Tech Archive

Pinterest, Puzzle Edition

– April 26, 2012Posted in: Apps, Internet Trends, Tech

For those who simply can’t get enough to stalking the wedding fashions, challenging recipes, and impossible workout routines pinned by total strangers, a new game app gives new life to Pinterest’s image collections. PinPuzzle turns pinned photos into sliding-style puzzles, with each Pinterest board forming a new round to the challenge.

Higher PinPuzzle levels slices images into more puzzle pieces, while scores reflect how long it takes you to put each photo back together. You can PinPuzzle any Pinterest boards by entering the Pinterest username of the images you want to use. If this game sounds like the perfect next level of your Pinterest addiction, you can download the app for your iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad for just $0.99 from the iTunes App Store.

(Via Mashable, Image via PinPuzzle)

Prove You’re a Human without CAPTCHA

khoward

– April 25, 2012Posted in: Innovation, Internet Trends

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)

Tags: CAPTCHA, games, human verification, security

Intelligent Tires Might Handle Changing Weather Better than You

khoward

– April 24, 2012Posted in: Gadgets, Innovation, Tech

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)

Tags: cars, intelligent tires, terrain, tires, vehicles, weather

The More Social Search

khoward

– April 23, 2012Posted in: Apps, Bing, Facebook, Google, Internet Trends, News, Tech

Since Google’s “Search Plus Your World” left something to be desired at its launch earlier this year (namely social results that weren’t from Google+), other groups have tried to fill in the social search pieces. One such startup, Wajam, is working hard at this new kind of search with a redesign and new service integrations.

The service features social status updates and links from Twitter, Facebook, and Google+, which, with the update, appear next to regular Google search results. Support for Bing and Yahoo with this new Wajam format is expected later this week, while users should expect integration of LinkedIn results before the end of the year.

Along with social search results that can now be filtered by network or category, Wajam now features further integration with sites like Amazon and Wikipedia. If Google’s attempt at social search didn’t entirely turn you away – and you prefer your search to be more social, Wajam may just be the search tool for you.

(Image and Story via TechCrunch)

Tags: Google, social networks, Social Search, Wajam

Tangle-Free Listening with CordCrunchers

khoward

– April 20, 2012Posted in: Gadgets, Tech

In the fight against tangled headphone cords, your options are generally limited to wrapping them around something (which still takes time) or going retractable (which can mean a sacrifice in sound quality). Jay Johnson’s CordCruncher Headphones offer a third solution that combines the best of both tangle remedies – a retractable elastic sleeve that wraps around your headphone cord.

The CordCruncher comes with its own headphones built-in, which means you can’t use your own audio accessory – but you might not miss them thanks to the tangle-free convenience. The blue, red, white, or black headphones adjust in length from 16 inches to 3.5 feet and are promised to come out of your bag or purse as tangle-free as they want in.

Though the CordCruncher Headphones have already reached their funding goal via Kickstarter, you can still put in your order ($20 for a single CordCruncher). Additional pledges will now go toward future CordCruncher innovations, including built-in microphone headphones and new CordCruncher colors.

(Story and Image via DigitalTrends)

Tags: headphones, Kickstarter, tangle-free

Reserve Your Next Pair of Nikes via Twitter

khoward

– April 19, 2012Posted in: Apps, Internet Trends, Tech

Hoping to avoid some of the challenges and dangers of the usual midnight releases, Nike is introducing a new RSVP system that allows consumers to Tweet their reservations for the latest shoe releases. Reserving the newest Nikes through Twitter will require users to tweet a particular hashtag, last four digits of ID, and shoe size– and the first-come, first-serve system means fans will still have to be waiting online at the release time.

Still, the Twitter RSVP system sounds like a vast improvement over standing in line for hours at a storefront. Nike customers who successfully reserve shoes via Twitter will get a confirmation Direct Message, after which they can pick up their item in store before a specified time. For now, Nike has Twitter accounts in New York, Boston, Seattle, Portland, Los Angeles, and others, with expansion likely riding on success in these major cities.

(Story and Image via Digital Trends)

Tags: new releases, Nike, Shoes, Twitter

IKEA Branches Out into Tech-Integrated Furniture

khoward

– April 17, 2012Posted in: Gadgets, Innovation, News, Tech

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)

Tags: furniture, HDTV, home theater, IKEA

Giving E-Waste a New Life

khoward

– April 16, 2012Posted in: Gadgets, Innovation, Tech

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)

Tags: e-waste, Electronics, reuse, ThinkerToys

Spotify to get Branded with New Apps

khoward

– April 13, 2012Posted in: Apps, Internet Trends, Tech

Following what seems to be becoming a pattern of updates and announcements from Spotify, the company is said to be launching branded apps – giving advertisers the same ability as developers to set up playlists and features that make use of the music streaming service.

If you have yet to be impressed with currently available music recommendations perhaps you’ll enjoy AT&T’s “Surround Sounds” or get your next workout playlist through Reebok. These as well as other brands like McDonald’s and Intel are expected to make appearances in the form of Spotify apps in the coming months. Could branded apps be a hit for Spotify? We’ll have to wait and see.

(Via The Verge; Imag4e via VentureBeat)

Tags: Apps, brands, Music, Spotify