 Welcome to the newsletter for gizmag Emerging Technology Magazine. These are the headlines for January the 8th, 2009.  Macworld '09: new 17-inch Macbook Pro features 8 hour battery lifeIn what might be seen as somewhat of an anticlimax by those still yearning for an Mac entry into the netbook space, the key hardware announcement to emerge from this morning's keynote address at Macworld 2009 is a new 17-inch MacBook® Pro featuring a built-in battery that delivers up to an impressive eight hours of use and up to 1,000 recharges. Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide product marketing, introduced the new flagship notebook along with a number of new software innovations including the new iLife® '09, which brings major upgrades to iPhoto®, iMovie® and GarageBand®. The new 17-inch MacBook features the unibody aluminum enclosure and glass Multi-Touch™ trackpad introduced with the MacBook family in October 2008 and its slimline (0.98-inch) profile and weight of just 6.6 pounds make it the world's thinnest and lightest 17-inch notebook according to Apple. It's also the most powerful Mac® notebook yet - 2.93 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processors and 8GB DDR3 main memory at its highest spec. Read More  Keep up to date with Gizmag's coverage of CES 2009It's time for CES 2009 and Gizmag has a team on the ground in Las Vegas to bring you the latest coverage of the highlights from this year's premiere techno-fest. Check out gizmag.com for full coverage and keep an eye out for regular updates throughout the week. Read More  Flexing your cords to eliminate cable tanglesA simple invention here, but one with some merit - Flexicord cables can be gently bent into shape, and they'll stay the way you set them, the idea being that you can coil them up so they're always the perfect length, and never in the way of anything else. They're available in HDMI, Cat5e, RCA phono jack, S-Video and USB varieties in lengths up to 10 feet. Read More  Zivio Boom Bluetooth headset with flexible, extendable... boomPhone conversations in noisy environments present interesting challenges for makers of Bluetooth headsets. And while BlueAnt decided to go with a sophisticated noise canceling algorithm, the Zivio Boom goes about the task of getting a clearer voice out of the microphone in a much more old-fashioned way - with an extendable, bendable Nitinol boom mic that you can position right in front of your mouth. How better to isolate your voice? Read More  ENERGYA: two seater, three wheeled ultralight racecar for the roadDesigners from The Creative Unit have spent time working with Bombardier, so it's no coincidence that the work they've done on the Higgins-Aube ENERGYA looks a lot like a two-seater version of a Can-Am Spyder. But the purpose of this Canadian concept is quite different; since three wheelers are registered as motorcycles in many states, and motorcycles have fewer regulatory restrictions imposed on them, the ENERGYA is designed to bring racecar levels of ultra-low weight, big power and massive grip to the road that would be impossible if it was registered as a car. As such, it's got a much wider front wheelbase, enclosed seating, roll protection and double the horsepower of the Can-Am roadster. Read More  ECLIPSE car entertainment unit features removeable standalone GPS navigation unitFujitsu Ten Limited's latest all-in-one car entertainment system incorporates CD, DVD, MP3, WMA, iPod audio and video, Bluetooth phone integration and a fully-featured TomTom navigation system - all mounted in the dash so no part of the driver's line of sight to the road is obscured. The unit's touch-screen is removeable, and acts as a standalone GPS nav system when it's not attached to the main unit. Read More  DisplayLink ups the ante with 2nd Generation 1920x1200 ChipsetAmongst a bevvy of unannounced new monitor designs that included the company's video over USB technology, DisplayLink quietly demonstrated their 2nd generation chipset at the CES 2009 preview today, pushing their maximum supported resolution from 1600x1200 up to a full 1920x1200. Read More  Shure announce PG27USB/PG42USB condenser microphones and X2u XLR-to-USB adapterWith the democratization of digital music recording and production in full flight thanks to applications like GarageBand, Shure have released three new USB-based products to cater for the ever increasing market of users who need to record audio to their computers, but don't have access to professional pre-amplifiers - the PG27USB and PG42USB USB condenser microphones, and the X2u XLR-to-USB adapter which turns any existing XLR microphone into a plug-and-play USB microphone. Read More  Pacemaker portable digital DJ system gets an update, lower priceWe first covered the Pacemaker portable digital DJ system back in June 2007, and it has since won a number of awards including a CES Innovations and Engineering Award for 2009. A new model targeted at consumers has arrived with a smaller 60GB hard drive, a lower price point (US$550) to match, and one key new feature designed to aid beginner DJs - the ability to beatmatch and synchronize two songs with a single button press, and get straight to the fun stuff like EQ, filters, effects and crossfading. Read More  Lenovo adds lightweight 16-inch Laptop Lenovo has announced the the IdeaPad Y650, one of the thinnest and lightest 16-inch laptops available at just 5.6 pounds. The new Y650 was one of three new additions to the IdeaPad laptop lineup alongside the 15.6-inch Y550, and the 14-inch Y450. All are configurable with up to 500GB of storage space and up to 4GB of DDR3 memory. Read More  HP introduces new notebook in Mini lineHP's 2140 notebook PC uses a low-power Intel Atom processor, and includes integrated Wi-Fi Certified WLAN, a VGA webcam, and optional Bluetooth 2.0. The lightweight model will be available later this month from USD$499 Read More  Innovative new Portable Power Products for VehiclesHere's a solution with what we anticipate is massive latent demand – two strong names (Energizer and UPG) have allied to produce a line of energy-related automotive products that can charge portable devices, run kitchen appliances, jump-start a car and even inflate a tire. There's even a US$140 all-in-one product that includes an inverter that will allow motorists to convert power from the vehicle's DC adapter to AC and USB outlets, a jump starter that jump-starts vehicles without a second vehicle, and an air compressor for inflating, tires, airbeds, inflatable toys ad infinitum. Read More  DAGR guidance system running 12 from 12 in testsComing soon to somewhere hopefully not near you. DAGR is a semi-active laser guidance kit that adapts to 2.75-inch/70mm rockets to provide guided-rocket performance comparable to that of the precision-strike laser-guided HELLFIRE II missile. DAGR is being developed by Lockheed Martin to fill the gap between unguided rockets and the HELLFIRE weapon system by providing a precision-strike, air-to-ground weapon for lightly-armored high-value targets close to civilian assets or friendly forces, while limiting collateral damage. This week saw the first live warhead ground launch test of DAGR and it maintained a perfect 12-for-12 success rate in contractor-funded flight tests. Conducted at Eglin Air Force Base, the latest test demonstrated DAGR's vehicle penetration and time-delayed fuzing when a DAGR-equipped rocket armed with a live warhead penetrated the side of a stationary vehicle before detonating inside. Read More  Nu.M8 GPS childrens watch and child locator800,000 children are reported missing each year in the United States. In the U.K., that number is 140,000 children and there is no greater ordeal for a parent than not knowing where they are. Gartner estimates that the worldwide market for GPS based location devices will grow from 16 million in 2007 to 300 million in 2011.Using GPS-based systems to keep track of your pets and/or children is a trade off between peace of mind and cost – we've detailed numerous pet and child GPS locators, and the just-announced Nu.M8's main claim is that it does not rely upon the child being responsible enough to keep their locator with them in a bag or pocket. When Nu.M8 is securely fastened to a child's wrist it cannot be removed without sending an alert to the parent's phone. As it's also discretely hidden inside a watch, it's more likely that if something goes wrong, the parent locates their child, not the technology. Read More  The Bentley GTC Speed - not quite 200 mph with the roof downBentley's brand values haven't changed much in the last century – exclusivity, design, craftsmanship and performance akin to no other. Key to this performance is the characteristic Bentley wave of torque and in creating the GTC Speed to build on the success of the Continental GTC, the company has strengthened what was already its biggest strength. Both Continental GTC models are powered by Bentley's 6-litre, twin-turbocharged W12 engine with its 48 valves , four camshafts and continually variable valve timing but the Speed model has 9 per cent more power (600bhp) and 15 per cent more torque. This means the GTC Speed's output of 750 Nm (553lb ft) is achieved across virtually the complete rev range, from just 1700 to 5600 rev/min. The experience will set you back UKP146,000 (US$218,000). Read More  LG “Trumotion 480Hz” LCD TV Panel LG Display is showing its latest kit behind closed doors at CES in a private room at the Bellagio Hotel - an LCD TV with 480Hz refresh rate , further accelerating the advent of ultra high-speed images without sacrificing picture quality. LG Display's 'scanning backlight' is the technology that enables a backlight to be repeatedly turned on and off to reduce motion blur and enhance contrast. When combined with the company's 240 Hz technology, the display can refresh 480 images per second. The "Trumotion 480Hz" LCD TV panel has a response time (MPRT) of 4ms, eliminating motion blurring for fast moving images and will hit the market in the second half of 2009. Read More  iTunes changes: more DRM-free music, three-tiered pricing and iPhone downloads over 3GApple today announced a number of changes to their popular iTunes Music Store, with all four major labels on board to offer a substantially increased range of music in the DRM-free iTunes Plus format, access to the store available via the 3G network for iPhone users, and a new three-tier pricing system. Read More  GarageBand '09 will teach you how to play guitar and pianoToday at MacWorld 2009, Apple unveiled the next feature to be added to their entry-level music production application GarageBand, that is sure to capitalize on the mass of budding musicians created by games like Rock Band and Guitar Hero. The software ships with nine included lessons for the guitar and piano, and an integrated store that allows you to buy "Artist Lessons" from famous musicians such as Sting and John Fogerty. Read More  SanDisk's new Ultra Backup Flash driveSanDisk's Ultra Backup USB Flash drives allow users to securely store and protect their data at the touch of a button. Billed as world first functionality for a USB portable Flash drive, the backup technology is designed to quickly and painlessly copy important files and will be available from April in capacities ranging from 8GB-64GB. Read More  Lenovo's IdeaCentre A600 All-in-One DesktopThe IdeaCentre A600 is Lenovo's first all-in-one desktop and has the same levels of style and presence as Apple's iMac. The A600 is very slim, features a 21.5-inch frameless screen, an integrated speaker system including a bass sub-woofer and Dolby Home Theatre audio certification, an optional Blu-ray player, a digital TV tuner and an optional 4-in-1 remote controller with air mouse functionality (presumably accelerometer-based ), enabling users to control on-screen objects according to the movement of the remote. It can also be used as a cordless VOIP handset, a media center/TV remote, and Microsoft Vista Media Center users can use it to operate DVDs, movies and TV. There's also VeriFace facial recognition technology which allows users to use their face as their log-on password.The IdeaCentre A600 all-in-one desktop will be available in April from US$1000. Read More  Minoru 3D Webcam to launch at CES3D vision systems have been threatening to make the transition from quirky novelty to mainstream consumer product for some time now, and though the jury is still out on whether that will actually happen, we can certainly expect a flurry of 3D products to hit the market during 2009 - starting with this one. Using two cameras incorporated into a single stand to produce a stereoscopic effect, the Minoru 3D webcam's image can be viewed in 3D using the familiar red and cyan 3D glasses. Read More  Google releases Picasa for Mac OSXGood news if you're frustrated by iPhoto's limitations - Google Labs has just released a 'beta' version of its Picasa photo management system for the Apple OSX platform. Picasa will import a copy of the contents of the iPhoto library and offer an alternative management tool that includes the ability to manage and synchronise selected photos, with their comments and tags, with an online Picasa Web Albums photo gallery. The original iPhoto data is left alone, so you can try out the Picasa beta without fear of losing or modifying their original image files. Read More  Challis Heliplane: simple, cheap and twice as fast as a normal helicopterConventional helicopters are incredibly useful vehicles in many short-range scenarios - but their asymmetrical aerodynamics enforce a fairly low terminal speed limit of around 150mph, making them less than ideal for longer-range missions. Tilt-rotor aircraft like the Falx and Osprey, and coaxial 'copters like the Sikorsky X2 are tackling the problem from different angles, but both result in complicated and expensive solutions - which is what makes the new Challis Heliplane concept quite remarkable. Still in early stages, the Challis uses a very simple design to balance the lift forces of a helicopter and bring top speeds of over 300mph into reach. And wait 'til you see this thing accelerate! Read More  Pentax Optio P70 compact – 12 MPX plus 720p videoJanuary 6, 2009 Digital still image and video continue to converge with Pentax announcing the US$200 Optio P70 at CES. The ultra-slim P70 takes 12 megapixel still images and 720p video, sadly at just 15 FPS, but it's a start. There's a 4X optical zoom (equivalent to 27.5mm-110mm), a 2.7 inch high-resolution, wide-angle view LCD panel, and new Pixel Track Shake Reduction technology to assure sharp images with low noise even in poor lighting. Read More  Fuji’s new eco-friendly, long-lasting, guilt-free EnviroMAX batteriesDespite promises of portable alternative power sources, batteries still rule the roost and apart from being a costly form of energy, we all know that we're contributing a little bit more to the planet's indigestible waste with each one we purchase – until now! Fuji is announcing a new line of eco-friendly, high performance consumer batteries at CES. EnviroMAX batteries do not contain cadmium or mercury or any ingredients harmful to the environment, are packaged with recycled paper and fully recyclable PET plastic and can be disposed of through normal waste systems or in landfills as they degrade. Fuji is claiming equal or better performance/longevity to the major equivalent brands, and an affordable price. They're due in stores in April. Stay tuned for more info when we get our hands on a set. Read More  The Magpul FMG9 Netbook-sized Folding Machine GunYou can't always judge a book by its cover and the Netbook-sized Magpul FMG9 is about as deceptive as they come. It looks like an industrial torch or a portable radio, and will fit in a girl's handbag or the back pocket of a pair of jeans. One click later, the spring-assisted deployment mechanism snaps and you have a sub machine gun ready to fire. The innocuous FMG acronym stands for Folding Machine Gun and its small size and lightweight polymer casing belie its firepower - folded it holds 31 9x19 mm NATO rounds in a Glock magazine and although the prototype was only semi-automatic, a fully automatic version will almost certainly be available if production goes ahead. What's the bet Q hands one of these to 007 in the next movie? Read More  Audience response app for iPhone/iPod TouchThe Apple iPod/iPhone/iTunes App Store ecosystem is producing some remarkably useful tools for life, work, play, and now education. A free app for the iPhone or iPod Touch from ResponseWare transforms them into wireless, interactive audience response tools that could transform the way people learn and collaborate in many environments. The app allows alphanumeric entry for single response, multiple response, fill-in-the-blank and essay questions and the diversity of response types it offers enhances a presenter's communication options. It displays the question and answer choices on the iPod/phone during polling and participants logged into an interactive session can review previous polls as well as instant message the leader/ with questions and feedback. Beyond education, we also see the platform getting a serious workout in any collaborative environment as a way of exploring and responding to the needs/views of an audience in any forum. This idea has legs! Read More  New World Sailing Boat Speed RecordAustralia's Macquarie Speed Sailing Team is seeking ratification of a new World Sailing Speed Record set on December 19, thereby claiming the title of the world's fastest sailing boat. Macquarie Innovation was timed over the 500m qualifying course at 48.57 knots and recorded speeds in excess of 51 knots during the 20 second run on December 19, 2008. It is expected that the final ratified speed will be reduced to 48.15 knots due to tidal influences experienced on the course – albeit still the fastest speed ever recorded by a sailing boat. What makes the attempt so significant is the boat's remarkably efficient use of wind energy – the speeds were recorded in just 17 kt winds, and when the team gets the 20 knot winds it has been waiting for, the outright record of 50.57 kts set by French kite-boarder Alexandre Caizergues in Namibia on October 4, 2008 will almost certainly be bettered. Read More  Honda's Hybrid BillboardsPrimary among Honda's brand values are its role as a leader in creating low emission, fuel efficient vehicles, and its most recent promotional efforts have taken Hybrid technology to new heights, quite literally. The massive billboards featuring the new Honda Accord Euro are illuminated by green solar power; with green energy electric backup. Just like a Hybrid. Outdoor advertising specialists, APN Outdoor have installed solar panels on several of the billboards being used in the Australian launch. Read More  Unique opportunity to watch entire restoration in 3 daysFear of the unknown often prevents us from fulfilling ambitions, and one aspiration common to many males is to lovingly restore an automobile. Coming up in Coventry in March is a rare opportunity to see how it's done from go-to-whoa when a team of experts will restore a mid-1940s Allard L Type to its former glory on the Race Retro 2009 show floor in just three days. Sheet metal experts Contour Autocraft will demonstrate how to repair and recreate steel panels for the body, Jonspeed Racing will be rebuilding engines and restoration experts David A.C. Royle and Co will offer a unique insight into the craft of Ash Frame making. For those who appreciate craftsmanship, it's an absolutely unique opportunity to time-lapse a process normally undertaken over years into a three-day tertiary course in rare craftsmanship, not to mention a weekend of auto nostalgia for the lads. Read More  Lunacy Robot Game could inspire a generationJanuary 4, 2009 Lunacy is an international seat-of-the-pants learning game with the promise to inspire a generation. At yesterday's Kick Off, 1700 international teams were given the rules and a kit of parts - motors, batteries, a control system, and a mix of automation components – but no instructions. The students have six weeks to design, build and program their robotic athlete ready for play on the low-friction playing surface. In each 135 second match, the robots score points by picking up 9" balls and dropping them in trailers hitched to their opponents. Lunacy ticks all the boxes for building important life skills – collaborative learning and adapting on the fly under deadline conditions with measurable results. With 42,000 high-school students from as far afield as Brazil, Germany, Israel, Turkey and the Philippines, the FIRST Robotics Competition is an evolving engineering talent showcase with the potential to become a TV sport with the international appeal to rival F1 one day. FIRST also runs the FIRST LEGO League for 9-14 year-olds, and the Junior FIRST LEGO League for 6 to 9 year-olds. The aim of this life-changing program is to inspire young people to become individual economic stimulus packages and pursue opportunities in science and technology. Read More  Audi R8 V10 becomes first all-LED car The order books have opened for the 196mph Audi R8 making it the first car in the world with all-LED (light emitting diode) headlamps, daytime running lights and turn indicators. LEDs are the headlight of the future due to their power, homogenous light distribution and the agreeable, daylight-esque colour and Audi can rightfully boast a technological edge with headlights four times more energy efficient than halogen headlights in addition to having a practically indefinite service life. LEDs can be made more or less bright electronically and hence able to be precisely adapted to conditions. In the future, headlights will react to variables such as weather conditions, speed and the distance between vehicles. Audi already has a pre-production headlight which offers exceptional visibility at night without irritating oncoming drivers, by measuring the distance of the approaching vehicle and adapting the shape of the beam continuously. Read More  Load video and MP3s while charging your Electric CarPanasonic plans to unveil a networking system that can exchange data between an electric car and home devices via electrical wiring at January's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. The electric car networking prototype allows people and devices inside the home to check on an electric vehicle while it is being recharged. It will be one of several research developments on show at the HD-PLC Alliance stand in the Las Vegas Convention Center's South Hall, Panasonic says. Other prototypes will include an HD-PLC adapter for a security camera and an electrical monitoring system. Read More
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