Comparing your standard RGB stripe to Samsung’s PenTile display technology, HD is going to look about two times better on the Samsung screen.

It sounds great right? It does to me, and it seems perfect for something like the iPad, but experts have reasoned that there is only a small chance that this exact screen will be incorporated into to the next generation iPad. The main reason behind this is that the last two iPads measured 9.7-inches and had resolutions of 1024×768. So, Apple would have to adjust their iPad measurements and start working with a whole different animal.

However, the rumors have continued to spread about this new Amoled screen being Apple’s new big thing. This rumor started to churn because Tim Cook, one of Apple’s directors, went to the Samsung factory to make an agreement about implementing Amoled screens into a new iPad. Hmmm, curious. Samsung does currently have something in their Galaxy Tab line that could be used by Apple right now, but I have a feeling that Apple is planning bigger and better things.

If anything, this new screen shows that it is possible to make something that uses a low amount of power, but still produces an image display that rivals the retina display on the iPhones. The screen itself uses 40 percent less battery energy than the current RGB stripe technology.

And the screens don’t stop there. This week I read about another screen that Samsung is designing. This one is a flexible screen.  Still Amoled based, Samsung has come out with bendable screens that could be used in watches and smartphones.

So, will Apple bring Samsung’s new technology into their new technology? We will have to wait and see.

Back in 2006,  the whole notion of long distance technology truly kicked off with the Hug Shirt – fashionably unfashionable, but still a fun concept. Compared to the red circle design they used to have, it is a lot better now. The Hug Shirt is essentially a Bluetooth accessory for a mobile phone, and you are able to send hugs via text messages if you are running the HugMe™ java software.

Naturally, we couldn’t stop at just hugs. From there, someone developed prototypes of a series of mobile phones that could squeeze your hand, send a peck, or whisper in your ear. The phone used a motor to squeeze your hand, a wet sponge to simulate the kiss, and air to simulate a whisper. I think that these stayed in prototype form.

I also tried to see if PillowTalk pillows were on sale, but those may have stayed in the prototype phase as well. These pillows were designed by Interaction Design student, Joanna Montgomery. By wearing an elastic band around your chest, the pillows allow people to listen to the real-time heartbeat of their distant loved one. The pillow shows when the person has gone to sleep by starting to glow, a rather cute idea, especially if there is a time distance between the two of you.

The Japanese then took it even further – kissing, with tongue. It kind of creeps me out, but hey, I’m sure someone can enjoy it. To use it, you have a box that is attached to a straw-like thing. You kiss the straw, and the box records it. It then transmits the data and replicates your actions on the other side. I’m not sure how I feel about kissing a straw. The next step in the design is to incorporate tastes, moisture, and breathing patterns. That’s great, because I’ve really been wanting to make sure that my boyfriend’s staying true to his vegan lifestyle. (Kidding.)

Before technology, we sent love letters to each other to keep the relationship intact. As you can see, things have clearly changed.

You have seen the current style of foldable bicycles right? They look like tubes of metal attached together and attached to two tiny wheels. I would never pick those over a road bike–image going up a steep hill with tiny wheels! However, if you look at the Kinfolk bicycle, you will see that it does not look as ridiculous as the typical crop of bicycles that you usually see out there.

Designed by the Japanese company Kinfolk, these foldable bicycles are much more appealing. There are two different styles. One looks like your standard road or fixie bike; however, this bike can fit into a small sized carrying case that looks like a tote or a briefcase. The other version that they have is called their City bike. This bike is less expensive, but it does start to look more and more like the typical foldable bicycle style.

The “International” model, or so they call the one that can fit in the small bag, will run you about $4,000. I do not know about you, but to me that is a little expensive for a commuter bike! It is so much money due to its rare nature and the fact that it is hand made in Japan by a “master frame builder.” The City bike is also made by hand in Japan and that bike will cost around $2,000.

I do not know if foldable bikes are really that worth it, but I guess if you were worried about getting your bike stolen then this would be a really easy (but expensive) solution to keeping your bike by your side.

Kelley Blue Book is a website that provides consumers/users with the ultimate car database. In a nutshell, it is a collection of car values and prices. With Kelley Blue Book, you can research any car, discover the perfect car for you, or evaluate your own car.

I will give you an example. Hypothetically, let’s say I have a 2005 BMW X3. I am looking to buy a new car of a similar type but I am unsure of its competitors. So, I consult Kelley Blue Book. I input my current vehicle information such as year, make, model, and trim. Instantly, comparisons are displayed at the bottom of the screen. I decide the system generated selections are not luxurious enough for me so I manually input another vehicle such as Audi (Q7) as well as the Acura MDX and the Lexus LX 470. Then, I hit the much anticipated compare button.

Once I hit compare, I become showered with facts and figures, invaluable to my decision making. Some facts and figures include:

• Used car suggested retail price
• New Car MSRP
• Estimated payments with APR
• Gas mileage
• Engine, transmission, and drivetrain information
• Max seating capacity
• Door information
• EPA class
• Body style
• Country of assembly and origin
• Warranty information

Next the website enables you to get quotes and/or search listings. You can also check out car photos, features, tech specs, safety, reviews, and ratings all on one comprehensive page.

Still not satisfied? Take your car search to the next level and help the book  help you find your favorite with Kelley Blue Book’s Perfect Car Finder. In the basic version (there is an advanced questionnaire for all of you car lovers out there!) of this program you can find your perfect car in a few simple steps:

1. Enter your price range: minimum and maximum.
2. Enter your vehicle type: new or used.
3. Enter your vehicle category ranging from coverable, crossover, sedan, SUV, to hatchback (including all the categories in between)
4. Enter manufacturers such as Acura, BMW, Cadillac…
5. Enter maximum seating capacity
6. Enter miles per gallon desired
7. Enter size of vehicle: subcompact, compact, midsize, full size/ large
8. Simply hit GET RESULTS and your perfect car awaits!

Kelley Blue Book’s message and objective is clear. There service is free and their message is simple: be smart and shop around. Also, do your research before making any kind of auto investment: big or small, foreign or domestic.

The Kinect system is a horizontal bar that is connected to a small base with a motorized pivot. It uses an “RGB camera, depth sensor, and multi-array microphone running proprietary software” that allows for facial recognition, voice recognition, and full-body 3D motion capture. Other systems such as the Wii do some of the things that the Kinect does, but the Kinect for Xbox 360 is the first of its kind to bring everything together to allow for natural user interface.

They first introduced the idea back in early June of 2009 as “Project Natal.” Microsoft had been trying to one-up the Wii and other interfaces when they stumbled upon the idea for the Kinect. It all fell into place when Microsoft hired Dr. Ilan Spillinger, VP of hardware and technology for Microsoft’s Interactive Entertainment Business. He was in charge of developing an idea for Microsoft’s “next big thing” so they started looking into all natural user interfaces. At the same time, Microsoft was looking into 3D cameras and input systems. Everything fell into place when Microsoft started developing “Project Natal” around a design made by an Israeli company called PrimseSense. The PrimeSensor, as the technology is called, is made up of a CMOS image sensor, an infrared light source, and PrimeSense’s PS 1080 system-on-a-chip.  It is pretty much the guts of Kinect’s controller-free motion controls.

But does it work? Early results show that it is working and that it is almost ready to go. It is set to be released in the United States on November 4th, 2010 and it will run for about $150. However, you also have to have the Xbox in order to have this system.

It does seem like a fun thing to try though!

How does this device work? In short, signals get sent to your tongue, and one uses his tongue to “see.” Essentially, it is a camera hooked up to a pair of sunglasses that is connected to a lollipop-like gadget that the user places on his tongue to read the electrical pulses. This whole set up converts visual images into a series of electrical pulses, which are sent to the tongue. The pulses and tingles can all be interpreted to mean different things so that the user can mentally visualize any surroundings and navigate around objects.

Lance Corporal Craig Lundberg says that, “”It feels like licking a nine volt battery or like popping candy…You get lines and shapes of things. It sees in black and white, so you get a two-dimensional image on your tongue – it’s a bit like a pins and needles sensation.”  I am not sure if that sounds like a comfortable sensation to me, but I certainly would trade tingles on my tongue in exchange for being able to “see” and walk without a guide.

Before using the BrainPort device, Lance Corporal Craig Lundberg had been planning on spending the rest of this life with a guide dog and a cane. However, now that this device has come into his life, things have turned around for him. It is not the end-all-be-all solution, but it is certainly a step in the right direction. When asked about whether he was going to keep his dog he replied, “There is no way I’m getting rid of my guide dog Hugo, though – I love him.”

For future work on this device, researchers hope to create a smaller version that would enable users to eat and speak while using the device.

I was at my friend’s house one night, and I noticed that they had Roomba and Scooba robots.  We got into talking about them and how they work, thus leading into this rundown of what I consider the 5 coolest robots (real, not fictional):

1. I think that the ASIMO robot is just awesome.  Standing at 130 centimeters and weighing 54 kilograms, the robot resembles a small, white suited astronaut wearing a backpack and can walk or run on two feet at speeds up to 6 km/h .
2. In second place, Multifunctional Utility/Logistics and Equipment Vehicle (MULE).  Now maybe I have Ghost Recon on the brain, but this thing is cool.  It is an Unmanned Ground Vehicle  that will support ground troop and helicopter or airborne assaults.  There even may be a tank-killer variant.
3. Of the flying robots, the Sikorsky Cypher beats all.  It is essentially a robot with the rotor blade within the body, and is about 1.75 meters in diameter.
4. The Roomba/Scooba series are freaking awesome.  I want one to clean my room!  They have a few math algorithms that makes sure they cover the whole room and sensors to stop them from falling down the stairs!  The even have a portable charging dock.
5. The Japanese Paro robot.  It is a robotic baby Harp Seal designed for therapeutic purposes.  It is so cute…

My only worry is the creation of artificial intelligence.  Once this day comes, I  fear mankind will be wiped out in a Matrix or Terminator like fashion.  Also, a country with a robot military could be over-run with some simple hacking.  Or, of course, we could end up like the humans in the movie Wall-E, who are morbidly obese because of robots.

In all, I think that robot technology is cool and quite successful.  We have many options now, and much more to come, just don’t give them the ability to think!

The robot is from the Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota, Florida, and went missing a few weeks ago. Waldo had been making reports every two hours, and then it suddenly stopped sending out signals. The scientist behind Waldo the robot was Gary Kirkpatrick. He stated that there are a few options as to why the robot went missing. One option was that there was a major leak in the machine. Another option was that there could have been a malfunction. Both of these options could have resulted in Waldo sinking to the bottom and sitting there. Another mistake that could have happened is that the computer that was in contact with Waldo could have had a malfunction. There could have been a problem with the communication system. The problem is that no one knows where Waldo is. Through all of these years of looking for Waldo in books, at costume parties, or on posters, we finally cannot find him.

What is Waldo’s purpose? It had been patrolling the waters in Florida for five days to look for signs of red tide. The robot had a cost of about $100,000. It also was equipped with a detector that would find red tide. This detector had a value of $30,000. Officials and scientists hope that it will turn up over Labor Day weekend, and Mote is offering a $500 “No-Questions-Asked” reward for the return of Waldo.

Waldo is about 115 pounds and was sent out on Aug 26th. It is the only funded robot, but they are using other methods of detecting red tide until they find Waldo.

The only problem is, how do you bill users when you have no way of tracking individual electric use?

The EBConnect Elektrobay built by Elektromotive  will do just that!

The EBConnect device software will monitor the power consumption of each user that plugs in and will exchange the data via GSM and the Internet to the required source. Users can pay several different ways: a “pay-as-you-go” gift card, which allows users to purchase Elektrobay keyfob credits, a credit or debit card like at traditional gas pumps, or all as one lump sum included in their household utility bill.

EBConnect unveiled the first prototypes at the Norwegian zero-emissions exhibition, the International Battery, Hybrid and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle Symposium (EVS 24). The event is one of the single most popular attractions to display technology pertaining to hybrid or electric vehicles (if the event name didn’t already imply that).

The Elektrobay is already being used at over 140 charging areas in gas stations across the United Kingdom.

Although, technology is not always perfect, one can only wonder if the related customer service department will be helpful pertaining to “accidental” overcharges on said bill. Let’s hope this device IS as accurate as they say it is.

For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology was founded by NH-based inventor and entrepreneur, Dean Kamen.   Created in 1989, it now has 5 different programs in which students can participate.  These include:

• FIRST Robotics Competition – high school
• FIRST Tech Challenge – high school
• FIRST LEGO League – 9 to 14 year olds
• Junior FIRST LEGO League – 6 to 9 year olds
• FIRST place – 6 year old to adult

Mr. Kamen’s hope for this program is, “To transform our culture by creating a world where science and technology are celebrated and where young people dream of becoming science and technology heroes.”

It seems that FIRST has made progress in transforming our culture.  Currently, there are almost 200,000 students involved in various FIRST programs.  Add to that over 50,000 mentors and more than 30,000 program volunteers, and FIRST appears to be engaging more students and adults in the field of science and technology.

This program includes not only US participants but also students from various countries throughout the globe.  Reviewing the reach of this program, the only continent not participating in one of the FIRST competitions would be Antarctica.

Whether you are interested in building a team, volunteering your time, or learning more about this program, visit their website.