Archive for: LED

Good News: Samsung’s Fancy 55-Inch Super OLED TVs To Only Cost “Slightly” More Than High End LED.

  • January 31, 2012 2:42 pm


When we gazed upon the slew of gigantor 50″+ OLED tvs at CES, we instantly found ourselves awash in emotion. The most obvious and strongest one was awe. Beautiful doesn’t even begin to describe them. But at the same time, we were also left with a feeling of sadness for even taking scale into account, there was no way we’d be able to afford one of the fancy new sets for at least a couple of years. Reminding us of this fact was Sony’s old 11″ OLED “TV” that they’ve had for a couple years now which sold for a staggering $2,500.

Thankfully we won’t have to weep at night. A “discussion” given by Samsung after CES said that their upcoming 55″ Super OLED TV, the KN55ES9600, should cost “well under” the rumored $8,000 price tag that was floated around at CES. According to Samsung, the aforementioned barely there TV should sell at prices “slightly” higher than current high-end LED TVs. For comparisons sake, such TVs are in the $3,000-$4,000 range (though can obviously go higher based on brand). $3-$4k is still a large chunk of change, though it is 50% less than the chunk we thought we’d have to part with.

TV junkies and pixel lovers are no doubt letting out a huge sigh of relief. No one likes to go broke gobbling up the latest tech but it’s something we as aficionados of technology must do.

The Cyglo Tyre: Light up your night riding with LED goodness.

  • August 4, 2010 7:12 am

Being a night rider has its pros and cons. On one hand, it’s cooler at night, there’s less traffic, and it’s generally quieter. At the same time, you’re less visible in the dark and therefore, if not properly illuminated, can end up like the poor racoons we all see day in and day out. But fear not. The Cyglo Tyre, invented by James Tristram, makes use of a simple ring of LED’s embedded in the tire’s sidewall. The lighting choices include not only a constant glow, but also different strobe/blinking effects and several colors. Keeping it all working is a motion powered generator that charges the LED’s with each spin of the tire.

You may look like an incredibly nerdy fellow riding down the street with these, but that’s ok. They’re bloody awesome. Hopefully Cyglo can find a manufacture to build these, ’cause I’d certainly order a couple.

Update: Adidas TRON shoes stop a few feet short of are pure awesomeness.

  • July 26, 2010 7:05 am


Hearing of some Adidas TRON shoes sounds awesome enough in text. Seeing a picture like the one above is like Holy Shiat! Finding out they don’t really have any glowing light whatsoever is the kick in the pants at the end. While it’s unfortunate the TRON shoes above don’t really glow with any self illumination, the glow-in-the-dark stitching and other reflective properties play off lighting and light angles to give off the impression of glowing.

No, the they’re not as cool as they could be. Nonetheless, they’re TRON shoes that will no doubt make a statement — and all of this hype a full 6 months before the movie is even released. What are you guys doing in 6 months?

Whataya know, dreams do come true. Turns out that glowing goodness is the real deal, and made with the same material as the official TRON suits in the movie — “Elastolite” (OryonTech).

Never get hit riding your bike again: LED Spokes

  • May 27, 2010 9:41 am

Riding a bike can be exhilarating. It can also be a death sentence, especially at night. All too often I’ve found myself driving at night and out of no where a dude on a bike pops up in front of me. Whether in the city or country, bikers are hard to spot — even with some flashy vests and reflectors.

That’s why accessories such as LED Spokes need to be implemented. I can see such things getting pretty garish if taken too far. But in the name of safety, at least a couple of LED strips wouldn’t hurt.

What’s particularly interesting about the LED outfit desgiend by Japan’s Suns and Moon Laboratory shown above is that these LED strips can actually display messages in addition to keeping you alive.

Frivilous? Perhaps. But living to ride another day is more than worth it I’d say. Jump inside for a video of the LED light show in action…

LED’s beaten into submission, made to handle wireless traffic to the tune of 2Mbps

  • May 18, 2010 6:49 am

Ok, so the title is bittersweet. One side of the argument, it’s helluva cool to have something as “ordinary” as an LED actually become mini wireless routers of sorts. On the flip side, 2Mbps is hardly going to cut it in the days of HD everything, lossless media, and intense LAN gaming. This is of course brought to you buy the Chinese Academy of Sciences in case you were curious…

The ultimate geek accessory for riders of the night…

  • May 12, 2010 11:22 am

Safety first as they always say…

If you’re a biker (with pedals now) who is familiar with the perils and dangers that night riding bring on, you’ve no doubt become accustomed to your trusty LED or army of LED’s keeping you somewhat visible and alive. A mini-strobe here or there does aid greatly in the night’s overpowering darkness. But there’s something better and geekier waiting for you…

“Smart plug” illuminates to show charge, turns off when finished.

  • March 31, 2010 9:44 pm

How many ways can you really innovate with a plug, outlet, or smartphone charging accessory? It’s pretty basic stuff — electrons shuttled from one probe to another, bringing along their shocking good time. Every now and then however, someone comes along with a facepalm of an idea making us all collectively think “Why didn’t we do that?” The “lighted cable” (some name) is basic in principle though complex in how it makes me want to buy it.

Why is it so cool? If it’s lit up, your device is charging. If it’s off, your device is done (or there’s a power outage). Simple yet complex. I like it.

[Product Page: az-import ($25 USD)]

**The company is looking for a US retailer. If you’re looking to save a few pennies and earn a few in return, start the bulk orders…

Zedomax > Technabob

Bored? Why not make a flashlight…out of half the world’s LED supply. [500-LED flashlight mod]

  • March 29, 2010 7:11 am

I understand. Weekends can be fun but long. Usually I don’t mind because, well, I’m not at work. But even then, sometimes you just want the weekend to pick up the pace and be entertaining. Is that too much to ask?

If entertainment isn’t easily coming your way, take charge and grab the weekend by the horns — so to speak. The 500-LED mod above is easily the coolest illumination project I can think of in recent memory. Besides being massive (in coolness and physical size), this gargantuan beast is bright with a capital “B”. Even though there are 500 LED’s suckin’ down power, requiring what is sure to be one big battery, just remember that it could be worse. Can you imagine a 500 incandescent based flashlight? Ya, that would suck down some real power. So who’s going to try this one next weekend?

Video

Make > Hacknmod > LED Creations

Put that noodle of yours to good use and give it a sweet accessory: The LED Mohawk Helmet

  • March 24, 2010 3:32 am

As we cross into this week’s hump day, we’re left looking at what we’ve accomplished so far, and where we’re yet to go. One thing that I always look ahead towards is what I plan on doing over the weekend. For me, the weekend is the best time of the week. I’m sure I’m not alone. While I’ve got my weekend booked, some may be looking for something to fill theirs with. For those who like little projects, the LED Mohawk Helmet created by “Garrett”, is something that just makes sense. I mean, nerds like flashy things (LED’s) and projects. Put them together and something resembling the LED Mohawk Helmet usually comes forth.

It’s no doubt bright, unsightly, and to some, obnoxious. But that’s what makes it so great. I can tell you that if I ever sit down and attempt this little ditty, I’d wear the hell out of that thing. Am I alone in my boat? Be sure to check out Garote’s LiveJournal if you’re feeling a little curious as to how it all went down.

Zedomax > Hackaday Garote