Smart Takes

Archive: 02-2012

• Going up? Take an elevator ride to space

  A Japanese firm announced that they will build an elevator to space by 2050. Is such a project either feasible or desirable?

  February 27, 2012, 11:41 AM PST | By Hannah Waters

• Lego prosthetics: the next level in artificial limbs?

  An Engineering student has created a sophisticated prosthetic limb made out of Lego.

  February 27, 2012, 9:04 AM PST | By Charlie Osborne

• The Morning Briefing: Consumer Bill of Rights, companies in limbo, data protection

  “The Morning Briefing” is SmartPlanet’s daily roundup of must-reads from the web. This morning we’re reading about consumer protection and privacy.

  February 27, 2012, 1:55 AM PST | By Charlie Osborne

• Sony returns to smartphones with new models

  Sony announced their first smartphone on the the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. They are coming out with two new Android-owned models that will be carrying the Sony brand.

  February 26, 2012, 11:06 PM PST | By Ina Damm Muri

• Questionable meat? Check for E. coli with a cell phone

  A new device from UCLA could mean the avoidance of food poisoning due to E. coli.

  February 26, 2012, 10:00 PM PST | By Sarah Korones

• Apple prepares to pull Evi from the App Store

  Evi, the artificial intelligence app that was introduce in January, 2012, is preparing to be pulled off the Apple store due to too many similarities with Siri.

  February 26, 2012, 9:37 PM PST | By Ina Damm Muri

• At MIT, researchers develop a device to heal inflamed blood cells

  Researchers at MIT have developed a device that helps organize blood cells to heal inflamed cells. It is a disposable divide that is more effective and cheaper than what we see today.

  February 26, 2012, 8:16 PM PST | By Ina Damm Muri

• Water Tank Project to rejuvenate New York City skyline

  To promote water conservation, not-for-profit group Word Above the Street draws attention to New York’s water tanks and the city’s own abundant supply.

  February 26, 2012, 7:05 PM PST | By Sarah Korones

• Carmakers may need to cooperate for wireless safety tech rollout

  Preventing car crashes through wireless car tracking is already possible. But the challenges of implementing the tech may require car manufacturers to hold hands and work together.

  February 26, 2012, 2:22 PM PST | By Hannah Waters

• Google to launch first pay-TV service in Kansas City

  Google recently requested permission to provide video service to residents in Kansas City — a move that would mean major competition for cable providers such as Time Warner Inc.

  February 26, 2012, 1:03 PM PST | By Sarah Korones