December 2015

Free the Law

Harvard is currently working on the digitization of US court decisions in conjunction with Ravel Law. The grant funded project began in 2015 and is slated to be completed in early 2017. You can learn more about it from Library Journal.

Robots with a Sense of Touch

Robots have been used for a variety of tasks, but with a new technology called SynTouch they might also be able to sense texture. In addition to the potential for application in prosthetic technology, having robots that can touch could allow for the creation of texture standards. There are standards for things like color that ensure quality and consistency, however, feeling texture has always been somewhat subjective. You can read more about it from Wired.

Gene Editing Technology

You might have heard some buzz about the gene editing technology known as CRISPR. This new tech could be used for curing certain diseases, but also brings up topics like eugenics. A summit in Washington DC focused on the implications and future of gene editing took place this past December. You can read more about how this technology could be applied from The Atlantic.

Retro Gaming

Last month, you took a look at the $5 computer from Raspberry Pi. Instructions are now available online to turn that computer (or any of the Raspberry Pi computers) into a gaming console. You can check it out at Make: Projects.

Smart Socks

Yes, you read that correctly. Netflix recently released instructions for creating socks that can sense if you’ve fallen asleep while bingeing your new favorite show, and pauses the show accordingly so you can pick it right up where you dozed off. Read more about it from The Verge.

February 2015

Digital Collections:

The Smithsonian Libraries created a searchable interface to highlight several different artist book collections from a number of the branch libraries. Read about the project on their blog and browse/search through the collections here.

In addition to the Smithsonian the British Library is expanding it’s “Endangered Archives” collections. The New York Times describes the expansion in a blog post. If you’d look to check out the full collection you can do so here.

A digital archive of Troubles Art has also recently be launched in Ireland. You can read more about it from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and you can view the collection here.

More from Amazon:

Amazon Giveaways  

Amazon has introduced a new feature which lets anyone create a contest from their site. You choose what you want to give away, enter the details of the contest, and Amazon gives you a link to share with your audience. You can find all of the details from Amazon or read about it on The Next Web.

Amazon Echo

Amazon has created a smart bluetooth speaker that has a Siri-like assistant named Alexa. For more information Mashable provides an overview here and you can check out Amazon’s product page. If you’d like one for yourself you’ll need to sign up for an invitation. For a limited time Prime members receive a $100 discount.  

Collision Tolerant Drone:

The company Flyability has recently created a drone that can be flown into people or objects without detriment to either the drone or the object its running into called GimBall. It is thought that tis type of device might be used in search and rescue instances where it is too dangerous to send in a person. You can read more about it from the Verge or Yahoo Tech.

Visit Historic Places with Google Maps or Zip-line through the Rainforest:

Google maps let you travel all over the world without ever leaving the comfort of your desk chair. You can check out historic places and the Amazon using the street view feature. What places have you explored through maps?

Apple’s Electric Car?

Rumors abound that Apple is working on an electric car and, while it may not come to fruition, the number of employees assigned to the task indicate that they are relatively committed to the project. You can read more about it from the Wall Street Journal or ReadWrite.

IKEA’s Wireless Charging Furniture:

IKEA has announced a line of furniture that will charge your devices that utilize Qi wireless charging technology and it should be available sometime this spring. If your phone doesn’t use this technology IKEA will also sell covers that make your phone Qi compatible. You can read more about the line from the Wall Street Journal tech blog or from Mashable.

December 2014

Jane Austen’s Manuscripts Online:

For all of you Austen fans, the handwritten drafts of a number of her works have now been digitized and made available for viewing online. Now you can take a look without traveling all the way to the UK!

Hachette selling books on Twitter:

Hachette has taken a new approach to selling books by using the social media tool Twitter. While this is still in the experimentation phase it will be interesting to see where it goes. The New York Times has the details here.

Inside the Kindle Design Lab:

While there are a variety of e-readers for consumers to choose from, many have opted for a version of Amazon's Kindle (myself included). Casey Newton from The Verge goes inside the Kindle design lab to explore what might be next for the product. You can read about it here.

Almost 2400 MS Dos Games Available in the Internet Archive:

The Internet Archive is now home to over 2000 MS-DOS video games, which have the ability to be played from within your browser. The variety of games include the likes of Tetris, Oregon Trail, and Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego. Abby Ohlheiser of the Washington Post gives a few more details here.