Gadget Train

We can only imagine that at least a few staffers over at Art Lebedev Studios get paid to do nothing but conjure up ideas, because this one is just marvelous. And marvelously simple, but that’s beside the point. The Luxofor traffic light concept improves upon a nearly archaic design that still relies on spherical fixtures when there’s really no need. Lebedev’s team asserts that using square lights backed with bright laser diodes would make better use of the available space and provide a more noticeable signal to drowsy motorists. The roar of “why didn’t I think of that?” being simultaneously stated is downright deafening.

[Via Electronista]

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

Art Lebedev outthinks the room with square Luxofor traffic lights originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 22 Nov 2008 12:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Desktops

HP’s Shanghai-packing xw9400 workstation available now originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 22 Nov 2008 06:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Recently we were sent a PR email about an iPhone app called BdEmailer. No big deal, press releases about new iPhone applications show up in our box in large bundles every day — but this one was different. According to the release, the program is the “the first wide email iPhone app that supports client SMTP.” That means, in essence, that it duplicates an exact function of Apple’s Mail application on the iPhone and touch. That’s kind of a huge deal, because up until this point we’ve been led to believe that this duplication of functionality is one of the company’s red flags when it comes to approval. Now mind you, we’re not complaining. The idea of having more apps to choose from for doing things like sending email is a great idea, but Apple… what the hell is going on? You refused MailWrangler and Podcaster for similar reasons, yet BdEmailer passes through your review process, SMTP functionality intact? This means one of two things as far as we can tell — either you’ve relaxed your policies on duplicate functionality, or you’ve gotten incredibly lazy when it comes to approving applications. We’re inclined to believe it’s the latter, as BdEmailer has a fair share of bugs that need working out, but really, people need some clarification here on what will and won’t pass — and moving the goalpost all the time isn’t going to help.

Filed under: Cellphones

Apple approves third-party email client for the App Store, violates its own policies originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 22 Nov 2008 00:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Researchers have long been trying to model actual brains in order to build a better computer “brain,” and it looks like IBM is now getting a helping hand from none other than DARPA in its attempt to create one that it hopes will one day have the intelligence level of a cat. To that that somewhat unnerving end, DARPA is pouring $4.9 million into a project that’ll include five universities and scientists of all stripes, who will work together to create an artificial brain that behaves like a real one right down to the neuron level. As the BBC reports, the researchers are describing this latest initiative as a “180 degree shift in perspective” from previous efforts, as they’re now seeking an algorithm first and problems second, as opposed to starting with an objective and devising an algorithm to achieve it. As for DARPA’s ultimate goal, well, that’s still a bit of a mystery, though let’s just say we won’t be surprised if future robots start to become very easily distracted.

[Via Daily Tech, image courtesy Mack J, Truth and Beauty Bombs]

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

DARPA enlists IBM to build computer brain as smart as a cat originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 21 Nov 2008 15:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Could everyone just dole out a round of golf claps for Yoon-Hui Kim and Eun-Kyung Kim? Swell, thanks. These two designers have conjured up something that any second-rate hotelier (we kid… kind of) would love, as the Solar Vertical Lamp provides an eco-friendly (and eye-catching) alternative to those drab lamps from the 1980s. With the blinds open, you’ll hardly notice anything unusual, but all the while tiny solar pads are being charged up; when time comes to shut these very blinds, a lighting instrument appears to brighten the otherwise darkened room. Brilliant, right?

[Via Inhabitat]

Filed under: Household

Solar Vertical Lamp: one more reason to close the blinds originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 21 Nov 2008 09:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Like the Eee Top but 15.6-inches is just too wee for your taste? Fine, you’ll have the chance to grapple with 20- and 22-inchers, according to ASUS CEO Jerry Shen, sometime in the first half of 2009. Drop Windows 7 into these touchscreen monuments to mediocrity and we’re in.

Filed under: Desktops

ASUS Eee Top climbing to 20- and 22-inches by June originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 21 Nov 2008 03:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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You probably recall that two days ago, when the new Xbox Experience launched, sadly, about 300 Sony Pictures films were unavailable for Netflix Watch Instantly on NXE, thus quashing your hopes of streaming The Karate Kid series. At the time, it seemed possible that missing titles were due to the fact that Xbox 360 manufacturer Microsoft and Sony are direct competitors. Well, according to a Sony spokesperson, the problem isn’t specific to the Xbox, nor is their beef competition-related in any way. Sony also says it is in talks with the several “relevant parties” to work out these vague licensing issues, though there was no word on when the issue would be resolved. We really do hope it’s soon because we’re dying to see how everything turns out with the Cobra Kai.

[Via Joystiq]

Filed under: Gaming, HDTV, Home Entertainment

Xbox 360′s lack of Sony Pictures films streaming on Netflix “unrelated” to competition originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 20 Nov 2008 21:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes-Benz has already toyed around a bit with some internet-connected in-car systems, but it looks to really be going all out with its new myCOMMAND system, which it’s now showing off at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Among other things, it would constantly pull various traffic information off the internet and take it into account for route selection, as well as give you access to internet radio stations, let you make VoIP phone calls, and even give you a browser that’ll let you ” surf the internet in the accustomed way.” Mercedes is also promising that the entire system will be completely intuitive, with most of the primary functions controlled with a single rotary pushbutton, and two secondary buttons provided for things like menu operation. Of course, it’s all still very much a demo at this point, and Mercedes itself says it’ll be least a “few more years” before it actually winds up in a production vehicle.

[Thanks, Jason]

Filed under: Transportation

Mercedes-Benz shows off internet-connected myCOMMAND system originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 20 Nov 2008 12:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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So far it doesn’t look like Teclast‘s OEM is trying to fool anyone with their new as-yet-unbranded media player, which is sort of disappointing — we know how much you love a good KIRF. Aside from the uncommon (and theoretically stunning) 3.5-inch OLED widescreen display, this seems to be a pretty benign device. Features include capacitive touch controls, support for CMMB and DVB-T broadcasts, and if their past products are any indication you can probably expect output to TV or FM transmitter. You can expect this to ship in China under the Teclast flag eventually, but at the moment we’ve got no name, no price, no storage capacity, no release date — just the above facts and one lonely picture to keep you warm on those long winter nights ahead.

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

Teclast’s upcoming 3.5-inch PMP plays media, is portable originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 20 Nov 2008 06:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Robots

Caption contest: cat driving Roomba — is not so impressed, actually originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 20 Nov 2008 00:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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