Some might argue it’s the most subtle update in the iPhone family thus far, but Apple’s iPhone 3GS still seems to be moving the sales meter, regardless. The latest and greatest iPhone officially hit the market a few weeks back, and even though Apple claims that demand is still far outpacing supply, we’re of the belief that most everyone who wanted one has managed to snag one by now. During our time with the unit, we definitely didn’t find too many reasons to upgrade from the already solid iPhone 3G, but given that you probably did anyway, we’re eager to hear how things have turned out. Did you upgrade from a prior iPhone to this? Are you joining the iPhone family for the first time? What gripes have you found impossible to ignore? Are you still up in arms about AT&T’s inability to provide MMS / tethering service? Are you, like us, completely roiled by the unit’s lack of multitasking abilities? Go ahead and let it rip in comments below — we’re guessing Apple has about 11 months or so to take your opinions to heart.

Filed under: Cellphones

How would you change Apple’s iPhone 3GS? originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 01 Aug 2009 00:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Some might argue it’s the most subtle update in the iPhone family thus far, but Apple’s iPhone 3GS still seems to be moving the sales meter, regardless. The latest and greatest iPhone officially hit the market a few weeks back, and even though Apple claims that demand is still far outpacing supply, we’re of the belief that most everyone who wanted one has managed to snag one by now. During our time with the unit, we definitely didn’t find too many reasons to upgrade from the already solid iPhone 3G, but given that you probably did anyway, we’re eager to hear how things have turned out. Did you upgrade from a prior iPhone to this? Are you joining the iPhone family for the first time? What gripes have you found impossible to ignore? Are you still up in arms about AT&T’s inability to provide MMS / tethering service? Are you, like us, completely roiled by the unit’s lack of multitasking abilities? Go ahead and let it rip in comments below — we’re guessing Apple has about 11 months or so to take your opinions to heart.

Filed under: Cellphones

How would you change Apple’s iPhone 3GS? originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 01 Aug 2009 00:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Here’s something fun to start your weekend with. Amazon’s German site now has a listing for “PlayStation 3 Konsole slim” from Sony Computer Entertainment, and really, it doesn’t take years of foreign language class to figure out that English translation. It’s listed as “platform independent” (har) and has its own Amazon Standard Identification Number (ASIN), but on the flip side, we’re lacking a picture, release date, or any other tangible details. Can’t say we’ve got a feel for the site’s track record on random listings, but after all the rumors and possible sightings as of late, it really makes ya wonder.

Update: In case you’re wondering about that picture that now appears in the listing, it looks like a fan render that a customer has uploaded to Amazon.

[Thanks, Mitchell B]

Filed under: Gaming

PlayStation 3 slim listing pops up on Amazon Germany originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 31 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Here’s something fun to start your weekend with. Amazon’s German site now has a listing for “PlayStation 3 Konsole slim” from Sony Computer Entertainment, and really, it doesn’t take years of foreign language class to figure out that English translation. It’s listed as “platform independent” (har) and has its own Amazon Standard Identification Number (ASIN), but on the flip side, we’re lacking a picture, release date, or any other tangible details. Can’t say we’ve got a feel for the site’s track record on random listings, but after all the rumors and possible sightings as of late, it really makes ya wonder.

Update: In case you’re wondering about that picture that now appears in the listing, it looks like a fan render that a customer has uploaded to Amazon.

[Thanks, Mitchell B]

Filed under: Gaming

PlayStation 3 slim listing pops up on Amazon Germany originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 31 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In an informal interview, a RIM executive strongly hinted that the company’s BlackBerry line would be getting a front-facing camera for videoconferencing in early 2010. It’s still officially unconfirmed, but totally plausible. Anybody out there dying for some videoconferencing? [TinyComb]

View original here:
Front-Facing Cameras to Debut on BlackBerrys Next Year [Unconfirmed]

Anyone that’s ever tried to move their Ikea furniture knows it sucks, because particle board pieces full of nails and screws aren’t meant to handle that. However, this Ratchet Furniture set only uses tension straps to hold everything in place.

Dezeen says the Ratchet Furniture project was designed by Harry Hansson, as part of a graduate project for the Ravensbourne College of Design and Communication. Hansson himself cited the frequent relocation of young adults as an inspiration behind his design.

By running straps through critical points in the furniture and cinching it down, the furniture requires no screws, nails, glue or any other part, making assembly and disassembly a breeze. And in the case of the bookshelf, the ratchet adds a grimy industrial feel to the furniture, which I happen to love. [Dezeen]

GALLERY




END

View original here:
Clever Furniture System Uses Tension Straps Instead of Screws and Nails to Hold Parts Together [Design]

Anyone that’s ever tried to move their Ikea furniture knows it sucks, because particle board pieces full of nails and screws aren’t meant to handle that. However, this Ratchet Furniture set only uses tension straps to hold everything in place.

Dezeen says the Ratchet Furniture project was designed by Harry Hansson, as part of a graduate project for the Ravensbourne College of Design and Communication. Hansson himself cited the frequent relocation of young adults as an inspiration behind his design.

By running straps through critical points in the furniture and cinching it down, the furniture requires no screws, nails, glue or any other part, making assembly and disassembly a breeze. And in the case of the bookshelf, the ratchet adds a grimy industrial feel to the furniture, which I happen to love. [Dezeen]

GALLERY




END

Read the original here:
Clever Furniture System Uses Tension Straps Instead of Screws and Nails to Hold Parts Together [Design]

Researchers at the University of Utah have developed a new, more precise way of placing microelectrodes on the surface of the brain to enable patients to turn thoughts into action. Led by Bradley Greger, a professor of bioengineering, the “Brain Carpet” as it’s called, represents a “modest advance” in techniques already in use. The Brain Carpet makes use of smaller microelectrodes, and also employs many more than are usually used. The method involves sawing off the skull of the patient, then placing 32 electrodes about 2mm apart on the surface of the brain. Though they’ve conducted tests on just a handful of patients — all epileptics — the technique, they believe could also be used to help people control their prosthetic limbs much more effectively. The electrodes allow detection of the electric signals in the brain which control arm and hand movements. In the tests, patients have successfully controlled a cursor on a computer screen following the operation, and they see applications for brain-machine interface devices in the future. There’s no word on when the Brain Carpet will move from the research to reality phase, but the group’s findings have just recently appeared in the journal Neurosurgical Focus.

Filed under: Science

Brain Carpet microelectrodes could help translate thoughts into actions more effectively originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 31 Jul 2009 20:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Researchers at the University of Utah have developed a new, more precise way of placing microelectrodes on the surface of the brain to enable patients to turn thoughts into action. Led by Bradley Greger, a professor of bioengineering, the “Brain Carpet” as it’s called, represents a “modest advance” in techniques already in use. The Brain Carpet makes use of smaller microelectrodes, and also employs many more than are usually used. The method involves sawing off the skull of the patient, then placing 32 electrodes about 2mm apart on the surface of the brain. Though they’ve conducted tests on just a handful of patients — all epileptics — the technique, they believe could also be used to help people control their prosthetic limbs much more effectively. The electrodes allow detection of the electric signals in the brain which control arm and hand movements. In the tests, patients have successfully controlled a cursor on a computer screen following the operation, and they see applications for brain-machine interface devices in the future. There’s no word on when the Brain Carpet will move from the research to reality phase, but the group’s findings have just recently appeared in the journal Neurosurgical Focus.

Filed under: Science

Brain Carpet microelectrodes could help translate thoughts into actions more effectively originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 31 Jul 2009 20:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read

Set to be bundled with the Easy Piano instructive game for the Nintendo DS is this Piano/Keyboard controller, which lets you go from punishing ears on a full-size piano, to punishing ears on your handheld.

The game itself seems about as fun as reading theoretical physics when you’re drunk, but the controller seems like it would work nicely with more than a few games on the DS—namely the Korg DS-10 simulator, or future versions of Rock Band-type games—IF it had proper support and wasn’t Europe-only (for now). Even better, someone could always hack it, conjure up some home brew magic, and use it for some live, chiptune wizardry. Mmmmmmmm…chiptuuuune. [Joystiq via Ubergizmo]

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Nintendo DS Piano Attachment Now Lets You ‘Hone’ Your ‘Musical Chops’ [Gaming]