Lacie continues to bolster the media streaming market and has recently introduced another model into its LaCinema range which, like most of its predecessors, was inspired by designer Neil Poulton.
As such the new Mini HD sports a familiar sleek, piano-black design
with front and rear USB ports to connect media for local playback, HDMI
1.3, RCA and optical audio along with 100Mbps Ethernet for connecting to
a wired network. Read More
Hexakopter: remote-control helicopter puts on amazing aerial display
By Jeff Salton
February 23, 2010
We've seen the value of using multiple rotors in unmanned microcopters like the CyberQuad, DraganFlyer X8 and more recently Parrot's AR.Drone.
The HexaKopter is another case in point - the 1.2kg, six-rotor device
has a flight-time of up to 36 minutes and can carry around 1kg along
with a high-definition camera that delivers some amazing images. And
it's also a lot of fun. Read More
Bloom Energy has definitely generated some buzz this week with a story on 60 Minutes
ahead of the official launch this Wednesday of the Bloom Box – an
electricity generating fuel cell box designed to sit in the back yard
and provide enough power to reliably, more cleanly and cheaply power a
house. Read More
Samsung announces HMX-U20 and HMX-U15 compact camcorders
By Mick Webb
February 23, 2010
Although great strides have been made recently to
make offices more energy efficient, fluorescent office lighting is
still great cause for concern. Installing controllers which
automatically switch off lighting when no movement is detected is one
method of saving energy but Solaroad Technologies proposes recycling
otherwise wasted light energy by placing cylindrical photovoltaic
harvesting and storage devices on top of workstation cubicle walls. Read More
The explosion in popularity of video games,
coupled with the widespread availability of computers at home and
school, has given educational software developers the impetus to harness
the power of video games as a way of teaching children. Whether or not
such educational games
are effective in teaching the three R's is a topic for another day, but
an Arizona State University scholar says commercial blockbuster video
games can teach educators a thing or two about how to better educate children. Read More
Laptops might have gotten smaller and more
powerful but, aside from the weight reduction, they haven’t really
improved in terms of comfort while they're actually being used in one's
lap. Devices like Logitech’s Comfort Lapdesk
address this problem by providing a padded barrier separating a user’s
legs from the often hot underside of the laptop. Now, Logitech’s new
Speaker Lapdesk N700 has taken the basic Comfort Lapdesk, added a fan to
keep your laptop running cool and integrated some high quality speakers
to give your laptop some audio oomph. Read More
Claw vending machine receives biped robot upgrade
By Rick Martin
February 22, 2010
Claw vending machines have caused wide-spread
frustration in arcades the world over for decades. Known as UFO catchers
in Japan, and sometimes as 'teddy pickers' or 'skill testers' in other
countries, these games offer little entertainment and even less hope of
success. Well, for me anyway... But now that Japan-based company
Mechatrax has developed the Robo-catcher I might have some improved hope
of entertainment, if not some realistic chance at winning. Read More
Gold nanoparticles turn light into electrical current
February 22, 2010
Turning sunlight into electrical power is all but
a new problem, but recent advancements made by researchers at the
University of Pennsylvania have given a new twist to the subject. While
not currently aimed at solar panel technology, their research has
uncovered a way to turn optical radiation into electrical current that
could lead to self-powering molecular circuits and efficient data
storage. Read More
Build your own wooden mechanical timekeeping masterpiece
By Darren Quick
February 22, 2010
For most of us clocks are a purely utilitarian
device. They tell us the time and we don’t generally give a second
thought to their inner workings. But the mechanical wooden clock designs
of Clayton Boyer put the inner workings of clocks on full display
resulting in conversation starters that are not only functional, but
beautiful as well. And, if you’re feeling up for the challenge, you can
build your own. Read More
The Inflatable Sleeping Coat - a bed you wear
By Jude Garvey
February 23, 2010
We know how much you love spending time in the
great outdoors but it can get tiring (and a little annoying) when you
have to lug all your sleeping and camping gear with you. What if you
could carry all your sleeping gear in one handy package? That's the
thinking behind the Inflatable Sleeping Coat. The design concept by Lin
Tsui-Wei not only keeps you dry and warm during the day – it inflates to
provide a comfortable sleeping bag for when it’s time for bed. Read More
A new hybrid-electric concept car from PROTON
featuring a Lotus Engineering drivetrain will debut in Geneva next
month. Lotus has designed the entire drivetrain for the plug-in hybrid
city car, combining the 3 cylinder, 1.2 liter Lotus Range Extender engine unveiled in Frankfurt last year with a single-speed transmission electrical drive system. Read More
Sony files patent for universal game controller with LCD touch screen
By Darren Quick
February 23, 2010
According to a patent recently filed with the
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Sony is working on a universal
game controller that could be used with competitor consoles from
Microsoft and Nintendo. The proposed controller would see an LCD touch
screen positioned on the front of the controller to replace the
controller's face buttons, directional pad and thumb-sticks. Read More
HHI TiME Lab showcases monster 180-degrees high-res display
February 23, 2010
As 3D movie projecting continues to bloom,
technicians and filmmakers are exploring new ways to create a deeper
interaction between the viewers and the big screen. Researchers at the
Fraunhofer Heinrich Hertz Institute (HHi) in Berlin are bringing the
immersive cinema experience to a new level with a panoramic 3.35 by 12
meters, 180-degrees high resolution display with outstanding image and
sound quality. Read More
A 13.3-inch Capacitive In-Cell Multi-Touch LCD
panel from LG is the first in-cell touch screen panel to obtain "Windows
7 Touch Logo" certification from Microsoft. The LCD panel is designed
for laptops with multi-touch functions that enable simultaneous
recognition of two touch points. Unlike conventional touch screens that
use films to enable touch capability, the product has sensors built into
the display. Read More
Electric two-wheeler sales set to double motorcycle market
By Gizmag Team
February 23, 2010
According to a new study entitled “Electric
Two-Wheel Vehicles”, cleantech market intelligence company Pike Research
is forecasting that more than 466 million electric bicycles and
motorcycles will be sold worldwide during the period from 2010 to 2016.
Given that the annual global motorcycle market is currently around 80 million units a year,
almost all of them based on the internal combustion engine, this
anticipated explosion in electric bike demand could double the size of
the two wheeled market, not to mention dampen the demand for electric
four-wheelers. Read More
The body responsible for setting the standards
for CompactFlash cards, the CompactFlash Association, has announced the
specs for the latest 5.0 revision of the mass storage format.
CompactFlash 5.0 adds 48-bit addressing (up from 28-bit) which enables
an increased data transfer unit size of 32MB per transfer (up from
128KB) and a maximum capacity of 144PB (up from 137GB)... that's 144,000
terabytes! Read More
Secret Energy Turbine: rooftop wind power in stealth mode
By Ben Coxworth
February 23, 2010
Few people would argue that having a rooftop wind
turbine could help offset your power bills. Your neighbors, however,
might not appreciate the sight of a windmill on your roof, nor would
they like the sound of its blades whistling through the air. Don’t give
up on the idea yet, though, because British inventor Rupert Sweet-Escott
has come up with a product that he claims addresses those problems. His
Secret Energy Turbine (SET) looks like an ordinary chimney stack and is
boasts almost completely silent operation. Read More
One of the toughest jobs in cross-country skiing –
apart from dragging yourself away from the log fire in the bar at the
chalet – is adjusting ski bindings mid-journey. Riskprotect has designed
bindings that automatically adjust to an incline or decline and remove
the risk of skiers injuring themselves by attempting awkward maneuvers
while off-piste. Read More
Not satisfied with your Kevlar body armor? Well,
you may be in luck. American researchers have used lasers to create the
world’s first practical macroscopic yarns from boron nitride fibers.
The development could unlock the potential of the material for a wide
variety of applications, including radiation-shielding for spacecraft,
solar energy collection, and stronger body armor. If the supplied photo
is anything to go by, it also does a great job at holding up a quarter.
Read More
ZPM’s nanotube-reinforced carbon fiber prepreg is
normally associated with high performance composite power boats, but
the use of such ultra-lightweight materials in an unmanned surface
vessel (USV) makes sense. Built entirely of Arovex™, the newly announced
54-foot Piranha USV weighs only 8,000 lb, yet can carry a 15,000 lb
payload 2,500 miles, making it suitable for missions as diverse as
anti-piracy, search and rescue, submarine hunting, and harbor patrol
with a range of armament options that includes stabilized machine guns,
Mark 54 torpedoes, and over-the-horizon missiles. Read More
Part dirt bike, part mountain bike, all Mountain Moto
By Ben Coxworth
February 24, 2010
For many people, dirt bikes look fun, but
intimidating. They’re dangerously-fast, they’re loud, and should you
wipe out on one, which is going to happen... well, that’s a lot
of bike that could come crashing down on top of you. If you’re one of
these people, you might be interested in the FX Mountain Moto. At 57 kg
(125 lbs), it’s billed as the world’s lightest adult-sized dirt bike.
It’s intended to bridge the gap between regular dirt bikes and mountain
bicycles, combining the power of one with the agility of the other. Read More
Gizmag talks to the men behind the Revenge Verde Supercar
By Darren Quick
February 24, 2010
The Revenge Verde
is an American-made supercar using “the best of the best” parts sourced
from a range of supercar manufacturers. The mid-engined Verde offers
three drive chain and power train options, including an HP2g V8 engine
that runs on E-85 ethanol fuel and produces 400hp, goes from 0-60mph in
3.5 seconds with a top speed of 200mph+, while achieving an amazing
100mpg. We had a chance to chat with Peter Collorafi, the CEO/President
of Revenge Design Inc, as well as Doug Pelmear, CEO of HP2g to find out
more about the car's development. Check out in our video after the jump.
Read More
Samsung camera release highlights include new waterproof ultra-compact
By Paul Ridden
February 24, 2010
Samsung
has announced some interesting new additions to its camera range at
this year's Photo Marketing Association trade show (PMA 2010) in
California including a 12 megapixel waterproof ultra-compact. Waterproof
to a depth of three meters (ten feet) and featuring underwater
optimization, the AQ100 will also shoot 720p video. Read More
Unique 1937 BMW 328 Mille Miglia ‘Buegelfalte’ goes to auction
By Gizmag Team
February 24, 2010
One of the world’s most significant pre-war
sports racing cars, the one-of-a-kind 1937 BMW 328 Mille Miglia
‘Buegelfalte’ will go to auction in Monaco on May 1, 2010 at the
Grimaldi Forum. This car is the only special roadster ever built at the
BMW factory in Munich, has numerous race wins to its credit (including a
Mille Miglia class win) and became the pattern for a whole generation
of post-war sports cars, an influence seen very clearly in cars such as
the Jaguar XK120 Roadster. Read More
The Tequila! kayak from Swedish company Point65
is a truly versatile modular watercraft that comes apart to make it easy
to stow without the need for specialized storage systems at home. Ideal
for people living in apartments or units or those who already have a
full garage, the sit-on-top kayak breaks down into manageable components
and fits into the rear of most vehicles, meaning there’s no need for
roofracks. While the idea of a collapsible kayak
isn't new, the added bonus of the Tequila! design is that it can be
changed from a solo to a tandem kayak by adding another modular piece
and snapping it together. Read More
Blisteringly fast USB 3.0 data transfer speeds
are slowly becoming a reality for consumers as products supporting the
specification filter into the market. Belkin is now on board with the
announcement of four new SuperSpeed USB devices to help users enjoy up
to ten times faster transfer rates over its older sibling USB 2.0. Read More
Full specs and technical information have just
surfaced for Yamaha's 2010 XT1200Z Super Tenere - and it's immediately
clear that BMW's R1200GS now has a serious competitor in the big-bore
adventure sports category. Apart from its adventure credentials - spoked
rims, sit-down/stand-up riding ergonomics and the like, it's also
packing some very interesting technology - including a 3-stage traction
control module and a super-smart braking system that looks like it might
put Honda's Combined ABS system to shame. Extensive detail images. Read More
Another Honda Bombshell: 3R-C single-person electric concept
By Gizmag Team
February 24, 2010
Honda is set to release yet another revolutionary
personal mobility concept at the Geneva Show next week. Following the
company’s revolutionary 10 kilogram U3-X monocycle with its even more
revolutionary HOT omni-directional driving wheel system show at Tokyo
Motor Show last October, Honda has released the first details of its new
3R-C - a minimalist three-wheel urban electric vehicle for one person.
Read More
In recent years the lotus leaf
has been the go-to surface for scientists looking to develop high-tech
water repelling surfaces. Now engineering researchers have created what
they say is a “nearly perfect hydrophobic interface” by borrowing from
another of nature’s wonders - spiders. By reproducing the shape and
patterns of the minute hairs that grow on the bodies of spiders, the
researchers have created what may be the most water-phobic surface
yet... a development that could lead to everything from self-cleaning
surfaces to faster boats. Read More
The Baby Emotion Detector: can a computer program analyze a baby's cry?
By Jude Garvey
February 25, 2010
New parents discover quite quickly how loudly
their newborn can scream when they’re not happy. But working out the
cause of the problem is unfortunately pretty much a guessing game.
Wouldn’t it be great if there was a device that could tell you exactly
what was wrong with your baby? It might not be as preposterous as it
sounds - Japanese scientists claim they have developed a statistical
computer program that can analyze the differences in a baby's cries. So,
future baby monitors could be capable of alerting parents that their
child is tired, hungry, needs a diaper change, or is in pain. Read More
ChargePoint iPhone app locates EV charging stations... and more
By Mick Webb
February 25, 2010
Electric vehicle use is set to expand rapidly,
but and one of the short term problems is shaping up to be the
availability of charging station infrastructure. Mobile technology seems
to have arrived at just the right time to support the most efficient
use of what are likely to be scarce resources and this iPhone
application from Coulomb Technologies is an early example. It not only
allows you to locate the nearest ChargePoint Networked Charging Station but also tells you if the charging station is currently available, in use, out of service. Read More
The days of the silence being broken during a
live theater performance by some ridiculous ringtone buried inside an
inaccessible handbag or jacket pocket may be as long-gone as the “brick
phone” thanks to this smart-shirt for theater ushers. Designed by
Richard Etter, the special shirt called AwareFashion detects mobile
communications devices in its vicinity that haven’t been switched off.
Read More
Toilets use a lot of water. And once they’re done with that water, well, it’s very... used.
So, any time anyone can suggest a way of limiting water usage in
toilets, Mother Nature wants to hear about it. Recently, Australian
inventors Tom Trainor and Mark Hutton came up with a product that they
claim uses up to 90% less water than a regular toilet. The
EVOLUTE’s patented new technology offers a greener, drier alternative to
our current “swimming pool for your poop” model. Read More
The Lap Chill Mat from laptop accessory
manufacturer Targus not only places an angled comfort barrier between
you and your laptop but will also help cool your poor overworked
portable computer. Its wedge shape allows for air intake through the
sides rather than underneath and its decent size sees it comfortably
handle anything from diminutive netbooks to 17 inch gaming monsters.
Read More
One of the key factors in running a successful
charity is helping the donors feel as connected as possible to the
communities they're assisting, and see the difference they can help
create. It's part of the feel-good cycle and evidence that the money is
going to good use - which is why this is such a fascinating idea: The
Kopernik is a next-gen online charity initiative that lets you choose
exactly which projects and technologies you wish to put your money
towards, then shows you the results in video form as projects are
completed. It's also quite an amazing repository of emerging survival
and sustainable living technology - from self-adjustable eyeglasses to
clean drinking water devices and much more. Read More
Garmin updates Zumo line of motorcycle nav units
By Alan Brandon
February 25, 2010
Garmin has introduced the newest member of its
Zumo family of motorcycle-oriented GPS navigators, the Zumo 220. Coming
on the heels of the CES 2010 announcement of the top-of-line Zumo 665
with XM capability, the Zumo 220 rounds out the series offering key
features at a more affordable price. The new unit sports a touchscreen
interface in a rugged, waterproof, and fuel-proof housing. Navigation
features include text-to-speech directions, “lane assist” guidance, and
on-road/off-road modes. Although it is less fully-featured compared to
the Zumo 550 or 665, the Zumo 220 does feature Bluetooth headset
capability, a MicroSD memory card slot, and improved battery life. Read More
The evolution of the humble surfcam will see a
major milestone this weekend when Australian surfcam network
Coastalwatch begins rolling out its new realtime Wave Height/Wave Period
technology. The Coastalwatch software analyzes live video segments from
its cameras to track wave movement through the break zone providing
actual wave height and wave period. This means that eventually,
Coastalwatch’s 100+ camera network of web-accessible surf cams will be
continuously updating its surf reports throughout the day, overcoming
the current global phenomena of a surf reporter filing a report at
7.00am listing the surf size as 2ft, yet by 11.00am it may have built to
4 – 5 ft. Read More
At every live football game and in every pub
around the world, someone exasperated fan watching the world game will
yell: “even I could have beaten that goalie." But try beating this
goal-keeper. He has the reflexes of a computerized cat. Cameras capture
the ball and its movements and direct the ‘keeper to make an
interception. If you can’t spear the ball into the top corners of the
goal – you don’t have a chance. Apart from a skill developer, the
Robokeeper is also a lot of fun. And he’s for hire. Read More
Lexus CT 200h premium compact hybrid set for Geneva launch
By Gizmag Team
February 26, 2010
The 2010 Geneva Motor Show
is almost upon us and it's shaping up to be a cracker. Lexus's
centerpiece will be the Lexus CT 200h - a premium compact hybrid that
draws on the LF-Ch concept
unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. Lexus’s first five-door
compact car, the CT 200h uses a 1.8-litre VVT-i petrol engine with an
electric motor through an electrically controlled continuously variable
transmission (E-CVT). And it's not just a concept - Lexus says the car
will enter production later this year and launch for sale worldwide.
Read More
Ikonoskop A-Cam3D video camera brings 3D to HD
By Alan Brandon
February 26, 2010
Swedish movie camera maker Ikonoskop has
announced its new 3D high-def digital video camera, the A-Cam3D. So far
Ikonoskop is not releasing many details about the 3D shooter, but they
have released a few teaser specs including 1080p 3D video, RAW images in
DNG format, choice of lens mounts, and an if-you-have-to-ask price tag.
Read More
If you’re a student at Carnegie Mellon University
(CMU) who is left gasping for breath when forced to drag yourself away
from your studies to get a snack, rejoice! A CMU team has created a
robot that is designed to deliver snacks to you. But the
appropriately named Snackbot is far more than a vending machine on
wheels. It is designed to serve as a research platform for the study of
long-term Human-Robot Interaction and packs a healthy helping of
technological goodies, including a laser navigation system, sonar
sensors and a stereo vision camera for eyes. Read More
There are plenty of great camera bags on the
market, but you can often miss that perfect shot by wasting time getting
out and setting up your camera. The Cloak Bag solves this by providing a
discreet cover for your camera whilst allowing you to take photos -
without having to remove your camera from the bag. Read More
HyperDrive Album: portable photo viewing and up to 640GB of storage
By Darren Quick
February 25, 2010
Sanho’s HyperDrive Album is designed for digital
photographers on the move who require huge storage space or redundancy
backup for their photos and the ability to view them anytime, but don’t
want to lug a laptop computer around. With capacities of up to a
whooping 640GB of storage the device is also capable of downloading 2GB
per minute with full data verification. Read More
Vuzix Wrap 920 3-D glasses promise big screen experience
By Jeff Salton
February 25, 2010
Can’t afford a big screen TV or projector but
still want to experience that cinema feeling when watching a movie? The
Vuzix Wrap 920 video eyewear is a sunglass-style display that delivers a
virtual 67-inch screen as seen from 10ft away, displays 2D and 3D video
and is claimed to be the most advanced wearable display available. Read More
scenechronize - film production gets web-based
By Ben Coxworth
February 25, 2010
If you’ve ever worked on a major film project,
you’ll know just how complex all phases of the production can be -
scripts and schedules get faxed and/or emailed back and forth, a
bazillion phone calls and messages are made and left, and then whenever
anything goes wrong (which is usually about once every 15 minutes)
everything needs to be rejigged, and everyone needs to be notified of
the changes. If only there were some way of posting that
information where all the cast and crew could see it, people could make
changes to it, and then everyone would be made aware of those changes.
Gee, anything come to mind? Yes, it’s a new application for our friend,
The Internet. scenechronize is its name, and it promises to save
filmmakers a ton of confusion, frustration, time, money and paper. Read More
True to its word the formerly secretive Bloom Energy launched its Bloom “Box”
(hereafter known as the Bloom Energy Server), today at eBay’s
California HQ. Attended by Governor Schwarzenegger and Bloom Energy
board member Colin Powell, the event revealed more concrete
specifications for the fuel cell, as well as some of the corporate
household names that are already customers. Read More
Ever wonder what happens to discarded televisions
and obsolete home computers, or do you prefer not to think about it?
According to a United Nations study on recycling, the volume of disused
electronic products, or “e-waste” as it is known, has risen dramatically
as it coincides with growth in sales in developing countries. Read More
Fifty years after the invention of the optical
laser, two separate research groups have independently made important
steps toward making phonon lasers — a type of laser that emits very
high-frequency, coordinated sound rather than light waves — a reality.
The studies, published in the journal Physical Review Letters, could lead to a completely new kind of laser that could find interesting applications in medical imaging. Read More
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