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Paralyzed man regains use of arms thanks to 'wireless spinal cord'
Remember that paralyzed guy from Southern California who managed to walk on his own accord thanks to a revolutionary technique that bridged the gap in his severed spinal column with a wireless Bluetooth link? A team of doctors at Ohio's Case Western Reserve University have reportedly accomplished the same feat with a patient's arms.
Ohio college is building a drone arena for its students
It only makes sense that schools teach the next generation how to design and fly unmanned aircraft. However, you can't just set a legion of drones loose on campus -- not so long as FAA regulations prevent it, anyway. Ohio's Sinclair Community College has come up with a clever workaround for this problem. It's building a 40-foot tall drone arena that will let students in its aviation programs fly drones away from airports (where the programs currently have to operate) without worrying about licenses or nasty weather. Pupils will have to wait until the facility is ready in early 2016 to commandeer UAVs indoors, but it could give them a leg up in an aviation industry where pilots are increasingly optional. [Image credit: Billie Ward, Flickr]
Cincinnati residents will have access to gigabit internet
Gigabit internet is still pretty hard to come by -- Google's Fiber widening rollout is ironically slow, and mainstream providers just don't offer it universally. Folks in southeast Ohio, at least, can rest easy: their own Cincinnati Bell is now offering fiber optic services to consumers. The company has been testing the high-speed lines with businesses since early summer, but says it's finally ready to offer it to a wider market as part of its "Light Up Cincinnati" program starting September 8th. If you're not a local, at least you'll be able to take advantage of the upgrade when you visit: the company is setting up free WiFi hotpsots throughout the city, too. [Image credit: Jodi Jacobson]
Tesla strikes deal to keep selling its electric cars in Ohio
Tesla has lately been losing its fight to keep selling cars directly to customers, but it just negotiated an important truce. The EV maker has reached a tentative deal with Ohio that lets it conduct direct sales in the state through a maximum of three stores. If passed into law, the agreement would also prohibit other car companies from trying the same strategy. The compromise doesn't completely satisfy a rapidly growing Tesla, but it gives both sides a chance to see how the middleman-free approach works without upsetting the status quo for franchise dealerships. It may also help achieve stalemates in New York and other states that are threatening to ban Tesla's business model outright. [Image credit: Michael Kappel, Flickr]
AT&T expands its 4G LTE network
AT&T reported that it is continuing the expansion of its 4G LTE network throughout the US, with Akron and Canton, Ohio and Lafayette, Indiana being added to the list. AT&T is promising 4G LTE expansion to 12 cities by summer, including Cleveland, Ohio; Baton Rouge and New Orleans, Louisiana; Naples, Florida; St. Louis, Missouri; and Staten Island, New York. The network is said to be up to ten times faster than that of the AT&T 3G network that still predominates the wireless carrier's coverage portfolio in the US. The AT&T version of the third-generation iPad supports 4G LTE; the next version of the iPhone is expected to also support 4G LTE.
Mobile Miscellany: week of April 2nd, 2012
Not all mobile news is destined for the front page, but if you're like us and really want to know what's going on, then you've come to the right place. This past week, CyanogenMod gained a new logo, Google acquired a mobile payments company and we learned that the HTC EVO 4G LTE for Sprint will include an embedded SIM card. These stories and more await after the break. So buy the ticket and take the ride as we explore the "best of the rest" for this week of April 2nd, 2012.
Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra gets in the video game concert game
Hey, Video Games Live isn't the only contender in the market for orchestral performances of ludological accompaniment, you know. The Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra -- for those unfamiliar with their Midwest geography, that's Dayton, Ohio -- is putting together a game-themed show, aptly titled PLAY.
Ohio Girl Scouts accepting mobile payments for cookies, your thin mint craving starts now
Short on cash but wishing you could stock up on Girl Scout cookies? Then you no longer have an excuse -- at least if you're in Northeast Ohio -- as the local Girl Scout group there has teamed up with Intuit to accept credit cards using the company's GoPayment app (and accompanying card reader) for iOS and Android. What's more, while the Ohio group is the first to sign up, Intuit is now also extending the same offer (which includes reduced transaction fees) to Girl Scout organizations across the US -- something tells us it won't have much trouble getting attracting interest.
Nokia's Elop responds to Google's 'Two turkeys' tweet
Like it or not, you have to hand it to Stephen Elop, Nokia's new CEO. The man isn't afraid to shake things up and clean house to meet his vision of the future. And now that he's made Windows Phone 7 Nokia's "primary smartphone platform" in what he sees as a three-way race between Microkia, Googloid, and Apple (sorry HP and RIM), the man's free to unleash his mild-mannered Canadian fury upon Google's Vic Gundotra (via proxy). As you'll recall, Vic insulted the rumored partnership earlier in the week by tweeting, "two turkeys do not make an Eagle." If you don't understand Elop's twitter-burn then we urge you to visit one of Dayton Ohio's fine historical museums while eating a slice of Cassano's pizza -- we hear it's delicious. [Thanks, Jack]
Ohio man jailed for selling copied games
If you bought a bootleg copy of a PC game for the low, low price of $9.95 and you live in the Powell, Ohio area, it's possible you bought it from Qiang "Michael" Bi. First and foremost, please don't buy pirated games. Second of all, you won't have any more opportunities to purchase his illegal wares (or warez), as Bi was sentenced to 30 months in prison "for selling illegally copied computer games between 2005 and 2009" this week. According to federal agents (via 10tv), Bi purchased legit retail copies of various "computer games," duplicated said games illegally, and then sold copies for $9.95 each through eBay and Amazon. Bi admitted guilt to three separate counts -- mail fraud, copyright infringement, and aggravated identity theft -- and will pay $367,000 to the court, in addition to forfeiting his home, vehicle, and "electronic equipment." Though no specific publishers are identified, Bi will also have to repay game publishers who lost money due to his actions.
Sprint and Clearwire deliver WiMAX to Los Angeles, Ohio, Miami and Washington DC, promise SF on December 28th
Seems like Sprint wants to get every last lick of 4G coverage in before Verizon flips the switch on LTE -- today, its joint venture with Clearwire is launching WiMAX in the City of Angels a day ahead of schedule. Lest you think Los Angeles is getting special treatment, five other cellular markets can now also get a taste of 5Mbps to 7Mbps download speeds, including Miami, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus and our nation's capitol, Washington D.C. That brings the total number of regions where you'll get some mileage out of that $10 surcharge up to 68, in case you're keeping track. What's next? If the press release after the break is correct, San Francisco will finally satisfy its need for speed on December 28th. Not that any of these locales haven't been secretly enjoying 4G already, of course.
Cleveland approves $2.5 million for RFID recycling bins (update)
When it comes to trash can technology, there's little doubt the United Kingdom is on top, what with the bomb-proof and RFID-laden bins denizens have been subjected to for years. Still, the US has trialed traceable cans for some time now, and the city of Cleveland, Ohio's just decided to make them stick, shelling out $2.5 million last week for 150,000 households worth of electronically-accountable recycling. Unlike prior garbage tracing schemes, however, citizens won't be charged according to the raw weight of undesirables in their can, but rather tested to make sure at least 10 percent of the recycling bin's contents are actually recyclable -- else face a $100 fine. That may sound a little pricey, but let's face facts: if 91 percent of what you toss in your recycling bin is garbage, you're not exactly helping the planet. they aren't throwing recycling in the trash bin instead. If over 10% of a resident's trash is actually recyclable, they're slapped with a $100 fine, a costly reminder to take better care of the planet next time. Update: We read it wrong; it's actually your trash can that's measured for recyclables. That makes much more sense! [Thanks, Adam Z.]
Premier Elections Solutions pays up in Ohio Diebold suit, offers more faulty voting machines for free
Man, this is rich. Some two years after being sued by Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner, Premier Elections Solutions (formerly, and more infamously known as Diebold) has decided to settle up. Way back when, Brunner alleged that the outfit's touch-screen voting machines weren't acting as they should, and she pointed to an investigation that proved at least 11 counties were dropped in past elections when their memory cards were uploaded to servers. As of now, Premiere -- which is owned by Election Systems & Software -- has agreed to pony up just over $470,000 to the 47 counties that touched its e-voting hardware, but that's hardly the kicker. Counties are also eligible for up to $2.4 million in free Premiere software for two years, and the company's even throwing in up to 2,909 free voting machines along with a 50 percent coupon for maintenance fees. Right, because the Buckeye State is so anxious to start using the machines it found so faulty to begin with. Makes total sense. Update: We've learned from someone inside of Ohio elections that 11 counties experienced a failed upload of results from a memory card during the unofficial canvas (election night), but those results were recovered during the official canvas several days later. The statewide results included all counties. And know you know.
Select GameStops in NY, OH and PA selling Modern Warfare 2 already [update: Activision responds]
Update: Activision shot us an email to point out that "Activision has not given any retailer permission to sell Modern Warfare 2 prior to the Nov. 10 street date. The company fully supports the Nov.10 street date." It seems that a whole mess of folks are breaking street date and selling the game early. If you snagged a copy already, enjoy!Poor, poor GameStop. As the gaming public's anticipation for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 approached critical mass, they faltered in their loyalty, and took their business to small "mom and pop" game retailers who had broken the game's street date. Fortunately for the retail juggernaut, Activision showed compassion for its plight, and agreed to let certain GameStops in a few Northeast states start selling the game before Tuesday in order to help combat these vicious local businesses. We've been receiving tips all morning from folks living in New York and Pennsylvania (and Kotaku reports Ohio as well) stating that they were able to find the game on sale at their local GameStop. If you live in one of those Northeastern states, you might want to go ahead and call your local 'Stop to see if it's one of the stores which was granted special permission. If it is, then you can go straight to hell, you lucky jerk.
House representative speaks out against 'Virtual Army Experience'
Ohio Democrat and US House rep Dennis Kucinich has got some serious beef with America's Army (the game, not the US Army) and the US government's "Virtual Army Experience." Billing the recruiting center-cum-arcade as a "high-tech traveling exhibit" and saying it advertises to "children as young as 13-years-old," Kucinich requested a variety of improvements be made to the experience -- for instance, not targeting the experience at people under 18 years old.The House Armed Services Committee chairman Ike Skelton acquiesced to Mr. Kucinich's requests in monotonal agreement, matter-of-factly stating, "I support the VAE -- at the same time, I know it can be improved." To see the entire thrilling exchange play out on C-SPAN, check it out after the break.[Via GamePolitics]
MLG 2009 opens in Ohio
All the action explodes in Ohio as the first leg of Major League Gaming's PC Circuit for 2009 kicks off at the Columbus Convention Center. The tournament is a by-invitation-only format that includes eight of the world's top World of Warcraft Arena teams such as SK Gaming, Pandemic, Fnatic, and the lone non-US contingent from Europe, some guys from a small-time guild called Ensidia.Once again played on HP, the 3v3 tournament will be round robin format with the top four teams advancing to a double elimination Championship bracket. Players will have access to Deadly Gladiator and Tier 7.5 gear over three days of competitive gaming, with over $15,000 worth of prizes at stake. All games will be streamed live over at GotFrag TV as well as MMO Champion, with commentary by experienced shoutcasters Vansili, Vhell, and igoaf. Participants will accumulate Pro Circuit ranking points and get a chance to advance to the 2009 MLG Championship at the end of the year. It promises to be another exciting tournament, although it looks like MLG will still be using the Ring of Valor so there'll probably be a few laughs, as well. MLG Columbus will run from June 5 through 7.
Attempted GameStop robbery ends safely
In one of the happier endings we've seen regarding attempted robbery and video games of late, two suspects were arrested with no shots fired during a one-hour standoff with police outside of a GameStop in Solon, Ohio this past Saturday night. According to local reports, London McArthur and Javon Greer, both 19, entered the Cleveland-area GameStop around 7:30PM, brandishing a bb gun and "a pistol" in an attempt to rob the store. By 8:30PM they were exiting the store into the welcoming arms of local police. Unfortunately for the GameStop in question, this marked the second robbery in less than two months, with thieves previously making off with a slew of Xbox 360 games and about $3500 in cash. Both new suspects have been charged with one count of aggravated robbery and one count of kidnapping, presumably for holding employees inside during the standoff. They've also been charged with third-degree stupidity, we hope.If you're a concerned GameStop customer, we'd humbly suggest you investigate "The Internet." There aren't any armed robbers there and the games are (generally speaking) less expensive. What have you got to lose?[Via Nintendo Everything]
TWC launches 7 new HD channels in Mid-Ohio "legacy areas"
We'd known that Time Warner Cable was planning something special for the heart of Ohio, and now it's official. The carrier itself has proclaimed that seven new high-def options have arrived in "legacy areas" of Mid-Ohio, which pushes the grand total in the area to 58. As of now, viewers in these regions can find CNBC HD (717), ESPNU HD (723), Bravo HD (744), SPEED HD (756), Toon Disney HD (771), SciFi HD (773) and Adult HD (401) in the program guide. In related news, WTTE HD will be relocating to slot 708, WOSU HD will head to slot 707 and WWHO HD will move to channel 713. Happy surfing!
TWC definitely bringing new HD channels to Dayton / Cincinnati, Ohio
We knew that Time Warner Cable was pretty close to locking down some serious HD additions in Dayton and Cincinnati, Ohio, and now we've been informed that both system lineups are go for viewing. In Dayton, users will see SciFi HD (778), USA HD (779), Animal Planet HD (780), Science HD (781), ESPNews HD (782) and Golf Channel HD (783). Over in Cincy, locals will find the same networks but on different slots (detailed after the break). Happy New Year, indeed. [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family][Thanks, Dayton Guy]
TWC lines up eight more HD channels in Columbus, Ohio
Columbus-area TWC subscribers were just blessed with sixteen new high-def channels over the past little bit, and according to a new report from The Columbus Dispatch, these same folks will see eight more in January. There's no mention of what exactly those channels will be, but we are told that the Start Over service has been expanded to eight areas in Central Ohio and should be available to all at the beginning of next year. Oh, and while this is completely unofficial, we'd say you can probably send a thank you letter to AT&T for applying pressure where it counts. [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family]
