“Nuclear power” isn’t the safest thing to mention in front of conservationists and the ecologically conscious, even if only due to the bad rep it has. So this new product to be released by a company called Hyperion is certain to raise some hackles and start some kind of outcry – if it really delivers on its promise – that is, to provide a potentially long-lasting source of power in a device not much bigger than a small tool shed – a “mini” nuclear reactor.

                                              Size illustration for the truly "mini" reactor - it actually weighs "just" 8 tons.

Although not as cool-looking as the HAL wearable exoskeleton, Honda’s Walking Assist Device with Bodyweight Support System did not go out of its way to look cool – it is meant to help the naturally mobility-impaired.

Robots are some of the most popular subjects in this here HWZ blog, and example like this, this, or this only prove that there’s a robot in the future for all of us. Along that thread of thought, we can then surmise that there will be many types of robots for many kinds of people, and this blog entry shows a robot that’s perfect for people who like them creepy: enter the MSR-101 Hexapod.

Note: Original article and all pictures are from www.maximumpc.com.Credits go to them.

It’s finally come to pass that the once super-hardcore in personal computers have become merely mundane. None of the traditionally enthusiast and modder-exclusive features, like clear side windows, cathode lights, water cooling, and overclocking, remain their exclusive domain, as all of the above can be had simply by buying the most relevant parts – generic casings with acrylic side windows, the whole sunbeam tech lineup, Cooler Master’s Aquagate, and most any respected motherboard maker you care to name – all corresponding to the above “features”.

There’s no doubt that technology and gadgets can be smart and logical, but sometimes they can be whimsical, traditional, even a bit creepy. The PlantBot seems to fit into all these descriptions, and best yet you can put in a different plant every fortnight or so and change its character every time! The PlanBot is robot that mimics a piece of furniture’s overall aesthetic with its wooden legs and body and a woven-basket holder for your chosen plant.

Gardening and computing have not been good bed-fellows before, but that’s changing with the introduction of the USB-based EasyBloom “stake sensor”, a device that will be able to tell you in plain English why your prized pumpkins or extraordinary orchids aren’t growing as they’re supposed to. Well, maybe not orchids, as many of these are not actually grown directly from the soil, but certainly a wide range of plants and trees.

As with all great concepts, this one is followed by an exclamation of “why didn’t I think of that?” Or perhaps you have, but only lacked in the execution. In this case, the Inamo restaurant in the West side of London has nailed both the concept and the execution in melding (presumably) snooty dining with cutting edge stuff that will appeal to both sides of the social divide.

                                             The restaurant and bar looks utterly normal from the outside.

Gaming isn’t what it used to be. Putting aside the obvious advances on the hardware technology side (faster processors, better GPUs), you once only needed a board and a rodent to get up and going with your favorite RTS, FPS, or simulation. Now things are a bit more specialized, and niche markets have sprung up everywhere, for everything. This SteelSeries WoW Gaming Mouse illustrates this trend perfectly.

                                              This mouse will surely attract many buyers if SteeSeries offers other logos and ingrained designs.

While all of us geeks entertain notions of “someday” having some of the technologies found in the oft-watched series of our youths, a lot of companies and individuals have gotten down to it and started creating amazing technological realities far and away from the imagined high-tech roots that it came from. Take robots. Robots have once been a dream of science fiction writers like Asimov, and more recently has been confined to places like an automated manufacturing plant. The HAL however, is a real robot designed for commercial use – and uses brain waves to boot.

                                              Pose? Check. Cool blue lights? Check. Disability/old age? Uhh, no check, but I still want one.

In keeping with copycat tradition, a company that will remain unnamed has outdone itself by aping a nearly iconic device and making it (seem to) do something else. Supposedly a Sony T700 digital point-and-shoot camera, this little beauty looks just like the real thing – until you notice what looks like a pinhole/webcam lens behind the main glass protector of the camera.(All pictures courtesy of eprice.com.tw)

There’s no real technical innovation involved in the creation of Salavador DaBot - unless you count the integration of super-fine robotic control, world-class image recognition, intricate real-life modeling for the arm movements, and speech synthesis that doesn’t sound stilted – all combined into one package and dashed with a little bit of whimsy.

There’s fans, then there’s the fanboys (and girls) – the crazily devoted peons of a franchise, an idea, or more often these days – a fictional character. Many things can indicate the difference between the mere fans and the fanatic, and the most scarily convincing show of devotedness can come from the calculated and well thought-out tribute to the original. The object of fanboy-ism this time is Meta Gear Solid, which is by now in its fourth outing and is named “Guns of the Patriots” – fitting, as this tribute is of the gun carried by the hero of the game – Solid Snake – with some smart modifications.

I can get pumped up by the smallest of things, if its about tech or gadgets. In this case, the device I’m talking about is literally very small – a two inch LCD panel made by Casio. Two inches you say? Surely the 150” monster over yonder makes your blood pump all that much faster? Well if put that way, then I’d just have to clarify that this little ‘ole 2” screen is as exciting a development as the 150” monster. How so? Read on to find out.

                                             You'd think that the above title had a typo, but in fact, while this pictures looks like that of a huge screen, it's in fact only 2" - but sports 546 ppi.

There always comes a time in a PC gamer’s life when he feels he absolutely, positively needs to upgrade his PC, or be left in the dust and debris of old, obsolete games. This is not true for everybody of course, but for the select few who needs to play the lates games at the highest possible resolution that their hardware (and wallet) is capable of, they have benchmarks that change from generation to generation that reflect the needs of the gaming industry so much that they become the basis of “leetness” and determines how updated your hardware is.

                                             Luxury didn't factor into the building of the Warhead PC.

I guess it was inevitable with the march of progress and the incessant convergence of technologies. The “Scan Toaster” puts everything you need with breakfast onto a slice of bread, that is, if your typical breakfast consists of bread and a quick look at current events from your favorite broadsheet.

                                           This isn't even close to being a "fancy piece of toast".