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Experts say phones need a 'bedtime mode' to fix our sleep
We've all done it: you've gone to bed early in order to catch up on some much needed sleep, only to lay there for hours staring at your phone until you're no longer tired. Some reports believe handsets shouldn't get all the blame for our poor sleep schedules, but we've known for some time that those glowing displays aren't helping. The best solution would be to turn devices off before going to bed, but leading sleep experts are also calling for device makers to include an automatic "bedtime mode" to help us drift off easier at night.
Modular 3D printer lets you add whatever tools you need
One of the biggest problems in 3D printing is anticipating the kind of equipment you'll need; if you suddenly have to print in ceramics, you may have to buy another machine. That won't be an issue if the Flux 3D printer gets off the ground. The crowdfunded device lets you swap in modules that accomplish any number of tasks; if you need to laser-etch wood or work with pastry, you just switch components. It's not a large printer, but it includes a 3D scanner and lets you replace some parts if they break.
Solstice tip: Automatically run f.lux every day at 6 pm
It's the first day of summer in the Northern Hemisphere, so it's a perfect time to note that sitting in front of a glowing blue light for hours on end isn't particularly natural for us humans. f.lux is a Mac app which automatically adjusts the brightness and color of your computer display. The general non-technical idea behind the app is that the usual blue-white light from the screen tricks your brain into thinking that it is daylight, which suppresses the natural sleepiness response to the cycle of day/night. Are those claims scientifically valid? I have no idea, but a) there seems to be good science behind it, and b) I can tell you that when I run f.lux, I tend not to stay up as late, and if I turn f.lux off at night I am amazed how blindingly bright my Mac's screen is. The app is free, so if you use your Mac after sundown (and I bet you do!), why not give it at try? The other day on Twitter, Greg Pfeil wrote: "Realizing I've been up late on the computer lately because I disabled @JustGetFlux a couple days ago and forgot to turn it back on." I had been using a Keyboard Maestro macro to launch f.lux every day, but decided that it would probably be better as a launchd trigger because I'm not sure what happens to Keyboard Maestro time-trigger macros if your Mac is asleep when they are supposed to run, whereas I'm 99% sure that launchd will "catch up" and still run the command when the computer wakes up. Plus launchd is something anyone can use, even if they don't have Keyboard Maestro (which you should, but that's beside the point). To do this, first download f.lux and install it. Launch it and be sure to give it access to your location. Configure it if you like to tweak things, or just use the default settings (FWIW, that's what I use). Next, download this gist: and save as ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.tjluoma.flux.plist and then either: 1) logout/login or 2) enter this in Terminal: launchctl load "$HOME/Library/LaunchAgents/com.tjluoma.flux.plist" Voilà! Now you never have to worry about remembering to launch f.lux again! And if the app is already running, that command won't cause any problems. If you want to change the time when f.lux launches (for example, in the winter you might want it to launch at 4:00 p.m. instead of 6:00 p.m.) change the plist file <key>Hour</key> to something other than 18. As always, when editing launchd plists I recommend LaunchControl.
SteelSeries Flux and Flux In-Ear Pro headsets ears-on (video)
"This is the best sounding in-ear product below $250," SteelSeries' Chief Marketing Officer, Kim Rom, told us between songs. "I'll go on record saying that." Rom was talking about the firm's new Flux In-Ear Pro headset, and had similar words for the brand's foldable on-ear Flux cans. The earbuds and their full sized companions are part of the company's "freedom to play" campaign, and it has the utmost confidence in them. Rom even told us the foldable Flux headset lasted 90 minutes in the firm's "soccer test," a SteelSeries tradition that plays out exactly like it sounds: international football with consumer electronics. Our hands-on was decidedly less rough.
SteelSeries drops a bag of CES goodies: two headsets, three mice and one mobile controller
It's CES time folks, and that means that companies are unveiling new products by the bundle, and gaming accessory maker SteelSeries is no different. First up is the Ion wireless gaming controller that connects to your PC, tablet or phone through Bluetooth. It'll grant you up to 20 hours of gaming at a stretch when it goes up for sale in Q3 of 2012. The company's also debuting a couple of headsets, the Flux and Siberia v2 Frost. The Flux, scheduled for a Q2 release, is aimed at gamers on-the-go, as its ear cups collapse for easy storage while traveling. It's also got cord jacks on either side that allow you to daisy chain headsets together so more than one person can listen to a single audio source at a time. SteelSeries' Siberia v2 Frost headset is an updated version of the Siberia v2 that still does active noise canceling, but adds some extra flash with blue LEDs that can be set to pulse or dim to meet your tastes. Rounding out SteelSeries CES offerings is a trio of gaming rodents, the Kana, Kinzu v2, and Kinzu v2 Pro. The Kinzu v2 Pro, available now for $44.99 brings four buttons, a 3,600fps optical sensor that supports stable movements up to 65 inches per second. It also has pro-quality Omron switches and brings three color choices (black, silver and red) to your next LAN party. Meanwhile, its sibling, the Kinzu v2 sports the same specs sans the Omron switches and can be had in black, white, orange, or yellow for $39.99. Last up is the Kana, which has a 3,600fps optical sensor that supports stable movements up to 130 inches per second,ups the button count to six, and brings an illuminated scroll wheel to the table for $49.99. Check out a gallery of all the new gaming goodies below.
Flameseeker Chronicles: PvP in Flux
As we enjoy the calm before the storm that is Sylvari Week, I want to take some time to look in a different direction briefly: PvP. Specifically, I want to talk about Flux. It's been in place for several months now, giving ArenaNet time to adjust things here and there, and giving the Guild Wars community time to get used to it. The Flux effect, if you're not familiar with it, is a regularly changing environmental effect that is present in PvP areas. It changes the damage you give or receive based on varying factors such as movement, profession, death penalty, and so on. It's been a big deal in the PvP community, serving to shake up the meta a bit and keep things interesting. Now that we've had several months to settle into it, I took the opportunity to chat with a few PvP players about Flux. Follow along after the jump to see what they had to say!
Just one more week to get in on The Mac Sale, with discount for TUAW readers
I don't know about you guys, but I can't get enough of these Mac software bundles. Between MacHeist, the MacUpdate bundle, Mac Bundle Box, and even iPhone software bundles, I've got more unused software licenses than I'll ever need or want. Even though I rarely want every piece of software in the bundle, there's almost always 1 or 2 that make it more cost effective to buy the bundle than buy the software separately. The Mac Sale (noted by Christina over at DLS) is the latest bundle out there and, like the others, has some hidden gems and a few applications I know I'll never use. Some of these may be perfect for back to school season. The rundown of applications: REALBasic Personal Iris Interarchy Flux Scribbles TaskPaper WriteRoom Stuf Mariner Calc HoudahSpot Your $49 will buy you $450 worth of applications, but only until August 18. As a bonus for TUAW readers, you can get a 5% discount by using coupon code TUAW at checkout.
PGR 4 car revealed, Peugeot announces the winner
Peugeot announced the finalists earlier this month and today they revealed the winner of their 2007 Design Contest. For the contest Peugeot challenged designers to create a concept car that is both innovative in the use of technology and expresses the future of car design. And it looks like the Flux edged out the competition with its hydrogen fueled engine, decked out sleek plastic panels, and free flowing frame. The grand prize winning Flux will be built (full scale) at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show and will also be included in upcoming Xbox 360 game Project Gotham Racing 4. So there you have it, one of the first confirmed cars in PGR 4 ... the Flux.[Via TeamXbox]
