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Second Life Israel
Second Life Israel is a location in SL geared toward presenting some of the cultural and social landmarks that the real world Israel provides, from the Dead Sea to the Eilat Underwater Observatory. Creator Chaim Landau says of the build "We wanted to present Israel as a very modern country that is rooted in its history. We hope to present Israel outside the box." That would explain the poseballs found on the Dead Sea beach that read 'tan dat back!'Co-created with Beth Brown, who built the Temple Beth Israel, a synagogue, SL Israel is a wonderful example of how the two worlds, real and virtual, can coincide. To visit it, search for 'Israel' in-world, or click here.%Gallery-14157%
YES HD's, um, quirky ad campaign
File this one under... unique. As we've noted before, Israeli satellite provider YES is rolling out its HDTV offerings. Of course, there's got to be a advertising campaign to go along with the effort. The ad they're running with is hilarious -- picture 100 Hasidic Jews dancing through city streets. Now picture the hijinks are choreographed and set to the Village People's "YMCA." Of course, it's in Yiddish Hebrew, so we can't make out what they are singing. But we were able to pick out a phrase in English that we certainly identify with: "HD, oh yes!" Click through the link and enjoy.EDIT: Got the language straight. Thanks, Avi!
YES beats HOT in Israel's HDTV race
In the battle of interestingly-acronymed Israeli networks, satellite provider YES has announced plans to launch its HDTV service December 23rd. It beat its competition, Hot Cable Systems which is expected to begin providing HD signals in the next few months. Already being trialed with with "dozens" of employees, YES expects around 10,000 subscribers to the 39.90 NIS/month service by the end of next year when it completes its first launch wave. We're not sure what channels they plan on providing, but a look at the website shows at least one familiar program.
Explay intros oio nanoprojector, plans to launch in 2008
Explay is apparently trying to ensure that its micro-projector doesn't become just one of the crowd, as it's trying to outdo the competition by showing off its oio at SID 2007. While we'd seen offerings from Explay before and even heard whispers of a 2007 launch, it looks like it'll be next year before the oio hits the hands of the general public. Nevertheless, the firm was off parading its accomplishment in Long Beach, California, dubbing its minuscule PJ the "first truly mobile and fully operational nano-projector." Of course, we're sure more than a few outfits would love to disagree on that very point, but Explay went on to praise the oio's ability to function in a variety of locales from a "dimly lit bar to a bright office." Notably, it sounds like the company will be aiming for more dollars than those held by mere gadget freaks, as the oio marketing team will be targeting "medical, security, and even artistic" fields whenever Explay can get these things out of the door. Click on through for a closeup of the oio itself.[Photo courtesy of Explay]
Acclaimed Israel-Palestine sim gets commercial release
Peace Maker, a serious game concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, is now commercially available via independent games publisher Manifesto Games. The simulation / strategy title places you as either the leader of Israel or Palestine as you face situations inspired by real events.Created by a team of American, Palestinian and Israeli students at Carnegie-Mellon University, Peace Maker has won USC's Public Diplomacy Games Contest and was a finalist for Ashoka's Entrepreneuring Peace Contest. It has been highlighted by NPR and The New York Times. Said Manifest CEO Greg Costikyan, Peace Maker "takes on one of the most difficult world issues, presents it without bias or prejudice, and challenges players to think about the issues, to do better than the real-world leaders."The game is available in English, Hebrew and Arabic for Windows and Mac OS X for $20. A demo is available for download; trailer embedded after the break.[Via Game Politics]
SHL's CardioSen'C transmits ECG results to your physician
There's a growing number of devices that not only monitor one's health, but can also transmit pertinent information back to remote caregivers, but SHL Telemedicine's latest gizmo takes things a step further by beaming your ECG results directly to your physician's mobile phone. The oddly-named CardioSen'C is a portable heart-monitoring system that gathers information from twelve electrodes strapped to one's chest and upper body, and once activated, transmits the results of the electrocardiograph instantly to a user-selected handset. Unlike similar systems already available in the US, SHL's iteration will be aimed at the Israel / European markets initially, and while we aren't exactly sure how much coinage such an advanced machine will cost to wear, you should probably make sure your insurance covers spontaneous service calls before you start lighting your doc's handset up with ECG results.[Via Israel21c]
Heat-sensitive paper could lead to 3D printers
When you've already got self-assembling robots and Li-ion batteries, you might as well tackle 3D printouts next, right? Apparently that's the mantra being used by physicists in Israel who have purportedly invented a monomer solution that, when heated over 33 degrees Celsius, would bend and form into the object depicted, theoretically turning a flat, 2D photo into a three-dimensional rendition. Eran Sharon and colleagues from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem applied N-isopropylacrylamide to the surface of a prototype "disc," and "created a range of structures varying in complexity, from slightly wavy crisp-like objects to those that look like a sombrero." Interestingly, a scientist not directly involved with the study commented that the discovery could actually be used to craft printers that could pop out 3D printouts when heat was added, which would surely keep kids occupied (and your ink cartridges bone dry) for weeks on end. As expected, there weren't many details hinting that this novel idea would be headed for the commercial realm anytime soon, but considering all the other 3D paraphernalia already out, we can't imagine this taking too long to follow suit.[Via Slashdot]
Bio-Sense concocts bark-sensing alarm system: meet Doguard
We doubt inmates get the luxury of catching the latest episodes of Prison Break while under lock and key, but we also doubt they'd need a pre-fabbed drama to instill such thoughts in their brain. Bio-Sense Technologies has reportedly harnessed the power of software that "interprets barking" in order to alert humans sooner to when danger is approaching or something has gone awry. In tests performed by the firm, they found that in 350 various dogs, they all possessed a distinctive "alarm bark" that differed from any other yelp, and this distinction allows for an alarm system to be triggered whenever a canine unleashes said sound. Marketed primarily towards prisons and supply yards where intruders may often wander, the "Doguard" security system has been fairly successful since being installed in a high-security Israeli jail, and just a few false alarms have been set off thus far. Further improvements could actually monitor the dog's heart rate to further substantiate a true threat, and while the system can work when Rover's rolling solo, having multiple pups on guard tends to increase effectiveness. While we're not sure if these howling systems will ever make it into American joints, we hope none of you have to personally find out, anyway.
Engineuity developing hydrogen-creating, emission free vehicle
Just in case there weren't enough alternate fuel developments going on around the world, it looks like we've got yet another vying for business over in Israel. Engineuity, a company started by Amnon Yogev, has reportedly developed a method for vehicles to "produce their own fuel" using metals such as magnesium and aluminum to create hydrogen and steam. Similar to a solar-powered "zinc-to-hydrogen" approach that gained attention in 2005, this method utilizes a "long metal coil" which would be inserted into a metal-steam combustor that stands to "separate hydrogen out of heated water." After intense heating, the metal atoms would purportedly bond to the oxygen from the water, creating metal oxide; the result would free up hydrogen molecules to be sent to the engine alongside the steam to provide the juice. The firm also insinuates that "refueling" the vehicle would be "remarkably simply," and construction could be completed on current production lines without requiring entirely new infrastructures. According to Yogev, the "running cost of the system should be equal to that of conventional cars today," and hopes to have a full scale prototype ready to rumble in "around three years."[Thanks, Mike]
Startup launches Acro-Pet for detecting homemade explosives
One side effect of living in the age of terrorism is that pretty much every week, someone thinks that they've got an explosives detector better than the next guy. Well, Acro, a new Israeli firm has developed the Acro-Pet, which is likely to be among the world's smallest detectors of triacetone triperoxide (TATP). It turns out that TATP-based bombs (like the one found in the shoes of would-be bomber Richard Reid), while only 80 percent as powerful as traditional TNT, are much easier to construct (like, at home) and much more difficult to detect. Acro has just released what appears to be a small pen-sized TATP sniffer that is soon-to-be evaluated by the Department of Homeland Security and other law enforcement agencies in the US and in Europe. Just as this product was shrouded in secrecy for a few years before its announcement to the public, Acro is still keeping mum about its price, for now.
Israeli military D&D 'Do Ask, Don't Tell'
We preface this piece by saying it is very old (2005), but still a good topic for discussion. If somebody is reading this in Israel -- because we know many of you are -- and has an update, we'll be sure to note. GamePolitics found this article from YNet confirming that Israeli citizens entering the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) who admit to playing Dungeons & Dragons are "automatically given low security clearance." Israel has a policy of mandatory service in the military.Unlike the US policy of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" towards gays in the military, the Israeli army actively asks if incoming members take part in a role-playing lifestyle. A security official says, "One of the tests we do, either by asking soldiers directly or through information provided us, is to ask whether they take part in the game ... If a soldier answers in the affirmative, he is sent to a professional for an evaluation, usually a psychologist."The IDF defends the policy by saying that D&D players are "detached from reality and susceptible to influence." Of course, D&D players interviewed for the piece are aware of the IDF policy and keep their gaming quiet out of fear they may lose status or clearance. We'd like to know if this policy applies to online RPGs as well, considering this article was written before the rise of World of Warcraft. It's such a strange basis to discriminate on, and taking into account American military discrimination in just the last 75 years we have no right to judge, but it is interesting to see what different armed forces get uppity about.
Israel adding to global animalbot army with "bionic hornets"
Israel thinks that the best way to think big is to think small. Reuters reports that the country will be researching the use of nanotechnology to fight militants within its borders over the next few years. Among the proposed projects are a set of "super gloves" that would give the wearer the power of a "bionic man," as well as tiny sensors to find suicide bombers. However, our favorite is a "bionic hornet" -- no bigger than a real hornet -- which would have the ability to "chase, photograph and kill its targets." While the bionic hornet hasn't actually been built yet, Deputy Prime Minister Shimon Peres said that prototypes for the new weapons could be expected by 2010. Americans, don't worry, we've already got our own insect cyborgs, attack dolphins, spy turtles and remote-controlled sharks underway, which should be ready within three years to counter any sissy hornets, bionic or otherwise.
Researchers create a 1,000 page-per-minute printer
If you're like us, the few times a year that you do have to print things out often involve stressful moments -- like when you're running late for your flight and the 30 seconds that it takes to print out your boarding pass feel like a lifetime. We're here to tell you that new printer technology is on the way that may make those harrowing 30 seconds as obsolete as that ImageWriter II that you had back in 1987, if a new technology makes it out of the lab and onto store shelves. Two Israeli researchers at The College of Judea and Samaria have come up with a new type of inkjet printer dubbed the JeTrix, which they hope will be to the inkjet printer what the ink-jet was to dot-matrix devices. Moshe Einat, one of the engineers involved, described his invention as being "like an 'ink-emitting screen,'" in the sense that ink would flow point by point -- and all at once -- instead of waiting for the cartridge to fully scan line by line -- theoretically reaching a speed of 1,000 pages in a single minute. Einat says that the printer should begin commercial production within two years, but don't expect them to come as freebies with your PC purchase anytime soon.
Flat optic fibers = cheaper HDTV's?
That's what this Israeli firm says. They claim that they can create LED's for screens that are flexible, consume less power, and have better light dispersion. This way they could work their way into everything from your T-shirt to your HDTV.Of course this could be a ways off as LED's haven't replaced CCFL in LCD screens yet but an HDTV that you can wear? Sounds good to me.
