The Big Picture: Creating technology with amphibious ambitions
The first practical hovercraft, the Saunders Roe SRN1, was designed by Sir Christopher Cockerell. The first trials took place 55 years ago to the week, near the Isle of White, UK. The Saunders Roe SRN1 experimental hovercraft above is shown floating on the Thames near Westminster. The new transport technology was so unusual at the time, the BBC reports it was often referred to as a “man-made flying saucer.”
[Image credit: Getty Images]
Filed under: Transportation, Science
Engadget Daily: Lumia 630 review, the deal with laser-cut clothing and more!
Today, we dive into the realm of laser-cut clothing, review the Lumia 630, break down the benefits of the recent Xbox One update and take a look at Nike’s new Android Fuelband app. Read on for Engadget’s news highlights from the last 24 hours.
Nokia Lumia 630 review: An affordable phone you can live without
Say hello to the Lumia 630, one of Nokia’s last in-house handsets. This entry-level WP device is comfortable to hold and packs a decent camera, but really, that’s about it. And with an expected price of $200, there are plenty of better, cheaper options available.
Clarification: Does Xbox One have 10% more horsepower without Kinect?
Did the Xbox One June update actually provide developers with access to more CPU power? Yes. But as it turns out, that boost doesn’t come at the cost of your Kinect.
What you need to know about laser-cut clothing
What’s at the convergence of science and fashion? Laser-cut clothing, that’s what. Read on for everything you need to know about such intricately designed garments and their impact on the industry.
Nike finally introduces a Fuelband app for Android
Own a Fuelband and an Android handset? Listen up: you too can finally join the ranks with iPhone users and track fitness statistics on your mobile thanks to Nike’s newly released Android Fuelband app.
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Filed under: Misc
Google search results now let you call stores from your PC
While it’s easy to call a store if you find it through a Google search on your phone, it’s a bit more of a hassle on your computer — you frequently have to copy the number into your voice app of choice. However, Google is removing even that minor inconvenience. The company’s search results now include a Hangouts calling option that gets you in touch with any location right through your desktop web browser; if you see a big set of digits, one click will start the conversation. As with Google’s other internet calling services, you can reach out to any American or Canadian number for free. This isn’t the biggest time-saver in the world, to be sure, but you may appreciate it the next time you’re phoning in a reservation at your favorite eatery.
Source: Mayur Kamat (Google+)
Supposed Moto X+1 Boot Animation Leaks Out [Video]
The Moto X+1 news has been quiet as of late, but TK Tech News has something special for anyone looking forward to the successor of the Moto X. Seems the news channel put out a $25,000 reward for anyone to dig up some legit video on the Moto X+1, and someone came through.
Below you will find the supposed boot animation of the Moto X+1, and apparently there is more to come. This is video 1 of 5, so TK Tech News is on top of anything Moto X+1. The head cheese of TK also confirmed from his sources that there will be a september release for the new phone, and that the new phone is thinner with an amazing display. So if I were you, I would go subscribe to the channel right now, and be on top of any news that has to do with the Moto X+1.
Source: TK Tech News
Via: Phandroid
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YouTube confirms music service, will block holdout labels’ videos within ‘days’
The cat’s (partly) out of the bag. After a string of rumors, YouTube has confirmed to the Financial Times that it’s launching a paid music service this summer. It’s not saying exactly how the service will work, but Reuters sources claim that it will work largely as rumors suggested back in November. While free videos will still hang around, a subscription will let you listen to songs ad-free, including whole albums. You should also get offline playback for those moments when streaming isn’t an option.
If you were expecting the company to budge on its negotiations with indie labels over royalty rates, though, you’ll be disappointed. YouTube’s Robert Kyncl doesn’t believe that getting licensing deals with everyone is an “achievable goal,” and warns that the video host will start blocking clips from holdouts within a “matter of days” so that all content on the new service falls under the same terms. He also rejects arguments that YouTube is strong-arming labels into deals they can’t afford. The provider is paying artists “fairly and consistently,” he says. In a statement to Reuters, YouTube even portrays itself as magnanimous — it contends that the paid service gives music partners “new revenue streams” on top of whatever they’re making.
It’s not a net positive to the music producers, however. A label exec speaking to the Times is worried that the terms let YouTube improve its free service enough that customers won’t bother paying for any service, whether it’s YouTube or a rival like Spotify. Kyncl disagrees, insisting that YouTube is doing its best to create “features that fans love” and offer an incentive to pay. Whatever the motivations, the impasse isn’t good news for viewers that may soon be denied videos from Adele, The XX and many other top-tier musicians.
[Image credit: Chema Helmet // Equipo Helmet, Flickr]
Source: Financial Times, Reuters
Surface Pro 2 prices drop in the US by as much as $200
If you’ve been hoping to score a deal on the Surface Pro 2 knowing that the Pro 3 is on the way, it’s time to start spending. Much like it did in the UK, Microsoft has cut prices on its older Windows tablet, with the discount depending on the level of storage you crave. You’ll save $100 if you can make do with a the 64GB or 128GB models, which now cost a respective $799 and $899. Spring for the 256GB or 512GB editions and you’ll spend $200 less, with prices now sitting at $1,099 and $1,599. The cuts aren’t all that dramatic, but they may be enough to help you resist the temptation of a newer, shinier slate. It’s just as well — Microsoft is already seeing 10-day shipping delays on the Pro 3, so this may be your best shot at buying a high-end Surface for a little while.
Filed under: Tablets, Microsoft
Via: ZDNet
Source: Microsoft Store
Mt. Gox Bitcoin exchange gets approval for US bankruptcy protection
The Mt. Gox Bitcoin exchange may still be reeling from the botnet discovery that ruined its business, but it just got a big reprieve. A US court has approved Mt. Gox’s Chapter 15 bankruptcy protection, preventing creditors who sued the company from seizing any American assets (including servers) or pressing for evidence. The exchange can also chase down any funds it needs to repay its debts and, if necessary, file lawsuits of its own.
Mt. Gox hasn’t issued an official response as we write this, but the US bankruptcy gives the firm some space to fulfill the terms of a settlement that includes distributing recovered Bitcoins. Its Japanese owners will certainly be happy, since they now have more chances to both focus on their own bankruptcy proceedings and devise a comeback strategy. This isn’t the end of the saga by a longshot — just ask those demanding their virtual money back from (recently active on Twitter again) CEO Mark Karpeles. However, the move should prevent an already bad situation from getting worse.
Filed under: Internet
Source: Reuters
Join the Engadget HD Podcast live on Ustream at 9:30PM ET
It’s Tuesday, which is time for the Engadget HD Podcast and we hope you’ll join us for the live recording at 9:30PM. The non-stop onslaught of conferences are actually over, so we’re back to the regular topics; the FCC and new streaming options. There are a few other items of note we’ll be covering on the show tonight too, like a leaked Slingbox, IMAX 4K in 3D and a look back at the CGI that changed Cinema. Finally, we’ll finish the show by discussing what we’re watching this week, as usual. If you’ll be joining us, take a peek at the topics after the break and then get ready to participate in the live chat.
FCC demands that states get out of the way of municipal broadband
The FCC is looking into Netflix’s issues with Comcast and Verizon
Clarification: Does Xbox One have 10% more horsepower without Kinect?
Qplay’s video streaming service is now on Chromecast
Netflix is shutting down its API, but helpers like InstantWatcher aren’t going away
Netflix’s website is suddenly sporting a fresh logo and brighter background
This is the next Slingbox, with WiFi in a smaller (and probably cheaper) box
Like it or not, your Comcast Xfinity router may now be a WiFi hotspot
IMAX shows why its 4K camera could get you watching 3D movies again
A look at how ‘Jurassic Park’ and its CGI dinosaurs changed cinema
Amazon stops taking movie pre-orders in pricing battle with Warner Bros.
Amazon lines up a drama from writers behind Braveheart and Lost
‘Breaking Bad’ hits Netflix in 4K today
What’s on your HDTV this week: World Cup, ‘Fargo’ finale, ‘True Blood’ premiere
Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD
You can now message businesses directly through Yelp
Yelp has a very active community of reviewers, giving you plenty to consider as you search for the perfect restaurant, bar or spa. While the site gives you no shortage of opinions, sometimes you have something specific in mind — like renting out an eatery for a rehearsal dinner — that reviews don’t answer. To help you find what you need, Yelp’s added the ability to message businesses directly from the site.
Sure, you could always pick up the phone, but if you’re not in the mood, head to a business’ Yelp page and click on the “Message the business” link just under the address and phone number. From there, you can ask and submit a question, and Yelp will give you an estimated response time. This new feature is currently rolling out to Yelp for Business users, and I found the direct message option on many pages when I did a search across a few cities. For businesses, it’s one more way to engage with users and attract new customers. For you, it’s a great opportunity to quiz your favorite pizza joint about that shady hygiene rating.
Filed under: Internet
Source: Yelp Official Blog
Halfbrick’s Entire Library of Games is Now Free, Including Fruit Ninja, Monster Dash [iOS Blog]
Popular game developer Halfbrick Studios has made its entire catalog of apps free to download, which means titles like Fruit Ninja, Fish Out of Water, Monster Dash and Age of Zombies are all free.
While some of these titles, like Fruit Ninja have been free many times in the past, other titles, like Colossatron and Fish Out of Water have not been offered for free. As noted by our sister site TouchArcade, Halfbrick has not commented on the sale, so it is unknown whether the change is permanent or temporary.
A full list of the free apps can be found below, along with download links.
– Fruit Ninja [Direct Link: iPad/iPhone]
– Fruit Ninja: Puss in Boots [Direct Link: iPad/iPhone]
– Colossatron [Direct Link]
– Fish Out of Water [Direct Link]
– Age of Zombies [Direct Link]
– Monster Dash [Direct Link]
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