Atlantica - 01.12.2006, Page 15

AT L A N T I CA 13
Hi and Lo
More feats of technology from around the world. Compiled by Sara Blask.
ON THE RADAR
Radar, a new photo-sharing service, aims to
revolutionize the way people stay in touch with friends
by allowing them to visually share their experiences as
they happen via a cameraphone. Compatible with
nearly all cameraphones and any Internet-enabled
computers, Radar allows invited friends to stay
connected by instantly sharing and commenting on
each other’s pictures. All that’s required is you snapping
a pic with your Internet-enabled cameraphone and
then sending it to your custom posting address (which
you sign up for online) directly from your phone. It
may sound a little like MySpace or Flickr, but Radar
pictures and details are never public: only your invited
friends can view and comment on them. This means
that you can share anything you want… just do your
friends a favor and try to keep it PG. Oh, and it’s free.
radar.net
WHAT’RE
THE STAKES?
Are you staring at a microwavable dish of airplane food that falls
between the color spectrum of mustard yellow and brown? Are you
daydreaming about that juicy, perfectly marbled steak you ate last
night? Well, that perfect steak could be appearing more frequently in
the meat section of your favorite grocery store soon. Scientists from
several US and Canadian research institutes are working in conjunction
with Illumina, a San Diego-based genetics company, to develop the
iSelect Bovine BeadChip, a gene chip not unlike those used to study
the genetics of human disease. The DNA chip for bovines is expected to
hit markets sometime next year, and will help speed the search for the
variables that control preferred traits like marbling in a steak or the yield
of a cow’s milk production. Stay tuned. illumina.com
OUT WITH THE SPORK, IN WITH THE KNORK
Part-knife, part-fork, the Knork will reinvent the dining experience by, well,
making eating easier. It has an edge sharp enough to cut through many foods
(say, that slice of Grimaldi’s pizza you just ordered), but too dull to cut your
mouth. Originally conceived to aid stroke victims suffering from paralysis on
one side of their body, the Knork’s tines are thinned and rounded (instead of
flat and thick), there’s an additional finger platform for leverage and comfort
while cutting, and the handle is contoured to fit better in the user’s hand. Think
rocking motion instead of sawing. Perfect for multi-taskers – you know, those
of you who eat while you’re sending an SMS on your Blackberry. Available in
stainless steel and reusable plastic. From USD 1.50. knork.net
009 airmail Atlantica 606.indd 13 18.10.2006 20:49:49