Sunday, April 29, 2012

Switched On: Big kicks, not all for starters

Each week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about consumer technology.

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The end of last week's Switched On left doubt for the future of dedicated devices that tread on the turf of smartphones. After all, funding is key to every major new product initiative and, despite the vast fortunes of many Silicon Valley engineers that have been accumulated via IPOs and acquisitions, few wish to take on the risk of fronting a new consumer device themselves.(In 2007, the handheld FlipStart PC was hatched from FlipStart Labs, funded by Vulcan Ventures, the investment arm of Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen.)

Most venture capitalists abhor the device business; it is a rare device that makes it to the spotlight of startup debutante balls such as DEMO, TechCrunch Disrupt, or Launch. Even most of the 94 companies at CES' Eureka Park were not developing end-user devices Where, then, can a device entrepreneur go for funding and pick up some publicity in the process?

Continue reading Switched On: Big kicks, not all for starters

Switched On: Big kicks, not all for starters originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 29 Apr 2012 17:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GOP follows Romney's lead in parrying Democrats (The Arizona Republic)

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President Obama pokes fun at himself, his GOP opponents and the Secret Service (Washington Bureau)

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Sony outs new waterproof HDR-GW77V Handycam, available May 25th in Japan

Sony outs new waterproof HDR-GW77V Handycam, available May 25th in Japan (video)

Despite having launched a full battalion of Handycams back at CES, Sony left the adventurous crowd out by not introducing any ruggedized shooters. With that in mind, the Japanese outfit has taken the wraps off of its first waterproof (and dustproof) Handycam, which packs a mouthwatering 20.4-megapixel Exmor R CMOS sensor capable of 1080p video at 60fps. Staying true to its Handycam roots, the HDR-GW77V sports a 3-inch swivel screen while also offering 16GB of internal storage and a 10x optical zoom. Sony claims the camcorder can handle up to 16 feet of water as well as sustain a five-foot freefall. The HDR-GW77V will be hitting Japanese shelves late next month for 70,000 yen (around $860), and there's no word on when -- or if -- it'll make a trip outside its home turf.

Continue reading Sony outs new waterproof HDR-GW77V Handycam, available May 25th in Japan

Sony outs new waterproof HDR-GW77V Handycam, available May 25th in Japan originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 Apr 2012 09:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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They Ain?t Making Any More of Them: The Great Engineering Shortage of 2012

3483548677_3dc371b216_zCorner any up-and-coming Kevin Systrom wanna-be and have a heart-to-heart about the challenges of building a successful company and at some point you'll likely wander into the territory of bemoaning how tough it is to hire people with technical skills. At a party recently a startup founder told me "If you could find me five great engineers in the next 90 days I'd pay you $400,000." Which is crazy talk.

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Saturday, April 28, 2012

Surge in child immigrants stresses support network (Providence Journal)

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Samsung patent application explores the possibility of phasing out human crossing guards

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We have definitely seen our share of robots and crossing guards, but we almost never really see a combination of the two. An application filed by Samsung today at the US Patent & Trademark office seems to suggest that at least some people have been thinking long and hard about bots helping humans conquer the mean streets of our cities using a multitude of on-board tech -- from infrared and proximity sensors -- to devices enabling wireless communication between traffic lights and other robots. According to the application, the machines could inherit the traditional reflective properties often associated with crossing guard attire -- you know, the perfect guise for keeping their true intentions concealed.

Samsung patent application explores the possibility of phasing out human crossing guards originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 Apr 2012 23:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Antonio Banderas Might Join 'Machete Kills' Cast

We didn't think it was possible, but "Machete Kills" might actually end up having an even more insane cast than "Machete" did. In addition to Danny Trejo reprising his role as the titular character, we've already learned that Mel Gibson has a part in the movie. And that's not the only person likely-director Robert Rodriguez [...]

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Jon Stewart Is As Excited About Mining Asteroids As We Are [Video]

It's hard to suppress your little-kid joy when a news story drops like the prospect of asteroid mining. Clearly Jon Stewart agrees; on last night's Daily Show, he sparkled with awe while covering the story at length. Highlights include an apt Armageddon reference, and a short but oh-so-sweet cameo by one Neil DeGrasse Tyson. [The Daily Show] More »


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