ONDA Cycle puts riders in control of all three wheels

Welcome to the newsletter for Gizmag Emerging Technology Magazine. These are the headlines for February the 14th, 2013. ONDA Cycle puts riders in control of all three wheels Three years ago, Joe Hadzicki of Revolution Enterprises and son Tyler (both from San Diego) started designing their perfect trike. Seven constantly-evolving designs and at least two prototypes later, and the ONDA Cycle is finally ready for launch. If you want to be dull and boring, this rather odd-looking, recumbent-like three-wheeler can be steered using the handlebars ... but if you really want to have some fun, the rear swivel wheels can be unlocked and controlled with a handle at the back for spins, drifting and tight, precision turns. Read on Desktop or Read on Mobile The SSIKE personal electric scooter Like a cross between a genetically flawed Segway and a YikeBike, the Spanish-designed SSIKE e-Scooter looks to be more inner-city toy than serious people mover. However, aesthetic prowess aside, its reasonably zippy top speed, light weight and portable design could make it a viable addition to the growing list of last-mile transport options out there. Read on Desktop or Read on Mobile Breakthrough laser cooling system could save space and energy A research team at Singapore's Nanyang Technological University (NTU) has successfully used a laser to cool down a semiconductor material known as Cadmium Sulfide. The results of the recently published study could lead to the development of self-cooling computer chips and smaller, more energy efficient air conditioners and refrigerators that don't produce greenhouse gases. Read on Desktop or Read on Mobile Alfa Romeo 4C to debut at Geneva Motor Show The Alfa Romeo 4C is set to make its debut at the 83rd International Motor Show in Geneva next month. A production version of the Alfa Romeo 4C Concept which combines the efforts of Alfa Romeo and Maserati, the new mid-engined, rear-wheel drive, two-seater coupé will also mark the return of the Italian marque to the U.S. market later this year. Read on Desktop or Read on Mobile MacBook Pro with Retina Display vs. MacBook Air Though Apple didn't give it a special event or keynote presentation, the MacBook product line received an update today. The biggest change is a price drop, but the MacBook Pro with Retina Display also got a slightly upgraded processor. How does the updated Retina MBP compare to the MacBook Air? Read on Desktop or Read on Mobile Asthma drug reverses obesity and diabetes in mice Researchers at the University of Michigan's Life Sciences Institute have found that amlexanox, an off-patent drug used to treat asthma and canker sores, can also reduce obesity, diabetes and fatty liver disease in mice. Read on Desktop or Read on Mobile RetroSound's Model Two gives classic cars a modern stereo Cruising around in a classic car is awesome, but you are forced to give up some of today's luxuries ... especially when it comes to the stereo. RetroSound's Model Two head unit is designed to keep the classic look, without sacrificing the modern touches. Read on Desktop or Read on Mobile Transporter goes from box to boat in 10 minutes Thanks to modern technology, we currently live in the age of smartphones, autonomous robots, satellite navigation, and ... foldable boats? Well, that's certainly what it looks like. Just within the past couple of years, we've covered a folding rowboat, paddle board, sea kayak and canoe. Now, word comes to us of another boat-to-go, known appropriately as The Transporter. Read on Desktop or Read on Mobile New tests developed for the addictive potential of computer games Have you ever felt that one computer game is more "addictive" than another? Leaving definitions aside for the moment, it's fair to say that an addictive computer game is likely to be a more successful product than a game that is merely fun to play. Gaming developers apply numerous techniques and tests in an attempt to evaluate which games will hit the right buttons. Now researchers at Academia Sinica and the National Taiwan University (ASNTU) have developed a direct test for the addictiveness of a computer game based on physiological responses of a group of new players. Read on Desktop or Read on Mobile Carbon-capture material releases trapped CO2 when exposed to sunlight Amidst concerns over the accumulation of atmospheric greenhouse gases, many research institutes have been looking into methods of carbon sequestration – the capture, storage and even possible reuse of carbon dioxide emissions. Unfortunately, some of the approaches require a considerable input of power, in order to release the captured CO2. A new material developed at Australia's Monash University, however, requires nothing but sunlight. Read on Desktop or Read on Mobile Laser device designed for Mars unmasks counterfeit honey When someone mentions counterfeiting, it brings up images of money, watches or DVDs. It certainly doesn't make honey spring to mind, yet honey smuggling and counterfeiting is an international problem involving hundreds of millions of dollars. In an effort to combat this, the European Space Agency (ESA) is funding a demonstration project to adopt lasers designed to study the Martian atmosphere, to detect fake honey. Read on Desktop or Read on Mobile Sure-Ears In-Ear Monitors sport smaller drivers for fuller sound California's Wi Digital Systems has launched a new Sure-Ears series of in-ear monitors (IEM) geared toward musicians, including a Micro-In-Ears model that features a smaller driver design for a claimed fuller sound with deep bass and crisp highs. Read on Desktop or Read on Mobile LG updates mid-range Optimus L Series At the Mobile World Congress (MWC) last year, LG first revealed the Optimus L Series of smartphones, which featured some middle-of-the-road specs in a slim package. This year, LG brought the L Series back to the MWC with a slew of upgraded features, including a higher-resolution display, longer lasting battery, and a dual SIM card option. Read on Desktop or Read on Mobile Rollei releases iSY printers for your smartphone snaps What do you do with the photos from your smartphone – upload them to social media sites, maybe copy them to your computer or tablet to show to friends and family? Well, Rollei seems to think you should print them more. It's just announced two photo printers which connect to iOS or Android devices, and are specifically designed for releasing your smartphone images from their digital confines. Read on Desktop or Read on Mobile 3D print your own robot with Hello Robo's MAKI Hot on the heels of InMoov, the 3D-printable android, comes a similar but much less intimidating project for DIYers by Hello Robo. MAKI is a cute communication robot that can be assembled from 3D-printed parts and some off-the-shelf electronic components for less than US$500, making it an affordable platform for hobbyists and university labs. Hello Robo has opted to launch MAKI via crowdfunding site Kickstarter, where a $30 pledge will net you the 3D blueprints. Read on Desktop or Read on Mobile Urban skyscraper proposed for the year 2050 Engineering firm ARUP has asked us to imagine the building of the future in its latest Foresight publication. In the article entitled "It's Alive," the design team envision a city building in the year 2050 that includes flexible modular pods, urban agriculture, climate-conscious facades and intelligent building systems. ARUP hopes the proposal will ultimately answer the question, "As city living takes center stage, what will we come to expect from the design and function of urban structures and buildings?". Read on Desktop or Read on Mobile Who says a switch plate can't house more than light switches? Enter the Walhub There are certain devices in the home that we don't generally think about improving. The switch plates over our light switches have remained more or less the same for years, but that doesn't mean there's not room to make them better. Product designer Justin Porcano has decided to rethink switch plates, by adding more functionality. Read on Desktop or Read on Mobile NASA launches latest Landsat mission NASA's Landsat Data Continuity Mission (LDCM) spacecraft was successfully placed in orbit earlier this week. The mission marks the continuation of the 40-year Landsat Earth-observation program, which aids in the study of dynamic and ongoing changes to the planet. Read on Desktop or Read on Mobile Western Digital launches TV Play streaming box Western Digital has expanded its range of streaming boxes with the TV Play, a device that aims to compete with popular products like the Roku 2 XD. The low-cost TV Play offers access to a wide range of streaming services, as well as the user's own media library. Read on Desktop or Read on Mobile Bamboo understudy fills in for future Hong Kong opera house Standing, temporarily, on the site of Hong Kong's yet-to-be Xiqu Centre opera house, the West Kowloon Bamboo Theatre has returned for a three-week program of Cantonese opera. Read on Desktop or Read on Mobile McLaren's carbon-saturated P1 interior revealed McLaren has been drip-feeding us details of its multi-faceted supercar since releasing the first pictures last year. Now we have our first glimpse of the interior, and as with the rest of the P1 it's all business … carbon fibered to the hilt business. Read on Desktop or Read on Mobile You are receiving this email because you signed up for our daily newsletter at http://www.gizmag.com. If you would like to switch to our weekly newsletter, click here If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter please click here to unsubscribe. COPYRIGHT GIZMAG (C) 2013