Lytro reveals the 40 megaray professional-grade Illum light field camera (video)

40 megaray sensor? That's not a spelling error. Lytro cameras don't just record position, colour & intensity of light at each point, but direction as well. With this extra information, an image can be refocused after the event.

http://www.gizmag.com/lytro-illum-light-field-camera/31742/ / Lytro consumer oriented light field camera focus re-focus imageform factor low resolution early adopter second generation light field camera Illum US$1,500 Lytro Illum camera devices market capture capturing 2D image light sensor records color intensity direction light ray 3D three dimensional subject adjust focus tilt perspective shift depth of field take taking a photo one inch 40 megaray light field sensor Lytro’s patented microlens array technology sensor millions of rays comparison megapixels equate to roughly 5 megapixels living picturesflattened print printing 2D display 30-250 mm equivalent zoom constant F2 aperture extreme close focus macro capability dual electronic rings zoom focus control angled 4-inch articulating LCD touchscreen 384k dots /

Robotic blocks can morph into any kind of furniture (video)

http://gigaom.com/2014/05/20/robotic-blocks-can-morph-into-any-type-of-furniture/ / room apartment researchers Federal Institute of Technology Switzerland flexible furniture 8.5 inch wide cubes Roombots self assemble self-assemble any shape chairs tables chair table home conference center centre aid people limited mobility able move large piece of furniture program layout bedroom conference room modules do the work project lead Auke Ijspeert robot robots use hooks latch onto holes allowing them to form a larger structure cubes split down the middle each half move independently to turn into wheels attach box complete piece completed furniture and move it research team researchers users will interact interactive Roombot solution draw design room tablet /

MBLOK Memory Cube — one memory for all devices

Credit: KickStarter/Gear Hungry

http://gearhungry.com/2014/05/mblok-memory-cube.html#!OJTcV

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/312927362/mblok-one-memory-for-all-devices-always-by-your-si / solid state storage devices speed durability dropped iPod hard drive flash memory storage manage files across devices MBLOK wood aluminum 256GB Flash memory operates wirelessly 300 hours charge stored files secure secured 128 bit encryption Bluetooth flip down flip-down USB port streaming music movies transferring documents speeds up to 24 Mbit/s megabits mega bits app battery life /

Photos of an NSA “upgrade” factory show Cisco router getting implant

Credit: Ars Technica

You may have read previously on these pages of malware installed in USA manufactured comms equipment by the NSA. More at Ars Techninca:

http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2014/05/photos-of-an-nsa-upgrade-factory-show-cisco-router-getting-implant/ / document National Security Agency NSA files released Glenn Greenwald’s book No Place to Hide Tailored Access Operations TAO unit NSA employees intercept servers routers network gear in transit shipped organizations targeted for surveillance install covert implant firmware delivered deliver Trojan horse systems NSA manager most productive operations pre-position access points hard target networks document June 2010 internal newsletter article Access and Target Development department S3261 includes photos NSA employees opening the shipping box Cisco router install installing beacon firmware load station specifically for the task /

New thermoset plastic is easily reduced to its source chemicals & recycled

Credit: John Timmer/Ars Technica

http://arstechnica.com/science/2014/05/new-thermoset-plastic-is-easily-reduced-to-its-source-chemicals-recycled/ / polymers polymer mer break down robust styrofoam container dissolve completely solvent chloroform thermoplastic food delivery containers soft higher temperatures heat melt properties plastics recyclable thermosetting thermosets durable solvents heat auto interior case electronic device robust recycle materials scientists thermoset polymer high temperatures solvent strong acid pH below 2 component molecules reused polymer recycle recycled /

Velogical shrinks the rim drive to "world's lightest" e-bike drive

http://www.gizmag.com/velological-worlds-lightest-e-bike-drive/31976/ / friction drive Rubbee lighter simpler transform bicycle ebike e-bike Velogical Velospeeder friction drive light lighter compact edrive e-drive weight weighs assist manual riding lightest smallest bicycle Cologne Velogical builds build rim dynamo power powered powering bike lights small sized down 600 watts of power torque 3.5 lb 1.6 kg lighter kit lithium-polymer battery spare swap dual Velospeeder motor seat stays traditional bicycle frame transfer power rear rim polyurethane rings toothless drive system smooth metal rim slip slippage dual swing axle drive keeps optimal contact efficient efficiently apply pressure power wheel braking wear weight bike manual pedaling easy to switch between manual and electric-assist riding prototype Spezialradmesse Velospeeder equipped test bike wear rim optimizing bicycle manufacturers installation bike shops retrofitting consumers video yet noise level /

Virtual reality for chickens is the future of farming, but is it also the future of humanity?

Credit: ExtremeTech

;)

http://www.secondlivestock.com

Well ... maybe ... but the item linked below provides many thought provoking ideas & links to interesting, related articles.

http://www.extremetech.com/extreme/182595-virtual-reality-for-chickens-is-the-future-of-farming-but-is-it-also-the-future-of-humanity / humans success domination planet self-centered self centered centred discover scientist scientific endeavor humanity well-being environment other animals problem hunger pestilence death impact botanical zoological friends Second Livestock fictional company Oculus Rift virtual reality headsets chickens livestock VR individual enclosures omnidirectional treadmill animals roam Second Life virtual world existence Virtual Free Range™ experience a full and healthy life 3D existence how we treat animals humane treatment Austin Stewart Iowa State University captive battery chickens quality of life happy free ranging VR headset treadmill 3D world depressed house cats caged zoo animals the great outdoors inhumanity virtual reality interface population density increases increase farmland /