Brainy Baby boosts early learning
From Baby Gizmo
Monday September 29, 2003 Developed to help introduce a variety of early-learning fundamentals to babies, toddlers and preschool age children, Brainy Baby Learning library programs are a mix of reality-based visuals and colourful graphics combined with both classical music and kid-friendly songs designed for the parent and child to watch together.
The 45 minute programs are specially paced for young viewers and acknowledge the presence of a parent by allowing for "teachable moments" to occur. Read More
Hasselblad H1 named Best Professional Product at TIPA Awards
From Cameras and Imaging
Friday September 26, 2003: The Hasselblad H1, a 645 format camera that incorporates an interchangeable film and digital back system, has been named Best Professional Product at the prestigious TIPA (Technical Image Press Association) European Photo and Imaging awards. Read More
Auto Seats for comfort and speed
From Automotive
Saturday September 27, 2003: We've come along way since the back-breaking bench seats of the 1960's, but manufacturers are continuing to develop automotive seating systems designed to maximise comfort and safety for the large number of drivers who spend many hours at the wheel each week. Read More
4-megapixel compact digital to join Pentax Optio range
From Cameras and Imaging
Tuesday September 23, 2003: The Pentax OptioS4 digital compact offers 4.23 megapixel image capture, shutter release time lag of 0.01 sec, a wide range of shooting modes and 3X optical zoom in a compact aluminium body, but it's the extra touches often overlooked in compact digital cameras, including continuous shooting, voice recording and image zoom integrated into the optical viewfinder, that distinguish the Optio S4. Read More
Jetcar 2.5 to enter limited production next year
From Automotive
Tuesday September 23, 2003: In development since 1998, a running prototype of the fascinating Jetcar design emerged at the recent Frankfurt Auto Show. The name is a reference to the body shape and cockpit design rather than the means of propulsion - the two seats are positioned centrally in-line and expanded front and side shields communicate a sensation of flying... Read More
The ultimate voyage to Antarctica with the ultimate guide
From Inventors and Remarkable People
Friday September 19, 2003: It's not strictly a gizmo, but we thought this Antarctic tour conducted by New Scientist with multi award winning (and very funny) author Bill Bryson as the escort for the voyage might warrant our readers attention. Read More
Henry Ford's Historic Race Car to Tour Australia
From Automotive
Friday September 19, 2003: One of the most celebrated cars in automotive history is coming to Australia - the car which Henry Ford drove to victory in an important motor race in 1901 which reversed his flagging fortunes of the time and enabled him to go on and build Ford Motor Company. Read More
Peugeot 4002 looks to the Future of Automotive Design
From Automotive
Sunday September 21, 2003: The award winning Peugeot 4002 by graphic designer Stefan Schulze made a return to its creator's country of origin at the Frankfurt International Motor Show. Based on the Peugeot 402 with some components from the 204, the streamlined coupe provides a glimpse of the shape of things to come - and the future looks good! Read More
New turbocharged diesel C5 Estate arrives in Australia
From Automotive
Saturday September 20, 2003: The Citro'n C5 Estate wagon has added a direct injection, common rail, turbocharged diesel HDI engine to its list of advanced features that include self-levelling suspension, the ability to "kneel" to aid loading or to lift its tail up to loading docks, plus automatic wipers, lights and emergency brakes. Read More
Night Hawk CCTV cameras capture images in total darkness
From Cameras and Imaging
Wednesday September 17, 2003: The tamper resistant, bullet-style "Night Hawk" cameras from Silent Witness automatically provide 24/7 surveillance by combining a true day/night camera board with built-in infrared LED illuminators that make it possible to capture images in total darkness. Read More
Twin Engine Hoggar on Show in Frankfurt
From Automotive
Monday September 22, 2003: The twin engine Hoggar Dune Buggy concept from Peugeot was among the highlights at this month's Frankfurt International motor show. Recently featured in Gizmo 6, the low-slung, 2-seater unusual uses of two HDi engines - one at the front, and the other at the rear - to achieve the attributes of a four-wheel drive. Read More
Isophone - Taking calls with zero distractions
From Mobile Technology
Thursday September 18, 2003: Going very much against the grain of go-anywhere, multifunctional communications devices, inventors James Auger and Jimmy Loizeau have created a cross-between a telephone and a flotation tank that provides the optimal distraction free environment in which to concentrate on the single task at hand - making conversation. Read More
Full-colour "digital ink" promises ad revolution
From Cameras and Imaging
Saturday September 20, 2003: magink is a full-color digital ink technology now being applied in the billboard industry that has the potential to revolutionise the way we view information in every aspect of our lives. Read More
HP Labs develop ebook prototype
From Personal Computing
Tuesday September 16, 2003: Conventional computer screens or handheld devices are certain to become obsolete as the electronic information we view increases in complexity and richness. Looking towards this next generation of leaner viewing devices, researchers at HP Labs have built a "Digital Media Viewer" to investigate how we will interact with digital information in the future. Read More
Creative Nomad Jukebox Zen NX
From Mobile Technology
Monday September 15, 2003: The latest Nomad Jukebox MP3 player has been redesigned to accommodate up to 30GB in-built memory (enough for 1,000 hours of music) and advanced navigation and search functionality in a pocket-sized anodised aluminium casing 22mm thick and weighing just 226g. Read More
Same-day Digital Newspaper Publishing launched in Australia
From Good Thinking
Saturday September 13, 2003: A digital newspaper printing service that allows Australians to read newsprint versions of international publications at the same time they roll off the presses overseas was launched yesterday by the Premier of NSW, Mr Bob Carr. Read More
Updated AIBO features built-in wireless connectivity
From Robotics
Saturday September 13, 2003: Sony have updated the AIBO Companion Robot with a new design that incorporates a richer LED "face" display, eyesight three times sharper than previous models, built-in Wireless LAN connectivity and for the first time, you can give the robot dog a bone - the "AIBOne" to be exact, a pink toy that the new ERS-7 AIBO can pick up in its mouth. Read More
Gizmo receives Inaugural B2Bcafe Black Box Innovation Award
Gizmo Magazine was one of the four winners of the inaugural B2Bcafe Black Box Innovation Awards at Federation Square in Melbourne last night. Dr David Warren, the Australian inventor behind the Black Box Flight Recorder presented the four awards open to innovators across all industry sectors. Read More
LeapPad Learning adds voice recording and playback
From Childsplay
Monday September 15, 2003 LeapPad have added interactive voice recording and playback capabilities to their range of children's learning tools.
The "Record & Play Microphone" is designed to involve children in the learning experiences by enabling them to record and play back their own voices in the context of LeapPad stories - by recording his or her name, the name of a best friend, favourite food or specific sounds like the letters of the alphabet or animal calls, then hearing them as part of the narrative, children can benefit from increased engagement and skill development. Read More
New technique to scan the human body provides alternative to X-Rays
From Health and Wellbeing
Saturday September 13, 2003: Scientists and engineers from the Institute of Food Research and Lancaster University in the UK are developing a fast, safe and non-invasive scanner to accurately measure the composition of the human body, both inside and out. Aimed at providing a safe and cheap alternative to using X-rays or MRI scanners, the prototype device uses an electromagnetic technique combined with digital cameras... Read More
