New and Emerging Technology News part 44 ~ NEW GEN TECH LIFE : new generation technology news

Saturday 25 January 2014

New and Emerging Technology News part 44

ESA's BepiColombo spacecraft
There's no air to breathe, it's 400 degrees Celsius and you are six long years away from home. Welcome to Mercury, the smallest and perhaps most mysterious planet in the Solar System. The European Space Agency (ESA) is aiming to increase our knowledge of the Sun's closest neighbor by launching its BepiColombo spacecraft to the planet Mercury in 2014. One of the key challenges faced by the mission is not just getting there, but also how to apply the brakes against the Sun’s gravitational pull when you do... and that's where QinetiQ's solar-electric ion propulsion system comes in. The company has just announced a £23m contract with EADS Astrium for the supply of its system for the BepiColombo mission.  Read More
The Aston Martin V12 Vantage Carbon Black Edition
To celebrate the success of its V12 Vantage Aston Martin has debuted a Carbon Black Edition at this year’s Geneva Auto Show. Additionally, to commemorate Dr. Ulrich Bez’s 10th year as Chief Executive of the company, a DBS UB-2010 edition was unveiled along with a new Works Service Tailored service. The new service offers customers of both new and existing Aston Martins personal tailored options focusing on customizing color and materials to customer’s personal tastes.  Read More
New technology developed at Purdue University could eliminate wires for communications in ...
In a step that could see communication wires banished from homes and offices researchers have developed a miniature device capable of converting ultra-fast laser pulses into bursts of radio-frequency signals. The advance could enable all communications, from HDTV broadcasts to secure computer connections, to be transmitted from a single base station.  Read More
Note the odds on the right hand side of the table
With the Academy Awards just days away, movie fans online are increasingly discussing the ten nominees for best picture along with the five actors and five actresses nominated in a lead role, according to Nielsen Research. Nielsen spiders, records and monitors most open-to-web blogs, forums, groups and a whole range of social media to see which subjects command share-of-voice and makes this massive database available to companies as part of its suite of research offerings – interestingly, though the betting odds available from bookmakers doesn’t quite mirror the share-of-voice, there’s clearly a high correlation.  Read More
Frank Seide and Kit Thambiratnam demonstrating a real-world use for the Transcriptor! and ...
This year's TechFest has brought together researchers from around the globe to present, experience and discuss some of the emerging technologies from Microsoft's Research wing. Highlights include a mobile version of the company's Surface platform, a voice recognition transcription system with auto-translate and a couple of projects which use the body as a computer interface.  Read More
The Joos Orange personal solar device
The Joos Orange personal solar device is an affordable, durable, and waterproof energy source that can be charged by a USB, works in low-light conditions and offers up to 20 times more energy when compared to existing personal solar devices. It delivers more than two and a half hours of cell phone talk time for every hour it has been charged and its polycarbonate case has been encapsulated in urethane ensuring that it is rugged enough to be used outside for many years. The battery can generate enough power to fully charge six standard cell phones or four smart phones and the unit is expected to retail for less than US$100.  Read More
The Spotlight, in lovely Pimp Purple. The plug-in flashlight stays charged in your car - w...
It’s a problem as old as the flashlight - or the automobile, whichever came second ... you know you should keep a flashlight in your car, but chances are that if you do, its batteries will be dead by the time you need it. This is especially likely if you live somewhere that gets cold winters, where just a few hours parked outside could send your car-flashlight’s batteries into hibernation. There’s a nifty new product, however, that addresses this problem. It called the Spotlight, and it’s a small yet heavy-duty flashlight that plugs straight into your car’s dashboard power socket, where it will stay charged constantly.  Read More
The Ultraprojector stand-alone video projector - no frills but does what it was designed t...
Over the years, we’ve profiled some pretty fancy video projectors here on Gizmag, but this one ... well, it ain’t one of them. But that's the point. The Ultraprojector has no sound, no menu or controls, and a screen resolution of just 320x240 pixels. On the plus side, though, it doesn’t need to be hooked up to a video source when projecting, it runs silently, it’s weather-resistant (not waterproof) and it’s cheap...ish.  Read More
A mussel displaying its byssus (Image courtesy Matt Harrington)
If you’ve ever gone down to the seashore and tried to pull mussels off rocks (and hey, who hasn’t?), then you’ll know how tenacious their holdfasts can be - although they can be tugged back and forth, it’s almost impossible to actually remove them. Recently, scientists at Germany’s Max Planck Institute for Colloids and Interfaces analyzed how the delicious mollusks are able to to achieve such a feat of natural engineering. What they discovered could find its way into human technology.  Read More
The thinnest and lightest netbook to hit the market yet – the Averatec N1200
By definition all netbooks are pretty thin and light to begin with, so the fact that TriGem USA is laying claim to the thinnest and lightest 10.1-inch netbook on the market with its Averatec N1200 Series isn’t something to sneeze at. Weighing in at 2.2 lbs (a smidge under 1kg) and measuring less than one-inch thick the N1200 will be offered in various configurations based on either the Windows XP or Windows 7 Starter operating systems.  Read More

The Moringa tree, the seeds of which could purify drinking water for countless people arou...
“In the developing world, more than 1 billion people cannot get clean drinking water... The United Nations says that dirty water causes 80 percent of diseases in the developing world, and kills 10 million people annually.” Those sobering lines are from the United Nations’ website, and underscore just how urgently needed water purification is in much of the world. What many people don’t realize, however, is that there are already naturally-occurring water filtration supplies available in many of these areas. They come in the form of seeds from the Moringa oleifera tree, and used properly, they can produce a 90.00 to 99.99% bacterial reduction in previously untreated water.  Read More
The Porn Detection Stick from Paraben is a quick and portable way to clean up your compute...
Everyone knows there’s a lot of pornographic material on the Internet. It’s easy to find if you’re looking for it but sometimes it’s just as easy when you’re not looking for it. The use of tricky or confusing URLs and other misleading descriptions can mean opening or downloading inappropriate images accidentally. And in some cases unsuspecting users may be unaware that this material exists on their computers. Paraben’s Porn Detection Stick (PDS) is a USB stick loaded with software designed to find and remove illicit images from your PC to protect your family, business or organization.  Read More
The Martin Aircraft jetpack is the first commercially-available jetpack
It's been a long time coming. While Arthur C. Clarke's satellites have taken to space, and James Bond's futuristic mobile technology has become common place, still the legend of Icarus has captivated us and the dream of sustained personal flight has eluded us. But the future is here! Finally we can all take flight as Martin Aircraft in New Zealand releases the first commercially-available jet pack!  Read More
Panasonic's Lumix DMC-G2 featuring a rotating touchscreen display
After accidentally releasing details of its new additions to the Lumix G Micro System earlier in the week, Panasonic has now officially revealed the G2 and the G10 Micro Four Thirds cameras. The G2 features a 12.1 megapixel sensor, a rotating touchscreen display and 720p high definition AVCHD Lite video. The lightweight G10 looks almost identical but is actually a trimmed down version of the G2.  Read More
Foldaway Massage Chair converts to footstool
There’s all sorts of massage chairs available, but many of them are excessively large and to be honest - not particularly blessed with good looks. The Foldaway Massage Chair not only delivers a massage to the legs, feet, back and buttocks – it folds up into a colorful footstool that can be used as an extra piece of furniture or stored neatly away.  Read More
The SOLO prototype on the road - sure to attract attention
Hungarian designers Antro are aiming to introduce a new fuel efficient vehicle to the consumer market by 2012 which will rely on the muscle-power of driver and passengers as well as a hybrid fuel/electric engine. The designers are also looking to have the three-seater SOLO link up to another to make one vehicle capable of carrying six people.  Read More
Fujifilm has announced a slew of new camera models across their digital and film lines.
At the PMA 2010 convention Fujifilm’s theme was “Expand the World of Imaging”. The company took its theme literally, announcing 18 different camera models across their digital and film product lines. From compact digital point-and-shoot models to a folding medium-format film camera, Fujifilm unveiled a broad array of new and updated technology including Fujinon optics, HD movie capability, facial recognition (for humans and pets), and 3D imaging.  Read More
Clevo's X8100 gaming laptop - claimed to be the fastest in the world
The laptops used by mobile gamers have to be powerful beasts in order to offer the kind of smooth, detailed graphics and slick gameplay exacting users demand. The latest example to make claim to the title of fastest laptop in the world is the X8100 from Taiwan's Clevo. The credentials begin with a choice of three Core i7 processors, either one or two nVIDIA GeForce GTX graphics processors with SLI technology support, a 18.4in full high definition display, up to 8Gb DDR3 memory, space for up to three SATA drives and touch sensitive hot keys.  Read More
Skinput gives you computer functionality literally at your fingertips
Always thought your skin was more than just a device to keep your insides tucked in neatly and out of harms’ way? Well, you were right. Chris Harrison has developed Skinput, a way in which your skin can become a touch screen device or your fingers buttons on a MP3 controller. Harrison says that as electronics get smaller and smaller they have become more adaptable to being worn on our bodies, but a couple of drawbacks are that the monitor and keypad/keyboard have to be big enough for us to operate the equipment. This can defeat the purpose of small devices but with the clever acoustics and impact sensing software, Harrison and his team can give your skin the same functionality as a keypad. Add a pico projector attached to an arm band, and your wrist becomes a touch screen.  Read More
Project Leader Kevin Kochersberger and the autonomous helicopter designed to fly into citi...
Students at Virginia Tech's Unmanned Systems Laboratory are perfecting an autonomous helicopter they hope will never be used for its intended purpose. Roughly six feet long and weighing 200 pounds, the re-engineered aircraft is designed to fly into American cities blasted by a nuclear weapon or dirty bomb. Its main mission would be to assist military investigators in detecting radiation levels, mapping and photographing damage after such an attack.  Read More

The Infinitec IUM stick lets you transfer wirelessly as much content as you can access fro...
USB sticks are great for file sharing, apart from a couple of drawbacks. Sometimes you want to share only some content of the drive, or the drive just isn’t big enough to hold all the information you want to share. The Infinitec Infinite USB Memory (IUM) drive provides you with a way to share absolutely all, or just selected content, wirelessly to any device with a USB port. You can even use it to stream movies from your laptop to your TV. And while it is being marketed as the world's first infinite memory USB memory drive, the device doesn't actually store information, it's really a wireless network device with similar "infinite memory" functions to the Eye-fi Pro X2 we featured earlier this year.  Read More
ZBOX HD-ID11 mini-PC delivers big performace from a small box thanks to a pairing of the n...
Zotac International appears to be amongst the first to announce a new computer system featuring the next generation NVIDIA ION graphics processor. The ZBOX HD-ID11 mini-PC has a small footprint, low power draw but promises to deliver big system performance with full 1080p video playback, 7.1 digital surround sound and the facility to easily pop in your own memory and storage medium.  Read More
The Pronghorn mountain bike frame with APLS - the suspension unit is mounted on the top tu...
Serious mountain bikers are always looking for a competitive edge. Often, that can mean extracting every ounce of energy from their bodies and their equipment. Danish high-end mountain bike builder Pronghorn has designed a bike frame the company calls its Anti-Power-Loss-System (APLS) where the rear shock absorber is mounted on the top tube. This, says the company, better utilizes the rider’s energy by delivering power more efficiently to the back wheel when the rider needs it - climbing uphill or negotiating technical courses - while performing like a full suspension model on the downslope.  Read More
Can't find a smoking area? There's an app for that
Faced with increasingly strict regulations on public smoking, Japanese smokers are left with few designated smoking areas where they light one up. In order to help these people locate assigned smoking areas, Katabami Crafts has created a free "Smoking Map" iPhone application.  Read More
Corky from designer Adele Peters, a finalist is this year's Greener Gadgets Design Competi...
Freeing oneself from the shackles of wired PC periphery does come at a cost. In order to power such liberation, users rely on batteries. Even rechargeable ones impede workflow when they run out of juice. Designer Adele Peters proposes capturing the energy from moving, clicking and scrolling and using it to power Corky, a kinetic mouse made from recycled materials.  Read More
The Sigma SD15 DSLR runs a 14MP Foveon X3 direct image sensor
Sigma Corporation, known primarily for camera lenses, has re-introduced its top-end SD15 DSLR as well as five new lenses and two new compact digital cameras. The SD15 features a 14MP Foveon X3 sensor and boasts a 21 shot RAW buffer (at 3fps). The lenses feature Sigma’s new “F” low-dispersion glass, fast speeds, and image stabilization. They will be available for Canon, Nikon, and other mounts. Sigma’s new DP1x and DP2s compact cams both feature 14MP large DSLR-size sensors and new autofocus capability.  Read More
The seven inch, touchscreen iLet Mini HAL from Haleron
If you're in the market for a tablet computer but don't relish parting with a significant wad of cash then the iLet Mini HAL from Haleron Technologies could just fit the bill. The budget touchscreen tablet comes with only 2Gb of internal storage but there's SD card expansion and free online storage. WiFi and 3G and support for multiple file formats also feature.  Read More
Hyundai i-flow concept
Hyundai Motor Company has rolled out the latest addition to its Blue Drive™ line-up at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show - the i-flow. Sharing similar lines to the Blue Will Concept shown in Detroit in January, the concept hybrid certainly lives up to its name... flow it does. The aerodynamic skin, coupled with the use of lightweight materials, solar panels and innovative design elements like an adaptive front spoiler and side rocker blades, add up to a claimed fuel efficiency of 3L/100km and CO2 output of just 85g/km.  Read More
3DSwitch knows when you are wearing 3D glasses
Italy-based technology developer Sisvel and imaging start-up 3DSwitch are promoting a device that gives your TV the brains to recognize automatically whether you’re watching 2D or 3D. The technology works by detecting if you’re wearing your 3D stereoscopic glasses. No glasses, then the TV switches to 2D.  Read More
Researchers decoded brain signals recorded from non-invasive sensors around the scalps of ...
A study at the University of Maryland has the potential to help movement-impaired people to control the operation of artificial limbs or computer systems without having to undergo extensive training or invasive surgery. The researchers have successfully reconstructed 3D hand movements by decoding electrical brain signals picked up from sensors placed on the scalps of volunteers.  Read More

The OLEV train now running in Seoul Grand Park
The commercialization of Online Electric Vehicle (OLEV) technology developed by researchers at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) has taken another step forward with the introduction of an OLEV “train” for public transportation in Seoul’s Grand Park in Gwacheon City. The vehicle picks up electricity from power cables buried underground through a non-contact magnetic charging method and replaces a trackless combustion engine train running inside the park.  Read More
New friends, more zombies and coming to a Mac ... Left 4 Dead 2 will be one of the first t...
Many people recognize Macs as being great work tools, especially for those in the creative sectors. However, if you like your games, often the PC was your best platform because of the amount of available content. Some Mac users were forced to deploy Parallels, Crossover Games, or Boot Camp, to play PC games on their Mac, but they've all got their drawbacks. So Mac users rejoice – Valve, a major provider of online gaming through its Steam online distribution service, is coming to OS X users. From April, Steam and Valve's library of games that include Left 4 Dead 2, Team Fortress 2, Counter-Strike, Portal, and the Half-Life series will be available on the Mac. And because the company is treating Macs as a tier-1 platform, all future games and updates will be simultaneously released on Windows, Mac and Xbox 360.  Read More
The iTable touchscreen coffee table from PQ Labs
PQ Labs showed off its G3 touchscreen technology at this year's CeBIT by installing it into a coffee table called the iTable. Sensors around the edge of the display can register up to 32 touch points and determine the different shapes created by placing fingers, hands or a multitude of other objects directly on the glass screen.  Read More
Removing Record Revirginizer from an LP
Many people have come to associate the pops and crackles heard on vinyl LP’s as an inevitable part of a record’s aging process - the more it’s played, the more scratches and pockmarks it develops. According to Australian inventor Cary Stoddard, however, most of those noises are actually due to minute particles of things like mould, dust, oils, skin, and smoke that have become embedded in the grooves. While conventional record brushes can’t remove them, he claims that his product can, potentially restoring your records to near-pristine condition.  Read More
The 40 megapixel, large CDD sensor professional digital SLR from Mamiya
Mamiya has announced that its DM33 and DM56 professional modular digital SLR systems are to be joined by a 40 megapixel, large sensor version. The DM40 brings together the expertise of Schneider-Kreuznach, Leaf Phase One and of course Mamiya to offer users a choice of two shutter systems, a lush 16 bit/channel color palette, touchscreen display and powerful supporting processing software.  Read More
Apple's iKey would see your keys and wallet replaced by an iPhone or similar device
The humble mobile phone. What started out as a communication device has quickly evolved to become a take anywhere entertainment apparatus and essential tool for work and play. So much so that many people feel panic-stricken if they accidentally leave their phone at home. Such separation anxiety could be even worse in the future with a patent filed by Apple suggesting that the company wants the iPhone to replace your house and car keys and wallet, thereby making it even more indispensable.  Read More
Kinetic energy harnessed from the rocking motion is converted and stored as electricity to...
It's ironic that I should be writing this on a 13 hour stopover at an airport doling out foreign notes for endless coffees in Starbucks to justify my use of their power socket and WiFi. What I really need right now is a comfortable fold-out rocking chair that converts my languorous rocking movement into electrical energy to power my laptop. If only such a thing existed! Well, it might not be too far away. The Empower chair won second prize out of 18 shortlisted designs showcased at the Greener Gadgets 2010 Conference...  Read More
University of Utah mechanical engineer Will Provancher uses his right hand to demonstrate ...
Keeping a steady hand is vitally important for many professions where the use of a static or purely mechanical handrest just isn’t practical or possible. A new computer-controlled, motorized hand and arm support will let doctors, artists, machinists and others precisely control scalpels, brushes and tools over a wider area than otherwise possible, and with less fatigue.  Read More
The key ingredient in the process is carbon nanotubes — submicroscopic hollow tubes made...
MIT scientists have discovered that a moving pulse of heat traveling along the miniscule wires known as carbon nanotubes can cause powerful waves of energy. These "thermopower waves" can drive electrons along like a collection of flotsam propelled along the surface of ocean waves, creating an electrical current. The previously unknown phenomenon opens up a new area of energy research and could lead to a new way of producing electricity.  Read More
Battlefield: Bad Company 2
Having spent around five hours with the single player campaign and around 15 hours on multiplayer, I still feel I've only scratched the surface of what's on offer in Bad Company 2, so I'm not going to call this a full review. My impressions focus on the multiplayer aspect of the game. In short, it's the new high-water mark of multiplayer gaming on the Xbox 360.  Read More
 
 
 
The structure of sea shells has inspired scientists to create a new material with similar ...
Seashells have done an exemplary job of protecting their inhabitants for around a hundred million years, so perhaps it isn’t surprising that scientists and chemists have now replicated their unique structure in a manmade material. Taking inspiration from shells, researchers from the University of Manchester and the University of Leeds have successfully reinforced calcium carbonate, or chalk, with polystyrene particles such as those used in disposable drinking cups. Their achievement could lead to stronger building and bone replacement materials, or other practical applications.  Read More
Lace-amatic helps with tying and tightening laces and makes slipping on and off laced-up s...
When you first see the Lace-amatic shoelace-tying device you could be forgiven for wondering who would need, use or even want this product – after all, isn’t that why we have Velcro shoes? But for people who struggle with dexterity, flexibility or strength or for those who just want to get their shoes on and off quickly, the Lace-amatic makes a lot of sense. It allows you to tighten and loosen tied shoelaces and lets you get knotted shoes on and off in an instant…it’s simple, ergonomically sound and could make a job that many people find difficult, just that little bit easier.  Read More
Some of the new products unveiled by Acer at this year's CeBIT show in Germany
If you were wondering why Acer has been relatively quiet of late, the answer probably lies in the number of new products the company chose to unveil at this year's CeBIT show in Germany recently. Almost hidden amongst the raft of new desktops and notebooks was a monitor that has its own media player and WiFi capabilities, a powerful gaming machine and a pocket-sized projector.  Read More
3D TV is here in plenty of time for the World Cup
After all the hype prompted by the success of Avatar in cinemas and the flood of 3D technology unveiled at trade shows like CES 2010, 3D TV is finally becoming a reality in living rooms. All the major players are well and truly on the 3D bandwagon and they’re set to make a lot of noise to try and entice consumers on board too. To help you navigate the 3D waters as various companies spruik their particular brand of 3D technology we’ve taken a look at what's on offer, when it will hit shelves and how much it will cost.  Read More
The Warpia Easy Dock comprises a USB dongle that connects to your laptop, and a receiver t...
Netbooks and laptops are convenient for travelers, students and mobile workers, but with portability comes the drawbacks of a small keyboard and viewing monitor, which means it’s not the ideal setting for long computer sessions at home or in the office. The Warpia Easy Dock allows users to wirelessly connect their netbook/notebook/MacBook to any traditional desktop setting – easier on the eyes, ears and hands.  Read More
Zep'lin concept design by Damien Grossemy
A boat that flies. Now there's a vehicle Phileas Fogg could really have used. Zep'lin is a blue-sky concept developed by industrial designer Damien Grossemy during a five month internship at Renault which imagines the use of solar panel sails and electric propulsion to liberate the yacht-like vehicle from terra firma.  Read More
A 3D rendering of the Tesla IED Eye concept car
The all-electric Tesla Roadster is indeed a fine-looking, high-performance automobile, but its projected $US109,000 price tag will likely put it out of reach of the much sought-after Generation Y demographic. Tesla’s less-pricey Model S four-door sedan is more of a refined, subtly-classy car – again, not something the fun-loving twenty-somethings will be flocking to. So, how does an electric car company come up a vehicle that the young folks will like? Easy, they get some of those kids to design the car for them. In Tesla’s case, the result is a stunning concept vehicle called the Eye.  Read More
PS3 owners can now get access to the latest HD movie releases via the online PlayStation N...
PS3 owners will soon be able to watch digital versions of new release HD movies via their gaming consoles. Sony has signed an agreement with 20th Century Fox, Walt Disney Pictures, Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Universal Pictures, and Warner Bros. Digital Distribution to provide high definition (HD) movies for purchase and rental on the PlayStation Network video delivery service in the US.  Read More
The Ricoh GXR platform shown with previously released A12 50mm and S10 lens modules
Ricoh has announced two new lens units for its unique modular GXR digital camera platform. The P10 28-300mm wide zoom and A12 28mm fast prime lens units each include the sensor and image processor built into the module. These modules slide onto the GXR body, allowing the photographer to change both the lens and sensor to accommodate different photographic situations.  Read More
Bertone designed Alfa Romeo Pandion
This year's Geneva Motor Show has seen a deluge of delectable concepts unveiled and one of the finest pieces of eye-candy presented must surely be the Pandion. Created to celebrate Alfa Romeo’s one hundred year anniversary and also marking 75 years of collaboration with Italy’s legendary styling house Bertone (think Lamborghini Countach among many others), the Pandion hides a 4.7 liter, 450 CV 8-cylinder Alfa Romeo engine beneath some very well honed curves and a narrow T-shaped grill at the front that would make this the perfect ride for a Cylon.  Read More

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