[Thanks, Alexandre]

Continue reading ASUS announces Ivy Bridge PCI-Express motherboards, for early early-adopters

ASUS announces Ivy Bridge PCI-Express motherboards, for early early-adopters originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 29 Sep 2011 09:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Android users across Europe are waking up to some bonnes nouvelles this morning, because Google has now expanded its Voice Actions service to France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK. Beginning today, loquacious smartphone and tablet users will be able to place calls, send texts and conduct Google searches by speaking into their devices. All you have to do is press the microphone button on your home screen’s Google search field and open the Voice Search app, or simply press the physical search button on your handset to bring up the “Speak Now” field. From there, you can begin chattering away in French, German, Italian, Spanish and real British English. Interested parties running Android 2.2 or above can get started by downloading the Voice Search app from the source link below, or by checking out Google’s demo video, after the break.

Continue reading Google expands Voice Actions across Europe, with multi-language support (video)

Google expands Voice Actions across Europe, with multi-language support (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 16 Sep 2011 05:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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With a name like the Sealander Amphibious Camping Trailer, it’s pretty clear what you’re getting yourself into. This German-designed trailer does double duty as both a place to rest (for those who think roughing it is not having TiVo) and a lake-worthy water vessel. The ultra-light, waterproof hitch rider can be towed by almost any vehicle — even those cutesy sub-compacts its European creators seem to love so much. And, once you’re in the water, a small electric motor ensures you won’t have to wait for the currents to carry you back to shore. The Sealander should become available in early 2012 in a variety of configurations, with an expected price of about €15,000 (around $24,000). Of course, for the same cash you could probably just buy a small camping trailer and a separate boat, though that lacks the cool convergence factor. Check out the epic demo video below.

Continue reading Sealander amphibious trailer lets you (kinda) rough it on the water (video)

Sealander amphibious trailer lets you (kinda) rough it on the water (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 12 Sep 2011 10:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In an IFA galaxy far far away lives the China Pavilion. And on the far side of the outer ring of the China Pavilion, buried amongst a plethora of steamers, curling irons, and television mounts, you may stumble upon the S-Walker — though you’re just as likely to miss it. And what might an S-Walker be? Well, if we’re being precise, it’s a “Speed-Walker, Sky-Walker, whatever,” according to its German booth master. Luke would be proud. Lesser beings may recognize it as a KIRF Segway, designed in Germany and handmade in China, just a mere ten days ago. Its biggest strength lies in price — the thing is expected to retail for €2,500 (about $3,550) sometime in the middle of next year. We suppose this yet-to-be-released electric transporter is here to serve warehouse workers, couriers, and the millions of college students who every day dream of zooming across campus atop a pair of motorized wheels, but simply couldn’t justify spending an entire semester’s tuition on a Segway.

We spent a few minutes riding the world’s first (and only) functional S-Walker around the rather deserted International Hall, and while very much still a prototype, the battery powered contraption felt peppy enough and responded accurately to commands, moving forward as we leaned to the front, and backing up as we shifted weight to the rear. You control direction using a small handlebar-mounted joystick, rather than by leaning from side-to-side as you would on a Segway. The designers capped speed at 10 kilometers per hour for the IFA demo, but production models will be boosted to 30 km/h, and it’s theoretically capable of reaching 100 km/h (but that’ll likely require some potentially-illegal hacking on your part). Roll on past the break to see the S-Walker in action. And may the force be with you.

Continue reading S-Walker Electric Transporter hands-on (video)

S-Walker Electric Transporter hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 03 Sep 2011 10:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lasers make everything better, including (but not limited to): microphones, kidneys and Audi’s electric A2 concept. This newest flight of fancy uses a laser diode as the rear fog lamp, which projects a red triangle onto the road to let other drivers know you’re there. The German car-maker has tricked out the rest of the EV’s lighting system as well by implementing matrix beam technology using LEDs and microreflectors — giving it high resolution, non-glaring beams and intelligent tail lights that change in intensity based on weather conditions. Claiming other state-of-the-art features like gesture controls instead of keys, and brake lights that glow brighter the harder you press, it sounds like this would be a pretty sweet ride — if it ever makes it to market. No word on the other, insignificant details (ya know, like what actually powers the thing) but there’s plenty more about the car’s lighting system in the PR after the break.

Continue reading Audi announces A2 electric concept car, uses lasers to ensure safety of future humans

Audi announces A2 electric concept car, uses lasers to ensure safety of future humans originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 02 Sep 2011 22:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Boarding the Soyuz rocket, seven hotel patrons will be asked to fork over