Monday, August 13, 2012

IT News Head Lines (Engadget) 13/08/2012





Disney researchers can now digitally shave your face, clone it for animatronics (video)
Disney researchers can now digitally shave your face, clone it for animatronics video
The minds at Disney Research aren't only interested in tracking your face -- they want to map, shave and clone it, too. Through a pair of research projects, Walt's proteges have managed to create systems for not only mapping, digitally reconstructing and removing facial hair, but also for creating lifelike synthetic replicas of human faces for use in animatronics. Let's start with the beards, shall we? Facial hair is a big part of a person's physical identity, a quick shave can render a close friend unrecognizable -- but modern face-capture systems aren't really optimized for the stuff. Disney researchers attempted to address that issue by creating an algorithm that detects facial hair, reconstructs it in 3D and uses the information it gathers to suss out the shape of the skin underneath it. This produces a reconstruction of not only the skin episurface, but also of the subject's individual hairs, meaning the final product can be viewed with or without a clean shave.
Another Disney team is also taking a careful look at the human face, but is working on more tangible reconstructions -- specifically for use on audio-animatronic robots. The team behind the Physical Face Cloning project hope to automate part of creating animatronics to speed up the task of replicating a human face for future Disney robots. This complicated process involves capturing a subjects face under a variety of conditions and using that data to optimize a composition of synthetic skin to best match the original. Fully bearded animatronic clones are still a ways off, of course, but isn't it comforting to know that Disney could one day replace you accurately replicate your visage in Walt Disney World for posterity? Dive into the specifics of the research at the source links below, or read on for a video summary of the basics.
Continue reading Disney researchers can now digitally shave your face, clone it for animatronics (video)
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Permalink PhysOrg (1), (2)  |  sourceDisney Research (1), (2)  | Email this | Comments

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Lenovo reportedly prepping Intel and ARM versions of IdeaPad Yoga transforming tablet
Lenovo reportedly prepping Intel and ARM versions of IdeaPad Yoga transforming laptop
We've known for a while that NVIDIA is working with Lenovo (and ASUS) on a Windows RT Tablet, but ABC News believes that we might already have seen the mystery device in action. Its sources have let slip that alongside the Intel-powered IdeaPad Yoga laptop / tablet hybrid (LapLet? TabTop?), the company will release a Tegra-powered version running Windows RT, combining the same sexy hardware with ARM's power-sipping technology. If true, then we might have a very tough purchasing decision on our hands when the gear arrives -- with the launch date still expected to be on October 26th.
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Permalink   |  sourceABC News  | Email this | Comments

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Mobile Miscellany: week of August 6th, 2012
Mobile Miscellany week of August 6th, 2012
Not all mobile news is destined for the front page, but if you're like us and really want to know what's going on, then you've come to the right place. This past week, Sprint began testing its LTE network in Boston and we've come across a QWERTY slider from LG that'll be hitting a convenience store near you. These stories and more await after the break. So buy the ticket and take the ride as we explore the "best of the rest" for this week of August 6th, 2012.
Continue reading Mobile Miscellany: week of August 6th, 2012
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Mobile Miscellany: week of August 6th, 2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 11 Aug 2012 22:35:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Ask Engadget: best 'Find my Phone' app for Android?
Ask Engadget best Find my Phone app for Android
We know you've got questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, here's the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget inquiry is coming to us from Jacob, who needs to ensure he can find his Android phone if it's lost. If you're looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com.
"Hi good folks at Engadget! I just upgraded to a Galaxy S III and I need a new "find my phone" tool. I used to use SeekDroid on my DROID 2, but the web interface won't work on the new phone. I know Samsung's got an app called DIVE that can do this, but it doesn't seem to be supported on Verizon phones. If you've got any suggestions, that'd be fantastic. Thanks!"
Actually, we had a look and we don't think it's available on any US Samsung handset without flashing your firmware. But let's imagine he doesn't want that level of hassle. What app should he be picking up? Where's my Droid? Plan B? Something else? What's worked for you -- share your wisdom.
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Ask Engadget: best 'Find my Phone' app for Android? originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 11 Aug 2012 21:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 Student Edition let loose at Best Buy ahead of schedule, gets unboxed on video
Best Buy sells Galaxy Tab 2 70 Student Bundle ahead of scheduele
We'd originally been tipped that Samsung's Galaxy Tab 7 2.0 Student Edition, a $250 bundle which comes with a keyboard dock and USB connector for peripherals, would officially hit Best Buy's shelves around August 19th, but asking nicely might score you one now. According to an email from tipster, Jason (who's also posted details over at Phandroid's forums), the unit was locked inside one of the store's cages and simply asking for a price check let him proceed to checkout with nary an issue (see the photo). Despite only having 8GB of storage, a dual-core 1GHz processor and the same 1024 x 600 screen resolution of its predecessors, the slate is a solid performer -- but unless you're hell-bent on having extras like a rear camera, we'd be remiss not to mention that the Jelly Bean- and Tegra 3-loaded 8GB Nexus 7 clocks in at $200 by its lonesome. That said, it may be worth trying your luck at your local Best Buy if you're not so concerned with top-tier specs and okay with Samsung's variety of ICS. You'll find the video unboxing after the break.

[Thanks, Jason]
Continue reading Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 Student Edition let loose at Best Buy ahead of schedule, gets unboxed on video
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Permalink   |  sourcejedolley (YouTube)  | Email this | Comments

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NASA's Curiosity rover receives long-distance OTA update, 'brain transplant' on Mars
NASA's Curiosity rover receives longdistance OTA update, brain transplant on Mars
Think it's nifty when your carrier deigns to provide your smartphone with that long awaited OTA update? That's nothing. Over the weekend, NASA's Curiosity rover will be receiving its first long-distance OTA update -- all the way out there on Mars. The goal is to transition both redundant main computers from software suited for landing the vehicle to software optimized for surface exploration -- such as driving, obstacle avoidance and using the robotic arm. NASA calls it a "brain transplant" and points out that the software was actually uploaded during the flight from Earth. Now can someone please enable OTA downloads for the human brain? We'd really like to know kung fu. PR after the break.
Continue reading NASA's Curiosity rover receives long-distance OTA update, 'brain transplant' on Mars
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MIT researchers develop highly agile autonomous plane (video)
MIT researchers develop highly agile autonomous plane
If you're flying a robot indoors, chances are it's a quadrocopter. The ability hover and maneuver on a dime is essential to whipping around the confined spaces of a lab. Researchers have figured out a way to overcome such obstacles with a fixed-wing aircraft, using laser range finders, sensors and an Intel Atom processor to churn through all the data. To demonstrate just how accurate the on-board navigation systems are, the team of scientists took the autonomous plane to a parking garage with ceilings just 2.5 meters high. Why is that important? The vehicle has a wingspan of two meters -- leaving little room for error. To see the plane in action, check out the video after the break.
Continue reading MIT researchers develop highly agile autonomous plane (video)
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MIT researchers develop highly agile autonomous plane (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 11 Aug 2012 17:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink GigaOM  |  sourceMIT  | Email this | Comments

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Alt-week 8.11.12: Robo-billies, quasicrystals and radioactive art
Alt-week peels back the covers on some of the more curious sci-tech stories from the last seven days.
Alt-week 8.11.12: Robo-billies, quasicrystals and radioactive art
It's not like we're trying to out-weird ourselves, it just, somehow, keeps happening. At least one of this week's offerings (we'll leave it to you to figure out which) will possibly be the creepiest thing we post all year. As for the rest, well it's slightly more palatable. We'll get uncharacteristically pumped about cycling, meet some extra-terrestrial quasicrystals and enjoy some art with X-men credentials. This is alt-week.
Continue reading Alt-week 8.11.12: Robo-billies, quasicrystals and radioactive art
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Alt-week 8.11.12: Robo-billies, quasicrystals and radioactive art originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 11 Aug 2012 15:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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DARPA's Captive Air Amphibious Transporter can drive on water, help during disaster relief (video)
DARPA's Captive Air Amphibious Transporter can drive on water, help during disaster relief video
A couple of months back, DARPA announced it'd been working on developing technologies to help during natural or "man-made" disasters, and this TEMP plan (Tactically Expandable Maritime Platform) included the addition of four key modular systems -- one of which was sea-delivery vehicles such as that monstrous one pictured above. Dubbed Captive Air Amphibious Transporters, or CAAT for short, the rugged wheeler gets its drive-on-agua powers from air-filled pontoons, with its main purpose being to carry "containers over water and directly onto shore." However, according to DARPA's program manager, Scott Littlefield, it is more about the big picture, saying, "To allow military ships and aircraft to focus on unique military missions they alone can fulfill, it makes sense to develop technologies to leverage standard commercial container ships." Thanks to a vid uploaded by DARPA itself, you can now get a feel for what CAAT's all about, so head over past the break -- where you'll find a quick preview of the ATV carrier in action.
Continue reading DARPA's Captive Air Amphibious Transporter can drive on water, help during disaster relief (video)
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Researchers make unsuitable parts work as solar cells, could lead to cheaper panels
Researchers make unsuitable parts work as solar cells, could lead to cheaper panels
Harnessing the power of the sun is a tricky business, but even the past few weeks have seen some interesting developments in the field. In this latest installment, researchers from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the University of California have figured out a way of making solar cells from any semiconductor, potentially reducing the cost of their production. You see, efficient solar cells require semiconductors to be chemically modified for the current they produce to flow in one direction. The process uses expensive materials and only works with a few types of semiconductors, but the team's looking at using ones which aren't normally suitable -- the magic is to apply an electrical field to them. This field requires energy, but what's consumed is said to be a tiny fraction of what the cell's capable of producing when active, and it means chemical modification isn't needed.
The concept of using a field to standardize the flow of juice isn't a new one, but the team's work on the geometrical structure of the cells has made it a reality, with a couple of working prototypes to satisfy the skeptics. More of these are on the way, as their focus has shifted to which semiconductors can offer the best efficiency at the lowest cost. And when the researchers have answered that question, there's nothing left to do but get cracking on commercial production. For the full scientific explanation, hit up the links below.
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Permalink Ars Technica, ScienceDaily  |  sourceNano Letters  | Email this | Comments

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Spotify Radio gets thumbs up, thumbs down on desktop
Spotify Radio gets thumbs up, thumbs down on desktop
Pretty much from day one, the mobile Spotify Radio feature outclassed its desktop counterpart, thanks to the presence of one feature -- thumbs up and thumbs down buttons. The ability to more finely tailor the music selection to your tastes is a pretty essential feature for any automatically generated playlist. Finally, Spotify is bringing the buttons to the Mac and Windows clients in an update rolling out today. Your likes and dislikes are synced across platforms and, best of all, the update finally lets you view radio stations you've created through the mobile app on your desktop.
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Spotify Radio gets thumbs up, thumbs down on desktop originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 11 Aug 2012 09:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink The Next Web  |  sourceSpotify  | Email this | Comments

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Researchers propose à la carte internet services, overhaul for web infrastructure
Researchers propose à la carte internet services, overhaul for web infrastructure
A quintet of researchers funded by the National Science Foundation have envisioned a new internet architecture, one where features could be purchased à la carte. The proposed framework would allow users to fine tune their experience by choosing from a variety of connection services. Let's say, for example, that a customer's connection is fine for browsing the web, but it doesn't pass muster for streaming content -- a service dedicated to video delivery could be added to close the gap. "Ultimately, this should make the internet more flexible and efficient, and will drive innovation among service providers to cater to user needs," report co-author Rudra Dutta told The Abstract. A piecemeal next-gen web is no easy feat, however, as it would require revamping the web's infrastructure with new protocols for choosing particular features, completing payments and monitoring network performance. The group's rough blueprint will be presented at a conference next week, but you can thumb through their short paper at the source.
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Researchers propose à la carte internet services, overhaul for web infrastructure originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 11 Aug 2012 07:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink The Abstract, North Carolina State University  |  sourceSIGCOMM (PDF)  | Email this | Comments

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