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[Ancient acoustic engineers used stucco, drugs, and architecture to rock and confuse audiences]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/26/ancient-acoustic-engineers-used-stucco-drugs-and-architecture/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/26/ancient-acoustic-engineers-used-stucco-drugs-and-architecture/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/26/ancient-acoustic-engineers-used-stucco-drugs-and-architecture/#comments
It's always fun when scientists discover new stuff about really old cultures, especially when it has to do with getting weird and rocking out. Recent research suggests temples built around 600 A.D. in Palenque, Mexico were designed with projection rooms that shot the sound of voices and instruments 300 feet away with the help of stucco-coated surfaces. 1600 years before that, in the Peruvian Andes, a pre-Incan society in Chavín was constructing a nightmarish Gallery of Labyrinths to play "strange acoustic tricks" during cult initiations: animal-like roars from horns, disorienting echoes, and maybe even choirs designed to produce otherworldly effects. And all of this while the poor inductees were being fed psychedelic San Pedro cacti. Yikes! To a certain extent this is all speculation, but we can tell you that if we were ancient priests with this kind of gear at our disposal we'd be using it for mind-controlling purposes too. Just because!

[Photo adapted from Jenny Pansing's flickr]

Ancient acoustic engineers used stucco, drugs, and architecture to rock and confuse audiences originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 26 Dec 2010 23:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acousticamplifyancientandeschavincultechoengineeringhistorylabyrinthmayanspalenqueperuvianpsychedelicreligionSun, 26 Dec 2010 23:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Vicar gives his blessing to cellphones and laptops (but not to their most common uses)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/vicar-gives-his-blessing-to-cellphones-and-laptops-but-not-to-t/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/vicar-gives-his-blessing-to-cellphones-and-laptops-but-not-to-t/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/vicar-gives-his-blessing-to-cellphones-and-laptops-but-not-to-t/#comments
Not to be outdone by the Catholic Church with its iPod wielding Bishops and text messaging Pontiffs,
the Rev. Canon David Parrott blessed mobile phones and laptop computers today at the St. Lawrence Jewry Church in London. The service, he said, was to "remind the capital's busy office workers that God's grace can reach them in many ways." Except through novelty bud earphones -- those clearly belong to the devil himself.

Vicar gives his blessing to cellphones and laptops (but not to their most common uses) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 11 Jan 2010 13:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anglicanblessinggodreligionRev. Canon David ParrottRev.CanonDavidParrottMon, 11 Jan 2010 13:07:00 EST<![CDATA[Passion of the Christ making expected Blu-ray debut in February 2009]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/passion-of-the-christ-making-expected-blu-ray-debut-in-february/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/passion-of-the-christ-making-expected-blu-ray-debut-in-february/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/passion-of-the-christ-making-expected-blu-ray-debut-in-february/#comments
We already saw that Sound & Vision felt that Mel Gibson's Passion of the Christ should be loosed on Blu-ray, and lo and behold, here we have confirmation that it will indeed be going Blu. On February 17th of next year, the film will be released in a "Definitive Edition" that offers up a 2.4:1 1080p video presentation and a 5.1-channel DTS-HD Master Audio track. As predicted, the audio will be in Aramaic for both the theatrical cut and the uncut version. This edition will also include "several new extras not found on the previous DVD edition including a pair of featurettes and four audio commentaries," and the exhaustive list is hosted up in the read link below. Per usual, the MSRP on this one sits at $34.99.

Filed under:

Passion of the Christ making expected Blu-ray debut in February 2009 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 03 Nov 2008 17:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blu rayblu-rayblurayfilmhdmoviePassion of the ChristPassionOfTheChristreleasereligiontitleMon, 03 Nov 2008 17:23:00 EST<![CDATA[And the Lord said unto Sony, '01101000 01100...']]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/28/and-the-lord-said-unto-satan-01101000-01100/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/28/and-the-lord-said-unto-satan-01101000-01100/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/28/and-the-lord-said-unto-satan-01101000-01100/#comments
With pointy hats and staffs stowed in a coat-check of pure gold, Catholic bishops have decreed the use of mass, digital communications to spread the word of the bible in as many languages as possible. In a statement just issued to the flock, the bishops said:
"The voice of the Divine Word must resonate over the radio, on Internet channels with virtual distribution (and by) CDs, DVDs and iPods, and on television and cinema screens."
The implied message here is very clear: God hates the Blu-ray.

Filed under:

And the Lord said unto Sony, '01101000 01100...' originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Oct 2008 05:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blu-raychurchgodipodreligionTue, 28 Oct 2008 05:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Megachurches look to take sermons to a higher definition]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/23/megachurches-look-to-take-sermons-to-a-higher-definition/http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/23/megachurches-look-to-take-sermons-to-a-higher-definition/http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/23/megachurches-look-to-take-sermons-to-a-higher-definition/#comments
High-def integration into churches is nothing new, but it's still far from commonplace. HD installers are now keying in on megachurches throughout the US, which typically have congregations in the thousands and could certainly benefit from HD projections. According to Pat Thompson, senior vice president of engineering operations for broadcast and audio visual systems integrator TV Magic, there are around 10,000 megachurches in America today, with only 1,000 or so equipped with HD cameras, displays, etc. He also noted that some of the larger venues would spend between $500,00 and $4 million in order to completely convert to high-def, which would likely have some churchgoers fanning themselves and passing out in the aisles. Still, there's hardly a more suited place for HD than this, but you should probably tell your pastor to invest in some makeup if your church is planning on doing closeups at 1080p.

[Image courtesy of Yucan]

Filed under: ,

Megachurches look to take sermons to a higher definition originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 Jul 2008 03:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Churchhdmegachurchother hardwareotherhardwarereligionTV MagicTvMagicWed, 23 Jul 2008 03:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Pope Benedict XVI texting out messages of encouragement]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/16/pope-benedict-xvi-texting-out-messages-of-encouragement/http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/16/pope-benedict-xvi-texting-out-messages-of-encouragement/http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/16/pope-benedict-xvi-texting-out-messages-of-encouragement/#comments
Don't act like you didn't know that Pope Benedict XVI was down with modern technology. As part of World Youth Day, the man himself will begin sending out texts of encouragement to pilgrims who have signed up through Telstra to receive them. A total of four gigantic "prayer walls" have been erected at the Sydney Opera House, the Domain, Darling Harbour and Randwick Racecourse in Australia, where folks will actually be able to send their own messages for all to presumably see. The first message sent out? "Young friend, God and his people expect much from u because u have within you the Fathers supreme gift: the Spirit of Jesus - BXVI." Hllujh, amn brtha.

[Thanks, zedster]

Filed under: ,

Pope Benedict XVI texting out messages of encouragement originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 Jul 2008 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australiacatholicchurchCultureiPhonemobilePopePope Benedict XVIPopeBenedictXviprayer wallPrayerWallreligionsmsTelstratexttext messagetext messagingtextingTextMessageTextMessagingWed, 16 Jul 2008 07:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Pope Benedict XVI texting out messages of encouragement]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/16/pope-benedict-xvi-texting-out-messages-of-encouragement/http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/16/pope-benedict-xvi-texting-out-messages-of-encouragement/http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/16/pope-benedict-xvi-texting-out-messages-of-encouragement/#comments
Don't act like you didn't know that Pope Benedict XVI was down with modern technology. As part of World Youth Day, the man himself will begin sending out texts of encouragement to pilgrims who have signed up through Telstra to receive them. A total of four gigantic "prayer walls" have been erected at the Sydney Opera House, the Domain, Darling Harbour and Randwick Racecourse in Australia, where folks will actually be able to send their own messages for all to presumably see. The first message sent out? "Young friend, God and his people expect much from u because u have within you the Fathers supreme gift: the Spirit of Jesus - BXVI." Hllujh, amn brtha.

[Thanks, zedster]

Filed under:

Pope Benedict XVI texting out messages of encouragement originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 Jul 2008 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australiacatholicchurchiPhonePopePope Benedict XVIPopeBenedictXviprayer wallPrayerWallreligionsmsTelstratexttext messagetext messagingtextingTextMessageTextMessagingWed, 16 Jul 2008 07:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Texas churches seeing sermons on HDTV]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/30/texas-churches-seeing-sermons-on-hdtv/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/30/texas-churches-seeing-sermons-on-hdtv/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/30/texas-churches-seeing-sermons-on-hdtv/#comments
Around this time last year, we were all caught up in the drama unfolding between the NFL and Fall Creek Baptist Church, but this time, it doesn't seem as if any place of worship is being smitten for showing the big game on a big screen. Rather, a pastor down in Texas is utilizing HD (and IP) technology to beam himself (and his sermons) to satellite churches around the area in real-time. Apparently, the signal from an HD camera and two other cams zoomed in on his face are zipped around to other auditoriums and churches in the area, which prevents individuals that live further away from having to make a lengthy drive, yet still gives them the ability to interact with other congregation members. Unfortunately, we've no idea if the pastor in question is being seen simultaneously in 720p, 1080i or 1080p, but regardless, let's hope he's wearing some form of HD makeup for everyone's sake, eh?

[Image courtesy of KIR]

Filed under: ,

Texas churches seeing sermons on HDTV originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 Jan 2008 23:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>churchgalvestonhdpreachingreligionsermontexasWed, 30 Jan 2008 23:41:00 EST<![CDATA[Cross MP3 Player keeps the faith]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/12/cross-mp3-player-keeps-the-faith/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/12/cross-mp3-player-keeps-the-faith/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/12/cross-mp3-player-keeps-the-faith/#comments
Make no mistake, this isn't the first time a religious symbol has been integrated into a digital audio player, but unlike the iBelieve, this thing is actually, you know, real. Destined to be sold in bulk quantities to youth groups everywhere, the Cross MP3 Player is hardly designed by coincidence, and comes with 4GB of internal memory, a two-color LCD, built-in speaker, FM tuner, integrated mic, seven equalizer modes and a multi-language menu for those overseas mission trips. Fightin' the good fight will only cost you $48.14, but you can whittle that down even more by purchasing these things by the hundreds. Check out a couple more shots after the jump.

[Via CNET]

Continue reading Cross MP3 Player keeps the faith

Filed under:

Cross MP3 Player keeps the faith originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 12 Oct 2007 22:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chinacrosscross mp3 playerCrossMp3Playerdapportable audioportableaudioreligionFri, 12 Oct 2007 22:23:00 EST<![CDATA[Church gives away iTunes for attendance]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/08/20/church-gives-away-itunes-for-attendance/http://www.engadget.com/2007/08/20/church-gives-away-itunes-for-attendance/http://www.engadget.com/2007/08/20/church-gives-away-itunes-for-attendance/#commentsChurch attendance is down in most of the western world, so what better way to boost the numbers than provide free iTunes gift vouchers? That's what the Church by the Glades in Florida is doing with a three week series of seminars called "'i': Living in a self absorbed world." Somehow, some free tunes, a hefty chunk of change in Apple's coffers, and a "borrowed" marketing campaign are supposed to help attendees "avoid the self-absorbed mentality." We're gonna hold off on judgement here since if anything, this gives us an excuse to whip out our iBelieve.

[Via Fark]

Filed under:

Church gives away iTunes for attendance originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 20 Aug 2007 02:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Church by the gladesChurchByTheGladesGodibelieveiPodiTunesportable audioportableaudioReligionMon, 20 Aug 2007 02:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Church of England demands donation for violent PS3 title]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/10/church-of-england-demands-donation-for-violent-ps3-title/http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/10/church-of-england-demands-donation-for-violent-ps3-title/http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/10/church-of-england-demands-donation-for-violent-ps3-title/#commentsIt's not like Sony hasn't been under fire from outlets in America and abroad before, but the latest quibble is coming from none other than the Church of England. Turns out that Sony reportedly took it upon itself to recreate the historic interior of Manchester Cathedral in Resistance: Fall of Man without first asking permission, and now there could be hell heaven to pay. Currently, the Church has asked Sony to "apologize and contribute a large donation from the game's profits as it did not pay a commercial fee to use the cathedral as a backdrop." Additionally, Sony could face two other demands -- one that requests the withdrawal of the game altogether, and the other to modify the section of the cathedral's interior. Notably, it's been no secret that certain sects of the UK have been dealing with rashes of gun crime, and while Sony hasn't succumbed to paying up or recalling all copies of the game just yet, it did say that it would "contact the cathedral authorities to understand their concerns in more detail."

Filed under:

Church of England demands donation for violent PS3 title originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 10 Jun 2007 20:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cathedralchurchenglandManchester CathedralManchesterCathedralreligionResistanceResistance: Fall of ManResistance:FallOfMansonyukviolenceviolentSun, 10 Jun 2007 20:16:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo's Wii: a marriage saver?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/13/nintendos-wii-a-marriage-saver/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/13/nintendos-wii-a-marriage-saver/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/13/nintendos-wii-a-marriage-saver/#comments
It's fairly obvious that using the Wii to keep yourself slim and trim is bound to put a smile on your SO's face, but a curious banner at a presumed church used Nintendo's console (and its token font, too) to hint at answers to a successful marriage. Of course, a couple interested in spending countless hours of quality time gaming away with each other are indeed more likely to find common ground, but for the uber-competitive type, gaming together could lead to more quibbles than friendly laughs. Nevertheless, it shouldn't be surprising that a religious institution would tap into mainstream culture in order to garner attention to its offerings, and hey, if you've got to go to counseling for only taking "Mii" into consideration, you may as well get your game on while you're at it.

[Via NintendoWiiFanboy]

Filed under:

Nintendo's Wii: a marriage saver? originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 13 May 2007 00:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>couplesemotionsemotivefeelingsmarketingmarriagenintendorelationshiprelationshipsreligionwiiSun, 13 May 2007 00:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Hulger's confessional booth lets sinners vent on luxury handsets]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/04/14/hulgers-confessional-booth-lets-sinners-vent-on-luxury-handsets/http://www.engadget.com/2007/04/14/hulgers-confessional-booth-lets-sinners-vent-on-luxury-handsets/http://www.engadget.com/2007/04/14/hulgers-confessional-booth-lets-sinners-vent-on-luxury-handsets/#comments
Hey, we know that purchasing one of Hulger's avant-garde handsets could very well leave you feeling guilty considering the lofty pricetag, but the company is looking to give you sinners a way out with its communication-enabled confessional booth. The bizarre setup will be erected at Designersblock Milan 2007, and is being constructed in partnership with "communications specialist Associate" to offer visitors the chance to "play the priest or the penitent." Of course, we've no interest in interviewing with a unordained minister, but so long as the unit features Hulger's latest ASTOR & SOPHIA limited edition handsets (pictured), we'd most definitely stop in for a courtesy chat.

[Via Textually]

Filed under: , ,

Hulger's confessional booth lets sinners vent on luxury handsets originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 14 Apr 2007 07:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artASTORavate-gardebibleboothConfessionaldesigndesignerGodhulgerlimited editionLimitedEditionluxuryluxury phoneLuxuryPhonemobileothersprayerreligionsinSOPHIASpazio Rossana OrlandiSpazioRossanaOrlandiSat, 14 Apr 2007 07:49:00 EST<![CDATA[When good toys go bad IV: explicit CD player triggered during mass]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/02/23/when-good-toys-go-bad-iv-explicit-cd-player-triggered-during-ma/http://www.engadget.com/2007/02/23/when-good-toys-go-bad-iv-explicit-cd-player-triggered-during-ma/http://www.engadget.com/2007/02/23/when-good-toys-go-bad-iv-explicit-cd-player-triggered-during-ma/#commentsWhile we've seen quite a few toys pulling stunts that they should definitely be ashamed of, the latest edition ups the ante by doing its dirty deed in a Roman Catholic cathedral. Following the "if it blinks, obliterate it" mentality so well exemplified at various Boston transit arteries, a team of Santa Fe bomb squad experts were called onto the scene after three CD players were triggered to start blasting "sexually explicit language in the middle of an Ash Wednesday Mass" at the Roman Catholic Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi. Reportedly, the players were "duct-taped to the bottoms of the pews," apparently causing the innocent church dwellers to assume the worse -- you know, like C4 explosives camouflaged as a mid-range driver. Nevertheless, the bomb squad removed the devices, took them outside, and probably had a thrilling experience whilst detonating two of the players as a safety measure. Once the crew realized the only explosive tendencies were captured in the inappropriate lyrics, they salvaged the third unit to comb for fingerprints and hopefully arrest the perpetrator(s). Now, which cop is going to cave in and post the fireworks on YouTube?

[Via BoingBoing]

Filed under:

When good toys go bad IV: explicit CD player triggered during mass originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 23 Feb 2007 10:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bombbomb squadBombSquadcatholiccdcd playerCdPlayerchurchCOPSeasterexplodingexplosiongood toysgood toys go badGoodToysGoodToysGoBadlentmassPOLICEportable audioportableaudioreligionFri, 23 Feb 2007 10:53:00 EST<![CDATA[NFL shuts down church's Super Bowl Bash, ratings to blame]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/02/01/nfl-shuts-down-churchs-super-bowl-bash-ratings-to-blame/http://www.engadget.com/2007/02/01/nfl-shuts-down-churchs-super-bowl-bash-ratings-to-blame/http://www.engadget.com/2007/02/01/nfl-shuts-down-churchs-super-bowl-bash-ratings-to-blame/#commentsC'mon folks, everyone and their grandmother will likely be watching the Super Bowl this coming Sunday (even across the pond), and even if you have no interest in the Colts, Bears, or large men in awkward suits, someone in your family probably feels otherwise. Nevertheless, the NFL showcased its mighty power (and terrible decision making) by condemning Fall Creek Baptist Church's "Super Bowl Bash," saying that advertising a fee-based party that utilized "license-protected words" was against regulations. Furthermore, ditching the door charge and the taboo language wasn't good enough to solve the problem, as "the law" limits Super Bowl (wait, can we say that now?) party TVs to a quantity of one, and that single set must not be over 55-inches. Needless to say, we don't doubt that good few of you fine, law-abiding, tax-paying citizens will be catching the big game with a couple of your friends on your 60-inch plasma (or 100-inch projection screen), but we'd highly recommend building an underground bunker between now and Sunday to make sure your plans are safe. Of course, bars and other eateries are somehow exempt from this bogus rule, and as expected, all the grumbling stems from Nielsen's obvious inability to estimate just how many folks are watching a single tube on this advertisers' dream night, but ratings drops or not, we wouldn't mess with Touchdown Jesus.

Filed under:

NFL shuts down church's Super Bowl Bash, ratings to blame originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Feb 2007 16:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bearschurchcoltscrimecriminalfootballGodhdtvindianalawnfloutlawoutlawedreligionsuper bowlSuperBowlThu, 01 Feb 2007 16:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Religious tract asks: What's next for the iPod guy?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2006/07/14/religious-tract-asks-whats-next-for-the-ipod-guy/http://www.engadget.com/2006/07/14/religious-tract-asks-whats-next-for-the-ipod-guy/http://www.engadget.com/2006/07/14/religious-tract-asks-whats-next-for-the-ipod-guy/#comments Though many look to His Steveness as some sort of cult leader (or in some more drastic, frightening cases, a deity of sorts), in a recent religious tract Jews for Jesus felt compelled to ask: What's next for the iPod guy? We think it's a little presumptuous a title for the tract -- which as far as we know is actual and real -- to assume he's one way or another when it comes to holiness since his 2004 bout with pancreatic cancer. (Jobs, as you might recall, was raised Lutheran but has long since been influenced by Eastern spirituality.) Besides the backward Apple logo (and their obvious oversight of the whole Garden of Eden implication), at least J4J got most of the basic details about Jobs' history down, including mention of the Reality Distortion Field (illustrated by beaming Jack Chick-inspired heavenly emanations), so you've at least got to hand these guys five points for creativity. Still, something tells us the only thing we can expect to see from the iPod guy in the near future is some biz on Leopard, and maybe some more info on the long-awaited Mac Pros.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Continue reading Religious tract asks: What's next for the iPod guy?

Filed under:

Religious tract asks: What's next for the iPod guy? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 14 Jul 2006 18:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleipodjews for jesusJewsForJesusportable audioportableaudioreligionsteve jobsSteveJobstractFri, 14 Jul 2006 18:55:00 EST