blink

Ecotality to copilot with Australia on EV program

Ecotality announced today that it's been chosen to partner with the government of the Australian province Victoria to install and monitor Blink electric vehicle charging stations in a test project.

As part of the Victorian Electric Vehicle Trial, the Victorian Department of Transport is asking 180 households to volunteer to have Ecotality's Blink Level 2 fasting-charging stations installed in their homes and drive an electric vehicle (EV) for at least three months.

As with the U.S. EV test project, those who join the Victorian test project will be agreeing to have their chargers monitored so the government … Read more

Blink-induced log-in now available on 64-bit Windows

It is now harder to blank on computer security with the newest version of Luxund's facial-recognition log-in program, Blink!. The newest version supports Windows Vista and Windows 7 64-bit, in addition to the original 32-bit version. On Luxand's Web site, the company promises "more stability, more reliability, and thus more security."

This free application uses advanced biometric identification, allowing users to log into their computer simply by looking into a Webcam. Blink cleared numerous tests, including sunglasses. The program has multiple security functions, such as support for multiple users and the capability to create a log … Read more

Ecotality unveils consumer EV charging stations

Ecotality unveiled Tuesday what will be one of the first commercially available charging stations specifically designed for electric vehicles and plug-in electric vehicles.

The Ecotality Blink line of charging stations, which will initially be implemented as part of the national EV Project, consists of a free-standing commercial model and a wall-mountable home model both made to work via a 240-volt AC input.

The Blink Level 2 wall mount charger for the home can be installed in a garage or outdoors in a carport. Ecotality estimates its station will take between two to six hours to fully recharge a vehicle battery.

Ecotality has released information in an attempt to answer the inevitable questions sure to be posed by the average consumer as EV charging station technology is introduced to the general public:

The Blink station is compliant with the national electric code requirements, and the plug part that goes into your car, which is the J1772 standard electric car plug agreed upon by the Society of Automotive Engineers, is "safe in wet or dry use."

The plug and cable can also "withstand being driven over by a vehicle."

The length of the electric cable is about 18 feet long, and the charging station includes a holder for that long cable.

The EV charging station integrates with an EV's drive system, so drivers can't accidentally put the car in drive and attempt to drive away while their car is still plugged in.

The Blink comes with a touch-screen display for operating it.

The machine has a built-in smart metering system to monitor usage.

In addition to introducing America to the basics of a an EV charging station, Ecotality announced Wednesday it has signed an agreement with Qualcomm to implement its technology into Blink stations so that the stations can communicate over cellular networks. The Qualcomm tech will allow the charging stations to use cell networks to transfer usage data, as well as perform firmware updates. But the Blink stations, according to Ecotality specs, will also have the capability to use LAN, wireless IEEE 802.11g, or ZigBee to communicate.

The Blink home station will be able to communicate directly with utilities, and take direction from the user via a Web application or smartphone that will also allow the user to regulate when the charger kicks on. The station itself can also be timed for personal convenience, or to automatically work in sync with off-peak electricity times and rates.… Read more

Blink to log in with your face

There's more to your webcam than Chatroulette and Skype-powered confabs. Blink ties your Windows log-in to your face, supported by the facial-recognition algorithms of its publisher, Luxand. Luxand is best known for a facial-recognition SDK and search engine that it licenses to Web sites such as Universal Pictures.

Blink differs from competition like KeyLemon by offering fewer features, but for free. When you install the program, it will offer to run a wizard to help you set it up. The wizard will autodetect your Webcam, and give you a choice if you have more than one. After giving you … Read more

Blink and you'll miss it

Blink and you'll miss it. This free program adds an extra level of security to your computer through your Webcam, associating your face with your username and password so you can start using your computer after a few seconds of looking at your Webcam.

When you install the program, it will offer to run a wizard to help you set it up. The wizard will autodetect your Webcam, and give you a choice if you have more than one. After giving you a screen to click through, which serves to give you more of a chance to compose yourself … Read more

Inside CNET Labs 83: Nerdfest! (podcast)

Nerdfest! Dong tells us about the very exciting nerdfest he had this weekend and how the Xbox 360 controller sucks compared to the keyboard and mouse. And excuses, excuses, excuses about why he didn't win. He's just bitter.

Then he explains why his media center is better than anyone Else's. He may actually have a point here, especially compared to mine. Since I don't have one.

Also, ever not been able to pull yourself away from a game? Sure, we all have. We speak a little about the science of this phenomenon.

Finally, In keeping with … Read more

Get a rave in your ears with the iBlink earbuds

Cheap earbuds are not hard to come by; there are hundreds of sets on the market that won't cost you a penny more than $30. And all of them are, by and large, indistinguishable from one another. Of course, there are the rare exceptions, such as the iBlink Earbuds.

This $25 set features integrated LEDs that blink to the "beat" of the music, and while the construction is cheap and the sound quality won't be passable for discerning listeners, the flashing light gimmick is sure to appeal to more than a few tweens and teens.

Read the full review of the iBlink Earbuds.… Read more

iPod lights to irritate us all from afar

What is it that makes accessory manufacturers think that media players need flashing lights? Griffin recently came out with its "Disko" case in all its blinking glory, much to the dismay of some true Apple loyalists. But at least that product had some practical protective use.

The "Lumi Flasher" by Japan's Trinity, on the other hand, is simply lights for the sake of lights, with one white and four red LEDs that plug into the iPod's dock connector. It does include a "flashlight mode," according to Newlaunches, but we're not sure … Read more