WiFi on the tracks. Amtrack moving to offer free WiFi on select trains.

If I can have the luxury of internet access via mobile WiFi in my car as well as in a plane, why shouldn’t I be able to enjoy the same services on a train? Amtrack thinks the same thing apparently as they will be debuting “initially free” on train WiFi access on the Acela lines between Boston, New York, and Washington. If you’re one of six people in the country who actually like Amtrack and can deal with a host of other issues such as questionable cleanliness, delays for delays, and an overall “aged” feeling, this is no doubt good news. Longer jaunts around the country outside of the aforementioned locations above will at some point receive wireless nirvana as well. For now however, in true Amtrack style, it’s a waiting game.

The only thing left worrying us is that “initially” verbiage that comes before “free”. Such things usually imply that the free fun time is a limited affair. If Amtrack were smart, they’d learn from the cries and frustration of others — charging for WiFi when you already pay considerable amounts for boarding tickets is an abomination to the human race. Got it?

Engadget > USA Today

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“Transparent Trucks” to save countless lives if they didn’t cost multiple arms and legs…

“Transparent Truck”? At first it sounds like some weird Sci-fi contraption or lead in to the often talked about invisibility cloak. But in reality it isn’t anything high tech or that complicated. The picture above shows this transparent truck concept for what it really is — a simple yet ingenious implementation of technology on the roadways. The only problem in the near-term is cost. As with most forward thinking and leading edge tech, it will cost a pretty hefty sum of money to make anything resembling the transparent truck an actual reality.

Obvious things to consider when developing such a device/service is the cost of the camera needed up front as well as the type of display to use ’round back. I can’t imaging massive 100″ flat screens would be very cost effective or resilient to the rough and tough nature of the world’s trucking environment. A projection type of system would be exponentially cheaper. But then there’s the whole thing with the transparency of the back door and door strength being an entirely different issue. A concept it will remain for now…

It’s a shame really — this technology has the ability to save countless lives, especially those living in mountainous regions. Any interested investors out there want to take the plunge?

Gizmodo > Engadget > Art Lebedev Studio (Translated)

Trip to Mars shrunk to a measly 39 days. Down from 2+ years. (Ducks still forming rows)

Currently, space exploration for humans means a nice little voyage to the moon and back. While traveling in space, seeing the sights, and feeling everything for yourself is, I’m sure amazing, the moon is old news. Manned missions to Mars have been the new hotness for several years now. The only problem (which begats many more “sub-problems”) is the time taken to reach the red planet as well as the year long stay necessary before a return voyage can be made. If we were to go to Mars right now, it would take roughly 6 months with current rocket technology. Coupled with the fact that we have to wait until a special time once every two years where Earth and Mars come closer than average means after the road trip, you’re in for the longest honeymoon of your life. In all, a full two years (give or take a month) is needed for a simple trip to Mars. Then of course you have to think about food, water, waste, trash, and so on. Not small things mind you…