Wireless Camera Hunter

This is one cool device for hunting for hidden wireless cameras or snooping on someone's wireless camera emissions. The wireless camera hunter has a built-in 2.5" TFT display which is nice.

Universal Software Radio Peripheral

Imagine a radio device that could receive AM, FM, GPS, HDTV, Satellite and uses software to decode channels! Check out "GNU Radio Opens an Unseen World" which this exact device that you can buy for about $550 today at Ettus Research, LLC! Pretty cool stuff for the near future. Here's another article with a good circuit board graphic.

Matrox Multiple Display Technologies for Notebook

If you want a tripe multiple display for your notebook computer, Matrox provides a really cool device, TripleHead2Go that adds up to three additional displays to your single output notebook computer. They also have a DualHead2Go that is based on the same technology. These palm-sized in-line devices gives you the ultimate in surround video capabilities and with the increased display real estate will improve your video experience and productivity.

Cure for Cervical Cancer

For years I have wondered why the pharmaceutical companies have not provided cures for viruses since the Polio vaccine. Well, just this month, Merck's Gardisil is a cure for the HPV virus which is believed to cause most cervical cancer cases. This is a major medical breakthrough which appears to be getting very little coverage. So here are a few articles mentioning the significance of this medical news. "HPV Vaccine Could Save Future Generations, Too", "Federal advisers back cervical cancer vaccine". Things that make you go hmmm.

Laser Optical Incapacitator

Iraq and Afghanistan continue to be the the proving grounds for new non-lethal defense technology. The Pentagon is now issuing laser optical incapacitators for use at checkpionts in Iraq. It causes temporary blindness when used against offenders. "Laser 'optical incapacitator' issued in Iraq". This non-lethal technology will hopefully prevent tragic civilian deaths at checkpoints.

FDA Approves New Drug for Parkinson's

For people with Parkinson's the FDA approved a new drug to help patients in the early stages of the disease. "FDA OKs new drug for Parkinson's". The FDA recently approved a drug that cures cervical cancer so this raises hope that one day there will be a cure for diseases like Parkinson's, ALS, MS and other neurological disorders.

Largest Dam Ever Completed in China

The largest man-made dam in the world was completed across the Yangtze River in China. This was a 13-year project and is the largest engineering project since the Great Wall of China. "China Completes Dam Across Yangtze River".

More Cancer Research Progress with Mice

At Wake Forest University, researchers have able to cure cancer in mice. "White Blood Cells From Cancer-resistant Mice Cure Cancers in Ordinary Mice". This is promising research that may one day be able help humans. Here's another article, "Study Probes Cancer Cure in Mice". Maybe we will see a cure in the near future.

Smokeless Propulsion Engine

I found this article describing another propulsion system based on Mach's principle. This is kind of of like Star Trek impulse engines. "Smokeless rockets launching soon?". It sounds intriguing just not sure when or if we will ever see any products using this technology.

Fusion Progress in Japan

Research into sustainable fusion is making progress. "Japan's JT-60 Tokamak Sets New Plasma Record". According to the article, they are projecting that by 2016 a sustainable fusion reactor is possible. For more information goto the Japan Fusion Plasma Research site.

TorPark, Anonymous Web Browser

"TorPark: A secure, anonymous, and portable Web browser". This web browser based on Mozilla Firefox 1.5 can be run from a USB drive. Nice if you need anonymous web browsing anywhere or anytime.

BeyondTV Tivo-like PVR

Here's something about which Linlu sent me an email. (Thanks Linlu) BeyondTV is a Tivo-like personal video recorder device that does not require subscription fees. There are pretty good details about it at the BeyondTV site. The user manuals are available as PDF for perusing. It records in MPEG-2, DivX and other formats. Only down side I see if that is for Windows only (XP, 2000) and the FAQ at the site says there no plans for Mac or Linux versions. On the up side, it will work with any Windows machine that have the direct video interface. For notebooks you can get these on PCMCIA or USB cards now. Anyway, this looks quite impressive.

Bluetooth Laser Keyboard

This is pretty interesting device, Bluetooth Laser Keyboard. It uses lasers to project an image of a standard QWERTY keyboard on a flat surface and tracks your fingers for input.

The Missing Link Solved

The missing link in human evolution was sort of a holy grail of anthropology. Well, this link appears to be solved. "Missing Link Found Between Human Ancestors". Wow! Here's another article discussing the same, "Fossil connects human evolution dots".

Bio-engineered Bladder Success

Advances in the bio-engineering field continue to amaze me. Here is a scenario where bladder tissue from the patient was used to grow a new bladder and transplant that back into the patient. "Bio-engineered bladders successful in patients". This is a major milestone in the continuing advances in the bio-engineering field.

X-37 Experimental Spaceplane Test Flight

The X-37 successfully completed a test flight using the Scaled Composites White Night as its drop ship. (Slashdot article) This is the same mothership used for the SpaceShipOne. Scaled Composites is working under a DARPA contract. Saw this in this MSNBC article (04/07/2006). Here's additional info about the X-37 experimental military spaceplane built by Boeing.

Open Source and Space Exploration

This is a good article at OnLamp.com with lots of good info about how open source software is playing a big part with Space Exploration. "The Software of Space Exploration".

Free ASP Web Bulletin Board System

If you want to setup a web-based bulletin board type of system, check out Snitz Forums. It is an ASP based an interactive discussion environment that allows different people on the Internet or an Intranet to leave messages for each other, and then reply. It works wish Access, MySQL and SQL Server. ASP source is provided for free and has an active community supporting it.

Elemental Security Platform

If you need automated HIPAA, Sarbanes-Oxley type compliance for your organization check out the Elemental Security Platform. It is developed by Elemental Security which is small security company that created a product in a growing niche industry. The product also supports customized policies. There's the FAQ about this product.

Sony PSP Updated with Camera, VOIP etc

Sony had a major press conference in Tokyo yesterday, 3/15/2006. As everyone already knows the PS3 will be delayed until Nov 2006 to work out specification details with Blu-Ray. The more interesting part of the press conference is what is in store for the Sony PSP. ("PSP price cut to $199, future features unveiled") A $50 reduction in price to $199, a EyeToy like USB camera, upgraded firmware with Flash support, and VOIP through their service. Here's another spin on this from the CNET angle, "Sony wakes up". This will make video phone calls on your PSP possible this fall! Talk about cool! I can't wait!

Seven-ounce Wrist PC Runs Linux

The wearable computers are getting smaller and more practical. I just saw this on the web at SlashDot ("Seven-Ounce Linux 'Wrist PC'") and the diagrams and pictures in the article are quite impressive. I purchased a WristPDA (Fossil/Abacus) in January 2006 and it has turned out to be quite invaluable as a wearable computer. A full blown computer on my forearm that runs Linux and/or Windows CE would be the next logical step.

I can see quite a few practical uses for this type of computer to complement carrying a lightweight notebook computer. Here's the LinuxDevices original article, "Seven-ounce wrist PC runs Linux".

Sony Memory Stick Video Recorder

I just saw this posted at Gizmodo, "Sony Introduces MSVR-A10 Memory Stick Video Recorder". This is a new device that simplies what you can already do with your PC. Difference here is that it is a setup top like component and looks relatively easy to use. If you want or need a PC free solution, then this looks like it will be good for you. The article says it will be on sale in April 2006 for about $215.

Extracting Gasoline from Cattle Dung

Scientists in Japan have perfected a technique for extracting gasoline from cattle dung according to the CNN article "Scientists extract gasoline from cattle dung". This is definitely innovative and who would have thought that it was possible? Talk about recycling, this is an extreme but useful technique that could help alleviate the need to import oil.

Ear Infection Vaccine?!

It looks like someone has finally making progress in the medical industry. A potential vaccine has been created for childhood ear infections. "Vaccine could end children's ear infections GlaxoSmithKline has developed a vaccine that may help prevent ear infections, an ailment that has plagued children and their parents forever." As a parent having to deal with ear infections with my young kids, this would be a welcome advancement in the medical industry. I can't believe that a vaccine was actually created instead of yet another means to treat the symptoms which is well known to be much more profitable than actually creating a vaccine. I guess in this scenario, the vaccine had much more benefit from a social, medical and business viewpoint.

Robotic Pack Mule

Leave it up to DARPA to fund innovation. This one actually looks like it could be useful in the non-level terrain. The pictures look like something from Star Wars. "Robotic 'pack mule' displays stunning reflexes". The cool part about this new gas-powered robot is that given a few more years, it could be put to good use in moutains of Afghanistan. I wonder if there are any early prototypes already in use in Afghanistan.

Lost Civilization, Tambora, Found

According to the CNN article, "Scientists uncover lost civilization", the civilization of Tambora is found. It perished in 1815 with Mount Tambora's cataclysmic eruption on April 10, 1815, buried the inhabitants of Sumbawa Island. Ground penetrating radar was used for the discovery.

Discovery in Prostate Cancer Research

A discovery was made in prostate cancer research that implies that it may be related to a virus. "'Exciting discovery' in cancer research". The implications of this are enormous.

Cormorant, Navy's experimental swimming spy plane

This is another one of those DARPA projects. Saw this at CNN Science & Space page. "The Navy's swimming spy plane" Pretty cool picture. What else is in the works?!

US Army Stryker Robot Vehicle

If you are familiar the the agile US Army Stryker vehicles, you'll get a kick out of this. They are making it autonomous. Saw this at Engadget "US Army testing Stryker robot tank". Pretty spooky. We are getting closer and closer to the Terminator.

New Stealth Ship with M-Hull, Stiletto

I saw this on yet another Discovery Science Channel show. Over at Gizmodo, they describe this stealth ship technology and provide link to more a detailed article. "US Defense Department Finds New Way to Quickly and Quietly Kill People". The detailed article is posted that GizMag site, "Stiletto Experimental ship with carbon fiber M-hull design tops 50 knots (60mph)".

H2-A Rocket Successful Launch, second in a month

JAXA has successfully launched a weather satellite using its H2-A Rocket. This is the second successful launch in a month (BBC article) and plans to launch another satellite next week.

Flexible Body Armor

The US skiwear company, Spyder, has developed a new material that is being tested by Olympic skiers at the Turin Winter Olympics 2006. The material is flexible and stiffens upon impact according to the New Scientist article "US and Canadian skiers get smart armour". This technology has a lot of future implications both private and military.

Flying Hotel of Tomorrow

I was wondering when this concept would finally come to be. I found this at CNN's site (article) and has a nice looking picture of the flying hotel concept. This would be a pretty cool cruise of the future in the sky.

Magnets to replace transistors?

Looks like Moore's Law has more life to it. With advances in computer engineering using magnets, "New magnetic chips could offer higher speeds at lower power", faster chips will be on the horizon in the future.

More Evidence that Gaming is Good for the Brain

The evidence continues to mount that playing video games has significant long-term benefits for the brain. "Better living through video games?" discusses this and how multitasking also improves your brain functionality later in life. The surprising part is that the initial study was focusing on bilingualism and observational correlations were made about multitasking, playing video games, and multilingualism. Spotted this initially at Slashdot this morning. "Videogaming Keeps the Brain From Aging".

Flexible OLED Display

Remember the movie 'Red Planet' with Val Kilmer and the flexible dispalys they used? Anyway, this concept has made to the real world according to the article "Flexible OLED Display by Universal Display Corporation". The pictures of it look very cool.

New 3-D Display Technology

Japan's National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology uses lasers to project "real" 3D images into the ether. Saw this at Engadget in this article. Check out the picture! Looks like Star Wars holographic displays are just around the corner.

A Real Transformer Robot

This is pretty cool... remember the Transformers? Check this out.

Hacker Takes Down Russian Stock Exchange

Last week a hacker attacked the Russian Stock Exchange and took it down for an hour. "Hacker Takes Down Russian Stock Market". This is not good news for network security in 2006. As I forecasted, 2006 is going to be worse than 2005. Remember, 2005 was the worst year for network security ever.

Experiment US Special Forces Boat

This experimental boat looks cool and is designed for US Special Forces and produces a very small wake. "Experimental US Special Forces Boat Launched". This type of defense technology is the continuing transformation of US forces to be lighter, faster, quieter, and stealthier.

10th Planet is bigger than Pluto

According to the CNN article, "Scientists: New 'planet' bigger than Pluto", the unofficial 10th planet is bigger than Pluto. This opens the debate of what is a planet?

Artificial Gills

Innovations continue on all fronts. "Artificial gills extract oxygen from water". I figure a device like this will make underwater habitats much more practical in the future.

Sony TalkMan for PSP

Sony has developed a real-time language translator called TalkMan that can translate between English, Japanese, Korean and Chinese. It uses the built-in microphone of the PSP. "Sony Unveils PSP Translator". Looks pretty cool if you have a need for it (travel) or want to learn some conversational language with a bit of digital assistance from your PSP.

Honda Accord auto drive system in the UK

Check this out, "Honda Accord ADAS auto-pilot system takes the reins"! Honda has equipped its UK Accords with Advanced Driver Assist System or ADAS that completely regulates your speed and steering if you are on a freeway! This is one step forward towards auto drive as it should be! I wonder if we'll see this anytime soon in the US?

PSP's Other Audio Capabilities

Gizmodo posted an article, "PSP Audio Roundup", about PSP audio capabilities, hacks and what you can do with it. Some of the more interesting stuff is the text and pdf to MP3 techniques. Very interesting. Need yet another purpose for your PSP, this is a good place to start.

Another Oil Solution That We Will Not See In 2006

Our oil dependency is by choice. Here is yet another alternative to oil that would eliminate our dependence on Middle East oil and runs in current engine designs, ethanol. The Fortune magazine article "How to Beat the High Cost of Gasoline. Forever!" discusses this solution in simple terms. Brazil has rid itself of importing an estimated $69 billion of Middle East oil annually by producting and using ethanol instead of imported oil. The biotech industry has even made breakthroughs that can turn plant cellulose, the cellular walls, into simpler carbohydrates (sugars) that can be processed into useable ethanol. This makes too much sense and that is why we will not see it in 2006 or 2007.

Another Japanese Robot, Kawada HRP-2

The Kawada HRP-2 is another Japanese robot that looks cool. I spotted this at the i4u article, Kawada HRP-2 Promet Anime Robot Ready to Serve You. It looks like one of the Japanese anime giant robot characters I grew up watching. Here's the Yahoo News AP article and the USAToday article. Maybe in the next 5-20 years, we will all have one of these in our homes as personal assistants!

Stem Cell, Parkinson's and Cancer

Recent discoveries with stem research may yield future therapies or a cure for Parkinson's or cancer. I saw this in a ScienceDaily (another one of my favorite sites about science) article, Discoveries May Advance Stem Cell Therapy For Parkinson's, Cancer Patients. This research is occurring in Sweden. The ban on this type of research in the U.S. is making us fall behind.

Transparent OLEDs

Transparent OLEDs will yield many new applications. Like glass that has display technology sandwiched between layers. No more need for heads up displays. This is is discussed in the Displays that give a clear view posted at a German site. This could create some very interesting display design and technologies in the future.

Canon SED flat screen TVs are coming

Canon and Toshiba have created a new flat screen display technology called surface-conduction electron-emitter display, or SED. Canon has invested $1.7 billion in this new technology. The new TVs they will produce are brighter, sharper and use less energy than current LCD or Plasma TVs according to the "Canon's Big Gun" article. Expect to see these on the market in 2007. I can't wait. I wonder how much the first ones will cost? That cost factor will be a challenge but it is nice to see that innovation in display technology continues.

Fossil Palm PDA Wristwatch for Cheap

I just saw this at that cool gadget site i4u. Remember the Fossil Palm PDA wristwatch? Well, apparently the price has been reduced to $79. If you use a Palm PDA, this is yet another way to always carry it and for a decent price! Check out the i4u Fossil Dropped PALM OS PDA Wristwatch Price to $79.

Wireless USB Hub

The USB cables spaghetti will be going away shortly. This is actually going to be on the market in Spring 2006 from Belkin. The device is to be around $130 and uses ultrawideband (UWB) technology. Like everything else that is going wireless, this opens a lot of new possibilities and I am sure will be competition for Bluetooth.

South Korea to develop Army and Police Robots

I saw this on the Discovery channel and though it was incredible. These robots will help with patrolling the DMZ. Slashdot had a posting about this here.

Super Portable PowerFilm Solar Charger

Gizmodo has a posting about a extremely portable and light solar charger made for the US military is now available. "Never Be Without Electricity Again". Looks pretty cool. At $299 a pop, is not bad for a solar product. They have these at Sundance Solar which is one of my favorite solar sites.

Disposable Micro Fuel Cell for Gadgets

i4u reports on a Disposable Fuel Cell Coming this Year from Medis Technologies. Sounds interesting however, given the fact that it is disposable and you must constantly replace them, it doesn't sound any better than disposable batteries. We'll see how these do later this year. Personally, I would prefer refillable micro fuel cells that can be refilled even while running. This means you don't have to turn off your device to refuel.

World's first maglev elevator

This is pretty neat. "Tokyo to get world's first 'maglev' elevator". Wonder if we'll ever see these in the USA?

Auto Tuning Guitar System, The Performer

Over at News.com they published an article about an auto tuning guitar system. "Tuning tech catches on with guitarists". This is a pretty solution to a very low-tech problem. I happen to play guitar and this is the #1 problem with string instruments. Especially in a performance or studio recording scenario. Now I just need to test drive it somewhere to see how it feels.

Radar Scope for DoD sees through concrete

Here is a pretty cool DARPA device that will be fielded this year in Iraq, called Radar Scope. Spotted this at Slashdot, "Military Will Sense Through Concrete Walls". Pretty amazing stuff.

Install a touchscreen for Linux

I read this when it was posted at IBM DeveloperWorks in Dec2005. Just noting here for future reference. It uses the LCD from the Sony PSOne. "Install a touchscreen for Linux".

Warp Drive theoretical physics

I thought I would not see this in my lifetime. "Warp engines in development?" The U.S. government is actually funding research into this theoretical area. This is based on some theoretical physics from the 1950s. Imagine going to Mars in 3 hours. If the research is successful that may be a possibility. The time frames mentioned in the article for this is probably 5-10 years away to even determine if the theories are sound.

Slingbox

The Slingbox device is a pretty neat device at initial viewing. The downside is that the required proprietary software requires Windows to run. PCMag reviewed this on 06/30/2005. I saw the Slingbox at my local BestBuy and the video quality is not as good as I would like. It is a bit choppy. Anyway, is an innovative device letting you view your video from anywhere in the world. Looks interesting but I think the Sony LocationFree technology is better since I can use my PSP for it.

Age of Information Overload

Finally, someone else agrees. Over at CNN they posted "Age of Information Overload" which talks about the ubiquitous nature of information in today's modern digital world. It's everywhere and we (as a society) are getting flooded with it by the minute. It ponders the point of are we drowning? My thoughts are yes we are. So to get out of this scenario you have to change your habits and attain new skills for acquiring, accessing and using this stuff.

First US Military Exoskeleton Prototype

Over at Slashdot, they posted an article today about the first prototype Military Exoskeleton. This thing looks pretty incredible and scary. I knew the DoD would have this technology first in America.

Run a Linux LiveCD as your Windows Screensaver

I read about this at SlashDot. An IBM Software Engineer posted the article, "Linux screensaver for Windows", describing how to do this at developerWorks. Based on reading the article, I am going to have to try this. It sounds pretty cool and would be fun to make work.

EPA invents battery-less hybrid system

I couldn't believe this when I read "EPA invents battery-less hybrid system" posted at CNNMoney. I wonder if we'll ever see this technology anytime soon? It would be nice and sounds like yet another alternative energy solution that we may never see.

Honda To Mass Produce Solar Cells

This was a surprising announcment, "Honda to mass produce solar cells by 2007". Honda said they are building a new factory on the site of one of their auto manufacturing plants in Japan to start producing solar products. Honda said its solar cells would be composed of non-silicon compound materials, consuming half as much energy and generating 50 percent less carbon dioxide during production when compared with conventional solar cells made from silicon.

The company aims to sell the solar cells for both residential and industrial use. It will initially target the Japanese market.

Is this the beginning of when my future hybrid or fuel cell Honda vehicle also has a solar rooftop to charge the batteries? That would be cool.

Archos Gmini402 20GB Camcorder/Camera Personal Video Recorder

Archos continues to be the sleeper innovator this year. I found this at Costco. It is also at Amazon. The Archos
Gmini402 20GB Camcorder/ Camera Personal Video Recorder is a pretty cool next generation device. Here's a review of it. It merges the digital camera, camcorder, portable media device all into one. It is a bit light on the camera side with its 1.2 megapixel camera, however, this trend towards integrating digital pictures with digital camcorders in a very portable format is a step in the right direction. I have used my Sony Cybershot as a portable digital video recorder for a while now. The video specs on my Cybershot are ok (640x480 video), however would be nice to be full 780p like the Archos is. In the next few years, my next camera/camcorder device will be some evolution of that the Archos Gmini402 represents. For now, my Cybershot and Handycam are sufficient.

Wolverine MVP 60GB Media Storage and Player

I was perusing the web looking for tech gadgets and found the Wolverine MVP 60GB Media Storage and Player from Wolverine Data. I actually found it at Costco site and after reading about it also found it at Amazon.com Doing a bit more research I found a 12/1/2005 review at PCMag. The cool thing about this device is that it has a large HD (60GB or 100GB) and has a 7-in-1 reader. Pretty cool if you have multiple gadgets and multiple flash memory formats. The MVP appears to a great digital camera companion.

Honda Asimo Robot updated

Honda just demonstrated an upgraded version of its Asimo robot that can now serve tea, push a cart, and run twice as fast. "Honda Robot Serves Tea, Pushes Mail Carts". Watching video of Asimo is quite entertaining and incredible. I have to keep convincing myself that this is not special effects in a movie. Asimo moves very fluidly and very human like.

Creative Zen Vision:M portable music/video device

I saw this last night at the I4U.com site. Then just today at The Register is a decent first look at the Creative Zen Vision:M portable music/video player. This high end device looks to be good competitor to the Apple iPod Video. It has more features and support more formats.

Scientists figure out how cancer spreads

I think this is a breakthrough in cancer research. Just like how Australian scientists have use stem cell research to treat melanoma and some in some cases cure it. "Scientist Unlock Reasons Cancer Spreads". Positive news like this raises my hope that maybe I'll live to see the day when a cure for cancer is found.

Sony VAIO VGN-U50 Palmtop computer

Leave it up to Sony to create a super tiny palmtop computer (Sony VAIO VGN-U50) that has a 20GB HDD and runs Windows XP Professional. The U50 is about the size of the Sony PSP (one of my favorite gadgets in 2005) and only available in Japan. If you really want to get one you will have to goto a site like Dynamism.com which specializes in tech gadgets that are only available in Japan.

CNET reviewed the Sony VAIO VGN-U50 in Oct2004 (review). This thing has been out in Japan for over a year and still nothing like it exists in the U.S. for sale. The only issue I see with the U50 is its price. If you can afford one then it is definitely the ultimate in portability for a computer.

Maybe the palmtop format will take off in 2006 here in the U.S.

Wireless Mosquito Killer 802.11b Mesh Sensor Network

Talk about innovative uses of WiFi technology, "Wi-Fi mosquito killer coming to a porch near you" is a good CNET article about a proposed mesh sensor network that will use the Mosquito Magnet and 802.11b technology to create a smart mosquito killing network. This is quite impressive. Makes you wonder what our military is doing with sensor networks. I am quite sure there are some pretty creative ideas on the drawing boards for bio sensor networks.

AmBio, the company that makes the Mosquito Magnet, is pushing this to protect entire cities. I live in a city that has a mosquito problem and wouldn't be surprised if this shows up in the next few years where I live. Even if they don't bring this to market, this technological concept is quite cool.

More Innovative uses of PSP (iTunes remote, TivoToGo)

I think the PSP as a platform is starting to take off. Some innovative uses are appearing for the Sony PSP other than a portable game, music, and movie player. I have been using my PSP as a portable internet tablet when I do not want to be next to my notebook or desktop computers. Here are some innovative other uses which make the PSP an even more appealing digital device. CoverBuddy makes your PSP a remote to your iTunes over a WiFi connection. "CoverBuddy Makes PSP Worth Something".

Just earlier this week, Tivo announced support of the iPod and PSP for its TivoToGo technology. "TivoToGo for iPods and PSPs". This will allow you to download Tivo captured video onto your PSP for mobile viewing. They will support the iPod and PSP. The PSP in my opinion is much better for this because of its larger and higher resolution screen. This sounds like a complement to Sony's LocationFree technology which is equally impressive.

XBox 360 stability

I've been watching the XBox 360 release like everyone else this week. Well, I just saw some reports that it may have some stability issues based on reports at Slashdot. Xbox 360 Very Unstable. I don't plan on getting an XBox 360 because I have an investment in Playstation 1, 2, and PSP. I never got into the XBox for the same reason.

I don't consider myself a die hard gamer, however I do play games when I get a chance. Personally, I like the portability of the Sony PSP and what it represents more than consoles. Anyway, just thought I'd mention that XBox 360 may have a few programming glitches that would tick me off if I was a gamer.

I have had my PSP since launch day and do not really have any complaints about stability. I can generally say the same for my Playstation 1 and Playstation 2 consoles. I think stability in a gaming platform is expected today. I have watched my 5-year old son look bewildered and frustrated when a game he is playing on his GameCube go south for some reason. You expect your car to just work all the time. Same as your refrigerator. Having your car be unreliable or your refrigerator breakdown causes much frustration.

I'll keep an eye on this to see how the XBox 360 stability affects its success. If it is anything like Microsoft Windows, then most gamers will probably just accept the instability as a feature. I think Microsoft marketing will convince the general public that an unstable platform is acceptable.

The MIT $100 Laptop Unveiled

The $100 laptop concept to help close the digital divide is unveiled at the U.N. Technology Summit in Tunisia. "Windup laptops aim to bridge digital divide". This MIT research concept is an example of applying technology to better the world. The text-book sized laptop boasting wireless network access and a hand-crank to provide electricity was unveiled by Nicholas Negroponte, Chairman of MIT Media Lab. It uses an open source Linux distribution.

Slashdot has a mention of it in its "Preview Of The $100 Laptop" posting. Here is a list of related articles since the unveiling of the $100 laptop 15NOV2005.

"The $100 laptop moves closer to reality" -News.com
"Sub-$100 laptop design unveiled" - BBC News.

HAARP powering up

HAARP or (High Frequency Active Auroral Research Project) is based theortical Tesla technology. I've always been intrigued by Nikola Tesla and his work. If you ever get a chance, you should read a few books about this genius scientist and inventor. Anyway, I just read "HAARP amping it up" at Slashdot and "HAARP Adds 132 More Transmitters" and looks like our DoD is increasing the capacity the HAARP facility in Alaska. Note, the Future of Radio is a cool website.

HAARP rumored to be involved in everything from weather control experiments to attempts at extraterrestrial contact. Given HAARP's location and the antenna patterns involved, it seems like it's some effort to develop ways to jam the electronics of incoming missiles from Russia and/or China (I don't think it's an accident HAARP's initial funding came from Reagan's "Star Wars" initiative).

Tesla had all kinds of ideas and experiments related to exotic weapons of warfare that are mostly classified. Some of his ideas are quite impressive and frightening. The former Soviet Union spent a lot of money working on exotic Tesla weapons that most of the public is unaware. Most of the stuff that Tesla proposed was never proven since a lot of his work was mysteriously disappeared from the Library Of Congress. He even built a car that ran off of 'World Power' requiring no gas or any other fuel. Discussion of 'World Power' is another topic.

Anyway, HAARP started in 1993 and is expected to be completed by 2007. I plan to keep an eye on this out of curiosity.

Hybrid vehicle websites

I was reading the most recent Kiplingers Personal Finance this morning and discovered a website devoted to Hybrid cars. After perusing the site, it is pretty decent. The site contains an index of all available hybrid vehicles available today and in the next few years. The index contains links to information about each of the hybrid vehicles. Additionally, there are links to comparing gas prices by region in the USA, hybrid technology news, regulations, laws and technology links. Overall is a very nice alternative energy site focusing on hybrid vehicle technology.

The links to gas prices reminds me of a local site, VirginiaBeachGasPrices.com, that is another decent local website for finding the best gas prices and other related information. This website is a decent index for best and worst gas prices run by the web site member/participants who post the information to the site. This site aslso has a gas log that you can use with nice graphs of your mileage and usage over time.

Korg OASIS, Linux powered digital synth

This is what I have been waiting to see since the 1980s. I decided to major in computer science over music just because I thought it had a better chance of taking me further in my life. The merging of the best of breed in musical sythesizers, Korg, and the best of breed in computer operating systems, Linux, is the convergence I envisioned. The Korg OASYS is just this product. "Inside a Luxury Synth: Creating the Linux-Powered Korg OASYS". I own a Korg and have always thought they produced some of the best professional music products.

It took 20 or so years for the realization of this convergence. Based on Korg's innovations, I am sure all the other vendors in the music industry will be following suite. Looks like the proprietary operating systems embedded within music sythesizers will finally be coming to an end with Linux leading the way. The Korg OASYS is a high-end machine at approx $8000 today but those that can afford it and have to the time, I am sure it is the first of many new machines that integrate Linux as its primary operating system.

By the way, I started off playing guitar, got into keyboards, and then programming synthesizers and sequencers. To this day, I still manage to stay involved with music at some level. As far as which one has taken me further in my life, well, that is relative and my lifetime pursuit of computer science and music is still taking place. Anyway, I'd like to have one of these Korg OASYS machines. At least I know that in future, the next synth I buy will probably be some type of decendant of it.

Non-lethal weapons in the news

Today is an interesting news day in world of exotic non-lethal weapons. A sonic weapon was used to thwart would be pirates from boarding a cruise ship off Somalia. This is being reported at many news sites. "Cruise ship 'used sonic weapon'".

Then there is the PHASR. These types of weapons I've been reading about for the past few years and looks like DoD has some in production and in testing. "US military sets laser PHASRs to stun". The pictures of the PHASR are really cool looking. It looks like a prop from a science fiction movie.

And finally some news about Taser. "Taser to offer stun gun cameras". A look at how existing non-lethal devices are being altered to meet criticisms of possible usage abuse.

A123 Lithium-Ion Battery Technology Advances

A123 Systems just unveiled a new nanotech-enabled lithium-ion battery technology that produces the same amount of power in 20% of the weight for equivalent conventional lithium-ion batteries. This means more power in the same space or lighter batteries where weight is a concern (i.e. hybrid vehicles). Instead of the typical 100 lb. battery, a 20 lb battery could be put into hybrid vehicles. Nanotechnology is used to make this happen according to the A123 news release, dated 11/2/2005.

Black & Decker and Dewalt tools will be coming out next year in the 36volt capacity using the A123 lithium-ion battery technology. I have a few Black & Decker VersaPack tools. I hope they release new versions of the VersaPack batteries. Now that would be cool.

We finally have some advances with battery technology coming to market. Battery technology has been stuck in idle mode for the past 10-years. Lithium-ion technology has been with us since the 1990s and no clear successor to this battery technology has come to market. Micro fuel-cells appears to the front runner to replace the lithium-ion batteries used in most devices today. Toshiba, Sony, Canon are a few companies doing quite a bit of micro fuel-cell research with working prototypes.

Computerized Devices and Florida State Law

Florida has a state law that says defendants have a right to all information about the operation of computerized devices used as evidence in court, including manuals, troubleshooting guides and, potentially, source code for software. So what does state laws have to to with technology you say? There is case this week in Sarasota, Florida that is getting some attention. "Breathalyzer company refuses to turn over source code".

This is a case to watch since it is the first time that I've seen where computerized device source code can be admissable in a court of law. At least in Florida. I live in Virginia so I'll have to check with our state laws. The device in question is the Intoxilizer 5000 developed by CMI, Inc..

"Closed technology is not a good approach when people's liberty interests are at stake... it is just as important for people to know that products like breathalyzers or voting machines work correctly as it is for companies to protect their trade secrets." -Matt Zimmerman, a staff attorney for the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF).

Given the voting machine fiasco in 2000 and Florida's continuing controversies with elections, if e-voting ever goes into effect there should be reviews of all the source code for these systems to ensure fair e-voting in the future in Florida.

2046 - 40-years Into The Future

What will things be like 40 years from now in 2046? USAToday posted an article from a demographic and economic perspective, "2046: A boomer odyssey". Based on what this article forecasts, we will start seeing the changes today and gradually escalate as the boomer generation continues to influence everything as it has in the 40 years. One impact to be noted is how engineering will be affected. Boeing is currently designing its 787 Dreamliner (next gen jet) to have wider aisles to faciliate the increaesd use of wheelchairs in the next 40-years as the boomers age.

Other changes that we'll see are the changes to laws, policies, health care, advertising, technology, and social services. I think that technologies like exoskeleton devices, replacement body parts genetically engineered, and implantable and wearable computers will continue to advance and becom common place in the next 30 or so years. Sounds a bit frightening but look how far we have come in the last 20-years. A good percentage of the technology that exists today was considered far-fetched in 1980.

I still want those personal flying vehicles and personal space ships but that may be too far fetched for the foreseable future. Maybe my kids will see this stuff happen. I can continue to dream. Who knows, we are only a few scientific or engineering breakthroughs away from this becoming a reality.

Science, Politics and Religion

Science, Politics and Religion are three interesting and explosive topics alone respectively. As a combination, these three can be very powerful or very controversial. There are many recent rumblings about how the U.S. might becoming anti-science, "Is the U.S. becoming anti Science?". Given, the climate of the last few years it seems that we in the U.S. are not embracing science whole heartedly. This Reuters UK "Is US becoming hostile to science?" article has some very good points about the Science in the U.S. It does not paint a very nice picture. CNN posted a similar article.

Other recent articles about our eroding science and technology leadership, "Broad Federal Effort Urgently Needed to Create New, High-Quality Jobs for All Americans in the 21st Century", are sounding alarms before this situation worsens.

As a high technology country, we must adapt and learn to balance science, religion, and politics. Every great civilization has managed to balance these pillars and survive the test of time. Hopefully, we will elevate above and become a greater civilization and do the same. At only only slightly over 229 years old, we are yet an infant as a country. As a scientifically inclined person who is enamored with technology, I think we will eventually learn to adapt and balance our science with everything else. Time will tell.

Exoskeleton technology

I remember reading about HAL5 earlier this year. Looks like this technology is coming of age. I recall that HAL5 was going to be available in Japan any day now. This technology has lots of promise for the disabled, elderly and of course the military.

I also found a more recent article at IEEE Spectrum, "Rise Of The Body Bots", that discusses the advances made so far this year. This article talks about the research work in Japan and in the USA. Looks like Japan and USA are the leading researchers in this emerging technology.

Remote Control Humans

This is actually pretty cool and somewhat scary. Anyway, Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp. (NTT), has developed a technology that will make games more realistic. Read about it here at CNN, "Japan developing remote control for humans". I can think of all kinds of uses for this type of technology related to gaming and entertainment. On the darker side, the military implications of this are scary.

What is Techno-Politics?

I was perusing FreshNews.org and found this article "What Is Terrorism? Can It Ever Be Ethical?" that raised my curiosity (long article and requires above average reading comprehnsion). Anyway, after reading the article published at Kuro5hin, a technology meets grassroots culture site, the mutual exclusion of technological and political rhetoric appears to be dissipating. In other words, technology and politics are no longer at opposite ends of the spectrum and never are. They are now both means to an end. Which end that is always primariy politically driven.

In my mind, I have always coined this 'techno-politics' from what I have seen in the technology field. It is becoming more mainstream since technology affects us in just about every facet of our daily lives. It is inevitable that politics and technology is on a collision course.

Some of the more interesting notes in the above mentioned article is the definition of 'ethical terrorism' and viewpoints on past acts in history that would fit the modern definition of terrorism. Ok, that's it this is not a political weblog so will stop posting about this topic in this weblog.

Archos Portable 100GB Audio/Video Device with 7" LCD

It's that time of year again when I get catalogs galore in the mail. While perusing the latest Sharper Image catalog, one of the gadgets piqued my interest. The Archos 100GB Audio/Video Recorder Player. This thing is neat. It has a 100GB hard drive in it, a 7" LCD, remote control and you can record digital video and audio on it via standard A/V and USB interfaces. While the Apple iPod Video is getting all the recent buzz, this device has all the specs for the killer portable video gadget. I wonder if Sony is monitoring all these new products.

I like my Sony PSP, however, a 100GB hard drive and a 7" LCD just blows everything else out of the water. The only thing this device needs to be a 'gotta have it' gadget freaks is WiFi, Bluetooth and a decent software that will allow you to browse the web and listen/watch streaming content (AVI, MP3, RealAudio, WMA, MOV, Flash, etc..). It does have the accessories that allow you to record TV (NTSC,PAL) or any video source directly to the hard disk and take it with you.

With the 7" LCD screen, I am not sure how long the battery will last. That is the tradeoff with larger displays. They tend to consume more power. Will have to wait for someone to post reviews of it online.

The Archos is still pretty cool but a bit expensive at $799 list. If cost was not an issue, then this definitely would be a cool device to get this winter.

Nokia 770 Internet Tablet

I was talking a co-worker recently about portable web browsers and he told me about the Nokia 770 Internet Tablet. I have been using my Sony PSP as an internet tablet since Sony released the 2.0 firmware upgrade in August 2005. It is actually a decent WiFi device as a portable web browser. I use it almost everyday as a browser than as a game machine. Well, looks like other companies have been catching on to the internet tablet concept. Nokia's new device is designed specifically as a WiFi tablet. Here are f ew more articles about the device, "Nokia unviels Linux based 770 Internet Tablet", "Nokia Launches Linux Based 770 Net Appliance".

Based on the published specs, the Nokia 770 is slightly smaller than the PSP however has better resolution (800x600 x 64k colors) touch screen LCD and is running on top of a Linux operating system called Internet Tablet 2005 software edition. It has 128 MB RAM, supports WiFi 802.11b/g, Bluetooth 1.2, and much more. It will only be available online in selected countries. I am not sure if the USA is one of the selected countries.

Internet tablets are definitely the trend of the future. Some of the usability features I like about using my Sony PSP as an internet tablet is that I can hold it while laying down on the couch with ease. Try that with a notebook computer that weigh 2-8 lbs. Your arms would tire quickly. The dimensions of the PSP are near ideal for a ultra portable web browser. The Nokia 770 looks interesting. I am sure there will be more of these devices on the market in the next year.

For now, looks like Nokia will be releasing this thing sometime in the next few months, "Nokia 770 Internet tablet delayed" (10/05/2005).

Transparent Aluminum, Science Fiction becoming Science Fact

This one surprised me. Star Trek is getting here sooner than anticipated. Over at Slashdot there's a posting "Transparent Aluminum a Reality" about how the U.S. Air Force has been working on transparent aluminum (aluminum oxynitride - ALONtm) as a replacement for traditional multi-layered glass. The original Air Force article, "Air Force testing new transparent armor", has more detail about this new material. So in times of war, the best of technology comes out of the labs and garages.

I wonder if we'll ever see this as a commercial product in the next 20-years. If it is being researched for military purposes, then probably not. It is still progress in the materials research domain that is quite impressive.

What is Sony LocationFree Technology

After updating my Sony PSP with the latest 2.50 firmware last night, I was curious about the LocationFree Player that is now included. Doing more research I found out that this is Sony's digital hub for portable multimedia entertainment devices that was released this year. Here's the 09/08/2005 CEDIA press release, SONY UNLEASHES PORTABLE ENTERTAINMENT WITH NEW LOCATIONFREE PRODUCTS, that provides a decent overview of what LocationFree is. I am impressed. Here is the original LocationFree concept press release from the JAN2004 CES show.

LocationFree Player Pak which lists for $350 in the US, contains the base station and software to allow your PC to work as a LocationFree Player. I am not sure if it works with Linux and Mac. I am still researching this.

Some of the really cool features of the LocationFree base station:

• Integrated dynamic DNS so external DNS is not required.


• Access all your content from anywhere on the internet.


• Remote control over WLAN or internet


• Works with PSP, PCs, and LocationFree 12" LCD TV.


• Uses MPEG4 compression.

This is something to watch in the next year. If Sony gets this right with the PSP and Playstation 3, then looks like they may be back on top of the innovation curve for consumer electronics and cool gadgets.

Sony PSP 2.50 Firmware Update and LocationFree Technology

Sony just released the PSP 2.50 Firmware update. I just used the Network Update feature and updated my PSP. Since the 2.00 Firmware update, I've been using my PSP as a portable internet browser with much success. In the new firmware update, Sony has added a feature called LocationFree Player.

You can watch TV or videos on your PSP™ system by using the LocationFree™ Player. To watch TV or videos at home, you must have a LocationFree™ Base Station (a Sony product sold separately). To watch away from home, you must have a LocationFree™ Base Station (a Sony product sold separately) and access to the Internet using a wireless LAN. For details, visit LocationFree BaseStation. Based on what I've read, the Sony PSP now has turned into a portable remote control, streaming video device. Is this cool or what? Now I get a LocationFree base station.

RLS, Solution Looking For A Problem

If you haven't heard about Restless Leg Syndrome or RLS, then join the club. Neither have I until I saw a few pharmaceutical commercials on cable TV about a new product that addresses RLS. I can't remember the name of the product however I did remember the name of the syndrome.

It looks as if the drug companies have created a solution looking for a problem. I thought this was a joke, however I looked on the web and found the RLS web site. The 'four simple questions about RLS' has got to be a joke. I can answer yes to all four of the broad questions, so does that mean I might have RLS? This reminds me of another syndrome, ADD, that appears to have been fabricated by the pharmecetical companies so that Ritalin and other related drugs had a market to support.

It would be a shame to see RLS become a major cash cow for the drug companies just as ADD and Ritalin have infected 15-20% of our drugged child population. One solution to hyperactive children used to be more running around and playing outside. I know, I was a relatively hyperactive child for which my parents just let me play outside, sports and other physical things for which our modern obese children no longer do.

So will RLS be another solution in a pill that would otherwise be resolved by a non-drug solution like getting more exercise? Time will tell on this one. I plan to keep an eye on this and see how it turns out over the next several years.

JAXA launches successful supersonic jet test

JAXA successfully tested their supersonic jet passenger liner in the Australian Outback today (10/10/2005). "Successful Supersonic Jet Launch". This was the 2nd attempt after the 2002 failure. At this rate, it may look that a supersonic Concorde 2.0 may be flying again within the next 10 years. The new jet will able to fly from Tokyo to New York in under six hours.

Top Ten Impossible Inventions That Work

Here's a good reference to impossible technologies that work however ("Top 10 Impossible Inventions That Work", we have yet to see. I have read a few books about Nikolai Tesla and everything mentioned in this article I have read about in those books. Ther is even solutions to the hydrogen economy problem that are too simple to believe.

Seven Technologies That Changes Everything in 2005

You would never guess what is #1 on the list published at Business 2.0.com. I won't mention it here again but it surprised me since I share the same viewpoint of the #1 thing that changes everything in 2005. I don't think anyone saw this coming in 2005. It just sort of happened and changed everything.

One of the technologies that I was not aware of are High-definition Radio. One of my favorite topics of late, fuel cells, is in this list for the emerging micro fuel-cell technologies that are already in prototype phases by major consumer electronics companies. I can't wait to have my notebook computer, PDA, mobile phone, digital multimedia devices all running off of micro fuel cells in the coming years. I thought we would already be using this stuff in 2005. Now it looks like the within the next few years we should start seeing micro fuel cell powered devices.

DARPA "Grand Challenge" results

History was made this week when 3 of the 23 robotic vehicles "DARPA contestants make robotic history" completed the 132-mile race funded by the DARPA Grand Challenge. The Stanford Univerity entry won the race. DARPA sponsored and funded the $2 million prize race. The race is based on Pentagon goal of using fully automated logistics vehicles in approximately 30% of military vehicles by 2015.

Recall that DARPA funded what is known today as the internet in the 1960s. The goal back then was to create a 'survivable computer network'.

Dawn of the Diamond Age

There is this new process called chemical vapor deposition (CVD) that allows the practical creation of man-made diamonds. It has been researched and perfected by a company called Apollo Diamond (started by a former Bell Labs scientist). "Man-made diamonds with potential". So why is this important? Aside from man-made gemstones, this will allow a new age of semiconductors based on diamond wafers instead of silicon. Diamonds are the hardest, great conducting, and best heat dissipating material known today. Being able to manufacture these will be the start of a new age of technology similar to what steel did for the Industrial Age and silicon did for the digital age.

An unplanned side effect of this new technique was the creation of gem stone diamonds that are almost identical to mined diamonds. At any rate, using these manufactured diamonds will permit 3D storage in crystal structures. This would allow a future digital multimedia device (i.e. iPod) to store 10,000 movies instead of 10,000 songs. Another use would be design of very high powered lasers (industrial and military), and ultra fast computers with none of the heating problems of todays silicon based circuit boards. This could be the dawn of a new age based on diamonds.

Blu-ray (Sony) vs. Microsoft over future DVD technology

Microsoft is spreading itself pretty thin these days. Just last week they stopped negotiating with the music companies because they could not bully the record companies around for better terms of digital music. Now, it looks as if the tide is turning from HD-DVD towards Blu-ray after Microsoft starting its FUD (fear, uncertainty, and doubt) campaign against Blu-ray and Sony. That may have back fired and now it looks as if Paramount and Time-Warner are have now decided to back Blu-ray after Microsoft's behavior in the past week. "Dagger Drawn over DVDs", "Warner-Bros gives Blu-ray green light?". Even Toshiba is now changing its position with Microsft about its HD-DVD format after Sony made some big gains with its Blu-ray technology and signing up 11 of the 12 major movie content providers.

In addition to Microsoft's aggressive announcements concerning XBox 360 this past few weeks, it appears that the old FUD machine that Microsoft has successfully used in the past no longer has its luster. The rest of the business world now understands the tactics Microsoft uses to get its way in yielding its power. We'll see in the next 6-12 months how the hi-definition format war unfolds.

Hybrid automobiles going mainstream

My outlook and belief that hybrid automobiles is the future for the next 10-20 years appears to have been on the mark based on the "Hybrid Envy" article. Looks like Toyota and Honda have quite a head start in the hybrid vehicle technology arena. Honda just release their 3rd generation hybrid with the new Civic. I am still waiting for a hybrid Pilot, Odyssey, MDX and Ridgeline from Honda. Toyota is also increasing their hybrid product offerings in the Highlander and Camry models this fall.

As for fuel cells, well that is a whole different problem and possible solution for the world in 20-30 years from now. The largest problem is the lack of a hydrogen infrastructure issue in our current world economy.