Thursday, January 15, 2015

BEST INVENTIONS OF 2014

Time magazine has photos and a list of the 25 best inventions of 2014. The list includes new things that have been evolving for more than year, and could significantly affect our future.



WITRICITY: has created a plug-in coil -- it can provide wireless electricity at a central charging base that will someday power all appliances, such as lamps, TV's, and stereo music equipment.


HOVER BOARD: It looks like a skateboard but it  levitates, flies an inch or so above ground that contains some copper or aluminum; costing $10,000, it is  part of a plan to develop  "hovering" tech that will stabilize buildings during earthquakes.  (Sounds very important, and rather fantastic.)

THE MANGALYAAN: $74 million -- the super smart space craft that India created, has recently been launched into space; it's being promoted by Jeff Bezos' (Amazon guy), as a way other countries can launch spacecrafts.

HIGH DENSITY BETA REACTOR:

Big big deal!
This is a reactor that can produce energy from the fusion of hydrogen nuclei -- it could change the world! Lockheed is working on a reactor that could be carried in a truck.

3D BUILD EVERYTHING  PRINTER : this is a WOW that's been evolving since 2012. It works from digital blueprints, layering on plastics or any other material -- for instance, the printer created chic plastic shoes that sell for $265, a $18,000 Stari model car, a prosthesis hand for $1000, and a 3D Sugar Candy $5,000 device that enables a Chef to print confections.


APPLE 
SMART WATCHES:  $349, various styles, that can send messages, give directions, track fitness.
BLACKPHONE: it's a $629 smartphone that puts privacy first, with software that encrypts calls, text, and browsing history.

SURFACE PRO 3: a $799 tablet with a 12 inch screen; it runs Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and has a detachable keyboard.

THE CAR: a $41,35 BMW that gets 70 to 110 miles on a three-hour charge; it has a single pedal to both accelerate and brake; you can add a backup gas motor that can recharge itself if you're on a longer trip.

RINGLY RING: $195.00, that glows, alerting you when you get email, text, or other communications.

COPENHAGEN WHEEL: $799, that has a rechargeable battery powered motor; it attaches to the rear of a bike; it has sensors that track road conditions, airtemp, and pot holes.

Seamless Sign-Language Translator: a $198 tablet that  translates, language into words, eventually words into text.
Coaching Basket ball: $200, with sensors, and a coach's voice advising you.
Selfie Stick: $33, (plus $20 with hairbrush,) so can look your best in a selfie.
Air Conditioner: $279, that lowers your energy bills.
Digital Art Screens: $399, with lights that dim in sunlight.
Tablet Toy: $79, for kids, that gets them participating physically.
Edible Wrappers: $4, for a pack of two.
Female Action Figures: $65 (pack of 7), like Barbie, but these empower girls.
Coolest Cooler: $299, for food and drinks, with a blender, led light, USB charger, blue tooth speaker for iTunes.
Lumo Lift: $100, to keep you from slouching; you clip on thumb-size gadget that analyzes spinal positions, vibrates when they’re less than ideal.

Other new things that are being worked on:
Hemopurifier: a filter cartridge for dialysis  machine that sucks viruses out of the blood; a possible cure for Ebola.
Molecular X-Rays: that can find cancers.
Immersive Virtual Realty: that can put you into the Titanic, or anywhere in history.
Prison Blue Room: an exercise space with projector that plays videos of outdoor scenes.

It seems as if enormous progress is being made in technology. Hey, we might be wearing watches soon, that will change the look of everyone who is focused on a smartphone. The Lumo Lift sounds like a must for phone or computer users, for tweeters and facebookers, who want to keep a reasonably youthful look.

I think inventors are struggling nowadays, as many of us are, with gadgets that keep requiring more tech knowledge, and extra equipment to keep you doing what you've been doing last year and the year before. The newest new stuff doesn't thrill me, except maybe that 3 D printer. Wow -- take a look at this video -- what a thing to have and LEARN to use.

2 comments:

Stan said...

Great article Em! I know I say that a lot, but you research some great information. Not sure what I would do with edible wrappers. For now I'll stick with my Milky Way Bars. Thanks again Em.

Unknown said...

Your 'whats best' for any year is very helpful, I love to have an update on things I haven't paid too much attention to and find out how my life style could benefit from using these exciting developments to make our lives more fulfilling, satisfying as well as being terribly impressed with
the minds that create technology. What I always ask myself is do I need it, how will I use it, do I want to work at learning how to use it? Love and hugs, H.