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Monday, April 16, 2012

Magnetic Super-Paper Can Shrug Off Water and Bacteria [Science]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5902300/magnetic-super+paper-can-shrug-off-water-and-bacteria

Magnetic Super-Paper Can Shrug Off Water and Bacteria Without changing its physical or functional properties, researchers at Italy's Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia have created the superhero of papers that's waterproof, antibacterial, and magnetic. Which will completely revolutionize how your kids can stick their artwork to the fridge.

The secret lies with a special mixture of individual molecules, or monomers, in paper fiber and the future of seemingly all technologies—nanoparticles. The resulting compound, known as a polymetric matrix, is actually made with different types of nanoparticles, and when applied to regular paper it completely covers the fibers on the microscopic level, creating a protective shell.

When iron oxide nanoparticles are added to the mix, the resulting paper has magnetic properties. And when silver nanoparticles are added, the paper fights off bacteria and other microscopic organisms. The paper can even be turned fluorescent using the right particles, and is completely waterproof making it ideal for high security applications like bank notes, or for printing long-lasting historical documents. We particularly like the idea of special waiting room wallpaper which helps stop the spread of disease in a doctor's office. [Journal of Materials Chemistry via Forbes]

BlackMagic Cinema Camera: Whopping 2.5K Resolution for Under $3000 [Cameras]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5902337/blackmagic-teases-cinema-camera-whopping-25k-resolution-for-under-3000

Post-production hardware and software company Black Magic Design has just announced their entry in the camera-making business with their Cinema Camera. The cam rocks 2.5K recording in RAW formats, meaning the image won't suffer due to in-camera compression and will presumably preserve extremely broad dynamic range. More impressive, though, is the price tag.

The Cinema Camera's $3000 asking price is insanely cheap, given that it packs features that the most high-end video capable DSLRs have thus far lacked. One of the biggest complaints against cameras like the Canon 5D Mark II and Mark III is that the h.264 compression really muddies up the image. The BlackMagic Cinema Camera's RAW workflow looks to eliminate that.

Notable specs include:

Shooting resolution: RAW at 2.5k (2432 x 1366)
Frame rates: 23.98p, 24p, 25p, 29.97p, 30p
Sensor size: 16.64 mm x 14.04 mm (significantly smaller than DLSR sensors)
Lens mount: EF and ZF mount compatible with electronic iris control
Battery: Integrated Li-Ion with 90 minute life
Recording Formats: RAW 2.5K CinemaDNG, Apple ProRes (compressed), Avid DNxHD (compressed). All compressed recording in 1920x1080 10-bit YUV with choice of Film or Video Dynamic Range.
Storage: Removable 2.5" SSD
The guy with the inside scoop on Black Magic's new device is Director of Photography John Brawley. He's been toying around with the camera and has reported copious notes on his blog. He also has a bunch of footage that he shot, all of which looks extremely promising. We can't wait to check it out for ourselves when it ships this July. [Black Magic Design]

Images via John Brawley, Black Magic Design

Canon Cinema EOS-1D C 4K camera hands-on (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/15/canon-cinema-eos-1d-c-hands-on/

It's been but half a year since Canon first entered the motion picture market, and the company is already back with its second and third professional video rigs. The Cinema EOS-1D C marks the most drastic departure from the C300, which launched last November at an elaborate Hollywood event at Paramount Studios. It was at this spectacle that we were first introduced to the 1D C, which was then but a glass-protected prototype. Now, far sooner than expected, the (relatively) compact camera is making its return to the spotlight, in more polished form. Like the 1D series bodies that bear similar monikers and appearances, including the yet-to-ship EOS- 1D X, the C model is a very capable still shooter, offering the same core functionality of the $6,800 X. It also brings 4K capture to the table, however, prompting Canon to price the camera far above its less-abled counterpart. At $15,000, we don't expect to see red C logos popping up in many a photojournalist's gear bag, but for deep-pocketed professionals with a need to capture 4K clips, this may be a worthwhile acquisition.

We took a closer look at the 1D C at Canon's pre-NAB event in Las Vegas. As the pictures and spec sheet imply, it's the 1D X's clone in nearly every way. In fact, beyond the headphone jack and C logo, there's not much distinguishing the pair externally. You'll need to hop into the menu before you'll really notice a difference, in the form! of seve ral unique 4K shooting modes, including 8-bit 4:2:2 24fps captures to a CF card or 8-bit 4:2:2 clips in an uncompressed format over HDMI. Otherwise, the C looks and feels just like the X -- a model pro snapper that we've already managed to fondle on three continents under Canon's watchful eye, but still has yet to ship. Both cameras are gorgeous externally, with slight design tweaks yet no drastic overhaul, dating back to the very first EOS-1D. If you haven't had a chance to gawk at either model, you'll at very least be able to check out the 1D C at Canon's booth this week at NAB . We're hoping to see both cameras hit the market sometime in 2012, and who knows -- this Cinema EOS could even be the first next-gen 1D to ship. Take a closer look in the gallery below, and in our hands-on video after the break.

Gallery: Canon Cinema EOS-1D C hands-on

Continue reading C! anon Cin ema EOS-1D C 4K camera hands-on (video)

Canon Cinema EOS-1D C 4K camera hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 15 Apr 2012 22:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sticker 3D Vision

Source: http://www.yankodesign.com/2012/04/16/sticker-3d-vision/

Viewing 3D cinema is a truly gripping experience but for the 3D glasses! Besides being heavy and awkward for those already wearing numbered glasses, they are a material waste and pose a health hazard. Stix offers an easy solution by being a pair of self-adhesive sticker 3D viewing films. Simply slap them onto your current numbered glasses and enjoy your 3D movie.

The stickers are cut out a shape bigger than average glasses to ensure they cover till the rim. The concept's approach resonates with me, since I wear glasses too and find wearing additional glasses a hassle. Hopefully the sticker in Stix will be easy to peel off and then we are assured of a winner here!

Designers: Lucy Jung & Daejin Ahn

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(Sticker 3D Vision was originally posted on Yanko Design)

Meizu MX Quad-core launching with Android 4.0 in June, gets 32GB and 64GB flavors

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/15/meizu-mx-quad-core-launch-android-4-0/

Can't say we're surprised, but Meizu's finally giving us the lowdown on the quad-core variant of its flagship Android smartphone. Simply dubbed the MX Quad-core, this new device will be powered by a Cortex-A9-based, 32nm HKMG (High-K Metal Gate) quad-core Samsung Exynos chip -- no word on the clock speed or RAM, but we're betting our money on the Exynos 4412 that goes up to 1.5GHz. Meizu claims this will save up to 20 percent of CPU power consumption compared to its dual-core counterpart. Also, the battery will be bumped up from 1,600mAh to 1,700mAh -- we shall see how much difference this makes when we eventually get our hands on the phone. And yes, in addition to the original white back cover, you'll be able to swap it with one of the five optional colored covers pictured above.

On the software side you'll get a Meizu-customized Ice Cream Sandwich system (aka Flyme OS), though it isn't clear whether the company will stick to its old promise of simultaneously releasing a vanilla ROM. The rest of the new phone's identical to the dual-core MX, especially the 4-inch 960 x 640 ASV display and the eight-megapi! xel BSI camera. While there's still no microSD expansion, here's some good news to make up for this flaw: the base model starts at 32GB and it'll cost the same as the current 16GB MX! In other words, come June the unsubsidized MX Quad-core will go from ¥2,999 (US$480) in China and HK$3,099 (US$400) in Hong Kong; and then there'll also be a 64GB version priced at ¥3,999 (US$635) and HK$4,099 (US$530), respectively. Meanwhile, starting today, the original MX is reduced to ¥2,399 (US$380) and HK$2,599 (US$335). Press release after the break.

Now, with Meizu proudly claiming to have the world's first smartphone to utilize the quad-core Exynos chip, we wonder where Samsung's at with its own unicorn device?

Continue reading Meizu MX Quad-core launching with Android 4.0 in June, gets 32GB and 64GB flavors

Meizu MX Quad-core launching with Android 4.0 in June, gets 32GB and 64GB flavors originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 15 Apr 2012 21:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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