Technology
Line To Gain: How That Yellow First Down Line Came To Be Part Of Every Football Game Shown On TV (Video)
May 23, 2016
Wow. This is pretty dope. Check out the history and engineering behind sports on TV’s adoption of that yellow first down line you see during all the football games.
Since the late 1990s, the virtual yellow line has been quietly enhancing football broadcasts by giving viewers a live, intuitive guide to the state of play. The graphic is engineered to appear painted on the field, rather than simply plopped on top of the players, so it doesn’t distract from the game at all.
The line debuted during a September 27, 1998, game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals. It was developed by a company called Sportvision Inc. and operated by six people in a 48-foot semi-truck parked outside the stadium.
ESPN was the only network that immediately agreed to pay the steep price of $25,000 per game. Before long, other companies began offering the yellow line to the other networks, and now you won’t see a football game without it.
Posted in History, Sports, Technology, Videos | 
Tags: First Down, First Down line, Line To Gain, Sportvision, virtual graphics, virtual line, yellow line | 
No Comments »
Magic Leap: The World’s Most Secretive Startup (Video)
April 20, 2016
Check out this great article I read on WIRED (embedded videos from the article above and after the jump; link to full article below). Virtual reality (VR) is poised to become a fundamental technology, and outfits like Magic Leap have an opportunity to become some of the largest companies ever.
The world’s hottest startup isn’t located in Silicon Valley — it’s in suburban Florida. Kevin Kelly explores what Magic Leap’s mind-bending technology tells us about the future of virtual reality.
READ THE FULL ARTICLE: MAGIC LEAP (WIRED)
Posted in Business, Technology, Videos | Tags: Kevin Kelly, Magic Leap, Secretive Startup, The Scene, Virtual Reality, VR, Wired | No Comments »
See What It Takes To Make Acura’s NSX Hybrid Supercar (Video)
April 16, 2016
Acura’s NSX hybrid supercar is capable of a blistering 191 mph but to make a car this fast, you have to build it slowly and precisely.
You understand (or you will): Precision. But before we see the process behind the phenomenon… can we slow down and see that speed run again? DAAAAMN! So that’s what 191 MPH on the straight, screeching into the turn looks/sounds like?! DOPE! Okay.
Posted in Lifestyle, Product, Technology, Videos | Tags: Acura, CAR, hybrid, NSX, supercar | No Comments »
Check Out The Military’s New Micro-Drone: The Black Hornet (Video)
April 15, 2016
Proxdynamics’ nano-UAV – a mini, mini, miniaturized Unmanned Air Vehicle – is on the way… at least for the U.S. military and law enforcement officials. Aptly named for its size and color scheme, the Black Hornet PD-100 PRS mini-drones should be in soldiers’ pockets in 2018. Far off reconnaissance, signaling and more; ready to fly and spy right out the box. Check out the clip above!
(Notice how it says, “Battle Tested,” in there? Already? In what battle?)
Posted in Technology, Videos | Tags: Black Hornet, drone, law enforcement, Military, mini-drone, Nano UAV, PD-100, PD-100 PRS, Personal Reconnaisance System, proxdynamics, PRS, Unmanned Air Vehicle | No Comments »
Got An Apple Watch? Then You Can ‘Summon’ A Tesla Car Like Michael Knight Calls KITT (Video)
March 16, 2016
Once again, a nerdgasmic advance in real-world technology. Megabucks real-life Tony Starks aka Elon Musk, and his Tesla car brand, are showing us something really, really COOL! Remember how the car (KITT) on the Knight Rider TV show used to come when Michael Knight (played by David Hasselhoff) called him on his super-spy type watch? Yeah, that’s the Tesla Summon feature.
Dope, right? Oh, and the car in the clip above… it drives itself, too!
Posted in Business, Lifestyle, Technology, Videos | Tags: Apple Watch, Elon Musk, KITT, KNIGHT RIDER, Smartphone, SUMMON, SUMMON FEATURE, Tesla | No Comments »
Technology: Cosmo Meet Spot…The Robot ‘Dog’ (Video)
March 14, 2016
Man made the tech sort of mimicking dog movement, obviously; but how would a dog react? Well… let’s just say it’ll take more work to fool a real dog. Spot, Boston Dynamics’ 160-pound quadruped robot, was built for navigating uneven terrain. The doggieness was a side-benefit. In the video above, see venture capitalist Steve Jurvetson’s video of actual dog Cosmo playing with Spot. Cosmo belongs to Andy Rubin, co-founder of Android.
Posted in Human Interest, Technology, Videos | Tags: Andy Rubin, Animal vs. Robot, Boston Dynamics, Cosmo, Fido vs. Spot, Spot, Steve Jurvetson | No Comments »
This ‘Atlas’ Robot Stands On Its Own Two Feet…And Walks And Lifts (Video)
March 11, 2016
This is damn near the robot from the Will Smith “I Robot” movie. Boston Dynamics introduces the next generation of Atlas, an amazing bipedal robot. As you can see in the video, Atlas can balance and walk on its own two (er) feet, indoors or outdoors, lift stuff (even remembering to bend at the knees). So human-like, and so humane. Watch how the Atlas resume work right away every time someone pushes it of messes with boxes; no attitude at all. Robots don’t have feelings. Sure. But you gotta feel something wonderful about this amazing technology when you watch.
Posted in Panel, Technology, Videos | Tags: Atlas, Atlas Robot, Boston Dynamics, Robot | No Comments »
Technology: Scientists Are Working On ‘Uploading’ Skills Into The Human Brain (Video)
March 4, 2016
Wowwww. Life imitates art again! Check it out: Researchers from HRL Laboratories (California, USA) claim to have found a way to amplify learning employing brain stimulation via electrode-embedded head caps. Now, they admit the tech is not badazz enough to upload Kung Fu knowledge into a brain. But they have enhanced some pilots’ skills with it; by transmitting recorded brain waves from expert flyers.
(Remember how Trinity had Tank upload helicopter-flying skills in “The Matrix” sci-fi movie? Riiiiiight!)
Watch and know the truth, above. No red pills required.
Science/Technology: This ‘Superman Memory Crystal’ Can Store All The Knowledge On Earth For Billions Of Years (Video)
March 3, 2016
Okay, this science-fiction-turned-science-fact HAD to get invented if we are ever going to get the Star Trek style talking computer I know you nerds are out there working on. Without getting too too ‘sciency’ with the talk (you can follow the link below for that), the coin-sized glass disk technology displayed above is said to be capable of storing the history of mankind on it for billions upon billions of years. The tech’s creators – scientists at the University of Southampton’s Optoelectronics Research Centre – call it the “Superman memory crystal.â€
So that means the nerds working on this were likely inspired by those crystals Superman plugs into his Fortress Of Solitude… you know, the ones that allow him to interactively access the sum knowledge and history of his destroyed home world of Krypton.
I will say it again: If you want fantasy to become real-world, inspire the nerds. They will make that sh!t HAPPEN!
– @ojones1
READ: THIS TINY GLASS SUPERMAN MEMORY CRYSTAL (DIGITAL TRENDS)
Posted in Science, Technology, Videos | Tags: 360 Terabytes, 360TB, 5 dimensional, 5D data storage, billion-year shelf life, billion-year storage life, data storage, enhanced data storage, eternal storage, five dimensional, memory crystal, nano-structured glass, nano-structured glass material, Optoelectronics Research Centre, Superman memory crystal, University of Southampton | No Comments »
Santigold – “Can’t Get Enough of Myself†(Prod. By Patrick Berger) [Interactive Video]
February 28, 2016
Alright. This is new. Maybe not to some of you edge-of-the-bleeding-edge tech enthusiasts (nerds! hahaaa!)… but naaah… THIS is new school cool. It’s an interactive video for Santigold, off the“99 Cents” album (out now). And sure you’ve seen visuals that employ point-of-view and 360-degree panning AND you’ve seen artists make vids ‘starring’ fans (as in send-us-a-clip-or-pic-and-viola). But…
You are going to ACTUALLY star IN this video; just as soon as you let the site access your camera! Soooo, get presentable and click the pic (or the link below) when you are ready. The song ought to be called “Can’t Get Enough of Myself†AND YOU!
SANTIGOLD – CAN’T GET ENOUGH OF MYSELF (PROD. BY PATRICK BERGER) [INTERACTIVE VIDEO] | 99 CENTS (ALBUM)
Posted in Album, Alternative, Technology, Videos | Tags: 99 CENTS, B.C., CAN'T GET ENOUGH OF MYSELF, INTERACTIVE VIDEO, SANTIGOLD | No Comments »
Science/Technology: Doctors Can 3D Print Body Parts And Tissue (Video)
February 19, 2016
Above: Surgeon Anthony Atala talking about the real possibility (read: eventuality) that humans will be able to manufacture replacement parts for their bodies as easily as they make parts for cars (cars have bodies, get it?). The video punctuates recent huge steps in a positive direction in the science. Consider a convo about ink refills for your laser printer so you can turn your school paper in on time. Now, swap in 3-D printer refills; and the story could very well be about getting refills to generate another organ (kidney, liver), so you can turn it… into a second chance at life!
(Imagine: Honey, I burned myself badly again. Can you pick up a couple of organ material refills. I need to print up some replacement skin. Wowww!)
How real is this? Doctors (headed by Dr. Atala) at the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine announced yesterday that they’ve managed to 3D print “living” tissue and organs that functioned properly when implanted in animals. Human trials are probably not that far away.
Posted in Lecture, Science, Series, Technology, Videos | Tags: 3D printer, 3D printing, Anthony Atala, Body parts, kidney, Printing a human kidney, printing organic materials, printing organs, TED | No Comments »
Angelo Casimiro Shows How To Build A BB8 Droid Like The One In “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” (Video)
February 1, 2016
Prepare for full on nerdgasmic fascination! This kid just built a full-size, smartphone-controlled BB8 – just like in “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.” But that’s not all. He’s telling YOU how to build your own in the above video.
(Angelo’s a DIY genius! Hope he got some sponsor bucks from Ace or some of those product makers though. C’mon…Kick it in billion-dollar businesses. This is pure dopeness.)
Posted in Education, Fantasy, Lifestyle, Mobile App, Science Fiction (Sci-Fi), Technology, Travel, Vintage, Youth | Tags: Angelo Casimiro, Arduino, Arduino Bluetooth RC Car, BB8, Bluetooth, DIY, Do It Yourself, Droid, Philippines, STAR WARS, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, The Force Awakens | No Comments »
Drone Racing: The Sport Of The Future (Trailer)
January 28, 2016
So. What if – instead of newscasts, tech journal features, and hobbyist videos – we had some real action fun with drones? Showed folks getting down right professional with their high-flying high-tech fun, with the competitive edge of the fastest race car and baddest battle bot folks. Out to win… How would that be? It’d be DRL.
DRL is the first professional race series for FPV drone racing. The Drone Racing League brings the world’s best pilots together to fly the “DRL Racer 2” quadcopters head-to-head through new exciting neon-lit race courses. Drone Racing is the sport of the future, and you can find all of the full races, crashes, and competition on http://www.thedroneracingleague.com.
The DRL’s first race is set to hit YouTube in February. Here is the League channel.
Posted in Gaming, Lifestyle, Recreation, Series, Sports, Technology, Trailer, Videos | Tags: DRL, Drone Racing League, The Sport of the Future | 1 Comment »
The Singularity Is Coming. Are You Ready To Live Forever? Are You Sure? (Video)
January 13, 2016
Time and again, TEDx Events we come across prove that you can be thoroughly engaged and enlightened by a smart person presenting a point of view at the front of a room. This relatively low-tech presentation of the highest-tech (and perhaps most hopeful/scary) idea is no exception.
This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. Would you upload your personality if you could? What do you think of the possibility of living without a physical body? Dr. White addresses a reality that is not so far off as we might think – and what the ethical and philosophical implications of this future might be.
Dr. Jonathan White, originally from Northern Ireland, is a surgeon at the Royal Alexandra Hospital. Dr. White is a renowned teacher, and has won numerous awards for his innovative and creative approach, including being the first surgeon ever selected as a 3M National Teaching Fellow, an honor bestowed in 2014. At TEDx, Dr. White will point out the unforeseen consequences of the rapid technological change we are experiencing – the unexpected societal, medical, and philosophical issues that we now must consider. He will introduce us to the concept of the “singularity”, a possibility which has enormous potential but also carries immense uncertainty. As we enter the next phase of human evolution, Dr. White will pose provocative questions that will challenge our ideas of what the future holds.
Now, before you make up your mind either way, you must check out this write-up at The Activist. Everlasting life, achieved by man by whatever means, is one thing; but what do we do with it? Really think this through. What does a life sentence mean when the prospect of eternal life is on the table? And do we really want to talk about the possibility for resurrection? Mind…blown!
READ: BRAIN TRANSPLANTS COULD BRING BACK THE DEAD (THE ACTIVIST)
Technology: Faraday Future’s Unveils Its Supercar Concept (Video)
January 7, 2016
Faraday Future’s FFZero1 concept car is already a star for what it is trying to do! to be sure. Plus it got leaked hours before the big concept’s debut…man, you know something’s big when there is hate out the gate.
Unlike most other car startups, Faraday was founded in the living room (not the garage) of Nick Sampson, the company’s senior vice president. The company is run by an executive team; not some stuffy CEO. And the team is extreme four former Tesla staffers and head of design Richard Kim, who was a founding member of BMW’s electric car unit.
Now… the car. One thousand horsepower ELECTRIC car. Able to do zero to 60 MPH in under three seconds. Will be connected to all kinds of tech, like the most awesome living room on the road (so damn a traffic jam, you can just jam…or chill). And it will be easy as pie to design and manufacture more – line designs that take months (not years), with multiple models available.
Sounds more like iPhones than automobiles. Hope they can do it without ‘doing it’ to our pockets too hard though. We’ll see in a couple of years, when the first Supercars should be ready for market. But for now, just watch and be amazed!
And after the jump… the big reveal of the Faraday Future FFZero1 concept!
Posted in Business, Interview, Technology, Videos | Tags: Concept Car, electric car, Faraday Future, FFZero1, Nick Sampson, Richard Kim, sustainable, Tesla Killer | No Comments »
Science: Watch This Ball Float On Nothing But Sound Waves (Video)
November 18, 2015
Researchers at the University of Sussex have invented a ‘sonic tractor beam.’
– University of Sussex, Communications and External Relations
You know, we could leave it at that and be geeked out enough. Scientists actually made something they call a TRACTOR BEAM! Nice. But is it real? Damn straight. Watch this miracle in force mechanics… a ball steadily suspended on sound waves coming from small speakers.
Science/Technology: Astronauts Capture Super-High Def Images Of Seltzer Tablets Bubbling In A Drop Of Water In Space (Video)
November 12, 2015
Okay, this some ‘stoner’ looking stuff. Hahaaaa! That is NOT to say that it is not still cool as hell. Einstein’s theories aside, in space sometimes you have a lot of time. What to do…what to do with it… Got it! Why not let loose a sizable droplet of water on the International Space Station, inject it with small drops of liquid coloring, then dissolve an effervescent tablet (e.g. an Alka-Seltzer) in the floating ball of colorful water, and capture images of the action/reactions using a super-duper high-definition camera. And if you are really slick, you can tie it into the astronaut work you are supposed to be doing up there on the station.
The cameras are being evaluated for capturing science data and vehicle operations by engineers at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama.
See? They weren’t just playing plop-plop, fizz-fizz with dyed water up there. The astronauts were exploring water tension in microgravity. It’s science!
(Wink)
For reals. Hit the link for more info.
MORE: RED EPIC DRAGON CAMERA CAPTURES RIVETING IMAGES
– @ojones1
Posted in Science, Technology, Videos | Tags: astronauts, Colorful Liquid, Epic Dragon Camera, microgravity, Red, RED 4K, Space, water tension | No Comments »
Watch A Real-Life JetPack Flown Around The Statue Of Liberty (Video)
November 11, 2015
YES! There have been clunkier attempts at this cool tech… but THIS is the JetPack we’ve waited for; the one that jumped out of comics, cartoons & sci-fi into our reality. You’re likely flashing back to our JetMan posts on here (you should, ’cause they are dope); BUT those flights were launched while the pilots were in the air already. This is not that. These are those Jonny Quest stand-on-the-ground, launch up-and-away joints. And the pilot in this one is flying over water, around the Statue of Liberty, sure. However, this Pack is not pushing water through a tube to propel itself over limited distances and heights.
THIS IS THE REAL TAKE-OFF AND LAND ON YOUR OWN FUN TECH!
(Wow. Blown away. Thank you JB-9 inventor/pilot David Mayman of JetPack Aviation.)
Posted in Human Interest, Performance, Science, Technology, Videos | Tags: David Mayman, JB-9, JB-9 jetpack, Jet Pack, Jet Pack Aviation, JetPack, JetPack Aviation, Own The Sky, Personal Aviation, Statue Of Liberty | 1 Comment »
This Life-Sized R2-D2 Will Bring You a Cold Beer (Video)
November 3, 2015
Okay, we thought we posted the ‘ultimate’ Star Wars video already (see here). But this clip right here… this clip right here, maaaaaan! Let’s just say R2-D2 is no longer in a galaxy far, far away, helping light saber-swinging Jedi Knights. It’s here on Earth (for about $9000, in your home), helping you get over a hard day at the job by bringing you a cold one. Nice!
Just in time for the unreal fanboy hype for Star Wars: The Force Awakens, electronics company Haier Asia has created a mobile mini fridge life-sized version of R2-D2. Sure, these full-scale remote-controlled droids are $9,000, but they’ll cool your beer and bring it to you.
– Esquire.com
Posted in Product, Science Fiction (Sci-Fi), Technology, Videos | Tags: Haier Asia, mini fridge, mobile mini fridge, R2-D2, R2-D2 Is Real, remote controlled, STAR WARS | No Comments »
Technology: Mitsubishi’s Self-Driving Car Should Go On Sale In 2020 (Video)
October 27, 2015
Four years. Not to long to wait for your own self-driving car… that can parallel park itself and comes with 3-D image mapping! Wonder if it will have a talking computer built into it, too. Check out the visuals for Mitsubishi’s concept car.
Posted in Product, Technology, Videos | Tags: can parallel park itself, Mitsubishi, self-driving car | No Comments »
