Archive for August, 2014
Body Odor and Brain Waves: 5 Cool New ID Technologies
Many driver’s licenses and passports have holograms and other types of sophisticated security embedded in them, but for the most part, people still heavily rely on ID cards to prove who they are. Continue reading →
Fighter Jets and Drones Practice Rapid-Fire Launches
The U.S. Navy recently conducted its first successful tests of drones and jets operating together aboard an aircraft carrier. The test flights, which took place Sunday (Aug. 17) aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt, focused on assessing whether unmanned drones could be deployed quickly and safely alongside manned fighter jets. Continue reading →
How ‘Skin’ Sensors Could Turn Planes Super-Smart
The newest technology for military planes is surprisingly touchy-feely. Applied to the outside of an aircraft, the new “smart skin” lets planes “feel” the world around them through thousands of tiny sensors. Continue reading →
Zotac Zbox Nano D518 PC runs Freescale quad-core CPU and Android 4.3
Zotac has a new small form factor PC that is set to launch next month called the Zbox Nano D518. The machine will have a Freescale i.MX6 quad core processor inside and rather than coming with Windows installed or simply having no OS and leaving it up to you to get the machine running, Zotac is shipping the little PC with Android 4.3 ready to run. Continue reading →
8TB hard drives have arrived
We’re sorry to break the bad news, but that 5TB hard drive you bought last week? Yeah, it’s already obsolete. Seagate has started shipping the first-ever 8TB desktop hard disk, doubling the 4TB capacities that seemed huge just a couple of years ago. If it’s any consolation, though, this machinery isn’t ready to go inside your hot gaming PC. Continue reading →
Geek Dreams: Cray CS-Storm Delivers High-Performance Computing In Million-Dollar Package
Imagine a system with 22 x 2u servers in a 48u rack -all cranking on 176 NVIDIA Tesla K40 GPU chips providing an astonishing 250 Teraflops per rack. We’re talking scream machines and that’s what Cray is delivering in its latest high-performance system called the Cray CS-Storm. Continue reading →
Volvo XC90 hands-on: The safest Volvo ever is packed full of tech treats
“This is one of the most important days in our history. We are not just launching a car, but re-launching our brand,” says Hakan Samuelsson, President and CEO of Volvo, as the cover is drawn off the new Volvo XC90 at a media launch in Stockholm. Continue reading →
Apple wants to stick physical keys under the iPhone’s screen… some day
We’ve been hearing about Apple’s plans to implement a haptic feedback system for quite some time now. The first filed patents we know of date back to 2009, but the Cupertinians have yet to deliver a device toting the system. Continue reading →
Instagram introduces Hyperlapse video app that produces time-lapse photography
Did you ever watch a stadium fill up using time-lapse photography and think it would be cool to shoot your own videos like that? Now you can. Instagram has launched its Hyperlapse app, that allows users to create high-quality time-lapse videos. Continue reading →
Archos intros its first Windows Phone 8.1 handset, plus new Android devices
While Archos is far from being one of the industry’s big players, it managed to launch an impressive number of smartphones and tablets until now. Today, the French company announced several new products, one of them being its very first Windows Phone device. Continue reading →
Apple completes Beats acquisition
Apple announced today that it has completed its acquisition of Beats Electronics and Beats Music, a deal worth $3 billion. The purchase brings popular headphone lines and a streaming music service under Apple’s umbrella, signaling a major push into the subscription music market. Continue reading →
NASA’s New Horizons crosses Neptune’s orbit
NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft, en route to Pluto, has crossed the orbit of Neptune, marking a major milestone in its nine-year journey. The probe, launched in 2006, is now closer to Pluto than any spacecraft has ever been, with less than a year to go before its historic flyby in July 2015. Continue reading →
Twitter tests ‘Buy’ button for instant purchases
Twitter has begun testing a new ‘Buy’ button that will allow users to make purchases directly from tweets. The feature, initially rolled out to a small group of US users, is designed to streamline mobile shopping by embedding payment options within the social network. Continue reading →
LG unveils world’s first 21:9 ultrawide gaming monitor
LG has announced the world’s first 21:9 ultrawide gaming monitor, the LG 34UC97. With a curved IPS display and a resolution of 3440 x 1440, the monitor is designed to provide an immersive gaming experience with a wider field of view than traditional 16:9 screens. Continue reading →
Researchers develop bendable battery for wearables
A team of scientists has developed a flexible, stretchable battery that could power the next generation of wearable devices. The battery, made from a special polymer and silver nanowires, can be bent and twisted without losing capacity, opening new possibilities for smart clothing and health monitors. Continue reading →
Facebook launches Internet.org app in Zambia
Facebook has launched its Internet.org app in Zambia, providing free access to a selection of basic internet services to mobile users. The move is part of Facebook’s initiative to bring connectivity to under-served regions, and Zambia becomes the second country after India to receive the app. Continue reading →
Google’s Project Loon begins testing in Australia
Google’s Project Loon, which aims to provide internet access via high-altitude balloons, has begun testing in Australia. The company has partnered with local telecommunications provider Telstra to trial the technology in remote areas, with the goal of eventually bringing connectivity to billions of people worldwide. Continue reading →
Samsung announces new curved UHD TVs
Samsung has expanded its lineup of curved ultra-high-definition (UHD) televisions with new models ranging from 48 to 105 inches. The TVs feature 4K resolution and a gentle curve that Samsung says enhances the viewing experience by providing a more immersive picture. Prices start at around $2,500. Continue reading →