Posts in Future Tech
Total 2 pages : [1] 2
A germ of an idea: Virus-made batteries
Edvarcl Heng | Oct 29, 2007
What if the common cold can yield more than a week's worth of runny noses?
At MIT, viruses are more than just a reason to see the doctor. It's also a reason to junk the batteries. An MIT research team led by Angela Belcher, a professor of materials science and biological engineering, has created a way of coaxing viruses into become building blocks that can be used to manufacture a thin fiber.
And the tech value? These viruses can bind to a variety of inorganic materials such as those used in battery electrodes and solar cells. Imagine, a bundle of charge-carrying fibers can be woven into a shirt and used to power a mobile phone.
Now that's an epidemic geeks will welcome with megawatt grins.
Via Dailytech
Bobby, the foldable scooter
Wayne Cunningham | Oct 26, 2007
With a lot of sleek Yamaha concepts on display at the 2007 Tokyo auto show, Bobby stood out for its awkward look. This electric scooter is designed for commuters. It's not much smaller when folded up, but Yamaha points out that it can be more easily stowed in the trunk of a car or kept on a balcony. Okay, we'll buy that. Bobby incorporates an RFID reader, so you can use a cell phone equipped with a Sony FeliCa chip as a key. The future is sounding weirder and weirder.
Via CNET Car Tech blog
Rikki-Taiki-Mazda
Candace Lombardi | Oct 25, 2007
This agile mongoose of a car has finally made its debut at the 2007 Tokyo auto show.
As you can see, the Mazda Taiki's aerodynamic design gives the illusion that the back wheels are tucked under wings. This is the fourth car Mazda has released in its Nagare (which means "flow") design series, a vehicle that "visually expresses the flow of air," according to Mazda.
The two-seater sports car concept has a front engine rear-wheel drive layout and Mazda's Renesis rotary engine.
Think you can do better with the next concept design? Mazda welcomes you to try. The company has launched a contest to design the 2018 model Mazda 3 via Facebook (log-in required). The winner, who will get to work with a Mazda design team to bring the car to fruition, will be announced at the 2007 LA auto show this November.
Via Crave CNET
Tap your phone to pay for bus rides
Reuben Lee | Oct 22, 2007
These people are part of the Near-Field Communication (NFC) phone trial jointly organized by Singapore service provider StarHub and partner EZ-Link. According to the press release, the trial is the first public NFC trial in the Republic and possibly one of the largest of its kind in the world.
Since the middle of last week, 1,000 selected trialists have been given a handset from Singapore phone manufacturer iWOW and a Sony PaSoRi card reader (EZ-Link card reader) which they can use for the next six months for free.
The iWOW SZ1.0 phone contains two chips. The EZ-Link chip, which can be used for payment of rides on public buses and trains or to make purchases at selected retail outlets such as McDonald's and 7-11, works like a regular EZ-Link card. One added advantage of using an NFC handset is that users can now check the value instantly using the phone LCD display.
The second chip, which is an NFC-enabled chip, lets you download promotional materials or useful information such as bus route details via GPRS from smart tags embedded in selected posters. StarHub has tied up with several partners for this service, among them the Land transport Authority, Citibank, Golden Village and Sony retail outlets.
How it works: Paying for KFC with your NFC phone
Impossible gadgetry
Juniper Foo | Oct 16, 2007 |
 |
| |
But hold it right there. There's just one bitty thing wrong with the picture. Whatever happened to all the cool gadgets, spy tech and fantastical weapons that are oh-so Minority Report?
Well, just in case you miss the impossible gadgetry in the latest movie outings, check out our pick of what we consider ultra-cool techware that have come out of Hollywood, some of which are likely to stay more reel than real.
Bond's invisible car  |
I spy: In Die Another Day, when Q hands Bond the keys to his latest ride.
Whassit: A silver Aston Martin V12 Vanquish that has a cloaking device to make it appear invisible. Certainly a car to die for. |
X-ray binoculars  |
I spy: In Triple X, when extreme sports dude Xander Cage loads up on techno geek. Whassit: Binoculars with penetration mode that allows the user to see through walls, and just about anything else. Chicks included. |
Disposable phone |
I spy: In Ultraviolet, when hemophage outlaw Violet visits a phone booth with a difference.
Whassit: A vending machine that prints out a paper phone with a number pad. |
Read more »
Total 2 pages : [1] 2
Crave is...
The name says it all. Crave is our new blog about cool gadgets and other crushworthy stuff.
Drop us an email if you have tips or suggestions.
Crave for...
» Mobile Phones (956)
» Digital Cameras (556)
» Notebooks (687)
» PC & Peripherals (748)
» Handhelds (351)
» Printers (49)
» Home AV (642)
» Music & Play (524)
» Gadgets (1182)
» Future Tech (239)
Previously...
Copyright © 2008 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy.
