Tech: Tiny PC

Linux system squishes into Ethernet connector

OK so it's based on linux, it's got 2mb or 4mb of flash memory. a 36, 36 or 55 mhz processor and builtin networking. I'm thinking cluster, not sure what I would do with the cluster, but something. I could maybe make a really powerful calculator. Other then that I dunno.

Space Tech: One small step for NASA

Wired News: NASA Follows X Prize Footsteps: "It's time to dust off your never-finished plans to develop Spider-Man-strength webbing and wireless power transmitters.
NASA announced Wednesday that it will award $50,000 each to the first teams to develop a Space Age tether and a wireless method for powering robots. "

See this is the kind of thing I like to see. NASA is finding ways to develope new and interesting technology. If I had any sort of engineering skills I would be all over something like this. Of course I'm more of a code geek then a hardware geek so I'll leave this to professionals. A wireless power source could be very cool though.

Thinking Shoes

Engadget has a review of a pair of Adidas 1. They are a shoe with a microprocessor to control the cushion. They say they seem to work fine and be more then a gimmick, but they cost $250 so it's a little steep for shoes. According to the reviewer they are also very ugly in person.



Adidas 1 review - Engadget - www.engadget.com

DIY Robots

New Radio Shack Vex Robotics kits - Engadget - www.engadget.com: "All right, robot hobbyists, get ready to share your enthusiasm with your kids, your students, or perhaps cater to the kid inside with Radio Shack�s new Vex Robotics Design Systems. The kits, available next month at Radio Shack outlets nationwide, will offer a competitively priced Erector-set-style robotics environment, including a pro-level radio controller, programmable micro controller, and over 500 parts for assembling autonomous bots. Designed to fill the gap between entry-level kits of the Lego Mindstorm variety and expensive, top-level kits, the $299 Vex Robotics systems will come with a manual aimed at educators to help encourage students� interest in engineering and robotics. After the release of the product, Radio Shack plans to roll out a host of add-ons, programming modules and sensors to expand the possibilities beyond the standard kit."

Sign me up, I love building robots : ).

Software Tech: Barbie OS?

A Linux Distro for Barbie?

That's right, Barbie has her own OS. BarbieOS, and it's based on Linux. The OS will be featured on Mattels new line of Barbie laptops. The laptops should be available for christmas and are supposed to be complete desktop replacements. No one tell my wife because then she'll want one. I however could really do without it. We'll just have to see if Barbie can topple Microsoft in the hearts of little girls (like the kids will even care what OS it's Barbie releated).

Computer Tech: Why a Mac?

DIY arcade game from a Mac G4 - Engadget - www.engadget.com: "People find many creative ways of repurposing their old machines, though few are quite as creative as creativebastard, who spent a full year converting his old dual 500MHz Mac G4 into a classic arcade-style gamebox. Can�t beat that canary yellow, nohow."

So why would you do this with a Mac when you can do it much cheaper with a PC? The parts are all out there and frankly the PC itself has got to be cheaper. It won't be any more stable running arcade emulators, it's not easier to mod (in fact it would be harder to mod). Some people need to let their Mac obssesion go and use a PC when there's no reason for a mac.

Robots: Spider Walker

Giant spiderbot: not your average John Deere offering - Engadget - www.engadget.com: "So we readily admit to having been lulled into complacency by the selection of John Deere farm and lawn equipment heretofore witnessed, but never again will we write this company off � not after seeing the giant spiderbot walking forest machine. The Finnish subsidiary of the mighty JD, Plustech, adapts automagically to the forest floor terrain by making what we can only imagine as deft usage of its six articulated legs. Forward, sideways, diagonal � whatever it takes, this machine can handle (we hear it can do a mean Boot Scootin� Boogie). Its motions are all computer-controlled, and � here�s the best part � the user interface to the operator is a simple ol� joystick. Alright, now � who do we have to talk to about developing a simulation for the PSP?"

OK I totally need one of these. It'd be great for live action Rifts. Who doesn't want a giant spider robot vehichle that can travel anywhere it wants?

Tech: Dyson reinvents the ball

Dyson DC15 - The Ball

Dyson makes cool and very expensive vaccum cleaners. This new one is out to change the way your vaccum moves by placing it on a ball. The idea is the motion of the ball will make it easier to steer through cluttered rooms. I have to say it looks pretty cool and it seems to turn very nicely in the demo videos on the site.

Game Tech: Logitechs new mouse

Peripherals: Input : Gizmodo

The MX518 sounds like a winner to me. Not only does it process at 5.8 megapixles/second it also has configurable resolution at the touch of a button. You can go through 5 levels of resolution from 400 to 1600 dpi. It's also got 8 buttons and looks cool. I don't think it beats my MX1000 though.

Tech: 25 DVD's itty bitty living space

IBM lets Millipede storage out for a stroll CNET News.com: "The MEMS prototype can hold the equivalent of 25 DVDs on an area the size of a postage stamp, IBM said. MEMS stands for micro-electrical-mechanical system."

That sounds like the future of portable PVR's to me. 25 DVD's on a tiny chip, how cool is that? Guess it depends on access times.

Tech: Detachable Display

Toshiba shows off detachable notebook display - Engadget - www.engadget.com: "It almost looks a little bit disturbing, seeing the headless notebook with detached screen, as if you�ve just perpetrated your own worst nightmare and dropped your laptop to the floor, severing its hinge. Once we get past our separation anxiety, Toshiba�s detachable display starts looking like a pretty sweet idea, enabling you to get the benefits of a Tablet PC with all the computing power of a traditional notebook. The prototype they pitched at CeBIT was a 12.1-inch TFT LCD screen, XGA resolution (1024 x 768 pixels), communicating with the mothership via 802.11b. However, there�s some bad news (as usual) � the detachable displays won�t be ready for market for at least another two to three years, and nobody�s gonna get attached to the battery life on these units: currently an hour, with hopes to extend to two to three hours by the time they go into production."

OK this is pretty cool, except the battery life. But still a tablet that detaches from it's keyboard, I want one.