Insert Coin: Playsurface open-source multitouch computing table

In Insert Coin, we look at an exciting new tech project that requires funding before it can hit production. If you'd like to pitch a project, please send us a tip with "Insert Coin" as the subject line.

A Microsoft Surface in every office? Yeah, fat chance. At $8,000, you may never see Samsung's SUR40 glow in the wild, but budget versions of the backlit HD table have begun popping up, such as the Merel Mtouch, which retails for half the price. Still, four grand is a lot to ask from casual users -- we need a bargain-basement option to help catapult the concept to success. The Playsurface could be one solution, with an open-source design and a much more affordable price tag. The multitouch computing table is the product of Templeman Automation, and its creators have begun promoting their concept on Kickstarter. In its current iteration, the Playsurface will ship in two flavors -- short, to double as a coffee table, and tall for stand-up applications -- with a $1,750 pledge netting backers a complete kit.

Setting out to fulfill the goal of widespread adaptation, the creator is promising one Playsurface kit with a $1,750 pledge, including a Windows computer, a short-throw 1280 x 800-pixel DLP projector and a transparent touch surface, all housed within a self-assembled wood enclosure. There's also an infrared LED strip to aid with input recognition and something called a "Blob Board," which serves as a dedicated hardware processor tasked with touch detection and connects to the computer via USB. A $350 pledge gets you a Blob Board alone, while $650 is matched with a table (sans computer and projector) and $1,250 will net you a full kit, less the computer. There's just shy of four weeks left to go to get your Playsurface pledge in -- hit up the source link to make it happen.

Continue reading Insert Coin: Playsurface open-source multitouch computing table

Insert Coin: Playsurface open-source multitouch computing table originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 09 May 2012 11:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Why Washington Can?t Be Fixed

Think of the most pressing domestic problem facing the country today. Whether you choose persistent unemployment, the struggling economic recovery, the housing market, health care, the social security fund crisis, or the ballooning national debt, chances are good that there is consensus that the problem is real and that the president, a blue ribbon commission, or someone in Congress already has proposed some solution. And chances are even better that the proposed solution has no realistic chance of being enacted into law.

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Nyx Mobile Twist Connect hands-on

It's not often that we write about a feature phone, but we were charmed by the Twist Connect's unique design. The dual-SIM device prides itself on its integration with Nyx Messenger, social networks like Twitter and it's MP3-playing abilities. It's the music playing features that caught our attention. The whole bottom of the phone rotates, switching from a full QWERTY keyboard, to a set of dedicated music controls. In messaging mode the keypad is angled out on a chin to make typing easier, while keeping the screen in a better position for visibility -- it wasn't the greatest display, easily getting washed out at even slight angles under the conventions center's lights. Give it a twist (hence the name) and the keyboard gets stuck to the rear, exposing a pair of stereo speakers and a set of controls to raise and lower the volume, skip tracks and, of course, play and pause your tunes. Otherwise, the bulky and plasticky handset holds little allure, but we'll cheers Nyx Mobile for their special twist on the MP3 phone. Check out the gallery below for a few pics.

Gallery: Nyx Mobile Twist Connect hands-on

Nyx Mobile Twist Connect hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 08 May 2012 23:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LTE-equipped Samsung Galaxy S III coming to TELUS in Canada

Following the phone's unveiling in London last week, Canadian carrier TELUS is the first North American mobile network to reveal that it'll be carrying the LTE version of Samsung's new Galaxy S III. TELUS says the phone will be available "in time for the summer," which fits with the June timeframe that Samsung has marked for the Galaxy S III's U.S. launch.

TELUS says it isn't offering any details on pricing or specifications just yet, which leads us to believe that the device it'll offer may differ somewhat from what we saw in London last week. That's to be expected, however, and we've already heard plenty of reports suggesting a different chip may power the LTE version of the Galaxy S III.

Nevertheless, it's good news for Canadians on TELUS, though with no mention of any exclusivity deal, we wouldn't be surprised to see other Canadian carriers declaring their interest in the device in the days and weeks ahead. For more on the Galaxy S III, check out our exhaustive coverage of the London launch event last week, which includes detailed hands-on impressions.

We've got TELUS and Samsung's press release after the break.

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Keep It On the Level with the Level Camera Cube

I don’t know how I do it, but a lot of the photos I take – even when the camera is on a tripod – aren’t level.? Neither of my cameras have a built-in bubble level, so I have no way of knowing if my shot is level until after I’ve taken it.? Luckily, I [...]

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Obama campaign releases ad emphasizing economy (The Arizona Republic)

Share With Friends: | | Politics - Top Stories Stories, News Feeds and News via Feedzilla.

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How Does UK Income Tax Work? | Business

Every person in the UK gets a certain amount of tax free allowance each tax year. This means that you don?t pay tax on this amount of your earnings. For the 2012/13 tax year which started on April 6th, the standard tax free allowance (also known as your personal allowance) is ?8,105.

If you earn less than this then you won?t pay any tax. You pay tax on anything above this amount and the percentage you pay will depend on your income level. This handy tax calculator is perfect for checking how much tax you will pay based on your income.

For an income level of ?0-?34,370 you would pay 20% tax on anything over ?8,105 ? this is known as the basic rate.

Higher rate tax is chargeable at 40% and is deducted on any earnings that fall between ?34,371 and ?150,000. This is in addition to the 20% payable between ?0 and ?34,370.

Additional rate tax is a whopping 50% and this is charged on any earnings over ?150,000. Again, this would be in addition to the higher and basic rate band deductions.

There are also a number of increases available to your personal allowance depending on age and circumstance. Here?s a quick breakdown of the extras:

• Aged 65-74. If you are between these ages, then your personal allowance rises from ?8,105 to ?10,500.
• Aged 75+. If you are over 75 then you get an extra increase of ?160 to ?10,660.
• Blind persons allowance. If you are registered as blind, then an additional ?2,100 is added to your total personal allowance amount.

Other tax free allowances are available for married couple over a certain age, and some people are exempt from making National Insurance contributions, which increases their net income.

There are of course exceptions to these income tax rules, which is why using an income tax calculator is a good way to check what your actual personal allowance is. If your income level is over ?100,000 (or over ?25,400 for people aged 65+) then your personal allowance can actually be decreased by ?1 for every ?2 over the limit you are.

Another thing to take into consideration when trying to work out your income tax, NI and net pay is whether or not you pay into a pension, have childcare vouchers through your employer, or earn enough to repay your student loan.

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