The FLIR Systems iPhone 5 Case Lets You See Through Walls

The FLIR Systems iPhone 5 Case

 Lets You See Through Walls

  The device works by combining the heat signature information it gets from the infrared camera with the live camera image from the iPhone. This then delivers a composite thermal heat image. The result is a negative-type image of the various heat levels in an array of different colors – bright red and white being hottest.

  The smartphone case industry is beginning to move away from bling-encrusted cheap tat and into the realms of ‘useful accessory’.

  FLIR systems has done just that and invented a case for Apple's iPhone with thermal-imaging capabilities. The FLIR One is an iPhone 5/5s case with both an infrared camera and a VGA one that’s supposed to add depth and detail to the infrared images.

  What is it used for? FLIR Systems explains that it will be useful for pinpointing the position of pipes in walls, finding weak spots in your home’s insulation, finding hidden animals in bushes and identifying leaks before they cause serious damage.

  Users will be able to take time lapse and panoramic thermal images, whilst being able to edit and share what they've captured. The case has its own battery pack, which holds a two hour charge, and weighs about the same as the phone. It retails for about $350 and will be available in August.

New Cadillacs to offer wireless phone charging

New Cadillacs 

to offer 

wireless phone charging

(Relaxnews) - In an attempt to cut in-cabin clutter and make their customers' lives easier, the company wants to make it simpler to keep handsets connected and topped up without having to fiddle with connecting cables and will become the first US automotive brand to offer wireless charging as standard on its 2015 models.

In theory, wireless charging is a great idea. Every time a smartphone is placed on a surface it starts to recharge its battery automatically. However, in practice it remains an emerging technology because of incompatibility. There is more than one wireless charging standard and different phone makers are undecided as to which version of the tech to support.

But, starting with the 2015 ATS Sport Sedan, for new Cadillac owners at least, this will no longer be a problem. And that's because even though the integrated charging mat has been developed by Powermat, it will support multiple, essentially competing wireless charging standards such as QI, which is good news.

The QI standard is the oldest wireless charging standard and, unlike Powermat's PMA standard, has already been adopted by a number of major phone makers, including Samsung and Nokia.

"Our lifestyles have evolved in a more mobile way than ever before and with that comes an even greater need for access to power in those places where we spend the majority of our time," said Powermat CEO Ran Poliakine. "Our integration into the Cadillac ATS is only the first step in the evolution of portable power in places that include your car, your coffee house and even your favorite sporting arena."

As well as the new ATS, which is going on sale this autumn, Cadillac also plans to bring the technology to the Escalade before the end of 2014.

"With 4G LTE capability and now wireless charging, Cadillac is embedding conveniences that have quickly become essential customer needs," said Ken Kornas, ATS global product manager.

Some handset makers, most notably Apple, don't support any version of wireless charging but that's a problem that can be easily overcome. There is a growing range of wireless charging cases on the market for the iPhone that support the various competing standards.

As well as US car companies, wireless charging pads are also being adopted by Starbucks. The coffee shop chain plans to offer customers at all of its US branches access to wireless chargers integrated into counters and tables that support the PMA standard.

- See more at: http://www.ntd.tv/en/news/science-technology/20140729/180307-new-cadillacs-to-offer-wireless-phone-charging.html#sthash.Nc4DCvIc.dpuf

StyleSwap bamboo cover for OnePlus One

StyleSwap bamboo cover

 for OnePlus One

Bamboo is a favorite snack of the giant panda and has long been celebrated for its medicinal purposes. Now, it's being used to give smartphones a natural-tinged new look.

OnePlus, the company behind the OnePlus One, just officially unveiled a bamboo cover option for its ultra-affordable flagship phone, which being sold unlocked directly to customers. Arriving at the end of August, it's but one of three StyleSwap covers initially planned for the OnePlus One, which will also include Silk White—described on the OnePlus site as "silky smooth"—and Sandstone Black.

Here's what Florence Ion had to say in Greenbot's OnePlus One review:

"If you’re looking for an 'un-flagship' that’s free of carrier restrictions, is equipped with a beautiful display, offers up a multitude of customization options, and is powered by software that's supported by one very dedicated team of developers, it’s certainly worth considering over any other unlocked Android device."

The OnePlus One isn’t the first phone to offer wood encasing: the Moto X can be customized with your choice of four different wood finishes, including bamboo. Unlike the Moto X, which assembles your phone for you (and locks you into your style choice), the StyleSwap cover is like buying IKEA furniture: you have to assemble it yourself. OnePlus posted a video to show that it is a pretty painless process, though.

The bamboo cover will cost $50 when it arrives at the end of August, while the Silk White and Sandstone Black covers will cost $30.