Tag: technology

After earning a degree in fine arts, Sanjuan became deeply interested in the role of new technology in the creative process. The only problem was that most of his training was fairly traditional.

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The sad reality was that his schooling ultimately drained his bank account and robbed him of his ability to create. “When I finished my studies,” he writes, “the crisis began.”

In a cruel twist of fate, dedicating his life to an arts education forced him to leave his creativity behind for years. “I had no job, and I didn’t have enough money to rent a studio or buy painting materials. Because of that, I stopped painting for 4 years.”

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And the more you look at his work, the more tragic that seems. After he was given an iPad, however, his entire perspective on art changed.

“With the help of this tool, I don’t need a studio,” he writes, “and I don’t need to buy materials to create my paintings.” One seemingly small gift gave Sanjuan his creative life back.

(via BoredPanda)

While one could easily argue that technology sits at the helm of many social and cultural shortcomings, there’s something to be said for what one device did for an artist who was down on his luck. As such, Jaime Sanjuan wants to impart a bit of wisdom unto fellow artists who are stuck in a rut: “If you have a tablet or a smartphone, you have an entire studio in your pocket.”

To see more of Sanjuan’s work, be sure to visit his website. For regular updates, check him out on Facebook.

Hold On To Your Hats (And Wear a Helmet)! The Hovercrafts Have Arrived.

The future is here! Just like out childhood cartoons promised us, we now have hovercraft technology. About time, right?

The Hendo Hoverboard uses a magnetic field that allows it, and a full-sized human on top, to defy gravity and hover above the ground. Despite Earnshaw’s theorem, which says that equilibrium can never be reached between two magnets, the Hendo uses a principle called magnetic field architecture to create stabilized movement. The board can be also propelled forward using this principle, and the Hendo was designed to react smoothly and naturally to the user’s motions.

To be technical, this technology already exists with high-speed rail, which uses electromagnetic currents to float the cars above the tracks, eliminating friction and allowing for a smooth, fast ride. The hoverboard, though, opens up the possibility of using hover technology for personal use, away from set tracks.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plwX5NtF530]

Due to its operation, the Hendo requires a non-ferromagnetic surface to work–that means roughly, no transitional metals. Because of this, the creators of Hendo have also designed a special “hoverpark” as a place to demonstrate the board’s abilities.

The board doesn’t soar very high off the ground; think of it more like a skateboard without wheels, only the Hendo would be able to go up slopes with less energy, as it reacts to the surface.

Top and side views of the prototype board without a rider. It floats a few inches above the surface.

The hoverboard with a rider.

The designs for the top and bottom of the board. The positioning of the foot pads seems subject to change.

The design for the hoverpark, where the hoverboard can be ridden, much like a skateboard in a skatepark.

Greg and Jill Henderson, the founders of Hendo, know that a hoverboard might not be the next big thing in transportation technology. However, they regard the hoverboard, and its hover engine, as the first step in a possible new direction for vehicles and travel. It’s a technology that can be built upon to create more practical applications.

Right now, the hoverboard is still a prototype, and Hendo is actively seeking funding via Kickstarter, and hopes to expand the technology so that it’s more widely available in the near future.

These Are Some Of The Best Phone Apps That You Probably Aren’t Using.

All of us are basically glued to our phones for 95% of the day. There are many reasons why we can’t peel our eyes away from those bright little screens. Maybe we are staying on top of work, keeping in touch with loved ones or just checking for updates and the latest apps.

If you’re interested in the latest and greatest applications for your smartphone, look no more. Maybe you haven’t heart of these before, but trust us, you won’t want to forget them.

1.) Lyft

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Lyft is a rideshare service that may just replace cab companies, and for good reason. If you need a ride somewhere, simply click on the app and find a driver in your proximity. You can see their name, pictures of them and their car, and their driver rating given by previous passengers. Request a ride, and you’re all set.

2.) Triposo

This travel app provides you with several sight seeing options. Along with providing suggestions of things to see, Triposo can build a city walk for you, based on the amount of time you want to spend ambling about. Most usefully, it works offline.

3.) Cloze

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Cloze integrates all of your social media accounts into one – Facebook, Twitter, Email, and even LinkedIn. Gone are the days of checking 4 different websites for messages and comments. Download Cloze and you can get all of your everything in one place.

4.) Pocket

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If there is an article you want to read or a video you want to watch but don’t have time for it, Pocket is a place for you to save content for later. Save something to Pocket, and the app organizes it in an easy to search, easy to find way.

5.) Skyview

With SkyView, you can take your device outside, stare up at the heavens, and discover precisely what stars and planets you’re looking at. If it’s a bit cold out, you can do the same from inside, or partake in a bit of time traveling, checking out the sky on different times and dates.

6.) 30/30

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30/30 is a to-do list app that organizes tasks via color coordination and an icon. It makes you completing your daily tasks that much simpler.

7.) Around Me

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AroundMe uses your phone’s GPS system to find what’s closest to you. Whether you’re looking for a restaurant, gas station, a coffee, or even a place to park, this app will point you to the most convenient establishments.

8.) Mailbox

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This app makes checking and organizing e-mails on your phone quicker and more intuitive all with the swipe of a finger. Using the swipe motion you can delete, reply, or mark as read. Even better, you can set a reminder to respond to an e-mail later.

9.) Snapseed

For creative enhancements to photographs, it’s hard to beat Snapseed. You choose an adjustment type – such as ‘black & white’ or ‘tilt-shift’ – and the app provides you with a gestural interface for making adjustments. Dragging on the screen defines focal points and the strength of effects, ensuring Snapseed is both intuitive and fun to use.

10.) Waze

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Waze is a GPS navigation app that actually was bought by Google because it was so good. Like any navigation app, Waze will get you from point A to point B via the quickest route. However, the app sets itself apart by incorporating a community aspect to get the most accurate traffic reports. See an accident? Police trap? Road debris? Report it on Waze, earn points on your account, and level up.

11.) Gympact

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Gympact is a great motivational fitness app. How does it work? Make a commitment to your fitness by choosing how many days you will work out that week. Next, choose the amount of money you are willing to wager in favor of you fulfilling your commitment. If you don’t achieve your goal? Your credit card gets charged. Achieve your goal? You get paid! The days of being paid to workout have finally come!

12.) Todomovies 3

This app organizes movies that you want to see that haven’t come out yet. Each film’s page includes a trailer and artwork, and can be added to your list with a tap. Once you’ve watched a film, you can rate it and send it to your Watched list, providing you with a portable directory of films you love – and those you hate and want to avoid ever seeing again!

13.) Hotel Tonight

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Hotel Tonight works with hotels that have empty rooms, who then list the rooms on their app at discounted prices of up to 70%. How does it work? Narrow down your search by picking categories like hip, luxe, or basic, enter in how many days you will be staying, and search through their extensive inventory. Not only does Hotel Tonight guarantee the lowest rates, but they only work with the best of the best.

14.) Hot5

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From abs and core to yoga and flexibility and everything in between, Hot5 contains pages and pages of 5 minute video workouts of every variety and difficulty level. If you want to do 5 minute abs after a run, Hot5 is for you. If you want to do a 45 minute full body workout, mix and match to create your own personalized routine. This pick and choose system makes it great for beginners and fitness gurus alike.

These apps will definitely improve the quality of your life and your phone’s life (so long as you use them properly). Be sure to check these out in the Appstore and get them immediately!

I Was Using Google Earth When I Noticed Something Awesome… In Fact, 29 Awesome Things.

Google Earth allows us to explore the world around us in a way that used to be impossible. With the help of satellite imagery and aerial photographs taken by aircraft, Google created a gigantic and interactive map for us to play with. Exploring cities you’ve never visited is fun, but you can also use it to explore where you currently live (“Bob has a swimming pool?”) The most entertaining part of all? Finding hidden secrets, all over the world.

1.) This airplane boneyard (32 08’59.96″ N, 110 50’09.03″W) Tucson, Arizona

2.) A mysterious pattern in the desert (27°22’50.10″N, 33°37’54.62″E) Red Sea Governorate, Egypt

3.) A building complex that’s shaped like a Swastika (32°40’34.19″N 117° 9’27.58″W) Coronado, California, USA

4.) A massive herd of water buffalo (4°17’21.49″ S 31°23’46.46″ E) Kigosi Game Reserve, Tanzania

5.) This random, giant triangle in the middle of Arizona (33.747252, -112.633853) Wittmann, Arizona, USA

6.) “The Badlands Guardian” in the mountains (50° 0’38.20″N 110° 6’48.32″W) Walsh, Alberta, Canada

7.) The shipwrecked SS Ayrfield covered in trees (-33.836379, 151.080506) Homebush Bay, Sydney, Australia

8.) A giant Firefox logo in a cornfield (45° 7’25.87″N 123° 6’48.97″W) Dayton, Oregon, USA

9.) A forest in the shape of a guitar (-33.867886, -63.987) Córdoba, Argentina

10.) This lake in the shape of a heart (1.303921, -81.901693) Columbia Station, Ohio, USA

11.) A strange pattern in the middle of a desert (40.452107, 93.742118) China

12.) This giant target in the desert (37.563936, -116.85123) Nevada, USA

13.) A message of love (43.645074, -115.993081) Boise National Forest, Boise, Idaho, USA

18.) This random Coca-Cola logo in the middle of nowhere (-18.529211, -70.249941) Arica, Arica y Parinacota, Chile

19.) Another mysterious symbol in Nevada (37.401573, -116.867808) Nevada, USA

20.) A friendly giant in the hills of Chile (19°56’56.96″S 69°38’1.83″W) Huara, Tarapacá, Chile

21.) A sunken ship (30.541634, 47.825445) Basrah, Iraq

22.) Multiple landing strips in the middle of the desert for no apparent reason (32.663367, -111.487618) Eloy, Arizona, USA

23.) A giant Mattel logo (33.921277, -118.391674) El Segundo, California

24.) UTA Flight 772 Desert Memorial (16.864841, 11.953808) Sahara Desert, southern Ténéré of Niger

25.) This rainbow plane in the US – Cathy Terrace Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey , USA ‎

26.) The Barringer meteor crater (35.027185, -111.022388) Winslow, Arizona

27.) A giant pool of hippos bathing (6°53’53.00″ S 31°11’15.40″ E) Katavi National Park, Tanzania

28.) The Grand Prismatic Spring (44.525049, -110.83819) Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA

29.) And finally… BATMAN (26.357896, 127.783809) Okinawa, Japan