Continental readies stereo camera system for 'seeing' cars

Continental readies stereo camera system for 'seeing' cars: "

The idea of cars preventing accidents before they happen isn't novel, but at the end of the day, collision detection systems are only as smart as the information being fed to them. That's the ethos behind Continental's new stereo camera system, which spots people, pets, and other objects in a vehicle's path, and measures their height, distance from the vehicle, and how they might be moving. This rig, which will be just another part of Continental's ContiGuard safety system, uses the difference in the lenses' optical paths to make these calculations -- so long as those obstacles are 20 to 30 meters (66 to 98 feet) away. The company also says the cameras are sharp enough to detect partially obscured objects, and claims accuracy within 20 to 30 centimeters (8 to 12 inches). No word on when it will be ready to ship seeing cars, though if the press release is any indication, German drivers are likely to get their test drive first.

Continue reading Continental readies stereo camera system for 'seeing' cars

Continental readies stereo camera system for 'seeing' cars originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 May 2011 12:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony Ericsson Xperia Mini and Mini Pro hands-on (update: video!)

Sony Ericsson Xperia Mini and Mini Pro hands-on (update: video!): "

We've just gotten to grips with Sony Ericsson's new compact smartphones, the Xperia Mini and its keyboard-equipped sibling the Xperia Mini Pro, and have a gallery of shots for you below. Hit them up now and we'll have hands-on impressions and video coming shortly.

Gallery: Sony Ericsson Xperia Mini and Mini Pro hands-on (part deux)

The Xperia Mini has wonderful size when it comes to width and height, but we have to ask: why so thick? The Mini Pro is only slightly thicker despite having a fully-fledged slideout keyboard, so it would have been nice if the keyboard-less Mini was more svelte. Sony Ericsson is clearly going after the pocket- and handbag-conscious demographic here, who might not be all that receptive to the Mini's girth. SE also made some bold claims about the finger-friendliness of the Mini Pro's keyboard, which we were told were backed by usability tests against rival phones. Those trials were isolated to devices 'in its size class' (of which there aren't many), but our first response was still very positive, at least once we turned on auto-correct. This will be a matter of personal preference, but we found ourselves enjoying not having to take care of every little slip of the finger. Anyway, settings adjusted appropriately, we bashed away on the Mini Pro rather speedily and would rate it right up there with the BlackBerry Bold 9700 in terms of our typing rapidity. Browser rendering has its flaws, there's a stuttery quality to zooming in and out of a page, but at least it's done quickly and Flash playback seems to work without a hitch.



Update: Hands-on video now embedded after the break!



Additional reporting by Sharif Sakr

Gallery: Sony Ericsson Xperia Mini and Mini Pro hands-on

Continue reading Sony Ericsson Xperia Mini and Mini Pro hands-on (update: video!)

Sony Ericsson Xperia Mini and Mini Pro hands-on (update: video!) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 May 2011 12:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DIYer builds his own CNC mill, fabricates a Weighted Companion Cube to show off

DIYer builds his own CNC mill, fabricates a Weighted Companion Cube to show off: "

So you've built your own homebrew CNC mill and want to test out some recent modifications? That's a question few ever have to ask themselves, but DIYer Jamie Nasiatka recently did, and came up with the bright idea of making his very own Weighted Companion Cube. As you can see above, things turned up pretty well, and you can check out the complete build process at the source link below -- yes, it lights up, and changes colors. Let's just hope no one tries to throw this cube through a Portal t-shirt.

DIYer builds his own CNC mill, fabricates a Weighted Companion Cube to show off originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 May 2011 13:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DIYer builds his own CNC mill, fabricates a Weighted Companion Cube to show off

DIYer builds his own CNC mill, fabricates a Weighted Companion Cube to show off: "

So you've built your own homebrew CNC mill and want to test out some recent modifications? That's a question few ever have to ask themselves, but DIYer Jamie Nasiatka recently did, and came up with the bright idea of making his very own Weighted Companion Cube. As you can see above, things turned up pretty well, and you can check out the complete build process at the source link below -- yes, it lights up, and changes colors. Let's just hope no one tries to throw this cube through a Portal t-shirt.

DIYer builds his own CNC mill, fabricates a Weighted Companion Cube to show off originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 May 2011 13:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Screen Grabs: Cisco Cius plays bad cop on NCIS: Los Angeles (video)

Screen Grabs: Cisco Cius plays bad cop on NCIS: Los Angeles (video): "Screen Grabs chronicles the uses (and misuses) of real-world gadgets in today's movies and TV. Send in your sightings (with screen grab!) to screengrabs at engadget dot com.

Cisco may be aiming for the business crowd, but if we hold to NCIS: Los Angeles' golden standard of real-world gadget application, the Cius tabletphone is going to revolutionize interrogation. 'I ain't telling you nothin' copper, not noth-- oh, is that a Cisco Cius you have there?! Yeah okay, I did it.' Gee, isn't technology just fabulous? Hit the break to see Nell and Eric execute the future of tablet-based criminal interrogation.



[Thanks, nmrules20]

Continue reading Screen Grabs: Cisco Cius plays bad cop on NCIS: Los Angeles (video)

Screen Grabs: Cisco Cius plays bad cop on NCIS: Los Angeles (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 May 2011 14:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Global rare earth supply deficit should turn into a surplus by 2013, Goldman Sachs says

Global rare earth supply deficit should turn into a surplus by 2013, Goldman Sachs says: "

It looks like rare earth elements are getting slightly less rare. According to a research note released by Goldman Sachs today, the world's rare earth supply deficit will probably reach its apex this year, before converting into a surplus by 2013. Goldman's analysts constructed their projections based on evidence that many Western companies have begun building their own mines, in response to China's overwhelming market dominance. Today, the People's Republic produces about 90-percent of the world's rare earth minerals -- a group of 17 elements that are used to manufacture many of the flat screen TVs, hybrids and cellphones we've come to know and love. Over the course of the past few years, China has only consolidated its hold on the industry, thanks to economic policies aimed at nationalizing private mines and implementing restrictive export quotas. As a result, global rare earth prices have skyrocketed, forcing mining companies in the US and elsewhere to look inward and harvest their own deposits. The only downside, however, is that even if global supply spills into a surplus within the next two years, prices probably won't cool down until 2015. But at least the horizon looks brighter than it has in recent months.

Global rare earth supply deficit should turn into a surplus by 2013, Goldman Sachs says originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 May 2011 15:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Screen Grabs: Cisco Cius plays bad cop on NCIS: Los Angeles (video)

Screen Grabs: Cisco Cius plays bad cop on NCIS: Los Angeles (video): "Screen Grabs chronicles the uses (and misuses) of real-world gadgets in today's movies and TV. Send in your sightings (with screen grab!) to screengrabs at engadget dot com.

Cisco may be aiming for the business crowd, but if we hold to NCIS: Los Angeles' golden standard of real-world gadget application, the Cius tabletphone is going to revolutionize interrogation. 'I ain't telling you nothin' copper, not noth-- oh, is that a Cisco Cius you have there?! Yeah okay, I did it.' Gee, isn't technology just fabulous? Hit the break to see Nell and Eric execute the future of tablet-based criminal interrogation.



[Thanks, nmrules20]

Continue reading Screen Grabs: Cisco Cius plays bad cop on NCIS: Los Angeles (video)

Screen Grabs: Cisco Cius plays bad cop on NCIS: Los Angeles (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 May 2011 14:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Creative debuts compact, Bluetooth-enabled Zen Style M300 PMP

Creative debuts compact, Bluetooth-enabled Zen Style M300 PMP: "

It may not be quite as convenient to wear as a watch, but Creative's new Zen Style M300 PMP does have a leg up on the slightly smaller iPod nano in one key respect: it packs built-in Bluetooth 2.1 support so you can use wireless headphones with it. You can also expand the PMP's memory beyond its basic 4GB, 8GB, or 16GB capacities thanks to its microSD card slot, although you won't get a touchscreen here -- the 1.45-inch display is simply complemented by a couple of touch buttons. Otherwise, you'll get a built-in FM radio, a mic for voice recording, a promised 20 hours of battery life, and your choice of four different colors: black, white, red or yellow. Those that can do without Bluetooth can also opt for the slightly cheaper, and otherwise identical M100 model -- look for both to be available in June, with prices running from $40 to $90. Full press release is after the break.

Continue reading Creative debuts compact, Bluetooth-enabled Zen Style M300 PMP

Creative debuts compact, Bluetooth-enabled Zen Style M300 PMP originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 May 2011 14:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dell's stylish new XPS 15z laptop surfaces

Dell's stylish new XPS 15z laptop surfaces: "

We just heard talk of a new 15.6-inch Dell laptop yesterday that was said to be thin and streamlined, and Mobile Review has now scored some pictures of what may be that very same laptop. While there's unfortunately not much in the way of details, the laptop is apparently dubbed the XPS 15z, and it's said to pack support for Sandy Bridge Core i5 and Core i7 processors. As previously hinted at, this particular laptop is also said to be just part of a series, with both 14-inch and 17-inch models also on the way. Hit up the link below for few additional shots.

Dell's stylish new XPS 15z laptop surfaces originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 May 2011 15:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dell's stylish new XPS 15z laptop surfaces

Dell's stylish new XPS 15z laptop surfaces: "

We just heard talk of a new 15.6-inch Dell laptop yesterday that was said to be thin and streamlined, and Mobile Review has now scored some pictures of what may be that very same laptop. While there's unfortunately not much in the way of details, the laptop is apparently dubbed the XPS 15z, and it's said to pack support for Sandy Bridge Core i5 and Core i7 processors. As previously hinted at, this particular laptop is also said to be just part of a series, with both 14-inch and 17-inch models also on the way. Hit up the link below for few additional shots.

Dell's stylish new XPS 15z laptop surfaces originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 May 2011 15:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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