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December 31, 2005

MIT Envisions Stackable Cars

A team headed by William Mitchell, former head of the school of architecture at MIT, has been working for four years on stackable sharable efficient cars of the future. The cars generate zero emissions and will be customizable. Each wheel will essentially be a robot with it's own electric motors and suspension. The team plans to present the final design in a few months to General Motors who has agreed to build a prototype and support the project.

I was watching the powerpoint presentation and it's certainly feasible to do. The way the cars drive up and stack on top of another is pretty cool but its HELLA cool how a car in the middle will unstack itself.

Aside from the stackable cars project, MIT is also working on a number of other prototypes; many having wheels and suspensions that allow for 360º of rotation.

Now I know I need to stay professional but I have a HUGE soft spot for SMART MEN and there are more than a few choice hotties working at MIT.

via THE RAW FEED

MIT hotties after the jump

Posted by tranism at 1:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | | |

December 29, 2005

Nissan + Xbox360 = URGE

Official photos of Nissan's latest concept car dubbed "URGE" are making their rounds on the net. The three-seater is motorcycle inspired (a-bit SMART car too if you ask me), and riders will be able to see thru the vehicle's glass hood to view the displacement engine revving and pumping away. What really sets this vehicle apart are the gadgets and gizmos that pimp it out.

An integrated MP3 player, universal cell phone docking station, and the real big news; a fully integrated Xbox360 using the steering wheel and pedals as controls.

more pictures after the jump

Posted by tranism at 11:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | | |

December 24, 2005

Fun Keys

Shrunken two octave keyboards too often play like toys and cramp your style but not the Alesis Photon X25. It's small enough to throw in a decent-size bag. Everything feels great, from the key action, to the high quality pitch and mod wheels to the continuous knobs. As if that weren't enough, Alesis throws in an infrared AXYZ dome to you can control your sound by waving your hand in the air above the keyboard, plus a basic audio interface. Everything is USB powered, so this is the perfect programming synth on the road or just a fun mono/analog/bassline keyboard for the studio.

Only $200. Buy it for me me please!

via Created Digital Music

Posted by tranism at 1:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | | |

December 23, 2005

Hello Moto!

Photos of the Motorola A1200 Smartphone leaked out onto the internet last week and I must say, it's a gorgeous design. The A1200 is still under development but press leaks from Motorola have confirmed specs. The A1200 is equipped with a 2-megapixel camera, a huge 2.4" 240 x 320 pixel QVGA TFT touchscreen, and memory expandable up to 512 MB using T-flash cards (SD micro cards). Not only are the phone's specs pretty nifty but it's a workhouse supporting all 3 major email protocols, browse and edit Microsoft Office documents, and support for 10 audio/video formats for all your entertainment needs.

The three greatest things about this phone is it's business card scanning function, Linux powered operating system, and its a super lightweight coming in at only 95 grams! I believe that's even lighter than the RAZR.

No pricing yet but it comes out in January 2006.

HELLO MOTO!

Posted by tranism at 11:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | | |

Motion Activated Feline Frolic

Cats spend anywhere between 12-14 hours a day sleeping. What a life right? Unfortunately, that's why so many of our feline friends are overweight. Just like us, they need exercise to keep trim and fit.

I don't have a cat but this thing is so cool and so cheap at only $19.95, I may just buy one for the hell of it. It's a robotic mouse with a cute little birdie attached to its tail. You can control the mouse-bot using a remote or leave it on auto mode to randomly start up and play with your cat. With its array of onboard sensors, the mouse-bot can avoid stairs and obstacles meanwhile giving your cat a good chance to chase, stalk, and pounce.

Another cool Sharper Image product. Buy it here and buy one for me too!

Posted by tranism at 11:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | | |

Blowfly Blow

Sometimes waking up to turn off the alarm clock accomplishes nothing. Most people go right back to sleep. After awhile, the alarm clock becomes a routine which most people don't even remember turning them off.

One thing that sometimes wakes you up at night and prevents you from getting your beauty rest is a mosquito or fly; annoyingly buzzing around your bedroom. You can't and won't go back to sleep until you've properly disposed of the intruder. This produces adrenalin and requires movements.

Product Designer Ena Macana has taken that bit of science and designed an alarm clock that encourages your body to create adrenalin so you'll wake up faster. The alarm clock blowfly works like a "blowfly" that at preset time, it escapes from it's pod, lifting off like a little helicopter, flying around meanwhile buzzing to wake you up. The only way to turn it off is to get up, catch it and place it back on it's pod.

BRILLIANT!

Reminds me of a Harry Potter match of quidditch
another picture after the jump

via Yanko Design

Posted by tranism at 10:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (6) | | |

What's That Fuckin' Song Title?!?!

How many times have you said that after hearing a nice long mix set on the radio? You sit and wait and listen to the VJ as he/she spouts off something you could care less about, hoping they'll mention the title of the song you just heard. You wait and wait and just when that big moment comes . . . NOTHING, they cut to a fuckin' commercial.

ARGH! It drives me crazy. No more worries, there's a little app. out there called Tunatic. If you want some info on the song, just launch the application (on your computer) and put the microphone by the speakers. Tunatic then searches its massive library of songs and tells you the song title along with some relevant web links.

COOL HUH? For now, the app. only runs on your computer but at only 600 KB, there's no reason why a mobile version couldn't be created. Oh, did I forget to mention that its FREE?

Go ahead, give it a try. It's pretty accurate, even being able to differentiate between different mixes of the same song. Download the Mac or Windows versions.

Posted by tranism at 10:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | | |

Snoopy Rocks The iPod nano

I want this badly. Snoopy reminds me of myself. He's intelligent, a little mischievous, persistent, and care-free.

Runat Corp of Japan has launched a limited edition Snoopy iPod nano set. Only 1000 units will be manufactured with a Snoopy engraved on the back of the nano. The pack includes a white 2 GB iPod nano, neckband, and 3 Snoopy skins all packaged in a gorgeous box with relief lettering and paw prints.

Somebody buy for us, it's only $285.

Posted by tranism at 10:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | | |

December 16, 2005

Gmail MOBILE

The Gods over at Google have announced Gmail Mobile. No, you don't have to sign up for another Gmail account. You can now check your Gmail from your mobile phone. Only requirements are that your phone can browse the web.

Gmail Mobile is much more powerful than most of those crappy email systems that come with your mobile data plan. It automatically resizes the interface for your phone. It can open and save attachments like images, word, pdf documents. It also lets your call any numbers right in the email and in your Gmail contacts list.

Soooo Cool!

Posted by tranism at 4:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | | |

ASIMO vs. QRIO

No less than a week after Honda's announcement of their new robot ASIMO - Sony today announces their new and improved QRIO robot.

So the Robot wars between the two Japanese giants are officially on!. Let's recap;

This is Honda's ASIMO, with its increased brain power and improved mobility, ASIMO can now work in a real environment serving up drinks and cleaning up. ASIMO is known the world over to be first compact robot with a full range of human like movement, including running and balancing itself - something really hard for roboticists to simulate.

This is Sony's new and improved QRIO. The bot has a received a major overhaul in software allowing it to react faster and to control it's new arms which allow it to pick up things much heavier than itself. The real improvement here is QRIO's new third eye that allows it to see 180º around him. The third eye also improves QRIO's ability to multitask by allowing it to keep an "eye" on multiple projects at the same time. Sony QRIO is known as the first true bipedal entertainment bot with its uncanny ability to keep rhythm and dance! Not only that, but QRIO can talk and translate almost anything you throw at it!

So there you have it, you got the Honda ASIMO geared towards work and Sony's QRIO geared towards entertainment and knowledge. Which do you prefer?

Posted by tranism at 4:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (3) | | |

WARNING, SHOCK!

Ummm, if women the world over start rockin' the No-Contact jacket, I fear for all the men at clubs that have "grabby" hands. At some point, I'm sure some gay man will find a way to wear it but then again, doesn't that defeat the purpose? A gay man that doesn't like to be touched by those "grabby" hands? Anyways, that's another discussion.

Just what is the No-Contact Jacket? It's a jacket designed to intervene into the social condition of violence against women. I would file this under the category of "smart clothing" but this jacket goes one step further. Moving entirely in a different direction, where most smart clothes encourage, assist, and enhance tactile touch, the No-Contact jacket delivers up to 80,000 volts of electricity into anyone engaged in unauthorized contact with the wearer.

The electricity pulses beneath the shell of the entire jacket and can be deactivated by the wearer. As an added safety benefit, the entire surface is coated with a waterproof nylon to protect it from rain.

you gotta go to their site and check out the videos

Posted by tranism at 3:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | | |

Got 1k? Buy The XDC-1

Anyone who shops at Neiman Marcus regularly needn't worry about blowing off 1K. That's chump change right? Mr. Marcus is currently selling a high end desktop audio system called the XDC-1. It sounds great connected to your computer and of course your iPod.

Features something the company (Xhifi) calls Low Mass Radial Ribbon technology which delivers smooth detailed sound in a 360º. The binding posts are gold plated and offer superior connectivity. All this technology is housed within European cherry wood.

If you got cash, go here

Posted by tranism at 2:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | | |

December 15, 2005

ibeat

Ibeat's self-powered illuminated headphones can either flash or blink to the beat of your music or provide a constant color flow of neon. The versatile ibeat works with all mp3 players including all the iPods off course. The ibeat is now available in 6 colors in major electronic stores and the suggested price is $29.95

I've ordered 2 already, one for me and one as a gift!

Posted by at 11:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | | |

Stridelite

Stridelite jackets address the safety needs of runners and walkers at night. Each jacket features 24-micron-thin electroluminescent lamps that are completely flexible, virtually weightless and highly durable. Schoeller Dryskin Extreme offers the best water + wind resistance with superior active wicking technology, and the garment is also "streetable" for everyday wear.

• 360° Blue Strobe-Light
• visible from 1/4 mile
• 300+ hrs before changing
• 2 “AAA” Batteries
• 3M Scotchlite
• Protective Accents
• Lightweight + Activity-specific Tailoring
• Durable + Weatherproof
• ttery Casings
• 4-Way Stretch Fabric

Posted by at 10:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | | |

Kenguru

The Kenguru surrounds the driver sitting in his manual wheelchair. It has soft lines on the outside. The inside space is friendly, operating controls can be easily reached. The driver feels secure even in city traffic.

The design enables the driver to get in and out of the vehicle with a manual wheelchair without changing his seat. The wheelchair locks automatically in place. It can be also used without the vehicle. The vehicle is driven and controlled by a joystick and its connecting panels from the wheelchair. Pretty damn hot! I wonder if Kenguru speaks too, it has that little cute mouth in the front

Designed by Zsolt Varga, Hungary

Posted by at 10:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | | |

December 14, 2005

magenn Floating Wind Turbines

Want free electricity? Here's how. The magenn flying wind turbine is held up by helium generating 4Kw, enough to power your needs. Cost is about 10k, but it pays for itself in about 6 years depending on usage.

It's anchored by a tether that can extend up to 1,000 feet above ground. Generally, 400 feet is enough to catch the minimum 3 meters/sec wind speed needed to sustain a nice supply of electricity. The turbine spins in the air turning the generators. The rotation also stabilizes the turbine while energy is transfered down the tether which also acts as the transfer system.

If you're seriously interested, read more about it here and if you're REALLY interested, order one. :)

another picture after the jump
via treehugger

Posted by tranism at 2:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | | |

Sharp > Sony Ericsson > Samsung > Nokia > Motorola

When people flaunt their Sony Ericsson's around, proclaiming their awesome design, the amazing screen, the camera, the functionality; I can't help but scoff a little. On the other side of the world, you have the Europeans flaunting their Nokia's and I just want to tell them how inferior their phones are compared to Japanese and Korean phones, but again - I keep that inside. (I'm being mean, I know).

But really, its not about which phone is superior. It's about which phones do what you need best. It's different for me only because I'm a technophile and tech elitist. I need the latest, otherwise I feel backwards and outdated and that's REALLY easy to feel living in the tech-challenged USA.

So my next phone purchase is the awesome and powerful Sharp WX-T91. The beauty of this phone is its 3 megapixel camera and how it operates. The camera is activated simply by folding the clamshell back and then using it like a normal digital camera with the giant sized screen as your view finder. On top of that, the top half of the phone that houses the screen can rotate 180º. But here's the real standout feature. With its massive 1GB storage capacity (can expand even further via mini SD cards), you can store your favorite Tivo-To-Go programs and watch it on the go. Got something you wanna show your coworkers or friends? No problem, the phone is equipped with a USB and TV out port.

So there you have it. I can't decide between the white or red model but its high time I upgraded. Although my Sharp GX-32 is still way ahead of almost all phones available in the U.S., I feel the Tivo-To-Go option and the amazing screen and camera optics are enough to warrant a purchase. It's just a shame that there will be some features I won't be able to use because of our backwards cellular network and it's disheartening to think that even tho this phone outclasses everything else here, there's still a breed of phones in Japan and South Korea that makes this phone look like yesterday's news.

Rambling on here, so just check out more picture after the jump

via phonedaily

Posted by tranism at 12:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (4) | | |

December 12, 2005

env

env is a product of the vision and optimism of a combined team of technologists, designers and entrepreneurs determined to face the challenges of the future with courage and resourcefulness.

The env fuel cell bike is for all of us who share a vision of a bright, clean, world based upon a hydrogen economy and it's finally here.

env is not part of a distant utopia, it's a fully-functioning and truly revolutionary machine that works and integrates seamlessly into your everyday life.

another picture after the jump

Posted by tranism at 5:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | | |

Hopping Robots on Mars

Penelope Boston and Steven Dubowsky have received a grant from NASA Institute for Advanced Concepts to work on tiny hopping robots. An array of the micro-bots could be deployed on Mars, coordinating with one another like a swarm of insects to search for life below the surface of the planet.

The spheres would store up muscle energy, and then "boink" themselves off in various directions.

The researchers have calculated that about a thousand of the robots could be packed into a payload mass the size of one of the current Mars Exploration Rovers. That would give them the flexibility so suffer the loss of a large percentage of the units and still have a network that could be doing recon, sensing, imaging and perhaps even some other science functions.

A fleet of these little spheres would be sent to some promising landing site, exiting from the lander and then making their way over to some subsurface or hazardous terrain, where they deploy themselves as a living robotic network working independently and together. They create a cellular communication network, on a nodal basis.

Some of the units could be fitted with magnification capability, so one could look at the textures of the materials that they are landing on. Some would also have chemical sensors to sniff and sense the chemical environment.

So freakin cool but it reminds me of that one Futurama episode where humans had to do battle with these super intelligent bouncing balls. Hummmmm. . .

via we make money not art

Posted by tranism at 3:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | | |

iDJ Mixing Console

plankton here, hi-jacking electro's blog account because I can't get to mine. I had to post this;

The iDJ mixing console an accessory(?), an extension for the iPod as part of a two-channel mixer that accepts all iPod models with the standard bottom port and breaks out their controls onto its dedicated interface. Both channels sport a 3-band EQ and gain control and the units have dedicated mic and phono/line inputs for bringing in additional signals. It's also rocking some USB connectivity, enabling it to converse with your portable rig as a music-loading base.

I have yet to find any reviews on this console. Please let me know, if you hear of anything. . . I'm curious to whether the functionality really works.

Posted by tranism at 11:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | | |

December 10, 2005

It's A Super Prius

Solatec offers a new modification to 2004-2006 Toyota Prius'. The rooftop mounted solar panel kits consist of two flexible panels that self adhere to the car's roof and charge the hybrid's auxiliary battery through a system located behind the interior trim panels. The "Solaprius" gets a 10% boost in fuel economy bringing it's average up from 55 miles per gallon to 62 miles per gallon.

The kit sells for $2,195 and I have to say, I have the same color Prius pictured here and I think those solar panels look like racing stripes. Looks great. I'm game! Are you?

Posted by tranism at 1:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | | |

December 7, 2005

Mobile Living?

If GMC's vision is correct, mobile homes may move away from large bus formats to a more functional unit that rely on versatility, customization, convenience and luxury. But get this, the GMC PAD concept it targeted towards urban youth in Los Angeles as opposed to the typical 40+ something year old we normally associate with mobile homes.

Although the housing market in L.A. fluctuates (no time like the present to buy a home), the median price range of a decent home is still out of reach for most young people. GMC's solution is to take what young people like best about their homes and have placed it all in a luxurious "mobile urban loft".

The GMC PAD is easily the most fashionable way to live in your car. The vehicle can operate in diesel-electric hybrid mode when on the go but also can generate power for its house features while parked.

more pictures after the jump

Posted by tranism at 4:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (3) | | |

December 3, 2005

Compact Cars Making A Comeback

And it's about f*cking time too. Now, let me preface by saying I am not anti-SUV or some crazy oatmeal eating green-card touting environmentalist. What I am is a person that recognizes we are outstripping the resources of this planet and in our haste to grow, we have caused irreversible damage to our home. We have the smarts, the know-how, and motivation waiting on the table for us to bring about an revolution. And in these times - as the tide turns back to using what is only necessary instead of what is wanted, we can begin that transition to existing in harmony with the environment.

Nobody can expect this to happen suddenly and as with all major historical technological shifts in our society, what is often dismissed are the "transitional" technologies that make revolution possible.

The Citroen C-Airplay concept car is one of those transitional pieces of technologies. No, it's not a fuel cell vehicle nor is it even a hybrid. What it is - is a super efficient 110-hp car with start and stop technology making it a gas sipper.

This isn't just a study in environmentism, this is an exercise meant to bring back driving pleasure based on physical and visual perceptions. With windows wrapping around, above, and on the doors, you can see the world fly by as you zip around town. 110-hp may not sound like much to today's norm but considering how small this car is, it's more than enough power.

So you see, we can make things that satisfy both sides of the argument. We can make cars to help ease us into a resource preserving culture meanwhile satisfying all of those road enthusiasts who'd rather live life to the fullest. We just all need to make an effort in supporting technologies like these.

more pictures after the jump

Posted by tranism at 5:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | | |

Shiira, Princess of Power?

I use Safari and Firefox extensively and between the two, there doesn't seem to be a need for another. However there are features in other browsers I wish I had. For instance, I love Omniweb's "workspaces" feature. I often open dozens of urls all at once and sometimes I can't get to all of them right away. Workspaces allows me to save every single tabbed url into a group that appears in a drawer. I can always go back and with one click, open all the urls in that group. It's a more efficient and organized way of doing group bookmarks.

I recently came across another browser for Mac OS X called Shiira (He-man's sister?). It's based off the same web kit Apple's Safari was built on but has some more innovative features yet to be found in Safari. It's basically an open source Safari developed in the land of the rising sun and just like Firefox, has a large community constantly contributing to future builds. It goes one step beyond Safari by allowing you to customize the browser via themes - similar to what Firefox already offers.

Give it a try and let us know what you think.

Posted by tranism at 4:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | | |

December 1, 2005

Roomba Companion?

So lets see, I got a Roomba doin my floors, but sometimes he needs a little assistance. Why not compliment him with Bandai's Swifter robot?

No he doesn't slice or dice but he's ultra-compact and sweeps after you. Just stick a swifter pad on his cleaning stick. On top of that, he can keep track of your emails, act as a home security system notifying you and authorities in case of emergencies and/or burglaries. Of course you know Asians designed it because it's cute and has eyes.

check it out in action

Posted by tranism at 4:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | | |

Seiko Spectrum SVRD001

It's finally available for pre-order and it's mad expensive; over 2k; the Seiko Spectrum SVRD001. It's saving grace is that only 500 will be made and it's the first device that uses that crazy new e-paper technology, sharper than any screen today and paper thin. The design of the watch is similar to a bracelet and the body is made of stainless steel and a black & white e-paper. Shipping starts January 2006.

Posted by tranism at 3:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | | |