Gadget Magee

Friday, August 31, 2012

Google Play Store gift cards leaked

Google has been readying the Play Store for gift cards for a while now, and pleasingly to say, AndroidCentral received an image which show two Play Store gift cards- one $10 version, and the other $25. They’re clearly branded for the Google Play Store, since they have the store’s logo and name printed onto the its packaging. The cards also have “Music Movies Books Apps & More” listed at the bottom of them, so they’re clearly going to be used for purchasing content from the Play Store. There’s no release date, but Google should announce them pretty soon, so we could be seeing them next to other gift cards pretty soon, ready for the holiday buying season.

Source

View the original article here

Tata air-power car looks like robot ladybird, may save world

More » Latest from Crave » Car Tech News » Digital Camera News » Gadget News » Laptop News » Mobile phone News » Software News » Television News » CNET UK Podcast » Latest Reviews » Camera and Camcorder Reviews » Car Tech Reviews » Computer Reviews » Gadget and Gaming Reviews » Mobile Phone Reviews » MP3 and Audio Reviews » TV and Home Cinema Reviews » Site map

Indian car maker Tata has constructed a prototype air-powered car, that as well as looking like a massive robot ladybird might just be the next big thing in clean energy.

The company, which built the 'world's cheapest car' and then covered it in gems and also makes terrifying war vehicles completed testing on two vehicles that are powered by compressed air back in May. A joint-venture with MDI, the prototype-stage 'AirPod' cars apparently cost just €1 per 200km, or £0.00631899077 per mile.

Despite looking like the worm car from the Busy World of Richard Scarry, the experimental automobiles are no slouch in the speed department, clocking a speed in the vicinity of 70km/h. I wouldn't attempt a speedy corner in one if I were you, though.

The cars seat three people, which is rather impressive for its small size, but won't win you any style points if you try cruising around town in it. Unfortunately, despite being surrounded by the substance that powers its motors, you'll still need to pull into an air-pumping station to fill it up.

Compressed-air power is still relatively unproven, and not without disadvantages (thanks Wikipedia). For example the compressed air must be completely dehydrated, and the energy conversion involved can be an inefficient process.

Still, I can't fault progress on any tech that could reduce our dependence on non-renewable fuels. Motor-makers are slowly moving toward more environmentally friendly vehicles, with VW mocking up a concept electric Beetle and the Nissan Leaf proving a fabulous -- if pricey -- electric motor.

Meanwhile the Tesla Roadster is doing its best to prove that non-petrol-guzzling motors can still look a bit like the Batmobile.

Fingers crossed Tata can make progress on its air-powered car, but in the meantime DMC is beavering away on the electric DeLorean, which boasts 35kW of power and doesn't even require a Flux capacitor to make it go. Check out the video below.

Would you drive Tata's ~~mecha-ladybird~~ air-powered car? Is air-power the future or should we focus on the electric variety? Let me know in the comments or on our Facebook wall.

Image credit: Discovery News

Additional reporting by Rory Smith

Thursday, August 30, 2012

For Gamers, a Headset That Helps Pinpoint Opponents

The A50 wireless headset from Astro Gaming features Dolby 7.1 surround sound 5.8 GHz KleerNet technology.

The A50 wireless headset from Astro Gaming features Dolby 7.1 surround sound and 5.8 GHz KleerNet technology.

Astro Gaming has long designed premium headsets for video game aficionados, and its latest, the A50 wireless headset, updates it for fans.

Designed with comfort and functionality in mind, the headset appears bulky but is actually light and flexible. And the Dolby 7.1 surround sound is crystal clear. You can hear the direction of every footstep of your enemy combatants, every shell casing dropped from a fired gun, all delivered wirelessly at 5.8 GHz via KleerNet technology.

The headset has three sound modes: Astro’s preset for gameplay, a flatter mode for undistorted audio and a third intended for music and movies. The sound and volume controls are tucked out of the way behind the right ear cup. It may take a bit of practice of fiddling blindly with the tiny controls to set them right.

The smartest update in this model is the integration of Astro’s MixAmp technology into the ear cup. Previously, the MixAmp had a separate control box. Now, a quick touch on the outside of the cup allows you to balance the sounds of the video game with the voices of other players. This adds a bit more weight to the headset, but it’s hardly noticeable.

Astro added a few other features specifically for gamers, like the noise-canceling microphone that mutes when it’s flipped up. And the comfortable cups are large enough to fit over the ears, allowing gamers to play longer without having red, sore ears when they’re done.

The headset, which Astro sells on its Web site for $300, is compatible with PCs and Xbox and PS3 gaming consoles. The life of its integrated lithium-ion battery is 10 to 12 hours, depending on your gameplay, and the headset comes with a stand for recharging (because you have to sleep sometime).

View the original article here

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Samsung Galaxy Note 2 leaked in realistic shot

The mobile blog Know Your Mobile recently received an image of what’s claimed to be the Samsung Galaxy Note 2, and it looks pretty realistic. The handset displayed in the image looks pretty similar to the current Galaxy Note, but its edges are more rounded, plus the screen looks larger, possibly around 5.5 inches. Well, anyway, Samsung should announce the Galaxy Note 2 during their pre- IFA event on August the 29th. Rumoured specs include a Super AMOLED screen, a quad-core Exynos 4 processor, 2GB of RAM and S Pen technology.

Source

View the original article here

Monday, August 27, 2012

Windows 8 free trial promises 90 days of touchable fun

Read Full Review

Fancy giving Windows 8 a go, for free? Then grab the new 90-day trial edition of Windows 8 Enterprise and spend the next three months making up your own mind about the colourful new look Microsoft is gambling on.

You can download the trial version now, and get cracking with the colourful square live tiles of Windows 8's bold new interface.

The free trial is for Windows 8 Enterprise and is aimed at developers and the good folks in your IT department, but there's no reason you can't download it to try out the radically different new interface. Enterprise includes all the features found in the highest tier of Windows for individuals, Windows 8 Pro.

All you need is a 1GHz processor and 1GB of RAM for a 32-bit machine or 2GB for 64-bit, as well as 20GB of hard disk space and a graphics card with a WDDM driver that can handle DirectX 9 graphics.

Before you go installing the trial version, it's worth noting that in three months you'll have to install either the full Windows 8 or reinstall your current version of Windows. Something to bear in mind if you've lost the disk or -- ahem -- acquired it from a less-than-legal source. Install it in a partition or separate hard drive and you should be fine.

If you decide to install, make sure you register it within 10 days -- or your screen will turn black, a pop-up will start heckling you, and your computer will shut down every hour.

Windows 8 goes public on 26 October, along with the Microsoft Surface tablet -- heralding a wave of new Windows tablets, ultrabooks, laptops and PCs.

Excited about Windows 8? Have you tried it yet? Open a window into your soul down in the comments or on our transparent Facebook page.

For $330, an Extension Cord With a Brain

How smart does an extension cord need to be? Well, if it’s in a garage full of exotic cars or in an antiques restoration shop, you might want it to be pretty smart.
To address that presumably small audience — along with all-out gadget freaks — Great Stuff manufactures RoboReel, a $330 robotic extension cord reel that uses a motor to carefully rewind a 50-foot three-outlet extension back into the spherical housing.

Why does that matter? Garages and shops commonly use wall-mounted retractable power cords that are spring-driven. Those cords zip back into a housing quickly, but the end can whip around, potentially scarring paint and wiping out delicate items in its path.
RoboReel uses a motor to retract the 12-gauge cable at a controlled pace, and the computer inside will slow the last bit to a crawl, so that it doesn’t slam into the housing. You can even set the distance at which the cable slows down.
The smarts don’t end at winding the cord, though. The reel can’t retract when in use; it stops trying to retract if the cord is obstructed. If you cut through the cord, the power shuts down to avoid shock. There is also a 15-amp circuit breaker mounted in the wall plug.
If you are going to charge this kind of money for a winder, it had better look pretty sharp, and it does. The cleverly designed power plug has an on/off switch with orange LEDs that tell you the sockets are active. The LEDs match the high-impact plastic safety-orange housing and cradle.
The reel comes with a 4-year or 4,000-retraction warranty. The retractions are tallied by the computer inside.
Of course there are less expensive solutions. You can make a skein for free if you know how to properly wrap cable, or you can use a device like the hand winder from Griot’s Garage and retract the cord at the speed you choose. Of course, then you can’t brag that you have a robot in your garage.

View the original article here

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Review- Huawei Honor

Rating:

Price when reviewed- £200.

The Huawei Honor is an affordable Android Gingerbread smartphone which offers an array of impressive features, including an 8 megapixel camera, a 1.4GHz Scorpion processor and a meaty 1930mAh battery. You’d think the Honor would cost quite a lot of money for its features, but actually it’s quite cheap costing around £200. The Honor comes in white, purple and black.

Design

Holding the handset is not problem, it feels quite solid, although, it felt quite slippery and the buttons felt a bit cheap, reflecting upon it’s £200 price-tag. As we’ve already said, the handset comes in three different colour options – white, purple and black – we got our hands on the black version, and to be honest it’s quite boring. The handset measures 122 x 61 x 77mm, so it’s pretty thick, still, it’s actually quite lightweight at 140g. The Honor is pretty basic, there’s nothing unique about it compared to other Android smartphones.

Display

The Huawei Honor offers a large 4- inch touchscreen display with a resolution of 480 x 854 pixels, which is pretty basic compared to the likes of the Samsung Galaxy SII. The handset has a pixel density of 245 which is pretty decent, plus there’s multi-touch technology which can be used to zoom into images and webpages. Overall, the screen quality was okay. Colours look quite washed out whilst in direct sunlight, but blacks and whites were are quite crisp.

Internals

Powering the Huawei Honor is a 1.4GHz single-core processor with 512MB of RAM. It would’ve been nicer to have seen a dual core processor considering the £200 price-tag. The processor is capable of some decent speeds, however, we had different feelings whilst opening and closing applications - they would often freeze, and sometimes we’d have to soft reset the handset.

The lack of internal memory was quite disappointing, 1GB just isn’t enough for storing multiple applications and files, but there is an option to expand it up to 32GB via the MicroSD card slot which can be found underneath the battery cover.

Software

The Huawei Honor comes with Android Gingerbread out of its box, but Huawei has promised an update to Ice Cream Sandwich, but they never confirmed any dates. The OS is pretty basic, and the homescreen has been heavily customized by Huawei, to be honest we’re not really fussed on it. Animations lookboring, though, we were quite fond on the lockscreen. It offers multiple shortcuts, just like HTC Sense 3.5. The homescreen was quite sleek, and there is a good selection of helpful widgets.

Camera

The camera found on the Huawei Honor is pretty decent, it offers an 8- megapixel sensor with an LED flash. The images we took were excellent considering the price-tag. They looked crisp and the detail was amazing. The Honor also offers 720p video recording, but sadly videos werent the best, in fact the quality looked washed out. The LED flash didn’t do the phone any justice, it just over powers darker shots, something which we found quite disappointing.

Conclusion

The Huawei Honor is a decent Android smartphone with an array of features which you wouldn’t expect to see on a £200 handset. The camera wasnt the best, and the lack of memory was disappointing, though, there is an option of expanding up to 32GB via the MicroSD card slot. The Huawei Honoe is perfect for those who want a decent smartphone, but don’t want to spend a lot of money on one, and we think £200 is quite a bargain for this type of device.

View the original article here

Saturday, August 25, 2012

Q&A: Help for an Ailing Router

Can a wireless router go bad? I have to restart mine at least once a day to restore my Internet connection. Should I just get a new one?

The reliability and performance of a network router can degrade over time. Other factors, like out-of-date firmware or your Internet service provider, may be affecting the router’s ability to keep a connection; too many connections to file-sharing services can also hinder it. If you suspect that your modem may be dropping the connection, (based on observing its status lights) contact your Internet provider for technical support.

If the router is several years old, replacing it with a new model using current networking technology has its benefits. Before you do, though, you may want to try some troubleshooting to make sure the router is the real problem.

For example, check to see if the manufacturer has released any updates for the router’s firmware (the software it needs to run). If you have not done this before, look in the router’s manual or support area of the manufacturer’s Web site for instructions. The site may also have online support forums with useful troubleshooting information for your modem make and model.

Updating firmware typically starts with logging into the router’s configuration page by typing http://192.168.1.1 or something similar into your Web browser and typing in the administrator password to get to the settings. Refer to the router’s documentation for specific instructions.

Installing third-party router firmware is also an option for the more technically inclined, but likely voids your warranty. If a firmware update does not help, check to make sure the router is not overheating and that it has plenty of airflow around it.

View the original article here

Q&A: The Long Arm of Google on Chrome

Is it true Google can remotely uninstall apps from its Chrome browser without your permission?

One of Chrome’s online Help pages does say that if Google discovers an app in the Chrome Web Store that violates its developer agreement or other laws, the company “retains the right to remotely remove those items from your browser at its sole discretion.” The page also states that, if it were an app you bought, Google will make a reasonable effort to recover the cost of the purchase from the developer.

Apps that are deemed dangerous or a security risk are the ones usually targeted for automatic removal. Not all apps that disappear from your Chrome browser are zapped due to malicious intent, though. Some apps may also be lost due to a corrupted user profile or updated permissions from the developer, and Google has tips for dealing with those situations here.

Google is not alone in grabbing back software or files you may have installed from one of its services. In 2009, Amazon remotely deleted certain digital copies of two George Orwell books from the Kindle e-readers of its customers because of a rights issue with the company that added the books to the Kindle store.

View the original article here

Apple awarded $1.05bn from Samsung

View the original article here

Friday, August 24, 2012

iPhone has texting security flaw, says researcher

A security loophole present in Apple's iOS operating system has come to light, and could see iPhone owners tricked into sending texts to an incorrect number.

iOS security researcher pod2g claims to have noticed the flaw, which they categorise as 'severe', noting that other security researchers are probably already aware of the glitch.

Pod2g explains that if you have a mind to, it's possible to send text messages in their raw PDU (protocol description unit) form. Within this there's a section called the UDH (user data header) which lets you edit options, including altering the reply address of the text.

This would mean that when you reply to the text, your message could end up getting sent to a different place to where it came from.

The issue appears to be in the way that the iPhone displays messages, with modified texts appearing to have come from the reply-to address. So you could be sent a message that appears to come from someone you know (pod2g uses the example of a what seems to be your bank) but were you to reply, the message would get sent elsewhere.

The security researcher says that the glitch has been present since texting first appeared on the iPhone, and is still present in the latest beta version of iOS 6. Pod2g pleads, "Apple: please fix before the final release".

Hopefully more will become known about the potential flaw soon, including whether any other smart phones could be affected. Fingers crossed Apple can offer an explanation soon, and patch up any existing security holes.

Apple's security has come under scrutiny recently, after it was revealed that it's none too tricky to hack into someone's iCloud account and wipe their devices.

How's your digital security? Are your passwords secure, and do you have two-step verification turned on for your Gmail and Facebook? Tell me in the comments or on our Facebook wall.

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Microsoft Surface, Samsung Galaxy Beam in Podcast 301

Listen to the podcast

Ice Cream Sandwich now rolling out for the Sony Xperia P

Ice Cream Sandwich is now rolling out for the Sony Xperia P after months of waiting. Sony posted the good news onto their blog, so if you own a Xperia P, then you’ll want to see if the update has arrived by going into settings, scrolling down the page and clicking on About, then you should see the update tab, click on that and it should tell you if there is an update for your handset. Android Ice Cream Sandwich brings a lot of new features to the Xperia P, including an enhanced lockscreen, an updated settings menu, new multitasking controls, a faster homescreen and resizable widgets. Sony never gave a firm release date, but it’s currently rolling out and should arrive in most markets within the next coming weeks.

Source

View the original article here

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Microsoft and Nokia to hold a press event on September the 5th

Nokia and Microsoft are getting together to host a press event on September the 5th to announce the first string of Lumia devices to sport Windows Phone 8, during Nokia World 2012. Microsoft’s brand new mobile operating system was announced back in June and since we’ve all been excited to see some actual phones running it. Sadly, Nokia has lost a lot of hype to iOS and Android, but a new Lumia could easily freshen up the smartphone market. As we’ve already told you earlier today, a Nokia VP directed a tweet to Samsung via Twitter confirming the existence of a new Lumia phone.

Source

View the original article here

Sky+ iPad app updated for remote controllery, 3D still free

Read Full Review

Your iPad is about to become the most expensive remote control you've ever owned. The Sky+ app for iPad has now been updated so you can use your iPad as a remote control for your Sky package.

Sky reckons a third of us have more than six remote controls in the house, and we spend four days a year choosing what to watch. The updated iPad app lets you change channels as well as pause, play and rewind TV with a haughty swipe or nonchalant tap of your fingers.

You can manage your planner through the app, recording new episodes or deleting stuff you've watched -- all without interrupting viewing on the TV screen.

The app includes a redesigned TV guide, with new genre tabs to help you home in the shows you want to watch.

Future enhancements to the Sky+ app due include the integration of second screen gubbins, allowing you to discuss the show you're watching with other viewers, thanks to Zeebox. Bonus second-screen experiences created specifically around Sky programmes will also be added, if the show on the telly just can't hold your attention. That little lot's expected later this year.

To turn your iPad into a remote, you need to have the new-look Sky Guide on your Sky+HD box and the free app on your tablet, which must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network as the set-top box.

In other Sky news, Sky 3D has an extra few days at no cost to you. Sky originally knocked the entry fee off the 3D channel to allow those with 3D televisions to enjoy the Olympics in three dimensions, and has extended the free period for an extra week.

During that time you can relive the spectacular opening ceremony and winning performances from Jessica Ennis, Michael Phelps, Mo Farah and Usain Bolt, as well as musical highlights from Kylie and Steps, and David Attenborough's Kingdom of Plants, Flying Monsters and The Bachelor King. In the meantime, you don't need a 3DTV to enjoy our interview with Sir David.

Zap me your thoughts in the comments or on our Facebook page.

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 to get Jelly Bean update this year

Read Full Review

Samsung's all-new Galaxy Note 10.1 tablet has been unveiled in its final form, and looks to be getting a software upgrade to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean before the end of the year.

The stylus-sporting Note 10.1 will launch running the older Android Ice Cream Sandwich, much to the consternation of Android enthusiasts who are eager to nibble on the latest version of Google's robot-powered platform.

That tooth-gnashing woe will hopefully be short-lived, however, as according to Samsung the Note 10.1 will be upgraded sometime in 2012, CNET.com reports.

Exactly when in the year the new tablet gets the update remains to be seen, but one thing's for sure -- if Samsung wants its latest tablet to appeal to Android-savvy shoppers, it had best figure out a way to bundle Jelly Bean on board sharpish.

Recent rumours suggest Samsung could be getting its rear in gear with regards to updates, as the Samsung Galaxy S3 has been tipped to get an upgrade to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean on 29 August, the same day Samsung's expected to unveil the Galaxy Note 2.

The Note 10.1 offers a unique feature in the shape of the S Pen stylus, which could make it an appealing choice for arty types who like the notion of doodling on their devices, or doing that thing artists do where they hold out a pen and close one eye to try and get a sense of scale.

The Note 10.1 has two serious rivals. The iPad of course, and Google's Nexus 7 tablet, which boasts the twin advantages of being extremely good and also mind-bogglingly cheap. Let me know what you think of the Note 10.1 down in the comments, or over on Facebook.

Monday, August 20, 2012

Children's Apps That Inject a Little Learning Into Vacation

Dealing with some antsy kids? One solution is quality children’s apps. Not only are they perfect for rainy day fun, but they can extend your school’s curriculum into the vacation, a point you might not want to mention to your child. They are listed here by age, from young to old.

ABC ZooBorns, $2.99, is packed with crystal-clear photos and YouTube videos that feature baby zoo animals as a way to give meaning to letters and words. Best for ages 2 to 8.

Lego 4+ lets you mix and match virtual Lego blocks to build a vehicle, which you can then drive through a side-scrolling maze. The app features the same vehicles used in various Lego kits, which is why it is free. Best for ages 3 to 9.

Little Fox Music Box, $2.99, is akin to stepping inside a well-made cuckoo clock. The touch-and-discover format is full of surprises, which keeps things interesting. Best for ages 4 and up.

Bugs and Bubbles, $2.99, is one of my favorite apps to come along so far this year. Besides featuring real-looking bugs and shimmering bubbles, the 18 math and logic games become harder as you play, so there is always a challenge. Best for ages 3 to 8.

LetterSchool, $2.99, is a case study in how to enhance an age-old schoolhouse subject (handwriting) with the latest technology. Each upper or lower letter or numeral is presented in a choice of common penmanship styles, in follow-along fashion. Best for ages 3 and up.

Monster’s Socks, $2.99, is one of many excellent children’s e-books you can find in the app store this summer. Beautifully illustrated and not too scary, the story has a theme similar to “Where the Wild Things Are.” Best for ages 3 and up.

Nick Jr. Draw and Play, $6.99, turns an iPad into an easel, stocked with many shades of fine-lined colored pencils, crayons, markers and charcoal. Best for ages 3 to 8.

The Great Cookie Thief, $3.99, effectively brings the old West to your iPad. Besides the interactive antics of Cookie Monster, you can use the iPad’s camera to create your own “wanted” poster, of your dog. Best for ages 3 and up.

Motion Math: Wings Pro, $6.99, turns a school worksheet into addicting fun, as you lean left or right to steer a bird toward an island. To do so, however, you must quickly calculate greater quantities, using sets or, later, fractions. A free version with in-app sales is available. Best for ages 4 and up.

Math Doodles, $2.99, lets children explore the sheer joy of mathematical relationships in different languages and forms, including Spanish, binary or Braille. Best for ages 5 and up.

Monster Physics, 99 cents, contains a ready supply of blocks of ice, bowling balls or rubber bands, which can be used to get your pet monster through a maze. Fifty puzzles keep things interesting. Best for ages 7 and up.

The Sonnets by William Shakespeare, $13.99, is a celebration of the spoken word, using 154 of Shakespeare’s sonnets, each read by famous actors like Fiona Shaw (“Harry Potter”) or David Tennant (“Doctor Who”). Best for ages 12 and up.

View the original article here

Robotic Deer Helps Officers Thwart Illegal Hunting!

This robotic deer helps protect wildlife and citizens from illegal hunting. The remote controlled deer has a moving head and tail. Officers bust hunters shooting from their cars shortly after the shooters are tricked by this life-like animatronic deer. Watch the video below!

Robotic Deer Helps Catch Poachers Image Credit: Planet Green

This is not a new problem in wildlife management. Robotic deer have been used in Indiana, Florida, Missouri, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and many other states to help stop illegal hunters. This just shows how a little application of technology can make a deer look realistic enough to fool hunters from a distance.

What are your thoughts?

View the original article here

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Segway RMP 200 Bots Used To Train Snipers as Moving Targets.

By Dan on April 9, 2010

Check out this video of modified Segway bots being used to simulate human targets in a live fire sniper training exercise. The bots are programmed to react much like real humans would. After a target is hit the bots are programmed to scatter.

The Segway bots have attached to them a realistic looking upper-body and wear black hooded sweatshirts. They can even enter buildings.

Posted in Military | Tagged Military, rmp 200, segway, sniper, training

View the original article here

Saturday, August 18, 2012

Robot Box is Facebook for your Robots. Share your robots and make friends.

Robot Box is a place to share your robots and make friends.

Robot Box is a community oriented site where users share the robots they have created. Local robotics groups, user created robot showcases, and part reviews are popular features of the site. Robot Box allows you to create relationships with other users, almost like a supped’ up Facebook for your robot creations!

Robot Box is a place to share your robots and make friends.

You can almost think of RobotBox like a cross between your personal portfolio and a social network. Gather all your projects in one place, and share them with the world. It’ll be good for you, and good for other people!?–?RobotBox About Page

This site is pretty impressive, there are lots of things to do there. Remember that it is a new site, still being developed, so some kinks here and there are to be expected.

You can check out the Robot Box page I have created here: My Robot Box Page.

View the original article here

Sony PRS-T2 ereader finally announced

Sony’s latest ereader, the PRS-T2, offers improved Pearl e-ink technology, but sadly the 6inch screen with a resolution of 600 x 800 pixels remains the same as its predecessor, the PRS-T1. Other specs include 2 gig of memory, Wi-Fi and a battery which is capable of running for 2 months on a single charge. It’s pretty sleek and lightweight at only 164g, plus it offers Wi-Fi for instant access to the Sony Reader Store. It comes in three different colours- red, white and black- and will be available from tomorrow bundled with a stylus.
Source

View the original article here

Curiosity Lands Safely and In Working Order

Depending on which time zone you're in, either yesterday evening or early this morning, a rocket-powered sky crane lowered the Curiosity rover gently to the surface of Mars, just in time for Curiosity to send a few low-res images before the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) and Odyssey, either of which could relay its signal back to Earth, dropped below the horizon and lost contact, culminating years of planning and months of anxious anticipation. Considering the complex sequence of steps involved, the narrow window of time within which each had to be performed, and the fact that all were performed autonomously by the system in flight or by the rover itself, this successful landing is a major victory for the incorporation of robotic technologies into rocket science. Congratulations to all involved!

Source : http://robots.net/article/3430.html

A Polymer to Protect Phones From Impact

The super-shock-absorbent material called non-Newtonian polymer inspires a lot of don’t-try-this-at-home stunts, like getting whacked in the head with a shovel through a layer of the stuff.

But these materials are also used in protective clothing for skiers and motorcyclists, and – no surprise here – cases for phones.

A company called Tech21 from Britain has been producing protective cases using the polymer D30 for T-Mobile, but in May it spun off its own line.

These materials, also know generically as “rate-dependent materials,” work by having their molecules freeze in place when struck hard, but are pliant when moved gently — just like water, which is a rate-dependent material of a sort. If you lower yourself into a bath there is little resistance. But slap the water hard with the flat of your hand and it will leave your palm stinging.

Tech21 has put D30 in cases for a variety of phones including those from Apple, HTC, Samsung and RIM as well as some tablets and e-readers.

Most of the cases are like the bumpers you see on iPhones, a protective strip of material that surrounds the outer edges. The D30 shows as an orange stripe on the part of the case where the company says a phone is most likely to take a jolt. An upcoming case will also have a D30 pad in the back.

The phone cases range in price from $30 for the Impact Band to $136 for the underwater Submariner case.

When it comes to product stunts, though, you have to hand it to a company called G-Form, which also uses rate-dependent polymers in its products. It recently had B.A.S.E. jumpers drop an iPhone from 1,000 feet to demonstrate the effectiveness of its padding.

View the original article here

Pages

Featured Post 1

Ads 468x60px

Labels

Friday, August 31, 2012

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Monday, August 27, 2012

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Saturday, August 25, 2012

Friday, August 24, 2012

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Monday, August 20, 2012

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Saturday, August 18, 2012

RSS Feed

Popular Posts

Blog Archive

Followers

About Me

Total Pageviews