New and Emerging Technology News part 227 ~ NEW GEN TECH LIFE : new generation technology news

Saturday 22 March 2014

New and Emerging Technology News part 227

STMicrosystem's new stereo digital audio amplifier
If you can find one, the new STA333IS digital audio chip and power amplifier from STMicroelectronics (STM) offers a quick and easy solution for converting digital audio into a 10 watt/channel stereo for anything from a boom box to a backyard sound system. Don't misunderstand, they currently are at distributors, selling for about one US dollar apiece. The problem is literally finding the chips. At about one-eighth the volume of a grain of rice and weighing only a few milligrams, drop one on a carpet and its gone for good.  Read More
The DIY storytelling kit is designed to bring families together at bedtime under the mosqu...
In an effort to bring parents and children living in poor communities closer together, Supaksirin Wongsilp has designed a toy that promotes interaction at one of the times and places families are sure to come together – bedtime inside the mosquito net. Her DIY Storytelling Kit lets parents narrate a story as they assemble story characters along with their children to hang inside the net. Instead of passively waiting to fall asleep, parents and kids get a little play time together that doesn't break up their routine.  Read More
The Samsung GT-E2121B mobile phone that researchers powered with urine
If asked what would be a great power source for mobile phones, it’s a fair bet that most people wouldn't make urine their first choice. But that's exactly what a group of scientists at Bristol Robotics Laboratory in the UK have done. As part of a project to find new ways to provide electricity for small devices in emergency situations and developing countries they have created a new fuel cell system powered by pee.  Read More
The GoCan Drainer offers a simple way of draining the juices from canned food Some of the simplest household tasks are also the most annoying, and draining the juices from canned goods is definitely on the list. You can either use the newly removed lid, which risks you cutting your hand to pieces, your fingers, which leaves you with sticky digits, or a full size colander, which just adds another bulky item to the washing-up. The GoCan Drainer offers a neater solution.  Read More
The C.24 is designed to bring physical keyboard interaction to the iPad
The potential for tablets as virtual musical creation devices has spawned a number of hardware add-ons aimed at bringing a new level of physical interaction to the table. Following this school of thought is the C.24 from Miselu: a Bluetooth-enabled, two octave wireless music keyboard for iPad that doubles as a cover.  Read More
Nike's Free Hyperfeel shoes were developed using pressure-mapping technology
Inspired by Nike’s “Nature Amplified” design ethos, the Free Hyperfeel shoes are the company’s latest sports footwear designed to mimic the working of the human foot. By using pressure-mapping technology and high-speed film to analyze the foot in motion, the designers say they were able to provide padding and protection only where it is needed. The result is a shoe made up of only seven components, which contrasts with the 57 components that go into a typical Air Pegasus running shoe.  Read More
Gizmag compares the specs (and other features) of the new HTC One mini, and its big brothe...
When a company announces the budget version of a popular device, things often go in one of two directions. On one hand, there are devices like the iPad mini and iPod nano, which strike a chord and become more popular than their pricier predecessors. But then you have phones like last year's Galaxy S3 Mini, which used a valuable brand to sell some pretty underwhelming hardware. Which side of that fence does the new HTC One mini fall onto? Let's put it up against the standard HTC One, and see how its specs (and other features) compare.  Read More
The Be.e electric scooter (Photo: Waarmakers)
Flax is undoubtedly one very useful plant. The seeds are both tasty and nutritious, its fibers have been used to protect our delicate skins for thousands of years, and it's helped us express ourselves through art and music. Now it's about to play a supporting role in quickly zipping us through busy city streets. The Be.e electric scooter designed by Dutch firm Waarmakers has a monocoque body made from NPSP's natural fiber-reinforced composites, a modern take on glass-fiber composites where the glass has been replaced by Flax and then mixed with bio-resin. Project partner Van.Eko launched the first models on June 27, and is now readying the funky-looking two-wheeler for full commercial production.  Read More
Pure Tension Volvo Pavilion
"How am I going to prevent that battery from dying on my trip?" It's a sentiment that's been echoed again and again, even by the most ardent EV early adopters, and certainly by the auto consuming public at large. With only 100 miles (161 km) of battery power on a good day, and few charging stations along most routes, the fear of sputtering out on the highway is real and pervasive. With help from a collaborative of designers and architects, Volvo shows one possible solution – a collapsible, carport-sized solar charging pavilion named Pure Tension.  Read More
With a maximum write speed of 240 MB/s the Toshiba Exceria Pro SD cards are the fastest ye...
There are a number of ways that new SD memory cards can grab some attention. Some offer larger-than-usual storage capacity, while others boast wireless connectivity. Toshiba hopes its Exceria Pro series cards will stand out because of their speed. With impressive data write speeds of up to 240 MB/s, the company is claiming they're the world's fastest.  Read More

Pitch drop caught in the act of falling in the Trinity College experiment (Photo: Trinity ...
Is pitch a liquid or a solid? It turns out that while it appears to be a solid at room temperature, it actually flows like a liquid ... a very, very viscous liquid. Why is this interesting? One of the world's longest running experiments, which began nearly 70 years ago at Trinity College Dublin, has now recorded the fall of a drop of pitch on video for the first time.  Read More
The Aquabot can spray those dirty hands clean The Lunatec Aquabot cap transforms a regular water bottle into a pressurized spray bottle. Like a Geigerrig in bottle form, the spraying action adds extra function and versatility to the average bottle. Instead of just drinking out of it, you can spray your hands clean, rinse dishes off and mist yourself in the face.  Read More
The Warning Pattern suit is based on fish patterns that warn off attackers
Worldwide, around 100 people are attacked by sharks each year. The anxiety this produces isn't helped by the fact that traditional black wetsuits make divers and surfers look like seals, and it’s not a good idea to dress up as a shark’s favorite snack before going into the water. Australian company Shark Attack Mitigation Systems (SAMS) is developing wetsuits designed to deter shark attacks rather than ring the dinner gong by using disruptive patterns that sharks have trouble seeing, or that make them think twice about attacking.  Read More
Postifier's concept is so simple, you'll kick yourself for not thinking of it. Attach it t...
Sometimes innovation pops up in the most unexpected places. Take snail mail, for example. Postal services around the world may have taken hit after hit from the digital age, but maybe reports of its death have been greatly exaggerated. After all, how many people do you know who don't still use snail mail? Now one entrepeneur has a clever new gizmo that brings some – gasp – innovation to the world of snail mail.  Read More
The iKnife has been used in tests in 91 operations, where it showed 100 percent accuracy w...
Dr. Zoltan Takats of the Imperial College London has developed one very sharp knife – and we're not referring to its keen edge. The Intelligent Knife (iKnife) is equipped with a nose and a brain that can sniff out cancer as it cuts. Using a mass spectrometer to detect chemical profiles associated with tumors, it enables instant identification of cancerous tissue and helps surgeons to make sure that all of a tumor has been removed.  Read More
Kayak Power Meter
Paddling a kayak is tough work. If you're wondering just how tough, a new paddle from New Zealand-based One Giant Leap can tell you. Its integrated power meter monitors how much power is going into each stroke.  Read More
Sugary geometry (Photo: Sugar Lab) These fantastically delicate sculptures, designed by Liz and Kyle von Hasseln, bring a whole new meaning to the notion of sugar work.  Read More
MINI's Clubvan Camper, Cowley and Countryman ALL4 Camp concepts
MINI has chosen the height of the British summer to unveil its new motoring-cum-camping concepts aimed at music festival goers and outdoor types in need of what the company euphemistically describes as "overnight solutions." The three products are the Clubvan Camper, the Cowley and the Countryman ALL4 Camp; a tiny camper van, a compact caravan and a rooftop tent respectively. Let's have a look, then.  Read More
The WaterColorBot painter
Robots are already starting to make a mark on the adult art world with automated machines like the eDavid, which creates stunning painting in a variety of styles. But what about works at the other end of the artistic spectrum, like children's watercolors? Thanks to an invention from a 12 year-old, even young children can soon use robotics to make their own artwork. The WaterColorBot paints colorful pictures on paper based on existing graphics or follows along with users as they draw on a computer.  Read More
The movement of levitated objects - here a toothpick - is possible by varying the acoustic...
With the exception of magic, the process of levitating objects generally relies on magnetism or electric fields. However, sound waves can also be used to cancel out the effects of gravity to suspend objects and droplets of liquid in mid air. For the first time, researchers at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH) have been able to control the movement of such levitating objects. Besides looking cool, the technology has implications for the study of various chemical reactions and biological processes and the development and production of pharmaceuticals and electronics.  Read More
 
As the united band of robots hovers and climbs off the ground, each robot module is using ...
Researchers at ETH Zurich have demonstrated an amazing capability for small robots to self-assemble and take to the air as a multi-rotor helicopter. Maximilian Kriegleder and Raymond Oung worked with Professor Raffaello D’Andrea at his research lab to develop the small hexagonal pods that assemble into flying rafts. The true accomplishment of this research is that there is not one robot in control – each unit in itself decides what actions to take to keep the group in the air in what's known as Distributed Flight Array.  Read More
The Locomotive Ranch Trailer Home (Photo: Paul Bardigjy) The recently-completed Locomotive Ranch Trailer Home uses a vintage aluminum house trailer offers a blueprint for making an out of the ordinary trailer-based home.  Read More
The NT-design takes shape at Goodyear's Wingfoot Lake Hangar in Suffield, Ohio
The iconic Goodyear blimps are a common sight in the skies over stadiums at sporting events in the US, serving as an aerial billboard and television camera platform to provide aerial views. In 2011, Goodyear announced plans to replace the current fleet of GZ-20 class blimps first introduced in 1969 with three new Zeppelin NT airships. Goodyear says this new design will be longer, faster, and more maneuverable than the current fleet, while also being less expensive to operate.  Read More
The Capture Camera Clip v2 allows you to clamp your DSLR camera onto any belt buckle or ba...
The DSLR remains the camera of choice for people who are serious about photography, but lugging one about can still pose a challenge. Belt clip-on accessories like Peter Dering's Capture Camera Clip offer an ergonomic, ready-access alternative to the standard strap or bag. Looking to improve on the original, Dering is now launching a slimmed-down redesign that adds a GoPro mount to the equation.  Read More
Warning readout at the valet station
Alcohol and driving definitely don’t mix, but those most in need of having their keys taken away are the worst judges of how much they've had to drink. As part of an anti-drink/drive campaign by Singapore’s Zouk nightclub, DDB Group Singapore developed the Pee Analyzer: a system fitted to urinals that tests patrons’ alcohol levels every time they take a trip to the bathroom.  Read More
Windows 8 no longer supports playback of DVDs natively, but there are a number of powerful...
If you get a new Windows 8 computer, you might be surprised to find out that it won't play your DVDs as Microsoft, in its infinite wisdom, omitted this feature in the new version of the OS. Although optical media is going the way of the VHS tape, there's a lot of content out there that's not available for streaming or in compatible video formats. Hare are five free apps to get around the lack of native Windows DVD playback and let you enjoy your DVD collection.  Read More
Graphene continues to strengthen its reputation as a wonder material, this time in the fie...
Researchers from the Universities of Bath and Exeter have shown that a few layers of graphene stacked on top of each other could act as a formidable material for optical switches, delivering speeds up to 100 times faster than current telecommunications technology.  Read More
Serial numbers on engine recovered from the Atlantic
A lost bit of the Moon landing era isn't lost anymore. Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos announced on Friday that one of the F-1 rocket engines found by his deep-sea expedition was indeed part of the Apollo 11 Saturn V rocket that sent the first astronauts to land on the Moon in 1969. A conservator at the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center in Hutchinson, Kansas, where the engine was being restored, was removing corrosion from the engine when he discovered evidence confirming the significant find.  Read More
The Manfrotto Pixi is a small and portable tripod which can also be used as a video grip
The latest mini tripod from Manfrotto is designed not only to keep your camera steady when taking photos, but also while shooting video. The Pixi, which is designed to be used with anything from a smartphone to an entry-level DSLR, can be deployed as a table-top tripod when its legs are splayed, or a video grip when they're collapsed.  Read More
Gizmag compares the specs (and other features) of Apple's iPhone 5, and HTC's new mini-me ...
The HTC One is one of the most Apple-like Android phones ever made. Its unified design, high-quality build materials, and attention to detail harken back to some of Apple's finest products. So when HTC released a variant of the One that's closer in size to the iPhone 5, we wondered how the two would stack up. Read on, as we compare the specs (and other features) of the HTC One mini and iPhone 5.  Read More
As the united band of robots hovers and climbs off the ground, each robot module is using ...
Researchers at ETH Zurich have demonstrated an amazing capability for small robots to self-assemble and take to the air as a multi-rotor helicopter. Maximilian Kriegleder and Raymond Oung worked with Professor Raffaello D’Andrea at his research lab to develop the small hexagonal pods that assemble into flying rafts. The true accomplishment of this research is that there is not one robot in control – each unit in itself decides what actions to take to keep the group in the air in what's known as Distributed Flight Array.  Read More
The Locomotive Ranch Trailer Home (Photo: Paul Bardigjy) The recently-completed Locomotive Ranch Trailer Home uses a vintage aluminum house trailer offers a blueprint for making an out of the ordinary trailer-based home.  Read More
The NT-design takes shape at Goodyear's Wingfoot Lake Hangar in Suffield, Ohio
The iconic Goodyear blimps are a common sight in the skies over stadiums at sporting events in the US, serving as an aerial billboard and television camera platform to provide aerial views. In 2011, Goodyear announced plans to replace the current fleet of GZ-20 class blimps first introduced in 1969 with three new Zeppelin NT airships. Goodyear says this new design will be longer, faster, and more maneuverable than the current fleet, while also being less expensive to operate.  Read More
The Capture Camera Clip v2 allows you to clamp your DSLR camera onto any belt buckle or ba...
The DSLR remains the camera of choice for people who are serious about photography, but lugging one about can still pose a challenge. Belt clip-on accessories like Peter Dering's Capture Camera Clip offer an ergonomic, ready-access alternative to the standard strap or bag. Looking to improve on the original, Dering is now launching a slimmed-down redesign that adds a GoPro mount to the equation.  Read More
Warning readout at the valet station
Alcohol and driving definitely don’t mix, but those most in need of having their keys taken away are the worst judges of how much they've had to drink. As part of an anti-drink/drive campaign by Singapore’s Zouk nightclub, DDB Group Singapore developed the Pee Analyzer: a system fitted to urinals that tests patrons’ alcohol levels every time they take a trip to the bathroom.  Read More
Windows 8 no longer supports playback of DVDs natively, but there are a number of powerful...
If you get a new Windows 8 computer, you might be surprised to find out that it won't play your DVDs as Microsoft, in its infinite wisdom, omitted this feature in the new version of the OS. Although optical media is going the way of the VHS tape, there's a lot of content out there that's not available for streaming or in compatible video formats. Hare are five free apps to get around the lack of native Windows DVD playback and let you enjoy your DVD collection.  Read More
Graphene continues to strengthen its reputation as a wonder material, this time in the fie...
Researchers from the Universities of Bath and Exeter have shown that a few layers of graphene stacked on top of each other could act as a formidable material for optical switches, delivering speeds up to 100 times faster than current telecommunications technology.  Read More
Serial numbers on engine recovered from the Atlantic
A lost bit of the Moon landing era isn't lost anymore. Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos announced on Friday that one of the F-1 rocket engines found by his deep-sea expedition was indeed part of the Apollo 11 Saturn V rocket that sent the first astronauts to land on the Moon in 1969. A conservator at the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center in Hutchinson, Kansas, where the engine was being restored, was removing corrosion from the engine when he discovered evidence confirming the significant find.  Read More
The Manfrotto Pixi is a small and portable tripod which can also be used as a video grip
The latest mini tripod from Manfrotto is designed not only to keep your camera steady when taking photos, but also while shooting video. The Pixi, which is designed to be used with anything from a smartphone to an entry-level DSLR, can be deployed as a table-top tripod when its legs are splayed, or a video grip when they're collapsed.  Read More
Gizmag compares the specs (and other features) of Apple's iPhone 5, and HTC's new mini-me ...
The HTC One is one of the most Apple-like Android phones ever made. Its unified design, high-quality build materials, and attention to detail harken back to some of Apple's finest products. So when HTC released a variant of the One that's closer in size to the iPhone 5, we wondered how the two would stack up. Read on, as we compare the specs (and other features) of the HTC One mini and iPhone 5.  Read More
As the united band of robots hovers and climbs off the ground, each robot module is using ...
Researchers at ETH Zurich have demonstrated an amazing capability for small robots to self-assemble and take to the air as a multi-rotor helicopter. Maximilian Kriegleder and Raymond Oung worked with Professor Raffaello D’Andrea at his research lab to develop the small hexagonal pods that assemble into flying rafts. The true accomplishment of this research is that there is not one robot in control – each unit in itself decides what actions to take to keep the group in the air in what's known as Distributed Flight Array.  Read More
The Locomotive Ranch Trailer Home (Photo: Paul Bardigjy) The recently-completed Locomotive Ranch Trailer Home uses a vintage aluminum house trailer offers a blueprint for making an out of the ordinary trailer-based home.  Read More
The NT-design takes shape at Goodyear's Wingfoot Lake Hangar in Suffield, Ohio
The iconic Goodyear blimps are a common sight in the skies over stadiums at sporting events in the US, serving as an aerial billboard and television camera platform to provide aerial views. In 2011, Goodyear announced plans to replace the current fleet of GZ-20 class blimps first introduced in 1969 with three new Zeppelin NT airships. Goodyear says this new design will be longer, faster, and more maneuverable than the current fleet, while also being less expensive to operate.  Read More
The Capture Camera Clip v2 allows you to clamp your DSLR camera onto any belt buckle or ba...
The DSLR remains the camera of choice for people who are serious about photography, but lugging one about can still pose a challenge. Belt clip-on accessories like Peter Dering's Capture Camera Clip offer an ergonomic, ready-access alternative to the standard strap or bag. Looking to improve on the original, Dering is now launching a slimmed-down redesign that adds a GoPro mount to the equation.  Read More
Warning readout at the valet station
Alcohol and driving definitely don’t mix, but those most in need of having their keys taken away are the worst judges of how much they've had to drink. As part of an anti-drink/drive campaign by Singapore’s Zouk nightclub, DDB Group Singapore developed the Pee Analyzer: a system fitted to urinals that tests patrons’ alcohol levels every time they take a trip to the bathroom.  Read More
Windows 8 no longer supports playback of DVDs natively, but there are a number of powerful...
If you get a new Windows 8 computer, you might be surprised to find out that it won't play your DVDs as Microsoft, in its infinite wisdom, omitted this feature in the new version of the OS. Although optical media is going the way of the VHS tape, there's a lot of content out there that's not available for streaming or in compatible video formats. Hare are five free apps to get around the lack of native Windows DVD playback and let you enjoy your DVD collection.  Read More
Graphene continues to strengthen its reputation as a wonder material, this time in the fie...
Researchers from the Universities of Bath and Exeter have shown that a few layers of graphene stacked on top of each other could act as a formidable material for optical switches, delivering speeds up to 100 times faster than current telecommunications technology.  Read More
Serial numbers on engine recovered from the Atlantic
A lost bit of the Moon landing era isn't lost anymore. Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos announced on Friday that one of the F-1 rocket engines found by his deep-sea expedition was indeed part of the Apollo 11 Saturn V rocket that sent the first astronauts to land on the Moon in 1969. A conservator at the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center in Hutchinson, Kansas, where the engine was being restored, was removing corrosion from the engine when he discovered evidence confirming the significant find.  Read More
The Manfrotto Pixi is a small and portable tripod which can also be used as a video grip
The latest mini tripod from Manfrotto is designed not only to keep your camera steady when taking photos, but also while shooting video. The Pixi, which is designed to be used with anything from a smartphone to an entry-level DSLR, can be deployed as a table-top tripod when its legs are splayed, or a video grip when they're collapsed.  Read More
Gizmag compares the specs (and other features) of Apple's iPhone 5, and HTC's new mini-me ...
The HTC One is one of the most Apple-like Android phones ever made. Its unified design, high-quality build materials, and attention to detail harken back to some of Apple's finest products. So when HTC released a variant of the One that's closer in size to the iPhone 5, we wondered how the two would stack up. Read on, as we compare the specs (and other features) of the HTC One mini and iPhone 5.  Read More



Ford's surveillance system monitors the area behind the police cruiser
Ford has found a new use for some of the vehicle sensor systems that help drivers monitor traffic. A new surveillance mode developed in collaboration with California-based Intermotive Inc. uses these sensor systems to give police officers "eyes on the back of their heads," making them aware of any potential dangers behind their vehicles.  Read More
The Rubbee's polyurethane roller engages the rear tire, making a motor-only speed of 25 km...
There are likely quite a few people who think that an electric bicycle might come in handy sometimes, but who aren’t willing to buy a whole other bike or permanently convert their existing non-electric model. Well, that’s why the Rubbee was created. It’s an electric drive unit that attaches to a regular bicycle in only a few seconds, and that comes off just as quickly.  Read More
Thirty-five BYD electric buses are headed for Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
Chinese auto maker BYD has managed to fight off stiff competition from four other manufacturers to supply 35 of its electric buses to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, one of Europe's busiest airports. Under the SUBSS Project (Sustainable Bus System of Schiphol), the single-deck e-buses will replace the airport's aging fleet of specialized gas-powered vehicles, and be used to quietly transfer passengers between terminals and aircraft. The new e-fleet is due to enter service this time next year.  Read More
Andreas Hammar's Sweat Machine
Unicef called upon the services of engineer Andreas Hammar to build the provocatively-named Sweat Machine which purifies sweat into drinking water. Though not intended as a serious measure to tackle shortages in drinking water, Unicef does hope to raise awareness of the issue, and invited visitors and footballers at last week's Gothia Cup soccer tournament to partake of a glass.  Read More
Hachiya is currently exhibiting the M-02J glider at the 3331 Arts Chiyoda center in Japan
In the Japanese animated film, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, the protagonist explores a post-apocalyptic world riding on a jet-powered glider called a Möwe. When the movie was first released in 1984, a vehicle like that seemed like it could only exist in science fiction, but today one artist is determined to make it a reality. Kazuhiko Hachiya has spent the past decade designing and testing his own single-person glider and recently unveiled a full-sized model with a working jet engine.  Read More
Disney's algorithm at work
Disney Research has developed an algorithm which can generate 3D computer models from 2D images in great detail, sufficient, it says, to meet the needs of video game and film makers. The technology requires multiple images to capture the scene from a variety of vantage points.  Read More
The Suprine Exodus recumbent motorcycle
The Exodus recumbent motorcycle, by US company Suprine, is a 130-horsepower lay-back motorbike with a roll cage and a perspex windscreen. It's a radical design with a street-legal prototype already in action, and its remarkable form factor allows it to make a fantastic 80-plus miles per gallon on the highway, while looking like something out of a Japanese anime movie.  Read More
The ARES system uses electric locomotives as a form of energy storage
We’ve recently looked at ocean-based energy storage system concepts from MIT and Subhydro AS that are designed to overcome the intermittency problems of renewable energy sources like wind and solar by pumping water out of large tanks and using gravity to let it back in and generate electricity when needed. Santa Barbara, California-based company Advanced Rail Energy Storage (ARES) has come up with a land-based alternative that would provide grid scale energy storage using electric locomotives.  Read More
Apple is reportedly testing screens for a larger iPhone, and some sort of tablet device th...
If you compare the iPhone to any of the most popular Android phones, there's one big thing you'll notice. The iPhone's screen looks positively puny next to phones like the Galaxy Note, Galaxy S4, and HTC One. According to a new report, though, Apple might be cooking up something that will even that playing field.  Read More
The Paletina is a kitchen island built using reclaimed pallets and other materials found o... Spanish designers Alessandra Samson and Paco Serinelli from Anatomica Design have come up with a novel way to transform old wooden pallets into a rustic eco-kitchen.  Read More

British PM David Cameron plans to filter all adult content from all UK Internet connection...
On Monday, British Prime Minister David Cameron announced a sweeping censorship plan that would block internet users in the United Kingdom from accessing online pornography unless they specifically request otherwise. British ISPs will be obliged to contact each of their customers to ask whether they want their content filtered, and if no answer is forthcoming, the filter will be applied by default. Speaking of how "online pornography is corroding childhood," Cameron also proposed that search engines stop showing returns for child pornography – and in doing so demonstrated a lack of understanding of the medium.  Read More
Curious about what Windows 8.1 has to offer? Here'show to install it on VirtualBox and tes...
If you aren't happy with Windows 8, and are curious to find out what's new in Windows 8.1, rather than just read about it, why not try it for yourself and install it in a Virtual Machine? It's easy to do, and will give you some hands on time to really see what you can expect. Here I'll show you the quickest and easiest way to get it installed and working.  Read More
Rice University graduate student Oara Neumann, left, and scientist Naomi Halas with their ...
Last year, researchers at Rice University revealed a new way to convert solar energy directly into steam using light-absorbing nanoparticles. At that time, the technology had already been used to create a solar steam-powered autoclave for sterilizing medical and dental equipment and the project had been awarded a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to turn the technology to the task of sanitizing human waste. The researchers have now put both applications to the test.  Read More
The Mercedes-Benz Vision Golf Cart is how our grandchildren might get around the course
Mercedes has been looking into the future lately, sharing its "crystal ball" visions with the world. In addition to forward thinking production vehicles like the SLS AMG E-Drive, it has gone even deeper into the future, providing a look at what off-road utility vehicles might look like in a decade, for instance. Now, it's gone a little smaller, giving its vision of the golf cart that might be buzzing around local country clubs in a generation or two.  Read More
The Compleat FoodBag from Unikia is a new take on the reusable lunch box that remains stur... Norwegian company Unikia is looking to update the plain old lunch bag with its Compleat FoodBag, a reusable lunch box that keeps food fresh and protected in transit and rolls up compactly when the meal is over.  Read More
Bertha awaiting dismantling at Osaka, Japan before making its way to Seattle (Image: WSDOT...
On Saturday, a tunnel boring machine (TBM) so large that it looks like something out of Thunderbirds was dedicated in the city of Seattle. “Bertha,” as it’s known, is the world’s largest TBM and will spend the next 14 months boring a 1.7 mile (2.7 km) tunnel under the city as part of a US$3.1 billion project to replace a viaduct damaged in a 2001 earthquake. As part of a press tour, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) allowed Gizmag inside the giant machine.  Read More
The NFC Ring takes a simple idea and opens up a world of possibilities
Near Field Communication (NFC) is a technology that's just oozing with potential. Though the mainstream adoption of near-field communication hasn't exactly gone as planned, that doesn't mean that NFC isn't still a fertile ground for great products. One upcoming product, the NFC Ring, is an example of the kinds of imaginative projects that could become more widespread a few years down the road.  Read More
A human artist's sketch (left), and the computer's attempt at a drawing of the same face d...
Last year, we heard about an industrial robot that was able to create pencil sketches of human subjects. In that case, it utilized algorithms that identified the boundaries between areas of high and low contrast on each subject’s face. Now, however, scientists at Disney Research, Pittsburgh, have taken things a bit further. They’ve created a computer tool that not only produces digital sketches, but it also copies the style of specific human artists as it does so.  Read More
A beech pair of Troubadour headphones from lstn
Ask a tone-head what makes his Fender Strat or Gibson Les Paul Goldtop sound so good, and there's a good chance the top answer will be "the wood." The acoustic benefits of wood are well known, yet many audiophiles enjoy their music through headphone drivers encased in plastic and metal. Californians Joe Huff and Bridget Hilton believe that this simply won't do, and have created a line of wood-flavored audio products to add that certain something to our personal music enjoyment. The lstn Bowerys are in-ear earphones, the Fillmores are on-ear headphones and the Troubadours are over-ear headphones, and all of the models are offered in beech, cherry or ebony. Gizmag was sent a pair of beech Troubadours for review, so let's find out how they performed.  Read More
New Trent's Airbender Mini is a protective case for the iPad mini The iPad mini may indeed be small and portable, but after spending over $300 on one, you probably don’t want to send it out into the world unprotected. While there are already various aftermarket cases available to do the job, New Trent’s just-released Airbender Mini offers a couple of particularly interesting features.  Read More
British PM David Cameron plans to filter all adult content from all UK Internet connection...
On Monday, British Prime Minister David Cameron announced a sweeping censorship plan that would block internet users in the United Kingdom from accessing online pornography unless they specifically request otherwise. British ISPs will be obliged to contact each of their customers to ask whether they want their content filtered, and if no answer is forthcoming, the filter will be applied by default. Speaking of how "online pornography is corroding childhood," Cameron also proposed that search engines stop showing returns for child pornography – and in doing so demonstrated a lack of understanding of the medium.  Read More
Curious about what Windows 8.1 has to offer? Here'show to install it on VirtualBox and tes...
If you aren't happy with Windows 8, and are curious to find out what's new in Windows 8.1, rather than just read about it, why not try it for yourself and install it in a Virtual Machine? It's easy to do, and will give you some hands on time to really see what you can expect. Here I'll show you the quickest and easiest way to get it installed and working.  Read More
Rice University graduate student Oara Neumann, left, and scientist Naomi Halas with their ...
Last year, researchers at Rice University revealed a new way to convert solar energy directly into steam using light-absorbing nanoparticles. At that time, the technology had already been used to create a solar steam-powered autoclave for sterilizing medical and dental equipment and the project had been awarded a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to turn the technology to the task of sanitizing human waste. The researchers have now put both applications to the test.  Read More
The Mercedes-Benz Vision Golf Cart is how our grandchildren might get around the course
Mercedes has been looking into the future lately, sharing its "crystal ball" visions with the world. In addition to forward thinking production vehicles like the SLS AMG E-Drive, it has gone even deeper into the future, providing a look at what off-road utility vehicles might look like in a decade, for instance. Now, it's gone a little smaller, giving its vision of the golf cart that might be buzzing around local country clubs in a generation or two.  Read More
The Compleat FoodBag from Unikia is a new take on the reusable lunch box that remains stur... Norwegian company Unikia is looking to update the plain old lunch bag with its Compleat FoodBag, a reusable lunch box that keeps food fresh and protected in transit and rolls up compactly when the meal is over.  Read More
Bertha awaiting dismantling at Osaka, Japan before making its way to Seattle (Image: WSDOT...
On Saturday, a tunnel boring machine (TBM) so large that it looks like something out of Thunderbirds was dedicated in the city of Seattle. “Bertha,” as it’s known, is the world’s largest TBM and will spend the next 14 months boring a 1.7 mile (2.7 km) tunnel under the city as part of a US$3.1 billion project to replace a viaduct damaged in a 2001 earthquake. As part of a press tour, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) allowed Gizmag inside the giant machine.  Read More
The NFC Ring takes a simple idea and opens up a world of possibilities
Near Field Communication (NFC) is a technology that's just oozing with potential. Though the mainstream adoption of near-field communication hasn't exactly gone as planned, that doesn't mean that NFC isn't still a fertile ground for great products. One upcoming product, the NFC Ring, is an example of the kinds of imaginative projects that could become more widespread a few years down the road.  Read More
A human artist's sketch (left), and the computer's attempt at a drawing of the same face d...
Last year, we heard about an industrial robot that was able to create pencil sketches of human subjects. In that case, it utilized algorithms that identified the boundaries between areas of high and low contrast on each subject’s face. Now, however, scientists at Disney Research, Pittsburgh, have taken things a bit further. They’ve created a computer tool that not only produces digital sketches, but it also copies the style of specific human artists as it does so.  Read More
A beech pair of Troubadour headphones from lstn
Ask a tone-head what makes his Fender Strat or Gibson Les Paul Goldtop sound so good, and there's a good chance the top answer will be "the wood." The acoustic benefits of wood are well known, yet many audiophiles enjoy their music through headphone drivers encased in plastic and metal. Californians Joe Huff and Bridget Hilton believe that this simply won't do, and have created a line of wood-flavored audio products to add that certain something to our personal music enjoyment. The lstn Bowerys are in-ear earphones, the Fillmores are on-ear headphones and the Troubadours are over-ear headphones, and all of the models are offered in beech, cherry or ebony. Gizmag was sent a pair of beech Troubadours for review, so let's find out how they performed.  Read More
New Trent's Airbender Mini is a protective case for the iPad mini The iPad mini may indeed be small and portable, but after spending over $300 on one, you probably don’t want to send it out into the world unprotected. While there are already various aftermarket cases available to do the job, New Trent’s just-released Airbender Mini offers a couple of particularly interesting features.  Read More

 

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