Popslate launches iPhone 5 case with four-inch E Ink screen (video)

This is pretty darn cool. It’s called Popslate — an iPhone 5 case with a four-inch E Ink screen on the back — and it’s launching right now on Indiegogo for $79 in two colors. Combined with a bespoke social imaging app, it lets you take and share pics, then “pop” them to the back of your phone. Better yet, the always-on, ultra low-power, black and white display becomes a canvas for notifications, sports scores, maps, lists and notes, all just a glance away. An open API allows third-party developers to design custom apps for Popslate — including accelerometer support to interact with the backside screen by tapping on it. Imagine a micro e-reader app which uses the E Ink display instead of the main panel to conserve battery. The company is still in the early stages of development and sadly didn’t have a prototype to show us, but it’s already gathered a team of talented designers, engineers and developers. It’s also secured a partnership with E Ink to use the latest in ruggedized e-paper technology and is hoping to raise enough funds to make Popslate a reality. Two colors are available at launch (black and white) with prices starting at $79 for the first 500 supporters, then $99 and up. Hit the break for the demo video and IndieGogo link. Continue reading Popslate launches iPhone 5 case with four-inch E Ink screen (video) Filed under: Cellphones , Mobile Comments

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Popslate launches iPhone 5 case with four-inch E Ink screen (video)

Covert assassin weapons from North Korea

CNN reports on the arsenal discovered on the North Korean assassin arrested in Seoul last year: a poison-dart pen, a pen-pistol, a flashlight-gun, and more. Disguised to look like a Parker ballpoint pen, it contains a poison needle and is practically impossible to identify as a weapon. The second pen shoots a poison-filled bullet which penetrates the skin and releases the toxin and the third weapon is a flashlight, loaded with up to three bullets. They all look completely innocuous but all three will kill… … That target was anti-North Korea activist, Park Sang-hak, who has since been given round-the-clock police protection by South Korean authorities. We showed Park the footage of the weapons intended for him. He was shocked. ‘Poison’ pen mightier than sword for would-be North Korean assassin ( Thanks, polymorf! )

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Covert assassin weapons from North Korea

SkyDrive gains selective syncing and right-click sharing on the desktop, searching on mobile (video)

Microsoft’s SkyDrive is now one of the centerpieces of the company’s desktop and mobile platforms, but its relative newness has denied us some of the fine-grained control we’ve taken for granted from services like Dropbox . The cloud storage service just resolved two of those common power user gripes in one fell swoop through an update to the desktop client. To start, it’s at last possible to limit SkyDrive syncing on Macs and Windows PCs just to specific folders — that poor tablet won’t reach its breaking point when someone creates a 5GB home video on the family desktop. Windows users alone see the second update, which integrates SkyDrive with right-click contextual menus for much faster sharing. Mobile customers aren’t left out with the refresh, either. Both Android and Windows Phone 8 SkyDrive users get a long-due file search as well as the option to shrink photos when they go online. Updates for the four update platforms are available at the source link, although they should push out on their own over the next two days for those who aren’t in a hurry. Continue reading SkyDrive gains selective syncing and right-click sharing on the desktop, searching on mobile (video) Filed under: Cellphones , Internet , Software , Microsoft SkyDrive gains selective syncing and right-click sharing on the desktop, searching on mobile (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Nov 2012 14:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink   Inside SkyDrive  |  SkyDrive  |  Email this  |  Comments

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SkyDrive gains selective syncing and right-click sharing on the desktop, searching on mobile (video)

LG’s 29-inch EA93 is the world’s first 21:9 ultrawidescreen monitor, launches this month in Korea

While ” ultrawidescreen ” 21:9 aspect ratio HDTVs haven’t taken off despite several attempts, LG is bringing the formfactor to the desktop with its new EA93 UltraWide LCD monitor. Measuring at 29-inches with a resolution of 2,560 x 1,080, it uses the extra horizontal space to display not just cinema-style movies, but also side by side video from different sources or up to four different views at once thanks to its built-in software. For connections, it has DVI Dual Link, DisplayPort, or HDMI with MHL support. We got an eyeful of the monitor at IFA earlier this year and you can check out our hands-on video after the break, or take a quick Korean vacation to snag one for 690,000 won ($633) before they go on sale everywhere else later in the year — pricing elsewhere has not yet been announced. Gallery: LG 21:9 EA93 29-inch LCD hands-on Continue reading LG’s 29-inch EA93 is the world’s first 21:9 ultrawidescreen monitor, launches this month in Korea Filed under: Displays , LG LG’s 29-inch EA93 is the world’s first 21:9 ultrawidescreen monitor, launches this month in Korea originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 07 Nov 2012 23:18:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink    |  LG Korea  |  Email this  |  Comments

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LG’s 29-inch EA93 is the world’s first 21:9 ultrawidescreen monitor, launches this month in Korea

Japan Display shows low-power reflective LCD that does color, video

Seen any color video in your e-reader lately? Us neither, and Japan Display wants to change all that with a new reflective , paper type LCD capable of the feat that burns very little juice, to boot. To pull it off, the prototype uses a so-called light control layer, allowing it to collect rays and bounce them toward your eyes, exactly like plain old analog paper. The consortium developed a low color fidelity version with five percent NTSC coverage and a bright 40 percent reflection, along with a dimmer version carrying a third less reflectivity but a more faithful 36 percent hue gamut. The latter still needs some tweaking, according to Japan Display, but the more reflective version is now good to go for production, meaning it might start popping up in new readers imminently. For more info, check the video after the break. [Image credit: Diginfo] Continue reading Japan Display shows low-power reflective LCD that does color, video Filed under: Displays Japan Display shows low-power reflective LCD that does color, video originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 05 Nov 2012 23:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink    |  Diginfo  |  Email this  |  Comments

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Japan Display shows low-power reflective LCD that does color, video

iPad review (late 2012)

Welcome to the new new iPad, same as the old new iPad . Well, mostly, anyway. It was less than eight months ago that Apple grafted a Retina display onto its world-conquering tablet, giving every other slate on the market resolution envy, while enchanting gadget lovers with world-class performance and battery life. Now, it’s obsolete. Put out to pasture just as it was hitting its stride and replaced by this, the fourth-generation iPad — still just called “new iPad.” Other than a Lightning connector on the bottom it’s visually indistinguishable from its predecessor. Even its starting MSRP of $499 stays the same. But, on the inside where it counts, is the new, fire-breathing A6X processor. Could this be possibly worth buying a second new iPad in just one year, or could this perhaps be the one you’ve been waiting for? Hold on to your wallets and click on through to find out. Gallery: Apple iPad 4th-generation hands-on, and comparison to 3rd-generation iPad Continue reading iPad review (late 2012) Filed under: Tablets , Apple iPad review (late 2012) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 30 Oct 2012 21:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink    |   |  Email this  |  Comments

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Philips hue: the ‘world’s smartest’ LED lightbulb that saves you time during Red Alerts

Historically, altering the lighting color of a room required draping a gossamer-thin cloth over a lamp or buying a new bulb from the store. Philips has sought to solve that most taxing of first-world problems with the hue, a smartphone-controlled LED bulb that can cycle through shades at your whim. As well as block colors, you can use photos to create palette and can control the units even when away from home. It’ll be an Apple Store exclusive from October 30th, with individual units setting you back $59 (£49, €59) and three-bulb introduction pack with a wireless bridge for $199 (£179, €199). If that seems a little steep, just console yourself in the knowledge that it’s a thousand times more useful than other lighting devices we’ve seen this year. Continue reading Philips hue: the ‘world’s smartest’ LED lightbulb that saves you time during Red Alerts Filed under: Misc , Wireless Philips hue: the ‘world’s smartest’ LED lightbulb that saves you time during Red Alerts originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 29 Oct 2012 10:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink    |   |  Email this  |  Comments

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Philips hue: the ‘world’s smartest’ LED lightbulb that saves you time during Red Alerts

US Navy tests first 11-meter missile-firing sea drone (video)

Advances in unmanned military tools and vehicles have come on leaps and bounds, but, until now, we haven’t seen a weapon firing drone operating in the seas. A recent test taking part offshore near Maryland saw several missiles launched from a new remote-controlled inflatable-hulled ship. While the Navy has used drones before for mine clearing and other defensive tasks, the small boat (similar to that pictured above) is the first experiment to involve true offensive capabilities. The almost zodiac-like craft has been an ongoing project over recent years, and contains a fully automated system which the Navy calls a “Precision Engagement Module” which uses an Mk-49 mounting with a dual missile launcher manufactured by Rafael. The hope is that such vehicles could patrol the coastline, or serve as a first defense against pirates, and other such small, fast-moving seafaring dangers. If you want to catch it in action, head past the break for the video, but don’t be fooled. While it might look like a series of misses, the Navy claims this is just a trick of the camera angle, with all six missiles apparently making contact. Continue reading US Navy tests first 11-meter missile-firing sea drone (video) Filed under: Robots , Transportation US Navy tests first 11-meter missile-firing sea drone (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 28 Oct 2012 05:18:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink   Wired  |  Rafael  |  Email this  |  Comments

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US Navy tests first 11-meter missile-firing sea drone (video)