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News Briefs
News Archives 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
iPhone Got Bottle
 At last, what appears to be
a proper use for the iPhone. Now this is what I call an app; it’s a case for
the ubiquitous mobile, with a built-in bottle-opener. Cunningly named the
iBottleopener, it’s a hard shell case with a soft-touch finish, but it’s the
metalwork built into the back that does the business for thirsty owners. The
good news is that it fits all 3G/3GS variants, it doesn’t block any ports or
the camera, and presumably repeated use won’t harm your precious phone. The
price is expected to be around £18, with worldwide shipping in the region of £5.00.
You can express your interest now, and watch it in action at ibottleopener.com.
0209
Pioneering Kodak Cassette
Contraption
 This odd-looking device is
almost certainly the first working electronic still camera. It’s the granddaddy
of today’s digital still cameras and it was put together by a team of Kodak
researchers, led by Steve Sasson, almost 35 years ago. All of the elements
we’re familiar with are there, in one form or another. It uses an early
experimental CCD image sensor to capture the image, a lot of discrete
electronics to process the information coming form the sensor – chips were
still in their infancy in 1975 -- and instead of a memory card it recorded
images on a standard cassette tape. In fact it took almost 23 seconds to record
a single image. Resolution in those pre-digital and megapixel days was measured
in TV lines, 100 lines to be precise, or around a sixth of the definition of a
standard 625 lines picture. Incidentally, before cameras went digital there
were analogue still video cameras or SVCs and if you are interested take a look
at an early Canon model over at our sister vintage gadget website Dustygizmos.
3008
Ryno Hits The Road
 The Segway is sooo last year.
If you want to say ahead of the curve in personal human transportation then the
Ryno is the new way to go. This
one-wheeled, self-balancing electric scooter is just the job for popping down
to the shops, or a spot of commuting. It’s still in development, and they’re
after funding, but the specs may well convince you to invest, or put your name
down for one. The price will be in the region of $3500, it should have a range
of up to 30 miles with a top speed around 25mph. Recharge time from flat is
just 1.5 hours, it weighs in at 57kg, can climb 30 degree gradients and has a turning
circle of zero to one metre.
2308
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It has been a while since
we featured an audio application so lets put that to rights straight away with 