Hasta La Gadget!

Imagine a future where smartphones and tablets have awesome battery life without the addition of a larger, and bulkier battery. Well, it looks like we’re moving one step towards that dream. The researchers at Georgia Tech recently revealed a triboelectric generator that creates energy when specific plastic materials rub against one another.

While I won’t go into the technical details (you can check out GT’s website for them), this technology can be implemented into touchscreens since there are transparent plastics that can be used to create triboelectric generators. This means that every time you use the touchscreen on your tablet/smartphone, you can generate electricity which can be used to power it – which means your device’s battery can be used for powering other internals (as we all know, displays are usually the biggest cause of battery drain).

No word on when we’ll see this technology being used in consumer electronics but we can’t wait.

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There are many uses for QR code, and here we are with a rather unique example – that is, a QR code used in the Man of Steel comic. What you see on the right is the clearest official image to date of the entire Superman costume as it will debut in Man of Steel. You will need to rely on the BrowsAR augmented reality app on your device which runs on either the iOS or Android operating system. While it might take some time to load up, the end result would be having you get a full view of the real Superman, where the no longer wears the traditional trunks.

Other than that, everything else is as expected – the signature red boots, red cape as well as the all time favorite “S” emblem on his chest. what other ways are there to make use of a QR code in collector’s items like comic books? Do you like the way advertising is done with the use of QR codes now in popular media?

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The Nexus Q was announced back two weeks ago at Google I/O  and if you were an attendee you got one for free yourself. Although the device looks pretty cool, it doesn’t have much functionality out of the box. You’re pretty much limited to Google Play and Youtube content when it comes what you’re able to stream to your TV or speakers. KornyOne, a member over at the XDA Developer Forums, has developed a hack which helps extend the functionality of your Nexus Q to much more than streaming music and youtube videos.

(more…)

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While trying to outrun the last defender and make it to the goal, a seasoned soccer player knows that lighter feet will make the difference on whether  you beat the defender or not. As time has gone on, competing soccer companies have sought to create the lightest pairs of shoes. Nike has just unveiled its latest pair of light kicks, the GS Football boot.

Nike has also put a lot of time and effort into making the shoes out of renewable materials. One of the main materials credited to the lighter design was Pebax Renu, which is made out of 97% of castor beans. They were able to reduce the weight of the cleat’s sturdy bottom plate by nearly 15%. A size 9 Nike GS boot weighs in at 160 grams(5.6 ounces) which is a little more than an ounce less than the next lightest cleats(the CTR360 Maestri II FG which weigh 6.7 ounces).

Kudos to Nike for creating a cleat out of mostly reusable materials while also making it their lightest boot. The GS Football Boots will be available for $300 starting in August. Would you be willing to shell out that much money for a pair of light cleats? Let us know in the comments section below.

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Microsoft has announced that it will acquire Perceptive Pixel, a company specializing in research, development, and production of multi-touch interfaces. In case you’re new to Perceptive Pixel, the company was founded in 2006 by research scientist Jeff Han. Han is one of the main pioneers of multi-touch sensing technology. “By joining Microsoft, we will be able to take advantage of the tremendous momentum of the Microsoft Office Division, tightly interoperate with its products, and deliver this technology to a very broad set of customers,” Han said.

The company shipped its first multi-touch workstation and large wall solutions in early 2007. One year later, Perceptive Pixel’s technology received recognition for transforming the way CNN and other broadcasters covered the 2008 U.S. presidential elections. “The acquisition of PPI allows us to draw on our complementary strengths, and we’re excited to accelerate this market evolution,” said Kurt DelBene, president, Office Division for Microsoft. “PPI’s large touch displays, when combined with hardware from our OEMs, will become powerful Windows 8-based PCs and open new possibilities for productivity and collaboration.” Details of the deal were not disclosed.

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