A still from "Charlie Magnetico." Where there's smoke...

Times have been good for aficionados of Jim Henson.

Not only did we see a new Muppets feature film over the holidays, last week we also saw the posting of a "lost" Henson short: "Robot," made for an AT&T data-communications seminar in 1963. And now a kind of "sequel" to "Robot" has made its way online.

AT&T posted "Charlie Magnetico" to its AT&T Tech Channel (and YouTube) earlier in the week (you'll find it embedded below). Like "Robot," the film stars the charmingly croaky "Computer H14" (Henson's first robot puppet), who tells the tale of Magnetico Electronics and its "tafflerated conducer."

The fictional gadget, used in missile guidance systems, falls victim to a communications mix-up, which of course makes for a bang-up finish to the film. ("Charlie Magnetico" also stars Henson's first employee, Jerry Juhl, as Charlie himself, and Charlie's mother. Juhl went on to become the head writer for "The Muppet Show" and "Fraggle Rock.")

Scientists and engineers have built a monitor that tracks heart rate, respiration, and movement--without requiring direct contact with skin.

The 2-inch-wide sensor works without skin contact.

The "life and activity" monitor, developed at Oregon State University, is wearable and non-invasive. The sensor does this via a 5-axis inertial measurement unit and a non-contact heart rate sensor that allow for ongoing and simultaneous monitoring of movement, heart rate, and respiration. Imagine adhering such a device to your pants instead of wearing yet another arm or wrist band that's trying to resemble a watch.

The researchers, who reported on their emerging tech this week, say the next step is to continue to miniaturize a device that is already just two inches wide--ultimately taking the form of, say, a disposable bandage prescribed by a doctor for a few weeks of continuous monitoring.

"When this technology becomes more miniaturized and so low cost that it could almost be disposable, it will see more widespread adoption," said Patrick Chiang, an assistant professor of computer engineering at OSU, ... [Read more]

Related Links:
Basis Band monitor lets you follow your heart
Cheap sensors enabling new smartphone fitness gadgets
What mattered on CES Day 1
Sportiiiis gets in your face when you're being lazy
Researchers still stuck on electronic tattoo
]]>

Scientists and engineers have built a monitor that tracks heart rate, respiration, and movement--without requiring direct contact with skin.

The 2-inch-wide sensor works without skin contact.

The "life and activity" monitor, developed at Oregon State University, is wearable and non-invasive. The sensor does this via a 5-axis inertial measurement unit and a non-contact heart rate sensor that allow for ongoing and simultaneous monitoring of movement, heart rate, and respiration. Imagine adhering such a device to your pants instead of wearing yet another arm or wrist band that's trying to resemble a watch.

The researchers, who reported on their emerging tech this week, say the next step is to continue to miniaturize a device that is already just two inches wide--ultimately taking the form of, say, a disposable bandage prescribed by a doctor for a few weeks of continuous monitoring.

"When this technology becomes more miniaturized and so low cost that it could almost be disposable, it will see more widespread adoption," said Patrick Chiang, an assistant professor of computer engineering at OSU, ... [Read more]

Related Links:
Basis Band monitor lets you follow your heart
Cheap sensors enabling new smartphone fitness gadgets
What mattered on CES Day 1
Sportiiiis gets in your face when you're being lazy
Researchers still stuck on electronic tattoo
]]> http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/cnet/pRza/~3/dWnbGv0gY08/feed/ 0 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/cnet/pRza/~3/K9YAapu_3E0/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/cnet/pRza/~3/K9YAapu_3E0/#comments Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:45:12 +0000 Leslie Katz 105-17938_57369366

Hey, that's purty.

I have "a friend" (who is no way whatsoever me, no sir, mm-mm) who recently got so excited about her new smartphone case she couldn't stop looking at it for days. Point being that accessories can hugely boost one's enthusiasm for gadgets, even the most humdrum ones.

Take these Dexim Visible Green illuminated charging cables that use electroluminescent (EL) technology to display the current flow from the power socket to your device. They function like any other charging cable, but they do it with such pizzazz that you (and by "you," I mean "me") can't help but feel energized watching them. Suddenly, charging a smartphone feels like going to a rave.

The speed of the lights varies depending on your charging needs; the lower the battery the faster the visible current moves, slowing when your gadget reaches 65 percent. Once a device is fully charged, the glowing stops and the charger goes into power-saving automatic standby mode.

A Visible Green charging system for iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch (folding AC plug plus cable in purple, dark blue, light blue, or green) goes for $35, with the cable alone selling for $20. A 2.6-foot charge and sync cable compatible with ... [Read more]

Related Links:
Keep your gadgets charged on the go with Powerbag
Best portable Bluetooth speakers
Cutting the cord...in an iPhone case
Info-starved no more--home energy gadget clues you in
The hidden Samsung laptops of CES 2012
]]>

Hey, that's purty.

I have "a friend" (who is no way whatsoever me, no sir, mm-mm) who recently got so excited about her new smartphone case she couldn't stop looking at it for days. Point being that accessories can hugely boost one's enthusiasm for gadgets, even the most humdrum ones.

Take these Dexim Visible Green illuminated charging cables that use electroluminescent (EL) technology to display the current flow from the power socket to your device. They function like any other charging cable, but they do it with such pizzazz that you (and by "you," I mean "me") can't help but feel energized watching them. Suddenly, charging a smartphone feels like going to a rave.

The speed of the lights varies depending on your charging needs; the lower the battery the faster the visible current moves, slowing when your gadget reaches 65 percent. Once a device is fully charged, the glowing stops and the charger goes into power-saving automatic standby mode.

A Visible Green charging system for iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch (folding AC plug plus cable in purple, dark blue, light blue, or green) goes for $35, with the cable alone selling for $20. A 2.6-foot charge and sync cable compatible with ... [Read more]

Related Links:
Keep your gadgets charged on the go with Powerbag
Best portable Bluetooth speakers
Cutting the cord...in an iPhone case
Info-starved no more--home energy gadget clues you in
The hidden Samsung laptops of CES 2012
]]> http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/cnet/pRza/~3/K9YAapu_3E0/feed/ 0 http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/tech/*http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_technews/20120201/tc_yblog_technews/just-show-me-how-to-use-the-notification-system-in-android-4-0 http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/tech/*http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_technews/20120201/tc_yblog_technews/just-show-me-how-to-use-the-notification-system-in-android-4-0#comments Wed, 01 Feb 2012 22:55:14 +0000 Gadget News yblog_technews/20120201/just-show-me-how-to-use-the-notification-system-in-android-4-0 http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/tech/*http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_technews/20120201/tc_yblog_technews/just-show-me-how-to-use-the-notification-system-in-android-4-0/feed/ 0 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/cnet/pRza/~3/TJjsgIeWXqo/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/cnet/pRza/~3/TJjsgIeWXqo/#comments Wed, 01 Feb 2012 20:46:02 +0000 Jason Cipriani 39-11310_57369652 (Credit: Photo by Jason Cipriani)

Carry a bag with you everywhere you go just to carry every device and required charger? Find yourself traveling and constantly looking for an outlet to charge your phone or tablet? You may want to consider a Powerbag.

Powerbag is just what the name says: a bag that provides power to charge all of your gadgets while you're on the go. Whether a backpack or messenger bag, the bags have a battery built-in along with charging cables that allow you to charge your devices on the go, with no need for an outlet. There is even an extra USB port available for you to plug in an extra charging cable.

With batteries ranging from 3,000mAh to 9,000mAh, and the ability to swap out batteries, you are sure to have enough backup power to get you through those long days. Most of the product line ships with a 6000mAh battery--enough juice to charge most phones four times.

Below is a video walk-through of the Business Class Pack. It should give you a good idea of how big the battery is (very light) as well as how the charging of a battery pack works.

If you find yourself being the person who is always hunting for an outlet, and carrying around your charger everywhere you go, give Powerbag a look. The bags range in price from $139 on up to... [Read more]

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Charging on the go just got easier with Powerbag
Five ways Logitech can improve Harmony remotes
iPhone 5 rumor roundup
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Vue pico projector: A Wowee product?
]]> (Credit: Photo by Jason Cipriani)

Carry a bag with you everywhere you go just to carry every device and required charger? Find yourself traveling and constantly looking for an outlet to charge your phone or tablet? You may want to consider a Powerbag.

Powerbag is just what the name says: a bag that provides power to charge all of your gadgets while you're on the go. Whether a backpack or messenger bag, the bags have a battery built-in along with charging cables that allow you to charge your devices on the go, with no need for an outlet. There is even an extra USB port available for you to plug in an extra charging cable.

With batteries ranging from 3,000mAh to 9,000mAh, and the ability to swap out batteries, you are sure to have enough backup power to get you through those long days. Most of the product line ships with a 6000mAh battery--enough juice to charge most phones four times.

Below is a video walk-through of the Business Class Pack. It should give you a good idea of how big the battery is (very light) as well as how the charging of a battery pack works.

If you find yourself being the person who is always hunting for an outlet, and carrying around your charger everywhere you go, give Powerbag a look. The bags range in price from $139 on up to... [Read more]

Related Links:
Charging on the go just got easier with Powerbag
Five ways Logitech can improve Harmony remotes
iPhone 5 rumor roundup
Should I upgrade to the iPhone 4S for Siri?
Vue pico projector: A Wowee product?
]]> http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/cnet/pRza/~3/TJjsgIeWXqo/feed/ 0 http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/tech/*http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20120201/tc_nm/us_sony_hirai http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/tech/*http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20120201/tc_nm/us_sony_hirai#comments Wed, 01 Feb 2012 20:40:33 +0000 Gadget News nm/20120201/us_sony_hirai Reuters - Sony Corp named Kazuo Hirai as chief executive, succeeding Howard Stringer at the helm of the iconic gadget maker as it struggles with persistent losses and stalled efforts to re-energize its once-dominant brand.

A purported shot of an iPod Nano with a camera built-in.

Those hoping Apple will bring a camera back to the iPod Nano may have a new glimmer of hope today.

Purported spy shots of the gadget were posted this morning by Japanese Apple-centric blog Apple.pro (via 9to5Mac), and depict an iPod Nano much like the current model, but with a camera on the backside where the built-in clip is.

This is not the first time we've seen a shot of such a device, of course. Apple.pro is the same outlet that leaked a shot of a camera-enabled model last April, however that photo depicted what was merely the backside of some hollowed-out aluminum casing. The new photos that were published this morning also show what appears to be just the exterior shell of a unit, but offer what looks to be a more finished model. [Read more]

Related Links:
Apple's biggest quarter by the numbers
iPhone 5 rumor roundup
New biochip measures glucose levels in saliva
iPad 3 to receive front-facing HD FaceTime camera?
Today's iPad rumor: Two products, two launches for 2012
]]>

A purported shot of an iPod Nano with a camera built-in.

Those hoping Apple will bring a camera back to the iPod Nano may have a new glimmer of hope today.

Purported spy shots of the gadget were posted this morning by Japanese Apple-centric blog Apple.pro (via 9to5Mac), and depict an iPod Nano much like the current model, but with a camera on the backside where the built-in clip is.

This is not the first time we've seen a shot of such a device, of course. Apple.pro is the same outlet that leaked a shot of a camera-enabled model last April, however that photo depicted what was merely the backside of some hollowed-out aluminum casing. The new photos that were published this morning also show what appears to be just the exterior shell of a unit, but offer what looks to be a more finished model. [Read more]

Related Links:
Apple's biggest quarter by the numbers
iPhone 5 rumor roundup
New biochip measures glucose levels in saliva
iPad 3 to receive front-facing HD FaceTime camera?
Today's iPad rumor: Two products, two launches for 2012
]]> http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/cnet/pRza/~3/MuXyAISd1G4/feed/ 0 http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/tech/*http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_technews/20120201/tc_yblog_technews/just-show-me-3-great-football-apps-for-your-iphone http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/tech/*http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_technews/20120201/tc_yblog_technews/just-show-me-3-great-football-apps-for-your-iphone#comments Wed, 01 Feb 2012 02:03:48 +0000 Gadget News yblog_technews/20120201/just-show-me-3-great-football-apps-for-your-iphone http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/tech/*http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_technews/20120201/tc_yblog_technews/just-show-me-3-great-football-apps-for-your-iphone/feed/ 0