switching to a receptive mode in just milliseconds.

After designing the technology, Nicolelis and his colleagues tested it on two, electrode-equipped rhesus monkeys. One set of electrodes was placed in the motor cortex of each animal, with the other implanted within their brains' sensory regions. They then trained the monkeys to look at a three identical objects on a computer screen and to "touch" each object with a virtual arm, controlled by signals sent from the brain electrodes. Only one of the three objects had a so-called "virtual texture," which, if selected with the on-screen arm, would send a sensory signal back to the monkey's brain (while triggering a tasty squirt of fruit juice for the lucky contestant). The two rhesus species ended up passing the test with flying colors, resulting in a "proof of principle" that Nicolelis' system can send tactile signals to the brain in almost real-time. The scientists have already developed a way for monkeys to control the arm wirelessly, and are now embedding their technology within a full-body, mind-controlled exoskeleton for paralyzed patients, as well. Of course, the technology still needs to be tested on actual humans, though Nicolelis seems confident that he and his team have already cleared the most difficult hurdle: "Since we cannot talk to the monkeys, I assume with human patients, it's going to be much easier."

Monkeys control virtual arm with their brains, may herald breakthrough for paraplegics originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 Oct 2011 17:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>armartificial limbArtificialLimbbrainDukeDuke UniversityDukeUniversityhealthlimbmedicineMiguel NicolelisMiguelNicolelismindmind controlmind controlledMindControlMindControlledmonkeyneurobiologyneurologyneuronparalysisparalyzedparaplegicproof of principleProofOfPrincipleprostheticprosthetic armProstheticArmrhesussciencesensoryvirtualvirtual armVirtualArmThu, 06 Oct 2011 17:44:00 EST<![CDATA[Duke University's underwater invisibility cloak stills troubled waters]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/29/duke-universitys-underwater-invisibility-cloak-stills-troubled/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/29/duke-universitys-underwater-invisibility-cloak-stills-troubled/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/29/duke-universitys-underwater-invisibility-cloak-stills-troubled/#comments

Everyone's jumping on the invisibility cloaking bandwagon these days, but no one's quite managed to fully deliver on the promise. The same goes for two Duke University researchers who believe their mesh casing could grant the gift of concealment to underwater craft -- submarines, anyone? According to the proposed model, a specially designed shell punctuated by complex patterns of permeability and millimeter-sized pumps would eliminate the drag and turbulent wake caused by an object as it moves through the water. Utilizing the penetrable gaps in the case, water would at first accelerate, and then decelerate to its original speed before exiting -- rendering the fluid around the object virtually undisturbed. Now for the bad news: the design doesn't quite work for large-scale, real-world implementations -- hello again, submarines -- since the tech can only cloak small structures, like "a vehicle one centimetre across... [moving] at speeds of less than one centimetre per second." It's a massive bummer, we know, but we're getting there folks -- you just won't see it when it actually happens.

Duke University's underwater invisibility cloak stills troubled waters originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 29 Jul 2011 12:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dukeduke universityDukeUniversityfluid cloakFluidCloakinvisibility cloakInvisibilityCloakPhysicistsphysicssubmarinesubmarinesunderwaterwaterFri, 29 Jul 2011 12:34:00 EST<![CDATA[Duke University physicists test first air-based acoustic invisibility cloak]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/25/duke-university-physicists-test-first-acoustic-invisibility-cloa/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/25/duke-university-physicists-test-first-acoustic-invisibility-cloa/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/25/duke-university-physicists-test-first-acoustic-invisibility-cloa/#commentsFirmly departing from the Stuff Of Dreams category, Duke University physicists have successfully tested an acoustic cloaking device that fools sound waves while looking nowhere near as scifi as you'd think. Layering nothing more than a bunch of hole-punched plastic sheets -- known as meta-materials, for those curious -- atop a ten centimeter long block of wood, highly-directed sound in the 1 - 4kHz range bounced right off the concealed object none the wiser. The cloaking tech owes some of its origin to the math behind transformation optics -- and maybe to the Duke team, too. Besides allowing defense department bunkers to erupt into silent applause, the research should prove useful in the construction of future concert halls. DIY hobbyists, let us know what you can rig up with some trash bags.

[Thanks, Drew]

Duke University physicists test first air-based acoustic invisibility cloak originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 25 Jun 2011 16:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acoustic cloakingacoustic cloaking deviceAcousticCloakingAcousticCloakingDeviceacousticsdukeduke universityDukeUniversityinvisibility cloakInvisibilityCloakPhysicistsphysicssound cloakSoundCloakSat, 25 Jun 2011 16:19:00 EST<![CDATA[Duke study finds solar power cheaper than nuclear, Coach K stronger than Roy]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/10/duke-study-finds-solar-power-cheaper-than-nuclear-coach-k-stron/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/10/duke-study-finds-solar-power-cheaper-than-nuclear-coach-k-stron/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/10/duke-study-finds-solar-power-cheaper-than-nuclear-coach-k-stron/#comments Now, before you get all hot and bothered here, we should warn you that this study only uses information from within the great state of North Carolina (where Duke University is based, obviously), but the results are intriguing regardless. According to new data, the moment we're living in is a crossover one where the declining prices of solar panels may actually make sun-based energy more cost efficient to consider than nuclear. Duke found that the crossover price point was at around 16 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh), and for the first time ever in NC, the cost of one kWh of electricity from solar energy sunk below that. Of course, these results are apt to be even more impressive in sun-rich states like Arizona, Nevada and Utah, but it's fairly clear what the real purpose of the investigation was: convincing the school to shell out for solar panels to energize Krzyzewskiville during week-long campouts for UNC vs. Duke tickets.

Duke study finds solar power cheaper than nuclear, Coach K stronger than Roy originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 10 Aug 2010 09:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dukeeco-friendlyelectricityenergyenvironmentfossil fuelsFossilFuelsgreenNorth CarolinaNorthCarolinanuclear energynuclear powerNuclearEnergyNuclearPowerpowerresearchsolarsolar energysolar powersolar-powerSolarEnergySolarPoweruniversityTue, 10 Aug 2010 09:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Study finds commercial-skipping DVRs don't affect purchases, 'TiVo effect' may not exist]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/06/study-finds-commercial-skipping-dvrs-dont-affect-purchases-ti/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/06/study-finds-commercial-skipping-dvrs-dont-affect-purchases-ti/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/06/study-finds-commercial-skipping-dvrs-dont-affect-purchases-ti/#comments Two years back, consumer research told us the vast majority of DVR users skipped commercials; now, statisticians at Duke University say that's not the case. More importantly, even those who do hit that oh-so-tempting skip button aren't necessarily spending less on advertised products as a result. Pulling data from over 1,200 TiVo boxes over the course of three years, Professor Carl Mela and colleagues found that a staggering 95 percent of television was watched live instead of recorded, giving viewers no opportunity to skip, and even when there was an opportunity, users took it only 6.5 percent of the time.

Moreover, every attempt the researchers made to find a "TiVo effect" failed -- comparing those who had DVRs with those who didn't, they found no significant difference in the amount TV watchers spent on nine different goods (including cleaning and grooming products) advertised. This could be for a variety of reasons -- perhaps advertising doesn't work, period, or perhaps those without DVRs "skipped" commercials simply by walking out of the room -- but no matter the reason, it seems these days television advertisers don't have quite so much to fear.

Continue reading Study finds commercial-skipping DVRs don't affect purchases, 'TiVo effect' may not exist

Study finds commercial-skipping DVRs don't affect purchases, 'TiVo effect' may not exist originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 May 2010 21:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adsadvertisersadvertisingCarl MelaCarlMelacmcommercialcommercialsDukeduke universityDukeUniversityDVRresearchstatisticstatisticsstatsstudytelevisionTiVoTiVo effectTivoEffectTVThu, 06 May 2010 21:19:00 EST<![CDATA[Robot surgeon uses frighteningly large needle to remove shrapnel, your resistance]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/22/robot-surgeon-uses-frighteningly-large-needle-to-remove-shrapnel/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/22/robot-surgeon-uses-frighteningly-large-needle-to-remove-shrapnel/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/22/robot-surgeon-uses-frighteningly-large-needle-to-remove-shrapnel/#commentsRobot surgeon uses frighteningly large needle to remove shrapnel, your resistanceWe've reported on many a creepy looking and dangerous sounding robot in the past, but this one might just take the cake when it comes to dominating your nightmares for the next few nights. Developed by a team at Duke University, the bot uses ultrasound to identify areas of density in human flesh, then starts probing them with a rather painfully large looking needle. It could be used to locate and extract bits of shrapnel from stricken GIs on the battlefield, but that same tech might also be deployed to pierce women's breasts and men's prostates -- ostensibly to treat cancers of those respective regions, but we can think of more nefarious reasons. The bot doesn't have a name, but once it and its kind take over, neither will you.

[Via gizmag]

Filed under:

Robot surgeon uses frighteningly large needle to remove shrapnel, your resistance originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 22 Jun 2009 09:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cancerdukeduke universityDukeUniversityneedlerobotic surgeonRoboticSurgeonshrapnelsurgeonMon, 22 Jun 2009 09:41:00 EST<![CDATA[PhonePoint Pen application is a hand-talkers' dream come true]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/11/phonepoint-pen-application-is-a-hand-talkers-dream-come-true/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/11/phonepoint-pen-application-is-a-hand-talkers-dream-come-true/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/11/phonepoint-pen-application-is-a-hand-talkers-dream-come-true/#commentsPhonePoint Pen application is a hand-talkers' dream come true
Know someone who talks with their hands so expressively that you have to step back or risk catching a wayward exclamation point in the face? The video after the break will make their day. Students at Duke University have come up with a way to use phone accelerometers to capture gestures with surprising precision, allowing them to pipe those motions through a character recognition algorithm and, hey presto, turn flapping hands into letters and numbers. The prototype app is called PhonePoint Pen, and while right now the process looks painfully slow, with large, precise motions required, with a few months or years of refinements you might just be able to jot down a quick text to a friend while running between terminals, all without putting down the double latte that just cost you $8 at the airport food court. The future, dear readers, it's closer than you think.

[Via Yahoo! News]

Continue reading PhonePoint Pen application is a hand-talkers' dream come true

Filed under: ,

PhonePoint Pen application is a hand-talkers' dream come true originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Jun 2009 06:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accelerometerapplicationdukeduke universityDukeUniversityhandwriting recognitionHandwritingRecognitionmessagingmobilephone appphone applicationPhoneAppPhoneApplicationphonepoint penPhonepointPenThu, 11 Jun 2009 06:57:00 EST<![CDATA[PhonePoint Pen application is a hand-talkers' dream come true]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/11/phonepoint-pen-application-is-a-hand-talkers-dream-come-true/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/11/phonepoint-pen-application-is-a-hand-talkers-dream-come-true/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/11/phonepoint-pen-application-is-a-hand-talkers-dream-come-true/#commentsPhonePoint Pen application is a hand-talkers' dream come true
Know someone who talks with their hands so expressively that you have to step back or risk catching a wayward exclamation point in the face? The video after the break will make their day. Students at Duke University have come up with a way to use phone accelerometers to capture gestures with surprising precision, allowing them to pipe those motions through a character recognition algorithm and, hey presto, turn flapping hands into letters and numbers. The prototype app is called PhonePoint Pen, and while right now the process looks painfully slow, with large, precise motions required, with a few months or years of refinements you might just be able to jot down a quick text to a friend while running between terminals, all without putting down the double latte that just cost you $8 at the airport food court. The future, dear readers, it's closer than you think.

[Via Yahoo! News]

Continue reading PhonePoint Pen application is a hand-talkers' dream come true

Filed under:

PhonePoint Pen application is a hand-talkers' dream come true originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Jun 2009 06:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accelerometerapplicationdukeduke universityDukeUniversityhandwriting recognitionHandwritingRecognitionphone appphone applicationPhoneAppPhoneApplicationphonepoint penPhonepointPenThu, 11 Jun 2009 06:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Robot doctors join the fight against breast cancer]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/11/robot-doctors-join-the-fight-against-breast-cancer/http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/11/robot-doctors-join-the-fight-against-breast-cancer/http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/11/robot-doctors-join-the-fight-against-breast-cancer/#comments
From Da Vinci robosurgeons to helpful nursebots , robots are becoming commonplace in hospitals the world over -- and now researchers at Duke University have developed a rudimentary tabletop robot that uses 3D ultrasound technology to detect a 'lesion' in a simulated sponge breast, pinpoint its exact location, and perform a biopsy. All the calculations are performed by the device itself, using what has been described as "a basic artificial intelligence program." The next step in the research will be an upgrade that will that the robotic arm from three-axis to six-axis capability, and a change from the old sponge-based simulated breast to one made from turkey breasts, which approximates the density of human breast tissue. According to Stephen Smith, director of the Duke University Ultrasound Transducer Group, if things stay on track, robots will be performing routine breast exams and biopsies in five to ten years. Video after the break.

[Via PhysOrg]

Continue reading Robot doctors join the fight against breast cancer

Filed under:

Robot doctors join the fight against breast cancer originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 11 Feb 2009 13:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3d ultrasound3dUltrasoundbiopsybreast cancer preventionbreast cancer researchBreastCancerPreventionBreastCancerResearchcancer preventioncancer researchCancerPreventionCancerResearchdukeduke universityDukeUniversityresearchrobot doctorRobotDoctorstephen smithStephenSmithultrasoundWed, 11 Feb 2009 13:36:00 EST<![CDATA[Researchers create wirelessly-powered robot swarm]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/17/researchers-create-wirelessly-powered-robot-swarm/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/17/researchers-create-wirelessly-powered-robot-swarm/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/17/researchers-create-wirelessly-powered-robot-swarm/#comments
Wireless power has come a long way from Nikola Tesla's early ruminations on the matter, and it looks like some researchers from Duke and Georgia Tech are now taking the idea to its logical, robot-powering conclusion. While their setup (thankfully) isn't yet able to power robots beyond the confines of the Q L-C resonator-equipped table, it does appear to work remarkably well in that limited proof-of-concept, with five bots each equipped with a non-resonant pickup coil able to follow a path around the table, or simply sit still to recharge their batteries. They were even able to power an LED light with the system for good measure. Natually, they eventually hope to expand the system to power larger swarms of robots and do away with the need for batteries altogether. Yeah, that's a good idea. Head on past the break for a video.

Continue reading Researchers create wirelessly-powered robot swarm

Filed under:

Researchers create wirelessly-powered robot swarm originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Oct 2008 12:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dukegeorgia techGeorgiaTechrobot swarmRobotSwarmswarmswarm robotsSwarmRobotswireless powerWirelessPowerFri, 17 Oct 2008 12:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Duke micro-bots learning to dance, probe cellular architectures]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/03/duke-micro-bots-learning-to-dance-probe-cellular-architectures/http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/03/duke-micro-bots-learning-to-dance-probe-cellular-architectures/http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/03/duke-micro-bots-learning-to-dance-probe-cellular-architectures/#commentsWe won't even front: Duke's quasi-invisibility cloak is far cooler than this, but a team of microscopic robots sure have the potential to do more good than a glorified figment of someone's imagination. Bruce Donald, a Duke professor of computer science and biochemistry, has teamed up with a few other mad scientists in order to create ridiculously tiny robots that can dance on objects smaller than a pin's head. According to Mr. Donald, they are "almost 100 times smaller than any previous robotic designs of their kind and weigh even less." Sure, watching these critters do the tango is undoubtedly entertaining, but he's hoping to collaborate with the medical center in order to "probe the molecular and cellular architectures of very small things such as cells." We appreciate the dedication to mankind and all, but don't pretend like you don't goof off with these guys on your coffee breaks, Bruce.

[Via Slashdot]

Filed under:

Duke micro-bots learning to dance, probe cellular architectures originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 Jun 2008 23:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>balletdukeduke universityDukeUniversitymemsmicro-robotsmicroelectromechanicalMicroscopicrobotscienceuniversityTue, 03 Jun 2008 23:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Duke inches toward autonomous robo-surgeons]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/08/duke-inches-toward-autonomous-robo-surgeons/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/08/duke-inches-toward-autonomous-robo-surgeons/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/08/duke-inches-toward-autonomous-robo-surgeons/#commentsWe're a little ambivalent about robots performing surgery autonomously and unattended, but there are clearly cases where it'd be beneficial, and it seems like an inevitable future. Duke researchers working on robo-doc lab feasibility studies announced this week a proof of concept using 3D ultrasound mapping to enable machines to "see" what they're doing. The first test procedures have focused on use of those ultrasound transducers in catheter-based procedures using fluoroscopy, so it sounds like we'll still have a few years before we say ahhh for a machine.

Filed under:

Duke inches toward autonomous robo-surgeons originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 May 2008 06:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dukeresearchrobotic surgeonRoboticSurgeonsurgeryThu, 08 May 2008 06:19:00 EST<![CDATA[SKY's Duke is only slightly more attractive than The Duke]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/18/skys-duke-is-only-slightly-more-attractive-than-the-duke/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/18/skys-duke-is-only-slightly-more-attractive-than-the-duke/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/18/skys-duke-is-only-slightly-more-attractive-than-the-duke/#comments
"Luxurious yet simple design" is the name of the game for SKY's latest bit of mobile splendor, curiously named "Duke" of all things. For many of us, "Duke" conjures up images of rough-and-tumble sheriffs in the Wild West or gargantuan Xbox controllers, but one thing it doesn't necessarily bring to mind is "luxurious yet simple." No bother, we suppose it's the hardware that matters, so let's get to it: 2.4 inch QVGA display, 1.3 megapixel camera, document viewer, media player, Bluetooth, and built-in subway maps (Korean subways, that is) all grace the rather plainly styled slider. Look for it on your favorite Seoul retailer's shelf for something in the range of 400,000 won (about $404).

[Via Unwired View]

Filed under: ,

SKY's Duke is only slightly more attractive than The Duke originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Apr 2008 03:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dukekoreamobilepantechskysliderFri, 18 Apr 2008 03:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Duke University: home to world's largest 802.11n wireless network]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/19/duke-university-home-to-worlds-largest-802-11n-wireless-networ/http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/19/duke-university-home-to-worlds-largest-802-11n-wireless-networ/http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/19/duke-university-home-to-worlds-largest-802-11n-wireless-networ/#comments
We know, most of you Blue Devil fans are still reeling from that recent loss to Wake Forest, but if it's any consolation, at least your campus is about to become home to the "world's largest" 802.11n wireless network. Last we heard, The Ohio State University held the crown for Earth's biggest WLAN with 1,700 access points lit, but according to Cisco, Duke's campus will soon house 2,500 Aironet 1250 Series APs. The installation will leave more than six million square feet of central North Carolina blanketed in WiFi, and will supposedly be the "largest planned 802.11n wireless network in the world by any organization to date." Watch out, Dukies -- we hear those folks in Chapel Hill have a thing for swiping unsecured signals.

Filed under: ,

Duke University: home to world's largest 802.11n wireless network originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Feb 2008 14:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>802.11naccciscodukeDuke UniversityDukeUniversityinternetuniversitywifiwirelesswlanworld recordWorldRecordTue, 19 Feb 2008 14:06:00 EST<![CDATA[Researchers say three-dimensional sound cloak is possible, in theory]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/10/researchers-say-three-dimensional-sound-cloak-is-possible-in-th/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/10/researchers-say-three-dimensional-sound-cloak-is-possible-in-th/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/10/researchers-say-three-dimensional-sound-cloak-is-possible-in-th/#commentsApparently not content with simply building an invisibility cloak, of sorts, those mad scientists at Duke University's Pratt School of Engineering now say that they've found that a three-dimensional "sound cloak" is also possible, in theory. According to Duke's Steven Cummer, the researchers have come up with a "recipe" for an acoustic material that would "essentially open up a hole in space and make something inside that hole disappear from sound waves." Needless to say, they haven't tested that possibility just yet, but they say it could one day be used to hide submarines from detection by sonar or even be used to improve the acoustics of a concert hall by making inconvenient structural beams effectively disappear. What's more, they say that the basic principles at play here could also suggest that cloaks could be created for other wave systems, like seismic waves, or even waves at the surface of the ocean, although the practical applications for those would seem to be a bit more limited.

[Image courtesy of Royal Navy/BAE Systems]

Filed under:

Researchers say three-dimensional sound cloak is possible, in theory originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 Jan 2008 12:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dukeduke universityDukeUniversityinvisibility cloakInvisibilityCloaksound cloakSoundCloakThu, 10 Jan 2008 12:51:00 EST<![CDATA[Monkeys take their robot-wielding powers international]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/11/27/monkeys-take-their-robot-wielding-powers-international/http://www.engadget.com/2007/11/27/monkeys-take-their-robot-wielding-powers-international/http://www.engadget.com/2007/11/27/monkeys-take-their-robot-wielding-powers-international/#commentsIt's been a while since we've heard from the folks at Duke University and their robot-controlling monkeys, but it seems that they've remained hard at work on their potentially perilous collaboration, with them recently showing off some of their latest tricks at the Neuroscience 2007 conference earlier this month. This time, they had the monkeys control a pair of robot legs through the use of some electrodes implanted in their brains which, apparently, went off without a hitch. But that's not all! The legs the monkeys were controlling just so happened to be located at the Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute International in Kyoto, Japan, which the monkeys were linked to via the Internet. No word on what they plan to attempt next, although taking the robots and/or monkeys into space would seem to be the next logical step (at least to us).

[Photo courtesy of NASA-JSC / Wikimedia Commons]

Filed under:

Monkeys take their robot-wielding powers international originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Nov 2007 13:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dukeduke universityDukeUniversitymonkeyrobotrobot legsRobotLegsTue, 27 Nov 2007 13:17:00 EST<![CDATA[Ben Heck crams wireless Xbox 360 controller into original Xbox controller]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/20/ben-heck-crams-wireless-xbox-360-controller-into-original-xbox-c/http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/20/ben-heck-crams-wireless-xbox-360-controller-into-original-xbox-c/http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/20/ben-heck-crams-wireless-xbox-360-controller-into-original-xbox-c/#comments
Yeah, we doubt that summary rolled off the average tongue, but regardless, modder extraordinaire Ben Heck has managed to stuff the guts of an Xbox 360 wireless controller into the frame of an original Xbox controller. Often dubbed "The Duke," the massive device actually proved rather hard to work with, though one may assume that you could actually cram the entire Xbox 360 into this beast with all that room. Nevertheless, the final product actually looks fairly unscathed, save for the tiny, recessed Sync button on the rear, the added Guide button on the front and the headset port at the base, but it sounds like this may be the only one to ever be created by the hands of Mr. Heck. You know what that means -- get your bid in or live with unimaginable regret.

[Via Coolest-Gadgets]

Filed under: ,

Ben Heck crams wireless Xbox 360 controller into original Xbox controller originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 20 Sep 2007 09:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ben heckBenHeckbenjamin heckendornBenjaminHeckendorncontrollerdukehackmodxboxxbox 360xbox controllerXbox360XboxControllerThu, 20 Sep 2007 09:54:00 EST<![CDATA[Duke exonerates iPhone from network outage charges]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/21/duke-exonerates-iphone-from-network-outage-charges/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/21/duke-exonerates-iphone-from-network-outage-charges/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/21/duke-exonerates-iphone-from-network-outage-charges/#commentsGranted, the original report suggesting that swarms of iPhones actually broke Duke's WiFi network did seem a bit bizarre, and now it appears that the university is freeing Apple's handset from blame. Interestingly, the actual culprit still seems somewhat veiled in secrecy, as we're only informed that "a particular set of conditions made the Duke wireless network experience some minor and temporary disruptions in service," but never do they exaggerate on exactly what caused the hiccups. Still, Duke also stated that it worked in conjunction with Cisco and Apple in order to "identify the network issue that was causing the problem," and since Cisco stepped in and provided a fix, the prpblem has yet to repeat itself. Looks like you're off the hook on this one, iPhone.

Filed under: ,

Duke exonerates iPhone from network outage charges originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 21 Jul 2007 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appledukeerrorfailureiphonemishapoutageproblemuniversitywifiSat, 21 Jul 2007 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Duke exonerates iPhone from network outage charges]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/21/duke-exonerates-iphone-from-network-outage-charges/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/21/duke-exonerates-iphone-from-network-outage-charges/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/21/duke-exonerates-iphone-from-network-outage-charges/#commentsGranted, the original report suggesting that swarms of iPhones actually broke Duke's WiFi network did seem a bit bizarre, and now it appears that the university is freeing Apple's handset from blame. Interestingly, the actual culprit still seems somewhat veiled in secrecy, as we're only informed that "a particular set of conditions made the Duke wireless network experience some minor and temporary disruptions in service," but never do they exaggerate on exactly what caused the hiccups. Still, Duke also stated that it worked in conjunction with Cisco and Apple in order to "identify the network issue that was causing the problem," and since Cisco stepped in and provided a fix, the prpblem has yet to repeat itself. Looks like you're off the hook on this one, iPhone.

Filed under: , , , , ,

Duke exonerates iPhone from network outage charges originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 21 Jul 2007 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleatandtattdukeerrorfailureiphoneiphone osiphoneosmishapmobileoutageproblemstudiesuniversitywifiSat, 21 Jul 2007 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[iPhones bogging down Duke University's WiFi network?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/iphones-bogging-down-duke-universitys-wifi-network/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/iphones-bogging-down-duke-universitys-wifi-network/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/iphones-bogging-down-duke-universitys-wifi-network/#commentsWhile the Blue Devils may have their basketball program running like a well-oiled machine, apparently its wireless LAN structure is in dire need of an upgrade. Reportedly, so many Dukies have snatched up iPhones and began using the campus WiFi network to surf on the go that the hordes of requests have been "temporarily knocking out anywhere from a dozen to 30 wireless access points at a time." Cisco, the university's main WLAN provider, has been called in to find out exactly why the overload has brought the network to its proverbial knees, and we'd say they better resolve the problem pronto -- after all, this issue could be magnified immensely with the commencement of the fall semester.

[Via Fox News]

Filed under: , , , , , ,

iPhones bogging down Duke University's WiFi network? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 17 Jul 2007 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accappleatandtattbroadbanddukeedgegsminternetiphoneiphone osiphoneosmobilemobile internetMobileInternetnetworknetwork problemNetworkProblemoutageuniversitywifiTue, 17 Jul 2007 09:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Duke researchers envision mind-controlled weaponry]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/20/duke-researchers-envision-mind-controlled-weaponry/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/20/duke-researchers-envision-mind-controlled-weaponry/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/20/duke-researchers-envision-mind-controlled-weaponry/#commentsThe Blue Devils certainly haven't fared well on the hardwood of late, but a group of engineering minds at Duke University are thinking up ways to get even. While we can't actually confirm the motives, a recent patent filing spells out details of a device that can "use the brain's thoughts to control an array of mechanical and electrical devices, up to and including weapons." Thought-controlled interfaces have long since been available, but these researchers are suggesting that everything from household items like televisions and ovens to "weapons systems" could be used to not only "improve one's quality of life," but could actually produce thoughts that litearlly kill. Interestingly, the verbiage even mentions that the recently-ratified UWB technology could be used to beam commands from your devious brain, and although it's not surprising to find that DARPA has a hand in funding department, we're still not any closer to finding out when our military will switch from triggers to impulses.

[Via Wired]

Filed under: ,

Duke researchers envision mind-controlled weaponry originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 20 Mar 2007 20:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accblue devilsBlueDevilsbrain-controlledbrain-controllingdarpadefensedukeinterfaceMind-Controlledpatentpatentedpatentsresearchthought-controlledthought-controllingultra-widebanduniversityuwbweaponweaponsTue, 20 Mar 2007 20:52:00 EST<![CDATA[Clio NXT unleashed on Duke University... kind of]]>http://www.engadget.com/2006/04/14/clio-nxt-unleashed-on-duke-university-kind-of/http://www.engadget.com/2006/04/14/clio-nxt-unleashed-on-duke-university-kind-of/http://www.engadget.com/2006/04/14/clio-nxt-unleashed-on-duke-university-kind-of/#comments

It's been almost a year since the Clio NXT was supposed to ship -- so long ago in fact, that we sense the dull fog of disinterest descending upon you. See, the Clio NXT was (is?) the successor to the cult 1998-released WinCE laptop/tablet which is said to feature Windows CE.NET 5.0 (yes, CE), a 10.4-inch, 800 x 600 touchscreen LCD with 180-degree pivot, WiFi, 64MB SDRAM and 64MB Flash memory, a near full-size QWERTY keyboard, and a smattering of connectivity and expansion options including SD card slots, PCMCIA, USB, a headphone jack, mic, and video out. Well, out of the blue this morning we received a press release stating that Duke University's Fuqua School of Business will serve as "beta site" for the NXT and Data Evolution's other CE computing device, the Cathena ultra-light laptop. That's it -- no price (although we last heard $999 for the NXT), no expected start date for this beta program, let alone a revised ship date... nothin'. In a market now flooded with reasonably priced tablets, UMPCs, and dirt cheap laptops, we're feeling, well, a bit jaded ourselves.

Filed under: , ,

Clio NXT unleashed on Duke University... kind of originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 14 Apr 2006 09:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CEcliodukelaptopnxttablettouchscreenumpcwincewindows CEWindowsCeFri, 14 Apr 2006 09:13:00 EST<![CDATA[HDTV Listings for January 28, 2006]]>http://www.engadget.com/2006/01/28/hdtv-listings-for-january-28-2006/http://www.engadget.com/2006/01/28/hdtv-listings-for-january-28-2006/http://www.engadget.com/2006/01/28/hdtv-listings-for-january-28-2006/#commentsMasters of HorrorWhat we're watching: We're always up for a little late night gore from Masters of Horror.....which usually leads us to being up a lot later with the lights on checking under the bed and inside the closet. Ah well, theres a new episode tonight, "Haeckels Tale" based on a Clive Barker story, so we'll just make sure the night light is plugged in and pop some popcorn.

If thats not your thing, Coach K and the Cameron Crazies are playing host to Virginia tonight on ESPN-HD, not to mention new episodes of South Beach and Veronica Mars on the soon to be nonexistent UPN.

After the jump is our traditional listing of HD programs throughout the night.

Continue reading HDTV Listings for January 28, 2006

Filed under: , , , , , , , ,

HDTV Listings for January 28, 2006 originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 28 Jan 2006 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abcbroadcast guideBroadcastGuidecbsdiscovery hddiscoveryhddtvdukeespn hdespnhdfoxhdhdtvhigh definitionHighDefinitionmasters of horrorMastersOfHorrornbctelevisionthe cwthecwtnt hdtnthdSat, 28 Jan 2006 19:29:00 EST