gizmag Emerging Technology Magazine

Fujitsu Siemens GraphicsBooster

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 16:48:21 +1100

Fujitsu Siemens has announced one of the first portable external graphics cards, the GraphicsBooster. Featuring an ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3870 graphics card with 512MB dedicated memory and DVI-I and HDMI outputs, it's enough to turn your laptop into a quad-screen-pushing, Crysis-playing beast...

Tags: Amilo, Fujitsu, GraphicsBooster, HDMI, Laptop, Siemens

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Backyard drive-in: the 16-ft inflatable outdoor screen

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 16:05:38 +1100

Looking to add some open-air ambience to your next big screen gathering? While outdoor TVs are the most obvious option, inflatable projection screens present an attractive alternative in terms of affordability, portability and size - which is where Open Air Cinema's gargantuan new Inflatable Movie Screen comes in. Tailored for home use, the 16ft x 9ft screen weighs less than 20 pounds when deflated, withstands winds of up to 20mph and inflates in seconds using the included blower to deliver a 220" diagonal projection surface. The catch - you may have to build your own grandstand...

Tags: Outdoor TV

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New RX 450h hybrid from Lexus

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 15:56:03 +1100

Lexus debuted the replacement for both the current RX 400h hybrid and the RX 350 petrol engine models at the recent Los Angeles Auto Show. The new RX 450h will replace both models in the UK to produce an all-hybrid RX range, while in North America a non-hybrid RX 350 will also be offered. Both the RX 350 and RX 450h are propelled by a 3.5-liter 6-cylinder petrol engine which provides 205kW (275hp) with the 450h’s augmented by an electric motor to provide a combined output of 220kW (295hp)...

Tags: Automotive, Hybrid, LA Auto Show, Lexus

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Fanatec's Porsche 911 GT3 RS Racing Wheel for PC and PS3

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 14:51:15 +1100

There must be plenty of aspiring Porsche drivers out there without the finances to afford the real thing because Fanatec has announced another addition to its line of Porsche licensed steering wheels for PC and PS3 gamers. The Porsche 911 GT3 RS Racing Wheel for PC and PS3 is crafted from genuine Alcantara leather, the same material that is used in real Porsches, and features the “world’s first” placement of a vibration motor on the brake pedal for that extra touch or realism...

Tags: Gaming, Haptics, Input Device, Personal Computers, Porsche, PS3

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Nokia flags high-priority on e-mail

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 12:15:10 +1100

Nokia has announced a plan to offer email and IM on all Nokia devices through the use of their Mail on Ovi Platform. Users have the option of creating a new e-mail account with 1GB of storage on the Ovi service, or can connect to their existing Mail and IM accounts hosted by Yahoo, Google, Microsoft, AOL and others...

Tags: Nokia

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Happy 40th birthday to the computer mouse

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 10:43:39 +1100

December 4, 2008 Computer peripherals giant Logitech recently shipped its billionth mouse, quite some feat given there are only 6.7 billion humans and a billion PCs on the planet. The mouse, in conjunction with the dastardly QWERTY keyboard, has become the cornerstone of the Computer Human Interface. The milestone comes within days of the fortieth anniversary of the first public demonstration of the computer mouse. On December 9, 1968, Douglas C. Engelbart gave a live public demonstration of the online system, NLS, which included the first mouse. The accompanying image is of the great grandaddy of the thing you’ve probably got in your hand as you read this...

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Intelligent Queue Management

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 09:38:28 +1100

December 4, 2008 I hate queues. It’s why I never went to Disneyland a second time, why I have developed an industrial-sized, alcohol-proof bladder and why I’d rather bank and shop online rather than do it in a dysfunctional real world environment. Time is a commodity I can’t get more of, my time is valuable, and, for-crying-out-loud, I WANT IT NOW! So I’m tipping that Irisys’ (InfraRed Integrated Systems) Intelligent Queue Management (IQM) system will be hot property in a commercial world attempting to reduce and better allocate human resources without further degrading the customer experience. IQM uses infrared sensors that measure and track numbers and behaviours of customers, and predictive algorithms to work out how many checkouts will be required in 15 and 30 minutes time to meet customer demand. It even sends alerts to managers so they can proactively manage staffing levels in real-time to ensure optimal levels of customer service. If you tell everyone you know about IQM, it will ultimately lead to shorter queues. ..

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Games are the convergence of everything

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 08:58:59 +1100

It’s not often that we just point to an article somewhere else and say, “hey, you should read this”, but that’s what we’re doing in regard to “Games are the convergence of everything” published yesterday on Forbes. It’s an interview with games developer (and former Hollywood script writer) Ken Levine (lead creative in the creation of highly immersive morality-based hit game Bioshock), and while the title captures the theme of the article, there are some gems in there you’ll no doubt find space for in your next conversation such as “Industrial Darwinism” (“it's hard for an industry to make a mistake because the market tends to be self-correcting”)...

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The Volkner car-swallowing ultra-luxury motorhome

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 07:31:41 +1100

The concept of incorporating secondary last-few-miles transport in a motorhome starts with a fold-up bicycle, steps upwards through a motorcycle riding piggyback and we’ve occasionally seen a full blown car being towed behind the largest beasties. So we were blown away when we saw the latest from German Motorhome specialist Volkner Mobil at the recent Caravan Salon in Dusseldorf. Volkner has been using CAD for more than two decades in tailoring its extraordinary high-end vehicles for those who insist in living in luxury no matter what. In order to fully cater for this elite clientele, it has created (and patented) a central garage concept that allows a luxury sports car to be ingested by the bohemoth, so that when you get there, you'll want for nothing (check the gallery and other luxury appointments). Volkner began been building the motorized garage into its high end Performance models in late 2006 and has now built motorhomes capable of swallowing whole Porsche 911s, Jaguar XK8 Cabriolets, BMW 6 Series Cabriolets, Maserati Quattroportes and this Mercedes Sports...

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Nokia Maps plans mobile assault on Google Maps

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 19:07:08 +1100

December 3, 2008 Dave Weinstein reports Nokia has announced a major update to its Nokia Maps application for S60 smart phones, which not only updates their mobile mapping, but adds desktop support for trip planning and coordination through their new Maps on Ovi service...

Tags: Maps, Nokia

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The new Nokia N97

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 18:31:04 +1100

December 2, 2008 Gizmag's Dave Weinstein attended the Nokia World Conference this week in Barcelona. This is the first of a series of articles on the flurry of announcements: Nokia has announced its next generation flagship device, the N97. Anssi Vanjoki, Nokia's Executive Vice President Markets, unveiled the device as walked through the design process that yielded a powerful device that aims to capture the hearts and minds of the public as a primary internet and communications terminal as well as an entertainment and gaming device...

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The TAG Heuer Grand CARRERA Calibre 36 RS

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 16:24:09 +1100

The newest member of TAG Heuer’s high-end Grand CARRERA watch collection, the Calibre 36 RS Caliper Chronograph features a COSC-certified movement oscillating at 36,000 vibrations per hour and is the only automatic chronograph capable of both measuring and displaying 1/10 of a second intervals using an innovative rotating scale design...

Tags: Sports, TAG Heuer

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H-Racer 2.0 gets more power and remote control

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 15:36:20 +1100

December 3, 2009 Horizon had a global hit with the first version of its palm-size hydrogen fuel cell educational toy car and the second version is likely to be just as successful – unfortunately, it won’t be available for the Christmas market (available January), but the H-racer 2.0 and refueling station now comes with twice the original power output, a manual purge system, new refueling valves and faster operation and an infrared remote control...

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California's largest single solar installation powers-up

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 16:58:07 +1100

In March this year Gizmag reported on Southern California Edison’s (SCE) plan to create the State’s largest single solar photovoltaic installation. The company has now announced that the first of its major commercial rooftop solar installations is complete, and powering homes in Southern California...

Tags: Environmental, Renewable Energy, Solar, Southern California Edison

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Sharp's LCD Christmas Tree

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 17:04:45 +1100

In a nod to Christmas cheer and the spirit of giving, Sharp has unveiled a 26-foot tall tree comprising 43 of its AQUOS LCD televisions. Aside from enhancing the holiday atmosphere, the “AQUOS Experience” in New York’s Grand Central Terminal represents Sharp’s donation to non-profit organization, the Hope Program...

Tags: Environmental, LCD, Sharp, TV

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Iomega Encrypt and BlackBelt hard drives

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 13:18:19 +1100

In this day and age, it's not just the tinfoil hat crowd who are likely to find themselves a little paranoid about their precious data. Iomega has announced two new entries to their eGo portable range, the ultra-rugged eGo BlackBelt and the government-grade encryption packing eGo Encrypt...

Tags: Iomega, Rugged, Storage

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NewerTech Voyager quad interface SATA drive dock

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 11:57:33 +1100

NewerTech's Voyager is a hot swappable docking station for 2.5" and 3.5" SATA hard drives of up to 2TB capacity. With support for Mac and PC, with interfaces for FireWire 800, FireWire 400, USB 2.0 and eSATA on board, you'll be hard pressed to find a computer that won't talk to it...

Tags: FireWire, Newertech, Storage, USB

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EV batteries demonstrate 180,000-plus mile lifespan

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 13:02:43 +1100

One of the key points critics have leveled at the electric car movement is that any money saved by switching gas stations for the power point will be lost when the battery fades and needs replacing. With battery costs currently still high, this is a valid concern - but how long can a battery pack last? Battery provider Southern California Edison have been testing a lithium-ion battery subpack for two and a half hears now and have demonstrated a life of more than 180,000 miles without significant performance deterioration, a figure which makes the cost equation appear more convincing...

Tags: Battery Electric Vehicle, Battery Electric Vehicles, Electric, Hybrid

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The Top 10 iPhone Applications for 2008

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 11:09:33 +1100

Apple has released statistics on the most downloaded iPhone applications of 2008, with a top ten list each for free and paid applications. One thing is for sure - iPhone developers looking to make a living should be concentrating on designing the next big iPhone game. Click through for the lists...

Tags: Apple, iPhone

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Michelin Active Wheel System to hit roads in 2010

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 18:06:43 +1100

Known to our readers for transport innovations like the Tweel airless tire, Michelin has announced that it will partner to bring an affordable electric car powered by its Active Wheel System to the roads in 2010. Featuring two electric motors housed within the wheel, one for traction and braking and the other for electric active suspension control, the system has revolutionary potential - no more engine under the hood, no more traditional suspension system, and no more gearbox or transmission as all the essential components have been integrated into the wheel itself. ..

Tags: Battery Electric Vehicles, Electric, Michelin

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Nokia's vision of a connected mobile world

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 09:52:03 +1100

December 3, 2008 It’s not surprising that the world’s largest phone manufacturer has a grand vision as global mobile device subscriptions pass the four billion mark. Nokia’s latest white paper paints a picture of a connected global network based around the world’s most distributed and pervasive sensing instrument – the mobile phone. Thanks to an increasing number of built-in sensors - ambient light, orientation, acoustical, video, velocity, GPS - each device can capture, classify, and transmit many types of data with exceptional granularity. The perfect platform for sensing the world is already in our hands. If you only read one article today, this should be it...

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Wearable sniper detection to be deployed in Iraq

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:45:10 +1100

A wearable sniper detection system is to be used by troops in both Iraq and Afghanistan in the US Army’s first large-scale deployment of its type. The Soldier-Wearable Acoustic Targeting System (SWATS) can pinpoint the location of snipers after a single gunshot, audibly informing soldiers of the point of origin. ..

Tags: Military, QinetiQ, Rugged, Wearable

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The era of the personal Internet dawns with the Nokia N97

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 19:50:44 +1100

December 2, 2008 Nokia today unveiled the Nokia N97, the world’s most advanced mobile computer, which Nokia is hoping will transform the way people connect to the Internet and to each other. Designed for Internet-savvy consumers, the N97 combines a 3.5 inch touch screen with a full QWERTY keyboard, providing an ‘always open’ window to favorite social networking sites and Internet destinations. Nokia’s flagship Nseries device introduces leading technology – including multiple sensors, memory, processing power and connection speeds – for people to create a personal Internet and share their ‘social location.’ The Nokia N97 is expected to begin shipping in the first half of 2009 at an estimated retail price of EUR 550 before taxes or subsidies...

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Single-sided front swingarm could steer the way to better motorcycle handling

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 23:56:39 +1100

December 2, 2008 If center-hub steering like that found on the Bimota TESI 3D isn't radical enough for you, perhaps this'll do the trick: Tier Motorsports have released a set of concept illustrations featuring a Yamaha R1 that's been modified with a single-sided front swingarm. The aim of the design is to provide a completely vertical steering axis for the front wheel, making for a much more direct and responsive steering effect than is possible with angled forks - and the idea also opens up the possibility of virtually frameless bikes, in which both the front and rear swingarms mount directly from the engine and no heavy steering stem/headstock is needed. Fascinating stuff...

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Gears of War 2 Review (Xbox 360)

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 15:48:47 +1100

The original Gears of War arrived to universal acclaim in 2006, including our Game of the Year award, for it's gritty look and feel, beautifully tuned gameplay mechanics and ridiculously addictive multiplayer game. Two years later (to the day) Epic's beast is back - and it's badder than ever. Read on for our full review...

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