Tiny injectable beeping tags used to track salmon

Each tag is about the length of two grains of rice (Photo: PNNL)

In order to study how young fish such as salmon are affected by swimming through hydroelectric dams, scientists have traditionally equipped them with surgically-implanted acoustic tracking tags. Unfortunately, the implantation procedure can harm the fish, plus the weight of the device can affect their behavior. Now, however, a team at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) in Washington state has developed a much lighter acoustic tag, that can be injected into fish using a needle.

Described as being "about as big as two grains of rice placed next to each other lengthwise," the tag measures 15 x 3.38 mm and weighs just 217 milligrams – that's one third the weight of previous surgically-implanted versions. Its contents include a custom-designed 3-volt battery, a circuit board, a temperature sensor, and a transducer.

That transducer produces an intermittent beeping sound. Using underwater receivers placed in and around a dam to detect those beeps, scientists are able to map the 3D location of individual fish, plus they can tell if they've been injured when traveling through the dam. PNNL has previously developed a sort of electronic fish stand-in, known as the Sensor Fish, to gather similar data.

Whereas it took at least two minutes to implant the older tags (which involved anesthetizing the fish and stitching the incision closed upon completion), the tiny new ones can be injected in just 20 seconds. Not only is this less stressful for the fish, but it also leaves them with a much smaller wound that should heal faster. Additionally, because the tagging can be done quicker, manual labor costs of fish-tracking studies should be considerably lower.

If set to beep once every three seconds (the frequency can be adjusted), each tag should be able to operate for about 120 days on one battery. The previous tags' batteries only lasted for around 23. What's more, in a study of 700 juvenile salmon injected with the tags in 2013, the survival rate of tagged fish was found to be higher than for fish carrying the older tags.

The laboratory is planning on licensing the technology to a commercial partner for production and marketing. In the meantime, led by Dr. Zhiqun "Daniel" Deng, the PNNL team is working on making even smaller injectable tags for use on young eels and lampreys.

A paper on the research was recently published in the journal Scientific Reports.

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Review: Parrot Zik 2.0 Bluetooth headphones

Parrot's Zik 2.0 Bluetooth headphones offer something for both the fanatical audiophile and the casual listener (Photo: Nick Lavars/Gizmag.com)

We managed to get our hands on the Zik 2.0 Bluetooth headphones on launch back in November and were impressed with what we heard. But we've now donned them on car trips, international flights and long days in the office and consider ourselves a little more qualified to comment on their strengths and shortcomings. Read on, for our full review of Parrot's latest set of wireless cans.

Parrot champions the noise-cancelling capability as a main attraction of the Zik 2.0's and there won't be any argument from us. They do about as good a job of shutting out noise as you could hope for from a set of headphones, which Parrot puts down to its patented adaptive active noise control. This system relies six built-in microphones that work with an algorithm, generating soundwaves to directly counter the noise coming in from the outside.

But describing the technology only tells us so much. If we were to judge their noise-cancelling ability by the amount of times I've ignored our Editor-in-Chief while he's trying to get my attention, then they'd be getting top marks (though perhaps not from Noel).

The good news here is the level of noise cancellation can be adjusted through the companion Zik 2.0 app. When opening it up, the home screen will show you the battery life of your Zik 2.0s, but a swipe to the right brings up the noise control configuration. Here it can be adjusted to anywhere between the maximum setting, which Parrot puts at 30 decibels, to so-called Street Mode which feeds a little noise through from the outside. Even with Street Mode at a maximum, however, outside noise will be only barely audible with music playing ... so it still pays to look both ways when crossing the road.

Another swipe to the right will bring you to the Zik 2.0 equalizer screen. The simplicity of this will be welcome for listeners who like control over frequencies when switching genres, but find the intricacies of a full-blown equalizer menu too much to handle. An orange dot in the center of a circle can be dragged toward the Pop, Vocal, Cristal, Punchy, Deep and Club buttons until things sound just they way you like them. But those in need of a little more fine tuning can tap a small equalizer button at the bottom right of screen to access a traditional equalizer menu, which also includes the ability to save your own audio presets.

At risk of sounding like a trigger-happy Tindr user, swipe right yet again and you'll arrive at the Concert Hall menu. This is another innovative feature of the Zik 2.0's that mimics a variety of listening environments such as a concert hall, jazz club or silent room.

So with these finer details, Parrot is catering to those who value high-end audio, but doing so without alienating the more casual listener. For me, the advanced features are fun to play around with at first, but wouldn't have me opening up the app with any sort of regularity.

With that said, put this functionality to one side you are still going to be left with a really solid pair of headphones. The sound quality is rich and clear across a range of sounds and has plenty of oomph at the lower end. This endorsement, however, is predicated on the headphones running in Bluetooth mode, powered only by their 830 mAh battery. You can use a wired connection when it runs flat, but to be perfectly honest this provides a listening experience not all that different to my US$10 pair of Sony earbuds.

Parrot says the battery should should last for six hours at a time and this seems about right. In our test, streaming music from Spotify, it came in at approximately five hours and 30 minutes. While decent, this certainly isn't a strong point of the Zik 2.0s, with some wireless headphones claiming as much as 24 hours of playback. On the plus side, the recharge time is fairly swift at one hour and 30 minutes.

I also wasn't too fond of the pressure sensor stitched stitched into the right earpiece, which pauses the music the moment you take the headphones off. I can appreciate the sentiment, as this eliminates the need to pull out your phone to hit pause, but does become a little tiresome if the music cuts out when you're simply adjusting the headphones or scratching an itch. But fear not, this feature can be turned off through the app.

It will also take a little while to get used to the capacitive touch panel on the right earpiece. Swiping forward to skip, swiping back to play the previous song and up or down to adjust volume seems simple enough, but does require a certain amount of pressure from your finger and isn't all that intuitive out of the box.

These minor gripes aside, its hard to imagine anybody forking out the US$400 for the Zik 2.0s and being disappointed. Sure they ain't cheap, but you'd be getting a pair of headphones that are a solidly built, comfortable to wear, nice to look at and great to listen to. If you're spending your commute on busy subways, weekends on crammed flights or just like that feeling of isolation, then the noise-cancelling ability paired with superb audio quality might be just the escape you need.

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Heddoko sportswear uses motion capture sensors to fine-tune your movements

The Heddoko garments are designed to offer insights into the biomechanics of the body in action

Advances in 3D motion capture technology have added an extra layer of realism to sports video games like FIFA and Madden. But software engineer-turned entrepreneur Mazen Elbawab reckons you shouldn't need to enter a virtual world to move like your favorite athletes. His Heddoko line of sportswear comes equipped with sensors that capture the body's motion, to offer feedback on how you can perform more like the pros.

Elbawab's virtual coaching solution uses compression pants and shirts fitted with textile-embedded sensors to track the wearer's movement. Data is then filtered and processed by a mobile app, which creates a 3D model of the user's body and provides coaching feedback in real time.

Meanwhile, data is also sent to the cloud for analysis. Over time, a profile of the user is formulated, which is intended to keep tabs on important things like muscle fatigue and the amount of pressure applied to joints. Additionally, this information is presented through a web application and can be accessed by real-life coaches to assess performance.

This isn't the first time that technology has been woven into sportswear in the name of performance tracking. Garments that give feedback on yoga, general health and fatigue by monitoring things like heart rate and respiration have been an area of growth in recent years, with esteemed fashion labels like Ralph Lauren even getting in on the act.

But what appears to set Heddoko apart is the ability to go beyond tracking the metrics offered by the aforementioned products (not to mention bracelets like FitBit and Jawbone) and focus on the biomechanics of the body in action. The company says its solution can help athletes, ranging from amateur to professional, eliminate techniques and movements that can result in injury, more safely manage recovery from injury and help to better understand their body overall.

Athletes looking for that extra edge will need to wait before trying Heddoko on for size. The company says it is now preparing to launch a crowdfunding campaign, with no word yet on pricing. In the meantime, it has managed to make a shortlist of 20 finalists for the Innovation World Cup to be held at the Wearable Technologies Conference in Munich next Monday.

You can hear from Elbawab in his pitch video below.

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Luna smart mattress cover takes Internet of Things to bed

The Luna smart mattress cover slips right over your mattress, much like a fitted sheet

There's nothing like slipping into bed on a cold night when your electric blanket has been hard at work, but warming up the linen to create that toasty sleeping cocoon of course requires you to flick it on in advance. The makers of Luna believe that poor foresight isn't worth losing sleep over, so they've created an internet-connected mattress cover that adjusts to your lifestyle. This means automatically setting the bed's temperature, tracking the quality of your rest, and even kicking your coffee machine into action when you wake up.

Luna is designed to slip right over your mattress, much like a fitted sheet. Made predominantly of polyester, it integrates Wi-Fi, a microphone and an array of sensors to monitor temperature, breathing and heart rate, as well as ambient light and humidity. Information collected by the mattress cover is presented through a smartphone app, which then offers insights into how well you're sleeping at night.

Over time, this information forms profiles of one's sleeping behavior, and is said to even factor in your activity throughout the day. The particularly handy thing here is that it can do so for each side of the bed, so in those tense moments when your partner is reaching for that extra blanket while you're eying off the air conditioner, Luna is on-hand ready to intervene.

As the system becomes acquainted with your bedtime and sleeping temperature, it will automatically prepare the bed for your arrival, with this intuition carrying on into the night. Further to continuing to monitor your temperature, Luna can interact with other smart household items while you slumber.

Once you nod off, Luna can set the temperature in your home through a Nest smart thermostat (provided you have one). Other possibilities include flicking off your Emberlight smart globes, securing the house with your Lockitron smart locks, shutting down your Beep-enabled stereo system and firing up your Wi-Fi coffee machine in the morning.

Other noteworthy features of Luna's connected mattress cover include the ability to use your smartphone as a remote to set your bed's temperature ahead of time, and a smart alarm designed to wake you up during a light phase of sleep. It is available for Queen, King and California King mattresses and is washing machine friendly.

Prices range from US$199 to $229 depending on sizing, but those looking to smarten up their sleeping will have to wait a little while yet. Luna is available for preorder through a campaign on Indiegogo, where the $100,000 funding goal was put to bed in just six hours. If the remainder of the project runs as planned, the company will begin shipping out its mattress covers to weary-eyed backers in August 2015.

You can hear from the developers in the video below.

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UAE dangles US$1 million in prize money to encourage Drones For Good

The Drones For Good award sees US$1 million up for grabs

The word "drone" is synonymous with autonomous military aircraft that hail down death and destruction from on high. But the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is looking to highlight the humanitarian potential of the technology with its Drones For Good competition. Entrants include vehicles that detect landmines, plant trees and service slums all in the hunt for the industry's most prestigious (and probably only) prize, with the inaugural first place winner set to be announced next week to take home US$1 million.

Opening to UAV enthusiasts all over the globe back in May 2014, the Drones For Good international competition called on ideas with the potential to advance drone technology that provide actual solutions to actual problems. Organizers asked that entrants be able to demonstrate a functioning prototype, which could then evolve into a real-world solution within one to three years.

We featured one of the competition's finalists back in November, a proposal for drone delivery nets that could serve as tomorrow's mailboxes, but it is by no means the only idea worth noting.

UN-HABITAT estimates that in Kenya, roughly 60 percent of the urban population lives in slums and has to deal with inadequate infrastructure and lack of access to services such as water and sanitation. David Kiarie, a Kenyan freelance journalist, believes that low-flying drones could capture spatial data and better inform the development of these areas, ultimately reducing poverty and saving lives.

Meanwhile, how forests can be re-planted at the same rate they are being ripped up is a pressing question for conservationists. To this end, a team called BioCarbon Engineering has put together a proposal that would see drones fly over reforestation zones and shoot biodegradable seedpods into the ground at strategic locations. It calls the project "Drones for Planting 1 Billion Trees a Year," presumably because it plans on achieving just that.

Another impressive submission is designed to help detect the 120,000 landmines scattered around Bosnia-Herzegovina, a deadly hangover from the war of the 1990s. The solution would use purpose-built aircraft to scan the terrain from above with optical sensors and electronics, a technique the team says would be quicker and less dangerous than current methods.

Other big picture-thinkers to catch the judges' eyes are those behind the poacher-detecting Ranger Drone, the Waterfly, which scans lakes and rivers for pollution, and a drone that clears fog from airports and road traffic hotspots.

All finalists are being flown to Dubai for the final presentation on February 6 and 7. Here they will present their solutions and provide a live demonstration, with the panel judging them on the importance of the service, how feasible the idea is and strength of the presentation. First place will be awarded US$1 million

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Craftea aims for simpler, safer and more creative tea

Craftea is targeting tea aficionados

Technology is helping tea lovers in the quest for the perfect cuppa and this new tea making device promises all that and less mess. Developed by Chai Master, Craftea, aims to simplify the preparation process while at the same time extracting as much flavor as possible from the ingredients and preventing messy boil-overs.

So what is Craftea's brewing secret? The unit uses the company’s proprietary "Vortex" technology, which makes use of a magnetically coupled stirrer in the center of the kettle. The kettle is inductively heated around the bottom half, which increases efficiency and safety, as the top part is not heated. The stirrer action draws the heat from the vessel walls and creates a faster, more dynamic fusion process, extracting as much flavor as possible from the tea without shredding the contents.

The stirrer action is also designed to prevent annoying boil-overs if we happen to turn our attention away from the kettle, and when milk is introduced to the chai-making process it minimizes scorching due to the continuous motion it creates.

"Our vision was to make a revolutionary appliance that brings convenience, consistency and customization to a time honored beverage," say Craftea creators Pratima and Jitu Keshav. "We believe in the traditional rituals of serving tea and chai, with each individual having their own special twist."

The unit produces one to four cups and pre-programmed settings for various tea types make it possible to get creative and prepare a range of drinks, including tea lattes, cocktails and various herbal infusions. It also allows users to repeat their favorite tea recipes and formulas by saving their brew settings.

Craftea is made of 100 percent stainless steel and BPA-free materials. The kettle, stirrer, sieve and lid are dishwasher-compatible.

Chai Master says Craftea will begin shipping in March. The company is taking pre-orders through its website at a discounted price of US$199, including free shipping within the US. The estimated retail price will be $249.

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LG G Flex 2 vs. iPhone 6 Plus

Gizmag compares the features and specs of the LG G Flex 2 (left) and iPhone 6 Plus

LG's second stab at a curved and flexible smartphone is a bit less experiment, a bit more flagship. Let's see how the features and specs of the G Flex 2 compare to those of Apple's flagship phablet, the iPhone 6 Plus.

Size

The two handsets have identical screen sizes, but the G Flex 2 makes more economical use of its face. It's 6 percent shorter and 4 percent narrower than the iPhone 6 Plus.

The iPhone is technically 24 percent thinner, but those numbers are skewed a bit, as the G Flex 2 has a tapered back and the above depth only counts its thickest point (it slims down to 7.1 mm at its thinnest points, near the top and bottom edges).

Weight

The smaller G Flex 2 is also 12 percent lighter than the iPhone 6 Plus.

Build

No other mobile device maker can match Apple's combination of light, thin and aluminum. Many rival handsets, like the G Flex 2, are made of plastic. And when you do come across a non-iPhone smartphone that is made of metal (like the HTC One M8), you can bet that it will be thicker and heavier.

Colors

LG gives you two color options for the G Flex 2 while Apple gives you its token space gray, silver and gold options for the iPhone.

Display (size)

As we mentioned, no differences here, as both phones give you spacious 5.5-in screens.

Navigation buttons

In many apps (and on your home screen), though, the iPhone will give you a little extra real estate to work with. That's because the G Flex 2 uses the bottom row of its display for navigation buttons (except for when Android's Immersive Mode fades them out).

Curved screen

The G Flex 2's differentiating feature is its curved and flexible display. Just know that "curved" comes before "flexible." You can briefly flatten its screen against a hard surface, but you won't want to bend it in any other direction.

We still aren't sold on the curved form factor adding anything meaningful to the smartphone experience, but we'll keep an open mind until we get our hands on a review unit.

Display (resolution)

Not only is screen size the same, but they both have the same 1080p resolution.

If these slightly different pixel densities look confusing, that tells us that the G Flex has a slightly smaller screen (probably around 5.46 inches, rounded up to 5.5).

Display (type)

LG's plastic OLED display tech is what makes the curved and flexible screen possible.

Fingerprint sensor

Apple's Touch ID sensor is the best in the business, not only letting you easily secure your handset, but also opening the door to Apple Pay.

Battery

Battery capacities are close, and LG's power-efficient Snapdragon 810 processor will also likely bode well for its uptimes.

Fast charging

The G Flex 2 uses Qualcomm's Quick Charge 2.0 tech, which can juice up a dead battery to a 50 percent charge in less than 40 minutes (as long as you're using a compatible charger, like the one it ships with).

Just note that the more juice your battery has, the less Quick Charge 2.0 will show any kind of boost.

Cameras

On paper, the G Flex 2 looks like the clear winner in this category, but you'll always want to take megapixels with more than a few grains of salt. The latest iPhones have excellent cameras.

With that said, it looks like the G Flex 2 has the same cameras as LG's 2014 flagship, the G3, and we were very happy with its results.

Laser autofocus

A big part of that is the G3's laser-based autofocus, which returns to the G Flex 2. While shooting, it lets you simply tap the point on screen that you want in focus, and it will quickly snap a pic, using a laser that quickly measures the distance between phone and subject.

OIS

Both handsets also have Optical Image Stabilization onboard, in case you get a case of shaky hands while shooting your masterpiece.

Storage

Once you get past the entry-level tier, the iPhone has the internal storage advantage.

MicroSD

Though the G Flex 2 does support microSD cards, which you'll likely never see in an iPhone.

Processor

This is another category that looks like a blowout for the G Flex 2, but remember that iPhones' performance typically far outweighs the cores and clock speeds that you see on paper. It's a very fast phone, and we'd be surprised if the G Flex 2 wasn't as well.

RAM

Similarly, 1 GB of RAM in 2014-15 would normally mean a phone is mid-ranged and underpowered – but that isn't the case with the iPhone.

Software

The G Flex 2 is going to launch with Android 5.0 Lollipop (with the LG UI on top). The iPhone 6 Plus runs iOS 8.

Release

We don't yet know when the Flex will hit the US, but it's launching in South Korea at the end of this month. For what it's worth, the G3's US release was about two months behind its Korean release.

Starting price (full retail)

LG hasn't yet revealed what the Flex will cost.

Starting price (on-contract)

Ditto for on-contract pricing, as none of the US carriers that will be selling the G Flex 2 have tipped their prices just yet.

For more on these two, you can read Gizmag's full review of the iPhone 6 Plus and our hands-on with the G Flex 2.

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NASA and Microsoft team up for virtual Mars exploration

OnSight will use holographic computing to overlay visual information and data into the user's field of view (Image: NASA)

Years before the first astronauts set foot on Mars, scientists will already be there – virtually. Thanks to a collaboration between NASA and Microsoft aimed at advancing human-robot interactions, the space agency's OnSight software will allow researchers to explore a virtual Martian landscape created from data sent back by the Curiosity rover.

NASA's Curiosity robotic explorer may be a nuclear-powered technological marvel, but looking at its data through a flat screen is a bit like trying to do surgery by postcard. Even 3D images created using stereographs are still very flat and lacking in perspective, depth, area, or context. What scientists want is a way to look at that data that allows them to recreate the area around the unmanned rover as a 3D virtual environment where researchers can meet and study phenomena in context.

The OnSight software was developed by NASA and Microsoft as part of an ongoing partnership to advance human-robot interaction. It works with Microsoft's Hololens, which is a wearable Windows 10 computer hooked up to a high-definition 3D head-mounted display with holographic lenses. With the headset on, the data sent back by Curiosity is mapped as a 3D-simulated environment where avatars of scientists can meet, walk around and study the area using augmented reality.

In addition to studying data, OnSight can also act as a more intuitive planning tool and as an operating system that allows scientist to manipulate the simulation using gestures and menu commands.

NASA says that the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California will begin testing OnSight later this year for Curiosity mission control operations. In addition, it will also be used for the Mars 2020 rover mission and other applications.

"OnSight gives our rover scientists the ability to walk around and explore Mars right from their offices," says Dave Lavery, program executive for the Mars Science Laboratory mission. "It fundamentally changes our perception of Mars, and how we understand the Mars environment surrounding the rover.”

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MIT study finds carbon sequestration may not be as effective as expected

A recent MIT study has found that far less carbon dioxide than the ideal prediction of 90 percent may be turned into rock when sequestered (Photo: Shutterstock)

Carbon sequestration may not, according to researchers at MIT, be the panacea that some had hoped. A recent study, partially funded by the United States Department of Energy, has found that far less carbon dioxide than the ideal prediction of 90 percent may be turned into rock when sequestered. This means much might eventually escape back into the atmosphere.

Carbon sequestration is one of many possible ways to tackle climate change. Though typically sequestered in rock, other approaches such as using special polymers and even processes inspired by the sea urchin are being investigated, but geological sequestration is still the mainstay.

The University of Illinois recently celebrated reaching its goal of capturing and storing one million tons of carbon dioxide underground, but the process may not be as rock solid as thought.

"If it (CO2) turns into rock, it’s stable and will remain there permanently," says Yossi Cohen, a postdoc working on the study. "However, if it stays in its gaseous or liquid phase, it remains mobile and it can possibly return back to the atmosphere."

The findings almost contradict the central tenet of how the process works, which sounds charmingly elegant and simple. CO2 from coal fired power plants is collected (tricky in itself) and injected into rock at 7,000 feet below ground level then stored in large pockets of brine – or deep-saline aquifers – where it reacts with the liquid and turns from gas to solid. However the scientists found in their modelling of the process that very little gas may actually become solid. Though it does solidify, it only does so at the interface where the CO2 enters the brine pool. It then reacts to build a "wall" the rest of the gas cannot get through.

"The expectation was that most of the carbon dioxide would become solid mineral. Our work suggests that significantly less will precipitate," explains Cohen.

The scientists say that these predictions require further experimental studies. "There are many factors, such as the porosity and connectivity between pores in rocks, that will determine if and when carbon dioxide mineralizes," says Cohen. Once this is known there will be a better understanding of which kinds of rock formation will be best suited for the job.

The study, authored by Professor Daniel Rothman of the MIT’s Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences and Yoshi Cohen, was published this week in the Proceedings of the Royal Society A.

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Solar Impulse 2 round-the-world route revealed

Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg announcing the route for Si2's historic around-the-world flight

In anticipation of its historic round-the-world flight attempt, the route planned for Solar Impulse 2 (Si2) has been unveiled. The first solar-powered plane capable of day and night flight, the Si2 will spend 25 days aloft spread over a period of five months as it traverses 35,000 km (22,000 mi) with stops at 12 locations around the globe.

Tuesday's announcement by Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg, the Swiss co-founders and pilots of Solar Impulse, provided the flight plan for the experimental aircraft as it attempts to circle the planet.

The Si2 will take-off from Abu Dhabi in the Persian Gulf in late February or early March, then proceed to Muscat in Oman, Ahmedabad and Varanasi in India, then to Mandalay in Myanmar, and finally Chongqing and Nanjing in China. From there, the plane will fly across the Pacific, stopping in Hawaii, and then three stops in the continental US, including Phoenix and JFK airport in New York City. The team says that the third location will depend on the weather. After New York, the Si2 will head for a stop in Southern Europe or North Africa before returning to Abu Dhabi.

With its 72-m (236-ft) wingspan, the Solar Impulse 2 is wider than a Boeing 747-8I, but weighs only about 2,300 kg (5,070 lb). Part of the reason for this is that it’s made out of carbon fiber employing a light single-ply technology used in competitive yachting, making it three times lighter than paper. Its four electric motors are powered by 17,248 solar cells 135 microns thick built into the wing and protected by a fluorine copolymer film, which feed banks of high-density lithium polymer batteries weighing 633 kg (1,395 lb). In flight, the plane is charged by the Sun during the day and powered by batteries at night for "virtually unlimited autonomy" and an average speed of 50 to 100 km/h (31 to 62 mph).

Currently, the Si2 is in the United Arab Emirate, where it will remain until take off. During the wait, the team says that it will be carrying out safety and flight tests, and speaking to industry representatives and engineering students about the flight. In addition, Piccard and Borschberg will spend layover time during the flight conducting airplane visits and promoting clean energy.

"Solar Impulse is not the first solar airplane, however it is the first able to cross oceans and continents – remaining in the air for several days and nights in a row without landing," says Borschberg. "But now we have to ensure the sustainability of the pilot in order to complete the route; Solar Impulse 2 must accomplish what no other plane in the history of aviation has achieved – flying without fuel for 5 consecutive days and nights with only one pilot in the unpressurized cockpit."

The video below outlines the construction of Solar Impulse 2.

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Moog welcomes back the machine by bringing back large format synthesizers

Moog is restarting limited production of three of its classic large format, modular synthesizers: the System 35, the Model 15, and the System 55, shown here with optional keyboard

Moog is reviving the analog electronic synthesizers of the 1970s that sparked a musical revolution. The company announces that it's restarting limited production of three of its classic large format, modular synthesizers, which were originally produced in 1973: The System 55, the System 35, and the Model 15.

Developed by Dr Robert Moog in 1963, the Moog Modular wasn't the first synthesizer (early examples date back to the 1920s), but it did represent a real breakthrough. Previously, composing and playing synthesized music meant either playing a cantankerous device like a theremin or taking on a long, tedious process involving a room full of banks of oscillators, filter devices, odd circuit lash ups, and tape recorders.

The Moog did away with that by bringing together all the analog electronics into a single unit that used transistors rather than valves and allowed musicians to start with the most basic of tones and literally design and create any sound they desired.

The ability to stick an entire orchestra on a tabletop revolutionized music and panicked a generation of musicians who thought they were out of a job. After Wendy Carlos' Switched on Bach album introduced the Moog to the public in 1968, the Moog Modular and its more performance friendly Minimoog successor were picked up by such artists as Stevie Wonder, Giorgio Moroder, Brian Eno, Yes, and Tangerine Dream. However, the development of more compact and user-friendly digital synthesizers put paid to the format by the 1990s.

Moog System 35 with optional keyboard

Monday's announcement follows on the recreation of the Moog Modular, which was unveiled at Moogfest 2014. According to the company, the limited edition synthesizers will be built using the original plans and specifications. Even the manufacturing techniques will be revived, including hand-stuffing and hand-soldering components to the circuit boards, and photo-etching the aluminum front panels.

However, Moog says that the revival of the Moog Modulars isn't just an exercise in nostalgia. The company believes that the transition from analog to digital meant that just as the synthesizer was being recognized as an instrument in its own right, the analog synthesizer's potential was never realized. The idea is to introduce the analog Moog to a new generation so they can explore its capabilities and, in the words of Dr Moog, "discover endless offbeat, unconventional, and even irrational ways of working."

Moog Model 15

The System 55 will have a run of 55 units costing US$35,000 each, the System 35 will have 35 units priced at $22,000 per instrument, and the Model 15 will run 150 units at $10,000. In addition, accessories for the Modular Systems, including keyboard, expansion cabinet, and 960 Sequential Controller will also be available.

The video below features electronic music pioneers talking about composing for the synthesizer and playing selections on the recreated Moogs.

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Review: Nyne Aqua waterproof Bluetooth speaker is a floating party

The Nyne Aqua is a floating, wireless stereo system (Photo: Eric Mack/Gizmag)

Last year's International CES (the 2014 show) was chock full of Bluetooth speakers, and one of the few that stood out from the pack was Nyne's floating, waterproof Aqua speaker. Gizmag has since had the chance to test one out and see if it truly sinks or swims.

This particular writer is something of an audio freak. I've been a fan of music and radio since I was a kid, and today I've usually got at least one Bluetooth device nearby so my favorite podcasts, audio books and Spotify tracks are always within reach. One of the holes in my system, however, has been how to keep the listening going in the shower or at the beach, so I took an automatic interest in the Nyne Aqua.

The Aqua is rated IPX7, which means it can withstand being submersed in a meter of water (3.3 ft) for up to 30 minutes. To be clear, that doesn't mean that it will blast out your jams with crystal clear fidelity from the bottom of your hot tub, it just means that if you leave it at the bottom of the pool for half an hour, you probably won't destroy it.

We put it to the test in the shower at home where it happily took plenty of splashing, spilled shampoo and ugly drops in stride, filling the bathroom with great tunes and chatter the whole time.

To really up the ante, we also took it to Colorado's Pagosa Hot Springs on a frigid January day in the Rocky Mountains. The outdoor air temperatures were below freezing, but the hot springs pools we floated the Nyne Aqua in went up to 109º F (42º C), so it was facing some serious extremes simultaneously on its front and backsides.

The Aqua survived, taking the abuse in stride and keeping the party going, even after being submerged on multiple occasions.

In addition to its 2,200-mAh battery good for up to 10 hours per charge, other specs include a built-in waterproof microphone that seemed to work well enough for incoming calls and a 3.5-mm auxiliary input.

The size and shape of the Aqua, though perhaps a little goofy-looking, are a few of its bigger wins, making it easy to pack, stow and hang while traveling or cavorting on the beach or at the pool.

The sound quality you get from the Aqua is good but not the best on the market, and the same can be said for its volume capability. The unit puts out 10 watts of power and has an equalizer button that lets you cycle through four preset settings – a nice extra, but one that we tended to forget was there. For the price though (it retails at US$129.95 but is currently $100 at Walmart.com), you get more than you pay for.

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Nikon D5500 vs. Nikon D5300

Gizmag compares the newly announced Nikon D5500 entry-level DSLR and its predecessor the D5300

Nikon recently announced the launch of its first DSLR to feature a touchscreen monitor, but what other improvements does the new D5500 have over its D5300 predecessor? Gizmag takes a look at the key specifications and features of the two entry-level DSLRs to see how they compare, and which one would be right for you.

Size

Nikon has proudly stated that the new D5500 is smaller than its predecessors. However, with only a couple of millimeters in it, we'd be surprised if most users were able to discern much of a difference without measuring the cameras first.

That said, any reduction in size is a good thing for a DSLR which will undoubtedly be vying for attention amongst smaller mirrorless cameras.

Weight

The Nikon D5500 has managed to shed 60 g from the weight of the D5300, making the new camera one of the lightest DSLRs currently available. As anyone who has carried a DSLR around with them on vacation will know, any reduction in weight is a good thing. Figures are with battery and memory card but without a lens.

Build and handling

Both cameras use a monocoque structure with a carbon fiber reinforced plastic material for the camera body. This allows them to be both more compact than other cameras while at the same time durable.

In terms of handling and design, anyone who is familiar with Nikon DSLRs will find themselves instantly at home with either camera. Minor design tweaks include a simplified mode dial on the D5500 which no longer features a cluttered selection of icons, and the adjustment dial has been moved to the top of the camera.

Sensor size

The large APS-C CMOS sensors in these cameras are larger than those found in most compact and many mirrorless cameras, meaning they should be able to deliver better image quality than their smaller-sensored rivals. That said, there's nothing to call between the two.

Megapixel count

Both cameras also feature the same megapixel count, with their 24.2-megapixel offerings being more than enough for most people, and arguably a good match for the sensor size. Because they lack an optical low-pass filter, these sensors should be able to capture a greater level of detail than otherwise equally megapixeled cameras.

Processor

Nikon's Expeed 4 image processor features in both cameras and is the same one that also appears higher up the Nikon line-up in cameras like the D750 and D4S. It should keep things running smoothly and help to deliver quality images in a variety of lighting conditions.

Lens mount

No surprises here. Both the D5500 and D5300 feature the Nikon F-mount. As such they can be used with a wide selection of lenses whether full frame FX glass, or DX lenses which have been designed for the APS-C sensors, and can therefore be smaller and lighter.

Kit lens

Both of these cameras can be purchased either body-only, or bundled with a kit lens. As the addition of a kit lens can add as little as US$100 to the total price, this can offer great value. The lens most typically bundled with both cameras is the Nikkor 18-55-mm F3.5-F5.6 G VR II DX, which offers wide to standard zoom (27-82.5-mm equivalent on these cameras) with a variable maximum aperture and built-in image stabilization.

While this lens is a perfectly good place to start your DSLR journey, the whole point of buying a DSLR is that it give you the ability to change lenses. As such, you might also want to check out our guide to buying your next lens.

Autofocus

There's not much to call between the two cameras when it comes to autofocus, as both feature a Nikon Multi-CAM 4800DX autofocus sensor module. 39 phase-detection focus points, of which nine are the more accurate cross-type sensors, mean both cameras should be able to keep up with all but the fastest moving subjects.

Nikon has stated the D5500 features improved full-time autofocus for video recording, though given we've not heard much more than that about it, this isn't going to be the sort of performance boost we saw when Canon introduced its hybrid AF system with the EOS 650D.

Burst rate

Both cameras boast a top continuous shooting speed of 5 fps at full resolution. This is comparable with other DSLRs in this category, but is beginning to look a touch sluggish in comparison with what some mirrorless cameras are able to deliver.

ISO range

With a wide maximum ISO range of 100 to 25600, either of these cameras should be able to deliver high quality images in a variety of lighting conditions. While the D5300 has a narrower standard ISO range of 100 to 12800, it can be extended to shoot at ISO 25600 equivalent.

Video resolutions

Full HD 1080p video recording is possible at up to 60/50 fps on both cameras, as is HD 720p video. The Nikon duo also feature an audio input for connecting an external microphone, though lack an audio out for monitoring level while recording. The D5500 also boasts the option of using a "Flat" color profile, which could be useful when it comes to post processing footage.

Viewfinder

Being DLSRs, both cameras use optical viewfinders, in this case with 95% horizontal and vertical frame coverage, meaning users will see a slightly cropped version of the image produced by the lens.

Optical viewfinders differ from the electronic type which is commonly used on mirrorless systems in that they they do not suffer any lag between what is happening and what you can see. However, they're unable to show what effect camera settings will make on the final image.

Monitor

The big change between these cameras is the rear LCD monitor. While both are 3.2-inch articulated offerings with 1,037k dots, the newer D5500 monitor has been updated to a touchscreen, a first for any Nikon DSLR. This means users can use the screen to control settings, touch to focus, or review images with familiar gestures like pinch-to-zoom.

This will no doubt help the camera appeal more to some potential buyers who are used to using smartphone screens, and could also be looking at mirrorless cameras which probably also have a touchscreen.

Flash

As is standard for most Nikon DSLRs, both cameras feature a pop-up built-in flash and a hot-shoe for mounting an external one.

File

As you would expect, both of these cameras are able to shoot either JPEG or RAW (14-bit or 12-bit), or a combination of the two.

Storage

As is typical of most entry-level and mid-range DSLRs, these cameras both use SD/SDHC/SDXC memory cards. Each has just one slot, rather than the two which tend to feature on higher end DSLRs.

Wireless

The Nikon D5300 was the first Nikon DSLR to feature built-in Wi-Fi connectivity (previous models relied on an optional adapter) and the D5500 follows suit making it easy to share images instantly, or even use a compatible smartphone or tablet to remotely control the camera.

However, the older D5300 does have one notable feature which has been removed from the D5500, built-in GPS for geo-tagging images with location data. Users of the newer D5500 will need to use the optional GP-1A accessory if they want their camera gain GPS powers.

Battery

The Nikon D5500 is able to carry on shooting considerably longer than its predecessor on a single charge of the standard battery. This brings the new camera's endurance in line with higher end models.

Price

Summing up

It's clear Nikon has not re-invented the wheel with the D5500, it is very-much an evolution of the D5300, which featured in our 2014 round-up of the best entry-level and mid-range DSLR. That said, the changes will make it more appealing to potential buyers who are probably also looking at mirrorless systems, which we guess was the point.

The addition of an LCD touchscreen to the D5500 is an interesting one. While the jury is still out on whether cameras really need a touchscreen (they don't currently feature on high-end and pro models), it's certainly a feature that many camera buyers are looking for. Other changes which also make the camera more appealing are the, albeit minor, size and weight improvements and the increased battery life.

In terms of photographic potential, there's not really much to call between the D5500 and D5300, they both feature 24.2-megapixel APS-C sensors, the same Expeed 4 image processor, and the equivalent 39-point AF systems. As such, we'd say that if you already have the D5300, you probably shouldn't upgrade to the newer model unless you really want that touchscreen.

If you are deciding between the two cameras it probably again comes down to how much you value that touchscreen. For some it will no doubt be worth the extra $150 with a kit lens, or $200 body-only, while others might rather make the saving and put the difference towards their next lens.

Product pages: Nikon D5500, Nikon D5300

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