Dec 19
This week the most powerful camera phone on the planet – so to speak – has recieved a software update from Microsoft. The Nokia Lumia 1020 with its beastly back-facing … Continue reading
Dec 19
In 1968, model Vicki Dunlap was featured in newspapers around the country as the face of the future. But that stylish makeup of tomorrow wasn’t just for show. It was to protect from L.A.’s smog-filled air.
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Dec 19
SwiftKey’s spreading a little Christmas cheer today, having updated its popular keyboard app for Android with a festive “Ice” theme. In addition to looking generally chilly, the theme frames letter pop-ups in snowflakes and generates snowy residue …
Dec 19
As Michael Bloomberg’s reign comes to a close, our mayor/billionaire underwriter is talking up his next move, which involves teaching other cities to be more like New York. But behind the scenes, he’s also scrambling to push through dozens of building projects that will define his legacy.
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Dec 19
Finally, a much cooler way to store your rubber band collection.
(Credit: Alex Shpetniy)
I had a rubber band gun when I was a kid. It was made from a scrap of wood and had all the shooting accuracy of a blueberry pancake. Nonetheless, it came in handy for the local kid-wars. If only I had access to the Rubber Band Machine Gun, I would have ruled the neighborhood.
The elastic-flinging device has already shot past its $5,000 funding goal on Kickstarter. Rubber-band Gatling guns have been created before, but the Kickstarter project creator has refined the concept and brought the price down to the $100 level.
The gun is built from birch plywood cut with a CNC machine. A small motor running on five AA batteries rotates the barrel when you pull the trigger. It propels bands up to 26 feet, releasing 14 per second.
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Normally, it would take a lot of time to load 672 rubber bands on… [Read more]
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Dec 19
This week the roll-out to the 2013 line of DROID devices begins with the DROID Ultra, the DROID Maxx, and the DROID Mini. Believe it or not, Motorola appears to … Continue reading
Dec 19
Nokia likes to bundle Microsoft’s Windows Phone updates with a set of its own improvements specific to the Lumia line, and the latest such version — known as the Black update — is finally making its way to the Lumia 1020 on AT&T. In addition to the …
Dec 19
Synergistic growth translates into one technology being able to complement the advances in another. The same principle can be applied to the recent innovations in ink making. Its technology is deeply integrated in electronic devices and systems, improving them as a result.
Behind these innovations is nanotechnology, which involves the use of small-sized membranes, tubes, and components that can be used for a variety of purposes. Currently, its use has been popularized within the healthcare and electronics industry. Nanotubes ensure that minute quantities can be delivered at the designated place, in a highly specific manner.
A recent innovation by Linde Electronics involves using carbon nanotube inks to generate new display technologies. These nanotubes provide an ideal use for ink making and printing because of their size (their diameter is just 1/10,000 of the diameter of human hair) and physical properties (they have a high stress resistance when it comes to heat and mechanical pressure).
The ink industry is also making progress with the advent of organic electronics. For example, ink-based tags for biomedical implants has led to the development of thermochromic displays which uses conductive wires to make patterns.
Aside from these, InkTechnologies.com brings another model to the table that uses an online platform to promote the usage of diverse ink and printing technologies. This is an example of R&D moving so fast that it has basically created an online exchange for ink-savvy and eco-conscious consumers.
Nanotechnology is still in its nascent phases, so the progress that has been achieved up until this point is just in its primer stage. Consider dye development through nanotechnology. If you think about it, numerous industries now need markers or fluorescent dyes for various applications.
Electro-wetting is another ongoing innovation which is massive because it would give e-paper the feel of classic ink on paper. Such displays have the advantage of being brighter than LCDs while consuming less power. Imagine how this can change e-readers
How ink technology will develop further – and the new tech it will spawn – is definitely something to watch out for.
[via LCN]
Dec 19
There were a series of delightful sounds that our computers used to make when they had to connect to dial-up. While it would take some time to decipher it into the English language (“Skreeeeeeeech-bee-duummmmm.”), just about anyone can hear it and know what it is. For some, this was a nightmarish experience, and was something to avoid having to listen to at all costs.
On the other hand, there are those who saw this as a musical delight. Such perplexing tones and pitches could likely make some beautiful music, and with the Music Modem, you’ll be able to experiment. This is a synth instrument that will allow you to use these ancient sounds as part of your tunes. There are three modes, which consist of classic modem, newer modem, or music sound bank. The first two of these options will give you 8 different modem sounds that have a various ‘note’.
The other will give you 5 sets of tones that are in a standard 8-note scale. There is a AUX in and out, an on and off switch, and it only needs 3 AA batteries to function. While I don’t think that $30 is too high of an asking price for this ‘instrument’, I will say that you likely won’t want to buy it unless you want to use it for music or just to annoy people. It certainly is a novelty item, and would likely end up being another dust collector on the shelf after a week.
Available for purchase on ThinkGeek
[ The Music Modem will smack you in the face with nostalgia copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]
Dec 19
If you’re hosting a holiday themed gathering of some kind this year, there’s a chance you’re going to play Netflix’s "Fireplace For Your Home" on your television in the background. Why will you do this? It’s hopelessly tacky. And yet, it will feel totally right; a bit like eating fruitcake and decorating with poinsettias. But who the hell makes these videos in the first place?
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