Filed under: Robots
Are you a defense contractor, or would you like to be? DARPA has put out a call for a “legged vehicle capable of maneuvering robustly and nimbly” (which might be military-speak for “prancing” — we’re not entirely sure). To get in on the action, your vehicle must be able to sense, negotiate and operate in complex terrain (rubble-strewn streets and such), follow a soldier through dynamic, cluttered environments, operate quietly, pack 400 pounds of equipment and bring enough fuel for 24 hours of operation. The Legged Squad Support System (it’s been pointed out that this sounds a bit like the BigDog we saw a while back) would be required to do all of this autonomously as it follows a soldier up to 100 meters (328 feet) away. Piece of cake, right? If you’re interested, hit the read link for the full announcement and be sure to get your proposal in by January 6, 2009. Video of the “classic” BigDog after the break.
[Via Wired]
Continue reading DARPA contract sets its sights on autonomous, gear carrying robots
DARPA contract sets its sights on autonomous, gear carrying robots originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Oct 2008 15:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Filed under: Laptops
It looks like Psystar really hasn’t been hit by either the economic downturn or the lawsuits Apple has brought against it regarding those “OS X-capable” machines. Adding insult to yesterday’s injury — the announcement of desktops with built-in Blu-ray and NVIDIA’s GeForce 9800GT– it also looks like the company is actively developing a Mac laptop clone, according to an email obtained by AppleInsider. A Psystar spokesperson claims that, “Although there is no mobile open computer at the moment, I can tell you that it is something that is in development,” and adds “No release day or price has been set for any potential mobile product line. However I can assure you that at release it will be very competitively priced.” Well then — assuming the quality of the laptops will be comparable to those desktops — we can hardly wait.
Possible Psystar Mac laptop clone in the works originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Oct 2008 14:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Filed under: Desktops
The geniuses over at CLVE Computers have, somehow, and at long last, managed to make a tiny Atom-powered PC that looks just like an evil but adorable garbage can with fangs. Inside the TVBE is a single or dual core 1.6 GHz Intel Atom CPU, the option of 1GB or 2GB of RAM, a 320GB or 500GB hard drive, and an Intel GMA 950 GPU. It also boasts an impressive six USB ports — four on the bottom and two on the top — on an otherwise austere exterior. The whole package weighs in at a breathtaking 9.9 pounds, and measures 9.6-inches tall. This bodacious beast is on sale today for the “fair and affordable” price of €299 (roughly $384) in Germany, with the promise of availability in other countries “in the very near future,” which we can only hope means in time for the holidays.
Futuristic, cylindrical TVBE computer wants to rule your digital life originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Oct 2008 14:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Filed under: Cellphones
It was inevitable, was it not? T-Mobile’s G1 lasted an entire week as the T-Mobile G1; now, it’s really anyone’s G1. Thanks to the kids over at Unlock T-Mobile G1, any owner with a few spare moments and $22.99 can open their handset up for use on AT&T or any other GSM network across the globe. Reportedly, prospective unlockers simply hand over the aforementioned cash and their IMEI code (scary, we know), and in return they receive an eight-digit unlock code that frees it from the bonds of T-Mobile. Initial tests have shown that calling and texting work just fine on non-native networks, but the inability to even login to Gmail (and thus, the Android Market, etc.) puts a real damper on things. No worries — we’re sure those minor hindrances will be worked out in short order. A video full of proof is waiting just beyond the break.
[Via Android Community]
Continue reading Video: T-Mobile G1 gets unlocked, quirks still present
Video: T-Mobile G1 gets unlocked, quirks still present originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Oct 2008 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless
Oh, so you know what’s hot, huh AT&T? Is flipping the on / off lever back and forth a gazillion times on this finicky Starbucks iPhone WiFi plan hot? Because it feels downright cold over here. While we can only hope and pray that this is the signal to finally close the book on this ridiculous saga, AT&T users all over the US are receiving text messages from AT&T confirming that free Starbucks WiFi (for iPhone owners) is on. Reportedly, the message indicates that their iPhone purchase gives them access to two hours of gratis use per day, though we’d go in with the lowest possible expectations in order to not be let down (again). Good luck, mettlesome ones.
[Thanks, Boy Genius]
AT&T sending out SMS to confirm free iPhone WiFi at Starbucks originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Oct 2008 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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