Thursday, July 26, 2012

Your 2 hourly digest for Engadget

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Strobe lighting goggles shown to improve short-term memory, all-night ravers feel validated
Jul 25th 2012, 23:07

Strobe lighting goggles shown to improve shortterm memory, allnight ravers feel validated

Those goggles you see above aren't for stylish looks while playing dodgeball -- they're the keys to a potentially important discovery about short-term memory. Duke University's Institute for Brain Sciences found that subjects playing catch with goggles simulating strobe lights were noticeably better at memorizing information during tests, even a full day after playtime was over. It's not hard to see why: with a limited amount of time to see that incoming ball, participants had to more vividly remember brief scenes to stay on top of the game. We don't yet know if there's any kind of long-term boost, so don't get your hopes up that strobe lights are the shortcuts to permanent photographic memory. Still, the findings suggest that frequent nightclubbers might be on to something... or, at least, have a better idea of where they left their keys the morning after.

[Image credit: Les Todd, Duke Institute for Brain Sciences]

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Strobe lighting goggles shown to improve short-term memory, all-night ravers feel validated originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 25 Jul 2012 19:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Windows 8 streamlines printing, puts old architecture on the chopping block
Jul 25th 2012, 22:33

Windows 8 streamlines printing, puts old architecture on the chopping block

Anyone who's ever attempted to configure a new printer from their PC knows the process can be cumbersome at best and Microsoft largely agrees. So, in anticipation of its upcoming OS refresh, Redmond's pulling back the curtain on how it managed to trim the fat from its previous printing architecture. The new system which will underlie both consumer-focused iterations of Windows 8, simply dubbed v4, slims down the 768MB of disk space previously required on Vista for a significantly lighter 184MB (an average) footprint in Windows 8 and adds greater in-box support for more commonly used, contemporary printers -- specifically for Windows RT. The team's also worked hard to keep the experience consistent, separating manufacturer UIs from drivers and paving the way for Metro-style support where necessary. The changes will reportedly ease the load on ARM-based devices and streamline the end user experience with a hassle-free, plug-and-play approach. In the words of team program lead Adrian Lannin, "it just works." Indeed, we'll be sure to find out if it does this October 26th. Hit up the source below to sift through the minutiae of these behind-the-scenes changes.

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Windows 8 streamlines printing, puts old architecture on the chopping block originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 25 Jul 2012 18:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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This is the Modem World: So what's with the tech backlash thing?
Jul 25th 2012, 22:00

Each week Joshua Fruhlinger contributes This is the Modem World, a column dedicated to exploring the culture of consumer technology.

DNP This is the Modem World So what's with the tech backlash thing

Just over a month ago, Apple launched its svelte new MacBook Pro with Retina display. Powerful and beautiful, we all fell in love with the new device, jammed up Apple's ordering process, and prepared to queue up for a hot new Mac all over again.

Then we woke a day later to a slew of realizations: the unit is hard to upgrade, software isn't optimized for the new display, and repairs will be expensive, if not impossible. Then we heard that some Retina screens were having color issues. So we rioted. We hated it for being limited, for not being the sexy woman she promised she was the night before.

Continue reading This is the Modem World: So what's with the tech backlash thing?

This is the Modem World: So what's with the tech backlash thing? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 25 Jul 2012 18:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google shows off Creator Space in London, hopes to foster more professional YouTube videos
Jul 25th 2012, 21:39

Google shows off Creator Space in London, hopes to foster more professional YouTube videos

Google confirmed a few months back that it was looking to build some studios in at least a few cities to give YouTube video makers a more professional workspace, and we now have our first good look at exactly what it's had in mind. The company's today released a video showcasing its new London-based Creator Space, which is said to be opening its doors in the "next few weeks" in Google's own Soho office. While there's no word on the costs involved just yet, the space does certainly look to be well-equipped, boasting a range of DSLRs and professional video cameras, a green screen room, lighting rigs, editing suites, and audio booths -- not to mention lectures and workshops to help folks get the most out of all that gear. No further word on those other studios just yet, but you can get a glimpse of this one after the break.

Continue reading Google shows off Creator Space in London, hopes to foster more professional YouTube videos

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Google shows off Creator Space in London, hopes to foster more professional YouTube videos originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 25 Jul 2012 17:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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