Gadgets Connect

This stripe projection 3D sensor from Fraunhofer IOF helps compose a 3D model, simply by projecting a stripe pattern onto the subject, using the couple of “eyes” to capture slightly distinct angles of the image based on the deducted geometry. While this technology isn’t exactly the newest on the block, it is the first of its kind to be crammed into such a small, pocket-friendly form factor. Tags: computers, tech, robots, gadgets (Read the full post about ‘Capture 3D Images on the Move’…)

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While most of us up here are busy about Web 2.0, iphone 2.0, et cetera, et cetera, the folks over there in the far east introduced a new device that, well, kind of ushers in Home Improvement 2.0. Actually, Seoul Commtech has just introduced the EZON SHS-5200, which also has the nickname Luce. It’s a lock for your door that’s like no other. It’s slim, made mostly of gas and shiny metal, and best of-all, it’s digital and has a touch-sensitive face. So this is the next generation of home security, eh? The Luce is only 2.1cm thick, and is made of special aluminum that makes it stronger than most ordinary door locks. Its face is made of tempered glass to accommodate all the touching you’re going to do with it. (Read the full post about ‘Seoul Commtech Luce, if the iPhone was a door lock’…)

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Now here’s a door lock that has seen improvement with the times, being a touch-sensitive digital door lock known as the Luce EZON SHS-5200. Its slim body is constructed from high gloss black material which looks like a cell phone somewhat, and numbers are entered by users using their fingertips. When the Luce is inactivated, it will not show its keypad, but the backlight will kick in the moment the start button is pressed. This reduces the risk of password detection from any Tom, Dick and Harry unless they come across this post here. There is no word on pricing, but it was designed to comply with US standards. (Read the full post about ‘Luce Touch-Sensitive Digital Lock’…)

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Sony Ericsson K850i Image isn’t everything. Beyond a solid Cyber-shot-branded cam, this tidy 118 gram candy bar comes chock full of sweet, easy-to-master programs that let you edit, remix and publish sharp pics and vid clips on the fly. In minutes, we whipped up a 45-second, 1.7 MB video slideshow that looked surprisingly decent online at 240×320. But despite Bluetooth, adequate web browsing and RSS feeds, this pin-striped, 3G beauty isn’t picture perfect. Switching between the somewhat finicky partial touch screen and quasi-D-pad really took some getting used to. And the keypad’s tiny nubs could aggravate even the daintiest netizens of Thumb Tribe, USA. (Read the full post about ‘Review: 5 MP Sony Ericsson Camera Phone Shoots And Scores’…)

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Bandwidth hungry residents of Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota, can now gorge themselves on Comcast’s new 50 Megabit service. Available at a crazy $150 per month, the “wideband” service will eventually offer speeds of 160Mbps. The Reuters article offers us some suggestions for the target customer. Alongside businesses it mentions, charmingly, “movie download fans”. Given Comcast’s history of throttling BitTorrent, it’s hard to see where these “download fans” will actually be getting their movies, but theoretically, a high-def film can be pulled down the pipes in a mere ten minutes. Bye Bye Cable TV. (Read the full post about ‘Comcast Offers Super High-Speed Internet “Wideband”’…)

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Apple finally managed to scoot ahead of Wal-Mart to become the U.S.’s largest music retailer — at least for the first two months of the year. According to the latest data from NPD MusicWatch, Apple beat out the retail giant in both January and February music sales. Based on a congratulatory noted circulated to Apple employees — and obtained by Ars Technica — we do know that the iTunes Store captured a 19 percent share of all U.S.-based retail music sales for at least one week in January, which was just enough to propell the online music store to the No. 1 spot, a few points ahead of Wal-Mart’s 15 percent share. The NPD Group hasn’t released a breakdown of latest figures, but it’s certainly been quick climb for Apple to the top. (Read the full post about ‘Apple Grabs No. 1 Music Retail Position from Wal-Mart’…)

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Posted Apr 4th 2008 4:03AM by Thomas Ricker We know what you’re thinking: Jeebus, not another Bluetooth adapter Engadget, slow news day? But if you check that snark for a moment, you’ll notice that this ¥2,280 (about $22) Logitec adapter is a Bluetooth 2.1+EDR + Class 1 device. That means an operating range up to 300 feet and all the goodies that come from 2.1. In other words, easier pairing and up to 5x longer battery life for like-speced Bluetooth keyboards and mice. It also supports 15 different Bluetooth profiles (9 on Macs) including your favorites for stereo audio and handsfree devices. (Read the full post about ‘Logitec’s Bluetooth 2.1+EDR adapter offers 300 foot range and 5x more battery life’…)

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Posted Apr 4th 2008 8:28AM by Thomas RickerFiled under: Transportation You’re looking at the world’s first manned flight powered by a hydrogen battery. Boeing’s prop-driven aircraft set the lone pilot aloft for about 20 minutes at a speed of 100-kilometres (62 miles) an hour at an altitude of about 1,000 meters. The 800-kilogram (1,760-pound) craft with a 16.3-meter (51-foot) wingspan is capable of flying for about 45 minutes under the power of its hydrogen fuel cells — the airplane’s batteries provided an additional boost for takeoff. The fuel cells harvest the energy produced by the chemical transformation of hydrogen and oxygen into water — that makes the craft clean as well as near silent. (Read the full post about ‘First manned flight using hydrogen battery doesn’t cause rain, only tears’…)

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Now you can get your hands on a Palm Centro, aka the Treo 800p, the smallest Treo that Palm has put out yet in sexy black from at least AT&T and Sprint. It is approx 10-15% narrower, with a smaller screen, so this may appeal to you folks who don’t like the current Treos’ bulk. At US$100 (with rebates and a plan), now you can have your very own smartphone. Of course, with the ‘p’ at the end of the model #, this Treo will run PalmOS (Garnet for those of you keeping track). So like other Treos, the Centro offers features like a built-in 1.3 Megapixel camera/camcorder, full qwerty keyboard, speakerphone, e-mail app, Bluetooth, memory card slot, EVDO broadband on Sprint, mp3 player, productivity apps like Documents to Go, and the PalmOS so you can run thousands of existing apps. (Read the full post about ‘Palm Centro now in sexy black’…)

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Alright, starting April 7, you will be able to get a Volvo C30 with one of those 20 patterns. That’s only if you’re living in Sweden. Check out more of the patterns after the break.
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Tags: camera, tech, computers, AAC

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