Robotic Systems Help People With Disabilities
Posted by KC on 25 August, 2009
No comments yet
This item was filled under [ Technology ]
Archive for August 25th, 2009
Tiny Bacteria Are Secret to Cicada’s Success
Posted by KC on 25 August, 2009
This item was filled under [ science ]
Methane Clouds Observed Near Titan’s Equator May Explain Presence of Riverbeds on the Surface
Posted by KC on 25 August, 2009
This item was filled under [ science ]
Methane Clouds Observed Near Titan’s Equator May Explain Presence of Riverbeds on the Surface
Kai (Llanelli Dogs Home, South Wales)
Posted by Tracey on 25 August, 2009
This item was filled under [ Technology ]
Kai is a big old gentle giant and he just wants someone to love him. At 9 years old he doesn’t deserve to be in kennels, constantly overlooked for the younger dogs. Can you offer him a comfortable retirement home and make his dreams come true?
Eccerobot is built to replicate the human body’s structure
Posted by AdamFrucci on 25 August, 2009
This item was filled under [ Technology ]
While most robots that try to look human have a completely un-human skeleton under their fake skin, the Eccerobot takes the opposite approach. It’s designed to have a skeleton, joints and tendons that mimic what we humans have under our skin.
The Eccerobot’s skeleton is made from a “springy, bone-like, thermoplastic polymer” rather than steel or another hard metal, and it’s got sensors on board that allow it to interact with its environment in a more human-like way. This may just be the future of humanoid robots. Oh… good?
Eccerobot via New Scientist via io9
Replicate the atmosphere of flying with airline food carts
Posted by AdamFrucci on 25 August, 2009
This item was filled under [ Technology ]
If you’re like most people, you’re always trying to replicate the feeling of being on an airplane. The lack of legroom! The stale air! The crappy food! Ah, it’s all just so wonderful. Which is why I’m sure you’re dying to get one of these in-flight service carts.
For a mere $952 you, too can own one of those big cabinets that airplane meals are served out of! Think of the possibilities: serving many trays of food to your guests, or storing things in a stationary place. Oh wow, the mind just reels, doesn’t it? I’ll take three!
Flight Studio Store via NotCot
Magnetically-propelled cars could save our cities from congestion
Posted by Kevin Hall on 25 August, 2009
This item was filled under [ Technology ]
Philipp Siebourg’s Induction Powered Vehicle (or IPV) isn’t just a concept for a new kind of car, it’s a complete transportation system designed to reduce congestion in big urban centers. Instead of bumper-to-bumper traffic in the heart of the city, Siebourg’s proposal calls for a car-free, magnetized area that is serviced exclusively by automated personal transports.
Each IPV can be controlled by it’s passenger via a mobile device (in the example provided below, the passenger is holding an iPhone), and you can drive and park at an IPV loading zone much like you would a bus station. Siebourg also calls for an alternative system in managing traffic — which is similar to how some intersections in Tokyo operate — whereby all the cars proceed at once, then pedestrians, and then bikers, rather than mixing it all up.
Check out the gallery below for more of the IPV transportation system.
Steampunk Gets Real
Posted by kelseymh on 25 August, 2009
This item was filled under [ Technology ]
As reported on New Scientist today, the British steam-powered vehicle Inspiration broke the previous land-speed record for steam power, set back in 1906. The fastest of the two runs was 151 mph, set on a dry lake bed at Edwards Air Force Base.
By: kelseymh
Keyboard Cat Papercraft
Posted by fungus amungus on 25 August, 2009
This item was filled under [ Technology ]
Play anyone off whenever you want with your own li’l keyboard cat. Just print out the document at the link below and put it together. There’s even a handy video to show you how!
Tubbypaws via Neatorama
By: fungus amungus
Mophie Juice Pack Air not that airy, but brings the juice
Posted by CharlieWhite on 25 August, 2009
This item was filled under [ Technology ]
Who wants to lug around a bulky battery extender for the iPhone or iPod touch when you can get a Mophie Juice Pack Air? The idea of the product is to provide an auxiliary battery hidden inside an attractive case, and Mophie has done an admirable job of doing just that. We tucked our iPhone 3GS (also works with the 3G) into one of these shiny black cases, and did an informal endurance test over the weekend, marveling at the long battery life of our iPhone when wearing this shiny battery-packed jacket.
You can set the Juice Pack to deplete itself first, or let the iPhone run out of battery power and then automatically switch over to it. You can also charge your iPhone and the Juice Pack at the same time, by plugging in the Juice Pack while the iPhone’s inside it. It’s supposed to also sync the iPhone when charging it this piggyback way, but unfortunately, I got error message when I tried to do that. And too bad the Juice Pack uses an oddball micro USB plug to hook up for charging.
The bottom line: This thing makes your iPhone keep on going and going. Compared to the iPhone’s paltry battery life on its own, this baby makes the iPhone feel like it could go on forever. It would be great for road warriors and tradeshow denizens.
The downside? The thing is just too damn big. Even though it’s called the Juice Pack “Air,” that air must be the kind you’d find in a sweaty, smoky jazz club — heavy and thick. The 2.2-ounce Juice Pack makes the iPhone weigh 7.1 ounces, which feels a whole lot heavier than it does naked. When you have it in your pocket, it starts pulling your pants down. And it makes the iPhone feel at least twice as thick.
The Juice Pack lets you add lots of battery life to your iPhone, but as far as battery extenders go, you’ll be substituting that clunky auxiliary battery hanging off the bottom of the iPhone with a clunky extender surrounding it. Take your pick. Besides the few flaws I’ve mentioned, Juice Pack looks great (while not exactly “air-y”), works well as a protective case, and fixes the biggest drawback of the iPhone, its laggard battery life. With the Mophie Juice Pack Air, I used the iPhone for three days without a charge, instead of sticking with my customary daily charge routine. If you’re on the road a lot, or working long days, it’s well worth its $80 price.
Rainbow Cake
Posted by fungus amungus on 25 August, 2009
This item was filled under [ Technology ]
This rainbow cake is a labor of love and sweetness. Getting all the colors right and laying down all that frosting takes some serious time and effort. If you want to learn how to make one for yourself or someone special, follow the link below for the details.
Say it with Cake… via Neatorama
By: fungus amungus
Sony Walkman S540 is downright gorgeous
Posted by CharlieWhite on 25 August, 2009
This item was filled under [ Technology ]
The rumor mill has been running rampant with whispers about Sony’s latest version of its Walkman S-series, and now the company’s making it all official. No, dear reader, this is not the Walkman S-series of a year ago. This Sony Walkman S540, available next month, rocks a couple of mini speakers to annoy anyone near you, it’s 10.2mm thick so it’s easier to slip in your pocket, and it has longer battery life, 42 hours of audio and 6.5 hours of video, according to Sony.
We’ll have to give these speakers a close listen to know for sure, but the diminutive drivers are packed with tricky tech that Sony says makes them sound good even though they’re so small. Using whiz-bang verbiage like “linear phase correction,” “digital linear phase speaker system,” and “virtual bass,” Sony’s getting creative. We’ll believe it when we hear it.
But look at those pictures. This is a beautifully designed player, with a nice sharp new 2.4-inch 320×240 screen, aiming underneath the iPod nano with an 8GB model retailing for $110 and a 16GB for $130. Dang it, Sony should own this media player market, just like it did with the Walkman decades ago. Even though the company lagged far behind Apple at the beginning of this decade, it’s doing a pretty good job of playing catch-up now. But it just might be too little, too late.
Solar chargers get even smaller, cheaper
Posted by CharlieWhite on 25 August, 2009
This item was filled under [ Technology ]
No need to worry about getting stuck in the middle of nowhere with no tunes or phone. Not when you have this Cyrus USB SunDrive Solar Charger on hand. You might die of thirst, but you’ll be well entertained while you suffer. Heck, you’ll even have enough power to charge up that digital camera, creating fascinating photo documentation of your demise.
Look how small this thing is. It’s a mere 2.5 x 1 inches, about the size of a book of matches. A recent Kodak attempt at a solar charger looks downright clunky by comparison. This SunDrive might be a good gadget to have on you just in case you need to charge up that cellphone or music player while wandering through the wilderness. About $23, it’ll be available in Korea first, but this technology will soon be widespread.
AVing, via Tech Fresh
Sony Daily Edition Reader lets you read in widescreen
Posted by stewartwolpin on 25 August, 2009
This item was filled under [ Technology ]
When you open a book, you see two facing pages at once. Sony has duplicated this real-world reading experience with the introduction today of its third e-reader, the Reader Daily Edition, available this December for $400. Equipped with a 7-inch touchscreen and 3G wireless connectivity (finally) via AT&T to download books directly to the device, you can read a single page in regular portrait mode, or see two pages across in landcape mode.
Unlike Amazon’s Kindle, the Daily Edition Reader will be sold through a large number of brick-and-mortar retailers incuding Best Buy, BJs, Borders, Sam’s Club, Staples, Target, Toys “R” Us and Wal-Mart. Like the Kindle DX and the large-screen reader coming from Plastic Logic early next year, the Daily Edition makes large-format newspapers and magazines easier to read.
The new Reader also has the ability to borrow books from the library. More on that after the Continue jump, along with a few more pics of the Daily Edition.
First Video: Sony PRS-600 Reader turns pages like lightning
Posted by PeterPachal on 25 August, 2009
This item was filled under [ Technology ]
In a few minutes our reporter on the ground, Stewart Wolpin, will have all the details on Sony’s big unveiling of its new e-reader, the Daily Edition. In the meantime check out this video from someone “up north” who snuck an early peek at another one of Sony’s potential Kindle killers, the touchscreen PRS-600, announced earlier this month. There’s also a side-by-side video comparison with the previous touchscreen Reader (now two generations ago) after the jump.
Slash, via CrunchGear
Max (Halfway Home Dog Rescue, Notts)
Posted by Di on 25 August, 2009
This item was filled under [ Technology ]
Max is looking for a new family to call his own. He’s only 7 and has loads of affection and fun to offer his people. He’s great with children and would be fine to live with another dog. His new owners are going to be very lucky indeed to have such a lovely boy.
Lady (Halfway Home Dog Rescue, Notts)
Posted by Di on 25 August, 2009
This item was filled under [ Technology ]
Lady is a sweet and affectionate collie cross and, at only 7 years old, is one of our younger Oldies. She would make a fantastic family dog. She’s fit and active, fine with children and other dogs.
Elecom releases multi-colored designer web cameras
Posted by Adario Strange on 25 August, 2009
This item was filled under [ Technology ]
Assuming you don’t already have a MacBook or Vaio sporting the embedded every watchful eyecam, Japan’s Elecom offers the opportunity to class up your laptop with a bit of design flavor. The UCAM-DLC300T Series is a three megapixel USB web camera that fits snuggly onto the top of any standard laptop screen allowing you to video chat instantly.
In addition to laptops, the web cam is also designed to work with the Sony Playstation 3 while offering 30 frames per second image transmission. Available in white, black, pink and sky blue, and compatible with a PC or Mac, you can pick yours up for just 10,250 yen ($108) here.
Via Akihabara News
Cockney-rhyming ATM for your bees and honey
Posted by Addy Dugdale on 25 August, 2009
This item was filled under [ Technology ]
The closest many people get to hearing Cockney rhyming slang is watching Dick Van Dyke in Mary Poppins. However, take a trip to the East End of London and it’s everywhere. And now a firm that operates ATMs in the UK has come up with a Cockney cash machine.
For the next three months, five ATMs belonging to the Bank Machine in East London will be using cockney rhyming slang on their screens. You can choose whether to withdraw “sausage and mash” (cash), change your “Huckleberry Finn” — yep, that’s your PIN number — or just take a butcher’s at your “rattle and tank” balance.
While not a cockney (you have to have been born within the sound of Bow Bells in East London) myself, I’ve spent most of my life in London, and some of the Bank Machine’s phrases seem a bit, well, try-hard. I mean, everyone knows that East End folk eat pie ‘n’ mash, not sausages. So, our verdict at DVICE: it’s just not jellied eel*, mate. You can hear more on the subject here.
*real
Via Times Online
Zepher (Halfway Home Dog Rescue, Notts)
Posted by Beth on 25 August, 2009
This item was filled under [ Technology ]
Zepher is a typical cocker spaniel boy who just loves his walks and being fussed over. His tail seems to never stop wagging! He is great with children and other dogs and will make a wonderful companion to some lucky people.
Sleek laptop concept has a keyboard or a tablet — you choose
Posted by Kevin Hall on 25 August, 2009
This item was filled under [ Technology ]
Victor Bivol has designed a conceptual laptop for designers, by a designer. It doesn’t look at that different, but the keyboard tray flips up and around to reveal it’s tablet underside. No more Wacom tablet, no more mucking around with unwieldy (at least in this blogger’s opinion) tablet PCs. You can switch between either mode on the fly.
It’s not a real product, though I’d be tempted by it if it ever turned into one — and I only dabble in illustration. If something like this was standard on a laptop, do you think you’d ever take advantage of it?
Check out the gallery below for more of Bivol’s combo laptop.
Blog Subscription
Subscribe via RSS Feed stay updated with blog articles
Second Life
about the site
News and reviews on the latest in the world of technology from inventions that change the way we connect with each other to Earth shattering inventions that change the world!
Updated daily.