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Friday, July 6, 2007

Uni-Directional WIFI Range Extender

http://www.instructables.com/id/EQARE4I72GEPUCHTHU/
compliments of Jason Leon

Yellow Flag on the Barry Bonds Pit Bull post


Man vs. 10,000 bees

http://www.honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=1845064?

Buff-dog vs. Biggest house cat


Imperial History of the Middle East

This is very cool!!!http://redir.mivzakon.co.il/redir.aspx?id=7001

New Mexico's Pot Connection

New Mexico is set to become the first U.S. state to set up a cultivation and distribution system for medical marijuana,........

http://abcnews.go.com/TheLaw/story?id=3348177&page=1&CMP=OTC-RSSFeeds0312

The Loopwing Personal Wind Turbine



This loopy looking item is a striking wind turbine design with some interesting features. A Japanese company is offering this small-scale wind turbine that touts an amazingly low 1.6m/sec (3.5 mph) minimum generation speed (compared with 8-11 mph for many turbines.)
The company claims a number of benefits for the Loopwing turbine attributed to the unusual configuration of the blades. Because there are no blade tips, the Loopwing doesn't have tip vortex effects, and is therefore much quieter. This also reduces vibration, which helps with both noise and extending the life of the turbine and generator. The blade configuration is also responsible for its low start speed.
Check out this awesome broken-english press material:



People witnessing a test model in operation gave high evaluation saying that there is no noise at all. The unique-shaped blade has self-stalling capability and it can avoid over-speeding. Loopwing’s rotation has globular trajectory and it can deflect smoothly even in gust, for example in a place on the roof of a building where the strong wind blows.There you have it...it's all about the globular trajectory avoiding over-speeding.


The Loopwing turbine appears to making the rounds of Japanese trade shows, and they have secured a US patent. So it's possible that it will be coming, but as yet there doesn't seem to be a North American distributor. Via: Metaeffi

Butter-Floor



Kim W

Ninjas

Okay, here's one of my favorite sites. I had no idea how much I liked ninjas until my brother put me on to this one: http://www.realultimatepower.net/

Hate Mail is especially hilarious. This may not be your thing but I love ninjas.

Kim

Hackers Bypass iPhone Limits

Less than one week after the much-ballyhooed release of Apple Inc.'s iPhone, hackers have figured out ways to override some of the restrictions imposed by Apple and AT&T Inc., the device's exclusive service provider.
But while the hacks are getting high visibility on the Web, their use likely will be limited to the most tech-savvy iPhone owners. Most customers probably will decide the hacks are too complicated or not worth the trouble. Also, Apple is skilled at battling hackers and is likely to figure out ways to overcome the overrides.
The most popular hack so far is targeted at the requirement that all iPhone users sign a wireless-service contract with AT&T. Without it, none of the device's features are supposed to work, including its Web browser and iPod music player.


Old Friend
Several hackers have posted on the Web step-by-step instructions on how to activate the iPhone's Web browser and iPod without signing up for an AT&T contract. One of the hackers is Jon Lech Johansen, a Norwegian software expert who infuriated Hollywood by creating a program that allowed customers to copy DVDs onto their computers. He has also worked on ways to alter the iTunes software so songs could be downloaded to devices other than iPods.
The iPhone from Apple and AT&T
Several iPhone users confirmed that the iPhone hacks worked. Jean Sebastien, a television director in Paris, paid $850 on eBay for his iPhone. No European wireless carrier is yet able to offer service for the device. Nevertheless, Mr. Sebastien said he followed Mr. Johansen's instructions and got it to work as a Web browser and iPod.
But it is doubtful many consumers will follow this route. To do so would mean buying an iPhone, which sells for $499 or $599, and only using it as an iPod and Web browser. Moreover, the hacked Web browser, which is designed to work in all areas reached by AT&T's wireless network, will only work in Wi-Fi hot spots.


More Carriers
Hackers are working on much more substantial overrides, according to comments on blogs and consumer Web sites. For example, they are trying to figure out ways to get the iPhone to work on the networks of other carriers. This is especially desirable overseas, where the iPhone isn't on the market. "It will be possible in two weeks," Mr. Sebastien predicted.
Hackers also are trying -- so far unsuccessfully -- to download unapproved applications off the Web and use the iPhone as a Wi-Fi phone. One Web posting gives iPhone owners guidance on how to activate the device with a cheap prepaid plan from AT&T rather than a two-year contract. But a comment on that site from a user said the hack doesn't work.
AT&T spokesman Mark Siegel said the company is "monitoring the situation and, if necessary, will take appropriate action to stop it." An Apple spokeswoman declined to comment.


Chafing at Restrictions
Some iPhone owners said they are justified in trying to circumvent Apple and AT&T's restrictions. They maintained that because they own the expensive phone, they should be free to use it on any network and download any application.
But Mr. Siegel said the iPhone "explicitly requires the customer to sign up for a wireless voice and data plan from AT&T." Any attempt to bypass this requirement is an "illegitimate use" of the phone," he said.
Consumer advocates have been critical of the iPhone requirements. Tim Wu, a law professor at Columbia University, said that in many other countries consumers can use their handsets on any network they choose. "I'm not sure these are terms that consumers should be subjected to," he said.
Apple has long played a cat-and-mouse game with hackers, often coming out on top. Successful hacks of iTunes, for example, often last a short time, until Apple releases a software update.

Philips Sonicare Flexcare w /UV chamber to kill germs




As effective as Philips' Sonicare electric toothbrushes may be, one thing I've always felt they lacked was radiation. Well, my dream has come true now that Philips has developed the FlexCare toothbrush, which includes a UV sanitizer built into the charger. After you're done brushing, you remove the head from the brush and seal it in the chamber. One press of a button later and the sanitizer bathes the head with ultraviolet radiation, sterilizing the bristles and preventing any germ buildup. And possibly giving it a tan.
The FlexCare has other upgrades, too: The head's base is smaller to make it easier to clean, and there are multiple brushing modes, including one for sensitive mouths and another for massaging gums. The FlexCare is coming in August for $180. If you just bought one of Sonicare's current brushes, you can still get in on the UV-radiation fun with a standalone sanitizer for $50. See a couple of pics of that after the jump. — Peter Pachal

Personal wind turbine design is 3x more efficient


If you don't mind placing an object that looks like an egg beater on your roof, you might someday be able to use a personal wind turbine like this to make your electric meter spin backwards. Ben Storan's design won a $6302 British Standards Institute (BSI) Sustainability Design Award, praised for its efficiency and quietude.
What makes it so special? The odd-looking configuration can be quickly removed from a roof, saving it from hurricane force winds and such, and it uses unusual vertically oriented turbine blades and lightweight materials to enhance its efficiency. The result of this unconventional design is a power generator that can produce 1.2-kW of electricity in a 12-meter-per-second wind, and that's three times more efficient than competing designs. — Charlie White

Xbox 360 Elite coming to Japan in October

http://www.cnn.com/2007/TECH/07/05/xbox.360.elite.reut/index.html