Best New Technology

Posted Feb 17th 2008 7:11PM by Ryan Block
Filed under: Robots

Famed technologist and futurist Ray Kurzweil is on the record about human-machine intelligence parity: it’s going down by or before 2029, so be prepared to get digital on entirely new levels. Apparently, machines “will have both the hardware and the software to achieve human level artificial intelligence” by then, but even if it’s not in the form of meatbag-terminating cyborgs, Kurzweil thinks one future of intelligent machines is on the nano scale, with interfaces to enhance our own physiology and intelligence. Oh sure, this stuff is completely pie in the sky — but it’s still absurdly fun to think of what kinds of crazy crap the 21st century’s going to hold.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Posted Feb 17th 2008 2:40PM by Chris Ziegler
Filed under: cellphones, Handhelds

Given the BlackJack’s popularity on AT&T, it only makes sense that Sprint (among other carriers) would be looking to get in on that action. Indeed, as expected, Sprint has now launched Samsung’s ACE (get it? like the really good card to have when you’re playing blackjack?) that comes out swinging with Windows Mobile 6 Standard, 1.3 megapixel camera, microSD slot, stereo Bluetooth, EV-DO, and a SIM slot for hooking your globetrotting butt up with GSM service when you find yourself overseas; what it doesn’t have is HSDPA, so don’t look at this puppy as an apples-for-apples BlackJack II replacement. It’s available now for $199.99 after the usual laundry list of rebates and contract discounts.

Separately, Sprint has also gone live with the M520, an unassuming slider we’ve known about for a while now with GPS, a 1.3 megapixel cam, and tethering capability. This one comes in at a reasonable $49.99 after rebate on contract.

[Via PhoneNews]

Read - Samsung Ace
Read - Samsung M520

Posted Feb 17th 2008 2:29PM by Ryan Block
Filed under: Home Entertainment

There isn’t (yet) a way to hack Apple TV v2 (aka take 2), but if you were patient enough to wait for the “safe” PatchStick upgrade on your hacked unit, Safari HD is ready to go. Good luck, and take care, after those weeks of waiting for the new update it sure would suck to brick that device.
Read - Safe update for Apple TV v2
Read - Safari HD available

Fancy tanning yourself out under the sun? Why not have some quiet personal time in the privacy of your own backyard with this solar-powered bullet vibrator, courtesy of Libida? Should you feel shy about baring your bits in full view of anyone with a good pair of binoculars or telescopes, there is always the option to use it indoors as it can also function via artificial light as well. This eco-friendly device retails for $29.95 a pop.

Product Page via Popgadget

So far three of the car industry’s most hyped collision prevention technologies have been put to the test by British Motor Insurance Repair Research Centre Thatcham, and I am happy to say that the trio were successful when it came to mitigating and preventing low speed collisions. These new technologies are the Volvo City Safety, Mercedes Distronic Plus, and Honda CMBS that utilize radar systems when it comes to performing their functions. They’ll be extremely important where saving lives are concerned since statistics show that 75% of all motor accidents are low speed collisions.

According to Matthew Avery, Thatcham Research Manager, “They will make a major impact on the number of slow speed accidents – in Britain and across the World. I believe that if manufacturers embrace the new systems and fit them as standard – more than 125,000 injuries will be prevented each year in Britain alone.”

First off, we have the Volvo City Safety system that features a laser radar (also known as LIDAR) that tracks the distance and speed of the car in front of the driver. Mounted on the windscreen, it is capale of renewing its calculations up to 50 times per second, pre-charging brakes should the risk of a collision run high before the driver even knows it. A spider sense mechanism in a Volvo? I like the sound of that.

Mercedes’ Distronic Plus technology is somewhat similar to Volvo’s offering, featuring a form of radar to maintain safe distance from neighbouring cars. It works differently as a couple of radars on the Distronic Plus are connected to the car’s cruise control for an extra level of autonomy to the system. It is capable of operating even at 200 km/h, allowing your car to remain in sync with traffic no matter what the condition is. This reminds me of the “auto follow” mode in TIE Fighter back during the good old DOS days, where pressing the “Enter” key will automatically match my TIE Fighter’s speed with the space craft directly in front of me.

All in all, I hope to see such improvements make they way to vehicle systems soonest possible.

Source: Gizmag

If you hate to end up with a dead gadget just because there is no power outlet in the immediate vicinity, then the PowerMonkey Charger might be just what the doctor ordered.

PowerMonkey is a sleek little gadget that provides hours of extra power for portable devices. Think of it as a back-up battery that, once charged, holds its power without leakage for up to a year. Simply plug it into your gizmos and let the juice flow. You’ll never be caught out with a dead battery again. There are two kinds of PowerMonkey, the solar-powered eXplorer and the mains-powered Classic but both models come complete with all kinds of adapters, so you can fire up virtually any device imaginable. The eXplorer even features water-resistant rubberised casing, a folding solar panel and a handy LCD screen that displays remaining charge - ideal for adventurous eco-types who won’t be near an AC socket anytime soon. When you want some more portable power just leave it to soak up a few rays.

The Classic and eXplorer models will retail for £29.95 and £64.95, respectively. Sounds like a pretty sound investment if you travel a whole lot.

The next time it’s your turn to host movie night with your friends, surprise and confound them with this 4-in-1 hot dog maker from Spilsbury. You can set it up on your kitchen counter, plug it into an outlet, and put all those bags of microwave popcorn you’ve been served to shame.

Why? Because not only can the 4-in-1 appliance make popcorn, it can also make hot dogs, steam whatever you think should be steamed for optimal movie enjoyment, and boil eggs (I told you you’d be able to confound your pals). The contraption also has two warming spikes that seem designed for hot dog buns but that I’d rather use for mini loaf cakes. I mean, if you’re serving boiled eggs, you may as well serve chocolate loaves too.

On sale now for $30.

Via Nerd Approved.

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This has got to be one of the more geeky hacks that I have seen of late.  One thing is for sure, Lars’s hacking skills are clearly better than his or her Tetris skills.  This is a full custom code of Tetris for the oscilloscope screen, which I think is just incredible.  Great job Lars, you have true programming skills.  Now if you need some lessons on Tetris strategy, I can give you some pointers, I have an hourly rate which is purely to allow me to feature “Tetris Consultant” on my resume.  If that does not land me a high paying executive job, I don’t know what will.

A video of Oscilloscope Tetris and the answer to the ultimate question, “does it play doom?” after the jump.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hui5Azx5jQo

Does it play Doom? This is not the same oscilloscope, but it is clearly the second greatest game of all time on an oscilloscope screen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTApvwqZ_TM

Source: Technabob

Led Scrolling Name Badge - BLUE

The coolest and best way to wear a name tag to stand out from the crowd!This customisable name badge with scrolling LED message is completely programmable to say what you want, when you want. Perfect for portable personal advertising. Ideal for retail shop staff, introduction days, exhibitions, trade shows or just fun! LED Micro Scrolling Digital Tag Text scrolls from left to right Attaches to your shirt using very strong magnet Each message can be up to 118 characters English text, numbers and ASCII characters Four different speed settings Nine different lum settings Replaceable 3V CR2032 battery included Credit card size These Badges are the most advanced digital name badges available

Technorati Tags: gadgets For Him

Rubiks Cube
It’s here. It’s back. And it’s just as dashed difficult as you remember. Curse of the early 1980s and most sought-after distraction at school breaktime (even moreso than the automatic drinks machine) Erno Rubik’s masterful invention had the whole world scratching its collective head for years. Now you can scratch yours all over again.

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