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Noel Mckeegan
Nikon boosts COOLPIX digital camera line-up
03:25 February 3, 2009 PST
In an announcement that seems hot on the heels of Nikon's last major COOLPIX update (though five months is a long time in the digital era), the company has released details of eight new cameras due to hit shelves soon. The four Style Series, one Performance Series and three Life Series cameras all share NIKKOR lenses and EXPEED™ digital image processing along with new features such as Blink proofing, "Enhanced Face-priority Auto Focus", which can detect up to 12 faces-per-image, and an automatic scene selection function. Read More
Solar powered pleasure boat gets design overhaul
21:08 February 2, 2009 PST
The Loon is a well known North American water bird that appears on the Canadian one-dollar coin (hence the "Loonie") and it's also the name of a solar equipped pontoon boat from Ontario based Tamarack Lake Electric Boat Company that is in the process of receiving a major design overhaul courtesy of the team responsible for the radical teardrop shaped Aptera 2e electric car. The 22-foot long revamped Loon design can cover an estimate 35 miles a day at a maximum of around seven knots using solar energy and features a light-weight twin-hull composite construction with a flexible interior configuration and removable side-rails made from bamboo, natural fibers and recycled plastic. Read More
Green printer uses coffee dregs as ink
17:29 February 2, 2009 PST
The paperless office is a great notion, but in reality there are still many scenarios where the printer needs to be switched on and fed with environmentally unfriendly consumables - paper and ink. Recycling and re-using paper for print jobs has become well entrenched, but the expensive and often frustrating process of replenishing the ink remains an issue for many of us. Which brings us to one of the cleverest recycling ideas to emerge from this year's Greener Gadgets competition - the RITI printer. This design concept by Jeon Hwan Ju takes your coffee or tea dregs, plus a little elbow grease, and turns them into an eco-friendly alternative to conventional ink. Read More
Miniscule motor swims through the bloodstream
00:15 January 30, 2009 PST
Researchers from Monash University in Australia are working on microbot motors designed to swim through the human bloodstream. Dubbed the "Proteus" after the miniature submarine that traveled through the body in the 1966 sci-fi flick, Fantastic Voyage, the tiny piezoelectric motor is just 250 micrometers or a quarter of a millimetre wide - that's around 2.5 times the width of a human hair. Read More
Fold-Up Trailer saves valuable space
21:15 January 29, 2009 PST
Trailers are extremely useful items when you need them. When you don't, which for most of us 99% of the time, they can be a storage nightmare... after all, how many urban dwellers have a spare 5 x 8 foot patch in their backyard or garage that couldn't be used for a better purpose. Lifetime's folding trailer design solves this issue by significantly reducing the storage space needed. When you're done carting loads for the weekend, the trailer folds to just 29 inches wide in a process that takes only 90 seconds. Read More
Laser-equipped ground vehicle used to shoot down UAV
16:26 January 28, 2009 PST
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are now a well established tool in modern warfare, having proved their worth in both in reconnaissance and increasingly, combat roles. As with all weapons however, this success might not be viewed so glowingly if you happen to be on the receiving end. In developing ways to combat the threat of UAV platforms, Boeing has demonstrated for the first time that a laser equipped Avenger ground combat vehicle can shoot down a UAV. Read More
Gladiat8r: a modern take on Roman battle-gear
23:12 January 26, 2009 PST
This intriguing helmet concept from Canedo Studio and spotted by Yanko Design is said to be inspired by the protective headwear worn by Roman Gladiators and we mention it mainly because, well, it's a very cool design. Although on one hand it may look like an industrial brain slicer, the design is indeed intended to protect one's noggin, with weight being distributed evenly across the arch structure to reduce pressure on the bridge of the nose. Read More
New solar cell efficiency record set
22:36 January 26, 2009 PST
Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE have set a new record for solar cell efficiency. Using concentrated sunlight on a specially constructed multi-junction solar cell, the research group lead by Frank Dimroth has achieved 41.1% efficiency for the conversion of sunlight into electricity. Read More
Tough new compact among Panasonic's 2009 camcorder offerings
21:04 January 26, 2009 PST
Designed to keep up when your weekend exploits get a little rough, Panasonic's new SDR-SW21 compact camcorder is dustproof, waterproof up to 6.5 feet (in both fresh and salt water) and shockproof enough to sustain a 4-foot drop. Due for release in April at a price of around the USD$400 mark, the SDR-SW21 records to SD/SDHC Memory Cards and includes a 0.6 second quick-start recording feature. Read More
ZAP Alias three wheel electric vehicle unveiled
23:43 January 25, 2009 PST
ZAP has shown a pre-production version of its three-wheeled, all-electric Alias roadster at the National Automobile Dealers Association annual conference and exposition in New Orleans. The company, which is best known for its small-footprint, low-emissions, low-speed electric cars and trucks for urban use is looking to get on the highway with its latest creation. The preliminary specs for the two-seater Alias give it a top speed of 105 mph, acceleration of 0 – 60 mph in 7.8 seconds and a range of over 100 miles on a single charge. Throw in a sculptured low slung design, gull-wing style doors and a price point predicted to be under the USD$35K mark and you have another promising prospect for the soon to explode EV marketplace. Read More
Scuba Camera Mask shoots 720P HD video
23:41 January 22, 2009 PST
Liquid Image has seriously upgraded its range of camera scuba masks with the introduction of its HD Scuba Series. The mask gives divers a simple to operate, hands-free tool for taking 720P (1280 x 720) video at 30 frames per second (with audio) as well as 5 MP (2560 x 1920) stills. Read More
The first new Swiss Army soldier knife since 1961
22:16 January 22, 2009 PST
Swiss Army Knives have not been left behind by the advent of modern technology with the inclusion of Flash drives, MP3 players, laser pointers, recently even biometric security into the 200 strong model range to compliment the traditional offerings which began when the first Swiss-developed Soldier Knife arrived back in 1891. These knives are still part of standard kit for the Swiss Army and, following the issue of the first new specification since 1961, Victorinox has produced a new take on an old favorite. Read More
BeatBearing: drum sequencing gets touchy feely
20:02 January 22, 2009 PST
Readily accessible electronic platforms have paved the way for some innovative music, but in the process some of the magic of physically interacting with an instrument can be lost. Belfast PhD student Peter Bennett has set out to investigate different ways in which to blend tangible interfaces with new musical instruments, and one of his creations known as the BeatBearing is drumming up a storm on YouTube. Read More
The Mountain Monk transforms from backpack to downhill bike
23:26 January 21, 2009 PST
Riding downhill is fun, riding uphill is not, and depending how mountainous the terrain you're tackling is, it can sometimes be easier to walk the uphill part. That's the starting point for this innovative folding bicycle design. The Bergmönch, which means "The Mountain Monk" and is a reference to the kneeling position you can adopt on the descent, is a pedal-less downhill bike (or should it be scooter) complete with hydraulic disc brakes and shock absorption front and rear that weighs only 9.5kg and folds into a backpack in around two minutes to provide walkers of an alpine bent with a fast, exhilarating ticket home... and one that's a lot easier on the knees. Read More
Powcell's green smartphone-charging solution
20:56 January 21, 2009 PST
We live in an era where pocket-sized mobile devices can keep us in touch with almost every corner of the globe, but this golden age of communication can quickly turn sour when your battery dies, and it usually happens when you most need it. To combat this issue there are a smorgasbord of mobile recharging devices now on the market, with our favorites being those that use alternative energy to get the job done like the Solio or HYmini solar/wind charger. Now there's a new kid on the block in the form of Powcell, a charging sleeve for iPhone, iPod Touch and Blackberry Curve that draws on almost any light source to provide a power top-up on the go and reduce your dependence on wall sockets. Read More
Ferrari goes solar
18:34 January 21, 2009 PST
When you think Ferrari you think fire breathing supercars and F1 racing, not environmental consciousness, but the renowned marque is looking to boost its green credentials with the unveiling of a new photovoltaic system at its Engine Mechanical Machining facility in Maranello, Italy. The 210,000 kWh photovoltaic system is part of an ongoing sustainability program which also includes plans for a new tri-generation plant which the company says will cover "virtually all" of its electricity requirements and cut its annual CO2 emissions by 25-30% compared to the present levels when it becomes operational mid-year. Read More
The Whip hits the slopes
21:55 January 20, 2009 PST
Back in December we brought you news of a radical new design that sets out to improve on almost every aspect of snowboard riding - more speed, higher jumps, quicker turns, better fit and less chatter. Now, after four years in development, "The Whip" as it's known has been officially launched. Gizmag spoke to inventor Adams Lin to learn more about what sets the design apart. Read More
Celestron showcases latest handheld digital microscope
18:19 January 20, 2009 PST
A simple to use tool for capturing the fine detail of almost any object from coins, plants and rocks to electronic circuit boards, Celestron's new handheld USB digital microscope provides 10x to 40x and 150x magnification and a 1.3mp digital camera for capturing stills and video. Read More
Bowers & Wilkins announces Panorama soundbar
17:27 January 20, 2009 PST
The company that set a new benchmark for iPod docks with the Zeppelin has made its first foray into the soundbar market with an offering dubbed Panorama. Designed to inject a dose of high-end audio into your flatscreen TV viewing experience, Panorama incorporates Digital Signal Processing (DSP) and six separate, individually amplified speaker channels - two front, two rear, one center and one subwoofer - positioned to reflect sound off walls and create a surround effect that can be tailored to a particular environment from a single enclosure. Read More
New MINI Convertible due in March 2009
19:09 January 19, 2009 PST
Busting out of simulated ice blocks in one of the more notable pieces of razzle dazzle at last week's Detroit Auto Show preview was MINI's new convertible. Due for release in March, the 2009 MINI convertible gets new generation turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engines (118 hp for the MINI Cooper Convertible and 172 hp for the MINI Cooper S Convertible), a pop-up rollover bar activated by the car’s central safety electronics, a redesigned storage compartment and an electrohydraulic-powered soft-top roof that can be opened in 15 seconds at speeds of up to 20 mph. There's also a new "Openometer" feature which keeps track of the time spent traveling with the roof down. Gimmicky? Yes, but it will give you one unique stat that your non-MINI convertible driving friends can't match. Read More
Cadillac One 2009: President Obama's new ride
00:17 January 19, 2009 PST
The United States will celebrate the inauguration of its 44th President tomorrow, and the President has a new set of wheels. Continuing a tradition that's almost as old as the automobile itself, President Barack Obama will cruise down Pennsylvania Avenue in an all-new Cadillac Presidential Limousine. The completely redesigned limo replaces the DTS Presidential Limousine introduced in 2004 and while official details of the car's drivetrain, on-board tech and armored capabilities of course remain top secret, speculation has it (possibly) equipped with five-inch thick bulletproof glass and high strength ceramic armor. We don't expect confirmation on these details any time soon, but it's safe to say that this rolling fortress incorporates the best in protection (and comfort) that modern bespoke automobile production has to offer. Read More
Meade EXT-LS telescope knows where to begin
19:01 January 18, 2009 PST
Telescopes that use computerized navigation to help stargazers find their way around the heavens have been with us for some time, but there's still a problem for the amateur astronomer - knowing where to start. The new Meade EXT-LS telescope makes this task of finding a starting reference point easy by combining a range of technologies including a built in CCD camera, magnetic sensors and GPS to automatically align itself, making it a truly "point-and-shoot" telescope. Read More
Schwinn Tailwind electric bicycle boasts world's fastest charging time
20:37 January 14, 2009 PST
Bicycles are a fun, environmentally friendly way to get from A to B under your own steam, but we're not all Tour de France cyclists, so the addition of electric assist systems helps to increase our range and leave the car in the garage more often. The latest offering from Schwinn - the Tailwind - will hit US dealers at the end of this month and arrive in Europe in Spring equipped with a battery that not only charges in a world beating 30 minutes via a standard outlet (or a lightning 7 minutes via a 40 amp commercial charger), but also guarantees 2000 cycles before it's full capacity begins to diminish. We took a closer look at the Schwinn at the 2009 CES. Read More
Victorinox announces Presentation Pro business tool
18:25 January 14, 2009 PST
Victorinox used the 2009 CES as the platform for the launch of their new Presentation Pro, a compact Swiss Army Knife that includes a laser pointer, Bluetooth remote control and USB storage of up to 32GB which, in a first for the company, integrates biometric fingerprint security. Read More
It's here! The Pico Projector mobile phone
16:34 January 14, 2009 PST
The advent of handheld Pico Projectors created a buzz throughout 2008 and although they make very useful stand alone devices, we've been eagerly awaiting their integration into mobile phones. We wait no longer. Samsung has produced the first cell phone featuring Texas Instrument's DLP Pico chipset and like the mobile phone camera - which not so long ago was seen as the "latest thing" - we expect to see tiny projectors quickly become a standard addition to mobile phone features. Read More
Sam Munro
- November 26, 2009 @ 08:08 UTC
