CIA adds social media functions that nobody asked for to its website

The CIA just revamped its website — that’s right guys — the CIA has a website. Now you may not spend a ton of time trolling the government’s various portals of information but the new and improved CIA website is a veritable treasure trove of data. The CIA isn’t immune to the world around it, either, and its refreshed design brings with it a YouTube channel, a Flickr stream (we culled the photo you see above from there), as well as Quick Links for sharing on various social media sites. Now, we can’t embed the best video we found on the CIA’s YouTube channel (they’re not that social yet) but it’s called “CIA Overview,” and is surely worth your time. There’s a press release after the break.

Continue reading CIA adds social media functions that nobody asked for to its website

CIA adds social media functions that nobody asked for to its website originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 09 Feb 2011 22:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Every Trackpad Should Look as Good as HP’s Invisible Wonders [Computers]

HP’s new g6 budget notebook line is wholly unremarkable—almost. The econo-laptops have one thing going for them, but it’s pretty stellar—a completely seamless, invisible trackpad. Our only question is, why is this awesome feature stuck in cheap-o land? More »

Kyocera’s Double-Headed Echo Phone Is Mutant Without the Super [Video]

The Kyocera Echo is the strangest phone I’ve ever seen. Inside, it’s just mundane—but on the outside, it’s a batshit bizarre, morphing, dual screen stab at DS form with iPad function. It fails at both. It’s freakishly bad. More »

The HP TouchSmart Computer Designed After a Scorpion’s Tail [Design]

Crafting a new computer is tough. Everyone loves touch—fingers are winning interfaces. But pawing an upright monitor is physically tiring. So? HP’s design team cleverly brought the monitor down to you. And we’ve got their concept sketches. More »

This Is the New Gizmodo [Video]

Take a look around. This is the new Gizmodo. More »

Solar Wind bridge concept could power 15,000 homes, grow vegetables

Why just use solar power or wind power when you can use both? Designed by Francesco Colarossi, Giovanna Saracino and Luisa Saracino as part of an Italian design contest to re-imagine a decommissioned bridge (for which it placed second), this so-called Solar Wind concept would have solar cells embedded in the roadway (an idea that’s already catching on) and an array of 26 wind turbines underneath, which the designers say could produce enough energy combined to power 15,000 homes. To make the design greener still, the designers have even included a “green promenade” that would run alongside the road, which they suggest could be used to grow fruits and vegetables that’d then be sold to folks driving by. Incidentally, while it’s less focused on technology, the design that placed first in the contest (a so-called “vertical village”) is pretty impressive in its own right — check it out after the break.

Continue reading Solar Wind bridge concept could power 15,000 homes, grow vegetables

Solar Wind bridge concept could power 15,000 homes, grow vegetables originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 Feb 2011 01:48:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Inhabitat’s Week in Green: solar pyramids in UAE, Tequila turns to biofuel, and green lamps galore

Each week our friends at Inhabitat recap the week’s most interesting green developments and clean tech news for us — it’s the Week in Green.

Alternative energy projects powered up around the globe this week as Inhabitat showcased a series of solar pyramids designed to energize Abu Dhabi and the Netherlands rolled out plans for a bike path paved with photovoltaics. Meanwhile India announced that it will launch a series of solar-powered cellphone towers this year, and a 19-year-old American teenager created a parabolic solar death ray — and promptly proceeded to burn down his garden shed.

In other news, Tesla jolted the auto world with plans to launch its upcoming Model X in 2013, and a team of researchers from the University of Illinois discovered that the same plant that produces Tequila actually yields a pretty potent biofuel as well. We also learned that Toyota plans to power its upcoming hybrids with lighter, more powerful Lithium-Ion batteries, and we were impressed by the streamlined classic stylings of Mitsuoka’s electric Himiko car.

Finally, this week we washed away the winter blues by shedding light on 15 green lamps that bathe your interiors in energy-efficient illumination. We also shared 6 green lighting tips that will help you cut your energy bills and 5 tips for home renovations that will keep your house cozy in the worst winter weather.

Inhabitat’s Week in Green: solar pyramids in UAE, Tequila turns to biofuel, and green lamps galore originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 06 Feb 2011 22:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Scomber Mix Table is Perfect for DJs, Looks at Home in the Apple Store

Hoerboard - DJ Table

If there’s anything most DJs will tell you, it’s that finding an elegant but effective way to store their turntables can be difficult. Most tables aren’t built to withstand the weight of a pair of turntables and a mixer, or they’re not sized to fit all of your audio gear on top of the table. Well, Hoerboard’s Scomber Mix Table is designed to fit two turntables, a mixer, and a few accessories perfectly, and looks beautiful in the process.
If the Scomber Mix Table looks like a giant Apple Display or an iMac with the screen removed, it’s on purpose: the single-leg with the space cut out of it and the all white, clean design is reminiscent of an Apple product. The foot is made from laser-cut steel, and bolted to an MDF table on the top that is built to order and customized by the customer. You can even add attachments for additional gear, or a stand for your laptop. 
Best of all, the Mix Table keeps your cables hidden by running them inside the table surface and then down the leg to keep them out of sight. If you want one, be ready to spend a good chunk of change. These crafted DJ tables will set you back about $2300 USD can be ordered directly from Hoerboard.

Inhabitat’s Week in Green: the power plant you can ski, and NASA’s orbiting Nanosail-D

Each week our friends at Inhabitat recap the week’s most interesting green developments and clean tech news for us — it’s the Week in Green.

This week we saw new horizons dawn for green transportation as NASA’s Nanosail-D became the first solar sail spacecraft to orbit the earth and President Obama issued a call for one million electric vehicles in his State of the Union Address. We also test drove the recently released electric Mini Cooper and took a look at several transportation breakthroughs that could clean up car emissions – researchers have developed an air pollution-fighting road treatment and Cella Energy claims to have created an emission free gas that costs $1.50 per gallon.

In other news, this week Qatar showcased designs for 9 sustainable stadiums for the 2022 World Cup and BIG unveiled plans for a plant-wrapped waste to power plant that doubles as a ski slope. Super cities are on the rise in Asia as China announced plans to construct a mega-city the size of Switzerland and SOM unveiled a masterplan for a cutting-edge green tech city for Hanoi. On the other hand, Dubai’s architecture of excess is fading fast as a report revealed that the emirate’s world-shaped archipelago of islands is sinking into the sea.

We also showcased the latest in portable tech as we brought you a brilliant Fire Department iPhone app that stands to save lives, and we rounded up our five favorite phone-charging green gadgets. And if you’re looking for a case to carry it all in, check out these chic quilted iPad bags – just the thing to keep your kit cozy and protected during this month’s blizzards.

Inhabitat’s Week in Green: the power plant you can ski, and NASA’s orbiting Nanosail-D originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 30 Jan 2011 21:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Double USB concept ends your fear of USB plug rejection

Maybe there are greater aggravations in your life, but the symmetrical-on-the-outside, asymmetrical-on-the-inside USB connector has been a source of frustration since its introduction. To combat the problem of USB plug rejection, Ma Xi Xuan has developed the Double USB connector that works right side up or upside down thanks to twin spring-loaded plastic connectors on its interior. The design seems more robust than previous solutions we’ve seen, but sadly the switch-hitting plug is only a design exercise at this point. We can only hope that company will exercise some common sense and make these plugs a reality. Tomorrow works for us.

Double USB concept ends your fear of USB plug rejection originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 26 Jan 2011 10:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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