Hasta La Gadget!

Researchers at Harvard University’s Center For Brain Science have successful manipulated nematode C. elegans worms by genetically modifying a select few of their 302 neurons. Not to be confused with magnetically controlled invertebrate, these creepy-crawlies are controlled by the CoLBeRT system (a nod to the comedian but no other relation), controlling locomotion and behavior in real time. The scientists can manipulate movement of the worms, induce paralysis, and even cause them to lay eggs all by shining a laser that turns on and off the modified cells at will. The laser hits the worm and causes it to react as if it were being touched. According to the researchers, the reaction is similar to when light is shined in a human eye — the protein found in the worm and eyes are sensitive to different variations of rays and will respond based on the color shined. Peep past the break for some squiggly mind- er, light-controlled action.

Continue reading Harvard University controls worm with laser, we wait for choreographed dance moves (video)

Harvard University controls worm with laser, we wait for choreographed dance moves (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 18 Jan 2011 09:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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There are three kinds of RSS reader in for the iPad. The first mimics desktop readers and can be powerful (NewsRack) or abandon-ware (NetNewsWire). The second uses RSS, but keeps it a secret (Flipboard). The third category comprises apps which exploit the touch capabilities of the iPad, of which probably the best example is Reeder.

ReadPad is in this last category, and is the only one I haven’t deleted after a day (for the record, Reeder is the RSS app I use daily). Like most RSS readers, it syncs with Google Reader, making it easy to try out (just sign in with your Google ID). ReadPad’s publicity blurb says that it is “beautiful,” “download[s] articles like a wind” (sic), and that reading on it is a joy.

And that’s mostly true. After an initial sync, subsequent updates are fast. Reeder-fast, in fact (and Reeder is just about the quickest reader I have used). With both already synced, a new refresh took 20-seconds for ReadPad, and 26-seconds for Reeder.

“Beautiful” is always a subjective judgement, but as I’m a sucker for simple, elegant interfaces I’ll agree with the developer, George, on this one too. The interface is dark-on-light, reversing to light-on-dark for the article view. When in held horizontally, the source-list is on the left. Tap a title to see all the articles in that “folder”, and tap the circle next to the title to expand that folder and see the feed titles within.

Then just tap a title to read that article. You can scroll to the next post in a list by pulling the current article up, and the new one then snaps in from below (just like in Reeder). To see the articles list again, swipe the main page either left or right to reveal the list beneath.

Sharing options are many. You get Instapaper, Twitter,Facebook, Delicious, Pinboard, Read It Later. Tumblr, Google Reader (of course) and email. Only those that you have configured show up, keeping the menu free from clutter (unless you use them all, of course, in which case you’re on your own).

The speed and ease of reading actually makes the interface disappear, and I find myself liking this almost as much as Reeder. In fact, if ReadPad had come along first, it would probably be my daily RSS client. As it is, I am too used to the utility of Reeder’s big thumbnail/icon view to change now, but you never know.

As it stands, this is a very strong (and so far very stable) v1.0 release, and the only way to pick between it and Reeder is to try them. Both are competent and full-featured. Your taste will decide. $5.

ReadPad product page [iTunes]

ReadPad product page [geeTouch]

See Also:

• App Review: Reeder May Be the Best iPad RSS Reader Yet
• 10 Stellar iPad Apps That Will Blow You Away
• Hands-On: Flipboard Turns Your iPad into a Personalized Magazine …

JVC’s new in-dash GPS navigation systems won’t whisper soothing reassurances in your ear when traffic gets bad, but they can offer some easy listening (if you’re into that sort of thing) for your daily commute. The KW-NT50HDT and KW-NT30HD, which JVC debuted at CES 2011, sport 6.1-inch displays and come equipped with HD radio and iPhone connectivity via USB. Using ClearChannel’s iheartradio app, you can view song and artist information and scan channels from either the navigation device or the iPhone. The NT50HDT also comes with a free lifetime subscription to the Total Traffic HD+ Network, which provides data like traffic reports, news, and weather information. Both devices come equipped with WAAS navigation, map coverage of all 50 US states, as well as Canada and Puerto Rico, and voice guidance in English, French, and Spanish. The musically inclined navigators hit the market in March, with the NT30HD running $1,000 and the NT50HDT coming in at $1,200.

JVC KW-NT30HD / 50HDT navigation systems offer iPhone-controlled HD radio originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 18 Jan 2011 08:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Don’t blink: You might miss it. So fast is the popping of a photoflash bulb that even when shot at a stunning 1052 frames-per-second, it is all over in a short moment.

This hypnotic video was shot with the Phantom camera by VFX supervisor and filmmaker Frazer Churchill (VFX boss on Scott Pilgrim Vs The World). The Phantom is capable of shooting at amazing speeds at high definition, up to one million fps, but the real magic lies in slowing down the normally invisible to speeds our eyes can cope with. And this bursting flash is certainly magic. I like it so much I put the embedded video on loop so you can watch it over and over. You’re welcome.

Slow Burn [Frazer Churchill / Vimeo via Maria Popova]

See Also:

• New Camera Grabs a Million Images Per Second
• High-Speed Cameras Reveal the World Inside Time
• Casio Unveils High-Speed Compact Camera With 10x Zoom Lens …
• Super Slow-Motion Camera Catches a Wave

The iPad StudioDock from Alesis is a protective case that lets musicians hook up pretty much everything they might need to the stage-friendly tablet: microphones, PA speakers, MIDI controllers and monitors or projectors. In short, it pretty much replaces a computer for performers.

These days, even a busker in the street is likely to have a computer as part of their setup, but a laptop isn’t great for the task: the battery-life sucks, the interface requires a fiddly trackpad or a keyboard, and it is both delicate (don’t spill your beer!) and bulky. An iPad, on the other hand, has a stoned-guitarist-friendly touch-interface and now, thanks to the Studio Dock, can do almost as much as the ubiquitous MacBook.

As well as working with most MIDI apps in the App Store, the dock will work with most peripherals. You get two quarter-inch XLR sockets, phantom power, a guitar input, a pair of quarter-inch jack outputs, headphone jack, RCA composite (for video), plus MIDI in and out, USB MIDI and finally, a jack for a foot-switch.

The only things not known are the price, or when you can buy it. I imagine this is going to have a lot of musicians very excited. This could make the iPad the Atari ST of the ‘tens.

StudioDock [Alesis via Mac Stories]

See Also:

• Bluetooth Sheet Music Turner Could Help Readers With Disabilities …
• Gallery: Best New Gear for Musicians, Fans
• iDJ Live Could Unleash Your Inner Mixmaster
• Let There Be Rock: Digital Guitar Better Than The Real Thing …
• M-Audio Refreshes MIDI Controller Line