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Scientists release biggest ever 3D map of the universe, lacks turn-by-turn navigation (video) Aug 10th 2012, 13:49 The stargazers at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics have released a huge three-dimensional map of outer space, a core part of its six-year survey of the skies. Encompassing four billion light-years cubed, the researchers hope to use the map to retrace the movements of the universe through the last six billion years. Using the latest Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS-III), the center says the data will help improve their estimates for the quantity of dark matter in space and the effect that dark energy has on the universe's expansion, "two of the greatest mysteries of our time" -- if you're an astrophysicist. Even if you're not, you'll still want to board the animated flight through over 400,000 charted galaxies -- it's embedded after the break. Continue reading Scientists release biggest ever 3D map of the universe, lacks turn-by-turn navigation (video) Filed under: Science Scientists release biggest ever 3D map of the universe, lacks turn-by-turn navigation (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Aug 2012 09:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink PC World  |  Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics  | Email this | Comments Distro Issue 52: Does the MakerBot Replicator signal the dawn of in-home 3D printing? Aug 10th 2012, 13:30 Almost every day it seems like folks are finding a way to add to the number of practical uses for 3D printers. What was once a hobbyist's dream gadget is now being used to produce faux arteries for lab-grown tissue and Magic Arms. As the pricey peripherals work their way into the mainstream, are they soon to be found in most homes? That's the quandary we tackle in this edition of our weekly tablet mag as Brian Heater spends some quality time with the MakerBot Replicator at Engadget's NYC Headquarters. Not really into $2,000 output devices? No sweat. The Meizu MX 4-core, Toshiba U845W and Parrot Zik headphones all get the proper review treatment. "Hands-on" visits SIGGRAPH, "Weekly Stat" examines the shortcomings of our handsets, "Reaction Time" discusses THQ, "IRL" packs in three more of our gadget confessions and GameStop CEO Paul Raines admits his affinity for Jelly Bean in this week's Q&A. Go on and usher in the weekend by hitting up your download link of choice down below. Distro Issue 52 PDF Distro in the iTunes App Store Distro in the Google Play Store Distro APK (for sideloading) Like Distro on Facebook Follow Distro on Twitter Filed under: Announcements Distro Issue 52: Does the MakerBot Replicator signal the dawn of in-home 3D printing? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Aug 2012 09:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink   |  iTunes, Google Play  | Email this | Comments HTC One X gets Android 4.0.4 update today: enhances camera app, adds menu functionality to multitasking button Aug 10th 2012, 12:53 If you thought the One X's capacitive button layout jarred with the Ice Cream Sandwich experience you saw on the Galaxy Nexus, you'll like what HTC's just told us. An update to version 4.0.4, launching today, will allow users to map menu functionality to the lower right 'recent app' key, while it will also treat its owners to white balance and continuous autofocus improvements within its well-received camera app. Expect a handful of stability improvements as well as a dedicated tab switcher for the built-in browser -- if you haven't already made the leap to Chrome. According to HTC, the update for the international iteration rolls out today, with the AT&T version already doing the rounds. The full statement's included below. Let us know how you get on. Continue reading HTC One X gets Android 4.0.4 update today: enhances camera app, adds menu functionality to multitasking button Filed under: Cellphones HTC One X gets Android 4.0.4 update today: enhances camera app, adds menu functionality to multitasking button originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Aug 2012 08:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments Zotac's ZBOX ID84 mini PC sports Cedar Trail CPU and optional NVIDIA, starts at $229 Aug 10th 2012, 12:19 As recent history would kindly tell us, Zotac really, really loves its tiny computing boxes. Now the outfit's introduced yet another one to its mini PC mix: enter the ZBOX ID84. The standalone unit -- which lacks an HDD and memory sticks -- is set to be priced at a not-too-shabby $229, while the "Plus" model will carry a more expensive $319 price tag, but does come sporting a decent 320GB (5,400RPM) hard drive, 2GB of DDR3 RAM, NVIDIA's GeForce GT 520M GPU alongside the dual-core Intel Atom D2550 CPU. Ports-wise the ZBOX ID84 Plus is pretty well-stacked, sporting two USB 3.0, four USB 2.0, a notorious 6-in-1 card reader, gigabit Ethernet, plus DVI and HDMI. All in all, it looks like Zotac's latest miniature could get most anyone through the days, though we wouldn't blame you if you're interested in something with a little more power under the hood. Filed under: Desktops Zotac's ZBOX ID84 mini PC sports Cedar Trail CPU and optional NVIDIA, starts at $229 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Aug 2012 08:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink DailyTech  |  Zotac  | Email this | Comments India's prime minister reportedly working on giving free handsets to low-income families Aug 10th 2012, 09:02 We've seen companies like Microsoft help out low-income people by dropping prices on its hardware and software in the past, and now India's prime minister's allegedly taking a similar approach but with mobile handsets being the focus behind this nice gesture -- and better yet, at no cost whatsoever. Per the Times of India, sources have told the publication Manmohan Singh's got a plan in the works that'd bring one mobile device to "every family living below the poverty line," with said "Har Hath Mein Phone" scheme expected to be announced as early as next week. Notably, if all goes according to the purported plan, this would help over 6 million Indian families, most of which are currently lacking any sort of communication device in their household. There's still a few days until we find out whether the project is indeed real, for now let's just hope our friends in India don't experience some more power outages anytime soon. Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless India's prime minister reportedly working on giving free handsets to low-income families originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Aug 2012 05:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink   |  Times of India  | Email this | Comments

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