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Better Place takes its electric vehicle network in Israel for a silent spin
May 21st
Better World has been striving for, erm, a nicer planet with its battery-swapping approach to electric vehicles since as far back as 2008. There’s been a modicum of success, with outlets and swapping stations peppered as far and wide as Denmark, California, Australia and Japan. Now, the Associated Press reports that world’s first nationwide electric car network — this time in Israel — has been given its first test. This only equates to four battery stations at the moment, with a further 40 to follow in the second half of the year. However, the firm maintains, that even with the current infrastructure, users could comfortably drive the entire length of the nation. Renault will sell a version of its Fluence EV customized to work with the battery stations for ,000, with different mileage options on offer. Is this the future of electric motoring? We’re don’t know, but anything that’s this much quicker than overnight charging is fine by us.
Better Place takes its electric vehicle network in Israel for a silent spin originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 21 May 2012 03:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Samsung chief: we’re open to a cross-licensing deal with Apple, but 4G chip shortage might last until the fall
May 20th
The at times very heated legal battle between Apple and Samsung might be softening just a bit ahead of truce talks on May 21st. Samsung’s mobile head JK Shin just left Seoul for the mediated discussions saying there were still “several negotiation options” on tap, including the possibility of cross-licensing patents. He warned that there was still a “big gap” between the two sides, and we’d tend to agree — neither Apple nor Samsung is exactly backing off just yet. However, it’s a definite shift in language from March, when Shin was vowing “no compromise,” and it parallels Apple CEO Tim Cook’s own disdain for lawsuits. We just wouldn’t bet money on the two singing “Kumbaya” this week.
In same breath, Shin added that an ongoing 4G chipset shortage wasn’t letting up: he didn’t see things getting better until the start of the fourth quarter, or October for us common folk. That’s a problem for Samsung’s phones and tablets most of all, of course, and in a dire case could see LTE-packing American Galaxy S III variants rely on other vendors’ chips to stay on the 4G bandwagon. There’s also a chance of a ripple effect on other companies that want Samsung’s parts, but short of getting a peek at Samsung’s inner workings, we won’t know the full impact for awhile yet.
Samsung chief: we’re open to a cross-licensing deal with Apple, but 4G chip shortage might last until the fall originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 20 May 2012 13:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Neuroscientists develop game for stroke rehabilitation, give the Wii a run for its money
May 20th
Think the Wii has the market cornered on gaming rehab? Think again — neuroscientists at New Castle University are developing a series of motion controlled video games to make stroke rehab more fun and accessible. The team’s first title, dubbed Circus Challenge, lets patients digitally throw pies, tame lions and juggle to help them build strength and regain motor skills. As players progress, the game ratchets up its difficulty, presumably to match pace with their recovery.
Although Limbs Alive, the game’s publisher, has only described their motion controller as “next-generation,” it affirms that the game will be playable on PCs, laptops and tablets later this year. In an effort to lower costs and provide at-home therapy, the team hopes to leverage a £1.5 million award from the UK’s Health Innovation Challenge Fund to build a system that will allow therapists to monitor patient progress remotely. The whole enchilada still needs some time to bake, but you can hit the break for a video and the full press release.
Continue reading Neuroscientists develop game for stroke rehabilitation, give the Wii a run for its money
Neuroscientists develop game for stroke rehabilitation, give the Wii a run for its money originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 20 May 2012 00:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Unlocked Samsung Galaxy S3 up for pre-order on Amazon
May 18th
So now that you’re ready to move to a pre-paid plan, you’re going to need a shiny new device to bring along for the ride. As timing would have it, the Samsung Galaxy S III, the newest shining jewel in the Samsung crown, has just gone up for pre-order on Amazon from a few different vendors.
Now this is the unlocked GSM version, so ease up on that trigger finger if you’re a Verizon or Sprint customer. And no LTE for you, AT&T customers.
Both the Pebble Blue and Marble White are available and start at 9, but I would go ahead and pay the or so more and stick with one of the sellers who has a thousand or more positive ratings under their belt.
Virtually all the sellers are sticking with a June 1 ship date, although they warn that it is subject to change.
I know we have some die hard Samsung fans out there so I’d love to know if any of you are going to take the plunge on this or if you’re content to wait for the carrier versions to come a bit later this summer.
Update: ericl5112 pointed out in comments that you can also pick up an SGS3 of your very own from Expansys-USA for 4.99.
Verizon customers who buy phones at full price can keep their unlimited data plans
May 18th
“Verizon is going to have to pry that plan from my cold dead hands.” Don’t worry Sean Riley, you can keep that grandfathered unlimited data plan as long as you purchase your phone a full retail price.
Today Verizon issued an updated statement to address concerns from subscribers that thought they might be forced to give up their unlimited data plans as Verizon migrates to shared data plans this summer. Customers who take advantage of upgrade pricing will in fact lose their unlimited data, but as long as they pay full price for their device then they can keep the same plan.
More information on the data-share tiers will be coming closer to the introduction of the new plans later this year. Check out Verizon’s statement below for the full details. Does this news calm your fears?
As we have stated publicly, Verizon Wireless has been evaluating its pricing structure for some time. Customers have told us that they want to share data, similar to how they share minutes today. We are working on plans to provide customers with that option and will introduce new plans later this year.
When the new options are introduced, Unlimited Data will no longer be available to our customers purchasing handsets and signing a new contract. Customers who choose to purchase phones at full retail price and are currently on an unlimited smartphone data plan will be able to keep that plan. The same pricing and policies will apply to all 3G and 4G LTE smartphones.
We will share specific details of the plans well in advance of their introduction so customers will have time to evaluate the plans and make the best decisions for their wireless service. It is our goal and commitment to continue to provide customers with the same high value service they have come to expect from Verizon Wireless.Brenda RaneyVerizon Wireless
Nike and Tom Sachs reach for the stars, create NikeCraft sportswear with space-grade materials
May 17th
Just because you’re not an astronaut, it doesn’t mean you can’t dress yourself in clothes that are out of this world. Artist Tom Sachs recently teamed up with Nike to create a limited edition lineup of spacey sports clothing, dubbed NikeCraft, to coincide with his current Space Program project — a rendition of a four week trip to Mars. The company highlights that the roster was made with “materials that have never been used in sportswear,” some of which has already made its way onto NASA’s equipment for space-travel. As ecouterre points out, among what’s on offer, you’ll find bags made from the Ortho fabric used on the outside of spacesuits to the Mars Yard shoe with Vectran fiber — the same stuff from the airbags of the Mars Excursion Rover. There’s nary a detail about pricing, but the goods will be available at various boutiques around the world and at Space Program: Mars while it’s open until Jun 17th inside of New York City’s Park Avenue Armory. Hit up the links below to gaze at all the details.
Just because you’re not an astronaut doesn’t mean that you can’t dress yourself in clothes that are out of this world. Artist Tom Sachs recently teamed up with Nike to create a limited edition lineup of of spacey sports clothing, dubbed NikeCraft, to coincide with his current Space Program project — a rendition of a four week trip to Mars. As ecouterre notes, the highlight of the pieces is that they’re all manufactured (partially, at least) with materials used by NASA in its own equipment. Among what’s on offer, you’ll find bags made from the Ortho fabric used on the outside of spacesuits to the Mars Yard shoes with Vectran fabric — the same stuff from the airbags of the Mars Excursion Rover. There’s nary a detail about pricing, but the goods will be available at various boutiques around the world and at Space Program: Mars while it’s open until Jun 17th inside of New York City’s Park Avenue Armory. You’ll find more details
Nike and Tom Sachs reach for the stars, create NikeCraft sportswear with space-grade materials originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 May 2012 21:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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