Christopher Klimovski
Articles by Christopher Klimovski
Pyro Mini turns your boring old wrists into flamethrowers
In 2014, magic retailer Ellusionist released a device called Pyro that shoots fireballs from your wrist. Now, a year later, the brand is releasing a smaller, more capable version of its predecessor; meet the Pyro Mini. The new device is half the size of the original so it's far less noticeable when strapped to your wrist. It doesn't require disposable batteries either, trading in triple A's for a microUSB charger. Like the original, the mini uses a remote with a 30ft range to trigger individual fireballs or two at once with the new Burst fire feature. Let's face it, two is always way cooler than one. Pyro Mini managed to upgrade almost every feature it offers all the while slashing the price of the unit to $147. If you want to impress friends, family or just to pretend you're a badass supervillain, you can grab a Pyro Mini via the Ellusionist's website.
You get what you pay for with Walmart's $10 Android phone
Walmart is known for its heavily discounted goods, and in another display of price-slashing has just announced that it will sell two Android smartphones for $10 each. Prior to this offer, the cheapest smartphone on the market was the $35 Firefox OS phone. Wondering what you get for $10? Well, not a whole lot. Both TracFone LG handsets (the Sunrise L15G and Lucky LG16) offer low-grade specs and old software, running Android 4.4 KitKat, the version released two years ago. However for that price, you shouldn't expect them to run Marshmallow. You also get WiFi, but no 4G and no front-facing camera which means it's going to be a lot harder to take a selfie. On the plus side, the phones support a microSD card which means you can ramp up the measly 4GB of storage. With all that said, there's no clear difference between the two models as all the specs and software are the same. However, if you want a bare-bones yet functional smartphone for less than the price of dinner, we're sure you know where to find a Walmart. [Image credit: LG]
Airbnb draws the wrath of French designer over decorating ideas
When you rent out your home through Airbnb, theft is probably one of a host's biggest concerns. What if a guest doesn't steal anything tangible, but copies your entire home decor? That's what Zoé de las Cases claims happened to her. She's a French interior designer who hosted Airbnb founder Brian Chesky four years ago and now has filed a lawsuit against (a very similarly decorated) Airbnb head office. It's a situation that could be laughed off as a complete coincidence, however the office seems to have replicas of very personal souvenirs and even images of Cases' grandmother up on its walls. She's upset because the company never asked her permission to replicate what is essentially a body of her work. And, of course, did not give her credit for the interior. We've reached out to Airbnb, but so for the company isn't commenting on the claims.
Dubai firefighters could start using jetpacks to fight blazes
Dubai is a city known for its extravagance, so it's no surprise that the emirate closed a deal to buy 20 jetpacks for the Dubai Civil Defense service. The packs, made by Martin Aircraft Company, will allow firefighters and first responders to assess and combat blazes in high-rise buildings. The packs have custom designed engines and twin ducted fans that propel the person at speeds of 74km/ph and up to 3,000 feet high.
Japan is planning an unmanned moon mission for 2019
Japan's space program announced today that it wants to become the fourth country to successfully land an unmanned vessel on the moon. The scheduled launch date is planned for 2019 and even though it seems like the world is focused on Mars and beyond right now, Japan wants to show off the latest in lander technology. The craft will use facial recognition software to drastically increase landing accuracy. The on-board technology can scan the surface of the Moon and make slight adjustments to touch down within 100 meters of the target landing site -- that's dramatically better than anything America, China or Russia have launched. Completing this project will help beef up the country's standing in space exploration. With this said, if it has taken this long for Japan to reach the moon, wonder what year they're going to get to Mars?
Facebook tests Snapchat-like self-destructing messages
Some Facebook users in France have spotted a new feature in the Messenger app. They're seeing an hourglass in the top-right corner of a conversation that when tapped sets messages to self-destruct in one hour's time. Facebook says that it's testing this new feature in France and might roll it out to everybody if users embrace it. If this all feels a little familiar, that's probably because it's very similar to Facebook's own Slingshot app. And if that seemed familiar, that's because it was a pretty direct take on what Snapchat has been doing since it launched in 2011. Facebook attempted to buy Snapchat in 2013 for a rumoured $3 billion dollars, but Snapchat CEO Evan Spiegel refused the offer. So it seems like Facebook has adopted the mentality that if you can't buy them, beat them.
Windows 10 focuses on Cortana and Edge in first big update
Microsoft is rollingout the first major update to Windows 10 for tablets and PCs. The release focuses on improvements to Cortana, Edge and performance. The personal assistant will now track your event and movie tickets, and even monitor travel time and give you a heads up when you should leave. The update also allows you to book an Uber, in case you need a ride to the theater. And for our international friends, Cortana is finally landing in Japan, Australia, Canada and India.
Chrome will stop supporting XP, Vista and early OS X in April 2016
It seems like Google is looking to do a little spring cleaning. In an announcement on the official Google Chrome blog, the company noted that starting in April of next year, it will no longer support browsers on Windows XP, Vista and Mac OS X 10.6, 10.7 and 10.8 devices. Google had alluded to the discontinuation of support back in April and reasoned that these older -- and in XP's case, almost prehistoric -- operating systems can no longer offer the crucial security updates the web browser needs to keep malware at bay. This means that older operating systems running Chrome browsers will still be fully operational, though they won't be eligible for new updates and features. Update: An earlier headline said Google would end Chrome support for the above operating systems at the end of this year. It will actually end support in April 2016.
'Painless' dental cavity procedure regrows tooth enamel
When a dentist says the word "cavity" a lot of people sweat thinking about painful injections and relentless drilling. But scientists in Britain have developed a new procedure dubbed EAER, or "Electrically Assisted Enhanced Remineralisation," that can repair a slightly decayed tooth before a deep cavity forms. The supposedly painless procedure involves cleaning (not drilling) the tooth of any signs of mild decay, then flushing it with minerals and stimulating it with an electric pulse. This pushes the minerals into the deepest part of the lesion and speeds up a naturally occurring process called "remineralization". This is where minerals in your saliva and some foods enter the tooth enamel and make it stronger.
New wireless earbuds conform to your ears in 60 seconds
Finding the right earphones is tricky business. Your options are basically limitless and everybody has their own favorite brand or shape. The only problem is, where half the world might love a particular kind the other half could hate it. Startup Revols says it's because our ear shape is just as unique as our fingerprints. With this in mind, the company has developed a Kickstarter campaign for its wireless earphones that use gel-filled tips to mold specifically to your ear. All you have to do is place them in, click a button on the company's companion app and let the tips work their magic. Once set, they'll harden to keep their shape. The seemingly simple design and execution has seen the company already reach its crowdfunding goal of $100,000, with 59 days to go.
Google just released new AI software that can learn faster
Google is ignoring everything the Terminator franchise taught us and is releasing "TensorFlow", open-source software that helps computers learn quicker than ever before. The software is a branch of artificial intelligence called "machine learning," tech that has already found a home in Google Search, Google Photos and Gmail. Tech-giants, like Google, Facebook and Amazon are all working with machine learning to better the services that they offer like smart search, ad targeting and product recommendations. Machine learning is now shifting into a complex realm where researchers are creating computer models that can see and even understand what it's looking at.
Periscope adds rewinding and fast forwarding
We live in a fast-paced world and sometimes there are things that we miss. The folks over at Periscope understand this and so have added a rewind and fast forward function to the app. All you need to do is hold your finger down on a replay broadcast and it will minimize, allowing you to drag and drop at a timestamp you wish to start watching from. Currently the new features are available on the web version of the app and around half of Android user accounts. Not to worry, though, the company says it plans to release the updated app for iOS users and the remaining Android accounts in the coming weeks.
3RDi is the camera-enabled headband you didn't ask for
So it turns out someone has developed a piece of wearable tech that manages to make Google Glass look understated and elegant. Introducing 3RDi -- as the name suggests, this camera is supposed to act as a third eye so you never miss a photographable moment. You tap the side to take a photo or slide to record a video, and that's it. Honestly, that's all the garish headpiece does. The concept is justified but the execution is ridiculous and has an incredibly high Indiegogo goal of $250,000. It's still in the development stages and company promises to expand on the very few features the 3RDi currently sports. If you decide to be an early adopter but feel too self-conscious to wear it around others, just save it as an accessory for your Halloween costume next year. You can either go as a futuristic princess or a terrible idea.
PSY is finally getting the monument he deserves in Seoul
PSY's "Gangnam Style" is so recognizable, the second it starts to play people know what to do. To commemorate the track that broke YouTube's view counter, the Gangnam District Office announced that it will be erecting a statue in PSY's honor because, why the hell not? The structure will be two interlocking wrists symbolic of the song's horse-riding dance move and will contain sensors in it that will trigger Gangnam Style to play when you're standing under it. It will be built in the eponymous upscale Seoul district, so if you're ever in the area make sure you stop by and check out a ridiculous statue commemorating an even more ridiculous tune.
Studying jellyfish is the key to better underwater crafts
Jellyfish and lamprey have been swimming in the same hypnotic way for millions of years. It has taken a Stanford-lead team of scientists to figure out how they do this so efficiently and the results show our assumptions have been way off this whole time. It turns out these ancient animals don't push against the water behind them to propel forwards but instead suck water towards themselves to maximize distance and exert as little energy as possible. Pockets of low pressure water form in the bends of the animal's body and when water rushes to these areas; it sucks them forward as a result.
Turn any watch into a smartwatch (kinda)
Have you been eyeing your friend's Apple Watch and wishing you had one of your very own? Well, tech startup Trivoly has developed a way to squash that burning jealousy. The company launched a crowdfunding campaign for a newly developed disc of the same name which promises to turn any watch into a smartwatch. It is made out of a thin plastic and basically acts as a notification hub, vibrating when you receive a message...or set an alarm...or add an event to your calendar. You can control your smartphone camera and music by tapping all sides of the disc and it contains a heart rate monitor that syncs to native fitness apps.
New Horizons is now on track to explore the outer solar system
After snapping beautiful images of Pluto, New Horizons has set its sights on an ancient body in the Kuiper Belt. The space probe has completed the last of four maneuvers and is now on course for "2014 MU69" with an expected interception date of January 2019 (if the project gets NASA's seal of approval). As glorious as a trip into the unknown would be, even just executing these targeting burns is an impressive effort considering how far away from Earth the probe is. "This is another milestone in the life of an already successful mission that's returning exciting new data every day," said Curt Niebur, New Horizons program scientist at NASA Headquarters. "These course adjustments preserve the option of studying an even more distant object in the future, as New Horizons continues its remarkable journey."
NASA's closer to knowing why Mars' surface is cold and dead
It looks like NASA's figured out one of the reasons why Mars isn't fit for human -- or any other kind -- of life. The space agency held another press conference to discuss why Mars has turned from what was thought to be a wet, lush planet (that might have contained surface life) into a cold, desolate place. The likely culprit? Solar winds. With a little help from the MAVEN probe (Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution), researchers were able to figure out how much of the planet's atmosphere is being stripped away by solar winds -- around 1/4 pound of gas every second. Bruce Jakosky, MAVEN's principal investigator at the University of Colorado, likened the atmospheric loss to taking a small amount of coins out of a cash register every day -- at first it's insignificant, but over time can have a big impact.
Free app brings local news broadcasts to Android, iOS and Roku
We're living in a cord-cutter's world where everyone seems to be ditching their cable and satellite subscriptions in favor of the cheaper alternative: streaming. The problem is, when we clense ourselves of all those pesky cords we also lose a wide range of local news broadcasts. NewsON is a new app available for Android, iOS and Roku that offers video content from a total of 118 stations in 90 different markets. The app features live and on-demand newscasts, clips from the station that can be accessed at any time and even the ability to post real-time tweets about the news coverage.
Scientists create a tiny, flexible lens modeled on insect eyes
Science seems obsessed with creating tiny objects that can do big things. Like a team at the University of Wisconsin-Madison which has created a new microlens with a 170-degree field of vision. Modeled after an insects multi-faceted eye, the flexible lens is roughly the size of a pinhead. Where typical lenses refract light, this one focuses using diffraction, which bends it as it passes over the folded barrier. Each of these bendable structures look like bullseyes because the lens is made up of both light and dark regions. The distance between these concentric circles determines how far the lens can see and the best part is, because they're flexible, the field of vision can be easily altered.