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
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 
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
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
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
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
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
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
Breaking down Microsoft's lineup of Xbox One launch titles
August 20, 2013
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 introduces VIRB and VIRB Elite actioncams
By Ben Coxworth
August 21, 2013
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 introduces VIRB and VIRB Elite actioncams
By Ben Coxworth
August 21, 2013
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
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
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
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
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
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
Ferrari 458 Speciale, another "most powerful" ever
By C.C. Weiss
August 22, 2013
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
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 Review: Minx Go Bluetooth speaker from Cambridge Audio
By Paul Ridden
August 22, 2013
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
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
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
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 controls both lighting and heat levels
August 22, 2013
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
F-35B makes first vertical night landing at sea
By Darren Quick
August 22, 2013
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
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
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
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
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
Ferrari 458 Speciale, another "most powerful" ever
By C.C. Weiss
August 22, 2013
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
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 Review: Minx Go Bluetooth speaker from Cambridge Audio
By Paul Ridden
August 22, 2013
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
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
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
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 controls both lighting and heat levels
August 22, 2013
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
F-35B makes first vertical night landing at sea
By Darren Quick
August 22, 2013
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
Joby's latest mini tripod can get its jaws around smartphones
By Simon Crisp
August 23, 2013
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
Move over 3Doodler – here comes the SwissPen
August 23, 2013
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
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
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
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
Mercedes gives flagship S 500 the plug-in hybrid treatment
By C.C. Weiss
August 22, 2013
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
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
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
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 to simplify 3D printable model design
August 22, 2013
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
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
Joby's latest mini tripod can get its jaws around smartphones
By Simon Crisp
August 23, 2013
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
Move over 3Doodler – here comes the SwissPen
August 23, 2013
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
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
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
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
Mercedes gives flagship S 500 the plug-in hybrid treatment
By C.C. Weiss
August 22, 2013
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
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
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
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 to simplify 3D printable model design
August 22, 2013
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 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
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
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 updates PowerShot line-up with new Wi-Fi toting cameras
By Simon Crisp
August 25, 2013
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
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
BMW Concept X5 eDrive to join hybrid deluge in Frankfurt
By C.C. Weiss
August 23, 2013
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
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
Varibike lets you pedal with your legs – and your arms
By Ben Coxworth
August 23, 2013
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
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
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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