| Bing Venue Maps gets global-sized update, makes Euros' shopping trips easier Jun 29th 2012, 00:54  In case you thought all those 165TB of satellite shots would slow down the Bing Maps updates -- think again. And while this one might not be as loaded as the aforementioned goods, the latest refresh to Redmond's mapping service is likely to make at least a few shopaholic Europeans very happy. To make things short, Microsoft -- in partnership with Nokia -- is taking Bing Venue Maps over to the Vieux Continent, boosting the total number of mall-friendly maps to over 2,700, and making it more than 30 countries in which the offering's now live. For those unfamiliar with Venue Maps, the service allows you to find stores, bathrooms and even ATMs located within a good amount of shopping malls across North America, Europe and Asia. Even better, you can see if your favorite spot is one of them at the source link below, where you'll find the full list of venues supported. Continue reading Bing Venue Maps gets global-sized update, makes Euros' shopping trips easier Bing Venue Maps gets global-sized update, makes Euros' shopping trips easier originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 28 Jun 2012 20:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink |  Bing Maps | Email this | Comments | | Canon 7D 2.0.X firmware update scheduled for August, brings plenty of free fixins Jun 29th 2012, 00:16  It's hard to believe, but the last the last time we covered a major firmware update for Canon's 7D DLSR the iPhone 4 was still fresh in our minds. Now, nearly two years later, Canon is offering up a bevy of new features for the camera with its soon to be released -- and free -- 2.0.X update. To start, folks who shoot RAW will be pleased to know that they can shoot up to 25 continuous frames (17 in RAW + JPEG) in burst mode -- that's up from just 15 previously. You'll also be able to edit images captured in the format straight from the camera, as well as set a maximum limit of 6400 (up from 3200) for its Auto ISO mode. If that wasn't enough, Geotaggers should know that Canon is also going to make its GP-E2 GPS module (originally introduced with the 5D Mark III) 7D-compatible. Lastly, videographers are getting a nice bump in the audio and multi-camera shooting departments; you'll be able to manually control the mic-input with a choice of 64 volume levels (like the Mark II) and an updated sub-menu interface will allow the first four characters of your videos' file names to be changed. The update won't be available until early August, but you'll find full details and a video demo at the source link below. Continue reading Canon 7D 2.0.X firmware update scheduled for August, brings plenty of free fixins Canon 7D 2.0.X firmware update scheduled for August, brings plenty of free fixins originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 28 Jun 2012 20:16:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Canon (US) | Email this | Comments | | Pentagon starts Phoenix trial to harvest defunct satellites, MacGyver new ones from orbit Jun 28th 2012, 23:46  The Phoenix Frankenprogram to harvest the corpses of expired satellites and cobble together new ones seemed like one of DARPA's more daft ideas, but this one has actually kicked off its first phase of development. The plan is to first launch a service craft -- replete with robotic arms and enough processing horsepower to work independently if needed -- followed by the tiny base-unit skeleton satlets. The service mothership would dip into an orbital area called the "graveyard", grabbing pre-chosen cadavers and picking off usable parts, especially valuable antenna arrays, with its robo-limbs. Those parts would be jury-rigged to the bare-bones units, creating usable Pentagon satellites and saving the $10,000 per pound launch cost. So far, a $2.5 million contract to develop the needed technology has been put in place, and bids for the no-frills satlets went out last week. Plenty of dirty work is still needed, so check the video after the break to see if the overly-elaborate plan can un-moot $300 billion of orbiting cold metal. Continue reading Pentagon starts Phoenix trial to harvest defunct satellites, MacGyver new ones from orbit Pentagon starts Phoenix trial to harvest defunct satellites, MacGyver new ones from orbit originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 28 Jun 2012 19:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink  Slashdot | Wired | Email this | Comments | |
