Windows 7 release to manufacturing reportedly on track for July 13th

Get out your Bill Gates commemorative calendars folks, ’cause it looks like we now have a few more dates to mark off on the road to Windows 7 availability. While Microsoft still isn’t saying anything official itself just yet, a number of different sources are reporting that the company has set July 10th as the date for the final gold build of Windows 7, while the big release to manufacturing date is apparently on track for July 13th. Of course, things could still change if there’s a major bug or other problem encountered, but barring any disasters, that’ll likely be the same build that finds its way onto your PC this fall.

Filed under: Desktops, Laptops

Windows 7 release to manufacturing reportedly on track for July 13th originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 03 Jul 2009 16:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Drawing faces is hard; and as children suckled at the teat of MTV we posses neither the patience nor the discipline required to learn the skill. So imagine our surprise to discover the Self-Portrait Machine, a device that snaps your photo and then forces you to draw your own face by dragging your bound hands around until the portrait is complete. Jen Hui Liao’s project is the result of an observation that “our personal identities are represented by the products of the man-machine relationship.” So it’s like art and the intersection of philosophy… only it’s not — it’s just a robot too lazy to make the portrait itself. See the video after the break.

Continue reading Video: Self-Portrait Machine binds your hands then bends your will

Filed under: Robots

Video: Self-Portrait Machine binds your hands then bends your will originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 03 Jul 2009 03:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Via [Engadget]

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Keepin’ It Real Fake, part CCXIX: Gemsta’s Vaino knock-off

If the Vaino “ultraportable” seemed a little too… well, aspirational, the style mavens at Engadget have dug up a netbook that will certainly correlate with both your awesome sense of style and your self-identification as an OG (that’s “original gemsta”). Dug up by some eagle-eyed KIRF-hunters at 2009’s Shenzhen International Netbook Industry Fair & Forum, this guy sports an 8.9-inch display, an Intel Atom (Z515 / Z520 / Z530), 1GB RAM, up to 64GB storage, 3G, WiFi, SD card slot and more. We don’t have a street date yet for you, but the price should be about 2000 yuan (that’s about $294). And the best part? You won’t have to worry about these guys stealing your thunder. One more pic after the break.

[Via PMP Today]

Continue reading Keepin’ It Real Fake, part CCXIX: Gemsta’s Vaino knock-off

Filed under: Laptops

Keepin’ It Real Fake, part CCXIX: Gemsta’s Vaino knock-off originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 04 Jul 2009 06:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Which One is the Robot? [Image Cache]

A great cover by the Christian Science Monitor. I went back and forth a few times, and ended up being wrong. Which do you think is the meat-based contruction? The answer forthcoming on Monday. [BoingBoingGadgets]

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Gadget Deals Of The Day [Dealzmodo]

Giz isn’t letting you go for the weekend without Dealzmodo! We’ve got nice deals on laptops including a 13″ Lenovo. Games? Steam’s got a bundle you can’t miss! Try to stay sober and keep all your fingers! Happy 4th everyone!

Computers and Peripherals:
• 17″ Lenovo W700ds Core 2 Duo 2.5GHz Dual Screen Laptop with Palm-Rest Wacom Tablet and NVIDIA Quadro for $2,234.25 plus free shipping (normally $2,979 - use coupon code USPW700JULY).
• 16″ HP Pavilion G60t Dual Core laptop with 3GB DDR2 250GB for $479.99 plus free shipping (normally $579).
• 15.6″ Dell Studio 15 Laptop Core 2 Duo Processor 2.2GHz LED Widescreen Display with $100 Dell Gift Card for $799 plus free shipping (normally $1,055).
• 15.4″ Toshiba Satellite L305-S5919 Celeron Laptop with 2GB DDR2 160GB for $299.99 (normally $450).
• 15″ Dell Inspiron 15 Intel Core 2 Duo P8600 2.4GHz Laptop with Blu-ray/Radeon HD4330 for $679.00 (normally $829.00 - use coupon code 6??JBPM0H1ST3H).
• 14.1″ Gateway T-6345U Intel Dual-Core T3400 2.16GHz Laptop 2GB 250GB for $379.99 plus free shipping (normally $549.99).
• 13.3″ Lenovo IdeaPad U350 Intel Core 2 Duo ULV Laptop for $599.00 plus free shipping (normally $699 - use coupon code USPU350NEW).
• Dell Optiplex 360 Core 2 Duo E7400 Desktop with 2GB DDR2 RAM, 320GB HDD with 22″ LCD Monitor for $519.00 (normally $807).
• Lenovo C300 Intel Atom 230 All-in-One Desktop with 20″ LCD for $399.00 plus free shipping (normally $499 - use coupon code USPC300NEW).
• 24″ Dell UltraSharp 2408WFP Widescreen LCD Monitor for $395 plus free shipping (normally $484 - use coupon code 22X6DLMFK6K92G).
• 23″ Samsung 2333SW Widescreen LCD Monitor for $161.99 plus free shipping (normally $179.99 - use coupon code 22X6DLMFK6K92G).
• 1.5TB Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 Internal SATA Hard Drive (2-Pack) for $199.99 plus free shipping (normally $269.99 - use coupon code 47DGX1L4SS?JS2).
• 1TB Hitachi Internal Hard Drive and Thermaltake BlackX eSATA & USB Dock for $79.99 plus free shipping (normally $111.98 - use coupon code FIREWORKS15 and this rebate form).
• DigiPro 8×6ft USB Graphics Tablet w/Cordless Pen for $39.99 plus free shipping (normally $100).
• Microsoft 3000 Wireless Optical Notebook Mouse for $15 plus free shipping (normally $22 - valid today only).
• GE Cell Fusion Bluetooth Phone System with 2 Handsets for $40 plus free shipping (normally $80.29).

Gaming:
• The Beatles Rock Band Limited Edition Bundle on Xbox 360 or PS3 for $235.99 plus free shipping (normally $250).
• Steam Powered huge 20-Game 2KGames Bundle digital download on PC for $53.99 (normally $230).
• Fight Night Round 4 on Xbox 360 for $42.90 or PS3 for $44.90 (normally $59.99).
• The Conduit on Wii for $39.99 plus free shipping (normally $49.99).
• UFC 2009 Undisputed on Xbox 360 for $39.99 plus free shipping (normally $59.99).
• Guitar Hero: Metallica on PS3 for $39.90 (normally $59.99).
• Fuel on Xbox 360 for $37.90 (normally $59.99).
• Bioshock and Oblivion Bundle on Xbox 360 for $34.99 plus free shipping (normally $39.99).
• Terminator: Salvation on XBox 360 for $29.90 (normally $59.99).
• STEAM Fallout 3 on PC digital download for $24.99 (normally $49.99).
• Wanted Weapons of Fate on Xbox 360 for $22.99 plus free shipping (normally $42.99).
• LittleBigPlanet on PS3 for $21.90 (normally $59.99).
• Game Party on Wii for $10.99 plus free shipping (normally $19.99).
• Project Sylpheed on Xbox 360 for $9.99 plus free shipping (normally $29.99).
• Amazing Adventures: The Forgotten Ruins on DS for $9.98 (normally $19.99 - valid today only).
• Tiger Woods PGA Tour by EA on iPhone for $6.99 (normally $9.99).
• MLB World Series 2009 on iPhone for $2.99 (normally $8).
• Multiplayer Championship Poker on iPhone for $2.99 (normally $10).

Home Entertainment and Movies:
• 52″ Philips 52PFL7403D LCD HDTV (Refurbished) for $1,199.99 (normally $1,999.99).
• 42″ LG 42PQ30 HD Plasma TV for $619 plus free shipping (normally $799.95).
• 40″ Sony KDL-40S5100 BRAVIA S series LCD for $649 plus free shipping (normally $800).
• 32″ Dynex 720p Widescreen LCD HDTV for $299.99 (normally $380).
• Dell M109S DLP Mini Projector G101H LED .8lbs 34-Watts for $299.00 plus free shipping (normally $449.99 - use coupon code 22X6DLMFK6K92G).
• Polk Audio RM6750 5.1 Channel Home Theater Speaker System for $199.99 plus free shipping (normally $247 - use coupon code SPEAKER633).
• Jensen JIMS-185-BK Digital Music System for $35 plus free shipping (normally $45).
• 6-Foot HDMI Cable for $3.18 plus free shipping (normally $4.99).
• Planet Earth: The Complete BBC Series on HDDVD for $20.99 (normally $99.98).
• Batman Begins Limited Edition on Blu-ray for $14.99 (normally $49.99).
• The A-Team Season 1 on DVD for $17.54 plus free shipping (normally $49.95).

Personal Portables:
• Nikon D60 10.2 MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-135mm AFS DX Nikkor Lens (Refurbished) for $429.99 plus free shipping (normally $670).
• 250GB Archos 5 Internet Media Tablet for $279.99 (normally $300 - valid today only).
• 8GB Apple iPod nano (4th Gen) with Free $5 in music for $133.95 plus free shipping (normally $149.99).
• 60GB Apple iPod Video (Refurbished) for $119.99 plus free shipping (normally $172).
• Lubix NC1 Stereo Bluetooth Headset for $29.99 plus free shipping (normally $79.99).
• Plantronics Explorer 350 Bluetooth Headset for $19.99 plus free shipping (normally $89.95).
• Palm Bluetooth Wireless Keyboard for $9.99 plus free shipping (normally $79.99).

Hobomodo:
• Ice Cream Parlor Truffle at Godiva for $0 (valid 7/3 -7/9).
• BOSS ORANGE fragrance for $0.
• Mars Chocolate for $0.
• 12-Track Definitive Jux MP3 download for $0.
• Golden Voices Collection 5-Track MP3 download for $0.
• “Sahara” by Justin Adams and Juldeh Camara MP3 download for $0.
• “You Don’t Know My Friends” by Tom Brosseau MP3 download for $0.
• TargetTap on iPhone for $0.

If a deal looks too good to be true, investigate the store and see if it’s a good, reputable place to buy. Safe shopping!

[Thanks TechDealDigger, Fat Wallet, DealNews, GamerHotline, SlickDeals, Cheap College Gamers, CheapStingyBargains and TechBargains.]

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Apple Store Shooting: Cops Release Video on YouTube [Apple]

Do you know this guy? There’s a $1000 reward for information leading to an arrest of the suspect in Friday’s shooting of a 26-year old employee at the Clarendon Apple Store in Arlington, Virginia.

In a sign of the times, Arlington County police are using YouTube to help catch the Apple Store shooter.

From the YouTube post:

“At approximately 10:15 a.m. on July 3, 2009, an unknown man rang the doorbell at the service entrance to the Apple Store in the 2700 block of Clarendon Boulevard. An employee walked to the back of the store to answer the door. A short time later, another employee heard a gunshot. The victim, a 26 year old female, was found suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to the right shoulder. The suspect had already fled the area on foot. The victim was transported to an area hospital where she remains in serious but stable condition.”

Anyone who has information about this shooting or the identity of the suspect is asked to call the Arlington County Police Department Tip Line at 703 228-4242 or Detective Alan Lowrey at 703 228-4199/Alowrey@arlingtonva.us or Detective Michael Austin at 703 228-4241/ Mausti@arlingtonva.us.

There’s also a reward:

Crime Solvers offers a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest. Callers to Crime Solvers do not have to give their names and do not need to testify in court.

[Cult of Mac]

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Pentagon’s Robot Hummingbird Christened “Nano Air Vehicle” [Robots]

The Pentagon’s wacky sci-fi department DARPA has been working on robotic hummingbird-based drones to serve as miniature spies. They’re not nearly as agile or adorable as real hummingbirds, but DARPA is well on their way to achieving that dream.

Program manager Todd Hylton is aiming for “an approximately 10-gram aircraft that can hover for extended periods, can fly at forward speeds up to 10 meters per second, can withstand 2.5-meter-per-second wind gusts.” Right now, though, the teeny robobird can only fly for about 20 seconds at a time. But with some hard work, some day we will produce a robotic hummingbird that will strike fear into the hearts of our enemies. Wait, is fear the right word? [Wired]

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RunPee, the Guide to Ideal Bathroom Breaks During Movies, Comes to iPhone [IPhone Apps]

RunPee, that great website that tells you precisely the best time to run and pee during a movie so you don’t miss anything good, has taken the next step and released an iPhone app for quick reference.

The RunPee app features a countdown that lists all of the most opportune times to dash away, and like the site, it’ll tell you what happened during your pee break. We’re a little bit iffy on people constantly whipping out their iPhones to check anything during a movie, but hopefully this won’t lead to any extra film-watching rudeness. The app is available now (link will open iTunes) for $1. [Mashable via Lifehacker]

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We’ve seen plenty of tiny UAVs (or NAVs — Nano Aerial Vehicles — as they’re also known), but none quite like the robo-hummingbird that’s been in development at DARPA-contractor AeroVironment for the past couple of years. While we haven’t heard much about it during that time, the company recently completed its most advanced prototype to date, dubbed Mercury, and it’s taken advantage of the opportunity to show off all the progress it has made. As you can see in the video after the break, the bot is able to fly about and hover in place by mimicking the wing movement of a real hummingbird and, of course, be controlled completely untethered. What’s more, the firm says that the final version will actually look like a real hummingbird as well, and be able to be controlled from up to a kilometer away — even inside buildings, where a hummingbird won’t look at all out of place.

[Via Danger Room]

Continue reading DARPA contractor shows off tiny robo-hummingbird UAV

Filed under: Robots

DARPA contractor shows off tiny robo-hummingbird UAV originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 02 Jul 2009 23:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Via [Engadget]

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Ceiling Porn Is Probably Not What You Think It Is [Image Cache]

We tend to take ceilings for granted, unless there’s water coming through them thanks to a careless upstairs neighbor. Deputy Dog collected ten insane architectural feats of ceiling-craft to show off the most underrated wall in the house. [Deputy Dog]

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