Archive for October, 2009
Both Intel and Numonyx have been talking up phase change memory for years now, but for some reason, we’re slightly more inclined to believe that the latest breakthrough is actually one that’ll matter to consumers. In a joint release, the two have announced a new non-volatile memory technology that supposedly “paves the way for scalable, higher density phase change memory products.” Put as simply as possible, researchers have been testing a 64Mb chip that “enables the ability to stack, or place, multiple layers of PCM arrays within a single die,” and the two are calling the discovery PCMS (phase change memory and switch). We know, you’re drowning in technobabble here, but if these two can really apply Moore’s Law to density scaling, you’ll be thanking ‘em as you pick up your $50 6TB hard drive in 2014.
Filed under: Storage
Intel and Numonyx pave the way for scalable, higher density phase change memory originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 30 Oct 2009 01:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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2010 VW GTI: The hottest hatch
October 30th, 2009
We took the VW GTI out to a former Naval Air station, which had plenty or room to test out the car's handling.
(Credit:
Wayne Cunningham/CNET)
The fact that Volkswagen didn’t change the turbocharged 2-liter engine from the 2009 to the 2010 GTI might make you think this model update is all cosmetic, but you would be wrong. With a direct injected four cylinder and the optional Direct Shift Gearbox, a dual clutch automated manual, there just wasn’t much room for improvement in the powertrain. So Volkswagen took on the handling tech, putting an electronic power steering in the GTI and adding an electronic limited slip.
And sure, the body presents smooth sides, a style very much in vogue now amongst automotive designers, and a new, wide front grille look. But the GTI also gets greatly improved cabin tech, taking on Volkswagen’s new hard drive-based navigation system and a Dynaudio sound system. And even without the navigation option present, the car still gets a touchscreen LCD for the stereo.
Through the cones
We spent some time with the 2010 Volkswagen GTI, getting the opportunity to run it through a couple of autocross courses, a track marked out by cones with sharp turns that really test the car’s handling. We also put the car through its paces on some public roads, and dug through the cabin electronics.
This cone slalom let the GTI show its speed.
(Credit:
Wayne Cunningham/CNET)
The GTI’s ride is reasonably comfortable, which is actually impressive considering how it performed on the autocross course. As we threw it into hairpin turns and guided it through S curves, all the action was at the front wheels.
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Originally posted at The Car Tech blog
The Secrets of Pro iPhone 3GS Photographer [IPhone]
October 29th, 2009
The real key is using the limits of the iPhone 3GS‘s camera as a strength, Japanese pro photographer Koichi Mitsui tells BoingBoing: Its “simplicity keeps me devoted to only composition and the perfect photo opp.”
In other words, the secret is composition, composition, composition. The one real advantage the iPhone 3GS has in this regard against past iPhones is that you can change the focal point, which lets you alter the shot in subtle ways, which is one of his tips. Also, he suggests trying some different camera apps—he likes Photo fx and CameraKit, though I’m partial to CameraBag.
Here’s a couple of other awesome photos he’s taken, but you can see way more at his very excellent photo blog, which gives you a view of Japan that maybe you haven’t seen. [Sasurau, BoingBoing]
Pavegen taps pedestrians for power in East London (video)
October 29th, 2009
[Via Inhabitat]
Continue reading Pavegen taps pedestrians for power in East London (video)
Filed under: Science
Pavegen taps pedestrians for power in East London (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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The 404 456: Where we like to strike out
October 29th, 2009
(Credit:
CNET)
It appears all the bacon sandwiches and soda have finally caught up with our very own Justin Yu as he is once again not with us for the show. Instead, we are graced by two special guests.
For the first half of the show our buddy Sean Cullinane stops by to help us understand why there are a lot more Phillies hats being worn in New York City today than Yankees hats and to pick apart our Motorola Droid review sample. What this phone lacks in style points it makes up in weight–it’s the heaviest cell phone we’ve ever held!
For the second half of our program Natali Del Conte joins in for some calls from the public and a discussion about Netflix streaming coming to the Wii. Also, we announce our winner of the Ratch & Clank Favorite Weapon contest!
All this and much more on today’s 404.
EPISODE 456
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Video coming soon, check back later today!
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Originally posted at The 404
I think they ran out of weird building designs, because the centerpiece of Dubai’s Technopark looks like it was copied from Epcot’s Spaceship Earth. Whatever happened to architecture proposals for Dubai being completely nuts?
Granted, the resemblance to Spaceship Earth might be unavoidable when the Technosphere is meant to represent the state of Earth’s ecosystem, now and in the future. But considering that everything in the building will be solar-powered with minimal waste due to water recycling, it’s definitely a few steps ahead of the real thing though. [WAN]
ASRock readying three Ion-powered nettops, one with a BD drive
October 29th, 2009
The nettop might not be the most riveting piece of machinery out there, but ASRock‘s hoping to generate at least a small amount of buzz by outfitting its next trio with NVIDIA’s Ion graphics technology. Reportedly, the Ion 330HT, Ion 330Pro and Ion 330HT-BD will all ship with a dual-core 1.6GHz Atom 330 processor, up to 4GB of DDR2 RAM, 7.1 channel audio, gigabit Ethernet, HDMI / VGA outputs, six USB 2.0 sockets and a powered eSATA port. The 330HT and 330HT-BD are both bundled with MCE remotes, while the latter also gets its DVD burner swapped out with a Blu-ray drive. There’s no mention of a price or release just yet, but we’re figuring that both of those points should be clarified shortly.
Filed under: Desktops
ASRock readying three Ion-powered nettops, one with a BD drive originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 01:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
At $99, HTC Droid Eris might be cheapest Android phone
October 29th, 2009
(Credit:
gdgt)
A lot of attention has been lavished on the Motorola Droid today–and rightfully so–but it’s merely the “cornerstone” of Verizon’s Droid family. HTC’s Droid Eris is gonna be the cheap stepbrother, at 99 bucks.
Though it’s been speculated that the Droid Eris will run …
The 27-Foot Nimbus E-Power Is The World’s First Commercially Available Electric Boat [Boats]
October 28th, 2009
Our quest for green energy has taken to the high seas with the Nimbus E-Power. Despite being fueled by electricity, it manages a respectable top speed of 27 knots and a range of 20 nautical miles on a 4-hour charge.
Actually, that’s 4-hours on a 3-phase 400V/32 source. It takes 28 hours on a standard, European 220V outlet. To put the benefits of an electric-powered boat in perspective, consider this: a full charge only runs about 5 Euros (about $7.40). The boat may be priced 30 or 40 percent higher than an equivalent diesel powered craft, but you could save money over the 10 year life of the battery on fuel costs.
Sounds great, but if you have the means it might be worth waiting a bit longer for Nimbus to improve the technology. Apparently, a new generation of batteries that can double the range will be available “soon”. That would make it a serious competitor will diesel boats in terms of performance while offering you more juice to rig up a way to electrocute fish. [Nimbus via Luxist]
Motorola Droid unboxing!
October 28th, 2009
We just got a stack of Droid review units at Engadget HQ, and we’re told that this is in fact the final packaging. The charger is just Micro USB, and that’s really all you get in the box — the docks will cost you extra. We’re digging for pricing info on those, we’ll let you know.
Gallery: Motorola Droid unboxing!
Filed under: Cellphones
Motorola Droid unboxing! originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.