French pilot sets big speed record in tiny electric airplane (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/01/french-pilot-sets-big-speed-record-in-tiny-electric-airplane-vi/

It may not be all that fast in the broader world of aircraft speed records, but French pilot Hugues Duval still has a fair bit to boast about with his latest accomplishment. Not only did he actually fly the aircraft pictured above -- which weights just 200 pounds and has a wingspan of 16 feet -- but he manged to hit a top speed of over 175 miles per hour, breaking his own record for the fastest all-electric airplane by about 15MPH. Not surprisingly, the plane itself (powered by two 35 horsepower electric motors and a pair of 1.5 kWh batteries) is better suited for short hops and the odd record attempt than any long-haul flights, as it's not able to fly for much more than 25 minutes at a time even at a more reasonable 65 miles per hour. Video after the break (en Français, of course).

Continue reading French pilot sets big speed record in tiny electric airplane (video)

French pilot sets big speed record in tiny electric airplane (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Jul 2011 14:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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HAL exosuit takes a Cybernic approach to disabled tourism

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/01/hal-exosuit-takes-a-cybernic-approach-to-disabled-tourism/

Cybernics -- it's not a typo, it's a completely new field that mixes cybernetics, mechatronics, and informatics with an all-human core. Pioneered by Tsukuba Univeristy designer Yoshiyuki Sankai, the Hybrid Assistive Limb (HAL) exosuit originally created to aid Japan's eldery has now found an even nobler mission -- assisting disabled tourists. Through detection of weak muscular bioelectrical impulses in the legs, this RoboCop-like lower body suit boosts its wearer's load-bearing abilities by a whopping 176 pounds. The exoskeleton tech first helped paralyzed Seiji Uchida nearly tackle Switzerland's Breithorn peak in 2006 and is now getting another go at the disabled traveler's bucket list. This time 'round, Uchida hopes his ride atop a HAL-outfitted human will successfully carry him to the top of Normandy's rugged Mont Saint-Michel, paving the way for other similarly handicapped travelers to do the same. Although the robotics in question here is more mech suit than say, dental training real doll, it's still a huge leg up for the nascent research industry that got its kick-start making a wish come true.

HAL exosuit takes a Cybernic approach to disabled tourism originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Jul 2011 14:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Swidget Replaces Banner Ads on the Web with Widgets [Downloads]

Source: http://lifehacker.com/5817288/swidget-replaces-banner-ads-on-the-web-with-widgets

Firefox/Chrome/IE: Swidget is a browser add-on that swaps banner and box ads for useful widgets, like the weather, news headlines, or even your Facebook feed.

Swidget works on Windows or Mac OS, but only supports Firefox on the Mac. On Windows, Chrome, Internet Explorer, and Firefox are all supported. Once installed, the add-on places a button at the top of banner and block ads to click that replaces them with a widget that you choose.

The gallery of widgets is broad: you can choose weather, stocks, clocks, headlines, and more. The only downside is that Swidget doesn't work automatically: you have to click to replace each ad on the page one at a time.

Swidget | via MakeUseOf

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You can reach Alan Henry, the author of this post, at alan@lifehacker.com, or better yet, follow him on Twitter.

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Tumblr for iPhone 2.0 Makes Managing Tumblr Blogs Easier on the Go Than on the Web [Download Of The Day]

Source: http://lifehacker.com/5817308/tumblr-for-iphone-20-makes-managing-tumblr-blogs-easier-on-the-go-than-on-the-web

iOS: If you don't have a Tumblr blog, it might be time to get one. Tumblr for iPhone 2.0 launched earlier this week with a new interface that makes it easier than ever to follow popular blogs and post messages, photos, and video to your own.

The new Tumblr app sports a new interface with buttons on the home screen that let you share photos, video, music, or links on your Tumblr blog with two taps. You can read blogs you follow, follow new ones, see liked posts, or access your dashboard just as easily.

If you're not a current Tumblr user, you can even sign up right through the mobile app. It's been a long time since we talked about Tumblr, but it's still a great and easy way to share on the Web. Tumblr for iPhone 2.0 is free in the iTunes App Store.

Tumblr for iPhone 2.0 | iTunes App Store via ReadWriteWeb

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You can reach Alan Henry, the author of this post, at alan@lifehacker.com, or better yet, follow him on Twitter.

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Plnnr Generates Free, Customized Itineraries for Your Next Vacation [Travel]

Source: http://lifehacker.com/5817344/plnnr-generates-free-customized-itineraries-for-your-next-vacation

Plnnr is a neat webapp that saves you the trouble of hiring a tour guide for your next vacation by providing you with smart itineraries that are customized based on criteria you provide. It'll even recommend a convenient hotel in your price range.

You start by signing up and providing a little information about your interests. Plnnr doesn't support every city you might want to visit, but it offers a number of popular destinations. Once you select where you headed, you let it know what kind of places you want to see, how many days you have to see them, what kind of hotel you're looking for, and a few other details. Next, it puts all that information together and comes up with an itinerary and you can check it out. Before you commit, you can tell it how you feel about each choice. If there's something you don't like, veto it. If it's at a bad time in the itinerary, say so. If you just don't know what it is, click on its name and you'll get an explanation along with photos. Once you're done, print it out and take it with you on vacation.

Plnnr is completely free to use, so go give it a try if you're looking for things to do next time you travel.

Plnnr | via USA Today

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You can follow Adam Dachis, the author of this post, on Twitter and Facebook.  Twitter's the best way to contact him, too.

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