Jul 08

Space shuttle’s final voyage will include recycling urine into sports drink, crafting hilarious brand name

Posted in: NASA, space, Today's Chili, Travel
Just because the space shuttle Atlantis is on its final mission, that doesn’t mean NASA’s run out of cool experiments. Its latest example? A shiny silver bag — consciously inspired by the “stillsuits” from Frank Herbert’s sci-fi classic, Dune — that turns astronaut urine into potable drinking water. It’s been done, you say? Sure, but the earlier tech relied on electricity: a precious commodity aboard the International Space Station. The Forward Osmosis Bag requires no outside power source, relying on, you guessed it, forward osmosis to produce clean, filtered water. Not only that, but the resulting water mixes with a sugary solution to make a electrolyte-rich sports drink. On Earth this process takes four to six hours, but Atlantis astronauts will test its viability in space near the end of their mission. For an extensive on-planet demonstration, see the video after the break.

Continue reading Space shuttle’s final voyage will include recycling urine into sports drink, crafting hilarious brand name

Space shuttle’s final voyage will include recycling urine into sports drink, crafting hilarious brand name originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 08 Jul 2011 18:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink DVICE  |  sourceWired  | Email this | Comments

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Jun 24

Eyes Forward, Asshole! Quit Looking at My Screen

Posted in: laptop, screen, Today's Chili, top, Travel

On my flight Tuesday, the dude sitting next to me was staring at my laptop the entire time. Look, I know the middle seat sucks. And true, Gulliver’s Travels is a great flick. But knock it off! More »

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Jun 22

G-Technology’s G-Connect offers 500GB of wireless storage, portable WiFi network to smartphone, tablet users

Posted in: Android, app, AppStore, ipad, iPhone, network, portable, smartphone, stream, streaming, tablet, Today's Chili, Travel, wifi, Wireless
Hitachi’s G-Technology unit has already showered us with a slew of external hard drives, but it’s taking a slightly more hybridized approach with the G-Connect — a device that offers both wireless storage and portable WiFi access to smartphone and tablet users. Designed with nomadic content-hoarders in mind, this little rascal boasts 500GB of mobile storage, can simultaneously support more than five different devices on its 802.11n wireless network, and, when connected via Ethernet, serves as a WiFi access point. It’s also robust enough to stream up to five standard-definition movies at one time (or up to three HD flicks), and, at about 9.7 ounces, it won’t add too much weight to your quiver of gadgets, either. If you’re worried about security, you can surround the network with a password-protected fortress, or store some of your less mentionable content in your very own private folder. iOS users can further enhance their G-experience by downloading the accompanying app, which will allow them to view and access all of their G-stored documents and media from the comfort of their iDevices (an equivalent app for the Android crowd will launch this fall). If you’re interested, you can pre-order the G-Connect from G-Technology’s website for $200, or wait until it hits retailers next month. Full PR after the break.

Gallery: G-Technology G-Connect

Continue reading G-Technology’s G-Connect offers 500GB of wireless storage, portable WiFi network to smartphone, tablet users

G-Technology’s G-Connect offers 500GB of wireless storage, portable WiFi network to smartphone, tablet users originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Jun 2011 08:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jun 15

Shenzhen mobile phone market: going deeper inside Huaqiangbei

Posted in: cellphone, Features, kirf, market, mobile phone, MobilePhone, phone, smartphone, tablet, Today's Chili, Travel, video

It’s safe to say that most of our readers are accustomed to phone shops that are well lit, fairly spacious, and not peppered with KIRF products. But if you’re feeling adventurous and want to take a dip in the deep end of the pool, then Shenzhen’s Huaqiangbei district should satisfy your strange curiosity. As we’ve shown you in our previous trip, our gadget paradise covers an extensive range of products, including phones, computers, cameras, all the way down to circuitry components like LEDs, chips, and resistors. Our latest discovery, however, is an entire building dedicated to mostly mobile phone products. Read on to find out what this madness is all about — a video tour awaits after the break.

Gallery: Shenzhen mobile phone market: going deeper inside Huaqiangbei

Continue reading Shenzhen mobile phone market: going deeper inside Huaqiangbei

Shenzhen mobile phone market: going deeper inside Huaqiangbei originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Jun 2011 14:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jun 14

Airbus’ plane of the future will harvest energy from passengers, earn Agent Smith’s approval (video)

Posted in: augmented reality, AugmentedReality, concept, Today's Chili, Travel, video

Airbus has been consulting its crystal ball recently and its findings have now been shared with the world in the shape of a new concept plane. Looking entirely detached from the economic and physical realities we know today, this futuristic people carrier includes auto-morphing seats that adjust to your size and shape and also harvest excess heat you produce. How is this achieved? Smart materials is all we’re told, leaving us to use our imagination to fill in the gaping blanks. Eschewing the usual class system, this Airbus concept instead offers three functionally distinct areas: a Smart Tech Zone at the back is the closest to what we’re used to today, an Interaction Zone in the middle uses holograms to help you relax or conduct some mission-critical meetings in flight, and a Vitalising Zone up front is where more “bio-morphing” seats will provide you with massage or acupuncture treatments. The ceiling in that front part of the plane can also be turned transparent, letting you soak up the panorama (and get a good tan while you’re at it). You can see and hear more about it in the videos after the break.

Continue reading Airbus’ plane of the future will harvest energy from passengers, earn Agent Smith’s approval (video)

Airbus’ plane of the future will harvest energy from passengers, earn Agent Smith’s approval (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Jun 2011 03:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Aol Travel  |  sourceThe Daily Telegraph, Airbus  | Email this | Comments

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Jun 08

IATA’s Checkpoint of the Future uses biometric IDs to separate do-gooders from terrorists (video)

Posted in: prototype, security, Today's Chili, Travel, video
This, ladies and gentlemen, could be your Checkpoint of the Future — a new airport security prototype that promises to move away “from a system that looks for bad objects, to one that can find bad people.” Unveiled at the IATA’s annual conference in Singapore yesterday, the setup is comprised of three, 20-foot long detectors — one for “known travelers,” one for high-risk flyers, and one for everyone else. Instead of funneling passengers through the same checkpoint, then, the prototype would use eye scanners and biometric chips to verify their identities and analyze their personal history, before dividing them into groups. People who complete and pass government background checks would waltz through the fast pass lane with their carry-on luggage in tow, whereas those deemed particularly risky would have to undergo a more intensive, full-body scan within the “Enhanced” security lane. The rest of us, meanwhile, would be directed to the “Normal” detector, which would automatically scan us for liquids, metals and everything that is evil. The IATA says this risk-based approach would reduce security lines and lower airport costs, but it would still require governments to share data on their own citizens, which could pose a major hurdle to widespread adoption. For now, the IATA and governmental agencies are still hammering away at the details and have yet to announce a pilot program, but you can check out an audio-less demo video of the prototype, after the break.

Continue reading IATA’s Checkpoint of the Future uses biometric IDs to separate do-gooders from terrorists (video)

IATA’s Checkpoint of the Future uses biometric IDs to separate do-gooders from terrorists (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 08 Jun 2011 09:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jun 07

Europe’s first solar powered train tunnel goes live on Belgian high-speed line (video)

Posted in: Environment, europe, green, solar, solar power, SolarPower, Today's Chili, Travel, video

The train ride from Paris to Amsterdam may not be the most scenic of European railway routes, but it’s the only one capable of harnessing the awesome power of the Sun — for two miles, at least. Yesterday, engineers in Belgium officially switched on Europe’s first solar-powered train tunnel, spanning a 2.1-mile stretch of the rail line connecting the City of Lights to Mokum. The installation’s 16,000 solar panels will be used to provide 50 percent of the energy needed to power nearby Antwerp Central Station and to provide extra juice for both high-speed and traditional trains. Originally developed to help protect travelers from falling trees in an ancient forest, the project is expected to produce up to 3.3MWh 3,300 megawatts hours per year, while decreasing annual CO2 emissions by about 2,400 tons. Speed past the break for some aerial footage of the artery, along with a brief PR from Enfinity — the Belgian renewable energy company that helped bring it to life.

Update: According to the AFP, the tunnel will produce 3,300 megawatts hours per year.

Continue reading Europe’s first solar powered train tunnel goes live on Belgian high-speed line (video)

Europe’s first solar powered train tunnel goes live on Belgian high-speed line (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 07 Jun 2011 17:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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May 30

Google flight schedule search takes off, helps you figure out when to get aboard

Posted in: Google, schedule, search, Today's Chili, Transportation, Travel
Been wishing you could find flight information the same way you would for a bus or train? Now you’re covered with the new flight schedule search feature Google launched last week. By simply typing “flights from / to” a destination in the search bar, it displays specific flight routes or all routes from a particular airport, all of the airlines serving the locales along with flight numbers, and travel dates / times. The ITA travel search software which the DOJ finally allowed Google to purchase last month isn’t powering the feature, although Google stated on its blog that the flight schedule search is a “small step” in an overall effort to make finding flight information simpler. The service supports ten languages, and you’ll find more info by hitting the source link below. Now if only it could tell us whether our flight has WiFi…

Google flight schedule search takes off, helps you figure out when to get aboard originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 30 May 2011 04:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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May 03

Vodafone lets Londoners pay for taxis via text message, charge their phones in transit

Posted in: BlackBerry, charger, iPhone, london, money, smartphone, Today's Chili, Travel, uk, vodafone

Mobile payment systems may be gaining only gradual steam in the US, but over on the other side of the pond, Vodafone UK has launched a broad new campaign to integrate smartphone technology where Londoners may need it most — in the back of taxis. As of today, many cab passengers will be able to charge their smartphones in transit, thanks to a wide range of chargers that the mobile carrier has installed in more than 500 of London’s iconic black vehicles. Vodafone is also rolling out a new payment scheme today, whereby cash-strapped travelers can text their cab’s license number to a specific code, allowing any owed fares to be charged directly to their phone bills. The system certainly doesn’t sound as elegant as some of the NFC-based operations we’ve heard about, but it still beats having to navigate your cab driver to the nearest ATM, with the meter tick-tocking away.

Vodafone lets Londoners pay for taxis via text message, charge their phones in transit originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 May 2011 06:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceThe Guardian  | Email this | Comments

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Apr 29

Futuristic Pod Carriage Would Make a Royal Wedding Worth Checking Out

Posted in: concept, Miscellaneous, Today's Chili, Travel

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Royal Wedding Carriage Concept


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There was a royal wedding today? You don’t say!

I’m not too much for pomp, circumstance, or royalty, but if the princely couple came out in this carriage, I think I might actually care (a little).

Reza Esmaeeli, a London-based designer and architect, sought to throw out the traditional, old-fashioned carriage the royal couple rode in and imagined something significantly more awesome: an avante-garde pod of glass marbled with white glass-reinforced plastic.

From the overhead view, it looks a bit like a tadpole with wings. The designer describes the carriage as “like a shining bird, a super-fictional transparent globe with a ceremonial tail.”

As far as transportation goes, Esmaeeli envisions it with a light engine onboard. I envision it with a pair of twin turbo jet packs.

It doesn’t look like the royal family will adopt a design like this any time in the foreseeable future, but it’s fun to pretend anyway.

Royal Wedding Carriage [Reza Esmaeeli via Arch Daily]

Images Courtesy of Reza Esmaeeli


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