Tech: iLimb gives amputees near-normal function

Touch Bionics announced that the iLimb is now available in the UK and US. The arm uses myoelectric signals from shoulder muscles to control the fingers, giving the user a range of motion approaching that of a human hand. They also offer a latex sheath that resembles a normal hand, like the one shown in this photo. Check out the gallery that gives you a much clearer idea of just how much function this device is returning to amputees. They apparently had to scale back the limb's capabilities because the limb was, in fact, stronger than a normal hand. They use dynamic touch detection to avoid things like breaking a person's hand when exchanging a hand-shake. Found on iGargoyle where they mull the possibility of hacking it.

Gadgets: Self-dialing business card

MAKE Magazine discusses a project in which you can build a business card that calls a predefined number. The idea is that if you want to contact the card-holder you simply follow he instructions ans the card will connect you to them. Based on the instructions it appears that card generates the auditory tone sequence that is recognized by the telephone network and is not, in fact, a cellphone-on-a-card.

Gadgets: Wireless camera memory card.

The Eye-Fi is a 2Gb SD memory card for digital cameras with the added feature that it can make the stored images available on a wireless network. Available now for $100(US) from Amazon, and it probably can be found at most electronics and camera stores. You can apparently set it up that as soon as you bring your camera home it automatically uploads your photos to your home PC (assuming both camera and PC are on), and can even upload them automatically to one of many supported photosites such as Fotki, flickr, or Facebook.