Brain pacemakers show promise in Alzheimer’s trials, might open new treatment possibilities
Deep-brain electrical stimulation has been around for awhile — rousing folks from comas and helping researchers find new ways to treat OCD, depression and maybe even obesity. Now doctors are testing the so-called “brain pacemakers,” on Alzheimer’s patients and the results are promising, but not conclusive. After a year of treatment, six patients showed higher glucose consumption in PET scans of the learning and memory areas of the brain — a change that is associated with increased neuron activity. Glucose metabolism typically decrease as a result of the disease. Researchers are seeking more patients for the trial, and are optimistic that the technique could one day be used to stave off some of Alzheimer’s debilitating symptoms.
Source: Technology Review, Functional Neuro Modulation
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Leave a commentGoogle buys BufferBox, might give Amazon Locker a run for its money
Google has just snapped up BufferBox, a Waterloo, Ontario-based startup that offers temporary lockers for online purchases much like the ones recently deployed by Amazon. Instead of 7-Elevens and RadioShacks however, the relatively young startup has only just started a deal to install parcel kiosks in Canada’s Metrolinx GO Transit stations. The Mountain View company hopes to keep BufferBox alive through the acquisition, with plans for 100 kiosks in Greater Toronto and Hamilton in the next year. Of course, we can’t help but think this could all be part of Google’s master plan for a rumored same-day delivery service that might make Amazon a touch nervous. Hopefully this means future Nexus deliveries will be a just little faster, eh?
Filed under: Misc, Internet, Google
Source: Financial Post, BufferBox
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Samsung chief: we’re open to a cross-licensing deal with Apple, but 4G chip shortage might last until the fall
The at times very heated legal battle between Apple and Samsung might be softening just a bit ahead of truce talks on May 21st. Samsung’s mobile head JK Shin just left Seoul for the mediated discussions saying there were still “several negotiation options” on tap, including the possibility of cross-licensing patents. He warned that there was still a “big gap” between the two sides, and we’d tend to agree — neither Apple nor Samsung is exactly backing off just yet. However, it’s a definite shift in language from March, when Shin was vowing “no compromise,” and it parallels Apple CEO Tim Cook’s own disdain for lawsuits. We just wouldn’t bet money on the two singing “Kumbaya” this week.
In same breath, Shin added that an ongoing 4G chipset shortage wasn’t letting up: he didn’t see things getting better until the start of the fourth quarter, or October for us common folk. That’s a problem for Samsung’s phones and tablets most of all, of course, and in a dire case could see LTE-packing American Galaxy S III variants rely on other vendors’ chips to stay on the 4G bandwagon. There’s also a chance of a ripple effect on other companies that want Samsung’s parts, but short of getting a peek at Samsung’s inner workings, we won’t know the full impact for awhile yet.
Samsung chief: we’re open to a cross-licensing deal with Apple, but 4G chip shortage might last until the fall originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 20 May 2012 13:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Apple takes its recycling programme across to the UK, might pay for your old stuff
It looks like Apple loves recycling so very much, it’s taking it across the Atlantic. The UK will also get to some cash for their technological old rope, with the Reuse and Recycling programme arriving to take that pesky dated tech off your hands — and remunerate you for the effort. The news arrives not long after Apple published its annual responsibilty report, detailing its eco efforts across its supply chain. The project extends across iPods, iPhones, iPads, Macs and PCs — and it doesn’t even matter if they work. The program will assess whether there’s cash value somewhere in it and will either credit your account or offer up free recycling options. Check the source to see whether your device qualifies, and just wait for the money to roll in.
Apple takes its recycling programme across to the UK, might pay for your old stuff originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 16 Jan 2012 23:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Fujitsu to launch 7-inch Android tablet later this year, might be priced lower than $400
Fresh off the Japanese launch of its LifeBook TH40/D Windows 7 tablet, it appears that Fujitsu is gearing up to release a new seven-inch Android slate. According to DigiTimes, Fujitsu’s forthcoming slab is scheduled to hit the market during the third quarter of this year and will run on Android 3.1 Honeycomb. It’s unclear whether or not the device will sport the same stylus support and sliding keyboard that its Windows 7 counterpart features, but Fujitsu is reportedly planning on selling the tablet for anywhere between about $350 and $700, which effectively ranges from “bargain” to “blimey.” We’re certainly hoping that the final price falls on the low end of that spectrum, but we’ll have to wait and see if our dreams become a reality.
Fujitsu to launch 7-inch Android tablet later this year, might be priced lower than $400 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 May 2011 12:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Verizon 4G LTE might offer $30 unlimited data plan, if you’re lucky
The mobile rumor mill has been abuzz about Verizon’s potential move away from unlimited data plans for a long time now, but we’re not putting the rumors to rest. In fact, we’re just fanning the flames — according to the folks at Droid Life, Big Red’s $30 unlimited data plan could be coming to 4G LTE. The site’s sources point out that this might mean $30 plus $15 for 4G data, and that pricing structures are likely to change as the LTE Juggernaut powers ahead. Considering the first Verizon 4G phones haven’t even made it to market yet, unlimited data might be around for sometime to come … then again, it might not — don’t you just love speculation?
Verizon 4G LTE might offer $30 unlimited data plan, if you’re lucky originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 03 Feb 2011 19:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Thanko’s USB kitty mask might get you noticed
You know why he’s so happy? Because he’s Japanese, and being Japanese is awesome. Trains run on time, robots do the work, and you get to wear kitty-faced masks with a USB- or battery-powered fan to circulate the atmosphere in front of your air holes… and nobody cares. ¥1,980 (about $24) or ¥2,190 gift wrapped to show you care.
Thanko’s USB kitty mask might get you noticed originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 03 Feb 2011 04:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Lenovo’s Chinese eBox console suffers delay, here’s how its camera-based games might play (video)
We had nearly forgotten Lenovo’s Eedoo spinoff and its China-bound video game console, seeing as how it failed to meet a planned November 2010 unveiling, but IDG News reports that the motion-sensing eBox hasn’t slipped Lenovo’s mind — it’s just been pushed further into 2011. How far? If we were to guess, we’d say Q2 2011, and the video above spells out why. Seemingly by coincidence, we were just sent this footage of a game called Flyimal, built on the Unity Engine as a collaboration between 3D asset company Mixamo and 3D gesture recognition company Omek Interactive, and — get this — running on “the first [console] to be made by the Chinese for the Chinese market and due for launch by Q2 of this year.” We can’t think of many game systems that fit that description, to be honest. There’s not a lot to look at here, but we imagine PrimeSense and competitors will be perusing the video soon, noting that the machine captures precisely 15 points on a user’s body for its gesture recognition algorithms… and wondering if there’s a third dimension to any of that movement. Read Unity, Mixamo and Omek’s statement after the break.
Lenovo’s Chinese eBox console suffers delay, here’s how its camera-based games might play (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 18 Jan 2011 13:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Intel acquires TI’s cable modem unit, might be sneaking into your AV rack
Intel’s been trying to break into the home entertainment market for years, and while it’s made some inroads, it’s also looking at a notable list of ho hum attempts that never managed to gain traction. Take the CE3100 processor, for instance — a couple of years ago, the outfit seemed certain that this here chip would be powering every last living room box for the rest of eternity, and nowadays it’s hardly a household name. But this week, Intel has picked up Texas Instruments’ cable modem unit, which gives it a direct link into the very area it’s been trying to exploit. The goal of the acquisition — which is scheduled to close in the fourth quarter of this year — is to combine TI’s Puma product lines with DOCSIS and Intel SoCs. Once that magical marriage takes place, Chipzilla intends to push out complex set-top boxes, residential gateways and modem products, possibly even going for the OEM artery. Details beyond that are few and far betwixt, but we doubt it’ll be too long before the pickup begins to bear fruit.
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Intel acquires TI’s cable modem unit, might be sneaking into your AV rack originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 17 Aug 2010 13:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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