Samsung has introduced a new member of their Ultra Edition family, the Soul. The phone will have a 7.2Mpbs HSDPA connection, a 5 megapixel camera, and a 2.2″ full-color display.

The most innovative feature of this phone, though, is a touchpad display that sits just under the main screen. This display will morph the user interface by showing appropriate icons depending on which application is being used. As an example, music controls will appear while listening to music and editing functions will show up while writing a text message.

The Soul will also feature a microSD card for music with support for just about any format imaginable. Samsung claims 15 hours of music listening time, which is a pretty hefty figure.

Although not as stylish as an iPhone, it looks like this handset will get the job done with its beefed up specs and the innovative touchpad display. Looks to us like this might be a keeper. Another picture after the jump. Read more »

Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University are working to create mini robots which are capable of morphing into virtually any form by clinging together. These “claytronic” robots, as they are called, use electromagnetic forces to move around, communicate, and even share power.

The team is also experimenting with using electric instead of electromagnetic forces to help the robots cling together, as magnetic forces are less efficient at smaller scales.

But software, not hardware, may be the group’s biggest challenge, says UK scientist Alan Winfield. “Right now we just don’t know how to design a system that produces a higher overall intelligence from a group of simple agents.”

[Via NewScientist] Video after the jump. Read more »