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Jews Win
tricorder
Scientists Build Portable Life-Signs Detector: Tricorder 1.0
A team of US and UK scientists have invented a portable scanner that may be useful in the hunt for life on Mars. And it sounds a whole lot like a Star Trek tricorder: it uses a beam of ultraviolet laser light and detects fluorescence from organic molecules, so it works remotely and doesn't damage samples. Under simulated-Mars conditions, they've used it to detect polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (found on comets, thought to be building-blocks of life) in masses as small as 1.5 micrograms. Plus they think the tech could be adapted to be rugged and fitted onto a future Mars rover. Just wait for the handheld version, and for an astronaut to start going "widdlywee..." as they stomp around Mars. [Eurekalert via IO9]
casemod
Geiger Counter PC Casemod Looks Good In Places That Can Kill You
This Russian Geiger Counter casemod (technically an Ion Detector) won't let you know if you're standing waist deep in nuclear radiation, but flick the power switch and the meter jumps to life, letting you know the relatively weak CPU housed inside is working properly. As for the specs inside the box, there's a 300 MHz CPU, 256MB of RAM and a 4GB Compact Flash card for storage. That's more Pong than Half-Life, but it still looks sharp. Just be sure not to mistake it for your real Geiger counter when you're packing for that vacation trip to Chernobyl. [Modding.ru via Technabob]
sneakers
Sneakers Get Smelly in New Way, as Wi-Fi Sniffers
Designer Stefan Dukaczewski's sneakers join the line of wearable Wi-Fi detectors next to the T-shirt and wristwatch, winning the title of strangest so far. Based on Nike Dunk shoes, the prototype—dubbed A Step in the Right Direction—has an 802.11 detector under the flap on the left shoe, with a discrete three-LED display system. As you tromp along the street a pressure sensor in the heel turns it on, and Wi-Fi signals detected within 150 feet light the LEDs. So you could wander around in a "warmer... colder" manner peering at your toes, until you find the best signal. We suspect this'd lead to many cricked necks, but at least you'd be able to avoid doggy-do on your mission to "borrow" someone's Wi-Fi. [ASRD via Talk2MyShirt]
avian flu
Bird Flu Detection by "VereFlu" Disposable Lab-on-a Chip
You thought avian flu was so 2006, didn't you? Not so STMicroelectronics, which has been quietly working away to build a new lab-on-a-chip device to detect the virus. Dubbed VereFlu, it's actually able to detect many strains of influenza virus, including human type A and B, and the killer avian H5N1 strain. Better yet, the disposable chip takes just two hours whereas traditional tests take much longer, increasing its life-saving potential. Having passed hospital trials in Singapore last year, its launch means you may expect to see it pop up in hospitals and airports over the coming years. [Reuters]
nano ring
World's Smallest Diamond Ring is For Computing, Not Your Fiancée
It might look kinda grey and boring, but the tiny ring in that image is a world-beater: it measures just five microns across, and is only 300 nanometers thick. That's very, very tiny indeed. So, it won't be going around anyone's finger as a symbol of undying love... but it may be a key component in single-photon detectors and quantum computing, which makes it very cool indeed. More »
talking plants
New Botanicalls Lets Plants Communicate Using Twitter
The new version of Botanicalls can now talk to Twitter. It uses an Arduino electronics board connected to a notebook, and some soil moisture probes crafted from a couple of galvanised nails. Your plant can then send out a Twitter alert when it's thirsty, detect when its been over- or under-watered and let you know about that, and it can even signal its thanks. So, if you're off on vacation and your office-mates have abandoned your desk greenery, your plants can now automatically point the (green) finger at them. [Botanicalls via Make]
wi-fi
Wi-Fi Finding Laptop Bags Make Complete Sense
There are a lot of Wi-Fi finders out there, including a Wi-Fi finding shirt, but few are as practical as a finder embedded in a laptop bag. After all, not having to pull your laptop out of the bag to look for a signal is a great time saver when you are hopping around town looking for some freebie bandwidth.The "Wifinder" lineup of laptop bags from Soyntec offer four different styles to choose from, ranging from €43 (about $62) to €43 (about $101). [Product Page via le Journal du Geek via GeekAlerts]
ces 2008
Cobra Brings Radar Detectors to the 21st Century with OLEDs and Smart Car Monitoring
I thought radar detectors were a thing of the 1980s until I spotted Cobra's sexy new Super-Xtreme Range Superheterodyne Maximum Performance 12 Band XRS 9950. Even its name says "I drive a long red car very fast for reasons I won't go into now." Seriously, the 1.5" OLED screen on this baby shows you everything from battery voltage to compass heading to where Smokey lies in wait. With an add-on dongle, you can even get locations of red-light cameras. Forget my Volvo daddy-wagon, this makes me want to invest in Chevrolet's finest.More »
gps
Uniden Packs Radar Detector Inside MapTrax GPS for High-Tech Cop Spotting
Uniden hasn't been long in the GPS game, but its experience in high-end radar detectors goes back years and years. So it's no surprise that, come CES, it will be the first company to introduce a MapTrax GPS navigator with radar detection built in. We don't know much about them yet, like how the radar detection might be represented on a map, or if detection could help mark speed traps on the screen, but damn if it's not a start. People who note the placement of portable GPS navigators have asked me for years about this—"Why can't it have a 'fuzz buster' so I can see where all the cops are?" Well Dad, guess what? You're gonna get your wish. [Uniden]
connectivity detector
Wi-Fi Detecting Watch, The Broadband Sniffer for Your Wrist
If you feel like you're going commando when you're not in the presence of Wi-Fi, strap on this Wi-Fi wristwatch that detects signal strength from 0 to 8, letting you sniff out that broadband connectivity wherever you go. Simply push the Wi-Fi button and it shows you the signal strength right there on its LCD display. It's no Rolex, but hey, it tells you the time just as well. Not bad for $29.99. [Think Geek]
clips
Make a Metal Detector For Like 5 Bucks and 2 Minutes
We'll admit it: we'll lack the ambition to perform most of the hacks you read about on Giz. But taping a calculator to an AM radio to make a metal detector? That's right up our alley. And by "right up our alley" we mean probably still too much effort...but not by much.
4:10 PM on Sat Nov 24 2007
By Mark Wilson
17,899 views,
32 comments
Latest by Cerixus: I'd be more interested in using this as a warning device next time I visit Silent Hill. more »
digital xray
Samsung Develops Film-Free Flat-Panel LCD X-Ray Machine
Analog X-ray machines could be a thing of the past, thanks to Samsung's new film-free version. Measuring 45 x 46 cm, the Flat-Panel X-Ray Detector, or FPXD, boasts a 3072 x 3072 resolution, or 9.4 Megapixels. The Korean firm claims it will replace existing X-ray machines faster than digital cameras replaced film ones. Here's how it works: More »
8:14 AM on Thu Nov 22 2007
By AddyDugdale
6,819 views,
16 comments
Latest by n/a: @ooinseattle: I believe (correct me if i'm wrong) the 2K x 2K panel itself was a CCD made by Kodak. more »
mr fission
DIY Geiger Counter: When the Big One Drops, You Will Be Ready
When the world finally goes all to hell and the missiles start flying, a Geiger counter will be a handy tool for anyone who survives the blast. Be prepared by building your own Mr. Fission radar detector. The device works with a standard Geiger tube, a high voltage power supply, and a design based around a Motorola MC68HC908KX8 microcontroller. More »
bug interrogation
• Who will buy this device—besides hackers, that is?
• What is the ultimate Bug module combination?
• How will you avoid comparisons to the revered yet ill-fated Handspring?
• Are there any scenarios where an LCD screen wouldn't be used?
• So, when and where can we buy our own Bug combos?
After you watch the vid, let us know what's on your mind. (He may have answered it already, we couldn't include everything in this clip here.) [Bug Labs, Bug Labs on Giz]
The Bug Labs Concept Interview
As cool as we find the whole modular open-source electronics concept that Bug Labs has conjured up, we share some of the confusion and curiosity that you do about how this baby's gonna fly. We sat down with CEO Peter Semmelhack and, in addition to giving us the first look at the powered-on Bug itself, he answered some of our most burning questions:• Who will buy this device—besides hackers, that is?
• What is the ultimate Bug module combination?
• How will you avoid comparisons to the revered yet ill-fated Handspring?
• Are there any scenarios where an LCD screen wouldn't be used?
• So, when and where can we buy our own Bug combos?
After you watch the vid, let us know what's on your mind. (He may have answered it already, we couldn't include everything in this clip here.) [Bug Labs, Bug Labs on Giz]
11:51 PM on Mon Nov 19 2007
By Benny Goldman
7,058 views,
16 comments
Latest by 2oonhed: Are those modules hot swappable? I think he is hot swapping those modules during the video. The DVR idea has more »
tinfoil tech
LaserScan Sort of Long-Range Hidden-Camera Detector
Billed as a "long range" hidden-camera detector, its spotting powers only work within 50 feet. It's loaded with two pulsating lasers that scan for Big Brother eyes, which show up as flashing red lights in the scope. Supposedly it can ferret out pinhole cameras and ones stuffed inside of pens or buttons, making it great for the tinfoil set. Except for the fact it's totally obvious you're looking for cameras when you have it bolted to your face. [Spy Gadgets via Red Ferret]
wine
Winos Delight in Red Wine Headache Detector
Chemists at UC Berkeley developed a device that detects the amount of biogenic amines in red wine, which are thought to be the culprit for the mind-numbing red wine headache. Though the detector is still in its prototype stages—and is currently the size of a briefcase—it only takes one drop of wine to determine the headache potential. (There might even be amine labeling on bottles one day.) Researchers are working to shrink the device to the size of a PDA and anyone who has ever suffered the effects of a couple bottles of bargain Cabernet are hopeful. Oddly enough, the technology the amine detector is based on was originally funded by NASA to try to find life on Mars. [AP via Crave]
question of the day
I have to buy a radar detector before snow season starts and the Tahoe PD start crawling all over my ass. For a long time, I'd wanted a Valentine One. I knew it was supposed to be the best a few years ago, but was shocked to see that was still the case today when Alex Roy mentioned he'd used a Val One in his blistering coast to coast record breaking drive. Why is there no march of progress here?
More »
How Can the Valentine One Still Be the Best Radar Detector?
I have to buy a radar detector before snow season starts and the Tahoe PD start crawling all over my ass. For a long time, I'd wanted a Valentine One. I knew it was supposed to be the best a few years ago, but was shocked to see that was still the case today when Alex Roy mentioned he'd used a Val One in his blistering coast to coast record breaking drive. Why is there no march of progress here?
More »
