Developages - Development and Technology Blog

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

The Tigers down at Clemson University are doing more than deciding whether an all-purple uniform really sends a sense of fear to the opponent, as they’re also crafting shock-absorbing carbon springs which could theoretically protect gadgets when they crash to the ground. In working with researchers at UC San Diego, the crew has determined that layers of tiny coiled carbon nanotubes can act as “extremely resilient shock absorbers.” The team envisions their discovery finding its way into body armor, car bumpers, bushings and even in shoe soles, but we’re hoping that cellphones and PMPs get lined with this stuff to protect from those butter-finger moments.

[Via Physorg]

Read | Permalink | Email this&nbsp|&nbspComments

Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: Laptops

It struck us the other day as we were going over some back posts that since the launch of the ASUS Eee PC (and the numerous products that have followed, from the MSI Wind to the HP Mini-Note), to the best of our knowledge we’ve all yet to have any normalized, agreed-upon name for these kinds of devices. Yes, they’re technically “ultraportables” (which we usually define as being any relatively small laptop and under four pounds), but to say an Eee PC is in the same class as, say, the Lenovo X300, the VAIO TZ, or the MacBook Air would be kind of misleading.

We’ve heard “low-cost ultraportable” and “laptop-lite” used to describe these kinds of machines, but it seems best to let you decide: leave your best suggestion for what we all should all call this emerging product category, and we’ll put it up to vote next week. We’ll officially be throwing “netbook” into the ring. (Intel may have initially coined the term, but that we don’t think it should necessarily have to refer only to Intel-based products.)

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Original post by Ryan Block

Filed under: Household

Those looking for another good reason to set up camp in Sweden have just found it. Okay, so maybe Manodo’s oh-so-informative display isn’t that astonishing, but it certainly gives a select few apartment residents in the country access to an enviable amount of information. Reportedly, the screen is being installed in several Swedish cities as part of a larger pilot project, and aside from dishing out details about the next available train, who exactly is standing outside their building and how much energy folks are currently consuming, it also serves up data on how many pounds of CO2 you’re responsible for releasing while kicking back in your pad. Unfortunately, we’re not sure if said solution is available en masse (or if it ever will be).

[Thanks, hl]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

Curious designs and solar-powered wares seem to go hand in hand, but honestly, the PowerCube 600 is going to be hard to top. In what appears to be a ginormous (and inexplicably uncomfortable) recliner, the creators have managed to shove enough solar panels in this foldable, “portable” generator to crank out 600-watts of power. You’ll also find 3,500-watts of continuous inverter output, 2,400 amp hours of battery storage and a rugged / watertight case. Even when closed up, this beast measures 72- x 124- x 50-inches, and while it technically is a mobile solution, 2,000-pounds isn’t exactly what you want to lug around each time you feel like hosting a LAN party in Zzyzx, California. Forget the fact that you’ll need to phone up Reluminati in order to acquire a price — just think of the shipping!

[Via MAKE]

 

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: Cellphones, GPS

We’d rather watch a couple hours of Home Shopping Network than subject ourselves twice to these promo videos for Garmin’s nuvifone, but the “Scenario” video is at least worth a first viewing, since it provides a few action shots of the mail app, camera and (most importantly) browser in action. Don’t get too excited, this isn’t the tell-all we’ve been hoping for, but if you can’t get enough nuvifone — and who can? — you can check out the videos after the break.

[Via NaviGadget]

Continue reading Garmin’s nuvifone flaunted on video

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Original post by Paul Miller

Filed under: Transportation

Our dirtier, hairier sisters over at autoblog had the chance to get up close and personal with Ford’s 2009 F-150 at the Chicago Auto Show. Notable to gadget ruffians, and those of you posing as such on the suburban trek to the ice cream social, is Ford’s new “Work Solutions” option. It features a Microsoft Sync-powered in-dash computer (with wireless keyboard, Bluetooth printer, 6.5-inch touch-screen) from Magneti Marelli with built-in Sprint Mobile Broadband and Garmin GPS. It also features an RFID-equipped Tool Link system built in partnership with DEWALT and ThingMagic for a real-time inventory of your RFID tagged tools. The FWS option will be available on all 2009 F-150 XL, STX, XLT and Fʹ trucks F-Series Super Duty XL, XLT and Fʹ trucks and all 2009 E-Series vans. Couple FWS with Sony′s 700 watt, 5.1channel, 10-speaker system and Sirius Travel Link options already announced for the F-150 and we might have to take the Engadget Mansion mobile. Video after the break.

[Thanks, K Banton]

Continue reading Video: Ford offers 2009 F-150 with in-dash computer, printer, EVDO, GPS, and RFID tool tracking

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Original post by Thomas Ricker

Filed under: Cellphones, Features, GPS

digg_url = ‘http://digg.com/gadgets/Hands_on_with_the_Garmin_nuvifone’; Well, ask and ye shall receive. We wrangled some of the Garmin folks to get a better view of the nuvifone, and wouldn’t you know it… we did! Check the gallery below for some close-up action with a non-working model, and comparison shots of the device with the iPhone. The phone feels light and lean in your hands, we should note, and we’re told that the model we were handling was close to what the final weight will be — it’s a pretty impressive and clean design once you see it up close. Enjoy some pictures you can actually see.

 

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Original post by Joshua Topolsky

Filed under: Cellphones, Features

We’re not sure it was a real great idea on Garmin’s part to put its new smartphone / GPS / iPhone wannabe in a darkly lit room, on a bright pole, with a shiny globe around it… but hey, it’s not our company. Needless to say, it was pretty difficult to get a shot of this thing, and impossible to get it in our hands. Imagine if the Samsung Blackjack was all screen, and you can pretty much get an idea of what this little guy is like in person. Check the gallery below for our attempt at photos.

 

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Original post by Joshua Topolsky

Filed under: Cellphones, GPS

We know, it’s not like the nüvifone is a total surprise any longer, but just in case you tend to rest easier after digesting information straight from the source, here goes. Garmin’s recently (and abruptly) announced handset obviously marks the firm’s first solo foray into the cellphone arena, and according to Cliff Pemble, the firm’s president and COO, it’s the “breakthrough product that cellphone and GPS users around the world have been longing for.” That being said, the unit will feature a 3.5-inch touchscreen with a trio of primary icons — Call, Search and View Map — along with an internet browser, HSDPA support and preloaded maps of North America and / or Eastern and Western Europe. Furthermore, it houses “millions” of POIs, doles out turn-by-turn, voice-prompted directions and becomes Garmin’s first device to include Google’s local search capability. As for pricing and availability? We′re looking at a Q3 2008 release, but we′ll have to wait things out before finding out a price and who exactly will be carrying it. Check out the gallery below for shots of the device and its UI, and head on past the break for lots more dirt.

Continue reading Garmin gets official with its nuvifone

 

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: Cellphones, GPS

digg_url = ‘http://digg.com/gadgets/Garmin_announces_the_Nuviphone’;

That’s right folks — Garmin has just announced its new iPhone-like smartphone, the nüvifone. The device features full browsing, PIM, phone and of course, GPS functions galore. It’s an HSDPA, quad-band phone, also equipped with WiFi, Bluetooth and a somewhat familiar ultrathin design with full touchscreen support. The unit will use Garmin’s proprietary OS which is based on the UI its GPS units utilize, and sports a 3.5-inch LCD display, not unlike certain PNDs you know and love. There’s no word on price or release date, though the company swears we’re going to be hearing about it soon. We’re live from the event and will have more to follow, so stay tuned to Engadget.

 

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Original post by Joshua Topolsky

Filed under: GPS

Yeah, we sure love our charts / tables too, and with Garmin’s nüvi lineup now bordering on thoroughly overwhelming, we′re glad to see the folks over at NaviGadget doing the dirty work and cranking out “the ultimate n&uumlvi comparison table.” Click on for a much easier way to digest the latest outpouring of n&uumlvis, will ya?

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: Cellphones, CES

Bluetooth car kits are usually pretty fuglicious, but Bluetrek is showing off a couple sunvisor-mounted NXT speaker-based units here at CES that are actually pretty nice. The SurfaceSound DUO (pictured) has a mini-USB port for docking in compatible BlueTrek headsets, and it’ll charge ‘em up while piping the audio through the speaker — and if you aren′t in a sharing mood, you can pull the headset out and carry on a conversation without interruption. We sort of prefer the SurfaceSound Compact, which is a straight Bluetooth speaker+mic kit, since it’s a lot smaller, and doesn′t lock you into one brand of headset. Check out tons more shots of both the DUO and the Compact in the gallery.

 

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Original post by Nilay Patel

Filed under: Cellphones, Misc. Gadgets

In the slow crawl of news leading up to our annual CES blowout, we bring you this, the Nokia Eco Sensor concept device. The device consists of two parts: a wearable mobile phone (duh, it’s Nokia) with giant display and a remote sensing unit which keeps tabs on your health and external environment. Nokia research envisions that the sensor unit would be worn on a wrist or neck strap made of solar cells. It would then communicate back to your phone via near field communications (NFC) or RFID. What you monitor (i.e., the sensors you get) will be customizable based on user preference. You know, like the burn from your jetpack and rate of your daily food replication. Thanks for the look into the future Nokia, now get back to your S60 development please, time’s a’wastin’.

[Via Unwired View]

 

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Original post by Thomas Ricker