Archive for November 28th, 2009

Despite the distant memory that is film for most people, most DSLRs have plenty in common with their film-based ancestors, at least when it comes to form factor. Not this Nova DSLR concept. Conceived by Erin Fong, the idea is to allow for all sorts of hand holds thanks to the dual movable arms, and the controls at the fingertips seems surprisingly convenient. We’re sure there are all sorts of technical limitations holding something like this back, but after suffering severe kitted-out DSLR fatigue on multiple occasions, we could really get into something that makes a bit better use of how we regularly hold our non-imaging devices. Now if someone would just clean that lens already!

Continue reading Nova DSLR concept reminds us that cameras need not be boring

Nova DSLR concept reminds us that cameras need not be boring originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 28 Nov 2009 16:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A little bit of emulation is a basic rite of passage for a modern day device that allows open software development, and the N900 is no different. We first saw the device rocking some SNES way back in September, but apparently Nokia couldn’t pass up an opportunity to demonstrate the phone’s prowess and put up its own video of a few emulators in action. Unfortunately, while emulators are completely legal, the ROMs that run on them are rarely legit, and despite Nokia’s odd assertion in the video that “most publishers allow individual title usage provided that the user is in possession of the original title,” the phone giant has since pulled the video from the internets, and Nintendo is reportedly looking into the matter. Of course, N900 emulatin’ is still easy to come by from third parties — check one out after the break.

[Thanks, Nirvan]

Continue reading Nokia shows off SNES on N900, quickly thinks better of it

Nokia shows off SNES on N900, quickly thinks better of it originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 28 Nov 2009 15:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Continue reading Keepin’ it real fake, part CCXLIV: Zoho’s E72 is made in China, has Finland doing a double-take

Keepin’ it real fake, part CCXLIV: Zoho’s E72 is made in China, has Finland doing a double-take originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 28 Nov 2009 13:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Continue reading Archos releases developer edition firmware for Internet Tablets

Archos releases developer edition firmware for Internet Tablets originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 28 Nov 2009 11:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We’re going on the assumption here that the lads and ladies over at QiGi haven’t actually heard that “smartbooks” have a vaguely defined look and feel, as the outfit’s latest handheld definitely looks nothing like the smartbooks that we’ve seen emerge over the past few months. In fact, the Windows Mobile 6.5-equipped device looks more like a MID than anything else, boasting a 5-inch 800 x 480 display, only a few face-mounted buttons and 1GB of memory. Hit the read link if you’re interested in a poorly translated review, and good luck finding one of these in the open market (at least with an English-language operating system).

QiGi’s Smartbook is more like a WinMo 6.5-powered MID originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 28 Nov 2009 09:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spintronics — much like Cook-Out milkshakes and cotton candy for all — seems like a pipe dream at this point. We’ve been beaten over the head with theoretical miracles, but we’re getting to the point where it’s put up or shut up. Thankfully, a team of Dutch boffins are clearly in the same camp, and they’ve been toiling around the clock in order to achieve spin polarization in non-magnetic semiconductors at ambient temperature. The amazing part here is that “temperature” bit; up until this discovery, spin polarization was only possible at levels of around 150 K, or at temperatures far, far cooler than even your unheated basement. If spintronics could effectively be enacted at room temperature, all those unicorn-approved phenomena we mentioned earlier would have a much greater chance of sliding into the realm of reality. Here’s hoping they get this stuff ironed out prior to 2012.

Spin polarization achieve at room temperature, elusive miracles now less elusive originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 28 Nov 2009 06:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Remember Nissan’s Scratch Shield paint technology? You know, that stuff we first heard about some four years back? According to a release straight out of Yokohama, the automaker has agreed to license that very tech to Japan’s own NTT DoCoMo for “mobile phone application.” In theory, at least, the flexible clearcoat will enable certain light scratches to actually heal themselves over time, and the paint itself is tougher to scratch to begin with. There’s no specific mention of the who’s and when’s involved, but we’re hoping to see this idea spread to other portable devices in the near future. After all — who isn’t sick of shelling out for some clear skin to protect each and every handheld they own?

Nissan’s Scratch Shield paint coming to cellphones, invisibleSHIELD feels threatened originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 28 Nov 2009 03:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We heard earlier this month that Magellan was looking to one-up TomTom by outing an iPod touch / iPhone GPS car kit of its very own, but a few critical details were missing: namely, a price and a release date. Thanks to a new product listing on Amazon (capped after the break), we at least have a clue as to when this thing will be shipping stateside and for how much. If you’ll recall, this one’s compatible with the 2nd and 3rd generation iPod touch as well as the iPhone 3G and 3GS, and aside from providing a built-in speaker, charging capabilities and a noise-canceling handsfree speakerphone, it’ll also work with any navigation or location-based app — not just Magellan’s own $79.99 RoadMate program. The unfortunate part here is that Magellan has somehow managed to produce a cradle that’s actually more expensive that the ludicrously overpriced TomTom variant, but those willing to part with $129.99 can place their order now and look for a December 11th ship date.

[Thanks, Mark]

Continue reading Magellan’s GPS Car Kit for iPhone and iPod Touch: $130, coming next month

Magellan’s GPS Car Kit for iPhone and iPod Touch: $130, coming next month originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 28 Nov 2009 01:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The best of the rest from the physics arXiv this week:

Magnetic Metamaterials in the Blue Range Using Aluminum Nanostructures

Neutral Particle Release From Europa’s Surface

Scale-Free Correlations in Bird Flocks

Introduction to Bioinformatics

Science Shops: A Kaleidoscope of Science-Society Collaborations in Europe

We know, we know — AT&T’s 3G MicroCell isn’t even out nationwide yet, but for those select markets that have access, we’re hoping you’ll chime in on the pros and cons as to enlighten the other folks before their time comes. By and large, the GSM femotocell works exactly like the Airave for Sprint, though this one does fully support 3G data as well as simultaneous voice and data usage. For those that have taken the plunge: are you satisfied with the value proposition? Is reception really any better? Have you ditched your landline yet? What would you change about the service or billing? Voice your opinion on the matter below, and remember, life doesn’t present you with many chances such as this. Wouldn’t want to waste it, now would we?

How would you change AT&T’s 3G MicroCell? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 Nov 2009 23:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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