Kasey Panetta
Why Nikola Tesla deserves a museum
August 27, 2012 9:52 am | by Kasey Panetta, Associate Editor | Articles | CommentsNikola Tesla is arguably one of the most underappreciated scientists in history. He was a very cool, brilliant guy, but money wasn’t really his strong suit. He built a laboratory called the Wardenclyffe Tower in Shoreham, New York, which he lost due to his financial problems. The tower that Wardenclyffe was named for was destroyed in 1917, 15 years after it was built.
The light bulb you can't live without
August 24, 2012 10:13 am | by Kasey Panetta, Associate Editor | Blogs | CommentsI’m inundated with thoughts about light bulbs. That is to say, I think about light bulbs an inordinate amount of time.When you work with emerging technology, light bulbs are kind of a big deal. Whether it’s LEDs versus incandescent bulbs, how different bulbs affect the environment, how expensive versus how efficient, the perfect wattage for my new lamp or the environmentalists versus the homeowners...
The keyboard you can wash
August 23, 2012 11:48 am | by Kasey Panetta, Associate Editor | Blogs | CommentsKeyboards are one of those objects that get incredibly dirty but are also really annoying/impossible to clean. So, whether it’s your kid’s sticky fingers or your mom’s habit of spilling tea (sorry, Mom), it might be time to check out the Logitech Washable Keyboard K310.
Would you eat printed meat?
August 21, 2012 1:56 pm | by Kasey Panetta, Associate Editor | Articles | Comments3D printing is a hot topic issue in the tech world with everything from printed guns to printed arms making headlines around the world.The newest 3D item to hit the scene? Printed meat. Modern Meadows,a firm looking to develop “high value, food grade animal protein”
Why 4D technology ruins movies
August 16, 2012 2:42 pm | by Kasey Panetta, Associate Editor | Blogs | CommentsDesigners are on the constant lookout for ways to enhance the movie-screening experience. It’s easily seen in the evolution from silent films to talkies to color to HD and 3D movies. Oftentimes, now that 3D has made a (dismal) debut in homes and a (really expensive) debut in theaters, 4D is being tossed around as “the next big thing.”
Would you trust brakes that think for you?
August 14, 2012 11:34 am | by Kasey Panetta, Associate Editor | Articles | CommentsIn keeping with the vehicle safety theme I’ve self-cultivated with Signal and the inflatable seatbelt, let’s take a look at the world of brakes, specifically Automatic Emergency Braking Systems (AEBS). The idea behind AEBS is that in the event that you, the driver, are unable or incapable of braking in order to avoid a collision with a car, pedestrian, object, your garage door, etc. the car will take (complete or partial) control...
Innovative technology meets a luxury brand: The Audi Pavilion
August 10, 2012 9:22 am | by Kasey Panetta, Associate Editor | Blogs | CommentsAudi AG has been making luxury cars since 1932 when four car companies of the 19th and early 20th centuries—Audi, DKW, Horch, and Wanderer—joined to form the company which exists today. The cars are known for their sleek lines, German engineering, high performance and tech-savvy interior.
Are "smart" pills the future of medication?
August 7, 2012 8:48 am | by Kasey Panetta, Associate Editor | Blogs | CommentsHave trouble remembering to take your meds? Only about 50 percent of people take medication according to a doctor’s recommendation, according to the World Health Organization. Luckily, some companies are now developing “smart” meds to track your prescription habits.
This helmet attachment could save lives
August 3, 2012 10:39 am | by Kasey Panetta, Associate Editor | Blogs | CommentsIn 2007, 72.34 motorcycles per 100,000 registered ended up in a fatal crash, according to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). For the sake of comparison, for cars the number for cars is 13.10 for each 100,000. In 2010, there were 3,615 motorcycle fatalities in the United States. That’s down from a high of 5,312 in 2008.
Enough with the Twitter Olympics
July 31, 2012 3:38 pm | by Kasey Panetta, Associate Editor | Articles | CommentsIt’s official, people: Twitter has taken over the Olympics. Yes, we all know about Ryan Loche and Michael Phelps. Even the Queen’s granddaughter (a silver medalist) is popping up in the Olympic news, but let’s focus on what’s important during this competition: Twitter. It seems for every story you read about the craziness of antiquated gymnastic rules and disappointing defeats, there is a story about Twitter.
Why YouTube should remain anonymous
July 27, 2012 9:45 am | by Kasey Panetta, Associate Editor | Articles | CommentsAnyone who has ever spent any time on YouTube reading the comments is familiar with—as Slate calls it-- the “abandon all hope ye who enter here” atmosphere of the community. When you dare scroll down past the episode of Hogan’s Heroes you’ve been watching, you’ll find all manner of misogynistic, racist, homophobic, anti-liberal, anti-conservative, anti-religion...
What’s the deal with Apple’s environmental policy?
July 16, 2012 8:44 am | by Kasey Panetta, Associate Editor | Articles | CommentsYou may have heard that Apple recently asked environmental watchdog EPEAT to remove 39 of its products from its registry and informed the organization it will no longer submit its computers for testing. It seems like an odd request, considering Apple helped create EPEAT in 2006 along with the government and several other big computer players.
Mobile payment apps: Good for the seller, good for the buyer
July 2, 2012 4:35 pm | by Kasey Panetta, Associate Editor | Articles | CommentsA few months ago, I was buying a large photograph for my dad at a Christmas market in Bethlehem, PA. When it came time to pay, the vendor gave me the “cash or credit” option. Intrigued by the lack of a credit card machine and rarity of having the credit option at a craft show, I went for my card. The vendor whipped out his iPad, swiped the card through a Square card reader attachment...
Why Canon should kill its mixed reality glasses product
June 27, 2012 8:48 am | by Kasey Panetta, Associate Editor | Articles | CommentsCanon is debuting their Mixed Reality Glasses—just in case you suddenly have the desire to totally throw off your entire vestibular system and sense of reality. You know, like at a fun weekend party. The goggles fall somewhere between Google Glass and RED Classic ViewMaster 3D Viewer and Collector Reel. If you’re still not experiencing a vivid mental image, they look awful, heavy, and awkward...
6 must-have apps for a stress-free summer
June 22, 2012 8:51 am | by Kasey Panetta, Associate Editor | Articles | CommentsBetween the heat, the busy weekends, and the school-free kids, summer can be more stressful than stress-free. Don’t worry, like every problem these days, there’s an app for that. For the sake of sanity, we’ve compiled a list of the best apps to keep your summer from feeling like a punishment. Nothing kills a day at the beach like an unexpected, hostile Facebook message from your mom...
Why I won’t trade my iPad for a Windows tablet
June 21, 2012 9:13 am | by Kasey Panetta, Associate Editor | Articles | CommentsWhen Microsoft announced their not-so-secret news that they were releasing a tablet on Monday, it didn’t really take anyone by surprise. It was only a matter of time before the big-name competitor delivered a platform for Windows 8. For the sake of full disclosure, I am an Apple fan(atic). I haven’t owned a non-mac computer in years—after watching every single Dell laptop crash in college...
Kickstarter: Helpful website or project killer?
June 18, 2012 10:46 am | by Kasey Panetta, Associate Editor | Articles | CommentsIt seems innovative technology often gets stuck in the dark chasm that exists between a great idea and a final product. Between skyrocketing production costs, the difficulties of marketing on a limited budget, and unexpected hiccups, some projects never get off the ground. Kickstarter, a crowd-sourced funding website where inventors raise enough to manufacture their product, seems like the perfect solution to technological limbo.
Rugbeer: Tackling technology in advertising
June 15, 2012 8:45 am | by Kasey Panetta, Associate Editor | Articles | CommentsHave you ever had a vending machine eat your dollar while you stand, helpless, as it destroys your dream of a tasty afternoon snack? Honestly, who hasn’t wanted to tackle a vending machine at least once? Here’s your chance. Following in the footsteps of Coca-Cola’s Hug Machine, Ogilvy+Mather public relations has taken creative advertising to an entirely different level.
Does advertising kill technology?
June 13, 2012 8:48 am | by Kasey Panetta, Associate Editor | Articles | CommentsIt’s something we hear a lot: “The [xyz] technology sounds amazing; too bad the advertisers are going to ruin it.” For example, Google Glass. A seemingly exciting and ambitious piece of technology -- until you realize it means having involuntary, interactive advertising experiences one inch from your eye all day.
Less time commuting, less time polluting
June 6, 2012 4:20 pm | by Kasey Panetta, Associate Editor | Articles | CommentsIf you’ve ever commuted, at some point you’ve probably felt like you’re spending more time stuck in traffic than at your desk. A team of students in Germany is trying to shorten your commute, and limit the amount of emissions released into the atmosphere by your car while you’re stuck in traffic. The project, called Greenway, is a GPS with the ability to access a cloud containing real-time traffic information.
When life gives you lemons, make a touchpad
June 4, 2012 10:33 am | by Kasey Panetta, Associate Editor | Articles | CommentsThe MaKey MaKey, designed by MIT Media Lab PhD students Jay Silver and Eric Rosenbaum, is a circuit board that turns everyday objects into touchpads which can interact with your computer. The idea was to create an easy-to-use inventor’s kit that would let from a creative child to savvy grandma be an inventor. First, pick two objects that you want to use as the touchpad.
Is Google Glass too ambitious?
May 31, 2012 3:00 pm | by Kasey Panetta, Associate Editor | Articles | CommentsGoogle recently announced a new product called “Project Glass” out of super-secret Google[x] Lab. The idea behind the project is creating light-weight augmented—reality glasses that allow the user to access apps, information, messages, texts and basically anything else available on a smart phone without the bulky interface.
Technology for technology’s sake
May 29, 2012 12:33 pm | by Kasey Panetta, Associate Editor | Articles | CommentsIt has been done a thousand times, in museums, government buildings and schools: ancient, lumbering institutions using technology in an attempt to become cutting-edge—and falling flat in the process. We’re not talking about the smart-grid, which shows great potential for consumers and governments alike, or even smart boards, which take education to a different level.
