Glove converts sign language into spoken words on a cell phone

A sensor-equipped glove, known as HandTalk, can translate gestures into spoken words on a cell phone. It was developed by students at Carnegie Mellon University as part of a class research project. [via Post Gazette]

"The prototype was demonstrated yesterday at Carnegie Mellon's "Meeting of the Minds" expo of undergraduate research projects.

Someday, the young inventors hope, it may allow deaf people to communicate with those who don't know American Sign Language by having their cell phones speak their words aloud.

When the glove is held in a fist, for instance, the cell phone says "Good morning." When the index finger, second finger and thumb are extended, it says, "I'm having a good time." And when the index finger, little finger and thumb are held out, it politely says, "Thank you for your time."

Internet telephone encryption stumps police

German police are unable to decipher the encryption used in the internet telephone software Skype to monitor calls by suspected criminals and terrorists, Germany's top police officer said on Thursday. The Sydney Morning Herald reports.

"... Experts say Skype and other Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) calling software are difficult to intercept because they work by breaking up voice data into small packets and switching them along thousands of router paths instead of a constant circuit between two parties, as with a traditional call.

Ziercke said they were not asking Skype to divulge its encryption keys or leave "back doors open" for German and other country's law enforcement authorities."

Phone charger incorporates automatic data back-up

The aptly named "Data-backup mobile phone charger" from Longshow automatically performs the task of backing-up your contacts whilst your phone is charging, and not only that, the multi-talented device also acts as a portable power supply in case you run out of juice away from mains power, as well as a SD/MMC card reader. Gizmag reports.

"The device supports many major phone brands including Nokia, Motorola, Blackberry, Samsung and Sony-Ericsson and as a portable charger, it can also be used for PMPs, digital cameras and other portable gadgets."

German Firms Patent Scented Text Messaging

"Two German companies have patented technology for sending scented text messages between mobile phones.

The chip, which carries a range of around 100 pre-defined scents, has been developed by the Institute of Sensory Analysis and interactive services firm Convisual and will be on the market in one to two years.

“People will be able to send the smell of the beach and sunshine to their friends when they’re on vacation,” Convisual spokesperson Sandra Wiewiorra told The Local on Wednesday.

The chips are still in the developmental stages and should be on the market in one to two years, she said, adding that there will be about 100 different prefabricated scents on the chip for customers to choose from.

The chips will be affordable, she said, but customers will need a scent chip compliant phone to access the scents through both multi-media and text messages."

[via Slashdot]

Related: - NTT Com to Pilot Test Mobile Fragrance Communication Service

SIM Card Unlocks Your Cell Phone

Mobile Solutions introduced a new product today called SIMable that fools your cell phone into thinking it is unlocked.

Using its SIM card add-on, you can basically unlock it and use it on other networks without actually changing the software on the phone. Now if it only worked with the iPhone... Sadly, it doesn't.

[via Information Week and Press release]

NTT Firmo transmits data through skin

NTT has begun selling a device that transmits data across the surface of the human body and lets users communicate with electronic devices simply by touching them, the company announced on April 23. PinkTentacle reports.

"The new product, called “Firmo,” consists of a card-sized transmitter carried in the user’s pocket.

The card converts stored data into a weak AC electric field that extends across the body, and when the user touches a device or object embedded with a compatible receiver, the electric field is converted back into a data signal that can be read by the device.

... Firmo is based on NTT’s RedTacton human area network (HAN) technology, which is designed to allow convenient human-machine data exchange through natural physical contact — even through clothing, gloves and shoes."

Elektrobit Cellphone-like Satellite Phone

Elektrobit's new PDA-style satellite phone concept is a sleek looking product which they promise will be cost competitive with regular cell phones. Features: Windows Mobile, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS, VoIP, touch screen, voice control, 3MP camera and both HSDPA and satellite connectivity with the Terrestar satellite network (which has yet to be launched).

[via UberReview]

Samsung Patents Visual Gesture Control

Samsung has recently patented a system of cell phone and mobile device control which responds to a users gestures. It doesn't do this on the display as how the iPhone currently does, but as recognized in the space around the handset courtesy of the handset's front-mounted camera.

The pre-loaded software will recognize preset motions, translating them into on-screen control.

Check it out on Ubergizmo via Phonemag.

Nokia pushes '4G wireless' plans

Nokia has signed up Sony Ericsson, NEC and Alacatel-Lucent to its plans for 4G wireless system. The BBC reports.

"The companies have formed a licensing framework for their patents for the emerging mobile standard, called Long Term Evolution (LTE).

The deal will add momentum to LTE, which is seen as a direct competitor to Wimax, which is being pushed by Intel.

The first LTE networks are being rolled out in the US and China.

LTE is a faster and more long distance wireless system compared to 3G.

Nokia and its partners believe LTE is the logical evolution of 3G systems and are selling it as a solution for mobile phones, as well as laptops and even fixed broadband connections, replacing wi-fi. "

Samsung water-powered cell phone

Samsung has announced the actual development of a micro fuel cell and hydrogen generator, which can charge cell phones for 10 hours.

The micro fuel cell and hydrogen generator are capable of powering small electronics such as cell-phones for 10 hours on nothing but good old water.

Oh Yong-soo, Samsung's VP at the research center, explains: “When the handset is turned on, metal and water in the phone react to produce hydrogen gas. The gas is then supplied to the fuel cell where it reacts with oxygen in the air to generate power,” he added.

[via Press TV]

Tea time goes high tech

Having a humble cup of tea could help older Australians stay safe in the future, a seniors group says, reports The Sydney Morning Herald.

"Japanese technology can link a kettle to a mobile phone, so every time an elderly person boils water for their morning cup of tea a message is sent to a family member letting them know their relative is up and well.

Such advances are among the opportunities, rather than just the challenges, the National Seniors Australia (NSA) group wants to discuss at the 2020 Summit in Canberra at the weekend.

NSA chief executive Michael O'Neill said it was critical not to frame the issue of an ageing population as a threat, but recognise the potential for positives.

He pointed to the kettle example as one technological advance that would help families check on elderly relatives living alone without invading their space."

Universal Roaming SIMCard

Travelers who frequently cross national boarders have to deal with a myriad of costs when using their cell phones. Costs for making and receiving calls can vary greatly between boarders.

Adepto Telecom announced a Pay As You Go service that allows customers to use their mobile phone when they are abroad without incurring roaming, calling or texting charges. The One SIMcard system works in 180 countries and allows free incoming calls in 146 countries.

[via Mobilecrunch]

Cell phone sends out vibrations representing Braille symbols

A former teacher at a school for the blind and a professor from Tsukuba University of Technology have developed a cell phone that sends out vibrations representing Braille symbols to enable people with sight and hearing difficulties to communicate. Fareastgizmo reports.

"The phone, reportedly the first of its kind in the world, was created by 73-year-old former teacher Sadao Hasegawa, Tsukuba University of Technology professor Nobuyuki Sasaki and other developers.

When a caller pushes numbers on the keypad corresponding to Braille symbols, two terminals attached to the receiver's phone vibrate at a specific rate to create a message. Read full article.

Links to related Braille phones.

At MTI Micro, pushing fuel cells for portables

For years, companies have promised that methanol fuel cells for powering cell phones and other gadgets are just around the corner. Now MTI Micro says it's finally true. News.com reports.

"The main advantage of fuel cells is that they will last twice as long as a battery pack of the same size. ... And the recharge time is almost nonexistent. Powering up a fuel cell-based phone only requires squirting in some new fuel or putting in a new cartridge."

Sprint's Femtocell

A growing number of mobile phone users have the option of installing small base stations, called femtocells, in their homes to boost coverage indoors. [via Investors Business Daily

Several carriers around the world are testing the femtocells, which also have the benefit of reducing traffic on regular cell towers.

Sprint Nextel sells the devices in Denver, Indianapolis and Nashville and says it plans to offer femtocells nationwide this year. It charges $50 for each device, meaning it is subsidizing the roughly $200 cost of each unit.

Related articles linked to femtocells.

Handwriting recognition for the iPhone?

Spotted on engadget:mobile, a "Handwriting Engineer" job description posted by Apple.

"The recognition technology you create may extend beyond Mac OS X to other applications and the iPhone."

Mobile phone with integrated defibrillator

IOL writers up a patent filed for a cell phone with a defibrillator feature which can convey electric shocks in case of a heart attack.

"This design for a mobile phone contains an integral defibrillator device that can be employed to administer an electric sock to a person experiencing cardiac distress.

The mobile phone is equipped with a cardiac module that is able to determine whether the victim's heartbeat has become irregular and whether defibrillation is necessary, once it has been set to defibrillator mode and placed facedown on the victim's chest.

The phone includes a GPS tracking unit that will provide the user's location and activate two-way wireless voice communication with emergency personnel when the defibrillator is activated.

Charged by a high density Lithium Ion battery of which the voltage is enhanced by a converter, two of the mobile phones' keypad buttons act as opposing electrodes that transmit an electric shock to the patient."

Download patent application (pdf)

Chinese phone needs no charger

A new generic touchscreen phone from China lasts 2 years without charging. It comes with a 2-year long manufacturer-rated battery life.

[via Gadgetell]

Self-healing artificial muscle can charge an iPhone

An artificial muscle that can heal itself and recharge an iPhone at the same time? Sounds ludicrous, but researchers at UCLA have developed an electricity-generating muscle that might one day be to used to create walking robots or advanced prosthetics, according to Discovery News via News.com.

Israeli-made Cryptophone attracts world spy agencies

A new Israeli-made Internet telephone called the Cryptophone, which scrambles messages before they are sent down the line, is attracting spy agencies and military clients in Israel and abroad, the phone's manufacturer told The Jerusalem Post .

Tikal Networks CEO, Alex Argov is in talks with the Prime Minister's Office in Israel and a range of security agencies here and around the world.

Unlike other scrambling devices, the Cryptone sends coded Internet protocol (VOIP) technology.

"Encrypted conference calls, voice-mail and videos are tangible solutions for those who fear that someone hostile could be eavesdropping on their conversation", Argov said.

"Cryptone is part of a secure switchboard system and messaging system," he said.

A second device created by Tikal can turn any cellphone conversation into a ciphered exchange, including SMS messages, Argov said, by installing an encoding bluetooth application on the cellphone.

"In principle, any cellphone with bluetooth can become a secure line," he said. "

Links to other encryption phones.

Long-Distance Wi-Fi

Intel has found a way to stretch a Wi-Fi signal from one antenna to another located more than 60 miles away. Technology Review reports.

"The wireless technology, called the rural connectivity platform - that can send data from a city to outlying rural areas tens of miles away - will be helpful to computer-equipped students in poor countries, says Jeff Galinovsky, a senior platform manager at Intel.

... There is nothing particularly innovative in the antenna technology and the router hardware, he says. The trick, he explains, comes in the software that the radios use to communicate with each other."

A Cell Phone Made of ...Tapioca?

Scientists are using salmon sperm, silk, and viruses to create more eco-friendly gadgets of the future, reports Business Week.

"There's a video playing these days at New York's Museum of Modern Art about a curvaceous cell phone called "Morph."

Unlike your typical phone, this one's from Nokia is form-fitting: It wraps around your wrist like a bracelet when you're not using it for calls. It also kills germs and looks out for your health by "sniffing" the surrounding air and analyzing your sweat."

View the slide show of all the product concepts

Long-range Wi-Fi threat to satellite communications

WiMAX, a long-range version of Wi-Fi, has been billed as one of the best ways to bring broadband internet connections to rural areas. But the system may have a critical flaw. According to tests by a trade body representing the satellite industry, the radio frequencies WiMAX uses will interfere with satellite communications in some of the very locations where it could bring the most benefit.

... Test results showing that WiMAX antennas can disrupt satellite reception up to 20 kilometres away from a base station, posing a significant interference threat.

[via New Scientist]

Smart Goggles that could make lost keys, mobile phones or iPod a thing of the past

Japanese scientists have invented a pair of intelligent glasses that remembers where people last saw their keys, handbag, iPod or mobile phone, reports The Daily Mail.

"The spectacles - which come with a built in camera, display screen and computer brain - can even identify unfamiliar plants or faces.

In fact, the only thing it can't help you find are your glasses.

The Smart Goggles are the brainchild of Prof Kuniyoshi at the University of Tokyo. They contain a compact video camera which films everything the wearer looks at - and a viewfinder which fits snugly in front of the right lens.

To use the glasses, the wearer first wanders around a house or workplace for an hour or so, looking at the objects he or she may later want to find in a hurry.

Each time the camera focuses on a object - such as a set of keys, a mobile phone or a purse - the wearer says the name aloud. The name is then recorded and stored into the memory.

Once the names have been programmed in, the glasses will try to find the right name for any object they come across. The names appear in small type on the viewfinder.

If they are unable to recognise an object they make a guess and - if they get it wrong - learn from their mistakes.

At some point in the future, if the wearer is trying to find their keys in a hurry, they simply name the object.

Speaking your mind: Voiceless phone calls

A neckband that intercepts nerve signals allows you to talk on the phone without emitting a sound.New Scientist reports.

"With careful training a person can send nerve signals to their vocal cords without making a sound. These signals are picked up by the neckband and relayed wirelessly to a computer that converts them into words spoken by a computerised voice.

A video (above) demonstrates the device being used. The neckband, called the Audeo, was developped by Michael Callahan, co-founder of Ambient corporation.

The Audeo has previously been used to let people control wheelchairs using their thoughts. "

Shell shock

An MIT materials scientist's research on abalone sea snails has helped transform battery technology and may end the era when cell phones die if they're dropped and PDAs must be replaced if they get dunked in the tub. [via MIT News Office]

"Thanks to those sea snails and a eureka moment, Angela Belcher, Germeshausen Professor of Materials Science and Engineering and Biological Engineering, is developing smart nano-materials--hybrids of organic and inorganic components--beginning with a rechargeable, biologically based battery that looks like plastic food wrap.

... With MIT colleagues Paula Hammond, Bayer Professor of Chemical Engineering, and Yet-Ming Chiang, professor of materials science and engineering, Belcher grew the first biologically based, nano-scale rechargeable battery--the one that may end short-lived cell phones.

Belcher's MIT battery is comprised of a virus she and her colleagues engineered to latch itself to cobalt oxide. It does look like a clear film. Transparent, efficient, it could one day be poured onto the object it's powering, like a coat of energizing paint. "

Sprint 'Revs' up cellphone for fast network

Sprint Nextel is upgrading one of its cellphone models (the Mogul phone, made by HTC) so that it can connect to a faster data network, doubling its download speeds and boosting upload speeds by about eight times.

[via USA Today]

Samsung and Adidas team up to launch F110 fitness handset

Slated to launch in the UK next month, the Samsung / Adidas F110 (miCoach) is out to take on the mighty Nike+ training system, and besides the obligatory heartbeat monitor and step counter, the handset also boasts a built-in MP3 player / FM tuner, two-inch LCD and a two-megapixel camera.

[via engadget:mobile]

Coming soon to Japan: remote control with a wink

Researcher Kazuhiro Taniguchi. says he has developed a system that will soon let people run their iPods with the flick of an eye. The AFP reports.

"The system dubbed "Kome Kami Switch," or "Temple Switch", comprising a single-chip computer and a couple of infrared sensors, monitors movements of the temple and is so tiny that it can be built into the side of a pair of eyeglasses.

Closing both eyes for one second starts an iPod, while blinking again stops the machine. A wink with the right eye makes the machine skip to the next tune while with a wink of the left eye it goes back.

The Kome Kami Switch is also capable of operating television sets, air conditioners, room lighting and other household electronics.

Taniguchi hopes the system can eventually be adapted to run cellphones, wheelchairs and robots as "an ultimate remote control" used in everyday life."

Prototype Android touch phone in BBC video

A new, previously unspecified phone running Google's Android mobile OS has been spotted, courtesy of a new BBC video via electronista.

"The British news organization was told that the early, prototype device was manufactured by one of Google's partners in the project and veers away from the button-driven form seen in the initial example. The mystery device is almost entirely driven by a touchscreen and includes just a minimal set of physical controls for taking calls and jumping to familiar hotspots in the interface, such as the home screen."