Looking for thrills? This week we’ve unleashed a torrent of tech the likes of which you’ve never seen. We found screens both scintillating and secret, super transportation ideas and even a crazy thing or two that you might never have expected.
We found an even wilder PC design than the one we showed you last week, an unusually useful iPhone accessory, a fresh space triumph and a palm-sized cube that cranks out so much sound it seemed like a magic trick.
So come along for the ride - and enjoy this fresh batch of Top 10 Tech This Week.
1. Black 'n' Blue Computer
Is it a time machine? Is it a replicator from Star Trek? No, it's a custom-built PC created by Danish master computer builder Mads Bendtsen (aka DluXe), made of Plexiglas, stainless steel, nylon, and other lovely components.
I'm hoping Mads figures out how to make thousands of these liquid-cooled behemoths packed with state-of-the-art components, gracing the gaming world with their ominous presence.
2. Twig
Twig
Look what you can do when you make an iPhone docking cable rigid. Suddenly you have Twig, a multipurpose accessory with impressive versatility.
The Twig lets you stand up your iPhone on a flexible tripod, hold it in place with a portable easel, suspend it from a power outlet with a sturdy stalk, wrap your ear buds around it, or just impress people with your choice of a rainbow of colours.
It's a Kickstarter project that asks for a pledge of US$18, or for US$20, you get your choice of colours.
Great idea.
3. Sharp Paper-Thin OLED Display
Here's some brand-new technology by Sharp unveiled this week: a new kind of LCD and OLED display panel made of a space-age material called IGZO (indium gallium zinc oxide). The tech is so thin it can be flexible, allowing for paper-thin OLED screens that are highly energy-efficient.
This first flexible screen is the one you see here, measuring 3.4 inches diagonally, with a resolution of 540 x 960 - almost matching the super resolution of Apple's 640x960 Retina display. Other even-higher resolution screens are on the way, including a 4.9-inch 720 x 1,280 display as well as a 6.1-inch 2,560 x 1,600 screen. Imagine where this is leading!
4. Electric Aircraft
Since Charles Lindbergh first crossed the Atlantic on a solo flight on May 20, 1927, there's been a lot of technology poured into the aerospace industry. Now we're about to come full-circle, with a grand plan to fly an electric aircraft along that exact same route.
The elaborate plan for the 24-hour nonstop flight consists of using battery packs that can be jettisoned to lessen the plane's weight, as well as an unmanned "mother ship" with which the plane can dock in mid-flight, helping to recharge the electric aircraft as it flies. The goal for the flight is 2014.
5. Ultimate Ears
What do you get when you spend US$1999.99 on a pair of earphones? According to Logitech, you get complete customizability and presumably, spectacular sound. That lofty price includes the assistance of a personal service specialist, who uses a "personal reference tuning box" to "guide you through the process of fitting, designing and tuning the Ultimate Ears Personal Reference Monitors."
Once you've precisely adjusted your preferred mix of highs, midrange and lows, Logitech engineers will custom craft your earphones based on those settings. They'll be available this month in New York, Nashville, Irvine California and Los Angeles.
6. Next iPhone
Next iPhone?
The rumour mill continues to churn about the upcoming iPhone, and now there are pictures and a video depicting alleged front panel parts that give more credence to the oft-repeated assertion that the new Apple handset will have a taller screen.
Apple is notorious for its secrecy, so don't be betting any money on this little tidbit of info being entirely accurate. However, there is a preponderance of evidence pointing to a 16 x 9 aspect ratio in the next iPhone, so add this to your educated guesses about what we shall actually see.
7. Guitar Urinal
Guitar Urinal
It's getting more and more fun to be a guy these days, what with urinals like this being invented and deployed in the real world. This one lets you actually play music as you relieve yourself, even letting you become a recording artist, capturing your tinklings for all to enjoy.
"Guitar Pee" includes a mobile app that lets you stream (oops) your recorded masterpiece for anyone whom you can convince to listen.
Will we see this technological wonder in a bathroom near us anytime soon? If you live in Sao Paulo, Brazil, you're in luck. We can only hope this humorous concept will someday spread worldwide.
8. SpaceX Dragon Returns to Earth
The first commercial voyage to the International Space Station culminated in complete success on Thursday, marking the beginning of a new era for space travel. The SpaceX Dragon splashed down in the Pacific, after delivering its 1,455 pounds of cargo to the space station.
Exciting things are in store for such spacecraft, including soft landings on terra firma instead of splashing into the ocean, transporting humans to the space station and beyond, using even larger rockets and perhaps someday taking off on a manned mission to Mars.
9. NuForce Cube
When I first opened the box containing the NewForce Cube, I was sceptical about how much such a tiny 2-inch (2.3" x 2.3" x 2.36", to be exact) box could accomplish. Once I plugged in my iPhone, I was astonished at the sheer amount of sound emanating from this minuscule device.
NuForce Cube 2
There was some serious sound coming out of this baby, with scintillating and well-defined high frequencies, realistic, warm mid-range and even a surprising amount of bass. Sure, it could use a sub-woofer to accompany it, but as it is I found it pleasant to listen to, even at its highest volume.
NuForce Cube 3
You can get a special attachment to connect an iPod nano, making it the smallest high-fidelity dock in existence. It's only shortcomings I could find: the inability to use two of them in a stereo arrangement, and the lack of Bluetooth connectivity.
NuForce Cube 4
Here I'm holding two of the Cubes in the palm of my hand, giving you an idea of how small they are.
NuForce Cube 5
I also tested the Cube as a headphone amp, and it makes all the headphones I tested sound a whole lot louder and noticeably better.
NuForce Cube 6
Look at the array of colours from which to choose - most can be closely matched to the anodized aluminium finish of an iPod nano. And the batteries inside are said to last 8 hours on a charge.
This is one hell of a hotshot speaker, a refined piece of high-fidelity gear that will set you back US$119, but it's worth it. Highly recommended.
10. Auto Train
If this creative design concept for an Auto Train becomes reality, you won't have to leave your car behind when you want to travel by train. Better yet, you can stay in your car and take in the glorious view, while residing in the familiar surroundings of your own vehicle.
Auto Train 2
Imagine listening to your own tunes, or doing whatever it is you like to do in your car - and not having to drive - while watching all that scenery whizzing by.
Auto Train 3
Or, there are seats where you can sit up front or in the back, if you'd like to get out of your car.
Using special stations where cars can be loaded and unloaded, the train has the ability to drop off train sections at specific cities, making the entire process faster because it doesn't need to stop at every single city or town.
Auto Train 4
It looks like designer Marco Gallegos has figured out an important design concept here. Perhaps an idea like this would be enough to get more people interested in train travel, a seriously fuel efficient and severely underutilized transportation mode in the United States.
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