TurtleNet: Turtles test wireless network

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Snapping turtles in Massachusetts are being used to test a new form of wireless network. They’re being fitted with tiny waterproof computers which will record the turtle’s movements and body temperature. The information is then conveyed to a base station which transmits the data to the University of Massachusetts. The idea behind the technology, known as TurtleNet, is to create a network of constantly moving devices that record and store information, transmit data from one device to another, then relay all the saved information to a central location while running on self-charging batteries. The information about the turtles will allow biologists to have a better understanding about turtle habitats which can help protect the species. Computer science and biology: two disciplines helping each other. (Don’t worry about the turtles: the machine is small enough to not interfere with their doings “or mating”.) [GT]

Turtles test wireless network

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Vertical Mouse by Evoluent

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At first glance, the Vertical Mouse looks all wrong and I instinctively want to tip it back over again — but I’m a Little Endian. It’s supposed to be more ergonomic than the mouse we all currently use, with a shape to “support your hand in a fully upright handshake position which reduces pain and strain from the forearm twisting you get from a normal mouse”. No, it doesn’t slide sideways when you click. As usual, it’s for Windows (although the site does have a link to a shareware Mac driver). Comes in silver and black and has models for both lefties and righties. $80. [GT]

Vertical Mouse [via GetUSB.info]

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The LiberTouch customizable keyboard by Fujitsu

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Great news for everyone who knows how hard it is to clean your keyboard or is just sick and tired of staring at QWERTY every time they sit down at the computer. Make your own DVORAK – or ZOBLAW if that pleases you – with this offering from Fujiitsu. The LiberTouch customizable keyboard allows the user to remove the keys with a tool that seems to work like a bottle opener. The keyboard also comes with a single USB port. No price as yet. [GT]

LiberTouch [viaEngadget]

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Eubiq: put an outlet where you need it

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I hate cords. I trip over them all the time because I have to drag them across the room to attach them to the outlet. They’re ugly. Also, they give me Tourette’s Syndrome. Which is why I love Eubiq. Eubiq is a power track that allows you to move the plug anywhere along the maximum 3.6 meter track. You just pull the plug out and put it back in wherever you want and you can put in as many plugs as you need. The tracks are shielded and the plugs are grounded so you don’t have to worry about little ones shocking themselves. I saw a system like this at a local net cafe and was really impressed, though the plugs they had were a bit fragile. Terrific idea though. [GT]

Eubiq [viaCoolest Gadgets]

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Finger Drums: Electronic Drum Beat Maker

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The Electronic Drum Beat Maker deserves a tip of the (high) hat. We’ve had finger drum sets before but these really look like you’re really playing a (really tiny) set of drums. Every time you hit a drum head it lights up and plays the beat. You can play a sequence and record it to play back later. Which reminds me: What do you call a drummer without a girlfriend? Homeless!* $19.95. [GT]

Finger Drums [via Gizmodo]

*It’s true, it happened to my cousin.

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New wind turbine quieter, produces more power downtown

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Somewhat resembling a mangled clutch of giant paperclips, a new wind turbine design has all the downtown lads and lasses talking — and they can be heard above its operation, because it’s (as turbines go) super-quiet. Since it uses vertical instead of horizontal processing, it gets more energy from the kind of wind action characteristic of urban environments, and also runs more quietly. It should produce 3 times (1.2kW) the typical output of urban turbines when it comes out. The inventor, Ben Storan, was given £3000 by the British Standards Institute for his design. [GT]

New wind turbine spins success for winning student (via Treehugger)

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Electronic wave hypersensitivity in Japan

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Similar to electrosensitivity to electromagnetic radiation, Japanese have begun reporting cases of electronic wave hypersensitivity, where exposure to electronic waves result in intense internal pain which can only be controlled with prescription medications, and is aggravated by proximity to electrical towers, appliances, computers and mobiles. My personal experience with this has generally been that the doctors are dismissive, but the engineers think it entirely possible. [GT]

Cell Phones Destroying Japanese Brains

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Ikan knows what should be in your kitchen

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We’ve all had the problem of coming back from the shops and finding that there was one item we forgot to put on the shopping list. Ikan is a new brain augmenting device that takes the form of a home barcode scanner. Once you’ve finished using a product, you scan it and Ikan adds it to your online shopping list, which you can either print out or send to an online grocer. Ikan is currently looking for people to beta test the product, so no word on pricing yet. [GT]

Ikan (via The Red Ferret Journal)

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