20 most recent innovations in gadgets

Drone Safety System

Thu, 02 Mar 2017 00:00:00 Z

One of the big worries regarding the widespread use of drones is that if their motors fail, they could plummet out of the sky and hit us on the head. Equipping them with parachutes is one option, although that adds weight and complexity. Meteorological forecasting company Meteomatics is taking another approach, in the form of a quadcopter that can spin its way down like a top.

The Swiss firm recently received a US patent for the "Meteodrone" concept, in which at least two of the drone's four symmetrically-arranged propeller arms are flat and twisted – not unlike propeller blades, actually. In the event of a motor failure, once the drone starts falling, those arms will act as passive lift elements. This will cause the aircraft to spin horizontally, around its yaw axis.

That spinning motion will keep the drone stabilized, so it comes straight down instead of tumbling erratically. Additionally, the motion will generate some dynamic lift, so the aircraft won't simply drop like a stone – that said, you probably still wouldn't want to be standing beneath it.

When and if the Meteodrone reaches production, plans call for it to be used for measuring weather parameters within the lowest region of the atmosphere.

Bone-Conducting Glasses

Tue, 28 Jun 2016 00:00:00 Z

Sometimes the worst names come attached to the best ideas. Take Zungle, for example. It had the bright thought to pair bone-conduction headphone tech with sunglasses, and then decided to call that product "Zungle Panther". It's currently on Kickstarter, and has already reached well over double its funding goal.

The Panther has everything you'd expect from a pair of wireless headphones. There's Bluetooth audio playback, hands-free calling with a built-in mic and audio controls by way of a jog dial. Because the headphones use bone-conduction to transmit audio, they also free up your ears to hear everything your environment has to offer.

For all its benefits, bone-conduction has its drawbacks. Like similar headsets, battery life for the Panther isn't fantastic compared to regular 'phones. You'll get around four hours of music playback from the sunglasses before you need to plug them in for an hour to get back to full charge.

We're not going to tell you if these look good -- beauty's in the eye of the beholder and all that. But we can say that Zungle made sure its lenses are the same size as Oakley Frogskins, so if you're into that look, you can easily pop any vivid shade you please into the frames. The Zungle Panthers are priced at $109 until the Kickstarter campaign ends on July 16th, but at the time of writing there are still a few earlybird packs available for $99. The estimated delivery is November this year.

Turn Anything You Touch Into A Keyboard

Mon, 30 May 2016 00:00:00 Z

At this moment, traditional keyboards are the dominant technology for data input into computing devices; but that is about to change, as virtual and wearable computing become more mainstream, and surfaces on which to use keyboards disappear. Tap technology enables seamless communications even within immersive AR/VR experiences where keyboard surfaces are not practical, and in wearable computing situations where screens are too small to type on.

The Tap Strap is a soft, flexible smart-textile which embeds an advanced sensing system into a small, comfortable fabric strap. The Tap Strap can be worn on either hand or on both hands simultaneously for two-handed tapping. With each tap, the Tap Strap sends a character or command to a device based on which fingers touched the surface.

Users can typically learn to tap in about one hour using the TapGenius App, a mnemonic-based learning system which combines musical and visual tutorials with a fun and engaging game.

Tap also provides a unique solution for blind and low vision users, who can now communicate on mobile devices with the speed and ease of sighted users. Tapping can be done with fingers touching anything - without the need for on-screen keyboards which can be cumbersome for those who use Voiceover and other text-to-speech features.

"Tap has the potential to become the communication mode of the future, providing fast, accurate interfacing in situations where no physical keyboard exists." said David Schick, Tap's inventor. "Tap is more discreet and accurate then voice input, and is faster and more precise than gesture-based systems."

"Tap brings an entirely new dimension to how we can interface with the digital world," said Ran Poliakine, Tap's co-founder. "Tap's fundamental technology is applicable not only to language, but also to music, gaming and control. It is a new modality that opens up a world of creative possibilities. We are partnering with creative developers and select OEMs to help us unlock its full potential. Our goal is to create an ecosystem in which our partners utilize Tap to deliver new and exciting experiences for our users.

Tap is being made available immediately to select beta users - initially in the San Francisco Bay area. Tap is expected to ship commercially before the end of 2016.

A Tap Development Kit will be available to developers to allow them to harness the capabilities of Tap into a broad range of applications including gaming, AR and VR using the Tap platform. By supporting an ecosystem of developers, the Tap value to consumers can ultimately extend to other languages, games, music, interactive AR/VR and perhaps to new and creative solutions for the future needs of computing.

Mouse/Keyboard Hybrid Provides Fast Single-Finger Typing

Mon, 23 May 2016 00:00:00 Z

A new crowdfunding campaign is looking to change how we interact with our PCs and other smart devices, providing users with an all-in-one solution that combines keyboard and mouse. The peripheral, known as the Nydeum Sense, lets users trace out letters on a contoured touch surface, while providing a more conventional touch experience on its second side.

Central to the new product is what the company calls "digital alphabet." One side of the small peripheral is dedicated to typing, with segmented touch section that users trace different shapes over to produce letters.

It's designed to be easy to learn, with each letter in the digital alphabet consisting of part of its usual form (see below), traced out on a tactile and quickly familiar grooved surface. According to the product's creators, with a little practice it's possible to type at speeds of up to three characters a second.

The other side of the device is a more conventional touch surface, with left and right clicks in the appropriate places, and a band for scrolling in the center. You simply flip the device over to switch to mouse mode, and use the touch surface to zip the cursor around.

The team has been working on the device for quite a while, with the first prototype being completed back in 2010. At that stage, it used an input method similar to morse code, but the designers quickly realised that the solution was too complicated for everyday users.

The digital alphabet system the team went on to develop is pretty versatile, reportedly working with numerous languages, including Japanese, Chinese, Arabic and Hebrew. Users can also program their own commands into the device, assigning certain tasks – like opening a particular webpage – to a combination of swipes and tilts of the device.

The peripheral is designed to work with all electronic devices already compatible with a keyboard and mouse, including Windows, Linux, Android and OS X devices. It takes two AAA batteries, and if users plug in multiple USB sticks, it's possible to switch between controlling the different devices by means of a single programmable gesture.

Touchscreen Device Shifts Shape As Needed

Thu, 19 May 2016 00:00:00 Z

The innovative Cubimorph prototype changes shape to offer touchscreens in different configurations.

Created by a team from the University of Bristol, the Cubimorph is made up of modular cubes with touchscreens on every side. These cubes are joined with a “hinge-mounted turntable mechanism” to form a chain able to self-reconfigure to suit the function of the device. In one example given by the team, the Cubimorph could shift from phone shape to a console shape for gaming.

Although the Cubimorph is still in the development phase, the team believes it is a significant first step towards a truly modular interactive device.

Shoes Defy Gravity

Tue, 19 Jan 2016 00:00:00 Z

The MoonWalker shoes from the startup Moonshine Crea promise to give the wearer the sensation of walking in a low gravity environment.

According to the company, the thick soles of the MoonWalkers are equipped with powerful N45 magnets oriented with their north poles facing. This causes the magnets to repel each other and create the sensation of “floating like an astronaut” when the wearer takes a step. The shoes also feature an e-ink display that allows the wearer to personalize the design, and can even be connected to social media.

Diving Watch Filled With Oil

Mon, 21 Dec 2015 00:00:00 Z

Diving watches are notoriously bulky affairs, and it isn't just for looks. The heavy construction and thick crystals are necessary to keep the timepiece from imploding in deep waters. The Ressence Type 5 recreational diving watch takes a different approach by adopting a shape inspired by sea turtles and filling it with oil, which not only makes it more pressure resistant, but also makes it readable underwater from any angle.

If you've ever gone scuba diving, you may have noticed that dive watches are often very difficult to read due to what's called "total internal reflection." Underwater, the refraction in an air-filled space behind watch crystals turn them into mirrors, so to read the time it's necessary to look at the dial straight on. Since keeping one eye on the time is vital for safe diving, it's a common and constant irritation.

By immersing the entire movement and dial in 37.5 ml of oil, the Ressence Type 5 design eliminates the refraction and reflection, so the dial can be read from any angle. In addition, the oil provides a magnifying effect and gives the illusion that the crystal isn't there. It's a solution that's been used for some digital watches, but Ressence says that this is a first for a mechanical watch.

Another advantage is that since oil isn't compressible, the Type 5 eliminates the need for a heavy case and crystal. The oil also lubricates all the components and suspends the parts, so they're effectively working in zero gravity. This means less power is needed to drive the movement and it's more accurate.

The party piece of the Type 5 is that the dials aren't static, but revolve about the main disc, which Ressence claims produces a more intuitive readout. In addition, the indicators are filled with blue and green Superluminova for day and night use.

New Way To Position A Smartwatch

Mon, 16 Nov 2015 00:00:00 Z

Avid athletes always need gear that allows them to evolve and improve their performance. With smartwatches used to assist in collecting and delivering torrents of vital information, the traditional placement has always been a distraction. The ‘SHIFT’ band by EdgeGear wants to change the way people interact with devices while still staying focused.

‘While on a long run, my good friend Andrew green cursed his new running watch, insisting the watch would be easier to see and press buttons if it was here while pointing to a part of the hand we later called the sweet spot,’ explains co-founder James Gilmore. ‘For the rest of the run, we discussed alternative solutions, but also why fitness watches were still in the same location as the timepieces of yesteryear. We wanted to know our cadence without losing it. We wanted to know our pace without going slower. We wanted the metrics, but wanted to spend less energy and focus getting them. Laughing, we blamed the watch interface, our addiction to metrics, or possibly Andrew’s dependence on reading glasses, and then the root of the problem dawned on us – the fitness watch really is in the wrong place.’

Designed in Norway, the band offers an easy fit for both left and right-handed users. the founders James Gilmore and Andrew Green made the first 24 prototypes on their own 3D printer. These iterations resulted in a comfortable and secure fit that weighs approximately 50% less than traditional bands. It has an adjustable strap that fits small to large sized wrists, comes with three loop sizes to choose from ensuring a custom fit and goes on and off easier and faster than a traditional band. The shiftband fits smartwatches like the Apple ‘watch’, Pebble, as well as fitness training versions by Garmin and Timex.

Moldable Plastic Offers Quick Fixes

Mon, 16 Nov 2015 00:00:00 Z

The pocket-sized, bioplastic FORMcard can be softened in hot water to create a malleable plastic that will harden to create a quick fix in emergency situations.

The FORMcards are made up of a non-toxic, starch-based bioplastic that will soften quickly when placed in a cup of hot water. The material will stick to plastic when hot, offering a quick fix for broken tools—especially when there is not enough surface area for glue to do the job. Aside from fixing tools, the FORMcards can also be softened and shaped into bespoke stands for smartphones, cameras, or other small devices.

The FORMcards were specifically designed to be small enough to store in a wallet as well as fit in a standard cup, and the material can be softened and used again.

Flashlight Adjusts Its Beam Automatically

Mon, 02 Nov 2015 00:00:00 Z

The Luxor 2 Adaptive Digital Focusing Flashlight will automatically adjust its beam based on where the light is being directed.

The flashlight is equipped with seven Cree LEDs controlled by proprietary circuitry and powered by a rechargeable 5000 mAh lithium-polymer battery with up to 65 hours of battery life. To achieve its adaptive focus, the Luxor 2 also features a 3-axis accelerometer able to detect the motion and orientation of the flashlight.

If the Luxor 2 is pointed at the ground, for example, the beam will widen for greater illumination, while pointing it at an object in the distance will cause the beam to narrow. And if the flashlight is set vertically on a surface, it will adjust its beam to illuminate the area like a lantern.

Non-Invasive Device To Stop Snoring

Mon, 19 Oct 2015 00:00:00 Z

We've certainly seen a number of snoring remedies over the years, ranging from shock therapy to wearables to robotic bears. If you'd like to keep using your regular pillow in your regular bed without being zapped, however, then Nora might be more to your liking.

The Nora system consists of a smooth "pebble-shaped" wireless mic that sits on your bedside table, a mini pump that's located beneath the bed, and a hose-connected flat rectangular padded bladder that's inserted between your pillow and pillow case.

When the mic detects the sound of snoring, it activates the pump. It, in turn, quietly inflates the bladder. This causes your head to subtly change position, which stimulates and thus tightens your upper throat muscles – it is these muscles that typically cause snoring when they relax, collapse and constrict your airways.

As a result of those muscles firming back up, you reportedly stop snoring, without awakening.

Of course, Nora still can't stop you from starting to snore in the first place. If you're curious to see how you're doing on that front, a companion iOS app will show you how you slept (and how noisy you were) over the course of the previous night, and how that changes over time.

Self-Rolling Dice

Wed, 14 Oct 2015 00:00:00 Z

If you’re having a hard time getting your tablet-addicted kids to gather around the table for a nice family game of Monopoly, a new Kickstarter for a pair of motorized dice that magically roll themselves might help tear them away from their touchscreens.

Boogie Dice, invented by Nimrod Back, are only slightly larger than the dice you usually roll across a game board. But packed inside each cube are a plethora of tiny electronic bits including a vibration motor, colored LEDs, a battery, and even a microphone. When they’re all working together a simple snap of your fingers, or a clap of your hands, brings the dice to life sending them flipping and tumbling across a table all by themselves.

Aperture Wrench

Mon, 07 Sep 2015 00:00:00 Z

Between adjustable wrenches and socket sets, mankind has plenty of perfectly adequate tools to fasten and loosen nuts. But that doesn’t stop me from wanting this (concept) irising wrench all the same.

The design, the brainchild of Seattle designer Jordan Steranka, uses the same system as your camera lens to make the six-sided hole smaller or larger, depending on the type of nut you’re fiddling with. There’s also a light surrounding the aperture, so you can see what you’re trying to unscrew.

In theory, it simplifies your life by reducing the number of wrenches you need; in reality, it’s a more expensive/complicated version of two-moving-parts adjustable wrenches that have fixed your sinks for decades. But despite that, it’s so darn pretty, I want one just to hang up in my workshop.

Knock To Control Your Devices

Fri, 07 Aug 2015 00:00:00 Z

Designed for internet-connected homes, the Knocki mounts onto most any solid surface—such as a table or wall—to allow the homeowner to control their devices with a knock.

Developed by Swan Solutions, the disc-shaped Knocki is equipped with WiFi as well as the designers’ patent-pending technology that enables the device to differentiate deliberate knocks from random vibrations. The unit can recognize up to ten different knock patterns, each of which can be personalized to trigger specific actions—such as changing the music or sending a text when someone knocks at the door.

Magnetic Key Holder

Fri, 07 Aug 2015 00:00:00 Z

The MagKey key holder keeps keys from jingling—and demonstrates once again the value of seeing a need, and filling it with a clean and simple design.

The key holder silences the keys by clamping them together via a pair of small magnets (one positive and one negative) attached to the ring on either side of the keys. When the magnets attract each other, they press the keys into a single, jingle-free unit that lays nicely in a pocket or hangs quietly from a chain.

Monitor Charges Your Smartphone

Mon, 03 Aug 2015 00:00:00 Z

Samsung’s new SE370 monitor comes equipped with wireless charging capabilities, making charging a smartphone as simple as setting it next to the screen.

Designed to help declutter work stations, the SE370 monitor is equipped with Qi wireless charging technology, the leading wireless charging standard. The wireless charging area is embedded in the monitor’s stand, and compatible devices placed in the charging zone will begin charging automatically, with an LED illuminating to confirm the process.

Use The Sun As A Pencil

Wed, 22 Jul 2015 00:00:00 Z

Influenced by the desire to use a basic principle of nature to create permanent works of art, febo is a straightforward tool which draws with the sun. like a magnifying glass, it focuses the sun’s energy onto a chosen canvas to create a uniquely personal design. italian creators rosalia galeano, francesca padoyan and paola papetti goal was to make febo easy to use. by following trace from a pencil the process will be even faster and easier, and starts working almost instantly. the combination of wood and glass makes it refined and durable while the thoughtful design creates a uniquely stylized product that is fun for all ages and skill levels. by using the included stencils, the febo sun engraver can personalize their favorite belongings in minutes.

Instant Wine Chiller

Tue, 05 May 2015 00:00:00 Z

Nobody enjoys a warm drink unless you are dealing with tea or coffee. Thanks to the Quirky Icecap Wine Chiller, you don’t have to put up with a warm glass of wine. It is a handy chiller that helps you serve wine at the right temperature. It fits nearly any glass and aerates your wine in the process. To get started, store it in the freezer, then place the icecap on top of your glass before pouring. The product instantly chills any beverage.

Flameless Lighter

Mon, 13 Apr 2015 00:00:00 Z

Humans may have been lighting fires since we lived in caves and dined on woolly mammoth, but now there’s 21st century way to create a flame.

A new lighter uses electricity to ignite, and it’s claimed to be the first flameless gadget of its kind.

The device, called the Illume ArcLighter, creates a ‘super high-intensity’ electrical arc and contains a rechargeable lithium-ion battery so users will never run out of fuel at a tricky moment again.

Wearable Vibrating Metronome

Fri, 03 Apr 2015 00:00:00 Z

Soundbrenner Pulse is a wearable device designed specifically for musicians, which acts as a vibrational metronome to help them keep the beat.

Developed by a team of entrepreneurial musicians in Berlin, the stylish musical aid is worn on the arm or leg. It delivers subtle and precise vibrations using advanced technology that provides haptic feedback up to six times stronger than the vibrational alerts commonly found in smartphones.

The wearable device measures slightly larger than a sports watch, and enables solo musicians or those in a group to follow a beat without the intrusiveness of an audible metronome. It is Bluetooth-enabled and can be paired with an accompanying Soundbrenner smartphone app to offer multi-player synchronization, a customizable Smart Music Coach, rhythm exercises, and more.

If the musician would also like to see a visual representation of the beat, there are LED lights around the face of Soundbrenner Pulse, which can be turned on to blink in sync with the vibrational beat and customized to glow in any color.

Soundbrenner’s unique BPM (beats per minute) Tap feature enables musicians to simply tap their desired tempo onto the face of the device. This activates a capacitive touch sensor, capturing the tempo while a proprietary algorithm translates the tap into haptic feedback in the form of precise vibrations. Musicians can also rotate the BPM Wheel surrounding the device’s face or use the Soundbrenner app in order to decrease or increase the number of beats.