Apple Applies for new Patent

It is all over the blogosphere that Apple has applied for a new patent. Solar panels for the iPhone. Imagine never having to worry about your battery dying on your mobile phone. Sitting at your favourite cafe - having a latte while your phone is sitting on the table charging - without having to plug it in.

I fly quite a lot with my job and I am forever checking and double checking to ensure that I haven't forgotten a connecting or power cable for either my laptop or one of my many mobile devices.

Before I moved to New Zealand (about 3 years ago), I purchased a small solar panel that would be able to charge my mobile phone or iPod.....but it is just another thing to carry. Not to mention all of the connecting ends you need to carry (or loose) as well.

So - bravo to Apple for bringing back an old technology (remember our old solar charged hand calculators) into a new.

Now.....if we could only have solar powered laptops that are lighter and more powerful.....one can dream.

Will Nano Technology extend the lives of our beloved technology?

Over dinner tonight the discussion turned to batteries. Yes, I know what you are thinking....not the most exciting dinner conversation, but it actually got into quite a conversation.

We were actually talking about Pleo (see yesterday's posting) and I was telling everyone that it has about a 1 hour battery life and starts to get sleepy when the battery starts to run down.

Two of us at the dinner table love gadgets....I mean we absolutely love new techi gadgets and that , unfortunately, involves charging and batteries. Whenever I pack I have cables and battery chargers and extra external chargers to charge all my gear in case batteries die. Now I have found some clever little travel tools that will reduce the amount of cables you need to carry as you can just "switch the plug ends." I was given as a gift an Electronics USB Cell phone/PDA/iPOD/Charger Kit by Tumi and it is great! It really reduces the amount of cables you have to carry and when traveling overseas you only need the one adapter as it switches to all international power plugs.

I also never leave home without my Tunejuice by Griffin Technology. It is a great little battery extender for any of the iPods (except the little shuffle). Just pop in 4 AAA batteries and if your iPod starts to die you just plug it into the bottom of the iPod. Griffin Technology reports that "TuneJuice will provide up to 14 hours of additional audio play, or 2 more hours of video viewing." I can't verify the length of time as my Tunejuice has not run down yet while in use. I think the longest I have used it is 5 continuous hours and it was still going strong.

So my point is, as much as we love our technology and gadgets we do have a charging/battery issue. I just read an article from ScienceDaily that reports this problem may be solved very shortly. A report that researchers from Stanford University have "found a way to use silicon nanowires to reinvent the rechargeable lithium-ion batteries that power laptops, iPods, video cameras, cell phones, and countless other devices." (read further)

Research into this technology has been going on for sometime, but it seems the team at Stanford has cut through and solved any of the previous problems. These new batteries "produces 10 times the amount of electricity of existing lithium-ion, known as Li-ion, batteries. A laptop that now runs on battery for two hours could operate for 20 hours."

Exciting stuff! No reports yet when consumers might see this available on the market, but you can bet it might be around the corner.

Animatronic Dinosaur named Pleo, learns to engage and interact with its owners.

What is the latest fad this Christmas? A Pleo!

Pleo is the latest creation of UGOBE, a privately-held company from California that specializes in the development of robotics that "transforms inanimate objects into lifelike creatures."

What is Pleo?
Pleo, a one-week-old robotic dinosaur that interacts with its owner by moving organically, expressing emotion and autonomously exploring and responding to the world around him. Software shipped with Pleo allows for subtle shaping of personality and temperament. Future free software updates will allow Pleo to develop a unique personality based largely upon how he's raised. Plus, owners can go to Pleoworld.com to connect with other owners, find training tips and download new enhancements to Pleo. Pleo has a sophisticated sensory system has devices that enable it to hear, to see, to sense touch, and to detect objects.

The battery charge apparently lasts for about 1 hour and then Pleo starts to get sleepy. It even makes little cooing noises.

Check out one of the many videos (below) about Pleo on YouTube.


What are the "guts" of this new interactive robotic marvel?

Significant Processing Power:

• 32-bit microprocessors: central and image processing
• 8-bit sub-processors: motor control

Highly Articulated Movement:

• 14 motors
• Over 100 custom-designed gears

Complex Sensory Network:

• Camera-based vision system: light detection and navigation
• Microphones: binaural hearing
• Skin sensors: head, chin, shoulders, back, feet
• Foot switches: surface detection
• Force-feedback sensors: one per joint
• Orientation tilt sensor: body position
• Infrared mouth sensor: object detection

Multiple Data Ports:

• Mini USB port for online downloads
• SD card slot for Pleo add-ons
• Infrared transceiver for Pleo-to-Pleo communication

High-Quality Sound:

• 2 speakers located in Pleo's mouth and back

L6 Power Source:

• Rechargeable and replaceable NiMH battery pack
• Recharges in 4 hours; provides approximately 1 hour of operation

Selling in the USA for about 348.00 US...for ages 8 to really old!

There are plans to release a PDK (Pleo Development Kit) - "to make hacking Pleo easier."

An amazing interactive toy that engages with its users. I remember the days we got excited over a pet rock.....times have changed :)

USB Gadget Fun and Language Translation Web Tool for Foreign Websites

Solid Alliance is a Japanese company with a great sense of humour. They have a variety of computer gadgets to "perk up" your office. The best is the Sushi USB Sticks (shown below) in the shape of sushi.

The other (reported from Gizmodo) is the USB Food Hub (shown below). The rice is a usb 4-port hub and the rest of the food on the plate are USB sticks.



Need to translate the SolidAlliance website? Just use Babelfish translation tool through the Altavista.

Babelfish translates: Japanese, Chinese, Dutch, Greek, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, etc.. Just copy and paste the text from any website into the input field and choose the language you want to translate from and then to (ie: Japanese to English).

Not necessarily an exact translation but pretty darn good!

iPhone envy....hands up for those of you that don't have access to the AT&T network?

When I was in the US a month ago my American colleagues that had gotten their iPhones were excited to show the rest of us what we were missing out on.

If you don't know by now.....no the iPhone is not available to the rest of the world....and yes at the time I had severe iPhone envy.

My colleagues told me that they heard that some Aussies (go Aussie) had figured out how to crack the iPhone so they were able to go through the registration process even though they didn't have an American address.....BUT they weren't able to use it as a mobile phone (no AT&T hook-up) only as a small mobile PDA.

I was listening to several of the stories that my colleagues told of how they got their phone and then the hassle they went through to register it and get a mobile plan. It seems at the time some of my colleagues were registering only the most expensive plans were available (I think it was over 70.00 US a month). What happened to the $19.99 plans that were advertised? Sounds like the airline seat sales...."sorry we only have 1 1/2 seats available at that price and they were gone before this ad hit the web.., but we do have these seats available for 500.00 more"....

The week I was in San Francisco, the San Francisco Apple Store was sold out of their iPhones by 9am everyday.

Exploring the Apple store was interesting as they were giving workshops upstairs on how to operate your iPhone. There was a handful of people all taking notes (by pen and paper I might add) while what looked like a 20 something young man with a cap turned sideways on his head took his middle-aged audience through the wows of the iPhone they just bought on a huge wall sized projection screen. Quite entertaining.

By the end of the week I was pretty much over my iPhone envy after hearing all of the bugs and hassles that people were having. Now don't get me wrong....everyone I talked to (regardless of the hassles they had) absolutely adored their iPhone.

The darkside of the iPhone.....

The folks at APC reported there are several websites that have popped up on the web that are dedicated to "hacking the iPhone" so all may experience the iPhone joy. Hack the iPhone and the Hackintosh forum.

The one that probably has had the most press is a 17 year old named George Hotz of New Jersey. Macworld posted the story about this young man who calls himself "geohot." He has posted on his blog the 10 steps that is required to "unlock" your iPhone and how to hook it into another mobile carrier.

Here is his 15 minutes of fame.....

Quite an entrepreneur....digital style! He is auctioning this iPhone on eBay !


Now before you laugh....the first bid came in at $600 US on Aug 23 at 17:40:56 PDT.....as of Aug 24 at 11:43:53 PDT...the bid is at $2,999.00 US! Now who's laughing? The auction is over on August 30th (PT) and I will be interested to see what price this phone goes at.

Interesting....

This young man is not selling the iPhone as a phone...he is selling it as a piece of history - as the "Worlds 2nd Unlocked iPhone." And of course the phone is signed by geohot himself!

I always have people asking me why I am so intrigued with technology......I respond.....who wouldn't be. It is a live soap opera everyday!

Just ask poor Beyonce who had a wardrobe malfunction recently on stage in front of thousands at a concert in Canada. Quick mobile phone users captured the incident and it was quickly posted on the web direct from the concert. Hmmm wonder if any of them used their iPhone?

Classroom.......

Ethics and technology this is always an interesting topic for discussion in the classroom....there is so much to choose from!

Print anywhere, anytime and without ink!

You may remember the original instant Polaroid camera....point, shoot then out pops your picture. Wave it around in the air for a few seconds and like magic your Polaroid image appears. Great technology at the time, but wasn't that camera a big clunker to carry around compared to the cameras today?

Zink (which stands for zero ink) has taken that Polaroid paper technology even further. Still using only heat (no toner or coloured cartridges) to develop the picture from the coloured crystals that are between the layers of paper.

Zink has developed two types of printers. One is an integrated digital camera/printer that is a full featured digital camera with a built-in full color printer. The other printer is the size of a credit card that is a companion printer to your mobile camera phone or digital camera. It attaches wireless or with a USB cable.

These should be available on the market in late 2007.

Companion Printer

Integrated printer and digital camera.

New Technologies Coming to a Classroom Near You

Augmented Technology....research in this area of technology has been around for awhile. You have seen it on TV or in the movies....Tom Cruise standing in front of a glass grid of a map - from a projector that is fitted into a glove he is wearing comes a virtual elevation of the terrain that he can interact with. Fiction? Not really...............

Augmented Technology is an area of computer research which deals with the combination of real world and computer generated data. Some examples of this are used in/with:

• GPS devices


• Virtual Reality (VR) projects (ie: airplane simulation training for pilots)

LifeClipper combines GPS, VR and Real Life. The participant puts on the gear - a portable computer (pictured to the right) and then walks around a designated route. The experience is as if they are in a movie, it combines what they see around them during the walk along with photo, video and sound that is seen through the goggles at predetermined points captured by GPS.

This takes the meaning of a virtual class field trip to a whole new dimension. Imagine visiting the site where The Treaty of Waitangi was signed and with the help of this technology students could feel like they were actually witnesses this time in history occurring.

HUD (Heads up Display) HUD is a display on the screen that doesn't block the user's view. This is already being used in many domestic cars where the speedometer and other stats are projected up onto the windshield for the driver to view (BMW, Nissan, Lexus, Citroen, and GM all offer HUD.)

There are now prototypes to project a GPS street system onto your screen rather than having to purchase a separate unit for your vehicle.

How man students have complained that they can't read the projector screen because it is too small?

The new projectors being developed and tested in the Faculty of Architecture at the Bauhaus-University Weimar are short of amazing. Not only do the dual projectors take a corner of a wall to make one large smooth image it can use augmented technology to give a projection depth....a 3D feel. Explore the projects photo gallery.


Further links:
How Stuff Works - Auglmented Technology

A New World of a 3D Mouse

3DConnexion (a family company of Logitech) have designed a family of 3D input devices. " 3Dconnexion's line of 3D navigation devices allow you to fly through three dimensional worlds or manipulate 3D objects with an agility and precision unachievable with a mouse and keyboard. Simultaneously pan, zoom and rotate 3D images without repeatedly stopping to change directions."

This input device takes a standard mouse to a new level. With names like: SpaceTraveler, SpaceNavigator, SpaceExplorer and SpacePilot a user just knows they are in for a unique experience.

The demo video on website shows a user now capable of moving seamlessly through a virtual world or 3D program. Will this help my avatar in SecondLife become more graceful - probably not :)

Backup Pal

I admit it....I am a gadget addict! Whenever we go away on holidays my poor husband is dragged through the local tech stores while I scour the shelves looking for some new digital gadget. Backup Pal is a cool gadget!

Cellphones/PDAs have become our main communication tool performing such functions as: taking pictures, watching video, playing games, email, text messaging, browsing the web, listening to music....are just a few of the possible uses for these mini handheld communication devices.

Many cellphones every year will die, be dropped on the ground, run over by the car, dropped into the toilet, stolen or buried by the dog in the backyard. How many of you have your cellphone/PDA contacts backed up or written down somewhere? Recently I was talking with a colleague that had all her telephone numbers from friends overseas in her cellphone and it had gone missing. She didn't have many of these numbers written down or stored anywhere else....she was devastated!

Here comes Backup-pal to the rescue! This little device that is smaller than a doughnut will backup all of your contacts from your cellphone. It is a storage device that transfers digits either by USB, infrared or using a specific adapter for your model of cellphone.

Language Skill Tools

Califone just released a new product that will help Language and ESOL classes manage their audio stations.

The USB Jackbox "offers educators with the option of combining the functionality of audio output and input to help students enhance both listening and oral skills. In addition, the unit can greatly benefit those who many need additional reinforcement, including English language learners or special needs students."

The USB Jackbox is connected through a USB plug to a computer. Students plug in their headsets and can practice their "language skills or listen to recorded books and online streaming videos as a group. In addition, students can also create their own podcasts or connect with pen pals thousands of miles away through any VoIP application with the input functionality."

Classroom: USB Jackbox also would be a benefit to use in a computer pod/lab setting if you have students that are publishing podcasts or recording audio for animation or movie productions.

The "Camerasope"

AvenTools known for video inspection and measurement, microscopy, illumination and magnification tools just to mention a few have just released new camera lens (iLoupe) that can be attached to a pocket size digital camera. The lens range from 60x, 100x and 150x magnification - enough to get any camera buff excited about the world of small.

The camera could be connected directly to a TV and used as a microscope or show any print images through a SD card/USB connection. A starter kit is available that consists of a Canon SD600 (6 mega pixel camera), adapter ring, LED lighting module and a 60x objective lens.

Laser Beam Paint Brushes for Kids

Philips known for its home electronic products revealed some of the new innovations they are working on that are really unique.

One of those products is Drag & Draw –the entire home becomes a virtual canvas for expression and play for young children, thanks to a magic brush, a magic eraser, a magic wand, and a laser projection bucket.

See a video on YouTube of Drag & Draw in action.

Think about the possibilities in the education sector. Philips did not report how long the drawings would remain on the surface....but what a fun activity for primary students. Students could also use it for drama sets, art, brainstorming activities, school cafeteria, school announcements, etc...

WIN23 Solar Powered Headphones With Radio

The headphones draw its power from the almighty Sun and is also outfitted with a radio. Thus you can enjoy your favorite tunes on the go and free yourself from the shackles of wires. One hour of sunlight provides 1-3 hours of listening time and the headset carries a warranty of 3 years!

As this has a built-in radio all you would need is your iTrip attached to your iPod to have the full "wireless and solar" headset experience! Just tune your radio to a station of static and your iTrip will pick it up and send your iPod music over the headset.

I found the headsets for sale online at a few sites....this one is from the UK - Paramountzone.

The New iPod Shuffle

The world's smallest digital music player (DMP). 1GB of memory onboard, 12 hours of battery life, holds about 240 songs, weighs about 1/2 an ounce.

MusicJam - Portable Effects Mixer for the iPod

What a cool idea for any school music program! The iPod is a tool that can be used throughout many different school programs....now the music program won't be left out.

Now students can play backing tracks or songs and sing along. There is an added echo effect that can be added to your voice to make it sound like you are on stage!

Includes a high-quality microphone, cables, AC adapter, and microphone stand clamp. Also included is an electric guitar input--the MusicJam has a guitar preamp with Tone and Distortion controls.

DVD BurnAway

The DVD BurnAway is a multi-function, portable device which integrates a slim combo DVD/CD recordable disc drive, media player and USB 2.0 card reader. The BurnAway is ideal for transferring data from digital cameras, handheld PC's, and MP3 players.

The DVD BurnAway can be used as a stand alone back-up system to copy data from flash memory cards onto DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, DVD+RW, CD-R and CD-RW discs with the push of a button. The DVD BurnAway easily connects to your television or projector via the included S-Video or RCA cables.

Cool iPod Tool

TuneTalk™ Stereo for iPod® with video

With two high-quality omnidirectional microphones, the new Belkin TuneTalk Stereo lets you record memos, lectures, interviews, or conversations in full stereo. You can then review your CD-quality audio notes by using your earbud headphones or computer.

I recently purchased this while I was in San Jose....works quite well. Many teachers (especially in Language or English programs) need to capture student audio for assesment....this is a great tool for that. Audio files automatically captured and saved to your iPod which can then be managed through your iTunes.