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Noel Mckeegan
High-tech tap sets temperature using facial recognition
06:38 April 22, 2009 PDT
Once a new technology hits the deck we are constantly surprised by the different scenarios in which it gets applied, so I guess that means we should have seen this one coming. iHouse has unveiled a new concept product which brings facial recognition into the home bathroom. Dubbed the SmartFaucet, this indulgent piece of plumbing recognizes you when you stand in front of it and delivers water flow and temperature to suit your individual tastes, all while checking your email on the inbuilt touch-screen. Read More
WildCharge expands wireless charging compatibility with new Universal Adapter
23:00 April 8, 2009 PDT
Boosted by the buzz surrounding wire-free charging at CES earlier this year, solutions for powering up portable devices without the hassle of messy cords and multiple chargers are making the transition from curious concept to viable consumer product. One of the obvious problems with the early examples of this kind of technology was that each solution is tailored to a particular device, but now early mover WildCharge has released a Universal Adapter for Cell Phones which works with multiple devices across multiple brands. Read More
Nikon introduce eco-friendly ecobins binoculars
19:35 April 2, 2009 PDT
Nikon has put a green spin on its latest binocular offering - the ecobins. The 10x25 glasses utilize lead and arsenic-free Eco-Glass™ lenses and prisms, non-chloride rubber, biodegradable materials for the case and strap and are made without the use of harmful inks or dyes according to the company's release. Read More
Raven UAV demonstrates 30-hour persistent surveillance
06:35 April 2, 2009 PDT
AeroVironment's Raven UAV system has been used to demonstrate the viability of small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles as a low-cost surveillance alternative in a continuous 30-hour persistent surveillance test flight. Conducted in conjunction with the U.S. Army Product Manager for Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (SUAS), the demonstration involved unbroken surveillance of a target site using one standard production Raven RQ-11B baseline system (three aircraft and two ground control stations) operated by two-person crews working in eight-hour shifts. Read More
Tesla Model S unveiled!
17:12 March 26, 2009 PDT
Tesla has just pulled the wraps off its eagerly awaited EV sedan - the Model S - and on first impressions, it doesn't disappoint. Gizmag's Dave Weinstein has brought us these first pics from the coal-face. Read More
Canon EOS Rebel T1i: HD video at a third the price of the EOS 5D Mark II
00:05 March 26, 2009 PDT
Digital SLR cameras featuring HD video capture have burst onto the market in recent months and Canon has now put this functionality within reach of a much wider audience by including 1080p recording in the latest addition to its entry level Rebel range. The new EOS Rebel T1i Digital SLR sports a 15.1 megapixel CMOS sensor, DIGIC 4 Imaging Processor, nine-point Autofocus, a 3.0-inch LCD and shoots 1080p video at 20 fps and 720p HD video capture at 30 fps. The best bit - at USD$800 (body only) it's around a third of the price of the HD video capable EOS 5D Mark II released in September last year. Read More
First pics of Hyundai's BLUE-WILL concept
18:40 March 25, 2009 PDT
Like all of the major international auto shows in recent times, Seoul 2009 looks set to be a showcase for low-emissions, eco-motoring technologies. Among them is Hyundai's new BLUE-WILL plug-in hybrid concept which features a 1.6-liter gasoline engine combined with a 100kw electric motor powered by Lithium-Ion batteries. The car's raised hatchback body design incorporates eco-friendly plastics along with integrated dye-sensitized solar panels in the roof to increase battery range. Read More
Rolls Royce RR4: further details emerge
23:32 March 23, 2009 PDT
As promised last year when Rolls Royce revealed the first sketches of its planned new model - the RR4 - more details are beginning to trickle through about the exact make-up of this new luxury road-liner. There aren't many numbers in the latest release, the most notable being 500, namely 500bhp, this courtesy of a new 6.6 litre turbo charged V12 engine and a new 8-speed gearbox. Read More
Miltary grade 100 Kilowatt Solid-State Laser produced
04:24 March 23, 2009 PDT
Star Wars-style laser weapons have taken another step closer to reality with Northrop Grumman reporting that it has produced a 105 kilowatt (kW) light ray from an electric laser in the final demonstration milestone of Phase 3 of the U.S. military's Joint High Power Solid State Laser (JHPSSL) program. At this energy level such a "weapons grade" laser would be capable of taking out cruise missiles, rockets and artillery from land, sea and airborne platforms, but Han Solo won't be slipping this still hefty device into his side holster anytime soon. Read More
Panasonic LUMIX DMC-GH1 features 1080p video capture
17:54 March 5, 2009 PST
Panasonic's freshly unveiled Lumix DMC-GH1 joins the growing list of prosumer digital SLR models capable of capturing HD video - in this case full HD (1920 x 1080) video at 24 fps or HD video (1280 x 720) at 60 fps backed by a specially designed 14-140mm lens featuring low-noise and continuous auto focusing (AF) capability. Read More
GE G3WP Waterproof compact camera announced
17:13 March 4, 2009 PST
General Imaging, the licensee for GE digital cameras, has launched its first-ever waterproof model at PMA 2009 - the G3WP. The 12.2 megapixel compact is waterproof to 10 feet, has a 4x optical zoom, Image Stabilization and a 2.7-inch LCD screen that automatically adjusts to changes in ambient light. Read More
World Superbikes - round one wrap up
16:25 March 1, 2009 PST
Japan’s Nitro Noriyuki Haga and American newcomer Ben Spies were victorious in round one of the WSKB held today at Australia's Phillip Island Circuit in front of a record crowd of 63,250. Haga took the podium in race one after an enthralling battle with German Max Neukirchner which saw Haga's Ducati 1098R cross the line just 32/1000ths of a second ahead of the Suzuki. Read More
World’s first electric hybrid sports boat
00:41 February 26, 2009 PST
The low-emissions, fuel-saving benefits of hybrid technology aren't limited to the freeway and systems incorporating electric propulsion are popping up in all areas of transport. On the water we've seen hybrid tugboats and solar hybrid motor-yachts, but this is the first time we've seen hybrid technology in a speedboat. Billed as a world's first electric hybrid sport boat, EPIC Wakeboats EPIC 23E relies entirely on a silent, emissions-free electric motor for propulsion and uses half the fuel and produces half the emissions of its combustion-powered equivalent. Read More
Olympus announces lightweight E-620 Digital SLR Camera
04:21 February 25, 2009 PST
Olympus has extended its digital SLR range with the unveiling of the E-620. The new addition will sit in the middle of the company's SLR line-up led by the flagship E-3 and extending through to the compact E-420. The E-620 is pitched as an "all-in-one" model that combines some of the best elements of the higher end units - like the flip-out rotating screen - with a high-degree of portability. Read More
CO2 monitoring satellite fails to reach orbit
18:14 February 24, 2009 PST
In bad news for NASA (and the planet in general), the Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO) satellite did not reach orbit as planned yesterday. According to a launch contingency briefing from NASA, the Taurus XL from California's Vandenberg Air Force Base at 4:55 a.m. EST proceeded normally, with only typical "minor issues" reported as the rocket approached lift-off, but preliminary indications are that the fairing on the Taurus XL launch vehicle failed to separate. Read More
Orbita Wireless Mouse: the scroll-wheel takes over
19:32 February 22, 2009 PST
The design of the trusty mouse has come a long way from its humble beginnings forty years ago and throughout its many incarnations it has remained a staple for any personal computer user. The latest spin on this ever necessary peripheral – and we do mean spin – is the Orbita Mouse. This new take on the mouse basically becomes the scroll wheel traditionally found between the left and right buttons. Read More
Rinspeed iChange Concept Car set for Geneva debut
00:55 February 17, 2009 PST
Rinspeed is one automotive company that can only be described as forward-thinking and its radical concept car offerings have graced our pages on a regular basis over many years. More images and details have now emerged on the company's latest thought-provoking platform, the all-electric, shape-shifting „iChange“, which will make its debut at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show. Read More
Dora the Explorer is growing up
18:07 February 16, 2009 PST
Many parents will be familiar with the educational exploits of Dora the Explorer. The bi-lingual cartoon character designed for pre-schoolers has developed a strong presence both on the box and in spin-off products like books and toys over the past 10 years, and now she's set to grow-up alongside her young fans. Mattel and Nickelodeon have announced that a "tweenage Dora" for girls five years and up will be released later this year. The new look line will be built around an interactive "Dora Links fashion doll" which plugs into a computer and can be customized using an interactive website - change Dora's hair, jewelry or eye color online and the doll will be transformed to match. Read More
Madrid to get radical new solar-coated landmark
22:47 February 12, 2009 PST
Spain has a well-earned reputation for extraordinary architecture that, like many buildings around the world which defy convention, divide opinions and cause passions to run high. The next dazzling addition to Madrid's skyline will be the Centro Internacional de Convenciones de la Ciudad de Madrid (CICCM), and it offers much more than simply a conversation piece. Shaped like a giant glass wheel, the Convention Center will be completely covered in photovoltaic panels but will still provide adequate sunlight to reduce the need for artificial light through the use of concave design elements that scatter light into the interior. The 110 meter tall structure will include a rainwater catchment system and house a 5,000 person auditorium and exposition centers in its 100,000 square meter layout. Read More
Honda launches 360-degree, interactive look at ASIMO
17:45 February 12, 2009 PST
Those of you who (like us) have followed the development of Honda's ASIMO humanoid robot might be interested in a new "Inside ASIMO" feature now available on the bipedal bot's website. The feature uses a 3D computer-generated model to provide an interactive look at ASIMO's form, function, movement and intelligence capabilities, outlining the technology that enables the robot to, among other things, climb stairs, run, avoid obstacles, recognize faces and distinguish sounds. Read More
AeroVironment upgrades data system for Raven UAS
23:21 February 10, 2009 PST
AeroVironment, Inc. will produce 50 new Raven RQ-11B unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) equipped with enhanced communications following the announcement of a USD$16.8 Million order from the U.S. Army on January 22. The company's new Digital Data Link (DDL) replaces the original four-channel analog set-up, increasing communication channels by a factor of four and allowing more of the unmanned craft to be flown in one area simultaneously. Read More
No more arguments: the self-closing toilet seat
23:18 February 5, 2009 PST
Archeological evidence suggests that flush toilets complete with wooden seats for that extra bit of comfort have been with us for almost five thousand years, so it's likely that domestic arguments over who left the seat up began sometime soon after. That's a long time to argue, but this age old question might soon become redundant if this self-closing toilet seat reaches the market. Designed by a group of students from the Skjern Technical College in Denmark, the Intelli-Toilet automatically shuts the seat after it's flushed without the need for any extra energy sources. Read More
Samsung announces 8-megapixel camera phone for US market
22:45 February 5, 2009 PST
Samsung and T-Mobile are set to introduce a touch-screen phone equipped with an 8-megapixel camera into the US market. Called the Memoir, the phone is apparently a US version of the Pixon handset announced for Europe and Asia last year and will sport a Xenon flash, 16x digital zoom, in-built GPS and a virtual full-QWERTY keypad. Read More
Germ-killing vacuum uses UV light
21:18 February 5, 2009 PST
Ultra violet light sterilization is a proven technology that has been with us for some time. Back in 1903 Niels Finsen was awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine for his work in using UV to fight tuberculosis and these days it's a common sight in hospitals, food production facilities and science labs, as well as being used for water purification and disinfecting swimming pools. The technology is also increasingly making its way into domestic households with examples like ENPUTECH's UV sterilization wand and this innovation from Oreck - the world’s only UV equipped upright vacuum cleaner. Read More
Skype 4.0 for Windows launched with full-screen video calling
20:27 February 3, 2009 PST
Skype has launched version 4.0 for Windows offering full-screen video calling, a new built-in bandwidth manager that optimizes calls in relation to your connection, a new audio codec which promises wideband audio quality using 50% less bandwidth than required by previous versions, plus a number of changes designed to make the user experience easier. Read More
John Wassner
- November 27, 2009 @ 01:40 UTC
