Yes, this is the world's largest solar energy system, at least this is what BrightSource Energy is telling us. The Ivanpah plant covers 5.5 miles, mostly with 173,500 mirrors. This Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System has 392MW of power, which is enough to make up 30 percent of all solar thermal energy in the United States alone. That is good enough for 140,000 … [Read more...] about This is Ivanpah, the largest solar thermal plant
Archives for February 2014
Beyerdynamic A 200 p Headphone Sound Supercharger
I have reviewed products from Beyerdynamic before, and they put out some very cool headphones, like the T 51 p I reviewed a while ago. According to the company, headphones like the T 51 p cannot be used to their full potential, due to digital-to-analog converter (DAC) and analog output levels of mobile audio devices rarely meet genuine hi-fi standards. This is where the A … [Read more...] about Beyerdynamic A 200 p Headphone Sound Supercharger
Nokia announces the Lumia Icon
It's been a while since I wrote about a Nokia phone. The company announced their Lumia Icon, and it is made for speed, images, and video. Yes, it is another Microsoft Windows phone, and this one has a 5 inch screen with 1080p HD display. It also has a viewing angle of about 180 degrees, as well as Optical Image Stabilization (OIS). Before I get into the features, let's … [Read more...] about Nokia announces the Lumia Icon
A keyboard of shortcuts with the Shortcut-S keyboard
Man, I don't know what it is with my headlines these days. However, if you are like me, then you have become accustomed to using some serious shortcuts. I don't know where I would be without the Ctrl C and V. So why not have a keyboard that is all shortcuts. This Shortcut-S Keyboard is a Kickstarter project, and it is definitely made for those who are into Photoshop or … [Read more...] about A keyboard of shortcuts with the Shortcut-S keyboard
Rayovac doing more than just batteries. Let them charge your mobile devices.
I'm sure most of you associate Rayovac with the company that makes batteries, and I generally see them on those endcaps full of batteries for whatever you need. I'm not certain if this is a more recent move, but Rayovac is making devices that charge your mobile devices. I only had a chance to try out one of these devices, and that is the Phone Boost 800. The version I … [Read more...] about Rayovac doing more than just batteries. Let them charge your mobile devices.
How to put yourself in a game
I think it is interesting to see how realistic video game characters are becoming. Just take a look at Link, Mario, and Samus Aran look almost human. What if there is a way to put yourself in a video game? This is now possible thanks to Ari Shapiro at the Institute for Creative Technologies at USC. Their system known as Fast Avatar Capture, involves using a Kinect to … [Read more...] about How to put yourself in a game
Beginning LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 is out!
Okay, I'm sure that you all know that I write Lego books. I have written Practical Lego Technics and Lego Technic Robotics, and I have now written a book on LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3. Yes, I have written on LEGO MINDSTORMS before, like when I saw them at CES 2014. In case you haven't figured it out, I wrote a hands-on review of them because I have lived and breathed LEGO … [Read more...] about Beginning LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 is out!
VEX IQ is another modular toy set
Please excuse the dumb headline, but I am going a theme for today for modular toy sets. The next posting will make this incredibly clear why I chose this theme. The VEX IQ system is made to be a very easy-to-assemble toy that can be programmed to do all sorts of things. If that sounds similar to the Lego Mindstorms, it kind of is. I wouldn't say that this is a rip-off, … [Read more...] about VEX IQ is another modular toy set
MOSS Robot Construction System
Today is going to be Modular Construction set day, because I am going to be celebrating the launch of my sixth book, which is about Lego Mindstorms EV3. I'm going to talk about the MOSS Robot Construction System, which, unlike the Mindstorms kits, require no programming. The MOSS Robot Construction Kit appears to be designed for the Minecraft generation, and not for the … [Read more...] about MOSS Robot Construction System
Drone gets better view of accident than police
This is an interesting piece of news that I caught, and it illustrates the inability for technology to be arm-and-arm with the law. It began with an accident in Connecticut, and there was a drone that hovered over it, taking pictures and/or video. So the officers investigating the accident see this drone, and they find the man who is operating it. They ask this man a few … [Read more...] about Drone gets better view of accident than police
Flappy Bird is to be no more
Sometimes there is some app that just everyone has, and it is one of the one in a thousand that really makes its creators rich. I think everyone thought that the game Flappy Bird was going to be the next Angry Birds, and it had its addicts and haters. I began to see articles claiming that Flappy Bird makes fifty-thousand a day. I believe that it is one of the … [Read more...] about Flappy Bird is to be no more
Speculative Fiction Saturday: The Road
I hesitate to call The Road speculative fiction. After all, it is based on a book written by Cormac McCarthy, who is known for all kinds of non-speculative fiction works like No Country for Old Men and All the Pretty Horses. You would not find The Road in the speculative fiction shelf in your bookstore, and this is one of those times where I have to wonder why I am even … [Read more...] about Speculative Fiction Saturday: The Road
Mag Cat iPhone 5 case from EKUSA
I am no stranger to EKUSA products, as I have reviewed the Dri Cat and Speak Easy from the company before. I recently got a chance to try out the Mag Cat, for the iPhone 5/5S. I believe that the Mag Cat is designed for those car-guys. You can see that the basic frame looks like a hubcab, and you might not be able to see this, but the edges are like tires. You can feel … [Read more...] about Mag Cat iPhone 5 case from EKUSA
Boogie Board Sync 9.7 LCD eWriter from Improv Electronics
I have always liked Improv Electronics products and their variations of the Boogie Board. If you are not familiar with the Boogie Board, it is essentially a board that you can write or draw on, and then save your creations for later. I recently had a chance to try out the Sync 9.7. I have no idea where the 9.7 comes from, but the Sync is designed so that you can draw or … [Read more...] about Boogie Board Sync 9.7 LCD eWriter from Improv Electronics
Scentee Smartphone Scent Emitter
I think we know that there are all kinds of iPhone accessories, and this one is the Scentee. The Scentee is similar to the Luxi in that it fits into that headphone jack, as opposed to the Lightning port connector. This one is not designed to emit a flash, but a scent. That is right, this is made to emit a scent. In this case, it is made for rose, lavender, coffee, … [Read more...] about Scentee Smartphone Scent Emitter