New computing devices will allow touch, smell – IBM

New computing devices will allow touch, smell – IBM: "WASHINGTON (AFP) – Future computing devices will push further into the senses by developing capacities to mimic the ability to see, smell, touch, taste and hear, IBM says in an annual forecast Monday."

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Top 10 things you CAN have for Christmas 2012

Top 10 things you CAN have for Christmas 2012: "Having dealt with all the things you are not getting for Christmas this year, it's time to turn our attention to what Santa's elves have really been hammering away at. So from consumer favorites to clever innovations to quirky surprises, here's our selection of the top 10 things you CAN have for Christmas 2012."

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Vector-based video could mean no more pixels

Vector-based video could mean no more pixels: "Unlike traditional bitmap graphics, which are made up of an array of pixels, vector graphics consist of lines, curves and shapes that are based on geometric formulas. Not only do they take up far less memory than bitmaps, but sections of them can also be enlarged without any loss of resolution. "

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Gizmag's top 10 ski gadgets for 2013

Gizmag's top 10 ski gadgets for 2013: "So far, the Northern Hemisphere's 2012-2013 ski season is off to a rather sluggish start, at least in the heart of American ski country. It looks like it could be another warm, dry year. That doesn't mean that the skiing has to be boring, however. These ski-centric gadgets will wring more enjoyment out of the big powder days that do come and provide a fun distraction when conditions are less than ideal."

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Elvis-evoking Cat-Ears reduce wind noise while you cycle

Elvis-evoking Cat-Ears reduce wind noise while you cycle: "Sometimes when you’re cycling, especially if you’re out on the open road, the constant wind noise in your ears can get rather annoying. It can also be potentially dangerous, as it may mask traffic noises. Well, if you’re OK with sporting what at first glance looks like a pair of dark sideburns, Cat-Ears might be the answer."

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High-tech handcuffs can shock, inject prisoners

High-tech handcuffs can shock, inject prisoners: "Today, handcuffs are just steel restraints. Tomorrow, however, they could be much more. According to U.S. Patent Application 20120298119, Scottsdale Inventions, LLC of Paradise Valley, Arizona has invented a pair of high-tech handcuffs that could deliver electric shocks to prisoners by means of an incorporated Taser-like system hooked to wireless controls and sophisticated sensors."

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Air Cork keeps your wine fresh – using a balloon

Air Cork keeps your wine fresh – using a balloon: "When it comes to resealing an opened bottle of wine, most people either use the cork that the bottle came with, or a hand-pumped vacuum stopper. Now, however, there’s another option – it’s called the Air Cork, although we also kind of like its previous name, the Wine Balloon."

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X-47B unmanned stealth fighter tested aboard the USS Truman

X-47B unmanned stealth fighter tested aboard the USS Truman: "Northrop Grumman has delivered two X-47B Unmanned Combat Aircraft Systems (UCAS) to the US Navy, which has begun three weeks of tests aboard the USS Truman – the first aircraft carrier to host test operations for an unmanned aircraft. The X-47B is based on the Pegasus X-47A (originally designed in 2001) but features improved landing gear and folding wings for work aboard carriers."

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Insect-inspired virtual traffic lights could replace – or augment – the real things

Insect-inspired virtual traffic lights could replace – or augment – the real things: "If you’ve ever seen two groups of ants meet up with one another on intersecting paths, you’ll notice that they don’t crash into each other. Instead, the larger group instinctively takes the right-of-way, followed by the smaller group – the same thing applies to bees and termites. Inspired by this behavior, Carnegie Mellon University telecommunications researcher Ozan Tonguz wondered if the same thing could be applied to traffic flow."

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2012 Smartphone Comparison Guide

2012 Smartphone Comparison Guide: "In just five years, smartphones have gone from expensive novelties to fundamental parts of our lives. If you're shopping for a new smartphone, the choices can be daunting. How do you sort through the mess? Our 2012 Smartphone Comparison Guide is designed to help you decide which model is best for you."

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US Federal Trade Commission offers US$50K prize for blocking robocalls

US Federal Trade Commission offers US$50K prize for blocking robocalls: "n the United States, about 30 billion robocalls (pre-recorded automatically dialed solicitations) are placed each year, and similar conditions hold across much of the world. In the U.S. and many other countries, most commercial robocalls are illegal. As part of an ongoing campaign against these illegal robocalls, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is launching its Robocall Challenge, seeking a solution that blocks illegal robocalls on cell phones and on landlines. It is offering a US$50,000 cash prize for the best practical solution."

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Cocoon 1 takes a modular approach to the (very) personal space

Cocoon 1 takes a modular approach to the (very) personal space: "I’m not sure if it’s simply a matter of providing some personal space in an increasingly crowded world, some deep-seated desire to get back to the womb, or something else entirely, but there seem to be a growing number of pods and cocoons emerging from the brains of designers these days, whether it be for treetop accommodation, a backyard workspace or catching some Z’s at work. The latest comes from Micasa Lab, the folks behind the iRock rocking chair, whose Cocoon 1 is a clear sphere in which you can kick back and relax, store items, or even cook."

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