Parajet Skycar The First Mainstream Flying Car

I don’t think a day passes without me finding myself bumper to bumper inching along stuck in the inevitable traffic jam of the daily commute. I also don’t think a day passes without me willing my car with all my might to leap into the air and soar heroically above the honking horns and billowing exhaust of my fellow commuters, sadly it hasn’t happened, yet.

Parajet have taken this fantastic dream and ran no… flown with it.

The Parajet Skycar is a two seater, road legal, all terrain vehicle which runs of bio fuel, produces zero emissions and oh yeah it can fly.

Simplicity is the key to its design. It works in a similar way to paramotor. A large propeller running off the engine and a ‘parafoil’ wing provide lift. In drive mode the wing is folded into the boot and drive is transferred from the propeller to the wheels. This simple setup means the car is cheap, safe and reliable.

An emergency reserve parachute is included should the wing become unattached or a mid-air collision occur, always good to know.

In ‘Road Mode’ it has a top speed of 180 kmph 0–100 kmph in 4.5 seconds, rear wheel drive and a range of 400 km. In ‘Fly Mode’ a top speed of 110 kmph, a maximum altitude of 15,000 ft, a cruising altitude of 2000-3000 ft and a top speed of 110 kmph.

So if you find yourself looking to spend £50,000 you can purchase a flying car today, and fly it next year.

To read more visit the manufactures website www.parajetautomotive.com

Sony PlayStation3 Slim

After weeks of speculation and rumour Sony unveil the PlayStation 3 slim at the GamesCom convention in Cologne Germany, as well as price cuts on the 80gb and 160gb models released in 2006 and software upgrades across the board. 

The new PS3 Slim boasts the same features as the previous generation as well as a 120gb hard drive and an ultra slim ultra sleek ultra sexy design. 

Less is definitely more when it come to the slim, size is reduced by 33%, weight reduced by 36% and power usage by 34% as well as a very competitive and recession reflective retail price of £249. 

To allow for the significant size and weight loss the PS3’s internals have undergone a rigorous reshuffle. Semiconductor, power unit, cooling mechanism if it’s in there it has moved to a more space efficient location creating scope for the external redesign. 

The alterations are predominately aesthetic. Although the new unit consumes less power and space, the overall performance and function of the Slim is the same as previous model it just comes in a prettier package. Personally I feel it is a worthy evolution of a good brand. 

Following the new release Sony promise an array of further software titles to follow in time for this Christmas, and aim to offer a further diversified line of hardware. 

Due to hit stores September 1^st the new slender Slim is a must have for the gaming enthusiast with an eye for design.

Kite Powered Turbines Could Be The Future

I have always had a fascination with renewable energy ever since my Geography teacher explained it to me all those years ago. The whole concept makes perfect sense, ever lasting energy that harnesses nature’s power without damaging or destroying it.

One type of renewable energy that governments all over the world are trying is wind power. This has had various results and returns and so far it is safe to say it is still in its infancy. One of the hottest forms of wind power comes in the form of using kites to generate electricity.

A standard wind farm consists of multiple turbines that each stand at roughly 262 feet tall. The largest wind farm in the US operates 222 turbines which generates enough power for 365 homes and businesses. These farms take up a lot of space and are quite noisy, also many people think that they are unsightly (you can’t please some people). However the positives outweigh the negatives.

Scientists and Geographers have been developing a new kind of wind power based on the popular toy kite. In 2007 Dutch scientists launched a stacked a single kite capable of powering five homes. The reason that this one kite could produce more power is due to its 4,100 foot height, this allowed the scientists to stack kites on top of each other. As the kites moved in and out in the wind it generates power. This type of kite turbine is called the ‘laddermill’. However there is a new type of kite turbine that is set to dwarf the ladermill both in size and capacity for producing electricity.

Inventor Saul Griffith and his co workers at Makani are developing a top secret kite turbine which journalists are calling ‘The Makani’. The actual design is top secret but Griffith calculates that kites could fly six miles high (an astounding 31,680 ft). He also estimates that one turbine could produce enough energy to power 100,000 homes. The turbine will generate power when the kite moves in, out, up and down making the process extremely efficient as it is not reliant on wind direction, this could be the downfall of the traditional wind turbine.

More details can be found on the Makani website, although details are kept to a minimum for obvious reasons.

New Computer Games Of The Month August 2009

Nigh is the season to dust off your sporting uniform of choice and comically attempt to emulate the summer’s great sporting spectacles. Something now eminently possible from the comfort of your own living room, ideal for when the British summer strikes! Enter Ashes Cricket 2009 (available on PS3, WII and PC); some blatant bandwagoneering from the same people that brought you the much loved Brian Lara Cricket. The game only contains two fully licensed teams and just twelve in total, but is full of nice touches, such as video tutorials from legends Shane Warne and Ian Botham and even includes Hawk-Eye analysis!

For the ultimate ashes experience, how about getting two TVs side-by-side, one for live coverage of the Ashes, the other for the game and a wiimote in hand, shining it on your trousers as you run up to bowl, the depressingly familiar sound of leather on willow, yet another boundary to the seemingly invincible Australians, praying for the prospect of rain to save a draw. It has never been so easy to imagine that you are, in fact, Freddie Flintoff. Just remember; he’s really hurt his knee doing this and steer clear of pedalos!

 

 

If cricket is anathema to you, never fear, for also out this month across all the platforms, is the latest instalment in EA’s highly successful Madden NFL series, number ten to be precise. The definitive American football simulation, Madden is as lean and well-honed as you would expect from a game that has been through so many incarnations. Gameplay is as realistic as it has ever been and when you factor in convincing post-match analysis (even including a tv-style weekly round up show!) and commentary from the legendary John Madden himself, the lack of tedious advert breaks in between plays means the game is almost better than the reality!

 

Fans of motorsport will enjoy System 3’s latest offering: Supercar Challenge, out this month on PS3. With its combination of polished graphics and almost indecently attractive cars, including the Pagani Zonda, the Aston Martin DBR9, the ultra-exclusive Ferrari FXX and the 1000hp legend that is the Bugatti Veyron, it provides the perfect fillip for gamers frustrated at the incessantly-delayed Gran Turismo 4.

 

 

Film tie-ins are now an inevitable part of the gaming landscape, the latest blockbuster to get the treatment is the new all-action GI Joe film – The Rise of the Cobra, on all consoles and handhelds. The film is full to bursting with ridiculous plotlines, hi-tech gadgets, beautiful women and masses of fight scenes, car chases and glossy CGI. This has all made it into the video game without any dilution whatsoever, so if some simple, mindless, high-octane gunslinging whets your appetite, look no further.

 

 

 

Wolfenstein’s first shoot-em-up incarnation was one of the seminal first-person shooters and it makes a welcome return to the shops this month on PC, Xbox 360 and Playstation 3. The early games earned infamy with their prominent use of Nazi iconography and controversial plot, something that appears to have been sidestepped on this new release by taking the plot down a bizarre undead horror route. Regardless of this, the graphics are great and the game utilises a modified version of ID Software’s Tech 4 physics engine, previously featured on Doom 3 and Quake 4, it is pretty much flawless.

 

Perhaps the most exciting game to drop this month is Batman: Arkham Asylum, out on all major formats bar the Wii. It isn’t, as you may assume, based on the recent Batman films, but rather the storylines of the comic books. As far as gamers are concerned this can only be a good thing, as the plot of the game remains unconstrained by events happening in the films and allows the developers much greater scope. As we have unfortunately seen on all too many occasions prior, ‘games of the film’ tend to be turgid!

The game itself is a stealth-influenced action adventure game and has earned favourable comparisons to the brilliant BioShock. Tension is created cleverly by use of a third-person viewpoint, imitation being the sincerest form of flattery, as it is lifted from the popular Resident Evil games – players have to watch the action unfold over batman’s shoulder, which heightens the sense of claustrophobia. To better explore areas, players must instead climb around the buildings to gain better vantage points. The combative elements are pleasingly diverse, requiring players to utilise Batman’s array of gadgets, as well as his brute force and whilst the stealth gameplay isn’t quite of the same standard as Metal Gear Solid, it is certainly enjoyable

Using Your Iphone Abroad And Avoiding Data Roaming Charges

We have heard a lot of horror stories about people taking their beloved iphone abroad and on return being hit with huge phone bills due to data usage whilst on holiday. In one extreme example someone on a standard £35 contract received a monthly bill of over £1000! Thankfully it is very easy to avoid these excessive charges.

When travelling abroad you must consider what you are going to need? Will you need your phone to text or make calls? Or will you just be using your iphone for music? If you only want it for music the easiest thing you can do is switch your phone to airplane mode.

All you need to do is go to general settings and then switch on airplane mode (pictured below); you will not be able to make or receive calls but if you want to just switch it back off. However, if you need the iphone to take calls this is not the solution for you. Read on below.

If you want to take and make calls make sure you leave airplane mode switched off just use calls sparingly as you would any other phone. However, one thing that you will want to change is the roaming settings. As a default these are already switched off but it is well worth checking before you leave.

To check go to settings –> general settings –> Network and then make sure data roaming is switched off (see picture below). This will mean you will not have access to the internet or interactive services unless you are near a wireless network which in many cases is free

Of course if you need to use your iphone abroad including data there are other options available. For example o2 offer 50mb bolt ons for £50 which is much cheaper than if did not have it. AT &T also has similar options available.

BBQs With Gadgets

Back in the old days, when Summers were Summers and men were men, the barbecue was the ultimate symbol of masculinity and provided hope to thousands of women who, somewhat naively, thought that their menfolk would take up the cooking full time. No such luck for them. However, in this modern age of equality, whilst the men continue to take pride in tossing their sausages over the barbecue, they may also be seen more regularly in the kitchen.

Unfortunately, the Summers may seem to be a little more drizzly than they were back in those days, but at least barbecue technology has improved. Indeed, not least because this year’s British Summer is set to buck the trend of recent years to be a real scorcher, the increased availability of barbecue gadgetry makes the whole process that much more enjoyable than it has been of late.

Take the Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker, for instance, which features two triple plated cooking grates, two large cooking areas (47cm diameter) and a porcelain enamel bowl and lid. Although this curious little barbeque will have most men bamboozled as to how to operate it, or indeed what it even is – it looks like a prop from the original Star Trek series – the Weber Smokey is a delightful little barbecue that offers the superb bonus of slowly smoking a whole chicken and ham at the same time – result! The Weber Smokey also comprises an anti-rust aluminium vent and fuel door, so it should not be a complete disaster if and when the heavens open…

Nevertheless, with fingers crossed, the sun will shine long enough for there to be plenty of barbecue action this Summer. The ingenious sausage holder gadget is something that can be purchased for existing barbecues and is really extremely useful. Usually comprising a stainless steel handle and room for four juicy bangers, this little device can thwart the misery of losing the only perfectly cooked sausage in the history of barbecuing down the side of the grill, onto the floor (though note the five second rule) or to a hungry magpie (seriously). Another superb gadget that is suitable for existing barbecues is the smoking box, which is placed directly on the barbecue coals and contains various woodchips that can be infused with various flavours, such as a favourite beer or sauce. The smouldering woodchips will enhance the flavour of the barbecued food.

If you have the urge to travel this Summer, the Grilliput Camping Set is the smallest barbecue on the market. Because it can be carried around easily, with compacted dimensions of just 29cm x 2.2cm for the Grilliput and 16cm x 16cm x 8.5cm for the Firebowl, this product is perfect for enjoying the real outdoor barbecue experience and can be set up on even the toughest of terrains. Let’s just hope you have not forgotten the matches, flint or firesteel lighter when you get to the top of that mountain.

Another ideal barbecue gadget is the Landmann 3 burner gas barbecue, which features several adjustable cast iron burners, cooking grill, hot plate, drip tray, rain cover, wind shield and a lava rock grid. Gas barbecues are becoming more popular in Britain because they tend to be the cleaner and more reliable product, although it is especially important to be able to monitor food temperatures on a gas barbecue. If a standalone thermometer is required, the Weber Barbecue Beeper Remote Digital Thermometer is an excellent little gadget that allows the barbecue chef to prepare other parts of the meal without worrying about the meat on the grill. Alternatively, if you are the type who likes poking the meat quite often but does not want to catch something nasty, tool up with an Instant Read Grill Fork with Thermometer for increased protection.

There really is no shortage of gadgetry that can be purchased for an existing barbecue and arguably the greatest invention of all time, including sliced bread and the wheel, is the Grillslinger Belt. Allowing the average man to feel more manly than a bare-chested face off between David Hasselhoff and Tom Selleck, the Grillslinger is a superb utility belt that has a compartment for each essential barbecue tool. A high quality knife, tongs and spatula are included with the belt, which is adjustable to a burger induced 60 inches. The Grillslinger reminds us all that barbecuing is man’s work!

Finally, when it comes to barbecuing this Summer, some people will demand only the very best. Indeed, both literal and figurative heavyweight barbecue aficionados cannot go far wrong with the Weber Summit S-650, which features 6 stainless steel burners, including a side burner, smoke box burner, infrared rotisserie burner and a spit fork rotisserie, in addition to a cooking area big enough for a whole farmyard of animals…

New Eco kids web game launched – Save Planet Blue

To ease your conscience a little when the kids are parked in front of the PC or games station, you can now encourage them to play a new 3D interactive virtual environmental world. The web based Planet Blue game has been released just in time for the long summer holidays which for parents who struggle to find things to occupy their inquisitive minds it will be a boon. The web based Planet Blue game allows young people to play an exciting game whilst learning about crucial environmental issues that will affect their lives as they grow older.

The Planet Blue website is aimed at the 4 to 14 age group, and provides a safe environment for them to explore, play and learn about the environment we live in, and the issues that affect all the inhabitants of the world from the smallest to the biggest. Planet Blue allows children to travel a virtual world enjoying various eco-systems, playing all the exciting games such as a recycling game and a memory game as well as learning and socialising. Players earn merit badges along the way as an incentive to complete the tasks and these merit badges provide players with that little bit of kudos with the other players when they have earned them.

The safety of the children playing is paramount and so there are strict restrictions on subjects that the children can chat about and certainly there is no possibility of exchanging sensitive personal information with other players. Planet Blue’s message is an important one that to save the planet is vital. It is done in such a way that the children are not made to feel they are being preached to. Planet Blue players (called savers) can create a personal avatar, can chat and add friends, providing an ideal first step into the more adult world of social networking but in a safe, and non-threatening way.

Because the site is an American creation it is more than a little cheesy, and although the target audience is 4 to 14 it is probably not going to do much for the older kids in the age range. The sophisticated gaming tastes of the teenager are not likely to enjoy the la-la-la sing song tune in the trailer or the cutesy kids introducing the Planet Blue game. However if your kids love Club Penguin then this site is going to appeal to them, though we would recommend only paying out the 3 months trial price of $4.95 which is about £3.00 before parting with the $22.95 (£14.00 approx) for a six month membership or $38.95 (23.67) for a full year.

Blu Rays Of The Month June 2009

So you’ve got your new HD TV, a Blu-Ray disc player or a PlayStation 3 and you’re looking for the best new titles to enjoy? You’ve come to the right place, let’s run down the top Blu-Ray releases that are coming your way in June 2009.

Defiance
Daniel Craig and Jamie Bell take on the Nazis by going back to nature in this period war piece. Whilst their portrayal of characters is based on real life events and has had some critics complaining that the characters lack historical accuracy and humanity, this is certainly an interesting film. At times it can be hard going for the viewer as the terrible suffering which the Jewish outcasts endured during the war is depicted without shying away from the gory details. There’s a lot to like if you can get past the slightly hammy accents that some cast members put on.

 

 

Revolutionary Road
This is a brilliant adaptation by director Sam Mendes and features the powerful onscreen pairing of Leo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet. This social drama set in the 1950s looks at relationships, marriage, infidelity and abortion and the period is flawlessly recreated. An immersive and impressive film.

 

 

 

Bruce Almighty
This 2003 hit comedy gets a Blu-Ray release in early June, and Jim Carey is back in his face pulling element as a deified Morgan Freman endows him with the powers of God himself. It’s family fun in the same vein as Bewitched although people who’ve disliked Carey’s other exploits won’t find much to enjoy here.

 

 

 

Ghostbusters
A comedy classic from the 80s gets an HD makeover with full 1080p resolution supported. Hopefully you won’t notice the slightly dodgy special effects which by today’s standards are underwhelming, but silly enough to keep you watching. It’s also very well written with some good gags, and noticing how often every character lights up a cigarette in what is ostensibly a kids’ movie is a sign of how quickly times change.

 

 

Falling Down
This is an early 90s action classic with a political heart. Featuring Michael Douglas as a disgruntled defence worker who snaps in LA morning traffic and goes on a vengeful rampage through the sweltering heat of a dying society. Though the film tries to be poignant and has Robert Duval as a soon to be retired cop chasing Douglas, much of the impact feels dated by today’s standards, and the incredibly rude populace of LA that he encounters are both frightening and funny.

 

 

Punisher: War Zone
This is a brilliantly over the top action flick which shouldn’t be missed by fans of the comic or of cinematic ridiculousness in general. Featuring Dominic West as a facially mutilated villain, you can really see him enjoying the chance to let his hair down and clown about on camera, and The Punisher is also played by an Englishman, perpetuating the British invasion of the Hollywood mainstream.

 

 

Gran Torino
This film was a critical and commercial success earlier in the year and puts Clint Eastwood back at the top of his game. Eastwood plays a Korean War veteran living in a growing ethnic neighbourhood who manages to put his prejudices aside and stand up for his foreign neighbours. This movie packs more laughs than the average comedy as well as commenting thoughtfully on the state of modern American society, and the Blu-Ray release is simply a must-buy.

 

 

Vicky Christina Barcelona
Like Clint Eastwood, Woody Allen has made an awesome directorial comeback with this sexy, Mediterranean infused film. The film takes an irreverent look at two travelling Americans who fall for the same troubled artist, who himself has an insane, suicidal ex-wife played by Oscar winner Penelope Cruz. As long as you are aware of Allen’s narratorial style and see his tongue in his cheek as he mocks the faux-intellectualism displayed by the characters then you’ll have a great time, and maybe even a few laughs.

 

Milk
Sean Penn got an Oscar for his portrayal of the first openly gay man to win public office in America, and the film is touching and powerful in equal measure, though the politics and methods of Milk himself are blurred slightly by his martyred status. Josh Brolin provides support in another great role for this late blooming star, and the San Francisco of the 1970s that director Gus Van Sant recreates is compellingly real.

 

 

Slumdog Millionaire
This is the true success story of 2009, clearing up at the Oscars and putting India and British film back on the radar. Though the main character, Jamal, has an intricate and unique story to tell, this is an ensemble piece that relies on the slums of Deli as much as on the actors themselves to get the message across.

Games Of The Month For June 2009

The Summer gaming period is fast approaching and there are some new faces in amongst the usual smattering of old titles.

Red Faction: Guerrilla
The original Red Faction was one of the most interesting if not the best early release for the PlayStation 2, bringing in the first fully destructible environments in a First Person Shooter. This, the latest in the series, takes things away from dank space corridors and into wide open battle arenas, but again with a focus on big scale destruction and space bound madness.

 

 

 

 

The Sims 3
The thirds in this incredibly popular series which has in the past relied on user generated content to power and perpetuate its popularity. It’s the ultimate life simulator, and you can control the fate of whole neighbourhoods from the cradle to the grave. For some, heaven, for others, tedium.

 

 

 

Prototype
Getting a cross platform release in June, this is an interesting third person action title starring a shape shifting protagonist. Players will be able to take on the abilities of everyone they meet, and whether this will result in too much variety and not enough character empathy remains to be seen.

Batman: Arkham Asylum
There hasn’t been a good Batman video game in years, but with Arkham Asylum the Dark Knight is expected to show his dark side once more. Taking on all of his famous foes once more in a lunatic asylum should at least add an edge to what could just be another third person action title.

 

 

Ghostbusters: The Videogame
Another famous franchise from the silver screen gets a reboot in June, this time with most of the original cast adding their voice and writing talents to the mix. With plenty of over the shoulder Gears of War style action, this time with anti-ghost plasma guns, the main story should at least provide a few laughs. There’s also multiplayer which should hopefully keep people coming back for more after the single player campaign has run its course.

 

 

Street Fighter 4
Having already been released on console a few months ago, the PC audience is finally getting a taste of old school fighting with a new school look. Expect the controls to be rubbish on anything other than a USB Xbox 360 controller, and don’t expect a lot of game modes. However, I’m sure you’ve already made up your mind as to whether you want this game or not.

 

 

 

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
With the release of the new movie this summer comes the game of the same name. The first game which attempted to recreate the spectacle of the first movie fell on its face because of bland gameplay and boring missions, but this second attempt will hopefully learn from past mistakes. Even PS2 owners will be able to get a part of the mass destructive action, though only the latest consoles will be able to do the visuals any HD justice.

 

Resident Evil Archives: Resident Evil
I’m sure many Wii owners will despair as yet another rehash of an old game is released on their system, though this time it’s a remake of a remake with added Wii controls. Taking the excellent Gamecube re-envisioning of the original 1996 title and whacking on motion controls may seem lazy, but at least it’s being done to an already decent title.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overlord 2
Taking fantast action to owners of all platforms, this sequel promises plenty more demons at your bidding in an evolution of the genre that Dungeon Keeper created over a decade ago. Incorporating elements of role playing, strategy and action packaged with tongue firmly in cheek this will appeal to more people than you might think, though whether this will translate into sales remains to be seen.

 

 

Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Conviction
This series has gone through so many twists and changes that it’s hard to tell who the lead character Sam Fisher works for any more. This time it’s all about daylight stealthing to help uncover a mole within his organisation as well as keeping his nearest and dearest safe from harm once more. Despite the convoluted plot stealth fans will be glad to see the genre back on track after Metal Gear Solid 4 forgot what kind of game it was trying to be.

 

 

Tales of Vesperia
Japanese style RPGs are struggling to find a foothold in the already crowded Western RPG market, though this Xbox 360 exclusive hopes to change all that. Art design and character development go hand in hand with action and magic in what critics are already hailing as a break through game. The phrase ‘don’t count your chickens’ comes to mind.

Icebar, the completely waterproof case for your Nano with speakers

We recently told you all about the Otterbox, a nifty little gadget for the iPod Nano which give the ultimate in protection for your much loved iPod, no matter what life can throw at it. Well we think that we have found an alternative that has another added advantage, not only will the Icebar keep your iPod Nano clean and dry but it will also allow your Nano to pump out the sounds from inside its protective little box via the integrated speakers.

The Icebar with its waterproof casing will protect all iPod Nano’s that are 1st, 2nd and 3rd generation from wind, rain, sand and complete immersion in water. So if you enjoy listening to your sounds on the beach, or in the shower or bath then the Icebar is the perfect solution. The sound quality is pretty good for such a small unit and there is a stand that will allow the iPod Nano with its Icebar cover to stand safely, and if you are using by the pool the Icebar also has a float that will attach to the unit by a lanyard to save losing it in the depths.

The Icebar has two neodymium speakers, a headphone input that is also completely waterproof, a rubber loop for hanging if used in the shower and a special sealed click dial membrane that allows for operation whilst your iPod Nano is safely encased in the Icebar. The outer casing is shatterproof so there should be protection from any accidental damage too.

The Icebar costs £39.99 which for an ordinary case for a Nano might be considered a bit on the pricey side. However because the Icebar has speakers then you can feel more satisfied with the price tag as you have a portable docking sound system included in the price.

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