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Visualized: Mercury
It may look like a spotty, monochromatic water melon, but we're taking NASA's word on this one -- the image above is the very first taken from an orbiting spacecraft of our solar system's innermost planet. Mercury has been snapped by NASA's MESSENGER probe, which is currently preparing itself to start on its elliptical trajectory around the planet and commence collecting data about it in earnest. Hit the links below to learn more about this bold exploration project.
Visualized: awesome, non-functioning 'robot' made from worthless computer parts
It might not actually do anything, and it's certainly in no danger of crawling into (or out of, however that metaphor works) uncanny valley, but Mike Schropp's latest creation sure put a smile on our face. All this thing needs is a pair of Pentium Nikes and it'll be truly styling! Get a closer look after the break, and then hit the source link for plenty of glamor shots at the Total Geekdom blog.
Visualized: Google charts the rise and fall of United States revenues
Where would we be without Google? Well, we wouldn't have pretty charts to gawk at, for starters! The Mountain View squad has pulled 10 years' worth of fiscal data from the US Census Bureau and compiled it into some gorgeous, infinitely sortable, and re-organizable graphs. They inspire both our admiration and apprehension, as their lines illustrate most starkly the shrinkage that replaced US economic growth over the latter half of the last decade. We've only picked out a few of the big states here, but all 50 are in Google's public database -- why not hit the source link and check up on your local governors' pecuniary (mis)management skills, eh?
Visualized: preconceived notions about personal computer security
See that chart up there? That's a beautiful visualization of a dozen folk models surrounding the idea of home computer security, devised by Michigan State's own Rick Wash. To construct it (as well pen the textual explanations to back it), he interviewed a number of computer users with varying levels of sophistication, with the goal being to find out how normal Earthlings interpreted potential threats to their PC. His findings? A vast amount of home PCs are frequently insecure because "they are administered by untrained, unskilled users." He also found that PCs remain largely at risk despite a blossoming network of preventative software and advice, and almost certainly received an A for his efforts. Hit the source link for more, but only after you've spiffed up, thrown on a pair of spectacles and kicked one foot up on the coffee table that sits in front of you.
Visualized: life's most basic patterns displayed as color-coded charts
You wake. You eat. You work. You read a few articles on Engadget. You sleep. You attempt to repeat. Life's not always quite so simple, but the mesmerizing image shown above does a great job of showcasing the patterns that seem to keep us all on track. This particular piece is entitled Sleep Patterns, crafted by one Laurie Frick, and was created by converting EEG traces into watercolor. There's plenty more where this came from in the source link below, but we'd caution you not to fall into some sort of eternal loop of checking back daily -- unless, of course, you're looking to disrupt your own patterns for the sake of art.
Visualized: xkcd explains radiation
This radiation infographic is too small to read. There's a reason for that. Technically, it's because we constrain images to 600 pixels wide. Stylistically, it's because we'd like to point out that all things are relative. Head on over to xkcd to see just how much ionizing radiation you're likely to be exposed to performing radioactive activities (or just sitting still) and how that compares to the amount that researchers presently believe is capable of having an ill effect. Then, decide whether you should enlarge or reduce the size of your tinfoil hat accordingly. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Visualized: Smart Cover magnets can turn your Apple tablet into a FridgePad
Has the iPad 2 not proven its versatility to you yet? Well, buy one of those "don't call it a case" Smart Covers that Apple launched with it and you'll be able to turn your new dual-core slate into a bona fide FridgePad. Just add fridge.
Visualized: Overturned ink-carrying tractor-trailer paints the town red... literally
What you're looking at in the psychedelic photograph above is the result of an overturned tractor-trailer in Peabody, Massachusetts that was carrying a load of -- you guessed it -- printer ink. Fortunately the spillage isn't believed to cause any environmental damage, but unfortunately you can't just take your empty cartridges down to Peabody for a quick fill-up. No word on how this may affect HP's bottom line, but since the markup on ink is absurd, we're sure they'll have enough dough to cover the loss. Bonus shot after the break. [Image: Boston.com]
Visualized: NVIDIA's dual-Fermi card that never was
PAX East 2011, which kicks off tomorrow, is widely expected to finally deliver a dual-GPU solution from NVIDIA's Fermi family of graphics chips, a PCI Express-saturating single-card workhorse to be known as the GTX 590. While we wait for its arrival, however, here's a sentimental look back upon 2010 and another little prototype that NVIDIA had kicking around its labs back then. Emerging over in a Chinese forum, this dual-GPU board features two GF104 chips (the same that made the GTX 460 such a winner) and a snow white PCB paintjob that makes it look utterly irresistible. We're loving the four DVI outputs and, just like you, have no idea why this card never came out, but that shouldn't obstruct the enjoyment of looking at the darn thing. More pics after the break.
Visualized: US smartphone market share, by manufacturer and platform, made pretty
They say a picture is worth a thousand words -- but in this case, a picture is worth tens of billions of dollars in market share. Nielsen has broken down its US smartphone market share stats between November and January in two dimensions -- by market share and by platform -- and stuffed all that data into a single block of mesmerizing color. It's interesting to see the Apple and RIM juggernauts flanked by two imposing, red slivers of HTC, isn't it? The research firm also took a look at platforms by age group; the shares are surprisingly consistent across the board, though Android does have a slight edge with the young'uns. Follow the break for that chart.
Visualized: if the iPhone had happened in an alternate reality
This collection of devices -- from Germany's SKS Hinkel, and winner of an iF Product Design Award this year -- is really a video intercom system. But if you use your imagination, from left to right, it looks like an iPod shuffle, an iPod classic, an iPhone shuffle, and an iPhone classic all developed in some awesome alternate dimension where coiled phone cords are still cool. Admit it: you miss the click wheel.
Visualized: the HTC keyboard slider family
Clockwise from the top left, that's the Sprint Arrive, the likely-for-Verizon Merge, the Sprint Evo Shift 4G, and the T-Mobile G2. If we had to rate them, we'd say the Arrive has the best key feel, followed by the Merge, the Evo Shift, and finally the cramped G2 -- although the super cheap-feeling hinge on the Evo Shift knocks off several points. We'd also say the physical keys on the G2 feel better than the mushy keys on the Merge, but the G2's cramped layout doesn't do it any favors. In any event, picking one of these is a pretty great problem to have, don't you think?
Visualized: Planters gifts Mr. Peanut with a new biodiesel-fueled ride
While you may not realize it, Mr. Peanut's been cruising around in the same ride for decades. Maybe even centuries. Regardless of the specifics, one thing has become abundantly clear to the higher-ups at Planters -- dude needs a new ride, STAT. As the story goes, 2011 will be the year that the Nutmobile sees a much-needed revamp, with the refreshed model to be based around a 2011 Isuzu NPR diesel truck. Inside of the crunchy shell, it's been outfitted with five percent biodiesel, a smattering of solar panels and a wind turbine, not to mention a bank of batteries. Sickening as it may seem, Mr. Peanut will be murdering a few of his own just to get down the street, with "a small amount" of peanut oil being mixed in with a number of other vegetable and cooking oils. So much for that happy-go-lucky front, huh?
Visualized: Android activations mapped geographically, chronologically, breathtakingly (video)
Do you ever wish for an easier way to show your uninitiated friends what you mean when you say Android is growing? Well, here's the video for you: a Google-produced map of the world that throbs with Android activations over time, highlighted by some truly eye-opening flourishes in the immediate aftermath of marquee handset launches. The Google guys have even given us handy countdown timers -- "Droid launch in 3, 2, 1..." -- and broken things down by continent for easier viewing. Only thing missing is a soundtrack, so just have your Tron: Legacy OST loaded up and ready before jumping past the break. [Thanks, Leo Z.]
Visualized: Motorola Xoom rolls into Best Buy
Sure, you've probably seen plenty of the Motorola Xoom by now, but have you seen a stack of them being rolled into a Best Buy? Didn't think so. Well, you can now rest assured that they are indeed arriving in stores ahead of the big Thursday launch date, thanks to the helpful tipster who sent us this image. Unfortunately, it seems that a few pieces fell off the truck on the road to retail.
Visualized: Google's perpetual conveyor belt of Android
You know those sushi places that have the pre-packaged rolls hypnotically scrolling by your face endlessly on a little conveyor belt? Well, picture exactly that... but with virtually every major Android device ever made instead of sushi. That was just one of the many visual treats we experienced at Google's Android booth at Mobile World Congress this year -- along with a dozen or so brightly-painted giant Android statues and a fully-functional slide from the second floor down to the first. We'd estimate there were perhaps 200 phones and tablets on the belt, ranging all the way from the original T-Mobile G1 up to prototype versions of the HTC Desire S and Sony Ericsson Xperia Neo. We'll admit, it was nigh impossible to resist grabbing at the clear acrylic capsules as they slid silently by, but fortunately, you won't have that problem when you check it out on video -- a safe distance from Barcelona -- after the break. %Gallery-116889%
Visualized: 37 years of Roland synths in one awesome animated GIF
You know how much we love our vintage MIDI gear, and apparently our friend Ronny from Das Kraftfuttermischwerk is every bit as big a fan as we are. To that end, he's taken Music Radar's recent guide to all-things Roland and turned it into an awesome (and headache-inducing) animated GIF. Apparently the collection lacks the TR and TB series instruments, otherwise everything the company has produced between 1973 and 2010 should be there. What are you waiting for? Check it out after the break.
Visualized: a hundred CDMA iPhone 4 handsets prepare for Best Buy assault
Too preoccupied to pre-order? Looks like Best Buy's your best bet starting tomorrow morning. And don't try anything sneaky -- you know, like sneaking the whole lot into Israel. [Thanks, J.]
Visualized: A very young Steve Jobs prepares for television
Back in the late 70's Steve Jobs wasn't exactly a household name, but he was important enough to appear on Nightline. The footage after the break is not of the actual interview, Steve's just getting his microphone and monitor set up, but he's visibly nervous and seemingly impressed with the technology around him. It's not exactly news, but it is a very interesting way to spend one minute and thirty-seven seconds on the internet. [Thanks, GDub]
Visualized: Verizon iPhone customer shipped a device in test mode
If these screens look vaguely familiar, that's because they're essentially the same ones Apple has been using to test the iPhone's various components since day one. Problem is, this is apparently a production Verizon iPhone that was shipped out to an actual customer this week, which... well, let's just put it this way: it's not going to help you play Angry Birds any faster. They've tried to restore the phone using iTunes to no avail, so here's the million-dollar question: collectible or worthless return? Hit the gallery for a couple more shots. [Thanks, Alexei] %Gallery-116155%
