Carnegie Mellon researchers develop robot that takes inventory, helps you find aisle four

Fed up with wandering through supermarket aisles in an effort to cross that last item off your shopping list. Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University's Intel Science and Technology Center in Embedded Computing have developed a robot that could ease your pain and help store owners keep items in stock. Dubbed AndyVision, the bot is equipped with a Kinect sensor, image processing and machine learning algorithms, 2D and 3D images of products and a floor plan of the shop in question. As the mechanized worker roams around, it determines if items are low or out of stock and if they've been incorrectly shelved.

Engadget , Carnegie Mellon researchers develop robot that takes inventory, helps you find aisle four, Carnegie Mellon researchers develop robot that takes inventory, helps you find aisle four

From Prague to Mongolia in an abused Renault Kangoo

If you haven't heard of the Mongol Rally, we suggest you acquaint yourself. The charity event starts in Europe and ends in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Unlike most rallies, there is no defined route or support staff. Participants must simply survive long enough to make it to the finish line in one piece.

Autoblog , From Prague to Mongolia in an abused Renault Kangoo, From Prague to Mongolia in an abused Renault Kangoo

Houston woman warns motorists of speed trap with sign, gets thrown in jail

This story is irritating on so many levels. It involves a dreaded police speed trap, a good samaritan warning motorists of the potential fine and a 12-hour stint in a Texas jail cell. Houston-area resident Natalie Plummer, who was riding her bike on the way home from the grocery store, noticed that cops were pulling over speeders with what looked like a speed trap, so she decided to turn her bag into a make-shift warning sign. That sort of action seems to be covered by the Constitution, but Plummer was still arrested for allegedly standing in the street when there was a sidewalk present.

Autoblog , Houston woman warns motorists of speed trap with sign, gets thrown in jail, Houston woman warns motorists of speed trap with sign, gets thrown in jail

Jelly Bean port passes the butter to the Galaxy S III, ROM-flashing required

It took only one day for devs to unleash Jelly Bean 4.1 from its server confines and out into the eager underbelly of Android's community. And those enterprising hackers haven't wasted any time getting that buttered up OS running on Galaxy Nexus handsets (yes, even for Verizon subs). Now, good news is also on the way for any consumers who forsook the pure Google path in favor of Samsung's TouchWizzed way. That's right, a (mostly) working port has been made available to Galaxy S III (I9300) users that should see some of that point upgrade's features successfully implemented.

Engadget , Jelly Bean port passes the butter to the Galaxy S III, ROM-flashing required, Jelly Bean port passes the butter to the Galaxy S III, ROM-flashing required

Chrysler adding jobs at Toledo Jeep plant to boost Wrangler production

New car sales have been on the upswing, and few vehicles have experienced more success than the Jeep Wrangler. The iconic off-roader set an all-time May sales record with 14,454 units sold, and its total sales are up 34 percent on the year. That's good news for Chrysler, and it could lead to more high-wage manufacturing jobs in northern Ohio. Automotive News reports that Team Pentastar plans to add an unspecified number of jobs to its Toledo Jeep plant in the fourth quarter of 2012. The move should help Chrysler satiate demand for the perpetually hot Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited, and it could help international sales, as well.

Autoblog , Chrysler adding jobs at Toledo Jeep plant to boost Wrangler production, Chrysler adding jobs at Toledo Jeep plant to boost Wrangler production

2013 Honda Fit EV (video)

Reminding Us That EVs Are Becoming Less Of A Compromise. The 2013 Honda Fit EV, the Japanese automaker's highly anticipated answer to the Nissan Leaf, is quick, agile and actually quite fun to drive. Its cabin is roomy, outward visibility good and its styling is anything but odd. The platform is impressively safe, it has decent range and Honda says it is the most efficient vehicle the EPA has ever tested.

So, what's the problem? Let's call it a lack of volume.

Honda is only releasing 1,100 of these little blue hatchbacks over the next two model years in the States, and all of them will be delivered on contracted three-year leases.










Autoblog , 2013 Honda Fit EV (video), 2013 Honda Fit EV (video)

Apple's iPhone

. Friday marks five years since the world first got its hands on a smartphone that would turn the industry on its head. In five short years, Apple went from the ground floor to being the most profitable company in the smartphone business by a staggering margin. Apple and Samsung - two companies that weren't even on the smartphone industry's map a few years ago - are now the only two major global vendors making money, and the split was estimated at 80x20 in Apple's favor last quarter.



Boy Genius Report , Apple's iPhone, Apple's iPhone

Google+ on Android, iPad goes tablet-sized

Google+ just got a makeover very recently, but it was still very much oriented towards phones — that's been solved as of today. The social networking app is now optimized for Android tablets and the iPad, with a whole new navigation system and Hangout video chats suited to bigger screens. The layout is landscape-friendly and, if you have a new iPad, will take advantage of every pixel on that Retina display.

2DayBlog.com , Google+ on Android, iPad goes tablet-sized, Google+ on Android, iPad goes tablet-sized

Google director entertains the idea of working with RIM, touts the company's physical keyboards

While it is true that most Android devices today no longer have physical keyboards, Google's Director of Android User Experience, Matias Duarte, is hoping that the good old physical keyboard will continue to thrive. In an interview with ABC News, Duarte said that he still hopes that there will be Android phones with hardware keyboards. “I am still a huge fan of hardware keyboards. Many of the products I have worked on in the past  have had them. I think there is a place for them – it's all about choice and different types of devices.

Ubergizmo , Google director entertains the idea of working with RIM, touts the company's physical keyboards, Google director entertains the idea of working with RIM, touts the company's physical keyboards

Ideum unveils speedy Platform and Pro multi-touch tables, says PixelSense ain't got nothin' (video)

Who knew giant multi-touch tables would trigger the next big speed race. Ideum clearly thinks that the PixelSense-based Samsung SUR40 is lagging with that AMD Athlon II X2, because it just rolled out a pair of speed demon 55-inch, 40-point touch surfaces (but not Surfaces) in the Platform and Pro. The Platform has a respectable dual 2.2GHz Core i7 and 8GB of RAM, but it also carries a pair of 256GB solid-state drives in case that museum exhibit app won't load quickly enough. Hopping to the Pro switches to two not quite as speedy 500GB hard drives in standard trim.

Engadget , Ideum unveils speedy Platform and Pro multi-touch tables, says PixelSense ain't got nothin' (video), Ideum unveils speedy Platform and Pro multi-touch tables, says PixelSense ain't got nothin' (video)

Google TV gets more (paid) content

Just when we wondered what was going on with the lack of Google TV news, an official blog post comes with some bits of progress. The most important part is that Google TV is going to get more content. This was an issue with the original version and it looks like the number of paid movies, shows etc is going to rise, which is a good thing. I'd rather pay for content, than not having content at all.
Secondly, the Google TV  team has announced that Sony, Vizio and LG will launch products that feature Google TV in “nine countries”. Additionally, the team said that more manufacturers were coming on board.

Ubergizmo , Google TV gets more (paid) content, Google TV gets more (paid) content

JVC GC-XA1 ADIXXION Camcorder

JVC has proudly introduced its latest rugged HD camcorder in the form of the GC-XA1 ADIXXION. Weighing at just 0.28lbs, the camcorder is waterproof (5 meter underwater for 30 minutes), shockproof (6.5 feet) and freeze-proof. The JVC GC-XA1 ADIXXION camcorder supports Full HD 1920×1080x30p and 1280×720x60p recording capabilities. Additional specs include a 1.5-inch LCD display, an HDMI port, an integrated Wi-Fi connectivity and an image stabilizer. The JVC GC-XA1 ADIXXION camcorder retails for $349.95.

TechFresh , JVC GC-XA1 ADIXXION Camcorder, JVC GC-XA1 ADIXXION Camcorder

Land Rover-based Bowler EXR-S looks, sounds insane

Bowler has built a name for itself by constructing some very impressive rally bruisers built on Land Rover platforms. Now the company wants to take to the street with the new EXR-S. The road-legal version is currently undergoing testing, and Chris Harris managed to get his hands on the 550-horsepower creation for a little preview.



Autoblog , Land Rover-based Bowler EXR-S looks, sounds insane, Land Rover-based Bowler EXR-S looks, sounds insane

This is what happens when you play with cigarette lighters while pumping gas

It's easy to forget just how dangerous fueling your vehicle can be. Drivers visit gas stations hundreds of times a year, and topping off the tank is as second nature as tying your shoelaces. However, that doesn't mean gasoline has suddenly turned less flammable. Just ask one absent-minded guy in Australia. While waiting for the pump to shut off, the gentleman checked to see if his cigarette lighter was in working order.

Autoblog , This is what happens when you play with cigarette lighters while pumping gas, This is what happens when you play with cigarette lighters while pumping gas

Lenovo LePhone K860 surfaces with quad-core Exynos processor, 5-inch screen, and Android 4.0

This one isn't fully official just yet, but Blog of Mobile has turned up some pictures and specs for a new Lenovo LePhone K860 that would appear to one-up the company's existing offerings. Perhaps most notably, this one is said to pack a quad-core, 1.4GHz Exynos 4412 processor (the same found in some variants of the Galaxy S III), along with a 5-inch screen boasting a 1280 x 720 resolution. Otherwise, you'll apparently get a 2 megapixel camera up front and 8 megapixels 'round back, 1GB of RAM, and Android 4.0 for an OS (no mention of a 4.1 upgade). No indication of a price, but it looks like it will be hitting China in August.

Engadget , Lenovo LePhone K860 surfaces with quad-core Exynos processor, 5-inch screen, and Android 4.0, Lenovo LePhone K860 surfaces with quad-core Exynos processor, 5-inch screen, and Android 4.0

Schlage Keyed Entry Lock With Built-in Alarm Review

We all probably have lock-sets on our entry doors, and I'll surmise that most of those aren't alarmed.  As a matter of fact, I've never thought it was necessary to have an alarmed door knob/lever.  However, Schlage is trying to change my opinion with their FE51 series of Keyed Entry with Alarm lock-sets.  Will my opinion change, and more importantly, do you agree.









The Gadgeteer , Schlage Keyed Entry Lock With Built-in Alarm Review, Schlage Keyed Entry Lock With Built-in Alarm Review

EXCLUSIVE: Galaxy Note 2 5.5' screen, narrower body confirmed

We already knew that a successor to the wildly successful Galaxy Note is already in the works and that it might feature a 5.5" AMOLED. Now, an insider source, whom we have good reasons to trust has send us a tip, saying the screen size is now confirmed. The Galaxy Note 2 will indeed sport a 5.5-inch Super AMOLED and a design inspired by the Galaxy S III flagship smartphone.

GSM Arena , EXCLUSIVE: Galaxy Note 2 5.5' screen, narrower body confirmed, EXCLUSIVE: Galaxy Note 2 5.5' screen, narrower body confirmed

MediaTek MT6577 helps push dual-core Android 4.0 smartphones under $200 contract-free

It isn't hard to get an Android 4.0 phone under $200 if you're willing to sign your life away with a contract. Getting one that's worthwhile at that same figure contract-free, however, requires some jumping through hoops. MediaTek must be an acrobat, as it just released the MT6577, a chip design for the most entry level of smartphones. The part's frugal focus doesn't keep it from stuffing in a dual-core, 1GHz ARM Cortex-A9 processor, a PowerVR SGX series 5 for graphics and an HSPA modem for 3G.

2DayBlog.com , MediaTek MT6577 helps push dual-core Android 4.0 smartphones under $200 contract-free, MediaTek MT6577 helps push dual-core Android 4.0 smartphones under $200 contract-free

Apple will reportedly overhaul iTunes, says report

According to Bloomberg, Apple is reportedly planning to overhaul iTunes, citing an overhauling that would mark as one of the biggest ever to the store since it's debut in 2003. Sources with direct knowledge of Apple's plans allegedly told the publication that the changes will be announced before this year ends. Sources added that Apple will integrate its iCloud service with iTunes so that users can seamlessly access and manage their music, videos, and apps across different iOS devices. Apple could also launch new features on iTunes for music sharing. Apple's iTune Store has over 28 million songs and approximately 45,000 movies.

Ubergizmo , Apple will reportedly overhaul iTunes, says report

See also:
cherryapple, Apple will reportedly overhaul iTunes, says report

Photos of Google's Vic Gundotra wearing the latest, blue-hued Glass prototype

Sergey Brin briefly pulled out a light blue prototype of Google Glass whilst on stage at Google I/O, and as it turns out, those are evidently the latest and greatest models that the company is willing to wear around. We ran into social exec Vic Gundotra after this morning's keynote, only to find him donning precisely the same set that was teased on stage. We asked if the blue was just part of Google's experimentation with coloring Glass, and he chuckled while confessing that he wasn't authorized to speak further about the project or its ambitions. Still, the man looks good in blue.









Engadget , Photos of Google's Vic Gundotra wearing the latest, blue-hued Glass prototype, Photos of Google's Vic Gundotra wearing the latest, blue-hued Glass prototype

Hyundai pondering new large crossover?

According to a report in Ward's Auto, the pale fortunes of the soon-to-depart Hyundai Veracruz aren't stopping Hyundai from considering another dedicated seven-seat crossover. Although the new Santa Fe will usher in a long-wheelbased sibling that can seat seven, Hyundai Motor America CEO John Krafcik advises Ward's to "stay tuned for future details on a potential premium crossover" that could be a dedicated – read: Veracruz replacing – CUV for seven. The question is, what does "premium" mean. The word was applied to the Veracruz but customers didn't exactly buy it, cross-shopping the Veracruz with mass-market competitors.

Autoblog , Hyundai pondering new large crossover?, Hyundai pondering new large crossover?

CAFE standards upheld by U.S. appeals court

No dice, partner. Federal Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards for 2012-16 were upheld this week by a U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C., quashing efforts by certain industries and a number of states to overturn the mandate, The Detroit News reports.
The standards, which have been backed by the Obama Administration, require fleetwide fuel economy to reach 34.1 miles per gallon by 2016.

Autoblog , CAFE standards upheld by U.S. appeals court, CAFE standards upheld by U.S. appeals court

Google+ makes its way onto tablets

If you're an active Google+ user and you were wishing that Google would create a Google+ app designed for tablets in mind, you're in luck as Google has announced at Google I/O that Google+ for tablets has been revealed. Claiming to be the best version of Google+ they have ever designed, the app for tablets features more prominent text and pictures, which are apparently “playful” to look at, whatever that means, but we have to admit that it looks pretty good.

Ubergizmo , Google+ makes its way onto tablets, Google+ makes its way onto tablets

One-third of cord cutters say they'll never go back to cable

. It seems that a good number of people who have unsubscribed from cable or satellite television services never want to go back. According to a new survey released Tuesday by deal-aggregation website TechBargains.com, 33% of cable and satellite subscribers who have cut the cord say they will never go back even if service providers “drastically” reduce their prices. The survey also found that 83% of people who have ditched cable or satellite have done so due to high cost, while 17% of people who ditched their service did so because they were unhappy with the service or content provided.

Boy Genius Report , One-third of cord cutters say they'll never go back to cable, One-third of cord cutters say they'll never go back to cable

Researchers partially automate CPU core design, aim to fast track new PC processor production

Tired of the year wait (or more) in between new silicon architecture offerings from Chipzilla and AMD. Well, if some Wolfpack researchers have anything to say about it, we'll measure that wait in months thanks to a new CPU core design tool that automates part of the process. Creating a new CPU core is, on a high level, a two step procedure. First, the architectural specification is created, which sets the core's dimensions and arranges its components. That requires some heavy intellectual lifting, and involves teams of engineers to complete.

Engadget , Researchers partially automate CPU core design, aim to fast track new PC processor production, Researchers partially automate CPU core design, aim to fast track new PC processor production