Gizmodo: Sensor

Samsung M3510 Music Cellphone to Have Shake, Tilt Control

Kit Eaton — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 09:15:00 EDT

Some information has leaked out about Samsung's upcoming M3510 music-player cellphone, and it looks like it'll have some accelerometer-driven control built-in. A bit like the ShakeSMS app for Nokia phones and the Sansa Shake MP3 player, the M3510 will let you shake it in different directions and turn it around to control the music player and other apps. Other than that it's a 0.39-inch deep candybar, with 2-inch screen, 2-megapixel camera and FM radio, and it'll cost somewhere between $310 and $390 when it's released. [Unwiredview]

New Sensor Means Future Clothing May Know You're Stressed

Kit Eaton — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 16:00:00 EDT

If German scientists have their way, your shirt may one day be able to pipe up with "I can see you're really upset about this. I honestly think you ought to sit down calmly, take a stress pill, and think things over." That's because they've developed a new sensor that detects muscle excitation and thus detects stress. It's flexible enough to be woven into clothing and survive washing. Why would you want to do that? For sports training, coaches may be able to tell if athletes are tired out or still have some reserves left, or you may slide on a special vest that lets you control your games console. Makes a Wiimote seem kinda wimpy doesn't it? [Talk2MyShirt]

Patent Shows Apple Researching Advanced iPhone Sensor Use, iChat Integration

Kit Eaton — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 09:53:00 EDT

Over at Mac Rumors they've unearthed a recent patent that shows Apple is researching cleverer use of the iPhone's many sensors. More nifty than turning the screen off when you put it to your ear, the new uses may include things like working out it's in your pocket (by temperature, proximity and ambient light) and then auto-switching to vibrate mode. Intriguingly, there's a hint that by detecting you've docked the phone, it may pass an ongoing phone call to a VoIP call over iChat. This all makes sense: making best use of those sensors and the iPhone's power... but like all Apple patents, we may never see these ideas in a real-life software update. [MacRumors]

Panasonic's New HD Camcorders World's First With 3-MOS Sensors

Kit Eaton — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 04:33:00 EDT

Back in January we showed the Panasonic HDC-SD9 camcorder, which has a 3-CCD sensor, but the HDC-SD100 and HDC-HS100 announced today have a spanky new MOS system. This makes them the world's first AVCHD camcorders with "3MOS," which has double the light-receiving area of the CCD version, better for low-light shooting. The HS100 model records to SD card and its 60GB HDD, while the SD100 just saves to SD but both have full HD resolution, a new Leica lens and optical image stabilization. Available in September for $1,299.95 for the HS100 and $1,099.95 for the HDC-HS100. Read on for the full press release.

Jun 18, 2008 04:01 ET
Panasonic Adds Two New HD Camcorders to Its Line — World's First AVCHD Models With a 3MOS System
New High Definition Camcorders Offer Increased Manual Functions for More Creative Use and Intelligent Auto Mode to Make Shooting More Intuitive

Panasonic HDC-SD100: World's First AVCHD Camcorder With a 3MOS System
SECAUCUS, NJ—(Marketwire - June 18, 2008) - Panasonic today expanded its High Definition (HD) suite of products, with the announcement of two new full-HD camcorders, the HDC-SD100 and HDC-HS100, the world's first* AVCHD camcorders with a 3MOS system which provides superb video image quality. The HDC-SD100 records to SD Memory Card, while the hybrid HDC-HS100 records to both SD Memory Card and to its internal 60 GB* hard drive. Both models include manual functions for the user wanting more precise control over zoom, focus, iris, shutter speed and white balance. The models also include Panasonic's new Intelligent Auto (iA) mode, an intuitive set of technologies that automatically activate, making video shooting an easy, seamless process.
"The camcorder market is moving swiftly to High Definition and superior image quality is now a must-have feature. Moreover, many consumers are also demanding higher-level features, and the ability to be more creative," said Zoe Susice, Group Manager, Imaging, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company. "For these users, we introduce two new full-HD 3MOS models — the HDC-SD100 and HDC-HS100 — with manual functions that give users the power to create dramatic, artistic images. At the same time, we also have our Intelligent Auto mode, which activates several technologies automatically, so the user doesn't need to make any adjustments, and shooting video is an easy and enjoyable experience."
The world's first AVCHD camcorders with a 3MOS system are newly developed by Panasonic and based on the company's 3CCD technology, an already-established and renowned system that provides excellent color reproduction. With their expanded light-receiving areas, the MOS sensors also significantly improve image quality, even in low lighting. The three MOS sensors process the red, green, and blue components of incoming light separately, so color reproduction is superb. These sensors also have about double** the light-receiving area of CCD sensors, so image quality when shooting in low light is much higher. Compared with a conventional 1MOS, Panasonic's new 3MOS system captures more vibrant, true-to-life colors, greater detail and richer gradation. This high-precision imaging element is first in the world*** to shoot in lighting as low as 2 lux and helps the SD100 and HS100 capture exceptionally clear, bright images.
Adding to the 3MOS sensor, Panasonic HD Advanced Pure Color Engine and a new Leica**** Dicomar lens — helps the SD100 and HS100 deliver the outstanding images in full-HD 1920 x 1080 recording*****. Full-HD recording, with its total of 2,070,000 pixels, provides exceptional image details and rich colors. The Leica Dicomar lens system used in camcorders comprise 12 lenses in 9 groups, including aspherical lenses to improve resolution and contrast and an LD (low-dispersion) lens to help prevent color bleeding. Also, a special multi-coating process is applied to all lens elements to minimize chromatic aberration, so images are crisp, clear, and free of flare and ghosting. The use of a highly refractive lens also made it possible to have both 12x zoom power and a compact body.
To maximize the capabilities of the new HD-level 3MOS sensor featured in the SD100 and HS100, Panasonic further enhanced the company's renowned Advanced Pure Color Engine image processor with the introduction of the new HD Advanced Pure Color Engine. A noise reduction circuit combines with the Intelligent Contrast Control circuit to boost image quality while reducing power consumption. The dynamic range is also about twice that in previous Panasonic models, which helps prevent blown highlights and blocked shadows and allows more natural color expression. Offering both higher image quality and longer battery life, the HD Advanced Pure Color Engine takes camcorder performance to new heights.
Panasonic's iA mode, automatically activates several convenient shooting functions at once, so the user does not have to manually change any settings. These include:
— Advanced O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilization) detects hand-shake and
then triggers the lens to shift to correctly align the optical axis,
helping to ensure videos are sharp and reduce blur. This happens at a rate
of 4,000 times per second.
— Face Detection automatically adjusts the exposure, contrast, skin
complexion effect, and focus so that faces are always clear. Face Detection
can detect up to 15 faces in a frame.
— Intelligent Contrast Control continually measures the ambient light
intensity and adjusts the contrast as it changes, helping to prevent a
washed-out look in bright parts of an image and black-outs in parts with
shadows.
— Intelligent Scene Selection which determines the shooting environment
and automatically selects the appropriate scene setting for optimal
results.

Both camcorders come packaged with HD Writer 2.6 software for Windows, and also support iMovie '08 for Apple, which let users directly edit the high-quality full-HD moving pictures they capture with their camcorders. The SD100 and HS100 are compatible with Panasonic's VIERA Link™, allowing users to connect the camcorder to a VIERA HDTV via an HDMI cable, and operate the camcorder using the TV remote control, and following on-screen prompts. Furthermore, users can also take the SD Memory Cards from the camcorders and slip it into the SD card slot on a Panasonic PZ850 series VIERA HDTV, or a Panasonic BD50 or BD30 Blu-ray Disc™ Player, and enjoy easy, instant large-screen viewing of stunning HD video.
Both Panasonic models will be available in September 2008 for manufacturer's suggested retail prices of $1,299.95 for the HDC-SD100 and $1,099.95 for the HDC-HS100. For more information, please visit www.panasonic.com.
*1GB = 1,073,741,824 bytes. Usable capacity will be less.
** Compared with the HDC-SD9/HDC-HS9.
*** For HD camcorders as of June 18, 2008, shooting in Low Light mode at a
shutter speed of 1/25.
****Leica is a registered trademark of Leica Microsystems IR GmbH, and
Dicomar is a registered trademark of Leica Camera AG.
***** In HA/HG/HX mode. "Full-HD video with 1920 x 1080 pixels" in
Panasonic home-use camcorders refers to video recordings with 1,920 pixels
in the horizontal direction and 1,080 pixels in the vertical direction.
About Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company
Based in Secaucus, N.J., Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company (PCEC), a market and technology leader in High Definition television, is a Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America, the principal North American subsidiary of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd. (NYSE: MC) and the hub of Panasonic's U.S. marketing, sales, service and R&D operations. Information about Panasonic products is available at www.panasonic.com.

[Panasonic.com and AV Watch]

DuoFertility Patch Measures Ovulation Timing, No Pee Samples Needed

Kit Eaton — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 07:44:00 EDT

Finding out when you're ovulating (assuming, you're among the Giz readership with ovaries, and trying to have a baby) may be a lot easier thanks to this upcoming DuoFertility device. Designed by Cambridge Temperature Concepts, a spin-off by Cambridge University PhD students, it consists of a small stick-on patch device that goes under your arm, and a handheld reader.

The patch is a small rubberized gizmo (with a new efficient battery that lasts eight months) and it sticks to your skin and measures your basal body temperature way more accurately than other systems: this temperature rises minutely during ovulation.

When the wireless reader unit gets the info on your temperature change, it then lets you know the best time to try out some baby-making with symbols on its display, or a readout on your PC— it's got a USB connection. Easy peasy, and no pee samples or early wake-ups for manual temp measurements that similar devices require. Human trials are scheduled for next month, and the device may be on sale as soon as the Fall. [Daily Mail via Dvice]

Sensor Tray Lamp Is Pretty, Will Probably Never Hold My Stuff

Jesus Diaz — Mon, 19 May 2008 04:33:21 EDT

Kazuya Koike's Sensor Tray Lamp, an ABS resin and polycarbonate tray which uses four LED lamps to light up when you put something on top, is one of those ideas that would be perfect if you were organized enough to always put your personal stuff on the same place. Knowing me, its cool design—available in sand white, charcoal grey, and wenge brown—would probably disappear in a mountain of unopened mail and bills in its first week here. If you are one of those organized people, however, you may want to buy it for $77. [Ideaco via Apartment Theraphy]

Nike+iPod Patent Shows Heart Rate, Temperature and Hydration Monitors

Jason Chen — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 16:30:00 EDT

The main complaints about the current Nike+ Gear aren't that it doesn't do a good job keeping track of how far you run, it's that it doesn't measure stuff like heart rate, body temperature and other factors runners care about. Nike hears you. Their latest patent for upcoming Nike+ gear expands on the current concept and features all kinds of sensors over a person's body, even possibly adding a GPS receiver so you can automatically map out the path you took on your run.

What's even better for people who live in cold places or don't like to run outside (me) is that there are sensors for talking to exercise machines to fetch data. The only downside? Nike's slow-ass development cycle means you're not going to see this for another year or two. Seriously. Some of these leaked Nike products back from January 2007 still haven't been released. [iPodNN]

Giz Explains: Digital Camera Image Sensors

matt buchanan — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 14:00:00 EDT

Spring is the primetime for new cameras, hence the cheap cam battlemodo, an entry-level DSLR battlemodo, not to mention loads of rumors and breakthroughs. It's a lot to keep up with, and you may not even know what's going on with the camera in your pocket. If that's the case, don't worry, here's a quick primer an digital camera image sensors—just what you need to know.

There are two major types of image sensors for digital cameras and camcorders: CCD (charged-couple device) and CMOS (complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor, sometimes also known as active pixel sensor). We're not going to get into the really geeky differences, because you don't really need to know or care. What you should know is that higher-end digital SLRs (the big cameras with a removable lens) use CMOS because it's easier to make bigger CMOS sensors; and mobile phones do because CMOS uses less power. That said, most point-and-shoot cameras and most camcorders use the more common CCD sensor.

The big thing about image sensors? Size matters. And we're not talking megapixels. Half the reason shots taken with a DSLR look so much better than the ones taken with your backpocket point and shoot is that the DSLR's image sensor is massive in comparison. The difference can be even more stark when you compare shots from a 2-megapixel cameraphone with a standard 2-megapixel camera. (The other half is the lens—pros will tell you it's all about the glass—but we're talking sensors here.)

You see, in order to cram more and more pixels onto tiny sensors—think $150 cameras claiming to rock 10 megapixels of awesome—you've gotta make the pixels smaller and smaller, which a) makes photos look grainy and b) makes the sensor suck at picking up light. The result: Low-light shots look like they're off a security camera from 1997, especially when you crank up the ISO (light sensitivity) setting. When a point-and-shoot promises you shots at 1600 ISO, it's generally a sacrifice you don't want to make: unuseable pics full of rainbow-colored noise.

The best DSLRs use 35mm sensors, that is, a sensor that is the same size as a frame of standard film. This is known as "full frame." The D3, Nikon's biggest, baddest DSLR camera, costs $5,000 but only shoots at 12.2 megapixels. By contrast, its Canon competitor rocks 23. Still, the D3 beats all comers in low-light shooting, mainly because its 36 x 23.9mm sensor doesn't try to shove a bunch of megapixels onto it. By better, we mean that the pictures have less noise (that rainbow-colored grain). It's also why rumors of a new 24.4-megapixel Nikon spark some concern—there's no way it'll shoot as well in the dark. Sony promises to release a 25-megapixel Alpha DSLR this September. It will be sweet, but being the highest in megapixels doesn't guarantee its place in the winner's circle.

So when you're out camera shopping, don't think that more megapixels is more better. A lot of review sites will list the size of a camera's image sensor (plus the other stuff obviously) and a 6MP camera with a sensor the same size as an 8MP model is gonna take better pictures. Check out these two Kodak point and shoots from CES, the m1033 and Z1085. Same megapixel count, but the Z1085 has a bigger sensor (1/1.7-inches is larger than 1/2.3-inches, non-math majors) and will almost certainly shoot less noisy pictures.

Of course, a DSLR will take better shots than any point-and-shoot, but while DSLRs are getting cheaper every day (only $475 for a Nikon D40 or $450 for a Canon Digital Rebel XT (both with lens) that might not fit everyone's budget. Plus, they don't fit in your pocket, like your dumb cameraphone.

Something we missed, or you still wanna know? Send any questions about cameras (or anything else) to tips@gizmodo.com, with "Giz Explains" in the subject line.

Your Digital Camera Is Obsolete: Japanese Image Sensor 100x More Sensitive Than Current Chips

matt buchanan — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 17:00:00 EDT

Right now, your camera either has a CCD (most point and shoots) or a CMOS image sensor (lots of DSLRs) inside, which converts pretty pictures into an electrical signal. Japan's Research Center for Photovoltaics has developed a CIGS image sensor that's 100 times more light-sensitive than the silicon chip inside your cam. It's able to shoot in environments as dark as 0.001 lux, or about as dark as a "moonless clear night." Obviously, it'll be great for night vision gear, but it also picks up infrared, giving this some serious Sam Fisher applications. Check out the comparison shot between a CMOS and CIGS below, it's insane. Chen won't need that invisible coat, just a good zoom lens.

[Tech On]

Wireless Sensor Bar from CYBER Gadget Tells You Just How Much Time You're Wasting on Wii

AddyDugdale — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 07:08:29 EST

For all of you whose Wii sensor bar has broken (are you listening, J. Diaz?) CYBER Gadget's wireless version has the added benefit of a clock tacked onto it. It's also looks good—it's been so long since we had a Wii session that I can't remember what the original looked like, but the words "prehistoric" and "windscreen wiper" do spring to mind. This one costs $18 and runs on four AA batteries, but you can plug it into a USB port if you want it with wires. [ALBOTAS]

Solar Streetlamp Watches You to Save Power

Eric Sheline — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 19:20:00 EST

By integrating LED lighting and motion detectors, Clavero's design only uses full power when people pass by. The rest of the time it remains at one third power to save power and reduce light pollution. Though this will no doubt save thousands of dollars, walking down a street lined with these could feel like a spotlight is following you. [Treehugger]

Magic Cube Heralds the Future of Gaming and Human Interfaces

Jesus Diaz — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 12:00:45 EST

Nobody really knows what the future of human interfaces and gaming will look like, but Andrew Fentem—who went from working on classified missile systems to developing multi-touch human interfaces, kinetic surfaces and motion sensing technologies before almost anyone else in the planet—gave us a fascinating vision on where we are headed in this exclusive interview. Work like his Fentix Cube, a motion- and touch-sensing cube which can play Pac-Man among other games, have all the big companies taking notes. The videos speak for themselves.

The Fentix Cube is just the tip of the iceberg of his stunning work. Many of his inventions are still ahead of current technology, things which we are only starting to get familiar with now. I talked with Andrew about his inventions and the future of human interfaces.

Jesús Díaz: We are big fans of multi-touch technology and think it's the future of adaptive user interfaces. Do you see them replacing the keyboard and mouse in many applications? I'm just looking at your sequencer now...
Andrew Fentem: Touchscreen and 'multi-touch' technologies have a bright future, and will certainly replace the keyboard and mouse in *some* applications. However, the keyboard and mouse have some BIG advantages that have proved hard to overcome: A physical keyboard provides great tactile feedback - meaning that you don't have to look at what your fingers are doing while you type. And the great thing about a mouse pointer is that it doesn't obscure what it's pointing at on the screen (unlike your fat dirty fingers - this is why the buttons are so big on touchscreen ATMs - wasting valuable screen real estate).

Another issue with touchscreen technologies (and multi-touch systems in particular) is their inability to track rapid finger movements. This not only puts many applications (especially certain types of games) off-limits, but can also interfere with gesture recognition.

The key future developments of touchscreen/multi-touch systems will be:

1. faster touch sensing hardware and firmware
2. improved (i.e. more intelligent) gesture-sensing software
3. improved tactile feedback
4. larger touchscreens

The ultra-high-speed touchscreen that I built back in 2001/2002 — which I am still confident is the fastest large-scale touchscreen ever built - demonstrated how improved touchscreen technologies could be used to create exciting high-speed touch-oriented game systems like virtual air-hockey. There are now plenty of other virtual air hockey systems on Youtube - but they're all a bit sluggish because the off-the-shelf touch sensing and data processing sub-systems that have been employed by the designers are too slow for the job.

The "Tactile Multi-touch Sequencer" that I developed in 2004 showed how combining multi-touch finger sensing with multi-object sensing could improve a multi-touch system - enabling you to program the machine with your fingers, but also by moving a multitude of small objects around the surface (thereby freeing up some of your fingers, and making the interface more tactile).

JD: How long have you been investigating touch surfaces and alternative user interfaces (like accelerometers or kinetic surfaces)?
AF: Since 2001. Before that I was running a consultancy company advising market-leading companies about product innovation. I was always shocked how unreceptive big-name hi-tech companies were to new ideas.

So, having a fairly unusual background in both user-interface research, and in military and music electronics research, I thought I could maybe do better myself. Everyone at the end of the 90s was obsessed with software and the Internet. It looked like no one in the West was really innovating hardware, so I guessed it might be easy to develop novel eye-catching stuff.

I was also keen to challenge the received wisdom that the complexities of modern electronics, operating systems, firmware, and software mean that you need a large team to develop a sophisticated world-class gadgets. I suspected that all you really need is some creativity and one or two ultra-motivated alpha geeks.

Expressing my motivations in more artistic/cultural terms, I suppose I also wanted to make an 'intervention' in the gadget market - i.e. just put some stuff out there and see what came back. One of my friends calls this calculated recklessness "Gonzo style" product development. I've always been interested in art - I attended art college for a bit, and ran a kitsch/ironic hairdressing salon/DIY clothes boutique for year or so when I was at college.

So anyway, in 2001 I started developing ideas around a concept that at the time I called "Couture Electronics" - i.e. hardware that is big, expensive, fast, hi-spec, and beautiful.
I went to trade shows and asked the touchscreen market leaders if they could sell me a multi-touch touchscreen system - the sales reps just looked at me like I was weird, and asked me why anyone would want one. I just shrugged and thought, "Hmm, this could be an interesting opportunity.."

JD: Are you working in developing better tactile feedback to touch surfaces beyond haptic vibration or is the technology not there yet? I'm imagining flexible OLED surfaces that can have bits raising, for example...
AF: No. It would be nice, but other companies have moved heavily into this area now - Sony, Apple etc.., so I've moved on - you have to stay agile and on the edge if you're a small operator. (Obviously if Apple, Sony, Mattel, Microsoft, Motorola, or whoever want to pay me to design edgy stuff for them I'd be happy to oblige...)

One of the reasons for publicizing the cube was to attract investment for the development of other gadget technologies that I'm currently developing - gadgets promising even better fun/dollar ratios.

Judging by the traffic on my website and the positive global reaction to the Fentix Cube, this exercise seems to have gone reasonably according to plan.

JD: The Fentix Cube seems to have definitive commercial potential, have you commercialized any of your developments?
AF: Yes, mainly in the form of one-off projects though. As well as developing gadgets, I'm currently being asked to consider some pretty interesting architectural electronics for skyscrapers in London. These are going to be BIG gadgets!

However, my main aim for 2008 is to launch at least one major mass-market commercial product.

The nearest I came to commercializing the multi-touch technology was back in 2002-2004. I negotiated a deal with a manufacturer (Novation EMS Ltd) to start manufacturing multi-touch hardware interfaces, but in mid-2004 they went into administration after losing money on other projects. A UK Government R&D fund who were also backing the project then bailed because of the "increased risk". It was a great shame and a gut-wrenching experience after having been so far ahead of Apple's teams of 'innovation gurus' for such a long time.

People in the UK tend to be extremely risk-averse - consequently there's not much VC culture over here. I'm currently trying to forge links outside of the UK, and would love to get the opportunity to work somewhere more like the US. (I spent a very short period at Harvard - it was a great experience.)

JD: In the BBC article I read about your work a while ago, you mention you are being bombarded by Korean-based toy firms. Have there been any interest by mainstream giant toy groups like Mattel and the like?
AF: I get a lot of traffic on my website - mostly from universities and a broad range of hi-tech companies in the US and Europe - everyone from Lucasfilm and Disney, to Sony and Microsoft. The big companies don't get in touch directly though - it seems their employees just spend all day gazing at my website. (I *adore* Google Analytics!)

Hasbro (the giant toy group) appears to be my largest single source of traffic. I would *love* to know what they're up to. Maybe they just want to see what the future looks like ;-)

Most of the serious offers that I've received have been from firms in Asia - they tend to be super keen and want everything done yesterday. It's a refreshing attitude.

JD: What price do you think the Fentix Cube could have in the market?
AF: It all really comes down to the cost of the screen hardware. I can't see it being much less than $100 as things stand at the moment. There are a lot of decisions to be made that could dramatically effect this pricing though.

JD: In a commercial Fentix Cube, would users be able to load new software?
AF: Yes. I'm a great believer in DIY, open-source development, and end-user customization. The Rubik's Cube and Pac-Man style games were written to demonstrate the potential of the 3D touchscreen and motion-sensing capabilities. I'm hoping that people will come up with game ideas that could merge the two. I've already been emailed an enormous range of ideas - 3D Snake games, modeling fluid dynamics, math puzzles, aids for the handicapped, game controllers, you name it...

JD: Does it have wireless networking? In other words, can the Fentix Cube connect to other Fentix Cubes either directly or through the Internet?
AF: Yes...but at the moment it's fairly rudimentary.

JD: I'm also imagining using the cube as an alternative interface for computers. Like a custom interface for editing video or music, either off-line or in real time (for performances). Can the Fentix Cube connect to other devices and act as a UI front-end?
AF: Yes. Theoretically. But I'm sure that there are plenty of mouse manufacturers like Logitech working on this kind of thing already. I'll leave it to them.

Hopefully, we will see Andrew's stunning work in commercial products soon. Steve (Jobs) or Steve (Ballmer), grab this guy's stuff, pronto! [Andrew Fentem]

Kodak's 5MP Camphone Sensor Actually Fits in Slim Phones

Brian Lam — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 12:48:38 EST

What this means: 5MP iPhones without any extra girth. Most of the high end camera phones like the N series Nokias like the N95 and the Sony Ericsson Cybershots have a major drawback of being pretty thick. Kodak's 5MP sensor is build on an incredible 1.4 micron tech and reworking of regular CMOS design, so it fits inside the same case that a 1.75MP CMOS does. Is this just a meaningless stat push? That's not what the rumors are saying.

The Motorola Z12, an important phone for the flagging company, is rumored to have this technology inside. Chances are, that won't be the last, and so I find myself excited to see the light at the end of the grainy-phone-photo tunnel. (And the end of ridiculously sized cellphone like the n93 above.) [Reuters]

Networked Geiger-Counter Cellphone System to Detect Radioactive Bombs

Kit Eaton — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 09:25:02 EST

This anti-terrorism concept from researchers at Purdue University puts together miniature radiation counters built right into cellphones across the US. Each solid-state sensor would be able to sniff out radioactive sources from up to 15 feet, and then would send in the location to Homeland Security, the FBI and Jack Bauer, resulting in huge dirty-bomb surveillance system. Sounds like 24 meets Big Brother in 1984, but it is a pretty clever system and apparently it works right now.

Professors Ephraim Fischbach and Jere Jenkins suggest that the electronics could filter out false alarms from medical radiation sources and radioactive potassium in bananas (wait, bananas are radioactive? Who knew!) and the sensors themselves would add little weight to a cellphone or laptop. The system could track the progress of suspicious radiation sources (like a badly-shielded suitcase bomb) across the country, and even act as an alert system for radiation leaks from the legitimate nuclear industry. It's also been tested on campus, using a very weak radioactive source, demonstrating that the technology already exists.

If you didn't mind doing a little cloak-and-dagger work for the Government as you walked around with your phone in your pocket, then this sounds like it could be a pretty effective anti-terror weapon. [Purdue press release via TG Daily]

Stara Technologies Mini-Missile Precisely Guides Payloads to Targets

Charlie White — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 11:44:23 EST

This sensor guidance system from Stara Technologies looks like a tiny precision missile, and that's basically what it is, but it's a whole lot more sophisticated than meets the eye. It's not specifically designed to deliver explosives, but when you toss it out the window of an airplane (or a Predator drone as you see here), its precision guidance system can deliver it to whatever exact coordinates you desire. It opens a parachute at the last minute to safely deliver your payload, weighing anywhere from one to 400 pounds. Does it work? Recently it proved it could deliver the goods to within around 10 feet of its target. This could be used for good or ill—from blood packets for someone severely injured, to spy gear or chemical weapons sniffers. [Stara Technologies, via Crave]

Retractable Wii Sensor Bar Brings Gaming to Grandma's

Jason Chen — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 17:40:54 EST

The problem with taking your Wii to your relatives' place for Thanksgiving is that the sensor bar, much like ourselves, is both fragile and awkward to travel with. This retractable sensor bar helps eliminate breakage by shrinking up into a small and convenient package when not in use.

Sure, it's probably not as good as the real thing in terms of being a sensor, but it's pretty much guaranteed not to break when airline baggage handlers go sack tossing with your goodies. That $25 price tag seems a bit extravagant to us, though. Who do we look like, video bloggers? [Console Shop via Go Nintendo via Kotaku]

I-O Data HDH-USR2 External Hard Drive Stops Its Rockin' When You Come A-Knockin'

Wilson Rothman — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 08:28:23 EDT

Previously seen mainly in laptop technology, shock sensing is making its way to external drives. I-O Data's new drive (with 3.5" disk) is available in sizes up to 1TB, and its G-Sensor stops any read-write activity when the drive is jostled. The thing is, it's not bus-powered, so it's not something you'd lug around with your laptop, presumably. Maybe it's designed more for earthquakes than for manquakes. [Akihabara News]

Miscea Touchless Faucet Magically Spews Out Water, Soap, Who Knows What Else

Charlie White — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 19:40:00 EDT

This stainless steel Miscea faucet spares you the agony and grief of actually touching the soap dispenser when you're washing your hands, and it can also squirt out disinfectant or your choice of other goo, too.

Its motion control interface lets you control the flow by pointing at what you want, and you can even control the temperature of the water with a nonchalant wave of your hand. In the middle of its selector dial, it shows you the water temperature in a digital readout. This is one fab-looking faucet with its LED-lit edges, but it might be a bit inconvenient to plug the thing in when you're installing it, since it requires a 12-volt DC power supply. It might be worth it to amaze your clean-freak friends. [Born Rich]

Wireless Sensor Monitors Athletic Performance

Charlie White — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 11:20:05 EDT

Hang this gizmo behind your ear, and it measures your posture, gait and other biomechanical data, perfect for athletes who want to improve their performance. The scientists who created it at Imperial College in London also say it will also be useful to monitor orthopedic patients as they recover from surgery. It can measure step frequency, stride length and acceleration, data that can help trainers enhance the performance of Olympic athletes, for example..

It works by employing a tiny accelerometer, whose data is wirelessly transmitted to a PC with software specially developed to analyze its data. By the time the device released in about a year to 18 months, the developers also hope to extend its range beyond its current 30 feet, and also enable it to monitor heart rate and other vital signs. [Technology Review]

Intelligent Coconuts Working to Stop Airport Noise

msparkes — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 06:29:40 EDT

Intelligent coconuts are the latest invention to come out of the MIT Media Lab, designed to combat excessive airport noise. They have built-in noise sensors, and will be hung on trees surrounding San Jose International Airport. When they detect a jet coming in louder than it should they use their built-in cellphone to call the airport complaint hotline and leave one of four pre-recorded messages. Check out the clips after the jump.

Sample complaint 1
Sample complaint 2
Sample complaint 3
Sample complaint 4

I can imagine that having to delete hundreds of these every morning from your answerphone could be almost as annoying as living on the flight path of a major international airport. [TripWire]

Razer 3G Laser Sensor Mouse Has a 4000 DPI Sensor

Jason Chen — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 13:00:00 EDT

The 4000 DPI resolution and 100 inches per second tracking speed of this Razer 3G Laser Sensor will probably give you as much of an advantage in BioShock as you're going to get, short of injecting yourself with a "Not-Suck-At-FPS" Plasmid. At 4000DPI, the imaging is so good you could hold it up to your chest and it'll tell you if you have emphysema. Besides these features, it's also got 32kb of onboard memory, 1000Hz Ultrapolling, 1ms response, an "Always-On" mode, a gold-plated USB connector, but doesn't have interchangeable weights like the Microsoft Sidewinder we saw yesterday did. Launches in October in Phantom White and Banshee Blue for $79. [Bringer of Silent Death via Yahoo]

Five Feet of Green Frankenstein Fun

msparkes — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 05:13:42 EDT

This five-foot-tall animated Frankenstein's monster will move its arms, twist its hips and play spooky noises through its integrated speakers whenever it detects someone walking past. Adults will get a kick out of it, and children will never sleep properly again. The monster is accurate all the way down to the neck bolts and sutured scars, and runs on AC power.

At $199.95 it's a bargain, and you could even use it for Christmas too—just throw a Santa suit on him. Dry ice not included. [Hammacher]

Possessed Book Trick Scares People, Ghosts

msparkes — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 05:07:46 EDT

This toy is shaped like a row of books, and includes a sensor that triggers spooky noises and pushes out one of the books when someone walks past. It might fool someone, although I think that old-style binding may scream in-between all those O'Reilly books on programming. [UberGizmo]

Canon Creates 50-megapixel Sensor, Introducing New File Format to Hold Pics

Jason Chen — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 15:50:25 EDT

Two bits of news from Canon today. They've just created a prototype of a 50-megapixel CMOS sensor that's twice as sensory as the closest competitor and small enough to fit into DSLRs. Them's crazy talk.

Also, Canon's planning on introducing a new file format to store all its pictures. The format is intended to either replace or supplement JPEG and CR2 RAW, but we're sure this new format will only affect pro shooters. If Canon places this weird file format in consumer point and shoots, the resulting confusing in not being able to view these images will be devastating. – Jason Chen

Report: Canon ponders new camera file format [CNET]

Canon creates 50 megapixel monster [Pocket Lint]

Simplehuman Sensor Soap Pump vs. Old Squeeze Bottle

Brian Lam — Thu, 03 May 2007 11:07:14 EDT

I think this IR touchless soap dispenser is awesome. The main reason is that when I'm washing dishes, I can re-soap the sponge without squeezing a bottle or hitting a pump. The soap flow is adjustable, depending on how much fluid you want dispensed, and how viscous a soap you're using. The pump even has a timer that blinks for 20 seconds, which is generally how long it takes to get icky germs off of your hand. (To turn it on, you can flip the manual dispenser button while flipping it on.) $40 bucks. – Brian Lam

Simplehuman Sensor Soap Pump [Simplehuman]

Memo Motion Sensor Plays Your Message When Someone Walks In

Charlie White — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 13:10:00 EDT

Record a message on the Memo Motion Sensor, and as soon as someone enters the room it starts playing back. You'd better make that message brief, though, because you're limited to 10 seconds. Talk fast. At first we thought the recorder was sitting in a charging stand, but that's just a plastic parking place for this battery-operated device.

This seems like a good idea, but the dog may not much care what your messages are when he triggers playback by merely prancing into the room. It's available in Europe so far for €19.90 ($26.69), but we're hoping someone in the United States takes this idea and perfects it, giving you longer than 10 seconds to record your message, adding a sensitivity control to reduce false alarms and making its battery rechargeable. – Charlie White

Product Page [getDigital, via Coolest Gadgets]

Proximity Sensing Watercooler Knows When You're Thirsty

Jason Chen — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 15:00:25 EDT

Phileo has just developed a watercooler with "human sensor functionality," which can automatically turn on when it detects that someone's within a 3-meter radius. We're not sure what needs to be turned on in a watercooler other than the heating and cooling—which needs to be on all the time—so we're a bit confused at the practicality of this thing.

However, having just installed a watercooler in our home office, we're huge fans of the idea. Now all we need is to install some plumbing into this desk chair and we're golden. – Jason Chen

Phileo to present its new water purifier featuring human sensor functionality [AVING]

Sensor Scope Helps Clean SLR CCDs

Travis Hudson — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 13:59:29 EST

A dirty CCD on any type of SLR camera can make or break a great picture and cleaning the CCD successfully is a toughie. The Sensor Scope is placed on the CCD and provides a 5x magnification for easier and better cleaning. The Sensor Scope is designed for Nikon and Canon DSLRs, but it reportedly works for Fuji and Pentax brand DSLRs. It does carry a hefty, $190, price tag. –Travis Hudson

Product Page [Via I4U]

Cell Sensor Measures Your Slow Death From Killer Cellphones, Radiation

Charlie White — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 13:30:01 EST

Get out the tin foil hats, folks, 'cause the radiation's coming! Wait, it's already here. Run for your lives! This Cell Sensor EMF detector will make you even more paranoid by measuring both electromagnetic fields (EMF) and radio frequency (RF) radiation. Jeez, that sounds so dangerous and scary: Radiation. That's gotta hurt.

Find out just how much of those deadly rays are surrounding you 24/7 with this $39.95 device, priced for the home fraidycat. Might be a good tool for a movie theater owner, to keep those cell-talking jabberjaws out of the cineplex. – Charlie White

Product Page [Scientifics Online, via Red Ferret]

First Nyko Wireless Wii Sensor Bar Review: Better than Homebrew

Brian Lam — Fri, 09 Feb 2007 20:45:31 EST

center" width="460" height="126" style="display:block;float:none;" />I don't know why I keep giving IGN's queen of the ivy league, Gerry Block, exposure. I should be doing the opposite, shielding loyal readers from his hijinx and dearth of wholesome personality. But here he is, using his $160,000 dollar Columbia education to scoop a Wireless Wii sensor bar by Nyko. GBlock, your parents must be as happy as mine that I write about crap for a living.

Let me save you the read: Gerry benchmarks it hard, and discovers it to be slightly more powerful than the standard Wii bar, and its 30-hour battery life not too shabby. Gerry likes the switch, which "ameliorates" (Ivy league word) the issue of forgetting to turn the bar off by beeping after an hour or two. That's it.

My take: Just use the wired one. And stay clear of Gerry.–Brian Lam

Nyko Wireless Wii Sensor Bar Review [IGN]

Sittin' in UR Fridge, Protectin' UR Foodz

Travis Hudson — Tue, 02 Jan 2007 13:56:40 EST

...is what the Fridge Alarm does. No, it won't tell you if one of your friends takes the last brew, but it will let you know if you accidentally leave the door ajar. The Fridge Alarm has a light sensor and an alarm that will sound if the sensor detects light for 30 seconds or longer. It also includes a cutesy little thermometer for proper refrigerator temperature monitoring. $7. – Travis Hudson

Product Page [Via uberreview]

Samsung Puts Cameraphones on a Diet with New Image Sensor

Louis Ramirez — Thu, 21 Dec 2006 12:00:51 EST

Samsung is sending cameraphones across the globe to fat camp. They've developed a new 3-megapixel CMOS image sensor that's 30% smaller than the ones being used today. Basically that means next year's cameraphones will take better pictures and come in slimmer sizes. Anything to minimize that awkward cell phone bulge in my front pocket is good news to me. – Louis Ramirez

Samsung Develops 1/4 inch 3MP CMOS Sensor [AVING.net]

Wireless Wii Sensor Bar

Jason Chen — Tue, 12 Dec 2006 20:30:17 EST

Leave it to third party manufacturers to devise a Wii sensor bar that's both wireless and cheap-looking. No doubt easy to manufacture—since you can replace your Wii sensor bar with candles—this solution will run you only $24.99 + shipping.

Great for people with projectors or oddly-designed entertainment centers, the wireless bar frees you from having to place the Wii within a certain distance of your TV set. The bad news is these run off a 9V battery, which means good luck to your family in case there's a fire. – Jason Chen

Product Page [Wireless Sensor Bar - Thanks everyone who sent this in!]

Sun: 2, Wii Sensor Bar: 1

Jason Chen — Thu, 12 Oct 2006 17:30:39 EDT

Contrary to our update that said the Wii does not have a sunlight problem, a company rep just said that the sensor bar in fact does have interference issues.

Nintendo told Kikizo today that this is a known issue with the Wii. A company representative explained that the Wii sensor bar is affected by head-on exposure to sunlight, which could cause "some interference". But he likened it to not being able to see a TV with the sun shining straight on it.

So yes, you're going to have problems in direct head-on (apply directly to your Wii) exposure to sunlight, but that will probably be rare unless you can't find a way to close your blinds at certain times of day. – Jason Chen

Nintendo Clears Up Wii Heliophobia [Kikizo via Kotaku]

Image courtesy Stuff (NSFW)

Sun: 1, Wii Sensor Bar: 1

Jason Chen — Wed, 11 Oct 2006 17:30:01 EDT

Contrary to earlier jumps to conclusions, the Wii Sensor bar doesn't really have a problem with the sunlight directly shining onto it. Sure, one of their earlier engineering feats was getting it to work in sunlight, not to mention UV light, IR, and florescent lights. But Nintendo now says:

Our testing thus far shows no great risk of light interference when playing a game that relies on the pointer and sensor bar.

No problem here. Good job Japanese engineers! May you go out and get some sun once the Wii launch is complete. – Jason Chen

Nintendo Responds [1up via Kotaku]

Mobile Phone Sensor Clock Lets You Know Eggactly When That Cellphone Rings

Charlie White — Wed, 11 Oct 2006 12:20:02 EDT

If you're like me, you're thinking the vibrating cellphone in your pocket will actually alert you to an incoming call, which it often doesn't because of its anemic lack of vigor. This goofy egg-shaped Mobile Phone Sensor Clock has an antenna growing out of its head that can detect incoming cellphone ring signals, which makes it kick its little legs like a chipmunk scratching itself. That I'll notice.

Just make sure your cellphone isn't more than 6 feet away from the little bugger, and it'll get the heebie-jeebies every time a call comes in. Hey, it also doubles as a clock. Sign me up. It's $18.94 – Charlie White

Product page [Find Me a Gift, via Shiny Shiny]

Sun: 1, Wii Sensor Bar: 0

Travis Hudson — Mon, 09 Oct 2006 18:29:57 EDT

So the Nintendo Wii has that fancy pants wireless Wiimote thing. And because it allows full gyration controls the Wii needs a fancier sensor. Enter the sensor bar that we first saw a couple days ago. It seems if sunlight is shining directly into the sensor barit will not function properly or at all.

Ironically this flaw was discovered in a Wii demo room at Nintendo World. The Wii demo stations were set up by a window and at one point light was shining directly in and therefore disabling the sensor. Better start rearranging those rooms, kids. Or boarding up the windows (if they aren't already). – Travis Hudson

My impression of the Wii and some games [Nintendo Forums]

SensorfreshQ Tells You Whether You'll Die From That Beef

Jason Chen — Tue, 03 Oct 2006 11:35:50 EDT

This SensorfreshQ answers the question bachelors and fast food enthusiasts always ask themselves: "will I die if I eat this meat?" It works by analyzing the air around the meat, detecting the amount of bacteria and displaying the levels on an easy three light meter. If it's green it's safe, if it's yellow you have a day, and if it's red you should probably throw it away.

The QCard sensor needs to be replaced every two months, which are $9.95 for a pair. The SensorfreshQ itself is $89.95, and should pay for itself the first time you don't have to go to the emergency room. – Jason Chen

Product page [Sharper Image via Shiny Shiny]

Starfish Bath Sensor Notifies You When Your Tub Overflows With Boiling Water

Jason Chen — Fri, 01 Sep 2006 15:39:24 EDT

Personally I've always been a shower guy, but this Starfish Bath Sensor may make me switch it up once in a while, if I could get past the "soaking in my own filth" aspect. The Starfish has a water sensor so you can let your bath water go while you're getting your bubbles, music, and booze ready for a long soak. When the water level rises to hit the Starfish, it'll notify you via a sound—do starfish make sounds?

Also, the temperature sensor tells you exactly what the water temperature is, preventing you from burning your delicates. The Starfish is powered by 2 AAA batteries, and you can pick one up for $17.99. – Jason Chen

Product Page [Whatever Works via Gearlog]

Marware Sportsuit Sensor+: No Need for Nikes

Charlie White — Wed, 16 Aug 2006 15:23:37 EDT

If you're looking to use that Nike + iPod Sport Kit on your daily runs but don't feel like springing for a pair of $100 Nikes, you can still just get the sport kit for $29 and the Marware Sportsuit Sensor+, a $10 pouch made of neoprene and rubber into which you insert the Nike+ iPod wireless sensor. The Velcro closure on the little case just hooks it onto your favorite running shoes. A quick check at the Marware website shows it's not in stock now, but will be available soon for pre-order. – Charlie White

Product Page [Marware, via CrunchGear]