If you fear landing in an emergency situation requiring you to loosen nuts and bolts on the go, consider the Wrex Titanium Pocket Wrench. More »

Being a geek in a world of "non-tech savvy" people can get annoying, but it has its advantages on April Fools' Day. Here are some of our favorite geeky pranks you can play on your unsuspecting coworkers and friends tomorrow. More »

After ousting Opera’s popular Opera Mini Web browser from its app store earlier this month, GetJar announced the browser’s return on Thursday. The app was originally tossed out of GetJar’s app store in early March when Opera announced plans to offer an app store of its own. GetJar wasn’t very happy with Opera’s entrance into the space so it banned the app from its catalog, theoretically preventing its users from accessing Opera’s competitive offering. “I’m glad that Opera Mini is back in the GetJar store,â€� said Mahi de Silva, EVP of Consumer Mobile at Opera Software, in a statement. “We believe Opera should be everywhere and we love the fact that our fans will now be able to download Opera Mini again from GetJar.â€� GetJar offered no explanation as to why it allowed this new version of Oper’a mobile browser, Opera Mini 6, back into its app store.

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Apple may soon include 3D tech in its devices, according to a recent patent filing. Apple has reportedly filed for a patent with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office this week titled “Systems and Methods for an Imaging System Using Multiple Image Sensors.” The document details Apple’s plans to use two-cameras to capture and record 3D images and video. This is a feature we’ve seen on other devices, such as the HTC EVO 3D on Sprint, which sports two 5 megapixel cameras that are capable of recording 1080p HD video or 720p 3D video — no special glasses required. Apple plans to build on the techniques already in use, which involves software that has to “guess” the stereo disparity compensation required for 3D images and videos. The Cupertino based company plans to use a hardware approach with separate sensors that would produce a more accurate 3D image, AppleInsider said. We heard rumors earlier this year that Apple had plans for a 3D iPod touch, and this patent filing certainly solidifies Apple’s interest in 3D.

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From a gadgeteer's point of view, one of the best things about the Olympics is its tendency to bring in new technologies to the hosting city. Take the 2012 games, for example: not only are the London Underground stations getting WiFi hotspots, but news has it that Samsung and Visa are holding hands to deliver NFC mobile payment solutions to the city. In fact, more than 60,000 locations in London are already geared up with contactless payment systems, and right now Visa is negotiating with banks to get its contactless cards and mobile phones approved. For the latter, one such device will be Samsung's Olympic and Paralympic Games mobile handset that comes with a Visa-enabled SIM card, and it'll be made available to sponsored athletes as well as various retailers. Furthermore, this alliance will continue after the Olympics, and Visa is rolling out its mobile payment system in many other countries as we speak, so it shouldn't be long before we hear more Visa handset announcements.

Continue reading Samsung and Visa join forces to enable NFC mobile payment at 2012 Olympics

Samsung and Visa join forces to enable NFC mobile payment at 2012 Olympics originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Apr 2011 00:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft's own OneVision Video Recognizer may be novel, but if the folks in Redmond are seriously looking to take things next-level, they should probably cast their gaze across the pond. Zdenek Kalal, a researcher at the University of Surrey, has just created what may be the most sophisticated vision system known to the civilian world. In essence, it takes the mundane task of tracking objects to an entirely new platform, enabling users to select an object on the fly and have the algorithm immediately start tracking something new. Within seconds, it's able to maintain a lock even if your object twists, turns, or leaves / returns. Furthermore, these "objects" could be used as air mice if you force it to track your digits, and if you teach it what your staff looks like, you'll have a fully automated security scanner that can recognize faces and grant / deny access based on its database of white-listed individuals. Frankly, we'd rather you see it for yourself than listen to us extolling its virtues -- vid's after the break, per usual.

Continue reading Zdenek Kalal's object tracking algorithm learns on the fly, likely to make next 007 flick (video)

Zdenek Kalal's object tracking algorithm learns on the fly, likely to make next 007 flick (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 31 Mar 2011 23:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Anyone of a currently-living generation is used to images of killing and destruction by now—perhaps even desensitized entirely. War correspondent Danfung Dennis wants to change this with a little technology and a lot of visceral emotion. More »

The Japanese company Logitec, not the same company as Logitech mind you, is releasing this crazy router called LAN-WH450N/GR that has an antenna that looks like wind turbine blades. What the hell? The three antenna design supposedly lets the 802.11n router hit network speeds of 450Mbps. More »

Microsoft first took the wraps off its Windows Phone 7 platform at its MIX10 conference in March 2010. At that time, Microsoft began a long and important process of courting developers, distributing developer tools and giving interested parties an ecosystem that would allow them to thrive. Now, one year later, Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7 Director Brandon Watson shares some numbers regarding developer involvement with the Windows Phone platform. So far, Microsoft’s Windows Phone developer tools have been downloaded 1.5 million times by 36,000 registered developers. About 1,200 new developers register for the Windows Phone developer program each week. The Windows Marketplace is now home to 11,500 apps, 7,500 of which are paid, and Windows Phone users download an average of 12 apps each month. Developer adoption of the Windows Phone platform will likely continue to accelerate as developers prepare for the sales surge expected when Nokia finally begins bringing Windows Phones to market.

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Oh QuickBar, we hardly knew ye. Just one month after its debut, Twitter has remove the controversial feature from its iOS client. “Rather than continue to make changes to the QuickBar as it exists, we removed the bar from the update appearing in the App Store today,” reads a post on the company’s official blog. “For now, we’re going back to the drawing board to explore the best possible experience for in-app notification and discovery.” If you’re just itching to get rid of the that pesky bar, the update is waiting for you in the App Store.

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Recently drop $500 on an Apogee Duet audio interface for your Mac after pondering one for all these years? Then we're afraid we've got a bit of bad news for you, as the company has now finally rolled out a successor to the highly-desirable device. Apparently redesigned from the ground up, the new Duet 2 expectedly ditches FireWire in favor of USB, and packs some "completely redesigned" mic preamps and converters, along with two inputs and four outputs, a pair of configurable touch pads, and even an all new OLED display that replaces the basic LED meters on the original. Of course, the one thing that stays the same is the professional-level price -- look for this one to set you back $595 when it's available next month.

[Thanks, Maxwell]

Apogee rolls out Duet 2 pro audio interface for Macs originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 31 Mar 2011 19:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Our interest in the BlackBerry Touch (codename Monaco) was piqued when we first caught wind of the device, and we had a feeling it'd be making its way into the wild ever since one showed up in Verizon red around mid-Feburary. Now, BGR has managed to procure an unreleased prototype, and we've gotta say that we like what we're seeing. According to the pub, it should get official at BlackBerry World in May, and it'll run OS 6.1 underneath that 800 x 480-pixel screen. The new BB6 is said to use a BlackBerry ID in place of a PIN for certain key functions -- a necessary move for non-BB platforms rumored to be getting BBM (a historically PIN-based service). BGR also claims it won't be getting the Storm nomenclature, so we apologize in advance to the SurePress fanboys. Either way, we've got an inkling that we'll be hearing more as we get closer to May, but unfortunately our dreams of a super AMOLED-equipped Torch running stock Android with a BBM app will just remain figments of our imagination.

BlackBerry Touch / Monaco gets manhandled, said to get official in May originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 31 Mar 2011 18:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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After much public outrage regarding the addition of the QuickBar (aka Dickbar) to the iPhone Twitter App, Twitter says they're removing it for the time being. However, they cite metrics indicating high usage of the bar and claim they're working on a better solution. [Twitter] More »

eBay's dropped sales data on the iPad 2, and the shift from the tablet's predecessor is dramatic: 65% of the devices are being sold to other Americans, as opposed to 35% for the original iPad. More »

Part of RIM’s upcoming 2011 BlackBerry lineup we leaked in January contained the company’s latest evolution of a full touchscreen device, the BlackBerry Monaco / Monza. Both names are codenames that signify different carriers the phone will land on, we’re told — the Verizon Wireless will get Monaco while BlackBerry Monza is the GSM worldwide handset. In any case, the BlackBerry Storm is a thing of the past and RIM finally realizes that its SureType innovation wasn’t innovative at all. In fact, it was probably one of the biggest complaints users had with the BlackBerry Storm.

The new device, most likely not a member of the Storm family — it may launch as the BlackBerry Touch, though that’s not confirmed — is a thinner, faster and sexier BlackBerry handset. It will run BlackBerry OS 6.1 and as part of the new OS, users will need a BlackBerry ID to login to the system. This is something we’ve been throwing around in our heads for a while — the concept is that you have a BlackBerry ID as opposed to a PIN, which might help facilitate a cloud-type service for backing up data and restoring it, sharing contact information, switching devices, and so on — all tied to your BlackBerry ID. In any case, OS 6.1 looks to be pretty similar to OS 6.0, but we’ll have to see if RIM has any surprises left for us in the three to four months before the BlackBerry Bold Touch is released.

Finally, we’re also hearing that RIM will make all of the devices we exclusively leaked official at BlackBerry World in May — the BlackBerry Bold Touch, BlackBerry Curve Touch, BlackBerry Torch 2 and BlackBerry Touch (BlackBerry Monaco / Monza). Looks like it’s shaping up to be quite a show! Make sure to check out all the photos in our gallery!

Planning on picking up an Android tablet in the next month or two? If you are, we definitely have a video that you’re going to want to watch. Because whether those plans include HTC’s Flyer tablet or not, the 7-inch device makes an extremely strong case for itself in this official video. The six minute spot posted by HTC focuses on some key differentiators of the Flyer; the Scribe pen and Sense user experience. The clip shows, in great detail, just what you can do with this 21st century stylus and how the Sense experience can help aid everyday tasks. The video is waiting for you after the break. Have a look and let us know what you think.

Don't get us wrong, we think electric vehicles are totally rad and all, but there's still the whole recharging thing that makes us a little wary. That's why we're stoked to hear that Better Place's first battery swap station for EVs (and not just special Japanese cabbies) has officially opened its doors in Israel... for owners of the Renault Fluence Z.E. All it takes is an RFID card to enter the carwash-esque structure, and robots from below swap out your empty battery for a fully charged alternative while you occupy yourself for three minutes. No word on how much it'll cost for the opportunity, but we've got an inkling it won't be cheap. Fortunately, we've got apps and "get you home" guarantees for that additional peace of mind, but we do hope the concept eventually makes its way over to our shores. Of course, we're also still waiting for eternal battery life in all of our electronics, but until that day comes invisible robots changing batteries for us will suffice.

Israel gets its first EV battery swap station, makes charging stations obsolete originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 31 Mar 2011 13:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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