Sunday 24 August 2014

Little Printer by Berg

 The Little Printer comes in a wonderful Apple-esque packaging, takes minutes to setup and will have you printing to your hearts content in a very short time. The Little Printer itself is all completely assembled and is roughly the size of a brick of post-it notes.

Once you have it all setup it's time to turn your little guy on and choose his face which turns him from an emotionless brick to your new desktop friend, using standard-issue thermal receipt paper you can sit happy knowing it isn't going to cost you a small fortune to print those silly pictures you find online and feel you must post around the office. From BERG’s web app, you can begin setting up publications: 384 x 800 pixel snippets with headlines from news sites, Sudoku feeds, Foursquare updates, a mini-series on butterflies, or even your Google to-do list. Some print each morning, while some can only be printed on Wednesdays (at the publication creators' choice), and for some you can choose exactly when and at what time they’ll print.

At £199.00, Little Printer should be purchased by one kind of a person: the Moleskine-touting design nerd in the Little Printer promo video who prefers a newspaper instead of Twitter during the morning train commute — and that's not to say Little Printer produces newspapers. For the rest of us, Little Printer is a beautiful toy, the MoMA Store’s dream come true. It’s a beacon of optimism about paper in a time when paper is being eliminated at every turn, and there’s a wonderfully inspiring story behind it. But there’s a reason paper’s being eliminated, aside from the fact that it’s a waste of trees: paper takes time to print, and whatever’s on that paper is old news by the time it gets to you. Even your daily schedule has likely changed by 10 AM, at which point your printout is old. 

Little Printer is indeed "a gadget with character" that works well, but is lacking the ecosystem and integration that would make it all that fun or useful. But since Little Printer’s capabilities can be updated from the cloud at any time, and BERG seems set on building out its publication ecosystem, Little Printer might not be far off from being the tiny all-purpose printer I’m looking for. "There are still plenty of gaps," the company said in a blog post, "but we’re adding more all the time." Until then, Little Printer falls short of its potential not only as a client for web services, but as an internet-connected modern art piece.





Friday 22 August 2014

Parrot AR. Drone 2.0 Radio Control Quadricopter



Undoubtedly the ultimate flying toy, the AR.Drone 2.0 represents the latest development of Parrot's world renowned high tech quadricopter, that is easily controlled by Wi-Fi using a smartphone or tablet.

It features a high definition camera with a video recording facility, plus flight data sharing, a patented piloting mode, and an innovative pressure sensor for increased stability at any altitude. Parrot's outstanding AR.Drone 2.0 offers just about every possible option on the enthusiast's wish list, and can even perform 360 degree flips on command!

The horizontal forward facing camera transmits real time video, showing exactly what the quadricopter sees on the smartphone's screen. It has a 720 pixels HD resolution, streaming 30 frames per second. For gaming purposes, this camera can also recognise specific shapes and colours to show augmented reality elements on the screen. Now you can record and share your flying experiences with others, thanks to the new AR.FreeFlight 2.0 piloting application. Additionally with the Travelling Feature, the pilot can film HD video sequences like a professional. Simply select the direction of travel, plus the duration, and the AR.Drone 2.0 does the rest automatically. Absolute Control introduces an extremely useful ultra intuitive flight mode.

Thanks to Parrot's patented new Absolute Control mode, the player accesses an even more intuitive piloting system. With a 3D magnetometer, the AR.Drone 2.0 knows its precise position with respect to the smartphone, which becomes the reference point. The pilot no longer needs to worry about the orientation of the AR.Drone 2.0. Experienced players may still select Relative Flight Mode, to switch back to conventional control. This disables the magnetometer, and the pilot can manage the quadricopter's orientation without assistance.

Surprisingly stable at any altitude, the AR.Drone 2.0 contains several micro electromechanical systems, a 3-axis accelerometer, a 3-axis gyroscope, a 3-axis magnetometer and a pressure sensor to correct the alignment automatically. The quadricopter generates its own Wi-Fi connection, with a range of up to fifty metres.

It will fly continuously for twelve minutes with the 1,000 mAh rechargeable lithium polymer battery provided, whilst recharging from the mains in an hour and a half. Four high performance propellers, specially designed for the AR.Drone 2.0, make exceptionally smooth flights possible. A second vertical camera placed beneath the quadricopter, can be selected to show live video on screen, and additionally measures the craft's speed using an image comparison system. Suitable for beginners and experts, the AR.Drone 2.0 features a tough carbon fibre central cross. It is supplied with two distinctly different hulls, made of flexible expanded polypropylene foam.

They are both highly resistant to impact, and protect the more delicate internal parts. For outdoor flight, the lightweight streamlined hull reduces wind resistance and preserves the quadricopter's excellent handling and stability, even in a light breeze. When operating the AR.Drone 2.0 with the indoor hull, the four foam rings protect the blades, and your furniture from impact. The first quadricopter to be flown with an iPhone®, iPod touch® or iPad, an Android facility is now available to allow the AR.Drone 2.0 to recognise the majority of leading brand smartphones and tablets. A compatible device is required for operation (Not included). A 12 month Parrot manufacturer's warranty provides cover for defective parts and workmanship, subject to proof of purchase, but clearly does not include damage in use. A full range of replacement parts are available separately.

Thursday 21 August 2014

Space Coaster Marble Run

Sometimes, a toy comes into the workplace and everybody simply sits gawping at it, troubled to recollect the time before it arrived. The space Coaster Marble Run is one such toy - an unspeakably cool piece of sci-fi silliness that is half marble run, half physics experiment. once you've constructed it (a pretty epic and satisfying task in itself), merely flip it on, place the two ball bearings within the central shaft and watch them whiz around the rail at dangerous  speeds. it is a self-perpetuating Ouroboros of a toy, sure to flip any frown inverted, and presumably into a vacant stare of astonishment.

There are a number of various routes for the balls to travel down and a junction at that they randomly confirm it: they're going to either be sent wheeling around hairpin bends or careering through a rather exciting loop section before returning to rock bottom of the central shaft, which will carry them to the top once more. it is a madcap, self-perpetuating gizmo which will delight children and adults alike. good for anyone with an interest in science and building things (there's over half a metre of rails to assemble), it's hypnotic, mesmerising and wads of fun.

Features:

  •   The space Coaster Marble Run is a tremendous, self-perpetuating marble run.
  •   Great for anyone with an interest in physics. Or marbles.
  •   Contains over fifty cm of rail to assemble.
  •   Assembly is quite a task in itself.
  •   Central spiral shaft lifts balls to the highest of the run.
  •   Balls (2 included) will travel through a series of hairpin bends or through a 360-degree loop.
  •   Potentially endless spectacle (at least while the battery lasts).
  •   Needs giant flat surface.
  •   Needs one  D battery
 As you can see below, people have taken the Space Coaster Marble Run to the extreme and built some spectacular results.





Altigen iFusion SmartStation AP300 Handset + Speakerphone for iPhone



As the world is within the thick of transitioning from ancient land-based telephone lines to for the most part wireless communication devices, there is a terribly real want for interim solutions -- product to assist users move from recent phone systems to new ones. Altigen's iFusion SmartStation ($180, aka AP300) is one amongst those helper product, a shiny white and grey desktop telephone that lets home or business users fancy the comforts of a conventional desktop phone whereas investment the wireless capabilities of an iPhone 3G, 3GS, or 4. iFusion includes the phone, a loud phone, and an area to optionally charge your iPhone; the iPhone is responsible for the cellular voice service and the dialing mechanism. And whereas we actually liked what most of iFusion does, the charging and dialing options may have used just a little extra work.

One factor that Altigen extremely got right with iFusion was the commercial style, that errs on the facet of familiarity and luxury instead of making an attempt to switch everything with postmodern shapes. From the front, the unit appears like a white rounded rectangular box with nice bevels and obvious buttons; the phone is splendidly arced to feel substantial and soft within the hand. From the side, iFusion is clearly tapered, using matte grey plastic and a considerable metal stand that holds the phone and speaker upright, making a roughly 6” deep and nearly eight.5” tall structure that’s rubber soft for general stability. a small compartment on the rear manages audio, mini-USB, power, and phone cables while not creating all of the wires flow all over the place; it’s no little compliment to mention that everything looks nice and feels very professionally designed. this is often a far smarter, nicer style than Kee Utility’s phone Dock, that we have a tendency to reviewed some months past.



While we’ve seen lots of iFusion’s functionality in earlier Bluetooth and non-Bluetooth phone accessories, none has brought everything along as well as Altigen has here; it’s worth noting that you’re not needed to attach your iPhone to the present unit via any kind of physical connection. within iFusion may be a Bluetooth 2.1 chipset for each mono telephone and stereo audio streaming, each handled through 2 speakers—one is within the phone, and therefore the alternative is immediately behind the phone in an attractive-looking dot grille on the 8.8” wide by 7.8” tall matching base. whereas only 1 speaker operates at a time, and iFusion’s base speaker won’t activate unless the phone (or one thing else) is holding down a button within the phone cradle, every mono speaker’s peak volume level is incredibly loud: the phone speaker is louder than the ear speaker in any iPhone, and therefore the phone is way louder and clearer than the one engineered into the iPhone 4’s bottom. microphone performance may be a hint superior on the iFusion’s phone than on the iPhone 4’s, however alittle less clear on the iFusion’s phone side than on the iPhone 4’s.



Handset aside, the key distinction between iFusion and, say, Uniden’s BTS200 is that the presence of an oversized charging dock over to the correct side of the unit. On a positive note, this dock is nicely placed, and sits right higher than a panel of 5 light buttons: Bluetooth pairing, muting, phone on/off, volume down, and volume up. By inserting the dock so near the phone, Altigen makes it straightforward to dial variety by simply turning on the docked iPhone’s screen or using Voice management on recent models—assuming the iPhone’s sitting on the dock.



But if the iPhone’s not on the dock—and it may well not be if you’re using a case, since the dock hasn’t been designed to accommodate most cases—dialing could also be a pain. For no matter reason, Altigen doesn’t embody a button to remotely activate the iPhone’s Voice management options, that most rival phone and phone product do include, thereby sanctioning you to merely speak a name or number and begin talking. Altigen additionally doesn’t embody an influence button for iFusion, therefore the unit stays turned on, awaiting pairing, because it uses up wall power with an enclosed power adapter.



Contrast iFusion’s approach with the same Uniden unit, that offers nice phone, integrated battery pack, and USB charging port options at a cheaper price point. BTS200 does a better job with stereo music streaming due to its twin speakers, too, though you have got to self-supply the iPhone charging cable, and don’t get a handset—just the phone and charging practicality.



In alternative words, what Altigen is making an attempt to do with iFusion is completely different. tho' it includes streaming support and works well as a phone, it’s really making an attempt to copy the classic desktop telephone, and in most ways that, it succeeds: each for radiation and sonic reasons, we legitimately preferred using the phone to holding an iPhone up to our ears, and therefore the speakerphone’s volume and ease of use are each definite commerce points for those searching for a louder telephone line choice. With a really modest modification to the dock—a taller and therefore more case-compatible Dock Connector—and a built-in Voice Control-activating button for simply creating calls while not an iPhone immediately nearby, this new phone would live up to its full potential as a transitional answer for fans of desktop phones. As-is, tho' it’s alittle bit more expensive than it ought to be, it’s adequate to earn our general recommendation, and deserve thought if you’re willing to adopt its understood usage model.

Flying Fire Breathing Dragon



A couple of years past, a person named Rick Hamel created one in all the foremost insane pilotless flying machines you may ever witness. No, it's not an airplane or helicopter, or anything that mundane.. Instead, he created a dragon that truly shoots fire and reaches mobile speeds of up to seventy mph (112.6 km/h). Now, this beast is really purchasable via Hammacher Schlemmer, with a staggering US$60,000 tag.

The agamid lizard encompasses a wing span of 9 feet (2.7 m), that is simply a shade shorter than the peak of your average goal. It options a miniature rotary engine engine within the chest that thrusts out the rear of the legendary beast at five hundred mph (804.7 km/h). It's high-powered by jet craft fuel or kerosene, and its half-gallon tank will keep it mobile for a concerning ten minutes before it'll got to be landed and refueled. Not specifically long flights, however I suppose that if you are going to pay $60K on a agamid lizard, fuel prices most likely are not a large concern.

The dragon guarantees to possess all of the steering points of a regular craft, together with elevators, ailerons, and a rudder. All of this is often controlled via a a pair of.4 gigacycle per second remote.

Materials utilized in its construction embrace 2 layers of epoxy glass and internal structures of top-grade plyboard. These materials promise to be light-weight enough for optimum flight.

As way because the shooting of fireside goes, it is a very little unsatisfactory therein it will solely do therefore whereas on the bottom. Still, the disappointment is relieved by the very fact that the propane-fueled flame blast will travel 3 feet (0.9 m), that quite candidly sounds as awful because it will dangerous.

Other cool options of this dragon embrace eyes that illuminate red, hanging worry within the hearts of one's enemies, and a head that rotates into the direction of turns, creating the dragon look a trifle additional authentic whereas within the air.

Hammacher Schlemmer is marketing the dragons currently, however they are not accessible for purchase directly on the web site. as a result of the high worth and odd nature of the device, the corporate is requiring would-be patrons to decision in to speak to a product specialist to position Associate in Nursing order.

Parrot Jumping Sumo / Rolling Spider drones



Drone creator Parrot can begin commerce its Jumping Sumo and Rolling Spider Mini Drones within the US in August this year.

The Jumping Sumo are sold  for $159 and therefore the Rolling Spider are sold  for $99. each MiniDrones are operated mistreatment digital apps.

The Jumping Sumo and therefore the Rolling Spider were 1st undraped by Parrot at the patron physics Show 2014 in metropolis last Jan, with the Rolling Spider then called the MiniDrone.

The two pilotless robots, currently together called MiniDrones, are operated through AN iOS or robot app, with a Windows Phone app presently being developed and expected to be launched within the fall. The Jumping Sumo connects to the dominant app through Wi-Fi whereas the Rolling Spider connects through Bluetooth.

The Jumping Sumo's most distinguished feature is its outsized wheels, that it uses to zoom around on the bottom. Through the dominant app, users instruct the Jumping Sumo to maneuver forward or backward, or do a fast 90-degree or 180-degree flip. Users can even set a path for the MiniDrone to follow, that the Jumping Sumo can pass on once the action is meted out.

Users have many different choices on the actions that they'll instruct the Jumping Sumo to try to to, as well as a fast spin and sound the MiniDrone's spring launcher onto the bottom to try to to a hop, that is however the MiniDrone got its name.

A full charge offers the Jumping Sumo electric battery lifetime of twenty minutes. The MiniDrone additionally includes a camera aboard will|which may|which might} stream its feed to the dominant app so the user can see what the MiniDrone sees through its camera. The video that the camera collects can even be keep through a memory memory device which will be connected to the Jumping Sumo through the MiniDrone's micro-USB port.

The Rolling Spider, on the opposite hand, could be a light-weight drone that has four tiny propellers. These propellers enable the MiniDrone to hover, rotate within the air and fly in any direction. It additionally includes a try of detachable  plastic wheels at its sides which will be wont to either move the MiniDrone whereas on the bottom or as collision guards whereas the Rolling Spider is flying.

The maximum height for the Rolling Spider's flight is ten meters, and whereas flying, its most battery life is at eight minutes. whereas moving on the bottom, the MiniDrone's battery life is extended to twenty minutes. just like the Jumping Sumo, the Rolling Spider additionally includes a camera, however it's situated at very cheap of the MiniDrone and may solely take footage.

Parrot is additionally attending to unharness a video game drone called the Bebop within the fourth quarter. The Bebop can use sense organ Rift technology to allow users AN expertise as if they're flying aboard the Bebop.

Mophie Space Pack



The two biggest issues plaguing most iPhone homeowners are the dual needs for a lot of battery life and a lot of storage space -- What if you'll kill each birds with one not-too-heavy accessory?

The Mophie Space Pack will, indeed, worship both: a full-charge battery case, with sixteen or 32GB of additional flash storage thrown right in. Sound just like the best iPhone-as-camera accent ever made? It terribly nearly is, if you'll settle for a high value and a few limitations.

The Space Pack appearance and performs like Mophie's different iPhone 5/5S battery-pack cases: it is a bit thicker than the Juice Pack Air, however has an equivalent one,700mAh battery. Stick some additional storage in there, and you have got the concept. At $149.99 for the 16GB Space Pack or $179.99 for the 32GB model, it is a pretty big-ticket iPhone case, however it amounts to solely $50 or $80 quite what the $99.95 Juice Pack Air prices. increasing your iPhone's storage from sixteen to 32GB prices $100 anyway, so $149.99 for battery pack and 16GB is not such a nasty proposition, even though automaton homeowners with microSD cards find yourself riant. If I were shopping for one, i might cough up the additional $30 for 32GB. The Space Pack comes in black or white. My review unit, a 16GB model, is white: it's shiny, and snapped on the iPhone simply, however like different Juice Pack cases you wish to run a phone jack extender to pay attention to music whereas mistreatment it.

The case feels nearly as good as the other Mophie Juice Pack case, and a silver button on the rear activates the aboard storage access. The Mophie Space App, free on the App Store, is needed to access any of the files hold on on the Space Pack, abundant within the same method that different wireless storage drives from SanDisk et al work. however the Space App encompasses a clean flat style that looks like an honest match for the remainder of iOS seven.

Getting files onto the Space Pack is extremely easy: it works sort of a regular USB flash drive or disc drive. The Space Pack charges via Micro-USB, and you'll plug that cable into a laptop and drag and drop files into folders the method you'd expect to. you'll place something on -- music, videos, ZIP files, even EXE files. they will not all be clear within the Space App, however the actual fact that the Space Pack's storage are often a hybrid of USB drive and iPhone storage extension is truly pretty helpful.

The Space App mechanically organizes files into Photos, Videos, Music, Documents, and "Other files." Documents open in read-only format within the Space App, however are often opened in different apps, like Google Drive, if they are on your phone. Music files play within the app however cannot be foreign into the iOS seven Music app. Video files ought to be DRM-free: iTunes purchases cannot be hold on on the Space Pack. And, not all video files can play back: I had success with M4V and MOV files, however not AVI. (According to Mophie, you'll open associate degree AVI during a third-party app, however it will not transfer unless it's below 100MB in size.) The Space Pack supports lots of formats, though, mirroring the iPhone's playback capabilities: MOV, MP4, M4V, 3GP, MP2, MPA, MPE, MPEG, MPG, MPV2, QT, LSF, LSX, ASF, ASR, ASX, and MOVIE.

It's the Space Pack's photograph-syncing feature that is the real killer app: you'll synchronise your photo and residential video library with the Space Pack's storage and offload those files from your iPhone's main memory, releasing up space on the go. For folks on long vacations, mistreatment the iPhone five or 5S as their main camera, it may well be a lifesaver. Files may be shared via AirPlay or bringing (up to 100MB in size) and managed via a laptop.

Meccano Spykee



From the start, it’s fairly clear that the Meccano Spykee Wi-Fi spy mechanism doesn’t bear a lot of similitude to the Meccano of recent. unremarkably I’d expect to be ready to take it apart and build a train – however lately the Meccano name is being employed for a brand new breed of academic toy.

The Spykee could be a clever mix of things I’m at home with and things that youngsters square measure at home with. It combines sensible and abstraction skills with fashionable technology: web, wireless management, voice replica, video-camera ‘eye’… that kind of issue.

There’s not an awful heap of building concerned, though. There square measure 3 totally different configurations that you simply will build, and you'll stick the arms on and take them off once more, however that’s concerning it. the miscroscopic haywire and bolts square measure an equivalent thread and specification because the original Meccano bolts created at the flip of the last century, thus you'll add recent bits of Meccano to the mechanism if you prefer.

But this can be the difficulty with operating with electronics: you can’t see the operating bits. You’re handling a closed module, and that’s the huge departure from the Meccano of recent.

It’s quite fun to play with, though. If you get the web association right you'll management your mechanism remotely. thus if you’ve got a disciple living on the opposite facet of the road, you'll use it to speak to him and management it in his house from yours, or the other way around. You each have to be compelled to go online, slightly like enjoying a web game.

Meccano Spykee Wi-Fi spy mechanism

You see - on your computer - what the Spykee sees with its camera. Once it's started you'll have it in another area, or another building, and spy on folks

Children lately square measure wont to the logic of computers: dialogue boxes and filling stuff altogether the time. Meccano has considered what the typical eight- to ten-year-old will do, and what they’ll realize stimulating.

But a ‘spy’ mechanism could be a bit voyeuristical, rather like having a little camera on your cat or dog’s neck and causing it off, except here you’re at the controls. You see – on your computer – what the Spykee sees with its camera. Once it’s started you'll have it in another area, or another building, and spy on folks.

And you'll speak through it yet, or record and deliver messages with a series of silly science-fiction sound effects.

The software system that comes with it permits you to provides it directions through your laptop, yet as having the ability to steer it with the keyboard.

In reality it’s not subtle enough to use as a real spy mechanism – and anyone being spied on may hardly miss it – however you'll fake.

The extremely clever issue concerning it's that once it’s obtaining low on juice, it mechanically returns itself to its charging station. It is aware of wherever it's and it simply reverses onto it. The battery life is sweet, too – when 2 hours it had been still going robust. You don’t have to be compelled to leave it long to recharge either.

I think that mistreatment the mechanism outside in something aside from good weather would be a foul plan. If you drive it over rough ground it’ll in all probability go over. Also, it suffers from the Dalek downside – it may ne'er conquer the universe as a result of it can’t manage stairs. However, the build quality isn’t dangerous – really, it’s pretty strong.

There’s plenty to find here, over I found within the time I had. It’s clever stuff – what is going to Meccano do next?

Even though Spykee turned out to be less friendly to modders than anticipated, there are many possibilities by now:
  • Writing your own software to control the robot. This is something that a couple of people did already, notably leading to SpykeeFX (found at the devmods site) and ISpykee. Unfortunately, SpykeeFX is not open- source. However, ISpykee is, so at least part of the communication protocol is available and reverse engineering is not obligatory.
  • Probably a whole lot easier is to replace the firmware on the robot with something that is more to your liking. As the toolchain for making the firmware became available (found at the official website), a number of replacement firmwares were created. One of the additions is for example the enabling of telnet on the robot. The URBI firmware by the French robotics company Gostai seems to be the most attractive: together with the URBI library (in C++) it should be an easy way to write your own computer programs to control Spykee. It supports track speed setting, led on/off (but only in pairs), camera readout and all other features that you’d expect.
  • Add hardware! Most people that add actuators use the LEDs to control them, either directly or via a controller (eg a Arduino board). One of the most attractive additions is an actuator to move the head up and down, in order to see where the robot is walking (although it is probably also possible to achieve this by changing the body). In theory it is possible to add whatever actuator you want though! It should also be possible to use the USB and serial connectors. This can be useful if you would like to add sensors, but probably will be quite involved on the software side. Adding a USB disk is easy though, see the devmods wiki.

Wednesday 20 August 2014

Jonas Pfeil's Throwable Camera



With processoring power in smartphones nearing laptop computer levels 360-degree panoramas became a a lot of and a lot of common application. This year on Dpreview Connect we've had a more in-depth check up on Google's surface and Microsoft's Photosynth apps, each hand-held solutions, and therefore the Motrr uranologist robotic iPhone cradle. together with the Sphere iOS app the latter automates the panorama capturing method and makes it faster. However, despite the Motrr's advantage over manual alignment all existing solutions have one common flaw: shooting a 360-degree panorama image takes considerably longer than taking a traditional image.

Jonas Pfeil, the artificer of the Panono broad ball camera, learned this the exhausting means on a visit to to Tonga wherever he used a DSLR to capture 360-degree panoramas of the South Sea island's natural beauty. Not solely did the island hikes take longer than expected, with all the panorama shooting Jonas additionally detected his hiking buddies growing more and more impatient with the interruptions. once the trip he started considering quicker ways in which of shooting 360-degree panoramas and came up with the construct for a globose and throwable panorama camera. 
The Panono could be a globose broad camera with thirty six individual camera modules and a intrinsical measuring device.

He created the ball camera the topic of his master thesis at the Technical University of Berlin and in 2011 engineered a operating example with thirty six individual image sensors and lenses. Initial feedback at school conferences and within the media was encouraging and Jonas set to make a team, found an organization and have a go at promoting the Panono camera to customers.

Panono is presently running a crowdfunding-campaign on Indiegogo to secure the funds for the bold project. you'll be able to back the project during a form of ways in which, one in all them is preordering a Panono camera for US$499. assumptive the campaign that ends on the fourth of Jan is made, it'll be delivered to you in Sep 2014.

We have a had an opportunity to satisfy Jonas and therefore the team at Panono's digs during a Bauhaus-designed former industrial building in Berlin wherever we have a tendency to got our hands on the operating example, checked out the look models and had a peek into the Panono testing studio.

How will it work?



The Panono camera could be a globose throwable camera that contains thirty six camera modules, a processor, memory associated an measuring device. There square measure 3 ways of victimisation it: you'll be able to either throw it within the air within which case the measuring device triggers the camera at the very best purpose, trigger it via a intrinsical shutter button once holding it in your hand or mount it on a stand or pole and trigger remotely.




Once the pictures are captured they're transferred via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth to the connected smartphone wherever a primary low-resolution preview image is sewed. the initial image information is shipped on via the smartphone's 3G/4G or WLAN affiliation to Panono's cloud servers wherever the handicraft of the ultimate output panorama happens.

After the handicraft method is finished a replica of the panorama is shipped back to the phone for native viewing within the Panono app. Output files are going to be compatible to the Google surface format and may so be uploaded to and viewed on Google and. Users also will have access to the initial pictures that were captured by the Panono's individual thirty six camera modules.

By default the whole method, from initial capture to the ultimate shareable result, is totally automatic. However, initial feedback from Indiegogo backers suggests that there square measure users World Health Organization wish some manual management over camera settings. so the assembly version of the Panono camera can supply manual management over key parameters like shutter speed, ISO and white balance. there'll even be choices for bracketing associated time-lapse shooting and therefore the team is presently testing an HDR mode.

Design & Technology

The current example is roughly the scale of an inside ball however with a diameter of 11cm (4.33 inches) the ultimate product are going to be significantly smaller. the burden are going to be about three hundred grams (0.66 pounds). The inexperienced stripes on the ball facilitate find the sole 2 controls of the camera. On high you discover a shutter button for manual triggering once holding the device in your hand. At very cheap there'll be a USB connecter and a stand mount.




On the assembly style the outer shell is created from a sturdy polycarbonate. The inexperienced lines facilitate in locating the controls.
   
On this installation within the Panono studio the team is testing the sturdiness of the look prototypes. the assembly unit can face up to falls from a minimum of 5m (16 ft) height.

A type of foam cushioning was accustomed defend the example ball camera from impact with the bottom or alternative objects in its means however the assembly unit's outer shell are going to be made of a sturdy polycarbonate. With the Panono being a "throwable" camera toughness is that the ideal priority within the development of the shell and therefore the objective is for the camera to face up to a fall from a minimum of five meters (16 feet).

The rugged shell of the example contains thirty six individual 2MP fixed-focus camera modules. within the production unit those are going to be replaced by 3MP modules which is able to then capture a 108MP panorama image. There aren't any careful specs offered at now however the camera modules square measure an equivalent sort you'd realize within the front-facing cameras on high-end smartphones and square measure used for video-calls.

Besides the camera modules there's a CPU within the ball that controls the camera modules, the info pipeline and wireless communication however since the handicraft of the ultimate output panorama happens within the cloud on Panono's servers this mainframe doesn't need to be notably powerful.
A look into the opened example shows the central board with mainframe and memory on the left and therefore the camera modules on the correct. The example is roofed with a kind of froth however the ultimate style can feature a sturdy polycarbonate shell.

The current example still needs to be connected to a laptop computer with a cable to transfer image information and sew the ultimate image, however the assembly version of the Panono camera can connect with your smartphone via wi-fi and possibly Bluetooth furthermore. The battery needs to be quite massive so as to trigger thirty six camera modules at an equivalent time and Panono expects the battery within the production version to last long enough to utterly fill the interior memory that offers house for about four hundred broad pictures.

Image Results

After having had the prospect to play with it I will say the Panono is one of the foremost exciting camera innovations I even have seen in a whereas folks can continue taking footage with standard cameras for a protracted time to return however the Panono makes a wonderful complementary tool for people who wish to capture a scene in its completeness instead of simply a slender crop. It additionally permits for abundant faster panorama shooting and higher finish results than the smartphone-based solutions we have seen up to now.

In use the attraction of the device to customers is instantly obvious. It's merely plenty of fun to undertake the Panono in several locations and with varied throwing heights then browse the results. However, there is no shortage of applications in skilled photography either. the apparent ones square measure in wedding and event photography wherever photographers active in those fields may add another part of differentiation to their offerings however there is no doubt once the Panono is on the market users can come back up with ways in which of victimisation it that we will not even imagine immediately.

Poppy - Turn your iPhone into a 3D Camera

It’s one sign of the headway that the 2 metropolis entrepreneurs have created with flower, a 3D imaging device for iPhone. They got the project off the bottom with a robust crowdfunding campaign last summer — raising over $190,000, well past the first goal of simply $40,000.

Poppy is one amongst the a lot of inspiring  and fun entrepreneurial stories at CES this week: 2 aggressive startup veterans, staying in an exceedingly cheap  building, winning attention and national press coverage amidst a ocean of technical school giants and their multi-million greenback promoting budgets.

“At this stage it’s not very concerning creating cash the maximum amount as building an addict base — the first seed of a community — and so attempting to not lose cash,” explains Heitzeberg.

The $59.95 device permits the iPhone to be used for capturing and viewing 3D pictures and video  — a View-Master two.0, as we’ve known as it. i used to be ready to attempt the assembly version of flower whereas catching up with Heitzeberg and Lowry at CES on, and it’s even higher than the example, thanks partially to a bigger field of read. The 3D result remains spectacular — sanctioning deep and immersive pictures and videos that come out from the screen.

Poppy nearly sells itself, ordinarily generating crowds as those who attempt it decision over their friends and colleagues to examine it out.

But Heitzeberg and Lowry apprehend there’s still a protracted thanks to go. They’re currently turning their attention to their retail strategy, launching on-line sales on and talking with retailers concerning potential deals to distribute flower to a way wider audience.

“It’s still considerably within the thesis stage,” says Lowry, stating that the three,000 devices sold  through Kickstarter aren’t a lot of within the theme of things.


Poppy“Most individuals haven’t even heard of it,” Heitzeberg explains.

But they're, in some ways, an ideal example of Kickstarter success. They were ready to use the web campaign to fund the prototyping, design, hardware development, and initial production of flower — whereas delivering a product to thousands of consumers. They’ve basically broken-even on the business to date, and currently they’ve got all of that initial work behind them, with the infrastructure in situ to require flower to consecutive level.

Future plans embrace AN update to the iPhone app to alter social sharing and browsing of flower pictures. the foremost common request they get is to form the flower compatible with mechanical man devices, and that’s one thing that would be accomplished with some comparatively minor tweaks to the hardware.

Lowry is best called one amongst the co-creators of Urbanspoon, the favored building recommendation app, whereas Heitzeberg worked at corporations like SnapVine, MediaPiston and Whitepages.

It’s the primary hardware startup for them each. They laugh as they talked concerning the challenges of prototyping and developing hardware, and the way nice it had been to be ready to work on the flower app, due to the a lot of easier (or a minimum of a lot of familiar) method of change computer code.

“We each have enough expertise doing computer code startups,” Lowry says. “This is like going back to high school. I want we tend to got a master’s degree in producing.”

Tuesday 19 August 2014

Build Your Own Robot Arm




This Robot Arm Kit looks fantastic, is a great toy and a fun educational tool aswell.
The build your own Robot Arm kit comes in a box of parts, where you must use your engineering, electronic and manufacturing skills to build a truly superb robot arm.
Some products really capture your imagination and Build your own Robot Arm Kit is definitely one of them!
The finished Robot Arm reminds us of the ones commonly found in automotive factories all across the world.
This Robot Arm is a great gift for so many people and for so many reasons! The wired control robot arm kit comes disassembled so it's an ideal way to learn about basic robotic technology. If you know any budding engineer then this would be a perfect way to get them started.
Build your Own Robot Arm kit has five motors, all controlled via the wired handset which allows you amazing, precession movements. It has a maximum lift weight of 100g, an opening gripper capable of grasping anything up to 1.7'' in width, a 120 degree wrist pivot, a 300 degree elbow motion, a 180 degree base motion and an LED search light for night-time operations.

Robot Arm Kit Features:-

  • Build-it-yourself robot arm in kit form
  • 5 motor control handset
  • Dimensions: 22.8cm x 16cm x 38cm
  • No soldering required
  • LED light for night-time operations
  • Powered by 4 x D size batteries (not included ) Build your own Robot Arm Kit is suitable for Ages 8 - Adult
     
  • Energy Bar Battery Charger



    You will never run the danger of running out of power while on the move. The Energy Bar charger can extend the battery charge of your favorite tablet, iPad, mobile phone or mobile device. currently you'll unceasingly get pleasure from entertainment where you go. The distinctive style features four diode lights with motion technology which means you just shake and tap to envision your power status while not pressing any buttons. 

    To recharge, merely insert the enclosed USB charging cable to the pc or any power-driven USB equipment and there's an indicator on the Energy Bar to inform you the power indicator levels.

    The Energy Bar contains a wide compatibility too. With a high-capacity Li-Ploymer Battery of 6,600 mAh, this charger is compatible with nearly each tablet and smartphone within the market, like the iPad mini, iPad with retina display, iPad, iPad 2, iPhone 5, (via your original iPhone five Lightning Cable, Lightning TIP not supplied), iPhone 4S, iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 3, iPod nano, iPod touch, Samsung GALAXY, Blackberry, Nokia, HTC, Sony, Samsung, LG and PSP etc.  In fact, it's a compatibility with the foremost portable electronics devices. what is more, the twin USB ports style permits you to charge 2 devices at the same time.

    Choose the from nine colors to match your own feeling, taste and temperament - Black, Blue, Orange, Green, Purple, White, Pink and Red. Please choose from above.
    Energy Bar comes with a USB cable and the below tips:
    • Apple connector tip (apple 30 Pin adapter)
    • Mini USB
    • Micro USB
    • Other tips to charge most smart phones including, Blackberry, Nokia, HTC, Sony Ericsson, Samsung, LG, Sony PSP and more
    Features:  
    • High capacity 6,600 mAh with 2.1 amp for charging iPad, Samsung GALAXY Tab or other - tablet
    • Dual USB charging ports with auto charging current and USB output detection
    • Four LED indicators with motion sensor to check the battery level (patented design)
    • Over-discharging, over charging, over-current and short-circuit protection
    • Fast charge-discharge capability
    • Wide compatibility
    • Apple MFi certified
    • Scratch-resistant coating for greater durability
    Specifications:  
    • Power Capacity: 6,600 mAh
    • Compatibility: iPad mini, iPad with Retina display, The new iPad, iPad 2, iPad, iPhone 4S, iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 3, iPod nano, iPod touch, Samsung Galaxy, other cell phone and digital devices
    • Battery cell: Li-ion
    • Battery Input: 5V-1A Output: 5V-2.1A / 5V-1A x 2 (automatically detect)
    • Charge Time: 9 hours
    • Standby Time: Up to 1,320 hours
    • Talk Time: Up to 16 hours on 3G, up to 40 hours on 2G
    • MP3: Up to 200 hours
    • Gaming: Up to 66 hours Product
    • Dimension: 43.5 x 43.5 x 70 mm
    • Product Net Weight: 180 grams
    • Accessories: USB Cable x 1;
    • Eight Adapters  
    • Color: Black, White, Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Purple, Pink