You Can Buy a Fake New iMac Before Apple's Has Even Gone on Sale

Apple's new iMac is taking its time to arrive in stores. But if you're bored of waiting, you can already get a dodgy Chinese fake of the sleek new computer—before anyone has managed to get their hands on the official product. More »

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/YOZeP0uoNL4/you-can-buy-a-fake-new-imac-before-apples-has-even-gone-on-sale

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Disney Research robot plays catch and juggles with humans, won't replace their parents (update: cameras explained!)

Disney Research robot catches and juggles with its human lackeys, won't replace our parents video

It's entirely possible for robots to juggle or play catch. They've usually been relegated to playing with their own kind, however, which is as good an excuse as any for Disney Research to experiment with a ball-tossing robot tailored to games with humans. The animatronic creation uses a depth-aware motion camera -- there's conflicting mentions of using both the Microsoft Kinect and ASUS' Xtion Pro Live that we're hoping to sort out -- to track any mid-air balls as well as throw them back to a human participant. Disney's robot does more than just move the robot's arm to account for imperfect tosses, too, as it knows to feign a dejected look after a botched reception. The company suggests that its invention would ideally bring two-way interaction to theme parks, so it's more likely to show up at Disneyland before it stands in for a parent in the backyard. It's just as well; when the Robopocalypse comes, the last thing we'll want at home is a machine that can toss grenades.

Update: Team member Jens Kober has filled us in on just why both cameras are mentioned. The team started off using the Kinect and switched to the Xtion Pro Live, once it was available, to get hardware-synced timing between a regular camera and the depth camera. The project didn't require the panning motor or microphone array of Microsoft's system.

Continue reading Disney Research robot plays catch and juggles with humans, won't replace their parents (update: cameras explained!)

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Via: Gizmodo

Source: Popular Science

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/11/22/disney-research-robot-plays-catch-and-juggles-with-human-lackeys/

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Evernote Web gets a new interface, Facebook sharing, and more

evernote web
Evernote, the popular multi-platform 'digital memory' app, has done some serious re-tooling of its Web interface. In addition to a more polished UI that more closely mirrors the look of Evernote on the desktop, the update brings features like notebook stacks and snippet view to the Web.

Auto-saving is now enabled as well, and you can select multiple items by holding down the Cmd or Ctrl key on your Mac or Windows keyboard. If you've got items stored in your notebooks that you want to share with friends or co-workers, Evernote has improved that process, too. You can quickly post an item to Facebook, share it via email, or generate a Web sharing link to paste into an IM conversation or status update.

Head over to the Evernote Web login page to try out the new interface.

Evernote Web gets a new interface, Facebook sharing, and more originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 29 Mar 2011 10:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/29/evernote-web-gets-a-new-interface-facebook-sharing-and-more/

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How Did This Tiny South Pacific Island Disappear? (Hint: It Never Really Existed)

It shows up on Google Maps, coastal databases, and marine charts, but when scientists from the University of Sydney went to visit Sandy Island, it was no where to be found. Did the island, supposedly located between Australia and New Caledonia, suddenly disappear like a confusing LOST plot twist? More »

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/CTXGcD5wDXo/how-did-this-tiny-south-pacific-island-disappear-hint-it-never-really-existed

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Microsoft releases sexy Bing app for iPad

It's still a bit odd seeing Microsoft deliver apps for Apple's mobile platform. And it's even stranger still to see one as sexy as the new Bing app for iPad, which brings a slick, immersive search experience to Apple's tablet.

Just as a regular search on bing.com will, the Bing app for iPad tailors the results it displays based on what you're searching for. There are loads of custom views, covering everything from movies and maps to weather and shopping. The app also offers a heads-up display of currently trending searches, complete with related images, which is an iPad-exclusive feature.

Navigation is a breeze thanks to multitouch controls, allowing users to flick or swipe through results. And while the development team refers to the app as "touch and decide," Bing Voice Search is also built in -- making it easy to start a query without using the iPad's on-screen keyboard.

The Bing app for iPad is available for download now from the App Store.

Microsoft releases sexy Bing app for iPad originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 07 Apr 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/04/07/microsoft-releases-sexy-bing-app-for-ipad/

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Wii U Wii U Rock You

Nintendo's next-generation video game console system, the Wii U, will arrive at stores on Sunday and is expected to sell out quickly. This could leave many holiday shoppers unable to find one as Nintendo will be unable to meet the demand. In many ways this is a replay of the 2006 launch of the Nintendo Wii, which was a smash hit -- so much so that it took years for supply to reach demand. Nintendo is expected to sell 3.5 million Wii U units worldwide, according to IHS Screen Digest, but many fans will simply have to wait until production meets up with demand.

Source: http://ectnews.com.feedsportal.com/c/34520/f/632000/s/25aa34a9/l/0L0Stechnewsworld0N0Crsstory0C766530Bhtml/story01.htm

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ivee Flex Voice Controlled Talking Alarm Clock Radio review

If you’re still changing the settings on your alarm clock with buttons and switches, then you need to elevate your gadget game by checking out the ivee Flex Voice Controlled Talking Alarm Clock Radio. ivee can listen and then respond to your commands so that you’ll never need to fumble around trying to find the snooze button in the wee hours of the morning.

Note: Images can be clicked to view a larger size.

Package Contents

ivee Flex Clock Radio
USB AC Adapter
USB Cable
CR2032 backup battery
Quick Start Guide
Manual

If this clock seems familiar to you, it’s because I reviewed a similar one a few years ago – The original Moshi Voice Control Alarm Clock. The same company that made the Moshi has rebranded, and revamped their product into the ivee alarm clock. ivee is available in White or Black. They sent me the White version.


The clock features a 5″ LED display with large easy to see numbers. It also features a digital FM radio, 6 alarm sounds, 6 sleep sounds, 9 minute snooze and a timer that can be set up to 10hrs.

Although ivee’s settings can be configured by using your voice, a few settings such as date and radio station tuning use scroll buttons on either side of the display. Touch sensitive buttons below the display allow you quick access to the radio, timer and alarms.

The display itself can also be used as a snooze button, but it never worked that well for me… and I’m not the type that keeps hitting the snooze button anyway.

On the back of the clock you’ll find an attached FM radio antenna wire, Aux, USB, Sync, Voice Volume, Voice/Touch toggle, Auto Dim On/Off, Celsius/Fahrenheit toggle, Daylight Savings Time toggle, Alarm Volume. If you’re confused by the lack of an AC adapter port, that’s because the ivee is powered with a USB cable and AC adapter. ivee also has a coin cell battery backup that will save your settings in the event of a power loss.

The USB connection on the back also allows you to connect the ivee to your computer for firmware updates. The Sync switch has to be turned on to allow for firmware updates. Note: Apple / Mac users are not able to update the firmware.

ivee is a modern style clock which may not match every home decor style, but it is nice looking and should blend in.

ivee can understand over 30 voice commands and requires no training thanks to its Natural Language Processor (NLP). Commands are natural English commands that are easy to remember. For example, if you want to set an alarm, you just say “hello ivee”, wait for her to say “command please” and then you say “Set Alarm 1.” She (yes, the voice is female… a British female) will then ask you what time you want to set the alarm.

Alarms can be set to turn on the radio to your favorite station or your choice of 6 different alarm sounds that include a ringer, beeper, and different tunes from lively to soothing.

When an alarm goes off, you can just say “turn off alarm” and ivee will tell you the time, date, and temperature. If you don’t care to hear the time, date and temp when you turn off alarms, you have the option to turn that feature off.

In addition to helping you wake up in the morning, ivee can also help you go to sleep at night. There are 6 different sleep sounds like outdoor bugs chrips, ocean sounds, and soothing tunes that can be played for a specified length of time to help you relax and doze off.

I’ve been using the updated Moshi Voice Control Alarm Clock (which doesn’t seem to be available any more) since I reviewed it back in 2010, so I’m used to talking to my clock. ivee feels like the same clock with a different voice and different alarm sounds. The voice commands are almost identical and the voice recognition performance is the same as well. It’s interesting that the clock even responded when I accidentally called it Moshi instead of ivee.

 

One thing that would keep me from wanting to use ivee as my alarm clock is the bright display. Even with the dimming switch set to On, it barely dims when you turn off the lights. The problem is that this light from the display may keep you awake because it will light up the room too much. With the Moshi clock you can turn the display almost completely off so it doesn’t emit much light at all. That said, if you actually like a bright bedroom, you can toggle on the night light, which causes an extra light on the base of the clock to glow in addition to the time display.

The ivee is a unique alarm clock that lets you use your voice to set and turn off alarms. After using a similar clock for years, I’m a big fan. Minus the blinding LED display though…

Product Information

Price:$59.99
Manufacturer:ivee
Pros:
  • Program alarms with your voice
  • Easy to use
  • 2 separate alarms
Cons:
  • Display is too bright, dim feature barely helps
  • Apple/Mac users can not update firmware

Filed in categories: Reviews, Watches and Clocks

Tagged:

ivee Flex Voice Controlled Talking Alarm Clock Radio review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 21, 2012 at 11:00 am.

SIM-free Nexus 4 now available at Carphone Warehouse

Android Central

After a week or so of selling the phone on contract, UK retailer Carphone Warehouse has placed the LG Nexus 4 up for sale SIM-free, but with a hefty price tag. Carphone is selling the 16GB version of Google's latest Nexus for £389.95 outright, a price hike of more than £110 over the Google Play Store price for the same model. Of course, the crucial difference is that Carphone Warehouse actually has stock, whereas Google's own store is expected to be fresh out of Nexii for the next few weeks.

The £389.95 price tag sounds familiar, it's because it appeared in several pre-release leaks from the retailer, including website listings and in-store displays.

As always, CPW offers home delivery, as well as the option to reserve a phone to collect from your local store. It's also likely that the retailer will begin selling Nexus 4s at this price in its brick-and-mortar stores, though as it's outside business hours in the UK, we've been unable to confirm this.

So Brits now have an easy (though expensive) way to pick up a bona fide SIM-free Nexus 4 without signing a contract. Despite the price, it's an improvement on the situation in the U.S., where the phone is sold out on the Google Play Store and as of this morning, on T-Mobile USA's website too.

Source: Carphone Warehouse

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/androidcentral/~3/fiFNFb_3IWY/story01.htm

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Google Talk Guru answers questions via your IM app

google talk guru answersBots -- like the kind which automate IRC rooms and Google Wave -- are a good thing to know about. There are plenty of useful bots worth knowing about, too, including the Google Talk Guru.

Just add guru@googlelabs.com to your GTalk buddies, and you can start firing off questions. Lifehacker suggests that the same types of queries supported by Google SMS will work, though we didn't have any luck getting a response out of the Guru with phrases like "score detroit red wings" or "sushi R3N 1Y1."

Still, Guru does answer a good variety of questions and it works right within your favorite IM app. It's well worth adding to your friend list, especially for getting answers on the go on your mobile device of choice.

Google Talk Guru answers questions via your IM app originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 30 Mar 2011 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/30/google-talk-guru-answers-questions-via-your-im-app/

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Tasty Planet is a fun flash game where you eat everything in sight

tastyplanet
So this professor comes up with a new toilet cleaner that works by "eating" the dirt; or so he thinks. That's how the plot starts for Tasty Planet. You play the role of the toilet cleaner, but you're not really a toilet cleaner after all -- you're a blob of gray goo that can eat anything that's smaller than yourself.

As you chomp away, you grow -- and as you grow, you can eat bigger and bigger stuff. The first level pits you against microscopic particles; by the time I stopped playing, I got all the way to eating cats and dogs. I know that sounds disturbing, but it's a really cute game, and there's no gore or anything like that.

Supposedly you keep growing and growing until you're able to eat whole planets (hence the name). The challenge factor comes when you realize you can't touch any critter larger than yourself - you'll get "bitten" and become smaller. In the beginning you're so small, that a single touch can kill you. Later on, you're big enough that touching larger animals doesn't kill you on the spot, but it does reduce your size. Each level is timed, so if you're not large enough by the time your clock runs out, you need to start again. As long as you don't touch the larger animals, you should be fine.

All in all, a fun, addictive little game. It's available for iOS, too.

Tasty Planet is a fun flash game where you eat everything in sight originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 08 Mar 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/08/tasty-planet-is-a-fun-flash-game-where-you-eat-everything-in-sight/

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