If traditional printers use ink and toner cartridges, most commercial 3D printers use plastic filament spools to create the objects you want. These filaments, however, are typically made from plastic pellets, so an Ohio company called Sculptify thought: “Hey, why don’t we make a 3D printer that uses pellets straight up?” Thus, David, a 3D printer loaded with open source software, was born. David can print objects using a number of soft and flexible materials, such as Polylactide (PLA) and ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), though it can surprisingly use wood, as well. Since pellets are usually much cheaper than filaments (according to Sculptify, a 2-pound bag of pellet costs around $18, while a 2.2-pound spool costs roughly $48), you’ll be saving quite a bit of money. “…using pellets allows for access to a wide variety of unadulterated materials, stripped of several layers of cost and time, ” the Sculptify team wrote on their Kickstarter campaign page to raise funds for David’s production. “In short, you get to print with higher quality materials, for less money.” Before you get to enjoy the savings, though, you’ll first have to pay a considerable amount up front, as you can only get a unit for a minimum pledge of $2, 745. If the team manages to raise $100, 000 via Kickstarter, they plan to use the money to finalize David’s hardware and to purchase whatever else they still need for mass production. Sculptify expects to ship out the first units by April 2015 if the campaign ends up a success, but for now, you can watch David do its job in the videos below. Filed under: Peripherals Comments Source: Kickstarter

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3D printer saves you money by using pellets instead of plastic filaments

The music industry is extremely well-blanketed on the web, what with services like Pandora, iHeartRadio, Spotify, Rhapsody, iTunes Music and many, many more. But one can easily argue that the same can’t be said about online videos — namely, those available at no cost on YouTube , Vimeo , DailyMotion and other similar sites. Here’s where N3twork believes it can help. The startup, which describes itself as a “personal network for internet video, ” has taken a cue from Pandora on how it delivers content to you. The new app, available only on iOS at launch, uses your personal interests to tailor a feed of videos, allowing users to employ swipe gestures to skip (left) or watch later (right) — think of the latter option as a DVR of sorts. N3twork uses its sign-up process to know a little more about you, as that’ll determine what your stream looks like; the populated channels are hashtag-based, so there’s always the ability to keep subscribing to different stuff as you continue to use the app. And you can search, too, by simply pasting in a URL or using keywords for whatever category you’re into, including sports, photography, technology and others. In addition to that, N3twork also acts as a social network of sorts, as it lets you have followers and interact with people by way of likes and comments, as well as repost videos that you may have run into and liked. What stood out the most is how the application displays thumbnails — they’re not static images, but rather 15-second previews of the videos that are coming up on your feed. You can upload your own content as well, which can then be shared to your friends on Twitter or Facebook, as is the case for videos from your personalized stream. Since it is fully invested in iOS at the moment, N3twork told us it went the extra mile to create a second-screen experience for Apple TV (pictured above), which should provide a nice touch for people who want to use AirPlay to watch videos on a bigger screen. “The internet isn’t just cat videos. We want to put content that you care about in front you, ” N3twork’s founder and CEO, Neil Young, said to Engadget about what he hopes to accomplish with the new service. Filed under: Internet , HD , Mobile , Apple Comments Source: N3twork

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N3twork wants to be the Pandora of internet video

You know how Twitter started inserting others’ favorites and follows into your timeline? As it turns out, it’s not an experiment — it’s official policy. We now know that the social network recently updated its timeline explanation to confirm that it’s adding tweets from strangers, new accounts to follow and other “popular” content to your feed. Like you might have suspected, the company is trying to make your stream “even more relevant and interesting” by showing you material you might not otherwise have seen. It’s reassuring that Twitter isn’t simply broadcasting everything you do. However, as Quartz notes , it still represents a big change to the way the service behaves. Outside of ads, the timeline has always focused on showing you the latest content from people you meant to follow. Now, it’s a more Facebook-like experience where the company chooses a bit of what you see in an attempt to get more active users and boost its ad revenue. You shouldn’t miss out on any of the action, but you may have to wade through some clutter (and become some of the clutter) to get what you want. Filed under: Internet Comments Via: Quartz Source: Twitter

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Twitter is officially putting tweets from strangers in your timeline

While it may not be a full suit of high-tech gadgetry like Iron Man dons , the US Navy is set to test exoskeletons from Lockheed Martin . In the first contract to employs the company’s strength-boosting garb for industrial use, two FORTIS exoskeletons will help carry heavy loads for the trial period. The lightweight unpowered option lends endurance by using the ground to help bear the mass. During the testing phase, the company hopes to further develop the tech for use at Navy shipyards where a smattering of heavy tools are needed for maintenance. “By wearing the FORTIS exoskeleton, operators can hold the weight of those heavy tools for extended periods of time with reduced fatigue, ” said Adam Mill, director of new initiatives at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. Filed under: Misc Comments Via: The Washington Post Source: Lockheed Martin

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Lockheed Martin’s FORTIS exoskeleton helps US Navy with heavy lifting

Both Netflix and Amazon stream in 4K. Cameras like the Sony a7S and the Panasonic Lumix GH4 can shoot in 4K. Even smartphones have been getting in on the act, with handsets like the LG G Pro 2 and Sony Xperia Z2 capable of recording 4K video. So with the amount of 4K content available increasing every day, you may have been thinking about buying a 4K set so you too can bask in the glow of 3, 840 x 2, 160 resolution. But 4K sets don’t come cheap, and you’re going to want to do a bit of research before dropping that much cash. While we don’t really review televisions here at Engadget, we’ve done the next best thing, compiling the opinions of trusted critics from across the web. Which set offers you the most bang for your buck? Do bells and whistles like a curved screen make a difference? Check out a few members of the 4K Class of 2014 below. Panasonic Life+Screen AX800 At first blush, the Panasonic AX800 series has a lot going for it. It’s a nice-looking set that PC Mag says is “minimalist and unique, ” suited for both TV stands and entertainment centers. Turn it on, and the picture is equally impressive, delivering what AVForums calls “rich textures and nuanced lighting, ” while Reviewed.com thinks this LCD could stand toe to toe with a good plasma set, due to its “good black levels, accurate colors and reliable screen uniformity.” But if you’re looking to sit down and enjoy some House of Cards in beautiful 4K, you’ll be disappointed — Netflix on the AX800 is limited to 1080p (and lower). Given the relative scarcity of commercial 4K content, the inability to watch a major provider like Netflix is a big ding on an otherwise stellar UHD set. Price: $2, 300 and up Samsung U9000 Walk into a room and the first thing you’ll notice about the Samsung U9000 is its curved screen, which CNET says adds a “unique, futuristic look” to a set that is overall “drop-dead gorgeous.” It says the picture is equally stunning, offering “deep black levels, accurate color and great bright-room viewing qualities.” But what about that curve? Though it’s meant to create a feeling of depth and immersion, CNET found it “didn’t have any major effect on the picture aside from reducing reflections somewhat, ” and Reviewed.com found it actually made some reflections worse, such that “lamps and lights are occasionally stretched across the entire arc of the screen.” It’s worth noting that the U9000 also includes an improved Smart Hub experience, but you can also find other Samsung sets that are a lot cheaper (and less curvy). Price: $3, 297 and up Samsung U8550 The Samsung U8550 is a set that eschews the curved screen of its high-end sibling U9000 in favor of “trim bezels and a very narrow panel” that Reviewed.com says “lend this television a modern air.” The picture also does it credit, with LCD TV Buying Guide complimenting its “brilliant images in 4K, ” while Sound+Vision was impressed with the “crisp detail and the clean, smooth clarity” of its upconversions. As on the U9000, the Smart Hub has been upgraded with “subtle improvements” that “hit the mark” according to LCD TV Buying Guide , and Reviewed.com says it provides “all of the streaming content and web-browsing functions you’d expect for the price.” And that’s a price that undercuts the competition by $1, 000, leaving you some extra cash for an awesome sound or gaming system on the side. Price: $1, 597 and up Sony X900B At first glance, it’s clear that the Sony X900B is very different from other UHD sets, and even many regular ol’ HDTVs, due to its huge set of front-facing speakers. The sacrifice of a slim bezel is well worth it, though, as What Hi-Fi compliments its “rich, open and detailed sound quality, ” while CNET calls it the “best sound of any TV we’ve heard, bar none.” The picture is also up to the challenge, offering quality that HDTVTest calls “spectacular” and CNET says is the “best picture quality of any 4K TV we’ve tested so far.” Sure, the X900B isn’t as cheap as some other sets, but unlike the AX800, it supports Netflix and, with those massive speakers flanking the screen, you won’t need to fork out the extra dough for a quality sound system. Price: $2, 998 and up Filed under: Home Entertainment , HD , Samsung , Sony Comments

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Which 4K TVs are worth buying?

For the most part, portable energy generators are intended for modest uses. They can charge your phone , but they won’t drive high-powered laptops or small appliances. That might change if Omni3D gets its crowdfunded AirEnergy 3D off the ground. The 3D-printed wind turbine should fit into a backpack, yet produce up to 300W of power — enough that you can keep a whole slew of devices running, including those that wouldn’t run at all on solar or thermoelectric systems. It will be open source, too, since part of the goal is to let those in Africa and other developing regions create their own reliable, renewable power sources. If you want to help out and get one of the first AirEnergy 3D models when it arrives in February, you’ll need to act fast. Omni3D is only offering a handful of early units to those who pledge £290 ($484) or more. Take heart if you’re not part of the first wave, though. The team expects to bring the cost of a basic production model down to $350, which is just cheap enough that it could either supplement your home power or keep your gadgets alive during long camping trips. Filed under: Household Comments Source: Kickstarter

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3D-printed wind turbine puts 300W of power in your backpack

After a few stumbles toward the finish line, the first wave of the latest Oculus Rift prototype shipment has concluded is well under way. It’s no small number, either. Oculus’ vice president of product Nate Mitchell tells Road to VR that his company shipped over 20, 000 DK2 headsets in this initial push . Crazy, right? Consider this then: there are still over 40, 000 orders left to fulfill. If you happened to order later than the first on-sale day, though, you may not be one of those lucky enough to call the second development kit your own. Ro ad to VR has spotted a change to the prototype’s order page , however, that should give you a better idea of when to expect the second next shipment if you order today. Hopefully your Halloween costume isn’t planned out just yet because once your virtual reality goggles arrive in October, you might not want to take them off. If you need something to keep you busy until then, well, there’s always Google Cardboard . Filed under: Desktops , Gaming , Home Entertainment , HD Comments Source: Road to VR , Oculus VR

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The next wave of Oculus’ latest VR headsets start shipping in October

AMD and Intel have been in a race to stuff their highest-end processors with as many cores as possible , and it appears that this that one-upmanship isn’t about to end any time soon — much to your advantage. As Macworld UK notes, Intel is close to releasing a new range of Xeon E5 processors where more cores (and thus more parallel computing power) is par for the course. According to ChipLoco ‘s leaked roadmap , even the lowest-spec chips start with six cores versus today’s four; the best model touts a whopping 18, which should help heavy-duty systems juggle a huge number of simultaneous workloads. You may get to see this new Xeon in action, too. The new E5 is expected to launch on September 9th in Dell Precision workstations, and it’s also a direct upgrade to the chips used in the Mac Pro . Sadly, you likely won’t find an 18-core desktop in an Apple Store any time soon — that processor will be too hot and power-hungry — but it’s entirely possible that a 14-core Mac will show up. Whichever platform you prefer, you shouldn’t have to wait for much longer for a dream 4K video editing rig. Filed under: Desktops , Apple , Intel , Dell Comments Via: Electronista Source: Macworld UK , ChipLoco

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Intel’s next Xeon chip stuffs up to 18 cores into very powerful PCs

Wearables have become popular among athletes for monitoring training progress , but on its recent Rise campaign stop in Shanghai, Nike took a different approach. Inside the so-call House of Mamba, NBA star Kobe Bryant hosted 30 young players from all over China who trained on a full-sized LED basketball court — complete with projected graphics and motion tracking. The playing surface displayed reactive visuals based on players’ movements for drills based on Bryant’s own regimen. A dozen athletes will compete this weekend in Beijing with three winners moving on to the Nike World Basketball Festival in Barcelona next month. Curious to see how it works? Well, there’s a pair of videos after the break that show just that. Filed under: Misc Comments Via: Gizmodo (Sploid) Source: Nike

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Nike’s LED basketball court boosts training with motion tracking

Apps that use your smartphone’s microphone need to ask permission, but the motion sensors ? No say-so needed. That might not sound like a big deal, but security researchers from Stanford University and defense firm Rafael have discovered a way to turn Android phone gyroscopes into crude microphones. They call their app ” Gyrophone ” and here’s how it works: the tiny gyros in your phone that measure orientation do so using vibrating pressure plates. As it turns out, those can also pick up air vibrations from sounds, and those in many Android devices can do it in the 80 to 250 hertz range — exactly the frequency of a human voice. By contrast, the iPhone’s sensor only uses frequencies below 100Hz, and is therefore useless for tapping conversations. Though the system can only pick up the odd word or the speaker’s gender, the researchers said that voice recognition experts could no doubt make it work better. They’ll be delivering a paper next week at the Usenix Security conference, but luckily, Google is already up on the research. “This early, academic work should allow us to provide defenses before there is any likelihood of real exploitation.” Filed under: Cellphones , Mobile Comments Via: Wired.com Source: Stanford University

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Hackers transform a smartphone gyroscope into an always-on microphone