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Ready to get swept away into the wild, wild abyss known as quantum computing? If not, we’re certain there’s a less mentally taxing post above or below, but for those who answered the call, researchers at the University of California Santa Cruz have a doozie to share. A team of whiz kids at the institution have developed a minuscule optical device that’s built into a silicon chip, and it’s capable of reducing the speed of light by a factor of 1,200. If you’re wondering why on Earth humans would be interested in doing such a thing, here’s the long and short of it: the ability to control light pulses on an integrated chip-based platform “is a major step toward the realization of all-optical quantum communication networks, with potentially vast improvements in ultra-low-power performance.” Today, data transmitted along optical fibers must still eventually be converted to electronic signals before they’re finally understood, but the promise of an all-optical data processing system could obviously reduce inefficiencies and create communication networks that are far quicker and more robust. There’s still no telling how far we are from this becoming a reality — after all, we’ve been hearing similar since at least 2006 — but at least these folks seem to be onto something good… even if it’s all too familiar.

All-optical quantum communication networks nearly realized, ‘Answers to Life’ airing at 9PM originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 07 Sep 2010 23:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It wasn’t too long ago that we were pondering the relative scarcity of backlit desktop keyboards, so let’s all warmly welcome a new entrant into this niche category. The K800 from Logitech picks up where the wired Illuminated Keyboard left off: it has the requisite inflated price, adjustable and intelligent illumination to please functionalists, and a dagger-like profile for aesthetes. Ambient light sensors will align the keyboard’s brightness to your environment, while proximity detectors will only flip the switch when your hands are in position to start writing. There’s also a Micro USB cable to refresh your battery when it starts running low — it’s rated for up to 10 days of wireless use — but whether this whole package of smart convenience is worth the $99.99 we’ll leave up to you. The K800 should be shipping out later this month, and you can find out more about it in the press release after the break.

Continue reading Logitech’s Wireless Illuminated K800 keyboard boasts ambient light and proximity sensors, costs $100

Logitech’s Wireless Illuminated K800 keyboard boasts ambient light and proximity sensors, costs $100 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Aug 2010 06:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Using copper cables to transfer data around a computer? Get your head out of the sand, Grandpa! Intel thinks that’s on the outs and is touting its recent accomplishments with Silicon Photonics and integrated lasers, using light pulses to move data at 50Gbps (last time we heard Intel tout the tech was when it hit 40Gbps speeds in 2007). The emphasis is on low-cost, high-speed fiber optics, the removal of cable clutter, and with the speed boost, the ability to try new system designs by being able to space chips and components farther apart from one another without as much hit on speed — all theoretical at this point, of course. Researchers hopes to hit terabit per second speeds further down the line. As for John Q. Consumer, enjoy the progress from afar but don’t count on seeing this technology hit Newegg anytime soon. Video after the break.

Continue reading Intel’s 50Gbps Silicon Photonics Link shines a light on future computers (video)

Intel’s 50Gbps Silicon Photonics Link shines a light on future computers (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Jul 2010 16:48:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The concept of touching things such as light or smells isn’t anything new, but there’s so much room for interpretation that it’s always interesting to see new applications. At Siggraph 2010, a new tactile display is being shown off which allows the user to feel light and shadow. Called Touch Light Through the Leaves, the device consists of a camera which detects light, and 85 vibration units, which have motors, process the light and shadow information into sensations. Check out the video below to see it in action, and hit up the source link for a bit more info.

Continue reading Tactile display allows you to ‘feel’ both light and shadow

Tactile display allows you to ‘feel’ both light and shadow originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Jul 2010 14:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Another day, another… oh wait, what’s this? The Modu phone has been an enigmatic figure in the mobile world, treading the precipice of vaporware for a while before finally launching in its home market of Israel last year and in a few more places around the world since then. Aiming to shake up the apparently stale mobile market, this minimalist take on the phone is no larger than the standard battery in your modern smartphone and gets its name from the modular “jackets” it can slip into. They furnish it with added functionality and buttons, while also sprinkling a bit of extra style on top as well. Slide past the break to learn more about this handset, the Modu 1, together with a few teasers about the upcoming touchscreen-based Modu 2.

Continue reading Modu, world’s lightest cellphone, lands in UK

Modu, world’s lightest cellphone, lands in UK originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 14 Jul 2010 04:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Contrary to popular legend, Pulsar wristwatches don’t use the light of dying stars to keep time. However, if researchers at the University of Manchester are correct, the strobe-like effect generated by a collapsed star’s spin may indeed be the most accurate clock (sorry, Atom) available to mankind. While pulsars have long been studied for insight into the nature of time and gravity, their patterns weren’t as regular as scientists would like, but the U of M team believe that’s because the stars are actually swapping between two different states, each with their own rotation speed. By correcting for the difference when the hunk of burning gas puts on the brakes, they can make measurements far more precise — meaning a greater understanding of the fabric of space-time for the brainiacs, and if we’re lucky, reliable pulsar clocks within our lifetime.

Pulsar clocks spin closer to reality originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 11 Jul 2010 09:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Contrary to popular legend, Pulsar wristwatches don’t use the light of dying stars to keep time. However, if researchers at the University of Manchester are correct, the strobe-like effect generated by a collapsed star’s spin may indeed be the most accurate clock (sorry, atoms) available to mankind. While pulsars have long been studied for insight into the nature of time and gravity, their patterns weren’t as regular as scientists would like, but the U of M team believe that’s because the stars are actually swapping between two different states, each with their own rotation speed. By correcting for the difference when the hunk of burning gas puts on the brakes, they can make measurements far more precise — meaning a greater understanding of the fabric of space-time for the brainiacs, and if we’re lucky, reliable pulsar clocks within our lifetime.

Pulsar clocks spin closer to reality originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 11 Jul 2010 09:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nah, your sarcasm detector isn’t busted — we genuinely are surprised that Apple has lifted the iron fist and allowed a piece of hardware on its handset to be used for something other than Jobs himself intended. It may seem trivial to those who haven’t witnessed Apple block the most sensible of programs in the past, but allowing applications that enable end-user control of the LED camera flash is a pretty big deal. It’s one of those “sad, but true” moments, you know? As of now, the affordable (£0.59) Flashlight – For iPhone 4 and even more affordable (zilch) LED Light for iPhone 4 can be downloaded directly from the App Store and used to activate the LED whenever you darn well please, and for reasons that we needn’t mention, we’d suggest you go ahead and grab one… pronto.

Update: Another free option — Power Light — just splashed down into the App Store.

Update 2: Lookie there, another free option with LED-Flashlight! Woo!

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Shocker! Apple approves apps for using LED on iPhone 4 as flashlight originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Jul 2010 15:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oh, sure — the world has plenty of those ritzy LED light bulbs to choose from, but how’s about using the ultimate light source to create… even more light! That’s exactly what Nokero is setting out to accomplish with its N100, which is being christened the “world’s first” solar light bulb. Designed specifically for use in developing nations where continual electricity is a mere pipe dream, this bulb is housed in an ultra-rugged, rainproof enclosure that can provide around four hours of light when fully charged; if you leave it in the sun all day, it’ll harness enough juice to provide illumination for around two hours. The unit itself is constructed from impact resistant plastic and includes a foursome of solar panels, five LEDs and a replaceable, nickel metal hydride battery that’s said to last two years. The company informed us that these will run you around $15 if purchased one at a time, though the goal is to sell ‘em in bulk for around $6 apiece and have them delivered to rural parts of India, Africa and possibly District 9. Go on and get schooled by heading past the break and clicking play.

Continue reading Nokero debuts rugged, rainproof N100 solar light bulb for developing worlds

Nokero debuts rugged, rainproof N100 solar light bulb for developing worlds originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 09 Jun 2010 14:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Who needs a backlit keyboard when you have a backlit touchpad? Okay, that’s really a rhetorical question, but Gateway’s newest 13.3-inch EC339C and 14-inch ID49C08u do in fact have glowing blue touchpads. The pad itself only lights up when you put your finger to it, and like HP’s ClickPads have integrated mouse buttons. The rest of the thin and light machines are equally as impressive — they have nabbed Acer’s chiclet style keyboard and have that dedicated social networking key that Gateway seems to be adding to many of its systems. The key, which may very well have the cutest logo of all time stamped upon it, launched a social networking widget that allows for adding Facebook, YouTube and Flickr feeds to a timeline. Internally, the EC39C packs a Core i5 ULV processor and NVIDIA Optimus for switching between the GeForce 310 GPU and Intel’s integrated HD graphics. The ID49C08u has a standard voltage Core i5, 4GB of RAM, a 500GB hard drive and an onboard optical drive. Your guess is as good as ours about availability and pricing, but we did grab you some nice hands-on shots and a video of that crazy touchpad after the break.

Continue reading Gateway gets snazzy with glowing touchpads on EC39C and ID49C08u laptops

Gateway gets snazzy with glowing touchpads on EC39C and ID49C08u laptops originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 04 Jun 2010 05:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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