Prototype of robot that develops emotions on interacting with humans officially complete
Posted by Jeff | Filed under General Babble
The first prototype of a Nao robot that can develop emotions as it interacts with a human caregiver has been completed. A team across Europe was led by Dr. Lola Cañamero of the University of Herefordshire in the UK to develop the bot, which differs in several significant ways from those that came before it. These robots develop over time in much the way that a child does, learning to interact with and respond to the human beings around them. Modeled after human and chimpanzee childhood development paths, they are programmed to be highly adaptable to the people around them, and to become attached to whatever person is most suited to its needs and ‘personality’ profile. Over time, the more they interact, the more they learn and bond to the human being. These little ones, moreover, are capable of expressing a wide range of emotions, including anger, frustration, fear and happiness. The next steps are to research the bots’ emotional and non-linguistic behavior, and to move toward combining linguistic and non-linguistic communication to become further attached and adapted to them. Yes, we want one.
Prototype of robot that develops emotions on interacting with humans officially complete originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 14 Aug 2010 12:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Original source : http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/14/prototype-of-ro…
Apple supply manager arrested for wire fraud, money laundering
Posted by Jeff | Filed under General Babble
Ever wonder why — after years of secrecy — camera-ready iPod cases began rolling out? The answer could possibly be Apple supply manager Paul Shin Devine, who was just fingered by the FBI and IRS as a fraudulent, money laundering mole. Devine was arrested Friday for allegedly receiving kickbacks from six accessory suppliers in exchange for confidential information, which apparently gave them an edge in negotiating Apple contracts. “The alleged scheme used an elaborate chain of U.S. and foreign bank accounts and one front company to receive payments,” reports the San Jose Mercury News, “and code words like ‘sample’ were used to refer to the payments so that Apple co-workers wouldn’t become suspicious.” Though we’re not yet sure what specific confidential information might have been passed along and we doubt the indictment will say, a separate civil suit filed by Apple claims Devine accepted over $1 million in “payments, kickbacks and bribes” over the course of several years.
Apple supply manager arrested for wire fraud, money laundering originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 14 Aug 2010 11:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Original source : http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/14/apple-supply-ma…
Verizon’s Fivespot gets FCC approval by way of ZTE
Posted by Jeff | Filed under General Babble
This actually happened a few days ago, but since we admittedly weren’t on the lookout for hot filings from Chinese manufacturer ZTE, we totally missed it until we circled back for our FCC Fridays roundup this week. That’s right: what you’re looking at above is a non-carrier-branded version of the Fivespot global mobile hotspot for Verizon that we’d broke the news on last month — and if you sift through the user’s manual in the FCC filing, you’ll see that this is indeed the same thing as the Verizon device. As a refresher, this puppy is supposed to replace the aging MiFi and offer support for triband HSPA alongside EV-DO in the event you’re dying for some 3G coverage outside the States. We’ve heard rumors that it’s been canceled recently to make room for Big Red’s LTE plans, but we’re not sure we buy it since widespread LTE coverage is still a long way out — especially in a tiny, sexy, global mobile hotspot form factor like this. And hey, with FCC approval behind ‘em, why not go ahead and release it?
Verizon’s Fivespot gets FCC approval by way of ZTE originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 14 Aug 2010 09:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Original source : http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/14/verizons-fivesp…
Digital Reflex Camera concept puts the viewfinder on top, everything else in a tube
Posted by Jeff | Filed under General Babble
Can’t say we’ve ever seen anything like this before… well, aside from those cameras of old that forced you to look down into the viewfinder while cradling the camera against your gut. In fact, that’s exactly the experience that Yaniv Berg is attempting to recreate here, with his Digital Reflex Camera concept shaped more like a periscope and less like a camera. In theory, at least, all of the hardware would be encased in a tube, and if you flip the camera, the LCD turns into a display, creating an undercover spy device of epic proportions. Naturally, there’s probably no hope that this will ever hit retail, but feel free to check back a few score from now to see just how close this was to predicting the future.
Digital Reflex Camera concept puts the viewfinder on top, everything else in a tube originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 14 Aug 2010 07:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Original source : http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/14/digital-reflex-…
How would you change Apple’s HDMI-equipped Mac mini?
Posted by Jeff | Filed under General Babble
Apple’s newest Mac mini is a distinct and welcome departure from the comparatively bulky white Mac mini of yesteryear, and while we appreciate the unibody construction, inbuilt SD card reader and HDMI port, asking $700 and up for a headless PC without tons of oomph is still asking a lot. We’re curious to know if your new Mac mini has been treating you well (as an HTPC or otherwise), and moreover, we want to know how you’d change things even further if given the key to Cupertino’s design labs. Would you have added a Blu-ray option? Maybe an OTA TV tuner? Thrown any other ports on the rear? Beefed up the GPU a little? Trimmed things down for a cheaper entry-level model? Go on and vent in comments below — hugs are free and limitless.
How would you change Apple’s HDMI-equipped Mac mini? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 13 Aug 2010 23:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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San Francisco in Verizon’s initial 30-market LTE rollout?
Posted by Jeff | Filed under General Babble
We’ve already heard how Verizon expects to hit the ground running on LTE, starting this November with a launch in 30 markets — New York, LA, Philadelphia, and so forth. Now it looks like you can add San Francisco to that aggressive list, if Boy Genius Report’s leak proves true. Will it beat WiMAX to the region? Your move, Sprint.
San Francisco in Verizon’s initial 30-market LTE rollout? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 13 Aug 2010 21:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Original source : http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/13/san-francisco-i…
Samsung commits to September updates for Galaxy S GPS woes
Posted by Jeff | Filed under General Babble
AGPS capability on various versions of the Galaxy S — including the Captivate and Vibrant released here in the US — has been deeply hosed since launch, the apparent result of a bunk positioning server being used to associate towers to geographical locations. In practical terms, that’s made apps like Google Maps nearly useless indoors and in urban canyons where line of sight to the birds up in orbit is dicey or impossible, and for European users where the phone’s been out even longer, the wait’s been an especially excruciating one. Fortunately, Samsung’s finally come out with some concrete details on Twitter today, saying that updates are expected next month with “details and download to follow.” No word for Euros specifically, but we imagine (er, make that “hope”) they’ll all be fixed around the same time.
Samsung commits to September updates for Galaxy S GPS woes originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 13 Aug 2010 20:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Original source : http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/13/samsung-commits…
Verizon confirms original Droid will be getting second Froyo update
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Verizon confirms original Droid will be getting second Froyo update originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 13 Aug 2010 19:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Original source : http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/13/verizon-confirm…
Yurina health care robot promises to help lift, terrify patients
Posted by Jeff | Filed under General Babble
We already got a look at a robot wheelchair that was on display at the recent Next-Generation Robot Manufacturing Exhibition in Japan, but it wasn’t the only robotic health care device on display at the show — this so-called Yurina robot from Japan Logic Machine was also busy impressing attendees with its patient-lifting abilities. This one offers more than just brute strength, however, as it can also convert itself to a wheelchair that’s nimble enough to navigate narrow hallways and be controlled using either by voice directions, a touchscreen, or a Wii nunchuck-type controller. Head on past the break to check it out in action — and make sure your speakers are turned up.
Continue reading Yurina health care robot promises to help lift, terrify patients
Yurina health care robot promises to help lift, terrify patients originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 13 Aug 2010 18:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Original source : http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/13/yurina-health-c…
