cellphones
The New York Times has some options to improve the sad situation of current cell carrier coverage in some areas of the US. From passive options, like the $34.95
Freedom Antenna, to repeaters and signal boosters, like the $299
Spotwave Z1900 or the $399
Wi-Ex zBoost, which uses a 16-inch are-you-boosting-or-just-happy-to-see-me tube antenna. These boosters are FCC approved for consumer use but, apparently, you will run into problems if you ever decide to turn them on. The carriers say that they may wreak havoc in their networks, endanger lives by disrupting emergency services, kill puppies all over the world and destroy entire universes. Meanwhile, the manufacturers say that, while this may be true sometimes, their systems avoid such extremes. And finally, the FCC just seems clueless about their own conflicting regulations on the matter. Maybe the carriers should move their collective butts and either clarify their policy or extend their networks. Maybe that way we won't have to carry antennas like the one after the jump to get proper coverage.
– Jesus Diaz
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Gizmodo
Ph.D student Leah Buechley has designed several items of electronic clothing, but her signal jacket for cyclists is, I reckon, something that should be picked up by clothing manufacturers at soon as possible. LEDs embedded in an arrow formation flash to indicate the cyclist is about to turn left or right, warning motorists, and so, hopefully, preventing any unnecessary squishing. The LEDs are powered by that cute flower-like thing in the center of the jacket. It's the LilyPad Arduino, a small, sewable computer chip that was designed by Leah herself. [Leah Buechley via DVICE]
