gizmag emerging tech

COMPUTERS
Google launches new Chrome devices, including a Chrome OS-based HDMI stick
	Another day, another new Chrome OS device. Or rather four. Alongside the standard (but very affordable) Haier Chromebook 11 and Hisense Chromebook, and the ultra-portable Asus Chromebook Flip, Google has unveiled the Chromebit, a computer on a stick which can be used with any HDMI display. read more
DIGITAL CAMERAS
Phase One launches 80 MP medium format drone camera
	Phase One Industrial has revealed an 80 megapixel medium format drone camera called the iXU 180 that's aimed at gyro-copter and ultralight enterprise users such as aerial mappers and arctic researchers and features a block body that's not much wider than the lens it accommodates. read more
ARCHITECTURE
International Youth Culture Centre glows with colorful LED lighting
	A building in Nanjing, China, has become a colorful addition to the city's skyline. The International Youth Culture Centre features an LED system from Philips that has 700,000 nodes and a palette of 16 million colors. Despite this, it reportedly costs less than €114 (US$122) per day to light. read more
AUTOMOTIVE
Ford's new technology chief ponders the future of driving and mobility
	Global trends appear to be moving towards a future where in many markets, car ownership may look like an expensive, impractical and inconvenient way to get around. So what's the next model of personal transport, and where do automakers fit in? read more
HEALTH AND WELLBEING
ARC vibrating pen steadies the ship for people with Parkinson's disease
	The symptoms of Parkinson's disease can sometimes lead sufferers to put down their pens forever. The ARC pen is a vibrating writing device that stimulates muscles in the hand, giving those with Parkinson's better control when putting pen to paper. read more
MEDICAL
Non-invasive brain-machine interface gets a grip on bionic hand control
	Researchers have developed an algorithm that enabled a man whose right hand had been amputated to grasp objects using a bionic hand controlled by his thoughts. While we've seen similar accomplishments in recent years, the new technique is non-invasive, capturing brain activity via a scalp EEG. read more
WEARABLE ELECTRONICS
Soundbrenner Pulse: The musician's smartwatch
	The mechanical metronome has long been a vital tool for musicians, but it's limited. Berlin-based startup Soundbrenner's answer is the Pulse wearable metronome, which keeps the beat by vibration or light and can be programmed for multiple players. read more
HEALTH AND WELLBEING
CareJack vest takes soft (and smart) approach to lifting heavy loads
	Claiming almost 10 percent of lost days of work in Germany are due to lower back problems, researchers are developing CareJack, an orthopedic prosthetic embedded with flexible, smart electronics to ensure those lifting heavy loads don't have to go home early.read more
AROUND THE HOME
Dyson unveils next-generation air purifier
	Not content with vacuums and fans, Dyson is expanding into the realm of air purification with its Pure Cool purifier fan, which was unveiled today. Building on the company's Air Multiplier technology, it's designed to filter ultrafine particles, which are a major component of air pollution. read more
WEARABLE ELECTRONICS
Rhema tech coaches public speakers via Google Glass
	Many people absolutely hate public speaking, in part because they think that they simply aren't good enough at doing it. Well, that's why Rhema was created. Developed at the University of Rochester, it delivers real-time performance feedback to the speaker via their Google Glass headset. read more
HEALTH AND WELLBEING
Researchers develop crowdsourced tool for dealing with depression
	A combined research effort between MIT and Northwestern University has led to the development of a new tool designed to help people cope with depression. Focusing on a technique known as cognitive reappraisal, the application allows members to both receive help from others, and offer it themselves. read more
AROUND THE HOME
SnapPower adds USB power to any wall outlet, no rewiring required
	Not everyone wants to leave their computer powered up, every time they need to charge a device via USB. The new SnapPower Charger, however, offers an alternative. It's a wall outlet cover plate that provides 1 amp of USB power, with no rewiring or extra hardware necessary. read more
SCIENCE
Silicon nanoneedles could lead to "super bandages" that help blood vessels grow and reprogram cells
	Researchers at the Imperial College London and the Houston Methodist Research Institute have developed biodegradable, silicon "nanoneedles" that can deliver genetic material to stimulate the growth of blood vessels. They could perhaps even be used to reprogram living cells as needed. read more
AROUND THE HOME
Amazon moves "Buy Now with One Click" into the physical world, with the Dash Button
	You can prepare for a barrage of April Fools' jokes in the next 24 hours or so, but this isn't one of them. The Amazon Dash Button is the company's latest (rather clever) attempt to get you to buy more stuff from the online superstore. read more
SPACE
Seventh and eighth satellites join the Galileo constellation
	Two new Galileo satellites have been successfully placed in orbit. They're joining the existing six probes in the constellation that aim to provide a European alternative to GPS and Glonass networks. read more
ARCHITECTURE
2015 eVolo Skyscraper Competition winners announced
	The winners of this year's eVolo Skyscraper Competition have been announced. The annual contest was established in 2006 with the aim of recognizing outstanding ideas for vertical living. This year's overall winner, the Essence Skyscraper, contains a variety of diverse natural habitats. read more
SPORTS
Sparx Skate Sharpener aims to bring professional skate sharpening home
	Sparx aims to allow people to sharpen their own skates right in their home with perfect results every single time, saving a trip to the local hockey shop. All of the processes that require skill and practice are automated, which means anyone can do it. read more