Subject: Peacock Mantis Shrimp
Photo taken in Secret Bay, Anilao Click on the image for bigger version
In an episode of Radiolab titled Colors, Jad and Robert explore the inner workings of how human beings (and other creatures) perceive color. For instance, in Ancient Greece, the color blue was absent in all the documented pieces of literature. Why?! Were the ancient Greeks and Romans colorblind?
In another segment, the show takes a look at how other animals view the colors of the rainbow. Surprisingly, I have several photos of the only creature in the world that has the highest spectrum to discern colors — the mantis shrimp. I see at least one every weekend.
Cheers to you, mantis shrimp. Aside from being the only creature in the world that sees the full spectrum of the rainbow, you also pack quite a punch.
Here’s a find. The Haipad (yes we know it sounds like an iPad saying hello) is probably the most affordable bargain in Manila for a 7″ tablet. According to the folks at Lazada’s online store, the 8GB Haipad is one of their most popular products selling off the virtual shelves. I had to ask: what makes this device so affordable? Is it made of cheap plastic? Are the parts wonky? Read on for our review.
Reps from Lazada contacted me asking if I wanted to review the Haipad after picking it up from their office in Makati and playing with it for several days, here are my insights:
The living room has always been a no-brainer venue for tech companies to expand their entertainment platforms, especially for the big three. Microsoft has the XBOX 360 which is also being marketed as a media center. Sony has its PS3 that shipped with Blu-ray capabilities. Of course Apple has the Apple TV. But then there’s Steam, that darling gaming platform founded by Gabe Newell of Valve that changed gaming paradigm permanently — more affordable games made available without the need of physical disks.
Now Steam is invading the living room with Big Picture, a hybrid version of the Steam app that allows you to amplify your gaming experience with your computer + a HDMI cable. ‘Big Picture’ mode gives you full access to Steam, a new web browser (quote: “a web browser on your TV that doesn’t suck), your mouse + keyboard and your gaming controller. No need to buy additional harware. It basically converts your flat screen LED TV into a Smart TV.
Big Picture comes as a welcome surprise as the rumor mill was churning out information that Gabe was in the process of developing a gaming box (aka ‘Steam Box’) which was basically a computer dedicated to gaming which you could hook up to your TV. Big Picture is probably the precursor to this. SIGN UP NOW.
To opt into the beta, go to the Steam menu and select settings. From this screen, you can click the change button under the Beta participation heading and select the “Steam Beta Update.” Once you’ve committed your selection, Steam will prompt you to restart the application. Once it’s back up and running, you’ll find a BIG PICTURE button near the upper right-hand corner of Steam’s main window. Click this, or if you have a game controller up and running, press its center button to enter Big Picture mode.
Exciting times!
Big Picture System Requirements
OS Windows Vista, 7, or 8. OS X support coming soon.
Video card Required / at least 256MB memory and DirectX 9-compatible with support for Pixel Shader 2.0b, Recommended / 512MB+ memory and DirectX 10-compatible
Disk space 1 GB recommended
Internet connection Broadband recommended
Controller Xbox 360 Wireless Controller for Windows, Xbox 360 Wired Controller, or Logitech Wireless Gamepad F710 recommended. Keyboard and mouse also supported.
This is the new bike of the future as reported by The Daily Mail. With a built in harness that dangles the rider from the frame of the bike, the feet are used to accelerate and brake the bike. No pedals. No seat. Just the harness and your feet.
FLIZ comes from the German word “flitzen†and means speeding… with your feet.
The concept is to provide healthy, ecological mobility in overcrowded urban spaces.
The frame has a five point belt which is said, despite appearances, to provide a comfortable, ergonomic ride between running and biking.
The belt replaces the saddle and adjusts your position. [source]
