Researchers at the University of Genoa have developed a crawling robot that travels on a single long piece with several spines connected. The Porcospino Flex robot is 670mm long, 165mm wide, and 145mm tall, weighing in at only 3.6kg. When designing this machine, the engineers were inspired by nature, notably the segmented bodies of millipedes and the spines utilized by porcupines. This resulted in a robot that can inspect tight pipes and debris-filled areas.
Nintendo released the New 3DS LL Hyrule Edition as a GameStop North America exclusive in 2015 for $199.99. Japan received its own version of the larger-screened handheld a little later, complete with the same eye-catching gold finish. In early 2016, Europe joined in as well. When Nintendo discontinued the whole 3DS series in 2020, production of these special edition consoles also came to an end.
NASA’s Curiosity rover continues to beam back views from Mars that stop people in their tracks cold. Just before the new year, the NASA team released a new panoramic image taken by the rover. It’s essentially a holiday postcard, or a composite of photos taken by the rover itself, blending scenes from morning and late afternoon on the same spot.
Sony released the PS-FL99 in 1983, just as compact discs were changing the way people listened to music. Vinyl records still held strong appeal for many listeners at that time, and Sony crafted this model to keep the format fresh with clever engineering. Collectors these days are looking for any surviving PS-FL99s they can find since, let’s face it, after more than four decades, most of them aren’t functional.
Apple’s newest Mac Mini has a lot of power, but it’s easy to overlook because it’s buried inside a basic silver box that blends in with the rest of your workstation. But Spigen has designed the Classic C1, a case that covers the most latest Mac Mini in a fantastically vintage translucent shell that seems like it was made in 1998.
Parker Brothers Concepts has established a reputation for producing automobiles that elevate the standard custom car to new heights. This creation, simply known as The Boss, transforms a 2003 Hummer H1 into something that would be difficult to mistake for the original, even if you were standing next to it.
With the Pixel Buds 2a, a device designed specifically for those on a budget but yet seeking some serious performance, Google continues to improve its range of wireless earbuds. These earbuds, which cost roughly $129, are the first in Google’s budget range to offer active noise cancellation, which is more than many less expensive choices can claim. While many low-cost earbuds either don’t have this feature or don’t perform it well enough for everyday use, the Pixel Buds 2a, priced at $99 (was $129), do a decent job.
Some of the largest structures in the universe are galaxy clusters, which are enormous groups of galaxies bound together by gravity and floating in a sea of superheated plasma that extends for light-years. Galaxy NGC 1550, better known as the Champagne Cluster, is a classic example of this.
TCL unveils the Note A1 NXTPAPER, a specialized digital notepad designed to address the growing number of users who are fed up with too glossy screens and E-ink refresh rates that are far too slow. Its screen measures 11.5 inches, takes up the entire thin aluminum body, while weighing only 500 grams. You should be able to hold it with one hand for hours without straining your hand, thanks to a thicker bezel on one side that provides a good solid grip.
Julius Makes, a YouTube creator of some fairly weird electronics projects, recently attempted to build something that combines old-school cassette playback with ultra-modern streaming technology. He calls it the Cassette Streamer, and it has all the hallmarks of a vintage portable cassette player, including knobs, buttons, and a large clear front panel that allows you to view the tape as it moves by.