A Personal Weather Station for Your iPhone: Netatmo

Imagine having a mini personal weather station at your own house, one that allows you to monitor and track the outside temperature, humidity, air quality, and atmospheric pressure, right from your iPhone or iPad. Now imagine being able to also monitor and track the inside temperature, humidy, CO2 levels, and indoor air quality.

Well, you’re in luck, because if you’re weather-obsessed, meteorologically-inclined, or your daily activities depend on knowing the current conditions outside, the Netatmo Urban Weather Station is for you.

With two sleek aluminum sensor bodies – one for inside and one for outside – measuring the data, an iPhone/iPad app for viewing and sharing it, realtime air quality and weather alerts, and cloud data storage backing it all up, the Netatmo system can help you decide the best (and worst) times for watering the garden, going for a run, riding your bike to work, or making your kids go outside to play. The app also features a 7-day weather forecast, and for those who live in areas with plenty of noise pollution, the sensors also measure and track the sound levels (from 35 dB to 120 dB).

In addition, those who use Netatmo weather stations can also choose to help contribute to a wider community-based network of weather monitoring, so that scientists and meteorologists can further their understanding of the climate and weather in urban environments.

“The Netatmo Urban Weather Program aims to create the largest community based weather and Air Quality monitoring network ever established, offering a wealth of info to scientists and people living in urban environments…”

Roomba Turns 10, a DIY Autonomous Paintball Turret, and More at Tested.comRoomba Turns 10, a DIY Autonomous Paintball Turret, and More at Tested.com

When they’re not busting myths on the Discovery Channel, Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage are busy cooking up great DIY projects and keeping up to date on the latest achievements of the world’s best makers.

Here’s some of the latest from Tested.com:

The Roomba Turns 10

Everyone’s favorite robo-floor cleaner is now 10 years old. Tested.com outlines the history of the home robot and the company that creates it, iRobot.

3D Printing at the World Maker Faire

Meanwhile, at World Maker Faire, Tested.com checks out a new 3D printer that uses stereolithography instead of extruded plastic filament to build highly detailed objects.

The Autonomous Sentry Gun

How cool is this? Project Sentry Gun is a homemade paintball and airsoft turret that uses open source software to track moving targets with a webcam and trigger arduino-connected servo motors to activate a homemade sentry. You’ve got to see it in action.

Talking With Makerbot Industries’ Bre Pettis

Finally, Tested.com talks with the co-founder of Makerbot Industries, Bre Pettis. He explains the improvements in the company’s latest 3D-printer.

Victorinox Unveils 1 Terabyte Solid State Drive in a Swiss Army Knife

Image: Victorinox

The Swiss Army drive is ready for its update.

At CES, Victorinox announced two new products to its portable storage line: the Victorinox SSD and Victorinox Slim 3.0 USB drive. Both look like teeny flash drives. Both pack quite a bit more.

The company claims the drive is the world’s smallest high-capacity solid-state drive, ranging from 64 gigabytes to 1 terabyte. It has a 220 MB/second read and 150 MB/second write speeds with 256-bit AES encryption. The drive can also handle automatic backup and syncing. The drive is removable and can be outfitted with two included cases, a TSA friendly one and a signature Swiss Army one with all the bells (blade, scissors, nail file/screw driver). The Slim 3.0 USB drive has a capacity of up to 128 gigabytes and is up to 10 times faster than the its predecessor. Pricing for either product has not been announced.

iPad Meets Antique Typewriter

Image: etsy/usbtypewriter

Is your iPad feeling a bit too modern for you?

Then attach a typewriter to it. An etsy member has hacked an antique typewriter to work as a USB keyboard for Macs, PCs and even iPads.

The typewriter’s keyboard includes all letters, numerals, punctuation marks, shift, space and a functional return carriage. Non-standard keys, such as function (eg. F1, F2), esc, ctrl are available with a special toggle key.

READ MORE: Autonomous Robots Use Wii Sensors to Play Hockey

Image: etsy/usbtypewriter

The modification is very clean leaves the typewriter looking, feeling, and working like a regular typewriter — and yes, it still writes beautifully on paper. A beatiful, functional, unique addition to your home office.

The USB typewriter doesn’t require special software and also works with a number of tablets, including the Toshiba Thrive, Motorola Xoom and HP TouchPad.

READ MORE: Can’t Decide Between a Private Island or a Mega-Yacht? Get Both in One

Image: etsy/usbtypewriter

Flat Speaker is Thinner than a Credit Card (Photos)

Image: Hannes Harms

If you want a set of speakers to match your MacBook Air, then check out the thin boombox.

Measuring a half a millimeter thick (thinner than credit cards), the speaker design from Hannes Harms, a masters candidate at the Royal College of Art, uses sustainable manufacturing methods, design boomreports.

with acid-etching, the sheet of stainless steel is cut and engraved extremely precisely, allowing for 100% recyclability due to its extractive process. the shape of the product also allows for efficient shipping, enabling the use of envelope style packaging. once purchased, the user would assemble the speaker by bending the metal along pre-scored lines.

Image: Hannes Harms

Image: Hannes Harms

Image: Hannes Harms

Looks great, but how does it sound? No word yet, but judging by how puny it is, thin boombox probably can’t output the clearest and biggest audio. It is, however, great eye candy — and for some, that’s good enough.

Jackets with Built-In Heating Let You Extend Your Cold Weather Golfing, Tailgating and Spectating

These jackets have a built-in heater with four temp settings (Photos: Mobile Warming Gear)

Just because it’s gotten colder outside it doesn’t mean you have to cut your golfing or tailgating short, or freeze your butt off supporting your team in the Frozen Tundra. Mobile Warming Gear has jackets and vests featuring built-in heating elements using technology originally pioneered by NASA during the early days of the space program, so you can crank up the heat when the temperature drops.

A system of unobtrusive micro-alloy heating elements built into the back and chest area are powered by a small, rechargeable lithium ion battery. A push-button switch lets you dial in the heat to your choice of four settings, depending on the conditions outside: 100%, that’ll bring the heat at 135 degrees, 75% for 120 degrees, 50% delivers 105 degrees and 25% will warm you to 90 degrees. Forget layering, you’d have to pile on a half dozen bulky layers to get you close to 135 degrees of chill-busting warmth.

But all that warmth comes at a price. A time price. The battery lasts about 2.5 hours at 100%, but when you dial it down to 25% you’ll get up to 10 hours of heat. So pace yourself.

For golfers who want to squeeze in a few late month rounds around the holidays, Mobile Warming Gear’s new waterproof collection of heated golf jackets are designed with performance and movement in mind. The jackets and vests are seam-sealed, USGA conforming and cut from ultra-lightweight and breathable technical polyester that’s waterproof to keep the rain and snow from shorting out the heaters, and your game. Featuring four-way stretch and golf-specific construction, the jackets provide exceptional freedom of movement without restricting layers.

Offered in both men’s and women’s styles the golf jackets are also windproof and feature waterproof pocket zippers, Velcro cuffs and a hem cinch cord for easy adjustment, and to keep the frost from blowing up your back. Because it’s hard to sink that 30-foot putt when you’re shivering.
$159.99-$219.99

Budget-Friendly Gadgets Newest Trend in Technology

These days, you can't go anywhere without being surrounded by gadgets. From iPad's to iPhones, smartphones, tablets and netbooks, it seems as if everyone has one. Until now, most of these gadgets have gained strong reputations for breaking the bank, with the majority of them holding price tags of $500 or higher. Fortunately, it seems as if budget-friendly gadgets are becoming the latest technology trend. If you've dreamed of owning your own iPad or netbook, there's no better time than now to invest.

Google Chromebook

At just $249, the Google Chromebook is the first Google computer with all of the features of a more expensive netbook at less than half the price. This 2.42lb netbook is sleek and light enough to fit in your purse or backpack, but it carries a powerful punch. With a Samsung Exynos 5 dual processor and built-in dual band Wi-Fi, it's an ideal netbook for both personal and business use. Even better, businesses can rent Chromebooks starting at just $30 per month.

Apple iPad Mini

The iPad Mini was rumored to be in the making for quite some time, but tech junkies everywhere can now get their hands on the new, smaller and faster iPad Mini for just $330. What sets apart the iPad Mini from the more expensive iPad 3, apart from its lower price, is that it is ultra fast. In fact, Apple claims the newest addition to the iPad clan is up to twice as fast as any previously release iPad. And of course, users will get all of the best features, including access to more than 275,000 apps, FaceTime and dual iSight cameras.

Amazon Kindle Fire HD

At just $199, the Amazon Kindle Fire HD is an ideal gift for anyone who can't bear the thought of being without entertainment. With a 7" HD display and built-in dual Wi-Fi, the Kindle Fire is perfect for storing and viewing all of your favorite movies, TV shows, music, magazines, books, photos and even gives you access to your favorite mobile apps. Additionally, this tablet features a front-facing high-definition camera for video calls with friends and family via Skype.

Google Nexus 7

Another budget-friendly gadget from Google, Nexus 7 is the latest Google tablet that uses the infamous Android 4.1 Jellybean platform. Also priced at just $199, it gives users access to more than 600,000 apps, ebooks, music, and endless hours of entertainment. The tablet features a powerful NVIDIA® Tegra® 3 quad-core processor, so users can expect it to run fast and survive on standby for up to 300 hours.

Latest Gadgets in Technology

Today you are invited to discover or recall the latest gadgets in technology, which marked our personal entertainment experience and work productivity during last year. They are all complex devices capable to perform intensive tasks, but coming in simple designs with user-friendly interfaces.

If we start with the communication sector, first gadget we will think of is, of course, the popular iPhone 3G, Apple’s latest release, which is the world’s first and only multi-touchscreen cell phone available for customers worldwide. This innovative technology introduced by Microsoft’s Surface table, allows you to control applications on your phone using your fingers for typing on the on-screen keyboard, glide through albums, scroll through pictures, and zoom web pages, all by touching the multi-touch display layer placed on a capacitive panel in charge with detecting your pressing via electrical fields. Your touch is then sent to the LCD screen under this layer, processed by special software, and interpreted as flicks, taps and pinches.



The on-screen keyboard is different than what you are used with. It adapts its keys and layout for different applications and 21 languages, according to the current mode.
Another technology used in the iPhone, as well as in other high-end handsets on the market, include the accelerometer sensor based on silicon springs that measure the silicon mass position using electrical current, which enables the phone to rotate its image automatically when turned sideways.



The Ambient Light Sensor detects changes in the light conditions and adjusts the display brightness automatically, while the Proximity Sensor feels when something larger than your fingers gets close, turning off the display to save power and to avoid accidental touches on the screen.



In the healthcare industry, Philips continues to be one of the major developers of latest gadgets in technology and medical solutions.
Starting this spring, nurses and physicians have access to a new portable high-end tablet called CliniScape, which keeps them up to date with each patient’s health condition, by providing real-time information about blood containers, medication and others, as well as enabling wireless connectivity with heartbeat or blood-pressure sensors, telephone headsets and dictation microphones.

More than that, using the 2MP digital camera built into the tablet, nurses can take pictures of the patients’ wounds.
CliniScape from Philips can be used as a mobile point of care device to access other medical applications including IntelliVue Clinical Information Portfolio and iSite PACS medical image and information management system.
To perform all these tasks, CliniScape tablet has a small form factor weighting just 1.8Kg, and features a 10-inch touchscreen display with pen input, smart swappable battery,Windows XP Tablet PC Edition or Windows Vista operating system, an Intel Core Solo 1.2GHz processor, 60GB HDD storage, 1GB DDR2 RAM memory, barcode reader, RFIDreader, Bluetooth, one USB port, docking station, and drop/spill resistance.



Latest gadgets in technology from the education sector include 3 impressive devices, one of which is already famous - the XO laptop computer brought by the OLPC non-profit organization. The innovation here involves several elements working together to enable mobile learning for children anytime, in any place. It is characterized by flexibility, ultra-low-cost, power-efficiency, responsiveness and durability, while functioning as a wireless router that connects children, teachers and families remotely, to each other or to the World Wide Web.

XO laptops have 7.5-inch self-refreshing displays of 200DPI, with a resolution of 1200 x 900 pixels and 2 available modes: transmissive full-color and reflective high-resolution black/white for increased sunlight readability. It is an ultra-low-power consumer reaching 0.2W, and can be powered manually even by small hands.



Going further we get to the Teachermate Handheld Computer, a $50-small system coming to Latin American schools. It is the cheapest computer on the market designed like a gaming device, so that all kids to enjoy learning on it using math applications and basic literacy.
It runs with an ARM9 32-bit processor at 200MHz and integrates 500MB NAND Flash RAM memory, SD card slot, speaker, headphone jack, and a 16-bit LCD display. From a full charge, 5-years old children can operate it up to 3.5 hours. Teachers in a classroom can charge all Teachermates and synchronize scores using the Synch and Store Case, as well as update devices simultaneously.



TI Graphing Calculators from Texas Instruments are optimized for complex math-related calculations, sporting large 3.5-inch displays, mouse-like controls, and featuring spreadsheet capabilities and acceptance during SAT, ACT and AP tests. Preparation help comes from The Princeton Review and 25 minutes of free online homework help provided by Tutor.com. They measure 1.13 x 3.94 x 7.81 inches at 0.64 pounds, and power from 4 AAA batteries.
You can store in them up to 20MB of data transferred from a PC via the USB cable.



At the mobility chapter we have the MacBook Air, another Apple innovative product, which became the world’s thinnest laptop. We don’t have spectacular technologies here but just an amazing design idea used to create a portable computer covered in anodized aluminum, weighting 3 pounds at 0.16 x 0.76 inches. It has a 13.3-inch widescreen LED backlight display with a resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels, multi-touch trackpad, and a full-size keyboard with backlight for low light environments. The ambient light sensor detects changes in light and adjusts brightness automatically.

In this case, Apple managed to produce the thinnest laptop in the world, without sacrifying power and standard computer capabilities.



Now let’s check to see what might be the most innovative fitness gadget. If you got the chance to read our article about the best MP3 player portable, you know I’ll mention the BODiBEAT - world’s first portable MP3 player, capable to match the songs it plays with your workout pace. It was created by Yamaha as a fitness companion using a heart rate monitor clipping to the ear, and based on a technology detecting impact during running, walking, and dancing, it plays the right songs with beats per minute that match your steps per minute. In order to do this, it categorizes the songs uploaded by you from the PC, according to the number of beats per minute.

Another important aspect is that, from a full charge, BODiBEAT operates for up to 12 hours, time during which you can set times, distances and calorie number, so the device to alert you when targets have been reached.



We announced that the world’s first brain controlled gaming headset is available in February, when we read about it on the official website and learned about its cool features. These cool features convinced us to include the EPOC gaming headset in this article covering the latest gadgets in technology, for the fact that it allows you to control games based on thoughts and emotions.
The company that created it is Emotiv, focused on bringing solutions built with brain computer interface technologies.

Their EPOC uses your electrical signals from around the brain, processes them, and translates these into “magical powers” and object manipulation. The headset understands immersion, meditation, excitement, frustration, tension, laugh, smile, crossed eye, wink, anger, shock, horizontal eye movement, grimace, pull, push, drop, lift, rotate, and the even the power of making things disappear in video games.

While wearing it, you can control your web camera and mouse cursor movement on the desktop. Imagine how exciting would be to use it while driving those evil GTA 4 Cars!



Before knowing more about Pleo toy gadget you need to know a few about what he represents. Camarasourus sauropod lived in North America during the Late Jurassic Period 150 million years ago and he measured about 18 meters in length, after reaching the adult age.

Pleo is such a dinosaur but just one week old. He was designed by Caleb Chung and manufactured at Ugobe by a team of robotics specialists, animators, technologists, scientists, biologists, and programmers. It integrates sensors and motors that enable him to learn and adapt to different environments.

Based on the artificial intelligence technology, he develops his own personality, feeling playful, scared, surprised, sad, awareness, hungry, and responding to your voice and touch as well. He is even ticklish.
Technologies and hardware components of Pleo include a camera for light and object detection, 2 microphones, binatural hearing, beat detection, touch sensors, surface detection, force-feedback sensors, orientation tilt sensor, infrared sensor in the mouth for object detection, infrared communication with other Pleo robots, miniUSB port for online downloads, and a 32-bit Atmel ARM 7 microprocessor.

Firmware updates for Pleo dinosaurs come via SD cards or USB transfers.



Now let me surprise you with some movie-like images from a real project of an upcoming gadget. This time, the innovation debuted at SID Display Week 2008 in the form of eyeglasses created by Microsivion using the UltraMiniature PicoP Display Engine.
How could you benefit from it? –By attending a conference remotely and adding your part of speech, walk through crowds while checking emails on the glasses, see where your friends are at specific moments by detecting them on the map, receive turn-by-turn directions, and even read virtual recipes while cooking.



Latest gadgets in technology from the design sector are many, but one of the most innovative and unique is PlanterSpeakers Hi Fi speakers? model created by Madison Fielding, an award-winning custom audio products manufacturer.
Terra Cotta Mini Planter is a speaker designed for both indoors and outdoors, fitting any décor with its support for growing natural flowers.

They are waterproof and made of durable materials, equipped with the 360-degree surround sound capability. Components include 6-inch coaxial Marine Speaker, 80Hz to 15KHz +/-3Db frequency response, high bass filter, 25W/RMS power handling, 20 to 50W/RMS recommended amplifier power, 90Db 1 W sensitivity, 8 Ohms impedance, and dimensions of 20 inches in height and 14 inches in width, at 15 lbs.

Apple Reveals iPad Tablet

The day has finally arrived, after long speculation, Apple has finally unveiled its new tablet. The tablet, named the iPad, is a pound and a half and has close to 9.7 inch visible display (1024 x 768 display). Apple reports a 10 hour battery life while watching video or a month of standby charge. Storage capacities from 16-64 GB. It can be thought of as an oversize iPhone which Steve Jobs hopes will fill a gap between the iPhone and MacBook. Bad news for Adobe, like the iPhone, there is no support for flash on websites.

802.11n wifi, Bluetooth, speaker, microphone, accelerometer and compass. We’re hoping an external keyboard and mouse can be used with the bluetooth. Update: Even if its not possible to do through bluetooth, a keyboard can be attached to the iPad as an alternate means of typing. Pricing starts at an amazingly low $499 with 3G support costing extra. This price point seems to indicate Apple lowering the price artificially low in an attempt to corner the media and app distribution market. The product release is a major event in itself but the pricepoint’s implications to various industries is monumental.

Certain developers reportedly got a head start in developing for the new platform. A standout was the work the New York Times did for the device. Typography, design and overall usability is stellar.

More images after the jump.

Ipad Not Charging Due To Under-Powered USB Ports on Certain Windows and Macs PCs

Apple’s long anticipated iPad has finally arrived and while it may be too early to receive comprehensive comments from public, some users has already started to complain about inability to charge iPad through commonly available USB ports on certain laptops. When this occurs, a message with “Not Charging” will be displayed in the status bar next to battery icon.

This root cause is pointed to under-powered USB ports that is insufficient to provide enough juice to charge the relatively power hungry iPad as compared to other mobile devices such as iPhone. And based on actual feedback from certain online users, apparently many Windows based laptops as well as older Macs machines like MacBook Pro are facing such phenomenon while it seems that latest MacBooks and iMacs users have no complaint on this so far. If you notice, Apple’s official support site does provide some clues and based on support article from its website, typically all older type of Macs computers can only able to provide 5V with 500mA on each USB port as similar to other Windows based PC. Whereas some newer Intel-based Macs like MacBook is capable to ramp up to 12V at 1200mA whenever needed. For instance: When a more power hungry device such as the 9.7-inch iPad is connected and that may explain why such phenomenon doesn’t happen on those newer MacBook.

And as a quick workaround, consumers are recommended to utilize the 10-watt USB power adapter that will able to fully charge the iPad within hours. And even when they connect to those low-powered USB port, iPad may still able to get some extra power (even through at a slower rate) to work without any issue.

Mercedes-Benz creates bizarre concept car that looks like a 19th century carriage

It takes more than a passing resemblance to a old car, but Mercedes-Benz claims that this roadster could be the car of tomorrow.

Built by 150 students, the car combines traditional design elements with the latest technology.

 Mercedes-Benz

So while it has large spoked wheels that goes back to the first Benz Motor Car of 1886, is powered by a hybrid drive using an emissions without fuel.

It can reach a top speed of 15.5 miles per hour and has a range of 220 miles.

The students of Daimler AG has been working on the overall concept, development, assembly and completion of the F-CELL Roadster for a year. The project was created to educate young people in alternative propulsion systems.

The car has a top speed of 15.5 miles i timen

The car is powered by a joystick and operated by an electric motor

They include carbon-fiber bucket seats with hand-stitched leather upholstery and a marked styled fiberglass front section, inspired by Formula One race cars.

The Roadster is controlled with drive-by-wire technology, and a joystick replaces a conventional steering wheel.

"I'm glad to see how much initiative and creativity of young people in this project," Labor Relations Manager Günther Fleig said.

Mercedes-Benz F-CELL Roadster has the same wheels with the first Benz Motor Car

Sikker Baby Safety

Oh but it’s much much more. The Sikker (Danish for safety) is a jack of all trades baby monitor, radio, alarm clock, and watch. One bracelet stays on baby; the other on parent. The units work in tandem with the base station to transmit basic biometric data about baby’s condition like temperature. The units also transmit sounds and even remotely play music for baby.

 

Portable computer in India

Yogesh Kumar Baghel’s MITRA PC is a cylinder-shaped portable computer. It was designed for rural areas in India in order to spread the importance of education, health and other social issues for the development of the country.

The term “mitra” means “friend,” and the MITRA PC is also an eco-friendly gadget that uses solar energy to store and use in case of emergency. The MITRA PC contains a built-in LED projector for convenient presentation, as well as a hand crank charging facility to generate power (rotating the crank 30 times provides 30 minutes of use).