New and Emerging Technology News part 234 ~ NEW GEN TECH LIFE : new generation technology news

Tuesday 25 March 2014

New and Emerging Technology News part 234

Audi has equipped the S3 Sportback with the option of LTE 4G
Earlier this year, GM announced a plan to integrate 4G connectivity hardware into a majority of its four-brand line, starting in the 2015 model year. It appears Audi will beat it to the punch, though the German automaker's plan isn't quite as ambitious. Audi has started integrating 4G connectivity into the A3 line.  Read More
StatGear's T3 Tactical Auto Rescue Tool Yes, it does indeed look like the freaky love-child of an Uzi and a Bowie knife, but the T3 Tactical Auto Rescue Tool is actually designed to save lives. It combines several implements that are aimed at getting accident victims out of their wrecked cars, as quickly and efficiently as possible.  Read More
LG Display's new Quad HD smartphone display panel
Only last month, LG Display gave us a glimpse of a possible future filled with super-thin smartphones by unveiling the "world's thinnest" Full HD display panel. Now the company has pulled back the curtain on an even slimmer LTPS-based LCD display called the Quad HD that also stakes a claim for the title of highest resolution mobile display produced so far.  Read More
Tesla's Model S has achieved a 5 star NHTSA safety rating  (Photo: NHTSA)
With glowing reviews and positive sales, Tesla's Model S seems to be on a roll in 2013. Now the EV has joined the 1 percent of vehicles to have achieved a 5-star safety rating in testing by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), scoring a record 5.4 rating in its overall Vehicle Safety Score (VSS) ... and breaking a roof crush testing machine in the process.  Read More
Gizmag's Full Frame DSLR Comparison Guide
Not long ago it was only professional photographers, and enthusiasts with very deep pockets, who could afford a full frame DSLR. But there are now more options on the market than ever before, and the price of entry to the full frame fun has come down considerably. That makes it a good time for Gizmag to take a closer look at how the various models stack up against each other.  Read More
Kepler 78b has a year 8.5 hours long and orbits its sun at a distance only three times the...
Sometimes it seems as if the year just flies by. On planet Kepler 78b, it does exactly that. According to a team of scientists at MIT, the extrasolar world is so close to its sun that its year is only 8.5 hours long. That means that not only could a person go through almost three birthdays in one day, but that the surface temperature would be like taking up residence in a blast furnace.  Read More
Internet.org aims to bring internet access to the two-thirds of the world that doesn't yet...
If you thought Facebook was only good for spamming you with Farmville updates and showing you what your high school classmates ate for lunch, think again. The social network just teamed up with a consortium of other tech big-wigs to form Internet.org, an organization dedicated to bringing the internet to the two-thirds of the world that is still without it.  Read More
The majority of the keys are located on back, allowing you to use your eight fingers to ty...
Hunt-and-peck, letter by letter, on your Roku remote, awkwardly balancing a wireless keyboard on your lap while sitting on the couch, typing long, painful emails with your touchscreen keypad – the world needs a new keyboard paradigm for mobile living. Outlier Technologies attempts to provide one its TrewGrip, a rear-keyed smartphone dock that you can hold and type with and is designed for use with smartphones, smart TVs and more.  Read More
Gizmag breaks down some of the highlights of the Xbox One launch lineup
A computing device is nothing without software. Getting a glimpse of the raw horsepower behind the new Xbox One is one thing, but you don't buy a game console to do tech demos. You want to know about the games. We've already broken down some of the biggest games we'll eventually see on next-gen consoles, but which ones are we actually getting at launch? Gizmag is here to walk you through some of the highlights on the Xbox One.  Read More
The BMW Concept M4 Coupe unveiled (Photo: Angus MacKenzie / Gizmag)
BMW has revealed the shape of things to came for its M-series with the sexy Concept M4 Coupe. Unveiled at the annual Pebble Beach/Monterey automobile weekend, the Concept M4 picks up where the M3 left off with a design that holds to the "race car for the road" philosophy of the company's Motorsport line.  Read More

Design sketches of Elon Musk's proposed Hyperloop high-speed tube transport system
Now that the media kerfuffle surrounding Elon Musk's Hyperloop transit system proposal has settled down to a dull roar, it's a good time to step back and consider in detail some of the real innovations and difficult issues raised through analysis of the 57-page Hyperloop plan.  Read More
The first Range Rover hybrids have arrived in the form of the Range Rover Hybrid and Sport...
Just a few weeks after putting its Electric Defender through the rigors of field testing, Land Rover is highlighting its first-ever hybrid models. The Range Rover Hybrid and Range Rover Hybrid Sport will have a much surer track to market than the E-Defender prototype. In fact, they'll be available for order in less than a month.  Read More
The HSC captured a high-resolution image of the entire Andromeda galaxy in one go (Image: ...
When taking snapshots, a good telephoto lens can be handy, but when your subject is 2.5 million light years away, it’s invaluable. To show off the capabilities of the new Hyper-Suprime Cam (HSC) located on Mauna Kea, Hawaii, an international team of astrophysicists has released high resolution images of the Andromeda galaxy that not only show off incredible detail, but may help shed light on the evolution of the Universe and the distribution of dark matter.  Read More
Gizmag compares the specs and features of the 2013 Nexus 7 and the 2012 Kindle Fire HD (sp...
Though the budget seven-inch tablet may have been pioneered by Barnes & Noble, there's no question that the two dominant players in that field today are the Kindle Fire and Nexus 7. The 2013 version of the Nexus 7 is still hot off the press, while Amazon's 2012 Kindle Fire HD is nearing the end of its initial run. While the two are still going head-to-head, why not see how their specs and features compare?  Read More
Dino Pet is a clear plastic dinosaur filled with bioluminescent algae that glow in the dar...
Yonder Biology, a company typically known for making colorful prints based on a person's DNA, is aiming to teach children about biology with its latest mixture of art and science. The company's new Dino Pet is a clear plastic dinosaur filled with bioluminescent algae that glow in the dark, so it can act as night light as well as a fun learning tool.  Read More
Is your data is safe on open public WiFi? (Photo: Shutterstock)
There are plenty of opportunities to connect to public Wi-Fi hotspots when you're on the go these days. Coffee shops, hotels, restaurants and airports are just some of the places where you can jump online, but often these networks are open and not secure. Whether you're using a laptop, tablet or smartphone, you'll want to connect your device securely to protect your data as much as possible. Here's some simple steps you can take to help make sure your data is safe on open public Wi-Fi.  Read More
Galpin debuted the GTR1 as part of the Concours d'Elegance Pebble Beach weekend (Photo: An...
It's been more than half a decade since Ford had a legitimate answer for the SRT Viper and Chevy Corvette, and some parties are getting antsy. Galpin Auto Sports made its own rendition of a 2013 Ford GT, adding a downright beastly 1,024-hp V8 engine. Galpin's GTR1 remains true to the original GT in many ways but soars right past Viper and Corvette territory and into McLaren / LeFerrari / Bugatti turf.  Read More
Reconstructed images of letters viewed by the test subjects
If someone were looking at a letter of the alphabet that was blocked from your view, would you be able to accurately guess what that letter was? Well, if you were at Radboud University Nijmegen in The Netherlands, you might not have to guess or call in a psychic. Scientists there have used an MRI scanner and a mathematical model to read observed letters, right out of test subjects’ brains.  Read More
Garmin's VIRB Elite (left) and VIRB actioncams
Garmin is a company that’s probably best-known for its satellite navigation devices, but yesterday it announced that it’s venturing into a new product category: actioncams. Its first two camcorders, the VIRB and VIRB Elite, definitely sound like they could give the GoPro HERO a run for its money.  Read More
Field Trip is a Google Glass app that notifies Glass wearers of nearby historical and prac...
It isn't hard to imagine how useful Google Glass could be. But so far that usefulness has been mostly limited to our imaginations. That's party because very few people own the wearable device, but it's also because its pre-launch laundry list of capabilities is still pretty short. However, a new port of the iOS and Android app Field Trip gives us a clearer glimpse of just how much of an impact Glass could have on our lives ... for better or worse.  Read More
Design sketches of Elon Musk's proposed Hyperloop high-speed tube transport system
Now that the media kerfuffle surrounding Elon Musk's Hyperloop transit system proposal has settled down to a dull roar, it's a good time to step back and consider in detail some of the real innovations and difficult issues raised through analysis of the 57-page Hyperloop plan.  Read More
The first Range Rover hybrids have arrived in the form of the Range Rover Hybrid and Sport...
Just a few weeks after putting its Electric Defender through the rigors of field testing, Land Rover is highlighting its first-ever hybrid models. The Range Rover Hybrid and Range Rover Hybrid Sport will have a much surer track to market than the E-Defender prototype. In fact, they'll be available for order in less than a month.  Read More
The HSC captured a high-resolution image of the entire Andromeda galaxy in one go (Image: ...
When taking snapshots, a good telephoto lens can be handy, but when your subject is 2.5 million light years away, it’s invaluable. To show off the capabilities of the new Hyper-Suprime Cam (HSC) located on Mauna Kea, Hawaii, an international team of astrophysicists has released high resolution images of the Andromeda galaxy that not only show off incredible detail, but may help shed light on the evolution of the Universe and the distribution of dark matter.  Read More
Gizmag compares the specs and features of the 2013 Nexus 7 and the 2012 Kindle Fire HD (sp...
Though the budget seven-inch tablet may have been pioneered by Barnes & Noble, there's no question that the two dominant players in that field today are the Kindle Fire and Nexus 7. The 2013 version of the Nexus 7 is still hot off the press, while Amazon's 2012 Kindle Fire HD is nearing the end of its initial run. While the two are still going head-to-head, why not see how their specs and features compare?  Read More
Dino Pet is a clear plastic dinosaur filled with bioluminescent algae that glow in the dar...
Yonder Biology, a company typically known for making colorful prints based on a person's DNA, is aiming to teach children about biology with its latest mixture of art and science. The company's new Dino Pet is a clear plastic dinosaur filled with bioluminescent algae that glow in the dark, so it can act as night light as well as a fun learning tool.  Read More
Is your data is safe on open public WiFi? (Photo: Shutterstock)
There are plenty of opportunities to connect to public Wi-Fi hotspots when you're on the go these days. Coffee shops, hotels, restaurants and airports are just some of the places where you can jump online, but often these networks are open and not secure. Whether you're using a laptop, tablet or smartphone, you'll want to connect your device securely to protect your data as much as possible. Here's some simple steps you can take to help make sure your data is safe on open public Wi-Fi.  Read More
Galpin debuted the GTR1 as part of the Concours d'Elegance Pebble Beach weekend (Photo: An...
It's been more than half a decade since Ford had a legitimate answer for the SRT Viper and Chevy Corvette, and some parties are getting antsy. Galpin Auto Sports made its own rendition of a 2013 Ford GT, adding a downright beastly 1,024-hp V8 engine. Galpin's GTR1 remains true to the original GT in many ways but soars right past Viper and Corvette territory and into McLaren / LeFerrari / Bugatti turf.  Read More
Reconstructed images of letters viewed by the test subjects
If someone were looking at a letter of the alphabet that was blocked from your view, would you be able to accurately guess what that letter was? Well, if you were at Radboud University Nijmegen in The Netherlands, you might not have to guess or call in a psychic. Scientists there have used an MRI scanner and a mathematical model to read observed letters, right out of test subjects’ brains.  Read More
Garmin's VIRB Elite (left) and VIRB actioncams
Garmin is a company that’s probably best-known for its satellite navigation devices, but yesterday it announced that it’s venturing into a new product category: actioncams. Its first two camcorders, the VIRB and VIRB Elite, definitely sound like they could give the GoPro HERO a run for its money.  Read More
Field Trip is a Google Glass app that notifies Glass wearers of nearby historical and prac...
It isn't hard to imagine how useful Google Glass could be. But so far that usefulness has been mostly limited to our imaginations. That's party because very few people own the wearable device, but it's also because its pre-launch laundry list of capabilities is still pretty short. However, a new port of the iOS and Android app Field Trip gives us a clearer glimpse of just how much of an impact Glass could have on our lives ... for better or worse.  Read More

The Cyclops research/commercial manned submersible
In three years, if you happen to be 3,000 meters (9,800 ft) beneath the surface of the ocean, keep an eye out for the Cyclops. No, not the hairy giant, but the 5-passenger submersible. Once it’s commercially available in 2016, it should be “the only privately owned deep-water manned submersible available for contracts.” As for why it’s called the Cyclops, just check out its one-big-eye-like 180-degree borosilicate glass observation dome.  Read More
The HelmMate – it's like a helmet-storing umbrella for your saddle
A new product known as the HelmMate is designed to take care of a couple of common bicycle commuters’ complaints – even if they’re relatively small ones. It lets cyclists stow their helmet on their parked bike instead of having to carry it around, plus it keeps the saddle from getting rained on.  Read More
The all-new Ferrari 458 Speciale debuts at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show
Ferrari has prepared an upgraded version of the venerable 458 Italia for debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The Prancing Horse has covered the 458 in improvements, from enhanced aerodynamics to increased power. This special variant promises to add an extra dose of excitement to a sports car already considered one of the best of the best by many a driver and publication.  Read More
The Strapp Wallet is designed to be secured without chains Remember when everyone had those wallets with chains linking them to their pants? It was an interesting look, but it also offered the useful feature of keeping everything attached to your body. The look may be out of style, but Charles Harris is looking to bring the functionality back with his Strapp Wallets. Instead of a chain, it features an adjustable-length lanyard that can be completely hidden away.  Read More
The Minx Go portable Bluetooth speaker from Cambridge Audio
Walk into any consumer electronics store and you'll likely encounter an overwhelming choice of wireless speaker systems on display. If you want premium cable-free sound, however, you can expect to pay a premium price. The Minx Go portable speaker from London-based Cambridge Audio is a little different. Not only is it claimed to offer high fidelity audio for a fraction of the cost of comparable systems, but its built-in battery keeps the party going long after other devices have given up and headed for the wall outlet. Gizmag has spent the last few weeks with a review unit, and we're suitably impressed.  Read More
Press and certain members of the public have attended special events to try Glass
When will regular consumers be able to purchase Google Glass? Ever since the augmented reality headgear was unveiled in 2012, we've been hearing Glass will be available to the general public in 2014 ... or maybe in late 2013 ... but probably not until 2014. So which is it? Time to set the record straight.  Read More
Passion House M1 was designed by Estonian firm Architect 11 (Photo: Architect 11) Estonian design firm Architect 11 has unveiled a new prototype modular housing unit, dubbed Passion House M1. Intended to be the first (and smallest) in a series of forthcoming similar structures, Passion House M1 can be assembled within a couple of days, and is billed as a suitable home for Nordic regions.  Read More
The Tower Optical Digital Viewer on the DUMBO waterfront
If you've exchanged a small coin for the chance to briefly gaze at stunning views throughout the US and Canada, there's a good chance that you've used a Tower Optical Viewer to do so. Design consultancy Pensa has ripped out the internals of this iconic tourist spot mainstay and brought it into the digital age. Thanks to the inclusion of special video and image content, visitors to a New York neighborhood are now being given the opportunity to travel through time and learn about DUMBO's past and present.  Read More
Smart Glass under test conditions at Berkeley Lab
Researchers at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have produced a "smart" glass coating that can be selectively controlled to block visible light, heat-producing near-infrared (NIR) light, or both, by applying a small electrical charge to it. The ability to do this dynamically has the potential to deliver improved lighting, heating, and cooling efficiency in buildings, thereby maximizing energy savings and still providing bright and well lit environments in different weather conditions.  Read More
The F-35B comes in for its first night-time at sea vertical landing (Photo: Lockheed Marti...
After the first vertical landing at sea of the F-35B in 2011 and its first night-time vertical landing in April of this year, the two feats have now been combined in the first night-time vertical landing at sea of the short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) variant of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II.  Read More
The Cyclops research/commercial manned submersible
In three years, if you happen to be 3,000 meters (9,800 ft) beneath the surface of the ocean, keep an eye out for the Cyclops. No, not the hairy giant, but the 5-passenger submersible. Once it’s commercially available in 2016, it should be “the only privately owned deep-water manned submersible available for contracts.” As for why it’s called the Cyclops, just check out its one-big-eye-like 180-degree borosilicate glass observation dome.  Read More
The HelmMate – it's like a helmet-storing umbrella for your saddle
A new product known as the HelmMate is designed to take care of a couple of common bicycle commuters’ complaints – even if they’re relatively small ones. It lets cyclists stow their helmet on their parked bike instead of having to carry it around, plus it keeps the saddle from getting rained on.  Read More
The all-new Ferrari 458 Speciale debuts at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show
Ferrari has prepared an upgraded version of the venerable 458 Italia for debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The Prancing Horse has covered the 458 in improvements, from enhanced aerodynamics to increased power. This special variant promises to add an extra dose of excitement to a sports car already considered one of the best of the best by many a driver and publication.  Read More
The Strapp Wallet is designed to be secured without chains Remember when everyone had those wallets with chains linking them to their pants? It was an interesting look, but it also offered the useful feature of keeping everything attached to your body. The look may be out of style, but Charles Harris is looking to bring the functionality back with his Strapp Wallets. Instead of a chain, it features an adjustable-length lanyard that can be completely hidden away.  Read More
The Minx Go portable Bluetooth speaker from Cambridge Audio
Walk into any consumer electronics store and you'll likely encounter an overwhelming choice of wireless speaker systems on display. If you want premium cable-free sound, however, you can expect to pay a premium price. The Minx Go portable speaker from London-based Cambridge Audio is a little different. Not only is it claimed to offer high fidelity audio for a fraction of the cost of comparable systems, but its built-in battery keeps the party going long after other devices have given up and headed for the wall outlet. Gizmag has spent the last few weeks with a review unit, and we're suitably impressed.  Read More
Press and certain members of the public have attended special events to try Glass
When will regular consumers be able to purchase Google Glass? Ever since the augmented reality headgear was unveiled in 2012, we've been hearing Glass will be available to the general public in 2014 ... or maybe in late 2013 ... but probably not until 2014. So which is it? Time to set the record straight.  Read More
Passion House M1 was designed by Estonian firm Architect 11 (Photo: Architect 11) Estonian design firm Architect 11 has unveiled a new prototype modular housing unit, dubbed Passion House M1. Intended to be the first (and smallest) in a series of forthcoming similar structures, Passion House M1 can be assembled within a couple of days, and is billed as a suitable home for Nordic regions.  Read More
The Tower Optical Digital Viewer on the DUMBO waterfront
If you've exchanged a small coin for the chance to briefly gaze at stunning views throughout the US and Canada, there's a good chance that you've used a Tower Optical Viewer to do so. Design consultancy Pensa has ripped out the internals of this iconic tourist spot mainstay and brought it into the digital age. Thanks to the inclusion of special video and image content, visitors to a New York neighborhood are now being given the opportunity to travel through time and learn about DUMBO's past and present.  Read More
Smart Glass under test conditions at Berkeley Lab
Researchers at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have produced a "smart" glass coating that can be selectively controlled to block visible light, heat-producing near-infrared (NIR) light, or both, by applying a small electrical charge to it. The ability to do this dynamically has the potential to deliver improved lighting, heating, and cooling efficiency in buildings, thereby maximizing energy savings and still providing bright and well lit environments in different weather conditions.  Read More
The F-35B comes in for its first night-time at sea vertical landing (Photo: Lockheed Marti...
After the first vertical landing at sea of the F-35B in 2011 and its first night-time vertical landing in April of this year, the two feats have now been combined in the first night-time vertical landing at sea of the short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) variant of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II.  Read More

 

 
The Joby MPod Mini Stand fits most popular smartphones
Joby has released its latest tripod designed for steadying your smartphone, the MPod Mini Stand. In addition to the typically bobbly flexible-jointed legs you'd expect from Joby, the MPod Mini features an expandable head mount with rubberized jaws which can clamp almost any smartphone in place, even something as big as the Samsung Galaxy Note II.  Read More
Swiss 3D Print recently revealed the SwissPen, which can sketch wire sculptures in mid-air...
You may recall that earlier this year, WobbleWorks made quite a splash on Kickstarter, raising over US$2 million for its 3Doodler. Surprising as it sounds though, there may actually now be some competition in the handheld 3D printer market. Swiss 3D Print recently revealed its own device, called the SwissPen, that sketches wire sculptures in mid-air using heated plastic filaments.  Read More
Peek is a smartphone-based eye-testing kit being developed in the UK (Photo: Peek)
A new smartphone-based portable eye examination kit called Peek is aiming to bring hope to people suffering from eye problems who live in remote parts of the world. Besides being portable and easy to use, system makes it possible to perform complex eye tests with no need for expensive equipment.  Read More
Dissolving polyphenols found in green tea in a saline solution instantly produces transpar...
Researchers at Northwestern University have discovered new ways of utilizing the properties of naturally occurring polyphenols found in green tea, red wine and dark chocolate. Dissolving polyphenol powders in water with a small amount of salt instantly produces transparent coatings that kill bacteria on contact, have antioxidant qualities and are non-toxic. The sticky nature of polyphenols and the low cost of materials could open the door to a wide range of uses for these coatings.  Read More
The Strikeloader is a battery-operated backpack that feeds paintballs directly into a gun,...
It may be a relatively new sport, but there's been surprisingly little technological innovation in the world of paintball since it was created. Aside from a few modest enhancements, the basic gas-powered guns (also called markers) have remained about the same, but an upcoming product could change how the game is played entirely. The Strikeloader is a battery-operated backpack that feeds paintballs directly into a gun, eliminating the need for a regular loader while holding six times as much ammo.  Read More
The S 500 Plug-In Hybrid has a 3.0-liter turbo V6 and 107-hp electric motor
Mercedes-Benz's range-topping S-Class now has a "3 liters per 100 km" car. Hot on the heels of the all-electric SLS AMG supercar, the S 500 Plug-In Hybrid packs an electric motor powered by an externally charged lithium-ion battery. The plug-in combines up to 19 miles (30 km) of emissions-free commuting with the acceleration and performance expected of an S-Class.  Read More
The penetrator hitting the ice target as part of efforts to develop a way to deliver instr...
Normally, a spacecraft slamming into a planet’s surface at the speed of sound is considered a bad thing, but the European Space Agency (ESA) plans to do just that. As part of its Core Technology Programme for Cosmic Vision, the agency fired a pair of experimental surface penetrators from a rocket sled at a test facility at the UK Military of Defence Pendine site in Wales last July. The goal is to find ways of delivering instruments beneath the ground or ice of alien worlds without drilling.  Read More
The Nissan Patrol towed the Ilyushin Il-76 cargo plane over 50 m Airplanes seem to be the default standard when automakers want to demonstrate the pulling power of a particular vehicle. Nissan has stuck with this yardstick in using its Patrol 4WD to pull a fully-laden Ilyushin Il-76 cargo plane weighing 170.9 tons over 50 m to set a new Guinness World Record.  Read More
Gizmag revisits the Nook HD+, with the Google Play store and a rock-bottom price
At Gizmag, we cover emerging technology. So it's natural that we'll gravitate towards the new: new devices, new services, new breakthroughs in science and technology. But every now and then, something that's been around for a while gets a fresh coat of paint and, in a sense, becomes new all over again. Like the Barnes & Noble Nook HD+. Do Google Play and a huge price drop make the tablet worth picking up, approaching a year after its release? We put it through the paces to try to help you answer that.  Read More
Cubify Sculpt is an new application that lets users create 3D printable designs more natur...
3D Systems, the creators of the Cubify 3D Printer, has just released a CAD-like application that allows users to shape models like they were digital clay. Cubify Sculpt gives users the opportunity to freeform shape objects, giving a more natural feel to the design process and making it more accessible to the less-experienced designer.  Read More
The Joby MPod Mini Stand fits most popular smartphones
Joby has released its latest tripod designed for steadying your smartphone, the MPod Mini Stand. In addition to the typically bobbly flexible-jointed legs you'd expect from Joby, the MPod Mini features an expandable head mount with rubberized jaws which can clamp almost any smartphone in place, even something as big as the Samsung Galaxy Note II.  Read More
Swiss 3D Print recently revealed the SwissPen, which can sketch wire sculptures in mid-air...
You may recall that earlier this year, WobbleWorks made quite a splash on Kickstarter, raising over US$2 million for its 3Doodler. Surprising as it sounds though, there may actually now be some competition in the handheld 3D printer market. Swiss 3D Print recently revealed its own device, called the SwissPen, that sketches wire sculptures in mid-air using heated plastic filaments.  Read More
Peek is a smartphone-based eye-testing kit being developed in the UK (Photo: Peek)
A new smartphone-based portable eye examination kit called Peek is aiming to bring hope to people suffering from eye problems who live in remote parts of the world. Besides being portable and easy to use, system makes it possible to perform complex eye tests with no need for expensive equipment.  Read More
Dissolving polyphenols found in green tea in a saline solution instantly produces transpar...
Researchers at Northwestern University have discovered new ways of utilizing the properties of naturally occurring polyphenols found in green tea, red wine and dark chocolate. Dissolving polyphenol powders in water with a small amount of salt instantly produces transparent coatings that kill bacteria on contact, have antioxidant qualities and are non-toxic. The sticky nature of polyphenols and the low cost of materials could open the door to a wide range of uses for these coatings.  Read More
The Strikeloader is a battery-operated backpack that feeds paintballs directly into a gun,...
It may be a relatively new sport, but there's been surprisingly little technological innovation in the world of paintball since it was created. Aside from a few modest enhancements, the basic gas-powered guns (also called markers) have remained about the same, but an upcoming product could change how the game is played entirely. The Strikeloader is a battery-operated backpack that feeds paintballs directly into a gun, eliminating the need for a regular loader while holding six times as much ammo.  Read More
The S 500 Plug-In Hybrid has a 3.0-liter turbo V6 and 107-hp electric motor
Mercedes-Benz's range-topping S-Class now has a "3 liters per 100 km" car. Hot on the heels of the all-electric SLS AMG supercar, the S 500 Plug-In Hybrid packs an electric motor powered by an externally charged lithium-ion battery. The plug-in combines up to 19 miles (30 km) of emissions-free commuting with the acceleration and performance expected of an S-Class.  Read More
The penetrator hitting the ice target as part of efforts to develop a way to deliver instr...
Normally, a spacecraft slamming into a planet’s surface at the speed of sound is considered a bad thing, but the European Space Agency (ESA) plans to do just that. As part of its Core Technology Programme for Cosmic Vision, the agency fired a pair of experimental surface penetrators from a rocket sled at a test facility at the UK Military of Defence Pendine site in Wales last July. The goal is to find ways of delivering instruments beneath the ground or ice of alien worlds without drilling.  Read More
The Nissan Patrol towed the Ilyushin Il-76 cargo plane over 50 m Airplanes seem to be the default standard when automakers want to demonstrate the pulling power of a particular vehicle. Nissan has stuck with this yardstick in using its Patrol 4WD to pull a fully-laden Ilyushin Il-76 cargo plane weighing 170.9 tons over 50 m to set a new Guinness World Record.  Read More
Gizmag revisits the Nook HD+, with the Google Play store and a rock-bottom price
At Gizmag, we cover emerging technology. So it's natural that we'll gravitate towards the new: new devices, new services, new breakthroughs in science and technology. But every now and then, something that's been around for a while gets a fresh coat of paint and, in a sense, becomes new all over again. Like the Barnes & Noble Nook HD+. Do Google Play and a huge price drop make the tablet worth picking up, approaching a year after its release? We put it through the paces to try to help you answer that.  Read More
Cubify Sculpt is an new application that lets users create 3D printable designs more natur...
3D Systems, the creators of the Cubify 3D Printer, has just released a CAD-like application that allows users to shape models like they were digital clay. Cubify Sculpt gives users the opportunity to freeform shape objects, giving a more natural feel to the design process and making it more accessible to the less-experienced designer.  Read More

New research demonstrates that it could be easy to trick the mind and trigger an out-of-bo...
New research demonstrates that triggering an out-of-body experience (OBE) could be as simple as getting a person to watch a video of themselves with their heartbeat projected onto it. According to the study, it's easy to trick the mind into thinking it belongs to an external body and manipulate a person's self-consciousness by externalizing the body's internal rhythms. The findings could lead to new treatments for people with perceptual disorders such as anorexia and could also help dieters too.  Read More
Engineers will bring WISE out of hibernation in September to hunt potentially dangerous as...
NASA will be putting another eye on potentially dangerous asteroids in September when it reactivates the retired Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE). The space telescope, which was deactivated in 2011, will use its infrared instruments to carry out a survey of near-Earth asteroids that may pose a threat to our planet.  Read More
Georgia Tech to offer MS in Computer Science via MOOC (Photo: Mathieu Plourde)
The Georgia Institute of Technology, in partnership with Udacity and AT&T, is preparing to offer an accredited online master of science (M.S.) degree in Computer Science. The instruction will be via Massively Open Online Courses (MOOC), which will be open to anyone at no charge, but will also be available as for-credit courses leading to an Online Master of Science in Computer Science (OMS CS). The total cost of instruction fees and tuition for those taking the M.S. route is expected to be less than US$7,000.  Read More
Canon has added wireless connectivity to a number of its PowerShot cameras
Canon has updated its PowerShot camera line-up by adding wireless connectivity to a number of its popular models. Devices like the G16, S120 and SX510 HS bring Wi-Fi connectivity to previously un-connected product lines, while the Powershot N Facebook adds a dedicated Facebook connect button to the original for instant sharing of images and videos.  Read More
Concept image showing Orion spacecraft approaching the robotic asteroid capture vehicle (I...
NASA has released new concept images and animations outlining one version of its plan to capture an asteroid with an unmanned craft and return it to lunar orbit for astronauts to study. The plan is part of an initiative by President Barack Obama for a US manned asteroid mission as outlined in his 2014 NASA budget request. The agency’s main objective at the moment is to come up with alternative approaches and evaluate them.  Read More
The BMW Concept X5 eDrive has a plug-in hybrid powertrain
We're beginning to wonder if there will be any new gasoline cars at the Frankfurt Motor Show, because hybrids are really dominating the pre-show sneak peeks. BMW is the latest to join the likes of Mercedes and Land Rover. It explores what happens when you add a plug-in hybrid powertrain to the X5 crossover.  Read More
The GolfBoard is a more adventuresome alternative to the golf cart
When people want to criticize electric cars, they often refer to them as glorified golf carts. Why? Because golf carts (with a few exceptions) are known for being slow and boring. That being the case, what options are there for hip, young golfers who are too cool for carts? Well, they might soon be able to carve across the greens on an electric GolfBoard.  Read More
The Varibike in action
Earlier this year, we heard about a proposed arm- and leg-powered bicycle known as the 4StrikeBike. At the time, we knew that if it were to reach production, it would be facing some competition from the existing Raxibo Hand-Tret-Velo. Now, it turns out that another arm-and-legger has also recently hit the market – it’s time to meet the Varibike.  Read More
Woodcube is on display at IBA Hamburg until November (Photo: IBA Hamburg)
As we've previously reported, the use of wood as a building material for larger structures is gaining steam throughout the construction industry. In honor of this year's IBA Hamburg architecture festival, German architectural firm Architekturagentur has created Woodcube: a 5-story carbon-neutral apartment block constructed almost entirely from wood.  Read More
MIT's high-performance membranelss flow battery could be used to store green energy for th...
Researchers at MIT have come up with a new design for a rechargeable flow battery that does away with the expensive and ineffective membrane of previous designs. The device could prove the ideal solution for effectively storing energy from intermittent power sources such as solar and wind power.  Read More

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