Month: November 2013

Whoa, This Handheld Router Only Cuts Where Needed To Reveal 3D Models

Researchers at MIT have developed a handheld milling machine that turns anyone into a skilled sculptor. Like with a 3D printer, users start with a 3D model on a computer, but instead of a machine laying down layers of plastic, the handheld mill removes only what’s needed from a solid block of material to eventually reveal a fully formed 3D object. This could basically turn anyone into a Michelangelo when we’re all able to buy one. Read more…        

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Whoa, This Handheld Router Only Cuts Where Needed To Reveal 3D Models

US carriers no longer let premium text message services bill customers

Among the many surprise costs that annoy cellphone owners, unwanted text message service fees can be the worst; they’re hard to stop, and not always worth the effort. Those fees may not irk many US subscribers after today, though — AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile now stop “problematic” premium SMS services from billing their customers. Donations and those all-important talent show votes will still go through. Verizon isn’t part of today’s announcements, although the company’s General Counsel William Petersen tells us that Big Red is already “winding down” premium SMS services. There’s a good chance that these shady messagers will simply change tactics, but they’ll at least have a tougher time scamming phone owners. Filed under: Cellphones , Wireless , Mobile , Verizon , Sprint , AT&T , T-Mobile Comments Source: Vermont Attorney General , T-Mobile

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US carriers no longer let premium text message services bill customers

Palette embraces the buttons, dials and sliders that touchscreens forgot

Gone are the days of buttons, switches and dials. We’re all touchscreen and trackpad now. If you’re among those that miss the tactile sensation and precision that switches and toggles offer and have $100 or so burning a hole in your pocket, however, you’re right in the pitching sweet spot for Palette’s Kickstarter campaign. The module controllers daisy chain in the configuration of your choosing to create a customize hardware interface for a number of different scenarios, including gaming, creative suites and even live DJing. Palette’s also offering up a number of aesthetic choices for the controllers, including brushed aluminum and cherry wood — there’s also built in LED lighting, for those impromptu parties you’re no doubt planning. The team behind the creation is shooting for $71, 674 over on the crowdfunding site. A pledge of $99 will get you the starter kit, which includes four modules. That’s set to start shipping in June. Filed under: Peripherals Comments Source: Kickstarter

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Palette embraces the buttons, dials and sliders that touchscreens forgot

The Netherlands’ Biggest Building Opens 16 Years After It Was Designed

De Rotterdam, a massive tower designed by Rotterdam darling Rem Koolhaas, has opened. It is the city’s largest building—a little bit of Manhattan, in Rotterdam. It’s also, in an odd way, a tribute to the original World Trade Center. Read more…        

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The Netherlands’ Biggest Building Opens 16 Years After It Was Designed

Skip iTunes and Add Your Own Books to iBooks with an Email

If you want to add books you don’t purchase from Apple into your iBooks library, you have two main methods: sync with iTunes or sync with the iBooks app in Mavericks. They’re both not the most intuitive things in the world though, so if you’re sick of bothering with them, Cult of Mac points out that sending an email with an Epub attachment does the job. Read more…        

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Skip iTunes and Add Your Own Books to iBooks with an Email

America’s Largest Carbon Fiber Ship Is a Seafaring Speed Demon

The answer to designing ships that are both fast and stable has traditionally been to make the vessels as narrow as possible (to reduce drag) and sit them lower in the water (to reduce the buffeting effects of plowing through waves). But US Navy’s M80 Stiletto is not your typical ship. Combining cutting edge construction and a unique hull design, this fast attack boat can cut through rough seas like a hot knife through drawn butter. Read more…        

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America’s Largest Carbon Fiber Ship Is a Seafaring Speed Demon

Listen to Da Vinci’s Genius Piano-Cello Played for the Very First Time

From the audience, this instrument looks like a typical grand piano. Then the maestro takes his seat and begins to play. It’s a sound nobody has heard before, because this instrument, designed by Leonardo Da Vinci five centuries ago, has just been built for the very first time. And it sounds heavenly. Read more…        

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Listen to Da Vinci’s Genius Piano-Cello Played for the Very First Time

Make Your Own Cheap Home Automation in 10 Minutes with Ninja Blocks

Home security and automation are rarely mentioned in the same sentence as the word cheap, but it’s totally possible if you’re willing to do a few things yourself. We checked out a $200 DIY kit called Ninja Blocks , and were able to get a home automation and security system up and running in about 10 minutes. Read more…        

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Make Your Own Cheap Home Automation in 10 Minutes with Ninja Blocks

Bendy Wooden Room Snaps Together Like Tetris, Takes Over House

The so-called ” Roominaroom ” project by London-based architects atmos studio won a 2013 UK Wood Award yesterday for its extraordinary level of craftsmanship—from computer-milled, cut, and fitted ornamental oak beams to precision joinery—for a renovated house in the city. Read more…        

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Bendy Wooden Room Snaps Together Like Tetris, Takes Over House

World’s smallest FM receiver built with graphene, ruined by Psy

Researchers have been using graphene to develop an assortment of technologically advanced things for a while, from camera sensors and contact lenses all the way to frickin’ lasers . That’s why it’s not a surprise to see a group of engineers from Columbia University create the world’s smallest FM transmitter using the atom-thick material. The end product isn’t just for show, either, as it can pump tunes over the airwaves to a regular FM radio — the team even used Gangnam Style to prove that it works. As interesting as the teensy transmitter is, the engineers have no plans to build a radio for ants, and this is merely part of a larger study into nano-electromechanical systems. Now all we need is for someone to make a tiny violin and a pair of tweezers small enough for us to play. Filed under: Alt Comments Via: IEEE Source: Columbia University , Nature

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World’s smallest FM receiver built with graphene, ruined by Psy