Jul 02
Jul 02
The search engine wars are many things: one-sided, enduring, non-violent. But like all good immutable conflicts, they can also be catty.
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Jul 02
Jul 02
Have you heard of FACTOR Bikes before? If you haven’t, perhaps it is time you did. FACTOR Bikes happen to be part of a visionary firm that revolutionized the aerospace industry, Formula 1 racing in addition to playing a part in shaping some of the most advanced supercars in the world. Well, this time around, they intend to take things at a slightly slower pace, by delivering the highly anticipated Vis Vires bicycle. The Vis Vires will come with electronics incorporated from the ground up, where all data will be captured in a manner that is not seen before thanks to a complete, accurate and fully integrated system that comprises of high-end monitoring devices.
In their quest for perfection with the Vis Vires, it requires flexible and reliable technology, which is why FACTOR decided to use ANT+ as their wireless sensor technology. This move would also ensure that in the blink of an eye, it would make the Vis Vires compatible with the millions of ANT+ devices that happen to dominate the cycling market today. There will be a couple of models on sale, with the Vis Vires Ultegra Di2 burning a £7,999/$10,441 hole in your pocket as it arrives with Factor Power Cranks, while those who are on a tighter budget, you can settle for the Ultegra cranks at £5,999/$7,830 a pop. As for the other model, it would arrive in the form of the Vis Vires Dura-Ace Di2, where you have to fork out top dollar for it – to the tune of £9,999/$13,051, to be exact. Those who have placed their faith in the Dura-Ace model will be able to ride on this coming August, while those who want the Ultegra model, it will only be available in January 2014.
The Vis Vires is able to capture data accurately, efficiently and easily, thanks to a full system of ANT+ compatible electronics that has been incorporated seamlessly into the bike frame. Your cycling sessions will never be the same again, this I promise you, and so too, will your bank account be a whole lot poorer.
Press Release
[ Vis Vires bicycle is unlike any other you have seen before copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]
Jul 02
Some people are born with the gift of gab, while others are simply lacking in it. For the latter group, there’s something called the “My Automated Conversation Coach” system that can help them out a lot in this department.
Called MACH for short, it’s basically a system that was created to help socially awkward people with their conversation skills.
How? By providing these people with a virtual human to talk to. The system lets the user interact with the three-dimensional character in a variety of situations. It monitors these interactions using facial and speech analysis software to allow the user to evaluate his or her progress afterwards.
MACH’s creator, M. Ehsan Hoque, did a study with 90 MIT undergraduates to test the effectiveness of the system. These students were shown to have improved social interaction performance after using the system. On his website, Hoque explains: “We are currently expanding this technology to open up new possibilities in behavioral health (e.g., treating people with Asperger syndrome, social phobia, PTSD).”
Jul 02
Microsoft and Nokia launch Music Mix Party, let friends share a streaming Xbox playlist (video)
Posted in: Today's Chili
We’ve seen a few attempts at shared audio streaming, but many of these depend on specialized apps or hardware. Microsoft and Nokia could clear that hurdle with their newly launched Nokia Music Mix Party, which leans on what many of us have at home. Xbox 360 owners with an Xbox Live Gold subscription just have to visit a website that starts an artist-based streaming playlist with a custom QR code; after that, anyone in the room with a mobile device can scan the code and vote on which songs should play next. The service is free to use during July, although we don’t yet know if and how pricing will change afterward. Is Mix Party simple? You bet — but it could keep guests happy at future shindigs, even if they don’t care for our tastes in music.
Source: Nokia Music Mix Party, Exploring IE
Jul 02
Jul 02
Short Version:
The Ploom ModelTwo is a tobacco vaporizer that offers a healthier alternative to smoking traditional cigarettes, by simply heating the tobacco instead of burning it. But it’s real tobacco vapors you’re smoking, and not some synthetic alternative from a science lab. Because of this, you’re actually inhaling vapor as opposed to legit smoke, which is far healthier yet still relatively tasty.
Basics
- LED indicator light
- Inductive charging
- Anodized food-grade aluminum design
- Uses proprietary Tobacco pods
- Pocket-sized/pen-shaped
- $39.95
Pros
- Sleek, quality design
- Easy to refill with pods
- Battery lasts for five pods, which should be more than enough for the day (depending on habits)
Cons
- Looks more like a pen then an e-cig
- Hits a little hard
- Um… doesn’t accept other botanicals
Long Version:
Ploom is a startup out of San Francisco that started with a simple conversation. One future founder asked the other, “What do you hate about smoking?” to which the other responded, “what do you love about it?” With these dueling notions converging, Ploom sought out to merge the newest technology with one of the oldest traditions of our nation, smoking. The Ploom ModelTwo is the second generation of this company’s tobacco-only vaporizers.
That’s right: The first, and possibly most important thing, for you to understand about the Ploom ModelTwo is that, unlike big brother Pax, the ModelTwo does not (I repeat, does not) play nice with anything but Ploom’s proprietary tobacco pods. When it came in the mail, I made the unfortunate mistake of assuming I’d be able to smoke up at work… you know, for science.
Once I let go of the dream (read: found the Ploom Pax), needless to say I felt much better.
In terms of design, the Ploom ModelTwo is one of the snazziest tobacco vaporizers out there. It looks like one of those fancy pens your grandfather carries around to sign checks at the grocery store, and comes in both black and white. Midway down, you’ll find an LED indicator ring that keeps you abreast of the battery situation, when it’s heated up, and (you know) whether or not it’s on.
I’ve found that there are two schools of thought when it comes to smoking tobacco through a vaporizer: some people prefer for their e-cigs to look like real cigarettes, lest they be embarrassed for trying to get healthier. Others, however, prefer to smoke out of a device that looks as little like a cigarette as possible, perhaps to get the thought of cigarettes out of their mind.
The Ploom ModelTwo looks nothing like a cigarette, as I’ve stated, and is actually rather large when compared to an Njoy King or a Blu cig. However, it’s built well and feels solid in the hand.
Using the ModelTwo is quite simple. Pack it up with one of Ploom’s tiny, tobacco-filled pods, turn it on, and wait about thirty seconds before taking your first puff. The indicator light will pulse while the tobacco is heating up, and then go solid when it’s time to kick back and toke.
Loading the ModelTwo is as easy as screwing off the mouth piece, dropping in a pod, and closing her back up again. Wam, Bam, and thank you for smoking. Battery lasts through five whole pods, which should essentially get you through the day. Then, at night, slip your ModelTwo onto the inductive USB charger and drift into blissful dreams.
So, she looks good, she feels good, and she’s seemingly built well. But how does she perform?
As someone coming off of real cigarettes, the ModelTwo hits really hard at first. My lungs felt like they might explode at the slightest inhalation. Part of that has to do with the fact that the first hit is the hardest, and part of it is just because smoking tobacco through a vaporizer takes a little getting used to. If you’re switching from another vaporizer, as opposed to cigarettes, you shouldn’t notice much of a difference in the hit.
My one, and perhaps only, complaint is focused on the mouth piece. As opposed to having an opening at the very tip of the beak-shaped mouthpiece, the openings are small slits in the top and bottom. This means you really have to put your mouth all the way on that bad boy to get anything out, or else your lips will cover up the slits. This is a problem because the heating mechanism is right above the mouthpiece, and will burn you without the slightest hesitation.
It’s also slightly uncomfortable, especially when compared against the Pax (which has a hole right at the end of the mouth piece).
Still, the Ploom ModelTwo is an excellent vaporizer and a solid option for those who are looking to quit smoking, or simply upgrade to a nicer vaporizer. The little guy is available for pre-order now starting at $39.95.
Jul 02
If you’re going hiking or hunting and want your trusty dog by your side, but don’t want him to get lost, you can get one of Garmin‘s GPS-equipped dog collars that makes sure your dog doesn’t stray too far from your side. The company has outed a newer dog collar, called the DC 50, that comes with improved GPS capabilities and more ruggedness.
The DC 50 is designed to work with Garmin’s Astro 320 tracking system, and it also comes with new features such as bark detection and various training functions, as well as longer battery life and a longer, more robust antenna. The new collar is the successor to Garmin’s DC 40 and DC 30 collars, which we covered a few years ago.
The DC 50′s design was also changed to accomplish a better signal for the GPS unit. The main housing sits below the dog’s neck while a low-profile GPS antenna now sits atop the dog’s neck on the collar. This provides a better signal for GPS satellites, and in addition to GPS, the DC 50 also supports GLONASS, which is approximately 20% faster than GPS.
You can also use both GPS and GLONASS together, which will allow the collar to lock on to 24 more satellites than when just using GPS alone. As for the antenna, it’s made out of braided steel, so it’s meant to be beaten around some and still withstand the brutality. The collar comes with a 22.5-inch antenna, as well as an 18.5-inch option. The 22.5-inch antenna can reach up to nine miles on flat, clear land.
The DC 50 collar costs $229, and the collar bundled with the Astro 320 system will set you back $599. The DC 50 is expected to be available sometime later this month, so if you’ve been in the market for a GPS dog collar for your hunting trips, you may want to hold off just for a bit longer.
SOURCE: Garmin
Garmin Astro DC 50 dog collar arrives with improved GPS is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
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Jul 02
NASA Puts Robot Control in Space
Posted in: Today's Chili
A team at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration has recently completed a new test on robots. In what could be dubbed the ultimate in remote contol a team on the International Space Station has been able to control a robot on earth in real time. This test will help with future bot visits to other planets.
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