Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Your 2 hourly digest for Engadget

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Nanotech-enhanced 'smart paint' promises to detect structural damage
Jan 30th 2012, 23:58

We've seen scientists explore a number of ways to make paint "smarter" over the years, and now a team of researchers at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow have devised a method that they say could do nothing short of "revolutionize structural safety." The key to that is some novel nanotechnology that effectively turns the paint into a sensor network that's able to detect minor structural faults before they become a severe problem. More specifically, the paint consists of a mix of highly aligned carbon nanotubes and a recycled waste material known as fly ash -- when the nanotubes bend, the conductivity changes, indicating that there could be a structural problem developing. What's more, the fly ash is also said to give the paint a cement-like structure, which the researchers say could let it be used in harsh conditions where traditional structural monitoring can prove difficult (and expensive).

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Nanotech-enhanced 'smart paint' promises to detect structural damage originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet joining the Ice Cream Sandwich party in Q2?
Jan 30th 2012, 23:25

Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet joining the Ice Cream Sandwich party in Q2?
Wondering who's next in line to promise a tasty Ice Cream Sandwich update? According to PC World, Lenovo has said that it plans on bringing the latest and greatest from the Android platform to its ThinkPad Tablet sometime during Q2 of this year. As we've become accustomed to of late, Lenovo joins other fellow manufacturers on the pledge to update its devices to ICS. Unfortunately, there's no details past its estimated second quarter availability, so while we know you're eager to get your hands on the holo-coated upgrade, you'll have to keep waiting like the rest of the frowning pack.

Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet joining the Ice Cream Sandwich party in Q2? originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Canalys: Apple leading PC maker in Q4 2011, if you count iPads
Jan 30th 2012, 22:50

Best quarter in Apple's history? Check. Retaking the smartphone crown from Samsung? Check. How about becoming the world's largest PC manufacturer? If you're Canalys and you factor iPads into the equation, then yes, another check. Per the research firm, "client PCs" (which include "desktops, netbooks, notebooks and tabs") grew by 16 percent to hit 120 million in Q4, from which Apple's 20 million units (15 million iPads + 5 million Macs) grabbed the leading 17 percent share. Cupertino's followed by HP, Lenovo, Dell and Acer in that order -- all of whom, save for Lenovo, saw their piece of the PC pie shrink. Not only did their slices shrink, but without slates the entire tart was .4 percent smaller than last year -- meaning that all of the growth in "client PC" segment was due to tablets. With that kind of statistical precedence Windows 8 can't come soon enough, right Stevie B?

Continue reading Canalys: Apple leading PC maker in Q4 2011, if you count iPads

Canalys: Apple leading PC maker in Q4 2011, if you count iPads originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:50:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SlingPlayer for Kindle Fire available tomorrow for $30 in the Amazon Appstore
Jan 30th 2012, 22:43

Though Sling Media has long been offering apps for Android phones and tablets, Kindle Fire owners have until now been left out in the cold (you know, the whole lack-of-Android-Market-access thing). Tomorrow, though, Fire owners can get their fill of live and recorded TV when the SlingPlayer app goes on sale in the Amazon Appstore. With a price of $29.99, you'll pay the same as you would for any of Sling's other mobile apps, and as far as we could tell when we first got hands-on at CES, the interface is about the same as what you'd get on an Android handset. In case you need a refresher, we've got a gallery of images below, and we've posted that source link early, though you'll have to twiddle your thumbs until tomorrow when you can officially get your download on.

SlingPlayer for Kindle Fire available tomorrow for $30 in the Amazon Appstore originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft begins Office 15 technical preview, fills up before you knew it existed
Jan 30th 2012, 22:26

Microsoft OfficeEverybody calm... we know, we're excited too. We're just dying to see the latest in spreadsheet and presentation technology. But, for now, you'll just have to wait as the technical preview for Microsoft's next version of Office is all filled up. What exactly Redmond has in store for us it wont say but, it's not shying away from hyperbole, declaring it "the most ambitious undertaking yet for the Office Division." Primarily we assume that's because every arrow in the Office quiver is being updated simultaneously, including desktop, mobile and web apps, Visio, Lync and its countless other peripheral programs. Don't draw a warm bath and grab a straight razor, though -- you'll get a chance to play with all the updated products when they enter public beta this summer.

Microsoft begins Office 15 technical preview, fills up before you knew it existed originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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