Iridescence Found in 40-Million-Year-Old Fossil Bird Feather
Posted by KC on 3 September, 2009
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This item was filled under [ Environment, science ]
Archive for September 3rd, 2009
Better Prediction Sought for Devastating Floods
Posted by KC on 3 September, 2009
This item was filled under [ Environment ]
At long last, the iPhone is getting MMS
Posted by AdamFrucci on 3 September, 2009
This item was filled under [ Technology ]
Yes folks, just like every other phone from the past 5 years, the iPhone is finally getting the ability to send picture and video messages on the 25th of this month. Of course, other countries have offered MMS on the iPhone for months now, but other countries don’t have to deal with AT&T. Tethering is still coming “in the future,” so don’t hold your breath for that to happen anytime soon. But hey, take what you can get.
Via Gizmodo
Amazing Homes out of Repurposed Materials
Posted by randofo on 3 September, 2009
This item was filled under [ Technology ]
"I think mobile homes are a blight on the planet… Attractive, affordable housing is possible and I’m out to prove it." – Dan Phillips
A man in Texas has started a program to build low-income housing out of trash and other found and donated materials. I know you are probably thinking to …
By: randofo
Rhanni (German Shepherd Rescue, South, Fostered High Wycombe)
Posted by Carol on 3 September, 2009
This item was filled under [ Technology ]
Stunning Rhanni is a friendly girl who would be happy to share her home with other dogs. She has lived with children, but likes a quieter life now and would be best suited to a home with adults only or possibly older children. Could you be the lucky people who get to take Rhanni home?
Tina (Wagtails Dog Rescue, Essex)
Posted by Carol on 3 September, 2009
This item was filled under [ Technology ]
Little Tina is looking for a settled home where she will be the only dog. Since the death of her owner she has not had a permanent place to call home and it’s now high time that she felt secure and loved again. She is such a little character with lots of love to give..
Dave & Jan (Worcestershire Animal Rescue Shelter)
Posted by Tracey on 3 September, 2009
This item was filled under [ Technology ]
Dave and Jan are a devoted couple who would love to find a new home together. In true Staffie-style they adore people and can’t get enough fuss and attention. They are still quite active and can be rehomed with older children.
Art Outside 2009 | 3-Day Art & Music Festival
Posted by electricpromotions on 3 September, 2009
This item was filled under [ Technology ]
CALL FOR PARTICIPATION ENDS SEPT. 14th
High-tech wizardry. Make-and-take craft tables. Fire dancing. Eco-chic fashion. Film shorts by creators such as Don Hertzfeldt, Run Wrake, and Andy Gately of Austin Underground Film Festival. With 50+ concerts on three different stages. Whatever your artistic …
By: electricpromotions
Android-running HTC Hero phone coming to Sprint
Posted by CharlieWhite on 3 September, 2009
This item was filled under [ Technology ]
Sprint, forlorn over missing that ambitious target of selling 1 – 1.5 million Palm Pre phones in its first year on the network, will now try its luck with the lovely Android operating system, too. Sprint’s entry into the Google Android derby will be this attractive HTC Hero, bringing all its touchscreen goodness on October 11.
It’s the first Android-running phone on the Sprint network, and judging from the number of Android phones multiplying like rabbits lately, it won’t be the last. This is a fine-looking phone, and thank goodness it’s lost that ugly chin of the T-Mobile version, and especially of its homely forebear, the Android-pioneering T-Mobile G1.
Like most phones of its ilk, expect to pay steep prices for Sprint’s HTC Hero, with $180 buying you the phone with a two-year contract, and then a cheaper-than-AT&T $70 tariff each month to keep the calls and data flowing. It might be worth it, because we’ve tried Android, and love it. It’s especially useful for running Google Voice and Flash apps. All it needs is some decent hardware and a good network, and it’s a winner. Tall order.
Via Geeky Gadgets and GigaOM
Challenge: Make Something New
Posted by fungus amungus on 3 September, 2009
This item was filled under [ Technology ]
It’s so easy to get into a rut and sometimes it’s necessary to shake yourself out of it. So I’d like to issue a challenge to everyone to Make Something New.
So here’s what I’m proposing. You have until Sept. 21 to make something new for you and document it with a slideshow, video, or Instructable …
By: fungus amungus
Future shop: BMW working on augmented reality for mechanics
Posted by CharlieWhite on 3 September, 2009
This item was filled under [ Technology ]
Put on these magic glasses, and suddenly your know-nothing automotive skill set transforms into that of a BMW mechanic. This kind of step-by-step visual assistance is on the way for BMW, reading the field of view and superimposing animated directions in real time, complete with an audio track to talk you through the repair.
Augmented reality might be great for mechanics, Ikea furniture assembly and piano lessons, but surgeons, this is not for you. Never mind that — it’s not even ready for cars yet, and BMW’s not saying when it will be. The idea is compelling, though. What else could this be used for?
Via Jalopnik
Toshiba proudly announces $250 Blu-ray player, the BDX2000
Posted by PeterPachal on 3 September, 2009
This item was filled under [ Technology ]
Ever since HD DVD lost the HD-disc format war, we knew this day would come. Toshiba, co-developer of the HD DVD format, is now offering up its first Blu-ray player, the BDX2000.
So why should you buy a player that was probably made by some pretty reluctant engineers? One reason: At $250, it’s reasonably cheap as Blu-ray players go. Sure you can find players less expensive on Amazon, but remember that’s list price — retail will probably be even less. It’s almost like Toshiba said, “Don’t like our format? Fine, we’ll undercut your profits with a cheapo model. Take that, Boo-ray!”
Feature-wise, it’s pretty standard, with 1080p output, BD-Live and BonusView (Profile 2.0), and support of 24Hz playback. It’ll be out in November. My HD DVD set of The Sopranos Season 6 just shed a tear.
iPhone dock/alarm clock (almost) has it all
Posted by CharlieWhite on 3 September, 2009
This item was filled under [ Technology ]
Sony’s ICF-CL75iP Dream Machine is a nightstand entertainment center that might bring you more media than you want your bedroom. The $150 iPod/iPhone dock has a gigabyte of built-in memory for your favorite music or video files to play back on its 7-inch 800×480 LCD, and if that dock gets in the way, it retracts into the unit’s base.
Its clock radio wakes you up to AM-FM music, iPod/iPhone tunes, nature sounds, or a 10-second voice recording of your choice. If you want to watch a video in your bedroom, its 7-inch screen displays MP4, M-JPEG, and AVI movies, and doubles as a digital picture frame displaying pics from your iPod, iPhone, or USB-accessible internal memory.
If you like to sleep in total darkness, we’re thinking this relatively big screen is going to light up the night too much for your taste, even when dimmed down. Nevertheless, while this isn’t Sony’s fanciest iPod dock, it’s one fine-looking clock radio. Too bad there’s no ceiling-projected time and temperature. Oh well, you can’t have everything.
Sony Insider, via Ubergizmo
It’s not too late to cook outside
Posted by AdamFrucci on 3 September, 2009
This item was filled under [ Technology ]
The season for cooking outside is winding down as summer ends in much of the country, but that doesn’t mean it’s too late to make some haute cuisine with the sun shining down on you. The Bongos Pro is a super slick outdoor kitchen setup, equipped with a sink, cutting board, spray tap, two interchangeable cook tops and a trivalent refrigerator. The two compartments on either side hold propane and storage shelves.
Of course, for prices that range from $6,796 to $8,572, you could probably have a real kitchen installed outside on your lawn. But would it look as sexy as this?
Living with Style via BornRich
Filling an air horn with butane makes a mini-flamethrower
Posted by AdamFrucci on 3 September, 2009
This item was filled under [ Technology ]
There are good ideas, and there are bad ideas. Filling an air horn with butane to turn it into a flame thrower? That’s an extreme example of one of those things, but I can’t decide which.
The best part of this video is the fact that the air horn still makes the standard sound when it’s spewing out fire. Although I do wish it shot the fire a bit farther. I guess that’s one for the next version, if this guy lives long enough to make a second version.
(newsletter) Soda Can Chain Mail, One-Ingredient Ice Cream, Cardboard Kayak…
Posted by fungus amungus on 3 September, 2009
This item was filled under [ Technology ]
Moonbell turns the lunar surface into 3D record player
Posted by Leslie Shapiro on 3 September, 2009
This item was filled under [ Technology ]
What use do most of us have with satellite data from the moon? We turn it into music, of course.
Moonbell is a free program that takes the topographic data of the moon and uses the geographical ups and downs to create music. The data is taken from a Japanese satellite orbiting the moon using a laser to map out the topography — the same satellite that’s generating the images for Google Moon. The program turns the elevation profile of the orbit into a frequency plot. You can track a straight orbit, or just trace a line across the lunar surface to create your own astronomic masterpiece in the Free Scratch mode.
It’s not just a monophonic melody; the harmonies are created by evaluating the area right around the track, and the bass line looks at a wider area around the orbital line.
Who knew the man in the moon was a musician?
Last chance to enter the Small Car Draw – online date extended
Posted by ReikiAnge on 3 September, 2009
This item was filled under [ Featured ]
It seems that the last date to purchase tickets online has been extended until Friday 4 September 2009 – that’s tomorrow! So please, take this opportunity to buy yourself the chance to win this small car.
Thank you very much to those that have already bought tickets – and good luck, let us know if [...]
Harmony 700 remote control: a cheaper One?
Posted by PeterPachal on 3 September, 2009
This item was filled under [ Technology ]
If you’ve been eyeing the Harmony One or 900 remote controls but think they might be a little out of your price range, the Harmony 700 could be what you’re looking for. It’s pretty much the simplified One with no touchscreen, able to control up to six components from one remote.
Of course, the big benefit is Harmony’s online setup, which boils down all your button pushing across several remotes to just hitting “Watch Some TV.” The color LCD on the remote can display channel icons and the like, and rechargeable AA batteries are included.
The 700 lists for $150, but expect some serious price-slashing at retail since that’s not much less than a brand-new One, currently selling for $180 at Best Buy.
Logitech drops two new Squeezebox Wi-Fi players: Touch and Radio
Posted by PeterPachal on 3 September, 2009
This item was filled under [ Technology ]
Today Logitech unveils two additions to its Squeezebox line of digital music players that can stream music from your home network: the Touch (left) and Radio (right). The Touch is a small tabletop unit that connects to your stereo, letting you play all your digital tunes — plus stream audio directly from services like Pandora and Sirius — via Wi-Fi (b/g/n). There’s also a USB port and SD card slot should you ever need to fall back on the ol’ sneakernet (it also does other tricks; see the comments below). As you’d expect, the Touch’s 4.3-inch display is a touchscreen, sporting full-color menus. It’ll cost $300.
The Squeezebox Radio, a standalone player with an integrated speaker, costs $200. It does pretty much the same thing as the Touch, just without the touchscreen or USB and SD ports. It also supports social networking, letting you browse music recommendations from friends on Facebook or Twitter, a feature oddly absent on the Touch.
I’m getting a little underwhelmed by the Squeezebox line. The Touch looks like a pricey refresh of the core model, while the Radio’s essentially the Boom with a better display. Without video support, the pricing makes me feel a little short-changed by these media receivers. Anybody with me?
Google celebrates birthday of Japan’s most famous robot cat
Posted by Adario Strange on 3 September, 2009
This item was filled under [ Technology ]
Google Japan has once again shown off its penchant for whimsy by celebrating the birthday of Japan’s number one robot cat Doraemon. In the original manga series the robot’s birthday is listed as September 3, 2112, a year in which, if technology continues at its current pace, we’ll probably have robot-cats even more advanced than the trans-dimensional Doraemon.
Arriving from the future to help out a descendant of its human master, Doraemon uses a “yojigen-pocket,” or 4-dimensional pocket, as well as a number of sci-fi gadgets that transform matter and bend time to assist it during its adventures. The next major Doraemon release is Doraemon the Movie: Nobita’s Great Battle of the Mermaid King. You can get your fix of almost-real robot-cat action courtesy of Bandai’s Doraemon robot for just 31,500 ($339) here.
Via Google Japan
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