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Apple to replace keys and wallet with iKey app?
By Darren Quick
22:11 March 8, 2010
The humble mobile phone. What started out as a communication device has quickly evolved to become a take anywhere entertainment apparatus and essential tool for work and play. So much so that many people feel panic-stricken if they accidentally leave their phone at home. Such separation anxiety could be even worse in the future with a patent filed by Apple suggesting that the company wants the iPhone to replace your house and car keys and wallet, thereby making it even more indispensable. Read More
Empower concept chair rocks!
22:00 March 8, 2010
It's ironic that I should be writing this on a 13 hour stopover at an airport doling out foreign notes for endless coffees in Starbucks to justify my use of their power socket and WiFi. What I really need right now is a comfortable fold-out rocking chair that converts my languorous rocking movement into electrical energy to power my laptop. If only such a thing existed! Well, it might not be too far away. The Empower chair won second prize out of 18 shortlisted designs showcased at the Greener Gadgets 2010 Conference... Read More
High-tech handrest gives surgeons, machinists and artists a steady hand
By Darren Quick
21:07 March 8, 2010
Keeping a steady hand is vitally important for many professions where the use of a static or purely mechanical handrest just isn’t practical or possible. A new computer-controlled, motorized hand and arm support will let doctors, artists, machinists and others precisely control scalpels, brushes and tools over a wider area than otherwise possible, and with less fatigue. Read More
Carbon nanotubes offer new way to produce electricity
By Darren Quick
19:34 March 8, 2010
MIT scientists have discovered that a moving pulse of heat traveling along the miniscule wires known as carbon nanotubes can cause powerful waves of energy. These "thermopower waves" can drive electrons along like a collection of flotsam propelled along the surface of ocean waves, creating an electrical current. The previously unknown phenomenon opens up a new area of energy research and could lead to a new way of producing electricity. Read More
Battlefield: Bad Company 2 multiplayer review (Xbox 360)
By Tim Hanlon
17:10 March 8, 2010
Having spent around five hours with the single player campaign and around 15 hours on multiplayer, I still feel I've only scratched the surface of what's on offer in Bad Company 2, so I'm not going to call this a full review. My impressions focus on the multiplayer aspect of the game. In short, it's the new high-water mark of multiplayer gaming on the Xbox 360. Read More
Infinitec IUM stick lets you share unlimited content wirelessly between devices
By Jeff Salton
16:51 March 8, 2010
USB sticks are great for file sharing, apart from a couple of drawbacks. Sometimes you want to share only some content of the drive, or the drive just isn’t big enough to hold all the information you want to share. The Infinitec Infinite USB Memory (IUM) drive provides you with a way to share absolutely all, or just selected content, wirelessly to any device with a USB port. You can even use it to stream movies from your laptop to your TV. And while it is being marketed as the world's first infinite memory USB memory drive, the device doesn't actually store information, it's really a wireless network device with similar "infinite memory" functions to the Eye-fi Pro X2 we featured earlier this year. Read More
Zotac's new nVIDIA ION-powered ZBOX HD-ID11 mini-PC
By Paul Ridden
15:03 March 8, 2010
Zotac International appears to be amongst the first to announce a new computer system featuring the next generation NVIDIA ION graphics processor. The ZBOX HD-ID11 mini-PC has a small footprint, low power draw but promises to deliver big system performance with full 1080p video playback, 7.1 digital surround sound and the facility to easily pop in your own memory and storage medium. Read More
Pronghorn APLS 'best of both-worlds' mountain bike suspension
By Jeff Salton
14:48 March 8, 2010
Serious mountain bikers are always looking for a competitive edge. Often, that can mean extracting every ounce of energy from their bodies and their equipment. Danish high-end mountain bike builder Pronghorn has designed a bike frame the company calls its Anti-Power-Loss-System (APLS) where the rear shock absorber is mounted on the top tube. This, says the company, better utilizes the rider’s energy by delivering power more efficiently to the back wheel when the rider needs it - climbing uphill or negotiating technical courses - while performing like a full suspension model on the downslope. Read More
Can't find a smoking area? There's an app for that
By Rick Martin
14:20 March 8, 2010
Faced with increasingly strict regulations on public smoking, Japanese smokers are left with few designated smoking areas where they light one up. In order to help these people locate assigned smoking areas, Katabami Crafts has created a free "Smoking Map" iPhone application. Read More
Corky the Kinetic Mouse - no batteries required
By Paul Ridden
13:55 March 8, 2010
Freeing oneself from the shackles of wired PC periphery does come at a cost. In order to power such liberation, users rely on batteries. Even rechargeable ones impede workflow when they run out of juice. Designer Adele Peters proposes capturing the energy from moving, clicking and scrolling and using it to power Corky, a kinetic mouse made from recycled materials. Read More
Sigma announces SD15 DSLR plus new lenses and compact cameras
By Alan Brandon
13:53 March 8, 2010
Sigma Corporation, known primarily for camera lenses, has re-introduced its top-end SD15 DSLR as well as five new lenses and two new compact digital cameras. The SD15 features a 14MP Foveon X3 sensor and boasts a 21 shot RAW buffer (at 3fps). The lenses feature Sigma’s new “F” low-dispersion glass, fast speeds, and image stabilization. They will be available for Canon, Nikon, and other mounts. Sigma’s new DP1x and DP2s compact cams both feature 14MP large DSLR-size sensors and new autofocus capability. Read More
The iLet Mini HAL budget tablet PC
By Paul Ridden
13:43 March 8, 2010
If you're in the market for a tablet computer but don't relish parting with a significant wad of cash then the iLet Mini HAL from Haleron Technologies could just fit the bill. The budget touchscreen tablet comes with only 2Gb of internal storage but there's SD card expansion and free online storage. WiFi and 3G and support for multiple file formats also feature. Read More
i-flow concept showcases Hyundai's eco-friendly vision
By Gizmag Team
21:43 March 7, 2010
Hyundai Motor Company has rolled out the latest addition to its Blue Drive™ line-up at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show - the i-flow. Sharing similar lines to the Blue Will Concept shown in Detroit in January, the concept hybrid certainly lives up to its name... flow it does. The aerodynamic skin, coupled with the use of lightweight materials, solar panels and innovative design elements like an adaptive front spoiler and side rocker blades, add up to a claimed fuel efficiency of 3L/100km and CO2 output of just 85g/km. Read More
3DSwitch knows when you are wearing 3D glasses
By Jeff Salton
21:42 March 7, 2010
Italy-based technology developer Sisvel and imaging start-up 3DSwitch are promoting a device that gives your TV the brains to recognize automatically whether you’re watching 2D or 3D. The technology works by detecting if you’re wearing your 3D stereoscopic glasses. No glasses, then the TV switches to 2D. Read More
Maryland researchers offer hope of non-invasive portable brain-computer interface
By Paul Ridden
17:52 March 7, 2010
A study at the University of Maryland has the potential to help movement-impaired people to control the operation of artificial limbs or computer systems without having to undergo extensive training or invasive surgery. The researchers have successfully reconstructed 3D hand movements by decoding electrical brain signals picked up from sensors placed on the scalps of volunteers. Read More
Tree seeds could provide low-cost water purification for developing nations
By Ben Coxworth
17:47 March 7, 2010
“In the developing world, more than 1 billion people cannot get clean drinking water... The United Nations says that dirty water causes 80 percent of diseases in the developing world, and kills 10 million people annually.” Those sobering lines are from the United Nations’ website, and underscore just how urgently needed water purification is in much of the world. What many people don’t realize, however, is that there are already naturally-occurring water filtration supplies available in many of these areas. They come in the form of seeds from the Moringa oleifera tree, and used properly, they can produce a 90.00 to 99.99% bacterial reduction in previously untreated water. Read More
Paraben's Porn Detector Stick sniffs out unwanted images on your computer
By Jeff Salton
17:44 March 7, 2010
Everyone knows there’s a lot of pornographic material on the Internet. It’s easy to find if you’re looking for it but sometimes it’s just as easy when you’re not looking for it. The use of tricky or confusing URLs and other misleading descriptions can mean opening or downloading inappropriate images accidentally. And in some cases unsuspecting users may be unaware that this material exists on their computers. Paraben’s Porn Detection Stick (PDS) is a USB stick loaded with software designed to find and remove illicit images from your PC to protect your family, business or organization. Read More
It's 2010 - finally my jet pack is here!
17:35 March 7, 2010
It's been a long time coming. While Arthur C. Clarke's satellites have taken to space, and James Bond's futuristic mobile technology has become common place, still the legend of Icarus has captivated us and the dream of sustained personal flight has eluded us. But the future is here! Finally we can all take flight as Martin Aircraft in New Zealand releases the first commercially-available jet pack! Read More
Panasonic Lumix G2 and G10 Micro Four Thirds cameras
By Paul Ridden
17:05 March 7, 2010
After accidentally releasing details of its new additions to the Lumix G Micro System earlier in the week, Panasonic has now officially revealed the G2 and the G10 Micro Four Thirds cameras. The G2 features a 12.1 megapixel sensor, a rotating touchscreen display and 720p high definition AVCHD Lite video. The lightweight G10 looks almost identical but is actually a trimmed down version of the G2. Read More
Foldaway Massage Chair converts to footstool
By Jude Garvey
16:48 March 7, 2010
There’s all sorts of massage chairs available, but many of them are excessively large and to be honest - not particularly blessed with good looks. The Foldaway Massage Chair not only delivers a massage to the legs, feet, back and buttocks – it folds up into a colorful footstool that can be used as an extra piece of furniture or stored neatly away. Read More
Antro SOLO human-electric-hybrid aims for double the fun
By Paul Ridden
23:24 March 5, 2010
Hungarian designers Antro are aiming to introduce a new fuel efficient vehicle to the consumer market by 2012 which will rely on the muscle-power of driver and passengers as well as a hybrid fuel/electric engine. The designers are also looking to have the three-seater SOLO link up to another to make one vehicle capable of carrying six people. Read More
Fujifilm reveals a slew of new digital and film cameras
By Alan Brandon
23:21 March 5, 2010
At the PMA 2010 convention Fujifilm’s theme was “Expand the World of Imaging”. The company took its theme literally, announcing 18 different camera models across their digital and film product lines. From compact digital point-and-shoot models to a folding medium-format film camera, Fujifilm unveiled a broad array of new and updated technology including Fujinon optics, HD movie capability, facial recognition (for humans and pets), and 3D imaging. Read More
Clevo claims fastest gaming laptop title with the X8100
By Paul Ridden
23:13 March 5, 2010
The laptops used by mobile gamers have to be powerful beasts in order to offer the kind of smooth, detailed graphics and slick gameplay exacting users demand. The latest example to make claim to the title of fastest laptop in the world is the X8100 from Taiwan's Clevo. The credentials begin with a choice of three Core i7 processors, either one or two nVIDIA GeForce GTX graphics processors with SLI technology support, a 18.4in full high definition display, up to 8Gb DDR3 memory, space for up to three SATA drives and touch sensitive hot keys. Read More
Skinput turns your hand into a touchscreen and your fingers into a keypad
By Jeff Salton
22:23 March 4, 2010
Always thought your skin was more than just a device to keep your insides tucked in neatly and out of harms’ way? Well, you were right. Chris Harrison has developed Skinput, a way in which your skin can become a touch screen device or your fingers buttons on a MP3 controller. Harrison says that as electronics get smaller and smaller they have become more adaptable to being worn on our bodies, but a couple of drawbacks are that the monitor and keypad/keyboard have to be big enough for us to operate the equipment. This can defeat the purpose of small devices but with the clever acoustics and impact sensing software, Harrison and his team can give your skin the same functionality as a keypad. Add a pico projector attached to an arm band, and your wrist becomes a touch screen. Read More
Autonomous helicopter to investigate nuclear disasters
By Darren Quick
22:05 March 4, 2010
Students at Virginia Tech's Unmanned Systems Laboratory are perfecting an autonomous helicopter they hope will never be used for its intended purpose. Roughly six feet long and weighing 200 pounds, the re-engineered aircraft is designed to fly into American cities blasted by a nuclear weapon or dirty bomb. Its main mission would be to assist military investigators in detecting radiation levels, mapping and photographing damage after such an attack. Read More
Ed
- March 8, 2010 @ 19:57 UTC
