New and Emerging Technology News part 115 ~ NEW GEN TECH LIFE : new generation technology news

Thursday 30 January 2014

New and Emerging Technology News part 115

Sony's PlayStation Vita
At its E3 press conference Sony finally revealed that its next generation handheld - previously codenamed the NGP - will carry the official moniker of the "PlayStation Vita". Most of the details of the Vita - which is Latin for "life" - have already been revealed, leaving the price and name as the only real new information, along with the announcement of some of the upcoming titles heading to the device when it is released from the end of the year.  Read More
iCloud will enable automatic, wireless syncing between multiple devices
As expected following Apple’s purchase of the iCloud domain from Sweden-based Xcerion earlier this year and the construction of a US$500 million iDataCenter in Maiden, North Carolina, the company has revealed details at WWDC of exactly what its iCloud service will offer. By storing user’s content in the cloud so it can be automatically pushed to various devices, iCloud will let users sync apps, media, documents, calendars and more between their various mobile iOS devices and a Mac or PC wirelessly.  Read More
Eutelsat has announced that its new KA-SAT broadband satellite has now gone into service, ...
Happily, the days of painfully slow dial-up internet speeds are now but a distant memory to many city and town dwelling broadband users throughout Europe. But for the estimated 13 million households living beyond the reach of ADSL or the even greater number who suffer from slow broadband connection speeds, waiting a good while for web pages and media to load into a browser is still the source of daily angst. One solution for surfers eager to grab more bandwidth is to install a satellite service and Eutelsat has just announced that its new KA-SAT high throughput broadband satellite launched in December of last year has just gone into service.  Read More
Apple has announced that the eighth major release of its OS X operating system has 250 new...
The keynote address from Steve Jobs at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference today has revealed 250 new features for the next version of its operating system - OS X Lion. Highlights include multi-touch gesturing, system-wide support for full-screen apps, a new way of viewing everything on your Mac called Mission Control, an overhauled Mail app, a new Launchpad home for apps and the inclusion of the Mac App Store directly in the OS.  Read More
Apple today officially unveiled iOS 5, the latest version of its mobile operating system f...
At its Worldwide Developers Conference today, Apple officially unveiled iOS 5, the latest version of its mobile operating system for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. The new system reportedly includes over 200 new features, one of the more noteworthy of which is the iCloud online data storage service. iCloud includes 5GB of internet-based memory space, and it automatically syncs all of a user's iDevices whenever new files are added to any one of them. iOS 5 will be available to consumers as of this Fall.  Read More
iTunes in the Cloud
Amongst countless other announcements in Apple's WWDC keynote today came official details on the long expected cloudification of iTunes. The famous "one last thing" this year was iTunes Match, which finally utilizes the scan and match technology Apple gained with its acquisition of Lala in late 2009.  Read More
CERN's antiproton decelerator, which was used to trap the antihydrogen atoms (Photo: Maxim...
Researchers involved in the ALPHA experiment at Switzerland’s CERN complex announced yesterday (June 5) that they have succeeded in using the facility's antiproton decelerator to trap antimatter atoms for 1,000 seconds – or just over 16 minutes. This was reportedly enough time to begin studying their properties in detail, which has been the goal of ALPHA since the project began in 2005.  Read More
The world's smallest crewed spacecraft, built in Denmark, was successfully test-launched f...
Sending a man to outer space in a homebuilt spacecraft worth US$70,000 may seem like a crazy idea to most of us, but not for a Danish group of enthusiasts who call themselves Copenhagen Suborbitals. Their shoestring-budget single-person flying bullet might have come one step closer to an actual manned flight, thanks to a partially successful test flight last Friday (June 3).  Read More
Ford produces the smallest motor in its history - three cylinder 1.0-Liter EcoBoost
It’s a sign of the times that Ford is gearing up to launch the smallest capacity engine, with less cylinders than any it has previously produced. The new 1.0-liter EcoBoost will be launched globally in all small Ford cars, and in addition to recognized technologies employed by Ford in its EcoBoost engines, such as turbocharging, direct injection and twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT), the new three-cylinder engine will have an offset crankshaft for improved fuel economy, a split cooling system that allows the cylinder block to warm up before the cylinder head, and the exhaust manifold is cast into the cylinder head to lower exhaust gas temperatures and save weight.  Read More
Kingston Wi-Drive - wireless, portable, shareable iPad & iPhone storage
The world’s most poorly organized technology tradeshow, Computex Taipei, finished on the weekend, and one of the many wonderful products lost amongst the clutter caused by the dysfunctional organization was the Kingston Wi-Drive, a rugged Flash-based portable storage solution with built-in wifi that allows three Apple device users to stream different file types simultaneously without any performance disruption. The additional 16GB (US$130) or 32GB (US$175) storage and convenient file sharing make it a perfect companion device for the iPad, iPhone or iPod touch.  Read More

Lucas and co-drivers at the 12 Hours of Sebring, held at Sebring International Raceway in ...
By now most people have heard the first installment of the remarkable rise to prominence of Spanish virtual-to-real racing driver Lucas Ordonez. Four years ago, Lucas was an MBA student who liked playing Gran Turismo on his Playstation. He entered a contest among Gran Turismo's 60 million players, won the opportunity amongst 20 others to drive a real race car and try out for a spot in the Dubai 24 Hour race. He won the challenge, and he's been on the podium in almost every race since, leveraged his opportunity into a full-time racing career. As I write this, they're warming up his car for the first practice session of the world's most famous race - the Le Mans 24 Hour. Whatsmore, based on his recent results, he stands a good chance of winning! That's him in the centre, with the big trophy. Geeks interested in following the fortunes of one of their own can follow the links to track Lucas in the weekend's big race.  Read More
Next stop, the West Coast - the Hoovers began crossing the U.S. in a hybrid human/electric...
To the continued annoyance of his father Pierce, twelve-year old Nash Hoover was forever leaving his bedroom light on when he wasn't in the house. Determined to teach him the real value of wasted energy, Nash's journalist father popped the young wastrel on an exercise bike that displayed the amount of energy being produced and told him to pedal away until he managed to produce enough watts to power a standard incandescent light bulb. Then the pair had the notion of spreading the now fully-learned lesson by traveling across America in a vehicle that uses no more energy than a light bulb left on each day.  Read More
The Golf Ball Wrangler is a device that lets entrepreneurs harvest golf balls from the bot...
When most golfers hit a ball into the middle of a water trap, they probably just assume that the ball is destined to remain underwater for all eternity. Various enterprising individuals, however, regularly ply the depths of such ponds and lakes to retrieve those lost balls, for resale to golfers. While some of these entrepreneurs reach out into the water as far as they can with rake-like contraptions, most of them don scuba gear and go treasure-hunting. A new invention, the Golf Ball Wrangler, can now be added to their arsenal – and it has advantages over both rakes and diving.  Read More
The Wii U and its touchscreen controller
Nintendo took the wraps off its new Wii U console at E3 today, sporting a controller as unique as we've come to expect from the company that brought us the Wii and the DS. With a 6.2" touchscreen, dual-analog sticks, D-pad, four face buttons, four triggers, front-facing camera, microphone, and motion controls (gyroscope and accelerometer), it's safe to say we'll see some innovative game mechanics invented to make full use of this thing.  Read More
Microsoft has announced that Xbox 360 will soon get voice search, YouTube and more live TV
Voice interface has been on the market for some time, but probably never on such a large scale as announced by Microsoft on Monday during its E3 Electronic Entertainment Expo press conference in Los Angeles. Improvements soon to be brought to Xbox Live include much more live TV and full YouTube access, all easily voice searched via Kinect and the Bing search engine. There's also something for mixed martial arts fans.  Read More
The Unimog 4WD Cabrio truck concept
It may look like one of the most outrageous automotive concepts seen in many a year, but the Unimog 4WD Cabrio Truck concept created to celebrate 60 years of Mercedes Benz Unimog production actually has some basis in history - the very first Mercedes Unimog which rolled off the production line back on June 3, 1951 was also a cabrio, and it was also green, as has been almost every other Unimog in the intervening years. Based on the current Unimog U 5000 with its exceptional off-road capabilities, the Unimog Cabrio is apparently designed to bridge current and future Unimog design.  Read More
Creative has announced a new low-power, high performance multi-core sound and voice proces...
Over the years, Creative has expanded its business into media players, headphones and webcams but is perhaps best regarded for its Sound Blaster computer audio products. The X-Fi audio processing chip was added to its PCI cards in 2005 and now the company has announced the new Sound Core3D multi-core sound and voice processor. The low-power, high performance chip will come in a HD audio configuration for computer products and an embedded format for consumer electronics.  Read More
This means war
I named Instapaper a killer app in my review of the first-gen iPad last year, and I was but one of many. So how did its developer Marco Arment feel when the Instapaper-inspired Reading List function in iOS 5 was announced at WWDC? This one word tweet says it all.  Read More
Sony's PlayStation branded 24-inch 3D Display
While details of Sony’s PlayStation Vita came as no surprise at Sony’s E3 press conference, the announcement of a PlayStation branded display raised a few eyebrows. At 24-inches, the full HD 1080p, edge-lit LED LCD 3D display is aimed specifically as PS3 owners without the space or cash to go with a big screen 3D-capable TV. In addition to 3D, the display also comes with a two-player feature that allows two different images to be sent to two different players at the same time.  Read More
Inexpensive to manufacture and simple to administer, RISUG could offer a cost effective bi...
A promising new birth control method for men that's more easily reversible than vasectomy has been developed in India. Called RISUG (Reversible Inhibition of Sperm Under Guidance or Vasalgel in the U.S) the method is claimed to be 100 percent effective in trials, doesn't contain controversial hormone therapy and it lasts a minimum of 10 years.  Read More
 
Scientists have successfully obtained human breast milk from genetically altered cattle (P...
According to a recent report on Sky News, Chinese scientists have created a herd of 300 transgenic dairy cattle, all of which have been genetically modified to produce human breast milk. While the milk is still undergoing government testing, the researchers reportedly hope to be selling it in supermarkets within three years.  Read More
Sony has announced a new small and light interchangeable lens alpha camera and a new trans...
Sony has announced a smaller and lighter replacement for the NEX-3 interchangeable lens camera announced last year, and a new member of its innovative translucent mirror Alpha camera range. The NEX-C3 gets more megapixels, has been given a new user interface with redefined photographic terminology and battery life - a weak spot on the first NEX models - is said to be up to a fifth longer. The A35 replaces the A33 and has also been given an image quality boost, gains some new live-shot effects and offer seven frames per second burst shooting (although at the expense of some resolution).  Read More
Scarpar's high speed, all-terrain powerboard set to launch within months
Two years ago, we had a look at the Scarpar - a twin-tracked, high speed all terrain powerboard that seemed like a promising power toy. Well, we've just spoken to Scarpar CEO Andrew Fern, who has confirmed that this unique vehicle is going into production later this year, and he's taking deposits as of now. Basically everything on the board has been changed since the last prototype we saw - it now runs an independent electric motor in each of the two articulating tracks, and the hand-held throttle and brake unit is now wireless. And as Fern describes after the jump, getting it to a production-ready point has been a herculean effort; his design team more or less had to create their own realm of engineering theory to deal with such an unprecedented set of vehicle dynamics. The following interview is a fascinating look into the development cycle of a new product. Most importantly though, the Scarpar still looks like extreme fun, and a remarkable way to launch yourself into the foliage.  Read More
CineXPlayer supports anaglyph (above) 3D or glasses-free 3D using the GRilli3D screen over...
The update to version 2.1 of NXP Software's popular CineXPlayer movie viewing iPad app sees an improved interface that now offers a thumbnail view instead of just a text list and lets users start transferring and watching an unconverted movie straight away. One of the most interesting additions, however, is the ability to watch 3D movies - either with anaglyph (red/blue) glasses, or glasses-free with the use of GRilli3D's overlay film.  Read More
Jed Mildon's history making triple backflip (Photo sequence: Shayne Rice via Unitriders)
The evolution of the human body as measured by how fast we can run or how high we can jump is glacially slow, despite vastly improved knowledge of human physiology, diet, and training techniques. By contrast, the rapid evolution of extreme sports has seen regular quantum progress as barrier after barrier falls. Indeed, in the world of stunts, things not thought possible quickly become commonplace once they are achieved. Yet another such "four minute mile" fell recently when Jed Mildon performed the first triple backflip on a BMX bike. Jed wore a ContourHD helmetcam for the stunt, so if you want to know what it's like to watch the world swirl 1080 degrees in 1080p in two seconds ...  Read More
dreamGEAR's TriMount for the Kinect, PS Eye and Wii sensor bar
Serious - or simply spoilt - gamers looking to enjoy motion-based gaming on all three current-generation consoles from Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo have no doubt discovered that finding room for the various motion sensing peripherals on or around the TV can be a bit of a problem. The TriMount from videogame accessory company dreamGEAR addresses this by providing a home for the Xbox 360's Kinect sensor, the PlayStation Eye, and the Wii's sensor bar.  Read More
The quantum tip's ultra-cold cloud of atoms (yellow) is contained in a magnetic trap and s...
When trying to see objects that are too small for optical microscopes to image, scientists often turn to scanning probe microscopes. Instead of a lens, these instruments have a tiny suspended tip, that moves up and down as it makes contact with the object’s surface. An image, which can reveal details as small as one millionth of a millimeter, is obtained by scanning that probe back and forth across the object. Scientists from Germany’s Universitaet Tübingen have now taken scanning probe microscopy a step farther, by creating a probe made not from a solid material, but from a gas of atoms – this “quantum tip” is said to increase the resolution of images beyond what has so far been possible.  Read More
Scientists have created a metallic material that can switch back and forth between hard an...
We may not yet have the liquid metal depicted in the Terminator movies, but scientists have now developed something that’s vaguely along the same lines. German materials scientist Dr. Jörg Weißmüller and Chinese research scientist Hai-Jun Jin have created a metallic material that can change back and forth between being strong but brittle and soft but malleable, via electrical signals.  Read More
In addition to geotagging images with earth-bound locations, the new O-GPS1 unit from Pent...
A new GPS module designed for use with the latest digital SLR cameras from Pentax could help photographers who like to capture shots of the heavens avoid annoying star trails on long exposure shots. As well as adding earth-bound location information to images, the weather-resistant O-GPS1 unit also tracks the location and movement of celestial bodies and, with the help of the shake reduction system within the camera, shifts the image sensor in sync with the movement of the stars and planets.  Read More
A new type of stem-cell-seeded bandage, designed to heal torn meniscal cartilage such as  ...
Every year, approximately 1.7 million people in the U.S. and Europe tear a meniscus – children and athletes are especially prone to such injuries. But first, just what is a meniscus? It’s one of two pieces of cartilage located inside each knee, that provide a cushion between the tibia and the femur. While smaller tears can heal on their own, larger tears often require a partial or complete removal of the meniscus. Within several years, this can result in the early onset of osteoarthritis. Recently, a new type of stem cell-seeded bandage, developed at the University of Bristol, has been approved for a clinical trial on meniscal tears. It may greatly reduce the need for menisectomies.  Read More

The Eyez are watching
ZionEyez are a Seattle based company bringing to market a Ray-Ban-like pair of sunglasses equipped with a micro video camera that delivers first person video recording in 720p. There's 8GB of flash memory inside the frame, a micro USB charging and data transfer port and the Eyesz can also connect to a computer via Bluetooth. If only Don Johnson had a pair of these ... those Miami drug lords would have had no chance.  Read More
Researchers are developing a birth control pill for men (Generic pill image: Alina Zienowi...
Following this week's coverage of the reversible male contraception method, it appears that a birth control pill for men is also in the works. Researchers at Columbia University Medical Center are developing what may be the first non-steroidal, oral contraceptive for men. The team of scientists, led by Dr. Debra J. Wolgemuth, discovered that low doses of a compound that interferes with retinoic acid receptors (RARs), stopped sperm production with no apparent side effects. In addition, just like the birth control pill for women, normal levels of fertility could be restored almost immediately after the dose has been ceased.  Read More
Logitech has announced a new Lapdesk that features a retractable 5-inch touchpad surface
Anyone who regularly works on a laptop will testify to that its name is somewhat misleading. These mobile computing power-houses can generate an awful lot of heat and make it very uncomfortable - and even painful - to lay one across your legs. What you need is something that's placed between your thighs and your laptop to help keep the heat away. Logitech has unveiled a new addition to its Lapdesk range that features a retractable multi-touch surface for those who like to swipe or scroll their way around the screen.  Read More
The Hoverbike prototype lifts off in a tethered flight test
Adventurous motorcyclists might be familiar with the thrill of getting airborne at the top of a rise, but the Hoverbike is set to take catching some air to a whole new level. With a 1170 cc 4-stroke engine delivering 80 kW driving two ducted propellers, the inventor of the Hoverbike, Chris Malloy, says with its high thrust to weight ratio, the Hoverbike should be able to reach an estimated height of more than 10,000 feet and reach an indicated airspeed of 150 knots (278 km/h or 173 mph). At the moment these are only theoretical figures as the Hoverbike hasn't been put through its paces yet, but Malloy has constructed a prototype Hoverbike and plans to conduct real world flight tests in a couple of months.  Read More
Are 'suitcase nukes' a genuine concern?
On the 7th September 1997, 60 Minutes broadcast an alarming news item featuring the allegations of former Russian National Security Advisor, General Aleksander Lebed. Lebed claimed that the former Soviet Union had not only manufactured but had lost track of perhaps 100 of a very frightening weapon: a nuclear bomb in a casing which made it appear to be a small suitcase. The claim was hotly denied and none of these weapons have never surfaced, but that hasn't stopped the idea of "suitcase nukes" gaining a grip on the public imagination through popular fiction and TV shows. So is it even possible to fabricate a nuclear weapon so small? If so, is it likely that such devices exist and are even missing?  Read More
3M's new Kind Removal Silicone Tape is said to cause less discomfort and skin damage upon ...
When it comes to “painless” bandages, many of us might assume that they’re designed mainly for children, who simply don’t like the sting that comes with the removal of conventional products. The fact is, however, that approximately 1.5 million patients in U.S. health care facilities receive skin injuries caused by bandage removal every year. Many of these patients are elderly, require repeated tapings in the same area, or have fragile skin for other reasons. It’s for people like these that 3M designed its new Kind Removal Silicone Tape.  Read More
EDWARD (Electric Diwheel With Active Rotation Damping) is a student-built electric, workin...
Designed and built by a team of students from Australia's University of Adelaide, EDWARD is a futuristic, purely electric dicycle – also known as a diwheel. Although it looks like transportation from the realm of science fiction, the vehicle is fully operational and can be controlled with surprising precision.  Read More
Scientists have applied conductive nanocoatings to textiles, which could pave the way for ...
Not long ago, we reported on a prototype thin, flexible smartphone known as the Paperphone. While it isn’t actually made out of paper, the success of a research project at North Carolina State University indicates that phones in the future could be. Scientists there have been able to deposit conductive nanocoatings onto textiles, meaning that items such as pieces of paper or clothing could ultimately be used as electronic devices.  Read More
A recent study suggests that playing relaxing video games, such as Endless Ocean, leaves p...
Although you might have a big grin on your face as you're blowing away your opponents when playing Halo, you would actually be happier if you were playing a game like Endless Ocean, in which you interact with marine life - at least, that's what Ohio State University's Brad Bushman will tell you. The professor of communication and psychology conducted two studies, each with over 100 subjects, and has concluded that playing relaxing, nonviolent video games leaves people in a happier, more sociable mood than if they had played fast, violent games.  Read More
Nissan and the Japan Automobile Federation are currently testing a new roadside assistance...
One of the most frequently aired concerns when discussing electric vehicles (EV) is what happens when you run out of juice. Of course the obvious answer is that you break down, just like with a normal car - but with some forethought, you're not likely to let that happen. Should the unthinkable happen, however, some news from Japan may bring a little comfort to existing and prospective EV owners. The Japan Automobile Federation (JAF) and Nissan have just started testing a roadside service vehicle that's equipped with a charger to assist EVs.  Read More

The School of Art, Design & Media at Nanyang Technological University campus in Singapore ...
Architectural firm CPG Consultants has fulfilled its "green" brief by incorporating a grassed rooftop into the flowing lines of the 5-storey School of Art, Design & Media at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. The 18,000 sqm building maintains the fluidity of the surrounding valley from the entrance to the main foyer and up into the external turfed roofs. Featured internal glass walls serve to enhance this visual connectivity with the lush surrounding, whilst also allowing light to flood through the classrooms.  Read More
The color-changing, heat-sensitive fiber researchers plan to weave into bandages (Image: L...
Researchers have developed a fiber that changes color in response to temperature with the aim of creating a smart bandage that can indicate the state of underlying wounds and warn of infection. With the ability to show temperature changes of less than 0.5 of a degree Celsius, the smart bandage would allow for easier and faster identification of healing problems that are typically accompanied by an increase or decrease in local temperature, such as infection or interruptions to blood supply.  Read More
Scientists have devised a chemical method for recycling composite parts from discarded rec...
We've all heard about old metal car bodies being melted down for recycling, but what happens to the composite hulls and superstructures of past-their-prime recreational boats? Well, not much. Generally, they just end being sunk, burned, or put in a scrapyard. Sometimes, the composites are ground up and added as filler to virgin material. An alternative may be on the way, however, as researchers have discovered a new method for separating the composite components for future reuse.  Read More
Ricoh has announced the release of the first in a new series of PX compact cameras, which ...
Ricoh has announced the first in a new PX Series of compact digital cameras. Benefiting from some rugged, go-anywhere qualities, the new camera also features technology capable of doubling the available optical zoom, is quick to start up, and has a good selection of scene-based setting optimization options. If you're not happy with the choice of three colors, Ricoh has also created some brightly colored protective jackets to slip over the top.  Read More
A diagram depicting Tao's system for thinning blood using magnetic fields (Image: Temple U...
Overly-viscous blood can damage blood vessels and lead to heart attacks. Therefore, people who are at risk of heart attacks take medications such as Aspirin, in order to thin their blood. Such drugs can have unpleasant side effects, however, and can only be taken a certain number of times per day. Prof. Rongjia Tao, a physicist from Philadelphia's Temple University, now thinks he might have come up with a better way of thinning human blood - he subjects it to magnetic fields.  Read More
Two scientists are proposing the use of high-pressure carbon dioxide, instead of water, fo...
A promising new innovation in geothermal technology, that offers a novel solution to climate change, has been created by two researchers from the University of Minnesota's Department of Earth Sciences. The technology focuses on tapping heat from beneath the Earth's surface. By using high-pressure carbon dioxide (CO2) instead of water to extract the heat, the system has the potential to produce significantly more efficient renewable energy. At the same time, by sequestering CO2 deep underground, it actively reduces atmospheric CO2. It's being hailed as a two in one solution for climate change.  Read More
MUNITO's SITi (Standard Issue Titanium) Nine Millimeter Earphones resemble bullets, and ar...
There’s something a little disturbing about the thought of jamming something that looks like a bullet into your ears, but then again, MUNITO’s SITi (Standard Issue Titanium) Nine Millimeter Earphones clearly aren’t your grandma’s earbuds. Not only are their metal bodies modeled after 9 mm shell casings, but their flexible tips are actually trademarked as SiliconeHollowPoints. Lest you think that these earphones are all novelty and no substance, however, they do have some half-decent specs.  Read More
Microsoft has unveiled the new driving controller for Xbox 360: Wireless Speed Wheel
Perhaps Microsoft's employees responsible for product naming don't drive very often, given that they call this cordless gaming accessory a "wheel". For racing fans who own an Xbox 360, however, the arrival of the Wireless Speed Wheel is good news, as there aren't many driving controllers for the Microsoft console on the market. This one's price tag is pretty decent, too.  Read More
Mark Stevenson has designed a simple solution to allow photographers to secure a lens cap ...
While I've been lucky never to have actually misplaced a lens cap for my digital SLR, there have been times when I've been lost for somewhere to put it between shots (no suggestions please). Chicago's Mark Stevenson has designed a simple solution to allow photographers to secure the wandering lens cap to a camera strap or camera bag.  Read More

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