Latest Gear Live Videos
Bill Gates hits TED, uses fireflies to address our energy future
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smart Home, Misc. Tech, Science, Videos,
At TED 2010, Bill Gates gave a talk that laid out his vision and hope for the world’s energy future, citing the need for what may amount to a miracle to avoid planetary catastrophe, with the goal of zero carbon emissions across the globe by 2050. One of the more interesting, and most talked about, moments involves Bill take out a jar of fireflies (at last years talk, he used mosquitos) to make a point. Definitely a great video to take in, and it gives you a nice idea of what Mr. Gates is up to these days.
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David Blaine: How I held my breath for 17 minutes
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Science, Videos,
Regardless of how annoying he might be, David Blaine’s TEDMED talk on how he set the world record for holding his breath underwater for 17 minutes is pretty phenomenal. Definitely interesting to see the different ways he thought of to do it as an illusion, using various technological methods and DIY gadgets, before finally deciding that he would do it for real. This one is definitely worth watching, and also worth not trying at home. It’s kind of ridiculous.
Video: Rethinking the way we sit down
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Design, Smart Home, Misc. Tech, Videos,
After watching Niels Diffrient, creator of the Freedom Chair, talk about how he approached chair design from a whole new perspective, we had to share it. The talk was given in 2002 at TED, so it isn’t new by any means, but it’s very cool to hear the details of how Niels came to completely rethink the office chair, using the human body as his fundamental data set.
Microsoft’s WorldWide Telescope is introduced
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Editorial, Microsoft, Software, Videos,
We knew that Microsoft Research had something pretty amazing up its sleeve after talking to a few people at the company, in addition to having dinner with Robert Scoble, who told us that what he saw brought him to tears. As it turns out, it is the WorldWide Telescope that had people in awe. After watching Roy Gould introduce the software in the above video during TED, we have to say, we agree. Think of the WorldWide Telescope as the equivalent to the full-featured version of Google Earth - except that the WorldWide Telescope software is free, and instead of looking at the earth in extreme detail, you get to peruse the cosmos instead. I mean, watch the video to see how truly mind-blowing this technology really is. Look for it to be available for download this Spring for the Windows platform. No word on how beefy a machine you will need to run it as smoothly as it worked in the demo - but here’s hoping that everyone who downloads the WorldWide Telescope will be able to enjoy the same experience seen here.
‘How I Met Your Mother’ Slap Bet Countdown
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Comedy, Prime Time, CBS, Internet,
Fans of How I Met Your Mother could probably belt out the Robin Sparkes’ tune ‘Let’s Go To the Mall’ if asked. But the classic episode that introduced us to Robin’s Canadian pop star alter-ego was memorable for one other thing: the Slap Bet. Barney and Marshall (with Lily as commissioner) instituted the game when they were busy trying to discover Robin’s dirty secret. The loser (a.k.a Barney) would be slapped five times by the winner. The question was: Would he rather be slapped 5 times at once? Or would he rather have them spread out for an indefinite period of time? (Stupidly—Barney chose the latter).
Well those who enjoyed the first two smacks should be thrilled to know the remaining three are still on the table. To pique our interest, the producers of HIMYM have created a ‘Slap Countdown’ on the show’s website. So get yourself prepped for the slap heard round the world. (BTW, if you have difficulty doing the math—the timer is counting down to the Nov. 19th episode.)
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This Week on TV (9/24-9/30)
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Action, Animation, Comedy, Drama, Prime Time, Reality, Sci-Fi/Horror, ABC, Cable, CBS, FOX, NBC, Showtime, The CW, Dancing With The Stars, Desperate Housewives, ER, Grey’s Anatomy, Heroes, House, My Name Is Earl, Saturday Night Live, The Bachelor, The Office,
MONDAY (9/24)
- Chuck (NBC, 8pm): Series premiere
- Dancing With the Stars (ABC, 8pm): Special 1.5 hour season premiere. Let’s start placing bets now!
- How I Met Your Mother (CBS, 8pm): Mandy Moore guest-stars in the season premiere. Also, what will happen to Ted and Robin?
- The Big Bang Theory (CBS, 8:30pm): Welcome the reunion of Roseanne’s Darlene and David.
- Two and a Half Men (CBS, 9pm): Season premiere
- Heroes (NBC, 9pm): Season premiere. Rumor has it someone could be leaving the show very soon.
- Rules of Engagement (CBS, 9:30pm): Season premiere
- The Bachelor (ABC, 9:30pm): Special 1.5 hour premiere. Apparently Brad Womack has a twin brother. Am I the only one wondering if they traded places during the show?
- Journeyman (NBC, 10pm): Series premiere
- CSI: Miami (CBS, 10pm): Season premiere
Click to continue reading This Week on TV (9/24-9/30)
Top 5: Cliffhangers I’m Waiting to See Resolved
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Comedy, Drama, Prime Time, ABC, CBS, NBC, Grey’s Anatomy, Heroes, The Office,
Having (purposely) blacked out what was left hanging in May, I actually managed to enjoy my summer. Now with premiere dates looming, I’m finding myself salivating and feeling a bit antsy again. Will my returning shows serve me right—or will they just drop the ball? Here are the five season enders I’ve been fretting about the most:
The Office (NBC)
Although they have left me with dread before, the writers have proven they can write themselves out of a possible corner. When Jim initially professed his feelings for Pam, I was afraid the show had gone too far, too soon. But who could have predicted the route last season would take? And now that Jim and Karen are kaput, will Jim and Pam finally be happy? More importantly, will we be happy? And let’s not forget about Ryan and Kelly. What on earth will she do if he really takes that promotion?
Grey’s Anatomy (ABC)
Right now I’m really in the mood for a good girl fight, so I would pay money to see Callie give Izzie (as much as I like her) what she seriously deserves. There’s nothing better than a Callie-done-wrong. And while I liked Preston Burke as a character, I’m surprisingly not sad that he walked out of his wedding. If anything, I’m hoping this will lead Cristina Yang (the fabulous Sandra Oh) to become bitter x 5.
How I Met Your Mother (CBS)
Funny—this show is supposed to be a comedy, yet last season’s finale really shook me up. When Ted and Robin realized they simply wanted different things in life, I immediately found myself going through stages of grief. Nah—they’re
did they have to break up—so what if she doesn’t want kids?? Arrgh—can’t anyone be happy these days? Really, I just want them to do what is best for the show.
CSI: Crimes Scene Investigation (CBS)
As inconsistently as I watch the series (I have to know what’s going on at Seattle Grace)—I found myself drawn to that miniature-doll-killer storyline. Now I will have to find more room on my DVR because I must know what will happen to Sara! Will Grissom find her in time? And now that everyone knows that they are secret luvahs, how will this affect the rest of the show?
Heroes (NBC)
All I can say is: “WTF is gonna happen now?”
