iPad 2 (or something) shows up in the wilds of China

By Vlad Savov posted Mar 2nd 2011 2:57AM Look, not even the source of these images is absolutely certain that the device in his possession is a legitimate iPad 2, but we can't very well leave you spending your entire day anticipating Apple's new tablet launch without a potential candidate for what it might eventually look like. The above mockup has been procured over in China (where else?) and seems to tally closely with speculation we've been hearing about this hardware refresh -- namely, a slimmer profile, an almost entirely flat back, bigger speaker, and of course, rear- and front-facing cameras. We've looked into the digits on the back of the device and the model number is one for the original Apple TV while the FCC ID is for a WiFi-only iPad, but those could be mere placeholders on what is, once again, a mockup and not a real working tablet. The SIM card slot looks to have been repositioned to a slot that was once expected to house an SD card reader. Other tidbits of interest here include the 3G antenna, whose white cover is expected to be black on final units, and the sloped power button and headphone jack, bringing those witty "jumbo iPod touch" jokes to mind. Boy, those never get old. Jump past the break for a few more pics.
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AIST shows off full-color night vision camera, well lit Bullwinkle figurine (video)

You might know them for seemingly ridiculous innovations like Segway shoes or the HRP-4C pop star robot, but the folks at AIST have put away the gimmicks for their latest invention -- a full-color night vision camera. Produced by Nanolux, an arm of AIST, the camera uses a series of algorithms to read and process wavelengths reflected by objects lit with infrareds, allowing it to successfully reproduce reds, blues, and greens in the darkest of conditions. The company hopes to make the device available by the end of 2011 at a price point lower than conventional night vision cameras, and says they will work with different lenses to improve long-range photography for the device. Such an invention could have serious implications for fields like surveillance and wildlife observation, but fear not, AIST hasn't lost its sense of humor -- the company used a Bullwinkle figurine rotating on a Lazy Susan to demo its latest invention at Printable Electronics 2011. Check out the video after the jump.
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GM shows off Terrain SUV with noise cancellation, says silence equals fuel efficiency

High-End Audio Technology Helps Terrain Get Top MPGs
Noise Cancellation System Also Helps Give GMC Crossover One of the Quietest Interiors

DETROIT – The technology that makes high-end noise-cancelling headphones coveted by frequent flyers and iPod audiophiles is helping GMC Terrain owners save gas.

Active noise cancellation does double duty on Terrain. The technology enables the crossover to deliver a segment-leading EPA-rated 32 mpg in highway driving while ensconcing the driver in one of the quietest interiors in its segment. On the highway, Terrain easily tops the 28-mpg rating of Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4 and Ford Escape.

"The use of active noise cancellation for fuel economy benefit on Terrain is among the first at GM," said Paul Beaker, program engineering manager for GMC Terrain. "It has strong potential for implementation on other four-cylinder vehicle programs."

When GM engineers set out to deliver segment-leading fuel economy on Terrain they chose to lower the 6-speed transmission's gear shift points to enable the Ecotec 2.4L four-cylinder engine to run at lower rpm torque. In this "Eco" mode, which the driver can activate with a click of a button on the console, the torque converter clutch engages at lower engine speeds to help save gas. While the engineering action improved fuel efficiency by up to one mpg, it also created an objectionable low-end frequency boom. To counteract that boom the engineers turned to active noise cancellation technology.

Terrain's noise cancellation system relies on two microphones embedded in the headliner to detect the hum and prompt an onboard frequency generator to create counteracting sound waves through the audio system's speakers and sub-woofer. The system also reduces higher rpm engine noise at highway cruising speeds to help keep the vehicle interior quiet.

"Terrain measured quieter than the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 in our on-road interior noise tests," said Jim Vallance, noise, vibration and harshness development engineer. "At 70 miles per hour, Terrain's interior is quiet enough to allow conversation in normal tones of voice."

The use of direct injection and variable valve timing also help maximize Terrain's fuel efficiency. In a direct injection engine, fuel is fed straight to the engine's combustion chamber, allowing it to burn more evenly and thoroughly. For the driver, that can translate to better mileage and greater power to the wheels. Variable valve timing eliminates the compromise inherent in conventional fixed valve timing and allows a previously unattainable mix of low-rpm torque – even torque delivery over a broad range of engine speeds – and free-breathing, high-rpm horsepower.

"Terrain doesn't trade efficiency for performance; its direct-injected engine delivers power on demand for a confident driving experience," Beaker said. "And variable valve timing allows the engine to take advantage of late intake valve closing for greater efficiency."

In addition, Terrain uses electric power steering, which does not require engine power to operate like traditional hydraulic power steering and draws electric power only as needed, which improves efficiency and extends component life. Electric power steering systems are relatively compact, help lower vehicle weight, and reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 3.5 percent.

GM engineers also worked closely with tire suppliers to develop low-rolling resistance tires, which typically require less effort to roll forward and minimize wasted energy. Terrain's tires – unlike some low drag tires – was designed to provide good grip on snow and wet pavement while improving fuel economy by more than 1 mpg.

Program engineers improved Terrain's highway fuel economy up to one mpg by reducing aerodynamic drag through the refinement of the front air dam, rocker panel, roof line, outside rear view mirrors and front bumper. By working on clay models in GM's state-of-the-art wind tunnel, the engineers were able to reduce its wind noise to ensure quiet driving.

"Aerodynamic refinement happens by the millimeter. There is a tremendous amount of science behind it and we have decades of knowledge to draw upon," said Justin D'Souza, GM aerodynamic performance engineer. "You can take an outside rear view mirror that worked well on one vehicle, put it on a different vehicle and get a completely different result. The end result has to work well aerodynamically and be true to the vehicle design."

Engineers also minimized the Terrain's curb weight by using lightweight aluminum chassis components and noise reduction materials that weigh less than traditional materials.

"Whether we're lowering gear shift points, reducing wind drag or eliminating engine-driven power steering pumps, it takes laser-like focus on every detail to deliver segment leading fuel economy to our customers," said Dave Poniatowski, product marketing manager for Terrain, which recently earned "Best Buy" recommendations from both Consumer Guide and Consumer Digest.

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Microsoft Research shows off next-generation gesture interfaces, Kinect integration, other neato stuff (video)

Leave it to Microsoft Research to show off some cool stuff that may or may not actually happen on any thing you ever actually buy. Check out the video after the break to see the latest, Director of Microsoft Applied Sciences Steven "Stevie B" Bathiche showing off a variety of interesting interfaces. It all starts with gesture controls that take you well beyond the touchscreen, relying on a retro-reflective sash and a camera to detect hand position. But, things quickly progress to a flat lens called a wedge that can enable holographic-like imagery. Pair that with a Kinect and perspective shifts come into play, tracking your face to enable you to peer around like looking out a window. It's all just waiting for you below -- and maybe IRL sometime in the future.
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HTC Droid Incredible 2 shows up in Verizon's system

Now that we've thrown 'em off the trail, use the form below to get in touch with the people at Engadget. Please fill in all of the required fields because they're required.

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Smart shows off Forspeed electric roadster concept

By Donald Melanson posted Feb 22nd 2011 8:27AM We've got some good news and some bad news for folks eager for a sportier, all-electric Smart vehicle. The good news is that parent company Mercedes-Benz has just taken the wraps of its brand new Smart Forspeed concept vehicle, which will make its debut at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show. It's a compact, all-electric roadster that promises a top speed of 75 miles per hour, a range of 84 miles on a charge (which, incidentally, can be done using a normal 220 volt socket), and a luxury interior that even includes a special smartphone housing. The bad news? The company is saying up front that it "won't make production," but that "elements of the car will be carried over into future projects." Hit up the link below for a closer look.
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Ixonos shows off windowed UI for Android

Ixonos Showcases an Innovative Android Solution With Inspiring User Experience at Mobile World Congress 2011

HELSINKI, February 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Ixonos, a world leader in creating wireless technologies, software and solutions for mobile devices and services, showcases its broad Android capabilities at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona on 14-17 February 2011.

Ixonos demonstrates an innovative Android-based multi-window solution, which runs on various popular hardware platforms. The solution is demonstrated on a tablet developed by Aava Mobile as a multi-window system, which enables the use of several applications simultaneously, for example the viewing of messages and calendar side by side.

"The multi-window solution brings Android user experience to a whole new level. Running the solution on a device with a 7-inch or bigger screen allows for new efficiency in handling daily tasks. The user can now see the whole workspace at one glance and run multiple applications at the same time," explains Mr Vesa Metso, Director, Key Customer Accounts, Android, at Ixonos.

Ixonos has also made the multitasking user experience available on a dual-screen configuration. This takes multitasking use cases even further by enabling the device to be used like a laptop, with a touch pad QWERTY keyboard below the second activity window, or as a highly-advanced two-screen tablet, where both screens are used either for different activities or the activity is expanded across both screens.

"Multitasking is a functionality people expect from superior user experience and two-screen tablet devices are now debuting the market. With our solution, multitasking is the norm for tablets. Moving from one application to another is quick and easy, and the user can move applications or activities from one screen to another. This truly takes efficiency to new heights," Mr. Metso adds.

The multitasking solution has been developed at Ixonos' Android Competence Centres in Europe, demonstrating Ixonos' deep know-how of Android components and modules.

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Xperia Play shows up in Verizon's inventory

By now you should be doubt-free that the Xperia Play exists and is coming to Verizon, but if not, let this clear things up. A well-trusted tipster has just sent us the above screen shot of the Sony R800X (the 'x' here indicating CDMA as opposed to the model R800i we've been seeing), better known as the Xperia Play, hanging out in Verizon's system. We're bummed to not have a release date or price, but we're digging for more info. Head past the break for some exclusive product details straight from the depths of Verizon's backend.
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RIM shows off TAT-developed BlackBerry PlayBook apps

We've been eager to see what The Astonishing Tribe (otherwise known as TAT) would come up with for the PlayBook since RIM acquired the design firm back in December, and we're now finally getting our first glimpse at a few of the things they've been working on. Those include a scrapbook app that takes advantage of four-fingered multitouch, and a weather app dubbed "Aura" that was built with the WebWorks platform and makes use of the PlayBook's accelerometer -- both of which are relatively simple, but are intended to demonstrate how easy and quickly developers can build applications for the PlayBook. Also on display at Mobile World Congress this week was fairly impressive media player that can be used when the tablet's connected to a TV via its HDMI port -- it will not only let you view videos, but play games (albeit just a Rubik's Cube in the demo) and even view 3D content as well. Head on past the break to check them out on video.
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HP Veer shows its cute little face in FCC

It's not exactly full disclosure -- you won't get to see a user's manual, for instance, or those gritty FCC lab external photos that we always love -- but a new device passed by Palm through the feds' systems in the past 24 hours is pretty clearly the Veer judging by the mentions of a sliding mechanism, the lack of CDMA, and the fact that we know the Veer is the next webOS phone to hit the market. Now, here's where it gets a little interesting: this filing was definitely made by Palm, not HP, which leads you to wonder just how far into the process the company got on its next-gen handsets before HP decided to effectively kill off the Palm brand altogether. In case you're wondering, the filing refers to an internal model number is P160UNA, indicating a model P160 in the North American UMTS configuration (for the record, the North American unlocked Pre 2 is the P102UNA). If you ever see a P160EWW in the system, that'd likely mean that a CDMA Veer were in the works -- but seriously, we wouldn't get our hopes up.