The new feature allows you to skip every commercial on recorded programs starting at 1 AM the night after you record. I’m sure television studio executives are having full-on seizures right about now. This is much more than simply being able to push a button and automatically fast-forward through commercial. What Auto Hop does is completely delete commercial and connect the ends of the program for nonstop play.

How awesome is that? This means that you don’t have to pick up the remote to fast-forward; all you need to do is hit play and sit back. If Dish Network is able to weather the inevitable legal storm that this feature will raise from TV studios, I might switch from DirecTV to get this feature alone. However, there is a catch – at this point, Auto Hop only works for ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC, and only with select “PrimeTime” programming, and only the day after initial broadcast. It’s too bad that they don’t let it work with all commercial programming.

[via Engadget]

DARPA is soliciting responses from corporations to build a very interesting satellite system called SeeMe. The system has a small launch vehicle sized like a missile that would hang under fighter jets wings. This particular missile could apparently be mounted under a civilian aircraft. The aircraft would then take off and fly to cruising altitude where it would launch the missile into space.

Once the missile was at its precise orbit, a small disposable satellite would launch with optics that can see exactly where the soldier who requested it is, and start providing coverage in as little as 90 minutes. The idea is that these small SeeMe satellites would be able to provide personalized space-based surveillance coverage on demand.

DARPA sees the system operating with a constellation of disposable satellites able to stay in orbit for 60 to 90 days before burning up on reentry. The launch system may be in the form of another DARPA project called Airport Launch Assist Space Access, designed for payloads around 100 pounds.

For more information on SeeMe, head over to the DARPA website.

Yes, at the Millennium Falcon School of Higher Learning, you will even learn the fine art of differentiating Moons from Space stations and negotiating a price for passengers with Jedi and farm boys. Enroll right away.

[via IHeartChaos via Geeks Are Sexy]

For $99.95 you get both the globe and Sky & Telescope’s detailed Moon Guide. That’s a pretty good price for such an accurate Death Star, I mean Moon globe.

[via Sky and Telescope via geekosystem]

The Swiss have come up with a new satellite they call CleanSpace One. This is a small satellite would be cheap to build and place into orbit. The design has some sort of grasping claw and the satellite would fly up near a defunct satellite that’s no longer needed or a piece of space debris where the claw would catch its prey. The claw would then draw the old satellite or space junk inside.

The satellite is designed to then propel itself and its junky cargo into the Earth’s atmosphere where it would burn up on reentry. CleanSpace One’s first mission will be to capture one of two tiny Swiss satellites in orbit right now that are no longer in use. The satellite targets will be either the Swisscube or Tlsat, which are both 61 cubic inches in size.

[via BusinessInsider]

Google has announced that it has updated the service to version 6.2, and with that update the photos loose their gaps and irregularities, and get a uniform appearance.

That means now when you view the Earth, instead of seeing a mosaic of square photos plastered next to each other you just get a very smooth and cohesive image.

The tech used to accomplish this evens out the pics so ones taken night aren’t so dark and ones with clouds don’t stand out. Google also added the ability to get better search results, as well as added walking, public transport, and biking directions and the ability to share maps via Google+.

You can grab the latest Google Earth installer here.

[via Google Lat Long Blog]

Phoenix is intended to cruise around up in orbit, targeting satellites that have failed. The idea is that on most of the satellites that aren’t working, the issue may be with one small part leaving the main antenna dish, solar panels, and other large parts perfectly functional. The catch is that you can’t just shoot a repairman up into geosynchronous orbit to fix these satellites.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

This is where Phoenix comes in. This sub-component of a satellite (or “satlet”) would find those up there that aren’t working, and link up next to the defunct satellite, detaching defective components, then attaching itself to the working parts to build new satellites in orbit. Phoenix would need to be able to cut through the metal outside of a satellite and reach the sensitive innards to take them apart. The actual disassembly would likely be done by a person on the ground using a telepresence system.

[via Dvice]

Unfortunately I don’t know exactly how fast it cooks food. In fact, I don’t know how fast food is cooked in general. I just wait until my sister says it’s time to eat. Anyway, ID Cook does say this on its product page: “Cooking time: 60 minutes Chicken.” So yeah. No idea.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

I wonder how one goes about retrieving food off of a 200°C surface. I’m sure it’s in the manual, because the Cookup is undoubtedly a long-term investment. You’ll get savings from not having to buy fuel for it, but you’ll have to burn a lot of money upfront – the stainless steel and plastic Cookup INOX sells for about $429 (USD), while the wood and aluminum Cookup200 sells for about $715. You can order both from ID Cook’s website.

[via Notcot]

The satellite in question is the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite or UARS, which was decommissioned in 2005. The last of its fuel is now burnt, pushing the massive 6.5-ton satellite into a lower, decaying orbit that will eventually bring the satellite hurtling back to Earth.

The rub is that the satellite is so big that NASA figures that this Friday – when it’s predicted to enter the atmosphere – about 26 large chunks (weighing as much as 300 pounds) will make it through re-entry and to the surface below. If you aren’t nervous yet, NASA has no idea exactly where this thing will land. Re-entry is predicted to be over a 500-mile long area that puts it over populated areas. According to NASA, the chances are high that the pieces will hit the ocean or uninhabited land, and the chances of any one of us being hit are slim, but I still don’t like those odds.

[via Space.com]

WiFi allows the little drive to create its own wireless hotspot to stream media to your iPad. It can make up to three simultaneous connections up to 150 feet away. The drive can work continuously for 5 hours or 25 hours in standby mode. Expect to get a mix between those to numbers for common usage. Seagate designed an iPad app specifically for this drive, while other mobile devices can access files using a web browser.

If you’re tired about how much storage you’ve got on your tablet, and want the perfect hard drive companion, then look no further. I don’t know why it took so long for this type of device to be released, but look for other manufacturers to jump on the bandwagon at some point.

The GoFlex Satellite will cost $200 and will be released this July.

[via Seagate]

NASA scientists are now conducting a study that Dr. Evil would approve of. They’re looking at the possibility of using a ground-based laser to clean up the debris. The space agency says that about 60% of the junk orbiting the Earth right now that threatens satellites like the ESA Earth observing satellite can be traced back to the Chinese military test of an anti-satellite weapon and the collision between the Iridium 33 and Cosmos 2251 satellites.

They would use a medium-powered (5kW) laser on Earth to track and then fire at the orbiting debris. The laser wouldn’t burn the debris up itself or attempt to directly destroy it. However, the scientists reckon the laser will slow the down the debris’ orbit enough so that it will fall back into the atmosphere and burn up before hitting the ground. The system may even be able to maneuver satellites from the ground with the satellite needing no propulsion of its own.

[via TechnologyReview]

Since I did just about everything you are not supposed to do behind the wheel as a teen, I know what to watch out for in the future when my kids are able to drive. Ford has a new feature for its MyKey system that already takes some of the ability for a teen to break the law out of the equation; I really needed this as a kid.

The system can now block explicit content on the satellite radio service when the programmed key is installed. MyKey already has the ability to mute the radio until seat belts are fastened, limit the radio volume, and speed limit the vehicle as well.

The official line is that the pod would be used to force space debris and derelict satellites out of orbit. The device the company wants to build is being designed now and will cost about $2 billion to complete. Energia plans to have a finished design and have the thing developed and ready to deploy by 2020 – and in service by 2023.

These satellites would fall back to earth and splash into the ocean or burn up on reentry. The thing that bothers me is that the pod could just as easily knock things like GPS satellites and other things out of orbit if some evildoer wanted to do so.

[via Fast Company]

DishPointer’s next-generation software uses augmented reality technology to overlay the exact position of the satellites on the live video from your iPhone. The application takes full advantage of the iPhone 3GS built-in compass, GPS, and accelerometer to show you the locations of the satellites in the sky. Check out the video below to see a preview of the application in action:

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

You’ll have no excuse for those pesky tree branches or leaves getting in the way of your mega 5-LNB high-def dish with this app in hand. And if you’re a satellite dish installer, you’ll definitely want this in your bag of tricks when it’s released.

DishPointer hasn’t revealed when the new augmented reality app will hit, but says it should coincide with the release of iPhone OS 3.1 (rumored to be in September). For now, you can check out DishPointer’s other satellite pointing apps here.

The EyeTV Sat records in lossless MPEG-2/H.264, regardless if the original broadcast was in HD or in standard definition. Recorded broadcasts can be exported to iTunes and then loaded into iPods.

The EyeTV has both Mac and Windows versions and is available at Elgato’s website for £180 ($300 USD). Weirdly enough, the price of the EyeTV Sat in euros is €200, which is a bit cheaper when converted to dollars – $282. Either that or Google is wrong.

[via Pocket-lint]

Seriously though, XStreamHD’s got a lot on their hands, and I’m not just talking about their patent-pending technologies. One, the company claims that they will be able to provide their customers with movies even before DVD-copies become available. (Sorta like torrenting, but in a legal & paid manner). Two, the service claims to work its HD magic by pre-fetching content at resolutions up to 1080p with DTS-HD 7.1 Master Audio tracks.

Three, XStreamHD claims that their software can “learn” user preferences so that it can predict and select future content for the user. Four- and this is where I need some enlightenment that XStream’s introductory video unfortunately did not provide – XStreamHD claims that they will stream games. What kind of games? Will these be tied to current consoles or *gasp* standalone games?

What we do know right now (pdf brochure) is that the basic XStreamHD set-up requires a satellite and server (up to 2 TB internal storage; expansion via eSATA available) for receiving and archiving the media that customers select and a media receiver connected to a TV to access the downloaded content. But if you own a DLNA-compatible device such as an HDTV, Blu-ray player, a PS3 or Xbox 360,  then those can be used in place of the Media Receiver to watch or listen to the downloaded stuff.

It’s still too early to tell if XStreamHD can pull this off or not, but I think we can all of this – hardware, software, & streaming service – to be anything but cheap. What do you guys think? Is it possible? Guess I’ll have to be content with my XtremelyPlainSD 21″ TV and its XtremelyAnalog Indoor Antenna for now.

The oddly-named Sqish (I know, a ‘Q’ with no ‘U’) conceals a satellite antenna inside a compact rectangular box, which can be covered with a camouflage weatherproof label to help it blend into its surroundings. What’s really cool is that you can actually send a digital photo of your surroundings to the Sqish folks, and they’ll make a custom camo sticker to make it blend in perfectly to your environs.

At this point, Sqish satellite antennae are only available for UK satellite customers using services such as Sky or Freesat. Hopefully, they’ll work up a version for Dish or DirecTV at some point.

If you’re fortunate enough to be in the UK, be prepared to drop £149 (appx. $294 US) for the antenna, and another £25 (appx. $49 US) for each custom matte photo sticker.

[Sqish via Daily Mail via Unplggd]

The LetterLogger is small enough to be concealed inside of a standard #10 business envelope, yet contains sophisticated GPS and motion-sensing technology which can record every movement along the letter’s travels. Not only can it record the precise position and timing of each location, but its motion sensors can detect the amount of time when the letter is sitting still, which could help ferret out wasted time during the delivery process.

They should slap one of these directly on every mail carrier too. I wouldn’t be surprised to see some delays at the neighborhood bar, donut shop and strip club.

[via Engadget via NaviGadget]

It turns out that a team from Sony and the University of Alabama are working on an imaging system that can capture a huge area with a single camera. The imaging system would actually be built up from a large array of light-sensitive chips, all placed at in the focal plane of a large multiple lens system. The end result doesn’t look that much different than the complex eye of an insect.

One major advantage of a single camera approach is that near real time images could be transmitted to ground personnel, without the overhead of joining multiple images together. Also, this approach would allow for recording sequential images (the current design could support a rate of up to 4 frames per second).

According to the team’s recently published patent application, the camera could image an area of up to 10 square kilometers from a 7.5 kilometer altitude. The camera’s gigapixel resolution would allow it to capture images at a precision of up to 50 centimeters per pixel from that height.

[via New Scientist]

The initial 21 channels are available immediately if you’re signed up for the HD package and have the SD version of the channel in your current programming plan. Here’s the list of what’s live today:

1. A&E (Channel 265)
2. Animal Planet (Channel 282)
3. Big Ten Network (Channel 220)
4. CNN (Channel 202)
5. The Discovery Channel (Channel 278)
6. The History Channel (Channel 269)
7. The Movie Channel East (Channel 544)
8. NFL Network (Channel 212)
9. Showtime West (Channel 540)
10. Showtime too (Channel 538)
11. The Smithsonian Channel (Channel 267)
12. The Science Channel (Channel 284)
13. Starz Comedy (Channel 519)
14. Starz East (Channel 522)
15. Starz West (Channel 540)
16. Starz Edge (Channel 520)
17. Starz Kids and Family (Channel 518)
18. TBS (Channel 247)
19. TLC (Channel 280)
20. Versus / The Golf Channel (Channel 604)
21. The Weather Channel (Channel 362)

To get all the new channels, you’ll need to have an MPEG-4 compatible receiver (such as the H20 or HR20-700 DVR), as well as a 5-LNB dish and the free B-band converters that DirecTV should have told you about by now. If you don’t have this hardware, no worries. You should be able to get them from DirecTV for cheap (if not free with a little negotiation).

If you’re like me, you probably have a custom channel list set up on your receiver. If that’s the case you’ll need to go in and edit your list to add the new channels. Otherwise, you won’t see them. Also, they have the exact same numbers as their standard def counterparts, so you might want to remove the SD ones from your channel list to reduce confusion.

In addition to these 21 HD channels, tons of additional channels are expected to roll out over the next couple of months.

[via Engadget HD]