E-readers With Color E-paper

The new ebook reader, Kindle, from Amazon, surely made a lot of noise in the press and on the Internet. However, the device has one disadvantage - it is monochrome. This may change soon as later this month people will witness a full color model of electronic paper, which is used as display for such ebook readers as Kindle. The color e-paper represents the latest invention of the Cambridge-based E Ink Corporation.

The company says that it looks forward to show the color version of the ebook reader in San Antonio, Texas, where, on May 31, tech specialists will gather at the Society for Information Display conference. In addition, E Ink mentioned that products featuring its latest invention are expected to hit the store by the end of 2010. The new technology used to create the color version is called electrophoretic display, reports New Scientist.

However, it is worth mentioning that the e-paper from E Ink is not the only invention in the field. The Japanese giant, Fujitsu, develops the LCD-based Flepia e-reader. The company's device features a color screen that has 20 cm on the diagonal. Flepia e-reader makes use of three layers (red, green and blue) that are fit together in one single thin layer. All layers are made from a new liquid crystal material that requires power only when one changes a page.

Skymaster Location Specific Weather

For the outdoor enthusiast, the Skymaster can give you weather warnings specific to your actual location, as opposed to the general forecasts you get from the media.

The Skymaster will measure the windspeed (current, avg and max), temperature with windchill, relative humidity with dewpoint, barometric pressure and altitude. It also has an audio storm alarm. To make it more outdoor friendly it is water resistant up to 4” and will float when dropped in the water.

Biomass Power Plant

The visually stunning Teesside plant will be covered with greenery, provide fuel for over 50,000 homes and be powered by palm kernel shells – byproducts of the palm oil plantations and a seemingly controversial choice given the environmental issues surrounding palm oil plantations and deforestation.

This British biomass power station concept is one of the many projects being proposed around the globe as the search for renewable energy sources continues.

World's Cheapest Fridge?

Launched in India the ChotuKool is portable, top opening and weighs only 7.8kg. It uses half the energy of a regular refrigerator and stays cool for hours without power.

Instead of a compressor, ChotuKool uses a cooling chip and a fan, similar to what your computer uses, which allows it to be run on batteries.

Rescue Robot

This tiny flying robot which flaps its wings 30 times per second, like a hummingbird, could be used to help rescue people trapped in collapsed buildings.

The robot is equipped with a micro motor and is controlled with an infrared sensor that can turn it up, down, right or left.

Wander Monitor

This MobileHelp monitor keeps track of a person's location, no matter how far from home they roam. You can literally watch the person you are monitoring online in real time.

If the wearer needs help, they can simply press their help button to be contacted via two-way voice to a central monitoring station.

Laptop Tent

The LapDome changes from a regular-looking laptop bag, into a tent that shades your computer and allows you to see the screen when working outdoors.

The back of the tent has slots for your cables, and the front has a lockable zipper.