Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Smokescreen biometric reader keeps track of the nicotine crowd

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Life is tough for a smoker: not only are you slowing killing yourself from ten different cancers, it's getting harder and harder to enjoy that rich, deadly tobacco in public venues. Smokers in most big cities are already accustomed to heading outside for a nicotine break, and now some are being confronted with a fingerprint reader called 'smokescreen' that controls re-entry to clubs and bars after they've sucked down those precious puffs of smoke. Made by UK manufacturer idscan, smokescreen is marketed as an easy way for owners to combat bracelet or hand-stamp fraud, and also keeps track of how many people are outside at any given time. Best of all, those nic-heads loitering for too long and killing the ambiance can be locked out after a preset amount of time, either forcing them to the back of the line or perhaps giving them the kick in the pants they need to quit.

[Via Crave]

 

[via] Engadget

RIM, Eatoni team up on new text keyboard technology


Just over two years ago, RIM and Eatoni were at each other's throats about a SureType predictive-text system, but these days, the two firms are pushing aside any lingering beef as they look to "develop a new text keyboard technology." Reportedly, the duo "signed an agreement in which Eatoni, which specializes in designing hardware and software for keyboards, would grant RIM a license to use its technology; RIM, in return, made an equity investment in Eatoni." Additionally, it was noted that both outfits mutually dismissed previous claims over patent infringement, but unfortunately, that's every bit of detail that we have for now.

 

[via] Engadget

Parrot launches the SK 4000 Bluetooth motorcycle headset

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The next time you're heading down the highway, Easy Rider-style, looking for adventure and what-not, you may also want to remain in touch with the less rebellious and not-so-tattooed outside world. Luckily, the good folks at Parrot have come to your aid with the SK 4000 -- a Bluetooth headset meant for use with motorcycle helmets -- which features voice recognition, an FM RDS stereo, text to speech, A2DP support, 10 hours of battery life (600 on standby), and a handlebar-mounted RF remote control. Sure, you'll have to use The Man's money to get one, but once you do, you'll be free to wave your freak-flag wherever and whenever you choose... as long as you get permission from your wife. Available before the end of the year, €199 (or around $282).

[Via Daily Motorcycle News]

 

[via] Engadget

Sony doles out more details on PlayStation Eye

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With just under a fortnight to go before folks go a-grabbin' for Sony's PlayStation Eye, a Senior Producer for SCEA has come forward with a few more lingering details about the peripheral. For starters, Sony apparently has plans to integrate the device into other upcoming titles such as SingStar, which will enable users to "make their own personalized music videos to share with family and friends online." Additionally, the EyeCreate software -- which will allow individuals to "save, edit and share PlayStation Eye videos, photos and audio clips" through their PS3 -- will be available as a free download on the PlayStation Store. Finally, those not interested in the bundled Eye of Judgment game can opt for a standalone unit on October 23rd, which is set to ring up at $39.99.

 

[via] Engadget

Shuttle intros X38-based XPC Prima SX38P2 Pro desktop

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It looks like those tempted by Shuttle's display of an X38-based XPC desktop back at Computex this summer can now finally get their fix, as the company has officially rolled out its new high-end XPC Prima SX38P2 Pro based on the aforementioned chipset. It'll let you take advantage of Intel's latest and greatest 45nm multi-core processors, not to mention up to 8GB of DDR2 RAM that can be overclocked to 1066MHz. You can also expect some similarly high-end features across the board, including a pair of PCI-Express 2.0 slots with support for ATI CrossFire graphics, Intel Turbo Memory, OASIS Cooling Technology, and a 400-watt power supply, with some built-in fingerprint recognition thrown in for good measure. No word on a price, but we're guessing that won't be a top concern for anyone considering building a system around one of these.

[Via PC Launches]

 

[via] Engadget

Internet2 prepped for 100Gbps capacity

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Well it will still be vulnerable to a man, a match, and a mattress, but starting in January, the private Internet2 will begin offering 100Gbps bandwidth in 10Gbps chunks over its fiber optic network. The tech behind these ridiculous speeds -- known as Dynamic Circuit Network -- is reportedly complete as of today, with a wrap party being held at the consortium's Fall Member Meeting in San Diego. Of course researchers will naturally tire of those 10Gbps pipes rather quickly, which is why Internet2 is already working on ramping up the bitrate to between 20Gbps and 100Gbps per line. We'd go into more detail, but our employer-supplied 1,000 hours of free dial-up are just about tapped out...

 

[via] Engadget

Artist's Game Boy concerts get machine-based visuals

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A gentleman who goes by the name Gieskes has created an interesting conflation of seemingly opposing mediums. The DIY'er / artist in question has combined Game Boy-based music with a low-fi, mechanical system of lights and motors, which create kinetic-art visuals that are synced to the sound. The concept is to build screen-saver-like displays which are actually created with analog equipment. The device features three components -- cans, lights, and a camera -- all of which can be "sequenced" much like the Game Boy, thus producing constantly changing (and changeable) effects. Want to see it for yourself? Watch the video after the break (especially towards the end) to learn how it all takes shape.

[Via Boing Boing Gadgets]

Continue reading Artist's Game Boy concerts get machine-based visuals

 

[via] Engadget

Scientists show off self-sufficient space habitat design

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While there's no shortage of habitat designs out there for potential lunar or Martian missions, a team of Australian scientists seem to think theirs has what it takes to stand out, with it promising to be 90 to 95 percent self-sufficient. According to Cosmos Magazine, the habitat, dubbed Luna Gaia, employs a so-called "closed-loop life support system," which recycles "almost all material within the system" with minimal input from outside sources. Key to that is the Micro-Ecological Life Support System Alternative (or MELIiSSA), which uses microbes to purify water, recycle carbon dioxide and, yes, "derive edible material from waste products. " Apparently, that would allow the system to support a team of 12 astronauts for up to three years, with them relying on a largely vegetarian diet. While the system is still 20 or 30 years from becoming feasible, the researchers say it also has some potential applications here on Earth in the nearer term, including more sustainable farming techniques and improved recycling processes.

[Via Slashdot]

 

[via] Engadget

Brando brings iriver's S7 "choat" DAP to the States at last

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It's all suddenly so clear. We've never been able to find true satisfaction in a domestic DAP due to the dearth of choat-based interfaces. Scroll wheels and touch screens are all well and good, but where's the magic? Well our problem has finally been solved by Brando, who is importing the iriver S7 -- which showed up in Korea about a year ago -- to the States as the "USB Chocolate MP3 Player." There's 2GB of memory, MP3 and WMA playback, 4 LEDs and a $40 pricetag, but none of that really matters in light of the fact that there's a chicken-goat hybrid gracing the volume up button, while a peeing dog shushes the DAP. We've finally found true love.

 

[via] Engadget

Optiarc rolls out Blu-ray drive for "mid-range" laptops

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Optiarc (the joint venture between Sony and NEC) has already pumped out quite a few Blu-ray drives for both desktops and laptops, and it's now let loose yet another model, with this one promising to make Blu-ray accessible to "mid-range" laptop models. That accessibility comes at the expense of Blu-ray burning, although the drive (dubbed the BC-5500A) will burn CDs or DVDs at speeds ranging from 8x to 16x depending on the format. If that's not too much of a compromise for you, you should be able to grab one around $335 right now -- or, more likely, wait for some laptop manufacturers to start offering 'em as a standard option.

 

[via] Engadget

Palm Centro unboxed at Engadget Mobile

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Love Palm? Love the Centro? Love unboxings? Well, it's your lucky day, because we've got a lean, mean, eye-shattering gallery going on over at Engadget Mobile, featuring a full-on unboxing of the new Palm / Sprint entry. Direct your browsers this way, and prepare to have an out-of-body experience.

 

[via] Engadget