Brainstorm Magazine

New technologies that excite the geeks

Palm Pre excitement

The much anticipated Palm Pre was unveiled in June, in a move some say is very brave, as the company has created a mobile phone with a first-of-a-kind operating system aimed at maximising integration with day-to-day life and desktop experience. It features a sliding physical QWERTY keyboard, medium-sized display, 3MP camera and a whopping 8GB of storage. However, the excitement comes from its first-ever multi-touch screen. It also boasts rapid browsing over 3G.

Underwater photography

Fans of diving and snorkeling need no longer worry about capturing magical underwater moments. The Digital Camera Underwater Mask features a 3.1-megapixel digital camera mounted onto a diving mask. It is ingeniously designed to free the wearer from worry about how to aim the camera on their forehead. The crosshairs located on the lenses will show the user precisely where to look in order to get the perfect framing. It not only takes stills, but videos as well, and features a 16MB memory, that can be expanded by using a Micro SD card. With underwater digital photography being an expensive hobby, this camera mask retails for only $90 and is a must for divers and snorkelers who want their hands free to do other things.

High-tech touch

The Maitre Mirror integrates a touch screen directly into its surface. It features a built-in radio, clock, MP3 player and even a barometer to finish it off. We imagine the clock will be extremely useful for those in a rush and needing to keep track of time. The mirror is mounted on an aluminum frame that is flush with the mirror itself. MP3 devices can be plugged in just below the screen on the underside of the actual mirror. It comes in sizes ranging from 90cm to two metres.

Green lovers

For green lovers, the Elmoto electric bicycle is a compelling means of travel. It is powered by a 2KW engine, and can reach a blistering speed of 40mph once fully charged. This intelligent bike was developed by German engineers and is fully ecologically friendly, a must in our polluted environment.

The bike features double high performance oil spring shocks, and comes with a brushless and gearless Hubmotor engine type. Engine power is 1,7KW or maximum 2KW. The bike’s front suspension measures 170mm while rear suspension is 140mm. In terms of charging, its high performance charger allows the bike to drive two hours using 80 percent of its battery capacity. It comes with a two-year warranty on the bike, and a battery warranty of six months.