Source: http://www.crunchgear.com/2011/06/28/daily-crunch-scope-edition/
Monday, April 30, 2012
Daily Crunch: Scope Edition
Nikon Displays Mysterious Prototypes At French Exhibition Sweet-Looking Bike Tool Roll Made From My Favorite Material, Waxed Canvas Dodocase Puts Out Some J. Crew Exclusive iPad 2 Cases SocialBicycles Bike Sharing Is Now A Kickstarter Project Thanko Starts Selling The USB Butt Cooler Cushion (Ver. 2)
ShelfX's Vending Fridge nixes the cashier, uses QR codes, RFID to 'know what you took'
QR codes and RFID tags aren't uncommon when it comes to automated payment applications, and now Colorado-based ShelfX has purposed them for its new wireless-equipped Vending Fridges. Eliminating the need for a cashier -- or cash, for that matter -- each unit allows you to purchase any items packed inside by scanning a QR code with your phone (using the company's app) or an RFID badge. Upon presenting either method to the machine, it's able to tell who you are and unlocks its door. From there, you can grab whatever you'd like, while ShelfX automatically pulls funds your account for what's been removed. The system is also smart enough to know when goods are put back, so you won't have to worry about being charged while making up your mind. All of the money goes through ShelfX, allowing it to take "a small percentage" for itself before sending a monthly payment to owners. The Vending Fridge is currently on sale for $600, and a retrofitting kit for your own fridge is also available for half that amount -- no word on whether it has kid-blocking or crab-proofing options, though. You'll find more information in the press release just after the break.
ShelfX's Vending Fridge nixes the cashier, uses QR codes, RFID to 'know what you took' originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 28 Apr 2012 02:35:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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ShelfX | Email this | CommentsSource: http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/28/shelfxs-vending-fridge-nixes-the-cashier-uses-qr-codes-rfid-t/
Catherine Bell Chandra West Charisma Carpenter Charli Baltimore
Microsoft Research wants to automate your house, introduces HomeOS
Ever wondered if you could control your house's climate, security, and appliances -- along with your PCs and peripherals -- using Microsoft software? That day may soon dawn, as its Research arm has started testing its home automation software, called HomeOS, in twelve domiciles over the past few months. The budding system views smartphones, printers and air conditioners as network peripherals, controlled by a dedicated gateway computer. The project even has a handful of apps in play, which perform functions like energy monitoring, remote surveillance and face-recognition. This growing list of applications, available through a portal called "HomeStore", will allow users to easily expand their system's capabilities. So how does it all work out in the real world? Head past the break, and let Redmond's research team give you the skinny.
Continue reading Microsoft Research wants to automate your house, introduces HomeOS
Microsoft Research wants to automate your house, introduces HomeOS originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 30 Apr 2012 02:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Electronista | Microsoft Research (PDF) | Email this | Comments
Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/rQRwhxlJByE/
Cameron Diaz Cameron Richardson Camilla Belle Carla Campbell
Twelve South PlugBug 10W USB iPad/iPhone Charger Plus MacBook Plug Attachment Review
I’ve been on a quest to minimize the gear I need to carry to charge/sync my electronics.� My current cable/connector bag is 10.5″ X 4.5″ X 3.5″ and weighs 1.75 pounds.� It’s stuffed with cables I almost never use, so it’s hard to find the one or two cables I do use.� I certainly don’t [...]
Sunday, April 29, 2012
This Breathtaking London Flyover Is So Perfect It Almost Feels Computer Generated [Video]
Yahoo! Messenger now censors the links you share
We've all thought it, but never dared think it could be true: what if Microsoft, Yahoo, and AOL actively monitor our instant messenger chats? What if mentions of 'bomb' and 'underage' are tracked and sent to law enforcement agencies? What if chat providers don't agree with the things we say, or the links we share, and filter or censor the content of our transmitted messages?Well, it looks like our fears may actually have some basis in reality: Yahoo Messenger strips FilesTube links from instant messages. It doesn't tell either party that a URL has been removed from chat -- it just deletes it. Poof. FilesTube, in case you were wondering, is one of the largest file hosting meta search engines on the Web -- it indexes RapidShare, Megaupload, Mediafire, and many other 'cyberlocker' services.
It's fairly obvious why FilesTube links are being removed -- the Censor General at Yahoo is probably one of those perplexed primates who think all uses of BitTorrent are illegal -- but this situation poses a far more important question: is Yahoo censoring messages on the client side, or the server side. Does the messenger client itself maintain a list of 'blacklisted' words -- and if so, why are we not told that FilesTube links are banned? What other words and terms does Yahoo protect us from?
Continue reading Yahoo! Messenger now censors the links you share
Yahoo! Messenger now censors the links you share originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 30 Mar 2011 05:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Justice Department clears Google of WiFi wiretapping violations
Two years ago, Google drove its way into a fair amount of hot water when it accidentally (as was claimed) scooped up private data over WiFi while collecting Street View and location data. Now, the Justice Department has cleared the prolific mapsters of the wiretapping violations. The DOJ made its decision not to push for prosecution based on reports from employees and investigating key documents reports Wired. The Wiretap Act (which is the relevant one here) was argued to only pertain to "traditional radio services," by US District Judge James Ware, but neither the DOJ or FCC said they could find any evidence that Google accessed the date it snared. In an extra move of openness, the search giant has also released the entire FCC report on the Street View investigation (redacted to protect identities) which can be found in the more coverage link. So, next time you see the famous camera-topped wagons roll around, you can leave your tin hat in the closet.
Justice Department clears Google of WiFi wiretapping violations originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 28 Apr 2012 15:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink |Wired | Email this | CommentsSource: http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/28/justice-department-clears-google-of-wifi-wiretapping/
Animated video shows Orion spacecraft in orbit
NASA may have pushed back the Orion spacecraft's test flight to 2014, but you can get an early glimpse of the capsule in orbit thanks to this animated video from Full Werks studio. You'll see the capsule circle the planet before touching down in the Pacific -- all with a much better view than you can expect when that actual launch date rolls around. The animation features audio clips from the original Apollo and, as any NASA-related video worth its salt should, includes a vintage voiceover from space sage Carl Sagan.
Continue reading Animated video shows Orion spacecraft in orbit
Animated video shows Orion spacecraft in orbit originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 29 Apr 2012 11:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink |Full {Circle} Werks | Email this | Comments
Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/yrnA8xcPXEs/
Google TV YouTube app updated for better recommendations, search and sharing
It only makes sense that the Google TV initiative to increase personalization would extend to videos served up from its YouTube site, and now the official app has been updated to do just that. The new version brings recommendations meant to pull gems you might like out of the ever growing pile of content available, as well as a way to search between the new YouTube channels on your TV. Also users should notice improved video quality since the app will automatically try to play content at the best available resolution from the start, and if they find something interesting, it now supports +1 sharing to Google+. The new app is already live on Google Play, compatible devices should be pointed that way for the new experience.
Google TV YouTube app updated for better recommendations, search and sharing originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 28 Apr 2012 17:18:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink |Google TV Blog | Email this | CommentsSource: http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/28/google-tv-youtube-app-updated-for-better-recommendations-search/
Wrapsol Non-Slip Grip Pad for Large Tablets Review
I recently reviewed the Wrapsol Ultra Screen Protector on my new iPad.� Wrapsol also sent along their Non-Slip Grip Pad for Large Tablets for our review.� It is “engineered to optimize usability and to help prevent slip-and-fall damage to your tablet.”� Those slippery, expensive tablets we all love could certainly benefit from being less slippery, [...]
Source: http://the-gadgeteer.com/2012/04/28/wrapsol-non-slip-grip-pad-for-large-tablets-review/
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