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Showing posts with label INTESTING INFO. Show all posts
Showing posts with label INTESTING INFO. Show all posts

Sunday, April 21, 2013

Samsung Galaxy S4 vs. HTC One- A clash of two Android titans

Photo: Samsung Galaxy S4 vs. HTC One- A clash of two Android titans

Screen
Samsung Galaxy S4
Perhaps the most striking thing about the GS4 is its massive 5-inch HD Super AMOLED display. It also features a sharp 1,920x1,080-pixel resolution and a pixel density of 441ppi (pixels per inch). HTC One
HTC gave the One a 4.7-inch LCD screen that's slightly smaller than the Galaxy S4's but boasts the same 1,920x1,080 resolution. As a result, the HTC One's display has a higher pixel density of 468ppi.
Assessment
We're looking forward to an in-depth, side-by-side examination of the screens once we get the two phones together in the CNET Labs. In the meantime, both phones have advantages on the specs fight: the Galaxy S4 is a tad larger (if that's your thing), whereas the One's slightly smaller 1080p screen offers greater pixel density. Typically, OLED screens offer more-vibrant colors, deeper black levels, and wider viewing angles versus LCD screens, and Samsung is on the forefront of OLED research. Our guess is that the GS4 has the edge here when it comes to pleasing colors, especially if you're able to dampen its screen's color saturation in the settings for better accuracy, as you can do with Samsung's Galaxy Note 2. 

Storage
Samsung Galaxy S4
The GS4 comes in 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB configurations, though not for every market in which it'll be sold. Expect U.S. carriers to sell it in the smaller capacities, starting at $199 for the 16GB version and $249 for double that amount.
Unlike HTC, Samsung isn't a fan of sealing up devices; as a result, the Galaxy S4 comes with a microSD card slot that can handle up to 64GB of additional memory goodness for storing photos, videos, games, and apps.
HTC One
One consequence of the HTC One's beautiful , aluminum unibody design is that its chassis is sealed. Add in the phone's thin design, and you've got no room for a microSD card slot to add extra storage. HTC does its best to alleviate the situation by eschewing a 16GB model and packing the handset with either a sizable 32GB, or a whopping 64GB of internal memory. Significantly, the on-contract price of the 32GB One starts at the same $199 price of a 16GB S4.
Assessment
This ultimately comes down to personal preference. If you're the type of mobile user who constantly swaps SD cards between devices, or prefers to drag and drop large files from PC to phone, then the Galaxy S4 is a better fit. Of course, you could spring for the premium 64GB HTC One -- or even the 32GB version. which still offers plenty of room. The affordable price of the 32GB One certainly helps soften the blow, too. 

Battery
Samsung Galaxy S4
Samsung equips the Galaxy S4 with a 2,600mAh battery that's user removable. It pops out when you remove the back cover, which makes swapping it out for a fresh one a simple maneuver. Samsung will also offer batteries that are compatible with wireless chargers.
HTC One
By contrast, the HTC One features a slightly lower capacity 2,300mAh battery, which is embedded. That means you can't remove it on the fly for a fully charged battery pack. Also, if the HTC One's battery fails, you'll need to send the device in for repair, or replace the phone for a fresh handset.
Assessment 
The iPhone has proven that a sealed battery is far from a deal breaker. And the HTC One demonstrated solid battery life, lasting for 9 hours and 37 minutes on our CNET Labs Video Playback benchmark. However, HTC lacks Apple's retail infrastructure -- meaning you can't make a trip to the neighborhood Apple store if the One's battery ever gets wonky. The Galaxy S4 definitely offers more flexibility on the battery front. 

Operating system
Samsung Galaxy S4
Right out of the box, the Galaxy S4 will run Google's latest version of Android Jelly Bean, Android 4.2.2. That's great news for Android fans who can enjoy the all important bragging rights that come with owning a cutting-edge smartphone. However, Samsung does have its own user interface, formerly known as TouchWiz, so you're not getting a pure Android Jelly Bean experience.
HTC One
The HTC One uses the slightly older iteration of Jelly Bean, Android version 4.1.2. Nevertheless, the HTC One does support the enhanced Google Now search function, which can also be used as a dedicated widget on the phone's home screen. Of course, HTC layers its latest Sense user interface over Android, which many have blamed for holding up Android updates in earlier HTC smartphones.
Assessment
When you get down to it, the difference between Android Jelly Bean 4.1.2 and 4.2.2 isn't earth-shattering, but Google has added plenty of bug fixes including a big one to address audio streaming over Bluetooth. There are also UI enhancements, too, such as the ability to access the camera and other apps from the lock screen. Perhaps the bigger issue is that we expect an even newer version of Android known as Key Lime Pie to debut before the end of May; when it will make it to either phone is anybody's guess. 

User interface and usability
Samsung Galaxy S4
Samsung may have backed away from calling its custom Android layer "TouchWiz," but there's no mistaking the Galaxy S4's highly stylized interface. Samsung digs deep to give the Galaxy S4 a dizzying array of extra software features. Whether you use them all -- or even know about them to begin with -- is another story.
Gestures such as eye tracking play an even larger role in this new superphone. If you enable it, you can play and pause videos by looking at the screen. If the camera is tracking your eyes, you also scroll up or down by tilting your wrist, a trick that could be useful when your hands are full.
The Group Play sharing feature also expands on past features to give GS4 owners in a group the ability to simultaneously play the same content like music and games, without the need for data or Wi-Fi connections. (Read our Group Play hands-on.)
Not to be outdone by Nokia, Samsung blesses the GS4 with a sensitive screen you can navigate with gloves, and wireless charging. A fitness app, S Health, and several body-conscious accessories take Samsung into new territory. S Voice Drive is an expanded voice assistant feature that Sammy developed specifically for drivers. Though Samsung is determined to remain the Android king, the company also thirsts to unseat iPhone's Siri supremacy.
HTC One
In its latest flagship device, HTC has taken a more conservative approach than Samsung. That doesn't mean the manufacturer didn't make considerable changes to its Sense UI and to Android Jelly Bean in general. The lock screen can display helpful information such as local weather conditions, complete with slick animations, calendar data, along with phone staples time and date.
The icons for app shortcuts and text fonts are also clean, sleek, and futuristic. The biggest departure from stock Android, though, is the BlinkFeed feature, which is the primary home screen by default. BlinkFeed aggregates both news and social media updates into an almost Flipboard-style presentation designed to give you bit-size chunks of digestible information.
Assessment
There's no doubt the Samsung Galaxy S4 wins the feature arms race against the HTC One. It packs in a frightening number of features, gestures, and new ways to interact with a smartphone. The million dollar question is whether the average customer will find any of the GS4's bells and whistles truly useful, let alone must-have killer apps.
We think that the HTC One's down-to-earth abilities are more than enough. Sure they aren't as exciting as Samsung's, and certainly less ambitious, but we have a feeling typical phone users will enjoy the One's tweaks more often. It is, however, a shame you can't completely shut off the HTC One's BlinkFeed feature, but you can downplay it by making another home screen the default.

Camera features
Samsung Galaxy S4
In terms of imaging abilities, both the GS4 and HTC One bring their A game. Samsung, though, sticks with a more traditional trend of the 13-megapixel sensor. Although overflowing with settings, filters, and effects, many of Samsung's advanced photo extras also exist in the HTC One (and the LG Optimus G Pro and Nokia Lumia camera filter apps). That said, the GS4's photo tricks are impressive, such as compiling a sequence of actions into a single image, erasing unwanted background objects, and using the image from both front and rear cameras in a photograph. HTC One
You'll find a deep selection of settings, filters, and shooting modes on the HTC One. But what really sets the phone apart are its unique auto-editing features. Covered under the umbrella of HTC's Zoe brand (short for Zoetrope), the handset automatically creates Video Highlights, which are essentially personal sizzle reels crafted from photos and movies you've shot each day. You can also capture 3-second video clips, called Zoes, to share with friends.
In another wild departure from the phone camera playbook, the HTC One uses a special 4-megapixel sensor, not the sharper resolution 8-megapixel or 13-megapixel sensors found in competing handsets. HTC says it allows a bigger sensor size, larger pixels, and hence more light sensitivity. This time it's HTC's turn to borrow from someone else's book: Nokia's 808 PureView smartphone's 41-megapixel camera resolves photos to 5-megapixel readouts with lossless cropping.
You're also able to pack action shots in a sequence into an HTC One image.
Assessment
Samsung's Galaxy S4 might challenge the HTC One in terms of the sheer amount of camera tricks it offers. Just like with the phone's GeeWiz user interface, though, it's not clear how often phone owners will want to mess with camera settings before snapping a shot. Turning modes on and off may be fine for portraits, but when it comes to a quick-shot opportunity, the camera that takes the picture fastest and most accurately usually wins in our book.
Additionally, in the time we've spent so far with the HTC One, its Zoe imaging system and specifically Video Highlights is surprisingly addictive to play with. It just may be a sleeper feature with typical users who often prefer taking automatic shots.

Other essential extras
When it comes to other smartphone staples, the Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One are evenly matched. Interestingly, both boast IR blasters that give each handset the ability to command HDTVs. They also feature 4G LTE, Wi-Fi wireless networking, Bluetooth 4.0, and NFC (near field communication) hardware to enable quick Bluetooth pairing with accessories such as headphones and speakers.
The (tentative) take away
There's no doubt that both the Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One are awesome mobile devices that represent the pinnacle of smartphones today, and indeed for the foreseeable future. From what we've seen so far, both phones are worth your time and money. Which one you choose may well come down to factors like the phone's physical design and expandable storage preferences.
Until we get our hands on a GS4 for an extended period of time, however, we can't yet answer a few crucial questions to make an ultimate judgment about which phone we think takes the prize.
We'll still need to weigh how the devices' processor speeds, battery life, and camera performance stack up. We'll also assess voice quality and data speeds on each handset for the icing on the cake.
Be sure to check this space for an in-depth Samsung Galaxy S4 review, plus an update this story with our final head-to-head results.Screen
Samsung Galaxy S4
Perhaps the most striking thing about the GS4 is its massive 5-inch HD Super AMOLED display. It also features a sharp 1,920x1,080-pixel resolution and a pixel density of 441ppi (pixels per inch). HTC One
HTC gave the One a 4.7-inch LCD screen that's slightly smaller than the Galaxy S4's but boasts the same 1,920x1,080 resolution. As a result, the HTC One's display has a higher pixel density of 468ppi.
Assessment

Ezgo Slim Wallet

Photo: Ezgo Slim Wallet

We have introduced many nice leather wallets, but if you want some unique options made with special materials, the following ezgo slim wallet may be able to draw your more attention. Ezgo is an innovative and practical wallet that measures 89 x 71 x 16mm and weights 23g. As we can see from the images, the wallet features ultra slim, unibody design, and is made from strong, flexible and polished polyamide for durable and lightweight construction, the slim wallet even can float on the water. Using its two card slots and a main compartment the slim wallet is able to hold up to 8 credit cards and 12 bills, while two extra slots hold one standard SD card and two microSD cards. Apart from that, the slim wallet is easy to clean and rinse. At present the inventor of ezgo wallet is raising fund at Kickstarter. Pledging $30 will let you own the slim wallet. If you’re interested, jump to Kickstarter official site for more details : http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2004867815/ezgo-wallet-a-modern-slim-light-easy-to-use-walletWe have introduced many nice leather wallets, but if you want some unique options made with special materials, the following ezgo slim wallet may be able to draw your more attention. Ezgo is an innovative and practical wallet that measures 89 x 71 x 16mm and weights 23g. As we can see from the images, the wallet features ultra slim, unibody design, and is made from strong, flexible and polished polyamide for durable and lightweight construction, the slim wallet even can float on the water. Using its two card slots and a main compartment the slim wallet is able to hold up to 8 credit cards and 12 bills, while two extra slots hold one standard SD card and two microSD cards. Apart from that, the slim wallet is easy to clean and rinse. At present the inventor of ezgo wallet is raising fund at Kickstarter. Pledging $30 will let you own the slim wallet. If you’re interested, jump to Kickstarter official site for more details :

Friday, April 19, 2013

Scientists Develop Wonder Nanomaterial that Can Produce Energy, Clean Water and Hydrogen

Photo: Scientists Develop Wonder Nanomaterial that Can Produce Energy, Clean Water and Hydrogen

Researchers in Singapore have developed a new nanomaterial that functions like the best Swiss army knife in the world. The material, known as Multi-use Titanium Dioxide (TiO2), can produce energy, it can generate hydrogen, and it can even produce clean water. But that’s not all: The remarkable material can also be formed into flexible solar cells and it can double the lifespan of lithium-ion batteries. And with bacteria-killing properties, it can also be used in new antibacterial bandages. The new material, which is being developed by scientists at Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University, is made by turning titanium dioxide crystals into nanofibers, which can then be formed into flexible filter membranes. The special material at the center of it all is titanium dioxide, which is cheap and abundant and has the ability to accelerate chemical reactions and can bond easily with water.

Because it can bond with water, the material can potentially serve as a high-flux forward osmosis membrane and desalinate water. But that’s just one of its many remarkable features. In addition to producing clean water, the material can also produce hydrogen when exposed to sunlight, according to the researchers. And it can also be formed into an inexpensive, flexible solar cell that can be used to generate electricity.

“While there is no single silver bullet to solving two of the world’s biggest challenges: cheap renewable energy and an abundant supply of clean water; our single multi-use membrane comes close, with its titanium dioxide nanoparticles being a key catalyst in discovering such solutions,” said lead researcher Darren Sun. “With our unique nanomaterial, we hope to be able to help convert today’s waste into tomorrow’s resources, such as clean water and energy.”

+ Nanyang Technological University

Via PhysOrgResearchers in Singapore have developed a new nanomaterial that functions like the best Swiss army knife in the world. The material, known as Multi-use Titanium Dioxide (TiO2), can produce energy, it can generate hydrogen, and it can even produce clean water. But that’s not all: The remarkable material can also be formed into flexible solar cells and it can double the lifespan of lithium-ion batteries. And with bacteria-killing properties, it can also be used in new antibacterial bandages. The new material, which is being developed by scientists at Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University, is made by turning titanium dioxide crystals into nanofibers, which can then be formed into flexible filter membranes.

Longreach from Samuel Adeloju Would Save Stranded Sailors

Photo: Longreach from Samuel Adeloju Would Save Stranded Sailors

Stranded seamen (and women) are at the mercy of the ocean no more, thanks to LongReach from Samuel Adeloju. LongReach is a water-activated buoyancy system that can be shot out of a rocket-esque device over long distances to help drowning victims.

LongReach from Samuel Adeloju may not seem like much, but think of the current alternative of a lifeguard throwing you a plastic buoy. LongReach sounds like the better bet if you are trying to escape with your life.Stranded seamen (and women) are at the mercy of the ocean no more, thanks to LongReach from Samuel Adeloju. LongReach is a water-activated buoyancy system that can be shot out of a rocket-esque device over long distances to help drowning victims.

LongReach from Samuel Adeloju may not seem like much, but think of the current alternative of a lifeguard throwing you a plastic buoy. LongReach sounds like the better bet if you are trying to escape with your life.

Monday, April 15, 2013

A Hands-Free Light For Your Outdoor Gear

The Lapel Torch grew out of customer feedback on the headlamp. Biggest benefit? Hands-free, baby! Drawback? Well, the thing has to attach to your noggin, and higher impact activities like jogging can jostle them off. Plus, “They look funny, and you often end up pointing them into your friends’ eyes when talking,” the brand’s Joey Tuma tells Co.Design. “We wanted a light where you get the same functions, without the same issues.”
Enter the versatile Lapel Torch. The rounded profile of the small LED light source nestles perfectly into the concave shape of the silicone clip.

Friday, April 12, 2013

200-mph red bullet trains thrill rail-mad Japan!! Imagine such trains in your country!!!

Photo: 200-mph red bullet trains thrill rail-mad Japan!! Imagine such trains in your country!!!

-The crowd lining the end of Tokyo Station's platform 22 is four people deep.
They're jostling for position with their cameras -- trainspotters, parents, and children alike -- to get a shot of Japan's latest bullet train: the Series E6 Shinkansen, known as the Super Komachi.
They all bought tickets for the privilege of entering this part of the sprawling terminal that serves 380,000 passengers daily, and operator JR East has to deploy extra security guards to keep them a safe distance from the glistening new locomotive.
With services to northern Japan on the Akita Shinkansen Line, the Super Komachi debuted earlier this month as one of Japan's fastest commercial trains.
It has been traveling at 300 kph (186 mph) and will eventually run at 320 kph (198.8 mph), also the new operational speed of the Series E5 Hayabusa, among the world's fastest along with France's TGV. To reduce the aerodynamic pressure when it enters tunnels at high speeds, the seven-car E6 has a nose that's 42 feet long; it also dampens noise. Meanwhile, the active suspension system cuts cabin vibration.
Its interior resembles other Shinkansen trains but it has full-color LED displays with travel information as well as larger restrooms to accommodate wheelchair users.
The crimson livery represents the red masks of namahage ogres, which are folklore characters and costumes seen at New Year's in Akita Prefecture.
The name Komachi is a nod to Ono no Komachi, a legendary poetess and beauty said to have been born in Akita some 1,200 years ago.
The crimson trains cut the travel time from Tokyo to Morioka by up to 15 minutes. JR East hopes it will inspire more people to visit northern Japan, parts of which are still recovering from the devastation of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami.
Rail remains one of the most popular means of short- and long-distance travel in Japan, and the bullet train boasts an excellent safety record. For instance, there have been zero fatalities or injuries due to train accidents on the Tokaido Shinkansen Line in nearly 50 years of service, during which hundreds of millions of passengers have used it.-The crowd lining the end of Tokyo Station's platform 22 is four people deep.
They're jostling for position with their cameras -- trainspotters, parents, and children alike -- to get a shot of Japan's latest bullet train: the Series E6 Shinkansen, known as the Super Komachi.
They all bought tickets for the privilege of entering this part of the sprawling terminal that serves 380,000 passengers daily, and operator JR East has to deploy extra security guards to keep them a safe distance from the glistening new locomotive.

Vertical urban farm in san diego by brandon martella

Photo: Vertical urban farm in san diego by brandon martella

In response to an exponential growth in population and current trends in unsustainable food consumption, san diego architect brandon martella 
has proposed a new high-rise building typology that integrates an expansive farm and market into the american urban landscape. the vertical farm
skyscraper is an architecture that responds to a burgeoning economic and environmental issue-- a problem of fruit and vegetable supply not meeting 
the 320+ kilogram per person demand in the united states. since the bulk of produce for san diego comes from both the imperial and 
central california valleys, the issue of food sustainability and acquisition is one of increasing importance in the region. half residential tower, 
half 23 acre farm, the project aims to become both an economic powerhouse and spectacle in addition to producing a projected 266,796 kilograms 
of food every three months. the 152 meter tall expanse of crops would be protected by glazing and use recycled grey water from the building to create 
a viable aquaponics network. additionally, harnessed black water would become part of a compact combustion system for thermal energy. 
the urban farm-to-market model not only provides locals with homegrown food, but the structure's proximity to the waterfront and convention center 
also make for the site to become a tourist and educational destination. the social exchange of farmer and resident is also central to the project, 
made manifest in the ground floor commercial space as well as a tenth storey void that pushes residential circulation areas into the center of the farm. 
while meeting areas are alternately double height or more intimate, apartments are interlocking 92 and 55 square meter units, spatially informed by 
le corbusier's marseille block. the building is one that posits an encompassing solution to myriad behaviors by creating a consciousness in consumers of 
space, commerce and culture.In response to an exponential growth in population and current trends in unsustainable food consumption, san diego architect brandon martella 
has proposed a new high-rise building typology that integrates an expansive farm and market into the american urban landscape. the vertical farm
skyscraper is an architecture that responds to a burgeoning economic and environmental issue-- a problem of fruit and vegetable supply not meeting
the 320+ kilogram per person demand in the united states. since the bulk of produce for san diego comes from both the imperial and

Solar Panels Now Make More Electricity Than They Use

Photo: Solar Panels Now Make More Electricity Than They Use

Solar panels make energy, but they take energy to make, too. And, until about 2010 or so, the solar panel industry used more electricity than it produced, according to a new analysis. Now, the industry is set to "pay back" the energy it used by 2020.
The study looked at what went into building and installing solar panels all over the world, including everything from home installations to solar farms, says Michael Dale, a climate and energy researcher at Stanford University, in a Stanford-produced video. He and a senior scientist, Sally Benson, thought that because the solar panel industry was growing so quickly, it might actually be using more electricity than it produced. Instead, they found an industry at a crux.
"I think that this paper shows that actually the industry is making positive strides and it's even in spite of its fantastically fast growth rates, it's still producing, or it's just about to start producing, a net energy benefit to society," Dale said.
Most solar panels manufacturers now consume lots of electricity, usually pulled from coal or other fossil fuel-burning plants. Stanford News pointed to the example of melting silica rock to obtain the silicon used in most panels. The melting requires electricity to fire ovens to a temperature of about 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit.
Solar panels' energy balance is now tipping, however, because newer technologies reduce that electricity consumption. For example, some newer panels require less silicon, or waste less material in the manufacturing process. Researchers are also looking to replace silicon with more abundant affordable elements, such as copper, zinc, tin and carbon.
Dale and Benson published their full analysis in the journal Environmental Science & Technology.
[Stanford News via the Verge]Solar panels make energy, but they take energy to make, too. And, until about 2010 or so, the solar panel industry used more electricity than it produced, according to a new analysis. Now, the industry is set to "pay back" the energy it used by 2020.
The study looked at what went into building and installing solar panels all over the world, including everything from home installations to solar farms, says Michael Dale, a climate and energy researcher at Stanford University, in a Stanford-produced video.

Iridescent Skins Let You Just Tilt To Change Your iPhone’s Color

Photo: Iridescent Skins Let You Just Tilt To Change Your iPhone’s Color

If you're tired of the iPhone's boring black or white color options, but would also like to avoid a bulky case or letting Colorware have at it with your device, you might want to check out Clear-Coat's new color-changing Aurora skin.

The $35 self-adhesive decal is applied to your iPhone the same way as a screen protector, but it includes panels to cover almost every inch of the device. And thanks to an iridescent finish, the Aurora skin has an ever-changing rainbow tint that lets you customize your iPhone's finish by just moving it about. Don't like orange? Just move two degrees to the right and you'll be happy. Buy here: http://www.clear-coat.com/aurora.htmlIf you're tired of the iPhone's boring black or white color options, but would also like to avoid a bulky case or letting Colorware have at it with your device, you might want to check out Clear-Coat's new color-changing Aurora skin.

The $35 self-adhesive decal is applied to your iPhone the same way as a screen protector, but it includes panels to cover almost every inch of the device. And thanks to an iridescent finish, the Aurora skin has an ever-changing rainbow tint that lets you customize your iPhone's finish by just moving it about. Don't like orange? Just move two degrees to the right and you'll be happy. 

Thursday, April 11, 2013

DIY cardboard rifle can fire paper pellets up to 25 yards

Photo: DIY cardboard rifle can fire paper pellets up to 25 yards

Paper pellets make great projectiles, just ask any schoolkid. Paper Shooters, rifles made primarily out of cardboard, can fire those paper pellets up to a distance of 25 yards, lending a degree of professionalism to a pursuit that is usually more of a hobby.

Developed by a team of designers that includes former Nerf engineers, in collaboration with Bang Creations, the Paper Shooters kit comes with all the tools needed to build the working gun. Apart from the plastic firing mechanism the gun is pretty much all cardboard, and the three varieties—Digital Ops, Golden Touch and Zombie Slayer—look surprisingly realistic (although perhaps only if you're James Bond in the case of Golden Touch).

The creators have just launched an Indiegogo campaign for £42,000 ($64,439), to satisfy the minimum order number required to begin manufacturing kits in China, and to raise additional funds for further die-cutting tools and molds.

Wired.co.uk spoke to Mike Howarth of Team Paper Shooters by e-mail about the gun. He said: "I'm an entrepreneurial 29-year-old from Manchester who loves designing new products. This is my first product—designed initially in my apartment—and has just blossomed from there into a really great piece of kit. This is my first product, although there are lots more to come!"

Each kit contains a plastic firing mechanism and skeleton, layers of cardboard "skin" for the gun that are either glued or clipped on, eight gold shells, 50 pieces of premade ammunition, a mold for making new ammunition out of paper (any soft paper will do) and a target in the shape of a zombie's head. Howarth said: "The plastic is merely a 'skeleton' (minimum amount) as it shoots wet paper ammo that the user makes themselves." The soft paper pellet ammunition fits into cartridges the shape of real bullets, and creating a cardboard gun that could handle moisture was a particular challenge.

The cartridge casings eject out of the side every time the user reloads, just like a real semiautomatic rifle. Apparently, the pellets have aerodynamic qualities similar to Airsoft rounds ("the accuracy is very good up to 65 feet [20m], then probably drops slightly after that," says Howarth), so they are actually quite dangerous if not treated with respect. It's very much for teenagers, not children, with an age guidance of 14-years-old and up. According to Howarth, "the 'gunsmith experience' is definitely the main selling point."

Also, while the kits come predesigned, "users can absolutely print their own card frame as we supply the card template blueprints via email with every kit," Howarth said. It's not quite 3D-printing an actual gun, but it's a lot safer and a lot more legal.

This post originally appeared on Wired UK.Paper pellets make great projectiles, just ask any schoolkid. Paper Shooters, rifles made primarily out of cardboard, can fire those paper pellets up to a distance of 25 yards, lending a degree of professionalism to a pursuit that is usually more of a hobby.

Developed by a team of designers that includes former Nerf engineers, in collaboration with Bang Creations, the Paper Shooters kit comes with all the tools needed to build the working gun. Apart from the plastic firing mechanism the gun is pretty much all cardboard, and the three varieties—Digital Ops, Golden Touch and Zombie Slayer—look surprisingly realistic (although perhaps only if you're James Bond in the case of Golden Touch).

The creators have just launched an Indiegogo campaign for £42,000 ($64,439), to satisfy the minimum order number required to begin manufacturing kits in China, and to raise additional funds for further die-cutting tools and molds.

Wired.co.uk spoke to Mike Howarth of Team Paper Shooters by e-mail about the gun. He said: "I'm an entrepreneurial 29-year-old from Manchester who loves designing new products. This is my first product—designed initially in my apartment—and has just blossomed from there into a really great piece of kit. This is my first product, although there are lots more to come!"

Each kit contains a plastic firing mechanism and skeleton, layers of cardboard "skin" for the gun that are either glued or clipped on, eight gold shells, 50 pieces of premade ammunition, a mold for making new ammunition out of paper (any soft paper will do) and a target in the shape of a zombie's head. Howarth said: "The plastic is merely a 'skeleton' (minimum amount) as it shoots wet paper ammo that the user makes themselves." The soft paper pellet ammunition fits into cartridges the shape of real bullets, and creating a cardboard gun that could handle moisture was a particular challenge.

The cartridge casings eject out of the side every time the user reloads, just like a real semiautomatic rifle. Apparently, the pellets have aerodynamic qualities similar to Airsoft rounds ("the accuracy is very good up to 65 feet [20m], then probably drops slightly after that," says Howarth), so they are actually quite dangerous if not treated with respect. It's very much for teenagers, not children, with an age guidance of 14-years-old and up. According to Howarth, "the 'gunsmith experience' is definitely the main selling point."

Also, while the kits come predesigned, "users can absolutely print their own card frame as we supply the card template blueprints via email with every kit," Howarth said. It's not quite 3D-printing an actual gun, but it's a lot safer and a lot more legal.

This post originally appeared on Wired UK.

Feedly welcomes 3 million Google Reader refugees with app updates

Photo: Feedly welcomes 3 million Google Reader refugees with app updates

Feedly, the heir apparent to the throne of RSS, has announced that it's brought onboard some 3 million Google Reader users since Google announced the mothballing of that service a couple of weeks ago. What's more, today sees the launch of a new version of the Feedly app for Android -- and iOS -- with new search and layout features. Most notably, a new search engine has been rolled out with access to over 50 million news feeds.

Google+ sharing support is baked in, and directly accessible from Feedly's own sharing menu. In addition, you can now choose whether you want to hide read articles from the menu dropdown in list view, just like the web-based view. Existing Feedly users should appreciate an improvement in performance, too. Finally, there's a new layout for the Nexus 7, Nexus 10 and certain Samsung Galaxy handsets.

So there's a lot to get stuck into. If you're already using Feedly, hit the Google Play Store to grab the latest updateFeedly, the heir apparent to the throne of RSS, has announced that it's brought onboard some 3 million Google Reader users since Google announced the mothballing of that service a couple of weeks ago. What's more, today sees the launch of a new version of the Feedly app for Android -- and iOS -- with new search and layout features. Most notably, a new search engine has been rolled out with access to over 50 million news feeds.

Google+ sharing support is baked in, and directly accessible from Feedly's own sharing menu. In addition, you can now choose whether you want to hide read articles from the menu dropdown in list view, just like the web-based view. Existing Feedly users should appreciate an improvement in performance, too. Finally, there's a new layout for the Nexus 7, Nexus 10 and certain Samsung Galaxy handsets.

So there's a lot to get stuck into. If you're already using Feedly, hit the Google Play Store to grab the latest update

In The Future We Will All Live In Photosynthetic French Sea Pods

Photo: In The Future We Will All Live In Photosynthetic French Sea Pods

Scientists estimate that the sea level will rise 9 inches or more by 2030, up to more than 6.6 feet by 2100. In anticipation of a far wetter world, French architecture firm Sitbon Architectes designed this pod concept for a habitable, eco-friendly phytoplankton farm in the Indian Ocean.
Phytoplankton are microscopic organisms that form the foundation of the aquatic food chain. They use chlorophyll to turn sunlight into energy, absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen like land plants. They can have explosive population growth, known as a bloom, expanding over hundreds of square kilometers in the ocean.
Moored to the ocean floor, the farm, called Bloom, would be a 5-story, partially-submerged center where scientists could live and grow phytoplankton, reducing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and releasing oxygen. In the process, it could serve as an alert system for rising waters in the event of a tsunami. (Though it doesn't look like the best place to actually ride out a tsunami, with its many air holes.) The project was a finalist in Architizer's 2013 A+ Awards. The firm envisions that "every factory would have its own bloom allowing it to absorb the CO2 that it created." Plus, it looks like it could involve a lot of fun water sports.
[plusMOOD]Scientists estimate that the sea level will rise 9 inches or more by 2030, up to more than 6.6 feet by 2100. In anticipation of a far wetter world, French architecture firm Sitbon Architectes designed this pod concept for a habitable, eco-friendly phytoplankton farm in the Indian Ocean.
Phytoplankton are microscopic organisms that form the foundation of the aquatic food chain. They use chlorophyll to turn sunlight into energy, absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen like land plants. They can have explosive population growth, known as a bloom, expanding over hundreds of square kilometers in the ocean.
Moored to the ocean floor, the farm, called Bloom, would be a 5-story, partially-submerged center where scientists could live and grow phytoplankton, reducing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and releasing oxygen. In the process, it could serve as an alert system for rising waters in the event of a tsunami. (Though it doesn't look like the best place to actually ride out a tsunami, with its many air holes.) The project was a finalist in Architizer's 2013 A+ Awards. The firm envisions that "every factory would have its own bloom allowing it to absorb the CO2 that it created." Plus, it looks like it could involve a lot of fun water sports.
[plusMOOD]

Researchers claim to have invented world's smallest antenna

Photo: Researchers claim to have invented world's smallest antenna

Researchers today claimed to have invented the world's smallest super compact ultra-wideband (UWB) planar antenna that can find application in homes and the military among other domains.

Academician Professor Srikanta Pal, who is with the Birla Institute of Technology in Mesra, and his research scholar Mrinmoy Chakraborty have developed the antenna.

"Our antenna is the world's smallest at 14 mm X 11 mm, with much more than a 10:1 bandwidth," Chakraborty, a PhD student with BIT-Mesra, said.

The UWB technology brings mobility of wireless communications with high data rates, they said, adding that the technology was designed for short range, wireless personal area networks (WPANs), with the objective of freeing people from wires.

The antenna is cheap and their goal was to reduce the size so that it can be pasted on any curved surface.

"The material used for this design is fibre reinforced plastics, which is less expensive. The fabrication process is simple wet chemical etching method," Pal, who is a Honorary Research Fellow at the Birmingham University in UK from 2010-2014 for his work in radio astronomy, said.Researchers today claimed to have invented the world's smallest super compact ultra-wideband (UWB) planar antenna that can find application in homes and the military among other domains.

Academician Professor Srikanta Pal, who is with the Birla Institute of Technology in Mesra, and his research scholar Mrinmoy Chakraborty have developed the antenna.

"Our antenna is the world's smallest at 14 mm X 11 mm, with much more than a 10:1 bandwidth," Chakraborty, a PhD student with BIT-Mesra, said.

The UWB technology brings mobility of wireless communications with high data rates, they said, adding that the technology was designed for short range, wireless personal area networks (WPANs), with the objective of freeing people from wires.

The antenna is cheap and their goal was to reduce the size so that it can be pasted on any curved surface.

"The material used for this design is fibre reinforced plastics, which is less expensive. The fabrication process is simple wet chemical etching method," Pal, who is a Honorary Research Fellow at the Birmingham University in UK from 2010-2014 for his work in radio astronomy, said.

This Invisible Bike Takes on Any Color it Passes

Photo: This Invisible Bike Takes on Any Color it Passes

This invisible bike comes from the great minds at Design Affairs. At first glance, it looks like a solid black frame, however when it's moved in front of the white wall, it changes colors. Well, it doesn't actually change colors, you just see the color behind it. 

This invisible bike is called the Charity Bike and could be the first of a string of bikes using new materials like advanced polymer. Polymer is advantageous in bike frames because it provides formidable resistance to impact, is lightweight and exceptionally flexible.

This invisible bike frame can withstand exposure to almost any chemical as well as any temperature without wearing down. The only drawback to this design is it has a lower density than polycarbonate and acrylic, which are used in most bike frames.This invisible bike comes from the great minds at Design Affairs. At first glance, it looks like a solid black frame, however when it's moved in front of the white wall, it changes colors. Well, it doesn't actually change colors, you just see the color behind it.

This invisible bike is called the Charity Bike and could be the first of a string of bikes using new materials like advanced polymer. Polymer is advantageous in bike frames because it provides formidable resistance to impact, is lightweight and exceptionally flexible.

This invisible bike frame can withstand exposure to almost any chemical as well as any temperature without wearing down. The only drawback to this design is it has a lower density than polycarbonate and acrylic, which are used in most bike frames.

The Color Of Music

Photo: The Color Of Music

The Serendipity Emotion Player is not your regular shuffle that plays music by genre or albums. It takes into account your emotional status by interpreting the color that your subconscious mind chooses and then plays songs accordingly. The player is equipped with a camera and the user is supposed to point it towards a colored object, for example if my mind takes fancy to the apple and I point the player towards it; the device interprets my mood based on the color therapy practice and plays songs accordingly.


As the name suggests, the Serendipity player hopes to play songs according to your mood and in lay terms, it is aimed to give the user the pleasure disguised as coincidence.

Designer: Kyuho Song


Read more at http://www.yankodesign.com/2013/03/19/the-color-of-music/#PHdOStDTRZg7wo1X.99The Serendipity Emotion Player is not your regular shuffle that plays music by genre or albums. It takes into account your emotional status by interpreting the color that your subconscious mind chooses and then plays songs accordingly. The player is equipped with a camera and the user is supposed to point it towards a colored object, for example if my mind takes fancy to the apple and I point the player towards it; the device interprets my mood based on the color therapy practice and plays songs accordingly.


As the name suggests, the Serendipity player hopes to play songs according to your mood and in lay terms, it is aimed to give the user the pleasure disguised as coincidence.

Designer: Kyuho Song

An Ingenious Toilet Paper Dispenser For Campers

Photo: An Ingenious Toilet Paper Dispenser For Campers

Unless you can get yourself onto a serious Survivorman wavelength, pooping in the woods is pretty miserable. I love hanging out around the fire; I don’t mind sleeping in a tent; I loathe trudging off into the woods to do my business armed only with a smushed, semi-damp roll of toilet paper. It’s the ultimate indignity. This concept at least mitigates some of that.

The waterproof toilet paper container and dispenser, cleverly named Nature Calls, was created by a group of students at the Alberta College of Art and Design. Their assignment was to create something of social or economic value using a two-liter plastic bottle. "We’ve all been in various situations where having dry toilet paper was important, so the idea came naturally to us," says Janet Molchanko, who designed the product, along with Amy Pon, Sarah Jensen and Morgan Smith. Using half of their bottle, a freezer bag, some reflective tape, and a bit of twine, the group made it a reality. To keep waste to a minimum, they designed the caddy to be reusable. Campers can easily swap in new rolls via the zippered plastic bag. There’s a carabiner for attaching it to a backpack, or, if you’re really serious about creating a more civilized experience, for clipping it to a tree, turning it into a handy hanging dispenser. "We also added a small LED light for those nighttime trips!" Molchanko adds, which has to be the most enthusiastically anyone’s ever talked about that most perilous after-dark excursion.

The pouch offers some 2,000 square inches of toilet paper storage space--more than most existing products, the group found, which top out at around 800. That’s key. The only way that whole situation gets worse is when you run out.Unless you can get yourself onto a serious Survivorman wavelength, pooping in the woods is pretty miserable. I love hanging out around the fire; I don’t mind sleeping in a tent; I loathe trudging off into the woods to do my business armed only with a smushed, semi-damp roll of toilet paper. It’s the ultimate indignity. This concept at least mitigates some of that.

The waterproof toilet paper container and dispenser, cleverly named Nature Calls, was created by a group of students at the Alberta College of Art and Design. Their assignment was to create something of social or economic value using a two-liter plastic bottle. "We’ve all been in various situations where having dry toilet paper was important, so the idea came naturally to us," says Janet Molchanko, who designed the product, along with Amy Pon, Sarah Jensen and Morgan Smith. Using half of their bottle, a freezer bag, some reflective tape, and a bit of twine, the group made it a reality. To keep waste to a minimum, they designed the caddy to be reusable. Campers can easily swap in new rolls via the zippered plastic bag. There’s a carabiner for attaching it to a backpack, or, if you’re really serious about creating a more civilized experience, for clipping it to a tree, turning it into a handy hanging dispenser. "We also added a small LED light for those nighttime trips!" Molchanko adds, which has to be the most enthusiastically anyone’s ever talked about that most perilous after-dark excursion.

The pouch offers some 2,000 square inches of toilet paper storage space--more than most existing products, the group found, which top out at around 800. That’s key. The only way that whole situation gets worse is when you run out.

Rock it Modern Style

Photo: Rock it Modern Style

Designer Seden Craig said it best- “this ain’t your granddaddy’s rocking chair!” The skeletal design was inspired by slatted furniture as well as topography models making it a unique, modern twist on the conventional rocker that’s defined by linear wood slides contrasted with a white facade on top. It’s an interesting alternative to both the outdoor adirondack or indoor rocker.

Designer: Seden Craig


Read more at http://www.yankodesign.com/2013/03/28/rock-it-modern-style/#Xm6pSveA8cgGOV6z.99Designer Seden Craig said it best- “this ain’t your granddaddy’s rocking chair!” The skeletal design was inspired by slatted furniture as well as topography models making it a unique, modern twist on the conventional rocker that’s defined by linear wood slides contrasted with a white facade on top. It’s an interesting alternative to both the outdoor adirondack or indoor rocker.

Designer: Seden Craig

Ion engines could power the spy planes of the future

Photo: Ion engines could power the spy planes of the future

It was only last year that NASA reported the development of a real world impulse drive, one that runs on dilithium crystals no less. And there was much rejoicing. But the Star Wars vs Star Trek debate knows no bounds. None, I tell you.

This year — in fact this very week — researchers at MIT have announced that they are developing a powerful "Ionic Wind" engine, capable of outperforming conventional jet engines. This is not a new concept, as any Star Wars fan knows. For crying out loud, the TIE in "TIE Fighter" stands for Twin Ion Engine. Ionic wind power has also been around for a while in the real world, but that's beside the point.

What really matters is that, hot on the heels of a Star Trek engine, we have news of a Star Wars engine as well. And this real life Ion Drive is no slouch either. Your average jet engine generates about 2N/kW (newtons per kilowatt) of thrust. In comparison, the ionic thruster (as it has been termed) has been demonstrated as capable of a whopping 110 N/kW of thrust. Well, that's just plain more. But the benefits of ionic thrusters don't end there. As well as being more powerful, these engines are entirely silent and invisible to infrared imaging.

While this does mean that we might miss out on the famous TIE Fighter scream, it'll come in handy for stealth aircraft. You know, the planes the CIA likes to paint black. Another spyplane-esque benefit of ionic thrusters is that they seem to function much more efficiently at slower speeds, enabling long-term recon missions with plenty of getaway power when push comes to shove.

Just like NASA's impulse drive, MIT's Ion Drive isn't quite ready for implementation yet. I guess we'll all have to wait until it's up and running before we pass judgement on who's won this particular battle in the ongoing debate over which sci-fi franchise truly is the best.

MIT, via GizmodoIt was only last year that NASA reported the development of a real world impulse drive, one that runs on dilithium crystals no less. And there was much rejoicing. But the Star Wars vs Star Trek debate knows no bounds. None, I tell you.

This year — in fact this very week — researchers at MIT have announced that they are developing a powerful "Ionic Wind" engine, capable of outperforming conventional jet engines. This is not a new concept, as any Star Wars fan knows. For crying out loud, the TIE in "TIE Fighter" stands for Twin Ion Engine. Ionic wind power has also been around for a while in the real world, but that's beside the point.

What really matters is that, hot on the heels of a Star Trek engine, we have news of a Star Wars engine as well. And this real life Ion Drive is no slouch either. Your average jet engine generates about 2N/kW (newtons per kilowatt) of thrust. In comparison, the ionic thruster (as it has been termed) has been demonstrated as capable of a whopping 110 N/kW of thrust. Well, that's just plain more. But the benefits of ionic thrusters don't end there. As well as being more powerful, these engines are entirely silent and invisible to infrared imaging.

While this does mean that we might miss out on the famous TIE Fighter scream, it'll come in handy for stealth aircraft. You know, the planes the CIA likes to paint black. Another spyplane-esque benefit of ionic thrusters is that they seem to function much more efficiently at slower speeds, enabling long-term recon missions with plenty of getaway power when push comes to shove.

Just like NASA's impulse drive, MIT's Ion Drive isn't quite ready for implementation yet. I guess we'll all have to wait until it's up and running before we pass judgement on who's won this particular battle in the ongoing debate over which sci-fi franchise truly is the best.

MIT, via Gizmodo

A couple quick thoughts on the 'HTC First' aka the first Facebook phone

Photo: A couple quick thoughts on the 'HTC First' aka the first Facebook phone

First off, the hardware most definitely isn't the most important part of this phone. If you're the kind of nerd who lives for specs -- the speeds and feeds crowd -- head elsewhere. In fact, there was very little talk at today's event at Facebook HQ (and same for the ensuing press releases) about the nuts and bolts of the HTC First. And that's because it's Facebook Home that's the star of the show.

We did get an answer to the burning "Why!?!?!" regarding Facebook doing its own hardware. It's pretty simple, in fact, and it's something we should have thought of. While using Facebook Home on an existing device is a pretty damn good experience, there are certain low level things -- particularly regarding notifications -- that you can't do with a launcher. You need deeper hooks into the existing operating system. And, so, we have the HTC First.

The phone itself is unassuming. It's got the usual HTC curves, and a 5MP camera out front your usual "did I really just use that" front-facer out front. It's deceptively light, and and thin to boot. (OK, for the speeds and feeds folks, it's got a dual-core Snapdragon 400 processor and it's running on Android 4.1.)

But it's Facebook Home that's the real star, and for good reason. It looks good. If you don't live in Facebook -- and chances are if you're a regular reader of this blog -- you may well not have a great need for it. But on the other hand, it's still a full-fledged Android smartphone, complete with all the Google apps -- and, more important, access to Google Play -- that you're used to. That was almost certainly a necessity, and it means all of your existing applications should still work, and they're completely accessible through a normal app drawer.  Watch the video walk-through: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=mV44pOP6Sx4First off, the hardware most definitely isn't the most important part of this phone. If you're the kind of nerd who lives for specs -- the speeds and feeds crowd -- head elsewhere. In fact, there was very little talk at today's event at Facebook HQ (and same for the ensuing press releases) about the nuts and bolts of the HTC First. And that's because it's Facebook Home that's the star of the show.

We did get an answer to the burning "Why!?!?!" regarding Facebook doing its own hardware. It's pretty simple, in fact, and it's something we should have thought of. While using Facebook Home on an existing device is a pretty damn good experience, there are certain low level things -- particularly regarding notifications -- that you can't do with a launcher. You need deeper hooks into the existing operating system. And, so, we have the HTC First.

The phone itself is unassuming. It's got the usual HTC curves, and a 5MP camera out front your usual "did I really just use that" front-facer out front. It's deceptively light, and and thin to boot. (OK, for the speeds and feeds folks, it's got a dual-core Snapdragon 400 processor and it's running on Android 4.1.)

But it's Facebook Home that's the real star, and for good reason. It looks good. If you don't live in Facebook -- and chances are if you're a regular reader of this blog -- you may well not have a great need for it. But on the other hand, it's still a full-fledged Android smartphone, complete with all the Google apps -- and, more important, access to Google Play -- that you're used to. That was almost certainly a necessity, and it means all of your existing applications should still work, and they're completely accessible through a normal app drawer.

Lava Iris 455 launched with 4.5 inch-screen, Android Jelly Bean

Photo: Lava Iris 455 launched with 4.5 inch-screen, Android Jelly Bean

Lava Mobile has launched the Iris 455 as part of its Blockbuster Phone Day, where it launches a new smartphone every Friday.

The device has a 4.5-inch screen, with a resolution of 540×960 pixels and runs Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. It has a1GHz dual-core processor and 512MB RAM. The phone comes with 4GB internal storage, that can be expanded via microSD card. The maximum limit of the microSD card is 32GB.
This is another dual-SIM device and it has 1,500 mAh battery which company claims has 6 hours of 3G talk time and 8 hours of talk time on 2G. The smartphone has a 5-megapixel auto-focus rear camera with LED flash and a VGA front camera.

The smartphone is 3G enabled and supports Wi-Fi plus Bluetooth.

The price and the availability of the smartphone have not been revealed, although the phone should be price in the same range as its predecessor the Iris 454. Iris 454 is priced at Rs 8,499. (USD 165)Lava Mobile has launched the Iris 455 as part of its Blockbuster Phone Day, where it launches a new smartphone every Friday.

The device has a 4.5-inch screen, with a resolution of 540×960 pixels and runs Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. It has a1GHz dual-core processor and 512MB RAM. The phone comes with 4GB internal storage, that can be expanded via microSD card. The maximum limit of the microSD card is 32GB.
This is another dual-SIM device and it has 1,500 mAh battery which company claims has 6 hours of 3G talk time and 8 hours of talk time on 2G. The smartphone has a 5-megapixel auto-focus rear camera with LED flash and a VGA front camera.

The smartphone is 3G enabled and supports Wi-Fi plus Bluetooth.

The price and the availability of the smartphone have not been revealed, although the phone should be price in the same range as its predecessor the Iris 454. Iris 454 is priced at Rs 8,499. (USD 165)