Autodesk's new app lets kids design their own toys

Autodesk's new app lets kids design their own toys

3D printers can build anything from prosthetics and musical instruments to Hershey chocolates. But, even as the technology continues to make strides with materials (metal, concrete, etc.) and takes on full-fledged architectural projects, it seems to move further away from the reach of children. Tinkerplay, a new kid-friendly 3D printing app, makes it quick and easy for all age groups to design and experiment with minimal assistance.

The app is the brainchild of Autodesk, the company best known for its flagship AutoCAD design software. It's an evolution of Autodesk-acquired Modio, an iPad app that worked with desktop 3D printers. Like its predecessor, Tinkerplay eliminates the need for additional rafts and support materials which tend to complicate the process for at-home designs. But new features and functions allow kids (and older humans) to choose from the pre-loaded character templates or create their own versions from modifiable parts. Users can drag and drop parts to create characters or create their own complex little parts with customizable textures and colors for a new design. For the latter, connectors available with the larger Tinkercad family can be employed. In the end, the printer processes similar color parts that can be snapped up together for a ready-to-pose figurine.

Engadget

The app, available on iOS, Android and Windows, is an addition to a growing list of 3D printing tools that encourage at-home experimentation. But it also engages a more pertinent audience –– a generation that learns to swipe screens and tinker with gadgets before they can walk.

[Image credit: Tinkerplay]

Read More

Windows 10 launches this summer in 190 countries

Windows 10 launches this summer in 190 countries

Microsoft's leaner, meaner, latest iteration of Windows is coming in just a few months, and it's launching in 170 countries, in 111 languages. Don't forget: Windows 10 is a free upgrade if you're already using Windows 7 or 8. Hiding in its imposing shadow, and launching at the same time, the company will release special free version of its OS for Internet of Things devices, which Microsoft's Terry Myerson reckons could well find its way into ATMs and ultrasound machines. Curiously, anyone that has a Xiaomi Mi 4 will also able to download the preview of Windows 10 ahead of it's release -- despite it being an Android phone.
Windows Blog

Mat Smith

Engadget

Read More

Calum Hood, Luke Hemmings & Ashton Irwin Wear Matching Outfits

Calum Hood, Luke Hemmings & Ashton Irwin Wear Matching Outfits

Calum Hood, Luke Hemmings and Ashton Irwin obviously spend a ton of time together since you know they happen to be a in a band together. The 5 Seconds of Summer boys are even dressing like each other, which just makes us love them even more.

Calum posted this pic on his Instagram account showing us how he, Luke and Ashton all wore T-shirts repping their favorite band, Red Hot Chili Peppers. We like to think that Michael Clifford was busy taking this photo, which is why he wasn't in it, but it's kind of adorable that the guys showed up all wearing the same shirt. Great minds think alike!

Read More

Drones will soon detect unexploded bombs in Laos

Drones will soon detect unexploded bombs in Laos

Drones are more than just flying robots designed for commercial deliveries and buying Crocs. Despite some lingering suspicion from consumers, unmanned aircrafts have been deployed for social good too. They can aid rescue missions, navigate tough regions and even put out fires. Now, Austin-based ArchAerial's new drone mission could potentially save lives in war-torn regions that are prone to accidents and fatalities from unexploded bombs.
An aerial imaging firm, ArchAerial, already employs multi-rotor aircrafts for agricultural mapping, academic research and archeological surveys. Over the weekend at SXSW, Ryan Baker, the company's CEO, announced that his firm plans to deploy a prototype that will map minefields and locate unexploded bombs in areas historically ravaged by war. The humanitarian drone, essentially an Octocopter, will be loaded with LIDAR, a remote sensing technology that 3D maps the surface of the Earth with immaculate precision. If the mission goes as planned, it will keep surveyors from ever having to set foot on the ground in search of minefields.

ArchAerial's first minefield-locating mission will be in Laos, a country quite literally scarred from the Vietnam War. The US dropped about two million tons of explosives within a span of nine years, making Laos, a small Southeast Asian country the most bombed area in the world. Half a century later, an estimated 80 million baseball-sized bombs scattered across the country continue to threaten civilian lives.

[Image credit: ArchAerial]The Stack

Mona Lalwani
Engadget 

Read More

Folding electric bike talks to all your other smart devices

Folding electric bike talks to all your other smart devices

While there's no shortage of smart bikes, they still have limits: many rely chiefly on pedal power, and their tech-savviness is often limited to talking to a special smartphone app. The JIVR Bike might just solve several of those problems at once, though. The two-wheeler not only uses a chainless electric drive (good for 20 miles of pedal-free travel per charge), but serves as an iBeacon that talks to any nearby device which supports the format -- you could have it send info to your laptop, if you like. It folds to fit into small apartments, too, and you can plug in your phone to use it as a dashboard.
As you'd imagine, a connected e-bike isn't going to be cheap. JIVR is crowdfunding its machine, and you'll have to shell out between £699 to £1,749 ($1,036 to $2,593) to get the Bike early depending both on how quickly you act and whether or not you're willing to be an ambassador for the brand. Provided the hardware makes its planned September release, however, you may well get a lot for your money.
Kickstarter

Jon Fingas

Engadget 

Read More

Nintendo is finally developing smartphone games

Nintendo is finally developing smartphone games

Despite denying it would ever do such a thing, Nintendo has entered into a partnership with developer DeNA to create new games for mobile devices. The emphasis is on the word "new" -- you won't be getting Super Mario Bros. on your Android smartphone, for instance. Instead, the companies said "only new original games optimized for smart device functionality will be created, rather than porting games created specifically for the Wii U home console or the Nintendo 3DS portable system." In other words, it looks like Nintendo has relented to investors who've said it's not profiting enough from its valuable intellectual property, and you may soon see its universe of characters pop up in Candy Crush-style games.
Nintendo started experimenting with free-to-play games featuring paid downloadable content (DLC) last year. If you've never heard of DeNA, it runs the popular Mobage Japanese mobile gaming portal, and has created notable mobile spinoffs for games like Final Fantasy.
Developing...
Nasdaq

Steve Dent

Engadget 

Read More

Nintendo's next-generation console is codenamed 'NX'

Nintendo's next-generation console is codenamed 'NX'

It should come as no surprise to hear that Nintendo is working on a new console. Fresh hardware takes years to develop, so engineers are always working on future systems while the rest of us play on the current generation of consoles. What we didn't expect, however, is for Nintendo to talk about its next system so soon. In today's press conference, where the company detailed its plans to make mobile games with DeNA, it also teased a new system codenamed "NX." Few details were disclosed, other than it'll involve fresh hardware and a new gameplay concept. The NX symbol appeared on a slide alongside the Nintendo Wii U, 3DS and other mobile platforms, which suggests it could be a complimentary device, rather than a straight successor to either its current home console or handhelds.

It's no secret that Nintendo's Wii U has been struggling. Despite some standout titles, including Mario Kart 8 and Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, the platform hasn't resonated with consumers like the original Wii or the latest hardware from both Sony and Microsoft. Many have wondered how long it will take before Nintendo decides to cut its losses and shift focus to a new console entirely. That would, of course, disgruntle existing Wii U owners, so a new system that sits alongside Nintendo's existing hardware, at least for a short time, makes sense. Chief executive Satoru Iwata said more details about NX will be shared "next year," so don't expect any grand announcements at E3 or the next Nintendo Direct.

"As proof that Nintendo maintains strong enthusiasm for the dedicated game system business, let me confirm that Nintendo is currently developing a dedicated game platform with a brand-new concept under the development codename 'NX,'" he says.

Why is Nintendo making this announcement now? Its decision to develop new smartphone games with DeNA is sure to rile some of its most dedicated fans, which feel the company's characters should be protected from outside developers, especially those in the mobile space. Teasing the "NX" now should reassure gamers that Nintendo is still committed to "hardcore" titles and isn't abandoning its hardware business anytime soon

Nick Summers
Engadget

Read More

Are Taylor Swift's Besties Fighting Over Her?

Are Taylor Swift's Besties Fighting Over Her?

Taylor Swift is known for her close relationships with her friends, but now rumors are swirling that Cara Delevingne and Karlie Kloss are fighting over her. However, they're apparently totally false!

The reports claim that Cara makes fun of the "Shake It Off" singer behind her back, and Karlie called her out about it.

“Cara can be extremely two faced, like whenever she sees Taylor she acts like they’re best friends but then behind her back she makes fun of her,” their source said.

“She was all over Taylor at the BRIT Awards even though she always says how boring Taylor is, so Karlie called her out for being a fake and Cara went crazy on her, it got really ugly.”

The model's rep says that they've never gotten into a feud over their mutual friend, which makes us so happy! Of course, we totally didn't believe this would happen. While we would understand Karlie defending her BFF, we've only known Cara to be totally chill and a big fan of the singer. They're all friends!

Read More

Google Code is shutting down because everyone loves GitHub

Google Code is shutting down because everyone loves GitHub

Goodbye, Google Code. The technology giant has decided to close its project hosting and code collaboration site because, well, there are simply better alternatives on the web. Google says it launched the platform back in 2006 because it was unhappy with the "limited" options available to the open source community. Since then, the likes of GitHub and Bitbucket have risen to prominence, superseding Google Code's feature set and encouraging developers to transfer their projects. As such, Google's offering has become increasingly filled with spam and abuse, leading to the company's decision to pull the plug. Yesterday it stopped accepting new projects, and on August 24th the site will become read-only. Google Code will eventually be shuttered next January, although tarballs of project source, issues and wikis will continue to be available throughout 2016. If you need to transfer a project, head here for the relevant GitHub and Bitbucket migration tools.
[Image credit: AP Photo/John Cogill]
Google

Nick Summers
Engadget

Read More

5 Seconds of Summer Dream Up Arena Tours For The Future

5 Seconds of Summer Dream Up Arena Tours For The Future

The guys – Luke Hemmings,Michael Clifford, Calum Hood, andAshton Irwin – just wrapped up a handful of concerts in Tokyo.

“It’s going to be incredible to do an arena tour,” Luke shared with Brazil’sCapricho Magazine about future tours with the band.

He added, “The second support tour we did was in arenas… I remember going on stage and us saying to each other, ‘we’re going to be back here next year’, and not knowing that we would be, so it’s awesome.”

Read More

Zedd Thinks Selena Gomez Is "Inspiring"

Zedd Thinks Selena Gomez Is "Inspiring"

Zedd and Selena Gomez have proven their creative relationship is on fire with "I Want You to Know," and now he says that he's inspired by her! In a behind-the-scenes video with MTV, he couldn't help but gush over her ability to cope with the struggles of fame.

"I learned that she's extremely talented with dealing with being in the press all the time and being everywhere and not being bothered by that. I find it extremely inspiring that you can kind of shut off and do your thing and not be bothered by other people," he said.

Read More

'Frozen 2' Sequel Movie Officially Announced

'Frozen 2' Sequel Movie Officially Announced

It's official! Disney has announced a Frozen 2 sequel film!

John Lasster, the Chief Creative Officer of Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios, revealed about the movie:

“We enjoyed making Frozen Fever so much and being back in that world with those characters. Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck have come up with a great idea for a sequel and you will be hearing a lot more about it and we’re taking you back to Arendelle. We are so excited about that.”

 The Frozen sequel movie will be directed by Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee, and will be produced by Peter De Vecho. Actor Josh Gad, who voices Olaf, was on hand for the big announcement, leading many Frozen fans to believe he will be a big part of the sequel film!

Read More