Lurking on the counter like an oversized microwave, the INSIGHT100 can identify liquids, powders and gels inside sealed containers such as glass or plastic bottles or tubs, even if those containers are opaque. The system is said to have a false alarm rate of 1.5-percent or less, and each scan takes under five seconds.

The magic is in something called Spatially Offset Raman Spectroscopy (SORS), bouncing certain spectra of light off a substance depending on the molecules that substance is made up of. As each substance scatters light in different ways, the INSIGHT100 can recognize which are safe and which could be potentially dangerous. Cobalt says it can subsequently update the scanner’s database as new molecular “fingerprints” are identified.

Having already been approved by the European Civil Aviation Conference for its abilities to check for liquid explosives, it’s seemingly down to airports to decide whether to include the INSIGHT100 in their scanning arsenal. Of course, loosening the regulations around bottled water might make things easier for travelers, but it would also cut into a useful extra revenue stream for retailers and airlines; whether they’ll be so happy is questionable.

[via Gizmag]

“We believe that workers everywhere have the right to a safe and fair work environment, which is why we’ve asked the FLA to independently assess the performance of our largest suppliers … The inspections now underway are unprecedented in the electronics industry, both in scale and scope, and we appreciate the FLA agreeing to take the unusual step of identifying the factories in their reports” Tim Cook, CEO, Apple

As well as the production shop floors themselves, the FLA will have access to dormitories and other facilities at each site. They will also review procedural documentation, with the first results of the findings – as well as any recommendations – expected in early March 2012.

Foxconn is apparently up first – a reaction it seems to leaks from within the manufacturer suggesting conditions there were particularly grim, in addition to the several suicides of workers at the company’s facilities over the past 18-24 months – with Quanta and Pegatron opening up later in the spring. All suppliers have “pledged full cooperation with the FLA, offering unrestricted access to their operations” Apple says.

The assessment, when complete, will have investigated facilities where more than 90-percent of Apple’s products are assembled.

Apple was the subject of a widely-discussed investigation by the NYTimes, in which inside sources at the company said high-level management was aware of worker mistreatment but failed to act on that knowledge as it might impact production schedules and/or costs. Tim Cook reacted strongly to the allegations, describing them as “offensive” and pointing to Apple’s own annual responsibility reports as well as its relatively recent membership of the FLA.

The Acadia will be the first vehicle to get the center airbag technology. This tech was unveiled in September of last year and is making its way to 2013 model vehicles. In an accident, the center airbag system deploys from the right side of the driver seat. The goal of the new airbag tech is to protect the passenger and the driver from far side impacts.

A far side impact would be an impact on the passenger side with the driver was alone in the car. GM feels that the new airbag technology has a real potential for life saving. This sort of far side impact accounts for 29% of all belted front occupant fatalities in side-impact accidents. Check out the video to see how airbag works.

[via Lansing State Journal]

The original report had consulted current and previous Apple executives, as well as sources at Chinese factories and the workers themselves, piecing together a picture of companies like Apple – though others, such as Samsung, got a passing mention – as juggling human rights for workers with the need to create timely, affordable products at the best possible rates. “An unresolved tension” inside Apple was cited, with high-level execs supposedly aware that production partners such as Foxconn were cutting corners in safety and working conditions, but made only passing attempts to address the problem as it would sap Apple’s device momentum.

The claims were followed by strong responses from Chinese factory workers themselves, some protesting Apple’s actions in the country, but others suggesting that the company was not alone in its priorities and, in some cases, was doing considerably better than other firms.

Apple has taken a vocal stance on employee rights in recent years, releasing a responsibility report detailing the investigations it had undertaken, and becoming the first tech firm to join the Fair Labor Association. “We will continue to dig deeper, and we will undoubtedly find more issues” Cook warns. “What we will not do — and never have done — is stand still or turn a blind eye to problems in our supply chain.”

“As a company and as individuals, we are defined by our values. Unfortunately some people are questioning Apple’s values today, and I’d like to address this with you directly. We care about every worker in our worldwide supply chain. Any accident is deeply troubling, and any issue with working conditions is cause for concern. Any suggestion that we don’t care is patently false and offensive to us. As you know better than anyone, accusations like these are contrary to our values. It’s not who we are.

For the many hundreds of you who are based at our suppliers’ manufacturing sites around the world, or spend long stretches working there away from your families, I know you are as outraged by this as I am. For the people who aren’t as close to the supply chain, you have a right to know the facts.

Every year we inspect more factories, raising the bar for our partners and going deeper into the supply chain. As we reported earlier this month, we’ve made a great deal of progress and improved conditions for hundreds of thousands of workers. We know of no one in our industry doing as much as we are, in as many places, touching as many people” Tim Cook, CEO Apple

“The agency’s investigation has concluded that no discernible defect trend exists and that the vehicle modifications recently developed by General Motors reduce the potential for battery intrusion resulting from side impacts” NHTSA

Those guidelines will be targeted at emergency response teams and others who may come into contact with electric vehicles. With the Volt, the particular issue surrounded an apparent fire risk prompted after side-impact tests punctured the battery and coolant leaked; atypical tests – including x-rays of batteries – performed on various Volt components replicated a fire, though no real-world example has been recorded.

“NHTSA has developed interim guidance — with the assistance of the National Fire Protection Association, the Department of Energy, and others — to increase awareness and identify appropriate safety measures for these groups. The agency expects this guidance will help inform the ongoing work by NFPA, DOE, and vehicle manufacturers to educate the emergency response community, law enforcement officers, and others about electric vehicles” NHTSA

In the meantime, GM has offered non-Volt loaner vehicles to nervous owners while the testing was underway, and even to buy back unwanted cars that drivers no longer felt safe in. “We did not have one customer that wanted to sell it back or felt concerned enough to get a loaner vehicle” one Chevrolet dealer told the NYTimes, though the company has missed its 2011 sales target by over 1,000 cars.

Kia reported this problem last week, and the recall is expected to take place en masse starting in March, so says that NHTSA. This vehicle has otherwise had no such similar problems, and you’re encouraged top contact you local dealer now if you’d like to get a fix in the future. Customers affected by the problem will be able to have the problem fixed at their local dealer free of charge when the time comes.

You can also call the NHTSA vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or visit the NHTSA at SaferCar.gov, taking special note of the terrible graphic design they’ve got going on there. Sidenote: why is it that government run websites never look any good? Is it a law that they’re not allowed to hire graphic designers with any salt?

[via CNN]

This recall affects Mini and Mini Cooper vehicles, and those of you that wish to find out more instead of waiting on a call from your friendly BMW dealer should contact BMW directly though their customer relations line here in the USA at 1-800-831-1117 or email customerrelations@bmwusa.com. Those outside the USA should contact the dealers they purchased their vehicles from.

A spokesperson from BMW has noted that there haven’t been any accidents this far as result of reported malfunctions, so don’t fear, but DO NOT think that it’s not possible for you. They haven’t been extremely specific on which models are affected yet, no years or anything like that, so just on a safe side: assume it’s you. If you are affected, BMW will notify you (if you’ve not already contacted them) and your local dealer will replace the water pump free of charge.

[via Detroit News]

It’s important to support the person up front because in times of stress and adversity, the little authority you’ve invested in that person will pay off. When that person tells you to leave the building immediately, you’ll do it. You won’t ask questions until you smell the gas leak. In a way, this is like a military command, but without all the imminent peril and killing and stuff. It’s about trust. I put my trust in the person who is leading the group from the front. At best, things go very well. At worst, nobody gets hurt, and it’s all over soon.

When a flight attendant tells you to turn off your cell phone, just do it and don’t complain about it. Airports and air travel are a sore point for me on Twitter and other social networks. It used to be people complained about flight delays. Then they complained about the airport gates. Once, a friend complained that his windshield was cracked by an errant pebble kicked up by a truck in traffic on the way to the airport. From where was he tweeting? Now, the complaints are all about turning off your phone, your laptop, your iTouch, your tablet, and all the other junk you carry with you.

I’m sick of it. I couldn’t care less.

I know, you’re right. Phones probably don’t crash airplanes. Okay, it’s debatable what is the effect of a couple hundred cell phones scrounging for service as the plane tries to catch air. It may cause interference, but a cell phone has never been pegged as the lone culprit in an airline disaster. And if the wireless radio in your cell phone probably won’t bring down the plane, certainly the slight trickle of juice through your Kindle won’t hurt anything.

I don’t care. Turn it off. Turn it all off. And don’t complain about it.

Want to know why you should turn it off? Because the flight attendant told you to, and he or she asked nicely. Try to argue with that. You can’t. If you do, you’re just a jerk. You’re not in charge of the airline. You’re not a pilot or a flight attendant (and if you are, I’m betting you’re agreeing with me anyway). I don’t care if you’re an electrical engineer specializing in RF interference. If someone asks you nicely to turn off your gadgets, and makes it clear that your refusal will seriously inconvenience the people around you, just do it. Stop wasting time.

If you want to argue this policy, do it. Go to your congressperson and voice your concerns. You’d be amazed how few people have to call a congressional office before they start taking the complaints very seriously. If that doesn’t work, complain to the FAA. Complain to the airlines. Then, start taking the train. Take a greyhound bus. Chances are, they have better Wi-Fi and more power outlets anyway.

By the time you get on the plane, you’ve already lost the argument. It would be like walking into an Outback Steakhouse and yelling at the waiter because the beef is not locally grass fed. It’s too late. You knew it was Outback Steakhouse. Enjoy your Bloomin’ Onion and shut your trap.

Partially, this argument is about respecting the limited authority of the flight attendant. I’ve never honestly seen a flight attendant abuse his or her authority. If anything, I wish they would flex a little more authority. Time to start harassing the idiots who can’t figure out how to stow a piece of luggage WHEELS FIRST on the LEFT SIDE OF THE PLANE! Is it so hard? Instead, I have to check my bags or pay extra to make sure I can get on the airplane before those spatially inept morons.

I’d like to see flight attendants chastise people who listen to music through their laptop speakers, instead of using headphones. I’d like to see a flight attendant tell the inconsiderate nincompoop in front of me that slamming his seat into a reclining position while I’m eating my expensive cheese and crackers and raisins is inconsiderate.

I’d like to see a flight attendant explain to some mid-twenties hipster that babies can’t control their crying, but unwashed hipsters can certainly control their eye-rolling and obnoxious deep sighs. Suck it up, hipster, or I’ll take away my toddler’s iPad just before take off and let you enjoy his reaction for the next 3 hours. I’ve heard it for 3 years, so I can just fade it out. Good night.

The best reason I can think of for turning off your gadgets is because it helps you pay attention. The most dangerous time to be on an airplane is during takeoff and landing. That’s when the bad stuff happens. Maybe your cell phone won’t cause it to happen, but it might make things work. If you have to tweet that your plane is going down while I’m trying to reach over you for my oxygen mask, you’re going to be the first person I eat when we crash land on the island.

I’ve never heard a flight attendant claim that the electronics interfere with the airplane’s controls. They only ask you to turn off your gadgets, they don’t explain why. I’ve always assumed it was so you could offer your undivided attention at the only time during the flight when they want you to be conscious and alert.

I’m cool with that. I turn off my gadgets. I power them down, I don’t just put them into airplane mode. Before I board the plane, I store all my extra gadgets in my carry-on, powered down.

Just remember, air travel is amazing. Air travel is cheaper now than it has been at any other point in history. You can fly across the country in less time than it takes to drive between Dallas and Houston. You can leave Korea at 10AM and arrive in New York at 8AM ON THE SAME DAY! We’ve invented time travel, and you’re missing it because you have to check in on Foursquare. If the airlines insisted that you cannot even bring anything electronic on planes, it would still be worth flying. If they told you every flight would be a “Grease” singalong, it would still be worthwhile. Actually, that would be cool at first, but as a Platinum flier I could see that getting old.

Stop whining and turn off your phone, you self-absorbed, super-entitled, do-nothing. Instead, spend the time pleasantly reminiscing about your trip. The sights. The culture. The business at hand. The cab driver who wouldn’t stop talking on his Bluetooth, even though the sign clearly says the driver will not talk on the phone. See? It’s contagious.

According to Ford, the problem only affects Fusion and Milan cars with 17-inch steel wheels, not those with alloy wheels. Nonetheless, that’s 128,616 vehicles in all, along with a further 3,000 steel wheel sets distributed to Ford dealers.

“Owners will be notified by mail and instructed to take their vehicles to a Ford or Lincoln dealer to have the lug nuts replaced on all four wheels” Ford told the agency, “and to have the rear brake discs inspected for wheel mounting surface flatness and replaced, if required.” A comprehensive investigation into the problem has been undertaken by the company, it continued.

Ford claims there is no record, as of the end of September, of any accidents resulting from the problem. If you have one of the affected vehicles, you should contact your dealer.

[via NYTimes]

According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System, far-side impact crashes accounted for 11 percent of occupant deaths in non-rollover accidents between 2004 and 2009 involving 1999 or newer models where the driver has their seat belt fastened. It also represents 29 percent of all belted front occupant fatalities from side impacts.

With these numbers in mind, GM developed the center-mounted airbag in collaboration with technology supplier Takata to step up safety measures for its future vehicles.

“The front center airbag has real potential to save lives in side crashes,” GM quotes Adrian Lund, president of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in its press release. “GM and Takata are to be commended for taking the lead in this important area.”

The new models expected to feature this center-mounted airbag include the 2013 Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia and Chevrolet Traverse crossover SUVs. Below is a video demo of the GM’s industry first center-mounted airbag in action.

[via Forbes]

Altogether, the car is packed with a radar system, various cameras and ultrasonic sensors, a laser scanner and an “electronic horizon” that, together, give it an understanding of whereabouts on the road it is and what other traffic or pedestrians are around it. Rather than taking full control, Volkswagen is positioning TAP as an assistance aid for periods where accidents are increasingly likely: complex lane navigation, junctions and traffic jams. The system can take control, alert the driver with noisy alarms, and even perform an emergency stop.

It’s not the first time we’ve seen autonomous systems included in a car: various luxury models from Mercedes, BMW and other marques include intelligent safety systems that couple dynamic cruise-control – identifying the traffic ahead and adjusting speed accordingly – with sensor arrays to increase the likelihood of emergency stop maneuvers being effective. However, manufacturers have been reluctant to give their systems too much independence, with questions over the legality and liability of auto-pilot options still unanswered.

Volkswagen hasn’t said when – or if – TAP will make it to a production model, though as the continuation of a research program stretching back to 2008 it seems likely to do so. Meanwhile Google is pushing ahead with its own robotic car systems, in the hope that states allow it to roll the vehicles out onto the public highway.

[via PhysOrg]

A small aerospace consulting firm founded by a couple former Boeing engineers called Mukilteo has unveiled a very interesting survival capsule for tsunamis. The capsule is designed to hold up to six people inside and could cost only about $1,000. Inside the capsule are seats around a central beam with shoulder harnesses to keep people in place. The capsule is a sphere that would float as the tidal waters pushed it along.

The only thing I wonder about in the design is if it would be able to withstand the force of repeated impacts with buildings and debris. The tsunami that hit Japan took buildings down in very short order and I could see a capsule like this being pummeled by heavy rubble. The designers say that the capsule would be able to protect for a couple hours until the waters resided. I bet it would be a rough ride inside the capsule. A heavier version with more strength might cost $5,000.

[via TechFlash]

Facebook also expanded the social reporting tool, previously available only in photos, to be more widely available across the site. It can now be accessed in Profiles, Pages and Groups. There will now be a “report” link available to report images and other content that contains hate speech, violence, illegal activity, pornography, spam or scams, or personal attacks. The tool is meant to provide younger users a way to get help from friends and other adults if they are experiencing bullying or other attacks.

In addition to reporting the offending content to Facebook, the tool gives users the choices they have to deal with a harasser. Options include “Send a message,” “Remove as friend,” or “Block.” They can also enter an email address to send the offending content to someone who is not on Facebook.

The other improvement involves security, adding an optional Two Factor Authentication setting which allows users to have the option of entering a code when they log into Facebook from a new device, in addition to their password. The HTTPS feature has also been improved so that it will switch back on after a user goes to a non-HTTPS application. Though many think Facebook should default to HTTPS, there are issues with applications adopting the feature. This give a workaround so that when a user is finished with the game or app, the site defaults back to HTTPS again.

Do you think these features are helpful? What else do you think Facebook should be doing to improve security?

The DU problem was apparently observed during EMI testing for Aircell’s Gogo in-flight internet system, and only impacts the Phase 3 DUs from Honeywell. However, 737NG type aircraft are reportedly being fitted with placards in the flightdeck saying WiFi equipment must be powered off, while other sources say the particular DUs – of which three particular models are affected – have been banned from 737NG aircraft when in-flight connectivity is also fitted, whether cellular or WiFi.

“The screens reappeared well within Boeing’s specified recovery time frame. The screens have not blanked in flight and are not a safety of flight issue. Honeywell is working to ensure the problem is addressed and fixed and that our technology will continue to exceed specifications” Honeywell

Still, the overall message is that there’s nothing for fliers to be afraid of. The FAA is apparently “working with both manufacturers to examine the technical data and test results” and “will consider if further safety action is necessary.”

[via Slashdot]

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration provides data which suggests that nearly 300 people are killed and 18,000 injured each year (I presume in the USA alone), nearly half of the deaths involving children 5 and under. Cameras such as the ones I’m sure many cars will begin installing soon have already been installed in around 20% of newly released 2010 cars (so says AP), while this new proposal, expected to be complete by next year (after a public comment period) will roll out requirements throughout the next few years.

The vehicle fleet produced by the USA will have to be 10 percent at standard by their 2012 model year, 40% by 2013, and by 2014, all new cars will need to reach new visibility standards. These new rules are going to apply to all passenger cars, pickup trucks, SUVs, and every other vehicle weighing up to 10,000 pounds. No more dead puppies!

The image you see above is of a rear-mounted camera from Sanyo as posted by UberGizmo. This is one you buy and install, in the future we’re looking at similar situations coming in standard.

[Via The Associated Press]

A new concept plug at Yanko Design has a very simply and ingenious way to prevent this sort of shock to adults and kids. The concept plug has an accordion style plastic protector that is thin enough to smash down when you plug the cord in without affecting the performance of the plug at all.

When you unplug the cord, the accordion protector unfolds and keeps you from accidentally touching the prongs before you have them all the way out of the outlet. They are sort of like condoms for cords in a way. This is a great idea and I can see these things coming to market as covers you can add yourself.

The C2-270 system is a camera that is mounted behind the windshield of the car and monitors the road ahead when the car is moving. The camera is connected to a display within the field of view of the driver. If the camera spots something in the vehicles path, the display flashes a bright color-coded icon and sounds a warning.

Ford has a system that is very similar to his on its new Taurus. The intention of the display is to draw the driver’s eye back to the road if they are distracted to prevent the accident. Pricing on the system is unknown and the maker says it will be available at retail soon. Check out the videos below to see how the system works.

The exterior air bags are actually specially crafted car body panels, and they are the design project from many researchers, and was the idea of several companies based out of Hiroshima, as well as the local university. iSAVE is designed to rapidly deflate the airbags upon collision, just like the airbags you have in your car right now. There’s only one car in the world right now equipped with iSAVE, and it’s just a prototype right now. And, while it may be a good idea enough to put it on every car out there, it seems that the researchers are claiming it only works with electric cars.

The researchers plan on having iSAVE fully commercialized by 2011. Until then, though, they plan to sell upwards of 50 units for 3-wheeled vehicles. Pricing on four-wheeled cars was revealed though: $17,800. So, it’s not a cheap option, but if you know that you aren’t all that safe about staying in your lane (or not on a sidewalk), maybe you should think about getting yourself a new (electric) car next year. Obviously, sound isn’t good enough to keep those pedestrians safe.

[via CrunchGear]

The obvious motivation for such a system is that hulking mega-sized trucks frequently are obviously visual impediments in terms of allowing drivers to have access to the maximum amount of visible information, whether they choose to pass, change lanes, or handle other maneuvers on the road.

On the Lebedev studio website, the line “Problem: Enhance road safety.”  is denoted under the headliner.  As the technical explanations to the Transparentius have yet to be revealed, one being Lebedev’s solution for displaying the images in broad daylight, the rest of us can only hope that a concept like this may move into reality for the benefit of all drivers, this writer included.

There are also four infrared LEDs used to illuminate nighttime scenes, and everything is recorded to an SD card complete with time/date logs, speed, location and other details.

Included viewing software shows both camera angles at once, plus automatically pulls up a Google Maps location for any point during playback.  A 2GB card is included, but if you have enough storage you can set it to continuously save video; they say that’s handy to monitor teenage drivers or employees.

Of course, there’s always a downside to any gadget, and here it’s the crazy-high pricing.  The Dash Cam Dually is priced at $385, which seems madly high frankly.

[via Red Ferret Journal]

To do that, there’s a mounted bike and large display, along with speakers that extend out to surround the rider’s head.  The simulator shows various road conditions, while the bike controller itself is clever enough to recognize when the rider dismounts and walks it along, as per the road situation.  Secondary displays mean you can check over your shoulder and to the sides.

The content itself varies according to the user’s age, and Honda has pre-programmed simulations of “going to school,” “going to the grocery store,” “going to cram school” and “going to a local shopping street”.  As you might expect, they aren’t planning on selling very many of their Bicycle Simulators; in fact just 500 of the 732,900 yen ($8,253) systems are tipped to find buyers each year.

[via Autoblog]

Press Release:

Honda to Begin Sales of Honda Bicycle Simulator Developed for Traffic Safety Education

TOKYO, Japan, October 15, 2009 – Honda Motor Co., Ltd. today announced plans to begin Japan-wide sales starting February 2010, of the Honda Bicycle Simulator developed for the purpose of traffic safety education. By safely experiencing the possible risks bicycle riders may face, users will improve their ability to predict risks and increase safety awareness. In addition, rider evaluation session which will follow the riding simulation will help users learn traffic rules and manners in an enjoyable way. Honda will aim for widespread use of this simulator by a range of customers including public offices, law-enforcement organizations, driving schools and educational institutions which conduct bicycle safety education programs primarily for school children and senior citizens. Honda will begin accepting pre-sale orders in November of this year.

In recent years, the total number of fatalities from traffic accidents has declined in Japan. However, the ratio of fatalities in accidents involving bicycles has increased. Bicycle riders aged 10 – 19 in and above the age of 50 have the highest chance to get involved in an accident, and approximately 70 percent of bicycle accidents are caused by violation of traffic rules.

Leveraging the know-how accumulated through its activities to promote traffic safety since 1964, Honda has been developing and selling motorcycle and automobile simulators since 1996 and 2001, respectively, as traffic safety educational devices which enable users to safely experience the risks based on real-world traffic situations. By offering these simulators, Honda’s goal is to improve people’s ability to predict risks and increase safety awareness. Striving to realize a richer mobility society in the future, Honda developed the Honda Bicycle Simulator as an educational tool for a wider range of people.

Key features of the Honda Bicycle Simulator

・ Compact design (length 2,270mm × height 1,400mm × width 990mm, weight 88kg)
・ Equipped with monitors to check right/left and behind.
・ Equipped with a “walking sensor” which recognizes the user’s action of walking the bicycle.

・ Contains different courses such as “going to school,” “going to the grocery store,” “going to cram school” and “going to a local shopping street” to offer realistic experiences for user groups of different ages.
・ Contains a course for the user to learn traffic laws and manners to ride a bicycle in mixed traffic.
・ After the simulation, the rider’s path can be reviewed from multiple vantage points -above/below and right/left- and the riding situation and evaluation will be displayed on the monitor.

Sales Plan (in Japan): 500 units per year

Suggested Retail Price (in Japan, including delivery fee): 732,900 yen (698,000 yen before tax)

The ruling also calls for more obvious information on the dangers of hearing loss presented by unduly loud headphone use to be included on PMP packaging.  According to the EU research, five years of high-level volume for just one hour per day could lead to permanent hearing loss; more recent MP3 players, they suggest, are capable of maintaining high quality sound while at louder volumes, and as such users are not discouraged from turning up their PMPs by distortion.

Although the boy – only known as Salvatore – had no serious injuries, he was left with a headache that lasted “a couple of days”.  Apple have apparently promised him a new iPhone, but are yet to deliver it.

Apple maintain that the iPhone malfunctions are “isolated incidents” and do not represent a more widespread problem; however they have also begun an investigation into the ongoing safety of the handsets.  Meanwhile French consumer affairs and fraud watchdog DGCCRF has apparently launched their own investigation into iPhone safety, with the European Commission describing Apple as “very cooperative”.  Nonetheless Apple has declined to comment on the DGCCRF investigation until they have had an opportunity to examine the affected iPhones.

The issue has been precipitated following a number of fires in cargo bays that have been the result of li-ion battery problems; a single power pack catches fire and then sets off a chain reaction in the batteries it is being shipped with.  However the FCC has said it is “not prepared to take emergency action”, though it continues to monitor the situation.

[via Cellular-News]

The player was on sale between January 2006 and July 2009, so there are plenty of people potentially affected.  Walmart themselves haven’t confirmed anything, but it’s believed that UK supermarket subsidiary ASDA also sold the players; we’re yet to hear whether they, too, are being recalled.

If you have an affected Durabrand DVD player, the advice is to stop using it immediately and take it back to your nearest Walmart store.  Of course if it’s already on fire then you probably shouldn’t pick it up.

[via Engadget]

That given, they’re also “trying to get more information on the details of the incidents” together with planning to perform “tests as necessary to investigate the possible cause.”  The investigation was prompted by the European Commission, whose department of Health and Consumers seemingly asked Apple to confirm whether their products were safe.

As for Apple customer care, messages are mixed.  The UK team admitted that they had heard of the ongoing issues, but declined to comment: “We are aware of these media reports, and we are waiting to receive the iPhones from the customers. Until we have the full details, we don’t have anything further to add.”  However they’ve previously been accused of insisting on confidentiality agreements before addressing one teenage girl’s iPod touch which exploded, while more recently a French iPhone exploded and sent screen glass flying into a user’s eye.

[via IntoMobile]

Video after the cut

Still, rather than being the latest energy source for the busy robot, in actual fact these are remotely-controlled rescue ‘bots that can explore disaster sites, pick up unconscious people and ferry them to safety.  A similar robot has already been demonstrated, the TFD Robo-Q.

[via Pink Tentacle]

Video demo after the cut

Taser are coy with the full details of the X3 right now, but they’ve confirmed that it works at equal or less voltage than the current X26.  That outputs up to 50,000 volts at its peak, which is scaled down to the 400-1,200 range when it reaches the target.  Handily, the X3 also has a report feature that tells you if you managed “good”, “partial” or “no connection” with your target’s body; it would be even better if it printed that out on a little cash register receipt, but we doubt it will.  What you can do, though, is connect the X3 wirelessly to a computer and pull up stats and other discharge details.

The multi-shot system is something Taser call “rotational pulse drive”, and basically allows you to fire three darts in quick succession and then charge them all at the same time.  The X3 will be officially unveiled on July 27th; until then, enjoy the video of what we hope are three volunteers being shocked to the sound of jubilant cheers.

[via Hacked Gadgets]

So what’s the problem, exactly? It seems the insulation on some of the wiring within the computer gets stripped somehow and then leads to a short circuit. Then, the components inside melt or the exterior casing melts. Both things are most certainly not supposed to happen.

The models affected are the ASG7200 and the ASG7700 that were sold between May and December of 2008. If you purchased your Acer Predator during this time frame, contact Acer for a free repair of the problem. Only 215 units are suspected to be affected, but it’s still a hazard gamers should know about.

[via Engadget]