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Alan Brandon
- Honeywell wind turbine is a breeze to run – and a light one at that (26,401 Views)
- No PC required: Brando SATA HDD adapter plays media straight out of the box (20,087 Views)
- The eniCycle is an electric unicycle that balances fun and utility (10,485 Views)
- Fujifilm FinePix Real 3D camera shoots stills and movies – no glasses required (9,012 Views)
- Incandescent light bulbs may have a bright future after all (7,097 Views)
All Articles by Alan Brandon
Global Green Challenge kicks off later this month
By Alan Brandon
06:28 October 10, 2009 PDT
This month dozens of competitors will gather in Darwin, Australia, for the start of the Global Green Challenge. This 1860 mile (3000km) showcase of state-of-the-art transport technologies pits environmentally friendly vehicles against the heart of the Outback as they race south towards the finish line in Adelaide. The event has evolved from the famous World Solar Challenge and now includes two classes: one for solar-powered vehicles and an "Eco Challenge" for other types of electric, hybrid and alternative fuel production and experimental vehicles. Read More
Gyrobike gyroscopic training wheels help kids learn to ride
By Alan Brandon
02:56 October 3, 2009 PDT
The Gyrowheel is a new spin on the old training wheels that help kids learn to ride a bike. Manufactured by Gyrobike, the Gyrowheel replaces the stock bicycle front wheel and features an internal spinning disk that helps stabilize the bike, reducing wobbles and slowing falls. While the Gyrowheel doesn’t eliminate crashes and skinned knees, the company says it does reduce the amount of time needed for a new rider to gain confidence and become proficient. Read More
Hercules offers a new angle on webcams
By Alan Brandon
20:24 September 29, 2009 PDT
Computer electronics manufacturer Hercules offers a new angle on webcams for people who have trouble seeing eye-to-eye in video chat sessions. The Dualpix HD720p is a high-def webcam that shoots 720p and features an autofocus lens and built-in microphone. The Dualpix is adjustable on two axes, so you can place it where you want on the sides or top of your notebook computer or monitor, in order to better look the camera directly "in the eye". Read More
Hourglass coffee maker cold-brews your joe, very slowly
By Alan Brandon
22:13 September 28, 2009 PDT
If you like your coffee hot, strong, and fast, then the Hourglass coffee maker is not for you. Another topsy-turvy coffee brewer, the Hourglass uses cold water to reduce acid and improve the taste of your coffee. The catch? It takes 12 to 24 hours to brew your cup of joe. Read More
Steel 'Velcro' supports 35 metric tons, looks scary
By Alan Brandon
18:02 September 14, 2009 PDT
A new material called Metaklett is like hook-and-loop (“Velcro”) made out of steel and much scarier. One side of the material bristles with sharp spikes and the other side has jagged steel brushes. Looking something like the mouth of a prehistoric shark, a square meter of Metaklett can support up to 35 metric tons and withstand heat of up to 800 degrees Celsius. Developed at the Technical University of Munich, Germany, researchers borrowed from the traditional hook-and-loop concept to design a fastener for extreme loads and environments such as automotive, building, or military applications. Read More
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ38 does 12.1 megapixel stills, 720p HD video, and recognizes your family
By Alan Brandon
20:20 September 10, 2009 PDT
The Lumix DMC-FZ38 is an incremental update to Panasonic’s line of compact super-zoom cameras. Based on the FZ28, the new FZ38 boasts 12.1 megapixels, an 18x wide zoom, and 720p HD video with stereo audio and the AVCHD Lite recording format. And, remarkably, it can also recognize your family and friends. Read More
Olympus µ TOUGH-6010 flexes a bit more muscle
By Alan Brandon
22:58 September 7, 2009 PDT
Whether you’re a snow-sports adrenaline junkie, inveterate beach goer, or just like gear that can take a few bumps, Olympus µ TOUGH-6010 may be the camera for you. Shockproof, waterproof, and even freezepoof to -10°C (14°F), the µ TOUGH-6010 combines compact style with a rugged chassis and an arsenal of shooting features including dual-image stabilization, advanced face detection, and i-Auto scene selection mode. Read More
Flip-N-Drip portable coffee maker lets you brew on the trail
By Alan Brandon
03:56 September 6, 2009 PDT
The Flip-N-Drip is a lightweight, compact coffee maker from camping equipment manufacturer Brunton that makes it dead simple to brew a hot cup of joe while you’re out in the backcountry. Simply boil water in the carafe, attach the filter and mug, and flip the whole thing over. In about 10 minutes you’ll be sipping your favorite java blend. Read More
Yoostar green screen puts you in the picture
By Alan Brandon
17:11 September 2, 2009 PDT
Put yourself in the spotlight - and into your favorite movie scenes - with Yoostar. Consisting of a 'studio-grade' webcam, a portable green screen, a remote control, and PC software, Yoostar lets you act out roles from your favorite films while recording your performance and digitally adding it to the original. You can insert yourself into scenes alongside Marilyn Monroe or the Blues Brothers and save your movie as a YouTube-ready clip. Yoostar comes with 12 movie scenes and two bonus scenes, with additional clips available for download from Yoostar’s website. Read More
Sony adds new Alpha DSLRs
By Alan Brandon
21:55 August 31, 2009 PDT
Sony has announced two new cameras in its Alpha range of consumer-oriented DSLRs. The DSLR-A550 and the DSLR-A500 feature two live-view focus modes, in-camera high dynamic range (HDR) capability, and low-light performance with sensitivity of up to 12800 ISO. The new Alphas also feature tilting 3in (7.6cm) LCDs as well as a new in-camera SteadyShot feature. Read More
iRobot Warrior 700 designed to deliver... more robots
By Alan Brandon
22:14 August 26, 2009 PDT
The new iRobot Warrior 700 robot looks like the (much) bigger brother of the company’s PackBot. In fact the Warrior is a much larger, more powerful platform designed to deliver, well, PackBots (among other missions). The Warrior 700 can carry a PackBot at the end of an articulated arm, and insert the it through a window for reconnaissance, explosive ordnance disposal, rescue, or other missions. Read More
The eniCycle is an electric unicycle that balances fun and utility
By Alan Brandon
17:36 August 26, 2009 PDT
The eniCycle is the latest entry in the increasingly crowded self-stabilizing electric unicycle market. Developed by Slovenian inventor Aleksander Polutnik, the eniCycle has Segway-like balancing capabilities but only a single wheel. With its three-hour battery and lean-to-go controls, this diminutive one-wheeler prototype brings Jetsons-type technology one step closer to reality. Read More
Gorillatorch shines light wherever you need it
By Alan Brandon
20:51 August 21, 2009 PDT
Joby, creator of the bendy Gorillapod camera tripod, has announced a hands-free flashlight called the Gorillatorch. Consisting of an LED lamp unit mounted on a Joby flexible tripod, the Gorillatorch’s design lets you twist and bend the legs around to position the light just where you need it. Read More
Camera cube puts you on the level
By Alan Brandon
23:12 August 17, 2009 PDT
In photography, sometimes you want to shoot from the hip and capture the moment as it happens. Other times you want everything in perfect alignment, with straight verticals and flat horizons. This camera cube level can help you keep your shots, well, level. Read More
AstroScope gives your DSLR night vision
By Alan Brandon
22:23 August 13, 2009 PDT
The AstroScope, from night vision manufacturer Electrophysics, is a modular adapter that adds night-vision capability to DSLR cameras and camcorders. Designed for use by the military, law enforcement, news agencies, and well-heeled enthusiasts, the AstroScope night vision adapter fits between the camera body and the lens to capture high-resolution images at night and in low-light situations that are otherwise too dark for standard digital cameras. Read More
Monsterpod helps you out of sticky photo opportunities
By Alan Brandon
21:56 August 11, 2009 PDT
The elastic Monsterpod is a sticky solution for sticky photo situations. This versatile compact camera mount holds your camera when a tripod is unavailable or inappropriate and it can also steady your shot in low light conditions or for long exposures. Read More
Sony Party-shot snaps pictures while you party
By Alan Brandon
20:15 August 10, 2009 PDT
You’re throwing a big party, and you want it be a night to remember. You’ve invited some cool friends, stocked up on good beer, and have the stereo cranked up to 11. Only one thing could make this shindig any better – a robot photographer! Well fear not, Sony’s got your back with the new Party-shot robotic camera dock that automatically pans, tilts, and takes snapshots while you go for the cheese dip. Read More
Fujifilm FinePix Real 3D camera shoots stills and movies – no glasses required
By Alan Brandon
22:55 August 5, 2009 PDT
After a year of rumors and prototypes, Fujifilm has officially announced its 3D camera, the FinePix Real 3D W1. The W1 takes digital three-dimensional photos and videos, and you can view them without goofy colored glasses. Fujifilm also announced its Real 3D V1 digital picture viewer, and a 3D photo-printing service. Read More
Kodak ups the ante in the pocket video wars with the Zi8 1080p HD cam
By Alan Brandon
20:01 August 1, 2009 PDT
Kodak is trying to out-flip the Flip with its latest pocket digital video cam, the Zi8. Aimed squarely at the heart of the hot compact video market, the Zi8 outdoes the Flip Ultra HD with 1080p recording, electronic image stabilization, an SDHC card slot, and an external mic jack. Plus it'll shoot 5-megapixel stills, track faces, and is designed to perform better in low-light conditions. Read More
EcoBlaster rechargeable air horn: noise is the only pollution
By Alan Brandon
22:27 July 27, 2009 PDT
Whether you’re a boater, sports fan, or obnoxious prankster the EcoBlaster rechargeable air horn can meet all your high-decibel needs without the wasteful, eco-unfriendly drawbacks of traditional air horns. Most air horns use disposable aerosol cans to provide the oomph for their audible blasts. When the can is empty, you toss it in the trash and get another. The EcoBlaster, on the other hand, features a reusable, refillable air chamber. You can refill the air chamber as often as you like using the included pump, a bicycle pump, or compressor. Read More
Olympus Stylus-7010 has a little chassis and bigger features
By Alan Brandon
20:01 July 27, 2009 PDT
Olympus has announced the newest addition to its fashion-oriented ultracompact digital camera line: the Stylus-7010. The new 1-inch thick model featuring 12MP resolution and a 7x wide-angle/long-zoom lens (equivalent to a 28-196mm zoom) plus some tuned-up shooting modes and "Magic Filters" for in-camera editing. Read More
Samsung hopes you’ll flip for its new HMX-U10 ultra compact HD camcorder
By Alan Brandon
02:30 July 21, 2009 PDT
Samsung has announced its entry into the ultra-compact HD camcorder market with the HMX-U10. The diminutive 2.2" x 4.1" x 0.6" unit shoots 1920x1080 video, 10MP still photos and features an ergonomic bend in the body which Samsung says will reduce stress on your wrist and arm... but at only 3.4oz, we wonder how much stress the MHZ-U10 can cause? Read More
Incandescent light bulbs may have a bright future after all
By Alan Brandon
21:47 July 15, 2009 PDT
In the face of legislation being enacted around the world, the future of the trusty incandescent light bulb has been looking dim. Ireland has banned the sale of incandescent bulbs, and the United States is set to phase them out by 2012. And it’s no wonder - the apple of Thomas Edison’s eye is something of an energy hog, especially when compared with modern bulbs such as compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs and LED-based lights. But now a new technology from Deposition Sciences Inc of Santa Rosa, California, is promising a brighter future for the venerable incandescent. Read More
BeerPaq CarboPouch looks odd, keeps beer fresh
By Alan Brandon
17:46 July 15, 2009 PDT
There’s nothing like kicking back with a cold bottle of beer on, well, any day really. But if Beverage Pouch Group LLC has its way, you may soon be sipping your favorite artisanal ale from a plastic pouch. The BeerPaQ CarboPouch line of beverage packs looks like something astronauts might use to pack their brewskies on the International Space Station, but the manufacturer says they are an ideal container for small craft breweries and micro brewers. Read More
Shake, rattle, and roll: Sony’s feature packed HD Handycam CX520VE
By Alan Brandon
22:44 July 12, 2009 PDT
Sony has announced its new flagship HD camcorder, the Handycam HDR-CX520VE. Equipped with three-way image stabilization as well as a new sensor, lens, and image processor, the CX520VE provides what Sony calls its best picture quality ever. Shooting full HD video and surround sound, the unit also features 64GB of internal memory and GPS “geotagging” of video clips. Read More
Jonathan Cole
- November 6, 2009 @ 16:15 UTC
