Innovation Archive

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The Converge Rest and Recharge by Quirky

Alright, we’ve seen a ton of devices that let you power multiple USB hookups, and they are all pretty convenient. But never have we seen anything as good-looking as the Converge Rest and Recharge by Quirky—one that we can finally picture sitting on our desk without looking out of place.

As your devices sit on the Converge and charge up, it won’t take up too much room, as it measures about 12.2” long and 4” high. It includes 4 USB ports in the back, and then an attractive rest for your devices to sit without the mess of cords with the “Stash” cable management system. The devices will charge from an external power source ranging from 110v to 240v.

Looking at all of the devices Quirky offers, the manufacturer lives up to its eccentric name. Who knew there was actually a way to operate your touch screen device even while wearing wool gloves, or a really super easy way to groom your broom?

(via ubergizmo; photo Gadgeteer)

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A Wikipedia… town?

If you’ve ever been to a really big museum, you’d know those audio tours aren’t always as contemporary as our tech savvy minds are accustom to. And like those museums, the Wikipedia town is adopting that very same technique, except using advanced technology able to be detected by smartphones to promote an interactive learning experience in the Wikipedia town of Monmouthpedia.

You might be thinking, Wikipedia town? What does that even mean? The town is about 1/25 the size of Wales, and is located in the Welsh area of Monmouth. The goal of the Monmouthpedia project was to build a comprehensive database of articles to create a virtual tour using QR codes.

Back in January the organization behind the project said “The amount, detail, and quality of the information that the community could create is staggering [.] [...] Monmouth may well be first place in the world to offer its tourist information in over 250 languages.”

In and around the town one will find over 1,000 QR codes—on metal plaques, on building relics—all put up with permission by the council. Some of the notable locations include The Methodist Church and the Savoy Theatre.

The Wikipedia town is only a chunk of how Wikipedia is becoming embedded into daily life. Last year at the Wikimania conference in Haifa, Israel, there was talks of developing Wikipedia software to 3rd world countries for the knowledge that “isn’t always Googleable.”

If the Monmouthpedia project sounds like something you want to participate in, locals are being invited to suggest and write content, donate photographs, and recommend good reference materials.

(via The Verge; photo via Computer Active)

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iPod implants? Body modification takes moves in an entirely new direction

Is there ever a real need to implant anything into your body, aside from medical use? We’re not sure, but this guy Dave Hurban implanted magnets inside of his wrists all by himself, just so he could wear his iPod Nano like a watch, sans the wristband—morphing him into a human iPod dock he’s calling the iDermal. Hurban said he “just thought it would be cool.” Talk about a DIY project.

It’s not easy, either—as surgical procedures like this are not supposed to be. But for Hurban he just wanted the convenience of the music on his Nano …forever? Or at least until he decides to remove the magnets.

We have to give the guy credit though, as odd and dangerous as the actual procedure sounds, this takes some serious guts to follow through with.

See the iDermal in action as Hurban shows off how he did the whole thing. We don’t suggest trying this at home.

(via Mashable; photo via Geekologie)

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Using Facial Recognition to Solve the Mysteries of Historical Art

From smartphone unlocks to surveillance equipment, facial recognition represents intriguing possibilities for the future.  Now it may also unlock the past by identifying the subjects of historical works of art.

Researchers from University of California, Riverside are adapting current facial recognition technology to account for the challenges of 2D mediums – including the fact that art is more of an interpretation than a photographic likeness.  FACES (Faces, Art, and Computerized Evaluation Systems) will begin by comparing two identified 3D images such as sculptures and death masks before expanding to 3D-to-2D and 2D-to-2D artwork comparisons.

Along with solving some of art’s baffling identity questions, facial recognition technology enhanced for 2D formats could also be used to determine the origin and date of ancient manuscripts.

(Story and Image via The Verge)

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Prove You’re a Human without CAPTCHA

There are several methods the Internet uses to separate humans from robots, whether you’re attempting to post a comment on your favorite blog or watch a video (or recover a lost password).  Most verification systems use CAPTCHAs, an often illegible combination of letters and numbers you must accurately decipher to view or post content.

“Are You a Human” claims there’s a better way – PlayThru, which would replace CAPTCHAs with fun visual games that will still block the bots.  The demo games include actions like putting the right vehicle in a parking spot or choosing appropriate toppings for a pizza.  It sounds and plays like a much better alternative to CAPTCHA’s often unbreakable codes, but still requires a little human knowledge.

In addition to encouraging websites to replace CAPTCHAs with simpler and more entertaining mini-games, Are You a Human calls attention to particularly headache-inducing CAPTCHAs with its Rogues Gallery of “Worst of the Web” CAPTCHAs.   You can try out the demo games at the Are You a Human site – and in case you were wondering (but afraid to try a wrong answer yourself), robots that put wheels on their pizza are turned away with the following stern warning:

(Via Dvice, Image via Are You a Human)

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Intelligent Tires Might Handle Changing Weather Better than You

These days, it’s not just the interiors of vehicles that are getting a “smart” upgrade:  Leipzig University researchers are developing an “intelligent” tire that recognizes and adapts to different terrain and weather conditions.

The tires will be equipped with electronic sensors that can distinguish between highways and dirt roads – as well as dry to snow-covered conditions, and everything in between.  Based on the sensor data, the “intelligent” tires would automatically raise or widen to accommodate conditions, even if the vehicle is on the move.

Beyond the basic concept, little is known about the design details of these clever tires, though it seems the development team still has quite a bit of work to do – and it will be even longer before the convenience of “intelligent” tires makes its way to a consumer-friendly price.  Still, if you’re as tired of the seasonal tire changes as you are spring cleaning, this tire technology advancement could be well worth the wait.

(Story and Image via Ubergizmo)

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IKEA Branches Out into Tech-Integrated Furniture

Even an IKEA home (or an IKEA neighborhood) wouldn’t be complete without an HDTV – why not an all-in-one HDTV entertainment system?  The Uppleva entertainment system puts a smart TV and more right into the simple yet attractive home-theater furniture IKEA is more commonly known for.

Debuting in select Stockholm, Milan, Paris, Gdansk, and Berlin stores this June, the base Uppleva unit will include a 1080p LED TV, Blu-ray player, and a 2.1 virtual sound system.  Customizations will include TV size (26” to 46”), cabinet size, and color of the TV frame.  IKEA’s integrated furniture-and-electronics system doesn’t have a U.S. release date yet, but prices will reportedly start around $950 for the basic unit.

(Via CNET; Image via TechCrunch)

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Giving E-Waste a New Life

Your old computer keyboard gets a second chance as a piano.  That old TV monitor sees new life as a mini computer.  These are more are the vision of ThinkerToys, a project that hopes to turn old electronics from e-waste to educational resources for children.  The project was inspired by a trip to Cambodia where designer Dhairya Dand saw the country’s landfill problem – and the children working in the landfills.

ThinkerToys uses abandoned TVs, computer monitors, and keyboards along with Arduino to create new gadgets that inspire learning and creativity – in everything from reading to music to math.  Prototype devices include the Keyano, a keyboard with keys musically mapped to notes, and Random Math, a small LED screen that provides simple math questions and puzzles.

Dand’s plans of ThinkerToys are just as big as the piles of gadgets discarded every day.  His open source vision for ThinkerToys would let everyone everywhere contribute and access plans for ThinkerToy devices – as he states “fun should not have a price.”

(Story and Image via Dvice)

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Evernote + Pinterest = Springpad?

After launching three years ago as an intelligent “notebook,” digital organizer Springpad has launched a redesign that makes it quite a bit more like popular sharing site Pinterest.  Springpad users can now make their notebooks public and follow the public notebooks of other users.

Previously, the startup was a more personal service – a place to save websites, images, and products, or “springs,” which are then analyzed to bring you offers, coupons, related news items, and other relevant information.  The Springpad 3.0 update adds to that intelligent functionality the ability to share and even co-curate notebooks.  It also includes themes and accents for personalized notebooks along with new features to make your “springs” more actionable.

As a digital organizer and social sharing site, Springpad seems to compete with both Evernote and Pinterest – quite a daring undertaking.  But it could just be the right service for Pinteresters who demand a private option – or Evernoters who want more from their “notes.”  You can check out Springpad 3.0 right here.

(Image and Story via TechCrunch)

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Large Screen Tablets Could Replace New York City Payphones

City24x7 wants to bring back the vitality of New York City pay phones by turning them into ‘smart pay phone’ booths.  The company’s pilot program would see more than two hundred 32-inch displays installed in place of pay phones.  Far from being limited to regular voice calls, these smart pay phones would allow Skype calls, searches for restaurants and shopping info, traffic updates, safety alerts and more.

Attempting to provide “Access for All” these booths would also act as Wi-Fi hotspots.  Naturally, access to the Internet and information from the smart touchscreen kiosks will be monitored –and heavily supported by on-screen ads.  If City24x7 pilot is successful, smart pay phones could become even more readily available in NYC and in other cities.

(Image and story via Dvice)