Bitstream

2008 CES: Casio EX-F1 Camera

2008 CES: The Neonode N2

While eating at a schmancy sushi place in the Venetian, I noticed a Nordic looking fellow when he pulled out what looked like the result of an iPhone accidentally knocking up a CB radio mic. The bastard device in question was the Neonode N2, a cellular phone of Swedish citizenship with no carrier in the US yet. At first, I thought this might be the greatest thing in the world, but since CES I have heard gripes a plenty. Wired associate editor Joe Brown told me that the voicemail was impossible to find and someone else threw in that the battery life was the opposite of awesome. Still, it's a nascent platform and if given the time to develop could be the phone every douche at a loud Hollywood bar pulls out while trying to nail drunk wannabe actresses. After they all get tired of it, the normals might enjoy it as well.

*HUGE SIDENOTE...I mistakenly referred to the iPhone as "pressure sensitive." This is a complete lie. The iPhone is not, in fact, a resistive technology but rather a capacitive one. Whenever your finger touches or comes close to touching the screen it disturbs the electrical field like a dick neighbor. I apologize to Apple and Science for this fatal blunder for which I shall never forgive myself.

2008 CES: 3-D DLP HDTV

Samsung really impressed me this year. From the capable yet stylish Blackjack II cell phone to a powerful virtual surround Sound Bar with a wireless Bluetooth subwoofer to a new Ultra Mobile PC to RSS on your TV to OLEDs and larger smooth HDs to a freaking PERSONAL CELL TOWER, this peddler in electronic delights was probably my favorite overall exhibitor. The attached video demonstrates a 3-D technology that is available on '07 and '08 DLP HD TVs. You certainly don't feel like you're going to get poked by anything on screen, but it adds an undeniable dimension to your programming. It's a $199 software add-on, but certainly worth it if you have kids, are kids or simply get excited about cool looking things like kids.

*Note: The glasses are actually wireless and only tethered for security purposes

Nitrocellulose Pwns Lance Burton

Hey, Cotton...Nitric and sulfuric acids OWN your ass! The aforementioned cellular ass-owning was recently demonstrated by Dr. Chris Schrempp and myself on Wired Science. While this experiment would have no doubt led to accusations of witchcraft and bodily crushing by stones as directed by a 17th-century Middlesex court, today's Science has rendered its exhibitors little more powerful than a party clown. Lance Burton was unable to comment, mainly because we never asked him to.

Venterview

Craig Venter exists to define the word "Maverick." Drafted into Vietnam as a young surfer lacking direction, he received a crash course in battlefield surgery. Upon his return to the States, he leapfrogged his way through the education system with a number of honorable distinctions and ultimately became the guy who mapped the human genome. Currently, he's studying millions of microbial DNA strands---many of which he discovered---in the hopes of synthesizing a clean burning biofuel. I'm skipping volumes of information, of course, because chunks of it are contained in the interview with Craig for Wired Science which is hovering mere inches from this very text. The piece was taped aboard his science vessel, the Sorcerer II, which is also the subject of a piece I wrote for the January issue of Wired because it happens to be for sale to the tune of 5.25 million dollars.

Some have labeled Craig an arrogant man but I found him to be nothing but a gracious host, a generous interviewee and a fascinating presence. This experience was like eating Manna in a Nerd's Paradise and I hurl much appreciation and thanks to WiSci (That's how we abbreviate it on the show. Who has time to say Wired Science? Except for me just now.) and to Dr. J. Craig Venter.

I recommend his autobiography A Life Decoded to anyone who may be interested in learning how a person can break the rules and carve his own path in life. Also, it contains the most sex of any scientist's autobiography I have read to date.

What's Inside Rainn Wilson?

Many years ago, Rainn Wilson and I were skillfully carved up by Rob Zombie in a movie. Now, reunited in the name of science, we peel back the enigmatic layers of a common household item to reveal the pulpy chemical center. Rainn was kind enough to take an afternoon away from The Office to donate some time to Public Broadcasting because he is, quite simply, a terrific guy. Or it was part of a court-ordered community service...but probably the former.

Hey Ravers! Make a Glow Stick!

Going to a rave in 1993? You need a glow stick! I can't help you with the Dr. Seuss hat and clock necklace, but I did manage to dig up some chemicals on the web that were flagged as hazardous materials three whole times before they were delivered. All you need is hundreds of dollars and a good explanation for the FBI and you're on your way to a homemade glow stick!

My two least favorite thing about this video: 1) I somehow forgot to put on safety gear. Brilliant! 2) The segment is called "Hack," a word that every comic wants in giant letters right next to them when they're talking. Oh well. The glowing part is cool.

PS- Really, don't try this.

Chem Lab!

This was a particularly fun segment to shoot. It's part 1 of a 2 part series of exothermic reactions. Dr. Chris Schrempp, professor of chemistry at Los Osos High School in Rancho Cucumonga, was kind enough to drop by and make the most of the WiSci flask and hot plate set.