A round-up of the latest technology news from around the globe.
VIBRATION CHARGE: Brother's vibration-powered generators can replace AA and AAA batteries in low power consumption devices such as remotes. Shake the remote to generate power. A new excuse for channel surfing: fitness. More at TechOn.
VISA KEYS: The European Visa CodeSure card includes a 12-button keypad and screen. To buy goods online type your PIN into the card so a unique passcode appears. Use that passcode to authorise the purchase. What we really need is fingerprint recognition. Details at EconomicTimes.
100GB BLU-RAY: Sharp are producing the first 100GB triple-layer Blu-ray discs, using the BDXL format. Each disc could hold around 12 hours of of terrestrial digital TV broadcasts. It's a long way from the 1.4Mb floppy. Details at Sharp-World.
SPACE JUNK MAP: Worried that one of your satellites in space may collide with something? The Australians have an app for that. Electro Optic Systems laser technology, used at Mount Stromlo observatory, can track space junk and tell you where it all is. For a fee, of course. Read more at ZDNet.
PEDAL MONSTER: The Hanebrink All-Terrain Electro Bike is a monster, with a 14-speed gearbox, 50cm x 20cm tubeless tires, 5 Lithium Ion batteries, and pedals. It could carry up to 135Kg of cargo up steep terrain or deep into inaccessible areas. Zero-carbon emissions, but what about the sweat? Details at FortuneHaneBrink.
- Miraz Jordan knowit.co.nz
