Man has been trying to uncover the mysteries of nature and understand the working of the universe for a long time now. In fact, since the discovery of fire and the invention of the wheel, the effort has always been to keep rolling forward in an attempt to unravel the unknown and comprehend the ways of our planet and the vast cosmos that exist beyond. While some exploration missions try to delve within and discover the dark and mysterious depths of the world’s oceans, others look at the sky and the vast eternity beyond as an opportunity to grasp the clockwork that keeps things ticking. Modern science along with some of the most ingenious minds on the planet, is doing all it can to try and get us closer to those ever-eluding answers. Whether it is the nuances of string theory or verifying the presence of gravitational waves, the way forward to space colonization or a mission to the center of the earth, here is the best of what lies ahead in our endeavor to give a meaning to our own existence.
Author Archives: B.Sameer Kumar
Kindle Fire 2: Rumors and news surrounding what Amazon might have in store for us
The Kindle Fire did shake up the tablet world a bit when it came out with a price tag of $199 attached. It was one of the big strategic decision taken by Amazon and while only those in the high offices will know with all honesty if it paid off or not (we are guessing that it did). With rumors rife about the next generation Kindle, here is a look at all the news that is already shaping Kindle Fire 2 in the minds of millions across the globe. What Amazon finally rolls out might well be completely different, but recent experience has suggested that rumors are indeed more often right than wrong. So what can Amazon roll out to challenge the monopoly of Apple?
Students from DTU design solar car that tops off at 85 km/hr
There is simply no doubting the fact that if we do intend to keep our fossil fuel sources going for a couple of centuries longer and wish to smoothly switch over from non-renewable sources to alternate power, the now is the time when the world needs to embrace solar and wind energy sources with glee and new found enthusiasm. While the initial costs might be a fraction on the higher side, government intervention and funding from donors can really help spread the power of alternate energy. And it is solar energy that is leading the way when it comes to switching over to clean power.
Lenovo IdeaTab S2109: Ice Cream Sandwich 9.7-inch tablet with 4:3 display
The Lenovo IdeaTab S2109 has been touted to be out on its way for a while now and when Lenovo finally announced it’s unveiling, we pretty much got what we expected and were told would be on offer. One of important features of the tab is the 4:3 IPS display, which might appeal to those who would want the extra bit of ease when it comes to browsing through web pages. There is also the Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich OS on the inside that promises a smooth and hassle-free interface. The S2109 comes with a 9.7-inch display with 1024×768 resolution and it is about 8.9 mm in thickness.
Revolutionary gadgets that can see, hear and understand us
Controlling gadgets with your mind is a dream that most of us have. At least those of us who are crazy about gizmos but lazy enough to hope that one day we will not have to even move our fingers to control all those gadgets around us. Much like the future portrayed in the ‘Jetsons’ of ‘Wall-E’, we could well end up at the doorsteps of a future where even pushing a button would be considered a cumbersome act that requires special training. Sure, that seems like a stretch now, but do not be too surprised if that already happens. So how far have we got in our effort to make our lives lazier and create gadgets that can see, hear and respond to our thoughts.
Sonivivi Smartphone App: User interface that helps improve hearing skills of partially blind
The idea of losing sight can be a very scary thought. It is not easy to navigate through the world when your primary way of deducing and understanding your surroundings is lost. And that probably is the reason why most people consider the gift of sight as the most precious one. It can be a very daunting task for people who are partially blind and have to depend more on acoustics than on visual medium for simple day-to-day activities. One of the biggest reasons for this is that our world is tuned to function on sight and not so much on sound.
MagicReader App for the new iPad: Turns e-pages with movement of your face
Remember the whole Sony Xperia Sola and the ‘floating touch’ deal? For those who missed out on the launch of Sola, it was a mobile where you could browse through the web pages without actually touching the screen. We personally were left wondering why one would want to just move the finger over the touchscreen and not touch the phone. But the new MagicReader App seems to make a lot more sense. Now available for free on the iTunes App store, MagicReader allows you to flip through the pages of your e-book without actually touching the screen.
Researchers to use evolution over science to shape world’s smallest drone
All the sci-fi movies might show the ultra-small mechanical flies and bees that can zip throw the enemy camp with ease and be your eyes and ears. That though is easier to do on the big Hollywood screen than in real life. A drone that is the size of a tiny insect will have to carry a plethora of on-board systems which will guide its navigation, be its sensory tool and relay information back. So instead of creating all of this from square one scientists have decided that they would much rather use the ‘real deal’ itself.
Quake Cottage earthquake simulator: Shakes a few people before it makes way to Memphis
How would you like to shake things up a little bit in an earthquake simulator? It does sound like fun, but it is a lot more than that. The ‘Quake Cottage’ is a mobile earthquake simulator that can dish out simulations which mimic the intensity of quakes of magnitude 8.0 on the Richter scale. That makes this mobile unit an invaluable asset when it comes to showcasing and teaching civilians and disaster management teams how to respond when the real thing hits. Coming from California, the Quake Cottage is on a trip to Memphis, Tennessee and those close to South Elementary School are about to get a unique opportunity to experience its force.
Girlfriendhire: Website offers fake girlfriends who will up your Facebook rep for $5
Well, the attempt will at least be to up your reputation among Facebook friends by posting any message that you want on the site for $5. Not sure though if that really helps a great deal. But that is not the only services that Girlfriendhire will offer you. Started by 22-year-old Cody Krecicki, the site allows girls to make a bit of money while they stay busy with their college by offering teens and others services like doing their homework, flirting on Facebook, helping them get back their ex girlfriends or even assisting a breakup.