The world's first Jumbo Hostel guarantees a turbulence-free night's sleep

The world's first Jumbo Hostel guarantees a turbulence-free night's sleep: "A Boeing 747 jumbo jet has been designed to offer travelers a good night's sleep without the turbulence."

'Personal Brewery' produces beer in seven days

'Personal Brewery' produces beer in seven days: "Home beer-brewing is sort of like writing a novel - although you might like the idea of having done it, the thought of all the work involved in doing it can be off-putting."

New system could make censorship of Internet sites virtually impossible

New system could make censorship of Internet sites virtually impossible: "Chinese citizens could once again enjoy LOL Cats on YouTube - as well as content critical of the communist government - if a new system developed by researchers at the University of Michigan (U-M) and the University of Waterloo (UW) in Canada were implemented."

The disruptor gets disrupted: how Apple is beating Nintendo at its own game

The disruptor gets disrupted: how Apple is beating Nintendo at its own game: "In an industry obsessed with polygon counts and frame rates, Nintendo's Wii console and DS handheld were the proverbial knives at a gunfight. They were grossly underpowered compared to the competition, meaning Nintendo could sell them at a profit from day one."

IOGEAR Sharing Station provides access to USB devices over WiFi

IOGEAR Sharing Station provides access to USB devices over WiFi: "WiFi and USB have both become inexpensive and ubiquitous connectivity solutions, so the idea of exploiting them both at the same time a single device makes sense. IOGEAR's latest take on the theme is its Wireless 4-Port USB Sharing Station, which allows up to four USB peripherals (external storage, camera, printer, etc.) to be shared over a WiFi network and in the process provides a recipe for an uncluttered desktop environment."

NuVinci Harmony brings automatic shifting to e-bikes

NuVinci Harmony brings automatic shifting to e-bikes: "Fallbrook Technologies released the NuVinci Continuously Variable Planetary (CVP) N170 transmission for bicycles in 2007. The rear hub-based system does away with distinct, defined gears, it's sealed against dirt and other contaminants (unlike a derailleur), and it allows riders to change drive transmission ratios even when standing still."

Bluelounge MiniDock iPhone/iPod wall charger doubles as a display-docking station

Bluelounge MiniDock iPhone/iPod wall charger doubles as a display-docking station: "Charging an iPhone or iPod when out and about can often leave users taking advantage of any spare power outlet at hand. For those using the standard adapter and cable that came with said devices, this can sometimes mean leaving the units laying on the ground at the mercy of any big booted passersby."

Moto-Grip is designed to let motorcycle passengers hang on better

Moto-Grip is designed to let motorcycle passengers hang on better: "If you've ever been the extra passenger on a racing or sport-touring motorcycle, then you'll know that it can be rather awkward. You typically sit higher than the rider, so you have to lean forward and down to grab them around the torso."

Tata to build the world's cheapest house - 20 square metres for US$715

Tata to build the world's cheapest house - 20 square metres for US$715: "There is absolutely no doubt that the human condition thrives on challenge. Fresh from creating the world's cheapest car, the US$2500 Tata Nano, Tata Corporation is now intending to create the world's cheapest house."

Orphiro electric motorcycle set for September launch

Orphiro electric motorcycle set for September launch: "While I'm a big supporter of the push for the electrification of the motorcycle, I'm not really a big fan of the sports bike or the street bike or off-road bikes - my tastes lean towards custom cruisers like the electric chopper from Orange County Choppers."

Twice the height of the Empire State - EnviroMission plans massive solar tower for Arizona

Twice the height of the Empire State - EnviroMission plans massive solar tower for Arizona: "An ambitious solar energy project on a massive scale is about to get underway in the Arizona desert. EnviroMission is undergoing land acquisition and site-specific engineering to build its first full-scale solar tower - and when we say full-scale, we mean it! The mammoth 800-plus meter (2625 ft) tall tower will instantly become one of the world's tallest buildings."

Shelby Supercar Tuatara aims for Bugatti Veyron 268 mph speed record for production cars

Shelby Supercar Tuatara aims for Bugatti Veyron 268 mph speed record for production cars: "The aluminum and carbon fiber SSC Tuatara was styled by talented American designer Jason Castriota, and will run a mid-rear mounted, seven-litre, twin-turbo, Quad camshaft V8 producing 1,350 bhp."

BlueDrone Android-controlled RC car

BlueDrone Android-controlled RC car: "The Parrot AR.Drone quadricopter was one of the first smartphone-controlled RC toys ... and it won't be the last. This example called BlueDrone (which isn't from Parrot) is an RC car in the form of Nissan GT-R 1:20 scale model, controlled by an Android-based device via Bluetooth connectivity."

Water-soluble bags let dog waste get flushed

Water-soluble bags let dog waste get flushed: "Dog poop bags have become so commonly used, it's hard to believe there was ever a time that dog-walkers typically let their pooches go Number 2 in parks or on other peoples' lawns, with no intentions of cleaning it up. While it's definitely a good thing that such is no longer the case (for the most part, at least), there's still the small matter of what happens to the bagged excrement once it's thrown away."

Guitar and computer join forces to teach you how to play

Guitar and computer join forces to teach you how to play: "During those important early stages of learning to play guitar, when you need to grab every possible opportunity to practice, digital teaching aids like iPerform3D and the upcoming Rocksmith can be on hand whenever the mood grabs you."

Paintwork completed on first passenger-carrying 787 Dreamliner

Paintwork completed on first passenger-carrying 787 Dreamliner: "The 787 Dreamliner is edging closer to delivery. Sporting the special livery of launch customer ANA , Boeing rolled the first aircraft destined for commercial service out of its paint hangar in Everett, Washington, on Saturday. Following delays of around two years, the mid-size airliner is expected to make its first passenger carrying flight - a special commemorative charter from Tokyo to Hong Kong - about a month after delivery to ANA in September."

Motion capture system makes actors the camera instead of putting them in front of it

Motion capture system makes actors the camera instead of putting them in front of it: "Computer-generated imagery (CGI) has become such a staple of modern movie-making that most people know what actors are doing when prancing around in front of green screens wearing skin-tight leotards with reflective balls affixed at various locations over their bodies - motion capture."

RotoSub self-silencing fans promise a quieter way to keep electronic components cool

RotoSub self-silencing fans promise a quieter way to keep electronic components cool: "Silicon chips shuffling all those electrons around inside modern PCs, gaming consoles and home theater systems generate a lot of heat that needs to be dissipated to stop the machines going into meltdown and ruining your day."

Superlight folding canoe fits in a backpack

Superlight folding canoe fits in a backpack: "First of all ... yes, you're right, there are already folding canoes. Those boats don't necessarily pack up all that small, though, and typically weigh in the neighborhood of at least 18 kilograms (40 lbs). They're portable, but you'd certainly notice that you were carrying one. Israeli designer Ori Levin, however, has created a one-of-a-kind folding canoe called the Adhoc, that tips (no pun intended) the scales at just 4.1 kilograms, or 9 pounds."

Juno sets off on 1,740 million mile journey to unlock Jupiter’s secrets

Juno sets off on 1,740 million mile journey to unlock Jupiter’s secrets: "Last Friday, NASA's Juno spacecraft launched aboard an Atlas V-551 rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida beginning its five-year, 1,740 million mile (2,800 million km) journey to our solar system's largest planet, Jupiter."

Quadshot RC aircraft combines quadricopter hovering with airplane flight

Quadshot RC aircraft combines quadricopter hovering with airplane flight: "Eurocopter's X3 hybrid helicopter demonstrator combined the full hover flight capabilities of a helicopter with the fast cruise speeds of a turboprop-powered aircraft by basically installing two propellers on short-span fixed wings to supplement the helicopter's five-blade main rotor system."

Lockheed Martin’s SMSS autonomous vehicle headed for Afghanistan

Lockheed Martin’s SMSS autonomous vehicle headed for Afghanistan: "As a result of winning the Project Workhorse Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) competition sponsored by the U.S. Army, four Lockheed Martin Squad Mission Support System (SMSS) vehicles will be sent to Afghanistan as part of a three-month Military Utility Assessment (MUA)."

Manipulating light at will - Duke metamaterials strike again

Manipulating light at will - Duke metamaterials strike again: "Duke University is on a roll, showing off yet another potentially game-changing property of the exotic man-made substances known as metamaterials. This time the property could have deep consequences for the transmission of information via light. Maybe the most important potential use of all."

BodyGuard stun-device to help mere mortal crime fighters

BodyGuard stun-device to help mere mortal crime fighters: "Crime fighters may soon be adding another tool to their arsenal - one that is literally designed to strike fear into the hearts of evildoers. With an integrated taser, video camera and protective forearm armor, the BodyGuard is a stun device that wouldn't be out of place on the forearm of a certain caped crusader in Gotham City."

Hasbro's MY3D viewer for iPhone and iPod Touch set for release

Hasbro's MY3D viewer for iPhone and iPod Touch set for release: "Hasbro is looking to tap into the 3D craze by integrating a classic approach to 3D viewing with iOS devices. Looking like a 21st Century View-Master, the MY3D 360° Viewer attaches to iPhone and iPod Touch and delivers a 3D experience using dedicated apps."

Audi increases engine power six-fold for A1 ClubSport Quattro

Audi increases engine power six-fold for A1 ClubSport Quattro: "The premium Audi A1 sub-compact has won a raft of awards since its launch late last year, scoring five stars in the Euro NCAP crash test and amazed journalists with its frugality of 55.4 mpg and CO2 emissions of just 119 g/km in its most humble 1.2 liter 86 PS TFSI petrol engine version."