Patently Apple has news of a new patent filed by Apple for a technology that it calls the Exciter. At present, wirelessly trading information between iPhones can be a bit of a hassle, since both phones have to find each other and then sync up. But the “Exciter” technology would simply keep an eye out for another phone that’s willing to share information, and then when a certain signal is detected (it could be light-based, sound-based, or any other type of emitted information), the two devices would share information (contacts, calendar information, photos, or text) as necessary.
It’s an interesting idea, but the application is even more interesting. Along with the usual suspects for possible Apple devices that would use this app or technology, Apple has listed a “cyclocomputer,” which is yet another hint that Apple is working on some kind of bike-related mobile device. In this case, two bikers would pass each other, their devices would recognize that there is a device to share information with, and the exchange would take place.
It sounds intriguing. Unfortunately, as with all of these patents, Apple is just locking down any ideas that it has. Just because this technology is outlined and listed in a patent application doesn’t mean that there’s a project right around the corner; it doesn’t guarantee that we’ll definitely see this product. But as always, it’s fascinating to see where Apple’s thinking is going. The company that originally released the Mac has now become the world’s biggest portable device company, and it certainly seems like it plans to continue moving in that direction.
TUAWApple patents “Exciter” technology for devices, including a “cyclocomputer” originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 11 Aug 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Following the launch of Amazon’s third-generation Kindle, company CEO Jeff Bezos sat down to discuss the e-reader business with USA Today. We’d recommend giving the whole piece a look-see if you just can’t get enough Kindle in your life, but a few choice quotes caught our attention. For starters, Bezos predicted that Kindle e-book sales will “surpass paperback sales sometime in the next 9 to 12 months,” and that “sometime after that, we’ll surpass the combination of paperback and hardcover.” Considering that the Kindle platform is but 33 months old, and that books are just a wee bit older, that’s pretty impressive. In a separate sit-down with Pocket-lint, Steve Kessel — Amazon’s senior vice president of Worldwide Digital Media — teased us all with regard to a color version of the company’s famed e-reader. ‘Course, we’ve known that Bezos and Company aren’t too hopeful about such a thing in the near-term, but we’ve yet to actually hear the company confess to having specific color alternatives in the lab. If you’ll recall, we found Qualcomm’s Mirasol demonstration worthy of laud back at CES, and according to Kessel, “that’s in the lab.” We’re also told that a slew of other color options are always in testing, though, so we’re doing our darnedest to not get those hopes too high. It ain’t working, but still…
Amazon sees e-book sales surpassing paper versions, has Mirasol technology in the Kindle labs originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 29 Jul 2010 09:50:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Like gadgets? Ever stand in line for one or over-consume just to slake your obsession? Yeah, us too. Then prepare for a humorous yet brutal look at yourselves, and the impact of your lifestyle, in the newest Futurama episode that aired tonight on Comedy Central television. We suggest curling up into a protective fetal position before clicking through for the video.
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Continue reading Futurama critiques gadget and social media obsession using 1950s technology (video)
Futurama critiques gadget and social media obsession using 1950s technology (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 02 Jul 2010 01:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Filed under: iPad
We met up with both Victor Toporkov and Murad Nazaraliev of Vito Technology during WWDC this past week, and while we know the company’s name well from their great Star Walk and Solar Walk apps (the first one won an Apple Design Award this week, and the second one is quite popular, too), we learned some interesting facts about the history of the company. Toporkov now lives in the United States, but the company has its roots in Novosibirsk, the biggest city in Siberia. Back in the 1950s, Russia created a scientific center out in the middle of Siberia, consisting of a whole group of nuclear and scientific research facilities. Toporkov was one of those nuclear scientists, and now that the Cold War is over, he and many other scientists in that community have moved on to creating various kinds of software. In fact, the region itself is now sometimes referred to as “Silicon Forest,” in a comparison with Silicon Valley in the US.
I found that background fascinating. But of course, Vito is looking to the future — after a couple of solid educational astronomy apps on the App Store, they’re looking to come back down to Earth with Geo Walk. I first got to use this app back at Macworld Expo this year, but the latest version has come a long way, with lots of various nodes to browse around a 3D globe, featuring historical locations or individuals. The app is due out next week on the App Store, with an iPad version coming later in July, and Vito says they’ll be pricing the app at just 99 cents — it’s meant for kids, and they’re trying to find the lowest acceptable price possible.
TUAWWWDC 2010: Vito Technology walks on with Star Walk and Geo Walk originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Sun, 13 Jun 2010 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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In 1991, a pair of scientists published a paper in Nature, detailing a intriguing new discovery: the dye-sensitized solar cell. Today, one of them won €800,000 for his efforts, and the 2010 Millennium Technology Prize. Michael Grätzel accepted the award for the low-cost solar cells that often bear his name, and which make possible the sunglasses, windows and iPhone patents we seem to spot every few days. Hear the good professor speak about his invention in a video after the break.
Continue reading Michael Grätzel, inventor of the dye-sensitized solar cell, wins 2010 Millennium Technology Prize (video)
Michael Grätzel, inventor of the dye-sensitized solar cell, wins 2010 Millennium Technology Prize (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 Jun 2010 03:18:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Filed under: iPad
Along with Seton Hill and George Fox University, The Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago will be giving a “free” iPad to between 500 and 600 incoming freshman. Since I’m sure they will be giving out the base model, this will cost the school between $250,000 and $300,000.
In comments on the previous posts, it was clearly brought out that there’s no such thing as a free lunch, and this may be nothing more than a clever marketing gimmick to increase enrollment in these financially strapped times. With IIT tuition coming in at a high, but in the ballpark, $31,363, I can easily understand that a school will try any number of things to keep the enrollment applications rolling in.
In this case there may more to it than marketing, since IIT already teaches courses in mobile application development and there is an expectation of faculty in computer science and engineering to build specific iPad apps for use in their courses.
With three schools on this particular bandwagon and more to come, where do you stand on this? Is this a marketing gimmick or an honest interest in implementing a new and useful educational technology?
[via chicagobreakingnews.com]
TUAWIlinois Institute of Technology jumps on the iPad bandwagon originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 19 May 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Details are unfortunately light on this one, but Intel has closed out the week with one interesting tidbit of news — it’s apparently planning to bring its wireless display technology (a.k.a.
WiDi) to netbooks, tablets and other mobile devices. That word comes straight from Intel wireless display product manager Kerry Forrell, who says that “we fully expect to take the technology there,” but that he can’t yet provide a specific time frame. Those plans are further backed up by Intel CEO Paul Otellini himself, who told investors this week that “what we’ll be doing over the next few years is take the Wi-Di capability that’s in the laptop today and extend that into all the Intel platforms.” Intel doesn’t even seem to be stopping there, however, with Forrell further adding that the company even sees the technology being built into to TVs “over time.”
Intel promises to bring wireless display technology to other mobile devices originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 15 May 2010 02:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Thought the Chevy Volt’s OnStar apps were impressive? You may not have to buy a Volt to get them. General Motors says it would like to extend such infotainment beyond its flagship plug-in hybrid, and has partnered with a undisclosed tech firm to help make it happen. Speaking to CNN Money, OnStar president Chris Pruess teases that we could see some of Volt’s features — remote locking, charging and perhaps air conditioning options — on other OnStar automobiles, or even other ventures (the exec says they’re looking “beyond automotive”) the auto manufacturer might decide on. The big question, of course, is whether this mysterious partner might restrict smartphone functionality to a particular handset or carrier — after all, when we think of cell phone manufacturers who’ve both worked with GM and recently acquired automotive assets, one in particular comes to mind.
[Thanks, Jub]
General Motors partners with mystery organization to bolster OnStar technology originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 10 May 2010 10:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Guess what kiddos? That recession that harshed your mellow all last year is officially over and done with… according to the Consumer Electronics Association, anyway. Based on a new report put out today by the CEA (you know, that organization that sets up CES each year?), the average US household spent $1,380 on consumer electronics over the past dozen months, which represents an increase of $151 from last year. The report also found that the average household spent 12 percent more on CE devices over the past year, and individual consumer spending shot up 10 percent year-over-year. Other tidbits included: ladies spent more on CE wares than the did last year (but still trail the guys overall), and the average home reported owning 25 consumer electronic products, up from 23 in 2009. We’re also told that 86 percent of all US households own at least one computer, making it the third most owned CE product behind TVs and DVD players. Oh, and as for those pesky netbooks? 12 percent of US households own one of those, while 58 percent own “laptops” of some sort. Head on past the break for the full skinny — we hope you’re in the mood for good news, ’cause that’s all you’re getting.
[Image courtesy of TooMuchNick / WireImage]
Continue reading Shocker: CEA’s spending report finds Americans buying more technology
Shocker: CEA’s spending report finds Americans buying more technology originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 May 2010 17:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Filed under: Internet
Cellular technology has been evolving since its invention. With the first cellular telephone networks, developed by Bell Labs and AT&T, cellular technology began to make leaps forward in ease of use, voice quality, and data communication. The miracle of technology we know today as the cellular phone was made possible by a steady stream of innovation that continues on into the future.
The history of cellular technology starts at Bell Labs in the 1960’s and 70’s where they began to iron out the details on what a commercial cellular network would be. A cellular network is a network of base stations, or antennas, that form large pockets (cells) of radio signal coverage that overlap. With a technology called “handover,” if you made a call using one base station, and you then moved out of that base station’s range and into another base station’s area, your call could be “handed over” to the base station that was closer to your location. These base stations allowed you to make calls to other cellular phones or to wired landline phones.
Over the years, the evolution of cell phone technology has been broken up into “generations.” It started with the first generation (1G), and it continues to the upcoming fourth generation (4G). In the beginning, cell phones weren’t much more than huge walkie-talkies. Over time, though, they evolved into the data powerhouses that we carry around in our pockets.
TUAW3G technology: Yesterday, today, and tomorrow originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 30 Apr 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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