Archive for the ‘Gadgets’ Category
In National Parks, Technology Saves Lives, But May Also Put Them At Risk
With Labor Day approaching, it’s worth keeping in mind that technology, while great, cannot always save us. In national parks, it might actually make things worse.
Kyle Patterson, spokeswoman for Rocky Mountain National Park, a quick drive west of Denver, explains: “We have seen people who have solely relied on GPS technology but were not using common sense or maps and compasses, and it leads them astray.”
Rather than come prepared, inexperienced hikers plan to rely on their gadgets — GPS devices, cellphones, what have you — to save them. They know they can use a cell phone to call for help, so they may take greater risks. And when they do seek rescue, they often take it to extremes: In one example, a lost hiker in Grand Teton National Park called for help, and asked her saviors to bring hot chocolate.
The Times recounts the incredible story of a man hiking in the Grand Canyon's backcountry with two teenage sons. He pressed an emergency button on his personal GPS device, summoning a helicopter, but declined to board when it arrived because water was all he wanted — the canyon water “tasted salty,” he said.
Of course, technology can be a literal lifesaver. Three separate incidents in one park on one day this month highlight this fact. Aug. 11 was a busy day at Rocky Mountain, according to 9News in Denver:
At 9 a.m., someone used a cell phone to call for help from just below the summit of 14,255-foot Longs Peak, where a woman had injured her knee. Other climbers helped her down to the Boulder Field (around 12,760 feet), where a helicopter picked her up. Then, at noon, rangers were notified by satellite phone that a woman had fallen while hiking in the backcountry on the park’s west side. She was brought out by a horse. And finally, at 2:15, someone used a cell phone once again to call for help from a beginner-level lake trail, where a woman had fallen and broken an ankle.
Technology might have saved these hikers’ lives, or at the very least serious injury if they had been forced to hike out or spend the night in the mountains. Without cell phones, it’s likely that they would not have found help for several hours — a major problem if they were unprepared.
But that’s just it. People are increasingly relying on technology, rather than training and preparation, to cover their backs when they push themselves too far. An inexperienced hiker might be excited about his new handheld GPS, so he takes it into the backcountry, but forgets the essentials: Water, a compass and a map. (And, of course, warm clothing, food, etc.) Then what happens when his batteries run out?
Not to sound all Boy Scout-y, but it's best to be prepared for any scenario, and to avoid depending on technology. It's great that Americans are enjoying our national parks — July was a record month for visitors at Yellowstone, according to the Times — but here's hoping our gadget-loving lifestyle doesn't ruin the experience.
Want To Live in Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry For a Month?
Well, now you can, friends. The Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago would like to add you to its collection. Temporarily, anyway. The museum is sponsoring a contest to win a month's stay inside the museum, where you can spend quality time in the 14-acre site, hanging out in the submarine and in the cockpit of the United Airlines 727.
The ideal candidate is an adventurous, outgoing person with a strong interest in learning about science, the museum Web site says. The winner will perform live science demos, including blowing up chemicals, and interact with museum guests. You have to speak English, be able to lift 40 pounds (the museum site says they'll come up with something for you to lift) and be able to shoot and edit photos and video.
The winner will have to live in the museum -- yes, including sleep -- from Oct. 20 to Nov. 11. No slumber parties are allowed.
You have to document your experience, but you'll walk away $10,000 richer and infinitely nerdier. Plus they promise to give you gadgets. Count me in!
Gallery: The Goods, May 2010
Check out this month's most innovative computers, cameras, gadgets, toys and more
National Inventors Hall of Fame Inducts Class of 2010
Honoring those who invented scuba gear, Post-It Notes, home console video game systems, and more
This year's class, which includes the inventors of scuba gear and GPS technology, is inducted in a ceremony today at the United States Department of Commerce Building.
Click through our gallery to see who who was honored and how their fantastic inventions came to be.
National Inventors Hall of Fame Inducts Class of 2010
Honoring those who invented scuba gear, Post-It Notes, home console video game systems, and more
This year's class, which includes the inventors of scuba gear and GPS technology, is inducted in a ceremony today at the United States Department of Commerce Building.
Click through our gallery to see who who was honored and how their fantastic inventions came to be.
Should I Be Worried About Electromagnetic Pulses Destroying My Electronics?
Despite the grid’s numerous built-in safeguards, if enough transformers go down, they could take large chunks of the grid with them. The only way to get it running again would be to replace all the damaged gear. CMEs aren’t usually disastrous, but the two largest blasts on record, which took place in 1859 and 1921, could each knock out the Northeast power grid if they happened today. On the bright side, although CMEs have been known to put satellites out of commission, our atmosphere deflects most of the energy, so the radiation is too diffuse by the time it reaches your electronics to destroy them.
A man-made EMP poses a greater threat. If one goes off in your neighborhood, there’s a significant risk that the concentrated pulse will induce extra voltage in the circuit-board components, frying them for good. The best bet for protecting your electronics is to store them in a Faraday cage: a cube of interweaving metals, preferably copper and quarter-inch-thick steel, which together can act as an electromagnetic shield. Like in a lightning rod, the copper attracts electricity while the steel absorbs magnetic pulses. A cage big enough to hold all your favorite gadgets—your cellphone, TV, computer, and so on—runs in the neighborhood of $15,000. An EMP could also crash the power grid, so you might want to spring for an extra cage to protect your generator too.
Try to stump us. Send your questions to fyi@popsci.com
Broad line of 3D products from Samsung
Samsung Electronics introduced a series of products that support the playback of images in 3D format. It is already on sale models such as 3D LED-scan screen TV with 240 Hz and holder of many awards 3D Blu-ray player. At last in January of this year's CES show in Las Vegas, Samsung in partnership with the famous animation studio DreamWorks Animation SKG and Technicolor, a company pioneering the development and printing of 3D-content, presented the new line of 3D Blu-ray players, as well as the first disc format 3D Blu-ray with full-length animated film Monsters vs. Aliens. With strong infrastructure, developed by these companies, 3D-image becomes popular and widely available.
In the line of 3D HDTV in 2010 include LED-TV series 7 000, 8 000 and 9 000, plasma panel Series 7 000, 8 000 and 9 000 and LCD-TV series 750. Together with 3D Blu-ray player Samsung BD-C6900, special glasses and new movies in the format Blu-ray 3D TVs from a new line of fully give the depth, color and clarity Full HD 3D image. But if you want to watch regular programs or movies in high definition, this can be done by pressing a button.