Subaru set to fire out new 2015 WRX

Subaru set to fire out new 2015 WRX: "The Subaru WRX has always been a touchstone for rally car performance in a street legal car with its fast handling, turbocharged acceleration and hefty hood scoops. Subaru's long-awaited refresh adds a six speed manual or automatic gearbox, new styling, and bids farewell to the five door hatchback version."

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Three Great Scientific Discoveries of 2013

Three Great Scientific Discoveries of 2013: "2013 has been a terrific year in the field of science with so much having been accomplished, but what are the biggest discoveries of the year? YouTube channel SciShow looks at three very big scientific discoveries that changed how we look at physics, Mars, and ourselves!"

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2013: The year of the drone

2013: The year of the drone: "Although aerial drones been around in one form or another since World War I, it hasn’t really been until the last decade that they’ve really taken off, so to speak. Where they were once restricted to a spot of battlefield reconnaissance, in addition to military applications, drones are now used for everything from agriculture to oil prospecting and by everyone from rescue workers to real estate agents. Although the technological advances and proliferation of drones has accelerated over the past decade, 2013 was the year that the technology really entered the public consciousness. So let’s have a look back at Gizmag’s pick of the top drone stories of 2013."

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GPS AdventureBox merges geocaching and gift-giving

GPS AdventureBox merges geocaching and gift-giving: "It's often said that experiences make better gifts than physical products, but the GPS AdventureBox is designed to deliver both. In a merging of geocaching and gift-giving, the GPS-enabled box locks away a physical gift or note until the recipient successfully follows a trail of GPS breadcrumbs to a series of locations specified by the giver."

'via Blog this'

World's first cycle to the South Pole achieved

World's first cycle to the South Pole achieved: "Shortly before Christmas, we heard about 35 year-old British adventurer Maria Leijerstam's planned attempt to ride to the South Pole on a recumbent fat-tired tricycle. On December 27th at 1am GMT, she achieved that goal, becoming the first person to ever successfully cycle from the edge of the Antarctic continent to the Pole."

'via Blog this'

Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: "The Lockheed SR-71 "Blackbird" was an advanced, long-range, Mach 3+ strategic reconnaissance aircraft.[1] It was developed as a black project from the Lockheed A-12 reconnaissance aircraft in the 1960s by Lockheed and its Skunk Works division. Clarence "Kelly" Johnson was responsible for many of the design's innovative concepts. During reconnaissance missions, the SR-71 operated at high speeds and altitudes to allow it to outrace threats. If a surface-to-air missile launch was detected, the standard evasive action was simply to accelerate and outfly the missile.[2]
The SR-71 served with the U.S. Air Force from 1964 to 1998. A total of 32 aircraft were built; 12 were lost in accidents, but none lost to enemy action.[3][4] The SR-71 has been given several nicknames, including Blackbird and Habu.[5] Since 1976, it has held the world record for the fastest air-breathing manned aircraft, a record previously held by the YF-12.[6][7][8]"

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InfinityList – Jetman in “Full Flight”

InfinityList – Jetman in “Full Flight”:

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Spherical Flying Machine Developed by Japan Ministry Of Defense #DigInfo

Spherical Flying Machine Developed by Japan Ministry Of Defense #DigInfo:

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Daily Kos: How Airliners Work - Fuel System

Daily Kos: How Airliners Work - Fuel System: "We're not going anywhere in our airliner without fuel - lots of it. Until someone builds a practical electric aircraft, probably quite a few years down the road, we have to burn hydrocarbons to make this thing go.

So let's take a look at what we're burning and how we get it to the engines."

'via Blog this'

Superstorm Sandy Cleanup Unearths Giant Prize for Lucky Landscaper | Video | TheBlaze.com

Superstorm Sandy Cleanup Unearths Giant Prize for Lucky Landscaper | Video | TheBlaze.com: "With destruction from Superstorm Sandy destruction all around him, landscaper Marvin Rosales Martinez caught a glimpse of an object that didn’t seem to belong among the pile of leaves he was clearing."

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Algae to crude oil: Million-year natural process takes minutes in the lab - Conservative Byte

Algae to crude oil: Million-year natural process takes minutes in the lab - Conservative Byte: "Engineers at the US Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) have created a continuous process that produces useful crude oil minutes after harvested algae is introduced. This new process does not require drying out the algae, which grows in water, saving time and energy that would be otherwise wasted. The final product can be refined into aviation fuel, diesel, or gasoline."

'via Blog this'

Algae to crude oil: Million-year natural process takes minutes in the lab

Algae to crude oil: Million-year natural process takes minutes in the lab: "Engineers at the US Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) have created a continuous process that produces useful crude oil minutes after harvested algae is introduced. This new process does not require drying out the algae, which grows in water, saving time and energy that would be otherwise wasted. The final product can be refined into aviation fuel, diesel, or gasoline."

'via Blog this'

Spike S-512 could be the world's first supersonic business jet

Spike S-512 could be the world's first supersonic business jet: "With the Cessna Citation X set to receive FAA certification in early 2014 and knock the Gulfstream G650 off it's world's fastest civilian aircraft perch thanks to its maximum operating speed of Mach 0.935, Boston-based Spike Aerospace is looking to leave both those aircraft in its wake with its S-512. Spike says its S-512 will be the world's first supersonic business jet, boasting a cruising speed of Mach 1.6, and a maximum speed of Mach 1.8."

'via Blog this'

Time to Stock Up on Incandescent Bulbs Before They Go Out Permanently

Time to Stock Up on Incandescent Bulbs Before They Go Out Permanently: "Beginning January 1, 2014, the federal government will ban the use of 60-watt and 40-watt incandescent light bulbs. The light bulb has become a symbol in the fight for consumer freedom and against unnecessary governmental interference into the lives of the American people."

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5 best apps for commuters

5 best apps for commuters: "Commuting sucks, and its costs go beyond public-transit fares and gas-tank refills. The labor of getting to and from work robs you of productivity, and consumes time that you’d rather spend doing things you enjoy. It’s also hazardous to your health: Commuting can contribute to obesity, stress, and loneliness, and a commute longer than 45 minutes can even increase the likelihood that a couple will divorce."

'via Blog this'

Viper Home Starter Kit review: It's the software, stupid | TechHive

Viper Home Starter Kit review: It's the software, stupid | TechHive: "Jealousy. Cranky, burning jealousy is how a lot of home automation products make me feel. I’m sure the Nest thermostat is a neat device to use…if you have a thermostat, which I very much do not. Likewise, I’d love to test out the Goji Smart Lock next year, but my Luddite boyfriend is still rocking a feature phone, which rules that out too."

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Prime was prime, as Amazon reports another record holiday | Internet & Media - CNET News

Prime was prime, as Amazon reports another record holiday | Internet & Media - CNET News: "It's become a sort of holiday tradition for CNET to offer a snapshot of just how merry Amazon's holiday sales have been, with a little help from the company's PR department. So here we go.
Amazon's annual post-Christmas press release boasts yet another record season, with more than 36.8 million items ordered worldwide on Cyber Monday -- that's 426 items per second. And more than half of Amazon customers shopped using a mobile device this holiday season."

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Amazon: 5 bold predictions for 2014 | Internet & Media - CNET News

Amazon: 5 bold predictions for 2014 | Internet & Media - CNET News: "Amazon spent 2013 attempting to wow us and, for the most part, succeeded.
This year saw the debut of Amazon's Mayday customer service button -- the marquee feature for its newest line of Kindle Fire tablets -- the revival of the US Postal Service through Sunday delivery, and, of course, the frenzy of debate over autonomous flying robots serving as the next-generation of delivery men ahead of Cyber Monday.
Think Amazon out did itself in 2013? Well, get ready for even more eye-popping surprises in 2014."

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Robots to slingshots: A year in space, 2013

Robots to slingshots: A year in space, 2013: "This has been a busy year in space, with rovers roving on Mars and the first landing on the Moon in 40 years, the search for life beyond our Earth heating up, and 3D printing moving into orbit. As a Chinese rover explores the lunar surface and astronauts work to repair the International Space Station (ISS), Gizmag looks back on the space highlights of 2013."

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Concept cars that could change transportation as we know it

Concept cars that could change transportation as we know it: "The average concept car experiments with styling, technology and packaging to explore potential new ideas. Some concept cars take it a few steps further, not just rethinking the car but redefining what a car is and exploring ideas that could completely revolutionize the way we get from point A to point B. From vehicles that drive themselves, to cars that fly and fold, some of 2013's most interesting concept cars provided a lens into a very different future."

'via Blog this'

2014 Jeep Cherokee gets disconnecting AWD technology

2014 Jeep Cherokee gets disconnecting AWD technology: "Set to debut in the 2014 Jeep Cherokee, the EcoTrac Disconnecting AWD driveline system is designed to improve fuel efficiency by disengaging components from the driveline when not required, so that only power is delivered to the front wheels."

'via Blog this'

McLaren's ultrasonic force field to replace windshield wipers

McLaren's ultrasonic force field to replace windshield wipers: "Windshield wipers are life-savers, but can also drive one to distraction with their incessant streaking and chattering. Well, the tyranny of the wipers may soon be over. McLaren Automotive’s chief designer Frank Stephenson has told The Sunday Times that the performance motoring company is investigating the use of "ultrasonic force fields" to replace windshield wipers in automobiles. While Stephenson referred to a military source for McLaren's tech, there appears to be very little public information on how such force fields might clean a windshield during a storm, so I'm taking a look at the patent history to see how this might be accomplished."

'via Blog this'

Spike puts laser measurement hardware on the back of a smartphone

Spike puts laser measurement hardware on the back of a smartphone: "Traditionally, the technology that goes into laser hardware for surveying and 3D modeling has been the plaything of architects, surveyors and engineers. But now, with a view to expanding into the consumer market, Virginia-based IkeGPS wants to bring this functionality to the mainstream. And what better way to do it than sticking it on the back of a smartphone?"

'via Blog this'

Portable scanner designed to make eye exams quicker and easier

Portable scanner designed to make eye exams quicker and easier: "If you're like a lot of people, you don't make an annual trip to the ophthalmologist to get your eyes checked ... and you really ought to, in order to catch any problems before it's too late. If it were possible to get them checked at a regular doctor's office or clinic, though, perhaps you might do so more often. That's one of the reasons that a team at MIT have designed a new hand-held retinal scanner, that can quickly and easily be used anywhere."

'via Blog this'

This Day In History • December 21, 1620: Pilgrims Come Ashore in...

This Day In History • December 21, 1620: Pilgrims Come Ashore in...: "On this day in 1620, the Mayflower Pilgrims’ first landing party came ashore in the unforgiving edge of southeastern Massachusetts in the present-day town of Plymouth."

'via Blog this'

NASA recreates Apollo 8 'Earthrise' 45 years after the mission | Mail Online

NASA recreates Apollo 8 'Earthrise' 45 years after the mission | Mail Online: "The Apollo 8 mission took place on December 24, 1968 and was the first time humans left Earth orbit and reached the moon
The three astronauts aboard - Frank Borman, James Lovell and Williams Anders - were responsible for taking 'Earthrise', one of history's most famous photos, capturing the earth rising over the moon
A new video released by NASA Friday recreates the events that allowed the trio to take the photo"

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The train that NEVER stops moving | Mail Online

The train that NEVER stops moving | Mail Online: "The concept was created by Chinese designer Chen Jianjun
Passengers wait for the train inside a pod located on an elevated platform
As the train enters a station, the pod locks onto the roof at the front
Passengers descend into the train and the pod moves to the rear
People wanting to exit the train at the next station then climb into the pod
The pod detaches as it enters this stop, before collecting the next pod"

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Lamborghini announces successor to the Gallardo – the 610 hp AWD Huracán

Lamborghini announces successor to the Gallardo – the 610 hp AWD Huracán: "Beginning next month, Lamborghini’s successor to the outgoing Gallardo will be showcased to the world on a 60 city, 130 event tour. The 610 hp Huracán LP 610-4, which sports all-wheel-drive and a more dynamic chassis, will need to work hard to surpass the Gallardo’s ten year sales record and impress its loyal fan following."

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Hydrophobic Silic shirt repels sweat and stains

Hydrophobic Silic shirt repels sweat and stains: "We're still a long ways away from the self-drying clothing seen in Back to the Future II, but we may have a useful alternative in the form of a piece of clothing that never gets wet to begin with. Young entrepreneur Aamir Patel has developed the Silic shirt, which is made from a hydrophobic fabric that repels liquids away from it like a force field to keep it from getting wet."

'via Blog this'

New Audi R18 e-tron quattro racer shoots laser lights

New Audi R18 e-tron quattro racer shoots laser lights: "Audi calls the all-new R18 e-tron quattro LMP1 race car its most complex racer to date. The model has been completely redesigned around the 2014 season's new regulations, and it features more advanced technologies. One of those tech features, which Audi highlighted at the car's world premiere this week, is a set of laser headlights."

'via Blog this'

One-off fat trike attempts world record Antarctic trip

One-off fat trike attempts world record Antarctic trip: "Last winter, polar explorer Eric Larsen attempted to become the first person to cycle to the South Pole. Continually stymied by deep, unrideable snow, Larsen fell behind schedule and was forced to abandon the attempt. This year, several others are taking up the challenge. Thirty-five year-old British adventurer Maria Leijerstam is hoping the ticket to success is a fat-tired recumbent trike built to task."

'via Blog this'

Terry Bradshaw On Duck Dynasty's Phil Robertson - The Tonight Show with Jay Leno - YouTube

Terry Bradshaw On Duck Dynasty's Phil Robertson - The Tonight Show with Jay Leno - YouTube: ""

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The Snowfall in Kamchatka, Russia is Absolutely Insane

The Snowfall in Kamchatka, Russia is Absolutely Insane: "You may think your town gets hit hard in the winter, but it’s nothing compared to what Reddit user awesomesauce1414 gets. There is a town in Russia named Kamchatka that gets so much snowfall during the winter, you can’t see cars or buildings. Every day is a blizzard."

'via Blog this'

AirMule unmanned VTOL aircraft flies towards full mission demonstration

AirMule unmanned VTOL aircraft flies towards full mission demonstration: "If you saw The Dark Knight Rises, then you no doubt remember the very cool-looking Batwing aircraft in which Mr. Wayne flew over the streets of Gotham. Perhaps you thought that while it was pretty impressive, there was no way that anything like it could work in real life. Well hey, guess what? The Batwing-like AirMule VTOL (Vertical Takeoff and Landing) prototype aircraft recently demonstrated its ability to fly autonomously, bringing it one step closer to carrying out a full mission demo."

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Cutting the cord: Gizmag's Top 10 off-grid homes

Cutting the cord: Gizmag's Top 10 off-grid homes: "We're big fans of off-grid homes here at Gizmag – and for good reason: an off-grid home frees the owner from the vagaries of unscrupulous energy giants, can potentially help reduce impact on the environment, and offers a greater self-sufficiency. Join us as we shine a light on 10 of our favorites."

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Hands-on with Google Glass' big December (XE12) update

Hands-on with Google Glass' big December (XE12) update: "Earlier this week, Google pushed out the last software update of 2013 to Google Glass Explorers. As Gizmag is now part of the Google Glass beta-testing party, we thought we'd give you our hands-on impressions of some of the new features."

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How solar cells are taking over sea, sky and space

How solar cells are taking over sea, sky and space: "Solar technology has evolved beyond just your grandpa's big, bulky photovoltaic panels on the roof. Advances in flexible, hyper-efficient and nano-scale materials of late has made it possible for solar cells to begin popping up in all kinds of shapes and places you might not expect. Here's a quick rundown of some surprising spots where solar technology dwells – be sure to flip through the gallery to get a full grasp on the scale of the increasingly solar-powered landscape."

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Air-powered Lego car hits the street

Air-powered Lego car hits the street: "The perfect do-it-yourself gift for budding designers and architects during the holiday season has to be Lego. The small blocks of plastic with millions of design outcomes have entertained many a child since the early 1950s. Now an ambitious duo has snapped together 500,000 pieces of the stuff to create the world’s first air-powered Lego roadster."

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Once science fiction, it'll be reality in 2014 | Cutting Edge - CNET News

Once science fiction, it'll be reality in 2014 | Cutting Edge - CNET News: "Why wait for the future? We're ready for science fiction to become real.
As the calendar gets set to turn from 2013 to 2014, it's also time to get excited about the kinds of things that will be coming out in the new year that until now, would have been considered nothing but science fiction."

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Starry Night - Vincent van Dominogh

Starry Night - Vincent van Dominogh:

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Netflix nabs Breaking Bad prequel Better Call Saul | TechHive

Netflix nabs Breaking Bad prequel Better Call Saul | TechHive: "Better Call Saul , the forthcoming Breaking Bad spin-off starring Bob Odenkirk, is headed to Netflix for your eventual binge-watching pleasure.

Netflix subscribers in Europe and Latin America will get first crack at the show, with episodes streaming “within days” of the U.S. broadcast."

'via Blog this'

General Atomics tests UAV that can "sense and avoid" other aircraft

General Atomics tests UAV that can "sense and avoid" other aircraft: "General Atomics Aeronautical System, Inc. (GA-ASI), the maker of the Predator and Reaper Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) has successfully completed the first of several flight tests of a prototype Sense and Avoid (SAA) system that allows a UAV to operate safely around other aircraft in flight. This marked the first time the entire system – consisting of a radar, transponder, and traffic alert system – worked together as a “system of systems” to detect the various types of aircraft it might encounter in the air."

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Grading the Big Four: How did your wireless carrier rate in 2013? | TechHive

Grading the Big Four: How did your wireless carrier rate in 2013? | TechHive: "The big wireless carriers have few qualms about charging customers for sending and receiving texts, despite the fact that providing the service costs them virtually nothing.

Your carrier is ripping you off."

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Snooperscope adds night vision to smartphone cameras

Snooperscope adds night vision to smartphone cameras: "Ever since Paris Hilton and her night vision outtakes took center stage, the technology has grown exponentially in popularity. Now, a product called Snooperscope aims to bring similar technology to the masses through the use of smartphones and tablets."

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Duck Dynasty star skips Barbara Walters interview…but it’s why he did it that’s awesome! | Young Conservatives

Duck Dynasty star skips Barbara Walters interview…but it’s why he did it that’s awesome! | Young Conservatives: "So Phil skipped out on Barbara to go duck hunting. I wonder if PETA will send him a ridiculous letter like the one they sent the girl who was mauled by a bear?"

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Top performance supercars and concepts of 2013

Top performance supercars and concepts of 2013: "We've already taken a look at the best green concept cars of 2013; now it's time to turn our attention to the other end of the car-tech spectrum and focus on full-blown, engine-growling, asphalt-scarring performance cars. The year was a big one for high-tech, high-priced supercar hardware, seeing the restart of several iconic lineages, extravagant special-edition birthday presents, and numerous all-new start-ups with intriguing ideas."

'via Blog this'

Taking a peek at the Royal Navy's next nuclear-powered ballistic missile sub

Taking a peek at the Royal Navy's next nuclear-powered ballistic missile sub: "As part of an update to Parliament on the progress of the Trident replacement program, Britain’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) has released a concept image of the Royal Navy’s next ballistic nuclear missile submarine. This coincides with the awarding of two contracts to BAE Systems Maritime-Submarines for £47 million (US$76 million) and £32 million (US$60 million) to begin preliminary design work on the nuclear-powered submarines, currently called the Successor class, which are intended to replace the Navy’s aging fleet of of Vanguard-class boats by 2028."

'via Blog this'

AmazonFresh vs. supermarket: A hands-on shopping test | Internet & Media - CNET News

AmazonFresh vs. supermarket: A hands-on shopping test | Internet & Media - CNET News: "In 1999, an online grocery-shipping company caught my attention. As a kid who had absolutely no say in what made the pantry cut, I shouldn't have cared so much. But the idea of summoning a pile of food through a few mouse clicks was simply magical."

'via Blog this'

Iorca Chic Bed

Iorca Chic Bed: "Sure, you can hide under the bed when aliens come and invade your home at 3 AM. We're going to bet it won't help you steer clear of their radar all that much, though. You need a more inconspicuous hiding place to trick the extraterrestrials into thinking there's no one home and this Iorca Chic Bed will probably do the trick."

'via Blog this'

Big Rig Pedal Powered Desk

Big Rig Pedal Powered Desk: "The Big Rig is a large work desk and stationary bike combo that also happens to be a kinetic generator, producing power from your pedaling motions that you can use to charge gadgets, power laptops and electrocute yourself for whatever reason it might serve you.  Sure, you may laugh at someone who chooses to torture themselves with bicycling endlessly just to create trickles of power, but when the apocalypse happens and the power grid goes down, whoever owns one of these things will end up the one laughing at your face."

'via Blog this'

That Helps No One Week 15: Matt Cassel - NFL.com

That Helps No One Week 15: Matt Cassel - NFL.com: "Well, that didn’t take long. Matt Cassel caught our attention early on as he started lighting up the scoreboard shortly after the opening kickoff in Minnesota. He had the early lead for the Week 15 That Helps No One award, and after a few more quarters of scoring at will against the Eagles’ defense, he had it locked up. Minnesota finished with 48 points today, which was by far their largest offensive output in any game this season. Without Adrian Peterson or Toby Gerhart to hand off the ball to, practically no one expected Matt Cassel to move the Vikings offense effectively, if at all. Which is why Cassel hanging 29.18 fantasy points on the Eagles was such a surprise, and worthy of this week’s award."

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Top 10 things you CAN'T have for Christmas 2013

Top 10 things you CAN'T have for Christmas 2013: "Luxury, so they say, comes at a price, but in the world of innovation and new technology, things can sometimes get way out of hand. It's with this in mind that each year we compile a list of the most expensive, ambitious and completely over-the-top products and ideas that have crossed our desk in the past 12 months. So from the praiseworthy to the preposterous, here's Gizmag's list of the top 10 things you won't be getting for Christmas in 2013."

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How To Read A Map — www.bassresource.com — Readability

How To Read A Map — www.bassresource.com — Readability: "Hey, guys. This is Gene Jensen with BassResource.com. In my opinion, if you want to become the best fisherman you can possibly be, you've got to know how to read a topo map, or how to read a lake map. That's what I'm going to talk about today. I'm going to talk about what are the different things you're looking at on a topo map, what the contour lines mean. I'm going to talk about a bunch of things, so let's go ahead and get things started and dive right into a map."

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▶ Amazing Facts To Blow Your Mind Pt. 3 - YouTube

▶ Amazing Facts To Blow Your Mind Pt. 3 - YouTube: ""

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▶ Amazing Facts to Blow Your Mind Pt. 2 - YouTube

▶ Amazing Facts to Blow Your Mind Pt. 2 - YouTube: ""

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Amazing Facts to Blow Your Mind Pt. 1 - YouTube

Amazing Facts to Blow Your Mind Pt. 1 - YouTube: ""

'via Blog this'

Light your tree with your phone — howto.cnet.com — Readability

Light your tree with your phone — howto.cnet.com — Readability: "I will admit right at the top here that the following how-to is more fun than practical. You should try it anyway.

There's never been a high-tech distraction this inexplicably amusing to me since the invention of kittens and laser pointers (they really should come bundled)."

'via Blog this'

HEL-MD takes out mortars and UAVs with vehicle-mounted laser

HEL-MD takes out mortars and UAVs with vehicle-mounted laser: "High energy laser weapons are a hot area of research with companies including Lockheed Martin, Rheinmetall and Northrop Grumman all developing systems. Boeing is also in the mix with its High Energy Laser Mobile Demonstrator (HEL MD), which is being put through its paces by the US Army. Between November 18 and December 10, the HEL MD successfully took out mortar rounds and UAVs in flight, marking a first for the vehicle-mounted system."

'via Blog this'

Toymail lets families send messages to kids' toys

Toymail lets families send messages to kids' toys: "How can you mail a simple hello or send your love to kids too young to pick up a phone? Here's a thought – send them messages through their toys instead. Toymail, the brainchild of Clocky's inventor Gauri Nanda, lets anyone send messages to kids through cute smart toys that act as voice messengers."

'via Blog this'

Rinspeed shows what the self-driving car will be like to ride in

Rinspeed shows what the self-driving car will be like to ride in: "Autonomous driving has consistently made headlines throughout 2013, with car companies showcasing development vehicles and detailing individual components that will help usher in the era of the self-driving car, like adaptive cruise control and self-parking systems. But, if they really want to get us excited about autonomous technology, what they should be doing is showing us a clear vision of what all those technologies are leading to: a car that drives itself while you drink your coffee and read the paper as if you're still in your recliner at home. That's the tack automotive think tank Rinspeed has taken with its new XchangE concept car."

'via Blog this'

The meaning of "Doom" — www.economist.com — Readability

The meaning of "Doom" — www.economist.com — Readability: "TWENTY years ago today, a small Texas company called id Software uploaded a file to an FTP server at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. That file was "Doom", one of the few video games that almost everybody has heard of. It sold in the millions, has been converted to run on almost any computing hardware available, and still boasts a dedicated community today, something virtually unheard of for something as ephemeral as a video game."

'via Blog this'

Final design of Platypus underwater exploration vehicle revealed

Final design of Platypus underwater exploration vehicle revealed: "After four years of development and months of prototype testing, Platypus founder Francois Alexandre Bertrand and his team have decided on the final design for their Platypus underwater exploration vehicle that will be launched next year. Aside from sporting a more polished look, the final production version also includes a number of newly-announced features."

'via Blog this'

"Coolest" cooler chills, blends and plays music

"Coolest" cooler chills, blends and plays music: "A good cooler keeps your drinks chilled during a picnic, backyard BBQ or camping trip. The Coolest not only does that, but it also mixes up frosty margaritas and plays music for your party. With the docking grill, it even cooks your food. Its designer hopes to get the feature-packed cooler to picnics and tailgates next year"

'via Blog this'

Google reportedly launching a Nexus-branded set-top box — www.techhive.com — Readability

Google reportedly launching a Nexus-branded set-top box — www.techhive.com — Readability: "Google is nothing if not persistent. The Information (warning: paywall) reports that Google will be launching a Nexus-branded set-top box as early as the first half of next year."

'via Blog this'

New on Netflix, five of 2013's best films — www.techhive.com — Readability

New on Netflix, five of 2013's best films — www.techhive.com — Readability: "It’s almost the end of the year, which means soon we’ll start seeing various tastemakers trotting out those traditional lists of the best music, books, and of course movies. But this year is better than usual—as it happens five of the best, most enjoyable movies of 2013 are newly available streaming on Netflix. We also picked some of the best films from past years, from 2009 all the way back to 1950, also new to Netflix. Of course, it’s all a game, choices are personal, and opinions change over time. But for now, these 10 are a great start—see if any make your own best-of-all-time list."

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Ultimate Ears Boom Review and Giveaway — www.makeuseof.com — Readability

Ultimate Ears Boom Review and Giveaway — www.makeuseof.com — Readability: "In the past year, I’ve had the chance to review two excellent and portable Bluetooth speakers. Both the UE Mobile Boombox and the Jawbone Mini Jambox have impressed me so much, I was almost tempted to keep them both, redundant as that may seem. So imagine my excitement when the chance cropped up to review what should be superior to them both — the Ultimate Ears Boom."

'via Blog this'

DARPA developing giant folding space telescope

DARPA developing giant folding space telescope: "DARPA has announced planes to use a foldable plastic lens to “break the glass ceiling” of space telescopes. It’s part of the agency’s Membrane Optical Imager for Real-Time Exploitation (MOIRE) program, which aims at replacing conventional glass optics with lightweight polymer membranes that may one day make possible a foldable plastic orbital telescope 20 m (65 ft) wide that will be capable of seeing a medium-sized dog on Earth from 36,000 km (22,000 mi) away."

'via Blog this'

Wokart: The 70 km/h go-kart for the water

Wokart: The 70 km/h go-kart for the water: "The Wokart is a featherweight asymmetric catamaran with a centrally-located 70 hp outboard motor that's designed to have the driving characteristics and low power-to-weight of a go-kart."

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Effective, safe, and pleasant-smelling mosquito control could be on the way

Effective, safe, and pleasant-smelling mosquito control could be on the way: "Methods for controlling mosquitoes usually take two tacks: luring the mosquitoes into a trap away from humans, or discouraging them from biting at the source. Both methods can be expensive, unhealthy, cumbersome, or disgusting (the smell of rancid butter, anyone?) and generally aren’t scalable for the countries that suffer the most from mosquito-borne disease. New research explores how a mosquito’s neurons actually detect humans, and presents a promising class of chemicals, screened for safety, cost, and an appealing scent, some of which attract mosquitoes and others of which mask the smell of tasty human skin."

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US Navy launches drone from submerged submarine — www.gizmag.com — Readability

US Navy launches drone from submerged submarine — www.gizmag.com — Readability: "Today, the US Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) announced that it had successfully launched a drone from a submerged submarine. The all-electric eXperimental Fuel Cell Unmanned Aerial System (XFC) was launched in the Bahamas from the Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered attack submarine USS Providence (SSN 719) using a system that allowed the drone to be deployed without modifications to the boat, or requiring it to surface."

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National Geographic puts more than 500 historic maps on Google | The Verge

National Geographic puts more than 500 historic maps on Google | The Verge: "National Geographic and Google are trying to recreate the thrill of cracking open one of the magazine's signature paper maps, but in the digital world. A new project puts more than 500 of National Geographic's 800 historic maps online using Google's Maps Engine platform."

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Research Your Family Tree Online

Research Your Family Tree Online: "Your computer plays games, and with it you can check email or browse the web. You might develop presentations, run your finances through a spreadsheet and even contribute to a crowdsourced research project. But did you know that your computer can also tell you who you are, and where you came from?"

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▶ iPad Art - Morgan Freeman Finger Painting - YouTube

▶ iPad Art - Morgan Freeman Finger Painting - YouTube: "
The guy painted this with his finger on an ipad.  What a talent.

"

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Water-repellant surface so efficient that drops bounce back off — arstechnica.com — Readability

Water-repellant surface so efficient that drops bounce back off — arstechnica.com — Readability: "In recent years, water-repelling materials have gotten better and better at their job of fearing water. But even the best hydrophobic surfaces still take their time when repelling water. This becomes an issue when the surfaces you want to keep water-free operate in freezing conditions. If water is not repelled quickly, it can freeze and end up stuck there."

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Amazon reveals Prime Air drone capable of 30 minute deliveries — www.gizmag.com — Readability

Amazon reveals Prime Air drone capable of 30 minute deliveries — www.gizmag.com — Readability: "As early as 2015, your Amazon purchases could be dropped at your door within 30 minutes courtesy of unmanned aerial drones. Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos revealed plans for the delivery service Prime Air (an extension of Amazon Prime which guarantees two-day shipping) in a 60 Minutes interview on Sunday night."

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World's largest ship floated for the first time — www.gizmag.com — Readability

World's largest ship floated for the first time — www.gizmag.com — Readability: "A hull longer than the Empire State Building is tall has been floated out of dry dock in Geoje, South Korea. Measuring 488 m (1,601 ft) long and 74 m (243 ft) wide, the hull belongs to Shell's Prelude floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) facility, which upon completion will be the largest floating facility ever built."

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Visionary or vaporous? Zoox Level 4 autonomous, bi-directional electric vehicle

Visionary or vaporous? Zoox Level 4 autonomous, bi-directional electric vehicle: "he Boz is not a car, and you won't be able to buy it. According to new start-up Zoox, the Boz is the transportation paradigm that comes after the car. It's but a fanciful idea from an unknown start-up for now, but the company believes it can finish its thought by 2021"

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Amazing Custom Bed Folds Into a Chest For Easy Storage

Amazing Custom Bed Folds Into a Chest For Easy Storage: "You may think this is just a simple, but beautiful, chest… but it is so much more. This custom, hand-crafted box contains a surprise inside that is even more beautiful. Watch as it unfolds and transforms into something both functional and gorgeous. You’ll want one for your house immediately."

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