heat

Deja vu: iPad heat issues similar to iPhone temperature problems of old

One of the biggest concerns to come out of the early days of the iPad revolves around an apparent problem with rising temperatures when operating the touch-screen tablet in direct sunlight or other hot conditions.… Read more

The 404 548: Where we can has cheezburger, chipz (podcast)

We usually scold Wilson for eating while we're on the air, but today we're making an exception so that we can taste test  Jeff's horrific supermarket find: Cheeseburger-flavored Doritos! Who knew that harnessing the sinewy flavor of cooked beef and artificial cheese would be such a catastrophe?

It takes the three of us a few minutes to recover from the explosion of McNausea, but we get it together and move onto the big Apple news of the day: while many Appleheads are still clamoring over the forthcoming iPad release, the rumor mill is also churning about the fourth-generation iPhone that will supposedly be named the iPhone HD for its 960x640-pixel resolution screen. Other features to look out for include a front-facing camera for video calls and an software update that allows for application multitasking. Our own Apple fanboy Wilson G. Tang contributes his own concerns about battery life and network robustness, and also gives us permission to tattoo a half-full hourglass on his face if his predictions are incorrect.

The latest tech trend to hit Japan is called "Ringtone Therapy" that promises the cure for fay fever and obesity by using simple sounds through your phone. Japanese citizens suffering from stuffiness, runny noses, and sneezing from the pollen in the air can call a service that emits noises that supposedly releases the pollen in your sinuses if the user holds the phone up to their nose. You know what else is good for protecting your sinuses? Not holding foreign objects up to your nose.

We can't thank Steve Fatone and Props Guy Jim enough for all the work they've done for the show. Whether it's the Official 404 Temporary Tattoos, NDC's Motherboard action figure, The 404 hoverboard from BTTF, or the Yu Be Gone spray repellent, these guys are a tremendous asset to the show and we're honored to have them as friends. Thanks again, guys! Let us know if there's anything we can do to return the favor, keeping in mind that Wilson is no longer allowed to attend children's birthday parties.

Finally, be sure to tune into the second half of the show for Calls From the Public plus a couple E-Mails From the Public! Keep sending your comments, questions, critiques, and sticker pictures to the 404(at)cnet{dot}com and you might be on a future episode of The 404!

EPISODE 548 Subscribe in iTunes audio | Suscribe to iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video

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Pocket Heat app uses iPhone CPU to warm hands

If there were a "What the heck!" category in the iTunes App Store, Pocket Heat (available for $1.99) would live there.

Pocket Heat turns your iPhone or iPod Touch into a portable heater by maxing out your iPhone CPU's processing power. You can adjust the heat level by using an onscreen slider, which claims to alter the temperature and illuminates graphical "heating elements" on your display.

We would test this app, but frankly, we're afraid to. While the iPhone includes safeguards to prevent serious overheating, Apple has previously issued a heat advisory for the iPhone 3GS. … Read more

Electronic Housekeeper monitors water, gas, electricity

Surprises can be fun, but not when it comes to bills. Electronic Housekeeper, a CES newbie, has made it possible for homeowners to monitor their water, gas, and electricity. Knowing which devices are draining the most energy and who's taking the long showers might be the first step toward lower energy bills.

After selling its products in Europe and the Middle East, Denmark-based Electronic Housekeeper will bring its innovations to North America. The company has created a wall-mountable console that communicates wirelessly with electronics, appliances, heating, air conditioning, as well as water and electricity meters.

Monitoring household appliances and … Read more

WoodPellets.com stocks coffers for winter

When it comes to converting plants into usable energy, biofuels garner the bulk of attention and dollars. But there's a growing number of people using biomass for heating.

One company that's betting on continued growth is New Hampshire-based WoodPellets.com, which on Monday plans to disclose that it has raised $11 million to expand its online home wood pellet delivery service.

With the money, the 3-year-old e-commerce company plans to expand its distribution network to more places in the U.S. (right now, it works mainly in the Northeast) and to develop ways to do bulk shipments of … Read more

Home appliances to get Cash for Clunkers-like rebate

Now that you've dumped your gas-guzzling pick-up, maybe it's time to move that old fridge from the garage.

The Department of Energy is sponsoring a $300 million program, funded by the economic stimulus plan, that will let consumers get a rebate on an EnergyStar-rated appliance. It's modeled roughly like the Cash for Clunkers program, which is now ending, although trading in older home equipment isn't required.

The Energy Department has begun awarding funding for individual states. Maryland is getting a $5.4 million slice and will run the program through the Maryland Energy Administration, according to … Read more

Dinner goes high-tech via 'sous vide'

Several days ago, I visited a wine shop and asked to see their chilled selection. I was surprised, however, when I was told that I could have any bottle chilled within 15 minutes. She indicated a waist-high metal water bath in the corner, filled with a swirling pool of icy water.

Machines like this one operate on the principle of convection: an item can be brought to the temperature of a surrounding medium (like air or water) at a faster speed if the medium is moving over its surface. As in the case of the wine shop water bath, some … Read more

Faber fume hood controls climate, air quality

When I was growing up, my family loved to buy appliances that each had their own purpose: we had a popcorn machine to make popcorn for movie night, a citrus juicer to reap the benefits of freshly-squeezed orange juice, and a rice steamer for, well, you get the idea.

But there is a growing trend in appliance design, and it is marked by the arrival of multitaskers. Appliances are now being bred for multiple jobs: ovens are now expected to steam, microwaves are expected to bake and roast, and many countertop appliances are able to grill, toast, bake, and warm. … Read more

Apple updates heat advisory for iPhone 3GS

Last week, Apple revised a support document about iPhone temperature to include the iPhone 3GS. The June 25 document cautions iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS users to operate their handsets within acceptable temperatures. It makes the following recommendations:

Recommended operating temperatures Operate iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS in a place where the temperature is between zero and 35 degrees Celsius (32 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit). Low or high-temperature conditions might temporarily shorten battery life or cause the device to temporarily stop working properly.

Recommended storage temperatures Store iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS in a place where the temperature is between -20 and 45 degrees Celsius (-4 to 113 degrees Fahrenheit). Don't leave the device in your car, because temperatures in parked cars can exceed this range.

Symptoms of overheating

iPhone will no longer charge iPhone display will dim Weaker cell signal iPhone temperature warning screen appears (see below)… Read more