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Smart tattoos turn your skin into a health tracker
There's a common problem with health-tracking devices like smartwatches: they're not really attached to you, which leaves you relying on a short-lived battery and a wireless connection. Even a self-powered patch has its limits. That's where Harvard and MIT think they can help: they've developed smart tattoos that effectively place health sensors in your skin, no power or wireless link required. The ink in the tattoos reacts to the chemical composition of your interstitial fluid, which reflects the state of your blood. A green ink grows more intense to let athletes know when they're dehydrated, while another green ink turns brown to warn diabetics when their glucose levels go up.
MIT's and Microsoft's flash tattoos can control gadgets
Those stylish flash tattoos could do more than just look cool in the future. A team from MIT and Microsoft Research has developed a fabrication process called "DuoSkin," which can be used to make temporary metallic tattoos that double as on-skin interfaces. MIT Media Lab already demonstrated their capability in three different ways. First, they can be used for input to control mobile devices and computers, transforming your skin into a trackpad, a button or a slider. They can also be used to turn your skin into a display of sorts, changing colors based on your body temp. Finally, they can store data that phones and other NFC-enabled devices can read.
Tattoo artist's prosthetic inking arm is better than a real hand
If you wanted to be a tattoo artist but lost your drawing arm, what would you do? JC Sheitan Tenet has an answer: get a prosthetic arm that's better than flesh and bone. He teamed up with artist Gonzal on a steampunk-inspired limb that integrates an inking needle, a pressure gauge and piping. It's a makeshift combo of a regular prosthetic, a sewing machine and a turntable, but it's reasonably light and easy to use -- so much so that you might prefer JC's mechanically-assisted output over that of a good conventional artist.
FBI is building a tattoo tracking AI to identify criminals
AI-powered image recognition is all the rage these days, but it could have a sinister side too. Since 2014, the National Institute of Standards and Technology started working with the FBI to develop better automated tattoo recognition tech, according to a study by the Electronic Frontier Foundation. The idea here is to basically develop profiles of people based on their body art. The EFF says that because tattoos are a form of speech, "any attempt to identify, profile, sort or link people based on their ink raises significant First Amendment questions."
Studio sues makers of 'NBA 2K16' for using player tattoos
Sports video games attempt to offer an experience that's as lifelike as possible, which includes details like players' tattoos. NBA 2K16 is a title that does just that, and the pursuit of accuracy may land it in legal trouble. Take-Two, the parent company of 2K Sports that makes the basketball game, was hit with a lawsuit this week from the designers that created some of the big-name players' tattoos. Solid Oak Sketches, LLC claims that Take-Two should have to pay up for using the artwork in the game. Tattoo copyrights don't exist, but Solid Oak argues that the "pictorial, graphic, and sculptural works" of the artists should be protected by law.
The first generation of real wearable tattoos are here
Whenever people talk about the technology of the future, someone will always bring up "tattoo-style" diagnostic technology. MC10, a firm that's emerged out of research by medical wearables pioneer John Rogers, has now been able to make devices like that a reality. The firm is announcing two new products here at CES, one designed for use in research environments as well as a consumer-facing version for the mass market. The first is the BioStamp Research Connect, a flexible wearable sensor that'll adhere to your skin and keep an eye on your vitals.
ICYMI: 7-D heart MRI, astronaut cups and tech tats
#fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-906391{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-906391, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-906391{width:570px;display:block;}try{document.getElementById("fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-906391").style.display="none";}catch(e){}Today on In Case You Missed It: NASA just shipped the astronauts on the International Space Station a cup that will let them almost drink like earthlings. GE announced scanning tech that would reveal the intricacies of the heart far quicker than conventional MRIs. And temporary tats that can monitor health and beam the information right to a doctor are here, coming to sick little people or elderly folks someday. If you've ever been woken up a couple times a night in a hospital, so a nurse could loudly check your vitals, you know what a win these could be.
California police use these biometric scanners
Police are increasingly turning to biometric tech in the field. It's supposed to help cops verify the identity of suspects, but there's a real concern that they could abuse this to get personal details on record -- and the Electronic Frontier Foundation wants you to know when this hardware might come into play. The rights group has published a report detailing the biometric scanners in use by California law enforcement, and they're in more widespread use than you might think. Mobile fingerprint readers are in use at several departments, and face recognition is getting traction. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department is using tattoo recognition, and some police departments are looking into iris scanning.
Apple confirms tattoos can mess with the Watch's heart sensor
After the Internet was awash with reports that tattoos can negatively affect the Apple Watch's heart rate sensor, Apple has confirmed the issue on its website. In a page dedicated to explaining how the Watch captures your vitals, the company notes: "Permanent or temporary changes to your skin, such as some tattoos, can also impact heart rate sensor performance," adding that "the ink, pattern, and saturation of some tattoos can block light from the sensor, making it difficult to get reliable readings."
Dark tattoos can throw off Apple Watch's heart rate sensor
Here's one factor to take into account if you're still undecided about getting the Apple Watch: it doesn't seem to play well with tattoos. Several users revealed online that their devices act wonky when worn on a tattooed arm. The heart rate sensor wouldn't read their pulse, and the watch wouldn't detect direct contact with the skin, causing apps to stop working and repeatedly ask for the passcode. To confirm if inked skin really does affect the smartwatch's functions, iMore has decided to perform a series of tests. "[W]e're inclined to agree with those early reports," the publication writes, "if your tattoo happens to be a solid, darker color."
Joystiq Discussion: Do you have a gaming tattoo?
Alright guys, I may not get another chance to tell you this, so here goes: I've decided to get a video game-themed tattoo. I already have nine tattoos and plans for a 10th, but this design easily trumps them all. It's a collection of characters and icons that represent games I either respect for advancing the medium or games that I personally love. There are 27 characters/objects representing 26 franchises (Note: Design not final, will definitely change some things and probably add more if I can). Can you spot them all? Check out the image after the break and leave your answers in the comments! And hey, while you're there, why not tell us what you think of video game tattoos, show off your own ink, or submit more design ideas!
Graphene circuits double as high-tech temporary tattoos
Someday, you might be able to stick a temporary tattoo on your skin that's wired to light up or act as a display -- one that's made out of hybrid graphene. If you regularly read Engadget, then you're most likely familiar with graphene: It's that ultra-thin miracle material companies and researchers are using to develop tough and flexible experimental devices these days. The hybrid graphene structures used to make these electronic tattoos, however, are lot more stretchable and transparent, so they continue to work even if you fold them or pull them taut. In addition to acting as a tattoo for purely aesthetic purposes, this material developed by Korean scientists from Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) and Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) have other possible applications. It can also be used as a biosensor to monitor people's health or to make flexible displays and circuits.
Apple tattoo makes it permanent
According to our poll, over half of you think that Flickr user Terry Johnston is crazy for expressing his devotion to Apple in such a way. I, for one, don't find it nearly as strange, though it would seem to be more appropriate if we could pick out our own bodies, and have Jony Ive design one himself. [Photo credit: Terry Johnston]
Would you ever get an Apple tattoo?
Tattoos are one of the most unique form of personal expression, given that they're permanent (mostly), painful and artistic all at once. Getting a tattoo of a company logo or product is often seen as foolhardy or shortsighted. But Apple fans are a unique bunch, and there is plenty of Apple ink to go around. Where do you stand? %Poll-87896% [Photo credit: nickelcachers]
Tamriel Infinium: The critical elements of Elder Scrolls Online character creation
When I think of The Elder Scrolls Online character creation or MMO character creation in general, my thoughts usually extend beyond the mechanical idea of what my avatar looks like. I'm usually contemplating motivation, history, and skillset as well. When I'm creating a pen and paper character, the actual appearance of the character is secondary to what the character could do or where he came from. Of course, I always end up drawing the character, but the art was born on the character sheet. MMOs, and frankly most RPGs, do character creation backward. They usually start with the appearance of the character when it should start with some sort of history or class. But there are some very important elements that every MMO character creation screen should have and still more that I'd like to see specifically in ESO.
Motorola wants you to tattoo a smartphone microphone onto your throat
Okay, where to start on this one? Simply put, Motorola has applied for a patent of a microphone with a tranceiver and power supply that is designed to be tattooed onto your throat. The idea is to capture vibrations directly from your larynx in order to cut out background noise -- while eliminating something else you could lose, we imagine. The skin-borne device could communicate with your handset or other portable device by Bluetooth, NFC or other wireless protocols and would pack a battery that "may or may not be rechargeable." The patent adds that the technology could also be applied to "other animals," so we're a bit concerned that Motorola is taking its wearable schemes in the wrong direction.
Breakfast Topic: How do you show your WoW?
Wandering around outside of Azeroth, in the so-called real world, you'll see a lot of World of Warcraft players. Some you'll spot with class t-shirts, others drive cars with alliance or horde window stickers (or even custom license plates), some may wear WoW-themed jewelry, and some even have WoW tattoos. But not everyone feels the need to show off their WoW fandom in an obvious way -- or even at all. So what about you, readers? Do you have a WoW-themed t-shirt collection so you always have the right shirt for the occasion? Or is there some subtler way you like to show off your WoW love? %Gallery-20183%
This full-back Illidan Stormrage tattoo is true WoW dedication
Someone clearly was prepared... to get this incredible Illidan tattoo. Found on Reddit, we don't know who the owner of this particular work of art is, but we do know it takes some dedication to the game to adorn yourself with such a serious World of Warcraft tattoo. Of course, this is hardly the only WoW-themed tattoo we've come across -- not even the only Illidan-themed tattoo. If you know who owns this particular tattoo, why not let us -- or Reddit -- know? Or if you have WoW ink of your own that you'd like to show off, why not drop us a line? We might feature it!
Tattoo artist sues THQ over use of original ink in UFC Undisputed 2010, UFC Undisputed 3
A tattoo artist by the name of Chris Escobedo has filed a lawsuit against THQ over its supposedly unauthorized usage of a tattoo Escobedo designed. Specifically, Escobedo owns the copyright to a tattoo present on the virtual version of MMA fighter Carlos Condit in UFC Undisputed 2010 and UFC Undisputed 3.Escobedo's argument hinges on the idea that, despite being permanently affixed to a public figure, the tattoo's design still belongs to him, as he created it originally and never signed the rights to the design away to Condit. By digitally recreating that design without permission, THQ may have violated Escobedo's copyright on the work. The lawsuit also claims that THQ's usage of Condit's likeness on its website violates Escobedo's copyright as well.The lawsuit seeks compensation for "actual damages" caused by THQ's usage of the artwork, as well as "an order directing THQ to account to Mr. Escobedo for all gains, profits and advantages derived by them by their wrongful conduct, and to disgorge all profits obtained by their wrongful conduct." Gross.
The Perfect Ten: Character creation options nobody uses
There are two types of people in the world: those who can't get through the character creation menu fast enough to start playing "LordBladezz" and those who spend hours crafting the perfect face that will be seen by the player only 0.03% of the time. I've heard rumors of a species of middle-ground player, but I've yet to see one. I think there could be a doctoral thesis for someone willing to investigate which visual character creation options most of us use and which ones we ignore. My hunch is that most of us are looking to recreate an impeccable standard of beauty or handsomeness, resulting in game worlds exploding with Abercrombie & Fitch models. Because exploring the "most-used character creation options" isn't as much fun, today we're going to examine the 10 options that pretty much nobody uses. And yes, you'll feel compelled to comment that you do indeed use one of these and prove me wrong, so let me give you a gold star in advance for doing so. You're awesome.