FTA awards $16.6 million in grants for fuel cell bus research

While we were jealously hung up on South Korea's working electric bus system, Christmas apparently came early for a couple of lucky US fuel cell bus research projects -- in the form of $16.6 million in Federal Transit Administration grants. Pasadena based Calstart snagged almost $10.2 million and will funnel 70 percent of the funds to developing the first phase of a low-cost, longer lasting fuel cell power system. Calstart will then spend its remaining $2.9 million in partnership with the Chicago Regional Transit Authority to develop and test the viability of fuel cell bus fleets in cold climates. The Center for Transportation and the Environment in Atlanta was the other project to hit the federal money gravy train. It received a hefty $6.4 million to spread across six different projects that dabble in everything from developing fast-charging 35-foot fuel cell buses, to similar lithium ion versions, to improving existing hybrid bus platforms. Federal pork for fuel cell DSLR development regrettably missed the cut. For the full scoop hit up the press release after the break.

Continue reading FTA awards $16.6 million in grants for fuel cell bus research

FTA awards $16.6 million in grants for fuel cell bus research originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 31 Dec 2010 17:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Happy New Year! [NewYear]

It's 2011! Let's pop bottles and party and celebrate and actually try to remember our resolutions this year. 2010 was a pretty good year and as they say, it only gets better. Time to do it all over again! More »

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Shooting on Film Is One of the Most Frustrating Experiences, Yet I Won't Stop [Rants]

I got three rolls of film processed today, and have been sobbing ever since. Why? Because only 17% of the shots came out. You might say it's my own fault for using film in a digital world, but you're wrong. More »

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iPhonECG case monitors your heart rate to make sure you're appropriately excited about CES

CES isn't just about incrementally thinner or faster hardware, you know. Some people like to bring legitimately innovative ideas to the show, such as this iPhonECG case, which does what its name suggests: it takes an ECG (electrocardiogram) reading of your heart's activity through a pair of electrodes and then communicates its findings to an iPhone 4 it can be attached to. We say it can be attached to an iPhone as communication is done wirelessly, so you'll probably be able to monitor your ticker's rhythm without the Applephone pressed against your bosom. Then again, maybe you like that. It's a free world, we don't judge. We'll be sending out our most hairy-chested editor to give this thing a proper test at the Las Vegas convention next week. Until then, scope out the video after the break.

Continue reading iPhonECG case monitors your heart rate to make sure you're appropriately excited about CES

iPhonECG case monitors your heart rate to make sure you're appropriately excited about CES originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 31 Dec 2010 08:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Via Motors E-REV hybrid trucks power your commute and the job site too (video)

Hybrid cars have officially jumped the shark, boring drivers from coast to coast as they smugly hypermile wherever they're going. Meanwhile, those with big trucks have been relatively out of luck, having to stop frequently for gas -- and to scrape the remains of those little hybrids out of their fender wells. That's changing soon, with Via Motors taking its rebranded Chevy trucks (dig that flying V on the grille) and offering them to fleets in 2011, with sales to individuals coming two years later (you can get in line now for $1,000 down). Big companies like, apparently, PG&E will be able to roll in these so-called E-REV trucks that offer either 20 or 40 miles of electric range, augmented by an onboard generator. Yes, it's a series hybrid layout similar in theory to the Volt, with the internal combustion engine charging the batteries which, in turn, send juice to the 268hp motor. Interestingly, though, that generator can power other things as well, providing 120 or 240V to tools, lights, maybe even hot tubs if you're a super cool contractor. No word on anticipated vehicle cost nor efficiency, but we're not expecting miracles on either front.

Continue reading Via Motors E-REV hybrid trucks power your commute and the job site too (video)

Via Motors E-REV hybrid trucks power your commute and the job site too (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 31 Dec 2010 19:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ask DLS: how to change your Download Squad password, the best Android web browser, and tailoring our RSS feeds

We're back with more of your questions, and more of our excellent answers.

This week, with the high-profile Gawker Media hack, we've been innundated with commenters asking how to change their Download Squad password. Now, it's not the easiest thing in the world, and yes, we know our commenting system isn't the best in the world (and we know there are still a few 'Easter eggs' from the Switched merger; they'll be ironed out soon, I promise) -- so if you're struggling to change your password, follow these simple steps:

• Make sure you're logged in -- the only way to do this (at the moment) is to leave a comment on a post (any post will do!)
• Find one of your comments -- the comment you just made will work just fine
• Click your name -- it's a link to your profile page (it will look something like this). Marvel at your huge post counts!
• Type your old password, and confirm a new password -- hit Change Password and you're done!

Continue reading Ask DLS: how to change your Download Squad password, the best Android web browser, and tailoring our RSS feeds

Ask DLS: how to change your Download Squad password, the best Android web browser, and tailoring our RSS feeds originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 20 Dec 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Swype Beta for Android opens up again -- don't miss out this time!

Swype, by far the best on-screen input method for Android phones, is yet again available to download. The beta has been coming and going since the end of 2009 -- but for the second half of 2010 it's been impossible to get in on the action... until now! You can now sign up on the Swype Beta for Android website, and installation details will be emailed to you instantly.

If you haven't seen it in action before, the best idea is just to try it out yourself. But if you don't have an Android phone, our video review is after the break. Basically, rather than hitting each key individually, you draw a single 'line' through the letters you require. Swype, with uncanny accuracy, then works out what you're trying to write. It's very fast, and incredibly refreshing if you're used to jabbing at a touchscreen.

Continue reading Swype Beta for Android opens up again -- don't miss out this time!

Swype Beta for Android opens up again -- don't miss out this time! originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 21 Dec 2010 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Flight is a paper plane-flinging Time Waster

Who doesn't like folding and chucking paper airplanes? Wouldn't it be cooler if you could collect power-ups for them? It sure would. But since that's not really feasible in real life, head over to Armor Games and play a round of Flight.

It's an awesome little Time Waster that's simple to play. Click and hold to pick up your plane, then drag and release to send it skyward. As it cruises along, you'll snag cash for bursting through stars -- and you can boost your cash pickups by hitting a crane. You'll also receive a distance bonus on top of your cash, and you can spend your hard-earned money on upgrades like better planes, rocket boost, stronger throw, lighter weight, and many others.

Hit a 'star struck,' and your plane will rocket along for quite a while without losing any altitude. There are also windmills which can provide a quick boost -- but make sure you watch out for headwinds!

Play Flight

Flight is a paper plane-flinging Time Waster originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 28 Dec 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mozilla's P2PU 'School of Webcraft' gearing up for another semester of nerdy teaching

It turns out Barney isn't the only dinosaur interested in education -- Mozilla (with its own Dinosaur) is ramping up the course count in its online education program, delivered via P2PU. 'The School of Webcraft' is basically a free online learning community with structured courses about a range of Web-related subjects, from HTML5, through JavaScript, all the way to social media management and SEO. Each class is between six to ten weeks long, with the Mozilla-supported program offering 15 classes last term. This coming semester, they're upping their efforts and running a full 30 courses.

Each class is led by an actual human being, and participation is required -- it's not just a bunch of videos you have to watch. There's a limited number of places available per class, and you have to actually do homework. Not all classes are for beginners either; some are for advanced coders, too. But registration isn't available just yet - it begins Jan 8, and there's a mailing list you can join to be alerted when registration opens.

If you're serious about your Web-related education, we suggest you sign up for the mailing list -- these courses tend to fill up quite quickly. Head on over to the School of Webcraft site for more information.

Mozilla's P2PU 'School of Webcraft' gearing up for another semester of nerdy teaching originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 20 Dec 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Does Your Password Contain Non-Latin Characters? [Vulnerability]

Joseph Bonneau, a PhD candidate at the Security Group, University of Cambridge Computer Laboratory, contacted us to report a problem he found with non-Latin character passwords (Unicode) on Gawker Media sites: More »

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