Monday, February 29, 2016

gizmag

AUTOMOTIVE
On the grid: 2016 Formula One season preview
It's almost time for the 2016 Formula One season to kick off in Australia, which means we are about to see the results of what the 11 teams have been frantically working on. Can the rest of the pack close the gap to Mercedes and three-time world champion Lewis Hamilton?  read more
AROUND THE HOME
Review: Dyson Small Ball packs full features in half the size
The Dyson Small Ball small upright that claims to pack features comparable to a full upright. To see how it measures up, we dirtied up the place and put the Small Ball to the test.​  read more
VR
It's decision time for VR early adopters, as the mesmerizing HTC Vive goes up for pre-order
Based on what we've seen so far, the HTC Vive and Oculus Rift are far and away the two best VR headsets. Now that Rift orders have been open for nearly two months, the US$799 HTC Vive is also now available for pre-order.  read more
COMPUTERS
Integrated wireless comes to Raspberry Pi
The Raspberry Pi Foundation has reported that more than 8 million Pis have shipped since the original Model B computer went on sale. Now the Pi 3 has been released, which features a processing brain that's 10 times faster than the original board and comes with cooked in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.  read more
AIRCRAFT
Refurbished Solar Impulse 2 returns to the skies
Following a seventh-month grounding in Hawaii, the Solar Impulse 2 is back in action en route to its historic round-the-world sun-powered journey. The team has carried out a maintenance flight to test out newly installed systems ahead of its next oversea jaunt in two months time.   read more
DRONES
Drone detection system exposes pilots flying dangerously close to airports
Following the launch of a mandatory drone registry last year, the US government is now exploring new technologies to detect drones flying too close to airports.  read more
SPACE
SpaceX SES-9 launch aborted at last second
SpaceX dramatically aborted its third attempt to launch the SES 9 mission today at literally the last second. SpaceX has not yet announced a new launch date. read more
ARCHITECTURE
Curtain goes up on green Writers Theatre
Reinterpretations of classic works are a stock-in-trade of Chicagoland's Writers Theatre. Now the theater itself has become a reinterpretation. The newly rebuilt facility was constructed using 98 percent of the building that stood on the site previously and boasts a host of green features.​  read more
AUTOMOTIVE
2017 Volvo XC90 to have Pilot Assist II semi-autonomous driving as standard
Volvo's updates to the already new XC90​ in 2017 will include its latest step towards autonomous driving – Pilot Assist II.​ This steering assistance ​system will be standard equipment on the SUV in selected markets and will be mirrored on the S90 sedan.  read more
BICYCLES
A really big bike for vertically-gifted riders
If you're an exceptionally tall cyclist, then you'll know that finding a bicycle that fits can be quite the challenge. That's why Santa Cruz-based frame builder David Folch created the ginormous DirtySixer.  read more
AUTOMOTIVE
DS will bolt into Geneva with 420-hp E-Tense electric concept
PSA Peugeot Citroën's new premium brand DS Automobiles has blended avant-garde design and new technology in an all-electric, two-seat GT concept car that highlights the best in French design.  read more
MOBILE TECHNOLOGY
Samsung Galaxy S7 vs. LG G5
Two of the biggest phones of the year were launched head-to-head at this year's Mobile World Congress in Barcelona: but how does the smaller of Samsung's two 2016 flagship phones compare with LG's innovative modular handset? Here are all the key specifications and features you need to know about.  read more
MILITARY
US Army researchers patent limited-range bullet to reduce chances of collateral damage
Engineers at the US Army Armament Research, Development, and Engineering Center have developed and patented a proof-of-concept bullet that disables itself after flying a preset distance.  read more
AROUND THE HOME
Richard Mille RMS05 fountain pen blends writing with precision watchmaking
Richard Mille has turned its precision mechanical watchmaking skills to a fountain pen. The US$105,000 RMS05 runs off a self-winding Swiss movement to extend the hand-polished 18K white-gold nib automatically from the barrel at the press of a button. read more
SCIENCE
Putting bubbles on hold to unlock secrets of boiling
It can obviously be proven false if you're willing to wait around long enough, but researchers have added some truth to the old adage that a watched pot never boils. They've managed to put a boiling bubble on pause to learn more about the way such bubbles form when water boils.   read more
HEALTH & WELLBEING
Natural plant pigment makes for diabetic-friendly bread
Scientists have created a bread with anthocyanin, a plant pigment that helps slow digestion, which helps the body keep glucose levels in the blood under control. The team hopes it will help pave the way for a new market of healthier food products for people who have to manage their diabetes.  read more
3D PRINTING
3D-printed braille maps to show students the way
A pair of researchers at Rutgers University School of Engineering came up with a way of improving the situation for students at a training center for the blind and visually impaired in New Brunswick by 3D-printing detailed braille maps of the facility.  read more
BICYCLES
3D-printed titanium offers new possibilities for bike builders
Bikes made from titanium and carbon fiber are already pretty special. The folks at Bastion Cycles, however, are taking things even further. Their bike features carbon tubes, joined to one another with titanium lugs that are 3D printed to fit the buyer.​  read more
BICYCLES
Boxer creates a flagship version of its out-of-this-world Rocket trike
A year ago, UK-based Boxer Cycles launched the Rocket, a unique, child-carrying electric trike styled like a classic aircraft. This year, it adds an even more stylish, luxurious version, the Rocket Saturn. Like a special edition car, the new trike enjoys both styling and performance upgrades.​  read more
MARINE
MIT develops early warning system for rogue waves
Researchers at MIT have come up with a simpler way of predicting when a rogue wave is about to hit, giving ships and offshore platforms a few precious minutes to prepare for the dangerous event.  read more
URBAN TRANSPORT
Boo brings bamboo to land-SUPs
​If you're looking for a unique form of urban transit, you could do worse than using a wheeled version of a stand-up paddleboard (SUP) which you push along with a pole. Should that still not be out-there enough for you, though, you could always try Boo Bicycles' bamboo Urban SUP.​  read more
MUSIC
Major release sees Marshall go unplugged
Iconic British amp maker Marshall has finally cut the cord with the release of the Major II Bluetooth headphones. The company promises long battery life and CD-like streaming performance, as well as a generous dose of rock 'n' roll cool.  read more
ARCHITECTURE
Via 57 West offers a BIG slice of style on the Hudson
One can't help but admire the designs for BIG's Two World Trade Center and The Spiral in New York, but a third from the firm is perhaps the most eye-catching of all. Perched at the side of the Hudson, Via 57 West is a dramatic slice of a building with a green oasis peeking out of its center.  read more
AUTOMOTIVE
Hyundai to unveil full IONIQ line of electrified vehicles at Geneva
After months of teasing, Hyundai has promised a full unveiling of its IONIQ line at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show. The company will show the hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and battery-electric IONIQ vehicles, which are expected to enter the market in 2016.  read more
ENVIRONMENT
Norway to build Europe's largest onshore wind power project
The newly-announced Fosen Vind​ project will comprise six wind farms with a combined capacity of 1,000 MW​, more than the current total installed capacity in Norway and on track to become the largest of its type in Europe.  read more
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