The above tutorial video features what’s at least the latest build of the Droid 3. It features Micro-USB, mini-HDMI, a five-row keyboard, and an 8MP camera that can capture 1080p HD videos. It looks bulky as hell though. [Engadget] More
National Academies Release Over 4,000 Free Science Books
Shipud writes “The National Academies Press are offering all their books for free in PDF format. These are all the publications of the National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, Institute of Medicine, and National Research Council. Lots of great stuff there, and now for free.”
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National Academies Release Over 4,000 Free Science Books
Solar Powered Laptops
smitty777 writes “Greentech is running a story on a solar powered laptop concept. The device was created by industrial designer Andrea Ponti, and includes a solar panel on the outside of the case as well as one below the keyboard. The idea seems to be taking shape; Samsung has a design they’ve been developing as well.”
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Solar Powered Laptops
LightDims Stickers Block Super-Bright LEDs on Home Electronics [Video]
Almost everyone knows the feeling of turning off the lights or sitting down to watch a movie only to be annoyed by bright, glowing blue and red LEDs on the front of your electronics. LightDims are stickers that will either block those LEDs entirely, or just dim them a bit so they’re not distracting. More
Beacon Power completing construction of 20-megawatt flywheel plant, the world’s largest
Remember Beacon Power, that startup using 2,800-pound flywheels to cut noxious emissions? Well, three years later, the company is wrapping up construction of its first plant, a 20-megawatt operation that just happens to be the world’s largest. The Stephentown, NY facility is home to 200 of these flywheels, which store and output energy as needed, essentially matching the power supply with the demands of the grid. The result, the company promises, is reduced energy waste and stable electrical frequencies hovering around 60Hz. And while the plant’s already up and running at 18 megawatts, it won’t be until later this month that Beacon finishes building it out so that it reaches its full capacity. Full PR and champagne-popping celebration plans after the break.
Beacon Power completing construction of 20-megawatt flywheel plant, the world’s largest originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 03 Jun 2011 10:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Microsoft Wireless Desktop 2000 Has Wireless Encryption Right On the Keyboard [Stuff We Like]
People who are security-conscious recommend that you always use wired keyboards when you’re typing in your passwords, bank account numbers and anything you wouldn’t want people to snoop on. Why? Because previous wireless keyboards transmissions were rather easy to intercept. Microsoft, though, has a solution with the Wireless Desktop 2000. More
Homeowners Foreclose on Bank
Warren and Maureen Nyerges of Collier County, Florida, didn’t owe a single cent on their house, but that didn’t stop Bank of America from trying to foreclose on it. The Nyerges fought it in court, and won. The court ordered Bank of America to pay court costs and attorneys’ fees, which they didn’t. So the Nyerges foreclosed on the bank:
Sheriff’s deputies, movers, and the Nyergers’ attorney went to the bank and foreclosed on it. The attorney gave instructions to to remove desks, computers, copiers, filing cabinets and any cash in the teller’s drawers.
After about an hour of being locked out of the bank, the bank manager handed the attorney a check for the legal fees.
Link via The Volokh Conspiracy | Photo (unrelated) via Flickr user taberandrew used under Creative Commons license
Solid State Drives Are About to Get 7x Faster if Phase-Change Memory Catches On [Guts]
Hard drives are all about how much you can store and how quickly you can store it. And this soon-to-be-unveiled phase-change memory drive is expected to up the ante quite a bit. More
Insert Coin: Eyez 720p video-recording glasses (video)
In Insert Coin, we look at an exciting new tech project that requires funding before it can hit production. If you’d like to pitch a project, please send us a tip with “Insert Coin” as the subject line.
We first heard about the Eyez video recording glasses concept back in March, when those familiar black frames packed a 1080p camera, 16GB of flash memory, WiFi, and dual exawatt-class lasers (ok, we made that last part up). Named for the product’s “utopic vision,” ZionEyez now has a prototype with a more grounded spec list, including a 720p camera and 8GB of memory, along with micro-USB and Bluetooth connectivity for livecasting to Qik or LiveStream — The Truman Show style. Afraid you won’t be able to pull off those high-tint lenses at night or in that top-secret (indoor) business meeting? You can swap out the removable sunglass lenses for clear versions, or throw in your prescription in daylight (tinted) or indoor flavors, since many optical stores stock appropriately sized lenses. Availability for these $199 HD Ray-Ban clones is currently slated for fall (assuming ZionEyez hits its funding target), but you can pre-order your pair for $150 on Zion’s Kickstarter page.
Continue reading Insert Coin: Eyez 720p video-recording glasses (video)
Filed under: Wearables
Insert Coin: Eyez 720p video-recording glasses (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 04 Jun 2011 12:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
PSN ‘Welcome Back’ package is here, our long global nightmare is over
O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay! Seriously, even a few Engadget editors are chortling in joy. PSN and Qriocity service has been restored in the Americas, Europe, and Asia and to celebrate (and soothe the seething frustration of its customers) Sony has launched its “welcome back” program. To be eligible you’ll have to have been a member before April 20th but, otherwise, it’s relatively qualifier free. Fire up the PlayStation Store and head to the “Welcome Back” tab to claim your pair of free games (you’ve got five different options on the PS3 and four on the PSP). In addition everyone gets a month of PlayStation Plus gratis and there’s a selection of “On Us” movie rentals available over the weekend. There are a few other freebies to placate the masses too, like 100 free items in PlayStation Home, while Current Plus and Music Unlimited Premium subscribers get a 60 and 30 day handout respectively. If you’ve got any burning questions yet to be answered, check out the rather lengthy FAQ at source link and enjoy! It’s not everyday that a company just throws open the flood gates on free stuff.
PSN ‘Welcome Back’ package is here, our long global nightmare is over originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 03 Jun 2011 21:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.