Keep your devices powered up with the Ravpower portable charger, now $70 off

If you’re out and about more now that the weather is warm and you find yourself frequently checking the battery levels on your mobile devices, then it might be time to consider a power bank. A good one like this Ravpower portable charger is the perfect pocket companion to keep your tech up and running when you’re on the move.

True to its name, Ravpower makes some of the best and most popular portable power solutions available today. Unlike many units, which only offer 10,000 or 12,000mAh of juice and one or two ports, this power bank features a generous 22,000mAh internal battery and three USB connections for charging multiple devices simultaneously.

The 22,000mAh battery packs enough power to recharge your phones and tablets several times over: The device can fully charge a standard-sized smartphone roughly eight or nine times, a large phone five to six times, and a tablet two or three times. The three USB ports provide an output of 5.8A (up to 2.4A per connected device) which, when combined with iSmart 2.0 technology, delivers snappy charging speeds.

The power bank’s housing is made of a durable fire-resistant polymer and Ravpower uses the same OEM batteries used in many brand-name electronics including iPhones. Included with the portable charger are a convenient carrying pouch along with two Micro USB charging cables, and the unit is covered by a lifetime warranty.

The 22,000mAh Ravpower portable charger retails for $110, but a 64 percent discount knocks $70 off the price on Amazon, meaning you can now score this handy power bank for just $40. For a limited time, you can enjoy even more savings when you buy this power bank together with Ravpower’s 16-watt solar charger. Add both to your cart from the power bank’s Amazon page and take 30 percent off the solar charger for an additional savings of $14.

$40 on Amazon

Bacteria open vents in this shirt when you sweat

Fashion and tech are teaming up yet again. Engineers at MIT have designed a workout suit that responds to your body heat, according to a study published last week in Science Advances. The clothing, made from latex, is covered with thumbnail- to finger-sized ventilating flaps that open and close depending on how much heat your body puts out. But what’s controlling the flaps isn’t something you’ll find weaved into your usual workout gear — it’s bacteria.

Bacteria and other biological cells can respond to humidity, expanding when it’s high and shrinking as the air gets drier. The researchers found that microbial response to changes in humidity was strong enough to open pore-like holes in a running top, perfect for when athletes start to break a sweat.

During trials, the workout suit’s flaps began to open around five minutes into a workout session, removing sweat from the body and lowering skin temperature right around the time the wearers said they began to feel hot. The placement of the ventilating flaps were designed using heat and sweat maps of the body so that bigger flaps were placed where the body releases the most heat.

And while you may find yourself worrying about wearing living fabric, you don’t have to worry about the bacteria itself, which is harmless to humans whether it’s on or inside the body.

The project, which was done with help from New Balance, also includes a shoe that would function in a similar way, removing sweat and cooling the bottom of the wearer’s foot. Other ideas for this material include fluorescent bacteria that can light up when you exercise in the dark and odor-producing bacteria that can make you smell better post-workout. The researchers are now looking to team up with sportswear companies to bring their designs to market, but it’s unclear when they’ll be available for purchase.

Via: TechCrunch

Source: Science Advances

Apple reportedly making strides with next-gen micro LED display tech

Why it matters to you

Apple’s devices could one day have significantly brighter screens while simultaneously being more efficient with micro LED technology.

As the world waits patiently to find out whether Apple’s next iPhone will feature an OLED screen, the company is researching an even more groundbreaking display technology for future products. According to Digitimes, the Cupertino, California company is currently experimenting with micro LED displays in the hopes of beginning “trial production” on a limited scale at the end of the year.

While Digitimes’ report does not mention what devices would receive the technology first, some speculated years ago that the company would look to micro LED to power the Apple Watch’s display. Instead, the company turned to OLED, which allows for greater color contrast and is more efficient than conventional LED screens, as it allows pixels to be powered independently without a backlight.

Micro LED looks to be even more efficient than both of those technologies, however, and has yet to launch in any consumer device. Apple acquired a developer of such panels, Luxvue, in 2014. At the time, Luxvue was promoting micro LED as a technology that could deliver nine times the brightness of conventional LEDs — which are already considerably brighter than OLED displays — while simultaneously drawing less power from a device’s battery.

The energy benefits make it clear why Apple might opt to use micro LED in its watches down the road, as the extremely small batteries in wearables make longevity on a charge a top priority. However, do not expect to see these kinds of displays hitting the market very soon.

For one, this is an unverified rumor about an emerging technology, so it would be wise not to take it at face value. Further, another report from the Taipei Times in March quotes industry analyst Annabelle Hsu as saying micro LED likely will not become commercially viable until 2020.

Also, Apple has never demonstrated a propensity to jump on hot and unproven technologies before its competitors — as evidenced by its slow adoption of OLED displays, while many other phone makers have been using them for more than five years. There is a first time for everything, of course, and the fact still remains Apple purchased a company that specializes in the technology — so there is a clear ambition to one day deliver micro LED to the masses. But that day appears still a ways off.

Keep your devices’ data safe from unwarranted searches with 1Password’s Travel Mode

Why it matters to you

Unwarranted searches are a growing problem, and 1Password wants to help you better hide your personal data in the event of one.

Password-management service 1Password has updated its app so that it now temporarily disables and removes all passwords, cards, and other data from a user’s device when they choose to do so. The feature is called “Travel Mode,” and as the name suggests, it’s targeted at people worried about running into trouble when they’re crossing a border into a new country.

The idea is that the feature will prevent law enforcement from being able to perform unwarranted searches into a user’s account. By nature, 1Password stores a ton of personal data — and much of it is information that the device’s owner might not want anyone to be able to access. According to 1Password, people are increasingly being told to hand over their phones at the border, and many are even told to unlock the device.

“It protects your 1Password data from unwarranted searches when you travel. When you turn on Travel Mode, every vault will be removed from your devices except for the ones marked ‘safe for travel.’ All it takes is a single click to travel with confidence,” said 1Password in a blog post.

Travel Mode does require some work. You’ll have to go through your accounts and data to mark some of it as “Safe for Travel.” Anything that’s not marked safe will be pulled from the device until Travel Mode is turned off, at which point the data will return to the device. There is a necessary downside — while Travel Mode is on, you won’t be able to access your passwords and data. It’s important to note here that the data isn’t just hidden — it’s totally wiped from the device.

Travel Mode is limited to 1Password subscribers, and not those who have bought the app outright without a subscription. In general, 1Password seems to be increasingly focusing on its subscription service.

The XTND lets artificial intelligence do some of the skateboarding for you

Why it matters to you

Commuting in an urban environment can be slow and frustrating, but if you have an AI skateboard handy, you could be on your way to a better experience.

If mom wouldn’t let you skateboard because it was too dangerous, this may be the board to assuage her fears. Meet the XTND, a new electric board featuring artificially intelligent technology that makes boarding safer (and maybe just a little lazier) than ever. Promising to redefine urban transportation, this AI skateboard will learn how you ride and make adjustments to help improve performance and battery efficiency, keeping you on the road longer.

“Our aim is to make [skateboards] better on every level, not just thinner or lighter,” said Miroslav Perina, the CEO and founder of XTND. Thanks to the board’s AI system, you’ll be able to learn how to be a better rider as you ride. The XTND collects data with every trip you take, creating unique settings to adapt to your style, and improve your form. If you are really struggling (like standing incorrectly), the board won’t even move, thereby keeping you safe. Similarly, if you jump (or fall) off a board while it’s in motion, it will start braking and prevent itself from running into traffic, or just away from you.

Not only does XTND become a better board itself, but it also helps you become a better traveler. By tracking your regular routes, this smart skateboard gradually begins to offer you alternative routes that may be more efficient or more board-friendly. That way, you will be able to find better terrain or smaller elevation so you can get where you need to go more quickly and using less battery.

If you are riding around at night, the XTND’s integrated lights automatically turn on in the darkness, making you visible and safer. When it is finally time for you to wrap up your day, this smart board will automatically “go to sleep” after 10 minutes of disuse. Of course, you can turn it on and off by way of its companion remote at any time.

The XTND runs 12.5 miles on a full charge and can hit top speeds of 28 mph. It weighs just 6.6 pounds and can be pre-ordered from Kickstarter for the early-bird price of $1,099. Delivery, however, is not expected until March. 

No cuffs necessary! This sensor can read blood pressure from your fingertip

Why it matters to you

The higher your blood pressure is, the higher your risk of health problems in the future. This tech promises to make checking it easy.

Researchers at U.S.-based biometrics company Valencell have invented new technology that lets users measure their blood pressure level simply by touching their mobile devices.

While it’s not yet been incorporated into devices like the iPhone, the company thinks that it could be a valued addition to future handsets, making blood pressure measurement as simple as using a fingerprint sensor. According to its creator, similar tech could also be incorporated into smart earbuds.

“The core technology for estimating blood pressure with an optical biometric sensor is based on patented active signal characterization technology, where we extract pulsatile blood flow information from noise and characterize the blood flow information to estimate blood pressure,” Dr. Steven LeBoeuf, president of Valencell, told Digital Trends. “Over the years, we have built upon our core heart rate monitoring technology to accurately estimate physiological parameters, such as blood pressure and cardiovascular health assessments.”

Compared to having to wear a special cuff in order to get a reading, Valecell’s tech requires a user to simply touch a sensor on their mobile device. According to its creators, the tech has gone through extremely rigorous validation testing, based on hundreds of different datasets.

“The public health impact is substantial — as with our core technology smartphone users can readily estimate their blood pressure throughout the course of a day, giving them a better assessment of their general wellness,” LeBoeuf continued. “The idea of using light to estimate blood pressure has been in the public discourse for some time. There have also been attempts to estimate blood pressure from camera phone data. However, to the best of our knowledge, a scientifically validated solution has not been available to the public.”

At present, Valecell’s smart sensor isn’t yet ready to go on sale, although prototypes have demonstrated that it works. Next up, LeBoeuf hopes a device maker will license to the technology to incorporate into a future smartphone or wearable device. The company is also developing a stand-alone solution aimed at hospitals, for which they’ll be seeking FDA approval.

Don’t worry about water — the Splash Drone 3 is a UAV you can’t drown

Why it matters to you

This waterproof drone isn’t afraid to take a dip in the water, purposefully or otherwise.

We first wrote about the Splash Drone, a tough little waterproof quadcopter capable of landing on the water without being damaged, in 2015. Jump forward a couple of years, and the company responsible for it is back with its third unmanned aerial vehicle in the series — and, unlike most threequels, this one is looking better than ever.

“The major differences with the Splash Drone 3 are in the flight controller, the camera, and the propulsion system,” Alex Rodriguez, founder and CEO of Urban Drones, told Digital Trends. “This flight controller has redundant hardware that makes it safer in the air. If part of the system fails, the software detects the failure point and either changes to its internal backup and automatically returns to its take-off position. Secondly, the previous unit relied on the GoPro camera for video, but GoPro’s latest firmware update disabled the live video output from all their cameras. This will never be an issue with the Splash Drone because it now comes with its own stabilized 4K camera and a gimbal with stronger motors to work better under water. Finally, the new propulsion system has been completely redesigned. The motors are stronger, the propellers are now self-locking and the electronic speed controllers are tuned to this new configuration.”

Rodriguez said the improvements were the culmination of two years of extensive testing of different designs, as well as feedback from existing users.

For those who have only ever flown a regular airborne drone, the idea of one that can also navigate on water like a boat is pretty darn cool. The fact that it can see underwater using its brand-new 4K camera is just the high-tech icing on the cake.

While it certainly promises to be fun to mess around with, Rodriguez said there is a serious real-world application for it as well. “I think the most important use will come from search-and-rescue teams and boat owners,” he said. “Normally it takes several minutes to get a life vest to a swimmer in distress, but with the Splash Drone 3’s payload release system — that allows anyone to drop a life vest to a swimmer in distress for up to a kilometer — a lifeguard can deliver a flotation device in seconds. I can see a day where every lifeguard will be equipped with a Splash Drone.”

The Splash Drone 3 can currently be pre-ordered on Kickstarter, with prices starting at $1,149. Shipping is set to take place in August.

Robotics startup Cosy uses 3D depth tracking to navigate store aisles

Why it matters to you

Cosy tracks the location of objects in three-dimensional space — without the need for pricey, complex sensors.

Three-dimensional depth tracking is a complicated problem without an easy solution. Solutions like Microsoft’s Kinect, Google’s Tango platform, and Leap Motion’s peripheral can pick out walls and other obstacles with the help of custom sensor arrays, but they aren’t exactly plug-and-play — short of some duct tape and a lot of coding, getting them to talk to a robot, smartphone, or other device is an ordeal.

But Cosy, a startup founded by Penn State University graduate Jonas Cleveland, might have the solution — a software framework that combines neural networking and indoor positioning to pinpoint the location of robots, smartphones, and more in three-dimensional space.

And unlike most positional tracking technologies, which rely on infrared sensors to orient objects in rooms and hallways, Cosy’s platform works on any device with a camera. “It doesn’t matter the platform — it works on fixed cameras” Cleveland said. “A lot of folks claim you’re not able to achieve [3D mapping] without using lidar, but we’ve done it. It’s all post processing.”

The robot generates a “point cloud” as it runs through the store doing inventory.

It’s a little like Snapchat’s Lenses, which use computer vision and augmented reality to lay digital objects on top of real-world environments. Cleveland wouldn’t spill the beans on Cosy’s tech, some of which is patent-pending. But if it’s anything like Lenses, it takes into account factors like rotation, occlusion, and more in real time.

Cosy is applying it to retail — specifically inventory management. Robots that are four-and-a-half feet tall robots (“about the size of a fourth grader,” Cleveland said) equipped with the startup’s software navigate the store aisles autonomously, taking note of the products on shelves. They relay that data to a central server, which updates the store’s inventory database.

Cosy sees it lightening human workloads. “We’re empowering humans to do other things,” Cleveland said. “People are not very good at tedious and mundane tasks. Inventory is incredibly labor intensive, and very inaccurate — humans hate doing inventory. We’re checking stock and seeing where items are located in the store through software, without human assistance.”

It might not be long before you see a Cosy-powered ‘bot at your local department store. The startup is in talks with three of the top twenty U.S. retailers to deploy the inventory-checking robots in the next year. And in the future, Cosy hopes to adapt the tech to smartphones — Cleveland envisions an app that directs customers to a particular section of a store, for example, or even an exact shelf.

“When you can map indoor space and all the objects, that solves a lot of problems,” said Cleveland.

Want your own interstellar greeting card? Snag a replica of NASA’s Pioneer plaque

Why it matters to you

Want your very own piece of NASA history? Replicas of NASA’s Pioneer plaque available on Kickstarter.

Back in the early 1970s, when David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust was the hot album and The Godfather was playing for the first time in theaters, NASA launched its twin spacecraft, Pioneer 10 and 11. Among the items on board were two gold Pioneer plaques, which were designed by Frank Drake and Carl Sagan to serve as an “interstellar greeting card” for any extraterrestrial life they came across.

Now, 45 years after Pioneer 10’s launch, space-obsessed designer Duane King has taken to Kickstarter with replicas of the iconic plagues, which continue to represent the adventurous spirit of humankind at its best. In his own words, it’s “gold-anodized optimism.”

“I have been working with the original craftsman from 1972 to create a limited-edition, manually engraved exact replica of the plaque along with a laser-etched reissue to make the plaque available to everyone,” King told Digital Trends. “Through the campaign, I’m hoping to share a lifelong dream of mine with the world. There is nothing like holding in your hands an exact replica of a plaque that is floating in space — over 18 billion kilometers away from Earth.”

King said that the replicas are equal in every way to the originals, as well as the versions hanging a bit closer to home in the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum. The accuracy doesn’t end at the plaque, either. The original packaging has been just as carefully reproduced, from the paper engineering through to the foil-stamping.

A limited run of 200 manually-engraved replicas, priced at $399 each, have already sold out. However, a less-expensive laser-engraved edition, priced $99, is still available.

There have, it should be noted, been past examples of space-themed Kickstarter replicas that wound up disappointing customers. King is confident he can deliver.

“As for assurances, I can only say that I have a long history of successfully launching projects of all types,” he said. “I have little fear of fulfilling expectations. I have been running design studios and agencies for over 20 years. My experience ranges from launching Herman Miller’s first websites to concepting the first-ever tin video game package for id Software to introducing parallax to the web with Nike Better World. Turning dreams into reality is normal for me. And working on what is hard is what I do!”

Best Screen Protectors for Samsung Gear Fit 2

What’s the best screen protector for Gear Fit 2?

The Samsung Geart Fit 2 is a smart fitness tracker with a long display that can get scuffed and marked while you work out. If you’d like to keep your wearable’s screen blemish-free, pick up one of these screen protectors.

• RinoGear
• Spectre Shield
• Illumi AquaShield

RinoGear

RinoGear’s Shield screen protector for the Gear Fit 2 is as clear as they come, highly rated on Amazon, and so inexpensive that you can’t afford not to get one — it’s about $2 for an eight-pack.

This military-grade film is self-healing and flexible TPU, which will keep your Gear Fit 2’s screen scratch-free. If the screen protector starts to look a little worn, grab another from the eight-pack and easily install it using a convenient and simple wet-install method.

See at Amazon

Spectre Shield

Spectre Shield’s screen protector allows for full touch sensitivity and won’t cloud up your Gear Fit 2’s display. Spectre Shield promises that your wearable will feel like it’s wearing nothing at all, thanks to a natural-feeling, proprietary material.

Spectre Shield protectors are laser cut and install easily with the liquid application method, which allows you to adjust things during installation, making sure you get it perfectly lined up. An eight-pack is around $2.

See at Amazon

Illumi AquaShield

Illumi’s two-pack of Gear Fit 2 screen protectors comes with a lifetime warranty so that you can buy with confidence knowing your protector is backed up for good. This military-grade TPU features a UV-resistant layer to prevent yellowing over time, and once installed and dried, Illumi promises a glass-like finish that’s smooth, bubble-free, and frictionless.

See at Amazon

Your favorite?

Have you found another great Gear Fit 2 screen protector? Sound off in the comments below.