TechClicker

Sharp Redefines The Dictionary

ajgiampa — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 01:48:52 +0000

Sharp PW-AC10 e-Dictionary

Want access to the complete dictionaries of a dozen common world languages in the palm of your hand? While this information and more could easily be had with a basic smartphone, some frequent world travelers without stable Internet connections may still find it convenient to keep the translated lexicons of various cultures in their back pocket. For those in need of such a device, Sharp has announced its PW-AC10 e-dictionary.

The smartphone-esque looking device includes a 2.4″ color LCD screen and boasts up to 110 hours of operation on just two AAA-batteries. It comes in three colors. Priced at $149 and initially available in Japan only, we cant say this sits much higher than the WikiReader on our uselessness list, but like all crap-gadgets someone will find a use for it.

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The Future of Tabbed Web Browsing

ajgiampa — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 04:03:55 +0000

The introduction of the tabbed web browsing user interface was a major improvement to web browsing software – so much so that all major web browsers, like Chrome, Internet Explorer, Safari, and Opera all include some rendition of tabs to organize web pages in an Internet session. Prior to tabs, each web page a user wished to simultaneously open required a separate browser window. Managing web content was tedious and inefficient. For all the benefits tab-enabled browsers currently offer, most still lack a comprehensive way to sort and organize groups of tabs for quick retrieval and manipulation of information.

Mozilla, the company behind the extremely popular Firefox web browser, is developing a solution that augments the capabilities of its tabbed browsing interface called Tab Candy. While this feature is still in its alpha-testing phase and requires much more refinement, early adopters can try it out the software here. The video below demonstrates the full potential of Tab Candy, which will undoubtedly be copied and refined by the other browser developers and incorporated into future releases of their software.

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The HydroFILL Station Refills Fuel Cell Cartridges

ajgiampa — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 01:39:49 +0000

Remember the MiniPAK portable fuel cell that’s capable of recharging common electronic devices? The device, which converts hydrogen stored in a metal hydride solution with oxygen in the air to create electricity, provides four AA batteries worth of electrical power on each refill of its removable HydroSTIK. The only problem is that users of the MiniPAK must return spent HydroSTIKs to Horizon Fuel Cell for refills.

HydroFILL Station

Consider that problem solved. Horizon is now accepting pre-orders for its $500 HydroFILL station which allows consumers “to refill solid state canisters in a simple way, using water and electricity as the only input.” The HydroFILL generates hydrogen and injects it back into the HydroSTIK canisters for use in the MiniPAK fuel cell. The HydroSTIKs can be refilled more than 250 times, effectively giving consumers more than 1000 AA batteries worth of power throughout their lifespan.

The entire system is expensive, but promising. Couple this with a Bloom Box fuel cell, and soon we’ll all be living off the grid.

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Do You Backup?

ajgiampa — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 00:54:22 +0000

Here’s video of an interesting experiment by Mozy, the online data backup provider. In an effort to impress the importance of data backup in today’s world, the company offers random passers-by a free laptop if they’re willing to destroy theirs immediately and completely. The number of individuals who decline the offer effectively demonstrates that many people risk loosing their valuable data at any given moment due to a computer catastrophe. As our lives become increasingly digital, and the value of our collections of digital photos, music, movies, and information surpasses the hardware on which they’re stored, it’s important not to forget backing up all this data. Physical and cloud storage methods are far cheaper than the priceless bits and bytes we’re all so rapidly accumulating.

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LEGO Robot Solves 7×7 Rubik’s Cube

ajgiampa — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 00:21:55 +0000

As robots continue their drive towards world domination, its hard not to put the fear of being enslaved by machines aside at least temporarily and enjoy this amazing video of a LEGO robot solving a Rubik’s cube. Solving a standard 3×3 Rubik’s cube would be too easy though, so the makers of this video used a 7×7 cube that would make most human brains explode. The robot, controlled by nothing more than the computing power of a Motorola DROID smartphone, solves the cube in less time than most people can change a lightbulb.

[Via: CrunchGear]

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How A Copy Machine Works

ajgiampa — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 00:28:25 +0000

Most people take the average copy machine for granted. That bulky piece of machinery sitting in most offices is actually an amazing feat of engineering and applied science. The following video rather simply (and entertainingly) demonstrates how copy machines work.

[Via: EngineerGuy.com]

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The Easiest Way To Hang And Level A TV

ajgiampa — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 03:23:39 +0000

After spending thousands of dollars on a beautiful new ultra thin HDTV, the last thing anybody wants to worry about is mounting it incorrectly on a wall. With literally thousands of mounting solutions available to accommodate the various sizes and shapes of today’s VESA mounting standard compliant TVs, it’s no wonder that many DIYers choose or install their TV mounting incorrectly.

Philips has developed a self leveling TV mounting solution called the Simply Straight TV Mount. The system, which is easily classifiable into the category of “Why didn’t I think of this,” is currently available for $50 for TVs up to 42″. It uses an arced rail into which roller mounts on the TV are aligned. Gravity does the rest for a perfectly level TV that accommodates what would otherwise be serious errors in the installation of the mounting. Check out the video below.

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Watch The Spread Of The Gulf Oil Spill

ajgiampa — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 01:29:36 +0000

This isn’t good. The video below shows the projected spread of the oil slick in the Gulf of Mexico over the course of one year. The simulation, run by researchers at the University of Hawaii, predicts that the oil, which is spewing from the well head at up to 60,000 barrels a day, could leave the Gulf of Mexico and rapidly migrate up the East coast of the U.S. From there, currents could carry concentrations of the oil far into the Atlantic ocean.

While watching the video, be sure to notice how fast the Gulf Stream ocean currents shoot the oil up the coast. Oh, and consider canceling that vacation to the Outer Banks.

[Via: CrunchGear]

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