TED 2012: UPenn Flying Robots Play a Mean Keyboard

Some of the biggest leaps in aerial mechanics at the University of Pennsylvania have come straight out of professor Vijay Kumar's mechanical engineering lab. Small, unmanned aircraft can coordinate their positions across a group without the aid of any central coordinator.

Source: http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2012/02/ted-2012-upenn-flying-robots-play-a-mean-keyboard/

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Windows 8 getting a built-in PDF reader, Metro-style

For what seems like an eternity, Download Squad readers have reacted to news of security exploits targeting Adobe Reader with a common sentiment: why doesn't Microsoft build its own secure PDF reader into Windows? Apparently the Windows 8 team agrees, and they're working away at an application called Modern Reader which is exactly that.

From the handful of screenshots Paul Thurrott has shared, it's clear that Modern Reader has been built with Metro in mind. You can see the Reader back button in the top-left corner of the yellow image and the minimal page navigation bar on the right. We've posted some larger images we managed to scrape from Google's cache after the break.

Thurrott also mentions that Modern Reader is the first program spotted which is built using AppX -- a packaging technology that may allow developers to roll a single build to both Windows 8 desktops and Windows Phone 8 mobile devices.

Continue reading Windows 8 getting a built-in PDF reader, Metro-style

Windows 8 getting a built-in PDF reader, Metro-style originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 04 Apr 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/04/04/windows-8-getting-a-built-in-pdf-reader-finally/

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Eton Rover Self-Powered AM/FM/NOAA Weather Radio with Flashlight and USB Cell Phone Charger Review

I’ve mentioned several times that the Piedmont area in North Carolina where I live has a lot of bad weather – tornadoes, thunderstorms, and hurricanes in the summer; ice storms and sometimes even tornadoes in the winter – that can leave us without power for days.  No power means no lights and no telephone service [...]

Source: http://the-gadgeteer.com/2012/02/29/eton-rover-self-powered-amfmnoaa-weather-radio-with-flashlight-and-usb-cell-phone-charger-review/

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VMware adds Mozy to its cloud and virtualization empire

Mozy is one of the most popular cloud backup services around, with more than one million users storing around 70 petabytes of data. Its popularity apparently put it on the acquisition radar of VMware -- which has now made Mozy part of its virtualization empire.

VMware's official blog post makes it clear that the company wasn't so much interested in Mozy as a consumer offering. Rather, it's the inner workings of Mozy which piqued VMware's curiosity. CTO Steve Herrod says, "Over the past 5 years, Mozy has built one of the best examples of a globally distributed, large-scale cloud offering." He adds that the move will allow VMware to "further ramp our own cloud-related learning and accelerate new IP, scale, and capabilities" of its existing offerings.

Existing Mozy customers don't need to worry, of course. VMware has pledged to continue running Mozy's service without interruption.

VMware adds Mozy to its cloud and virtualization empire originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 05 Apr 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/04/05/vmware-takes-over-operation-of-mozy/

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'Act of Valor' and Google Glasses: The Future of Movies and Reality TV

"Act of Valor" just opened. An amazing combination of technology made the creation of this movie possible on an incredibly low budget, and much of this technology is available to you. In fact, the movie was created mostly with tools you could have in your home. Also last week, Google leaked its augmented-reality glasses. Weaving these two events together gives us a glimpse of the future of reality movies and TV.

Source: http://www.technewsworld.com/rsstory/74501.html

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New software uses facial recognition to defend against prying eyes

Having the right programs and hardware to keep the information on your display safe from prying eyes is never a bad idea, and new software from Oculis Labs offers a very interesting take on how to do just that. It's called PrivateEye, and it utilizes facial recognition to automatically pixelate the contents of your display when you look away.

If you step away from your system and someone else decides to sit down and poke around, PrivateEye will present a confusing jumble of garbled text. It'll even notify you if someone tries to peek over your shoulder -- and display a picture of your peeping Tom, throw up an alert, or sound an alarm.

Check out the video embed after the break, and share your thoughts in the comments!

Continue reading New software uses facial recognition to defend against prying eyes

New software uses facial recognition to defend against prying eyes originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 07 Apr 2011 13:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/04/07/new-software-uses-facial-recognition-to-defend-against-prying-ey/

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Google Once Considered Launching Its Own Currency, Google Bucks [Google]

Google is fond of reworking existing concepts in modern ways; you only need to look at HUD glasses and autonomous cars to know that. But at one point in time, it was also mulling the idea of revolutionizing the economy by creating its own currency. More »

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/-71vyWXcRDI/google-once-considered-launching-its-own-currency-google-bucks

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Xbox 360 gets limited edition all-white Kinect bundle

Not feeling the Star Wars Xbox 360 bundle? How about this all white special edition? For $300, you get a white 4GB Xbox 360, a white Xbox 360 controller and a white Kinect sensor. Microsoft is also tossing in Kinect Sports, Kinect Adventures and a three month Xbox Live Gold subscription. Or, if you're just eyeing the glossy pigment-free Kinect, you can pick one up separately for $50.

Xbox 360 gets limited edition all-white Kinect bundle originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Feb 2012 14:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/28/xbox-360-gets-limited-edition-all-white-kinect-bundle/

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Sony updates PS Vita sales figures: 'over 1.2 million units worldwide', 2 million in software

As of recently, the PS Vita has become available in the locales of America, Europe and PAL territories, and now Sony's updated sales figures are in. How does "over 1.2 million units worldwide" sound? Because that's how many systems were purchased as of February 26th. If you'll recall, just two days after its December 19th arrival in Japan, the Vita rushed out of the gate, with Sony citing 321,000 units sold. Sales quickly slowed, however, despite the system making its way across Asia, as that number only rose to 500,000 by the time CES hit in January. Considering that means an additional 700K+ units were moved in less than two months, it seems that Sony's latest handheld isn't doing too shabby. Furthermore, it looks like a healthy amount of early adopters stocked up on games, as Sony also noted that more than two million pieces of software have been sold (out of 25 currently available titles) via retail and the PlayStation Store -- that said, there's no telling how popular those slightly cheaper digital editions have proved. Hit up the press release after the break for all the details, courtesy of the House of Kevin Butler Kaz Hirai.

Continue reading Sony updates PS Vita sales figures: 'over 1.2 million units worldwide', 2 million in software

Sony updates PS Vita sales figures: 'over 1.2 million units worldwide', 2 million in software originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Feb 2012 19:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/28/sony-updates-ps-vita-sales-figures-over-1-2-million-units-worl/

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Skype 5.3 for Windows released, improves mobile video call quality

Version 5.3 of Skype for Windows has just been released, with the main emphasis of the new release being improved call quality, and the quality of video received by mobile Skype users. Presumably one party of the video call must be using Skype for Windows 5.3, though.

Beyond improved call quality, not much has changed. You can now see your friends' presence icons when contact cards are collapsed, and the topic editing button is now always visible on the conversation header. For a complete list of changes, hit up the Skype Garage blog.

Download Skype 5.3 for Windows

Skype 5.3 for Windows released, improves mobile video call quality originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 07 Apr 2011 12:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/04/07/skype-5-3-for-windows-released-improves-mobile-video-call-quali/

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Is The $300 3D Printer Finally Here? Makible Thinks So

MakiBox is a riff on the open source RepRap 3D printer that fits a print head and motor inside a box about the length and width (but not the thickness, silly) of a sheet of paper. The MakiBox kit will start at $350 while an assembled kit will cost $550.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Techcrunch/~3/0N9I0N_gUQ8/

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Amazon Cloud Player review: functional, not mind blowing, and still US-only

It's hard to believe: our world-spanning network, our Internet, which is the cornerstone of free speech and free society -- which, on a good day, is capable of causing populist revolutions -- is still crippled by banal geolocation restrictions. We are, of course, talking about Amazon's two latest offerings, both of which are only available in the United States. Last week it was the excellent Android Appstore for Android, and today it's the Amazon Cloud Player for Web and Android.

Along with Cloud Player, Amazon also launched Cloud Drive, which is basically just like any other cloud storage digital locker. It's not particularly feature rich, and there's no real reason to use it over something like SugarSync or SkyDrive -- it does work outside the US, however.

Its primary purpose, as far as we're concerned, is that it stores your your Cloud Player music in a subdirectory. You get 5GB of Cloud Drive storage for free, and then it's $1 per gigabyte per year if you need more space.

The Amazon Cloud Player itself will not, to put it bluntly, blow your mind. It works, but it's very much an early, and possibly rushed, release. Let's dive in to the Web and Android players for a closer look.

Gallery: Amazon Cloud Player and Cloud Drive: on Web and Android

Continue reading Amazon Cloud Player review: functional, not mind blowing, and still US-only

Amazon Cloud Player review: functional, not mind blowing, and still US-only originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 29 Mar 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/29/amazon-cloud-player-hands-on-review-functional-not-mind-blowin/

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LightSquared CEO Sanjiv Ahuja steps down, company remains committed to wireless network

The shakeup continues at LightSquared. Just days after the would-be LTE wholesaler confirmed that it would be cutting its staff by 45 percent, it's now announced that CEO Sanjiv Ahuja has resigned from his position, although he will continue to serve as chairman of the board. Chief network officer Doug Smitand and chief financial officer Marc Montagner will serve as co-chief operating officers as the company searches for a new CEO. What's more, LightSquared has also announced that billionaire backer Philip A. Falcone has been appointed to the company's board of directors, and he himself has reiterated the company's intent to build out its wireless network, noting that it is "committed to working with the appropriate entities to find a solution to the recent regulatory issues." The company's official announcement can be found after the break.

Continue reading LightSquared CEO Sanjiv Ahuja steps down, company remains committed to wireless network

LightSquared CEO Sanjiv Ahuja steps down, company remains committed to wireless network originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Feb 2012 12:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/28/lightsquared-ceo-sanjiv-ahuja-steps-down-company-remains-commit/

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Report: Evi Will Be Booted From App Store Because It’s Too Close to Siri

Siri clones, watch out. True Knowledge, which develops a Siri copycat named Evi, reportedly got a call from Apple saying it was “going to pull Evi from the App Store” because the app was too similar to Apple's digital assistant.

Source: http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2012/02/report-evi-siri-app-store/

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Chrome now easily opens email links in Gmail, thanks to some HTML5 magic

The next time you open up Gmail in Chrome keep an eye out for the prompt above, which uses HTML5 to finally close the gap between the way Google's browser handles mailto: links and its popular email service. Our only question about the change is what took them so long? Using extensions or simply copying and pasting email addresses as Gmail blogger and software developer Michael Davidson has been doing were available workarounds, but they won't be needed any longer -- no DRM necessary. Hit the source link for more info on what it's doing and how Chrome allows site handler requests.

Chrome now easily opens email links in Gmail, thanks to some HTML5 magic originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Feb 2012 23:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/L98D5oqSC74/

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Mozilla partners with Telefonica and Deutsche Telekom to further Boot to Gecko project

So far, we have seen neither hide nor hair of that rumored LG-built Boot to Gecko developer device. Mozilla hasn't exactly been keeping quiet, though. The company announced a pair of partners on the web standards-based mobile OS: Telefónica and Deutsche Telekom. The German parent company of T-Mobile will be lending members of its Innovation Labs team to the development of the project. Telefónica will be bringing hardware to the equation. It revealed plans to build "open web devices" based on B2G for release this year. Qualcomm and Adobe are also throwing their weight behind the HTML5 platform. Before the week is through we should be able to scrounge up a few more details and spend some hands-on time with the OS.

Mozilla partners with Telefonica and Deutsche Telekom to further Boot to Gecko project originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Feb 2012 18:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/27/mozilla-partners-with-telefonica-and-deutsche-telekom-to-further/

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ZTE PF200 hands-on

ZTE's newly announced PF200 was also on hand at MWC 2012, though, unfortunately this handset wouldn't boot up. Powered by a Qualcomm 1.2Ghz dual-core processor, running Android 4.0, with a 4.3-inch qHD display, 8 megapixel af camera, WiFi, DLNA, and even NFC. The PF200 like the N910 if obviously showing its inexpensive price point through the size and quality of the housing and the choices in construction materials. While it isn't outrageously bulky, it too could do with a little slimming down, and again the back and its diamond patterned plastic feels terrible to hold. Catch a glimpse of its lack of glory in the gallery just below.

Gallery: ZTE PF200 hands-on

ZTE PF200 hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Feb 2012 10:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/J8SjHMMPErM/

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Corel VideoStudio X4 giveaway

This morning, Corel released VideoStudio X4. We've already published a quick overview and hands-on of the application, and now is the moment you've all been waiting for: We're giving away ten full licenses of this new version, each worth $99.99!

To enter our random draw, you just have to leave a comment. Full terms and conditions are after the break.

Continue reading Corel VideoStudio X4 giveaway

Corel VideoStudio X4 giveaway originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 22 Feb 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/22/corel-videostudio-x4-giveaway/

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