How Well Do You Think This Walnut Pause Heater Works?

We're always intrigued when a gadget tries to execute its function while simultaneously looking like it doesn't. This Walnut Pause Heater, which uses IR to heat your body, also has built-in speakers. More »

Movie Theaters Will Fry Us All with Infrared to Stop Pirates

You can't shoot a film pirate with bullets, but IR light is just fine. More »

Samsung's Holographic Gesture-Based Eye Candy Upstages Product Announcement

At the announcement of their new superfast Jet phone, Samsung used used Project Natal-esque holographic gestures for effect. The Jet seems cool, but we just want to hear more about the holographic gimmickry! More »

Samsung SCH-W760 Shoots Your G-Rated Videos in the Dark

It's as if thousands of preteens sharing naughty videos cried out over a direct line into Samsung's R&D department. More »

Google Infrared Patent Further Details Firm's Insatiable Book Assimilation Technique

We've covered Google's attempt to suck the text from every book ever written before, but here's a recent patent filing that details the infrared technique—in glorious pictures! [NPR via Memex 1.1 via Boing Boing]

Frustrated Google Seeing Infrared During Quest to Scan Every Book Ever Written

My headline won't put the Updike's of the world out of business, but maybe Google's new technique for scanning books into its ever-growing digital library will help me read more and become a better blogger. More »

Hanwha Duo Turns Your Laptop Into a Tablet PC

Hanwah Japan's new Duo digital pen allows you to turn a standard 15.4-Inch LCD laptop into a tablet PC through infrared and ultrasonic magic. More »

Next Gen Wii to Still Use Infrared?

While Nintendo hasn't even announced the next Wii, a DigiTimes source claims that a company named Pixart Imaging is already set to provide Nintendo with the infrared chips for their next generation Wii device. (Pixart already supports the current Wiimote and products from Intel and Logitech.) While not necessarily the worst news, I'm sure at least a few of us were hoping for a solution to avoid those constant "point your Wiimote at the screen" error messages. Oh well, Nintendo could release the Wii2 with non-interactive, rotting banana controller and it would still sell a bajillion units. [DigiTimes via MaxConsole]

First Look and Full Details on the XM25, the Most Lethal Army Gun Ever

Here's the first look at the final version of the deadly XM25. We learned this morning of the weapon's destructive power, but now we have a photo of the final version and all the details, starting with the key for its destruction power, a built-in fire-control system that can program each of the weapon's 25 millimeter rounds wirelessly, in real time, so soldiers can take down enemies around obstacles: More »

IR Car Chases Beams of Light Like an Angry Cat

Most R/C cars are controlled by radio frequencies and a miniature steering wheel, but this car follows a dot of infrared light wherever you want it to go (similar to a cat chasing a laser). The only catches are that the car doesn't look to read throttle commands and it can only recognize light up to 5 feet away, so you can't point the beam at the top of Mount Rushmore and watch the tiny vehicle dutifully scurry its way up...yet. Running 20 minutes per charge, the complete kit goes for a reasonable $50. [RichardSolo via Dvice]

Infrared Tracking R/C Car is Remote Control Toy for the Truly Lazy

This remote-control car has an infrared follower system built in, so you steer it simply by pointing the IR beam from the controller somewhere ahead of the car, and it works out where you want it to go. So yes, it's a simple remote control for those who can't be bothered to learn how to steer their toys with a joystick or wheel and throttle remote. Or kids. Ah... now I understand. The "magic dot" can be up to five feet ahead of the 9-inch car and it'll still work, and you get about 20 minutes of racing, cat-bothering action from one charge of its batteries. Available now for $49.95. [RedFerret]

Noveon Zaps Toe Fungus With Light, But Annoying Lamisil Commercials Remain

Using a first-of-its-kind direct optical energy device called Noveon, one Waltham company is hoping to stamp out toenail fungus once and for all using nothing but light. The device "utilizes two discrete near-infrared wavelengths at low power" and produces no heat, according to a rep from the manufacturer, Nomir Medical Technologies. The approach could eliminate the need for expensive meds like Lamisil or Fulvicin, which work, but can cause upset stomach and liver damage. Clinical trials are set to begin soon, and the Noveon could be zapping foot fungus—and periodontal disease (think morning breath, but forever!)—very soon. More »

NYU Student Creates Virtual Girlfriend—Shame She's Only 2D

Created with lonely people in mind, Drew Burrows' INBED is an "infrared-sensitive" light projected virtual girlfriend. A sexy brunette, she's got about three tricks up her sleeve—and she does all of them from a supine position. More »

Toshiba's ApriPoko: a Remote Controller Companion Robot

Toshiba's new robot pal is basically a voice-operated infrared universal remote control, heavy on the cuteness. Programmed to be fairly smart, he'll wait until you use a controller for your electronics, then ask you what you were doing: the next time you want to perform the same action, you just have to tell ApriPoko to do it for you. He'll then wave his IR transmitter arm and *bing*, on goes your TV. He's even equipped with a camera to identify users, presumably to learn their habits. For now he's just an R&D demonstrator device, and is limited to simple commands. We hope we're right in expecting the technology to make its way into consumer gadgets soon. [Robot Watch]

Infrared-Beaming Helmet May Battle Alzheimer's

Despite looking like a freaky PC case-mod for your head, researchers say this helmet may serve as a treatment for Alzheimer's disease. It directs low levels of infrared light at the skulls of Alzheimer's sufferers in order to combat the disease by stimulating brain cell growth. More »

Japanese Infrared Revamp Transfers at Gigabit Speeds

While IR is still quite useful for certain things, transferring data between devices is something very few people still use it for. Japan's KDDI R&D labs, however, have managed to increase the transfer rate 250 times to 1Gbps with a semiconductor laser that blinks incredibly fast. Although 1Gbps is fast, it doesn't quite transfer a full CD of music in less than a second (which is 650MB). Point is, if they can manage to put this into cellphones, we'll finally be able to get our contacts over really really fast. [Digital World Tokyo]

IR Hacks: Some Perspective

While much of the internet may be up in arms over Richard Blakeley's recent IR-induced video stunt, a 14-year-old boy from Poland allegedly took an IR hack to more tragic proportions this week, and has been accused of hacking a standard TV remote to override track switching at rail junctions in the city of Lodz. Four trams were derailed and (luckily) only 12 people were injured with none killed. The youth in question was described by teachers as an "electronics buff and exemplary student," according to The Register. More »

Brando's Infrared Thermal Patch is Just a Lousy Heater

We've been lucky enough to not have to deal with carpal tunnel, but those of you who do might be interested in this Brando "Infrared Thermal Patch." We're not sure which part of it is infrared, or which part of it is a patch, but it's just a little plastic plate you place on the affected area that will warm it up to relieve stress at temperatures up to 40~45 Celsius. Or, you can just wipe your ass with a twenty and two ones and be done with it. [Brando]

USB Infrared Heating Pads

The USB Far Infrared Pad is pitched as a solution for those aches and pains that are the natural byproduct of working sitting at one's computer. We don't know the $21.99 pad actually adheres to skin, but once stuck to carefully balanced upon the area of pain, 1.2W of USB juice heats the pad to between 104° and 113° F. We'd be more interested if the pads served a more interesting function, like electrified nicotine transmission to help us start smoking. But go ahead, pick one up for the crazy hypochondriac at the office (and send in a picture when they use it). [usbfever via ubergizmo]

Fujitsu Launch Palm-Vein Scanning Mouse, Finally

This press release from 2002 shows a Fujitsu mouse that could authenticate logins by scanning vein-patterns in a user's hand. By taking an infrared scan of a person's hand, the system can get a clear picture of their veins - the pattern is then used to authenticate users. Five years later, they have finally launched the product. So what have you been doing for 5 years, Fujitsu? More »

The Wave LED Coffee Table Provides Motion-Seeking Light Show

Here's an interactive LED coffee table that refuses to simply table your coffee—it twinkles and sparkles, reacting to movement. The Wave uses 32 near-infrared sensors which observe the space above the table and any motion detected is mimicked with trails of light and color from 480 LEDs. More »

Fujifilm IS Pro Digital SLR Camera Has Predator Vision

Forget the visible light spectrum, any camera can hack that. The Fujifilm IS Pro is the most recent camera in Fujifilm's pro lineup that can shoot in the ultraviolet and infrared spectrums as well. Tooled for professional snoops, it also has such gumshoey features as one-touch black-and-white Live Image Preview, post capture face-detection that identifies up to 10 faces per image and Mirror Lock-Up and Shutter Delay to reduce image blur in a long exposure. It's simply the choicest thing to accompany your coffee thermos and box of doughnuts on those long overnight stakeouts. Jump for the details, right from the horse's mouth. More »

Infrared Wine Thermometer, Corkscrew

I am a bit of a wine snob, if I do say so myself. Every time I am ready to crack open that bottle of Boone's Farm I have to make sure I know it is the right temperature for consuming. That stuff is pretty classy at $3 per bottle, and I wouldn't want to ruin a bottle by compromising its flavor. Checking wine temperature is even easier with this device. It uses infrared technology to check the temperature of the wine and if it is ready for drinking you can flip out the corkscrew and get drinking. It also includes a bottle opener if you want to know your beer is the right temperature and also a knife so can temperature-check that fish before hacking it open. Haven't you heard the proverb: "Those who hack a cold fish go home a warm duck"? $130. –Travis Hudson More »

Infrared Thermometers Give You a New Pickup Line

Although it's not specifically used for wine, like the Nuvo Vino, there's nothing technically stopping you from taking temperatures of your drinks with these infrared thermometers. More »

Infrared Soap Dispenser Makes Your Home Like a Public Toilet

Really savor the feeling of using sinks in public bathrooms? Now you can get halfway there with this infrared soap dispenser. All you need to do is add 4 AA batteries, pour in some liquid soap, spray some pee around and below the rim of the toilet, smear poop in the wall next to where you wrote your phone number in Sharpie, and voila, you're good to go. More »

I.master Intelligent Wastebin - Smart Garbage Can for Smart People?

The Wastecan i.Master Wesco is definitely much smarter than your trash can. It features an invisible infrared sensor at the top that senses when your hand is near, filled with stinky trash, and automatically opens the lid without the need for involvement from you other hand or your foot for that matter. More »

Nuvo Vino For Winos

Like the Vinturi, this Nuvo Vino is only designed for people who really like wine. Why? Because who else would spend $45 on a IR Wine Thermometer that's designed not to touch the wine when taking its temperature. More »

Fujifilm Finepix IS-1 10.7x Infrared Zoomer

The Finepix IS-1 is a specialized shooter that lets users take infrared photos without the need for complicated DIY modding. Just use an infrared cut filter and you're good to go. More »

PervModo: CVS Nightvision Edition

Want to peek on your step-sister in the dark but don't have enough allowance money to buy real night-vision goggles? Build your own goofy-looking contraption with a CVS camcorder and some elbow grease. More »

Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro UVIR Digital SLR: Infrared and Ultraviolet Camera Sees the Unseen

Fujifilm introduced its FinePix S3 Pro UVIR digital SLR camera, which the company calls the world's first production DSLR that can take photos in the ultraviolet and infrared light spectrum. Fujifilm is marketing the 12.3-megapixel camera to law enforcement agencies, who can use ultraviolet and infrared photography to visualize evidence that's hard to see with the human eye, such as bloodstains and gunshot residue. The S3 Pro UVIR lets those cops and detectives preview all this stuff live in its smallish two-inch viewscreen. More »

Infrared Sauna, Burn Calories While Doing Nothing

Healthmate's sauna uses infrared technology to make your sauna-going experience all the more pleasurable. Rather than having to heat the air and have steam do all the work, the infrared heats the body directly. The company claims that within 30 minutes users can lose up to 1,000 calories. Additionally, all that warming warmth has other health benefits, including an increased blood flow that may help with things like arthritis and sprains. More »

Kaya Optics Makes Your Camera See Through Clothes

Infrared filters like the Kaya Optics PF4 were available accidentally on Sony cameras some years ago, before being quickly taken off the market. Since then, voyeurs have developed an extensive after-market and DIY system for these types of filters that can "see" through clothes. Kaya's new filter allows you plug and play functionality into your existing recorders that use CCD (Charged Coupled Device). More »