Nov 7, 2010

This one is a blast from the past. From 1957, and direct from a flea market on the east coast of the USA, comes this vintage classic. A friend was at the markets, and heard the seller describe this to a prospective purchaser as a “useless gadget”. She went over and bought it. For the princely sum of just US$1.

Nov 7, 2010

This week Apple announced price reductions on its Mac Mini computers. The 2.4GHz, computer, with 320GB HDD, 2GB RAM and Snow Leopard, can now be purchased for $899. Of course, this does not include a keyboard, mouse or monitor, where for just an extra $300, you can now get either a Macbook, or the new Macbook Air. Interesting choices.

Nov 7, 2010

The CSIRO this week announced a breakthrough in wireless technology, that promises greater and more effective use of bandwidth in the wireless spectrum. It is claimed that this technology enables “multiple users to upload information at the same time, without reducing their individual systems’ data transfer rate of 12 Mbps.” One interesting aspect of...

Nov 7, 2010

Researchers from the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine are saying that they’re making progress in the development of 3D bio-printers, that basically are devices that are capable of arranging cells from living creatures … like humans … into three-dimensional structures. Basically, this a printer that can, for the want of a better...

Nov 7, 2010

Near Field Communications (NFC) is the use of short-range wireless communication technology to enable the exchange of data between devices over a distance of up 10 cm. It’s currently being used to provide transactions such as payments of small accounts and the like, just by placing your mobile phone into close proximity of a reception device. In Sweden,...