For all you bikers out there, here's a great little commodity that could improve your everyday bike ride. We live in a very busy world nowadays and when you finally have a moment to yourself, someone calls you. When riding a bike, the user has to be very cautious and pay attention to his surroundings at ALL times. No one wants to pick up a  phone call while riding on a busy street. Bad news waiting to happen. With the new Cardo BK-1, the biker can now attach this gadget to their bike helmet and answer calls, pull up a GPS, control your iPod, and even sync up with other riders and use it as a walkie-talkie with simple voice commands. This thing is designed by the same people who create communication systems for super-bike racers so its legit. One good thing about it is that it doesn't distract the rider because it doesn't actually cover your ears, it hovers above them so you're still able to have an ear on your surroundings. I think this thing is kinda cool for that casual bike ride around the neighborhood.

For further info, Cardo BK-1

-Donato

Nokia eyes tattoos that can talk to your phone



"The sketches in Nokia's patent application show how its proposed "haptic feedback" system could be attached to the user's skin."

Nokia described a concept for using magnetic ink imprinted in the skin to interact with a specific electromagnetic field put off by mobile phones. The interaction would generate a vibration when the ink registers "an alert of an incoming message, a phone call, an alarm."

Nokia implies that tele-tattoos could look just like any other tattoo, using ferromagnetic powder made into a specialty ink.  The tattoo wearer could personalize the vibrations, setting different sensations for various people or to differentiate between text messages, e-mails and calendar alerts.

If you are not interested in embedding cell phone links into your skin, Nokia has said that users can attach a magnetic sticker that can pick up the transmission as well. 

MF

Are blu-rays a thing of the past?

Blu-rays might be joining the DVD in the obsolete cemetery. Since blu-rays rendered DVD's out of date they have taken over the movie and home entertainment industry.  DVD's are disappearing from stores like Best Buy and other retailers, to be replaced by blu-rays.  Now blu-rays might be replaced by Apple TV. Apple TV streams any movie directly into someones home.  It is in high definition and streams movies that make a blu-ray player obsolete.

-Craig

Wheelchairs will soon be obsolete

Tek RMD

As I was browsing around in search of cool new gadgets, I came across this article about a new form of mobility for people confined to wheelchairs. It looks kinda like a Segway but it does much more for people who seriously need the help. Developed by Turkish scientists, the Tek Robotic Mobilization Device opens up a new chapter in handicapped mobility. It has Crucial Standing Assistance which allows users to enter the device from the front so they don't have to use momentum and jump into it like a wheelchair. All they have to do is call it over with a remote control and it comes to them, connect a thick padded strap to their back and it gradually raises them to a standing position where they could do many more things without the bulk of a traditional wheelchair. It also allows users to access places where wheelchairs couldn't like crowded areas, libraries, grocery store, and the main aspect of it is that it allows them to be in a standing position the whole time. Whenever necessary, the user may push a bottom and it will go into a seated position with ease. Please read the rest of the article and watch the video. It's amazing!

Story of Yusuf Adturkoglu:
Wheelchairs will be a thing of the past...

Actual Website for the device:
Tek RMD - Robotic Mobilization

-Donato

This is the new Robo Glove that was designed by NASA and GM to assist astronauts and autoworkers while they are working and to help cut down on repetitive stress related injuries.  It is based on grasping technology initially designed for Robonaut 2 which is a robot that is at the International Space Station and helps astronauts. 

When the sensors detect that an object is being grasped by the user, it causes the glove's fingers' synthetic tendons to retract, pulling them into a gripping position and holding them there which allows the user to get a better grip on whatever it is they are trying to work with.  This helps people who are in the repetitive work business like an autoworker in a factory who do the same thing over and over.  This glove can help save the workers muscles and arm from wear and tear.




-Craig

Grenade-Throwing robot to fight fires on ships

"SAFFiR"

The image you see above is the U.S Naval Research Laboratory's prototype named SAFFiR.  SAFFiR or "Shipboard Autonomous Firefighting Robot" is being developed in hopes to improve firefighting capabilities on board military vessels.

SAFFiR is being developed to combat fires in cramped conditions of a ship, saving lives and costly equipment.  This battery-powered robot is armed with cameras and a gas sensor, and will be capable of activating fire suppressors and throwing propelled extinguishing agent technology or PEAT grenades.

Although the robot has flat-looking feet, the robot will be a sure-footed sailor capable of walking, balancing and traversing obstacles autonomously.  This robot will be able to interact with humans as well to assist fellow firefighters.  The Naval Research Laboratory says that they will be testing SAFFiR on board the ex-USS Shadwell, which is a decommissioned landing ship dock used for fire fighting experiments towards the end of 2013.

Pocket Doorbell App for your iPhone

Apple's new Pocket Doorbell

 Apple never stops creating apps that keep us occupied, entertained, and even sometimes confused. Their latest app helps those people who get to a friends house and don't feel like disturbing the family by ringing the doorbell. As long as your friend is in your contact list, with their address as well, this app will use your location and automatically call your friend when you get to their place. I found this app to be kinda cool because i don't ring doorbells. I'm the person who calls so I guess it can be kinda useful. I know you can just call your friend the normal way but for people who enjoy new gadgets and applications this can be very satisfying. What will they think of next...

Feel free to check out the article for yourselves-

Pocket Doorbell Article

-Donato

Waterproof Phone?

Nokia is developing a phone that will be water resistant, thanks to nanotechnology.  Nanotechnology is the study of manipulating matter on a atomic or molecular scale.  It is becoming an extremely useful technology that is appearing more and more in things that we use everyday. They got their idea from seeing how water drops form on a leaf but aren't absorbed due to the fact that a leaf is naturally water resistant. The people at Nokia are developing a "Superhydrophobic coating" that would be applied to the outside of the phone.  


Now if your phone was submerged in water even this special coating wouldn't help because the water would still run into all the holes in the phone and ruin the electronics inside.  But if its raining on your phone or you get sprayed by a sprinkler or an annoying friend with a water bottle, your phone will be protected once this technology hits the market.




Craig Juergens

AIRE Mask concept, charges iPhone with your breath

In his own way, Joao Paulo Lammoglia designed a concept mask called "AIRE Mask" where the mask runs tiny air turbines to convert your breath into electricity to charge the device like the iOS devices. You just need to wear the mask and breath with the device connected, and you’re charging your device instantly.  Now if you’re asking, if someone will be wearing this during a early morning jog —we don’t know, but if you’ll have to attend a costume party, this device will transform you to a “greener” Darth Vader or Subzero in a snap.

Matt Fed

Google reboots Android Market, launches Google Play

Google is rolling up music, e-books, movies, and apps into a single-branded service called Google Play. The reboot comes as some of Android's services underachieve as moneymakers.

Being the Internet giant, Google has been looking for ways to create a more comprehensive source for movies, apps, music, and e-books, is combining Google Music and Google eBookstore into one store, now renamed Google Play. According to Jamie Rosenberg, director of digital content for Google, the changes go into effect today. The formation of Google Play means that music will no longer remain a standalone service, Rosenberg said.

The shift to Google Play is the biggest acknowledgement yet that Android's content strategy was a bust, the company appears headed in the right direction. Bundling all the Android services into one area and under one brand will make it easier to market and hopefully help customers discover them as well.

Read more: http://news.cnet.com/8301-31001_3-57391350-261/google-reboots-android-market-launches-google-play/#ixzz1oSQ3lrEA

Matt Fed

New Apple TV announced at iPad event

The well awaited new version of the Apple TV set top box was announced at Apple's media event. This is a developing story and we'll be adding more details as they're announced.

While the exterior hardware looks nearly identical to the old model, several new features were announced, including:

• 1080p movies and TV shows from iTunes Store
• Redesigned 1080p user interface
• "Genius" recommendations for movies 
• Photo stream support 
• 1080p output

Read more: http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-57390999-37/new-apple-tv-announced-at-ipad-event/#ixzz1oSNSpWO8

Matt Fed