CyberAlert has launched a new service called BlogSquirrel that scans 100,000 blogs and 20,000 news sites for keywords, then sends daily e-mail reports to subscribers. The cost is $195 per month -- wait 'till they find out what bloggers think of their price!
Russians Build 'Perpetual Propulsion' Engine
The Russian Space Systems Scientific Research Institute says it has developed a prototype "perpetual" engine that can be used both for rockets and for more down-to-earth applications. The engine would be emission-free and last some 15 years. This news comes from the Russian media, so it must be true.
Ethiopian Cell Phones Now Enable SMS in Ancient Language
Ethiopian scientists announced yesterday that they have adapted the ancient script called Ethiopic to be usable for SMS text messaging. The innovation will allow Ethiopians, many of whom don't speak languages that use Roman-base alphabets (such as English and even American...) to waste all their time "chatting" like the rest of us do.
Fat Phone Hits Market
Samsung Electronics finally unveiled the "fat phone" I told you about back in March. The SPH-E3330 mobile phone can measure and track your body fat. You enter your name, weight and height and watch your weight balloon over time.
Wednesday, November 10, 2004
New Wireless Mouse Needs No Batteries
A4 Tech Corp. has developed a new wireless mouse that has no batteries to charge or replace. The BattryFREE Wireless Optical Mouse uses RFID to communicate with your PC via an electrified USB mouse pad.
Microsoft Patents Software That Judges Quality of Photographs, Web Site Designs
Microsoft has received a U.S. patent on software methods for judging the aesthetic quality of digital photographs and web site designs. (I wonder how the software would judge those hideous templates in Microsoft FrontPage?)
Even King Kong's Got a Blog
It seems that everyone has a blog these days - even King Kong. (The movie, that is.) And it's a video blog, too. Here comes the video (blog).
New Cylindrical LED Screen Unveiled
DynaScan Japan has started selling a 91-inch high LED screen, called the DynaScan DS-0613, that can be viewed from any direction. The LEDs rotate faster than the human brain can perceive, creating the illusion of a constant image.
Mobile Phone Videoconferencing Coming to Korea
Korea's SK Telecom and KTF plan to begin offering videoconferencing via mobile phone starting in two months. Even George Jetson never had this!
Popeye Goes 3-D
Mainframe Entertainment has created a computer-generated 3D Popeye cartoon that will air on Fox December 17. The cartoon, called "The Quest for Pappy," will also be released on DVD and VHS.
Paper Company Invents 'Wireless Paper'
Japan's Oji Paper Company has developed a process for embedding tiny wireless chips in ordinary paper. The chips are just 0.5x0.5mm and have built-in antennas. Such technology could eventually be woven into paper currency, making the process of "following the money" a whole lot easier.
Monday, November 08, 2004
Proof You Can Buy Anything On the Web: Drum Set on a Wrist Watch
