NEW GEN TECH LIFE : new generation technology news

Tuesday 13 May 2014

New And Emerging Technology News Part 325

Artist's impression of the live synthetic simulation system (image: US Army/Peggy Frierson...
Modern warfare is sometimes compared to a video game, but within ten years combat training may become the most realistic video game imaginable. The US Army’s Future Holistic Training Environment Live Synthetic program is a new approach to combat training that integrates various simulations into a single, remotely accessible system. Used on bases across the country, its goal is to provide the Pentagon with a cheaper, more effective way of training soldiers for future military operations.  Read More
Honda estimates its smart home will generate a surplus of 2.6 MWh of electricity
With homes and light-vehicles accounting for roughly 44 percent of total greenhouse gases emitted in the US, neutralizing these emissions would certainly go a long way towards a clean energy future. What if these sources of pollution could not only be nullified, but play an active role in reducing our environmental footprint? Such is the thinking behind the Honda Smart Home US unveiled last week, which generates enough solar energy to power both car and home, with a little left over to feed back into the grid.  Read More
DARPA's new Biological Technologies Office division aims to 'merge biology, engineering, a...
From robotics to optics and forgery prevention to solar cells, biomimicry has proven fertile ground for researchers. Recognizing nature's potential in the development of new technologies, DARPA has announced the establishment of the Biological Technologies Office (BTO), a new division that aims to "merge biology, engineering, and computer science to harness the power of natural systems for national security."  Read More
A British sniper in Afghanistan has used the Accuracy International L115A3 sniper rifle to...
In November 2009, the Accuracy International L115A3 sniper rifle was the weapon used in the most prodigious feat of marksmanship in military history – three consecutive strikes from 2.47 km in combat. Now a British sniper in Afghanistan has reportedly killed six insurgents with one bullet using the L115A3.  Read More
The Nemesis reminds us of the McLaren P1, especially when painted in orange
Ultra-powerful, world-speed-record supercars are earning a lot of attention lately. Hot on the heels of Hennessey's 270.49-mph (435.31 km/h) speed record and Koenigsegg's 1-megawatt One:1, we have an all-new contender from a young American start-up. Trion Supercars' Nemesis is an angry, 2,000-hp beast that has its eyes on the world record territory north of 270 mph (435 km/h).  Read More
A new device simulates the way in which the gastrointestinal tract absorbs orally-administ...
Before drugs are tested on humans, they first go through pre-clinical tests on animals. Because humans and animals don't have identical gastrointestinal tracts, however, the way in which the drugs are absorbed by the body often differs between the two. A scientist from the UK's University of Huddersfield hopes to address that discrepancy, with his "gut simulator."  Read More
Virtual simulation image of the sun atop the obelisk with the Altar of Peace in the foregr...
Campus Martius, also known as the Campus of Mars, was built by the Roman Senate just outside the ancient Rome city walls back in 9 BCE. It was built to celebrate the peace brought upon the Roman people as a result of Emperor Agustus’s military conquests. Thanks to a complex computer simulation created by the Institute for Digital Intermedia Arts (IDIA) for Indiana University's School of Informatics and Computing, it is now possible to verify if and how solar alignments influenced the positioning of the different objects on site.  Read More
The Baltika at the Arctech Helsinki Shipyard Last August we heard about the Baltika, a rather clever icebreaker that can temporarily increase its frontal area by traveling sideways into the ice. At the time, it was still under construction, and the only images available were renderings. Now, however, it's complete and has begun sea trials.  Read More
The new Philips clear LED bulb It's no secret that LED bulbs are far more efficient than traditional incandescent lights. One drawback, though, is a different look than the bulbs that people are accustomed to. Philips has just launched a new clear LED bulb that features the traditional light bulb shape and look, but with the efficiency benefits of modern offerings.  Read More
The Olympus Stylus SH-1 features 5-axis mechanical image stabilization
It's not just retro styling that's making its way from the Olympus flagship mirrorless line-up to its compact cameras. Some of the high-end tech is, too. The recently announced Stylus SH-1 is a 24x zoom camera which boasts built-in Wi-Fi, a TruePic VII image processor, and the 5-axis mechanical image stabilization which was originally developed for the Olympus OM-D E-M5.  Read More

Sunday 4 May 2014

New And Emerging Technology News Part 324

Strands of engineered muscle fiber have been stained to better observe their growth within...
The living skeletal muscle tissue grown by Duke University researchers is 10 times stronger than any previously bioengineered muscles. Not only does it contract as strongly and as rapidly as the real thing but it is also capable of self-healing, both in the lab and after implantation into an animal. This has been proven beyond any doubt through a novel approach that involves peeking at the growing muscle tissue through a glass window in the back of a living mouse.  Read More
Computers have been teaching each other how to play Pac-Man and StarCraft
While it may be getting easier for humans to teach robots how to perform new tasks, there's still one potential problem – when a new robot is introduced to a work environment, its user may have to teach it the task over again, from scratch. That might soon no longer be the case, however. Researchers at Washington State University have devised a method by which computers can teach each other, freeing humans from having to do so.  Read More
A front view of the 3d-printed UAV airframe
Because 3D printing allows one-off items to be created quickly and cheaply, it should come as no surprise that the technology has already been used to produce unmanned aerial vehicles, or UAVs. Engineers at the University of Sheffield's Advanced Manufacturing Research Center (AMRC), however, have taken things a step farther. They've made a 3D-printed UAV airframe that's designed to minimize the amount of material needed in its construction, and that can be printed and in the air within a single day.  Read More
The XBand Speed Pro is able to track a wide range of sport metrics
For high-level athletes, knowing exactly where they need to improve is critical information. Coaches can go a long way towards helping, but nothing can replace data. A new product called XBand Speed Pro aims to provide just that for athletes, with the ability to track speed and agility metrics through a wearable device.  Read More
Today Amazon unveiled its long-rumored streaming box, the Fire TV
Rumors have been pointing to an Amazon TV set-top box for quite some time. Today the company pulled the cat out of the bag, and its name is Fire TV.  Read More
Samsung has announced the launch of Samsung Smart Home
An explosion in the number of devices connected to the internet is expected over the next decade and in turn, our homes will become increasingly "smart." With this in mind, Samsung has today announced its own Smart Home service, which will provide home automation via an app.  Read More
The shipping container-based terminal is located in Spain's only river port, based in Sevi...
In order to accommodate the growing number of cruise ship passengers who regularly disembark at the Spanish Port of Seville – the country's sole inland port – a new cruise ship terminal has been built using shipping containers. While they aren't always the best building material for every situation, in this case they appear to have proved a good fit.  Read More
The Dive Master 500 Titanium anniversary edition chronograph is limited to a production ru...
Twenty five years ago this year, Victorinox branched out from the manufacture of Swiss Army knives into watchmaking, and to celebrate the occasion the iconic company is launching a limited Titanium edition of its Dive Master 500 divers watch. The new watch brings a mechanical chronograph movement to the collection, and features a generous helping of luminous markers in two different colors.  Read More
The Latitude Rugged Extreme devices are built to withstand harsh outdoor conditions
Dell has today announced two ruggedized additions to its Latitude series. Comprising a 12-inch laptop-tablet convertible and a 14-inch notebook, the Latitude Rugged Extreme series is built to withstand harsh outdoor conditions and geared towards professionals working in military, public safety and first response.  Read More
OMA has won a competition to design the new Axel Springer building (Image: OMA)
A design by international architecture firm OMA has been selected for the new Axel Springer media center in Berlin. The design is aimed at encouraging collaborative working in a digital age. It was chosen in the final round of a competition ahead of designs by Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) and Buro Ole Scheeren.  Read More

Thursday 1 May 2014

New and Emerging Technology News part 323

Samsung returns to the mid-range with the Galaxy Tab 4 series
Earlier this year, Samsung finally launched some high-end Galaxy Tabs. But that doesn't mean the company is going to ditch its successful lineup of mid-range slates. Today the company officially announced the 2014 versions of its not-so-top-of-the-line tablet series, the Galaxy Tab 4.  Read More
Digital Paper features 4 GB of internal storage and a microSD card slot for additional sto...
Sony has unveiled a new office-orientated tablet which utilizes the E-Ink display to mimic a piece of A4 paper. The electronics giant believes that its Digital Paper will be an instant hit with professionals who are often overwhelmed by the sheer mass of physical paper thrown on their desks each day.  Read More
The V6-44-MK on show at Baselworld 2014
French watch maker Bernard Richards Manufacture already has three "world's lightest watch" trophies in its cabinet, and has now added a fourth. The V6-44-MK joined its featherweight siblings at Baselworld 2014, and Gizmag managed to get a closer look at the sporty quartet.  Read More
Three Over Seven manufactures woolen shoes and plans to use 3D scanning and printing to cu...
In the world of fashion, 3D scanning and printing offer the potential for creating made-to-measure clothing. Customers of New Zealand-based footwear firm Three Over Seven will be able to scan their feet with a smartphone app and have a custom pair of shoes produced and delivered.  Read More
Georgia Tech researchers Pamela Peralta-Yahya and Stephen Sarria examine the production of...
Researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology and the US Department of Energy’s Joint BioEnergy Institute have engineered a bacterium that could yield a new source of high-energy hydrocarbon fuel for rocketry and other aerospace uses. High-energy, specific-use hydrocarbon fuels such as JP-10 can be extracted from oil, along with more commonly used petroleum fuels, but supplies are limited and prices are high – approaching US$7 per liter. That’s where the new bacterium, engineered by Georgia Tech scientists Stephen Sarria and Pamela Peralta-Yahya, could come in.  Read More
The Christophe Claret Maestoso
Some upmarket wristwatches are all bells and whistles, while for others their attraction isn’t in what they do, but how they’re made. One case in point is the Christophe Claret Maestoso showcased at Baselworld 2014, which uses a detent escapement – a movement of remarkable accuracy that’s almost impossible to install in a watch.  Read More
The Mokai ES-Kape
Designed to give sportsmen and outdoor explorers a motor-powered means of reaching more distant waters, the MOKAI ES-Kape is an innovative boat with an integrated jet drive system. It eliminates the need for trailers and racks by breaking into three pieces that nest inside each other, allowing it to fit inside an SUV.  Read More
Hue tap allows users control over their hue light bulbs without using their smart device Looking to add further functionality to its range of smartphone-controlled hue LED light bulbs, Philips has announced a kinetic-powered switch to extend control over color settings at times when your smart device might be out of reach.  Read More
The High Roller observation wheel in Las Vegas is the world's tallest
Visitors to Las Vegas now have a new way to take in the famous Las Vegas Strip with the official opening of the world's tallest observation wheel on Monday. Standing 550 feet (167.6 m) tall, the aptly named High Roller is 9 ft (2.7 m) taller than the previous record holder, the 541-ft (164.8 m) tall Singapore Flyer.  Read More
The Industrial Internet Consortium's ambitions include delivering reference architecture a...
AT&T, Cisco, GE, IBM and Intel are the latest companies to band together with the aim of standardizing interoperability across smart machines and ultimately, drive adoption of an Internet of Things. Announced last week, the Industrial Internet Consortium (IIC) is a not-for-profit open membership group created to establish common frameworks for development of inter-connected cyber and physical worlds.  Read More

New and Emerging Technology News part 322

The Cogito Classic from ConnecteDevice
As so-called smartwatches become more smart and less watch, they run the risk of losing some of the latter's charm and style. Building on the success of its Cookoo "connected complication" that combined analog movement with a connected digital display, Hong Kong's ConnecteDevice has released two versions of a new Cogito model – a Classic dress watch and a fun-loving design named Pop. Gizmag stopped by the company's booth at Baselworld in Switzerland for a closer look.  Read More
An MIT rendering of a bacterial cell, trailing fibers containing gold nanoparticles and qu... Scientists at MIT are developing hybrid materials that are a cross between living bacterial cells and non-living components such as gold nanoparticles or quantum dots. The resulting "living materials" are able to respond to their environment like regular living cells, while also doing things like conducting electricity or emitting light.  Read More
A woman's skull has been successfully replaced with a 3D-printed implant
A 22-year-old woman has had the whole top of her skull replaced with a customized 3D-printed implant. The patient had been suffering from severe symptoms as a result of a condition that causes a thickening of the skull. It is believed that the procedure was the first of its kind.  Read More
The panels at the Ketura Sun solar plant in Israel are now cleaned autonomously by E4 robo...
The dusty desert environments where many solar plants are located can make their photovoltaic arrays dirty and reduce their effectiveness. Cleaning the panels can be a time-consuming and expensive process. An Israeli solar plant is now said to be the first to have fully-automated cleaning in place.  Read More
Kingsgate House by Horden Cherry Lee Architects (Photo: Horden Cherry Lee)
Forget the "Shard," the "Walkie Talkie" and the "Cheese Grater," the real revolution in UK buildings is in timber construction, which saves on build time, carbon emissions and boasts energy efficiency. One new apartment block in Chelsea is calculated to use the same energy as a Smart car.  Read More
Philips has unveiled its OneSpace lighting panel
In his 1964 New York Times article predicting the technologies of the future, Isaac Asimov wrote, "By 2014, electroluminescent panels will be in common use." Lighting panels are indeed used to make ceilings and walls glow as he guessed. The Philips OneSpace is the latest such example of Asimov's projections coming to fruition.  Read More
The David Brown Speedback works off a Jaguar XK chassis and 5.0-liter engine
Unveiled at a private event in London last week, the first design from newly founded David Brown Automotive was made available to a select few. The Speedback from this new automotive enterprise, though not associated with Aston Martin’s founder Sir David Brown (the DB in DB5), takes more than a little artistic license with its interpretation of the James Bond classic.  Read More
The team observed reductions in emissions of NOx, particulate matter and greenhouse gases ...
The EPA has identified pollution from ships as a contributing factor to respiratory problems and premature deaths suffered by residents of the US and Canada. As such, it is in the process of implementing stricter emissions standards for ships operating within 200 miles (321.9 km) of shore with the aim of significantly reducing emissions by the year 2020. In a development that could play into these environmental initiatives, the SeaChange Group, a US-based start-up that converts agricultural by-products into clean-burning fuel, has been awarded a patent for an eco-hybrid fuel technology shown to reduce NOx, particulate matter and greenhouse gas emissions.  Read More
The Margot watch is a limited edition
“He loves me… He loves me not,” or the Daisy Oracle is a game of pulling petals off a flower, usually a daisy, while intoning the formula that dates back to at least the 15th century as a way of finding out if someone’s love is true. In a fusing of the 21st and the 18th centuries, Christophe Claret takes a page out of the golden age of automata and turns the game into a miniature automaton version that fits into a lady’s wristwatch. Called the Margot, we had a look at it at Baselworld 2014 and its mechanism that “predicts” true love based on the old game of plucking daisies.  Read More
The Horizon can be pedaled with the hands or feet or driven solely by electric motor power
For the past few years, Outrider has been earning praise and breaking records with its pedal-assisted electric trikes, but its latest design is gearing up to be its most rewarding endeavor yet. The Horizon is a modular adaptive trike designed to get paraplegics, quadriplegics and others with disabilities wheeling over pavement and dirt. Outrider's goal is to develop a production trike that can be pedaled with the legs or hands or powered entirely with an electric hub motor.  Read More

Wednesday 30 April 2014

New and Emerging Technology News part 321

The Inox rugged watch from Victorinox
Victorinox Swiss Army has launched a new watch collection at this year's Baselworld in Switzerland. Pitched as a rugged companion for life, the Inox comes with the knowledge that it has survived over a hundred toughness tests, including being run over by a tank, dropped onto concrete, exposed to temperature extremes and thrown into the middle of a sandstorm for a couple of hours.  Read More
How to stop the autoplay videos in your Facebook feed (Photo: Annette Shaff / Shutterstock... Regular Facebook users will no doubt have noticed that videos in their news feed are playing automatically. If you're using Google Chrome, you can stop this annoying "feature" quickly and easily.  Read More
CRS-3 undergoing static firing tests prior to launch SpaceX’s Dragon CRS-3 mission to the International Space Station (ISS) has once again been scrubbed. On Friday, NASA confirmed that the launch of the unmanned cargo ship has been delayed due to the failure of a tracking radar, which meant that the launch could not meet the minimum public safety requirements.  Read More
The Tourbillon Astronomique was displayed at Baselworld
It’s easy to get dismissive of upmarket astronomical watches in this age of cheap digital apps, but it’s still impressive to see what can achieved with mechanical movements – and how that can still sometimes put the apps to shame. For example, we got a look at Swiss watch maker Antoine Martin’s Tourbillon Astronomique watch at Baselworld this week, which can not only tell what time the Sun will rise and set at, but even has a few tricks that you won’t find at the app store.  Read More
Discovery images of 2012 VP113 comprised of three shots, with the dwarf planet displayed i...
Scientists from the Carnegie Institution for Science and the Gemini Observatory have reported the existence of a new member of our solar system. The distant dwarf planet, dubbed 2012 VP113, is believed to be one of thousands of distant objects that make up the hypothesized "inner Oort cloud."  Read More
Samples of the coating, which contains dyes that make bacteria die
Hospital-acquired infections are a major health threat, and have prompted the development of preventative measures incorporating things like blue light and selenium nanoparticles. One of the latest such developments is a light-activated antimicrobial surface coating made from silicone, dye and gold. For some reason, it also works in the absence of light.  Read More
The mini heart takes the form of a cuff of cardiac tissue, wrapped around a vein
When someone has chronic venous insufficiency, it means that because of faulty valves in their leg veins, oxygen-poor blood isn't able to be pumped back to their heart. The George Washington University's Dr. Narine Sarvazyan has created a possible solution, however – a beating "mini heart" that's wrapped around the vein, to help push the blood through.  Read More
Gizmag compares the features and specs of the new HTC One (M8) and last year's HTC One (M7...
We already know that the new HTC One (M8) isn't exactly a radical departure from last year's HTC One (M7). But are there enough new goodies there to justify the upgrade? Let's compare the features and specs of the two flagships, and see if we can point you in the right direction.  Read More
LaserEyes in 'burning mode' Last year, German laser weapons hobbyist Patrick Priebe built a working replica of Ironman's laser gauntlet. Now, he's paid another visit to the world of superheroes, creating his own take on the "energy beam"-emitting eyewear worn by the X-Men's Cyclops.  Read More
The dragon can shoot fire three feet while on the ground
A couple of years ago, a man named Rick Hamel created one of the most insane remote-controlled flying machines you'll ever witness. No, it's not an airplane or helicopter, or anything that mundane. Instead, he created a dragon that actually shoots fire and reaches airborne speeds of up to 70 mph (112.6 km/h). Now, this beast is actually for sale via Hammacher Schlemmer, with a staggering US$60,000 price tag.  Read More