Latest Gadgets: 2009

uSmart- Smallest Netbook uptil 2009

Posted by Administrator | Posted in uSmart M1C | Posted on 9:13 AM

The time since the ATOM processor was invented by Intel, the world went through 'small-revolution'. The only motive was to make processors which would reduce size of the future machines. They would be glad to see the miniature Netbook, uSMART is displaying in the recent Hong Kong Electronics Exhibition.

Model : uSmart M1C MID

Figure shows the Size Comparision of the gadget with HTC Hero.

Appealing Features:

Size: 4.8-inch display

Native Screen Resolution: 800x400 pixels

Processor: Intel ATOM Z350

Graphics Card: Intel GMA500

RAM: 1GB DDR2

Hard Disk: 80GB

Port : HDMI ready,

OS Supported: Linux, Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7

Drawbacks:

No 3G support.

Note: No other features are listed yet on the company site. So will have to wait to hear good additional features!

Till date Sony Waio P was smallest in the market. Small thing has fantasy, but small keypad restricts the efficiency.

To visit company homepage click here.

Let see what future gadgets have to show!

FUJIFILM's World's 1st 3D Camera Soon in Market

Posted by Administrator | Posted in 3D Camera | Posted on 1:41 AM

Fujifilm has officially announced that the world's first compact digital camera able to deliver 3D images and movies will shortly be going on sale in the UK this coming September.

The Fujifilm FinePix Real 3D W1 features two Fujinon lenses - each with its own 10MP CCD sensor - that are securely mounted side by side inside a robust aluminium die-cast frame that protects them from movement, vibration and impact.

When using the camera in 3D mode each of these sensors records its own image, which are then fed into the camera's 'Real Photo Processor 3D' image processor.

Here they are aligned, combined and turned into a 3D image that can be viewed on the rear LCD screen without the need for fancy 3D glasses.

Twin zoom

Even more impressive, given the need for the focal length [?]of each lens to be aligned precisely, is the fact that the 3D W1 offers a 3x zoom function, giving the user more creative freedom over how they want to capture their subject.

In addition the twin lens configuration of the 3D W1 can be used in 'Dual Capture' mode to simultaneously shoot two standard 2D images at different configurations.

In practice this means the same scene can be recorded at both telephoto and wideangle settings with a single press of the shutter. Likewise, it should also be possible to simultaneously capture the same scene with both a shallow depth of field and a higher one.

3D movies are also possible, while 'Interval Shooting' allows for 3D landscapes or perhaps even airborne cloud formations to be shot while on the move in say a car or a plane.

Once images have been captured and stored, the 3D W1's 'Parallax Control' [?]function allows the user to revisit their 3D images and manually adjust them.

3D digital photo frame

Of course, the 3D W1's 3D images won't display in 3D on standard monitors and picture frames, and for precisely that reason Fujifilm has also announced the imminent release of the FinePix Real 3D V1 picture viewer. I dont know to place this as pros or cons. Well we can accept this until future gadgets 'commons' this feature!

This 8-inch digital picture frame has been specially configured to display 3D images captured with the 3D W1 in all their frame-busting glory.

Fujifilm has also announced a 3D printing service that will use lenticular sheets to bring the 3D images of the 3D W1 to life on paper.

Now finally for question u were waiting till, first u heard about the word '3D Camera', when it will be launched and how much it will dig your pocket?

COST: There's no word on cost yet, but Fujifilm have hinted that once there is sufficient demand dedicated 3D printing devices may be launched.

There's no official word on pricing for the 3D W1 yet, but it's scheduled for a September release.

Solar Impulse-Fully Solar powered Plane

Posted by Administrator | Posted in SOLARIMPULSE | Posted on 2:56 PM

The first man to make a nonstop trip around the globe in a balloon, Bertrand Piccard, presented the prototype of a solar-powered airplane that is expected to circle around the world. Previously at infoniac.com we wrote about the design of the plane and this time the aircraft has been finally built.

The name of the plane is Solar Impulse, while its technical name is HB-SIA. At the end of 2009 the plane will perform its first test flight. The team of engineers looks forward to perform a test flight that would last two days and one night, the plane being powered only by solar energy. If the test ends up successfully the Solar Impulse will be ready for a trip around the globe.

The materials used to create the airplane include carbon fiber concentrate, which resembles a glider, and 12,000 solar panels that will accumulate excess power in batteries weighting a total of 400kg. The wingspan of the plane is 60 meters. The plane features four 10 horsepower electric motors.

Bertrand Piccard said:

"If an aircraft is able to fly day and night without fuel, propelled solely by solar energy, let no one come and claim that it is impossible to do the same thing for motor vehicles, heating and air conditioning systems and computers."

SurroundSense-Advancement of GPS.

Posted by Administrator | Posted in SurroundSense | Posted on 2:44 PM

Using some common features of a mobile phone, such as cameras, microphones and accelerometers, computer engineers from Duke University managed to transform the unique features of a particular space into a distinct fingerprint. Unlike standard GPS that show accuracy to 10 meters and are useless indoors, the latest invention from Duke's engineers is able to function indoors and can tell on which side of a wall the user is.

Engineers called their system SurroundSense. It takes advantage of a built-in camera and microphone to be able to record sound, light and colors. Computer engineers also decided to use the accelerometer in order to record the movement patterns of the user. The gathered data is transmitted to a server that combines the collected information in one fingerprint. Each measurement cannot tell much, but when all three are joined, a unique fingerprint of the area is created.

Ionut Constandache, graduate student in computer science, presented the latest invention at the 15th International Conference on Mobile Computing and Networking that took place in Beijing this September (20th to be more specific).

A team of students from the Duke University carried out an experiment in which they wanted to test the accuracy of their latest invention, informs Eurekalert. They walked across Durham, N.C. with their mobile phones and gathered information in different types of businesses.

"We went to 51 different stores and found that SurroundSense achieved an average accuracy of about 87 percent when all of the sensing capabilities were used," said Constandache. It is worth mentioning that the more the application is used the more information it collects and the more precise the fingerprint becomes.

"Not only is the ambience different at different locations, but also can be different at different times at the same location," said Roy Choudhury, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering at Duke University and senior member of the research team. SurroundSense gathers information at diverse time points, which means that you can distinguish a Starbucks store at the morning rush, the period of the day when there are a lot of customers, from the slower period in middle of the afternoon.

Although in order to gather information it is important that you hold the camera down so it faces the ground, engineers are looking forward to develop applications that would allow collecting data with the mobile phone in the pocket or handbag. In addition, battery life could provide problems, since having the application turned on 24/7 drains the battery faster.

ECO Batteries made from Paper & Salt

Posted by Administrator | Posted in BATTERIES | Posted on 2:31 PM

Scientists are currently testing a new type of battery made of paper and salt. If their latest invention proves to be efficient, the eco-friendly battery could be widely used in smart cards, RFID tags and a number of other portable gadgets.

The new battery has a number of advantages and disadvantages over the currently popular lithium batteries. Researchers from Uppsala University in Sweden say that their latest invention is composed of pressed mats of tangled cellulose fibers and salt solution. The former is for electrodes while the latter acts for the electrolyte. Scientists believe that the new type of battery could replace the lithium battery in the near future, mainly due to the fact that such batteries are cheaper and easier to make.

Currently the team is looking forward to make their battery more comparable to the lithium one in terms of capabilities, reports Technology Review. It is worth mentioning that lithium batteries can bring 4 volt and boast energy density of 200 to 300 milliwatt-hours per gram, while one paper battery cell brings just 1 volt and is able to store up to 25 milliwatt-hours per gram.

The cellulose features paper layers and is created using polluting algae that grows in seas and lakes. The cellulose also allows the extremely light battery to be charged 100 times faster that lithium battery. However, scientists say that more research is required to improve the new battery's capabilities. Still the team believes that their latest invention might hit the market in the next 3 years.

Credits: Juststeve

Solar Surge for i-Pod & i-Phone

Posted by Administrator | | Posted on 10:23 AM

Features

· Powerup while walking, running, hiking, or biking

· Powerup while on the beach, camping, or traveling anywhere

· Durable, yet lightweight and slim design

· Full access to touch screen

· USB connection allows you to charge or sync with iTunes without ever having to take your iPhone out of the case

· A color for every personality

· State-of-the-art solar panel technology allows your iPhone 3G and 3G S to powerup with the power of the sun

· Comfortable, ergonomic design with a soft touch, non-slip finish

· LED status light indicators

· Clean, green energy source

· Speaker ports to prevent sound dampening

Specs

· Custom designed and engineered solar panels specifically for Solar Charger outputs 5.5V at 100 mAh in full sun

· 2 hours of direct solar exposure provides 30 minutes of talk time on a 3G network or 60 minutes talk time on a 2G network

· Integrated rechargeable 1500 mAh 3.7 V lithium-ion polymer battery offers 120% capacity of iPhone 3G

· Advanced lithium-ion polymer battery cell technology prevents overcharging and provides protection from extreme temperature

· USB 2.0 cable provides high capacity charging and data exchange

· Optimized power management system provides continuous charge to iPhone 3Gâ€™s or 3G Sâ€™s internal battery

· Case dimensions (approx): 4 7/8″ X 2 5/8″ X 7/8″

· Package dimensions (approx): 7 1/4″ X 5 1/8″ X 1 1/2″

· Model No: NT01

Compatibility

· iPhone 3G

· iPhone 3G S

CAUTION: The device might not be working on the cloudy area, but it could be a great device for hikers, campers or field workers that always remain in touch with the sun light and always find their iPhone or iPod running out of power.

Virtual Reality i-Cocoon

Posted by Administrator | Posted in i-Cocoon, Virtual Reality | Posted on 9:02 AM

NAU is currently working on the next generation state of the art interface. The immersive cocoon commonly well-known as i-cocoon is a human-sized dome with 360 degree display on its interior, allowing you to reach out and ‘grab’ information from all around you. Minority Report was inspired by the same.

It has a 3D motion tracking system which senses all your body movements i.e. arm, hand and leg movements using a series of motion tracking cameras inside the Cocoon. It offers unparalleled environment simulation for learning at all ages.
It opens a new door for
> Online Gaming.
> Learning & Explore.
> Relaxation.
> Remote Working.
> Guided Training.

Prototyping & Release
NAU hopes to complete its prototype Cocoon by October 2009, with models commercially available by 2014.

Magnetic Silicon

Posted by Administrator | | Posted on 10:06 AM

(Date of Image: March 2008) [Research supported by NSF grant DMR 08-06859.] Magnetic porous silicon, "smart dust" photonic crystal particles in a vial. These particles, each roughly the size of a human hair, can be used in applications in environmental sensing, biosensing, drug delivery or high-throughput screening for new drugs or genetic markers for disease. The ability of molecules to navigate between membranes is key to many biological processes. For example, the transport of drugs across cell membranes often determines their efficacy. The project is investigating the parameters that allow for the loading and slow release of drugs under appropriate physiological conditions. The work encompasses new methods of trapping molecules into porous nanostructures and new methods of monitoring porous nanostructures using the optical properties of the materials. The Montpellier lab has played a major role in the development and commercialization of liposome-based drug delivery materials in France, and a previous NSF-funded collaborative project expanded the breadth of this effort significantly. The drug delivery and pharmaceutical characterization expertise of the Montpellier group combines with the nanomaterials design and optics expertise of the Sailor research group. The project features the exchange of students between the two labs for durations of two to four months each year.

Credit: Courtesy Michael J. Sailor and Elizabeth Wu, UCSD

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