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Polymorph robot mimics human joints and muscles, puts curtain rings to good use

by Joshua Fruhlinger, posted Jul 5th 2008 at 2:04AM

Xrobot
Using polymorph plastic, some curtain rods, electric screwdrivers, motors, and a whole lot of mad-scientist creativity, an Xrobots hobbyist created this organic-looking robot base. By using wooden sockets and curtain rings as hip joints, the designer is clearly going for a human-like creature of doom here. Knee joints are kept moving with four motors each while a network of bungee cords and strings will act as muscles and tendons. Meanwhile, electric screwdrivers provide power for rotation. The legs measure 26-inches tall alone, so it looks like he's on his way to a real beast here. Hit the read link to see all the raw materials and sit in awe at this monster in the making.

[Via Hacked Gadgets]

Most dial-up users don't want to upgrade their connections

by Joshua Fruhlinger, posted Jul 4th 2008 at 5:41PM

Pew Internet & American Life ProjectSo here's a bit of brilliant statistics work for you: The Pew Internet & American Life research project has determined after endless polling and number crunching that 62 percent of American dial-up users have no interest in upgrading their connections to something a bit more peppy. In fact, only 14 percent of them would upgrade if they could. They cite high prices, barrier to entry, and -- ooh, is Survivor on? We look at it this way: if you're not already on broadband with the multitude of options, and you can get broadband (i.e. you're not stranded out in the wilderness) in one way shape or form, you probably just don't really care, and we can make fun of you because you're not reading this post anyway.

[Via Switched]

Non-planar devices promise downloadable hardware, interactive soda cans

by Joshua Fruhlinger, posted Jul 4th 2008 at 4:04PM

Flexible Computing
Scientists have been up to some wacky (and amazing) stuff in the world of flexible computers and organic user interfaces. Putting our standard concept of computers aside, researches at the Human Media Laboratory at Queen's University in Canada are developing what are called "non-planar" devices: computers that can change shape while using three-dimensional and touch-driven interfaces. The "tank top" user interface is a smart fabric based around two-handed, multi-finger touch sensing. Paired with flexible displays and computers that can change shape to achieve different computing outcomes, you have what they call the computer of the future: computers that can download (and turn into) new hardware, foldable paper computers, and interactive / disposable product designs, because, you know, the advertisers won't be able to wait to get their hands on the first interactive soda can.

Ricoh erecting 47 x 126-foot solar and wind-powered billboard in Times Square

by Joshua Fruhlinger, posted Jul 3rd 2008 at 1:28PM

Ricoh solar-powered billboard
Ever walk through Times Square and wonder how much electricity all those flashy billboards are soaking up? No? Well, Ricoh has, and now they're doing something about it. Ricoh Company Ltd. of Tokyo is erecting a 47 x 126-foot billboard at Seventh Avenue and 42nd Street that will be completely powered by the sun and wind. Fueled by 45 solar panels and four wind turbines, the billboard won't even need a backup electric generator. On days that the sun and wind aren't enough to power it, it will simply go dark. In the end, the billboard is said to reduce carbon dioxide usage by 18 tons a year. The billboard will go live in December, or just in time for the sun to go dark.

Hitachi working on 5TB hard drive, halfway to human brain capacity

by Joshua Fruhlinger, posted Jul 3rd 2008 at 10:18AM

HitachiJust when solid-state drives were about to catch up to the spinners, Hitachi has gone and announced that it is working on a 5TB hard drive. It says the drive should be available by 2010 in a 3.5-inch format and will use perpendicular CPP-GMR tech to achieve some serious density. Just to show off, Hitachi's Yoshiro Shiroishi pointed out that the human brain has been estimated at (only?) around 10TB. So there we have it -- we're halfway to intellectual obsolescence. Don't say we didn't warn you!

[Via TechDigest]

Sony pulls 2.40 firmware update after reports of bricked PS3s

by Joshua Fruhlinger, posted Jul 2nd 2008 at 4:59PM


Sony has pulled the 2.40 firmware update from both its in-console update and website after some users reported that the firmware has bricked their system. SCEA PR director Patrick Seybold told Joystiq that Sony is "looking into it right now and will work with those customers directly to address any issues they may be experiencing." Has it bricked your system? Let us know in the comments below.

Polaroid PoGo portable photo printer hands-on, Engadget reader style

by Joshua Fruhlinger, posted Jul 2nd 2008 at 3:26PM

Polaroid PoGo
Hold up! Polaroid may not be dead just yet! A trusty reader was nice enough to give us some hands-on time with his new Polaroid Pogo Zink-based printer. The diminutive device is clearly meant to give us that old-school insta-print social feeling with its 2 x 3-inch photos, but results were less than a barrel o' monkeys. Engadget reader David says that while the unit is "cute," there's nothing very instant about it as prints take at least 60 seconds -- not including connection in or Bluetooth pairing time. On the plus side, prints are sturdy and don't tear easily, but David couldn't resist burning one of them just to see how the thermal paper reacted. In the end, he says this is a decent gadget for those in the know, but you're not going to put this at the center of a party like you would an old-school Instamatic. Peep the gallery for David's hands-on goodness.

[Thanks, David]

Gallery: Polaroid PoGo

Hidden Tap faucet flows from left to right as you go from dirty to clean

by Joshua Fruhlinger, posted Jul 2nd 2008 at 12:58PM

Hidden Tap
Here's one of those inventions that just makes sense. The Hidden Tap by Jelmer Moorman uses a sensor to follow your hands and dispense water. As you move your hands from left to right under the faucet, water goes from hot to cold just like a regular tap. We have no word on availability, but Hidden Tap is part of the Kunst Zonder Kapsones venture company started by Fernando H. Arias, so we have a feeling that given enough interest, this thing will be showing up in high-end contractors' bags of tricks at some point. Hit the continue link to see the thing in action, but be warned -- it's a .wmv file.

[Thanks, Fernando]

Continue reading Hidden Tap faucet flows from left to right as you go from dirty to clean

OpenMoko Neo FreeRunner available for order July 4, shipping July 7

by Joshua Fruhlinger, posted Jul 2nd 2008 at 9:15AM

OpenMoko Freerunner
Last we heard form Openmoko, it was packing and shipping the open-source FreeRunner for an early July release. So, here we are in early July and wouldn't you know it, the FreeRunner will be available for order starting Friday, July 4 with shipping to begin on Monday, July 7. As for details, we got 'em. The shipped version of the phone will come in both 850Mhz and 900Mhz Tri-band GSM flavors with a 2.8-inch VGA touchscreen, WiFi, AGPS, GPRS 2.5G, Bluetooth 2.0, 128MB WSDRAM, and 256MB NAND flash. If you're down with all that, look to pay $399 on Friday at www.openmoko.com.

Blizzard Authenticator passcode token adds anti-theft enchantment to your World of Warcraft account

by Joshua Fruhlinger, posted Jul 1st 2008 at 8:04AM

Blizzard Authenticator
Nothing's worse than when you log on to raid Onyxia only to find that some loser sold all your elite loot. Fear not, vulnerable World of Warcraft denizens, for Blizzard is here to sell you the $6.50 "Blizzard Authenticator" dongle. Reacting to an upswing in account theft incidents, Blizzard has released a security token that allows hardcore users to add another layer of protection to their high-level (and attractive) characters. The device is basically a SecurID token with a six-digit code that you'll need to keep with you any time you want to get your groove on in Azeroth. By the way, we dare you to put this on your keychain and wear it with pride.

Guitar Hero: Aerosmith won't play nice with Rock Band guitars

by Joshua Fruhlinger, posted Jul 1st 2008 at 7:02AM

Guitar Hero: Aerosmith
While the axe that comes with Guitar Hero: Aerosmith is pretty sweet, if you were hoping to just get the game and use your Rock Band guitar, you're out of luck. Despite rumors that Activision had opened its doors to the Harmonix-made Rock Band guitar controllers, early users of Guitar Hero: Aerosmith are reporting that the Xbox 360 version game isn't being so friendly after all. The sad message: "An unsupported guitar peripheral has been detected. Connect either a Guitar Hero guitar or Xbox 360 controller and press START to continue." It's like they never even knew each other.

Warner Music joins Nokia's Comes With Music download program

by Joshua Fruhlinger, posted Jul 1st 2008 at 2:07AM

Nokia's Comes with MusicThe latest label following BMG to join Nokia's Comes With Music service bandwagon is none other than Warner Music Group. The third-largest label joins the powerful cadre of labels on the service, which as of this posting lacks only EMI for a full major label lineup. As a reminder, the service allows you to download music for 12 months and then keep it as long as you own the device or transfer to a PC. Now, of course, we just need to wait for the devices to roll out.

[Via Yahoo News]

Nikon D700 presentation video revealed early, it's very nice

by Joshua Fruhlinger, posted Jun 30th 2008 at 10:01PM

Nikon D700
We've been teased with the inevitable launch of the Nikon D700 DSLR, but it looks like our introduction is pretty much here with the nascent of a product presentation video that's supposed to hit the internets tomorrow. Observe as the nice man rubs the camera and says naughty things in French (hopefully we'll have a translation soon). He goes on to show off the new interface, quick menus, battery port, pop-up flash, and even gets a nice shot through the new viewfinder. In all seriousness, this is looking like a slick new camera. You're still looking at around €2,600 ($4,000), a July release, a 12-megapixel sensor, and sensor cleaning system. More information is sure to surface tomorrow when our friends across the pond wake up. Hit the continue link to be taunted a second time.

[Thanks, Pete]

Continue reading Nikon D700 presentation video revealed early, it's very nice

Kage roi table does your web searches for you

by Joshua Fruhlinger, posted Jun 30th 2008 at 6:42PM

Kage roi
Only recently we told you about a table that monitors who is dominating a conversation and deemed it potentially disruptive. This time, however, we're looking at the "Kage roi" which looks to add to the coming together of wits and intelligences. Using voice recognition, Kage roi grabs keywords and performs internet searches, displaying the results for each to see. To add to it all, the table even uses colored LEDs to set the mood. For instance, if you work with a group of morning people, set it to sunrise. If you're trying to get them to scramble before the end of the day, give them a sunset and let the desperate brainstorming begin. Developed by IT firm Kayac with some brains on Keio University, Kage roi won't be in a board room near you any time soon.

[Via Coolest Gadgets]

Headsets.com giving away gear to those nailed by CA's new handsfree legislation

by Joshua Fruhlinger, posted Jun 30th 2008 at 3:40PM

Plantronics Disovery 925We feel for all of you in California who are dealing with the new hands-free legislation that came down upon you today like an edict from your overlords. If you're one of the unlucky few who get nailed by the 5-0 for talking on your cellphone while driving, though, there's some silver in those dark clouds. Headsets.com is giving away the Plantronics Discovery 925 bluetooth earpiece -- worth $150 clams -- in exchange for proof that you were pulled over. Now, don't go talking on your cellphone in the hope of getting one of these, though -- that $20 fine could get you a decent headset today anyway.
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