warming
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Google Pixel 2 users report warming phones and shortened battery life
If you've noticed your Pixel 2 running warm lately or found its battery life to suddenly be shortened, you're not alone. As 9to5Google points out, Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL users are reporting on Reddit and Google's Pixel User Community that their phones are having some issues since they installed Google's February security update. 9to5Google's Ben Schoon reports that his own Pixel 2 XL has been running warm while in standby mode since the update and that its battery life is noticeably reduced.
Oceans are warming faster, expect more floods
A team of researchers have successfully found a way to error-correct and clean up historical oceanic temperature data. The champagne will stay in the refrigerator, however, since the new information offers up more bad news on the state of the planet. It turns out that we've been grossly underestimating the warming effects of climate change for the last half a century.
ICYMI: Teleport your hologram, changing ocean pH and more
#fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-681979{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-681979, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-681979{width:570px;display:block;} try{document.getElementById("fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-681979").style.display="none";}catch(e){}Today on In Case You Missed It: Microsoft Research developed a new 3D camera capturing system that creates a live-time 3D hologram of a person that can be sent to interact with other people, as long as they have a matching virtual reality set-up. If that's confusing, the video straightens it right up.
MIT's Local Warming system warms you while you wander
Thought experiment time, folks: what would do you if you wanted to warm up a few people in a big, chilly room? Prevailing logic says to crank up the heat, but let's be honest here: sometimes the prevailing logic sucks. The folks from MIT's Senseable City Lab project have cooked up a more efficient (if slightly kookier) way to go called Local Warming. Their approach? To create a prototype LED spotlight that shoots a beam of heat at you as you walk around the room. In case you were curious, yes, it's all much safer than it sounds.
Sanyo waist warmer does almost irreparable damage to Eneloop's good name
Oh Sanyo, you do like to flirt with our Crapgadget label, don't you? Having already given the world battery-powered neck and hand warmers it never asked for, Sanyo is today expanding the Eneloop warmer family with a slinky new waist furnace. Thin film heaters are embedded inside that dashing-looking velcro belt above and power is drawn from the Eneloop mobile booster on the side, perhaps the most useful thing about the entire setup. It'll share its juice with iPhones and portable media players, while recharging can be done via USB. Sadly, that aforementioned neck warmer is getting a new 2010 version thanks to excellent consumer interest over in the key target market of Japan, so it's looking like these body warmers are going to be with us for a while.
ChiliPad keeps your mattress hot, cold
Sure, we've seen air conditioned beds before, and you may think one of those fancy electric blankets circa 1990 could handle the warming duties, but why not plunk down for one device that handles both extremes? Enter ChiliPad, which, contrary to its name, actually does provide cooling or warming benefits while you snooze. Reportedly, the mattress topper uses water rather than air to generate temperature adjustments, and the company even compares it to a water-cooled computer -- talk about understanding your market, eh? If Chili is to be believed, this thing can be set to cool things down to 65°F or warm 'em up to 100°F, and yes, it does come in single- and dual-zone versions. So, for those who just can't seem to get the thermostat set correctly, you can pick one of these up now for around $479 to $999, depending on size.[Via Gearlog]
USB Hand Warmer keeps your digits toasty
It's that time of year again. You know, the months where your typing slows to a crawl as your fingers gradually lose every ounce of feeling in them. Granted, there's a myriad options already out there to keep 'em thawed out, but this particular alternative just looks awfully practical. The USB Hand Warmer takes the form of a stick, enabling any frosty citizen to grab hold, wrap their digits around it and instantly feel the heat. Best of all, you can pick up a couple and get the left and right paws warmed up simultaneously. Not too shabby for $10.99 (apiece).[Via The Red Ferret Journal]
Hello Kitty hand warmer keeps your paws toasty
Although you aren't likely to need a hand warmer when the temperatures in some areas of the country are creeping into triple-digits, it's never too early to start dreaming of winter. Moreover, it's always a good time to compliment your Hello Kitty foot warmers and heating blanket with a couple of matching hand warmers, and this here gizmo provides the last missing piece in the aforementioned triangle. Just plug it in, wait for it to charge, and pop in your pocket for "one to two hours" of the cutest heat known to mankind. No word just yet on price, but it looks like orders are being taken now for wholesalers who stay a few steps ahead of the, um, seasons.[Via TRFJ]
Komfort Pets' climate-controlled pet carrier
For the seasoned traveler who just can't leave their home country without bringing along their dear pet, Komfort Pets is out to make your animal's trip much more bearable. The firm's climate-controlled carrier not only cools Fido off when the ambient temperature reaches 72-degrees Fahrenheit, but also utilizes its patent-pending technology to heat things up if the outside air temperature dips below 65-degrees. The crate is said to be suitable for non-climate-controlled garages, and could be equally useful in homes, cars, boats, or RVs. Currently, a 19-inch x 13-inch x 16-inch rendition is available for $399, and while this one is only meant to hold creatures up to 12.5-pounds, larger carriers are slated for release later this year.[Via BookOfJoe]
Brando intros beefed up USB can cooler / warmer
Brando's previous attempt at cranking out a sufficient USB drink chiller / warmer was certainly commendable, but the excessive amount of exposure to the air left us desiring a more effective solution. Not one to disappoint, the company has indeed unveiled a new edition, complete with a wraparound design that totally submerges your canned beverage in a world of heat (or cold). This USB-powered gizmo even sports an in-line toggle switch to determine the temperature, and for just $32, how can you not consider this a road warrior must-have? More pics after the jump.
Panasonic's furry carpet warms you up, provides companionship
It pains us to see the furry fad still lingering around, but joining the totally hairy Philips display comes the patent-pending "no constraints carpet," which presumably aims to provide warmth and companionship to the lonely house dweller. Reportedly showcased at the Tokyo Fiber convention, Panasonic has developed a electrified faux fur that comes in white, brown, or black / white color schemes to "deliver warmth only to the areas you touch when you cuddle it." Oddly, there was no word on where the internal heating elements get their juice, but considering that the technology isn't quite ready for commercial release, we assume the firm is keeping wraps on the nitty gritty. The fun-lovin' fur should be available in short (five feet) and long (23 feet) iterations, and while we aren't entirely sure if your local home furnishings store will actually have rolls of this stuff to cover your flooring anytime soon, those still living in yesterday can certainly hope for the best.[Via PinkTentacle]
Hello Kitty embraces warming blankets, gets fired up via USB
If you think we were baffled after seeing Hello Kitty USB foot warmers, you probably can't imagine the speechlessness we all feel when seeing the USB-powered lap warmer. Considering that anyone who would actually toss out their hard-earned dollars on feline feet heaters would likely not have the will power to resist this mat, it's fairly to say to say that this is a must-have for hardcore fans braving the tail end of winter. No word on just how large this thing is, nor if poses any eruption capabilities like one of its siblings (clones?), but judging by the mat-to-USB-connector ratio, this kitty ought to warmly cover a litter or two at least.
Reusch's Solaris ski gloves pack internal warmers
While you've got your H-Bomb to keep you nice and toasty while surfing through chilly waters, and the Airvantage vest to keep your chest warm while braving the bitter cold, even the most hardcore skiers will probably admit that their fingertips go numb just a few hours after they hit the slopes. Reusch's latest pair of high-end ski gloves looks to solve the chilly finger dilemma (sans USB power), as the new Solaris gloves pack iThermX heating technology, which was developed by Interactive Wear AG. Beneath the supple exterior is an electronics unit with a 16-bit microcontroller that "manages the intelligent power and temperature control and executes application-specific programmable heating algorithms," effectively turning up the heat whenever a user-selected temperature is reached. The heat is powered by two flat, lightweight Li-ion batteries, which can purportedly provide a hand-based oven for "around five hours" before needing to hit up the lodge for a quick recharge. There's even an onboard selector / LED indicator to switch from constant heat to "temperature-defined heating," and while we've no idea just how pricey these gloves will end up being, we're fairly sure any skier who has dealt with freezing fingers will do nearly anything to own them.
USB-powered drink chiller / warmer keeps beverages happy
If you're the type who spends more time in your computer chair than basically anywhere else, Brando's got a must-have coming your way. While the zany (and numerous) array of USB-powered gizmos we've seen is nothing short of overwhelming, the USB Chiller And Warmer actually ranks fairly high in the utility department. Sporting that oh-so-hip glossy white finish, the device is entirely USB-powered, rocks a built-in fan, and can keep your beverage cool or warm with the flip of a switch. Moreover, it claims to boost the temperature of your drink 29-degrees in 10 minutes, and chills 13-degrees in the same period of time. So if you're already surrounded by a mini fridge and espresso machine, be sure to throw down the $24 required to keep your rear planted (and drink temperature satisfactory) around the clock.
Thanko makes the best even better, updates hand-warming mouse
Thanko, not just content with keeping our feet warm this season, has released an update to its USB hand-warming mouse as well.The new device, though, seems to be nothing more than a redesign, as all the specs have remained the same. For those unfamiliar with this toasty gadget, the mouse can reach a maximum temperature of 45°C and has an 800dpi resolution. It claims to only support Windows NT/ME/2000/XP, but since it's driver-less, we're sure that it won't leave Mac users out in the cold. While we enjoy the bump in aesthetics it got, we think we'll take our chances with frost bite and hold out for the third version, when perhaps it will have a higher resolution and a few extra buttons. [Via Book of Joe, thanks David B.]
Thanko's hand-warming mousepad is Shamu-approved
Just in case you're too manly to rock the oh-so-toasty G-Gloves, and the hand-warming mouse wasn't functional enough, Thanko's busting out yet another zany offering to get your fingers (and hand, and wrist) nice and warm during the sub-zero winters some of us must endure. The USB / AC-powered, um, blue whale sports an insulated compartment to stuff your plain ole mouse as well as your mousing hand. There's also a "high / low" switch to control the fiery depths within, and just in case you'd rather not use your insulating mammal while on the PC, you can optionally connect it to any AC power source and attempt to shove both hands in simultaneously. The warm whale mousepad is available now to heat up those long, freezing evenings spent perusing through Engadget archives for just ¥2,480 ($21).[Via Akihabara News]
USB-powered "G-Gloves" for the ladies
Alright fellas, if you're sitting around enjoying the cool breeze emanating from your seat cushion, then you're fully aware of how invigorating a USB-powered gizmo can be during the summer months, and equally aware in the depths of winter. For that lucky lady in your life (or cyberlife), these comfy G-Gloves (G for girl, we presume) can keep her hands warm during those chilly December fragfests, and thanks to their ability to quickly convert into mittens, even her fingertips are covered. Sporting a detachable cable, on / off switch, alphabet stitching, dual warming pads, two-levels of heat intensity, and the ability to get toasty through any powered USB port (yes, even the Wii), these should be a sure fire (ahem) hit in the stocking this holiday season. The G-Glove hand-warmers are available now to heat things up in pink or blue for $22.[Via MobileMag]
