This is an infographic charting humanity’s progress on developing the different technologies from Star Trek. For some we’re totally there already, for others we’ve got a looooooooong way to go. via Geekologie

See the entire graphic here

Read More → "Not quite there yet: humanity’s progress in developing Star Trek’s technologies"

They say the clothes make the man. Perhaps nowhere is that more true than on space missions, where astronauts (both male and female) are at their most iconic when donning a spacesuit.

The main job of a spacesuit is to protect its wearer. During spacewalks, it must provide a breathable atmosphere, allow for easy movement and maintain steady communications with a spacecraft. The outfit has to moderate temperature extremes — the sun’s rays can heat an astronaut up to 248 degrees Fahrenheit while the darkness of space can create chills of -256 degrees — and … Read More → "Wired’s got a great slideshow on the history of the spacesuit"

Our Flux Capacitors are on at full blast, because the DeLorean Motor Company’s remake of the famous Back to the Future DeLorean is returning as an all-electric car in 2013. Here’s a closer look at the sassy car kitted with new guts. via Dvice

Continue reading, and … Read More → "A closer look at the 2013 all-electric DeLorean"

This watch powers itself using the movement of your arms.

The watch has dual sapphire crystals with one of the digital watch face and the other over the rotor for that little micro-generator that keeps the thing powered up. The watch stays powered for 45 days so it won’t go dead overnight on you. The watch features LED backlight, dual time zones, alarms, and a perpetual calendar.

The watch also has some sort … Read More → "Digital watch packs micro-generator for power"

Think about midcentury sci-fi and horror flicks. Do you remember those haunting tones that heralded the presence of aliens or ghosts? That sound was made by a theremin, and Bob Moog might have built it. As a teen in the ’50s, he began making and selling his own version of the electromagnetic noisemaker. Then he took what he learned and created the first relatively cheap and commercially available analog synthesizer in 1964. His ever-expanding line of instruments would go on to be used by rockers like the Beatles, electronic music pioneers Kraftwerk, and composers of a slew … Read More → "Musicians and fans descend on second annual Moogfest"

People have talked about building futuristic airships for zero emissions cargo shipping for a long time, but most of these green blimps remain on the drawing board. One company, SolarShip, has taken the steps to bring its vision of a green shipping future to life, recently completing the initial test flights for its solar helium plane. via Inhabitat

Read More → "SolarShip’s solar cargo helium plane is a futuristic airship that actually exists"

BestSFBooks produces lists of the most award-winning and award-nominated science fiction and fantasy novels, as well as lists of new releases from writers whose works have won a lot of awards in the past. via Boing Boing

Click here for the list

Punctuation arouses strong feelings. You have probably come across the pen-wielding vigilantes who skulk around defacing movie posters and amending handwritten signs that advertise “Rest Room’s” or “Puppy’s For Sale.”

People fuss about punctuation not only because it clarifies meaning but also because its neglect appears to reflect wider social decline. And while the big social battles seem intractable, smaller battles over the use of the apostrophe feel like they can be won. via The Wall Street Journal

Read More → "Is this the future of punctuation?"

The likes of Apple and Microsoft do not only sue their rivals to protect their own inventions, but go on to buy third party patents to build up their weapon stockpile.

What is more, they appear increasingly willing to litigate.

The number of handset patent infringement filings to the US courts grew from 24 cases in 2006, to 84 cases in 2010, according to Lex Machina, an intellectual property litigation data provider.

It expects that number to grow to 97 cases this year, reflecting more than a four-fold rise in the space of half a decade. via < … Read More → "Mobile phone innovation is sinking into the quagmire of patent wars"