New artificial muscle promises super strength

(Credit: Warner Bros.)

We have seen robots destruct and conquer in movies, but we never thought that would come close to happening in the real world. After all, we have only seen them being built for humanly tasks such aspainting and, well, vomiting.

But researchers at the University of California (UC), Berkeley have developed a micro-sized robotic muscle, which is 1,000 times stronger than a human muscle.

A material called vanadium dioxide is used to produce the robot muscle. When it is heated to 67 degrees Celsius, the compound changes from an insulator to a conductive metal, yielding a huge amount of strength during the transition.

This lets the robot muscle throws objects 50 times heavier than itself over a distance five times its length, all within 60 milliseconds -- faster than the blink of an eye.

Heating of the robot muscle can be done either with a tiny heating pad or with an electrical current. The heating process can also be triggered optically since heat is generated when vanadium dioxide absorbs light.

Physicist Junqiao Wu, the leader of this search project, said: "With its combination of power and multi-functionality, our micro-muscle shows great potential for applications that require a high level of functionality integration in a small space."

Read More

Apple's Big Plans For 2014

Now that the holiday’s are over and 2014 is almost here, Apple is eager to jump into the new year. Between statements made by Apple’s CEO Tim Cook as well as rumors suggesting that a larger iPad is on the way, 2014 is already looking as though it will be a huge year for the Cupertino-based tech giant.

We have a lot to look forward to in 2014, including some big plans that we think customers are going to love. I am extremely proud to stand alongside you as we put innovation to work serving humankind’s deepest values and highest aspirations. I consider myself the luckiest person in the world for the opportunity to work at this amazing company with all of you. - Tim Cook, Apple CEO

It is still many months away but the rumors surrounding a 12.9-inch iPad are piling up with the majority of them suggesting that an October 2014 launch date seems to make the most sense for Apple.

Apple’s large-size tablet will be manufactured by Quanta Computer, and was originally expected to adopt either 12.9- or 13.3-inch panels, with recent rumors indicating that 12.9-inch has a better chance to be picked. - Digitimes Report

On top of the massive iPad rumors, some sources are now saying that we could see the iPhone 6 as early as May 2014. This release date would differ from the majority of Apple’s previous releases but sources are justifying it by saying that the company sees the iPhone 6 as more of an incremental update than a completely new system.

Since the iPhone 6 is expected to be nearly the same as the 5S, a large iPad seems to be a bit more interesting for consumers as well as for analysts. The 12.9-inch iPad is reportedly set to be an alternative for laptops which means that it may be setup in a way that is similar to Microsoft’s new Surface Pro tablets.

With iPad keyboards already a popular accessory for the tablet, Apple may use the larger iPad to capitalize on consumer interest in swapping out their computers for tablets.

On top of the iPad and iPhone, reports have surfaced that Apple recently purchased a patent for a heart rate monitor. While heart rate monitors are nothing new, the patent detailed a piece of technology which could actually identify people based upon slight differences in their EKG readings. This sort of technology may not end up making it into any of Apple’s products but if it does, it will surely make a big splash in the tech industry.

Read More

MetaPro AR is the cooler, better-looking version of Google Glass

Cool isn’t one of the words usually associated with wearable tech but Meta wants to change all that. The company is on a mission to bring the “Tony Stark” dream alive with a new pair of aviator-style augmented reality sunglasses called MetaPro.

The smart sunglasses are not only the most fashionable we have seen in the wearable tech space, but they also promise to pack a computing punch. Unlike Glass, which has been primarily notification driven until now, MetaPro aims to deliver a “holographic experience”. The smart glasses let you interact with the digital world in your field of view by using finger and gesture interaction.

Meta is currently working with developers on getting 500+ apps up and ready for the device. But users can also mirror real devices to their MetaPro glasses to use them virtually. Using a virtual iPhone on such a futuristic device seems a little backwards to me but it does give users a lot more apps to use out of the gate, so I do see its value.

MetaPro retails for just about $3,000 which is double the current price tag of Google Glass. But MetaPro offers 15 times the screen size of Glass, displays 3D instead of 2D, and  has a display for both eyes so perhaps the price is justified. But the price is also high because MetaPro isn’t just a pair of smart sunglasses; it relies on a pocket computer which you need to carry with you to offload the processing power.

Deliveries of MetaPro are expected to start June of next year, with pre-orders starting now. If you are interested in Meta’s technology but don’t have $3K just laying around, Meta is still offering their developer edition Meta.01 for $667.00.

Read More

The big picture: LG, Samsung to unveil 105-inch Ultra HDTVs

LG

LG 105UB9 Ultra HDTV

The "next big thing" is no exaggeration when it comes to describing the latest TVs from LG and Samsung. The two electronics giants are introducing mammoth Ultra HDTVs— as in 105 inches — for the consumer market next year.

On Wednesday, LG revealed in a press release its first 2014 model television — a 105-inch (diagonal) curved Ultra HDTV. Unlike LG’s 55-inch curved OLED, this giant TV will use an LED-lit LCD panel. The extra-wide screen represents the largest consumer television ever offered.

Called the 105UB9, this behemoth boasts 11 million pixels, the highest ever for any production television. Unlike all other UHDTVs to date (3840 x 2160 resolution and a 16:9 aspect ratio), this LG’s screen resolution is 5120 x 2160. Based on this number we believe the aspect ratio is actually 21.3 x 9 (2.37:1) and LG is rounding down, or maybe it is to compensate for the curve? We asked an LG spokesperson by email for clarification and will update if and when we get a response.

LG’s press release states this large curved LED LCD overcame technical the “challenge for uneven backlighting by refining its TFT (Thin Film Transistor) pixel circuit technology to prevent color leakage and ensure a superior viewing experience from virtually any angle.”

This massive display will debut to the industry on Jan. 7 at the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.

Price and availability were not provided, though we bet it will be very expen$ive.

The styling appears different in the two photos LG provided and we have no idea of the purpose (if any) of the rectangular opening below the screen. LG did not state whether the 105U9 could be wall mounted. However, it appears the built-in stand is part of the overall design.

Samsung

Samsung 105-inch Curved UHD TV

Just hours after LG’s announcement, Samsung issued a press release stating it will be showing its own 105-inch curved widescreen LED-lit LCD at the CES.

The Samsung 105-inch Curved UHD TV adopts a new proprietary picture quality algorithm that delivers optimized color and a greater feeling of depth. Its curved Ultra HDTV screen provides more vivid images when viewed from the side than other LED LCDs and boasts 11 million pixel (5120X2160) screen resolution with a 21:9 aspect ratio.

Samsung also claims its 105-inch UHDTV is the “most curved” and the signal processing achieved with its Quadmatic Picture Engine “delivers all content in UHD-level picture quality no matter what the source is.”

No other features, pricing, model number or availability information was provided. The “screen only” photo was the only one issued by Samsung with the press release.

Read More

New House bill seeks to ban in-flight cell phone calls

Chairman of the House transportation committee says airplanes are noisy enough without people talking away the flight on their phones.

(Credit: JetBlue)

Flights are noisy enough for at least one lawmaker without having to listen to a plane full of passengers shouting to be heard on their cell phones.

So Rep. Bill Shuster, the chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, introduced a bill Monday that would prohibit passengers from making in-flight cell phone calls on commercial aviation flights. The "Prohibiting In-Flight Voice Communications on Mobile Wireless Devices Act of 2013" (PDF) comes as the Federal Communications Commission considers lifting a ban on the use of cell phones and mobile broadband services on airplanes above 10,000 feet.

"Let's face it, airplane cabins are by nature noisy, crowded, and confined," Shuster (R-Pa.) said in a statement. "For the most part, passengers are looking for ways to make their flights go by as quickly and quietly as possible."

In October, the Federal Aviation Administrationlifted its ban on the use of portable electronic devices during takeoffs and landings. While FCC regulations still ban the use of cell phones for voice communications out of concern the devices might interfere with the aircraft's flight instruments, safety was not a chief concern cited by Shuster.

"For passengers, being able to use their phones and tablets to get online or send text messages is a useful in-flight option. But if passengers are going to be forced to listen to the gossip in the aisle seat, it's going to make for a very long flight," Shuster said. "For those few hours in the air with 150 other people, it's just common sense that we all keep our personal lives to ourselves and stay off the phone."

The question of whether cell phones could be used on airplanes has come up in the past at the FCC. The agency considered a similar proposal in 2004 and sought public comment, but it dropped the rule changes in 2007 after flight attendants and others lobbied against it.

The FCC is expected to take up the matter during its meeting Thursday.

Read More