Zink, a spinoff of Polaroid based in Waltham, Massachusetts, will be unveiling its zero ink printing technology at Demo 07 today in Palm Springs. The Zink technology is protected by over 100 patents and patents pending, and will usher in an era of portable, full-color printing without toner, ink cartridges, and ribbons. The first Zink-enabled devices will be pocket sized printers that work with digital cameras and phones. For more information, click here for a SJ Mercury News report on the Company.
I just ordered the DVD for Future by Design, a new documentary directed by William Gazecki about futurist Jacque Fresco, a self-described generalist or multi-disciplinarian whom many consider to be a modern-day Da Vinci. Check out the movie’s website here. I’ll update here with my thoughts after viewing.
Computer input device innovation has been rather stagnant since the invention of the joystick and mouse. The 3D Space Connexion controller offers an unprecedented ability to navigate 3D spaces. Check out this demo with Google Earth.
Spinvox, a UK-based company, started accepting this week users in the United States. The service, which is mostly distributed through cell phone carriers, converts voicemails to text for either email or SMS delivery. To see how the service works, visit this site, call the number, and leave a message. A few minutes later, the message will be posted to the blog! This is great efficiency tool, but can also be used to screen calls. While in a meeting, voice messages can be converted to SMS messages delivered to your mobile device, so you can elect whether or not to return the call right away. [thanks, techcrunch]
Virgin is lobbying to introduce an innovative aircraft service within America. Each seat would have a 110 volt plug, USB port, Ethernet jack, an in-flight entertainment system unrivaled by U.S. carriers, greater knee room in economy, and plush leather seats.
UK architect Norman Foster has designed a 500 ft high dome the size of ten football stadiums to be built in the heart of the Central Asian steppe of oil rich Kazakhstan, where winter temperatures often drop far below freezing. The tent’s material will absorb sunlight to create the effect of summer inside. A city will be built inside, which will have cobblestone streets, shopping centers, cafes and even a beach and golf course. Construction is expected to be completed within 12 months.
Wild Charge has an innovative technology to wirelessly charge all your devices, including cell phones, iPods and laptops, so you can effortlessly charge a number of devices simultaneously, and don’t have to carry numerous cords for your devices when you travel.
Much news this week around CES and MacWorld - other sites like engadget and gizmodo have covered it well, but another big event this week is The Detroit Auto Show, which has been somewhat overshadowed. The most exciting vehicle concept introduced, in my opinion, is the Chevy Volt, a boldly designed plug-in hybrid vehicle. It can run 40 miles on electricity alone, and then the gas engine kicks in as a generator and the vehicle can run for an additional 600 miles. The engine itself can be interchanged for different fuel types, including diesel, ethanol, hydrogen etc. Check out these pictures courtesy of treehugger.
